Chapter Text
“Are you sure this is the place, Phil? It looks more like a shack than a shop.” Phil and Techno stop in front of said shack, the door only hanging on by two out of its five hinges.
Phil looks down at the comm again, the coordinates and logo of the business matching up; a cobblestone block with large, bright red letters reading “POG Gems”.
“Yeah, it’s the place alright.” Phil shut the comm off and slid it into his pocket, waiting for Techno to take the first step. He always wanted to make sure everything was secure and Phil awaited his judgment.
Techno studied the building a bit longer, noting how it was a single-story and most of the windows were cracked open to let the summer breeze in. Multiple escapes, and if worse comes to worst, Techno is confident he can bulldoze the wooden plank walls.
He lifted his chin and flicked his ear in approval to Phil. Phil nodded and stepped forward to knock on the door, proper etiquette and all that. Except, he couldn’t get a solid three knocks in as the door swung open on the first knock.
The duo was greeted by more dull planks and not a single gem in sight, or more importantly, a gemsmith. They crossed into the shack, walking to what they assumed was the main counter. It had papers and ink splattered all over it, both feeling the itch of their instincts wanting to clean it up.
Still, the doubt from before grew as nothing pointed out they were at a gemsmith. They couldn’t find the twinkle of gold that mirrored Techno’s rings and necklaces nor any enchanting table whispering its forgotten language.
Then, like a firework being shot, loud and sudden, a trapdoor burst open from the floor and a child popped up. Gold hair and lapis-blue eyes, the kid blinked in surprise and then broke out in a grin.
“Oh, I wasn’t expecting customers today! Nobody comes here on a Wednesday, which I completely agree, as Wednesdays are boring as fuck.” The kid lifted himself and kicked the trapdoor down, marching over to them and sticking his hand out.
“Tommyinnit, or Big T for short. But if you ask the ladies, I’m Wife Haver, alright?” Techno and Phil shared a bewildered look, the kid a stark contrast to the old building.
“Philza, but call me Phil. A pleasure to meet you.” Phil shook his hand, almost stumbling from the kid’s aggressive shake.
“Technoblade.” Techno kept his hands near his blade on his hip and ignored Phil’s exasperated look.
“Well then gentlemen, how could I be of service? I offer just about anything that has to do with gems, just name the service and I’ll name the price.” Tommy, though Techno continues to call him kid in his mind, walks behind the counter and gets out a notebook.
The duo was still reeling from the onslaught of… whatever Tommy is. The two seemed to have left common sense behind the rickety door as every action and word this kid does is such a contrast to their usual interactions with the common folk.
Phil offers a tentative smile and rests his hand on Techno’s forearm to ease his hold on the hilt of his sword, “Before we do that, I do have a small question. Do you know where the gemsmith is? A friend of ours recommended this place. We can of course wait until-”
“The gemsmith is out currently, collecting gems and big man shit. I’m their apprentice, and I’m the owner of the shop until they come back. So what do you need help with gentleman?” Phil stopped his rambling and blinked in surprise at Tommy. Sure, it’s common practice for gemsmiths to have apprentices, but Tommy didn’t look like someone who let another person boss him around. He looked like the boss, but that shouldn’t be possible. The boy didn’t look a day over fifteen, at least.
Though… the cloak around his whole body certainly told a different tale. Usually, only hybrids wear cloaks or capes, Techno’s crimson cape and Phil’s forest green cloak a prime example of that. Yet Phil hoped the boy’s words were true and he had someone taking care of him.
And then there was that shine in his eyes. A challenge to prove his words wrong, or maybe it’s for something else, and neither of them wanted to provoke it. They’ll be at a disadvantage, whatever that may be, and Techno chuffed to stop the question formulating on Phil’s tongue.
“Ah, alright. If that’s the case, are you able to find a core gem for us? We’ll take just about anything as long as it’s compatible.” Tommy nodded and took a notebook out of his cloak, scribbling some symbols down, as that’s the only thing that could describe the chicken scratch. He set the notepad down and looked around the shop, for what, neither could tell.
