Shadowed

You don't get it, what the hell happened? Why did Frisk reset? As far as Gaster and yourself knew, they were still alive and well when it happened.

Bidding goodbye to Toriel once more, you descend into her basement, twirling some gold in between your fingers and looking at the simple yet intricate patterns ingraved into it.

You still can't believe monsters had so much pure gold they'd use it losely like this.

I mean, 7 golds for only one donut? You could probably buy a brand new car with the same amount back on the surface!

'Tell me again why exactly i've been randomly given money by those monsters?' You sigh.

It's for your service. Just a quick 'thank you' from them for your sacrifice. Remember, they overheard you and the queen discussing about the war.

You huff, fliping the coin then catching it and repeating. 'It's too much... I don't deserve it. My grandma wasn't even born back when it happened. I feel like I robbed those monsters...' 

You didn't have much choice now, did you? You have to maintain your front. He tries to reassure you.

Closing the door to the Ruins and turning to the frost desert, you scoff, grumbling your agreement and flip the coin once more.

"It doesn't make it right though..."

The precious mineral flies out of trajectory ,ending up too far from your grasping hand and down in the cold snow at your feet instead. Rolling your eyes, you lean foward to go fetch it, but before you do a gostly black hand brings it right back in front of your face without your own imput into the action. You take the gold piece slowly, maybe a bit stunned, and elect to put it away and start to walk again, thanking Gaster.

'You've been doing this more frequently lately.'

You noticed.

You hum positively.

Yes, I'm starting to get the hang of all that magic of yours. I believe, in no time, I should be able to assist you more efficiently in your little quest.

You smile as the hand he materialized, who had yet to vanish, gesticulates accordingly to his words in around of you.

To be honest, I'm also trying to keep myself busy... it has been a while since the last time I've had something even remotely significant to do.

You giggle silently. 'Knock yourself out then.'

''HEY, YOU!''

You jump in absolute fright, rapidly getting in a defensive stance and looking up foward. There you see the culprit, heading decisively your way in all his glory.

Quite the glamourous display if 'glory' you must add.

''YES YOU!''

The tall skeleton finally stops a few meters ahead, quickly gasping in quite the theatrical manner.

''OH MY, A SKELETON!? WHY HELLO THERE BRETHREN! I'M ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED TO FINALLY MEET SOMEONE LIKE ME AND MY BROTHER.''

Oh, so they're brothers? Wait, what the hell is this guy on? This lunatic who pointed all those weapons on your baby before is now acting like his life is all but sunshine and rainbows. Is he making fun of you?

'Innocent' resonnates into your thoughts.

Gaster sighs uncomfortably. Believe me when I tell you, this boy is very far from being a danger to you, to the child or anyone for that matter...

The aforementioned skeleton pouts awkwardly before erasing the look from his face with a broad smile and marching on towards you. You're almost hypnotized by the amount of mouvement his face can produce. You come back to reality when he quickly pats you on the back. The strenght of the action actually make you stumble forwards before you regain your balance.

''THERE THERE, I'M AWARE AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE GREAT PAPYRUS CAN SOMETIMES BE A BIT TOO FORMIDABLE FOR THE AVERAGE MONSTER, BUT I PROMISE THAT MY PEARLY-WHITE GRIN DOES NOT BITE!"

"EVEN IF IT'S ALWAYS ON DISPLAY NYEHEHEHE!'' His nervous cackle quickly dies out in his the back of his throat.

''E-EHM. A-ANYWAY WITH AN ENERGY NEARLY AS IMPRESSIVE AS MINE, I'M SURE YOU'RE AWARE YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR! R-RIGHT?''

I'd advise agains't intimidating him like this dearest...

You take a breath in, intent on ignoring how your mind keeps screaming at you, trying to remind you how aggressive he's been toward Frisk and not to trust him. You finally calm down and give him a little nod to which he answers with another little laugh. His gaze snaps to the empty guard post not too far behind the two of you and like a switch, he returns to his dramatic self.

He huff in indignation. ''OH BY ASGORE, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT, HE DESERTED HIS POST ONCE AGAIN!!'' He repeatedly stomps his foot on the spot. ''HE'S ASSURED ME HE'D BE HERE TODAY! I WAS JUST ABOUT TO CONGRADULATE HIM ON HIS HARD WORK BUT IT APPEARS HE'S DECEIVED ME YET AGAIN, THAT LAZYBONE!''

