When a day could come and go, and be forgotten, was it bad?
Uneventful, in the wider scope of things. But it may have had healthy conversation. It could have had a few good jokes and a few honest, easy smiles. Maybe the weather was just right, comfortable and pleasant enough that nobody noticed.
It wasn't often people valued those days, at least, when they were actually participating, or living in them. No, on those days they wished for excitement, a thrill, a rush. Something that gave them more to do, more to see.
Allowing the humble moment to pass. Barely registered as having happened at all. Until it was too late to grasp for.
It had been a curious day, and a curiouser morning. A disorderly week, and a rough couple before that. Often leaving Sans to wish for those calmer days, wondering if he actually knew what they felt like anymore.
His skeletal hands folded together for a moment, wrapped above a series of spread out papers. Sprawling across the front of a large computer. Notes written in an alien font, which he imagined many wouldn't know or understand how to read. Hell, he could barely grasp it at times.
But the more he read, the more confused he felt. The more he wished for lazier days. The more he just wanted to go to bed, and let this all play out however it was going to.
It was astonishing how every new piece of information, somehow left him feeling like he made less progress. It was as if there was something, or someone working against him. Always ommiting, or stealing away a crutial piece of a puzzle. Even if it was just written words on old paper.
"then again." He grumbled.
To be fair, these notes were written by a scientist nobody could remember. One they knew had to exist. An enigma explaining enigmas, in enigmatic fashion. It would be funny, were it not so depressing and infurating.
A cloud of smoke billowed out, and one of the hands moved. Grasping onto the half-smoked cigarette, flicking the ash onto the floor. The same gnagging question was presented by the holder, the short skeleton leaning back in the chair.
It didn't take a genius to figure out who the kid was supposed to be. Chara Dreemurr. Deceased adopted offspring of the King and Queen of the Underground. Someone who was once, and still was rather important to the history of it all.
The one whose death shaped their downfall to be even worst than it had been previously. Someone so blurry in history now-a-days, that few knew the name. Fewer recalling the kid was human, once.
Of course, all that did, was explain Toriels response to her absense. Sans adjusted at this thought, and glanced to his phone. It had been sitting there, and mustering a bit of willpower, he tried to call her again. But the line wasn't connecting.
"that's just an excuse." He muttered knowingly to himself.
He knew he could just go tell her. He could do that. He should do that. It would be...the right thing to do, wouldn't it?
Thinking on recent incidents, he thought to when he found the kid out in the snow, half frozen, and unconscious. Sans had debated one of three things he could do. One, he could snatch her up, and take her back to Toriel.
That would have been it. He imagined how she'd have responsed. And for a moment, his smile became a bit more genuine. If he'd done it, she'd likely never have forgotten it. Everyone could have gone home happy.
Afterall, the kid was seemingly motivated by a desire to get back to her. But he'd hesitated. Was that, safe? Considering what he'd have to overlook, and ignore to do that?
Someone was clearly playing a game, tampering with shit they shouldn't be tampering with. Charas very existence proved that. As last time he checked humans didn't 'get up' after falling down. Not without someone, somehow making that happen.
Would the 'other player' in this game appreciate that decision? Would they lash out when their piece stopped moving across the board? Would they even let him, end the game that early?
Sans let out a chilled breath, and glanced around. Hesitantly taking another drag of his cigarette. Feeling like someone was watching him. Tense, and uncomfortable.
Wondering to himself, what the hell did they want anyways?
His second decision was to just kill the 'kid.' Honestly, given her status as anomalous, he somehow doubted it would matter. If he was right, about his theories, it would be a pointless, and dangerous action. Something that could spill out into dozens of unforseen consequences. It was better, in his mind to avoid that action, at least until he knew more.
The third option was that he could let their undead monarch continue the path. Afterall, all roads led in one direction. And at the end of it, would be an answer to about a dozen different questions, or none at all.
Besides. If he was wrong. If some freak accident, or somethin he didn't understand brought the kid back. And he killed the human. If it stuck. He shifted uncomfortably.
"I fuckin hate promises." He grumbled. "the hell was I thinking?"
He ground the cigarette into the ashtray and closed the documents. He wasn't making any real progress on his own. He knew who he could ask, but he was hesitant to do so. He had no idea what Alphys would do, afterall.
But he was sadly out of options, and likely out of time. With a sigh, he vanished from the room. Leaving a faintly smoking cigarette behind.
The cold greeted a pair of purple eyes, falling snowflakes and a brighter pale sky.
