"We are, each of us, social creatures. Our relationships, no matter what they be, define us. And we define them. For worst, and better."
The room was utterly silent, for the longest time.
Though, the definition of silent may be a bit flexible in this case. It was as silent as it could be with two highly traumatized kids in it. Nightmares were an unfortunate side-effect of their mere existence, at this point. Haunting their resting minds, in grim visions, and sadistic reinterpretations of inflicted traumas. Sadly.
On the one hand, there was Chara. For her part, she was sweating, wincing in her sleep. Playing out known, and unknown encounters. Hands grasping the dark jacket, hugging it tightly. Her face resting against the deltarune, as the many deaths she'd seen, experienced, and committed tormented her.
On the other side of the coin, there was Aliza. Her dreams bearing many grim experiences, and encounters she'd had. Prompting her to toss and turn violently. Legs kicking as she tried to escape whatever nightmarish thing was lurking within her mind. Though, her efforts bore some fruit.
The orange-eyed girl letting out an audible gasp, pushing her pillow away from her space. Eyes searching the dark rapidly, as she panted, and pushed back. Until she was up against the wall, hugging her knees, while scanning the room.
It took some time, but she managed to calm herself. Muttering little self-assurances, that it was just a dream. Her attention falling on the other girl, whose sobbing came to her attention.
Sliding off the bed, and stepping across the room, with deft silent steps, she went. Drawing near, she reached out a hand, placing it on the cheek of her counterpart. Feeling the warm tears slipping, and the fast shallow breathing that indicated a terror being experienced. While watching her, the awoken girls orange-eyes glowed faintly.
The sight of Chara struggling transfixed Alizas gaze. She waited there, nearly motionless, and unblinking for a time. Moving her thumb softly side to side, recalling, and beginning to softly hum something she heard the other girl hum before. The unknown song, that seemed to comfort her, when she was stressed.
Gradually, Charas violent shaking began to calm. Her breathing starting to grow steadier, and less shallow. When the nightmare seemed to have passed, Aliza moved her hand away.
This action, notably, was based on something she knew. As, when she felt afraid in the night, Valerie would sometimes come over, and rest against her face. And sometimes nuzzle his fluffy face against her, moving some, like she'd done with her thumb.
She was glad to see that this same idea could apply, albeit not with a cat, and instead with her hand. He was such a good kitty, in her mind, and she was glad his mere existence had granted her some ability to comfort her friend. She felt a little less helpless, knowing she could.
She debated something, in the silence. Finding some bravery to her being. Wondering...
"Chara?" She asked softly.
She got no response. Which was good in her mind. She wanted to say something, but simply didn't have the will to do it while her counterpart was awake.
"I...had a joke." Aliza smiled nervously, whispering. "It was...a knock knock joke." She paused. "I'll...nevermind. I'll...tell you later."
Her resolve had failed her once more, as she sat down on her knees. As with the couch before, she elected to remain there. Upright, and watching. She had a natural difficulty in going back to sleep. So, she wagered, she would just wait. Surely, it wouldn't be that much longer, right?
And with that, Aliza continued to monitor the resting girl. The process lasting several minutes without any notable disruption. However, her focus was eventually drawn to the window, as a light from beyond it disrupted her vigil.
Rising from her position, she stepped over. Drawing the curtain to the side, just enough to peer beyond the glass. Her curious eyes falling on individuals walking around through the town. Moving crates to various points. With someone holding their flashlight out, directing the rest.
Her mind went to a memory. Of the construction folk who had chased her so many times. And to a particular man, who had beaten her with a stick for trying to pry into one. This negative association inspired a concern, as she glanced back towards Chara. Perhaps, it was nothing, but could she be sure?
"I'll be right back." She whispered, putting her shoes back on.
It wasn't uncommon for Aliza to act as a lookout, back at Zone 0. Due to her sleeping problems, and near perpetual nightmares when she wasn't accompanied by someone else, she often woke up at random times. And, a rogue adult, angry teen, or wild dog wandering through was bad news at a construction site. Her instincts beckoning her to discern if these new entities posed a threat.
