"Ugh…" The moment your consciousness came back to you, you were groaning in pain. For a while, you just laid there, not really feeling up to moving. It wasn't like you were hurt, at least nothing broken to the extent of your knowledge, but your back was a bit sore. You guess that's what you landed on, your bag and all.

"Nn. Nn!" A noisy Frisk is what finally motivated you to try and sit up. Honestly, you rather lay there a bit more, but you knew if you didn't get up now, Frisk had many tactics to make you. Jumping on your gut was one of many. You learned the hard way.

Your eyes fluttered open, and you're greeted with a bright light. Hissing and shutting them, you cover them quickly.

"Mmmn!" You sigh, waving your hand in the direction of Frisk's noises.

"J-Just give me a second. Just- ow." Looking down this time, you slowly open your (e/c) orbs. You're greeted with a small bed of golden flowers that glitter in the bright light shining from above you. All around you was darkness, the only things you were able to make out were a couple of stone columns that loomed above with thick vines hanging low.

Finally, you centered your attention on Frisk. The kid stood just next to you, looking at you with crossed arms. "What?" You were given no answer, and instead they turned and walked off.

You scrambled up to follow. The kid must've gone through this enough that it no longer bothered them, if anything, it was probably more of a nuisance for them.

You shifted your bag on your shoulder. Oh your- your back was really throbbing now. You kept fidgeting, trying to find a place to not stress it more. Maybe bringing the bat was a bad idea...especially since it was only hurting you and not being helpful. Lucky charm your ass.

Frisk paused in the dark to turn and take up your hand, leading you through easily. You knew neither of you could see a thing, but there was another spot of light just up ahead. That must be where the kid was heading.

It was a small patch of grass, and the light was more like a spot light. You were expecting someone to pop out and say something, start singing, but no one came. Just eerie silence.

Almost...Eerie silence. In the distance, you heard soft thudding. Like...footsteps, but dulled down. Like whoever it was was wearing socks. Because of the light in front of you, you couldn't make out anything beyond it.

The noise grew closer.

"Frisk, get behind me." The kid looked to you, raising a brow, but didn't say a thing as they instead moved forward. "Wha- Frisk! I just said-"

"Hello my child. Oh, my, I mean, children."

You are met with a large, white, fluffy body. A… monster, you guess, with the nonhuman, animal-like, appearance. Was this a large… female goat? You weren't sure, but the voice was very warm and feminine, and with how her ears hung you got the impression she was a goat, and not a cow.

"Ah, do not be afraid my child," As if the monster could sense your apprehension, she turned a kind smile solely to you. Her eyes flickered between the two of you before pausing and widening her smile. "I am Toriel, caretaker of the Ruins. I pass through here every day to see if anyone has fallen down. You are the first humans to come here in a long time. I will do my best to protect you during your time here." The monster's eyes lingered on Frisk, and something close to recognition flashed in her red eyes. Though, she seemed to brush it off and focus back on getting you to calm down.

You were calm. You were very calm. Who wasn't calm when a monster goat was staring down their younger sibling? It wasn't like you were now standing in front of Frisk with a steady hand on your bat while keeping your eyes locked with the goat. What? No. Not you.

"Come! I shall guide you through the catacombs." Then, she turned, her purple tunic flapping a bit in her wake. You looked to where she disappeared in the darkness, and then down to Frisk.

"Who's that? Is she.. Safe?" The kid was staring longingly at where the monster disappeared and the look made you frown. Finally their eyes met yours.

"That's Goat-mom."

"Goat mom?"

"She takes care of me before I set out to see the rest of the Underground," Frisk paused, noticing the hold you had on your bat. "Please don't hurt her." Immediately your grip went slack and you opted to hold the child's hand instead.

The pleading in their eyes hurt a little.

Just a little ways forward through the darkness the two of you enter a large room. It's brighter than before, but not by much. You were curious to how the room was lit, since you two were officially underground now. Though you were pleased you wouldn't have to squint anymore.

The mons-...Toriel is standing just there, looking at the two of you with a smile you could only associate with a mother's. Shes waiting patiently for the both of you, refusing to move until you two followed. She continued up some stairs that lead probably deeper into the Ruins, but you're stopped by Frisk pulling on your interlocked hands.

