Karma meets an interesting Creator he quickly grows attached to and is gifted a cool toy! (that is giving Hearth and Oneiro nightmares but that is far less important)
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The collab continues with Firehedgehog 😸
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"Alright you two, this Is Inky's Multiverse" Hearth said as he walked through a portal Karma in his arms. They'd spawned in markettale as random portals were less noticeable there.

Oneiro was so relieved he had finally gotten the hang of the personal shields, knowing it was mainly him that delayed this trip from happening in the first place. He tucked his large golden wings behind him as they walked through the endless market, his feathers having a slight glow to them due to the sheer positivity in the place.

Karma held onto his rainbow bear plushy while he was carried, still feeling nervous about meeting a new person, especially one that brother seemed to like a lot.

"He's meeting us here, as he moved his home to a new AU" Hearth told them "So I don't have his exact location right now"

"Everyone's SOUL feels so bright." Karma whispered into brothers shoulder, shyly peaking over every so often to look around but still not used to being around so many people yet.

"This multiverse is very steady, there is no Error but there is a Dreamtale but the Nightmare here ate the apple to save Dream's life. They work together for the Balance" Hearth told him "And they do good work"

"Don't say that dad, if Dream hears you he'll blush you know how shy he is out of battle" a cheerful voice said, and Ink appeared. He wasn't wearing the usual artist gear an Ink wore but a straw hat, and a brown sweater over black overalls. Kind of like the style of clothes Hearth wore while gardening in his flower bed.

"I assume you are Blotched? It's rather nice to finally meet you.~" Oneiro said with a friendly smile to hopefully calm Karma, brushing his wing against the slightly anxious babybones to reassure them that everything would be fine.

Karma discreetly watched the new monster, slightly relaxing at their outfit at how different they looked to some Ink's they had met in the past.

"Nice you meet you also, but yeah you can call me that or Ink or even Inky like dad" Blotched grinned "I think your going to like my home, its no longer in the Doodle Sphere and has a lot of space"

"Got tired of Dream popping in all the time did we?" Hearth teased, Blotched bristled like a cat.

"He might be a good friend, but I hate his crush... just hope he finds someone else to like soon" Blotched said, clearly not having shown his new home to anyone.

Oneiro withheld a snort at their look, thinking he could get to like this Ink, especially when he overheard their quiet muttering about 'just wanting his own space'.

"There's nothing wrong with him, but he's too pushy with his crush and I have no interest in relationships" Blotched said opening another portal, it wasn't even an Ink portal like other Ink's even though he clearly had a Broomie type.

"A pushy type? Sadly common with Dream types.~" Oneiro said sympathetically with zero sense of irony considering just how bad he was with his 'crush' previous obsession with a corrupted Nightmare before he met Karma.

Karma felt a bit more confident to look up once they were in a much quieter AU, still clinging to brother and not quite ready to be put down yet.

A smile lit Hearths face as he took in the house and area surrounding it, amusement filling his face spotting a certain mountain.

Blotched following his gaze blushed heavily, clearly knowing exactly what the amusement was about.

"So hey a tour, I arranged rooms for you all and I think I might have got the shielding right this time for the house dad" Blotched said, clearing ignoring the matter as Hearth hadn't said anything on the mountain.

Karma tried to listen as the new Ink gave a tour of their home but his gaze kept drifting to them, feeling nervous and curious about them in equal measures.

"Did you design the whole place yourself?~" Oneiro asked curious as he eyed the bright colours and unique decoration in certain rooms, very much something he expected from a Creator but much more tasteful then he expected.

"Nope, dad built it when he took it in. The bright colors helped me with my creative magics. I just didn't change everything. But your rooms are the ones made for guests, and dad has his old room still even if he can only visit" Blotched grinned, leading them to the bedrooms.

Karma looked much more interested when his assigned room was shown, his eyes immediately focusing on the shiny aspects of the room, the lamp that looked like an actual mini moon making him briefly forget his anxiety of being away from home.

"Someone is very pleased.~" Oneiro smirked when Karma asked to be put down by Hearth and began poking the items in interest while cuddling their plushy all the while.

"Oh good, wasn't quite sure my dad said my new little brother liked these type of things" Blotched said pleased.

"I doubt he will want to leave now.~" Oneiro joked as they all watched Karma coo over the space themed cushions, pretty sure one vanished into their Inventory within seconds of Karma spotting it.

"Want and Can are different things, already know you can't stay more than a week" Blotched grinned.

"I see you have a garden outside too" Hearth said looking out Karmas window, and began idle chat with his foster child.

