The underground had always been filled with sights most unfathomable. Unmentionably abstract, and logic defying in nature. And this, ahead of them, this peculiar construct, built by what could only be magical methods, was no exception.
A table sat in the middle of their path, with a microwave, a small container, and a note, on it. A confused expression spread across the girls face, as she picked up the note. It was hastily written, with a plastic fork attached to it.
"Human-" Char read. "it was brought to my attention, that you may have been hungry during our game."
"What?" Flowey asked.
"It's a note from Papyrus." She declared enthusiastically.
"Of course, it is." He sighed.
Despite his remarks, Flowey was glad to see her retaining an upbeat attitude. Even if it was regarding Papyrus of all peeople. He just hoped it wouldn't turn sour in the end, given that a fight was most likely awaiting them.
"It wouldn't do, to have you famished during the puzzles. It would ruin the experience of our valiant struggle. So please enjoy the Lasagna." She read, before adding. "Lasagna...huh, he seemed like more of a spaghetti guy to me."
"Spaghetti?" Flowey snickered. "Well, he'd probably have an easier time with it. Papyrus and his cooking are uh...dubious, at best."
Chara rolled her eyes. "It can't be worse than when Dad tries to make pie." He smirked a little. "You still didn't really explain how you all know each other." She opened the container and put it in the machine. "Only the mysterious 'we were friends once' thing that teenagers do when they wanna by edgy."
"I-I'm not trying to be edgy. And I...sort of explained, didn't I?" He remarked, wondering. "Honestly, the problem is you're a kid, so you're like-" He mimicked her voice, poorly. "oh, wowie, I know everything. Such an expert. Golly, I'm super smarter than you."
She raised a brow, and hit a button, the microwave whirring. "Super smarter isn't how you say that, nerd."
"Oh yeah?" He asked.
"It's, 'I'm much smarter' than you." She told him, the microwave dinging, as she pulled out the container, which appeared to be warm. "And I didn't say I was smarter than you. Just that you're being edgy."
"You know you're gonna be a teenager too soon, right?" He smirked, with a smugness to his tone. "Then whataya gonna do?"
"I dunno. Probably write emo poetry, and never talk about my friends." She suggested, being snippy. "Those're like...the requirements, right?"
Flowey pondered for a moment. "Eh...pretty much honestly."
She hadn't expected such a candid response.
"That's...a little depressing. But, it'll be okay right?" She picked up the fork. "It can't...always be so cold, right?"
"Cold?" He glanced. "You mean s-" He blinked. "Hang on, you're not honestly gonna eat that, are you?"
"Yeah?" She asked, stabbing the fork into a piece.
"Chara!?" His voice exasperated. "Do not eat random food you found lying around-"
"We ate the candy in the ruins." She reminded him.
"That was different, and I still thought it was poisoned." He reminded her right back. "Do not eat the lasagna."
"I'ma eat it." She said, picking up the piece.
"Don't you dare!" He demanded.
"I'ma do it." She quickly took a bite.
Flowey blinked and sighed. "Do not eat food you get from your enemies, or random strangers!?" He nearly shouted, while she kept eating. "I can't believe I have to tell you this!"
"To be fair-" She swallowed a piece. "you called them friends, or ya know, people ya know."
"Yes, but you don't." He stated, glaring. "That sort of disqualifies them, don't'cha think?"
"Don't know them?" She scoffed. "Sure, I do. There's the smiley trash bag who is probably hunting mom and deserves a punch to the face." She said angrily, before smiling. "And then there's Papyrus. And I don't think he'd do anything bad with food. Sides, it's pretty good."
"Don't lie to me." Flowey huffed. "Papyrus can't cook. You're just being nice, cuz you think he's cool...for some damn reason."
"Wanna try some?" She offered.
"No, I'm good. Just...there's a save point over there." He motioned. "If you don't mind me-"
"Huh, oh, no worries petals." She chuckled, walking over. "You sure you don't wanna try it?" She suggested. "I bet he worked real hard on it."
"Yeah, I'm gonna give that a hard pass." He replied tiredly. "If it's edible, it's probably store bought. Even then that doesn't mean it's completely safe."
Chara waited until it seemed Flowey had saved, before continuing what she had been doing. That being, eating the lasagna with intent. It wasn't the best thing she'd ever tasted, however it actually wasn't that bad.
She briefly wondered if she would be a good cook. Wondering if one day she could have her own kitchen, with lots of shiny things, and strange machines. She could already draw well, so surely it wouldn't be that hard.
