"hey bro. you two headin out?" Sans asked.
Papyrus glanced at him. "That is the idea. We were meant to take Chara to acquire less sti-" He paused. "a proper set of battle armor."
"I'd love to join, but I got a call from al. needs a hand with somethin." Sans noted.
"Are you serious?" The tall skeleton noted. "You know, you could be of assistance in this."
"I'd just be hangin on by a thread the whole time." Sans replied, chuckling. "or, weave myself into some trouble."
"Ughh, stop." His brother groaned. "Fine, it's fine. You go handle your social visit. And don't come back with instant noodles and soda next time." He paused. "Unless she has some Pixie soda."
"think she's more a hill dew kinda gal." Sans replied. "but I'll ask." He turned back to Chara. "you two have fun."
With that he teleported away. She hated that he could do that. It made her very nervous every time she saw it. Her tension fading some as Papyrus finally headed down the steps. His armor still looked as cool as she remembered.
Noting that she was done eating, he took the dishes and headed into the kitchen. Placing them in the higher than average sink. She had a question, and hopped up from the couch finally.
"Hey, Papyrus?" She gained a glance. "Who's Al?"
"Doctor Alphys." Papyrus replied. "She's...Asgores royal scientist."
"I thought...he had another one?" Chara half-asked herself, unable to recall the name.
"There was one before, but the position became vacant. I believe I heard he moved out to the country somewhere." Papyrus glanced. "Are you interested in the sciences?"
"Not really." She admitted. "It's cool, but uhm, the life of a brave adventurer is more my speed." She tried to act cool. "Fighting bad guys, saving people. Having like, tons of friends."
"Making daring new puzzle designs?" He offered.
"Exactly!" She exclaimed. "It'd be so cool."
Her exclamation prompted a nyeh heh heh, from him. He stepped out, and checked his jackets pockets. Getting a set of keys from within it, examining them, and putting them back. She stepped up to the side of him, noting the only thing she had in her pocket was a figurine.
"Are you ready to depart, human?" Papyrus inquired.
"Uhm...yes." She replied. "W-wait, I should clean the ink, I think.."
"For the time being, it may be best to leave it." He suggested. "And, perhaps, to keep your hood up." He pondered, adding. "In fact, give me just a moment."
She raised a brow, as he headed back upstairs. Going into what she wagered was his room. Her mind imagining it full of an arsenal of weapons. Or maps with countless figurines, designed to simulate potential fights. He definitely seemed the type to prepare for every encounter.
After a moment, he came back down, carrying a set of fake horns. Crouching down, to place them on her head. Prompting a blink of surprise from her. They...resembled...
"I uh...these are very..." She got a brief glance at her reflection in the tv. They resembled the ones her parents had.
"It should help you blend in a little better." He offered. "Not everyone is formally acquainted, nor friendly with the idea of a human being in town. Lots of paranoia you understand?"
"Yeah." She muttered, still looking herself over. Her eyes shined a little bit brighter.
"Well, let us be on our way." He opened the door. "Chara-" She turned her focus back to him. "Come along, we've a bit of a walk."
"R-right, uhm, coming." She hurried outside, the headband the horns were attached too, blending with her hair.
Stepping out into the cold once more, she got a look around. It was morning, everything just a little brighter than before. The faintest of memories recalling the location, coming back to her. This was Snowdinn. It seemed, different than she remembered. Bigger, in a lot of ways.
It also seemed a lot busier than she recalled. There was a dozen different buildings, with paths venturing off around them. The trees and forest surrounding the place was much thinner than before. Many people wandering about, including stepping past them. Her attention, though, fell on a big building, that looked like five or so had been slapped on top of each other.
"Is this, Snowdinn?" Chara asked.
Papyrus glanced. "Indeed it is. This is the place my brother and I call home these days." He hummed. "He was originally meant to give you a bit of history on the town. But that clearly is going to have to wait." He sighed. "Whatever, we'll continue on without him, and I'll make him give you a proper once over when he returns."
