Chapter 57: Hotland
Frisk left heading towards the elevator in the CORE.
"Why are you rescuing that monster? If what those two guards said earlier was true, he's as good as dead," Chara said. "You'll be dead too if you go. Do you really think one monster is worth it after all the monsters you killed?"
"What about the times I could have gotten killed or did you forget how you just stood there while I was fighting, tooth and nail to survive. I don't remember you offering any advice how to get past the monsters without getting killed.'
Chara was silent.
'I thought he didn't notice,' he thought.
'From the brief time that we met, he's only one of a few monsters who I've spoken to who hasn't tried to attack me at all so forgive me if I'm feeling a bit merciful.'
Chara noticed the way her lips were set in a frown and her eyes alit with cold cut determination. In that instant, Chara knew nothing he said would change her mind. Making her feel guilty for decisions that she had made wasn't going to deter her off the path she felt was right.
Punching L3 led her to a hall with lavender walls and dark violet floors. She walked past an abandoned food stand and a spider web which held a spider selling spider donuts and spider cider.
Eventually she came across a large purple house.
'This must be where that spider lives.'
She stepped inside. Looking around she saw the room had lavender walls and dark violet floors. Dolls were strung around everywhere.
As she drew closer, she saw some of the floor was covered in webbing.
'I don't like this.'
"Ahuhuhu, wasn't expecting any guests for dinner."
Frisk whirled around startled by the appearance of a spider monster her size. She wore a pink and red dress and wore her black hair in short pigtails. Behind her was a familiar one-eyed monster.
"Layax?! What are you doing here?"
"You're that monster who was with Sans," she sputtered. "What are you doing here?"
"I-"
"You are quite rude, deary. I don't appreciate being ignored."
Frisk turned towards the spider. Her eyes radiating cool fury which was a sharp contrast to the smirk on her face.
"I wonder if you taste as good as you look."
'Play it cool, don't let her know how she affects you.'
"Did a monster that looks like a clam pass by here?"
"Yeah, I wrapped him up like a tasty morsel. Come on out darling. Say 'hello'.
Spiders crawled down the walls from every orifice.
Hundreds of them dragged Clam to her. He was tied up with webbing and his mouth sealed shut with some kind of hankerchief.
"Why is he tied up?" Frisk asked.
"Let's just say he's been a naughty boy."
"Kinky," Chara said.
He was whimpering struggling against the binding.
Muffet walked to him, yanking the hanky out of his mouth.
Clam glanced at Frisk.
"What the h-ll are you doing here? It's dangerous to be here. You were a fool for coming here."
Frisk glanced at him with confusion.
" Can't you see, she will eat anyone who comes here."
"Ahuhuhu, I'm not that mean," she said with a sultry voice. " It's been a while since I've had a guest. Let me introduce myself. My name's Muffet."
Frisk was silent.
"No need to be rude. I'll be a good girl and wrap you up nice and pretty."
Layax cried out.
"Move before she catches you."
Suddenly Frisk was bound by webbing.
"Sh-t," Chara stammered.
Muffet turned towards the one-eyed monster.
"My, you've been a naughty girl. What are we going to do about your loud mouth?"
Layax snorted.
Frisk's hand inched for her left pant pocket where she had stuffed the knife.
"Do your worst. My brother knows everything so even if you kill me everyone will know about your operation."
Frisk clenched the knife in her hands using the sharp point to cut through the web that binded her.
"Ahuhuhu, quite fiesty for someone who is a big fat liar."
Layax gulped.
'How did she know that Layax was lying and what did she mean by 'your operation.' Frisk thought.
"Leave her alone."
Call it a death wish, call it impulse, Frisk didn't know what had possessed her to think it was a good idea but the words left before she could stop them.
Muffet turned towards her walking briskly towards her.
"You're not in any position to make demands, deary."
"How did you know she was lying? Did you arrange for her to be kidnapped?"
"You have a naughty mouth."
Frisk whipped out the knife before Muffet could speak.
"Answer the question or you'll regret it. You wouldn't want my knife to slip."
Muffet snorted.
"You wouldn't attack me. You'd be dead before you even kill me. You've barely managed to free yourself from my web. Even if you did, I'd still manage to tie you up again."
Frisk glared at her.
"So be a good boy and be quiet."
Suddenly the webbing was back binding Frisk's arms back to her body.
'Sh-te.'
"Speechless. I just made my web more sturdy."
She glanced at her carefully.
"I must admit you look so pretty wrapped up like a juicy morsel."
Muffet snapped her fingers and she was thrust against a large web.
"Muffin, time to eat. It's a shame. You look so delicious but I eat dessert after dinner so I'll have to feed you to my pet."
Suddenly something monstrous crept up from the shadows.
Frisk paled.
"I really don't envy you," Chara said.
Frisk shimmied up the web as monstrous jaw tried to bite her feet.
"Wait!"
Muffet stopped and turned.
"What is it?"
"Why are you doing this? I mean you must have some reason."
Chara facepalmed.
"Ahuhuhu, have you heard about the rumors going around. Monsters who disappear down here without a trace."
She glanced back at Frisk.
"I suppose you haven't. As monsters we can't eat normal food. In order to maintain our forms monsters need a special kind of food that can replenish our magic otherwise we die. Where do monsters get this kind of food you might ask," Muffet said, her expression tense causing a frightening look to appear on her face. "That's where our little monster friend comes in. His father really enjoyed dusting some spiders and the parents of my fiance to sustain the rest of the monsters so forgive me if I'm a little cruel."
