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As it turns out, one does not easily become accustomed to falling down a massive void and into a Dark World. Just ask Papyrus—this is his second time, and he still feels like he's plummeting toward his death.
When he hits the ground, he finds himself to be totally unharmed. Phew, what a relief.
Papyrus looks ahead and sees the two kids from yesterday, Kris and Susie. They're startled from their conversation when they catch sight of him. Susie even jumps back, and with the way her hair stands on end, she somewhat resembles a frightened cat.
"Woah, what the– Did you follow us?"
"OF COURSE!" Papyrus responds as he gets to his feet. "AFTER ALL, THIS PLACE IS RATHER NEAT-O."
"But we told you it was a dream," Susie says, gesturing harshly with her hands, sharp claws slicing through the air. "You literally believed us!"
"WELL, I DID FOR A MOMENT. THAT MANY PUZZLES IN ONE PLACE DID SEEM TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE… BUT WHEN I SAW YOU GUYS SNEAK INTO THE SUPPLY CLOSET AND NOTICED THE ROOM WAS DARK, I REALIZED IT WASN'T A DREAM AFTER ALL! AND NOW I'M HERE."
Susie curses and kicks a nearby rock so hard that it hits the ground and crumbles into pebbles and dust. Kris, on the other hand, doesn't really react. They stand still, like a statue sculpted from stone.
"Listen," Susie starts, pointing a finger at Papyrus. "You can't tell anyone about this place, got it? You can do what you want here, but don't rat us out. What… What happens in the Dark World stays in the Dark World. Capiche?"
"UNDERSTOOD. I WON'T TELL A SOUL," Papyrus says with a smile and a wink.
Kris spins around to face him so quickly that Papyrus isn't sure how to react. But after a moment of silence, Kris turns again with the rigid bearing of a soldier and starts walking quickly down a path.
"Woah, Kris! Wait up! I wanna see Ralsei and everybody just as much as you do!" Susie yells as she rushes to keep up with them.
Papyrus follows after the both of them until they come to a stop in the middle of a small town of some sort. He takes a moment to look about the place. This town is just as dark as the Card Kingdom, but the colors are a bit different. Hues of blue and green meld together to create shapes that are reminiscent of something from a storybook, or perhaps an old video game. Indeed, the atmosphere is rather enjoyable, and combined with the faint melody tinkling in the background, he finds himself awash with a smattering of nostalgia.
Even though he has never been here before, Papyrus wonders if he might have seen a place like this in the comfort of his dreams. Oh, but if only that were the case. Truly, he would love to have dreams that appear to be as enchanting as this, even if the town seems to be a bit desolate.
As he continues to follow Kris and Susie, Papyrus sees that there are several little homes or shops dotted around the town. But something even more intriguing comes into his line of sight and takes hold of his undivided attention. There, before his very eyes, is what looks like the entrance to a dazzling castle.
Although, for some reason, Papyrus just can't find it within himself to be too excited about this fairytale-esque town. While it is all very mystical and fitting for a fantasy world, it's also strangely devoid of life. In fact, it appears to have never even been graced by the presence of living beings. None of the buildings around seem to have been worn by use over time, nor do there appear to be any footprints on the ground or any items left behind.
Could any Darkners actually reside here?
"Kris!!! Susie!!!" Calls a soft voice from afar. Papyrus looks over in surprise and realizes that Ralsei is running up the path toward them. "It's been ever-so-long…!"
"Yeah, yeah… It's been what, a day?" Susie asks, scratching the back of her neck.
Ralsei smiles sheepishly. "Oh! That is… short, isn't it…?"
"IT IS, BUT IT HAS FELT LONGER!" Papyrus throws in. "ALSO, HELLO AGAIN, RALSEI THE… ER, DO YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE A PROPER TITLE THAT I SHOULD REFER TO YOU AS?"
"Oh, I didn't see you there," Ralsei says apologetically. "Well, technically I'm a prince, but don't worry about that. You don't have to call me anything special."
How humble he is! Papyrus knew he liked this little prince after their previous encounters, but Ralsei really does have a charming personality. Really, anyone who meets him ought to find him endearing.
"NONSENSE, PRINCE RALSEI! ALL PRINCES DESERVE TO BE ADDRESSED AS SUCH!! SO, THEN, ALLOW ME TO PROPERLY GREET YOU! AHEM… HELLO AGAIN, PRINCE RALSEI!!" Papyrus greets, waving his hand and smiling brightly.
"Oh… hello. Um, actually, I'm afraid I forgot your name since we last spoke," Ralsei admits.
"THAT'S OKAY! I REALLY LIKE INTRODUCING MYSELF! I AM THE GREAT PUZZLE-SOLVER PAPYRUS, THE–"
"He's the school janitor. There's not much to it," Susie interrupts.
