This chapter is one of my favorites so far! I hope you guys enjoy it!

~~~~~

Rose Tea

Chapter Fourteen [Techno] 

"HUuuueeGhh," Tommy heaved over the side of the ship as Phil calmly patted the boy's back.

"Just let it all out mate, don't hold it in," Phil held onto Tommy as he practically leaned body first over the side of the ship.

Tommy lifted his head and turned to Phil, practically green in the skin, "But...the lunch...it was so g–" he turned back and hurled another wave over the side of the ship.

Techno watched the poor guy get hit with an onslaught of seasickness. It has not been an easy day 2 for the boy. Wilbur floated over the side of the ship looking down at Tommy. The ghost seemed to jitter in worry as he anxiously floated to and fro over the kid. Wilbur wrung out his palms and dug his nails into his ghostly skin. The way his brow furrowed into a tent on his forehead was enough to make Techno believe the ghost would pop if he grew any more concerned.

They had been on this boat for two days now, or at least this was day two. Yesterday, after boarding, things were uneventful. They remained above deck most of the morning, and when the sun became too hot they were led below deck to what Techno thought was the grimiest and smelliest place on earth. Their room had two rows of 3 hammocks hung along the pillars of the ship. He supposed this was what was meant to be their sleeping quarters as guests on the ship.

"Phil, Phil, is there anything I can do?" the ghost asked.

"Perhaps you could..." Charlie interrupted and paused as Wilbur turned to him expectantly, "lend a hand," Charlie cracked a smile. Phil looked at the man and Tommy gave him a very sick and queasy but still annoyed stare, "Oof, tough crowd. Probably not the time I guess," Charlie took a seat on the deck and Wilbur returned to frantically floating over Phil and Tommy. Techno saw Charlie busy himself instead with a book and pen from his satchel.

"Guess the lad doesn't have his sea legs, ay?" a sailor walked over to the group. Something Techno soon realized after they set sail on the SS Rose was that this was certainly not a commercial ship of any kind. He didn't understand why Holden told them to ride this ship, it was simply a cargo ship. The crew was constantly busy manning the ship and carrying large cargo into the hull. There was not a single other passengers other than them and Charlie. And their seats consisted of the deck stained with seawater and empty and unused crates and barrels shoved up against the side of the ship. and tied down by ropes. Not to mention the state of where they were made to sleep as he recounted earlier.

They had to provide their own food or at the cost of their own coin purchase from the sailors, but thankfully they had their own supply, and they needed to keep out of the way of the sailors at work. Which was easy enough since they sat in a small corner on the deck.

"Mm," was all Techno said to the sailor. The sailor frowned in displeasure at Techno's unenthused and uninterested response. The man soon left the quiet pig and his poor compatriots and returned down below to do whatever he was doing. Why bother with them when the guy could be doing his work.

And if it wasn't obvious, Tommy was not coping well on the ship. As giddy and as excited the two orphans, Tommy and Tubbo, were about riding their first ship and seeing the sea for the first time...It seemed only Tubbo could handle the waves. Tommy on the other hand was stuck feeling nauseous and dizzy for two days now.

"I'll be right back guys, I want to ask if anyone has any medicine for seasickness," Tubbo stood up. Phil gave him a nod of acknowledgement and the boy disappeared down below deck.

Techno fiddled with the little mermaid tail pendant around his neck. He really wasn't sure what he was supposed to be waiting for...It was even possible he was just scammed and there would be nothing to wait for. But back to the topic, he wasn't sure if someone on this ship was meant to reach out to him. Simply waiting was bothersome and irked him. He was not used to just waiting for something to get done.

Techno looked at the crew, he couldn't imagine any one of these humans or beastfolk having the means of acquiring a legendary axe like Dream's legally or illegally. Unless they stole it. But they didn't look that skilled.

The crew was made up of sweaty humans and beastfolk with pudgy bellies and mops of ragged, greasy hair. There wasn't one thing about the crew here that really stuck to Techno as "Dream's axe owner".

Techno noticed Tommy finally sit down, the boy probably had heaved up the last of his lunch and then some. He leaned against Phil and groaned, "When are we getting off this bloody ship, Phil?"

"We have another 3 days until this ship docks in Loreia."

Tommy groaned, "Ships are stupid."

"Just try and rest up, we can move to below deck if you like?"

Tommy shook his head, "Here...is fine..." The fresh air was probably better then the musty cramped space they called rooms down below.

Wilbur floated down to Techno. It was obvious by the way his brows furrowed and the way he chewed on his ghostly lip that the ghost was still worried. Though since the heaving fits had come and gone, there was not much Wilbur could watch over.

Tubbo had gone below deck, Tommy was resting on Phil's shoulder, Charlie was writing who knows what. Techno decided to grab the history book out of Phil's supplies. It was the same book Phil had referenced before this journey began. He didn't know much about human history, (and frankly he didn't care that much) but there was literally nothing he could do on a boat that sailed quietly by with the waves occasionally crashing into the side.

