Doing normally mundane things brought a certain comfort to the girls.
For Aliza, a lot of these things, were things she hadn't done in a long time. She couldn't recall the last time she'd ever gotten to go on a trip to get new clothes. Usually her parents went alone to those things, and she just stayed home until they got back the next day.
She'd never actually gone to eat with them either. Though, once, her dad brought her to a drive through. The car wound up smoking in the lane though, and he got very mad. So, she didn't end up getting her toy. As he'd used it to stabilize something, to make the car smoke less. She didn't know what it was, but was sure it was important.
For Chara, she wasn't really a fan of shopping in general. Clothing in particular, bored her greatly. Too much of it was boring. But it was nice to go do things with people regardless of her lack of interest. And the social experience of being around people she liked, made up for it being dull.
Eating however, was actually something she enjoyed doing. Most of the food she'd eaten with her family was cooked by Toriel, or Asgore. The latter of whom struggled, but did his best. She recalled, as she had earlier in her adventure, trying to cook with him. Much in the same vein, she was just happy to spend time with those she cared about, even if it ended with them catching malk on fire somehow.
In the present situation, the duo were seated across from one another. With Metta across from Chara as well. They were at a restaurant known as 'Junk Food' which perhaps, an apt description, of the food. It was owned by a pair of peculiar monsters, who appeared to be friends. Despite their bickering with one another.
The nametags suggesting they were named 'Bratti' and 'Catti.' An alligator, and a cat, respectively. Aliza found them to be pretty, and funny. Chara however, found them very irritating. Especially how they insisted on speaking in unison, or finishing each others thoughts. Before bickering at each other, instead of just letting them order their food in peace.
When they'd finally gotten to order, they'd taken the seats they had now. Though, most of the booths were empty around them. It seemed that most monsters just came in, got their food, and left. Rather than stopping to sit and eat there. It even surprised the dual owners. But that wasn't a concern anymore. What was, was the food.
Chara for her part, had just gotten fries. Something simple, that sounded good. Choosing ketchup to go along with it. Cringing some, when she saw Aliza put mustard on her burger.
Aliza noticed and said. "It's good though."
"You do you, I just think it's nasty." Chara commented, shaking her head. "Have you had them with ketchup at least?"
"Mhm." Aliza hummed, shrugging. "It's okay. Not great though."
"Tsk. It's ideal for burgers, and fries." Chara tsk'd, and ignored the blasphemy on display. "Metta?"
Metta for his part, had seemed distracted ever since getting them from the tailors shop. Looking conflicted, concerned, and curious depending on the moment. Always putting on a smile, and being his usual friendly self when one of those moments was noticed.
It worried Chara. Had she done something wrong? It made her feel...tense. And spend most of her time watching the sky, as the daylight grew slightly dimmer. She'd hoped it wouldn't repeat now that they were here, but...there it was again.
The entire walk there, and even when ordering, the moments slipped in. And he compulsively checked his phone, even when it didn't appear he was being texted or called. It made her feel...very small. Her heart beating faster as some slowly building anxiety threatened her mental stability.
At present, he was fumbling with a burger of some variety. Having checked the phone, after sneaking those same glances at the girl. Like he didn't trust her, or something. Admittedly, this was projection on her part. But his attention was lost in the burger, and he snapped from it when his named was called.
"What's...oh, yes, of course." Metta glanced between the two. "Condiments...hmm...honestly, I prefer my fries a bit plain. But if I had to choose, I'd say fry sauce is best. It's good on burgers too."
Chara asked. "Fry sauce...what's that?"
"Usually, at it's core, it's a bit of mayonnaise, and ketchup." Metta responded, noticing her raise a brow. "You've honestly never had it?"
"Sounds gross." Aliza noted.
"It does, but I assure you it's got a good taste." Metta nodded, before adding. "Course, they don't have it here. So, I'm inspired to enjoy my burger plainly."
Aliza suggested. "Mustard?" Holding it up. "Maybe?"
"Err...I mean it's fine. I've never had it on a burger though." Metta admitted, noticing her hopeful look. "Okay, I'll...give it a try."
Chara gasped. "B-but there's ketchup right there?"
"Then I suppose I'll have them both." Metta smirked, pulling off the bun, and putting both on the burger.