Not much to it?! But Papyrus is a very important member of Hometown's one and only school! He keeps the place shipshape and battles the germ-covered surfaces contaminated by children ranging from K-12! A messy battle, but one he fights valiantly!!!
Not to mention, Susie is the one who's made several of the messes Papyrus has had to clean up. She has single-handedly increased his workload, therefore emboldening him to work even more diligently.
Papyrus places a hand on his hip bone and points a finger up. "WELL, I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW THAT MY JOB IS QUITE IMPORTANT. AS A CUSTODIAN—"
"Janitor."
"—I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE UPKEEP AND CLEANLINESS OF THE SCHOOL!"
"Lame."
Papyrus sighs. Thanks to his brother being the way that he is, Papyrus is usually able to recognize when someone is trying to mess with him or rile him up. He will not fall victim to a trap such as that today!
"Imagine having a job," Kris says. "Booooo."
Susie laughs. "Yeah, boooo! This guy gets paid for working and crap!"
Ralsei awkwardly shuffles his feet. "Uh, guys, I have a job too."
Susie steps back, visibly aghast. "No! No, say it isn't so! The horror!"
Despite what they just recently said, Kris' body language does not relay that they are shocked in the slightest. They maintain their unflappable demeanor.
Ralsei offers a sheepish smile, averting his gaze. "I'm a prince, so naturally I have many important duties to follow. For instance, looking after the well-being of my citizens. Which, Kris, I need your help with that, actually. Can you come assist me with something for a moment?"
Even though Kris does not move or reply, Ralsei seems to react as though they did.
"Great! Oh, Susie, um, and Papyrus, could you two wait here for the time being?"
"IT WOULD BE MY PLEASURE!" Papyrus replies.
Susie shrugs.
Kris walks over to Ralsei's side, likely to show that they are going to follow him wherever he goes. The two head to the other side of town and speak for a moment.
Once Kris heads off in the direction of the exit, Ralsei comes back to see the two of them again.
"Kris will be back with everyone soon. We just have to wait for them in the meantime."
"Oh, now you're forcing Kris to work, too? You're sick, Ralsie! Sick!" Susie says, pointing a finger at him.
After Ralsei's eyes widen in shock, Susie's facade breaks, and she chuckles, throwing an arm around Ralsei's shoulders. "Hey, don't give me that look. We're just jokin' around, dude."
"Oh," says Ralsei. "Haha... Yes. I understand."
"...You didn't know we were joking."
"No, I didn't," Ralsei admits.
Susie steps back and sighs, shaking her head slowly. "Listen, I'm gonna need to teach you about bits and sarcasm."
"Oh?"
"You see, doing a bit is where you and at least one other person start joking about something by pretending it's real. Sort of like acting, or improv, where you bounce off of what each other says. So, kind of like how Kris and I pretended to be offended that you had a job, but we were just goofing off to annoy you."
"Oh, yes, I see."
"Sarcasm, on the other hand, comes in all shapes and sizes."
"I LOVE SARCASM!!!" Papyrus says, trying to add to the conversation.
He briefly wonders if this could be seen as rude, especially by the way they seem to flinch and snap their heads over to him, but he decides he's probably just overthinking things. Of course they would be overjoyed to have his input! He's always giving amazing quips and great advice that anyone would be lucky to have.
"ESPECIALLY BECAUSE MY BROTHER HATES IT. HE THINKS IT ISN'T FUNNY, BUT HE IS TERRIBLE AT MAKING PUNS, UNLIKE ME, SO I DON'T TRUST HIS OPINIONS ON HUMOR. NYEH HEH!"
"Uhhh, who's your brother? Like, not to assume, but there's only one other skeleton in town. The…" Susie's brows furrow in confusion. "The other janitor?"
"YES. MY BROTHER WORKS AT THE SHOP BY OUR HOUSE. HE OWNS IT, BUT HE CALLS HIMSELF THE JANITOR AND SLACKS OFF TO AVOID HIS ACTUAL RESPONSIBILITIES."
"Huh. That tracks. So, anyway, sarcasm is like–"
Before Susie can describe this to Ralsei, something very unusual happens. Everyone's attention is taken by the sudden appearance of Kris, who falls out of the sky and lands in a cool pose in the middle of town.
Just a second later, sparks fill the sky, and, in the blink of an eye socket, there are suddenly all sorts of Darkners scattered about the town. They all appear to be just as confused as Papyrus feels at first, but they soon get to chatting with one another and exploring the place.
"Uh, I think the sarcasm discussion can wait for later," Susie says. She turns to Ralsei, flashing her teeth and claws, eyes wide. "I'm gonna need you to tell me what the heck just happened!"