"Frisk?" You ask, glancing over your shoulder.

In front of a pile of red leaves is Frisk… And in front of Frisk is something glowing a soft yellow. It's throbbing, looking like a star. If stars were small and looked more like how kids drew them.

"It's a save." Frisk signed, reaching out their other hand to tap it. You swore you heard a chime of music, and then Frisk was walking off like nothing had happened.

"Wait, what? A save?" Yet, the kid was too busy following Toriel into the next room, pulling you just behind them. Resets, and now saves? This whole monster filled underground was sounding more like some video game than a legend.

"Welcome to your new home, innocent ones." Frisk flinched. "Allow me to educate you in the operation of the Ruins." She gestured with a large… paw? Towards a couple of stone slabs on the ground next to her. Then, she walked over each one not on the lighter path, pressing it down with her weight, pulling the switch when she finished. "The Ruins are full of puzzles. Ancient fusions between diversions and door keys. One must solve them to move from room to room. Please adjust yourself to the sight of them." Then with another happy smile, she gestured for you two to follow. She was just so...smiley. Like she was overflowing with happiness. You had never seen a mother so happy to see kids before, definitely not your own, at least.

"Puzzles? Hey, if we're talking puzzles, I think I can handle this." Frisk rolled their eyes, but grinned at you as they tugged on your hand once more to follow. "Yeah, yeah."

The next room had a couple of switches you needed to flip. It wasn't too hard. Actually, it was a gimme. The switches were all labeled in bright yellow paint with writing next to it signed by Toriel. Even the switch that you weren't supposed to pull didn't work, so it wasn't like you or Frisk could get it wrong if you wanted to.

"As a human," Toriel began, Her paw somehow having found itself resting in the mid of your back to help Frisk get you moving. Apparently you were too slow for the duo. "Living in the Underground, monsters may attack you."

The sharp look you darted down to your sibling almost hurt your neck. Frisk never said that they were actually attacked. You gathered that, well, it was a giant underground cave with monsters crawling everywhere but.. When Frisk said they had friends you just… Well, seeing as how the kid wasn't dead you just assumed it couldn't have been bad. Having a monster warn you about other monsters was pretty bad in your book.

"You will need to be prepared for this situation." You gave Toriel a smirk as you pulled at your bat.

"Don't worry about us Toriel, I've come well prepared." Her smiled faltered, but she immediately covered it up with a pat on your head.

"No tall child," You snorted. "There is no need for that. The process I'm speaking of is much simpler." Raising a brow in question, you slide your bat back into place. No one liked your bat. Harsh crowd of two huh? "When you encounter a monster, you will enter a Fight." Frisk nodded already slowly making their way to a manikin just next to the other door way. All of Toriel's attention was trained on you, like you were the younger of the two humans. "While you are in a Fight, strike up a friendly conversation."

"A...Friendly conversation?"

"Yes," She said with almost excitement. "A friendly conversation! Stall for time. I will come to resolve the conflict. Practice talking to the dummy." You purse your lips, stopping yourself from being that kid that says 'you won't always be there', and instead move over to Frisk, who had yet to step too close to the innocent looking dummy.

"You scared of it?" Frisk looks up to you with a shake of their head, but you can see how nervous they are. The kids down right shaking in their boots. "Hey, bud, it's not that spooky." Still, they wouldn't move forward. "Here, look,"

"Nn!" Before you can even finish your joke to make the kid laugh, which was to have some silly conversation with the dummy, something in your chest burns when you take your first step. For a second, you're able to brush it off, but then the next second it's hotter. It doesn't… hurt, but it's not comfortable. It's like someone had reached in and was trying to literally pull something out of your chest-

Pop

Something was pulled out of your chest.

Before you floated something...green. Comically, it looked like a heart some kid would doodle, but decided to color it like grass instead of making it red. Looking at it you felt a bit… empty? Like you were missing something… It wasn't yours, right? It couldn't be-

"Mn! Mmm!" You whip around, jumping at Frisk's hands tugging hard at the hem of your shirt. Before the child is their own version of a floating heart, but theirs is a bright red. They're looking worried, no longer scared of whatever they had been minutes before. "Are you okay?" They sign quickly, searching your face. You try to regain your composure back, for the kid, but you know they see right through you.

"This is normal for you, isn't it?"

