The twins chat further, the future looks brighter and Ordeal makes a new friend

——

SwapDream

Dreamtale

Oneiro thought the chat went rather well, noting how the familiars were still chasing each other in the tall grass with no signs of agitation to be seen. No matter what it looked like he did in fact have a near impeccable control over his magic, something rather vital when he started interacting with other monsters when his sanity somewhat returned. It became even more vital when he met Karma and the only slip ups he had were in periods of high emotion usually caused by a high stress situation due to Karma but even then he was rather good at avoiding smothering living beings.

He scuffed his foot in the dead grass under his feet, a neat circle burned into the ground after his little demonstration but it didnt go that deep and he knew life would still flourish from it. He had little care for this AU anymore but his twin for some unfathomable reason cared for it so still, so even in his less stable states he subconsciously avoided staying here long so he didn't bring the entire AU down with his magic alone.

He spotted his brother still sitting on the stump of the tree he long ago felled, giving him time to gather themselves as they had time, no rush to leave as Karma was being babysat and he knew they would call if need be.

He sighed as he stretched out his wings to take in the sun, the empty AU rather relaxing to be in without having to deal with many pesky emotions from other monsters or humans. He was of course aware how that wasn't the same for normal monsters, his old AU a tad suffocating for most due to the high magic let out during the event. It was interesting to see how much Dreamtales differered from each other, entering some which felt lifeless and others which was like stepping in an inferno of mixed emotions.

He was still interested in finding the Creator of his multiverse but it seems the Ink was purposefully hiding from him, which was smart on their part as when he first heard about that type of monster and what their role was he had wanted to rip them apart but now he was simply curious what led them to creating this place.

He knew he would be using his AU in the future to help Karma practise a bit more in sensing emotions, it practically perfect for those lessons without strangers to muddy up the atmosphere with the ambient magic a helpful boost to aid Karma in the process. He might even bring that other who he thought was called Eclipse to help, an oddly good teacher. It was rather cute that the monster truly believed he could hide from him but he let it be, always keeping tags on any strays Karma had grown fond of just in case.

Dreamtales were rather odd AU's in general and didn't have the exact same rules as other places. It was the main reason monsters could go insane simply coming to these types of AU, their base emotions forcibly elevated due to the ambient magic in the air and then abruptly having a slight sense for others emotions, when they never had that ability before could be very disortinting and maddening.

He might have purposefully done that a few times in the past, purely due to the fact it had amused him and so many times he had been tempted to throw Ordeals 'pets' here as well but barely restrained himself, thinking he deserved a medal for that level of self control. He still did get rid of a lot of idiots who wouldn't leave his twin alone as even in the past he did not appreciate people going after them, sighing fondly at recalling that stupid Sans who had tried to fight his brother in some ignorant belief they were the cause of all misery.

Truly good times, it nice to have sorted all that with most people now knowing better due to the rumours passed down the years but he did sometimes miss the simplicity of it.

Good times.~

Ordeal's thoughtful silence was disturbed when he got two furry muzzles pushed into his hands and began licking face, spluttering and tipped over the stump and soon had two kitsune laying on top of him while giving twin innocent looks.

"I know those looks are fake. Don't try to get out of this by being cute! What's made you two so excited?

He tried and failed to scold them with the two kitsune yipping and going back to licking his face like he hadn't said a word, spluttering again and only saved when Oneiro lifted the two trouble makers off of him.

"Had some trouble?~"

Oneiro said amused at Ordeals unimpressed expression, holding the two wiggling familiars close and unsurprised Sol climbed up his chest to drape himself over his shoulders with Luna looking a tad jealous until he helped them up too, it a good thing he wasn't a small monster as this would have looked ridiculous on anyone else.

When Sol yipped insistently he hummed in question and held out his hand near their tail when he felt the bond tug, feeling a small weight drop in his hand with Luna soon dropping something as well.

He brought his hand closer to his face, confused about what he was looking at which looked like charms. One was in the shape of a crescent moon and the other a sun, it looking oddly familiar but yet no specific memory came up, showing it to Ordeal when they stood up.

