“oh heheheh. i see. so lots of ketchup for him then?” Dream teased. He had just the thing for ST! Sans. 

Dianna's face was drained of color. "Wha…?" 

Raven harshly elbowed her hubby in the ribs. "Dream…" she warned.

“s-sorry, don’t mind me. just the ramblings of an excitable skeleton.” Dream wandered over to a bookcase and skimmed it until he found what he was looking for. Then he went to the back and grabbed something else before bringing them to Dianna. “he will probably love these. a classical joke book and this crystal from a place called waterfall. if you pour enough magic into it it will glow.” He explained.

Dianna picked up both items. She was a bit suspicious of the joke book but the medium sized crystal was really pretty. The only thing off about it was that there was a strange blue glowing looking flower crystallized in the middle.

"I… don't think I've ever seen this type of flower… and… where is Waterfall…?" She asked curiously. 

Raven gave her hubby the stink eye but then smiled at her. "Waterfall is a special place within the Spirit Realm that is filled with endless streaming and glowing falls. This stone is from the caverns from that place and the flower is called an Echo Flower. It can repeat back anything you say to it. Although since this one is crystallized, it can't properly hear well. But this makes it more special since you can channel your thoughts and feelings into the object and it'll replay it and store it for later usage using your magic. But this crystal is more of a… how shall I say…. An item that both you and him can use. Like an Alexa that's actually a magical recorder."

She then brought out a small box from behind the cabinet. She opened it up and showed it to her. It was a barren blue threaded necklace with only a large round blue and white stone that looked like Marble but felt and looked thicker than quartz. Dianna stared at it in question and Raven smiled.

"This is a very "special" stone that the spirits give to another in order to show how much they care. Depending on how it's carved by the spirit and how well they decorate it with beads or charms, it can mean a variety of things. Friendship, family, business partners, or even love. Depending on the intent and emotion put into it, it can be more… sentimental gift. One from the heart. It's called a "Bonding" Stone and they're also found, mined, made, and sold in the Spirit Realm. This one is blank and barren, that way he can make something special for someone. I think these will be good enough presents for him. And since you're our first customer today, I'll give you a discount. You'll buy two, get one free. Sound fair?" Raven offered.

Dianna seemed to think it through carefully. "How much altogether though? I don't have much money…" but that's where Lottie cut her off.

“HOLD IT! I’m buying this.” She stated with finality as she took the items from Dianna.

Dianna looked at her with a "Are you sure?" look. To which she gave a thumbs up at. 

"Okay, that'll be 96.75." Raven stated as Lottie casually set the money IN CASH in front on the counter. Dianna almost blanched while Raven just acted like this was nothing new from the eager blonde. 

Raven took the items and put them carefully in a packed box and then a tote bag with the store's logo. "The bag is free. I try not to use plastic when I can." She stated.

Dianna nodded and took her things. "Anything you want Lottie?" She asked. Lottie seemed to contemplate on it and looked around the front display counter full of crystals and jewelry. Her eyes then landed on an old wooden box with skulls on it.

“Is this another one of those bonding stones or something else?” Lottie asked in curiosity.

Raven looked in the cabinet with a raised brow. "No… actually… I don't know why this is on display… but I can show it to you if you want?"

“YES PLEASE!” Was her immediate response.

Raven chuckled while Dream was enjoying the show. She brought out the fragile looking box and unlatched the skull shaped lock on it. She opened it up and showed that there were two types of prayer beads necklaces that had unique skull beads in specific patterns. The ordinary looking beads that were with it came in two colors. One was an orange that seemed ridiculously long. Fit for a tall person. The other… was kinda… creepy. Not only were the skulls unique, but they had pitch black and dark purple beads with skeletal hands that had holes in them where the thread went through. Lottie tilted her head curiously at these two items.

“They are certainly unique. Are they from the Spirit Realm?”

Raven was unsure how to exactly answer. ".... Well…. Their use seems to point to the Spirit Realm but their origins seem to point to the Mortal Realm since the items are made with materials that are from here. And the way they were made seems to indicate that they were made by priests. We actually had a blue one, but a shaman from a nearby temple seemed interested and bought it for "investigation" but we never heard back from him. These items are certainly old antiques since their product dates back over a hundred years ago." 

Dianna seemed to almost choke on the news. Raven raised a brow and kept talking. "Anyways… only one of them is available since we got an offer the other day about the black one so only the orange one is available…. If you plan on buying it, I suggest carefully folding it a few times in order to fit around you." 

