The shadows caste by the New Home streetlights cut deep, creating an artificial tension to the meeting. The girl made a quick check left and right, then started to giggle.
"Hello Flowey, it's nice to meet you. My name is Suzy." She said, then sat down in the buttercups beside him. "It's weird, you know. I've never heard of a talking flower before but I feel like I've seen you around somewhere... Were you at the aquarium? Oh wait I know!... It was the park, wasn't it?"
Flowey smiled, she too felt remnants of the past timeline. "I'm impressed. It's so hard to remember a face in a crowd, especially in the city." He didn't want to lie, but sometimes you had to start twisting the truth. Chara said it was better for everyone that way.
"Yeah, it can get pretty crowded can't it? That's why I like to come here at night, the monument is so peaceful."
"Sneaking out?" He gave her a mischievous grin.
She stared for a moment, then grinned herself "Yup... but don't tell anyone okay? Hee hee."
"My lips are sealed." He stuck out his tongue with a wink.
She smiled and seemed to relax a little, leaned back into the flowers and gazed up at the ceiling. "So, why did you come here?"
"Same reason as you, I guess. It's nice here..." She looked so comfortable and not at all bothered by his presence. This felt like the right time to start steering the conversation. "But, d'you know where i'd really like to go?"
"Where?" She leaned in to look at him.
"Waterfall. I heard the gemstones in the walls glitter like stars." That was true, she didn't need to know that he'd also seen them in person. "How about you, anywhere you really wanna see?"
"Waterfall, same as you! My neighbor tells me all about it." Even though Flowey struggled to make out Suzy's facial expressions, her voice gave her excitement away.
He smiled and decided to press the subject further. "So why don't you go there?"
Just like that her joy evaporated. "Mom won't let me leave the city... also I don't know how... heh. So what's your excuse?"
"Hotland." He said dryly "No soil, no water, just rock. Also lava... ever try crossing through a place like that as a plant?" Also not a lie, Hotland was not very welcoming for flora.
"Oh..."
She held her head lower in a hopeless posture. This seemed like a good time to drop the proposal. "Well... what if I knew a way out of the city, would you take me to Waterfall? I heard It isn't far, we could even get there in less than an hour, if we were quick, so you're mom wouldn't ever need to know you were gone!"
Suzy seemed to consider it, turning her gaze back to the monument for a moment before she spoke again. "I would love to but... what if we get lost? My mom would get so mad if I was late back and she found out..."
Hmm... this was a valid problem. Flowey had gotten lost on the way to Waterfall the last time and he'd been hoping to see Hotland from above ground to better memorize the way through. Maybe if he... it was worth a shot, he could always go back to the past SAVE.
"Don't worry about that, I happen to have a special power that will stop us from getting lost."
That seemed to perk her up. "Hee hee, okay then... what kind of special power?" She mocked, leaning in to hear his answer.
A mischievous tingle ran through his stem. "I can rewind time."
It felt like a full second had passed before she responded."Okay, prove it!"
"I shall!" He could practically feel her amused grin on him. He wasn't annoyed, this was very entertaining and he couldn't wait to see her reaction when his claim was proven. "Think of something, a word, a sentence anything that I couldn't possibly guess. Tell me when you've thought of it... but don't tell me what it is yet!"
She nodded and giggled to herself, taking a few moments to mull over her response before she finally spoke up. "Ready, hee hee."
The thought of Suzy's reaction to time travel filled Flowey with determination. He focused it into summoning the SAVE star again and recorded the moment onto it.
"Okay." He said "Now tell me what you thought of."
"I was thinking that you're such a cute little flower with your pretty yellow petals and I want to hug you..." Oh c'mon really?! "Haha, got ya! Shoulda seen your face! I was thinking about bug-hunting with my net. My favorite bugs are the shiny blue beetles with the green legs but they're really rare. I mean, most bugs are pretty rare but those are like... super rare." She paused and shifted around a little. "So... what now?"
"You don't need to say anymore, I got it. Just wait, this won't take long."
He threw himself back into the time-frozen darkness and searched for his SAVE stars. Eventually he spotted one, everywhere else was complete blackness... there only seemed to be one here? Did that mean he could only save one moment at a time? Hmm... he would look for a way to save more moments later, keeping one around was perfectly sufficient. It was more than most monsters got...
A flash of white light and Flowey found himself right back where he'd been a moment ago. "You want to go bug-hunting with your net, also the shiny blue bugs with the green legs are your favorites." He listed off with an air of mild disinterest.
Suzy gasped, Flowey drank in her astonishment, then she started giggling. "You forgot one thing."
