Undertale Yellow: AIRBORNE

by repulsiveHM

Summary:

Undertale Yellow: AIRBORNE is (infrequently updated) rarepair propaganda disguised as an actual story.

...nah, I'm just kiddin'. Well, mostly.

Picking up where the true pacifist ending of Undertale Yellow leaves off, this story follows a certain avian artisan and celestial sheriff as they help each other navigate their own personal cases of PCSD (Post Clover Stress Disorder) and beyond. Along the way, they may or may not start catching feelings for each other, but that probably won't amount to anything substantial in the long run, will it...?

Chapter 1: The Sun's Getting Low...

…

 

“Clover deserved better.

Not just in life…but in death, too.”

 

That's the thought that crossed Starlo's mind as, driven either by fate or his own curiosity, he entered the royal castle's coffin room. Spread out across the ground ahead were multiple coffins- likely placed in anticipation for the seven human SOULs needed to shatter the barrier. Each one was adorned with a heart, their respective colors likely correlated with the occupant's SOUL. Not too far from the entrance was a coffin with a yellow heart, and upon laying eyes on it, Starlo immediately began to think.

 

Leaving Clover out in the cold, accompanied by nothing but a Sakura tree raining its petals down on them…it felt wrong. They deserved a proper place to rest. It was the least Starlo could do for the child, after everything they had done not only for him, but for his friends, and monsterkind as a whole.

 

It was as though Starlo's body moved on its own as he exited the castle. Though paradoxical given what his original line of thought would suggest, his first destination was not the balcony where Clover gave up their SOUL…but rather, his own house back in the Wild East. There was…something he needed to grab first.

 

He entered his room, eyes immediately drawn to his bed's top bunk. He climbed up the ladder to get to it, lowering his head slightly in order to not collide with the ceiling. Carefully, he grabbed two items off of his bed: a pale, poofy pillow, and a blanket adorned in a pattern of stars. Upon obtaining these items, he booked it back to New Home, luckily not having to brave the trials of the Steamworks thanks to the ever-convenient Mail Whale transportation service.

 

As Starlo got closer to the site of Clover's sacrifice, his heart grew heavier. This wasn't a sight he wanted to see…but he felt as though he owed it to his late friend to see this through. He had already gone to the trouble of getting the pillow and blanket…it was too late to just hop out of the driver's seat and say this was a bad idea. Eventually, he made it there, the sight of Clover's motionless body being just as gut-wrenching as he predicted. His lip quivers, his eyes strain…but he keeps walking. Upon reaching Clover, he set the pillow to the side for a moment, scooping them up in his arms and gently slinging them over his shoulder. It really, REALLY hurt to see them like this…but again, the decision has already been made. The star-covered blanket is draped over them, obscuring most of their body. Carefully picking up the pillow with his other hand, Starlo let out a dejected sigh. All that was left to do now was–

 

“Starlo…?”

 

“What in tarnation–?!”

 

…a familiar voice derails Starlo's train of thought. He jolts up in surprise, quickly turning around to see Martlet standing by the entrance.

 

“Oh, shoot, did I startle you…?! My bad!”

 

“Uhh…maybe knock next time?”

 

“But there's no door.”

 

“I dunno, knock on the…pavement, or somethin’??”

 

Both monsters start laughing, although Starlo was still clearly a bit shaken from Martlet’s sudden arrival. Despite how welcome it was to Starlo's rapidly deteriorating emotional state, this moment of jocularity came to a grinding halt as quickly as it had begun. The laughter died down, and Martlet's face donned a more somber expression.

 

“...you’re here to pick them up too, I take it? I assume you also saw the coffins…”

 

“Yeah…”

 

“...”

“So…what's up with all the extras?”

 

“Gotta make sure Clover's nice ‘n comfy, don't I? And beyond that, I…”

 

Starlo pauses. He looks down at the ground with brooding eyes. Holding back tears, he takes a deep breath, and looks back at Martlet.

 

“...I guess it's easier on me to pretend I'm just tuckin’ them in for a nap.”

 

Martlet winces.

 

“O-oh, I'm sorry…! Did I–”

 

“No…no, you're fine. And I get it. It just…hasn't fully set in for me that they're gone, y'know?”

 

“...yeah. Yeah, I know.”

 

The two monsters stand in contemplative silence for a few seconds. Eventually, Martlet pipes up once again, inching a bit closer to Star.

 

“Did you really plan to carry all of this by yourself…?”

 

“...don't worry about it.”

 

“Little too late for that, Starlo.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Martlet inches even closer, picking up the pace a bit. As the two were within mere millimeters away from each other, Starlo suddenly feels something soft brush across his knuckles. As he looks down to see what it was, he notices that Martlet has suddenly pulled her right feather closer to herself, holding it next to her hip with her left. When Starlo looks back up, he sees that Martlet has abruptly begun facing away from him.

 

“Uhh…you okay there?”

 

“Wha–? Yeah, I'm just fine…! I was just…thinking, that's all.”

 

She sounds embarrassed about something. Somehow, Starlo still has yet to connect the dots…

 

“...go oooooon?”

 

Beginning to regain her composure, Martlet attempts to steer the conversation back in its intended direction.

 

“I was thinking that…maybe I could help you out. Carrying this stuff, I mean.”

 

She felt a bit gross after lumping Clover’s dead body in with the aforementioned “stuff”, but she didn't know how else to phrase it.

 

“Oh. Well, no objections from me. I could use the extra pair of hands– errr…wings.”

 

Starlo lets out an awkward, yet somewhat infectious chuckle. Martlet stifles her own laughter a bit. Though even as they attempted to make light of the situation, the original feeling of melancholy eventually crept back in as Martlet took the pillow and blanket, leaving Clover’s motionless body fully in view for all to see. Martlet looks away again, firmly clutching the items she had just taken off of Starlo's hands.

 

“...”

 

“Take your time.”

 

Starlo uses his free hand to pat Martlet on her shoulder. Her expression softens- a smile twinged with grief forms on her face. The two lock eyes for a moment…

 

“...alright, ready now. Lead the way.”

 

Wordlessly, Starlo walked off of the balcony, with Clover in tow. This walk to the castle wasn't at all dissimilar from the previous one with Ceroba and the SOUL…but there was this inexplicable air to this second trek that the first one lacked. A mutual, unspoken feeling lingered in the air…but neither Starlo nor Martlet could pin down exactly what it was. Something to ponder at a later date...?

 

It wouldn't be long until the two of them reached the coffin room once again. After uncomfortably shuffling past the first two coffins, they knelt next to the third one, which bore a yellow heart on the front of its lid.

 

…neither of them wanted to touch it. It felt like in doing so, they would be resigning themselves to the fact that Clover was gone forever. Try as they might, that wasn't something they could fully stomach…not yet.

 

“Err…your wings are full. I'll–”

 

Abruptly, Martlet sets the bedding down and opens the coffin. Her wings shake as she does so.

 

“...don't worry about it.”

 

She looks miserable.

 

“...”

“Little too late for that, Martlet.”

 

“Eh…?”

 

With a visibly strained expression, Starlo gently slides Clover into the coffin, raising his head slightly once they fit perfectly inside. The two mourning monsters stare directly into each other's eyes once again. Starlo's tone grows dead serious, yet…compassionate. Almost calming.

 

“...you didn't have to go to all this trouble to help me out, you know. This is all clearly taking a pretty big toll on you.”

 

Part of Martlet wanted to retort. To brandish a comically derailing comeback, denying the extent to which her heart has been scarred. As she opened her beak to say something, Starlo continued.

 

“If you feel like you've gotta take a break…feel free.”

 

“...”

“I take enough breaks already.”

 

“Martlet…”

 

Martlet angrily stands up.

 

“Ceroba was right…! All along, I was dragging Clover by a leash, putting them in danger over and over and over! ”

 

“Martlet.”

 

“I–!!”

 

She hangs her head down in shame, her voice going from a distressed shout to a gloomy mutter.

 

“...it's the least I can do to make it up to them. Not just that, but…I thought, maybe, it'd ease the heartache.”

 

“...”

 

“Starlo...you've been so matter-of-fact about this all along. How? How do you do it? How do you manage that PAIN?”

 

Starlo's voice quivers as he speaks up once again.

 

“...you say that like it's some kinda magic incantation. Healing ain't gonna come easy, as much as we all want it to. It's a process.”

 

“Well, how does it START?

 

…Starlo removes his hat. Tears fall from behind his glasses like mini waterfalls.

 

“W-well, first thing's first…you cry.”

 

Martlet stood there in shock for a second. She didn't even notice that she, too, was shedding tears. As the reality of the moment hits her, she smirks, shrugging her shoulders.

 

“Well…aye-aye, captain…!”

 

Martlet silently laughs at the anticlimax of Starlo's answer. 

 

That laughter quickly turns into agonized weeping, as Martlet stumbles toward Starlo and pulls him into a hug. The latter's pain was much more silent, but equally as existent.

 

This was a moment of catharsis just as much as it was a moment of pain. As the bluebird and celestial body sobbed in each other's arms, it felt as though a weight was being taken off their shoulders. This whole time, they had been putting on a brave face, just as Clover did for them in their last moments. Being able to finally drop the stoicism and lay their aching hearts bare…was more liberating than words could feasibly express.

 

Eventually, it stopped, and the two of them resumed where they left off. With Clover having been placed inside the coffin, next up was the bedding. Martlet raises Clover's head a bit, sliding the pillow underneath. Afterward, Starlo's blanket was draped neatly over them, its sides being patted down to fit within the coffin.

 

…

 

They looked like they were at peace.

 

The lid closes with a loud “thunk.”

 

With their job finished, Martlet stood back up.

 

“Guess that's that, then. You, uh, wanna head to the Wild East and grab a drink or something…?”

 

Starlo has not moved from his position by the coffin.

 

“...I'll meet you there. Just…gotta take care of somethin’ first.”

 

“Ah…okay.”

 

The moment is dominated by a solemn silence until Starlo decides to say some parting words. There is a palpable, familiar sincerity to them.

 

“I'm sorry the world is like this…”

 

“...’but people like you make it better.’”

 

Starlo jolts up, his head whipping back to look at Martlet.

 

“...eh?!”

 

“Pfft…where'd you learn that one, sheriff?”

 

“...”

“Just…a little somethin’ I picked up on.”

 

“Man, just steal ALL my words, why don't you?”

 

The duo exchanges one more hearty chuckle, as Martlet turns the corner and once again starts to leave. A slight hint of red appeared on her cheek, but Starlo was too far away to notice.

 

“...thanks. I think you make the world better, too.”

 

“Heh. I try my best.”

 

Martlet waves.

 

“See you around, Star.”

 

Starlo tips his hat forward.

 

“See you around, Feathers.”

 

A feeling had risen within Starlo…it was warm and fuzzy. Before he knew it, he found himself blushing…but he quickly snapped himself back to reality. He'd worry about whatever that was later.

 

As the thud of Martlet's boots on the castle floor slowly grew more and more quiet, Starlo looked back to Clover’s grave. He sighs- there was still one last thing he meant to do.

 

“I know it's not much, but…”

 

Starlo removes the gold star from his poncho.

 

“...you give me somethin’ of yours, I give you somethin’ of mine. Only fair, ain't it?”

 

He places the star in between the heart and writing on the coffin. With a bittersweet smile on his face, Starlo stands back up and turns to face the exit.

 

“...”

“Sweet dreams… sheriff .”

 

He strikes his classic finger gun pose, and with that, he too takes his leave…

Chapter 2: Hell-Kept Secret

Summary:

Were you expecting your Starlet fanfic to take a turn for the horror-y? Well, strap in, because things are about to get...dicey.

Finally deciding to keep the promise she made to Ceroba about Kanako, Martlet secretly plans to turn what would otherwise be a rather uneventful shift into an infiltration mission. Tasked with keeping an eye on Alphys' lab while surveillance is down, our feathery friend sees this as an opportunity to get the closure that she and the gang have been waiting for. However, this opportunism causes her to unwittingly enter a certain lion's den that she could never have been prepared for...

Don't worry. We'll get back to the mushy romance material as soon as this True Lab stuff blows over. With this being a solo outing for Martlet, you can just think of it more as an interlude than an actual chapter...even if it is pretty long. Sorry-not-sorry...?

Notes:

By the way: this chapter is heavily inspired by an Undertale Yellow comic by @PointyPotatoPuff on Twitter, so you should definitely check that (and their other stuff) out if/when you have the time.

“Kanako's wellbeing is still a valid concern.”

“I have connections to the Royal Scientist, so…”

“I'll begin an investigation. Try my best to help.”

 

…

 

It's been a week since Martlet made that promise…and she had to follow through on it sooner or later.

 

Today was shaping up to be just like any other day- stationed in Hotland again, Martlet was tasked with keeping an eye on the Royal Scientist's laboratory while she took care of matters elsewhere.

 

…of course, things couldn't be that simple- not today. There was a little something extra Martlet had put on her schedule in preparation for this.

 

“So, where are you off to in such a hurry? And…what's in the box?”

 

“O-oh, me? Um…”

 

Standing just outside the lab’s main entrance, Alphys and Martlet discussed the current plan of action.

 

Or…lack thereof, in Martlet’s case. At least, presumably.

 

“I'm still waiting on the new security budget, s-so in the meantime…I decided to move the lab's cameras to Waterfall.”

 

“Waterfall…?”

 

“A-AND Snowdin! Y-yeah…!”

“So…keep an eye on the place while surveillance is down, ‘kay? This shouldn't take too long, a-an hour tops, but in case you get bored, there SHOULD be some stuff around to keep you…o-occupied, I guess??”

 

“...that sounds counterproductive, no?”

 

“A-ah…err…yeah, you're right…! I take it back, don't touch anything!”

 

Martlet awkwardly chuckles.

 

“...aye-aye, captain.”

 

Alphys hastily leaves, cameras in tow.

 

“...”

 

With the doctor gone, Martlet turns her head towards the lab entrance. Resolute, yet…reluctant.

 

“ An hour tops , huh? That should be more than enough.”

 

Before entering, she takes one last look behind her…is Alphys gone yet?

 

Yep, totally out of view- back to the lab again!

 

“...”

“Wh-why…”

“Why do I feel like I'm gonna regret this later…?”

 

 

 

MAIN LAB

ONE HOUR BEFORE ALPHYS RETURNS

Upon walking inside, Martlet sees that the place…definitely hasn't been cleaned up in a while. All sorts of different things were scattered across the floor, from rusty action figures to empty ramen cups. Not a good look for the literal Royal Scientist , but it's not like Martlet had much room to scold anyone for being disorganized. Besides, she was here on a mission. She didn't have time to play maid for anyone.

 

…having said that, she was a bit curious. It wouldn't hurt if she wandered around a bit, right? Noticing an escalator on the other side of the room, Martlet hopped on, deciding to do a bit of snooping.

 

The second floor was…well, it was at least MORE well put together than the previous one. Again, not like Martlet had much ground to stand on, but…yikes.

 

There wasn't much on this floor that really caught her eye, save for a few unconventional inventions. However, right before she left, her eyes were drawn to a pile of unread letters on a table. Maybe they had something to do with this “lab” business? She picked up a few from the pile, sifting through them one by one.

 

“Let's see here. Froggit…”

“Snowy…”

“…”

“Doggo…?”

 

Huh. Martlet certainly wasn't expecting to see a coworker among the unread letters. This might run deeper than she thought.

 

Pocketing Doggo and Snowy's letters, she continued to look through the pile, recognizing a handful of names from Snowdin. Eventually, she reached the bottom of the pile…

 

…to see a letter from Ceroba .

 

“...”

 

She puts this letter in her pocket as well, before getting on the escalator leading downward.

 

By now, she's basically seen the lab in its entirety. There was only one thing she hadn't yet checked out (only one thing of importance, anyway), and that was…the elevator.

 

As Martlet stepped closer and closer to it, a palpable feeling of dread began to linger in the air. Somehow, she felt as though she was making a mistake. Couldn't she just leave this problem be, and…do her actual job?

 

…

 

No. No, it wouldn't be right for her to just back out now. This was just something that had to be done, whether she liked it or not.

 

For Ceroba.

For Starlo.

For Kanako.

 

…and maybe even for herself, too.

 

 

 

TRUE LAB - MAIN ROOM

FIFTY-FIVE MINUTES BEFORE ALPHYS RETURNS

As the elevator's long descent drew more and more to a close, the pit in Martlet's stomach only intensified. The closer it got to the bottom floor, the more the overhead lights began to dim. This ride alone was enough to give Martlet some really bad vibes…but she stood firm.

 

“Deep breaths, Martlet…deep breaths.”

 

It's been less than a minute, yet Martlet already feels as though she's been here for hours. For a moment, everything slows to a crawl…it's dead silent. Then…

 

THUD!

 

The elevator reaches its destination with a mighty shake, almost knocking Martlet off balance. The doors slowly peel open, revealing a dark, run-down corridor. It Was almost impossible for Martlet to see what was in front of her…but she pressed onward.

 

As she walked through the hollow hall, automated panels began to light up on the wall to her left. At first, she was startled, but saw upon a second glance that they had words on them. They seemed to be dedicated diary entries, or something of the sort.

 

“...should I really be reading these?”

 

Martlet felt as though she was invading Alphys’ privacy. Then again, that CLEARLY didn't stop her from coming down here in the first place.

 

Ah, screw it. Why not, right? After all, they could be an important piece of this whole Kanako puzzle. Martlet began with the first entry, deciding to work her way up from there.

 

ENTRY NUMBER 1

This is it... Time to do what the King has asked me to do.

I will create the power to free us all.

I will unleash the power of the SOUL.

 

ENTRY NUMBER 2

The barrier is locked by SOUL power..

Unfortunately, this power cannot be recreated artificially.

SOUL power can only be derived from what was once living.

So, to create more, we will have to use what we have now...

The SOULs of monsters.

 

ENTRY NUMBER 3

But extracting a SOUL from a living monster would require incredible power...

Besides being impractical, doing so would instantly destroy the SOUL's host.

And, unlike the persistent SOULs of humans...

The SOULs of most monsters disappear immediately upon death.

If only I could make a monster's SOUL last…

 

…Martlet already didn't like where this was going.

 

If the tragedy of the Ketsukane family was anything to go off of, SOUL experimentation may seem promising on paper , but was bound to reap nothing but disaster if mishandled in any way. With all due respect towards Alphys…this was shaping up to be an absolute nightmare.

 

But hey, maybe Martlet will be proven wrong! Maybe Alphys has everything under control, and that pile of unread letters from earlier can be chalked up to some other external factor, right?

 

…

 

Martlet can only stay optimistic for so long.

 

ENTRY NUMBER 5

 

“W-wait, that doesn't seem right…!”

“No…read first, ask questions later. You're here to get to the bottom of this, remember? So what if these entries are…a little out of order? I-I forget to organize stuff all the time, it's fiiiine…”

 

I've done it.

Using the blueprints, I've extracted it from the human SOULs.

I believe this is what gives their SOULs the strength to persist after death.

The will to keep living... The resolve to change fate.

Let's call this power...

“Determination.”

 

Martlet looks at the ground, contemplatively.

 

“...”

“The resolve to change fate…?”

 

She let the question linger in the air for a few seconds, something clearly weighing heavily on her mind.

 

“Wh-what if I could've–”

“...no. No, that's just a pipe dream…”

 

Martlet takes a deep breath, and then continues deeper into the laboratory.

 

Upon entering the main room, Martlet was faced with what seemed to be a control panel with four flashing lights, a vending machine by the wall right next to it, as well as two diverging paths- one on the left, and one on the right. Instinctively, she decided to take the latter of the two paths, but not before not-so-subtly stealing a bag of Popato Chisps that was jammed into the vending machine's slot.

 

“I DID skip breakfast…may as well take a snack with m–”

 

…wait, why was the bag covered in goo…?!

 

“What the fu–?! EW!!”

 

Martlet discards the bag as soon as she even picks it up. She'd scrape her wing against something to get this weird gunk off…but the walls around here didn't exactly seem to be in a clean condition, and she literally finished sewing these jeans yesterday. Looks like she'll just have to deal with it…

 

“...what the hell HAPPENED down here…?!”

 

 

 

TRUE LAB - BEDROOM

FIFTY MINUTES BEFORE ALPHYS RETURNS

Upon turning the corner, more frames lit up on the wall next to her. The reading continues…

 

ENTRY NUMBER 12

nothing is happening. i don't know what to do.

i'll just keep injecting everything with "determination."

i want this to work.

 

“...”

 

Martlet's unease was spiking by the second.

 

ENTRY NUMBER 13

one of the bodies opened its eyes.

 

And it was here that it reached a fever pitch.

 

Suddenly, Martlet found herself steadily picking up speed. Whether out of a strong resolve to complete the mission, or a simple want to get the hell out of here , she speed-walked through the corridor until she reached…a bedroom.

 

Nine beds, all covered in dust. 

 

On one hand, they could just be old and deserted…but on another…

 

…

 

Martlet did not want to think about the possible implications of this. So, she discarded those thoughts, pressing onward.

 

In the corner of the room, there was another split path. One led up through a doorway, the other led right through a corridor. Right next to the doorway was another entry, which lit up as Martlet got close.

 

ENTRY NUMBER 14

Everyone that had fallen down...

... has woken up.

They're all walking around and talking like nothing is wrong.

I thought they were goners…?

 

…well, this was a bit reassuring! Maybe Kanako's totally fine after all!

 

Wait, no, there had to be a catch. Why would Alphys let all those letters go unanswered if there was nothing to hide…?

 

All of these entries have created more questions than answers.

 

And even worse? None of this has gotten Martlet any closer to finding a definitive answer to the Kanako conundrum. For every step forward, there's another twenty steps back. At this point, Martlet should probably just stop caring about these notes…but she can't just allow herself to leave any stones unturned. 

 

Personal obligation can be a cruel, cruel thing.

 

Regardless, she continued onward, opting to walk down the corridor first.

