Hope you enjoyed this weeks chapters! Again, next week there will only be one chapter on Mondays and Wednesdays instead of two.

Enjoy!

~~~~~

Rose Tea

Chapter Twelve [Wilbur]

It was about midday on the 3rd day when they arrived at Yuden. Wilbur peeked his head out the top of the carriage in amazement to see how large the city was. It was significantly bigger than Crowle. Most buildings here were made of stone and the oceanfront was mesmerizing as it practically glittered under the sunlight.

"Wow!" Wilbur gasped.

"You should sit back down before someone spots you like that," Techno said, he was currently in charge of the reins as Phil sat squashed next to him quietly sleeping. Techno gave him a slight nudge, "We're here by the way, where should we stop?"

Techno was free of most of his bandages now, except the ones on his hands from Phil's sword.

Wilbur ducked back down into the carriage as Phil woke up. They could deal with that. Tubbo and Tommy leaned, faces practically squishing against each other as they each tried to take a look out of one window. Both of them stared out towards the sea.

"Wow! I've never seen so much water before, Tommy look! We'd never go thirsty if we lived in a town like this!"

Charlie, their newest addition to their group, laughed, "You can't drink that water, it's filled with salt."

Tommy looked back at Charlie, "Who'd be dumb enough to put salt in all that water?" The morning after they rose the first day of their journey, Tommy had still displayed distrust to their new friend. But those feelings quickly dissipated as the two hit it off rather well on the carriage ride later that day. Wilbur kind of saw it almost like a kid looking up to an adult, Tommy had this certain admiration for the traveler who recounted numerous tales of his travels and the people he's met and the things he's seen. Now any time Charlie said anything, Tommy would follow it up with questions of why? Or what happened next?

The carriage came to a halt and Wilbur saw the carriage rock. He peeked out to see Techno had gotten off followed by Phil.

"We'll return this carriage here to this carriage stop and find an inn for the night. After we do that we'll stop by some of the places my grandfather could have sold the axe to and see if we can dig up any records or testimony of where it is now," Phil spoke quietly to Techno. Wilbur felt bad about keeping it a secret from Charlie what they were actually doing, but he trusted Phil to make wise decisions so he wouldn't argue about it.

Charlie, Tommy, and Tubbo exited the carriage.

"Welcome to Yuden, boys! Home of the finest seafood and even finer sights," Charlie winked at Tommy, "If you know what I mean."

"You'll show us around, right?" Tommy said, "You have to show us some of those places you mentioned earlier."

"Yeah," Tubbo added, "I want to know why they put red lights in a district, it sounds a little funny to me."

"WhAT?" Phil's head swiveled towards their conversation and Charlie awkwardly coughed. Wilbur placed a hand over his mouth to stifle his laughter. He wondered if Phil was part owl because he turned his head an uncomfortable angle to look at the 3 boys.

"Sorry guys, maybe some other day when you're older. I'm sure we'll see more of each other again in the future," Charlie placed his hands on Tommy and Tubbo's shoulders, "The world is a lot smaller than it seems."

"Wait," Tommy's smile disappeared, "You're not leaving are you, come on, why can't we stay together with you a little longer. You didn't even finish telling us about when you went to Loreia and the monsters you encountered or how you survived against them," Tommy whined.

"Sorry, we'll have to save that story for another time, I have a prior engagement here that I have to take care of. But the next time we meet, I'll be sure to finish the story," Charlie fixed his bag around his shoulder and took a step back from the two boys. Tommy frowned and looked away grumpily but Tubbo waved to him.

Charlie turned and looked at Phil, "Thank's again for the ride, you really helped save me a lot of time," Charlied reached into his bag and grabbed a couple of coins, "It's not much, but I hope this helps cover some expenses."

"Isn't that..." Techno started before shaking his head.

"Oh no problem mate, don't be a stranger if you see us around. I hope you have safe travels." Charlie waved to them before leaving the group and walking further into town. Wilbur would miss the guy, he was funny.

"Alright everyone, from here we have to carry out supplies to the inn, I've already returned the carriage so their folks will be coming shortly to take it back. So everyone needs to grab something, there's an inn just a few blocks from here where we'll leave our stuff at."

Techno headed to the back where all the supplies were fastened. Tubbo and Tommy each took a crate that he handed them. Phil gathered up their outdoor sleeping gear, while Techno carried two crates, their tools and utensils, and another bag of supplies.

"Let me help," Wilbur floated over to Techno.

"Uhm, can you even carry anything?" Techno asked.

"Well I can touch things now, so probably," he shrugged. He hadn't actually tried it, but if he could touch things then he could probably carry things, right? That's probably how that worked.

Techno looked at him for a moment before rummaging around and handing the ghost a spoon. Wilbur looked at it and frowned in displeasure. He snatched up the spoon, "See!" The spoon remained suspended in Wilbur's fists before suddenly falling to the brick road. Wilbur and Techno looked down.

"What's the hold-up, these are heavy, let's go," Tommy whined.

"W-wait, I can do it," Wilbur flew down and grabbed the spoon. It was nudged slightly by his ghostly hands but he was unable to keep it suspended in the air. Wilbur sulked.

"Just keep practicing, you'll probably be able to do it eventually," Techno bent down and grabbed the spoon before walking to join the others as they walked down the road. Wilbur huffed and ruffled his hair. The tugging of his journal grew stronger and he reluctantly floated behind the group. A few people would pause and stare at their strange group before hurriedly moving away.

Wilbur shook his head, it was ok! He was making progress. He would remember more things in time and if he kept practicing as Techno said, he might be able to lift a whole boulder! That'll show that pig!

Wilbur smiled and nodded to himself before flying faster to race after them.

