01 ♥ Video

[matadorable]

[It's hard to type with little stone fingers, so he's trying to use the voice function for the first time.

Too bad he accidentally activates the video option instead. And also makes this public. Oops.

The communicator shakes, and though the image isn't entirely clear, anyone watching can see couple of dark sockets with glowing pupils and what appears to be a skull with ornate carvings and distinctive hair. Sunlight spills through what seem to be leaves in the background, and it's obvious the person on the screen is crouched down somewhere, trying to hide. He's not looking directly into the camera.]

Hey. Joaquin. It's me, Manolo. So, uhhh...[How do you even put this.]

Funny story! You know how I said my powers were music-based? That's actually half of what I can do. I can also do something else. I think it keeps me from dying, which as far as powers go? Not a bad one, if I do say so myself! [Because he's already dead in this form, but like hell he's going to say that, hah hah hahhh.....

Maybe if he sounds upbeat enough he can bullshit his way through this.]

The only downside is that people shouldn't see me. Don't ask why, it's just...a power thing, you know? So maybe you could come down here with, like, a...sheet? Just toss it in my general direction, and we'll be good to go. Everyone will think I am dressed as a ghost. Perfect disguise, yes?

[He is grinning really hard and hoping all this optimism and false confidence will be enough. But then he notices something and now he's looking at the communicator like it just ran him through with a sword.]

Oh no...

[Oh yes. And now everyone can see exactly what this power actually is. Good job, Manny!]

Comments

[htespagheti]

OH NO! YOU DON'T NEED TO BE EMBARRASSED! BECAUSE BEING A SKELETON IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS TO BE!

FOR EXAMPLE! YOU DON'T GET COLD! ALSO! YOU DON'T GET TOO WARM! TEMPERATURE-WISE YOU'RE SET FOR LIFE.

THERE'S MORE!!!! YOU CAN EAT WHATEVER YOU WANT AND IT WON'T EVER STICK TO YOUR THIGHS!

SEE? THERE ARE NO NEGATIVES! IT'S ALL UPSIDES!!!!

[matadorable]

[Manolo can't help but smile at this guy's optimism, especially since everything he said is actually true.]

Yeah? [There's a hint of laughter in his voice.] You think I could walk across the bottom of a lake and be okay?

[htespagheti]

YES!!!! OH MY GOD, I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT! YOU COULD MAKE FRIENDS WITH ALL THE FISH! THIS OPENS UP SO MANY POSSIBILITIES!

YOU'RE A NATURAL!

[Your skeleton skills are impressive, Manolo.]

[matadorable]

[Now he's really laughing, and some of the anxiety that had been pooling in his chest melts away.]

Well, I lived in a place surrounded by water, which is why I thought of it! You've been at this the longest, so I'm sure you have plenty of great advice.

[htespagheti]

WHY... I COULD BE YOUR SKELETON TUTOR! SHOW YOU THE ROPES! OR THE... BONES????

Yes, please be his skeleton senpai, Papyrus

[matadorable]

How about the ropes and the bones? ...Thaaaat sort of makes it sound like we're building a creepy ladder, though, hahah.

SENPAI CONFIRMED

[htespagheti]

BY THE TIME WE'RE DONE, CREEPY LADDERS WILL BE CHILD'S PLAY. SKELETON CHILDS. MAKING FUN AND COOL THINGS OUT OF BONES WILL BECOME SECOND NATURE!

EXCELLENT

[matadorable]

...You can make things out of bones?

[htespagheti]

OF COURSE! ALL KINDS OF THINGS. CHAIRS MADE OUT OF BONES. BIGGER BONES, MADE OUT OF BONES. WORDS... MADE OUT OF BONES. RECREATIONS OF FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPHS... MADE OUT OF BONES. THE WORLD IS YOURS WITH BONES!

[matadorable]

Wow! [Manolo nods, clearly impressed with this skeleton's expertise.] I don't know if I would have thought of most of those things on my own.

[A pause.]

One question, though. Where do these bones, uh, actually come from?

1/2

[htespagheti]

... YOU KNOW...

[htespagheti]

HMM...

[htespagheti]

I THINK IT'S JUST MAGIC! INFINITE BONES.

[matadorable]

[Magic, infinite bones. Makes sense to him!]

Wow! So that's one of your powers, then? I don't think I can do anything like that.

[htespagheti]

DON'T WORRY! AS MY SKELETON PROTÉGÉ, YOU CAN BORROW SOME OF MINE WHENEVER YOU NEED THEM! WHAT ELSE ARE FRIENDS FOR BESIDES GIVING YOU FREE BODY PARTS?

[matadorable]

[Manolo never thought he'd see someone offering bodyparts as a sign of friendship, but that's downright adorable compared to some of the other things he's encountered in the afterlife.]

Wait, seriously? Well then. [He gives a small bow at the camera.] I am very honored to have your assistance, Señor Papyrus.

[htespagheti]

[So polite! Papyrus bows in kind, although his gets a little out of control. Big ol' flourish of the hand.]

OF COURSE! COME OVER ANY TIME TO BORROW A CUP OF BONES, MANOLO!

[matadorable]

[WHAT A GOOD NEIGHBOR. And Manolo can definitely appreciate people who have a flair for the dramatic.]

I might take you up on that, hahah! Where do you live?