With the encounter resolved safely enough, the pair had been left to proceed and ponder over the situation.

Although Chara kept her natural smile, and was doing her best to seem visibly alright, Flowey didn't buy it. Her every action felt off, and something was wrong she refused to talk about. Beyond the few things he knew.

In a way, she seemed more like a copy of Chara, rather than Chara herself. She didn't have the same glint in her eye, the same determination to persist against the world. The refusal to show weakness, alongside a morbid sense of humor and articulation.

It was more like she was merely persevering, sticking things out, despite it going wrong. He had anticipated her to reset, to start over, but she wasn't. It was like the concept hadn't entered her mind. Her thoughts seeming to be scattered.

Her stubborn refusal to end her task, to achieve the goal of reuniting with Toriel was all that seemed to drive her. And yet, she was resistant to the idea of waiting, fearful of something. Like the idea of not being around her was somehow terrifying.

That strange perseverance was similar his mind to his own determination. But it felt different to him. He recalled that in the past, her opinion about 'living' how nonchalant she was with it sometimes. And yet here, now, she stubbornly clung to it, even while trying to deny it mattered. She got afraid to lose it.

They could just come back if something happened. Admittedly, he didn't like the idea of dying, but it wasn't 'that' big of a deal was it? Perhaps it had to do with how her soul was functioning now?

He thought about how she described it. The peculiar sort of 'auto-saving' that happened. A form she couldn't control as freely, or hadn't tried to. Was it doing that?

Forcing her to |Proceed|

Even if, for some reason her power stopped working correctly, he had saved. And, as she seemed to be what was blocking his abilities, if something did happen to her, he could just load a save and bring her back.

Flowey turned to a second observation. Pain. She seemed to feel pain far more than he did. Far more than she used to, when she'd laugh off an injury, or a mistake.

Sure, injuries and dying weren't pleasant, but the way she'd let out those sounds of pain, or wince when injured...the way she shook when she got hurt. He didn't do that. She didn't do that before.

His mind briefly filled with a sound, like tearing leather. A nervous laugh, and his own. The splashing of blood. She hardly winced back then. Had she just been hiding it? That thought inspired a feeling of disgust in himself, regardless of whether or not that was the case.

Flowey had initially when viewing her, wanted her to remember him. Wanted to play, and experience, and see how she handled everything. What she'd do. What they could do together. She was his best friend, he could never predict her.

But now. He looked her over. All he wanted her to do now, was go home. To stay away from all this. He hated the feeling of her heart pounding. Hated the way she shook when she was injured.

This really wasn't a safe world, even for her. Even with her power, and his. He felt...determined to keep her safe from it.

He wondered who would remember her, who was left that could. Beyond Toriel, himself, and Asgore, he couldn't think of anyone in the immediate area that might be able to persuade her to go home. His thoughts turned to Asgore.

He did not want her to meet Asgore, as he was now. He had done nothing to inspire confidence that it would end well. The Flower briefly determining that if the king tried anything, he would kill him without hesitation.

Reflecting on their adventure thus far, he almost felt like they were getting toyed with. Like someone was playing a game, by bringing her back. Someone had to have brought her back, right?

He wondered if maybe, she had heard him calling out to her. He doubted that, considering how awful he'd been. Knowing that she'd remember that eventually, and hate him the way she should have all along.

"Flowey...what are you thinking about?" Chara asked, while they walked along.

"Huh?" He hummed.

"You've been looking around, bobbing your head, muttering to yourself." She explained. "Are you alright?"

"Ah, right...well, you asked how I uh, knew Sans and Papyrus." He said, thinking. "I was just thinking about that. Don't see them around, and...with that last display of yours, I don't know that we will for a little while, at least."

For Charas part, she found this thought reassuring, in some capacity. She was honestly uncertain if she'd be able to scare of the skeletons as a pair. Briefly noting that she didn't want to scare them both, if she was honest.

She also noted, internally, that when she thought the word 'scare' it wasn't what she meant. And she knew it. That impulse, however, she tried to suppress.

Her larger concern, was that it didn't really add up, given what she knew about what he could do. Why had someone who could have butchered her, simply run away? Why had he looked so anxious this time?

She then asked herself if she should try again, to kill him. Chastising herself for this, she reminded herself that she had only that out of defense before. Mostly. She didn't want to be...'that.'

