An Experiment To Save Humanity

Chapter 8: New Tools and Confidence

"Should we help them advance further, really get the experiment rolling?" Dinnerbone asks Notch, not looking away from the screens.

"And why would you ask that?" Notch replies, glancing at Dinnerbone, a skeptical look on his face.

"It's been two weeks since we sent them to Mincraftia. they are doing well, but, you've seen the signs around us. you've seen how things are progressing here. If we are to make sure that this goes well, that we'll be able to move to phase two sooner than later, we'll need to advance them further."

Notch stokes his beard, glancing out the window, looking at the sun setting below the horizon. the stars starting to shine but, not as many as you'd think, some twinkling bright, while others slowly starting to burn out, getting dimmer and dimmer.

"Yes. advance then further. teach them new things. Encourage them to test the limits of the world. and, give Kurt some inspiration, the poor guy needs it."

"I'm on it." Dinnerbone says before blinking out of sight.

~~~<3~~~

Guude's POV

"Hello Guude" I hear from a British accent

I turn around and see Dinnerbone standing behind me.

"Hey guy... whatcha doin here?" I question

"I'm here to teach you all something. can you assemble the group please?"

"Fine" I grumble

I hit a button and type a message on my wrist COM, informing of the meeting.

"Ok, they should all be here soon."

"Great"

After a moment if silence, I bring something up.

"So, Dinnerbone, would you mind explaining why we are in this world?"

Dinnerbone looked almost startled by the question.

"Like we said, an experiment."

"Really?" I ask skeptically "because I don't believe you, not one bit. and, I feel that we deserve an answer."

"I told you, it's an experiment."

"Um... Guude?" I hear from behind me.

I turn around and see Kurt and Wolfie standing there awkwardly.

I glare at Dinnerbone before turning fully to face Kurt.

"Hey guy"

"There's supposed to be a meeting?"

"Yeah, it'll start as soon as everyone else arrives."

"Oh... guess I'm early..."

"Out wandering again, I take it?"

"Yeah... got a lot on my mind I guess..."

"You know you can talk to me if you ever need to."

"I know..." Kurt scratches the back of his neck "it's just..."

"You find it awkward?"

"Yeah...." Kurt replies, blushing

Before I get a chance to reply, Zisteau walks up.

"Heyo Kurt!"

Kurt blushes deeply "hi Z"

I can tell what Kurt had on his mind now. the two, Kurt and Zisteau, had grown particularly close since we were all forced into this world. Pause and I had made a bet if they'd actually get together or not.

"What's he doing here?" Zisteau asks, pointing at Dinnerbone, who was awkwardly standing there.

"I dunno, something about teaching us" I shrug

More and more people start to flood into town hall. I do a head count and find all twenty nine others assembled.

"Alright, that's everyone." I inform Dinnerbone.

'Ok. so, I wanted to introduce you guys to something new." Dinnerbone pulls out a weird looking block and places it down.

"This is called an enchanting table. you can enchant your armor and tools with it. all you have to do is gain levels and set up an enchanting area with book shelves."

"And, what type of enchantments are there exactly?" I ask

"Some give your armor more protection, some increase the damage your weapons do, others make your tools faster or more lucky. their are a bunch of different ones. but, you'll have to figure that out on your own."

The room is dead silent, which is unusual for the group. when no one says anything, Dinnnerbone continues.

"I would also like to introduce you guys to the potion stand." he places down a weird looking thing "you can brew potions that will have many different effects, some good, some bad, depending on the ingredients you use."

After another pause, Dinnerbone continues.

"Lastly, I'd like to introduce you to the nether. it's one of the other dimensions within this world. it's made of netherack and oceans of lava, so be very careful when traversing it, wouldn't want you to die."

"How do we get to the nether exactly?" I ask

"You'll have to make a portal using obsidian and lighting it with flint and steel."

"Is that all then?"

"Yes, good luck."

And, with that, Dinnerbone blinks out of sight.

I face the group "so... um... no one is to explore the nether until I say so. we'll probably go as a group. and, until then, try to figure out enchanting and brewing. meeting concluded."

Everyone starts to leave, safe for a few people looking at the new items that were still placed.

Kurt's POV

I head out of town hall with Wolfie, thankful to be away from the crowds. I get back to my hidey hole and sit on the bed, coaxing Wolfie to jump up beside me.

I lay back and close my eyes, just thinking.

My thoughts were in many places, building, feeling behind because I hadn't built anything yet, feeling like I'm trapped, and Zisteau.

I don't get how Zisteau can be so confident so... him. I wish I could be like that. I wish I could be with him. ugh. I had never thought I'd grow so close to a person so fast, especially since I'm an introvert.

I'm brought out of my thoughts by light footsteps near my bed.

I open my eyes and shoot up, startled, to see Dinnerbone.

"W... What are you doing here?" I ask

"Came to talk" Dinnerbone states simply

"About?"

"Well" Dinnerbone takes a seat in a chair. "I'd like to get to know you better, so... tell me about yourself, what do you like?"

I'm taken aback by this...

"Um... I've always kinda been interested in space... I guess..."

"Really?" Dinnerbone strokes his beard "have you ever thought about trying to learn about the stars here, in this world?"

I guess I hadn't really... though it gives me an idea.

"Not particularly, though I could... I'd need a place to do it from, an observatory."

"See, there you go. you could build one."

"Yeah.... what was the whole point of this again?"

"Just to talk. you should try to be more confident. it will definitely help."

I open my mouth to say something, but before I can, Dinnerbone disappears.

Maybe I should be more confident.... maybe I should explore the new set of stars. and maybe, just maybe, I should tell Zisteau how I really feel.