Elsewhere...
Time had passed, and it had taken the goat monster some time to arrive there. A bit out of breath from the running, and navigation of things. Some snow having collapsed in one part, blocking off the path she'd have usually taken back.
However, she didn't bother to be upset by that, too focused on her goal. After all this time, she was sure that Sans had found her, and brought her home by this point. At least, that's what she was hoping had transpired.
Beyond the door, and through the catacombs, this tunnel back to her home. She passed beyond, each step echoing as she went. Finally reaching the staircase, she looked around as she neared the top.
"Sans?" She called out. "Chara?"
There was no immediate response, and thus, she set about tearing through her home. Section by section for a few things. One to see if they were here. And two, to secure her phone, if at all possible.
Living room. Kitchen. Charas bedroom. Her bedroom. And, she even ventured into the bathroom, just in case. Not that it had much function beyond showering, given she had been a bit negligent about maintaining her fur.
The first thing she was surprised to see, was that so many clothes had been tossed around in her bedroom. Wagering that Chara may have changed her outfit to something a bit better for the cold. Thankful, at least, that her daughter had dressed appropriately for the weather.
Minute by minute passed, as what Toriel had hoped would be quick, became long. Unpleasantly so. Eventually, she became unpleasantly certain that the phone wasn't in her home.
"Was it...maybe?" She debated its location.
She ventured over, and checked the front door. It was still locked, which meant that it hadn't been stolen from the house. And she knew for a fact she had it before leaving. Which was a little worrying, and relieving in tandem.
Toriel began her pacing, thinking. Searching her mind for anywhere else it may have gone to, she wondered if she even had it when she was leaving. She swore she'd checked in in the forest, while waiting for Sans. Was that just in her mind?
The monster felt a bit crazy, trying to sort out its potential location. She had made a brief trip to Old Home before leaving. Namely to check in on things there, and to clean up her laundry while her daughter was drawing.
Did she drop it there? Did she drop it in the forest? She didn't know, she couldn't determine. But regardless, it meant she likely had to go to the city anyways.
If it was there, well she didn't know if it was even going to be possible to get it back. Someone had likely made off with it, were that the case. Unless it was one of a couple more civilized and friendly monsters.
"Okay...okay, it'll be okay." She assured herself, briefly glancing at a full bottle of wine. "Sans will be here, eventually. It can't be that long of a walk back." She began to bite at her fingernails. "Could she have gotten that far?"
Anxiety and an active imagination were not a fun mixture, as she began to play over scenarios of what may have happened, or be happening to her child. The many horrific scenarios giving way to more familiar ones.
Each new thing only serving to increase the sensation, her anxiety reaching peak level rather hastily. Her desire for the phone growing, along with other conflicting desires and interests. For example, she wanted to go run after them.
It was a decent distance to Snowdinn. But perhaps with a bit of effort, she could navigate here way there. Presuming that was where Chara had gone. The thoughts looping around before she finally managed to break from this cycle, by compelling a conclusion.
Regardless f the dread, Toriel concluded she had to go to Old Home. Either to locate her missing phone, or to try and get a new one, presuming any were present. Given how few denizens there actually had one.
Venturing back to her kitchen, she found the robes were swill present there. She chastised herself for now having included them in the earlier laundry. Tossing her jacket onto the living room chair, she placed the robes back on. Drawing them over her present outfit.
The hoodies hood dragging up, and through. Safety was always a priority when venturing through Old Home. History had proven that while most monsters knew to behave at this point, there was always at least one person dumb enough to test their luck.
She wagered it would either be the teenagers, the former castle guard with the crab hands, or maybe the strange tiger. Equipped with the robes, she put the hood up, and headed out her front door. She needed to be quick. No distractions.
Immediately upon stepping outside, she was greeted with a sight that was flatly uncommon. A Froggit. The idea that one had simply ventured to her home, considering their past irritations of her merciful nature, was only briefly dumbfounding. She locked the door behind her, and sighed.
"Ribbit, ribbit." The Frog ribbited, translating to. "Is the human in the ruins, yours?"
"Hmm?" Toriel raised a brow, and glared. "Do you have a problem with my child?"
"Croak, grug, ribbit." The Frog replied. "Surprisingly no. They were quite friendly. Well mannered. Strangely flirty."
"What?" Toriel considered that. "Uhm, fantastic. Have to...talk to her about that later." She shook her head. "Since you have intruded on my home. Out of curiosity, have you seen my phone?"
