Comforts in the Eerie (3/4 Chapter Two)
Flame leaned against Wemmbu a bit, the comfort of being near someone he’s close finally let the exhaustion sink in. She noticed the tiger’s sleep driven state. The star-born patted the tiger’s head and was surprised by how easily Flame began to purr.
“Want a nap, kitty?” The tiger hummed. He wasn’t even ticked by the nickname as he called the star-born a cave dweller because she’s a spider hybrid. Sometime ago, their rivalry developed into a sibling bond. It didn’t really bother Flame in particular as he’s always been the younger sibling given their older brother is ManePear.
Wemmbu chuckled lightly. She was an only child growing up and sometimes wished she had a younger sibling. Although she did have three different parents because the situation was quite strange and she’s not related to any of them, her personality is accredited to all of them. ClownPierce, BranzyCraft, and FerreMC. That trio definitely made an interesting group especially Clown and Ferre since they were the fighters of the group while Clown and Branzy typically liked to mess with people’s heads. She missed the afternoons of pointless conversations about Branzy’s obsession with chickens, Ferre’s weird comments to Clown, and Clown just being blood thirsty. It wasn’t a normal home, but it was a home for her.
“You have to tell me something, Flame. I can’t read your mind or assume like your actual brother.” Wemmbu knows Flame and Mane are still very close. That close bond is probably similar to the bond she and Egg have. Speaking of Egg, that angel is probably worried sick since she was supposed to be patrolling and then they were supposed to have their nightly discussion of who their allies were.
The tiger simply whined and buried their head into the star-born’s neck like a child. She sighed and accepted that this is the situation she’s in now.
“Why’d you take your hoodie off then? You clearly don’t like Sharpness’ hoodie that much.” Flame’s ears lowered as his hoodie was on the bed with Lomedy. Lomedy didn’t know where he was, the bunny was alone in CinderCrest.
“The room I was in was stuffy.” She gave him a confused look as Flame could handle temperatures that would kill normal overworld creatures as the tiger was born and raised in the Nether.
“Okay? I’m not going to question that. What were you doing before you took it off?” Wemmbu was prodding around to see how awake he was.
“Pacing around the room.”
Their conversation came to a steady halt as Flame’s drowsy nature didn’t make him a good conversationalist. They were sitting on the ground, Flame asleep against Wemmbu’s side. She was flicking through her inventory looking for something to entertain herself with.
As the time passed, the star-born watched the whole meltdown with Evourai along with Flowtives flirting with an uninterested Sharpness. She did notice Parrot looking at her for a moment before going back to his conversation with Tai. People were passing back Spawn a few times. Some faces she recognized, but it was more or less people she didn’t know. Did she ever look at the server list? As that question passed through her mind, she flicked from her inventory to look at the server list. There were faces she recognized here, Boomiee, Jaden, Jepex, Lettuce, and Loppezz.
Speaking of people wandering around Spawn, there were two figures that came into view. If Flame were awake he probably wouldn’t have seen them, the tiger has glasses although he doesn’t wear them often due to the blindfold. On the other hand, Wemmbu has twenty/twenty vision and can spot a lot of things far away. It’s just her attention span that causes her to miss a lot of it.
The people walking over were Jaden and someone she didn’t know. The pirate looked the same as one the back on Unstable. As Jaden and the other person parted ways, the pirate made his way over to her and the sleeping Flame. There was a curious expression on his face. Once he reached them, he looked over at Flame specific before speaking.
“He’s skipping sleep again?” She just stared at him for a moment. Did the Flame in this universe skip sleep too or was this Jaden simply guessing?
“I would like to clarify something.”
“This whole group involving you, Flame, Mino, Evourai, Parrot, and Spoke aren’t the ones we know? Yeah I figured it when I saw Evourai and Mino. I'm on another server with them and Evourai quit Strength a few months ago due to something.”
“Oh.” Wemmbu was pleasantly surprised with that, but also it means Jaden can give her answers about Flame’s habits.
