BanjoNote: Alternate Title: Christmas at Gimero's Stall!
Merry Christmas, one and all. As a gift... you get this chapter. Feels wierd to say Merry Christmas when it's the 11th, but meh. I may write a one - shot, but no promises.
Also, thanks to CaetylnoftheStars for an overwhelming amount of... positive vibes! Frankly, I don't think I deserve it, but glad to see people like my writing. I intend to become an author in the future, and this is just some warm-up. I do have some original fiction I'm writing, that's getting reviewed by some friends of mine IRL.
This title says alot about this chapter already, and I'm sure y'all want to dig deep into it (Maybe) so let's begin.
BanjoMano does not own Minecraft, Mojang, or any characters that appear in popular fiction. That does not include Gimero, so all of his funds are directed to me.
[Gimero]
"And there you go!" I exclaimed, shifting my blue parka to fit the cold weather better. "That's how you set up a stall!"
My 'stall' was much closer to a highly decorated shed. It was an enclosed area, with a three block high roof. It was tastefully designed, as mentioned, with a draping of blue cloth to block the torrent of snow falling onto me. The counter was made of slabs, so I could place barrels of wares under it and look at my customers at the same time. In order to heat my stall, I had placed torches and a work bench that included a crafting table and furnace.
Riley paced the inside of our three-by-three indoor stall, tossing the shulker box up and catching it open descent. I smoothed my parka and eyed her. "Do you really have to play with... you know..." I nervously gestured at the box. "That?"
She fainted tossing it at me, leading me to flinch so hard I practically became origami. I slowly extracted myself and gave her an attempt at an annoyed look, when I heard the bell ring.
Absolutely freaking out because I forgot I placed the bell their, I spun around and let out a thankful exhale. Giving my first customer a charming smile, I struck a confident pose with ease. C'mon, Gimero. This is what you're built for.
He wore a full on black trench coat, with his hands in his pockets. His fedora was tipped forwards, badly obscuring his face. His sunglasses were absolutely unnecessary in this weather, but I could feel his glare piercing into me - just like this cold.
I knew exactly where I'd seen this person before, and my Guided knowledge gave me even more insight. Insight I wished I really didn't have.
"Mark." I swallowed, keeping my composure. "Or Markus Notch Persson. The person in the Manyullyn Sword."
He smirked. "I may have underestimated your powers of insight, kid. Your Guided powers have really skyrocketed."
"Yeah, sure." I leaned on the counter. "Can I interest you in something? Maybe a Potion of Water Breathing?" I held up said potion. "Lasts 3 minutes, for the low price of 2 emeralds!"
"Gimero, who is the woman behind you?" He asked, gesturing to Riley. She tilted her head towards Markuss and said "You know who I am, Notch."
He laughed quietly. "Ah, you. Sorry. Anyways, two emeralds?"
"Why are you here, Notch?" I asked, as we traded the items. "I'm assuming you didn't come to Zhoria for a potion."
"But what if I did?" He winked. "I didn't, but that could be the reason-"
"Get to the point." I interrupted, getting strange looks from both Riley and Notch.
"Right." He put away the bottle. "Due to sources - also known as my time-traveling - I am to believe you two have the block?"
"Yes." I answered. "And no, you can't have it. Also, you're holding up the line."
Two people had walked up to my stall, reading the signs that lined the bottom and top of my stall. They were too busy reading to hear our conversation.
Notch skirted to the side and gestured for the two to start buying. I started dealing with them while talking to Notch at the same time.
"Gimero, you're the only one who knows what to do with the object." Notch stated, taking off his fedora and spinning it on his finger. I frowned and took out an iron pick. "What do you mean?" I asked him, then to the customer "Enchanted? Two extra emeralds per level of enchantment."
The customer pondered the cost as Notch handed me an enchantment table - which I already had in my inventory so I handed it to Riley. "The forces you're up against can easily overpower... what's inside the box." He started doing tricks with his hat. "I can't tell you what to do with the object - that would be too dangerous. But I can tell you this: your deadline is sooner than expected. Mister Night-Light over there isn't going to give you a week; maybe three days at most."
