.

.

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"It's been kind of worrying, Mom. They look okay, but they keep talking to someone that isn't there."

"Maybe we just cannot see their friend, Asriel. That's always a possibility, since magic can come in all forms. Just because it is strange does not mean we should worry."

"I know, sorry Mom."

A month's time had been enough for Frisk to get fully comfortable with their new, not-so-rickety home in the Dreemurr Weapon Wielding Academy- DWWA for short. The principal, Mr. Asgore, and his wife had been able to sort out an official room for their new visitor near Asriel's so his space wouldn't be so crowded.

Through the innumerable books that were in the Library, Frisk had discovered the two classes of beings that were shared by both humans and monsters: Wielders and Weapons. Wielders could control their auras, but Weapons can use their auras to transform into an object that their Wielder partner can use.

Frisk passively wondered what Class they would fall under.

A tour of the facilities last week taught Frisk that the actual building was a lot larger on the inside, with huge classrooms, dorm rooms for anyone who wanted to stay closer to the school, right down to the vast number of steps that preceded the whole operation (once you were past the entrance doors there was a pass you could get that would get you an elevator car up there, and Frisk was given such a pass).

The inhabitants of the academy were welcoming, mostly. Many others were wary of the human, as Frisk was quickly to realize they were all far from human themselves- long teeth, fluffy, scaly, some even just sentient items, kept together by some mysterious magic.

The gelatinous ones were the most interesting ones to see around the halls, the slime sticking to people's feet as they walked through the mess.

Monsters they had managed to talk to -rather, the ones that could speak fluently- were very cheerful and would always be willing to lend a hand once they befriended them.

That's how they met Dr. Alphys, a chubby yellow lizard that was much smarter than her appearance revealed. She worked as the mechanic of the DWWA, managing all the school's technology and keeping the electricity and magic use stable. She also didn't seem to get out much, opting to stay in her huge lab-house and work on who-knows-what.

They both planned this for a while, but Alphys was always busy somehow. She finally stopped putting it off and here Frisk was, standing outside a small café near the school waiting for her. This particular one, they didn't know why, but they weren't about to complain about it. Not when this would probably be the only time she has free time for the rest of the month.

...

Eventually she shuffled up to them, clawed hands on her knees and breathing heavily, before looking up to give them an exhausted "H-Hiya, Frisk. Sorry I'm l-late..."

"It's okay, I didn't wait too long. Let's go in!"

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.

.

Alphys never explained why she chose this particular café -they weren't judging it, since the tea and fluffy bread were well-made-, but Frisk got the feeling she'd been here for more than the food and the atmosphere.

Their waiter -or rather, waitress- came out of the kitchen carrying their entire order on a tray in one hand and demanded that the customers who ordered it raise their hands. Frisk's arm shot up immediately, as if something was telling them she would not have been happy with neglect to directions. Alphys did the same, but Frisk noticed a bit of red creeping up on her face...

"There you are Alphys! I didn't expect you to order all this!"

"W-well, I... Most of this is for Frisk here, and, and I just thought..."

"You're so nice, Alphys! God, I wish I was that nice," the waitress replied, setting down their order. Frisk noticed that her name tag -"Undyne," apparently- had both her name and pronouns; convenient.

"N-no, you're... You're really nice, Undyne! I'm... You're just... m-more direct! That's all! P-people like honesty, you know!" Alphys flustered, glasses fogging up a bit as she covered her face with her hands after she said something that cute.

A few more minutes of compliments danced around the table -with Frisk tossing some words in to compliment the both of them, naturally-, and Alphys and Frisk were left to their own devices. Apparently, Alphys and Undyne had been a thing for years, but neither had enough courage to ask the other out.

Frisk wouldn't push it unless it stayed at a standstill, but they smiled at the idea of the two monsters getting together.

.

.

.

After being the third wheel at the restaurant with no regrets, Frisk was just in time for Asriel to return from his routinely checkup on the city streets. Nothing was reported to be too suspicious -luckily-, and the two were able to discuss recent events and rumors.

"So, I passed by that shack above the basement where I found you, Frisk."

"...Mhm," the human-in-question hummed, suddenly more interested in their drawing than the conversation.

Asriel huffed loudly, bringing Frisk's attention back.

"Well, although I said there was nothing suspicious in town, there's been no trace of that strong Witch magic around anymore."

"There was a Witch here? A-Aren't those super dangerous?" Frisk fretted nervously. Somewhere in their subconscious a gruff voice chucked darkly, a light headache dazing them a little. Something else stirred in them, but they couldn't figure out where; probably wasn't anything important.

"Yeah, they're super hard to fight against, and even harder to kill. I imagine human Souls have an easier time defeating them, with their giant stores of magical energy, but frankly none of them survive long enough to even get close enough to do that with their fragile bodies.

"At least if a monster loses a leg or something, they won't feel as much pain as a human would, but that's pretty much all we have- one good hit and we're good as dust." Asriel leaned back in his desk chair on his bedside, the two front legs sticking out uselessly.

"But yeah, I haven't felt a trace of the Witch magic since I found you down there. I'm not pinning you as a suspect or anything, since you hardly look strong enough to fend off a Witch- no offense," he continued, sheepishly raising his paws in defense. Frisk looked none too annoyed and he relaxed.

A calming silence filled the room as they both toyed with theories in their minds. Suddenly, Frisk spoke up.

"Would you know the answer, Chara?"

Asriel, needless to say, was very confused. "...H-huh? Who's that?"

Thoroughly distracted by trying to summon up Chara, Frisk kept calling out. Eventually they were connected.

I... You realize you can just think to speak to me, right? Learn to remember that before we get sent to an asylum or something for schizophrenia.

O-oh... sorry... I didn't know I could do that, Frisk looked down.

Frisk could feel a sigh sending a chill down their spine. Look, pay attention to that Asriel kid there. He's worried for you, you freak.

All Asriel could see was his friend acting up again. He waved his paws in front of Frisk's face, desperate for a response to snap them out of it. He sighed of relief when Frisk looked up, albeit with a... spark of realization in their eyes?

Whatever, it probably wasn't too important. But he was curious...

"So, what's up with that whole thing? Is that... 'Chara', an imaginary friend? Are they invisible? I wanna know so I don't get mixed up or anything," Asriel asked, rubbing the back of his neck. He got off his seat on the chair as it stayed leaning on the bedside.

"Y-yea, it's a friend of mine. Not really imaginary, because they really ARE alive. Kinda. It's..." they paused, looking around the room as if it would offer an explanation they could use. "It's kind of a long story..."

Asriel stayed quiet for a moment, then spoke up a way Frisk didn't expect.

"Well, whenever you're comfortable with telling me. If you're not ready, don't push it, since I'm sure it's still pretty crazy- especially if it had to do with how I found you in the basement of that... house?"

Frisk looked at their concerned friend and smiled, speaking quietly and with more sobriety than a child should ever be able to muster.

"Thank you."


((A/N: Gsv horxv lu oruv gilkv rh hgilmt rm gsrh lmv.))