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Evil Xisuma was feeling lonely.
He had his brother and Zedaph, but he still didn’t like being out in the shopping area or around spawn. The hermits were nice, but they can be overwhelming.
He was quite fond of the snowy mountains that practically encompassed spawn, not liking the warm areas as much. Evil X enjoyed exploring, and on his journeys, he had found many things worth keeping.
Just like Zed, he had a hall of almost all, except the things he kept in there were important to him. Baubles and trinkets that meant something, whether it was given to him or he crafted it himself, even if he found it in an abandoned chest.
The room was small, and had many different shelves, varying heights. One of his favorite pieces he was given was a spy glass that came straight from Last Life. It was a gift from Grian, and a promise of a blossoming friendship full of foolery.
The spyglass was lined with beautifully aged copper, and it sparkled in the light due to the amethyst shards used to craft it. Ex spent a long time cleaning the dirt and grime off of the thing, having been used a lot during the game.
He kept it in a display case, a little plaque with Grian’s name etched into it, showcasing the trinket.
Though the things were great, and he appreciated them, it wasn’t fulfilling. He wanted someone he could talk to, Ex needed some sort of relationship that couldn’t turn sour.
One day he was out in a spruce forest, and it was snowing in the biome, seemingly winter. The cold didn’t bother him much because of his thick armor, but his fingers were a little chilly. He was gathering some of the wood for later when he saw a little white fluff ball creep forward.
Ex was startled at first, but realized what the little thing was, a polar bear. A baby one at that, and it’s little black nose was peeking out behind some tall grass. The snow on the ground had tiny paw prints in it, and Ex’s eyes lit up.
Polar bears were supposed to be feared, but all he could do was gawk at its cuteness. He should have been more careful, however, he didn’t quite care.
Evil X stooped down to its level, and held out his gloved hand, letting the bear sniff it before touching.
He could tell that the fur was soft, but he couldn’t actually feel it. Ex wanted that soft touch, the touch he never got, except for on occasion. He pulled his hand away slowly, not wanting to startle the little thing, and pulled his glove off.
The polar bear came closer to him, and when he outstretched his hand again, the baby rubbed up against it. Ex’s heart broke at the displayed cuteness, and he wanted to keep this bear forever, and ever.
Evil X wanted… no… needed to take this little bear home. He looked around, but didn’t see a bigger bear that could possibly be its parent, and softly picked the little bundle up with care.
It clung to him, and its giant paws rested on his shoulder, as he began walking away.
The sound of huffing caught his attention, and the leaves of a bush started ruffling. Ex was beginning to grow nervous, and decided that he needed to get out of the situation.
Holding onto the bear, Evil X took off running. He didn’t care where he was going, but just had to get away. The little bear in his arms was jiggling with his movements, but seemed to be enjoying the ride.
Ex looked back behind him, and saw a massive polar bear running after him. The beast looked ready to take him down, and kill him. Ex kept running, and running, but was getting tired, especially with the weight of the small bear in his arms.
The snow was crunching under his feet, and he saw a little opening in the side of a hill. Ex sprinted towards it, and managed to close the entrance off with some cobblestone.
Evil X felt like he was ready to pass out. The cold filtered air running through his helmet was freezing, and his lungs felt ready to give out from exhaustion. He sat down, letting the little bear wander around the tiny cave. It wasn’t much, which Ex was thankful for, not wanting to deal with mobs.
He placed down a torch, and listened to the huffing adult polar bear outside of his barrier.
His chest was heaving, and he knew that he needed to eat something, but he felt like he couldn’t move a muscle. The tiny fluff ball made its way over to him, and sniffed at his exposed hand again before nuzzling it. Evil X smiled at the want of affection, but he couldn’t lift his hand.
The baby resorted to climbing in his lap, stepping places that hurt a little, and made him flinch. The little bear finally settled down, and fell asleep.
Ex was exhausted, and could still hear the cries of the adult outside. He knew that it was getting late, and that he should message someone, but he didn’t have the energy.
<Evil Xisuma went to sleep. Sweet Dreams!>
…
Evil X woke with a start, scrambling a little at the touch of a wet nose to his hand. He wasn’t exactly used to feeling things due to his gloves, so it was a strange feeling to wake up to. Looking around, he finally realized where he was.
