The Village of Ebott
Vice observed the changing scenery from his horse, trotting alongside the somewhat discrete carriage that carried his and his brother's alternates plus one more important carriage rider. Out of the group of skeletons, Axe, Crooks, Red and Black decided to not join them in their journey. TK and Papy were left behind as well despite them wanting to come with. They still weren't sure about the village and didn't want to endanger the young skeletons in case something happened.
The only reason Paps managed to come with was because he was his Science and was a few years older than TK, and much more well behaved and responsible.
"Coin for your thoughts Vice Captain?" A voice chimed in alongside the hoofsteps of a horse. Vice looked to see Chara, Prince Asriel's adopted sibling and royal Advisor, Secrety, etc. Trotting alongside him. They gave him a smirk, "Better focus on the road Sans, don't want you ending up falling off your horse. Again." They snickered as Vice winced as he remembered the clear incident where he'd accidentally fallen off his own damn horse because of his lack of focus.
"ouch there kid. don't worry, i got it. i'm focused." Vice replied dryly to them, "and yeah, i'll accept that coin for my thoughts."
Chara chortled, Vice grins as he knew that if they both weren't on horses they'd try to shove him. "Oh really? Here then." A shiny coin flew across the space between them, Vice caught the coin expertly- despite how laid back and lazy he liked to be, he was still Vice Captain for a reason.
Vice caught the coin, and looked at it only to snort at it, "really? copper? i'd like you to know that my thoughts are worth more than that kid." He said with a smirk, nonetheless though he pocketed the coin causing Chara to snicker. "but you got me, didn't tell ya what coin i wanted... just been thinking on what'll happen with the others back in the castle, tk and papy especially."
The Royal Advisor to the Prince hummed, idly adjusted the dark green cloak they wore. "They should be fine. Not only do they have the rest of your skeletal entourage looking after them but also Undyne, Alphys and finally your dad." They pointed out, causing Vice to reluctantly nod. Chara was right, TK and Papy should be fine.
Though Vice and the rest of the skeletons couldn't help but be protective over the babybones, Paps too since he was still young. They'd been really reluctant to let him come along, but the young skeleton didn't want to be separated from Science so there was little they could do. At the very least, they could all look after him.
Young monsters, skeletons especially for them, had to be protected after all.
Skeleton Monsters, true Skeleton Monsters and not necromantic abominations, were already so rare in their day and age.
The babybones must be protected at all costs.
"Stand down Vice Captain," Chara's voice snapped him out of his protective thoughts, their tone sharp to grab his attention. His magic must have spiked for that, Vice grimaced and adjusted slightly on his horse. "Like I said, they'll be fine Sans. They're protected. Little Papyrus in the carriage will also be protected." They told him firmly with a reassuring smile.
Vice sighed but accepted the smile with his own, "right."
A third set of hoofsteps sounded as Vice's brother came from his place beside the carriage, "I FELT YOUR MAGIC SPIKE. IS EVERYTHING OKAY BROTHER?" Cap questioned, steadying his horse to trot alongside both his brother and the royal advisor, to whom he nodded in greeting to. Chara grinned at him and nodded back.
Vice waved his concerns away, "yeah, sorry bro i just- i was just thinking about the babybones 's all. don't worry about it." A look of understanding passed Cap's face before his usual optimistic but stern face set like usual.
"I SEE. WELL AT LEAST IT'S NOTHING DIRE. DO PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD BROTHER, WE'RE NEARING THE MOUNTAIN AND VILLAGE OF EBOTT. WE WOULDN'T WANT YOU TO FALL BEHIND, IN BOTH SENSE OF THE MEANING!" Captain exclaimed with humored amusement as he ushered his steed back to his original post besides the carriage, Chara burst out laughing while Vice groaned.
"fall off a horse once durin' an expedition and no one let's ya forget." Vice bemoaned, but adjusted himself on the horse once more as his brother's words registered. He looked up at the road and saw not only the mountain in the near distance, but the main roadway towards the village.
Chara's laughter subsided as they too, looked ahead.
They shared a look with Vice, a shared sense of grim understanding between them before looking forward and having their respective horses go just a bit faster towards their intended destination.
Mount Ebott.
In many alternative universes, it was the place of their future doom, a possible ending of a possible war.
