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Napstablook lives a simple life. They like to lay down on the floor and pretend to sleep. They like to watch snails move. They like to listen to music. Sometimes, when they’re adventurous enough, they like to go into the ruins and lie down in a hole.
Recently, however, their life has gotten more eventful.
First: During one of their lie down sessions in the ruins, they meet a human . Then got into a FIGHT with said human. Then got complimented and befriended by said human. Then ghosted said human. Oh well…
Second: The underground went into an uproar about… something. Napstablook isn’t exactly sure why, since their Undernet isn’t working. The human would be their first guess, but they were nice and didn’t murder them, so probably something else. Napstablook didn’t bother to check, and if Undyne’s distant screaming were anything to go by, it was a good thing they didn’t.
Third: While in their designated ‘lie down on the floor to feel like garbage and pretend to sleep’ time, a flash of light suddenly appeared out of their windows, peering into their home. At the same time, a knock sounded on their door, and as they got up to open it, they thought that maybe they could pretend to sleep a little longer, so they quickly closed the blinds and ignored the knock. The light disappeared a few minutes later, and Napstablook thought that everything was fine.
Fourth: Everything was not fine, because suddenly it seems that every monster is stampeding towards New Home and causing a gigantic ruckus. Napstablook took one peek outside, and immediately regretted it, because every monster was stampeding towards New Home. Monsters were chatting, carrying boxes, and having fun. The sudden sound was too overwhelming, and Napstablook quickly phased into the ground, muffling the noise.
…Maybe Snowdin will be more peaceful. Probably just a Waterfall thing.
They pop out of the Snowdin ground and-
Nope. Still the same thing. Ruins?
No.
…Hotland?
N- is that a jetpack???
Okay, this is getting ridiculous. Napstablook floated back into their home, locked their door, muffled their windows, and put on some headphones. They could still hear noise, but it was manageable.
What were they doing, anyway? Probably a festival or anniversary celebration or something. Napstablook doesn’t have a calendar and isn’t well-versed in monster culture, so it’s probably that. It does seem more intense than other festivals, but maybe it’s a special anniversary, like 50 years or something.
Whatever it is, Napstablook wants to pretend-sleep again.
Things have gotten quieter now, thankfully. Though it may be… too quiet, but it’s probably the contrast between the events of the past few days and now. Napstablook realizes that they haven’t tended to the snails in a while, so they go do that. The snails can handle having no food for a while, but it’s best to feed them regularly so that they can be healthier and faster.
Napstablook sets up a quick game of Thundersnail to alleviate their boredom. The starting ‘gun’ (an empty party popper) shoots, and all three snails start the race. Sugar and Daisy are off to a good start, battling for first, while Murder Kill Megalodon Death Megadeath Shark Killer Destroyer 3.0 is running in a small circle. Daisy is starting to pull away from Sugar, inching ever so closer to the finish-
Daisy is first! Sugar comes second a few seconds later, and unfortunately, Murder Kill Megalodon Death Megadeath Shark Killer Destroyer 3.0 does not finish, as he is currently curled up in the corner.
Sugar definitely needs to work on her form, especially after not exercising in a while. Daisy must have been training on her own, Napstablook thinks.
…
Napstablook wonders where their cousins are now. Did they get their bodies? Are they making friends? Did they have a good time at whatever happened a few days ago?
Napstablook doesn’t know. Napstablook wishes that their cousins could have at least told them—yet it’s their lives, aren’t they? They aren’t obligated to tell Napstablook, or anyone for that matter, and—stop being so selfish-.
It hurts to think about, but…
Napstablook made their choice a long time ago. And wherever they are, Napstablook hopes they’re happy. Because if they are happy, then Napstablook is happy.
And Napstablook is happy.
“Howdy!”
Napstablook barely prevents themself from phasing into the dirt and traveling halfway across the underground, because why would you sneak up on someone like that? Ruins buddies shouldn’t do that!
“oh… sorry. you startled me, flowey.”
“Ah, sorry, should’ve been quieter. How are things going?” Flowey says, less sing-songy than usual. Napstablook decides not to comment on this.
“...nothing much. just been lying on the floor a lot.”
Flowey hums a quick tune, before asking a question. “Why are you still here? Is moving taking that long?”
“because… i live here? and i don’t plan to move?” Napstablook has no idea what Flowey is going on about. They’re honestly tempted to disappear into the floor and hide for a while, but they have company for the first time in a week, so Napstablook thinks that they should put that off for later.
Flowey raises an eyebrow at them. “Yeah, but is there a reason you aren’t moving? The barrier’s broken, after all.”
Napstablook learned about sarcasm a month ago from Undyne, and they figure that now would be a good time to use it.
“yeah… and it’s snowing in hotland.”
“Har har, nice one. Just tell me when—or if—you’re going to the surface, bud.”
Flowey must have mistaken that as a joke, because Napstablook was serious. Just what is he talking about? What does he mean that the barrier's broken? Is Flowey trying to play a prank on them?
“i wasn’t joking… what do you mean the barrier’s broken?”
“...Are you actually being serious right now?” Flowey says, staring directly at Napstablook.
“...yes?”
Several emotions appear on Flowey’s face in quick succession—none of which can be made out—before he disappears into the ground, leaving Napstablook to stare at where he once was.
Moments later, Flowey reappears, holding a photograph in his vines. “Look!” he says, frustrated.
Napstablook looks, and-
The picture shows Asgore in the middle of the frame, standing in the barrier room and framed by the wide walls of a cave. He is silhouetted by a blanket of light blue light, and some white blobs and trees are visible in the distance. Asgore appears to be smiling.
“Behind him is the surface.” Flowey tacks on.
Their eyes widen slightly, before suddenly watering.
“Hey! Don’t get your tears on this photo! I intend to give it back after stealing it!”
The surface ? I can go to the surface ? I can be free! This is so exciting!
…Metta is also probably so excited. He’s probably fanboying over the humans. I miss him-
No, stop that. He’s happy, and you should be happy too.
…
“Uh… buddy? You okay?” Flowey says, softly.
“...yeah……. i’m fine… just…….. overwhelmed.”
A moment of silence passes, before Flowey decides to ask a question. “So. You really didn’t know?”
“...no. i didn’t.”
“You’re a fucking idiot.” Flowey says, yet both of them know he doesn’t mean it.
…
“What the hell is that snail doing? Why is it in the corner?”
“oh. that’s murder kill megalodon death megadeath shark killer destroyer 3.0. he’s shy.”
Flowey starts cackling.