"N-no, you don't have to." She laughed nervously. "I'll be fine wi-"
"Education, and the choice to educate oneself on any new environment is essential for any warrior or adventurer." He stated plainly. "I understand it may sound intimidating, but it's not a test. Just a brief chat."
"Well uhm...if you say so." She agreed reluctantly.
Chara noticed him walking, and jogged along to keep up. Briefly looking over the various people that were in this strange town. She could see a variety of bear-folk, wandering around. A few monsters bearing strange typing's she didn't know. A couple of monsters hanging out on a bench, arguing with each other. She also noticed a couple kids, including the bird she'd met in the forest hanging out.
As the duo was walking, she noticed someone. A monster kid, monochrome in coloring, without arms. They were watching another kid, who was rather similar looking, hanging out with the others.
The pale eyed monster turned, meeting her gaze. Someone passed in front of her, distracting her briefly. When she looked back, the strange monster kid had left.
"Morning Papyrus." Someone greeted the skeleton. "Hey, Undyne was lookin for you earlier."
"I already spoke with her." He replied plainly, noticing Chara watching him. "Your...attempted assistance is appreciated, however."
The large-hatted monster chuckled. "Is that a genuine, thank you?" The saber-tooth monster smirked. "In Snowdinn?"
"Manners are important." Papayrus replied.
"Well, ya welcome den." The sharp-toothed man said, as they passed.
When they were a bit away, she asked. "Is that a friend of yours?"
Papyrus hummed. "Colleague. He's meant to be a messenger. Though, nobody really sends messages by, well, mail these days."
"He seems nice." She offered.
"He's...far from the worst." The skeleton admitted.
The duo had headed across the semi-congested street. Moving into a side of town she couldn't recall having been in. The duo passed some sketchy looking individuals.
Who thankfully gave space when Papyrus wandered through. Eventually reaching some sort of business style building, with another building on top of it. A windy looking staircase leading up to that one.
Chara read the names. "Baylors Tailoring. Taylors Bakering." For some reason she felt like those two things should be reversed. "I like the colors."
Papyrus examined them. Baylors Tailoring, the building on top, had a muted purple color. Taylors Bakering, however, had a dark red color. Though, most buildings around here were the same grey, or dull colors, so these two did stand out a little bit.
"They do have a certain vibrancy. Do they not?" The skeleton heading up the staircase, while she followed after him. "Mind the edges."
The sides of the upper floor overhang, did not have safety railings. In her mind, she envisioned falling from it. A fall like that, would definitely be fatal.
Chara gave a look out over the expanded town from the top of the staircase. So many sour faces. Why had so many more people come here, she wondered? Did it simply grow naturally with time, did they move from somewhere else?
She heard the door open, turning and hurrying after the skeleton. She was greeted by the smell of fabric, and something sweet. Despite this, and the expectations they might have produced in her mind, the interior of the shop wasn't all that significant.
There were a couple of couches, that looked like they came apart into pieces, sitting near the entrance. There was a counter space, with a tired looking raptor-like woman standing behind it. A candle on said counter, with faint smoke rising from the burning wick, and melted wax. The source of these scents, or at least one of them.
There was a brief hall, on the side of the room, that had three doors, marked as changing rooms. A bunch of clothes, fabrics, and the sort hanging around on the wall. And finally, an old TV was hanging in the corner of the room, showing a broadcast line of 'We're one fan call-in from MTT returning.' There was a timer on the bottom, it seemed to be counting up. It had been going for days now. Had nobody called in?
"Well howdy there, if it ain't Papyrus." The shop-keeper smiled some. "How's my favorite customer?"
Chara didn't listen to what they were saying after that, instead she focused on the television. Nothing was happening...nobody was calling? Frowning some, she turned to ask Papyrus about it. But he seemed to be having a friendly dialogue with the shop-keeper. Squinting she read the bottom text. It appeared it was a show belonging to 'Mettaton?'
