[[ Alrighty, Brit here again, with Chapter Two! Dun-da-da-DAAAA! Jamie's been super supportive of me doing this, so I felt like I needed to get these all properly edited.
If you notice I slip between referring to Lena as 'her' and 'you', PLEASE, for the LOVE of GOD, let me know so that I can fix it. I try to keep that shit straight, but it just... Slips... ;w; Anyway, enjoy!]]
She figured that trying to receive directions from someone who couldn't speak would be more difficult. As it turns out, Frisk was used to communicating with people who didn't know sign language, and they'd wordlessly worked out a system of directing that ended with her little SUV pulling to a stop in front of what looked like a small condo complex. They even had little beautiful balconies set up with patio furniture, she noted with only a slight hint of jealousy. But that was only because she had less of an apartment and more of a rented room in someone else's place… Wow, that was kind of disheartening to think about, huh? Shaking her head, she turned the key gently to shut off the engine, and she bit back a huff of laughter as Frisk began scrambling to open the door.
"Ah, sorry! Hang on!" She hit the small button on the driver's side door, hearing the small thunk of the locks dropping, and suddenly there was cold air rushing into the car as the child flung themselves out of the vehicle and toward the front door. They slipped on a patch of ice on the sidewalk, and Lena threw her door open and rushed forward just in time to grab their small wrist. "W-woah, slow down, kiddo!" She helped them right themselves and followed (albeit at a slower pace) to the front door. Their small hands shook and jerked at the doorknob, and they shoved themselves at the door, forcing it open and revealing a neatly decorated living room. What looked like a female goat monster had whirled toward the door and, upon seeing the child, had the most relieved smile come across her features.
"Oh, my child-" Frisk interrupted her words as they bolted forward, wet shoes slipping against the hardwoods slightly, and he threw himself at her. Her arms immediately circled around him, claws gently brushing through his mussed brown bob of hair, and she began shushing him. The fur beneath her eyes looked wet, as though she'd just been crying, and Lena suddenly found herself feeling very glad that she hadn't given up in her search. The heartwarming sight made her feel a little teary herself, and she'd been so swept up in it that she hadn't realized the other pairs of eyes on the child.
"HUMAN, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? HER MAJESTY HAS BEEN SO WORRIED ABOUT YOU!" The voice was loud, not like he was yelling, but like his voice was one that just naturally carried itself well, and Lena tried to keep herself from flinching from its suddenness. That was when she finally took notice to the others in the room and, though she wasn't one who was afraid of monsters, she certainly found herself feeling a little caught off-guard. The person who'd just spoken was a skeleton. A very, very tall skeleton… wearing what looked like a pair of hot pants and a too-small t-shirt that had "cool guy" written across it in big, bold letters. It was fairly ridiculous, and the first thing that crossed her mind was how cold he must've been outside… before she realized that that was a ridiculous thought. He was a skeleton, but he was a 'monster' skeleton, so surely there had to be some differences-
"Geez, Nerd, don't scare us like that! Papyrus was bawling he was so worried!" That voice was definitely loud, and though it was said so forcefully, there didn't seem to be any real anger behind the words. A woman with blue scaled skin and red hair pulled back into a high ponytail came up next to the queen, punching the towering skeleton's shoulder (Lena winced as she imagined how much that would've hurt), only for him to whine at her.
"Undyne, I was not crying! I… simply had something in my eye!" he protested, folding his arms childishly across his chest as his expression turned to a petulant pout. She tried not to think too much about how a skull could manifest expressions.
"So you're the one who brought the kid home."
Lena found herself stumbling backwards a bit, startled by the sudden appearance of another monster right in front of her. It was another, although far shorter, skeleton, and it wasn't that, but the inky blackness of his eyesockets that startled her. Not a bit of light resided in them, and though he was smiling, it was tense, and, in a way, intimidating. Now the attention was on her, and she suddenly wished she'd just dropped Frisk off and left… but, no, that wouldn't have been right. Swallowing down her anxiety, she nodded, and the shorter skeleton opened his mouth, but was suddenly bowled over as a flash of white fur grabbed her. The goat-monster held her and Frisk, one in each arm, and hugged you, and it was so motherly and protective that she couldn't help her smile. Even if she was being hugged by a stranger (who wasn't really a stranger).