She could even have her own show. One where she screamed and yelled at the dumb people who worked for her. Well, probably not all the time. She felt bad at the concept of being hopelessly rude to others. Yet amused at the same time.
Considering her past attempts at cooking however, she became somewhat doubtful of this aspiration. Especially since she'd managed to set fire to milk before. She'd struggled with most dishes for a long time.
Yet some part of her felt like, she hadn't always been so awful at it. Chara wondered, her eyes getting colder, glossier, if that was just how it worked for her? After all, she tried to make a pie once.
The girl decided it was for the best to let this dream wither on the vine. She felt like a failure, like all she did was ruin things. A little chuckle escaping her lips, prompting her to cover them and stop the potential laugh.
Besides, if she had it her way, she'd just make things chocolate that didn't really need to be. It always helped her feel better, so...why not try in in other things? Why couldn't it all be chocolate?
Like a burger. The idea of a chocolate burger warmed her up some. How would it even work?
Seeking distraction, she began constructing the concept. Maybe she could use chocolate muffins as buns? She could add a chocolate bar as the patty, or, maybe a few. And chocolate sauce as the topping.
She concluded she would have to test this theory, even if she was also certain it was a terrible idea.
There was a sensation like everything skipping, repeating again. Chara blinking, shaking her head. Letting out a heated breath into the air. Looking around for a moment, wondering what had just happened, and then what she had been thinking about.
She'd walked a bit further than she realized. The duo having passed another scratched out sign. It was a little annoying, but expected at this point. She didn't bother to read the message. Who cared.
So they wandered on, heading forward instead of right. Namely, as she could see what looked like a sentry station...or maybe two, in the near distance.
Finishing her food, she began putting it away, when a growling bark came to her attention. There was a dog, or wolf maybe, sprinting at her wearing armor. Brandishing a sword and shield.
Flowey spoke. "H-hey Chara-"
"I see them." Chara replied, while wiping her mouth on her sleeve.
Before it could get too close, she initiated her secret battle plan. A stick flung back over its head. The monster sliding to a halt, head turning to follow it. Tongue lolling out as it sprinted off to get it.
"Ya know what. That was a good investment, strangely?" Flowey commented.
"It has been a surprisingly an effective tool." Chara admitted.
The lesser wolf came sliding back over, dropping the stick. "W-wait...what am I doing?" The wolf spitting it out. "Y-you crooks think you can take advantage of-"
Chara picked up the stick, pausing the words of the wolf. "Want me to throw it?"
"I am a member of the uh-" The wolf began, as Chara started moving it. "I uh...well.."
She threw the stick. The houndish monster once more racing off to acquire it. Feeling rather amused, Chara waited patiently for their return. This process was repeated a few times. Before the Lesser Wolf came panting back, dropping it again.
"Are you tired?" Chara asked. "We can wait until you've rested to play again."
Lesser wolf let out a long yawn, picking up the sword. "No I'm...meant uh...I'm uh..." Yawning again, the monster thought. "Well, a nap...seems like...nice, actually."
The monster stretched out, before plopping into the snow. Getting cozy there, tuckered out from the impromptu game a fetch. Chara knelt down, patting the monster some. Rising, and heading off after.
Flowey snickered some. "Ya know, these guys are normally real scary right?"
Chara tilted her head. "Really?"
"Yeah, they're pretty tough." He said, adding. "Granted, I don't think many have thought, ya know, headpats and sticks may be the answer to defeating them."
"That's silly." She noted. "It seems obvious to me."
"Sure, but you're weird. So..." Flowey made a shrugging motion.
"Pfft. Your face is weird." She replied.
"Oh no, gah, such a powerful insult. What ever will I do?" Flowey spoke dramatically.
Chara rolled her eyes. "Nerd."
"Y-yeah, but you're a weird nerd." He tried to retort.
She pondered it this time. "You said that...hey, I'm not...I'm not that weird, am I?"
"Ehhh, weird may be the wrong term." Flowey admitted. "But you look at them like puppies, rather than cold blooded warriors."
"Are they not?" She asked.
"Okay, maybe weird wasn't too far off." He snickered.
Chara pouted. "That's...okay?"
Their conversation was cut off when the duo drew near the pair of sentry stations, well worn down. They were a pale imitation of the ones constructed by Papyrus. But that didn't surprise her. It had to be difficult to try and keep up with someone so cool.
