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10 paces fire.
North Star turns as quickly as he can, pulling the gun from his holster. He doesn’t waste a second to pull the trigger. His ears are ringing from the blood rushing through them.
He’s.. still alive?
He wasn’t shot, he can tell. He would have felt himself start to dust if that was the case. Holding a gloved hand to his front confirms it, no bullet hole. Was he actually able to..?
He looks up at the human in front of him. Their gun is drawn and pointed straight at him. From what he can see of their face they look surprised though it’s hard to tell with the bandana and hat hiding most of their face.
Most importantly though, a small, red mark now on their chin. Red liquid slowly started to run down it. He’d actually been able to do it, he’d been able to beat the human in a dual.
Isn’t that a scary thought, if he had been even a second later his dust would’ve merged with the sand. Gone with the wind to join everyone who had encountered the human previously.
He chuckles. If only it had been real.
“I… can’t do it.” He pauses “Not for real.”
“I’m… I’m such a fraud.” He takes his hand off the trigger, no point in shooting again.
He knew that facing the human would’ve been a bad idea from the moment the royal guard from snowdin came and warned the town. They had been ruthless, shooting anyone they came across and going out of their way to look for more.
Sure, facing a dust hungry human might not have been his smartest idea, but an even worse idea was to not grab his actual gun, settling for a bb his posse used for practice.
And now he pays the price, being next on the humans chopping block with no way to know if he ever made any difference. Maybe he was able to delay the human enough for a few more monsters to evacuate, and frankly that’s all that matters at that moment.
“Thanks for letting me feel cool for a short moment.” His gun back in his holster, he lowers his hat to hide his face. As he waits for the sound of a revolvers bang.
He hears the click of a gun preparing to shoot, before he hears a soft thud, as if something was dropped on the sand.
Did they drop their gun?
Looking up slightly, North Star could see the gleam of metal under the brightness from the dunes faux sun swelterstone.
They had dropped their gun, on purpose or by accident, North Star didn’t know. What he did know was he wasn’t going to run away like a coward.
Looking up and having proper eye contact since before the duel, bright yellow eyes meet his own glowing white. The human makes no moves to pick up the gun, only staring at him with a neutral expression.
The bandana they had over their face had slowly been stained a reddish brown, they lifted it to properly wipe the wound.
Right. Humans had, what was it called? Blood! Some of the old human movies had scenes of sand or walls painted red from whatever violent showdown went down. Always some sort of injury that would ooze for however long. It was sorta like how monster injuries would sometimes get dusty when healing.
The human is just looking at their bloody bandana, almost as if deep in thought at the sight. Maybe bleeding is a worse sign then he thought if the human is so caught off guard by it.
The human seems to snap out of whatever trance they were in and move toward the gun. Ah, so now they are finally gonna shoot him. Way to give him false hope.
Only for the human to spin it around their finger for a few seconds and put it in their holster.
What.
“Wait just a gosh darn second! Yer’ not gonna shoot?!” On second thought that might not have been the best way to word it. Don’t get him wrong, North Star was glad to be alive. But for the human to just give up? Just like that?
“You won the duel.”
Ok that’s.. confusing. Yes, Star won the dual, but if it was really that easy to convince the human to stop, wouldn't someone else have been able to earlier? And they sounded so..
Young.
Now, Star doesn’t know much about humans. The only things that he knows is either from movies or what little he was taught as a kid about the war and human souls. But it felt odd. Humans had the same average height as many different types of bipedal monsters, he knew the kind he was would be just over the human average, but average obviously didn’t mean all were around that height.
And from veterans that were still alive and had been on the surface he knew that human and monster voices were often hard to tell the difference in, which had been a source of unease when you didn’t know if the child you heard were your own or a human child.
But this human was as short as some monster toddlers and their voice sounded so light and young. Heck they sounded a bit younger than Kanako when she.. Nevermind.
“But why? Why’d you let me live if yer’ just gonna keep going as if this never happened?!” Why did they decide to go ahead and leave a trail of dust behind them just to stop the moment they lost a challenge? He was tempted to ask.
