THE WORLD WE KNEW || DSMP READER INSERT

CHAPTER 2. EXPLORATION

As Reader walked through the ruins, taking in the towering, crumbling buildings around them, they couldn't help but feel nervous in regards to the idea of seeing anyone they once knew. They had been in Limbo for what felt like an eternity, and the idea of finally escaping and seeing everyone again was both exhilarating and terrifying.

Just as they were starting to feel a sense of hopelessness, they heard a strange sound in the distance. It sounded like someone was humming to themselves, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the reader heard something other than the creaking of old wood and the howling of the wind. Cautious and curious, they started to make their way towards the sound.

As they rounded a corner, they found themselves face to face with a figure they never thought they'd see again. The figure wore a dark green cloak with a hood that obscured their face, but the reader could feel the familiarity of their energy.

"Dream?"
Reader whispered, barely able to believe their eyes.

The figure slowly turned to face them, and the reader could see the same piercing green eyes that had stared into theirs before.  "What?" He replied, his voice a mixture of familiarity and something else. "Who are you?"

Reader was still in shock, trying to process the fact that Dream, of all people, was now standing in front of them. "What? I'm, Reader-?" they answered, hoping that maybe it'd jog his memory. It was strange, Why didn't Dream recognize them? 

"Okay?" Dream tilted his head to the side, his face covered by that Unforgettable mask. "Am I supposed to know who you are?" Dream further confirmed the suspicion that he didn't recognize them.

Reader had so many questions, but they couldn't find the words to express them. Instead, they just stood there, looking up at the figure that was once their greatest enemy, now standing before them as something new.

"Wait, Dream, You're," They paused as Dream seemed to pause. He stepped closer, "Why do you keep saying that?" He quickly cut in, hand resting on the hilt of his sword. He seemed ready to strike if need be.

"I'm sorry, I think, I may have you mistaken for someone else," Reader looked away, stepping away from Dream. Yeah, something was definitely wrong here. Dream seemed to size Reader up for a moment, arms then crossing. 

"You seem to know my last name, Well enough."

His last name?

Reader's eyes narrowed as they stared. So, Was this Dream? Did Dream have a first name that no one knew about? From what they knew, Dream was only ever known as, just that, Dream.

Reader stood up a little straighter, "Your last name is Dream?" Reader tilted their head up, Awaiting an answer.

Dream stood frozen for a moment, as if trying to process what Reader had just said. Then with a suddenness that took Reader by surprise, he broke out into laughter. It was a low, amused sort of chuckle as if Dream was finding something in this situation absolutely hilarious.

Reader couldn't help but feel a twinge of irritation at the laughter. It felt like Dream was making light of a situation that had Reader's nerves on edge.

Dream's laughter died down gradually, leaving a silence that Reader couldn't help but find uncomfortable. When he finally spoke, his voice was much less intense than it had been before.

 "Sorry, it's just... it's been so long since anyone called me by my last name," He said, with a note of wistfulness in his voice. "I guess it's kind of refreshing."

Reader felt a twinge of curiosity, despite themselves. "So, if your last name is Dream... what's your first name?" they asked, their voice slightly shaky.

"Lorien. You can call me Lorien." Dream, Now known as Lorien, said as he crossed his arms. Reader blinked, looking away as they processed this information. 

So, Dream was.. Lorien, here. Lorien Dream. So, If this wasn't the Dream they knew, Who was this? 

"It's. Good to meet you, Lorien.. Like I said, I'm-"

"Reader. I know,"

It was awkwardly silent for a moment as Reader stared. They didn't want to cause any contention, already. They needed to figure out what they could, And right now, the only person around was.. This "Lorien" Dream. 

"Are you.. Staying around here? I'm kind of alone. Honestly. Been looking for a place to stay," Reader hoped to find out more, and maybe by staying by Lorien's side, they could do so. Lorien looked back over at Reader, He seemed more at ease.

"Yeah, actually, It's me and two of my friends. Clement and Ember." Lorien then began turning to face the opposite direction as he began walking away. Confused, Reader perked up, stepping forward to see if they could follow.

"You coming? You're on my land anyways, Might as well."

His land. Well, Alright.

Reader then moved to walk up beside Lorien, looking over at the pale mask with a smile carved into it. Dream's mask, The mask that was associated with so many bad things, On this Dream. Lorien Dream. 

-And Clement and Ember. Who were those too? They'd just have to find out. Though, If Dream seemed to be named something else here, Perhaps the others were too. As they thought hard, trying to guess, words cut through their thoughts.

"We've been hoping some newbies would live here, actually. Trying to start .. A village, of sorts. -I call it an SMP. Dream SMP, I'm its founder,"


"What?"

Lorien looked at Reader as they walked, leaves and twigs crunching underneath them as the sun shone through the trees. 

"Dream SMP! It's an idea of mine. You'd be our first real .. Citizen of sorts, A Member of the SMP. We could work together, get to know one another." Lorien laughed, then pulling his mask to the side, revealing his face, and those striking green eyes. It really was Dream.

"Up to you, Of course. It'd be nice though, Don't you think? The Dream SMP! A place where people can go to have a new start! That kinda thing," Lorien's eyes stared back into Reader's, an oddly intimate moment it seemed. -An Insight into Lorien's hopes for the SMP.

This was what Dream wanted? Reader had always known him to be manipulative and power-obsessed, Seeing himself as above all. But, This Lorien, So early into what seemed to be the start of the SMP, Seemed like a normal guy.

Like a guy who genuinely just wanted to make a place for people to have community, To have a home.

This Dream wasn't anything like what Reader knew. But then again, They never knew Dream this early into the SMP. What went wrong? They wondered. They then thought back to the voice they heard in the old church,

"You lost everything. Won't you give it another try, Reader?"

Was this meant for them to try again? To save the SMP? Was this a second try?
-Whatever this meant, They knew they had to press on. If they could fix everything, They'd do whatever they could to achieve it.

"That sounds, Great actually. I'd love to join."
.

.

.

.

______________________
Hey, Guys! Here's a new chapter! The next chapter will be Starring Clement and Ember! Anywho, Wishing you guys a good Day/Night, Hope you guys have enjoyed!

-R3v.Izz