But, could she afford to take any chances, with someone that dangerous hunting Toriel? She brushed at her hair, and anxiously glanced around. She didn't know what to do about this. Was this not...in defense then?

It didn't feel like it was. And he didn't 'seem' so bad when he calmed down. She wondered if he really knew her mother, or if he was lying? Could she afford to take that chance?

Chara tried to evade this line of thinking, but it was like a static in her mind. The earlier whispers looping, haunting these thoughts. If she did, he couldn't hurt anyone else. If she did, at least the threat would be over, wouldn't it?

But what if the person on the phone had lied to her? What it Sans hadn't done anything wrong? What if he meant it when he said he wanted to help?

"I..don't know." Chara muttered anxiously, furiously tussling her hair. "I don't know. I don't know."

She just wanted to go home. She wanted to find Toriel, and stay with her. Then, they'd go find Asriel, and Asgore. And they'd be happy again. That's what she wanted. It was all she wanted.

When they weren't there, a strange fear entered her mind. The way her mother was acting, it was clear that something bad had happened. Chara remembered that she'd died, that she'd eaten the flowers. But she couldn't remember why?

Did they fight because of that? Was that what happened? Did they blame each other?

There was something, clawing at the back of her mind. What was she forgetting? Why had she eaten them? It was...for a plan, wasn't it?

The glimpses of it flickered to her. She did have a plan. Her movements stopping completely. It was her, and Asriels plan. It was to free the monsters from the underground.

She looked around, and processed the world around her. They were still here. They hadn't escaped. Had he gotten cold feet? No. He wouldn't.

"Why?" She pondered aloud.

Why weren't they free?

Her hand grasped at an empty space around her neck. As if she was grabbing a necklace. Surely...he must have backed out. That made sense didn't it?

A grim cold flushed into her veins. Afterall, if he hadn't, then he'd have broken the barrier, right? Then nobody would be here right?

She just wanted to see him again. Call him a nerd, and make sure he was alright. And maybe call him a nerd a second time, for good measure. To show she cared. And how frustrated she was with him being such a nerd.

Flowey spoke. "Chara?"

"Huh?" She glanced. "Oh, shoot, sorry. I zoned out there for a sec."

Flowey noticed the tears slipping from her eyes. The way she quivered some. He wasn't sure what she'd been thinking about, but he noticed her grasping at a space where nothing was. Her hand falling back to her side, as whatever the thought was, had ended.

"Just...ya know, the skeletons?" He reminded her.

"Right, right..." She glanced back at him. "I'm so sorry, Flowey. I didn't mean to ignore you. I promise."

"It's okay. Honestly." Flowey let out a sigh. "Well uh...I ran into them, when they were a little bit younger than they are now." He noted. "I mean, I met Sans first in a...place he was working at, and met Papyrus after I 'left' that place." He pondered. "We were friends, I think. Or, at least, I tried to be friends with them."

"Really?" She laughed a little laugh of disbelief. "They're like grown-ups though...wait...Flowey-" She tilted her head. "How old are you?"

"Uh, let's see...how long have I existed in total?" Flowey considered the time. "Well, before and...after. I dunno, oh..wow." He seemed to realize something. "I think, I'm actually older than you now. Heh. I'm almost fifteen."

"Older than me..." She paused. "Wait...wait. Wait." He raised a brow. "You're a teenager?" She snickered. "Makes sense you're so grumpy."

"H-hey, most teenagers don't have to deal with you, ya know?" He commented.

"Are you gonna start writing emo poetry?" She teased, while starting to walk again.

Flowey rolled his eyes. "I don't do that anymore." He blinked, hearing her laugh. "I-I meant, I haven't done that. E-ever. Idiot."

"Did you dye, a little inside?" Chara joked.

"Oh my god." He grumbled.

"When you wrote, was it in goth-ic font?" She smirked.

"Chara. I will hit you with a snowball." He replied, making her laugh harder. "H-hey...don't laugh. It's a serious threat idiot."

The pair was approaching something, which looked like a sentry station of some type. There was a monster standing in front of it. They were knocking on the closed window, angrily.

Chara noted the odd icy fedora the monster was wearing as a hat. Her laughter calming, reminding herself to be focused. After all, so far, people had been 'different' than she remembered.

