Neon Tears

Chapter 13

-Balance Castle-

Classic looked around wide socketed at the entry hall.  "When you said castle I had no idea it was anything like this size."

"It wasn't always this big but dad never stopped building, rebuilding, and redecorating especially the outer keep.  Not sure why."  Fresh 404 uses his strings on a bell pull.

Rose looks sad for a moment then smiles. "Staying busy with things you like can be comforting."

Before Classic could say anything Milly stepped into the hall.  "Welcome home Lord Fresh 404 how may we be of service?"

Fresh 404 sighs, "come on Milly we told you to cut that lord stuff.  We need a guide to rooms for Powder, and Rose, family until.  Classic I will open a portal for you if you need it."

"I can make my own portal kid.  You done for the day?"  Classic didn't need to be told he was being kicked out of the AU.

Fresh 404 nodded watching Classic waiting for him to make his portal.

"See you next time, kid try to stay safe." Opening a portal Classic walks through to council HQ.

-Council HQ-

G saw Classic come out of the portal room with his hands stuffed in his pockets and his shoulders slumped.  "Hey Classic what's wrong?"

Classic looks up at G.  "I think the kid hates me more than other council members.  I mean when Razz came back with Slim and Inky he was so enthusiastic about how nice the kid is, and Edge volunteered to look after a HorrorTale Sans and his brother so the kid could finish his rounds and get some rest.  Geno was excited to hang out with him tomorrow when he isn't even excited to hang out with Reaper.  But the kid acts like..." He sighs shoulders slumping farther.  "Like he knows every sin crawling on my back and only tolerates me because of the contract and the multiverse."

G looks at the floor thinking hard. "He probably does know all our sins or can find them out easily.  It sounds like he is favoring those he sees as family or who have had his parents favor at one time or another.  The question is does he care about all our sins or just those that have to do with his family?"

Classic shrugs, "either way I don't think the kid is going to accept me as a companion with anything but grudging tolerance anytime soon."

"You seem really down about that, did you want to spend time with him?"  G frowns trying to understand what is bugging Classic they all knew the kid was putting up with them for the multiverse and not out of any liking.

"I just don't know how to react. He is doing his best to save our collective tailbones.  While being kind to most of those he has had dealings with.  He clearly only puts up with me but didn't say anything too harsh.  Just made it clear he doesn't trust me and sees the council company as a liability while working."  Classic looks up at him.  "He isn't wrong we went to DustTale #3 and I took a walk to find him after he and Powder went to talk alone.  The whole AU is trapped other than Snowdin.  I was a liability."

"You're not the only one with the kid insisting we open up the council and let in AUs like LittleTale, and BittyTale, as well as the dark AUs.  We should probably get organized, make a call list or two.  One for dangerous places and one for safe ones."  G sighs and rubs his face. He went through five or six council members in one day if you count Razz."

"How even Inky doesn't go through, company that fast?" Classic looks at G worried if they couldn't keep up with the kid now once he really got going they would have no chance.

"Razz was technically assigned to Inky so when they split up he went with him.  Stretch had to stay in UnderSwap for the reset, Dream collapsed, Fell had a worse time than you. He is in the lounge getting wasted and crying about being a terrible brother, Edge lasted until you had to be called in."