[Open/Mingle Post For All] Well here we are again

[sansational]

Sans has been keeping tally marks. Not entirely reliably, of course. But around about the point he first started realizing that his time in the castle wasn't just a dream, he started keeping marks on some of the older headstones in the cemetary. Just for his own sake. Just for what had been at the time the sheer novelty of watching time progress in a linear manner again. And after a certain point, it had simply become a force of habit. After all, by then he'd taken to poking around the cemetary regularly anyway to check for new people anyway.

One morning, he realizes that - give or take a few days - his tally marks now total up one year. 

That's...something to think about. And he takes a couple of days to think about it, while he works on a certain project alongside Tauriel. He thinks about everything that's happened in a year. All the people that have come and gone. Some of them haven't gone, though. Thanks to the most seemingly minor circumstances in the world, they're here beside him instead. He's more grateful for that than he would have thought he could be, back then.

After all, that means when he finally decides to put his plan into action, he has Serif and Papyrus to help him spread the world. He has Tauriel to help him pinpoint people he might not have met yet - there really are so many more people around nowadays. And he has Frisk to keep him motivated, even if they don't know exactly how they're doing that. After all, he can't relax too much from this project, because another certain project is always waiting for him. It has been for weeks now, even before the recent chaos.

So once the dust has settled from the mass transforming, more or less everyone in the castle will find themselves receiving a message from a skeleton in a blue hoodie. He speaks it in person if he feels safe to approach. Otherwise, he leaves a note with a date, time, and a brief mention of a plan. The location his invitation points to is the ballroom, with its mirrored floor and its impossibly long buffet tables full of sweets.

On the stated day, at the stated time, everyone will...still have to wait five minutes for Sans to pull himself together after a nap, remember what he's supposed to be doing, and suddenly appear inside the room, still in the process of hastily smoothing out his badly rumbled, wrinkled notecards. It had taken him literal hours to dig these up out of the mess his lab has become.

"so, uh, yeah," he says, looking from the assembled residents to the cards and back again. He has to learn in and squint to read his own faded handwriting. "should probably explain what you're all doing here. so. i'm sure you've all noticed that this castle has got some weird things going on, above and beyond the whole, uh...stealing us from across time and space thing. i'm also assuming that most of you want to go home and won't mind helping me figure out a way to get us there." He gestures at the table. "to do that, i'm gonna need to start testing some of these theories. guesswork is fun, but it doesn't get us anywhere. timing how long it takes this place to reset something seems like a good start. and so this particular experiment runs as cleanly as possible, uh...i'm gonna need your help eating everything on that table. like, all of it. just don't choke on any shiny bits." 

Message delivered, Sans crams the notecards back in his pocket, and spreads his arms in silent indication for everyone to dig in. 

Those castle residents who were here last year might have reason to be suspicious. Might even have reason to call this entire plan a lie. After all, they know that trying to eat everything on these tables ultimately didn't lead to a damn thing being discovered about the castle. At least, besides some uncertain notes that Sans never thought were worth sharing. Why get people's hopes up? 

But what had been accomplished was getting everyone together and talking. Connections had been made. Support systems had been built. Maybe that can happen again for some of the newcomers. He can only hope. 

Besides. Maybe this year will be different. Science is all about repetition, after all.

((ooc: Post comments for your characters that can be replied to, and mingle as you see fit! Eat, drink, be merry, have food fights, and try to be sick outside! There are very few people Sans wouldn't have invited. Even if you don't think he would have invited you, you can feel free to have your characters notice the noise and wander inside to see what the fuss is about.))

Comments

[ojisankink]

Getting a weird invitation from a stranger to a party, especially when that stranger is a walking talking skeleton in a dirty old hoodie, is pretty weird. But Barnaby expects weird after a month of being trapped in a wooden body.

Honestly, he is quite glad for this. He hasn't been sure for the last few days if he wanted to talk to people and try to comfort them about what happened, or if he wanted to avoid any touch that could possibly be a sign of control. This makes the decision for him... though he does still mainly keep to himself.

