They lost count how many times they had gone through this process. Waking up in a new place, as a new being, started to grow tiresome after a while. They remembered being a human on earth many cycles ago. Then things changed and they were suddenly a humanoid alien, in a world that had never heard of Earth before. The darkness between each life was comforting and it felt like they were being cradled by the universe. It almost felt like a piece of their true self was left behind, each time they were dragged away from the peaceful darkness.

They had lived all sorts of lives, with being a slave to being the son of a multi billionaire. It had been exciting when it had first happened but with each repeat it felt more like a curse. They couldn't even remember their first life so they didnt know who they pissed off to cause this.

They grew more detached as lives went on and were often called 'a cold' child. They hid as much of their apathy as they could, but sometimes they grew tired of the act. Rest sounded wonderful and they hoped this next life was short, so they could go back to the dark again.

Light started to surround them and they knew this meant they were entering the cycle again. They were unsure why they remembered each time and had yet to find anyone like them. The cold was felt next and then an odd sense was felt. It almost felt like a cloud surrounding them and spreading through the room.

They didn't bother opening their eyes, as it was always disorientating after being in the dark. They ignored the raised voices and the rocking from their most likely new mother. Sleep was all they wanted and everyone else would have to deal with it. Hearing a word being respected did perk their interest, as it must be their new name. Goth was a strange name, but they would get used to it like they always did.

When they awoke they were still on their mother, who must have noticed their movement, as they started cooing at them. They were manoeuvred to lie flat on the others chest and an energy was pushed towards them. 'This is new' but they accepted this as whatever creature they were now. It would seem it was a new culture to learn again. Their thoughts caused their new body to sigh. How tired they always felt after birth was annoying so they were not surprised that after eating they went straight back to sleep.

This pattern continued but today they wanted to see what was around them. Opening their eyes felt weird, more solid than what they were used to. Turning their eyes they couldn't see much, as their infant vision seemed terrible no matter what they became. Being turned to face the one holding them gave them much more information.

Seeing a skeleton didn't even shock them at this point, but they were more curious what exactly they were. They saw the others 'eyes' were more like dots of lights that seemed to track their movements. Trying to squirm out of the tight blanket the other took pity on them and freed their arms. Smiling in success they tried to gently place their hand on the other's face. They failed and managed to whack the other with their boney hand. Their mother? Seemed more amused than upset thankfully. Not all parents were in their experience. The bone looking creature was actually warm in their hand and even had give when they pushed against them.

They let out an involuntary giggle at their discovery, which seemed to please the other. Finding that they had done enough for the day they yawned and slept on the other. Their tiny body was too weak to do much else.

Each time they woke up they only saw this skeleton being and no one else. They wondered if they only had one parent now or if this was their caretaker instead. They were content either way and let time drag on.

Being put on the ground and persuaded to crawl was strange as they had never been encouraged to do so so early after birth. This form must be more hardy than they are used to. This soon became a favoured activity and they enjoyed exploring the rooms they were put in.

One time another skeleton came in but they had massive black wings. They looked soft and Goth wanted to touch them. Squealing in excitement seemed to attract the others' attention, but they stayed away and even started floating in the air, so they wouldn't touch them. 'Maybe they didn't want them?'. It wasn't unusual and they had seen and experienced couples having a child to 'fix' the marriage, but it accomplished nothing but resentment.

Happy to ignore the other, they went looking for 'mother' and crawled to them. Their hearing seemed to be a bit off and they only got every other word, if they were lucky. Seemed 'mother' wasn't happy with the other if the tone was to be believed.

-

A turning point was when one day 'mother' wasn't there. They could walk now, so had looked all around the house but couldn't see them. They hadn't been left alone before so were unsure what this could mean. The winged being came home and saw them sitting in the living room by themself and looked worried. They called for a 'Geno' which must be their mother, but no reply was heard. They came back with ruffled feathers looking at them in panic, still making no attempt to hold them.

They couldn't even muster the energy to be surprised anymore. It had been going too well in their opinion. The other took out a phone and was crying to a 'Tori' for help? They had no idea how big this new place was or what other beings looked like. 'Geno' didn't seem to like outside much and always looked anxious when they thought Goth wasn't looking.

They must have zoned out more than they thought, as suddenly being picked up by a giant goat was not what they expected. They looked at the other in extreme confusion and even let out a chirp in startlement. Goth blamed the bird sounds on the winged skeleton, if they were their donator. Who knew how reproduction worked here. The tiny wings that had grown in one night were fun to fluff up. Being taken outside was a shock as was seeing many different shaped beings walk around.

'At least I won't be bored here'. Maybe this was their new caretaker. It might sound cold, but they have already decided that Geno and the winged skeleton must not want him anymore. That was fine with Goth.

-

Tori, who they were told to call auntie, was nice. She had a large garden and they got to play there a lot. Goth saw the winged skeleton visit more often and even learned they were called Reaper. They were very suspicious at the name and wondered where exactly they ended up.

Life was peaceful for Goth, who never really saw Geno again, but liked auntie a lot. They learned they were born a boy and there were multiple universes they lived in. Apparently they lived in a ReaperTale? that the Gods lived in. He didn't really care for gender either way, as repeated life desensitises you to differences, but the God thing was new.

