[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

[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...?"

[ojisankink]

Barnaby is a little confused, just in general. He didn't feel things he didn't want, exactly, but he still should be uncomfortable. He still should be in need of space. But... he doesn't really want that as of yet. Maybe later, he'll get some rest and some time alone.

Right now, he wants to get used to Kotetsu... and to Toshi as well. Maybe start to figure out what he is to him. Or at least accept that they can be friends and he doesn't need to know that yet.

He doesn't know what he wants.

"I thought I might, but I guess I was a little worried about you. It'd be better for us to try to be friends like normal."

He feels his chest tighten at the hand coming towards him, maybe flinches without realizing it. "It's fine." He has to get himself used to this again.

[darkerstripes]

That makes two of them who don't know what they want, then. Toshi's feelings would be confused enough with only one of the factors currently at stake here, and there are plenty of them. He wants Barnaby (and Kotetsu) to be happy. He wants them to have each other, and he wants to be involved in their lives. He wants to be able to care for them... and he wants them to be with him, too.

But that's so horribly selfish, especially now, no matter how hard it is not to think about it. He mentally chides himself. Calm yourself, Toshi, he wants to be your friend, that's way more than you can ask of him right now.

"It's really sweet of you to worry about me." he'd rather you just worry about yourself, but he can't deny the little spark of love he feels to know Barnaby was worrying about him.

The flinch almost makes him pull away. He hesitates, pulling back just a little. But Barnaby says it's okay. Is he trying to lie for Toshi's sake, because he thinks he should? He should trust him, though. Trust his words over his reactions. He did before, and he will now. Toshi takes a slow breath and rests his hand on Barnaby's shoulder, looking somewhat expectantly.

[ojisankink]

Barnaby is sure he can be happy. He'll be happy if he has his partner, and the friends he's made in the castle, and... Toshi. Whatever he is. He doesn't know. He doesn't need to know, isn't supposed to know...

He's so frustrated. He takes another breath and looks at Toshi with a smile.

"It's hardly sweet. I guess I'm just making an effort not to be as selfish as I was."

He doesn't pull away once he's touched. He just breathes slowly, reminds himself to stay calm. Toshi isn't doing anything to hurt him... and the more he gets used to the feeling, the more he realizes it's comforting. After a few more minutes, he's ready to move.

"Alright then. What were you planning on doing?"

[darkerstripes]

Toshi would be overjoyed to know Barnaby is thinking so hopefully. That's a big, important step, exactly what Barnaby needs. Toshi agrees wholeheartedly. Barnaby will be okay if he has his friends.

He has to work very hard not to move his hand away right away. Barnaby looks so uncomfortable at first, and he doesn't want to be the source of that... "Seems sweet to me. It would be very understandable to just be worried about yourself, after... that mess."

He blushes again at the reminder, but a smile does start to form as Barnaby finally relaxes. He can see the change, and feel the tension leaving Barnaby's shoulder under his hand. He gives the tiniest of squeezes.

"To be honest, my first thought was that I could stand vigil outside your room and make sure you get some nice, quiet time to yourself." But it sounds really stupid saying it out loud so he looks down and shuffles his feet.

[ojisankink]

Barnaby needs to be hopeful now. He supposes this is thanks to Kotetsu's relentless optimism. His partner has rubbed off on him in so many ways, but at least they're good ways.

"No, that wouldn't have done much good. Believe me, I tried to hide out for a while, but Kotetsu found me soon enough. And if not him, I think someone would have tracked me down."

He looks up at the squeeze, gives a smile that fades into confusion as Toshi speaks again.

"You wanted to...?" And the blush is returning. Damn it. "Y-You don't have to do that. It'd be rather boring for you. I'd probably just fall asleep."

[darkerstripes]

Kotetsu is the best of influences, Toshi agrees. He's rubbed some of his best traits off on Barnaby, and on Toshi, even, as strange as that is for an android built to emulate him from the start. Toshi has become both more like, and less like, the man, since gaining his free will. He likes to think he's gotten the best of Kotetsu, on his good days.

"Yes, that sounds about right." He can imagine Kotetsu doing just that. "Kotetsu isn't very good at leaving his friends alone." He smiles in a way that heavily implies how much he thinks that's a good thing.

Oh, boy, that blush, and now Toshi is really close to it. He smiles a bit demurely. "You could probably use some good, uninterrupted sleep. I don't mind. I've found ways to keep myself content while humans need to sleep." He shrugs a little. "We could just do something relaxing together, if you'd rather." Does it sound like he's asking Barnaby on a date? That's probably bad, he probably shouldn't do that. He isn't... right?

