Frisk got ready for a day in the Ruins. There wasn't much in them to see but Frisk was able to make the most out of the small place. They spent time exploring the various buildings and listening to Toriel how they were made. She was happy to teach Frisk everything she knew and every fact was more fascinating than the last.

When their trips through the Ruins was over, Frisk would find a book and read it. They occasionally had to ask Toriel what some words meant and she was glad to tell them.

Meals were always pleasant and filled with all sorts of tastes for Frisk to enjoy. Though they didn't like the Snail Pie so much, the other things she made were delightful. Frisk helped on occasion, learning how to bake from her. It was a particular delight when she cooked it without using the stove. Frisk wanted to learn how to do that. Sadly, though, Toriel said that humans weren't capable of using magic like a Monster can.

At the end of the day Frisk went to their room and slept comfortably in a bed. Those sleeps were always peaceful though Frisk was a rather light sleeper, as Toriel discovered after that first night.

Frisk still felt like something was compelling them to try and leave the Ruins and see what else was out there but they ignored that. They were safe and cared for here. They weren't going to leave it or put their safety in danger.


A few days later Frisk went out exploring on their own. Toriel handed them a purple cloak to cover themself with saying that the Monsters might be less inclined to attack them if they wore it. The cloak had the same symbol on the back that was on her robe.

While Frisk was walking around, they ran into a Froggit. "Greetings, human," it said to them. "I see you have chosen to stick around."

"Have we met?" Frisk asked. There were dozens of Froggits around and they all looked the same to Frisk.

"I am not surprised you don't recognize me," the Froggit said. "In fact, we met in the room after that long hallway."

"Oh! Where Toriel wanted to test my independence," Frisk realized. "You gave me some good advice."

"And I see you haven't forgotten it," it grinned. "Always remember, if a Monster doesn't want to fight, use some mercy."

"I will," Frisk assured. "Hey, do you know why the other Monsters are scared of her?"

"She is tall and very strong," the Froggit trembled. "She is also very protective of all humans who have come here."

"There were others before me? Where are they?" Frisk asked.

"All dead. All died many years ago," the Froggit lamented. "Most left the Ruins to try and return home to the Surface but never made it. One stayed but was still killed by accident in the end."

"That's horrible," Frisk said sadly. "Is it really that bad out there?"

"I do not know. Toriel has sealed the doors and won't let us leave."

"Why?" Frisk asked. It sounded like she was keeping them here against their will.

"That I am not sure of but it is probably just an unfortunate side effect of her self-imposed isolation."

"Huh? Why would she isolate herself?"

"It's not my place to say," the Froggit answered. "But a terrible tragedy is what drove her here in exile. Best not to pry into it, human. Some scars can take years to heal. And if torn open in the wrong way, can cause great damage." The Froggit turned and started hopping away. "If you chose to stay, perhaps you will learn. Until then, see you around."

Frisk resumed walking, thinking over what that Froggit said. What happened that would make her isolate herself? Frisk wanted to ask, but perhaps the Monster was right. Best not to pry for now.

After a while they encountered a Loox. The one-eyed creature was cautious around Frisk but they knew not to pick on it. They asked Loox what it knew about Toriel and how the other Monsters thought of her.

"Rather protective, but not of us," it said meekly. "She tries to care for every human that falls down here but is never able to keep them around. The only one that stayed was killed by accident and I think she blames us for that even though that was many years ago."

Frisk hummed in thought as they waved goodbye to the Monster. They asked many others and they all said the same thing. Frisk felt bad for them and for Toriel. Sure, they did a bad thing but that was a long time ago. Toriel shouldn't hold it against her people for so long.

That night, at dinner, they talked about it.

"Mom," they said. "I was talking to the other Monsters and I've learned a few things."

"What kind of things?" she asked nervously.

"Well, I learned why they're so scared of you," they answered. "Do you really hate them for what happened to that one kid?"

Toriel sighed through her nose. "They were only a child, younger than you. I was hoping they would be better than that, but the child still died."

"But… it was an accident," Frisk protested. "And besides, it was a long time ago. Are you really going to hold it against them?"

Toriel didn't answer. Just looked angrily at her plate.