Much to her lack of surprise, the sign in-between these stations was defaced. She sighed tiredly. And glanced over the text.
"Who's your friend?" Chara read it, and glanced at Flowey. "I think it's asking about you."
Flowey chuckled. "The sign?"
"Mhm. It..." She trailed off, and glanced over the text. "H-hey...where'd...the words go?"
Flowey peaked over her shoulder at the sign. "Looks like someone drew over it, Chara."
"W-well yeah. But there were words on it!" Chara replied, noticing his doubtful look. "What?"
"Uh huh. You sure?" He asked.
The girl looked offended. "What?" She huffed. "F-fine...don't believe me."
"I didn't say I didn't-" He heard her humph. "seriously?" She didn't respond. "I just don't see any text is all. Besides. Where would it have gone?"
For the moment she elected to ignore him. She was sure he had to have seen it to. Wagering it was possibly a prank he was in on, or something. Which was very rude in her estimation.
She found the two plaques on the stations had been left alone. Reading 'His' and 'Hers' respectively. While examining them, she felt her foot get caught on something. Stumbling, then falling, face first into the snow. Something clicking as she did.
"What was that?" She grumbled, starting to get back up.
"I believe that was you falling." He suggested.
"Har, de, har." She replied, adding. "I can make jokes too, ya know?"
"Eh?" He recalled. "Oh no...no puns."
"Lotus see what it was." She offered. "I be-leaf I tripped over something there."
Flowey huffed. "Stahhp."
"No making fun of me for falling." She replied, noticing a switch. "And besides...how was I supposed to notice this beneath snow?"
"A switch?" He asked. "Well, that was probably some kind of trap?"
"It could be, maybe?" She suggested, looking at it. "But uh...I think I triggered it when I fell. So, I guess we'll find out?"
Flowey commented. "Maybe try and be a little bit more mindful where you step, okay?"
Chara gave a little huff, and started heading back, and out the other direction available. Said path was a bit wider, with a sleeping armored wolf lying on the ground. The lesser wolf, well and truly passed out. Retrieving the stick, Chara once more gave the dangerous feral monster-wolf a head pat.
Forward further, was a section where spikes seemed to have been protruding. Designed to block the path of progress. However, they were down at the moment, likely due to the switch she'd made contact with. Flowey noticed they weren't moving.
"You uh...gonna go?" He asked, getting no response. "Uhm...Chara?"
"Yes. Y-yes, yeah. I'm going." Chara replied with a nervous laugh.
She carefully examined them, before diving across, nearly falling as she slid. Heart pounding as she glanced back at the spike strip. Thankful they hadn't activated to catch her off guard.
"Just wanted to let you know-" Flowey began. "we may have company."
She had been examining the spike area, before he spoke. Turning on her heel to face the two dark figures drawing near. They carried with them large, and hopelessly intimidating axes. Her mind noting how sharp they seemed, prompting some hesitation on her part.
"Hmm, what's that smell?" One said, sniffing the air.
"Where's that smell?" The other asked, sniffing as well.
The first shifted some, stepping back. "Smells...familiar...and not?"
The second moved a bit more to the side. "Smells...like bad dreams..."
The first brandished their axe. "It makes me want to...run."
"Run far away." The second whimpered.
This was not the resposne that Chara had anticipated, and she wasn't entirely certain what was happening. Feeling both confused, and anxious all of a sudden. Her flowery companion sharing her same general response, looking her over some.
When she glanced back at him, he looked away. She noticed, and tookthe stick from there, letting out a sigh. She gave a loud whistle, grabbing the wolves attention, winding up and then chucking the stick away, and back in the direction that she had been coming from.
The axe-wielding monsters noticed it moving in the air. And promptly bounded off to go deal with it. Her purple eyes watching them go, before turning back to the way they'd come. Sprinting forward to escape the area, before they came back.
They rushed ahead, coming to what appeared to be some kind of ice structured puzzle. With icey-snow blocks placed around. There were various X's on the ground, with triggers of sorts near them. It seemed like it might take a little bit.
Chara briefly wished that things would stop being strange. Flowey however, was busy thinking about other things. Obsessing over them, actually.
"Chara...did I ever ask what you remembered before you woke up?" He inquired.
"Huh, oh, I don't remember?" She asked. "We...talked about some stuff at the Ruins door." She recalled. "I don't...remember a lot of things. Most of it comes from-"
"Dying. Right?" He hummed. "Little flashbacks from when you were, ya know, dead?" She felt a twitch in her hand. "And then bits here and there when you're, I guess wandering around?"
