A Little Eggventure
A few days after the Ender Dragon Fight.
After a harrowing experience in the End, Ollie begins to hear a new voice. The Ender Dragon's egg learns it can communicate with other people after a long and lonely life watching from afar. They bond while Ollie struggles to stay focused on his work.
cosmosOgler - Ender Dragon’s Egg (Eg) LexiDriftander - Ollie
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cosmosOgler A commotion, on the outside. Blips and screams, as the Dragon plucked up the adventurers from the surface and dropped them high above the ground. But, all too quickly, the Dragon's roars cut off, leaving a gaping gash across the collective mindscape like ringing in the ears.
Jostling, and laughter, and cheers. Then, what felt like the Ender Dragon's overwhelming bulk slammed down on the mindscape, and the world became suddenly dark and silent.
Dark and silent for a full day.
What happened?
Time stretched on, and still nothing.
Where is everyone? Why is it dark?
A single whisper in the mindscape.
Oh. It's you. Building away, as always. Building again, huh? It's probably nice, to keep busy. Why do you keep going out in the cold? You're making ME cold. Well, I guess if you slept, there'd be less to watch anyway. Knock yourself out. Or, I mean, don't knock yourself out. Bad choice of words. Where are we going today? Same as usual?
LexiDriftander It took Oleander a while, as usual, to recognize the new voice in his head. At first, it was just like all the others, commenting on his actions, giving mild suggestions. Kaithol gave commands, but this new voice...it was soft. It blended in with the others.
But it was really, really snarky.
At first, he assumed it was a voice to counteract Kaithol, what with its comments about his building and its mildly insubordinate suggestions. But then he realized, while Kaithol's voice carried wherever he went, this voice only spoke while he was on the mountain. He could hear it, whenever he got close enough, welcoming him back.
So...what? What was it?
Out of ideas, he paused his work on the blackstone church and listened to the voice, doing his best to push the others aside. Then, he did something he hadn't done for a long time.
He spoke to it.
Who are you supposed to be?
cosmosOgler The whisper- the boy, with the castle and the mountain- came and went with time. It took the dragon an embarrassingly long time to realize that the boy faded in and out of existence because he wandered a physical distance away. Distance... a novel concept.
Perhaps he could bring news in, from wherever he went. But the dragon's latest attempt to probe for daydreams, or imagined conversations with others, or any sensory details of the boy's day ceased with the sudden brief interruption.
The boy had addressed someone. Clearly and plainly, within the mindscape.
What?
Was someone else with them? The dragon cast around, but its efforts met with only silence.
Just who are you talking to? It wondered. He never spoke to the weather being that way. Was he in contact with another entity, out of the dragon's range? It wanted desperately to see what was going on out there.
LexiDriftander It responded.
Oleander leaned on his blackstone wall, brow furrowed in confusion. He pressed his hands against the cool, shiny surface and took a few deep breaths to reorient himself.
You, he thought, pressing the statement as firmly as he could toward the voice. I am speaking to you.
cosmosOgler The dragon startled. To... me? Why? It barked out a laugh, not quite derisive, but definitely confused.
But, in a way, that made sense. It still did not sense anyone else nearby. And the boy HAD spoken in response to its question.
No one had responded to its questions before. Not even the Ender Dragon had been that starved for conversation. And the adventurers from the surface had never seemed to hear its commentary, before they invaded the End. Or at least, nothing it had said warranted a response.
The boy had asked a question. Who was the dragon?
I've... never had to define myself. I'm not supposed to be anyone.
The dragon shifted in the darkness. Who was the dragon? A thousand possibilities opened up before it. Not the least of which- this boy could, this boy WOULD respond to questions. It could actually ask questions.
LexiDriftander Well, how did you get here then? Inside my head?
Oleander huffed out a breath and got back to work on the wall, hoping he could manage to multitask this conversation.
