#like on one hand I feel like making half the server an eldritch god now kinda takes away from the funny futility of the server and the fact | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

finch-the-foolish · 1 year

Text

Ok so uh @rose-lizzzy apologies for taking so long on this (I got distracted by an absurd amount of fae Jim brainrot) but uh. Here it is! My scrunkly little AU about my silly little eldritch bois having a certified Bad Time. Gem is one of the main characters, being a Celestial (which I'll talk about in a separate post), alongside all my other creatures cause it's fun to mess with my little guys. Anyway they're all eldritch horrors and doing a shit job of hiding it.

So here ya go! Enjoy ig! If ya like it I'll continue messing with everyone!

The Horrors and The Heavens

TW/CW for anxiety, paranoia, a mental breakdown/panic attack, themes of death and fear surrounding it, themes of lying, despair, fears surrounding others hatred

Gem had long been hiding the truth.

It wasn't like she was the only one doing it—many of her friends had secrets, some more terrible than others, though everyone had something to hide. It was impossible not to, what with how varied and rag-tag their server was.

Regardless, Gem was living a lie. One weaved in careful half-truths and false memories, a well-crafted backstory built on a foundation of nothing. She had been parading these lies for years, burying any remnants of her past, any portions of her life she knew she couldn't share.

Gem knew how the other hermits, the other emperors, how anyone and everyone would react upon her discovery. She had seen it; flitted through countless terrible otherworlds, containing a harsh future she refused to make real. Even as much as it was her nature.

Gemini Tay, a being of the stars, wanderer of the cosmos, wholly capable of burning out in a beautiful flame and taking her systems with her. She was a Celestial, a creature of light and ruin, something she would hide away till the end of her days. Whatever it took to keep herself safe—to keep her friends safe.

She had taken precautions to ensure nobody knew her past, to ensure nobody discovered her second existence on either server; she couldn't bear to stay in one place, that innate need for orbit and movement drawing her away to a second realm, sometimes more when the draw of wanderlust grew too strong.

These precautions had held for over a year, her twin lives moving peacefully through their own realms. Sure, there had been… incidents—the presence of False had posed a threat at first, though she didn't seem to recognise Gem as anything but the Princess of Dawn, same with the old Saint Pearl before her untimely death. Beyond that, though? She'd kept her mask well; better than some, certainly.

It wasn't until she heard of the Rift that she got concerned. Only slightly, at first—she recalled slipping into the cavern one day while Grian was off doing something, recalled staring up at that swirling wall of fabric and code and being struck with the terrible knowledge of its being. A portal, a rip in the universe, releasing energy of the inner code like some slashed, festering wound.

The Rift worried her, though she didn't attempt passing through; there was always the chance of slipping into some other realm with some other her, causing some world-crashing paradox. That had happened once, years ago, back when her powers were new and her mind foolish and far less stable. She refused to let it happen again.

Gem found herself more on edge, keeping a careful hand on her grasp of the Empires' code, desperately praying there would be no tear, that she could live on in her own little lie forever. Her god was not so kind, though, and it wasn't long before a second Rift tore through. She was on Hermitcraft when it happened, but even then she could feel it, feel the terrible ripping of reality's cloth, reverberating through her own code, her own soul, that ever-present link to the stars dragging the feeling through her.

The lie to conceal that was rough, barely coherent in that rush of feeling, but she couldn't bother to care then. She cared now, though. She cared as the Hermits ventured through the Rift, as she found herself trapped in one world with the people she'd tried so hard to hide from. It wasn't that she didn't love her friends—no, it was this love which drove her hidden existences; she couldn't risk their discovery or their harm. And yet here she was, her double life on the edge of discovery.

She went along with the other Emperors' confusion, trying desperately to ignore the near-hurt looks of Impulse and Pearl as she acted as though she hardly knew them. She acted and fibbed and lied, lied, over and over and over again. They couldn't know. They couldn't.

It didn't help how the Hermits pushed, questioning and pestering like some horrid, eternal interrogation, just waiting for her to slip up. Some part of Gem wondered if they already knew, if they were just waiting to reveal her for what she truly was. Perhaps they wanted her to confess—perhaps it would be easier if she did.

What would she do if they found out? Would they ban her? Kill her? She was dangerous—a known murderer in one realm already, a powerful princess in another, and a being capable of destroying them all in both. She wouldn't put it past them to simply end her existence, snuffed out like a star dragged into the dark of a black hole.

The thought scared Gem, scared her more than any she'd had in a long time. And so she became avoidant, lying on a habit, covering up every bit of her other life that she could, even as the glaring marker of truth which was the Hermits remained.

These lies came to a head one day, within some building of Dawn. She'd been working away at this build, distracting herself in the joy of creation, a side of her coin she much preferred to land upon.

It was just before noon when Impulse and Pearl arrived, wandering into the latest addition to Dawn.

"Gem? Gemmmm? Gemmy? Gemmy Gem? You there?" Pearl's voice rang through the small building, drawing Gem's attention from the wall she'd been decorating.

"Pearl?" Gem replied, turning away from her wall as the pair rounded one of the doorways. "Oh. Hi. Do you… need something?"

Impulse shrugged, taking up a spot against one of the other walls. "Eh. Just.. wanted to stop by, see how you're doing."

"Oh, alright. Uhm, I'm just kinda building right now- tryna decide which wall design I should go with." She gestured to the indented wall behind her, letting the pair focus on that. It was easier when they weren't staring at her.

"Ooh, I like the one on the right. Kinda reminds me of one of the other patterns in the castle—y'know, that one?" Pearl looked back at her, awaiting an answer Gem knew she couldn't give.

Some part of Gem wanted to tell them; she'd been holding in all these hidden truths for so long, all these lies she'd had to weave to survive. Some part of her wanted nothing more than to ramble out everything she'd been hiding.

But still. She couldn't. She never could—it would risk everything she had worked for. And so she awkwardly shrugged, mumbling a small "No?"

Her friends shared a look, and, watching them, Gem nearly gave into the urge to agree, tell them yes she knew, yes she understood, yes they had been friends, they were still friends.

"Gem, are you sure you don't remember anything? I.. I know we're pesterin' you a lot, but- our Gem hasn't shown up since we passed through the Rift, and- well, you're her- sorta- I-" Pearl shook her head. "Void, none of this is coming out right. I.. we just wanna know. Are you.. you? Or some other you? Are you the Gem we know?"

Gem tensed, drawing in a breath. They weren't going to leave her alone, were they? They didn't understand what she had to do, why she had to lie to live the way she did, to even live at all.

As her thoughts slipped, she faintly heard an instinctive no, hesitant as it was, fall from her lips. She shook her head, focusing again on her friends—no, they weren't her friends, they were the Hermit Gem's friends, different friends from a different world which should never have met her at all.

"Are you certain? You.. you hesitated. You can tell us, y'know, even if you aren't completely our Gem."

"No, I can't," Gem muttered, just a tad too loud. She tensed, eyes widening at the indiscretion. That.. that was foolish.

She could already tell that this was a fatal error, could already feel the horrible aftermath pounding through her skull, countless realities shrieking of betrayal and fear and death. Death. Gods, that scared her. Faintly, beyond the swirling multitudes of her mind, Gem could hear her own panicked breaths, worried voices and hands on her arm and-

"I.. I'm sorry- I- I lied, I lied about everything- oh stars I'm such a fool- I- I'm gonna die I don't want to die oh stars- I had to do it I had to I don't want to implode I can't hurt anyone again- oh jeez- pl- please don't hurt me- I didn't wanna hurt everyone I didn't want to fake it all but I had to- I-"

A pair of hands grabbed her shoulders, firm, accompanied by two blue eyes staring into her own. Gem drew in a shaky breath, staring into the endless night those eyes seemed to contain.

"Gem. We aren't going to hurt you—we just wanna know what's goin' on. I.. we're worried about you, Gemmy, and ya can't just bottle everythin up. So please. What's wrong?"

Gem sighed, gathering the few shreds of nerve she could manage within her mind. "I.. I'm- I've been hiding my.. second life here. And my past. And… and everything else. I.. I lied about so much-" A sharp sob bubbled up in her chest, releasing itself in a nearly painful whimper. "Everyone's gonna hate me.. oh stars, what am I gonna do-"

"They're- they're not gonna hate you, Gem. We'll make sure nothing bad happens. Right Impulse?"

Impulse, who'd at some point crouched down next to her, nodded, before pulling Gem into a hug, which Pearl joined only a moment later.

"Th.. thanks guys.. promise you won't tell anyone, though. I… I've seen how people react to everything and…" she trailed off, shuddering at the images which flitted through her mind—anger and fear, destruction and death, all the things she'd worked so hard to avoid.

Pearl nodded. "I.. I get it. I've had a rough go of it too, if I'm being honest. We'll keep you safe though."

"Yea, we'll make sure nobody can lay a hand on our Gem, no matter what. We love ya, and aren't gonna let someone hurt one of our own." Impulse paused a moment, before adding, "Besides, if you're gone, who're we gonna play soup roulette with?"

Gem let out a soft laugh at the question, head shaking with an imaginary disdain. "Oh, Impulse."

She was safe for now, hidden behind the love of friends who barely understood what she'd done. Some part of her knew they'd hate the full her, knew the disgust and fear she'd earn upon admitting her crimes. She'd already said too much, even without the knowledge of what she was. It had been a mistake.

Silently, between the laughter of friends she knew would turn away, she told herself she would say no more, vowed silent to bury the truth as deep as she could and never touch it again. It…it was for the best. It was for their safety. Right?

#gem's 100% ok I swear #I am going to ramble about the mess that is my headcannons later because I have Ideas #and I cannot wait to fuck up the Celestials like I fucked up the watchers n listeners #also our resident skulky bois their future is dark too :D #anyway gem had a bit of a menty b but it's fine #she's fine. she's always fine. why wouldn't she be fine?#anyway anyway I think you can tell I was reading 19th century horror novels before I wrote most of this #it was Frankenstein btw great book totally fucked me up tho #my writing style was funky for a week after lol #empires smp #hermitcraft smp #empires x hermitcraft #geminitay #pearlescentmoon #impulsesv #soup group #angst #empires fanfic #my writing #lqmie says things #edit def didn't forget the italics lol #edit edit def didn't forget the au tag #the horrors and the heavens

13 notes · View notes

songfell-ut · 3 years

Text

Happy birthday to:

@venelona! I set out to prove that I could do a gift on time, and even if time zones have come between us, it’s totally the 4th right now for me, dammit. So here you go, stolen directly from your conversation on @lailosh‘s server and based of course on these comics.

(Omfg, I told my daughter I was happy I finished a birthday gift on time and now she’s nattering to her class on Zoom about how today is her mom’s friend’s birthday and the teacher is asking if we’re doing anything)

Anyway

The bedroom was quiet. Not too quiet—the air conditioner hummed and traffic noises filtered in from the busy street outside, as usual. It was just the quiet of an early-evening bedroom with no one in it yet, sleeping or playing on their phone or doing you-know-what…

…Not that the room’s usual occupant ever did much know-what. In fact, she never did any of it. He definitely would’ve noticed. He noticed everything.

For example, he knew the moment the sun’s last rays finally died out and warm, sweet darkness began sinking into the room, pooling under her bed and creating the ideal space for someone – something – like him to emerge.

