"Why do people have to be this lonely? What's the point of it all? Millions of people in this world, all of them yearning, looking to others to satisfy them, yet isolating themselves. Why? Was the earth put here just to nourish human loneliness?"
― Haruki Murakami

Tommy sits on the wooden fencepost. His ankles hang over two of the lower rungs on either side of the post. He places both of his hands on the post in the space between his thighs, maintaining his balance. He watches Techno work on the fence a few feet away from him. A couple of rotten wooden planks are discarded into their own pile, contrasting the stack of fresh wood beside Techno. His toolbox is right in front of him. Techno holds a hammer in his hand, pulling out loose nails to get the last rotten plank unattached to the two posts it connects to.

Today is a good day for Tommy. He has enough energy to walk outside, though not enough to actually help with anything. He just followed Techno around, endeavoring to stay with the man instead of disappearing to the dog's pen. Ironically, Techno had chores around the pen, so Tommy was going to end up here regardless of what his initial intentions were. Tommy doesn't mind, turning his attention to look at the dogs playing with each other in the distance. Atalanta rests lazily at his feet, her eyes half-open to watch Techno.

As Tommy looks back at Techno, he feels something drop onto his forehead. He frowns, lifting a hand up. His gloves wipe away the cool wetness on his forehead, but he doesn't understand where it came from. As Tommy stares at his glove for an answer, he feels even more watery drops splash across his hair. Tommy lifts his face to the sky, staring at the gathering clouds. More drops fall across his skin, making him think that it's raining. Tommy would be satisfied with that conclusion if looking down didn't reveal to him a snow-covered ground. His and Techno's footprints are still making shallow indentations in the snow.

Techno drops the rotten plank into the pile. He stops, lifting up his bare hand. Tommy watches the raindrops start to collect against his palm. Techno frowns, looking up at the sky. Techno sighs. He looks back at the project at hand. "Go back inside, Theseus."

"I didn't know it rained in Snowchester," Tommy murmurs, turning his attention back to the sky. The rain is a light pattering. The dogs don't even realize it. Techno is continuing to work despite it, as if it were just snowflakes. Tommy is the one caught up in the reverie of the moment, but he doesn't mind. Although he once didn't care for the weather, sitting in the rain right now, Tommy knows that he loves it. He breathes out, feeling a few raindrops fall into his open mouth. They are freezing cold, but they soothe the burning inside Tommy's body. He feels like a dangerous fire being put out by nature's graceful hand.

Techno sets down his hammer, the metal and wooden tool making a loud noise as it falls amongst the other tools. Atalanta lifts her head in a jerking motion. Tommy's head lolls to the side in a slower fashion. He watches as Techno lifts a hand out to Atalanta, letting her sniff his palm. When she lies back down, Techno looks up at Tommy, seconds away from doing the same thing to Tommy as if the blonde were a puppy. "Before the Ender portal opened, this land was as green and warm as the neighboring boroughs. Sometimes, the portal's influence lessens, allowing rain to fall on the snowy land."

"I like the rain," Tommy admits out loud. He stares back up at the clouds. They are a light gray, as thin as mist and large as a blanket. The clouds sometimes break apart, revealing little pockets of a brilliantly glowing blue sky. Tommy takes both of his gloves off, letting the rain collect slowly in the palms of his hands. He holds the crystal clear water together, staring at the shallow pool as if he might glimpse the extraordinary. All Tommy finds is his own reflection staring back at him. His blue eyes seem to mimic the sky, and for the first time in his life, Tommy doesn't tear his vision away from the picture in front of him. He meets his own eyes. He finds that he's almost forgotten how blue they actually are. If only he had taken his blindfold off once, his family would have known immediately who he was.

"The rain doesn't like you. You're going to get sick," Techno reminds Tommy, gesturing to the cabin in the distance. Tommy doesn't bother looking over there. He pulls his hands away, letting the shallow pool of water he made fall to the snow below. It splashes, a few drops hitting Atalanta's nose. She jerks up. She looks around, eventually lifting her eyes to stare unimpressed at Tommy. The blonde giggles, though he tries to look apologetic. Atalanta barks at him, and she drops her head back down on her front paws. Tommy wonders what he or Techno has to do for Atalanta to finally abandon them.