Muffet snapped her fingers and the binding tightened around Clam.
He screamed fruitlessly.
"Help. Please help me. I don't want to die," he kept muttering under his breath.
"You monster!" Layax cried out.
Nothing they said haltered the squeezing web and Clam slowly faded to dust.
"You're next, honey."
"Cr-p," Chara said.
'Don't just float around. Do something.'
"Not alot I can do," he said.
Frisk sighed.
'Guess I'll have to create a diversion.'
"Why me? You already killed him."
Muffet sighed.
"Please understand. I don't want any trouble makers."
Suddenly a spider holding a note rushed inside.
"Queen Muffet?"
"What is it?" Muffet asked.
"It's a letter from Mettaton. He's requested to drop by here today this afternoon."
"Is he here now?"
"Yeah, he just got here."
"What could he possibly want? Well bring him in here."
She turned towards Muffet.
"Sorry Muffin, the fun's over. We have guests."
Muffin crawled back into the shadows before Muffet released Frisk from the web causing her to drop to the ground.
Within minutes, Mettaton was ushered inside by a couple of spiders.
He was a robot rectangle with a LED screen with six rows of square panels that flickered between red and yellow. Three yellow knobs were below the LED screen. Frisk noticed the robot had wore white gloves on his hands which were attached to two extendable robotic arms. He rolled in on a single wheel.
"I'VE BROUGHT THE THINGS YOU ASKED FOR. THEY SHOULD BE AT YOUR PLACE BY TOMORROW."
He paused.
Muffet nodded before she caught him glancing at the pesky brat she managed to acquire.
"SO WHO'S THE PRECOCIOUS DARLINGS YOU'RE HIDING BACK THERE?" Mettaton asked.
'Darlings? Wait, you don't think he could see you can he?' Frisk thought.
"He's a robot. You know as well as I do that the only monsters who can see me are ghosts."
Frisk caught Mettaton turning towards them. She couldn't tell where he was looking but if she didn't know any better Frisk would have sworn he was glancing at them.
"Darlings? Ahuhuhu, there's only one guest."
"SO HE'S A SLAVE THEN. IS HE FOR SALE?"
Muffet's eyes lit up.
"Why, yes he is."
Mettaton rolled up to her.
"SO WHAT ARE YOU BEST QUALITIES, GORGEOUS?"
"I can cook and clean."
"Your cooking is passable at best," Chara said.
'Not helping, Chara.'
"I DON'T KNOW. I'D PREFER A FEMALE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'D WANT TO WEAR A MAID COSTUME. SEE I REALLY NEED THE ADVERTISEMENT AND EVERYONE LOVES MAIDS. AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT I HEARD."
"I can wear the maid costume too."
"THEN YOU'RE HIRED. HOW MUCH FOR HIM, DEAREST?"
"100 gold pieces."
Mettaton handed it to her.
"Not so fast. I didn't exactly agree to this."
"YOU ARE DRIVING A HARD BARGAIN AFTER TRYING TO CONVINCE ME THAT YOU'D BE A BIG ASSET TO MY CAUSE."
"I'll only do it if you buy Layax too."
"WHY WOULD I NEED THAT ONE-EYED MONSTER?"
"Why would you need a maid? I mean you have a casino and everyone know that those scam people out of their money."
Mettaton sighed.
"ALRIGHT, HOW MUCH FOR THAT OTHER MONSTER?"
"200 gold pieces."
"SOLD. NOW COME ALONG, DEAREST."
Muffet released Layax from their binding. She quickly ran to catch up with Frisk.
Frisk followed Mettaton until they were back to the elevator on R3.
"Thanks for what you did back there," Frisk said.
"IT WASN'T FOR YOU. I JUST REALLY NEEDED A MASCOT TO WORK AT MY RESORT. YOU'RE MY SLAVE UNTIL I LET YOU GO."
Frisk chuckled.
'I would expect nothing less.'
"Whatever you say. I'm still thankful though."
"WELL I'LL MEET YOU THERE, GORGEOUS."
Suddenly the back of Mettaton's rectangle turned into a jet pack.
"AU REVOIR," he said before he flew away.
"Wait! I forgot to ask what floor."
Regretably he was long gone.
"Hey, I really wanted to thank you for what you did back there."
Frisk turned towards Layax.
"It was nothing honestly."
Layax turned stern.
"I heard horrible things. Everyone heard about you, the human who left the ruins with dust covering their hands. I thought you were a horrible person."
"I am," Frisk supplied.
"Then why did you save me then? A horrible person wouldn't do that."
"You were one of the monsters down here who didn't attack me upon first seeing me."
Layax stood there her mouth agape.
"So don't just stand there and let my efforts go to waste. Get back home and let your brother know your safe. He was really worried about you."
She accompanied Frisk in the elevator. Frisk headed to the elevator and clicked the button to R2.
Around the same time, Papyrus had just made it to Undyne's home in Waterfall.
Up until yesterday the two had been on talking terms. Part of the reason he had decided to stop by her house was to see if something was wrong.
It just didn't seem normal for Undyne to be avoiding him like this.
He knocked on the door.
"UNDYNE, ARE YOU THERE?"
"No, she's been gone for a while."
Papyrus turned and saw Red standing behind him.
"Is there any reason you're here, Pap?"
"I JUST STOPPED BY TO CHECK ON UNDYNE. WHY DID SHE LEAVE SO SUDDENLY?" Papyrus asked. "THIS ISN'T LIKE HER."
