Through It All ~ Dream Team SMP ✅

->Eleven<-

I'd been staying with Phil in the orphanage for a few days now. I'd gotten to know some of the children really well. Despite our contrasting personalities, I'd become excellent friends with Tubbo. He was optimistic and bubbly, while I was loud and abrasive. But we played off each other. I'd happily heard the news from walking through the Town Square, that Wilbur had also escaped. The revolutionary hadn't come looking for me yet, but he didn't exactly promise. And in all honesty, I was perfectly happy staying with Phil. I had a roof over my head, food, clean clothes, a bed and friends. My quality of life had skyrocketed, and a little of my faith in L'Manberg had been restored.

But after a while, I thought it strange he hadn't even tried to find out if I was okay. So I'd decided I would look for him. At first, I debated bringing one of my new friends along, but then I remembered that Wilbur was actually a criminal, and no less a murderer, and it was probably best to keep this between us. I had no idea where to even begin my search until I remembered what he told me about when he was attacked by the mob. He said he'd been drinking at a pub called The Halo I could only pray he was a regular. It was my only lead, anyway.

"You're up early," Tubbo commented as I pulled myself out of bed just as daylight started streaming through our window.

"Uhuh, I'm going out," I explained, quickly changing into my white shirt and black pants. I also pulled a red cloak around me, in case it was cold.

"Sounds fun, can I come?" Guilt welled up inside me at my best friend's request.

"Uh... Sorry, Tubbo, I was actually planning on going alone." I watched his face drop, painted with disappointment. I turned away, trying not to look. I hated seeing the shorter boy upset.

"Oh... Okay. Well, have fun whatever it is you're doing!" I could tell he was trying to keep his happy-go-lucky attitude, but there was a weird edge to his voice that hinted at melancholy.

"Maybe tomorrow, we can go on a walk or something?" I suggested absentmindedly, feeling bad. He perked up at this immediately, nodding.

"I'd like that!" He smiled widely. Feeling significantly less bad about leaving him behind, I bid my best friend goodbye and hurried down the stairs. I stopped by the kitchen, grabbing a home-baked roll.

"Weird to see you up this early, Tommy!" Deo joked. Deo was one of the oldest in the orphanage, and he usually helped in the kitchen.

"Tubbo said the same thing funnily enough," I replied, biting into the warm bread.

"Yeah, maybe cause it's usually midday before we see you." The older boy rolled his eyes before going back to cooking.

"Hey, I need my beauty sleep to look like this." I shrugged, exiting the kitchen, humming happily as I ate. I felt so comfortable here I couldn't describe it. I'd found what I assumed to be the nicest people in the city. I didn't have to be quiet and afraid. I could be my loud, funny, brash self. I hadn't wanted to let that side out since I got to L'Manberg, wanting to seem grown-up and professional, but with the people here, I could let loose. Be happy. I felt like I belonged. And it was a great feeling.

I strode down the corridor, pausing outside the library. I stuck my head around the door, spying Phil reading in his armchair.

"Hey Phil, I'm just heading out for a bit," I informed him. The blonde man smiled.

"Okay, don't be too long." That was all he said in response.

"You know me." I grinned. I finished my quick breakfast and left the building.

The minute I stepped outside I regretted my decision. It was freezing. I pulled my red cloak around me tighter, squinting in the harsh wind. If I remembered correctly, Wilbur said The Halo was on Peekay Avenue. Phil's place was on Corvus Road, I had no idea where Peekay Avenue was in the first place, so I mainly just wandered around for a bit. I eventually gave up my endeavours and asked for directions.

I approached a young woman carrying bags of shopping and tried to grab her attention.

"Excuse me, excuse me! Do you know the way to... Peekay Avenue..." I trailed off as she walked away, ignoring me. I sighed. I forgot everyone else around here was ignorant and insolent. I trudged west, past the Town Square, against the wind. I made sure to cover my face at the sight of any guards, still scared they might recognise me.

Down to pure luck, after walking for about fifteen minutes, I found Peekay Avenue. I practically ran up the dingy, claustrophobic street, trying to ignore the musty smell that settled in the air there, searching for the pub Wilbur told me about. It was right at the top, on the corner. Despite only being about midday now, it was alive with activity. It surprised me how welcoming it looked in contrast to the dark, cold surroundings that was the rest of the street. I pushed firmly on the door, not realising how hard I'd leant against it.

The door swung open violently, slamming into the wall and making a loud bang that drew everyone's eyes to me. I lurched forwards before righting myself and closing the door. I was quite obviously younger than everyone else there by a good few years. My eyes slid over the customers, looking for the familiar mess of brown hair. To my dismay, I came up empty.

I nervously walked up to the bar, the woman currently cleaning glasses staring me down threateningly.

"Uh, hello... I'm looking for a friend of mine, Wilbur Soot? He mentioned this place once, maybe he's a regular?" I spoke softly and timidly, a little scared of my current environment. It seemed like everyone here could turn aggressive quite quickly. The ginger woman at the bar surveyed me with narrowed eyes.

"You'll want to speak to Niki." That was all she said, pointing down the bar. My heart leapt. It was the singer who'd yelled at the mob. Wilbur had mentioned her before. I thanked the barmaid and slid down, taking the stool next to the blonde woman.

"Are you Niki?"

"Yup!" She seemed, if possible, even more, bubbly than Tubbo.

"Oh hi, I'm looking for Wilbur, he's a friend of yours, I think..." I trailed off lamely. Just like that, her face dropped, and she lost her happy expression.

"I'm sorry, but if you think I'm going to give his whereabouts to one of Dream's spies-" She started.

"Spies? What? No, no, I know Wilbur. We're friends. We were locked up in the Palace together." I tried to explain. It didn't look like the blonde was buying it.

"My brother is a hard man to find. More often than not, if he wants to talk, he'll find you." I turned around to find the source of the voice. It was a lanky man, only a few years older than I was.

"But he knows me. Can you just tell him Tommy's looking for him?" I asked. I assumed this was Fundy, the brother the revolutionary spoken of.

"Funny, he never mentioned a Tommy."

"Look, you're Fundy, right? Look, can you just tell him, Tommy, that's Tommy from the Palace, Tommy's looking for him." I pleaded, desperately.

"I'd advise you stop meddling in his business," Niki said dryly.

"Just tell him-"

"Uhuh, whatever you say, pal." Fundy nodded, obviously not meaning it. I realised the pub had gone silent, everyone focused on our conversation. The blonde woman and brunette man were slowly edging me towards the exit. Fundy quickly pushed the door open, and I felt myself falling backwards.

I expected to hit the ground as the pub door slammed, but something- no, someone broke my fall. I got up, dusting myself off.

"I'm sorry I followed you, I-" The person below me spoke. I looked down to see who I'd landed on.

"Tubbo?!"