video; un: deathweaver

[respired]

[ So, that relatively cheerful guy dancing with everybody on the beach--he's gone. He's out of here. Koltira leans forward, his expression pained, jaw clenched. There's a flat piece of wood on the ground beside him with the start of an intricate filigree carved into it, but he's set it aside. He's focused entirely on the jewelry. ]

I feel unwell.

[ His guttural, echoing voice is rougher than usual; he sounds like jagged rocks scraping against each other, and the strange ethereal reverberation does nothing to better the effect.

He's experiencing, for the first time in years, something like fatigue. It's discomfiting, impossible. His kind does not tire. And yet here he is, feeling--not exhausted, but legitimately weary. ]

The ocean is not rife with magic, but it provides some sustenance.

[ He shakes his head, as though trying to clear his vision. Some sustenance. Not enough. ]

If anyone has found other sources, I would know of them.

[ His voice drops to an almost feral growl. ]

Or a solution.

Comments

[respired]

I did not know you were capable of mana absorption.

[ Interesting! ]

[boneafide]

... I've never heard it called that before!

[ Because monsters can't really do that, no. He just thinks it's going to work for him. ]

[respired]

[ He doesn't reply right away. First, he--incredulously, angrily--yawns.

He rubs his temples. His head aches. ]

I see. Best of luck to you, then.

[boneafide]

Oh no, don't-

[ It's too late. Koltira yawns. And now, because of that reaction, Papyrus has to yawn too. Which he does, also angry about it. Angry yawning: a thing that's happening right now. ]

Now I've gone and done it too!! I'm trying very hard not to sleep right now, Koltira!! Please cover your mouth when you do that!

[respired]

[ ARGH ]

I do not do so on purpose! I have not yawned since I died.

1/2

[boneafide]

And I have not yawned ever in my life!!!!!

[boneafide]

...

That is a lie, I have before. But I don't like it!! Now I just want to take a nap!! Do you know how much I scold Sans for napping?? So much!! And now here I am, wanting to do it myself!! I'm a sham!!

[respired]

[ WHAT IS EVEN HAPPENING RIGHT NOW? He groans, digging the heel of his palm against one closed eye. ]

At least you are capable of a nap.

[boneafide]

I WISH I WASN'T!!

[respired]

You do not.

[boneafide]

I do too!!

[respired]

Only because you do not know what you say.

[boneafide]

I DO NOT NOT KNOW WHAT I SAY!! THAT IS TO SAY, I KNOW ABSOLUTELY WHAT I AM SAYING, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M NOT SAYING!

[respired]

[ buddy it's good that he's so tired and that he loves you ]

Papyrus, death knights were forbidden to sleep. To me, it is a privilege.

1/2

[boneafide]

The death knights had no death nights, then...

2/2

[boneafide]

NO WAIT, IGNORE WHAT I JUST SAID.

[humerous]

[*You feel your puns being enjoyed behind your back.]

[respired]

[ he just sighs, tiredly, and shuts his eyes ]

Cute.

[boneafide]

WHILE I AM CUTE, THE PUN WAS A MISTAKE!! I can hear Sans enjoying it from here! I don't even know where he is, and I know. It's going to...

[ He trails off, about to throw another tantrum, but instead sighing and rubbing his forehead. ]

I am too tired for this.

[respired]

[ He stares up into the sky, the light in his eyes dim. ]

So you feel it, too.

[boneafide]

...No! I don't! Feel what?? I feel nothing but the breeze of normality!! The winds of stagnatude! The...

[ It's getting really hard to keep this up. In fact, he's struggling to even keep up this posturing he's doing, on video. Literally doing all those same grandiose poses and gestures he normally does, although a little sloppy- still energetically done. ]

... I... just recalled something I needed to tell you in secret! Could you perhaps... make it so this conversation is only between the two of us? I don't remember how to change that setting right now...

private;

[respired]

[ Hmm. Koltira's not the world's greatest intellectual, but it'd be pretty difficult to miss the vibe that Papyrus is putting out right here. ]

... it is done. Speak.

private;

[boneafide]

I'm really worried about all of us. I've never felt like this before. I ...

[ He's afraid. ]

[respired]

[ Oh, jeez. Oh, no. ]

It will be all right, my friend.

[ Koltira's voice is softer, less shot through with sharp rocks and dark echoes. He sounds more like he did when he was alive. Tired, but the old, deep richness remains.

As the threads of magic unravel, so too does the curse: he forgets himself enough, even, to be completely honest, and to refer to Papyrus how he always wishes to. ]

We will find a way through this.

[boneafide]

This sort of thing... it happens to monsters sometimes, when their magic starts to fade. We don't get sick like humans do. Instead we... "Fall Down."

... Nyeh heh heh!! I don't know why I'm telling you this!! It's not like that's going to happen to anyone!! You're right, we'll find a way through this!!

[ Except with that little burst of energy, he sighs, and is back to staring at the sand by his shoes. ]