A Splash of Ink

He’s normally not this cautious…or cautious in general. But something about being as weak as he was now, seem to set off an anxious fight or flight reaction in his system. But, this Mulberry seemed to be nice enough, even as he went on about some of the other inhabitants of the castle. 

“I appreciate the company, it’s a bit too quiet over here” And the quiet only seem to amplify his fear of being alone with the dead silence. “Long as you won’t get hurt for talking to me, then okay.”

At the very least he could learn more about this strange castle nightmare has constructed, and about the other monsters living here. Although…it seemed like, Nightmare only took in monsters from very…troubling timelines. 

Still, he has a hard time believing Nightmare would help another monster, let alone a group of them from bad timelines. Even if it is hard to argue against the corrective braces the other monster was showing him, and it sounded like his brother was doing well here. He would never associate Nightmare with the word “happy” thought, this whole set up was confusing to him. 

“Don’t you want to go back home thought?” After all, this wasn’t their timeline…they weren’t supposed to be here…even if their home is gone or not fit to live in. 

Not that he has room to talk…his timeline was long gone, and he only had his souless body to show for it…not that he remembers that.

“H-HURT? NO OF COURSE NOT, NIGHTMARE DOESN’T HURT ANY OF US, HE’S A LITTLE INTIMIDATING BUT T-THAT’S MOSTLY BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS SO NEW. I CAN’T HELP BUT BE NERVOUS AROUND HIM.”

he was nervous around all of the other castle monsters really! except for axe but that’s only because axe reminded him of his brother and acted similarly that he knew how to navigate talking with him though it was impossible to miss the slightly flinch as he was asked if he wanted to go back home and quickly shook his head back and forth.

“NO I DON’T, TECHNICALLY IT WAS MY BROTHER’S CHOICE TO COME WITH NIGHTMARE AND OF COURSE I WENT WITH HIM SO I DIDN’T GET MUCH OF A SAY BUT, EVEN IF I’M A BIT HOMESICK. I DON’T MISS IT. NOT ENOUGH TO EVER GO BACK.”

There’s that moment as he rings his hands together a bit, how best could he explain it, voice a bit softer. more somber.

“My world used to be really nice and i loved it but it got bad, monsters were starving and the core didn’t work anymore, There were things we had to do that i’m deeply ashamed of even if it kept me alive. it’s what m-messed my teeth up, We..uhm. We had to eat humans and we can’t, They aren’t made of magic so it. hurt us and my brother got badly injured and i could never really leave the house…”

a sigh even as he finally met ink’s gaze again.

“I know it’s not ideal...but it IS your home thought” He doubted the other would change their mind on this, and he wouldn’t blame Mulberry for wanting to stay here if it was better then his own world. 

But, it’s not what the creators intended, and it was his self appointed duty to make sure the Timelines and AU’s stayed in their intended path...right?

“I know your timeline is awful, truly it sounds really rough. But, why help out Nightmare? Is it just because he scooped you and your brother out of a bad timeline, and fixed your teeth? Is there something else you guys are getting out of it?”

He wasn’t angry or frustrated...but confused. Deep down he was glad he could still feel something like confusion, even if it ended up making him sound annoying with his questions. 

“I uh...I’m sorry if I’m being too nosey. I understand he helped you guys out of a bad spot, but I just can’t wrap my skull around Nightmare doing something....nice, for someone else.”

He had no idea how long it had been since he was tossed in here, and there wasn’t much of an indicator of time to check either. He had tried to lay down and nap, but maybe got a few moments, before he woke and was unable to go back to sleep. His situation had hit him…tossed into a locked room alone, his brush taken from him, and nightmare goop in his socket that he couldn’t seem to get out. The goop had done it’s job, and truthfully he had never felt so weak in his life…he might have been knocked down to the strength of a regular monster now, but he wasn’t used to it, and it only made him feel heavy and tired. 

