In reality it was fairly simple. They turned the corner, and entered a small hallway. It wasn't that big or substantial, honestly. In fact it only ran forward for a dozen or so feet, before coming to a short staircase of maybe ten steps. That then, led into the arena.
Notably, she found the air in this section a little bit cooler. Glancing around to discover the pipes in the section had seemingly been repaired. Or, sort of repaired anyways. Many were put back together, with duct tape holding acting as the lone reason for their return to a more normal function.
"So...those things there, what's the point of the vents?" The girl asked.
"Hmm?" The woman glanced. "Oh, those direct heat. I think they're meant to go to the core. Keep it from freezing over."
"Freezing?" Chara muttered in confusion.
She was always under the impression that the core was hot. It felt, odd, to have gotten that detail wrong somehow. She shook it off, as they proceeded down the staircase. Taking in the arena she had been presented with.
The round room was seemingly broken up into three major sights. If one could call them major. More, just, sights.
The fist was some sort of pit in the center, which seemed like it was originally intended to be some sort of pond or lake. A decorative thing that people could swim in, or relax by. Like a synthetic beach.
Without the water however, the local monsters had concerted it into some form of fighting pit. Or, arena, in this case. It had scrap metal, old wood, and a lot of duct take used to make fencing around it. Including two sliding 'gates' made of more traditional metal fencing. It felt...oddly dangerous to her, though, she wagered that was the point.
The second sight in the room, was the stands. Which were seemingly given a bit more effort than the arena itself. If only just a little bit.
They were placed around the sides of the room. Built against the walls, and on top of rubble that clearly once acting to lead elsewhere. They were gradually rising seats, of a disparate variety. Designed to give a view of the fighting arena from, almost everywhere.
She noted that they weren't very full of life however. There were a dozen or so monsters, but most didn't seem to be paying much attention. Talking with their friends, eating, drinking, looking tired. Some seeming outright hostile to each other.
The third thing, or things of note, were two concession stands on either side of the room. Staffed by what seemed to be two dogs. They seemed...bored.
One stand was marked as 'Hot-Dogs' and had a lady working there. The other was marked as 'Cold-Dogs' and had a guy working there. The smell in the air however, was closer to the smell of dust, some kind of cheese, and deep fried something. Rather than the traditional smell of hot-dogs.
She noted that there was a scoreboard straight ahead, on the side of the arena. It appeared to contain the 'Win/Loss' ratio on it. With a dozen or so names there. A couple having been crossed out. The top monster didn't seem to have ever lost. But had a lot of some third tally, she didn't know the meaning of.
Undyne stretched, and let out a content sigh. "Smell that kid, that's the smell of battle."
"Smells like dust, sand, and deep fried food." Chara replied. "And it's...cool in here?"
The vents here seemed to be pretty well handled. Leading it to be the coolest room she'd experienced so far. It wasn't cold, but it wasn't nearly as hot as the rest. Honestly, she appreciated that a lot.
"Exactly." The woman motioned. "Alright. We'll go grab grub, and take a seat. I'm sure another fight's gonna start soon."
"Which one do we go to?" The girl asked.
"Always been a Hot Dog fan myself." The woman commented. "The nachos are cheap, but they're pretty good."
"I-er, nachos?" The girl seemed confused. "What does-"
"Cold Dog is more about like, fries and stuff. The champ loves em, not me though." The woman said. "What...want some fries instead?"
Chara couldn't help but be a little irritated by the peculiar naming scheme. But that aside, fries did sound great to her actually. However, with the note of disapproval from Undyne, she felt compelled not to pick them. She didn't want to be rude, and force the woman to get something she wasn't going to enjoy, after all.
"N-no, I like Nachos." The child replied.
"Heh, glad to see you've got great taste, punk." The woman noted with a big smile. "C'mon, best we get it quick. Don't wanna miss out on the best seats."
The girl somehow doubted very greatly that was going to happen. The audience wasn't that large, and it didn't seem like there was anyone just waiting to jump in and watch. She followed along though, wandering around the sides of the arena.
