Chapter 2: Snowdin

Kiku made his way out the door, and down another long, empty path. It seemed even lonelier now that he didn't have a guiding hand to hold along the way. Just thinking about it made him want to run back to the Ruins. Back to what could've been his "new home," but he knew he needed to stay determined.

He continued to trudge onward for what felt like miles, until he reached yet another clearing. In the middle of the room, there was none other than a golden flower with a menacing expression. Kiku warily stepped away.

"Clever," said the flower, "Very clever."

Kiku opened his mouth to speak to the flower, but his words had run dry.

"You think you're really smart, don't you? Didn't I tell you, 'it's kill or be killed?' But, you managed to play by your own rules, didn't you? You spared the life of a single person."

Again, Kiku attempted to say something, but to no avail.

"Ha, I bet you feel really great," said the flower, his face growing more and more twisted, "But, what if you meet a relentless killer? You'll die. Or, you'll fail over and over. Then what? Will you kill out of frustration? Or, will you give up on this world, and give me the power to control it?"

Kiku shook his head meekly, feeling his breath hitch in nervousness.

"I will be the king of the Underground!" The flower laughed, his grimacing smile looking more haunting than ever, "But don't you worry, my little monarch, my plan isn't regicide. I'll let you live. This is so much more interesting."

And, with that, the flower ducked down, disappearing under the ground. Kiku stood still for a while, catching his breath. Just when Kiku thought the flower had left him for good, after Arthur had driven him away, Kiku thought he would never hee the flower again.

I guess I can't predict what's to come in a place such as this, Kiku thought.

Kiku noticed a rather large door on the other side of the opening. He quickly walked forward, not knowing what was ahead. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door, met with a blinding white light and a gust of cold wind.

Kiku adjusted himself to the sight before him. A long, dirt path, surrounded by vast, snowy woods. Thousands of tall, bare trees stood vigil, almost like soldiers in formation. Kiku took a step out, his boot crunching against the snow. A chill was sent down his spine, as he decided to stay on the dirt path. He looked behind him at the colossal stone wall, taking in the purple aura one last time as the door fell shut. There was no going back now.u

Kiku began to walk, not knowing where he was headed. He glanced over to a snow-covered bush, to see something glistening. Curiously, he stepped forward. He jumped once he realized that it was a camera lens.

Someone was watching him.

Kiku uncomfortably turned away, looking around for other signs of cameras, but to no avail. He quickly continued walking, trying to get as far away from the bush as possible.

As Kiku continued, he maneuvered through the woods, stepping around large stones and twigs in the path. Trying not to think of the mysterious camera, he jumped over a large, tough-looking branch. He continued on and on through the woods, but suddenly…

Crack.

Startled, Kiku turned around to see that the branch had been snapped in two, like it was nothing. He looked back and forth, but no one could be seen. Kiku began to walk a little faster. He could hear his own footsteps. They were a bit louder, he looked around once more, tripping a bit when he saw it.

There was a shadow walking past the trees. It was there only for a split second. Kiku began to run down the dirt trail, stopping once he reached a bridge, that extended over a cliff-like hole of snow and ice. Kiku felt his heart sink, not wanting to step foot onto the wooden bridge.

The footsteps behind him grew closer and closer. Kiku froze, not wanting to look. The footsteps came to a stop, and Kiku felt the presence of something else near him.

"Human," said a frightening voice.

Kiku didn't dare to breathe, closing his eyes tight, refusing to look behind him.

"Don't you know…" said the voice, "...how to greet a new friend?"

Kiku opened his eyes, a wave of confusion sweeping over him.

"Turn around and shake my hand."

Kiku slowly turned, greeted with a tall figure, hidden in the shadows of a large tree, with an extended palm. Hesitantly, Kiku took his hand, only to jump back when he felt a jolt. What the figure did next surprised him. It laughed. Real and genuine.

"Joy buzzer in the hand trick!" the figure exclaimed, revealing himself from the shadows, "It's always funny!"

