For stuff I'll make in an unforeseeable future

The only sound filling the room were the light taps of his fingers against the wooden table. He's been waiting for days now, for the owner of this cabin to return. But nothing.

He couldn't wrap his head around it. All those freshly cut down trees and the chopped up fire wood, the good grade food in the chests, even this house looked like it was built just yesterday, it was so clean and organized. Someone had to be living here!

This was the 6th cabin like this he's found ever since this world came to existence. Either the Player has downloaded a new mod, or... perhaps they built these? No way, he would've seen them do that.

But... he hadn't seen the Player at all and the Sun has set for the 100th time now. What was happening? Did they go into creative mode? But then why would they use an axe to cut trees? He knows, he checked. And even so, why create a world like this for that kind of thing?

As he kept wondering, his ears finally picked up on something new. Footsteps, human footsteps outside. He slowly approached the window, pulled the curtain aside and peeked outside.

There they were! But, it didn't seem like they were about to come inside. They were checking the firewood, and shook their head in disappointment. It was untouched.

They suddenly looked at the window he was looking out from. He kept staring, but instead of fear widening their eyes, a small smile stretched their mouth. It annoyed him. His body shook from anger.

The moment the waved to him, he ran out the house with his axe, ready to open their skull with it. But as he rounded the corner to the wood pile, he saw that they were gone.

He looked around frantically. No steps could be heard, only his quickened breathing. It was like he hallucinated them, but he knew he didn't.

...or maybe he did?

Did his mind finally give up on keeping track of what's real and what's not?

When night rolled around, he lied on the bed, wondering if he should sleep or keep looking. His body decided instead. He fell into a slumber the moment he closed his tired eyes.

He had a dream. Not something he experienced a lot.

He saw their face. He saw a great white light, and he heard a giggle come from it. Their giggle. He remembered sitting on something soft. A pair of gigantic hands. A finger petted his head, as if he was a pet rat.

"My little silly canary." Their voice rang. He blushed at the nickname, even though he also found it a bit insulting.

"Show yourself, if you dare." He growled, impatience mixed with his frustration clear.

"I like what we have now. Watching you from here." The hands lifted him a bit closer to the light. "You never fail to amuse me~"

He wanted to jump at them, but the hands quickly lowered him down, away from them. Soon, he woke up. His feathers were standing tall, his heart pounded like it wanted to break through his sternum.

The nice smell of freshly baked bread and some warm mushroom stew snapped him more awake.

"So... I'm their little pet now..."

"Damn you, Player..." The Knocker grumbled, scratching his head as he tried to solve the puzzle before him.

He thought getting into your secret basement would be much easier, especially since you were away on a little expedition, giving him plenty of time.

Hey, it's not his fault you forgot to reset your spawnpoint. He can't find you without that and he got bored. This was perfect to kill time and to finally satisfy his curiousity, to uncover your secrets.

So far, he had managed to solve (read 'destroy', 'break' or 'tear down') the first few puzzles that stood in his way, but this one was a hard nut to crack. The walls were made of obsidian, so he couldn't just break out with his axe, and there were only chests, with some hoppers and the obvious redstone lines.

He got so invested into solving it, he didn't notice the tall shadow phasing through the wall next to him.

"You shouldn't be down here." August's raspy voice echoed through. It surprised the Knocker so much, that he slammed his axe right into the German's face. The blade chipped as it went through August's head and hit the wall.

"Bastard, can't you knock?!" The Knocker looked at his weapon, frowning. He'd have to repair it.

"On what door?" August walked around the room, investigating with his empty gaze. "Huh, did they add this room recently? I don't remember seeing them build this one."

The other watched him with an offended frown. "What are you doing here? I thought you wouldn't pass up the chance to leech on the Player."

August let out a tired sigh. "They're wandering through a desert, and it's hot as hell there."

"Thought you couldn't feel anymore." The Knocker said, while still looking for clues. "But do tell me about your time in hell. I'm actually interested about that."

"How about I send you there myself? Would save a lot of my time..."

The Knocker groaned. "Not now, I still want to solve this."

