Pearls and dresses
Mettaton left a few hours later. It took a while for everyone to finally agree on everything, but reluctantly the details were worked out.
Frisk felt absolutely exhausted, as not only was she playing the role of mediator between Sans and Mettaton, but she was also constantly working to make sure that the two didn’t bite each other’s heads off during the whole exchange. The position had not been fun to say the least.
Frisk chanced a look back at Sans, he had been quiet ever since Mettaton had left, and he looked just about as beat as Frisk felt. She pursed her lips as she debated whether or not she wanted to try speaking to him again. She was still angry at him for treating her like a child, and for sticking his nonexistent nose into business that he should have just left alone, but a part of Frisk also knew that she wasn’t exactly entirely in the right here either. She knew that she had gone behind his back, she knew that she was breaking the rules, and she knew that she could have gotten herself into serious trouble if she had been found out. Frisk let out a sigh as she decided to try and be the bigger person and apologize first, besides they were both on the same team now weren’t they?
“Sans?” Frisk called as she straitened herself up, before walking toward him. Sans rolled a tired and unimpressed socket in her direction.
“Oh, talking to me again I see?” He replied dryly. Frisk bit back her frown, she had expected him to still be upset with her.
“Sans, I’m sorry that I went behind your back, but it was the only thing that I could have done-.”
“No it wasn’t.” Sans said, cutting her off before she could finish. “You could have come to me about all of this. You could have told me.” He said bitterly, before he let out a weary huff. “But I understand why you didn’t.” He then added much to Frisk’s surprise.
“I know what it feels like to think that you’re helpless, to think that you don’t have any say in the matter. I get that Frisk really I do.” Sans continued, holding her with a serious stare. “And I’m sorry if I made you feel that way.” He added solemnly. Frisk fidgeted where she stood, her tongue completely tied as she was caught off guard by Sans’ response.
“Look kid I’m gonna do my best to help you get your way through this, but you got to promise me something first.” Sans then said as he held Frisk pinned in his gaze. Frisk nodded.
“Just promise me that you won’t try anything like this again.” He said sternly. “And if you find your self thinking that you might do just that, talk to me first ok?” Sans urged, and Frisk hesitated as she was not sure that she could keep that kind of a promise.
“Please buddy? Sans asked, sensing her reluctance. “We’re pals ain’t we?” Frisk felt her shoulders droop at the sound of his plea. She let out a brief huff when she realized she really couldn’t deny him.
“Ok I promise.” She replied, and Sans also seemed to relax as his smile looked much less forced.
“Good.” Sans said. “Now why don’t we just pretend like all of this didn’t happen for at least a little bit and get back to enjoying our relaxing afternoon?” He suggested, raising a tempting eyebrow. Frisk smiled and nodded.
“Sounds good.” She agreed, happy to no longer be fighting with Sans anymore. Sans let out a contented sigh at her smile as he shifted himself to into a laid back position on the couch.
“Glad to see that we’re finally on the same page.” He said with a yawn.
The relaxing atmosphere was unfortunately short lived however, as the next day Mettaton was back right after Papyrus had left for work in the morning to make sure that his new investment didn’t go any more astray then it already had. He also brought with him his two bell hop attendants, Benjamin and Thomas, to run any menial tasks that Mettaton ordered them to do, which at the moment was to basically go out to the nearest fine dining restaurant to pick up Mettaton’s coffee and breakfast, and stand attentively at his side at all times as if he were some sort of royalty.
Frisk rolled her eyes as she ate her plate of pancakes on the couch, watching as Mettaton awaited his bell hops to unfold his napkin on to his lap and pour his coffee, before he began to elegantly carve into his Oufs Caroline. The robot briefly sneered as he picked up the brothers mismatched common placed utensils, as they were far below any of his standards, but he supposed that it would be a tad better then eating with his hands.
