Summary: Nightmare should choose his words more carefully.

A piercing cyan eyelight swept across the four skeletons standing side-by-side in the center of the room as candlelight cast an eerie ambiance over the space.

Horror, Killer, Cross, and Dust held varying degrees of anticipation; the curiosity radiating off them was palpable.

Neither Sans knew why their leader - or father figure, considering how often the dark lord parented them - summoned them into the castle's designated entertainment room. Something, exactly, what it sounded like: a spacious, central area where a TV, board games, consoles, computers, video games, and other pastimes resided.

For entertainment when not working, after a job well-done, or to troll the Star Sanses when they played online games. (Though, they tried not to bother Dream too much. The cheery guardian was shockingly good at player-vs-player combat in that RPG-esque farming game his group had taken to playing in their free time. Who knew one could kill another player with a low-level, copper watering can?)

Nevertheless, they silently agreed that he likely did not want to play a sudden round of Monopoly. That game was, in no uncertain terms, banned in the castle. And for numerous weapon/rage-related reasons- i.e., the time the Sanses (Nightmare included) turned the entertainment room into a warzone over a certain "Baltic Avenue" trade gone wrong.

"Alright, boys. Today, we are going to be practicing hand signals- which will hopefully make our supply runs go a little more smoothly." The Guardian of Negativity stated, catching the group's attention.

"In the game room?" Killer wondered.

He nodded. "Yes. I want to practice these in various environments to gauge how you all react and how well you can use your surroundings to your advantage."

Seeing his followers waiting for further detail, the dark lord continued.

"Now, on to the signals we'll be working on today and what they mean. When I do this," Nightmare raised an arm from his side and held the attached hand flat in the air, like he had it resting on an invisible table. "I want you to hide somewhere in this room. Does that sound easy enough?"

They nodded a curt "yes," much to his relief.

"Good. When I do this," Nightmare turned his hand face up and curled his phalanges inward in a "come forward"-like motion. "I want you all to come out." He gave them each a searching glance before asking, "Any questions?"

"Will there... be food involved?" Horror instantly drawled.

"No."

Cross raised his hand. "Do we get extra credit for hiding in plain sight? Like, for example, if I were to successfully hide behind or next to someone?"

A frown played along the dark lord's jaws.

"No. Such actions would be far too risky, and I have no intention of encouraging it; Anyone how even dares try it will be assigned extra chores for the entire month." He said. "Any further questions?"

A chorus of "no"s answered, leading Nightmare to perform the aforementioned "go hide" gesture.

All four of the skeleton monsters promptly disappeared in various corners of the room.

Dust slipped under a black couch, eyelights vaguely peeking from beyond the plain skirt shrouding the underside.

Horror vanished into shadows beneath the burnt-out candle - the one everyone kept forgetting to replace - and shimmied between the wall and bookcase, hiding. (Albeit somewhat trapping himself.)

Cross dove into a pile of beanbags shoved against the wall. His mismatched red/white eyelights just barely shone in the fluffy darkness around him.

Killer smirked mischievously and slipped past the game closet door, leaving it cracked just enough for his empty eye sockets to peer into the main room unseen.

Nightmare nodded to himself, eyelight grazing over each area with mild approval.

"I'll admit that was slightly better than I was expecting." He said, then motioned for them to come out. Thus, prompting three of the four to filter out of their hiding spots.

At the same time, an amused voice sounded from the closet. "'mare, I'm gay!"

While the surrounding Sanses began snickering, the negativity-laden guardian heaved a mighty sigh. "Killer... You know, when I said 'come out,' that's not what I meant. "

Muted chuckles echoed throughout the air, followed by a far too pleased, "Yeah, yeah. I know, but did you really expect me to pass up this golden opportunity?"