under-fairy-tale

[guardimom]

[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.

Comments

[guardimom]

[Toriel would have to remember to laugh at that later. For now, there was saving to do. She charged in with all the grace her position commanded, easily unleashing a hellstorm of all storms.

And in the midst of it, she raced to grab Sans from that monster.]

Sans! Do not worry, help is here.

[trombones]

[Damn. That really is a hellstorm. Why the queen needed a royal guard was beyond him, because it was clear she could take care of business her damn self. The attacker shrieks and the vines start to retract, loosening their grip on Sans. Toriel can catch him easily.

He lets out another shaky breath.]

Thanks.

[Was that the edges of his vision getting hazy? What the hell. He hoped not. Maybe it was just her attack. Yeah. That's probably why he was sweating, to boot.]

[guardimom]

[Toriel holds him close, carefully wiping his face with her sleeve. She's got much bigger things to worry about, like him.]

He hurt you? You look unwell, here...

[She tries her best to pour her healing magic into him. It doesn't seem to be very effective.]

[trombones]

[The healing magic helps. But something weird was still happening to him. Now he just felt... tired? Strange. He breathes out.]

Heh... tell me, what do you need a Royal Guard for, again? 'Cause I'm pretty sure you can take care of business all on your own. Man.

[guardimom]

I try to, but...my eyes cannot be everywhere at once. I may not have noticed this until it was too late, but Sans...

[She pulls him closer, worried.]

Should I take you to your quarters? I must let the other guards know as soon as possible.

[trombones]

I live with my brother. [Sans sighed out.] It's... kind of a walk. You better tell 'em about this, though.

[Then - he yawns. Despite the sweat on his skull, the weight in his stomach, and the heaviness creeping into his body. Anyone else would probably ask themselves why they felt so tired.

At the same time, it's also not unusual for Sans.]

You, uh... don't mind if I take a nap, do ya...?

[guardimom]

[Toriel stands with him cradled against her. The walk is no issue.]

I will, but let us get you warm and comfortable. You deserve a short rest...

[She's trying not to show it, but she's worried. The timing of his nap sends off alarm bells in her head.]

idk how far into this you wanna continue but we could prob skip to another point soon if you do

[trombones]

[Timing is an understatement. By the time they get there, Sans was already asleep. Unfortunately, no amount of rousing seemed to wake him up. It wasn't normal no matter how lazy the monster was.

Talk about Sleeping Beauty.]

you got it!

[guardimom]

[Toriel fussed over him for the rest of that day, and for much of the next week. Royal duties were delegated, medics from all over the kingdom were brought in, every spell she knew was tried...to no effect. Another week passed. She and her knights scorched that patch of earth looking to kill the flower. No luck. Each day she lingered, though she couldn't really explain to herself why.

She held a bony hand between her paws one evening, sunset filtering through the window.]

Oh, Sir Sans. We have tried for so long to revive you...but nothing is wrong, except that you seem to have lost the ability to awaken. We will not stop searching for a cure to this curse. But for your bravery...we have dubbed you Sir Sans the Gallant, forever at the head of our royal guard. If not for your actions, we would have lost so much more...

...but we have lost you, and I will not accept that outcome. Please return to us someday, Sans...and thank you.

[Before she could really think that this was a bad idea, she leaned down and pressed a light kiss to those unmoving teeth.]

[trombones]

[Sir Sans the Gallant...

Heh.

He heard that one in one of his many vague dreams over the last few weeks. He heard voices sometimes. Papyrus. Toriel. Both tinged with worry. He wanted to reassure them, but he wasn't sure where the voices were coming from. In his sleeping, hazy mind, he tried to look for her again.

Then he felt something.

The haze suddenly lifted. He feels himself blink awake.]

Hh... huh...?

[guardimom]

[The voice startled her. She definitely wasn't expecting to hear something. She jolts in shock, looking all around her, then down at those eye sockets. They'd been closed before, hadn't they...?

Was he...?]

Sans?

[trombones]

Toriel...?

[One more blink and his eyes finally creak the whole way open, like someone's prying a crowbar to them. He shifts and tilts his head towards her with a yawn.]

Hey... what's up?

[guardimom]

You are.

[She laughs, wiping a stray tear from her eye.]

I feared you wouldn't be again.

[trombones]

[Ah, hell. She's crying. He reaches up and takes her arm.]

Hey. Hey hey hey. I'm here.

[Groggy as it was, a slow smile comes to Sans' expression.]

I heard you talking to me. You and Papyrus.

[guardimom]

[That watery smile is still there.]

We feared the curse was permanent. We prayed for a miracle...and now we have you.

[She's a little apprehensive about that last part.]

Then you know the foolish feeling that has overtaken me.

[trombones]

I'd say being cursed to take a long nap is pretty worrying. You think I'd love that, but.

[He shrugs, and slowly sits up.]

I think I'm ready to get up now.

[guardimom]

Here, take it slowly. It is not always easy to move after a long sleep.

[She offers her arm, very worried.]