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The first time I saw the man, it was an evening full of fireworks. There was screaming and the clash of blades. One man stood above it all, laughing as he continued to send fireworks into the crowd below. His expression was fierce, blood splattered across his face and mirth in his eyes. His crimson cape billowing like a banner behind his husky frame.
Three bodies laid behind him, burned and bloody. Tubbo was killed by this man, as was Schlatt and Quackity, the last two were unintended deaths….I hope. A boy appeared next to him and started shouting at the man. I couldn’t make out what he was saying over the din. Shouts of anger, the ringing of steel, and the sounds of the dying.
I made the decision to flee at that moment. Afraid to see more of this crazed man with his gilded crown atop his pink hair. No longer wanting to see the blood soaked cobbles of the festival’s once warm and homely appearance.
I left Manberg that day, no longer wanting to be a part of its bloody affairs. Yes, Schlatt was a tyrant but I feared those bloodlusting eyes more. I would miss the friends I had there, but their determination to protect something that that man stood against seemed like suicide. So I fled far far from there, taking my few belongings to find a new place to call home.
I came upon a lovely meadow with a beautiful mountain range in the distance and started to make a home for myself. I built a small cottage and a large garden for myself. I found companions in a dog I named Buster and a feline named Cedar. I was happy to be away from blood and war, content to live in my little valley. Time passed and I was at peace.
Of course peace never lasts.
War always comes.
“Buster! Shut up!” I hollered from the garden. The annoying canine kept barking up a storm. Sighing in annoyance, I got up from weeding and wiped my dirty hands on my jeans. Marching over to see what the fuss was.
Coming around the corner of the house to yell at Buster again, I stopped at the sight of a Nether portal standing on my lawn. Shocked and confused at the menacing door that was now blocking my beautiful view of the valley. Buster ran up to me still barking, he seemed agitated by the door. I grabbed his muzzle to shut him up and listened, wondering if there was anyone wandering around my property.
Hearing nothing and deciding Buster got the message to stay quiet, I carefully made my way to the ominous door. Not seeing anything on this side I went around and gasped when I found a person sprawled out on the grass, unmoving. Making my way to them to find they were bleeding badly. To my surprise their skin was black and white, seemingly split straight down the middle. I hurriedly checked to make sure they were still on the side of the living, sighing in relief when I found a faint pulse.
“This is going to be a long day,” I sighed.
He had puncture wounds and slashes across his skin as well as some minor burns. His armor had taken the brunt of the damage, it was covered in soot and scuffed in some places. The nice clothing he wore was no longer in such a state; tattered, cut, and worn with singed sleeves and pant legs. I gathered his lanky limbs in my arms and half carried, half dragged him inside my home. Buster followed me the whole time sniffing the stranger.
Once in the house my cat, Cedar, took an interest in this random person. She sniffed a couple times then, deeming him safe to enter her home, wandered away to lounge in the window. Shaking my head at the lazy cat, I decided to just leave the person on the floor for now.
I went out to the portal and picked up his sword, a brilliant diamond, and stared at the purple door. Taking a deep breath I stepped through the portal and emerged surrounded by fire. Hissing from the sudden heat and taking a quick look around, I found a lot of destruction. Explosions had turned the surrounding landscape into a pocketed mess of fire and lava.
The subsequent light from these dissolved any shadows in the area. Fortunately there was no one waiting for me on the other side, and no other bodies strewn around the scarred landscape. Stepping back through the portal, the heat of flame was replaced with the gentle touch of sunlight. Taking a deep breath of smoke free air I grabbed his diamond pick and took it to the obsidian door.
Once that was destroyed, I gathered the scattered belongings from the grass and I went in to take care of my guest.
I checked to make sure he was still alive before heading to my kitchen to grab my medical supplies, dropping his items on the table for now. Taking the bandages, burn creams, and medicinal ointments that I keep stocked in my pantry I made my way back to the living room. Setting the items I brought with me on the floor, I then knelt next to him. Cedar thought I was in need of her company and came to lay beside me.
