Spear of Justice!
“Chara! Frisk! It’s breakfast time!” Toriel’s call upstairs brings you to moan, slowly blinking yourself awake. You sigh, wearily dragging yourself out of bed. The horrible time you had last night still drags at your brain, making your movements slushy and wobbly. You breathe in and out, forcing everything down, deep into the depths of your heart where they would never reach the sun. You trap them under a wall of shame and guilt, pulling on the coil of kindness and mercy that pulsed at the core of your being. Kindness and mercy.
Chara awakens at the rolling shift in the bed as you get up. They growl as you open the beige curtains on the window, bringing in the light of day, before rubbing their eyes and yawning. You proceed to get dressed, already the dredges of the night being blasted by the shine of the day. Today shall be a good day. You tell yourself firmly.
“And Frisk?! Make sure Chara gets prepared! Asriel and I both want them to come to school with us today!” Chara moans at that, opening their eyes to give you a sour look.
“Do I have to?” They gripe at you.
Well you haven’t gone to school yet. It’s about time you should do so.
“You didn’t go to school either.” They whine.
I still read books and was taught things. I know I need to get a better education, and hopefully Toriel will be willing to provide that, but you need one as well. You smile encouragingly at Chara.
They roll over again, “I don’t want to go!” They tug the covers over their head.
Smile turning cheeky and wolfish, you pull the covers back over. Chara growls at you, pouting, “You can’t make me go.”
But Asriel and Toriel can. Chara narrows their eyes at you, before huffing.
“No way. They can’t make me.”
Wanna bet?
“You’re on, mute.”
15 bucks says they’ll make you go to school with them.
“20 dollars says they can’t!”
Well, see you downstairs. Breakfast smells delicious. With a wink, you flounce out the door. Chara hurriedly scrambles behind you, the smell indeed very enticing.
“It’s cheating if you give them any way to make me go!” Chara calls down the stairs.
“Cheating for what?” Asgore asks you, as you bound your way into the kitchen. Settling at the seat just to the side of him, opposite of Asriel, you shrug.
Oh, nothing. You thank Toriel graciously as she settles a steaming pot of pancakes in front of you. Asriel was already half-way done his plate.
“Is Chara coming to school with us, Frisk?” He asks you, sticky syrup on the sides of his mouth.
You should ask them that, not me. Asgore translates for his son when he asks what you had said.
“I will!”
Chara comes tottering down the stairs, still dressed in their sleeping clothes.
“Chara! You aren’t prepared! Don’t you want to come to school with me?” Ariel’s big eyes round with silent pleas as he looks at them. Chara balks at the pleading look, before crossing their arms.
"What's so good about school?" They snap
"My child, you must simply have an education." Toriel reprimands.
"Oh please come with me Chara! School will be fun! And I want to be able to spend more time with you! We can't if you don't come to school with me!" Asriel pouts. Chara continuous their disgusted glare, but you can see it faltering. With significantly glee, you watch as they swivel about and then storm back up the stairs. A few minutes later, they come back down fully dressed. You smile at them gloatingly, and they return it with a glare.
“Don’t you even dare!” They hiss, purposefully taking the empty seat besides Asriel.
“You are coming to school aren’t you!” Asriel chirps out happily, as Toriel sets Chara’s plate down, before sitting down herself. Asgore fluffs the paper in his hands, clearing his throat.
Chara levels you a mutinous glare, as they grind out “yes.” Toriel mentions her own excitement, happy that Chara agreed to come.
You hold up two waggling fingers, and they stick their tongue out at you. You chuckle despite the strange looks the other three give you. Daytime is the best time. You think happily to yourself.
The meal continuous pleasantly, despite any other amount of conversation. You elect this time to wash the dishes, to which Toriel sighs and allows you to do.
“We should be heading out soon anyway.” Toriel remarks, after you are finished, getting up from the table, “All the other children will be arriving at the school soon.” Toriel looks in your direction, pursing her lips, “I unfortunately do not have any studying material for a child your age yet, dear one. You can still join us in the classroom, if you wish. There will not be much for you to do, though, so feel free to explore the town some more."
Oh no, I can comfortably be with you at the school. It is no trouble at all.
"Alright, my dear-"
"Actually," Asgore coughs pointedly, folding his newspaper onto the table, "I was planning on asking you to accompany me for today, Frisk. I have something I wish to discuss."
I should probably still be around Chara-
“It’ll be fine. I’m not a weak little baby.” Chara retorts sourly, scrapping at their plate, "besides, you've already had school. It should just be us that goes.” They give you a small glare, “I wouldn’t want you ruining it by talking about bets.” You smile blandly.
I don't know really-
"Nonsense! Chara is more than capable of being on their own, Frisk! I know it must be hard, considering you two seem nigh inseparable, but relinquish some independence. All children grow up eventually."
Your eyes flicker to Asriel, I know but I still feel that-
"Frisk... if Chara thinks its okay, we'll be okay."
"Yes, my child. Do you not trust me to look after my own little ones?" With all the looks aimed your way, all you can do is sigh in defeat. Perhaps it would be okay.
