Nothing says accidental network post like pocket dialing.

[justribbing]

[ At first, it's all black, just the loud, raspy sound of cotton against a receiver, until the image is just of dim blue interrupted by bars of fuzzy black as the rasping cuts out. Having apparently accidentally activated his phone while extracting it from his hoodie's pocket, Sans swings himself upright with the sort of hollowed-out and unreceptive expression that belongs to those who just woke up far earlier than intended.

He had pulled his phone from his pocket because it was digging into his hip. Now? He blearily gazes down on it like it offended him down to his bones. Several ways to Sunday. Not that he has much of a right to complain; of those who were snatched away for a few days under inexplicable circumstances, Sans was perhaps the last to return, crashed for a few hours, and once his phone had recharged itself on the ambient free energy transfer from the generator, a few careless movements had activated it.

It's not like anybody woke him. In any case, it's only 10:00 PM or so, and whatever ruined timepiece makes up his "internal clock" is surely totally messed up by now.

He tosses the phone aside. From its now awkward, ceiling-fixed angle, it still picks up his staggering silhouette shuffling away in a corner of the view screen. ]

Heh. Runnin' on empty. You want anything?

[ It's debatable if anyone answers, at least, in his room anyway. ]

Comments

[justribbing]

Far as I know, the kid left before I did.

[ He scrapes his palm over his mandible, thinking. ]

...You sure he isn't just holed up somewhere? Y'know how skittish he gets.

[heritrix]

[He misunderstands. Her, in a slight but significant way, but also why she asked the question.]

Ohhh?

[There's a slow but devious smirk spreading on her face, as Rin loosely begins to gather her things. She doesn't 100% feel the cheer she's presenting, but that vulnerability Sans thought he noticed? Yeah, she's less keen on displaying that than she is owing him for the second time over. With that on the line, Rin can act her heart out.

Bonus incentive: maybe his reaction will be a good one. He's been the one teasing her for far too long.]

You're saying I can have my way with the place when I get there? Not even so much as a checkout time?

[satanslash]

I've been checkin' his phone in his room, but it's still not actin' like he's here... [He knows, Sans. That's why he's been looking.]

[justribbing]

[ Deviousness is a new look on the human Mage, at least like this; Sans's skull swivels back to her with a fixed sort of grin (which, well, it's always fixed, but this time a little strained). ]

You break it, you borrow it, you lose it, you replace it.

[ He does have some tools, and a heap of parts for the generator, a small pile of books, and a whole mess of prank supplies and gag toys from April. It's not catastrophic if any of those disappear, end up broken, or are lost, but...one of the books was a gift, for example. ]

And I don't wanna hear any lip about my sleeping habits. Capiche?

[ He's less worried about being called out on sleeping all the time and more about prying or uncomfortable questions about the dreams that often interrupt his nights, frankly. It's just more bother than it's worth. ]

[justribbing]

[ Sans exhales, even without a respiratory system to make that possible. ]

Look, uh, I won't promise anything--

[ But. ]

But if I see the guy, I'll drop you a text or something.

[heritrix]

[Those are fairly simple ones. Well, for the first she imagines she'll continue to hold his whoopee cushion hostage until it's time to leave, but otherwise that's straightforward. Almost too much so. She can't help but think it really would have been better if he'd be kicking her out at a set time.

That he isn't makes her nervous, but she doesn't let that show on her face either. Just raises an eyebrow with a look of amusement.]

Capito. [He talks more like a weird New Yorker than an Italian, but she can't help but add that.] And I'd like to reverse negotiate that last condition for myself, as well.

[She actually doesn't plan on sleeping (good luck with that, Rin), but it would be odd to accept these terms without the pretense of having conditions of her own. Gathering her things under her arms, she moves out from under the stairs, carefully stepping around the flowers.]

I also don't want that little trash tornado of yours anywhere near where I'm sleeping.