"Well, I won't," Frisk decided. "I know the Monsters are scared but I'm going to try and make it better for them here."

Toriel audibly sighed. "Do what you will. I have a feeling I cannot stop you."

"One more thing. Why are there so many puzzles?" Frisk asked.

"They are a defense mechanism left over from when we lived in fear of further human attacks," she explained. "They are meant to protect us from dangerous humans."

"Huh," Frisk said. "Could I make some? I want to protect you guys."

"I do not see the point, my child," Toriel said.

"Well, if any bad humans come here you'll need a way to protect yourselves. I can make the puzzles harder to solve."

"That is a nice thought but Monsters must travel through the area on a regular basis. Complicating the traps might not go over well."

"I can make a bypass for them," Frisk assured. "Something that only the Monsters would know."

Toriel sighed. "Alright. That will suffice."


Frisk got to work the next day. They had plenty of ideas on how to make the puzzles harder. They had to request help from other monsters on occasion, though, especially with moving things around as Frisk was not the strongest. Frisk also told all the Monsters how to bypass each puzzle. Some had a switch that, when pressed, auto-solved it. Others had a hidden path that went around the area the puzzle was in.

When Frisk showed Toriel some of the puzzles and traps they had made, she was rather impressed. They were eight and yet they were making puzzles that would impress even an adult. Though she was concerned that they had added a 'fail' to all of their puzzles. If the wrong solution was input too many times then the puzzle would lock up and even the auto-solve wouldn't undo it. Or, more concerning, boulders would rain down from the ceiling and bury whoever was there. Frisk knew that such a thing wouldn't be harmful to the Monsters though they would be lethal to any human that failed it.

In between designing puzzles Frisk also spent time socializing with all the Monsters in the Ruins. They got to know each and every single one down there and even went out of their way to address their concerns or to fix certain problems they had. They all appreciated it and pretty soon Toriel didn't need to even try to protect them when they went out.

None of the Monsters knew it, but Frisk was designing the puzzles the way they were to protect them from something very specific. They didn't know when but they knew it was coming. And they were going to defend the Monsters from it the only way they knew how.


A few more days passed. Normally Frisk would go out to work on the puzzles, but they were too tired today and decided to rest with Toriel instead. They were reading a book on Monster history, specifically about the war between them and the humans.

Toriel came out of the kitchen to find them reading the book on the floor. She got a glimpse of the title. "My child, I am not so sure you should be reading that. It is not for children."

"I can handle it," they assured. "Besides, I find this all fascinating."

"I am glad you do." She glanced at a clock and noticed the time it was. "Goodness. Is it that time already? I must have lost track."

"What is it?" Frisk asked.

Toriel seemed to be debating for a moment before speaking. "My child, you are sure you wish to stay here?"

"Yeah," Frisk nodded.

"Well then, I suppose I can show you this. Come with me."

Frisk closed up the book and she led them to her basement, which was a long hallway. "Where are we going?" they asked.

"Ahead of us lies the end of the Ruins. A one way exit to the rest of the Underground," she informed.

"The Monsters said you sealed the doors to isolate yourself," Frisk said.

"Yes, but the enchantment that seals them is one-way. We can leave but nothing can enter except with a specific spell," Toriel explained.

"So why are we going to them?" Frisk asked.

"There are other Monsters out there. One visits at this time of day almost every day," Toriel answered.

"But they can't enter, right?"

"They do not have to. They speak through the doors. I do not know their name but they come visit all the time. Before you fell, their company helped me through the rough parts of my life."

"And… you want me to join you two? Is that what you're saying?"

"Yes. I think you will enjoy it."

She led them down the long purple hallway, arriving at a set of doors. Which, Frisk noted, had the same symbol; a winged circle with three triangles below it. They resolved to ask Toriel about that symbol sometime. Toriel sat down, her back to the door. Frisk knelt next to her, quiet. After a moment, there was a soft tap that sounded twice. Then, a voice came through.

"knock, knock," it went.

"Who's there?" Toriel replied.

"isabel."

"Isabel who?"

"isabel broken? i had to knock."