As he did that, Techno flickered his eyes around to get a better gauge of the inside. The trapdoor camouflaged right in with all the little holes in the ground and large clumps of dust bunnies littered in the corners. A long counter stretched from wall to wall and Techno should’ve surveyed the area more to see what was behind it. An odd trapdoor sits on top of the roof, directly in line with the trapdoor Tommy came out of. Strange, but the boy seemed like a strange one.
Phil on the other hand observed the boy. The cloak dwarfed the boy, only his hands visible when he stuck them out of the large sleeves. Seeing as how slowly the cloak swung below, it was heavy and maybe even a substitute for leather armor. It had plenty of pockets too, seeing as how Tommy took his time to rummage through.
There was also no soul gem found on his body or any gems in general. No chains around his neck to indicate he’s wearing a necklace or a puncture in the earlobe for a missing earring. A gemsmith who wore no gems, now that's an oddity Phil wasn’t expecting to meet today.
He wonders why the boy chose to do so. Finding a soulmate is so much easier when both parties can find the matching glowing gem in a crowd of many; or on a battlefield where Techno’s soul gem shone alongside Phil’s gem against the dark night for the first time.
Phil put a hold on that thought when Tommy snapped his fingers, “Alright, I think I can find a gem. You gotta follow me down the trapdoor though, that’s where the enchantment table is.” Tommy kicked the trapdoor open again and jumped down, not a single care if his customers might follow.
Techno flicked his ear and Phil used the ladder to slide down, Techno a few feet above him.
Once they reached the bottom, the boy was again nowhere to be found. That might be due to how his golden hair catches the same amount of shine as the gems plastered on the wall. Each one twinkled with the assistance of glowstone lamps thrown around.
The longer they stared, the more they found themselves wanting to simply steal these beauties away.
Then a whole shelf fell and the glamor broke. Curses flew around the shop and the boy emerged from behind a counter.
“Yeah, don’t mind that! Happens all the time. And- oh! I have some questions to speed this up.” Tommy took another notebook out of his cloak and flipped to a page.
“How many other gemsmiths have you been to? Where were they located? Which type of level gem did they give you?” Tommy read from a list and was already moving around. Techno could feel the headache coming from constantly having to keep track of the ball of chaotic energy known as Tommy.
“We’ve been to four others and most were in the cities, but one was in a larger village. And I’m not sure what you mean by level, mate. If you mean energy, then all the gemsmiths said our energy was too much for the gems.” At the last remark, Tommy swiveled around and scrunched up his eyebrows.
“You don’t know what a level is?” Phil shook his head and Tommy groaned. He walked back to the counter, as he was halfway through the shop, and looked inside his cloak.
“Of fucking course those rats won’t tell you about levels. All they care about is money, not quality. I was assuming none of them would’ve wanted to cheat you out as you’re the Blood God and Angel of Death, but noooo, money is more important. Prime, this is why I hate the city.” Tommy kept scavenging and the two were sure they were going to leave this place with a headache with how abrupt the kid throws information.
Techno glanced at Phil, are we just going to let that slide?
Phil shrugged and tried to suppress the smile, I guess so. The kid doesn’t seem bothered.
Specifically, Tommy didn’t mind he was in front of two war generals.
The two have met countless people in countless situations. The only times people have greeted them with disrespect while holding the knowledge of who the duo was, were the same people who were at death's doorstep. The same people who kneeled before them, their blood coating Techno’s sword, were now free of consequence for disrespecting them.
And then there’s this boy. The two bets that most people think about him was how easy it’ll be to manipulate Tommy. But the two could see past that front. The challenge in his eyes was finally defined as bait to rile up their emotions and manipulate them along the way to spend more money.
The boy had guts to pull such tricks on them, and he’s standing there grinning, aware of how each of them knows of his little game.
