Close, closer, connected… in control
She was standing in a small yard nothing special plain silicic ground some old seesaws and a rusty climbing frame.
Where the heck am I?
Taking another glance she noted other kids chatting in groups playing different kinds of games as well as the large building surrounding the yard on its other three sides.
This must be a school yard... it looks a bit different compared to the last school I visited...
Suddenly her head moved without her consent interrupting her absent staring at the school.
Whoa easy there what is going on?
Being a bit dazzled by the sudden movement she needed one or two seconds to grasp what had attracted the attention of the head turner.
It was a small group of other kids on the far side of the yard who had put their heads together while taking occasionally glances at her.
Sensing her interest one of them locked eyes with her showing her a bright smile that remembered her of a certain flower...
Uh-oh time to go I guess.
Taking mentally a step back she split her perception in two different views.
One showing the yard where the owner of this memory was now slowly backing away as the other kids approached them and the other one where her own mind-body was standing in the dark void with its back to the heart-shaped soul.
Taking a deep breath focusing on the flashback she reached out to its very fabric tearing and twisting it with her mind expecting it to shatter as easy as previous ones did.
But this one didn't budge.
What?
Blinking irritated she whirled around looking for the reason of her sudden incapacity to escape facing now the heart-shaped soul the bright red soul that was connected to herself with a ghostly transparent string of red sparks.
Oh snap-
A mockingly friendly voice and the feeling of a solid brick wall in her back interrupted her thoughts.
„Hey there little parrot."
Concentrating again on the school yard she noted with raising uneasiness that the group of kids had cornered memory-Frisk against on of the school walls shielding her from the sight of the overseer teachers.
One of them a carroty-haired girl with two pigtails and a costly bright purple jacket seemed to be the leader of the group as the others kept quiet when she continued, "It's time for your favourite game."
Coming a bit closer taking in every detail of memory-Frisk's troubled face she proclaimed to the others, "It's time for listen and repeat!"
Being shaken by fast waves of panic and fear emitting from the soul she tried instinctive to step in front of Frisk to protect her against the circle of bullies.
But this was a happening from the past burned with fear unchangeable deep into their memory.
So she could only watch helplessly as the other kids started to shout at her.
"Listen!"
"Dinosaur!"
"Listen!"
"Pandemonium!"
"Listen!"
"Dimensional!"
"Listen-"
"That is it!"
Interrupting the chorus of shouting children the bratty girl from before addressed memory-Frisk again, "Listen there little parrot: pan-de-mon-i-um."
Stressing each syllable she made sure that she had understood her before she demanded, "Now repeat!"
"Repeat!"
"Repeat!"
"Repeat!"
Trying to retreat further the shouts from the other kids echoing in her ears memory-Frisk started to whimper as the bratty girl grabbed her arm in a firm grip preventing her from getting away while underlining her demand with blunt pain as her relentless grip squeezed the nerves in memory-Frisk's arm.
"Come on little parrot don't be shy let us hear your marvellous singing voice!"
"Repeat!"
Being still unable to do anything to protect her she could just seethe as the chorus of children continued their shouting intimidating memory-Frisk even more.
I swear if I ever see you little brats on the surface I'll show you a true fun game!
"Repeat!"
And that includes especially you miss piggy pigtail!
"Repeat!"
Even this crazy daisy will be shocked after I'm done with you!
"Repeat!"
"Hey little parrot don't keep us waiting."
Leaning forward the bratty girl filled now her entire vision.
This could be so easy just a quick hit into this nasty smile and it would be over before piggy pigtail would've even time to react...
"Oh come on either you start speaking or we will play the 'flying' parrot game instead..."
She didn't knew was this second game was about but it triggered another heavy wave of panic from the soul prompting memory-Frisk's mouth to open hasty in the futile attempt to speak this long word, "Panddem... ppan... pandemooniuum... pandenium..."
But despite her best efforts she was unable to pronounce it right as she was to intimidated by the other children watching with glee every failed attempt while continuing to shout, 'Repeat! Repeat! Repeat!'.
Until the bratty girl stopped the seemingly endless cycle of trying shouting and failing, "That's enough for now little parrot break is nearly over and you did a fine job in passing our time so", grabbing Frisk's arm again she whirled around dragging the smaller child with her, "so you are free to fly to freedom!"
Being cast adrift without warning Frisk tumbled forward stretching her arms like wings to keep her balance before making a painfully hard belly-land.
I'll fucking kill this brat!
Laughing on memory-Frisk's harm the small group of children dashed back to the schoolhouse.
"Sh-sh don't cry all will be well."
Although she knew that memory-Frisk couldn't hear her words she tried to sooth them as tears started to drip out of their eyes.
"Yes so is good just sweep the tears away-"
"Oh look one of the teachers is coming! Just tell them what happened after all it's their job to help you."
Still sniffing Frisk was standing again when the teacher reached her.
It was a carroty-haired woman wearing a blue windbreaker golden earrings red high heels and a ton of makeup.
Gazing down onto the miserable child she stated somehow unnerved, "Geez fallen again? You are really a clumsy one."
Excuse me!?
"And you are late to class. Again."
"Sorrry Mrs. Baxxterr butt-"
Trying to apologize although not being responsible for this memory-Frisk was interrupted by the teacher before she could explain herself.
"Oh my god stop this gibble gabble! I can't understand it anyways!"
Taking a deep breath Mrs. Baxter continued, "I'm not in the mood to deal with your attention seeking behaviour right now," she gestured to the school house, "Shoo! Back to class before I call your parents!"