"Is it true? Were you the one who brought home my Frisk?" Her voice was soft, surprisingly so for how large she was herself, and Lena nodded, not quite trusting her voice to answer. She was really quite amazed she was picked up so easily… usually people were intimidated by her size, being a, uh… 'bigger person'... But maybe monsters wouldn't consider it that strange, she realized.
It was also then that she realized that she was being embraced by the Queen of the Underground.
"Ah, um, Your M-Majesty-" she started, head reeling as she was suddenly (but carefully) put down, and the Queen had the grace to look a little embarrassed at her behavior, white cheeks stained a gentle pink.
"Oh, my apologies, my child… I was just so happy to have Frisk returned to me, I-... Please, excuse me," she said gently, and Lena shook her head, holding her hands up between them and opening her mouth to speak, but she didn't have a chance to get words out. "Please, won't you have a seat? I'll make us some tea." There was a question in there, but the way she set Frisk down and was already bustling toward the kitchen made it feel like there wasn't any other answer besides 'yes'. Frisk, as soon as their feet touched the ground, threw themselves at the smaller skeleton, who caught him easily, spinning on his heel a few times to whirl the human child through the air. Breathless giggles that sounded little more than quiet wheezing escaped him, and Lena found herself smiling at them fondly. She really couldn't understand what people had against them… monsters in general, and Frisk. Things like this made her feel all the more determined to do her part to make up for the negativity humanity had shown them.
"HUMAN!" Nearly jumping out of her skin from the suddenness of the voice, Lena whirled her head around to suddenly find herself face to face- er, more like face to sternum with the towering skeleton, and her eyes flicked upward toward his face. "ARE YOU TRULY THE ONE WHO RETURNED FRISK? HOW DID YOU FIND HIM? DID YOU SET A PUZZLE OUT TO TRAP HIM? DID YOU TEMPT HIM WITH SPAGHETTI?" The barrage of questions left her feeling a little off-kilter, and she laughed nervously. 'Why spaghetti…?'
"Ah… I found him, no puzzles, or spaghetti, necessary." The words seemed to inspire him, because he suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her over toward the couch, and… wow, he was strong. She could've held still and she'd still be moving just as easily, with her shoes sliding across the floor. Then she found herself sitting on a plush sofa, her hands grasped between the gloved hands of the skeleton.
"NO PUZZLES? TRULY? HOW ON EARTH DID YOU MANAGE SUCH A FEAT? CERTAINLY YOU ARE A GREAT CAPTOR. NOT AS MUCH SO AS I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, OF COURSE, BUT WORTHY OF RESPECT NONETHELESS!" Lena chuckled at his confidence, unable to help but being endeared by the simplicity of his statements. A blue arm suddenly appeared, wrapping around the skeleton who was supposedly named Papyrus' neck, pulling him backward. The scaley… fish-woman?... was pulling him into a headlock, sending a toothy grin her way.
"Papyrus is a handful-" she began, ignoring the protests from Papyrus, and held out her free hand toward her. "But seriously, thanks. Toriel was worried sick when he didn't catch the bus… Oh, I'm friends of the kid. Name's Undyne!" At his mention, Lena let her eyes wander across the room until she saw Frisk again, still in the smaller skeleton's hold, who was now looking him over and frowning. She turned back and quickly took the extended hand, not as surprised as she probably should have been at how hard the handshake was.
"Yes, please, tell us how you found him! I am so grateful to you for bringing him home." Toriel was bustling back into the living room holding a tray, which she sat on the coffee table in the center of the room. On it were little ornate cups of tea with spoons resting on their saucers, and plates of what looked like some type of pie. The scent of cinnamon and butterscotch met Lena's nose and her stomach grumbled a bit. "Oh, where are my manners…" The queen quietly admonished herself, holding out a cup and saucer to the human, who took it gently. "My name is Toriel. This is Papyrus and Undyne," she said, motioning towards those she was introducing, then pausing. "And this is-"
"Sans."
