Sleeping in a city setting was often a complicated thing. More so when you spent the night in a cold sweat, muttering to yourself as you relived memories that had been buried or forgotten by your subconscious. After having been brought to the breaking point by someone who probably meant well, but went about things in an inelegant fashion.
However, waking up was easy. In fact, the girl was actively waking up at that very moment. Her tired purple opening, an arm dangling over the side of the couch. Hair a mess, with a little groan escaping her lips.
Her dreams, and what had transpired in them were fresh in her mind. And she wasn't quite sure how to process it all. Mostly...she felt sad. And she felt like it was okay that she felt sad. A bit depressed, and generally worn down.
However, somehow, despite it all, she felt...a little better? Sure, her life was a series of tragedies. But...it wasn't always bad. When she was with Leah, she was happy. She was cared for, and loved, and understood. The death of the being, and feeling of fault had been things that had haunted her for years after.
The child having buried the memory, blaming herself for everything. Only...looking back now. How could it have been her fault? She wasn't the one who was driving drunk. She wasn't the one who didn't pay attention to signs. She wasn't the one who took Leah away. No, that was a human who did that.
Some selfish little mongrel, who cared more about being reckless because they could, than the lives of good people. Her memory, and recalling it, and her experience with her 'family' after, reaffirmed a deep hatred in her. Humanity...what a blight. She had, in many ways, almost forgotten why she hated them so damn much.
However...it also reminded her of why she had worked so hard to try and help the humans who fell. Because...even if everyone else was terrible. A woman who loved her, whose name, and face she'd forgotten, was kind. And because, it didn't hurt to show a little mercy.
The memory with the Temmie however. Well, she was sure it couldn't be a memory fully. Her mind was likely just placing Temmie in the role of the big bad. After all...the idea that she and Asriel would be friends with...the idea that said creature wasn't always...the whole thing was a lot. And she elected to view it, as just a distorted memory.
The final one though, that one hit her hard. Paired with the rest, it was what left her feeling the saddest. She had...forgotten. She couldn't believe she had forgotten that. And that she had ended up with a jacket so similar to the one Asgore had given her. She smiled some at the thought. Hell, it was almost the same size even.
The girl wondered if...but shook it off. How would it have even gotten into the ruins in the first place? It was just coincidence they were so similar, she assured herself.
Her eyes closed briefly, recalling the promise that Asgore had made. That she would never be unwanted. That she would never be unworthy. And it hurt, in a way that warmed her. Much as it had done, when the words were first spoken to her.
When she opened them, she found that Aliza had wandered over. And had sat in front of her. Staring. Prompting a jolt of surprise, as they both let out sounds of surprise. Recoiling, prompting the orange-eyed-girl to fall onto the floor, and the purple-eyed one to slam against the back of the couch. Before pushing with her foot, prompting a shift of her weight. Grabbing the pillow as she fell off, and produced a thump as she hit the ground.
The pillow, had done nothing. Prompting a little groan, as she laid there. It seemed her knack for falling flat on her face hadn't changed.
The sound of the fall drew attention, in this case from Metta. Who had been sitting on the other couch. Turning, and nearly dropping his drink. Quickly setting it down, wincing at the fall.
"Are you okay darling?" He asked.
"Yeah." Chara replied, pushing herself back to a seated position. "I...tend to fall on my face."
Aliza quickly got up. "S-sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry." Her rapid set of apologies, being immediately a bit overwhelming, as she started to help the other girl to her feet. "Sorry, sorry, sorry."
Chara felt overwhelmed by this, and laughed nervously. "A-aliza, h-hey, it's fine. I'm fine." The other girl stopped. "It's cool...it's...chill dude." She brushed at her own messy hair. "I'm alright. Promise."
Aliza gave an anxious half smile. "R-right...sorry."
Metta had gotten up at this point. Stepping over, he knelt down. Examining the purple-eyed girls head. She had a small bump there from where it impacted. But otherwise seemed okay.
Chara noticed him looking. "I-I'm okay. Honest."
Metta sighed. "I was just checking. You can never be too careful, you know?" He got back up. "Also...Papyrus made pizza for breakfast." He motioned. "He felt bad about...being uncouth last night." He frowned. "He said he asked you about something that...didn't sit well with you."
"Oh..." Chara recalled it well. "yeah...I'm alright now though. I think I was just tired, is all."
Metta elected not to press it. "I suppose a bit of sleep helps." He glanced at the kitchen. "You just take a seat. We were putting on cartoons, so, I'll grab food."
"I can-" The girl began, as he started over towards the kitchen. "oh, thanks."
She noticed his expression was a bit anxious, and a bit guilty. Honestly, it wasn't like she'd been asked anything to terrible, well, not pleasant, but nothing intended in a rude fashion. She didn't think. The girl took a seat on the couch and sighed. She felt...better now, and hoped they wouldn't make a big deal out of it.
Her focus then fell on Aliza. Who was hesitantly standing in front of the couch. Clearly seeking to sit down, but looking embarrassed. It was clear the question needed to be asked, or it was going to bother her counterpart.