You're not like the other ones. You're even different from Kaithol.
cosmosOgler That piqued the dragon's interest. The other ones? You mean your friends?
It hadn't sensed the other adventurers of the overworld in so long, it felt like. What had they been up to the last few days? What were they building? What was this boy's latest project? Where else would I be? The real question is- why can you hear me NOW? Not that I'm complaining. I've got lots of other perfectly nice things I could complain about.
LexiDriftander I meant the other voices, Ollie thought with a modicum of frustration. But...you know I have friends?
He stopped and leaned against the wall again, this time sliding down to sit against it with an exhausted sigh.
I...I don't know how long you've been here. But you...you've got to be something else.
cosmosOgler The other voices... Ah. The boy's thoughts had that whispering quality. Perhaps they had different ways of describing the sound. Is that why the boy had never heard the dragon, previously? Or did it have to do with that battle in the End?
I've watched you and your friends' antics for a little while. Or, not obsessively, I just didn't have much else to do. It's not like I can build a big house for myself.
It paused, uncertain, for a moment. I... don't know how long I've been here either. I don't know where I am anymore, it admitted.
To say it was "scared" would be an overstatement- an ender dragon had nothing to fear. But it could acknowledge the uneasiness that swirled in its thoughts and collected like dust on the floor of the Library.
I think I don't know your name, either, it prodded. Coriander, or something similar, it recalled. But it was as good of a subject change as any.
LexiDriftander You're on top of Aldegoldkaithol, Ollie replied. A mountain. Really big. It's got...some towers, that I've built. Oh, my name is Oleander. Some people call me Ollie. That's okay too.
So, if this voice had no idea where it was or who he was, it definitely wasn't just another voice, right? All the others knew his name. He tapped on the blackstone with his heel, replaying its words, combing through for any other clues.
Wait. If you've been watching me and my friends, how do you not know where you are?
cosmosOgler On top of... on top of the mountain? How in Sweev's name did it get up there?
The dragon had to take a moment to process that. It supposed that all made sense. The boy- Oleander- he lived on the mountain, and he was the only one nearby. Of course the dragon was on the mountain. It twitched inside its shell.
Then... that slamming sensation, the darkness. That was when they had removed it from the End. Tch, it couldn't help but huff irritably in Oleander's direction. It would have to get used to physical spaces and distances. It would have to get used to its new limits, and how disorienting its world had become.
I WAS watching, the dragon began. But now I can't see or hear anymore. You lot could have put me anywhere. Why am I on your mountain? What was your goal?
LexiDriftander Nobody put you up here, Oleander said with so much uncertainty he may as well have not said it at all. Paranoia wrapped spindly fingers around his heart. Unless...someone else...
Had someone else planted something on the mountain? Somewhere he didn't know about? Ohhh, what if it was in the core, what if someone had been there and he didn't know?
He wrung his trembling hands together and tried to focus on the new voice again. He had to get more information.
What...what were you before? When you could see? What happened to you?
cosmosOgler Well, I certainly didn't get up here myself, the dragon grumbled. I'm still the same old me, as far as I can tell...
I don't know what happened after the Dragon fell. You should know what happened to me, you were the one who took me out of the End. I am the Ender Dragon's prize. I exist within the prison of its egg. I am the second Ender Dragon.
LexiDriftander A horrible mixture of dread and relief weighed on Oleander's shoulders.
The egg...? You're in the egg?
The egg that, for some forsaken reason, had ended up with him after the battle? The one he'd thrown into a chest and refused to look at after his fall into the void?
The dragon? You're here?
And it sounded like this? Honestly, he'd expected something...more Kaithol-esque in tone.
cosmosOgler The dragon got its answer in the blips of anxiety and dread, the flashes of a chest, the mountain, the edge of the End. Shaking hands snapping the lid down, the cold wind under the End's landmass as a small form looked down from above, the absolute silence. Turning away from the chest inside a vague shrine, the falling, the darkness.
