Once there was a place, where dreams could come true.

Where mercy, and joy ruled the world. Where anything was possible, as long as someone believed it could be so. But, that is another reality. In this one, the closest, according to an advertising pamphlet, is a little place called 'Happy Town.'

The girls had come to the fork in the road simply enough. And much as the directions on the map had indicated, there was a large sign present on the path straight ahead. Decorated in bold, happy looking letters.

"Happy Town." Aliza read. "Hey, Chara the signs not all messed up."

She knew this had been a pretty big deal to her counterpart. Having seen her grow increasingly upset at all the defaced ones. And, admittedly, it was nice to see a sign that hadn't been so cruelly defaced.

Though its existence didn't comfort. The fact that it hadn't been, was something that inspired a fine measure of concern in the girl. Why had it remained untouched? Or, perhaps it was simply being repaired regularly?

"Yeah." Chara examined it. "That's...'neat' I guess."

"I...figured you uhm...be happier?" Aliza explained, sounding confused.

"It's...odd, is all." Chara explained, as they drew nearer.

There was a big gate in front of the town. Like a wall built all the way up to the ceiling of the space they were at. Which was lower than other places, admittedly. Further, on that gate, there was a door. Normal sized, with another non-defaced sign, hanging there that read 'please knock.'

Chara glanced down the path to the left. It didn't go very far, and did indeed come to a river. So that part was accurate. The path to the right had a sign itself, though. And read 'Meat Factory' with an arrow pointing in that direction.

"Meat factory?" She muttered, having never heard of such a place. "Uhm...well, we might as well knock on the door huh?"

"They did make a cute sign asking us too." Aliza said, starting over, only to have her arm snatched. "Huh?"

Chara gestured. "Aliza!" She huffed. "What if it's a trap, or something, and you got hurt?"

"I didn't...sorry." Aliza apologized. "I didn't mean...to...upset you."

"I'm not upset, dork. Just-" Chara rolled her eyes. "I don't want you to get hurt, is all. So...we proceed cautiously, aright?" She added. "We'll knock, step back. If there's anything there. Well..." Running didn't work out last time. "We'll get ready quick, and then fight okay?"

"Oh, right, yeah, s-sorry." Aliza apologized.

"You're fine, dweeb." Chara assured. "Just being safe, is all."

Setting their plan into motion, they drew near to the door. Exchanging looks with one another, before giving a nod. Aliza knocked on the door, the two quickly taking a few steps back. Preparing, in case some horror was about to fall upon them. After a moment, a section on the door slid open.

They were greeted by a voice asking. "Who goes there? ;)" The monster added. "Oh, two lone figures approach. ;)" And then laughed. "Who might you be, strangers? ;)" He added. "Come here often? ;)" He laughed again. "Just kidding. If you did, I'd know you. ;)"

The strangely audible, and semi-visible winky face that appeared beside the man, barely visible through the barred window was surprising. Aliza wondered if she had just imagined that. Wasn't that...an emoji?

While she was attempting to gain a grasp on this peculiar new reality, where emoticons could be projected instead of just doing the thing, Chara recognized the how. There knew that a few monsters used magic for things like this. Projections at the end of words. Changing the color of their names, if they were checked. That kind of thing.

Recalling them faintly from her memories with the other humans. Though while it could be amusing, she'd honestly always found this 'use' to be very annoying. But attempted to compose herself to endure it, as a scratched grew in the back of her mind. monsters used magic in their very speech.

"Two random people." Chara replied dismissively. "Now my question. Are you an evil creature trying to trap us in some kind of inescapable prison, so you can eat our flesh, or tear out our souls?" She asked. "Or any other variety of horrors I would sooner slit my own throat than deal with?"

The sudden and unexpected intensity of her words caused visible shock in both Aliza, and the guy at the gate. Chara realized only afterwards that without the context, that she could come back from death, it probably sounded worst than she meant it. Before admitting that...it was pretty messed up regardless. Seriously kid...years, and years of therapy with reputable sources next time.

