How to take down an empire with voices in your head

7. News

Ranboo stood in front of the door, waiting for it to open. It was Phil's house he stood in front of, waiting for the man to answer. Ranboo needed to ask him a few questions, so he was willing to sit patiently for the man. Ranboo tapped his foot and almost in sync Phil opened the door.

"Oh, Ranboo! How's it going, mate?" Philza greeted him with a shake of the hand.

"I'm doing good," Ranboo nodded. "Just wanted to ask you a few questions if you have the time?"

"Uh, yeah come on in?" Philza opened the door hesitantly. Ranboo noticed this, Philza probably thought it was something much more serious.

They both walked over to the same spots they had sat in last time. The book that Phil was holding when he opened the door last time was now placed on the table along with three whole different ones. Ranboo looked back at Phil and just now noticed the state the poor man was in.

Phil's hair was getting tangled in many places, Phil always prioritized his hair looking good. Phil had heavy bags under his eyes, Phil loved to sleep. It was something he, Ranboo, and Techno all loved. Ranboo started wondering whether now was an appropriate time to take about what he came here to or check up on his friend.

"Phil, are you good?" Ranboo asked.

Phil sighed and smiled, "Yes just tired. Been busy with things."

Ranboo gave a small nod, "Just making sure. You look a bit... yeah, tired."

"So," Phil clapped his hands together, "What did you come here to ask me?"

"Oh yeah, so like, where has Techno been?" Ranboo asked.

"Because I haven't seen him and I don't know if he just... left or?"

Phil laughed a little at Ranboo, "Oh Techno? Yeah, he's in prison."

"Wh- What? Like the prison prison?" Ranboo hesitated, clearly confused.

"Yup, in the Pandora's Vault," Phil nodded.

"Like in one of those cells?"

"Uh nope, he's with Dream?"

"Dream?"

"Yup mate," Phil said, calmer than Ranboo was alright with.

"Aren't you worried? It's Dream!?"

"And he's Techno."

Ranboo went silent trying to understand Phil, sure yeah it was Techno. But Dream wasn't just strong he was manipulative, could Techno take that?

Ranboo sat back down after standing up while stressing about Techno, he thought whether they should do anything or if there even was anything they could do.

"Can we get Techno out?" Ranboo asked. Surely there was.

"It's the Pandora's Vault Ranboo! What am I supposed to do?" Phil said, laughing a little. Ranboo was genuinely so confused on how Phil was acting so calm about this, even laughing.

"I don't get how your laughing," Ranboo mumbled, shaking his head.

"Ranboo," Phil began placing his hands on his lap, "Techno is going to be fine."

"Well, how do you know that?"

"Just- Ranboo just trust me on this alright? Techno know's how to handle himself with practically anything."

Ranboo gave a small nod and, "Well, that's really all I came here to ask you."

"And apparently Techno's doing just fine in that prison so now there's nothing. Nothing to talk about, and nothing we can do about Techno," Ranboo said with a sigh.

"You gonna head out?" Phil asked, standing up. Ranboo shrugged, looked around, and nodded. He stood up and walked to the door, turning back to Phil before opening it.

"Well, thanks then, Phil. See you sometime later?" Ranboo waved before closing the door.

Once he heard the door click he let out a big breathe, should he try and help Techno? He walked across the sparkling snow to his house, avoiding the puddles that formed from some of the melting snow. He unlocked the door and went up the ladder to his bed. He sat down and the edge and thought about whether Phil was being too calm about this, or if it was a good idea to let Techno be.

Surely they had to help him? Techno wouldn't want to be stuck in a prison with Dream, but he was, so shouldn't Ranboo help him?

What if Phil was right? What if it's better to not interfere and just let Techno find a way out?

Too many thoughts raced through Ranboo's head he almost missed his black cat, Enderchest, sitting beside him on the floor.

"Hello," Ranboo greeted the cat with an ear scratch, "How are you doing?"

Enderchest took it as an invitation to hop up on the bed, immediately getting comfortable on his pillows. He laughed and stretched across the bed.

He reached his arm and began to softly pet her while he looked out the window. It was quite dark. Ranboo shrugged, deciding it would be a good time to start heading to bed. He'll think about Techno's situation tomorrow.