~~~~~

"Did you see those pricks faces when Techno glared at them, Tubbo?" Tommy hopped onto one of the beds and laughed, "Yo, this is comfy as hell! We're living like kings now!"

"Yeah, they were eyeing all of our things as we walked into the inn, but one look from Techno and they ducked like ducks!"

"I wasn't glaring, that's my normal face," Techno said.

"Alright guys, it's time to get serious with the reason we're here," Phil closed their inn room door and locked it.

"So what are we doing here, Phil?" Tommy rolled around on the bed. It looked to Wilbur that the boy was enjoying the plush comfort of the bed, The inn room was surprisingly spacious, but he supposed Phil was moderately rich. There were four beds, one for each of them.

Phil shook his head, "We're looking for Dream's, the hero, legendary axe. It was once owned by my family, the direct descendants of Dream, but in my grandfather's youth, it was sold. From the little information I have, it was sold here, in Yuden. We need to figure out where and to whom may have it now. To do that, we'll split up. Into two teams."

Tommy raised his hand, "I call Tubbo–"

"Tommy, you will go with Techno and Wilbur. Tubbo is coming with me. Both Tommy and Techno looked at each other. Wilbur saw in Phil's eyes that he was set in his decision, "I have here two places that we will start with. The owners at the carriage rental were kind enough to give me directions."

Phil walked up to Techno and handed him a slip of paper. Wilbur floated to his side, The Dancing Maid, was written at the top and a set of directions below that.

"The main square fountain that we passed by is where we will meet, an hour before sundown."

Tubbo walked up to Techno and handed him Wilbur's journal who then tossed it to Tommy, "Hold that for me, will you." Tommy frowned but complied. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he held it in.

Wilbur thought it odd that Tommy was being quiet all of a sudden after finding out he was paired with Techno and him. Did he not want to separate from Tubbo that much?

It's not like Tommy hated Techno, Wilbur actually got the opposite impression from the boy. All throughout the carriage ride, he recounted to Charlie all of Techno's daring fight against 30 armed thugs. Except it was only 12, and Tommy didn't actually see the fighting portion of the battle, but Wilbur didn't bother to correct the boy as he excitedly told Charlie the tale.

And even then, Tommy asked Wilbur a number of questions whenever Techno wasn't around, 'how long have you known him,' 'how much weight do you think he can bench,' 'who would win in a fight Techno or Dream if he was brought back to life?'

