Cross Stitching, Fixing My World

5 | A Puppet of Appreciation

Warnings: None
Word Count: 1307

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The smell of drugs greeted me as I stirred on my bed. The strong yet foul odour that wafted through my room made me slowly wake up. A few times, I forgot to close my window before I sleep. I need to fix that habit; a criminal or a serial killer could enter my room and kill me in my slumber. That or I'd probably end up as high as my neighbours for smelling the drugs they've been dabbling on.

I quickly stood up from my bed and closed the window tightly as to not let the stench enter the building no longer. I coughed a bit before contemplating whether I should simply go back to bed or do something productive today.

As I laid my eyes on the bed I was previously on, I couldn't help but notice something new. There was a small object with a familiar shade of black and blue, peacefully sitting beside the pillows on my bed. Upon closer inspection, it was a black skeleton stuffed toy with blue streaks sown down its eyes.

And that's when I suddenly remembered everything that occurred recently.

Was that supposed to be a dream? Was it all non-existent? I don't remember going to bed in the first place, and I don't remember the things that happened beforehand. I was just... there all of a sudden.

I held the stuffed toy up in my hands and lead it unto the light. It eerily reassembled Error's features a little too well for a stuffed toy. The male skeleton must've known what he was doing for it to be this realistic and soft. I found a piece of paper attached behind it. It had a few printed words with a bold font.

To risk is to see; To hide is to flee.

What on Earth was the meaning behind these words? I'm not dumb enough to believe that "it means as it is," since Error gives off god vibes. He's more than capable to participate in difficult negotiations as seen by his stupendous display of professionalism just a whilst ago. Why would he relay such elementary quotes?

I will not be fooled. I need the truth from this world and this quote clearly states that I need to risk my being to see it. If I hide and shy away, it would feel like I'm a coward whose only goal is to run away.

Quote aside, I really like this stuffed toy. I'm keeping it, of course. I'm never going to let Frisk see this hehe.

Speaking of the latter, Frisk abruptly entered my bedroom again without knocking. Ugh, she's such a pain in the ass. "Mornin', sunshine~." she singsonged, forming a mischievous grin as she leaned on my door frame. I could already tell she was planning something I wouldn't like just by reading her facial expression.

"Ugh. Good morning, I guess. I swear if you don't knock and wait for a response next time, I will personally knock you down, suppress your airway, and wait for your life to leave your eyes," I grumbled, standing up from my cushion as I fixed the layout, hiding the Error stuffed toy in the process discreetly.

"Isn't someone angy? Anyway, I wanna go out," she said, cutting straight to the point. I stopped in my tracks and looked back at her directly. "didn't we just go out yesterday?"

"We did, but I'm bored, and I wanna spend the pitches," she stated, twirling a single pitch in her hands.

"Just because you think the world is ending, doesn't mean you shouldn't save money."

"What else are we supposed to do with it? Display it in a museum?"

"I will display your organs in a museum if you don't stop bothering me for no good reason."

"Jesus Asgore Christ, Y/N. Calm the fuck down with those remarks. You're gonna make children cry," she mused. She proceeded to walk toward me and lay a hand around my shoulders. "Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, bubba?" Although she used a sarcastic pet name, I could tell she was worried.

"I'm fine. I'm sorry for snapping. Where did you wanna go?" I am the exact opposite of a morning person, but after the weird dream-like encounter I had with Error, my morning wasn't that bad. However, it doesn't mean I'll be able to tolerate Frisk's shenanigans without losing patience. She is right though; I need to calm down.

I need to help Error. I've already decided that I would help him. I can't back down now knowing how much faith and responsibility he entrusted to me. Like I said earlier, he gives god vibes. If someone like him sees potential in someone like me, why would I waste it? Getting out of the house and exploring around might help me find something useful.

"Let's get coffee and walk around!" She beamed, tightening her grip around me slightly before letting go and leaving my room quickly. "I'll go get changed. See ya at the door!" she practically screamed as she closed my door.

"At least she closed the door." I sighed.

After carefully laying my comforter on my bed, wiping away any creases I see, and setting down the newly skeletal stuffed toy I received comfortably beside my pillow, I scan my wardrobe for something to wear.

-~-~-

"Why did we go to this specific coffee shop? There are other better coffee shops, ones without murderers trying to mug the barista for free hot chocolate," I deadpanned as Frisk and I watched the scene unfold in front of us.

We walked into a random coffee store near our place and stumbled upon a short line. The person in front of us was a monster skeleton, they were my height, and they had a huge knife strapped behind their back. I knew something wrong was about to happen the moment I laid my eyes upon the eerily large knife.

What's funny is that you'd think this weapon would be a sword since it's large, however, it really is a knife for the shape resembles one. I have no idea who the manufacturer of this weapon is. Whoever they are should probably get fired. How the hell am I supposed to use that in the kitchen?

I saw Frisk clench her fist angrily as she watched the skeleton monster create a scene. He had taken out his knife and pointed it at the barista. The barista was sweating bullets. "hot chocolate, " the skeleton demanded.

"That would be 2 pitches—"

"hot. chocolate."

"sir i can't give you any form of service for free, you have to pay—"

"JUST GIVE ME MY DAMN HOT CHOCOLATE," the skeleton monster finally snapped, raising the knife above head level, ready to strike down the barista.

The man behind the counter shrieked and braced for impact, but Frisk was quick enough to run in front of the monster to parry his attack. A clanging sound rang through the air, catching the attention of everyone in the store.

"You broke fuck, go get your shit at the dumpster. It's free. What? Can't even afford free shit?" Frisk growled, clearly annoyed that this skeleton monster held her back from her coffee.

The monster's pupils disappeared for a moment before reappearing again with a bright glow. He made a grabbing motion and lifted his hand up into the air. Swiftly, Frisk also began to lift up into the air whilst her soul was encased in blue. She lost her grip on her weapon

"who the fuck are you to mock me, girlie?" the skeleton threatened, enclosing his hands together. Frisk started to choke.

"Your mum," I said as I hit the skeleton on the back of their head using the handle of my knife, successfully knocking them out.