Secrets Are Ba(n)d

Part 26: Red Rebellion.

Then, as quickly as he'd put it on, he rendered it perfectly invisible. It took some practice, a great amount of effort, but it was needed for the picturesque climax of the song. Needed for the rebellion he knew he'd started to lead. Needed to remind him of the monster who'd started all of this.

He checked his phone for the time, an encouraging "...Good luck... Or break a leg?... You got this..." Flashing on his screen from his beloved ghostly counterpart. Before he finished typing his 'thank you's, a quiet knock stole his attention from the device.

"Mr.. Mr.Soul? Hi, it's almost time for you to go on stage, so, would you mind following me?" A timid monster pipped from behind the closed door, voice cracking with obvious nerves. Froid quickly tossed his phone in his pocket, opening the door with a smile he mirrored to his mask.

"Please, just call me Froid," he replied as he stepped out, the young dragon-monster mimicking with a frightful step back.

"Of course, Mr.Froid! I apologize," she squeaked, a small stream of smoke spilling from her mouth as she did, much to her visible embarrassment.

"Right this way," she continued despite it, shutting her mouth tightly after to keep from filling the hall with smog. Froid followed, nervous himself with what he was about to do, though he could hardly focus on it as she nervously struggled to lock her jaw in place. Her hands more than once held her muzzle shut, her eyes avoiding his in what he assumed was a similar anxiety to what he was feeling now.

"Are.. you alright?" He asked as he avoided the gaze of the posters staring from the walls, her jaw unclenching after a minute more of fighting. A plume of smoke raced from her mouth as she did, her eyes tearing up as it filled her face.

"Ah! I'm sorry sir, this happens when I'm nervous, please don't tell my boss," she ranted with small steps forward, like stopping for a second would cost her greatly. Froids words froze with the admittance, unsure of how what to say or do, until Papyrus could hardly stop himself from trying his best to spill some kind of encouragment out.

It's what he'd have wanted someone to say to him, and Froid was supposed to be a good role model, after all.

"That's.. so cool! Doing my smoke effects is one of the hardest parts of the show, and you can do it without even trying?" He mused, catching up to her pace with a pep in his step that, for a brief second, made her stop.

"You.. think it's cool? The Froid thinks I'm cool?" She repeated, wiping her damp eyes dry while the hall cleared.

"Of course! Actually, if you aren't busy, could I ask you a favor?" He hushed, leaning down to her eye level to better add to his mysterious inquiry.

"Of course, Mr.Froid! It's.. kinda my job." She replied, though it didn't put out his dramatics.

"Well, I've hardly had a chance to eat today, and I've been so worried my fog will take up all my magic on stage!" He explained, standing in a signature Papyrus Pose™ as his preposition became obvious.

"Would you do me the favor of being my fog provider?" He asked with a level of dramatics countering only Mettaton's, rewarded as the teen laughed in cringing admiration.

"I'd.. be honoured to do so, sir!" She accepted with an attempted dramatic flare, quickly interrupted as her watch beeped angrily at her.

"Ah! We have to get you on stage, thank you for the opportunity, Mr.Froid!" She explained between quick steps, Froid following behind with gliding ease at the successful cheer-up. It was a mutual deal still, he wasn't lying about his nervousness around magic on stage, it lifted a burden from his chest he didn't realize he carried. And, hopefully, made her feel a little better too.