The monster peering through the little gap replied. "Wow. You sound super dark. ;)"

"Stop using...ugh, that's not an answer." She replied, annoyed to see the winky face. "See, if you are a creature-" She smiled. "I'll use that same knife to carve out-"

"Chara, stop, please." Aliza tugged on her sleeve, looking concerned. "We uhm...we've...run into bad stuff."

The monster replied. "Clearly. ;)" The expression making Chara twitch, before he added. "Well no worries. We have a patented test. And then, you can come in, and be away from those nasty creatures. ;)"

Aliza noticed the twitch, and inquired. "Can you...stop doing uhm...whatever that is?"

"What? ;)" He asked.

"Nevermind." She huffed, imagining her request was rude.

Chara then inquired. "Just hurry up and give us the test, please." The scratching was like screaming now. "You're giving me a headache."

The man on the other side winked, and seemed to flex. "Easy. Are you, or have ya ever been, a creature of the dark? ;)"

"No." She replied unenthusiastically.

"Have you, or have you even been eaten, or ate people, as a creature of the dark? ;)" He continued.

Aliza replied. "No...why would we-"

"And finally-" The man continued. "do ya got joy in your heart, waiting to be expressed? If only the world would let you have a moment of peace where something wasn't trying to kill you, your friends, or your family? Where all you wanna do is just go home, and be left alone? ;)"

Chara blinked in surprise. "Y-yes...yeah, yeah, that exactly!"

"Then welcome to Happy Town! ;)" The man laughed, as the door began to open.

The door to the town was left open to the pair. Who were greeted by a place that looked...exactly, like the pamphlet said. Surprisingly.

There was a row of quaint looking homes on the left. And various shops and the sort on the right. There were even street lights, constructed out of larger glowing mushrooms, surrounded by crystals. Giving the place a higher amount of lighting than in the rest of Waterfall.

There were a variety of benches, and street seating. Usually beside trees, or flowers. All of which had the usual bioluminescent glow. And each home had a flag jotting out of the front, on flag-poles. Each one, was the strange, semi-deltarune symbol.

A few people could be seen wandering around, talking to each other. Laughing at little short stories, and tidbits from their daily lives. Jokes, and in-jokes that didn't make sense without several years of context.

The duo wandered in. And the gate guard, which was a big smiling half horse, half fish man floated there. When they entered proper, the door was closed behind them.

Aliza asked. "And...we can leave...when we want?"

"Of course. ;)" The man replied. "Just come by, say 'hey Aaron, I'm headin out' and you're good to go. ;)"

"Is that your...name?" She asked further.

"Mhmm. ;)" He flexed. "The one and only. ;)"

Chara examined him briefly. She had never wanted to hurt a person more in her life, while understanding there was no reason to do so. He was a rather buff monster wearing a button up shirt, that seemed to struggle on his person. And he was being friendly, but his voice grated on her ears. His constant flexing bothered her. And the winky face thing was making her want to scream, every time that little chirpy sound it made became known to her.

She spoke. "Yeah, well uh, thanks." She hummed. "Seems...nice."

Aliza asked. "What...is there to...well, do around here?"

"Here. Have a town guide. ;)" He reached into his front shirt pocket, and produced another pamphlet, this one being a map.

"You guys sure like your pamphlets. Don't you?" Chara raised a brow.

"It's handy. Portable. And classy. ;)" Aaron declared, flexing again.

That sound played again. And the scratching dominated her mind. That chirp it made. It dragged at...something. Her body shaking, as her mind reeled. Glimpses of...something stabbing her arm. Of blood, and some machine making a similar sound. A whisper finally accompanying it. Giving only a single, brief command. To encourage her to 'vent' that anger some.

|Proceed|

Her eyes grew slightly darker. "Would you stop doing that?" She growled. "It's the single most annoying thing, I've ever heard."

"Doing what? ;)" He asked.