Karma soon began dragging dad around the room and pointing things out to them, as if he couldn't help but make sure they also saw how cool everything was in here and wanted them to share in his excitement.

"It is indeed very nice. I bet Blotched would have more fun things to show you, if you asked them.~" Oneiro said gently as he accepted yet another random item that the babybones wanted him to look at, trying to persuade them to actually talk to Hearth's foster child at some point.

Karma looked a tad nervous at the suggestion and squeezed his plushy tighter in response but did hesitantly walk closer to where brother was still talking with the Ink after he finished exploring the room.

"Blotched? Do you have more space themed items in your house?" He asked quietly but with a hopeful look, tugging their sleeve in order to get their attention.

"More like what I don't have" Blotched said cheerfully.

Oneiro could practically see Karmas thought process shift from anxious to intrigued, the new objective clearly being to 'see all the stuff'. He didn't bother to warn Blotched on what they just unleashed, sure they would discover it soon, especially when Karma looked determined and began firing questions at them at a near alarming rate.

Blotched face lit up and began firing replies back just as a fast pace, while he was a lot more steady an Ink due to Hearth raising him he was still prone to excitement and child like behaviour now and then. But it was an acceptable level of behaviour.

"He went through a space obsession when he was younger, its still there but not as bad" Hearth told Oneiro in a stage whisper, Inky's room was space themed to the max.

"I have the feeling we might be ignored this week.~" Oneiro was far from disappointed by this, very much hoping for this sort of scenario and smiling fondly at how comfortable Karma was becoming.

"Its fine, I want them to bond. While Blotched can't come to see us as he's bound to his multiverse as its Ink, Karma can still visit him... kind of another big brother" Hearth replied humming.

"Karma could use as much support as he can get. He deserves it~" Oneiro muttered with a complicated expression as he watched the babybones chirp excitedly at Blotched, wishing Karma could have had a normal childhood and not have to deal with things most adults never encountered in their life.

"Lets go take over the kitchen, I'll start making food for us all" Hearth said leading Oneiro from the room, leaving his children to bond.

Oneiro only helped with pulling things out of cupboards in the kitchen and setting the table, knowing better than to try and actually help to cook in any way. The smile didn't leave his face as he sensed Karma's constant happiness and excitement, this trip already well worth it in his opinion.

"The area around the house, is a copy of the place I raised him. The house is the original, he moved it to the Doodle Sphere when that AU ceased to be" Hearth told him as he cooked, even the mountain was back.

"It's a nice area. Rather peaceful.~" Oneiro could see why they had moved here and was much calmer than the many Doodle Sphere's he had been in the past, the natural magic in the air rather calming as long as his shield was in place of course.

"Its too bad the original AU is gone, you would have loved it. Once we're home, I'll tell you what happened. Blotched is still helping his multiverse recover from what happened" Hearth told him.

"You would never be able to tell there was an issue. This multiverse feels so peaceful.~" Oneiro had only seen a small part of it but the energy in the air was calm, something he recognised from visiting more stable multiverses.

"This AU and markettale, has shielding on it from what I can feel to block the issues. Its not as bad as before, but will still take years to fix" Hearth told him.

"It's impressive how stable this place is. You raised him well.~" Oneiro was very impressed by Blotch's work ethic, knowing many Creators wouldnt have even bothered with shielding the healthy AU's from the issue, due to how much work it was and how 'wasteful' it would be to use magic just to make the inhabitants more comfortable.

"I... Barely made it in time before he destroyed his SOUL in desperation" Hearth softly told him.

Oneiro winced at the news, sadly a common thing to occur in Creator types, especially with Inks. It was. A near miracle Hearth came upon them just in time and something he never would have imagined with how happy Blotched acted.

"Im glad you found him in time.~" He said sincerely, sensing just how much care the two had for each other.

"I think he's mostly forgotten that day, Inks are so very young when it happens" Hearth sighed.

"Probably for the best.~" Oneiro muttered, some things better left forgotten, the mood a tad heavy after that conversation.

It was quickly broken when Karma came running in the room holding something insanely colourful in one hand, while spewing a rapid word vomit in pure excitement as he was holding Blotched's hand.

"What.. in the world is that?" Hearth asked, slapping his shades over his eyes it was that bad.

"Best toy!" Karma near squealed while not explaining a thing and rambling some more, cooing over his blindingly colourful item like it was the best thing ever.

"I think im going blind.~" Oneiro muttered to himself and squinted at the 'toy' which he felt was searing into his mind with how obnoxiously shiny it was.

"Blotched.. sweetie... Inky darling, what exactly did you give your baby brother?" Hearth asked eye twitching.