I carefully worked the man out of his iron chestplate and leggings, deciding to shine them up for him later. Without the armor I could see that his outfit was more than a little singed. The thread in the seams that were covered by the armor had melted, they had been better protected but still succumbed to the heat of the nether and being behind metal. The seams that had been directly exposed to the heat had become non-existent, the sleeves and pant legs of his suit were in tatters. His pants now came to his knees and now owned a short sleeved suit.
Deciding the best way to treat his wounds the fastest, I pulled a pair of scissors from my box and began cutting through his shirts. I cut down the center of his chest as well as cutting through the sleeves, so that he was now basically laying atop of all the clothing. Realizing that I might need a towel to clean around the wounds first I quickly ran to the kitchen, almost tripping over the cat. She hissed in annoyance then moved to the man’s other side.
Grabbing a towel and throwing it over my shoulder I got a bowl and filled it with warm water. Carefully I walked back to the living room and gently set the bowl on the floor. I grabbed the towel and started wiping all the blood and dirt off his skin, so that his wounds wouldn't get infected. I dipped a corner of the towel into the water and started at the more stubborn blood stains. A faint hiss started coming from the man and I paused to look at his face. It was pinched in discomfort. Puzzled, I looked at the puncture wound I was cleaning around and noticed that his skin had started to turn red; as if irritated.
Concern and panic flashed through me at the thought that I might be hurting him somehow.
I hastily dried the area I had been cleaning and he seemed to calm a bit. The area was still red unfortunately but I couldn't think of another way to clean him up without water. I cleaned the worst of the areas as quickly as I could, hating myself at every occasional hiss of pain.
Once that was done I grabbed a cleaning ointment and began carefully dripping it into his cuts and wounds; which caused hissing as the oil hit each wound. The oil was meant to burn at first before sending cooling relief through the area of contact, one disadvantage it had a very strong smell to it that would permeate everything. Cedar did not find the ointments very pleasing, sniffing once in my direction and immediately got as far from me as possible.
“If you were awake I could have given you something to drink to numb the pain,” I said shaking my head, “and trying to do that while you're out cold doesn’t seem like a good idea. I’d rather not have an attempted drowning over my head.”
I chuckled to myself as I continued with the oil, rubbing it into his skin so that it might absorb faster. I gave myself a metal pat on the back, glad I put in the time and effort for this particular ointment. It worked as a cleaning agent to prevent infection and it provided pain relief as well as numb the nerves around the area. The ointment was a powerful one, it just takes a lot of preparation to get the full potential.
I got up to stretch my legs and go wash my hands of the oil. It would also give the ointment time to seep in and provide some relief. At least until I started the stitches, cringing away from that but knowing it needed to be done. I gathered my courage as I went back to the living room, pushing down my anxiety about causing more pain to this person. I pulled my sewing kit from a chest in the living room and pushed aside my emotions.
Kneeling beside him again I grabbed some silk and one of my sharpest needles. I dipped the silk in the ointment to act as a lubricant so that it would slide though his flesh better. Deftly threading it through the needle and tying a knot at the end, I began the tedious process of stitches.
I kept my hands steady as I worked, wanting this part to be over quickly. I closed the wounds on his shoulders and one in his left arm. There was a big gash on his side that I wouldn’t be able to stitch together all at once. It would take a few days to close even with help.
Stitching done, I realized I hadn’t heard a single peep from him. Relieved that the ointment had done its job and brought him some freedom from the pain.
I grabbed the burn ointment and applied it to any burns caused by the fire of the Nether. Grabbing the bandages I then began wrapping his arms, since they were the easiest to move. I covered his chest in a clean towel then struggled to flip him onto his stomach so I could tend to his back.
The process began again; a quick cleaning, ointment, and the stitches. Finally done with his most serious wounds, I carefully wrapped his chest in bandages. I pulled his clothing out from under him and placed them next to the couch. I needed a break and he wasn’t going to die as soon as I left.
Removing his boots and setting them by the door, I carefully moved him onto the couch. Cedar grumpily moved from ‘her’ couch and decided to claim the window above it. I grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch and laid it across him. I went to my storage room and found an empty chest for him to use. Placing it at the end of the couch, I put his armor and clothing inside.
