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It was no question that the three were little. It was in the way they squealed and shouted in tones lighter than usual. They constantly giggled, finding their antics and jokes hilarious. They stomped about absolutely everywhere. Jimmy ruined everyone’s crops, Joel threatened any flammable build (or forest), and Grian held up a sword with a glint in his eyes, even if it was obvious he wasn’t boogeyman.
It was funny though, that much had to be admitted. It was funny when the mansion started to burn, and Jimmy was squealing out that everything was coming down. It was funny when Joel and Jimmy acted like they owned the place, and when Grian tried to reel the two in as self-proclaimed “leader” (even if he wasn’t the first to be in the group).
But it was concerning.
First, there was the small Bdubs and Scar, roaming around Cleo’s heels. Then there was the unaccounted for Joel, Jimmy, and Grian. Sure, Grian seemed responsible enough at the moment, but who was to say he could do it when midnight fell? Who was to say he was up for “babysitting” his “younger brothers” when he too was worn out?
So a few of the members headed over to the burnt remains of the building, which was hardly anything more than floating blocks.
“It’s getting kinda late, don’t you think?” Martyn asked, using his water bucket to swim to the top, scooping and dumping it out at regular intervals.
“No it’s not,” Joel said, scowling at him.
“We’re not tired!” Jimmy added, looking not as angry.
“Yes, but, think about when you are tired,” Pearl said, choosing to block up to the top instead.
“Bad boys don’t get tired. Ever.” Joel had his hands on his hips, standing as if he owned the place.
In all fairness, the mansion was in ownership of Joel, Grian, and Jimmy. Self-proclaimed ownership, but ownership nonetheless.
“Yeah, that’s right. Never,” Jimmy stood right by his side, clinging onto Joel’s arm.
“Never you say?” Martyn asked, with almost a bit of taunt in his tone. “Because I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to stay up late with the monsters… they’re a bit too powerful for little boys like you.”
“Number one, we’re not little. Number two, monsters aren’t scary,” Grian said from behind him. Soon, the Bad Boys had the two surrounded. “And number three, we have armor. So even if they were scary, they can’t really hurt us.”
“But if you sleep now, then day can come sooner, and we can explore the server,” Pearl suggested. “I’ve got a bunch of blankets and pillows, so we can watch the stars.”
Joel stomped up toward her, pulling Jimmy behind him. “I know your tricks. You just want us to lay down so we fall asleep.”
“But really, not-sleepy boys wouldn’t fall asleep. Even if they were under all the blankets in the world.” Pearl stooped down to their level. “I’ll even do it with you, see?” She walked over to the open area that hadn’t been burnt to a crisp. She then placed layers of blankets on top of each other, and pillows at the top. Still with blankets to spare, she let those act as actual blankets instead of a makeshift mattress.
“I don’t like this game,” Jimmy mumbled from behind Joel.
“Hush Timmy,” Grian whispered. “It’s a test. Don’t let her think you’re sleepy. And don’t fight her. Pearl knows what she’s doing.”
Joel glared over at the area she’d made. “She’s done this before, hasn’t she?”
Grian nodded solemnly.
“Alright, then. Now that the bed’s been made, I think it’s time for bed, boys,” Martyn said with a grin. Joel rolled his eyes at the joke and Jimmy made a small whine. Grian pretended not to hear, but also followed along with commands. He was the first in the “bed”, lying stiff as a board.
Joel followed his lead, and also kept stiff, though not as good at it, finding himself curling up in the blankets more so than resisting them. Jimmy failed altogether, curling up at the feet like a cat — which he did make a small meow, saying quietly, “I’ma cat, boys!”
Pearl hushed the three quickly, before lying down next to Grian. Then, with the tactic she knew best, she ran a hand up and down his arm. She did every cuddly thing in the book, knowing full well Grian would fall for it, which he did in a matter of seconds.
Martyn took to the other side of the bed, and a moment later, Jimmy ended up crawling up to lie on top of him, instead of curled up and Joel and Grian’s feet. In a couple minutes, the two were out.
“Of course Tim just goes to sleep like that. Silly little boy,” Grian said, very disappointed.
“Just like ‘im to be the first one out,” Joel answered, suppressing a yawn. “Not very bad boys…”
“Shhhh.” Pearl didn’t need to look over at them or address them further to make her message clear.
“Fine.” Joel crossed his arms across his chest, but it wasn’t as effective when lying down.
“You’ll have more energy tomorrow if you rest now. Then you can be really bad boys.”
“But bad boys stay up late,” Joel debated, unaware that Grian too was fading fast. “And bad boys don’t listen to adults or their stinky rules.” He stuck his tongue out, but given she was not looking, it did nothing for his case.
“Well then, fine, stay up all night. But it won’t be very fun to do it all by yourself,” Pearl said, before pulling Grian up to her chest. In a couple more minutes, his heavy breathing added to the mix. And there went Joel’s only buddy to stay up with.
“Fine. Whatever. But I’m not doing it because you want me to,” Joel finally conceded.
Pearl left the conversation there, finding it no good to argue with someone that was overtired. And just as predicted, he too, without a mate to stay up with him, fell to the pull of night. With the world quiet and the littles taken care of, Pearl joined them.
She had to take whatever few hours she got before the crew stirred again, ready for even more chaos.