The night before...
Toriels home was a far quainter place than the city had been. Less cluttered, with far more space into itself. At least from an external point of view. The new human in the underground stood in the yard, alongside her two new friends. Noelle, and Suzy. Thus far, she had not been inside.
The day so far had been a bit of a wild ride.
First, she'd fallen into some strange underground world, full of monsters. An underworld, she supposed. Then, she'd encountered fight after fight with strange, and angry monsters to progress.
Thankful at least that the various, notably dangerous looking traps were all already cleared before she arrived. The human recall having some...difficulty with the big bridge of spikes. Thankfully, with the guidance of the sign, a bit of crying, and desperately trying to piece together a solution, she overcame the struggle.
Then there was falling, getting hurt, healing at the shiny golden things. Finding a tipped over thing of candy. Only to discover the room had a massive spike trap, that nearly killed her.
Regardless of the dangers though, Frisk stayed determined, and managed to make her way to this same yard. Having knocked on the door for...quite awhile, before one of the monsters she'd befriended offered to show her some long forgotten city. From there it was just befriending the people she met along the way. Friends and acquaintances in the process.
The experience was something she was positive no other human would believe, even if she told them about it. Not that it really mattered, since Frisk wasn't aware of any chance of getting back to the surface. Not that she really wanted to.
Finally, she's learned a valuable lesson in the city. That some people, no matter how nice you were...just weren't that friendly. Having to be saved by a nice goat lady named Toriel, alongside Suzy and Noelle, of course.
In short, it had been a day. And it'd only been a couple of hours. It made a bit anxious about what was next.
"Hey, check this out!" Noelle called out, swinging a stick she'd torn from the tree. "Pretty cool huh?"
Frisk had noticed a little shine to the swing. Likely some for of magic. But she wasn't one-hundred percent on that. Suzy however gave an applause to it. Clapping.
Frisk clapped as well. It just felt like the nice thing to do. - Noelle seemed to appreciate it.
She was really appreciating their presence. Even if the two were a little dysfunctional sometimes. It was nice to have friends in a strange new place. The human glanced to the building behind them. A cozy little home in the ruins.
Toriel was inside making food for them. While also trying to get her new phone working. She was...very stressed.
As it had turned out, the woman was searching for her daughter. Another human named Chara. But she'd lost her phone, and the store responsible for selling them wasn't open today. Apparently the owner had gotten sick, though Frisk wasn't sure how. So she had to buy a used one from a pawn shop, and it wasn't exactly...the best phone.
Frisk couldn't help but appreciate the fact that, despite all that was going on, Toriel had still helped her and her friends. Had still decided to take them somewhere safe. And was even making them food. It made her feel warmer, just thinking about it.
"Did you know Toriel had a kid?" Suzy asked, after thinking the question over for awhile. "I've never seem her hang out, I mean."
"My mom told me about them once." Noelle chimed in. "Pretty sure they got killed."
Frisk asked for clarification. "They?"
"Yeah...mom brought it up once. Two of em. Dunno the names." Noelle muttered, swinging around a stick, like it was a sword. "Said it was why she was nice to me and Des, or whatever."
"B-but they can't be..uhm, dead?" Suzy frowned some. "Or, at least, one of them is still around, I guess?"
"Or maybe she's just gone crazy." The reindeer girl snickered. "Everyone says she is, anyways."
"That's not very nice to say." Suzy noted, as Noelle hesitated.
"W-well it's uhm...only a thought so like...I could be wrong." Noelle suggested, muttering. "Nerd."
That was the other piece of this peculiar mystery. Frisk listened to their exchange and contemplated it further. Chara. The name sounded strangely familiar to her, for some unknown reason. Was it someone she'd known? Someone from the human city?
She didn't know, yet it found a way to bother her. It was like a sense of deja vu. Something scratching from somewhere unseen. Unwelcome, in most respects. The thoughts cut-off, by the sound of the door opening.
Toriel stood in the doorway, looking them all over with her good eye. She appeared to be forcing a smile, or trying very hard to keep one at least. But her present stress was obvious, at least to Frisk.