To Wilbur, Tommy seemed quite taken with the large and muscular pig. When Techno wasn't looking or wasn't around, Tommy even rummaged through Techno's bag, probably looking for something cool. The look of disappointment on his face was a little hilarious. Perhaps it was the kind of admiration one would have for their hero, he did basically save the boy's life.

Despite Wilbur's original fears and reservations against Techno, he would have to admit he was wrong. Techno was not the potentially dangerous monster he was forced to stick with, and he wasn't as uncaring as he seemed to act. So, as Wilbur began to notice Tommy's admiration for Techno, he was a little happy for the pig. He thought it would do the pig well to have a little admirer.

But Wilbur did find it odd that the boy seemed hesitant to actually approach him. Given his normally loud and boisterous nature, he was being quite reserved.

~~~~~

"Well this is it," Techno looked down at the map and then up at the sign labeled The Dancing Maid which depicted a mermaid tail under the lettering. Tommy quietly fidgeted with a slight glare in his eyes. Wilbur was beginning to wonder what was up with the boy. What had him so on edge?

Wilbur also wasn't sure about this place, he flinched when something collided with the wall from inside the building. Techno pushed open the door and the three of them entered the building. It was dimly lit, tables were smashed or barely standing. One person was unconscious against the wall next to where they entered. Probably the culprit of the loud thud from before.

"Whoa!" Tommy exclaimed in giddiness before slapping a hand over his mouth and resuming his quiet glaring posture. He frowned deeply and Techno shook his head.

"Oh, are we sure this is right? It looks more like a bar," Wilbur hid behind Techno as they were given mean stares from some of the patrons who sat at some of the rare few tables still standing. Tommy continued to glare back.

"Welcome to the Dancing Maid! What'll ye have?" A woman leaned over the counter, with a pint of beer in one hand and the other hand on her hip.

Techno walked up to the counter, "I'm here looking for some information about something that may have been sold here, about 70 years ago, maybe," Techno took a seat on a barstool and Tommy imitated him. He then placed Wilbur's book on the counter.

The woman's eyes flicked from Tommy, to Techno, and then to Wilbur before huffing and leaning back against the shelving where a wide range of alcohol was stored.

"You ain't customers, are ye?" A loose strand of hair fell across her face and she blew it lazily aside.

"Uh, not really," Techno said.

"Then I'm 'fraid I have nothing to say," The woman turned away.

"One pint over here missy!" A new patron entered the bar and took a seat at a table.

"Comin' right up love!" The woman busied herself with prepping the other man's drink.

"I'll take a glass of water," Techno said.

She looked back and frowned, "We don't serve water 'ere."

"Then toss a little umbrella in it to make it fancy," Techno stressed. Wilbur and Tommy watched as the two of them stared each other down before she huffed and turned away. She gave Techno that glass of water with an umbrella in it and then walked over to give the pint to the other man.

When she returned she leaned back against the shelving, "One gold coin," she said.

"That's a bit high for some fancy water."

"It's for that information ye want, I'll charge more depending on what else ye ask about," she flipped out her palm, waiting for Techno to pay up. Techno grumbled and rummaged around in his overall pockets before dropping a gold coin in her palm.

She grinned and pocketed the money, "So what're ye looking for. We're a bar, but occasionally we deal in the sales of difficult-to-sell items. Ye said 70 years ago, right?"

"Can I get water too?" Tommy interjected. The woman shot the boy a look before huffing and ignoring him. Techno slid his glass to Tommy who looked at it a little sadly.

Techno nodded and carried on the conversation, "It's an axe," Techno glanced around the bar, Wilbur noticed many eyes were on them. He leaned forward, "A very well-known one, but it hasn't been seen since it was sold, Dream's Axe of Valor."

Wilbur saw that the woman didn't flinch, instead, she pushed off the shelving. Techno and Wilbur flinched as she yelled, "Holden! Get yer ass out here, you have guests!"

Tommy's glass of water tumbled as he knocked it away in shock, "Oh...sorry."

In the background another person responded, "The fuck you yelling for Lisa!, I'm not deaf you know!"

