Frisk visited the Ruins doors two more times with Toriel. They enjoyed listening to the stranger's jokes and puns. They had settled into a comfortable routine that day. Wake up, get breakfast, go out and talk to the Monsters, lunch, work on puzzles for a while, visit Ruins doors, dinner, read a book, then bedtime.

Frisk decided to look over one of Toriel's joke books to try and come up with something for the next time they went to the doors. Toriel was also making sure they read up on history, though she seemed to skirt around some details regarding the royal family. Frisk thought they understood why. The king had declared that any humans that came here were to die. Though they did find her efforts to shield them from some of the more horrible things that happened annoying.

Right now, Frisk was looking over her joke book to find some good material. Toriel was working in the kitchen, making a big meal for the both of them, though she was keeping the reason why a secret. After a while, she walked out, visibly distressed. "My child, have you by any chance seen any extra flour?"

"No," they answered.

"I was afraid of that," she muttered. "I need to run to the store to get some more. Will you be alright by yourself?"

"Yeah!"

"Okay. It may be a while depending on how busy it is. Be good." She walked out, leaving Frisk by themself. They continued pouring over the book, looking for any good jokes. A few got a couple chuckles out of them. They couldn't believe she had this.

After a while, Frisk glanced at the clock and realized it was almost time to visit the doors and Toriel wasn't back yet. They heard a buzz coming from the phone and picked it up.

"What is it?" they said into the receiver. They could hear some clattering in the background.

"It is quite busy today for some reason. I might be a while longer yet."

Before they could get a response in, they heard several crashes, many exclamations and other noises Frisk wasn't able to identify. Then the call ended. Frisk was worried. Toriel had to go visit her friend in a minute, but she was being held up. Did she not remember that she was supposed to go today?

Acting quickly, Frisk closed the book and ran down to the basement. They managed to reach the doors just in time.

"knock knock," the voice said.

"Who's there," Frisk replied.

"eyes."

"Eyes who?"

"eyes got loads more knock knock jokes for you."

Frisk laughed at that, though they were slightly out of breath.

"nice to hear ya again, kid," the voice said. "but, uh, where's your mom?"

"She's a bit… preoccupied," Frisk answered. "She had to run to the store and it's busy today."

"well, at least you managed to find time in your busy schedule for me," the voice joked.

Frisk had a good response to that. "Knock knock."

"who's there?"

"Justin."

"justin who?"

"Justin time for dinner."

The voice snorted with laughter. "it is almost that time, isn't it? well, guess that explains why the old lady is shopping."

"She's been baking all afternoon," Frisk revealed. "Seems like she's planning on making a huge dinner when it's just the two of us."

"maybe she's celebrating something?"

"What would she be celebrating today?"

"dunno. you live on the other side of this door. you'd know better than me."

"Maybe." Frisk decided to change topics. "But you're not here for talk about stuff like that. You're here for some laughs, right?"

"yep. so, whatcha got, kid?"

"Not a lot of knock knock jokes. I do have some puns though. I've been reading a joke book that mom has."

"well, read a few out to me, bud. let's see if you can make me laugh."

That's what Frisk did for a while. They read the jokes from the book and they could hear the voice laugh when they found one he liked. The voice also had a few puns up his sleeve as well. A few were lost on Frisk, but after consulting the joke book, they understood. They noticed a running theme with the voice's puns. Most, if not all, were bone related in some way. That was getting Frisk thinking about what kind of Monster this person might be.

"alright, here's another one. why didn't the skeleton dance at the halloween party?"

"Um, I don't know. Why?" Frisk would have asked 'what's Halloween', but they didn't want to ruin the joke with that question.

"he had no body to dance with."

Frisk giggled at that. "That was good." They spent a moment getting their breath back. "Okay, now I've got a question for you, a serious one."

"oh? what is it?"

"Well, I'm noticing a running theme with your jokes and puns. You seem to love bone puns and jokes related to skeletons. I know Monsters can come in all shapes and sizes. So, I'm wondering. Are you a skeleton?"

There was silence for a while. "wow. you're, uh… really observant for a kid. i haven't even seen your face and you already know what i am. impressive."

"So how much of a skeleton are you? Are you all bones, or is there some skin and muscle holding you together?"

"i'm nothing but bones, kiddo," the voice answered.

"Really? Then how do you eat? Or breath? Or move? Or even live?"

