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grayson-starr · 3 months ago

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Drywaters

Far away from The Greater SMP and L’manburg there was the small village of Drywaters. A place that never got involved with any wars. Never once did the village send supplies or a makeshift group of soldiers to die for a cause that wasn’t their own. What they did however was always take in refugees. People that fled from nations locked in war. Those that left from fear or injury. Drywater was a safe haven for any person in need, no matter where the lost soul came from.

Drywater was pretty small, it was to the point it could not count as an official nation. The people there didn’t care about what title their land held. They cared about the festivals they held each fall to celebrate their great harvest in farming for the year. Farming both crops and livestock was what the Village was known for. It was its main export after all, along with artisan goods made from each harvest.

Niki came from L’manburg a country that was founded on war and bloodshed. It preached that it was a safe place away from the tyranny of The Greater SMP. Yet every single time a person took the mantle as leader corruption seeped through. Even a young, kind soul like Tubbo was changed after taking that ratchet title.

She remembers that day clearly as if it was yesterday. The nation that used to seem so great had just finished its first reconstruction after the war. Dream that damn monster threatened violence, if young poor Tommy wasn’t exiled. The boy was still just a teenager, younger than even Tubbo who was barely an adult. It was all because of a stupid prank, an accidental house burning. Tommy had sacrificed everything day after day for that nation. At the big announcement, Tubbo delivered the verdict. That Tommy was to be exiled, the two were practically brothers. Heck, Niki saw them both as family to her, the little boys she had to teach how to sew a wound shut.

It felt almost unreal watching Tubbo hand Tommy over to Dream. Watching Dream drag him out of the city. Almost everyone ignored Tommy’s cries. It was as if all the teen’s sacrifices had disappeared, L’manburg wouldn’t be standing without him. A child soldier who put his life on the line more times than she could count. Niki couldn’t look Tubbo in the eye after that.

Together with Fundy, she left that nation without looking back even once. With Wilbur gone, she could not leave him alone there. She saw firsthand how he almost lost his way when Schlatt was in charge, there was time Niki couldn’t tell what side the young man really was on. They traveled for over a week before finally stumbling upon Drywaters.

Though that was over four months ago, things have been better for a while now. Niki had her own farm with a barn of sweet animals. Sweet ones that she never had to worry about being killed while she slept. Though some nights, she woke up in a cold sweat, unable to go back to sleep until she checked every inch of her house. Scars that littered across her skin never went away, but she learned not to be ashamed of them. Those marks on her skin just showed that despite how much she went through, she is still alive. She even has a yellow service cat named Corn. He helps with her traumatic episodes along with her hearing. The leopard hybrid had lost all hearing in her left ear. It happened because of all the fireworks shot at her in the siege of Manburg.

********

One day on a perfect, lightly cloudy yet sunny morning, Niki was making the most of it. She was in her garden working away at some fresh ready-to-harvest lettuce. It was perfect for a nice tuna salad, she licked her lips just thinking about it. She grabbed another handful of the vegetables, placing them in her inventory. That was when Corn jumped into view, clearly trying to get her attention.

“What is it boy?” She asked with a small smile. The Leopard hybrid watched her cat run towards her front porch. She followed around, wondering if Fundy surprised her with a visit. However what was actually there stopped her in her tracks. There was a large brown sturdy built horse with white accents. Though it was the infamous Piglin riding it that caught her eye.

“Been a while Niki, I have a proposition for you.” Techno spoke, each word clear and crisp. He stepped off the horse, his height on a towering display. A trident could be seen on his back, and a sword at his side. The man didn’t even try to attempt to hide his weapons. Some were convinced he was the god of blood and war for a reason.

“A proposition for me?” Niki questioned, a bit confused by the man’s words. She didn’t know Techno too well despite being in the Pogtopia resistance with him. He usually only interacted with Tommy and Wilbut, the times he didn’t, he was by himself. Grinding supplies for an upcoming attack or creating elaborate battle plans. The only time the two genuinely interacted was when they were working on the potato farm together. He was strangely a kind reserved soul when he was not on the battlefield.

“I am making a group, a syndicate of sorts. There should be a power there to wait for when the government gets out of hand. To stop the never-ending cycle of war.” Techno explained. He wasn’t even looking at her, instead he was messing with something on the back of the horse. She couldn’t get a proper good look at it.

“I’m not sure if you want me involved. The only things I am good at are farming, baking, and sewing. Not the skills you want on a war council.” Niki spoke, her tail swishing slightly behind her nervously. She could feel Corn gently nuzzle up gently against her leg.

“Stop selling yourself short; those traits are important in the time of war. Besides, I know what you are capable of Niki, even if people constantly overlook you,” The Piglin spoke before pulling a huge bundle of cloth off of his horse, “Though I did bring what you may call a peace offering. To show you can trust me.”

Niki was confused about what he could have brought. Knowing the man, it could be equally like a shiny new set of armor or a living polar bear. She stepped closer, realizing it wasn't a bundle but instead Techno’s old red velvet cape. Reaching out a hand she pulled away a corner of the cloak, revealing what was tucked away inside of it.

