[And when Papyrus goes to pull it, he'll find it very difficult to open. Unnaturally difficult. Is that a faint blue aura around the door? Just maybe.
Should Papyrus turn back to look at Sans -- standing in the middle of torn up ex-sandwiches -- it will be immediately obvious why.
Sheepish is a strange look on Sans to most people, though Papyrus would have certainly seen it enough. He shrugs, trying for affable and landing much closer to desperate.]
[He pulls a little harder and then notices. It's not the door. He slowly turns to look at Sans.]
Sans...
[A streak of sympathy crosses his face (?). Something's wrong, obviously. But Sans still won't actually say it. Papyrus isn't sure if he will, on his own.
[Hoo boy. Now there was a loaded statement. One that Sans could give a lot of answers to, even if only one would approach the real truth.
He seems to consider something a moment, perpetual rictus tugging at the corners as he weighs his option. A calculation made over the course of a few seconds, yes, but it's hesitation all the same.]
I, uh... [He settles on something. With a look over his shoulder at where Charlie was wrapped up in the climax of her movie, Sans gestures for Papyrus to follow him into the hall.]
You're right, Pap. Heh, as always. [Sans grins, genuine fondness overshining the stress brewing under the surface.] It's not that I didn't wanna tell you, it's just that I know secrets stress you out. And, uh, you're kinda bad at. Not telling the truth.
[Sorry buddy, gotta tell that one like it is.]
It's about Charlie's mom. [A beat.] Her human mom.
[That's all he manages to the better comment. Papyrus is already moving on, taking his unvoiced desire for clarification with it.]
Yeah, I, uh. I did. Find her. [Sans shrugs awkwardly, splaying out his hands in a you may be getting better at lying, but step to this gesture.] She was in the mall with Charlie, I saw her getting rounded up with the others to quarantine. She had a big bite on his neck.
[He trusted Papyrus could put two and two together for himself.]
[For not the first time, Sans is thankful for Papyrus' enthusiasm, filling the entire room. It makes his own relieved deflation retreat to the background. A footnote on a conversation.]
Damn, bro. You've got all the good ideas. [He looks up, his smile markedly less strained.] We're gonna have to bring the kid, but I know a shortcut that should cut us past most of the baddies.
[It's not much of a plan but, well. It's something. Sans takes a lungless breath and comes out the other side brighter. A little less scattered.] Welp. You've probably gotta make a wardrobe change before we go, so I'll go tell the kid and get her stuff together. Take your time.
[It seems at first as if Sans intends to pass him without another word, only his pace slows just as they come shoulder to shoulder (or shoulder to elbow, as the case was with them). Another expansion of the ribs, and Sans reaches out to briefly squeeze Papyrus's radius.
Yep, still there. Still solid. Still good.]
I'll see ya out there, bro. [He says, moving past the moment as if it hadn't happened.] Try not to get too flashy, we wanna be inoculate.
That one was a little syringey, huh? [He shrugs, looking downright pleased as he backs up out of the room. Turning on his heel, he gives one last wave over his shoulder to Pap.]
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futurology | IC Inbox
no subject
Should Papyrus turn back to look at Sans -- standing in the middle of torn up ex-sandwiches -- it will be immediately obvious why.
Sheepish is a strange look on Sans to most people, though Papyrus would have certainly seen it enough. He shrugs, trying for affable and landing much closer to desperate.]
You sure you don't wanna just kick it at home?
Uses your own art against you.....
Sans...
[A streak of sympathy crosses his face (?). Something's wrong, obviously. But Sans still won't actually say it. Papyrus isn't sure if he will, on his own.
Softly:]
I'm sure.
If you want to tell me something... you should.
goddamnit....
He seems to consider something a moment, perpetual rictus tugging at the corners as he weighs his option. A calculation made over the course of a few seconds, yes, but it's hesitation all the same.]
I, uh... [He settles on something. With a look over his shoulder at where Charlie was wrapped up in the climax of her movie, Sans gestures for Papyrus to follow him into the hall.]
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I know that you don't like talking about things! And it's okay if you don't! But... I have the feeling this is something, you really should tell me.
[ If only he knew the real problem. ]
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You're right, Pap. Heh, as always. [Sans grins, genuine fondness overshining the stress brewing under the surface.] It's not that I didn't wanna tell you, it's just that I know secrets stress you out. And, uh, you're kinda bad at. Not telling the truth.
[Sorry buddy, gotta tell that one like it is.]
It's about Charlie's mom. [A beat.] Her human mom.
no subject
[ Better at lying. He says so, cheerfully even. The truth does it's job to wipe his smile away though, once Charlie's brought up again. ]
What's-
[ And, you know how he always yells? He's making an attempt to ... not. It's like, a stage whisper now, at least. ]
What's wrong with her human mom?? I thought you couldn't find her!
no subject
[That's all he manages to the better comment. Papyrus is already moving on, taking his unvoiced desire for clarification with it.]
Yeah, I, uh. I did. Find her. [Sans shrugs awkwardly, splaying out his hands in a you may be getting better at lying, but step to this gesture.] She was in the mall with Charlie, I saw her getting rounded up with the others to quarantine. She had a big bite on his neck.
[He trusted Papyrus could put two and two together for himself.]
Charlie doesn't know.
1/2
[ A bite mark. Rounded up into quarantine. If she's lucky, she's just Infected and locked away somewhere.
Charlie doesn't know, though. She doesn't know... the trouble her real mom is in.
Papyrus deflates a little. He was definitely ready to go out and track down a bad guy, but this... ]
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You're right, Sans! I shouldn't go after Percy- we need to help all the people out at the mall!!
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Damn, bro. You've got all the good ideas. [He looks up, his smile markedly less strained.] We're gonna have to bring the kid, but I know a shortcut that should cut us past most of the baddies.
[It's not much of a plan but, well. It's something. Sans takes a lungless breath and comes out the other side brighter. A little less scattered.] Welp. You've probably gotta make a wardrobe change before we go, so I'll go tell the kid and get her stuff together. Take your time.
[It seems at first as if Sans intends to pass him without another word, only his pace slows just as they come shoulder to shoulder (or shoulder to elbow, as the case was with them). Another expansion of the ribs, and Sans reaches out to briefly squeeze Papyrus's radius.
Yep, still there. Still solid. Still good.]
I'll see ya out there, bro. [He says, moving past the moment as if it hadn't happened.] Try not to get too flashy, we wanna be inoculate.
[Joke joke, pun pun. That's more like it.]
no subject
[ He boasts, feeling that confidence boost that Sans so easily gives him, and realizing how much he missed it. ]
Yes, bring Charlie! But stay close enough nearby, alright? I know you know all those shortcuts, but just in case, okay??
[ He means for Sans' sake, of course. ]
You're right, I should change. This was definitely my "Time to Beat the Bad Guy!" hero outfit- I need my other one... the one with more pockets now.
[ He's muttering to himself now, figuring out what else he needs, and Sans drifts just a bit closer. And then he's heading back towards Charlie. ]
Yes, see you soon! I'll be very-
[ His expression goes flat as he looks over his shoulder at Sans leaving. ]
That was a pun, wasn't it?
no subject
See you out there, bro.