Silently the four young women followed Toriel, each lost in their own thoughts, Sayori wore a small smile as she stared at the monster's large back, it was odd but she felt strangely comfortable in Toriel's presence, much like her memories of her mother. Natsuki unconsciously hugged at her thin body, though the presence of her friends and the soft glow of fungi had eased her nerves a little, the darkness unsettled her even still, it reminded her of home. Remembering just why she feared the dark, she let out an involuntary shudder, a bead of cold sweat running down her face. Yuri was perhaps the least composed, monsters aren't real. She repeated this in her mind a thousand times over, yet it did not change the reality of her situation; she was walking into the home of a subterranean beast, through an underground cavern that felt truly otherworldly, not knowing just how they had found there way here, troubled her even more than her current predicament scared her. "What am I missing?" She muttered this softly, too quiet for anyone to hear, her long slender fingers traced the scars on her wrists, it was all to much to bear, she longed for the sweet release of cold steel, the sanguine fluid dripping down her pale skin, blushing at the obscenities fashioned by her own mind, she shook her head, hoping to remove these impure thoughts and unclean desires. Monika too struggled with her own thoughts, she trailed at the back of the group, arms crossed and face sullen, just how had that strange flower known her? Was it perhaps a being akin to her, self aware? Her powers felt different here, she was unsure if she would be capable of the same feats of power as in her own world, the only thing she had truly had time to test was an analysis on the world, peering into the script of the game. It was how she had known, Flowy was a dangerous foe, she had witnessed the scripted encounter with the fallen child, but unlike that character, she did not know if determination would be enough to cheat death here, she would not risk her friends to that omnicidal maniac.
They continued on in this fashion for what seemed like hours, travelling from naturally hewn caverns, to a man, well monster made structure, long rectangular rooms of grey stone and sandstone bricks, monsters appeared at the edges of the girls visions, but upon seeing Toriel they quickly retreated, much to Sayori's chagrin. "Froggy!" She pointed at a quickly fleeing monster, an oversized frog, "Come back Mr Frog! I wanna be your friend." The overly excited girl began to chase after the creature, only to be dragged back against her will by an enraged Natsuki.
"What are you doing, you big dummie?" The shorter girl shouted, shaking her friend by the shoulders.
To which Sayori timedly smiled, blushing slightly, "I always wanted a pet frog, but Mom and Dad would never let me have one." She pouted at the memory, before continuing, "Besides it looked just like a plushie I have, Mr Frog." She proudly beamed before letting out a small giggle, to which Natsuki could only respond by slamming her open palm against her forehead, the deep warm voice of Toriel chimed in, while Yuri and Monika both smiled in amusement.
"Worry not child, there are few things down here truly malicious. Even if you are challenged or attacked, most are only responding out of fear, show them you mean them no harm. There will seldom come a time where violence is a necessity."
Sayori beamed at this, "See? I can make lots of cute, squishy, huggable friends down here." The others could only look on in wonderment, Toriel was forced to stifle a giggle behind a gargantuan furry hand,
"What a pure soul." Her voice carried with it both a motherly love and the unmistakable tinge of sadness, though she spoke too softly for the girls to hear her words. Turning to address girls she informed them, "We're almost at my home, now. You can make yourself at home, and if you have any questions, I'm happy to spend as long as I need to answer them to the best of my ability; if you need to rest I have two bedrooms spare, that means you girls will need to share, my apologies." Sayori was once agains the most excited of the girls, the thought of having a roommate excited her, whereas Yuri visibly paled, she did not want anyone to see her scars, and the lack of privacy would be most bothersome if her urges overcame her. Natsuki's feelings were mixed, it would be much more pleasant than her own sleeping arrangements, a night free of her father, a night free if father sounded wonderful to the frail young woman, however each of the girls had traits that irritated her, despite her deep friendship for each, Yuri was sullen and stuck up, Sayori was just a ball of insatiable energy that no one could keep pace with, lastly Monika, Monika was too perfect, being forced to spend so much time with her would only highlight her own flaws. She grimaced at the thought, she would much rather sleep in the hall, she had spent her nights in less comfortable places. Monika was so deep within her own mind, she scarcely registered the matronly monster's words, her thoughts filled with Flowy and a sense of foreboding regarding their stay in this world, "Did I make the wrong decision? Have I doomed these girls once more?" Bitter murmurs escaped her lips, as she stared downtrodden at her feet.
"Home." Toriel announced her eyes aglow with pride, she gestured at a large house built of red brick, the thing that surprised Yuri and Monika the most was how similar in construction it was to the houses from their own world, Natsuki stared eyes wide, compared to her rundown bungalow, this place was huge, she had never seen a house so large before, "Wow." The word escaped her lips without her even realising.
Sayori jumped up and down on the spot, clapping her hands in joy, "It looks so cozy, I can't wait to see inside." Toriel unlocked the door, which squeaked slightly as it swung open, she beckoned the four young women forward, closing the door behind herself after all had already entered. The paint was cracking slightly, the wallpaper hung slightly ask, pictures adorned the walls, vases full of golden flowers were placed at regular intervals along the hallway, wooden floors draped in warm woolen rugs. This house was furnished with care, everyone of the girls, even the deeply distracted Monika were overcame with a powerful feeling of love, any doubts they had about Toriel and her intentions were washed away instantly, this was a place they could call home.