C!Chara: … Do you have a 8?
Cross: *Shook his head* Go fish.
C!Chara: Dang it… *Picks up a card*
Cross: Ace?
C!Chara: *Grumbles and hands him one*
Cross: 9?
C!Chara: No… I'm kinda bored now…
Cross: *Takes a card* Sorry I can't please you all the time, C… But I'm not leaving Dreamtale.
C!Chara: 2… You're no fun anymore, Cross.
Cross: *Shrugs and hands him the card* It's just… I thought we were safe… In the Doodle Sphere… Looks like I was wrong…
C!Chara: Being safe and being found out are two completely different things…
Cross: …
C!Chara: C'mon, cheer up. Now, we have more places to explore that isn't the kitchen!
Cross: *Chuckles* You're right.
C!Chara: And since you're Ink's son, The Creator of Universes, we gotta be treated with respect, you know?
Cross: *He processed that* Huh… I never about that…
C!Chara: *Shrugs* Well, it's most likely true. I may not like Ink as much as you do, but being with him has its perks.
Cross: I guess… I just want to confirm something… Hey, uh, Mr. Dream? *He turned his head to the Tree* I got a question…
Dream: Yes, what is it Cross?
Cross: Do… Do you think a lot of people know about me… about us? It's just… Mom always kept me in the Doodle Sphere… And the place is secluded… I think…
Dream: Well… yes, the word got out slowly. I'm not sure how though.
Cross: …
C!Chara: If you start crying, Imma throw up.
Cross: I'm not going to cry! Geez… It's just… Kinda weird finding out… When you think you're a secret, but… You're really not…
C!Chara: Real question is, why did Ink not tell us? He should've known… Right?
Cross: *Looks at Dream again* Did Mom tell you personally? Or did you find out… Like a lot of other people?
Dream: Ink told me.
Cross: That's good…
C!Chara: Why are we crying over spilled milk? So more people know about us than we thought, so Ink lied, so what? This is probably a good thing.
Cross: How? I actually liked not being known…
C!Chara: You're strange, Cross…
Cross: *Sighs* Whatever, Chara… Thanks Mr. Dream.
Dream: *nods*
Cross: *Walks away, dragging his feet and keeping his eyes on the ground* … I wanna go home…
C!Chara: CROSS, for fuck's sake…!
Cross: I feel too exposed! I told you I'd rather not be discovered! But thanks to someone being a nosy little bastard, that isn't an option!
C!Chara: Are you really that much of a baby? I thought you would love the chance of getting out of that trapped painting!
Cross: That "trapped painting" happens to be the place I feel most comfortable with!
C!Chara: Stop yelling, you're drawing attention… *Looks around, a few monsters looking at Cross confusingly and concerned*
Cross: … *Glares back at them, and spins on his heel, stomping into town*
C!Chara: Cross… Where are you going?
Cross: I don't know! Somewhere! I need time to think!
Dust: … *Watches Cross from a distance and takes out his phone, dialing a number quickly* 'Ey, Boss.
Nightmare: What is it Dust?
Dust: The kid's moving, probably heading to the outskirts of the town. You want me to follow him?
Nightmare: For now, make sure he or his buddy don't notice you.
Dust: Alright. What's so special about him, anyway? Killer was excited for some reason. *Follows Cross slowly, never too close but not out of sight either*
Nightmare: You'll see soon enough, just know. This kid will… 'help' us with our plan.
Dust: Really? Huh… Ok. I'll keep an 'eye socket' on him and his demon friend.
Nightmare: … Alright.
Dust: Not even a chuckle… You're a hard rock to break, Boss.
Nightmare: … Sure.
Dust: It'll happen someday. I should let you go. He's going even further than I thought…
Nightmare: Alright.
Dust: See ya soon, Boss. *He ends the call and teleports behind a tree, raising an eyebrow as he watched Cross* Wonder what's so special about you, kid…
C!Chara: Stop running blindly! You'll get yourself hurt!