 

 

 

TRUE LAB - FLOWER ROOM

FIFTY-TWO MINUTES BEFORE ALPHYS RETURNS

As Martlet enters the next room, something in her peripheral vision starts to manifest. On the right side of the room was a long table, covered almost entirely in pots containing golden flowers. At the moment, Martlet had no idea what these were for. Maybe Alphys was saving them for a special someone…?

 

…

 

Martlet suddenly has the idea of taking one and bringing it back outside. She reaches towards one, seeming somewhat reluctant.

 

“...maybe, if I see Starlo again, I can give this to–”

 

Just as she makes contact with the flower, she hears an unintelligible gurgling sound behind her. In a flash, she tenses up, turning around and readying a feather attack…!

 

…

 

But nobody came…?

 

“...”

“Maybe my mind's just playing tricks on me…”

 

Martlet drops her battle stance, taking one last look at her surroundings. At a glance, everything seemed to be the same- but another lab entry had lit up on a screen right next to a mirror that was embedded into the wall. Guess she didn't notice it earlier…

 

ENTRY NUMBER 7

We'll need a vessel to wield the monster SOULs when the time comes.

After all, a monster cannot absorb the SOULs of other monsters.

Just as a human cannot absorb a human SOUL...

So then...

What about something that's neither human nor monster?

 

Martlet might be starting to piece together why all these flowers are here.

 

She looks back at the table, then down at her wing, horrified. Did Alphys…experiment on these…?

 

…she looks even further down the hall. There's another frame…

 

ENTRY NUMBER 10

experiments on the vessel are a failure.

it doesn't seem to be any different from the control cases.

whatever. they're a hassle to work with anyway.

the seeds just stick to you, and won't let go…

 

“ C-control cases…?!”

 

The bluebird's stress was building- Alphys DID use these as part of the “Determination” experiment. Now that she touched one of them, was she at risk of…

 

“...”

 

Martlet looks at herself in the mirror.

 

She takes a few deep breaths, attempting to calm herself down.

 

“N-nah, it's…fine. There I go, getting myself all worked up over nothing…!”

“Think positive , Martlet…this place may be really scary, and depressing, and honestly really friggin’ gross, but not everything here is out to get ya! You'll find Kanako, report back to Ceroba, and everything will be hunky-dory!”

 

As she gazes into the mirror, she strikes a few flamboyant poses.

 

“Hehe…maybe, after this, you could ask Starlo out on a–”

 

She abruptly stops, looking down at the ground awkwardly.

 

“...hah. Classic intrusive thought.”

 

Her mental state having been somewhat salvaged, Martlet turns back the way she came, seeing no more point in perusing the corridor.

 

…

 

Her reflection did not move.

 

As soon as she was gone, though, it abruptly began melting onto the ground, deforming Martlet's appearance into something grotesque- something unrecognizable .

 

It seemed as though the creature was oozing through the mirror, slowly emerging from it as though it were a painting brought to life from within a frame.

 

As soon as everything was out…the mass of gunk slowly began regenerating…

 

It began assuming its true form .

 

From the puddle rose a lanky, freakishly tall abomination. It almost resembled a flamingo, with its long legs and neck.

 

It lets out an infernal, incomprehensible clucking sound, and then vanishes into nothingness, seemingly folding into itself like a piece of paper.

 

…Martlet sticks her head out from around the corner, peeking into the corridor.

 

She groans in frustration, seeing nothing there.

 

“Ugh, AGAIN? I'm getting too jumpy…”

 

…

 

The Amalgamate briefly rematerializes one last time.

 

“There's still hope.”

 

And just like that, it's gone once again…

 

🤍 Reaper Bird got away.

 

 

 

TRUE LAB - DETERMINATION EXTRACTION MACHINE

FORTY-EIGHT MINUTES BEFORE ALPHYS RETURNS

Returning to the bedroom’s split path from earlier, Martlet decided this time to walk through the doorway. In front of her is another entry screen, sitting right in front of another fork in the road.

 

ENTRY NUMBER 15

Seems like this research was a dead end...

But at least we got a happy ending out of it...?

I sent the SOULS back to ASGORE, returned the vessel to his garden....

And I called all of the families and told them everyone's alive.

I'll send everyone back tomorrow. :)

 

“...well, THAT clearly hasn't happened. Maybe the next entry has some answers…”

 

Martlet takes the left route first, reading the next entry along the way.

 

ENTRY NUMBER 16

no No NO NO NO NO NO

 

“...”

 

The pit in Martlet’s stomach returned. Instinctively, she looked behind herself again, despite there being no sound to prompt her this time. It was now more clear than ever that at some point during Alphys’ experiments, something went horribly, horribly wrong. As for what specifically happened…Martlet still hadn't the slightest clue.

 

All she could gather, both from what she knew from Ceroba and what she's been learning from the entries, was that Kanako was still down here…and that she was in GRAVE danger.

 

Continuing forward, Martlet happened upon a massive, hulking machine, held up by wires protruding down from the ceiling. An air of intimidation surrounded the area around it, as holes in its sides gave off the impression of gaping, hollow eyes. In the back of her mind, Martlet was somewhat worried that something would jump out at her from inside the machine's pitch black crevasses. Clearly, this did not occur, as she shuffled her way past the contraption with no issue.

 

Another screen lit up on the wall, but this one was not an entry- it was a description, reading: 

DT EXTRACTION MACHINE

STATUS: INACTIVE

 

“DT Extraction Machine…?”

“Hmmm…DT… Determination ? Did Alphys use this to siphon Determination from the human SOULs?”

 

Martlet pondered to herself about this strange machine.

 

…this moment of pondering was cut short, as an unfamiliar presence emerged from behind a nearby doorway.

 

The room is suddenly filled with the visceral, disgusting sound of what seemed to be slime being dragged across the floor. The smell of sweet lemons lingers in the air. Martlet jolts up in shock and horror, her eyes fixated on the doorway at the other side of the DT Extraction Machine.

 

This wasn't just her mind playing tricks on her anymore.

 

This was real .

 

🤍 Lemon Bread has made its presence known and heard.

 

“Welcome to my special hell.” “Welcome to my special hell.” “Welcome to my special hell.”

“Welcome to my special hell.” “Welcome to my special hell.” “Welcome to my special hell.”

“Welcome to my special hell.” “Welcome to my special hell.” “Welcome to my special hell.”

 

“What are you…talking about…?!”

 

Martlet was practically paralyzed with fear. This was unlike anything she had ever seen before.

 

She backs away, taking slow, shaky steps. Lemon Bread's teeth chatter and shake.

 

“Do you think I'm pretty?” “Do you think I'm pretty?” “Do you think I'm pretty?”

“Do you think I'm pretty?” “Do you think I'm pretty?” “Do you think I'm pretty?”

“Do you think I'm pretty?” “Do you think I'm pretty?” “Do you think I'm pretty?” 

 

“I-I…!!”

 

Martlet stammered, struggling to string together a sentence. But as Lemon Bread inched closer and closer, baring its teeth, she began…noticing something. Despite its incredibly harrowing physical appearance, the Amalgamate didn't seem to be actively malicious . The words coming out its mouth were not threats- they were expressions of grief, anger, and a lack of identity. Even through its movements, Lemon Bread seemed like it was genuinely in pain .

 

“Stay here with me.” “Stay here with me.” “Stay here with me.” “Stay here with me.”

“Stay here with me.” “Stay here with me.” “Stay here with me.” “Stay here with me.”

“Stay here with me.” “Stay here with me.” “Stay here with me.” “Stay here with me.”

 

In that moment, Martlet was not being beckoned to join Lemon Bread in an endless struggle- it was a plea, made out of loneliness.

 

And it seemed as though Martlet…understood that.

 

Though it was clear that she was still unbelievably afraid, she had to swallow that fear and put on the bravest face she could.

 

“...okay. I will.”

 

“...?”

 

Lemon Bread stops dead in its tracks, confused. The rhythm of its pulsating flesh slows to a crawl.

 

“Y-you want me to stay, right…? If that's what'll bring you comfort…then I won't object to it.”

 

“...”

 

Lemon Bread lowers its arms, looking contemplatively at the ground beneath it.

 

“I've felt this before.” “I've felt this before.” “I've felt this before.” “I've felt this before.”

“I've felt this before.” “I've felt this before.” “I've felt this before.” “I've felt this before.”

“I've felt this before.” “I've felt this before.” “I've felt this before.” “I've felt this before.”

 

That warmth, that tenderness…it's been so long since Lemon Bread last felt such a thing. For a moment, the constant turmoil of its existence is washed away in the company of a kind, caring SOUL.

 

Martlet extends a wing towards it, eyes welling up with tears born not from fear, but from relief.

 

“...”

 

Lemon Bread gracefully accepts the hand(?)shake.

 

“Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.”

“Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.”

“Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.”

 

It retreats into the ground, never to be seen again.

 

With that encounter having been tied up nicely, Martlet stumbles back again, hitting a wall. She slides down to the floor, sitting there and catching her breath. Thirty seconds ticked by as her mind raced…

 

“What…happened here? What did Alphys do to them…?!”

“ What did she do to KANAKO?!”

 

Reinvigorated, Martlet rose back to her feet. Now that she knows what happened to the monsters who had fallen down and were brought here, she had even more of a reason to make sure Kanako was okay. Whether she had befallen the same fate as Lemon Bread, or still had yet to become such a monstrosity…Martlet needed closure. Ceroba needed closure.

 

And come hell or high water, Martlet was going to find it.

 

She continued further past the DT extractor, only to find…a room completely shrouded in fog.

 

Wonderful. 

 

She was completely unable to see anything inside there, repeatedly running into walls. 

 

Eventually, it became too much of a hassle to deal with for any longer. She backed out of the room, pinching the bridge of her beak in pain and annoyance.

 

So, if the leftmost room was currently off the table, what was next…? Martlet recalled there being a fork in the road after the bedroom's doorway.

 

If she already tried going left, then this time she'd go right.

 

Backtracking to the split pathway, Martlet found herself immensely conflicted.

 

One one hand, she was determined to see this mission through to the very end, imbued with an undying will to keep the promise she made.

 

But on the other hand…

 

…she felt as though things were only going to get worse from here.

 

 

 

TRUE LAB - FAN ROOM

FORTY MINUTES BEFORE ALPHYS RETURNS

After taking the right-leading route, Martlet found herself in…yet another fog-covered room. She groans in annoyance, almost turning back around and leaving. It was when she considered exiting that a small, white flake of an unidentifiable substance floated right by her, just barely close enough for her to be able to see it through the fog.

 

Immediately, Martlet was on the defensive again. Another Amalgamate could be nearby, and she could only hope it was as nice as Lemon Bread.

 

A diary entry lit up as she walked forward. She didn't care. She just wanted to get rid of all this smog.

 

As she walked forward, she noticed that she wasn't bumping into any walls- must be a straight shot to the room's end. That was certainly a relief, as sure Martlet didn't feel like trudging through another foggy “maze”. The pale flakes only continued to float past, slowly building up a fight-or-flight response within her.

 

Eventually, she did end up bumping into a wall- this seemed to be where the room ended.

 

She feels around the walls for a couple of seconds, as much as the prospect of touching anything around here grossed her out. Was she boxed in, or did the path curve upward…?

 

Just then, Martlet feels something distinct from the rest of the wall. Drawing her wing around that space, she narrows her eyes and looks closer…it was a switch! When she flips it, the fog around her begins to dissipate, as fans in the wall slowly blow it all away. Relief washes over Martlet for a moment, but then something occurs to her- maybe the fog in the leftmost room has been cleared too!

 

…what failed to occur to her was that a bunch of white particles were hovering just beneath the ceiling, all slowly converging into each other.

 

Martlet hears the sound of an icky, steadily building mass. She looked above her…and there it was. A blob of pale goo had formed overhead, slowly floating down. Once it makes contact with the floor, it begins to shift rapidly…!

 

“No…nonononono, not again…!”

 

Martlet stances up, mentally preparing herself. After the previous Amalgamate encounter, she had no idea what to expect from this next one.

 

The blob expands and convulses, slowly beginning to take the shape of…a dog ??

 

🤍 Endogeny shambles forth.

 

“...oh.”

 

Martlet didn't know whether or not this thing was terrifying or endearing. She shakily extends a wing towards the creature, hoping that it was docile.

 

“H-hey there, big guy…! I didn't bring any snacks, b-but–”

 

Endogeny bounds forward and flecks a strange liquid at Martlet from the orifice on its face.

 

“...”

 

Terrifying.

 

Definitely terrifying.

 

Martlet frantically waves her wing around, trying to shake off…whatever this substance was. As she did this, Endogeny only inches closer, its hulking figure coating more and more of Martlet in shadow. 

 

Her eyes dart around the room, with the liquid on her wing finally disposed of.

 

“Uhhhhh…”

 

She tries feeling around her pockets, hoping to have something that could possibly alleviate the situation. It was then that she felt a paper-like sensation graze her right wing…she still had the two unopened letters! Maybe she could use one of them as a diversion?

 

She takes them all out, shuffling between them. She had to act fast- the Amalgamate was getting closer and closer.

 

She pockets Snowy and Ceroba's letters again, extending Doggo's letter out towards Endogeny with both wings.

 

“D-do you…wanna play fetch…?”

 

The canine creature loomed over her, intimidatingly lowering its head.

 

“D…do you…”

 

Martlet closed her eyes, shivering. She turned her face away from Endogeny. She could feel the creature breathing on her.

 

“...”

 

Endogeny carefully inspects the letter. It sniffs a few times- the scent of the envelope was oddly familiar. The gears in its brain turned as it slowly shifted its head from left to right, almost as if it was…reading the name.

 

“...huh…?”

 

Suddenly, Endogeny gets excited. It snatches the letter right out of Martlet's wings, prancing around with it wildly and chewing at it as if it was a tennis ball. A bark–

 

No, multiple barks echo from it.

 

“...”

“Ha…hahaha…!”

 

Martlet starts cracking up, finally beginning to unwind as Endogeny's canine-like antics continue. After a few moments of laughter, she collects herself again, slowly walking towards the highly energetic Amalgamate.

 

“Okay, buddy…! I get that you're excited, but I'm gonna need that back now–”

 

In its joyful frenzy, Endogeny jumps directly into the fans, which shred it (and the letter) to pieces.

 

“...”

 

…Martlet awkwardly shuffles out of the room, with an expression of abject terror painted on her face.

 

…

 

After she leaves, an upbeat “woof” can be heard from inside of the fan.

Looks like it's okay after all…??

 

 

 

TRUE LAB - REFRIGERATOR ROOM

THIRTY-FIVE MINUTES BEFORE ALPHYS RETURNS 

THAT was definitely something Martlet didn't need to see today.

 

Visibly shaken, she walked back through the left corridor, passing by the DT Extraction Machine once again. When she arrived in the leftmost room, the fog was gone- everything in the room was fully clear to see.

 

Multiple refrigerators lined the right wall, with a few lab entries spread out between them.

 

ENTRY NUMBER 19

the families keep calling me to ask when everyone is coming home.

what am i supposed to say?

i don't even answer the phone anymore.

 

“...”

 

Martlet stares at the screen, completely deadpan. She balls her wings up into fists, gripping them tightly.

 

Walking past a few more refrigerators, the next pair of entry panels lit up.

 

Martlet didn't bother reading them.

 

As she approached the end of the room, she pressed her right wing against the wall and lowered her head, looking absolutely distraught.

 

“...keep trying. I have to keep trying.”

 

It was clear that the time she had spent here was more and more beginning to weigh on her. But despite this, she took a deep breath, putting on as brave of a face as she could possibly muster. She looks back to the entrance of the room.

 

“The only place left to check…is the left side of the main room.”

 

As Martlet took her first step, the silence of the room was disrupted by a loud rumble. It sounded like it came from within one of the fridges.

 

…another Amalgamate, probably.

 

Martlet wanted to leave right there and then. Unfortunately…her desire to get out of here was rivaled only by her inability to keep her beak out of other peoples’ business.

 

That's how she wound up here, after all.

 

She peeks inside a fridge- nobody.

 

She peeks inside another fridge- still nobody.

 

She peeks inside the next three fridges- no sign of anything that could possibly create such a loud rumble. At this point, she was starting to think her mind was playing tricks on her again…but it's when she went to check the last fridge that things started to change.

 

Before she can touch the handle, the entire fridge is engulfed in a pale, gooey substance. She immediately yanks her wing back, stepping away.

 

The fridge melts into a small, pathetic puddle…

 

…but then quickly reforms into a shambling mass of pulsating, melting flesh.

 

A shambling mass…that looked eerily familiar .

 

🤍 It's so cold.

 

Unlike the Amalgamates Martlet encountered prior, this one's unsightly visage did not spark horror, but rather…pity. Her physical deformities did not paint her as an eldritch horror.

 

She looked like she was weary and infirm.

 

“sn…o…wy…”

 

She looked like she was writhing in agony.

 

“m…y…boy…”

 

She looked like…she was losing herself.

 

Martlet's shock quickly turned to sadness, as she laid eyes on the amorphous being in front of her.

 

“O-oh my gosh…”

 

“ha…ve…you…seen…snow…y…?”

 

“I…”

 

That name. “Snowy.” Wasn't he one of the unread letters from earlier…? Martlet takes one of them out of her pocket, seeing if she still had it on her. Sure enough, Snowy’s letter was held in full view. Martlet turned the envelope around so the Amalgamate could see the name.

 

“ah…!”

 

Martlet lowers her wing, handing the letter over to the Amalgamate.

 

As she gently takes it, her melting hands almost cause the letter to drop…but she grasps it.

 

She looks down at the name, a smile slowly forming on her melting, misshapen beak.

 

“haha…i…remem…ber…”

 

“Ah, wait, your hands…! You can't open it! Would you like me to–”

 

As Martlet reaches for the letter, the Amalgamate pulls it away, slowly shaking her head in refusal.

 

“it…s…al…right…”

 

“Wh-wha…?”

 

“just…seeing his name…again…is enough…”

 

“Oh…I see.”

 

“...”

“th…thank you…”

 

The Amalgamate vanishes into the darkness, the letter along with it.

 

Tears begin welling up in Martlet’s eyes- she wipes them away to the best of her ability.

 

She brings a wing to her heart, smiling with optimism.

 

“...you'll find your way back to him. I know it.”

 

With a revitalized spirit, Martlet marches out of the room. There was only one place left to check now, and something told her that this would be time she struck gold.

 

…oh, how little she knew…

 

 

 

?????

THIRTY MINUTES BEFORE ALPHYS RETURNS

Returning to the main room, Martlet passed by the vending machine again on her way to the left corridor. She noticed that the bag of Popato Chisps she discarded earlier had mysteriously vanished…maybe Lemon Bread picked it up?

 

Whatever the case was, she wasn't too pressed about it. After half an hour spent down here, she doubted much could surprise her anymore.

 

Upon taking the left route, Martlet ended up in a very…odd looking room. She couldn't gather what its purpose was from a simple glance.

 

There seemed to be a few surgical(?) tables set off to the right, and a handful of sinks even further down…maybe this was a medical room?

 

Whatever function this place may serve, Martlet searched the place up and down. The last few diary entries were here, which Martlet only took a small gander at- they only seemed to be reinforcing things she already knew.

 

In time, she completely finished surveying the place. It was a bit disheartening to have not found anything related to the Kanako case, but…that was just the reality of the situation. There was nothing she, or anyone else could do about it.

 

The lack of true closure irked her, deep down…but she knew the trail had gone cold.

 

She gave it her all, and that was a good enough takeaway from this experience.

 

…

 

While she was here, though, she may as well wash her hands.

 

She waltzed over to the sinks, instinctively reaching to pull up her sleeves. Of course, there were no sleeves to pull up- she was wearing a tank top. Embarrassment washes over her for a moment.

 

“...”

 

Okay, moment's gone. Martlet turns the sink on.

 

A pale, moldy substance slowly slid out of the faucet.

 

It had a face on it.

 

It had multiple faces on it.

 

Martlet's face contorts into a simultaneously annoyed and disgusted expression. Of course it couldn't be that simple. There always has to be a catch…

 

The mold has fully exited the faucet, slowly beginning to assume its true form. It pulsates, collapsing and reforming on a moment-to-moment rhythm. It looks like it's constantly fading in and out of reality.

 

🤍 …

🤍 Something drew near.

 

“Who…wh- what …?!”

 

Somehow, throughout this entire harrowing experience, this Amalgamate was the first and only one of the bunch that seemed less like a person, or even an animal...and more like a thing .

 

It attempts to say something, but when it opens its mouth, there's nothing but garbage noise .

 

It didn't even seem like it moved as it suddenly jolted forward, stopping dead in front of Martlet. Her fight-or-flight kicked in, and in a panic, she blasted the Amalgamate with a feather attack.

 

FAILURE 

But it didn't work.

nope

Absorbed

Don't worry about it.

I'm lovin' it.

 

…nothing happened.

 

Nothing happened.

 

It almost seemed like the attack phased right through the Amalgamate.

 

The abomination opens its mouth and once again unleashes that utterly hellish static sound. Martlet winced, covering her ears. At this proximity, the sound was enough to bring her genuine physical pain .

 

Her guard was down.

 

Suddenly, the Amalgamate LUNGES at her! She closes her eyes, scrambling to protect herself and bracing for impact at a moment's notice!

 

…

 

But…nothing happened…?

 

Martlet opens one eye, seeing that the Amalgamate was now mysteriously gone. She assumes a battle stance, glancing around the room in paranoia…but nothing was around to warrant it.

 

With a relieved sigh, she flops her wings down, breathing heavily.

 

…

 

For some reason, one of her pockets felt heavier.

 

Her eyes widen as she jolts back up. She wasn't carrying anything other than the letters, was she? She didn't even bring her Royal Guard rulebook- she came here completely empty-handed.

 

“...”

 

With a nervous gulp, Martlet reached into her pocket, feeling something unrecognizable and uncomfortable once her wing reached the very bottom. Slowly and reluctantly, she takes it out…

 

🤍 You got the Bad Memory.