Toriel chuckled at that. Frisk took a moment to mull it over before they got it. Then they had to cover their mouth with their hand to suppress the giggle.

"It is good to hear you again, my friend," Toriel said to the door.

"likewise. got some new material, old lady. wanna hear?"

"Sure thing."

Frisk tried to keep quiet for the first few jokes, but that gradually failed. Toriel kept trading jokes with this stranger, which were knock-knock jokes more often than not. Frisk wasn't sure if it was safe to reveal themself to whoever this was. After all, they were outside the Ruins and might not be safe. But his jokes were so bad, Frisk found it harder and harder to contain their laughter, until eventually, they let out a loud laugh at a particularly bad pun.

After Frisk's bout of laughter died down they realized that Toriel and her friend had stopped talking.

"sounds like we got an audience, lady," the voice said. "one with a good sense of humor, too, if they were laughing at what i thought they were laughing."

"Indeed, we do," Toriel confirmed. "They are a child under my care. I thought they might like this."

"heh, you been tryin to hold your laughter in this whole time, kid?"

Frisk wasn't sure if they should speak, but Toriel gave a gentle nod of her head. "Yeah," Frisk said. "Wasn't sure if I should let you know I'm here."

"how come?"

Again, Frisk wasn't sure if they should tell this person the truth. Toriel took the choice out of their hands, though.

"They are a human," she answered. "And I have warned them that humans are not safe out there."

"ah, that's why." There was a brief moment of silence from the door. "well, don't worry, kiddo. i'm not interested in hurting people."

That didn't assure Frisk as much as they would like.

"knock knock."

"Who's there?" Frisk asked.

"x."

"X who?"

"x-tremely pleased to meet you."

That got a snort out of them. Frisk laughed into their hand, Toriel joining in.

"heh. glad ya like my jokes. i don't often have an audience this big."

"Who else do you joke with?" Frisk asked.

"well, my brother, but he doesn't appreciate my jokes. well, not like you two."

"Doesn't sound like a very good brother," Frisk said.

"nah, he actually like 'em. he just pretends to be annoyed. i enjoy 'ribbing' him just to see him act all cranky, but i can see him smiling."

Frisk was pretty sure there was a pun in there, but they didn't see it. "Well, your jokes are good."

After that introduction, Toriel and her friend continued for a few more jokes before Frisk decided to get in on the action.

"I got one," Frisk interrupted before either could speak.

"welp, lay it on me, kiddo."

"Knock, knock."

"who's there?"

"Banana."

"banana who?"

"Knock, knock."

There was a brief pause and Frisk was sure they could picture the look of confusion on the guy's face. "who's there?"

"Banana."

"banana who?

"Knock, knock."

"who's there?" Now the voice sounded a bit annoyed.

"Orange."

"orange who?"

"Orange you glad I didn't say banana?"

There was silence from the other end, which was broken by unladylike snorting from Toriel. Eventually, they heard the stranger laugh. He laughed loud and long. Frisk was pretty sure he was face down on the ground.

Eventually, he recovered. "oh, man, that was a stinker."

"I thought you'd like it," Frisk said, suppressing a small giggling fit.

"you're good, kid. not every day i meet someone who not only likes bad jokes but can actually dish a couple good ones out."

"Thanks. You're really good, too," Frisk complimented.

"oh, whoops. gettin late. need to go. my brother gets kinda cranky without his bedtime story. same time tomorrow?"

"Sure thing," Toriel agreed, standing up.

"great. bring the kid. love to hear more from them."

"I'll be here," Frisk assured. They could hear muffled footsteps receding, then they left alongside Toriel. "That was fun. I haven't laughed that hard or that long in… ever."

"I am glad you enjoyed it," she said, patting them on the head.

"So are we really going to see – or hear – him again?"

"If you want," she said.

"Can we see him every day? How often do you do this?"

"As often as he can manage," she answered. "He cannot come back every day, but he tries. And it is always a delight to hear him and talk."

"And joke."

"That too. It helped me cope with the boredom after the last human who fell down here died." Toriel took their hand as she led them back through the basement. "Now, how about you help me make dinner for tonight?"

"Sounds great!"

End of Chapter 1