Kiku examined the young man in pure shock. He looked like a human at first, until Kiku saw the other half of his face. One of his eyes was a bright blue, the other pitch black. Half of his jaw was completely gone, but replaced with the one of a skeleton. One of his arms was the same, along with one of his legs.

"What's the matter? Never seen bones before?" he asked, "anyway, you're human, right?"

Kiku nodded slowly, earning a huge grin from the half-skeleton.

"Ha! That's hilarious," he laughed, "I'm Alfred!"

Kiku smiled a bit, deciding to trust Alfred. Alfred looked around for a second, still sporting a large smile.

"I'm actually supposed to be on watch for humans right now," he said, "But, y'know, I don't really care much about capturing anybody… My brother on the other hand… Well, er, not actually. We're not related. Nowhere close, really. Anyway, he's a human-hunting fanatic!"

Alfred was interrupted by another pair of footsteps from across the bridge.

"Actually, that might be him now…" Alfred suddenly stepped onto the bridge, "I have an idea. Come with me!"

Kiku curiously followed Alfred, as he excitedly moved over to another part of the woods. There was something that looked like a hand-made lemonade stand along the pathway.

"Here, hide under that table!" Alfred said enthusiastically.

Kiku ducked under the small, wooden table, as he heard Alfred move to the center of the path.

"Hey, Feli," Alfred said. Kiku listened closely, hearing a new voice.

"Hi Al-" the voice suddenly coughed, "Wait… No, I'm supposed to be mad at you! It's been eight days and all you've been doing is sitting outside your station! What have you been doing?"

So that's what this stand is, thought Kiku.

"Staring under this table," said Alfred, "It's really cool. You should look."

"I don't have time, I have to practice!" said the new voice, 'Feli,' "I've gotta catch a human! I have to be the one! If I do, I'll get to join the Royal Guard!"

"Why? 'Cause Ludwig is a part of it?" Alfred asked.

"Well, yeah!" Feli replied, "And, also, people would ask to be my friend! I would get to wake up to all of my friends every morning!"

"Hmm…" Alfred's voice said, "Maybe this table can help you."

"Tables can't help me!"

"Hey, take it easy! I've gotten a ton of work done today," said Alfred's joking voice, "A Skeleton."

Feli's voice groaned, "Alfred!"

"Oh, come on! You're totally smiling!"

"I am! And I hate it!" Feli's voice sighed, "Why do I have to do so much, just to get people to notice me?"

"Wow… sounds like you're really working yourself down to the bone." Alfred's voice said, bursting into a fit of laughter.

"I'm going to go work on some of my traps," Feli's voice said.

Kiku could hear him move away, until all traces of his presence were gone.

"Alright, you can come out now!" said Alfred.

Kiku crept out from under the table, to see Alfred leaning against a tree.

"You better get going, kid," Alfred said, "He might come back. And if he does, you'll have to sit through even more of my hilarious jokes."

Kiku nodded. He noticed the expression on Alfred's face change.

"Actually, hey," Alfred said, "I hate to bother ya, but can you do me a favor?"

Alfred stood up straight, brushing a bit of snow off of his shoulder.

"Feliciano has been kinda down lately," Alfred explained, looking off into the distance, "He's never seen a human before, and seeing you might just make him happy, like he usually is."

Alfred quickly looked at Kiku, smiling reassuringly.

"Don't worry, he's not dangerous. Even if he tries to be," said Alfred, a hopeful look on his face.

Kiku thought a bit, looking back at Alfred. Smiling, Kiku nodded.

"Thanks a million!" Alfred said, "I'll meet you up ahead!"

Alfred then turned, and walked the opposite direction, which Kiku found slightly strange, but decided to ignore anyway as he continued to make his way through the woods.

After a few minutes of walking in silence, Kiku began to hear voices in the distance. He peeked around the corner to see Alfred, standing with someone he'd never seen before. He had copper-brown hair, and one brown eye, the other one black, like Alfred's. In fact, he had the arm and leg of a skeleton, as well, along with his jaw.

This must be Feli, thought Kiku.

Kiku began to walk towards them.