"It even makes cute noises! Isn't it adorable?!" Karma was near vibrating with his good mood, holding out the misshapen blob as if to show it off better. The item in question then let out a sound that was between a car horn and a cat screeching, the babybones chirping happily while Oneiro cringed back at the hideous noise.

"Why don't you put that away for now Karma" Hearth said smiling, Blotched was looking away looking innocent.

Inky, was so getting grounded.. Hearth didn't care they were an adult.

Karma gave his new toy a happy nuzzle it almost seeming to shift shape each time you looked at it before putting it away to the deep relief of two monsters, holding up his arms for Blotch and far less shy than earlier.

Oneiro and Hearth shared a look, somehow that toy must be 'lost' and 'forgotten' by Karma for their sanity.

Karma was oblivious to the likely fate of his 'amazing' toy, mainly focusing on chatting with Blotch and if there were even more fun toys to look at.

Oneiro tried to hide his alarm at the thought of more toys like that, praying he wouldn't have to see more of those abominations.

"Sorry, I don't have more. But I do have the playground dad set up for me as a kid. Pulled it out of storage for your visit" Blotched said cheerfully, it was a pretty fun set and he always left the swing out. He wasn't afraid to play on swings as an adult.

"Can we play now?" Karma asked hopefully, his toy temporarily forgotten in the face of the new fun activity, very much liking the faint emotions he could just about feel coming off Blotch.

He still wasn't great at using emotion magic but when he didnt think too hard about it, it came much easier to him.

"After some food" Hearth said sniggering, watching the two children's faces fall.

Karma chirped almost sadly before he actually saw the food and lit up at seeing garlic bread freshly out of the oven. He quickly looked back at Blot and began peppering them with questions about their favourite food while also regaling them about the amazingness of garlic bread.

It was a very extensive topic and Karma had even taken pictures of his favourite types that he kept on hand for situations like these. He was very intense about garlic bread.

Hearth smiled as he ate, taking sneaky pictures now and then. He was so very happy, that Karma was doing well.

Karma near inhaled his food, chewing the last of his garlic bread the third one he could grab and looked at Blotch hopefully when he finished.

"Lets clean you up a bit first, little raven.~" Oneiro tried not to laugh when he was given a sad look, as if he was being unreasonable when Karma's face was near covered in sauce.

Soon enough Karma was cleaned and rushed outside to play, Hearth snorted and started taking pictures as both children started to play on the slide.

"They are far more relaxed. I think this week will go very well.~" Oneiro said very pleased as he also partook in taking pictures of the adorable sight, their sheer happiness soothing the worries he had lately.

"Hopefully the shields hold, you're both very new to them" Hearth hummed.

"It's a good thing i dont need to sleep.~" Oneiro doubted his ability to hold it without being somewhat aware, relieved that Karma was far more of a natural with this magic.

"If you have issues come to me, I can shield you but you wouldn't be able to move far from me" Hearth told him, which.. is why Karma was sleeping in the same room as Hearth at night while here.

Oneiro nodded in thanks, smiling as he watched Karma playfully tackle Blotched on the grass and the small play fight that ensued.

Karma chirped in victory when he 'won', sitting on Blotch's chest and giggling loudly.

Hearth leaned against the window sill, a far off look in his eyes.

"I wish I could take Blotch home with us, but he's a bound Ink... his essence is too tied to this multiverse"

"Im sure Karma will insist on visiting often. They are practically attached at the hip right now.~" Oneiro said amused, watching fondly at how energetically Karma was playing with Blotched, snapping a few more photos and having a feeling they would need a bath later.

"I'm going out and playing with them" Hearth said losing all seriousness, then headed out to play.

Oneiro snorted when he saw how Blotched and Karma joined forces to 'attack' Hearth, the fearsome battle going on for quite a while and honestly having no clue how he was dragged into the whole thing.

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"Now remember, you can visit anytime" Blotched said hugging Karma "I love having a baby brother visit"

Karma nuzzled them happily, it unsurprising to either Oneiro or Hearth the fact he had formed a family bond with Blotched within days of meeting them.

"I will visit lots." He promised, even gifting them a bead made of his magic as a gift before he left.

Blotched looked thrilled "I'll keep it safe"

"I know you will. I'll miss you." Karma said easily, as if that wasnt a major show of trust to give them such a personal gift, especially with what he had been through lately.

Blotched looked ready to cry at the trust, and sadly let Karma go.

"Just you wait, I'm going to find a way to unlink myself and visit!" Blotched threatened/promised.

"I'd like that" Hearth replied hugging his son goodbye.