Well, not this universe. Not if they had anything to say about it.
Sneaking into the village was easy, though it was simultaneously easier and harder back then. Back when the village had less people and was less advanced than it was now.
It was now on its way into becoming a town, slowly but surely. You kind of think that was partially you and your brother's fault. And you claim this with no narcissism whatsoever.
You're fairly sure that the village really benefited from being the locals around a now infamous mountain.
You were faintly remember there being less buildings, the roads mostly being made of dirt instead of pavement and you're a bit more sure that there hadn't been a boutique during the first year you and your brother were around- but then again, your visits to the village back then were sparse and quick, only sticking around long enough to piece together the very clear fact that you and your brother weren't supposed to be in this world or even exist.
Not like you already didn't knew that, but you had found out that monsters and skeleton monsters at that, were rare and the only three known skeletons were predictably the skeletons you both knew and two of which you both mirrored in looks.
Which is why you were wearing your hood and scarf.
Despite being away from the kingdom, you didn't want to risk the fact that someone might recognize your face- the rumors about the mountain and your pokemon were bad enough. You and Cleat definitely didn't want to be involved with any of the kingdoms or gain royal attention.
Preferably you both didn't want any attention but when you're the secret breeders of so called 'mythological beasts' that can change the weather on a whim- well, despite your want for discreteness and a peaceful life as a pokemon breeder, inevitably the attention of others would be gained. Especially what's happened over half the decade you've been in this world.
But you're happy to say that so far, aside from a few... incidents. Is that you and your brother have kept to yourselves and your pokemon, with the pleasant addition of Frisk of course.
The thought of your little human sibling brought a smile to your face. They've longed outgrew the view of Undertale's main protagonist from both you and your brother's eyes, they were now simply Frisk. Their dear little self-mute sibling that loved pokemon just as you did.
Shaking your head, you clear your thoughts and focus as the sound of the market overtakes your hearing. You have to focus, you have a basket full of berries that needed to be delivered, a few coins in your pouch you need to spend on certain items that were being held for you and an errand to run, maybe too if you were unlucky.
Clutching the basket tight in your gloved hands, you tug the hood lower over the upper part of your face and secure the scarf on the lower part of your face, you didn't have to check if you had everything, you're very sure you did because you really didn't want to end up going back home prematurely -even if you wanted to go home already- just to come back to the village because you left something important behind.
Which you thankfully didn't. Not this time at least.
The village was as busy as ever, villagers, tourists, and others alike moving as the day moved above them. People, humans and monsters both, going about their business and lives usually without much care.
Your attire isn't that eye catching despite being covered head to toe, there were plenty of other hooded individuals that were around. At the start it had been shady and suspicious but most of the time the hooded individuals were harmless. Most of the time.
Besides, your hood was still somewhat distinct and different from other hoods, the edge of your hood was dark blue and your cloak itself was familiar enough that most locals if they saw you greeted you with either a curt polite nod or a friendly wave.
You were one of the mysterious regular visitors of the village after all, your relationship with the villagers was meticulously built over the years and your visits were almost always on time and regular enough that you were familiar and more welcomed compared to the rest. Even if most people were very curious as to what was underneath your clothing, no one questioned anymore thankfully and the matter was swept to the side for more important things.
Like your berries.
"Ah! Crest! Hello!" Owen, a young freckled man, exclaimed with a friendly smile as you approach his stall that was near by his family's bakery. You smile back even if he couldn't see it, so you wave at him- yes, the locals knew both you and your brother's 'names'. At least the names you've taken to calling the versions of yourselves in this world, you couldn't call yourselves Sans and Papyrus after all. There wasn't much harm letting them know that piece of information at least.
"Right on time, did you bring the berries?" He questioned, glancing between you and the basket you half-hid in your cloak. He looked expectant, pleading even, you snort and nod.
"of course i did, and no owen, don't ask me for them. go ask your mother after i hand them to her." You tell him, chuckling at his disappointment.
"Aw come on Crest, just one? Or even just half?" Owen pleaded, clasping his hands together with a pout.
You shake your head with amusement, "you have a stall to look after owen, eat after you've worked." You gesture the waiting costumer, waving when you saw it was little Johnson. The young dark-skinned child beamed back at you, waving back. "i'll go give maryanne the berries, talk with johnny boy there." Owen sighed in disappointment but perked right up to talk with Johnson, asking what he wanted.
