A short time ago...
The choice to leave the girl alone had been a difficult one. However, bringing her forward at the present time was destined to simply put the child into further danger. The being dubbed the Caretaker of the Ruins, buried in personal turmoil over said decision, and things beyond it.
She vaulted across the last gap blocking her path. Presently in a room consisting of three larger platforms. Each having heat-vents, designed to help one traverse normally. But, even as exhausted as she was, they weren't needed.
Stepping through the grand thresh-hold ahead of her, she came to the last set of turns. One going left, another going right. To the left was the final hall to the outpost. It was a long thing, with no traps to speak of. But her attention was on the turn to the right. It had once been marked with a 'residential' sign.
Her memories recalling when she was cast into this place. When her soldiers, the monsters she called her big extended family were made to join her there. In exile for 'misdeeds' against the greater authority.
Hooking to the right, she wandered down the short hall, and turned left. The space had been revitalized when they had only just arrived. When there was a lot more hope in the air, and their future prospects weren't so overwhelmingly bleak.
Undyne stepped into a tightly packed, but more open space. With various buildings constructed within. Carved into the walls, and the earth itself. Given shape, to act as things not unlike the apartment complexes she recalled from beyond this makeshift prison.
They were fairly empty at present. Few monsters bothered to stay in this location. Many lived in makeshift homes constructed under the arena stands. Or at similar places around the outpost.
Cobwebs marked this project, with many of the heat-pipes broken. Pouring sweltering heat into this place. With the spiderwebs wrapped around some, keeping them together, where once they were falling apart.
Some of the monsters who still lived there noticed her arrival. One checking his phone, chatting with another. She couldn't help but notice a few glares coming from some people. Confusion gripping the faces of those who usually viewed her in a more positive manner. Her focus, however, was on a cloaked monster presently orchestrating a group of spiders. They were working to bind up some of the pipes, cooling down the space some.
One crawling down on a web, landing on the monsters shoulder. Drawing a sound of curiosity, as said monster paused. Listening as Undyne approached. This was the champion of the arena. The owner of the shop, and a figure the caretaker was still a little nervous about speaking to.
"Working hard?" Undyne asked. "Or uh...I...shoot, can you believe it?" She smiled some. "Completely forgot how it went."
"I would surmise this is because you're tired. Well, you sound tired at least." The monster-lady in the cloak replied. "When was the last time you slept?"
"Probably." The Caretaker sighed, mishearing the question. "I take it...the news got to them, already?"
Her focus was briefly on a deer-like monster, with a skull like head. Taking his phone with him as he went into his home. Slamming the door for good measure.
"Fufufu. It traversed the ruins with exceptional ease." The cloaked monster turned. "But you know how people are. Obsessing over the latest tidbit of gossip. Desperate for news, change, and the prospect of escape, without being run through."
The monster before the caretaker pushed back the hood of her cloak. Her hair was wild, unkept, and shoulder length. The outfit she wore being a mixture of purple and white in its color scheme. It consisted of a purple tabard with a crossed out deltarune, a set of soft looking white pants, and a pair of sheathed swords on her hips. Alongside a tea-kettle with a large crack in the side.
Undyne blinked, and asked. "Muffet...did your comb break again?"
"No, no, just...I like it a little wild." The spider-monster smiled.
"It's gonna get split ends-" The fish-lady replied.
"Don't-" Muffet began.
"I'm just saying, kid, if you need a brush I can-" Undyne tried to offer.
"Mom. Calm down. I'll be fine." Muffet assured. "I'm more than capable of addressing hair-based concerns, on my own. I'm not a child anymore."
"Y-yeah. Sorry, I just, ya know." Undyne sighed. "I don't know, just checking in...you weren't in your shop and-"
"It's alright." Muffet smiled. "However, this isn't the best place for this conversation."
"Yeah, probably not." Undyne admitted, with a hesitant laugh.
The champion of the arena motioned, and started towards one of the residences. A lower apartment that was a bit more decorated around the exterior, than many of its peers. With various withered flowers under its front window. A small plastic gnome resting in the center of them, partially broken. The door bearing a 'Please Knock' sign on it.
Stepping into the home, it was a bit barren of things. With a couch, and an old tv making up the entirety of the living rooms normal decorations. With a bunch of books on the side of it, alongside a small stack of vhs tapes, consisting of various cooking shows and anime. Including a couple copies of 'Salt and Hound.' A rather niche show.
The kitchen was directly connected to the living room, positioned on the right side of the apartment. Kept apart by an island counter, with ways to walk around to the left and right of it. Associated with the living room, however, was a door on the back wall, that went to a room. It had a 'No Trespassing' sign on it.
The spider-lady went in first. Turning, and putting her cloak on a half-broken coatrack. It had a spiderweb tangled up with it, linking to the ceiling. Acting as the only honest thing keeping it upright.
