Reborn As A Dust Sans [Undertale Multiverse]

Ch10 - FarmTale

Ashe's POV

This timeline was definitely different to what you had expected upon arriving. You were fully prepared to be in another version of the underground, but you instead found yourself standing in what was clearly a region that was clearly on the surface. There were blue skies high above you, filled with fluffy white clouds, and the sun was shining brightly.

This place appeared to be primarily farmlands. You could see the rolling stretches of green, where horses wandered about and cows lazily munched on the grass. There were also large areas with crops, from fields of wheat adorned with eerie scarecrows, to various sections with vegetables such as pumpkins and watermelon.

Not too far from where you were standing was a decent sized house, the dull brown wood reminding you a little of your home back in Snowdin. You felt excited at the prospect of learning more about this place. Exploring was just so much fun!

Blinking rapidly for a moment whilst your eyes adjusted to the change in light, you turned to Papy with a sudden realisation. ‘Oh, I completely forgot to tell Outer that I’m not Dust... I hope that doesn’t cause any problems in the future.’

“WELL, IF A PROBLEM DOES OCCUR, I’M SURE YOU COULD FIND A SOLUTION. PREFERABLY ONE THAT INCLUDES STABBING.”

The snort of laughter that escaped you was met only by his sharp toothed grin. ‘You’re really stab-happy, huh? Maybe I should start calling you Stabby Papy,’ you signed with a playful grin.

“NYEH HEH HEH! THE STABBIEST!” He declared, posing dramatically to emphasise his point. You couldn’t smiling, which seemed to make him smile even more.

‘So where are we? Nothing looks familiar. We aren’t even underground anymore...’

“WE ARE IN.. UHHH.... A NEW TIMELINE! YES! I TOTALLY KNOW WHICH ONE! YEP!”

Papy was clearly a little flustered at not knowing the location. ‘Its okay if you don’t know, Papy, I’m sure we can just ask somebody here,’ you managed to sign out with a giggle.

“I’M NOT SURE IF IT HELPS, BUT I WAS AIMING FOR THE ONE OUTER CALLED FARMTALE.”

‘Well, it does seem very farm-y here, so maybe it worked,’ you reasoned. ‘We should probably find the local Sans and Papyrus so they know we are here. Wouldn't want to be attacked for tresspassing...’ The ghost of your brother gave a hum of agreement, and the two of you begun to traverse your way to the wooden house in hopes that there might be people there you could speak to. 

In the end, you barely took even five whole steps before a loud booming voice called out to you from the porch, a stranger quickly leaping over the small fence and making their way to you with an enthusiastic grin. You recognised them instantly as a Papyrus type.

“HELLO, FRIEN’ DUST! ARE YER HERE WITH HORROR AN’ THE OTHERS?” The skeleton wore a large wide-brimmed hat, bones having been bleached an intense white from working so often in the sun. He wore denim overalls with patches sewn in where you assumed they had been worn down, a checkered button up underneath with sleeves that were haphazardly rolled up.

‘Good morning! Do you know how to sign?’ You motioned once he was close enough that he would be able to see without difficulty. He watched you carefully, squinting a little as though he couldn’t see well, so you made sure to sign slowly for him.

“OH! I CAN'T SIGN VERY WELL, BUT I CAN INTERPRET YER JUS’ FINE! DID SOMETHIN’ HAPPEN TO YER VOICE?”

You shook your head. ‘I’m sorry for the confusion, but my name is Ashe, not Dust. I’m just a traveller exploring the different universes. What should I call you?’

“OH! I AM SORRY FER MISTAKIN YA, NEW FRIEN’ ASHE! I JUS’ GO BY CROP, AN’ YER IN FARMTALE #201!”

‘It’s nice to meet you, Mr Crop!’ you signed with a smile.

“NICE MEETING YA TOO, NEW FRIEN’ ASHE!” He exclaimed, already having enveloped your hand with his own as he begun to enthusiastically lead you away. “COME MEET MY BROTHER, FARM! YER GONNA LOVE ‘IM!”