"Oh uh, before we continue...what is this thing?" Chara inquired, recalling the sentry station earlier looking a bit different.

The strange monster turned to see them. "H-hey, I was in line firs-" He squinted. "Are you a girl?"

For some reason, Chara also felt the monster in front of them was a teenager. Though she was surprised to see they hadn't been thrust into a fight. She imagined he must be friendly then. A welcome change.

She glanced at Flowey. "He's a Flower, actually."

Flowey stared in disappointment, while she snickered. "Id...iot."

"Teenager." She replied, sticking her tongue out at him, before turning to the odd little monster. "As for me, I'm just me. They, she. I'm okay with either honestly. Why?"

The monster promptly tipped the edge of his fedora. Giving a rather smug looking smirk, as he did so. She raised a brow at this, noting his half-bow as being a bit unnecessary. She wondered if he knew she was the daughter of the King and Queen, perhaps?

Flowey meanwhile watched this display. His expression growing a bit hostile. growling a muffled growl. She heard it, wondering why he was upset.

"My lady~" The strange, hatted monster took a few steps to the side. "I will permit you to seek your inquiry first."

"Permit? She asked, before adding. "Wait...inquiry?"

"I see you're not familiar with the concept. Heh. Of course. This is one of the two sentry stations in the area." The odd monster commented, with a strange tone to his voice. "I know it's hard for your type to understand, but one is meant for security, and the other for inquiries."

Flowey's face got scary looking. "Talk to her like that again, and I'll shove that hat down your thr-"

"H-hey, Flowey." Chara huffed, whispering. "Why are you trying to pick a fight?"

"Because-" He took note of her confused expression. "Let's just tell this guy to shove off and move on." He requested. "I don't-"

"But, if it's a station for questions. Maybe we can ask if Toriel came by here?" Chara suggested, adding. "Plus, I uh...don't know how to get to Snowdinn either, so that may be useful. Maybe they have a map?"

"I know the way, just-" Flowey began.

The monster butted in. "Oh-ho, headed to Snowdinn. It's a rural jewel, if you ask me. Away from the city, and all the politics." He motioned to himself. "I do know the way, if you could use a helping hand. I know directions are hard for a girl but-" Flowey snarled like some sort of demon. "wow, can you keep that thing on a leash?"

Chara blinked at this statement, some dark forming around her eyes. "Excuse you?" She stepped closer. "Don't you dare talk about Flowey like he's not a person, you...you ass-face!"

"Assface?" The monster chuckled, clearly unimpressed. "Wow that was pitiful."

"I-I'm not...always the best with swears but..." She searched her mind, conjuring forth the only thing she could think of. "Fuck you!" She flipped him off. "I know how to say that one."

In that moment, Flowey couldn't help but feel prouder of her, snickering. "And this is why we're best friends." He then asked. "Thought we weren't picking a fight?"

The monster, however, didn't appear to be very pleased with how things were going. Puffing his chest, while stepping nearer. Running his fingers along the edge of his hat.

"Someone-" He began. "aughta teach you both some manners."

The world flashed black and red. Ice Cap wanted to Fight. The two glaring at the monster, for such a stupid...stupid decision.

|Chara - 22/24 HP| - |Flowey - 18/20 HP|

|Fight| |Actions| |Item| |Mercy|

"No killing." Chara reminded him, and herself. Her soul shining before her.

"Just a little...roughing up." Flowey added maliciously. "He'll be 'fine.'"

Chara decided to Fight.

Flowey decided to Fight.

Flowey created a ring of bullets, while Chara rushed in. Sliding below the forming ring of bullets, she leapt and punched at the monster. He seemed genuinely surprised, when her first hit landed. Her eyes shining, as a couple other heavy punches followed in a blur. Her mind recalling a show she watched, as the flurry of strikes came to an end.

The monster staggered back, the bullets moving to close in, while she weaved out underneath them. The monster let out a sound of alarm, and dove over the barrage. Landing hat first, before rolling back to his feet. The hat shining some.

"A gentleman, always comes prepared to deal with brutes." Ice cap remarked, smugly.