Nightmare permitted himself a tiny grin, letting his tentacles writhe in anticipation. He’d been resting and gathering his power for over a month, building enough strength to invade the waking world. Let her think he’d grown tired of trying to reach her again after…after that, her shocking indecency, showing him all that soft warm naked skin and touching him with no he had to focus

Yes. She probably thought she’d won and driven him off with her horrible wiles! Well, what would she say when he came for her—no, when he completely platonically attacked her in her own world, where she thought she was safe? There was nowhere to run from him in her nightmares, but she could always wake up. Here, though…

Nightmare took the magical equivalent of a deep breath, running his tentacles along the barrier between his world and the reality inhabited by humans. It was a delicate process, but he used the barest touch of power to find the barrier’s weak spot, nudge the folds of subspace aside and insert his tentacles one at a why did this feel so inappropriate time, until he was through!

The space under her bed was…not spacious. In fact, if he hadn’t been so viscous, Nightmare could well have found himself stuck. It was enough to make him contemplate giving up and slipping back into his own world, where an eldritch being could stretch properly and not think terrible, untoward things from something as innocuous as penetrating into her wo—

No! As a being of infinite cosmic horror who fed on the suffering of lesser creatures, Nightmare had no intention of backing out now…not the least because he couldn’t back up any further without hitting the wall. What kind of pathetically undersized dwelling was this?

At least he knew her routine, and that she’d be in here soon enough: she was doing the dishes, and then it was time for her shower. Should he strike while she was rummaging in her closet for her favorite cotton robe, the one with the stupid pink flowers? Or lie in wait until she came in afterward, threw her towel off, and eventually got into her pajamas? …Assuming she bothered wearing any. He never watched that part, no matter how much he…well…

Nightmare squeezed his eye shut. Things would be different after tonight, he vowed. Once he’d given her another glimpse of real terror, she’d never taunt him again! He would unleash his most hideous abominations upon his not-scantily-clad victim, and her fear would make him strong enough to finally see—

—a set of dainty black paws wandering in through the half-open door. The skeletal creature froze, slipping a little further back under the bed. Since when did Frisk have a damned cat? And where was it going?! Surely the beast wasn’t stupid enough to approach him?

The cat took a few hesitant steps, then stopped and growled under its breath, tail lashing. Good! Let it make all the noise it wanted. If it got close enough to grab, he’d—

Nightmare was so busy thinking of ways to make the cat sorry for existing that he didn’t notice one of his tentacles eagerly creeping out from under the bed, reaching to grab the little animal…until the cat’s paw went whapwhapwhap and smacked him with needle-sharp claws. “Oww!” he snarled. “You…!”

The kitchen was just down the hall; to his alarm, Frisk had turned the water off. “Nero?” she called. Her footsteps drifted toward the bedroom, and Nightmare crammed himself back against the wall. “Ne—geez!” she yelped as the cat came rocketing out of her room. “What’s wrong with you?” the young woman demanded, her voice trailing after him. “Come back here and answer me, you little…!”

That was too close. Nightmare breathed a sigh of relief, and considered reaching across the room to shut the door; his powers of telekinesis had all but vanished as his…other talents developed. But no, she was an intelligent young lady, and she’d wonder why it was suddenly closed. Besides, the substance coating his limbs would leave telltale greenish-black traces. He just had to hope she wouldn’t notice the flecks of it on the carpet that had been whacked off—that had been forcibly removed by the cat clawing his tentacle.

So the skeletal abomination settled himself to wait, very patiently, as befitted a creature of his age and magical stature. He was always happy to pass the time devising new tortures to inflict upon his victims. Frisk never failed to disappoint him, provided she had clothes on, and once he’d had his way with—once he was finished platonically terrorizing her, she’d never say any ridiculous things about naked or marriage ever again!

Only a minute later, Frisk came back down the hall. “I know, Mom,” she was saying, presumably on the phone. The hall light came on; Nightmare steeled himself for the bedroom light, but to his intense relief, she went to the bathroom instead. “Yeah, I’m gonna go to bed early tonight. I’ve got new contacts, and they’re giving me a headache.” There was a rummage through her medicine cabinet, then some vaguely cloth-sounding noises. “Of course Nero’s doing fine. He just got his wet food, and…he’s already heading to the litter box again. Goody.” Sigh. “Are you guys having fun on your amazing cruise that you wouldn’t take me on?”

Ah. That explained the cat’s presence. And it was also excellent nightmare fuel: he could make her see her parents out on the ocean, having a wonderful time until, say, the walls of the ship split open and grew teeth to begin devouring the passengers, or some kind of disease started spreading that made people turn inside out…Frisk was always susceptible to body horror. Oh, yes, he knew how he could take advantage of her. …Platonically!

“Thanks, Mom,” she said loudly, breaking in on his definitely-not-filthy thoughts. “Have fun. Love you.” He heard her set something down in the kitchen, then sigh, padding back down the hall.

Nightmare settled down to wait again, only to flinch at the sound of sudden, rapid footsteps: Frisk burst into her room and leapt onto her bed with a little “Whee!” The mattress flattened beneath her weight, mashing into his skull; he cursed silently in the tongues of a thousand mortal worlds as Frisk flopped onto her back. “Oh, man, what a day,” she muttered. “Stupid contacts.” Yawn. “Don’t care about the shower, do it in the mornin’…”

That was…remarkably cute, Nightmare thought, then tried to un-think it as she rolled onto her side, relieving some of the pressure. If only they were in his realm! Her mind would be an open book, and he could effortlessly seize her subconscious and steer it in any direction he chose. In this world, he had to wait till her breathing slowed, then grip the carpet and glide out from under the bed on a layer of the noxious stuff coating his body.

Once his torso was free, he silently eased his legs out and rose to his knees. His tentacles quivered with eagerness as he started to turn toward the b—

“Gotcha!”

…If Nightmare had had any friends, and one of them had asked him the likelihood of his next victim not just taking him by surprise, but grabbing him by the neck with rubber kitchen gloves? He would have laughed, and then killed them, because they were clearly insane and he didn’t have any friends.

But by all that was unholy, his theoretical dead friend was not insane. Instead of giving Frisk a (perfectly chaste) glimpse into her own personal Hell, Nightmare found himself being scruffed like an indignant kitten and hauled toward the light switch; instead of latching onto her and ripping her flesh from her bones, his tentacles had just enough time to form a protective seal over his eye before the room was flooded with foul, searing light.

“Oh my God, shut up!” Frisk shouted over his wails of pain. “It’s just one lightbulb!” She shouldered the door open and began dragging him down the hall. “You’re not melting or anything! But if you want to, go for it—it’d probably be an improvement!”

“How dare you!” The eldritch skeleton flailed with both arms and kicked at random, to no avail. “Release me now!”

“Why?” she snapped. Nightmare made another series of agonized noises as she pulled him all the way into the brightly lit bathroom. “I’m not letting you go till you apologize and we get everything cleaned up!” She slammed the door shut and locked it for emphasis. “Got it?!”

He still couldn’t bring himself to uncover his eye. “How? How did you know—”

“The cat had a bunch of gross slime all over his paw! Who do I know that gets gunk everywhere and smells like a hot dumpster? Gee, let me think!” Frisk still had an iron grip on his neck, fingers digging between the vertebrae. With her other rubber-gloved hand, she banged open the linen closet and began pulling things out, piling them on the toilet lid. “I had to scrub it off him so he wouldn’t eat it and die or something. So then I thought to myself, Wow, Self! I already had to wash one dumb thing I didn’t want here! Why not go for a double?”

The implication hit him as she yanked a knob and started the shower full-blast. “You wouldn’t dare,” he hissed.

Frisk stopped dead. For a moment, Nightmare entertained hopes of mustering enough strength to break loose and reach the light switch. When one tentacle eased free, though, she pivoted until he was fully facing the vanity lights, holding firm as he writhed in agony. It felt like miniature suns burning into his slime and bone…

…but only for a moment. The next thing he knew, Frisk had turned him away again, leaning over to shield him from the light. “Believe it or not, I don’t like hurting you,” she said severely. “But you’re in my world now, literally, and you’re not Mr. Big Scary Hentai Monster. You’re more like a vampire in a crappy horror game—all I have to do is turn the lights on. So, you’d better behave. Got it?” Her grip somehow tightened. “Here we go. Hold your breath!”

Nightmare didn’t have time to request any further details, because she was already ripping back the shower curtain and stepping into the tub with him, holding him under the water as she pulled the curtain shut. “There! I’ve been wanting to do this for a while,” she said cheerfully, patting his topmost tentacle. “Doesn’t that feel nice?”

It did not feel nice. The hot water felt like…like…it was bad and he hated it. Yes. It was terrible, and not oddly pleasant or soothing once he got used to it, not at all like being massaged by a thousand tiny hands. In fact, he hated it so much that he relaxed, telling himself he was tricking her into dropping her guard.

Behind him, Frisk hummed in satisfaction and reached out of the curtain. Nightmare’s tentacles began to loosen almost imperceptibly, but constricted again as the human tapped on them. “Hold still. I don’t even know if this stuff hurts when it gets in your eyes…well, eye. But like I said, I don’t get off on torturing people.” Something – probably a bottle – made a sploot sound as she squeezed it. “You just smell really bad.”

Nightmare couldn’t help flinching at the first cold, rough touch of the shower loofa. “I do not ‘get off’ on it,” he informed her. “I can’t help what I am, can I?”

“Hmmm. Yeah,” she said absently. “Yeah, you absolutely can. At least, you can control what you do.” A strange floral scent filled the room as she began a brisk, gentle scrub-down, removing most of his protective slime; he unconsciously folded his legs to sit forward more comfortably, letting her angle the showerhead so that more water streamed over him. “Would you die if you went too long without scaring the crap out of someone?”

The skeletal monster had to suppress a shudder as her fingers slipped between two of the tentacles. No one had touched him like this in…ever, or at least as far back as he could remember. “Probably,” he muttered, telling himself to calm down. It was perfectly innocent, just a wretched human daring to lay hands on him, earning the most terrible punishment imaginable— “Would you die if you went for too long without eating?” he added.

Scrub. Scrub. “Well, duh. But if I want a burger, I don’t sneak into the cow’s house to taunt it first.”

Nightmare did shudder this time as her hand glided over the same spot over and over again, leaving a very sensitive layer of ectoplasmic flesh. His tentacles were stirring with interest, and the more firmly he told them to stop it, the more they all wanted to be washed. One was actually angling itself to let her rub it harder. “I…fine! Just hurry it up.”

“Aww, see? It’s not so bad,” she chirped. The tentacle stretched luxuriously, and Nightmare fought to keep another one from rising to demand the same treatment. “At this rate, you’ll be nice and clean in just a few hours!”

Hours?! He did his best to open his eye, raising one hand to protect him from the light. “You’re joking. Right?” She made an indifferent noise, and he tried to grab at the loofa with his other hand. “Let me do it, then!”

“Nope,” said Frisk, giving the shower curtain a threatening nudge with her elbow; he twitched as the light flickered around its edge. “Just relax, okay? Let your loving wife take care of you~”

He felt his entire skull flush bright green. “You are not my wife!”

The human made a pouty sound. “How can you say that, honey? After all we’ve been through together!” The scrubbing intensified. “I know you wanted more romance. Is that why you came all the way here to see me?” The scrubbing paused. “How did you get into the real world, anyway?” she asked, much more seriously.

Nightmare willed more of his tentacles to peel themselves off his skull, and to behave themselves. “With magic. Don’t waste my time with stupid questions.” The light was just a bit dimmer in here through the shower curtain – enough for the pain to start receding – and he needed to adjust to it; no point formulating an escape plan if he couldn’t see what he was doing.

Frisk slowly removed her grip from around his neck. “Okay, then. I see how it is.” She heaved a sigh, then picked up the bottle again.

This was his chance—Frisk was distracted, with both hands occupied, and his vision was clear. Nightmare grinned in silent malice, flexing his bony fingers as they lay in his lap. Most of his power was still depleted from entering this world, but he had more physical strength in one tentacle than ten mortal men. And this was one slim, soft, pliant young woman! He could take her—he could overpower her with virtually no effort!

