One World, Many Souls

by Halloween Witch

With a quick use of Sans' magic, we had returned to our home on the surface. The lovely three-story home sat quietly among the trees under the moonlight. Sans always loved to teleport just outside the door and glance at it before walking in. He was a little less lazy since coming to the surface. So much to learn. So much to do. So much to love. SEQUEL TO "TWO WORLDS, TWO SOULS"

26. Testing The Waters

One World: Many Souls

Chapter 26: Testing the Waters

Papyrus' Point of View:

"Dada! Dada! Dada!"
"Ah! Impact! Oh, I do hate when I must leave you, my boy!"

"He'll be fine Papy." It was my elder sister who came quickly behind with Eras in her arms for once. The little boy of her's actively reached out for his cousin who sat in my own. The two of them and Arial always got along so well. Easily did he get passed from my own arms to my sister's. "We'll make sure he's well taken care of like always while you're at school. You're almost done with your degree and I know you're looking for restaurants to apply yourself to for more practical skills in the environment. You're almost there, you just need to finish these last sets of finals in the next two weeks."

"Oh yes! I know I will have this, Sister!" Eagerly I picked up my schooling bag. With it carefully over both my shoulder blades, it sat against the back of my frame while I said good-bye to the children in her arms. "I will succeed Impact! I will make you proud and happy!"

I saw my sister's smile slightly falter at that. "Papy… you know you already do that, and slowing down to take care of him isn't a sign of weakness. You're doing all you can with what time you do have while trying to be an amazing parent for Impact. And look at how good he's doing! Growing well and like a weed, just like our two are."

My sister's words were true, but… I still felt as if I wasn't doing enough. Impact was happy and healthy, and I couldn't be more grateful for it. However… Mettaton's words still held true. That I was a fool, that I wouldn't amount to anything. I was only useful as being a part of a family I shared no blood to. It was Angel and Frisk's family who carried the weight. Sans was lucky enough to marry in and I took their last name due to the politics of it.

But I still… I still had so far to go… I wanted my own shop. Something of my own that I could proudly show off and show the skills that I had obtained. I'd learned not just how to cook, but how to build a menu, how to manage my peers as if they were a staff, how to run a proper business plan with set funds and projections into the future. My family was already helping me for the day that I would be ready for that.

The day where I could open my own restaurant… it was so far away, yet in my dreams it was so close I could taste it.

"Thank you, Sister." I only realized after a few moments in deep in thought that I hadn't responded to her. "My apologies, my final is on my mind."

"It's more than fine, Papy. Sorry for distracting you." With both boys in her arms, my sister stepped back into the doorway to keep them sheltered from the wind as I opened the door. "Have a lovely day Papy. Do your best, I know you have this last final of yours in the bag."

"Thank you, Sister! Have a good day! Good-bye Impact! I love you! And good bye to you as well, my dear nephew Eras!"

And that was when I finally made it from the door and to my car. The top had been placed up to keep the vehicle warm during the winter months. The car was treated with winter tires to allow for better traction in the winter. Perhaps I couldn't cruise around as much as I could during the rest of the year, but at least it was safe.

It was during that slow ride into school that I took the time to ponder the life choices I'd made. Some that I regrated but others I thought were more than appropriate. In the beginning I was so eager to get into the school of my dreams. Yet, right after I'd just begun my studies did I become pregnant with Impact. Mettaton had left me, and it made me more aware of how… not so kind she truly was. How could a woman so easily abandon her child? It made me… realize that perhaps not everyone deserved the kindness.

It was so strange… I… honestly hated how I felt when those thoughts, those feelings passed through my mind and soul.

But I had little time to focus on that dim dark seed of doubt inside myself. I had a son to raise, a nephew and niece to assist with. A sister who required my help when another not so pleasant soul tried to take her away from us. It was during those times in my schooling when I had to slow down. Too much was taking place for me to continue going to school full time. My professors understood. Life most certainly happened to us all.

I just had to be available a few small dates and continue learning my studies. A few of the staff at Grandmother's mansion were able to provide me with assistance and guidance during those times under her watchful eye that I was getting all I could to become successful from those she employed. They assisted me during days where I needed to be home, or at least within a couple minutes of home compared to the college a couple towns over where Ebbott was.