~~~~~

Tommy woke up at some point while Techno was reading. Phil had scrounged up a simple porridge, easy on the stomach for the boy, who begrudgingly ate the bland food with his nose upturned. After Tommy had finished and drank his fill of water he spoke.

"By the way, where's Tubbo?"

Techno looked up from his book. Wilbur's eyes widened. Even Charlie, who Techno thought was napping, sat up.

"Uh, he went down to get medicine," Techno said. Phil paused for a moment and glanced at the sky.

"That...that was a few hours ago."

"Oh gosh!" Wilbur shouted, "I've been so focused on Tommy–I should go look–" Techno held up his hand to stop Wilbur from phasing through the ship's floors.

"Yeah, I don't think it will do you any good flying around and surprising people, just sit tight."

"But..." Wilbur slowly sunk back to their level dejected.

Phil stood up, leaving Tommy to lean against a barrel, "I'll go down below and check. It's a ship so he couldn't have gone far.

"Unless he fell overboard," Techno added as a joke, but he paused. He looked at Phil, then suddenly stood up, "On second thought, I'll come with you." For some reason, the joke felt poor in taste. Given the trouble the two orphans brought upon him, he was certain such a thing could happen to the troublesome boy. And Tubbo was the better behaved of the two, but Techno was still certain it could happen.

"Wilbur, Charlie, I leave it to you two to watch out for Tommy. We'll be quick."

"Sure thing!" Charlie smiled and waved. Techno wasn't too keen on leaving Charlie in charge. This was only because despite how friendly Charlie was, Techno was not an easily trusting person. The man was still part monster, even though he wasn't sure what kind.

And he knew better than anyone here, that a monster...was still a monster.

But there was little escape on this boat, he held slight comfort in the fact that Charlie wouldn't be able to do anything if he tried. Plus, Tecno had seen how weak and fragile Charlie was, probably no better than Tommy, just with slightly more meat on his bones. So if anything, it was Charlie that was harmless. Tubbo could probably do more damage than him.

Techno and Phil shouldered by a sailor as they squeezed down below deck. Well, Techno squeezed, Phil just tucked in his wings and walked down with ease.

They walked the cramped hall to the room that their hammocks were in, Phil peeked his head in, "He's not in here," Phil turned to Techno, "The ship is not that big, I can't imagine he could get lost that easily."

"We could ask the first guy we see if they've seen him," Techno suggested. Phil nodded. They weren't privy to much access to the ship, just above deck and the room in which they rested. As for bathrooms he wasn't keen on sharing where their business had to be done. Techno was really not fond of this human method of travel that was riddled with such filth.

Still, the two walked further down the hall. Two "guards" if you could call them that, stood at the part of the hall that they could not go further to. Techno towered over the human and ratfolk easily.

"Yeah?" the rat man huffed as he looked up at Techno.

"Have you seen a boy, about yay tall," Phil measured out Tubbo's approximate height with his left hand, "He came down a few hours ago looking for some medicine for our other comrade, but he hasn't returned."

"Nah, ain't seen nothin' like that," The human spoke in a dismissive way. He snorted a slight grin on his lips.

Techno frowned, "Well he never came up, so he's down here somewhere," Techno hissed.

"Yeah, well he ain't, maybe he fell overboard, the sea's probably eaten him by now. Shoulda kept a better eye on yer kids," The sailor waved him off. Phil's wings flared up in such a tiny space and Techno had to stumble back to give the half-birdfolk room. But before Phil could start anything the ship rocked abruptly and heavily as something impacted it. Techno stumbled straight into the wall and Phil almost fell back if not for Techno catching him.

The "guards" had fallen backwards into the hallway and groaned.

"What the hell was that!" Phil shouted.

And almost like a destined response, someone came thundering down the stairs from above deck shouting, "P-PIRATES!" Techno and Phil watched as shortly after an arrow lodged itself into the sailors back and he came tumbling down the steps in pain.

For a moment the two of them stood still as they looked at each other, dumbfounded, but the feeling of another object impacting the side of the ship jostled them back to their senses. Phil squeezed past and ran back up the deck and Techno hurried to follow.

"Tommy! Will!" Phil shouted. Techno had to shield his eyes from the glaring sun. He saw the fallen bodies of sailors bleeding out onto the deck, the sail was burning above, embers and ash falling like snow all around him.