Sleep and food were calling me but I needed to clean up the blood on my living room floor, leaving it to dry would be more work later. Placing a bucket in the sink and turning the faucet on, I went to find some towels. I grabbed as many as I could and dumped them in the bucket of hot water, got another bucket, then tiredly went to the living room.
There was a good sized puddle on the floor of the dark red stuff, it was slowly seeping into the porous wood of my floor.
“That's going to stain,” I sighed, “I’m going to have a section of floor made of ‘redwood’.”
Chuckling, I set both buckets down and began the process of mopping up the puddle. Wringing the towels out then letting them soak up the blood before wringing them out again in the other bucket. It took a bit of time for that, then grabbing a non-bloodied towel from the bucket, started scrubbing the floorboards.
Soon enough I was done and stood to look at my work. The grain of the wood now had a red hue to them, I was going to have to put a rug there or something.
I didn’t think taking care of someone would be so exhausting but gracious, I was beat. I shuffled to the kitchen with both buckets and dumped them down the sink, before cleaning myself up. Washing the blood off my hands and arms, then deciding I need a change of clothes.
Once changed and the bloodied clothes in the fireplace, I went back to the kitchen. Looking out the window above the sink I was surprised to find the sun was setting. Buster was happily romping around the yard, enjoying the fading sunlight. I had apparently been doing this most, if not all day.
I wanted to crash right to the floor and sleep but I stopped when I saw something glinting on the table. Fighting heavy eyelids I saw the items I had picked up from around the portal. There was a simple but elegant crown, a couple books, his weapons and tools. Sighing I decided I better put these in the chest before I forget about them again. Putting the crown on my arm and the books under the other, I now had hands free to grab his sword, pick, and ax.
I struggled with all I was carrying, plus my exhaustion did not help the situation. I opened the chest and dropped the items from my hands, the tools ringing against armor. Startling Cedar from her lazy watch over the man, she hissed at me while I shrugged in response. I was much gentler with the books, whether they are new books or old tomes they need to be respected, they can carry great wisdom.
Glancing at the titles to get a good idea of his preferred genre, I paused. Two of the books said Ranboo’s Journal and the other said DO NOT READ. Puzzled and intrigued but not willing to breach this person’s privacy, I shoved my curiosity aside and placed them in the chest. I shut the chest and gently placed his crown on top.
My belly grumbled loudly at that moment, reminding me that I haven’t had anything all day.
So with that, I tiredly stumbled away to find food.
Deciding to stick to something simple I had a baked potato with a glass of milk. Cedar came in meowing loudly, sighing I found some salmon and set it in her dish for her. Once she was satisfied and I had food in my belly my tiredness demanded attention. I went to my reading nook, soft paws steps followed and I collapsed on the cushions. Grunting at the sudden heavy paws that landed on my back, she made herself comfortable. Her warmth and low purrs cut the last strings tying me to consciousness.
It was only a few hours later I was woken by a loud thud. I tried to shoot to my feet, unfortunately hitting my head on the nook’s low ceiling, and promptly fell out. Cedar, who had stayed through my nap, gave a yowl of surprise and shot into the lightly lit kitchen. I shakily got to my feet, fighting the sleep that wanted me to stay in the world of dreams. I hastily made my way to the kitchen, hoping nothing bad was happening. I held my breath the whole way waiting for some other noise, nothing came. I hoped it was nothing but decided to go check on him.
The lantern light lit the living room fairly well, and I found the man sprawled on my floor. He seemed dazed from his fall to the floor but quickly sat up and scooted as far from me as he could. His eyes were the thing that immediately caught my attention, one red and the other green. They were half open staring at me and he was breathing a little too fast. I cautiously sat in the doorway between the living room and the kitchen. I made no move toward the door in hope that he would be able to trust me a bit if I didn’t block his only exit.
I sat in silence not moving an inch, letting him calm himself and to try and relax.
“I’m not here to hurt you,” I started, trying to make my voice calm and soft. He continued to sit there, his eyes darting around the room.
“My name is Ivory and I found you outside my house this morning,” I said slowly, “I bought you in and patched you up.”
He looked down at himself and took in the bandages around his chest and arms.