“Where would be the fairness in that? You won, so I’ll leave.”
Oh this human kid had some nerve.
“What, so your idea of fairness is killing everyone you see just to let one monster live? What sort of injustice is that, huh?” Maybe actively pushing the buttons of what could very well just be a genocidal toddler isn’t that smart, but with how bad decisions have already got him this far he might as well just keep doing it. Not like there’s any turning back now.
“The others attacked me first, it was self defence.” The kid shrugged and brought their hand to hold their bandana between their fingers. “You asked to duel and I accepted.”
“You could’ve easily convinced them to stop fighting, most monsters aren’t big on the whole ‘killing a child’ thing” Star wanted to scream at them, wanted to pull the trigger again and aim for something more sensitive than a cheek, wanted to run as far as his legs could take him. But no, he could do this.
“Like they listened to the previous humans who fell and were killed here?”
He could not do this. Humans falling down were a big event, everyone knew the details within a week. The previous humans had also attacked, they had also…
Oh who was he kidding. The most recent ones body was found in a gruesome state long after they fell by some poor monster in Waterfall, only to be identified as being a preteen at best. And eyewitnesses from when they were running around said they looked panicked as if being chased.
The only two other than the one in front of him that had weapons were barely weapons, a plastic toy and a cooking utensil. The former fell before he was born but the latter was always described by those who met them as extremely kind.
So the kid had a point. Sighing, Star continued.
“Listen to me kid, this ain’t gonna get ya’ anywhere. I don’t know why yer’ doin’ this but mindless gen-“
“Justice. And it’s not mindless.” The kid cut him off.
“Right, but this genocide isn’t going anywhere other than dust on your hands and trashed dreams of monster kind. You’re not gettin’ any sort of justice from this.”
The kid just stared. Star swore their eyes almost glowed like his own, just yellow instead. He continued.
“The previous humans are already long gone, there’s no bringing them back.” He walked forward, getting on one knee to look closer, they really are just a kid. A lost and scared kid who did what they saw as the only option. “And going to the king will only lead to you dyin’ or to their death to have been for nuthin’.”
Dealing with kids had never been Stars strong suit. Sure he did sometimes dream how it would be to have his own and he could handle Kanako with no issues. But actually acting like a parent was something he never had to do. That was what Ceroba and Chujin did when he was still alive.
But he still had the basics down. And really, how different were human children to monster ones?
The kid looked life a light breeze could make them fall, like they were being scolded for being caught with their hand in the cookie jar and not for basically committing genocide. They were desperately trying to avoid eye contact even as Star put his hand on the kids shoulder.
“But- but if I don’t help them, who will? Who will help the next human if I can’t? I have to do this.” Their voice sounded like they were on the edge of breaking down. If Star were in their situation, he probably would too.
“You are a kid, you shouldn’t have to help. Especially when there’s nothing you could do. The best thing to do is stop fighting.” Dang he really could’ve used remembering how his parents would comfort him and his brother when they were younger.
He slowly moved his arms to wrap around the kid, careful to not potentially startle them and get a bullet through his soul. Pulling the kid into a hug, he feels them go still for just a moment before he feels another pair of arms wrap around him. The kid is hugging him back.
The kid is shaking in his hold, he almost feels bad for them. But there’s no undoing what they’ve already done, and there’s no forgiving it.
“I get why you thought this was a good idea, you were scared and felt like you had to do something to bring justice. You just messed up on the ‘how’.” He started running his hand up and down their back, slowly grabbing their gun as he did.
Thankfully he had taken a few notes from Mooch on pickpocketing and was able to pull it away without them noticing, he’s not taking any more chances for now. Not when he’s already taken so many.
The kid didn’t seem to notice their gun being taken and just kept pressing against Stars hold. He wonders if blood stains? He’s probably going to get some on his poncho from their bloody cheek being against it.