That little shit.
“That’s why Techno and I like the small towns more. The cities are too rowdy, especially for kids like you.” Phil could feel Techno’s stare, the silent message of why did you have to rile him up?? almost making Phil snort.
“Not a kid! I’ll have you know-”
“Tell us more about the levels.” Techno, ever the headache saver, smoothly distracted the kid. Phil’s snorting and quirked-up eyebrow didn’t mean a thing. Even the kid agreed when he barely hesitated to switch topics.
“Oh, right! It’s just how deep the gem was found based on the y-level. I’m going to guess they gave you at least a level six gem, but it also depends on the type of gem. Like,” Tommy picked up a diamond and quartz from a chest, “diamond is stronger than quartz, so diamond is always a higher level than quartz.” He put those down and pointed at Phil’s glowstone gem necklace and Techno’s nether quartz earring.
“There are also certain meanings with gems. Avian hybrids have these cool glowstone gems, while nether hybrids have nether quartz. And then someone decided to complicate the meanings even more, which was a whole fucking journey to understand. But like, who the fuck cares. You’re here for your core gem.” He dropped the gems back in their spot and pulled out a diamond from another chest.
“Level nine gem, probably gonna break, but who cares! I need somewhere to start. Also, I need your soul gems on the enchanting table. And give me some space too, don’t go hovering over the table.” Tommy hopped over the counter and walked to the middle, where he pressed a button and an enchanting table rose from the bottom.
He placed the gem down and the two followed his actions, Phil unclipping his necklace while Techno took his earring out. They carefully placed the gems on the red cloth and Phil didn’t lessen Techno’s tight squeeze on his sword. If Tommy thinks his cocky personality can give him a pass to mess with their soul gems, he has another thing coming.
Tommy rolled his eyes at their stance and ignored them when he sat on a chair by the table. Unlike the other gemsmiths, Tommy didn’t make a whole show by chanting under his breath or staring wide-open at the gems. He just waved his hands around, or maybe he was pushing the air around, but it was simple and it surprisingly eased some tension off of Phil with how casual he was acting.
Tommy almost seems more professional than the other gemsmiths.
Then a light purple thread fizzled onto the table and the diamond began to shake. A few seconds later and a large crack echoed through the room, the gem laying in its dust. Tommy backed away, his face practically a few inches away from the table, and blinked a few times. Both noticed the wince on his face as he shuffled the shards around with a spoon.
“Shit, now that’s a bad break. Not even a crystal was formed. But I don’t know if I have a…” Tommy went to another chest and scoured through, presumably emeralds by how a green hue reflected onto Tommy.
The duo kept their eyes on him, their interest growing with each move he completes. Clever and obviously talented, the word fear not a part of his vocabulary. Techno could tell he would be a great general, commanding all attention on him through his mere presence.
Something stops Techno from saying such a comment though. His instincts made him shut up about putting the kid in harm’s way, to let him face the enormous stress of knowing people rely on you to survive through another day.
Tommy came back with an emerald, the gem the size of Tommy’s thumb. He rearranged all the gems again, the emerald sitting in the middle while the soul gems flanked both its sides. Then, the process repeated and Phil unconsciously leaned forward to watch the magic.
The same thin thread of purple magic appeared, but this time it formed a triangle between the three gems. Yet the shape looked all wrong. The triangle kept fluctuating as if it wanted to create a new shape.
Crack
“Fuck. It was level thirteen too.” Tommy picked up the spoon and poked at the shards, with minimum dust this time. Two large chunks and multiple shards scattered on the cloth and Tommy cursed at whatever he found.
“Well, the bad news is that that was my highest level emerald gem. The good news though is that I was planning on going on a mining trip either way. I think if you come back in two weeks I’ll have the right gem for you. Probably.” Tommy continued to examine the shards while Phil peered up at Techno.