"So, anyway," said Feli, "about Julchen-"

Kiku cleared his throat, stepping out from behind a rather large rock. Feli stopped talking immediately. Feli looked at Kiku, then to Alfred, then back to Kiku, then back to Alfred. Feli tugged Alfred's sleeve, whisper-shouting dramatically.

"Al," he said, his voice squeaking, "Is that a human?!"

"Uh," Alfred said playfully, "Actually, I think that's a rock."

Feli looked confused, "Oh."

Alfred laughed a bit, "Hey, what's that in front of the rock?"

"Oh my gosh!" Feli said, overly excited, suddenly pausing to whisper, "...is that a human…?"

Alfred grinned and whispered back, "Yes."

Feli's eyes grew wide, jumping up and down, "Oh my gosh! Alfred! I did it! Julchen's gonna… I'm gonna… I'll be part of the royal guard! I'll be so popular!"

Feli suddenly regained his posture, putting on a stern expression as best as he could, barely containing the excitement behind his eyes. Er… eye.

"Attention, human!" he said, "You shall not pass this area! I, the great Feliciano, will stop you!"

Alfred could barely hide his laughter, as Kiku watched the scene unfold in front of him.

"I… I will then capture you!" Feliciano said eagerly, "I will then deliver you to the capital! Then! Then! ...I'm not sure what's next."

Kiku looked at Alfred, as if asking for an explanation, but Alfred only shrugged.

"In any case," Feliciano continued, "Continue only if you dare!"

That being said, Feliciano eagerly ran ahead, leaving Kiku and Alfred behind.

"Well, that went well," said Alfred, looking at Kiku's expression, "Don't sweat it, kid. I'll keep an eye out for ya."

Alfred then turned to chase after his "brother."

Kiku found himself walking through a new part of the woods. A frozen stream ran nearby, chunks of ice drifting past him as he continued to walk. He came across another wooden stand. On the front of it, there was a sign. Kiku moved closer so he could read it.

'You are observing this well-crafted sentry station! Who could have built this, you're pondering. I bet it was that very famous Royal Guardsman! (Note: not yet a very famous Royal Guardsman.)'

Kiku felt himself let out a small laugh. Feliciano must have written the sign. A few feet ahead, he came across yet another small sign that read,

'North: ice

South: ice

West: ice

East: Snowdin Town (and ice)'

Deciding that East was the best direction, Kiku followed the arrow that pointed that way. Kiku suddenly came across the same voices, yet again. This must be the first "trap."

"The human has arrived!" Feliciano eagerly said, "In order to stop you, we have created some puzzles!"

Kiku looked at the two in confusion, seeing absolutely nothing in front of him.

"What you're looking at is an invisible electricity maze!" Feli said excitedly, "If you touch the invisible walls, you'll be zapped! Sound like fun? Because I can assure you, the amount of fun you'll have is… uh… actually rather small I think…"

Kiku made eye contact with Alfred, who only laughed, shaking his head.

"Okay, you can go ahead now!" Feliciano said.

Kiku stepped back, unsure if there really was an invisible maze. He suddenly thought of a plan. In a few quick steps, Kiku walked around the "maze."

Feli gasped, "Incredible! You solved it so easily! I… uh… I'm not sure what to do now… But don't worry! I will come up with a plan! Yeah! Be warned, human!"

Feli then turned and excitedly ran.

"I'm not sure what he's off to do now," Alfred laughed, "But, at least he's happy."

Kiku smiled, though a bit confused. He had no idea what he had gotten himself into.

Kiku felt the soft snow crunch beneath his feet. He had been walking east for quite some time, when he stumbled upon a quaint little village, where the snow-covered pines were adorned with brightly shining christmas lights, and the small cottages had matching warm glows coming from inside.

He couldn't help but smile when his eyes fell upon the large greeting sign that said, 'Welcome to Snowdin Town!'

There were a few friendly shops and inns scattered about. One of the doors to the shop opened, and a woman… er… monster stepped out onto the snowy path, adjusting her mittens so they covered her hands completely. She had large, ruby colored horns that emerged from her wavy, light brown hair, and she was carrying a brown package in her hand. Kiku dropped his gaze once her dark green eyes met his.