[ojisankink]

Barnaby can see Kotetsu’s influence quite clearly in Toshi, perhaps more in the ways he’s different. He knows those changes to his personality are ones Kotetsu must have encouraged. He can almost hear the old man whining about how creepy it’d be to have a complete clone, and how it’s so much cooler to have a robot that could pass for a brother or twin.

“He’s certainly not. I should have known I’d worry him…” He sighs and shakes his head, but he’s secretly happy. He’d still be utterly miserable if it wasn’t for him.

And… if it wasn’t for Toshi, being so kind. “I suppose I could use some sleep… I promise I can spend time with you after I get a little more rest, if you’re sure you don’t mind. We could go for a walk afterwards or… something like that.”

A nice, friendly walk that certainly isn’t a date.

[darkerstripes]

Toshi would really blush and fidget if he knew Barnaby could see Kotetsu's good influence in his actions and manners, especially a Barnaby that doesn't know him as well, and hasn't been there to watch all of those things develop. This Barnaby is getting Toshi's mostly-developed personality all at once. He wonders if that's better or worse. Or neither. He can almost hear Kotetsu, himself, encouraging Toshi to be his own person, to embrace their little differences, but reassuring him when he gets upset that it's fine to have Kotetsu as a role model, and to try to reflect some of his habits... not all of them. They'll be like brothers!

In fact, he remembers that moment very clearly. It makes him smile wistfully before he remembers he's in the middle of a conversation right now. "You're worth worrying about," he adds, a touch shyly.

"No need to fuss! I know you're not trying to abandon me. I really do want you to rest. You really need it." He blushes a bit, looking both pleased and overwhelmed at the idea of spending some gentle, easy time with Barnaby. It isn't a date. He hasn't had any kind of talk with Kotetsu about that yet. Don't make it weird, Toshi.

"That sounds lovely."

[ojisankink]

Barnaby doesn't know him well, but the signs of Kotetsu are extremely noticeable. Perhaps because Kotetsu is such a loud personality, or perhaps because Barnaby cares about him so much. Perhaps both. He doesn't know, but he quite likes this android doppelganger becoming more like a brother and friend.

He smiles softly back, blush touching his cheeks. "Not at all. You're just too kindhearted."

He just shakes his head as he starts leading the way out of the ballroom and to his bedroom. "If you insist, I'll try not to fuss. I just think it's rude of me." But he's exhausted. Pretty much sleeping on his feet. Hopefully Toshi doesn't mind him resting on his shoulder a bit.

[darkerstripes]

Kotetsu is a wonderfully loud personality. He's a good influence on the both of them, and perhaps it's because Barnaby can see in Toshi what he's learning to absorb himself that he sees that influence. Toshi is more than okay with that. Kotetsu is the glue that holds all of them together, really. That's always been true.

Toshi mirrors that blush and shakes his head in a small way, smiling. He should know better than to dismiss a compliment by now, but it's so hard to accept them. Especially when Barnaby is trying to deny himself basic care for the sake of Toshi. It really isn't that kind just to want to let Barnaby rest. But he won't argue verbally any more. He just follows Barnaby's lead. "I promise it isn't rude. I want to help. It feels nice to know I'm enabling you to care for yourself. I like helping." Barnaby does seem so tired the more he looks, and the more Barnaby seems to allow himself to be tired. Without thinking, he reaches out to rest a hand lightly on the small of his back, as support in case Barnaby's exhaustion makes him stumble... and because he really wants to touch him. It enables the hero to lean his head on Toshi's shoulder, too, and he feels something whirr loudly in his chest at the gentle trust in that gesture. Oh, oh dear. He does adore this man.

[ojisankink]

Kotetsu is so very good to both of them. Barnaby is very lucky to have a boyfriend that is not just caring for him, but for so many other people. He really is the heart of the hero group back home, and so Barnaby isn’t surprised that he’s being the glue that sticks them together now as well. Kotetsu just… can’t stop helping people.

Toshi really is an amazing person too, though. Barnaby wishes he could explain just how intensely he feels for the android… what he’s learning about him and why he’s not surprised that he became close with the H unit in the future. He wishes he could explain… but with Toshi keeping secrets, it’s hard enough to piece together what is following the footsteps of Toshi’s Barnaby and what isn’t.

“You really are helping. God knows I wouldn’t be able to convince myself to rest if you weren’t here to talk sense into me.” He laughs a bit even as he staggers into Toshi’s touch, and his face heats up as he leans close.

“You’re… more comfy than I thought you’d be. Like a moving pillow.” Oh god his exhaustion is making him delirious.