A/N: HI everyone. Wow, this took forever. And I have no excuse. Anywho, Thank you CrimsonLaurana for favoriting me and this story. It means a lot to me.
Searifa paused at the edge of the path. Water lapped by her feet splashing a little onto the blue stone. The only sound was the water hitting the blue stones; it was almost hypnotic with its rhythm. Searifa could close her tired eyes and sleep. "I GOT IT. I CAN WADE ACROSS AND WE CAN PASS KENDALL OVER," Papyrus supplied breaking the quiet causing both females to jump. Searifa frowned; it was a good idea if Kendall was an actual fire elemental. However, the illusion the reptilian monster casted on the human wouldn't hold under physical touch. What would the guard-in-training do if he found out that Kendall was a human? Searifa shuddered at the thought.
"But there is a possiblility that we may drop her," Searifa added as Papyrus stepped into the cool water. It sloshed around his red boots innocently as if it couldn't ruin everything. "She would be doused in an instant," she said maybe a little too dramatic to be taken as truth or perhaps it was her own nervousness leaking through.
The skeleton didn't noticed her overdramatic tone putting his hands to the sides of his skull. "THAT WOULD BE TERRIBLE. NEVER FEAR, THE GREAT PAPYRUS WILL SOLVE THIS CONUNDRUM." He tapped at his chin as he walked back to the path creating a small puddle where he stood.
The two monsters looked over the water both clearly in their own thoughts. "I'm just going to sit by these flowers. Call me when you figure it out," Kendall called out her voice sounded tired. The girl plopped herself down next to four budding plants with a thud. Searifa knew the feeling and had half a mind to join the girl; the lack of magic becoming obvious and undeniable. She pulled out another cinnamon bunny to eat. It was a drop of magic compared to the steady stream that had spun itself around the human girl. Searifa ate another in what she hoped was a subtle manner.
"WAIT, SANS TOLD ME ABOUT THOSE FLOWERS. THEY ARE CALLED BRIDGE FLOWERS. YOU CAN MAKE A BRIDGE WITH THEM. I PERSONALLY THINK THAT AIRPLANE SEEDS WOULD BE BETTER. THEN YOU CAN JUST FLY ACROSS."
"Unless you have a fear of flying," Searifa added as she tried to picture floating several feet in the air.
"You're a dragon that's afraid to fly?" Kendall asked a slightly mocking tone in her voice as she started pulling one of the plants out of the dirt. Her blue eyes were clearly laughing at her. The comment had completely distracted the human from uprooting the plant.
"I was speaking hypothetically," Searifa replied walking to another flower to remove it from the dirt; she didn't bother to correct the 'dragon' comment. She wrapped her golden fingers around the base of the plant and tugged as hard as she could. Her claws were digging into the dirt and she made a note to wash them in the stream later.
"ALAS , THE GREAT PAPYRUS HAS SUCEEDED IN UPROOTING THIS PLANT," Papyrus called out triumphantly holding the unearthed plant in the air the roots still clinging to clumps of dirt. Kendall laughed and Searifa sent her a look that told her not to mock the skeleton's eccentric behavior.
"Great job Papyrus, these plants are stubbornly clinging to the ground," Searifa praised as she continued to pull at the plant, her sharp teeth clenched. With another pull, she stumbled as the plant released its hold. The monster took three steps back to regain her balance. Kendall's laughed and Searifa glared at her before the roots gave out on the human's plant sending her tumbling to the floor.
Searifa laughed before extending her hand to help the girl to her feet. She pulled her hand away just before the girl could touch her outstretch fingers remembering the illusion she cast. She lowered the previous offered hand. The human muttered something that sounded like 'rude'. "You didn't injure yourself, did you?" Searifa asked the now pouting girl. Kendall got to her feet.
"Nah, just a little dusty," Kendall responded as she patted herself down; Searifa flinched at the choise of words. She could practically see the gray material coating the girl. Now that she thought about it; the coat she lent the human would have dust on the inside. Searifa's breath caught in her throat as she thought about having to clean the clothing.
