—Your POV—

Dinner ends, and soon enough you're back in the ballroom, waiting your turn in a stiff metal folding chair. The band has gone back up to perform again, smooth beats pouring off stage and pleasantly filling your ears. 

You absentmindedly twiddle your thumbs, thinking about what to say, wondering if you'll even get a turn anymore. After what transpired in the dining area, you're betting on no. 

Proud faces file in and out of the meeting area. After Asgore, many, many more names are called. The list is presumably alphabetized, according to Ralsei, and you don't really care to dissect every name in your head to confirm as such. As an alleged R, you'll just have to wait your turn.

"Hey there," Fluffy white invades the corner of your eye, and you turn, noticing the aforementioned goat. "Everything alright?" 

Taking  in Ralsei, you observe the apologetic, yet concerned expression he wears. You stare a little bit, disregarding the question as your eyes drift over and trace the outline of his white fur. Your mind speaks a bit too loudly for your ears to hear him. 

"I-I'm sorry." He deflates under your stare, faltering as his eyes dart to the side. "Was that a stupid question? I'll leave you alone if you like—"

"No need." You quickly supply, pushing a small grin onto your face for reassurance. "I was zoning there, my fault." He blinks, smiling back with a touch of relief you don't miss. 

"Could you please repeat you question?" You ask after a moment, feeling a tad bit silly. He simply nods back, snuffing your worries. 

"I was just wondering if you were alright." He repeats, offering a patient look as you mull over the query. "I also wanted to apologize for not being more useful during that... squabble in the kitchen." 

"Oh no, don't worry about that." You state, chuckling slightly. "I'd have been pulverized if you didn't help... thank you." You pause for a moment to draft up a suitable answer to his first question. "And I'm quite alright... not injured or traumatized or anything." 

"That's great to hear." Ralsei laughs, patting your shoulder with a soft white paw. "I hope he's not too upset with you still." His dark eyes reflect a glint of worry, if only briefly. "I doubt that would be good."

"Yeah me neither." You jest, grin stretching a bit as you brain scrambles for something to say. "Maybe you can go in a check for me? Y'know since Ralsei comes before River and all..." 

At this, he perks, lighting up with intrigue. He brings a hand to his furry chin, nodding as he considers your suggestion. 

"That'd be convenient... I could gather an understanding of his mood." He looks to you with a newfound fondness. "I'll be sure to get back to you about it." 

You're about to speak your reply when Ralsei's name is suddenly spoken over the intercom, and both of you jump a little at the sound. He offers you a small, apologetic smile before rising from the seat and being whisked away behind the large wooden doors that house wherever the Doctor is supposedly meeting with his clients. 

You shudder, once again alone with all the thoughts running amuck in your head. You can't focus on just one thought or outcome, they all want a place in your mind that you can't exactly give them all. 

There's worries about how the Doctor's mood will actually be when you go in to meet him. What if Ralsei tells you something bad? What if Alphys isn't there? What if he gets upset again?

Shaking your head, you do your best to put all those thoughts to rest. For now, you should focus on something more constructive, like planning out what to say. You're going to have to explain yourself no matter what, so you should devise a way to word it smartly. 

...

Well, there's not actually a lot to it. Just tell him you visited the library River works at, and how you were browsing about when you stumbled upon some of his books. You explained how interesting the works were, and how you wanted to meet the author, so River gave you their invite, with you in their place. 

Well, maybe he didn't need to know all of it, but if he needed more than 'River sent me' so be it.

You steel your nerves as Ralsei comes out the doors, eyes immediately locking with yours as he paces over. He doesn't look too particularly troubled, but you wouldn't call his expression very cheerful either. You eagerly await him as he sprints over, plopping into the chair beside you. 

"So, the Doctor isn't in the best of moods." Ralsei informs you between pants. "You should be able to talk to him without too much trouble though." He offers up a tired grin as you nod. 

"So just... be careful?" You clarity, giving your own lopsided grin. 

"I would say yes... he's only slightly perturbed I'd say." Ralsei says, and you nod again. 

You don't get the chance to converse anymore, with that spindly monster announcing that it's your turn. Apparently you're the last one too. 

"Good luck." Ralsei whispers as you rise on shaky legs. 

Time to set things straight. 

~~~~~~~~~~

I am so sorry for the late chapter AUGH... truth be told I have not been the best lately! So uh, also wanna apologize if the chapter quality is off... pretty much half asleep the whole time lol.

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed!

 - De Moogus