Toriel
Ludo smoked his last cigarette on the curb of one of the side streets in the under city. He sneered as he flicked the used up butt to the ground. He looked at his watch and grimaced. If his contact didn’t show up soon then he was going to be late for Big Sam’s funeral. God dammit, why was everyone trying his patients lately? He had just become the don of half the fucking crime rings in Ebott and still he was kept waiting. He supposed that’s just what he got for working with monsters.
“Hey there don.” a sly voice sounded. Ludo’s icy eyes snapped to the direction of the greeting in the shadows of the ally way before they narrowed angrily.
“You’re late.” He snapped.
“Yesh, not even a day on the throne and you’re already demanding.” The voice replied as the figure made its way out of the shadows and in to the light. “I can’t wait to see how you’ll use your power when you actually get used to its weight.” Jack continued, with a smooth smirk. Ludo’s eye brow twitched.
“You better watch that sass monster. I usually make a habit of killing the contacts that exercise too much lip.” He growled. Jack just shrugged, not intimidated in the slightest.
“And I usually don’t take jobs from humans, but see that’s where we meet eye to eye, where both desperate. Me for cash, and you for info, so let’s get this deal over with and then we can each go back to our respectable sides of the city.” He said. Ludo smirked. He had to admit that the mutt was right.
“So, I take it that you were able to find out what I paid you for?” He asked.
“Ya, I found the girl, the Pansies human contact, but you arn’t gonna be too happy about where she is.” Jack said, a mischievous glint in his eye.
“Well, lucky for you I only paid you for the information of her whereabouts, not to keep me happy so spill already.” Ludo said growing impatient.
“she’s living at Grillby’s.” Jack replied. “Right above the bar.” Ludo’s grin turned downward at the news. Dammit, Grillby’s was the main gathering place for the Pansies. There was no way that he would be able to get to her there, it was practically a fortress.
“There’s more.” Jack said visibly pleased by Ludo’s now sour disposition. “A friend of mine has taken her under his wing of sorts. She’s a pretty protected little gem, even I couldn’t get close enough to get her out in the open, so I’m gonna give you back the half of the payment you gave me to lure her out.” Jack explained.
“You’re quitting on me?” Ludo said a dangerous edge to his voice.
“Afraid so, I don’t like to make a habit of double crossing friends. The girl I got no attachment to so I can dig up more dirt on her if you want, but Sans is a whole other can of worms that I would very much rather leave alone.” Jack explained.
“This friend of your’s, is he a skeleton by chance?” Ludo asked. Jack cocked his head to the side in interest.
“Oh have you two already met? Boy, I bet that would have been quite the spectacle.” He said with a laugh. Ludo was silent for a moment as he paused in thought.
“I’m guessing by your story that he lives at the bar as well in order to keep a close eye on that gem of his?” Ludo continued, his cold eyes locked on the coyote. “Is he the reason why you couldn’t get close?” he said, noting Jacks growing nervousness.
"Hey now, I already told you, I don’t sell info when it comes to friends.” Jack said, his grin slipping. Ludo smiled.
“No worries there monster, you already told me what I needed to know.” He said as he turned on his heels. “Oh and keep the other half of the payment. You provided me with so much more then what I could have asked for.” He said as he left.
Jack stayed in the ally for a moment longer, feeling suddenly very unsettled by the crime boss’s jaunty change of attitude toward his supposed to be bad news. He then turned tail and headed back to Ebott square. There was no use thinking about it anymore the deal was done. He got his money and he had delivered the info, what ever happened now was out of his hands.
Ludo briskly made his way to the cemetery where Big Sam’s funeral was taking place. He quietly merged himself in to the group that was surrounded around the coffin as the priest gave a final blessing. Gaster raised a brow bone at the new Dons tarty appearance.
“You’re late, that is unlike you.” He whispered as Ludo slipped stealthily up beside him.
“I had some business to deal with, sue me.” Ludo growled quietly back .
“And what business would that be?” Gaster asked, clearly not going to drop the subject until he got an explanation.
Ludo rolled his eyes. Though he had the title of don over the Gambino’s, it was already very clear who the real boss of the organization was, and he absolutely hated how Gaster had him under his thumb. Reluctantly he turned to answer the question.
“I just purchased some information on the whereabouts of the Pansie’s human contact.” He said. To Ludo's surprise Gaster chuckled under his breath.
“You’re still after that girl? Ludo honestly, it surprises me how attached you are to your grudges.” He teased. Ludo sneered at Gasters taunt.
