Ahead of them lay a sight most unfathomable. A peculiar construct, defying logic. Built by magical methods, unknown to the traveling duo. A table sat in the middle of their path, with a microwave on it. Just...there.
A confused look spread across Charas face. Noticing a note stuck on it, she picked it up. It was hastily written, she also noticed there was what appeared to be a container of some food within the microwave. And a plastic fork on the side of the machine.
"Human-" Char read. "it was brought to my attention, that you may have been hungry during our game."
"What?" Flowey asked.
"It's a note from Papyrus." She declared enthusiastically.
"Of course it is." He sighed.
"It wouldn't do, to have you famished during the puzzles. It would ruin the experience, and valiant struggle. So please enjoy the Lasagna." She hummed some, asking. "Lasagna...huh, he seemed like more of a spaghetti guy to me."
"Spaghetti?" Flowey snickered. "Well, he'd probably have an easier time with it. Papyrus and his cooking are uh...dubious, at best."
Chara rolled her eyes. "You still didn't really explain how you all know each other." She opened the machine. "Only the mysterious 'we were friends once' thing, that teenagers do when they wanna by edgy."
"I-I'm not trying to be edgy." He remarked. "Problem is, you're a kid, so you're like-" He mimicked her voice, poorly. "oh, wowie, I know everything. Such an expert. Golly, I'm super smarter than you."
She raised a brow. "Super smarter isn't how you say that, nerd. It's, 'I'm much smarter' than you." She pulled out the container, which appeared to be warm. "And I didn't say I was smarter than you. Just that you're being edgy."
"You know you're gonna be a teenager too soon, right?" He smirked. "Then whataya gonna do?"
"I dunno. Probably write emo poetry, and never talk about my friends." She suggested. "Those're like...the requirements right?"
Flowey pondered for a moment. "Eh...pretty much honestly."
"That's...a little depressing. But, it'll be okay right?" She picked up the fork. "It can't...always be so cold, right?"
"Cold?" He glanced. "You mean s-" He blinked. "Hang on, you're not honestly gonna eat that, are you?"
"Yeah?" She asked.
"Chara!?" His voice exasperated. "Do not eat random food you found lying around-"
"We ate the candy in the ruins." She reminded him.
"That was different, and I still thought it was poisoned." He reminded her right back. "Do not eat the lasagna."
"I'ma eat it." She said, opening the container.
"Don't you dare." He demanded.
"I'ma do it." She quickly took a bite.
Flowey blinked, and sighed. "Do not eat food you get from your enemies, or random strangers!?" He demanded, while she kept eating. "I can't believe I have to tell you this?"
"To be fair-" She swallowed a piece. "you called them friends, or ya know, people ya know."
"Yes, but you don't." He stated.
"Sure I do. There's the smiley trashbag who is probably hunting mom, and deserves a punch to the face." She said angrily, before smiling. "And then there's Papyrus. And I don't think he'd do anything bad with food. Sides, it's pretty good."
"Don't lie to me." Flowey huffed. "Papyrus can't cook. You're just being nice, cuz you think he's cool...for some damn reason.."
"Wanna try some?" She offered.
"No, I'm good. Just...there's a save point over there." He motioned. "If you don't mind me-"
"Huh, oh, no worries petals." She chuckled, walking over. "You sure you don't wanna try it?" She suggested. "I bet he worked real hard on it."
"Yeah, I'm gonna give that a hard pass." He replied tiredly. "If it's edible, it's probably store bought. Even then that doesn't mean it's completely safe."
She waited until Flowey was able to save, before deciding to progress. Eating the lasagna as she went. It wasn't the best thing she'd ever tasted, but it was pretty good. She briefly wondered if she would be a good cook? She could have her own kitchen, with lots of shiny things, and strange machines.
She could even have her own show. Where she screamed at yelled at the dumb people who worked for her. Well, probably not all the time. She felt bad at the concept of being hopelessly rude to others.
Granted it wasn't like she was all that talented a chef anyways. Once, she'd managed to set fire to milk before. A cold chill gripped her, her eyes glossing over some. And then...she tried to make a pie once. Maybe...it was best she let that little dream wither. A little chuckle escaping her lips, prompting her to cover them and stop the potential laugh.