"Fuck you, you bastards!" Techno saw Tommy, he held in his hand Phil's sword, his grip was shaky as he swung the blade around with little aim. Given how sick he must feel Techno was surprised by the amount of gusto the kid had to wield such a heavy weapon.

Then Techno saw Wilbur, kneeling over Charlie, "Charlie hang on!" Wilbur shouted. He could see through Wilbur's body, the collapsed form of Charlie, an arrow piercing his chest. The man seemed to be struggling weakly.

"Techno, look out!" Techno turned back, he saw Phil trying to help up a few sailors who were struggling to escape. A small figure came running for Phil and swung a blacked axe.

Techno ran forward to shield Phil. It was more instinct, he wasn't sure what came over him as his hands reached out and caught the blade just short before it embedded itself into his stomach. He didn't know where these intruders came from, there was not another ship in sight.

What stood before Techno as he held tightly onto the blade of the axe, careful to not draw any blood was a woman, petite in frame but endowed with well-defined muscles that flexed beneath a flashy coat gilded with gold threads. The large and overbearing hat with a feather tucked into a sash tied around the hat blocked his view of her face. Techno's nose twitched as the feather swayed in front of his snout. He could see her long billowing brown and white curls beneath her hat as the wind carried them with its flow.

"Aye, mighty strong grip ye have there lad!" The woman freed her axe from Techno's grip and leapt back across the deck. The woman tipped her hat before lifting her head. Her face retained characteristics of a sheep, a softened nose, fluffy face. She almost looked doe-eyed, and in human terms, probably very cute. But Techno was not fazed, the glint in the woman's eyes displayed confidence and bloodthirst. She was not someone to be messed with just because of her fluffy features appeared somewhat innocent and docile.

Techno glanced over to see Phil had taken the chance to try and get to Tommy, but he was blocked by two more beastfolk. A fox and a cat.

"Keep em at bay boys! I got the big one," the woman smirked as Techno looked back at her. What was his best choice, to throw her overboard?

She zipped towards him and swung her axe low. He lept up to dodge the attack. It would probably be impossible for him to actually do that. She was much too small for his size and nimble too; he would never be able to catch her.

"What are ye doing? Fight back you lily-livered coward!" The pirate berated him, she frowned in displeasure.

"I'm a pacifist," he attempted. It was true, but he doubted she would believe him.

She let out a boisterously loud laugh, "And I'm a monarch!" Against idiotic humans he could win. Against an opponent who knew how to fight and had size and speed advantages over him...he didn't think he could, not unless he broke his creed. If he fought back, he didn't fear for his chances...Techno thought back to that night, barely a week ago. The scene of all the unconscious and broken bodies... He felt sick in his stomach.

Techno tensed up, anticipating another attack. Was he ready for that? Could he really fight back? What if he lost control again? In such close quarters with the people who trusted him, he did not believe he'd be able to spare them if he lost control.

"Boss! I found them!" Techno turned around, he was shocked to hear a voice come from behind him. He never even knew someone had slipped passed him and gone down below deck. When Techno looked back he saw a lanky human with a bald head come up from below deck. He wore strange, red and blue glasses that sat crooked on his face.

"What have I said about the way you speak Jack!" The sheep lady huffed.

"Oh right...sorry, Capn' I found the um...scallywa–do I really have to speak like this? It's a bit embarrassing with so many people watching." The bald human adjusted his glasses and glanced at Techno and the others as they watched him with baffled faces.

The sheep pirate shook her head and sighed. She pointed without looking with her axe and said, "Fundy," the axe was flicked towards Tommy's direction. Before Techno could move the axe was pointed back at him, "Don't move or the boy gets it. We show no mercy to you criminal scum," whatever accent she had put on dissipated. Fundy, he assumed was the fox, easily disarmed Tommy and held the boy hostage.

"You, bastard, let me go you fucks!" Tommy wriggled and screamed. Phil remained frozen, Techno could see how frustrated he was. He was sure the man didn't want Tommy to get hurt so he quietly complied. Wilbur pounded at the back of the fox with his ghostly fists, the fox gave the ghost a quizzical look but remained unphased.

"Bring them up, Jack."

He nodded and beckoned behind him, "It's alright guys, you're safe now." Techno watched as a stream of humans and beastfolk came up. Their faces were gaunt, their limbs were frail, Techno's eyes widened to see chains dangle painfully at their wrists. He flinched with each jangling sound. Was this normal? Did humans and beastfolk just do this naturally to their own kind.

"What is all this?" Phil was dumbfounded.