The mixture of condiments was placed on the burger. Much to the horror of Chara, as it made her gag some. She tried to ignore it while eating. Much to the amusement of Aliza, snickering some at the display.
The food itself was fine enough, and the rest of the meal went well enough. The light in the sky, ever dimming in the process. Growing darker, as twilight fell upon the underground. Marking the moments they were done eating.
However, Metta made them stay until they finished their respective drinks. Aliza having something that was a mixture of mango and orange flavors. Chara, electing to drink a graveyard, made up of a dozen different sodas. Much to the horror of her counterpart, and the sheer giggling delight of the purple eyed girl.
When they finally stepped outside the restaurant, there was very little light left in the sky. Some of the street lights kicking on, as the sound of the 'news' was playing from a nearby speaker of some kind. Informing individuals that night was approaching, and to stay indoors, lock their homes, and remain near others. And to, above that respect the curfew.
Aliza asked. "So...what now?"
Metta hummed. "Well, admittedly, it's a bit late to go doing other things." He wagered, checking his phone. "So, perhaps-"
Chara felt confused, looking at Aliza. "I thought we were...ya know, leaving?"
Aliza shifted. "A-already?"
"I mean, like...I've gotta get home." Chara suggested, adding. "That was the plan. And, sure it was nice hanging out but...don't you wanna...move on?"
"That may be a touch difficult, darling." Metta sighed tiredly, before saying. "Chara, dear...the way out of town is, admittedly quite dangerous normally. But, it's also getting dark out." He noted. "Which has a few implications, and also, only makes the danger that much worst." He explained. "Further, the gates are locked at night. Nobody gets in or out, for everyone's safety."
The news of this hit the girl like a brick. It was...heavy. Heavier. Straining, cracking something.
It was...a fair point. Right? The girl imagined the creatures of the dark would be more active. So it was definitely going to be unsafe at night.
She twitched involuntarily, while glancing up at the fading light pouring into the underground. The giant crack in the mountain above them. The way it was getting darker, much quicker now.
Her breathing became irregular. The girl silently rued having idled for so long, again. Feeling her stress begin to rise, much faster than it should have. Hands moving to rub tiredly over her eyes, and forehead. Fingers pushing through her hair, as she let out a little growl. Audible to the others. She'd done it again.
She'd wasted time, again. She'd gotten distracted with things, again. Her vision seemed to break, as things became very hard to focus on. Were people going to die now? Was it going to be her fault again? Should she make a run for it? Could she? But she had to help Aliza, yes?
Dozens more thoughts barraged her mind, as tension rose to the surface. Bubbling over, like boiling water. And with her eyes covered, she briefly recalled the impaled body of the Non-Human. That last expression staring at her, smiling as it died. The ear splitting scream of blood pounding in her ears, deafening everything.
A tug of her sleeve pulling her from the edge of her thoughts, as Aliza spoke. "Chara?"
Chara huffed, panting as she quickly tried to recompose herself. "I'm fine. I...I'm alright." She laughed nervously. "J-just uh...just...little stressed, I guess."
It had felt like hours, but it had only been a moment. Moments. Externally, all that had happened, was the girl rubbing her eyes, looking annoyed. Growling in frustration, before Aliza gave a soft tug on the jackets sleeve. And, her present actions.
Metta noticed the distress and frowned some. "It will be okay darling. Hey, focus on me a moment-" She was breathing hard. "focus, Chara-" The girl glanced. "It will be bright again tomorrow. And, there are guards going out tonight, to clear the area, as part of a routine sweep." He assured. "So it should be even safer, okay?"
"Y-yeah, I know. I know, just..." Chara tried hard, but was having a hard time calming down
Her mind turned to her family. What if they left, or went somewhere else over the night? What if they weren't strong enough to survive the creatures? What if this was the day they forgot her? She would show up, just to be left a stranger, because she hadn't been faster. These little non-logical thoughts were gripping her in the moment.
Then, the weight was lifted. Literally, from her being. A sudden presence, and sensation leaving her floating just above the ground. This, more affectively than the rest, tore her from her thoughts. She found her soul shining before her, as though it were a fight...only, it wasn't. It was left glowing blue, much to the surprise of those present.
A voice saying. "Why so blue, kiddo?" She noticed Papyrus wandering over. "Ahh, I see you all levit-ate without me. Heh."
Chara was set down, and managed a smile. The tension seeming to have vanished some, as the skeleton tussled her hair. Before glancing at the others.