An undeveloped wing shifted within the egg.
Yes, that's me. You brought me here.
Something was missing... How had he not lost the egg, falling off the End? Weren't all items that fell lost to the void forever?
It had a vague instinct that asking those questions directly would not reveal any answers.
Why did you bring me to this mountain? it pressed.
LexiDriftander "I didn't mean to!" The frustrated words slipped past Oleander's lips and into the air, echoing dully in the empty chamber of the church. He snapped his mouth shut and repeated the exclamation.
I didn't mean to. I had no idea you were in there!
He grabbed at his sleeves by the fistfuls and pulled, trying to find comfort in the tension. As if the stitches that held his coat together could hold him, too.
After...the fight. Everyone was looking at the egg. Passed it around so everyone could see, you know, like they used to do in school. And then everyone else was so excited to see what else they'd find, they forgot about it. Left me alone, with you, I guess.
Urged on by a quiver, he pulled his knees to his chest and hooked his arms around them.
I went back and put you in an ender chest, and then went through the portal again. I couldn't find anyone. I...I should have just stayed here. I don't know why I went back...
cosmosOgler Unsure of what was stranger- the idea that everyone had passed it around like a cool rock while it was out cold, or the idea that everyone had just as quickly forgotten about it- the dragon spluttered. Wait- back up-
None of you had any idea what you had done?
Nothing more than a cool loot drop. They had simply- they hadn't fought the Ender Dragon for any other reason than they would fight an Enderman, or a creeper, had they? Nothing more than to harvest whatever the Dragon dropped upon its death. Not that the Dragon had ever treated its egg as anything more than a part of its Sweev-given property either. Conflicted surprise, wounded pride, and vague drowsy relief washed around within the shell.
How lucky, that they had left it behind with Oleander. Oleander, who threw it in a box and forgot about it. Oleander, who had not attempted to break the shell to harness whatever power he might find inside. Oleander, who had tossed it in a dusty corner and run back outside to play with his friends instead.
And yet the boy seemed upset about that decision.
You regret going back?
LexiDriftander Yes.
Oleander pushed himself to his unsteady feet and slogged away from the church’s main chamber. He entered the left tower and stumbled up the stairs, looking for the doorway that led out onto the walkway.
I had no reason to go back. I don’t even know why I went in the first place.
With a quick shake to clear his head, Ollie ran along the walkway, through the Portal Tower, into the Sigil Room, and up the stairs to the bottom of the High Tower.
I’m sorry I took you. I’ll put you back. Just, just please don’t be angry with me.
cosmosOgler Unaware of the boy's movement below, the dragon hummed, uncertain. To see what else you would find, like your friends did, I imagine. You adventurers seem to like to roam in packs.
Do what you like with me, it rambled with the mental equivalent of a shrug. Keep me here, toss me in the ocean, put me back where you found me, throw me over the edge of the End. It doesn't matter that much. I'm not much more than a glowy bauble, even to the Ender Dragon. And the Dragon's gone too.
To avoid thinking about the return to the empty silent unmoving unresponsive End that doubtless awaited it once Oleander finished with whatever he was doing, the dragon chattered with renewed vigor.
Oh, you know what you could do? Hang me from a chandelier or something grand like that. Or, better yet, hide me somewhere in that Wayhouse of yours. Think anyone would remember me and get spooked? Or would they cook me like a little chicken egg? I bet that stray Nether Wraith would make a mean scrambled dragon.
LexiDriftander Oleander paused mid-way up the stairs inside his tower. I'm not gonna let anything bad happen to you, he insisted. I'll put you wherever you want me to. If that's the End, then...then I'll go back one more time to leave you there.
He resumed his ascent before the quiver in his legs could pull him over the edge. He'd...never bothered to make the staircase any safer. No time for that anymore. He had new projects to work on.
Finally emerging into his enchanting room, he strode for the chest in the back where he kept his vaguely important things. He lifted the lid and reached for the biggest object inside.