"Oh, hello!" she chirped, "I can't remember the last time I saw a new face here. Are you visiting Snowdin? Where are you from, the capital? We don't get a lot of tourists here."

Kiku simply looked up at her, unsure how to respond.

"Oh, not the talker, huh?" she said, "I'm Elizabeta. And, don't worry, you'll get used to it here. Everyone's pretty nice. You could come visit my shop, or the inn down the road. Oh, and Roderich's restaurant is down the road. Poor guy always wanted to be a musician, though."

Kiku smiled, feeling himself warm up to the stranger.

"And if you're bored, you could just watch those two weird skeletons do, uh, whatever they usually do," Elizabeta laughed, "There's two of them. Brothers, they call themselves. They just showed up one day and asserted themselves. The town has gotten a lot more interesting since then."

Kiku laughed, nodding in understanding. Alfred and Feliciano had definitely made his journey more interesting, as well.

Elizabeta sighed, "But, I guess life here is still the same as usual. A bit claustrophobic… but, we all know deep down that freedom is coming, don't we? As long as we've got our hope, we can grit our teeth and face the same struggles, day after day. That's life, isn't it?"

Elizabeta suddenly jumped, "Oh, God. I forgot that I have to bring this package to the inn!"

She turned to Kiku, kneeling down to shake his hand while offering him a kind smile. Kiku gently shook her mittened hand, noticing that it was unusually warmer than his. Maybe all monster's hands felt that way.

"Bye, then!" she said, standing and quickly jogging over to a cottage, with the words 'Snowed Inn' painted above the door.

Kiku then noticed a wooden house, with a broken picket fence around it. He approached the outside of the house to see two mailboxes. One was filled to the brim with letters, and the other one said 'Feliciano.'

Deciding not to invade private property, he continued along the path, next to a frozen stream of water. It was only then that he noticed that the air had become even colder. Not just that, but foggier, almost as if he was walking among a cloud. He could see a figure, but could not make out who it was. Then, it became all too clear who was standing in front of him.

"Human," Feliciano's voice said, "Allow me to express some complex feelings. Feelings like… like the joy of finding a super-awesome-almost-royal-guardsman! Or the amazingness of finding the world's best pasta chef! The desire to have a cool, awesome person think that you're cool, too! Obviously, these must be the things you are feeling right now!"

Kiku could see Feliciano excitedly smiling through the fog.

"After all, I've been told I'm very great," Feliciano beamed, "Well, by Alfred. But, that doesn't matter. I'm still very great! A-And I don't ever wonder what having lots of friends is like! I pity you, lonely human!"

Feliciano was practically buzzing with energy as he spoke to Kiku.

"But, worry not, human!" he said confidently, "You shall be lonely no longer! I'll be your-"

He suddenly stopped, mid-sentence. His expression quickly changed.

"Wait!" he said, stepping back, "No, no, this is all wrong! I can't be your friend! You're a human! I must capture you! Then, I'll be in the Royal Guard!"

Feliciano stood up straight, "Attention, human! I will fight!"

"Hey, uh, sup…" said Alfred's voice, coming from behind Kiku, "What's going on, kid? Oh, hey Feli."

"Oh! Perfect! You're just in time for my big fight!" Feli said, dragging out a small boombox from behind a tree.

Alfred raised an eyebrow, "Dude, have you been preparing for this…?"

"You better believe it! I need background music!" Feliciano said, striking a confident pose, "Alright! It's time for my big moment! Hit it, Alfred!"

"Okay," said Alfred, who reached down, hitting the boombox.

"No! Play the music!" Feliciano said.

"Okay," said Alfred, who pushed the play button, as dramatic background music began to play. Feliciano eagerly nodded, as he grinned confidently.

"Ready for this, human?" Feliciano asked.

"I don't think anyone is ready for what's about to happen," Alfred said.

"You just don't understand perfection!" Feliciano replied, "Now! Get ready to fight, human! Because, I, The Great Feliciano, have immense amounts of skill when it comes to fighting! That's why Julchen wants me to be the co-captain of the royal guard!"

