Hybrid

“The very interesting thing about dreams is, one isn’t aware they are asleep; and if they do, in fact, become aware, the ‘reality’ of a dream is their’s to shape. What then is to be said of time? If time may be shaped by an individual aware of it in the manner of the aware dreamer, is there anything that can truly stop them? May they shape the threads of time as if a spinner sitting at her loom? Or are there other complexities that elude us all, dreamers still in the collective unconsciousness of life?”

-Questions on the nature of magic and time, by Professor W. D. Harding, White Castle College c.a. 1647 A.D.

It was little more than an implication on her part, but an implication was just enough to set his teeth on edge. The mage wiped a cloth down his soot-smeared face, muttering curses to the mixture of magic that had just erupted in his face. A momentary lapse in concentration is all. Yes, momentary lapse. “As much as I appreciate you advice, General, I believe I am the expert on magical weaponry here. Perhaps you may leave me to my work?” Harding dropped the cloth onto an old wooden table, scientific and magic experiments alike sharing cluttered space in the cramped tower room he had for personal practice. It was about as featureless as one might imagine, simple stone masonry befitting the era, the royal insignia plastered on a tapestry by the solitary barred window overlooking the battlements. It was rather late but still hot enough Harding sweltered under his black robes.

The general's ease in such weather confounded the old mage, though it really shouldn’t. She dressed more likened to a barbarian than a knight. “Suit yourself, Professor. I was merely imploring you to caution. You’re likely to turn yourself to ash and bones toying with necromancy. The King might see fit to take your head in that case.” The soft upward tug on her lips sent a shock of indignation burning through his back.

Necromancy. Necromancy? How dull are these people?! Filling her head with such nonsense as necromancy! “I’m not reanimating a corpse, General!” Harding could take her mockery, and by extension the court’s, no longer. Mundies, never understanding the finer points of magic. Oh he ought have reared her better if he could! “These ‘bones’, as you so aptly thought to describe, are magical constructs. There is no ‘physical’ matter about them. I’m experimenting to prove that monsters are made solely of magic and can have their physical properties modified. Perhaps even prove that monsters can be artificially made!” The court wizard seethed as General Edith Greyback began to laugh.

“You are far too easy to rile, old man.” She crossed her arms with a stubborn huff, tossing the long curls of her raven-wing hair over the spaulders of her armor. “Now, about that potion I requested?”

“Oh, once it conveniences you, then you are willing to listen? Honestly girl, I wish you took more from your mother than me.”

Edith leapt up from the stool on which she reclined, sending it clattering to the dirty tiled floor. Her lone metal gauntlet slapped down over his lips while her eyes were wide with shock and anger. “Keep your voice down!” She hissed, “I don’t need everyone in the castle to know I’m a woman, least of all your bastard child and not the Duke’s!”

The wizard sighed softly, gently removing the General’s hand from his now bruised mouth. “Yes, well, perhaps you should think of that before ‘riling up’ the ‘old man’.” He arched one of his age bleached brows at her quivering lower lip and water eyes. “Here,” Harding sighed, placing a bottle into his daughter’s metal plated hand. “Remember to stay hydrated. Be sure to have plenty of red meats and avoid citrus.”

Just as she was about to yank her hand away, and the bottle with it, the old wizard leveled his gaze at her. “I don’t suppose I need to tell you about the scullery maids again?”

The General flushed a deep blushing hue. “Y-Yes, father.” Her voice was a muffled stuter of shame. She knocked back the whole drink at once, and within a few moments ceased to be a ‘she’ at all.  “I’ll leave you to your work then, Professor.” The General’s voice had taken on the deeper rasp of his masculine form, looking far more like the Duke then may have been fortunate. Not that Harding minded. Edith, or Eric as it were, was his own man. Making his way in exploits far too noble to ignore, one war after another, one battlefield to the next. In a way, Harding was proud of his progeny. Eric living proof that magic need not be allocated only to the field of battle, but everyday life as well.

