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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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.

I hope so---I do not wish for any trouble to befall us, the kingdom already has enough to worry about.

[She smiles.]

Thank you, Sans.

[He looks over his shoulder as he steps over the threshold. After a pause, he throws her a wink. It's an attempt to lighten the mood, despite everything.]

Don't worry about it. I gotta do my job sometime, right?

Yes, but Sans...

[She catches his hand uncertainly, giving it a small squeeze..]

I cannot let you go without wishing you luck.

[Well. Out of anything that could have happened today, he didn't expect to hold the hand of the queen of all monsters. He freezes for a moment, staring down at her hand... then looks up at her as his grin widens a little more, albeit sheepishly.]

... thanks.

[Hesitantly, he squeezes it back before letting go and stepping into the garden. It was closed off and quiet, probably for the sake of privacy on the castle's enormous grounds, but it gave it an eerie feeling. Especially at night.

Sans moves ahead, quiet. Observant.]

No wonder this place gave you a bad feeling. [He calls out. To be fair, if it wasn't for the rumor, this place must have been fairly peaceful in the day.

He opens his mouth to say something else, but suddenly - a harsh whisper calls out back.

SANS.]

... your majesty?

I am right here, Sans...Sans?

[Her voice calls out from behind him, soft, quiet. But suddenly it's difficult to hear him, and a strange darkness has seemed to fall.

And her voice is clearly not the whisperer.]

[Sans can hear her too in the quiet, but it's too soft and far away. Then, something rustles nearby. He freezes.

SANS... OVER HERE.]

... yeah, I'm pretty sure that's not you.

What is not me?

[She lifts her skirts and starts in after him, heedless of any consequence. Alone is not good, not now.]

[More rustling. It covers up Toriel's voice just enough. Sans takes a couple steps forward. He knows better than to get any closer than that.]

Alright, come out already. I dunno what you're doing, but it's old--

[--news. Before he can finish, a thorny vine shoots out from the thick bramble nearby. Sans is quick enough to dodge, but it turns him around just enough that he sees Toriel coming.

Crap.]

Get out of here!

[Unfortunately, he's also turned around just enough that he doesn't see as three other vines dart out, all hovering around him.

I SAID OVER HERE... T R A S H B A G.

There's laughter.]

Sans!

[Horrified, Toriel's paws erupt in flame. She can't do very much without risking harm coming to him, but perhaps if she steadily attacks the outside...

But that would just trap him. She focuses her energy on one, praying, hoping.]

[The one helps. The vine retracts - and more importantly, gets Sans attention. He dodges the other two, and in the blink of an eye he's right next to Toriel.]

Welp. Investigation's over. Come on. Let's get you out of...

[... here. He realizes then that a vine is wrapped around his ankle. Moreso when it throws him off his feet.

I HAVEN'T HAD SOMEONE TO PLAY WITH IN S O L O N G...]

Release him immediately and without harm!

[Toriel will not stand down. She glowers, preparing an even stronger spell.]

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