You turn towards the direction of the bakery, passing others by and keeping in mind what you had to do today. And after that, you can go back home- you wanted to check on Yvonne and her clutch on the way back. She's been so territorial with her eggs, which was understandable but you really need to convince her to move from the base of the mountain towards higher ground. But the damned pokemon was a stubborn mother that didn't want to move despite the risks having a large pokemon like her near the base of the mountain, near the thorn wall.
Sighing, you shake your head and enter the bakery.
The first thing that hits you and hits you hard is the lovely scent of freshly baked pastries, even through the scarf, Maryanne's classic breads and other wonderful confections hit your non-existent nostrils and it makes you relax at the wonderful smell. The bakery itself had changed over the years, it was now bigger than it was, but thankfully despite it the fact Maryanne's baking could rival your brother's it wasn't that crowded in the bakery, Maryanne would throttle and throw anyone out if she found that the store was crowded or some costumers were being too rowdy.
There was bread, cookies and other pastries everywhere, stacked on shelves, on lovely carved holders and tables. Maryanne really has done well for herself and her baking skills. Though, you know that some of her skill was taught by your brother, he couldn't help himself in the past and gave Maryanne some tips and tricks, but aside from that Maryanne flourished as a baker and maybe even a patisserie, her delicate work with chocolate was pretty impressive for someone like her in such a era of this world.
"Crest!" You perk as you see the woman herself from behind the counter, she was a lovely woman in her thirties. Her hair, short and brown like most of the bread she baked while her eyes were a warm shade of black. She wore a flour-covered baker's apron, underneath that was a simple short-sleeved brown tunic shirt and a long gray dress skirt. "There you are! Come come!" She eagerly exclaimed, motioning you closer so you could give her what she wanted.
"heya maryanne, good morning." You greet with amusement as you come to the counter that was luckily free from customers, for now that is. "here you go, berries of the week." You give her the basket, making her shine with glee.
Quickly, but carefully, she peels back the basket's cloth that was covering the numerous berries that were underneath. "Lovely! Hmm let's see, plenty of oran, pecha, cheri- oo! There's that berry- um, what was it again? Ma-mogasi?" She questioned, looking at you with sparkling interested eyes. You chuckle softly then correct her, "Ah! Magost! This one's going to be great for the cookies I have in mind, hmm..." She counted the berries, looking through the varieties.
Patiently you wait until she nods with a satisfied look on her face, though she pauses and you already know what she's thinking. "sorry maryanne, the roseli bushes ain't givin' any berries yet. don't worry though, you might get a few of them next week." You reassure her and she smiles warmly, the Roseli Berry isn't that tasty but Maryanne loved it nonetheless, plus the petal-like outer shell of the berry was perfect for decoration.
"Thank you Crest!" She thanked, pulling the berry basket off the counter and setting it underneath it for later on. She looked apologetic as she gave you a small bag of coins, gold, silver and bronze mixed into it. "I'm sorry Crest, I had a late start this morning so the chesto bread you want is still baking." You're briefly disappointed before waving it off.
"i can come back for it later. i need to head off to do an errand or two then see old man ryan." Maryanne looked thoughtful before nodding, by the time you'd be back you'd definitely have a basket full of chesto berry bread. One of your favorites from the woman. Your brother liked baking yes but he didn't do it all the time like Maryanne did. You were both very busy most of the time after all.
"Of course, I'll save the basket for you Crest- thank you so much for the berries!" Maryanne exclaimed, and if it wasn't for the counter that separated the both of you you have no doubt that she'd hug you goodbye. As nice as her hugs were, you were already on your way out of the bakery.
You're safe for the most part, she'll most definitely try to hug you when you came back for the bread though.
As you left the bakery you made your way through the marketplace, wanting to either do that errand or get to Old Man Ryan. Whichever came first.
Just as you turned the corner, you miss the slight commotion of four skeletons appearing in the marketplace.
"huh this place ain't too bad." Cosmic commented as he, Vice, Paps and Pyrus walked through the marketplace. "could use without the staring though." This felt like the first few days at the castle all over again, but at least the servants and knights and everyone else tried not to blatantly stare at them- here, the village folks weren't as subtle in their ogling and befuddled staring.