The shoes covered in tape and pieces of 'armored' material crunching into the snow. It was morning now, and she got to look around this place, both familiar and un at the same time. It didn't take her long to find the sign dubbing this place 'Snowdinn.'
She had the faintest memory of a place of the same name, much smaller then. She recalled racing through it with her brother as her father was busy with something. Playing a prank on...someone who lived there.
Unlike then, there were dozens of different buildings, with paths venturing in every direction. With different routes off the main road, winding around some of the buildings. The trees and forest surrounding the place were much thinner than before.
She observed how people wandered about, looking quite tired in themselves. She stepped absently into the main road, and watched as they passed. Some of them were talking to one another, a few ignoring the others. One was quite tall, and unfamiliar, like a bird with a stretched neck. Another was tiny and rolled around, resembling some sort of mole with a hard-hat, and a heavy coat.
The buildings here were far from the stone structures of the capital. These were slapdash, put together with all manner of things. With entire walls being different colors, made of entirely different materials. She wondered if that was safe.
"Is this, Snowdinn?" Chara asked for confirmation.
She glanced to her side, finding nobody. Looking back she found Papyrus checking his phone for a moment, before pushing it into his pocket. He gave a slight nod, and stepped over to her.
"How very astute. Indeed it is Snowdinn." He replied, adding. "Sometimes I have to confirm it myself. Nyeh heh."
"Why would you need to do that?" She asked, taking a moment to adjust her fake horns.
"Well. I haven't always lived here." Papyrus informed her. "This is the place my brother and I call home these days. But, well..." He hummed. "You know, that lazybones was originally meant to give you a lesson on the history of the town, while we got you proper armoring." Chara tensed a bit at this, noticed by the taller skeleton. "But that clearly is going to have to wait, while he's out doing...who knows what." He sighed, as she looked relieved. "Whatever, we'll continue on without him, and I'll give you a quick rundown of things. There is a lot that needs to be done, afterall."
"N-no, you don't have to." She laughed nervously. "I'll be fine wi-"
The tall skeleton stopped in the middle of the walkway, the other monsters walking quickly diverting. A few grumbling. Others groaning or complaining, until they saw who it was. Most immediately shying when they deteremined this. Papyrus crossing his arms, as he focused on Chara.
"Education, and the choice to educate oneself on any new environment is essential for any proper warrior or adventurer." He stated plainly. "We cannot be so simple as to coast foolishly. Now, I understand it may sound intimidating, but it's not a test. Just a brief chat."
"Well uhm...if you say so." She agreed reluctantly. "What...do you, even want to educate me on?"
"Do you know why Snowdinns population has grown so much?" Papyrus asked.
"Er...no?" She admitted, having not thought about it. "That...hmm. Why are there so many monsters here?"
"A fine question." He replied, adding. "There is an overcrowding problem at the capital. And some smaller outpost towns have been 'shut down' due to complications." He cleared his throat. "And so, Snowdinn, takes on the people without anywhere else to go."
Chara felt surprised, asking. "Overcrowding...but...the capital is huge?"
"Indeed. That is a good question to stew over while we walk, I think." Papyrus wagered. "Take time, and try to think of reasons this might have occured. Potential solutions to the problem. And then reflect on the possible choices that led to this moment here."
He didn't elaborate further, even though she half-expected that he would. Instead, he turned and started off again. The girl left for a moment considering, before snapping from her thoughts, jogging after him.
She had no idea why such a thing might have occured. Unless, perhaps, the city just ran out of space? Last she recalled, there was so much of it. She wondered if something terrible had happened, perhaps? That might explain things.
She snuck glances at the denizens as she went, wondering who among them had come from a place for such reasons. And what those reasons might have been. There were bunny people, bear-folk, and other warmer looking peoples. But there were some birds, lizards, and a few monsters she couldn't identify the types of.
Briefly walking backwards, she glanced up at the higher homes. At the porches that hung over massive drops. Ones she frankly found to be a bit imposing. Saw the people on them, talking, smoking, or just sitting.
Turning back around front, she saw a couple of monster kids hanging out at a bench. They were arguing with each other. Among them was the dark humor bird she'd met in the forest, all hanging out. She didn't feel compelled to deal with the grim sense of humor, or she might have said hello.
For a moment, she obseved what appeared to be a group sleeping in an alleyway. A deer, a lizard, and another kid she couldn't quite make out. Passing by the alleyway, she noticed a strange monster kid nearby. A monochrome teenager, a lizard of sorts, bearing no arms.
