Just One Night

Planning

Over the last month Frisk had gotten swamped in her duties. There were rumors of an uprising circulating amongst the humans. She had her work cut out for her trying to quell the fears of the humans as well as make peace with the extremists. Reports had been flying in that monsters were seemingly attacking humans in the late of night. But how could they, they were forced back to Mt. Ebbot at the end of every day. She refused to believe in rumors and hearsay, opting to increase awareness. Educating the humans on monsters was her top priority since ignorance bred intolerance.

Reclining back in her office chair, she looked out the window watching the clouds for a moment to relax and gather her thoughts. Just being in the townhouse made her stomach twist in knits and give her a roaring headache. She sighed as she flipped open the manila folder lying on her desk deciding she had to focus. There were pictures of bloody pools in a dark alleyway and what looked like scorch marks along the pavement. She scanned the paper briefly noting the names of the possible victims, but since there were no bodies at the crime scene, they were only names of missing persons.

Her brow furrowed and her hand came up unconsciously rubbing her temple. How could there be no bodies? Was there a killer among the group? There was nothing to suggest it was a monster, but the burned earth only faltered her faith. What if a monster was on the loose harming citizens? This could break the alliance with the humans, and all the ground they've covered in the last few years.

Gently closing her eyes, she resigned herself to the possibility of it having been a monster attack, but she wouldn't cast blame on them, for all she knew it was an arsonist on the loose. She shut the file and put it away in her desk drawer, locking it after her. She gathered her coat and purse and set out, intent on going home. She called a quick farewell to the passing faces before rushing out into the biting wind and freezing cold.

Bundling up in her thick coat, she started down the street, hoping to get home before it got too dark. The sun was already setting by the time she rounded the corner to her apartment building. Thankfully nothing had happened, but with her ambassador status, she feared that sooner or later something was bound to happen.

She smiled at the security guard and wished him a good evening after gathering up her mail. She unlocked the apartment door and made her way inside kicking off her boots and hanging up her bulky jacket. She shuffled through the mail noting nothing of interest.

Sans called out to her from the kitchen where he was busy chowing down on some hotdogs. She giggled and made her way into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around his neck while he sat in his chair. With a quick peck to his cheek, she got up and went to reheat a burger from the fridge.

Sans waited until she was sat comfortably across him before they made idle chit chat about their day. Sans told her how he had been out doing more job hunting and she in turn talked about various news from the council. Everything was normal and fine until she told him about the newest scandal that a monster had murdered a group of people in an alley a few blocks over.

Sans visibly stiffened before forcing himself to relax, "So, the humans think it was a monster? What makes them so sure?"

Frisk only shrugged, "Charred marks were all over the ground along with puddles of dried blood. So naturally they're wary of monster attacks, but I mean that's just silly. Monsters aren't allowed outside past nightfall, you know that."

He nodded but kept his features neutral, it'd do no good to overreact when she didn't seem to connect him with the crime.

"Frisk, there is something I do need to talk with you about."

She stopped mid bite and set her burger down on the plate. The air was tense for a few moments and she gulped, whatever they were going to discuss was going to be serious. She nodded to Sans and he took in a deep breath before telling her his plan.

"Frisk, I think it would be best if Alphys and I came up with a way to cloak myself. I'd like to investigate the matters personally and I can't do that if I'm a skeleton." He reasoned with her. Although his motives weren't true, he still needed to have her help.

She looked hesitant, "I mean, I don't mind the idea, but I worry for your safety. If there is a killer on the loose I don't want you to be in harm's way."

He smiled and reached across the table, linking his bony hand in hers, "I understand, baby. But if there is a monster behind these killings, then it's my job to put a stop to it. We can't have our alliance with the humans broken by a rouge monster."

She nodded, frowning in thought. His words were true, their already fragile compromise wouldn't handle the strain of monster attacks. She squeezed his hand gently but smiled a little sadly.

"That's fine. I understand, just take care of yourself."

"I will, but baby I need your help."

She gave him a puzzled look and he quickly explained.

"Well, you see.. in order for the device to work, we will need a strong energy source in order to activate it. The only ones strong enough are you and my father. But he isn't really an option." His face fell and he looked down at their entwined hands silently hoping she wouldn't bring it up.

"Well, I don't mind helping, but I just need to know what to do." She murmured softly.

He explained that in order to use her energy, they would have to use a machine to draw out her soul and capture a bit of her determination. When she looked up at him in fear and confusion he went on to explain the process of the extraction and how Alphys and himself were going to be taking over the project.

They spent the next hour discussing the plan. She had finally agreed after he told her they would not force her to do this and she could back out at any point. But she knew she had to do this, the soul accountable for the murders must be stopped by any means.