Riley quietly put away both the enchantment table and shulker box, stepping up the counter and looking into Notch's sunglasses.
"You nearly let my brother die, "For the Greater good". Were those the words you said?"
Notch sighed. "Old grudges die hard, don't they? That was 20 or so years ago. And this time, I'm trying to save Clodir, not let her-"
He stopped himself, and took a deep breath. I handed the Unbreaking 1 pickaxe to the customer, and moved to the next. "I'm terribly sorry for those two. In fact, I've known each for a day."
"And a day's all you're going to get." The customer said, pulling out a diamond sword and swinging for my neck. In an instant, Riley grabbed my hood and pulled me backwards. I stumbled backwards and watched as Riley Matrix dodged under the next swing. She bicycle-kicked the Griefer, knocking it onto his back. Notch knelt down and delivered a punch into the face, instantly knocking the man out. He stood up and corrected his fedora atop his head.
No one in the plaza even gave a second glance at us, which was concerning. I gave a confused look at Riley, who sighed and made a gesture that was like, I'll tell you later. Notch took an item from the Griefer's inventory and slid it into his own.
"Already, you're a target." He whistled lowly. "Although... I think this dude was independent. 'Cause otherwise he'd have an entire squad at his back."
"Was there any point in you coming here?" I asked, exasperated. "You seem to only speak in gibberish."
"What I'm saying," Notch emphasized, "Is that Herobrine isn't going to give you a week. Only you, Gimero Mohabi, can deal with the block situation. Oh, and you may have all the factions after you once I leave."
"Wha-" I coughed. "You could've led with that!"
"You'll need this." Notch said, ignoring my comment and pulling out the Potion of Water Breathing I had just sold him. Sighing, I grabbed it and put it in my backpack. "Great. The most useful potion in a tundra."
"Hey, don't take that tone on me! I'm tryna help you!" He complained, sounding fake-hurt. "Because of that, I'm leaving!"
"Good," I muttered under my breath, as Notch snapped his fingers and faded away. Riley turned around in a huff.
"Notch. Of all people to take notice, of course it's him." She seethed. I took a couple of deep breaths to clear my thoughts, and returned my posture to my usual enthusiastic trader-self.
"Whatever the cause of him needing to tell us that so badly," I told her. "He's most likely not wrong about every faction knowing about the block. At least two factions know of it."
"If that's the case, then apparently you know what to do with this." She tossed me the shulker, which I caught and put away.
"I thought you were so keen to keep that away from you," She asked, thoroughly confused. I shrugged and turned to the counter, where I was face-to-face with a massive hulk of a dude.
Oh, and you may have all the factions after you once I leave.
Almost instantly, all my bravado faded, replaced by fear. "Um... may I interest you in a Potion of Water Breathing? Only 2 emeralds!"
[Riley]
"Black Market," I whispered into Gimero's ear, and he responded with a slight nod. The man's demeanor and enchanted armour signalled this.
"Name Grud." The man said, his voice deep enough to shake a mountain. "I no need potions."
"Well," Gimero tried for a smile. "I have many other items - including some that aren't on sale. I'm assuming you're going to want one of those, ah, Grud?"
Grud grabbed Gimero's coat at the chest and lifted him up with an iron gauntlet, much to Gimero's complaining.
"There real-really is no need for- for this!" He stuttered, trying to squirm out of the dudes grasp. Grud, in his full iron armour, held on tight to Gimero.
"Where the -" He started to question, before I intervened by standing in between them.
"Grud," I reached into my belt and gripped my weapon. "Let him go, and we'll talk peacefully. Or you can end up like the Griefer beside you."
The Griefer was still passed out and laying still. Grud kicked him to the side and gave me a grunt. "He's a stick. Not as much stick as you. Break easily!"
