. . . 

All Etho wanted to do was go shopping.

--------------------

Not really any hcs this chapter!

Just enjoying how time never seemed to change anything, and describing feelings with fire.

--------------------

With the start of winter, it brought back the cold as always. 
So obviously, Etho would need to pick him and Iskall up some supplies. Y'know, redstone materials, warmer clothing, see what's new around the server too!
(And get a gift. But shhh)

And he was so close to doing that–
But something made him stop in his tracks, and turn to look at Wilson. The usual copper robot.. Now had a Santa hat placed neatly on its top. 

Yeah. Back home again, to the craziness as always. 

"What in the world?" 

He stared at it for a while, before he noticed someone standing beside him, wanting to get a good look at it too.

"Seems someone decorated for us this year!"

A familiar voice spoke, warm as always. They couldn't help but let out a laugh at the situation, at the look on Etho's face.
That contagious laugh as always. 
Like nothing had changed.

"Man, someone gave copper boy some Christmas cheer, hm?" They would turn to look at Etho, smiling. "It's been awhile since we talkeddd! Good to see you again!"

"It's uh, It's good to see you again too, Iskall!" He would reply, chuckling a bit at that. "I suppose it has been awhile."

Iskall would nod at that, "Too long."

A small moment of silence would wash over, just for a moment. It should have been awkward after so much time.
But it felt so natural when it came to Iskall. For someone who would prefer being alone, their sheer presence made it feel like nothing when talking to them. As if they were like a fire on a cold winter's night. Comfortable and warm to talk with..

It was almost a similar feeling when talking with Doc or the other members of the NHO, and yet.. Something about it seemed special.

"—Tho? Etho?" Sadly, he'd be called back to reality from his thoughts, to face who he was thinking about again.

"Hm?"

"You zoned out there buddy! Something on your mind?" They would ask, the smile having turned into a worried looking frown. He hated that frown.

"Oh! Yeah, yeahhh, it's nothing! I was just thinking about.. Things." He replied.
There wasn't any point trying to explain.. 
It was confusing to him, too.
He still needed to figure this out.

"Welllll, I'm going to just be working more on the shop, if you need anything. Maybe even build up a new one, with your spending habits." They'd jab playfully, watching as he'd pretend to be offended.
For someone who always wore a mask to hide his face, they could read him quite well. 

"I guess it is a little bit of a problem.."

They'd simply shrug at his response, putting on a smile again.

"I don't mind. Besides, what's a friend for?"

Friends, like always. 
Friends.

Etho needed to stop thinking too much.
Waving Iskall a goodbye, he'd fly off without another word, leaving them behind again.
Besides, if they both went, he wouldn't be able to get a gift.

It wasn't a far fly from the Big eyes. Though what Etho found there left him just as confused as before.
Not only were there more Santa hats, but a balloon and sign welcoming him there. With his face on it..

It was a confusing day. Very.

Well, might as well see what they have in stock. 
The ladders did catch his eye, but what would he use them for? Sure the base had some hard to get to areas, but climbing a ladder seemed too big of a hassle…
He'd might as well grab a shulker anyway. Just in case.
And TNT is always useful! Could work great on a farm, or to give to Iskall if they needed it for building.
Oh! And what was that over there—
A new pair of gloves on the market? 
Half price too! Oh Iskall would love these!

. . .

Wait. He should probably stop here if he wants to get anything at Boatem.

The gloves, the Tnt, and the ladders are plenty… 

"Ethoooo!! You're back!"

He would almost topple over, after being greeted with a bear hug. Looking down to see Bdubs, smiling like a idiot before releasing the poor man.

"Oh, it's been so long since you were here!! How'd you like the shops? I had the idea of setting those up!!!"

Double O's usual brightness and cheer was a little overwhelming today..
The only two to ever rival it being Iskall and Scar.

How can someone so short hold so much happiness?

"I'm not short! I don't know what else you said- But I'm nOt short!"