“The way you said that sounds like you didn’t expect me to figure that out.” Snarky. If you didn’t tell her that this was Jaden, she would have thought it was one of those door to door salesmen.
“Fine you got me there. I have a question for you now. How close are you to the Flame in this universe?” Jaden paused to think for a bit.
“Quite close. The closest people would be Mane and Tru. I’m up there.” She thought for a bit. Flame and Jaden used to be close, but something happened after they hunted her in the Farlands.
“Wait, is the Flame in this universe also a tiger hybrid?” The pirate nods. Interesting. She might be able to get some information out of this just in case she and Flame end up fighting again which is more possible than not.
“Are you a friend of Flame’s?”
“Sort of? We’re more rivals than anything, but the line between rivalry and siblingship is blurred.” Why did she not lie here? Wemmbu doesn’t know. She doesn’t lie to the Jaden she knows and simply didn’t feel like applying to the one here.
“Well in this universe, Mane, Flame, and you are on a team together.” The pirate sat down in front of her.
“Would you two like to spend the night at my base?” She thought about the offer. It was a pretty good one and a way to get the sleeping tiger off of her. It wasn’t a safe one either because they did need to get home and if there was only one portal it wouldn’t be good to separate.
“How about this, you have Flame sleep against you instead. He looks small, but damn he weighs more than he looks.” Jaden chuckled at the comment. It was seemingly at a detail he knew that she didn’t.
“Depends on how you look at it. Flame has quite an abstinence behavior. ‘Immortal Demon’ may be the name granted to him, but demon is less than what he is in normal situations. He doesn’t really let himself eat a lot of typical things. He does really like mangoes though.” Wemmbu was definitely learning some things about Flame from this Jaden. Last time she talked with Lomedy was in the Law Prison and he did say Flame really liked tropical fruit, maybe he was referring to mangoes.
“Can you take him off me now? I wasn’t kidding about him weighing a lot.” Her body was strange since the stars had created her for flight and air maneuvering not balancing weight. It took her a while to be able to fight with her maces since they weigh half her weight.
“Sure.” There was no hesitation in the pirate’s voice.
Jaden moved over and carefully moved the tiger to sleep against him instead of Wemmbu. Flame instinctively curled against Jaden’s chest. His mind might have Jaden labeled as an enemy, but his instincts still have him as a safe person. The star-born pulled her knees to her chest feeling the weight against her be released.
“Mind I ask what Flame and mine’s relationship is like in your universe?” She didn’t want to answer because it wasn’t her story, but Flame literally being a baby kitten in Jaden’s lap right now. There was no retaliation that could happen to her.
“It’s not really my story, and I only have half the story which is your side. I have no idea what Flame felt. We were originally enemies because you trapped me and my best friend on an island using your civilization ‘The Pirates’ to keep us there. I ended up trapping you in a cave. Some time later, Flame came to free you and proceeded to hunt me for revenge. Although you wanted to gather a team of people to take me down while Flame just wanted to be you and him.” Wemmbu paused to give Jaden a moment to process everything.
“Flame never did like big teams. Always saying there was always a chance of being backstabbed more than a small close team.” The pirate was petting Flame’s head in a specific motion which got the tiger to curl closer to Jaden’s chest.
“He really likes being pet.” Jaden chuckled a little when she said that.
“Being pet for mammal hybrids is a nice feeling. For someone like Flame who rarely shows weakness on the outside, it’s a way to be given the affection they’re being deprived of. It’s similar to being kissed on the head or a hug.”
“Really? Here I just thought he liked to be pet for rewards.”
A stale point of the conversation formed between them. The sound of Flame’s purring filled the silence that the conversation used to fill. Wemmbu went through her inventory again looking for something to eat or entertain her although all she had was golden apples because Egg was supposed to make dinner today. She sighed and sucked it up as she took out a golden apple to eat. Jaden noticed that and spoke up.
“Do you not have food besides healing?” He seemed to be a little concerned.
