Button Eye { a.p }

Bonny flushes a little more, the naturally rosy cheeks becoming a bit more saturated as the blood rushes to her face, she moves her hands to her cheek, cooling them off and self-soothing at once and bashful smile on her face in response to her compliment. “ Thank you, I don’t hear that very often; I like your name too, it’s cute, a-and interesting: I don’t know anyone named Shy or Shystablook either. ”

The young woman drops her hands back down to her sides and behind her back as she shifts from her toes back to her heels in a rocking fashion, trying to think of a good topic while the other paused and she opens her mouth as if the speak around the same time Shy does: she didn’t make a noise by the time Shy started speaking so she went quiet. It was nice that Shy seemed somewhat interested, or at least comfortable enough, to socialize. 

“ A bit of both really. I tend to stay in the area or even back in Snowdin but, I don’t think they’re going to a build a house or lend me a place to stay even if I offer to pay rent any time soon. ” Bonny chuckles, because even that wasn’t entirely true, she was hiding from the Royal Guard in both Snowdin and Waterfall, but she was currently paying rent to live somewhere, because the secret area behind the waterfall was definitely too cold and wet to stay there long term, she had already gotten sick there once and did not have a fun time recovering from that. “ I’ve been here quite a few times, and I really like the viewing room, the one with the telescope and all the stars? What’s your favorite place here? ” 

She speaks up, attempting to get a conversation going, but she didn’t have much to build off of at this point, so attempting small talk was likely the best approach before asking really serious questions.

“ Well, I sh-should hope not. ” They huffs out indignantly before they can catch themself. It is almost childlike the way they puff out their cheeks in a pout at the very thought of someone having the same name as them. There are many reasons that they don’t want anyone else to have their name. For one, being branded as Shy as a name seems to them a self-fulfilling prophecy, if Shyren and themself are anything to go on. For another, it’s their name! They didn’t want to have to share their own name.

“ Oh? Snowdin is pretty far. ” It’s really not, but Shy isn’t sure what else to say. What can they? Should they apologize for monsters wariness or unkindness towards a human? On one hand, Shy certainly finds it justified. After all, they are trapped down here because of humans. But those were humans from many, many years ago. Who can say if humans are different now? Certainly not Shy.

“ Favorite place? I like my, my cousins’ farm. Well, its the family farm, s-so I guess it’s mine to-oo. I just like snai-ails, I guess. I, I also like t-the dump. Lots of junk a-and not many people. ” Shy just likes to stare at all the toasters and boxes and imagine what it would have been like to have chosen one as a corporeal form.

       “o-oh, right, the h-hair…! i-it, it looks very nice, by the way… i-is it, h-hard to manage…? i-i didn’t, know we could get long hair like th-that… if you… e-ever need help brushing it… i might… have a brush… s-somewhere…”

       Wait. Did they hear that right?

      “y-you… think i’m th-the baby of the family…?” Okay. Maybe they really didn’t get the memo. Except, “b-but, i… h-honestly thought y-you were, shy… s-since… u-um… maddie is always kind of, p-protective over you… i guess i could see maddie being the eldest… b-but, i’m… i’m not c-cute…! i-i can’t… argue a-about being… very small though… but now, u-uhm… aren’t i t-taller than you now…?”

      These ghosts really didn’t know their ages, didn’t they? Oh well, it didn’t really matter in the end.

      “o-oh, ton-ton…! th-that, that does sound cute!” Napstablook would’ve clasped their hands together, but they were still holding their mug. “i-it’s a, h-hard name to nickname, b-but i think you’re doing good, shy…”

     They smiled gently, feeling their anxieties soothe somewhat as the two robots talked about nicknaming Mettaton – their cousin, Mettaton! — but they didn’t… expect Shystablook to address their loneliness so suddenly. Or apologize for it. It startled them, and for a few moments, Napstablook only stared in open-mouthed surprise.

      Then, they stammered as tears welled up in their eyes. Maybe Napstablook would’ve denied being the baby of the family, but they were certainly the crybaby of the family, for sure.