Sans narrowed his sockets in annoyance at Mettaton’s prissy attitude as he watched the robot from next to Frisk on the couch while he sipped at his own mug of instant coffee, before he cleared his throat to get Mettaton’s attention.
“So uh, are we gonna actually get down to business, or are you just gonna sit there and gorge yourself?” He asked, raising a snarky eyebrow.
Mettaton only wrinkled his nose in response, before taking the last bite of his Oufs Caroline and savoring the rich buttery taste of the hollandaise sauce. If he was going to have to spend the next four days in the company of a street rat and a brute of a skeleton in a shabby cramped apartment, then he was going to enjoy his breakfast no matter how hard Sans tried to ruin it for him.
“Yes.” He said as he dabbed daintily at his mouth with his napkin. “I suppose it is about time we get started.” Mettaton then snapped his fingers, and his attendant Thomas straitened to attention, before briefly going out in the hall and returning with a rather large bouquet of flowers as well as an elegant black box done up in a satin red ribbon.
Thomas hesitated for a moment, before he nervously cleared his throat and walked over to present the gifts to Frisk.
“Oh uh, thanks?” Frisk said as she confusedly accepted the presents. Thomas only nodded, averting his eyes before falling back into place at Mettaton’s side. Sans sockets narrowed further.
“And what the hell is all this?” He asked, pointing his irritated stare in Mettaton’s direction.
“Why they’re gifts from Alico.” Mettaton answered smugly.” He sent them to my casino in order for them to be presented to Frisk, which I might add that I did so without a fuss, even though I am not a delivery service.” He snipped.
Sans eyed Frisk as she looked over the bouquet. He already knew that she liked it as she had a bit of a soft spot for flowers. He continued to watch her as she began to open the decorative black gift box with the red bow. Her eyes popped open in surprise when she pulled out a dainty and expensive looking string of pearls.
“My my my.” Mettaton exclaimed when he also saw the pricey gift. “You must have made quite the impression on Alico during your last exchange. It looks like he is really taken by you.” He added with a suggestive smile. Sans grin grew taught as he tore his gaze away from the pearls and settled heavily into the couch cushions.
“I –I can’t accept these.” Frisk stuttered as she turned her surprised eyes over to Mettaton.
“Well of course you can darling.” Mettaton answered with a dismissive wave of his hand. They were a gift after all, and Alico also sent instructions. He would love to see you wearing those when you join him for dinner, it would be rude if you don’t keep them.” He explained.
“I thought that this was a business meeting not a date.” Sans huffed, before taking another swig of his coffee to help get the sour taste out of his mouth that he got whenever he eyed the pearls hanging loosely from Frisk’s hand. Mettaton only shrugged.
“I don’t see why you two are so grouchy about this. It actually works very well in our favor.” He said. "Think about it. If Alico has affections for Frisk then we can use them to our advantage. Frisk just has to bat her pretty brown eyes at him a few times and he’ll be eating right out of her palm.”
Frisk looked down at the pearls. She really did not feel right about accepting such a grand gift, especially since she had no intention of returning this apparent affection that Alico was showering her with, but she knew that she couldn’t outright deny the presents as it would hurt the mission.
“Alright, I guess I’ll wear them then.” She said as she placed the necklace back into its decorative box. Sans rolled his eyes, before he began to strum his fingers on the arm rest of the couch in annoyance.
“By the way darling, I must know what you’re planning to ware to this spectacular dinner. Have you already got an outfit in mind?” Mettaton asked, and Frisk shrugged not really sure why Mettaton was so interested in her wardrobe.
“I was just going to wear my blue dress.” She said, and Mettaton’s face fell.
“The one that you wore when you came to meet me at the casino?” He asked, and Frisk nodded.
“Darling that little number would be good for a tea or luncheon, not a dinner.” He retorted. “Surly you have something grander than that, something haute couture?” He said with a taunting laugh
“Umm, well that’s the only dress I have.” Frisk answered and Mettaton was silent immediately.
“What?!” He then screeched. “You can’t be serious.” He said, but Frisk only shrugged.