Ebbott, the town and mountain where we'd come from. I hardly thought much about our old home below the surface. Though Sans said he often went back to make sure our home was in working order, and cleaners from the surface traveled there once a week to keep it looking lovely in the case we decided to return there. Sans and Angel never had the heart to sell it, and I was grateful. It held too many dear memories of our father, and the few items that were embedded with mother's magic. I could still feel her love even after she had been gone for so long…

I struggled to hold back the tears when I thought back to her. I only had pictures to remember her by, but her magic was always around in the things she coated. Even without her there physically for me growing up, I always felt like she was there.

And that's when the cycle rotated around again and I was brought back to the lost love of mine, Mettaton. The woman who hurt me, who denounced all claim to her son before he was even born. The very person who wouldn't give us a chance.

For my son… I would do everything I had to. I wanted him to have a good life, a happy up bringing. Nothing else mattered. He and my family were all I cared about. I… couldn't let her ruin it… not when I'd worked so hard.

Later That Day:

"What a lovely dish you have here, Papyrus." It was pleasing to hear the comments that came from the head professor's mouth when he passed by my final project I'd been working on during the time limit. Our final day was to make a three-course meal, appetizer, main course, and dessert. My theme had always been Italian where I'd love spaghetti so much as a child that it carried over into my inspiration. My final projected ended up being a tomato salad, linguine and clams, and tiramisu. A very classic staple to cover all food groups. With the fresh ingredients we had brought in daily, I wanted to take advantages of those said ingredients.

Looking at eat dish that was before my professor and other members of the board, each dish was presented with perfection, ready for tasting. The tomato salad was colorful, using the fresh sent of the ripe tomatoes that come in along with spices to draw people in. Once they get a good look upon the dish, they will notice that feta cheese is scatted throughout the fruit. Basil and mint also are scattered throughout and even a hint of honey could be made out as it glittered in some spots. A lovely blend of fresh flavors before excitedly waiting for more.

Second was the linguine and clam dish. Fish and shellfish were always a large staple in our home, both in the underground as well as once coming to the surface. It was always quite tasty, though the tricky part of this dish was to balance out the salt water retained in the clams while cooking and making sure they didn't over salt the dish. The garlic was another lovely smell that came with the dish. Texture was brought out by tiny pieces of sourdough bread that had been processed into small pieces and mixed along with the parsley. Of course, there was also some lemon zest and some red pepper flakes. Oh, it would have been something that Frisk and Angel would drool over. I would need to make it for them sometime.

And finally, home made tiramisu. I often didn't make it at home due to Angel's dislike of coffee and how her pregnancy often worked up her morning sickness if she smelt it. Sans was cutting back his own intake or buying it at other locations just simply so that she could get rest and not feel so sick all the time.

But there in an open environment where I could push my culinary skills to the brink? I could make whatever it was that I wanted. I debated on doing a chocolate ganache tart instead, but that was something I could test out on Angel's sweet tooth, I would save it for later.

"Why thank you, Headmaster Huskery! I am curious as to your opinion on my dishes, along with the board. Please, help yourselves! Oh, please, Mrs. Durran, won't you try my tiramisu? I made it with some fresh coffee, and while I know your cutting back, I bet you'll love this small taste."

"Oh Papyrus, you know how to sweet talk me into trying your work!"

The members slowly came forward, taking bites and pieces to try. They had to be careful and we as chefs couldn't complain about how much they took in the beginning. They had to try so many dishes of all the students, they had to maintain some form of room in their stomachs.

Though it was always a lovely sight if they went back for more. It normally meant they were enjoying it or trying to figure out a particular flavor.

"Why this is absolutely exquisite!" It was lovely to see that Mrs. Durran of the board was enjoying her bites of the food. "You're baking has always impressed me beyond words Papyrus! This tiramisu is to die for! Oh I must have another bite!"

The woman easily proceeded to gather more onto the little plate she had in her hands from my table. Servicing herself some more, she ate it rather quickly. Of course, she had made sure to eat the other dishes as well first before doing so. As rude as it was to say, her vote was rather easy to grab if you had an amazing sweet. She was head of the baking and pastry department.

The other members were not quite so easy to sway…

"Your use of the clams was quite excellent here Papyrus." Another of the committee, Mr. Hawthorne was quick to note. "You've always done well with the exceptional sensitivity of cooking any variety of sea food. The balance of salt, garlic, seasonings, pasta and the wine sauce all are balanced very well. Didn't you mention once that Angel Terians had been the one to begin your culinary training?"