"I BELIEVE THEY'RE JUST MARVELING AT BOTH MY AND MINI-ME'S MAGNIFICENCE!" Pyrus exclaimed, optimistic and cheery as always, Paps situated on his hip and firmly his hold. The younger version of Papyrus giggled and 'Nyeh'd!' in agreement.
Vice chuckled, "don't mind them guys, skeleton monsters are really rare here remember? seeing four all at once in a village is definitely going to get attention." He reminded them. Having eight skeletons? Definitely getting attention.
They had arrived at the village a few hours ago, situating themselves in one of the inns that were around. The inn had been similarly surprised to see them but thankfully they were accommodating and they hadn't had trouble in getting their rooms for themselves. After that, they decided to split up for a while then meet up afterwards. Science had managed to coax his little brother into exploring the village, Cosmic and Pyrus were more than happy to accompany the small skeleton- Vice had volunteered to come with for extra protection, just in case.
His brother went with Science, Comic, Orion, Prince Asriel and Chara towards the forest. To check out the thicket wall that they'd seen as soon as they entered the village. It towered over the already tall trees of the forest.
Comic, Science and Pyrus had been surprised at the thicket wall, as far as they knew it had never been mentioned in their history. As far as they knew, it shouldn't exist. Comic and Science definitely wanted to check out the thorn and see if there was a source, try to figure out what made it. Asriel wanted to know as well, though less for science and more for the fact that this might affect the future of their species.
The thorn wall was after all, an obstacle to the mountain that would supposedly trap his race, a place forced to become their home should things go south with Anthros, with humans.
They needed to see if there was already a plot being made for them that involved the mountain.
Not to mention the rumors of monsters of another species- mythical beasts that weren't like them but were very powerful.
Vice had been somewhat reluctant to leave his brother and the Prince's side, but he was similarly reluctant to not accompany Paps as well. Though he knew that Cosmic and Pyrus would do just fine with the babybones he just couldn't help but go along with them anyway. Captain even encouraged his brother to accompany them. Just in case something happens.
"NYEH! THERE'S SO MANY HUMANS HERE!" Paps exclaimed excitedly, looking around from Pyrus' hip, legs kicking behind him in his excitement. Pyrus shared his excitement but was thankfully a bit more restraint. The fact that humans were around was still settling in for them, there were only a handful of humans in the Dreemurr castle but here, there were more humans than monsters.
That kind of put Vice on edge a bit, but he saw more monsters than he expected in the village so it showed that monsters were welcomed here in the village. Still though, he kept an eye out for anything particularly dangerous towards himself and his group.
"yeah bud, lots of humans." Cosmic agreed with a fond smile, taking in the nostalgic and adorable sight of the younger Papyrus. He missed his little brother actually being the little brother but hey, Orion was a great little brother even if he had the unfortunate height advantage over him. "see anything you want to try out paps?" He questioned, "what about you pyrus, vice? lots of stalls around." They'd receive some money from the the kind Dreemurr family, though they were kind of earning it in their help in whatever help the family needed.
Like repairing the machine that brought them here and trying to complete the spell and its research to boot.
Vice hummed, observing their surroundings, there were indeed many stalls that seemed nice to check out. And look, there's even a bakery nearby. "you guys hungry? there's a bakery right there." He pointed out to his fellow skeletons who spotted it easily, the three of them perked.
"OOH A BAKERY! CAN WE GET SOMETHING FROM THERE?!" Paps questioned with a wide grin, sockets wide and practically sparkling.
"I QUITE AGREE MINI-ME! CAN WE? IT SEEMS LIKE A LOVELY BAKERY AND SURELY THEY WOULD BENEFIT A VISIT FROM THE GREAT PAPYRUS DUO!" Pyrus exclaimed, lifting Paps effortlessly and having his younger self sit on his humerus arm bone as he flexed the arm to show off how great and strong he was. Paps cheered from his perch, his older self was so cool!
Cosmic and Vice shared a look of amusement and agreement, "oh definitely pyrus." He agreed, grin wide as he watched the alternate versions of his brother be themselves. He's happy to see that most of the village folks around them found it pleasant or amusing to see it, he ignored the weird looks and the rare looks of distrust and even disgust. They didn't matter, as long as his Papyrus, both versions of him, were happy then Cosmic was happy too.