       “y-you’re… you guys aren’t bad cousins…! i-it’s… it’s fine, i-i just… i…” They took a deep breath, then wiped at their eyes a bit. When they looked back at Shy though, they were smiling a bit again. “i-i’m glad you c-came to visit, shy… i-i really am. th-thank you for c-coming back… s-so… y-you don’t have to apologize, o-or worry about it…”

“ Mhm. ” They nodded, a gentle and light movement, causing the soft waves of their hair to shift. The hair is very clearly a little messy, but at least it’s not filled with dirt since they had been laying face down. A couple tangles that wouldn’t be hard to brush but if they didn’t take care of it soon, it would only get worse.

“ I’m th-the baby? ” They laughed softly, a delicate and faint sound that was hardly audible in most settings, but loud enough to be heard in Napstablook’s home. “ I guess I might be. Just th-thought it was you ‘cause of, of how Ton-ton treated you. But I guess Maddie did the s-same to me. Maybe, we’re both the baby th-then. ” They certainly didn’t mind reaching that conclusion. The way Shy saw it, it was better to be the younger cousin than the older one. Younger cousins got to be doted on and protected. Shy was way too timid to very intimidating or social like Mads and Mettaton were.

“ oh? Yeah, I guess you ar-are...You ju-ust act small, I guess. ”

“ Good. I won’t s-settle for a bad nickname for my, my cousins. Really hard to top Blooky, tho-ough. ” Shy couldn’t even remember when they had all begun to call Napstablook that, but it has stuck ever since, without any change at all.

They couldn’t help but release a small puff of air through their nose, indicating amusement, at their cousin’s surprised face. Shy was indeed very anxious and awkward in social situations, but when it came to conversations with their cousins, they could be surprisingly perceptive and direct. Whether that was familiarity or not was anyone’s guess.

“ Pretty bad if we made you feel lo-onely. And pretty bad if it took m-me coming to visit you to get you company. ” Shy wasn’t normally the visiting type, or the talking type. Honestly, all this chatter would normally zap their energy for the next three months, but given how long it had been since they were home, they decided to keep chatting. They were lonely too after all.

     “mmm… s-sometimes i wish i were… a training dummy, o-or… maybe a… music player… b-but, i’m pretty happy with… this body… e-even if it’s very heavy…” 

      “…mads is the oldest…?” Oh. They didn’t get the memo, apparently, because they thought Happsta — er, Mettaton was the oldest. Then again, maybe they just felt that way because Napstablook hung out with him the most… yeah, that was probably it. “i-i don’t… trust mads’ bonks… e-especially since i have a corporeal form now… i-i don’t think… mads would, hurt anyone, but— e-eep, it’s… still intimidating to think about…”

      A cute nickname? Shoot.

      “c…cute isn’t… really my forte… i-i’m… only good at thinking up of spooky tunes… but… uh… m…met… metta… metty…? me…mets…? n-no… oh dear… this is, v-very difficult…”

      When Shy commented on how lonely it was in here, Napstablook took a moment to… really look around the house. It was cozy, yes, and comfortable and warm and nice, but… there was a heavy air of loneliness that hadn’t left the place ever since Blooky was left alone here.

      They sloshed their juice around their mug for a bit, before shaking their head.

     “i-i… haven’t seen madsta in ages either… y-you’re the first one i’ve seen… u-uh — i guess th-that, doesn’t include all the times i’ve seen our cousin on tv, th-though… i’m — i’m still stunned about that…”

“ Th-this one is okay. It’s cute. And I have a lot of hair to, to hide in. But...i-it’s still very approachable. ” And there came the truth. There lied Shy’s only real complaint about this robotic form. While aesthetically, she did like it, it only made people feel comfortably approaching her. 

“ Oh, aren’t they? I always th-thought it was Maddie ‘cause they yell a lot and boss us around. I thought it, it went Maddie, then Metta, then me a-and then you. Y-you’re the baby. ” The amount of surety in her voice as she proclaimed Napstablook to be the youngest cousin was incredible for someone sitting cross legged on the floor drinking apple juice. She paused for a moment, swishing the drink her mouth as she reconsidered her view on the ages of her cousins. “ But...I guess Metta could be the, the oldest too, maybe. He always did do-ote on you. But that’s ‘cause you’re s-so small and cute. ”

Another pause came over them as they thought about good nicknames for Mettaton. 