Red looked torn rubbing her shoes in the dirt and avoiding his eyes.
"She left to pursue the human."
"HUMAN? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?"
"That person wearing the striped shirt that was living with you and your brother. They're human."
"HUH, THERE'S NO WAY THEY'RE HUMAN. MY BROTHER WOULD HAVE TOLD ME."
"Not if he didn't want to tell you. You see he became attached to the human and couldn't part with the human. Unfortunately the king wants their soul. It's quite the dilhemma."
Papyrus frowned.
"SO THAT'S HOW IT IS. WELL HE MUST HAVE HIS REASONS."
"When you became sentries you swore to serve the king. You know what happens to those who go against the king's orders?" Red asked.
Papyrus shook his head.
"They get tried for treason and treason is punishable by death."
With that Red walked away.
'THEN I MUST HURRY.'
As Frisk walked around it became apparent she was on the wrong floor.
A flame monster wrapped tightly in rope stood by a large circus tent.
"Excuse me, do you know the way out of this joint?" Frisk asked.
"I can light your joint if you know what I mean."
Chara snickered.
Frisk was silent, no amusement was present on her face.
"No."
"Oh come on, we could use you in our gig," The creature said before turning towards the tent.
"Dave?"
Another monster hopped towards them.
"It's about time you showed up. Look who came around the block, a new helper."
"New helper?" Frisk asked. "I didn't agree to that. I'm just trying to find my way out of here."
Frisk backed into Dave.
She turned and saw the other monster stood in front of her.
She was tied up before she could even move.
"Dave, grab him."
"I don't know. He looks kind of heavy."
"Well put some muscle into it."
Dave managed to carry her into the tent.
"What is this?" Frisk asked, looking around.
Besides the crowd of monster crowding the benches, a cannon stood next to a contraption holding some tightrope and there was one of those hoops that was meant to be set on fire so some dangerous animal could hop through.
"Our little circus act. Now be a good sport and help us start the fire."
Frisk stood by the hoop.
"Burn, baby, burn," the crowd chanted.
"Hot, hot, hotter."
Frisk turned up the heat and the hoop lit up.
Dave ran through the hoop.
"Good job now hop in the cannon."
"This can't lead to anything good," Chara said.
"I have a bad feeling."
"You'll be fine. It'll be a standing ovation, a smoking hit."
Frisk hopped to the cannon.
"Now for the cannonball."
The crowd gasped.
Sans looked at the clock from in the MTT resort.
"what is taking the kid so long?'
He took a sip of his drink before he caught sight of Frisk on the tv nearby.
Sans spit his drink and chuckled.
'how does the kid get themselves in these situations?'
If he wasn't gone before he certainly was now.
Sans took out his cellphone from his pocket and called up Honky.
"Hey Sans."
Suddenly there was a loud commotion.
"Is that Sans?"
"Yeah."
"Let me talk to him."
"Call him on your own phone."
"Give me that. Sans," Barby's voice came from the other line. "Did you see them?"
"who? the human? yeah, he's gonna be the cannonball right?"
"Why didn't you stop him?"
"what could i do? it's rude to barge in on their performance."
"Ugh. Unbelievable."
"hey!"
Barby hung up the phone.
"On the count of three, we're lighting the fuse."
Frisk closed her eyes tightly.
"1."
Red stepped into the MTT resort having tracked the human there.
From a distance she saw Sans glancing at the television.
The human was about to be sent flying.
"2."
Papyrus walked past the bridge spotted the royal guards standing outside the elevator.
"EXCUSE ME. HAVE YOU SEEN A HUMAN WALK BY HERE BY CHANCE?"
"Dude, we just took him to the king."
"3."
The fuse was lit.
Monsters seemed to pass by so slowly until finally Frisk went flying.
A wave of euphoria passed Frisk's body as she soared across the air.
It was short lived as she was plummeting down rather quickly.
'Cr-p. Slow down.'
Suddenly a slight warmth filled her chest.
Was this their magic?
Her plummet began to slow and she landed on a soft cushion.
Frisk quickly got up and then the crowd began to cheer.
"Good job."
After the show, a small volcano monster dropped by.
"Are you the dangerous duo, the dynamic double davis?"
"Yeah, that's our name."
Frisk snickered.
"What kind of name is that?"
"Well since his name is Duo and my name's Davis, it seemed like a good fit. We want to be circus performers once we reach the surface," Dave said. "You do think we're pretty good right?"
Frisk snorted.
"Yeah, though the next monster you send flying out of the cannon might need a more softer landing."
"Well good luck, if you take the elevator to R3 you should make it to the resort."
With that, Frisk left.
"Hmph, so you were here."
Frisk looked up as Red flew down from above, landing on her feet in front of her.
"Fight me."
Red ran towards her poised to slash at her with her sword.
Frisk met the blow with the edge of the frying pan.
A swift rustle of wind had her turn and block the other attacks with the edge of the frying pan.
'Man, she's fast.'
Frisk thought before hurling a bone hitting her in the chest.
Red tossed large white sawblades in her direction which she barely dodged.
Frisk hurled a fireball at her causing it to ignite her cloak.
Red coughed.
"An opponent with unimaginable power, that's what Undyne called you. After you killed Doggo, I wanted revenge but she said whatever you're thinking, stay out of it," she said. "I was confident that waving my sword around would ward you off yet here you are standing your ground. Why. can't. I. kill. you?"