Oneiro picked up Karma when he saw them sniffle, holding them close and going over to pull Blotched into a side hug.

"I look forward to seeing you again.~" He said honestly, it almost natural how they fit into their life despite only knowing them for a week.

"Stars.. I hope so" Blotched said holding out his hand to Oneiro.

"You are far too stiff.~" Oeniro said amused and lifted them up like they weighed nothing to give them a full on hug, Karma taking the chance to give them another cuddle as well.

A squeak escaped Blotched, as he'd only expected to shake hands.

"Um.. thanks..." he said blushing.

Oneiro hid a smirk at how shy they acted whenever he showed them affection like this, amused by how they were acting like this was the first time he had hugged them.

He put them down and pretended not to see how overwhelmed they looked, this truly one of the more tolerable Ink's he had ever met.

Finally the three left, arriving home on the island. There Hearth turned to Oneiro, an amused look on his face.

"You do realise Inky is older than you and an actual adult right?"

Oneiros' expression easily conveyed that he didn't see the issue at all, especially considering monsters like Nova were older than him but acted like an actual toddler somedays.

"Your foster child was rather pleasant to be around. Very talented in utilising their magic.~" He pointed out instead, being around calm Ink types such a rarity in his life.

"You are a bad bad man" Hearth giggled.

"I have no clue what you are talking about.~" Oneiro said with feigned innocence, smirking when Hearth looked at him in pure amusement but his playfulness fled when he spotted the thing Karma was playing with.

"..i thought we had burned the toy.~" He mumbled, near spitting out the word as if it was a foul curse.

He got no reply, when he looked back at Hearth the spot was empty.

Hearth had fled, instead of dealing with the doom toy.

Oneiro cursed and before he could join them Karma spotted him and chirped loudly, insisting he 'play with them'.

Karma had a great time over the next few hours but Oneiro looked almost like a shell of a monster once he finally found an opening to leave, the tall monster shakily going to the kitchen to grab a tea. He almost looked like he had gone through war, the bright colours and loud noises of the toy still ringing in his mind.

"You snooze you loose, should have been faster Oneiro" Hearth said, greeting him there, and passing a large coffee that likely was way past the legal caffeine levels.

Oneiro stared blankly at the hot drink and practically downed it like a man possessed, convinced he could still hear the possessed toy, despite knowing Karma was outside with the thing.

"I'm pretty sure it has eyes..and teeth.~" He muttered almost like a mad man, absentmindedly accepting more coffee and downing that as well.

"Don't worry, Thanatos said he'd going throw it in the Void the next time Karma forgets about it" Hearth said passing him another toy "And no it actually doesn't, its a child toy... its because your looking through adult eyes"

Oneiro was tempted to cry in relief at the news but was also doubtful the toy wasnt possessed, wings twitching in alarm when Karma ran into the room holding the toy again, once again feeling Hearth vanish within the blink of an eye.

"You ready to play again, dad?!"

...today was going to be a very long day for him...

~~~~~~

Blotched: *Complaining about his Dream won't leave him alone* He just won't get the hint im not interested!

Oneiro: *A monster who stalked his past 'crush' and obsessed to an unhealthy degree* Sounds tough. Truly some people don't get the hint~

Hearth: *Somedays wondering how Oneiro can be so oblivious, dryly commenting at the sheer irony* It truly is a mystery...

-

Blotch: I've only met you for 5 secs, but i'd destroy my own multiverse for you

Karma: Best Uncle

Ordeal: What?!

-

Karma: *Anxious about being far from home and clearly on edge*

Also Karma: *Spots how shiny the guest room is and begins 'sneakily' looting it* I want to live here forever!

-

Karma: *Holding a 'toy' that is impossible to describe in words* Blotched made it for me. Isn't it amazing?!

Oneiro: *Squinting and avoiding looking directly at the thing that is giving him a headache*..irs...something alright~

Hearth: *Wearing a forced smile and quickly putting on sunglasses while giving Blotched a warning look* How lovely. Why don't you put it away for now..or forever is also good

-

Karma: *Hears the word Garlic bread, rushes across reality to who said it*

Karma: *Sad noises when realises its not his brothers and walks away sadly*

-

Blotched: *Older then most monsters and a very successful Creator in his own right*

Oneiro: *Watching them play with Karma and how shy they are when he hugs them* That is a baby~

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Karma: *Gleefully holding up his abomination of a 'toy'* Want to play with me dad?

Oneiro: *Staring in horror as he was sure he had destroyed the thing* How?!~

Hearth: *Wisely fled and 'sacrificed' Oneiro to playtime with it*