"But, aren't you still in training?" Alfred asked.

"Hey! That doesn't mean I lied!" Feliciano said, as Kiku just stood and watched the two go back and forth.

"Nevermind all this!" Feliciano said, "Now! Now, I will figh-"

Feliciano was interrupted when he realized that Alfred had changed his background music to a new, catchy beat.

"Alfred!" Feliciano said, "Change it back!"

"Whyyy?" Alfred grinned, "I think it sounds really cool!"

"Well, I think it sounds like not Feliciano the Royal-Guardsman, which is the worst kind of sound to be!" Feliciano stubbornly exclaimed.

"Oh, sorry then," Alfred laughed.

"It's okay, Alfred! I already forgave you!" Feliciano smiled.

"Well, forgiving seems to be the only thing you're doing right now, so good job, bro!" Alfred replied through laughter.

"You're officially unforgiven, Al!" Feliciano huffed, "Hey! Human! Where do you think you're going! We still have to fight!"

Feliciano and Alfred simultaneously turned to see that Kiku had stepped back.

"I knew it! Even the human doesn't respect me!" Feliciano said, a bit sadly.

Alfred's expression changed, bolting to his side, "Hey, hey, bro, no, no, no that's not true!"

"It's not?" Feliciano asked.

"No! The human was, just, uh, asking for you to spare them! Yeah!" Alfred said, sending a glance at Kiku, then back at Feliciano.

"O-Oh…!" Feliciano said, "Well, then. Human! I will spare you!"

Alfred's usual smile returned to his face, "Nice! Good job!"

"But…" Feliciano said, "Julchen… She'll be so disappointed. I won't make it into the royal guard. Nobody will ever want to-"

"I-I'll, um, be your friend," Kiku said quietly, looking up at the two.

"Really?" The two asked, one with thrill and disbelief, the other with pleasant surprise.

"You really want to be friends with me?" Feliciano asked, "Like, really?"

Kiku nodded, watching as Feliciano's expression broke out into sheer joy.

"Wow, um, o-okay! I can make an exception for you!" Feliciano said, "I have a friend! And who knew that all I needed to do to make one was to make awful traps and then fight them! You taught me a lot, human!"

Alfred laughed, as Feliciano excitedly continued to talk, mile-a-minute.

"I hereby grant you permission to continue onward through and out of Snowdin! Oh! And, I'll give you directions to the surface! Let's see, just continue forward until you reach the end of the cavern. Then, when you reach the capital, cross through the barrier! That's the magical seal trapping us all underground. Anything can enter through it, but nothing can exit. Except for someone with a powerful human soul, like you! That's why the king wants to acquire a human soul! He wants to open the barrier with soul power.

"It takes only one human soul for only one monster to pass through the barrier, but to destroy it, we need seven. We have six souls from past humans that have… well, you know. Then, us monsters can return to the surface! Oh, and I forgot to tell you! To get to the surface, you'll have to pass through the king's castle! The king of all monsters… he is… well… a big fuzzy pushover.

Everybody loves the guy! I'm certain if you just say, 'Excuse me, Mr. Bonnefoy, can I please go home?' He'll lead you right to the barrier himself!

"Anyway… that's enough talking! I should probably go. I'll be at home being a cool friend if you need me!" Feliciano said quickly, leaving Kiku in a daze as he processed everything he'd heard.

He's have to go to the capital… through the barrier… taking a soul with him? And, what was it about seven human souls destroying the barrier? And the king's name… Bonnefoy…

Kiku was shaken from his daze as he saw Feliciano making his way back to the house, "Come by if you want to hang out with your new, super nice friend!"

Kiku looked back at Alfred, who was a bit paler than usual. He cleared his throat.

"Sorry 'bout that. Lots of information, huh?" Alfred said, "It's a lot for us, too…"

Kiku nodded, everything Feliciano had said sinking in. The king only had six human souls, and needed seven to break the barrier, freeing everyone from the underground. He was the seventh soul.