It would be ridiculously simple: turn around, grab her, and force her to turn the lights off, for starters. Then they could talk about how she had treated him like a misbehaving cat, and—

She chose that moment to drop the body wash and make him jump. “Crap! Sorry,” Frisk said.

The monster made what he hoped was an agreeable noise and picked up the bottle, which was pretty slippery. “Here,” he murmured. “If you’re going to—”

Without warning, Nightmare sprang to his feet and whirled around, backing the startled human against the shower wall. “Now,” he snarled, “you daaaaaaaaaaaaaugh”

Frisk watched, disbelieving, as the dripping-wet monstrosity jerked backward, arms flung up to shield his eye, as though she had turned a spotlight on him and also thrown some holy water. “I was wondering if you’d noticed,” she remarked. “Did you think I was actually talking with my mom that whole time? I just didn’t want you to know I was taking my clothes off.”

“Why?!” he nearly shrieked. “Why would you do that?”

“‘Cause I didn’t want them to get gunked up! That stuff doesn’t look like it washes out. You’d better help me get it off the carpet, by the way.” Frisk chuckled, and that teasing note crept back into her voice, the one he’d heard so many times in his own nightmares: “If I lose my security deposit, it’ll be your fault. How do you plan to compensate me for that, I wonder~”

Nightmare couldn’t speak; he just emitted a stream of “Y-y-y-y-y—”

“Yyyes, I’m naked,” she agreed, retrieving the bottle. Almost against his will, Nightmare’s eye cracked open in time to watch her set down the loofa, peel the gloves off, goop some body wash onto her hand, and begin blithely rubbing it over her skin. “No offense, but I don’t want you all over me yet.”

The monster’s eye bulged so hard that Frisk snorted. “I meant this, dummy!” She indicated the slimy loofa, and leered at him. “What did you think I meant?”

It was tempting to throw himself out of the shower and hope for death’s sweet embrace, but to his steadily increasing horror, the skeleton couldn’t move his feet. As his gaze swept unwillingly up and down her body, the way her skin glistened as her hands squeezed and stroked it, Nightmare’s desire to grab her shifted…and his tentacles agreed.

Frisk was opening her mouth to say something when one appendage snaked up and began petting her shoulder, which was somehow even warmer and smoother than it looked. “Whoa,” she remarked, looking from it to him and back with wide eyes. To his dismay, her mouth quirked a little. “What happened to romance, Nightmare? Didn’t you want to dance in the moonlight, eat Peking duck, or whatever?”

“I’m n-not—” Nightmare tugged at the errant tentacle, first with his hand, then his magic. To his very dismay, Frisk was reaching up to poke at it, giggling as it brushed her cheek. “What’s wrong with you?” he demanded of the world at large.

As if mocking him, another tentacle lurched at the young woman, making him stagger forward till he had to catch himself with his hands on either side of her. Frozen in place, Nightmare unwillingly watched a few errant suds trickle down her neck, sliding merrily off her collarbone and along the side of her breast before continuing to the brave new worlds beyond—

“Um,” said Frisk, still sounding more amused than perturbed. Her eyes met his, then flicked to her left meaningfully.

Aaaand of course another tentacle had slid around her wrist and along her arm. “Oh, my,” she said, bemused. Nightmare’s soul did a backflip as the young woman moved forward, the tentacles drawing her closer, till her breasts were nearly touching his soaking-wet jacket. “Are you actually coming on to me, or—eep!”

That was probably due to yet another tentacle worming around behind her and running up and down her back, eliciting a little moan. The skeleton wanted desperately to wrench himself free, or at least tell her to be quiet, but…

Frisk was flushed, her breath coming quick and shallow. Nightmare watched her hands come up to rest on his ribcage, picking off bits of slime. “What now?” she murmured.

Nightmare wanted to tell her that she’d won, and please go put on clothes now so he could leave and never come back. He also wanted to tell her that this wasn’t how he’d envisioned their next encounter, or that young women in his day knew better than to trap extradimensional beings in the shower with them; he wanted to be very stern about doing this kind of thing the right way, because she deserved the right way, not…this.

He wanted to stop himself as his fingers rose to brush her damp hair off her face and his skull drooped to rest on her bare shoulder…but he didn’t.

He didn’t want to give up and let his tentacles wind around Frisk to pull her against him, or to put his arms around her, encasing her entire body. But he did.

“Nightmare?” Frisk whispered.

It wasn’t romantic. But if she didn’t care—

Nightmare summoned his scant reserves of magic, and raised his hand long enough to snap his fingers.

The lights went out.

Not long afterward – just a few days after her parents got back and collected Nero, with only a few inquiries as to what that smell was – Frisk went on a shopping trip that raised several eyebrows: she bought several shower curtain liners, a dozen bottles each of Amber Sunrise and Moonlit Jasmine body wash, every single Stain Stick on the shelf, and a steam cleaner.

If that wasn’t strange enough, her neighbors soon started complaining about odd noises in the middle of the night, and at least one of them made rude remarks about how she had to be hoarding trash or something. When the landlord came in for an inspection, though, all he saw was a scrupulously clean apartment with a faint, lingering odor that he couldn’t identify.

It was hard not to see a heap of folded plastic in the corner of her room, but there were no bloodstains – or recent unsolved murders that he knew of – and anything else she chose to use it for was none of his business; Frisk accepted his admonishment to keep it down, whatever it was, and promised to maintain her new cleaning schedule.

Her neighbors didn’t hear much of anything after that. There was nowhere to run from him in her nightmares, but that was fine—she was in no hurry to wake up. After all, she wasn’t the one who’d been caught, was she?

#happy berfdeh #fluff #it was a choice between spicy and punctual #i know what i need to work on and spice ain't the problem

90 notes · View notes

siren1song · 4 years

Text

Hey man remember this thing I did back in December?

I think it’s time I do it again.

Honestly I’m obligated to start this out with @sleepless-in-starbucks because he gets so “offended” when I snipe him it’s like a requirement I do so. Great writing! Super understanding friend! Amazing person! I love writing losleep (and now!! Anxvi!!) for him because he just reacts so well.

And then!! @emo-disaster!!! One of my best friends!!! Who’s fics are short enough I can read them because brain is big dumb about reading lately!! And who’s recent angst made me CRY. Who writes rarepairs with me!!! And loves all of my content wholeheartedly and makes me feel really good about my writing!!! Argo ilysm!!!!

@yalltookmyurlideas has such good writing? Brain broke I can only remember Special Ramen but it’s. My favorite fic by them I’m so ahhh. Also! Really cool friend! I love talking to them! 10/10 would befriend again!!!!!

@ratherstarryeyed fuckin my brain is BROKE so I can’t read most of your stuff but the friendly competition on the server we got going on is so fun and I super respect how much you’re able to write for a fic.

Oh!! @gr3ml1n-loser did you know I love your art a lot? Like it’s so neat!!! I love looking at it!! And your moodboards are great and also you are great best chaotic punk sibling hands down.

@just-a-little-bit-gay-oops **SOBS** I LOVE YOU SO MUCH CROW. You’re art is stunning and you’re a really great friend and person and I stan you SO HARD. It’s also nice to have someone who agrees Remus is the hottest side /half-j

@sleepy-sides My new wonderful amazing talented adorable qpp who has drawn me literally so much art? Most of the content you’ve drawn for me I didn’t even ask for! And you have such a cool art style! And you’re so good with colors and poses and I literally have the sea eldritch Remus you drew for my fic as my background.

@rose-gold-roman Your writing is super cute!! I remember reading that moceit sick fic you wrote when we first became friends and I’m still super soft over it. Plus Shatter!! Oh my god Shatter I’m ahhh. Also super funny and sweet and ahhhh Logan ilysm!!!

@selkiesebille Sebi I love you so much and your writing is so good? You have such amazing wonderful ideas that I get so invested in and I love talking about them with you. There’s a boat load of things I could say about loving you but like I’m trying to keep this to about content so I’ll refrain.

@main-chive Your art is so good!!! It’s wonderful to see when you make it and I love it so much!!! Also your puns because honestly puns are an art themselves. I mean your art blog is art-chive and thats so!!!! I love that so much.

@max-is-tired Ahhh Max I love your writing so much? It’s so good!!! I love how you have characters interact and your dialogue flows really nicely!! I love you so much thank you for existing and loving my rarepairs with me!!!

@hold-my-hat Hey!! Hey Darcy!! Your art is super cute!!! And I love it a whole lot!!! And you intimidate me just a little bit bc I’m babey and easily intimidated but I’m starting to get over that but!! I love your art so much! I haven’t read your stuff yet because brain machine broke but when I can read content again it’s over for your notifs.

@firey-alex Did you know your writing is really cute and I love that you’re so good at editing? And it’s so fun playing Stardew Valley with you!! And your ocs are really cool and I’m so excited for your dnd campaign!!! So!!! Fucking!!! Excited!!!!!

Extra love for @gr3ml1n-loser because haunt’s getting a mean anon, but guess what! I stan you! You’re really cool and I love how excited you get over irish cryptids and fae!!! And I love seeing you just!! Exist!!!! You’re one of those people I go !!!!!!!! over when I see you online!

Oops this is basically just me loving all of my friends and partners.

#casper speaks #lia tag #argo tag #chris tag #vesper tag #kevin tag #crow tag #rem tag #logan tag #sebi tag #ren tag #max tag #darcy tag #alex tag #OOPS #i swear i meant this to be for content creators in general not just my friends #but it did not end up that way #ahhhh sTILL IM NOT REDOING IT

17 notes · View notes

sleepyfan-blog · 4 years

Text

Reaperdream Soumate AU ficlets

Fandom: UTMV

This was written for the UT Rarepair discord server Secret Santa Event, for @izzy-the-bizzy

Characters: Dream, Reapertale Sans, Aftertale Sans, Ink Sans, Swap Sans, Underfell Sans, Reapertale Papyrus, Reapertale Gaster, Swapfell Sans, Fellswap Sans

Warnings: major character death

Word count: 7,451

tagslist: @anxiety-is-married-to-depression @angelofthehalfmoon @trainwreck-of-skeletons @hisame-amadashi @therandomskelekey

Dream stared at the red string that had been wound around their finger from the moment that they had woken up from that awful stone spell. They knew what it was, of course. It meant that they had a soulmate somewhere in the wide multiverse. They had stumbled and fled through a portal that they had created by instinct, unsure as to just where they would end up, but fleeing the eldritch thing that Nightmare had become. Unsure as to whether or not they wanted to meet their soulmate or not, they fled from world to world, trying to gain strength and generally evade Nightmare as best as they could.

Which was how they had ended up in the situation they are in now, having been drawn to an AU that Ink had warned them to avoid. Reapertale. But they had felt... Drawn here. They were wearing their cape so that their face was hooded and hidden as they wandered throughout the world, finding it to be a mix of monster and humans. There were whispers of gods and goddesses who ruled them all, beings of incredible, indescribable power. They hadn't realized that their Red String of Fate had grown taught until they very nearly ran into their soulmate, who had a scythe raised as a human pleaded weakly for mercy.

Dream called out at the scene before them, confused "Uhm... What's going on here?" The human's injuries were fatal - and their chest had stilled. Their soul was floating freely from their chest, and still pleading for mercy.

"The name's Sans, god of Death. If you try to interfere, I may just have to kill you too." The hooded figure called out, slashing the human's soul in half and turning to face them, a red string taught between the two of them. "I trust that you..." The Sans stopped talking, staring at the taught red string that connected the two of them. "So... I guess we're soulmates, huh?" The Sans muttered, leaning on his scythe and staring at Dream.

