Day 25
Curtain finished work as she quickly headed out so that she could get ready for the cruise. She was almost running out of the mall when she bumped into Sans while at the front door. They would have fallen down, but Sans quickly grabbed the door with one hand as he wrapped his other arm around her waist in a dipping form. Curtain held one arm around Sans' waist as her other arm wrapped onto his shoulder. They were a few inches apart as they looked into each others' eyes in surprise for a moment. Curtain sheepishly smiled with a little blush and said,
"H-Hey Sans. Um, sorry for bumping into you like that. I didn't want to be late, you know."
Sans also smiled with a small blush on his cheekbones and said, "It's alright. I actually hurried over here too."
They stood upright as Curtain smoothed out her clothes.
"Frisk said she hopes we'll have fun. She'll come later to pick us up from the harbor," Sans said, as he put his hands into his pockets.
"Oh okay. Marisol text me the same thing this morning," Curtain said, and Sans nodded.
The two headed back to Curtain's house, and she was able to change out of her work clothes into the new outfit she wore before. When she came downstairs after changing, Curtain was surprised to see that Sans had changed his clothes as well: he wore a black sweater with a blue shirt underneath, blue pants with a white stripe on the sides, and black boots with the pants stuffed in them. Although he just changed his clothes, Curtain thought he looked quite handsome in this new outfit.
"You're looking good Sans. What's the occasion?" Curtain asked with a smirk.
"Thanks, and you are~" Sans said, as he smirked back.
"Oh? Little old me? How sweet of you," Curtain said, as she and Sans headed for the front door.
"You're dressed up too. Could I assume that it's for me?" Sans asked, as they stood outside after Curtain locked the front door.
"Maybe~ But I think we should hurry up. We might be late," Curtain said, noticing the time on a watch she wore on her wrist.
"Don't worry. I got it," Sans said, as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and teleported.
They ended up on the roof of a building first, and then Sans brought them closer to the pier. They stood on line going up to the large vessel, until they made it to where the captain stood with the check-in crew member. Sans talked to them, and they let him and Curtain on board. They were each given a wristband to identify and keep in check who is on the ship. Afterward, they stood on the sun deck with other passengers who also wore the wristbands.
There was a top level on the sun deck, where tables and chairs were laid out to sit, and a lower level where there were umbrellas and lounge chairs around a large pool in the center. The opposite side of the top level was the second top level that was for lounging and enjoying the ocean view with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and tables to charge electronic devices.
Within the vessel had various activities like watching movies in the theater, playing tennis and pool, and bowling. There was a bar as well, but the drinks were all non-alcoholic since getting drunk and swimming or falling off the ship would be a bad idea. There was also a spa area, and when the ship started moving, Sans quickly teleported there to get Curtain first in line. Right before she went in, Curtain hugged Sans as a thank you and went inside. He blushed and then went to look around to see what else they could do on the ship.
After her spa treatment, Curtain went outside and saw Sans waiting for her with a smoothie in a curvy glass cup. He stood speechless at first since it seemed like her skin was glowing, until she took the cup he offered. Afterward, they went to the movie theater to watch and laugh at the film playing since they thought it was a corny love story.
After enjoying a few more of the indoor activities, they decided to take a swim in the pool. Curtain wore her bathing suit under her clothes, which was a purple one piece with black shorts. Sans noticed that she had a few scars on her legs and he asked her what happened. She informed him that she and Marisol would travel in the wilderness or another park with Marisol's parents and climbed or raced in the forest. Sometimes they would accidentally get hurt, and they each had scars from their more risky adventures. Although they didn't mind the scars, they didn't want to attract attention, so they decided to hide them under long sleeves or pants. They figured kids might think they were cool and want scars too, or people may question them about them all the time.
After her explanation, Sans took off his sweater and boots, and they both dived into the pool... actually Sans grabbed Curtain around her waist and dived in with her. Curtain panicked at first, but then she realized that she could breath as Sans was using his power to help them do so. Sans let go of Curtain, as his power formed a bubble-like sphere around her head. She told him to stop tossing her in water like that, and Sans laughed and said that he couldn't promise that, which made Curtain's eyebrow twitch a bit. After swimming and talking for a while, Curtain and Sans exited the water, as a couple noticed how long they were down there and concluded that they were Olympic swimmers since they could hold their breaths for a long time.
All of the excitement and events left the two pretty tired, so they went to the second top level to relax on the lounge chairs. Curtain replied to Marisol's texts asking if she was okay, as Sans replied to texts from Toriel by Frisk since they were fast texts, also asking if they were okay. They drank two more drinks that the waiter brought, and then they sat back and talked while enjoying the view.
"How did they live?" Curtain asked.
"It was a mirror. Those sneaky foxes... once I hit it, it cracked, and I heard them snickering at me from behind. But since it was a mirror, I actually saw where they were from the cracked pieces and was able to teleport behind them. You could say that they, died of fright. At least that's what the vets thought when they examined those foxes," Sans said.