When searching for her weapon, she paused. To to where she'd placed it, the bat was now wedged in-between the bed and the dresser below the window. Making its quiet removal, all but impossible.
Without this option, she was left to examine the space around her. Spotting a blue pocket knife resting on the ground, beside a music box. It appeared they had fallen out of the jacket pocket at some point, and tumbled onto the floor.
Deft steps, carried her to them, where she lifted them up. First, she wandered over to the dresser, and delicately placed the music box upon it, nearer to Chara. After, she began examining the knife. She felt bad taking it, however, her mind wouldn't permit her to investigate without a weapon for protection. After all, Pablo said to be careful, and ready to defend herself whenever she went somewhere alone.
"I'll bring this back." Aliza added quietly. "Sorry."
Aliza got |Mychals Switchblade|
With that accounted for, she straightened out her scarf. It had gotten a bit loose, after all. And then started out of the room.
She ensured it was opened quietly, her practiced movements stealthier than many people. Closing it with a soft 'click' as it did so. A cautious step following, and then another in the empty hall. Ensuring she didn't accidently wake anyone up, who may be sleeping. She wanted to be considerate of these things, after all.
The orange eyed girl wandered down the dimly lit hall, briefly wondering how they got electricity in the town. She then thought up an answer to herself, in that it was probably magic. The food was magic, after all, so why wouldn't this be magic too?
Aliza began to step down the stairs, briefly attempting to bring up her menu. However, she still couldn't, which prompted a minor pout, before she neared the bottom. Giving a glance, she found that Limbs was behind the counter. The scarecrow monster reading a book of some variety, before noticing her, and smiling some.
"You're up quite early, child." He noted calmly, checking his watch. "Are you having trouble sleeping?"
"Uhm..." Aliza pocketed the knife, having been merely holding it behind her back. "Yeah."
"That's quite unfortunate, and I apologize out of empathy, for it. I often have the same problem." Limbs told her.
"You...do?" She asked.
"Indeed. Perhaps a nice walk will help you gain respite from the burst of energy?" He offered, noting. "Though, some people are working outside. So do try to give them space."
"I-I...yeah, okay. No worries." Aliza laughed nervously, while starting that way. "What...are they doing?"
"They're from the factory. So, likely, just unloading food." Limbs commented.
"You...don't know?" Aliza tilted her head.
"They rarely enjoy intrusions on their work, young one." Limbs explained. "They're a rather course, and rough group, sometimes. So, please, take care to give them space."
"Okay." Aliza assured, again. "I'll be back. Uhm...thank you... ."
"Of course, child. I will be here." Limbs replied. "Enjoy your walk."
She opened the door leading outside, and headed out. Admittedly, she had only really wanted to know what they were doing out there. She hadn't really wanted to go strolling around at night in an unfamiliar place. However, she didn't want to admit to being snoopy. So, it seemed, she was going for a walk.
Venturing beyond the inn, she was greeted with the sight of Happy Town once more. It was similar to how it had been the day before, including in how bright, or rather, dark it was. Aliza briefly wondered, how anyone kept time there if it was always so similar.
The scent in the air was different as well. Before, there honestly hadn't been much of one. Beyond the scent found in stale air, and water. But now, it had an added scent of meat. Something she found peculiar, as it stood out, even more pungent than when she and Chara had gone to Grillbys.
Something passed before her, snapping the threads of thought. Prompting a jolt, and a side-step. To evade this being, which appeared to be a monster moving a crate over next to the door of the inn.
Aliza elected not to linger, and started to step away from this stranger. Taking note that similar stacking behavior was going on in various places within the town. The museum and restaurant as well notably.
She became silent, utterly, as she moved. Barely breathing, while keeping an eye on these monsters. The dimly lit area aiding in her shadowy movements, even with the bright rainbow scarf around her neck.
Though, as she was focusing on them, she bumped into something. The sudden presence surprising her, as she turned to see a presence. There was a man there.
"Oh, sorry." She apologized.
The man stood, shadowy and tall. An imposing presence in himself. And yet, for some reason, he felt familiar to Aliza.
"No need to apologize." The man assured. "I was the one who bumped into you." He noted. "Hmm, my, my, are you a human?"
