Pandemonium | Dream SMP

55. I liked that jacket...

My mind is a cauldron of chaos, swirling with memories of a kiss I shouldn't have shared, and thoughts I shouldn't have thought.

It's been twenty four hours since I kissed Dream. Or since he kissed me. I can't even remember it all that well anymore. All I do know is that it had been a mistake, and one I now lament over, with no one I can confide in.

What am I, sixteen again? Why the hell did I give into my lust like that?! I'm supposed to be the rational one around here. And why did it have to be that man of all people to catch me like that?

I groan and bury my face in my hands, sat at the edge of the tower balcony. My legs hang between the railings, dangling over empty air.

I'm supposed to be here on lookout, but really I'm just using it as a place to recollect my thoughts without worry of anyone seeing my inner turmoil.

I'm not even attracted to Dream. At least not romantically.

I reason with myself, resting my cheek in a palm. I stare out over the country, letting my eyes wander its scenery. It's a perfect day. A vast contrast to how I feel.

Yesterday was nothing more than a lack of judgement on my part. What I let slip wasn't Ares; Ares doesn't cheat or make mistakes. Ares is supposed to be a strong, reliable person. Someone to look up to. And she certainly doesn't kiss strange men just because it "feels right".

Fundy can never know, either. It would break him. Poor, sweet Fundy. I would never have suggested we date if I knew I would slip back into my old ways of act first and think later.

I rest a hand in my lap, where my trident sits across my knees. Its pearlescent blues always do well to calm me. Like a security blanket or treasured toy. It's the only thing I brought with me from my old life, where I shed even my own name to follow Schlatt.

I trail my fingers down its cool metal, spinning it slowly between my hands till my fingers bump against the small letters etched into its hilt, right beneath the three prongs and glowing gem.

Try as I might, I suppose I can never truly forget the original owner of this relic, whose name I still hear in the back of my head on the days I let my mind wander. Whose name I read whenever I gaze down at this deadly creation.

Far in the distance, something colourful catches my eye.

I lean forward, squinting to see it clearer.

A flag of black and gold slowly rises into view, hitched up by a long rope till it reaches the very tip of the flag pole.

That must be Fundy securing the new flag. I think, settling back again to stare at the stretch of cloth. It's so ominous. Nothing like the fun colours of the previous flag. Exactly Schlatt's style.

As I stare, my mind lulling, a flaming arrow zips through the sky. Its trajectory? The newly placed flag.

I'm on my feet instantly, trident in hand, but it's already too late. The arrow tears through the flag, setting it alight in the process. The thing is up in flames instantly, flapping wildly in the wind like a dying animal. Images of the last time I saw a flag burn jump into my memory. Of the smoky sky and orange skyline. The tears in Niki's eyes.

I take the stairs two at a time and jump the final three, landing in a run as I burst from the tower's ground floor and sprint for the flag pole.

Fundy is over there! What if the next arrow hits him?!

I find the fox stood at the cement base of the flag pole, his suit jacket in the dirt as he tries to stamp out the smouldering fabric. He's not the only one there. Punz is nearby, kicking dirt over another fire as it threatens to spread through the dry undergrowth.

"Fundy!" I yell out, skidding to a stop beside him and taking his cheeks in my hands. He barely has time to flinch before I start turning his head side to side, checking for injuries. His fur is a little singed and he smells smokey, but I don't see anything serious.

"A-Ares?" He blinks, his face mushed between my palms. "What are you- how did-"

"I saw the flag catch fire," I explain hastily, "are you okay?"

"Uh, yeah. A piece of the flag landed on my shoulder and it started burning, though. So I had to try and stamp it out." He pulls back from my hands and looks down at the remains of his jacket. It sits crumpled and sad in the flattened earth. "I liked that jacket..." he tilts his head back to stare up at the dying flag. "My flag is gone, too..."

"You can always make another. What we need to do now is find whoever shot that arrow." I instruct, stepping away and setting my sights on Punz. We've never held a proper conversation before, but right now that doesn't matter. "Punz! Make sure no more fires break out! I'm going to go see who tried to sabotage our flag."

And set my boyfriend on fire. I add as an afterthought.

The blonde male nods and flashes me a thumbs up, his gold rings flashing orange under the burning flag.

"Fundy, go let Schlatt know what has just happened. This might be an attack by Dream or Wilbur, and we need to be ready just in case."

The poor fox looks lost, unable to keep up with my pace. But he still manages to nod.

"Uh, yeah, I can do that."

"Good boy." I smile and peck him on the lips. He stiffens up, embarrassed, but I've already turned away and started running again, back the way I came. The arrow came from the South, the direction of the docks. My guess is that whoever shot it is hiding out in one of the warehouses along the docks. Those houses are only used for storage as far as I'm aware. A nice little place to hide out for our arsonist.

And when I find them, you can bet I won't be having a friendly conversation with them.

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Hey, you guys wanna know a secret? That last chapter, where Dream and Ares kissed. Yeah, that wasn't planned. Like. At all. I just decided "hey! Let's throw Dream into this chapter and see what happens? The fans are thirsty for him so why not?" And, well, you all saw where my imagination took it...so yeah...what has probably become the best chapter in this book was written on a total whim!