What the heck is this... 'teacher' doing!?
Intimidated by this threat memory-Frisk broke without hesitation into a run trying to reach class as quickly as possible.
Until a shout from Mrs. Baxter let her change to a fast pace.
"Hey no running! Slow down or your mother will have a meeting with the principal today!"
Experiencing memory-Frisk's dismay about the behaviour of the teacher the bruises from the fall and the forbidding feeling of further 'games' from the other children first-hand through the steady stream of emotions coming from the soul she wanted nothing more then to step in and help them.
But a sharp pain in her throat shattered the flashback before she could even attempt to change it.
"Pleaase ccome backk..."
Forcing this words through your throat that was still upset by the many talking from before felt as would you try to gargle with broken glass but it was the only thing you hadn't tried so far to bring the girl back after her presence in your mind had suddenly died down to a background whisper and her occasionally swearing about the water had stopped.
Not wanting to be alone in this nightmare you tried again to call her while holding tightly onto the plank you had separated from the remains of the footbridge, "Pleasse..-"
Hitting one of the garbage islands the plank dived under the surface pulling your hands with it prompting you to whimper in deadly fear although the water just flowed harmlessly over them.
"Frisk? There is no one. Why are you talking?"
Although not as confident as usual the mere sound of the girl's thought-voice was enough to ease you considerable as it assured you that she hadn't left you for good in this horrible place.
Letting out a relieved sob you answered her quickly, "You were gone and didn't answer my thoughts so I tried calling you aloud."
"Oh", a short series of mixed emotions flared up in the mind corner where the girl resided as she seemed to ponder about what to tell you, "sorry about that I got carried away."
Realizing something she continued, "But why didn't you call me by my name?"
"Because it is rude to call someone by their name before they've introduced themselves."
Isn't that how it works?
"Okayyy...," raising a eyebrow she seemed to consider this for a moment before speaking again and conveying you the feeling of her hand grabbing yours, "Hi Frisk my name is Chara. Nice to meet you."
Trying to shake her hand in your mind you responded, "Hello Chara I'm Frisk. It's nice to meet you too."
That out of the way you fell silent again not knowing what else to say and still intimidated by all the water.
Probably as afraid of the lake as you since she couldn't swim as well the girl- Chara tried to initiate a chat to pass time, "So we're still in the water huh?"
Your hands grabbed the plank more tightly.
Realizing her blunder about the topic she continued quickly, "Uh... err... did you see something interesting while I was gone?"
"Yes there was a lot of stuff on this islands lamps couches a bicycle a fridge colourful porcelain a really old tv and...," using this conversational stepping stone you listed chirpily all of the things you had seen banishing the treat from the water at least for now from your thoughts.
I really should watch my mouth when I'm with her.
Focusing onto the soul she considered what to do next while listening absently to their babbling.
Did mom change her number? Hopefully not or calling her will get complicated... although...
Closing her eyes for a moment she pursued this thought following it back to the moment when the now broken phone had given away their position.
A small hand appeared before her mind's eye holding the treacherous device in a firm grip that was tightened by sudden realization as the horror about what had to happen after the screen lit up made its way into Frisk's mind.
Neat. That sure will come in handy.
Taking her time she made sure to memorize the entire row of numbers before she released the image of the lit cellphone display from her mind.
"Chara are you still there?"
Opening her eyes she answered quickly, "Yes yes just checking something."
Concentrating on Frisk senses again the picture of the lake and the feeling of the water pushing against her reappeared in an instant but something was different...
Pursuing this feeling she took a second look trying to pierce through twilight and shadows to see more of the surroundings.
She was now at one of the cave walls filling her vision into every direction with its jagged grey surface and didn't move anymore?
Extending her perception to Frisk's other senses she felt now the smooth stone under their feet enabling her to stand more or less safe in the steady current of the lake.
"What gives?"
"Is that a exit?", squinting Frisk reduced her field of vision highlighting one segment of the wall.
It was not much different to the rest of it perhaps a bit darker at one point...
A door?
Squinting now herself she tried to enhance the image.
"Could you step a bit closer please?"
"Sure."
Bracing herself against the current tightening her grip on the plank Frisk moved forward in a waddling gait trying her best to hold contact with the uneven ground that would vanish occasionally surrendering her for horrifying moments to the caprice of the water around her.
Coming closer to the wall Chara got a better look at the darker segment which was indeed a door-sized opening that led into a unlit corridor whose walls reflected the incoming light in a metallic shimmer.
Pausing under the opening Frisk's gaze wandered through the darkness ahead inspecting the smooth walls noting a engraving at the right side of the corridor.
Waddling closer she swept some dirt from it reviling a short sentence, "'Coolant intake three – Core shaft A38' do you know what that means?"
"No clue," conveying her her shrugging she added a bit unnerved since the answer was really obvious, "I didn't made it a habit to jump into deep underground lakes just to see what was there back then when I was alive you know?"
"Oh Okay."
Feeling how Frisk mentally ducked on her barb about her incapability to swim she quickly tried to gloss over it, "Um... but I think this is our best bet about coming out of here so we should probably follow it?"
Stupid stupid idiot that was totally unasked for!
Keeping an eye out for their mood she reminded herself once more, Remember they are not really used to this kind of jokes. So keep it low!
"That sounds like a good idea,"
answering a bit to quickly in a quiet more obedient voice it was pretty obvious that they mainly agreed to not upset her as they waddled forward into the tunnel.
It was a while now since you had entered the dark scary hole in the wall.
