An 'Interlude' to ACT-2 | Glimpses of the 'Restart' Timeline | They are not in any form of order -
Rest was a funny thing, in the city. Sometimes it was strangely quiet, and sleep was as simple as taking a seat long enough. Other times, it became some illusive eldritch force. If the neighbors were fighting over some benign thing. If someone was yelling on the streets with their friends. Or, maybe the news was just too loud, even with the volume off.
Tired often not leading to sleep in those moments. The silence was overwhelming, the sound was overwhelming. All one can do, is wait until the body becomes too exhausted, and sleep is guaranteed.
Usually that was just a problem of the harder days. But recently, however, even on those easy days, it had been a persistent struggle. The kind that inspired you to struggle, and in the process, only make it worst.
A tall skeleton sat on an old couch. It was a black couch, with various bits of wear and tear acquired from excessive use. The skeleton, presently staring with empty eyes at a television set across the room from him. The light from it casting throughout the room, even with the volume off, and the subtitles on, it was very overwhelming in its own way.
The news caster, a lizard-woman with a very stoic expression was talking. "Casualties are reported to be in the dozens. The King is encouraging all residents to remain in designated safe areas." She spoke. "Heading out alone at night, is not permitted. If you see any suspicious activity, please report it to the nearest Sentry, or Royal Guard. Remember, you are the first line of defense, against the creatures in the dark, and the rebellious insurgents creating chao-" He clicked the TV off.
He didn't want to hear about this anymore. Letting out a long sigh, he composed himself some. Sliding on a pair of unlaced sneakers in front of his seat, he got up. Tugging at the end of his loose purple shirt. Pulling up the side of his baggy pants. Yawning tiredly, he heard movement.
Glancing back at his couch to someone who was sleeping there. Wrapped up in a hot-pink blanket. Muttering something quietly while at rest. The rest of the room darkened from the lack of television light, making those little things stick out all the more. A glance across this person restoring light in the skeletons eyes.
Throughout the dwelling there was a mixture of colors. From warm and inviting paintings, to a flag bearing bones and blood. A table decorated with a black cloth, with shredded edges. Complimented by a card that was sitting upon it, nice and colorful, with a heart drawn on it. And the words 'Have a great day!' present as well.
"Shhh...sorry." He muttered quietly, sighing, before teleporting from the spot.
He appeared by the front door, where a coatrack stood. Picking up a modified military jacket, he gripped the chain on the side of it, keeping that quiet. This jacket bearing a fur-lined hood, and rolled up sleeves, alongside the symbol of the deltarune on the back. He quietly put it on, watching the couch as he did so. Content after a moment, he placed a hand in the pocket, and vanished again. Manifesting on back balcony of the apartment. Producing a pack of cigarettes from his pocket as he got there.
Placing one in his mouth, next to his silver tooth, he sparked his lighter a couple times. Managing to get the flame going, as he took a drag. The smoke billowing down, magic rushing into him. The addicting sensation it provided hitting him like a train. Which made sense, given how tired he felt. The excess billowing out. His focus falling on the horizon.
This apartment, and the associated balcony were at the top of an apartment building, in a whole complex of them. Built next to a river, on the side of a mountain overlooking most of the rest over underground. They were quite a bit rundown looking, with various pieces of graffiti tagged along the sides. Including in impossible to reach areas.
Notably at the back of his apartment, hanging over the side of the mountain was a giant tree. It was covered in red leaves, and blooming golden flowers. The air was cool, but warm enough overall. The view beyond it though, was admittedly a beautiful sight. Vast landscapes of golden flowers, red and purple leaves.
Dotting the landscape below and beyond the mountain-side complex, various towns could be seen. Dotting places in the distance. It was like a painting, in its own way. If one could forget...everything else.
