Pandemonium | Dream SMP

03. It's not a pigtail, it's a plait.

"A tour?" Schlatt repeats, a thoughtful look on his face.

It's the morning after our arrival, and Schlatt, Tommy and I all sit around the boy's front room, sipping our respective morning brews.

Schlatt, as per usual, is drinking one of his disgusting protein shakes, while I sip from a mug of black coffee, and Tommy a glass of orange juice. Tommy had initially declared he would be having coffee as well, only for him to then take one sip and almost cough up a lung. He must have wanted to impress Schlatt by drinking something strong. He'd managed two more sips before giving up on the brew, and silently exchanged the coffee for a glass of juice instead.

Tubbo had arrived just moments ago, and now sits perched on a chair with his hands in his lap, smiling happily.

"Yeah, a tour!" He nods, "You guys only got to see a little bit of L'Manburg yesterday. Wouldn't you like to see more?"

"Well it's not like we have anything else planned for today," I say, turning to look at the goat-man, "It would be a good way to spend our time here. What do you think, Schlatt?"

Schlatt takes a glug of his shake before letting out a breath, glancing my way. It must show in my eyes that I want to go, because he sighs and nods, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah. Sure. A tour it is. You boys had better show us something good."

Finishing our drinks, we follow the two L'Manburgian's out into the fresh morning air. The sun is bright today, just as it had been yesterday, and the sky is empty of clouds. A warm gust of wind brushes over my body, pulling lightly at my braided hair. It's a pleasant feeling that is quickly ruined by someone tugging playfully on said braid.

"Aren't you a little old for pigtails?" Schlatt teases, running his thumb over the single, blonde braid.

"It's not a pigtail, it's a plait," I correct him calmly, sliding my hair from his fingers. He watches it slip away with a look akin to disappointment, then smirks and shrugs.

"Same difference. Hey, you ever thought about letting your hair, I dunno, flow free?" He does a wavy gesture with his hands and I can't help but laugh.

"I'll let my hair down the day you shave those mutton chops." I counter, knowing full well that day will never come.

"Oy! Will you two stop flerting and hurry up?" Tommy calls over to us, his hands cupped around his mouth.

"Ah, the child is scolding us, Ares," Schlatt smirks.

"That's because you're wasting time flerting with me." I hum with a small smile.

The man chuckles and shoves his hands into his pockets, following after me as we start the tour of L'Manburg.

Unsurprisingly, Tommy spends the majority of the tour glued to Schlatt's side, like a child with their idol. Numerous times now I've caught the goat-man's eye, pleading me to save him from Tommy. Each time I've ignored him. It's healthy for Schlatt to be put in unfamiliar situations. And if interacting with someone younger than him makes him a more tolerable person, then so be it. As long as he doesn't do or say anything that could hurt Tommy's feelings.

With Schlatt occupied, I'm also given the opportunity to talk with Tubbo, and ask him a question that's been praying on my mind since this morning.

"Was it Wilbur who wanted us to go on this tour?" I ask, my hands folded behind my back as I walk in stride with the shorter boy.

"Yeah, it was." He nods, glancing up at me from beneath his black hat. "How did you know?"

"Well, it's a good excuse to supervise Schlatt without suspicion." I reply simply, "Wilbur doesn't completely trust Schlatt, does he?"