 

The second she makes eye contact with what seemed to be a piece of the Amalgamate, her mind began buzzing. She fell to one knee, holding her head in pain.

 

“Wh…what is this…?! Why am I–”

 

A vision begins manifesting in her mind's eye. The clearer it became, the more painful the headache grew.

 

At first, she couldn't exactly make it out. All she could see was a greyscale environment, with small blots of pink scattered about, and seemingly falling from the sky.

 

With each passing second, the image became easier and easier to identify. In the very center, there was a figure- a familiar figure. They wore a hat, a vest, a yellow scarf with blue polka-dots, and–

 

…

 

“N-no…no, no, nononononono…!! NOT AGAIN!! ”

 

🤍 You tried to throw the Bad Memory away…

🤍 …

💛 But it came back.

 

Images repeatedly flashed in Martlet's mind like snapshots, each one building on the last to create an experience of unspeakable horror.

 

The U.G. Aviator crashing into a rock, sending ###### into the abyss.

 

The map in Chujin's office, and ######’s reaction to it.

 

The last hug Martlet and the gang ever shared with ######, before their…departure.

 

The blanket from Starlo's room being taken, fully exposing ######’s hollow remains.

 

…

 

These thoughts lingered in Martlet's head. In real time, it had been mere seconds…but it felt like an eternity for her.

 

Those same moments replaying over, and over, and over , until…

 

🤍 The Bad Memory expired.

 

Martlet's surroundings no longer resembled the sites of those harrowing moments- she was back in the True Lab, like the Amalgamate encounter never even happened.

 

She leaned against the wall, slowly sliding down into a fetal position.

 

“What…what's wrong with me…?!”

“Why did I give Ceroba false hope? Why did I give everyone false hope?!”

“Every single path has just been a dead end…! Kanako's fate, it…it was sealed ages ago!”

“Th-the odds were always stacked against me…I never could've saved her."

“...”

“I…”

“I never could've saved her…just like how I didn 't save YOU, Clover…!”

 

So, so many thoughts buzzed and blended together in Martlet’s head. 

 

By all accounts, she had completely and utterly failed .

 

She had failed not just Kanako, not just Ceroba, but Clover as well.

 

As much as she tried to struggle against it, the reality was that…she was powerless.

 

Powerless to help those who needed it most.

 

Powerless to ease the pain of those who suffered most.

 

Powerless to save the lives of those who mattered most.

 

Grief and guilt once again started to consume Martlet’s every thought. With each passing second, she fell deeper and deeper back into that pit of self-deprecation and bereavement.

 

…

 

Maybe Starlo was right.

 

Maybe all she needed was a good cry.

 

Healing is a process, isn't it? That process had to start somewhere.

 

So, Martlet wept.

 

And wept, and wept, and wept.

 

Until eventually…

 

Silence .

 

…

 

A figure began to manifest in the corner of the room.

 

A freakishly tall entity, slowly hobbling towards the now sleeping Martlet.

 

It takes a good, long look down at her.

 

“...”

 

The Amalgamate picks Martlet up with its long, stick-like arms. It has to exert a decent amount of effort, but it manages to do so nonetheless.

 

It slowly walks out of the room, taking extra care to not wake Martlet up with any fast or sudden movements.

 

Where was Martlet being taken?

 

Well, she was asleep , was she not? She needed a proper place to get some shut-eye.

 

 

 

…

????? MINUTES BEFORE ALPHYS RETURNS

After slowly trudging from one side of the laboratory to another, the Amalgamate had brought Martlet back to the bedroom. All nine of the beds were very neatly put together, despite the… everything that would likely indicate otherwise.

 

The Amalgamate could feel its arms slowly starting to give out. It hobbled over to the bed within the closest proximity to it, gently setting Martlet down onto it.

 

It took some very, very careful maneuvering in order to not wake her up, but the Amalgamate successfully managed to pull the blanket out from under her. As it was about to tuck her in, it noticed something- an envelope hanging out of her pocket.

 

Curious, it temporarily drops the blanket on top of her, slowly removing the letter from her pocket.

 

The Amalgamate looks down at the letter.

 

It recognizes the name:

 

Ceroba.

 

“...”

“M…o…m…m…y…?”

 

Martlet shifts and groans in her sleep.

 

The Amalgamate panics, frantically shifting around in its place. Not wanting Martlet to wake up, it drops the letter on the ground, and then gently drapes the bed's blanket over her.

 

Martlet stops moving, returning to a peaceful rest.

 

“...”

 

The Amalgamate picks the letter back up, staring at it again. A single tear falls from its misshapen eyes, as it holds the letter close to its chest.

 

“...I…”

“I…miss you…”

“P…please…don't forget…about…me.”

 

Kanako disappears.

 

For the first time, the True Lab was completely quiet.

 

There was no distant mechanical whirring.

 

No Amalgamates shambling about.

 

The area was filled only by a peaceful, almost mournful silence.

 

 

 

…!

????? MINUTES BEFORE ALPHYS RETURNS

Martlet awoke from her slumber feeling surprisingly refreshed.

 

As she sat up, something dawned on her- this wasn't where she initially collapsed.

 

In fact, she didn't remember collapsing at all! Was she really that exhausted?

 

As she slowly pulled the blanket off of herself and slid out of bed, her tiredness quickly turned to worry.

 

“Crap…how long have I been knocked out?!”

 

She BOLTS out of the bedroom, booking it all the way back to the elevator she used to get in. She presses the “up” button again and again, as if it'd make a difference at all. The ride wasn't even a full thirty seconds, yet Martlet felt like it was taking forever. She tapped her foot on the ground, nervous and impatient.

 

The SECOND those elevator doors peeled open again, she made a mad dash for the exit door, almost bumping into the table. She pressed the button to open them, but as soon as she was about to leave…

 

“W-woah…!!”

 

“A–”

“D-Doctor…! Back so soon?”

 

Martlet recoils back from the surprise. She quickly tries to save face, assuming as professional of a posture as she could.

 

“Wow, a-are you that surprised to see me? I t-told you I'd be back in an hour, didn't I…?”

 

“Oh, I…uh…haven't really been keepin’ an eye on the time, heh! Nothing noteworthy has been happening, s-so…figured I'd step outside for some fresh air, y'know?”

 

“...didn't I specifically instruct you to keep an eye on the place?”

 

“I…err…”

Martlet nervously tugs at the patch of feathers around her neck. She didn't exactly have a collar, so…

 

“...”

 

Alphys sighs.

 

“S-sorry. That was…a little rude of me. It's just been a long, tedious day, y'know…?”

 

“Oh, I definitely feel ya on that one. You're braver than me, ‘cuz I probably woulda thrown in the towel before I even reached the end of Snowdin, heh heh…!”

 

Martlet was just making stuff up.

 

“Bah, stop it! I'm just…m-maximizing my resources.”

 

The duo stood in agonizing silence for a few seconds. Martlet shifts around awkwardly. Alphys averts her eyes from side to side. Eventually…

 

“...welp, shift's over! Gotta fly! See ya!”

 

"W-Wait--!!"

 

Martlet hastily takes off into the air, trying to leave as fast as she possibly could.

 

“...”

 

Alphys shrugged, walking into the lab and setting her now empty box off to the side.

 

…she sighs, glancing over at the elevator.

 

“Welp…”

“T-time for a quick wellness check.”

 

Reluctantly, she steps into the elevator, riding it down into the True Lab. As it arrives at its destination, and Alphys steps out into the hall, her eyes widen.

 

Unfortunately, Martlet had made one critical oversight when coming down here.

 

Extending out into the rest of the lab…

 

Was a trail of blue feathers , all over the floor.

 

…

 

A day passes.

 

Over in the Wild East, Ceroba is handed an envelope by the Mail Whale.

 

The return address was shakily written, and there's no stamp.

 

It was from Martlet.

 

When Ceroba opened the envelope, the letter within appeared to be erroneously folded. Getting it all straightened out was more time-consuming than it probably should've been, but still possible.

 

The letter could hardly be called such a thing- it was simply two large words taking up the entire piece of paper.

 

“I failed."

Chapter 3: It's Still You.

Summary:

Martlet ain't the only one going through it.

Over in the Wild East, Starlo has receded even further into his "North Star" persona, to an honestly pretty concerning degree. His physical and mental wellbeing have both seen better days. The recent loss of Clover, combined with his preexisting issues with identity and self-loathing, have slowly but surely chipped away at him. He may not show it, but he's on the cusp of completely losing hope.

...that is, until a familiar, feathery face shows up when he least expects it.

...how long has it been since Clover left…? A week? Maybe two? Yeah, two sounds about right.

 

Starlo had lost all track of time. By now, he was just going through the motions- slogging through each day to the best of his ability.

 

…

 

But that was Starlo's problem. North Star , on the other hand, was even more of a hoot than usual. 

 

By now, word had gotten around that the king had acquired his sixth human SOUL. On one hand, it was hard not to be excited about the implications of that- monsterkind was closer than ever to freedom. 

 

On another hand, those that knew who said SOUL belonged to were…reasonably upset.

 

Morale around the Wild East was simultaneously the highest and lowest it had ever been- so it was up to good ol’ North Star to keep the people's spirits up.

 

You know, alone.

 

Without…the rest of the posse. Or Ceroba.

 

…

 

Something was wrong.

 

Something was very, very wrong.

 

One night, North Star found himself sitting alone in the town saloon.

 

All the lights were out, except a single overhead lamp illuminating his seat.

 

In truth, closing time was about 30 minutes ago. Most people have already piled out by now…but the almighty sheriff isn't like “most people,” is he?

 

His glass of Sizzlin' Soda sat in front of him, almost entirely untouched. He stared off into the middle distance, his expression unreadable. Even so, there was still a considerable amount of writing on the wall that all was not well.

 

Visible bags had appeared under his eyes, and his clothing was becoming torn. As much as he tried to mask it with the face of a rootin’-tootin’ peace(?)keeper, the fact was that North Star…wasn't in a very good place right now.

 

In fact, he hasn't been since Clover gave up their SOUL.

 

So, there he sat. Unmoving. Unblinking.

 

Until, suddenly…

 

“...”

“Man, what's the point anymore…?”

“This ‘justice’ shtick…it ran its course a long time ago.”

 

Shakily, North Star stands up from his seat, an air of complete and utter dejection about him. He turns away from the table, taking his first few steps out when, much to his dismay…

 

Knock-knock.

 

“Ugh, darn it…is Dina back or somethin’? I thought for sure I woulda had the place to myself for at LEAST the next…”

“...”

“...until morning.”

 

Ah, well. Nothing to be done about it. He couldn't just pretend not to be here- why would this mystery person knock if he wasn't? May as well just strut on over and let ‘em in…he was about to leave anyway.

 

North Star gently opens the doo–

 

“Hey there, Star!”

 

…

 

Rats.

 

“...what in the–”

 

His face flushed in surprise as he reeled backward, almost hitting a chair.

 

“Huh? Why're you so shocked? You told me to knock next time we met!”

 

“Y-yeah, thanks for keepin’ that in mind…!”

 

This was a predicament. Of all people, he sure didn't expect MARTLET to show up…especially after the last time they spoke.

 

For now, he'd have to contain his shock- he regains his composure (or at least, attempts to), puts on his best smile, and faces Martlet proper.

 

“...a little dreary in here, ain't it? Let's fix that.”

 

North Star draws his six-shooter, aiming it behind him. He fires…and hits a wall.

 

Martlet, visibly a bit startled, has no idea what he was going for with that one.

 

“...”

“Err…”

 

“H-hold your horses, I got it this time…”

 

North Star positions his gun slightly to the left of where he originally fired, then shoots again.

 

The bullet hits one of the buttons on a nearby jukebox, and the standard saloon backing track starts rolling.

 

“First try.”

 

“Uh- huh …”

 

The duo sits at the round table of the saloon, one of the lights conveniently flickering back on when Martlet takes her seat. The sheriff only barely manages to keep his rapidly deteriorating mental state under wraps.

 

“So…what're you doin’ so far from Snowdin at a time like this?”

 

“Oh, y'know…always been a bit of a night owl! Or, uh, night bluebird.”

“...come to think of it, maybe that's why I kept falling asleep on the job.”

 

“‘Kept?’ Did you break the habit?”

 

“...in a manner of speaking, yeah.”

 

“Heh? Whazzat mean?”

 

As Martlet begins talking again, North Star takes a sip of his Sizzlin' Soda.

 

“Sooo…I…may or may not have put in my two-weeks notice.”

 

…and then he spits it over the counter in shock. Martlet recoils, shielding herself with a wing.

 

“You're KIDDIN'!”

 

“Haha, nope! As of yesterday, ‘Martlet of the Royal Guard’ is a defunct title!”

 

“Huh. Never thought I'd see the day. You made a huge fuss about it when the posse ‘n I first met ya.”

 

“I think most people would make a fuss about getting wrongfully arrested…!!”

 

Martlet laughs heartily, while North Star …lets out a light, subdued chuckle. Upon noticing this, Martlet seems somewhat suspicious of something, but continues the conversation.

 

“Speaking of…how IS the posse, anyway? Get into any fun mischief?”

 

“Oh. Uh…yeah. The ol’ Feisty…Four.”

“...”

 

The sheriff goes uncharacteristically silent. Now Martlet knew for SURE that something was up.

 

“...oh no. Did something happen…?”

 

“Nah. I just…I just, uh…”

 

The facade was cracking, and fast. North Star constantly trips over his words, trying to manifest a good enough excuse.

 

Martlet takes a good, long look at the celestial body, finally noticing the telltale signs that eluded her moments before.

 

“...Starlo, what's been going on? You seem so…haggard.”

 

“Just had a rough day, that's all. Don’t…don't worry about it.”

 

“You already know what I'm gonna say to that.”

 

Starlo looks down at the table in shame. Martlet sighs.

 

“Man, Ceroba said it was bad, but I didn't know it was THIS ba–”

 

Martlet covers her beak, realizing that she…may or may not have said that a bit too loud. North Star slowly raises his head, suspicious.

 

“...come again?”

 

“Uh…! I mean…!! Ceroba said that…the WEATHER was bad, so…you might not have wanted to…step out…today. Yeah.”

 

“...”

“Martlet, we don't even have weather down here. Why'd you ACTUALLY show up?”

 

“...welp. No weaseling my way outta this one. Okay, let me explain everything…”

 

 

 

A FEW HOURS AGO…

“Here comes your letter! But wait, don't elide it…

A wonderful message is waiting inside it!

Now, I must be off! The mail can't be late!

See you when your next letter comes, Miss…Mart…late?”

 

“...you know what? Good enough.”

 

The Mail Whale flies away, its cheery jingle slowly growing quieter until it completely stops being audible. With that, Martlet looks down at her letter. The envelope is totally blank- whoever sent it forgot to sign it, or even put a stamp on. This COULD just be junk mail…but the last time Martlet decided not to read her mail, she almost got fired, so…yeah. Better safe than sorry. Even if she's currently unemployed.

 

The envelope is opened, and Martlet reads her letter aloud.

 

“Hello, Martlet! I hope this letter finds you well…”

 

“I hate to pester you, especially since you're likely busy with Royal Guard related duties…but there's something urgent I wanted to address. It's about Starlo. 

Ever since Clover gave up their SOUL, something has been…off about him. He’s been so tired and unkempt lately…he tries to play it off with his ‘sheriff’ shenanigans, but something is clearly wrong here. And every time I ask him what's wrong, I get the same template of responses: ‘I'm fine.’ ‘Don't worry about me.’ Etcetera. 

I'd try to do more to help, but…after all I've done, I don't want to do anything to strain our relationship. So, that's where you come in- even amidst his recent spiral, he always perks up whenever you come up in conversation. He seems really fond of you. If I can't do anything to break this cycle, then I think you're our best bet. Of course, this could just be me being paranoid…but after the whole fiasco with the Feisty Four, and ESPECIALLY Clover…I'd rather not take any chances. Could you try and check on him? Please? He's been staying at the saloon after hours a lot recently…maybe you could try and catch him on the way out.”

 

“Signed…Ceroba.”

“...”

 

Martlet thinks back to the day her and Starlo tucked Clover into their coffin. Starlo was so level-headed about it, his emotions only getting the better of him towards the end. Was he…hiding something?

 

It was as though Martlet's body moved on its own as she abruptly dropped the letter in the snow, rocketing into the air with unusual speed. Usually, either out of tiredness or for the sake of her own physical safety, she didn't attempt flying ANYWHERE this fast. But for some reason, this was just…a special case.

 

…

 

All this for a guy she's barely known for more than a couple of weeks…

 

 

 

BACK IN THE PRESENT…

“So…yep. That's the sitch.”

 

“...”

 

“Sorry I kept this from you. I probably should've told you this from the get-go, but…I guess I just didn't want you to get the wrong idea…?”

 

“...I don't think I'm in any proper place to get mad at someone for lying.”

 

“S-Starlo…”

 

“I mean, look at me! I'm no better! I basically ditched my posse, denied Ceroba's help, and now here I am doing the same thing with you …!”

 

“Starlo, calm down…!”

 

North Star stands up, fuming. Oddly, this outburst doesn't seem to be directed at Martlet specifically.

 

“And for WHAT?! ‘Entertainment?’ ‘Keepin’ spirits high?!’ Hah, please ! I can't even do THAT right, much less keep my own problems in check!”

 

“ Sheriff North Star!”

 

“...”

 

Starlo's breathing tenses up. His voice quivers, his eyes strain, and his body shakes.

 

“Y-yeah…yeah, THAT'S more like it. THAT'S what the people wanna see, right? The almighty sheriff. ”

 

“Huh…? W-wait, I didn't mean it like that–!”

 

“THAT'S what it's always been, and what it always will be…! Nobody in this town gives a rat's ass about Starlo ! They wanna see the skyscraper-wranglin’, gun-totin’ sheriff! Hah, not like I can even blame them for that anyway… I don't wanna see Starlo either!”

 

“...”

 

Starlo starts getting choked up. He struggles to even speak through the lump in his throat. Tears roll down his face at almost fixed intervals.

 

“...once…just ONCE, I want to look in the mirror and not feel like a complete FAILURE ! IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?! TO BE ABLE TO FEEL LIKE AN ACTUAL PERSON ?! Not some nameless screw-up, not a walking spectacle, just… me …!!”

Starlo falls to one knee, sobbing.

 

“O-oh my gosh…”

“Star, I'm so sorry…! I had no idea!”

 

Martlet kneels down in front of the writhing star, trying her hardest to comfort him. She almost seemed like she was panicking...

 

“This ‘North Star’ thing, it…it seems like it's actively torturing you.”

 

Trying (and failing) to collect himself, Starlo actively avoids making eye contact.

 

“...it was never about my wellbeing. That stopped being a factor ages ago.”

“You just…gotta roll with the punches. Regardless of how hard they may hit.”

 

“...”

 

“I'm sorry about this, Martlet. I really am. You didn't ask me to just pour all my problems out onto the floor. I…I should've never opened the–”

 

“I see you.”

 

“...huh?”

 

“I see you, Starlo.”

 

“Well…yeah, obviously? I'm…sitting right in front of you.”

 

“No, not like that. I see… you . The real you.”

 

…Starlo wipes the tears from his face, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

 

“...what makes you so sure?”

 

“I know you've been putting up this ‘North Star’ front for longer than I've known you.”

 

“Yeah, exactly. Your point…?”

 

“I've gotten real well-acquainted with that side. But, at the same time…I've caught glimpses of the guy underneath.”

“Like…hmm. I know this might be a sensitive topic, but…try and think back to the last time we saw Clover, when you and I were laying them to rest.”

 

Starlo visibly winced a bit at the mention of this event, but nodded.

 

“...go on.”

 

“That day, when you removed your hat…I wasn't looking at North Star anymore. I was looking at Starlo . The true, genuine Starlo. And you know what he was?”

 

“...a total waste?”

 

“ No ! Not even close ! He was conscientious, softhearted, and…wise beyond his years. It was because of his advice that I was able to accept Clover's sacrifice and not hate myself for it.”

 

“You think I'm–”

 

For a few seconds, Starlo's face started to flush with red once again. He quickly tries to shake it off, still insistent on his self-deprecating mindset.

 

“Ugh…so what? You saw him for five minutes max and you like him THAT much…?”

 

“I mean, why wouldn't I? You may not quite see it yet, but Starlo is just as worthwhile as his sheriff-y alter ego, if you ask me!”

 

Martlet places a wing directly on Starlo's shoulder, locking eyes with him. For a moment, it seemed like the world around them just…faded away.

 

“And, besides…there's nothing stopping me from getting to know you properly , is there?”

 

“I–”

“...”

 

Starlo's expression of grief transforms into a tender smile, as he puts his hand on Martlet's wing.

 

“...no. No, there isn't.”

 

Martlet helps Starlo up to his feet.

 

“Well, there's no time like the present, is there?”

 

“Wait wha–”

 

She extends a wing towards him.

 

“Hiya! I'm Martlet! And you are…?”

 

“I'm–”

 

Starlo hesitates for a moment. He takes a deep breath, and removes his hat…

 

“...I-I-m…Starlo.”

 

With his free hand, Starlo accepts the greeting, grasping Martlet's wing.

 

Suddenly, she yanks Starlo towards herself, hugging him tightly once he reaches his nearest proximity to her.

 

“...nice to meet you.”

 

“...”

“Thank you…”

 

“Uh. Don't you mean ‘nice to meet you too’–”

 

“Th-thank you…thank you so much…!”

 

“...”

“Don't mention it, Starlight.”

 

Starlo begins tearing up again, but this time, his tears were not sorrowful…they were full of happiness, relief, and perhaps…something more.

 

 

 

EVENTUALLY...

Starlo finally made it back home. After aimlessly stumbling about, tired and a bit flustered, he happened upon a mirror.

 

…some of its shattered pieces were scattered about on the ground.

 

“Hmmm...”

 

Starlo picks up a piece and carefully slips it into the mirror frame. It fits like a glove…

 

He would then proceed to do this another 39 times.

 

Eventually, the mirror starts to resemble what it looked like before it was smashed. Segmented, but…passable.

