A number of thoughts fill your mind regarding your next choice of action, not all of them your own. You nearly see an array of options laid out neatly in front of you. Yes, this "Lyre" character is intimidating, but you're certainly not sure if fighting is the best option at the moment, pragmatically or otherwise.

Pragmatic, pragmatic… you search your mind with something that could bring the best option for the two of you.

"Hey, hey, I never said I was going to try and fight you." you say, in a more calm and composed tone of voice. Your cricket bat makes a thump on the grassy floor as you drop it. As she sniffed back nervous tears, you suddenly felt like the bigger person in this situation despite her standing at least two feet taller than you.

"Wha—really?" Lyre responded in a confused tone, cocking her head as she looks from the fallen weapon back to you. "But you are… you're a h-hooman being! Doesn't the sight of me… just make you want to cut me up?" she asked, still trembling. You noticed that her feathers are ruffled, and she's trying to smooth them out with her claws.

"… Owl be honest, I wasn't expecting you to chicken out so easily. Don't fly the coop just yet." you say, with a hesitant laugh. You wonder if a dumb joke would be enough to get Lyre to calm down just a bit.

She chuckled nervously in return, her wings folding against her back as she lets her guard down. "You're a trifle odd, you know? You remind me of somebody I'm a little acquainted with a few miles over in some cold area… the one hoo never checks his mailbox." she said, with a pinch of comical resent. "You're probably a bit younger, though."

"Are you a monster?" you asked, somewhat more seriously. You were still too hesitant for small talk, but you hoped the term didn't offend her.

"Oh, of course! Right on the money!" she replied. "We're all monsters, down here. It doesn't matter what we look like, we're all the same sort, deep down. We look individually different, unlike you humans… from what I've studied, I'm honestly surprised you can tell one another apart with such ease." she commented. Her tone seemed just the least bit salty. Yet, it seemed that the more you spoke, the more she responded with.

"Why were you so sure I was here to hurt you?"

"Oh, oh, it's just our history. Thousands of years ago, we monsters were attacked by hoomanity during a great war! We were locked down here by hoomans underneath a magical barrier. Anything can get in here, but once they do… nothing is ever allowed out. The barrier is thicker than plated steel and stronger than any precious material…" she lamented. "At this rate, we'll never, ever escape. How on Earth did you get down here, anyhoo?"

You point up at the twilight flickering through the glassy barrier.

She nearly tears up. "Oh, for heaven's sake, child! You fell all this way? I'm thankful that your only injuries have been healed, but this is so sad! Even with the strength of your SOUL, I'm not sure if you can ever pass! H-how lamentable… I should escort you to the woman who resides here. She's the caretaker of this area… she should know just what to do."

You felt a light but warm wing wrap around your shoulder as Lyre begins walking forward with you in tow.

"What is all this about 'souls'?" you asked, still skeptical of it. Flowey brought it up first, but then Lyre continued the trend.

"A SOUL is your entire being! It's your personal essence. It's what keeps your mind alive and makes you who you are. With our SOULs destroyed, we monsters simply crumble into dust, but humans have SOULs that linger after death. Their body may be dead, but their spirit is still out there. It can be preserved." answered Lyre. "Even with physical differences aside, that's what differentiates you from me the most! Your SOUL is incredibly strong."

"Thank… you?" you replied gingerly, taking it as a compliment.

"Ohoohoohoo, you're entirely welcome. M-mind not my fear of you… it's simply residue left over from tales of the past. Toriel is far older than me, I trust that she can guide you for now. After all… I've a job and a family! Hotland is next for delivery, and wow, do they get a lot of mail over there. They have some up-and-coming celebrity residing out there who just showed up out of the blue, and now his address has been put on my route. For the love of all that's good, you'd think they'd be on e-mail over there by now!"

As Lyre guided you through the murky darkness, you passed through an opened door with a winged insignia upon it. It leads you into a long corridor filled with the sound of slowly flowing water and an odd breeze. Breeze? Was there weather down here at all? You attempted to remember what you have learned about air currents and whether or not this place could sustain them… but, to no avail.

"I don't know if she's here, but… to be honest, I'm not sure if I'm authorized to pass the mail slot over on the side. Shall we knock?" she asked, looking in your direction.

Your gaze flickered from Lyre to the door, before giving a moderately hard knock on the stone door three times. It… kind of hurt your hand, but the resulting noise echoes fairly loudly. For a few moments, everything is silent. You looked around listlessly as you wait for someone, hopefully his alleged 'Toriel' character, to answer. And sure enough, after a short while…

"Ah? A visitor, at this hour-?!"

The door opened slowly, revealing a large figure dressed in an indigo tunic. She at first seemed to be rather confused by your presence, but the moment she got a better look at your appearance, she seemed very shocked. While she towered over you, she was covered in white hair and had kind-looking mahogany eyes.

"H-hello." you greeted, bowing your head a little. "Um, miss Toriel? I'd like to know if there's anywhere I can stay, please."

The request comes out of its own volition, as you immediately blush sheepishly. You turned around to ask Lyre for guidance, but…

It seemed she was already gone. The mail slot had its flag raised, indicating that she had completed her job. Perhaps she truly was in a rush.

Toriel's mouth is still slightly agape, but she quickly composes herself. "Oh, er… hello! I wasn't expecting a child at this hour. And no less, all alone. Please come inside, will you not?"