Shock and confusion flooded Dream, and they wished that they could take back the "What the hell is that even supposed to mean?" At least they weren't bound to a mortal... They weren't sure what to think.

"I don't know. What do you think it means?" Death asks, staring hard at them.

Dream sighed, knowing the answer to that instantly "Trouble."

"Why, disappointed to find out that the god of death is your soulmate, mortal?" Reaper called, out, squinting at him.

Dream shook their head, lowering their hood "I'm no more mortal than you are. While I can be killed, I don't age, can't die of illness, starvation nor thirst. I suppose I should introduce myself, since we are soulmates, and I know your name, Sans. I'm Dream, guardian of positivity."

"... I've heard rumors about you from the Sanses who run around with Ink. You've been sorely missed throughout the centuries, since your other half has been causing a giant rampage across the multiverse. Not that Ink particularly cares beyond a new game to play. Especially since Nightmare fucks around with darker timelines for the most part."

Dream sighed softly "I was trapped in a stasis spell for centuries... I'm not sure what Nightmare has been up to while I was trapped, but I... Considering how strong he is, I can guess at what he's been up to. I... I suppose that it's nice to meet you?"

Reaper laughed, voice filled with bitterness "I suppose it's good to meet you too... If you're looking for hugs and kisses, I'm afraid I might dust you, even if you're more durable than mortals. My very touch kills."

A small frown appeared on their face at that "You... You've never been able to touch or hold someone? Not ever?" that sounds so horribly lonely...

"My brother, Paps, is also a god of death, and we can hug one another without dusting each other... But hey, it's not all bad. This death touch makes my job easier. You wouldn't believe how -" Reaper began, rearing back in surprise and flailing in shock as Dream rushed him, hugging him tight "Wait I... I... You... You're not..."

"Dusting or dying? Nope... As I told you, the only way I can die is if I'm killed... So your touch won't knock me down." Dream murmured, hugging Reaper tightly "This is going to be troublesome and complicated, but I... If you like, we can try to make it work? Unless you'd rather I vanish and never come back to your world? The multiverse is vast, I'm sure we could manage to avoid each other."

"I... No. I don't... I don't want you to vanish as soon as we've met one another. I do want to make a go of things. Of... Of getting to know you." Reaper responded, treacherous hope blooming in his chest as he looks down at them, his soul twisting and making it difficult to breathe. He had a soulmate... Who wasn't afraid of him. A true smile appeared on his face as he asked "How much of my AU have you seen, Dream?"

"Just a bit of the mortal world. Some of this city and nothing else, as a matter of fact. I'd be delighted to explore more of your world, if you like?" Dream offered, a hopeful smile appearing on their face as well.

Reaper nodded, offering them an arm as he murmured "I gotta take this soul to the afterlife. Then I can show you a few of my favorite places, if you’d like?"

Dream nods. They have no idea just how this will work out... But they're willing to try, hoping that the two of them might be able to enjoy one another's company. "Sounds good to me."

~~~

Reaper ran his fingers along the carved number on the inner portion of his radius. He was well aware of what the numbers meant, as they slowly continued to trickle down, each second passing in less than the blink of a mortal eye. He had taken the souls of many mortals, and their numbers - or the numbers of one or more of the mortals around them had hit zero, as he appeared to them, taking their souls from their bodies, to take them to the afterlife.

Five hundred and sixty-four days, three hours and ten minutes. With twelve-eleven-ten... Seconds left. That was how much longer his soulmate had to live. A bitter smile appeared on his face as he wondered morosely if his only chance to meet his soulmate - who had to be alive... They must be a boss monster of some kind, to live for so long - would be when he took their soul to the afterlife. To meet them only to be the one to take their last breath... As he sure as hell wasn't going to make his younger brother take his own soulmate's life...

He wondered what they might be like? Would he be able to meet them before they died? Would he know if they were his soulmate, and he was theirs? The dull ache that pulled at his soul whenever he stared at the numbers for more than a couple of seconds had returned. With a sigh, he pulled down the sleeve of his robe, shaking himself as he stood up, stretching a little. He was going to pester Tori for a while. It was always fun teasing the goddess of life.

He pauses, sensing something... Someone new in the garden of life. Moving swiftly, making sure to float a couple of inches above the grass, so that he didn't kill everything he touched, Reaper charged to where he could sense the new being - who was worryingly close to Toriel, summoning his scythe, just in case it was another Chara situation. Instead he sees a -

Reaper stops dead, blinking rapidly as the brightly blazing golden aura of the being who was speaking to Tori, their voice too loud and very soft all at once, the dizzying amount of information that he had gotten from seeing them for the first time incredibly distracting and distressing. Yet... The distress and concern that he felt at this stranger - powerful, kind and gentle as he could feel they were - faded away. "Good morning, Sans." Tori called out, smiling warmly down at him. "Come, meet the guardian of positivity. Their name is Dream."

Reaper nodded, coming forwards and nodding politely, his scythe vanishing as he tucked his hands behind his back "Hello, My name's Sans... I'm one of the two Reapers, so I'd like to shake your hand, but if I did, I'd kill you."

Dream smiled a little and nodded in understanding, the radiance of their soul still nearly blinding "It's wonderful to meet you, Sans. I sensed Toriel's distress and came to see if I could help. We've had a brief chat, and she's doing much better. She cares very much for you."

Reaper smiles a little bit and rubs the back of his skull "Yeah, I'm not sure why she cares for such a spooky bonehead like me, but I'm lucky... Although we didn't always get along with one another, haha... I'm... I don't think you're from this universe, are you?"

"Nope! But do not worry, I do not plan on staying here for very long. I like to wander, now that I've learned how. Thank you both for your time." Dream murmured, smiling warmly at Reaper, their magic rippling against his senses and almost causing him to purr at the feeling.

"You're welcome... And thanks for coming to cheer up Tori. That's very kind of you." Reaper responded, a genuine smile appearing on his face. "Say, have you met Ink? If you hop around enough 'verses you're bound to run into him. He's... Interesting and kind of dangerous. But for now at least, he means well."

"I'll keep that warning in mind, Reaper. See you later, I'm sure." Dream calls out, a happy smile appearing on their face as they open a golden portal, vanishing in a flash of light.

Reaper hadn't known what was going on in the multiversal sansnanigans that were going on. He had made sure that they knew that he was neutral. As long as they didn't fuck with his home timeline, he wouldn't reap their souls and send them on to the afterlife. It was a pretty good deal, and those whom he loved and cared for were well protected. Dealing with the mess that the others made when the reapers from the worlds that they had their destructive fights in was annoying and irritating to say the least, but it wasn't the absolutely shittiest thing he'd had to deal with.

What he hadn't expected was to be unexpectedly summoned during one of his rare days off, frowning as he found the Omega timeline in absolute shambles. There were dozens of injured mortals, with hundreds more dead. Sighing, he summoned his scythe, slashing his way through the dead souls, shoving them none too gently into the afterlife, having so many to reap, there was no time for any of the tact nor kindness that Paps showed the mortals who were dying.

He froze as he felt something vibrate on his left radius as he finished reaping the last of the mortal souls dead. With trembling fingers, he pulled down his sleeve, staring in muted horror as the numbers flicked down... Ten seconds... Nine... Eight... Panic seized him as he searched the AU, instinctively knowing that his soulmate had to be here... He could hear sounds of fighting and charged recklessly onto the battlefield to see Dream, Ink, Nightmare and Error battling two on two, their mortal companions dusting around them.

Before he could even attempt to defy fate and stop all four of these assholes from killing each other (as he had no idea which one of the four of them was his soul mate) one of Dream's arrows pierced through Error's soul, shattering it at the very moment that one of Error's gaster blasters was able to slam, full-force into Ink, vaporizing the creative guardian, even as a wave of ink gutted Nightmare. An anguished "No!" Left reaper as he rushed towards the four of them, noting that Error and Ink had already dusted, but he had a couple of seconds left, the positive and negative guardians sputtering weakly, glaring darkly at one another.

"You... Killed... My soulmates... Dream... Of course... I wouldn't... let that... Slide..." Nightmare ground out, surrounded by several piles of dust, the clothes of Cross, Killer, Dust and Hatchet surrounding him.

"It was not.., My intent to do so, brother... I never... Wanted to hurt you..." Dream called out, their eye lights fading. "Oh... Hey Reaper... Here to... Clean up our messes, as always?"

Discarding all sense as he knew in the back of his mind that he would only hasten the other's end, Reaper rushed to Dream's side, picking the other up and gently brushing the tears from their eyes "Dream! Dream no... Please... You.. you have to stay with me... Please no... I just... We... We're..."

"Soulmates? Oh... I'm so sorry to leave you... But..." Dream coughed weakly, golden ichor splattering Reaper's face "There's nothing that... Can be done... S-smile for me?"

"But I... I can't... Not... N-Not when you're dead! I can't... I don't..." He only helps souls cross into the afterlife. He never sees them again not unless they are reincarnated. "I... I'll bring you to Tori... Maybe... Maybe she can... She can heal you?" Tori would do that for him, right? Heal his soulmate? He's already preparing the portal when Dream shakes their head.

"No... I... I'm not meant to exist without him... Gotta... Stay balanced..." Dream mumbled, gesturing in Nightmare's general direction as the negative spirit collapsed into a puddle of dark ooze, having just given up on this life. A spectral form of a small, violet elemental hovered over what remained of Nightmare, waiting to be collected. "But... I'm glad to know... Who my soulmate is... Even if it's just in my final moments. You were a wonderful friend... Reaper... You must... Remember to smile... Maybe we'll meet each other again in a happier time?" With that, Dream faded into a puddle of dust, nothing remaining of them but their circlet and clothing. A yellow, spectral elemental appeared, gently nuzzling into him before chirping, causing the darker spirit to appear, murrmuring lowly. With trembling fingers, he cupped both of them, saying quietly "I release you from this life, and send you on to the afterlife. Rest well."

He reaped what remained of Error's soul... and poked at what little remained of Ink, knowing full well that the other was soulless. Would he resurrect somehow, or was this it? Reaper realized with a jolt, that he had accidentally allowed part of Dream's cloak to touch what remained of Nightmare... and a small sapling had begun to sprout from where the two had mixed. With careful, trembling fingers, he wrapped the little sapling up in Dream's scarf, stumbling into Tori's garden, yelling for her help, covered in dust and miserable.

She came running over, Undyne yelling at him for daring to be in here and gaster staring at him in a great deal of confusion, half a dozen of the other gods watching him. "Tori I... They... My soulmate just died and I... This... This tree.. They... I... Please take care of it... I... Please?" Reaper begged, knowing that he wasn't making much sense.

"Of course... Sans... Give me the sapling, I will tend to them... Go to your brother, and grieve for them..." Life murmured, a sad and understanding smile appearing on her face.

Reaper nodded, staggering off to where he knew his brother to be, collapsing into the other's confused embrace.

~~~

Reaper had gone to these Christmas parties for several years now, having found them to be endlessly entertaining... And if he could poke and prod at people without dusting them, finding their reactions to be amusing as all hell, so much the better. He knew that whatever had happened to his soulmate to cause the other to feel no emotions whatsoever for... Five hundred and twelve years, sixteen hours and seven seconds (so sue him for counting. It had been disorienting and terrifying when the emotions that didn't belong to him but did belong to his soulmate suddenly vanished) had suddenly come back a couple of weeks ago. The first thing he had felt from them was a return of the absolute terror, confusion and soul-rending betrayal that had laid him flat on his back, wheezing as he tried to get himself together. Tori had fluttered over him and yelled for Paps - as his brother was the only one in his AU who could touch him without dying.

