*You are very thankful for the skeleton's offer, since you are freezing. The inside of the house is neatly kept. A table in the corner with a single, open book and a lamp on top, a green couch facing a large TV, a larger table with a pebble on top, and stairs leading upstairs meet your gaze. It seems smaller on the inside than it is on the outside, and there is an enclosed kitchen right in front of the door.*
"Would you like some hot coco?"
*YES! You flinch at my shout, which I apologize about, and nod, eager for something familiar. The skeleton smiles, and enters the kitchen. You follow, and find a well-kept kitchen. He starts the water easily, and faces you.*
"My brother met you before I did, didn't he?"
*You are hesitant, but nod.*
"I thought so. He didn't sleep as much as he usually does."
*You are about to ask something, but a thud from upstairs sounds before, and Sans calls down.*
"Bro, are you home?"
"Sans, what are you doing?"
"Needed to drop off some stuff in my room."
"How'd you get to your room? I think I would have noticed if you had walked in…"
"Shortcut. I'm heading to the lab."
"SANS, YOU WERE JUST AT THE LAB!"
"No, I was just at the castle. Meeting with the king and all."
*You are very confused at this. You thought he was just a sentry. I'm just as confused as you are.*
"OH! How did it go?"
"Same old, same old. Do you know where my-"
*Sans appears at the enterance of the kitchen, and pauses, holding his jacket. He rubs his skull, clearly tired. Papyrus doesn't seem to notice.*
"…Sup, kid? Anyways, what was I saying?"
"Do you know where my what is?"
"Oh. The, uh, old notes I had?"
"Quantum physics book. Somewhere."
"Right. Thanks. See ya, bro."
*Sans walks to the book on the table and flips through it. He found a handful of notecards, and races out of the house, leaving the book open. You ask Papyrus how he met with the king, and who the king is.*
"Sans is the royal scientist, and a few others, too. THOUGH I DON'T KNOW IF THEY COUNT WHEN HE SLEEPS THROUGH THEM! The king is named king asgore! He's…well…"
*Papyrus seems serious, then grins.*
"He's a complete softie! I'm sure he'll help you get home if you ask politely! Here's your hot coco!"
*You take it gladly, and sip it. Ah…I love hot coco…especially monster type! It's so chocolatey, but with a pinch of whipped cream and marshmallows…it's the best. Anyways, Papyrus is watching you. You ask what's wrong.*
"Nothing! Nothing at all. It's just…you look a lot like someone…anyways, I have, uh, a round to do. Feel free to leave or stay until me or Sans gets home. Most likely me…Goodbye!"
*You watch the nervous skeleton rush out of the house, and debate staying. You get up and leave, not wanting to intrude. It's getting late. You should find somewhere to stay for the night. You remember you don't have money, and look around. You see a fire monster lighting a light post on fire. Hey, that monster's name is Grillby! I recognize him, though he looks a lot older now. He doesn't notice you, and enters Cinder's Diner. You think a while, then lay down under the lamp post. It's colder now, but you think the Faded Ribbon will keep you warm enough. You slowly fall asleep.* As Frisk woke up, she felt something warm around her. Opening her eyes, she saw a blue scarf and a black jacket covering her. Melted snow was around a set of footsteps leading into Cinder's Diner.
*Hey, you're awake! Grillby came out and gave you these, if you want to put them on. You comply, then head into Cinder's. Once inside, you see several of the Dogi, including the one you had SPARED earlier, a few other fuzzy monsters, and a different fire monster behind the counter, talking to Sans. She is bright red, while Grillby had been orange. Her name is Cinders. She's really nice. Oh, she sees you, and so does Sans. Sans comes over and says,
"Sleep well?"
*You tell Sans yes, you did.*
"Good to hear, kid. I'll treat you to breakfast. Looks like you could use it. Pancakes or waffles?"
*Pancakes? You ask for pancakes. Thank you!*
"Nice. Cinder, can I have two orders of pancakes?"
"Coming right up. Put it on your tab, I suppose?"
"You can see right through me."
*The customers laugh, and Sans yawns. Cinder rolls her eyes, and sets two stacks of pancakes on the counter. You look at Sans. It seems like he didn't sleep at all. You ask how he is doing.*
"Just bone-tired. Want some ketchup?"
*You grimace, and shake your head no.*
"More for me."
*Sans puts the bottle to his teeth and starts drinking the red liquid straight. That is the grossest thing I have ever seen in my life and death. You agree, but aren't able to pull your eyes away. He chuckles.*
"Relax. It's not actually ketchup. It's just colored water."
*You ask if he's serious.*
"No. It's really ketchup. I was just pulling your leg."
*You glare at the monster in frustration, taking a bite of your food. He takes a bite of his, then his eyes light up.*
"That's-it! I-gotta-go-thanks-for-the-food!"
*Sans races out, leaving you confused about what just happened. Cinder seems more tired than surprised.*
"Don't be concerned about that. He has breakthroughs like that all the time. He is quite a scatterbrain. You're a human, aren't you?"
*You nod. She's the first monster to recognize you as one right away.*
"Hmm. I'm Cinder. It's nice to meet you."
*You ask why monsters are underground.*
"Oh, there was a war. Isn't there always? Humans sealed us underground, and we need 7 human souls to escape."
*Well. That hasn't changed at all. You ask why everyone has warned you about Asgore.*
"Asgore is king. The poor dear has the responsibility to get those 7 human souls. If I remember correctly, you're the last one needed."
*You don't like how that sounds, and ask what that means.*
"It means in order for us to be free, we need your soul. In order to take your soul, you must die. Not to worry, though. I believe Sans' breakthrough may prevent that as a necessity. We won't know for sure until he leaves the lab. Are you enjoying your pancakes?"
*You were, but both the conversation and the fact you're full after only a few bites changed that fact. You shake your head, and ask how you were filled so quickly.*
"Monster food is almost entirely made of magic. It takes a long time for your body to feel full because your body takes a long time to get the energy. Monster food takes no time for you to feel full because it almost instantly turns into energy."
*You understand now, and ask how every monster understands sign.*
"Sign is our formal language. Since some monsters speak in odd fonts, we have to have some stable language that doesn't change, aka, sign language. Sans won't be back for a while. I suggest you head to Waterfall. Just go straight through the peninsula and keep walking until you arrive at a sentry station. That's where Waterfall is located. If you encounter Undyne, don't forget to run."
*You find her advice odd, but nod and leave the building, following her directions. You arrive at a sentry station, with the armless dinosaur standing next to the cliff and another, fish-like monster standing by a blue flower, as well as a golden star. You check the flower out first, the first non-golden flower you've seen since you fell. It whispers, much to your surprise.
"I miss my brother. Why hasn't Alphys returned my letters?"
*The fish-like monster frowns.*
"Never trust a flower. That's one of the constants of this world."
*You nod, and press the golden star. The sound of rushing water fills you with DETERMINATION.*