“ Hmm...Ton-ton? Is that anything do you th-think? Mettaton is such a hard name to, to make cute. ” They again began to pout.

“ Wow, really? Maddie doesn’t s-say hi? Now I feel bad th-that I came to see you last. I thought I was being so, so good since I only just got back a li-ittle bit ago and wanted to s-see everyone right away, but I guess I didn’t do a good job. ” They smiled apologetically.

     “i-i could only imagine…” Napstablook nodded sagely. “t-training dummies are soft…” That’s not the only difference, Napstablook —

     “ … i - i don’t know if, asking mads to bonk is a g-good idea… i-i’m sure, s-sure they’re a great bonker, b-but…” Perhaps Mads would be too good of a bonker. They only ever really worried about Mads loud aggression when they possessed something… and now? Dummy, robot, heck — Mads could probably possess a box and make that dangerous too, somehow. 

      Blooky could just imagine the horror of it, actually. BREAKING NEWS: MAD DUMMY SMACKS MTT! Wait, but — didn’t Mettaton normally take care of the news? Would Mettaton cover something like that? Maybe not… still. The image of Mads in any form smacking their cousin made Napstablook’s nerves crawl anxiously.

       “m-maybe… i could bonk him for you? o-or – oh, i might, mess it up… m-maybe you should bonk…” They were the safest out of all three of them, after all.

      Oh, Shy was already star-fishing. Blooky sits down and smiles gently as Shy takes the mug into her hands, before taking a small sip of their own drink.

     “i-i missed you being here too, shysta… it’s… it’s been a long time since i’ve had any kind of family reunion…” They let out a small, sad sigh, but then shrug it off.

“ Mhmm! So soft. That’s kinda why I picked one...” Stop picking corporeal forms for such dumb reasons, Shy!!

“ Me? Bonk Metta? I don’t know. Bonking doesn’t s-seem like a very me th-thing to do. Unless it’s bonking myself, but, but I’m only doing it s-since Mads isn’t here t-to do it. Besides, Mads is the oldest, right? So th-they get sole bonking privileges. ” She says it with full confidence, but in truth, she isn’t sure who the oldest in the slightest.

“ Oh th-that reminds me! What’s a, a good new nickname for Mettaton? If he i-is using that as his name now, he needs a, a new nickname and Metta i-isn’t very...cute. ” Leave it to Shy to complain about the cuteness of a nickname for one of their cousins. In their defense, Maddie and Blooky are very cute nicknames too. 

They start sipping at their drink, remembering to swallow. They didn’t want to get apple juice all over their cousin’s floor, though even if they did, Napstablook would probably find a way to blame themself for it.

      Oh dear. Did Happsta trick her? They hoped that wasn’t the case, but if it was — well, “i-i’m sure it, um, it won’t be that bad, shy… i-if, if you need help, i-i’ll always be willing to help… u-um… g-getting used to being corporeal was weird for me, s-so, if… i-if i can help, i’ll try my best…”

     The bonking to herself still makes Napstablook wince, even though they knew Shy’s little bonks were essentially harmless. It was a flinch reaction they couldn’t quite shake off even if they wanted to, unfortunately.

      “u-um… yeah… i-i think it’s… supposed to be once every two months… o-or, something like that… oh dear — o-one whole year is, uh, much longer than two months… l-let’s… let’s go together sometime, y-yeah…” Then, Napstablook’s thoughtful expression gives way to a tiny, soft giggle. “o-onto his ruse… e-eheh… d-do you, uhm — need b-back-up?”

     Not that Napstablook would do anything. Realistically speaking, if they saw Happstabl– Mettaton, they were probably gonna freak out. Yeah.

      “j-juice it is, then. um — sure, you can. i’ll join you after, i, uh — after i get some juice for myself, too…”

      They had apple juice, and cranberry juice in the fridge. After a few moments of wide-eyed staring, they just poured out one of each, then walked over to where Shy was.