Besides, if she had it her way, she'd just make things chocolate that didn't really need to be. It always helped her feel better, so...why not try in in other things? Why couldn't it all be chocolate?
Like a burger. The idea of a chocolate burger warmed her up some. How would it even work? Seeking distraction, she began constructing the concept. Maybe she could use chocolate muffins as buns? She could add a chocolate bar as the patty, or, maybe a few. And chocolate sauce as the topping. She concluded she would have to test this theory, even if she was also certain it was a terrible idea.
Chara blinked some, and let out a warm breath. She couldn't quite recall what she'd been thinking about. But found she'd walked a bit further than she realized. The duo having passed another scratched out sign. It was a little annoying, but expected at this point. So they wandered on, heading forward instead of right. Namely, as she could see what looked like a sentry station...or maybe two, in the near distance.
Finishing her food, she began putting it away, when a growling bark came to her attention. There was a dog, or wolf maybe, sprinting at her wearing armor. Brandishing a sword and shield. Before it could get too close though, a stick flew back over its head. The monster sliding to a halt, head turning to follow it. Tongue lolling out, before sprinting off to get it.
"Ya know what was a good investment, strangely?" Flowey commented. "The stick."
"It has been a surprisingly an effective tool." Chara admitted.
The lesser wolf came sliding back over, dropping the stick. "W-wait...what am I doing?" The wolf lady spitting it out. "Y-you crooks think you can take advantage of-"
Chara picked up the stick, pausing the words of the wolf. "Want me to throw it?"
"I am a member of the uh-" The wolf began, as Chara started moving it. "I uh...well.."
She threw the stick. The houndish monster once more racing off to acquire it. Feeling rather amused, Chara waited patiently for its return. This process was repeated a few times. Before the Lesser Wolf came panting back, dropping it again.
"Are you tired?" Chara asked. "We can wait until you've rested to play again."
Lesser wolf let out a long yawn, picking up the sword. "No I'm...meant uh...I'm uh..." Yawning again, the monster thought. "Well, a nap...seems like...nice, actually."
The monster stretched out, before plopping into the snow. Getting cozy there, tuckered out from the impromptu game a fetch. Chara knelt down, patting the monster some. Rising, and heading off after, smiling to herself.
Flowey snickered some. "Ya know, these guys are normally real scary right?"
Chara tilted her head. "Really?"
"Yeah, they're pretty tough." He said, adding. "Granted, I don't think many have thought, ya know, headpats and sticks may be the answer to defeating them."
"That's silly." She noted. "It seems obvious to me."
She waited until Flowey was able to save, before deciding to progress. Eating the lasagna as she went. It wasn't the best thing she'd ever tasted, but it was pretty good. She briefly wondered if she would be a good cook. She could have her own kitchen, with lots of shiny things, and strange machines.
She could even have her own show. Where she screamed at yelled at the dumb people who worked for her. Well, probably not all the time. She felt bad at the concept of being hopelessly rude to others.
Granted it wasn't like she was all that talented a chef anyways. Once, she'd managed to set fire to milk before. A cold chill gripped her, her eyes glossing over some. And then...she tried to make a pie once. Maybe...it was best she let that little dream wither. A little chuckle escaping her lips, prompting her to cover them and stop the potential laugh.
Besides, if she had it her way, she'd just make things chocolate that didn't really need to be. It always helped her feel better, so...why not try in in other things? Why couldn't it all be chocolate?
Like a burger. The idea of a chocolate burger warmed her up some. How would it even work? Seeking distraction, she began constructing the concept. Maybe she could use chocolate muffins as buns? She could add a chocolate bar as the patty, or, maybe a few. And chocolate sauce as the topping. She concluded she would have to test this theory, even if she was also certain it was a terrible idea.
Chara blinked some, and let out a warm breath. She couldn't quite recall what she'd been thinking about. But found she'd walked a bit further than she realized. The duo having passed another scratched out sign. It was a little annoying, but expected at this point. So they wandered on, heading forward instead of right. Namely, as she could see what looked like a sentry station...or maybe two, in the near distance.