Chara asked. "So hey, why were you...staring at me?"
"W-well it's..uhm."Aliza let out a nervous breath. "Y-you were crying...and..uhm. I wanted to...make sure you were okay." She fidgeted with her fingers. "F-frisk says its...weird that I do that."
"Frisk?" Chara asked, the name felt...familiar.
"She's...well, like us. Y-ya know, in age. But...she lives where...er, we live at the..." Aliza worked to compose herself. "We stay at...the big tube...thing."
The other girl felt that getting more information right now, may be like pulling teeth. And instead, patted the couch, as the other child took a seat. Clearly still a little flustered from being called out for the odd action. It was, admittedly...eerie. Watching people when they slept, that was.
Given the reason, in the weirdest way, Chara found it oddly sweet, and almost charming in a strange way. She wondered if finding it sweet was a normal response to that kind of action? She decided not to think about that any further.
"Cool." She instead said. "So...cartoons?"
Aliza held up the remote to the TV. Holding it upside down. Chara motioned for it, was given it, and then turned it around and turned on the television. In this case, there weren't many channels. In fact, there only seemed to be one. Playing the same thing, the same kind of thing, they'd heard belting out of the speakers around town.
The news was running some segment, on the nature of barricading ones home. And about the concept of 'acceptable casualties' in an emergency scenario. Hearing this, there was a sound, as Metta hurried back in.
He quickly turned the volume down. "T-that's not uh...it's the vcr, darlings. Uhm...so just-" Chara hit the button to change it. "well done, Chara."
"No problem big M." Chara replied, making finger guns. "Wow, that was dumb...I'm...not sayin that no more."
Metta snickered some. "Big M?"
"I-I dunno." She huffed some.
The tape in question beginning to play. She as...familiar with VCR's at this point. The amused man stepping over, to give her a plate containing a couple smaller pieces of some sort of pizza. That she promptly began to devour, being...far hungrier than she imagined herself to be.
There was evidence on the coffee table, namely a plate of the same size with the crust on it, to indicate Aliza had eaten. She sat back on the couch, as she show started. It was a story of some children going on a crazy adventure alongside mystical creatures in some sort of parallel world.
The tape apparently only had the first couple episodes. Leaving her with countless questions she sought answers to. But didn't get, as the tape came to an end. When it did, she blinked, orange eyes watching as Metta took the tape out.
"W-what happens next?" Aliza asked.
Meta glanced. "I'm not sure dear. Admittedly, we only have the first tape."
The girl gasped. "B-but it...but, what happened next?" She exclaimed in a voice so loud it hurt her throat, or...general room volume for everyone else. "What's the place? Are there people? Do they get home?"
Her coherent string of questioning, and distinctive lack of stutter at the back half caught the others present off guard. Her counterpart visibly surprised to know she was...apparently a fan of digital monsters. A low chuckle snagging attention.
Papyrus had wandered inside at some point from wherever he had been. Leaning over the back of the couch Metta had been sitting on. With a tired expression to himself.
He spoke. "Ya know. I think...my bro has some of these things." Aliza turned to face him. "I could ask, if-"
Aliza declared her response. "I-I have to know!"
"Heh, okay kid, okay." The skeleton smiled some. "I'll...talk to him. Promise."
Metta didn't look enthused at the prospect of him speaking to said brother, but didn't argue it. Instead he put in a different tape, before wandering back to sit down. Sighing some as he did so.
The next tape began, but it wasn't a key point of interest for Chara anymore. Her focus falling on the skeleton. Feeling uneasy about their conversation the night before, and embarrassed that she'd...kept herself together so poorly.
As the others began to watch their show, she hopped up from the couch. Grabbing the plates from her and Aliza as a visible excuse for her actions. Briefly getting Mettas attention.
"Thank you darling." Metta spoke, adding. "You don't have to though, I-"
Chara replied. "I've got it."
"Hmm...if you're sure." He replied.
She took them, and wandered over to the kitchen. Pushing a box over to the sink. It was raised higher than the ones she was used to. Probably a stylistic choice she didn't fully get. She set the dishes inside, and turned. Thinking, before turning the corner, and glancing briefly down the short hall beside the kitchen that led out back.
Her feet pattered, as she wandered back outside. The daylight pouring down, as she opened the sliding glass door. Greeted by a warm breeze. Her purple eyes scanned the horizon. Before turning one of the chairs to look over. Sitting down, and resting her arms on the balcony railing.
The night before, she hadn't really gotten to take in the sight of the place. In fact, despite having wandered through it, it felt like she just wasn't paying it any honest attention. Her thoughts too clouded by some horrible thing that had hurt her.
But...she didn't want to think about that evil lady anymore. Didn't want her wicked smile to fill her mind. Didn't want to be scared. So, she stared unblinkingly at the world around her. Seeing it, really seeing it for the first time proper.
The world below was made of great forests, and riverways. With sections of raised cliffs scattered across the horizon, towards one side of the underground. The rushing rivers sometimes breaking into many streams, or waterfalls. Crashing down, creating beautiful sights.
