The shine of the |Continue| lingered above her for a time.
Death had never been a pleasant experience, for the girl. It lingered in her mind well after the moments had passed. Haunting her psyche, especially when everything just...went back to peace, so suddenly.
The girl found herself sitting, replaying a familiar scene. Adults were talking a short distance away, and she was beside Aliza. The two having been making flower necklaces. Moments replayed, words drowned out. Eyes wide, staring at the things unseen.
She often tried to bury the feeling. To hide it away, and mask it with another emotion. Sometimes she simply cried, and waited for the dread to pass. But since she awoke, she had felt different. Her mind refusing to hide the sensation from her, leaving it open, bleeding, like a cut.
She had experienced both her rather brutal demise, alongside witnessing the death of her counterpart. And then, to top it all off, she was 'granted' the memory of Claras fate. Another human she had failed. Just like she had just failed Aliza. Letting herself get comfortable, which made her hate herself just a little more.
The phantom pains of experiencing both being eaten alive, and drowning herself to be given a second chance, were fresh feelings. The pain was enough to make her shake, feeling the desire to let go of her composure. To collapse, and give in to the agony, but, she hid it, hand shaking growing steady, examining the flower necklace within.
They had made a fatal mistake. The same one 04 had same one the Non-Human had made. That Temmie had made, as well. She recalled the whispers of the 'children' talking about that creature. Desiring Alizas soul. She would never...forget that. The malevolence rising in her chest. A desire to make these things suffer, to make them hurt, was building.
Whisper managed to pierce the veil of hate. "That...wasn't your fault. Please don't blame yourself."
Chara felt a glare forming. She didn't want to listen to this invasive mewling. And so she closed her eyes, and drowned it out.
She'd known better than exploring, it had always gone bad for her, always. She'd felt how off it was, and let them go in anyways. The fear of that failing haunted her, and from it spun a darkness through her soul, like the roots of a tree.
Even here, even when she felt like she was given a second chance, she just kept failing. Everything went well, and then...then someone had to ruin it. Heart heart began to beat faster.
It wasn't completely her fault. No, not completely. Those things had to ruin it. Those abominations claiming to know her. As if they were trying to form a connection, or perhaps they had one. Maybe in her forgotten memories, she knew what they were. But she didn't care. She didn't want the answer.
They were parasites, just like humanity was. Vile creatures that hurt those close to her, those she was meant to protect, those she cared about. And try as she might to just feel happy, vermin like that were always present to make her suffer. And that clicked something within. Her shadow seeming to darken somehow.
A smile rested on her face, her eyes growing dimmer. Loosing the shine they'd had only moments before. She knew...what she needed to do. And she wasn't going to fail this time. Briefly looking over at Aliza, prompting guilt to follow.
In her mind, she saw the blood pooling from her counterpart. Saw the phantom glimpses of the injuries. Trying to push them from her thoughts. Holding a desire for the pain to stop. Wanting to succeed, just once. No matter what the cost was.
No matter what she had to give. She couldn't lose. She wouldn't let it happen. But in the moment, there was...something she needed to do. That she couldn't help, but do.
Aliza, for her part, had been trying very hard to create a daisy chain. Well, not specifically out of daisys, but functionally the same. The flower necklace incomplete in her hand.
Aliza spoke. "S-so, I just...I don't get it."
She was cut off from other thoughts by a hug. Finding the jacket wearing girl embracing her, rather suddenly. She let out a small sound of surprise, turning her focus to Chara. The other girl presently burying her head in the Alizas scarf. Leaving her wondering if she'd missed something.
"Sorry." Chara apologized. "I'm...so sorry."
She felt like she had to apologize. She'd promised to look after the other girl, and she'd failed. Presently choking back every bad feeling, desprate not to show the emotions so openly.
"U-uhm." Aliza laughed softly, setting down the daisy chain in her hand. "It's okay?" She pat her on the head. "If you wanted a hug...you just have to ask." She hugged Chara back. "Though...you feel...very cold."
The purple-eyed girl took a labored breath, and tried to conceal how much it burned. Trying to get the image of blood from her mind. Succeeding, after recalling lessons from the nice man, all those years ago.
"Root yourself in the present. What do you see? What's really there?" His voice spoke to her. "Breath, and calm yourself."
She began taking in what she knew was around her. Reminding herself what was present. What was real, and in front of her, right now. Breathing, and slowly calming her rapid heartbeat. Aliza was okay. Everything was okay. And she'd make sure that didn't change, anytime soon.
"Hi. Aliza." Chara greeted, while releasing the hug.
"Hi...Chara?" Aliza half-asked back. "Are you...alright?"
"Just thinking. It's...nice hanging out." Chara told her, adding. "And that uh-" she tried recalling her words. "well, that it's okay. Ya know, struggling with the flowers. It took me awhile, myself."
The orange-eyed girl pondered this statement. The idea of getting a hug of assurance was very welcome, as a concept, for her. It made her smile, feeling better. To some beings, random hugs might be viewed as peculiar behavior, but she welcomed it in this sense.