"Just take deep breaths. It's weird at first, but it'll feel better." You decide not to comment about how your kid sibling was pep talking you about getting your-

"What are these things anyway?"

"They're… Souls. Our Souls." -about getting your soul ripped out from your body.

"Are you okay my children?" Toriel is fluttering behind you two, looking beyond worried about how you reacted. Was it... Different for Frisk? Was it easier for them the first time? For you it just felt… wrong. Like something was physically wrong with your chest and you needed your soul back. Now.

"So..So our souls come out because… we entered a Fight, like Toriel said?" Frisk nodded before gesturing their small golden hand towards the dummy.

"Now we act."

"Right. Uh...Act." You stared down the manikin, taking a deep breath. Toriel said to talk to the dummy, to practice "buying time", but you could also use it for batting practice. You could attack the thing.

...But you think you're a bit too kind to do that. The dummy's cute little button eyes make you open your mouth instead of grabbing a weapon.

"Good morning… dummy. Nice to meet you. Did you eat recently? You look stuffed and happy." Frisk snorts at your pun, covering their mouth to stifle giggles, but the dummy seemed unamused. Tough crowd. At Least Toriel seemed happy with you.

"Ah, very good! You are very good." She then walked out, a hop to her step.

Your body shakes as you let out a rattled sigh, your soul sinking back into your chest. You suddenly have a...whole... feeling. You can't quite explain it, but with your soul back you feel like a weight has been lifted off of you. Like you're safe now.

"How often will that happen?"

"Often."

"Awesome. Great. Alright. I guess let's move on then." Frisk was giggling at your huffy attitude, snickering their little butt off.

Stepping into another room, Toriel is standing there, waiting. She knew you two would eventually show up, not like there was any other way to go.

"There is another puzzle in this room. I wonder if you can solve it?" You raise a brow to Frisk, who just literally waves it off. They must know something you don't. Still, while following behind Toriel you try your best to figure out what puzzle she could be referring to. Just as you both come up onto a sign you're keen on reading, a figure jumps out of nowhere.

"Frisk," You say slowly, pushing the kid behind you so you stand before the… frog monster? It had the head of a frog, but was much larger than one, and you swore you saw something blinking down below it's legs.

You reach for your bat but… you pause.

"Hey," You say slowly, giving a tentative wave. "I like your… eyes." The compliment spilled from your lips before you could even think twice.

The frog didn't seem to understand what you said, but you swore you saw their cheeks go red. They look like they're about to do something, but Toriel suddenly comes up behind the creature. Looming over it with her impressive height, the motherly glare even makes you quiver, the poor frog stood no chance and decided to flee.

Finally, you get to read the sign.

"The western room is the eastern room's blueprint." You say out loud, mostly so Frisk can hear because they're a bit too short to see. You move to go back to the room, but Frisk grabs your sleeve and tugs you over to follow Toriel. You sigh. The kid wouldn't let you have any fun. You're about to jokingly complain, but large spikes catch your eyes and you freeze.

This is what the "blueprint" was for? Holy-

"This is the puzzle, but…" Toriel hums gently to herself, looking you and Frisk over. "Here, take my hands for a moment." You raise a brow at her outstretched fluffy mits. The kid, without even a seconds thought, stuffs their hand in the monster's paw, smiling to themself all the while. You hesitate, but take her other one.

Slowly and carefully she leads you through the maze. Experimentally, while she's not looking, you poke one of the spikes. They weren't sharp. They hardly would've hurt you or Frisk.

"Puzzles seem a little too dangerous for now." Toriel moved on.

"Goat mom is… well…"

"A mom."

"Yeah." You pat the kids head. "We're not too used to that, huh?" Being inspired by Toriel, you take up Frisk's hand again, not sure why you dropped it in the first place.

You two walk into, what you hope to be, the last room. You liked puzzles and all, but you just wanted to get down to saving Frisk's friends so you two could get out quick enough. Which reminds you, you never asked how either of your would get out from the hole, or how you two would save the monsters. That was… probably something very important you two needed to plan out.

Welp.

"You have done excellently thus far, my children. However..." Toriel's smiled wilted. "I have a difficult request to ask of you…"

"Sure, I guess, what is it?" You say, seeing as Frisk couldn't for themselves. You were pretty sure Toriel didn't know sign language.