There are a lot of sweet treats on that table, but Barnaby is leaning against a wall with a plate of... plain pound cake. It's not the same as Aunt Samantha's, but it'll do. It's a tradition, after all.

He considers himself lucky that Kotetsu is still recovering and thus has forgotten all about his birthday.

[darkerstripes]

A perfectly innocent party where the name of the game is stuffing your face full of sweets is exactly what the doctor ordered, Toshi thinks. He can't partake of the eating, but it's nice to be around the atmosphere of calm normalcy. Everyone is back to their original forms, and he doesn't sense any danger. That's a nice change.

He does eventually notice Barnaby, though, and while it is a nice relief to see him all flesh and human again, he still isn't sure he's ready to talk to him. Or that Barnaby would be ready to talk to Toshi, either. A little coil of phantom nausea touches at him and he looks away.

It takes more time, and a very slow circuit of the ballroom before Toshi bucks up the courage to approach. He looks so nervous, and scared. He's fidgeting, and having trouble looking Barnaby in the face, but he has to check in. He has to... he has to know if Barnaby hates him now.

"H-hey..." Yep, great start.

[ojisankink]

It’s an innocent party. There isn’t a lot of ways to screw this up or really be a party pooper, which is probably a good thing when Barnaby is involved. He enjoys the calm normalcy as well, even if it’s hard for him to get his courage up and actually talk to anyone.

Toshi especially. He knows how the android reacted last month when he was around him. He knows how upset he was, and that he should apologize to him for his actions and show him he’s back to normal now.

But he’s… not exactly back to normal. Physically he is, but mental damage can take a while to heal, especially for an already damaged mind.

He sees Toshi approach though, and he stops the traitorous flare of panic. He glances up at Toshi and notices he’s having trouble looking him straight on. Ah… right, he’s not the only one healing.

“…Toshi, I’m sorry. For how I acted and for upsetting you. Are you… okay?” Might as well spit it all out.

[darkerstripes]

If Barnaby isn't ready to talk to Toshi, that's fine. Last month was a mess, and managed to complicate their already complicated relationship quite effectively. Barnaby was put through a pretty harrowing, pretty messed up experience that Toshi did absolutely nothing to improve.

He's ready to leave, if Barnaby needs more space. At least he will try, and confirm up close that Barnaby's body is back to normal, even if his mind is still disturbed.

Toshi's pretty unhappy with himself for stuttering at a single word, but he can't take it back now. He sees signs of discomfort in Barnaby and wonders if he should just go and wait a bit longer, when Barnaby comes right out with an apology. Toshi bows his head. "You didn't do it on purpose, I know you didn't. You were being altered. So were a lot of us. I'm sorry you had to endure that. And I'm even more sorry for making it worse the way I did."

And yet, Barnaby is still worried about Toshi. He feels a loose spark in his chest. "I am displeased with my own behavior, and worried about you." He won't ask if Barnaby is okay, that's a stupid question. Of course he isn't.

[ojisankink]

It’s not that he’s not ready to talk to Toshi. Talking to anyone is difficult right now, and he’s so afraid of hurting the android further. He’s so afraid of hurting anyone, or of anyone hurting him, even if he reasonably knows there are no strings to pull on and command him with anymore.

Now that Toshi’s close, though, he doesn’t really want him to leave. He kind of just wants to hug him… even though thinking of that makes him think of what he said to Toshi before the android ran away from him.

Hopefully he’s not blushing.

“I know I wasn’t the only one altered, but that said, I’m sure I said and did things a lot more disturbing than most.” He tilts his head a bit. “It’s okay, though. I’m alright. But you didn’t make it worse, I promise. You don’t need to apologize.”

He’s confused. Anyone would have run away in Toshi’s position. Why should he apologize for reacting normally?

[darkerstripes]

That fear is something they have in common. Toshi is terrified of hurting Barnaby more, especially after all he's already managed to do since arriving at this ridiculous castle. He's afraid of being hurt, too, but far less so than doing the hurting. He can endure being hurt, but he can't live with himself if he becomes something harmful again.

Toshi's still scared to look at him straight-on consistently, but boy does he also want a hug. To hug. He wants to make it better, somehow, even if he's certain he can't. He's so scared of accidentally manipulating Barnaby again. If he's blushing, Toshi doesn't notice it.