[justribbing]

[ It's harder to lay down ground rules for his space than he thought, but then, allowing people into it is still a pretty new experience. His brother typically knew better than to go into his room, and having guests, prior to his arrival in the castle, was practically unheard of. For one -- who'd want to? It's usually a mess.

He always means to clean it up eventually, it's just... Well, whatever.

There's that amused shine again. ]

Done.

[ If only because the trash tornado is still spinning in his former quarters. He hasn't figured out how to move that one, yet. A shortcut might... Have some unforeseen but potentially catastrophic results. ]

What, you wanna shake on it or something? Let's go.

[ He's moved into the first level of residential rooms, a pretty drastic change from his former room, but it's a short enough trip to go the 'long way around', shuffling to the elevator lift to take it to that floor and walk to the end of the hall to the 10th room. Stairs? No way. Not in these slippers. ]

...The kid might be sleeping, so keep it down, huh?

[heritrix]

[Huh, this path seems to be leading to a different place than she visited last time... His request to keep things down goes without saying; Rin keeps her voice at a whisper so they don't disturb anyone. She'd been fairly quiet as well even in the elevator. Bag on her shoulder and hands full between the blanket and pillow, she counts the doors between the elevator and the one Sans is leading her to.]

I could have sworn you were on a different floor before... Am I remembering incorrectly, or did you move?

[justribbing]

Yeah.

[ The word even sounds like a shrug. He cants his skull towards the adjacent door, the ninth room on this level. ]

Guess I got used to livin' alone.

[ While Frisk was gone and Amaterasu was staying anywhere he wasn't. Yeah, he blamed himself for Frisk's disappearance, too. ]

That's where Tori's kids and Frisk sleep now. Uh, usually.

[heritrix]

[She's quiet for a moment, first processing what he's said with what she had assumed from being in his room before. If he's not lying to her, that empty bed she recalls seeing takes on a completely different meaning. Despite how depressing that sounds (and she doesn't get what's up there at all), ironically it makes her breathing a little easier.

Hey, he's a guy who doesn't like humans who a) still offered to help her in spite of that, b) led her to a strange location, c) in the middle of the night, when no one else would be awake, and d) asked her to keep it down, so the "kid" wouldn't hear.

If you had the mindset of a mage, you wouldn't need to spend a night out in the altar room to be feeling some hard paranoia, too. In fact, she's still not positive this isn't going to end in her murder, but Sans's comment feels sincere. More than that, even if she regrets it, she does want to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Stupid memories. She's not endeared or anything, it's just a matter of confirming his character for herself. Yeah.]

Sheesh. [Bouncing her bundle in her hands to keep it from falling, she glances at the door.] If you want privacy, then stop scaring them so badly.

[satanslash]

[Rin wanted more than that. He wanted confirmation, assurance that Yukio hadn't gotten killed again or something somehow worse.

But this was all Sans could provide and Rin wasn't about to make him feel guilty for it.]

Right. Thanks...

[justribbing]

Yeah, yeah. I tell ya what, next time I gotta choice, I'll keep that in mind.

[ He pushes open the door, and, lacking any sort of chivalry whatsoever, enters first.

Let's be fair, now. He figures she suspects a trap just as much as he might in her shoes, maybe by coming in first she'll feel a little reassured. Shuffling along to what looks like a rack on wheels, he unfolds it out until it becomes a kind of platform, then goes over to a collection of folded, albeit rumpled set of bedding collecting around the trunk at the foot of his bed, like it had been dropped there, carelessly.

He shuffles back to Rin, after giving her what is presumably enough time to look around.

Without having to deal with a roommate, the room seems bigger, somehow. There's a door that leads out to a balcony, a special addition he paid for in an extra favor. A long, sturdy table occupies one wall with a mess of a few papers, a battered memo pad, his tablet computer, a haphazard stack of books and a lamp, presently unlit. Up against the adjacent wall is a wardrobe out of which spills a heap of assorted mechanical parts and wires, a chest of drawers (empty but for one drawer full of folded t-shirts and other assorted clothing), and a crate (in which a bunch of gag toys and prank supplies are stowed.