“Ok! I wonder who bought the black ones..” She murmured to herself as she folded the beads as suggested. “They would have made a great gift for Sabella.” she muttered.

"Alright… that'll be 65.99 ple–," Like it was second nature for her, she slammed the money down on the counter and squealed in delight.

"If it's a summoning necklace, wanna see if we can summon your spirit guide Lottie? Maybe they'll help cheer you up if it works. I already have most of the stuff at my house. Wanna give it a shot?" Dianna offered.

“OH YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” She grabbed Dianna and started shaking her with every “yes” she said.

“whew, that’s a lot of excitement in one person. you girls have fun with that and good luck! i need to go do things in the back. have a great day!” Dream waved and went to inform his brother about the happenings of this AU.

Raven waved to the two girls as Lottie practically dragged Dianna back out the parking lot. Eager to summon her guide.

The girls got back into their cars and Dianna led the way to her apartment building. 'Huh. So much for our fun time at the mall… on the plus side, I got Sans a gift right away and Lottie a chance to meet her guide. This should be interesting.'

As they parked on the side of the street Dianna led Lottie to her apartment and unlocked the door while using jazz hands to show off the entrance. 

"Welcome to my la casa~~~!!!! Jazz hands~!!!" She said with "pazazz". 

“Oh my stars, I don’t know if I should laugh or cringe!” Lottie jested. She looked around and spotted a certain cat napping on the couch. “Guess he wasn’t kidding about the sleeping thing, which reminds me, answers? After I try these out?” She held up the beads.

Dianna almost facepalmed as she almost forgot. "Sure thing. Let's get you set up. I think I have the stuff…. Give me a sec." She then looked for the objects that she used last time and set it all up in the living room.

"Alright, this should do it…" she said as she finished drawing the summoning circle. "Ready to give it a try?" Dianna asked as Lottie was already in position.

“YESYESYESYESYESYESYES!!!” Sans snorted at Lottie’s enthusiastic reply.

Dianna saw that he was awake and laughed. "Sorry to wake you from dreamland sleepyhead." She jested as she dug through the tote bag for the box.

The feline shrugged. “‘s cool. i’m pretty used to it- pap is the same way.”

“What do I do first?” Lottie asked.

Dianna looked a bit uncomfortable but she smiled anyways. "Well I just went by the directions that Sabella's dad's book said. First I channel my magic through the beads and then it'll show you what you need for your summoning items." That was the easy part. It was the next part she wasn't so thrilled about.

Lottie and Sans seemed to notice the tension in her shoulders but didn't say anything. Lottie carefully pulled out the orange beads and folded them in order to fit her tiny hands and channeled her magic. It was at this that Sans finally noticed the prayer beads.

“... oh, i was just kidding, but..” He trailed off and shook his head. Better that they meet him for themselves.

Dianna just gave him a strange look but brushed it off. The beads then pointed towards… the refrigerator?! Again?! Dianna and Lottie went towards the fridge and saw what it was pointing to. It was the leftover lunch that Dianna made yesterday at school. Spaghetti O's.

"What in the…" they said in unison. They looked at each other and shrugged. Dianna put the leftovers in the microwave and heated it up and then put it on the makeshift altar.

"Okay… you're probably not going to like this one… I don't know if the method I used will be different since mine was just blocked and not mature enough… but we can give it a shot. If you want?" Dianna said with apprehension.

“Something is better than nothing!! Tell meeeeeeeeee! Please?” Lottie begged with puppy eyes.

"... Okay. For me… I had to channel my more… troubling feelings, emotions and trauma into the beads while saying this mantra shown in the book… so… just think of what's seriously bothering you and say the mantra while focusing your magic through it… hopefully your guide will help you through the rest." Dianna handed her the book for her to look at the mantra, but she couldn't look her in the eyes.

“Oh… Well, I guess if it worked..” She took the book hesitantly and read through the mantra. 

Lottie then calmed herself and focused…

Her first memories of her and Jason as kids. Being friends, then best friends, then to kids who had it hard for each other. And that budding relationship that ended in a promise to be together forever at the Caves of Wonder. But then his Spirit Animal came on his  thirteenth birthday and then they were slowly starting to drift apart. Ultimately… it all started to go downhill when they started highschool. He chose to either ignore and harass her while she found solace in her new friends that they had similar problems like her. But there were those fears that Jason would finally kick her out of his life permanently and that her friends would eventually find their guides and then leave her just like he did. And finally…. One of those fears came true today and her heart broke and ached in misery and a budding hatred seemed to grow in her soul.