‘Form is but an illusion,’ he jotted down in his journal. The potion and magic involved recorded therein. ‘True substance belies in the SOUL.’ Be that his ‘daughter’ always felt her veil of flesh did not suit her soul, it mattered not to Harding.  His work before him, the wizard turned to wave the knight off. “Go back to that war room of yours, boy. I have little time for you, and less patients.”

The General grined and, with a jovial jolt to his step, departed Harding’s tower. Steel greaves clanking all the way down the three stories of spiraling steps. The court wizard, once again alone, bent over the shell he constructed with such care. A skeleton-esk shape, slightly taller than a man with smooth, near featureless skull. The mage rubbed some healing salts onto the alchemy circles etched into the back of his hands and set to forming another ‘bone’ layer over the right ulna. A little more and it would be complete.

You had gotten through about half of a score before tossing it, slamming your head against the desk. Why, muse? Why do you leave me!? Your mind clawed at anything for inspiration before an overpowering melody shot through your soul. It brought tears to your eyes as you pulled back, desperate to alleviate the painful sound. You glanced out your window to a monster walking by with a human student. You recognized the human as a mage... Monsters... Wait, no brain what are you thinking!? Shaking your head did nothing to fling the clinging desperation away. Monster souls were louder and just...’sounded’ different. It would be easy to sit in the park or on the college green, to get inspired from the new souls darting around your stomping grounds.

But it would be so rude.

Yet, musicians used people they met, loved ones, and even a few words exchanged with strangers all the time. If you're writing a song it shouldn’t be so bad.

It’s still an invasion of privacy, that isn’t right.

You were at war with yourself until you saw a small ghost-like monster with a comparatively quiet soul getting harassed by some of the mundie students. Ming must be rubbing off on you already. You were grabbing your jacket, student card, and room key before you knew it. Practically storming onto the scene just as the ghost broke down in tears. The humans were laughing.

“Hey asshole!” At this rate the monsters were going to get cornered and the humans to scared of ‘new’ and ‘change’ were going to force a war. Colin would never see a world where he didn’t have to hide. Ming wouldn’t prove himself in... whatever it was he wanted to prove; really just the feeling he put off. And you would never... what was your motivation again? Why are you here right now? To what, be kind? Just because you’re a greenie?

Too late for self doubt, the jerkwad that had been laying it on the worst wheeled around to face you. It took maybe two seconds for his expression to go from pissed, to confused, to... oh gods stop looking at me like that, perverted pig! There is the anger again. Good. Hold on to that. “Heh, why don’t you run along, sweet stuff. My buddy and I are almost done, then... what say I buy ya a drink.”

The first thing that popped into your head was from a Pink song. “Keep your drink just gimme the money. It’s just you and your hand tonight.” A sneer pulled over your lips at that thought. You lifted your chin, crossed your arms over your chest, and glared at him. “I’d rather cuddle that ghost. They at least seem like pleasant company.” Gods it was hard sometimes. You could send these two scurrying away with a single word. One well placed burst of magic and poof, a bat out of hell. The fact that you even considered doing so made you flinch internally.

Consequently your disgust showed in your face and the two students took a quick look around. Apparently your shout had draw attention previously averted. Seeing you had sent a shock of boldness through the other few mage students, which in turn spread to the softer-hearted mundies. The rapid change in expressions gave you a flush of confidence and you took a step forward. “White Castle College prides itself on Integrity, Kindness, Justice, Bravery, Perseverance, Patience, and Determination. Or did you forget that immediately after signing the oath of fellowship that you were required to even be admitted?” Oh wow, you sound like your mother when you’re chastising someone. At least one of the boys had the good sense to look ashamed, the other just cycled back into pissed off. Both left shortly after under the heated glares of the students present.

With a firm nod and mental pat on the back, you approached the crying ghost. “Are you alright?” He responded with a torrent of mumbled apologies and self deprecation, only half of which you managed to catch. Not really knowing where the sides of his face were, you opted to gently cup his headphones and smile at him. “Hey, you don’t have to say sorry for anything, it was those guys being jerks, not your fault at all. So, smile a little, okay?” You tilted your head to the side and pulled the expression you wished he would make. It got just a crack of a smile out of him, but that was enough.