Below them the snow began to shift. Chara moved to the side, avoiding what appeared to be a copy of his hat. A set of spikes lunging out where she had been. Flying up into the air. The area she was on obtained the same glow. Dashing forward, she avoided the collapsing spikes. Sliding past another set of them, getting in nearer.

Chara continued to fight.

Flowey continued to fight.

The Flower cackled menacingly, while readying a series of bullets, which trailed behind them, as they moved. Beginning to fire at the monster one after another. The monster able to dodge the first few, laughing back. Before Chara got in close, and struck him a couple more times. Causing the monster to let out a cry of pain. Getting hit by one of the bullets.

"Y-you, disrespect me, and my hat, milady." Ice cap remarked.

The same set of attacks as before began again. Flowey pushed his vines against the ground, vaulting them back from being hit by a couple. Chara weaving to the side to avoid the next, one of the spikes falling, slamming against her.

The sharp ice punctured, as they both took damage. She pressed a hand to her mouth, muffling a cry of pain. Their foe seeming like he was cracking already. - Flowey seemed angrier.

"I hate that hat." Flowey growled.

"Then let's take it." Chara suggested, leaving little blood drops on the snow and ice.

|Chara - 20/24 HP| - |Flowey - 16/20 HP|

|Fight| |Actions| |Item| |Mercy|

|ACTIONS| - |ACT|

|Check| - |Steal| - |Berate| - |Praise|

Chara decided to Steal.

Flowey decided to use F-action.

Their enemy barely had a chance for reprieve, before she darted in. Ice Cap too wounded to stop her from grabbing the icy hat. Yanking it off, with a proper dive. Landing clumsily, nearly falling on her butt, if it weren't for Flowey catching them.

"N-nooooo!" Ice Cap yelled, as light shined from the monster. His form shifting, changing. Becoming...an Ice Cube.

"So, what's the verdict no-life?" Flowey asked, grinning a little. "Gonna chill out now?" - Ice Cube felt humiliated.

Ice Cube didn't attack.

This momentary pause provided Chara a chance to stop moving. Slowing down a little, while contemplating the situation. She felt angry, and annoyed, and some part of her wanted to |Fight| but she resisted that for now.

Chara used Berate.

Flowey used F-Action.

"Were you just talking down to people because of this stupid hat?" Chara asked, holding it up. "What, did you think acting like that wasn't going to upset people?" She huffed. "And then you attack us, because YOU were being a jerk?"

"Lurking in forums doesn't make you a gentleman. Nor does talking down to women, you pathetic little creep." Flowey growled angrily.

"I-I know." Ice Cube listened and replied. "I...I'm not very secure about myself. A-and...it made me feel better, to at least, act...superior." The cube whimpered some. "I...wanted people to see me as cool." He pleaded. "P-please don't kill me!"

Flowey didn't seem to care all that much, but the humans posture shifted some. Her expression fading from righteous anger to an annoyed pity. As well as righteous anger. One bearing a death glare, the other trying to calm down.

"That's...such a stupid excuse. Honestly, what's so wrong with just being yourself?" Chara asked. "It's nice when you can treat people nice. Being a jerk just means other people will be rude to you anyways, right?"

"Maybe you should try seeking a better outlet for your anger. So, you don't wind up picking a fight you can't win." Flowey suggested, brushing the cube with a vine. "After all, you don't wanna end up getting dusted, do you?"

"N-no no I-I don't." Ice Cube replied nervously. "My friends wouldn't..respect me if I did." He noted. "I just...well, they've told me how things are. Or...well, how they're meant to be, I guess?"

Chara tilted her head. "Was I 'meant' to hit that hard?" He shook his head, as she sighed some. "Then it sounds like you're hanging out with awful people. Telling you awful stuff that isn't true."

"Not that it takes a genius to figure that out, moron." Flowey added. "You keep listening to bad people and...they'll hurt you or make you hurt yourself, or others. Do you understand?" He thumped the ice. "Does that register, you dumb mother f-er, chunk of ice?"

The fight ended, the color flickering back to the world. They got no exp, and 25G.

Ice Cube appeared to be reconsidering his life. "I'm uh...I'm so sorry about all that." He apologized. "'I'm so so sorry."

"Sorry doesn't quite make up for it." Chara brushed her hand through her hair. "Look, I'll forgive you...none of us are uh...innocent beings." She noted. "But we can try to be better, right?"