Asleep curled up in a ball was Tommy, though strangely the teen wasn’t wrapped in his wings for warmth. His golden curls were all in knots and uneven, with some locks cut just a fear inches away from the scalp. Tommy was clad in the same outfit he left L'manburg in. It was torn and covered in many holes and stains of dirt. The teenager looked horrible, Niki was right to question something was off about the exile.

“...Tommy!...” She gasped immediately pulling him into her arms. He didn’t even make a murmur, he was completely out of it in a deep sleep. Niki gave a worried glance to the Piglin worried about the teen’s safety.

“He is fine, I had to put him into a deep sleep. The shape I found him in, even with potions he needed rest. I should probably give you a warning Niki. Dream made sure he couldn’t escape, took the boy's wings.” Techno spoke, anger seeping through his words at the end. It was obvious that the Greater SMP might have been an early target of the syndicate.

“...I will join your group Techno…” Niki spoke softly. She slowly sat down Tommy not wanting to let go of him. Gently tucking him back into the cape, she gave him a small smile. Running inside of her ranch house heading straight to her storage room. She searched through her walls of chests until finding an ender pearl. Sighing in relief, happy that she still had one left over.

Heading back outside she went over to where Techno was waiting. Using one of her claws she sliced her left palm, making sure the cut wasn't too deep. Niki smeared the blood onto the pearl before giving it to Techno. This way as soon as he threw the portal it would summon her.

“Take care of him, he needs a place like this to stay and heal.” Techno spoke as he pocketed the portal. He gave a wave before mounting his horse. Niki watched him ride off leaving her with Tommy still wrapped up in the cloak.

********

Tommy slowly came too as he felt an unfamiliar warmth. The teen’s piercing shimming sapphire eyes fluttered open. He looked around, finding himself in a proper bedroom. It felt so foreign after spending so much time in that damned tent. He should've felt a wave of relief yet he didn’t. The blond didn’t know where he was, but he knew, Dream wouldn’t be happy.

Despite craving the warmth and wanting to stay in a proper bed all day, Tommy pushed the blanket off of him jumping to his feet. The first thing he noticed was his clothes. The outfit he had been stuck in for months was gone. In its stead was a pair of jeans without a single hole and soft homemade red wool sweater. He didn’t deserve this, why did he feel so happy wearing them?

Pushing the door to the bedroom open, he immediately lost his balance falling to the ground. The wooden door slipped out of the blond’s fingers causing him to lose the stability he needed. Since Dream made sure he couldn’t fly away and escape it had been harder to keep his balance. Tommy just stayed on the ground not getting up to his feet. Curling up into a ball, scared of his own failure and shortcomings.

A pair of footsteps echoed through his ears, causing him to flinch even more. It had to be Dream. The man must have found him. Tommy didn’t remember entering this cozy home, but it must have been his fault. He was gonna be punished for it. His new clothes would be thrown into the pit like all the armor he tried to make. It’s not like he caught a lucky break right?

“Tommy? Hey, what's wrong? Though I am glad you are finally awake.” Niki’s sweet voice immediately calms his nerves. She always knew how to help him during attacks. If it was with a soft pep talk or warm freshly baked cookies, it worked every time.

“Niki?” The Avian asked, peeking his head up. He saw her kneeled down at his side, staying down at his level. All Tommy wanted was to tackle her into a hug, snuggling close like they did on cold nights during the early days of L’manburg. She seemed to have noticed his hesitation. With a gentle smile she slowly pulled him into a hug making sure not to scare him. The Leopard hybrid rubbed his shoulders letting the teen melt into the touch.

“I need to leave if Dream finds me he will hurt you.” Tommy muttered trying to hold back his tears. It was weak to cry, right? That’s what Dream had told him. The man didn’t lie, right? Yet Niki seemed to be proving the rule of exile wrong. She was letting him be vulnerable, he knew the leopard hybrid always wanted what was best for him.

“Tommy You should have never been in that exile. You were a kid that messed up, then you were betrayed by everyone you would have given your life for. Techno for you free from that Nether on earth. I trust he left a message to make sure that monster does not come after you.” Niki comforted him and kept a soft quiet tone. She knew to be careful and not speak to someone during an emotional attack. Wilbur had always left her to emotionally care for the kids during war time.

“Am I really safe and free? The green teletubby can’t get me?” Tommy asked in disbelief, yet a bit of his ornery wit had returned to his words. That earned a smile from Niki. She gently whipped her thumbs by the Avian's watery eyes. A small gesture to show that his tears were okay.

“You are at my humble little ranch home. I left L’manburg with Fundy after your exile. It didn’t seem right to me and I couldn’t shake off that feeling. Decided it was about time to start a new chapter away from everything that hurt me. Sometimes it felt like I had to stay to excuse all that I sacrificed for the nation. As soon as I got settled down here I started to feel happy in a way I couldn’t even describe. I felt free in a way. Being able to make jewelry without thinking the materials would have been better saved for armor. Thinking like that helped us stay alive, yet it wasn’t healthy to think like that during our supposed time of peace.” Niki spoke giving one of her famous little pep talks. Knowing that Tommy lost so much of his childhood, that he didn;t know it was okay to relax. She hoped that he finally could.