"I would like you two to walk to the end of the room by yourselves." Tilting around the women, you looked down the long hall and shrug. It was barren, void of anything that could be remotely harmful. "Forgive me for this."

Then, Toriel was gone.

Okay, well, she didn't disappear. You watched her sprint down to the very end of the hall and duck behind a pillar. You pursed your lips, trying to not laugh.

"Wow, Frisk… She just… poof! Vanished! What do you think we should do now that we're all alone?"

"I don't know. I'm scared."

"You're right. It is scary…" You peeked down at the pillar, seeing Toriel peek out.

Was this mean of you two?

Eh.

"You have to lead the way Frisk, Your big sister can't handle this without you holding her hand."

"I'll be brave for you!" You both giggled as you two leisurely strolled down the dim lighted hall. It was a nice walk.

Reaching the end easily enough, Toriel steps out looking even happier than before.

"Greetings, my children. Do not worry, I did not leave you." She looked extra worriedly towards you. "I was merely behind this pillar the whole time." Then, she patted both of your heads of hair. "Thank you for trusting me. However, there was an important reason for this exercise." Toriel pauses. "To test your independence."

"Did I fail?" You ask a bit too seriously. She has to cover her mouth, trying her best not to laugh.

"N-No, child, you did excellent."

"Then the test was for…?"

"I must attend to some business, and you two must stay alone for a while. Please remain here. It's dangerous to explore by yourself." Then she taps her chin, probably trying to think of a way to keep you both entertained in an empty giant room. Suddenly she snaps her fingers. "I have an idea. I will give you a cell phone."

"Wait. What?" She smiles through your confusion.

"If you have a need for anything, just call."

"Toriel. You're.. Giving us a cellphone?" She nods, digging into a pocket on her tunic and pulling it out. It's not as high tech as some of the ones you've seen in stores in the big cities, but you have to confess it's better than the one you could afford with how work was going.

"Of course. I want to make sure you can reach me if you ever need me." She leans forward, placing a warm kiss to the top of your head, and then does the same to Frisk. The child freezes up. "Be good, alright?" You nod, waving her off.

You take a moment to look over the phone, seeing what features it has before you chance a glance to Frisk. The kid is still stiff as a board.

"Hey. Frisk?"

No answer. Not even the lift of a finger.

"It's surprising she just handed us a phone, I know, but no need to disconnect."

Not even a laugh at your joke.

"..Frisk?"

"She's never done that before." You raise a brow when the kid finally signs to you.

"Done… what? Give you a phone?"

"Kiss me."

"Oh." You're not sure how to take that. Was it… bad that something changed like that? You weren't sure how these "Resets" worked, but if they worked like how they worked in videogames, it meant that the same things would happen, in the same order, but now you had the knowledge of what or how to play it out. If the underground was reset but things were happening differently...

Had you messed something up by coming with Frisk?

"You ready?" You snap back when Frisk literally snaps. They sign when they have your attention.

"..Ready? For what?"

"To continue on. There are more puzzles up ahead."

"Wait, but, didn't Toriel say to wait for her?"

"We'll meet up with her later. It's fine." You purse your lips, but nod. The kid was the one with experience, even if they were oh so much younger than you.

As soon as you step out of the room, the cellphone you had slipped into your pocket began going off.

"Um Hello?" You say smartly as you give a glance to Frisk with a raised brow.

"Hello, this is Toriel. You have not left the room, have you? There are a few puzzles ahead that I have yet to explain. It would be dangerous to try to solve them yourself."

"Oh, right. No we've just been hanging around by the pilar."

"Well then child, Be good, alright?"

"Of course Toriel." Then, click, she hangs up. "Does she have this place tapped or something?" Frisk gave a confused look at your choice of words, walking away from you to a side room. "Means like… Has the place bugged." You pause. "Full of cameras." You heard a noise from the room, probably Frisk trying to show they heard and understood.

"Ribbit, ribbit." Just by the room Frisk went into stood another frog. Instead of jumping at you like the last time, it watching you with curiosity. You tilt your head in question as you give a wave.

"Hello… there."