"so, bakery?" Vice chimed in, gaining their attention.
"OF COURSE! TO THE BAKERY!" Pyrus declared, shifting Paps so his younger alternate could sit more comfortably on his shoulders.
Paps beamed from his place- he got to grow up so tall! "NYEH!"
With that, all four of them headed towards the bakery. Though Pyrus had to carefully crouch to make sure he and Paps were able to enter the bakery, and said bakery was barely tall enough for Paps to stay on his shoulders so unfortunately Paps had to get down from his shoulders much to his immense disappointment- it was quickly wiped away when Pyrus promised to let him ride his shoulders again once they left.
The bakery smelled wonderful and Vice could say that this small village bakery could very well rival the shops back home in the main kingdom. The smell of freshly baked bread and other pastries, the homely and warm decorations that framed everything in a welcoming manner. And the various breads, cookies, pies- Vice could even see a delectable cake proudly displayed at the side and the decorations on that cake was very impressive.
The owner of the bakery should be proud of themselves.
Seeing the woman suddenly appearing behind the counter, she obviously was.
She was no doubt owner of the bakery, it showed in her confident shoulders, the twinkling look in her experienced black eyes, her pinned up short brown hair and the flour-covered apron that covered her clothing. She paused when she saw them but thankfully deemed them nothing more but new customers for her bakery to tend to and did nothing but smile warmly at them. Especially when she saw the young Paps who was now shyly hiding behind Pyrus' leg.
She was certainly doing better than the other customers who were staring at them with wide eyes- one costumer even straight out left the bakery. Rude.
"Welcome to the Maryland Bakery! How can I help you boys?" She questioned with a warm grin, glancing between the four of them.
Pyrus smiled widely at the human woman, he had long outgrew his shy tendencies. Or most of them at least. "GREETINGS MISS! WE SAW THIS BAKERY AND DECIDED TO COME BY FOR A TREAT AND TO GRACE YOUR LOVELY SHOP WITH OUR PRESENCE!" He declared, scooping Paps into his arms. Paps squeaked and flailed but quickly calmed down and tried to get past his shy face with a hesitant but bright smile.
"H-HELLO MISS HUMAN!"
'Miss Human' didn't seem to take any offence to the nickname, actually laughing, looking absolutely delighted by the presence of both Pyrus and Paps- as she should. Both of them were amazing skeletons, they were alternate versions of Papyrus after all. "Please! Call me Maryanne, none of this 'Miss or Miss Human' nonsense, I'm already honored to have both your presences in my quaint little bakery!" Oh, this human woman- er, Maryanne was just getting better by the minute.
Paps brightened, feeling better at the way Maryanne responded to his greeting. "NYEH! OKAY MI- ERM, MARYANNE! IT IS VERY NICE TO MEET YOU- MY NAME'S PAP-S!" He almost said his full name, but Paps remembered in time that he tell other people that his name was 'Paps' instead of 'Papyrus'.
"It is very nice to meet you too Paps." Maryanne greeted back with a fond smile.
"AND I! AM THE GREAT AND AMAZING PYRUS!"
"sup, i'm cosmic."
"vice, pleasure to meet you maryanne."
"And a pleasure to meet you three." Maryanne replied, chuckling, "Now, what do you boys want from Maryland Bakery hm? We've got tons of breads and pastries- the absolute best in the village I promise you four that." She told them, chest puffing as she did. She was really indeed proud of her bakery.
"WOWIE, REALLY?! THAT'S SO COOL!" Paps cheered, looking around the bakery, then, his sockets widened and he pointed to a certain type of bread on the counter. "THAT BREAD'S ALL PINK!!" He exclaimed and immediately they all looked at it, "AND THAT ONE'S BLUE!"
Paps was right, there was a few soft pink bread rolls sitting on a plate, and on another plate, soft baby blue bread rolls alongside it. Looking more into it, some of the breads and pastries were colorful and rather bizarre. Which was rather weird because as far as Cosmic knew, food coloring wasn't really a thing in this universe. Not yet.
Maryanne didn't seem to be bothered, she laughed then took the plates and set them on the counter and nudged them both towards the skeletons, "Good eye there Paps! These are Pecha rolls and Oran bun. Made with pecha and oran berries, want to taste? First taste's all free since you four are obviously new to the village. Go on, all of you, try either one." She encouraged and motioned to the plates.