     “w-we can, um… lie down on the carpet… it’s… fluffy and nice, a-and— and i recently cleaned it, too… u-um— cranberry or, o-or apple?” They hold out the cups of juice – mugs of juice, actually. Did they… only have mugs in the house? Yep. ( It’s for the tea. Plus, Blooky liked the handles. )

“ I’d like th-that. This form is s-so different to being a training d-dummy. ” For example, this form allows for easier communication, easier movement, easier...well, existing as someone with severe social anxiety. Shy really didn’t have much to complain about it; this form is way better than the last one for her. And, though she’ll scarcely admit it, it’s so nice matching with her cousins again. Of course, it isn’t expected that ghosts, family or otherwise, will end up with similar forms. But Shy would be lying if she said it hadn’t made her heart swell when Mads said about becoming a training dummy too when she left to be one.

Maybe that’s why, deep down, she isn’t mad about being persuaded into this form.

“ Oh I, I definitely haven’t done th-that then. But ma-aybe it’s okay since I’ve only had this, this body for about two months anyways. ” On the bright side, this means that the first thing they did after getting this form was go see Napstablook. On the downside, that also means they spent their first precious moments with their body laying in the dirt. “ Yeah! I’d really like th-that. We’ll go for checks up and then, then we’ll go s-see Metta. Maybe we can even bring Maddie a-and they can bonk Metta for tricking me. ”

By the time Napstablook comes back, Shy has already taken residence on the carpet, laying down with their arms spread out like a starfish. At the offer of juice, they shoot up to a sitting position, arms outstretched for a drink.

“ Apple jui-ice. ” They accept the mug, ignoring the handle and instead wrapping both of their hands around the mug. It’s moments like these where Shy certainly seems like the youngest of the bunch, though it would almost be impossible to know for sure. 

     — oh, Shy. They made Napstablook worry so much.

     Maybe they couldn’t do anything to get Shy to stand up for herself, but the least they could do as their cousin was to try and look after her and defend her when they could… it wasn’t always possible, of course. Napstablook knew that. But to look after one another the best they could — what else was family for?

     ‘i-i mean… i-it… doesn’t take a lot of work,” Napstablook stammered. “i-it’s… moderate. b-but, also good, b-because — robots are, k-kinda – they’re really durable! l-like, um… i-i haven’t been to a check-up with alphys for an entire year, for example…” Blooky, that’s not good!!

      Squeak. “i-i — i didn’t know, i-i’m… i-i don’t like making assumptions…” And the more they thought about it, the more they realized, yeah, there were a lot of similarities. But could they really trust a vibe that much? They couldn’t even recognize Shy as Shy until they said it outright that they were their cousin, and —

           bonk!

      Napstablook blinked, surprised by the gentle little tap against their forehead. It was… such a cute but surprising little move, so surprising in fact that Napstablook seemed to forget their train of thought.

      — then, Napstablook felt themself smile, and then laughed quietly.

     “i-i guess i am a dummy too… i-i guess, i’ll, u-um — go and see happsta– i-i mean, mettaton when, uh, when i have the time….” Or courage. “a-anyway, l-let’s go inside… d-do you like tea or juice?”

     They pushed open the door. The interior of the house has — changed quite a bit, actually. Before it was quite barren and plain, and, while it was still pretty plain, at least it wasn’t barren anymore. There was a couch and carpet in front of the TV, some chairs and a table near the kitchen and fridge area, some shelves to actually organize the books and music that they had, and a chair in front of their computer desk as well… there were little bits and pieces of information here and there that gave tell-tale signs of how a lived-in corporeal Blooky’s house was different from a lived-in incorporeal Blooky’s house.

     How different, but still cozy!

“ I don’t w-wanna do any work to exi-ist. Being a ghost was, was hard enough. I wanted t-to be corporeal so I didn’t have t-to do anything. ” They pause, before a realization his them. “ Happsta tricked me! He knew I wanted to jus-st to sit and do nothing forever s-s-so he convinced me to take a form th-that talks and has to, to do stuff! Shy, you dummy! ” With that, they earn another soft bonk to their head in frustration. Despite all the pouting they are doing, it doesn’t seem like they’re too upset, all things considered.

She still thinks she should have gone ahead with being a box.

“ I’m s-supposed to be going in, in for check ups? ” Shy!!! Not you too!

“ Mhmm! When you go, may-maybe I’ll come too. Gotta tell him I’m onto h-his ru-use. ” Despite that it is almost definitely not a ruse knowing him, Shy seems thoroughly convinced of it. 