"I'm...very sorry, children, I meant to say you could come in, but I was-" She hummed. "well, I've prepared something for you all to eat. I do have to...try and make a few phone calls though." She thought for a moment. "There are some games, in the living room. If you wish to play those. I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise you."
Frisk replied, assuring her it was okay. "Thank you, very much. Please, take your time."
Toriel sighed some. "I'll only be a bit longer."
The goat-lady went back inside the house, turning right this time. The door left open, seemingly inviting the trio in. Frisk felt bad for her, and wandered in first. Thankful it didn't appear to be a trap, not that she had been expecting one. You didn't save someone's life, just to kill them. At least, she didn't think so.
The interior looked as though it had been cleaned up some, but still bore signs indicating it was once messier than this. There was...a staircase of some sort directly forward. A hallway to the right, with rooms present. One of which, Toriel walked into, tinkering with her phone, and a piece of paper.
To the left, was what looked to be a living room. A table set up, with food present on it. A couple chairs there as well. Including one big one, that seemed well worn. Though, that one wasn't at the table, it was by a fireplace.
Frisk headed towards the table, with Suzy following along a moment later. Noelle heading in last, the grungy kid briefly pausing to close the door, before walking into the living room.
The room was overtly quaint, and welcoming. With a bookshelf in the corner. It was littered with books of all types. Including one that was about snail facts. A book missing, present on the mantle of the fireplace. It was named 'Underfell.' Frisk wagered Toriel had been reading it recently.
Noelle asked. "Hey, she does know it's like...night, right?"
Suzy hummed. "What do you mean?"
"She said breakfast, didn't she?" Noelle asked.
Frisk noted. "I said breakfast...is it, not morning?"
"What, no way dude." Noelle cackled a bit. "It's well past bedtime. Not that I have one, anymore."
In truth, Frisk had a very difficult time, telling time here. She was also unaware of the fact so many hours had passed. Had she been unconscious for that long? She could have sworn she reached the top of the mountain in the morning.
Regardless, the not-breakfast as it turned out, wasn't really that great of a breakfast food anywho. Nor did it necessary qualify as a fine dinner food. It was pie. Individual slices that smelled distinctly like a mixture of cinnamon and something else. Frisk noted that it seemed to have been reheated.
"Pie?" Noelle grinned. "This is what she made us?" She cackled. "Awesome!"
Suzy took a seat, smiling. "It smells nice."
Noelle quickly grabbed the piece and began stuffing it into her mouth. Hungrily consuming the sweet treat. Frisk looked on in concern, noting it was...a little alarming how fast the pie vanished. It never stood a chance.
Suzy inquired. "Do you think...her kid's okay?"
Frisk gave an uncertain follow-up. "People wouldn't hurt her, right?"
"Probably." Noelle scoffed. "Maybe that's why nobody knew she was alive?" She offered. "Ya know, avoid people like the crab guy?"
"Maybe?" Frisk pondered.
That suggestion provided Frisk some distressing thoughts. The concern felt a touch peculiar, given she didn't even know the missing girl. But it couldn't be ignored. Glancing back in the direction of Toriel. She seemed like a nice person. One dealing with...a lot, but someone who was good at their core at least. Clearly worried sick.
Frisk tapped the table, thinking things over. Had someone taken the other human? Was she in trouble? Glancing back, Frisks eyes opened some. Surprise, shock, and disbelief. The rest of the pie was now gone.
Suzy commented. "Noelle, that was Frisks."
Noelle, in the middle of finishing it off, paused. "Uhm...sheh washnt ettin it."
Frisk suggested Noelle finish swallowing the pie, before speaking. "It's...not safe to talk with your mouth full."
As if on command, Noelle took action. Finishing the rest of it. With a satisfied smile afterwards.
"Heheh, well, ya snooze ya lose right?" The girl offered.
"Do you two think we could find Chara?" Frisk asked, prompting confused looks from the others.
"That sounds dangerous." Suzy tilted her head. "I think...the grown-ups are handling it, anyways."
"Pshh, like they ever get stuff done." Noelle replied. "We totally could."