I flicked out a long, diamond enchanted rapier and pointed rapier and held it under his chin. "In case you don't know, this rapier can nullify your armour. All it would take is three - no, two swings to get rid of you. So let go of the trader."
He squinted at me, then threw Gimero into the counter. He flipped over the table and landed on his back, muttering things under his breath and stumbling onto the counter.
"I just wanted to sell stuff." He complained. "I've only made two emeralds..."
"We know what you're after, Grud. You're not going to get it." I taunted, ignoring Gimero's whining and rubbing his head. Grud gave a loud grunt and drew to his full height, towering way above me.
"Puny girl is wrong! I get anything I want!" He pulled out a diamond sword and held it to the ready. Gimero squeaked and interupted with "There's no need for fighting! Violence isn't the answer!"
The two of us looked at Gimero with exasperated looks, and he winced. Rummaging through his stuff, he pulled out a sheet of paper and pondered it. Turning the page to show us, he pointed at a place on a map of Zhoria.
"Here!" He insisted. "Tell your leader to meet us here tommorow night! We'll discuss everything there, I promise!"
Grud tore the map from Gimero's hand and squinted at the spot he marked. I peered over his shoulder sneakily and blinked in confusion when I realized that it was a graveyard. I looked at Gimero, wbo was tapping his temple in a way I've only seen few people do - all of those people being past Guided, before... the Fall.
Grud rudely stuffed it into his belt and huffed loudly. "Blue stick be there." He warned, giving Gimero a dark look. Gimero nodded quickly and gave a thumbs up.
And Grud attempted to stealthily disappear, but he was bigger then some sovereign countries, so it didn't really work.
Me and Gimero exchanged glances, and simultaneously said "We've got some explaining."
[Herobrine]
"Well, well." I mused, a smile slowly crossing my face. "You don't say. A Crafter, right under my nose."
"Yes." Veronica lowered her head. "The Tenth Crafter. I don't know much else - where she is eludes me."
I leaned back on my throne, lazily twirling my scythe. "It just happens that I, in fact, do."
Veronica's head immediately shot up. "What? How?"
"Yara'lyn is... talented, but I've been alive since the creation of Minecraftia." With my free hand, I summoned a tendril of shadowy vapour and started to manipulate it with my hand. Veronica watched it and nodded. "I've only learned of it recently. Shall I-"
"Don't pretend that I don't know about you and Haedrik." I interrupted. "The only reason I'm letting you live is because of Haedrik's... involvement. Specifically, an item I've been searching for has appeared in his possession. And you're going to secure it for me."
"What of the command block?" She asked, and I responded with a laugh.
"Let the factions fight over it." I grinned. "Not even the Guided can calm their thirst for power."
[Gimero]
"I think I can calm their thirst for power," I told her. We sat in Clodir's house, which Riley assured me it was 'Completely safe and allowed'. I wasn't sure which was more dangerous: Clodir's axes or Riley's rapier. Since I didn't have to worry about one of those two, I decided to take refuge with the woman who I barely knew.
We sat on opposite beds from each other as I counted the sums of money I collected. After a bad beginning, I still managed to scrape up around 30 emeralds in less then two hours.
Riley took off her coat and boots, then layed on her back in the bed. "Well, it is confusing that you of all people want to meet up in a graveyard."
"Plegos Graveyard." I corrected. "People say there's a secret hidden in one of the graves. I think I know what's hidden there."
"Great. And why do we need to meet up with the Black Market there?" She twirled a strand of hair.
"We need every faction to meet there." I corrected once again. "The factions have to decide who gets this." I held up the shulker. "Because we can't make that decision. Neither of us have the qualifications to."
"Sure. So you want the both of us to go around and tell the factions to go to the graveyard?"
"No need to. Once one of them gets there, the others will flock towards them." I put away the emeralds. "I've said all I need to have said. Now you?"
"Well," She gave me a sly smile. "You see, maybe I need to tell you something... a bit important."