"THAT." She hissed. "What, do you think it makes you look cool, or appealing?" She suggested. "That, hey, if I strut around acting like a fuck-face jerk, making the most annoying sound to exist, maybe people will like me?" She made the chirping sound, or close to it. "Isn't that annoying?" She made it again, a few times. "Isn't it?" Her eyes briefly became pitch black. "Now stop...doing it."

She brushed her hand over her eyes. Visibly shaking in anger. Thankfully, having had her hood up...the others didn't get a proper look at her eyes. But her words stung all the same.

"Er..heh, sorry. Just trying to keep the mood light." Aaron said, in a more natural voice.

"Yeah, well, it's annoying." She hissed, the strange 'nightmare' thought, burying itself again.

Aliza watched her companion for a moment. "C-chara...that wasn't very nice." She nudged her. "He was...just trying to-"

Her counterpart turned, bearing a certain glossiness to her eyes. It wasn't something Aliza had seen before, not like that anywas. The purple-eyed girl blinking, glancing away.

|Proceed| - But it was interrupted.

"Just uhm...I think I'm...hungry." Chara tried to reason, unable to tell why she had gotten so angry. "I'm...sorry about...being uh-"

Aaron laughed a little. "It was admittedly, super rude." He shrugged. "But, listen little dude, I get it." He assured. "Honestly, I know the bro thing can grate on people. But, we all try to make light of things in our own way, right?"

"Yeah." She replied. "Sorry."

"It's okay. Look, if you come across someone that irks you. Just, politely let em know, ya know?" Aaron inquired. "And, I'm...guessin you uh, probably went through a lot of stuff to get here." He pondered. "So, I'll forgive ya. Fair?"

Chara felt awful, all the same. "I'm sorry. I don't...I didn't mean to get so mad." She felt like she wanted to cry, embarrassed, and confused with herself. "I didn't mean to...sorry."

"Again. It's alright, little due." Aaron assured. "Hangry is a thing. Believe me. I know. So, look, you can grab food over at Grillbys. It's the uh, little shop over there. He's nice, promise."

Aliza offered a hand. "Thank you." He shook it. "It's nice to meet you Aaron." She turned and motioned. "Chara."

Her tone was stern. The other girl glancing, feeling a bit smaller than before. Letting out a sigh, while stepping over.

"It's...nice to meet you." Chara said reluctantly offering her hand too. "Sorry."

He nodded. "It's nice to meet you both too." He shook her hand. "And, it's alright, little dude. Remember though...healthy communication, is way better at getting folks to do stuff, than unhealthy communication."

"Right..I...I'll uhm...try to remember." Chara replied, not meeting his sunglass covered eyes.

"Alright, ya'll go eat. Let yourself vibe, chill out, relax for a bit." Aaron suggested. "You're totally safe here. So enjoy the peace."

Chara didn't bother responding, or talking anymore. Honestly, she felt like she wanted to run away and hide. After all, she'd already blown any initially positive reception she could have garnered. And was sure the man was just being nice.

Before even her counterpart had noticed, she was starting towards the small restaurant. Hood up, processing, reflecting on, and thinking of ways to correct her bad action in the future.

"Chara-" Aliza ran up to the side of her friend. "Hey, I uhm...get annoyed at stuff too." Her companion glanced. "Just uh...like that, I...I've uh, well, I've gotten real upset. And...thought about, doing something like that."

Chara shrugged. "Everyone does. But not everyone makes a jerk out of themselves by acting on it." She rubbed an aching spot on her forehead. "I don't...I mean, he wasn't really...annoying me is the thing." She said, adding. "I just...I dunno."

"Did...something happen?" Aliza asked.

Chara recalled flashes. "No, it's...nothing."

"Maybe...have I...been talking too much?" Aliza asked nervously. "If...if it's hurting your head...I can stop?"

"No, no, that's not-" Chara rolled her eyes. "honestly, hearing you talk makes it...feel better." She admitted. "Which, heh, I know sounds weird. Heh."

"I can...talk more if you want?" Aliza offered. "I dunno what it'd be about. Uhm...maybe cats?"