Your soul warmed at the gentle expression. Then you noticed one of the mundie students subtly recording you. Oh boy, this could get interesting. Just ignore him Soul. You have a monster to help. “So are you going to be taking any classes at WCC?”

“I um, yes actually.” He fiddled a little with his nub-like arms. “I got lost going to my astrology class. Oh, sorry you didn’t ask that, I must be bothering you, sorry.”

You let out a sigh through your nose and bent forward to look the ghost in the eyes. “You are a wonderful person and I really appreciate you.” This could be said with such certainty because you heard it from him. Sure the little ghost had anxiety and shy did not begin to cover how reserved he was, but you could tell he was kind, and loving, and open, and just in need of a friend. Your soul must have been very bright in your eyes because the monster flushed slightly and nodded. “C’mon, I’ll help you get to class, okay?”

“I don’t want to be a bother.”

“Nonsense. I insist.” You extend a hand while straightening up and the ghost put his nub in your palm. Well it was more like pretending that you had something to hold. Unlike his headphones, he didn’t appear to be corporeal.

“Ah, I haven’t even introduced myself yet. My n-name is Napstablook.”

His slight stutter caused a grin to twitch at your lips. You returned the courtesy of introductions to the monster, “...though everyone I know calls me Soul.”

Napstablook hesitated a moment before nodding with a small smile taking up residence on his features. “I can see why.” Ice prickled up your spine but you decided to play it of as confusion. He just shook his head and mumbled never minds.

The two of you had gotten to the sciences building when Colin nearly crashed into you. He sagged and staggered to a halt, breathing heavily. “There- ha- you are.”

“Dude, Cols, are you okay?”

He flicked a lock of orange hair out of his eyes a glare softly at you. A ‘do I look okay?’ kind of glare. “Stillwater wants to see us. Ming’s already there. You weren’t in your room so I had to chase you all over campus.”

“Ah, sorry.” You twirled a bit of your hair sheepishly. “I was showing a new student around. Napstablook, this is my friend Colin. Colin, Napstablook.

They shook hands... sort of, and you took your leave of the ghost monster. Judging by how fidgety your friend was being, whatever Stillwater wanted wasn’t good. That was becoming a pattern, and not one that you liked.

The Professor herself was seated in her office with Ming stiff in a chair. The presence of one skeleton in blue the cause. You could see the sparks of gold in the warrior's dark eyes, nervous and pent up magic swirling under his palms. The monster seemed equally tense, a more fast paced rhythm hinting underneath the smooth tempo of his soul. If you recalled, his name was Sans, the one that had felt so intimidating before. In the light he was... underwhelming. Dressed in a loose hoodie, old and getting slightly ratty, worn slippers, basketball shorts, and socks that had once been a pure white. He locked eyes with you and you stared right back.

“Ah, students. it’s good you’ve gotten here in a timely manner.” Stillwater clasped her hands primly in her lap and gazed into your soul. “This is the Judge, he’ll be in charge of King Asgore’s security and prevention departments while the more trying portion of their reentry into society is underway. As the first contact, you three will be our ambassadors, though more specific to the college and then humanity in general.” She turned her eyes, and very slightly her chin, towards Sans. “I trust you can make introductions for yourself?”

“heh, sure thing. sans, sans the skeleton.” He had this ominous grin on his face, extending his hand towards Ming who flinched. You set your focus on the warrior and just prayed that he had a staggering amount of control. The mage in training took a deep breath through his nose and quashed his magic down, shaking the skeleton’s hand. A resounding flatulent sound proving there was a whoopie cushion attached to the monster’s palm. Ming to just stared slack-jawed at Sans.

Colin tried not to laugh, he really did. You just elbowed him in the ribs. Now was not the time for laughter, not when Sans soul oscillated at such a pace reading him was impossible. Since monsters didn’t have to rely on biochemical fall backs, it made sense to assume his tempo matched with his thoughts. Truly a terrifying mind.

