Pandemonium | Dream SMP

44. I will drop everything to make you feel better!

I sit quietly on a sofa as Schlatt paces around his office, hands clasped tightly behind his back. He's quiet, a worrying characteristic for a man who loves to talk. Ever since I repeated to him my encounter with Techno he's been like this. Pinched brows and narrowed eyes, his lips moving as he mutters to himself. He's thinking, and it worries me.

The doors slam open and my head jerks to the side, only to immediately regret it as the long gash in my neck flares up again. I have a damp cloth pressed to it, my suit jacket folded to the side of the sofa and out of the way. It had thankfully remained blood-free despite my weeping wound, a miracle in itself. I would have been sad if I'd ruined my new jacket on my first day of wearing it. Not much can be said for my white undershirt, however, which looks like a murder scene on a snowy landscape.

"Tubbo says there's an emergency?" Quackity questions, the first one into the office, a bedraggled George at his heels.

Schlatt stops pacing and frowns, making his way back around his desk to take a seat. "Oh, it's an emergency alright. Just look at what that bastard did to my Secretary of Defence." Schlatt gestures to me. I give an awkward smile and a tiny wave.

Quackity scrunches his nose up at the sight of me. He's already seen my sorry state, but George does a full-on double take.

"Is that blood?" He moves forward to squint at me, propping his sunglasses up onto his head.

"No, it's fucking mayo." Schlatt snaps.

"Hey, don't take it out on George just because you're angry that Ares got a lil scratched up!" Quackity defends his friend, his brows furrowing in annoyance.

George steps back, sheepish, and mutters something about being colourblind.

"I don't have time for this shit," Schlatt grumbles, running a hand down his face. Then he barks, "where the hell is Tubbo and that fox?!"

"Here, sir!" Fundy skids into the office, panting heavily, out of breath. A moment later Tubbo appears behind him, flushed in the face and also panting. Did they run here?

"Good, close the door," Schlatt instructs.

The door is closed and an uncomfortable weight settles around the room. Everyone's eyes are on the horned man, his hands clasped beneath his chin. Well, everyone except Fundy, who keeps glancing at me with clear concern.

"Ares, why don't you start us off? Tell the cabinet who you met today." Schlatt says, his voice dangerously soft.

I look between him and the sudden eyes upon me. "Yes, sir. The man I met today was named Techno."

"Holy shit. You met Techno?!" Quackity exclaims, finally looking as concerned as the others.

"Is he the one who hurt you?" Fundy butts in.

I nod, deciding that saying it was an 'accident' probably wouldn't sound very convincing. "Yes, he was carrying a crossbow and a sword at the time I met him."

"Did...did he say why he was here?" Tubbo questions from the back, his voice meek and filled with worry. But also something else. Something...hopeful? But why would he be hopeful? Does he know Techno?

"Yes, actually." I shift between the cushions, the pain in my neck growing uncomfortable. I want to lie down. "He mentioned joining a rebellion-"

A fist slamming down onto a desk has everyone jump, especially Tubbo. I'm used to Schlatt's loud noises by now, and manage to hold back my surprise.

"Those little bastards." Schlatt mutters, "they fucking employed him! Of course they did!" He gives a short, high pitched laugh devoid of any humour, and this time even I flinch.