"Cats?" Chara asked, as they reached their destination.

The little restaurant building, was similar to a concessions stand. With an outdoor sort of bar space. A few stools pulled up to the counter, with a small kitchen in the interior. A man, constructed from fire standing within. Glancing up at them, as they approached.

"I like cats." Aliza noted.

"You've mentioned." Chara replied, amused.

The pair climbed onto the stools. Which were raised, fairly high. To the point most probably wouldn't find them that comfortable to sit on.

"W-we can talk about uhm, something...else, if you want?" Aliza said, wondering if she'd talked too much about cats.

"No, dude, it's cool." Chara assured. "But, maybe we should order first?"

The fire elemental was waiting, semi impatiently. Hands rasping against the marble counter. Something that wouldn't burn as easily, to his touch. He motioned to the sign behind him, which presented two options. 'Burgers, or Fries.'

Aliza inquired. "Is...that it?"

He spoke. "Yes."

"Oh. Uhm." She hesitated. "Uhm...y-you got first."

Chara leaned on the counter. "Hmm...I dunno, it's a tough choice." She said. "I don't wanna tell no fries, when I pick." She snickered. "Wouldn't wanna pota-go hungry if I chose wrong." Her friend chuckled some. "Lettuce think. Last time I had to ketchup-" She winked at Aliza. "with you all, and I had fries. So, maybe, I'll stop having bun, and have a burger."

The flame elemental remarked. "Are you Sans's kid by any chance?" As the last time those two had spoken, the shorter skeleton was still well into his punny nature.

"No. I'm Toriels." Chara replied, prompting him to scoff a little. "What'cha want Aliza?"

Aliza considered and said. "Uhm...well, I guess, I'll try the fries this time." She then asked. "Uhm...b-before that...Chara...we don't have any uhm, money, right?"

"Ahh...right." Chara recalled, with a tsk.

The fiery man, Grillby, based on the nametag on his shirt, replied. "Food's free here."

"Oh." Chara said in surprise. "Do you...not get paid?"

"Paid for time." Grillby told them, while turning. "One minute."

Aliza leaned against the counter. "So...Chara-" The other girl glanced. "uhm...cat facts."

"Go for it." Chara replied, vaguely curious about these proposed facts.

"Did you know...they spend like...70% of the day sleeping?" Aliza inquired.

"Sounds nice." Chara admitted.

"There was a cat, who was given...like, all the money his owner had." Aliza recalled. "He was the richest cat ever. With uhm...like...was it 7 million?" She tried to remember. "W-well, it was a lot of money."

"What did he spend it on?" Chara asked.

"Hmm. I know Pablo, and Valerie would spend it on food. Or nice beds. So, maybe that?" Aliza half-asked, half-suggested. "Oh, did you know, they put a cat in space. Like, a long time ago. It went up in a spaceship."

"A catstronaut?" Chara laughed a little at the idea. "Did he get back okay?"

"I think so." Aliza then admitted. "I...was nervous that uhm...they may not have...so I didn't...look into it." She then said. "Right, uhm, another fact...okay-" She thought of something. "Oh, right, cats only meow, to communicate with humans."

"Huh. That's really neat." Chara felt, significantly calmer.

"Hmm. Have I told you...about Pablo, and Valerie?" Aliza asked her.

"Those are...the cats that stayed with you right?" Chara inquired, vaguely recalling having talked about it while watching tv with her.

"Mhm. Valerie is the sweetest kitty." Aliza noted. "He usually sleeps on my lap. And he's so nice."

"That's pretty cool." Chara responded.

"And Pablo is super smart." Aliza told her. "He can open doors, and solve puzzles."

"A puzzle solving cat?" Chara snickered. "I've uh...heard of a couple who could open doors. But, not that."

"Mhm. He's smart. Very regal too." Aliza said enthusiastically. "He usually sleeps beside Frisk though. Or beside Valerie. They're brothers."

Chara had shifted her posture, at one point. Turning to better face the other girl. Her foot angling on the ring of the stool. Having moved from facing forward, to being more pointed at the one she was listening to now.