"I am sick," Tommy absentmindedly answers Techno, keeping his attention on Atalanta. She closes her eyes, putting her trust back in the man that made a loud noise and the teenager that splashed cold water on her. Tommy is grateful for her. He decides to try not to do anything to upset her. At least, nothing the rest of the day. The next time Tommy has a good day, he can't make any promises.

Techno stands up. His boots make a crunching noise as he walks over to Tommy. Techno stands beside Tommy and Atalanta. The dog has gotten used to the sound of boots on snow, so she doesn't lift her head up. Tommy, on the other hand, meets Techno's eyes, realizing belatedly what he said. While Tommy wasn't lying, this is the first time he's ever actually brought up how abnormal his behavior is. Most people don't have an energy crisis on the daily that leaves them eating on the floor and sleeping most of the day away. Other people don't need to separate their days between the good ones and the bad ones as analytically as Tommy does. Tommy can't name his disease, but he knows that he is, on some level, sick. He's probably been sick for a long time, and he's suffering it all at once.

"You will get even more sick," Techno amends. Tommy swallows thickly. He doesn't know how he thought Techno was going to respond, but Techno actively agreeing with Tommy without bringing more focus to it is more emotionally perceptive than Tommy thought it was going to be.

"Would you take care of me if I got sick?" Tommy asks with a loose smile appearing on his face. Tommy doesn't know the last time he's been properly sick. He went through poison training with Reishi when he was a Hunter, but he always got the antidote in a timely fashion. He remembers getting sick once when he was a lot younger. The memories associated with that involve Niki's lukewarm soup and Wilbur's fingers pressing against his forehead to gauge his temperature. Tubbo had been lying on the mattress with him because the two of them got sick together. Jack stayed with Tubbo, telling some story Tommy couldn't even hear through the fuzziness in his head. All he remembers hearing is Eret promising Tommy that he would be fine while they held Fundy on their hip. The memories around that time are too fuzzy for Tommy to bring to the forefront of his mind, so he simply chooses not to dig around too deeply. It doesn't matter to him.

"I would, but I would also like to avoid that if we can. As such, go inside, Tommy," Techno assures Tommy. Techno picks Tommy up from his armpits. His face shows no exertion as he sets Tommy down on the snow beside him. Atalanta watches this happen. Her lips move, ready to growl or bark for the others to help her. Techno eyes her with respect in his eyes. "So much loyalty, and you chose the brat to be loyal to."

"Hey! Fuck off! Atalanta made the obviously correct decision!" Tommy shouts at Techno. Tommy leans down to rub Atalanta's head. Her expression shifts immediately at the appeasement. Tommy moves to rub both of his hands across her fur. She turns over, showing her stomach to him. Tommy is quick to comfort her, easing away the rest of her worries about Techno hurting Tommy.

"Inside, Toms. You can play with Atalanta later," Techno orders. Tommy rolls his eyes, huffing. He stands up. Atalanta stares at him as he removes his hands from her. She flops back onto her stomach, lifting up to her paws. She walks alongside Tommy as he ducks under the uppermost plank Techno left behind when he was removing the rotten pieces of each section. Atalanta follows Tommy, remaining at his side. Techno whistles for her to return, but she doesn't even look at him, wagging her tail in his general direction. "You're going to let the other dogs think they can get out."

"Atalanta can keep me company while you work!" Tommy offers, spinning around in the snow and rain. Atalanta leaps around him, nearly tripping him up. Tommy devolves into a fit of giggling. Atalanta barks at him, almost as if she's laughing alongside him.

Techno sighs, but it sounds more like amusement than annoyance. Techno waves his hand, giving Tommy and Atalanta permission. Tommy lifts his hand to Atalanta to high-five her. She stands on her hindlegs, putting her palm inside Tommy's. It becomes a handshake instead of a high-five, but Tommy doesn't mind. He smiles as Atalanta lands back on her paws. She runs around him, this time spinning him around.