They were watching another kid who was rather similar looking, running over to the ones at the becnh. The pale eyed monster turned, meeting her gaze. For a moment, Chara felt unusually uneasy. Someone passed in front of her, distracting her briefly. When she looked back, the strange monster kid had left.
"H-hey there... uh, morning Papyrus." Someone greeted the skeleton. "Hey so the uh ya know, the...Captain...is she still a-er, Undyne was lookin for you earlier."
Chara found that there was some sort of lage hatted monster before Papyrus. Looking a touch nervous. She noticed Papyrus giving her a glance, before turning to adress this monster.
"Then your time was wasted. I already spoke with her." He replied plainly, noticing Chara watching him. "Your...attempted assistance is appreciated, however."
The saber-toothed monster with the hat looked confused. "Uh...was that, a thank you?"
Papyrus said. "It was, yes."
The monster chuckled. "A genuine thank you, in Snowdinn, from you?"
"Manners are important." Papayrus replied, adding. "Perhaps I have been lacking, at times. But I'm working to adress this oversight."
"Sounds fancy." The other man said, smiling a little. "Well I guess...ya welcome den boss." He cleared his throat. "Hey so...about a d-oh nevermind."
Papyrus didn't elect to linger, instead continuing past the monster wearing a chestpiece with the Deltarune on it. Chara followed along, feeling curiousity stir again. Jogging enough to come to the side of the tall skeleton, looking up at him.
When they were a bit away, she asked. "Was that a friend of yours?"
Papyrus hummed. "Colleague. He's meant to be a messenger. Though, nobody really sends messages by, well, mail these days." He added. "Doing so in often ineffective, or has your items getting st-"
"He seems nice." She offered. "And he seemed really happy when you said thank you." The skeleton scanned her smile. "So, maybe uh, working on the...oversight is going well?"
"I suppose." Paprus added. "Well...it's a process. And, I guess he's far from the worst messenger. At least he eventually completes his task."
She hummed a bit, and said. "I think we was going to ask for a day off?"
"Yes, well, it's a process." He replied, adding. "Let's not get too crazy, just yet. Discipline is important, Chara."
She elected not to argue. Instead adding this to the list of things she needed to remember, that he said. The first being a mental excercise, the second being that she needed to be disciplined. Trying to muster mental images of what exactly that looked like.
She wondered this as they entered into a side of town she couldn't recall in any fashion. The pair passing by a number of sketchy looking people. Past rundown homes, or strange buildings with shiny signs that illuminated with light.
One said. 'Ladies.' Which left Chara to wonder why a sign would advertise that? Was it a place for ladies? Were there ladies there already, and they were just telling people? Was it a sort of hideout, or club house?
Papyrus asked. "What are you wondering about?"
"Huh?" She glanced.
"As one of the few beings capable of complicated thought." He smirked a bit. "I know the expression. I imagine you've come up wi-"
"The Ladies sign, what's that for?" She asked.
Papyrus paused, and turned. "What?"
"See, that sign. It's all shiny...but a sign...Signy." Chara pointed it out, and smiled at her own little joke. "It says Ladies. Why would th-"
"Ah heh. That's for...uh..." Papyrus tried to think up a 'reason' for it. "A person named Ladies home?"
"Really?" She asked in surprise. "Oh...they made a sign to say where it was." Somehow, this tracked. "That's fair. I mean, I guess it's really helpful if you get lost."
"Exactly. That is exactly its function. With no ulterior purposes." He then said. "Oh, look, our destination ahead. We should get going, before we're late."
"Huh?" She asked, as he started to walk faster. "P-papyrus."
She jogged after him, paying no more heed to the sign. Save to think briefly, that it was a clever idea. Maybe she'd get put a sign like that on her house one day.
It wasn't much longer then, before they came to the building that Papyrus had been seeking. A building, with a building on top of it. A windy looking staircase leading to the one on the top.
Chara read the names. "Baylors Tailoring is on top. Taylors Bakering is on bottom." For some reason she felt like those two things should be reversed. "I like the colors."
Papyrus examined them. Baylors Tailoring, the building on top, had a muted purple color. Taylors Bakering, however, had a dark red color. Typically it wouldn't be the most appealing mixture, but in a way, he understood.
Most buildings around here had the same dull grey coloring. Meaning that places like this stood out all the clearer. A little injection of color to improve the day, perhaps.