"THE GROUND IS FILTHY. PERHAPS YOU SHOULD WASH OFF IN THE WATER," Papyrus suggested bringing the monster out of her thoughts. another bridge seed in his hand. Kendall gave him a look of disbelief as she brushed herself off. She opened her mouth to comment, but Searifa spoke up before the human could make a rude remark.
"I don't think it is wise for Kendall to be in the water," Searifa responded giving the human a pointed look. The girl shrugged.
"OH RIGHT, SORRY I HAD FORGOTTEN THAT FIRE AND WATER DOESN'T MIX. BUT PLANTS AND WATER DO," Papyrus replied not noticing the two's interaction. He set one bridge seed plant into the water. With a gentle push, it bobbed its way to the other end of the canal. The skeleton sent another right after it.
"Here, Seari. I can't get too close to the water. It could be dangerous. So if you could be so kind," Kendall said her previous pout transformed into a wide smile.
Searifa shrugged and took the plant away from the girl. The reptilian monster wrapped more magic around the girl in case the fall weakened the previous illusion. Searifa turned away from the girl and sent the plants in her hand into the canal.
She stood beside Papyrus as the plants unfurled their leaves and petals. The folded bud opened revealing a beautiful pink flower. "I'LL CROSS FIRST TO ENSURE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE BRIDGE." The skeleton stepped proudly onto the makeshift bridge; the flower lowered in the water slightly, but the skeleton's boots remained dry. "NYEH-HEH-HEH. VICTORY FOR MASTER BUILDER PAPYRUS." Papyrus marched the rest of the way while the reptilian monster kept a close watch at his feet. Once on dry land he turned and waved Searifa over enthusiastically.
The reptilian monster took a deep breath before stepping onto the flower. She held her arms out as the bridge bobbed; she was surprised that she didn't lose her balance. She took slow steps forward. "Ugh, hurry up, slowpoke," Kendall's voice sounded behind Searifa. The monster squeaked jumping slightly the flower beneath her feet bobbed unsteadily. The girl laughed, "it's okay. It's just me."
"Very amusing," the monster frowned as she continued forward. Her footsteps steady echoed by the human's.
"Don't worry. You got this. The bridge is pretty stable," Kendall encouraged. Searifa nodded as she put one foot in front of the other. The reptilian monster stepped onto dry land with a cheer from her two companions. She huffed a little; her pride stinging.
"Honestly, crossing the bridge wasn't a monumental accomplishment," Searifa complained looking at the teen who started the commotion. She crossed her arms frustrated.
"Because you weren't scared in the slightest?" Kendall answered her voice sarcastic. Her grin was wide like a cat who caught a canary.
Searifa sighed, "I wasn't frightened by the bridge. You startled me."
Kendall laughed before pushing the monster slightly; Searifa panicked wrapping more magic around the girl, "I was just messing with you." The reptilian monster waited for Papyrus to notice the slip up, to shout about a killer human.
"MY BROTHER SANS FRUSTRATES ME SOMETIMES AS WELL, SEARIFA," Papyrus added sympathetically. Searifa sighed in relief though her stomach turned and her knees shook slightly.
"See, we are practically sisters," Kendall said with a grin. Searifa rolled her green eyes and shrugged. "Come on slowpokes, I got to get home before the human shows," Kendall teased. The human led the way exiting the cavern.
Papyrus marched his way after the girl while Searifa dunked her hands into the clear water and dried them on her chef smock. She walked after the pair as she inspected the scales on her hands. They were clear of any debris or dirt. She reached into her inventory to pull out another cinnamon bunny. The reptilian monster sighed at her quickly disappearing sweets before finishing the one in her hand.
She walked quickly to catch up with her traveling companions. "That's what I'm talking about," Kendall's voice called out as Searifa caught sight of them. The human held her hand up to the skeleton. The tall monster grinned wider before completing the high five. Searifa could feel the frills on her head stand on end as she took a deep breath through her teeth.
