Chapter 11
"So how do we get an audience with the king?" Selenia asked once everyone was seated at the folding table. She and Toriel had prepared dinner, with ample help from Frisk, Papyrus and Undyne.
"Just go in and talk to him." Said fish woman shrugged. "He's normally just watering flowers in the throne room or sipping tea in there. Will probably ask if you want a cup of the stuff as well."
"He hasn't changed much." Toriel muttered.
"Mom, we're going to be civil." The older human chided.
"Of course we will be… but we are not in his presence right now." The goat woman grinned slyly. "And by the way, Selenia… have you told that boy how you feel yet?"
"Mom!" Said human's cheeks blossomed with heat, the others were laughing along as well.
"c'mon kid, can't be that hard to tell someone you like them." Sans would be grinning from ear to ear, if he had ears.
"Then why don't you tell us who you like?" Mettaton smirked at the skeleton from across the table. "If it's not too hard for you that is." They glared at one another as the challenge was accepted.
"that's easy. I like everyone." Sans shrugged, his grin not wavering.
"No, no, no, the one you like the most. As in romantically." The robot wasn't going to let him off the hook so easily.
"still easy." The skeleton lifted his plate, revealing a slice of Toriel's specialty of butterscotch-cinnamon pie. "this is what I'm really in love with right now." There were chuckles around the table as the star pouted.
"Alright, enough playing around." Selenia's voice was filled with mirth. "I want to know as much as I can about the king before we meet him."
"A lot of us refer to him as King Fluffybuns." Undyne was smirking at the nickname.
"I actually gave him that nickname a long time ago…" Toriel's cheeks were pink with embarrassment. "I am surprised that it seems to have stuck."
"I-it's pretty accurate, Ms. Toriel, s-since he's so n-nice." Alphys supplied.
"He seems like he's not that bad of a guy, Lenna." Frisk reasoned as they looked up at their sister.
"He doesn't that's for sure… Should we address him as 'your highness' or what?" The older human bit her lip.
"He'd be fine with anything; there's no reason for you to be so nervous, punk."
"WE WILL ALL BE THERE TO SUPPORT YOU!" Papyrus had been unusually quiet, probably due to all of the new food choices in front of him that he would eventually try to work spaghetti into."
"It's kind of a big deal though… since we'll be meeting with royalty, but it's probably different from meeting the royals above ground." Selenia shrugged. "I'm trusting you guys on this though." She still had her doubts and decided to be wary of the king just in case. The rest of the dinner continued as usual; puns being tossed back and forth between Toriel and Sans, Papyrus groaning at all of them, Undyne and Alphys staring lovingly at one another and of course Mettaton boasting about some new show or movie he was going to do.
After everyone was finished, Papyrus latched onto Selenia, dragging her away from everyone else so he could speak with her. He pulled her into an examination room and sighed, looking at the confusion on her face. "HUMAN, YOUR MOTHER KEEPS TEASING YOU ABOUT HAVING A CRUSH ON MY BROTHER, CORRECT?" His voice was soft, but there was still volume to it. It was if he didn't wish to have this conversation in the first place with how nervous he seemed.
"Yes she does… Paps what's on your mind?" The human bit her lip, concern starting to portray itself on her face.
"I DO NOT WISH TO SEE YOU HURT… BUT I HAD ASKED SANS HOW HE FELT TOWARD YOU… WHICH HE TOLD ME HE ONLY THOUGHT OF YOU IN A PLATONIC WAY…" He had averted his gaze from her, but at her deep intake of air he turned back to her.
"Well… that… huh… glad someone told me at least." A sad smile adorned her lips. "Now I can stop making a fool of myself around him…"
"HE DOES CARE ABOUT YOU A LOT IF THAT MAKES YOU FEEL ANY BETTER…" The tall skeleton reached out to her, and she welcomed the touch as he drew her into a brotherly embrace. "I DO HATE BEING THE BARER OF BAD NEWS, BUT I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, AM HERE IF YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO, HUMAN." He gently patted her head.
"Still, thanks for letting me know." She backed out of the hug. He left shortly after, making sure she was okay. She sunk down into one of the nearby chairs, frustrated with herself. "See now look at what you've done. You've fallen for him and he only thinks of you as a friend. Hell, probably more like that annoying little sister he needs to protect and nurture." She spat at herself.