Some trees were covered in golden flowers. Some had vibrant red, or orange leaves. Others going as far as bearing purple ones, in more alien patches of the observable world.
She could see towns in the distance. Or settlements surviving out amongst all of everything. And flowers, so many flowers. So many colors. A dazzling rainbow of things she had denied herself the right to take in. To retain, to honestly experience and etch into her mind.
And, then she closed her eyes. And she squeezed them shut. Her expression becoming something determined, and stubborn. The fear began to creep in, but...instead of letting it, she imagined a golden flower sticker, and then everything she'd just seen instead. And her expression calmed some.
She didn't smile, but she didn't frown or panic either. The girl with purple eyes kept them closed for awhile. As the racing of her heart began to slow, and calm. When the girl heard the sliding door opening, she knew who it was.
"Do you still have that picture?" Chara asked, eyes opening again. "I couldn't tell...if you liked it. But I hoped you did."
The tall skeleton had paused at the question. It had sent a chill down his spine. And his response, was to wander over. Lean on the edge of the railing, and dig something out of his jacket. A dusty, well worn picture. It was so badly damaged at this point. With countless creases, and folding's. Leaving long lines where the paper had grown incredibly soft.
He handed it to her, and she opened it. Examining what she had once drawn. It was a little crude. But she felt it captured the subject at the time.
"Sorry about...last night kid." Papyrus apologized.
In response to this, he felt the picture get placed back into his hand. Folded up once more. The child wasn't always the best at navigating serious moments. Clearly. And it was...a little overwhelming to address. Her mind flush with thoughts, before a decision fell to the forefront. Beginning, with that action.
"You look different, ya know." Chara noted. "Than...in the picture." She smiled some. "But it's still you, right?" She asked. "Mister scowl face?"
Papyrus took a moment to respond. He had, well he didn't know what he'd expected. But, maybe it was best to drop the serious tone. Besides...he think he got the point she was making. Maybe.
"I did have a hell of a scowl, didn't I?" He asked. "And so serious all the time."
Chara didn't remember all the encounters. But...she imagined that was very accurate. And there was a feeling in her, that she knew what he was like, even if she didn't recall it all.
"You looked like a movie villain." She noted, adding. "All cool, and-"
"Edgy." He nodded knowingly. "I put...way too much time into designing that outfit."
"It wasn't bad." She assured him.
Papyrus shrugged. "Eh. Not bad, but...a lot." He sighed, thinking. "Not to ruin the fun times...but uh..." She glanced. "what's the plan now kid?"
Chara knew that answer, and knew the question was inevitable. In truth, she felt a little bad about it. After all, her counterpart was having a good time. However, ultimately, her goal had always been the same.
"I'm going home." Chara told him.
"And if it ain't the same home ya remember?" He asked. "If it's changed?"
"Doesn't matter." She replied, noting. "They're my...my family. They chose me. And...I chose them." She sat upright. "If they'll still have me, if they...still want me, I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be. Sorry, if-"
"It's good, kiddo." He lit a cigarette. "You've gotta persevere. I get it. Honestly." He took a drag. "Okay...if that's the plan, then, we'll try and make it happen."
"You mean it?" She asked.
He pat her on the head. "Course." He assured. "I'll talk with Metta about it here in a bit." He suggested. "See what we can come up with okay?"
"Thanks." She responded, not really sure of what else to say. "I...thank you."
"Just doin my job, Chara." Papyrus responded. "Now. Why don't you go finish the uh...show. I'll talk with him, and we'll go from there, right?"
"Okay." Chara considered, before stepping over, giving him a hug. "I forgive you...by the way."
She released the hug, after a moment, and headed back inside. Leaving him standing there. Replaying the words, with a haunted expression. Letting out a nervous laugh, as he smoked.
After a moment he dug out his phone, presently buzzing. A call, from Sans. He answered it.
"Yeah?" Papyrus asked.
"so...I think I have an idea of what it is." Sans replied. "how quick can you get here?"
Papyrus debated things, before sighing. "Give me uh..." He trailed. "a minute." He sighed. "Kids, uh, talking about going home. So."
"it's not her, Papyrus." Sans said plainly, while flipping through a strange manila folder. "I found...somethin." A faint whisper below his words, inaudible on the phone. "trust me...you're...gonna wanna see this."
"Does it matter?" The taller skeleton asked.
"what?" Sans asked back.
"Whatever she is...she thinks, she believes, she feels." Papyrus muttered. "Even has some of the...memories. Even if she ain't...Chara's still a kid, just trying to get home."
"don't go thinking of letting it leave, bro." Sans ordered, shadows gathered behind him. "I get your...mental hang-up here, I do. But this ain't-"
The line disconnected. The taller skeleton ending the call, by closing his flip phone. Examining it, as it promptly began to buzz with a call. Before turning it off, and stashing it in his pocket.
His attention turning back to the apartment, as he finished his cigarette, and headed inside.