Chapter Text
Whaill was in their room, shuffling through a few worn, cardboard boxes. Each one was their own beacon of forgotten items and grainy dust. Light spilled in through the thin window, coating many surfaces with warmth.
It was an oddly mundane afternoon, though considering the recent events, serene days like these were a miracle.
The castle was eerily silent, save for the occasional creak of the floorboards or perhaps a functioning pipe in the midst of its duty.
Despite the inside fairing quieter than a wandering meeb, outside was a completely contrasting scene.
Ecstatic cheers, enthralled shouts, enigmatic banter, and the clutter of various objects they couldn't differentiate from one another.
Whaill didn't bother looking outside, assuming that most monsters were outside, engaging in a, quote on quote, 'exciting' games event, prepared by none other than BeMeebEth, who delights in spending time with everyone, and making sure they all get along.
Come to think of it, BeMeebEth appeared rather disappointed when they politely declined the opportunity to co-host, or to even show up in general, as the quint somehow even managed to convince Vhenshun to participate.
But they weren't exactly crazy about a miniscule range of mediocre party games, monsters included.
Especially after dealing with Vhenshun's previous obsession with escaping the Workshop, they thought they'd had enough of socialisation for a solid while.
Deattached thoughts aside, they were busy emptying a box simply labeled 'Crystals', most likely stored after the last time they explored the diverse mines.
It reminded them of when Rhysmuth used to tour them around, along with the other quads, but eventually they began to wander around the shimmering caverns by themself.
And, for once, it was an enjoyable, peaceful past time.
Until someone had to ruin it with constant noise pollution from whirring tools.
The contents in the mentioned box consisted of a few chunks of topaz, a couple fragments of lapis, a pretty amethyst geode, and other unidentifiable pieces ground to powder in the bottom confines of the box.
Whaill thought about gifting the rocks to Rhysmuth, or perhaps Pentumbra. It would be more effective than letting the crystals wither away in storage.
So many possibilities for such wonderful rocks.
They decided to set the box to the side, making use of the minerals could be a future ordeal. Another box they brought over, this time the label simply said 'Memories'.
Huh. Interesting.
This particular box felt lighter than the rest.
They shook the box gently, only a few items clattered together, echoing smoothly like hollow glass.
They swiped a sharp crystal nearby, their tool for opening the taped cases.
Making a clean slice down the middle, they were about to unbox the concealed relics when sudden, irrational scrambling caught their attention.
The footsteps thundered up the nearby stairs, as if threatening to make dents into the floor, and screeched to a halt right outside their room.
Whaill wondered if someone came to visit them, although the chances were probably unlikely – if it was Flasque, the door would be practically smashed down.
Three fast, forceful knocks.
Unexpected, to say the least.
They weren't exactly 'popular' around these days, so as they approached the door, they wondered who it could be.
Though when creaking the door open, the last thing Whaill would've predicted was Vhenshun – of all monsters – to be on the other side with a heavily distraught expression.
He glanced to his left, scowling at whatever, or whoever was there, before reverting his gaze back, which flickered between Whaill, the floor, and the walls.
"Uhm... could I please come in?" He leaned in with a hushed, almost inaudible whisper, looking once more to his left.
Whatever the situation, it must've been serious, judging by Vhenshun's troubled visage. Whaill gave a polite nod, sliding out of the way to let in the surprising guest.
Sneakily peeking out the doorway, they could just perceive a figure lousily hiding behind a wall, luminous and blocky yet oddly symmetrical, a sly amusement sparkled like sunlight in the figure's glowing eyes.
Rhysmuth? What could he have possibly done?
Before they could contemplate scenarios, they were snapped back to reality with Vhenshun dragging them into their room by their shoulder, and abruptly slamming the door once Whaill was in.
What could possibly be happening??
Though Whaill was about to demand an explanation to whatever in the name of Galvana was going on, Vhenshun was quicker to speak.
"Shush. I apologise for such an... inconvenient arrival. But I... really need your help." Whaill had to squint to catch the last few words, and grinned after processing the sentence.
"You? Asking little old me for help? You must've really hit rock bottom." They chuckled, watching Vhenshun's expression contort into annoyance before he pulled Whaill closer, almost making them stumble.
"Shush! Rhysmuth mustn't hear about this!"
Vhenshun whispered, toning his voice down a few notches.
"And no, I'm not at rock bottom! It's just that... well... look, it'll be better if I explain." Vhenshun repeatedly stumbled over his words, not like him at all.
"That's what I've been waiting for this whole time!" Before Whaill could continue, they were once again silenced, to which they grimaced with impatience.
When Vhenshun spoke, he was almost imperceptible and rapid, with the former having to strain to listen to his tale.
"Ok, so basically, I... made a bet, with Rhysmuth. Horrible idea, I know!" Vhenshun hesitated to continue, already estimating Whaill's disapproval.
Rhysmuth always suggested the most idiotic bets and challenges for a laugh or two, though he gave out generous prizes, which were hard to resist for some.
"Really, Vhenshun? And here I thought your ego and dignity were too good to expend." In response to this, Vhenshun provided them with a disgruntled glare, and in return Whaill smiled briefly, entertained, to say the least.
"Oh, thanks. Very nice of you to remind me." Most likely referring to the recent circumstances of his, quote on quote, 'fall from grace', as other monsters put it.
His sarcastic remark quickly lost its edge, as he brought the topic of the story back on track, albeit begrudgingly.
"Anyway!... Well... he bet me... uh..." Whaill crossed their arms in what seemed like subtle unforbearing, though they were hiding an amused grin. Observing Vhenshun in such a tangent was certainly comical. How unprofessional of the formal monster.
