It is a picture of a skeleton, buried up to his neck in sand. Seems the illusion carries all the way into photographs, and hopefully, it'll stay that way.
He looks like he's having fun.
The picture has aptly been titled; 2 much Sands, 2 little time.]
[Mistakes have been made. He's not what he'd call a heavy drinker, most days, but turns out - gettin' inebriated does wonders for patching a friendship he figured was all but salvage.
Unfortunately, this lends itself well to even more horrible choices.
So Alphys's phone is gonna go off two, three, nah, actually, better make it four successive times, only for whoever's calling to hang up before anyone picks up.
When someone finally bothers to leave a message, there's something like idle chatter in the background.]
Tibia. 'S a bone in the...
[The voices fuzz out, and trail off. And then return with a vengeance:]
Is that a challenge? Because I think I'm way ahead of you. [If she's ever met Shadow, she might recognize the voice the call picks up next.]
You gotta leg up on me. [Sans protests, voice rising and fading.] Lower body mass means you get drunk quick - [The conversation lapses, and the voice message clicks off. Seems he's done a somethin' of a coccyx-dial.
[And then, at long last - a call. An actual, genuine call.
Or, to be more semantically correct? A voice message.]
Alph. Hey. Heya. [He sounds kinda...off. Maybe a bit less laid back, a bit less composed.] 'S me.
[Pause.
Yeah, so Sans has definitely consumed more than his fair share of alcohol tonight. That marks a first. It marks a first, and it weren't for any good kinda reason but - but that's beside the point. He's pretty sure it'd be sad and wrong to call up a bunch of kids while he's like this.
They hate him, anyway.
But Alphys - why's she still stickin' with him, huh? Why's she still here?
She's good people. That's why.]
'S Sans, [he drawls.] 'Sssss Sans. Sans the skeleton.
Heh heh.
Anyway. I just - wanted to call 'n see how you're doin'. You're a - you're a good pal. Y'know that, right? Y'know that you're a good pal? 'Cause I'm real bad at, at textin' you back sometimes and I want you t'know that it don't mean anything, yeah?
[She's... honestly a little glad they're texting her. She didn't mean to not reach out after the whole search party thing, but everything's been incredibly exhausting and she kind of just wants to die on the floor. But hey! This is contact!]
[Mettaton keeps it simple; he knows the network's still patchy, so he assumes the smaller the message, the less likely it'll become hard to send or read.]
I certainly hope that whatever is taking you so long is worth my time.
[ Hello, have we met?
Nah, but who cares. He needs to check if Sans did not fall asleep on this project, besides, he might as well just see if this little doctor is reliable or not,
There is something of importance I would like to discuss with you.
[ It's been almost a month since the whole stars thing, and apparently... they don't seem to be fading. But that alone isn't quite what pushes Shadow to contact Alphys again.
It might be too early (not even dawn) for Alphys to be awake, but he does not mind waiting for an answer. It is not like he's planning on leaving any time soon. And if he does, well, what would it matter? ]
[ He didn't have the tone thing down while talking over the phone yet. Reason being that he was by the rushing water of the dam/generator and spoke up far more than necessary]
I have a query! Do return my call at your convenience! Now what the hell is this thing?
[She sees the text immediately, but waits a bit to respond, just out of a small amount of abject panic. What does he want with her? Was it because of what she said to Tranquility? Or Rage? Did Rosie do something????]
uhhh yeah sure just over text or uhm in person i guess as close to in person as you guys get haha
[Nope, if the yelp Lup is greeted with is anything to go by. Thankfully, Alphys has plenty of experience with skeletons, but it's not what she expected to see when picking up a call from Lup.]
Dr. Alphys, is it okay if I come to the lab and use some of your devices? You have optical testing equipment, right? Like something that could test the properties of glass?
Sharon da Silva needs a pair of sunglasses. I've volunteered to make them, using materials scrounged from the shops and the abandoned spires. I have skills, I can grind lenses. I just need to be able to make them UV-blocking if I can. I'll have to try some different lens coatings to get that to happen. If you've got the testing equipment, I can tell whether my concoctions are working or not.
Uh— yeah, I mean, you can c-come by anytime, you don’t have to, uhm, ask— I don’t know if I have the exact thing? But uhm, I can… make something? Maybe? I’ve never made sunglasses before, but I can figure something out!!
[She has no idea if they have this equipment. But she’s gonna try!]
[He is aware that there is no need for him to clarify who is calling; his name will be attached to this message in bold letters. ...He is slightly nervous, that's all.]
I am in need of your expert opinion. Please call me when you are available.
[However Alphys manages to find it, a paper has been left tacked to her door the day of the 24th, a scribbled message on it with a drawing of a bush and a candle on top. The whole thing manages to glow slightly and smell like wassail, though how it's doing that makes no logical sense. The text upon it is loopy and sloppy, and reads:]
You're Invited!
What: It's Candlenights, baby! When: Tomorrow Where: Horny House (y'know, Lup and Taako's place) Details: Wear pants, bring gifts, prepare to lose both
We know you're not doing anything better with your time! You better be there!
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