You snort, lazybone. The tall skeleton, Papyrus you believe, turns to you, actually blushing and clearing his throat.

''MY APOLOGIES, BUT YOU WOULDN'T HAVE HAPENNED TO SEE MY BROTHER WOULD YOU? HE'S ABOUT YEE-HIGH, WEARING A BLUE SWEATER.'' He puts his arm near his hipbone.

You look at him weirdly before huffing out a laugh, shaking your head in disbelief. He's a skeleton for god's sake, you're not even sure he needs that much description for people to recognise him. You shrug, briefly pointing towards Snowdin and then waving.Before you even have the time to take a step away, Papyrus calls to you.

''W-WAIT, LET ME JOIN YOU! THIS WAY I CAN BOTH PROTECT YOU FROM ANY POTENTIAL TROUBLE AND TRY TO FIND MY USELESS BROTHER, WITH YOUR ASSISTANCE OF COURSE! WHAT DO YOU SAY? IT WILL BE MUTUALY BENEFICIAL!''

Both you and Gaster tense up and you rapidly shake your head no. Before his expression twists too much, you sign 'Sorry, I'm actually very busy, I don't have the time.'

The tall skeleton frowns momentarily before answering almost gleefully.

''OH, ALRIGHT THEN, I'LL HELP YOU FIRST!'' You shake your head once more, growing a bit impatient.

Seriously? Does everyone actually understand sign language down here?

'Listen, Papyrus. I'm very thankful, but this is official business. You can't help me.'

''OFFICIAL BUSINESS? BUT OF COURSE! NYEHEHE, DO NOT FRET, I'M A ROYAL GUARD MYSELF!'' He bumps his chest proudly with his fist.

Damn it.

''I'M ON HUMAN DUTY, I OVERSEE EVERY TRAP MEANT TO CATCH ONE AND I'VE YET TO LET ONE OUT OF MY GRASP! NYEHEHEHEHE!''

You frown behind your mask, glaring, anger seething.

Breath in, please.

''OF COURSE, I'VE ALSO YET TO UNCOVER ONE, SNEAKY LITTLE THINGS, BUT IT DOES NOT CHANGE MY PERFECT SCORE NOW DOES IT? NYEH!''

You sigh, this discussion is not heading anywhere.

An idea pops into your head. Thanks to all of Wing Ding's rambling, you're pretty sure this could work. Might work.

You get you phone out. 'Tell you what kid, I give you my phone number and you call me if anything new pops out here while I'm gone, alright?'

You swear, his eye sockets sparkle at that.

'Can I trust you with that task? It's very important.'

He nod his head so fast you barely see his expression of absolute glee while he, quite literally quakes in his own boots.

''YES! YES YES YES YES! I WILL NOT FAIL YOU!''

You giggle silently, almost feeling bad for your earlier apprehensions towards him.

Keyword, almost.

You give him you number and, after about twenty more minutes of ''discussion'' and assuring him you'll do the same if you find his brother, he finaly let's you go.

Much to the relief of both you and the scientist.

______________________________________________________

Arriving at Snowdin, you grumble under your breath in frustration. Still no sign of the kid. Gaster somehow also has quite the issue in trying to locate them himself. Something about, their energy expanding too far from themselves to allow any efficient tracking.

Whatever that means. 

You look at the peacefull roads of the town, it must be around midday since everybody is either snacking, heading home or gathering at what looks like a bar maybe? You look at the cozy atmosphere of the building.

Meh, might as well follow. You'll try to ask around if anybody saw them.

Penny for your thought darling?

'A drink maybe?'

Are you being serious? He adds, disconcerted.

You giggle mutely, pushing the door of the place called Grillby's. 

'Yes. I find that drunks are usually more honest than the average person when you ask them a question.'

...Alright.

Do be carefull then.

'Of course G.'

''I-I'll take him next Grillbz if he-*hic* he's on the menu! *hic*''

A couple of patrons laugh while you turn to the source of the voice, finding a very inebriated bunny intently checking you out.

Looks like you're the taste of the day.

You brush the scientist's discomfort away, smirking.

You strut confidently in, saluting them with a blown kiss and a quick bow, acting like the perfect peacock and strutting confidently. This efficiently make them melt back onto their table with a satisfied sigh and raises another laugh from the patrons.

