The building was in a dusty state of disrepair. With an old speaker jotting out of the ceiling. Belting out comments from the voice of a certain yellow lizard. A bit muffled, thanks to the lack of repairs to it.
"Today, we're going to be running a special segment." The woman said over it. "Humans, an informational. The King things its important to ensure the public is up to date on these peculiar beings from the surface. As rare as they might be."
A bone manifested from the wall. Tearing through it. Snuffing out the noise, leaving the location eerily quiet. Save for the stepping of shoes, across the creaking wooden floor.
Hood up, the skeleton wandered through it. Heading to a staircase leading up to a smaller second level. A step bending one of the board, to the point it nearly broke.
Reaching the top, his red dot-like magical eyes scanned the row of books. Many of which were poured over onto the floor. Shredded, trampled on, or bearing some singe marks.
He ran his skeletal hand across the row, before coming to an old looking tome. Grasping the edges, the interior pages were made of some kind of plastic. Flipping it open briefly, the contents appeared to be pictures. Papyrus humming some, closing it back.
A sound came from the door opening. "Hey, is someone in here!" The voice called out. "This location is restricted on order of the King."
He didn't bother looking, instead he just strode into the darker corner of the upper floor. Vanishing with a faint glitchy blur. To continue his investigation, in a more private and peaceful location.
Traversing to town wasn't an inherently difficult thing. Even as they passed through fields of the familiar potato apple wheat. Inspiring at one point, Aliza to ask.
"What...is these...er, are?" She asked.
Metta paused briefly, to look them over. "Oh, these?" He asked. "Well, they were something created by a scientist, who lives near the core. Papyrus's brother, actually. Apple Wheat. I think?" He hummed, trying to recall. "Most just call them Appletato. It's not the most appetizing name, but it's not terribly inaccurate either."
Chara inquired. "Papyrus has a brother?"
"Indeed he does, darling." Metta checked his nails, looking mildly irritated. "He's...well, we've never gotten along. But his name is Sans." He considered. "He rarely leaves his laboratory anymore."
Aliza asked. "Is he...mean?"
"Well..." Metta sighed. "He's...Sans. It's not that important, nor really my place to discuss gossip. Not that I don't like too, but, it's more Papyrus's business than my own, dears." He explained. "Sorry."
With that new bit of information, they continued. The group passing by various monsters. Out wandering around, harvesting the crops, checking traps, that sort of thing. As well as cleaning up what appeared to be the remains of tents, torn and dusty. Metta sneaking a glance at them, frowning, while ensuring the girls didn't see the response, or linger to give it a look over.
There were a few individuals giving the children glances. Muttering things in confusion, or appearing to recognize what they were. If they hadn't been guided as they were, it would most definitely have resulted in a fight, or two between groups of enemies. Something Aliza was thankful wasn't happening.
Climbing up the long cliffside walkway, they passed a couple of people heading down. Moving up, until they came to flatland, and a sort of wall that was present around the city. Built against the cliffs edge. A tall gate blocking their progression, sealed, with a monster standing on the rampart above it.
The monster was a cyclops being of sort, with big horns on his rounded body. Bearing a fancy looking mustache over his mouth. Presently smoking, looking quite tired. Before noticing them.
"Afternoon ." Metta greeted, giving a cordial bow.
"Hey, if it ain't the brightest dressed in the city." The monster smirked some. "That one lady still bothering you?"
"Thankfully not." The robotic man sighed, adjusting his soft jacket. "She's doing her own thing."
"Never told me who it was." Looxan noted, adding. "Someone in town or-" He paused, when he noticed the kids. "Er, heh. Looks like you found some stray kids again."
"Sadly, yes, they were lost in the woods." Metta replied, adding. "Don't suppose you saw my latest episode?"
"Oh uh...yeah." Looxan glanced away briefly. "Those uh...special effects were great. So were the puzzles. Had me on the edge of my seat trying to solve em on my end."
The girls felt confused at the statement. They didn't solve puzzles. Well, sort of? Aliza was lest inquiring of herself if riddles would be considered puzzles in the sense, that others usually considered them to be puzzles. Possibly, but wouldn't someone just say riddles instead?
It was obvious to Metta that his show had not been watched. But that wasn't specifically a new thing. And there were, of course, more pressing matters to attend to. Such as.
"Wonderful, dear, do you mind opening the gate for us?" Metta asked.
"Huh, oh shit-er-fuck-no, damn it. Shoot, yeah, no, yes, I'm on it." Looxan said, having failed in his effort to not swear in front of the children, as he wandered over and pulled the lever for the gate. Opening it for them to enter.