"I've had enough of these games. Let's end this right now," Frisk said before chucking a blue spear at Red hitting her in the face.
A long jagged crack appeared in the middle of her mask.
"Right for the face, huh? I was worried you know? Worried you wouldn't want to fight. Worried you only did so to protect yourself. Now I know different."
The mask on Red's face shattered.
Tiny slash indentations were sketched through the plane around them a Red began slashing at them at even faster speeds before cutting through the planes of existence cutting them in three parts.
Frisk could see blackness.
"That's only a taste of my true power. I bet you haven't seen any monster who could cut through reality."
Two pillars rose from the ground with the delta rune embellished on them.
Again two slashes tore across the plane of reality turning it into six fragments.
The middle of the delta runes shimmered blue.
Frisk stood still as the blue beam went right through her.
"For someone like you, it's fitting after you tried to kill me with Undyne's favorite attack."
Frisk jumped towards her hitting her with the frying pan.
Red lasers began to fire from the middle of the delta rune as Red kept slashing at her.
Frisk hit her with a bone.
"I know you killed her.
The middle of the delta rune on Red's right began to fire four orange spinning lasers as red lasers came firing from the other one.
Frisk hit her before Red could swing her sword.
"I-I just want to know why you did it?"
Lare purple lightning orbs flew out of the left delta rune. Frisk easily dodged it firing a spear through her chest.
"I did it because I have to survive."
Red faded to dust.
"HUMAN, IS THAT YOU?"
Frisk turned and saw Papyrus glancing at her with worry.
"You? What are you doing here?" Frisk aked.
"WHY ARE YOUR HANDS COATED WITH DUST?"
She walked towards Papyrus.
He flinched, slowly backing away.
Frisk frowned.
"Papyrus, I'm not gonna hurt ya."
"Hahaha."
'That voice.'
"Papyrus! Look out!" Frisk shouted but it was too late.
A green vine slipped through Papyrus' chest.
Papyrus looked down, his face shocked.
"WHAT HAPPENED? IT'S SO DARK."
"Papyrus, hang in there."
"You idiot, down here it's kill or be killed. The sooner you realise that, it'll be better for you," Flowey said.
Frisk collapsed to her knees, her head downcast.
"Why'd you do that?"
"Everyone down here already thinks you're a murderer. I merely erased their doubts. Wonder how that smiley trashbag would feel after you killed his brother."
"DON'T WORRY, HUMAN. EVEN IF HE HATES YOU, IF YOU'RE TRULY A GOOD PERSON. HE'LL KNOW THE TRUTH."
With that Papyrus faded to dust.
Frisk got up and headed to the elevator.
"Human."
Frisk turned and saw Avian standing there.
"What are you doing here?"
"Don't act stupid. Didn't Barby tell you where I was so you could come by and stalk me?"
'Did she? I can't remember.'
"I don't know. I wasn't really paying attention."
Avian sighed with exasperation.
"Even after all that effort I made to ensure that she told you. Ugh."
Frisk was silent.
Avian glanced up at her.
You look upset."
"It's nothin," Frisk said avoiding her eyes.
"I'll help."
The volcano monster from earlier reappeared.
"Who're you?"
"Am Vulkin. Call me, Corona."
Avian snorted.
"I-Idiot."
She fired a missile at her.
"What are you doing?"
"Man, she's a tsundere," Chara said.
"Not funny."
"Healing magmas."
Fireballs began to hop out of the lava heading towards Frisk.
"Cr-p."
She ran closer to Avian.
"Eh, human?"
Frisk's cheeks puffed up, her hands on her hips.
"What the h-ll do you think you're trying to do?" Frisk asked the vulkin.
Corona frowned.
"Sorry."
"That's right just because your cute doesn't give you the right to get chummy with him," Avian snapped.
Corona pouted.
"Now I kinda feel bad. Can't you apologise?" Avian asked.
"Why? You're the one that made them feel bad. I only scolded them because they could have seriously hurt me."
Corona blushed and looked away.
"Sorry."
"Well thanks I guess," Frisk said. "I'm kinda sorry too."
Corona chuckled sheepishly.
"So why were you with Avian anyway?" Frisk asked.
"We're good friends," Avian supplied. "I often come by to talk about our interests. Corona is a massive trekkian. She really loves Star Trek."
"Icky, nerds," Chara said making vomiting noises.
"Which one?"
"Am I haunting a nerd?!"
"The original," Corona said.
Frisk frowned.
"Lame."
"Oh? Which one do you like then since you think the old one is so inferior?" Avian asked.
"Easy, Next Generation. It's updated and I can follow the plots. I also like Voyager too. I really love the captain. She was a great leader."
"Hoho, don't think that just because we share common interests in the same shows that I gonna go soft on you."
"I would expect nothing less."
"Gag me," Chara said.
"Well I ought to be heading out before my old man worries about me, " Corona said. "See you later, lovebirds."
"We're not LOVEBIRDS!" Avian snapped.
Frisk smirked.
"You know you have an impressive wingspan."
"Uh thank you."
Frisk chuckled.
"What's so funny?"
"You're blushing. Do you like me or something?"
Avian snorted.
"No way, why would I like you?'
"So why did you go all the way to Hotland just to see the circus? You know it was chance I even came by here and in any other instance that you might have been expected me you would have been solely disappointed."
"I was feeling uneasy. Your face only confirmed that I had every reason to worry. I saw that flower kill that skeleton. Something he said upset you."