Vice and Cosmic were hesitant, but Pyrus and Paps were more than happy to taste the colorful looking bread. "THANK YOU VERY MUCH MARYANNE!" Paps chirped as he snatched a pink 'pecha roll', Pyrus took one as well. After a moment and a exasperated sigh, Cosmic and Vice decided for the 'oran bun'.
Without much fanfare, all four skeletons bit into their respective breads...
"WOOOWIEEE!! IT TASTES SWEET AND SOFT!!!" Pyrus exclaimed with wide, starry eye sockets.
Paps was quick to devour his pecha roll, his eyes similarly wide and starry-eyed. "IT'S REALLY REALLY GOOD!"
Cosmic and Vice had mirroring looks of surprise, "huh, 's not bad. chewy but, good chewy." Cosmic mumbled, still chewing on his oran bun. It tasted great, somewhat even better then some of the bread he's had so far in his old universe.
"wow maryanne, you've done great with these." Vice told her, causing her to beam and laugh.
"I know! Oh, it tastes better in combination, and we have many other pastries and such you'd definitely be interested in." Maryanne told them with sparkling eyes and a wide, bright grin.
Vice looks at the three other skeletons, then back at the woman, then at the various pastries and breads and such in the shop, then back to her, then to his coin pouch hidden in one of his pockets.
Well, he was certainly going to be more than a few coins short afterwards huh?
Money well spent he'd say! Their brothers would definitely want some of these, and the others too, they'd definitely buy enough before they left so the others could eat them as well.
Ducking underneath the thrown metal tongs, you can't help but cackle as you left the building behind you. "Get on out of here you damned rascal!" Old Man Ryan shouts after you as you leave.
"see you next time old man ryan! thanks for the repairs! looking forward the rest of them!"
"Brat I'm not even that old yet!!" Yelled the fairly handsome middle-aged man with striking white hair and striking blue eyes, he seethes and slams the door closed but you grin because you know he's just grumpy but would soon go back to work afterwards the ever faithful man of work.
Ryan, or Old Man Ryan as you and various others call him, was the best blacksmith in the village. Due to his white hair and his usual grumpiness, he'd been dubbed as 'Old Man Ryan' despite the fact he was only in his thirties- the village had called him Old Man Ryan far before you came so this was just something you got on board with. Besides, with all the grump that Ryan portrayed, he didn't actually mind. He never told anyone to stop, just shouting at most of them that he wasn't that old yet.
You pat the holster now firmly strapped around your thigh, a newly repaired dagger sheathed and hidden from sight. It, along with a few other metal items had broke some time ago so you and your brother gave most of them to Old Man Ryan to be repaired. Unfortunately Old Man Ryan couldn't get to all of them in time due to him getting sick briefly for a few days, he managed to fix your dagger though and your brother's whisk.
Cleat was going to be happy to have his whisk back.
Not only that but Old Man Ryan also did a few... things on the side. And those things led to you now having one of your pockets full from it.
You don't ask Old Man Ryan where and how he it, it'd be pointless and besides, Ryan himself doesn't ever ask about your actual identity and the fact you can come in and out of the forbidden parts of the forest unharmed and without problem.
He was one of the very few people that knew that you could go into the forest unharmed, though you suspect that he suspects that you actually live on the mountain.
He'd be right but you wouldn't tell him that.
But now, you were heading right back towards the bakery for your well earned basket of chesto bread- as well as maybe other breads. Frisk would like some pecha rolls, Cleat would like Maryann's tamato brioche the spicy-loving maniac.
You've done your errand- get a few things that were needed by your brother and Frisk, and now you can head back home, feeling better than you did hours earlier.
After you got your basket of goodies of course.
Getting back to the Maryland Bakery was easy enough, you're too focused on getting the basket to pay attention to the whispers and murmurs of the locals around you. You just wanted to get your basket and go home, you've done more than enough social things today to last you a while. The village is nice don't get you wrong, but you never did well with crowds even before you turned into an AU of the AU Poketale Sans.
Five years being in another body doesn't change that. It changes a lot of things but some things haven't changed, though you have a feeling that Sans would've agreed with you. Introverts for the win yeah?
