The humans had finally escaped the Hotland Ruins. For better or worst. The rest of the underground opened to them.
Somewhere beyond the gate, the ruins of a gate, and a guard station stood. A brief walkway leading from it, to a door placed against the side of a mountain, below the mountain. One which regularly saw steam, and heat escaping the various cracks within it.
A wafting smoke rose, and swayed, from atop the old stone walls. A figure laying across the top of it. Relaxing in a modified military jacket which had a fur lined hood, and rolled up sleeve, with a comfy purple shirt beneath it. Topping the outfit off with a pair of baggy pants. Smoking passively, while clicking as a phone.
Sending messages back and forth with someone. The last being a small wall of emoji's. Prompting a little smirk from the skeletal being.
All around, was a forest of golden, flowering trees. Tall grass, and general overgrowth. Various vines having wrapped around the ruined gate, with little regard for what the structure had once been. A gentler breeze fell across the underground, prompting him to let out a long yawn. Before a sound came to the skeletons attention.
A glance revealing the door to the ruins opening. Prompting a raise of the brow. He typed out a brief brb. A quick response asking what was going on, though he didn't see it. The phone being stuffed into his pocket. An eyesocket raising as he watched whatever was transpiring beyond the gate. Taking a long drag of his cigarette.
"Well, that's new." He muttered curiously.
Chara, had dragged Aliza from the dark room, closing the door promptly after they were outside. Aliza noticing the effort, moving to help in doing so. The door creaking loudly, before it shut fully.
"Stick." Chara requested.
"Stick?" Aliza asked.
"Stick!" Chara demanded.
"O-okay." Aliza looked around, at the unfamiliar forest space around them.
Rushing over to a spot below some trees. Picking up a few sticks, uncertain if a specific one was needed. Before running back, handing them over to her counterpart. The girl shoving them through the door handles. It would, hopefully, make it harder for the creatures to get out. That way, they had more time to get away from Temmie before it changed its mind.
With the only path back, now secure, they were left to catch their breaths for a moment. The hall was...admittedly longer than it had appeared. Chara huffed a bit, and took a look around proper. Immediately recognizing that she had no idea where they were.
They were on in a forest of some kind. Made up of golden, red, and orange tinted trees. With flowers blooming on many of them.
There was a sort of brightness to the sky, due to a tear in the high ceiling. Casting light upon all that lay below. With the shine of the barrier prompting it, filtered through, to almost resemble water. The way the light danced.
Aliza looked around, and noted. "It's pretty."
"Huh, oh...yeah." Chara agreed some, staring down the path that led forward.
It appeared to head towards, what looked like a gate of some kind. The big stone kind, usually attached to a draw bridge. Only, this one, notably wasn't. It was just a big stone gate, that seemed to have a broken door. For a moment she thought she saw something on top of it, but when she blinked it was gone.
The purple eyed girl was debating their next action, when her counterpart started to wander forward. Picking up flowers, filling her arms with the ones that seemed to fall from the larger trees. They smelled very nice, and the air out here was so cool by comparison to the ruins. It was like it was a whole-nother world.
Her orange eyes closed, drinking in the comfort as she continued down the path some. Pausing to examine every new flower, or plant she came across. A few steps revealing that the other girl had followed her.
"Here." Aliza offered a flower, that had a purple tint to it. "Uhm...cuz...well."
Chara winced when the hand approached, catching the other child by surprise. It was quickly shaken off however, and she accepted the flower offered to her. It almost resembled an echo flower, crossed with another. She contemplated for a moment, before turning as to not face her counterpart.
Whispering something to it, she waited. However, it didn't repeat what she said. Which she was honestly glad about. As the comment was silly.
"Uhm...thanks." Chara turned back around. "It's nice...nerd."
Aliza just smiled in response, but didn't say much of anything. It seemed the affable reply was all she wanted. Or, at the very least, was hoping for. Chara couldn't help but find the girl peculiar, for a dozen or so reasons so far.