Chara was really quiet and had only spoken when you asked her about going into the teeing 'Coolant intake three – Core service shaft C11'.
Walking now slowly through the more friendly corridor significantly calmed by the fact that it was completely dry and well lit you kept it quiet as well to not bother her again with a dumb question.
Getting a bit dopey from the boring hike your mind started to wander only absently noticing the passing lights and teeing tunnels.
I wanna go home... to Toriel...
Picturing your reunion a nearly lifelike image of you approaching a brightly smiling Toriel appeared before your mind's eye although the imagination Frisk was very dirty...
Would she mind?
Influenced by your sudden anxiety the image of Toriel changed from smiling to the death stare you had seen when another 'monster' had enraged her darkening her face as she came closer to your imagination self while raising her hand in a definitely not nice intention.
I don't know...
Pausing for a moment you tried to sweep some of the dirt and dust from your clothes but not for to long as you didn't wanted to give Chara a reason to complain.
Continuing you tried to assure yourself that all would be well, it should be okay she never said something when I played in the ruins... but I never got this dirty and there are algae all over me..., your hands clenched, it should be okay it wasn't my fault-... Did Toriel try to stop me from playing when I left with Monster Kid?
Slight panic flared up as your thoughts followed this possibility, Did she? She didn't say anything! But she stopped them and looked funny as she talked to me, your breath fastened a bit, If she did... if she did then it could be my fault!?
Walking a bit faster the spiral of panic continued as other memories of Toriel surfaced your mind how she questioned you about leaving every word bare of emotions finite like a verdict the angry stare in her eyes after you had thrown the plate with the cake crumbs onto the ground burning down onto you like a small sun as she helped you change before tucking you in the tight grip of her fingers restraining your head after you had panicked about the guard-fight dream holding you as easily as a snail the shimmer of light on her sharp claws and fangs when you had first seen her...
She could be mad she could be really mad, your breath fastened again a whimper nearly escaping your mouth, please please don't be mad mu-
"Frisk are you alright?"
Half stopping you returned to a more normal pace as all of a sudden the concerned thought-voice of Chara interrupted your panicked thoughts.
"Yes...," answering in reflex you needed one or two seconds to cover your sudden fear of Toriel with a hopefully believable lie, "...I... um... I think there was a rat."
Saying this you realised your flaw a little bit to late, No! She can see what I see. She will know that I'm lying!
Ducking you prepared for a harsh remark on this.
But to your surprise she seemed to buy it, "...Don't worry they only look scary. And I'm here too so just ask if you need help with them."
Assuring you with a short squeeze of your shoulder her presence vanished again into the back of your mind.
Still a bit rattled by the sudden panic attack you tried to calm yourself with the thought that a mad Toriel would still be better than no Toriel but that was not much against the doubting images of blazing purple eyes and big white clawed hands still spooking through the back of your mind.
Hunching your shoulders suddenly freezing in your still wet clothes you continued your way through the unknown corridor.
Observing her through their own senses Chara noted every little detail as Frisk made her way further into the underground.
She was a bit tired from the long march and freezing from the damp clothes sticking to her skin also she seemed to be a bit hungry but that weren't Chara's biggest concerns.
Trying her best to maintain her grip around Frisk's nerves she pulled a bit back to think.
Her leg is still aching but I can suppress that for the moment.
Not even flinching anymore she prevented another bunch of signals to reach Frisk as she strained her hurt leg again.
But I should ask her about taking a second look at it to see if it is already inflamed.
Still suppressing the nerves around the cuts she causally reached out to Frisk's midriff pushing it a bit to inhale a little deeper.
Going still a bit faster then before Frisk didn't even notice the small manipulation causing her to take a much deeper breath then intended as she seemed still to worry about whatever she had tried to hide before Chara with a lie.
Retracting a bit she repeated this exercise with various degrees of success making sometimes no difference at all while other tries provoked so deep breaths that Frisk slowed down for a moment to recover as she probably thought that exhaustion caused this sudden greed for air.
I still haven't enough control...
Doubling her efforts made it hard to concentrate on something else then the steady rhythm of Frisk's breath causing her suppression of the nerves in their leg to slip from time to time.
Although noticeable flinching whenever she wasn't able to catch all impulses in time Chara noted with surprise from the very corner of her perception that Frisk handled the pain quite well not even slowing down when her full weight strained the aching leg.
Seeing this she hesitated for a moment weighting their comfort against what was necessary before she let go of the nerves around the cuts concentrating now with every fibre of her being on the unwanted connection to Frisk's soul and the complicated clutter of nerves controlling the muscles in their chest.
Taking her time Chara observed carefully the twists and turns of the nerve fibres in Frisk's chest following the signals travelling through them creating a more or less accurate map of the corresponding muscles and how to use them which should in turn enable her to mimic the original orders from Frisk's brain to an extent that she should be able to take control of their breathing whenever she desired it.
Whew…, retreating mentally from their chest she refocused onto Frisk's leg to hold of the pain, That should do it for now.
Relaxing a bit she opened her perception again to the rest of Frisk's body making sure that she was still okay.
Lets see... hungry... tired... nothing out of the ordinary...
Being still unable to see even the smallest trace of what she feared started to make her nervous.
They seem to be fine..., reaching out her mentally fingers checked once again their lungs and neck without finding anything, but they didn't take their medicine so it is probably only a matter of time until they have another fit.
Feeling helpless to her own prediction she repeated the check in short intervals stiffening anxious on every breath that was just a little faster than its predecessor.
Then Frisk stopped dead in her tracks.