“Well that dress worked fine the last time I saw him.” She said, and Mettaton’s jaw then effectively hit the floor.
“You mean he has already seen you wearing it and you were going to ware it again?!” He asked dumbfounded, and Frisk nodded again, still confused. Mettaton was silent as he rubbed at his temples, clearly in disbelief at even the suggestion.
“I have my work cut out for me.” He said, mostly to himself, before he snapped his fingers and Benjamin was immediately at his side.
“Benjamin, take the car back to the casino and grab all of the ball room costumes that arn’t going to be used in tonight’s dinner show, then bring them back here.” He instructed as he passed the keys to the Rolls Royce over to the bell hops awaiting hand.
“Right away Mr. Mettaton.” Benjamin answered, before springing to action and rushing out of the apartment and down the stairs.
“Well while we’re waiting why don’t you show me what you do have to offer, and we’ll see exactly what it is I have to work with.” Mettaton then instructed as he rose from his seat in annoyance. Frisk agreed, still very much confused as to what Mettaton had planned, before leading the way over to her bedroom. Sans rolled his eye sockets as he followed reluctantly from behind.
Frisk opened the door to her tiny room, and Mettaton surveyed the small space with a very dismissive fuchsia eye. He could already tell that Frisk probably didn’t have much to work with.
“Really dear who decorated this place, you’re grandmother?” Mettaton chuckled teasingly as he sauntered over to the obviously hand me down desk. He then grabbed one of the picture frames from its surface, which displayed an arrangement of pressed flowers from behind its glass cover. He had to bite down his grimace at how tacky the crafted ornaments were. Frisk just sighed, unimpressed at Mettatons crass comment before she noticed that he was looking at her frames.
“I made those with the flowers you bought me.” She said, and Mettaton turned to her surprised.
“You kept them?” He asked confused and Frisk nodded.
“They were really pretty.” She explained. “It would have been a shame to just throw them away.” Mettaton then turned back to the picture frame with the dried blossoms in his hand. Maybe they weren’t as tacky as he had originally thought.
Frisk pulled out one of the drawers of her end table and dumped its contents out onto her bed. It was everything that she had decided to keep that Toriel had given to her. Mettaton sauntered over with his eyebrows raised as he surveyed the items. It seemed that Frisk actually had a few useful things on hand.
“Well darling I’m surprised, you have some nice brands here.” Mettaton said as he picked up a pretty glass perfume bottle. “Though I have to ask why none of these are opened.” He questioned while looking over the lotions and makeup that remained in their packaging.
“Actually I don’t really know how to use half of this stuff.” Frisk said sheepishly, and Mettaton blinked in surprise.
“You don’t?” He asked half expecting for Frisk to be joking. “What about your last meeting with Alico?” Frisk then tugged on her shirt sleeve as her face fell into a light frown.
“Well Mittsy actually handled all of that for me …” She said. Mettaton then shut his mouth, realizing that he had strummed a tender nerve it seemed. He looked back to the bed and then a confident smile broke across his face.
“Well then, it’s a good thing that I decided to keep my eyes on this investment. Don’t worry darling I’ll teach you all there is to know about looking fabulous.” He declared and Frisk as well as Sans looked to him confused.
“Wait you know how to use this stuff?” Frisk questioned and Mettaton beamed back at her.
“Of course I do. Why do you think my dinner theater shows are so popular at my casino? Well it’s because I always take a personal interest in them. There has been many nights where something has gone wrong, either a costume malfunction, or bad hair day, or makeup touch ups, you name it I’ve seen it. This is nowhere near my first rodeo darling.” He said assuredly
Sans just grumbled inwardly as Mettaton proudly chattered on and on about nothing remotely important. So far this meeting looked to be going very much off of the rails.
“Look I hate to interrupt all of this girly talk and all, but I think we really should be going over the actual meeting that is going to be taking place in four days?” He said. Mettaton only huffed back, unimpressed by Sans’ chide.