"Excuse me, human." Oh wow. It can talk. "I have some advice for you about battling monsters." It's… still talking. "If you Act a certain way, or Fight until you almost defeat them… They might not want to battle you anymore. If a monster does not want to fight you, please… Use some Mercy, human." It can talk a whole lot. Just… wow… You weren't sure if you were more surprised that a giant frog was talking with such emotion, or because a monster was showing sentience. Was it bad of you to expect monsters to be more… monster? Like how scary stories would work and all.

"Mn." Frisk came running out of the side room, proudly holding out two candies in silky wrappers. You pulled you bag in front of you, letting the kid drop them in.

"Pick up candy from some strangers."

"Yes. ...No. A bowl is set out, says you can take one." You roll your eyes and smile as you set your backpack on your back.

"But you took two kid."

"One for you, One for me." They sign cheerfully, taking your hand and starting to pull you off again.

Venturing from room to room, meeting monsters and solving puzzles, this ruin felt more like a theme park. Especially when you could flirt or compliment the monsters and they would respond in kind. None of them were mean. They were all just… sweet and kind. They might throw things at you and Frisk, but you could just easily dodge out of the way and then talk with them. Toriel was right, talking to these guys was just simplier.

"Hello, this is Toriel." You held the phone to your ear with your shoulder as you pushed at a rock in one of the rooms. "For no reason in particular… Which do you prefer? Cinnamon or Butterscotch?" You paused in rock pushing, Frisk quickly taking your place.

"Cinnamon or Butterscotch huh?"

"Wait. Do not tell me. Is it Cinnamon?" You blink slowly leading Frisk off into another room.

"Cinnamon… I think Frisk prefers that. I'm more for Butterscotch." Toriel laughs to herself.

"I thought the short child would." She took a sharp breath, and then spoke just above a whisper. "When humans fall down here, strangely...I… I often feel like I already know them. Truthfully, when I first saw Frisk, I felt… Like I was seeing an old friend for the first time. Strange, is it not?"

"Yeah… Strange."

"Well, thank you for your selection." Click.

"Frisk, Toriel remembers you." The kid whipped around and rose their hands sharply, but the phone rang again and you rose a finger. "One sec…"

"Hello? This is Toriel."

"Hey again."

"You do not dislike cinnamon, and Frisk does not dislike butterscotch, correct? I know what your preference is, but… Would you turn up your nose if you found it on your plate?"

"No, no. Either is fine."

"Right, right, I understand. Thank you for being patient, by the way." click.

"So she… remembers?" You shrug, Watching as Frisk struggles to push a different rock, in a different room. This rock could talk, and it was being pretty cheeky.

"Not as much as me… but, enough that it's like deja-vu. Has that happened before?"

The sad look Frisk gives you sends a chill down your spine.

"Yeah. It'll happen to others later." You hesitate to ask more.

For a couple more rooms, neither of you speak. At least, you don't to Frisk and they don't sign towards you. Both of you conquer the puzzle rooms by one of you being the brain, and the other one talking to monsters. Surprisingly, Frisk's sign language was understood by the all the monsters, so you let the kid handle them. Of course you kept an eye out, but not one of the monsters ever seemed to really want to fight Frisk, even if they were the ones to confront them.

Coming up to another room, you two are met with a lone white figure. The… Ghost, you guess, is laying in a pile of those red leaves, right in the way. You didn't want to be rude and walk through the guy, even though you were pretty sure you could.

"Zzzzzzzz," He was saying the letter Z. He was actually saying the letter over and over. "Zzzzzzz." Was he trying to pretend to sleep? This was...oddly cute

"Hey, uhm, buddy, sorry to bother you…" You say slowly, crouching down to see if you could tap the guy's shoulder but, like you expected, your hand goes through him.

Your chest explodes with heat and you stumble back as the ghost raises. As your green soul floats before you, pulsing to the beat of some distant jazz tune, the ghost looks about ready to cry at the sight.

"Frisk?" You say, trying to catch sight of the kid. When you do, you spot them already past the ghost, walking into another room without you. They just totally ditched you.

"S-Sorry…" The spirit says softly, wavering with emotion. You just shake your head and give a patient smile. The poor ghost looked like it was about to explode at any moment with tears.

"It's fine bud. Hey, whats a monsters favorite cookie?" The ghost flutters in his spot.

"...Wh-What is..?"