“Is that all, Professor?” You kept your voice crisp, professional.

She smiled at you, a twinkle in her eyes. “Actually no. Mr. Sans, might I ask you to wait outside a moment? These three will be missing some academics with their new roles and we must set time for them to catch up on work.”

The monster shrugged. “sure thing, prof.”

He left, the door was locked, and the four mages still within sat in silence.

“He’s going to find us out, isn’t he Professor?” Your voice was pinched with worry. Last night still sent a crawling chill up your back the more you thought about it.

“I’m afraid so, my dear.” The aged mage knit her fingers together with an even sterner look to her. “The question remains whether it is better to be caught in a lie after trust is established or risk the total breakdown of any further cooperation on the truth. Colin, what do you think?”

“M-me? Well, um... the monsters must hate mages to an extent, but if they can be made aware that their own ambassador is also a mage, and a powerful one despite their age, we might be able to mend relations enough. If we can earn a word in the monster’s court then it will strengthen both our positions later. It may be too bold to commit such a plan... I’d like to consult Soul on her opinion of the Judge. She’s better at me when it comes to reading people, being a Bard and all.”

You jolted slightly in your recent seat, eyes fixed on Colin who briefly glanced at you. He blushed slightly and held his gaze away. So being singled out as a bard wasn’t the greatest feeling when it was used as a sole justifier for a talent or some other insight, but you were even more surprised by his deference to your decisions. You suppose it could be expected after all the time he’s know you, and you him. But sill... You bit your lower lip.

Stillwater nodded once. “And you, Ming?”

The warrior crossed his arms, casting glances at the closed door. “I don’t trust them quite so much. Monsterkind has been locked under a mountain for a thousand years or more. The war that put them there was fought by mages, their family, friends, and loved ones were killed by mages, enslaved by mages. Hatred for humanity, even mundies, could crop up at any moment in a just fervor that we will be forced to engage.” Ming lowered his eye, going silent in thought for a moment. “One wrong breeds another in a never ending cycle of violence, we should not give them the chance to throw a centuries past bloodbath in our faces. Once monsters are established, then it may be a more opportune time to step out of the shadows.” Ming looked to you with a solemn expression. “Only Soul can tell when that time will arrive. I’ve not met a better ‘musician’, Bard or no.”

On instinct your shoulders squashed upward, eyes widened slightly. That’s very high praise, you're not that good... There are those words again. Not good enough, never that skillful. You aren’t though. There are plenty of others who are better than you. You don’t deserve this faith, this trust. When it counts your voice will fail you and everything will come crashing down. You can’t even write one song without cheating. How are you ever going to change anything? You’ve only known Ming for a few days and he’s placing you on the same pedestal, deferring to your judgment, but why? I’m not so wise, or brave, or just that you should look up to me.

Your knuckles were practically white from gripping the upholstered chair arms.

“... child,” Stillwater placed her hand on your shoulder ripping you from paralyzed tunnel vision. Both the boys were looking at you with concern, exchanging glances. The Professor called your attention back with a slight clearing of her throat. “I understand there is much weight on this decision and I do not expect you to make it. The endorsement of one plan over another will only be suggested to the council. They will take action from there. You should take time. Really think it over and come back to me when your soul has decided. Please don’t take too long.”

Oh. You let out a slow breath and felt your nerves unwind. Of course they weren’t going to stick a college student with the most important choice in history. That would be moronic. Don’t have an inflated ego... Did that ghost from earlier rub off on you or was this your norm for high pressure situations. You can’t quite remember. Either way a decision you still had to make. A very impactful decision.

Ming shifted and finally stood. “Professor, will we be actually missing classes for our duties? Perhaps we should address this?”

“Yes,” she leaned forward on her massive oaken desk with a slight downward bow to her lips. “You three have different professors for your various classes, but to keep things simple, I recommend you speak to your faculty advisers. From there, we can be sure that all of you are on duty in some capacity over the majority of the day.” Stillwater straightened up and punched some numbers into her desk phone. “That being said, we first must determine what times would be most beneficial to King Asgore and his work.”