 

Starlo stares intently into the mirror. Despite its cracks…the face reflected in them was finally starting to become recognizable.

 

For the first time in who knows how long , Starlo looked at his reflection...

 

...and smiled.

 

🤍 Despite everything, it's still you. And for once…you can wear that fact with pride.

Chapter 4: Only Star I See Tonight

Summary:

And here we are!

In the blissful marsh of Waterfall, two presences rapidly converged towards one another. 

 

One from a wintry woodland, the other from a torrid desert.

 

One was an avian, the other a celestial entity.

 

Indeed, this was the same duo of monsters we've been following all along, hastily making their way towards the same location.

 

But this would not be a simple chance meeting like the ones that came before, far from it.

 

No…this one was preordained. By both parties involved.

 

It's been almost a full week since Martlet and Starlo last saw each other in the Wild East's saloon. It was on that day that Starlo finally started to feel a sense of satisfaction in his own identity, all thanks to Martlet. Since then, he's had time to mull some things over- not just about himself, but about the bird lady he keeps running into.

 

That girl…lately, whenever he even THINKS about her, his heart starts to flutter. Whenever the two had a moment to themselves, a feeling enveloped his SOUL that words couldn't describe.

 

…there was no more dancing around it, was there? It seemed as though Starlo had fallen for someone yet again.

 

It's been so long since the last time he was so infatuated with someone…that he had completely forgotten how it felt.

 

But now that he found himself in these circumstances, there was only one thing he could think to do.

 

After all, he learned the hard way that sitting around and waiting to make your feelings known is a one-way street to Three-Consecutive-Days-Locked-Up-In-Your-Room Boulevard.

 

Yesterday, Starlo managed to coordinate something with Martlet. Since they live in DRAMATICALLY different regions of the Underground, and have their own obligations to attend to (Starlo with the farm and posse, Martlet with whatever goes on in Currently Unemployed Land), they should at least try and make time to hang out wherever they can. Especially with Martlet's proposition of “getting to know Starlo properly;” it'd just feel wrong to not properly follow up on that.

 

Luckily, Starlo managed to pull a few strings to make something happen.

 

If one could classify spending three hours in your room, trying to think of the most eloquent way to subtly(?) ask his crush out on a date via writing a letter as “pulling a few strings,” anyway.

 

His idea was for the two of them to convene in Waterfall, where the peaceful ambience would be the perfect backdrop for a…simple meeting between pals.

 

That's not what he wrote- he didn't wanna kill his chances right out the gate by accidentally friendzoning her- but he at least wanted to convey a similar energy.

 

To Starlo’s surprise, those three hours of overthinking somehow ended up paying off.

 

A response arrived less than an hour after the initial message was sent- in it, Martlet expressed immense excitement about the idea, and also brought up…a funny little coincidence.

 

It just so happens that she was in the middle of writing her OWN letter to Starlo when his message arrived. With the same premise, no less!

Down to the exact same day.

At the exact same time.

In the exact same place.

 

…

 

Curious.

 

The rest of that day came and went, until eventually, Starlo woke up this morning with fire in his eyes and…butterflies in his stomach. He got himself situated, and as soon as he was ready, he GUNNED it to Waterfall, wanting nothing more than to not be late.

 

…he was 2 hours ahead of schedule.

 

Regardless, he hurriedly traveled through the marsh, only the thought of Martlet weighing on his mind as he…

 

…ran right past her.

 

“Hi, Starlo!”

 

“Howdy, Martlet.”

 

…

 

“...wait–”

 

“–WHAT?!”

 

Starlo abruptly stopped dead in his tracks, snapping back around to face each Martlet. A solid ten seconds pass, as they stare at each other in bewilderment.

 

“...uhhh...”

 

“Man, even when we PLAN a meeting, you still manage to surprise me…”

 

“Pfft–! I'd say you’re the one doing the surprising, Star! In case ya can't tell, you overshot the mark a little bit.”

 

“...”

“Uh. Y-yeah, I knew that. I was just tryna…meet you halfway.”

 

“...I don't think that's what the phrase means??”

 

“That's what it means now !”

 

Starlo nervously bumbled over, him and Martlet both laughing at this interaction.

 

“So! Howzit goin’?”

 

“It's, err…goin’ BETTER, I guess. Still don't feel as good as I wish I did, but…”

 

“Hey, that's something…! As long as progress is being made, go about it at your own pace. ‘It's a process,’ right?”

 

“...”

 

Starlo smirks.

 

“Damn skippy.”

 

“Hehe~! Now I'M the one stealing YOUR lines!”

 

“I see how it is…”

 

Martlet erupts into laughter, while Starlo…remains quiet. He just stands there, absent-mindedly staring at Martlet. He hasn't even realized that he zoned out.

 

After a few seconds, Martlet stops laughing.

 

“...uh, Star? You okay there?”

 

Starlo snaps out of his little trance, his face awash with red.

 

“Huh? Uh, I mean…yeah. Yeah, I'm good. Just…lost focus for a sec.”

 

“Mannn, do I really bore you that much?”

 

“Wha–?! N-NO, of course not! I didn't mean to–”

 

“Pfff–! I'm just messing with you! I zone out a lot too, y'know.”

 

Starlo is simultaneously relieved and ashamed. His upper body slumps down like a ragdoll.

 

“D'aww, Staaaar! I'm sorry if I made you feel bad…!”

 

"Naw, it's alright…if anything, I'm sorry if I made you feel bad.”

 

“Hey, I just said I was kidding !”

 

“I know , I know, it's just…eh?? I dunno…”

 

Martlet chuckles, glancing to the side.

 

“Well…frankly, I'm flattered to know you care that much about my feelings.”

 

“...y-yeah, of course.”

 

Starlo was 200% sure that he was completely botching this. But he couldn't just walk everything back and start over- things were too far along to give up now. Not that he could've done that anyway…you can't just turn back the clock on a whim, not in this world. 

 

“Heh. If nothing else, you're one hell of an actor. You really had me goin’ there! A gold-star performance, for sure.”

 

“Bahahaha! Good one–”

 

Martlet freezes up. Her face is coated in nothing but sheer TERROR.

 

“...”

 

“Huh? Hey, what's wrong…?! Are you okay?!”

 

“...I…have forgotten something VERY important.”

 

“Oh. You wanna run back and get it? I'll go with you if you wan–”

 

“NO! DON'T!”

 

“...oh. Okay…”

 

“Gah, I'm sorry…!! I didn't mean it like that! It's not that I don't enjoy your company, it's just that…I wanna keep it a surprise.”

 

“A surprise…? For me ??”

 

Starlo seems genuinely bewildered at the prospect of Martlet having prepared a gift for him.

 

“W-well, it's not really a surprise if I TELL you what it is, is it?”

 

Martlet turns to the direction she came from, preparing to take off.

 

“Sorry to leave you here, but I'll be back soon. You'll be okay, right?”

 

Starlo nods in understanding. With that, Martlet takes off into the air, returning to Snowdin.

 

As soon as Starlo was sure Martlet was completely out of earshot, he began shouting multiple obscenities.

 

…he did not account for the fact that said obscenities would be picked up and repeated by every Echo Flower in the immediate vicinity.

 

But he didn't care. He was too angry with himself and too unsure of himself to care. 

 

“Urgh…damn it! It's a simple three word sentence, Star! How hard is that?!”

 

He starts pacing back and forth, his nerves slowly getting the better of him.

 

“Can I tell her? SHOULD I tell her?? Will this be like the last time I tried to–”

 

He stops.

 

“...”

 

A silent, downcast chuckle escapes his mouth.

 

“...heh. Still a coward…”

 

…

 

“You'll be okay, right?”

 

“Huh…? Who said that?”

 

Starlo glances every which way. He was positive that it was just him out here- was someone watching?

 

“You'll be okay, right?”

 

That voice…it sounded familiar, yet not familiar at all. Starlo tried desperately to lock down the source of the noise, but to no avail…until he noticed the Echo Flowers .

 

“You'll be okay, right?”

“You'll be okay, right?”

“You'll be okay, right?”

“You'll be okay, right?”

 

The question swarmed around the marsh, seemingly bouncing between each and every Echo Flower in sight.

 

It was at that moment when Starlo connected the dots, realizing not only where the voice was coming from, but also who it originally belonged to.

 

“...”

 

Starlo's panic slowly withers away, replaced by a hopeful smile.

 

“Yeah. Yeah, I'll be okay.”

“ We'll be okay.”

 

As the clock ticked by, minutes began blurring together. Starlo was restless, once again imbued with an eagerness to see Martlet. As he started to get impatient, he wandered in the direction Martlet took off in, seeing if he could perhaps greet her as she was on her way back.

 

It was as he walked in this direction that another patch of Echo Flowers caught his eye. Curious, he walked over to them, hearing rumblings of various voices.

 

“N-no, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to--"

 

“Wow, that's...grim."

 

“I can't run any longer…somebody, anybody…”

 

“Wow, that's…”

 

“CREATOR, I...DON'T UNDERSTAND. THIS RED SUBSTANCE...WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?”

 

“...that's…uh...”

“...”

“Think I'm just about done with Echo Flowers for today.”

 

Starlo continues walking through the marsh once more, having been infected with a mild case of the heebie-jeebies. The Echo Flowers still chatted away, but he didn't pay attention to any of them. He was focused on one thing and one thing only, and that was to see Martlet again as soon as possible.

 

But, oddly enough…one Echo Flower was louder than the rest. 

 

“...is this what it's like? Falling for someone, I mean?”

“...?”

 

Once again, an Echo Flower spoke with a familiar voice. The SAME familiar voice from earlier, at that.

 

His interest was piqued. Despite him saying he was through listening to these things for the day, his curiosity got the better of him, as he closed in on the flower to see what else it had to say.

 

It mentioned ‘falling for someone’... could it be ?

 

“Whenever I see him…whenever I even THINK of seeing him…my heart flutters."

“This feeling wells up in my SOUL that I can't even begin to describe…”

“At this rate, I'd be surprised if I don't start dreaming about him too, heh-heh…!”

“...and that's the thing. These feelings I have for him…they're strong. Too strong for their own good.”

“What if he doesn't feel the same way…? Was this all just one big waste of BOTH of our time?”

“What if he DOES, but then something happens to him and–”

“...”

“Ugh…this ‘love’ stuff gives me a headache. I wish I could just go home and sleep the rest of the day away…”

“...but I can't. I have to see this through.”

“For my own sake…and for his sake, too.”

 

“...”

 

Starlo didn't even realize it, but he was smiling ear-to-ear right now.

 

This…if this is what he thought it was the bag was already secured! All he had to do was tell Martlet that the feeling was mutual.

 

…

 

So why couldn't he? What was stopping him?

 

He knew …well, no, but he was really, really sure that Martlet felt the same way about him as he did about her. The last time he fell in love, it ended in abject, SOUL-crushing failure, and when he was so close to the finish line, too…! Did the experience really mess him up that badly?

 

…no. No, he had moved past that. He had become braver. His mental health had improved. He was just overthinking it, that's all. The next time he saw Martlet, he was gonna take initiative and finally tell her how he–

 

“Huh? Hey, is that…?”

 

OH FUCK.

 

Starlo snaps in the opposite direction, trying to seem as inconspicuous as possible. As Martlet lands, she raises an eyebrow, sensing that something was amiss.

 

“Hey, what're you doing all the way out here…? You alright?”

 

“Yeah, everything's…peachy. I was startin’ to get restless, so I wandered off a little bit. Now I'm just…eavesdroppin’ on Echo Flowers.”

 

Starlo's eyes dart around for a random Echo Flower to present, just to really sell the illusion. He picks one up, and extends it towards Martlet.

 

“where are you right now?”

“…”

“okay, but what does that mean? what does ‘i'm at soup’ mean??”

“…”

“bro, what STORE are you in?”

“…”

“papyrus, why are you buying CLOTHES at the SOUP store???”

 

“...”

 

“This Papyrus guy sounds like a real character, huh?”

 

“No kidding…”

 

The two stand around in awkward silence for three seconds.

 

The longest three seconds of their lives.

 

Eventually, the silence is broken.

 

“...what were we doin’, again? Before you flew off to grab that ‘surprise,’ I mean.”

 

“Ummm…well, we can't just stick in one stretch of the marsh all day, can we?”

 

“Guess not. Though I don't tend to stray all that far from the Dunes, so I ain't exactly the most well-versed when it comes to Waterfall navigation.”

 

“Well, it's a good thing I'm here! Having a long commute comes in handy sometimes, y’know.”

“...well, it used to. You know what I mean.”

 

Starlo snickers. He removes his hat and bows, gesturing past himself and towards the unknown.

 

“Ladies first.”

 

“Oho, my…”

 

Martlet played along with Starlo's courtesy, putting on a chic, high-class facade as she strutted past him. It wasn't long before both of them broke out in hysterical laughter, unable to contain it any longer.

 

There was an air of tenderness to this moment that neither of them seemed to consciously note, but both of them surely felt. As they walked through Waterfall, that feeling steadily became harder and harder to deny.

 

Traveling deeper and deeper into the region, Starlo could vaguely make out his reflection in the bright, almost neon water. He stopped in his tracks, inching slightly closer to it to get a better look at himself.

 

…

 

He smiles. Martlet notices his sudden stop and reacts accordingly.

 

“Hey, Star! Don't start lagging behind, now!”

 

“Oh–! Shoot, my bad!”

 

Martlet gives Starlo a smug side-eye as she turns back around.

 

“Checking yourself out, huh?”

 

“Huh…?! N-no, I was just–”

 

“Can't say I blame you.”

 

“...what?”

 

Martlet's eyes widen as she realizes what she just said.

 

“...”

“Let's just…get a move on.”

 

She darts back around and starts speed-walking. Starlo, oblivious, stumbles a bit in trying to catch up.

 

The duo's trek would eventually lead them into a dark room. The ceiling was coated in glimmering stones, illuminating the ground beneath.

 

“Woah…what's all this?”

 

“This, my five-pointed companion, is the wishing room ! Pretty neat, huh?”

 

“Wishing room…?”

 

Martlet sat down, leaning against a nearby wall.

 

“Long, long ago, when monsterkind still lived on the surface, we used to speak their wishes to stars in the night sky. It's said that if we hoped and prayed with all of our heart and SOUL…the wish would come true.”

 

“... any wish?”

 

“ Any wish. ‘Course, all we have nowadays are these dinky little rocks…”

 

“Huh.”

 

Starlo sits down next to Martlet, looking up at the ceiling with her.

 

“What would YOU wish for, Feathers?”

 

“Uhh…I have a wish in mind, but it's a little embarrassing.”

 

“Hey, no need to say it if ya don't wanna.”

 

“That's the plan, yes.”

 

“...”

 

“...”

 

“...maybe you could wish for a new job?”

 

“Oh, come ON!”

 

Martlet sounds offended, but struggles to contain her laughter. Starlo lightly elbows her shoulder, chuckling.

 

“Hey, I'm just messin’ with ya!”

“...though, now that we're on the subject…why DID you quit the Royal Guard, anyway?”

 

“Well…”

 

Martlet suddenly goes completely quiet, her face now coated in sorrow.

 

“...”

 

Starlo realizes what she's about to bring up. He puts a hand on her shoulder, smiling softly.

 

“Take your time.”

 

Martlet puts her wing on Starlo's hand, gazing deep into his eyes.

 

“...heh. This feels familiar.”

 

She takes a deep breath, and resumes.

 

“I've been…doing a lot of thinking. Ever since Clover passed. After that day, I was offered a higher position by the king.”

 

“Woah. His Royal Hairiness in the flesh–err, fur? What dissuaded ya?”

 

“...well…it was the whole Ceroba fiasco that showed me the worst of what that line of work had in store. I figured…there were better causes for me to set my sights on.”

 

“...I get it.”

 

The scene falls into silence once again. After twiddling his thumbs for a few moments, he pipes back up.

 

“Say…have you ever heard the myth that, whenever someone dies, another star appears in the sky?”

 

“Once or twice, I think. Where are you going with this…?”

 

“I like to think…Clover's up there. Watchin’ over the rest of us, keepin’ us safe…like any good sheriff would.”

 

“...that is a nice thought.”

 

The duo looks back up at the ceiling. The air is tinged with melancholy, yet also…comfort.

 

The moment was rich with intimacy- both of their guards were down.

 

“It's now or never,” Starlo says to himself. His face goes red as he stands up and closes his eyes. His voice takes on a stern, sincere tone.

 

Martlet takes note of all these things.

 

“...Martlet.”

 

“…”

 

She had a feeling she knew where this was headed. She takes one deep breath in, then another deep breath out, also choosing to stand.

 

“Yes, Star?”

 

“There's…err…somethin’ I feel like I should tell y–”

 

“Is it that you love me?”

 

“A–”

 

A solid five seconds of silence pass as Starlo's mind races. So much for trying to be slow and subtle(?) about this.

 

His entire plan was falling apart. How was he gonna salvage this…?

 

“...”

“N…no. Of course not. W-what could've POSSIBLY led you to that conclusion?”

 

“...Star, I may be stupid, but I'm not an idiot. It's written all over your face.”

 

Starlo wanted to cry right now.

 

“I–”

“I, uh–”

 

Trying his absolute hardest to save face, he swallows his dread and continues.

 

“...w-well…since the convo has been led in this direction…how would you feel in the purely hypothetical situation where I did, in fact, have a crush on you?”

 

Martlet raises an eyebrow, smirking.

 

“Hypothetical, huh?”

 

“...”

“Please just answer the question.”

 

Blushing even harder than before, Starlo lowers his hat, further obscuring his eyes in shadow. His figure shuddered in anticipation.

 

“Well, if you want my honest answer…”

 

Oh no, here it comes…

 

“...”

“I…love you, too.”

 

“...eh?”

 

Starlo jolts up in surprise, almost dropping his hat on the ground. A feeling of immense relief washed over him, but also…slight unease. Was he getting pranked?

 

“W-wait…really?”

 

A steadily building giddiness started to overtake him, despite his aforementioned unease.

 

“Yeah. Really.”

 

This moment should be joyful and cathartic, and yet…Martlet didn't seem very happy about it. If anything, it almost sounded as though she was ashamed to be saying this.

 

“...what's the matter? D-do you feel like you're forcin’ yourself into this? You don't hafta reciprocate if you don't mean it–”

 

“N-no, no…! That's not it at all! It's not that I don't love you, because I do , but it's just that…”

 

Martlet looks back up at the ceiling.

 

“I'm…kinda worried.”

 

“Worried? About what?”

 

“...”

 

“Since I realized how I felt about you, there's always been this…nagging feeling, in the back of my head. I'm probably just being paranoid, but…what if something happens to you, and…”

 

Images of Clover briefly flash in Martlet's mind, as she locks eyes with Starlo.

 

“...and I’m left with another unfillable void?”

 

“Martlet…?”

 

“Starlo, I…I don't know if I could go through that again. Especially with someone who means as much to me as you do. I adore you, everything about you, and that's…”

 

She turns away, looking down.

 

“That's…the problem.”

 

“...”

 

Starlo didn't know what to say. An uncomfortable silence pollutes the space he and Martlet occupied together. For a moment, he looks up at the ceiling, focusing on one stone in particular. In Starlo's mind, it shined brighter than all the rest, despite no such thing being true if one were to zoom out from his perspective.

 

One more deep breath. His thoughts finally gathered, Starlo begins to speak once more.

 

“Well…if you don't think you can take that first step, I s'pose I can just step halfway to you .”

 

Martlet turns back around to look at Starlo.

 

“Huh…? What do you mean?”

 

“I get it. After Clover's sacrifice, I sometimes can't help but worry about losin’ people, too. The posse, Ceroba… you . If grief is holdin’ you back, then…maybe you need someone to share it with.”

 

Martlet's mind snaps back to the day her and Starlo brought Clover to the coffin room. The moment they both let their guards down, and allowed their inner pain to unfold before each other.

 

If grief is holding her back, then maybe she needs someone to share it with…

 

…

 

…that someone was Starlo all along, wasn't it?

 

“S-Star…!”

 

It was as if Martlet’s wings moved without order, as they took hold of Starlo's hands. A tender smile on his face, Starlo continued.

 

“I've learned a lot, ever since that day. One thing I've had to come to terms with is that…the most we can do in the face of loss is…to move forward. When those dark clouds start circlin’ overhead, we gotta latch onto whatever we can. Even it means takin’ solace in the light…of a star .”

“...n-no pun intended.”

 

“...heh…”

“All that wisdom…and you still can't say ‘duel’ correctly.”

 

“Gah, come ON! You're ruinin’ the moment!!”

 

Martlet childishly giggles to herself. As much as Starlo tried to feign offense, he couldn't resist the urge to laugh along. He was…running out of things to say, anyway. This interruption was secretly somewhat appreciated.

 

“Haha…well, if you hadn't already won me over before, you sure have now.”

 

“You sure you're up for this…? Again, I don't want you to feel like you're forcin’ yourself to–”

 

“ Starlo. ”

 

“Y-yeah??”

 

“I know for a fact that my heart belongs with you.”

 

“...okay.”

 

…

 

The moment of intimacy quickly devolves into awkwardness, as both Starlo and Martlet stand in complete silence.

 

“...soooo…what now?”

 

“I…don't know. To be honest, I didn't think I'd get this far…!”

 

“That makes two of us.”

 

Starlo puts a hand up to his chin, thinking. Suddenly, he remembers something…!

 

“Say…you had a surprise in store for me, didn't you? If ya want me to have it, now's as good a time as any.”

 

“O-oh, yeah! I nearly forgot! Man, not even five minutes into this relationship and I'm already bungling things…”

 

“Is that what this is now?”

 

“I mean…yeah. We just confessed our feelings for each other…what else am I supposed to call it?”

 

“...a really funny coincidence?”

 

“Oh, you're too much…”

 

Martlet, blushing, reaches into her pocket and pulls something out- a golden, star-shaped badge, fit for a sheriff. It has the word “Starlight” engraved onto it.