"thanks a lot maryanne, i'll tell my siblings you and owen said hi." You call back, happily clutching the basket filled with baked goods.
Maryanne laughs and waves you goodbye, "You better! And let me know if those kee cookies are good or not next time!" She exclaims as you leave, you absent-mindedly nod in agreement as you shut the door behind you, looking down at the basket- the chesto bread is freshly backed and by the stars, they smell good... You can't resist taking a piece of chesto bread from the basket and adjusting your scarf, though you keep your head down to make sure the hood of your cloak covers most of your face as you stuff the soft lavender-shaded bread into your mouth.
You hum in satisfaction, chewing happily- you take a few steps away from the bakery and towards your usual route to escape the village and return to the forest.
Out of nowhere though, you feel something collide against your back- something small- "what the-?!" You can't help the instinctive whirl to see the source of the bump, you almost dropped your basket!
You almost drop your basket again when you see what, or rather who, bumped into your back.
A teary eyed little Papyrus-looking skeleton stares up at you on the ground, sniffling and looking awfully terrified. "oh sh-oot. uh-" You should run. Book it out of there because you're done with the day, you should head home and there shouldn't be a kid-Papyrus around as far as you know. This universe's Papyrus was the same age as your brother after all! But the kid-Papyrus is there, adorable looking and on the verge of crying- "are ya okay kid?" You question softly, bending down slightly and offering a gloved hand to him.
You can't not help this little bitty bones!
Mini-Papyrus sniffled but tentatively accepted the hand, "I-I- YES! THE GREAT PAPYRU- ERM, THE AMAZING PAPS IS ALRIGHT! AND IS SORRY FOR BUMPING INTO YOU MISTER!" He exclaimed, stubbornly wiping away the liquid gathering in his sockets.
You check over him, "it's fine kid." Mini-Papyrus was totally going to say his name but instead opted for Paps. What was going on here? Nevermind that for now, you needed to make sure the babybones was alright. "you're not hurt are you? where's your uh, guardian? anyone that's looking after you." It's risky, but you have to ask, make sure he's doing alright.
Mi-Paps frowned, he's fucking adorable and you want to pinch his cheeks. "I- It's My Fault. I Got Distracted And Got Separated When I Shouldn't Have." He mumbled, looking down at the ground, clutching the hem of his tunic.
"h-hey, 's okay kid. you'll find them again- uh, here. have a pecha roll." You say, taking a roll from your basket and offering it to Paps who blinks then beams- he knows about them? Well he obviously does since he gladly accepts the offered bread roll.
"THANK YOU! I- Brother? Sans?" He suddenly questions, eyes gazing fixedly at you with both your eyelights meeting. Your eyelights were meeting, he could see your face!
Shit. Shit- you'd forgotten to adjust your scarf back in place! "i uh- sorry i think you got the wrong-" You try to wave his words off, but he's clutching your cloak now, looking right at your face with such intensity and a wide eyed look that you really want to get back home.
"You're Not My Brother, Not Really! You're An- An Alternate Version Of Him!" He exclaims softly, thoughts whirling and you're stunned, "I Though Mister Gaster Wasn't Allowed To Test The Machine Again So Why Are You Here?"
You're so fucking confused and edging into the area of 'potential panic attack' that you unintentionally shove him back harder than you mean to. "OW!" "oh shit! paps i di-i-iidn-" You're interrupted from your hasty apology when you're suddenly manhandled from the back, your basket of baked goods falling to the ground as you're abruptly forced to face with an enraged familiar looking face, your cloak is now clutched in tight hands and you're staring right at the damn familiar fucking face.
It was Sans' face.
It was this universe's Sans' face.
"hey! don't fuckin-" Sans started, furious beyond belief only to falter and stop as your hood finally falls from your head from all the commotion and because of course it has to fall right now. Around you there's gasps and murmurs and you're feeling sick to your stomach here in Sans' hold. "what the fuck?"
The sentiment could be returned was all you could think as you take a chance to look past him and see another Sans, this one wearing a star-patterned hoodie and a Papyrus, dressed like Undertale Papyrus. Both looking at you in shock.
You're so fucking confused and definitely in the area of 'potential panic attack' right now.
Also your precious chesto bread is on the fucking ground. That's a fucking waste and also the least of your problems but fuck.
Fuck.