The phone rung for a few moments before the all too recognizable voice of Undyne shot through the speaker. Stillwater held the device a good foot away from her head, keeping a perfectly straight face as the fish monster went on a tirade about anime to someone in the background. “Hello?! Who is this and what do you want!?”

Ming stiffened behind you. He had taken to pacing, clearly lost in thought until Undyne’s direct address. There was something dark in his expression, hands shaking slightly at his sides. Though... he ‘sounded’ normal enough. Colin was also unsettled and if you were to be totally honest, so were you.

“Hello, Undyne. It’s Stillwater, from White Castle College. I have the student ambassadors with me and we would like to speak to the king. There are quite a few schedule changes to be hammered out.” The professor was completely unfazed by the monster’s loud and hostile shouting, a fact that made some amount of sense given the senior mage’s age and power. She smiled slightly and focused her attention back on what the monster was angrily belting out. Undyne just had no chill.

“Yes...” Stillwater flicked her finger and a pen leapt from her holder onto a sticky note, furiously scribbling down all the information it’s master received. “That would be a little trying on the students, but I’m sure they would be willing to accommodate... Very short notice of you, Undyne. I hope that isn’t spite in your tone. Our species will get nowhere if we too are hostile... Thank you, I’ll hold.” The professor adjusted the reading glasses perched on her mildly hooked nose, looking perfectly content with the goings on. You on the other hand were slightly slack jawed at how she had been able to understand any of that! Undyne may be loud but it all ran together for you, not a single syllable to be sorted out from the auditory onslaught that was the Captain of the Royal Guard's voice.

Colin had shifted closer to you. Ming had a hand on both your shoulder and Colin’s. It was an oddly protective gesture, but not entirely unwelcome at the moment. “So... our times then?” The warrior finally seemed to relax. You took a deep breath, no longer caught up by the ‘Undyne’ dilemma, your mind cycled right back to the issue at hand, what to tell monster kind. Your fingers twitched as you rung your jacket sleeves. Well, at least you had an emotion to preface your next musical score on, anxiety.

Times were set for being ‘on duty’, teachers to inform, all the while you were silently spiraling into a never ending cycle of self-doubt and panic. It felt like your soul might burst and then collapse in on itself at any moment. It certainly didn’t help that just as you left the building to go back to your dorm, the sparking buzz of magic scored up your spine and out the top of your head. It left a funny taste in your mouth and gave you a throbbing headache. “heya, kiddo. mind if i tag along?” The skeleton monster’s voice rumbled from just over your left shoulder, stiffening every joint in your body. The phrase ‘blood turned to ice’ was never more literal than at this moment. Your eyes flashed a bright green as you let out a startled shriek, whipping around to face Sans. His soul song blasting in your ears while your own soul burned in shock, ready to fight at any second.

“heh. no need to act so rattled, kiddo. yer looking pale as death, i don’ think that’s too healthy.”

You blinked quickly to force the magic from your eyes. Sans’ sockets appeared to be closed while he laughed so maybe he hadn’t seen? Either way, you were in no mood for this. “Don’t do that!” You hiss out in frustration at being simultaneously scared and deafened. Ow, ow ow ow. Why did monsters have to be so loud? How is Sans even that stealthy?! Your hands sought your temples as you rubbed the tension away.

“the sneaking or the puns?”

“Yes.”

The skeleton laughed and shrugged, moving to walk past you. “no need ta be a smart ass.”

You yelped in a very undignified manner, hands flying up into the air, and Sans shoved his own hand back into his hoodie pocket. The smirk on his face, erg! You really wanted to wipe that smug grin right off his shiny, white skull. “Did you just make a pun, and copa feel on me at the sametime.” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement of extreme displeasure and disbelief. You caught up to him, ready to give this skeleton a piece of your mind when you noticed the look in his eye lights. He was daring you to make a scene. How this played out was entirely up to you, either kick up a fuss or chew him out in private. Either way, Sans was going to get it, but one could potentially damage monster-human relations, monsters as students on campuses all across the country, and general civic policy as well.

