Karma panics, wishing he was anywhere else

——

Raven Multiverse

Maybe if he didn't move Reaper would miraculously not see him. He knew it was childish but he had no idea what else to do. It seems his mind had gone blank for all other solutions and had started to shut down. Sadly Karmas thoughts were disrupted by arms curling around him. He couldn't suppress the flinch but he didn't move otherwise.

" Goth.... You are so tiny. Let's get you inside where it's warm, ok?".

The small positive was that violence didn't seem to be occurring but that was the lowest bar for his standards. He felt himself being cradled close as Reaper stood up. He folded his wings, to be as small as possible and started chirping in distress. He ignored the coo being directed at him and didn't try to hold on to the other in any way.

His mind was just filled with buzzing and his body felt like stone. He wanted to reach for his scarf but even thinking of the action tired him out. He must have zoned out longer than he thought as he was startled, when he was handed off to someone else.

They were warm at least and felt strangely familiar. He instantly leaned closer and nuzzled the chest he was facing. When he heard a fluttering sound he looked up. He was faced with a single white eyelight that illuminated the other's face. Why was it suddenly so dark though?

Turning his head he realised he was cocooned by the others wings and hated that it instantly calmed his erratic magic. Stupid bird instincts were getting a little too strong for his liking. A chirp caught his attention making him chirped back in answer. Looking forward again he startled when he realised who was holding him. It was a bigger him!

He could feel a purr building up at being near magic so similar to his own but he pushed it down, to study the other closer. He had never been this close to his adult self so this was a change. He boldly pressed his hands to their cheeks and moved his face closer. When he was satisfied at what he found he noticed their hands were lying either side of them.

He approved that they hadn't tried to pull him closer or away during his inspection. He grinned one of their hands and was shocked by how much bigger they were. Was he really this small? Was that why others kept cooing at him?

"I'm called Goth, what's your name, baby bird?".

He ignored the question and continued fiddling with the others hand. It was much more interesting then this conversation.

"Would you like some food? We have plenty available".

Why were they still talking to him? He just wanted them to stop.

He had heard of sudden human combustion, surely that could occur in monsters. If he tried hard enough he would be able to get out of this conversation. He had never heard it happen before but he was sure he could be the first.

"Would you rather be put down or are you happy to stay like this?".

His only response was to grip the others hand tighter. He reached for his scarf and started playing with it. This was all getting a bit too much for him. He was glad he couldn't see Reaper at least.

"That's ok, you don't have to talk. I'll do enough for the both of us! You have met my dad Reaper already but my mum is also here, who is called Geno. Also I have an adorable little brother called Raven! They make the best faces when I pinch their cheeks. Do you know a monster named Palette? Well he is my best friend. We usually-".

They talked way too much for his liking and most of it was information he already knew. When the other started waxing poetry about Palette's best traits, he tuned out. Closing his sockets he used his magic to sense the other SOULS in this house. He would rather be prepared than get an unexpected surprise later.

He sensed a SOUL he believed to be Geno closeby. It had been years since he had properly looked and he had avoided the Geno he met, after going through the red door. Moving on he felt another hovering near Geno, which was most likely Reaper. He looked further and felt another SOUl upstairs. He had never met a monster named Raven before, so perhaps this was them?

He was drawing his magic back, when he felt another do something similar. It was Reaper and he seemed to be checking on the other inhabitants. He had no issue when they checked Goth but when their magic tried to touch him, he made sure to smack the magic away.

He suddenly noticed how quiet it had gotten. Looking at Goth he saw their mouth was hanging open while focused on him. Wonder why?

Light suddenly pierced his safe place, at the same time Goth moved him to sit beside him. Glancing around he realised he was in a living room and they were seated on a couch.

He stiffened when he noticed the two older monsters standing in front of him. When Reaper floated closer, he hissed in displeasure. He was glad the other moved away and tugged Geno as well. At least this one knew boundaries.

"Hello little one. My name is Geno and this is my mate Reaper. Why don't you stay the night to rest up? You can stay with Goth, if you want?".

He narrowed his sockets in suspicion and glanced over at Goth, who only nodded in agreement. He climbed onto the others lap as he was done with the conversation. He enjoyed the gentle touch and moved his wings, each time the other's hands got too close to them.

He stared at nothing, while thinking of all that had happened. Was he truly that unloveable that he kept being sent away? They might have said it was for his protection but he hadn't felt that anywhere he had been sent so far.

He sneakily looked at Reaper, as Goth took them past and contemplated a plan. While his Reaper was useless, he was sure he could convince this one to do him a favour. He would try it later when he wasn't so worn down.

The climb up the stairs was quick and when he heard a door creak open he turned in the Goths hold, admiring the room. It had a starry sky painted on the ceiling, with pale grey walls. There didn't seem to be a bed but rather a large collection of pillows and blankets strewn around. His wings twitched in excitement at how comfy it all looked. He was rather jealous that his room never looked like this.

When he was placed down, he headed straight for the centre of the room. He curled up on a large blue pillow, allowing his body to go limp. He heard a plate be put down and saw some snacks laid by the door. He grimaced at it and instead tried to sleep. He allowed Goth to be near him and enjoyed the weight of a large wing on him. The pressure and softness made him easily fall asleep in this strange new environment.

-

"Geno! What do we do?! Babybones dont' just fall from the sky.....do they? Have I been wrong all this time?! Is that how the children came to be?!"

Geno watched his mate slowly drive himself into greater panic. It was amusing at the start but now it was getting sad. He could see the other losing their intelligence as they kept talking. He knew who he had bonded too early on, but he preferred to nip the bouts of stupidity early on.

"Look Reaper calm down. I know they arrived unexpectedly but you are panicking about this much more than usual. What is really wrong?".

Reaper stopped his rant and fully looked at Geno. He was hesitant to share what he had felt but the look he was graced with did not suggest that this was an optional question.

"Their SOUL, it's a bit too attracted to my death magic"

"You said that was normal. You even commented how most SOULS do this"

"No, no you don't understand. It was literally tugging my magic towards them. That isn't normal. Not even monsters SOULS that are about to die act like that".

Geno knew he couldn't understand the whole meaning of Reaper's explanation but he understood more than most. Death magic was more than a type; it also came with feelings and instincts towards other SOULS, that were too complex to put into words.

He had no idea what to do with this information apart from trying to keep a closer eye on their new guest. He was sure their children would understand more of what Reaper was saying, as they had inherited their magic.

Moving on from this topic he still knew this wasn't the only issue.

"What else is wrong, love. It's not like you to get this worked up so quickly"

"They are terrified of me, Geno. They wouldn't even let me CHECK them with my magic. When I held them earlier it was like they expected the worst from me at any moment".

Genos' face broke out in sympathy. He knew how much Reaper loved their children and to have a monster, that looks just like Goth terrified of him must hurt.

"Look, tomorrow might help. A good rest and another talk we can show them you are harmless. We will need to contact Ink though. I'm worried how they were even able to get here in the first place, let alone if they will talk to us".

While Reaper hated the thought of contacting the Creator, he knew the other was right. The Creator would be able to see what was going on easier. He hugged his mate closer, pleased at having his worries drift away. He would deal with this all tomorrow, a rest seemed like a great idea.

Going upstairs he had been tempted to check in on Goths room but Geno convinced him otherse. He would have to be content with sensing them from out side the door. He didn't want his appearance to scare the other again.

~~~~

Goth: *singing praises about his 'friend' Palette*

Karma: This is true suffering. When will the pain end