And the realization that Nightmare took his paint…

Soon he’ll be back to being an emotionless husk…and the thought nearly made him panic. 

It was the soft sounds of boots walking towards him that knocked him out of his own head, looking over his shoulder at the other monster from his curled up position on the bed. 

That skeleton from earlier with the braces? 

“Mulberry? Ah, well I’m Ink. Won’t you get in trouble with Nightmare for coming over here?” He did sit up at the part about being lonely “Yeah, maybe a little” 

He paused, thinking back to what Nightmare had said to him, and slowly he got up and got closer to the door before he spoke again. 

“Can I ask you something? Do you like it here?”

Dull yellow eye lights stared back, he definitely seemed a little nervous but that seemed more from the natural caution all horror AU monsters had from naturally having to keep on lookout for everyone and everything, Ink looked a lot like a sans but at the same time part of him was different…He couldn’t put his finger on what though and for his credit. He didn’t ask.

“IT’S NICE TO MEET YOU INK, U-UHM, NOT REALLY. HE MIGHT BE A LITTLE FRUSTRATED IF HE FINDS OUT BUT HE DOESN’T REALLY GET MAD AT ANY OF US B-BUT I’M GLAD I CAME OVER, I WOULDN’T WANT ANYONE TO BE LONELY AND I ALREADY FINISHED MY TASK.”

He tilts his head at the question, What a odd question, Though he supposed it was a valid point. Did he like it here? the castle inhabitants were weird but they weren’t bad, In fact most of them reminded him of his brother in one way or another, Axe had a head injury, Killer could flip like a switch and dust mumbled to himself…or as nightmare had told him, his ‘brother’

“I HAVEN’T BEEN HERE THAT LONG, A MONTH I THINK? IT’S HARD TO TELL SINCE IT’S ALWAYS NIGHT TIME. I CAME HERE WITH MY BROTHER, HE’S CALLED BO…IT’S. NICE HERE THOUGH, EVERYONE’S A LITTLE OFF BUT SO IS BO, SO IT’S NOT TO JARRING EVEN IF I’M A LITTLE HOMESICK BUT ONLY A LITTLE.”

Really he missed the home before BO’s injury and the core’s failing, before all the humans…Nightmare’s castle was just so much larger.

‘IT MAKES BO A LOT LESS STRESSED THOUGH SO I’M HAPPY, O-OH AND NIGHTMARE GOT ME THESE.”

He’s normally not this cautious...or cautious in general. But something about being as weak as he was now, seem to set off an anxious fight or flight reaction in his system. But, this Mulberry seemed to be nice enough, even as he went on about some of the other inhabitants of the castle. 

“I appreciate the company, it’s a bit too quiet over here” And the quiet only seem to amplify his fear of being alone with the dead silence. “Long as you won’t get hurt for talking to me, then okay.”

At the very least he could learn more about this strange castle nightmare has constructed, and about the other monsters living here. Although...it seemed like, Nightmare only took in monsters from very...troubling timelines. 

Still, he has a hard time believing Nightmare would help another monster, let alone a group of them from bad timelines. Even if it is hard to argue against the corrective braces the other monster was showing him, and it sounded like his brother was doing well here. He would never associate Nightmare with the word “happy” thought, this whole set up was confusing to him. 

“Don’t you want to go back home thought?” After all, this wasn’t their timeline...they weren't supposed to be here...even if their home is gone or not fit to live in. 

“Oh so the great negative nightmare claims to care about others, yet rips them from their homes” His tone was low, but his struggling did not stop…at least, not until he heard the new voice. 

Any insults to him being weak and useless without his weapon were gone as soon as he noticed the other monster…he looked like Blue…but noticed the braces. He gathered this Blue was from a horror like timeline, and the mention of his brother and eating almost confirmed that to him. Ink couldn’t stop staring at the other monster…Mulberry he was called? Expression softened, his struggling stopped completely…both from this new development, as well as being oddly exhausted now (must be whatever that thing nightmare put in his eye draining his magic). 

