Frisk tiptoes across the tiles, arms spread out as they lean their upper body to the right, rising slowly. When their back is straight again, they drop down to their heels and raise their hands up along with their gaze. Next they lower their hands to their chest, the movement a little quicker before they start to bend their knees. As they lower themselves, they slowly extend their arms back out to the sides, then make a quick but smooth turn of their head.

From their pose, Frisk suddenly does a leap forward and rises to their tiptoes again, then does a twirl and takes a half step back, leaning into a small bow. One of their arms moves behind them, while the other bends in half, palm by their face, to hold their balance. From this position they take a subtle look over their shoulder, and see that the stony edge of the water fountain is right behind them.

The ballet dancer straightens their pose, then takes another step back, slow so they can carefully lift themselves onto that edge. They dance on the narrow rim, their motions taut and calculated incase the surface turns out to be slippery.

There's no music that they're dancing to, nor is there anyone else around in the Royal Garden. Frisk has been dancing here ever since dinner, hopping from the round center of the tiled path to the narrow ones that extend around them like a spiderweb. Unlike in the Ruins, the paths here are cleaned regularly – there's no sign of dust or moss, only the polished, flat rocks.

Though Frisk has been living Underground for weeks now and has adapted to their surroundings well, there are still some very obvious points that separate them from the monsters. First and most notable of all, their dancing. To the human's dismay, they've noticed dancing doesn't come quite as naturally and fluidly to them when they don't have a monster as their partner.

That, besides the fact they happen to love dancing, is the reason they devote most of their free time to practising their steps over and over again. Music, no music, partner, no partner... If one is ever wondering where Frisk may be, well, it's difficult to know. But wherever they are, they're dancing. There is no question about that.

Now, with only the hum of the fountain as their music, the human slides across its round edge. Occasionally they hum about a note of a familiar song to accompany it, but other than that, the garden is quiet. The many colorful flowers in between all the paths are illuminated by blue light from the shining lanterns about the room. Like in the Ruins, they're hung by what Frisk now knows for certain are spider threads. They're positioned even more beautifully here, extending in gorgeous curly patterns between lanterns and from the walls. Some even create imagery of roses, crowns, the Delta Rune and the royal family.

Frisk follows the ledge of the water fountain until they're on the other side of it. Their eyes have momentarily fallen closed as they surrender themselves to the dance completely. They slide a step forward, arms up and in a gentle arch. They do a turn and bend their right leg up, hold, then lower it behind them and bend backwards just slightly. They bounce up from the position, lower their arms and open their eyes.

They frown. It kind of feels like they're... Forgetting something. They're not sure what.

It's then that they find their vision mildly obscured by something on their right. Automatically, they turn their head to see what it is.

A glimmering light on the stones just below the stairs to the castle. Its golden rays seem to move in an out as if commanded by a heartbeat. It doesn't seem like there's anything producing that kind of light, or anything it might glint off of.

Frisk carefully lowers themselves off the fountain and cautiously approaches the light. They keep their uncertain expression fixed on. The feeling of having forgotten something pushes further toward the forefront in their mind, but... They still can't figure out what they're forgetting.

The oddest thing about the light isn't how it makes Frisk feel. The oddest thing is that they've seen these light before. When they run across Waterfall on their brother's heels, through the windows of the castle during their lessons... But they've never seen one so close before. No one else seems to pay any attention to them, so they haven't minded them, but now... It feels as if the light is somehow trying to communicate.

And they're not afraid.

Soon the human stands right by the light. They take a sharp inhale at its presence. Their soul shines through their torso and it feels like it's beating in the same rhythm as the golden shimmer. It's eagerly beckoning them to dance, so that's exactly what Frisk does.

They bring one of their legs up and do a simple twirl, extend the leg back and lean forward. The light seems to rise up into the air ever so slightly, and it shines so bright everything around them is blinded into dark shades. Frisk watches in wonder. A moment later, they smile. The feeling of forgetting is fading into a pleasant hum at the back of their skull.

When they fall into their next move, a simple plie, they're startled by the sound of their own soul song. Their face expresses shock as it plays from their core and pulls at their body to move. They follow with a series of short steps, then sway back and forth once, their arms following elegantly. It feels so strange and so true at the same time. They're finally confused by the feelings stirring inside them. Their soul song has never played without another monster dancing with them, though perhaps that shouldn't feel as ominous as it does.

They cast their eyes to the golden light, which is no longer floating still, but rather following Frisk's lead. It dances around them in slow circles, occasionally altering its height and laying a stream of smaller sparkles after it. Their surroundings have turned completely black, like nothing has been there to begin with.

Frisk gasps when they do their next leap, then cut through the air with their leg. Their heart is racing, but despite their worry, they don't want to stop dancing. No, not now. It's almost like the light is challenging them, and they're determined to keep going.

That's when images start to flash through their mind and it looks as if their surroundings are changing. This time they don't panic quite as much, but they still take hasted looks around. Rocky walls. Pillars extending to the ceiling. Dark grass below their feet. A beam of yellow illuminating them like a spotlight.

They almost startle into a halt then, when they realize they're dancing in the very cave Asriel has found them in. The light is still there, moving with them, and their soul song is playing. Frisk takes a hesitant step back and their surroundings blur. The dancer furrows their brows and lifts their hand to their chest in almost a protective manner. Their soul thrums steadily and they glance down at its red glow.

