"What is your name, young one?"
He was startled by the deep voice. Glancing over at the giant goat.
Should he? Was it safe?
It's ok. He's...
It's fine, but don't tell him about me. Not yet.
"..."
They walked in silence, the other had assured him that he did not have to say. Still, it felt as if he were... how to put it... betraying? Rejecting?
Whatever it was, it didn't sit right.
"Rust"
His voice was raw yet hushed, still, the larger noticed.
"Pardon? I'm afraid this old man is a tad hard of hearing."
Rust glanced at the other, noting the patient yet immersed look. It was nice. Like he was genuinely committed to the person he talks to. The look gave him a sense of peace, letting him relax just a bit.
"My...name. They call me Rust."
"Well, Rust, they call me Asgore."
That name. So distant but so familiar.
"Are you aware of your situation, Rust?"
Asgore looked down on him with the same patient smile as before.
"I know I'm not... home"
The other's smile turned forced.
"hmmm. Unfortunately yes, you are no longer in your home universe-"
"Home universe?"
:..-_ Don't interrupt me again! You had plenty time to adjust yourself to the rules!-..:
"Ah- yes well, I was told all about it. But to be honest, if you want more... what's the word..."
The conversation temporarily dropped as the taller monster mumbled to himself.
Rust sat in shock as the memories flashed by. The images were too fast to see but the feeling, the words were clear as day. He was spiraling into memories he can't remember. He needs to stop. He need to distract himself he needs to think-
New universe. So the multi universe theory was correct. Cool.
Already caught by his previous Doctor.
Bad.
High security restrictions in place.
Double bad.
Doctor most likely talking about him to the higher-ups. Queen? He doesn't seem to include the King in the conversation.
Triple bad with a slice of possible escape partner?...
Not only that but I don't feel right.
His non-existent stomach curled in on itself, giving an illusion of hunger and burning acid.
When was my last catch?
...
God. my arms hurt like a bitc-
"Ah! I know!"
Asgore's loud ass voice nearly scared him to the next floor-if there was one-. As the king's giant fluffy paw rested on his shoulder.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."
Rust really tried to at least hide that little fact. Didn't work.
Rip.
"What I meant to say was if you need more... In depth information, you can ask this universe's version of Sans. He knows plenty."
Dear god he tries. ok. He tries but apparently he's just that easy to read.
"Are you ok there? Was it something I said?"
Was this sans another Doctor?.
Exactly. Ask for someone different.
"Uh...no it's ok. Could I talk to anyone else...?"
Asgore just sat there for a minute, looking somewhat astonished by the question.
"Well... Alphys. The retired head scientist…"
The goat sputtered, looking towards the Doc.
"I'm sorry I just find it odd. Is it the doppelgänger idea? Why are you so opposed to talking to the Sans of this universe?"
Rust didn't say anything. He couldn't say anything.
One, the Sans here is not the doc. Yet the thought of just speaking to him sets him off. Two, the Doc. was right there. Not even five feet away. If he said anything, escape could quickly be washed down the gutter depending on the reaction.
Instead, he just glanced. To the doctor. To the king. To the doctor. And back again. Fast enough for the other to -hopefully- see what's going on and make a connection; yet slow enough not to look too suspicious. He didn't wanna out the only person who could potentially help him.
Asgore went quiet again, looking towards Doctor S.
Good. It seems he did make the connection.
His expression slowly morphed into one of recognition and worry.
"Why does he bind you?"
...
What.
"Those straps on your wrist. The "necklace" -hugging just a bit tight I may add, you should probably fix that- I may not come from your universe, but I know a glorified magic restrictor when I see one."
Rust let the silence settle in, but the royal would not let this go, he wanted- needed to know why the restrictors were there.
Was it because of his LV?
Would he be a danger to any monster or human?
What precautions would they need to take, especially in these fragile times, many were against their presence on the surface. With all these new skeleton monsters popping up, they needed to make sure it won't jeopardize their freedom.
...Ask him why he needs to know. Nothing more.
…
"Why do you need to know?"
Asgore looked down on him, expression stern yet forgiving.
"We need to know your Level Of Violence, our people have just made it to the surface. I cannot have anyone run around hurting humans- or monsters."
…
Answer, but don't give him all the info.
"... Control"
"Pardon?"
"These are here. For control…"
He made sure to lower his voice, hoping the Doc was far enough away.
The doc knows if I can get away from him, he won't ever be able to catch me."
There it was again. The look of concern. Of Pity and silent contemplation.
"Don't."
"Do not do wha-"
"Pity. I don't want it. If you're gonna do that. Don't do it around me."
Oof he didn't mean to sound -that- rude. Rip.
"Ah, I am sorry. I had not realized I was doing-er-...that. Is there anything I could do? Perhaps talk with your brothers-"
-_- Address me as Doctor S.-_
_-_-_- screaming as their soul was ripped-_-_-_-_-_
The beats slowly stopped. Their soul violently in the jar. Their body had stopped seizing from -_-_-_-_-
They were dead.-_-:
A sudden rage took over him. The hurt, the anger, it wasn't his own. And yet, before he knew what this meant, the words slipped through his teeth in a distorted voice only he could hear.
"That Doctor is not my brother."
The group in front of them stopped cold. The lights in the extended hall seemed to darken, the air became stiff and toxic.
"Not your brother eh?"