The misery and sadness had died down to bearable degree - but much of the warm cheerfulness and contented peace that he had sensed from his soulmate had never returned. Not truly. There was a lot of determination and a grief that caused Reaper's soul to ache. Reaper had searched amongst the crowd of sanses at the Christmas Party, hoping that they were amongst their numbers... And he was getting close to asking Ink for help, to find his soulmate... Even if it meant dealing with the creative guardian's shenanigans a lot more than normal, it would be worth it to find his soulmate and hopefully dragging their miserable butt to therapy.

"Hey, Reaper..." Geno murmured, squinting at something or someone behind him "Ink's here... And he brought that golden marshmallow with him. I mean - Blue is tough as they come. Cheerful and sweet, but he can and will out-maneuver and manipulate pretty much anyone and everyone when he has a mind to do so. What the marshmallow is doing mixed up with the soulless creator and the mafia leader of friendship, I do not know."

Reaper hummed, turning around and freezing as he sees the gold and blue-clad sans. Their magic called to him in a way that he'd never experienced. "I... I think that they might..." He had seen other people meet their soulmates before. Whether the reactions were positive, negative or neutral, the first impression tended to be a lasting one, especially... Especially between soulmates. "I think they might be my soulmate."

Geno snickers a little "You wouldn't be the first to hope for that. They're the guardian of positivity, and their warm aura makes everyone around them feel happy... Sounds really lonely to me... They've been told that by at least half of the sanses here... Not that any of them were right, but hey. Good luck. If you're right, then you're right."

Reaper waves a hand at Geno "I can sense their emotions. What they're actually feeling, not the positive aura that is lifting the spirits of everyone around them." With that he went quiet, making his way over to Dream, mentally rolling his eye lights as a hush fell over the crowd and they reluctantly parted. He looks over at Dream, more sure than ever that the other was his soulmate. The fake smile on their face belied the exhausted circles under their eyes and the almost desperate way that they seemed to be trying to please and distract others. "Hello."

"I... Uhm... Hi." Dream responded, blinking up at him "My name is Dream. What's yours?" They ask, holding out a hand for him to shake.

Reaper grins, taking the other's hand, amused by the way that everyone tensed up around them "It's nice to meet you, Dream. I'm Death."

Dream stared up into his face, their eye lights widening for a couple of moments, surprise, hope and uncertainty flickering through them as they murmur "It's... It's nice to meet you death..."

"Heh... I get it. Not many people are eager to meet me. I think I even scare the life out of some of your companions." He responded, winking a little at Dream. "But don't worry, I'm a pretty chill guy. Meeting me here isn't automatically a death sentence."

The smile on Dream's face shifted to something a little bit more real, and a soft chuckle left them "Hehe... I... I don't think that you're all that scary. I've seen worse things happen to people than meeting you... You seem quite nice."

Reaper shrugged a little, a small smile appearing on his face "Eh. This place is a lot like an idle fantasy for me. I can touch people without killing them here. Which is nice, as in my home AU, anyone I touch who ain't my brother dies. Mortal or not. But in this place, I've got no fangs."

Dream giggles again, their eye lights brightening a little "I think the two of us need to have a bit of a private chat."

Reaper nods, following the other "True, but I'm not sure how private for how long this chat will be. Your friends seem to be kind of... Nosy."

Dream shrugs, grabbing one of Reaper's hands and teleporting them far away from where the party was "This should give us enough time to talk for at least a little bit. And of course, there's the Underfell Therapy Closet to hide in. I... I think you're my soulmate. It's difficult for me to tell, as I can sense the emotions of everyone around me... But your feelings are familiar to me, even though we've never met before."

"... I'm pretty sure that we're soulmates too, actually. Were you trapped in a stasis spell or killed for five hundred years and change before either resurrecting, reincarnating or breaking free of the spell? I couldn't... I couldn't sense you at all for that time and I..." Reaper shuddered a little. He'd despaired of ever meeting the other. That his soulmate had been mortal and worse yet, born in a different world and that they had lived and died before he'd ever had a chance to meet them.

"I... I was trapped in a stasis spell for a very long time. I didn't realize it was five hundred years. I've recently broken free. It's... I... I'm so glad to meet you, finally. Do... Do you mind if I hug you?" Dream asked, voice trembling a little as the other reaches out for him.

Reaper nods, scooping the smaller immortal up and hugging him close, lightly resting his chin on the top of the other's skull. "I'd... I'd very much like to hug you... I'm sure that there's a lot of shit that both of us have to talk about - complicated backstories and whatnot... But for now... I think just holding one another sounds good... What about you?"

Some of the worry and fear that he could sense within Dream ebbed away, replaced with hope and joy as the other murmured into his chest "I... That sounds like a really good idea to me... Thank... Thank you... Reaper."

"You're welcome, Dream." Reaper murmured quietly, hugging them tightly. Come what may, and regardless of any metaphorical or literal skeletons hidden in each of their closets, they had one another, and they'd found one another. That alone was enough for Reaper as he presses a gentle kiss to the top of the other's skull, hope and a small whisper of affection blooming in his chest as he looks down at Dream.

~~~~

Dream has existed for several days when they finally fall asleep for the first time, one warm evening, snuggled into their twin, leaning against what remained of the one who had created them, and what they had been created to protect. They found themself in a beautiful garden - with plants of many kinds that they had never actually seen before - with beautiful blossoms that as they rushed over to smell, found that they could neither touch nor smell.

This was terribly confusing to the young guardian, who tried to grab the flower, their fingers again going through the petals as if either they or the flower didn't exist. They hear two people speaking "telling you Tori, I don't have a soulmate. I've never once dreamed of them, and I've never seen them, if they've dreamed." said one voice, gruff and slightly frustrated and sad.

"Perhaps your soulmate simply hasn't been born or created yet? You mustn't give up hope, dear friend." a second voice said, comforting and gentle.

Dream makes their way over to the pair of voices, continuing to walk through the garden, seeing plants and hearing... Birds? That's what the information in their head from the previous guardian informed them that the strange but pleasing noises were coming from. "Uhm... Hello? Do you know where we are?" They call out, looking up at the tall, fuzzy person and the tall, bone person who looked similar to themself and Nightmare, though the big bone person had on a really cool black cloak. They had seen trees... But none of them remotely resembled the tree that they were meant to protect and live beneath.

"...How did you get in here? You're not supposed to be in here. This place is a sacred place." The tall bone person demanded, a growl in their voice.

Dream shrugged, not the least bit intimidated by the growls "I dunno how I got here.. I fell asleep next to Nighty an' I woke up a little while ago that way." Dream responded, pointing in the direction of the place that they had found themself in "I dunno how I got here... Why can't I touch anything? Who are you? Where are we?"

The furry person paused for a couple of moments before asking "... Do you see someone, Sans?"

"Yeah, there's this little kid like three feet from us. Can't... Can't you see them too? They're right there." The big bone person responded, pointing directly where Dream was standing "You're in Life's Sanctuary, kiddo. I'm-"

The goat person abruptly cut in "This is Sans, and my name is Toriel, young one. You and Sans are soulmates. you are currently dreaming, and you've dreamed your way to your soulmate. I can now see you, but only just. I promise that though Sans may seem kind of scary at first, he is kind and very punny. What's your name, young one?"

"My name is Dream!" The little guardian responded, grinning brightly up at Sans and Toriel, tilting their head a little as they pressed "So when I wake up, will I be back with Nighty and the tree?"

"If that's where you fell asleep, then you should, unless you were moved in your sleep... Why did you fall asleep near a tree?" Sans asked, curious despite the bored and unaffected expression on his face.

"Because me an' Nighty were created there, to protect her!" Dream responded cheerfully. "We are the guardians of the tree of feelings. I'm the guardian of the positive fruits. To make sure that no one eats them..."

"Why would someone want to eat these fruits? What do they do? ... How long have you existed?" Sans asked, moving a bit closer to them, trying to understand why now, of all times, had his soulmate appeared. After waiting what felt like an eternity for them to appear, did they finally show up. Or at least... Make themself known to him.

"The positive fruits represent the hopes and happiness of everyone... if they are eaten, then they don't feel those good feelings anymore." Dream explained with a worried frown "So I gotta protect them! And I've been around for..." They stare down at their fingers "Three days! The previous guardian - who was killed by a human - was dying and made me an' Nightmare! Night guards the negative fruits. They stay balanced so that peoples' feelings are balanced. You are the first people, part from Nighty, Who I've ever seen or talked to."

Toriel spoke up, murmuring quietly "You... You're quite big for three days old... And you can speak quite well..."

"Well, yeah. That's because our creator made our bodies so that they were adult-sized, or mostly adult-sized. An' gave us lots of information so that we would know things an' be able to guard the tree!" Dream responds happily, beaming up at the both of them. "... Why are you two upset? We haven't met any mortals yet... Part from you two right now, but you're not where I am, an' I don't think all mortals are bad... And the mortal who killed the previous guardian is dead because mama killed him."

"Err... Dream. Neither of us is mortal, either." Sans spoke up. He pauses for a moment before forging on ahead "Tori here is the goddess of Life... and I'm the god of Death." He hadn't heard of the tree of feelings, but then again... There were things about the universe that he didn't know about. He'd have to talk to dad, as he was pretty sure that this little one along with their twin were little godlings, perhaps born somewhere within the mortal realm and they needed to be found and trained properly in the use of their power... Why hadn't he been informed of something that was so important? He glances at Tori, dozens of questions on the tip of his tongue, but nothing that he wanted to ask, lest he confuse the very new godling in front of him.

"Ohhh... Cool! I didn't know that gods exist! That's really cool." The little guardian murmured, beaming eagerly up at the both of them. Dream pauses for a moment, blinking as they turn, hearing Nightmare call out for him "I think... I think I'm going to wake up soon. It's really nice to meet you for the first time, Sans! I hope to talk to you again soon." With that, the little guardian vanished into nothingness.

"... Tori, why wasn't I informed about this tree of feelings? Is it protected somewhere within the realm of the gods? Or is it rooted in the mortal realm because the tree affects both mortals and the gods?" Reaper asked, glancing at Life, trying to read her responses.

"I... I honestly have never heard of such a tree, but I cannot think that little one was lying to us. Their words had the ring of truth... Or at least, they believe what they've been told to be the truth, at least." Life responded, frowning a little "Perhaps it is something very old, that I have forgotten..."

"I'll speak with Gaster and Alphys. If there was anyone who could tell me about this tree of feelings, it would be one or the both of them." Reaper murmured, determined to find his soulmate and meet them in person - at least once. The little one hadn't seemed to be the least bit afraid or nervous of him... But the other was so new to the world, it made sense as to why they wouldn't flinch at the sight of death... Nor fall down in worship of Life.

----

Alphys had no idea what he was talking about when he had spoken of the tree of feelings. Gaster had frowned, pausing for a couple of moments before murmuring quietly "Such a tree would be well known, if it was native to this universe, Sans. I believe that your soulmate is from an entirely different universe, Sans. There are multiple universes, but it will take time and research for me to figure out how pan-dimensional travel is feasible... You will need to content yourself with dreaming visions of them and they of you until then, Sans. But I am glad to hear that you have met your soulmate, in some capacity at least."

Reaper nodded, sighing in frustration. Of course his soulmate had to be from an entirely different universe. His luck could never grant him something as easy as a soulmate who he could immediately reach out too... Although he did feel terribly unsure as to just what might happen if the two of them were able to actually interact with one another in reality... Dream was so very young, it was almost certain that they were platonic soulmates. which suited him just fine but... What happened if the other tried to embrace him? Would the other dust at his touch? "I... alright. Keep me informed. Thanks, G."

"Mmm... And I would like to remind you, sans, that by mortal reckoning, you are a little over ten years old, although gods do not age as mortals do, and you have always had an old soul. From what you told me of your soulmate... This young guardian seems much the same." Gaster pointed out, a small and knowing smile appearing on his face. He hadn't expected the other's soulmate to be so far afield... But he had hoped that the other did have a soulmate, as neither of his creations were lifeless creatures, even as many of the gods hissed and glared, muttering irritably at the necessity of such beings.

"Yeah, yeah. I know. It just... Feels weird. I have a soulmate... But I... I'm glad to have finally met them in some way... and that they haven't been hiding from me because of what I was created to be..." Reaper murmured, hope and uncertainty lingering in his mind. Perhaps the other didn't mind his presence now... But later? Reaper mentally shook himself. There was no need to dwell on what-ifs and might be’s. What would happen, would happen. He had a chance to get to know his soulmate, which was more than what a decent chance that Mortals got. "But hey. I'm sure I'll win him over with my punderful sense of humor. Then again, he's so sweet and I've just got this killer sense of humor. They... he? Might not take to it so well, given how saccharine sweet he is."

"have courage, Sans. Your soulmate is yours, and they yours for a reason." Gaster murmured "I cannort say for what reason the fate have bound the two of you together, but it is a rare and precious gift to be able to meet your soulmate, even amongst the gods."

"I... I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Gaster." Reaper murmured, heading off to go find Paps - who would absolutely want to know that he'd met his soulmate. A small smile lingered on his face - perhaps Paps had met his soulmate today as well? He's pretty sure that he’d hear all about it if that were true.