"B-but we'd have to leave the ruins, right?" Suzy asked. "How would we even do that?"
"I dunno..." Noelle admitted. "I just know we could do a better job than them." She said smugly. "Adults never know where to look. It's why they're bad at games."
Something scratched at the back of Frisks mind. Eyes closing tight, the sound was...aggravating. But it drew her attention to the staircase in front of the door. Based on what people had said, there were hidden ways out of the ruins. Usually in specific points.
Frisk had a hunch. Something in her, telling her, whispering from the dark, where to go. That just down those stairs...was a way out.
Frisk suggested they find Chara. "We should go find her. I bet Toriel would be a lot happier with her here."
"Ya think so?" Noelle asked. "Why would we care, though?"
"Because it's the right thing to do?" Suzy suggested. "Wouldn't you want someone to look for you, if you went missing?"
Noelle shifted uncomfortably. Not forming any sort of argument against this sentiment. Frisk noted that she seemed to be keen on doing what Suzy suggested. Making a mental note of it.
Forming a basic plan in her head, of what exactly they'd need to do. She wagered Toriel would be on the phone for a while. And they could just say they were playing at Noelles house maybe? A single hiccup presented itself. It would require somethings they didn't have.
Frisk asked about equipment. "Hey...do you guys know where we could get armor and stuff?"
"Thought you'd ask. I'll go get stuff." Noelle suggested, getting up from the table. "Be back...soon."
"W-wait, you're just leaving?" Suzy asked. "What...are you gonna get?"
"Stuff." Noelle grinned, before running out of the house.
Frisk felt like her reindeer companion had been looking for an excuse to go adventuring, at least judging by how quickly she jumped up. While it was nice to see Noelle enthusiastic about the concept of the mission, she made a note to try and keep her out of trouble. The feeling of friendship filled her with determination.
Frisk asked Suzy about the mission. "You think we should help, right?"
"Well, yeah." Suzy considered it. "But, what if it's dangerous?"
"Then Chara is out there alone." Frisk reminded her. "She could be in trouble, or hurt." She smiled some. "You said it yourself; you would want someone to come looking for you if you went missing."
The purple dinosaur girl seemed as hesitant as before. Giving a look in the direction of Toriels room. The concept of the woman's child being in danger clearly didn't sit that well with her. And, albeit reluctantly, a decision seemed to be reached.
"W-well...we just go get Chara, and come back, right?" Suzy asked.
Frisk gave a thumbs up. "Of course."
"Alright, w-well, that...shouldn't be too bad?" Suzy smiled some. "Besides, if it's all of us, it'll be safer, right?"
"My thoughts exactly." Frisk assured, adding. "And don't worry, I won't let anything bad happen to you."
The sight of Frisks red eyes, having opened some at that statement, was strangely reassuring. They seemed very kind, and very resolved to this path. Noise came from the outside of the house, as Noelle sprinted in, arms full of...stuff. Clothes, shoes, random accessories, something metal, and...the stick.
Noelle gave a pant. "H-hey, this is...heavy, where should I-"
Suzy examined the things, while getting up. "Where did you get all that?"
Frisk motioned to the group to come into the living room. Which Noelle did, with arms full of...stuff. It was impressive how much she could carry, even if she did seem a little bit strained doing so. Dropping the pile, it was about as big as any of them were. Thumping onto the middle of the floor..
Noelle let out a tired pant. "I uh...well, it's just junk that was laying around." She then grinned wickedly. "But it's cool junk, got it?"
Frisk wasn't sure what the point of the threatening tone was, but agreed anyway. "Thanks Noelle."
Suzy smiled. "Thank you for bringing al thisl. I could have helped you, ya know?"
"U-uhm, na, I got it. Heh, no worries." Noelle promptly tried to look tough, and cool. Blushing a bit in the process. The group beginning to pick things apart from the pile.
Frisk looked over some of the items. Trying to find things to assist her. While also looking over potential items for her two-party members.
She was...fairly certain she was the weakest one in the group. Sure, Suzy wasn't that strong either, but she did have magic at her disposal. So it was hardly the same.