Techno shook his head, not even wanting to hear Phil’s request, but then that grin appeared. Techno silently sighed and started shuffling to the furthest corner.
“Hey mate, is it okay if Techno and I have a chat real quick?” Tommy waved his hand in approval, “Yeah, just don’t touch anything. I’m not responsible for any injuries you get in the shop.” Phil nodded slowly and didn’t bother to ask Tommy to clarify.
Phil followed Techno to the corner, a case of diamonds shining brightly behind them. More chests lined below the display and Phil wondered why the boy needed so many of them.
“Phil, whatever you’re about to say, it’s a no. We came here for a core gem, not to adopt a child. An orphan at that, if I had to guess. You know how uncomfortable orphans make me.” Techno tried to reason, but he knew he lost all chances when Phil softened his grin to a smile.
“Aww, but mate, look at him! He can give you tips on jewelry and I have no doubt he can teach us a thing or two about cave systems. Plus, don’t you feel intrigued? When’s the last time we’ve had a normal conversation without someone fearing us? It’ll be good for us.” Phil could’ve stopped his persuasion from the first sentence, but he did bring up good points.
It’s not every day Techno gets to act normal and be treated normal too.
“Fine, I'm guessing you want to go on the mining trip with him. But,” Techno draped his hand on Phil’s shoulder, “we’re not taking him in. Battlefields aren’t suited for children and we aren’t suited for taking a child in. We get the gem and leave .” The two stared each other down, but both knew Techno was right. Phil nodded and rested his hand over Techno’s.
“I’ll be the shield.”
“And I’ll be your sword.” Techno finished off. A reminder of their bond, both on and off the battlefield. The two let the emotions swirl around them, nostalgia mixed in when they first made that oath. The first battle won as a duo and the beginning of a partnership.
“Ay, how long are you two gonna be there? I gotta go! Sunset is in three hours and I’m not carrying a torch because of you old pricks.” Phil stepped back and let Techno’s hand drift off. Another smile and Phil was back to indulging the kid.
“Actually, do you think we could tag along, mate? We’ve been wanting to stock up on golden apples.” Tommy froze midair and looked over with a dumbfounded look.
“I- of fucking course! Do you know how much I could brag about going on a mining trip with the Blood God and Angel of Death? The ladies will flock to me, not that they don’t already!” Phil chuckled at the boy’s enthusiasm and walked back to him, Techno’s silent steps right behind.
“Before we go, is there anything special we need to pack?” It’ll be a hassle as their camp was on the opposite side of the village.
“Not really. The caves usually provide all the supplies. A good cloak as a blanket and some bag are all you need. I’m almost done, I just need some gem equipment.” More chests opened and closed, each one filled with some sort of ripped notebook paper, until Tommy found the last pieces.
Tommy did a quick swipe through the shop, clicking on certain switches, and grinned sharply when he was done.
“Well gentlemen, we can finally go!”
—
The three stood at the edge of the village, deciding which direction to go, or would go if Tommy knew what directions even were.
“What do you mean east? Just say, go right, like a normal person!”
“This is what normal people say. Why do you think there’s a compass on all maps? That’s because everyone uses it.” Phil leaned against the tree, watching Techno try to win an argument with a kid.
“Technoblade, I’m just going to call you Techno now, I think you’re in denial. How can a compass even be on a map? You won’t be able to roll it up then!”
“It’s drawn, how else- you know what? Let’s go in that direction,” Techno pointed to the west, “so we can find a cave system before sunset. Does that work for you?” Tommy, the cheeky bastard, hummed like it was a genuine question to contemplate on.
Tommy grinned and leaned towards Technoblade. “Only if I get some golden apples-”
“Deal. Finally, let’s go.” Techno set off and Phil let go of the snickers he was holding off. The Blood God reduced to bargaining with a child, now that’s new blackmail.
“Come on, Tommy. We can chat along the way.” Phil and Tommy fell into step with one another and not two seconds passed when the quiet was shattered.