Undyne stepped in, closing the door behind her. "Damn, you have a lot less here than last time."
"I moved most of it to the...well the staircase safehouse." Muffet explained. "I find the location optimal. Closer to the shop, without being so near to the arena that I have to deal with daily challenges."
"You can just say cuz it's bigger, dork." Undyne sighed, taking off her bandolier, before stepping over to plop on the couch. "Ughhh."
Muffet gave he a glance over, before stepping into the kitchen. "I must admit, it was a bit surprising to see you intervene back there." She grabbed some things from the cupboard. "I half expected...well, I surmise the human has had some affect on you?"
"I guess so." Undyne replied, leaning forward. "I dunno. It's...complicated."
Opening a drawer in the kitchen, Muffet produced various tea-bags, and then a jug of water from the fridge. Taking her cracked teapot, and setting it down on the stovetop. Pouring it in, and beginning to boil the water.
"It must be. I...hadn't expected you to come and ask me not to fight them." The spider-lady admitted. "Fufufu, though, honestly, I didn't expect you to talk to me at all. After...some of the things I'd said."
"I just...I couldn't watch you two tear each other apart." Undyne replied, adding. "The kid may not look it, but she's...very tough. And so are you. Just..." The woman felt exhausted, lamenting having sat down. "I couldn't watch you do...that, or...die." Her anger boiled in tandem with the water. "Especially not for 'their' fuckin entertainment."
Muffet could hear the stress in her guardians voice. It brought her back to when she was a child. And several other children elected to try and threaten her. It was a reassuring thing, if a conflicting thing in its own right.
Their last conversation had been almost a month ago. An impressive duration of time, considering how small the ruins honestly were. Then again, when you blame someone for all your problems, and pull out the 'you're not my real mom' line to top it off...these things can be expected.
The spider-lady mixed in the teabag. Trying to consider her response to this. Sighing a little, as she did so. While she was doing so, her phone rumbled in her pocket. She checked it briefly. Someone was asking if she was going to deal with the human. Reminding her that the soul could change the fates of everyone, even if Undyne was unwilling to take it.
"That's...I understand." She finally replied. "I appreciate the sentiment. I do. And, from what I saw...the human, she...doesn't seem to be a bad kid."
"She's not. Honestly, she's a dork." Undyne noted. "Tells dumb puns. Hugs you at the first words of encouragement." She sighed. "Started calling me Big Sis, funny enough."
"She calls you Big Sis?" Muffet smiled, while pouring the tea into glasses. "Fufufu, that's adorable."
"I know right?" The Caretaker sighed, leaning back. "It's...I dunno. I don't know what to do about it now." She scanned the empty air. "The human was supposed to be...ya know, different. Malicious, maybe?"
"It's easier when your opponent is cruel. So, is the idea to bring the human to the exit, still?" Muffet asked, stepping over to hand her a cup of tea.
The more tired of the two frowned at the suggestion. Taking the tea, sipping it down almost immediately. The hesitation revealed quite a lot. As did the preceding bits of conversation. The spider-monster taking a seat, believing she knew what the answer would be.
"I can't do that. She doesn't deserve that." Undyne said plainly.
"Then, what exactly is the plan?" Muffet asked, raising a brow. "You aren't considering keeping it here in the ruins?"
"I don't know." Undyne sighed. "Maybe?"
"Alright. Let's assume she wants to stay." Muffet took a sip. "it's only going to be a matter of time, before one of the other monsters attempts something." She noted, getting a glance. "They've already tried."
Undyne was left in greater turmoil. "I know, I do, ugh...I don't know." She frowned. "Sorry, I just...I'm-"
It was unusual for Muffet to see her guardian so openly exhausted. The way she slouched forward. Using her elbow to into her leg, like an anchor to keep her upright. Something that seemed painful, and very likely was. Undyne wasn't in a condition to make this kind of decision, or to debate it.
"It's alright. We don't have to decide on any course today." The younger-monster managed a smile. "Also, for whatever value it holds. I missed talking to you."
"I...I missed you too kid." The caretaker said. "I got something for you, at the house. Ya know." The spider-lady raised a brow. "Meant to bring it by but...I feel like I never have time. And...honestly I thought you didn't wanna see me anymore"
Muffet rolled her eyes. "Of course I want to see you." She leaned over, and hugged Undyne. "I'm...just sorry I didn't say so sooner. I didn't mean to get so mad, I just..."
"I know, dork...I know." Undyne muttered back, returning her hug. "It's alright. I'm not mad at you, if that's what you think."
It sometimes felt odd to the spider-lady, that the two appeared to be the same age. And sometimes she forgot that, at the end of the day, her adoptive mother was quite a bit older than her. Almost thirty or so years, at least. And in all the time they'd known each other, she had never seen Undyne slow down.