"Did you know about the dust on my hands? The dust I made before I met you."
Avian frowned.
"Yes, I did. Everyone knows."
"So you know how vile I am."
"Why did you kill those monsters?"
"I wanted to. They were in the way."
"Then why didn't you kill me?" Avian asked. "Every opportunity I have to use magic are times that I could have killed you."
Frisk sighed.
"I knew you wouldn't though. You wouldn't kill me on purpose because you're my friend."
"Isn't that answer enough. You killed those monsters because they were bullying you and their attacks would have killed you if you didn't retaliate. How could that be a bad person?"
Frisk snorted.
"I just wish that they wouldn't attack me at all. For a race that lives for peace you'd think they wouldn't attack if they valued their lives."
"I've been meaning to ask you but if you didn't come to the circus to see me, why were you in Hotland?"
Frisk told her the whole story.
"So you're working for Mettaton huh? Where are you gonna sleep? It's a long way back to Waterfall and you don't want to run into those guards again."
She shrugged.
"I don't know. I was thinking maybe staying at the resort."
Avian chuckled.
"With no money? Fat chance."
Frisk who up to this point had her hands at her sides lifted them up to reveal a wallet.
"Hey! That's mine. How did you get that?"
"How did you get that?" Chara inquired curiously.
"Stole it. Think I ought to use the money to book a couple of weeks there?"
"Give it back, you thief."
Frisk chuckled.
"You're too fun to tease."
She glanced at Avian for a moment.
"Where do you want me to put it? Someone might steal it if I set it on your wings?"
"Baka."
Avian opened the side door of her body where Frisk tossed the wallet inside.
"Sorry."
"Maybe I could spare you some money though."
Frisk's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
"Don't spend it too quickly. Gotta make it last," Avian said before she took off. "Well I'll be heading back to Snowdin. See you around, human."
As she headed into the resort accompanied by Chara, Frisk caught Mettaton talking with Tootie. She glanced towards the stage hoping to spot Sans but he was nowhere to be seen.
Mettaton's attention turned to her.
"HEY GORGEOUS, GLAD YOU MADE IT."
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Tootie asked. "You mean you hired another employee?"
"OF COURSE, TOOTIE. YOU KNOW WE COULD USE ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET."
Tootie groaned.
"SO SHOW OUR NEW EMPLOYEE THE ROPES. YOUR COSTUME IS IN THE BACK ROOM, GORGEOUS."
With that Mettaton rolled away.
Frisk felt Tootie glaring at her.
"I don't like you," she said. "You try anything with my boss, I'll end you. Are we clear?"
"Crystal."
Tootie walked her to the back room and showed Frisk to her locker.
"I'd suggest making accomodations elsewhere unless you have the money. Our hotel does have a rather high nightly rate."
"How much?"
"80g."
Frisk snorted.
Tootie left her in privacy.
She opened her locker and took out the maid outfit on the hanger and changed into it.
Glancing at the mirror, anyone looking at her couldn't possibly mistake her for a guy now. She looked dare she say, 'cute'.
Mettaton caught her as she stepped outside.
'HERE GORGEOUS. TODAY IS CAT DAY SO EVERYONE IS SUPPOSED TO WEAR CAT MASKS."
Frisk put it on over her face and headed out.
"So where do I stand?"
"OUTSIDE THE RESTAURANT TO GREET THE CUSTOMERS."
Frisk headed there.
After a while standing there, she felt eyes on her.
Frisk turned and saw a tall orange cat ogle her from his stand.
Blood gushed from his nose.
"Is something wrong? You're staring at me," Frisk said.
The cat monster blushed.
"Me? I wasn't staring. It's just your imagination. I'd get in trouble if I got chummy with my co-workers."
"Really? 'Cause you just got finished talkin' to me."
The cat cringed, glancing around restlessly.
"Oh no, I'm gonna be in trouble."
Frisk chuckled.
"Don't worry. It'll be fine. Besides I'll be in trouble too since I just started working here."
The cat blushed.
"You work here?"
Frisk nodded.
"You weren't coerced or blackmailed into it were you?"
Frisk shrugged.
"Well kinda but at least I have good company."
The front doors of the resort opened and much to Frisk's surprise, Sans came inside.
A monster shaped like an origami star greeted him at the door.
"say trini, who's that outside B's joint?" he asked softly.
"Don't know. Mettaton just hired her today."
"i'm surprised. guess he's dished out better ideas for his business gimmicks."
His eyesockets were pinned on her causing her face to heat up.
"I think Sans might be checking you out," Chara said.
He headed left to the resort.
'What was that? He looked like he wanted to eat me.'
Her skin was covered in goose bumps.
Towards the end of work, Frisk spotted Sans headed their way.
"oh? you're still here?" he asked. "it's a little late to be working out here, don't ya think? some monsters might get the wrong idea."
"What do you mean?"
"a grown monster in a costume like that gives a guy ideas."
"Grown?"
"well you're not a kid. if you were, you would wear a striped shirt. it might get other monsters off your back."
'Is that why he calls me, kid? He actually assumed I was a child?'
"And now he's assuming you are an adult so just set the record straight. You are of a legal consenting age right?"
'I'm 18.'
"If you're gonna bone the skeleton though I got some rules. Take under five minutes and don't forget to use protection."
Frisk glared at him.
'He is a skeleton, Chara. There is nothing down there."
"He might have an ecto wiener you don't know."
'Ecto weiner? You have an ecto weiner up your butt for even contemplating that. What kind of person gets off imagining a skeleton with a weiner anyway?'