"Croak." It said. "No."
"Very well. I have places to be, and I don't have time to deal with you right now." She said, stepping past it. "Just...don't eat my flowers. Please and thank you."
Toriel made a mental note regarding Chara evidently flirting with the monsters of the ruins. In the womans mind, her ward likely didn't understand the implications of such things, and was far too young to be flirting with random monsters. Besides, flirting with random strangers was rarely a great idea.
She sighed, noting she'd need to break out her old notes on human behavior, assuming she still had the folder.
The Froggit watched her go, and once she was gone, it hopped over, stopping next the flowers. A certain smugness as it set about eating one of the flowers that hadn't been withered. Looking utterly pleased in the process.
Thankfully, the path to Old Home wasn't that long from her home. She stepped down the path, and hooked around the corner to the left. Coming to the balcony area, she instead stopped at the part where one could turn left. Her eyes falling on the wall to her right.
For a moment, she attempted to recall the knock one had to give to get inside. She sometimes forgot these things, annoyingly. The important part, however, was that when she looked to the right, she found herself surprised to see that the wall had already been opened.
The hidden path left non-hidden. Her mind briefly going to the doorman, who was meant to keep it closed. It was after all, kept concealed by a mechanism meant for its defense.
She sighed, stepping over. "I was under the impression this was meant to be closed?"
She heard a chuckle from behind the door. "Oh, welcome back Miss Toriel. Sorry about that. Just enjoyin the breeze."
Toriel turned her focus to the guard stationed beside the door, presently sitting with a donut in his hand. A rotund cat monster, with a balding head and a nice bear. To her surprise, his usually grim demeanor had been replaced with a more genuine smile.
"I think that's the first time you've not sworn at me." Toriel noted. "Or called me any number of colorful profanities."
He scratched his ear. "It is?" He sighed. "Hey, listen, about all that. I've been under a lot of general stress lately." He admitted. "Honestly, you've done a lot for folks since you've been back. And honestly, you didn't deserve that. I'm sorry."
The last thing she'd anticipated was an honest sounding apology to greet her visit. It left her immediately skeptical. Sneaking a glance from beneath her hood, at the space around them. Her good eye scanning for any possible traps, or hidden individuals intending some form of ambush. Yet, there was nothing.
"Uhm...well, yes. I suppose so?" She half-asked. "Are you feeling alright today?"
"Honestly, I'm fine." He said. "First time I've felt fine in a little while, ya know?" He chuckled a sad chuckle. "Some strange monster, I think, came by. Wound up chattin for awhile. Really raised my spirits a bit." He told her, taking another bite of the donut. "I guess, ya know, sometimes ya just need to talk things out with someone."
Toriel wasn't entirely certain what had transpired, nor was she certain how to process...whatever was going on. On one hand, she was pleased to see the shift in demeanor. She wanted to encourage it, that it might stick. On the other hand, she was cautious at it, prepared for the prospect of duplicity that had befallen her many attempts in the past.
And so, she gave a cautious smile. He returned it, and closed the door. Finishing off the donut.
"Well..you have a nice day then?" She started to walk. "Er, this may be a long shot, but have you seen my phone by chance?" She gestured with her hand. "About ye high, and this wide?" She hummed. "It has a uh, bunch of bones in the shape of...a heart, on the back?"
The last part left her feeling a bit embarrassed. The case was fairly new. And she'd rarely been so sober as to take in the implications of that decision.
"Sorry boss. Last time I saw somethin like that, was when you were talkin on it earlier." He recalled. "Or, tryin to call, I guess. You remember, when you came through with laundry." He explained. "If ya lost it somewhere, I can call it maybe?"
"That's quite alright." She said, moving on. "Without knowing where it's been lost, that may not be very helpful. But I do...appreciate the offer. Thank you."
"Of course...you uh, just let me know. Good luck." He gave a slight wave.
"You too?" She half-asked, while continuing.
It seemed her peculiar day, or days, wasn't done presenting her with new oddities. The first being Chara's presence, so suddenly presenting itself. The change in tone, the lack of hostility, and presence of a bit of pleasant commentary was yet another peculiar addition. She also hadn't included the Froggit into this equation.
Toriel wasn't sure what had gotten into everyone, not that she was complaining. It was a nice change of pace, that she'd love to have more time to explore. If she had time to spare, that was.