“Sans that is precisely what we are doing. Don’t you know that looking the part is half the battle towards successfully playing the part? Honestly.” Mettaton sniffed with a cocky sideways grin. “Why don’t you go and take a walk, or go do something useful for the next twenty minutes or so, while Frisk and I get down to business. This ‘girly’ talk is lost on you anyway.” He continued with a sneer. Sans eyes narrowed as he prepared to chew Mettaton out, but then Frisk flashed him an apologetic look.
“Um Sans, if you want I’ll be ok for a little while by myself. Maybe you can grab yourself some lunch?” She suggested. Sans felt his mood begin to become even more foul at the idea of backing down from Mettaton’s challenge, but the pleading glint in Frisk’s eyes made him bite his tongue from voicing his complaints.
“Fine. I’ll be back in a bit. You two have fun wasting time.” He said as he exited Frisk’s bedroom.
Sans strolled through the streets of Ebbot with no real purpose in mind, other than to try and clear his head from the horrible mood that he was currently stuck in. He really loathed that robot. He should have put up a better fight, or laid some better ground rules concerning the priss’ involvement with this operation, but Sans also knew that in order for Alico to buy Frisk’s act they would need the tin cans help.
Sans sighed to himself at this realization, as he really didn’t want to admit it, but Sans knew that when it came to playing the part of a cultured aristocrat he was completely lost. He was of absolutely no help to Frisk whatsoever in that regard, and maybe that’s what ticked him off the most. However, Sans also knew that the robot wasn’t the only one causing his anger. As much as Sans would love to blame everything on Mettaton, he also had to admit that the fact that fancy pants was making so free and showering Frisk in glittering gifts was rubbing him the wrong way.
The nerve of that guy, thinking that he could just buy Frisk off like that? Hah! What a hack, what a moron! Frisk was far too good for a spiv like him. But even as Sans continued to chastise Alico’s tasteless flirting, he still felt rather un reassured by it all.
It was then that Sans glanced up from his brooding, and found that he had almost wandered all the way to the market square. He was currently in one of the shopping districts that made up the majority of the cities center. He was about to continue on his way when a soft yellow flower pattern caught his eye. He turned his head over to one of the boutique windows and spotted a mannequin displaying a pretty full skirted white sundress with a pastel yellow sunflower design printed all over it, and a light faded blue ribbon tied in a bow around its waste. Sans crossed the street to take a bit of a closer look. The boutique appeared to be one that was more on the high end scale, as Sans could see by the prices displayed in the window. He grimaced a bit at the numbers printed on the tags.
Then again, hadn’t Frisk needed something like this, something fancier then what she currently had in her closet for her meeting? Sans glanced over the garment again. It was certainly puffier then her other dress, and definitely frillier, that meant fancy right? Sans sighed and shook his head. What the hell was he doing? He didn’t even know the first thing about fashion, or ladies clothing, or hautey coutureereer, or whatever it was that Mettaton had called it, but then he still found himself wandering into the shop regardless.
Sans stood stiff in the center of the boutique. He immediately felt out of place. Everything was frilly, lacy or glittery, and smelled like flowers and vanillia. This was most definitely a big mistake.
“Hello sir can I help you?” a friendly female voice called. Sans spun on his heels, confronting a purple bunny monster lady who appeared to be the store’s clerk. Sans cleared his throat and mustered up a wobbly smile.
“That uh, dress in the window there.” He said hastily, while pointing to the mannequin that was wearing the garment. “Where could I find that in here?” He asked.
“Oh! This way I’ll show you.” The store clerk lady said as she lead Sans over to a clothing rack, further back into the boutique. “You have a good eye sir, this one just came in the other day, it’s top of the line.” She continued.
“Uh, heh thanks.” Sans replied, actually feeling a bit reassured by the lady clerks praise, until he remembered that she was probably only buttering him up so that he would buy the dress. Boy, he sure was really lost in this place.