Suddenly, they heard scratching coming from behind one of the walls. The Knocker put his head there, trying to guess what caused the noise. Soon after, that wall burst open. The force sent the man right into the wall opposite to it, along with a few big pieces of obsidian landing in his lap.

"Oh... just what we needed." August mumbled behind the cloud of smoke he just exhaled. The humanoid arachnid completely ignored him and instead approached the Knocker, while snarling and hissing at the poor fool.

But he didn't get scared, for he had his secret weapon. He dug his hand into his hoodie's pocket, then swiftly pulled out a dried out steak. He doesn't remember when he snatched it from the Player's chest, but he was glad he did. As expected, Lenny jumped where the meat got thrown, allowing the Knocker to stand up, grab his axe and-

"Is that a button in its mouth?" August muttered into his cigarette. Just as he exhaled the smoke, Lenny spit the button out and used the freed up space for the meat. That's when it hit the Knocker.... what if that button opens up a door? Not even the hole Lenny made lead anywhere, so that must've meant one of the blocks needed to be "activated". He should've listened to the riddles before this, but oh well.

He picked up the saliva coated button and started putting it on any block, then pushing it. After the first few tries, he almost blew himself up, got a horde of zombies spawned on his head and almost got his butt roasted by a falling lava ceiling. But on his 20th try, something happened.

A door opens. Now even August pays attention.

"I have a feeling that it's another trap." He murmurs into the air.

"Thanks for the heads up, Sauerkraut!" And without letting August say another word, the Knocker ran through the opening. He walked through a long, blindingly light hallway. He felt like he walked for a long time, before he reached what looked like the start of a railway. He couldn't see where it was going exactly. There was a chest, with minecarts inside. The Knocker instantly knew what to do.

At first, the ride was slow, but the cart went consistantly. Then, he reached a crossroad, and the cart stopped. The rails were set to take him right, but he had this nagging feeling of curiousity that wanted him to go left. And so, he switched the lever, pushed the cart and let it take him.

And he thought he made the best decision of his life. The railway soon turned into a full on rollercoaster. All these twists, turns and hoops did start to make him a bit sick, but this was the most fun he's had in ages. After a rather big loop, the cart reached an area that was outside, at a speed that made even him worry. Before he could jump out in time, the cart suddenly started going in circles, and after about a minute of speed acceleration, he heard the rail click, and he quickly found himself hundreds of blocks above the ground.

For a while, he felt the cool air slide between his fingers. Is this what you felt while you glided with your elytra? Maybe he should... borrow it sometime...

Then his stomach dropped as he felt the altitude changing. Funny, he could see your tiny form even from up here. Seems like you were coming home. And that tiny form quickly turned bigger as gravity did its work and pulled him down.

You stepped out of the way just in time, before he crashed into the ground. The impact left a rather large hole, you almost fell into it.

"Let me guess. You tried to sneak into my new food pantry?"

The Knocker thinks even the thought itself is ridiculous. A beast like you wanting to be human? He knows how weak humans are. Even with tools and technology, one wrong move can make them just vulnerable enough to seal their fate.

But when you ask him to teach you a few things, or at least share his knowldge (he seemed to know more than he let on), he actually considers it. And for some reason, he agrees. Now don't expect him to teach you anything fancy, like etiquette or socializing (as not even he knows how those things go). He likes to go more into practicalities. He teaches you how to use tools, light fires the human way... don't ask what the training dummies for these were.

August isn't any more helpful. He's even worse than the Knocker. He's thankful he no longer has a body that bruises easily, though you think this has something to do with the smoking sticks he likes to put in his mouth. You can beg him all you want for any help, all he tells you are depressing "fun facts". Like how humans are no different from animals, so there isn't really any point in "trying to be like them".

If he does decide to help you, then it's all about making yourself the "boss". You could argue he just tries to put some confidence in you, but you don't see how you showing off your fangs contributes to it. You've never seen the villagers do this. And if once or twice they did, you didn't see it elevate their social status in any way.

Lenny is, I'm sorry, straight up useless. Even though they've been human once, just like August, they remember nothing of it. In fact, they're in the same shoes as you. Searching for human company, something they can hold onto to not lose that part of themselves. Something you've never had.