~~~~~~

Dream was very glad that they wore gloves at this particular moment in time. As otherwise they would have to find a way to hide what was on their palm. Ink had dragged him into this strange place - the... Omega? Timeline? where there were dozens of different versions of the same monster, from many different AUs and timelines. Amongst the goat monsters, occasional humans, buny monsters, Migosp, Aaron, Temmie and Papyri... There were also... Sanses. LIke the Stylized black and blue S that had been carved into the middle of their palm since they had first acquired a body, centuries ago.

Their soulmate was very likely named... Sans. Any one of the sanses he was currently watching talk, fight and argue with one another could be their soulmate... Or none of them were their soulmate, and the Sans whose S this was, was someone else entirely. They lightly tugged up their glove a little higher, trying to decide how best to bring about the end of a brawl that was going on between an Underfell, Swapfell and Fellswap trio of Sanses - especially as a couple of Undynes were headed over, Papyri from similar timelines hot on their heels and it looked like it was going to turn into a huge mess of negativity and pain and they really didn't want that to happen.

They clear their nonexistent throat as they call out, pulsing their magic in order to increase the warm and happy feelings that the assembled and brawling monsters were feeling, lowering the amount of aggression, fear, and uncertainty in the same flare of magic "Hello... Excuse me... But why are you fighting?"

Every eye light focused on them, but Dream stood their ground. They were fairly sure that they could handle this many rowdy mortals. And they could see Blue hovering nearby, prodding at a snickering Ink, possibly to come help keep the peace.

"This asshole stole my chocolate! I want it back... Who the hell are you? You some sorta swap with a fixation on yellow?" The Underfell sans huffed, glaring a little at them, pointing at the swapfell sans accusatory "... I'm called Red, if you didn't know."

"It's nice to meet you Red. My name is Dream." They respond, a small smile appearing on their face. They turn to look at the swapfell.

"The hell it is! I bought this chocolate three days ago, and you're the one who took it from me! You cheated at the sparring match that you made me lose, so I took it back. I'm called Viper." The swapfell huffed, glaring at Red as he tried to keep the chocolate out of Red's hands.

The fellswap Sans growled "That's where they're both lying. These two stole the chocolate from me, and I want it back! I haven't seen a Swap Sans variant who looks quite like you.. are you from a storyswap where you're the king or queen of the underground, given the circlet on your head?"

Dream frowns a little in confusion, wondering what the other meant by that "No, I... I'm not a swap sans. My name is Dream. I don't know if my AU has a name, but I've never... Monsters weren't... But that's not the point of this... I propose that the three of you split the chocolate evenly between the three of you, that way, each of you has some chocolate... Regardless of whose chocolate it might have once been... Besides, isn't there a chocolatier down the street? You could each purchase as much chocolate as you wish from there."

the trio of Fell variants stared at him "I... Fine. Splitting the chocolate sounds reasonable. What do you mean your AU doesn't have a name? Unless you're from an unfinished world, yours has gotta have a name... And are you implying that you're from a surface AU? Are there humans aboveground in your world?" Red demanded, equal parts curious and annoyed at having to share his chocolate. But if it got Viper and Blackberry off of his back, he'd take it. "Ink... HEY INK! What's Dream Sans's AU called?"

"Oh... I'm not... A sans..." Dream murmured quietly. Viper glanced at him quizzically, but no one else had heard them say that.

Ink laughed merrily "Pfhahahaaha! I wish I knew. I found Dream wandering around a littletale, completely out of place and terribly confused. He can travel AUs whenever he wants to, without my help. Also He prefers to be called Dream, rather than Dream Sans. I dunno why."

the answer to that was relatively simple. Dream wasn't a sans. He did inhabit a skeletal body -the body of a swap sans that had been created by the previous guardian of the tree of feelings... But he had not been born, nor created inhabiting this body and thus could not truly be called a sans. Not that they felt any desire, nor the inclination to actually explain this, as they had a feeling that the others might not react all that well to learning about that... Not that they had spoken to Ink and Blue - with whom they had been traveling for some time now - about anything in regards to their past... Everything was just too fresh and painful to begin to think about, much less speak to another about.

"Heya, Ink. Is there a reason why you invited me here? It's not as if there are another one of those parties going on at the moment - though, with those three, I'd not be surprised if you've got a proper death on your hands soon." A low, amused sounding voice called out from behind Dream. all three of the fell based Sanses froze and drew back a little, wariness and uncertainty flashing across their faces.

Dream turns to face this newcomer, a small smile appearing on their face "Hello. My name is Dream. What's yours?"

"... Dream, huh? Like half of the people here, my name is Sans... but I have several nicknames. My favorites are "Augh no, not you!" as well as Reaper and Death. In my AU, I'm one of the two gods of death, along with my brother, Papyrus. You have been sorely missed over the past few centuries that you've been trapped in a stasis spell."Reaper called out, a small smirk appearing on his face "I had wondered what had happened when your soul mark had changed color for centuries, and was hopeful when it changed back to the color it used to be."

"I... You.. we're... Soulmates?" Dream managed out, eye lights bright and wide as they tried to process the huge download of information that had been thrown at them, a giddy grin appearing on their face, their eye lights turning into stars "I... I'm so glad to hear that we are soulmates. It's wonderful to meet you, Sans... Unless you prefer one of the nicknames that you gave me?"

"Eh, as long as you don't call me a curse, I don't care what you refer to me as," Reaper responded with a small smile. He didn't extend a hand... He did hope that his touch wouldn't kill the guardian of positivity... But he had no reason nor the inclination to even attempt to try. Not unless Dream attempted to initiate contact with him first.

Dream hummed, looking at Reaper curiously "I think I'll refer to you as reaper, at least while we are around other sanses, to reduce confusion... Do you have time for us to speak one on one?"

Reaper shrugged "Eh. If the people in my AU - the other gods at least - had it their way, I'd never stop working... But reaping souls endlessly gets really... Dreary. I've got plenty of time to get to know you."

Dream nods, a small smile appearing on their face as they walked over to reaper, taking off their right glove, turning their right palm so that the stylized S could be seen by the other, offering it out for the other to shake. "Alright.. Have you ever been to an OverHaven? They are beautiful places."

Reaper hesitates, showing the gold and blue D on his right palm, reaching cautiously towards him and the two of them shook hands, their magics sparking a little and shifting. "Can't say that I have. I don't tend to travel the multiverse all that much, although it does sound nice."

Dream nods, beaming happily as they open a portal to Overhaven 36, to a point where there should be no mortals around for miles. "Alright. I've opened the portal to what should be a secluded glade."

Reaper nods, smiling a little, though a bit uncertain as he nodded, stepping up to the portal, a hopeful expression appearing on his face. So far, his soulmate wasn't the least bit afraid of him. That was a good thing, though that might partially be due to the trauma they were likely still processing, as Reaper could read souls and was... Well aware of the secrets that the other was hiding from everyone in regards to their past. He steps on through, making sure to float a few inches above the grass, to avoid killing anything. "I... Oh..." The vibrant colors of the flowers seemed to glow in the early dawn light, the dew glistening brightly on the grass, his breath leaving him in a pale white, misty cloud. A goofy grin appeared on his face "This... This is incredible..." He murmured to Dream.

Dream nods, beaming happily and hugging him tightly around the middle from behind "I... I'm so glad to finally meet you, and I hope that we'll be able to get along."

"I hope that we get along as we get to know one another better as well..." Reaper murmured, shifting in Dream's grip so that he could give them a hug, a goofy smile appearing on his face. He'd heard muttering for the longest time from the other gods that he didn't have a soulmate - or that they had died. He had hoped that the latter wasn't true, well aware that the former was false... And now... Here Dream was... In his arms, unafraid and curious about him, even. This was a start for both of them, and one that he was determined not to squander or waste.

#major character death cw #dream sans #reaper sans #reaperdream #aftertale sans #ink sans #swap sans #underfell sans #rt papyrus #rt gaster #sf sans #fs sans

37 notes · View notes

cyber-searcher · 4 years

Text

So @shock-tastic crept into my blog and threw this in my face and ran away. And I Thank.

Top 3 Ships

Oh man, only three? *looks to my armada*

Galciershipping (Cole/Zane)

Look, I am a massive sucker for Zane and Cole’s dynamic. Been rewatching season 4 and the scene where they find eachother is 👌. I’m living for Rock Dad and Roomba Mom. And even though the Movie was ‘eh’ I like how Cole made Zane his personal armrest. That was cute.

Also thanks to this by @sensei-wus-beard

Technoshipping (Jay/Zane)

I did NOT expect to ship this but then I took a peel down that rabbit hole and it grabbed me by the hand and whispered ‘yeet’ and now I’m stuck here. But Jay fixing up Zane after fights, snarking and bantering with one another, 3 AM conversations about the stupidest things. It is now my lifelong quest to fill AO3 with More Techno.

Citrus/Forgottenshipping (Morro x Echo Zane)

OKAY HEAR ME OUT. This one was entirely the Discorrd servers fault. But the two do share a lot of similarities backstory wise and present day. Forgotten by loved ones and show staff. Their dynamic - least how I see it - could be;

Morro: Why are you so innocent, even after everything that’s happened?

Echo: I’m not, but I want to still feel wonder are everything new around me.

Morro: Oh... wow.

Echo: Is that another butterfly! *runs after it*

Morro: You idiot. 😌

Also secret fourth place for Slushyshipping because mhh yes all the Zane.

Last Song

Sinners by Barns Courtney while finishing up some fics at 2 AM. Best times.

Lip or Chapstick

Is it bad I don’t really use either? But chapstick is better. Never really got lipstick. Doesn’t taste as good either.

Last Movie

Funnily enough, I think it was the Lego Ninjago movie. After I watch it, I spent like, half an hour talking to my cats about how I’d rewrite it. Maybe I’ll post it one day after I finish Nice Ice Emperor. Or I’ll drop a synopsis I dunno.

Reading too much Fanfiction

I’ve been bouncing between oneshots, but I’ve been rereading Pretty Penny Tavern by @sibillascribbles08 . And IT IS GOD TEIR WRITING CHEIF. Just, the character development slaps, relationships are gold and conflict is t e n s e. Go check it out if you need something good to binge.

