From behind her, I slowly approached.
She suddenly stopped in her tracks, hearing the crunch of footsteps behind her.
"Human," I said, keeping my tone casual. "Don't you know how to greet a new pal? Turn around and shake my hand."
She hesitated. Then, slowly, she turned. I reached out with my hand, and she mirrored me—unsure but curious.
Pppffftt.
A moment of silence passed as the sound of the whoopee cushion echoed between us.
"Heh heh heh. The old whoopee cushion in the hand trick. It's always funny."
Frisk didn't laugh—but her eyes said she was confused more than annoyed. Still, I continued as if we were old friends.
"Anyways. You're a human, right? That's hilarious. I'm Sans. Sans the skeleton. I'm actually supposed to be on watch for humans right now. But y'know… I don't really care about capturing anybody."
I shrugged.
"Now, my brother—Papyrus—he's a human-hunting fanatic."
I looked up the path and gave her a light tap on the shoulder.
"Hey, actually, I think that's him over there. I have an idea. Go through this gate thingy. Yeah, go right through. My bro made the bars too wide to stop anyone."
We both began walking forward toward the large gate. A conveniently-shaped lamp stood nearby—because of course it did.
"Quick," I said, "hide behind that conveniently-shaped lamp."
She didn't even ask. She simply walked behind it. Not even a second later, Papyrus appeared—bounding into view with his usual high-energy posture.
Although it was technically our first meeting, I felt like I had known him my whole life. My memories—both from my past life and this new existence—had sort of... merged. Fuzzy at the edges, but deeply rooted. It felt like muscle memory in the soul.
"Sup, bro?" I said casually.
"You know what 'sup,' brother!" Papyrus snapped. "It's been eight days and you still haven't recalibrated your puzzles! You just hang around outside your station! What are you even doing?!"
"Staring at this lamp," I replied, deadpan. "It's really cool. You wanna look?"
"No! I don't have time for that! What if a human comes through here!? I want to be ready!! I will be the one! I must be the one! I will capture a human! Then, I, the GREAT PAPYRUS, will get all the things I utterly deserve! Respect! Recognition! I will finally be able to join the Royal Guard! People will ask to be my friend! I will bathe in a shower of kisses every morning!"
"Hmmm… maybe this lamp will help you."
"Sans!! You are not helping! You lazybones! All you do is sit and boondoggle! You get lazier and lazier every day!"
"Hey, take it easy. I've gotten a ton of work done today. A skele-ton."
"SANS!!"
"Come on, you're smiling."
"I am… and I hate it! Sigh... Why does someone as great as me have to do so much just to get some recognition?"
"Wow, sounds like you're really working yourself down to the bone."
"Ugh!!! I will attend to my puzzles! As for your work? Put a little more backbone into it!"
"Nyehehehehe!"
"Heh!"
He stormed off, dramatically as ever.
I waited a moment.
"Heh. Okay, you can come out now."
Frisk stepped out from behind the lamp. I could see it in her eyes—surprise, uncertainty. This world felt too alive for her. Honestly? I couldn't blame her.
Still, for the story to progress, she had to keep going.
"You oughta get going," I said. "He might come back. And if he does, you'll have to sit through more of my hilarious jokes."
She didn't say anything. Just nodded slightly—
And just as she was about to walk off, I called out to her.
"Actually, hey. Hate to bother ya, but can you do me a favor? I was thinking... my brother's been kind of down lately. He's never seen a human before, and seeing you might just make his day. Don't worry, he's not dangerous—even if he tries to be. Thanks a million. I'll be up ahead."