"It... it hurt to see you that way..." He admits in a moment of pained vulnerability. He shifts uncomfortably. "Y-you're worth so much more than that. I just. Want you to know. And remember." God he's making his way more awkward isn't he? The android is probably blushing now.

"Thank you. I felt very guilty for how my presence obviously," he swallows around the word, "manipulated your mind. I'm sorry for that." He can just shut down and crumple unconscious to the floor now thanks that would be grand.

[ojisankink]

Barnaby, it seems, is equally terrified of hurting and being hurt. Both are things he’s had enough of at this point. He just… he wants a rest. He wants to lay in bed and rest for a while.

Maybe he’d like Kotetsu there too. That’s the only person he’s really sure he can trust now that he’s gotten back to normal. But Toshi is… getting closer to that spot.

To the point where he thinks he may also like a hug, if Toshi offered it. He’d be nervous about it, but surely Toshi wouldn’t use touch to manipulate him. That isn’t possible anymore. He’s just being foolish, and he knows that.

“…Thank you, Toshi. I’m glad you think so much of me.” His smile is strained, but definitely grateful. “That’s something I’m still trying to learn right now, but I promise it’s coming with time.” Time further away from Maverick’s words and manipulation.

“It wasn’t just your presence. It was everyone, honestly. And um… you weren’t half as bad as you think.”

Some of the things Barnaby said back then were true… honestly. Even if he’s a little terrified to think about it and admit it.

[darkerstripes]

Toshi wishes he could give Barnaby a rest. He knows how badly the hero needs it, from any point in time, in any setting. He needs some privacy and some rest and some pampering. Toshi would be overjoyed to provide any of that to Barnaby, and that thought makes him blush a little bit more. Perhaps he can at least make sure Kotetsu and Barnaby get some quiet time together to find comfort in one another and get away from the nonsense of this place.

He nods his head, looking a bit shy. "I think the world of you, Barnaby." That probably came out more affectionate than he meant to, and he worries it was inappropriate. He fidgets. "You're doing well, I know. I believe in you." He's learning, Toshi knows. He's watched it happen and is watching it happen.

His encouraging smile fades a little at the serious turn. "I'm sorry to hear that, too." Not surprised, but sorry. He isn't sure he's ready to face the idea that he wasn't 'half so bad', or whatever Barnaby means by that. Toshi looks away for a moment.

"I want to help you, you know, m-make it better. If I can, if you want."

[ojisankink]

Barnaby should be able to rest now. If that mess is over, then he should be able to relax and get back to normal. Especially with Kotetsu and Toshi nearby. The thought of it makes him blush… and then Toshi says that and well, now he’s completely red.

“You…” He can’t believe what he’s he hearing. Surely he didn’t mean anything by that. He just thinks of him platonically. Ignore that fidgeting.

“I… thank you, Toshi. You’re very important to me as well.”

Is that appropriate? Well, too late now.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. It happened, but it’s over now. And… well, it’s up to you. If you want to try to help, I won’t refuse that. I’d be glad for the opportunity to spend more time with you.”

so i sure did lose the notif for this

[darkerstripes]

Toshi would stand guard at Barnaby's door and protect his rest from anything that might try to interrupt, if that's the best he could do to help. But it... seems like Barnaby may want more involvement in his help from Toshi. That comes as quite the surprise, truly and honestly. He finally looks back up from staring at the ground to Barnaby's face in his surprise, and is met with... blushing.

Huh.

Toshi fidgets, too, trying to not let the idea that he's 'important' to this Barnaby get to his head too much. He thought he'd done nothing but fuck up since he arrived here and met this Barnaby that never knew him at home, but apparently he managed to do something right...

A lopsided sort of smile forms on his face. "Silly, I want to help you in whatever way is going to be best for you." Color rises up his face a little more. "You... you would be?"

[ojisankink]

Barnaby wants to just spend time with Tohi. As a friend, as someone from home... as whatever he may be. Barnaby needs to stop thinking about how their relationship is a bit up in the air, as it's only going to make him blush more. He's being ridiculous. Why is he thinking about this when he has a boyfriend?