"Ghoul scout cookies." Hey, you used it once in a different timeline on Frisk. It's still a good joke.

"Heh… Heh…" His mood seems to have improved. "Let me...try…" He then began crying, but his tears floated upwards. In awe, you watched them accumulate into a top hat. "I call it 'Dapper Blook'..." he paused, gaging your reaction. "Do you like it….?"

"I love it. It's very fitting for you."

"Oh gee…" The ghost, if he was alive and had the ability to blush, he would be. "I usually come to the Ruins because there's nobody around…." He says softly, his eyes darting all around him, too scared to meet your (e/c) ones. "But today I met somebody nice… Oh," He said, his form beginning to disappear. "I'm rambling again. I'll get out of your way..."

Then he was gone, your soul safely back in you, and you were already jogging off to the room Frisk had slinked into during your… battle?

"I bought something," Frisk signs as soon as you enter, showing you two donuts and a jug.

"You can't run off like that."

"Napstablook wasn't going to hurt you-"

"That's not what I mean." You snap a bit too quickly. "I don't know this place. Maybe you do, but we've already seen that things can change from what you're used too. Just," You sigh, crouching down so you were the kids height. "Please don't run off. I'm just worried about you is all…" The kid stayed silent, but nodded, leaning forward to hug you tightly. When you two parted, they signed sorry, and you signed sorry back. "With that out there-" You stopped as your cell rang again.

"Hello, this is Toriel." You swallow the sharp response, 'Of course, who else would be calling me' and instead help Frisk load the small jug of 'spider cider' and the two 'spider donuts' into your bag. You'd ask about it later.

"Hey Toriel," You said.

"I was just wondering if you two have any allergies, do you?"

"Uh, what? Why?"

"Why am I asking? No reason.. No reason at all." Before you can answer, she hangs up again. You stare at the phone and then turn a look to Frisk.

"She's planning something."

"Definitely."

The two of you continued on. Wiggling hips with moldsmals, trying to console Whimsuns, not bullying Eyewalkers, complimenting Froggits, Dining with Vegetoids, and dancing with Migosps. It wasn't long till the puzzles were finished and you ended up at another Froggit who wanted to talk instead of fight. It stood to a side of a doorway that was letting in a cool breeze. You weren't sure why it did.

"Just between you and me," The little guy said. "I saw Toriel come out of here just a little while ago. She was carrying some groceries. I didn't ask what they were for… We're all too intimidated to talk to her."

"In there?" You looked to the weirdly darker room. You went to walk in, but you notice Frisk is not following you. "Frisk, Wanna check where Tori went?" You jump. "I-I mean Toriel…" You didn't know her well enough to give her a nickname. She'd probably not like it…

"Mh-mn." Frisk shook their head fast, refusing to take another step. You frowned, but shrugged.

"Then stay there. I'll be right back." The kid just sits down by the froggit, twiddling their fingers. You just said for them to stay close, and you were already letting them by themself… Well. They were safe by the docile Froggit. You'd be right back anyway.

Stepping in you are greeted with… an entire city!

Stone buildings going on, and on, soft echoey chatter resonating from it all. It was… beautiful. The little walkway was more of a balcony of sorts. Looking around, you didn't understand how Toriel had come from here…

What's this?

Just to your side you see a small grey toy. Moving closer, you see it's a… plastic knife. Something about it makes your stomach churn. You don't like the sight of it, and you even take a step back away from it. Did… Frisk know this knife was here, or was the city just eerie to them? Either way, you turned around and left.

"Let's hurry and go." Frisk just silently nodded, standing up from their place by the Froggit, who the kid then patted with a small smile, and followed.

Walking through a large pile of red leaves the two of you meet a large black tree. It's the first sign of plant life other than the copious amounts of vines and random leaves scattered around. The pile of red around it though suggest the it may be dying.

"Oh dear, that took longer than I thought it would." The voice sounds just somewhere behind the tree. Immediately, you know it's Toriel.

You cell rings, but before you can pick it up, goat mom has already made her way over with a worried look.

"How did you get here, my children? Are you two hurt?" You two look at each other, and then simultaneously shrug towards Toriel. "Not a scratch… Impressive! But still… I should not have left you two alone for so long. It was irresponsible to try to surprise you like this."