“It wasn’t my turn to cook dinner and it was my friend’s. I was patrolling before dinner.” He understood that feeling; he and Falconu did the same except that most of their meals ended up being fish related since their base was near the sea.
“Would you like some golden carrots or cooked fish?”
“I’ll take whatever at this point.” Jaden gave her a few carrots and fish. He couldn’t help, but tease too.
“I don’t think you’d ever be hungry enough to eat Sharpness’ food.” A curious expression conjured on Wemmbu’s face as Jaden’s comment nestled into her brain.
“Sharpness’ cooking? Is something wrong with it?” The pirate broke into a laughing fit which woke the sleeping tiger.
Flame sat up in a start, his ears flattened to his scalp and tail flicked aggressively. He looked like a disgruntled kitty. Jaden calmed himself down and apologized. The tiger didn’t take the apologies because he didn’t trust Jaden even if this wasn’t the same Jaden that betrayed him. Even if the betrayal was probably his fault. Thinking about the betrayal caused Flame’s tail was to curl around his leg. The pirate noticed this and picked up on the self-degradation happening in the tiger’s mind.
“Flame, can I ask you a few things?” His voice was calm like the sea before a storm. Should they speak to him? What if Wemmbu told him why?
“Hey, I can tell you’re going back into your mind. You don’t have to answer.” If this Sharpness was better than the one back in Unstable, could this Jaden be better? He did know how to pet them properly and it felt nice. Would he continue petting if they asked?
“I can answer.” Wemmbu was just sitting back and watching. She was waiting for the sun to set and the first stars to appear to establish her connection to them again. The pirate felt like Flame was forcing themselves to speak.
“How about we introduce ourselves first to start the conversation naturally?” That wasn’t a bad idea, Flame would have to think about it. He nods to let Jaden know that he wanted to do this. The pirate smiled and started the conversation, “My name is Jaden, I’m a part of a team called the Pirates with my friend Falconu. How about you?”
“My name is Flame. I’m technically a solo player with a friend named Lomedy.” Jaden hummed. So there were more people he recognized from the universe that this Wemmbu and Flame came from.
“Nice to meet you, Flame. Are there any specific ways you would like me to refer to you as?” The tiger looked at Jaden confused; she didn’t understand what Jaden just asked for. Jaden realised this confusion and reiterated in a different way, “Pronouns. I was asking you what your pronouns were”.
“Any. I’m genderqueer. You can stick to one pronoun if you want. And yours?“ Flame didn’t feel right about introducing himself. Normally people just assumed since he was known around the server as the ‘Immortal Demon’ and that title gives everyone the assumption that he’s simply a monster. He probably is. His ears flatten a little more in an attempt to himself smaller.
“He/him. Can you tell me about the foods you like?” Food? He can talk about food, Mane taught him how to cook.
“I like spicy food, but I like bitter things too. I’m fine with any meat besides fish, I’ll cook it for others, but I won’t eat it myself even if I was going to die of starvation.” Wemmbu was now intrigued in the conversation because what caused Flame to hate fish that much. Jaden was equally as concerned/intrigued.
“You wouldn’t enjoy mine and my teammate’s diet of fish for dinner and lunch very—”
“Jaden, the last time I had fish, there was poison in it. The person who served it to me was the version of you that exists in Unstable. I don’t know what bond we have here, I hope it is better than whatever I have with the you back home.”
“WHAT?! He didn’t tell me that, he only mentioned you not liking his cooking over something minor.” Wemmbu couldn’t help, but interrupt the conversation as Jaden didn’t tell her that he’d tried to poison Flame. The tiger moved a bit away from both Jaden and Wemmbu causing the star-born to speak up again.
“Flame, explain what the fuck happened.” He was about to tell her no, but something told him that she wouldn’t let it go.