There are too many unknowns in his life, and as much as it's frustrating to let another one go, he has to. For now. For their own sanity. He turns his focus back to Toshi, only to see that lopsided grin, so much like Kotetsu's but somehow more shy and sweet. He takes another moment to force his blush away.

"Of course I would be. I know we were... close, in the world you came from. I'd like to get to know you again for that reason."

[darkerstripes]

Toshi is still so befuddled that even after his mere presence controlled Barnaby's mind and heart and made him feel and think things he didn't want, that Barnaby still wants to be around him. That he isn't simply disgusted at the sight of him. It's not exactly a secret that he and Kotetsu finally used their words and told each other how they feel- Toshi knows exactly what the difference looks like, in the both of them.

And, you know, Kotetsu found him afterward and gushed, like the big dork he is.

They need time, together, to get used to being in a relationship. Both of them have too much baggage to want to deal with Toshi and his, especially now.

So why is Barnaby blushing and dropping hints? The android fidgets a little, tries hard to keep himself calm. Fails. "Y-yeah. The best of friends. I just assumed you would prefer a little time away from me. I suppose I assumed wrong... I do that sometimes."

He looks sheepish, and very slowly reaches out his hand, as if to rest it on Barnaby's shoulder. He doesn't quite finish the gesture, yet, though. "May I...?"

[itstheend]

Free food was never something Chara was going to turn down, even if given a highly suspicious letter. They are distinctly not a people person, and have been sticking to the walls and under tables, watching the other party goers closely, and only eating food of a kind that someone else appears to have had no problems with. They're quickly becoming bedecked with jewellery. Frisk seems to have a magpie bent.

Of course the wallflower schtick does not work so well when it comes to avoiding other wallflowers, which is a shame because after the puppet fiasco they did not intend to meet Barnaby again, ever. Spare him their presence. Guilt is... an uncomfortable feeling, that makes them yearn for the numbing of LOVE again.

But they only realise that's him after they settle a short distance away to chew through a hoard of cupcakes and they stiffen, eyes widening, ducking their head and suddenly wishing very much they had worn any other sweater today. Maybe he'll mistake them for one of the other Charas?

[ojisankink]

Free food is always a reason to come to a party. Barnaby at least is enjoying it, though really, his reasons for coming were just to be around people. It’s odd, that he’s been to so many social gatherings and yet this feels so different. More nervewracking, but somehow less stressful.

At least until Chara appears. He glances over at them absently at first, only for the colour of their sweater to grab his attention. Looking over again, he nearly drops his fork. Memories flood back, something that happens to him frequently here, and he’ll never get used to the way his stomach twists in knots from the smallest little thought.

It takes him a moment to realize that they seem just as anxious as him. He’s not sure if that makes him feel any better about this, but maybe it’s a sign they aren’t about to try anything else. What does he even say now?

“…You’re back to normal, I take it.”

[itstheend]

Well. This is happening now. Take your lumps, Chara. They smile, arms folded behind their back. Look guy, no weapon! They are just a cute, nonthreatening child. They'd feel better about this tactic if it wasn't one they've taken to using to unsettle or garner underestimation, but it's the closest they can get to showing lack of intent to harm.

"Indeed. As are you, I see." The words are stiff, formal, as if read off a script. And then there's a flash of a lost look as they reach the end of any dialogue they could just pull out, and fall silent as they scour their brain for anything useful.

*Just apologize!

That's not useful.

[ojisankink]

This is indeed happening now, and Barnaby is not enjoying it. Smiling in a situation like this seems odd. They at least don’t look like they’re about to do anything particularly sadistic like they did when they ran into him last month, but Barnaby is still keeping his distance. He doesn’t even want to accidentally brush his arm against theirs, lest the touch just bring out that control he’s been trying to forget about again.

He looks away from them finally, just to keep himself steady. Fingers twitch and flex at his sides, but he ignores that, focuses on breathing. He’s not going to break down in front of another child.

