Abominations for Solutions

Because of Chocolate Milk

The first thing that Dream noticed was the cold. The biting cold. And something else, a strange unnatural tension that split his bones just the tiniest bit. Apart from this it all seemed so familiar, he had been to this place before so many times, in so many different worlds. Snowdin. But what Snowdin. There were black splotches dotting the snow everywhere he looked, while cylinder-shaped objects littered the scenery in such a disgusting way that made Dream's soul pinch. A bitter gust of air lapped against his face, carrying faint notes of something rancid. He reached into his pocket, touching the flower. He didn't know what this barren AU was. He'd be surprised if there were any inhabitants at all. It could be one of those graveyard genocide AUs... that would explain why the place made his soul hurt so much.

His hand reached into his pocket, the flower's aura matched the very same one intoxicating this seemingly dead world. It gripped his fingers.

Cross appeared by Dream's side, noticing the distant expression on Dream's face. "What are you thinking?" Cross asked, folding his arms around his chest. Dream knew that likely meant he was scared. Something Cross hadn't shown much of in Dreamtale. He tried to look serious and composed, though his sockets scanned his surroundings with an obvious flit.

Dream shook his head, dragging his mind away from the vacant roar of emptiness stretching down the abandoned line of shops. "Nothing. It's just that why does this exist, who would do this? Just another reminder that not everyone can be helped." Dream's eyes grew wider, intense with a troubling emotion. His features hardened. "We have to keep moving. Here." Dream once again removed the flower from his pocket, his fingers poised as to avoid touching the petals. I can feel it. Down there, the aura leads down there."

"Where?"

"I don't know. Not exactly. Could be anywhere."

"Dream..." Cross started, beginning to say something, but his words were swept away. He touched Dream's shoulder. Soon enough Cross knew Dream was too lost in thought to notice him. He didn't even flinch.

Dream rubbed his temple and began to focus on identifying the possible theme of this AU. He read the business signs, well the ones that were still in one piece, or there at all. No one was around. Not a single soul. He was now confident it was a genocide route. His eyes traced a gray sky, swirling with strange-smelling smoke. A few strands of rainbow lights lazily slopped off dilapidated roofs, occasionally gasping in color against stained wood and the dark horizon.

"Dream," Cross said again, lightly tugging at the guardian's arm, causing him to jump out of his trance. Dream followed Cross' blank gaze towards a sagging building off in the distance, half buried by a bank of snow. "I need to get something."

"Cross!" Dream exclaimed, noticing that the building Cross was pointing to was, in fact, a Grillbys. " I don't even think anyone is in there to give drinks. I mean, look at it. Look at everywhere. This is a dead world. And we don't have time for snacks, anyway. We..."

Cross' eyes narrowed, forming embarrassed half-circle slits. "I know... but can we at least try? I just need a drink, like chocolate milk, it will be quick, I promise."

Something that looked like fondness formed on Dream's face, but only for a moment, before it sunk back into his distant complexion. "You know we've been working on your addiction, Cross."

"I'm sorry Dream, when everything's ok again, I'll..."

"Yeah. When everything's ok." Dream interrupted.

"I'm sorry," Cross said, his eyes setting in place. "I know how important it is to keep on track, but I can't help either of us if I'm not in my right mind."