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The woods around L'manberg were the best in the entire SMP in Tommy's opinion. He loved foraging for plants and tromping through the creeks.
"So, where are we going, huh?" Wilbur asked, a playful smile on his face as he followed Tommy.
"Don't worry about it bitch." Tommy shook his head.
"I'd like to know what you dragged me away from work for." He laughed.
"I said don't worry about it."
They stomped through the bushes and dirt, Tommy forging the way through. He waved a bug away from his face as he pulled back some branches.
"Well you'll be the one who has to explain to the entire country why we didn't end up finishing the docks today." Wilbur said amusedly.
Tommy snorted. "Right like we'd finish it anyways."
The sun glistened through the trees, birds chirping overhead.
"Fuck I hate mud-" Wilbur grumbled as he lifted up the edge of his coat.
"You'll live, you big sissy." Tommy rolled his eyes. "Besides, I'm the one who made it and I don't care if it gets to be a little messy."
"We should've built in a desert." Wilbur huffed.
"Nah, then even the wildlife would be out to kill us, didn't you know?" Tommy laughed.
Wilbur rolled his eyes, "That's fake propaganda, deserts are perfectly safe. Sure there's scorpions, and snakes, and cati- and…" He frowned, seemingly peeved. "And I just proved your point didn't I?"
"Sand boy~" Tommy teased, "You love sand! I bet you even eat it!"
"I do not, and I resent that! You petulant child!" Wilbur shoved him in the direction of a large oak tree.
"Oooh I'm Wilbur and I know big words~" Tommy teased, sticking his tongue out, "and I'm sooo smart."
"I'm smarter than you."
"Are not!"
"Yes, I am."
He glanced at the ground before picking up a stick with a smirk, holding it out and snickering. "Fight me then bitch!"
Wilbur hummed, "No I don't think I will. I won't stoop to your brutish level."
Tommy stared, tilting his head confused. "Brutish? No I'm a big man!"
Wilbur tilted his head up, his hat casting a small shadow on his face. "We don't fight physically Tommy. That's not what L'manberg is about. We fight with our words. If you learn anything, that's the most important lesson."
He glanced at the trees. He watched as they rustled in the gentle breeze as he thought about what Wilbur said. Fighting with words was smarter than weapons? It didn't make sense, stronger meant more power.
Tommy repeated such to Wilbur.
"No, Tommy, there are different kinds of power." Wilbur explained, "And everywhere I've been worked by the same rules. Yes, having physical power can help, but it does nothing if people don't trust you."
"What if the people who hurt you have more physical power?" Tommy asked.
"Then you change the game." Wilbur said simply.
He glanced at the ground, watching his own footsteps across the forest floor. Change the game. It seemed easy enough the way Wilbur put it.
Wilbur looked backwards, a frown crossing his face. "Tommy- we should head back."
"What's going on?" Tommy's brow furrowed.
"Im… not sure."