"Once again, Selenia, you're nothing but a fucking idiot who's going to end up getting heartbroken again when you see him with someone else. Oh but he said he really liked you earlier, just letting you down easy without really saying anything." She swiped at her eye, feeling the angry tears starting to build up. "Damn it you're not going through this again! You're just going to treat him as a friend. Distance yourself from the random touches… No more using him as a pillow. No more flirtatious teasing and above all else…" She shook her head, remembering the small kiss she had planted on his brow as the tears finally spilled over. "Damn it all!"
She spent a few minutes trying to pull herself back together before going out to face everyone and see when they were leaving. Taking a few steadying, deep breaths to calm her nerves, the human opened the door to see none other than the short skeleton there. His fist was raised as if he were about to knock.
"oh, there you are, kid. We were starting to wonder where you disappeared off to." Sans smiled at her, the smile faltering slightly as he caught sight of her puffy, red eye and splotchy face. "you okay there, pal?"
"Yep, just peachy!" Her voice was strained, and cracked slightly, his 'pal' comment hurting more than it should have.
"if you're sure…" He shook his skull as if trying to clear his head. "all of us are ready to set out whenever you are." He reached out for her hand, which she jerked away as she skirted past him.
"Sounds good. Let's get the out of here then." She was curt, and did not notice the hurt look play across his features as she moved off to join the others. "Are we all set to leave?" Her question wasn't directed at anyone in particular as they were all standing near the door.
"We're going to head to my resort, darling." A glare was sent Mettaton's way. He cleared his throat before he continued. "There is an elevator there that will take us straight to the capital."
"Alrighty, let's go then." Selenia led the charge out the door before letting one of the others take the lead. She watched as Frisk delightfully wove between the group members to chat, seemingly unaffected by the sweltering heat. Toriel also seemed welcoming to it, which the older human found strange. Maybe the goat woman was used to it because she used fire magic?
Sans was keeping an eye socket out for everyone in their group, even reluctantly doing so for Mettaton, but his main focus was the human woman. Why was she acting so strangely? Maybe she was just anxious and her nerves were getting the better of her? He strolled to her side and carefully touched her arm, making her jump away from him slightly. "woah, hey it's just me. No need to jump out of your skin."
"Oh, hi Sans." Selenia tried to smile, it being slightly forced.
"what's up, pal?" He saw her wince at the word. "you're acting like someone kicked your puppy."
"Ah, nothing really, just nervous." She lied through her teeth. "It's not every day some common riff raff like me gets to meet a king."
"uh huh… what's really bothering you, kid?" She sighed, knowing he saw right through her.
"I found out something earlier that made me upset, okay?" She interrupted him as he was going to ask a question. "No I don't want to talk about it, and yes it was painful to find out."
"sorry you had to find whatever it is out then." He turned his gaze from her, hating the defeated look on her face. "stay determined though; it may not be as bad as you think."
As the group continued onwards, the older human remained quiet, lost in her own thoughts. The skeleton was still by her side and it felt like tiny needles were pricking at her heart every time her eye wandered over to him. Her mind kept replaying the same words over and over to her.
'Stupid.'
'Only likes you like a sister.'
'Only friends, nothing more.'
'Isn't it devastating?'
'No one can love you.'
'You're nothing.'
Frisk turned to look back at the rest of the group, since they and Mettaton were leading it onwards. Besides Undyne looking extremely uncomfortable in the heat, everyone seemed to be doing fine. That was until the child's eyes landed on their sister. She looked like she had lost her best friend, and the way her hands were clenching and unclenching made them worry. An idea popped into their head as they rushed back to her, making the older woman jump in surprise as they took her hand.
"Hey squirt, what's up?" Even her voice was different, making the kid worry even more.
"Can we sing one of the songs from that movie we used to watch together all the time?" They thought for a moment. "It had a French sounding name and had all these dancers, and where the play writer falls in love with the main dancer girl." They seemed excited about it.
"Well, I guess so…" She chuckled at their wording of the movie, which she remembered being the Moulin Rouge. "Which song though?"
"The show must go on!" They grinned.
"Alrighty. Do you remember any of the words?"
"Yeah! You take the parts that the lady sings!" Frisk cleared their throat as their soft voice started in on the song;
"Another hero, another mindless crime, behind the curtain, in the pantomime. On and on, does anybody know what we are living for?" They circled around their sister, like they were the only two there. "Whatever happens, we leave it all to chance, another heartache, another failed romance. On and on, does anybody know what we are living for?