"Seems the fluffy menaces went on a treasure hunt. Do you recognise these?~"

He asked, doubting they belonged to any of the villagers as none would be caught dead with Ordeals symbol not to mention these items didn't feel to be natural and were far too high quality for anything the villagers would own.

Ordeal felt a painful pang in his SOUL when he saw the charms, having a feeling some were missing and this was all supposed to be on a bracelet.

There were supposed to be three charms each. Where had the others gone? What happened to that faceless monster who made them for them?

He knew Oneiro didn't remember much or any of their childhood but it still hurt to see, especially the brighter memories forgotten while the more depressing ones recalled in bright clarity. The apples had done so much damage to his twin...but perhaps he should stop focusing on the past and focus on the present, there was no reason he couldn't make new memories.

He had no clue why his own memories of the past were sometimes blurry, wondering if the single apple had done that much of an effect on him and it also a large reminder that it was frankly a miracle Oneiro even managed to form words after the entire fiasco. It was just another reminder how much he hated the apples, loosening his hold on the charms when worry came from the bond with Luna and gently traced the shapes of them again.

"..maybe an old thing i traded when i was younger In the village? There were quite a few travellers over the years and i can hardly recall them all"

He said vaguely, sensing his twin didn't fully believe his words despite how plausible it could be especially as Oneiro hardly recalled any of their childhood but felt his shoulders relax when it was simply accepted, just another reminder how much Oneiro had changed over the years and glancing at the two white foxes looking expectable he already knew what to do with the charms.

He used his magic to make a thin chain and threaded the moon charm, passing the sun one to Oneiro who easily did the same and so glad they were on the same page as he wasn't sure he would be capable of putting it into words due to how emotional he was feeling right now.

He attached the deceptively fragile necklace onto Sol, the kitsune wagging happily with Luna yipping loudly when Oneiro did the same, the feel of his magic on Oneiro's familiar and his own on theirs soothed something deep in his SOUL that he never realised had made his SOUL feel heavy before.

He could visibly see that Oneiro felt the same, watching them touch their chest with a look of almost wonder, even feeling his magic settle like it hadn't done since the twin bond was first stressed once the tree fell. He gently trailed a finger over the sun charm that Luna looked very proud of, smiling as they nuzzled his hand before tackling Sol without warning and starting yet another playful tussle.

He wanted to thank the faceless monster for helping him to feel closer to his twin even after so long but even a name slipped from his mind, instead sending a silent prayer that they felt how thankful he was.

Oneiro enjoyed the quiet between them, both watching their familiars play and he swore at points he saw an afterimage of babybones doing the same thing, never having thought much about the large chunk of his mind that was empty of memories but perhaps they weren't as forever lost as he first thought.

Considering he never expected for his sanity to level out perhaps one day he would recall more but for now he was happy with what he had, thoughtlessly lifting a wing to shield the two of them when it started to rain, the next few hours filled with quiet understanding and easy conversation.

Perhaps he would do this again in the future, always enjoying spending time with his twin and realising they hadn't something simple like this in a long while, glad Hearth had suggested he go see his brother.

——-

??? Multiverse

Bartale

Ordeal had enjoyed the trip to his old AU more than he thought, getting quite a lot off his chest and even having some long needed conversation with Oneiro, even on topics he thought would never see the light of day again.

He didnt regret it in the slightest and thinking back on it he was even feeling slightly embarrassed of his outburst of how his magic was inherently 'bad', not having been conscious just how much the villagers' words had gotten to him. He also thought he might actually take the offer from that odd Sans who looked like they were made of cloth to talk about it, not wanting his issues to affect Luna or the stretching bond between his twin again.

He wasnt sure he would be able to forgive himself if that happened...but first he wanted to do something completely different and just forget it all for a few hours, needing to unwind and this AU had some promise so far considering no one had batted an eye at his appearance.

It suddenly became clear why Oneiro said this AU would help him relax and even good for him, the air charged with a mix of emotions that oddly combined to give a relaxing atmosphere. He was curious how often his brother had been here in the past but was not ready to go fully down that rabbit hole, especially when he saw their almost manic grin when he naively asked but it was oddly enlightening to realise that even in his brothers more insane mind they had done non-violent activities like any other monster.