So you're actually inside of this egg, huh? With a grunt, he lifted the egg out of the chest and cradled it in his arms.
cosmosOgler You're... giving me a say in where I end up?
What a concept! The dragon could hardly wrap its little mind around the idea. It got to have a preference?? It hardly knew what to do with all this newfound freedom. Even though all of the options would feel the same to the dragon. The choice came down to "dark and warm," or "dark and cold," or "dark and quiet," or...
Well, it would have to think about all that while Oleander worked through the day.
Where else would I be- w-wait! It realized that Oleander had moved from his project below when it felt the warmth of his body against its shell. Wait! We're going RIGHT NOW? Already?
LexiDriftander "We can go as soon as you tell me where you want me to put you," Ollie spoke, keeping his voice soft as he leaned his head toward the egg. "I won't keep you here if you don't want to be here."
He swallowed uncertainly.
"You, uh, you have a choice in the matter, at least. Kaithol doesn't...doesn't seem to have an opinion either way." He rubbed his thumb over the bumpy surface of the egg, marveling at the texture. The shell felt strong, and it weighed heavily in his arms. "You're really in there, huh?"
cosmosOgler The dragon went quiet for a short while, overwhelmed with the possibilities. It had never HAD to make a decision before. Did it want to be there? Did it... not want to be there? Did it matter where it was?
Physical distances limited its reach now. If Oleander moved the dragon, it might be able to see more people. Or it could see fewer people. The dragon's claws and limbs tensed within the shell as it considered the blank blackness of an empty mindscape, neither able to speak to others nor just listen to them experiencing the world as it had before.
Yes... I am really in here.
In an unbreakable shell. The egg had never felt too small for its contents before. It couldn't say it enjoyed the sensation.
This Oleander. He caused this uneasiness, this restlessness. He had asked the impossible of it, and he just stood there talking calmly as if he had made a perfectly reasonable request. He caused this headache.
Would others cause this same headache, now that it could speak and be heard? Would others ask it to make decisions and choices?
Could it live with an inch of freedom, knowing it could never have a mile?
Well... even if Oleander put it somewhere even more quiet and desolate, it would still have to make requests, and voice a preference, if anyone else ever came by it again. It may as well get used to this new burden of freedom.
Where is everyone else? it asked, thoroughly dazed.
LexiDriftander Everyone else? Oleander considered the question. Well. Everywhere. I'm the only one who lives up here, most of the others went out pretty far. There's the Wayhouse, he added, tilting his head to the side. No one LIVES there, but lots of people come to visit.
He examined the egg a little closer, fascinated by the shiny black scales. Do you...want to go with someone else? I understand if you don't like it up here. Someone else can take you. I know some people who would be interested.
cosmosOgler I... stop asking me what I want!! I like it here! Uncle, uncle! the dragon cried as its patience buckled under the weight of EVEN MORE possibilities.
It could... it could stop responding! It could pretend to sleep, and then Oleander would just put the egg back in the box, and go back to whatever he was doing, building his endless castle. The dragon could rest for a day or two, and then go back to commentating, and stay quiet enough that Oleander wouldn't hear it. It could do that.
But. But, but. Could it really? Could it just go back to being a rock again?
I, uh, um, just, don't put me somewhere where I'm alone again. It stumbled over its thoughts. That's all I want. Here, the Wayhouse, someone else's house, I don't care. The egg is yours, o mighty adventurer.
LexiDriftander I'll find someplace safe for you, Oleander assured it, surprised by the frantic tone the voice had taken on. I'll ask some of the others, and see what they think.
He glanced out the window. Oh. The sun nearly touched the horizon, and he realized just how little work he'd gotten done today.
Well, for...for now, I need to go to sleep. I'll have to work twice as hard tomorrow to catch up.