They passed various monsters, who watched them go. A couple staring at her directly. Muttering things to themselves, or one another. She didn't...understand the look they were giving her. No, that wasn't right, she understood it perfectly.
But...coming from a monster...she felt she must be mistaken. They weren't like humans. Maybe it was some form of misunderstanding? She didn't know, and tried not to focus on int.
They were dog-monsters largely. With a couple lizard-monsters, and insect-ones mixed in. The latter seeming to be far more comfortable with the heat. The former chilling out in the shaded sections of the area. Where light wasn't pouring down through a crack in the ceiling.
They all looked kind of dangerous. Most wearing armor of some kind. A couple having...scars. The idea of them having these was new to her. Monsters didn't usually 'get' scars. Unless it was by something unnatural. It was an anxiety inducing thought, when coupled with the looks.
Said train of thought was derailed however, when they reached 'Hot Dogs.' The lady behind the counter wearing a shirt, with a defaced deltarune on it. The sight of this immediately confused the child, and inspired a little spark of anger in her.
"Well if it isn't the boss." The dog lady greeted, looking down at Chara. "Well well, someone new in the ruins. Isn't that just super, duper...neat."
The sarcasm was laid on pretty heavily. Even Chara noticed it. She wondered what she had done wrong. Sure they weren't usually 'friendly' to humans. But they weren't honestly that hostile either.
"I'm showing them around a little bit." Undyne replied. "So, we're gonna watch a fight. Have some nachos. Relax, for a little while." The woman sounded...more aggressive in her tone than she had so far. "If you don't mind grabbing two of those, Dogaressa."
"So, you're just gonna hang out with the.." Dogaressa tsk'd, while heading to do get the food. "You know it's uh...dangerous, for them to be here. Why not guide them to the exit?"
It seemed her presence as a human was noted, and known. It was odd. A lot of monsters didn't even know what humans looked like. And some ignored the ones with striped shirts, even if they did. She felt, a little less safe.
"And there will be plenty of time for that later." The Caretaker sounded annoyed, placing G on the counter. "So, please and thank you."
"Heh...sure, sure." The dog-lady brought back two nachos in little plastic containers. "Well...don't let me interrupt you both. Have fun you two."
Chara felt odd about that, but replied. "Have a nice day."
"It's lookin up." The vendor said with an obviously fake smile.
Chara examined the hostile monster. The expression in her eyes wasn't specifically the most friendly. She wondered about it, but turned when she saw Undyne walking away.
Stepping after her, as they headed up into the stands. Taking a spot somewhere around the middle. The woman seemed...off, once more.
"Sorry about that kid. Guess she's just in a mood today." The woman noted. "Maybe Cold-Dogs would have been a better idea, huh?
"It's okay. It's not your fault she was mean." The girl assured. "Thank you for being nice to me...by the way."
The fish-lady didn't respond to that, glancing away, while wearing a contemplative expression. The child examined it. It was...a bit too serious for her liking.
Thinking up a way to rectify this, she took a nacho, and dipped it in the 'Cheese' which seemed more like melted plastic than proper cheese. Taking a big loud bite, which grabbed the womans attention. Promptly pressing a hand to the side of her cheek.
"Ow." Chara said.
"You okay?" Undyne asked.
"Y-yeah, I think I just-" She opened her mouth, revealing part of the chip stuck between her teeth. "chipped, a tooth."
The woman let out a little chuckle. "Dork."
"It is a little cheesy." The girl smiled, while pushing a chip into the cheese. "But I like to dip into the puns now and then."
"Such a dork." The woman smiled again. "Hmm, mind if I chip in with these cheesy puns?"
Chara smiled, feeling abnormally proud of Undyne. Even if the act of making said joke appeared to leave the woman a little embarrassed. The child decided to encourage this behavior.
"I dunno. I feel like that was nacho pun." The girl suggested, poking her next chip into the womans container.
"Heh. Hey, watch where you're dipping those, punk-" The woman began. "that's nacho cheese."
The set up, the execution, it worked. She was terrified it wouldn't, and it did. The two beginning to snicker, and giggle at their 'top tier' humor.
