*sneezes*

I don't have to answer this.

*sneezes! wipes their nose on their sleeve. these old Halloween decorations must be... dusty... ... GIGGLES!*

(*off in the Swap version of the CORE, taking a breather before challenging Napstaton for the fifth time... they feel vaguely insulted?*)

*somewhere in Swap, a human child awakens yet again in a patch of flowers after having fallen down, sunlight from far above their head*

*their reasons aren't arguably vindictive or malicious, but they are selfish. the unsound desires of an unhealthy child*

*the need to feel appreciated, rather than burdensome. the wish to help others, rather than the need to be helped. the hunger to be loved, -

- rather than indifference or hate. the thirst to be needed, rather than disregarded. all things harmless and obvious, turned selfish*

*if some part of them realizes this, then it is quickly discarded as they brush petals from their hair and hurry off for tea with Asgore*

*as SWAPPIE!!!! and papyrus's voices fade away, they emerge from a shadowy corner by the door and follow after Underswap Asgore*

*they wonder after the two strange skeletons who appeared in one of their runs, and never again since... the pointy one's jacket was nice*

*that first step outside the Ruins always makes them wistful for borrowing it again... and for the helpful advice... but wishes are useless*

*if it's advice they want, they'll have to go seek it out, not expect it to land in their lap*

*that said, it takes them quite some time to make the second step away from the Ruins. they almost don't want to progress, lest this be -

their final chance of being here for the first time... and they've let time progress so long... perhaps things will be changed, as well*

*the human tightens the ribbon in their hair and begins to step through the snow, alert for any sounds beyond the gently falling snow*