Please don't!
Bending forward in a hurry she laid her hands onto their soul feeling the sudden wave of mixed emotions sweeping through it as Frisk took two steps towards one side of the corridor while inhaling deeply through her nose.
Urge flared up in their soul like a blazing light showering her with pressing impulses.
Okay okay don't panic now, reaching out she she tried desperately to get a hold of Frisk's breathing but failed miserable as her mental fingers shaken by panic were unable to cling to the right nerve fibres, oh come on!
Doubling her efforts she focused entirely on the task at hand ignoring the outside World for now completely.
Cake!
Smelling the air again you turned left rushing down another corridor before turning right still following the wonderful scent of freshly backed cake teasing your growling belly.
Slowing a bit down on the next turn you tried again to check on Chara who had slightly panicked when you had smelt the cake for the first time.
"Chara?"
Only the feeling of grimly concentration underlined with slight panic answered you.
Perhaps she doesn't like cake?
Turning another corner you stopped abruptly forgetting about this thought as the sight in front of you was so interesting that it demanded your entire attention.
It was a passage into another tunnel or room marking the end of this corridor but that was just basic stuff the really interesting thing were the veils covering it.
They were composed of a soft-looking silvery fabric that was infiltrated with hundreds of little glimmers where it reflected the light from the circular ceiling lamps letting it appear like a starry night on a silvery sky.
It is so pretty...
Extending a hand you stepped a bit closer carefully stroking it just with the tips of your fingers feeling its soft surface comforting your skin.
Then your breathing changed.
Reappearing from the back of your mind Chara seemed to be relieved of something as a faint wave of ease reached you simultaneous with the abrupt steadying of your breath.
Feeling her reaching out for you she asked in the next second,"Frisk are you alright?," then after probably taking a look at the surroundings she added slightly irritated, "Where are we?"
Happy about her return you explained chirpy to her that there was cake somewhere around and how beautiful and soft this veils were.
Hearing your explanation you felt how more irritation and some sort of anger or annoyance flared up, Did I do something wrong?, before her mood settled in a mix of relief and self-irony.
"I see", a short shrugging, "well it is probably our best bet to get out of this mess so go ahead?"
She isn't mad anymore!, relieved that Chara seemed to be over your dumb question you answered quickly, "Okay."
Stepping forward you passed the veils that swept light as a feather over you as you entered the room behind them.
It seemed to be a big room but it looked rather small due to other veils covering the walls and separating smaller parts of it from the rest creating a silvery silken maze whose walls moved slightly in a soft breeze.
Sounding a bit impressed Chara advised, "Okay... better remember then where the exit is or we will probably get los- Frisk? FRISK!"
Flinching on her sudden shout already past the next veils still following the cake scent you stopped, "Yes?"
Conveying you the feeling of a unnerved exhaling she repeated, "Please keep a eye on the way so that we don't get lost okay?"
Being a bit jittery on the prospect of cake you answered quickly, „Okay," before continuing towards it passing veils after veils until you finally reached the section of the room which originated the delicious scent.
"Jackpot."
Whispering almost reverent Chara expressed just about what you were thinking on the sight of multiple cupboards and tables displaying cakes muffins and cookies in a variety of sizes colours and shapes animating your stomach to do a quick dance of joy.
Stepping closer reaching out for the nearest muffin you almost started to drool as your fingers closed in onto the delicious looking pastries that was even topped with sprinkles!
But..., your hand stopped as a sudden thought forced its way from your conscience into your mind, ...isn't it bad to eat someone's food without asking?
Hesitating your gaze wandered over the delicious looking pastries that were basically screaming ‚Eat me!' while your conscience kept arguing with your stomach about doing the right thing preventing you from simply feasting on them.
„Frisk? What's the holdup?"
Being interrupted in your deliberations you were at least a bit eased as Chara sounded more worried why you hesitated than angry that you hesitated at all so you explained the situation to her.
Chara seemed again to be a bit irritated by your reasons but offered after brief thinking a acceptable compromise your conscience could live with, „Um… ask aloud. If there is no one around that could deny it then it is probably okay to eat them."
That is a great idea! Chara knows so much…, trying your best to pronounce the words right you asked into the empty room, "Helllo? Is anyboddy there?"
Speaking this words did still hurt but it was much better now compared to the last time as you had endlessly repeated this nursery rhyme to prove Chara that you could spell right.
Waiting the appropriate two or three seconds you already lifted your hand again as a silken voice sounded in a singsong behind you, "Of course deary~"
Almost screaming on this unexpected surprise you needed a second to calm down again before turning to face the speaker.
It was a nice looking lady wearing a vermeil frilly blouse with a red ribbon around its collar bright orange pantaloons and black boots who mustered you somehow distanced from her five eyes (two left two right one vertically on her forehead) whose almost black irides created a interesting contrast with her lavender skin.
Remembering your manners mimicking her friendly smile you introduced yourself, "Hello Ms. I'm Frisk sorrry for disturrbing you."
"Oh what a polite child,~" eyes widening in delight she gestured sweeping with her upper two arms to the pastries with the middle ones to herself and with the lower ones to the rest of the room, "I'm Miss Muffet owner of this lovely bakehouse~"
Taking a closer look at your dirty clothes and probably overall slightly deranged appearance she asked with a funny undertone, "Say deary... are you here all by yourself?~"
"Don't tell her-"
Interrupting Chara to not let Miss Muffet wait impolitely long you told her how you ended up here, "Yes I fell down a bridgge and then floatted around this big lakke and then I found this hole in the wall annd now I'm here."