“Where did you get that cloak? The embroidery is fucking cool.” Phil blinked in confusion and looked down, his cloak still draped over. Right, he wears it so often he forgets it’s even there sometimes.
“Same friend who told us about your shop. He’s always redesigning my cloak, though I think it’s an excuse for him to try his new gadget. Why, do you want a new one?” Tommy stared at the embroidered crows trailing on the edge and the pixelated hearts on the collar. Phil raised his arm and Tommy accepted the offer to trail his fingers against the multitude of swirls on the cuff.
“I mean, I’ve had this cloak for a couple of years now. It’s served me well, but eh, I’m tired of fixing it every month.” Phil nodded and dropped his arm when Tommy let go. His eyes still lingered though and Phil smiled at the innocent curiosity.
“I think that’s a great idea, mate. You can shorten yours to about my length and maybe put less padding in with how warm it is here. I can message him right now and place an order for you, should be done by the first snowfall…” Phil tapered off when Tommy scrunched up his face, not giving away a single clue as to where Tommy disagrees with Phil’s words.
But he did tighten his hold on his cloak and stepped away from Phil a little. The curiosity bled from his eyes and contempt trickled in. Phil almost faltered in his steps of the abrupt change from a seemingly harmless topic. Sure, the fact that Tommy might be a hybrid could play a role in his reaction, but this was more. More history, more stories, more dependence on his cloak.
Either way, Phil quickly switched topics and started talking about the different types of herbs. Tommy bounced back within a few sentences and for the remainder of the walk, the two chatted about random facts they knew. Neither muttered a word about cloaks anymore and Phil noted it down as a trigger.
As they chatted a new layer was revealed about Tommy and Phil couldn’t help but indulge the boy in more questions. Phil didn’t miss the way Techno slowed his steps to be within range of eavesdropping and knew his curiosity about the boy was too high as well.
His knowledge of birds was odd, he shared some ‘hacks’ at finding diamonds, and indulged them in some facts about gems too.
Such a peculiar boy. Phil wanted to change that, where peculiar changed into normal. Where his strange behavior wasn’t so much of a mystery.
The two continued to make light conversation, Techno adding his one-word comments until Tommy ran up ahead and left them behind. The two sped after him, unsure of what he was doing until they saw the entrance of a cave. It was a decent opening, smooth cobblestone hanging a couple of feet above them.
Tommy kept marching in, only pausing to light a candle, and his light was soon dimming as he went further within the cave. Luckily, the avian and piglin have had plenty of experiences running quickly, and they caught up in a few seconds.
Techno lit a torch before Phil could ask of him and passed it to him. Techno couldn’t light the third candle as Tommy shoved his candle in his hands. Techno had no choice but to grab it, as the child was putting the flames much too close to his cape.
“Bruh, this is an expensive cape. And Sam lives far away too…” Techno groaned, patting the cape smooth. Phil snorted and Tommy laughed at his complaints.
“I think you have enough money to replace it and travel there, big man. Like, you literally kill rich people,”
“Not rich, the corrupt-”
“all the time. I think you have your expenses covered.” Techno sighed and remained silent after that. If he’s going to be with the kid for two weeks, he may as well start preserving his sanity now.
They followed Tommy, pausing every time he traced the walls, and then moving on. Techno equipped his netherite chestplate at some point and sword for the approaching mobs, while Phil drove an arrow through the mobs with his bow. A dance they’ve mastered and one they’re now improvising with this boy in the middle.
They’ve rarely had to fight while protecting something. They’ve always chosen their battles wisely, ones they know they can win, which they then swoop down and complete their plan. Whether that’s joining a random battle for the sake of practicing some new techniques or taking down corrupt officials, they always destroy and leave.
Now they have to protect and stay.
Tommy didn’t even act inconvenienced with the two flanking him, he kept tracing the walls and choosing which path to take. An hour into exploring and they discovered a lush cave. Axolotls were swimming about with vines cascading from the ceiling and glow berries illuminating the scenery.