Otherwise, there's a bed with a nightstand occupied by a lamp on one side, and another on the other, occupied by a bowl with a pitcher inside it, presumably one of those filled with water for washing or drinking.

A bean bag chair occupies the floor beside the bed, judging from the blanket strewn across it, Sans might have been resting in there while his bed was being used. Sans offers the bedding to Rin, pointing at the mattress that belongs to the spare, folding bed, which is stacked against the work desk. ]

All yours. Might wanna lock the wheels before you lie down, though, so it don't roll away on ya.

[heritrix]

[He could have contacted people before a pocket dial, but to be honest, Rin isn't sure he hasn't so she lets that one go. It's not her business, and she only really cares on Chara's behalf anyways. Given they and another kid Sans mentioned (Frisk?) are sleeping here, it's clear that's already been handled too. She won't ask.

The room really does seem much bigger than his last one. While he's busy, Rin does indeed help herself to looking about it. A wardrobe he doesn't hang any clothes in, a chest of drawers he can barely be bothered with. He probably has more useless gag toys stored in that crate than he does shirts, nevermind pants. But the toys and machines offer some insight into his character, she thinks. Given the state of his room, it's obvious he doesn't do much to take care of himself, so the things that are in here are a clear indicator of interests that can actually motivate him.

He doesn't care much about his body, or how he presents himself. He'd rather fix keep his thoughts busy with something interesting, or if that fails, distract them.

Arms folded under the weight of her things, Rin's standing next to the bean bag chair and tiredly looking towards his bed and the lumps on it when Sans wheels the rollout over and half-startling her, like some bird that was drifting on the water. She nods and walks back over.]

Yeah, I can do that. [A pause, as she looks back over her shoulder.] ...Thanks.

[Dropping her things on the bed a bit haphazardly, she reaches into her bag to remove a pokeball, pressing the button that will release Koo, her Ralts. Despite looking very sleepy, he's still surprisingly awake. Rubbing at his eyes, he seems really relieved to see Rin again after sitting out in that weird room that was playing tricks — oh, but she's in a weird mood?

While Rin crouches down to lock the wheels, Koo yawns and crawls up onto the bedding Sans provided, curious about this new place they're in but too tired and unsure of what to make of the anxious but hopeful emotions he's picking up from his trainer. When he spots Sans, though, he tilts his head curiously. Heeey, are you a pokemon too?]

[audio]

[dreamalittledreem]

[Right... It doesn't stir up gross feelings in his stomach or make him avoid looking the guy in the eye too often. Not at all.]

Right... Well, I'm glad you're alright.

[A pause. Maybe just long enough for Sans to think that's it and reach to cut the call, but-]

Have you been here as long as they have?

[He needs to get to the bottom of this, seriously.]

[audio]

[justribbing]

[ He's sure Asriel is, and... yeah, he might be ready to cut that call, prepared to drop a customary see ya or good talk, kid, but doesn't get that far. ]

Frisk and I arrived on the same day, so guess you could say we've both been here longer than Chara.

[ Begs the question why do you ask but maybe he'll let the kid come up with that on his own.

Maybe a small part of him is a little glad to think he's squirming, too. ]

[justribbing]

[ She startles like a kid who's been caught nodding off in class by a strict teacher. Must be totally beat, to be desperate enough to sleep outside of the rooms. In a room like his, it won't be pretty, or clean (unless Chara's come through with a vengeance, carving a path of cleanliness through clutter) but at least she'll be able to get some uninterrupted shut-eye. Or... mostly uninterrupted. The return of Frisk has lessened the more disruptive dreams that used to have him jolting awake.

After that row he had with Wade earlier, it's unlikely he'll be getting any real sleep tonight, period.