Both Sans and Dianna stared in wonder at the surrounding orange and green magic that flowed through her. Signs of both Bravery and Kindness. And then the circle flickered on and off. It looked like it wasn't going to be enough. But then Lottie's tears of sadness and hatred dripped onto the floor where the markings were. The markings sizzled at the contact of the strong emotions, and ultimately, that's what made the circle finally work.

The circle shone bright with a bright and cheerful orange. And slowly but surely, a tall skeletal figure appeared. Lottie was still thinking about it and crying even after the summoning was over. She didn't know.

"Lottie… sweetie. It worked. You can stop now." Dianna urged as she gently shook her awake.

The large skeleton man crouched down and started to pet Lottie’s head. “THERE, THERE HUMAN. IT’S OK NOW, YOU CAN STOP..” The loud yet gentle voice shocked her out of it as she looked at the Labrador-skeleton..?

“W-wha..? What are…?” She stammered. 

“DON’T BE SILLY! I AM YOUR GUIDE, HUMAN!! I AM THE GREAT PAPYRUS!!” He greeted cheerily. Lottie didn’t have the words… yet.

“hey bro.” Sans greeted casually. 

“SANS!!!! THIS IS WHERE YOU’VE BEEN?! STOP INTERRUPTING MY INTRODUCTION WITH MY PARTNER, YOU LAZY BONES!!!” Papyrus screeched. 

Dianna laughed. "Would you like those answers now?" To which Lottie nodded wordlessly.

Sans shifted to his own skeleton form. “she’s your partner bro, you should do the honors.”

“I WAS JUST ABOUT TO, BROTHER NOW SH!!” Said the loud dog-skeleton. “SIMPLY PUT, I AM OF HIGHER STATUS THAN MOST SPIRIT ANIMALS AND CAN TAKE ON MULTIPLE FORMS, THUS I HAVE THIS AS MY BASE FORM!” His tail wagged proudly while his scarf flapped from nonexistent wind.

“... base form… more than one form..? You and Sans are brothers..?” Lottie questioned.

“INDEED! THOUGH SANS PREFERS TO LAZE ABOUT THAN DO HIS JOB, I MEAN SERIOUSLY, IF YOU’VE BEEN SUMMONED, HAVE YOU EVER HELPED YOUR PARTNER ONCE?!”

Sans shrugged. “up to her on if i’ve been helpful or not.”

Dianna smiled mischievously. "You REALLY wanna go there~?" Sans immediately knew what she was thinking of.

“nope, nu-uh, i’m good!” He threw up his hood and curled into “hiding”. Papyrus just watched with an utterly confused expression. And Lottie… she started laughing at the dynamics of it all.

"I'll tell you later…" Dianna whispered to a giggling Lottie.

“How ironic is it that our Spirit Guides are brothers?” She asked between giggling fits. 

“that’s what i thought.” Sans mumbled, more to himself. 

Dianna laughed. "Well, he did stick up for me when those jerks were harassing Lottie today." Papyrus looked both surprised and pleased at his brother.

“NYEH! GREAT JOB FOR BEING PRODUCTIVE FOR ONCE, BROTHER!” Papyrus praised. 

Sans sweatdropped. “uh, thanks..” He decided to take it as a compliment rather than a jab at him.

Dianna laughed. "Well… in speaking of great progress… I actually have something for both of us. But mainly for you Sans." She said with a pleasant smile.

Sans perked and walked over, curious. “got me something, eh? you really didn’t have to, but thanks. i appreciate it.”

She smiled with happiness and then made a teasing face. "Now, it isn't ketchup, but I think it's just as good." She said as she dug through the tote bag to find the box.

‘What could be just as good as ket-’ His thoughts were cut off as Papyrus picked him up and left him dangling (like the cat that he was) in Papyrus’ arms. 

“HUMAN, PLEASE DO NOT GIVE INTO SANS WANTS! HE KNOWS THAT KETCHUP IS NOT NUTRITIOUS AT ALL AND IS UNHEALTHY FOR HIM! BAD SANS! VERY BAD SANS!” Papyrus chided as Sans simply grinned without a care in the world.

Dianna and Lottie laughed at their goofiness. She dug out the first gift which was the joke book and handed it to Sans. "Another skeleton recommended this. Found it strange that he nailed your interests down to a T."