Metta sighed. "Well timed, love."
"Was it?" Papyrus asked. "What were we talking about?"
Chara felt her hand get taken, and noticed Aliza had wandered over next to her. She felt...ashamed of her momentary breakdown. But tried to avoid thinking about it too much, lest she begin spiraling down that rabbit hole once more. The purple eyed girl put the hood up, finding it...rather comforting.
As the two adults caught each other up, Aliza commented. "It'll be okay." To her counterpart. "We'll...get there."
Chara frowned, and then smiled. "I...I know. Just...tired, is all."
"Are you okay?" Aliza the asked, with concern.
Chara had some desire to answer honestly. To admit, that she wasn't. That she really...really wasn't. That every step was feeling so damn heavy, it hurt. That she was jumping at shadows. That if she had noticed Aliza attempting to take her hand, she likely would have jumped back, or recoiled and winced. That she kept feeling her heart racing. That she just wanted to curl up in a corner and cry. But lacked the knowledge to properly understand, to handle the fear that just refused to leave her.
"I'm okay, dork." Chara assured. "Just tired."
But she didn't.
With the night creeping upon them, it seemed the human duo was destined to be stuck in the city for the evening. Some initial talks going on, about where they would be staying. The original suggestion being the shelter that many others were at for the time being. Though, Metta didn't like it much.
Thankfully, Papyrus was quick to suggest otherwise. Offering them to spend the night on the couches at their place. The idea then being extended to the two.
"Don't agree if you ain't comfortable with it." Papyrus suggested. "The shelters are an option."
This left the decision in the hands of the children. Not the best thing in a normal situation, but a reassuring one in this. After all, having some power over the idea, was comforting.
Personally, Chara found the idea of being surrounded by many people she didn't know distressing. Adding to the idea of them all being solemn and distressed themselves, it felt like a disastrously bad mixture. Besides, for reasons beyond her knowing, she trusted Papyrus.
She made a motion. "Excuse us, we uh...have to discuss this."
The adults glancing to one another, as Chara took her counterpart by the shoulder and led them slightly away. While she would have just agreed flatly, she had to consider Alizas position on things. She had been...very kind, so far, after all.
Aliza felt a little confused. "I...think we should?"
"Yeah, but we gotta make it sound like more of a negotiation." Chara commented in a whisper. "That's how these things work."
Whisper suggested to her. "Ooh, maybe in exchange for chocolate ice cream?"
"Err uhm, maybe we can leverage ice cream. Wait, leverage...leverage...am I using that right?" Chara wondered. "N-nevermind, doesn't matter. We ask, they gotta do it. Is the idea, so."
Aliza tilted her head. "Aren't we...looking to stay there?" She inquired. "Why would...they need to...ya know, do that?"
Chara nodded some. "See, now we're having proper negotiations."
Aliza could see that her counterpart was trying to be amusing, or generally make light of the situation in some way. Using this attempted comedy as a mask for her most recent...episode. She wasn't a fool, and had certainly noticed. She'd even heard the other girl crying while trying on an outfit, when she went back to ask if she was almost done in the tailors place.
It was very concerning, to her. But she understood it. In truth, she was doing just as poorly. Only, she'd had a lifetime of learning to keep it to herself. Where Chara was merely trying to do so, but failing.
In truth, the idea of being out as the area was getting darker was horrifying to her. Aliza usually liked the night, the coolness of it it. Getting to sit on the slabs of concrete with the cats, and Frisk, watching the stars. But...knowing there was something there, in the shadows now. Something like that 'thing.' It made her shiver at the thought.
"We uh...should stay with them." Aliza said , noting. "They're nice, and you and I know we don't wanna be out in the dark."
The sentence was coherent, and more composed than usual. And reduced the attempted mood the purple-eyed girl was going for. The smile fading into thoughtful contemplation. Prompting her to take a deep breath, and let it out in equal measure
"Yeah...that's...you're right." Chara admitted, before composing herself. "I just..." Her eyes became blurry, as she involuntarily twitched, her breath chilly. "Okay...then, we're agreed." Her smile regrew, as she spoke louder. "On the condition there be ice cream."
"But-" Aliza began, before noticing how badly the other girl seemed to need this. "y-yeah, it would be nice."