He used this time to look around them as he was carried off…noticing how much more empty it got, and that seemed to just make him tense up all the more. Once he was set down, he made no move to run, frankly too tired at this point, and it seemed to finally set in that he was stuck….and the best thing he can do is not to try and fight with nightmare right now. He doesn’t say anything to the other, but as soon as the door shuts, and the lock is heard…the panic slowly starts to set in. 

On the plus side…maybe he could distract his mind with something in here? He took a glance out of the window for a moment before he simply curled up on the bed, not bothering with the blankets or anything. Maybe he could keep his magic from draining so fast if he slept? Worth a shot anyway…

It was easy to lose track of time there, In nightmare’s realm since there was no sun, Only a moon that hung in the sky. Illuminating everything in a soft dusky glow, A strange place to be sure where flowers grew with no light and the walls of the castle a shiny black stone that seemed entirely foreign to any known timeline, Everything decorated silver or purple or black. a bit ‘evil’ looking perhaps if you count the dark colors but not exactly what you’d expect when you think a villain gathering place.

An hour had passed before there was any sign of movement besides any of ink’s own of course, A soft, Quiet step. Step. Step of boots on the hall that wasn’t nightmare’s familiar squishier step, The smallest rattle of the knob even if it didn’t open and if perhaps a little frustrated huff before a head peeked into the little window the door had. Two eyelights with just the softest hint of yellow to their shade blinked at him.

“…”

“..U-UHM…HELLO?”

It was a bit tentative but he managed a smile, showing off those same braces from before, He didn’t want to spook the other skeleton.

“MY NAME IS MULBERRY…W-WELL IT’S MY NICKNAME BUT, STILL! WHO ARE YOU? TECHNICALLY NIGHTMARE TOLD US NOT TO COME OVER HERE BUT I..WELL I DIDN’T WANT YOU TO BE LONELY!”

And the realization that Nightmare took his paint...

Soon he’ll be back to being an emotionless husk...and the thought nearly made him panic. 

It was the soft sounds of boots walking towards him that knocked him out of his own head, looking over his shoulder at the other monster from his curled up position on the bed. 

That skeleton from earlier with the braces? 

“Mulberry? Ah, well I’m Ink. Won’t you get in trouble with Nightmare for coming over here?” He did sit up at the part about being lonely “Yeah, maybe a little” 

He paused, thinking back to what Nightmare had said to him, and slowly he got up and got closer to the door before he spoke again. 

“It’s not what I or anyone else wants Nightmare! it’s what the creators intended! It’s my duty to ensure the AU’s follow the path they are supposed to! Like you even care about em Nightmare, you just want more pawns to help you out with your whole…spread negativity thing”

He was feeling pretty confident, until he seen his blaster get squashed like it was nothing, and before he knew it, he was hitting the wall. Bits of ink sputtering from his jaw at the impact despite there being no intention of harming him…off that nightmare wouldn’t. 

“Talking about how I don’t understand, you don’t understand at all” He glared at the dripping monster, referring to his paints, but who knows if that was all there was to it. Still he didn’t seem to struggle as much once he was picked up and thrown over a shoulder. Maybe he realized he wasn’t going to get anymore trying to fight the other without his brush. 

But….the mention of being alone made him tense up, and his struggling resumed. He’d argue, and cuss him out…but the others words cut into him, and he grit his teeth to keep his mouth shut.   

“I care far more about them then you’ll ever know, More then anyone else cared to, so called protector of the AU’s.”

These words are punctuated with a icy cold harshness that was not angry nor’ was it mocking, he meant it, There was something personal in it yet guarded in what it told. After all…even nightmare was an AU, a very powerful AU but still an AU yet he and dream both were mysterious, Their world locked away with both of it’s guardians gone to other places. Unknown.

“maybe you’ll realize that once you learn some manners because you aren’t all powerful ink, Take your weapon and that’s all it, Though i get it. It’s easy to overestimate yourself.”