“ Tea o-or juice? Hmmm. ” On one hand, if she picks tea, it might make them see her as more mature. Tea always struck her as a mature person thing. But on the other hand, she really, really wants juice. Quietly, she chants a little. “ Juice, juice, juice. I’m th-thinking juice. ” 

She scans the room with interest. To be honest, she can’t quite remember what it looked like in here before she left, so she just gives a little nod as she surveys it. “ Cozy. ” Even though she can’t remember what it used to look like, she can remember how it used to make her feel. Safe and protected. Even different, it feels just as safe and she can feel the building radiate it’s love and protection, just like it used to.

     Napstablook didn’t really take offense to that — because, they kind of knew worrying was very them. And besides, the way Shy said it didn’t really bother them, either. If anything, they ended up smiling after Shy had said her part. “th-thanks, shy… i-i think you-things are g-good, too.”

      That last bit, though, does turn their smile into a small frown, however.

     “b-but… th-that doesn’t sound very, um, good for you, e-either…? wh-what if something makes you r-really, really uncomfortable…? like, um — ” Napstablook started to fiddle with their hands a bit. “ — wh-when i was a ghost, not many things bothered me, b-but now, um… i-i’ve realized that th-this form has a lot more needs th-than i’ve realized… i-i guess, i guess what i’m saying is, i-if you need something, y-you don’t have to… feel bad about coming to me… i-i guess…”

     Trying to act in as older cousin was hard ( were they even older than Shysta? ) , but since Shy gave them such… younger sibling vibes, Napstablook couldn’t help but be a bit worried and fussy over them.

    Now they were almost home. How nice, Napstablook could probably set up some tea and sandwiches for their cousin… start tidying up the guest room for them too so they don’t have to lie down on dirt this, time, and —

      — wait.

      Their hand freezes on the doorknob, and then –

     “m-m-mettaton is happstablook?!” Then, a squeaked out, “d-don’t hit yourself, sh-shy…!! y-you’re corporeal now, th-that, that might hurt you…!”

“ Blooky, cuz, I would rather-er dust. Right now. As I st-stand. Than ever tell anyone th-that I am, am uncomfortable. Ever. Noth-thing against you or anyone el-lse. But I am....shy, I g-guess. ” She pauses, eyes wide with realization. Did she just realize how much she lived up to her name? Apparently so given her expression.

“ Anyways, point is. I am cool wi-ith suffering if it means I, I get to talk less. Does th-this form really take a lot of, of work? Bl-bleh, I don’t wanna work hard t-to exist. I barely wanna exi-ist. ” A pout comes over her face. “ I knew I sh-shoulda been a box like I wanted. ”

It is stuff like this that gets them babied by their cousins all the time, but Shy really doesn’t mind getting babied. It is really nice constantly being doted over and fussed at. Even if they weren’t the youngest (and really, who knows), they certainly aren’t going to complain about being treated like it. It’s a lot easier than having to be the one to do all the doting.

“ Oh you, you didn’t know? But it’s s-so obvious! I could t-tell even wi-ithout talking to him. He just feels like Happstablook. I’d know th-those vibes anywhere, even if, if he doesn’t look h-how I remember. Th-that’s very important; We’re ghosts, you, you know. ” Shy, Napstablook knows that they are a ghost. They giggle a little. “ Lo-ooks like you’re a dummy too! ” They raise up onto their tip toes and tap their head with their knuckles too. It’s so gentle that if it weren’t for her other hand holding their arm to steady herself, it might have been mistaken for a raindrop.

     They let out another small, sheepish laugh, their shoulders squaring together slightly as though ducking from their shyness. “y-yeah… um… i’m afraid so… s-sorry… b-but, at… at least you’re used to it… so, i’m not… too worried about bothering you, i-i guess…”

    That was the funny thing about close family. Social anxiety still ran rampant with Napstablook, but they’ve known their cousins for so long that there were some things Napsta knew they didn’t have to worry about.

     “—!! you’ve… y-you’ve seen him…? o-oh–!”

     Hearing that Happsta helped Shy get a new body was great…! Especially since this new body really did suit them and all…! But, they couldn’t help but feel a little twinge of sadness at the same time, though. Is he going to come by and say hi one day…?