"I'm not saying that!" He snapped and she burst out laughing. Wait, had she just played him? Well done Suzy, bravo...
"Okay, I believe you. I'l take you to Waterfall... UNDER ONE CONDITION!" She produced a net from under her cloak. "We go bug hunting there... and you help me catch that beetle!"
He stared at the net for a moment. "... You just carry that thing around?"
"Never know when you might spot something, hee hee." She appeared to find a great deal of amusement from his expression.
Well, If it made her happy he had nothing to lose by it. "Okay fine, it's a deal."
Suzy held out her arm for Flowey to climb up. He pulled himself under her cloak and settling down with his head resting over her right shoulder. His stem coiled around her torso like a snake. She shifted and fidgeted a little, but eventually they found a way for them both to be comfortable.
"Hey there, are you trying to hide from something? Why do you wanna conceal yourself so badly?" She said while twisting her neck to look at him, making her reptilian (or were they amphibian?) features more apparent.
An interesting question from the person wearing the hooded cloak. "Why do you wanna conceal YOURSELF so badly?"
"I sneak out, you can put two and two together. So who are you hiding from?"
Good point. He hadn't thought much into it, no one knew him in this timeline but he still had this urge to stay hidden. Ah wait, he knew why: Control. Meetings should take place on his terms this time. No more stupid surprises like last time, monsters sneaking up on him and trying to sell him out... Wow, has he gotten cynical? Paranoid? What's wrong with him?
"I just feel more comfortable like this, not every monster has seen a talking flower before and I don't want to draw attention to us." It was the most logical excuse he could come up with, and it was kinda true too, any unwanted attention would slow them down.
"Okay." Was all Suzy said in response to that. "Let's get going then, which way first?"
"I... have no idea..."
It took them half an hour of searching through the city streets and alleyways before they found an elevator leading down to a place called 'MTT resort'. Flowey reloaded a SAVE he'd made right before they set off and they managed to shave twenty five minutes off their journey.
MTT resort turned out to be the same hotel he'd found on his first loop around, though at this time of night most guests were asleep. Suzy took the corridor between the fast food place and the reception desk.
"I think this is the wrong way."
"Well if it is we can always go back, right?"
They exited onto a balcony which connected to a large metal structure with a bridge of pipes. The sight brought back some rather nerve-wracking memories.
"What is that?" Suzy gazed across with an expression of awe.
"The Core." Flowey answered, then added. "It was written above the door."
"Oh wow, my dad used to work there! Well, that's what my mom told me."
Flowey frowned. "So, he never mentioned it himself?"
Suzy looked uncomfortable, almost conflicted. "I don't know him, she says he disappeared when I was very young. But... it's kinda weird... hard to explain."
"Do you... want to explain it?" Flowey asked uncertain.
She caste a sideways glance at him then opened and closed her mouth several times. "No." she stated finally, but her voice wobbled with conflict. Her eyes had clouded over.
He decided not to press her, they stared at the Core together for several moments in silence before turning around to carry on with the rest of their journey.
They didn't waste time in the hotel lobby. Suzy did express interest in grabbing something to eat from the MTT-Brand Burger Emporium but it appeared to be shut anyway. Outside the air was unusually cool for Hotland, most likely as a result of the resort having been built on one of the highest outcrops in the zone. Before them stretched a mile or more of open cavern. Flowey had seen it before, of course, but not from this vantage point. He could make out the shape of the land, fractured, rising and falling into the sea of magma, connected together by metal tubes that presumably housed the elevator system. It filled him with determination.
They found a note on the ground written in handwriting he vaguely recognized advertising goods for sale in the nearby alleyway. They decided to disregard it and move on, but he made a mental note to investigate at some point in the future.
Followed the path downhill they reached a plateau with three branching paths. The middle path hit a dead end so they ignored it while to their right appeared to lead to some kind of stage. It hadn't been set up to look like anything, props and lights were scattered around haphazardly while an auditorium, built on a flimsy looking wooden platform overhung the cliff's edge. Why anyone would ever want to watch a show there was beyond him.
"Who would build a stage out here?!"
"Oh, I think that's for Mettaton's act! I always wanted to see it live."
"... Seriously?"
"Hee hee, are you scared you might fall in? Don't worry about it, no one ever got hurt on his shows... not that I remember, anyway... hee hee."
"Even then... why here? Wouldn't it make more sense to build it in the Capitol?"
"Not enough room? Too much noise? Who knows? ... Hey, we should ask that to Mettaton if we ever meet him!"
He would keep that noted, too.