"That would be correct! My training started when I was seventeen. I sadly did not have much training before then, and I was quite the terrible cook before Angel gave me many pointers. Eventually she would help me experiment in our cooking and broaden my horizon besides just that of the Italian variety, though it seems it is my specialty regardless."

"It's no shame to have a specialty. Your way with pasta, along with sauces have always enticed me." Ms. Kirk noted from where she was eagerly taking another small bite of my pasta main course. "It will help in the long run when you decide to have a location of your future restaurant with what you'll focus on. Though you could certainly branch out and try other verities and switch it up if you so desired. That's why you're put through so many trials to show off those skills of yours."

"She's right, so enjoy your victories when you can." Headmaster Huskery commented with a hand to my shoulder. "All that's left for you is to get into the real world and practice, gain experience. Once you have that and a good business manager to help run your establishment, I can't see anything that will stop you. Now then, we have a few more dishes to inspect. Please, leave these dishes here and we'll have final scores posted on the center board of campus within an hour."

"Thank you, sir!"

With that they left my display table and I was allowed to leave the room. Most of my station had already been cleaned prior to that point and only my served dishes remained. Grabbing my bag and book bag, I then left the main culinary building where the finals were taking place.

I had time while waiting for the judges to prepare a quick little lunch with some left over ingredients we had, and with permission of the judges. A simple chowder for that cold mid-December day.

Stepping out into the brisk air. I saw the landscape covered in a thick layer of white. It was absolutely stunning, reminding me of our old home. I couldn't lie, I missed it. Even though I loved our new home above the surface where we see the four different seasons pass us by, I felt most comfortable in winter. I reminded me of my childhood, of Snowdin. It became easier in later years, but…

I took a seat at an outdoor seating area right before the illuminated board. The cold hardly bothered me as I was used to it from the years of living in a winter year long covered town. While sitting there, I pulled out the chowder with random fish added to it. Some I brought from home, others that were available from the final that were extra. Taking a bite, I sighed at the flavors, but I also felt a bit more comfortable as the warmth spread throughout my body.

"Is that you Papyrus?"

Lifting my gaze, I focused in on the feminine voice who stood above me. Looking up, vibrant red locks blew in the light wind that was pulled back into a simple, messy bun. Pale skin coated with thick freckles faced me and green eyes watched me carefully to make sure I was who she was looking for. However, I was the only skeleton monster on campus. There were hardly any monsters yet that had joined the college of culinary arts.

"Lilly Charisse?" I was surprised to see her at the college I was at. "Why what a surprise! Its lovely to see you! What in the world has you here at the culinary college?"

"I'm actually here finishing up a business and management degree. I transferred my credits from my country to this one once the fight for house head was over." She carefully walked closer and gestured to the chair across from me. "Do you mind if I join you? I'm currently waiting for my results for my final. We had to come over here due to renovations at the business section of the main campus."

"Oh, please do! I was just enjoying a small lunch while I waited to see the score of my final as well." The woman sat across from me while I quickly reached into my bag and grabbed a secondary dish I always kept on hand. When Impact was with me, you never knew when he would need a bowl for his food. "Would you care for some chowder? I have another bowl and wouldn't mind sharing if you're hungry?"

She blinked at me in surprise. "You don't mind?"

"Hardly! In fact, I'd love your opinion of this little basic chowder of mine! I'm always wishing for people's opinion of my cooking before I open my own restaurant. While this would most likely not be on my menu, it is something that I do enjoy making quite often with everyone at home."

"Well then, please! I'll take some!"

Eagerly the girl placed herself down at the table with me before I poured half of my chowder into the bowl of hers and created her a bone spoon of my magic. I honestly didn't have a second one. Though Lilly only looked on in fascination as I handed her the bowl and spoon with food. Still the soup let out steam into the air. She eagerly dove into take a bite of what I'd given.

Her eyes eagerly lit up. "Oh, my goodness! Its lovely!"

"Really?"

"Yeah! Its very thick and creamy, and you used lots of helpings of seafood in here. Let me guess, you used heavy cream to make the broth thicker, right?"

I chuckled at her response. "It would seem that you knew your way around some cooking yourself."

"Not nearly as well as you or Angel. She was always baking and cooking when we were growing up." The woman seemed to take a moment to spend thinking back on fond memories. "Our families often worked together, so we got to see each other and spend long vacations together while our parents worked on stuff for the houses. Angel would help me learn how to cook, but I never got super good at it. I can do basics, or cook stuff with directions or a box. But I could never claim to know how to cook like this."