Metta let out a long groan, facepalming. Chara meanwhile, listened to the words, and believed she had learned a much better sort of context for them. It would be an improvement from her 'fuck-face' insult. Evidently it was an expression of distress, or referred to something unfortunate, unintended, or unwelcome. She knew it was also used to insult others. She wondered what it would sound like as a descriptor for a person.
Chara glanced to Metta. "Would it be...fucker, if like, it's about a person?"
Metta blinked, and laughed nervously. "Maybe, don't...you, shouldn't-"
Aliza chimed up. "They...usually say...'you' first."
Chara raised a brow. "So it's be like...'You fucker' then?"
Metta facepalmed. "Girls please stop." He glanced up Looxen, and glared some. "Swearing is an adult thing. And rather unbecoming in general conversation."
The monster on the rampart chuckled some. "T-that's my bad. Sorry."
"Well-" Metta sighed, motioning the other two forward. "You have a wonderful day, ." He sighed, as they began through. "I'll see them both to the shelter."
"May wanna go to the backup one." Looxan noted, frowning. "It's...still cramped in the main one."
The trinity walked past the threshold, the robotic monster glancing back at the man on the wall.. "I thought they were being sent to one of the other towns?"
"Apparently not. Cores cold has spread. Too many paths are snowed in. And the waterfall settlements...well you know." Looxin shrugged. "So they're still here for now."
"Well...that's alright. I'm sure we'll figure something out." Metta seemed a bit tense. "Well, uhm, as I said before. Have a good day, ."
"Eh. Well, you too folks." Looxan glanced at the kids. "And don't worry about your parents, kids. If they're not here...then uh, they probably went to one of the other cities, or ya know, maybe to a nice farm somewhere. They'll be fine."
Metta gave him a stern look. "Have a good day. ."
The comments provided by the monsters, gave the girls some ideas of what was transpiring there. Chara moreso, given she'd actually seen the destroyed tents in the fields. And glimpsing the interior of the city only cemented her concerns.
The main street, and much of the city was rather clustered looking. A marvelous, and depressing local in its own way. There was a great deal of growth spread throughout it. A distant noise coming from a side-street, like a radio broadcast, that the girls couldn't quite make out.
Most trees were bearing fruit, and she actively watched as some people picked fruit from them. Consuming them as they went about their day. While also finding guards actively patrolling the streets, bearing the deltarune on their tabards. An indication of their status as Royal Guards.
There were tall buildings, and apartment complexes spread throughout. A few buildings seeming to be multifloored gardens more than anything else. With monsters working, looking exhausted gathering things.
There were a few abandoned looking buildings spread throughout. Some clearly broken into, or left in disrepair. Including a library that they passed, which had the name misspelled. A notice on it, labelling it as having 'Restricted Access.' Confusingly so.
Accompanying these were various tents in smaller blocks of the space, that seemed to be acting as mini-cities for individuals who were clearly displaced. However, the focus on those only lasted so long, as the trinity approached something. A strange speaker system, that was belting out words to those who were walking by.
"Could there be humans among you now?" The voice asked through it. "Remember to check your human information packets to gain potential descriptors of humans, demi-humans, and other surface dwelling forces of similar natures."
Aliza glanced at it. "Demi-humans?"
She had no idea what a demi-human was. She imagined it must be a profession of some kind. A lot of people did seem to hold their jobs as important title like things. Carpenters, Builders, Bankers, Billionaires. Though, she'd only met the first two types.
The broadcast continued. "Remember. If even one human were to fall to the creatures, then it would be the end of every living thing in the underground." The voice of some woman warned, as the trio stepped past it. "Now, naturally, we here would never encourage a monster to try and seize their souls. Though it is true, one could achieve incredible power from the possession of one. So, as per the kings instructions. If they're seen, do your best to avoid them, or try and direct them towards the royal castle." It said. "Remember, they can be extremely dangerous if provoked, and-"
Metta hit something on his phone, forcing the broadcast to end abruptly. Though, nobody really seemed to notice. Walking around in a dazed state. Sitting on the ground, or just standing around.
"That's enough of that." Metta muttered.
Aliza hummed nervously to herself. "What...was that about?"
"That would be the 'News' as it were. A rather sordid affair. Though, it used to be different." Metta sighed. "Don't worry your little hearts about it, though. It's just...propaganda at this point. Okay?"
This, did not please Chara. Propaganda? In the underground. It wasn't things she specifically disagreed with, per se. At least in terms of how dangerous a human could be.