"A bit?"
BanjoNote: Lol, get cliffhanged!
Here's a little Extra for you, Christmas special! Non-canon, since I couldn't fit it anywhere.
Extra; A Notchmas Miracle
Every year, on December 25th, there is a special occasion to celebrate the day the first Crafter spawned. This tradition is know as Notchmas, named after the Crafter.
On that day, regardless of biome, a snowfall occurs. All the denizens of Minecraftia gather with family and friends to celebrate capita- I mean, a day of holiday cheer! They exchange presents, recount good times, and ever since the discovery of being able to record songs on music discs, listen to Mariah_Carey's All I Want For Notchmas is You.For the Fourteenth, this was her first ever Notchmas. The Skies household was, for the first time in long time, having guests for Notchmas.
"So let me get this straight," Alex clarified. "Every year, you spend ridiculous amounts of money, grow a tree indoors, and decorate the house like we live in the wilderness because it's someones birthday?"
The rest of guests looked at her, untill Kat_Kin nodded and gave a thumbs up. "Pretty much!"
"I'm down." Alex shrugged. "Gimero gave me some money to buy stuff."
She looked at Gimero, who looked like Notchmas was the only day he cares to put effort in. He wore a blue-and-gold version of Notcha_Claus's outfit, down to a fake white beard. He gave her a sly nod and shifted his beard ever so slightly.
The guest list was still fairly small - Kat_Kin, Alex, Gimero and Josie, the last one who was too busy stuffing food into her Iron Golem stomach to talk. Athara and Sileeno viewed their guests with a sense of concern, especially Kat_Kin, who was visibly trying not to start bouncing off walls.
"Let's start with Gimero?" Athara winced, clearly not used to Notchmas custom. Typically, it was just an excuse for her and Sileeno to get drunk and have a snowball fight with some people in the neighborhood. Which, Athara still held hope would happen.
"Oh! Sure!" Gimero took out 4 shulker boxes and started with Alex.
She reached in and pulled out a stack of ender pearls. Looking over them, she asked, "What are these?"
"Oh, you throw them, and you teleport to the place you threw it!" Gimero explained, giving Athara her gift of weakness arrows. Alex ooh'd and awed over them as Gimero gave Sileeno his gift - the newest addition to Commanding the World - Volume 234. Lastly, Kat_Kin got a set of enchanted chainmail, one Gimero himself produced.
"Alex?" Athara gestured. Alex reached into her belt and produced two stacks of golden apples.
"I don't exactly know what these do, but they seem important." She gave everyone 32 of them, much to all of their delight.
"Perhaps I'll tutor you about these someday." Sileeno stood up, delivering everyone their presents - the first three novels of Redstone Basics. Alex flipped through the pages and nodded, clearly already confused.
Athara tossed her gifts with pinpoint accuracy - to Alex, an echanted bow. To Gimero, a stack of obsidian, and to Kat_Kin, potions of healing. Everyone looked at Kat_Kin, since she was the only one not to have given gifts yet.
"Huh? Oh! Um..." She gave everyone a quick smile. "See, I didn't have any money, and I didn't quite have the time-"
WHAP!
Athara had quickly thrown a snowball straight into Kat_Kin's nose, and there was enough force behind the projectile to flip her over the couch. Josie snorted and looked over.
"JOSIE WANTS SNOWBALL FIGHT NOW!" She roared, storming out the door and sitting outside like a puppy waiting for her master.
"Ready to get destroyed?" Athara smirked, only for Kat_Kin to pop her head over the couch and challenge "You're on!"
BanjoNote: Ah, the Notchmas spirit! Merry Notchmas, one and all!
Next Chapter: Fallen Kingdom! Until then, Read, Review, Favourite and Follow! And, as always, Banjo-on!
And have yourself a Merry Christmas, and to all a good New Year!
Thanks to those who fav'd and followed! Since I can't check the website for some odd reason (Error 404), I'll leave it at you know who you are!