He instead chooses to angle his head at the Ralts with a wink. ]

...Hey, sleepyhead. You Little Miss Cactus's very own freeloader?

[ He chuckles. Yeah, he's got one of those around here somewhere, sometimes he wakes up with a Riolu curled up inside his ribcage, or in the shell of his hood. He should, uh, probably pay more attention to him, but he's not very good at this sort of thing. Sans straightens up, rubbing a palm over the crown of his skull. ]

I'm gonna be out on the balcony for a while. You gonna be ok?

[heritrix]

[Ooh, not a pokemon after all then. Seeing Rin's put-out expression at the increasingly common nickname she's been saddled with, Koo realizes that's who Sans is talking about. He chirps happily, which gets him a shush from Rin to keep it down, though he doesn't look bothered. Yes, that's his trainer!

Starting to get a little huffy between the two of them and her own fatigue, Rin straightens back up to make the bed proper, grabbing the blankets (which knocks Koo off balance into a tumble that lands him on a pillow) and waving them out to drape over the mattress.]

I'm not some kid that needs to be tucked in and read a bedtime story. Do whatever you'd like; I can take it just fine from here.

1/2

[justribbing]

You sure? I tell a mean bedtime story. I mean mean like heart-warming tales of the adventures of fluffy woodland creatures.

[ This is shot back in parting, a quiet joke as he flexes his phalanges, shuffling off toward the balcony. It isn't the sort of thing he expects to get an answer. He gets it, Rin, he'll leave you be.

There's, uh, a sky full of stars to get back to, a skull full of thoughts to sort out, and--

My, what a lovely day outside...

Sans doesn't turn his head back but thinks he might have tried to ask if she'd said something, alone on the balcony, but all he sees is a table full of schoolwork. Can't--can't exactly tell if what he sees is tears swimming in the kid's eyes (no, her eyes, his, he's never had them but of course she always has) or just fatigue (or illness?).

He has never had muscle, or nerves, nor has he had the HP to really endure pain like that for... for a long while anyway. And he's out of practice or unprepared (or just young, young and determined to be so much more than her years). Her duty and her resentment, both large, heavy words and burdens for a kid so young to carry, just like that thing being put into her arm.

Too much.

(Like the future of monsters and humans.)

Too much responsibility for a child that lonely.

Yeah, he doesn't blame her for crying. ]

2/2

[justribbing]

[ When at last the memory rolls like fog off his awareness, Sans finds himself sitting on the floor of the balcony, one hand on one of the stone pillars holding up the rail, less for support and more to touch the rough texture, a reminder of where and when he really is.

It had done him a lot of good while the memory went on.

Just kidding.

Sans picks himself back up, doesn't bother to dust off the seat of his track shorts, just shoves his hands into his pockets for the familiarity of the gesture.

Minutes more standing there to collect himself before he decides-- yeah, maybe he'll step back inside and peek, see how she's doing. ]

[heritrix]

[Rin might have made a rude gesture at Sans's back as he left, a motion she quickly regretted when her Ralts, with his synchronize ability, mimicked. Whoops. Luckily Ralts don't have fingers, and she assures himself he'll forget it anyways.

Climbing into bed was like falling out of one, the moment her head hit the pillow. That sensation that's becoming all too familiar, of being swept up by a stranger's memory.

She's never been lost in someone else's thoughts before. What a strange feeling, over something so small.

He dwells on it for what feels so long, Rin starts to feel uncomfortable; for the weight of the disappointment she feels from him, in the phrase "dad", and for the look on his brother's (smaller and younger, so was this before?) face that only grows more confused and wounded by the second. The silent response to his explanation (where'd you hear that?) only provokes more questions, one after the other.

It's not her fault that expression is there, that's Sans's. Why should she feel guilty if he makes his brother cry over such a stupid thing?

Because he doesn't want him to at all (and so she doesn't either); because he makes the situation worse only because he's trying to think of a way to make it better. To spare his brother that bitter hurt in his own chest. There's something undeniably sweet in that, just as there is in his reaction to Papyrus's final question.