Will we be close to the school, though? You ask Asgore. He smiles.
“Oh yes, my office is right next to the school, Frisk."
Alright, then.
“Then it’s settled! Come, young ones, we should make haste. The teacher has to be there in order for the children to be taught anything!” Toriel ushers Asriel and Chara to the door, helping them get ready.
You stand up, and meander your way to watch them leave. Asriel and Chara both turn back to look at you. They wave, and you wave back. You felt a bit apprehensive at being separated from Chara, but everything seemed to be okay.
Ebott wasn’t like the human world, so you didn’t have to worry about hurtful words and hateful people.
But it seemed the pure fact of which both of you were humans in a world of monsters lead to scary, hurtful and hateful thoughts.
“Chara will be fine, Frisk. Learning how to be an independent person is a valued trait. Come now, let us head to my office.” Both you and Asgore step out of the house, and he closes it firmly. You are surprised that he does not lock it, but the genuine kind nature of this town probably deterred thieves and liars.
At least until you stepped in. You shake those thoughts off. You weren’t lying, just hiding the truth. That was a bit different, wasn’t it? You suddenly wished you had not been so willing to leave Chara by themselves. What if they had another episode? How would you be able to get there in time? Would you be able to get there in time? Could you still keep your promise to Asriel? To yourself?
You mindlessly follow behind Asgore, trying to distill your worry. Asriel will come and find me if anything happens, won’t he? He knowsso I’m sure he’ll know what to do. I have to trust Chara, they said it was fine. Chara will come to me. They did so before, they’ll do so again. I have to- I have to believe. Mercy and kindness, right? Everything will be okay.
“This is my office, it’s a little big- but I've been told humans liked fancy, big buildings.” He chuckles a bit, and you look up. The building was rather huge, but not nearly as big as Mettaton’s hotel, or even his TV station. Large, arching stained glass windows stretch across most of the side of the building, the different coloured panes glittering in the sunlight. Planters rested at the bottom of each one, blooming the great yellow flowers Asgore had at his own home. They emit that same wonderful scent. Asgore walks up the small, cobblestone path to the large, rich oak doors that lead inside. He pushes them open, gesturing for you to enter before he does.
You do so, and are greeted with a wide, golden-arched entry way, pillars stretching high unto a decorative blue ceiling. The light shimmers and dances on the white tiled floor, the different coloured panes of light melding the room into a glorious rainbow. The arched pillars stretch far, leading to two magnificently rich, golden thrones. Regal purple pads adorned the seats of both of them, decorative horns spiralling up at the top. The legs curled, almost like twisting vines, to the floor to spread out like sharp claws.
You breathe out an awed sigh, twisting and turning as you look up and around at the glorious architecture before you.
“Yes, this is rather beautiful, isn’t it?” Asgore comments, as he watches you dance around the lights in wonder. You can do nothing but nod your head in agreement, and slowly follow after him as he makes his way down the long, golden corridor.
Asgore enters a room to the left of the two thrones, leaving it agar to let you through.
You expect to find more artistically beautiful décor, but instead only discover what looks to mimic a normal office; and a disorganized one at that. Drawers, crates and file-cabinets litter the walls, as a large, deeply rich wooden desk is at the very far end. Another rich, purple chair is settled behind it, smaller chairs placed in front.
Asgore pulls out one of the smaller chairs, patting the seat, “Sit down, young Frisk. I have something I wish to discuss.” You tread your way through the sea of papers and books, before plopping down. Asgore moves behind the desk, and settles on the chair behind it. The small vase of flowers rattles as he bumps the desk accidentally, “Opps.”
Asgore gives a slight cough, “Ahem, well, I know its only been a few days since you and Chara arrived here. However, it feels as if you have been here much longer.” He gives a generous smile, “I must admit, Toriel and I took quite readily to the pair of you, and Asriel too, is very fond of both of you.”
We are just as fond of you three, as well.
“That is good to hear, very good. I also heard from Tori that you had a great time with the young Papyrus, and everyone already has warmed up to you both after that TV show with Mettaton.”
Yes, it seems questioning us made a lot of people feel more comfortable.
“That it did…” Asgore clears his throat again, “But I’m not here to discuss how the town is welcoming you. This might be odd, again since you only arrived recently- but, I have a rather big request to ask of you.”
Please, ask.
“You may or may not know, but humans and monsters haven’t always had a peaceful relationship. You may have learned about… about the almost-war between us. It was a heavy time indeed, much fighting and violence on account of both sides.”
Yes. I heard about this before, in a history book I read a long while ago.
“You might also know that we monsters decided to seclude ourselves away, rather than fight the humans. I… I feared a fight would lead to something very dreadful indeed. So I took us all, and headed to Ebott. We’ve been here, living secluded lives ever since.
“What I’m meaning to ask you- Frisk, I’ve been wondering if you could perhaps become... a mediator of sorts. An- an ambassador for our people. You are a human yourself, and you seem very much comfortable to the presence of monsters. Perhaps, when we wish to expand our reaches, you can help to soothe and quell the tides of fearful humans.” For a few silent minutes all you can do is stare at Asgore, shocked and awed by his request.