"Wow. They were really a challenge for you huh?" Curtain said, and Sans signed and nodded.
They didn't realize that during their conversation, they were laying closer to the edge of their chairs towards each other.
"So, what other places are there that you told me about? You know, when we first met, and when you and Frisk were talking about other dimensions and stuff," Curtain asked, feeling a little nervous to ask but not from fear.
"Well, there are other worlds out there. Light worlds with some of them literally made of light, dark worlds with some of them literally made of darkness. Some worlds are neutral, like this one, that are in balance. Although some dark and light worlds are in balance as they are. Then there are dimensions that can be light, neutral, or dark which inhabit odd creatures, or universes that are different but the same as this one. Alternate universes. But you don't have to worry about those. That's a different story, and they can't link to us," Sans replied.
"Link? Is that how you reach other dimensions and universes?" Curtain asked.
"Yeah. It's like a bridge that connects universes and dimensions so that, those who can travel between them, can access other places. However, since our link is short, which means it's stronger by concentration, other beings can't connect well so no one comes here from other places," Sans replied.
"Interesting. Can you travel to those other places though?" Curtain asked.
"Yeah. Being an Embodiment, I can make my own path that only I can create and use. All Embodiments can do that, although Elements are limited to how far they can travel, so they don't go beyond the dimensions in this universe," Sans replied.
"Hm... then that means you're really strong aren't you. You weren't kidding," Curtain said, leaning closer to Sans.
"Nope. Not kidding at all, sweetheart," Sans said, leaning closer to Curtain.
However, the chairs couldn't handle their weights on one side, as Curtain and Sans ended up flopping over on their stomachs, while their chairs flipped on the sides.
"Oof! Well... that was unexpected," Curtain said, as she propped herself up on her elbows.
"Yeah. We really fell into this situation," Sans said, as he stood on one knee while Curtain snickered.
"Are you alright?" Sans asked, as he offered his hand, which Curtain took to get on her knees.
"Yeah, I'm good. Are you okay?" Curtain asked.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me," Sans said.
Curtain's grip on Sans' hand tightened a bit, and she softly said, "Why wouldn't I?"
Their eyes locked, with Curtain's sincerity reflecting from her eyes and Sans' surprise clearly visible in his. Sans smiled as he slowly moved his other hand towards her cheek, but he refrained from doing so since he didn't want her to feel uncomfortable. It was already surprising enough that she agreed to go on the cruise with him, and he didn't want to over-step any boundaries she may still have. Curtain did feel relief that he didn't touch her face, although a fuzzy feeling inside her chest wished that he had.
"Oh my! Are you two okay?" A woman asked, as she saw that their chairs were toppled.
"Oh, we're alright," Sans replied, as he and Curtain stood up.
"Here, let us help you," A man, who was with the woman, said as the two helped Sans and Curtain fix the chairs.
"Thank you for your help," Curtain said, as she and Sans sat down.
"No problem," The man said.
"Oh! Actually, we came to ask you two if we could have your autographs," The woman said, bringing out a pen and paper pad.
Sans and Curtain were confused, until the man explained, "You guys held your breaths for so long underwater that we assume that you were part of the Olympics. If you get famous, we'd love to have your autographs."
"Even if you don't, it would give us a story to tell, and a way to remember this wonderful cruise," the woman added.
Sans and Curtain looked towards one another as they smiled to hide their laughs. After signing autographs, Sans and Curtain went back to lounging, this time watching how they sit.
Later:
Marisol was waiting for Curtain and Sans to arrive at port, as she stood on the upper part of the harbor with her car behind her. Frisk text her that she was coming soon, so Marisol was waiting by herself. A car pulled up behind her own, although she wasn't so attentive towards it, until the person in the car came out and called,
"Hey Marisol! What's up Flower Bud?"
Marisol instantly recognized the voice and turned to see Caroline.
"C-Caroline! You came back! Earlier than expected," Marisol said, as she greeted her coach and friend with a hug.
"Yeah, I'm back, little bud. I wanted to have time to rest and then go to the Blue-Harbor festival," Caroline said, as she petted Marisol's head.
"So, what are you doing here? Does anyone else know?" Marisol asked, as she released Caroline.
"Nope. Not yet. I want to surprise everyone so don't say anything. I was going to head home since the trip back was pretty exhausting," Caroline said, with her hands on her hips in fists.
Caroline was a foot taller than Marisol, and she had blonde hair that curled on the ends and reached her shoulders. She had an athlete's built, and she wore a green long-sleeved shirt with a yellow square on the center. She wore brown, heeled boots that reached her knees, with blue jeans.
"So, what'cha doing here?" Caroline asked.
"Uhhh. I'm waiting for Curtain and her friend to get back from the cruise," Marisol replied.