The moment of hesitation, while looking the screen over came with a sensation that she should leave the number alone. That calling it was somehow an...incorrect decision. And yet, she allowed the thought to persevere. Allowed it to motivate action, to form words. And then-
"H-hey, sorry, uhm phone call." Chara motioned with her hand. "I'll, be right back?"
"Eh, very well." Papyrus glanced. "Just don't wander too far, hum-er, Chara."
She gave a friendly smile, quickly stepping outside of the shop. Closing the door behind her, while entering the number on the screen. Hoping that she was able to remember it at least.
Click call, while taking a seat on an old chair beside the door. The scent of the spot, being so near a rather full ash-tray was...what was expected. Meanwhile, the phone rang, and rang, until finally, it was answered.
"I'm sorry, darling, you may have...dialed the wrong number." A very worn down voice greeted her. "If you're seeking the number for Grillby's, you need a three, instead of a four."
"Oh, well, no hang on, is this...Mettaton?" She asked, hesitantly.
There was a bit of a pause. "Ahh...is this a death threat, or hate mail?" There was a sigh. "I'll give you a few minutes to vent...if you want. I'm sorry."
"N-no, uhm...hey, you remember uh...the last episode?" Chara immediately felt her plan falling apart. "Ya know, last one that got aired, before uhm, the break?"
"The baking episode, that went awry?" The voice groaned. "Or, are you talking about the human cartoon hour?" The voice sounded semi-robotic. "That was such a dumb idea. I'm sorry, I just, I guess they're not...it just seemed fun, and with the fire, it was what we had on hand, and I just-"
Chara had no idea what she had just walked into. It sounded like things had gone...very wrong, on the last episode of this show. She wondered what caught on fire, how? Before shaking it off, and focusing one something she may know about instead.
"W-well besides the fire, I think that sounds super fun." Chara interjected. "The uh, hour of just, cartoon...so-." She then inquired. "What was...the name of the cartoon, again?" She laughed nervously. "It's...slipped my mind."
There was a genuine silence for awhile. "Is this...a prank, I don't think I understand."
"N-no, no prank. I'm a fan, and, well, my name's Chara, and uh..." She stumbled a bit, verbally. "I just...didn't know the name is all."
"Oh, well-" Tapping could be heard on the other end of the line. "Hello Chara. I'm Mettaton. Ya know, the uh, star of the show."
The brief strained enthusiasm, and following pained laugh suggested that likely meant something once. She couldn't help but feel some pity. Even if she was positive she was getting in over her head.
"Ya know, I thought it was you." Chara suggested, lying through her teeth. "You sound different on the phone."
"Don't we all?" Mettaton snickered some. "Hmm, as per...your request. I'm not entirely familiar with people calling in to ask that...let me check, really fast. I'll be right back, okay?"
"Sure, I'll be here." She assured, hearing the phone getting set down. Letting out the breath she'd been keeping in. This was a dumb idea, she didn't know why she was even calling. She was desperate to hang up. But she couldn't back down. Whoever this was, had already been sounding happier as things went. And if she hung up, she knew it'd break his heart. She had to persevere.
It felt excruciating, but eventually the line was picked back up.
"I take it you've hung up?" The voice of Mettaton replied, sounding depressed.
"No, I-I'm still here." She assured, jolting up her head. The little false horns shifting some, before she nudged them back into proper placement.
"You are...well, I..hmm. Okay, well, I looked into it." Mettaton said, pausing briefly. "Turns out it's from a show called Dragon Crystal Z."
Chara blinked in surprise. She knew that show. She was positive she knew that show.
"Did you already air the original?" Chara asked. "It should be called uhm, well just Dragon Crystal."
"Original?" Mettaton asked. "No...I wasn't aware there was one. Is this not, like, is this not some individual thing?"
"Uhm, well, there's the original Dragon Crystal. It's...quite a different show." She hummed. "It can be inappropriate at times. But, it...may help the audience with context?" She hummed. "What episode number was it that aired, actually?"