"Sounds like a cool group of people." Chara said, adding. "I don't think I ever asked but...how'd you get separated from them?"

"Oh. Well..." Aliza hadn't told anyone that story yet. "Me and Frisk, well...okay...so sometimes, we sneak into these...buildings that show up near where...uhm, where like...people are building things." She explained. "They're really nice, on the inside. But uhm...they have these fridges that always have food in them." She said, adding. "Sometimes, when we're hungry, we...went in to...well, get food. The people there don't like it when we do that...but, they have lots of food and stuff anyways. So...I don't know why they're so mad."

Grilly glanced back, but didn't speak. Merely listening, as they spoke. Getting an impression for who the children at his counter were.

"So you guys stole the food from the work fridge?" Chara clarified, in a question.

"I-I guess." Aliza visibly pouted some. "Well, before...I came here, we were doing...that." She felt a little guilty. "And I didn't...notice someone there. And that lady...well, she tried to hurt me, but we got away...and split up." She explained. "I wound up running up a hill...well, uhm, it's bigger than a hill...I can't-"

"Mountain." Chara nodded.

"Y-yeah, that. And I fell." Aliza told her. "It...it hurt a lot." She admitted. "But, well, that's what happened."

Chara examined her friend, and said. "I'm sorry you had to steal food. That's...ugh, well-" She wasn't surprised humanity would leave Aliza to starve, but it angered her deeply. "I'll make sure you...don't have to, okay?"

Aliza smiled softly. "It's okay. You don't have to...well..." She noticed her friend looked upset again. "I'm sorry. I...didn't mean to make you upset."

"I'm not mad at you." Chara told her. "I'm...angry, that you had to do that at all."

Grillby set down both plates. "The world today can be cruel." He said knowingly. "All we've got, is each other to lean on." They glanced at him. "Don't let the anger take you. It always leads to bad decisions." He turned to Aliza. "And don't feel guilty for surviving, or sharing your story. Friends do that for one another." He glanced at Chara. "Right?"

Chara nodded. "Exactly. It's like...there was a song about that kinda thing. Bout how...everyone needs someone they can lean on sometimes."

"But...we were having a good time...and then-" Aliza began, hesitantly.

"Hey, I was a real buzz kill earlier." Chara reminded her. "And we will again. I mean, we're still hanging out right?" She suggested, giving her a little nudge. "We've got food, and a whole town to explore, after all."

"Y-yeah. I guess that's...fair." Aliza didn't feel that much better, but she managed a little smile. "Uhm...thanks, you two."

"Of course, dork." Chara replied, while Grillby just nodded politely.

The pair setting about eating their food, in peace. Though, as it turned out, the food was peculiar in flavor. And fairly tough, in texture. Though, it had been expertly prepared, ensuring it still tasted pretty good.

Aliza inquired. "Why do the...fries taste like meat?"

Grillby motioned behind him. "A friend once suggested, add some juice from the meat. Add flavor to em." He inquired. "Is it too much?"

"N-no, no, it's nice. Thank you." Aliza wasn't about to complain about free food, and honestly, it wasn't bad. Just off.

Chara however, had eaten much slower. Taking time to try and discern what the taste was. It was tougher than most monster foods she'd eaten before. Usually, being composed of magic, they were a bit softer, easier to bite into by comparison. She could feel, taste the tinge of magic though.

She wagered whoever made it, was probably inexperienced. Resulting in low quality foodstuffs. Then again, given the troubles of the underground, she elected to give it some slack. At least it was edible.

"Thoughts?" Grillby asked her.

"It's cheap, and kinda awful." Chara admitted, prompting a glance from her peer. "I-I mean the uh...burger, no, uhm, like the 'meat' there. Honestly, your cooking is probably the only reason it has flavor at all."

Grillby leaned on the counter. "I do my best. My daughter says its 'greasy and cheap' too." He chuckled some. "But, you're right about it being cheap meat. Comes from the factory down the road." Aliza held up her hand. "Yes, darlin?"