"... Frisk? Are you... going to reply?"
With fumbling fingers, you gesture shakily to him, You- you want me to try to bring peace between humans and monsters?
“It’s a heavy task, and an even heavier burden am I wishing to bear upon you, young Frisk. I will understand if you wish to decline. But I… I am tired of the few humans that come here- all of them have left a scar on this town, taking something precious of ours before they left. Somehow I know you two will not be the same- and I hope your kind nature can appeal to the humans that do show up, ill intentions in mind.” You stare at Asgore, seeing the clear sincerity in his eyes. He really did want you to become such an important person. Was... was willing to give you such responsibility! Emotions tumbled at the forefront of your mind, but the majority of them were... happiness, honour... pride
I am… very honoured that you respect me so much as to consider giving me such a position. You are right, we hardly have been here a few days!
“If you need to dwell upon the thought more, I am willing to wait.” Asgore sighs, “I just hope that someday the hatred and violence will stop. We are a peaceful town, I do not wish to harm anyone.” He looks sadly at the vase that he had displaced, jostling the desk. He reaches over, and fixates it in the original spot. You watch him for a silent moment, mulling over his words. However, you felt like no matter how much time you thought upon it, you would still reach the same conclusion.
I believe I do not need that much time to dwell on it, Asgore. I will follow my heart on this matter.
“Oh?”
I will try my hardest to become an ambassador to your people. I hope I can soothe the nature of humans, and be able to give you and your kind the space to be free and happy.
Asgore smiles, “Frisk…” He sighs happily, “I had such a hopeful feeling, as soon as I saw you… so scared and small on my couch a few days ago. It really is a blessing that you and Chara walked into this town.”
I hope you will believe me in that I feel the exact same way. Everyone is very generous and kind here. I wish to preserve that kindness in the face of the worst humanity has to offer.
“I know you will do a splendid job in that regard, Frisk, my human ambassador.” The title tingles over your ears, and you can’t help but smile.
I will also try my hardest, Asgore, monster mayor of Ebott.
Asgore hums, before reaching into one of the drawers in his desk. He pulls out a few leaflets of paper, handing them over to you, “This is to declare your title. It makes it official. Humans do this sort of thing, don’t they? Document it in writing?”
At your nod, you take the pieces of paper gratefully. Accepting the pen Asgore also hands to you, you read over the documents briefly, before signing your name at the bottom. It basically summarized what Asgore was asking of you, and listed some types of duties. Most of them revolved around keeping peace, and trying to be fair and just at all times.
With your life around Chara, you knew all about trying to soothe and comfort the storm of violence. Maybe your life was prepping you for this sort of job. It was an interesting thought. Fate had lead you here, didn’t it?
Is Chara going to be an ambassador too?
“Perhaps when they get older. I think it unfair to ask a child to fulfill such a large, and heavy responsibility. You are an adult, Frisk. It is much more reassuring to ask you, one who is able to think deeply and critically. A child may look at this responsibility and do unneeded things, things that they think are correct but perhaps too dangerous.”
I can see your point. And Chara only knows… they only know of the suffering mankind can cause. I don’t think they understand that not everyone is like that. An ambassador should be able to see that not everyone is cruel… shouldn’t they?
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
You sigh, and look out the window. With slight surprise, you could see the school from here. In fact, you could make out the forms of Asriel, Chara and other monster children playing.
You really can see the children from here. You motion to Asgore, and he looks out the window, smiling.
“Yes. I wanted to be able to have a view of the future, even as I work.” He remarks, looking outwards fondly.
The two of you silently watch the children in the playground, and you are more than happy to note Chara was no different than when you had separated. They were happily running around with Asriel and the strange armless monster as well, looking in no danger of having an episode. A part of you sighs in relief at this discovery. Perhaps Asriel’s presence and acceptance was putting to rest a lot of their internal fears.
Or maybe they are trying to ignore them, just like you do.
Whatever it was, it was working. And that’s all that mattered.
Asgore’s cough brings your attention back to him, and he motions for you to give him the papers in your hands.
Oh, sorry. You gesture out clumsily, shuffling them together before handing them over.
Asgore looks down, his eyebrow raising slightly, “Do you not have a last name, Frisk?”
At that you shrug, If I did, I don’t remember it. All I’ve ever been called is Frisk.
He hands back the papers, “You can put Dreemurr as your last name, if you wish.”
You freeze in the process of grabbing the papers. You stare at Asgore Dreemurr for a few silent seconds, before awkwardly gesturing to him.
You’d be willing to give me your name?
Asgore smiles widely, chuckling, “I’m sure at some point, Toriel’s going to want to adopt the both of you. Might as well get started on changing your name.”
R- Really? You’d be willing to adopt us?
“Of course! What better way than to have my ambassador also become my child? I think it fits perfectly. And, as I mentioned, all of us are incredibly fond of you two. Toriel already calls you her children.”
The smile trembles on your lips as you manage to sign the last name onto the documents, This truly is incredible. I’m- I’m so grateful to all of you. I can’t wait to official be your child. Chara will no doubt be just as thrilled.
