'Cause I'm Lonely and I'm Blue

[panspermia]

Who: Frisk, Connie, Greg, Papyrus, and Sans
What: Rescuers rescue the kidnapped rescuer of kidnapped
When: April 20
Where: Wave Boulevard Mall, Spooky Virgo Torture Dungeon
Warnings: mention of serious violence at the least

It's been a week since Sans smuggled his fellow musicians from Virgo, contacted allies to let them know he was leaving... and then evidently vanished altogether. It's been two days since articles surfaced talking about his wild bender that ended him up in rehab, and isn't it a shame, let's all keep him in our thoughts.

Sans didn't ever have a whole lot of fans. The guy kept to himself, rarely made appearances, and generally only performed just well enough to justify being in the band in the first place. His legacy would likely be the toc-tic pun memes that would go around for a couple weeks, then fade out into obscurity. People wouldn't miss him.

It's pretty much all that's been on Greg's mind. His friend made a heroic effort, and paid for it. It's his fault. But life goes on, right?

So here he is. Buying flowers for his bedroom. To liven the place up, you know? Add some color, to contrast the blackened char left behind by giant laser blasts. It'll really brighten things up.

Comments

[determinate]

Sans has been on Frisk's mind a lot, too.

They know what happened. They've saved the papers with stories about him, but they know it's all lies. He isn't in a rehab anywhere, and he's not going to ever come back on his own.

This is why they didn't want Papyrus here. Bad enough for things to happen to Sans without him having to deal with it.

For the moment, they've done little to fix it. The one big thing they could do is too big, yet - how would they even make it so Sans escaped too, if they tried again? There has to at least be a plan before they go winding everything back; the others deserve that much. So they aren't at the mall to scout anything or find anybody. They're just leaving work.

When they see Mr. Universe, they hesitate for a moment, then slip backwards through the crowds to hide near a big potted plant. He's Sans's friend, right? He might know something. Even if he doesn't, they'll need another contact inside Virgo if they're gonna do anything - without Sans, Frisk has nobody who can help.

Connie knows him.If she can come, they'll go talk to him; it's not like he has any real reason to trust Frisk. Keeping an eye on him, they send a quick text: Are you near the mall? Wanna come talk to Mr. Universe?

(Lapis must know him too, they think, but she doesn't seem to care about him like she does Steven. Frisk will just stick with Connie.)

[missknight]

The good news?

I'm nearby! I'll be there ASAP. Where are you exactly?

Connie is already heading towards the doors of the mall even as she types it out. It's lucky coincidence, honestly, but she's willing to take luck when it's this handy.

[determinate]

By the florist's on the first floor.

The fact that he's here looking at flowers makes Frisk feel softer towards him. It reminds them of their own dad. His garden was about to start blooming for the very first time when they went away.

Mr. Universe doesn't look like he's going anywhere in a hurry, so they slip out from behind the plant and sit on a nearby bench instead, the better to keep an eye on the crowds. No one will notice them except maybe Connie. No one even thinks it's all that funny for a kid to be walking around alone; it's sort of like the Underground like that.

[missknight]

First floor florist- that's easy and relief blossoms in her chest as she does a quick check of the map. It only takes a few minutes before she sees the other, waving her hand energetically. "Hey!"

Just two kids being kids, meeting up at the mall! Totally normal.

Plopping down besides Frisk, Connie keeps her head down as she glances around for Greg. "So what's the plan?" she asks quietly. "I can be a fangirl, but do you want me to ask anything in particular?" She has a feeling she knows what this is about, considering what's happened recently, but it doesn't hurt to check up with her now co-conspirator.

[determinate]

Frisk pops up to wave back at Connie, but doesn't speak until she's next to them. Even then, they're quiet enough that only she can hear their voice - even she may have to strain.

"I want to ask about Sans."

Of course. For the rest, they take out their phone to quickly text. I've talked to him before, but he doesn't know who I am. Do you think he would trust you enough to tell you anything?

[missknight]

The part about Sans isn't surprising, so Connie doesn't even blink there. Leaning in a bit to read their phone, she gives a confident nod.

"We talked in the dreams before, although I don't think that stuck. But I'm sure I know him well enough to get him to trust me." If nothing else, she thinks he'll definitely agree with her on things regarding Steven. Maybe that can lead into her getting him to agree on Sans, too.

"Just where Sans is and what happened to him?" Connie doesn't trust the local news' idea of events at all.