“It was Big Sam’s final order to me, and I also have a score to settle with that brat. If I’m gonna make a good show at being the ruthless new head of the Gambinos then I can’t let her get away with what she did.” He explained. Gaster only rolled his eyes.
“It sounds like a waste of time in my opinion.” he said. “but I suppose if it will keep you busy then I can’t complain.” Ludo scowled.
“You really should have just finished her off when you first had her.” Gaster continued. “It would have saved you a lot of trouble.”
“I was going to!” Ludo snapped quietly back. “But there was something off about that girl. She wouldn’t break.” He continued remembering the last encounter that he had with the Pansies contact in the shed. Gaster turned his head to him in slight interest.
“What do you mean off?” He asked.
“I don’t know.” Ludo said. “There was something up with her eyes, they changed.” He explained. Gaster stiffened.
“Changed how?” He asked more adamantly.
“Their colour, they were brown but then they turned red. It creeped me out a bit.” Ludo answered, his brow furrowed in concentration as he replayed the memory. Gaster was silent by his side.
“Ludo.” Gaster suddenly said as he turned to face the ceremony again. “If you do find that girl again I want you to bring her to me alive.”
“What?!” Ludo shot back angrily, almost a little too loudly. “Like hell I’m gonna do that! I got a score to settle her and I ain’t just going to let you take that away from me!” He spat. “Why the hell do you want her anyway?!” Gaster remained calm and collected as he looked onward at the coffin now being lowered into the dark and cold awaiting open earth.
“I can’t say for sure.” He replied. “If my hypothesis is wrong however then I won’t meddle with your vengeance, but it is something that requires looking into and I expect you to follow my instructions.” Ludo winced and ground his teeth together in frustration as again he was reminded that he wasn’t really the one in control.
“Fine.” Ludo muttered under his breath. “I’ll get her to you alive, but don’t expect her to be in the best condition.” he spat as he turned and headed away from the rest of the crowed now that the funeral had ended.
Gaster narrowed his sockets as he watched Ludo leave. That mobster was a loose canon and Gaster knew that he would have to keep him on a short leash if he didn’t want him to ruin his operation. Thankfully, Ludo seemed to be cooperating, for now at least, and that was all that he could hope for. This news however, of the red eyed girl was something that sparked a bit of excitement in his soul. He reminded himself not to get his hopes up as it was more than unlikely that his old experiment had survived for all of these years. Though if it was indeed who he thought it was, he was more than curious to see how his little project had developed over the time spent apart.
Frisk stirred as she awoke in her room the next day. She sighed to herself as she sat up in her bed. She knew that she should be happy. Everyone had enjoyed her gifts for the most part, and she was so pleased to be able to surprise them, but she just felt disappointed with herself. She had chickened out when it came to Sans present.
She was getting really tired of this nervousness that seemed to flutter in her soul whenever she was around him, and though she had really wanted to be there when he opened his gift, she ended up running away and hiding like a child.
Frisk huffed as she pulled herself out of bed and got dressed for the day. She would have to ask him at least, she wanted to make sure that he had actually liked the present. She had doubted herself all night after she had given in to her cowardliness and opted to just leave the present in his room. She kept thinking that she had gotten it wrong, and that the last thing that Sans would want was a tie. He hated ties after all.
Frisk shook her dismal thoughts away as she exited her room to go to the brother’s apartment for breakfast. If she did get it wrong then she would just have to try again, no sense worrying about it anymore.
Sans was up a little earlier then usual as he prepared to greet the day with a barrage of jokes and puns he had already planned. He steadily did up his new fish tie around his neck, actually putting care into doing it up nice and making sure that it was neatly centered in the middle of his color. He threw his reflection a wink as he made his way out of his room ready to show off his new treasure.
Papyrus and Frisk were talking quietly at the table in the kitchenette, both of them holding a cup of tea as they enjoyed the peaceful morning. Sans grin stretched larger across his scull as he prepared to make his grand entrance.
“Morning Paps, morning kid.” He greeted as he waltzed his way into the kitchen. Papyrus cheerily turned toward him.
“GOOD MORNIGN BROTH-.”But his greeting was cut off as he eyed the hideous thing hanging from Sans neck.
“BROTHER WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU WEARING?” He asked, his once happy tone quickly taking on an annoyed edge. Frisk raised a hand over her mouth in an effort to stifle her snickers. The thing was even more ridiculous then she had remembered it being.
“Oh this?” Sans said as he made a show of gesturing to his new tie. “It’s pretty neat isn’t it? Not that I’m fishing for compliments or anything.” He replied with a very satisfied smirk. Papyrus brow twitched and Frisk snorted as she tried even harder to crush her giggles.
