Unravelled - Desert Duo Fic

Chapter 23

"I don't really think they'll be all too thrilled to see me," Mumbo murmured.

"Relax," Scar laughed, nudging his friend's shoulder playfully. "What are they gonna do? They're literally a blob!"

Mumbo shot him an unimpressed look. He cleared his throat and held out his forearms. "I think we've already found the answer to that one."

Scar was silent for a few moments. "Touché," he drawled dryly.

To be completely honest, their decision to visit Friend probably wasn't a great one. Scar admitted this completely. Mumbo had just ignored their advice and then they'd apparently given him the silent treatment, and then everyone learned of their capabilities, so maaaaybe going to see them again wasn't too safe? Now that he thought about it, Scar felt like a bit of an idiot. It wasn't too late for them to turn back, surely... but no. He was committed, now, and they were going to find some answers. Scar wasn't an organised person, by all means, but he had a clear plan in his mind: talk to Friend, find who the alter ego was, recruit Ren and Doc to track Grian's telecommunicator, reunite with Grian, and happily ever after. The end. Grian would stop acting so weird, the server would be safe, and everyone could resume to their normal lives. Mission accomplished.

But, Scar knew it wouldn't be that simple. It never was.

The duo approached Mumbo's base, and Scar noticed that Mumbo's expression seemed uneasy once again. He honestly wished he knew a way to ease the other's nerves. They were doing good! They were on the right path! He just had to trust him!

"Well. This is it," Mumbo announced. He deactivated his elytra and landed on the tallest wall of his storage system, his stance somewhat similar to that of a parrot's. There was still a concerned frown affixed upon his face, Scar noticed to his own dismay as he landed not-so-gracefully next to his friend.

The sight before him was shocking. The entire floor was covered in this void-obsidio stuff (whatever it was called). It was thick as tar and continuously boiling, creating splashes as large air bubbles formed and then popped. "It's like cooking pasta," Scar mumbled absentmindedly.

"What?"

"You know, when you heat up the water and it starts bubbling all over the place. That's when you know it's time to put the noodles in."

"Scar, now is not the time."

Scar bit his cheeks to hold in a grin as his gaze once again returned to the liquid. So this was Friend. Should he try talking to them? He wasn't too sure how well that would turn out, but he didn't have any other ideas. Once again, he hadn't really worked out all the specifics of this plan.

"Fri-end?" he called out in a sing-song-type voice, separating the syllables. "My name's Scar, I'm here with someone you'll find familiar, it's Mum—."

"Dude!" Mumbo whisper-shouted. He slapped a hand over Scar's mouth to prevent him from finishing. "Don't let them know that I'm here, yet. What if they get mad? At least try and get some information, first."

Lips pursing, Scar gave a small nod and Mumbo's hands were removed from his face. He supposed Mumbo was right. But how would he get Friend to trust him? Sure, he was a friendly guy, he knew that much, but he'd never really had to deal with befriending omnipresent liquids, before (shocking, he knew). He preferred to stick to less mysterious-type friends, but, who knows, maybe it was just a niche personal preference of his.

"Friend? Are you there? I mean no harm! I come in peace!" He held up both his arms above his head defensively, smirking to himself a little. He knew he should be taking this more seriously, but come on! This was all starting to get a little boring to him.