"They do have a certain vibrancy. Do they not?" The skeleton wondered aloud, while starting up the staircase. "Mind the edges, the railing only extends the staircase."
Chara followed him up, finding the railing was a little bit loose on the staircase. That if she gave it a slight push, it wobbled. Coming to the top of it however, she found he wasn't wrong.
The top building was actually smaller than the building on the bottom. Meaning there was a sort of 'porch' before it. Which extended to the edge of the bottom buildings roof. All that space, lacked safety railings.
She wagered a fall from it would, undoubtedly be a fatal occurance. Unless the snow was really, really high. But that wasn't likely.
Chara looked out across the expanded town of Snowdinn from the top of the staircase. She couldn't see everything, and some buildings were definitely taller. But it put in perspective, how small it all felt.
She could see so many sour faces, to many miserable looking people. It brought her back to Papyrus's question. They weren't happy to be here, because they didn't have a choice. Which left her wondering what decisions they were actually able to make?
Were they forced down this path, to this place? If they city did suffer damage, fixing it should have given them somewhere to live. Unless it wasn't getting fixed? Or maybe it was unfixable?
She heard the door open, turning and hurrying after the skeleton. Nearly slipping on the icy roof, managing to catch herself on a chair placed in front of the store. Her heart briefly pounding, as she glanced back at the edge.
Her gaze lingered for a moment, before hearing. "You coming?" From Papyrus, inside. "Chara?"
Snapping from whatever thought she had been having, she followed him into the building. There she was greeted by the smell of fabric, and something sweet. Despite this, and the expectations they might have produced in her mind, the interior of the shop wasn't all that significant.
There were a couple of couches that looked like they came apart into pieces. They were placed to the right of the entrance. She noted some sort of strange doll on one of them, like a stuffed cat.
Turning to the left, there was a counter space, with a tired looking raptor-like woman standing behind it. She wore a rather heavy coat, and seemed mostly asleep at this point. She spotted a candle on the counter, with small puffs of smoke rising from the burning wick and melted wax. The source of these scents, or at least one of them.
Beyond this counterspace, and to the right of it, on the left side of the room, there was a hallway. Chara leaned enough to peer down it. There were three rooms there, marked as changing rooms. A bunch of fabrics, and materials present along the wall. Seemingly there that a person might feel them, or compare them.
Her attention swayed and fell upon the last notable aspect about the room. Across from the couches, there was an old television hanging in corner of the room. Visible to them, and to the coutner, seemingly. It presently showed something across the screen.
A bit of text that read. 'No worries folks. We're just one fan call-in from MTT returning.' There was a timer on the bottom, it seemed to be counting up. She examined the number, rather large. Unpleasantly so. She guessed it had to have been going on for days by how big it was, had nobody bothered to call in?
Chara imagined that everyone must have felt that someone else would. That made sense to her. Yet it made her feel bad all the same.
As this had happened, there had been conversation going on. That she barely paid attention to. As Papyrus's presence awoke the lady behind the counter. Who yawned, and smiled some.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the most fashionable royal guard in the Kings Army." She greeted, getting a content sigh from him. "I didn't expect you in here today." The shop-keeper smiled some. "How's my favorite customer?"
For a moment, Chara tuned into the conversation to hear this part. However, her focus fell on the television again. Waiting. But nothing was happening. Each moment she felt certain something would appear.
Someone would call in. But they didn't. Did...nobody care?
"Hey P-" She paused, finding that the skeleton was engaged in a conversation that sounded friendly. "nevermind."
She stepped nearer, and squinted. Observing there was a name at the bottom. Stating the show belonged to, and the main star was one 'Mettaton.' She'd not heard the name before, but imagined it must hurt to have nobody come. To be left in the cold.
RG8geW91IGZlZWwgcGl0eSwgY2hpbGQ/IEhvdyBpcm9uaWMuIFR1cm4gYXdheSBub3csIHlvdSBoYXZlIG1vcmUgaW1wb3J0YW50IHRoaW5ncyB0byB3b3JyeSBhYm91dC4=
The moment of hesitation while looking the screen over, came with a sensation that she should leave the number alone. That calling it was somehow an...incorrect decision. That she should turn around, and focus on the conversation at hand.
And yet...
"H-hey, sorry, uhm phone call." Chara motioned with her hand. "I'll, be right back?"
"Eh, a phone call?" Papyrus half-asked. "Hmm, very well, but don't wander too far hum-er, Chara." very well.