“OH NO.” Papyrus said quietly already knowing what was coming.
“Heh, so bro water you think of my new style it’s pretty fintastic don’t you think?” Sans continued as he took his seat at the table. Frisk placed another hand over her mouth, now she was shaking from her suppressed laughter. Papyrus turned away not wanting to provoke Sans even more.
“Oh sorry was that a baited question?” Sans continued, not at all worried that Papyrus was ignoring him.
“How about you kid?” Sans said turning his smug grin to Frisk. She stiffened as she tried fiercely to subdue her giggles. “Tell me what you think? Don’t leave me on the line, let minnow.”Frisk snorted, as she couldn’t contain her laughter any longer, before breaking out in to hysterics. Sans sat extremely pleased with himself.
“Wow, looks like you both need time to mullet over.” sans continued, making Frisk laugh even harder. Papyrus began to shake with rage.
“SANS STOP!” He screamed.
“Awe Paps, don’t be mad. You know I just can’t resist the oper- tuna -ty.” Sans said cracking another smile. Frisk doubled over.
“SANS, FRISK NEEDS TO BREATH.” Papyrus said, now becoming a little worried.
“Ok ok, I know when the jokes over.” Sans replied as he gave Frisk the chance to settle back down. Besides, he didn’t want to waste all of his fish jokes in one go. Frisk sighed deeply as she caught her breath and wiped a tear from her eye.
“FRISK ARE YOU ALRIGHT?” Papyrus asked, She nodded back to him still feeling a little bubbly.
“Ya I’m fine. Sorry Papyrus, I guess I should have thought of the consequences before I bought Sans that tie.” She said. “He really krakens me up.” Papyrus paused for a moment as he processed her pun. Sans howled with laughter, then Papyrus slowly turned away.
“Paps…” Sans called between his bouts of chuckles. “Paps wait, where are you going?” He asked.
“I’M GOING BACK TO BED YOU TWO ARE INSUFFERABLE.” Papyrus said as he closed his door swiftly behind him. Sans continued to snicker.
“Oh no, maybe I should apologize.” Frisk said, feeling a little guilty for pushing Papyrus over the edge.
“Eh, don’t worry kid he’s fine.” Sans replied said with a shrug. “I mean he’s been putting up with me for the last twenty years or so, One more joke isn’t gonna krill him.” Frisk giggled and nodded back, but decided that she would anyway after Sans went to work.
“The tie looks good on you by the way.” She said with a smile. “I’m glad you’re making good use of it.”
“Well heh, I didn’t want to disappoint. I mean this things full of potential.” Sans replied.
“You definitely delivered.” Frisk said with a laugh. Sans smiled back. He was just starting to get comfortable when he noticed the time. Unfortunately, he had to get going if he wanted to get his work done for today.
“Sorry to cut this short, but I gotta run kid.” he said as he pulled himself out of his chair and grabbed for the car keys.
“Oh ok, well have a good day.” Frisk said as she watched him go. Sans shot her a wave before he headed out the door and through the bar to the Buick parked on the side of the street.
He had already discussed taking a personal day off from work with Asgore on the phone the night before, after he had learned about Frisks mothers whereabouts, and as expected the boss had agreed since he still did owe Sans a heck of a lot. Sans sat back in the driver’s seat as he hung his arm loosely out of the car window. It was a beautiful day out, and Sans couldn’t think of a better time to go for a drive through the country side. The birds were singing, and the flowers were blooming, a light breeze blew through his open window and the sun shown warmly down on his bones. He made a mental note to take trips like this more often. He forgot sometimes how much stress accumulated on his shoulders from city life. As he passed a small winding river he noticed a perfect spot by its bank that would make a great picnic area. He wondered if Frisk would like that. Maybe when she, papyrus, and him had some time off together again he could drive them out here for a relaxing afternoon by the river. He smiled at the idea. It sounded like heaven.
A few hours later and Sans reached his destination. It was a quaint little cottage with a big blooming garden covering the front yard. The place looked like it belonged in one of mother gooses fairy tales. Sans took a deep breath of the sweetly scented air as he made it up the garden path. As well as the flowers, sans could make out the faintest whiff of cinnamon and butterscotch. Someone must have just finished baking something and placed it on the windowsill to cool. Sans chuckled, this place really was heaven.
As he made it up to the cottage, Sans noticed the welcome mat beneath his feet. He smiled warmly at the message before he rapt a knuckle on the front door. No one answered. Sans glanced over his shoulder. A little fiat was in the driveway, so he knew that they weren’t out on the road, and he did smell freshly baked goods, which should mean that someone was home. Sans knocked again. Still no one answered. Sans paused and cocked his head in slight confusion. Maybe she was gardening in the back? Sans was about to take a peek in the back yard, when he heard something shuffle from behind the door, before he heard the sound of a drawer being pulled out. Someone was definitely in the house. Sans cleared his throat.