Oh perhaps he’d gotten under the others marrow at those last words, The way he tensed and startled struggling again yet he didn’t say anything either, words silent as he trudged along his path. Briefly they passed by Mulberry who’d been standing in a large kitchen washing dishes, The monster peeking up to stare at them. He had braces over his sharp, broken teeth. He must be one of the ‘new’ recruits.

‘W-WHO’S THAT NIGHTMARE..UMH, I MEAN YOUR HIGHNESS?’

“Don’t mind him mulberry, He’ll be off in the empty wing and nightmare is fine, You know that, has your brother eaten today?”

‘OH Y-YES OF COURSE, NIGHTMARE. HE HAS, I MADE SURE! I THINK HE WAS SPENDING TIME WITH AXE…’

“Good, continue on.”

He headed past the kitchen after that, to a smaller and very empty wing of the castle, A wood door creaks open and after a moment. He drops ink inside, it IS furnished surprisingly, a bed, a partially filled bookshelf, Rug for the stone floor and a window that overlooks a shadowy garden.

“You’ll be here, Don’t try and break out, you’ll just waste what magic you have left and frankly. I don’t feel like replacing the stuff.”

Any insults to him being weak and useless without his weapon were gone as soon as he noticed the other monster...he looked like Blue...but noticed the braces. He gathered this Blue was from a horror like timeline, and the mention of his brother and eating almost confirmed that to him. Ink couldn’t stop staring at the other monster...Mulberry he was called? Expression softened, his struggling stopped completely...both from this new development, as well as being oddly exhausted now (must be whatever that thing nightmare put in his eye draining his magic). 

He used this time to look around them as he was carried off...noticing how much more empty it got, and that seemed to just make him tense up all the more. Once he was set down, he made no move to run, frankly too tired at this point, and it seemed to finally set in that he was stuck....and the best thing he can do is not to try and fight with nightmare right now. He doesn't say anything to the other, but as soon as the door shuts, and the lock is heard...the panic slowly starts to set in. 

Despite his attempts to struggle out of the others grasp, he did stop as soon as his paints were removed from him…that seemed to get his attention real fast. Watching very closely to where Nightmare was putting his paints. 

“H-Hey! Give those back, I need those you goopy asshole” His words held no bite, but seemed to have a slight concern to it, but even so…he continued on “Rattled or not Nightmare, they don’t belong here, they need to go back to their own Universes”

He didn’t seem to listen to Nightmare after that, as soon as he was let go he attempted to jump him, trying to get his paints back. If he was going to be stuck here for a while, he’ll be damned if he’s stuck as an emotionless husk of a skeleton! 

Really he should pay attention to the others warning, especially if it meant he was going to be by himself…without his paints. And yet, he still made an attempt to get his paints back, bony hands making desperate attempts to get them…even starting to summon an inky blaster as his magic slowly drains. 

“You wouldn’t get it because even you have your doodle sphere now don’t you? a glowy place full of entertainment, but these monsters ink? the ones I care for? they don’t even have that an’ as long as Mm’ alive, i won’t fuckin’ subject em’ to it a second longer. Maybe you’d realize that, if you even bothered to ask them what they wanted.”

Really he’d expected this, Ink was rarely one for listening so he stepped back even as ink lunged forward, Eyeing him coolly this was far from a challenge (But then again little was when the only one you usually fought with was your brother and he was on par with you, Even at his weakest-). His tentacles on his back do much of the work, Slapping that inky blaster into the castle floors. Causing it to splatter, Shifting violently to the side to snap itself into ink and chuck him into the wall (it was easy, if you didn’t have the intention to hurt then you wouldn’t and he was perfectly calm right now-)

“I don’t think i will, I see no reason you should have them, Be lucky they are with me instead of where your brush is. I’d be liable to never give them back if i put them there, As for you…I made my single wish crystal clear.”