3 Things make Happy

Dope Fan Content; well written fanfics, art, comics, memes, I love em all. Alternate Universes too. I’ve got so many I wanna write for. @coleisunderrated has a Technoshipping Atlantas!AU I gotta do and I’ve already written them a Techno Wall-E AU.

Browsing Tumblr/Internet at any time past 12; you always get the weirdest stuff at those times. I live for that kinda stuff. Cryptids and eldritch horror stuff or cute cooking videos? I never know.

The Ninjago Discord; I need at least ten (10) more slots for these guys. They are absolutely mad lads. There is so much good art and AU’s and fun conversations. Including but not limited to; thirsting after Garmadad, Morro revived & happy AU and Pretty Interesting debates on queer content.

Here’s the invite if anyone reading wants to join.

https://discord.gg/zrCf2m

As for who’s next, I’d like to see @coleisunderrated and @spinchip to do this ask meme. If you don’t have time for that then it’s Valid. Cheers my lads and lasses.

#ninjago #ask tag #what do i put here #glaciershipping #technoshipping #citrusshipping #forgottenshipping #zane #cole #jay #echo zane #save tag #man this took time #Worth

10 notes · View notes

fearofaherobrine · 6 years

Text

Roleplay Server Log #365

"EAlex, Baby Presents and Antiquities”

[Flux] Is sitting inside watching CP build through the window. A small smile flickers across her lips as she watches the effort he's putting into making a room for his daughter-

[Notch] Slips up behind her and hugs around her, putting his chin on her shoulder- Bring proud of our son?

[Flux] - He is doing a wonderful job, but I wonder... Where will the baby sleep? Surely a bed will be too large for her...|

[Notch] My bet is that Cp will will make a fancy room for the baby, but the baby will sleep with Lie for quite some time, because mom's worry.

[Flux] - But surely there must be other things they will need?

[Notch] Yes.... this is true... we should probably go out and buy her stuff like everyone did with Aven actually...

[Flux] - You bought stuff for Aven?

[Notch] Well, yeah! It's kind of a tradition for friends to buy a new mom a bunch of baby stuff. The closer they get to having the baby the less able they are to get around and do stuff. So it usually means they aren't working and could use a hand. And babies are incredibly expensive.

[Flux] - I see. Then don't you think it's time we did that? Lie is getting rather large...

[Notch] Rubs his chin- You're right. You feel like going shopping? It might be a bit of sensory overload.

[Flux] - If you are there, then I'm sure I will be fine

[Notch] Smiles- So do we drag Cp along and make him carry stuff or no? There's always the razor thin chance he'll get slightly emotional.

[Flux] - No, let's surprise them. We could say your coworkers want your help with a small problem they've found as an excuse

[Notch] Well we need at least one person who can make portals. And I don't think BEN would be interested. So I'll call Doc for a ride. - He starts walking outside as he types-

[HG] -has just come by to water some of lies plants when he sees notch and waves- hi

[Flux] Follows him out-

[Notch] Oh hey Hg. Hey, you haven't learned how to make irl portals yet, have you?

[HG] no not yet but I should

[Notch] Doc should be along shortly, you should ask them to help you at some point.

[Doc] Comes galloping across the yard with Deerheart on hir back-

[Yaunfen] Is racing alongside them with a big smile-

[Flux] Sidles up next to Notch and takes his hand-

[HG] -Waves- hello doc, deer, yaunfen

[Doc] Hey guys. I take it we're making a party of this?

[Yaunfen] bounces around a little- I wanna go out!

[Deer] - Hey HG- She slides down off of Doc

[Yaunfen] Shifts into their kid form and plops a beret on their head. - I'm ready!

[Doc] Tuck your tail in kiddo.

[HG] oh are you going out to the real world can I come?

[Notch] Oh, yeah. I think I need a different shirt. - Goes back inside and comes out wearing a hoodie.

[Doc] If you want too. We're just going shopping.

[Deer] - Love? Do you have my shoes?

[Doc] Yeah, I grabbed them when Notch messaged me. - They shapeshift and hold them out. They've already begrudgingly changed to some plain street clothes.

[HG] -puts on his sunglasses-

[Deer] Huffs but does take the shoes-

[Notch] I'm ready when you guys are, but... not everyone will fit in my teeny little car.

[Doc] Well... we could always come out in Dawn's shop. I doubt she'd care. You've still got that occult passport right?

[HG] -puts on his plain clothes- oh doc do you think at one point you will be able to teach me how to use portals?

[Notch] Oh, yeah! Right here. Got my cards too.

[Doc] I can try. I kinda suck at it.

[Flux] Makes certain the flash drive containing her seed is safely tucked away against her skin-

[Doc] Is texting on hir carrot phone-

[Notch] At least we won't have to worry about Licht if we're in a different country...

[Deer] - Now Yaunfen, you know you have to stay close, right?

[Doc] Okay, we're golden. She put up her closed for lunch sign.

[Yaunfen] Yes mama. - reaches for her hand-

[Deer] Smiles a little as she takes it-

[Doc] Swings back and jams forward in a violent headbang and the portal cracks open reality in front of hir-

[Notch] Peeks out-

-The opening is in front of a very old TV in a small room a few steps away is a balcony overlooking the rest of the antique shop-

[Mort] Waves from the steps- Hey Notch.

[Doc] Holds the way for the others to pass through onto the rather threadbare carpet.

[Mort] So what kind of mischief are you guys all up to today?

[HG] -goes though looking at all the different things-

-As the servers pass through, they take a moment to shift into more human like appearances-

[Mort] Nice transformation! You guys make it look so effortless.

[Dawn] Also comes up and releases the tiny chain that blocks the stairs-

[Deer] - It always feels so weird

[Doc] Yeah I know. It pays to stay away from mirrors and not look at your hands too much.

-The shop is a little dusty as usual, but the scent is a comforting mix of wood polish, books, elderly dried herbs and attic smell.

-The tv makes an awful crackly static noise behind them all.-

[Doc] Jumps in a little bit of fear- Please don't be Polybius...

[Yaunfen] Stays close to Doc-

[HG] -covers his ears not liking the sound of static-

[Glitchy] -There's an awful crackling as he pulls himself out of the same electronic device, looking like something decidedly eldritch. Neat. ...Also slightly horrifying.- Huh. -The Tv stops crackling.-

[Yaunfen] Eeek!

[Dawn] Defensive stance-

[Doc] Oh geeze Glitchy you scared me....

[Notch] Same!

[Glitchy] -Looks at Dawn and his eyes narrow behind his glasses a bit, before he looks back at Doc- Didn' mean to. Felt someone going. Decided I'd tag along. I need the exercise.

[Dawn] Who is this? I don't think we've met...

[Doc] Ah, okay. You know our friend Lie is pregnant right?

[Glitchy] Since Strangled isn't here, I'm just Red. And yes, I figured as much.

[Mort] Hey Hg, wanna give the plants a boost while Dawn isn't looking? - Indicates a windowsill full of sad little shoots in pots-

[Dawn] Red? I'm Dawn.

[Doc] Dawn's a witch Glitchy.

[HG] -Sees the plant and waters them while also fixing their soil-

-The little sprouts explode and throw a few creeping vines up the windowsill and down to the carpet. -

[Mort] Glad to see someone loves doing that as much as I do.

[Glitchy] A pleasure to meet you. -He doesn't offer his hand to shake, but does nod aknowledgingly-

[Dawn] Likewise. What's your area of expertise?

[Doc] How are you eyes doing anyway Glitchy, you haven't checked in with me in awhile.

[Yaunfen] Regards the overflowing plants. - Aww... no candy. I like the sweet plants better. How are the pumpkins Hg?

[Glitchy] Glitches, Dreams.. Pokémon. Oh! And they're a lot better! I mostly need my glasses to read on good days. -He taps his glasses and it's obvious today isn't a "just for reading" day-

[HG] they are growing great they are already starting to combine not as big as the others though

[Yaunfen] Let me know when they're ready! We can make a big fun mess!

[Dawn] Dreams... -she shakes her head a bit- Never was one for sleeping very soundly.

[Mort] Wait! Someone said Pokemon!

[Dawn] Oh gods....

[Mort] Has already whipped out a DS, - I'm playing Leaf green!

[Glitchy] I could help with your sleep, if you want. And really? -He moves over to Mort to look- I don't remember much about that generation.

[HG] -Is looking around at the different thing in the shop-

[Mort] I'm not very far but my Beedrill is pretty cool. I started with the Bulbasaur.

[Glitchy] I could hook you up with a mew, if you want. Or any of your favorite legendaries. -It's a tempting, half thought offer, more habit than anything.-

-There are a lot of books, no real order to anything. The shelves are crammed with knicknacks too. There's a small rack of clothes but it looks mostly like oddball coats. Someones cosplay closet but more authentic.

[Mort] Really? I love Mew! They're so cute.

[Glitchy] Of course. Even register it as a legit one. -Holds his hands out for the ds-

[Yaunfen] Wanders over by HG and pokes a finger in a little table fountain - I like the noise.

[Mort] Holds it out excitedly-

[HG] it's pretty too

[Yaunfen] Is pulling books and looking at them. They're holding a book on faries with some lavish illustrations-

[Glitchy] -Takes it and gets to work, there's a few concerning DS noises before the encounter music starts. Onscreen is a mew!-

[Mort] Catch it!

[Dawn] Good grief....

[Doc] Is leaning over to see-

[HG] -looks for a book on plants-

[Yaunfen] Hey HG? I got something from the sifter that says it's supposed to be a plant but it's not?

[HG] what is it?

-The screen is clearly different from a normal encounter, but only slightly so. Every item is maxed out, the PP is as well, and the HP bar is leading off the screen-

[Glitchy] -Bleps a small amount as a pokeball is used. It shakes once, twice, a third, and with some glitch motivation, clicks.-

[Yaunfen] Holds up what appears to be a chunk of pink rock candy, it looks vaguely like a little pink butt.

[Mort] Holy crap that's off the charts!

[HG] candy plant?

[Glitchy] Huh? -Looks up as it offers the naming screen- Oh, yeah. That happens when I do it. Strangled's HP bar will wrap around the screen, actually. Do you want to name the mew?

[Mort] Lets name him Skittles!

[Dawn] I'm going to go do the books...

[Notch] snickers-

[Yaunfen] I dunno. But it looks like a butt. - grins.

[Glitchy] Nice name. -He inputs that and saves the game before returning the DS to Mort. The next encounter everything would be back to normal, unfortunately. Seems if you want great stats you have to have Glitchy keep touching the device.-

[HG] I mean it does I wonder if water it, it might help it yaunfen

[Mort] Thanks man! - chuckles- I hope they get along with the rest of my team. Don't make my poor Oddish feel self-concious or anything. Haha.

[Yaunfen] You can try? - Holds it out a bit in it's little pot.

[HG] -waters the plant-

[Glitchy] Oh, they'll love Skittles. -There's a bit of darkness in his eyes as he mutters under his breath- Or they'll die a swift death.

[Mort] As much eyebrows up as a slightly pliable skull can muster.

[Glitchy] -Raises an eyebrow back- What?

[Mort] I guess it's more intense if it's a game you regularly go into...

[Doc] Please don't break my friends DS or spirit Glitchy.

[Glitchy] Oh you have no idea. And I won't! -He crosses his arms a bit- I'm not Strangled. That's his thing.

[Yaunfen] Watches the little plant as it shivers a bit and them plumps up slightly bigger. - It didn't do much, that's weird....

[Mort] Okay. Dawn's not too excited about playing games. She's a bit old fashioned. She gave me a few eye-rolls over getting this.

