A/N: Hello everyone, this is a repost of a previous attempt of this story. I looked at the first chapter and decided I didn't like it so...I decided to give a prologue and have some Toriel and the ruins to give a little characterization. Anywho, This story is about the soul of Kindness, but a little twist. Most of the fandom sees Kindness as a perfect example of the virtue, but I thought wouldn't it be neat if she/he had learned or gained kindness as they transverse the Underground. So this fic was born. I don't think I got everyone speech pattern down, but I hope to get the hang of it soon. Sorry for this long Author note and prologue.
Kendall scrunched her nose at the view outside of the bus's window in disgust. The imposing height of Mount Ebott filled the entire view. She crossed her arms with a huff looking at the other girls who were packed into the bus's ugly green seats. A handful of them were chattering excitedly like spending the entire weekend away from civilazation was some great adventure or at the very least a fun idea. "Class, quiet down, " a stern voice called out causing the noise in the bus to dull to a low rumble. "As stated in your permission form, we will be staying at a small campsite off of the main trail. We will be perfectly safe as long as you stay on the marked path. Are there any questions?" Kendall scoffed to herself; the school decided that the best way to stop the bullying amongst the female students was to shove them into a campsite and hoped they played nice.
Kendall nudged the blonde girl sitting next to her, "As if it would be a shame if the monsters ate chubby Chrissy. They could probably feast for days." The girl giggled at the dig at the slightly overweight girl.
"Kendall, Cheyenne, is there is something you would like to share?" the chaperone asked. Her eyes were looking sternly at the two girls as if it was intimidating.
"Nothing Miss Salvia," Kendall responded, " I was just telling Chy a joke that I heard yesterday." The older woman nodded moving onto another girl's question while the two girls continued their whispered commentary.
"If that is all the questions, please take your packs and we'll hike to our campsite," Ms. Salvia continued. Kendall groaned which was only echoed by Cheyenne. The two girls pulled their bedazzled packs from under the seat. Kendall put the straps on her shoulders glad that her wavy hair was pinned up.
"That's a cute barrette in your hair," a tall red-haired girl said pointing to the bejeweled hair accessory. She looked shyly at her feet which didn't surprise Kendall after all she was the girl that everyone wanted to be.
"Thank you, it was a gift for my birthday," Kendall said tossing her blonde hair. The other girl looked like she was waiting for something from the girl. "I like your... pack... super cute," Kendall said her tone slightly sarcastic, but the other girl didn't seem to notice. She gave the rude girl a bright smile which made Kendall slightly guilty, but that feeling was quickly replaced.
"Hey Kendall, you're going to get left behind if you keep talking," Cheyenne called waving at the girl from outside the bus. Kendall pushed by the red-haired girl a little roughly joining her friend in the gravel parking lot. The two girls followed the herd of girls mumbling to themselves.
"Did you know that three years ago, a kid was on a camping trip here when he disappeared?" Cheyenne asked. "His body was never found."
"Already telling ghost stories?" Kendall asked with a huff. She watched the group in front of the two. "Why don't we check it out ourselves?"
Cheyenne looked a little unsure. "Or we can just get Gretchen check it out for us," Kendall said pointing to a brunette girl who kept looking back. Kendall gave a friendly wave before rolling her eyes when the other girl turned back. Kendall crinkled her nose at the girl's mimicry of her own style.
The pair dragged their feet a little longer as the group of girls stopped at a cleared section of forest. Kendall and Cheyenne approached Gretchen quietly. "Hey, Gret. How's everything going?" Cheyenne greeted.
"G-good, I guess," the shorter girl started stuttering a little. "I mean, I would rather not be here, but there isn't much we can do."
"Ugh, I know, I like nature in pictures," Kendall stated brushing dirt off of her maroon skirt. "Whose idea was it for us to come in uniform anyways?"
Gretchen giggled with Cheyenne; the more timid girl seemed to relax at the comfortable atmosphere. "Can I bunk with you two? Skye couldn't make it and I really don't know anyone else," Gretchen asked looking down embarrassed.
"Sure, but first we were going to look at something before setting up our tents," Cheyenne said looking at Kendall with a grin.
Yeah, come follow us," Kendall stated as she looked quickly for Ms. Salvia. Finding the teacher busy, the girl guided the other two to a thin path.
"Are you sure we should be going this way?" Gretchen asked nervously as the trio left the clearing and began to ascend.
"You're not scared, are you?" Kendall asked the other girl shook her head. "Good, I almost thought you believed the whole monster kidnapping kids story, but you're not stupid." Gretchen nodded looking a little unsure. "I love your hair by the way. Did you get it cut?"
"A couple of weeks ago actually," Gretchen replied. Kendall nodded barely noting that the sun was starting to set and the trees becoming thinner. "Wow, it's beautiful up here. It would make a perfect painting," Gretchen spoke again pointing to the top of the mountain that they had reached the top. Large rocks jutted from green grass while yellow flowers poked through like mini suns. Kendall felt like she agreed with the other girl's assessment and almost forgot why she had come up here.