 

She hands it over to Starlo, who promptly pins it onto his poncho.

 

“...”

“I think I might cry.”

 

“...I didn't hear a ‘thanks,’ y'know.”

 

“M-Martlet…thank you. Thank you so, so much! I'll treasure this like my life depends on it…!”

 

Starlo pulls Martlet into a hug, sinking his head into her shoulder.

 

“S-Star…!”

“Haha…you know I was just joking, right?”

 

Starlo doesn't respond. His expression is one of pure bliss.

 

“...”

 

Though she needed to stand on her tiptoes a little to do it, Martlet managed to plant a quick kiss (or, well, peck ) on Starlo's cheek.

 

When the hug is released, both partners return to their original positions by the wall, gazing up at the shining stones on the ceiling.

 

“...hey, Feathers.”

 

“Yes, Star?”

 

“You said any wish upon a star could come true, ‘s long as I pour my heart and SOUL into it, right?”

 

“Mhm. What about it?”

 

“...”

 

Starlo looks up at the ceiling, clutching tightly at the badge Martlet gave to him.

 

“...I wish…that you and I will be able to spend the rest of our lives together.”

 

Martlet’s face flushes with red. She slowly starts cracking up, eventually bursting into a laughing fit.

 

“...huh? H-hey, what's so funny?!”

 

Barely managing to regain her composure, Martlet looks back into Starlo's eyes.

 

“Sorry, sorry! You just caught me off guard.”

 

“Eh? Why's that…?”

 

“Well…because…”

 

She takes hold of Starlo's hand, leaning into him.

 

“That's my wish, too.”

 

…

 

 

 

💛 Consider it done.

Chapter 5: Honey, It's Cold Outside

Summary:

Hey, just because our main two have finally gotten together doesn't mean the story's over.

Having been a "thing" for a bit, Martlet and Starlo finally decide to commit to the namesake of "dating" and, well...go on a date! It was bound to happen eventually, right?

Of course, such an occasion requires a bit of prep, and luckily for them, some familiar faces are ready(?) and willing to help.

“Goodbye, friend…”

 

“Thanks for all you've done.”

 

“See you around, kid.”

 

“Take care, Clover.”

 

 

 

 

 

SIDE: M

It's been one week since the crew said their last goodbyes to Clover in Waterfall.

 

It's been two since Martlet and Starlo got together.

 

In the present, Martlet flies back to her house, carrying a hammer in her beak. As she closes in, something catches her eye. There was someone sitting outside…it was Dalv!

 

Upon going in for a landing, she takes the hammer out of her beak and puts it in her pocket.

 

“Okie-dokie, all done!”

 

“Wow, that was fast…! How did it go?”

 

“All according to plan! Realized a little too late that I spelled ‘library’ wrong, but…I think it adds pizzazz!”

“How're things going over here?”

 

“...they're certainly ‘going,’ I know that much.”

 

Sitting in front of Dalv was what seemed to be a small shelf. Its legs were rickety, and one of the walls looked like it was about to fall off…but it didn't look horrible.

 

“Hmm…I think it looks pretty good! Might be a couple screws loose, though.”

“Keep at it! You'll be a pro in no time!”

 

“Much appreciated.”

 

A drop of sweat rolled off of Dalv's forehead as he sighed in relief. He personally wasn't all too proud of what he had put together, but Martlet's encouragement seems to have reinvigorated his drive!

 

As he continued to work on his shelf, he spoke up again.

 

“So…what are you going to do now?”

 

“...good question. That library sign was the last thing on today's tinkering agenda, so…guess I'll just wing it from here on out, heh-heh!”

 

“...”

 

“...”

“You, uh…need any help?”

 

“No, I think I've got it…”

 

Dalv tries twisting one of the legs into place. Unfortunately, he applies too much pressure, and the entire shelf collapses onto the snow-covered ground.

 

“...aw, man…”

 

“Gah, I hate when that happens…! Sorry, pal.”

 

Dalv stares down at the fragments of his would-be masterpiece in shame.

 

“I suppose I'm just not cut out for this ‘craftwork’ thing after all…”

 

“Hey, don't say that…! Nobody's good at it on their first try.”

 

“...what about you?”

 

“Oh, dude, believe me. When I was starting out, I could barely nail planks of wood to walls without messing up somehow.”

“Frankly, I'd say you’re ahead of the curve!”

 

“Hmmm…”

 

Dalv pouts. It was hard to not be at least somewhat frustrated about this, but Martlet's optimism was infectious. With a content smile, he stands up.

 

“I suppose it's nothing to get hung up on. Maybe I'll take another crack at it again tomorrow…?”

 

“Practice makes perfect!”

“Here, I'll get this all cleaned up ‘n then we can call it for today.”

 

Martlet begins picking pieces up off of the ground.

 

“W-wait, already…?”

 

“Haha, yeah…sorry to cut this short, but I just remembered that I have… something important to do later.”

 

She sets the pieces down on a nearby crate.

 

“Ah, okay. I understand.”

“Though, if you don't mind my asking…what is it that you have to do?”

 

“Weeeeell…”

 

Martlet nervously puts her two index feathers together, glancing to the side with a hint of red on her face.

 

“...it's about Starlo, isn't it?”

 

“What gave it away?”

 

“Oh, you know, just…everything.”

 

Martlet rolls her eyes. Dalv chuckles briefly, then gestures for Martlet to proceed with her explanation.

 

“Anyways, continue.”

 

“Alright, here's the sitch: me ‘n Star are going on a date later today!”

 

“Oh, that's splendid!”

“...wait, what about all those times you went out to visit him? And vice versa? Were those not also ‘dates’…?”

 

“Not…exactly. Y'see, this time around, it's a lot more formal. We're gonna meet up at the Honeydew Lodge. After closing time, too, so we can have the night aaaall to ourselves~!”

 

“...isn't that…illegal?”

 

“You act like that's ever stopped me before.”

 

Martlet momentarily reminisces about her time adventuring with Clover.

 

Dalv sighs and furrows his brow, clearly unamused but aware that he can do nothing to stop her.

 

“Soooo…yeah. Definitely got some prep to do.”

 

“You sure are taking this seriously.”

 

“Of course! This is gonna be our first real date! I gotta pull out all the stops to make sure it's one to remember!”

“And to be honest, I'm…pretty nervous, heh.”

 

Nervous? Everything about her demeanor would indicate otherwise.

 

“Really…? What's on your mind?”

 

“Well, it’s nothing all that specific. I'm just sorta…kinda…”

 

Her expression becomes a lot more visibly bothered.

 

“... really worried that I'll mess it up somehow.”

 

“Well, is there anything in particular that you want to get out of it?”

 

“I...”

“This…isn't about me. It's about him.”

 

Martlet abruptly begins to lose her cool, pacing about and speaking faster. It's becoming increasingly obvious that she's had this pent-up nervousness for…pretty much the whole day.

 

“I want him to have the best time possible, I want to shield him from the bleakness of our Underground imprisonment, I want–”

“No, I need the night to go perfectly, no matter what! For his sake!”

 

“...I see.”

 

An uncomfortable silence permeated the atmosphere. Dalv looks at the ground, tugging at his sleeve.

 

“Apologies if I'm being unhelpful. I'm still, err…not the most well-versed when it comes to social situations.”

 

“Ah, no need to apologize…! You're fine! If anything, I just let my nerves get the better of me…”

“I'm…sure I'll figure something out soon enough.”

 

The look on Martlet's face was telling. She still wasn't feeling all that confident.

 

“Hmmm...”

“Actually, I suppose I do have one piece of advice.”

 

“Fire away.”

 

“At the risk of sounding cliché…I think you should just try to be yourself . That's who he fell for, isn't it?”

 

Martlet allows Dalv's words to linger for a little while. As simple as they were…they were helping her realize something crucial. This whole time, she had been worrying about tailoring the night specifically for Star…she's forgotten to try and do right by herself , too.

 

“...”

“...heh. I'll give it my best shot!”

 

“That's the spirit…!”

 

Dalv and Martlet share a quick fist bump.

 

“You've been a real big help, Fangs. Thanks a ton.”

 

“My pleasure!”

“...and I see you've already begun picking up on his nicknaming patterns.”

 

Martlet scoffs in denial.

 

“I have no idea what you're talking about.”

 

 

 

 

 

SIDE: S

“I have no idea what you're talkin’ about!”

 

Starlo angrily sips his Sizzlin’ Soda at the Wild East's saloon. Sitting next to him was Ceroba, who playfully elbows him with a smug expression on her face.

 

“Hey, it's nothing to be ashamed of. For what it's worth, you have a good singing voice.”

 

“Please stop disruptin’ my frontier zen with your slanderous karaoke accusations.”

 

Ceroba stifles a laugh.

 

“...have you ever considered singing for Martle–”

 

“ Ceroba…!! ”

 

“I'm kidding, I'm kidding! Well, somewhat.”

 

Starlo murmurs to himself, pouting. As he starts to blush, he attempts to hide it by lowering his hat over his face.

 

“...say, speaking of Martlet…didn't you say the two of you were going on a date later?”

 

“I did say that, yeah. Thanks for remindin’ that I've done nix to prepare for it. I should…”

 

Starlo awkwardly stands up from his seat at the table, looking towards the exit.

 

“...prooooobably get on that, actually.”

 

“You sure? You sound…hesitant.”

 

“Well, don't get me wrong. I sure as hell want to, I'm just…a little nervous.”

 

Ceroba raises an eyebrow.

 

“...a little?”

 

“Okay, I'm very nervous. There, ya happy now?”

 

“Highlight of my life, buddy.”

 

With a brief chuckle, Ceroba places a hand on Starlo's shoulder, rocking him back and forth a bit. The kitsune's strength is somewhat surprising to him, as he visibly fidgets a bit as she pulls her hand back.

 

“Hey, you know I'm just giving you a hard time, right?”

 

“Yeah, I know, ‘s just…”

 

Starlo goes silent, twiddling his thumbs.

 

“...”

 

“What's on your mind, Star?”

 

“...what ISN'T on my mind, honestly…?”

“I'm just…really worried about screwin’ things up on our first real date.”

“Y-you can relate, right?”

 

“...”

 

Ceroba's expression grows somber for a moment, as she briefly thinks back to the days when Chujin was still alive.

 

“...trust me, I know the feeling. The day of Chujin and I's first outing, I was TERRIFIED. I almost wanted to call it off altogether, just so there wasn't anything I could bungle.”

 

“Man, that nervous…?”

 

“ That nervous.”

“Of course, I ended up going out anyway. And let me tell you- it was one of the finest nights of my life. I'll never forget it.”

 

Despite her smile, a profound sadness enveloped the interaction.

 

“...”

“...sorry for diggin’ this Chujin stuff back up. I know it's a touchy subject for you.”

 

“No worries. If anything, it's nice to be able to talk to someone about it like this.”

“Plus, it's relevant to your circumstances, isn't it? A rookie romantic like you could use a pointer or two from someone more experienced in this stuff.”

 

“Okay, you don't have to put it like that…”

 

Ceroba snickers.

 

“Actually, I'll be real with you. Despite my jests, there's no real ‘method’ to this stuff. It just kinda…happens.”

“It's perfectly natural for you to feel the way you do about this. The best advice I can give is to just…be yourself. That's who she fell for, after all.”

 

“Be…myself…?”

 

Starlo stood in silent reflection for a moment. Had this interaction happened weeks earlier, his response likely would have been along the lines of “but I don't like who ‘myself’ is .” At this point, though, the most Starlo can offer is a simple…

 

“...I'll try my damnedest.”

 

“That's all I ask.”

 

Ceroba and Starlo share a reassuring hug.

 

“Thanks a million, Ceroba. Not just for this, but…for all you've done for me.”

 

“Hey, don't get all sentimental on me now…!”

“...”

“You're welcome, Star.”

 

The Feisty Four audibly says “awwww” in unison from across the room.

 

“What the–?! What're y'all lookin’ at?! Mind yer business!!”

 

The posse promptly returns to whatever they were doing beforehand. Starlo huffs, turning to face the exit once again. Ceroba chuckles, patting her five-pointed pal on the back.

 

“They're nosy because they care.”

“Now…go get ‘em, tiger.”

 

Star turns his head back one more time, tipping his hat as a parting gesture.

 

“You know it…fox.”

 

…

 

“...”

 

“...”

 

“Star?”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“You can go now.”

 

“Noted.”

 

Starlo awkwardly waddles outside, taking his Sizzlin’ Soda with him.

 

 

 

 

 

SIDE: M

“Ugh, c'moooon…! There's gotta be SOMETHING good in here!”

 

A little while after Dalv leaves, an exasperated Martlet rummages through her closet. Half of the space was taken up by numerous identical tank tops. Whatever space WASN'T experiencing this plague didn't seem to be doing Martlet any favors either.

 

“That one's stupid…”

“That one’s ugly …”

“That one went outta style before I was even BORN…!!”

 

Use your imagination.

 

Eventually, Martlet comes across something that strikes her fancy.

 

It was a bright blue, sleeveless turtleneck sweater. In pristine condition, no less!

 

“...y'know what? This'll do quite nicely.”

 

She removes the sweater from its rack.

 

“Hehe…I can't wait to see the look on Star's face when he sees this outfit!”

 

She folds it over neatly, placing it on a desk close to her bed.

 

“And now, time for stage two of my pre-date plan!”

 

Martlet sets her alarm clock for six hours ahead.

 

Immediately after, she flops onto her bed, not even bothering to pull the blanket over herself.

 

“Heh…I'm a genius.”

 

Almost immediately afterward, she goes right to sleep. There is a decent chance that she ends up dreaming about Starlo.

 

 

 

 

 

SIDE: S

Back at his house, Starlo looks into the mirror, Ceroba's words of advice ringing in his head. Since the last time he had really paid it any mind, its pieces had been glued back together as well as they could. Not enough to fully obscure the cracks left behind by its initial destruction, but…just enough to make it actually feel whole again.

 

He shifts in place a bit, looking at himself from multiple angles. His mouth turns up into a nervous smile.

 

“...’just be myself,’ huh?

 

Starlo takes his hat off, holding it close to his heart. His vision fully zeroes in on his own image in the mirror, not deviating by even an inch. He thinks back to what Martlet told him all those nights ago, when the two were engrossed in a heart-to-heart at the saloon…

 

“You may not quite see it yet, but Starlo is just as worthwhile as his sheriff-y alter ego, if you ask me.”

 

“...”

 

The smile on Starlo's face grows wider, going from an expression of nervousness to genuine happiness. Gone were the days of his reflection evoking nothing but disdain- in looking at it now, he felt true contentment. 

 

Pride, even.

 

“Heh. Think I've finally been startin’ to see it, Feathers.”

 

He firmly grasps the badge on his poncho- the one Martlet gave to him back in Waterfall.

 

“...and hopefully you still do, too.”

 

Starlo confidently marches out of the room, his morale revitalized.

 

 

 

 

 

AND NOW, THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR…

Starlo.

 

Honeydew Lodge.

 

Dead silence.

 

Having arrived at the exact time he and Martlet agreed upon, Starlo looks around in confusion. He thought for sure that Martlet would've gotten here first. She lives locally, doesn't she?

 

Ah, well. She probably has a good reason. The most Star could do at the moment was–

 

Click.

 

Suddenly, the lights inside the lodge flickered to life, illuminating the windows with a yellow glow. Hearing and seeing this, Starlo was both enthusiastic and skeptical. Sure, that COULD be Martlet, but it could also be whoever owns the place, and Starlo doubts they'd be happy to have a “visitor” after closing time. He wanted to keep his distance almost as much as he wanted to look inside.

 

…

 

You know what? Yeah. He's totally looking inside.

 

He pushes the wooden door open, only to see…

 

…nobody. Not a single occupant. Though oddly enough, the backdoor had been very slightly opened.

 

“...”

“Am I gettin’ pranked?”

 

“I dunno, are you?”

 

Starlo feels his SOUL skip a beat as a familiar voice speaks out from behind him. He slowly turns around to confirm who it was.

 

Sure enough, Martlet was there, sporting the turtleneck she had laid out for herself hours prior. She closes the door behind her, waving with her free wing.

 

“Howdy there, partner.”

 

“...woah…”

 

Starlo completely stiffens, eyes fixated on Martlet. If he actually had visible pupils, they'd be heart-shaped.

 

“...so I take it that you like the outfit.”

 

“Looking this good should be outlawed.”

 

Somewhat taken aback by this, Martlet tries to play off of the moment by seductively leaning on a nearby table.

 

Or, at least, she thought she looked seductive. In reality, she just looked kinda goofy. Thankfully, this silly performance somewhat helped Starlo regain his composure.

 

“Oh? You gonna arrest me or something?”

 

“For robbery, maybe.”

 

“But I didn't steal anything.”

 

“Oh, balderdash- you've stolen my heart.”

 

Martlet's suave facade shatters into a million pieces. As she's about to retort, she cuts herself off, glancing around the room in a flustered and frantic manner.

 

“I…I, err…”

 

“Two can play that game, Feathers.”

 

Exuding ice-cold confidence, Starlo nonchalantly hops over the one-way door leading behind the main counter.

 

“So, can I interest you in some…”

 

He instinctively wanted to say "Sizzlin’ Soda," but seeing as how this was the Honeydew Lodge and not the Wild East's saloon, he briefly checks behind him to see what's available.

 

“...c-coffee?”

 

“Y’know what? Since we're probably gonna be here a while, and it's already pretty late…I guess I'll need something to keep me awake.”

 

Martlet says, as if she didn't wake up from a 6-hour long nap just over 30 minutes ago.

 

“Alrighty, two Star-Studded Coffees coming right up!”

“...”

 

It takes a little bit to dawn on Starlo that he has no idea how to make coffee. He aimlessly stands at the machine for a good five seconds, slowly but surely realizing that he hadn't the slightest clue what he was supposed to do. Martlet notices this, and decides to step in.

 

“...”

“You don't know how to make coffee, do you?”

 

“...’don't know how’ is a strong term. I prefer to call it…”

 

Starlo thinks about the kind of witty excuse he should make, but keeps drawing blanks.

 

“...”

“Yeah, okay, I don't know how.”

 

Martlet snickers a bit.

 

“D'aww, Star! There's nothin’ to be ashamed of! Here, let me help.”

 

“Wait, really–?”

 

“Yeah, of course! It's not like I was doing anything else anyways.”

“And besides…you're my boyfriend. Supporting you is always priority number one.”

 

Martlet felt a little funny when saying that. She almost didn't believe herself.

 

Starlo's expression of confusion quickly becomes a tenderhearted smile. He takes hold of Martlet's wing as she slowly steps over the counter's small door.

 

“Well, if we're doin’ this together , I guess ‘Star Studded’ ain't exactly the best name for this cup ‘a joe. Any better ideas?”

 

"Hmm…how about…Starbird?"

 

“Little on the nose, ain't it?”

 

“Yeah, true. Okay, what about Cygnus?”

 

“THAT'S not on the nose enough.”

 

“Okay, uhh…oh, you know what'd sound cool? Zenith!”

“...wait. Actually, never mind. For some reason, I'm gettin’ some bad juju from that one.”

 

“I was gonna suggest Sirius, but…yeah. Same.”

 

The couple stood silently in thought for a moment. Suddenly, a light bulb flickers on in Martlet's head.

 

“...you know what? Let's keep it simple. Airborne Coffee.”

 

“Hey, that one has a nice ring to it…! How’d you come up with it?”

 

“Well, birds and stars are always up in the sky, right? They're airborne !”

 

“Wow, ya sure weren't lying when you said ‘keep it simple.’ I like it, though!”

 

“Hehe~! Thanks!”

“...”

“It's occurring to me now that we've spent more time talking about what to name the coffee we're about to make than…actually making it.”

 

“Well, you wanna change that or what?”

 

“Yeah, let's…do that.”

 

And so, Martlet and Starlo's coffee-making journey began. A journey filled with monumental highs and SOUL-crushing lows, trials and tribulations that challenged the pair in ways never thought possible, and…

 

…

 

Okay, yeah, it was completely mundane.

 

But it was certainly hard to be mad at the result- by the end, the couple had made two cups of their patented(?) Airborne Coffee - each with a milk-made drawing in them. Martlet had a star with little circles on each point, resembling a sheriff's badge. And Starlo…had a, quite frankly, very shoddily drawn bird symbol, but it's the thought that counts, right? He's proud. Martlet seems proud, too.

 

As they settled onto the couch by the heater, they almost didn't want to drink these, because that would mean getting rid of these little illustrations. Of course, they did anyway, but it'd be a lie to say they didn't feel at least a little bad about it.

 

Thankfully, that slight guilt was significantly outweighed by the fact that this was the best coffee they had ever tasted.

 

“Man, that sure did hit the spot! Where'd ya learn to make such a top-shelf coffee, Feathers?”

 

“Hey, don't sell yourself short! You were just as big a part of the process as I was!”

“...though, funnily enough, I've only recently known how to do this. It's just something I picked up on after visiting this lodge frequently!”

 

“Really, now? Hope the barista doesn't mind us stealin’ their recipe, then! Ha!”

 

“Pfft, yeah…”

“...y-yeah…”

 

The aura around Martlet suddenly became bittersweet. She looks at the heater, reflecting on times that have long passed.

 

“...huh? Hey, what's the matter…?!”

 

Acting on instinct, Starlo scoots closer to Martlet, slowly drawing the hand closest to her out of his pocket.

 

“...”

“To be totally real with you…I rarely ever came to this lodge solely for myself. Chujin used to love the coffee this place has to offer.”

“...heh. I still miss him a ton.”

 

“Ah...”

 

Needless to say, Starlo felt horrible. This was the second time in one day that he had soured the mood by unearthing Chujin-related memories. Moving his hand further, he grasped Martlet's wing again, attempting to offer comfort.

 

“...sorry if I made you remember anything unpleasant, Martlet.”

 

“I know it wasn't your intention.”

 

Martlet's expression eases up, as she firmly holds onto her partner's hand. Starlo, meanwhile, only seemed to grow more and more regretful. Martlet brings her other wing up to his cheek, gently caressing it.