This feeling she feels through Sans, like they're in love with everything about him, every fraction of his soul, and they'd give an arm and leg to keep him smiling. They look at him with so much affection, Rin feels it in his chest; in his hands on small shoulders, in the laughter and ever-present smile.

Rin never knew it was possible, to care about someone so deeply. To love with all of your heart, or just the phantom of one.

("I tell a mean bedtime story. I mean mean like heart-warming tales of the adventures of fluffy woodland creatures.")

He really does. Papyrus never doubts, looking so happy and relieved as she lies through Sans's mouth like a pro. His story is told so well that by the time he finishes and the feeling of a long-held embrace passes, when Rin looks up at the ceiling above her head, she thinks she can see stars there.

By the time Sans steps back in, she hasn't changed positions from that: face tilted towards the ceiling, and one wrist over her brow. It makes it hard to tell if she's still awake or not, though she gives no reaction to his presence returning.]

[justribbing]

[ That does make it harder. He can't see her face well enough to gauge what expression she wears, if she's asleep or not. Breathing... Well, that seems regular enough, but how would he know? He's never really needed to breathe, not really. He's heard the kid breathe in their sleep, heard other humans... Knows they need to (do both, that is, sleep and breathe). That's about it.

Sans shuffles a little further in, his shoulders hunched, head angled down.

Carefully, carefully.

He only straightens - a little - when he realizes. No, more like suspects. It might be sleep, or maybe quiet reflection. He hazards a rasping whisper: ]

Can't sleep?

[ Strange beds, strange roommates, strange old castle and all its haunting noises at night. Yeah, doesn't blame her if she can't settle down. Never really seemed settled as the too-young caretaker of her ailing mother, either, always striving, always trying to prove herself. Taking pride in that, even without...emotionally available family. ]

[heritrix]

[Actually, his suspicious are half right. There are one too many things on her mind for Rin to actually settle down comfortably; what's more, she had originally intended to stay up until dawn, where she could take her leave.

Her body didn't seem to get that memo, unfortunately, the traitorous thing. As she thought longer into the dark about the memory she just saw, her eyelids only felt heavier and heavier. She could always sharply stir herself back with the little noises that'd pass through the air and the ground — Sans's shuffling footsteps being no exception, snapping her back to somewhat alert.

Rin didn't respond to that, and kept herself very still as he approached. Closer, closer... And finally when Sans shuffles that final step, he might feel something soft and rubbery give way under his foot, muffled by a blanket.

Pbbbbfffffffttt!

And eyes still closed, Rin smirks.]

Well. Not with that smell.

[audio]

[dreamalittledreem]

[You bastard.

Huh. His running theory had been that maybe they'd been stuck here together so long that Chara's concern was built more on familiarity than anything else. But... Maybe that's not the case?

With things between him and Chara as awkward as they are, he isn't sure how to feel about this. Jealous isn't the right word. It's not.]

Oh, okay. Um, I'm gonna go now.

[Heck, have some of that awkward silence.]

[audio]

[justribbing]

Yeah.

[ Capital idea. Better get on that. ]

Careful out there, kiddo.

[ To the tune of see you around or maybe in some other time, an echo of a more hollow voice on the other end of the line telling a child you are not welcome here, close but lacking the acid. ]

[justribbing]

[ The sound abruptly stops as he tips his foot back up, his sockets momentarily empty in his surprise. A sound puffs out of him, then, when he takes a hand from his pocket to....



Yeah, wave his hand behind him a little, like there's anything to air out. ]

Wait, wait, hang on--

[ And he steps back down again, makes sure to squeeze out every last flatulent sound from the whoopee cushion with the rest of his weight bearing down on his slippered foot. ]

Well, I dunno about you, but I feel better.

[ He winks. Leans over. Whispers conspiratorially: ]

You should'a taken the bedtime story.