"fulla questions, arent'cha?"

"I haven't met many Monsters. It's just so interesting. All of this is, to be honest."

"eh, guess i can't blame ya. and i do have an answer for your questions. and an answer for any other questions you may have."

"What is it?" Frisk asked, leaning closer to the door.

"mmmmagic."

Frisk couldn't help but laugh at that. It made sense, they supposed. "Hey, do you mind if I ask a few more questions?"

"sure, but only if i can ask some in turn."

"Alright. Who will go first?"

"how 'bout you? whatcha wanna ask?"

"Well, what's it like out there?" was the first thing they asked.

"why ya wanna know?"

"Well, I'm probably never gonna see what's out there, but you live there. So, I want to know."

The voice hummed in thought. "well, out here, it's always snowy and kinda cold. at least, that's what everyone says. but go a ways east and you'll come across a cavern filled with lava. between the two is a land of water and marsh."

Frisk kept silent, holding in a few questions.

"past all that is the capitol and the kings' castle."

"The king of all Monsters," Frisk said. "Um, might I ask what he's like?"

"sure. but it's my turn to ask a question."

"Okay, go ahead."

"how come you're staying in there? most other humans try to leave. so why are you staying?"

Frisk fidgeted with the book for a moment before speaking. "Well, mom says it's not safe out there for me. Isn't that reason enough?"

"that didn't matter to the others. so why does it matter to you?"

"Well, I don't know those others. I can only guess. But I'm safe and cared for here. Safer than I was on the surface. If I didn't feel so safe here, I might go through these doors and try to get back to the surface." They waited to hear his response.

"heh. guess i can't blame ya." The voice was silent before speaking. "well, as for the king, everybody loves him. he does his best to care for us and address all our concerns. in fact, he's what keeps many of us going. i can't even begin to tell you how many of us are able to bear our struggles day after day because of his promise to us."

"Promise?"

"to get us out of here. the reason it's not safe for you is because of your soul. with that, the king can break the barrier and allow us all to return to the surface."

Frisk curled up slightly at hearing that. Luckily, the voice didn't see it, as he was still on the other side of the door.

"but enough about that. time for one of mine."

"But I asked two questions," Frisk pointed out.

"nah. that last one was kinda a part of the one before it," the voice said. "so, what's the old lady like?"

"You've known her longer than me," Frisk pointed out.

"only through this door. you on the other hand live with her. so, i gotta know. what's home life like with her?"

"It's great," Frisk answered. "Way more peaceful that what I'm used to. She makes great pies and she loves teaching me things."

"sounds like a great mom."

"She is. But she doesn't like other Monsters very much," they admitted.

"how come?"

"Well, I asked around and it seems that another human that came through died here, in the Ruins, probably by a Monster's hand. I don't think she's forgiven them for that even though it was an accident."

"well, other than that, she sounds like a good person."

"The best," Frisk agreed. "Now it's my turn. You've told me what the rest of the Underground is like, but what's it like like? Like, how are its people? How are you dealing with everything?"

"hmm. well, for the most part, we're getting by," the voice answered. "though it is kinda crowded down here. and many monsters are dying to see the sun. and we're always living in fear of human attacks. but knowing that freedom is so close and that the king has promised to get us out of here and allow us to live on the surface in peace, it gives us the strength to face the same struggles day after day."

Now Frisk was feeling horrible. The Monsters wanted out. But why? "Do you not know what…" they whispered.

"you say somethin'?" the voice asked.

"It's not important," they answered. They weren't sure they had the heart to tell this person that.

"welp, my turn, then. so how do you deal with all of this? you're in the same boat as all of us."

"It's not so bad. Sure, the Ruins are rather small. But having someone there to care for me makes everything else worth it."

"i know the feeling," the voice lamented. "it's kinda hard for me to care about anything, but my bro has this passion and fire that can't be extinguished. and he always makes sure i'm cared for. having him around makes the struggles all worth it."

"I'm happy for you," Frisk said. "Okay, I've got one more question for you."

"shoot."

"What's your name?"

"what? why'd you wanna know that?"

"Well, this whole time we've talked, I don't know who you are. I know you're a skeleton, but nothing beyond that. You've listened to me and been so nice. So, I want to know your name because I consider you a friend."

"huh. the old lady never asked."

"Well, I'm not her. I'd like to know the name of the person who can make me laugh so much."

