chaotic [murder time trio]

chapter 7 : achievements

"You're all alive? Good."

Nightmare didn't tear his attention from the book he was reading, merely giving the three a glance.

"Of course. They're probably wondering what we're planning right now," Killer replied, obvious distaste in his tone. The three were all standing before Nightmare in the huge library he claimed as his office, having just arrived from their mission over an hour ago.

Nightmare hummed, turning to the cup of wine on the table. He picked the fancy glass up, and brought it to his mouth, taking a sip from it.

"Make sure that stays the same," Nightmare stated calmly, yet the wind of warning never ceased to get to the three. "I need more time..." He grumbled, his face scrunching subtly. "Until then, they should be far enough not to discover us. I can't risk another encounter after the last one."

"Sure," Killer was the one to answer, the two only nodding after him. Nightmare turned a page of his book, expression relaxing. The hooded skeleton looked at Killer, who knowingly returned his gaze. Horror sensed a silent conversation between the two. Their eye lights had told everything.

It was only cut short when Nightmare spoke up to officially adjourn the meeting. "You're all dismissed," He informed, never once looking at them. Killer only shrugged, about to usher the two towards the exit until Nightmare spoke again.

"Except Horror."

That two words alone sent chills down every bone of Horror's body. He turned his head back, blinking as he looked at Nightmare who never parted his gaze from the book.

"Uh..." Horror looked at the two, pointing at himself to confirm if he was the one being called. Killer held a puzzled look, but nodded to him nonetheless, encouraging him to stay. "Okay..."

He fully turned to Nightmare, walking back to the spot he had previously been on. He heard the door close, signifying there was only the two of them now. The quietness with the occasional tapping of Nightmare's finger on the table lingered for a moment before any of them spoke.

"It's almost been a week," Nightmare begun, his gaze averting to Horror.

"How was your stay?"

Horror blinked in relief and surprise. Relief because he expected more than a scolding, and surprise because it was obviously not like Nightmare to ask those kinds of questions in Horror's eye.

"Um..." He was at a loss of words as a million thoughts resurfaced to flood his mind. "Good...?" He reluctantly mumbled, audible enough for the other to hear. There was a pause before Nightmare nodded.

"I'm glad you find it a good experience... As you should," He put the book down, fully turning his attention to the Sans before him. Horror could feel his bones lock up in place as his cyan eye fixed on him. As crowded as his mind was, he couldn't formulate anything he can respond to Nightmare.

"I've observed some things with your performance," He shifted his focus, folding his arms and leaning back onto his chair. The absurdly long pause Nightmare let the atmosphere hang off of made Horror shift in discomfort and slight fear as he anticipated a harsh comment. He bowed his head a little.

"...and you are more than capable than I thought." Horror's head perked up in surprise.

"What?" He subconsciously blurted out, earning a small smirk from Nightmare.

"You've fixed a major problem, and you did it in less than a week, I commend you," Nightmare picked up his glass, taking a sip from it. He was clearly enjoying the shock and confusion he was picking up from the other.

"Dust and Killer had been on each other's throats ever since." With his continuation, Horror seemed to be enlightened. Nightmare quietly chuckled at his expression and proceeded.  "I admit, they are good assets, and I don't want to... lose... something of great potential."