They take a shaky inhale. Their instincts are now telling them what to do, but they're frightened to listen. Frisk fights over that fear, for they don't want to be here.

They rise onto their tiptoes again and cut through the air with one of their legs, to the opposite direction than before. Their surroundings blur once more and the beam of light from above dims. They take another steadying breath, then leap back. Frisk sways forth and back, takes a series of small steps backwards, and the blur simmers into pitch black darkness. The light is still resonating with them.

The ballet dancer falls into a plie, then rises to one foot and lifts the other behind them, leaning forward. They straighten and bend the leg to their side, knee out, then twirl, once again in the opposite direction from before.

When they come out of the pose, they notice they've held their eyes closed for a while. They open them and see they're back in the garden, breathing heavily. The golden light has lowered back to the ground below the short staircase. Their soul song has faded out.

Frisk swallows and falls out of their ballet form. They raise a hand up and over their chest as they stare at the light while taking a step back.

What is that? What is it that they've now done? Because even though they're no longer dancing and their soul isn't even in view, they still feel that strange resonance with the light. It makes them feel safe somehow, but at the same time, it worries them greatly. Should they have spoken to someone before dancing with the thing?

They're startled out of their thoughts by the soft click of a door opening. Their eyes flick up to whoever's entering the porch before the garden, at the top of those stairs. Frisk feels immediate relief wash over them when they see who it is.

"Father," they breathe. The fact that they get to refer to the King and Queen as their parents is still more surreal than anything else they've faced in the Underground.

Since it's late, Asgore has shed his cape and crown and is only dressed in his dark dress pants and violet dress shirt. He smiles widely upon the sight of Frisk, a gentle kindness in his expression that extends to his wife and son. They all radiate the air of safety and comfort.

"Hello there, Frisk," he greets softly and steps toward them. Frisk meets his smile with their own, then rushes up the stairs before he can get down and tackles him in a hug. Asgore only laughs at the gesture and gladly hugs the child back. His embrace is warm.

They pull apart a moment later and Asgore gestures for them to sit down on the stairs. Frisk obliges, hands folded over their knees as they're half turned toward their large parent. The king's form takes up a good chunk of the pathway.

"Were you out here dancing again?" Asgore questions and receives a happy nod. "That is nice to hear. We are glad you are taking to our culture so well."

"I love dancing," Frisk beams, which widens Asgore's smile further.

"That does explain a lot," he says almost teasingly. A tinge of seriousness makes its way onto his features and he pulls his eyes away from his child. He gazes over the garden which he ever so often visits to relax. Many of these flowers are planted by the monster himself.

"Is something wrong?" the human asks after a while and succesfully pulls Asgore out of his thoughts. He smiles back at them, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.

"Frisk, have you thought about what your mother and I spoke to you about?" he starts, shoulders sinking slightly. He seems tense. "Would you like to learn magic...? And, one day... Perhaps, help set monsterkind free."

Their eyes quickly drop to their lap. They haven't spoken about this in at least seven days, since they were told they may be the key to breaking the Barrier. They and six other humans, if as many ever fall down into these dungeons.

They've been taught about the war, about how humans locked all the monsters below this mountain long ago. So long, in fact, that nobody even thinks they still exist. It's crazy to think they could possibly save an entire people, especially since they're only a child. The responsibility of it all scares them, but at the same time, they don't even fully grasp it.

"What if I can't learn it...?" they ask without looking up. Asgore considers this for a moment before he lays a comforting paw on their shoulder.

"Magic is difficult for a human to learn, I will be honest about that," he says gently. Frisk faces him with a timid expression. "Unlike us monsters, you humans are not just an expression of your core. That is why you are so disconnected from it, from your souls. And within your soul is the source of your magic."

Frisk looks back down, discouraged. Asgore squeezes their shoulder and smiles.

"Human souls are also incredibly powerful. Yours especially. I have never seen anything quite like it," the monster hums, and the human flexes their fingers in a show of nervousness. "I believe you could learn to use magic, Frisk. Do you know why?"

They look up, hesitant.

"Because... I like to dance?" Their voice is small. Asgore nods.

"Yes. You know that monsters use dancing to resonate with their magic as well as the souls of other beings. You are special in more than just the strenght of your soul. You also have a connection to it through your ballet," the king explains, "You simply have to learn how to utilize that connection on your own."

They fiddle with their fingers, following their clumsy movements. It's a lot to consider. They can't help but cast their eyes to the light that still shines just below them. Is dancing with that thing them using magic? It's so different from what they've seen monsters do.

Asgore pulls his paw away from their shoulder and they look up as he stands. The boss monster stretches his arms and yawns.

"It is starting to get late. Please do not stay out much longer, your mother will worry," Asgore instructs as he strides toward the doors. He pauses just by them. "And, Frisk... Think on what I said, please."

They give a soft nod, then avert their eyes again. They think he's about to leave, but he remains by the door, catching Frisk's attention anew. They see he's frowning as he looks down at the floor.

"Hmm... Strange. Am I forgetting something?" he half mumbles, but the human hears and flinches at the words. "Oh well."

The door closes and Frisk is left alone in the garden. Immediately, they sit straight and flick their gaze back to the light. It still beats like it has before, asking for their attention.

They stare at it for a long time before they get up to leave.


[A/N] Hit me up with your thoughts!

rycorop: Thanks! I had fun writing them.