just as you breathe (post c_p)

[dustless]

Nobody gets why, halfway down the mountain, Frisk bolts.

Toriel and Asgore think they changed their mind about not having places to go or the ambassador idea. Everyone scatters through the trees to search for them--eventually, Papyrus is the one to stumble over them, to talk to them, to coax them back with his positive affirmations.

They don't explain why they stare at everyone like they're seeing their bare SOULs (yeah, punk, I'm great! WE'RE great, right, Alphys?), or why they keep touching their teeth (do you have a toothache, my child?), or why they constantly pace through the house they eventually move into with Toriel, opening doors as if they're expecting something else to be behind them (I don't think there are any monsters in the closet, little one).

It's just...Frisk. They're a good kid, even if they're a little strange.

Comments

[voidster]

One thing leads to another, and eventually Mettaton mentions to the voided one that somehow, two young skeletons seem to have appeared out of thin air. (Not to mention Mettaton himself remembers the Castle and spending so long with Gaster.)

He does debate with himself for a long, long time whether to speak up at all, but time as he perceives it and time in reality don't sync up at all. They could use someone who was there also to speak with.

And he could use someone to talk to, period.

He only has one means of communication available to him. And he knows Frisk's number from Mettaton, who can't keep his mouth shut for anything.

Hello, Frisk.

[dustless]

They insist on keeping the curtains shut, another thing nobody gets and nobody begrudges them for. They consider asking Toriel for thicker curtains, but doing anything like that feels...weird. Frisk has a hefty 'allowance' from Asgore, anyway. They'll buy some themselves, later.

When the text comes, there's a faint light of dawn diffusing through them. Curled up in bed, they're wide awake.

Their phone doesn't give them a number, and they don't think too deeply about it. Could be a lot of monsters. They don't have the whole population in their contacts, after all. Just most of it.

hello.

[voidster]

Meanwhile, there is no sun, no night or day where he is. There's simply nothing. He can't even say he has eyes to see, or ears to hear with. He can't even explain how he's doing this, honestly, any more than a living person can describe how it feels to move their limbs.

Do you remember a 'Gaster'?

[dustless]

They're about to type what's the problem when they get...that.

Their heart leaps into their throat for reasons they can't explain.

yes
who
is this

[voidster]

This is he.

[dustless]

...shouldn't get their hopes up. This is somebody who does need help, probably a lot--he's trapped somewhere and they don't know how to get him out--but not necessarily theirs.

how
where r u

[voidster]

He may be taking it for granted that they know which he happens to be.

I am not quite sure how I do this. It's simply nice that I can.

How are you?

[dustless]

im awake

A child of many details, they are. (They don't know how to answer that question.)

where r u can u tell

[voidster]

That much hasn't changed.

I'm not truly anywhere at all.

Where are you? Do you have a place to stay?

[dustless]

what?
im with

toriel

Frisk still can't call her 'Mom'. They never will.

...Chara's still gone.

[voidster]

I don't have a body.

And that's totally normal. His normal. Don't they remember?

Good, that's reassuring.

[dustless]

...Alarm bells are ringing. They're not letting themselves hope, still, but.

They sit up, hunching over the phone.

are you under mt ebott

[voidster]

Yes and no. You won't be able to find me, but at least we can have a conversation this way.

[dustless]

is it x tra boring there
?

[voidster]

Odd question.

You could say that, yes. Why?

[dustless]

wouldnt u rather talk to sans or Papyrus

Frisk exhales. Might as well get up. They check the date on the screen--'kay, it's Sunday, no school.

[voidster]

Don't worry. I have time enough for all of you.

Probably he is. Sans, Serif, and the younger Papyrus all knew he was there in the castle. He can't go and abandon them now.

[dustless]

what do u want to talk about
is there a way to help

[voidster]

Mostly I wanted to see how you are doing, after... everything.

In the castle. Must be rough, missing so many people.

[dustless]

instantly: what do u mean

[voidster]

All his texts are damn near instant. Time flows differently for Frisk than for him.

Since returning to the larger world.

[dustless]

Are their hopes right?

...should they be hoping at all?

you

did

where ddid you go

[voidster]

What do you mean?

[dustless]

were u
1 at the castle?

There. Finally.

[voidster]

Yes. I'm sorry, I suppose I should have led with that.