“Fine. I was after I gave you your mace back in the farlands. After you left, I waited for Jaden to pull my stasis and once someone pulled it, I was jumped by the original Law. After that, I found Jaden and he told me that someone pulled it before he could have gotten there. I believed him, there was no reason not to trust him. Later that day, I went out to hunt some cattle with my pet wolf, Ashen. Once I had gotten back to the base, Jaden said he had done some fishing and cooked some fish. Again I had no reason not to trust him, so I ripped a piece off the entire fish to give it to Ashen. Jaden said it was specifically for me which ticked me off since I typically give the first part of any cooked meat to Ashen. Before Jaden could do anything, Ashen smelt the fish in my hand and started to growl. Mind you I trained him to be quiet and only react when I’m in danger or someone trying to pet him. Turns out he was working with Law to kill me. Fun times.”
As Flame finished retelling the little story of why he hates fish, she could see the shock on both Wemmbu and this Jaden’s face. It was a little amusing considering the story was a year old now, Jaden was no longer his friend, and Ashen was killed by a few bandits. Neither party made a move to talk to the tiger.
“Oh he’s also the reason I hate rain and oceans! I hate a lot of things because of him.” Spiteful yet cheery. The tone he used to say it was like a child telling their parents about them getting a hundred on their test. Flame was a very honorable person, sticking to their morals when they applied and keeping to themselves, but at times being dishonorable was more honorable than morals.
Wemmbu wanted to say something. What could she even say in this situation? C'est la vie? Flame would absolutely slice her up and feed her to the wolves. They had met up a few times after the Law war to talk or spar. Lucky for the star-born, she didn’t have to speak first as a certain pirate spoke up first.
“There is nothing I can say that will make this situation better, but you did hope the relationship I have with Flame here is better than the one you have with the version of me from your server. The Flame in this universe has a wonderful relationship with me and the rest of our friend group.” Jaden knew there was nothing he could say to change what had happened to Flame, but he could give the tiger information about his relationship with the Flame of this universe.
Wemmbu still couldn’t bring herself to speak. She just thought Flame was being salty about Jaden betraying him when he tried to turn Flame into the Law, not the whole poisoning thing. The pirate didn’t even mention fish, but she wouldn’t have to worry. Jaden hasn’t lied or attempted to harm her in any way since the end of the Invisible Arc she had.
“Proof. Do you have any recent pictures?” Jaden nods and hands over his communicator to Flame.
As the tiger went through the pictures that were all from the past week, he was pleasantly shocked. There were pictures of Lomedy, himself, Jaden, Spongs, Yungy, Pentar, Lettuce, Jumper, Mane, Willsion, and Skrilley plus more people that Flame didn’t know. All the pictures were from some sort of event. One specific picture stood out, it was a picture of him and Jaden sleeping under a tree together. He turned the screen to face Jaden.
“What’s the context to this?” Flame could see the smile despite the pirate’s mask, it was a kind smile.
“Every two months, Levels SMP has a week-long excursion somewhere picked by one of the members.”
“Levels SMP?” He probably looked like a lost kitten asking that, but those pictures seemed so happy and peaceful. Flame couldn’t help it, so many of his mentors would be disappointed in this behavior. Fucking Billy would scold him if he found out. If Flame could have his way, he would have dragged Billy by the wings and threw the stork into the nether. That stork was always talking about how having friends is a weakness. He specifically called out Flame during one of the CinderCrest training sessions that she was weak for only joining CinderCrest because of Lomedy.
“Yes, Levels SMP is where we all met. Besides you and Mane, as in this universe you’re siblings.” Flame’s ears perked up as he heard that. There was a constant at least between the universes.
“You didn’t explain the picture.” She heard the pirate sigh while watching him recollect the moment.
“Pedantic much? Anyway that specific photo was taken by Emma and Spongs. You hadn't slept much the night before and laid down before that tree. Mane didn’t want you to be alone, and I didn’t have much interest in the game they were playing. Eventually you fell asleep against me. The meadow was quiet enough for me to fall asleep too.” That was a nice story. If Flame asked, would this Jaden give him headpats? The pirate seemed to notice Flame wanting to ask something.