     “i-i see… well… uhm… i-i’m just… glad he’s doing well, then…” Blooky sighed and looked down the dark-blue path of dirt and stone they were walking on. “h-happsta’s always been good at… y-y’know, dealing with people… it’s… really amazing… i w-want to, um… be a dj sometime… b-but… people are so scary…”

     Napstablook’s home was just right ahead. Welcome back, Shystablook!

“ Don’t apologize. I th-think your worrying is-s good. It’s very you. ” They pause and realize how that may have sounded, so they quickly add. “ It’s a compli-iment because I, I like you. You th-things are good. ” There really is just no brain in that body of theirs, is there?

Undeterred from their confusing wording, they keep on talking. 

“ Even if you did do s-something to bother-er me, I would absolutely never tell, tell you. The idea of complaining about s-something to someo-one is the worst. I’d rather-er dust right now. ” They can’t even begin to think how they’d even go about complaining to someone.

“ Is it even st-still appropriate to call him Happsta? Everyone else kept c-calling him Mettaton now. I sh-should have asked if it, it was just a st-stage name or if that’s his new o-one. Oh Shy, you’re such a, a dummy sometimes. ” She knocks her metal knuckles against the top of her head lightly as though reprimanding herself.

“ Maybe you sh-should go see him. You guys could ask about dj st-stuff and plan a, a time for us all to hang o-out. Oh man, we’re gonna all lay on th-the floor and feel bad. ” They give an experimental little hop and then proceed to start skipping in sheer delight. And to think, they are so happy over getting to...lay on the floor.

Bonny could see a connection to her and a bug, after all, most bugs lived below the surface, wandering tunnels to make a life for themselves. They were both lifeforms, it’s not the worst thing she’s been compared to. She’d console the other for her mishap, but it’s not like Shy had said that aloud.

The glance causes Bonny to worry moreso, but doesn’t show it, at least not anything more than a bead of sweat. “Th-Thank you.” maybe they shouldn’t talk for too long? Maybe if she just leaves, Shy will see she means no harm? She can’t. Bonny can’t just walk away from the other, despite everything suggesting her to take that route. She has to make this better before she can leave them alone.

“That’s a-actually my name. My name m-means pretty, my n-name is Bonny.” she explains, she debates on reaching out for a shake for contact–she decides against it. It was too forward. “What… what’s yours?”

“ Y-you’re welcome. ” And then they fall silent. Shy takes a breath of air they do not need to breathe and then exhales awkwardly. Maybe if they take off sprinting right now, they can make it to one of their cousin’s before anyone else talks to them. But Mads is always lecturing them about needing to socialize more. Monsters are supposed to be social by nature and, even though they are pretty sure it’s not true, the threat of falling down is enough to push them to speaking.

“ It’s...Shystablook. But th-that’s long. I mostly ju-ust get called Shy...” It’s such an apt name that even Shy can see it. It was a running gag amongst their cousins that if someone were to look up the word shy in the dictionary, Shy wouldn’t even be there because of how fearful and shy they are.

Wow, they didn’t know if they’ve ever felt so embarrassed by their own name before. But now, saying it aloud, it feels like some self-defeating prophecy. Branded as Shy once and now they will forever be so socially anxious.

“ Bonny is, is a v-very pretty name. I don’t know anyone el-lse named that. ”

Pause.

      Shystablook and Napstablook certainly were the more… passive of cousins in the Blook family, weren’t they? But Napstablook was fine with being passive. Mostly. Sometimes. Were they–?

     They hum softly. “i, i um, hope so too…”

     “—a-and that’s true. it is my home… b-but still, wh-when guests are, over, i don’t want to… bother them or make them uncomfortable… s-some people still think my home is a, u-uh, ghost’s house, after all… b-but i like couches… and beds… a-and carpets are r-really nice, too…”

     The walk from the Echo Flower fields to Blook Acres wasn’t that far, but Napsta preferred going at an easy pace. Hopefully Shy wouldn’t mind… Waterfall was quite scenic, after all, and for some reason, Napstablook could never grow bored of it…

      Being told that they haven’t changed at all made the robot giggle quietly. “i-i haven’t…? i… i guess that’s a good thing…? y-y’know, i, um… haven’t seen mads in a long time… i wonder how they’re doing… it… it would be really nice if we could… all get together again…”

     Napstablook hesitates for a moment, before deciding to push forward with their question.