Asgore chuckles, “Yes. Now I just have to wait for my wife to mention it. It has to be her idea, don’t you know.” He laughs again. You two fall into a comforting chat, before Asgore suddenly collects himself and gets back at hand.
Hours pass by as the two of you continue talking about business and other related matters. Most of it is related to any sort of dealings you would have as an ambassador, and Asgore assuring you that you would never have to do it yourself.
“I know how… cruel some humans can be, young Frisk. I do not want you facing potential dangers on your own. As mayor of this town, I will always be there when any need for peace is to be established.”
You continue on, and Asgore also mentions the fact that he was drawing up plans to start lessons for everyone to begin learning the language of hands. He mentions that he had already called Alphys, who reluctantly agreed. Sans had also been called, but had not answered his phone. Asgore was sure, though if he called his brother, Papyrus, Sans would no doubt be forced to join.
In between more talks, your stomach grumbles loudly. You blush, looking sheepishly at Asgore.
“Well, it seems I have kept you here long enough, Frisk.” He rumbles out, “And you are no doubt extremely hungry. I, however, still have plenty of work to catch up on.”
I take it you will not be joining me for lunch?
Asgore sighs, shaking his head, “No. But here-” Asgore digs into his pockets, producing shiny, shimmering coins, “Feel free to buy yourself lunch, my child.” Smiling at the deeper intentions of those words, you take the coins gladly.
You bow over his hands, gesturing a heartfelt Thank you. Asgore bids you a fond good afternoon, and you exit through the glorious throne room, and back out into the town. You stand still for a few minutes, looking at the shimmering coins. Where were you to go to eat today? The gentle tones of the fire-y man of yesterday sings into your head.
Maybe I will eat there. You think to yourself. After all, it would be rude to never partake in the nice man’s food. And humanities conveniences, as well as shitty caretakers who only bought take out, was leaving you hankering for something… well greasy. With a jump to your step, and a hum on your lips, you head off towards Grillbys.
You carefully make your way around the school, hoping Toriel wouldn’t catch you and see where you were going. You knew that she did not seem to like the idea of eating the fire monsters food. Silently hoping for forgiveness if Toriel somehow managed to catch you, you march your way towards the sizzling smelling restaurant. Its warm glow was appeasing from where you were, a few feet away.
“AH, ELDER HUMAN! HOW ARE YOU TODAY?” The question cuts you off, and you wrench your face upwards to peer at the lanky skeleton looming above you.
You bow to him, and he emits a gleeful chuckle at that action. You gesture a simple reply, I am fine today. Thank you, Papyrus. How are you? What are you doing?
“AH! I AM ALSO GREAT AS WELL- BUT THEN AGAIN, SEEING AS I AM THE GREAT PAPYRUS, HOW COULD I EVER NOT BE GREAT?” His chuckles spur on your own, and you giggle into your hands, “HOWEVER I AM RETURNING FROM AN INVIGORATING JOG AROUND THE TOWN. IT DOES THE BODY WELL TO KEEP IT FIT! BUT SINCE IT IS NOW LUNCH TIME, I MUST ALSO KEEP MY BODY ENERGIZED WITH FOOD.”
At that particular moment, your belly gives another loud rumble. You blush, but Papyrus only gives you a quizzical look. Ah yes, I am planning on having lunch as well. You motion to Grillbys before you. Just as you prepare to ask him if he would wish to join, Papyrus gasps.
“HUMAN! YOU CAN’T BE PLANNING ON EATING… EATING THERE?”
Well, yes actually, I-
“NONSENSE!” Papyrus bursts out passionately, “I CANNOT IDLY STAND BY AND LEAVE YOU TO CONSUME INORDINATE AMOUNTS OF GREASE AND BAD FOOD. NO! AS YOUR SKELETON BEST FRIEND, I SHALL SAVE YOU FROM THAT FATE!”
Oh, well, where exactly should I-?
“HUMAN, LET ME, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, TREAT YOU TO A MARVELLOUS FEAST OF CULINARY PROWESS! COME, TO MY HOUSE, WHERE I SHALL SERVE YOU THE MOST GLORIOUS DISH YOU WILL EVER HAVE IN YOUR ENTIRE LIFE!”
Are you sure? I wouldn’t want-
“OH YES! WE HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH ROOM FOR YOU. IN FACT, HALF THE TIME SANS DOESN’T EVEN EAT AT THE TABLE. HE’S TOO LAZY TO GET OFF THE FLOOR TO DINE PROPERLY.” Papyrus heaves a heavy sigh at that, giving you an exasperated look of displeasure. You follow behind the skeleton, a little more than intrigued by this “culinary expertise”. You glance at the fast food restaurant, nonetheless feeling disappointed you couldn’t taste its food today. The skeleton keeps up a plethora of conversation, hardly needing any input of yours to determine your answers or replies, “YOU MUST HAVE BEEN SECRETLY WISHING THAT I WOULD CATCH YOU LIKE THIS, RIGHT HUMAN? AFTER ALL, I AM ONE OF THE GREATEST CHEFS. OF COURSE YOU ARE NO DOUBT DYING TO TASTE MY FOOD.” You didn’t even know Papyrus could cook, but decided to keep that thought to yourself. You’d rather let the skeleton keep his innocent belief.