The path to their left ended at an elevator with stylized metal horns and 'R3' written above the door. Suzy had stopped to look at it.
"What does the R stand for?"
"Right, probably."
"But that doesn't make any sense! What if you're facing in the other direction?"
"Now that's two things in Hotland that don't make sense."
He'd pulled a silly face but she didn't seem to appreciate it. Oh well, at least it was amusing to him! Not like she was going to remember any of this, anyway...
Inside the elevator was a panel displaying several floors, all labeled with 'L' and 'R'. - "I told you it meant Right!" - they picked a floor at random and felt the cabin jolt then glide gently through the network of metal tubes to the soft hum of electromagnets.
On the other side they came across a set that had been done up to look like a kitchen, complete with shiny new appliances and a fake window depicting a pleasant blue sky. Unfortunately, the path was a dead end so they doubled back and selected another floor. The next floor looked much more promising; the rocky path wound and twisted high above the lava and out of sight, it must be headed somewhere. They endeavored to follow it, passing over conveyor belts and bridges constructed of old pipes. Suzy's mouth was agape for much of the journey, every now and then Flowey heard a gasp as she spotted something else new and high-tech in the distance. Huh, so not all monsters were used to this stuff, interesting.
After a short trek they rounded a corner obscured by a cliff and were surprised to find someone else was here. A volcano monster wandered around looking very confused, when it spotted Suzy it's lower lip began to wobble like it were about to cry.
"Awww, poor little Vulkin looks lost." She cooed then held out her arms and approached the frightened monster, Flowey just rolled his eyes.
She wrapped her arms around the Vulkin and gave it a big hug. The little volcano monster smiled and gasped with joy, it's eyes taking on the shape of love hearts.
"Ahh... so... LOVEY! " It said gleefully as wild magic erupted from it's crater top. The white lava projectiles flew in every direction, many landing on Suzy's cloak and burning holes through the fabric while others splashed harmlessly against her skin.
One projectile grazed Flowey's stalk, he hissed in pain and tightened his coils as the hot lava magic started to burn through his fragile physical body. Suzy noticed and leapt back with a yelp.
"Are you okay?" She asked sounding concerned then pulled away her cloak to see the damage. Part of his stem had almost completely burned through and was barely holding together by a thread.
"Oh no, you're hurt! I'll help!" Called the little Vulkin as yet more white magic erupted from it's crest.
Suzy looked horrified and started to backpedal. "Stop! Stop! You're not helping!"
Death had no bite for Flowey anymore so Suzy's protection was completely unnecessary. On one hand he really wished that he could take some solace in her compassion and concern, while on the other he found this whole situation rather amusing. Oh well, better do something before this all escalates further.
He summoned a set of vines which burst from the ground surrounding the now panicked Vulkin. They wrapped around it, pining it down so it could no longer move. The little monster struggled for several seconds then finally laid still, dejected, and started crying.
Suzy gave Flowey a funny look. "What?! I didn't hurt it!"
She shook her head and knelt down beside the trapped and distraught monster and started soothing it. "Don't worry little guy, you're going to be alright. Just no more wild magic, okay? Now, do you need help?"
The Vulkin hiccuped and looked up at her, a small smile started to form on it's face, but it quivered. "Yeah, lost..."
"Do you wanna come with us? Maybe you will see something you recognize."
The Vulkin paused for a moment and seemed to consider the offer. "... Yeah" It said finally in a quiet voice.
Suzy nodded then glanced back at Flowey. "Okay, release it."
The vines unraveled and slithered back into the ground. The Vulkin rose to it's feet warily, but soon forgot it's apprehension and happily trotted to Suzy's side. "Thank you!"
They carried on down the path, the Vulkin followed along happily behind as though nothing had happened, even with Flowey's occasional pained groans. Along the way they passed a high security safe on a wooden table, inside appeared to be a piece of cheese. They decided not to question it. After riding two separate sets of conveyor belts they finally saw the end of their path... as well as something unusual.
"Thank you!" The Vulkin chirped before it ran ahead for the elevator.
"Hee hee, cute little guys aren't they?" Suzy giggled as she watched it go. "I'm so happy to have finally met one! Thanks for talked me into this, Flowey. Even though you... ugh. Sorry." She gave him a sympathetic look but he turned away. He didn't need her pity.
They neared the strange object, it appeared to be a wooden station or stand. The roof was covered in half melted snow-slush which slowly slid down the slanted sides and splashed onto rock, evaporating immediately. On the counter were condiments ketchup and mustard and manning the station was... non other than Sans... and he was fast asleep. How many jobs did this guy have exactly?!