His words seemed to echo in her mind. Flooding her with a compulsion to answer. A static, that overwrote the sense of alarm that was rising. Replacing it with a miasma, of calm.
"I am." She replied, asking. "Are...you a skeleton?"
"Hmm. Something like that, perhaps." The man chuckled softly. "I suppose it comes down to interpretation. Would it comfort you, if I was?" She nodded instinctively, unwillingly. "Then, yes. I am. Isn't that nice?"
"Papyrus was nice." Aliza spoke, her thoughts foggy. "I hoped...others would be."
"Oh, I know." The man said in mock pity. "And you've had such a troubling journey, haven't you?" He ran a hand across her face, chilling her skin. "So much danger, so many traumatizing experiences. Tell me...how are you remaining sane?"
Some part of her was screaming to escape. Trying to warn her that this situation was dangerous. Yet, she couldn't move, couldn't flee. Couldn't even think of doing so.
"Sane?" She asked. "I guess...I'm not."
"Why do you think you're here, little one?" He inquired. "Do you even know?"
"I fell." She answered.
"Is that everything you know?" The man asked. "Why did you turn left?"
"I felt...like I had to." She answered, knowing somehow he meant taking the turn towards the mountain. "I just...had to go." She felt compelled to answer his other question. "I guess...I'm here because...I had to be?"
"Don't strain yourself, child." The man requested. "Tell me. How would you respond, if I were to wander up into that room, and strangle the life out of your friend?"
Her eyes gained a slight shimmer. A faint bit of bravery, and fear mingling. Permitting her head to rise, and meet his gaze.
"I wouldn't...let you." She hissed.
"Ever a spark of Determination, in all souls, I see. Noted." The man felt amused. "Well, you will forget those questions now, won't you?"
"Yes." She replied quietly.
"Good girl. Now, from the top." He cleared his throat. "You're a human, aren't you?"
Aliza blinked, and noted that she had run into this man. He seemed friendly enough, or, at least he looked like a skeleton. And that association reminded her of Papyrus. Made her feel comfortable.
"Oh, uhm, yeah?" Aliza replied, somewhat confused. "Why?"
The man glanced at the workers, prompting her to do the same. Some of them were gathered, talking. A few others, merely skulking around. Wandering, aimlessly, at first glance. Around the shop, the restaurant, and the museum.
"Ahh, that's...unfortunate." He hummed, kneeling down. "May I see your scarf for a moment?"
Aliza felt unnerved at the sudden request, but replied. "Okay...why?"
The man took the scarf. And then proceeded to adjust it on her person. Tying it around her like a bandana, of sorts, leaving a thread of it loose through the front. Covering the lower portion of her face.
"There are a number of individuals who aren't keen on humanity." The man remarked. "Bearing a...hostile, opinion. If you're not careful, they may do you harm."
"But...the king says-" Aliza began.
"Ah, yes. I know what the dear king says. Much like his father, in that way." The man snickered, laughing at a joke only he knew. "Though, you must still retain an air of caution. Even among monsters, there are those who are self-interested. Dangerous." He added. "But, judging by that knife in your pocket, you know this, don't you?"
She hesitated, and noticed part of it was sticking out. Quickly working to hide it a bit better. Though, he didn't seem upset, just amused.
"I-I guess...sorry." Aliza replied.
"Don't apologize. I think much the same way." He noted, smirking. "Though, tread lightly, little one. And do try to avoid the inn." She perked up. "I think they suspect your presence there."
"What?" She turned to face the Inn.
There, she noticed that one of the workers had broken away from the rest. One of those odd stranglers wandering around, with seemingly little reason. This one heading inside the building. Closing the door behind them.
Aliza felt confused, and alarmed. "How would-" She turned to find the man was gone. "I..."
She didn't have time to give it much more thought however. An urgent sensation beckoning her back towards the inn. Hurriedly jogging towards it, while doing her best to avoid any others seeing her. Though, the rest did appear to be leaving, at this point. Seemingly unaware of this lone straggler not being with them.
