There was a feeling like falling. Slipping away, and into nothing. Then, a flicker of something. The shattered pieces of the soul shining, pulling somewhere. Grasping at something that had been...forgotten.

She opened her eyes, the world flickering, skipping like an old vhs. Settling on a moment, coming to rest on a girl wearing a purple striped shirt with blood splashed on it, and pants with a tear at the knee. Sitting on a rock beside a waterfall. Brilliant blue colors, glowing echo flowers, and occasional life sprinkled throughout it.

Her counterpart wasn't terribly unlike her in some ways. Similar fashion sense, minus the colors at least. With Charas own shirt here being red, and black, versus the purple and black of her counterpart. Further, the girl had glasses. Perpetually cloudy, as if the prescription was slightly off. Add in the newfound scratches, and their use was dubious. Finally, the other much curlier hair.

Chara watched another child, not unlike them, only a monster finishing a talk with the other human. This monster was wearing a 'totally inconspicuous hoodie.' And had a big stick that was acting as a makeshift spear. Red flowing hair, blue skin, and bright eyes. Notably, the hoodie was worn over what was very obviously squires armor.

A thumbs up came from the monster who quickly turned and started off. Waving to the other human child, who waved in response. Chara waiting until the monster was gone.

"Always gotta entertain her dialogue...don't you?" Chara asked, getting a frown, and a glance. "You alright?"

"Yeah." The other child replied, sighing some. "And I know it takes awhile. But she seems so excited about meeting...well you know...I don't wanna be rude, is all."

Beside her on the rock was a notebook. It had a mechanical pencil at the side of it. With a page open, discussing the fight they'd just gotten out of. In this case, being mangled by a strong turtle man with a hammer. Noted as 'Gerson.' He'd been a pain since they left the snow. A scribble on the side suggested that he may know Undyne, with a question mark beside it?

"That hammer...really hurt." The ghostly girl commented. "Hmm, hey Tera...why not try your magic on him, next time he comes around?"

Tera checked one of the lenses. But glanced away at that suggestion, her nervousness about it radiating. Felt by Chara, who raised a brow, gaining a defeated huff from her counterpart.

"I don't think it would hurt him." Tera reasoned. "And...I feel bad, about...having it." Tera replied, adding. "I didn't mean for that to happen."

Chara looked a bit frustrated at the refusal. Her counterpart finishing cleaning the glasses, before placing them back on. It had been a little while since Tera managed to make any real progress. And that was mostly because she lost her temper and killed someone. Though, Chara felt bad too, it was...much less. Given how annoying and cruel that monster had been.

"You're just worried Undyne will be upset with you." Chara guessed. "Cuz you have a crush on her."

Tera in response blushed some. "I-I am not!"

"Oh dude, you totally are!" The red eyed child remarked with a stupid grin. "You like her don't you?"

"N-no...you're an idiot." The purple eyed one attempted to retort, having been called out for her crush.

"You two are gonna hold hands, and learn how to fight from the king." Chara began, snickering some, as Tera let out a sound of embarrassment. "And watch tons of anime, like nerds!"

"Y-you like anime too!" Tera huffed some, adding. "A-and you'd be stuck with us." She grinned. "S-so...you'd just have to watch whatever I wanted. Hmmph."

Chara blinked at this thought, noting that she hadn't really considered it before. So far, nobody she'd been with had really succeeded in their goal. The memories and names a bit obscured. But she knew they'd failed. Unlike them however, Tera didn't want to leave. So maybe...it would go differently, if they could convince the monsters to leave her alone at least?

"I guess I'd be in a fishy situation, huh?" Chara joked, smiling some. "Wouldn't that be pun?"

"Awful...the worst." Tera snickered, laying back across the rock. "Hurts worst than the hammer."

"Yeah. I just had to hammer it in. Nail it down, ya know?" The red eyed child joked more, causing Tera to cover her face, looking embarrassed. "Should I... retool my humor?"

"Ughhhhhhh, you're the worst." Tera groaned, despite wearing a steady smile.

"I do my best." The phantom child sighed, letting her counterpart have a moment to rest.

"Hey, Chara-" Tera glanced over.

"Yeah?" Chara asked.

"Do you...really think I should use the magic?" Tera inquired. "Even though...I had to...kill someone to get it?"

Chara thought for a moment. In truth, it wasn't really a question she was equipped to answer. To debate, to really to advise on in any capacity. Her desire to be a helpful mentor, thus fad had always backfired. Then again, she kept trying for peace...when everyone else seemed to be abandoning it. Her gut said to leave it be, to not push Tera to embrace it. But...her gut had been wrong before...so...

"If you had a choice...no. But...I dunno...it feels more and more like, in this world...it's become different somehow." She sighed. "Like...it's kill or be killed."

"Do you think Undyne would ever kill me?" Tera asked. "I...I know it's silly...but-"

A shared memory of Tera getting murdered by a rather friendly guide played in both their minds. It felt like, no matter who they ran across. They were always willing to cross that line. Well, almost everyone. A few people were resistant and had treated Tera well. But it was definitely the minority of them. It seemed only natural to be worried at this point.

"Na. She's a friend, so I doubt it." Chara replied. "I imagine she'd probably help you fight, or just protect you if you asked her too."

Teras expression darkened, at that thought. The shared thought, imagination, as it were, did not behoove that moment. As Tera couldn't help but envision getting her friend killed in ways as ghastly as she had been. The idea making her shiver with dread. The ghostly child could feel the distress that it caused, regretting having suggested it at all. After a moment, Tera motioned. Manifesting the menu that Chara liked to project for her.

|Fight| - |Act| - |Item| - |Mercy|

She hit act.

|Actions| - |Magic|

Tera hit Magic.

|Dancing Water|

Sitting upright she tapped the spell. And her eyes shined some. Energy coursing from her purple soul, briefly shining as it was cast. A swirling bit of magical energy forming above her palm. Like dancing water. Sloshing, and flowing around.

"I don't want her to get hurt." Tera commented. "I've never really had friends before you two...and.."

Chara considered for a moment. "Then...maybe we can practice that uhm, ya know, spell." She suggested, gaining a glance. "As a just in case, okay?" She extended a hand. "What do you say partner...just to keep you both safe?"

Tera tossed the water drop, which flowed out. Like waves across the air. Rising and falling, like it had when it was used against her. Seeing it in action, her hand was extended, and 'took' Charas.

"Even if we can't really shake hands." Tera noted, snickering. "Okay...partner. I trust you."

The memory faded.

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