"Well you got to protect yourself from his bone-r."
'That's it. I'm cutting you off. I hear enough puns from Sans and you weren't doing yourself any favors by turning them dirty."
Chara chuckled.
"Fair enough."
Before Frisk could utter a word, Mettaton rolled inside patting Frisk on the shoulder.
"GOOD WORK AND IT'S ONLY YOUR FIRST DAY."
Tootie glared icy daggers at Frisk.
"THIS DAY CALLS FOR A CELEBRATION."
Sans coughed.
"OH DID YOU WANT SOMETHING?" Mettaton asked.
Sans blushed.
"i was just gonna take her home."
"Now he thinks you're a girl just becaue you changed your clothing?"
'I don't think he's figured out who I am. Probably thinks I'm one of those humanoid monsters.'
"That's explains why he was hitting on you."
Mettaton put his hands on his hip.
"MMHMM."
He didn't appear to be buying his words though Sans didn't to put much effort in hiding his true intentions either.
"you got the wrong idea."
Chara chuckled.
"What gave you the first clue?" he inquired sarcastically.
"HOW'S ABOUT WE DITCH MR BONEZONE, GORGEOUS?"
Frisk was about to agree but was struck with curiosity. What was the relationship between Sans and Mettaton anyway?
The two didn't seem to get along at all.
"No, he can come along if he wants."
"I don't know whether I should be happy that you're providing me with ample opportunities to embarrass you or if I should be concerned that you want to spend some time with the perverted skeleton," Chara said.
Sans' eyes turned to large blue stars and the huge smile with it was very creepy.
"WHAT A CREEPY FACE. ARE YOU SURE YOU DON'T WANT TO DITCH HIM?"
Chara glanced at Sans in curiosity before quickly flying next to Frisk.
"I have to agree, that is a very creepy. Please hold me."
Sans looked away and chuckled.
"sorry."
The four headed back to the fancy restaurant and took a seat.
Much to Frisk's horror, they sat down in a small booth with Sans scrunched up next to her.
Mettaton and Tootie sat across from them looking surprisingly comfortable.
The large green fish in charge of the reservations handed all four of them, menus.
Frisk's eyes were focused on the menu notably avoiding Sans' lewd gaze.
Unfortunately it provided little comfort once she caught sight of the price of the food. Earlier when she had been with Sans she hadn't really looked at the prices as she had been eager to find the most expensive food on the menu however everything on the list was between 200-500 g range.
Surely she wasn't expected to pay for her own food, was she?
Sans' hand rested on her knee. Her breath caught in her throat and her heart beat thumped wildly.
She put the menu down, her face flush.
"WHAT'S THE MATTER, DARLING?" Mettaton asked.
"Is this all there is to order?"
Sans squeezed her knee causing Frisk to yelp.
"I mean-"
"What's the matter?" Chara asked.
Frisk's thoughts were surprisingly silent.
"ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT THE PRICE?" Mettaton asked. "JUST RELAX, DARLING. ORDER WHATEVER YOU LIKE I'M SURE SANS WOULDN'T MIND PAYIN FOR YOUR ORDER."
Sans glanced at her noticing her fingers running over the green salad.
Frisk reached down and tried to slap his hand away.
Chara hid a smile behind his hand.
"I see the skeleton is being a little grabby."
'A little doesn't cut it.'
Just then the green fish returned.
"Mettaton sir, are you ready to order?"
"OF COURSE, MOBY."
Mettaton stated his order.
Tootie ordered a fruit smoothie.
Frisk was about to state what she wanted when Sans cut her off.
"she wants the salad and i'll have the hotdog."
Frisk blushed.
She had been glancing at it but hadn't wanted to run him dry even if he did deserve it.
Sans tried to move his hand towards her knee before she smacked it way again.
"So how do you two know each other?" Frisk asked glancing at Mettaton then at Sans.
"he-"
Mettaton cut him off.
"HE ASKED TO WORK FOR ME AFTER HIS FAMILY WAS RUNNING LOW ON MONEY. I OFFERED CHARITY LIKE A GOOD SAMARITAN."
Frisk didn't buy into that for a second.
Sans snorted.
"oh really, you weren't the one who had to pay an energy bill of 1000 g."
"STILL SOUR ABOUT THAT, HUH?"
"your henchmen nearly shattered my skull."
"So why did you decide to work for Mettaton?" Frisk asked Tootie.
She looked surprised.
"You're talking to me?'
Frisk nodded.
Tootie glanced at Mettaton.
"We used to be old friends. He used to work for me until he bought out the capital corporation.
"Really?"
"Yeah, I used to work as a journalist."
"Interesting."
"At least in theory. You don't hear much about the exciting things down here. I've always loved exploring things. I mean wouldn't it be kind of exciting to write about someone who always ran into trouble and had to fight monsters hiding some government conspiracy?"
Frisk looked surprised.
"That's oddly specific."
"Well I've had suspicions and began to look for information about it but someone didn't want me finding out. Luckily my family is descended from a master of the finger arts. It's a line of self defence that has been tossed down from my family."
"Really?"
"Yeah, my family has a history. My grandfather used to work as an assassin for the first king. No one opposed the king while he was serving him."
Moby came back with their orders.
"THAT'S QUITE AN IMPRESSIVE STORY DARLING," Mettaton said. "BETTER DRINK THAT. WE CAN'T LET YOUR DRINK GO TO WASTE."