The both of you step up towards the house you had seen glimpses of yesterday. It was a pleasant, two-story house, made completely of fine oak, with a small outer-balcony off to the side. The house looked rather homey, squat, with square little windows and a small porch leading to a dark wooden door. A shed of lighter wood material was perched just off to the right. Papyrus rushes up the small porch to slam the door open excitedly, calling out for his brother.
“SANS! WE HAVE A GUEST! YOU BETTER BE DRESSED PROPERLY!” You step through the threshold of the house, taking in the simple surroundings. A small, square kitchen is straight ahead of you, a small little dining table nested before it. Off to the left, there is a living room type area, with a couch and a TV placed against the wall. Stairs at the very left edge of the house lead up to the second story area. There are two doorways, one of them plastered with a bunch of what appeared to be caution tape and stop signs. You step to the right side, almost bumping into a coffee table. A singular rock sits on it, and strangely it is covered with sprinkles. How odd.
“hey bro.” Sans mumbles tiredly, slouching somewhat strangely on the couch. His whole body was upside down, his head nearly touching the floor, with his feet drooping over the top. He yawns, scratching at a few of his vertebral disk on his spinal column. His shirt flops down, revealing some of his ribs.
“SANS!! I TOLD YOU WE HAVE A GUEST! SHOW SOME DECENCY!” Papyrus screeches, looking abashed on his brother’s behalf. You don’t really get it. What was so wrong? It was just a skeleton- you blush slightly as you realize those implications. A skeleton to you was different to the skeleton that they were. Sans was practically half naked. Instead of feeling embarrassed, you were more intrigued. These skeleton monsters, were after all, an incredible mystery. Especially how they lived- everyone else at least had skin, perhaps organs and such. These creatures were completely devoid of everything besides just a simple skeletal structure. It was a wonder how they moved; didn't they at least need muscles for that type of thing?
Sans cracks open a tired eye, his white pupil focusing on you. He widens a welcoming smile, “ah, hey.” He calls in greeting, not seeming to move an inch. Papyrus emits a strangled scream.
“AND YOU DIDN’T EVEN MOVE YOUR SOCK! SANS, REALLY! DO I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING AROUND HERE?” Papyrus continues to bicker at his brother, but Sans either says nothing or yawns. Suddenly your stomach growls. Extremely loudly. Your face goes red again, as the two skeleton brothers focus their gazes on you, “AH! THAT SOUND AGAIN! HUMAN, WHAT DOES THAT SOUND MEAN? ARE YOU PERHAPS IN PAIN? IS SOMETHING INSIDE YOU?”
You shake your head, Oh no! It just means I’m hungry… It’s... a sound our body makes to let you know you need food. All humans do it.
“OH? HOW CONVENIENT! I JUST USE THE CLOCK TO TELL ME WHEN IT IS TIME TO EAT.”
Do you not get the growling in your stomach? You ask that before you can think properly- do you even have stomachs? Is more of the question.
“WHAT’S A STOMACH?” You stare at Papyrus for a few seconds, before shaking your head. You hear Sans chuckling at you. Feeling more than apprehensive, you decide to try and play teacher for a few minutes. Somehow though, the magnitude of how much you’d have to teach the young skeleton is daunting.
It’s… an internal organ. It’s what allows me to digest food.
“HUMANS HAVE TO DIGEST FOOD? WOWIE! HOW FASCINATING! IT DOESN’T SIMPLY CONVERT TO MAGIC ONCE IT ENTERS YOUR MOUTH?”
No... I think there was this book I read that tried to explain it... it talked about how monsters have magic-composed bodies, and humans have material bodies. Our souls live in a defined container, whereas yours… project a physical interpretation?
“WOWIE…” Papyrus proclaims, yet somehow you get the feeling he hadn’t understood anything, “I DIDN’T UNDERSTAND ANY OF THAT! BUT IT SOUNDS NEAT-O!” You hear the low rumbling chuckle of Sans at your expense.
“bro, think of it like pasta-” Sans starts to say, obviously coming to the rescue on teaching Papyrus.
“SANS, I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU ARE TRYING TO GOING WITH THIS.”
Sans, waves his hands lazily, “just listen, okay? lemme explain. so the pasta noodles are like souls, okay? and you pour pasta sauce on pasta, right? think of pasta sauce as food. now imagine two piles of pasta, one just sitting there on the counter.”
“SANS, THAT IS EXTREMELY UNHYGIENIC. YOU DO NOT JUST LEAVE PASTA ON THE TABLE!”
“paps, its not really there. i’m asking you to imagine it. now, that’s us, okay? an open pile of pasta on the table. the sauce can be poured freely on it and the pasta is covered.”
“YES, BUT THAT DOESN’T EXPLAIN HOW HUMANS-”
“bro, chill. i’m getting to that. some pasta comes in a box, right? imagine the other pile of pasta is a box full of noodles. those are humans, like frisk. you pour pasta sauce on ‘em, and it doesn’t get to the noodles right, coz the box stops it? but you want the pasta to be covered with sauce, right?”