“Right, so this is the part of the trip where you guys go and get your gold and I’ll be here.” Tommy sat down, took out a notebook and pencil, and started to draw the lush cave. No fucks given about the two beside him and Phil chuckled at his attitude.
“Sure mate, I’ll go and fuck off,” Tommy smiled at Phil’s commentary, “I’ll be back in twenty. Techno?” Techno waved his hand and started to place torches around the area.
“I’ll stay. Someone has to make sure the kid won’t drown.” Tommy threw his notebook at Techno and it didn’t even travel half the distance to reach him. Techno snorted in amusement and continued to place torches. Phil chuckled and let his gaze rest on the two for a few more moments, taking in the tranquil scene before disappearing into a tunnel.
Once Techno deemed the cave properly lit and the few mobs lingering around were slain, he returned to Tommy. He placed the thrown notebook next to him and didn’t question where Tommy got the other notebook in his hands from. Techno peaked over Tommy’s shoulder and hummed at the kid’s skill, the shading and line weight all blending quite nicely.
“It’s pretty, innit?” Techno hummed in agreement and leaned back to rest on his elbows. It was a better view to watch how the light of the flickering torches danced in the kid’s hair, making it shine like gold. Maybe even enchanted gold as Techno can’t seem to keep his eyes off it.
“So what’s the worst word you know, Blade? I bet you know some pretty fucked up words with how much you travel.” And there goes the quiet atmosphere. Techno exhaled through his nose and tried to remember why he didn’t go with Phil.
“Like, do you know another word for dog? It’s-”
“-puppy. Another word for a dog is puppy.” Silence.
Then boisterous laughter echoed throughout the cave, no doubt Phil could hear it too, and Techno quietly huffed along.
It was still a headache to deal with the kid, but it was pleasantly easy to get along with him. It was an easy rhythm to fall into with his banter and dumb remarks, and Techno withheld the questions of why it was so effortless.
Techno noted to discuss it with Phil, no doubt the man has similar questions. For now, he’ll try to learn more about the enigma known as Tommy.
“So, where’d you learn to become a gemsmith? And don’t say your mentor because that’s a lie. There’s no reason for both you and your mentor to be on a mining trip.” Tommy set his notebook down and turned his body to face Techno, a clear grin already present.
“Well, should've expected you guys to have a brain! But I taught myself the whole trade, Blade! Found out I was a gemsmith when a gemsmith took my gem and I heard the fucking enchanting table whisper to me. Not a fun time, I can confirm.” Tommy let out a bitter laugh and Techno didn’t let himself analyze the action.
“Took me way too fucking long to get my own enchanting table, but once I did? I was open for business and prime did the ladies flock to me! You should consider yourself lucky that you found me when no women were around me.” Techno nodded along and Tommy preened at the agreement.
“If you ever want a wingman Blade, I’m the man to go to! I’m like a fucking women-whisperer, you know?” Techno nodded and Tommy widened his grin.
“Fuck yeah, I knew you were a real one, Blade. Not like old man Philza. He probably wears a knee brace to help his old man bones-”
“You little shit, I do not. My bones are perfectly healthy, thank you very much.” Phil appeared from the abyss with a bag full of raw gold and some dead fish too. And just because the kid’s energy was so easy to get caught up in, Techno joined in on the fun.
“I don’t know Phil, I think the kid has a point.”
“Oh my prime, shut . Or else I won’t be feeding you.” Phil came over and dropped the bag next to Techno, and then went over to the water to clean the fish. Phil took off the sling bag from his back too and placed it down to grab a towel.
“Phil, have I ever told you how amazing you are? You would be even more amazing if you shared some fish with me.” Phil rolled his eyes and gestured with his head for Tommy to sit with him. Tommy did as such and watched as Phil scraped the scales off with the edge of his sword.