He paused halfway through lowering the egg into the chest. Wait. Do you sleep? Do you want me to bring you up to the bed? There's room for you up there.
cosmosOgler The pressure settled into relief as the dragon realized the questioning session was over. Today's activity and the little free-will exercise had depleted its already drained energy.
Or... well, there he went again.
I'll have to heckle twice as hard, it replied. It supposed it could manage a yes-or-no question, and flipped a mental coin.
... Tails. I mean, yes. I mean, I sleep a lot. Uh- I mean- yes.
It wondered if it would be able to hear his thoughts all night, up close like that. Maybe some nice white noise to sleep to, like in the End.
LexiDriftander Ollie smiled. It was kind of a cute little voice. He liked it.
Okay. I'll bring you up with me, then.
It took a bit of doing to heft the egg up the ladder. He cradled it with one arm and hopped up one rung at a time. Once he emerged into his bedroom, he gently sat the egg on the edge of his bed and sat down next to it.
It's kind of soft. Can you feel it? Are you...are you the egg itself, or what's INSIDE the egg?
cosmosOgler Oleander's brief moment of fondness plonked on the dragon like a pat to the head. While it pondered the meaning of that little emotion, it felt itself in motion as Oleander adjusted his grip on its shell. Then, the motion stopped.
I can tell when you're shaking me around, but I can't feel the outside of the shell. Can other animals? I have always existed inside the barrier. I don't know how to get out, it chattered. I'm not sure I CAN get out. Can I... see what I look like? You were broadcasting it earlier pretty good, but I was, uh, I was otherwise occupied.
LexiDriftander I..I don't know, Ollie said with an audible chuckle. I can't ask others animal if they can feel outside their shells.
He placed his hand on top of the egg and gave it a gentle pat. What do you mean, broadcasting? Can you see what I see?
cosmosOgler The dragon floundered in the million questions about the outside world that threatened to drown it. It resigned itself to the knowledge that it could probably only handle one decision a day forever. Well, maybe two.
And now it was time to do ANOTHER new thing. Could it explain how this works? It had heard the education people in this little community explain concepts before. Maybe it could manage.
I can hear what you're thinking if you're focused on it. Obviously. The same goes for looking at things or touching them. It's how I saw you guys before.
It hesitated. ... Some people are easier to see than others. When people used to disappear underground and just zone out I couldn't sense them at all. Your thoughts are... weird. It's easy to tell when you're around since you make a lot of noise, but I don't get a lot of specifics from you. So you might have to imagine it really hard.
LexiDriftander I know it's loud in here, Ollie thought with an eyeroll. Believe me, I know. But, uh, I can try to show you what you look like.
He stared at the egg, memorizing as much of it as he could. Then he closed his eyes, retracing every detail, every tiny fleck of color, every scale. As much as he could possibly remember, he relayed mentally to the presence in his head.
Here. You're just a really big, black egg. You're very beautiful, though. You kind of shine in the light, and you have sparkles in a lot of different colors.
cosmosOgler Unable to swell with pride, the dragon settled for a satisfied hum. Oh, that's much better than I imagined.
It supposed the favor could work as an acceptable apology for the headache of making choices.
You know what? You're alright, Oleander.
LexiDriftander Uh. Thanks. Ollie patted the egg again and chuckled. I have to go to sleep now. But tomorrow, after I finish the part of the church I was supposed to finish today, I can move you someplace else. I think the Wayhouse would be good. You can talk to lots of people there. Not just me and my noisy mind.
It felt nice to joke about something like that, he decided.
He nestled the egg against the wall and shimmied under his blankets.
Goodnight.
cosmosOgler Aww, getting rid of me? the dragon teased. Don't worry, I'll make sure to beat around the bush a lot before I tell anyone else I'm a talking rock too. Just so you won't feel silly about it.
Oleander bid it good night, and it sat for a minute before it realized that that was the kind of thing people said to each other. It would have to get used to salutations, too, then.
Um... goodnight.