“WELL, YES, I SUPPOSE.”
“so, the pasta- er, humans- have to create little holes and other things in order for the sauce to be able to get in the box once you pour it. so that’s what they do, and that's what stomachs and organs are for. they’re the holes to let pasta sauce through. so, paps, just remember; humans are liked boxed pasta.”
You stare in disbelief over Sans description of what the difference between humans and monsters was. You raise your arms in a questioning manner, but find yourself even more surprised when Papyrus seems to somehow understand that convoluted, erroneous explanation.
“OH!” He cries out, his hands flying to the side of his skull in glee, “I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY!” You turn your bewildered gaze to Papyrus. What?! Just as you were about to question the intelligence of the two skeletons, your stomach lets out a roar.
“OH! SORRY, HUMAN!” Papyrus apologizes, before he rushes off into the kitchen, “I SHALL PREPARE THE CULINARY EXTRAVAGANZA IMMEDIATELY! THE PASTA BOX SHALL BE COVERED WITH DELICIOUS PASTA SAUCE!” Papyrus laughs loudly, as pots and pans clatter and bang about.
You level your gaze to Sans, who was still upside down. The pupils of his eyes slide over to you, a wickedly cocky grin on his face. You motion to yourself, before gesturing out a dubious Pasta boxes? To him. His grin gets wider.
“Pasta-yrus seemed to hole-y agree with my sauce-y explanation.” He remarks slyly. An enraged screech of SANS! I HEARD THOSE PUNS! Only causes the skeleton to chuckle softly, “did paps invite you over to have lunch with us?” Sans questions you.
You nod the affirmative, before deciding to add, I was going to have lunch over at Grillby’s, but Papyrus said that it was too unhealthy and wanted to make me lunch instead. He said it wasn’t right, as my skeleton best friend, to leave me to such a fate.
Sans snorts, “paps doesn’t know what he’s missing. grillby’s food is amazing.”
“SANS, THAT FOOD IS ALL GREASE AND NO SUBSTANCE!” Papyrus retorts from the kitchen, the clanging and banging getting louder. A whoosh happens, and you look worriedly to the kitchen.
Does he always make such a racket? It sounds like he’s fighting something in there. You question Sans, more than concerned.
“oh, he is fighting something in there. himself.” Sans chuckles again, scratching at his spinal column once more. You watch him silently for a few minutes, the racket from the kitchen the only noise. You find yourself coughing to get his attention when his eyes close. You were more than curious over this strange skeleton.
What… What exactly do you do?
“hmm?” Sans hums at you, his one eye focusing on your face.
Do you just sell hot dogs?
“a-yup.”
But… but how did you get around the town so fast yesterday? And why did it seem like you were watching us? I thought you were a part of Undyne’s police force, spying on us.
“magic.” Sans supplies, “and i guess so. undyne pays me for it, so i guess i am a spy.”
Oh. So you were watching us then. Sans doesn’t supply his answer, so you take that as a yes. He starts to snore. You wait in silence for Papyrus to finish his cooking.
“HUMAN! PLEASE, SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE! I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, SHALL BE YOUR SERVER!” Papyrus calls out from the kitchen, and you cautiously make your way to the table. You situation yourself into one of the two chairs.
You motion to Sans, who had finally righted himself; only he did so by falling onto the floor, There are only two chairs here. Is this okay? I can sit on the floor if you prefer.
“nah nah, s’okay. i’m a pretty down-to-earth guy.”
“SANS! DO NOT DISTURB OUR GUEST WITH YOUR HORRIBLE PUNS!” Papyrus admonishes, as he waltzes into the room, two plates in his hands, and one balancing on his forehead. He tosses one plate to his brother, and you watch in awe as Sans catches it in a burst of blue, his left eye glowing strangely. He looks at you watching him, and winks with that eye, the magic disappearing and the plate flopping elegantly into his hands. You clap in appreciation. He snorts.
“HERE YOU ARE, HUMAN.” Papyrus hums happily, placing a plate in front of you. You stare at it dubiously.
It’s a pasta box with pasta sauce poured over it.
Sans howls with laughter.
“bro!” Sans huffs, shaking, “they don’t literally eat pasta boxes!” His laughter is only overshadowed by Papyrus profuse apologies.
“OH! HUMAN, I AM SORRY! I AM AFRAID I MAY STILL BE CONFUSED ON WHAT HUMANS EAT.”
“paps, they eat the same things we do. actual food.”
“WELL, WHY DID YOU TELL ME THAT STORY ABOUT PASTA BOXES AND PASTA SAUCE?”
“it was a metaphor.”
“WELL, METAPHORS ARE STRANGE. DON’T WORRY HUMAN, I SHALL GET A YOU A PLATE OF MY HOMEMADE SPAGHETTI! THAT IS ACTUALLY COOKED! NYEH HEH HEH.” Papyrus takes the plate, and proceeds back into the kitchen. Sans looks over to you before he laughs again. You frown at him, but can’t manage to keep it. You snicker as well.