A strange glimmer appeared for a moment in Miss Muffet's eyes and her smile shifted a bit letting her look... hungry? but then the expression was gone in the next second so it was probably just your imagination.
However the sudden surge of disbelief and suppressed anger coming from Chara was certainly not a delusion as her next words expressed this feelings clear enough, "Why did you tell her that!?", but although enraged she also sounded like she had just seen a fawn stopping for a nap in front of a hunting cabin.
Being a bit confused by this question in general and her funny reaction about such a harmless matter you answered truthfully, "Because it is bad to lie."
More disbelief answered you but Miss Muffet spoke again before Chara could voice it.
"Oh you poor thing~ You must be so exhausted from all the walking~," clasping two of her hands in compassion she gestured with the other four to another veil, "Why don't you take a seat and join me drinking some tea?~"
"Don't."
It were just two words but Chara thought them with a urgency that was strong enough to break through the comfortable mood you were in since you had found the friendly Miss Muffet.
Unsure about why she was so definite about this you asked, "Why not she seems to be friendly?"
You took another look at Miss Muffet waiting patiently for your answer.
Another wave of unease and distrust answered you as Chara tried to reason with you, "Yeah and so did Flowey. Please Frisk I've a really bad feeling about this please let us go."
Feeling her increasing concern made yourself a bit uncertain if you really should stay with Miss Muffet.
Perhaps I should listen to Chara? She definitely knows more than me…, remembering something else you felt suddenly extremely uneasy, and hadn't Toriel exhorted me that I shouldn't talk to strangers? Toriel! What if she is now mad at me for dawdling!?
Not wanting to act against Toriel's word or letting her wait any longer than necessary you excused yourself, "Sorrry Miss Muffet but I can't someonne is probbably already waiiting for me."
"No problem deary~," once again you had the strange impression that a different emotion overshadowed her face for a second but it was as well replaced by another friendly smile before you could determine what it was, "We can drink the tea on your next visit then~"
"Thankks Miss Muffet," you waved at her, "Gooddbye," before exiting through the nearest veil.
"Oh I wouldn't be so sure about that 'bye' part deary~ Ahuhuhu~," giggling at her own joke her three upper eyes followed the small human which was now walking in spirals and circles through the large room seemingly completely unaware that they were not getting anywhere.
Slightly moving one of her arms she twisted one of the many strings of spider silk that were hanging in irregular intervals from the ceiling around her index finger pushing more purple magic into the large web above strengthening the illusion around her clueless prey projecting more endless small rooms and veils before their eyes.
It had been as easy as always they just had to enter through the two veils to come into contact with her magic after that it truly was just 'a piece of cake' to capture them although they had behaved a bit strange when it came to the muffin…
Why didn't they take it?
My magic should've let them see this muffin as the most delicious thing in the world-
Did they see the strings?, the gaze of her lower two eyes swept over the nearly invisible sticky strings neatly arranged around the muffin ready to entangle whoever would dare to touch it.
No they couldn't have seen them with their human eyes, shaking her head she tried to puzzle out what had happened, It felt more as would they oppose the idea while agreeing to it at the same time.
Half-closing her middle eye she regarded the flow of magic around their head with another irritated gaze following mentally the waves of energy on their way through the web down the strings into their body and into their mind where they surprisingly would produce two different echos one of them as expected full of unbound childish emotions and the other one the strange one that reflected her magic in a steadily worried expression that would be better suited to a adult than a small child.
Strange. Are they having some kind of mental illness?
Pondering awhile about this unusual kind of mind her attention shifted slowly but steadily back to the other tasks at hand letting her for now forget about the small human still trying to find a way out of her domain.
It was more or less quiet for the next hour or so the only sounds coming from the human walking around the room and the many spiders under her command fulfilling the daily tasks of the bakehouse.
Taking orders baking the requested pastries and delivering them to the customer which had requested them over another web somewhere else in the underground this steps repeated in a continuous cycle demanding her constant attention to coordinate her small army of subordinates so that all was working smoothly.
Are they hurt?
Until a single off pastries question vibrated over the strings of the large cobwebs to all of them bringing the bustling work to a sudden stop as the other spiders paused to discuss this observation of the human beneath them.
Why are you thinking that? They're looking fine form here.
Do you mean their change of walking from time to time? I've noted that too but isn't that normal for humans?
It's a human. Who cares if they are hurt. They don't like spiders!
They don't? But this one hasn't done anything into this direction or did they?
I don't know but we could ask the spiders in the ruins.
Yeah they have seen them first when I remember correctly so they should know.
Agreed.
Agreed.
Agre-
Interrupting the noisy chitchat above her Muffet's presence rushed through the web like a sudden stroke of lighting sending them with some harsh impulses back to work while assuring them at the same time that she would deal with that accordingly.
Mustering the human, Frisk was their name?, for a while she didn't need to wait very long until she could confirm that they were indeed saving one of their legs flinching slightly every time when they would shift their weight onto it.
This should make things easier...
Observing them further she couldn't fail to notice that their mood had changed as well so that now both echos were reflecting her magic in different degrees of worry that started to overshadow every of their movements as they passed veil after veil without finding a exit.
Well well look who is realizing that there is no way out of my little web...
But seeing how their mood changed further from worry over distress to slight panic was the really satisfying part as it let her feel the thrill of the hunt as her prey weakened more and more with each passing second.
Ahuhuhu~ Run little human run but you can't escape!~
A slight reproach echoed through one of the strings into her mind as one part of the spiders voiced their reservations at letting the human suffer before their guilt was proven.