There was silence for a moment before he spoke. "only if you tell me yours."

"Deal."

There was a brief sigh before his response came through. "it's Sans. Sans the Skeleton."

"Nice to meet you Sans. I'm Frisk."

"nice to meet you too, frisk," Sans said. "well, i think that's enough talking for right now. i need to go before my brother sees me slacking off. and i'm sure your mom will be home soon and she might freak if you aren't there."

"Good idea. Same time tomorrow?"

"sure. and be sure to remind your mom."

"Will do. Bye, Sans." Frisk walked away from the door and back to the house.

Frisk managed to get back just as Toriel arrived. "Goodness, it was busy," she exclaimed. "How are you doing, my child?"

"Just fine. I learned a few things from your friend."

Toriel appeared confused for a moment before her eyes widened. "Oh dear, I completely forgot. You went in my place?"

"I thought I might be able to make sure he came back. And he is returning tomorrow."

"I am glad to hear that. I still cannot believe I forgot our regular meetings. I suppose it was a bit irresponsible of me to try and surprise you."

"Surprise me? With what?" Frisk asked.

"Oh! Well, I suppose there is no point hiding it now." She walked to the kitchen, putting the flour down. "I am making a large feast to celebrate your arrival."

"Huh?"

"My child, it has been one month since you came into my life. I felt it was appropriate to celebrate."

"Has it really been a month?" Frisk asked, amazed. It had felt like only yesterday.

"Indeed. I have been counting the days," Toriel confirmed. "So, I have been making a feast with all your favorites."

"Awesome! Can I help?"

"I guess so," she agreed. "Get your apron on. This is going to be a big meal."

"Can't wait!"


The next day, Frisk went to work with the puzzles in the Ruins. As they did, the length of time they had been down there weighed heavily on them. A month. An entire month. Frisk was a bit surprised that what they were expecting hadn't happened yet. But it would be and soon if their gut feeling was right. Frisk knew the Monsters needed to be ready for it, but from what they had learned, they alone were much stronger than every Monster down here. The puzzles were their only means of defense. But if those weren't enough…

Frisk had to protect the Monsters somehow. In case the puzzles weren't enough, then the Monsters had to be able to protect themselves, but how?

Well, Frisk knew that there was strength in numbers. Perhaps they could start there. Additionally, Toriel's home was far away from the only entrance to the Underground Frisk knew about. If they all went there in case of attack, the intruders would have to work their way through the labyrinth of puzzles Frisk had created.

So, Frisk went around, talking to all the Monsters they could find. A few didn't like what they were proposing, but when Frisk mentioned it would save their lives if any humans came, they were more than willing to listen.

Frisk was grouping the Monsters up so they would be able to help each other retreat. They hoped that this would optimize their evacuation efforts if necessary. Frisk wasn't sure where they would evacuate to, though, but Toriel mentioned that they could leave through the exit in her basement if needed. Perhaps, when all else failed, or in the worse-case scenario, that's what they would do, though they imagined Toriel might not be willing to go along with it. Frisk hoped that it wouldn't come to that.

While Toriel was doing her daily routine through the Ruins, she overheard the Monsters talking about Frisk's evacuation plans. It had surprised her that her child was taking preemptive measures against potential human attacks. She asked Frisk about it during dinner.

"Might I ask why you are organizing the Monsters in this manner?" she asked.

"I'm just making sure they will be safe in case any humans come through here," Frisk explained. "If they're dangerous, we need to be prepared."

"But they may not be dangerous," Toriel suggested.

"You gonna take that risk? Because I won't," Frisk retorted. "I don't want the Monsters here to die by violent humans."

"My child, you yourself are human and you are not violent," she pointed out.

"Not now. But I can be if pushed far enough," they said darky, their eyes framed in shadow.

"What do you mean by that?" Toriel asked, puzzled.

Frisk shook their head. "It's nothing. Better to be safe than sorry, though. If humans come down here and they are not peaceful the Monsters are to retreat to here, as it's the furthest point away from the entrance."

"And after that, what then?" she asked.

"Hopefully the puzzles will take care of them," Frisk said.

Toriel didn't like Frisk's tone, nor what they were implying they would let happen. "I pray that will not be necessary, my child."

"We can't depend on prayer, mom," Frisk said. I've never been able to, they thought to themself.

End of Chapter 2