"He said he'd hand me a hundred and fifty shards... if I... give a chance at... dating, and..."
Vhenshun trailed off in embarrassment, eyes suddenly interested in the wooden floor, but Whaill didn't have to think too hardly about putting two and two together to see where this was headed.
"You want me to date you?? " Whaill exclaimed in bewilderment, their other voices crackling to life, clearly not enthused by the idea.
Vhenshun facepalmed. How many times did he have to remind them to stay silent?
He also gravely hoped that Rhysmuth hadn't overheard their conspiration. After all, those shards were essential for important, personal matters.
"Be quiet! For goodness sake... we're not actually going to date. I have a plan for this, you know!" He snapped, nudging them back a smidge as he walked a few steps away.
"Of course you do." Whaill replied sarcasticly, glancing at a nearby wall, cluttered with storage. Vhenshun always had a scheme to cheat others or to get more than needed, though if they ended up progressing as needed was a different story.
"Ahem." He drew their idle attention back, before rolling out the general concept of the plan, gesturing when necessary.
"I tell Rhysmuth that I've asked you out, you said yes, we go on a few 'dates' over the course of a week or two, yadda yadda... I get my shards, we stop the act a few days later. Simple as that, any questions?"
To Vhenshun, the plan was solid, and foolproof as long as both monsters could play along accordingly.
But this was all just a load of confusion to Whaill. They sat down on their soft, plain bed, taking in the mentioned details.
"Wait... so, why come to me for this? And why do you need all of those shards?"
They questioned, tilting their head to the side. Vhenshun could've chosen any other monster, after all.
"Because you're the only one who would've taken me seriously? And there's no way I'd try this stunt with a triple." He sighed as if it were common sense, constantly keeping his voice low for precaution.
"Okay?" Whaill had a tiny seed of doubt in their mind, for such an excuse seemed oddly false, though they had more important enquiries to get to.
"Also, you never answered my question about the shards."
"It's not your business. I'll tell you some other time." He dismissively waved it off, ignoring Whaill's statement, before diverting the conversation subject.
"Any other questions?" Vhenshun enquired, already tired of the abundance. He assumed his plan was practically as simple as a common meeb, though they kept plaquing him with questions that weren't, per se, related to the matter at hand, and it was wasting time.
"Yeah, actually. Why do I have to do this in the first place? Can't you just tell Rhysmuth I said no and you'd still get your shards?"
Vhenshun groaned, shaking his head in irritation.
"Don't you understand the perimeters of the bet? I'd have to ask out someone else for the shards if I scripted that." Whaill gave a huff at the disappointing answer, focusing their line of sight on anywhere except him.
There really was no way of getting out of this insane plan, was there?
Vhenshun observed their reaction, unsurprised by their reluctance.
"...Look." He began, stepping a few, miniscule inches closer.
"I understand that you don't want to do this... but I really need those shards. I apologise that I asked so much, but could you please help a monster out? Please?"
The lament felt weirdly persuasive. Although Whaill did enjoy providing support when needed, this just seemed a little...much.
"And what do I get out of it?" They asked. Clearly this whole thing felt like a waste of 'precious' time to them, judging by their lackadaisial behaviour and being visibly unbothered by his problematic situation.
Vhenshun paused, his gears turning like clockwork. A question he struggled to come up with an explanation to, such a basic yet important one as well. How can such a plan benefit them?
Well, now the idea will really get tossed aside.
Unless...
"Shards? Since Rhysmuth is upholding double of what I require, I could perhaps give you a cut." He wondered if they were pondering about it, since their neutral, blank expression made it impossible to gauge.
Vhenshun held out a pincer, eyes squinting into somewhat of a grin.
"Seventy shards?"
Whaill's gaze followed the voice, before landing on the nearby limb, a handshake waiting. He'd probably keep begging until dusk if it meant that they'd follow along with the plan.
In the name of Galvana, what a cunning, coniving little...
Sighing with discontent, they tried to calculate if it would really be worth it, hesitation rippled faintly through their mind.
Should they really be doing this?
Well, they had nothing to get back to anyway, or to do in general without that pestering monster.
And maybe those shards could come in handy somewhere along the line...
They reached out.
"Fine. Perhaps I'll find a need for those shards." Whaill muttered, shaking the limb politely. By chance, maybe they weren't doing it for the currency, but it didn't matter either way. Vhenshun's face lit up drastically, hope shining through his usual apathetic tone.
"Oh, wow! I... uh... really? You're not joking?" Met with an encouraging head shake, he punched the air in victory. Whaill was speechless at his odd behaviour, considering this was the happiest they had seen Vhenshun in weeks.
"Yes! Ok, we'll start tomorrow, considering we took too much time with discussion. I'll tell Rhysmuth I forgot to ask." He swung open the door with a wink, although another question suddenly popped into Whaill's mind.
"Wait, when will I get-"
The door slammed shut, leaving a resounding echo, and a perplexed Whaill alone with their thoughts.
Their attention turned from the door, to the neglected boxes, then back. Muffled voices were briefly heard, though not for long, as the volume dissipated, replaced by steps on stairs heading downwards.
After a long moment of shocked silence, Whaill finally decidedly to head back to opening the remaining boxes, but as they dug out items, one by one, they couldn't focus at all. Perhaps it was what they agreed to, or maybe the completely outlandish situation in general which sidelined their thoughts.
They sighed to themself, mumbling almost inaudibly. Agreeing to the equivalent of selling their soul for seventy shards and an 'active' week.
"What have I gotten myself into?"