In the childs opinion, humanity was a blight. They'd ravaged the world, and each other since their inception. Instead of reflecting, making a change, they just sought new, and creative ways to torture one another. And those, who didn't do anything wrong, out of a twisted desire to maintain the illusion of a better world that never existed.
The idea of humanity being the end of all things, was something she could agree with. She knew well that a human soul was powerful. So powerful, by comparison, that it would take the souls of every monster alive to match even one. At least if what she'd read, was accurate.
Maybe avoiding them wasn't such a bad idea. But informing monsters about the potential power gain...that was either stupid, or intentionally malicious. And somehow she doubted it was the former.
The trio had headed across a semi-congested street. Moving into a side of town where a few less people were present. With a few people standing around, chatting, or discussing things. Mostly minding their own business.
They eventually came to reach a sort of business style building, with another building on top of it. A winding staircase leading up to that one. A feeling of deja vu, reaching Chara in-particular.
She read the names. "Baylors Tailoring. Taylors Bakering." The sensation got a bit more intense. "Weird...neat colors though."
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. Various plants beautifying the place, at least a little bit.
"I've always enjoyed the colors." Metta noted, warmly, while starting up the staircase. "It's more pleasant than a lot of the drab pallet some people insist on."
The sides of the upper floor overhang, did not have safety railings. Something that Aliza noticed as they climbed up to it. Worrying briefly that she might fall off. Imagining that it would really hurt if she did so.
Once at the top, the girls gave a look over the strange city. There were so many sour, or sad faces. Little snippets of arguments being overheard, even from a distance. There were a lot of people, more than it seemed capable of housing. Refugees, it seemed, from some poorly understood danger.
The sound of the door opening grabbed Alizas attention, as she turned to see Metta walking in. She nudged Chara, who had begun to zone out into her thoughts. The duo following along after.
The interior greeted them with the smell of fabric, and something sweet. Despite this, and the expectations they might have produced in their minds, the interior of the shop wasn't all that significant. Or expansive in any real sense.
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 of some yellow lizard lady. The volume low, but the basics of what she was saying could be heard.
It appeared to be part of what the strange speaker had been saying. Only with the face, and some impressive looking visuals attached. It seemed the show had quite the budget. And briefly displayed a map, indicating evacuation orders, and the sort. It was however, clicked off.
"Well howdy there, Metta. If it ain't Golden Groves number one star." The shop-keeper smiled some. "Oh...wait a minute. Are these the costars from todays episode?"
Metta blinked in surprise, and asked. "You watched todays broadcast?"
"I saw it." The raptor-lady noted, adding. "Sadly, I didn't get to hear it. Had a client in. But I saw these two on the telly." She smiled, a toothy smile. "What's up little stars?"
Aliza looked nervous. And seemed to want to reply. However, she did not. Instead, she froze like a deer in headlights. And carefully stepped behind Chara.
The other girl having smirked a little. "Just...doing our best. Thanks for asking." She hummed. "Are you...Baylor?"
"That's me, one Baylor the Tailor." Baylor responded. "Ain't ya two just adorable. Take it they're uh...gonna need a shelter...before too long?"
"You would be accurate, in that assessment, dear." Metta responded. "However, I'm loath to leave them in the present state they're in. So, well, better non-stained clothing, and some armoring adjustments and acquisitions may be in order."
"Sounds like a fair mix of things.." Baylor commented. "You know, you're gonna go broke, if you keep buying people all this stuff, right?" Baylor asked, with some genuine concern.
"Despite what some paranoid individuals may suggest, we are all in this together." Metta noted plainly. "So..."
"Yeah, yeah. Fair." Baylor muttered something. "Okay. I'll see what I can do. Let's get you all situated, shall we?" She moved a few things onto the counter from a space below it. "So, maybe some adjustments to the jacket, a new set of...non-stained clothing." She examined Chara's. "Maybe fix up the dress, and find something else to armor up this cutie here?" She suggested smiling to Aliza. "What do you two think?"
Chara asked. "What...can we ask for?"
"Interesting question. What are you wanting?" Baylor asked, leaning on the counter. "Spitball some ideas hons. I can't promise it'll be exact. But who knows. Maybe we'll come up with something special for both of you?"
Aliza peaked over her counterparts shoulder. "R-really?" She hummed. "Uhm...s-some uh...stuff, maybe?"
"Mmmhmm." Baylor hummed. "Tell you what, I'll...give you both a piece of paper. Sketch, write stuff down, draw little, and I'll see what's possible, alright?" She smiled some, while handing the paper, and pencils over.
