No Shortcuts For You - Tumblr Posts
Lostale Ch 5 - No Shortcuts on the Road of Life
Summary: You've made it through the Ruins - now it's time to meet a new friend. Of course, you're mostly just hoping for a quick ticket to the king, rather than any laughs. we'll see about that, alright kid?
The echo of Toriel’s cries faded into silence, even though you could only stand numbly by the door. The Goat Mom was gone, leaving you behind just as you had abandoned her. There was the sensation of cold stinging against your face, as the chilled air found a weakness and pounced upon your tears.
You didn’t bother to dry your cheeks, feeling that you earned whatever pain they brought. Really, the mild sensation of cutting wind was nothing compared to what you really deserved. You gritted your teeth and tried to push aside your guilt and your grief. Just standing here wallowing wasn’t getting you any closer to the barrier.
The dark trees towering above seemed to echo your mood, and you found comfort in their quiet presence. Everything around you was still – the trees barely rustled, no animals called, only the slightest of winds was even moving at all. The snow blanketing the landscape seemed crisp, almost entirely clean and untouched, but a section had been slightly cleared as a path.
You began along the path, paying no mind to the camera you knew Alphys had hidden in the bushes. That didn’t really matter, now did it? No, the only thing that mattered right now was the skeleton that was probably already following you. You paused at the sight of a thick branch across the path. You lifted a foot and gently tested the wood’s strength, pushing down more forcefully and looking for any sign of it weakening or snapping.
It didn’t; the branch was strong, and you would have to apply far more effort if you wanted to break it. You wanted neither the branch to break nor to expend your effort; you’d leave that to Sans. You stepped over the branch and continued walking, head cocked at an angle so you’d be able to better hear the –
Snap. There it was. You turned slightly, just enough that you could see the broken branch over your shoulder. A small smile crept onto your face as you looked away and continued forwards. Sans was definitely here. You thought you heard him scurrying between the trees at one point. You didn’t bother trying to find him; he’d only hide if you tried, and he’d reveal himself in due time.
After another minute of walking, that due time came. You paused at the bridge, and heard the crunching of heavy footsteps in the snow. You turned around to look, not bothering to wait.
A darkened figure was determinedly striding towards you, wreathed in black smoke, tendrils of the void curling around him. Your eyes widened at the threatening display, not expecting Sans to look so terrifying. Was this really Sans? You couldn’t recognize the figure, hidden in plain sight as it was.
“H u m a n,” rasped a low voice, and the unearthly sound of it sent shivers scraping down your spine. Despite your rising fear, you looked forward at where you assumed eyes would be – it was hard to tell, as the monster’s shape seemed distorted. “Don’t you know how to greet a new pal? Reach out and shake my hand.”
A blurred hand extended from the smoke, a limb seemingly made of darkness. It only took you a moment to steel yourself, reaching out with your left hand to firmly clasp the one extended to you. The sound of a long, wet fart filled the solemn air, and you couldn’t help the smile that twitched onto your lips. That was so juvenile…
The darkness instantly vanished, revealing the figure before you in full color. There was no doubt that this was Sans – a chubby skeleton (how even?) wearing a blue jacket and black shorts, a wide grin spread across his face. The grin seemed to light up his eyes – his eye sockets – as he began to speak, this time in a far friendlier tone. “heheh,” he chuckled, and you felt your smile grow in response to his good humor as you finally let go of his hand. “the old whoopee cushion in the hand trick. it’s ALWAYS funny.”
You snorted and shook your head, but you couldn’t deny the humor on your face. “anyways, you’re a human, right?” You nodded in affirmation and he continued, eyes sharp as he tracked your face. “that’s hilarious. i'm sans. sans the skeleton. im actually supposed to be on watch for humans right now.” His eyes shifted to the side, and you felt the call of opportunity.
“What do you do with the humans you find?” You ask faux innocently. You knew what you wanted to ask him, but you weren’t entirely sure how to without tipping him off that you knew far more than you could be able to reasonably claim.
Sans shrugged, seemingly unbothered by the change in the script. “eh, i'm supposed to bring ‘em up before the king, but i don’t really care about doing that.” Well, that was helpful.