"Is this not an episode of the week kind of show?" The voice inquired.
"N-no, this is one of those...they do like...what's the word?" Chara huffed.
"This is a serialized show, isn't it?" Mettaton sighed. "I'm so stupid. No wonder it failed."
She got up, and began pacing. "Hey now, it's okay. You made a little mistake. We all make em sometimes." She reasoned. "Maybe you could put on the original show, and start getting them aired in order?"
"What would it matter, if the rest of the show is miserable." The voice said, while she heard the sound of someone plopping down on a bed.
"Well, I guess, more important, is.." She smiled some. "Are you having fun doing it?"
"Hmm?" The voice hummed.
"Your show?" She asked. "Are you having fun?"
Mettaton was quiet for a moment, answering. "Maybe...the first few episodes."
"Well, what happened?" Chara inquired.
"I don't know...it was all going so well." Mettaton sighed. "Some jokes, a bit of laughter. Lights, cameras, and fun little intermission shows. I even started building a hotel. Had a guest appearance by the King to commemorate it, if you can believe that."
Chara asked. "Asgore...was he well?"
"Back then, yes." The voice sighed. "But, it all went down hill. I don't know, it became so much, you know?" The sound of pacing could be heard. "So many demands, so many edits. Product placements. It all had to be perfect, and then one bad show, became two, it just..."
While Chara wasn't specifically equipped to handle this problem, or provide honest support and direct assistance with it. She knew the tone. She knew the feeling of failing. Of letting everyone, and yourself down. She also knew what she had always wanted someone to tell her, when she felt that way.
"Mettaton, I think you did a good job." Chara noted. "Just, make the show that makes you happy." She managed a smile. "It doesn't matter if it's some big thing, or a little project. I know you'll do great, and even if you can't find a way to believe in yourself...I believe in you."
The line was quiet, before Mettaton replied. "Thank you, darling. I...I think I really needed that. Chara, was it?"
"Yeah." She replied. "That's me."
"Well Chara, thank you so very much, for calling." Mettaton laughed a robotic sounding laugh. "And...for what it's worth. You sound like a wonderful person, that I just know will do great things too. Just remember to take care of yourself, okay?"
"I'll do my best." She replied. "I uh, I have to head back in. But, it was nice talking to you. Have a good day."
"Until the next...until the next exciting episode." He replied, rebuilding some enthusiasm. "Farewell, darling."
The call came to an end afterwards. Closing the phone, she let out a warm breath. The light in her eyes shining faintly. She felt like, she helped. Or, hoped that she helped. A faint purple light shining nearby, to mark her progress. Her heart was racing, sure. But if she helped someone else persevere, just a little longer. Wasn't that worth it?
With that resolved, and her heart calming down, she headed inside. The little bell she'd hardly noticed before, chiming again. Prompting looks from the other two to fall on her. Papyrus was waiting by the counter. Having just finished, placing some G onto it.
"Did you buy something?" Chara asked.
"Technically, yes, and no." Papyrus responded. "I paid for you to get an outfit."
"Oh?" Chara examined the wall of things. "Well uh, what did I get?"
The woman at the counter grinned some. "Adorable. Kid, you can get whatever you want. It's a whole custom outfit, just for you." She suggested. "Cuz Papyrus is a big old softie."
Papyrus scoffed. "I-I am not. It's...for safety. You make durable, armored clothing."
The shop-keep snickered. "Preferably, you aim for some of the more expensive things, kid."
Papyrus gave the vendor a look. "Let's...try and be reasonable about this."
Chara paced around, looking over all the things. The various colors, and designs. The plates, and metals. Some synthetic, some genuine plastic, or even iron in one case. It was truly a varied assortment of things. Though, a couple things came to mind.
She asked. "I can...pick whatever kind of outfit I want?"
The vendor leaned against the counter. "Why, what'd you have in mind, kiddo?"
Chara felt excitement at this prospect. Digging something out of her pocket. Placing, with a big smile, the mage figurine on the counter.