"Ahh, quit yer complaining, just take care of these bozos, will ya!" Tommy stumbled out of his chair and even Techno stood up, as out from the shadows walked a man almost of similar height and build to Techno. Actually, the man was a little shorter but he looked a lot more muscly, he was covered in hair and had two little round ears poking from the top of his head, The man pushed past patrons who attempted to clamber aside as he walked by them. This bar was simply not big enough to house a man so big, Wilbur thought.

Wilbur wasn't sure if they'd make it out of this situation.

"Take care of em, will ye," Lisa, the barmaid said as the large and muscular Holden stopped in front of the three of them.

"Right this way folks, it seems you have an inquiry, right?"

"I'm sorry what?" Techno responded.

"That's what I was called for, right?" Wilbur just nodded and the man smiled. Before turning around and beckoning for the three of them to follow. Which they reluctantly did.

They were led to the back of the bar through a door and then into a small room. It was cluttered with crates and scrolls propped up against the walls and a small table at the center. The rather large man took a seat at the table. It was almost too comical to see the man's knees practically rise high above the table's low frame. Techno took a seat on the other side.

"Pft," Tommy clapped a hand over his mouth and turned around, his shoulders shook. Both Techno and Holden were way too large for such a little table, and he was glad that someone else found it funny.

"Sorry folks, it ain't much, so what do you need," The man, Holden, was a lot nicer than Lisa who served them out in the bar. It was just his appearance that was misleading.

"We're looking for something sold, potentially here, about 70 years ago. Dream's axe of Valor. It was sold by a relative of an associate of mine."

Holden stroked his chin in thought, "Hmm, I think I know that one. My brother, I think mentioned a sale like that, may his soul rest peacefully with Eon," Holden bowed his head and Wilbur did so too, out of respect. Tommy looked to Techno who did not bow.

Wilbur was beginning to piece together what the boy was doing now. It really was quite comical. The silence, the glare, and doing everything Techno did. Tommy was trying to mimic the grumpy pig.

The man twisted his body a bit and reached out for a book, which he pulled out of a crate and it slammed heavily onto the table. The man flipped open the book.

"So what's folks like you doing, looking for something so rare? If you're looking to get it returned, I can tell you now that it ain't possible," The bearfolk continued to flip through the book as he said that.

"No, we're just looking for where it might be now or who owns it. That's all," Techno responded.

Holden nodded quietly. They sat in silence as he flipped through the book. After about 5 minutes he stopped, "Hmm, I do have a record of something like an axe being sold here around that time, but as for where it may be..." Holden closed the book, "It's gonna cost you."

Techno rummaged into his overall pocket and pulled out some coins, "5 gold coins?"

"Make it 10," The bearfolk gave him a very toothy, a little bit intimidating but overall friendly grin as Techno pulled out 5 more coins. He placed the coins on the table.

"The ones who currently have the axe is unknown–"

"What??" Techno stood up; Holden held up his bear paws to stop Techno.

"Hold up, let me finish, what I mean by that is that our record of selling it has no buyer's signature. It was bought about 5 years ago, we only have dealings with one group that never signs. I can't tell you who they are since its to do with a client's identity, but I can tell you how to find them."

Techno sat down.

"If you take the ship, the SS Rose, heading towards Loreia, I can guarantee you will meet the one who bought the axe, here," Holden stood up and walked to a corner of the room with a little chest, "Take this."

Holden returned with a mermaid's tail pendant, "Wear this and the one who bought the axe will recognize you as an associate of ours. They should approach you themselves."

"How do you know they won't just ignore us," Techno said.

Holden smiled, "They aren't those kinds of folks, they'll be interested in doing business with you if they think you're here to strike a deal with them." Techno nodded and put the necklace around his neck. Holden escorted the three of them out of the bar. It was getting close to the time to meet up at the meeting spot.

