literature

How to Create a More Efficient Worker - P6

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“Xephos?”
Lalna’s voice broke into Xephos’s thoughts, snapping him back into reality. His head almost bashed the window as he abruptly swung around.
“Yeah?”
“Are you okay? You’ve been staring out that window all morning.”
Xephos blushed and hung his head. He glanced out the window again, eyes resting on the horizon. Honeydew had been gone for about a week now, and every second he was gone filled the spaceman with anxiety. The dwarf had quickly recovered from his minor concussion, and Lalna assured him that he was completely fine. But once they had sent the dwarf back to the factory, he started to grow restless, pacing back and forth and muttering about pigs. This went on until finally he packed a few supplies and made off to Oil Island, now renamed to Pig Island. Xephos hadn’t seen him since, and neither had Lalna.
“I’m fine,” he finally muttered, turning his attention back to his work. He felt Lalna’s gaze follow him to the wall of machines, before finally breaking off as he went back to his tasks. Sighing with irritation, he tried to block out all thoughts of Honeydew and focus on working.
Redstone. Cobblestone. Wrench. Did it work? Try again. Wires. Pickaxe. Window.
Xephos blinked. He took a step back, feeling dazed. When had he returned to the window? How long had he been staring out at the horizon? He tried to clear his head.  The sound of an object clattering to the floor caught his attention and he looked to the ceiling, imagining Lalna cursing. A sudden need for company overtook him, and he made his way up the ladder.
Lalna looked up from one of the chests. “Need something?” he asked, pulling an arm out of the chest and closing the lid.
“It’s just…” Xephos trailed off. After composing his thoughts, he started again. “Do you… think he’s alright?”
“Honeydew? Oh, I’m sure he’s fine.”
“Have you seen him?”
“No,” Lalna admitted sheepishly.
“Do you want to go check on him?” he added, after a pause.
Xephos wondered why the idea had never occurred to him. After all, he did know where he had gone. Still, he hesitated. A small part of him didn’t want to see what happened.
His curiosity finally won and he nodded.
“Do you need me to come with you?” The offer sounded more cordial than sincere, and the scientist didn’t quite look like he’d forgiven Honeydew yet. Xephos shook his head.
“I think I’ll be fine,” he reassured the scientist, and turned to leave.
“…Say hi to Honeydew for me,” Lalna called after him as he descended into the basement.
“I will.”
Running outside the factory, he clutched his flying ring and ascended into the air. The landscape began to fly beneath him, and the cool air whipped past his ears. Goosebumps formed on his skin, vaguely registering in his distracted mind.
I hope he’s okay.
It was the only coherent thought his mind could make. Through all the conflicting emotions, all the terror, and the sting of the scars that still peppered his body, it was still the only thought he could cling to.
Please be okay.
The grassy fields beneath him cut off abruptly to reveal the dark ocean beyond them. He sped along, eyes glued to the horizon. He was getting closer.
A small hill of dirt rising on the horizon caught his eye. At first he paid it no attention, until it started to grow larger and larger the closer he got. He squinted, trying to make out the shape.
It was now in full view, the island resting quietly beneath it. Xephos faltered in his flight, staring in awe.
Is that… a statue of a pig?
A wave of nervousness came over him. What the hell was he doing? It looked like something out of a horror movie.
He landed neatly at the entrance. His gaze was fixed purely on the pig.  He took a hesitant step towards it, taking in its massive scope. The pig stood about fifteen feet high, towering over the spaceman.
“Xephos!” he heard Honeydew call out happily. He managed to tear his gaze from the pig and looked over to the little dwarf running towards him.
“I’m so glad you came!” the dwarf continued, drawing closer. He finally reached Xephos and stopped, standing proudly before him. He gestured to the massive pig and proclaimed; “Welcome to Pig Island!”
“Uh, Honeydew?” Xephos stammered, overwhelmed. “What the hell is up with the pig?”
“Oh! The pig? Brilliant isn’t it? Sips told me if I built a massive pig statue on the island, the pigs would return!” He grabbed Xephos’s hand and pulled him excitedly towards the far right corner of the island, where a big fence had been set up.  He pointed to a few pigs plodding around behind the fence. “And look! It worked!”
Xephos pulled his hand away, still uncomfortable under Honeydew’s touch. Thankfully, the dwarf didn’t seem to notice in his eagerness to show off.
“Sips?” Xephos asked, looking around nervously.
Honeydew nodded. “I got him to help me with the island. He gave me lots of useful advice.” He raised his voice and looked past Xephos. “Isn’t that right, Sips?”
“You bet your ass I did!” he heard a voice reply, and he turned the direction Honeydew was facing to see Sips and Sjin emerging out from behind the big dirt pig.
“What do you think, silk shirt?” Sips laughed.
Xephos tried to reply but found himself speechless. Sips laughed again.
“See that, Sjin? We made him speechless.”
“We sure did, boss,” Sjin replied, smiling mischievously.
Xephos finally found his voice. “What are you two doing here?”
“Hey,” Sjin retorted, “I’ll have you know that you just so happen to be on SipsCo. property.”
“What? But this land is…”
He trailed off as Honeydew looked away guiltily. “I might have sold the land title…” he mumbled. Xephos tried to speak but Honeydew cut him off again. “For the pigs! Besides, I’m still allowed to live here.”
“What about the Jaffa factory?”
“Ah, who cares about that stupid cookie factory,” Sips interjected. “He’s pursuing his dreams of being a pig farmer!”
Honeydew nodded eagerly. “Would you like some pork, Xephos?”
Xephos stared at him in disbelief.
When the hell did this happen?
Honeydew prodded him impatiently. Xephos, over the initial shock of the situation, suddenly noticed Honeydew’s ragged appearance. He was covered in dirt and his hair was a matted mess, eyes slightly glazed over, like he was sleeping. He swallowed nervously. Those eyes… were a bit too familiar.
“Honeydew,” he began slowly, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I think you need to come home.”
Honeydew pulled away. “No way!” he cried. “I can’t abandon my pigs?”
“God Xephos,” Sips cut in, “can’t you see how happy he is? Just leave him with his pigs. Geez.”
“You’re not helping,” Xephos sighed, trying to push him away. “Please, Honeydew.”
Honeydew shook his head. “I’m not leaving.”
Xephos sighed in exasperation. He’s mad, he thought to himself. He’s gone completely mad.
“Well, I’m going home,” Xephos declared, taking flight. “We’ll be waiting for you, Honeydew.”
“See you, silk shirt,” Sips called after him, waving.
“Be sure to visit again soon!” Honeydew went on cheerfully.
Sjin remained silent. Xephos gave him a critical stare as he flew off. He looked a little too pleased with himself.
The landscape began to whir below him once again as he sped back to the factory.
Are they to blame? he wondered, deep in thought. What have they done to Honeydew?
What the hell is going on?
HEYYY IT'S UP :D
that's the list time I try to write Sips ugh QAQ

Anyway I think you guys probably know where this is going by now. Is it good? Bad? I don't know. I just smash keyboards and people seem to like the results :'D

oh and a fun drinking game for the whole series - take a shot every time someone asks "are you okay"
it might kill you but that's the fun of it I guess XD

I hope you enjoy :D
© 2013 - 2024 unicorntea
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CocoPuffPuff's avatar
please disregard my earlier comment.