“Um, hello?” He called, but there was no reply. Sans furrowed a brow bone. This was a little odd. Sans reached forward for the handle and found that it was unlocked. He paused before taking a step inside. He knew that it was rude to enter in to someone’s home without permission, but he really did want to talk to the lady, and he knew that he wouldn’t get another chance to come all the way out here again anytime soon.
“Anybody home?” Sans called again as he scanned over the little foyer area. It was empty. Sans scratched at his skull, he could have sworn that he heard somebody in here. Then an all to familiar metallic click of a gun being cocked sounded from right behind his skull.
“What are you doing in my house?” A very firm and authoritative female voice demanded from behind him. Sans stiffened and slowly raised His hands up in a gesture of surrender.
“Easy now miss.” He said as calmly as he could. “I’m not here to cause any trouble.” The gun was then nudged hard into his back making him flinch.
“And what does a city slicker like you want with me?” The lady asked clearly not intending to put her weapon away.
“Just to talk.” Sans replied the women huffed in disbelief.
“You’re one of the Pansies arn’t you?” She asked, and Sans was actually shocked that she had guessed correctly. “I knew Asgore would send someone to find me eventually.” She continued. Now sans was even more confused. Who the heck was this woman, and what would Asgore want with her?
“Uh well, you’re half right.” Sans said. “I’m a member of the Pansies, but I’m not here on any Pansy business. in fact, my boss doesn’t even know about this.” He explained. The women paused.
“You’re lying.” She stated and Sans shook his head.
“Nope, I got your address from a pal of mine concerning a human kid that you adopted around ten years ago or so?” Sans said. The women audibly gasped, and pushed the nozzle of the gun harder into his spine.
“What about her?!” She demanded.
“Well I thought you might want to know where your daughter was.” Sans said the women hesitated.
“You know where she is?” She asked almost hopeful. Sans nodded slowly, and then the weapon was removed from his back. He sighed in relief as he lowered his hands, before turning around. When he confronted his assailant however, he stood rigid in surprise. A large regal looking goat monster stood before him. She was in a floral skirt, blouse, and sun hat. She eyed him suspiciously and still held the gun by her side protectively.
Now Sans had joined the Pansies after the whole ordeal had occurred between Asgore and his family so he had never met the boss’s estranged wife in person, but every member, new and old, of the Pansies knew of lady Toriel as she was the mastermind behind much of the Pansies great success. Well, before she had went into hiding that is.
“….this is certainly a surprise.” Sans said absolutely floored to be confronted with his boss’ missing wife. Toriel narrowed her eyes at him.
“Why don’t we discuss this further over some tea?” She said, and Sans knew that it was not a suggestion as he nodded stiffly before moving forward into the living room as she directed him forward with the gun.
He ended up sitting on a rose patterned sofa adorned with lace doylies as Toriel brought over a china tea set, as well as a few slices of some sort of cinnamon and butterscotch pie that had previously been cooling on the window sill. Sans cleared his throat definitely feeling more than a little bit awkward as Toriel passed him a slice of pie.
“Cream or sugar?” She asked as she poured the freshly brewed tea into a flower patterned tea cup.
“Just a little cream thanks.” Sans answered. Toriel nodded as she stirred in the dairy, before passing the beverage over to Sans. He took it graciously. Toriel then poured herself some tea as well, before settling back into her beige arm chair and fixing Sans with an expectant gaze.
“Explain.” She said sternly. Sans rubbed the back of his neck as he tried to find the right words to tell his story.
“Well um, your daughter, Frisk, let me just start off by saying that she’s doing fine.” Sans began and he could visibly see Toriel relax at his comment as her harsh stare seemed to soften a bit.
“She uh, well she’s working as a member of the Pansies.” Sans continued, and just as soon as Toriel’s stern eyes had tempered they were alight again with anger and accusation. Sans winced.
“Pardon me?” She asked darkly.
“Look the kid hasn’t exactly led an easy life up till now. She’s been on the streets working for gangs for pocket change since she left the orphanage.” Sans said in his and his organizations defense. “I know that this situation isn’t ideal, but She’s actually making a decent living. She has a real roof over her head and protection.”
“She was living on the streets?” Toriell asked, her voice growing soft as guilt settled heavily across her features.
“Ms. Dreemurr.” Sans began, only for the women sitting across from him to flinch at the name.
