guardimom | under-fairy-tale

under-fairy-tale

[It's a beautiful day in the Kingdom of Under. The crystals shine in the sky, the weather is calm and still, and monsters bustle about in their everyday business.

But this seemingly happy land harbors a sinister curse: a single thorned flower. It lies in wait in a beautiful garden, hoping to prick an unsuspecting victim with essence of eternal sleep.

But for now we turn our attention to the castle, where a lone queen reigns. She's strolling around the outer castle grounds one night when she hears that telltale noise. A breaking of wind. Startled, she removes her foot and leans over to look at it.]

What an unusual device.

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[Technically, the Underground was already a kingdom, but fairy tales are a special occasional. And fortunately, not everything changes. Somebody chuckles nearby, accompanied by a faint rattle of bones.

A skeleton steps out from a nearby column, grinning like the fool he could have probably been - if he wasn't already a sentry.]

Oh hey. You found it.

[Toriel smiles, amusement dancing across her expression. She hasn't seen this particular sentry before, but there's something about that voice...]

An important tool for the defense of our kingdom. To blow the enemies away, I take it?

[It probably doesn't help that in this fairy tale, the Great Papyrus (note: not yet a very famous Royal Guardsman) shoved Sans into some kinda-sorta armor similar to his. Of course, that didn't stop the shorter skeleton from wearing a jacket and slippers with it, but it didn't help that he didn't ever polish it either.

He chuckles low at the pun. Come to think of it... her voice was familiar too.]

I'd call it stupifying the enemy more than anything.

[He speaks very matter-of-fact now as he steps closer to pick the cushion off the ground and slip it into his hand, making note to show how he hides it.]

So y'see, if I ever find into a human...

[He holds his hand out to her to shake.]

Boom.

[She laughs softly, then takes his hand.]

What a powerful weapon! Our kingdom is in very safe hands, Sir...?

[She calls just about everyone sir. It's a thing.]

Sans.

[He winks, shaking her hand despite the PBBBBFFTTTT.]

I'm just a sentry, though. Out in Snowdin.

[Toriel just laughs all through the noise.]

And what an honor it is to meet you! And what a gentleman, too, putting on airs...

[Sans gives a pretty undignified snort right along with her until he pulls away and tucks the whoopee cushion back. Then he shrugs.]

Aw, thanks. My brother's aiming for the Royal Guard, so I gotta make a good impression. I heard insomnia's a big problem in the Guard, though. There's a lot of sleepless knights.

[Insert rimshot.]

Anyway. You kind of have to respect your superiors anyway. Especially queens.

[Toriel laughs once more, bright and clear.]

I appreciate it very much, but it is not necessary. My status...it does not mean all that much to me. It is my duty to care for and protect, nothing more serious than that.

[But that is in fact the most serious.]

There can be no higher of a crowning achievement than spreading joy, sir Sans.

Heh. All due respect, uh, ma'm, but that sounds royally serious to me.

[Says the skeleton who probably called the king "your fluffiness" in another universe. He shrugs, his armor shifting slightly.]

Guess I could almost say the same. Me and my brother, Papyrus, we're supposed to keep an eye out for humans in Snowdin, but... eh. I don't really care about capturing anybody.

[But he can still be that brutally honest to a queen, at least.]

'Sides, my brother has me on a mission right now.

[Toriel's expression becomes grave for a moment, but it soon passes.]

What mission would that be, sir Sans?

He's, uh...

[It takes a moment for Sans to put it into words.]

I'm... we're looking for a flower.

[In truth, Papyrus didn't send him to do anything. Sans was doing this on his own. But maybe it would sound better if it was official sentry business.]

You have quite the selection to choose from...is it a specific one?

[She crouches to gaze at the flowers and butterflies. Lovely colors floating in the breeze, but she can't imagine why Sans wants one. But this blue would look lovely with his suit...

She holds up a blue tulip thoughtfully, head tilted.]

Kinda, yeah.

[The tulip pulls his lips into a twitch of a grin, but his thoughts are elsewhere.]

Not exactly what I'm looking for, but. I like it.

[The skeleton shifts slightly. Partly because his armor is pretty clunky on him.]

You got any of the, uh. Thorny variety?

Yes, of course! I shall show you my favorites.

[She walks right past the yellow, perhaps pointedly, and to a bush of pink roses. She carefully kneels before the bush, delicately touching a petal.]

Roses are a favorite of mine. Their soft shape, their beauty...and, perhaps, there is a romantic twist to their story.

[Sans follows. Watching her admire the flowers... he wasn't going to lie, it was pretty distracting. He smiles just a little more as he watches her.]

They're kinda the symbol of romance anyway, right?

Yes. It has been a long time since I have had that reason to keep them around, but...love is everywhere, not merely in that form. That is why I hold on to them.

[She smiles widely.]

Would you like some to take home?

[The skeleton watches Toriel with some regard, though suddenly quiet. Finally, he looks to the roses, then shrugs.]

Sure. But... the thing is... well. I'll be honest with ya. I'm looking for a thorned flower that should be standing by itself.

[She shuffles about to help in this search, eyes wide as she scans.]

Is it especially valuable? I will not keep it from you, if I did not know about it it is of no use for me, but I wonder...

Kind of.

[Sans looks to the ground.]

It might be of use, but I dunno. I'll be honest with ya, I hear it's... pretty dangerous. My brother wanted to look for it for himself.

[Which is why Sans is here instead.]

Dangerous in what way?

Not sure.

[He scratches the back of his skull.]

Which is part of the problem. I've heard all kinds of things about it. Sometimes it talks to you, sometimes it's dangerous just to be around it... [He shrugs.] Too many rumors. That's probably what's got my brother so interested. It sound familiar?

In the garden, right over here?

[She gestured for Sans to follow her around a column, leading to a concealed garden that few would visit.]

I thought I heard a whisper calling my name. I wondered about it...if it was a lost spirit, a monster having some fun. An echo of the past.

Calling your...

[Oh. That's probably not good. Sans follows behind. When they get their, he peers around the column himself.]

And it's not an echo flower or anything? Have you ever been back here?

No, I would have recognized it. I do not usually tend to this area...I did, once, but. A feeling that all hope had left the world followed me.

[She shudders.]

Could that be connected?

... Welp. It might be.

[Sans frowns slightly.]

I guess I'll check it out. Could be somebody playing a prank.

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