When she got to the door, she attempted to push it open, however it did not budge. Attempting to pull it yielded similar results, in that nothing happened. The door, it seemed, had been locked. She shook the handle a few times, as fear crept through her.
"Mr. Limbs" She called out, knocking hard on the door. "Hello?"
Subtlty dropped, she banged as furiously as she could. And after a moment, the door opened. A confused looking scarecrow standing in the entryway, holding a drink. Without hesitation, she barged past him, nearly knocking it from his hand in the process.
"My, such a rush, child." Limbs hummed. "Though, I don't recall locking the door." She looked around. "You appear to be in distress. Is everything alright?"
"S-someone just came in here." Aliza said, hearing a faint set of steps up the staircase, towards their room.
"They did?" Limbs asked, setting his drink down.
Given the warning, and the words of the strange man in her head, the intent of this intruder felt obvious. She ran past the monster towards the stairs, seeking to either interrupt what she believed was to transpire, or dissipate her fears. The scarecrow following after her, more confused than anything else.
She raced up, coming to stop at the top of the staircase. There, ahead of her, by the room, were two individuals. The first was the worker, and the second was a small bird on its shoulder. This sight alone, was confusing. But the immediate draw for her gaze, was the object held in the workers hand. A dagger like blade, shining in the light of the hall.
"You...you get away from there." She demanded, eyes growing brighter.
Behind her, Limbs came to the top of the staircase. Taking in the sight before them. The monsters eyes briefly widening, flooding with confusion.
Limbs spoke, "Oscar. What in the world, are you doing?"
The small bird let out a whistle, and tsk'd. "Ahh, this looks bad, don't'it?" The worker he was on raising the large dagger at them. "Limbs, buddy, think you aughta go back to checkin those locks on the otha end pal."
There was an immediate response from Aliza, namely with the girl drawing the knife from her pocket. Unclicking, and swinging the switchblade with surprising grace. Before stepping forward, aiming it at the two near the door.
"Get...away from the room." She hissed. "I'm not gonna let you hurt Chara."
"Ughhh...go figure, you little brats are nuts." Oscar shrugged on the shoulder of the quiet worker. "Listen, brat, your consent ain't exactly required. Considerin you're meant'ta be dying." He snickered. "So, be a good girl, put down tha knife, and I'll make this next part quick."
She noticed movement at her side, as Limbs moved forward. Moving to block the path of the entities. His mouth opening, becoming a scowl of sorts.
"You've lost yourself, friend. More deeply than I thought." Limbs noted, adding. "Oscar...for a moment, consider. You're talking about killing children. With...what, one of the mayors lackeys?"
"Humans. Limbs, like I-" Oscar began.
"It doesn't matter." Limbs growled. "Who cares if they're human?" The girl, and the bird seemed slightly surprised. "What you're discussing is wrong. And I won't permit you to do it."
"C'mon buddy. You'n I know, ya ain't as tough as ya used'ta be." The bird sighed, before asking. "Also, why don't'cha seem surprised, bout em bein humans?"
"I'm quite similar to them in style. I knew what they were immediately." Limbs commented, the snarl falling to a frown. "Oscar. Don't do this. The King asked them to be taken care of. The war is over."
"See Limbs, that's your problem. Thinkin the words of that idiot matter anymore." Oscar huffed. "His hopes and dreams shit ain't gonna cut it. In case you ain't realized it yet. In this world-" The world flashed orange, and black. "it's kill, or be killed."
The sound of speaking, echoed into the room.
The girl resting within beginning to stir. Some semblance of consciousness attempting to call her to a waking state. To assist in what was to transpire.
However, there was a Man there. Standing beside the bed. As her heart began to beat faster. Her mind beginning to stir. He placed a hand on her head. The scratching overtaking, forming into dreams. Calming the heart-beat, slowing it to such a state it barely beat.
"Not yet." The Man smiled ominously.
He motioned, as her soul became visible. His eyes, ever in shadow scanned it. A motion, beckoning forth a console. A few lines visible, the readings obscured.
Vessel Stability.
Soul Stability.
Timeline Stability.
"I don't need viewers for this work." The Man looked at you, and me. "Don't worry. I would never compromise the safety of my patient." He smiled darkly. "Now...shoo."