“Pog, I can brag how the Angel cleaned fish for me with his fucking sword.” Phil snorted under his breath, splitting his attention between the fish and Tommy’s eyes glowing in childlike wonder.
Prime, the kid’s precious.
“Techno, can you make a furnace real quick? There should be coal from where I just came from.” Steps approached them as Techno fished a small iron pickaxe from Phil’s bag, some gold debris still attached to the pick. He left and soon iron hitting stone was heard.
Within thirty minutes, six fried fish rested on top of a makeshift furnace, alongside glow berries from the vines. The three ate in relative quiet, minus Tommy poking Techno’s foot with his own just to snicker every time Techno got up and moved to a new spot. A spot that Tommy so conveniently decided to move to after a minute or two.
By the end of their meal, Techno and Tommy crossed the entire lush cave while Phil stayed rooted near the furnace to catch some warmth. By Techno’s desperate glances for Phil to help control the feral child, he probably also had the same plans before a certain someone decided he was bored.
Having no pity, Phil continued tending to the coals and Techno’s sigh traveled throughout the cave.
Ah yes, Phil’s such a great friend.
Techno would greatly disagree with that statement if telepathy was possible. Instead, he discovers that a tolerance for orphaned children was possible. Who would’ve thought? Maybe he should change the name of his sword after all.
That was for later though. Now, he had to convince this child to leave him alone.
“Three gold apples and you leave me alone.”
“What? That’s not a fair deal!” Tommy leaned even more into Techno’s personal space, which measured to be as far as he could throw said child. Or in other words, he didn’t want to see or hear the kid in his vicinity anymore. Peace and quiet were calling for his name.
“I can’t give you more than five golden apples or else you’ll be bouncing off the walls. What will it take for you to leave me alone?” A sharp Techno was heard from behind the two of them, closely resembling a crow’s caw.
“Hmmmm… How about- oh! Tell me stories about your adventures! Like that one battle, you summoned a wither or how you defeated a whole Bastion by yourself!” Another sigh was heard from behind them and Techno decided to be nice to Phil for once.
“Nah, those stories are boring. Too much blood and gore either way. Now Greek mythology, that’s the peak of cool. A lot more action than my battles.” Techno begged in his mind for the kid to go with Techno’s suggestions. He wouldn’t have enough mental energy to come up with another topic to talk about. He also doesn’t have enough energy to deal with Phil’s lecture about not scaring children with his tales.
By some miracle, Tommy slowly nodded, “Like Minotaur and Medusa?”
“And Pandora’s Box too. Theseus and the Minotaur is my favorite story though as it’s about good judgment and the importance of family. Would you… like to hear it?” Tommy nodded faster, eagerness quickly replacing boredom.
“Well, it all started with Poseidon, or Neptune as others call him…”
——
Techno wished there were more mobs around so it would’ve taken longer to get to the deeper levels of the cave. His piglin instincts hummed at telling the Greek tragedies and wars to the kid, Tommy’s wide eyes pulsing pride in his veins.
But then a gem caught his eyes, one that looked like the other hundred they passed, and Tommy was back into gemsmith mode. If he was a shoat, he would’ve huffed at his story being interrupted; he wasn’t though, so he watched Tommy use a small pickaxe to pry a lapis gemstone out.
“Not a word, Phil.”
“I didn’t even say anything.” Techno lingered his eyes on Tommy for a moment longer, then turned to Phil with a deadpan look.
“Your smirk is sure saying something else though.” Phil laughed and knocked his shoulder against Techno’s. Techno didn’t budge and continued looking down at Phil.
Before Phil could tease Techno more, Tommy appeared with a glowing lapis gem half the size of his palm,
“Men, I think we struck gold. I have a good feeling I’ll find your gem.” Unsure why the gem Tommy was holding was any special, the two nodded in agreement either way.
They wanted Tommy to like them, even if they didn’t know why yet.