Techno and Holden exchanged firm handshakes as they passed. Wilbur noticed Tommy stop in front of the muscular bearfolk that towered over him, the boy held out his hand, and Holden, with a surprised look on his face, exchanged a handshake with him too. Wilbur winced as he saw Tommy practically jostled up and down before finally being released. Tommy chuckled wryly before hurrying to follow behind Techno, his other arm massaged his poorly abused arm.

"Sooo...," Tommy jogged up to be beside Techno, Wilbur's journal tucked under his arm, "What's the plan once we find the axe?"

"Huh?" Techno said without looking at him.

"You know, it was sold on the black market, so some shady guys probably bought it. Are we gonna beat them up, or maybe you plan to steal it from them. You must have a badass plan in place, right!" Tommy looked up at the pig in eager expectation.

"I liked it better when you were imitating me, at least you were quiet," Techno said.

"W-what!" Tommy shouted, "I was...I wasn't imitating you! That's how I always am! I'm always stoic and badass!" Tommy scrambled to clutch Wilbur's book as he flailed his arms out, he jumped in front of Techno who had to stop walking to avoid trampling the child.

"Uhhh...sure," Techno said. Tommy was turning red and he had a deep and embarrassed frown on his face.

"That's not very nice to say Techno, Tommy is just trying to be like you because he looks up to you. You could at least try and be a little empathetic," Wilbur placed a hand on both their shoulders. Funnily enough, they both shrugged his hands off simultaneously.

"I didn't ask for that," Techno walked around Tommy and continued towards their destination, "And to answer your question, the plan is just to talk to them. No battles or thefts or whatever schemes you're cooking up right now," he waved the thoughts off. Tommy chased after him.

"But that's boring! You're supposed to be strong and badass, you beat up on the thugs and bandits!"

"Yeah, well, who's fault is that? I don't want to fight, I could care less about getting involved in other people's problems when it has nothing to do with me."

"But you saved me and Tubbo! You fought off the thugs twice in one day. You beat them down to a bloody pul–"

Techno turned to Tommy, "I didn't save you, I didn't care then, and I don't care now. I'm not some warrior of justice ok," Techno's voice grew low. It felt forced and strained as he stared down at Tommy who shrunk back in fear, "I'm a monster. Bloodthirsty and dangerous. Nothing good will come of making someone like me fight. I don't need a kid idolizing me for stupid reasons he doesn't understand."

Wilbur didn't know what to do. He looked to Tommy who just sort of stood there, dumbfounded and shocked, and then he looked at Techno who straightened his back and turned away from the two of them.

"Let's just hurry up and meet Phil–" Tommy turned and ran before Techno could finish.

"Tommy!" Wilbur reached out for the boy but his fingers only grazed his shoulder. But before he could even panic or tell Techno to chase after him, Wilbur felt his body getting dragged back down towards Tommy's direction. He phased through surprised people as he was forced to follow behind the running boy carrying his journal.

He saw Techno watching the two of them, Wilbur reached out as he continued to get dragged further and further away. It was almost like a silent call for the pig to come after them. But Techno just stood there.

Why?

Why was he not following after them?

Wilbur turned away, he searched for Tommy as he continued getting dragged along. As he spotted the boy just a few meters ahead he flew towards him.

"Tommy! Tommy stop this," Wilbur tried to keep in front of the boy, but he wouldn't stop running.

"Quit following me!"

"I can't, you have my journal," Wilbur said. Tommy looked to see the journal in his hands, he slowed down.

"Oh..." Tommy looked at it. He stopped running. The people on the street watched the two of them in curiosity, "Sorry."

"Hey, hey, Tommy, don't be sorry," Wilbur stood in front of the boy, he was only a tad taller than him; he realized, "You haven't done anything wrong, why don't we just talk?"

Tommy dropped down his arms and hung his head, "I've screwed up...haven't I?"

Wilbur faltered, what could he say?

"No, no, you haven't," he paused, "It's just, Techno...is not an easy guy to get along with," Wilbur began. He pressed his lips together as Tommy continued to look down at the ground forlornly.

"You know what we are doing will be dangerous right?"

"Yeah..." Tommy mumbled, "But so what. I'm just a fucking orphan, I ain't never done nothing cool in my life–" he looked Wilbur in the eyes, "I just wanted to be a part of something!

