more for the boogerman

[dustless]

 (Continued from here~)

Frisk hopes there's no fight. 

They want to be left alone, sure, but that's not the only thing they hope for. Even they can't just fix a--rivalry, a longstanding hatred, at least not when the opposing parties actually know each other. But they also hope they can...lessen it, at least a bit. So the Sandman doesn't try to outright kill--no, they're sorry, 'banish', with lots of beating and tarry blood--Pitch when they see each other every time.

(Of course, they don't know the whole story. But they can't imagine that would matter.)

The time ticks down in companionable silence. 

Frisk keeps their eyes on the sky--

--and they sit straight up when they first spot glimmering gold in the clouds.

Comments

[boogerman]

His traitorous hand starts petting at Frisk's hair again, which is apparently what Pitch does when not in control of himself, instead of violence. Violence is saved for when he is in full control of himself. Go figure.

He... doesn't comment again that he won't hurt Frisk. Defending himself hasn't usually worked in the past--people will turn against him either way.

"...But I did harm Frisk?"

[dustless]

Toriel focuses on him, voice sharp.



"What?"

Frisk echoes her sentiment a little more quietly. What's he talking about?

[boogerman]

"You said I haven't tried." Well, now they're upset. What did he do? "So I must have by accident? When?" His voice is getting less slurred, quickly enough to be noticeable.

[dustless]

Wait. What?

Pangs of worry for Pitch, slightly more from Frisk than from Toriel. They risk leaning back so they're very nearly leaning on him, giving him better access to their hair.



"That is not what I meant. You have not tried to harm them, nor have you managed to. I simply worry about children when alcohol is around," she establishes again. "I...may have chosen my words badly. You have done nothing wrong."

[boogerman]

He seems slightly relieved. Slightly. And so he returns to petting at Frisk's hair, as if they're a kitten. Or a soft fuzzy blanket.

"It's going away." He sounds mildly disappointed, but the 'holiday' would have ended in a few more hours anyway. "I'll save the rest for next year."

[dustless]

"Or the New Years party," Frisk says hopefully. Their face is angled towards Toriel, expression pleading.



"..." That would be more acceptable, she supposes. Maybe. Frisk would be with many sober adults until their bedtime...

[boogerman]

"So soon?" Should that be his holiday instead? Hmm. Maybe next year.

"I don't have enough left."

[dustless]

"But there'll be stuff there!"



"And," Toriel says, "perhaps you could still enjoy yourself without drinking."

[boogerman]

Enjoy himself... without drinking or, most likely, tormenting anyone? It's nearly a foreign concept. No getting drunk, none of his sort of food... Hmmm.

"I don't know I've been to a party and been seen." Less slurred, yes. Not much time left for him before soberness and embarrassment strikes.

[dustless]

Frisk turns until they're grinning almost in his face. "Monsters can see you!"



"...I have no doubt Frisk will help with that."

[boogerman]

His personal space screams, shrivels up, and dies.

"Monsters can... ah, prod at my soul, too." By accident. Through no fault of their own.

[dustless]

That is Life With Frisk, honestly.

Toriel opens her mouth to speak, but Frisk beats her to it.

"They won't! Knight Knight did 'cause she's not used to humans--or not-monsters. Everybody you'll meet's used to not using magic."

[boogerman]

"Even at a party with their own kind?" If this is a trap (yes, he's soberish enough for the paranoia to rear its ugly head), it would easily wreck him. Even one monster could.

[dustless]

"There will be a few humans--neighbors and the like. And, of course, Frisk."

Frisk nods enthusiastically.



"They will not dare."

[boogerman]

Oh, right, Frisk. Hmm. Still, that's no proof it isn't a trap, to harm and humiliate him...

"I... don't like to make promises." Soberness winning over.

[dustless]

"You may come if you choose. You do not have to."

Frisk looks slightly disappointed, but they know that's important. "Yeah. It'd be cool, though," they add quietly.

[boogerman]

His hand stills, ending the Frisk-petting, as the proper common sense bit of his mind realizes what the hell he just did for the last hour or so. Thank goodness he didn't go wild and trash their home.

The worst bit was probably the dancing.

Act casual. Keep your cool until you can simply sneak off. "...Are you in the habit of exchanging gifts on New Years?" Please don't be.

[dustless]

Frisk will not stand for that.

In other words, they subconsciously tip their head into his hand. More please thanks.



"I am unsure about everyone else. It is not mandatory, although Frisk and I will be bringing plenty of baked goods!"

[boogerman]

Baby steps. He hasn't withdrawn his hand yet, and what are you, a giant kitten?

"Everything I tend to collect is stolen, in any case." As they know--or at least Frisk does.

[dustless]

They are a child who loves affection and hasn't been able to get a hug from him.



Toriel is not pleased to hear that, but it does make unfortunate sense, once she considers it. Cannot be seen, cannot be heard. He has no chance to get a job or make a bargain.

"No need to concern yourself, then."

[boogerman]

A funny thing, considering Frisk has no shortage of people who would give them hugs, he's sure. And go to their parties. With presents.

"Good, because I don't cook, either." It tends to turn out just short of poisonous when he tries.

[dustless]

They like giving and receiving it from all their friends.

Toriel sits up a little more.



"Do you not know how?"

Frisk's lips twitch.

[boogerman]

He's able to sense fear, not dangerous awful traps like what's coming for him. Not at all.

"No. What would I do with food? I don't get hungry, I don't want regular meals."

[dustless]

"But you enjoy a meal sometimes, do you not?"

[boogerman]

Thoughtfully, "Food does seem to have improved in the last century or so. More flavorful. They don't know how lucky they are, these days."