"Er...uhm...meat factory?" Aliza asked.

"Yup." Grillby nodded. "Down the road. It's big. Can't miss it."

Chara inquired. "I'm guessing...it's something that was abandoned, that folks got working again?"

"Pretty much." He said.

"Yeah, fair." She sighed. "I uh, sorry about...being rude, I just-"

"It's fine. I get it." Grillby nodded, standing back upright. "We do what we can, with what we've got. Don't mean we gotta like it."

"Fair." She smiled some.

When they were both done, they rose from their spot. Bidding the cook an adieu. Before heading around to explore things a bit further. Unfolding the mini-map, they looked it over.

It seemed Happy town only had a couple places of specific note. There was the 'History Museum.' The 'Mad Savings' Shop. Gillbys. And finally, 'Small Birds Inn.'

Aliza inquired. "So...when it's time for...sleep. We'd go...there?"

She pointed to a building that appeared to be a small hotel of sorts. It had 'Birds' on a sign, on the front of it. In smaller lettering. To the point it was difficult to actually read.

"I guess so." Chara shrugged. "But we probably have time."

"It's hard to tell." Aliza admitted, laughing some. "Makes me wish I...had a watch."

Thinking about it, Chara recalled that she once had a phone. Given to her by Undyne. She dug around in her pockets. But, she didn't feel it. Wagering it likely fell out at some point. Probably in the sewer. She elected not to bring it up. After all, it didn't really matter anymore, did it?

"Yeah. Maybe there's one in the shop?" Chara suggested. "Granted, no money so..."

"Yeah." Aliza sighed noting. "There's...not a whole lot here, is there?"

"Hey, it's nicer than nothing." Chara assured. "Wanna, I dunno...check out the museum for now?"

"That could...be fun?" Aliza leaned closer and whispered. "I've...never been to a museum before."

Chara smiled, confused. "Why are we whispering?"

"Well...cuz ya know...if we go, and it's night...won't the statues get us?" Aliza inquired.

"What?" Chara tilted her head.

"Y-ya know. Uhm...statues, they like...they come alive at night." Aliza told her. "Frisk saw it one TV."

"You're...such a dork." Chara snickered. "That's a movie, Liza."

"Liza?" Aliza asked.

"Oh, uhm, sorry. Heh, just, seeing how it sounded." Chara shrugged. "B-but anywho. The statues won't come alive."

"Are you sure it was a movie?" Aliza asked. "What if-"

"It was just a movie. Promise." Chara hopped up.

Aliza grumbled a bit despondently. She wasn't so sure. What if there were giant bones of strange dinosaurs. Or freaky mummy statues. She pouted, wondering why Pablo or Valerie weren't there. Kids and talking animals always faced those things, and came out okay. What if they were doomed because they didn't have one?

She noticed that Chara was waiting. And felt like she was going to be offered a hand. Before Chara twitched, and put it in her own pants pocket instead.

"Uhm...hey..." She hesitated, not wanting to note it. Feeling guilty. She knew that it had upset the other girl, and clearly a lot. Standing up on her own, frowning some.

"What's wrong?" Chara asked.

"Nothing." Aliza replied, as they began walking.

"See, you say nothing-" Chara glanced, and made a frown. "but, you're looking like this." Aliza huffed some. "C'mon, if it's about the statues. I swear they aren't gonna eat you or nothin."

Aliza elected to keep this to herself, and lied. "I..it is, and...I dunno. It's spooky."

A mischievous desire ran through Charas mind. It had been a long time since she tried to scare anyone. And she imagined, given this apparent 'scariness' at such a mundane place, it would be very easy to do so. She wondered if it'd get a response from the other girl. Before feeling bad at the idea.

"I'll be right there with you." Chara assured her. "If you get scared you uh-" She knew what she wanted to offer, but felt oddly insecure about it. "well, clobber them lots, okay?"

"Okay." Aliza hummed, managing a small smile.

The dynamic duo heading to a building just past the inn.