“VIOLA! HUMAN, LUNCH IS SERVED!” You graciously thank Papyrus, who giggles with glee. He places a plate of steaming spaghetti before you, thick with a rich, red sauce. Your stomach rumbles in appreciation, and you dig in with aplomb. Both the skeletons watch you carefully.
The texture of the pasta is… different than any of the food you have had here. It definitely didn’t taste like any of the food Toriel had given you, but then again- you’ve had worse food. And also no food. You scrape the plate clean as the skeletons continue to watch you, noting the slightly shocked look of Sans behind Papyrus’s back.
“OH! HUMAN! YOU HAVE CLEANED YOUR PLATE! DID YOU ENJOY MY FOOD? YOU DID, DIDN’T YOU?” He squeals happily as you give him praise for the pasta.
It was certainly tasty, Papyrus. You tell him honestly. It had been tasty. It was a good meal- maybe you were being spoiled by Toriel’s great cooking to not think of it so positively. If you had come across this months ago, you would have done anything for it. Food was a commodity not everyone could enjoy.
“NYEH HEH HEH! OF COURSE I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, WOULD CREATE SUCH A TASTY, DELICIOUS MEAL. I AM, AFTER ALL, A CULINARY EXPERT!” He laughs some more, which only leads to you smile at him. Your heart swells. It was so much nicer, so much different here. You hoped… you hoped for a lot of things. And most of all, you hoped you could really be an ambassador to these nice, innocent monsters.
Papyrus suddenly gives you a nervous look, fiddling with his gloves, “HUMAN?” He asks hesitantly. You hum to him, “IS IT ALRIGHT TO ASK YOU... IF YOU COULD, PERHAPS, JOIN US FOR LUNCH EVERYDAY? YOU CAN BRING THE SMALLER HUMAN WITH YOU TOO!”
The fork in your hand drops onto the plate with a startling clatter. Papyrus looks up from his gloves, gaze more than worried and apprehensive. You raise your hands to your mouth, pinpricks of tears swelling in the corners of your eyes.
“HU-HUMAN? I’M SORRY IF THAT OFFENDED YOU! I WAS OFFERING BECAUSE HAVING LUNCH TOGETHER SEEMS LIKE A BESTFRIEND THING TO DO, AND IT WAS PLEASANT TALKING TO YOU TODAY- AND-” You hurriedly shake your head, trying to reach over and pat the erratic skeleton's gloved hand.
I would love to have lunch with you two every day. And I shall bring Chara, and Asriel too if you wouldn’t mind, with me when they are not in school.
“THAT IS ALL VERY SPLENDID HUMAN!” Papyrus announces with glee, looking more than ecstatic at the prospect of other people showing up at his house, “SANS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR VISITS EVERYDAY!” Papyrus takes up his plate, yours, and then Sans as he heads off into the kitchen.
You turn to smile brightly at Sans, Hopefully you do not mind as well? You ask him formally.
Sans shakes his head, leaning into the couch, “naw, as long as my bro’s happy,” He gives you a teasing smile, “but you didn’t have to force yourself to eat all of his pasta. i know it’s not exactly the greatest, especially if you’ve been eating tori’s food. and i can’t imagine how good human food is, too.”
Oh, no, it really isn’t that big of a deal. It was actually tasty, once over the uncooked parts, and I wouldn’t want to let it go to waste. After all, food is a novelty. The common expression of one of the more notorious homes you and Chara had lived in slips out accidentally.
Sans slides you an inquisitive look, “novelty? what do you mean by that?”
You hesitate briefly, not too sure to divulge too deeply into humanity and your time there. Well, let’s just say… I didn’t always have food every day. And you’d be surprised at what horrible foods some humans try to feed others. You laugh, they would make Papyrus’s lunch seem like a feast for a king. So really, I’ve had to eat stuff much much worse. Sans’ smile seems to dim after those confessions, and you purse your lips. Maybe you should have kept those to yourself, after all. The air to the room develops a slight awkwardness.
“heh, if you think paps’ lunch is that great, i gotta take you to grillbys then. talk about a kingly feast.” Sans mentions absently.
Papyrus announces his disapproval as he re-enters the living room, “NO WAY AM I GOING TO ALLOW MY PRECIOUS HUMAN FRIEND TO INGEST THAT SLIMY, GREASY FOOD. THEY OBVIOUSLY SHOW THE PERCHANCE OF AN INCREDIBLE FOOD PALLET, AND I AM NOT ABOUT TO LET THAT GET TARNISHED!”
“says the skeleton that was going to feed the human a boxed lunch.” Sans snickers, to which Papyrus sputters.
“THAT WAS ONLY BECAUSE YOU CONFUSED ME WITH YOUR ‘METAPHORS’ SANS! IT IS ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT! AND- AND THE HUMAN FORGAVE ME, DIDN’T THEY?” You nod as Papyrus looks to you for your approval. He gives a smug look to his brother.
“okay, pasta the blame over to me. all i’ll do is sit here and take it.”
“SANS! UGHH! I’M GOING TO TAKE THE HUMAN HOME BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO NEVER WANT TO COME BACK BECAUSE OF YOUR HORRIBLE PUNS!” Papyrus pushes you out the door, fuming.