The duo draw close to the gate. She briefly wondered who made it. Though, she promptly reminded herself that it was likely requested on behalf of her parents. Or, someone nearby who wanted a gate out here. She hummed at the thought, glancing at the door to the hotland ruins. It was so near to it, she highly doubted that was coincidental.
As they entered into the main area beyond the gate, Aliza noticed a large tree branch, shuffling the flowers in her possession to try and grab it. Succeeding only in causing all the flowers to fall. Much to her distress.
Chara spoke. "I don't know if you can lift that. Seems like it's too heavy."
"I-I can so." Aliza replied, before giving it an attempt.
The branch in question really wasn't small. It was a full proper branch of a tree. Well, still a smaller one than normal, but too long, and to heavy for her counterpart. Not that Aliza didn't try. Chara watching in amusement, as the other girl struggled for a time, before dropping it.
"See." Chara motioned. "But hey, don't feel bad. I'm sure I couldn't either."
"I...sorry." Aliza apologized, looking embarrassed.
"You don't need to apologize over a branch. Unless, like, you hit me with it." Chara reasoned, adding. "And if you do that. I'm just gonna hit you back, so...we'll both end up apologizing."
Aliza scanned the bat-carrying human, as they started on again. She considered the idea of an apology being sent her way, when someone hit her. The only person who ever apologized for that was Frisk. She wondered if the two would get along. Hoping to one day introduce them, if given the opportunity.
As they were progressing, a sound filled the air. A loud cracking noise. Causing them to jolt, and turn around. To find there was nothing there.
Whisper commented quietly. "S-something fell off the top of the gate. And then vanished."
Chara grumbled some, noting internally this would have been good information to know. Granted, it only just happened, so maybe she was getting the news asap. Shaking it off, she motioned to Aliza, and the two started to walk all the faster. Trying to evade, whatever it was, that was behind them.
An occasional sound like a step, prompting them to move even quicker. As they fell into a jog, eventually turning a corner in the woods. Just to find another gate. With a closed door.
The sound of footsteps echoed, alongside the sound of crunching leaves from behind them, as the two tensed up. Step, step, step. It got closer, a faint smoke drifting through the air.
Whisper noted. "It's...a skeleton."
"HUMANS." The voice began ominously. "DON'T YOU KNOW HOW TO GREET A NEW PAL?" The purple-eyed girl preparing to draw her bat. "TURN AROUND, SHAKE MY HANDS."
Aliza promptly began to comply. Much to the concern of her counterpart. Who reluctantly did the same. Preparing to grab her, and dodge back, if needed. The other human was her responsibility, after all. And she wasn't about to let some random monster kill her.
Regardless, the request was complied with. Both hands took a hand in return. The result as it turned out, was the same, and different at the same time.
Aliza grabbed the hand, and was greeted by a sudden buzz rushing through her body. Causing her to recoil in surprise. A joy buzzer, she'd grabbed a joy buzzer. The realization easing her tension some.
Chara, on the other hand, was greeted by a loud, long, fart noise. Lasting well past the point of her counterpart jumping back. That both the children just stared, seeming notably surprised. Whoopie Cushion in the hand trick. She faintly smiled at it.
The tall skeleton standing there grinned a big amused grin. "Nyeh heh heh." He laughed. "Got'ta love a good prank for an introduction." He reasoned. "Heh, couldn't help but use the classics."
Aliza blinked, and asked. "What?"
Chara meanwhile, couldn't help but feel like the skeleton looked incredibly familiar to her. The glance he gave her, suggested he noticed it too. It was like...deja vu, in a weird way.
"Hmm...you two seem awfully tense. What'd ya see a monster or somethin?" The Skeleton joked, managing to make Chara laugh briefly, before adding. "Anyways-" He glanced between them. "I'm Papyrus. Local serif, sort of." He chuckled some, taking a drag of his cigarette. "You two are humans right?"
Much to the surprise of Aliza, Chara replied. "You would be correct."
Papyrus responded. "That's hilarious. Actually, I'm meant to be on watch for humans right now." He revealed. "But uh-" He felt deja vu. "eh, I don't really a point in capturing anyone."
