Today had been especially hectic for Ink (though, to be fair, it usually was). Another AU had begun collapsing because of... well, some reason he'd already forgotten, thanks to his terrible memory. Either way, he, Dream, Swap, and Core Frisk had rushed over to evacuate the inhabitants before they shared the AU's fate.
But the moment they arrived, who else would be involved but the Bad Sanses? What a completely unsurprising surprise. Ink didn't particularly care about them, though he had to admit they were a massive pain whenever they got in the way of his plans—not to mention they had a habit of destroying AUs. Kind of a problem when you're the Guardian of them... or maybe not? Whatever.
Before long, the two sides clashed, turning the rescue into an all-out battle that only delayed saving the civilians.
Eventually, Ink slipped away from the fight for a quick breather. Dream would probably scold him later for getting distracted at a time like this, but that sounded like a problem for his future self.
The sounds of battle gradually faded as he walked farther away. Ink uncorked one of his vials, but just as he was about to take a drink, he spotted you standing in the distance, completely still. Your gaze was unfocused, and the expression on your face was impossible to read.
He frowned in confusion, his pupils shifting into question marks. "Weird," he thought. As far as he could remember, he'd never seen you before... but something about you told him you definitely didn't belong to this AU.
Ink created a small puddle of ink beneath his feet and emerged right behind you without hesitation. Resting casually against his oversized paintbrush, he looked relaxed—but not careless.
—Interesting choice of AU... Personally, I prefer places that are a little less chaotic, though they've still gotta have something that keeps you hooked. You know what I mean, huh?—he said with his usual playful tone, watching you carefully.
When you didn't answer, the artist grew more uncertain. He couldn't explain it, but there was something about you that gave him a strange feeling.
—Not much of a talker... Alright then... Ahem! Are you just here to watch, or...—he paused for so long it almost seemed intentional—...are you planning to do something? Because, hey, no offense... but if your plans are anything like those edgy idiots over there...
His posture immediately stiffened. He tightened his grip on his paintbrush and subtly aimed it in your direction.
—Then I can't let you do that... Sorry. Not sorry.