Chapter 12: Reactions
They stared at each other. Neither making a move in fear that something would change, they waited. The Lady Skeleton clenched their jaw in a familiar way. The glowing red tears finally spilling. She slowly lowered herself to her knees, never breaking their eye contact. The fish monster next to her glanced between them in awkward concern. Eventually, they were left alone as the monster inched away. The Lady Skeleton's gaze was warm, relieved and hesitant. A fear was evident in her posture as they gazed at each other. She smiled at them anyways, somehow conveying the love they knew from before.
"Hello, it's been awhile, hasn't it? I'm so glad to see you."
The Lady Skeleton even sounded like their mom. They trembled. How could this have happened? Tears gathered in their eyes. Did, did the monsters do this? Why?
"Maybe, maybe not, but look at what happened to her when she came down here. Don't you want to repay whoever did this in kind? Make them hurt as much as she is suffering? All you have to do is FIGHT."
Frisk glanced at Chara. They thinned their lips. They didn't know anymore, but they need proof that this skeleton is-was… their mom. They gazed at the Lady Skeleton tensely waiting. What was she waiting for? Was she waiting for them? They raised their hands. The Lady Skeleton's eye lights immediately glanced down and waited. They sucked in a breath. They hand signed.
"What is your name?"
Her smile faltered. She turned sad, but understanding. A few more tears leaked down her face. She smiled again. She lifted a small, dainty skeletal hand to rest it on her chest. Her teeth and high cheek bones moved to show a familiar tired smirk. Her face flushed in emotion as a red haze of magic as she seemed to talk around a lump in her 'throat.'
"My name, kkkhm, my name is Kia, and uh, Knock Knock?"
Her voice cracked at the end. Their throat was burning from repressing sobs.
"Who's there?"
"Orange"
Their hands were shaking as they desperately hoped.
"Orange who?"
"Orange you glad to see me?"
Frisk bolted into the open arms of their Mom. She didn't even topple over from their impact. They shook in relief. Mom was as strong as always. They sobbed into her shirt as they were engulfed in her big warm hug. Safety. They could feel through her shirt, her ribs vibrating from her relieving sobs echoing in their ears. She missed them too! Frisk smiled.
"I am so glad you are alright," she whispered brokenly. Frisk buried their face into her shoulder, taking in their mom's familiar scent mixed with dust. Tears leaked more. Chara stood in swollen silence as they watched the reunited pair hold each in relief and happiness.
They held onto each other tighter until their tears were spent. When they pulled back, they reached their hands towards her face. Their mom leaned into their touch and closed their eye sockets with a small smile. Frisk inspected her new boney features. Surprisingly, her face was still malleable and squishy was it once was. They grinned as they stretched their mom's face into a wide smile, like Sans!
"Ack! Hey! Noh fai-ah!"
They let go to ward off their mom's seeking phalanges. Giggles spilled out when the tickle attack began. They winced when one of her fingers dug too deep. She stopped immediately. She hugged them once more apologizing. Frisk leaned against her chest. It took them a moment, but they realized they could still hear her heart beat. It was very faint though. They frowned lightly. Tugging on her shirt, Frisk signed.
"What happened to you? Why are you a skeleton?"
They watched as their mom tense. Her face was thoughtful, sad and eventually her shoulders drooped. She clenched her jaw.
"I-It's hard to explain. This is a new development for me, and I can only guess the 'why' at the moment. I'm sorry. I do know that if I eat something I can, kind of, look human again. Let's see what I've got."
Reluctantly, they parted from their mom to watch her rummage through the side bag they hadn't noticed. She brightened when she pulled out a container with pie slice in it. Once the lid was open, Frisk instantly recognized the cinnamon butterscotch pie. They grinned. Mom knew Toriel! But, if almost all the monsters are hunting them because they are human, then they would attack their mom too! They can't have that! They need to protect their mom! They reached out to place a hand on their mom's phalanges.
She paused to give them her complete attention. They smiled sadly. They don't want to see her in pain. They lifted their hands to sign.
"I don't mind you being a skeleton! Let's save the pie for later in case we need it, okay?"
Their mom blinked. She smiled and resealed the container. She placed it back into her bag before reaching up to grab the back of her neck vertebrae sheepishly.
"Alright, if you think so, quite honestly that was the last bit of food I had."
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I heard soft laughter. I smiled at Frisk. I am so glad that they are all right. They don't look injured or sad. It is also a huge relief that they didn't reject me when I'm a zombie/skeleton. They are so wonderful.
I glanced at the bell on my wrist. Would they want this back? I took off the bell.
"Frisk, would you like to have this back?"
They glanced at the bell in my hand as it chimed. They stilled. I frowned. I can only guess how they lost it, but if they don't want it, it's okay. I pulled back my hand after a moment. They reached for it and placed a hand on my mine. I smiled and tied it to their wrist.
I stood. It won't do to stay in one spot. WE need to move. I paused. I don't know where to go. Sure, I need to get to the other end of the cavern to reach the end, but I don't have a map. I heard a chime. I smiled and looked down.
"Mom! You have to come meet my friends!"
I blinked. Then I smirked. Why not, we have time. I just hope that they are good friends. I clasped hands with Frisk for them to lead the way, and also to reassure the both of us that we are here, together.
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Short chapter I know. I am not good at writing emotional scenes. Hope this is satisfactory tho. Leave a review so I can know your thoughts so far!