Atalanta stops. She turns away from both Tommy and Techno. Tommy stops, and Techno looks up from where he's putting new planks on the fence. Tommy leans down to rub Atalanta's neck affectionately, but he notices what she's growling at when a truck appears over the horizon. Tommy's movements stall. He can't breathe at all. He can't seem to do anything at all as he watches the truck get even closer.

"It's okay, Theseus. Nothing to worry about," Techno promises, ducking underneath the fence like Tommy did. Techno starts walking toward the truck. He doesn't look over his shoulder. He doesn't ask Tommy to come with him. But he didn't tell Tommy to stay away, either. Tommy swallows back his fear. He follows Techno, Atalanta at his side.

The truck stops in the driveway. The passenger's side's door opens first. A young woman hops out, landing on the snow. She closes the door behind her. She has rosewood brown hair with red highlights. She has light pink eyes, matching the color of her overcoat. She is wearing a pair of dark green-black leggings tucked into brown boots. She tucks her hands into the pockets of her overcoat, shivering as she steps to the backseat. She opens the door, getting a box out.

The driver's side's door opens a moment later. An older man with dark green hair and golden eyes wears a light green jacket with a pair of jeans. He runs a hand through his hair, one hand slipping into the pocket behind his seat. He pulls something out, pressing it against his chest. He walks around the side of the truck with the object. He stands beside the young woman as she brings a box over to Techno and Tommy. She wears a bright smile on her face, contrasting with the somber expression on her companion's face.

"Techno! Tommy! Hello! How are both of you? I hope we didn't interrupt you if you were doing something important," The woman says, looking at Tommy with as much familiarity as she looks at Techno. Tommy shifts uncomfortably, reaching his hand down. Atalanta sniffs his palm, momentarily distracting him from his discomfort. The woman's eyes widen, noticing Tommy's reaction. "Oh! We haven't introduced ourselves, have we? My name is Hannah, and this is my father, Sam. You might know us better as Briar and Warden."

Tommy jerks back. He learned that Warden's name was Sam, but he hasn't met or seen the man. He also didn't know that he was a father, or that his daughter was Briar. Or that Briar was a woman named Hannah. Tommy feels like he's been let in on some huge secret that he really doesn't want to be a part of. It's bad enough he knows the identities of the Syndicate members, some of the former Cultists, and two popular heroes. He doesn't want to know anyone else's identities.

"Puffy sent us over with your gaming console. She also threw in some feel-good games that she thought would make you happy. She also put in some two-player games, muttering how it would help you and Techno bond," Hannah explains. She gets close enough to hand the box over to Tommy, but Techno smoothly takes it from her hands. Techno holds the box with one hand, looking entirely unbothered by the weight when Hannah's face is a smear red from exertion. Hannah raises an eyebrow at him, but Briar was never a physically strong vigilante. Her true strength lay in her incredible powers and agility.

"We brought something else," Sam speaks up, looking down at the object in his hands. He steps toward Tommy, a sad smile on his face. He turns the object, letting Tommy see the surface. Tears instantly fill Tommy's eyes as he takes the frame of the photograph. This was his prized possession. Tommy lifts a finger to run his fingers along the black-and-white image of his family when they were younger. Tommy can partially see his reflection as he stares at Wilbur's smile, the way his hands are intertwined with Tommy's, leading him forward. Niki and Jack look relaxed as they sit on the crates in the corner. Eret is as tired as Tommy remembers with Fundy's head fallen on Eret's shoulder. Tubbo is holding Eret's hand, the other hand grabbing the hem of his shirt. Tommy can even see the back of his head as Wilbur spins him around. "The others wanted to keep it, but Wilbur thought you would want it."

"Wilbur," Tommy whispers, pushing the photograph against his chest. He hugs it closely as if he's hugging the people in the photograph instead. A few tears slip down his cheek, and he's struck with the pained loneliness that continues to plague him even though he knows his family isn't dead anymore.

Techno lifts a hand up, wiping away Tommy's tears. Tommy looks up. Techno is frowning so subtly Tommy suspects Hannah and Sam don't even notice. Tommy tries to smile to ease Techno's worries, but Techno isn't looking at Tommy's attempts. He meets Tommy's eyes, "This is why you should get inside."

"Actually, we wanted to see if Tommy wanted to come with us," Hannah intervenes, cautiously looking up as she notices the light rain that is beginning to thin.