*Humpf*, she glared at the web above, Fine fine ask the spiders in the ruins about them I'll interrogate them in the meantime!
Turning back to the human she prepared her friendliest smile while she changed with two quick movements the illusion around them so that it would look to them as would they be back to the room where they had met her before.
Walking 'back' in they stopped suddenly probably irritated by her sudden appearance in front of them and then it happened again!
One of the echos flared up in pure childish relief as the other one seemed to be shocked for a moment before it returned to its seemingly permanent state of worry now underlined with traces of… caution? anger? fear?
Ignoring the strange double echo for now she raised four arms in 'surprise' while pitching her voice slightly higher sounding a bit startled by their 'sudden' reappearance, "Oh hello there deary~"
Stepping closer she squatted down to them stroking some loose hair out of their face while mustering them again, exhausted, already emotional attached to me and so undoubting, her smile stretched in a more devious way, easy prey.
"What are you still doing here deary?~ Didn't you say that there was something waiting for you?~"
"Hello Miss Muffet," they smiled as would everything be in best order, "I think I'm lost," but she could see the slight traces of fear lurking just on the edges of their mind, "Could you pleaase tell me how I coulld get back to Snowdin?"
"Oh of course deary~"
Taking one of their hands she guided them to a table that was waiting just for them already prepared with chairs and tea cups.
"But you should drink something first deary you look so exhausted~"
Like a sheep the small human let itself to go by to the table taking a seat and even thanking her, "Thanks Miss Mufffet."
Sitting down herself she continued to smile at them while sending some impulses up into the web above giving new orders and letting some parts of the web fade into the illusion making them visible to the human, And now comes the fun part. Ahuhuhu~
And like a ballet a bunch of spiders danced down the strings carrying a teapot with them without spilling even a single drop as they moved it down onto the table and filled both teacups with still steaming golden tea.
But she didn't look at them she looked at the human that visible flinched on the sight of the arachnids yanking their hands back and according to the sounds pulling up their legs as well.
Oh looks like I got you there little spider hater~
Keeping them in her sight she mentioned the spiders to keep swarming over the table tidying the tablecloth adding sugar to her cup and letting some of them wander over herself putting a teaspoon in one of her hands.
Stirring her tea she looked at the now obviously frightened human in front of her whose eyes tried desperately to follow each spider at the same time asking causally, "What is it deary?~ Is something wrong?~"
"Nno Miss Muffett. I'm fine," they were lying and that not very well as she could tell.
Time to turn up the heat then~
"Well that's good to hear deary~," sending another set of impulses into the web she mentioned with one hand at their dirty clothes, "But I think we should do something about your appearance before you go back to whom is waiting for you deary don't you think so?~"
As expected they looked down for a moment, "Yes Miss Muffet that would be-"
So they were totally unaware of the spiders coming from above until they swept over them like a thousand-legged flood covering them in an instant their dark chitin bodies creating faint rasping sounds as they scraped against each other while walking over them plucking dirt from their clothes and skin as they were frozen in absolute shock unable to move even the smallest muscle.
Ahuhuhu~ Why so pale deary don't you like my little friends?~
Taking a sip she regarded their mind with another glance noting with glee the fast pulses of horrified fear that emitted from one of the echos overshadowing the second to an extent that she was not longer able to read it.
Boss?, coming back from another web one of the spiders seemed to be quite nervous about something its urgent impulses breaking the 'joyful' mood as they hurried to tell her, We've word from the spiders in the ruins they're saying-
Cutting them short she demanded, Come down and report directly, while mentioning with a smile to the rest of the arachnids to start 'accidentally' pinching the human's skin, Let us see how much more it needs until they snap ahuhuhu~
The spider was still giving of nervous impulses irritating their conspecifics around them but complied without hesitation gliding down on one of the strings into the still ongoing swarming on the table.
Directing two of her eyes from the human to the messenger her unspoken question echoed as soft vibrations through the table surface, Well?
Being sensible of her attention the small creature started to behave even more erratically twitching nervously with its eight legs as it started reporting, Um… well so I spoke with the branch in the ruins and… err they said… you know…
Pulling another pair of eyes from the human there were now four black irides starring down onto the unfortunate messenger as Muffet repeated her question, Welllllll?
Ducking under her gaze the words literally flew out of the spiders mouth as they hurried to tell her and the rest of the web the news, They said they were very friendly and never hurt a single spider never plucked at their webs or tried to leave without paying in fact they even asked if the human was well since they heard that-
THEY DID WHAT?
One of her hands darted down closing around the small arthropod bringing them up to her five eyes that were now unexceptional starring at them as she was still trying to conciliate this new information with that one from her 'best friend'.
Mirroring her alarmed state of mind the rest of the spiders were now arguing among themselves increasing the chaos on the table and on the small human as they all started talking at once while flailing their legs to enforce their arguments.
But that doesn't fit with-
There must be some kind of mistake!
...is this true?
There could be a problem with the transmission to the ruins-
If this is true then why did this guy tell-
The connection through this damn ice hell was never stable so I tell you that that had to happen!
Can we confirm this?
Argument after argument surged through the large web interrupting communications to the outside world as the spiders were unable to find common ground dooming every other message to be discarded as 'not relevant right now'.
This could've probably went on and on for hours or even days without an end in sight like it happened once when they tried to figure out who had eaten all the sprinkles (that was Gary) but a small voice stopped them reaching every spider in the room at once as its aloud spoken words bypassed the strings bringing every other communication to a halt as the arachnids noticed its urgent tone.
