Author's Note: Sorry about the shorter chapter than usual, I had to split this one and the next one up, otherwise they seemed to run on a bit. ^^' And better late than never, right?
Each day quickly became tedious. There were only so many battles that could be set up with Papyrus's action figures. And Papyrus couldn't put off not going to work forever. So, for a lot of days, you were left alone to amuse yourselves. Often leaving you bored silly.
By the end of your first week with the skeleton brothers, you were itching to get out.
While you yourself couldn't see your stats outside of battle, and you didn't think either Papyrus or Sans would initiate one with you and you didn't know how to initiate a battle yourself, Sans kept looking at you as if he could see straight to your SOUL. Paired with what he had said before you came to their house, you didn't doubt that he was checking your stats somehow. He never seemed really pleased, but at least he didn't look like they were dropping any lower.
On day nine, you finally came up to him, and asked him how were your stats. You wanted to be able to leave the house, and you were feeling cooped up. Sans simply sighs. "it's not gotten any lower kiddo. but it hasn't gotten any higher. it's too dangerous for you to leave the house. someone might attack you."
Papyrus, seeming to come out of nowhere, like an angel in battle armor and smelling of spaghetti, says, "WELL, THEN THE HUMAN COULD GO OUT WITH ME! I'LL MAKE SURE THEY'RE SAFE AND SOUND."
Honestly, you could hug that skeleton.
Sans looks between your hopeful face and Papyrus's hopeful face. He sighs. Which he does a lot for a creature that doesn't have lungs, or organs. "sure. alright. as long as you're with paps." Both you and Papyrus cheer, though he's more boisterous than you.
Papyrus starts taking you out with him on his errands, or on small patrols around town. It was not that big, and with only a few shops. They all face one way, facing the main street, and on the other side of the street is a steep ravine. It was like perpetual Christmas, though apparently the Monsters here called it Gyftmas. Twinkling multi-colored lights lit the town cheerfully, and the warm lights from the shops beckoned you within. How Papyrus manages to stay on task astounds you, since all you want to do is window shop.
You almost always sat on his shoulders, perched up above everyone else, and safe and sound. Most Monsters left you alone, though a few exchange pleasantries with Papyrus. He tells them you are his and Sans's cousin, the few that asked. It was pretty obvious he was not used to lying, though no one questioned him, and he got less nervous the more he says it.
Soon, you are able to recognize the Monsters around town by name. And they get used to the sight of you on Papyrus's shoulders.
Sometimes you would find yourself lulled into a nap while he did his errands. It wasn't your fault he was so cuddly! And Papyrus refrained from waking you, though he would complain afterwards that you were just as lazy as Sans.
He never took you out of town, but at least this was progress. The progress bar was filling up. Where the end was, you weren't quite sure yet.