"I see! Well… thank you! I've been trying very hard since Angel taught me how to cook in the underground. She'd taken me under her wing just after I'd met her when I was seventeen. At the time I was aspiring to become part of the royal guard, but Angel was the one who wanted me to broaden my skills should that fall through. And in true Angel fashion, she was right."

That caused the woman to pause in her eating to look at me puzzled. "What do you mean by that? You weren't able to join the royal guard?"

"Erm… sadly no. King Asgore himself told me of my excellent skill and how I would have been an amazing addition to his guard. However… there was one complication. I was too kind a person. I see that a little better now with time and… some life experiences that showed me I was a tad too soft to those that had done wrong. It had always been my thoughts that a person could change, that they could do better if they just try. But… with time I realize that now more than ever it's not the case. Due to that small complication, he would not let me into the guard. So! My back up plan was to apply for culinary arts due to my love for cooking and this is where I'm at thus far!"

"Wow… It sounds like you had an interesting life before this all." Lilly carefully leaned her chin into her hand while she continued to eat a few more bites. Her attention was all on myself as she sat there. "I hope I don't sound rude when I ask this… but what was it like in the underground?"

"Oh, it's not rude at all!" I couldn't help but wave off her worry. "I lived in the Snowdin region, it was basically winter all year long. Always there was snow and ice, and lovely glowing white crystals in the trees! Trees that were more than a hundred years old had those crystals growing out of them, they look very similar to the Christmas lights you hang from your trees or houses. There was one tree in the town center that was over two or three hundred years old! It was massive and we had a Christmas festival planned around it!"

"Wow… that's amazing!" The woman seemed entirely focused in on me while we chatted. It was… nice. Yes. Nice was the proper word. Meeting up with an acquaintance in public and chatting. It was quite nice, almost as if we were-

"Hey Papy, oh! Is it okay if I call you that? I'm sorry, Angel does it all the time when we chat it kinda just slipped."

"Oh, it's no trouble to me." I tilted my skull at her. "Is there something you wished to ask?"

"Yes! Wow… I really am sounding dumb…" She sighed before I saw her pull out her phone. "I was wondering if you wanted to exchange numbers? I'm having so much fun talking to you right now and I'd love to get to know you. I feel like your friend already with how I talk with Angel, but I don't want to assume anything. But… would you like to exchange numbers and learn about each other to become friends?"

"Certainly! Here, let me pass you my phone and allow me to use yours for a moment!"

The two of us passed over our phones, and just to make sure we had put the numbers in properly I sent her a quick text from my phone when I received it back. Lilly was quick to show that she'd received my message and sent back a grinning emoji.

"Now we can chat even after we leave!" The woman giggled in excitement. "I've always wanted to come over, hang out and learn more about you and Sans. But with all the stress back in my home country, I had to wait until just this last year before I could start looking for a place and getting settled here. I know Angel wanted to help me find a good place… but I needed to stretch my wings and try things on my own, without help. You know?"

"I… can say I know that feeling much better than you would believe."

"Oh, I don't doubt it. But, now that I'm here, things are looking up!" She sighed as she slouched in her chair. "I never wanted to be head of house anyway. My brother was more than happy to take it over even before the people's election, but the people wanted to see who would be more fit for the position…"

I was strangely surprised by that, especially with the fact that Angel and Frisk certainly weren't put up to it. "How would you explain my sister's case then?"

"Oh yeah, it's different for each country. Normally the choice would come down to the people, but with all of Angel's positive influence as she emerged from the underground with you guys, I think all the people in the region just started rooting for her and didn't think twice about seeing if Frisk wanted it. Thankfully she really doesn't, and Angel had always planned on it when they were younger. She didn't want to force Frisk to make all those terrible decisions that sometimes the house heads have to make."

A puff of air escaped me. A swell of happiness came back to the center of my ribs while thinking of my sister. "That most certainly sounds like Angel."

"Right?" Lilly eagerly nodded before I saw her attention sway. "Oh look! Papy! The scores are out!"

Eagerly I followed her line of sight to where the billboard started posting the names of those that had passed. The elite school we all went to only decoratively displayed the top scores, the rest were simply listed to show how others did. The top twenty students were called out starting with the lowest of the twentieth place and moving their way up. Scores were in the top ten percent ratio.