The group gathered various items from the pile. Components they believed would be of assistance in their quest. Or that they just thought would look cool for an outfit.
Suzy wound up picking up a cute ribbon, tying up her hair with it in the form of a big red bow. And a nice white coat, with red trim. It seemed like it was from an anime.
Noelle grabbed up a leather jacket, with a red deltarune logo on the front. Tying her present one around her waist. She then replaced her shoes, for metal lined boots, that thumped when she moved.
Frisk, for her part examined a few items. Estimating how much defense they'd offer. Being fairly disappointed with a few options. She nearly picked up a red scarf, when the scratching sound entered her mind. It caused her to wince, drawing her attention to some sort of black metal prisoner's collar.
It didn't shine at all, even with the light of the fire against it. Abyssal in its tint, devoid of light. The lock was broken, so it didn't seem like it'd shut permanently. A hand reaching out to pick it up. A sensation of calm overtaking parts of her mind, even though she felt cold, holding it. Eyes opening more, to look it over.
|Prisoner Collar - 5 DEF, Trance|
Frisk equipped Prisoner Collar - Everything felt...darker, somehow.
The metal clicked around her neck, her eyes glossing over. Wonderful. With the collar equipped, she also picked up a dark hooded jacket. Even if it was a bit too large for her. She moved her fingers, securing the top two buttons. Leaving it resting over her shoulders, her arms not in the sleeves. Permitting it to act as a sort of cape, to her person.
"That's metal...literally." Noelle commented. "Thing looks intimidating."
Frisk gave a confused look. "Huh?"
Suzy noticed it. "Eh...it looks a little scary to me."
Frisk noticed she was wearing the collar. "I'm wearing...right, it seemed tough. So...I put it on?"
"You don't sound confident about that." Suzy noted, adding. "I'm sure we can find you something else if you wan-"
Frisk declined harshly. "It's not to be taken off." She stared Suzy down. "It's...durable, and defense never hurts, is what I mean."
Noelle chimed in. "Relax Frisk, you know she just thinks you'd look 'nicer' in a scarf is all." The reindeer nudged the human. "No need to get mad."
Frisk laughed nervously, feeling...off. "R-right...sorry, Suzy."
"I-it's okay. I didn't mean to upset you." Suzy shook off the odd sensation. "I...well, h-hey uhm, well I think my outfit is cool too, right? What do you two think?"
The reindeer glanced her over, then looked away. "It's..uhm...pretty neat, I guess. Very cool."
Frisk said it was a nice outfit. "I think it looks great. Tough, and adorable looking." She examined the pile. "What do...we do with the rest of this?"
"Easy." Noelle picked up the pile, dumping it into the fireplace. "Problem solved."
Suzy gasped. "N-noelle, that could start a fire."
"Well...yeah?" The Reindeer seemed confused. "Isn't...that the point?"
Recognizing the potential fire hazard, Frisk stepped over and pushed in the edges of the unchosen materials. It was best it didn't burn down the house. She suddenly felt...an odd compulsion to step outside. It was like...scratching, whispering. A word... something she couldn't quite make out.
Frisk asked them to scout ahead. "Can you guys go check down the stairs?" She asked. "I think...that's the way out of the ruins."
Suzy tilted her head. "Are you not coming?"
"Oh, well, I was-" Frisk hesitated.
|Proceed|
The word was all consuming for a moment. The only thought, the only sensation. It made her shiver uncomfortably, attempting to shake off the strange feeling. But it...wouldn't go away.
The moments pause, prompting Noelle to ask. "You...okay Frisk?"
"I'll be there shortly." The human replied plainly. "I think...I left something out by the tree." She smiled. "I'll only be a moment."
"Sure.." Noelle gestured. "Well, we'll go make sure the spooky staircase is safe for ya, okay?"
Suzy glanced. "What did you forget?"
Frisk replied. "Something private. Sorry, I'll...tell you about it later?"
Once more, Frisk sounded somewhat confused. But Suzy elected to accept it. And Noelle was already wandering off to go check down the stairs. The monster girl stepped over, and briefly hugged Frisk.