You made no effort to escape his grip, instead stifling giggles as you were dragged along by the excitable giant, clearly having fun. Just as the two of you went to bypass the back of the little house and head to the barn, you turned back, noticing a sleeping skeleton on a rocking chair of the back porch.

Crop followed your gaze with a curious expression, only to stop running along when he recognised this brother. “SAAANS! WHAT ARE YER DOING SLEEPIN’ STILL? YER MEANT TO BE COLLECTING TH’ EGGS!”

“Heh. Sorry bro. Guess I’m just-“ 

“SANS, NO-“ Crop attempted to interrupt, but it seemed to be for nought as Farm continued what was obviously about to be a joke or pun of dome sort.

“-Eggcelent at procrastinating!”

“NYEH! YER PUNS ARE TERRIBLE!” Crop practically wailed in disappointment, releasing his grip on your hand to sort of throw his arms in the air.

“Sorry bro, I shouldn’t egg ya on like that,” he continued, making you snicker silently. 

“BROTHER! NO MORE! YER GOIN’ TA TAINT OUR GUEST!”

“...Guest?” he drawled out, peaking through half lidded sockets to take in your appearance. He barely kept his eyes open longer than a few seconds, clearly having no concerns about seeing an alternate version of him standing by his sibling. “Oh, Howdy Dust. Yer needin’ somethin?”

You had to resist the urge to facepalm. It was beginning to become a little upsetting that nobody seemed to view you as, well, you. Thankfully, Crop seemed to notice your discomfort and immediately corrected his brother.

“FARM! THIS ISN’ YER FRIEND DUST, THIS IS A SANS CALLED ASHE! HE’S HERE TA EXPLORE!”

That seemed to get Farm’s attention. Whilst he still had that same laid back attitude and lazy posture, his eyelights moved to you with more focus to them, fixating as though trying to discern something. 

You could feel his magic wash over you in an attempted CHECK, but whatever he saw seemed to confuse him, expression contorting slightly. “Huh. Weird,” he mumbled quietly to himself, then shrugged. “So, what can we do fer ya, Ashe? We don’ usually get many trav’llers.”

‘I was told that this timeline was neutral and was hoping to ask permission to stay for a few days so I can explore a little, and maybe practice my magic if there’s an empty area I could do that. I don’t think I would be welcome most places due to looking so much like Dust.’

Sans gave a bit of a shrug. “So long as ya don’t cause trouble by damagin’ crops or wastin’ food or somethin, I don’ mind yer stayin’ if my bro don’ mind it. Jus’ keep in mind tha’ if yer cause trouble, it isn’ gonna end well for ya.”

You nodded, not at all minding the subtle threat, and turned to Crop to make sure that he was still alright with you staying.

“I WOULD LOVE FER YA TO STAY, ASHE! LUNCH ISN’ FER A FEW HOURS, AN’ I HAVE TA GO ‘ROUND AN’ DO SOME CHORES, BUT WE CAN DO SOME PUZZLES LATER AFTER! DO YER WANT TA HELP OUT ON TH’ FARM OR DO YER WANT TA DO YER OWN THING FER NOW?”

‘I would love to help!’ you signed enthusiastically, earning you a chuckle from both versions of Papyrus and an ever so slightly suspicious look from Farm. ‘What do you want me to do?’

“HM. WELL, IF MY LAZYBONES BROTHER WON’T DO HIS CHORES, I SUPPOSE YOU COUL’  COLLECT EGGS FROM TH’ CHICKENS, AN THEN I’LL SHOW YER HOW TA MILK OL’ BETTY AN’ LOUISE!”

‘That sounds like fun!’ you agreed, eager to meet the animals and help the brothers out

“I WILL BE RIGHT BACK! JUS’ HAVE TA GET YER ONE OF TH’ SPARE HATS FER SUN PROTECTION!” Crop declared with a grin, quickly disappearing into the house before you had a chance to respond.