#something something skully who doesn't want to go back into his portrait

[merakiui]

a plot in which skully's portrait is kept in ramshackle. there's more legend and lore to the king of halloween than there are actual facts. you've always been curious about what kind of person he is and what sort of life he lived before he was traveling the world. there's so little documentation on him. it's a shame you'll likely never know the real story, but that's where fantasy can fill in the blanks! skully looks so devious in his portrait—with that sinister smile and extravagant pose. he's a mystery you've tried to solve with very little luck.

every morning on your way out, you pass his portrait in the hall and say the same farewell: "i'm off, mr. skully! i'll see you later!"

ramshackle dorm is no stranger to haunts. you adore the ghosts. they liven up your quiet, run-down dorm whenever they materialize in front of you for a lighthearted spook. sometimes you can sense them when you walk into a cold spot or you hear phantom sounds late at night. sometimes your face or your hands feel cold, and there's a disembodied smooching sound that follows the drop in temperature. it's all just part of ramshackle's paranormal charm.

on halloween morning, you stand in front of skully's portrait and wish him well. this time, though, you stand up to reach his face and press your lips against the canvas. "have a happy halloween, mr. skully. i'll see you later tonight!"

and then you're off to classes with grim. a pair of orange eyes follows your movements until eventually you're out of sight. the door shuts and then ramshackle is quiet.

when the halloween king reaches out, his hand goes through the canvas. he falls out of his frame and lands in a heap of lanky limbs with a thwump. peculiar. this has never happened before. he tries to climb back into his empty portrait, but it's no use. he can't return.

is he truly back in the world again in a corporeal form? :O !!!! oh, how exciting!!!!! there's so much he's wanted to do! he must find you first, though! he's been dying (lol) to meet you in the flesh. :)

[parallel-selfs]

Nightmare Before Christmas (Chapter 5)

Translation by Gasumasuku Gamer.

Jack and Grim are tied together while Alice is on her own. I picture her back against the curve of the tub.

"My back is starting hurt..."

(Can Grim use a little bit of fire to burn the ropes?)

"Zero!"

Obvious "Halloween is for everyone."

(Oh no, I became a marketable plushie- I mean, a pumpkin!)

Sebek is quick enough to recognize the spell and direct it into somethings else. (And maybe throw the pumpkin at Skully)

Again, he asks Skully why he would betray Jack in such a way, and Skully expresses his disappointment further.

(I mean, you are an NRC student)

The conversation between the two deepen with Sebek admitting he has experienced betrayal by Malleus, but never lost his loyalty towards him. Then Leona shows up.

Leona still scolds Sebek for going off on his own and almost making him miss out on playing with Skully.

(Damn it, Leona, that was funny)

(I feel kinda bad)

(Skully looks like a kicked puppy 😢 I feel bad)

(Jamil is so pretty)

(okay, that's concerning. Why a noose?)

(Jamil, calm down. And Skully, that's an appropriate reaction)

(I highly doubt that, but his time period is different, so it's possible he could almost became that time's OB. But still, I think he's just having a normal mental breakdown)

Sebek explains how his and Malleus' ideals were very different once, but he still cares for him, he still wishes to fight for him.

(Sebek's words holds so much truth. You can disagree with someone you love, or they can disagree with you. There's time you won't see eye to eye on certain things, but that doesn't mean they betrayed you, or you can't continue to love that person. You two are your own person and will have your own ideals)

"Even though we could have taken the snacks with us."

"What?"

I mean, he did technically kidnap Santa Claus and almost ruined Christmas.

(it's like we're the same person. Crazy)

(I want to give this kid a hug)

(Malleus no)

(They're either lying or they were being babies about the soup)

(Damn, Trey)

(Yeah, they're about to have food poisoning)

"Liar. You had no problem walking back from the pumpkin patch."

Grim: "Hey, the pumpkin patch to the center of the town is a long walk for me. What's your excuse, Kate?"

"I'm still in recovery and have to take a lot of breaks because of low stamina."

Skully: "What do you mean by recovery? No, I shouldn't be asking that, and I can't apologize enough for my actions."

Moves away from him. "No, I don't want any of your kisses... But I'll let you assist me during the party."

Grim: "Oh, oh, there's a flag of our dorm, Kate."

Sebek: "But of course. It would be wrong to not make a flag for Starryal, the official new dorm this year!"

"Thank you, Sebek."

(Not the wet wipes 😂)

Alice is sitting on the brick wall in the background and excitedly singing the song with everyone.

(Aw)

Isn't happy with the sudden "stay here forever!" shift.

"Yeah, and maybe we can spend some time together before I have to leave for Fleur City."

She wanted to question what he meant by "never meet each other again," but Leona ruined it. "Leona, did you have to push them? Thank you, Jack, for a fun time."

(Colors! My eyes!)

"I feel like there's something I need to remember."

She holds her hand and rubs the back of it where she felt a strange feeling.

(don't say "welcome home" Crowley)

Once eyes land on the portrait, memories wash over everyone like a calm wave, knowing very well who they were seeing. Everyone is amused by Skully being a historical figure and wonder how the storybook brought the past and present together. But Alice, her face is full of heartbreak at what she's seeing.

Some notice the look and ask if she's alright as she tries to hold everything together. "I need some time alone." She moves to get away from everyone, some attempting to stop her, but she repeats she needs some time alone.

She finds an isolated area in the campus and cries, covering her face and letting the tears stain her hands at now knowing Skully is deceased. Despite only knowing him for four days, it was still someone she grew to know and now has to grieve over the fact she can't talk to him again.

However, Skully, as an invisible spirit, watches the heartbreaking scene, not expecting it. He always wanted to see them again, to witness the moment he met them for the first time, so he haunted NRC after he passed and waited the day they attended the school.

Though, he didn't expect what he found during Alice's first year here, the fact she's from another world and the hardships she was forced to experience. He wanted to comfort her many times, but there's limits to what a ghost could do.

He drifts over and reaches a hand out, hesitant in his actions, then wraps his arms around her and holds her close, hoping she could sense he's not fully gone.

It doesn't take long for the others to come looking for her and discover the state she's in. Leona opens his mouth to say something, but soon closes it, knowing he shouldn't take her feelings for granted. He picks her up and tells the group he'll take her back to Starryal, walking away with a ghost following behind.