Digging her phone from her pocket, she gave a friendly smile in reponse while quickly venturing outside. The door closing with a little jingle when she did. The warmth of the place replaced with the cold of the world.
Typing in the number she'd seen on the screen, she took a few steps. Hoping she remembered everything correctly. Then again, it wasn't a complicated number. Most of it was 9's.
Hitting the call button, she looked around, setting her eyes on an old chair beside the door. The phone beginning to ring, as she took a seat there. The area smelled like smoke, and there was a full ashtray nearby, but she tried to ignore that for the moment.
The phone rang, and rang, until finally, the line clicked. Someone had answered. And there was silence for a few moments, leaving hre feeling confused.
"Uhm...Greetings?" Chara half-asked.
"I'm sorry, darling, you may have...dialed the wrong number." A very worn down voice greeted her on the other line. "If you're seeking the number for Grillby's, you need a eight, instead of a nine."
She listened to the other line, hearing little sounds through the phone. There was a sound like tv static. Like faint music, playing. A faint urge attempted to becon her to hang up, but she persevered.
"I don't think so." She began, hesitating. "Isn't this...Mettaton?"
There was a sound, abit like something rattling. Like metal against metal. Then, something being tossed, bouncing off the ground. Echoing faintly.
There was a bit of a pause. "Why would...ahh I see now." The voice laughed a sad laugh. "Darling...if this is a death threat or hate mail, I'm afraid the inbox is full." There was a sigh. "Then again...you gave all this effort. I suppose I can grant you a few minutes to vent if you want. Sorry."
Chara got up from her seat, and paced a bit. Searching her mind for a response to this. Finding something familiar from her own experiences. Fidgeting, as she scanned the horizon.
"Hey. D-do uh...do you remember the last episode?" Chara inquired, biting her thumb when she got no response. "T-the uhm...ya know...the last one that got aired?" She asked. "Before the break?"
"The baking episode that went awry?" The voice groaned, sounding a bit robotic now that she focused. "What an idiot I was...or, are you talking about the human cartoon hour?" Mettaton asked back. "Before you say it. Yes, I know it was a dumb idea. I'm sorry, I just, I guess they're not...it just seemed fun, and with the fire-" There was a sound like a chair creaking. "it was what we had on hand, and I just...sorry."
The heiress of the underground had wandered to the edge of the porch. Feeling the wind against her, scanning the drop from this height. Spending time scanning it as Mettaton spoke. She realized she had bitten off more than she could chew. Leaving her wondering what happened, exactly.
"I mean uhm, besides the fire, I think...it was uh, super fun?" Chara commented, adding. "The hour of just cartoons wasn't bad. I mean I really liked it." She heard the scoff. "N-no I-I mean it. That catroon...uhm...the one with...I'm really bad with the names of things...w-with the..."
She lost her train of thought. Her breath, once warm in contrast with the cold, was just as icy new. Leaving her to feel miserable. She had no idea what to do.
UGVyaGFwcyBuZXh0IHRpbWUuIFlvdSB3aWxsIGRvLiBBcyB5b3UgYXJlIHRvbGQuIEFuZC4gUHJvY2VlZC4=
There was a genuine silence for awhile. "Is this...a prank?" Mettaton asked. "I'm afraid I don't... I don't think I understand."
"N-no, no prank. I'm a fan, and, well, my name's Chara, and uh..." She stepped back, nearly stumbling, catching herself. "I just...didn't know the name is all. O-of the cartoon...so I could, watch it later?"
Snapped from her thoughts, she turned and moved away from the edge.
"Oh. I see. Well-" Tapping could be heard on the other end of the line. "if this...isn't a cruel prank then..." There was hesitance. "Hello Chara. Yes...you callled the right number. I'm Mettaton. Ya know, the uh, star of the show."
The brief strained enthusiasm, and following pained laugh suggested that likely meant something once. She couldn't help but feel some pity. But was also glad that she had finally gotten past the first hurdle.
"Ya know, I thought it was you." Chara suggested, lying through her teeth. "You sound...different on the phone."
"Don't we all?" Mettaton snickered some. "Hmm, as per...your request. I'm not entirely familiar with people calling in to ask that...let me check, really fast." The man paused. "I'll be right back, alright?"
"Sure, I'll be here." She assured, hearing the phone get set down.
The girl let out a breath she didn't know she'd been keeping in. Letting her arm lower for a moment, dangling with the phone grasped in her hand. One part of her felt like this was a terrible idea, and was desperate to hang up. The other, however, manifested in a small smirk on her face.