He picks ink up, Throwing him over his shoulder and heading down the wall.

“It’s not what I or anyone else wants Nightmare! it’s what the creators intended! It’s my duty to ensure the AU’s follow the path they are supposed to! Like you even care about em Nightmare, you just want more pawns to help you out with your whole...spread negativity thing”

He was feeling pretty confident, until he seen his blaster get squashed like it was nothing, and before he knew it, he was hitting the wall. Bits of ink sputtering from his jaw at the impact despite there being no intention of harming him...off that nightmare wouldn't. 

“Talking about how I don't understand, you don’t understand at all” He glared at the dripping monster, referring to his paints, but who knows if that was all there was to it. Still he didn’t seem to struggle as much once he was picked up and thrown over a shoulder. Maybe he realized he wasn’t going to get anymore trying to fight the other without his brush. 

~

Although he tried to stay out of the business of other AU’s, he couldnt help but notice Nightmare had been gaining some…new recruits as of late, and figured it was a good time as any to get to the bottom of it. To see if he was planning anything, and to be mildly annoying of course. 

Sure he wasn’t the best at sneaking around, but he had not expected the gooey monster to sneak up behind him or grab him. It happened far to quickly for him to really react, and with his paintbrush wrenched from him, things were not looking good. Sure, he was slightly concerned with his weapon gone (meaning no means of escaping or really doing much of anything), but he still kept up his usual way too energetic attitude on the outside. 

“Oh hey my Gooey buddy…hows it going?”

Course before he could get an answer, something goopy was forcefully shoved into his eye socket, and immediately he started to struggle against the others grip. 

“Hey! Let me go, and get….whatever that was out of my eye!”

Something about that made him more angry, but he tempered it down, he already had him. He didn’t need to hurt him although…that blue eye amongst his void of black ooze shifted downwards slightly to ink’s colorful array of paints, Completely ignoring the AU guardian as he so touted himself, He’d always wondered what they were for (Weapons was the first thought, Much like his paintbrush…but he’d never seen them used for that yet he didn’t want to take the risk-) 

So he reached forward, Undoing the strap that held it in place and neatly wrapping it up to stick into his jacket, No need to chuck it into the storage dimension. No, just keeping them away from ink would be fine.

“Oh, so now you are going to make demands of me? you did this to yourself, But by all accounts, i have every right to do what i want. This is my dimension, MY castle with MY team of people, Some of which were very rattled the last time you showed up. People who really don’t fuckin’ deserve that y’know? yet it’s hard to care about that right? cause i took em’ out of their ‘rightful AU’s’ .”

He practically sneered the word ‘rightful’, oh sure, fuck with him all you want. But the moment it involved his team, it was personal.

“I will let go of you, but only because i know YOU can’t go anywhere, Because you can’t remove that lil’ bit of me. an’ i bet nobody knows where you are, Doubt dream woulda let you snoop.”

and with his word, he did free ink from the constricting grasp of the tentacle.

“H-Hey! Give those back, I need those you goopy asshole” His words held no bite, but seemed to have a slight concern to it, but even so...he continued on “Rattled or not Nightmare, they don’t belong here, they need to go back to their own Universes”

He didn’t seem to listen to Nightmare after that, as soon as he was let go he attempted to jump him, trying to get his paints back. If he was going to be stuck here for a while, he’ll be damned if he’s stuck as an emotionless husk of a skeleton! 

“HOW THE FUCK DO YOU KEEP GETTING IN HERE-.”

Nightmare you absolute fool! you look away for two seconds and suddenly Ink is gone. Where has he gone? Who knows

But he’s in your castle somewhere

"Not really..." he said, shoulders tensing as more droning chat rolled around in his skull. His hands pressed against his ear holes in a futile effort to shut them out.

“I can do that! Maybe a distraction would help? Hmmmmm....Oh! have you gotten any new plants recently? Or make any new stuff? Can I see???”