“Really?” You ask, shifting to stand more solidly. “That would have been pretty convenient – that’s where I’m trying to go.” You were tired of speaking around, and guessed that you two could keep circling your words for hours if you didn’t just get straight to the point. “I need to get there and give him something.” You tapped your chest, right above where your SOUL had manifested. “I promised someone that I’d break the barrier for her, after all.”
A hint of surprise finally crossed San’s features, but that was it. “huh. too bad, then. i'm not up to giving free lifts to just anybody who needs to go places.” You hum lightly; you hadn’t expected Sans to make this easy, after all.
“Well, then,” you shrug. “Would it be easier for you to just take my soul?” You spread your arms out to your side, showing how vulnerable you were. “It’d make it a lot easier for me, but I’m not sure how long it’ll last without some form of protection.”
The surprise was replaced by wary suspicion, and you couldn’t help your amusement. “that’s not a very funny joke, kid.” That made two out of three monsters in the Underground that were treating you like a child – how old were they, and just how young did you seem? “there’s only one way take a human soul, and, uh, i kind of doubt you’re up for dying right now.”
You can’t help your laughter. Wow, that had to be the most inaccurate statement you’d ever heard. The skeleton before you shifted, stepping back slightly and seemingly prepared for an attack. “Sorry, Sans,” you say with a smile, and your tone make him even more uneasy. “It’s just that, you guessed exactly what I was up for.” You shrugged. “That’s what I’m offering – my death, and my soul to the king.”
You grimace slightly, as something you’d completely forgotten occurs to you. “Although, ah, I was kind of hoping to dissuade him from war against humanity, first. I don’t think that would end well for either of our civilizations or people.” Sans eyed you speculatively, judging your words and intentions.
“huh. you serious about that offer, kid?” he asks, seemingly not caring about your answer either way, and you nod. He hums, and then tilts his head, seemingly listening for something. “eh, i'm not really up for any human killing.” He chuckles hollowly before continuing. “my bro’s probably getting impatient up ahead, and i made a promise – “
“She knows what I’m doing.” You interrupt, and Sans smile drops without moving an inch. “She told me that someone promised to protect any humans, to guide them – but she knew where I’m going, my intentions when we parted ways.” You swallow past the lump in your throat. “I think that releases you from the promise, but…”
You close your eyes, and give up. You weren’t going to make Sans do anything that he didn’t want to, that would hurt him further. You’d already done enough of that already. “Okay.” You drew in a deep breath. “Okay,” you repeated yourself, as you reassured yourself of this new path. “You don’t have to do anything,” you admit quietly.
This path would be a lot harder, and you didn’t want to traverse it…but when was life about what you wanted. “You mentioned that your brother is up ahead, right?” You asked, an empty smile pasted on your face. Your chest was heavy, and you could already feel the weight of life bearing down on you once more. “I’ll keep going for as long as I can,” you say, and the words feel like a painful promise and you have to close your eyes, “but I don’t think I’ll be able to make it.”
You would play the games, go along with what everybody wanted, but you wouldn’t be able to hold out very long. “The Underground is dangerous, and it’s not just the king who is willing to kill humans. If I die to some random monster, I don’t want it to go to waste.” You level your gaze on Sans, unwilling to compromise on this point. “When I die, I don’t want my soul to just shatter. It needs to be taken to the barrier, and with how weak it is, I don’t know how long it will last in the hands of someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing.”
There was no fighting your conclusion. Sans had to know how dangerous the Underground was – thus the whole promise of protection in the first place. “you’re a pretty determined kid, aren’t ya’?” he asked, and you couldn’t identify the tone in his voice.
Even still, you shook your head in denial. “That’s the problem,” you admit quietly. “I’m not determined enough to make it through the Underground alive.”
Sans looks disbelieving, and you wonder if he thinks that you’re the one behind the resets. “well, you look pretty determined from here,” he disagrees, and you have to roll your eyes.
“Give it five minutes, and it’ll be gone,” you admit. “I’ve only got so much energy, and I’ve already wasted enough effort convincing you.” You can’t help but scoff, bitter. “I hope it was worth it.”
You instantly regret your words as you see his face darken, and you flush in shame. “…sorry,” you say quietly. “I didn’t mean that how it sounded.”