 

“It's okay , Star…! I'M okay! You don't have to be so sad!”

 

“I know , but…”

 

Ceroba's words from earlier weigh heavily in Starlo's mind.

 

“It's perfectly natural for you to feel the way you do about this.”

 

“...I can't help it. I've been worried sick about the possibility of doin’ something stupid and…makin’ you hate me.”

 

“...”

 

Martlet leans in towards Star, now holding both his hands.

 

“If worry is holding you back, then…maybe you just need someone to share it with.”

 

Starlo's eyes briefly widen, as his mind is once again brought back to the Waterfall confession. Though he wished so badly to retort with a snappy comeback about Martlet “stealing his lines again,” there was something more pressing about this statement on his mind.

 

“Wait, ‘someone to share it with?’ You mean…”

 

“Yup. I've…been really worried about botching this, too.”

 

“Really…? It sure doesn't show with how you've carried yourself so far.”

 

“Haha…well, maybe ‘I've been’ wasn't exactly the right term to use here. To be honest, I started to really ease into this once we started making those cups of coffee.”

 

“...oh.”

 

“N-not that I think there's anything wrong with still being nervous! It's natural. I mean, this is our first formal date . I don't see how anyone in our situation could NOT be nervous for a least a little while.”

“Having said that…there is nothing you could ever do to make me stop loving you, Star. No matter what. You don't have to worry about accidentally ‘ruining things’ between us, or anything like that. Mistakes happen, but they're not dealbreakers .” 

“I guess what I'm trying to say is…don't feel pressured to be perfect, okay…? Nobody is.”

 

“...”

 

Starlo stares into Martlet's eyes. In that moment, he felt as though a weight was being taken off his shoulders. Not a word was spoken, and yet…his expression said everything that Martlet needed to hear.

 

Even if it was only by a fraction …Starlo felt more at ease.

 

The two lovebirds hug each other tightly, nestling into each other.

 

“...there's nothing you could ever do to make me stop loving you, either.”

 

When the hug is released, the two of them stand up from the couch.

 

“...man, I wish I could be half the optimist you are.”

 

“Hey, nobody's sayin’ you can't , right? Frankly, I think there's a lot we could learn from each other.”

 

A jovial atmosphere slowly returns to the interaction.

 

“Heh…no kiddin’. Maybe next time I come by Snowdin, you can teach me craftsmanship…”

 

“...and maybe next time I swing by the Wild East, you can teach me marksmanship!”

 

Both partners’ faces light up with enthusiasm.

 

“STAR, THAT SOUNDS SO COOL!!”

 

“We'll make a day of it! Name the time, name the place, and I'll be there faster than a shooting star!”

 

“Oh my gosh, I'm getting so many ideas! I could show you my favorite fishing spot…”

 

“We could tour the Steamworks together!”

 

“You could show me how to slow dance!”

 

“And you could show me how–”

“...wait, what?”

 

“Y-yeah? Isn't that something they do in those western romance flicks?”

 

“Uhhhh…”

 

“...guessing you've never done it before.”

 

Starlo nervously tugs at his collar. It was bad enough that he had been skipping Cowboy Grammar Class, now he has to grapple with his lack of slow dancing ability! What a nightmare this was…!!

 

…no. No, this was fine. Amidst his silent panic, Starlo senses…an opportunity. He clears his throat, and extends an open hand to Martlet.

 

“Well…there's a first time for everything, ain't there?”

 

“...”

 

Martlet smirks, averting her eyes. She'd hate to admit it, but Starlo's charm had struck a 100% success.

 

“W-well, since you asked so nicely…”

 

She grabs onto both of Starlo's hands, stepping closer.

 

…

 

The band wasn't here.

 

There was no jukebox.

 

The only audible noise was the was the hissing of cold Snowdin winds.

 

And, yet…something was compelling Starlo and Martlet to move. It was not something that could be touched, but…felt, deep within the SOUL.

 

A symphony being played not from an instrument, but from their hearts.

 

It is said that when a monster focuses during a battle, melodic vibrations echo from them. Vibrations that others can sense.

 

This was not a fight, and yet…both Martlet and Starlo seemed to hear the same mental tune.

 

It was slow, but not droningly so.

 

It was calm and euphonious, but not melancholy.

 

It even seemed to be catchy, as Starlo unconsciously found himself humming along.

 

Humming that turned into a sudden grunt as he nearly trips.

 

“W-woah…! Are you alright?”

 

“That was, uh…part of the move.”

 

“...suuuuure.”

 

The slow dance continues. At first, it was…rather sloppy. Both of them had to adjust to each other's movements at a moment's notice, which led to some rather silly missteps on both of their parts.

 

Over time, though, as they both got more and more into it, a dance that once looked like two idiots fumbling about was beginning to look…graceful. One would likely never be able to tell that this was the first time they had ever done this.

 

What anyone would easily be able to see, however, was the unbreakable bond between the two monsters. They were so in sync, they almost seemed like two bodies puppeted by a singular entity.

 

The entire time, they dreamily stared into each other's eyes, only one coherent thought in their minds as their bodies seemingly danced without order.

 

“I want this to last forever.”

 

Eventually, the pair begins to slow even further down, with Martlet deciding to break the silence.

 

“Y'know…sometimes I wish I had wings on my back instead of my arms. Like an angel.”

 

“Uh…and that's because…?”

 

As their music swells and the two come to a standstill, Martlet stands on her tiptoes and leans in towards Starlo, their faces nearly touching.

 

“Cuz then I'd be able to hold you and fly at the same time!”

“...wait, did I say ‘sometimes?’ I meant right now. I thought of that a few seconds ago.”

 

Starlo's face goes red. He chuckles, glancing to the side and rubbing the back of his neck. Martlet returns to a neutral position, seeming proud of herself.

 

“...heh. S'pose that would be pretty nice.”

“Though…’like an angel?’ Surely, there were better comparisons to draw, Feathers.”

 

“Huh? What makes you say that?”

 

With the hand still holding Martlet’s wing, Starlo yanks her towards himself, quickly giving her a kiss on her forehead as she reaches the closest possible proximity.

 

“In my eyes, you may as well be one already.”

 

Now it was the bird's turn to start blushing, as Starlo once again turned her own smoothness around on her. She stammers, struggling to string together a sentence, the smooth and confident exterior from a few moments ago being completely melted away.

 

“...gotcha again.”

 

“This means war.”

 

Starlo chuckles softly. Martlet, despite her embarrassment, can't help but laugh a bit too. Their gazes totally fastened on each other, the dance sinks into a tense silence. In that moment, an unspoken understanding is reached- they both knew where this was going.

 

They both close their eyes.

 

They both lean towards each other.

 

And then…

 

…

 

 

 

 

 

SIDE: M

Back at her house, Martlet is fast asleep. Her head is not on a pillow- rather, she's holding the pillow next to her like a teddy bear.

 

On a desk by her bed, there was a cyan, leatherbound book titled “Martlet's Day to Day!”.

 

It's opened to a random page, covered in messy handwriting.

 

ENTRY ?????

AAGSGSSTARUSUYDUEIEQOWOQPWJFHSHWGSTWYWTWTSFSTARSGSGSGSGSADHDJXJJHDJFJFHFHFHAHAHAHAHA （‐＾▽＾‐）（‐＾▽＾‐）（‐＾▽＾‐）

Chapter 6: Double or Nothing

Summary:

A few weeks have passed since Starlo and Martlet's date at the Honeydew Lodge. Now they, along with a couple other familiar faces, have decided to take a load off at the Wild East's saloon. It's there that a few choice words from Ceroba bring to light a certain metallic guardian lurking in the Steamworks. Enticed by the opportunity to meet another one of Clover's friends, the bird and the star set out to find Chujin's mechanical magnum opus. Hilarity ensues...?

The Wild East's saloon was alive with merriment. To call the place packed would be an understatement- almost every resident of the town had piled inside for a night of fun, excitement, and…inevitable hangovers.

 

Amidst the chattering and shouts of the many, MANY colorful characters occupying the saloon, one particular clique was huddled around the main table, Sizzlin’ Sodas in hand.

…or wing, in one of them's case.

 

MARTLET

“And then I said ‘Feather? I hardly know ‘er!’”

 

DALV

“...I don't get it.”

 

CEROBA

“Martlet, I get that puns and jokes are Snowdin folks’ whole thing, but…you gotta stop.”

 

STARLO

“Then why're you smilin’ like a possum eatin' a sweet potater?”

 

CEROBA

“It's a pity smile! I'm trying to be nice !”

 

The group erupts in laughter…minus Dalv, who awkwardly sips his soda and averts his eyes. Ceroba tries to change the subject, in the hopes of staving off her own humiliating ‘pity smile’.

 

CEROBA

“...anyways. Thanks again for inviting us all here, Star.”

 

STARLO

“Don't mention it! Figured it's been a while since the whole crew was together, so I wanted t’ arrange a lil’ somethin’ special!”

 

MARTLET

“Well, I'm far from disappointed! Tonight's been GREAT! Then again, I shouldn't be surprised that Star always has the best ideas~!”

 

STARLO

“Awww, shucks…”

 

Martlet briefly nuzzles up against Starlo, much to the embarrassment of the sheriff and the amusement of the other two. Ceroba in particular couldn't help but feel a particular warm and fuzzy familiarity…these two were beginning to remind her of how she was with Chujin.

 

DALV

“This place is a lot more packed than I thought it'd be…I swear, every time I come visit the Wild East, I forget just how many people actually live here.”

 

STARLO

“Heh, no kiddin’! Feels like a full-fledged party in here! At this rate, the whoooole Underground's gonna mosey on over!”

 

CEROBA

“Hm…maybe I should've invited Axis over. Then the whole crew would REALLY been together!”

 

STARLO

“...”

“Who in the blazes is Axis ??”

 

…it is just now occurring to Ceroba that she never actually explained the full extent of what happened in the Steamworks to the others.

 

CEROBA

“Err…”

 

MARTLET

“Cerobaaaa…have you been holding out on us?”

 

CEROBA

“N-not intentionally…! I just haven't gotten around to telling you guys!”

 

DALV

“Well, now's as good of a time as any, I think.”

 

CEROBA

“Okay…remember back when Clover was still around, and the two of us went into the Steamworks?”

 

The mood noticeably soured a bit when Clover was brought into the conversation, but this turn of events was nonetheless accepted. Dalv, Martlet and Starlo all nodded along, with a noticeable negative change in their expressions. Clearly noticing this, Ceroba lets out an apologetic sigh, and continues.

 

CEROBA

“...after we got the place fired up, it wasn't long until we ran into its designated guardian. A little robot guy by the name of Axis…he was Chujin's last creation.”

 

Martlet's eyes widen at the mention of her late mentor. Starlo seems equally as surprised, while Dalv raises an eyebrow in confusion.

 

MARTLET

“Chujin…?! He never told me about that !”

 

CEROBA

“Chujin didn't tell us about a lot of things. That's something I've…learned to accept about him.”

“In any case…back to Axis. Real odd little fellow, he was. Brazen and crass for sure, but far from a bad guy. He was just doing his job. And to be honest…he was kind of amusing.”

“Remind you of anyone, Martlet?”

 

Ceroba snickers. Martlet scoffs defensively, but Starlo seems totally oblivious.

 

MARTLET

“Hey! I'll have you know that Starlo is NOT crass!”

 

STARLO

“Eh…?”

 

Then it clicks.

 

STARLO

“...OH! Uhh, yeah, tell ‘er! Glad to know at least someone here has my back…”

 

DALV

“...what about that other thing?”

 

MARTLET

“Ehhh…debatable.”

 

STARLO

“Never mind.”

 

The group bursts into laughter once again, this time with Starlo being the odd one out. He just sits there, sipping his soda and pouting at Ceroba.

 

CEROBA

“C'mon, you know we're only messing with you.”

 

STARLO

“You could stand to pick a different target, Roba.”

 

CEROBA

“Oh? Are you suggesting I start poking fun at your dear Feathers?”

 

STARLO

“Wh–?! No, absolutely not! I'd never !”

 

MARTLET

“Glad to know someone has my back.”

 

With a somewhat inebriated chuckle, Ceroba pats Starlo on the back.

 

CEROBA

“Ha…man, you guys are a riot. Never change.”

 

STARLO

“...wasn't plannin’ on it.”

 

Dalv leans over to Martlet, whispering in her ear…

 

DALV

“(...is…is she already drunk?)”

 

MARTLET

“(Somehow.)”

 

The hype of the moment dies down a bit. It was nice for everyone to be here together, but at the same time…it felt like this puzzle was missing a piece. And it wasn't Axis- no, not quite. It was on everyone's mind, and it was only a matter of time before someone said it out loud. Starlo would break the brief silence, looking down at his reflection in the drink he was holding.

 

STARLO

“...man, I wish Clover was here for this.”

 

MARTLET

“Yeah…me too.”

 

Dalv reclines in his chair, wistfully staring at the ceiling.

 

DALV

“Mm…still not fully over it.”

 

MARTLET

“Don't think any of us are…”

 

CEROBA

“It's only natural.”

 

…

Well, the atmosphere certainly went downhill fast. Martlet tries to think of a way to change the subject again, and suddenly recalls something Starlo said on their first formal date.

 

MARTLET

“...actually. Hey, Star, remember when you brought up the idea of touring the Steamworks together?”

 

STARLO

"Uh-huh.”

 

MARTLET

“Maybe, one of these days, you and I could go in and fish Axis outta there!”

 

STARLO

“...why, that's a GREAT idea! We'll be catchin’ two bandits with one lasso! We can finally get a full glimpse ‘a what's inside, and meet this ‘Axis’ fella!”

 

MARTLET

“Yeah, exactly! Plus, I bet I could grab some metal parts for if I ever wanted to–”

 

STARLO

“Well, there ain't no time like the present, is there? C'mon, Feathers!”

 

MARTLET 

“Wait wha–”

 

In an instant, Starlo takes Martlet by the wing, hoisting her from her seat. The two begin walking towards the exit, with the latter doing it somewhat unconsciously.

It takes her a second to fully process what was going on, and upon doing so, she is entirely okay with it.

 

MARTLET

“...okay, guess we're doing this now! Dalv, Roba- See you on the flipside!”

“(Sheesh, since when was Star packing this much muscle…?! You'd never be able to tell from the poncho…)”

 

The saloon's doors open and shut, leaving Ceroba and Dalv watching on in bewilderment as they try to fully grasp what has just happened.

 

DALV

“Umm…should we follow them, or…?”

 

CEROBA

“...”

“Dina, slide me another cold one.”

 

DALV

“...fair enough.”

 

 

In the dead center of town, Starlo (with his Snowdin sweetheart in tow) retraces the steps he took to reach the Steamworks’ entrance.

 

“Hrmm…the gate should be right past… there !”

 

He points in the direction of Blackjack’s shop.

 

“...gate?”

“O-OH, yeah! The gate!”

 

Making a sharp left turn, the duo sprinted down the path leading to the gate. Passing Blackjack’s shop along the way, Starlo noticed the man himself in the window.

 

The blacksmith gestures to Martlet and raises his eyebrow, as if to non-verbally ask “who's she?”

 

Starlo just smiles and waves nervously, dodging the question.

 

Nobody is happy with this.

 

A few more turns later, and the two of them end up having to pass through another area familiar to Star- the Sunnyside Farm. Everyone seemed to be inside at the moment.

 

“...hey, wait! This reminds me- Star, you've never actually introduced me to your parents !”

 

“That's…true, actually. Dunno why I've never gotten around to it…”

 

“Jeez, after all this time we've been together…”

 

“It's been a month. That ain't… horrible , is it?”

 

“Have ya at least mentioned me to them?”

 

“Oh, plenty. My brother Orion's REALLY been guyin’ me about it, heh…”

 

“YOU HAVE A BROTHER ?!”

 

“...wait, you didn't know?”

 

“Was I SUPPOSED to?”

 

“Okay, yeah, maybe we have a little catchin’ up to do.”

 

“Oh, you're telling me . Starlo, as soon as we're done with our little Steamworks expedition, I'm DRAGGING you back to this farm and making you introduce me to your folks!”

 

With those words, Martlet skips ahead. Contrarily, Starlo suddenly finds himself grinding to a halt. He dreamily gazes at her, a faint blush beginning to materialize on his face.

 

“...”

“Heh-heh… feisty .”

 

Martlet turns around, smugly raising an eyebrow.

 

“You just gonna stand there and gawk or what?”

 

“Eh…? O-oh, right, sorry!”

 

Hastily making an effort to catch up, Starlo almost trips over his own foot. Sure is a good thing Martlet had already turned around by then, or else he would've been reeeeeal embarrassed…

 

 

It wasn't much longer until the two of them reached their destination. Embedded in the wall ahead of them was a steel door with a keypad next to it. No doubt about it- this was their gateway to the Steamworks.

 

“Alrighty…this is it. One step through this here door, and we'll be in all new territory.”

“Well, all new for you . I actually saw a bit of the place back when Ceroba was, err… on the run …but hopefully I don't have to travel via mail basket or laundry chute this time around.”

 

“...interesting.”

“About the door, though…how exactly do we open it?”

 

Starlo points at the keypad to the left of the door, winking.

 

“Why, through putting in the password, of course!”

 

“And the password iiiiiiis…?”

 

“Good question!”

 

Martlet steps in front of the keypad, looking at the available buttons.

 

“Uh…I don't see any letters, just numbers. Do I gotta press and hold, or…?”

 

“...the password isn't ‘good question,’ Feathers. I was just….usin’ the phrase.”

 

“...”

“Uh. Yeah. I knew that. I was just…testing you.”

 

Starlo chuckles, quickly kissing Martlet on the cheek.

 

“You're adorable, y'know that? Not sayin’ that to patronize ya or anything, it's just…true.”

 

Martlet pouts and closes her eyes, trying her absolute best to pretend she isn't flattered. 

It's not working.

 

Starlo saunters over to the keypad, standing side-by-side with his avian inamorata. She grabs ahold of his hand, drawing out a brief chuckle from him. He then shifts his focus to the keypad, looking at each number individually.

 

“Got any bright ideas, Feathers? Maybe it's a number significant to Chujin.”

 

“I don't remember anything like that . Hmmm…”

 

The couple would spend five seconds in silence before an imaginary lightbulb went off over Starlo’s head.

 

“A- ha ! Got it!”

 

Starlo inputs the code “8008.”

 

It doesn't work, as expected.

 

Martlet struggles to conceal her laughter.

 

“...wow. Real mature, Star.”

 

“Hey, don't gimme that. You were thinking the same thing, it's written all over yer face.”

 

“Guilty as charged…”

 

Starlo would try a few more codes after that. None of them had any rhyme or reason to them; he was just throwing stuff at a wall and seeing if anything would stick. Unsurprisingly, all of them failed. He was going 0-for-4 right now, and just as he was about to try a fifth…Martlet stops him.

 

“Hold on.”

 

“What's the matter?”

 

“Maybe…we should try to find another way in.”

 

“Another way in…? What makes you say that?”

 

“Call it a hunch, but…maybe, if you mess up the password enough times, it'll totally lock us out. Chujin seems like the type to implement a security system like that.”

 

Now that Martlet had brought up the possibility…Starlo was starting to reconsider. He steps back from the keypad, bringing a hand up to his chin in thought.

 

“Hmmm…alright. Better safe than sorry. Good call, Feathers!”

“In fact, I already have a better idea!”

 

“Ooh, really? What's–”

 

Starlo takes out his six-shooter and points it at the keypad.

 

“...”

 

“...what's with the face?”

 

“Starlo, don't shoot the keypad.”

 

“Wha…? But–”

 

“Starlo. Do NOT. Shoot. The keypad.”

 

“Awww, why nooooot?”

 

Starlo takes his hat off and gives Martlet the tried-and-true puppy dog eyes. She briefly makes a strange squealing noise, before averting her eyes and covering her face with a wing. Behind it, she was about as red as a fresh strawberry…

 

“(God, he's so…)”

 

Martlet's speech fades into an incomprehensible mumble. Starlo, clearly proud of himself, puts his hat back on.

 

“Wuzzat? Can ya speak a little louder, Feathers?”

 

Her train of thought slowly getting back on the right track, Martlet lowers her wing, fully showing her flustered and somewhat exasperated expression.

 

“What I SAID was…”

 

She takes a deep breath to fully collect herself…before instantly flying into “protective GF mode.”

 

“W-what if it short-circuits?! What if it's rigged to EXPLODE?!”

 

“All those years ‘a puzzle-makin’ sure have shaped your mindset…”

“Here I was, thinkin’ I always had the best ideas.”

 

“...”

 

Martlet rolls her eyes and sighs, unable to contain her smile. Inside, she couldn't believe that this was all it took to convince her…

 

“Okay, fine. Guess we don't exactly have any other options at the moment. But if this quite literally blows up in our faces, I'M not paying the medical expenses.”

 

“Fine by me. You'd be surprised just how much dough me ‘n my folks make offa farmin’.”

 

“Sheesh, didn't know I was marrying into ROYALTY…”

 

“Heh-heh…”

“...”

“...wait, MARRYING?!”

 

“Don't think about it too hard. Just…do your thing.”

 

“Err…r-right, yeah.”

 

Starlo was absolutely going to think about that too hard.

 

He'd do that later, though. Right now, it was time for a dual ! Starlo versus…the completely inanimate keypad.

 

Instinctively, Starlo takes ten paces away from the keypad. Martlet watches in anticipation, silently thinking to herself: “what's taking him so long?”

 

On the tenth step, Starlo snaps back around, taking aim at the keypad, and then…

 

BANG!

 

A bullet speeds through the air, lodging itself into the fifth button- the dead center of the keypad. After some light electrical malfunction, the pad seemingly just…stops working. All of the buttons go completely black, and the panel falls out of its frame.

 

“...”

 

“...”

 

“You know what I'm just now realizing? We went through that entire rigmarole without ONCE thinking to just…ask Ceroba.”

 

“Well…a little too late for that now.”

