#underscarf

BACKSTORY (?)

Scarf showed exceptional talent in science from childhood, surpassing even his father, Gaster, in dedication. While Gaster viewed experimentation with curiosity and theoretical interest, Scarf approached it with grim focus.

Shortly before Gaster disappeared, he gave Scarf his scarves without explaining their true purpose. At the time, Scarf believed this was simply a symbolic or casual gift. In reality, Gaster was already beginning to fade and wanted his son to have something that would remain with him.[!] They were originally designed as extra hands to assist in laboratory work, but later became guardians and companions meant to protect Scarf.

After Gaster’s disappearance, 5 years later, Scarf abandoned scientific research entirely.[!] He isolated himself for years, cutting off contact with Papyrus and withdrawing emotionally from the world. This self-imposed isolation became a source of lasting damage to his relationship with his brother, creating emotional distance that still remains.

PERSONALITY

Marked by his constant exhaustion, emotional restraint, and inner conflict. While often classified as an anti-hero, he rejects the label, stating that the concept has lost all meaning to him without hesitation. He dislikes being depended on and resents expectations placed upon him. However, despite this, he continues to appear whenever he is needed. This contradiction exhausts him more than physical fight ever could.

He does not speak much. His answers are short and indirect, but they usually contain everything that needs to be said. Long explanations are rare. If he talks more than usual, it often means someone has crossed a personal boundary or reminded him of something painful.[!] When he pauses before speaking, it is not for drama. He is mentally tired, and forming words feels difficult.

Although Scarf appears lazy somehow or indifferent. Scarf actively resists giving in to exhaustion, forcing himself to remain mobile and conscious to avoid physical collapse. He sleeps very little not for rest, but as a survival measure to prevent total shutdown.

MAGIC USAGE

Scarf can only use magic reliably through his right eye. His left eye is damaged due to the scar on his cheek, making normal magic and pupil activation painful and unstable. Although he does feel pain, it rarely shows on his face. Instead, he experiences it internally, and he appears to have an unusually high tolerance for it.

Both pupils are naturally crimson. The left pupil only manifests during intense emotional anger, shock, grief, etc. And doing so leaves Scarf in significant pain and more exhaustion afterwards.

Under extreme emotional stress, crimson coloration drains from the left eye into the scar, which may glow or leak crimson energy. When truly enraged, both pupils appear and the scar glows intensely sometimes, but the aftermath leaves Scarf nearly incapacitated. ⬇️

GASTER BLASTER (PICTURE ONLY)

SCARVES

Scarf’s primary weapon and defining trait is his sentient scarves. Longer than Scarf’s height and capable of near-limitless extension, with limits tied to his physical condition. Never removed except for cleaning; Scarf feels deeply vulnerable without them.

Scarves also have their own "personalities". The right one is more calm and passive, while the left one is more active and aggressive.

The scarves function as both weapons and sensory extensions. Scarf can feel through them, as if they were part of his body. They communicate only with him, using movements and sensations that he instinctively understands. Often, they act on their own, protecting him and intercepting attacks before he consciously reacts.

When calm, the scarves behave like ordinary fabric allowing Scarf to control them himself. Under stress, they tense, coil, sharpen, or move defensively. During fight, their ends become razor-sharp, and they make inflicting deep, non-lethal wounds similar to severe paper cuts.

RELATIONSHIPS

GRILLBY

Grillby is known for taking his work seriously and showing little interest in the personal lives or emotional states of his customers. Cold-blooded by reputation and temperament, he focuses solely on running his establishment efficiently. Conversations are kept brief, functional, and devoid of sentiment. This approach aligns precisely with Scarf’s own preference for minimal interaction.

Grillby does not offer comfort, advice, or concern, nor does he react to Scarf’s visible exhaustion or injuries. To him, Scarf is simply another customer. This absence of emotional engagement is not neglect, but policy, and Scarf respects it. In return, Scarf insists on paying every time he visits, often promptly and without discussion.

Scarf does not visit Grillby’s for companionship. He goes because it is one of the few places where no one expects anything from him, not explanations, not emotions, not reliability. Grillby’s indifference provides Scarf with a rare form of stability: a space where existence does not require engagement beyond payment and order.

W.D. GASTER

From early childhood, Gaster recognized Scarf’s exceptional aptitude for science. Scarf was not merely following in his father’s footsteps, he surpassed him in discipline and seriousness at a very young age. While Gaster approached experimentation with curiosity and theoretical interest, Scarf treated it as duty.

After Gaster disappeared, Scarf blamed himself relentlessly. He abandoned science not because he lost interest, but because continuing felt like betrayal, both of his father and of himself. He avoids speaking about Gaster and refuses to engage in research similar to his father’s work. Although he does not believe Gaster is truly gone, he also refuses to search for him. The uncertainty is something he cannot emotionally endure.

Despite everything, Scarf does not resent Gaster. His pain is not rooted in anger, but in absence, of explanations, closure, and a goodbye he was never allowed to have.

[old art ⬇️]

PAPYRUS (CAPE)

As the elder brother, Scarf once assumed the role of protector. Even in childhood, he felt responsible for shielding Papyrus from both Gaster’s experiments and the emotional weight of their household. This sense of responsibility only intensified after Gaster’s disappearance, at which point Scarf chose isolation as a means of protection, believing that his own instability and guilt would inevitably harm Papyrus.