Something claps you on the shoulder, and you look up to see Sans standing right before you. “eh, forget about it. come on, i'm sure Papyrus will love to see a real human.” He gives you a gentle push, and you finally move across the bridge. You can see Sans’ sentry station, but to the side and in front of that is…
“Wow,” you say dully. “That is one bizarre lamp.” It’s one of the weirdest looking things you’ve ever seen, and you’re including yourself in that category. In fact, it probably looks so weird because it does resemble you.
Sans just shrugs, an easy gin on his face. “pretty convenient, huh? why don’t you go hide behind it while i talk to my bro.” You go ahead and hide behind the out of place object, figuring that you may as well at this point. You close your eyes as you wait for Papyrus, and then listen as the two banter. You lean forward, forehead resting against the cool surface of the lamp. Unlike Frisk’s short lamp, yours doesn’t have a shade, the light spilling out from above rather than the sides.
You wonder how it changed, why it replaced the more familiar conveniently-shaped lamp, which admittedly would have been far less convenient for you. You are forced to smile several times at the familiar jokes which you can’t help but overhear, appreciating each brother’s efforts.
Papyrus… he really does sound happy, even when he’s scolding his brother. Frustrated too, of course, but there’s no denying the tall skeleton’s good humor. It’s infectious, and you feel your own mood improve slightly. Sure, Sans was a complete bust, but at least now you’d be able to spend time with Papyrus. If you’re incredibly lucky, maybe you’ll even make it to his fight and then subsequent hangout.
“NYEH-HEH-HEH-HEH!” Rings out through the air, and you give in and chuckle. “HEH!” comes the parting call, and you know that Papyrus has left.
“ok, you can come out now.” You slowly step out from behind the lamp, giving it an appreciative pat for being such good cover. Sans is just standing where you left him, the grin on his face looking far more real now. You approach him, not sure what to say, but knowing that it’d be rude to just leave without saying goodbye.
“…Thanks, I guess,” you admit. “I suppose I’ll see you around?”
He doesn’t say anything, so you go ahead and start walking away. “hey, pal,” he calls out, and you stop. “i'm not going to drag you to the king, but…” he shifts, then winks. “i'll keep an eye socket out for ya’.”
Genuine warmth floods through you at his pronouncement and you offer him a smile in return. “Thanks, Sans. Eye appreciate it.” You tap just below your eye in time with the pun, and he lets out a startled laugh.
“in return,” Sans continues, “would you mind doin’ me a favor?” You nod warily, already feeling the weight of future exhaustion. “my brother’s been kind of down lately… he’s never seen a human before. and seeing you might just make his day.” That was an odd thought – that your presence could make someone feel better, rather than worse. “don’t worry, he’s not dangerous. even if he tries to be.”
“…Alright,” you acquiesce. It wasn’t like you could avoid Papyrus or his puzzles, and you already knew that the vibrant skeleton wouldn’t kill a fly – or a human, as was the case here.
“thanks a million. i'll be up ahead.” With that, Sans turned around and walked back the way you both came, back in the direction of the Ruins. You feel a spark of bitter anger – if he had used that power to just take you to the king, you wouldn’t have to keep thinking about ways you have and you will screw up – but it fades quickly, lacking the passion to keep burning.
You head forward yourself, but unlike Sans, in the correct direction. You quickly come to the first crossroads; the path splits up, with a branch turning left while the other continues straight. You peer down the left of the fork, and think you can spy a glimpse of water through the trees. This must be the first save location outside the Ruins, then.
Scanning the small clearing, you look for any sign of a Save point: a glowing yellow star, a feeling of determination…but there’s nothing. Stepping forward, you reach the spot where you’re pretty sure the Save spot was in the game. “The convenience of the lamp still fills me with determination?” You mutter questioningly under your breath. Much to your expectations, nothing happens.
A bitter smile slips across your face without your consent. “Of course it doesn’t.”
.oOo. .oOo. .oOo.
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You can’t see it, but over on AO3, Sans is actually speaking in Comic Sans.
So, you’ve left the ruins. The style changes slightly, as we leave Toriel behind and make contact with the Skelebros, who I utterly adore... as will become abundantly clear soon enough.
This is actually five chapters behind where it is on AO3 and FF.net ... oops.