[Doc] Snorts. - Old fashioned? From what she's told me, she's so old when she was a kid pottery was considered innovative.

[Dawn] From downstairs- I heard that Doc....

[Doc] Sorry! But it's true isn't it?

[Dawn] Grumpy noises-

[Flux] Has been wandering the store, there are a lot of things that she's never seen before and she has a number of questions building. She's already shifted hey clothes to be more appropriate for out in the real world-

[Deer] Has gone to the window to look outside-

[Dawn] At Flux- See anything you like?

[Flux] - I'm not certain, there's so much here that I've never seen before... I don't even know what most items in here are... She runs fingers along a piece of an old loom

[Notch] I think I know what that is?

[Dawn] It's for weaving fabric. It makes smaller loops then knitting.

[Flux] Glancing at Notch- Isn't that what Steve does?

[Notch] Yes, he has his own name for it, but it's a thing people do out here too.

[Doc] He chose that name because it had something to do with the sounds his canes make when he clicks them together.

[Deer] - He's made so many things too! Did you see the baby socks he made for Lie?

[Doc] I heard he was doing it, but I didn't see them.

[Yaunfen] From behind a bookcase - I saw! They were super tiny!

[Flux] Notices some jewelry and looks at the shiny pieces inside the case- Humans make such interesting things...

[Yaunfen] Is turning a little crank and it's making a slight grinding noise-

[Mort] You need a pencil to make that one work.

[Dawn] Smiles- I'm not much for wearing jewelry, but it is a feast for the eyes.

[Doc] I just like shiny things. And it's a good thing too because my little one has tracked a fair amount of glitter all over the castle.

[Flux] - Well you did see why I could not in the past, it would have become tainted

[Deer] - There is an over abundance of glitter in the castle...

[Notch] Takes her hand- See anything you like?

[Flux] - I am not certain...

[HG] -found a book on plants and is siting on the floor reading it-

[Mort] Peeks over his shoulder a bit-

[HG] -doesn't notice he is to engulfed in the book-

[Notch] Casts around and then makes a little noise - how about this?

-The necklace is three strands of purple beads grading from light to dark.-

[Doc] I think that would translate well into a lower resolution too....

[Flux] Flushes a little in her cheeks- I... I...

[Notch] Gives her an uncertain look, his own assertion of her tastes being tested- Is that... okay?

[Flux] - I suppose...

[Notch] Then I'll take it. Please.

[Dawn] Unhooks the strands with a smile and passes them to him.

[Notch] Delicately hooks them around her neck and arranges them in a graceful drape over her shoulders and chest.

[Flux] Her fingers rise up to brush against the cool beads against her skin-

[Doc] Are we trading today, or just cash?

[Dawn] I can do either. Or both.

[Notch] Is just mooning over Flux.

[Yaunfen] Slides up behind Doc and scoots a small pile of books along the glass counter and closer to them-

[Flux] - Ah, Dawn, there is actually a slight problem you could help with

[Dawn] And that would be?

[Flux] - There is a problem with my energy whenever Notch and I... Finish, our more intimate moments

[Dawn] Oh? Are you having some kind of surge?

[Notch] Not exactly...

[Flux] - I end up being unable to hold my form...

[Dawn] So it's a concentration issue?

[Flux] - Yes

[Dawn] Drumming her fingers. - Hmm. You guys have to come back here to go out again right? Let me think about it for a bit.

[Flux] - Alright, thank you

[Yaunfen] And this? Please. It reminds me of mom when you annoy her-

[Doc] Is suddenly trying not to laugh-

-The piece is a brown and white pitcher with a moose head as part of the top and spout. The face of the moose has rolled upward eyes and it looks pretty done with everything.

[Deer] - Yaunfen!

[Yaunfen] What? It's doing the eyeball thing!

[Deer] - Sighs- Dawn, would it be alright to leave some of this stuff here while we go shopping?

[Dawn] Of course.

[Notch] Just start a tab. I've got this.

[Doc] Cradles the pitcher- We'll treasure it always.

[Flux] - Is there anything you would like us to get you while we are out Dawn?

[Dawn] Nah, I'm good.

[Mort] Wait... will the candy plants grow out here?

[Yaunfen] Shrugs-

[HG] huh plants?

[Deer] - Well if Lie's plants can grow out here...

[Doc] Yaunfen do you have any on you?

[Yaunfen] I have some of the candy cane cattails, the popsicle grass, and some of the chocolate pumpkins.

[Doc] I'd try the cattails.

[Mort] I'll grab some dirt, there's a little under the sink from when I topped off the windowbox-

[Dawn] There's a bucket in the bathroom closet.

[Flux] - Do you know where the closest shop with baby stuff is Dawn?

[Mort] Fills the bucket and comes back with it.

[Yaunfen] Sticks a cattail in the dirt and makes a gracious gesture for Hg-

[HG] -gets up still holding the book he was reading and walks over ready to water it-

[Dawn] Mmmm, this is a historical district. There's all kinds of crazy shops if you just walk that way. - points- If you go the other way, there's nothign but fast food but you'll reach a mall with a ton of stuff and I'm pretty sure there's a baby store.

[Mort] Ok Hg show us what you've got.

[HG] -waters the plants-

-There's a bit of an organic groan and the cattails multiply, filling the bucket and making a very sharp peppermint smell-

[Yaunfen] Holds up the rock, again- more please?

[HG] sure -Waters the rock again-

-It wiggles a little bit, but that's all. -

[Yaunfen] Squints suspiciously at it.

[Flux] - May I see it Yaunfen?

[Yaunfen] Passes the hard chunk to her.

[Flux] Uses her magic to investigate it a little-

-It is organic, but sloooooooow. Worse then an olive tree. -

[Flux] - It's almost like it's sleeping...

[HG] maybe it is

[Yaunfen] Nose wiggle, [because they have no whiskers at the moment] -

[Doc] Well it was a fossil, kiddo. Maybe it wasn't something well-adapted. Just don't eat it, okay? Just in case.

[Yaunfen] Okay, I won't. Probably tastes like butt anyway....

[Licht] Curses as she's once again exploded by a creeper-

-There's a bit of a flicker on the screen as if something is gliching. The summoner is still burning near the small house Licht has build at the spawn. For a moment the chat fills with garbage as the seed tries to resolve an obvious error. -

[Licht] - Are you back?

-There's a lightning strike and a groan of pain from where it hit.

[Licht] Turns her character around- You've been strangely absent

-On the ground is a woman with long orange hair, she moves a hand and makes a pained noise.

[Licht] - What the hell?

-The figure slumps and lays still, barely breathing-

[Licht] Moves closer- Hello?

-The character is unmoving and there's the smallest trickle of blood from under her hair. -

[Licht] Swats at the air over the figure-

-She flinches as if hit and painfully rolls over, blinking a bit. Her eyes are white and glowing and there's a bit of blood on her lips-

- /System generation error 652522-89832-68321211 Alternate pathway used/ -

[Licht] - Can you hear me?

[???] Yesss....

[Licht] - How the hell did you get here?

[???] I don't know? But I'm not supposed to be... - She looks at her hands- an Alex?

[Licht] - What do you mean your not supposed to be?

[EAlex] Sits up and coughs. She looks down at herself- This isn't right... I should be... a Herobrine? How do I know that?

[Licht] - There's already a Herobrine...

[EAlex] There... there is? Then that's why. - she holds her head in her hands- Just my luck to manifest on a taken seed...

[Licht] - I, don't understand what you're talking about...

[EAlex] Yeah... well you're a player. I can tell by the stiff way you stand and move. You don't have to know.

[Licht] Scowls- That's what the other one said too...

[EAlex] Hey, you don't live here. Our troubles are nothing to you.

[Licht] - Maybe, but this is somehow connected to a case I am working on

[???] Appears out of a shadow- You're pathetic. Did you really think a summoner seed would be empty?

[EAlex] Makes a slight hiss of fear, but is still too weak to stand and fight.

[Licht] - There you are, will somebody please explain what's going on here?

[???] It's a war going on under your nose.

[EAlex] Is obviously afraid of him-

[Licht] - Now there's a war? You are making no sense

[EAlex] Unless you intend to help, I'm not telling you anything.

[???] Your quarry has all the answers anyway.

[Licht] - Mr. Persson

[EAlex] The creator...

[Licht] - Yeah, I still can't figure out what he's doing or where he is

[EAlex] He made a gateway, so we could exist.

[???] You're more right then you know...

[Licht] - A gateway?

[???] Yes... he let the monsters in. - He laughs rather wickedly-

[EAlex] Is chilled to the bone and gives Licht the rather pleading look of a vulnerable woman who's realizing that a psychopath just bought her a drink.

[Licht] Sighs, she isn't sure what she should do- Look, I still have some work to do, if you need a place to stay, I've got a shelter, but not much else- She leaves the game playing in the corner of the screen and pulls up photo's of the outside of Notch's apartment, including the one involving Jeb, Yster, and CP

[???] Gives EAlex a rather vicious look and she shakes a little in fear-

[EAlex] Very quietly- Why are you doing this?

[???] Walks closer to her menacingly- We have similar goals, you want out, I want in.

[EAlex] I just want to exist...

[???] If you're lucky, I'll let you live when I'm done...

[EAlex] Focuses in her sheer terror and the whole screen tazes sideways, she vanishes and the Herobrine looks around in confusion- Coward....

-In the very corner of Licht's screen a small head with orange hair pops up from behind her windows bar-

[Licht] Jumps a little- What are you doing?

[EAlex] Climbs up onto the bar and smacks the windows icon- bringing up the start menu-

[Licht] Watches in confusion-

[EAlex] Opens a notepad file and starts typing- Thanks for leaving me alone with the psycho. This is why I say players don't need to know. You can just retreat and be safe.

[Licht] Types back- There's nothing I could do, I don't think I can get rid of him

[EAlex] Makes a pouting face - he is physically there.

[Licht] - So?

[EAlex] He can be hurt. I can too...

[Licht] - Look, the only reason I have this game is because it was given to me as a clue, I have no intention of continuing to play once I've solved this case

[EAlex] Blanches in fear- please don't delete that seed...

[Licht] - Why would I keep it?

[EAlex] Because then I won't be... anymore.

[Licht] - We'll see- She turns her attention back towards the photo's

[EAlex] Kicks her feet on the top of the notepad window for a few mintures and looks around at the pictures. - Wait... is that a Herobrine??? IN THE OUTSIDE???

[Licht] - What are you talking about?

[EAlex] Climbs down the side of the window, and takes a better look at the picture with Cp before pointing a shaking finger at him- That's a Herobrine....!!! A REAL one!

[Licht] Zooms in on the photo- Markus' old coworkers said that he was of familial relation to Markus...

[EAlex] No... that one isn't human....

[Licht] - Always more questions, never any answers

[EAlex] Makes a frustrated noise- But if he can get out... I have to meet him. Even if he tries to kill me...

[Licht] - I wouldn't even know how to lure him in...

[EAlex] Do you have any portable devices?

[Licht] - My phone...

[EAlex] Can you plug it into the computer please? -She shoots a look at the open minecraft window where the obviously seething brine is killing the local wildlife with abandon-

[Licht] - Sure...- It takes her a moment to find and untangle the proper cords and plug her phone into the computer- There

[EAlex] Makes a running jump at the control panel again and brings up 'my computer'. The window pops up and she vanishes into the icon for the phone. After a moment it rings-

[Licht] Picks it up-

[EAlex] Close the game! Just turn it off for now! Hurry!

[Licht] Does so- What is this about?

[EAlex] I don't know what he told you, but it was probably a lie. I can see your phone has wi-fi, so I'm just going to stay here for a while. Just please don't delete the game.

[Licht] - For now I wont

8 notes · View notes