Scent and a Sound

[ParamountKeymaster]

It had seemed like such a good idea at the time. Given what he knew about Papyrus and especially Sans, the strange anomaly in the skeleton brothers' yard had to lead to something interesting. And given what he knew about this now famous human child, they would not be far behind them. Whatever it was that awaited him on the other side, there had to be a chance that it would get him closer to the biggest and most important fight of his life.

But now that he was here... Roman was willing to admit that maybe... just maybe... jumping into that portal was a stupid idea.

The young wolf monster had immediately and spontaneously been expelled into an odd forest, alone and confused. Nonetheless, he boldly marched onward, navigating through the woods, on the prowl for any familiar scents. This lasted for about six minutes before Roman started panicking, sprinting through the trees in a desperate search for any other living soul that might be out there.

"Oh man... Ohhhhh man...!"

What was he thinking?! He just threw himself into unfamiliar territory with no one to help him and not a single trace of anyone from his world! Forget finding the human! At this rate, Roman just wanted to find his way out of here!

[Monolilith]

Really? That alone? That desperate to find a way?

How perfect.

Something suddenly appears in his hand. Thin, lightweight, a rectangle of cardstock. A business card. The text is simple - Arthur Dahlstrom, PHd. Miscellanea. XXXX (Null) Street, Ste XXX. And on the side, where a logo may be, a message is scribbled in dark green ink - "Follow the light, kid. I can help you." Indeed, if Roman turns it a certain way, the written message gains a luminous quality... 

[ParamountKeymaster]

......?

Roman stared at the card in his hand, utterly baffled. As soon as he read it, however, his green eyes widened. Help? Yes! Finally! If he had to wander around this creepy forest alone any longer, he was going to flip-!!!

No. He had to stay calm. The Mighty Roman feared nothing! He wouldn't be deterred by simple misdirection!

Straightening up into a dignified posture, Roman nodded and turned the card over. He would accept this person's help, only because it was offered. ...Also because he was legitimately lost, but mostly for the sake of courtesy!

[Monolilith]

A beat. Then the card sends out a faint light, like a flashlight. If turned in different directions, the light will brighten or dim. It seems to lead him to a path... but then, if he follows it there, it'll keep leading. Into the city. To an abandoned building. To the second floor of that building. To a door with dark wood and a faint, shimmering light emanating from beneath it.

[ParamountKeymaster]

"Hmmmmm..."

With a twitch of his ear, Roman followed the path laid out by the glow from the card. He had to wonder where this was going and if it would only lead him into a bigger mess. ...But even if he did, he would easily fight his way to freedom again! It was... just a matter of what to do after that...

Well... whatever the case, as he cautiously stepped inside the building and up to the door, Roman prepared himself for the worst and expected... Okay, he wasn't sure what he was expecting. He just stood there proudly and gave the door a dignified knock.

[Monolilith]

... to no response.

For about a minute. To a locked door.

And then some guy comes running, skidding to a stop when he saw Roman. Human. Probably. He pants there for a minute, as if he's been running for a while, looks over his shoulder, mumbles something about pancakes, and in a flash of green light similar to the one coming from the card, vanishes. In the same moment, the office door is unlocked, and swings open.

There's the guy, sitting at a desk with his feet kicked up and reading a book, a mug of tea steeping next to the currently on desk light. The glow comes from the floor, which has light like it's underwater dancing across it. The walls are just COVERED in clever shelves, silvery glow stretching a bit higher before stopping with a pale green line of light that ripples. It's clearly visible against the desk and the back of a comfortable-looking chair in front of it, but the rest of the office is just too full of THINGS for it to be clear. Books, tools, antiques, magical artifacts, contraptions, what seems to be a closet, a first aid kit, some kind of craft beer rack with the round glasses and everything, an impressive stack of unfinished manuscripts... so much stuff. Said guy, one in a pinstriped shirt and black tie with his jacket thrown over the back of his office chair and the duster he was in as he ran hanging on the wall (also bearing glasses and an impressive cowlick, with perfect hair aside from that), seems quite serene, though if one were to look closely, they'd see he's still breathing rather hard.

[ParamountKeymaster]

Roman scowled at the door, none to pleased to be left waiting. He then regarded the strange man's entrance with a raised eyebrow and a completely dumbfounded expression. He quickly came to regret this decision. Again.

Finally, when the door swung open, Roman strutted inside with his chin held high and his expression calm and serious, very bold and noble. He studied the room for a brief moment, then stood proudly at the foot of the desk.

"Excuse me, sir," he said in his firm, manly tone. "I believe you summoned me?"

[Monolilith]

"Me? In a sense. I heard you were lost, figured I'd send help. Have a seat." He closes the book, looking up with a serene, sympathetic smile. "You're certainly holding my card."

[ParamountKeymaster]

"Yes, your card appeared to me while I was traversing the forest," Roman replied, nodding at a nearby chair but not bothering to sit down in it. "So tell me, good sir... what services do you have to offer the Mighty Roman?"

[Monolilith]

"... the mi-" He pauses, then clears his throat. "Ah. Aside from extractions from ominous forests? This and that. Bits and pieces. It's easier to divulge in conversation, if you don't mind - I don't want to bore you with irrelevant offers."

[ParamountKeymaster]

"Ah, yes..." Roman examined his battle claws and polished them on his shirt, doing his best to look dignified yet uninterested. "Well, my good man, while I do greatly appreciate your aid in my navigation of the forest, I'm afraid I must depart and return to the matters at hand. I am in the midst of a hunt of great importance."

[Monolilith]

He blinks. His eyes flash bright green, in that half-second. "For Frisk. And for glory. I know.

"You can let the facade down. I'm not impressed... but I could be."

[ParamountKeymaster]

Roman lowered his head and raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing the man before him. How exactly he figured out Roman's mission was really no concern of his... or at least he tried to convince himself it wasn't. At least he genuinely felt insulted when told to drop the act. That wasn't going to happen. He had appearances to keep up.

"Yes, I am seeking the human Frisk. I wish only to test their strength and prove my own to them. If you have any information regarding the human's whereabouts, it would be greatly appreciated if you shared."

[Monolilith]

"Of course I know where Frisk is. I know where everyone is, buster. And you won't find them alone."

Bluff, bluff, and bluff. But none of them are too far from the truth at all. If one abandons linearity for the duration of their evaluation.

"I'd be happy to help you, but that means we need to be honest with each other. 'Cause I can do a hell of a lot more for you than find the eighth human child - provided you show a bit of patience. Unless you're not mighty enough for that...?"

[ParamountKeymaster]

Roman huffed at such an accusation. "I am among the most elite forces that the Underground has to offer! I will accept any challenge, any term! And as for you... for the sake of accomplishing my great mission, I will accept your offer. I need only to find the human. Nothing more."