Oh. He thought out loud again.

"My bad, my bad!" 

"I do alllllll this for you! And this is how you repay mE!?" He gasped, shaking his head. 

"I said my bad! You aren't short, I'm sorry Bdubs." Etho apologized, putting a hand up to the back of his neck. 
"Didn't mean to offend you. It was honestly more of a compliment?..."

"Compliment my butt, you still called me short." Bdubs would stick out his tongue defiantly. But a small laugh couldn't help but escape him at how stupid this all was.

"Bdubs!" Etho would exclaim, before just letting out a fit of laughter as well. It's been awhile since they had a good laugh. 

Too long. 

He would watch as the 'not short one' got a notification through his communicator, watching as he let out a sigh. 

But it got interrupted as always.

"Awwh man, Keralis needs be back at their base real quick! Something about a… Costume problem?" Bdubs would say, almost looking bummed out about it. 

"Don't worry about it, I don't plan on leaving again for a bit, so we can catch up later?" Etho would suggest, holding out a fist.

"Yeah! Yeah, that sounds great. Catch you later!" Bdubs would bump his fist against Etho's, and with the same bright smile as before, rocket off over to Keralis's.

Iskall's and Bdub's smiles were different..
Like comparing a campfire to a lantern. 
Both could light any room, but a campfire would provide more warmth.

Ugh.
No need for all these metaphors! There's shopping to be done– Those thoughts can just.. Go away for now.

Big Eyes was pretty close to Boatem anyway! So just a quick trip there, and then back off home! 
..To even more questions.

Anyways..
Looks like there isn't much new in Mumbo's shop. 
The G train, however…
The G train is going to need restocking again, let's just say. 
Iskall was going to love all of this! 

But before he could leave, he would get the ping of a death message in chat, and notice a pile of items by Scar's starter wagons. 

GoodTimeWithScar fell from a high place!

..Well, he might as well try and help him get everything situated again. Knowing Scar, his bed probably was obstructed by a block or too fancy of a bed, because he didn't spawn there. 

GoodTimeWithScar: oh dear

Ethoslab: dw I got your stuff

GoodTimeWithScar: oh!!! thank you!

Etho would place all of his items in a double chest with a huff, looking over to see a hatless Scar running over. Despite all of what just happened, he wore a small smile on his face, bright, but a bit embarrassed.

"So sorry for the trouble! I was trying out something and forgot to set my spawn.. And then I fell, heh."

"No problem!"

The two would awkwardly look at each other for a moment, before Etho realized he was in the way of the chest and moved so Scar could get his things.
With a thankful nod, he would fly back into his wagon, to hopefully set his spawn again (properly).

Scar was more of a candle than a campfire... They haven't really chatted much this season, or much at all, but on the rare chances they do it was always friendly terms. Like an acquaintance, or friend of a friend. 
Not nearly as bright as Bdubs, or as warm as Iskall, but still a light nonetheless. 

But what did this all mean? Why was Iskall's fire the warmest to him? 

He didn't know.

But one thing was for certain.

He wanted one "always" to change. 

(Not beta read this time, so apologies for any mistakes! I wanted to get this out asap since I said I would today.
:,>)

((But but but- Here's what the gloves look like! (That's the sketches I was talking about lol)

Redstoner version:

Fingerless and have a little window in the palm! Hermits all have a little bit of magic, that makes the redstone dust activate. It does take some training, and some are unable due to not being completely "human" and not having the ability. However redstone still works either way.
Also comes with the fingers so that during winter your hands don't freeze off.

Plus they look cool.

Builders edition!:

Instead of being fingerless, they feature little "paw pads" on the finger tips and in the palm. Makes for good protection when dealing with glass, gravel, or other kind of dangerous blocks.

Both work just as well enterchangeably from builders to redstoners. Tango just thought it'd be cool to see if the "redstoner's" or "builder's" sell more lol.

Anyways, that's it for today owls! I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day, and remember that your amazing!

))