A Small Problem

Ch. 20 - A Little Bit of Help

Anyway, it's time I introduce the gang to someone special.

***

Bittytale_Copy38 ...

Napoleon and Count walked in silence as they made their best guess as to which way Rock went. Count found himself relaxing in it's company, eyelights stealing soft glances at the partially overcast sky. The air was fresh and crisp, if a little humid. It reminded Sans of the boarder between Hotland and Waterfall.

It was Napoleon that broke the silence first.

"I..." He trailed off, seemingly putting his words in order. HE spoke haltingly, as if each word was a chore to speak. "I AM NOT WITHOUT MANORS AND ... AND AFTER WHAT HAS HAPPENED, IT WOULD BE AN AFFRONT TO NOT SHOW MY GRATITUDE." He began stiffly. "SO. BE GRATEFUL ONE SUCH AS I HAS ACKNOLEGED YOU ... COUNT. THANK YOU FOR RESCUING ME."

Napoleon was thanking him? Also isn't this the first time he has called Count by his nickname?

Count couldn't stop the fond smile that snuck onto his skull and teased the skeleton. "aww. kid was right. you are warming up to me." Count went so far as to give him a side hug.

Napoleon scowled, brushing him off. "DON'T MAKE ME REGRET GIVING YOU THE TIME OF DAY, SANSY KNOCK OFF." He crossed his arms and decidedly started to pout with an exaggerated eye light roll. Prideful gaze steadily looking into the distance.

The two lapsed back into silence, Count deciding not to push the tsundere. He decided to take what he learned from dealing with Tsunderplane and stayed close. But not too close.

His action merely gained a suspicious glance.

When Count and Napoleon finally got to the edge of the forested park area, they managed to catch Rock being handed a slip of paper from a dog monster as she was reunited with her Sansy. They were a dozen feet off to the right of the exchange, which wasn't too bad considering they had only vaguely known where they were going.

5:26:51 PM.

Count examined the black and white fuzzy monster, sensing no LV coming from her SOUL. Rather than interrupt, Count trusted Rock to be able to handle it and waited patiently for him to return.

She had mostly white fur, with black floppy ears and a black spot around one of her blue and brown eyes. She wore a muted yellow sundress and had a small brown purse with her. She had knelt down to be closer to Rocks height and she appeared to be very patient as she conversed with Rock, though her gaze inevitably continued to travel to his head injury with worry.

Napoleon tapped his foot in annoyance or perhaps anxiety at Count not taking action, but also not wanting to make a move himself. Rock, despite his limited magic capabilities, was an asset they could not lose. Seeing him out in the open and alone uneased Napoleon.

When bitty and monster parted, the larger waved goodbye to Rock hesitantly, handing him something. The Sansy securely lounging on her shoulder gave Rock a look of gratitude. Rock made his way back into the treeline and then towards the two waiting, gift in his pocket slightly sticking out.

It was a slip of paper.

"WHAT WAS THAT!?" Napoleon whisper-shouted in anger (worry). "YOU COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN!"

Rock just looked at Napoleon and shrugged. "it ... went fine. didn't it ...?"

"what did she give you?" Count asked, cutting right to the chase.

"TSK. WHATEVER IT IS, IT BETTER HAVE BEEN WORTH THE RISK."

Rock handed the small piece of paper to Count, with only a brief glance at Napoleon who held eye contact.