The skeletons magical eyes turned, focusing on the remains of a homestead somewhere far from where he was. The remains of which were perfectly visible. Charred and burnt to nothing. Leaving a foul black scar in contrast to all that surrounded it. The scar not dissimilar from the crack that graced his skull, running through his left eye
He blew some of the smoke and flicked the ashes below. They'd likely get him yelled at by his downstairs neighbor again. But he hated that guy anyways, so it didn't matter. With that thought he heard a closing door, turning to the next balcony over. A monster he knew wandering out in pajamas, with a beer in his hand.
"Couldn't sleep a wink, could ya Looxan?" He asked.
The monster, notable for having one large eye, and a mustache above its mouth looked over. Chuckling a bit, while leaning against the side of the balcony closest to his own. The skeleton did the same.
"Ya know, first time you threw one of those puns at me, I was sure you were trying to start something." Looxan remarked, adding. "Sometimes I think you still are." He motioned. "You got another one of those?"
The skeleton pushed the lighter into the side of the pack and tossed it over. "Here. I threw in the lighter. To prove I'm not just blowing smoke."
"That one was a little rough, Papyrus." The other monster commented, while lighting one. "You totally missed the set up."
The other monster pausing briefly to offer him a beer. The skeleton shook his head. And the can was placed down.
Papyrus scratched the side of his head, and sighed. "I'm a little sleepless. I'll work on it later." The other monster tossed the pack back. "What's keeping you up?"
"My question to you too. Who knows, could be the same shit." Looxan reasoned, sighing. "I dunno, it's a lot of thinking about work ya know?"
"The creatures, and the death, or the long hours?" Papyrus asked back dryly.
"That's the thing." Looxan sighed. "When I was young, I was always told what a breeze being a sentry was. Just keep your eye open and watch for danger-"
"Literally in your case." Papyrus winked somehow.
"See, now, that was better." Looxan smirked a little. "But uh...I dunno. It's...rough. Especially with those things out there." He hummed. "Did you see the news about-"
Papyrus held up a hand and waved it. "I...I already have trouble sleeping. I don't need the Kings propaganda minister to make it worst."
"Oh c'mon. It can hardly be called that. I mean, she's like a news anchor." The other monster said. "I don't think-"
"You know what I mean." Papyrus took another drag, finding his cigarette almost burned out. "Just...it's a lot. All the time. That's all."
Looxan scratched at his mustache. "You doing okay, by the way?" He motioned, taking a drag of his own. "I was talkin with some of the others. You've been real off lately. And clearly you're having trouble sleepin."
The skeleton thought over the honest answer. "I...learned some stuff. Big stuff. And uh.." He trailed, choosing to tell a lie instead. "No promotion or raise. And that kinda thing but...honestly, the bad news is getting to me. Same as you, right?"
"Sorry, man. I didn't even know you were trying for one. I'da put in a good word." Looxan sighed some. "Well, you should take a day off maybe?" The eye-monster suggested. "Take that partner of yours and go somewhere fun."
"That sounds...nice. But...na." Papyrus muttered. "Where would we go anyways?" He glanced back at his apartment. "Right, well, I've gotta head in. But, you have a good night. And-" He smirked some. "try not to work yourself to the bone."
"Nice." Looxan snickered. "I'll do my best. Night, Papyrus."
With a flick, the remains of the skeletons cigarette sailed through the air. Finding their way into a can of very old soda. Stuffed to the brim with the remains of other cigarettes.
Pulling open the screen door that led to the balcony, he stepped inside, the chain on his jacket rattling a little. Closing it, he closed the blinds, and wandered back to the couch. Cutting through a cluttered kitchen, decorated with nice things. Coming around the corner to the living room, her moved, and plopped back down where he had been sitting before. The conversation had taken most of the energy he had left, well, that and the use of the spells.
Closing his eyes, he slouched some, realizing he'd forgotten to take off his jacket and shoes. Though, he didn't fix that. He just remained there, until he felt a weight at his side. Glancing over to see that the sleeping form had moved. Setting down on his lap. It left him feeling a little less cold. His eyes closing again, as he finally found some sleep.