"You don't need to tell me that," Tootie snapped.
Sans reached for Frisk again but just as she was gonna smack him away he grabbed her hand.
Frisk turned to glance at San, her face red.
He seemed very occupied with his hotdog however.
Chara snickered.
'Don't laugh.'
Frisk turned to her food and began to eat when Sans' phone began to ring.
He released Frisk's hand.
"excuse me. i got to receive a call," he said before heading outside.
Twenty minutes passed before Sans returned. He looked ruffled and out of breath.
"What is it?" Frisk asked.
"i've gotta head out. my friend's daughter hasn't come back and I gotta look for her."
He glanced at Frisk one last time.
"see ya."
"WELL THAT WAS BRIEF AND HE DIDN'T EVEN FOOT THE BILL," Mettaton said. "THOUGH I MUST SAY I'M SURPRISED THAT HE'S INTO YOU. I THOUGHT HE WENT FOR THE FEMALES."
Frisk choked on her salad.
"Well, he's been wearing that costume this entire time. It kinda makes him look like a girl," Tootie said.
"THAT IS TRUE," Mettaton said.
After dinner, Frisk changed before she went to talk with Tootie handing her 160 g.
"I'm staying here for two nights."
Tootie handed her the keys to room.
"Your room is the first room on the left side."
Frisk headed to the rooms on the right side of the resort and opened the door to her room.
Inside was a large bed with purple covers. A poster of Mettaton was on the back wall. There was perfume on the bedside table next to the bed labeled, "Eau de rectangle'.
It smelled like lavender much like the room as if someone had sprayed it there.
She slept for quite some time.
"FRISK, I'M SCARED. PLEASE DON'T FORGET ABOUT ME," Papyrus said with a plea.
Frisk was paralysed, unable to move.
"No, Papyrus!"
The darkness swallowed him and there was nothing she could do.
She woke up, panting heavily.
Quietly she got out of bed planning to take a walk outside.
Outside was a dripping green monster mopping the floors.
Green gobs littered the floor as he tried to mop.
"She's right, y'know. There is a conspiracy," he uttered. "It's probably too late for you to do anything about it though even if you could."
Frisk was about to address the monster but immediately noticed he was mopping the floors clear on the other end of the hall.
'Must have been my imagination.'
She headed back to bed.
The next morning, Frisk got up early before she had to work.
She discovered an alleyway to the right of the resort.
She spotted B talking with a cat monster and an alligator monster.
"Hey cutie," the alligator said.
"Whatcha doing here, hotstuff," the cat monster said.
"You think I'm hot?"
The cat monster and alligator monster looked at each other as though they were passing a secret message.
"Yeah."
"What's a couple of girls doing lurking beside this resort?"
"Oh? Do you work here or something?" the alligator asked.
"Yeah, as a matter of a fact I do. Mettaton doesn't allow any solicitors outside his establishment."
"Wait, you mean you work for the Mettaton?" the cat monster squealed.
A flush appeared on B's face.
"Y-yes. I mean yes, I do."
"Isn't he awesome?"
"I mean he's awesome but he's not as cool as me."
The cat monster and alligator monster looked at each other and giggled.
"Oh, then can you do me a favor?" the cat monster asked.
"What is it?"
"Sneak us some glamburgers."
"Wait, what?"
"If you're as cool as you claim it shouldn't be hard for someone like you," the alligator monster added.
B glared at her.
"Fine."
Once he scrambled back into the establishment, the alligator monster giggled.
"Hey Catty, I think he might have a crush on you."
"Don't say such things, Bratty. I only asked him to get me some glamburgers."
"But he did it in an instant."
"He could have just as easily told Mettaton about us and everything."
Bratty rolled her eyes.
"Denial."
Frisk was about to walk towards them when B came tumbling back with his pants stuffed with what she assumed was glamburgers.
"What an idiot," Chara chimed.
'This guy is hopeless. I think he is an idiot, a hopelessly infatuated idiot.'
"I got the glamburgers like you asked."
Bratty and Catty looked at him in shock.
"DARLINGS, WHAT ARE YOU DOING BACK HERE?"
Frisk and Chara whirled around, having heard his voice close by.
"Sh-t," he stammered.
Frisk glanced at Mettaton briefly before turning back to B to see what he'd do.
Some of the glamburgers from his pockets tumbled to the ground.
B immediately dropped to the ground to pick them up but in doing so his pants plopped to the ground revealing red-polka dotted, white boxers.
Suddenly there was loud laughter coming in the direction of the girls.
Before anyone could say anything B ran off.
"SO ANY REASON YOU ARE BACK HERE WHEN YOU SHOULD BE GETTING READY FOR WORK?"
"Don't worry about that. I haven't forgot," Frisk supplied. "Just getting in my time before I actually have to work because I do like working early."
'Please get the hint.'
"I SEE BUT I EXPECT YOU TO SHOW UP ON TIME LIKE THE REST OF THEM, GORGEOUS. DON'T THINK I'M GIVING YOU ANY SPECIAL PRIVILEGES BECAUSE YOU'RE A NEWCOMER."
With that Mettaton rolled away.
"That's not creepy at all."
A green alligator monster and purple cat stood behind a counter.
"Check it out," they both uttered. "A new customer. You should buy all our stuff."
Frisk caught sight of some cookies, candy and bags of chips on the counter.
Alongside that was a pink key, a cowboy hat and a gun.
"Do you two live here?"