The girls took these things, exchanging glances, before wandering over to the couches. Sitting in front of them, rather than on them. While tinkering with a few of their ideas.
As they did so, Metta and Baylor spoke, in a quiet tone. Mostly about news, and the things it was best the children didn't hear. About what was going on in the city. About what was going on beyond it.
Lest it crush, their spirits.
Elsewhere, only minutes ago...
Hypothetical scenarios were a fun way to entertain oneself. Or a bleak way to descend ones mental health into the drain. For his part, Papyrus didn't often elect to entertain them anymore. It was much easier to live in the moment, or, at least to try to. It helped avoid various alarming things he had become aware of as time progressed.
The skeleton briefly watching the trinity go about their walk through the city. It seemed the target of his interest was harmless, at least at this moment. He sat on a rooftop, opening an old book. It was a dusty thing, found in the old Library. How it had gotten there, he didn't know exactly. But he had suspicions.
It was an old photo album of sorts. Belonging to, of all people, the Dreemurs. The royal family of the underground. People that he knew fairly well at this point.
Flicking through some of the early photos, consisting of Asgore, and Toriel he looked them over. There was even a picture of the surface amongst all these. From their first meeting, in some long passed age.
He turned to the next pages. Depicting them with their son, Asriel. As he was growing up. They looked happy enough.
Turning the page again, he came to what he was seeking. A bony finger sliding down the page, before tapping a specific photo. Pulling it out of the sleeve, so he could get a better look. It was of them standing, with a human child. One who looked distinctly familiar. Turning it, he found the date on the back. 20XX.
Knowing what that meant, he hummed. It certainly wasn't that year anymore. It hadn't been, for almost forty years now. The names on the back, read off by him.
"Asgore, Toriel, Asriel, and...Chara." He put it back, and set about lighting a cigarette. "Thought you looked familiar, kid."
The patter of feet came to his attention, as another, smaller being came to sit on the roof beside him. A familiar cat-dog creature. Bearing a smug little smirk, while he blew smoke at it.
"C'mon, really. Gonna be rude now, skeleton?" Temmie scoffed.
"How'd you get into the city?" Papyrus asked.
"You think your little walls can stop me?" Temmie snickered. "I'm not like the rest. I'm legion. I am-"
"You sure like caterwauling, don't you?" Papyrus punned, getting a glare in response. "I'm guessing you snuck through a crack. I'll have someone patch it."
The creature groaned. "You were so much more fun when you had hope." The creature examined the book. "Oh...heh. Guessing your met our 'little monarch' too, didn't you?"
Papyrus closed the book. "You responsible for this?"
"Oh please." Temmie rolled its eyes. "I went through a lot of trouble to murder that brat like forty something years ago. You think I'd have waited until now, to drag her back to life, if I could do that?" The creature grinned evilly. "No...I'd have used that card, much sooner~"
Papyrus briefly stared at the creature. Eyes darkened, with a serious expression. The creature merely snickering in amusement. Tail flicking side to side, enjoying the frustration.
"If not you...then who?" Papyrus inquired.
"If I'm right. It was a certain someone, you won't meet." Temmie noted, shrugging. "Tried to abscond with the humans, but don't worry. I helped spare them of that fate."
"Aren't you altruistic?" The skeleton asked, sarcastically, while getting to his feet. "So...think it's actually her?"
"Pragmatic." The cat-dog watched him. "And maybe. Memory is a little spotty. Didn't even remember me." The creature recalled. "But then, when you've been rotting in the ground that long, that tends to happen." The cat-dog looked over the city, watching the girl from a distance. "If it's not, well, then, I guess we both have an idea of where she may have come from." It laughed. "It wouldn't be his first bad deci-"
The creatures being suddenly flashed blue, being dragged across the roof. Raised into the air, to become eye level with the skeleton. His eye briefly flashing yellow, before becoming stable and blue.
"Well, that was all I needed answered." Papyrus shrugged.
"C'mon. What's the point in killing me?" Temmie scoffed. "You tried that when you failed to save the brat the first time. That was you, that found the body, right?" It recalled, evily. "Just a few minutes earlier, and you might have saved the human. But, at this point, you and I know I'm just gonna come back. It's not like there aren't hundreds of me. Why don't we just-"
The skeleton motioned. The creature being flung with alarming speed through the air. He snapped his fingers. Bones forming around it, bursting in. Puncturing the little abomination, as it sailed over the walls. And down to the valley below.
He dragged on his cigarette. "Get dunked on, freak."
The man vanishing from his spot. Heading to investigate this odd instance a bit further. Just to confirm, or to deny the thought that was brewing in his head.