"Could you pllease put them down!?"
Blinking on that sudden interruption of her thoughts Muffet looked up eyes nearly locking with the human ones starring desperately at… the spider in my hand? What is with it? Why are they concentrating on that little one when they are nearly drowning in their brothers and sisters?
Unable to answer her own question Muffet lowered her hand a bit so that the hum- Frisk could take a better look at the arthropod in her hand asking with honest interest, "Why?~", before moving her fingers a bit giving the impression that she was about to make a fist.
Eyes still widened in fear they flinched on her simple gesture blurting out in the same urgent tone as before, "No! You could hurtt them!"
And that was the moment where her world took a step aside and stopped spinning.
What?
What is going one?
Her gaze switched between Frisk and the little creature in her palm mind still clogged with disbelieve.
They are... they are concerned that I could hurt the spider in my hand?
Aren't they afraid of spiders?
I mean they're human… and humans always try to eliminate what they are fearing right? So why are they trying to protect it from me?
Obviously scared about what she could do they started begging, "Please pleease put them down," seeing that she still wasn't reacting they continued hurriedly, "Please they are so small-", a short sob interrupted them moving the spiders on them up and down their voice shifting into a higher more wobbly pitch as they continued, "…and you can't do anytthing if you hurt one of them-", another sob shook the bundle of spiders, "...you can just watch them die...," dying away they raised their voice again in next second, "SO PLEASE PUT THEM DOWN!"
Her hand moved nearly without her consent putting the little spider down while the final pieces clicked into place completing the picture of the human's mood before her mind's eye.
They weren't scared of the spiders crawling around and over them.
They hadn't pushed back from the arachnids because they looked frightening to them.
This human- no this child- Frisk was simply afraid what it could accidentally do to this small beings when they just moved wrongly.
Judging by the wet shimmer in their eye and all over behaviour they even had once made a mistake that they had regretted a lifetime reducing them to a fear shaken lump whenever they thought that it could happen again.
She had seen it.
Their frightened mood.
The panic in their eyes when the spiders crawled closer to them.
How they stiffened when they closed in not even daring to move a muscle.
And then she had done the same thing that she hated so much about the humans she had judged them convicted them and carried out the sentence without thinking at all as long as it suited her demand to remove the 'evil' from her sight.
It was only a small impulse that emitted from her but it was heard everywhere in the large web as every string was silent now after their half-shared consciousness had grasped the human's true motivation and it kept silent when the small army of eight-legged creatures moved back up into the web leaving a still shaken Frisk and a about herself shocked Muffet behind.
What have I done?
Looking at the poor child this question echoed through her mind asking for a answer she couldn't clearly give but seeing the wet traces on their cheeks she was sure that it wouldn't be a good one.
"Thaank you."
Two quiet words just a simple gesture of politeness but spoken with such a innocence that was still unaware of what she had tried to do that it made her feel even worse as she watched them sipping at their tea clamping the cup with both hands to compensate their shaking.
Answering in reflex her words had lost their singsong as her mind was still taken aback from the events, "No worries deary."
Visibly easing up with every moment the hu- Frisk was now looking up inspecting with interest the web that was still partly visible to them running some of its strings through their fingers.
"You said this is a bakkehousse?," they looked around gaze sweeping over the pastries and her underlings, "Are you some kind of mommy-store to the sppider bake sale in the ruins?"
Thankful about this change of subject Muffet switched back to her singsong voice in an instant telling them their story.
"Oh yes deary it is something like that at the moment but originally we were just one sale before... we tried to capture a spider hating (truly, we checked!) human but got beaten by a crazy lady? ...before we got separated and ended up here while the rest of us is still in the ruins~"
Taking another sip they seemed to think about it before asking in childish innocence, "Why don't you go back together then?"
"Oh that is a bit difficult since spiders are not very good with low temperatures they can't really walk over to us~," mentioning to the pastries around them she continued proudly, "So we are trying to earn enough money so that we can send them a heated limo to pick them up!~"
They tilted their head, "Oh a limo? Isn't that one of this long cars?," and smiled, "That is a cool plan!"
"Yes deary it is and perhaps we'll even have enough money to buy-~"
A shy impulse interrupted her as one of the spiders tried to get her attention, Boss? Sorry to disturb you but… but the guard is here.
Looking up she replied confused, Guard? Which one? What they are even doing her-, then she remembered how she had still torturing the human called for a guard to hand them over, Oh.
Placing her cup down she weighted her possibilities discarding the option of simply turning the human over without even thinking about it before deciding, Okay I'll deal with them prepare a second table and more tea.
"Is everrything alrigght Miss Muffet?"
Snapping out of her silent preparations she assured Frisk, "Yes deary it is...~," standing up she started turning away, "There is just one thing I've to do for a moment I'll be right back~"
"Wait!"
Stopping a bit startled by their sudden shout she turned back to them seeing that they had left the chair and were now standing before her fumbling around in one of their pockets.
Pulling their closed fist out of the pocket Frisk flinched a bit as they scraped over their leg but continued the action without hesitation pressing something into one of her lower two hands.
"Here for the sppiders."
Before they ran back to the table and sat down again.
Standing there she could only stare in disbelief at the small glittering piece of metal in her hand her mind again unable to bring the event in line with her knowledge until the presence of the guard moving through one of the entrances coming into contact with her magic demanded her full attention to ensure that they would be unable to sense the human letting her for now forget about it.