Why did he have to decide on playing hero? He could’ve just stayed in the bunker with his family but no. He just had to go and challenge a human and now here he was, comforting a murderous child with a gun. This could’ve been so much easier if he just went with Ceroba and the last of the townsfolk to hide.
“They stood by as children were killed, there isn’t any other way.” They didn’t even sound sure in their own words anymore. As if they’re only really objecting for the sake of it, for this to be over.
“Yer just going to dig a deeper hole for yourself and whatever human falls next. You think that monster kind would feel better about letting humans live if any human that falls takes many lives with ‘em?”
A hiccup is heard, and the child’s grip on his poncho tightens. “I just wanted to help them.” “…I know.”
The kid starts audibly crying, and it seems that they’ve finally realised just what they’ve done on their path of ‘justice’. He’s definitely going to need to wash the poncho now, wet with tears and blood, he can even see some dust sticking to the fabric.
He’s really messed up, hasn’t he? Instead of doing what he should have done and shot the damn human he’s here sympathising with a murderer. What are the others going to think when they come back and see him covered in dust with the human in his arms? He will.. they will… he doesn’t know how to answer his own question.
“Star, everyone’s evacuated. Why are you still here? I told you to-“
Oh, right. He wasn’t the only one out in the open. He and Ceroba were looking for anyone who had yet to get away. The kid must have heard her too, he could feel one of their hands fall down to their holster before they realised their gun was gone. He just held them tighter.
He turned, Ceroba was looking at him in shock after noticing the child. “Get away from the human.” She held her hand out to summon her staff as she spoke.
“Wait! Hold up ‘Roba!” Star was NOT going to have her attack the kid when he risked his life to convince them to stop. “Put yer’ staff down, ya might scare the kid!”
“Kid? Star, that’s a human. And a human that has the dust of countless monsters on their hands.” He feels the kid shift in his hold and loosen their own grip, whether to turn towards Ceroba or away he can’t tell.
Ceroba has a point, technically speaking. Not like Star will admit it. “Human or monster, still a kid.” He puts a hand on top of their hat as if proving a point. “And I got them to stop with the whole killing spree thing.”
It’s not often he sees Ceroba completely dumbfounded, usually she is able to keep up with whatever shenanigans he and the posse are up to, sometimes even going further than them. Seeing her like this would’ve made him laugh if the situation was any different.
“You- Starlo that’s not- you can’t- what?” He takes a moment to collect herself. “Humans don’t just stop. It will just try to attack you again.”
“They’re not an ‘it’! They’re a kid. And it’s for that exact reason I unarmed them, can’t attack without a weapon.” At that Ceroba shifted her weight to the side before slowly lowering her staff, not yet putting it away.
“If the ‘kid’ doesn't kill you, either the royal guard or the king himself will.” Ceroba walked toward the two and leaned against the bell tower, wincing at the sight of dust that got caught on the fabric of his poncho. “Or maybe your parents will for risking your life like this.”
“Oh fer’ sure.”
He slowly shifted an arm to be under the kids legs, standing up and taking the kid with him. The kid didn’t seem to react to being lifted. Looking at their face, Star noticed they’d fallen asleep at some point.
Ceroba finally put the staff away after seeing them being passed out. “Being a murderer must be tiring.” She sighs. “I’ll contact the guards, you make sure they don’t go anywhere.”
“Wait.” Star raised his voice slightly, looking up at her. “Maybe we don’t need to contact the guards now? I mean, the human is just a kid and I got them to stop the whole ‘fire without thought’ thing.”
“Starlo you have to be reasonable here, what will you do when the human wakes? Or when we get the others from the shelter?” She was glaring at him, he glared back.
Star hadn’t really thought about any of that, his plan was just to confront the human and hope for the best. But all that’s been thrown out the window the moment the kid dropped their gun. Any idea of what to do after hadn’t been accounted for, he hadn’t even planned to survive.
“I’ll… figure it out. I just need a little time to think here ‘Roba.” He looked back at the kid in his arms, shouldn’t humans be heavier? With being mostly physical matter it feels like this kid is way too light.