"I'll be here if you ever need to talk." Suzy assured.
|Proceed|
Frisk didn't hug her back. "I'm fine. Be there soon."
Suzy nodded some and headed off. Frisk looked, unwell. Seeming somewhat distressed at whatever had been forgotten. Suzy imagined it was probably something embarrassing. Assuming that when the human was ready, she'd be told. Heading down the staircase, and out of sight.
As soon as they were both gone, Frisk began to move. Down the hall, and to the door out front. Opening it, closing it, once outside. Turning, to see a patch of soil be disturbed. A golden flower sprouting from it. Looking somewhat surprised to see the human.
"A human?" The Flower asked, surprised. "Oh, howdy...I'm Flowey." He greeted. "You...weren't who I was expecting."
"Oh, you're adorable. Hello Flowey." Frisk greeted. "I'm Frisk, it's nice to meet you...who were you looking for?"
|Proceed|
"Is Toriel home?" The Flower asked. "I just, need to know if she's here or not, mostly."
"Yeah, she's-" Frisk began. "I uhm...sorry, m-my head kinda..."
|Proceed|
"You okay pal?" The Flower asked, adding. "You don't look so good."
"I-it's so...I-" Frisks shook some.
The noise was getting louder. She covered her ears, falling to her knees. Everything was getting quieter. Colder. Harder to think.
|Proceed|
"I can't." She pleaded. "Hurts...so...much."
"H-hey, you, okay?" Flowey spoke.
|Proceed|
"Stop." She whimpered, eyes glassing over. "P-please...it..."
"Whoa, hey now-" The flower drew near. "You're alright, just breath. Calm down a little...what's wrong?" There was no response. "Hey, can you hear me?"
|Proceed|
A few minutes later...
Down the stairs, and through a long set of halls, it seemed there was a door leading out somewhere. Noelle presently sitting against it, waiting with Suzy. It had been a couple minutes, and Frisk had yet to join them. The reindeer's counterpart seemed a bit anxious.
"I'm sure she's alright." Noelle assured.
"What if something happened to her?" Suzy asked anxiously.
"Every monster out there loves her." Noelle reminded the other girl. "She's great. You really think someone'd hurt her?"
"W-what if it was the crab guy again?" Suzy asked back.
"I don't think he's that stupid." Noelle noted, her ears twitching to the sound of footsteps. "Oh, hey, speak of the devil."
Frisk rounded the corner, leading to them. Head down, wandering towards them. Eyes back to their normal, nearly closed state. Glancing over the two, while tilting her head.
Frisk asked about Suzy's look. "Suzy, are you okay?"
Suzy laughed nervously. "You were...gone for a while. Is everything okay?"
"I think so." Frisk replied. "Found it." She held up a container of chalk. "See?"
Noelle cackled some. "Dude, you went all that way for chalk?" She noticed the dusty look to her hands. "Wait, were you out there drawing?"
Frisk seemed confused. "Huh, n-no, why?"
Suzy commented. "Cuz your hands are chalky?"
Frisk examined her hands. They were covered in...well, it must be chalk. She couldn't quite remember having drawn anything though. Had she been drawing? Or, maybe it was just when she picked them up. Had to be.
Frisk answered with what felt the most correct. "I wasn't, promise. I think I just got chalk on my hands when I picked these up."
Noelle asked. "Or were you eating it, like Suzy does?"
Suzy gasped. "I-I do not."
"Hey, it's cool. I've tried it once myself." Noelle assured quickly. "Not...really my thing, but..."
"That's cuz you chew pens." Suzy stuck out her tongue.
"H-hey, only the one." Noelle looked embarrassed. "It looked like a candy cane."
Frisk looked over her friends, and felt pleased to have them there. She had been struggling to recall why she'd bothered going all that way to pick up chalk. But it was probably just a gift for Suzy. She felt bad having snapped at her and quietly slipped them into her pocket. Hopefully that would make up for it.
Letting out a content sigh, Frisk pushed aside any bad feelings. Even if her memory was a little spotty, it wouldn't matter. She'd just have to keep them close. With her friends beside her, she was filled with Determination.