All you can do is share your poor knowledge with them. Funny, it's more like you're teaching them, than the other way around. They learn fast though, they're a natural. They look back at you with that goofy smile of theirs and you can't help but feel... sad for them. Unlike you, they can't talk like you can... they can't express themselves to the villagers without scaring them. You've seen all those times Lenny tried to make contact with them, and got a few harsh slaps from their golem for it. Lenny never let it slide, but it sure as hell didn't help them win the villagers' favour.

Your house isn't as lifeless as you think it should be when you leave.

Your nightmares not only hide in the shadows of this world's nights, but also make home in your living room. Why wouldn't they? The fire's warm, there's fresh food in your chests and comfortable beds in the corners.

Thankfully, the uninvited guests didn't make much of a mess, otherwise you would've noticed this long ago.

The Knocker, despite her aggressive and feral behaviour, causes the least amount of disorder in your home, by simply keeping the beds warm. Even someone like her can't resist the call of the soft mattress and heavy blankets. Not even Taber gets as lazy as her in your absence.

The other entities couldn't believe someone like her could bring fear in you... or in anyone for that matter. She could care less of those snob whispers, the covers drowned them out effectively.

Enveloped by the warmth, she was close to falling asleep...

"There you are... of course..."

The Knocker's eyebrows twitched in irritation. You finally leave this world, finally allowing her to sleep on these plush pillows again, only for 'her' to show up... and from the sound of it, Auguste was displeased.

As the poor woman expected, her shield of warmth disappeared the moment she heard the clicks of those damned boots close to her ear. But she won't give up, the cold never bothered her anyway.

"Get up! You're not sleeping until they come back again!" Her voice, deep, authorative and to the Knocker, incredibly hot. In response, the Knocker buried her face into the pillow and continue snoring. At this point, she was a bit curious what this hag would do next.

Grab her by the ankle and pull her out? Shout louder? Pour cold water on her? Could she even grab a glass? She's only ever seen Auguste hold her knife...

Lost in her thoughts, she almost didn't notice the other woman reach under her armpits and lift her up, as if she was a mere bratty child. The sudden change in altitude quickly snapped her awake.

There she was, right in front of her tired eyes. That unamused gaze, her unkept hair and the shadow veiled wrinkled face. If she didn't know better, the Knocker would've thought she was looking at a rather pretty old man.

Before she could say another word, August put her on her shoulder and walked out of the room.

"Hey! Put me down! I'm awake!" The Knocker tried her best to get out of her captor's grip, but it was useless. She couldn't believe how someone whose primary weapon was a mere kitchen knife could hide such strength...

Auguste kept walking. Through the living room, where everyone could see the famous Knocker being carried like a sack of potatoes, down to the basement, then into a little room. It was dark. After closing the door, Auguste finally dropped her. While the Knocker grumbled and tried to ease the pain in their butt, Auguste turned on a light.

"Cute, isn't it?" Her heels clicked on the floor as she walked deeper into the room. The Knocker looked around. She has never seen this part of the house before. It was decorated, there were parrots chirping on some of the plants... and there was a block in the far end of the room that she doesn't remember seeing before. "I can't believe this little thing worth them a diamond."

Next to the block was a little chest. After going through it, the shadow woman pulled out a black disc.

"Since when do you snoop through the Player's stuff?" The Knocker asked, watching as Auguste put the disc into the weird block. Not even a second later, music filled the room. By accident, the Knocker noticed the parrots dancing to the rythym. It made her giggle.

"They look so dumb." Her was so distracted, Auguste could sneak her arms around her, catching the other off guard.

"Why don't we join them?~" She asked with a sly grin. The Knocker, trying to mask her embarrassement (and shame for getting caught so easily... twice), didn't look up at her yet.

"I thought you'd like this song... been a long while since I danced anyway..." Auguste brushed her nose against the fabric of her girlfriend's hoodie. "When was it really? On my wedding?"

The Knocker finally turned her face to her. "You could've just asked. I thought you wanted to put me through some military training."