Down the hall she went, before hooking to the left, which brought her to a staircase down towards the city. Her attention falling on a couple of teenagers, who were sitting on a bench talking. They were recognized immediately, and inspired reluctance, and ire in her mind.
Unfortunately, she was quite familiar with them. Troublemakers, and tormenters, who had resisted her every attempt towards mercy. One glancing up at her, stepping up from the seat.
She expected them to try and cause her grief, recalling their various acts of mockery. To try and inspire her anger. Recalling their more recent...offense, to her being. Not that it would work this time.
Before she could speak to dismiss them, she received the words. "H-hey, uhm, before you uh...say anything. I'm sorry."
"Pardon?" She glanced.
The serpentine teenager looked hesitant. "I'm-we treated you pretty badly and..." He spoke, quiet, looking shameful. "So, I'm sorry."
The second added, a large eyed monster added. "Honestly...we were uh...taking out some stuff on you. T-that wasn't fair. And uh, it was...real shitty of us." He glanced away. "It wasn't right to do."
Toriel hesitated some. Looking them over, waiting for a punch-line, or some mean spirited thing to occur. But, it didn't. Another peculiar thing, and one she struggled to process. Her desire to shut down this insolent nonsense, was dampened by how sincere it sounded.
"I...appreciate the apology." She muttered, quietly examining them. "You must understand, I can't quite...forgive what you two said and did, however." They looked more guilty. "That dummy that you and your friends made. That was the cruelest thing anyone has done to me, in a very...very long time." They didn't respond, just appearing to accept the judgement. "It was a genuinely vile thing, to draw your amusement from another's heartache. That said, I will accept your apology, though I can't forgive what you did. I hope you can both do better in the future."
Toriel left these words to linger, electing not to stick around and converse with them further. She didn't ask what inspired their change of heart, presuming it stuck. If it did, she would be glad to see it.
She was pleased to find that nothing happened in the aftermath, as she continued down the stairs. Having briefly expected some form of prank, or other thing to happen. Yet it didn't, and out of instinct, she brought her hood down from her head.
The steps led her along, to the entrance to Old Home. The distant smell of foods, the sound of faint music carrying across the ruins here. It usually inspired some dread, realizing she was going to have to deal with people here. But, perhaps...if things were going this well, then she'd find her phone in no time.
At the end of the staircase, at the entrance to the city, she was mildly surprised to see someone trying to straighten out the sign to Old Home. A thing meant to act like a banner, hanging across the divide, and entrance. It was usually torn down, damaged, or battered by whatever hooligan was committed to stopping its repairs.
Today, however, it seemed that it was finally being put back up. An older bear monster doing so, while standing atop a normally rickety ladder. A rock having been placed near the base, to keep it steady. This being, brought a friendly smile from her.
Seeing her, the monster gave a friendly wave.
"Well hello there Toriel." He greeted. "Ain't you a lovely sight for these old eyes."
"Well, aren't you a charmer. Good morning, Mister Grey." She glanced back, the usual troublemakers still on the bench. "Did they hassle you today?"
"Oh sure. They caused some grief round morning time." He shrugged, the old bear chuckling. "But, strangest thing. They came'n brought me supplies to fix the sign. Sayin sorry'n such."
That was surprising news.
"I'm very glad to hear that." She noted, adding. "They appear to have had some change of heart...which is good, I believe." She sighed. "I'm sorry to ask, and I'd try and help, but have you seen my phone?" She laughed nervously. "I'm in a bit of hurry, trying to find it."
"Eh?" He hummed, thinking. "Not since ya came by earlier...did you leave it with your kid?"
Toriel winced some. "That news...has reached even here?"
"Well it was process of elimination. Figured they must be yours." He explained. "Sides, it's hard to miss em, when they walk round flirting, and talkin to everyone." He began nailing in a part of the sign. "Was very excited to meet new folks. Little odd, mind you. Nice kid though."
"I have to talk to her about the flirting, she really shouldn't...be..." She trailed some, tilting her head. "Wait...she came here?"
"Eh, uhm, well yeah. Been here for about an hour, I'd think. Chattin up everyone she can find." Grey said smiling. "Even made friends with a couple'a the kids, I think."
"What?" Toriel felt her heart pound for a moment. "Grey, where did you see her?"
The bear blinked, and looked around some. "Thought I saw her runnin around with the wee ones. Told em not to venture to far round." He guessed, and spoke quieter. "She is uh, human right?"