You glared at him, previous shyness forgotten. “Don’t think you’re off the hook for that. Once we get to my dorm, I swear to Asgore I’m going to.... to-” you cut yourself off in an aggravated snarl at the way Sans’ grin just kept getting wider. It’s gonna be too big for his stupid head in a moment. Gods, why did I say ‘we’ and ‘my dorm’ in the same sentence? Idiot! “Ugh, whatever. C’mon, if you’re going to follow me around anyway.”

“don’ mind if i do.”

Seething, you trudge back to your dorm, sign the skeleton in at the front desk-- much to the dorm monitor’s bewilderment-- and dragging yourself up the stairs to your room. “My roommate might not be back yet, just be prepare for her to freak out seeing you.”

Sans’ posture went ridged and you huffed a sigh. He clearly took that to the extreme negative. The lock clicked open and you turned to look at him.

“She wouldn’t shut up about making friends with a monster this morning, nearly ran out of the dorm with her clothes on inside out and the like... Don’t tell her I said that by the way.”

The monster visible relaxed again, his tempo slowing down somewhat as you pushed the door open. Like you thought, she was still out. Well, at least you wouldn’t have to worry about her reaction to Sans. You dropped your keys in the bowl and shrugged off your jacket, pacing into your room to grab your laptop. No way were you letting him out of your sight for a while yet, but you did need to email teachers about classes and new obligations that might take your time from their courses.

You dropped onto the couch with a grunt and a shrugging gesture to the many seats around the small living room space. Sans took the hint and made himself comfortable while you flicked on the TV. It was still on the news station which didn’t seem awful, but really you just wanted something on as background. They were still running through the press conference from earlier, though there was more commentary about the event this time from various liberal and conservative sources. The monster lounging on your favorite beanbag chair snapped his attention to the screen pretty quickly, engrossed in the subject matter as it pertained to his future most heavily. For a moment, you imagined what it would be like to be in his... slippers. If and when mages were outed to the world, the news could very well demonize your people as well, if the heated debate about national security was any indication.

Realistically there was very little you could do as one person, as one college student, as one mage, among thousands and thousands of mundies. You had to retype a sentence for a third time having been distracted the first two times by Sans, the news, and your shaking hands.

By the time you had finished the ‘debate’ was largely over leaving a sour taste in your mouth.

“The fact remains,” one anchor raised her voice to be heard above the shouting match that had broken out, “King Asgore refuses to tell us anything by way of what his people are capable of, and that just isn’t safe!”

“I think he has a right to deny humans that information, Martha. Just look at them, monsters, living folktales that, surprise, surprise, aren’tfolktales! Look at what humans have done! We don’t have the right to demand that information from him.”

Just before the shouting could start again, the moderator intervened. “That has to be the last word for today. Next up will be Joseph Aizen with the twelve-o’clock outlook. Joe.”

There was a brief pause as the feed switched over to Joe Aizen, but that was typical of all live news coverage. “Thank you, Thom. Several nations are reporting protests, demanding a ban on immigration from the middle-east as conflicts there continue to rise, some say things have taken a turn for the worst. Unsurprisingly the United Nation has yet to take an official stance on the rising tensions but it is expected that they will be calling for cross national aide.

“In other news, the HMS Dominion, a replica cruse frigate, has yet to be recovered after disappearing from the British sovereign territories just last week, no word has been received from any of the sixty plus crew members and families are growing restless. Authorities have had no leads on the missing vessel, and the royal navy has released statements saying the GPS tracker and black box placed on board have both been deactivated making tracking impossible at this time.

“Japan has declared a state of emergency, evacuating the eastern coastal cities and recommending citizens get to higher ground as an out of season tropical storm is brewing a few miles off shore. Weather centers have cited the hurricane as category four and are estimating several billions in property damage if it continues to gain speed in the next few days. All in al-”

You switch off the TV and take a deep breath. “It’s not as fantastic as you all imagined, hu?”

Sans looked over at you, a serious bend to his smile. “well-”