PHOENIX

Chapter Forty Three: Armistice

After the introduction to Ranboo, Phil had started work on a second cabin connected to the first with the promise that we would chat more later. This left Ranboo and I alone. Very alone and very awkward.

"So...Phil said you moved here recently? What made you want to do that?" I asked, thinking about how I wish I could go far away from the SMP territory.

"Uh, my sister actually." Ranboo shifted his weight.

"Your sister? Where does she live?" I ask curiously.

"She lives in-I mean used to live in L'Manberg. I came after she told me about everything that happened, and how she was...coping." He admits slowly.

"Really? What was her name? I'm sure I could recognise someone from L'Manberg." I straighten up.

"Her name is Niki."

"Niki?!" I react hugely, standing up.

Ranboo makes eye contact with me for the first time since I woke up, but mimics his actions earlier with Phil by almost instantly turning his gaze back to the floor.

"Yeah, she has blonde hair-"

"I know her! She's my friend!" I interrupt him. "I had no idea..."

A memory popped into my brain, and I barely remember Niki saying something about having a brother at one point.

Ranboo perked up at that, seemingly more comfortable.

"You're friends?" Ranboo faintly smiles.

"Yes, although I haven't seen her since...before the war. Is she okay? Did she get hurt?" I rush out concernedly.

"She's okay, it's just hard with L'Manberg being- well, a literal crater in the earth, and also with Wilbur."

Oh god, I hadn't even thought about Niki dealing with Wilbur's death. They were such close friends.

"I-I wish I could be there for her. But I just can't go back- not yet at least. At the moment, I'm trying to lay low. So it would actually be great if you pretended I wasn't here," I laughed sheepishly.

"Okay".

"Could you pass a message to Niki for me?" I ask quietly.

"Sure, I can tell her the next time I see her".

Taking a glance around the room, I spot a desk with papers and ink nearby. I slowly get up, steadying myself on my feet and making my way over to the chair. I lower myself down and grab a feather, using some ink and writing cautiously.

There was silence as I wrote, so I started a conversation while I composed my letter.

"So..."

Ranboo looked up for a moment.

"You're a hostile.....like me?"

Ranboo nodded. I peeked back at him in confusion.

"But....aren't you related to Niki?"

"Same father, different mother".

"Oh," I replied softly. "You're really tall".

"I'm part enderman".

"Right," I facepalmed, my embarrassment indescribable.

"It's okay. You don't need to apologize," Ranboo shook his head.

Returning to my note, I finished the scribbled cursive with my signature, and blew on the paper for a moment, letting the ink dry. Passing the letter to Ranboo, he gently took it from my hand, then delicately tucked it into his suit pocket as if it would break if he handled it too roughly.