Secrets Are Ba(n)d

Chapter 13: If the Glove (or Coat) Fits

The small ghost levitated only a few inches off the ground, hardly visible with anxiety. "It's just shopping, it's just one time" they repeated to themselves, their 'stomach' in knots that only got tighter as they entered the shop. It was a small building, an orange hue from the stained lighting, and a multitude of items along the walls and shelves. "Hello th- uh.." The Rabbit woman at the counter spoke, though cut off in confusion. "Coulda' sworn I heard the door.. damn ears ain't what they used to be" She joked to herself, going back to the book she was reading.
Though slightly hurt, the ghost looked around the walls, peeking through the shelves until he saw the items of need.
"Ex..cuse me" he squeaked, placing the various trinkets and heavy coat on the counter with a gentle 'thump.' The monster looked up with a startle, squinting to see the small, shaking figure behind the counter. "Oh my dear, you gave me quite the jump! Will this be all?" She said warmly, sympathetic to the terrified ghost monster. "Ye..yes," they whispered, though the woman got the message well enough. "That'll be.. 15G, need a bag, sweetie?" She smiled, the ghost monster still fading in and out. "N..no," they said with the hope the conversation would end sooner. Small gold coins clicked against the wood counter, Napstablook picking up the items and slowly floating for the exit. "Have a good day now lil' guy" the Rabbit called, waving a paw.

Napstablook welcomed the freezing cold of the outside, knowing it meant the terrifying encounter was over. Only feet away, his criminal friend stared from behind snow covered trees, his smile wide as ever. "You did AMAZING" he called as the ghost floated closer, though hushing himself. He couldn't deny, he missed his outside voice. "You.. think so?" The ghost questioned, now visible, but also visibly shook. "Of course! You were so brave, that was the coolest" Papyrus beamed, matching his friends level of quiet now. The ghost stayed quiet in thought, but brought the bundle of things up to Papyrus. "Oh right!! I almost forgot about my excellent plan!!" "What exactly.. is your plan?" The ghost questioned, though Papyrus answered by throwing on the black coat, popping the collar up. Wrapping a cord around his waist, the others tangling around his arm (totally on purpose). He gestured towards his new 'disguise' with raised eyebrows, asking for an opinion. The ghost stared silently. "You look.. good. *is that the right compliment? I'm sorry,*" they mumbled, Papyrus holding back a giggle at the nervousness. "It's my costume, for the stage thing!" He revealed, making a cool Papyrus pose™️. "Oh.. oh!" They said, smiling a little. Fading into their costume, the two matching almost perfectly. Papyrus stomped his feet slightly in excitement, trying to keep his bones from rattling. "See? The Great Papyrus' genius strikes again!" He announces, covering his mouth. "I mean- not Papyrus" he says with a wink, The ghost laughing slightly, Papyrus taking it as a win. "From now on call me.. uh.." he says, looking around the two of them for ideas.

"Froid?" Was the first cool name that came to mind, one of his favorite comic book heros went by it, it was supposed to mean "cold" somehow. "OK.. it's nice to meet you.. Froid" Napstablook tried, excited about the new name. Then, they hesitated, Papyrus looking at them with a raised brow. "It's a great.
costume but.. I can still see your face" they inquired.

Papyrus did not forsee this oversight.

"You, my friend, are correct." He said, leaning against a tree as he placed a torn glove to his chin. "...I.. have an idea.." the smaller monster said barely above a whisper, half hoping the skeleton wouldn't hear. "An idea?" The skeleton inquired with a smile.

Papyrus stared at the screen, his jaw hanging open slightly. "I did that??" He marveled, the ghost nodding. "None of the other contestants had.. light shows" "I thought it was just a well prepared stage crew!" He thought out loud, his excitement growing. The ghost looked at the screen, then to their friend. "Could you.. do it again?" They said floating away from the desk. "I uh.. could try?" He hesitates, outstretching his arms.
Both the monsters bracing themselves, Papyrus clears his mind, trying his hardest to clear his skull of all noise, and send out a small burst of magic.

Clank.

"You summoned.. a bone" "dangit." Papyrus groaned, quickly picking himself back up. "Then, I shall try again!" He exclaimed, focusing again.

Clunk.

"..that one's blue" the ghost pointed out, papyrus sighed, his thoughts filling more and more with doubt. "Maybe this time?" He said with a questioning tone, putting all his energy into trying to stay positive. 'Stay happy, stay happy, stay happy' he repeated in his head, this time his magic forming a small, dark blue mist, Then orange, hints of yellow, slowly building up into

Thunk.

"That's a.. skull?" Napstablook questioned, the blaster small and empty, soon fading away with the other attacks. "Oh phooey, I'm not exactly sure I can do it again Napstablook.." he said, defeat echoing through his voice.

Just as he started to give up, though, a small prick of light caught his vision. "Wha.." he started, interrupted by another slightly larger pin of light forming in the room. Stars, they were stars, surrounding him as the room darkened only a little. Looking around he saw the ghost, focusing. "Napstablook you can- This is wonderful!" He said in awe, a childlike wonder as he waved his arms in the light of the specks. "I can't.. do a lot of things you can.. but.. I know how to do this" they muttered, admiring Papyrus as he enjoyed the small lights that the ghost formed more and more of, carefully. "I've never seen anything like it! do you think you could do it on stage?" He said as he spun, the small stars stirring around him, Blook joining in as he floated around the room.
"Do.. you really think they'll like it?"
"I just know it!"

1075 words

(A longer chapter than usual! This one basically wrote itself, and I have art of Papyrus' costume on the way! Also, what do you guys think of 'Froid'? It's just cold in French, but it was the first thing I thought of. Peace, love and Autism, readers)