Even when everything was falling apart. Even as she watched the warrior get dragged to her knees. Judged by old friends, alongside the soldiers who followed her. She never seemed to tire. Until now, when she realized, that she had been exhausted the whole time. But kept a brave face, despite it.
"Why don't you head home, and rest." The spider-monster suggested.
"No, I left the kid back at the safehouse." The caretaker replied. "I can't go taking a nap now, I've gotta-"
"Nonsense." Muffet suggested, while getting to her feet. "I'll go find the human. Bring them to the house." She offered. "A simple, and elegant solution, by any measure. Moreover, you will be able to descend into desperately needed sleep."
Undyne considered this. "I...are you sure?" She asked. "Look, it's your afternoon and-"
"Nope, not listening. Guess you'll just have to head home, and sleep." Muffet smirked, stepping over to her cloak. "I have a human to acquire, after all."
"You're such a brat." Undyne sighed, while getting to her feet. "Fine. But if you need anything-"
"I still have your number. It will be fine." Muffet assured.
"Just...let her know who you are. She's a good kid. It'll work out." Undyne replied, stepping over to the door. "Brat." Muffet stuck her tongue out at her. "Where the heck'd you learn to be so rude?"
"Ah, that lesson in behavioral expression originated from a certain warrior who adopted me many years ago." Muffet replied, getting a raised brow. "One might even call her a mother of mine. I wonder where she is now?"
Undyne squinted, and said. "You're such a nerd."
"Sometimes it's like I can still hear her." Muffet smiled, and snickered a brief. "Fufufu." As Undyne groaned, and opened the door. "You enjoy your rest, alright?"
"Yeah, yeah, I've got it, dork. Take care of yourself. Okay?" The fish-lady chuckled some, while starting off.
"No worries. I do my best to." The spider-monster replied quietly. Her phone buzzing again. Much to her general irritation.
Muffet stepped out, and closed the door behind her. Taking a moment to watch Undyne go. Left there to ponder things over. Feeling her phone buzz once more. Sighing, she checked it, and found a number of messages, largely inquiring about the same thing.
People were looking for someone to take action against the human. To strike down the girl her adoptive mother had befriended. Someone to secure a bright future, while soaking themselves in the blood of someone who didn't deserve the cost.
And, left without the one they'd anticipated to handle it, the requests fell to her. Flooded with conflicting desires, she typed back that she'd see what she could do. Shoving the phone back into her pocket, while pushing the hood of her cloak back up.
She barely got to process this, before a monster approached her.
"Hey, some strange lady said she saw the human coming this way." The bird-monster commented.
"What?" Muffet asked, glancing. "That..."
"Me and some of the others are gonna go try and take the soul." He explained.
"That is an unwise idea." She replied.
"I'm not scared of some human." He retorted, with a stubborn huff. "Why...are you?"
It seemed she wasn't going to be offered a moments reprieve. She didn't understand why the human would be coming here. Save for a desire to leave, or to catch up with Undyne. But it made things difficult.
If they had the human soul, they didn't need to hideout in the ruins anymore. With it, they could escape this place, and secure a better future for monsterkind. If she were to help secure it...she knew Undyne would never forgive her. Even if the warrior was still debating the decision herself.
Another monster, resembling a deer spoke up. "Hey, you aren't chickening out are ya?"
Muffet sighed, and replied. "You know how these things work." She couldn't decide what to do. "Nobody fights the champion without a few fights leading up." She put on a confident smile. "Assuming it gets past you lot."
She knew very well that inaction was its own action. That by doing nothing, she wasn't innocent in her actions. She was still permitting them to happen. She knew that.
However she was finding it difficult to steel her resolve. To make that decision. Perhaps, if one of them managed to...kill the human beforehand, then she wouldn't have to. It was a thought that reeked of cowardice, inspiring guilt in her heart.
"Pfft. As if it could." The bird-monster laughed a little. "C'mon guys, if we block the path, it can't get past us."
A small collection of five monsters agreed to this plan. Including the bird. Heading off to the platform room. Intent on stopping the child in her tracks.
Muffet for her part, followed along at a slower pace. Perhaps, hopefully, the human would just turn around? Go back to hiding, like she was meant to be. The monster felt frustrated. Why hadn't she just stayed hidden?
"Stupid, brat." She growled, while walking. "All you had to do was stay put."
With a heart full of conflict, the stage was quickly getting set. It wasn't long to the outpost after all. And the exit of the ruins.
And so, the perspective shifted, once more. Leaving a key player in this conflict. All parties involved, unaware of the dangers associated with their actions.
But most filled with the will to see it through. To Persevere, despite the uncertainty.