The air in Hotland was thick and dry, the mechanical thrum of conveyor belts and vents echoing all around. Frisk walked carefully, the soles of her shoes warm from the heat radiating off the stone. It was quieter here—no monsters in sight, just steam hissing from the walls.
Then, like a shadow out of nowhere, a voice called out:
"heya, kid."
Frisk jumped slightly. Ahead of her, leaning lazily against a metal support beam, stood Sans. Arms crossed. Eye sockets half-lidded like he hadn't a care in the world.
"how's the stroll?" he asked. "hope you brought sunscreen. wouldn't want ya to... burn out."
Frisk hesitated. "I didn't think I'd see you again so soon."
Sans shrugged. "hotland's nice this time of year. figured i'd stretch my legs."
She frowned, but said nothing. Instead, she stepped forward slowly, stopping a few feet from him.
He continued, voice light. "not many kids brave enough to walk through here on their own. you're either real determined... or real spicy."
Frisk managed a small smile. "I guess I just want to get through it."
"fair." He glanced past her at the path ahead. "lotta things get heated here. not just the weather."
She looked up at him. "You always joke this much?"
"only when i'm nervous," he said, deadpan. "or bored. or trying to avoid actual responsibility."
Frisk snorted despite herself.
Sans pushed off the wall with a lazy sway. "anyway. i got somewhere to be. just thought i'd say hey before things get... hotter."
Frisk blinked. "Wait, what does that mean?"
"nothing," he said innocently. "just a pun. you know me—skeleton of few words."
He turned to leave, but paused with a sideways glance. "oh—and if you run into any cooking lessons along the way, maybe don't volunteer."
Frisk blinked. "Why not?"
"just... trust me. some chefs are more 'explosion' than 'seasoning.'"
And with that, he strolled off, bones rattling softly with each step, vanishing around the curve of the corridor like he'd never been there.
Frisk stood still for a moment, lips pursed in thought. Then she turned forward and continued walking, brushing a bead of sweat from her brow.