Reborn As A Dust Sans [Undertale Multiverse]

Ch53 - Sci

Ashe’s POV

Sci walked in before you had a chance to ask Red to clarify what he meant by others being targeted by the destroyer. You decided to file that information away for later, turning to the scientist with a tilted head.

“Huh. You two are getting along better than I though,” he muttered. In his left hand was a porcelain mug with the text ‘#1 nerd’, probably a prank gift of sorts, and you could smell the clear scent of vodka. You cringed a little.

“Eh. They ain't that bad,” Red shrugged casually. 

‘Can you please look at the collar now? I don't mean to rush you, I just…’

“Yeah, I'll have a look at it. Take a seat on here-” he gestured to a sort of examination bench - “so I can take a closer look without having to bend to your height.”

Said bench was a little tall for you. You heard Red chuckle, and felt magic being used to help you upwards, making it easier to get up. Why was it so high anyway? You signed a quick thankyou to Red once you were seated comfortably.

Sci looked over some papers, sat down on a chair with wheels, then rolled over to you. “Just tilt your head back for me so I can take a closer look,” he directed. You complied. “I'm going to be moving close and touching the collar a lot. Just speak up if you are uncomfortable or need a break or something.”

Only after you nodded did he begin to look it over. He carefully slid his fingers over the cool metal of the collar, seemingly searching for something on its surface, only to frown and mutter something about a lack of release buttons. 

When he did not find what he was looking for,  he tried lightly tapping various places, then leaned in close, using a torch against the surface, seemingly looking for any deformities or markings in the metal. 

You had to close your eyes to not become dizzied by the invasion of your space. The moments passed by unbearably slowly, and you flinched a few times, but Sci never touched you directly, just the collar itself.

“Hmm… on a surface level examination, I don't see any clear way to remove it. Are you okay with me using my scanners to get more information?” He asked. You nodded. “...You look awfully uncomfortable. We can take a break, if you need.”

You shook your head, a little too overwhelmed to sign right now, charcoal phalanges playing with the tattered edge of your black scarf. It was helping to keep you grounded. As overstimulated as you were, you wanted to get this done. 

“..Alright. I'll be using the scanner now. Just stay stay still for a moment.”

You kept your gaze fixated on the scarf. A brief smile turned the corner of your mouth when you noticed the enamel pins Ink had gifted you. You really did like them a lot.

From your very first interactions with Ink, you would have thought she was the leader of the star sanses. After being kidnapped, though, you were fairly sure Dream was the one pulling the strings. Could you get Ink and Blue away from Dream someday? You did like them both. 

Was that just wishful thinking though? Dream was scary and manipulative. You didn't want to deal with him again, yet… you felt the need to help your friends. Would they even listen if you tried to talk about it?

You were pulled from your thoughts as a small device in Sci's hand let out a series of high pitched beeps. The little LED screen was lit up with text in a language made of strange liggle pictures, so you couldn't identify a single word of it, though Sci clearly could by the various expressions that crossed his features.

‘Did… you find something bad?’ You signed nervously at his silence.

“Huh? Oh, no, its just finished scanning,” he explained. He kept reading then gave a heavy sigh. “Sciencetale has made a lot of technological advancements, both as a result of its isolation from humanity and the influx of outcode interaction, but this is… admittedly too far outside of my area of expertise,” the scientist let out.

You felt your soul somk at those words. Did that mean he could not help you?

“If it were a normal suppression collar, I would likely be able to dismantle it with some time, but this uses a fell-world ownership collar its base. I have no idea how to safely approach those.”

Your mouth was dry. You couldn't even formulare a response.

“A fell verse? Fuckin’ ell, that ain’t good. Ya think its from a mafiafell, maybe?” Red piped up from the side. You hadn’t heard of that au before, but judging based on name alone, it sounded like a place best avoided.

“It could be. Despite being carbon fibre and steel, the actual construction of it is more consistent with an amateur engineer,” Sci continued with a grimace. 

“Soo… black market shit?”

“That would be a likely scenario,” he confirmed. “I’m sorry, Ashe, but I don’t think there is anything I can do. Since this was a handmade construction, the usual failsafe methods aren’t able to be used - whoever made this didn’t intend for it to come off unless you were dust,” he explained apologetically. 

You tried to force down the rising panic, but your crestfallen expression was obvious to everybody in the room. ‘Is there anyone else you know who might be able to help? If it came from a mafiafell verse, do you think maybe one of them could help?’

Red was the next to respond to that question. “They don’t do shit without compensation. Unless ya got a fuck ton of G, they probably won’t do shit for ya and even if they do, they’re known for trying ta fuck you over still.”

‘...Could I borrow some G?’

Red snorted. “Fuck no, but ya got guts for asking.”

A soft beeping from the scanner Sci had used earlier drew the scientists attention away from you and Red. Adjusting his glasses, he gave the device a thorough read, then muttered a quiet, “Oh, that’s surprising…”

‘What’s surprising?’ you signed, but he hadn’t looked up.

Red threw a paper plane at Sci, startling the scientist. “Ashe was askin’ ya something, ya big nerd,” he chortled.

Sci looked at you finally, and you signed the question a second time. He looked thoughtful in response. “It was just a tertiary scan. I think I've figured out a solution, but I'm not certain,” he explained. “Excuse me for just a moment while I make a call.”