Work Text:
Jimmy was in the middle of building a shelter when he heard the wind begin to gradually whip up around him. He inhaled sharply, dropping his tool momentarily to gaze off into the distance, as sparkling lights began dancing in his vision. Suddenly, his pocket felt heavier, an object taking up a volume that had previously been empty.
His task had been delivered.
It was only the second day in the world, but he thought he was getting used to it. (Yesterday, he had shrieked when his book appeared - but he would firmly deny that till his dying day.)
Well, no time like the present to check what he’d have to do today. He might have to abandon his whole project, if the task was intricate enough, he thought worriedly. He was really getting in a flow here, so he hoped he could get it over with and get back to work.
He pulled the small book out of his pocket and opened it. There, on the first page, in bold letters: Get someone to say “Get out of here!”
Hmm. Very different from his first task. He would have to trick someone else, rather than simply do something himself. But he could be very annoying if he chose to be, he was confident he could get someone to yell that at him over the course of the day.
He wouldn’t need to rush off immediately, so he finished building his house before heading off into the world.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jimmy’s first attempt was a failure. If only Gem had said “here” instead of “there!” It was so close, but he couldn’t call that a success.
He would have to try elsewhere.
He headed over to Pearl’s house. She and the other three Mounders were working on their bases, so now would be a perfect time to butt in.
He ignored their chatter and walked right into Pearl’s base. He whistled to himself, familiarizing himself with the space. He wanted to seem like he was trying to be subtle, but was failing. In reality, he did want to be noticed.
Mumbo saw him first, and called him out. “Hey, what are you doing in here?” he called out. Come on, so close to what he needed him to say…
Jimmy smiled cheekily, sitting down on the crafting table. “This is my house, is it not? Pearl said I could set up shop here, just ask her.”
He had not, in fact, spoken with Pearl about living in her base. He was fairly confident that she would kick him out; he just hoped she'd say the right words, unlike Gem.
Mumbo called Pearl over, who seemed very confused with the whole situation. “What are you doing in my house, mate?” she complained.
“You said I could build ‘ere, so ‘ere I am!” He stood up and wandered into the little sectioned-off bit at the back, and began rummaging through their chests. “This is my little area, it’ll be like I'm not even here,” he assured. Gods, he was laying it on thick, wasn't he?
But alas, it still wasn't enough. Pearl didn't seem particularly fussed that he was there. Confused, yes, but not bothered like he had hoped.
This task was proving far more difficult than he had first thought.
He sat himself down on the floor, crossing his legs. “I’ll just hang out, it’ll be like I’m not even here,” he tried again. He began humming, rifling through his things noisily.
Pearl and Mumbo looked at each other and shrugged. Damn it. It was too early in the game. No one had any attachment to places or things yet to be bothered by his presence.
Impulse came in and saw Jimmy sitting on the floor, and decided to join him. Jimmy was determined to see this through, though, and didn't budge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This had not gone to plan.
Everyone else had got it into their heads that they all needed to join Jimmy in his squatting effort. Practically the whole server sat in Pearl’s house, Pearl included. Jimmy was now squished between Skizz and Bdubs, and they all laughed and chattered like this had all been some planned event.
The only person they were missing was Grian, and they had been spamming his comm for the past five minutes for him to come join them.
When they heard footsteps coming up the walkway, they all began giggling and hushing each other - not very quietly, if Jimmy was being honest.
When Grian walked through the door, calling out a tentative “Hello?”, they all broke out into a cheer. They began clapping, and someone started singing Happy Birthday. They all joined in, despite it being nowhere near anyone’s birthday.
Grian laughed. “Aww, you shouldn't have!!”
This had not been Jimmy’s plan when he started out today. For void's sake, he hadn't even completed his task yet! He was probably going to fail, they didn't have long before the Secret Keeper demanded their books back, success or failure.
This was better than his task, anyway, he decided. They didn't always have time for these moments of community in these death games. Even if he failed the task, he was glad he could bring the server together for this faux-celebration, before everything went to chaos.
He smiled, and threw his arm around Skizz, singing rowdily in the cacophony of voices.
He could succeed his task tomorrow.