"Surprise us?" Toriel jumped, looking embarrassed.

"Err… Well, I suppose I cannot hide it any longer. Come, small and tall one!" She ushers you two to follow with a large wave of her fluffy paw. Frisk scurries after her, licking their lips. You take a bit more of a slower pace, taking in the design of the stone house set into the walling of the Ruins. You also pause to stop at another blinking save star. You tap it. Seeing such a cute, tidy house in the Ruins fills you with the feeling of Kindness.

Stepping inside you're met with proper lighting, wooden floors, the smell of something sweet baking, and warmth. Frisk is hanging on Toriel's hand, smiling brightly up at the flustered women.

"'Mom'?" You blink slowly, looking from Frisk to Toriel. "You spoke?"

"Frisk can speak," You say, gaining the woman's attention. "But they usually don't. Just makes it special when they do, I guess." That makes the women look even more embarrassed.

"They… Called me mom."

"...Do you mind?" Toriel seemed confused at your question. You felt your own cheeks heat up. "I mean… If you mind we won't."

"Well… I suppose...Would that make you two happy... To call me.. Mother?" Frisk nods, pulling at Toriel's hand, making the women crack a smile. Her weary red eyes go to you, and you can't help but smile too.

"I think it would."

"Well then, call me whatever you like!" She then clapped her hands together. "Do you smell that? Surprise!" She throws her arms up. "It is a butterscotch-cinnamon pie. I thought we might celebrate your arrival. I want you two to have a nice time living here, so I will hold off on snail pie for tonight."

Two things she just said bothered you. First of all, Snails? Look, some people might be into Escargot, that's fine, but no one want's an Escargot pie. The second thing that bothered you was how confident she was when she talked about you living there. You give a nervous look to Frisk, but the kid is too wrapped up in hugging Toriel's leg to take notice.

"Here, I have another surprise for you." She began walking off, Frisk glued to her leg, so you followed quietly behind.

The hall over was lit in a soft yellow color. A couple of doors were seen farther down, but Toriel stopped at the first one.

"This is it… A room of your own. I hope you like it!" She was talking to Frisk, which became apparent when she rubbed the kids head, leaned down to kiss their head, and then turned to you. "I'm sorry my child, but I don't have another bed for you…" Toriel looked so put out, and you felt bad. Like you were the one who didn't have a bed to accommodate a guest.

"That's completely fine! I can take the couch, or chair, or whatever you have in your living room." She smiled brightly at that, nodding. She leaned down to you, kissing your head.

"I'll go out sometime tomorrow to see what i can find for you. For now you- Is something burning..? Um, make yourself at home!" Toriel cut herself off, running back where you all had just been. You blink in the direction, and then shrug as you usher Frisk into their new room.

It was cute, painted in a dusty color that could work for anyone who ventured in. Frisk immediately went to jump on the bed as you looked around for yourself.

There was an empty photo frame, which was pretty dusty, on the top of some shelving. Next to that was a child's drawing of a flower, along with a small chest that held… kids' shoes in a whole bunch of sizes. You frowned at the sight, and decided to go over to the other chest you saw at the foot of the bed. There was a whole bunch of cool toys, for kids, but none of them looked like they would interest Frisk. You were a little bit weirded out that the room Frisk was given seemed to have already been made for a child. Maybe Toriel had her own once. You wonder where the kid is now, if this used to be their room.

You look over to Frisk when you stopped hearing the springs of the bed creak. Raising a brow, you see the little kid had tuckered themself out, and was now curled in a little ball half way under the blanket. You laugh at the sight.

"Night, Frisk," You say softly, pulling the comforter up all the way to the kids shoulder, kissing their cheek. Tucking them in properly, you move over to shut of the light before sneaking out and gently shutting the door behind you.

With the kid tucked in, you decide to check in on Toriel and her pie. Also, you needed to ask how to get home from here. She'd know.

Walking out of the hallway, and out from the… parlor, whatever the room that has the front door is called, and over to where you heard the crackling of a fire.

You find Toriel sitting in a large recliner, an old worn leather book in paw, and small reading glasses on the end of her nose. For a couple minutes, she doesn't spot you, too absorbed in her book, so you're able to looked over the many novels she has by the fireplace.