"You completed the bridge," Searifa called out drawing both of their attention. She sent her magic to the girl recreating the illusion.
"YES, YOU WERE TAKING A LITTLE TOO LONG," Papyrus replied his loud voice booming. Searifa flinched as her head ached. "KENDALL AND I FINISHED THE BRIDGE WITHIN RECORD TIME." The skeleton crossed over the bridge looking over his shoulder as Kendall followed suit. Searifa took shaky steps forward.
The bobbing of the plant sent her vision spinning. She looked down at her feet and concentrated on putting one in front of the other. Her legs shook under her slightly as her feet finally touched solid ground. "Hey Seari, are you okay?" Kendall asked. The reptilian monster lifted her green eyes to look at the girl who looked at her worried.
"Of course, we can't linger here though," Searifa responded waving the human away. The reptilian monster took the lead walking to the doorway to the north. It tilted awkwardly at an angle.
A pair of hands touched her shoulders and righted the doorway. "SEARIFA, I AGREE WITH KENDALL. YOU DO NOT SEEM TO BE FEELING WELL. ARE YOU ILL?" The monster looked at the skeleton who was holding her upright.
"I'm fine, I am a little dizzy, but it would pass," she answered. The skeleton didn't look convinced and neither did the human. Searifa gave a smile hoping that she could get past this.
UT~UT~UT
Kendall watched as Papyrus kept hold of her guide. She had saw the monster tilt sideways. She didn't do anything and watched as she started to fall. The skeleton caught her and it made her stomach twist with guilt. The teen didn't know why. She wasn't the cause of the other's illness.
"SEARIFA, YOUR MAGIC LEVELS ARE DANGEROUSLY LOW. IT IS REALLY STRANGE. YOU AREN'T USING ANY MAGIC, SO ARE YOU LEAKING MAGIC?" Papyrus asked the reptilian monster. Kendall frowned at the skeleton's words. Searifa was using magic. She was using her illusionary magic to shield her from the other monsters. "YOU SHOULD EAT SOMETHING TO REGAIN YOUR ENERGY."
Kendall looked away from the pair. The reptilian monster was already doing that. She had already caught sight of the other eating cinnamon bunny after cinnamon bunny. "I am fine, truly," Searifa responded pushing the skeleton away. "What is of the upmost importance is getting Kendall home."
"YOU CAN'T GET HER HOME IF YOU CAN'T WALK IN A STRAIGHT LINE," Papyrus countered.
"He's got a point there, Seari," Kendall added. The reptilian monster looked from one to the other before slumping defeated. "Hey, Papyrus. I'll see if I can find some food and bring it back." She offered to the pair.
"GREAT IDEA, KENDALL. I'LL KEEP WATCH OVER SEARIFA AND MAKE SURE THAT SHE REMAINS CONSCIOUS. MAYBE I'LL CALL SANS TO SEE IF HE HAS ANY ADVICE," Papyrus praised giving Kendall a wide smile. Searifa gave the girl a thankful nod as Papyrus lowered her slowly to sit.
Kendall nodded. "I'll be back, so don't go anywhere. Make sure she stays right there, Papyrus," Kendall said to the skeleton.
Papyrus gave a salute, "SEARIFA WILL NOT BE MOVING UNTIL SHE IS WELL." Kendall smiled at the skeleton; he was strange, but sweet. "SEARIFA, IF YOU WISH TO TAKE A SHORT NAP I WOULD THINK ANY LESS OF YOU."
Searifa sighed but leaned against the cavern wall. She shut her eyes. "I suppose I can rest my eyes for a little while. I was unable to sleep last night." Kendall could feel guilt twist her stomach again knowing she was the cause of the other's sleepless night.
Kendall waved at Papyrus as she exited the cavern. She hurried to the next chamber. The girl noticed how dark the room was. It was like night time on the surface. As if it was some instinct, the girl looked up. The darkness above was pushed back with dim blue lights. She traced the lights in the ceiling that were a poor mockery to a starry sky. There was something sad about the cold sky that didn't match the majesty of the true one.