Eventually, he does speak up again. “I apologize for acting unusual. As it’s probably obvious, I wasn’t in control of myself.”

He tries not to sound bitter or accusatory, tries to keep his voice level. He should be good at this. He knows how to keep emotions under wraps, doesn’t he?

minor cw past child abuse

[itstheend]

They make no move to close the distance he sets, red irises glancing towards the twitching fingers. It's better than looking into his own. They remember his fear of them - that doesn't go away that easily. Even if he's not a puppet and therefore not able to be so controlled anymore, that doesn't change what they did when they could.

He speaks, and they look up, eyes suddenly knife-sharp. He's. Apologizing. To them. For what they did. Their smile takes on more of a plastic cast, ends far enough up their face to hurt on both sides. Internally, they bite down hard on a surge of sick anger, very slowly and with deliberate care taking out their hands from behind them to sink their nails into the ragged stitching and unpick further as they stare at him. They'll need to fix them soon.

Once they feel able to keep their voice level in turn, they too speak.

"You are still trying to escape, it seems."

Do something, man. Don't leave it hanging over their head like this. Don't wrap things up in false, meaningless apology. There are consequences, and there are punishments for children who do bad things.

God Chara he was just trying to break the ice why do you have to call him out on weakness and shit

[ojisankink]

He remembers the fear too. A bit ridiculous of him, to be afraid of a child. But… but he was weak. Weaker than usual. He couldn’t have used his power or run away, could barely have told them to stop what they were doing. That paired with the strange phenomena that seemingly surrounded him had of course set him on edge.

So maybe that’s why he’s apologizing. For acting like that in front of a child. For scaring them. For any number of things he could come up with, but… those would likely be excuses, wouldn’t they? He knows that the real reason he apologizes is that it’s always his fault. He’s gotten that idea in his head from decades of conditioning and he knows realizing what Maverick did isn’t going to stop the effects.

Still, the fact that Chara seems to know that is making his stomach twist in knots.

“Maybe I am. But that’s not exactly your concern.”

He gathers up enough of his usual ‘hero’ persona to turn a smile back to Chara.

“If you don’t have anything to say, you should go enjoy the party.”

it's a habit

[itstheend]

It takes one to know one. They incline their head, acknowledging.

"Correct, it is not." Concern would imply they cared, after all. It's simply an observation.

He smiles at them, and heat flares in their chest, expression curdling. They want to smack it right off his face, rip it off and throw it on the ground and grind their heel into it. A not unusual reaction when it comes to glancing in a mirror.

They swallow the burn, and return with their own reapplied smile, sweet as anything. He's given them an out, and they won't be so remiss as to not take it, despite protest from the peanut gallery.

"I believe I have troubled yourself with my presence enough." Airily, unconcernedly. They step away from the wall. They don't look at him as they move back into the crowd. Being surrounded by far too many people is still somewhat preferable to sticking around.

[lostinmyway]

It's good to see Barnaby at the party. She's been a little worried about him, even if he seems to be a little happier now. She hopes he'll keep feeling better and better.

She's a little gentler than usual in her greeting as she steps up to him and says, "Hello, Barnaby. Are you having a nice time?"

[ojisankink]

He does feel a little happier. Nervous about an event with other people, but after meeting with Kotetsu… definitely happy.

Her gentle greeting is appreciated, and he gives her a warm smile. “I am having a good time, thank you, Grune. I… hope you are as well?”

He hopes she isn’t upset with him over what happened.

[lostinmyway]

His smile makes her own blossom. It's so good to see him looking like this.

"Oh, yes, I'm having a wonderful time! It's so nice to spend time with everyone."

[ojisankink]

“I’m not surprised. You seem like the type of person who gets along with everyone.”

He’s not really the same, but at least he has a few close friends here to talk to.

[lostinmyway]

"Well, everyone here is so sweet," she answers. Her expression softens a little. "Just like you."

She thinks Barnaby might not hear that often enough. That means it's even more important than usual for her to say it.

[ojisankink]

“Ah… sweet?” His eyes widen with surprise. “That’s not really a compliment I’d attribute to myself.”

He’s smart, polite, and amicable enough, but not… sweet.