Ralsei smiles. "Everyone has arrived!"
Papyrus then registers that the once-dull buildings around this kingdom have now been replaced by larger, more colorful ones. It's amazing how the town has been brought to life in just a short moment of time. He can't wait to go and check those out!
"Guess who's back, Clowns!?" Shouts a figure who reveals himself to be Prince Lancer.
"Lancer!!!" Susie calls, running up to go and give him a high-five. Papyrus can't help but smile at the sight. The prince had been so worried that Susie would be upset with him before, and Susie had said that she'd made up with him, but Papyrus hadn't seen it for himself until now.
"Pleasure to maketh thine acquaintance againe, querido," says a familiar voice. (dearest)
Papyrus swivels around and glances down to find Rouxls Kaard standing there in all his glory. He looks just as handsome as the last time Papyrus saw him, with his crisp suit and slightly tussled hair.
"GASP! YOUR GRACE?! YOU'RE HERE!!!"
Oh, Papyrus is absolutely elated! There's a thrumming of excitement in his bones, and he uses that energy to run up to Rouxls Kaard and sweep him off his feet. Literally!
"Oh!" Rouxls Kaard says, blinking for a moment. After taking a quick look at the ground, he pats Papyrus' chest. "Of course I amst. But concern thouself not with such honorifics, my dear! Thou may simply callest me Rouxls."
"WELL… IF YOU INSIST. BUT WAIT! YOU SAID WE WOULDN'T CROSS PATHS AGAIN! WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
"Yes, 'tis quite the surprise. The blue Lightner hath transportedst us Darkners from the remnants of Kaard Kingdome to this Towne of Castles."
"WOWIE! HOW FORTUNATE!" Papyrus exclaims.
Over to the side, he hears Susie mutter something along the lines of, "uh… let's go somewhere else. Like, as far away from here as possible."
Papyrus then catches a flicker of shimmering light over to his right. He turns to see that a nearby recreational center of some sort now has a disco ball that's shining and casting light upon the surrounding area.
Papyrus gasps, ready to run over there as quickly as possible. "OH MY ANGEL, LET'S GO THERE!!!"
"Um, I don't see why no– Ah! Couldst thou putteth me down first?!"
In the span of half an hour or so, Papyrus and Rouxls end up familiarizing themselves with the layout and the new attractions in Castle Town. Papyrus especially enjoys coming across Seam the Seapkeeper again, who greets him kindly and ends up revealing that they and Rouxls go way back. Who could have guessed that Seam used to work for King Spade? Not Papyrus!
After a bit of wandering around, Papyrus realizes that he and Rouxls have really already seen everything in the town. There's not much else left to do aside from going back to some place they've previously visited.
But as they wander near the middle of the path, avoiding bumping into a variety of passersby, Rouxls' head suddenly shoots up. "Oh, dear!"
"Yes?" Papyrus asks.
Rouxls looks around quickly, as though trying to spot something. "Ah, er, not thou– I meaneth, ahem. Mine Lesser-Paternaleth senses art tingling! I must checketh upon the prince!"
"Oh, yes, that does sound rather important," Papyrus agrees. He begins looking around as well.
It isn't until they approach the exit that they both see Lancer run and jump into Kris' pocket. And based on the body language of Susie and Ralsei, it appears that the young Lightners are going to head out of the Dark World any moment now.
Rouxls must realize this too, as he turns to Papyrus and says, "a thousand apologies, my dear, but I am afraid I canst allow the prince to leaveth unaccompanied."
"Oh, I understand," Papyrus admits. Though, truthfully, he does not yet wish to part with him.
"But this time, I can say with confidence that we shall meeteth again," Rouxls says earnestly.
Rouxls begins to lean down, silvery strands of hair spilling artfully over his shoulders. Papyrus momentarily wonders if he is attempting to bow, but instead, he grasps Papyrus' hand and places a kiss upon the back of it. Oh! How truly romantic!
Rouxls glances up at him and winks before pulling away. "I must be goingeth now. Until our paths crosseth againe, I shall hold thou in mine soul."
"Until we meet again," Papyrus agrees, silently wishing that he could come up with equally charming lines like that. He is surely in dire need of brushing up on some eloquent and cleverly crafted poetry.
He watches as Rouxls goes over and amicably speaks with the three children before jumping into Kris' pocket as well. Honestly, he's a bit jealous. He wonders what it might be like for Rouxls to jump into his own pocket…
Ah, but maybe another day. After all, Rouxls is simply going with Kris to keep an eye on Prince Lancer, which is completely understandable. Papyrus will simply have to go on about his day and come back to Castle Town at a later date. Hopefully by then, Rouxls will have returned, and then they can go on another date.