"Oh, hello!" Toriel slides a red leaf between the pages and closes her book, directing her attention onto you. You feel a bit small under her gaze. "The pie has not cooled down yet. Perhaps you should take a nap." You glance around the living room, seeing that it doubles as a dining room as well. You slowly shake your head, seeing that there was no couch for you to take for a nap, just the chair she was currently in. "Are you sure child? You may take my bed, it's quite big." The idea… is very tempting.

"No I… I'd rather stay up and chat with you for a bit. Frisk is already sleeping." She again looks a bit surprised at your words. Had none of the other humans been very kind to her? Or maybe, like Frisk said, they never stayed for long.

"Um, I want you to know how glad I am to have someone here. Especially two someones." Your heart swelled at her smile. "There are so many old books I want to share. I want to show you my favorite bug-hunting spot. I've also prepared a curriculum for both of your educations."

"Woah, really?" You pulling over a dining room chair. "I understand Frisk, they're a 3rd grader after all, but… For me too?" Toriel nodded, looking proud.

"You're in college, correct? I have some old books you might want to look at on the shelving over there and in my room, i believe they should be at your level." She paused, watching as your face lit up. You hadn't had a mother, or a motherly figure, that took your education seriously before. "This may come as a surprise to you… But I have always wanted to be a teacher." You gave her a look. "...Actually, perhaps that isn't very surprising. Still. I am glad to have you both living here."

"We're…" Your voice wavered, and you had to clear your throat. "We're happy to be here, to have met you, Toriel." The warm smile you two shared made your heart throb.

Why was this motherly goat getting to you?

"Oh, did you want something? What is it?" The question you came to her for died on your tongue.

"..Nothing."

"Well, talk to me again if you need anything." You nodded, slouching a bit in your chair as you watched her get back to her book. You sighed. "Child?" Toriel's eyes flickered up to you and you jump. Was your sigh that loud?

"Oh sorry-"

"Do you want to hear about the book I am reading? It is called '72 uses for Snails'. How about it?" You smile.

"Sure."

"Here is an exciting snail fact," She said, flipping a couple pages back. "Did you know that snails… Sometimes flip their digestive systems as they mature? Interesting?" Your smile broadens.

"That's really cool. You'll have to let me read that sometime."

"Of course, my child." Her happiness is contagious. "Bother me if you need anything."

"Alright. I think imma go take you up on that nap time in your room."

"Ah, then, it is the second door to your left down the hall." You nod, but stop just before you leave the room.

"Hey, mom?" The woman jumps at your choice of name, and it takes a moment for her to get the use of her dropped jaw back.

"Y-Yes, my child?"

"I think you're a type of pie." Her brows dip softly in question, making your cheeky grin light up. "A cutie pie!" Before she can answer, you're waving bye as you make your way back through the quiet house.

It was going to be hard on you when you asked this sweet monster how to leave.

She was so happy to have you two. So happy to not be alone in the Ruins. Probably happy to have a kid filling that room again. Happy to teach someone. Happy to… have kids.

Happy to have kids. Now that was something you never thought you'd hear. Never in your life had you met people 'happy to have kids'. Your mom wasn't happy to have kids when she was drunk, and she was drunk around 24 hours a day. Your dad sure wasn't too happy to have kids, the reason he left was because there was a new addition. You'd never say that out loud though, he said it enough in his letters. To have someone, monster or not, generally want you there in her life for as long as she can imagine, pulled harshly at your heartstrings.

Stepping into the room Toriel told you was hers, you see it's about the same size as Frisk's, maybe a bit bigger. It's bathed in a cool light, looking newly cleaned. You don't want to be too nosy, but you can't help but notice an open book on the womens desk with a red circle on the page. You peek over.

" 'Why did the skeleton want a friend?' …'Because she was feeling bonely." You give a loud snort, laughing to yourself. Skimming the page you see that it's cluttered in even more punny jokes. Most of them seem to be about skeletons. You wonder what inspired the skelejokes.

You think about going to check out the books Toriel mentioned would be in her bookshelf, but sleep tugs at your eyelids. You decide to instead curl up in the blue bed, which looked even bigger than a Queens sized one. It looks like you're a small ball in the middle of it.

With one last thought about a Goat Mom and a smiling Frisk, you fall too sleep.

You pray your day does not reset again. You couldn't go through that.