"Techno is cool, isn't he? But maybe I'm just a burden..." Tommy knelt down in the road. He curled his knees into his chest and hugged himself tight. Wilbur panicked as he looked around, people were starting to stare more. There was just a child sitting in the middle of the road with a ghost floating over him.

Wilbur silently motioned and tried to shoo the people off; who, when seeing Wilbur's somewhat aggressive actions, hurried to scamper off. Less people were watching as he floated down to Tommy's level.

"You're not a burden Tommy, you have plenty to offer, like...um," shit. Wilbur didn't know where to go with this.

"You know...a few years back...I remember getting sick. Sicker than I ever had before. The kind of sickness you don't come back from."

Wilbur stopped as Tommy talked quietly.

"It was over, and I knew it. I remember lying, weak and shivering on the ground in a dark alley using trash to keep myself covered while snow poured in around. I remember in the haze of my fever dreams, Tubbo walking away. And I remember thinking, don't go.

"I wanted to cry out to him and beg him to stay, but I couldn't...or more like I didn't."

Wilbur knew this story. It was the one Tubbo told him a few days ago, but this time from Tommy's perspective.

"I knew I was useless and helpless and a burden to Tubbo. He was better off without me, I just got us into trouble. I'm worthless as the older one–hell– I don't even know if I'm older. Tubbo always got things done, and I would mess them up. So I couldn't blame him for wanting to leave. Whether in my dreams or not.

"When I woke up fine and saw Tubbo beside me sleeping..." Tommy paused, "I remember cursing Eon. Why did he keep me alive...why was someone like me still here as useless deadweight?"

Tommy looked at Wilbur, his eyes pleading, "I don't want to be a burden. I just want Techno to like me. If Eon really is some god worth worshipping, then he kept me alive for a reason, right?

"It really feels like a weird chance of fate when I met you lot, and more than anything I want to stay with you guys. At least Tubbo can cook, but what good am I?" Tommy held up Wilbur's journal and waved it around, "A bookshelf?"

Wilbur swooped in for a hug, he couldn't feel Tommy's warmth, the proof that he was alive, but he could feel Tommy, "I truly believe you are just as important as any one of us. You keep us smiling and always on our toes. All throughout the trip here you have been the rock that's keeping me grounded, both you and Tubbo."

Wilbur released Tommy, who looked at him, "Techno is not an easy to approach guy, and he probably has his reasons. But I don't believe for a second that he hates you or thinks you're a burden. You're doing plenty just being yourself and with time I'm sure Techno will come to appreciate that."

"You think so?" Tommy asked.

"Of course, just think of Tubbo. He's stuck by you because he cares. You aren't a burden to him or to any of us. You're wonderful company Tommy," Wilbur floated into a standing position. He held out his hand for Tommy who looked at it for a moment before reaching up and grabbing his hand. Wilbur pulled up.

It did not work.

"O-oh, right..." Wilbur looked from Tommy to his ghost hand, he forgot he was incapable of lifting anything.

"Puh ha ha ha!" Tommy's voice cracked as loud laughs wracked his body and he staggered to stand in between waves of laughter. He wiped a tear from his eye, "Thanks Will, can I call you Will?"

Wilbur giggled and nodded, "Come on, let's go back. I'm sure Phil and the others will be worried."

And then the two set back the way they came. There they saw Techno, still standing and waiting in the street. Wilbur was flabbergasted to see the pig still there.

"You waited!" Wilbur said.

"Mmm," was all Techno said in response. Wilbur grinned, he really misjudged the pig, he supposed even monsters have hearts. The three of them walked and from the corner of Wilbur's eye, he caught Techno giving Tommy a quiet and almost unnoticeable pat on his back. Just one. And there was no comment as they continued to walk, but he saw Tommy's face, he grinned from ear to ear.

Wilbur enjoyed that peace between them.

"Ok...but here me out," Tommy started. Techno groaned and Wilbur couldn't help but laugh at how quick the boy was to jump back into the swing of things. That was certainly his talent, his tenacity and wit were everlasting. The days would never be boring with Tommy around.

~~~~~

Word Count: 4968

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