"We're going to check on the Scarlet Demoness. She's been wanting to talk to you... Tommy," Sam says, adding on the name as an afterthought. Tommy doesn't blame Sam. For the past ten years, Tommy has either been nameless or he's been Vendetta. The name that was given to him by Wilbur was buried so deep inside of him. Tommy thought the only person who knew that name was Sleepy and Reverie, but they aren't the only ones anymore. They've never been the only ones, but Tommy didn't know that before.

Tommy looks up at Techno. The piglin hybrid lifts an eyebrow, reminding Tommy, "All of your decisions are your own as long as you aren't going to hurt yourself. That includes pushing yourself too far."

Tommy smiles at Techno, looking at Hannah and Sam. Hannah retains the smile she's been wearing the entire time. Sam has a small smile on his face as if holding onto the photograph had been a heavy burden. Tommy supposes that it was. This photograph is very important to Tommy. Even though his family is alive, this photograph has been through a lot with Tommy. This frame has soaked up a lot of his tears. These faces frozen in time were his one buoy in a sea of suffering.

Tommy shakes his head, letting those thoughts fade away as quickly as they came. He holds the photograph close as he says, "I'll go. I want to see how she's doing, too."

Techno nods softly. He shifts the box in his hand, ruffling Tommy's hair. Tommy swats his hand away. Atalanta barks. Techno pointedly looks at her, and she lightens up to a growl. Tommy laughs, waving his hand at Atalanta. She stops completely. Tommy leaves the box with Techno, but Tommy takes the photograph with him as he gets in the backseat. Atalanta seems ready to come with him, but Techno whistles, and she races back to his side. Tommy closes the door, muffling the sound of Techno and Sam's conversation.

Instead of getting back into the front seat, Hannah jumps into the backseat with Tommy. The middle spot leaves some space between them, which Tommy is grateful for as Hannah- as Briar- smiles at Tommy. They haven't actually had a moment to talk since Tommy let her get caught by the Cult of Erythr. She sacrificed her sanity to protect both him and Etho, and Tommy hasn't shown his gratitude. He was part of the raid to save her life, but he had gotten hit with the serum himself. A lot has happened since then, leaving no moment for him to breathe. Now, he has all the time in the world to breathe, but processing takes a lot out of him.

"If you don't mind me asking, what's up with the picture? Dad said the others were talking about it for a while before Wilbur ended the whole conversation," Hannah asks, gesturing to the photograph Tommy is still holding in a vice-like grip.

"I went to a garage sale with Sleepy once. The seller used old newspapers to wrap the shit. I happened to see this one... it was from an article about the rising homeless population in L'Manberg. I took the newspaper and bought the picture frame from the seller. Ever since that moment, this was been the one thing I've kept no matter where the fuck I went. I kept it in a luggage bag Reverie gave me," Tommy explains. He left that luggage bag in Las Nevadas. Tommy should go over there to get his bag back one of these days. Apologize to Ultraviolet, talk to the others, reassure Croupier and Charlie that he's fine.

"I have to admire your dedication to your family," Hannah says, placing her cheek against her closed fist, leaning forward. She keeps her eyes on Tommy, staring at him with all the sharpness of a rosethorn.

Sam opens the driver's door. He gets into the truck, dropping into the seat. He looks in the backseat at the two of them. He raises an eyebrow at them. Hannah leans back, reaching for her seatbelt. Tommy does the same. Once Sam hears both of the clicks, he looks past them toward the rear. He starts backing up, turning in the road to drive towards the distant city.

Tommy considers apologizing or thanking Hannah, but it feels wrong to do what with Sam here. Tommy doesn't want to remind the man that Tommy is partially responsible for the suffering Hannah went through. Plus, he wants to hear whatever response Hannah has for him unaffected by the surrounding company. Although Hannah doesn't seem like the type to mince her words- Briar certainly wasn't- but her own father might be an exception. Tommy doesn't remember his father. He doesn't remember Wilbur's father, either. All he knows is that he was careful with his words when Wilbur was around. Not that much more careful than usual, but he did put in some effort. Tommy assumes Hannah will be the same way only because he doesn't have proof in either direction. He'll single Hannah out at a later date to officially apologize.

