When the game becomes reality (OLD WORK)

Chapter 26

They hadn't actually known there was a stable in the village, it had been more of a blind hope that they could get saddles here because... it just made sense? But now they were confident in it, with the horses settled in a large fenced area with other ones, happily munching away on grass and hay from the feeders. If there are horses and a stable, there are saddles. Simple as that. 

As promised, Kai led them straight to Elfstone after the horses were taken care of, even though half of the group already knew where the blacksmith was from the last time they visited. Not that they said anything about it, just silently following. Anything to distract from the... awkward moment from before.

Smoke climbed from the blacksmith, loud clanging of metal on metal being heard from outside already, even with the noise from the street. "Well. You guys have fun with your shopping." Kai waved goodbye, completely avoiding both Phil and Techno as they turned around and left. The two looked at each other, shrugged and decided to ignore it as Phil went on ahead into the building, checking if the villager really had time for them before calling the others in. No reason to come barrel in with six people if he was busy with some orders or something.

The heat of multiple burning furnaces and the lava pool at the back almost made him sweat in his multiple layered clothes, but his wings took an immediate liking to the extra warmth. Alright, keep wings extra warm, mental note added. In the corner, he could see Elfstone happily working away on a sword, not bothered by the heat at all. Probably used to it by now. Phil decided to wait by the desk, not wanting to enter the workshop part of the blacksmith. "Elfstone!" The loud clanging stopped as the man turned to look at him, a big grin immediately on his face as green eyes lit up with joy. "Philza! Good seeing you again!"

He put the sword aside and walked over to Phil. "How have you been? Did Tubbo get to you guys okay? He did manage to find you right?" The blonde nodded, taking the offered hand as a greeting. You'd think seeing Phil was the most exciting thing of the day with how much the man grinned at him. "He and Wilbur both made it to us unharmed. We were happy to see them again, especially unharmed. Thank you for taking care of them, Tubbo told us about what you did for him."

Elfstone smiled, nodding along to his words. "He's a sweet kid, put a lot of hard work in for the few days he was here. He has a surprising amount of strength stored away in that short body. We were surprised to hear that he knew you guys. Complete coincidence that we found out too, asking completely out of the blue about travelers that came through. I think he even mentioned your hat specifically. Or was it Wilbur,  I forgot... but they did specifically ask about you!" "I can imagine that was a surprise, considering he lived with you for a bit before asking."

The blacksmith stretched his arms above his head, yawning as he nodded. "Sure was. Now to the big question, how in the world did you manage to hide these things last time you were here? I didn't even suspect you were an avian last time I saw you! They aren't as small as Kai's, seems impossible to keep hidden just behind your back under your clothes. How did you do it?" Phil stiffens, glancing back at his wings. Fuck, of course he forgot about them again.  "Right... uh... I hid them with... invisibility? Like... the potion." Elfstone frowned, eyeing the wings for a bit, then him again. "That works? Just making specific body parts vanish?" Welp, I'm dead. "Pouring it on something is different than drinking it, unless it's made as a splash potion to begin with." Stop digging yourself a deeper grave you idiot!

Yeah, Elfstone didn't believe that for one second. He may be a blacksmith, but he knew how potions work. Everyone knows, even with their limited access to the magic item. No one really trusts the crazy old man to brew them properly. 

Phil mentally slapped himself for even trying to lie his way out of this, already panicking the longer Elfstone stayed silent. This will just get worse the more people ask him. He should just come clean, that will probably be less confusing than- thanks to some miracle from whatever god is up there, Elfstone seemed to accept the answer and nodded. Wait what? "Fair enough. I know avians are really careful with going into villages, even years after all that hunting them down thing has stopped. You don't have to worry about that here though." Phil slowly nodded, his wings shifting and tugging closer to his back. "That's why they are out and visible now."