Requested by both noodle and Lildoomkitty here is Techno experiencing a poison potion!
Technoblade did not trust the fragile alliance they had made.
Quackity was the type of guy where you'd need to be counting your fingers after you've shaken his hand, just to make sure all of them were still there. When he came to Techno with his proposition - a temporary truce in the name of defeating a common enemy - the piglin accepted out of pragmatic consideration. Getting rid of the Eggpire would be good. Techno hadn't forgotten his meeting with Bad and how it had put both Ranboo and himself in hot water. But that didn't mean he actually had any faith in the truth of Quackity's words, or in his honor as a person.
He had been handed several potions by the man to use during their upcoming encounter, Techno had merely nodded before pocketing them among the others he'd already prepared for himself. Quackity should know better than anyone that Techno never went into a fight ill-equipped, especially when they were outnumbered and he felt such distrust towards his allies.
Even Purpled was only in it for the money. And while Techno could respect that, it also meant the kid's loyalty was unsteady so long as gold could exchange hands. He was weary of the imminent possibility of betrayal from either side.
A fool he was, for not expecting the seed to be planted much sooner.
In the heat of battle, Techno did not look at his potions before using them. He kept his inventory clean for a reason, bottles stacked and lined up in the same order each time so muscle memory couldn't fail him. This way he could blindly grab whatever he needed and be certain what was where without sparing a glance. Quackity's offered potions had joined the array of other healing items within reach, meaning Techno had pulled one out and downed it before even noticing the difference.
(Quackity's bottles were a little wider near the bottom, broad-rimmed and with glass tops. Amateur supplies that were at higher risk of getting damaged in combat. Technoblade preferred practical vials sealed with a cork.)
Approximately five seconds later is when he realized that what Quackity had given him was not a health potion.
The taste was similar to one only in its overtone of sugary sweetness, the kind that drags on the back of your throat and leaves your mouth feeling all sticky. But where the glistening melon would fade into a refreshing flavor rather quickly this saccharine tang was artificial. As if somebody had added heaps of sugar to this potion in an attempt to conceal its true taste.
Even with all that effort, it couldn't completely coat the bitter flavor of spider eye.
Poison overall wasn't the worst thing in the world to deal with, but it was a horrible distraction when already in a fight. Techno's stomach cramped, the pain settling like stones before starting its slow spread through the rest of his body. He could feel the beginnings of nausea creep up on him and the urge to retch out whatever was causing this sickening sensation.
He responded by curling his fingers tighter around the hilt of his sword.
Quackity glanced at him from the corner of his eyes, grin horrible and pleased around his golden tooth. Techno didn't give him the pleasure of a reaction as well. Two birds with one stone was exactly the kind of maxim Quackity would live by, and it was clear the piglin couldn't be expecting any help from that corner. Techno or more members of the Eggpire, whoever died made no difference since both had been thorns in his remaining eye.
Vertigo was making it hard for Techno to aim his strikes as well as he should, but despite that they still were on the winning hand. At least until a kick to his leg caught him unaware. He buckled and just like that dizziness overcame him. Getting up would be impossible if he couldn't see his own hands or the floor through his blurred sight. Whoever his attacker was – also impossible to tell with the way his eyes refused to cooperate right now – raised their sword. Techno knew he should probably try to dodge, but all his muscles had decided to react to the potion by locking up at the exact wrong moment.
Then a smudge of red entered his vision. The satin fabric of a long dress skirted right along Techno's hands as this person covered for him, catching an otherwise fatal blow with their own weapon. Using the surprise of their opponent to their advantage, they feigned an upward attack before aiming low and immediately proceeded to gut them.
Technoblade would be impressed if it weren't for the fact that this was a maneuver he had taught Niki himself a few days ago.
"Nice form." The compliment was sincere, but it came out slightly strained. Techno closed his mouth before he'd end up puking. By now the poison had spread enough for everything to start hurting.
"What happened?" Niki asked, staying in front of him to guard for further attacks.
"Quackity." Finally, Techno managed to force unyielding muscles into cooperation, standing onto unsteady legs. She shifted closer to his side. "Chat says I should have seen this coming and for once I'm actually agreeing with them."
"Here." Niki pulled out a silver flask, the metal making it unable for him to tell what was inside. Techno drank about half in one go, the milk almost enough to wash away the bitter aftertaste the potion had left in his mouth.
"Thanks." He handed it back to her. "Mind telling me why you carry containers of milk with you for no reason?"
"I'm a baker," Niki answered solemnly, as if that would somehow explain it. Maybe it did, Techno wouldn't know. Could be she was just making a joke but his brain was buzzing too loudly to figure it out. Probably the latter.
A little more steady on his feet by now he nodded. "Of course, you just never know when you need to bake a cake to save the world." Niki smiled before bumping her shoulder into his lightly.
"Exactly."
And while Techno knew he couldn't trust his allies as far as he could throw them, at least he could always rely on his friends.
This was supposed to go up yesterday but I didn't feel up to it for obvious reasons... #Technosupport
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