Chara scanned her, and said. "Thank you." Quietly, before turning and getting louder again. "And not mint, it's like...the least fun kind."
The adults appeared to process the 'demands' being levied their way. It amused Metta, who couldn't help but chuckle some. Papyrus meanwhile, was scheming, smirking.
Metta hummed. "Well, I mean, I don't know if we even have any-"
His words were interrupted by the presently not-smoking skeleton. Who made a motion grabbing their attention. Striking a pose of sorts, pointing to the heavens, with a big silly grin. With wisdom, composure, and sound judgement, his will flared. In this, his most cunning of schemes, his most epic of moments.
"Neapolitan or nothin." Papyrus shrugged, in the most casual nonchalant voice he could muster. "It's the best of all ice creams, in one. Plus, if you mix it all together with a spoon, the taste is...almost as sweet as Metta."
"P-papyrus." Metta blushed.
The pose inspired something, a dormant feeling in the girl with purple eyes. The jacket tugged, magic flowing in her. Her dim eyes gaining a slight shine, as she struck a counter-pose. Hand out directly ahead of her, with an open palm. Her own pose.
"But browny blast is super good. Why not that?" Chara asked, mirroring his tone.
"And here I thought It had the funnybones." Papyrus snickered, giving a flick of his jacket, before making finger guns with a hand. "Cookie Dough. Universally loved. Critically acclaimed."
Aliza scanned the two, having no idea what they were doing. "What about...rocky road?"
"Hmm, a fine counteroffer. How about..." Papyrus tried to think of another flavor.
Metta rolled his eyes at their little game. Taking a moment to draw a breath. The core of the being glowing with power, before motioning to the side. The steam from within causing the scarf to flow majestically to his side.
"Why not just get everyone a little container, in their own flavor?" He asked calmly.
"Wow, smart and beautiful. I really lucked out with you hon." Papyrus noted, making Metta actively blush harder.
"I could easily say the same in reverse." Metta noted.
"You could. But, I said it first." Papyrus chuckled. "Nyeh heh. Okay...what do you all think, sound fair?"
It seemed in terms of epic poses, and proposals, there was one champion who reigned supreme. And one girl who was still terribly perplexed as to what happened. But the solution to their icy sweet treat woes, had been presented. And...
Surprisingly, Aliza said. "Y-yeah, I think...we can uh, work with this."
Papyrus nodded. "Then it's a deal."
Sometimes, people needed something to lighten the mood. Sometimes they needed an excuse to smile a little. And Papyrus liked to think he did an okay job at that. The group of four starting off to go acquire the nice cream they had been seeking. After all, the shops would only be open for the next ten, or twenty minutes.
He of course, had ulterior motives for his actions. But he also noticed how distressed the humans had been. The one that was good at hiding it, and the one who was presently failing too, despite her attempts.
And what better for that, than the sweet treat, that warms your heart. As the old slogan said.
Elsewhere, however, something far more grim was developing...
When the day was out, the undergound was filled with activity. It was filled with work, and ceaseless struggle. To gather what could be gathered. To ensure that there was enough to survive the next day.
But the night...that was a different story.
The roads at the peak, of their unsafe nature, as night began to fall upon the world of monsters. The last of those who were beyond the gates hurrying to get in. Those who couldn't reach them in time, trying to find places to hunker down, or hide. Some forced to set up tents, to wait out the night, with unblinking eyes.
Near Golden Grove City, the coming of night was fairly ritualistic, if still desperate. A couple monsters wandering up from the fields, towards the path that wound up to the gate. Moving hurriedly with food, and materials they'd gathered dragged behind in carts, or carried in boxes.
One however, stopped near the steps. Pausing as the sound of crying came to her attention. The bird-like woman tilting her head, looking, before noticing a crying form looking around on the edge of the forest.
A child, with greyish skin, wearing dark hooded rags, and a pale striped shirt. The monster heading over to console the youth, while trying to hurry the girl along. They had to get into the city before the gates shut for the night.
"You'll be okay sweetheart." The monster assured.
"I-I'm...t-trying to find my sister." The 'child' whimpered. "She went missing."
"It's okay, it's alright." The woman picked the girl up in her arms, and hurried up the path. "We'll...I dunno, we'll find her when it's safe."
"Okay." The little form hugged the one carrying it up and into the city. Eyes as dark as the abyss, with a smile, hidden by a hug.