Aliza asked quietly. "Capturing?"
"That's a long story kid. Probably not the best to tell in the middle of the woods." Papyrus reasoned, before adding. "Now my partner, well, he's something of a human fanatic. I wouldn't worry about him hurting you, but he'd probably talk your ear off for hours." He chuckled warmly, with an honest smile. "Anyways, I got an idea. Head on through this uh, gate thingy." He motioned, as they exchanged doubtful looks. "No, seriously, you can go on through. Due to budget cuts, the door isn't actually a proper door. It was just made to look like one."
Testing this theory, Chara wandered over to the door. Curiously giving it a push. The whole thing unceremoniously flopped to the ground. It was made of cardboard. Aliza snickered some at the sight of it. While Chara wore a little smile, stifling a chuckle.
The duo headed past the gate, which was revealed to also be made of elaborate cardboard. Like cutouts for a TV show. It was very well made all things considered. Notably, a little ways ahead was what appeared to be a Sentry Station. She didn't know how she knew that, only that she did.
Alongside it, were cutouts, similar to the ones people would stand behind to get silly photos of themselves. In this case, it was of someone skateboarding, and someone else riding a bike. Papyrus followed along, and peered down the path. Thinking, he had a funny idea.
Chara looked around at all the cardboard, and the glamorous sentry station. It was decorated in a mixture of purple, pink, and black. With all kinds of cutesy things present there. As well as a drawing of a chainsaw, that produced glitter. It was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen.
Papyrus hummed. "Hey, funny enough, I think that's him over there." He noted, drawing glances from the two. "Quick, behind those convenient-placed cut-outs."
Aliza stepped back, and then hurried behind one. Chara however, walked a bit more casually. Stopping behind one. The two of them left peering out of the holes intended for people to stare out of.
Motion came from the road, as someone wearing an outfit that Chara was rather fond of walked into view. This person was a rather pretty looking man, almost human looking, with a few distinct giveaways this wasn't the case. Robotic limbs, and casing, similar to skin.
He had a big red scarf on that reminded her of the one in Muffets shop. With hair that was black, with pink streaks. Accompanying this was a jacket that seemed a little large for the robot. A bright pink summer jacket, with soft white spots across it.
When he approached, he produced a phone from the jacket pocket. Taking a moment to text something. Pausing, waiting as a buzz sound echoed from the skeletons pocket. Papyrus checked it, and seemed to blush some. Responding with another text, and a wink. The robot raising a brow, before getting a text back, reading it.
"You're wonderfully silly, darling. You know that right?" The robotic man commented.
"Hey, I was just talking about regular maintenance." The skeleton replied with a particular kind of smile. "Why...what'd you think I was talking about, Metta?"
Metta brushed some hair aside. Briefly glancing at the cutouts. Appearing to raise a brow, before glancing back at the skeleton. A hand moving to his hip.
"So...how's the patrol going, darling?" Metta inquired.
Papyrus shrugged. "Well, I've had my work cut out for me." He chuckled, prompting the robot to smile some. "I was card-bored without you around though."
Metta rolled his eyes. "Is that so?" He paced nearer. "I'm so sorry I left you feeling bonely~" He leaned in, and kissed his counterpart. "I'll sen-try to do better next time."
The brief exchange of puns nearly made Chara laugh. But she was stifled by Aliza. Giving her a fairly serious look. It seemed she hadn't quite caught on to how harmless these monsters were, at least comparatively.
Papyrus hummed some. "Well. Wanna pack up these uh, cutouts and head back to town then?"
Aliza let out an eep. Glancing between the two men, with a nervous expression. Chara sighed at this.
Metta noticed, but shrugged. "No, I think it's best we leave them for the time being. Though, maybe a brief photo wouldn't hurt." He took out his phone, and started over. "C'mon you."
"Of course, love." Papyrus chuckled, wandering over.