"Yeah, I'm Bratty and this is my best friend, Catty," said the alligator.
"And I'm Catty and this is my best friend, Bratty," the cat said before she chortled with laughter with Bratty joining in snickering.
"So are these things for sale."
"Of," Bratty said.
"Course," Catty joined.
"Where did you even find these?" Frisk said holding up a chocolate bar.
"I've never seen anyone with this kind of stuff."
"I mean like where does anyone get guns or food or-"
"We found it in the garbage."
"Really? Where did you get it?" Frisk asked, eye narrowed suspiciously.
"Like the garbage store, duh. Waterfall, mostly."
"I found a gun in the dumpster."
"Did you find that hat there too?"
"Yeah."
"It's like strange huh?"
"How much?"
"350 g for the hat."
"350 g for the gun."
"Don't you think that's a little pricy for something you found in the garbage?" Frisk asked.
"We need the money to get by," Bratty supplied.
"Soliciting outside this establishment I wonder what Mettaton might say if he caught you cheating him out of his customers?"
"Ah come on, you wouldn't do that to a couple of hot girls would you?" Catty asked.
Chara glanced at the puppy dog looks on their faces.
"Well they do look kinda cute."
"I might be convinced if you lower your prices a tad. I'm running a little low on money," Frisk said. "I have a little brother at home who had always wanted to a cowboy set for his birthday."
"You have a little brother?" Bratty asked.
"I bet he's as cute as you," Catty supplied.
Frisk felt her face heat up.
"80 g for the gun and for the hat."
"Sold."
Frisk handed them gold and took her goods putting the hat over her head.
Bratty looked at her with narrowed eyes.
"I'm just holding on to it until I could deliver to him after work," Frisk said.
"Uh huh."
"Well thanks a bunch. He'll really appreciate the gift."
"Like see you later," Bratty said.
"Like later and stuff," Catty said.
"What a liar. Cheating them out of a profit," Chara said.
'Not too long ago, you tried to do the same thing to Papyrus so you really have no room to judge.'
Frisk headed back inside opening her phone app. Within seconds the two items were in her phone's inventory.
"Why did you feel it was so important to get those items then?"
'Just in case it belongs to another fallen human.'
Chara huffed in disgust.
"You care an awful lot about strangers that have nothing to do with you."
'Well you don't seem to care about humans no matter what kind of person they are. What does that say about someone like you?'
Chara was silent.
'Besides it doesn't matter what kind of person possesses those things. All that matters to me is how to break that barrier that traps monsters down here. If I get any information on that then does anything else really matter?"
Frisk put her phone back in her pocket before getting changed.
She went out just spotting Tootie at her desk arranged her hat over her three bent fingers.
"Whatcha doing?" Frisk asked suspiciously.
"None of your business," she said.
"Hey," Frisk addressed the orange cat at the restaurant behind her. "What time does Mettaton come by in the morning?"
"er."
He was visibly sweating.
"Right now as a matter of fact."
Frisk smiled smugly.
"Looks like someone is dressing up for the boss."
"Shut up," Tootie snapped.
Mettaton rolled in.
"SO, GORGEROUS, THERE'S BEEN A NEW CHANGE TO THE MENU FOR BOLSTERING OUR PROFITS," he said, handing the orange cat a menu.
He glanced at it.
"Smile?"
"YES DARLING, WHY DON'T YOU SHOW HIM HOW IT'S DONE."
Frisk smiled.
"If someone orders a smile well it's pretty self-explanatory. Now try it."
B's lips twitched but it seemed they were pinned in a creepy grimace.
"IT'LL HAVE TO DO. DARLING, YOU'LL HAVE TO TEACH HIM HOW TO SMILE BETTER."
With that Mettaton rolled away.
"I hate him. I truly do," B said.
"You don't have room to talk, Burgerpants."
"Wait, how did you know about that?" B asked.
"Mettaton told me all about it," Tootie said smugly. "All about how you humiliated yourself in front of those girls."
B screamed.
"Shh...quiet. Not so loud."
"Pfft. So Burgerpants huh?" Frisk asked.
"It's not funny."
"It kinda is."
"Ugh," B grumbled.
"Why do people find him so attractive. He's literally just a freakin' rectangle. I'm getting on in years so let me give you some advice. You've still got time. Don't live like me. I'm nineteen years old and I've already wasted my entire life. While I was living in Hotland, it was my dream to work for Mettaton. When you've worked here for a while you begin to reflect on your choices. This place is a labyrinth of bad choices. Every time we try to change something for the better he vetoes it."
"Look don't complain. At least you have a job," Tootie said.
"But don't you think it's strange. You're human right? Tell me do they make hamburgers with sequins and glue?"
Frisk shook her head.
"See? I thought so. No one ever listens to me."
"Look you won't be here forever, you just have to aim big," Frisk said.
"Nothin' down here EVER changes. Y'know what I've always wanted to be? AN ACTOR. An actor I tell you. Seems impossible now. Tootie, when you win his heart please think of me," B pleaded.
"Hey not so loud," Tootie snapped. "If any of you utters a word about this to Mettaton you'll pay."
Around the evening, Sans appeared.
"Hey," she said, waving to Sans.
He turned.
His smile looked forced.
"So did you ever find your friend's daughter?"
"no, never did," he said. "my friend's gone too. i think he closed his pub down fo good. his son was crying too. he's in bed now. my brother's went missing too."
Frisk paled.
"It'll be alright though. It has to be."
After she got off work, she headed to her room straight to bed.