"YES!" She exclaimed, adding. "O-oh...yes." She recalled the severity. "Thank you for...okay...uhm, well, thank you very much. I'll-" She started to glance around. "Which-"
"That way." He pointed. "Ya'll have a nice day, now."
"Thank you, thank you very much." Toriel laughed nervously, while hurrying along.
This was not what she had been anticipating. True, there were a few back entrances, and alternate paths into the ruins, namely through Old Home. But those were out in the middle of nowhere. Almost nobody in the entire underground was aware of them, and those who were had long forgotten or had passed on. Even Asgore commonly forgot about their existence.
That inspired a flare of her temper, which she shook off. Her focus instead turning to Sans. Had he seriously brought Chara through the city?
What had he been thinking? She wondered this while heading around a corner, a growl escaping her lips. While she was pleased to hear that the impact of her child's presence was positive, she was less than pleased with bringing her to the city. It was a dangerous place, and not everyone was reasonable, especially when a human was involved.
Her search around the city lasted a short time, checking around with the few people she knew had children. Not that there were that many in Old Home. Getting nothing from a few of them, save for confusion at her brief inquiry. Before she moved on.
Her path brought her to a home with a long-destroyed holiday wreath on the front of it. She hesitated, anxious about this particular visit. This was one being she would rather not speak to, if given an alternative. However, this was a special occasion.
Knocking a few times, the door creaking open, revealing a slovenly looking reindeer man. The monster raising a brow, while leaning on the frame. Reeking of alcohol, and cigarettes.
"Well, well. The 'Caretaker of the Ruins.' What'cha want Toriel?" He asked. "Nevermind, it's about the human, ain't it?"
He spoke this knowingly, with a smug sort of grin.
"Yes. You uhm...you have a daughter, yes?" Toriel asked, unable to recall her name. "I wa-"
"I've still got one left, yeah." He scanned her, asking. "Why, you want a pet for that thing?"
"Pardon?" She shook her head. "Holiday, I know things haven't been great for you...but I don't have the patience for whatever you're about to say." She warned. "So-"
"Ah c'mon, I saw em flirtin with that brat." He yawned, scratching his bare chest, wearing only a loose pair of pants. "I can probably part with her. For, I dunno, 50G?" She didn't know how to respond to that. "Be better off with you anyways, right?" He chuckled darkly. "I mean, you have such a good track record."
Toriel felt her mana boil at the suggestion. "I-I you...fucking-" Her eye twitched. "we'll talk about-" She motioned at him angrily. "this, later. Where are they?"
Mister Holiday shrugged. "I dunno. Think they were runnin round with that orphan brat...the uh, purple one." He gave a passive gesture. "Came and got something from the fridge...think they were headed to talk to that old guard fella you had round."
"The crab guard?" Toriel asked, her patience gone, as she yelled. "How could you let them play around, anywhere near him!?"
Her booming voice carried, the raw hostility of it echoing. Various other monsters who were traversing the area glancing. , for his part, seemed amused, rather than upset or worried.
"I dunno, why did you hire the guy?" He asked back. "Sure, seems like everyone's at fault. Doesn't it?" He chuckled. "Ain't that funny?"
"My ability to feel bad for you, has bottomed out." She noted, angrily while snatching his shirt collar. "Tell me which direction they were headed RIGHT NOW!" She threatened, eye twitching. "Or I'll tear off your antlers."
Yet again, his expression was unphased. A slow, steadily rising smirk adorning it. He didn't seem to care in the slightest, seeming to have no concerns for his physical safety. After a moment, he yawned, and pointed in a direction. In this case, towards the old castle. A long-condemned building, that was far from safe.
"Have fun, and remember, 50G." He remarked. "If you could get that by, I dunno, friday...that'd be swell."
He turned, and closed the door. Fire burned around her fingertips, raging in her eyes. She struggled not to respond by breaking down the door. However, there were more pressing things to attend to. She'd deal with him later.
Turning, she sprinted off towards the old the location as fast as she could, she heard some talking coming up from ahead. Getting a faint view of the scene playing out at the top of the staircase. Or, at least, some of it.
She was able to make out the former guard, a large crab-man, with tattered old armor on. He had a wild look in his eyes, and was standing on front of at least two children, with red stains on his otherwise blue claws. The sight prompting her to struggle faster. Getting near enough to hear things being said.