“What do you want?” He croaked, probably sore and in need of water or something.
“I don’t want anything,” I stated simply, “I just didn’t want to leave you to die on my lawn.”
He grunted and pulled his legs closer, struggling for some kind of comfort through the pain.
“Are you hungry?” I asked, “I’m sure I have some steak or chicken somewhere, I could get you a glass of milk or water?”
He looked up at me, not quite meeting my gaze, and lightly nodded his head. Giving him a nod back, I slowly got to my feet and turned into the kitchen.
I sighed in relief, glad that my guest had not been under attack or otherwise in danger. On the way to the pantry I saw green eyes staring at me from under the table, chuckling when I heard a small merp. Searching through my chests and barrels I found some steak. I quickly threw it in my furnace and grabbed a loaf of bread and a glass of milk.
I set them on the table behind me and almost screamed because the man was hunched in the doorway.
“Good gracious, you scared me!” I huffed.
He continued to stand there and I noticed he was shaking badly.
“There are eyes staring at me.” He said
“That’s my cat, Cedar, don’t mind her.” I said, then asked gently. “Can I help you to the table?”
He nodded so I quickly moved beside him and wrapped an arm around his waist. I was much too short to help him properly but I tried. I helped him limp to the table and sat him in a chair. Hesitant meows came from under the table while he sat there stiff and unsure. I placed the bread and milk in front of him and went to check on the steak.
“I’m guessing your legs weren’t too badly injured if you made it here, even if it is a short distance” I said, thinking out loud.
I heard munching behind me and smiled gently as I pulled the steak out. I put it on a plate and slid it toward him, he happily began munching that down too.
Content to just watch this man eating, moving and just being ALIVE, was such a relief for my nerves. I had been watching over him, tending him for hours all while he was out and dead to the world.
Cedar decided to introduce herself at that moment by jumping onto the table. He was startled at her sudden appearance and froze up like a statue. She walked up to him and sniffed a couple times then wandered over to me. I gave her a few pets before she yawned and jumped off to find a good napping spot.
I glared at her retreating tail before getting up myself to leave him when he stiffened in his seat.
“Where are you going?” he asked, a hint of fear in his voice.
“I was going to give you some time to yourself,” I answered, puzzled, “Would you rather I stay with you?”
He shifted in his seat, “I don’t want you to go where I can’t see you, I’ve been stabbed too many times from turning my back to a stranger.”
He had said it so impassively that I couldn’t think of a response, so I just sat. He nodded, turned back to his food and ate quietly. As he ate I was able to study his face more. His left eye was red with his skin white, his right eye was green and his skin black. His hair was even split the same way, it was a ruffled mess that came down to cover his ears but it suited him. He had a slender, sturdy frame and there seemed to be a hidden strength behind his timid demeanor.
“How did I get here?” he asked, his eyes pinning the plate to the table.
“I don’t know, I just found you and a Nether portal.” I shook my head, “I went through to make sure no one was out to get you then took it down.”
I paused to see if there was anything else he wanted to say, receiving no response I continued.
“What’s your name?” I asked gently, a minute passed before I got a response.
“My name is Ranboo, do you know where L’manberg is from here?” he asked quietly.
“I do know where it is, but it would take a bit to get there.” I said. “So Schlatt was removed from office then? Since it’s going by L’manberg again.”
“He was removed from life.” Ranboo stated.
“Oh”
“Could you point me in the right direction so I can get back home?” he asked, glancing at me then at the table again.
“Once you're strong enough to get there then yes, I can guide you back to L’manberg.” I said.
“I am strong enough, see!” he said, getting to his feet, though his body’s faint trembling betrayed him.
“I’m not sending you back half dead just for someone to hunt me down to kill me thinking that I did this to you.” I stated flatly, “L’manberg is full of vengeful people and I’d rather not get on their bad side.”
He sighed then sat again, “Where are my things? You didn’t steal them from me did you?”
“I didn’t steal them from you,” I said rolling my eyes, “your things are in the chest like your weapons and books.”
“Ok” he said numbly, and continued to sit there, motionless.