It made a part of him felt deeply ashamed that he had ever thought differently but he quickly pushed it back when he felt Luna nose at his hand to stop his spiralling, focusing back on the present and doing what he came here for.

To relax and maybe have a drink or two before he went home, almost feeling sorry for what his friends had likely experienced babysitting Karma and that he had basically set his brother on them as he had headed straight here instead of home, as he knew he would have been interrogated otherwise.

He liked his friends but sometimes they could be a bit too much and it became more obvious the differences between them over the years, their rather shortsighted a rather mortal thing view of things that could be tiring, had really made talking to them about his brother or the Omniverse rather awkward and more stressful for him.

A night without any of that sounded nice, grabbing a drink for him and a bowl of milk for Luna, impressed how inclusive the menu was and sat in a booth as he spent a few hours just people watching.

He didnt think much when someone sat on the opposite side of the booth later, the bar was busy and Luna was still calm and he didnt sense any threat. He sometimes wished he could turn off that paranoid part of him but it had served him well and with his familiar it felt easier to just be.

"Heavy thoughts? You look like you are thinking hard with that frown on your face."

He jolted and finally looked over at his seat partner, realising it was a Blue type if he had never seen one with such sharp features before, almost looking like a Fell variety if it wasn't for the horns, soft voice and rather calm blue eyelights.

"Something like that"

He said vaguely, feeling Luna climb up onto the bar to lay across his lap without shame, finding it calming to feel their weight and soft fur between his fingers.

"Im happy to listen and I wouldn't recommend looking too deep in your drink. It's not as fun in the morning"

He let out an involuntary snort and smiled at the positive interaction with a stranger that he felt hadn't happened in so long. He pushed down the instinct to shut this down and leave, for once wanting to not be afraid and wary and instead offered his hand in a friendly greeting.

"Im Ordeal. May i have a name Mr Stranger?"

He said playfully, the way his hand was accepted without hesitation despite it being clear what he was made his shoulders relax, noting how careful they were with their claws.

"Im Aqua. I like your name. Any reason you picked it?"

Ordeal wasnt sure what it was about this monster but he blushed without knowing why, having a good feeling about tonight.

~~~~~~

Ordeal: *Thinking on the past and everything Oneiro just said* Maybe things can change. Maybe im not as evil as i think. Perhaps this trip was good, as even Oneiro looks more relaxed

Oneiro: *Looking back in fond sadistic satisfaction at how many people he drove insane in this AU* Good times~ 🥰

-

Sol and Luna: *Bringing back charms they found in the forest but knowing they feel important to their monsters*

Oneiro: *Curious* These feel familiar. Do you recognise them?~

Ordeal: *Feeling emotional and gets deep nostalgia from them before giving a vague answer* N-No clue

*In a far off Omniverse*

Hearth: *Feeling a brief moment of rightness and nostalgia*...I wonder what that was about...

-

Ordeal: *Feeling lighter but also needing to wind down* Thanks for today, Oneiro

Oneiro: *Seeing their stress and handing them a card with coordinates to Bartale* This place will help you relax. Perfect for what you need and they accept anyone~

Ordeal: *Confused but also touched* Thanks. Are you sure they wont mind a SwapDream types there?

Oneiro: *Recalling going their in his crazier moments and had seen so many odd things there*..trust me, you will likely be the most normal one there~

-

Aqua: *Smiling and friendly*

Ordeal: *Blushes but guessing its just because he hasn't had a new friend in a while*

*Back at Ordeal's home*

Karma: *Happily retelling all the pranks and fun he had with uncles friends to dad* I used so much glitter! Even the one that the nice Fresh gave me ages ago

Nix: *Smugly laying on a passed out Killer whose face is covered in makeup*

Oneiro: *Nodding along but suddenly twitching as he feels a disturbance*..why do i have the sudden urge to grab Ordeal and put them in bubble wrap?~