 

“And whose fault is THAT?”

 

“L-look, in my defense–”

 

A sudden rumble can be heard from the door. Its core lights up, illuminating the door with a bright pink. The shutters folded over the door retract, allowing it to steadily creak open…

 

…and standing behind it was a short, particularly disgruntled robot.

 

“WHAT THE [freak] IS WRONG WITH YOU?”

 

“...no shot.”

 

“As I was SAYIN’.”

“In my defense…it WORKED!”

 

“WHAT. WHAT WORKED? SHOOTING DOWN MY DOOR?”

 

“Well, it was just the keypad , but–”

 

“BECAUSE YEAH. IT WORKED. IT WORKED WONDERS AT [ticking] ME THE [freak] OFF.”

 

“Ah, err– excuse me…! Sorry about your door, but…quick question.”

 

“MAKE IT QUICK.”

 

“Yes, that's…what I said.”

“(Ahem)...anyways. You're Axis, aren't you?”

 

“YOU COME ALL THE WAY OUT HERE, TRY BREAKING INTO MY (FIGURATIVE) HOUSE, AND YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO I AM??”

 

“Wh…when you put it like that, I guess–”

 

“YES I AM AXIS NOW PLEASE GO AWAY.”

 

“...well, that confirms it…!”

 

“Go away? But we just got here!”

 

“PLEASE GO AWAY.”

 

“W-we can fix the door later…! C'mon, we're–”

 

“PLEASE GO AWAY.”

 

“We're just here for a tour !”

 

“PLEASE GO AW–”

“WHAT.”

 

“Yep! Just a quick, in-and-out perusin’ of the place, for adventure's sake!”

 

“...”

“YOU'RE LUCKY I'M NOT IN FACTORY MODE. OTHERWISE, YOU'D BOTH BE ROTTING AWAY IN THE DARK CONFINES OF THE SECURITY SECTOR.”

 

“N-not the security sector…!!”

 

Martlet has no idea what Axis is talking about, but he sure sounded intimidating.

 

“FINE. SEEING AS HOW THERE'S CLEARLY NO WAY TO GET YOU TWO TO QUIT BOTHERING ME…I SHALL OBLIGE. I SHALL BE YOUR…’TOUR GUIDE.’”

 

Axis turns around, rolling deeper into the Steamworks. He motions for Martlet and Starlo to follow him, but they spend a few seconds just…standing outside in shock.

 

“...”

 

“Shoulda never doubted me, Feathers.”

 

“Lesson learned.”

 

Axis “shouts” from afar (though he wasn't really shouting as much as he was just talking rather loud).

 

“DO NOT MAKE ME GO BACK ON THIS DECISION.”

 

“Oh, shoot, right…!”

 

The remaining two clumsily try and catch up with Axis, following his lead through the entry corridor until they reach a wide, open room with a generator in the center. Axis gestures to it.

 

“BEHOLD. THE GENERATOR ROOM.”

“THERE IS A GENERATOR HERE.”

“IT GENERATES.”

 

“...”

 

“...”

 

“...”

“THIS TOUR SURE IS TOURING. LET'S MOVE ON.”

 

“Are you seriou–”

 

Axis turns around to leave again. Just as he starts rolling…

 

“Hold on…!”

 

He snaps right back around, the momentum causing him to lean forward and almost fall.

 

“WHAT.”

 

“This tour's moving awfully fast, no…?”

 

“THAT IS THE INTENTION, MA'AM.”

 

“M-maybe so, but we need a little time to soak in the sights!”

 

“AND THE ‘SIGHTS’ IN QUESTION ARE…?”

 

“Well, there's the generator…and…a-and, ummm…”

“...”

 

“The walls?”

 

“Y-yeah, the walls! Thanks, Star!”

 

“WE'RE MOVING ON.”

 

“Wait–”

 

“Well, what about you?”

 

“...WHAT? WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?”

 

“Why don't we take a lil’ time ‘n get to know ya? Tell us about yerself, pardner! Seems like you got an interesting little operation goin’ on here.”

 

Axis was still on the fence about this whole “tour guide” thing. It didn't sit right with him to take so kindly to borderline home invaders…but if there's one thing he likes to do, it's talk about himself.

 

“I'M GLAD YOU ASKED.”

 

“(...you are?)”

 

“AS YOU TWO ARE (HOPEFULLY) AWARE, I AM THE DESIGNATED GUARDIAN OF THE STEAMWORKS. NORMALLY, I AM IN A FACTORY STATE, IN WHICH I SWIFTLY APPREHEND AND/OR MAIM TRESPASSERS ON THIS PRIVATE PROPERTY.”

 

He put a lot of emphasis on “private”...looks like he still isn't all that thrilled about Starlo and Martlet’s somewhat destructive arrival.

 

“YOU TWO REALLY DODGED A BULLET. IF NOT FOR RECENT DEVELOPMENTS, YOU WOULD BE HAVING, AS THE KIDS SAY, A BAD TIME.”

 

“L…lucky us…”

 

“These ‘recent developments’ yer speakin’ of…what exactly are they, if ya don't mind my pryin’?”

 

Axis lets out a robotic sigh of reminiscence. Though it was less of a sigh and more of a whirr. His eyes somehow take the shape of hearts, as he gazes lovingly into the middle distance.

 

“IT ALL CHANGED WHEN I MET MY ONE TRUE LOVE…”

 

“...”

“Your what.”

 

Contrary to Starlo's surprise, Martlet's reception of this information was much more outwardly positive.

 

“D'aww! That's so sweet! How'd you two meet?”

 

Martlet eagerly anticipates Axis’ answer, whereas Starlo is still in shock that this little bucket of bolts managed to get into a relationship before him.

 

“IT ALL HAPPENED IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE…THERE THEY WERE, HAVING APPEARED TO ME LIKE A GENIE IN A BOTTLE. IT WAS AS IF MY DEEPEST DESIRES HAD MANIFESTED IN A PHYSICAL FORM.”

“THE SHIMMER, THE COMPLEXION…”

 

“How romantic! I'm getting all mushy just hearing thi–”

 

“THE CURVES…”

 

“...”

“...ooookay…!”

 

Starlo, despite his sulking, snickers a bit.

 

“AH, BUT YOU COULD ONLY KNOW SO MUCH FROM ONLY TALKING TO ME. WHY NOT HEAR IT FROM THE LOVELY THEMSELVES?”

 

Axis turns to the exit of the generator room, motioning with a finger for the other two to follow his lead.

 

“THIS WAY.”

 

As the sound of his single, tiny wheel rolling across the ground fades out of earshot, Martlet turns to Starlo, grabbing his hand.

 

“C'mon, Star! Turn that frown upside down! Let's go meet the missus!”

 

Martlet doesn't even know what he was frowning FOR, but if she sees it, she's gonna try and correct it. Starlo smiles at her, swayed by her enthusiasm (and somewhat flustered by the sudden hand-hold).

 

“Alrighty then. Lead the way.”

 

“We're literally standing side-by-side, but okay…”

 

Exiting the generator room, the two of them encounter a crossroads; one path leading left, the other leading right. Before either of them could register a potential course of action from there, the robotic voice of Axis called out to them from the right side.

 

“OVER HERE.”

 

“Oh, there you are!”

 

As his two tourists entered the room he was in, the star's eyes were drawn to the lockers on the left wall.

 

“What're all these lockers for…? Y'all robots stash yer valuables away in ‘em?”

 

“LOL. NO. GOOD GUESS. EXCEPT NOT REALLY. BECAUSE IT'S WRONG.”

 

“OKAY, I get it…! Sheesh…”

 

“YOU MENTIONED ‘VALUABLES.’ THIS OFFERS ME A GOOD SEGUE, AS I HAPPEN TO HAVE SOMETHING VALUABLE RIGHT OVER HERE…OR, RATHER, SOMEONE.”

 

The locker Axis was standing next to was already open. He reaches inside, slowly pulling something out with a level of gentleness that one would likely never expect him to show, given his…attitude.

 

“ENTER: DAISY. MY ONE AND ONLY.”

 

“...”

 

“...that's…”

 

A trash can with googly eyes and wheels for arms.

This was the “Daisy” Axis was so proud to flaunt.

 

“SAY HELLO, HONEY.”

 

“...”

 

…Daisy was not the talkative type.

 

“SO, WHAT DO YOU TWO THI–”

 

“PFFFFFT–!!”

 

Starlo erupts in an uncontrollable cackle. He doubles over onto the ground, his hat somehow not falling off of his head.

 

“...”

“OK.”

 

“S-Starlo…! Be nice!”

 

Coughing and wheezing from laughing too hard, Starlo sluggishly pulls himself off the ground, wiping a tear out of his eye.

 

“...okay, it's outta my system now. M'bad, folks. Pleased to meetcha…(snrk)...Daisy.”

 

Martlet rolls her eyes.

 

“Please excuse him. He's, uhh…experiencing culture shock.”

 

“UNDERSTANDABLE.”

“THOUGH, NOW I'M CURIOUS- YOU TWO. WHAT EXACTLY…ARE YOU? TO EACH OTHER, I MEAN.”

 

“Oh, us? We're dating! We've been goin’ strong for a whole month now, actually!”

 

“AH. ANOTHER COUPLE. ANOTHER…RECENT COUPLE. COINCIDENCES ARE A FUNNY THING, NO?”

“ACTUALLY…THIS GIVES ME A WONDERFUL IDEA. HOW WOULD YOU TWO FEEL ABOUT A ‘DOUBLE DATE’ OF SORTS?”

 

Martlet gasps in excitement, her eyes lighting up. She was VERY clearly a big fan of the idea.

 

“That would be SOOOOOO fun! Whaddaya think, Star?”

 

“Yeah, that's…real swell.”

 

“...huh? What's wrong?”

 

“Nothin’! It's just…I thought this guy wanted us outta his hair as soon as possible. I'm just a lil’ confused, that's all.”

 

“ONE: I DO NOT HAVE HAIR.”

“TWO: AM I NOT ALLOWED TO CHANGE MY MIND?”

 

“That ain't what I'm sayi–”

 

“I WILL BEGIN MAKING THE PREPARATIONS IMMEDIATELY. YOU TWO STAY HERE.”

 

Axis speeds out of the locker room with Daisy in tow, leaving the other couple to their own devices. While waiting, they both sit down by the lockers at the wall. Starlo speaks with slightly annoyed sarcasm.

 

“...he sure is a character, ain't he?”

 

“No kidding. Honestly, he wouldn't at all be out of place as part of your posse. Together, you could be the…Spunky Six, or something.”

 

“Heh. Mooch would definitely get a kick outta messin’ with him.”

 

The room would fall into silence after that brief exchange. Neither of them seemed to know where to take the conversation next…but after reflecting on the previous moment with Axis, Starlo piped up, nostalgically gazing at the wall in front of him.

 

“A month already, huh…? Time sure does fly when you're havin’ a blast.”

 

“Haha…feels like just yesterday, we were looking up at the shiny stones in Waterfall together. Honestly, I still don't know how I managed to get through that ‘date’ without exploding into a million pieces.”

 

Dreamily staring up at the ceiling, as if the wishing room's rocks were still there, Starlo’s voice drops into a somewhat timid mumble.

 

“...y'think our wish will come true?”

 

Martlet takes both of Starlo's hands, getting his undivided attention.

 

“We're living it right now, Star.”

 

Silence came once again, but this one was much more…intimate. Both partners were making unwavering eye contact with each other, with a faint blush slowly developing on both of their faces…yeah, it was definitely about that time again.

 

They leaned in towards each other, their eyes narrowing, cupping each other's faces in their hands…

 

…

And then, like a comically large anvil dropping through a glass ceiling…

 

“HELLO AGAIN.”

 

Axis returns. Starlo and Martlet both jolt up in shock.

 

“WHAT THE HELL, BOLTBRAIN?!”

 

“CAN YOU PLEASE KNOCK NEXT TIME?!”

 

“THE LOCKER ROOM HAS NO DOOR. HOPE THIS HELPS.”

“PREPARATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. FOLLOW ME, PLEASE.”

 

Starlo angrily watches Axis as he rolls away, CLEARLY a bit frustrated that his and Martlet’s moment of intimacy was so rudely interrupted. As he stands up, he narrows his eyes and crosses his arms.

 

“...I don't like him.”

 

“I mean, he doesn't seem… awful . Maybe a little inconsiderate, but…”

 

“A little?”

 

“Okay, very inconsiderate, but we did basically break into his house.”

 

“I still don't like him.”

 

“F-fair enough.”

 

Awkwardly averting her eyes, Martlet stands up as well, pointing in the direction Axis left in.

 

“Welp. Nothin’ to do now but follow him. Just… try to hide your aversion, please?”

 

“Just ‘cuz you asked, buttercup.”

 

Martlet felt her heart skip a beat, but she just BARELY manages to keep her composure.

 

“...’buttercup.’ That's a new one.”

 

“Ya like it?”

 

Passing by Starlo, she mutters something under her breath.

 

“Maybe a little bit.”

 

Starlo follows close behind Martlet, making a mental note to call her “buttercup” more often.

 

With that, Axis would lead the way towards the site of the “double date,” with his two tourists trying (and failing) to keep up with him. As they progress through the Steamworks, Martlet and Star find themselves beginning to sweat. And not just because of all the running they were doing- it seemed like the temperature itself was rapidly rising.

 

“H-hey…Feathers…is it just me…or are we sprinting into an oven?”

 

“Jeez, you feel that heat too…?”

 

Axis skids to a halt, turning around and calling out to his two tagalongs.

 

“OH, DO NOT MIND THAT.”

“THAT'S JUST THE SURROUNDING SEA OF BOILING PINK THAT YOU HAVE SOMEHOW FAILED TO NOTICE.”

 

“The what.”

 

“FEAST YOUR EYES.”

 

By now, the trio (or quartet, counting Daisy) were truly knee-deep into the Steamworks. In fact, there was a flashing sign with the name of the place protruding out of the…surrounding sea of boiling pink that they had somehow failed to notice. Gee, Axis sure wasn't lying…

 

“...woah.”

 

“Oh this feels incredibly unsafe suddenly.”

 

“I mean…I think I'm fireproof. Maybe I could survive a dip.”

 

“Number one: PLEASE don't think like that.”

“Number two: I'M not fireproof! What am I gonna do if–”

“...wait, you're fireproof?”

 

“Long story.”

 

“DO NOT WORRY. YOU WILL BE PROVIDED WITH FIRST-CLASS TRANSPORTATION. THE ODDS OF YOU FALLING IN AND BURNING TO YOUR DEATH ARE A MERE 20%.”

 

“That's 20% too high for me, chief.”

 

“Y'think we should just back out, Feathers…?”

 

“AHEAD OF US LIES THE EASTERN BRANCH. THERE, YOU SHOULD HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO MENTALLY PREPARE YOURSELVES BEFORE THE RIDE.”

 

“Ugh…guess it can't be helped.”

 

A few flights of stairs and a few empty corridors later, and Axis’ entourage would be a decent way into the eastern sector. Another massive lake of pink lava was waiting just past another door- but unlike the first, this one was directly cutting the group off. The ground had reached its end, with nothing more than a neon blanket of deathly warmth outstretched beyond the ledge.

 

“HERE WE ARE.”

 

“...I don't see any ‘first-class transportation’ here, pal.”

 

“PATIENCE, ODDLY DRESSED MAN. OUR TRANSPORTATION WILL BE ARRIVING SHORTLY.”

 

“ Oddly dressed…?! ”

 

Martlet tugs at Starlo's poncho, non-verbally telling him to let it go.

 

“...ugh.”

 

“Grin and bear it, Star…”

 

Starlo opted to frown and bear it instead.

 

It wouldn't take long for the sounds of gushing liquid and churning metal to start fading into earshot- something was approaching. Could this be the “first-class transportation” Axis has been speaking of…?

 

“Uhhh…hey, Axis. Are you making those sounds?”

 

“LOOK DOWN.”

 

“What…?”

 

Martlet (and Starlo, with reluctance) looks off the platform the group was standing on, locating the source of the noise. Floating through the lava was what seemed to be a robotic manta ray.

 

“Th-th-the floor is lava, everybody!”

“I am sorry to say I failed the game some time ago-bzzt.”

“H-however-r, you do not have to–”

 

“YES, YES, WE KNOW. I'LL TELL YOU WHEN TO TAKE OFF.”

 

“...o-kay. Bzzt.”

 

Axis and Daisy carefully mount the now somewhat dejected manta bot. There's barely enough space to fit them both.

 

“THIS is our transport…?! It's way too small!”

 

“WHAT? NO. YOU WILL NOT BE RIDING WITH US.”

 

“Ehh????????”

 

“Then how in tarnation are we s'posed to–”

 

“OVER THERE.”

 

Axis points at something in the distance- a gondola, rowed by a tall, thin figure with what appeared to be a chef's hat atop its head. It closes in on the platform, already seeming to be in a less-than-stellar mood.

 

“Again, monsieur Axis…? You know how long we were out here last thyme. I had to initiate emergency backup power and everysing…!”

 

“DO NOT WORRY, SOUSBORG. THIS WILL TAKE FAR LESS THAN TWELVE HOURS. IT IS A SIMPLE ‘POINT-A TO POINT-B’ ENDEAVOR.”

“YOU SEE, ME AND MY AGGRESSIVELY TOLERABLE TAGALONGS ARE ON A DOUBLE DATE.”

“AND A TOUR.”

“A DOUBLE TOUR.”

“A TOURBLE DATE.”

“A–”

 

“Please. Stop.”

 

“Seconded.”

 

“Thirded.”

 

“...”

“HATERS. [freaking] HATERS. THE LOT OF YOU.”

 

Axis aggressively gestures to the gondola, trying to get a “hurry up” type of message across to the other two. They both comply, carefully (and reluctantly) boarding the boat…but not without an eye-roll from Starlo.

He still doesn't like this guy.

 

With that, Sousborg and the unnamed manta bot would set sail, setting the long-awaited “double date” in motion.

 

…though, it could hardly be called that initially. Both couples spent the first minute or two doing next to nothing. Just…awkwardly glancing around at the dilapidated architecture as it passed by, with a few robots watching their voyage from other platforms. Eventually, Martlet opens her beak to strike up a conversa–

 

“I’M ALREADY HAVING A GREAT TIME.”

 

You know what? That works.

 

“Huh…? O-oh! That's…great!”

 

“ARE YOU HAVING FUN, DARLING?”

 

“...”

 

“GLAD TO HEAR IT.”

 

“...”

“...hey, Star, did you–”

 

“I swear I just saw it move.”

 

“So I'm not crazy!”

 

“SAW WHAT MOVE?”

 

“N-NOTHING!”

 

“WHAT ABOUT YOU, DAISY? DID YOU SEE ANYTHING?”

 

“...”

 

“THEY DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. MAYBE YOU ARE CRAZY.”

 

“Hey. Zip it .”

 

“THERE ARE NO ZIPPERS ON ME.”

 

Starlo angrily grumbles something incomprehensible, to which Martlet responds by patting him on the back. The atmosphere could certainly use some work…and that's where she comes in to turn it around!

 

“Umm…so, Axis. Why dontcha tell us a little more about yourself?”

“...and, uh, Daisy too, I guess.”

 

Starlo had to resist the urge to make a snide remark there.

 

“GLADLY.”

“I BELIEVE I ALLUDED TO THIS EARLIER, BUT BEFORE THE TWO OF YOU EVER SO RUDELY BROKE INTO THE STEAMWORKS,”

“(I'M STILL NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT BY THE WAY)”

 

“We said we were sorry …!!”

 

“I FOLLOWED A MUCH LESS…AUTONOMOUS ROUTINE. DAY IN AND DAY OUT, I WAS BOUND TO THE PROGRAMMING OF MY CREATOR. NOT A PARTICULARLY BAD WAY OF LIFE, BUT WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT…I CANNOT SAY I MISS IT.”

“IT WAS QUITE THE LIMITING EXISTENCE, EVEN IN COMPARISON TO THE REST OF THE BOTS…”

 

“Huh…? What do you mean by that?”

 

“EVERY ROBOT HERE IS PART OF THE SAME CENTRAL CONTROL UNIT. THE SAME…HIVEMIND.”

“EVERY ROBOT…EXCEPT FOR ME.”

“AS A RESULT, I COULD NOT HELP BUT FEEL QUITE ISOLATED FROM MY PEERS. NOT THAT IT MATTERS…MOST OF THEM HAVE RUSTED OVER BY NOW.”

“...”

 

…well, this conversation took quite the turn. Martlet's expression of intrigue quickly turned to remorse, and even the uncharacteristically apathetic Starlo seemed to sympathize with Axis a bit. Sousborg averts his eyes, seeming even more like he didn't want to be here right now.

 

“WELL. I MEAN.”

“I ALWAYS KNEW I WAS THE BEST.”

“BUT I WAS UNDENIABLY…QUITE LONELY.”

“ESPECIALLY WITH MY CREATOR NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.”

 

“...”

“Oh…I see.”

 

Suddenly, Martlet seemed uncomfortable. His instincts kicking in, Starlo immediately came to her aid.

 

“We can drop the conversation if it'd make ya feel better, Feathers.”

 

“O-oh, no, I'm fine! I'm just…thinking about what I've heard, that's all.”

 

“IT'S ALL GOOD NOW ANYWAY. MY WONDERFUL DAISY WAS THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.”

 

“...”

 

“LOVE YOU TOO.”

 

“Good grief…”

 

“THAT REMINDS ME. WHEN YOU TWO FIRST ARRIVED, YOU ALREADY KNEW MY NAME. WHY IS THAT…?”

 

“Ceroba told us about you. A previous visitor of the place- remember her?”

 

“THE NAME ‘CEROBA’ IS NOT REGISTERED IN MY MEMORY BANK. THE LAST PEOPLE TO VISIT THE STEAMWORKS WERE A MONSTER BY THE NAME OF TALL LADY AND  THE APTLY NAMED HATTED HUMAN.”

 

“Hatted…”

 

“...human…?”