     “…h-have you… h-have you heard anything from happsta b-by any chance…?”

“ Ever th-the worrier, huh, cuz? ” It is really a nice quality of theirs, always wanting to make sure they weren’t upsetting anyone. Sure, some might find it annoying, but to Shy, at least, it is only endearing and familiar. It just wouldn’t be Napstablook if they weren’t worried over something at some point.

“ I’ll be, be fine, don’t worry. I may be-e a guest, but w-we’re family. I don’t you to worry over st-stuff because of me. ”

In fact, the idea of someone fretting over them makes them feel even more reclusive. The last thing they want is someone to worry about them and worry about making them uncomfortable when that is really their state of being at most times. But since it’s Napstablook, she doesn’t take it personally, like she might if it was someone else.

“ Oh yeah I ha-ave. I hung out with him th-the other day. Before I came to s-see you. He was the, the one that pushed me to get thi-is. ” They hold out their hands in front of them and flex their fingers experimentally as though making sure they still work properly. This form is so unique, definitely way different from the last one. 

     That might’ve sounded ridiculous coming from Shy, but for Napstablook’s ears, it… sounded like it made sense. Laying in the dirt was more safe than picking fights after all, right? Yeah, that sounded like it made total sense.

      “o-oh, good point there… o-okay… o-oh, but now that makes me, w-worry for mads… o-oh dear…”

      “i-i see… well, um – in that case, let’s head back to the farm… m-my, um… my home’s changed a bit, since… i’ve become corporeal too… b-but, but maybe, i think you’d… maybe like it too…? s-sorry if it… if it’s bad, though…”

     Napstablook starts to move, but they don’t really start to walk until they’re sure Shystablook is following. They really hoped they hadn’t ruined any joints while laying down for so long… Waterfall was quite safe, but wouldn’t the dampness ruin joints sometimes…? Metal, rust… goodness, just thinking about all the ways something could’ve gone wrong was starting to make their head spin with anxiety.

“ Mads’ll b-be fine. Mads is alwa-ays fine. ” Despite their cousin’s reckless ways, Shy is wholly unconcerned. If any of the cousins could survive picking fights, it was Mads. Happstablook probably could too. 

Maybe it is just Napstablook and them that are the hopeless ones.

“ At least, I, I hope th-that Mads’ll stay fine. ”

“ It’s your h-home, you should do with it, it what you w-want. ” They start following after them as the pair heads off towards Napstablook’s home. Though it’s been a while, Shy still navigates Waterfall like it’s the back of her hand.

“Um…” the young woman looks at the other with confusion, before her eyes guiltily drift down to the floor and around the room, not sure if she should look at the other after she made it clear she didn’t want to be seen.

“I, w-well… I think other humans d-don’t work that way, but I’m certain most can b-both see and hear you. In th-this case… I’m both. S-Sorry.” she kept her distance, this hadn’t been the first time she’d run into a being that was scared of her and just wanted her to leave. She wanted to see if she could change the other’s mind, or at least be less fearful of her.

Silence followed, she didn’t know how to continue the conversation, no, she didn’t know if she even should. “Your hair is pretty, do you style it yourself?” When in doubt, compliments seem to be a safe zone! …right?

Shoot. If not humans, what is it that could only see movement again? She thinks desperately, but nothing comes to mind. Is it bugs? Oh no, humans and bugs are definitely very different things, they can’t believe they’ve mixed those two up!

“ P-pretty? ” A compliment? When is the last time she’s received one of those? Probably before they left to become a training dummy. And, seeing as how they are very much not a dummy anymore, it must have been a long while.

“ Uhm, th-thank you? N-not really. No one helps me-e with it, but I just brush it out mys-self in the morning. ” Alphys had mentioned that such long hair would be difficult to maintain, but Shy doesn’t think it’s terribly difficult. Especially when they don’t so anything which it ever. She takes a fearful look at the other, gulps, and speaks again.