"Well. Yeah." She replied, feeling oddly nervous. "It's...bits and pieces."
"Don't you find that weird?" He asked. "Just, like...everything?"
"Well, yeah, obviously." She replied, asking. "Is this...about what the dogs said?" She frowned. "I don't know why they said all that but-"
"Look, I just uh...this is a weird angle to talk." He pondered. "Hey, set me down for a minute."
"Okay." She hummed. "I can hold you out a bit, I mean it's cold, so-"
"That's...I'd like to be placed down." He repeated, as she winced. "I uh, ya know, I'm thinking about checking something out. So-"
"Okay." She replied quietly bringing the backpack around. Taking the flower, and the vase out. "What cha thinkin bout checkin out?"
She placed the vase, containing the flower on the ground. The container sinking into the snow. The ends of Floweys scarf dragging a bit onto the frost.
Flowey pondered briefly if she felt colder than she was letting on, given that the green hooded jacket didn't seem like the warmest thing. Then again, it wasn't his chief concern in the moment, and there was quite a lot he'd been ignoring or attempting to ignore for awhile now.
Granted, he couldn't exactly claim a little change in behavior was to be unexpected. Death had changed him too after-all. But it left him nervous. Like something was wrong, and he needed to help fix it. But he didn't even know what it was, exactly. Just...something.
"I wanna look into what Sans was talking about." Flowey suggested. "Ya know, whether or not Toriel's at the ruins."
"I thought we were being cautious about him." She reminded. "Flowey...what if it's a trap?"
"What if it's not?" He asked back. "Then we'd have been wandering out here for no real reason."
"Well...I mean, maybe...uhm." Chara frowned. "Flowey...I don't...know why they said those things." She noticed him fidget. "But...I'm not...did I do something wrong?"
"No, it's not, that. It's...uhm." Flowey felt oddly guilty. "Look, Toriel would probably have some answers, about everything. And she is who we're looking for right?" She nodded. "So, if she is there, then hey, great. If not, then, no harm no foul, we keep moving on. Got it?"
"I guess." She hesitated some. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine." He replied, adding. "I'm just gonna hop over, come back. No worries."
"You won't...be gone too long?" She asked. "Right?"
"It's just a quick jaunt. Besides, you'll be fine with or without me." He assured, pulling himself out of the vase, and dropping onto the snowy dirt. "W-w-wow, that's heh, chilly is-isn't it?" He chuckled. "R-right...I'll be back."
"Okay uh-" She began, as he vanished into the ground, leaving the scarf as he did. "uhm...alright."
A sense of distress filled her, as she hesitantly picked up the scarf. Placing it into the backpack, before kneeling down. Taking a seat in the snow. She dug into her pocket, and produced her phone, hitting a few buttons. Calling Toriel. Nobody answered, and she put the phone away.
The wind howled across the area. Battered against her. She shifted her posture, and weight. Bringing one leg out straight, while hugging her knee with the other. Watching snowfall, as it clung to her. It was quiet, painfully so.
Chara told herself, that he likely couldn't bring it with him, when he did his digging thing. It wasn't that he didn't want it, or...didn't care for it. Besides, it was just a scarf, right? No significance.
Despite this, she began to feel a little colder. A sensation that grew with time. As she sat, waiting patiently, watching the spot. Internally counting the time. She felt tired, but she didn't want to go anywhere, in case he came back, and lost her.
Tick tock. She waited. Sometimes shifting the way she was seated. Someone remining abnormally still.
The snow was beginning to cling in a steady layer over her hair. Giving it a silvery white sheen, at this point. How long had it been now? She didn't know.
She impulsively let out a grim chuckle. It seemed perhaps, she was right. And that feeling was horrible. The girl wondering if perhaps Flowey had gone missing as well?
After all, they hadn't run away, had they? That'd be silly...wouldn't it? After all, what would they have been running from? They thread of thought brought her hands to cover her eyes for a time.
Tick tock. Time kept ticking along. The snow was growing heavier still. It was odd weather.
Her warm breath stopped being visible. Snow covering her, her eyes glossed over. She couldn't cope with this. There was a feeling of guilt, that kept her steady. Sitting there, dripping bits of inky tears. Leaving grim smears down her figure, hot enough to melt at the snow.
"Flowey?" She whispered, but...nobody came. "I'm sorry..."