“Look it's dark, I’m tired, and you’re probably pushing down pain.” I yawned, “Let’s get some sleep and talk about details when the sun comes up. Ok?”
He looked up at me, “Where are you going to sleep?”
“I have a reading nook around the corner that has some soft cushions. You could use the bed that's upstairs if you would like, but it's probably better to use the couch. So you don’t have to tackle the stairs.”
I stood grabbing his dishes and put them in the sink to wash later.
I asked, “Do you want anything for the pain? I might have some alcohol to numb it.”
He shook his head vigorously, “I’d like to keep my wits about me thanks.”
“That’s fair,“ I nodded, “I have an ointment that can dull pain, it's safe to consume, it just won’t last the whole night.”
He eyed me curiously, seemingly interested but not willing to take the risk.
“It’ll taste like tea, I can mix it into a glass of water or something for you.” I reassured, he was still hesitant but the hopeful look in his eyes said that he would really like the pain to leave, even for a bit.
“How do I know you won’t poison me,” he whispered.
“Why would I poison you when I just spent all day nursing you back to health?” I asked incredulously. He held his silence, letting his question still stand.
I sighed, “Look I’ll make it right here in front of you and I’ll even have a glass to prove it’s not poisoned. Fair deal?”
He gave a reluctant nod, “I guess that will work.”
“Perfect, now you just take it easy for a few minutes.”
His eyes never left what I was doing, which was kind of unsettling. I brought some water to heat, grabbed a small jar of honey, and two bottles of oils. I brought all these to the table and began dividing the items between two cups. Pouring water into both, adding a dollop of honey and grabbing the two oil vials.
“These are oils that I have made by hand,” I explained, “one is the cleansing mixture that I used for your wounds. The other will help with sleep and add a more pleasing flavor.”
“What is in them?” Ranboo asked.
“The cleaning one has clove and peppermint as the two main ingredients, the other is simply lavender oil.”
He stretched out a hand and I handed them to him. He gently pulled the cork out of the lavender one and hesitantly sniffed. He hummed then put the stopper back. Before he could open the other I stopped him, “That one is really strong so careful.”
He nodded and pulled the cork out and was immediately hit with the burning scent of clove and the sharp scent of peppermint.
“Woo boy,” his eyes started watering, “You weren’t kidding.”
He put the bottle down and scrubbed his eyes with his arm. I took back the vials.
“Yeah, sorry, not much I could do to prepare you for it.” I gave a small laugh, “Can I put these in then?”
He nodded, still wiping his eyes. I put two drops of the lavender and three of the other in each glass. I stirred each to a good blend, the water taking a faint golden hue.
I handed a glass to him and took the other. He cupped it with his hands, warming them up and waited for me. I gave a wink then gulped half the drink down. Loving the burn of clove down my throat followed quickly by the cooling peppermint. The subtle taste of lavender tempering them both. I gave a shiver, as memories of using this same drink for nightmares and insomnia.
Ranboo eyed me carefully as I grinned at him. He looked at the cup, shrugged, and downed the whole glass. Watching him experience it for the first time was hilarious.
He gave a cough looking a little uncomfortable as his eyes started to water again. After a few seconds though, his face slowly morphed from one of discomfort to curiosity.
“How does it burn but freeze at the same time?” He asked in confusion.
“Clove is the one that burns, it will burn the infection away.” I said, holding in chuckles, “Peppermint is the cooling factor and will provide the relief. Lavender will help you sleep.”
“Fascinating” he whispered.
“Now that that is done and over with, would you like me to help you to the couch Ranboo?”
He looked at me then at himself, “Yes please, I almost fell on my way over here.”
Shaking my head as I huffed a laugh, I went to his side and helped him make the journey to the couch. A rigorous trip where I was unable to provide sufficient support for someone so tall and now sleepy. Helping him sit on the couch I pointed to his crown on the chest beside the couch.
“Your things are there if you are still concerned that I took something.” I yawned, “Ho-k, now get some rest. If you need anything, the reading nook is just through the kitchen and around the corner.”
I yawned again as I made my way to the kitchen. As I turned the corner I heard a soft ‘thank you’. Grinning to myself, I left to get some sleep before an early day tomorrow.