"I guess." Ice Cube commented, adding. "I don't even know where to start."

"Do you, have any non...creepy awful friends?" She asked. "Ones who don't tell you weird lies to turn you into a jerk-face?"

"I used to." Ice Cube considered someone. "I haven't talked to them in a while. They stopped hanging out with-"

"Did you stop hanging out, or did they stop hanging out with you?" Flowey asked, Ice Cube hesitating. "Thought so, then maybe you should try reaching out. Somewhere far...far away from us."

"What if I make them worst?" Ice Cube asked.

"Let them know they can tell you no when you're being an ass, or tell you off when you're being an idiot." Flowey suggested, adding. "And listen when they do. Don't just dismiss it. And don't just run back to those same freaks who got you into this mess, got it?"

"Sounds hard." Ice Cube said.

Chara smiled a little. "You'll just have to...try and Persevere. It may be hard, but you can do this." The ice shifted. "And...I'm not giving you back the hat. I think it belongs in a movie, or with a suit at a fancy place. But, here now, it's a bad influence."

Ice Cube sighed. "I don't really want it...I mean, I do but...just don't-"

Flowey intervened. "Don't let it corrupt new minds, absolutely-" He took the hat, and chucked it to the ground, shattering it. "ahh the healing sound of a temptation removed. Because that's what morally good, or good adjacent people do for each other." He remarked in a peppier tone. "They beat the shit out of you for being a creep and teach you a lesson about friendship and self-acceptance after you tried to murder them." His face got scary again. "Instead of tearing you apart like others might do. Like some would say you deserved for that stunt."

"T-thanks?" Ice Cube glanced around, somehow. "Well uh, I should be going home. But...thanks for uh...knocking some sense into me?" He added. "Even if you two...hit pretty hard."

Chara laughed nervously. "Sorry. I was...trying to pull my punches."

Flowey shrugged. "I wasn't."

"Flowey!" She exclaimed.

"What?" He chuckled darkly. "I'm just being honest." He looked at Ice Cube. "You were being a dick and had it coming."

Ice Cube somehow nodded. "I understand. Farewell, violent strangers."

Chara gave a slight wave. "Later. Don't be a jerk anymore please!"

Ice Cube ran away. That was probably a smart move. Considering.

With that fight resolved, the pair stood for a while longer. In this case, sharing a piece of candy. It tasted distinctly, unlike licorice.

While they hovered around, the pair considered their own unsolicited advice to the monster. Knowing damn well, they had been talking about themselves at a few points in their moral lessons. Or at least projecting some of their own failures on the monster.

It was something they'd think about for a little while. Internally. Because it was too heavy to actually discus in a healthy manner. At least, that's how they both viewed it. Idiots.

After an awkward amount of time passing with nothing happening, Chara finally made a step towards the sentry station. Knocking on the window twice, getting no response. Raising a brow, she pushed against said window, getting it to open.

It didn't appear anyone was inside. Looking around for a reason, she noticed a piece of paper on the ground. Scrawled in a very silly looking font.

"Closed for the Day...working." She didn't understand but got the gist. "Well...that sure was helpful huh?"

"Eh, I can think of more helpful things." Flowey suggested, adding. "But there is another sentry station up ahead."

"Probably gonna have someone who attacks us." She suggested.

"Probably." Flowey lamented, as they started on. "Hmm. I think...is this area the dogs?" He muttered trying to recall. "Eh, when we get ahead, try not moving."

"Really?" She asked in confusion.

"If it's who I think it is, we just stay quiet, don't move, and then bail after a bit." He shrugged. "Not that hard."

While he was telling her this, he had a stray thought. Something he hadn't done, that in hindsight should have been his first action. Flowey used check. on Chara.

|Chara - ATK 9 DEF 6|

|Your Best Friend?
|She seems to be lost.
|Player 2

He wasn't sure what he was expecting. But was curious about the last line. What was that supposed to mean? Was he player 1? What did it mean by player?

As they walked, the duo gradually drew near another sentry station. This one a little bit simpler. With some form of dog, or wolf inside.

There was a sign nearby, laying broken on the ground. Someone had left it illegible, save for written text overtop of it. Chara tsk'd, at this. She wondered who was going around breaking all of them?