A rather alarming look carved itself onto the shadow woman's face. "I'm not opposed to that. At least we'd spend more time together~"

Those words made the other look away, with shame pricking her heart.

"And in the future," Auguste leaned down, her tone turned dangerously dark "I better not see you in the Player's bed again. The floor isn't the only thing I can drop you into."

You feared how your life would change the day you were cursed by that witch.

The memory of your wings breaking through your back, the bones in your body becoming more fragile and your muscles twisting in all the wrong ways made you think you were dying. You were so terrified you passed out during the transformation, feeling your brain melt as your mind fell into total darkness.

When you woke up, you had no recollection of who you were anymore. This fact terrified you. You were about to break out crying as you desperately tried to remember your name, when the sound of gentle buzzing snapped you out of your panic.

Looking for the origin of the sound, you realised at you were in somewhere warm. Interesting, you still remembered being somewhere much colder prior to passing out. How did you get here? Before you could ponder more over the question, a small group of fluffy honeybees flew into the room.

The circled around you, as if to make sure you were okay. Out of curiousity you reached out a hand towards one, which made you notice your body. You had fluff similar to theirs on your torso, it peeked out from the holes of your clothes. Why were you wearing these rags anyway? You didn't have anything to hide, and the fluff perserved more than enough heat.

For the next few days, you familiarized yourself with your body and 'friends'. One or two always followed you as you went out and about, dusting themselves with pollen of the nearby flowers. Interestingly, even you found yourself drawn strongly to their sweet scent. After about a month, you managed to accept your new situation, until you found a village for the first time.

You were amazed by their buildings, so strong and sturdy. Surely your hive would've benefited from nesting in one instead of a home made of frail wax.

Though the villagers were wary of you, once they discovered you could speak their languages (*cough* one being money), some of them got brave enough to teach you a few things. Mining, crafting, it felt weirdly natural, you got the hang of these suspiciously easily.

However, your fear of the dark never left your heart, which made mining all the more unpleasant for you. The cool air and lack of light made you sleepy everytime, but the chatter of bones and growling of the undead kept you alert.

And then... there were the spiders.

For some reason, they never attacked you, at least on the surface in the daytime, unlike some of your unfortunate comrades. Their lifeless shells hanging from dusty webs starred in your nightmares often.

Finally came the day when you fully built your first ever house. The little hive loved it. Sooner than you could've anticipated, every corner and the attic got covered in wax, golden honey streamed from the carefully sculpted combs. Thankfully, your bed got spared from their antics. This was the day after which those strange things began happening.

It started with those dreadful flowers. A few of the bees got sick after being near then, few of them even died. You did your best to get rid of them. Then large amounts of spider webs appeared. Strangely, no spider seemed to guard them, but you tore them down, just in case. And then, you spotted it. The beast, responsible for your distress. It slowly approached you, not even fazed when you buzzed and flashed your stinger. You weren't afraid to use it, the hook at the end of it got cut off long ago.

You watched carefully as it suddenly crouched and began digging. You were confused to say the least. After a few seconds, it sprung up and bolted far away from you, leaving only a piece of pork behind and you even more confused.

Other strange things that started occouring were sudden knocking sounds. They never let you sleep at night. Not only this, your hive's honey ran out much faster, making you believe that you had a thief on your hands. Thanks to a carefully crafted trap, you managed to one day catch the perpetrator.

It was a man, nothing like you've seen before. He wore dark clothing and his face was so pale it could rival the moon. As petty revenge, you dumped some honey on his head and threw chicken feathers onto him. If anything, it made him more angry.

And then came the worst...

A man even scarier than the knocker. You caught him staring at you one day. You greeted him, thinking he might say something, even reassured him that the bees around you were friendly. Strangely, the bees never acknowledged his presence, not even when he was uncomfortable close to you.

One night, he stood by your bed. You couldn't move, couldn't scream of buzz for help. His hands felt like cold air brushing against you when he patted the top of your head, feeling some of your fluff there between his thick fingers.

"I know it's you." He whispered through those blinding teeth. "Frail... soft..." He lowered his head to yours as he talked, his eyes glued to your mouth. "Maybe still as sweet... or more..."