Once again, the shorter skeleton had snuck up on her, and she jumped a bit, tea sloshing out of the cup and falling onto the saucer. Toriel scolded him and he chuckled, shrugging slightly and shoving his hands into the pockets of his parka.
"What, ninja not expect me or somethin'? Heh… Sorry kid, I tend to make myself scare-ce." Papyrus groans and scowls at him, while the queen stifles a small giggle. Lena raises a brow at him faintly, snorting a laugh, and she feels somewhat relieved when he seems to smile a bit at her reaction. "So care to tell us how you found the kid?" he asks, and she suddenly noticed that all eyes were on her. Frisk tugs on the zipper of their borrowed coat, face flushed as it was far too warm inside to be wearing it, and Lena's eyes widen slightly as she spies a bruise, just over their sternum. Frowning, she reaches into her pocket and pulls out the wrinkled, folded paper, unfolding it carefully and setting it on the coffee table, next to the tray of sweets.
"I was asked to take a stack of tests to Frisk's teacher, and, well… This is what I found." Toriel picks it up carefully and looks it over, frowning as she notices instantly, and Papyrus and Undyne both lean around her trying to see as well. "I kept it because I wanted to make you aware… if you weren't already." Sans, walking around the sofa and peering over the queen's shoulder, suddenly frowned, looking over her distrustfully.
"How'd you get this?"
"I'm a teacher-in-training at Tristin Elementary." Her easy response seemed to catch him slightly off-guard, as if startled she wasn't more intimidated or defensive. "I was asked to take a stack of tests to Frisk's teacher," she repeated, green eyes flickering to Frisk for a moment before settling back on Toriel's face. "She didn't sound very concerned about it, so I thought the right thing to do would be to bring it to his mother." Being referred to that way made a bit of pride swell in the woman's eyes, giving a bit of a sad smile. 'His mother, who is the cause of this mess…' Toriel thought to herself, quickly shaking the thought as Papyrus piped up from behind her.
"I DO NOT UNDERSTAND. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PAPER, BROTHER?" he asked, turning to Sans, who lazily pointed to it.
"Y'see how these are written different?" Squinting his eyesockets slightly, Papyrus nodded. "Well, that's 'cus someone else wrote them, bro." He seemed even more confused by this, but Undyne stiffened, hands clenching into fists and something just short of a snarl tore from her lips.
"So people're puttin' in the wrong answers on Frisk's tests on purpose!?" This explanation seemed to be enough, and the taller skeleton glanced over at Frisk, whose head seemed to be hanging in shame. Lena didn't hesitate in the slightest to reach over and pat their head, smiling calmly down at them as they looked up questioningly. "So how'd you find Frisk?" Undyne suddenly asked, arms folded across her fit chest and glaring at Lena, who only gulped a little. Frowning, she thought over her words carefully, hurrying only when she noticed Undyne and Papyrus beginning to fidget impatiently.
"Well, ah… When I went to confront Mrs.- ...his teacher…" she paused, correcting herself and leaving out her co-worker's name… just in case. "She got a phone call from the front office, saying that Frisk hadn't gotten home. So I just kinda went looking until I found him…" Frisk suddenly leaned against her side, fingers curling around the sleeve of her sweater and tugging, eyes looking up to her shaking their head. 'Does Frisk not want me to tell them anymore…?' Sans seemed to notice this and exhaled a hiss of air from between his teeth, frowning down at the child, who only turned their head away, resting their forehead against her shoulder. "They… have been having trouble, or that's what his teacher mentioned. I'm just glad that the break is here," she said carefully, feeling Frisk's fingers tighten their hold.
"Hey, Paps, why not take the kid and go come up with battle strategies? You too, Undyne." Sans' sudden statement made both the child and Papyrus look up at him, the tall skeleton's face splitting into an enormous grin.
"OF COURSE! COME, HUMAN FRISK, LET US PREPARE FOR BATTLE!" He stepped effortlessly over the couch Toriel was seated on and scooped the child up into his arms, giving a battle cry as they whisked the now breathlessly giggling Frisk to their room. Undyne seemed a bit more reluctant to follow, but a glance from Sans made her roll her eyes (or eye, since the other was hidden behind an eye patch) and she followed, shouting something about spears and princesses. Lena couldn't help but smile at how endearing the whole exchange was, but her attention was quickly recaptured as Sans plopped himself down onto the loveseat next to her, making her bounce subtly in her seat from the action.