"I'll try to stick to my own. If that-" Chara picked up the container they were in. "floats you boat."
"I forgot that's what those are called." Undyne noted with a toothy smile.
"I forget sometimes too. But I wanted to make a gouda pun." The girl beamed.
The pair began to laugh again, not focusing in the slightest, on the things that were happening in the arena. Making some of the monsters near them glance. A couple rolling their eyes, while wandering away from them.
"Hey, one time I was hanging out with friends." The woman began. "And they got mad at me after I ate all the chips. Turns out, that's not how you play poker."
The girl tilted her head a little at that one, but managed a snicker anyways. The woman appeared to be having fun. The pair ignoring the fact, that it seemed the match was ending. That, and the various monsters that were semi-near, had all fled to the other side.
The duo, and their good time were sadly interrupted.
Someone yelled out. "Wasn't that an exciting match folks!?" A few people clapping, or cheering. "Well stayed tuned, we have uh, exciting prospects ahead. We'll be right back with the next."
The announcer in this case was a tall bipedal dog, not unlike a lot of the monsters here. She was garbed in a suit of armor that appeared to be quite damaged all things considered. Also not entirely unlike a lot of the monsters here.
Undyne seemed surprised. "Oh, it's over?" She laughed some. "Guess we uh, missed the match."
"That's okay. It was fun hanging out with you anyways." Chara assured.
"Heh...it was funny, wasn't it?" The woman sighed. "You know, it's funny. You remind me of-" Someone waved to her from by the door. "Oh, hey, kid. I have to go have a chat with someone, alright?"
"Oh, uhm, okay?" The girl replied. "Is everything okay?"
"Huh, yeah, course it is dork." The woman assured. "It's just a business thing. Why don't you stick around here. I'll be back in like, a minute or two." She said. "Just, don't go getting into trouble, okay?"
"I'll do my best." The girl assured. "Be safe, yeah?"
"I uh...yeah, thanks, punk." The woman replied, seeming surprised by the request. "Be back soon."
Undyne lingered for a moment, like she wanted to say something, before looking a little tired again. Getting up, and wandering down the stands, and towards the entrance. Chara couldn't quite make out the monster by the door. She did notice they were wearing a bandana of some kind, and hugged Undyne.
She wagered a friend of some variety? She decided it would be rude to try and watch, or listen too much. Glancing around though, it seemed very others had this problem. She noticed all the curious, or semi-hostile looks she was getting from the monsters. It made her feel less safe, and more tense.
Her smile fading, into a semi-frown. Head leaning forward, to let the hair cover her eyes. It was like a burning sensation now. They just kept staring. Her hand shook some, before she stood up abruptly.
Glancing at the two different stands, she noted her lack of nachos. And the lack of Undyne also having any nachos remaining. She wondered if she could get more using the 10G she had in her pocket.
Wandering down, and heading back towards the 'Hot Dog' stand, she did her best to put the smile back on her face. She was getting a very tense urge to turn and strike at least one of the people staring at her. Didn't they have anything better to do?
She came to stop in front of in front of the food cart, stand, concessions thing. Dogaressa giving her a semi confused look. The girl giving a little wave in response.
"My goodness, if it isn't the return of you. Can I help you?" The woman asked.
"Just...curious what I could get for 10G." The girl explained.
"Uh...food, probably." The woman snickered. "You'd need more for anything else."
The sarcasm inspired a slightly different smile on the girls face. The one that rested more comfortably around threatening, than pleasant. Her heart beat a little faster, than its steady, slow commonality. She maintained, and pushed the feeling of hate back.
"You say that like you sell something else. Do you?" The girl inquired. "Other than food anyways?"
"Eh, the usual." The woman shrugged. "Sell some like, armor stuff and weapons too." She smsighed. "Who knows, if I sell enough, maybe I can retire. Heh, as if."
Was that why she was being so rude? The girl pondered this. Calming herself down some.
"Well uh, what kinds of stuff do you have?" The girl asked. "Maybe I can buy something and uh, help you retire?"