She liked hugs, after all. Plus, she knew her counterpart usually struggled with them. So she viewed this as a positive change.
"Thank you." Aliza smiled. "I uh...well-"
Chara composed herself. "Righ, so, hey, let's try it, like this-"
She began to demonstrate the process of making a flower necklace, as the rest of the encounter began to play out. She did her best to play along with it. As to not raise any suspicion, to her present state of mind.
Despite her efforts, a coping mechanism manifested itself. As she began to hum to a little song, a song of heartache and comfort. While making the occasional dumb pun. After all, if she could make people laugh, then she'd feel better. Right?
Aliza had asked. "Are you sure...it goes like this?" When attempting to emulate her.
"I ain't dande-lion." Chara punned, snickering. "Here, maybe thisle work better?"
"Oh...are we...punning?" Aliza herself tried to make a flower pun, in response. "Okay...I've got one. Uhm...I lily uhm...so, do you...can you do two in one...like, pun?"
"Sure, why not?" Chara asked. "Peony for your thoughts, what was the pun?"
Aliza sighed, trying to think of something Frisk might say. She was always much better at this sort of thing. She recalled a joke, or something that had been said. And attempted to emulate it.
Aliza turned to face her counterpart. "I...lily lilac you...more every day."
The response wasn't exactly what she expected. It got a chuckle, but it also visibly flustered Chara. Who seemed to struggle with a response. Huffing a bit. She struggled with compliments, or flirts. Which she perceived this as.
"D-dork." Chara wound up huffing some. "You...can't just...flirt with random people."
In truth, Aliza had intended it as a flirt. Frisk was prone to flirting with strangers. She seemed to view it as funny. But, according to Valerie, one should only flirt with beings they like. And so, it felt appropriate to her.
"But you're not random people." Aliza noted. "You're Chara." She explained. "And I like you...so, it's okay, right?"
It dawned on Chara, that perhaps, Aliza didn't fully grasp the nature of flirting. But she did. And it left the girl even more red in the face.
"W-well uhm." Chara pondered. "I-it's like an adult thing though." She said. "Like, it's for...when you like, like someone."
There wasn't time to continue the explanation, however, as the adults returned from their conversation with , to play their part in moving things along. Indicating it was time for them to get going. And thus, she played along with them. Listening as they indicated their need for departure. She played her part as well as she could. Though, she did notice a glance of concern from Papyrus.
"You sure you're good with this kid?" He asked. "You don't seem to be."
She debated asking Papyrus and Metta for help. To tell them what was going on. It may have been the wisest idea, but clearly they were needed elsewhere. And, to Chara, they couldn't be the ones to handle the threat here. It had to be her.
She was the one who had faltered, after all. She was the one who failed to handle it the first time. And the child took the weight of responsibility upon herself, to see that error atoned for. And the mistake, managed.
"I'm okay. It'll be clover quickly, right?" She chuckled darkly. "Besides we can just wait in the apartment until you both get back, right?"
Aliza glanced. "Oh..uhm, yeah. That could...be nice."
"That, may be a good idea." He replied, considering the strange feeling of deja vu he was feeling. "You both gonna be alright?"
"Mhm." Aliza hummed back.
Chara gave him a smile. "I'll make sure we are."
Papyrus considered this, and pat her on the head. "Don't go gettin into trouble, okay kid?"
"We won't." Chara replied, not fully meaning that.
The rest of the conversation moving much as it had before. With them getting the key, and with the assurance that the two monsters would be back, before too long. And with that, the trinity of adults headed off. To go confront something horrifying waiting in the space around the city.
Aliza had gotten up. She knew well, that she could be rather naïve, as a person, sometimes. But she could also tell when something was up. That, right now, her counterpart was hiding something. Or trying her best to.
"So...what do you wanna...watch?" She inquired.
"Hmm. I picked last. So, it's your choice this time." Chara suggested, adding. "Actually, if you wanna do that. I'm thinking of heading over to grab some fries, and stuff."
Whisper noted to her. "We shouldn't lie to Aliza." In response, the girl began undoing the sheath. "They're impure and need to be removed, but..."
"Oh, food?" Aliza considered. "Do you...wanna run over there now?"
"I will. But, I was gonna ask if you could put my bat up in the apartment." Chara requested, noting. "You know they didn't like me having it in there last time."
Whisper asked. "You know it'll haunt you. Don't do this alone." Its owner irritated, holding it out to be taken, so she didn't have to hear it anymore.
"Right." Aliza responded quietly, taking the bat, examining it. "I dunno, guess, I figured we'd eat there?"
Alizas composure rose alongside her sense of bravery. She was being lied to, or not told the whole truth. And it was beginning to upset her.
"No need. We can watch a show in the apartment." Chara replied with a friendly smile. "So, we divide and conquer. I'll go get food, and you can pick out a show, yeah?" She requested. "Sound good?"