Cross: Good! At least that gives me something to think about!
C!Chara: … You've got to stop running from your problems, Sans… *He folds his arms, showing concern*
Cross: *Growls, sending a glare to Chara, his eyes fierce* Don't call me Sans. My name is Cross.
C!Chara: Calm down, that was the only way to get you to listen.
Cross: . . .
C!Chara: Cross, let's just… talk it out, ok? I know I'm not your Mom or a great comfort, but something's obviously bothering you.
Cross: *He sat down near a tree, leaning his head against the base* … Why do you care?
C!Chara: Because it's my body too. And, believe it or not, I'm trying to protect you. We may not have been friends in our past life, but we have to start acting like allies, or this will get us nowhere.
Cross: . . .
C!Chara: So, what's wrong? We can work this out.
Cross: *Sighs* I already told you; I just feel uneasy with the fact that I'm more well-known than I want to be.
C!Chara: *Shakes his head* That's not what's really bothering you.
Cross: What? I just told you-
C!Chara: I know you, Cross. And while that does scare you, there's something else… Something else you're even more afraid off. So, spill. What is it?
Cross: . . . *Looks down at the ground, his face drawn into worry. He takes out a plain piece of paper and stares at it. Cross proceeds to fold it* … Him… He disturbs me…
C!Chara: Who? Gaster? Are you having those nightmares about him again?
Cross: *He continues folding the blank paper* No, those aren't nightmares; they're visions. I remember… This one vision, where I was trapped in darkness and he said to me: "You aren't non-existent. You will be exposed. And soon, everyone will know the truth. The truth of your purpose."
C!Chara: *He looks away for a moment, then tilts his head at Cross* … What the hell does that mean?
Cross: *The paper was starting to take form* I… I don't know… But… I think… He meant that I won't be a secret. Hearing that… People know me… I was scared, because his words made so much sense.
C!Chara: *Taps his chin* That doesn't explain the "purpose" part…
Cross: *The paper soon turns into a small butterfly, Cross rotating to see his work* It probably means something bad is going to happen soon…
C!Chara: Speaking of that… Cross? I don't trust Nightmare.
Cross: *Looks up at Chara, confusion clear on his face* Well, yeah, neither do I. What's your-
C!Chara: No, I mean, he isn't to be trusted. I know I complimented him before, but there's something wrong about him.
Cross: *Puts his hand over the paper butterfly, watching as his magic glows* You mean besides the goo stuff and negativity?
C!Chara: Yeah, besides that. He's… strange. I dunno why, but he is. Just be careful, ok? I have a feeling things won't end well if we were to get associated with him…
Cross: Yeah… Ok. I'll be careful. *He uncovers the butterfly and it looks very real, as if it wasn't made of paper moments ago*
C!Chara: We should get back. Don't want Goody-Two Shoes to get worried.
Cross: Alright… *Looks at the butterfly and puts his hand up, letting it fly away*
C!Chara: Oh, and Cross? *He watches it leave as he helps Cross up*
Cross: Uh-huh? *Dusts himself off, turning to the direction of the town*
C!Chara: Don't worry about those nightmares-
Cross: Visions.
C!Chara: Visions, whatever. Don't worry about those, ok? We'll be fine.
Cross: *Puts his hood up as he starts walking with Chara close by* Heh, thanks C.
C!Chara: *Shrugs* No problem.
Dust: *Watches them leave and catches the butterfly in his hands, staring at it as it struggled in his grasp* Wow… This has to be the reason Nightmare is interested in the kid… *He examines the butterfly closer, looking at its wings, legs, and design* No… You look real… They have to see this. *He hurriedly grabs his phone and calls Nightmare again* Boss? It's Dust, with news to report.
Nightmare: What is it?
Dust: Gather the rest of the guys. I want them to know this too. I'll be there in a minute. Turns out there's more to Cross than meets the eye.
Nightmare: Alright.