There are other people Tommy needs to talk to, as well. Tommy has to thank Sleepy for helping him out when Crimson tried infecting his mind. He has to thank Tempestarius for letting him stay with her when she had already been hosting five other people. He has to thank Pearl, Grian, and Jimmy for helping him fight the Cult of Erythr. He has to thank Ranboo for being a good friend to him despite his horrible personality. He has to thank Jordan for protecting him that one time during the festival. He has a lot of gratitude to present to the Aces, especially Ultraviolet for holding Tommy together when he came to Las Nevadas as a broken man. He has to apologize to Croupier for messing up his life. He wants to punch Reverie. He wants answers from Philza.

The silence builds around Tommy as the truck stops at a high-rise tower. Sam and Hannah get out of the truck, leaving behind their jackets. Tommy takes his jacket off, setting it on top of Hannah's. He turns to look out the window. He lingers for a moment. He unbuckles his seat, putting a hand on the handle. He doesn't pull it as he stares up at the roof of the building. He holds the photograph closer to him. He takes in a couple of breaths, hesitating indefinitely. He hasn't been to the city in a little while. Even when Puffy brought him here, they went to a park devoid of people. Tommy closes his eyes as he pushes the door open. He steps onto the sidewalk, holding the photograph like a child would hold their favored stuffed toy.

When Tommy opens his eyes, Sam and Hannah are waiting patiently near the parking meter. Hannah is talking to her father, animatedly moving her arms around. Sam nods slowly, his expression minutely changes as her story rises and falls in stakes and believability. Tommy steps over to them. Sam shoots Tommy a grimacing smile. Hannah wraps her story up, a self-satisfied smile on her lips. She turns, approaching the building like a zealous adventurer following a treasure map. Sam and Tommy share a look, the former shrugging and following. Tommy exhales sharply, following behind Sam.

They are quiet in the elevator, listening to the faint music. Tommy stares at the rising number. The elevator stops, letting a new person in. The new person doesn't glance at the others as they press the button for a higher floor than the one Tommy, Sam, and Hannah are going to. As such, they are delivered to their floor before the other person. Sam excuses the entire group. Hannah waves at the person as she exits. Tommy shoots them an awkward smile. The person raises an eyebrow at them, and the elevator doors slide shut.

Sam leads his two ducklings down the twisting hallways to the room at the very end. Sam lifts a fist to knock on the door. After a few seconds, the door swings open. Pearl stands there in casual clothing, one hand holding her hair up while the other one holds a rubber band. She gives Sam a courtesy smile, quickly looking between him and the inside of the room. Tommy leans into Hannah's personal space to see that Grian and Jimmy are sitting on the floor around the coffee table, playing a game with a wooden tower. Sam sighs, fixing Pearl with a heavy stare. "You know you aren't allowed to have guests over."

"They aren't-" Pearl stops when her eyes transition from Hannah to Tommy. Pearl drops her hair, letting both hands fall to her side. Tommy shifts under the weight of her attention. Pearl opens her mouth, but she closes tightly. She steps into the hallway, moving past Sam without another argument on her tongue. Pearl raises her hands up. Tommy stares for a long moment. His legs practically give out as he falls into Pearl's hug. She holds him as tightly as he holds his photograph. Pearl doesn't release him until Tommy starts pulling away. The moment he shows resistance, her arms are open, letting him free in a moment's notice. Sam and Hannah have gone into the apartment, but Pearl remains there with Tommy. She gives him an incredibly soft and sad smile. "You're one of the strongest and most resilient people I know. Remember what I said before... you aren't alone. I know you're staying with someone else, but... you always have a place here."

"Thanks," Tommy murmurs. Pearl shifts, letting Tommy step into the apartment. Sam is sitting in the chair in the living room. Hannah is kneeling on the ground, joining in the game with Grian and Jimmy. Pearl shuts the door behind her and Tommy. The blonde closes his eyes, listening to the laughter of the living room and an air conditioning unit in the distance. It isn't that he doesn't believe Pearl; it's just that he's realizing he's not in the company he desperately wants to be in but is forcing himself away from.