“HUMAN, PLEASE DON’T MIND MY SILLY BROTHER. HIS PUNS MAY BE AWFUL, BUT HE MEANS WELL.”
You laugh and gesture that it was okay. I think some of his puns are rather funny, Papyrus. Don't you?
“I DO NOT!” Papyrus retorts indignantly, closing the door in a huff. You walk down the stairs, and take a few steps away, waiting for Papyrus to follow. He hops down beside you, looking stern, “...YOU BETTER NOT MENTION THAT FACT TO MY BROTHER. I WOULDN’T WANT TO ENCOURAGE HIM. HIS PUNS REALLY ARE TOO MUCH ALREADY.”
You cross your heart and then zip your lips, I promise I won’t speak a word to him.
“AH, GOOD, HUMAN!” You two take a few steps forward, before you slow to a stop. Papyrus turns to you, looking inquisitive.
Are you really inviting Chara and I to come to your house every day? You ask him, Do you really want us to become best friends? I know you said this yesterday too, but are you really certain?
Papyrus gasps, “OF COURSE I DO HUMAN! THE GREAT PAPYRUS WOULD NEVER LIE TO YOU! I THINK WE WILL ALL BE THE BESTEST OF FRIENDS! AFTER ALL, SUCH A PERSON WHO LOVES SPAGHETTI AS MUCH AS I DO IS ALREADY A FRIEND TO ME! AND WE ENJOYED LOTS OF WATER GAMES TOGETHER YESTERDAY!”
You give Papyrus a tremendous, wavy smile. Thank you. Truly. You give a small sigh, Is it alright if I give you a hug? You ask him impulsively, but he blinks at you blankly. You balk, backtracking, Oh, if it's not okay that's fine! It's just that sometimes friends hug friends and I was just thinking-
“I LOVE HUGS!” He announces, chuckling. He grins widely, before opening his arms. You hop into it, wrapping your arms as tight as they could go. He hugs you just as tightly back, laughing softly into the top of your head.
Was this what friendship was supposed to be like? You sigh happily.
Just as you pull away from the hug, Papyrus beginning to set you down, a large roar happens to your left.
“PUNK! YOU BETTER NOT BE HARMING PAPYRUS!” A loud screeching cry is embellished by the whizzing sound of something flying through the air. You turn in Papyrus’ arms to find a large, green spear heading in your direction.
You yelp loudly, heart hammering in your chest. You push at Papyrus, accidentally stumbling forward into the path of the spear when you hit the ground awkwardly; it was too close for you to be able to do anything but get hit by it. The spear lodges itself deep into your shoulder blade, sending you tumbling backwards onto the hard ground.
“HUMAN!” Papyrus cries out, quickly appearing at your side. Undyne jogs up, trying to pull Papyrus away from you, “UNDYNE STOP! THE HUMAN WASN’T DOING ANYTHING!” Papyrus protests, pushing Undyne away.
“Then why did the punk have their arms around your neck!? It looked like they were trying ta choke you out!” Undyne retorts harshly, eyeing you with a steely glint. You try to sit up, but the way the spear had lodged itself into the muscles of your shoulder made that action difficult.
“i think that’s called a hug, undyne.” The door opens and closes, as Papyrus lets out a relieved BROTHER
“A- a- a hug?!” Undyne sputters, “No way! Didn’t you see? The human was attacking Papyrus! I saw it!
“UNDYNE! THEY WERE JUST GIVING ME A HUG! THE HUMAN WOULD NEVER ATTACK ME, WE ARE THE BEST OF FRIENDS!”
Undyne sputters some more, before her eyes flash again. The spear disappears from your shoulder, leaving a gapping wound. Red starts pooling on your shirt.
I didn’t think monster attacks could physically harm me. You motion out in disbelief. The slight bit of knowledge you had of monsters left them more as a type of soul crafted being- so certainly their attacks wouldn't hurt anyone on the physical plane, right?
“of course they do. we still do exist physically, ya know.” Sans comments, as he stands over you. Papyrus was blubbering beside you, beside himself on what to do about the gash in your shoulder. You sit up, wincing at the pain it causes.
Undyne was looking incredibly confused, dubious and more than a shade guilty, “H-Here, lemme help ya up human.” She stutters, offering her fin. You take it, surprised at the force she exerts. You get tossed up into the air, staggering slightly. as you land Papyrus catches you.
“SANS, SANS, WHAT DO WE DO? THEY HAVE A HOLE IN THEM! IT’S BLEEDING PASTA SAUCE! ALL THEIR SAUCE IS GOING TO DISAPPEAR! THAT SEEMS LIKE A BAD THING!”
“Papyrus, that’s not sauce. It’s blood. The punk is bleeding.”
“EVEN WORSE!” He wails
You guys should just take me home. I have a roll of gauze in my bag for stuff like this. The action of motioning out your words left you wheezing through your teeth in pain.
“i don’t think gauze is going to cut it, kid.” Sans remarks, eyeing the wound to your shoulder.
Well what else could we do?
“I- I know where to go.” Undyne offers.