The dog-lady glanced in the direction of Undyne. "You...well, you'll probably be leaving before long. So I doubt that." She shrugged. "Sides, only way to really make G is fighting. And you don't look like the fighting sort."
"I'm a pretty decent fighter, actually." Chara said, feeling her pride being insulted.
"Oh yeah?" Dogaressa asked. "Tell you what, you go win a round in the arena, and I'll let you see the fun stuff. Maybe you'll have enough G to buy, I dunno, a new stick maybe?"
Again, the tone was dismissive and annoying. It bothered her, and it bothered her greatly. She felt tense, a compulsion to do something stupid and rash. To prove a point, somehow.
"How about if I win-" Chara began. "you...have to give me a discount then."
"I don't even give discounts to my hubby. But, if you're so insistent-" The dog-lady got a grim smirk. "you manage to uh, beat the champion...and I'll give you that discount. Maybe you can even buy something for the, heh, 'Caretaker of the Ruins' 'since you two seem so chummy."
The child felt like she may have bitten off more than she could chew. But she wasn't going to back down now. Not when she felt she had something to prove.
"Y-you think I wont?" The girl offered her hand. "Fine, you're on!"
"You wanna shake on it?" The dog-lady scoffed. "I don't shake kid."
"W-well...fine. I'll be back." The girl huffed, while turning to look around. "Do I just-"
"Talk to the announcer. That dumb bitch'll get you set up." Dogaressa motioned, with a smug grin. "Have fun, brat."
This was likely a bad idea, under and normal circumstances, but she didn't like the ladies attitude. She continued on, looking for, and then walking to the announcer once the other dog-lady had been located. Presently looking over a chart of some kind, muttering to herself.
Chara's presence became known, with a sniff and a glance.
"You smell like a walking bad dream." The Announcer commented. "Heh, neat."
"Hello, my name is Chara." Chara greeted.
"Chair-ah?" The Announcer asked.
"Eh, no, like-" The girl hesitated. "Like Chara."
"Car-la?" The Announcer asked again, smiling some.
The girl huffed. "You're messing with me."
The announcer shrugged. "Naturally." She glanced over to Undyne, still talking. "Well, what can I do for you human?"
"I...wanna try and fight the champion." The girl explained.
The announcer dog smirked. "No you don't. You really don't look like a fighter."
"I-I can fight just fine." The girl declared. "I was even trained by-"
"If you tried, you'd just get yourself-" The announcer paused, and smiled fiendishly. "you really wanna try and take down the champion huh?" She hummed. "You know, it makes sense. Undyne really likes fighting. I bet she'd be really impressed if you won."
"You think so?" Chara asked, glancing.
"Oh absolutely." The Announcer assured in a friendlier voice. "The uh, champion is someone she trained ya know. Another...'friend' for you. Heh."
"Who's the champion?" The girl inquired.
"You'll have to win a couple fights first. We've got uh...four fighters available for just that purpose. Can't just have you rush in, gotta make it a spectacle." The dog-lady suggested.
"I've...gotta beat them all in a row?" The girl asked. "That..sounds-"
"Nonsense, we'll have a half-time break after your third fight." The lady offered. "Actually, no, you're right. You probably can't do it. It's fine, I'm sure Undyne will-" The announcer began.
"N-no no, I can do it." Chara huffed, feeling unusually angry at the doubt. "I'm...I'm not some helpless brat." She growled. "I can win, just fine."
"Sure you're not. Okay, why don't you go ahead and head into the arena. I'll get everything set up for you." The Announcer offered. "Remember-" She glanced to the side. "you can 'always' surrender if it gets too tough. And we'll end the fight quick, heh."
What Chara felt at this challenge was a drive to succeed at it. She was going to overcome. She was going to persevere.
It was 5 fights right? It sounded hard, but...it couldn't be that difficult. She just had to, well, not pull her punches. Get them to surrender. And then she'd win. Easy.
She started over to the gate, as it opened up to her. She reminded herself that wasn't going to lose. That, she wasn't going to give those jerks the satisfaction. A purple light shining behind her as she went in.