“So, is this dress for a special lady friend of yours?” The clerk lady asked, raising a suggestive eyebrow at the shorter skeleton, and sans cheekbones immediately took on a light dusting of blue at the question, before he crushed it down.
“Um, something like that I suppose.” He then said as he really couldn’t explain his current relationship with Frisk so simply even if he tried to, and it would honestly be better if the shop keeper just assume whatever she wanted then for him to try and explain that he was only here to buy a dress for an illegal business transaction between mob members and a shady business man. The clerk lady only smiled knowingly in return as she began to go through the sizes.
“Do you have her measurements?” The lady then asked, and Sans froze. Oh. Right. He supposed that he would need those wouldn’t he.
“Uhhhh, the one in the window looked to be the right size.” He stuttered out, and the women furrowed her eyebrows at him.
“Well perhaps you would like it if we put it on hold so that she could come in and make sure it’s the right fit?” She suggested.
“No! um no, it’s a surprise.” Sans said, as he knew that if Frisk, a human girl, came into try on a dress that he, a monster, had bought for his “special someone” then a lot more questions would be raised that Sans really didn’t want to answer for. The shop keeper only smiled sweetly back.
“My now, isn’t that so sweet. Well in that case I’ll include a gift receipt, that way if it doesn’t fit she can pick out a different size.” She said.
“Thanks, I appreciate it.” Sans replied as he shied his gaze away.
The women then folded the dress up neatly, before placing into a white decorative bag, and then she started frilling the package up to the nines with tissue paper, ribbons and bows. She even sprayed the interior with that flowery vanilla perfume stuff, and sans grin grew tense. He wanted to protest all the added finery, but couldn’t really find an explanation for it, so instead he just continued to watch stiffly until the clerk had finished and handed him the bill. He nodded and then proceeded to count out a stack of cash from his wallet, paying for the item before exiting the shop.
Sans walked about a block back toward Grillby’s before he stopped on the curb and starred down at the elegant package in his hand. What the hell exactly had he just gone and done? Sans then swiftly undid the bows, ribbons and tissue paper from the gift bag, before dumping all of the added frills into a nearby trash can. He sighed as he looked over the simple white bag. Well that was a little better, at least now it didn’t look so much like a present anymore. Now he could probably pull off the excuse that he tried to make himself useful by buying this for Frisk’s meeting, but in all honesty Sans really just wanted to turn around and return the damn thing immediately as he knew that he was much too far in over his head at this point.
He simply continued to grumbled instead, as he reluctantly started to make his way back to the apartment. Who knows maybe he had gotten it right after all, maybe this is exactly what Frisk needed? Sans had to stop himself from laughing at the idea out loud. Mettaton was going to have a field day at rubbing his face in this disaster, but San still made his way back to the apartment anyway, even though he was expecting the inevitable slap in the face when he got back home.
When Sans made it up the stairs, he paused outside of Frisks bedroom door. He could hear the muffled voices of both Mettaton and Frisk from within the room. Sans began to feel himself start to slip back into his less then optimal mood as he heard Mettaton ramble on and on about fashion, and makeup and all the other things that Sans didn’t understand as he continued to instruct Frisk about how she should present herself to Alico. Sans grimaced, unable to take anymore as he knocked firmly on the door.
“Hey, I’m coming in.” He said, before he opened the door.
He paused for a moment before he entered the rest of the way into the room, as he was a little surprised to see that Frisk was completely dolled up except for her clothing. Her hair was arranged in neat gentle curls with her bangs sweeping over one side of her made up face. Her brown eyes looked bigger than normal as they were heavily shadowed with a Smokey grey color, and were thickly lined. Mettaton looked to be like he had just finished applying a rich dark red color to her lips, making them look much plumper then normal, and Sans found that he had forgotten what it was that he had wanted to say as he continued to stand stiff in the doorway.