Learning they were called monsters and that they were a magical race was cool. The slow growth Goth noticed was partly normal for monsters but especially one with a God as a parent. Apparently his future role would be to aid Reaper in ferrying the dead. The dread sunk in that this would most likely be the longest life they had ever lived. Most likely till the multiverse ended, unless something killed them first.

Grimacing in distaste at the thought, they learned everything they could from auntie and soon 500 years had passed. He had met many monsters and even the so-called 'Creator', who was very odd. He was called 'interesting' as he didn't cry when the other picked him up. Learning the other was soulless and baby monsters sensed that, didn't really change their opinion of the other.

Magic was another tool at their disposal and it felt like breathing. It was there and didn't take much thought to use it. Meeting Inks child was far more interesting than the Creator. He enjoyed the way the others' magic seemed to brighten at intervals and even gave off colourful sparkles. Palette was fun, but the other soon did not visit as much as they grew busier in their roles. Goth noticed how he looked like a small 10 year old and it was expected he would stay like that. Not having the magic from both parents had stilled his growth and it was doubtful he would ever change.

He didn't mind his body and saw no issue, as now he would not be expected to get a partner or have children. After the first time of seeing his children die before him, he never wanted to experience that again. His 'father' or Reaper as he preferred to call them, still never touched them. He learned it was due to the others fear of his touch causing him to die. Goth was puzzled as he was sure he had that too, but he shut that down quickly. Touching a flower and watching it wilt had made him feel sad which his magic seemed to respond to, as the next flower he touched didn't.

He had told auntie about it and she had said he must have gotten the higher magical manipulation from his mother, who had been known to be very fierce in battle.

Life grew dull and Goth wanted to explore. Begging his 'father' the other caved in and started showing them what they did at work. He doubted this was a thing you were supposed to show your child, but he didn't care anymore. Wearing a striped shirt was the stranger thing to him. While his outfit was mostly white, with a red scarf from 'mother', his T-shirt had black and white stripes that could be seen by others. He supposed it did make sense, with how many different shapes monsters came. You didn't want to mistake a child for an adult after all.

Goth didn't even know what the age he would be considered an adult, if ever. Going out with Reaper was interesting and seeing how different each universe was made his eyelight sparkle, but it soon grew repetitive.

-

He was in a Underfell copy that was currently going though a genocide run. A useful power was being invisible to mortals, unless he wished it, so he watched and collected the SOULS of those who would wait till the next RESET. Seeing the Destroyer and Creator appear was a change, as was the power being thrown around. Reaper told him to stay where he was and he wasn't fully confident in his portals yet, so he made sure to keep his distance.

It seemed he was not far enough as a string dragged him next to Error, who was manically going on about having a hostage and the Creator wouldn't want him to dust them would he. When Ink noticed them he seemed shocked and horrified. Goth wasn't sure why, as he knew the others' memory wasn't that bad. Also shouldn't Ink keep fighting, he was sure the other wasn't that close to him compared to other 'characters' in the AU's, so the hesitation was new.

Error seemed to take that as a positive sign and used the pause to escape with him into the Antivoid. Watching Inks' eyelights change rapidly and feeling Reaper's magic appear in the universe, was mildly amusing, before the portal fully closed.

He looked around in interest at the new location and admired all the puppets the other had hanging. The SOULs hanging there was strange but he had seen too much death to be fazed. He focused on Error who seemed to be frozen in horror, like Ink was before. 'Did he think he was someone else?'.

He wasn't sure what was happening now, but he assumed his SOUL would be crushed as he had often heard that Error was insane and cared for no one. Good on him for sticking to what he wants.

"Are you going to do it then?"

"What?"

Strange, he thought the Destroyer would be more confident sounding. The other looked like he could be pushed over with a light breeze.

"My SOUL. Are you not going to crush it?".

The way the other staggered back and the error signs on them increasing was new, as was the beeping. Waiting for them he idly stayed still in the others strings releasing this felt familiar. 'Oh, of course. Magical bonds'. The only reason he accepted that Reaper had helped make him was the parental bond they had. It was the only reason he was still alive, as Reaper still refused to touch him to transfer magic and aunties magic was not compatible. With her having Life magic it clashed with his Death magic.

Following the second bond on his SOUL, he realised it led to Error. Squinting at the other he could maybe see Genos features, but he could say the same for all Skeleton monsters he had seen really. Maybe this was his parent to begin with and Geno found out and left? It didn't really matter as he did not consider himself to have any parents in this life. He did know that the bond caused parents' offensive magic to be less effective against their young. It was a defence mechanism if the parent was ever in battle with them present.

Maybe that was why the other took him? Maybe the other was unsure why it was taking more magic to harm him. He would tell the other when they stopped making strange sounds. The other finally looked at them in sadness? He had become a bit numb to emotions in recent years so he wasn't completely sure.

-----

Fanart by Capahiyosi on Tumblr

~~~~

OC wakes up: 0/10 experience. I want a refund
-
*gets wings*

Goth: ... fine. It's get 1/10
-
*gets kidnapped*

Goth: is this the end for me?.... Finally!

Error: *getting more traumatised as the other speaks*