He gave a flick of the wrist-
Well, it seemed the fight was unavoidable.
|Aliza 26/26| |Limbs 50/50|
Presented with the combat menu, time seemed to slow to a crawl. Aliza recalled this. But the feeling was...so much more intense now. Her mind projecting the image, her panic, her adrenaline, her soul stretching a single moment into a thousand.
|Fight| |Act| |Items| |Mercy|
|Act|
|Check| |Talk| |Threaten| |X-Attack| |Courage|
Aliza noticed that two of her options appeared unavailable. Attempting to call of them, even though she didn't know what they were. But she couldn't seem too. So, instead...
Aliza chose to Fight.
Limbs chose to Defend.
The girl pushed forward, and slashed. The bird flapping away to avoid the hit. The knife slashing into the worker, cleaving down. Before a second strike slashed across - However, the worker didn't bleed mana. It bled an inky dark substance.
Oscar scoffed. "Vicious little brat, ain't cha?"
Limbs pulled her back, as straw seemed to form like a shield before her. As it did, the worker creature slashed out. The girl leaning back, narrowly avoiding the hit, as it cut through the straw. A series of bullets forming after, by the bird flying around. Firing out at the pair. Oscar not bothering to dodge, taking a few hits, as Aliza weaved, avoiding them.
The bullets shredding through the nearby wood.
Oscar groaned. "Lookit the damage you did ta my inn!"
"Ink blood?" Limbs replied. "Oscar you must stop. Don't you realize what that is?"
|Aliza 26/26| |Limbs 44/50|
Aliza chose to Talk.
Limbs chose to Defend.
She spoke. "Don't...do this...please. We...we don't have to fight." - The worker creature didn't appear to care. Oscar rolled his eyes. Straw formed like a shield before them both.
"So quick ta attack, and now ya backpedal?" Oscar replied. "Eh, ya know what? Great point. 'We' don't havta." The bird began to attack. "Why won't we see us-selves outta this."
The bullets hit Limbs specifically. Tearing through the shield, causing the monster to stagger back. A foot catching on the staircase, causing him to fall back. Tumbling down, and out of the fight. Aliza having turned to try and grab for his hand, only to see bullets coming, that she narrowly avoided.
The bird flying past her, to continue that fight in the lobby. Leaving her alone in the hall with the strange entity. Her attention turning back to it, to see a dagger approaching.
Pushing to the side, it slashed across her arm. Causing her to stumble, and knock into one of the tables in the hall. The pain, the sting of it, intense, and unwelcome. And yet, it hurt less than she thought it would.
The creature stabbed down at her. The girl dropped, and pushed herself beneath the table. The dagger slamming through the top, slicing next to the face.
Aliza chose to attack.
Seeing an opening, she slashed out. Tearing at the gut of the strange thing. As inky blood splashed over her legs. The sheer cold of it causing her to shiver, before she brought the knife around. Stabbing into its leg, making it buckle, briefly.
With this opportunity, she yanked the knife back out, and pushed away from the creature. Getting back to her feet. As blood dripped from her arm, onto the floor. It was difficult to move that arm now, and hurt when she did.
The creature growled, while leaving the large dagger in the table.
"Unrestrained." The creature whispered. "Combat."
"What?" Aliza asked.
|Aliza 20/26|
Her prompts had appeared, only to see the creature manifest things, like shards of glass. Motioning, and firing them towards her. Her turn, interrupted. The Creatures were unnatural things, and thus, didn't mind the same rules that the rest of the world did. They operate on a different battle system.
The girl began moving to avoid the barrage of shattered glass, as it lurched nearer. Finding that the glass was acting like a building cage. Gradually forcing her to dodge into a place it wanted her to be. Seeing this, as it began to build around her, she realized she had to do something. The tension was rising, and she needed to act.
Aliza used |Courage|
The knife shined, as bravery flushed her system. Giving steaks of glowing light from them. In an almost otherworldly glow for a moment. A flick of her wrist prompting the knife to be consumed with an orange glow. Appearing as a blade of light.
Courage empowered Aliza. Raising her ATK, and DEF sharply. For a limited time.
