Tra la la
It has been 25 years since I have fallen down here. My old life feels like a dream. Yet I have found a new purpose, the entire time I have been serving the Underground faithfully as their River Person. Everyone knows me, but No one knows me.
I have gotten to know the inhabitants of the Underground. Everyone has ridden my body at least once. I have met many noteworthy individuals. The royal scientist, Mettaton, and even the king himself. To my surprise the king was very friendly, he even thanked me for all that I have done for the Underground. I still find it unbelievable that he is the one who gave the orders to kill any humans that fall down here.
Right now I am taking Papyrus to Waterfall. He is as talkative as ever. I wish I could have met him back when I was Marley. What would he have thought of me? But it's too late for that now, Marley perished in the river. But at least I can still get to know him this way as the River Person.
"I CAN'T WAIT TO ARRIVE AT UNDYNE'S! I HAVE A SPECIAL SURPRISE FOR HER! INSTEAD OF SHOWING UP ALONE FOR OUR PRIVATE TRAINING SEASON. I SHALL BE BRINGING A FRIEND!"
"Tra la la. A friend? Who are you bringing?" It could be Sans but if that's the case Papyrus would have just said brother. It has to be someone else.
"IT WOULD BE THE HUMAN! THEY HAVE ACCEPTED MY GENEROUS OFFER OF BEING MY FRIEND! THEY LOVE PUZZLES JUST AS MUCH AS I DO! I KNOW THEY WILL LOVE TO MEET UNDYNE!" A HUMAN?! Here in the Underground! I can't let Papyrus see me tense. I try to regain my poster as I look back at Papyrus.
"Tra la la. A human, how long have they been down here?" Despite how hard I am trying to keep my voice as natural as possible, I can still hear the disbelief in my voice. Thankfully Papyrus doesn't seem to notice as he continues.
"NOT QUITE LONG. AS EXPECTED IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR ME TO BEFRIEND THEM." as we arrive at Waterfall and Papyrus thanks me as he starts walking towards Undyn's house. Now that he is gone, I no longer have to hide that I am freaking out! A human down here? There have been a few before me but they all meet the same fate. I want to help them if I can, but revealing myself is still too risky. But I can do for them what I have done for everyone else.
I will take them wherever they want to go. I hope they come by here, if they are going to be traveling back and forth in the Underground they are going to need me.
They have come at last. Like usual I have been standing on my boat, waiting for anyone who might need to go anywhere. Sure enough the person standing in front of me is none other than the human. I am taken back by how young they are. I fell in the Underground when I was twelve. They look a few years younger than me.
They smile an infectious smile and wave the moment they see me. I smile back even though they can't see it underneath my hood.
"Tra la la. I am the riverman. Or am I the riverwoman…? It doesn't matter really matter. I love to ride in my boat. Would you care to join me?" The child nods as they step into my boat.
"Where will we go today?"
"Snowdin, please." Their voice is soft and gentle. I nod as the boat sets off.
"Tra la la. Temmie Village… the room before the darkening lantern room." I know it took me a hard time to find Temmie Village when I first got here. I only heard about it a few months into fairing people. It is one of the few places in this area of the Underground where things can be sold.
The human smiles as they ponder my words. Probably memorizing the instructions. I hope it can help them on their journey.
We arrive at the river side in Snowdin. As the child is getting off I see them reaching into their pockets. As their hand emerges I see the shine of the gold in their hands. They try to hand it to me but I shake my head.
"Tra la la. You can keep it. I don't mind giving rides for free. Stay safe." The child frowns, but I reassure them that I don't want the gold. They put it back in their pocket.
"Thank you so much! I'm Frisk, it's always fun meeting a new friend!" They already see me as a friend. With the kindness they have already shown I am not surprised.
"Tra la la. No problem! Come back again if you need to head somewhere else." The kid waves goodbye and heads off. There's something about them, from what I have heard they have already made it to Hotlands. Can they really make it to Asgore?
They actually did it. Not only did they make it to Asgore, they destroyed the barrier. Monster can all finally be free. I have been having my work cutout for me ever since the news spread. I have been taking monsters from all over the Underground to the capital. The pacing slowed down until eventually no one was left to take.
I stand by the river side with my boat. No one left to take anywhere, the whole purpose my new life had. Ironic that I found out about it in the same place my old life ended.
"Hey, are you ok?" That voice, the innocents in it. I turn around fast as I spot Frisk standing at the entrance of the river bank. I only recently learned their name, I don't remember how but it doesn't really matter.
"Everyone is accounted for except you. We can join the others now if you're ready." To go back to the surface. After I accepted my fate down here, I stopped believing it was possible. My parents I wonder what they ever thought happened to me. Even if I leave here I am still a completely different person. Behind my pale skin could there still be anything left of me?
"Tra la la. Thanks, I just need a moment." Frisk stands there, I can tell by their smile that they understand. Did they come back down here because they were worried that I wasn't coming. After being able to leave the palace where their life was in constant risk, they refused to leave me here alone.
It's time. Getting on the boat I take me and Frisk over to the capital. We dock and I slowly steep off with Frisk.
Looking back at my boat and the river, I remember all the journeys I took as well as all the secrets I have heard. It's over now, I can finally see home again. I turn back as we head for the barrier. Each step I grow more and more nervous.
I am met with blinding sunlight as we exit the Underground. Mt. Ebott, it still looks the same as it did when I first came here. I feel tears streaming down my face as I stare at my old town in the distance.
I am free.
Author's Notes:
The River Person is free. But what does their life hold now?