"The show must go on!" The child belted out, carrying on the last word. "The show must go on! Outside the dawn is breaking, on the stage that holds our final destiny! The show must go on! The show must go on!"
"Inside my heart is breaking…" Selenia's voice started out as a mere whisper, before growing. "My make-up may be flaking, but my smile still stays on…"
"The show must go on!" Frisk picked back up. "The show must go on!"
"I'll top the bill! I'll earn the kill! I have to find the will to carry-" The older human grinned at her sibling, taking both of their hands as they continued the song together.
"On with the, on with the, on with the show!"
"On with the show!" The child shouted. "On with the show!"
"The show must go on!" They finished together, drawing out the last word. Hands still clasped, they spun in a circle around each other. Selenia pulled the child to her before collapsing onto her back in a fit of happy giggles.
Sans had been watching the two the entire time, as had everyone else, and had been surprised with how much soul the older human had put into her words. How much those words actually seemed to mean to her. What had she learned that had put her into that dreary mood to begin with? He took the chance to glance at his brother, noticing the taller skeleton was teary socketed. He may have just found the catalyst that caused the change in her. He would have to ask Papyrus later.
"Oh my! Your voices are absolutely lovely together darlings!" Mettaton was once again fawning over them, but stopped at the glare he received from the woman.
"Thanks, Ton-Ton!" Frisk grinned as they leaped from their sister to cling to the star, who had tears in his eyes at the nickname.
"And thank you for cheering me up, squirt." Selenia pulled herself to her feet and ruffled the child's hair before they and the robot went back to lead the group. She walked up beside Toriel, taking the goat woman's furry hand in her own and receiving a motherly smile.
"Hello, my child."
"Hi, mom." The human's voice was a bit sad, but her smile was genuine.
"What has been troubling you, dear one?" It seems like Toriel could see right through her as well.
"Right down to the point, huh?" Selenia's smile faltered. "Well… when Papyrus took me to the side earlier, he told me his brother only thinks of me in a platonic way." She whispered.
"That is obviously not true." The goat woman's words were sure, a stern look on her face.
"Paps would never lie to me though." The human stared up at the taller monster. "How can you tell anyway?"
"The way he looks at you and the way his soul pulses when you're near him or laughing at one of his jokes." The former queen stated matter-of-factly.
"Oh, right, you have the ability to see souls." The woman rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment. "You can really see that much from just looking at a soul though?"
"Yes, because the soul is who you really are; every thought, every feeling, every memory is in your soul." Toriel explained. "What your mind doesn't remember, your soul does."
"Souls are weird." The human chuckled as she rested her unoccupied hand over the part of her chest she knew the soul resided.
"Your soul has so much love in it, my child." The goat woman smiled happily. "It is strange though…" She squinted, looking closer at the human's soul.
"Is there something wrong with it?" Worry surged through the human as she stared between her chest and her mom.
"Nothing wrong at all, dear one… I can just see the connectors between your soul and everyone else's" Toriel smiled reassuringly, watching the tendrils that pulsed from her soul to the others; each were a vast array of colors, linking up with the human's twisted strands of green and purple. Her own soul's tendril was lovingly wrapped around the human's in a protective, motherly embrace at the meeting point.
"What does it look like?" Selenia questioned.
"It's truly a beautiful sight to behold… How I wish you could see it for yourself."
"Is there anything I can compare it to?" She moved some stray hair out of her face.
"Just imagine two rays of light connecting, different colored lights undulating against one another." The former queen thought for a moment. "It is rather hard to explain…"
"I can see it somewhat." The human had her eye closed, her mind creating the image for her. "It's like seeing the Northern Lights…" The two continued to talk more about souls and many other different subjects.
Meanwhile, Sans strolled up beside his brother, giving the taller skeleton a fond smile. "hey, bro."
"OH, HELLO SANS!" Papyrus had been cheerfully humming to himself.
"I have a question for you, pap." The older brother's grin changed slightly.
"WHAT IS IT, BROTHER?"
"what did you pull the human away to talk about earlier?" His voice dropped an octave. "she's been acting differently since then."
"W-well since her mother keeps teasing her about her feelings for you…" The taller brother's voice lowered as well. "I found it only appropriate to tell her that you only think of her in a platonic way."
"you did… oh…" Sans shook his skull. "you know feelings can change in time, and it's been a while since you asked me that."