Ceroba stood silent next to the bell tower before turning toward the saloon. “I hope you know what you’re doing here, I’ll go tell Dina it’s safe and to help bring the others out of hiding.”And as she left, Star could see her turn around to glare the kid down.
What the hell was he supposed to do now?
Ok, first things first. Probably shouldn’t be carrying a human kid around in the middle of town. The feisty(j) fives home will have to work as a temporary hiding place. The four will come back soon but star is pretty sure he could convince them like he convinced Ceroba that-
Right, like Ceroba is actually going to keep quiet about the situation, her daughter was nearly torn apart because of the last human that fell. She’s probably going to go tell the guard as soon as she checks on the townsfolk.
But he’s certain that the rest of the feisty five are more willing to listen to him. None of them have any problems with the town being based on human culture and if they meet the kid he’s sure they can see them for who they are, a scared child in a bad situation.
The home could only really count as a shack. Worn down, single room, and no storage so any items are either on the kitchen counter or the floor. But it would do for now, and it’s not like he could bring the kid elsewhere.
Moving around the hole in the floor that Ed insists on sleeping in, Star lays the kid on the couch. He would put the kid on the bed but that’s where Ceroba sleeps and Star is pretty sure she would kill him if the kid slept there. The vest the kid was wearing could be removed easily enough, same with the hat, boots and bandana. All of them would need to be cleared of dust if only for the sake of his peace of mind when he eventually sleeps there himself.
He’d rather not sleep in the dust of others, Thank you very much.
Unfortunately, he can’t really clean the rest of the dust off the kid without getting clothes they could wear in the meantime and waking them, which felt like a bad idea. So it seems that he’ll have to deep clean the couch later.
Without the hat and bandana in the way, Star could get a proper look at them. The wound from the bullet had a sort of crust over it, probably a human thing that would go away eventually. Other than that they had bags under their eyes and a few cuts that look like they were made with a fine edge, maybe it was from the royal guard that had survived the kid earlier. The kid looked so harmless without any of their things, it was unnerving.
Sighing, Star moved away from the human and looked out the window. Any other monster had yet to come back to town. Maybe he’d have time to think things through a little at least. He sat down next to the couch, facing away from the human and looking up at the ceiling.
Let’s see. He confronted a murderous human, got them to stop fighting, and brought them to his home like some impromptu adoption. And now he had to figure out how to deal with this situation he caused himself. He can’t just sit here forever, eventually the guard would come and he would be arrested for harbouring a human. Can he even go to the king at this point? He’s already brought them to his home and urged Ceroba to not tell anyone yet, he might just get arrested on the spot under treason for daring to help a human.
He can't keep them hidden, either. Both the royal guard and Ceroba already know there's a human in the underground and Ceroba knows exactly where they are. But he also can’t tell the guard about the kid being here under the guise of him having caught them, they would just kill the kid for their soul which would mean he did all this for nothing and lead to a dead kid.
He hears the sound of fabric shifting against fabric, the kid is probably moving in their sleep as there's no way they woke with how easily they passed out earlier.
Actually, does the kid have a name? He never asked and they never said. If he’s going to figure something out it might help with putting a name to them. That's how it worked, right? Naming something makes you attached, and putting a name to a face makes you more empathetic to their troubles. The vest had a label on the inside that might have their name. Reaching for where he dropped it next to the tv confirmed there was a name. In smudged, black marker, there was a single word written over whatever brand made the vest.
Clover.
No last name, no address, nothing that could hint at a life outside of their journey underground. Nothing but a single word. Clovers, he remembers hearing about the flowers that grow on the surface. Round with leaves that grow in threes or fours. Ironic that the kid is named after a lucky symbol when they have brought nothing but pain and death so far. He put the vest back down and sat back to stare at the ceiling.
Clover, the human child who has littered the underground in dust since they fell.
The one who is currently sleeping on his couch.
And the one who will wake to see Starlo, laying next to the couch, with his glasses off and eyes closed in his own rest.