Finishing her food, she began putting it away, when a growling bark came to her attention. There was a dog, or wolf maybe, sprinting at her wearing armor. Brandishing a sword and shield. Before it could get too close though, a stick flew back over its head. The monster sliding to a halt, head turning to follow it. Tongue lolling out, before sprinting off to get it.
"Ya know what was a good investment, strangely?" Flowey commented. "The stick."
"It has been a surprisingly an effective tool." Chara admitted.
The lesser wolf came sliding back over, dropping the stick. "W-wait...what am I doing?" The wolf lady spitting it out. "Y-you crooks think you can take advantage of-"
Chara picked up the stick, pausing the words of the wolf. "Want me to throw it?"
"I am a member of the uh-" The wolf began, as Chara started moving it. "I uh...well.."
She threw the stick. The houndish monster once more racing off to acquire it. Feeling rather amused, Chara waited patiently for its return. This process was repeated a few times. Before the Lesser Wolf came panting back, dropping it again.
"Are you tired?" Chara asked. "We can wait until you've rested to play again."
Lesser wolf let out a long yawn, picking up the sword. "No I'm...meant uh...I'm uh..." Yawning again, the monster thought. "Well, a nap...seems like...nice, actually."
The monster stretched out, before plopping into the snow. Getting cozy there, tuckered out from the impromptu game a fetch. Chara knelt down, patting the monster some. Rising, and heading off after, smiling to herself.
Flowey snickered some. "Ya know, these guys are normally real scary right?"
Chara tilted her head. "Really?"
"Yeah, they're pretty tough." He said, adding. "Granted, I don't think many have thought, ya know, headpats and sticks may be the answer to defeating them."
"That's silly." She noted. "It seems obvious to me."
"Yeah, but you're weird." He suggested, with a shrug. "So, I dunno if the same logic applies."
"I'm not that weird, am I?" She asked.
"Ehhh, weird may be the wrong term." Flowey admitted. "But you look at them like puppies, rather than cold blooded warriors."
"Are they not?" She asked.
"Okay, maybe weird wasn't too far off." He snickered.
The duo arrived near the strange sentry stations. There were more run-down than the one Papyrus made, but that didn't surprise her. It had to be difficult to try and keep up with someone so cool.
Much to her lack of surprise, the sign in-between these stations was defaced. Though, the two plaques on them, had been left alone. Reading 'His' and 'Hers' respectively. While examining them, she felt her foot get caught on something. Stumbling, then falling, face first into the snow. Something clicking as she did.
"What was that?" She grumbled, starting to get back up.
"I believe that was you falling." He suggested.
"Har, de, har." She replied, adding. "I can make jokes too, ya know?"
"Eh?" He recalled. "Oh no...no puns."
"Lotus see what it was." She offered. "I be-leaf I tripped over something there."
Flowey huffed. "Stahhp."
"No making fun of me for falling." She replied, noticing a switch. "And besides...how was I supposed to notice this beneath snow?"
"A switch?" He asked. "Well, that was probably some kind of trap?"
"It could be, maybe?" She suggested, looking at it. "But uh...I think I triggered it when I fell. So, I guess we'll find out."
He facepalmed with one of his leaves. The duo heading back, as there was nothing really to see there. The other direction was a bit wider, with a sleeping armored dog lying on the ground. Retrieving the stick, Chara once more gave the dangerous feral monster-wolf a head pat.
Forward further, was a section where spikes seemed to have been protruding. Blocking the path of progress. But they were down now. She carefully examined them, before diving across, nearly falling as she slid. Heart pounding, while glancing back at the spike strip. Thankful they hadn't...activated, or anything.
As she was there, a set of two dark figures approached. Carrying large, and hopelessly intimidating axes. Her mind noting how sharp they seemed, prompting some hesitation on her part.
"Hmm, what's that smell?" One said, sniffing the air.
"Where's that smell?" The other asked, sniffing as well.
The first shifted some, stepping back. "Smells...familiar."
The second moved a bit more to the side. "Smells...like bad dreams..."
The first brandished their axe. "It makes me want to...run."
"Run far away." The second whimpered.