Kiku suddenly remembered what Arthur had said,

"If you leave… They… The King… I'm only protecting you, don't you understand? Please, go upstairs…"

"Hey, kid," Alfred said, "You alright? You don't look too good."

Kiku nodded.

"Alright, I'm going to head back home. Feel free to come with me if you're not ready to keep on moving," Alfred offered.

As alfred began to strolled off, completely neglecting the boombox he left behind, Kiku decided to follow him. He wasn't quite ready for what was ahead.

Kiku stood outside the crooked picket fence, watching as Alfred casually jumped over it, swinging the door to the house open and carelessly making his way inside. Kiku decided to just use the door to the picket fence. Carefully.

Entering the small house, Kiku looked around. The first thing he saw was a cozy little living room, where Feliciano sat in front of a small television. Feliciano immediately looked up, smiling brightly.

"So you came back to see me!" Feliciano exclaimed, "You must be really serious about our friendship. I know! I'll take you somewhere special to me! Follow me!"

Feliciano stood and excitedly made his way back out the door, Kiku following close behind. Feliciano eagerly bounded through the snow, humming to himself while making various twists and turns in his path, until finally he stopped and extended his arms.

"Here we are!" Feliciano said happily.

They were back where they started.

Kiku decided not to question it.

"Welcome to my house!" Feli said, while motioning back to the living room as he entered, "You can look around! Make yourself at home!"

Kiku curiously looked around the room. There was a joke book on the floor, next to a bean bag chair. In the corner of the room, something caught his eye. There was a sock lying on the floor, with a series of notes lying next to it that said,

'Alfred! Please pick up your sock!'

'Ok.'

'Don't put it back down! Move it!'

'Ok.'

'You moved it two inches! Move it to your room!'

'Ok.'

'And don't bring it back!'

'Ok.'

'It's still here!'

'Didn't you tell me not to move it back to my room?'

'Forget it!'

Kiku, a bit amused, looked over at a nearby table, something round and grey catching his eye.

"Oh! That's Alfred's pet rock!" Feliciano explained, "He always forgets to feed it, so I have to take responsibility!"

As Kiku looked at it, he noticed that the rock was covered in sprinkles.

"Oh! I remember!" Feliciano suddenly said, "I made you something!"

Feliciano ran into another room, and came out holding a piece of red paper clumsily cut in the shape of a heart, with macaroni glued to the sides. Feliciano frowned when he noticed that the corner had ripped off.

"Aw," Feliciano said, "It's ruined!"

Alfred stuck his head through a crack from his bedroom door, "Wah wah wahhhh…" he sung-shouted.

Feliciano looked up, "Al! Stop plaguing my life with incidental music!"

Kiku laughed slightly, accepting the paper heart as he folded it neatly, placing it in his pocket, next to the phone that Arthur had given him.

Out of the corner of his eye, Kiku noticed a door covered in posters, stickers, and duct tape.

"That's my room!" Feliciano declared, "We should go in and hang out like two totally cool friends!"

Feliciano opened the door to reveal a small room, with a race car bed in the corner.

"Here we are!" said Feliciano, "Should we start hanging out? I've never hung out before. So, uh… here we are! Hanging out!"

Feliciano suddenly stood up straight, a look of confidence on his face.

"But, don't worry!" Feli said, "You can't spell 'prepared' without several letters from my name! I got a manual from the library!"

Feliciano ran to the small bookcase in his room, pulling out a small, hardback book from one of the shelves. Opening it, he cleared his throat as he began to read.

"Step one! Ask them to hang out!" Feliciano said aloud, "Will you hang out with me?"

Kiku nodded.

"Really? Wow! This is going great!" Feli happily replied, "Step two, wear nice clothing to show the other person you care!"

Feliciano tilted his head to the side as he squinted. Suddenly, his eyes widened.

"Wait a minute! Right now, you're wearing clothing! Not only now, but earlier! Does this mean you wanted to hang out with me from the start?!" Feliciano said excitedly, "You're so good at being a friend! But, don't worry! I can wear cool clothes too!"