"Hey, Kendall, look at this," Cheyenne called pointing to a circle of rocks. Kendall jogged to Cheyenne with Gretchen at her heels. The girls stopped to look over the ring of rocks. In the center of the waist-high stones was a large black hole.
"Do you think the monsters are down there?" Kendall asked looking down.
"Probably, we should get away from there," Gretchen said her nervousness returning.
Kendall huffed, "I thought you were fun." Gretchen looked a little hurt. "Just look over the rocks," she insisted nudging the other girl closer to the hole.
"No, Kendall," the girl said pushing Kendall. Gravity took over as her legs caught the top of the rocks and she tumbled over. Kendall felt a fear she never felt before as the dim sunset light grew smaller and smaller. She tried to scream for help...but nobody came.
UT~UT~UT~UT
She pulled her heavy overcoat tighter grateful for the warming enchantment as the heavy snowflakes fell on her red beanie. Her eyes darted around nervously as her booted feet sunk into the snow. Her quick pace drew the attention of several bunny monsters, but she wasn't concerned. Her main concern was not to become dust from embarrassment. Her eyes caught the bright neon lights of a bar. 'Grillby's' the lights spelt out.
She hurried her pace to an almost run as she entered the bar. The patrons spared her only a glance before returning to their drinks. She wrinkled her nose at the smell of alcohol and grease as she scanned the bar for her target. Her breath caught in her throat as she found who she was looking for. "Dad," she called out to the familiar shape sitting at the bar; his cowboy hat the most obvious feature.
"Seari, I was wondering when you were going to show up," he stated spinning on his stool showing a mischievous grin on his skull. "I was just talking to Grillby here about you," he continued pointing a phalange at the flame elemental. "What did I tell you Grillbz, isn't my daughter, Searifa, beautiful. And single too." the skeleton added with a wink.
Searifa could feel her face burn as a blush spread and she was now grateful that her scarf covered her short muzzle. "Dad," she groaned putting a gloved hand to her face.
"I apologize for my father's actions," Searifa said. The bartender gave a glance between father and daughter before cracking the smallest of smiles.
"I just thought of something," her father said slapping his jeans. "You are my little sunshine's competition. Come on Seari, we can't be seen fraternizing with the enemy." He stood up suddenly and hurrying out the door.
Searifa sighed, "It has been a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I just recently relocated here and opened up a small restaurant. I really don't want us to be competition. I would prefer to be friends. Perhaps we should restart." She gave her best smile which of course was still hidden. " Salutations, my name is Searifa." She held out her gloved hand to the flame.
He put down the glass in his hand to shake her hand. She gave him a hidden smile before releasing his hand. "I better find my father before he harasses someone else. I hope that in the future we can converse more." With that statement, Searifa jogged out of the bar and back into the cold. She pulled her coat tight as she searched the white expanse.
She turned from left to right before spotting her father's green flannel shirt. Searifa caught up before he cornered a bear monster who was walking past. "Dad, what are you doing?" she asked waving as the bear continued by.
"I was just going to tell that nice bear that you cook the best pasta in the Underground," he said a little disappointed that he didn't succeed. "Don't give me that look Seari. I want to have grandchildren before I get too old to spoil them," he said giving her a wink.
"Dad," she groaned a blush forming already on her face. "We can't stay out here much longer. I am on a strict timetable in addition to the heating enchantments are reaching their limits."
"Of course, Seari. Can't have my sunshine freeze. What kind of father would I be?" he replied dramatically. The female monster sighed long-sufferingly. "Wait one moment, Seari. I see two good candidates."
"Candidates?" Searifa asked questioning to the now empty space. She jumped in surprised as her eyes tracked the older skeleton's charge. In the falling snow, in a direct collision course with her father, was two male skeletons. The two seemed deep in conversation or rather a one-sided conversation as the taller of the two spoke rapidly to the shorter.
Searifa unfroze and ran after her father trying desperately to make up the large distance.
She wanted to turn away as her father stopped the two skeletons. Searifa was within earshot to hear their introductions. "Howdy. How y'all doin? The name's Bill, Play Bill if we are bein' formal."
"HELLO, BILL. MY NAME IS PAPYRUS AND THIS IS MY BROTHER, SANS," the taller skeleton said loudly. By this time, Searifa manage to catch up to the trio of skeletons.
"Papyrus, Sans. This is my beautiful daughter, Searifa," Bill continued wrapping his arm around her shoulders pulling her close. Sans's eye-lights looked from Bill to Searifa who decidedly tried not to meet them. "She is new here and I was hoping that she could have a couple of friends looking out for her." Searifa put her head in her gloves wishing that she would just dust.
"GREETINGS, SEARIFA. I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, WOULD HONOR YOU WITH MY FRIENDSHIP," the taller skeleton said putting a hand to his chest as his scarf fluttered behind him in the faint breeze. She didn't have to look too high to meet him in the eye-sockets given the fact she was only a head or so shorter than him.
