Starving isn't so bad anymore (Don't Starve Together Fanfiction)

Chapter 6: A Proverbial Wrench

"I still don't see why we have to sand them down to neatly, it is just a boat after all." Willow said as she held the large piece of smooth wood in place while I finished nailing it to its counter part. 

After we had finished the sketches with the help of Wickerbottom's books I started carving and sanding down the inner supports of the boat that were reminiscent of whale bones.

"Because then we can make sure that everything fits together and doesn't leak or fall apart when we're in the middle of the ocean. I would prefer we didn't drown because you didn't want to sand down the wood." I said in a joking tone.

She flapped her hand in mockery as I climbed down from the makeshift scaffolding.

"Mock me all you wish but I won't let Whitney step foot on this vessel until it's finished and I know it's sea worthy."

"Ever the protective father, even against the sea."

"Indeed. Now let's go see if the next supports are finished so I can sand them." 

As we were walking over to the tent where Woody and Wolfgang were carving the trees into the needed parts, with WX-78 supervising them to make sure they were doing it right, Wendy came over and stopped us.

"Father, I don't suppose you'd be interested in the fact that Maxwell is here." she said while holding Chester to her chest, just as she'd done when little. She had begun calling Willow and I 'mother' and 'father' instead of mama and papa, overly formal yet it somehow suited her.

"Really? Usually he phases right to me. Where is he now?" I asked, confused since this was strange behavior for the madman.

"Well when he showed up to talk to me I was playing with Whitney, and she was excited to see the bastard since he was new to her. When I left to come get you she was insisting that he play with her so about now she's probably got him tied up and wishing his shadowy form wasn't corporeal." she said with a smirk. 

"Would it be wrong of me to want to leave him there for a little while?" Willow asked jokingly.

"I think it would be a fair punishment but I would prefer Whitney didn't learn swears from an apparition of an asshole." I responded. 

The three of us walked back into to the camp and saw something similar to Wendy's expectations.

Maxwell was inching away from Whitney in a caterpillar like fashion while Whitney was struggling to drag a rather large piece of firewood, which I was absolutely sure she intended to hit Maxwell with it. A part of me wanted to let this scene play out but I decided against it.

"Whitney, could you hold off on hitting him for a little bit so I can talk to him?" I asked with a slight laugh in my voice.

"Fine Papa, but make it quick."

I chuckled as I crouched down and began talking to Maxwell.

"So, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" I asked cheerily.

"Haha. I fail to imagine how you are able to raise such a little demon. So how is your ship coming?" Maxwell responded as he struggled to sit up. 

"The boat is coming along nicely considering we don't have the machinery or supplies of the world we were ripped away from, the stone nails being something I personally have some concerns about when it takes forever to make them. But Woody and Wolfgang are admittedly talented at carving the pieces and planks. And the sail seems to be coming along nicely for something made from hides and leathers sewn together with tendons. Now as for your true intentions for this visit, I am more than sure that you didn't come here simply for a status report."

"About that you are correct, my insane intellectual. I came here to tell you that Charlie has caught wind of our little plan." he said as spikes formed on his body, breaking the rope that bound him. He then stood up as I responded.

"So is she going to try and stop us? With a tidal wave? A horde of monsters? Come on Maxwell, you know what she's doing and when so I assume you know most if not all of her plan."

"Calm yourself Wilson. Though she despises the thought of me being freed she also doesn't want to hurt you or your group, especially since you have a child. She'll most likely make the journey difficult but she won't do anything to kill you, at least not intentionally. She has a lot more control over this world than the original Maxwell, probably because she isn't completely human and the throne hasn't created a duplicate of her to hand most of the control over to, but she doesn't have total control. She can temporarily shift the weather and the waves but not for long. Same goes for animals and monsters, temporary control only. While it does throw a proverbial wrench into our plan it's a small wrench. Her controlling of the weather will make it hard for you to navigate but I could accompany you on the ship and act as a compass seeing as I can feel the book."

I was silent for a moment. I held my chin in contemplation, taking note that my chin had a bit of stubble that I should shave. 

Maxwell was right. Charlie acting against us even in a non-lethal way could be dangerous if we were to be blown off course and couldn't find our way back, especially with the limited supplies we can take on a boat. And I know Maxwell didn't say it, probably because he knew I would realize it, but Charlie can most likely control the plants on the island as well which could make collecting enough lumber difficult. And we should prepare for any monster attacks. I know that there are monsters born with mutations that make them less dangerous and I have a strong feeling that she'll send those monsters our way. 

"Willow." I said turning to my wife.

"Hm?" she responded, caught by surprise and being brought out of her own contemplation.

"I need you to inform everyone that they should be prepared for a monster attack at any time, and also to plan on bringing more food than previously anticipated. And, this is just based on the assumption Maxwell doesn't eat, sleep, or drink, don't plan on adding another person to the food ration plans." 

"Fine. But I do expect to get filled in on all the details. I'm not as thorough when it comes to thinking these sort of things through." she said as she walked away. She may discredit herself when it comes to thinking possibilities, but she can be more thorough than me when it comes to leading the group but I assume by 'these sort of things' she means when it comes to sailing or dealing with Maxwell's affairs.

"So Maxwell, if you're going to be joining us on the boat ride I'll have to insist you help with building it." 

"What?" he said dryly.

"Well first you insist we travel out to get you a book but now you also want to come along on the journey? Guide or not you still need to contribute. That is unless you want to help babysit Whitney."

He grimaced and looked back to Whitney, who was practicing her swing.

"I think I'll go help with that sail!" he said as he speedily walked away.