A look of sudden determination crossed his face as Feliciano suddenly opened one of his drawers, pulling out a large, red cloth and draping it across his back, trying the front under his chin. As he eagerly spun, Kiku noticed that the back of Feliciano's cape said, 'Cool Dude.'

"This must mean that we're super friends!" Feliciano said, though his celebration was cut short when a ringing came from his pocket. As he took out a small phone, his eyes grew wide.

"I… uh… I have to go, human… Julchen is… Never mind," he said a bit nervously, "I'll give you my phone number for now, so we can see eachother again! Maybe you could meet Julchen, too!"

Feliciano took out a piece of paper with a phone number written on it. Kiku wondered if he always kept a piece of paper with his phone number in his pocket.

"Well, uh, bye, human!" Feliciano said, hurrying out of the room, cellphone in hand.

Kiku made his way out of the room, to see Alfred standing by the front door.

"Oh, hey, kid," Alfred said, "I'm on my way to Roderiech's. It's a small restaurant nearby. Wanna come?"

Kiku smiled at the invitation, nodding.

Alfred grinned, "Great! C'mon!"

"Hey, everyone!" Alfred said as he opened the door to Roderiech's.

A chorus of greetings echoed as his reply. Kiku noticed that everyone seemed glad to see him.

"Hey, Al!" a voice called, "Weren't you just here a few minutes ago for breakfast?"

"Nah," Alfred replied, "I haven't had breakfast in at least half an hour. You must be thinking of brunch."

Loud, energetic laughter rang out throughout the restaurant. He seemed to know how to bring smiles to the faces of anyone around him.

"How's Feli?" Asked someone else, as Alfred sat down behind the counter, motioning for Kiku to follow.

"Same as always!" Alfred replied, then turning to Kiku, "Which reminds me, thanks for hanging out with him. He's usually so focussed on getting to be a part of the Royal Guard, that he doesn't even take the time to make friends. One day, he even went to the house of the head of the Royal Guard, and begged her to be a part of it."

Alfred laughed, shaking his head as he leaned his elbows against the countertop.

"Of course," he said, "she slammed the door in his face because it was midnight. But, waking up the next morning, she saw him still waiting there. Seeing his dedication, she decided to start training him. It's, uh, still a work in progress…"

Kiku smiled a bit. Standing outside of her door all night seemed like something Feliciano would do. He really just longed for some recognition.

"Hey, Roderiech!" Alfred suddenly said.

The man behind the counter looked up, adjusting his glasses. Kiku's eyes widened, as he noticed that his brown hair transitioned into bright, orange flames. He didn't think he would ever get used to the unusual sights of the undergrounds.

"Play something on the jukebox!" Alfred grinned.

Roderiech rolled his eyes, mumbling something about 'not real music,' as he selected the first song on the list.

"Anyway," Alfred said, "I've been meaning to ask you something. You haven't heard of any talking flowers, have you?"

Kiku felt his heart sink, as he slowly nodded.

"Oh," said Alfred, "You must know about the echo flowers, then. Yeah, there are tons of them around the marsh. Blue flowers that repeat what they last heard."

Kiku sighed. The flower he had met when first arriving in the underground couldn't have been an echo flower. It was yellow, and didn't repeat anything.

"Feli told me something interesting the other day," Alfred said, gazing down, "He said that a flower had been whispering things to him. Encouragement. Advice. Someone must be using an echo flower to play a trick on him. Keep an eye out, okay?"

Kiku swallowed, nodding slowly. It had to be the flower.

"Thanks. Anyway, I should probably get 'back to work.' Geez, I can't believe you pulled me away from work that long!" Alfred playfully said, "It was fun. Bye, kid."

Alfred stood, waving goodbye at a few customers, then leaving. Kiku jumped down from the bar stool, deciding to leave as well. Exiting Roderiech's restaurant, Kiku looked back and forth to see if Alfred was anywhere to be found, but he wasn't.

Kiku turned, walking down the snowy path, past the woods and houses, until the trees began to fade away, along with the snow after a while. He looked up, only to see darkness, forgetting that there is no sky.

It was time he moved onward.