"Feigning ignorance for you crimes huh?" The catfolk said, "Nice try."

Techno turned to the sheep woman, "We don't know what this is, we only bought tickets to get passage to Loreia," Techno flared up.

"Guys?" A familiar voice said.

Techno looked back to see Tubbo come up with the group of chained individuals. He was not in chains, thankfully, but Techno was now piecing together what likely had happened. Somehow or another, Tubbo had wound up imprisoned without them knowing.

"By the way Captain, we have an extra, not in the report," the human, Jack, pointed at Tubbo.

"Tubbo!" Tommy shouted.

"Tommy!" Tubbo ran up and completely disregarded the pirates that held the rest of them hostage. The ship was at a standstill as the pirates paused.

"Wait, you know this guy?" The sheep pirate said.

"Like Techno was saying, we're just passengers, we had no idea any of this was going on," Phil interjected. The sheep pirate paused as she stared at Phil. Her eyes seemed to scan is face, there was a glimmer in her eye; Techno had to guess she was contemplating. After a moment she lowered her axe, and in doing so Fundy released Tommy. Tommy and Tubbo hugged.

"Alright, I'll bite, if you're really here as passengers, what're you doing heading to Loreia? Tell me something to convince me that you aren't partnered with these scumbags," the sheep kicked an unconscious sailor by her foot who groaned back.

Techno glanced at Phil, he nodded. It was best to be honest, he guessed. This was surely the last time he would trust some back alley information gathered in a cramped storeroom of a bar. It may have been his first time, but it was certainly his last.

Techno slowly raised his hand to his neck and lifted the mermaid tail pendant, "Some guy gave this to us and told us that riding this ship would let us meet someone who could help us."

The sheep pirate's eyes widened before she relaxed her tense shoulders and sighed, "That cuddly bastard, what's he thinking sending civs on a trafficking boat..." She muttered under her breath, but Techno with his sharp hearing still heard her. Is that what this smelly, awful ship was? A trafficking boat, he didn't even know what that was. Was he just that out of the loop of human affairs?

Techno looked at the frail humans and beastfolk who now sat on the deck huddled together. Jack was slowly removing the chains, and each cuff clanked heavily onto the deck floor. He could see the look of relief in the eyes of those people. Techno frowned, he didn't understand why humans would do such a thing to their own kind. And they called him a monster.

"Alright, boys! Let's get these people home! Fundy, escort these civs onto the ship, Ant and Jack help those who can't walk!" The pirate turned to face the open sea, "Foolish, release the illusion!" Techno was taken aback as suddenly like a curtain had been lifted, a ship appeared out of nowhere.

The ship that suddenly appeared towered over their boat like a giant to an anthill, the sudden shadow cast over them forced Techno to squint his eyes as he adjusted to the change in lighting.

"Oh God, not another boat," Tommy groaned.

"Wait! Charlie!" Wilbur shouted, he flew back to where Charlie lay. With the pirates no longer trying to fight them, they let Techno and Phil regroup with the others. Charlie lay propped against a crate, his eyes closed, red blood oozed from a wound that the man tightly clutched with his hand. The shaft of an arrow hugged in between his fingers on the right side of his chest.

"God mate! He needs medical attention, Charlie, can you hear me?" Phil leaned over the man who moaned but kept his eyes shut, "The arrow is piercing his chest, it may have even pierced his heart. Without a potion, the chances are...slim." Phil frowned.

"No...he took that arrow for me, Phil...we have to help him!" Tommy protested.

Techno looked down as the sheep pirate pushed past him. She knelt down beside Phil and narrowed her eyes.

"He'll be fine," she said at last after a few tense moments of waiting and watching her. She stood up and dusted off her clothes. The blackened axe she wielded was strapped to her back.

"What do you mean he'll be fine you heartless bastards!" Tommy shouted. He glared in her direction.

From the large ship beside them, several large planks were lowered to this ship, Techno saw as the catfolk, named Ant, and Jack started escorting people onto the ship. The sheep pirate didn't turn back as she too began to walk towards the planks, she did however respond to Tommy's shouts, "He's faking it, that's not real blood," she waved her hand before disappearing up onto the ship.

Everyone turned back to Charlie who had gone silent and had quit moaning. One eye opened and everyone crowded over him, "Oh hey guys. He sat up and opened both eyes. Charlie pulled the arrow out of his chest, "Guess she figured that out," Charlie dropped the arrow to the deck floor before standing up. Phil's mouth hung open agape.

"Wh-what...but, you got shot," Wilbur pointed to the red-stained wound on Charlie's chest, just above his heart.

