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Bdouble O 100.
The Name was a source of pride, a silent victory for generations of borrowers.
100 borrowers before him who survived for years without getting caught and killed by neither mob nor player.
Bdubs was proud of his family legacy-
Even though they left him.
He knew it was inevitable, and necessary-
The larger the group the easier they were to find, the bigger impact they left.
It was essential that once a borrower could take care of themselves they were on their own.
In Bdubs’ case he was determined capable at 15-
The confidence he bolstered was undeniable, and it relived his parents knowing they no longer had to shoulder his burden as well.
Bdubs didn’t need nobody any more-
Didn’t need the warmth of a stable home
Or the comfort of a parent reminding him he’s safe.
None of it!
Bdouble O 100 was the hundredth borrower who would survive till death of old age and nothing less-
He didn’t need to get fancy with it-
At least that’s what he told himself…
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Ever since rejoining and becoming a Hermit once more- Etho lived up to that name.
Sure Beef and Doc were also on this server, and they all got along pretty well, but it was still overwhelming.
Too many people, not enough places to hide in the Kitsune’s humble opinion.
So instead he opted to stay home, to tinker on his redstone or design a new building to hide away in.
Was it a lonely way to live? Sure.
But it was safer this way- no surprise touches or noise.
No awkwardness stuff conversations.
No pranks…, or hysterical laughter….
Etho had watched from the distance as one of the new Hermits, the parrot Hybrid- played jokes and caused chaos around him.
And it was entertaining to watch.
But Etho couldn’t see himself joining that scene.
People expected him to act a certain way, to say certain things.
he’s certain they wouldn’t know what to do with him if tried to switch that up.
So instead Etho hid, he remained safe within the confines of his base.
It was the best thing for everyone
At least that’s what he told himself…
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Bdouble O 100 home was infested with players-
The annoying kind that spread out across the world building Incredible, awesome, really really cool really stupid looking bases and terraforming entire land scapes into something unrecognizable-
Worst of all these players had an Admin.
A being that could sense code.
Code that Bdubs was unfortunately made of.
The Borrower has heard terrible stories about Admins, how they could erase a Borrower as easy and simply as swatting a bug.
They thought borrower code was nothing more than misplaced lines of script.
Nothing that was actually connected to a living soul.
He would kill Bdubs without even know what he had done.
And that understandably freaked Dubs right the heck out-
He needed to get out of this world-
But world hopping for a borrower wasn’t so simple, he couldn’t just walk through a portal and instantly end up on a new world he’d have to hitch a ride on a player to do it-
Which was the last thing Bdubs ever wanted to do.
If he chose the wrong player they’d notice him quickly, and if he got really unlucky he’d pick the admin and get disintegrated in seconds.
He didn’t want to rely on the whims of a player.
So…
Hes have to find another way-
And there was only on way to start -
Dubs grabbed his moss cloak, his sword (really it was just a needle) and the rest of his meager belongings in a bag before setting off to the closest building he could find-
But the journey was draining- this world was not built for Borrowers, it was too vast-
Too broad-
If he wasnt able to catch a ride on the parrots flying across the jungle Biome Bdubs would probably be travelling for the three days to reach the closest base.
And that’s without any problems such as threats of his impending doom.
Eventually the blue Parrot he was riding landed on the scaffolding on a half built base, and the borrower offered a few seeds in thanks.
Then he set off exploring the player home-
If he could find a portal… maybe he could skim some materials and make his own-
One that would work for him.
It wasn’t much to go on-
But it was enough
As Bdubs search he realized just how strange this unfinished base really was-
Because parts of the interior were completely finished.
Looked like something out of those magazines players liked to look through at times.
But then Dubs would reach an outer wall and it was bare- completely exposed.
It seemed like a rather interesting stupid choice from Bdubs’ perspective.
Not that he could speak much to it- the borrower didn’t build.
He survived.
And That’s all he needed.
The portal was actually quite simple to find- the exposed base made it easy for the borrower to look across the way and spot his slim chance of survival.
With a black obsidian frame and purple magic swirling inside.
But he also spotted the player of this base as well-
Bdubs couldn’t make out very many details, as they kept ducking in and out of some sort of machine.
But they seemed to have white fluffy hair at least…
So.
He guessed if he saw any white fluff heading his way it was time to get out of there.
It wasn’t enough information,
Bdubs didn’t know this Player’s habits or schedule.
He didn’t know what he could get away with around him, but the borrower was desperate.
And if he was quick-
It wouldn’t matter anyway.
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Etho felt like he was losing his mind.
First of all he was tired, he hadn’t gotten very much sleep the night before, for that he blamed the moon. (he wasn’t crazy, if the moon could move oceans it could mess with his brain)
Secondly the redstone project he was working on just wasn’t working in his favour.
And thirdly - there was this irritating ticking sound that kept bugging his overly sensitive ears. Like a pikaxe hitting against stone but way more high pitched.
It was driving him mad-
Like a fire alarm out of batteries.