Since childhood, Scarf has relied heavily on lying as a coping mechanism. These lies were not intended to harm Papyrus, but to shield him from worry, fear, or disappointment.[!] Scarf would hide his exhaustion, emotional turmoil, and even minor injuries, presenting a false image of calm competence. Sometimes he twisted the truth or omitted critical details about dangerous situations in the lab or within their family.

Over time, these deceptions became habitual, forming a barrier that distanced him emotionally from his brother. Even when he spoke truthfully, his words were often framed in ways that masked the full reality, creating subtle misunderstandings that lingered into adulthood. The accumulation of these lies contributed as much to their strained relationship as Scarf’s physical withdrawal, leaving Papyrus unsure of when he was being protected or misled.

This decision caused long-term damage. By withdrawing without explanation, Scarf unintentionally hurt Papyrus more deeply than if he had stayed. Their separation left questions unanswered and trust fractured, and neither brother has fully confronted what was lost during those years.

When they do interact, Papyrus is notably strict yet gentle, maintaining emotional boundaries while still offering care in practical ways. He avoids overt confrontation, treating Scarf with a reserved, almost formal kindness rather than familial warmth. Scarf, in turn, is visibly uncomfortable around his brother, surprised that Papyrus still communicates with him at all.

Scarf does not believe he deserves forgiveness or even a place in Papyrus’s life. He often assumes that Papyrus would be better off without an older brother like him. This belief fuels his emotional distance, even as he continues to show up when Papyrus needs him, contradicting his own self-perception.

Over time, the lies created an invisible barrier between the brothers, fostering emotional distance even before Scarf’s voluntary isolation. Papyrus often struggled to understand whether Scarf’s words reflected reality or a filtered version meant to protect him. This habitual concealment contributed as much to the strain in their relationship as Scarf’s physical withdrawal, leaving unresolved tension that persists into adulthood.

Despite their fractured bond, Papyrus remains one of the few anchors in Scarf’s life. Scarf makes an effort to appear functional around him, attempting to smile, speak more, and mask his exhaustion. These smiles often come out unnaturally elongated, betraying how unfamiliar the expression has become. Papyrus does not like this all. These pretense of Scarf again.. he's fed up with it. But tries to ignore.[!]

Despite this, Scarf’s intentions were rooted in care; the lies were meant to protect, not to manipulate. However, the cumulative effect was a fractured bond, with both brothers carrying silent resentment, guilt, and confusion.

TRIVIAS

Favorite food: lasagna, bauyrsaq and qūrt.

Favorite drink: cheese sauce (not often) and alcoholic koumiss, consumed slowly to dull mental exhaustion rather than to intoxicate.

Scarf plays the dombra instead of the trombone.[!]

He speaks Kazakh along knows Kazakh Latin, and often switches in this language.

His eyes are pointed/narrow.

Scarf is Kazakh, this explains what is given from above. It is also partly because the creator(me) is Kazakh.

His humor when present is limited to dry, sarcastic remarks devoid of playful intent.

His smile is crooked, the result of having forgotten how to smile properly after years of emotional suppression.[!]

He always has a scowl on his face. It's his neutral look. His scowl deepens when he’s embarrassed.

Occasionally, Scarf’s right pupil may also appear white.

Scarf does not fight to dominate, he fights to end encounters as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Avoids flashy attacks and excessive teleportation to conserve energy.

Scarves handle most offensive and defensive actions.

Since the living scarves were created by Gaster, they "talk" with symbols as Gaster himself talks.

Papyrus forbids him to smoke because it is literally a drug for Scarf.[!]

Keeps his hands busy at all times (adjusting scarves) because they tremble when idle.

Washes his scarves meticulously, treating them more carefully than himself.

Knows several Kazakh lullabies by heart, even ones he claims he "doesn’t remember learning."

Has trouble accepting praise and usually deflects it with sarcasm or silence.

Feels guilt more strongly than fear.

Avoids mirrors, not out of vanity, but dissociation.

Teleportation gives him migraines if overused.

When the left eye activates, his scarves become noticeably more aggressive.

Retreats strategically without shame, survival > pride.

The living scarves are partially sentient and react to his emotional state before he does.

Has a complicated relationship with authority, respects competence, despises control.

Bonds through shared silence rather than conversation.

Prefers dim lighting; bright light gives him headaches.

Hates loud laughter but secretly enjoys quiet chuckles.

Scarf is capable of traveling between alternate universes but actively avoids doing so. Encountering other Sans variants feels like confronting distorted reflections of himself, an experience he finds destabilizing. He prefers to remain in his own AU, believing he can barely manage this version of himself, let alone alternatives.

Scarf has tiny, barely noticeable cracks in areas such as his neck and ribs.

Has a single drop of sweat is always visible on his left temple, unrelated to temperature or activity.

He can stand on his scarves, or rather, scarves can hold his weight in all types of holding

Keeps broken pens. He doesn’t know why.

When deeply focused, his breathing becomes so shallow it’s nearly undetectable.

He cannot stand the sound of glass shattering.

He keeps old lab notes but has blacked out entire sections with heavy ink.

He is extremely precise with money. Exact amounts. No rounding.

He walks without sound unless intentionally making his presence known.

He has an unusually steady handwriting, even when exhausted.

He's good at wood carving.[!]

He does not like being photographed.

His scarves sometimes tug him subtly away from places tied to strong memories.