'I learned very early in my life that you can diffuse any situations with a bad joke or flirting. Right guy at the right time, always works.' You tell your disembodied friend.

Yes well, this will remain your little trick... I'd much ratter use my own methods. He answers blandly.

'Your loss.' You giggle.

You sit yourself at the bar by the giant bird monster and-

Well well well, if it isn't the rogue skeleton Papyrus was looking for. He is slacking on the job.

He's also looking at you like you've spontaniously grown a second head.

Right, rare skeletons be rare.

Before you have a chance to utter a word to eachother, a fire elemental approach you from the other side of the bar. His flames dance lazily above his head, the heat almost licking the ceiling and warming you right up. You lean forward comfortably, trying your best not to make it too obvious that you're leeching off his heat.

Geez, you almost want to ask his companionship for the rest of the road.

He's so warm, and well dressed at that. You wait patiently for a greeting or really anything from him, but he just stays there, completely silent.

You're rendered nearly completely uncomfortable when the bird beside you suddenly speaks up.

''Grillbz's asking if you want anything?''

With everyone's eyes on you you lift your hands.

'A glass of the good stuff please? No ice.' Grillby visibly stutters in his actions, looking at you intently for a moment, as does the skeleton beside you.

'Is... something wrong?'

At that, the elemental recomposes himself on the spot, passing his hand through his locks of fire with an almost silent crackling growl and seeming to snap himself out of some sort of stupor. He quickly signs himself.

'Pardon me, you were just... familliar... for a moment.'

Ah, another mute, you nod, that explains everyone's random understanding of you. He turns away, to his liquor collection. Looking at his back, you miss the look Sans sends him, knowing full well what might've actually just happen to his friend.

You heart fills with what you can assume is only pure melancholy. You cough uncomfortably, almost sickened by it and attempt to shake it off with a few shrugs. Your heart is squeezing almost painfully.

'Hey hey, what's going on Wing Ding? I need you to calm down, please? I'm about to have a panic attack over here.'

I'm, I'm sorry...

'It's fine, just tell me what I need to do. How can I help?'

You thoughtlessly lean a bit towards the little skeleton. The feel of you right at this moment is actually getting Sans quite worried. You're plain as day not feeling well, you don't even bother hiding it. He's actually getting scared you might fall down right on the spot.

It takes him a good few seconds, but Gaster eventually answers. It's fine dear. I just knew him... very well.

Oh no.

'He was your friend, wasn't he? Shit, I'm so sorry G, I shouldn't have come here.' You move to stand up.

Both the ghostly grasp of Gaster and the blue clad skeleton hold you to your seat. You snap your head to the smaller skeleton. 

No, it's fine. I just got caught by suprise.

'Please' Please, continue.

Sans removes his hold on you, lifting his hand in the air.

''Hey bud, you okay there? Sorry I grabbed you, you didn't look too peachy y'know.'' He shrugs nervously.

Dammit, now your headache is coming back. Your heart is stuttering too, what the hell is wrong with you? You take a long breath in, trying your damn best to calm your over-the-top reaction and lift a hand to the eyesockets of your mask, waiting for your tremors to become more reasonable.

'I'm fine.' You huff. 

'Life just hasn't been very generous to me lately.' He nods, humming in acknowledgement.

''Gotcha.'' He say before lifting up a bottle of ketchup to his mouth.

You scrunch up your nose in utter disbelief. Seriously, monsters, what the hell? You do your best restraining the disconcerted laugh bubbling in your throat and turn to Grillby as he hands you your drink. You move to sign your thanks, touching the lower par of your mouth and realising you won't actually be able to drink it.

'Ehm, would you have a straw by any chance? I... Eh, lost my lower mandible...'

You raise your glass.

'I can't drink this...'

The barman nod and quickly hands you one, apologetically signing.

'Here sir.'

'Ma'am.' You correct, taking the straw. 'Thank you so much.'

Without further ado, the elemental bows and leaves to the back. You put the straw in your glass, sliding the tip in between the teeth of your mask and take a quick sip.

Wow, you fight off a cough, this stuff is strong.

You set down your drink, noticing how Sans keeps trying to sneak glances your way. Gaster really went quiet since his last few words. You don't even feel him right now...

Well, might as well question the other skeleton beside you while waiting. After all, wherever Frisk appeared he always seemed close by.

As he sneaks another look, you quickly sign. 'So...' catching his attention. 'Ever got misgendered too with that slim figure of yours?'