Reading it, it read; Cooperative, or Competitive?

She didn't get it. Ignoring the weird message, she attempted to creep forward, and avoid the monster who was inside. As she stepped, she noticed the ears twitch out of the corner of her eyes. The monster jolting up, brandishing blades.

"Did something move?" The wolf-like monster asked, vaulting over the counter. "Was it just my imagination?" Chara noticed the glassy look to his eyes. "If something was moving, for example, a human-" the wolf sniffed. "I'll make sure it..." The creature sniffed again. "smells like...what is that?"

The wolf looked unnerved, shivering. A step from Chara causing him to turn in her direction. Letting out a yelp of alarm.

The world flashed black and red. Wolfo stood ready, eyes scanning the area. Ears twitching to pick up any sound. Sharp blades prepared. - Chara noted the wolf seemed...familiar somehow.

|Chara - 22/24 HP| - |Flowey - 18/20 HP|

|Fight| |Actions| |Item| |Mercy|

|Actions| - |Act|

|Check| - |Pet| - |Remember?|

Chara tried to Remember.

|Flowey|

|Fight| |Act| |Item| |Defend|

|Act|

|F-Action| - |Distract| - |Pet|

Flowey decided to use F-Action.

Flowey examined the wolf, noticing the way he moved. Noticing the way his ears twitched. Memorizing his actions. - It became possible to Run Away. - Chara meanwhile searched her memory, trying to remember something. The wolf bore some resemblance to the wolf that Alex dealt with. Were they related?

"Don't move an inch." The wolf warned.

His blades shined blue, and slashed out. Chara recalled Floweys suggestion, tensing as she took his advice. A blade passed through her, doing nothing.

She didn't dodge the next either, much to the same effect. The wolf wildly swinging around, seeming to have no idea they were there. The monster easing his tense look, now looking more confused than anything else.

Chara decided to Pet the monster.

Flowey decided to use Distract.

Reaching out as slow as she could. Chara pet the wolf. He appeared very surprised, tail swinging as he flailed around. - "H-how, I-I've been pet?" Wolfo exclaimed in shock. "Pet, pat, pet?"

Flowey materialized a bullet a distance away, and fired it at a tree. Breaking one of the branches. Wolfo noticed, turning.

"A stick appears!?" The houndish man rushed over. "Was it you!?"

Diving on, the stick. Shaking it violently in his jaw for a moment, he hurrying back over to where they were. Dropping it, while still looking around for the source.

Chara decided to spare.

Flowey decided to throw the stick.

The stick was thrown once more by the Flowey. Ever so cautiously. Resulting in a game of fetch developing. Chara snickering, deciding to spare the monster.

The fight coming to an end, as they waited for their temporary playmate to calm down some. Panting a bit tiredly, before crawling back over the counter, into the sentry station.

Huffing some, while looking out over the counter. "Ghost stick...pets from something not moving? Weird creepy scents?" The wolves tail still wagging despite that. "I need some dog treat for this."

Wolfo slunk back below and out of sight. Chara taking a few cautious steps, pleased that he wasn't trying to attack them anymore. Heading on, without bothering the monster anymore.

When the pair was a little distance away, she finally let out a pleasant little laugh she'd been keeping in.

"That was adorable." She remarked. "Though...I think that guy may need glasses."

Flowey chuckled. "Think that guy was meant to be one of the royal guards."

"Well, they have fine taste." She suggested. "Though, he probably shouldn't announce his attacks with 'don't move' right?"

"Definitely not." The flower agreed. "But hey, at least it went well."

"Right?" She sighed some. "Why can't all fights just be silly like that?"

"I mean, to be fair, he was still trying to kill us. Just...he wasn't the best at it." Flowey noted.

"The stick was a good idea, by the way." She noted. "We should grab one, in case we run into any more dogs."

Flowey hummed. "It could be smart. But I think that was a wolf."

"It's a 'sort of' dog, right?" She asked. "And it doesn't change the point that he clearly had fun with the stick."

"I..wolves are, a little bit more dangerous." He commented. "But uh...fair. The stick, I mean."

They would end up gathering a sturdy enough stick from a tree. Using magic to get it down. It was slotted in the back, where Flowey could have easy access to it. They then proceeded onward.