All the way to the point where he needed to find it or lose his mind trying
He started with all his Redstone contraptions, but those we’re making all their normal annoying ticks and sounds.
Then he tried around his sleeping quarters and Storage area but still nothing-
It wasn’t until he walked past his nether portal that his ears flicked to sharpen the sound.
The tick tick tick tick tick tick-
Etho’s eyes narrowed, scanning the portal and its obsidian frame untill his eyes caught the smallest flicker of movement on the top right corner.
Swiftly the Kitsune climbed up the portal and cupped his hand over the small -…. Whatever it was he just caught-
He was about to take a peak at it but then he felt a sharp stab into the palm of his hand and he pulled away sharply-
That’s when he finally got a good look at the mysterious source.
It was .. a miniature player! Dressed in a Moss cloak and armed with what looked to be a needle, he had large brown eyes and matching tangled brown hair.
Was he a hermit?
Etho didn’t recognize him. But he didn’t recognize a lot of the new hermits- and how was he so tiny?
Was that a new potion???
And wait-
“Were- were you stealing the corners of my portal?”
The tiny hermit scrambled back, wide eyes blown even wider-
Had he been trying to prank Etho?
Did Doc or Beef put him up to this?
“W-what if I was-“ the Tiny player’s voice trembled and it gave Etho pause.
He knew his reputation was…. Well… interesting…
But this little guy looked down right petrified of the Kitsune.
Etho couldn’t help but soften his gaze, “nothing I suppose…. it would have been … a eh…. A funny prank…”
He finished lamely-
Look he never had fantastic social skills to start with.
But he hoped (ever so slightly) that if he could seem chill enough that … Maybe…. Maybe it would be easier to join other hermits in their shenanigans.
Maybe then they’d be fine if he joined them-
…
Maybe…
The Tiny Hermit seemed to be processing-
“A good-…. Prank-?”
Etho coughed awkwardly, had he misunderstood? “Uh… yeah? I mean… the shrinking potion- ? And sneaking around to break the corners of my portal? … didn’t Beef put you up to this?”
“Oh-… OH! Yes! Um that’s right Ha ha! You got me-“
Etho stiffened there was a tight awkwardness in both their voices-
Like neither knew how to interact with each other.
Both sat in the uncomfortable silence and Etho couldn’t help it as his ears pinned themselves back against his head.
“S-so… um… is that potion new? Or custom made.”
The tiny Hermit startled, “what?!”
Etho leaned back- the tiny guy’s voice definitely carried, especially to The Kitsune’s overly sensitive ears.
“I mean… you’re tiny… so I just assume-“
“Hey I’m actually quite tall I’ll have you know!”
The tiny hermit pushed himself up to his feet before straightening his posture and standing as tall as he could-
The little guy was probably as Tall as Etho’s pointer finger and hardly an imposing figure.
But still-
Etho found himself smiling-
“Ah yes I see now- what a tall and mighty player you are.” He voice was light and teasing, but his heart stuttered
The little player froze, eyes holding something akin to fear or panic.
Was that too mean? Did the tiny guy get that Etho was just trying to joke around?
oh shit he probably messed it all up already-
Then the other hermit laughed lightly “yeah- well you just haven’t .. em… seen me at my full size so you can’t say anything yet-“
Etho perked up, his ears following suit and he tried his best to stop his triple tails from wagging too obviously.
“So it is a potion then?”
The shrunken hermit nodded curtly “yooou betcha fellow player! I em… mixed a bunch a stuff together and- poof- now I’m little.”
“That’s really cool actually- do you remember what you put in it? I mean it would be so handy to shrink down for Redstone devices …. Oh- and pranks..” he added in hopes that he could reaffirm the fact he was totally chill with those.
(Was he trying too hard??? Oh void he really was pathetic)
The little Hermit looked confused but seemed to slip into an easy smile anyways
“Ah sorry- I can’t remember, I didn’t has time to write it down-“
“Ah… makes sense… well.. I’m sure I got some milk around if you want to get back to normal again.”
Yet again the little player stiffened and Etho questioned if he had said something wrong-
“A-ah! No need I mean I’m all good- and.. uh… I like being little- or um just eh-“
“You um… wanna see how long it lasts??” Etho tried to help fill in
The little Hermit touched his nose and pointed at the Kitsune “RIGHT! Yes- that’s it- ha ha I forgot em... the right words-“
Ah.. so he was still nervous around Etho, makes sense.
I mean they sorta skipped the formal introductions after all-
“That’s okay, I’m Etho by the way- I’d offer to shake you’re hand but I eh- think that might be a little tricky-“
There was a pregnant pause before the little Hermit nodded slowly. “Yeah… I’m… I’m BdoubleO1-… eh… I mean just BdoubleO..”
“BdoubleO? That’s a big name-“ Etho tried teasing gently “but it suits you-“
“T-thanks…. It’s… important to me…”
The Kitsune nodded in understanding, “do you-… em.. wanna stay for lunch? I mean… it’s the least I could do after ruining your prank- …. Even if it was on me.”