 

That seemed to strike a nerve with both of them. It's just now occurring to the duo that sooner or later, they'd have to break the news about what happened to Clover.

 

“INDEED. JUDGING FROM YOUR EXPRESSIONS, YOU SEEM TO KNOW THEM AS WELL…I SUPPOSE I WILL SIMPLY MARK ‘CEROBA’ AS AN ALIAS FOR TALL LADY.”

 

A series of short beeps are emitted from Axis- presumably, this was the process of him adding Ceroba's Tall Lady's “alias” to his registered data.

 

“...HOW ARE THEY DOING, BY THE WAY? THOSE TWO.”

 

…ah. THERE'S the million dollar question. They couldn't dance around it forever.

 

Martlet and Starlo glance at each other dolefully.

 

“Do you wanna tell him, or…?”

 

Martlet remains silent.

Starlo nods in understanding.

 

“...well…Ceroba’s doing fine these days. She's had it rough for a while, but she's been a lot happier as of late.”

 

“A-and Clover…”

 

“I ASSUME YOU MEAN THE HATTED HUMAN.”

 

“They're gone.”

 

“...”

“WHAT?”

 

“Clover…they're gone. They've been gone for a while now.”

 

It's honestly kind of astounding just how much the tone of a moment can nosedive after just a few choice words.

 

Axis takes a pause. Despite his unmoving expression, a feeling of disbelief lingered in the air. He looks down, needing a moment to fully process what he has just been told.

 

“GONE.”

“BASED ON WHAT I HAVE GLEANED FROM OTHER SOURCES, I BELIEVE YOU ARE REFERRING TO DEATH.”

 

“...”

 

Starlo and Martlet both give a silent nod.

 

“I…I SEE.”

 

For the first time since Martlet and Starlo arrived, Axis is too stunned for words. His gaze is drawn to the flowing lake of pink lava- he can almost see his reflection in it. Even Daisy’s silence, which was by far their most characteristic trait, seemed to carry a newfound sadness. They’d spend an uncomfortably long time in this silence- in that time, Sousborg and the manta both made their stops at another platform- the office branch. This boat ride was intended to be short, yet romantic…but everyone was in a worse mood getting off of their rides than they were while boarding. Sousborg and the manta bot sail away, with even them seeming much sadder than they initially were.

…

This situation has raised a question about someone else Axis hasn't seen in a while.

 

“...WHAT OF MY CREATOR?”

 

“Eh?”

 

“Creator…?!”

 

A sharp chill suddenly shoots down Martlet's spine.

 

“YOU TWO KNOW CEROBA, YES? SHE CLAIMED TO BE MY CREATOR’S WIFE. BY THE TRANSITIVE PROPERTY, YOU WOULD KNOW MY CREATOR.”

“SO…DO YOU KNOW HIM? DO YOU KNOW…MR. CHUJIN?”

 

“I…”

 

Starlo looks guilty. He lowers his hat over his eyes, saying nothing.

 

“WHAT IS WITH YOUR EXPRESSIONS. IS HE UNWELL? I MAY HAVE BACKLOGGED SOME MEDICAL PROCEDURES, I CAN CHECK–”

 

“He's gone too.”

 

“...”

“YOU LIE.”

 

“No, Axis, I'm being serious. Chujin's been gone for years.”

 

“BUT CEROBA SAID…SHE'D TELL HIM THAT I MISS HIM.”

 

Another nerve is struck. Martlet closes her eyes and turns her head, trying to avoid making eye contact with Axis. Starlo simply grits his teeth, his silence continuing.

 

“W-well…I guess…she was just trying to spare your feelings.”

 

Martlet is holding back tears.

 

Axis would be crying, too…but that's something robots just can't do. Something he'd know, after trying to himself.

 

His hands shaking, Axis slowly rolls past the other couple. His lifeless gaze is affixed to the ground beneath him.

 

“...”

“I…NEED TIME. TIME TO WORK THROUGH THESE EMOTIONS.”

“I KNOW NOT WHAT THEY MEAN…ONLY THAT THEY FILL ME WITH AN ACUTE PAIN.”

“PLEASE…LEAVE ME ALONE.”

 

With those parting words, the confused and grieving Axis enters the office building ahead of him, with not even Daisy in tow. The remaining three are left with nothing but the bubbling of lava, and the heart-crushing grief of truths unveiled woefully late.

 

…

 

Martlet trudges over to the office building, but doesn't enter- she turns her back to it, sitting down and leaning against it. Hearing the sound of her boots thumping against the ground, Starlo walks to the building as well, sitting down right next to his ladylove. Upon speaking, he drops the accent entirely, even going as far as to take off his hat.

 

“...I've been a real douche canoe today, haven't I…? Sorry about that.”

 

“I mean, I wouldn't say you were that bad, but…forgiven.”

“Though, now that you mention it…why were you in such a crummy mood around Axis?”

 

“Well, partially because he was getting on my nerves.”

“...but mostly because I probably just didn't like that this was who Ceroba was comparing me to earlier, even though I KNOW she didn't mean anything by it.”

 

“Hey, that's okay…! Your feelings are beyond valid!”

 

“You're just saying that because you're–”

 

“ No , Star. I'm not just saying this out of relational obligation, I'm saying it because it's the truth…! You've got every right to feel uncomfortable about that, joke or otherwise. And…sorry if I made you feel worse by playing along.”

 

“Hey, you're fine…! I'm not mad at you, or Ceroba for that matter, and even if I was…that's not what I'm worried about right now. How do you feel, Martlet…? You seem really down.”

 

“Oh, me? I'm…”

“...”

“I'm…fine.”

 

She was clearly not fine.

Starlo clearly knew this.

He pulls her into a hug.

 

“C'mon…what's the matter?”

 

Martlet's expression softens up. With a loving sigh, she reciprocates the hug.

 

“...nothing I can hide from you, is there?”

 

Letting go, Martlet leans back on the building behind her, looking up at the ceiling of this massive industrial complex.

 

“I've just been thinking about what Axis said. About…his loneliness.”

“It kind of…reminded me of myself, in a way.”

 

Starlo gives Martlet an expression of concern.

 

“H-how so…?”

 

“Well…after Chujin died, I pretty much felt the same way. Not to the point where it was a huge problem, but…it did kinda feel like I was just going through the motions. Nobody to talk to…no shoulder to lean on.”

“Didn't exactly help that I never really had many friends as is.”

“When Axis said all that…I guess I just identified with him, in that moment.”

 

“(Jeez, now I feel like even more of a jerk for being so cold to the guy…)”

 

“Huh? You say something, Star?”

 

“...nah, it's nothing. Go on.”

 

“Okay…”

“Anyways. That's all the more reason I have to be glad you entered my life. I don't think words can properly express how grateful I am for you. Or the rest of the crew, for that matter.”

“And that…includes Clover, too.”

 

This time, Martlet would be the one to initiate the hug. Without an ounce of hesitation, Starlo reciprocates, his head sinking into the mop of feathers at her neck. To him, this was the closest he could get to heaven without kicking the bucket.

 

“I'm grateful for you too, Martlet.”

 

Releasing the hug, Martlet stands up, prompting Star to do the same.

 

“Y'know...hearing you speak without the accent, or when you call me ‘Martlet’ instead of ‘Feathers’...it still feels a little strange. In a good way, I mean.”

 

“I try to save it for the moments when it matters most.”

 

“Really? What makes this moment so important?”

 

“I feel like I was really able to connect with you. Well, moreso than usual. It really does mean a lot to me that you feel so comfortable laying your heart bare like this.”

 

“Did you ever doubt that I would…?”

 

“No, not for a second! It's just…gah, I dunno! Sentimental balderdash, you know how it is.”

 

Martlet chuckles, leaning on Starlo.

 

“I getcha. Sorry for putting you on the spot like that, heh…you're the best support system a gal could ever ask for, Starlight.”

 

“That's kinda sad.”

 

“...c'mon, man.”

 

“Sorry, sorry. Workin’ on it.”

 

Silence would swoop over the vicinity again, but this one was a lot less bleak. Just like in the locker room, before Axis showed up, Martlet and Starlo had this moment all to themselves.

 

…

 

This time…they weren't going to let the moment escape them.

 

Martlet wraps her wings behind Starlo's neck, pulling him forward ever so slightly.

 

Standing on the tips of her talons, she leans towards him, and…

 

“...”

“To this day…I STILL have no idea how you do that with a beak.”

 

“Eh…just takes some clever positioning. Maybe if you stopped closing your eyes whenever it happened, you'd get a better idea.”

 

“Maybe so, but that'd just suck all the romantic tension outta the moment…!”

 

Martlet chuckles, rolling her eyes. Starlo pridefully puts his hat back on, smiling from ear to ear. That kiss is gonna have him on cloud nine for the next week .

 

“Your commitment to the theatrics of it all is honestly pretty respectable.”

“Now then…I believe we've stood around here for long enough.”

 

“You wanna get outta here?”

 

“Well…we can't exactly do that without that ‘Sauce-berg’ guy around to row us back to where we started.”

“And besides…I kinda wanna go see Axis. I know he told us to leave him be, but…I just wanna check on him.”

 

“...honestly? I was thinkin’ the same thing.”

 

“Well then! What're we waiting for?”

 

Starlo gestures to the door of the building with a bow.

 

“Lead the way, buttercup.”

 

Martlet scoffs, waltzing inside with a red tint on her cheeks. Naturally, Starlo trails right behind her.

 

…Martlet had a slight feeling that they were forgetting something, but she had no idea what it was. 

 

It was during their trek that it really began to set in just how large the Steamworks really were. It honestly felt like an Underground within the Underground, with interconnected rooms and buildings as far as the eye could see.

 

Martlet, a homebody through and through, felt a little bit out of her depth here. Excited, but nonetheless uncertain.

 

Starlo was just sort of along for the ride. He was enjoying the “tour” for what it was. And that enjoyment…seemed to rub off on Martlet a bit. She found herself engrossed in this strange new territory, from its (admittedly rather dated) architecture to the many robots roaming about. A real quirky cast of characters, they were. She was particularly fond of Goosic. It was, in her words, a “silly little fella.” Starlo found its tunes to be a tad bit grating, but he certainly admired its enthusiasm.

 

Twists upon turns, turns upon twists…and still no sign of Axis. Truthfully, Martlet was close to giving up on pursuing him…but Starlo, as previously stated, was nothing if not theatrical. He had an eye for atmosphere- and this GIANT FUCKING FURNACE they were walking through had a real “this is the end” vibe to it.

 

“Won't be long now, Feathers. Axis is close, I can feel it in my bones…”

 

“Boy, I…reeeeeeally hope you're right. Somehow, all the water in my canteen EVAPORATED while we were on that gondola.”

 

“Yikes…never lucky.”

 

“Never lucky…”

 

Starlo's intuition proved to not be misplaced, as in the very next room, a familiar metal figure came into view. Standing all alone in the dead center of the final furnace was none other than a dejected, irresolute Axis.

 

“...”

 

“(...there he is.)”

 

“(Should we approach ‘im, or…?)”

 

“YOU TWO DO KNOW I CAN HEAR YOU, RIGHT?”

 

“WHAT THE–?!”

“I mean…err…yeah, of course we did…!’

 

“Y-yeah, of course! We were just…runnin’ it by ya!”

 

“DID I NOT LITERALLY TELL YOU TWO TO LEAVE ME ALONE.”

 

“Well, you did , but–”

 

“PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE.”

 

“We just wanted to–”

 

“PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE.”

 

“Can't you let us–”

 

“ GET OUT. ”

 

“...”

 

“...guess his mind's made up, then.”

 

“Okay…sorry to bother you. Goodbye, Axis.”

 

“...”

 

Just as Martlet and Star turn around to leave…

 

“...FINE.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“WHAT BUSINESS DO YOU HAVE WITH ME?”

 

“You…you're really lettin’ us stay?”

 

“DO NOT MAKE ME REPEAT MYSELF.”

 

“Okay, okay…! We just wanted to check on ya.”

 

“CHECK? ON ME? YOU MEAN YOU WANT TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC?”

 

“Uhh…emotionally speaking?”

 

“...”

“I FEEL HORRID.”

“DOES THAT SUFFICE?”

 

“Well, maybe we can help you… not feel horrid.”

 

“AND HOW DO YOU SUPPOSE THAT'LL HAPPEN?”

 

“Offering comfort, maybe…?”

 

“I DO NOT WANT TO BE COMFORTED. I WANT TO BE…”

“I…WANT…”

“...”

“I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I WANT. ALL I HAVE IS THIS…FEELING.”

“AND IT TELLS ME NOW THAT YOU TWO ARE HERE…IT WOULD BE PREFERABLE IF YOU DID NOT LEAVE.”

 

“Is that what you want? For us to stick around?”

 

“I GUESS??????????”

 

“Then that's just what we'll do!”

 

Axis is joined by Martlet and Starlo as they sit down in the center of the room. Strangely, the heat didn't seem to bother them.

 

There was no exchange of words. No “I’m sorries” or “We're here for yous.” Not a word was said, barely an audible breath taken. Nothing but the sound of rushing magma surrounded them, but even that seemed to fall on deaf ears.

 

…

 

Why did Axis feel…at ease?

 

He had just been told not only that his friend was dead, but that his creator- his FATHER was, as well. Was all it took for his pains to be assuaged…the simple presence of two borderline strangers?

Well…no. Not exactly.

 

He still grieved greatly for Clover and Chujin- that much was evident in his wistful silence. But having Starlo and Martlet around made it possible that, for even a mere moment, Axis could feel something other than sadness and confusion.

 

Their presence was, in itself, comforting to him.

It made him feel less… alone .

 

“HMMM…”

 

“What is it, Axis…?”

 

“I ANTICIPATE THAT IT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO FULLY SORT OUT THESE STRANGE FEELINGS.”

“BUT BECAUSE OF YOU TWO, I FEEL QUITE A BIT LESS…[crappy]. I SUPPOSE I SHOULD THANK YOU FOR THAT.”

 

“It ain't nothin’.”

 

“Mhm~! Always happy to help! In fact…”

 

Martlet glances over at Starlo and nods, as if he knows exactly what she's thinking. This much was true, as he responds with a thumbs-up.

 

“...it wouldn't hurt to step outside of the Steamworks, would it? Maybe a little vacation would help clear your mind!”

 

“OUTSIDE…THE STEAMWORKS?”

 

“Yep! Getting out there, seeing the rest of the Underground…I bet it'd do wonders for you!”

 

“...”

“NO. I CANNOT.”

 

“...wait, why?”

 

Axis slowly begins to put some distance between himself and the duo, rolling to one of the middle platform's edges.

 

“BOTS LIKE ME…IF WE WERE TO EVER LEAVE HERE, ALL WE'D DO IS CAUSE PROBLEMS. OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONE, WE'D STIRR UP A FUSS AND BE SHUT DOWN FOR GOOD.”

“WHEN I LOOK AT THE TWO OF YOU, I GROW…SOMEWHAT ENVIOUS. YOU HAVE THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY. BUT THE ONLY FREEDOM WE HAVE IS…”

“THE FREEDOM TO BE FLAWED, I GUESS.”

 

“O-oh…”

 

“I AM SORRY ABOUT THE SUDDEN SPIEL.”

“...WELL. THAT'S A LIE. NO I'M NOT.”

“BUT I ASSUME YOU DID NOT WANT TO HEAR ALL THAT.”

 

“N-no, it's okay! That was…”

 

“...surprisingly profound.”

 

“Yeah, exactly!”

 

“OH. THANK YOU, I SUPPOSE.”

“BUT THE POINT STILL STANDS. EVEN IF NOT FOR THIS UNFORTUNATE FACT OF LIFE, IT IS NOT…EXPLICITLY IN MY PROGRAMMING TO VENTURE OUTSIDE OF THIS PLACE. I AM ITS GUARDIAN, AFTER ALL.”

“IT IS DURING TIMES LIKE THESE THAT I WOULD CONSULT MY CREATOR FOR HELP, BUT…”

“HE IS NOT EXACTLY…’HERE’, ANYMORE.”

“...”

“I WONDER WHAT HE’D SAY.”

 

“...”

 

Martlet inches towards Axis, kneeling down to his level.

 

“I can't speak for Chujin. None of us can. But, knowing him…I'd like to think he'd be all for you broadening your horizon. Chujin was a man that, despite his missteps, wanted nothing but the best for everyone in the Underground…and that includes you. In fact…I'd wager that you were like a son to him.”

 

“A…A SON?”

 

Axis’ eyes almost seemed to light up.

 

“Feathers is dead-on, Bolts.”

 

Now it was Starlo's turn. He walks over to Martlet's side, also choosing to kneel and face Axis directly.

 

“Me ‘n Chujin never exactly saw eye-to-eye…but he was a damn good guy, and I'm absolutely positive he'd want nothin' more than for you to follow your dreams. Not your programming - your dreams .”

 

“The world isn't all sunshine and rainbows, as much as we may try to pretend it is. Trying to make the best of your situation can be really scary, believe us. We can't force you- it's your choice at the end of the day.”

 

“MY CHOICE…?”

 

A choice.

Axis never really had a choice.

 

His whole life, he's been bound to the programming that was hard-coded into him. Sure, he may have had more autonomy than the hivemind that also patrolled the Steamworks, but that was like saying a shoe tasted better than toxic waste.

Like…yeah. Of course it does.

The bar is in hell.

 

Regardless, Axis now found himself at a crossroads. To take these two up on their advice and see the world outside, or to resign himself to his preconceived role, forever remaining in the Steamworks…?

 

“...”

“ARE…ARE YOU SURE IT'S OKAY IF I EXIT THE STEAMWORKS FOR A WHILE?”

 

“I don't see why not! If you get homesick, you can return any time you'd like!”

 

“Y-Y-YEAH AXIS ! GO OUTSIDE bzt- AND TOUCH SOME REAL G-GRASS MAN !”

 

Another voice suddenly manifests at the entrance of the room. Everyone almost immediately recognizes it as Goosic- and when they turn around, both it and Sousborg have appeared.

 

“Ze organic ones speak ze truth, monsieur Axis! Frankly, I am envious zat you have ze opportunity to venture out into ze unknown!”

 

“YOU TWO…”

 

“Ah, avant que j’oublie. Zere is somesing- or rather, someone that I wanted to return to you.”

 

Sousborg steps in front of Goosic, revealing none other than Daisy standing behind him.

 

“AH, HONEY.”

 

Axis immediately rolls over to his spouse, pulling them into a tight robo-hug. Somehow, his eyes take the shape of hearts. Martlet facepalms.

 

“Gah, I knew we were forgetting something…!”

 

“OH, MY LOVELY DAISY…IF ONLY I WAS ABLE TO USE THE EXCLAMATION POINT CHARACTER. MAYBE THEN, I COULD ACCURATELY CONVEY MY JOY.”

 

“L BOZO !”

 

Axis’ head momentarily snaps in Goosic’s direction.

 

“STOP. RUINING. THE MOMENT.”

 

Starlo snickers. He thinks to himself: “not so funny when it happens to you, is it?”

 

Releasing Daisy from the hug, Axis takes his spouse's hands, sincerely looking them directly in their googly eyes.

 

“…I SHOULD ASK, HOW WOULD YOU FEEL ABOUT TAKING A VACATION AWAY FROM THIS FACILITY?”

 

“...”

 

“...”

“THEY SAY THEY'LL PACK THEIR BAGS IMMEDIATELY.”

 

“(But they don't even…gah, whatever.)”

“Guess it's settled, then!”

 

“Trust us, you're gonna love the outside world! There's all sorts of cool stuff to do!”

 

Axis rolls over to Starlo and Martlet, using one hand to continuously hold Daisy's.

 

“I MUST SAY…WHEN I FIRST MET YOU TWO, I THOUGHT YOU WERE WEIRD, UNMANNERLY AND GENERALLY QUITE PUNCHABLE.”

 

“...”

 

“...”

“Aaaaaand…?”

 

“I STILL DO.”

“I'VE JUST COME TO SEE THAT YOU ARE ALSO QUITE KINDHEARTED.”

 

“...well, that's better than nothing.”

 

“LMAO. YOU'RE WELCOME.”

“AND THANK YOU, LOVEBIRDS, FOR RUDELY BREAKING INTO MY HOUSE. THIS HAS BEEN A TRULY EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE.”

 

The robot extends a hand to each of them individually, initiating a handshake with them (or wingshake, in one's case).

 

“D…don't mention it, pal.”

 

“Heh-heh…! Uh, glad to help!”

 

“WELL.”

“I SUPPOSE IT IS NOT EXACTLY MY HOUSE FOR THE TIME BEING. I AM LEAVING MAINTENANCE OF THE STEAMWORKS TO THE REST OF YOU, FELLOW BOTS. PLEASE…TRY NOT TO BURN EVERYTHING DOWN WHILE WE'RE AWAY.”

 

“I give you my word, mon ami.”

 

“YOU C-CAN C-C-COUNT ON ME bzt- BOSS !”

 

Axis takes his partner's other hand, romantically whisking them away.

 

“SHALL WE?”

 

Without hesitation, Axis rolls out with Daisy in tow.

 

“Ah! Monsieur, wait! I must row you back to ze eastern branch!”

 

Sousborg hastily tries to catch up with Axis. Goosic, having nothing better to do, just kinda waddles behind him. 

 

This of course leaves our main duo alone to reflect on what has transpired today.

 

“Heh…all's well that ends well, right?”

 

“Spot-on, Star.”

“...we should probably follow them.”

 

“Oh, yeah, ‘course.”

 

Taking Starlo's hand, Martlet triumphantly marches out of the furnace, as this long tour of the Steamworks finally draws to a close.

 

 

After that whole adventure, Starlo's energy was spent. That night, once the saloon closed and the crew all went their separate ways, he slid under the covers of his bed, his face practically being absorbed into the pillow. As he allowed himself to be swept into the world of dreams, only one thing weighed heavily on his mind as he drifted off to a peaceful night's sleep…

 

“...”

“What in the hell did she mean by ‘marrying’...?”