"Oh good, you ditched them. About time. We were having so much fun before," a childish voice said from the girl's feet. Kendall jumped away from the newcomer. She looked down knowing who interrupted her thoughts. The offending flower bobbed on his stem.
"Leave me alone, Flowey. I don't want to hurt anyone anymore," Kendall stated as she stomped away from the flower. She walked past a blue flower that stood nearly as tall as her. It whispered something, but she didn't listen. She needed to get something for Searifa to eat.
The dirt rustled in front of her feet as Flowey popped out of the ground. His face looked a little hurt. "Don't you want to go home?" he asked tilting his petaled head.
"Of course, I do. My family will miss me. I have friends," Kendall replied. "But that doesn't mean I have to hurt anyone. Seari's illusion is enough."
"You have a lot of faith in her. Golly, I am getting a little jealous. I thought I was your best friend," the flower said wilting a little.
"I know you're worried but Seari and Papyrus are taking care of me," Kendall said squatting so she was more level with the plant. "But you could really be helpful if you could show me where to get food."
"Yeah, I think I know a place," the flower responded perking up bouncing on his stem. "It is perfect for her if she is feeling bad."
"Thanks Flowey," the girl responded standing up.
"Aww, no need to thank me. We're best friends after all," the plant answered his grin getting wider. He dunked underground before reappearing. Kendall followed after. The plant led the teen down a thin hidden path.
Kendall saw the small restaurant nestled in the darkness. "Hey Chara," Flowey called out. Kendall corrected him irritated and the flower apologized. "Here you're going to need money. Don't worry it is yours." The flower held up a leaf with a small pile of dusty gold coins sitting on it. "Take it. You earned it after all."
Kendall didn't make a move to take the coins. The flower slapped the coins into her hand. "The reptile isn't going to get any better without food or rest."
"I guess you're right," Kendall muttered looking at the dusty coins in her hand. She knew where the dust came from and it made her gag. "I'll see you later Flowey," the girl said turning to the small restaurant. The flower disappeared with a sick grin that she didn't see. She opened the wooden door with a hard push before stepping into the restaurant.
The buzz of conversation stopped and Kendall could feel eyes on her. She looked around the restaurant seeing all eyes on her. The various monsters stared at her. She could see female monsters pull their striped clothed children closer. The teen walked to the registrar. "Hey, I need some really good healing food if you got any," she said loudly and brashly.
The monster behind the registrar was a purple ghost who blinked its wide eyes. "I need that ASAP," Kendall clarified tapping her foot impatiently.
"of-of c-c-course. I'll g-g-get th-that right away," the ghost stuttered disappearing from sight. Kendall rolled her eyes and turned to the rest of the restaurant.
The monsters were staring wide-eyed at the girl. "What are you staring at? I'm hungry," Kendall snapped and the monsters looked down at their food so quickly she was surprised that they didn't snap their necks.
A throat cleared making the girl turn back to the source of the sound. The purple ghost floated in front holding a bag in its stubby hands. "I-I-I hope this is good," the ghost said holding out the bag as far as it could.
"Yeah, here's the money. You can keep the change," the teen responded grabbing the food from the ghost dropping the dusty coins into its hand. Kendall ran out of the restaurant as fast as she could. She back tracked back to the previous cavern.
"Hey, Papyrus. I'm back," she called out holding her prize above her.
The skeleton jumped a little. His eye sockets widened and he reached for Searifa who sat beside him. "SEARIFA, WHAT IS THAT?" he asked as he shook the other monster's shoulders. "IS THAT A HUMAN?" Kendall lowered the bag and pulled it close to her. She took a small step back.
The reptilian monster's eyes opened quickly looking to Kendall. The teen could see the fear in her eyes which did not ease the matching emotion that the human was feeling. "That is an excellent question," Searifa answered her words slow. "I have to confess something. It's Kendall."