Aliza could tell her present approach wasn't working. She bore a nervous expression, that was noticed by the other girl. Who let the smile drop to a sort of frown. The 'chipper' look to her eyes falling into something more tired. No longer hiding the expression.
"Why don't you want me...going with you?" Aliza asked. "Did...I do something...wrong?"
"What?" Chara laughed nervously. "N-no it's...it's not that."
"Then. I don't...why can't I?" Aliza asked. "Are you...leaving and-"
"No." Chara replied sternly, sighing, as she spoke. "Aliza...there's something I have to go do. But...if you come, you might get hurt."
"So...it's something dangerous?" Aliza noted in concern. "I'll be okay. I-I don't want...you getting hurt so-"
Something grim, whispered to Chara. An echo of a memory. Something buried in her subconscious. Kept locked away, by the very weapon she had just surrendered. All that effort...ugh...fool girl.
This echo of memory, spoke to Chara. "Partner, did you think you could warn them?" The little voice snickered. "They can't hear you. They won't listen."
"No you won't!" The purple eyed girl let out another nervous laugh, eye twitching. "Just, please, do as I ask. Do as I say." She sounded annoyed. "Why doesn't anyone just listen to me?"
The growl that followed was born of sheer frustration. Not specifically at her orange-eyed counterpart. But Aliza was the one to receive it all the same. And the one to wince when it sounded.
"I'm...I'm sorry." Aliza replied quietly. "I just..."
The sight prompted some clarity in the other human. Who saw it, and felt guilty. She hadn't meant to scare her. She just wanted to keep her safe.
"N-no, I'm not mad at you. Aliza...I'm...scared you'll get hurt." Chara admitted, regaining a glance. "I'm sorry. That was...mean, I just...please, can you do this for me?" She requested. "What...what's gonna happen is...even if you don't get injured, it'll still hurt you."
Aliza stepped nearer. "I want to help."
"I know." Chara replied. "But it's...please. I have...to do this alone."
"Will you...be okay?" Aliza inquired, scanning her. "Be honest...don't...lie."
"I don't know." Chara admitted.
The air was tense around them. The orange-eyed girl could tell that, whatever was about to unfold, was going to be something awful. And she wanted to help, to alleviate that some. But, her assistance clearly wasn't wanted, or rather, the other girl was simply too worried about her to let it happen.
"When...you get back. Tell me what happened." Aliza said, sounding as stern as she could. "No keeping it to yourself, okay?"
"Alright." Chara reluctantly agreed, feeling she owed that at least. "I'll be back soon." She turned to start wandering off.
"Hey-" Aliza pondered for a moment. "Don't you want...the bat?" She asked. "If it's...dangerous-"
"You hang onto it." Chara requested. "I'd rather know that you're safe. Besides I uh...have a backup weapon, so." She lied. "So, no worries."
With a wink, and a smile, the purple-eyed girl started off towards her destination. She had lingered for too long. And ultimately, hadn't alleviated her counterparts concerns. She just hoped Aliza would listen, and do as she was asked.
Chara removed her arms from the jackets sleeves, putting the hood up. She took a deep breath, and thought over her plan of attack. Releasing a breath, she began to sprint to her destination. Feeling an ill thrill, for what she was about to do, even as she was repulsed by the sensation, in unison.
Aliza watched her go, considering what to do. She knew what she had been asked to do. And recalled her parents words. That good girls did as they were told.
But her concern hadn't abated. If anything, it had grown much worst. Her eyes closing for a moment, as she debated what to do.
Her potential friend was heading off to do something reckless. Whatever it was, violence was involved. And the last time they'd gotten in an honest fight, Chara hadn't handled it well. She paced for a moment, feeling her anxiety rise.
"What do I do?" She muttered, trying to think.
Her own whisper echoed in her mind. "Even if she didn't...want help. Chara still...well, she's gonna need it."
"I-I know." She said to herself. "But..."
"It's better to ask forgiveness, than permission, when it comes to helping a friend." Her own whisper reasoned.
That logical argument wasn't always a good idea, but in this instance, it had a point. How was she just supposed to go up and pretend nothing was going on. With the only real weapon the two had being with her. She ran a finger across the soft fabric of her scarf. Before swallowing her fears.
She turned, and began running in the direction Chara had gone. She wasn't as fast, not nearly so. The girl clumsily trying to get the sheath for the bat on, as she ran.
She hoped she would be able to help.
Elsewhere, Temmie had been watching over the events playing out on the battlefield outside of the city.
Originally enthralled with idea of its plan unfolding exactly as it was expecting it to. Although, the creature knew, no plan survived first contact. And the sudden, ill sense of deja vu, and the sensation of reality folding back to the moment, proved that point. The creature developed an annoyed expression.
It seemed that the initial plan had met with failure.
"Stupid brats." Temmie grumbled, while heading off.
Thankfully, the creature was a clever one. With plenty of ambition, and various back-up plans. It always helped to prepare for the worst, after all.
And thus, it had to go prepare plan B.