"Her friend? Oh! Is it that Sans guy that the others were texting me about? Corvin told me he's Curtain's boyfriend, Karol said she ships them, Joseph thinks they're a good pair, Hare doesn't care but is protective, Rini thinks they should have more time to go on dates, Joe doesn't mind, and Kelvin was writing me poetry of heartbreak but Jonathan said he was being over-dramatic. Well, that's what they told me. My gosh I had so many messages... of course, I'd like to meet this guy," Caroline said, as she stood besides Marisol to look out towards the pier.
"Yeah... everyone seems to like him since he's actually a cool guy..." Marisol said, and looked downward.
"I know that tone, Marisol. You know something else. I suspected that since you didn't text me even to complain. What do you know?" Caroline asked, casually.
"Well, I wouldn't want to say anything, cause I think Curtain can tell you better, but I think she's a bit... compromised..." Marisol said.
"Tell me your side, since you seem better informed than the others, and then I'll talk to Curtain another day. I'm pretty tired from the trip coming back, so I'm resting tonight and unpacking tomorrow," Caroline said.
Marisol decided to tell Caroline about what was going on, since Caroline was very trustworthy and just. She told Caroline that Sans was the Embodiment of Death and that he was in love with Curtain and trying to make her fall in love with him within a month to take her soul. Curtain was being quite resistant for the most part so that she could take a part of his soul to be immune to death, but then Marisol noticed Curtain being a little flirty with him, and it bothered her because she didn't want her friend to start liking him and be taken away. Even though he was actually nice to her although they kind of fought before, Marisol felt conflicted about him at this point.
"My goodness Marisol. That's a lot to take in, and a lot for you to go through too. Are you okay?" Caroline asked.
"I just... I want Curtain to be happy, but... I don't want to lose her. She's my best friend," Marisol said, holding back tears.
Caroline placed her hand on her shoulder and said, "I can understand that. I feel the same way for all of you kids. All of you are like little kids and I'm the crazy but awesome aunt who loves all of you. When y'all were younger I hoped that y'all would grow up and find someone special in your lives that you would love and who loves you. Seeing all of you grown up, traveling, working, dating like Joseph and Karol, and living well is all wonderful and good to me. Of course, we are all protective of each other, and that's why I'm proud of you, Marisol. You still wish for Curtain's best interest, and you were open to her about it. You're even here to help her, even with your confliction. I'm sure Curtain appreciates that, no matter what decision she makes, cause in the end... it's her choice."
Marisol took her words to heart, as she looked downward with a sad smile. Caroline looked ahead and saw Curtain exiting the cruise boat with a skeleton who she assumed to be Sans. Her eyes widened as she saw them together talking and laughing, occasionally seeing Curtain leaning her arm on him, as Sans kept his hand on her back to prevent them from accidentally separating. Her silence made Marisol look up at her and ask,
"What's the matter, Coach Caroline?"
She noticed that Caroline quickly wiped her eyes as she replied with a smile, "It's just that... I was only gone for a few weeks and I can see that Curtain looks much happier than when I left. It was like I was looking at Verdana and Seff again..."
Marisol's eyes widened to that response, since those were the names of Curtain's parents. Caroline turned and started heading to her car.
"I'll see ya later Marisol. I have sleeping and unpacking to do. Make sure not to tell anyone I'm back yet, especially Curtain, okay?" Caroline asked as she opened her car door and looked towards Marisol.
"I will CC. I'll see you later," Marisol replied, and then Caroline went in her car and left.
Frisk appeared soon after Caroline left and stood with Marisol. Curtain and Sans arrived and soon all of them were in Marisol's car. Sans and Curtain spoke about the cruise, briefly since they didn't want to spoil anything for when Frisk and Marisol go. In front of Curtain's house, Sans and Frisk exited the vehicle. Marisol turned to see that Curtain was still there.
"Are you okay Mari? You seem... sad," Curtain asked in concern.
"Oh, no, I'm okay. I'm glad you're still here ya'know? Means you still have your soul," Marisol said, a little sadness present in her voice.
"Aw Marisol. You see, this is why I didn't want to tell you at first about the deal. I didn't want you to feel all worried and sad... but I knew I had to, just in case," Curtain said, as she side-hugged her friend since they were sitting side-by-side.
"I'm glad you told me though. It would be better to know than to think you just disappeared or were kidnapped," Marisol said, returning the side hug.
"I'm sorry Marisol," Curtain said.
"Don't be. You did what you had to do. Just... just be safe okay?" Marisol asked, and Curtain agreed.
After Marisol left, Curtain went into her house as Sans had to leave. Frisk stood for a while, and Curtain decided to let her sleep over since she was going on the cruise with Marisol tomorrow. Frisk made her bed on the sofa, and Curtain went to sleep in her room when it was pretty late.
;D
