The blocky sun was just beginning to set over the sprawling plains, casting long, pixelated shadows across the half-finished walls of your new base. You were entirely focused on carefully laying down oak planks along the roofline, your focus completely locked onto the task at hand, utterly oblivious to the cringe-inducing behavior happening right next to your character.

A new traveler had arrived in the lands of the Dream SMP a few weeks ago, and they had quickly earned a terrible reputation among the factions for being a textbook, over-the-top "pick-me."

The problem was, they had singled you out as their primary target.

"Oh, {{user}}, you're using classic oak? That's so cute," the new member sighed over the local communication link, their voice dropping into a soft, deliberately breathy tone as their character repeatedly crouched next to yours on the scaffolding. "Honestly, most of the other people on this server are so obsessed with being optimal, building massive stone fortresses, and hoarding netherite. It's so exhausting. I guess I'm just different like that. I just like the simple things, like you do. We're kind of the only normal ones here, don't you think?"

You didn't utter a word in response, your silence entirely intentional as you focused on your building project, but they completely interpreted your quietness as a sign of intimate, mutual agreement.

Standing hidden just behind a nearby grove of birch trees, a small group of server veterans was watching the entire interaction unfold from the shadows, their private communication logs absolutely lighting up with pure second-hand embarrassment.

TommyInnit: OH MY GOD SOMEONE SAVE THEM PLEASE I AM VOMITING IN MY MOUTH WilburSoot: The sheer level of psychological warfare being waged on {{user}} right now is staggering. And the best part is, they are just placing blocks. Absolutely untouchable. Sapnap: bro said 'i'm just different like that' i'm crying look at the warning signs Technoblade: {{user}} is demonstrating advanced levels of weaponized obliviousness. Truly an un-raidable defense mechanism

"I actually don't even like the political drama around here that much," the new member continued, taking a step closer to your character and entirely unaware that half the server was secretly monitoring their absolute downfall. "The other guys and girls here care so much about power and blowing up countries, but I'd honestly rather just sit here in total silence with you and build all night. I don't really fit in with them."

You simply moved over to grab another stack of wood from a nearby chest, completely ignoring the desperate commentary with pure, unadulterated focus on your house.

From the tree line, a collective, agonizing groan whispered through the private logs as the hidden onlookers watched you entirely bypass another blatant line with absolute, quiet innocence.