The two stopped in front of the cutout. Backs to it. Metta held out the phone, aiming it at them all. Putting up a peace sign, as Papyrus just smiled some. Taking a picture, which captured the images of all involved.
"That looks marvelous don't you think?" Metta asked, showing the skeleton the picture.
"I couldn't picture a better model for it than you." Papyrus flirted, prompting a bit of blush and a smile from his counterpart. "So, I guess you've gotta pho-go up ahead, huh?"
"Darling that was rough." Metta replied with an amused snicker. "But yes. I wager someone aught to recalibate the puzzles. Don't suppose you'd come lend a hand?"
"In a minute." Papyrus replied.
"Of course. Well, you all have fun then." Metta said, with a wink, visible to the girls 'hiding' using the cutout. "See you in a couple minutes, dear."
"Later~" Papyrus said, giving a small wave.
The robot man appeared incredibly amused with himself, as he went. Examining the photo, while wandering down the road to somewhere unseen. The skeleton leaning against the cutout. Even with the crack through his eye-socket, and his rougher appearance, it was obvious to see he was having a decent time in that little exchange.
He hummed after a moment. "Alright, you two can come out now."
Chara wandered out first, glancing down the road towards the being she was certain they'd be seeing more of. Unable to hide a smile. It was nice to see a little positivity now and then. Plus, she had the sense the robot-monster was responsible for making all the various designs and things there. And, she wanted to ask how, for what, and a dozen other questions.
Aliza stepped out a little bit after, seemingly confused at her counterparts lack of alarm. The girl left wondering if she had missed something. Weren't they suppose to be, being careful? She asked herself this, before turning to face the skeleton, presently lighting a cigarette, before giving her a little nod.
Aliza asked. "Are...you not...gonna attack us?"
Papyrus took a drag, placing his lighter in his pocket. "Why would I do that?" He shrugged. "Way I see it, there isn't really a reason to. So long as you two ain't gonna run around causing havoc."
Chara smiled, and replied. "No worries. It's obvious to see you two like each other a-bot." The skeleton raised a brow. "And we don't have a bone to pick with you."
"Nyeh heh." He thought for a moment. "I've got a good feeling about you two. I can feel it in my bones." The girl snickered.
"Tibia honest-" Chara began. "I think Aliza was worried for a bit there."
Aliza huffed and said. "W-well...yeah."
"I'm not poking fun." Chara assured with a playful smile. "Just trying to make light of things."
"Hmm..." Aliza thought of a joke, but she was too nervous to share it, instead she asked. "W-what...were you.. uhm...doing out...here?" Getting quieter with each word.
Papyrus responded. "Bone-Chilling." He shrugged. "That, and relaxing my funny-bone for a minute. It's hard coming up with new material, ya know?"
"Yes?" Aliza responded, half-asking, rather than stating.
"Heh." The skeleton considered something. "Hey. Before you two head off. Metta's never actually seen a human before. Sept on TV." He said. "I bet it'd make his day to meet you two."
Chara hummed, before nudging Aliza. "What do you think...could be fun, right?"
Aliza was more hesitant. "They...seem nice."
"Then we'll keep an eye out, just in case." Chara offered with a whisper. "Okay?"
"Okay." Aliza managed a smile. "B-but...you have...to promise."
"I promise. Dork." Chara assured her, before noticing the pinky. "Pinky promise...got it." She took it, and chuckled. "Pinky promise. Dork."
Aliza seemed far more reassured in the aftermath of this. Papyrus simply watching, listening, smoking. Giving them both a mild wave, as they began down the path. Taking his phone out of his pocket, to find that a message had come through.
Raising a brow, the name read 'Bro.' The message contained read. "I just saw two humans pass by one of the security cameras. are you in the areas? if not, then get there quick. they are to be neutralized, and contained. you know how important this is."
In response to this, he blew smoke to the side. His expression shifting to one of irritation, as he closed the flip phone. Pushing it back into his pocket, with a huff.
Turning, to wander in the opposite direction that the girls had gone. Electing to...ignore, the message for the time being. Vanishing, once he was no longer being observed.