I heard Lilly gasp beside me and I looked to where she focused in on. I was surprised to see my name in second place on the list.

"Wha-"

"Papyrus Gaster Terians. Test score, one-hundred. Final display, ninety-six. Second place and magna cum laude of this year's class. Please write a welcome speech for the graduating class this December."

"Congratulations Papy!" Lilly had jumped from her seat, eagerly jumping in her place. "You did so good! You've worked so hard, you deserve this!"

The warm feeling was growing as I stood by this woman who wished to become my friend. It was so lovely to hear the words from her, but I still worried just a hair at the back of my mind. Was she going to play me like Mettaton had? I was worried to think that I could be hurt again.

But then I took a deep breath as my nerves were getting messy without a reason to be. Lilly only wished to be friends. There was no reason to worry about such trivial matters at the moment. The little time we spent together was enjoyable. Was it wrong that I wished to enjoy more of this moment?

"Thank you! Where are your results being held?"

"I think right here in all honesty. I see a lot of my classmates here."

"Would you mind terribly if I stayed with you until then? I'd like to be here to warmly congratulate you as you did for me once we hear your score."

"That's really sweet of you… but what about Impact? Angel's watching him, right?"

"I'll text her right now to see if she minds watching him a bit longer. I'd like to get to know my new friend a bit more. I could tell you more about the underground and you could tell me how my sister was growing up."

The woman showed me a slightly devious smirk at that. "Oh, those kinds of stories I can certainly tell you about."

It warmed my soul as I texted Angel that she had no problem with me staying out a bit later. I felt incredibly bad since I would be a bit longer getting home to my boy, but… this was a weird feeling in my soul I was just noticing as I was with my new friend. I wished to find out what it was that I was feeling under it all.

Witch's Note:

Oo! Papy's getting ready to graduate from college! Amazing! He has been working on it since before Angel was even pregnant with the first set of little ones, so he's been at this for at least… four years? That's not bad for a culinary degree. And knowing Papyrus… he was probably running himself into the ground trying to get it done in less time if he didn't have his beautiful son…

But we also see a character that may be becoming a bit of another member of the cast? Lilly from the Charisse region. She mentions she just moved to the region and now the two of them are becoming fast friends with a common subject of Angel and the underground! Fantastic! Its good to see Papyrus making new friends, but I wonder what that feeling is that he's talking about?

Oh well, we'll have to see later on! But now! Let's do some reviews!

Shadow8Phantom: Sorry... it did kinda surprise us since Mystic Girl and I have pretty lax friends and family. We didn't do crazy stuff like that, even in college when we met or after. Probably because at least I'm boring... XD I enjoy staying home and doing things either around the house, outside, or online. Friend group is small and I enjoy it.

But anyway! Yes! More kids to come. We see Frisk spending time with her family and the little twins and Angel is pregnant once more, and we find out that Undyne and Alphys have an amazing looking kid!

But who knows with that doctor... I haven't seen him yet and neither has Mystic Girl... he's kinda under no one's protection right now...

Thechaosmaster: Yep! More kids on the way! We haven't hit whatever magical number Sans may or may not have said before! So we got a ways to go! But we should find out soon how many there will be. Things are gonna start picking up the pace soon.

Bummer to hear that your story is taking time and the job has been hard. But I understand. Lots of times I don't get to type due to the weather. With winter coming up it's a slow period for me, so I'm expecting I'll be able to have some time to pick up where I've slowed down.

And it's wonderful that you care about everyone. Acting in a caring manner toward others is never a bad thing. You've never been overly intrusive, just voicing your concerns and letting others respond as they wish.
Trust me, if we didn't want to talk, we wouldn't.

But keep your head up and you'll get a chance soon enough!

MysticBoywastaken: Yes, more babies! They be coming and there be many!

Not A Shady Guy: Such a good question Shady! Who knows how that new little one will be as we make our way to the future! And I loved Zakar too! It was one of my favorite names when I presented a list to Mystic girl of what she approved/we HAD to use. It was great!

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter while Jager and I work on moving into our new home this weekend! The next time you guys hear from me, hopefully I'll be all set up and smooth sailing at my new place once Mystic, her family, my friends and family, and Jager's family all help us so we can settle. Hoping that nothing else happens for a while! At least not too exciting in our lives.

Love you all and see you next week! We'll be hopping over to see how Frisk is handling her next stretch of life!

Halloween Witch and Mystic Girl