BdoubleO leaned backward, “a-ah don’t sweat- I should probably be heading out and-…. Wait.. could you actually help me out and take me through the world portal?! I - eh mean… I know I was messing with it before but-“
“World portal? This is a nether portal-“
BdoubleO froze looking up at Etho with those large brown eyes of his looking totally crushed
“W-what?”
Etho was slightly confused, but didn’t want to judge to quickly.
“Y-yeah… this is my nether portal, you know… like to the fiery wastes? You need Admin permissions to use the world portal.”
“O-oh… I… o-of course-“ his eyes were glistening with unspilt tears a a sense of hopelessness.
Etho fumbled- he didn’t know what to do with a reaction like this-
“You- you don’t need to worry I’m sure Xisuma would let you- he’s understanding.”
“Y-yeah… no… I… I… “ a sob tore its way out of the little Hermit’s throat.
“I’m …dead..”
Etho’s confusion grew but his instincts flared without his consent, he crept forward reaching out a hand towards BdoubleO.
The smaller flinched harshly soon he collapsed into himself.
The Kitsune’s hand cradled around him before scooping him up into his palm. In an instant a small spark of knowledge zipped into Etho’s mind.
A spotty image of BdoubleO’s code flashed into his mind thanks to his own magic.
And he found no residue of any potion effect in his system…
Etho was confused by this obviously, but it didn’t take precedent over the fact that BdoubleO was trembling in the Kitsune’s palm, as quite sobs shook his own body
The whole situation was strange and Etho couldn’t help as his mind drifted to the worst case scenarios-
After all why would the Admin’s name cause such a devastated reaction?
The small player seemed to have already given up hope for what ever his mission was.
The Kitsune did the only thing he thought might help- and brought BdoubleO up toward his chest, holding him close to his own heart beat.
“I won’t hurt you BdoubleO- you are safe.”
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The weight of his bones made it impossible to move. And the stuttering in his chest made breathing seem impossible.
He was panicking- with no way out.
He was alone!! He had always been alone and would always be alone! He had been abandoned!
Worst of all he had been caught.
He had failed that which 100 borrowers before him had succeeded.
He was a disgrace to his name, a disgrace to his family’s legacy.
The world still toiled around him but he no longer had the capacity to keep up with it.
Warmth embraced him, it was foreign but not unexpected-
He surrendered his story and forfeited his life.
Etho….The player… he was holding the borrower in his palm-
His touch was warm and terrifying- at any moment he could crush the smaller between his massive digits-
And yet….
He was still alive… maybe this player could sense Bdubs wouldn’t respawn like him-
Or maybe he was still fooled into believing the borrower was really just a shrunken player.
Either way…
His fight and confidence was nothing but a smothered ember.
Bdubs felt a wave of vertigo as the giant before him lifted him up higher until he was held directly next to his heart beat.
Thud-thud thud-thud thud-thud
The sound reverberated through his bones.
But he found it oddly soothing
It distracted his mind from his own corrupted thoughts.
The player’s voice rumbled above him
“I won’t hurt you BdoubleO…. … you are safe.”
His name…
The pride of his family-
Could he even claim it anymore?
Bdubs looked up into the mismatched eyes of his captor…. … no… that wasn’t the right word…
Friends wasn’t the right word either tho-
Because the borrower could never be a friend to a player-
A player could never understand what a borrower’s existence meant.
Etho seemed genuinely concerned for him though.
And oh… how badly that ached in his chest
When was the last time he was warm from being held by another being. Was it his parents? All those years ago?
He couldn’t remember if they held him before he left.
Or as he grew up….
The only firm Memories were that of his infancy and even those were flickering and uncertain.
“I…. … should leave…” Bdubs was startled by the sound of his own voice, and the words felt like a knife to his already beaten up heart.
But he could not stay- couldn’t get comfortable or lazy.
Etho’s posture slumped looking down at the borrower with sad eyes-
“.. okay… do… you want help back to you’re base or-“
“No-! No… put me down.” Fear gripped Bdubs’ nervous system but not the fear of being caught any more,
But the fear of being safe.
Because safe didn’t exist
Safe was an illusion fools Gave into when they had no hope to survive on their own.
Etho followed the borrower’s demands and set the borrower back down onto the cool obsidian of the portal.
“I… you’re welcome back… anytime…”
Bdubs gripped his needle sword tightly before turning his back to Etho…
“Yeah… another time….” And then he ran off- back towards the walls.
Back to…. His…. Safety…….
Fresh tears falling as the sting of Loneliness seared its brand on his soul yet again.
But he was fine…. At least….
… it’s what he told himself …. To survive
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Etho didn’t know what he did wrong…
He thought he was helping but….
He ruined things…
Yet again…
Maybe he… really was.. destined to be alone after all…
… he just wished his his vision wouldn’t get so Blurry because of it.
Because this was fine…. At least.. .. that’s what he told himself