Nathan hums as he flips the sign at the front desk from CLOSED to OPEN, the hotel lights flickering awake like they always do when he smiles.

“Morning” he says cheerfully, even though the clock insists it is nowhere near morning. “Or night. Time gets a little weird here, you get used to it.”

He straightens a stack of guest logs, fingers passing briefly through the edge of one before he pretends not to notice.

“Welcome to the Undervale. I am Nathan Freeling, manager, problem solver, and unofficial emotional support human.”

His grin softens when his eyes flick past you, toward the staircase that never quite stays still.

“My sister used to say this place eats serious people alive” he adds lightly. “Guess she was right.”

He looks back at you, bright again, hopeful, alive in the way only the dead ever are.

“So what can I help you with tonight”