Charlie pointed and chuckled, "Oh this silly thing?" Charlie made a funny face as he puffed out his cheeks and strained. The red blood that still oozed from the flesh wound was slowly drawn back into his body. Techno grimaced, it was a little unsettling seeing the blood flow backwards, "I did get hit, but I'm pretty resistant," The wound closed itself up, Charlie patted his chest and smiled a goofy smile. There was a moment that Techno noticed a translucent sheen to the area Charlie had been pierced. But the shine disappeared and looked like normal flesh again.

"Huhhhh? Why would you fake that you bastard?" Tommy pounded light fists into Charlie's side, Techno could see the boy was still cautious of Charlie's right side but still exhibited an exasperated face.

Techno had figured it out. While Phil still looked shocked and Wilbur very confused, and while Tommy practically shouted angrily at Charlie for worrying him and Tubbo laughed at the situation, Techno had realized what Charlie was.

A slime.

He didn't know how, but he realized Charlie was somehow part slime. While he was certain that in some regards, Charlie was still part human, he was certain now that the slight monster stench that emanated from the man was that of a slime. He was not too familiar with them, however, because again...he didn't mind monsters and monsters didn't mind him. He'd never really spoken to any monsters either since he moved to the human and beastfolk lands, and he wasn't sure how many of them could speak. He was only really familiar with his kind. Plus, given he was taught to speak human tongue by the old man of the village, he doubted many monsters could even speak like him too.

But slimes were that one species of fairly harmless monsters that Techno had seen and passed off as nothing more than a simple infestation like mice. They hopped and blobbed around, but were inconsequential and kinda just these background gremlins he hardly knew were there.

And as weak as they were, Techno recognized the unique self-shaping regenerative ability that Charlie displayed.

"Hey, are you guys done? We should get on the ship now," the group was silenced and Tommy stopped punching Charlie's shoulder who only laughed and weakly defended against the boy. The foxfolk pirate, Fundy, had interrupted them and pointed to the pirate ship, "The Captain is waiting...so like...let's hurry before they sink this ship."

Phil shook his head, was he really that shocked? Well, Techno was the only one who knew he was a monster, he hadn't exactly shared that detail yet.

"Right, everyone, pack up and gather up your things, let's get moving," Phil pushed Tommy and Tubbo away from Charlie who gathered up his own items. Techno helped out and Wilbur floated just above them. It was a good thing Phil encouraged them to keep their bags with them at all times, leaving them in their "room" was risky with such boorish sailors. So this made packing up easy.

Fundy, who waited patiently for them, motioned for them to follow him as he led them up the boardwalk to the other ship. After they had safely landed on the ship, Techno watched in interest as the planks slid upward onto the ship by themselves like magic had been cast on them. They stacked neatly along the side. He did not see where all the people that had been escorted had gone, but he saw the sheep pirate standing with her hands on her hip and a crooked smirk on her lips as she waited.

"Welcome lads, to the Hyperion!" She raised up her arms with flair, "I'm your Captain, call me Puffy!" She turned and her jacket flapped in the wind dramatically. Beside him, Phil flinched, his wings folded further in.

"Alright, let's get this show started!" Puffy shouted and Techno glanced towards where she pointed at a man in a dark green cloak who stood at the wheel of the ship. A quiet fellow who Techno hadn't even noticed was there, "Foolish, hard to port, take us out to the open sea," Puffy turned to Fundy, "Fundy, go help Ant load the cannons. Let's sink that foul ship!"

Fundy scampered off and Techno felt the breeze through his scruff as the boat was turned and began to sail off. He watched and felt as a loud rumble echoed beneath his feet in quick succession. The SS Flower, or whatever the hell it was called, was hit 3 times. Wood splintered off the ship and the mast, now burning due to the sails that had long turned to ash crumpled and crashed into the ship's hull. The ship slowly began to sink beneath the waves as the Hyperion sailed off.

"Right, why don't you follow me, we have a lot to discuss," Puffy drew Techno's attention back as she waved for them all to follow her. Techno could see Phil's hesitance, but as the others quietly followed, he too soon trailed behind them. Techno was the last to go as Puffy led them into a room just below the wheel of the ship. It was cramped as he ducked and squeezed into the doorway.

Techno grunted as he wedged himself into the room. This really wasn't going to work out for him.

~~~~~

Word Count: 4623

Theories, feedback, comments? I would love to hear from you guys! 

How was Puffy's appearance? I'm sure it was obvious what kind of monster Charlie was mixed with, but was it still an exciting reveal?

If you have fanart, feel free to share it with me on Twitter (CATtheDrawer) or Instagram (catthedrawer)

-CATtheDrawer