time for another update spam!
some random kid YES I absolutely update in bursts, and I write very quickly when inspired by my fan club, whom I have dubbed the Conspiracy Theory Club. they are quite active so I write a lot
The unnamed man sat, silent and still, in a stiff-backed chair, silhouetted by the harsh light of the computer screen he stared into.
On said screen was a small, 3D-modelled room, which housed a young man with tanned skin and a thin beard. He appeared to be sleeping, chin resting on his folded arms as he slumped in a corner. His collar was almost hidden with his head drooped, wavy hair obscuring his neck. The unnamed almost hated to wake him - he looked peaceful. Unfortunately, his timeline did not allow for sentiment.
He hit a key, and a tone sounded in the room, waking the subject up.
Subject HB-V lifted his head, blinking around the room as he pushed his hair out of his face. Assured that the subject was listening, the unnamed typed a message into the in-world chat.
[Hello.]
"Hello?" The subject responded. When an immediate response did not come, he stood, wobbling slightly on his feet. "Who are you?"
[Simply an interested party.]
"Well, what do you want?" Leaning back, the subject folded his arms over his chest, resting his head on the wall.
[Just to ask you a few questions.]
"I'll make you a deal." The subject offered. "I'll answer your questions if you answer mine. Deal?"
The unnamed shrugged.
[I suppose.]
"Where's Herobrine?"
[In his holding chamber.]
That was a lie. Subject HB was currently wandering the complex. But, that was a conversation that the unnamed doubted would be useful at the moment.
"And where am I?" The subject continued.
[I could give you a room number, but I doubt it would have much meaning to you.]
"I guess." The subject ran a hand through his hair, then looked up. "What's your name?"
[That isn't important.]
"You said you'd answer my questions."
[Some information I am not allowed to divulge.]
"Okay, fine. I'll give you a name, then." A pause, then. "Joseph." The unnamed almost laughed.
[Alright then.]
"It's nice to meet you - well, in a sense." The subject started to extend a hand, then seemed to remember that the man he spoke with wasn't in the room with him. "I'm Stephanus. That's a mouthful, so people call me Steve."
[A pleasure to meet you as well.]
[Do you have any more questions?]
"Not at the moment."
[Alright. How have you been enjoying your stay?]
"I- haven't?" Ste- the subject quirked a brow. "I've been strangled half to death and nearly electrocuted at least twice. I'm starting to think you all have nothing better to do than poke and prod at me."
[What do you think our goal is?]
"I think you see me as some kind of animal." Was the subject's bitter response. "At least, if what you've done to Herobrine is any indication. You want to study me, I guess."
[That isn't far from the truth.]
"What is the truth?"
[I can't tell you that.]
"Could've figured that on my own." Letting out a breath, Steve sank to the ground, legs crossed in front of him.
[Where do you come from?]
"Sorry, I'm not allowed to divulge that information." Was the subject's snide response. The unnamed only smiled.
[Fair enough. Do you and "Herobrine" come from the same place?] The subject didn't answer for a moment, studying the walls of his prison, before responding with a slow,
"Yes." He was reluctant to release information about himself, but it was a step up from the silent and reclusive subject HB.
[Are you two connected? A set? Twins?]
"You could say that?" Steve raked a hand through his hair again. "I'm not… actually quite sure what our connection is."
[But you are friends.]
"Yeah." A small smile lit up the subject's face. "We're friends."
His time was almost up.
[Thank you for cooperating with me. I hope to see you again soon.]
"Right, right." Steve looked preoccupied, but nodded. "Goodbye, Joseph."
With that, the unnamed man signed off, just in time to miss it when the subject's room door swung open.
He'd heard voices, and made his way towards the source. A door had stood in his way, and it had been locked, then all of a sudden it wasn't and he nearly stumbled as the door opened wide.
"Herobrine!" He only caught the barest glimpse of his twin before strong arms had wrapped around him, and his legs went slack entirely against his will. Throwing his arms around Steve's neck, he pressed his face against his shoulder, trying to regain his footing.
After a moment, his meager strength returned to him, and he pushed Steve away to investigate him for injuries. Keeping one hand braced on his shoulder, he scanned his body with his working eye, only to stop short at the sight of the band wrapped around his neck.
"Yeah." Steve spoke, his voice quiet as he followed his gaze. "Now we match, huh?" A small grin lit up his face, and Herobrine couldn't stop the faintest of smiles from twitching at his lips.
He has no idea of what danger he's in.
Letting out a low growl, Herobrine backed up a step, reaching back to press his palm against the wall. He needed to be able to speak to him, at least warn him. But Steve was far from a simple AI that he could influence, and he couldn't seem to access the chat that his captors used. Short of the materials he had been provided in the past, he had no way to communicate.
When he looked up again, Steve was a step closer, one hand half-extended in his direction. His face was concerned.
"They told me you were locked up." The miner spoke, realizing he had his brother's attention. "How did you get here?" Herobrine frowned. His captors had spoken with him?
Unsure of how to respond, he simply gestured to the door. "You escaped?" Was Steve's first guess, and he nodded. More or less.
"Well, it's hardly safer here, but…" He stepped away from the door, beckoning Herobrine with him. "At least we're safe, for now."
'For now' being the operative words.
Hesitantly, Herobrine took a step after him, away from his support, as he tried to work out some way to communicate. The room was completely bare, lacking anything he could make a mark with. Hypothetically, he could write with his own blood, but he doubted that would do more than frighten the man he was trying to help.
Steve sat down near the center of the room, and Herobrine limped closer before following suit. The miner slung an arm around his shoulders, and he allowed his head to drop down to press against his. The feeling of a warm body against his was unfamiliar, sending prickles down his spine, but not in an uncomfortable way. At least, not uncomfortable enough for him to pull away.
"Notch is coming." Steve reminded him softly. "I know he is. And we're gonna be okay until then."
"N-o."
He didn't even realize he was trying to speak until he heard his own voice, echoing in the corners of the empty room. Steve was staring, he was staring back, startled by the sound of his voice, his voice, not the one he had stolen.
"No." He repeated. His voice was scratchy and rapsy, due to literal years of disuse, but it worked, somehow. "'S not s-safe here. You don't kn-know what they plan for y-you."
"Neither do you. You sound different." Steve's face was almost more concerned.
"This w-was my first voice." His throat was starting to sting from the strain. "Do anything you can, get away f-from them. They will hurt you."
"They have. It's okay, I promise. I can handle it."
"You should not have to." With that, his voice gave out, and though he tried he couldn't make a single sound. Noticing his struggles, Steve wrapped his arms around him again, pulling him to his chest, and Herobrine didn't hesitate before hugging him back.
At least like this, with his brother tucked in his arms, he could imagine that he might be able to keep him safe.