"So. This teacher…. What's their name?"
"Sans," Toriel said quietly, frowning over at him, and he simply shrugged his shoulders carelessly. She sighed. "I… We have been aware of it for quite some time, though Frisk does not tell us anything about it… They are a strong child, but they do not fight back." This statement seemed to make Sans remember something, because his expression suddenly turned more somber. "I am…" Another sigh. "I have been trying to fight for them to be able to attend the school here, but-"
"I know," the human interrupted, wincing slightly at the Queen's surprised expression. "I mean, I'm training to be a teacher, and the only way to do that is to train at a human school, but… to be honest, I've been hopeful that, when the time comes that you're given permission to teach both monsters and humans, I could work at your school." There is a bit of silence, and she noticed that both monsters left in the room were staring at her, and she cleared her throat, reaching for her tea cup and taking a sip. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." This seemed to snap Toriel out of her reverie, and she shook her head, long ears flopping side to side slightly.
"Oh no, child, do not apologize. I am just… I was merely surprised. There are not nearly as many humans who are so…" She seemed to be having trouble finding the words, so Sans cocked his head in Lena's direction, grinning easily.
"Not too many outwardly kind humans. Not that we've met, anyway." Lena frowned at this, and he cocked a brow bone in question.
"I wonder what you must think of me, belonging to the same race as those who bully Frisk…"
"The kid's a good judge of character. If he digs ya, then you're not all that bad," he said simply, chuckling when Toriel quietly admonished him, though she was smiling. Then she reached across the coffee table and grasped Lena's hands in her own soft, warm ones, and Lena couldn't help but feel small when she held hers as easily as she'd hold a child's.
"Thank you… Oh. Oh dear heavens, I-I haven't even gotten your name! How horrid my manners are, I apologize!" She couldn't help but laugh at the Queen's momentary panic, shaking her head.
"It's okay, there were more pressing matters. My name is Leannán. Leannán O'Brennike. It's nice to meet you Toriel, Sans." The skeleton next to her huffed a small laugh and pushed himself up, hands immediately going inside his pockets. "Well I should probably get going…" she said quietly, glancing around before slowly getting to her feet. One of her wet shoes accidentally slid across the hardwood floors, squeaking loudly and sending her to practically hip-check Sans. He stiffened, stumbling slightly and whirling around to look at her sheepish expression. "Ah… s-sorry about that." Sans shrugged his shoulders, though his brows seemed to furrow slightly.
"What, got a bone to pick with me, kiddo?" he asked, the question sounding playful enough, but the distrustful stare he gave her made her frown slightly.
"You could say that, I guess, but wouldn't that make you a hipocrite?" Her pun sent Toriel into a small series of amused giggles that she politely hid behind her hand, eyes flickering between the human and skeleton curiously. Sans just stared, eyesockets widened slightly and his mouth turning upward into a grin. "Well, it was nice meeting you all…" Lena stood there fidgeting for a moment, wondering exactly what she was supposed to say in a situation like this. They were just short of strangers, but she found herself genuinely liking Toriel and the others, even if she knew little about them. The Queen seemed to be having similar troubles, until she smiled brightly, standing as well and clasping their hands together.
"Yes, it was very nice. Frisk seems to like you very much, Lena. Perhaps… you could come over for dinner tomorrow night?" The invitation startled her, and Toriel pressed forward. "Actually, I insist! I must properly thank the one who brought home my dear child!" Before Lena could even open her mouth to protest, she found herself being led to the front door, and a pair of large, warm arms enveloped her again. "Thank you… so much, my child. My appreciation is unbound. If my Frisk were to get lost, I…" She felt the arms around her tremble the slightest bit, and she returned the embrace, patting the larger woman on the back and smiling.
"I just did what any decent person would do." With that, she excused herself and waved goodbye, stepping carefully out into the wintery cold and headed home.