The girl slashed out, the light shattering the glass. The creature summoning more spinning shards, while rushing towards her. Swinging out with a hellish claw. She dove to the side, slamming against the wall of the narrow corridor. The claw passing by her, as glass tore down. A piece stabbing into her chest. Another into her leg.
A step back, followed by a compulsion to strike. The orange sword slashing through the leg of the creature. Causing it to nearly collapse. A second slash coming as she moved past it. Tearing a gash through its side. Spraying ink blood across her person, her scarf swinging as she did so.
Aliza stumbled some, getting some steps away from the creature. Before seeing its head turn, the neck audibly snapping in the process. A swinging motion bringing the arm crashing down. A fast step back, permitting her to avoid it. As it smashed against the floor. Causing the inn to shake, various pots and the sort falling from the tables in the hall. Shattering.
A door opened to a monster. "Hey wha-" She noticed, paused. "nope." And closed the door.
In the moment of distraction, Aliza felt her scarf get grasped. Pulling her nearer to the creature. Pulling back, she cut the empowered blade through it, slicing the armor in half. Evading a larger piece of glass hitting where she had been, shattering. The scarf shredded by the creature.
Aliza lost |Brave Scarf|
The creature used the moment to dive at her. Aliza noted the table, fallen over behind her. She had no room to dodge this attack. And...if she couldn't dodge. The tension spiked.
Aliza used |X-Attack|
The girls eyes shined. Bravery rushing into every aspect of her. It neared, and then.
A set of two strikes, becoming four shredded through. Leaving the creature crumbling before her. The head rising, mouth unhinging as it grinned.
"You'll fail." The creature laughed. "And she'll die her final death, you-"
The 'sword' cleaved the head from its shoulders. The blood of the creature boiling from the heat. Steaming, collapsing, into a pile. The girls eyes growing dimmer, as she staggered some. The switchblades energy fading. Returning to what it was. The blood seeping from her, as she winced, and groaned in pain.
A hand moving to where the shards of glass had been. They melted apart, as the creature died. Leaving only new wounds, covered by her attire.
Aliza was shocked by her victory. But she was more shocked with what followed it. A sudden stabbing pain, several bullets smashing into her, while her guard was down. Tearing out of her with splashes of blood. She fell to the floor, turning to see a familiar bird.
"Them stories bout humans is true." Oscar commented, looking a little beaten down. "You're dangerous as hell." A series of bullets appeared beside him, as he flapped his wings, hovering in the hall. "G'night ya little freak."
A door opened beside them, unheard as the magic was hissing the bullets to their present position. An initial set of purple-eyes, promptly becoming abyssal and dark. As the bird motioned, a sound filled the air. 'Crack.'
The X-Bat. An wooden bat, with an orange X on it. It deals an additional point of damage, per every individual the user has killed. At present, that number was 21.
The force of the swing was otherworldly. Fueled by a sudden, and vicious, hatred. Bringing it around, exploding through the bird. Which erupted into a splash of red mana, like a bloody mist. Before falling to dust on the floor.
As the bat swung around, it connected with the wall. The force of the hit, so severe, the wall was punched through, the wood of the weapon shattered. Leaving splinters flying through the air from both sources.
Chara lost the |X-Bat|
The weapons demise was barely registered, Chara watching the dust fall instead. Before turning her focus to Aliza. The abyssal dark of her eyes altering, as she blinked. A purple light shining within. Concern rising to the surface.
"Aliza!" She hurried over, dropping the remains of the weapon.
Aliza winced, examining her. "H-hi."
Chara cast |Patchwork|
The tension in her being faded, as the magic flowed into the other girl. The wounds healing, as Aliza coughed a few times, shaking. The sensation was strange, like sewing. She shook it off, her head cleared, and her dimming vision came back to her. Before she could act, she was pulled into a sudden hug.
"Y-you idiot. What the hell happened?" Chara asked alarmed.
"Uhm...bad guys." Aliza managed a smile, hugging her back. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" Chara felt confused, glancing over the creatures corpse. "Did you...do that?"