“Thanks for the new clothes, I should probably go make myself a hutt of dirt. Probably should get a jump on it so I can get it done before nightfall.” Tommy stated as he tried to get up to his feet. It took him a few seconds to try to get his footing. He saw Niki offer an arm in case he needed it to stand. The blond gave a little head shake to let her know that he was alright.

“You know I don’t mind if you stay in my extra room Tommy. Though you should know it isn’t gonna be free. Think you can handle some chores. Think you can handle helping out in the barn and help hand up the laundry?” She offered with a simple question. Niki could get by without the extra help. However she knew Tommy would feel like he was overstepping if he got something so important for free. That or the fact that Tommy loved helping out with sheep, cows, pigs, and chickens. A lock on the barn door would not be able to keep him out.

“Yes! I mean I guess I could agree to that.” Tommy muttered trying to hide his excitement. He was still trying to get used to unlearning all that was drilled into his brain during exile, not just that. Wilbur had become less and less the man he looked up to as Pogtopia went along.

Niki reached out a hand making sure to watch her pace, making sure Tommy saw the movements. She then happily ruffled his curly locks with a smile. Her hand soon got stuck in a knotted tangle. This got a small almost reflexive chuckle from Tommy as Niki struggled to get her hand free. Her ears flicked in slight annoyance at the tangled mess.

“Right, I didn't give you a haircut yet. While I made sure to get you washed up and in fresh clothes, I didn't want to touch your hair till you could give input on it. Here is the game plan alright. We are gonna make a fresh, proper meal together. Then after that I will get your hair fixed up.” She told him the plan. Though the Leopard hybrid waited for Tommy to give an approving nod before she led the way to the kitchen.

********

It only took a few weeks for Tommy to settle into things in the ranch. He had three house chores and two barn chores to choose from with the rule he had to complete at least two of them a day. There was a chart in the dining room that displayed the chores of the day. Tommy needed a schedule yet a sense of freedom. Though above everything else the avian needed something to keep him busy.

Tommy was slowly getting used to being able to walk, he was even learning some sign language for Niki. The Avian liked to joke that it was harder to get used to having his hair so short on the left side of his head. Though thankfully he was able to keep some length of his curls on the right side of his head.

He was currently in the barn sitting in the middle of a herd of sheep. Sitting on his knees having one of the sheep rest its head upon his lap. Tommy took a pair of sheers making sure he carefully clipped clumps of wool. The soft fluffy white pieces fell into the open bag.

As he worked he listened to a jukebox playing the disc Otherside. Niki had bought it for him from a traveling merchant. She had told him that she couldn’t bring back the discs that he had lost. However she could give him a new one and new memories. It was his new favorite thing, he put it in his ender chest every single night before bed.

When he heard the barn door open he gave a small jolt, making sure to pull his arm away from the sheep. Though after the initial adrenaline faded,he put the shears down with a bright smile. Leaving the poor sheep half sheared he hopped the fence leaving the pin. Over to the front of the barn where Niki was waiting for him for freshly made blueberry muffins.

“Thanks, Niki.” He smiled, going to grab a muffin, hungry after a big day of work. Niki gently lifted the plate up causing Tommy to almost trip and need to catch himself. The golden-haired teen looked at her with big sapphire eyes full of betrayal.

“Tommy, what's the magic word?” Niki asked him with a small chuckle, her tail swaying behind her. She gently lowered the plate of muffins back down in range. It could be seen as annoying or nagging, but Niki knew it was important to remind him. Tommy grew up in a place where stealing and destruction were the norm. The leopard hybrid knew the little gremlin needed gentle reminders on these things, but in a way that didn’t bring up unwanted memories of exile.

Niki does her best to balance helping Tommy out and letting him stand on his own feet. He was a strong warrior and almost an adult. Though she had to keep in mind he was never really given a childhood. Though she was a teen when L’manburg was founded, Tommy was younger. Sometimes, it was healthy for him to have what he lost due to war. Niki didn’t always feel like she was perfect when it came to this, yet she always tried her best.

She also knew it wasn’t far for herself to spend all her free time babying and worrying about Tommy. While Niki did some activities with Tommy like going to the market with him, she made sure to give herself some time without him. On Thursdays when the teen went to a knitting club, she would spend some time at the Village’s small library, seeing what to check out each visit.

“Okay, please can I have a muffin almighty boss woman.” Tommy spoke, rolling his eyes a bit. He then happily grabbed one of the muffins. Niki didn’t get onto him, knowing it was a good thing he felt comfortable being himself around her again, especially without having to apologize afterward. She was proud of his progress.

“Thank you Tommy. Don't forget to finish up with that sheep. I don't think he pulls off your haircut as well as you.” Niki reminded him. Tommy just nodded and laughed as he began eating his treats. He was very thankful that she took him in, giving him a chance at a life he never thought he could obtain. @graysontheslime @mcyt-winter-of-mf

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grayson-starr · 3 months ago

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Drywaters

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#YOOOOO!!!!#THIS IS SOO CUTE!!

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