castle_perrault | Find peace, and help the flowers grow

When Grune had first arrived at the castle, Sans had shown her a very fun room. In it, everything is made of candy that grows back when you eat it. There's something else inside the room, too, covered by a strange sort of slippery cloth, but Sans hadn't let her look at it. He'd said it was a surprise present for Frisk. To help him keep the present a surprise, she'd agreed not to look.

But after some time, the memory had faded, and so today, when she steps into the candy room, her curiosity is caught by the big object covered in cloth. (Had that always been there?)

Humming quietly, she steps forward and lifts the edge of the covering.

...Oh.

She pulls the cloth the rest of the way from the giant birdcage and opens the door. It takes some effort to make it move, but soon she can reach in and carefully take the bones from the cage.

At first, she begins to wrap them in the strange cloth, but--she doesn't really like the feel on her hands. It wouldn't be a very nice place to stay wrapped up in, she thinks. And so she leaves the room and instead brings down a curtain from a large bed. It's a faded red and feels much better.

She returns to the candy room and places the bones into that sheet instead. Then, with the remains wrapped up and cradled in her arms, she leaves the castle to find a good place for this person to rest. She only has her trowel to dig, so it's going to take her a long time, but that's all right. This is important.

[OOC: Feel free to encounter Grune at any point during this post, including when she's digging in the garden.]

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He notices her smile isn't nearly as bright as usual, but before he can comment, she answers him.

"Someone who... died?"

His soul aches with pain at that, and he hesitantly reaches for the bundle, silently asking if he can... if he should... look.

"That's right," she says in response to his question. When he stretches out his hand, she kneels down to set it on the ground to make it easier for him. She doesn't open it, instead leaving it up to him whether he wants to look.

"I think they were really hurt. But only their bones are left now."

Cautiously, he reaches out for the bundle, bending his head as he opens up the folds and reveals the bones Grune was speaking of. He lets out a small wince, unable to look away.

Funny, but he's used to bone being a sign of something alive, between his brother and Gaster. Seeing this is so surreal, as confusing as it is depressing.

"...I'm sorry." He has no reason to apologize, but he does. "What are you going to do with these?"

Gently, she sets a hand on his back as he looks at the bones. It's not a very happy thing to see, after all. It's good to know that someone who loves you is near.

"I'm going to put them in the garden, so they can have a nice place to rest."

She wouldn't want to have her bones stay locked up in a cage. She doesn't think anyone would.

"Oh... that's a good idea. Do you need any help?"

He looks up at her, turning slightly, but trying to make sure her hand doesn't leave his back. His and Grune's friendship has been full of affectionate touch, and S-4 is really starting to want it more.

She smiles at him--tiredly, but still with warmth--and automatically slides her hand to a more comfortable place on his back.

"Thank you, S-4. That's very kind of you. Could you help me dig this hole?"

"Of course I can."

He reaches out a hand, silently requesting the trowel, and in the meantime, he searches for a good spot to dig. He thinks the spot by these lilies might be a nice one.

She places it in his hand. "Thank you, dear."

Then she sits back, and her hand on his back turns into an arm around him.

She's always so gentle with him... so very kind. He appreciates it a lot more than he can say, and he very much cares about his friend.

It's very strange, finding that he cares about people, after living his whole life for Sans.

He pushes that thought aside, turns over the earth to make a small hole that he slowly evens out and makes larger.

She leans her head against him and is silent.

After a moment, she says, "I wonder if there's another shovel in the castle."

She wouldn't want to leave S-4 to do all the work by himself.

"I'm not sure..."

He realizes a few seconds later what she's implying.

"B-But I'm fine digging on my own! It's alright!"

"Are you sure?" she asks. "I'd be very happy to help."

"It's alright. You were the one who planned to give them a burial. This... is the least I can do."

"All right." Before she leans her head against him again, she adds, "But if you get tired, you can tell me, okay? And then I'll take a turn."

"Of course. I don't get tired easily, though."

Actually, despite how frail he looks, he is rather strong. He appreciates her leaning on him, though. It's nice to have someone there.

"All right."

She sighs. It isn't a sad sound, but instead the sound of someone letting go of a burden for a time.

S-4 remains quiet, just clearing more and more dirt away, until finally, the hole is big enough that he sits back, satisfied.

"I think we can fit them in there, now."

"I think so, too."

Grune moves away from S-4 to check on the person's bones. She unwraps them and, without hesitating or flinching, carefully arranges them so they have a little space. Then she folds the sheet around them again, scoops the bundle in her arms, and lowers it into the hole.

"Good night," she says softly.

He glances back at her as she gathers and arranges the bones, a small smile coming to his face. This certainly isn't a happy sensation, but... it's nice to see how much Grune cares, how she tries to give this person she never knew a peaceful rest.

Once she lowers it into the hole, S-4 carefully scrapes the dirt back over the bundle, smoothing it out over the burial site.

Grune helps, scooping the dirt with her hands and patting it down gently once the hole has been filled. When she's finished, she looks around and finds a medium-sized rock, which she lays at the head of the grave. She'll look for a bigger one later.

When she's finished, she looks up at S-4 again. "Thank you for helping me. I think this person will be much happier now."

He looks a bit curious when she places the rock, but he thinks it better not to ask for now. She deserves some respect and silence. He looks over the spot. The flowers really are pretty... hopefully they'll enjoy this spot.

"There's no need to thank me. I'm just happy I could help someone."

She smiles. They've just worked together to bring this person to a happier place. She feels better already, and she's sure this person does too.

"You did a very good job."

"Thank you for saying that... I feel better, knowing that they can rest."

He smiles back, gently.

"Do you want to go do something else? I don't want you feeling sad all day...

"That sounds like a good idea, S-4." She thinks for a moment--and then her expression lightens. "Would you like to go on a picnic?"

"Oh! A picnic would be really nice."

It means they get to continue to admire the view outside, and also enjoy some new foods.

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