"Who would ever pass up on an opportunity like this?" The former guard laughed darkly. "To be invincible!?"
One of the children spoke up, voice shaking in uncertainty. "H-hey...get away from her, i-if you don't...I'll...stop you?"
A second child's voice, a little more familiar adding. "You touch the human a-and I'll punch your face off!"
Reaching the top of the steps, she got a look over the situation playing out. The two girls where presently blocking the path of the crab monster. A small reindeer girl, wearing tattered clothes. And a dinosaur girl, wearing a dirty school uniform of some sort. Both appearing to be a bit injured, not unlike the final child her eyes went to.
The human child laying on the ground, bleeding, struggling to get back up. The light from a soul shining, held tight in their hand. The larger monster, the former guard moving to strike at them. The attack swinging wide, clearly intending to hit all three of them in one fell strike.
Toriels senses screamed, rage exploding. The roaring anger erupted forth, manifesting as fire blasting out. Catching those present by surprise, the burst of flame slamming into the attacking crab monster, knocking him back. Far, and hard, slamming against a nearby wall, looking shocked, and immediately terrified.
"How dare you." Toriel spoke, with utter malice in her words. "I'll turn you to dust for this."
The crab monster's expression became one of absolute dread, and terror. Letting out a little scream, while darting off. Diving off the ramp, as he fled, putting out the fire in the process.
Toriels heart pounded, eyes narrowed sharply making sure he left. Some urge within her, her own innate LOVE beckoning a resolution. However, her other instincts quenched that flame.
She turned to the kids, replacing her vengeance with alarm an concern. She noticed the girls trying to help the human up. Hurrying over, the flames around her hands died out.
It was replaced with a spell she hadn't used in some time. A light healing warmth pouring into the human, the other two children taking a step back. The energy was difficult for Toriel to sustain, far harder than it had once been.
"A-are you okay, my child?" Toriel asked, turning the human over to find, it wasn't Chara.
The human child before her had bright red eyes, not unlike the ones she thought her daughter to have once had. Though, while they had some similarities, they lacked some more notable features. And her day continued to be filled with unexpected developments.
The human child scanned Toriel over for a moment, before reaching up, and hugging her tightly, shaking violently. Toriel instinctively hugging back, while the other two girls looked her over. She wasn't quite sure how to process this.
"You aren't-" Toriel hesitated, before hearing the anxious whimpers. "oh, no, don't cry. Shh, shh, you're alright now." She assured. "You're safe...it'll be okay." She glanced at the others. "Are you two alright?"
The two monster children seemed a bit taken aback. The purple girl falling to her knees, bearing visible anxiety. The other taking a seat, while letting out a little huff.
"Y-yeah, I think." The dinosaur girl commented. "T-that was scary."
"M-maybe." The reindeer girl smiled some, her eyes obscured by her hair. "A-and uh...told you we'd be okay." She glanced over the red splashes on the ground. "I...think?"
Toriel held the human child, still seething. "What a terrible creature, to torture such innocent youth." She made a note to handle him later. "Here-" She motioned, healing the children. "that should help."
"Thanks...uhm...Toriel." The reindeer muttered. "Is...is the human okay?"
Toriel examined the human child, who looked up at her some. Darker brown hair, red eyes, and a battered blue and purple striped shirt. She hadn't...anticipated this encounter. Nor had she really planned to handle it.
Especially given she had other, very important things to address. But, she couldn't just...ignore the girl. Especially with monsters like that around.
The human assured Toriel she was okay.
Toriel scanned the child over. "I'm...I'm very glad." She glanced at Holidays daughter, reminding herself to have a 'talk' with him. "What are your names?"
"I'm...Suzy, Miss Toriel." The dinosaur girl answered hesitantly. "I..uhm, said hi to you...once?"
"Noelle." The reindeer girl muttered. "She wouldn't remember that...nobody remembers us."
Toriel felt more awful than she did before, hearing that now. Namely, because they weren't specifically wrong about that. She didn't recall Suzy, really at all. And had forgotten Noelles name entirely. Despite having actually seen the girl more than once recently. Shaking the thought for the moment, she added it to her list of...negative traits about herself.
She replied. "It's uhm...lovely to meet you both again. I'm sorry I forgot your names." She apologized, while letting the human go from her hug. "And what is your name, my child?"
There was a momentary pause. The humans seemingly neutral expression shifting. Forming a smile.
And the human answered. "Frisk."