Chara examined them, not entirely certain what was going on. Feeling...confused, and very anxious all of a sudden. Flowey, having much the same reaction. Glancing her over, briefly. Looking away, when she glanced back at him. When he did nothing, she grabbed the stick, and whistled loudly, grabbing their attention. Winding up, and then chucking it back the way they'd come from.
The axe-wielding monsters noticed it moving in the air. And promptly bounded off to go deal with it. Her purple eyes watching them go, before turning back to the way they'd come. Sprinting forward to escape the area, before they came back.
They rushed ahead, coming to what appeared to be some kind of ice structured puzzle. With icey-snow blocks placed around. Various X's on the ground. It seemed like it might take a little bit. Flowey however, was busy thinking about other things. Obsessing over them, actually.
"Chara...did I ever ask what you remembered before you woke up?" He inquired.
"Huh, oh, I don't remember?" She asked. "But I don't...remember a lot of things. Most of it comes from-"
"Dying. Right?" He hummed. "Little flashbacks from when you were, ya know, dead?" She felt a twitch in her hand. "Don't you find that weird?"
"Well, yeah, obviously." She replied, asking. "Is this...about what the dogs said?" She frowned. "I don't know why they said all that but-"
"Look, I just uh...this is a weird angle to talk." He pondered. "Hey, set me down for a minute."
"Okay." She hummed. "I can hold you out a bit, I mean it's cold, so-"
"That's...I'd like to be placed down." He repeated, as she winced. "I uh, ya know, I'm thinking about checking something out. So-""
"Okay." She replied quietly bringing the backpack around. Taking the flower, and the vase out. "What cha thinkin bout checkin out?"
Placed onto the ground, well, at least mostly, he looked up at her. He was surprised she hadn't brought up how cold it was, even if she had the jacket. He was surprised about a lot of things he'd been ignoring for a while now. Granted, he couldn't exactly claim a little change in behavior was to be unexpected. Death had changed him too after-all.
But it left him nervous. Like something was wrong, and he needed to help fix it. But he didn't even know what it was, exactly. Just...something.
"I wanna look into what Sans was talking about." Flowey suggested. "Ya know, whether or not Toriels at the ruins."
"I thought we were being cautious about him." She reminded. "Flowey...what if it's a trap?"
"What if it's not?" He asked back. "Then we'd have been wandering out here for, no real reason."
"Well...I mean, maybe...uhm." Chara frowned. "Flowey...I don't...know why they said those things." She noticed him fidget. "But...I'm not...did I do something wrong?"
"No, it's not..." Flowey examined her over. "Look, Toriel would probably having some answers, about everything. And she is who we're looking for right?" She nodded. "So, if she is there, then hey, great. If not, then, no harm no foul, we keep moving on. Right?"
"I guess." She hesitated some. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine." He replied, adding. "I'm just gonna hop over, come back. No worries."
"You won't...be gone too long?" She asked. "Right?"
"It's just a quick jaunt. Besides, you'll be fine with or without me." He assured, pulling himself out of the vase, and dropping onto the snowy dirt. "W-w-wow, that's heh, chilly is-isn't it?" He chuckled. "R-right...I'll be back."
"Okay uh-" She began, as he vanished into the ground, leaving the scarf as he did. "uhm...alright."
Picking it up, she hesitantly placed it back in the bag. Chara told herself, that he likely couldn't bring it with him, when he did his digging thing. It wasn't that he didn't want it, or...didn't care for it. Besides, it was just a scarf, right? No significance.
Despite this, she began to feel a little colder. A sensation that grew with time. Crouching down first, she waited patiently, watching the spot. Internally counting the time. She felt tired, but she didn't want to go anywhere, in case he came back, and lost her.
She laughed a grim chuckle. Would be bad to have two people missing right? It wasn't like...they had run away. That'd be silly...wouldn't it? One minute, two minutes, five. Her warm breath stopped being visible. Ten minutes, twelve, fifteen. She sat down. Twenty, forty, an hour. Snow covering her, her eyes glossed over, dripping bits of inky tears.
"Flowey?" She whispered, but...nobody came. "I'm sorry..."