"Yeah." Aliza replied quietly. "They...were gonna...hurt you." She closed her eyes briefly. "I couldn't let that happen."
The creatures body had been properly mangled. Admittedly, Chara didn't know her partner was capable of such brutality. It impressed some dark corner of her mind, but concerned the rest in equal measure.
"Fuck, okay...don't apologize, okay, just don't...do that." Chara replied. "You're...you're okay."
Aliza shifted some, and noted. "Chara...you're still...hugging me."
"Shut up, dork." Chara ordered, maintaining it. Her heart racing still.
"Okay." Aliza replied.
The hugs hadn't lasted this long before, or been this tight. Aliza wagered she probably messed up, trying to fight on her own. Yet, her companion didn't seem angry. So, she let herself enjoy the warmth.
There was a sound coming from the staircase, as a wounded scarecrow monster staggered up. Noticing the scene, and then the glance of Chara. Who promptly glared, releasing the hug, as she rose.
Aliza spoke. "Mr. Limbs helped." She began to rise.
"I see I was too late." Limbs examined the scene, and sighed. "My apologies...I was never a fighter." He examined the dust, and frowned. "Oh Oscar...my poor friend."
Chara replied angrily. "He tried to kill Aliza."
"Morning ones friends, and pitying our foes is not a malicious action. It is a compassionate one, that keeps us whole." Limbs responded. "Even if it leaves you alone with regrets, it is better to permit that pain, than deny it."
The response caught her off guard. "I...yeah...I guess...sorry for your loss."
Limbs noticed a few doors creaking open. "It is best you come with me for a moment." He motioned, gesturing down the staircase.
Chara noticed the anxious looks. Noticing that as she examined them, a few of the monsters recoiled, gasped, or hid away. She didn't know it, but her eyes had retained the darkness. The purple iris being all that remained of color in them.
Aliza heeded the request, and picked up the knife. Briefly examining the shredded pieces of her scarf. And the bloody mess that was the hall.
Chara looked these things over herself. Snatching up the largest section of Alizas scarf, she turned her focus to the bat. It was useless now. The only thing that stood out, was the Orange-X. Appearing similar to a sticker. Instinctively she picked it up, and shoved it into her pocket alongside the scarf.
Following along with her counterpart while going downstairs. The scarf remnants, and the orange-X now resting beside her music box, within the jacket. The steps clattering some as she went, reaching the bottom to find Aliza, and the wounded monster there.
The lobby area was heavily damaged. With shards of wood scattered about. The desk bearing many bullet holes, from a magic fight.
Chara noticed the monster limping. Getting a few things. As Aliza showed clear concern over his wellbeing. A few open wounds bleeding mana, dripping into dust. Seeing this, Chara attempted to cast |Patchwork| on him. However, the tension had faded. Leaving her magic to fade with it.
"I...sorry. My magic doesn't..." Chara felt irritated.
"You possess battle magic, I understand." Limbs replied. "Many monsters function in a similar fashion. No worries, young one. I will endure." He assured, as the sound of confused talking came from the staircases. "Come with me. I need to take you someplace else, for now."
Aliza asked. "Where are...we going?"
"A friends." Limbs said, opening the door, with the pair following after him. "I wager they'll be up. Sleeping isn't a specific requirement for those lacking corporeal status."
The children exchanged looks over that statement. Following along with the monster. Who brought them to the Item Shop. Taking glances around to make sure nobody was present. Guiding them to a space at the side of the building, on the side of it. Knocking against a door there a few times.
After a moment, the sound of a lock sliding was audible. "It's the middle of-" A voice said, as the door opened. "the...night."
The figure standing floating there, was red ghost. The phantom examining them all, with wide eyes. Briefly glancing at Chara, scanning the girls eyes for a moment, before looking to Limbs.
He smiled some. "I know. My apologies."
"Get inside before someone notices you all. Now, now, now." The ghost huffed, ushering them in. "Oh, there had better be a good explanation for this."
The ghost gave a last check, before closing the door. Locking it up, with two locks. Ensuring nobody would follow along after so quickly after.
And Limbs would explain, as best he could. The unfortunate turn the night had taken. As this long night continued on.