So far it had been a pretty busy day for the royal guard hearing that the human had bypassed them somehow then the slog to Waterfall and the 'hunt' for the human that was not more than basically running around and hoping for a wonder since nobody had a damn clue where they would reappear after their superior officer had managed to cast them into the only lake that connected nearly every goddamn point in Waterfall and even some parts of Hotland!
That in mind it was no wonder that the guard had split up to maximize the search area sending everyone to a different location well everyone except her as she had to answer this stupid call that just had to come seconds before the split up!
Passing another veil Dogaressa huffed again feeling the urgent need to drag all this useless dust catchers down to see more clearly but she contained herself for now holding onto the thought that it was at least just Miss Muffet who had asked for a guard and not some drunk idiots trying to get each other arrested for drinking the last beer.
But this crap would be a lot easier if Miss Muffet would've mentioned where she exactly was then she could find her much faster without stumbling through all this useless tiny wannabe rooms!
And then finally she heard the soft steps of gracile feet telling her that her destination was the next compartment.
Finally.
Parting the last veils her eyes where met with the same sight as ever tables and cupboards overstuffed with all kind of pastries in the middle a table with two teacups and chairs Miss Muffet already sitting in one of them her head resting causally on the knuckles of her upper arm pair.
"Well hello there deary!~," mentioning her to take a seat with one of her other hands Muffet continued in the same singsong voice, "Long time no see how are you?~"
"Hello Miss Muffet. Not so bad actually," sitting down she took one of the teapots pouring some of the golden tea into her cup, "It's a bit stressful today since there is a new human roaming freely through the underground but they will be dealt with probably quite soon."
Directing some spiders with a simple gesture to Dogaressa's side of the table to offer some sugar Muffet replied seemingly unworried about this for most monster dreadful news, "Yes I think I've heard of them… oh when we are already at the topic there would be something I would've to tell you-," something seemed to demand her attention her five eyes shooting upwards and Dogaressa meant to hear some faint humming sounds sounding as would somebody pluck randomly at guitar strings but the impression was gone in the next second and Muffet's eyes returned to her, "You remember our branch in the ruins? They contacted me about the human they encountered lately."
Ah so that is what she wanted to talk about...
Regarding the six-armed monster with a attentive gaze she took a sip from her cup.
"Okay shot."
Leaning back Muffet gladly followed her demand suit but it was nothing more than the basic facts she already knew the human was little had brown fur on their head and wore a blue sweater with some purple stripes (that were just a different kind of blue to her) until Muffet added a own question to her facts about the human.
"Say deary just from your opinion as someone who had already contact with the human how dangerous do you think they are?~"
"Humans are normally quite dangerous," yes she had evaded the question with a generalization but she couldn't really picture the small child she had seen eating peacefully cookies on her couch and clinging shyly to Toriel's coat-tails running around killing people.
One of Muffet's hand moved absently flinging something shiny from finger to finger.
"I see so I should kill them on sight?~"
"No! You should call one of us to deal with it!"
Bringing her voice back down after this sudden outburst she hesitated fo a moment then pulled up her notebook and pen writing down a single row of numbers before ripping out the page to hand it over.
"Here just call me when you should stumble upon them."
Taking the paper regarding her with a friendly smile the small glittering object went on yet another absent turn around Muffet's fingers.
"Okay deary I'll do that~"
Sitting there she waited for another question before asking, "Was there something else you would like to discuss?"
"No deary that would then be all~"
Her smile widened a bit.
"Thanks for coming~"
Shrugging Dogaressa stood back up biding her goodbye, "Well goodbye then," before leaving on the same way she came.
Interesting...
Five eyes following the dog monster as it left passing Frisk by not even a meter Muffet recapped what she had gathered from this talk.
Looks like someone doesn't know what they want.
Her thoughts returned to the moment when she had brought up the 'kill them on sight' idea letting the echo from the guards emotions light up like a christmas tree as concern for another person surged in reflex through their mind.
True it could be that this guard wasn't planing to kill the child on the spot as she had even given her her private number to contact her in case of a human sighting but she had also seen the guilt hiding in the depth of the guards mind indicating that their loyalty could force her to turn the human in.
A questioning impulse echoed through the web.
What are we going to do now?
We will do what we always did wait and watch.
Stepping closer she looked at the child patiently waiting for her return.
Oh and keep an eye out for our 'best friend' I have some petals to pluck with it about this 'cruel spider hating maniac' it warned us about.
As for the child…, her gaze wandered to the small coin in her hand it surely looked nicely but it was a currency form the surface so completely worthless to her but she couldn't defy that they had given it to her without hesitation in a pure act of kindness to support her cause, they've paid us and what would we be for a sale if we didn't satisfy our customers right?
A wave of approval surged through the web as every spider seconded that.
Agreed!
Agreed!
Agreed!
- A / N -
Hi there, it seems that I've missed something big:
The Toad Soldier: Great story so far! But you keep switching Frisk's pronouns from them to her and it gets confusing. I know Chara is a female in this story, but I think that Frisk should be a they, since it's second person.
My rule of thumb is in this case, if they know that Frisk is a girl, then they will address her accordingly, but stick to they/them when they don't know it (same goes for descriptive text like, Toriel watched amused as Frisk tried desperately to reach one of the storybooks in the upper shelf with her short arms.).
Problem is, I failed to do this in every case.
So I'll do this now but don't know when I'll fix the previous chapters.
To sum it up, big thanks to The Toad Soldier for pointing that out, and I'm trying to make it better in the future.
Have a nice day guys.
- A / N END -