In a cave, with a baby polar bear, and the mom outside, with no way out.
Ex then felt something strange, freezing .
His ungloved hand was frigid, and when he looked at it, it seemed to have a blue tint to it at the tips of his fingers.
It made him panic.
What do I do? Am I going to die? Where’s my glove? Should I message X? Or Zed?
Evil X searched around the cave frantically looking for his glove, but couldn’t find it anywhere. His inventory was also void of the item, he must have dropped it while running.
He mentally slapped himself, and pulled out his communicator. Ex knew he was going to be reprimanded for playing with polar bears, but he would save that for later. At that moment he just wanted out.
<Evil Xisuma> X can you come help me? (X, Y, Z)
< Xisuma> What have you done this time?
<Evil Xisuma> Just come please, I’m about to have a panic attack
<Xisuma> Okay, hang in there buddy
Evil X felt some relief that his brother was coming to help him, but he also felt the need to warn him about what was waiting.
<Evil Xisuma> Oh you should also be careful! Angry mom outside!
<Xisuma> What?
<Grian> oops! Angered a mom? Did you mess with a baby polar bear??? o.o
<Evil Xisuma> Yes. Now please someone come help me! I’ve been stuck in this cave all night!!!
<Xisuma> I’m coming
Ex exhaled a sigh of relief, and the little baby next to him just blinked up at him.
“You’re so cute,” Ex whispered, and ruffled the little bear's fur, liking the warmth the animal provided to his hand.
Growling.
Rockets.
Those two sounds he could hear quite well, and he knew the rockets meant his brother was here to help him.
“Here you go, that’s it, this way. I’ll get you your baby in a minute. I know my brother is a little stupid sometimes, but don’t worry.”
He could hear Xisuma talking to the bear, and the growls were getting further, and further away.
“Ex?” Xisuma called from the other side of the cobble.
“In here,” he returned, rolling his eyes.
X began digging, and soon enough sunlight washed in through the holes. It was bright, but Ex’s tinted visor helped him out, adjusting automatically.
He could tell Xisuma wasn’t pleased by the raised eyebrow, but he wanted out of the little cave.
“Just help me up, and I’m not stupid,” Ex growled.
“If you say so,” X huffed, pulling him up.
He bent down, and picked up his white little friend.
“Ex you know you can’t take it right?” X asked.
“Aww, but X…” he whined, squeezing his buddy.
“No, it’s a baby, and it needs its mother, hand it over,” Xisuma explained.
Evil X wanted to cry, and reached up to unlatch his helmet.
“Ex—“
He handed his helmet to his brother, and a few tears slid down his cheeks.
“I love you,” Evil X said, nosing his little friend.
The baby polar bear made a squeak of joy, and licked his face, wiping away the tears.
It made him laugh slightly, and he hugged the baby one more time before trading it for his helmet.
Xisuma carried the baby over to its mother, and Evil X watched as it looked back at him before bounding away with its mother.
He still didn’t have his helmet on, and X walked back to him.
“Ex you know you can’t—“
Evil X started sobbing.
The tears were pouring down his face, and he couldn’t do anything to stop it.
Xisuma opened his arms up for a hug, and he walked forward, accepting the sweet gesture. He continued to cry into his brother's shoulder, sniffling from the cold.
“It’s okay, we’ll find you something less dangerous, but we should probably get you home,” Xisuma said, running a gloved hand through his loose long hair.
Evil X nodded, and pulled away, grabbing his helmet, but hissing when it hurt his bare hand.
“Ex where’s your glove?” X asked.
“Lost it,” was his short reply.
Xisuma took his hand, and his eyes went wide.
“Ex. We need to get you home before you get frostbite,” X said urgently.
“It’s not that bad,” he protested.
“I can feel the cold through my gloves, come on,” Xisuma insisted, pulling him fully out of the cave.
With that the two brothers went home, and patched Ex up, getting him warm and comfortable by a fire. Keralis brought over some warm food, and Zed brought over a cat.
It was speckled black and white, with little tan splotches.
“You can have her,” Zedaph had said, and it made Ex tear up.
“Really?” Evil X questioned.
“Yes, really!”
Now, Ex had some company, and never felt lonely when in his house without the presence of a player.