#sorry if this is bad characterization but I'm trying my bestest lmao

[mythrilhusk]

Why Can’t You Trust Your Own Eyes: Part 3/?

Part 1 | Part 4

Technoblade takes both regen pots from Hannah and breaks them over Dream. Some of the mist curls around his own wounds, but the smaller, broken man gets the brunt of the healing. Techno's kindness seems almost paradoxical with the brutal ease with which he fought her and her friends during the Banquet. If Bad hadn't dragged her away, he would've killed her, or she might've managed to kill him after a harrowing battle. 

"Thanks," Techno chuffs warmly, eyes twinkling. "We appreciate this." 

Hannah nods, a smile quirking at her lips. "You can't stay here long. Sam will want to search everywhere." 

"Yep." Techno slurps his bowl of mushroom soup. "We've got a destination in mind." 

"We do?" Dream perks up. 

"Yep." Techno doesn't elaborate. "We'll pay you back for this, by the way." 

Hannah hums, considering her options. There's one in particular that's looking more and more appealing. "How much?" 

Technoblade shrugs, smiling. "You wanna negotiate right now?" 

"I've got an offer for you," She replies. "You're pretty stacked, after all, I think you could afford my services." 

"Alright, let's hear it." 

Hannah smiles haughtily. "You first. What are you willing to pay me?" 

Dream tugs quietly on Techno's cape, glaring warily at Hannah. Technoblade unhooks his cape and casually wraps Dream into a burrito before turning back to the bartering. "I've got several villagers. I can give you permanent trading access to them." 

Villagers would be useful. She hasn't exactly captured any of her own yet, after all. "Hmm, tempting. And that would be for?" 

"That would be for the hospitality you've given us," Techno says, crossing his arms. 

"Hm, alright. I want to sweeten the deal for both of us, though." Hannah grins. Dream huddles in his cape-burrito and remains silent. Techno nods for her to continue. 

So she spreads her arms and offers, "I'll go with you, and give you weapons, armor, and food for the journey. I'll protect you, both of you, and I won't betray you to any of your hunters." 

"K, and what's the price?" Technoblade picks at his tusk, seeming bored, but Hannah can tell he's at least somewhat interested. 

"Six netherite blocks." 

"That's a bit steep for what you're offerin', not gonna lie," Techno laughs, then sobers. "But I'd say it's doable, perhaps, if we add on one more little perk. Help us with our goals, and it's a done deal." 

"What kind of goals?" Hannah Rose tries to hide her intrigue. 

"Oh, you know, mercenary stuff. Killing people, dismantling certain builds. Vengeance." 

Hannah pulls a book and quill from her inventory. "Three. Three missions each, and you give me one netherite block per completed mission." 

She nibbles on the feather quill, musing over words. When she finally glances up, Technoblade holds out his paw for it. 

He reads through it, humming thoughtfully. "Alright, this works for me. Dream?" He gives the book to his companion. 

Dream reads through it and confirms his acceptance with a silent, sullen nod. Technoblade takes it, signs it, and hands it back to Hannah. 

After storing the book in an ender chest, Hannah sorts through her chests, looking for her spare sets of armor and weapons. Technoblade grabs a diamond sword, tutting at the lack of netherite. 

Dream flinches back when Technoblade turns around. "Please, sir, I'm sorry!" He whimpers, curling deeper into his cape-burrito. Anger stabs Hannah's heart at the sheer terror in his quavering voice. 

Techno immediately sheathes the sword and kneels before Dream's bed. He directs Dream's attention to the wall. "Hey, hey, look at this. Cool, right? The gold melts at a lower temperature and seeps into the blackstone." 

Hannah watches, concerned and bemused, as Dream claws petulantly at the gilded blackstone. "Shiny," He mutters. 

"Yeah, uh, wanna use a tool for that?" Techno jerks his head at Hannah. 

Sighing, she tosses an iron pickaxe over. "Technoblade, a word, please?" 

"Yeah?" Techno smiles innocently at her as he assists Dream in digging up the gilded blackstone on the wall of her not-so-secret-anymore base. 

"How am I supposed to protect him if he's triggered by fucking swords?" She crosses her arms, trying to hide her concern. 

Techno's eyes darken and he glances away. "Don't worry about it. Do what you need to, and I'll take care of him." 

"Right," Hannah sighs. "Okay." She watches Dream as he cradles the gilded blackstone with an expression of innocent delight. He's been hurt far, far more horribly than any person deserves to be hurt. 

"Okay, I think you should put it back, now," Techno gestures to the hole in the wall. Dream snarls and curls protectively around the block in his hands. 

"It's fine. I have plenty," Hannah reassures. "Keep it." 

"It's mine," Dream states, and that's that. 

Techno shrugs, patting Dream's shoulder gently. "So, you got a plan?" 

"I've got a nether portal," Hannah starts, but Techno shakes his head. 

"I think we should avoid the Nether if at all possible." 

"Alright. We've got two options for escaping without being noticed." Hannah takes a deep breath and lets it out in a huff. This is it. "Either we go underground, or we disguise you both. Sam will be watching all inter-aether communications, so even if you have other allies, you can't tell them where we are." 

"Disguises?" Technoblade raises an eyebrow. "How exactly are you gonna disguise this?" He gestures to his sturdy piggy self. 

Hannah smirks and reaches into her ender chest. "Don't fucking doubt my methods." 

Several misses and two successes later, Hannah steps back from her handiwork. "Perfect." This'll be the easiest six netherite blocks she's ever earned.  

Technoblade frowns behind his mask of makeup. "All this stuff on my face is irritatin'," He deadpans. 

"Shut up, I'm committing this to memory." Hannah grins, then gestures for Dream to come out of hiding. "Come on, it's not that bad." 

"I like the floofy robes," Techno says cheerfully, swirling his dress around. He's actually rather wiry beneath all the shaved-off fluff, and his mane has been braided into a fetching crown, complete with flowers. His old crown has been stored in the ender chest. "But I fail to see how this helps us. They'll recognize me, at least, I'm kinda the only pig person on this server." 

Dream sulks behind Techno, draped in his cape and dressed up in a sparkly leotard and cargo pants. His broken mask has been replaced with a beaked masquerade mask. His green, fluffy feelers peek out from the sides. "I want my mask," He growls. 

Hannah hands it over, and he slips the cracked ivory mask on underneath the more colorful one. "This won't fool Sam, yeah. But if we're lucky, anybody who encounters us will be confused, and we can strike first, leave no witnesses." 

A splash sounds from the entrance. Hannah whirls around, drawing her sword and ignoring Dream's whimper. 

Bad's voice echoes through the unsecret base. "Hannah? Sam sent me to check on you. Are you okay?" 

Hannah takes a step forward. But Bad is her friend. He let her-- made her-- join the Eggpire. She can't- she can't betray the Eggpire like this. She can't kill him. 

Besides, the Egg wouldn't let her. 

++++

AN: I’ve put the first three parts up on AO3 as one chapter ;p 

Part 1 | Part 4