“Well I’m surprised that you came back so soon. I thought that you wouldn’t be done pouting for at least another fifteen minutes or so.” Mettaton chirped, breaking Sans out of his stupor. He returned Mettaton’s remark with narrowed sockets, and an unimpressed eyebrow.
“Who said anything about pouting?” He retorted. “I went out and did what you told me to do. I made myself useful.” Sans said as he presented the white bag. Mettaton raised a questioning eyebrow.
“And what does that mean.” He asked suspiciously.
“Well you said that Frisk needed a dress, so I got her a dress.” Sans answered smoothly, though behind his casual lazy smile, he was feeling a little nervous about giving the garment to Frisk, who was now looking curiously at the gift bag.
“Here kid, try it on.” He said as he motioned to hand her the bag, but Mettaton swiftly intercepted it before Frisks could reach out and accept it.
“She can’t just wear any old rag Sans!” He snipped. “I knew that you were clueless, but I didn’t think you were this incompetent. What did you go down to the local bargain store and pick out the first one that you saw?” He continued smartly. Mettaton then removed the dress from its packaging and held it out in front of himself. His eyebrows then shot up in surprise. He briefly studied the dress, taking some of the fabric between his fingers before examining its seams.
“Well I hate to admit it, but I’m actually a little impressed.” Mettaton said, rolling a robotic eye over to the shorter skeleton. “The fabric is good, and so are the seams, the brand is also fairly acceptable. He continued.
“Heh, see I’m not as useless as you think I am.” Sans replied smartly, but internally he just felt like he had dodged a bullet.
“Well I wouldn’t say that.” Mettaton replied. “I’ll give you points for the effort, but this design is still entirely wrong for the event.” He stated.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sans asked. “You said you needed something fancy. This is fancy isn’t it?”
“Yes but this is something that would work for a garden party, or perhaps a picnic, not an elegant dinner.” Mettaton explained as he handed the dress back to Sans. “It simply won’t do.” Sans took the garment before he shoved it back into the bag.
“Heh, well can’t blame a guy for trying.” He said bitterly. “Just tell me when you are ready to start going over the important parts of the operation.” Sans then turned around as he headed back out of the room again. Frisk was quick to her feet as she ran after him. Mettaton raised a curious eyebrow as he watched her go.
“Sans wait up.” She called as she caught up to him in the hallway. Sans turned briefly toward her.
“Kid, you should probably get back to whatever it is that Mettaton wants you to do -.”
“I like it.” Frisk blurted out, cutting Sans off.”
“…Hu?” Sans asked, confused.
“The dress.” Frisk then explained as she began to fidget. “I like it.”
“Oh….” Sans said surprised. “Well heh, I uh guess it’s um pretty much useless to you though.” He continued as he scratched at the back of his skull.
“Are you going to return it?” Frisk asked, and Sans found himself suddenly feeling unsure if he wanted to.
“Actually I can’t, store doesn’t have a return policy.” He said, lying through his teeth. “So here kid you can keep it.” Sans then passed Frisk the bag.
“I can pay you back.” Frisk began, but Sans cut her off with a wave of his hand.
“Nah, it actually wasn’t that expensive. I got lucky and found it in a bargain bin at consignment store. I just wanted to try and wipe the smug look off of that robots face.” He said. “Heh, looks like I may have underestimated him a bit though.”
“Oh ok then.” Frisk said as she accepted the bag.
“You should probably get back. You know how temperamental that tin can can be. Just call me when you’re ready to go over the more technical points of the plan.” Sans said.
“right.” Frisk agreed, and Sans turned back around, and continued on his way to his apartment as suddenly he was feeling rather exhausted.
When Frisk made it back to her room she was surprised to see that Benjamin had also returned, and was now struggling to stand under the weight of the large pile of clothes that he was holding in his arms.
“What’s all this?” Frisk asked confused, and Mettaton turned back to her, an excited glint sparking in his robotic pupil.
“All of this darling, is my theaters costume department.” He said proudly.