“You can ask it, I won’t judge. It’s probably something, this universe’s Flame already asked me.” Something about Jaden’s reassurance that this universe’s Flame probably asks him the same thing, makes him feel more comfortable to ask.
“You were petting me earlier…”
“I was. Do you want me to pet you again?” There wasn’t ridicule or shunning. Simply a question if the tiger wanted the pirate to continue that previous action.
“You’re adorable and polite. Come here.”
With Jaden saying, Flame moved back to the pirate’s side and purred softly as the pirate’s hands petted him. Last time people found out he enjoyed headpats they laughed at him and his ‘simple’ vision. Maybe they should live in his shoes for a day. Constantly being expected to fight until you physically can’t or have to deal with something else. Wemmbu smiled to herself a little. It was nice to see Jaden and Flame getting along. Similar to how water and fire react either putting each other out or turning into a comforting presence.
As the sun finally said its goodbye to the residents of the server, Wemmbu saw the stars making their light known to everyone. Eridanus was out and the brightest of them all. She got up from where she was sitting. Jaden watched her get up. Wemmbu turned to face Jaden.
“Do you have any fireworks I could use?” The pirate handed her half a stack.
The star-born equipped her elytra and used the fireworks to propel herself into the sky. As she reached a specific height in the sky the stars themselves held her up. Was it their will that brought them here? The stars were waiting for her to speak. Every single star looking down at her was a deity that had voted in her creation to balance out the order of Unstable. Her every being is unstable, but she had her stability. The stars gave her EggChan, the angel was the only reason her instability as a person hasn’t destroyed her. EggChan isn’t just an angel, they were her personal guardian angel. If anyone knew that, they would have become an even larger target than they already were.
Once her mind reached a point of chaos and diversion, the stars shined brighter and spoke to her. Only she could hear them, but everyone would hear her speak back.
“Wemmbu, please state the reason why you are no longer in the realm which you are destined to balance out?” Their tone was just as monotone as ever. There were only four beings that had permission or desire to speak to her. Monotone meant it was Lady Nova
“Lady Nova, I apologize for leaving my duty as a star-born, but I did not leave the realm by choice. A black hole like abyss transported me from Unstable to this realm.”
“Nova, please go assist Luminary maintain the balance in the Unstable Universe. I shall manage this situation.” Wemmbu smiled, that was Madam Galaxy. Lord Luminary taught Wemmbu the ways of destruction and how to disguise the falling stars as timed explosives instead of literal dying deities.
“As you say, Galaxy.” Madam Galaxy’s tone was warmer than the other deities. Wemmbu always adores her. Her style of ruling was envied by many. As the other stars leave the conversation to deal with the star-born’s missing presence in Unstable, Galaxy turns her attention to Wemmbu.
“Darling, you are not in trouble. Unless this is all somehow your doing.” Playful. Madam Galaxy already knew the reason for this circumstance she found herself in.
“Madam Galaxy, it is always a pleasure to speak to you. I wish we could have reunited on different terms. Although this is not my doing as the abyss that brought me and the others here was more black hole like than a burning young star. There is a question I must ask.”
“You never cease to surprise me, protostar. Continue. What is your question?”
“By chance could there have been a deity that evaded the Orbital or Snapshot wipes and their soul shattered into the six different abysses that brought us to this realm?”
There was a pause. Wemmbu might look foolish, say some things that weren’t always intelligible. She did know her way around the stars and gods. Being the reincarnation of the stars in mortal form didn’t come with joy. Her mission was simply to create the chaos that order was missing.
“Wemmbu, this observation of yours might be the cause. A status check will occur, the administrators of this realm may lose their ability to use the console. Please assure them if they happen to ask you that this is the will of the divine.” An uncontrolled variable. Madam Galaxy didn’t like those. Wemmbu herself was a controlled uncontrollable variable. Every single one of her actions were already known by the stars, so they weren’t shocked when she acted upon her chaotic thoughts and impulses.