“Toriel.” She corrected.
“Right sorry, Toriel.” Sans said trying again. “I really had no idea that she had any relation to you, and neither does Asgore. In all honesty this is really just a crazy coincidence.” He explained. “I wanted to find you because Frisk told me about you being her adoptive mother, and well, I thought that you might be able to shed a little light on her past.” Toriel sat silently for a moment as she furrowed her brows in quite concentration.
“Asgore doesn’t know about this?” She asked. Sans shook his head.
“Does Frisk know?” She continued.
“No ma’am.” Sans answered. “I wasn’t sure if you were still interested in seeing her again so I thought that I would keep this quiet until I got you side of the story.” Toriel looked sadly down into her tea cup.
“I did want to keep her you know.” She began. When I first took her home I immediately wanted to protect her and take her away from how harsh life could be. I really thought I could do it. I thought that I could give her a good home and a family.” Toriel smiled sadly to herself as she revisited the happier years of her past.
“I suppose it was selfish of me to make that promise to her when I knew deep down that I wouldn’t be able to keep it. I never wanted to believe it, but I knew that she couldn’t really ever be mine. The world just wouldn’t allow it.”
“Is that why you gave her up?” Sans asked and Toriel snapped her gaze toward him, her expression full of surprise and pain.
“….so she told you.” She said and Sans nodded.
“She dosent really like to talk about it much.” He added.
“I thought that what I was doing was for the best.” Toriel confessed. “I was sure that a nice human family would come and take care of her. I stayed in contact with the orphanage to make sure that that would happen, but then they told me that she ran away and my heart broke.” She said as her eyes grew watery.
“I was so worried, I looked everywhere for her, but I could never find her. I can’t believe that I allowed this to happen. I basically just left her in a gutter didn’t I?” she finished sadly. Sans stiffened at her wobbly tone as he forced what he hoped was a pleasing smile on to his face.
“Hey now, you did what you thought was best. Heh, no need to bleat yourself up about it.” He said with a wink. Toriel froze as she registered his pun, before she snickered and raised a hand to her face in an attempt to hide her laughter. Sans relaxed and let out the breath that he was holding. well at least he could rely on his humor to help him break through the ice.
“Is she angry with me?” Toriel then asked shyly.
“I’d say she’s more sad then angry.” Sans replied. “That girls really got no talent when it comes to holding grudges.” Toriel smiled.
“She really was always such a sweet child.” She said.
Sans scratched at the back of his neck as he contemplated his next move. Things had most definitely turned out more complicated than he had originally planned. He wasn’t certain if it was still such a good idea to go through with his proposal and offer Toriel a chance to reconcile with Frisk. It would be very risky. And he wasn’t all too sure about how his boss would feel if he inevitably got word of this. It would either be very good for him, or very bad. Sans sighed as he decided to chance it. Besides, even if he did extend the invitation to Toriel it would still be her choice weather or not she wanted to accept it.
“So uh, you know if you want, I can take you to her.” He said. Toriel’s eyes lit up at the idea.
“She would want to see me?” She asked hopefully.
“Well she still does refer to you as her mother, so I don’t see the harm in it.” Sans replied. “But there is a bit of a catch.” He said and Toriel waited for him to continue.
“She’s living above Grillby’s.” Sans finished noting the prominent frown that settled onto Toriel’s face.
“It’s your choice.” Sans said. “I know you would be risking a lot by going back there. You’d pretty much be putting yourself back out in the open and I know that the location doesn’t hold to many fond memories for you, but it’s the best that I can offer.” Toriel pursed her lips and furrowed her brows as she gazed guiltily down at the floor. Sans sighed, taking her silence as her answer.
“Welp.” He said as he hoisted himself off of the couch. “I’ll let myself out thanks for the tea Ms. Tori.” He said as he began to saunter toward the front door.
“Wait a moment.” Toriel called rather frazzled as she stood from her chair and grabbed her purse and coat.
“I’m coming.” She declared. Sans paused in the doorway.
“You sure?” He asked. Toriel took a deep breath before nodding firmly after him.
“Yes, it’s time that I face the ghosts of my past.” She said. Sans shrugged as he held the front door open for her. They walked in silence down the garden path until they got to the Buick parked on the side of the road. Sans opened the passenger side door. Toriel took one more deep breath before getting in to the car and settling into her seat. Sans started up the engine and preceded to make his way back to Ebott.
“I never got your name by the way.” Toriel said after a while of driving. Sans smirked as he pulled one of his hands away from the steering wheel and held it out to her.
“It’s Sans.” He said. “Sans the skeleton.”