"Thank you. It is a great honor for you to consider me a friend and it has been great to make your acquaintance, however, my father and I need to return to my restaurant before the weather turns for the worst," Searifa stated kindly feeling a little relief that the taller of the skeletons took her father's comment in stride.
"is that why you moved here?" Sans spoke his voice low and deep. Searifa turned her green eyes down to the short skeleton.
Searifa nodded her head, "Yes. I have always dreamed of opening my own restaurant and serving the best food in the Underground."
"IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE ANOTHER MASTER CHEF IN SNOWDIN," Papyrus said excitement clear in his eye sockets.
"You know to cook, Papyrus?" Searifa asked feeling a little at ease at a familiar topic.
"my bro has been taking cooking lessons," Sans clarified.
"You should come by. In fact, after the grand opening for my restaurant or even during the opening. You can give me some critiques on my food and afterwards we can concoct a dish in my kitchen. You're invited as well Sans," Searifa said her words coming a little quick before she had a chance to filter them.
"NEATO, WE WILL PLAN FOR TOMORROW THEN," Papyrus cheered. Sans also gave a slightly wider grin.
"Sounds like you three will get along like peas in a pod. Come on, Seari. Pastabilities won't open itself," Bill said finally inserting himself into the conversation. "Nice to meet you two boys. See ya'll around."
"Good-bye, Papyrus, Sans," Searifa managed to say as her father pulled at her arm. The two also said their farewells.
Out of the skeletons' earshot, Bill chuckled. "What do you find so humerus?" Searifa asked before face-palming realizing her unintentional pun
"Just that you were dying to get to the restaurant before speaking with the two skeletons," Bill said moving his brow bone.
"I was merely enjoying conversing with another monster who appreciates the culinary arts," Searifa explained to her father as he nodded disbelievingly. She opened the glass door to her new business. "Besides, I don't have the time to seek romantic relationships. I have a lot of responsibilities taking care of Pastabilities which I fully intend to rename as soon as I find a clever name that isn't a pun." She pulled off her gloves to reveal her golden scaled hands before flipping the light switch bringing the whole restaurant to life. The simple but elegant hanging light fixtures lit up the dark semi-circle tables.
She pulled her scarf off her golden snout to look proudly at the beautiful settings. "You did a good job, Seari," Bill stated, "It's pretty. Look at the hardwood; its a perfect dance floor."
"I suppose the floor give off that vibe," Searifa agreed taking off her beanie to release the trio of fan-like spines on her head.
"Remember when you used to dance around our house in the capital," Bill stated his voice sounded watery.
"I was just a hatchling then," Searifa responded to be interrupted with a low humming sound. She looked to her father who was humming an almost waltzy tune. "There's isn't enough space to dance," Searifa reasoned as she realized what her father was nonverbally asking.
"Seari, you're going to be on the opposite side of the Underground. Can you at least humor me and let me dance with you like we used to?" Bill asked his tone serious causing Searifa's throat to almost shut from tears. He was right; they wouldn't be able to see each other as often.
"But that is a lullaby and isn't suitable for dancing. And we'll track snow everywhere," Searifa added. Her father lowered his head making her soul hurt. She wordlessly handed her clawed hand to her father who spun her to a proper waltz position.
The reptilian monster allowed her father to guide her around the tables as he hummed the same tune. She kept her eyes on her father's face as she came to realize how much she was going to miss him. She wasn't going to hear funny stories about his band mates or hear him singing everything. "Don't cry, Seari. I'm going to be just a phone call away," he said running a finger beneath her eyes to catch the tears that she didn't meet to shed. "I'll even sing you to sleep if you want," he added jokingly.
"I haven't asked you to sing to me since I was a kid," Searifa said with a wet chuckle. The two stopped their dance. "I'm going to miss you, dad." The taller monster turned their dancing posture to a hug as she put her head on his shoulder. She could catch the faint teal glow from his closed eye-sockets and she shut her own eyes to allow the comforting magic perform its task. Bill spun her away as she struggled to keep herself upright, but that didn't stop the giggles. She heard a camera snap as she tried to calm the spinning room. Her father plucked the newly printed photo from the polaroid camera.
"I thought that was in my bag?" Searifa questioned. Bill smiled as he shook the developing photo.
"I wanted to surprise you. I found enough material for you to take pictures for an entire year. It is a house warming gift," he said proudly handing the camera to his daughter. "But I'm keeping this picture," he added showing off the picture quickly before Searifa protested. "It's the only thing I am going to have of my little sunshine," he said as he looked at the picture. Searifa could feel her eyes starting to water again.
"You're going to do great. Just be the bright warm sunshine I know you are," he said putting a hand under her chin so she would look at him. "I better get going or else I'll never leave." Searifa nodded her understanding but was still sadden when the door closed behind the skeleton as cold air blew inside seeking refuge.
She turned back to her restaurant realizing how empty it was. Searifa sighed to herself but decided to busy herself to prevent her to run back to her father.