"So you feel differently now….?" Papyrus frowned. "I apologize brother… if I had known…"
"don't worry, I'm not mad at you. I'll fix this." The older brother smiled at his sibling.
The group finally made it to the resort, Selenia looking dejectedly at the fountain in the entrance hall. The box shaped Mettaton statue was shooting water out onto the floor, making a mess everywhere with no 'caution! Wet floor!' sign in sight. There were also a few monsters milling about before going into awe about the robot himself showing up. The star signed a few autographs and chatted with them for a little while before leading the group to the elevator.
"This is it, the elevator that can take us to the capital." The star stated. "But it will have to make two trips, as it can only hold so many people at a time."
"I can hang back, no worries." Selenia smiled slightly.
"I'll stay back as well." Sans offered. The rest of the group split off to use the elevator, leaving the two to stand and wait for its return. "so… heard you weren't in the best of moods, kid." The skeleton started.
"Guess you can say that." The human had her hands clasped in front of her, thumbs twirling around one another. Her eye was trained on them, avoiding his gaze.
"you shouldn't believe everything someone tells you, pal." He watched as she flinched at his words.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She mumbled, still not meeting his gaze.
"it was a while back since he asked me that question, you know." He looked unusually serious. "I told him that because I didn't want to get attached to someone that could easily slip from my grasp, you know?"
"Sans, is this the right time to talk about this?" She was nervous, and trying to avoid the subject.
"now is a good time. We're alone for a bit so no one can interrupt us." He stared her down, eye lights somewhat pleading. "why are you trying to avoid the subject, kiddo?"
"Because…" The elevator dinged open, interrupting her. The duo boarded it, the human seemingly unsteady as she remembered her last experience in an elevator.
"you were saying?" Sans reminded as he pressed the up button. She didn't answer him. "do you really think it's the truth?"
"There's nothing there to support the facts that it's not the truth." Selenia replied quickly.
"you're acting so strangely about it as well…"
"I'm trying to avoid it because I don't want to be hurt again!" She blurted out before leaning against the elevator wall. "I don't want that terrible heartbroken feeling to swallow me up, so I've been trying to distance myself from you. But… it still hurts so much… knowing you like someone but they don't reciprocate the feelings…" She took in a shaky breath.
"kid…"
"And the way my mind works is just making it so much worse! It's like needles are sticking themselves into my heart at every thought it comes up with! Telling me things like 'he can do so much better,' 'no one can care about you like that,' blah, blah, blah!" She choked on the words. "It's fucked up and I hate it, I already know all of this! I can't help the way I feel and it sucks!"
"Selenia." The way he said her name made her look up, seeing he was standing a few mere inches from her. He gently reached out, gripping her chin with one hand while the other brushed away the hair she used to hide her face. He studied her face for a few moments, noticing how watery her eye was. His mind made up, he crashed his teeth into her lips. A low whine resonated from the human at the suddenness of the action, her eye wide.
Selenia's eye slowly fluttered shut as she returned the 'kiss', her hands coming up to rest on his shoulders. He broke away from her a moment later, letting his brow rest against hers with a gentle grin and light blue blush on his features. She was panting slightly, cheeks a flame as she opened her eye to stare into his eye sockets. "so… does that define how I feel about you better than words?" She nodded mutely. "good, 'cause as I told you earlier, I really do like you."
"Sorry I doubted you." A small smile played on her lips as she brought a hand up to gently caress his cheek bone, the smooth bone feeling nice under her fingertips.
"no worries, kid, just glad that's settled now." He leaned into her touch before pulling away from her as the elevator dinged, signaling they had reached their stop. "now come on, we've got a king to talk to." He took her hand, entwining his phalanges with her fingers.
"That we do." She smiled as he led her from the elevator. Toriel looked them over as they stepped out, a knowing smile lighting her face and eyes. Frisk and Papyrus both seemed to notice as well, each giving their respective siblings a thumbs up. The group then continued on their way to the castle, the human and skeleton's hands locked together the entire time.
A/N~ Hello lovelies! =D Finally chapter 11 complete! I was kind of drawn into listening to the Moulin Rouge soundtrack while working on this one so was like "why not, let's have Lenna and Frisk duet this shit." And then the end and the bljdkafhieorkhnelo holy crap XD Anyway I also have a poll up on my profile, because I want you guys' help with a decision I'm having a problem with what I should do! So go check it out =D And have a wonderful day!