Suzy's eyes grew wide and she bounced up and down a little. "Oh, it's a food stand! Maybe he'll sell us something to heal you up!"
Oh dear, Flowey really didn't feel like having another encounter with that skeleton right now. "No, it's fine, really..."
But Suzy wasn't listening to him, she had already rushed to the stand and he only barely had time to hide. "Hello! Are you open? We really need some food, urgently."
Flowey could just see out from his hiding place at the back of Suzy's cloak. San's lazily opened one eye to regard his new 'customer'.
"... sup kid... urgently eh?"
"My friend is very hurt." She stated in a serious manor which her posture mirrored.
"really? i should be shutting shop but... well, never let it be said i won't help someone in need. one hot dog is 30g."
Suzy threw part of her cloak aside to reach her pockets, forcing Flowey to move to stay hidden. She fished around for several seconds then stopped, her shoulders slumping. "I don't have enough."
Sans regarded her, then shrugged and produced a bun containing a sausage-shaped seedpod of some sort "that's ok, here's one on the house. tell your friend to enjoy their 'dog." He handed it over, Suzy frowned and brought it up to her face. "yeah, apostraphe dog, short for hot dog, heh." He leaned back against one of the posts of his station. "so, will you tell me how they got hurt?"
"He was burned, badly." She said as she passed the 'dog back to Flowey who held it with a root.
"ah yeah, that's always the danger of Hotland, not exactly the best place for an evening stroll. magma next time your friend should avoid coming here."
"Thank you."
"no problem kiddo." Suzy started walking towards the elevator. "one more thing, before you leave." San's called back, she stopped and turned to look at him. "ever seen or heard of a talking flower?" Oh damn how?! Suzy went rigid, she stared at San's stunned. "silly i know. it's probably just someone pulling a prank but i was told to keep an eye out, so i'm asking anyone who passes through."
No no no no no...
"No." Suzy lied.
Sans just shrugged. "oh well, thanks anyway. you know, it must be getting late by now, you should be heading home."
"I am." She lied again "Bye, and thanks, again." She made a wave and started walking. She didn't turn around to see what Sans did next, so neither did Flowey.
Once safely inside the elevator with the cabin doors shut behind them, Suzy threw back her cloak and eyed Flowey sternly. "What the heck was that all about?!"
"I..." He wracked his brain for any explanation... then a sinking feeling set in as it dawned on him. "... May have played a prank on the king, earlier."
She stared at him for a good few seconds, then her stern expression broke and she threw her head back laughing. "Hahaha, oh my god! Wow... just wow... you have some real nerve!"
Flowey wasn't sure how he was supposed to feel, so he just smiled.
But Suzy seemed to flip a switch. "Eat that." She said, pointing to the 'dog still held in his roots.
He looked at it, even if he'd still had his sense of taste it didn't look like the most pleasant of things to put in his mouth... but Suzy's demeanor gave no room for compromise. She had a real forceful, caring side about her. It begrudgingly reminded him of his mother.
He took a reluctant bite, the energy of the food quickly spread through his body and began healing his wound. Suzy seemed to clam down. "By the way, thanks back there for not ratting me out..." he said between bites. "I thought for sure you were going to tell."
She shook her head. "No way! You're keeping my secret so i'm keeping yours!... Even if you are a right royal mischief maker."
Flowey chuckled and stuck out his tongue."Is that really the best you could come up with?"
She gave an amused smile. "Hey, give me some time and i'm sure I can think of better!"
"You have until we reach Waterfall."
The next floor they picked took them to a place that Flowey recognized. The lab he'd seen Alphys and Mettaton enter on his first loop through was there and barely a few feet away, in the other direction was the entrance to Waterfall.
"This is the correct floor!" He began taking note of the letter and number written above the elevator. "Okay, i'm going to rewind time now."
"Wait." Flowey stopped and stared at her, a little bemused. "Don't go back."
He was starting to feel a little annoyed. "You said you wanted to-"
"I know but I changed my mind... I don't want to forget everything that just happened."
Now she had second thoughts? She couldn't have mentioned this earlier? "We won't have very much time left for bug hunting."
"That's okay, I can come back another night. Helping out that Vulkin and getting to know you better is more than enough to make up for it." She gave such a warm, kind smile despite his irritated tone, it made he grew frustrated at himself again. He looked away and retreated further back into her cloak.
She just shrugged and headed towards Waterfall. It felt disappointing, not getting to use his powers, but at least there was an upside to this. It meant that he didn't need to spend a moment longer in this horrid, dry, unbearable heat!