Mettaton was already sounding so much happier than when the call started. If she hung up, she knew it'd hurt, that it would break his heart. She reminded herself that this was the right thing to do. That she couldn't back down, she had to persevere. There was sound as the other phone was picked up, and she brought her own to her ear.
"I take it you've hung up?" The voice of Mettaton suggested, sounding depressed.
"No, I-I'm still here." She assured, the false horns on her head shifting as she stepped, being nudged back into place. "Why would I hang up?"
Mettaton let out a soft laugh. "Forgive me...seems I had...too little faith. Oh, yes. I looked into it." There was a noise like a box being opened. "Apparently the episodes were from the same show. Something called Dragon Crystal Z."
It was, a bit surprising to hear that. Even knowing they were apparently 'human cartoons.' She was aware of that show, recalling having watched it with someone. Traces of it dancing through her mind, reminding her of something.
"Did you already air the original?" Chara asked. "It should be called D-er, well, it's just Dragon Crystal. But without the Z, see?"
"Original?" Mettaton asked. "No...I wasn't aware there was one. Is this not, like, is this not some individual thing?"
"Not so much, heh, uhm, see there's the original Dragon Crystal and then Dragon Crystal Z." She recalled, adding. "They're both really different too. The first is all about adventure, and seeing the world. But the other one is about uh, well it's about fighting." She hummed. "It can be inappropriate at times. But, it...may help the audience with context?" She suggested. "What episode number was it that aired, actually?"
The box was audibly set down. She could hear the sound of a chair creeking. Of someone tapping.
"Is this not an episode of the week kind of show?" Mettaton inquired.
"N-no, this is one of those...they do like...what's the word?" She huffed.
"This is a serialized show, isn't it?" Mettaton sighed. "I'm so stupid. No wonder it failed."
She paced around the safer spot on the porch. "Hey now, it's okay. You made a little mistake. We all make em sometimes." She reasoned. "Maybe...maybe you could put on the original show, and start getting them aired in order?"
"What would it matter if the rest of the show is miserable." He inquired, as she heard what sounded like someone flopping into a desk.
"Well, I guess, more important, is.." She smiled some. "Are you having fun doing it?"
"Hmm?" The voice hummed.
"Your show?" She asked. "Are you still having fun?"
Mettaton was quiet for a moment, answering. "Maybe...the first few episodes."
"Well, what happened?" Chara inquired, taking a seat again.
"I don't know...it was all going so well." Mettaton sighed. "Some jokes, a bit of laughter. Lights, cameras, and fun little intermission shows." She could hear the warmth restoring. "Did you know, darling, I even started building a hotel. Had a guest appearance by the King to commemorate it, if you can believe that."
She considered this. "Asgore...was he well?"
"Back then, yes. At least, as well as one might be, considering." The voice sighed, the chair straining as it sounded like he got up. "But, it all went down hill. I don't know, it became so much, you know?" The sound of pacing could be heard. "So many demands, so many edits. Product placements. Crtisisms, angry callers. Confusion about direction. I-I...it all had to be perfect." The pacing paused. "And then I guess I messed up. One bad show became two, became three. Everything I did just seemed to make it harder to fix I-I...it just..."
Chara considered everything. She didn't understand completely, but what she did know was the feeling of failing. The feeling of letting everyone including yourself, down. Of doing something wrong, trying to fix it, and making it worst. She also knew what she had always wanted someone to tell her, when she felt that way.
"Mettaton, I think you did a good job." Chara told him calmly. "Just, make the show that makes you happy." She managed a smile. "It doesn't matter if it's some big thing, or a little project. It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be you. And...I know you'll do great so-" She composed herself. "even if you can't find a way to believe in yourself...I believe in you."
It took a little while for Mettaton to reply. "Thank you, darling. I...I think I really needed that. Chara, was it?"
"Yeah." She replied. "That's me."
"Well Chara, thank you so very much for calling." Mettaton laughed a robotic sounding laugh. "And...for what it's worth. You sound like a wonderful person, that I just know will do great things too. Just remember to take care of yourself, okay?"
"I'll do my best." She replied. "I uh, I have to head back in. But, it was nice talking to you. Have a good day."
"Until the next...until the next exciting episode." He replied, rebuilding some enthusiasm. "Farewell, darling."
With that, the long call finally came to an end. As the phone was closed, and pocketted, she let out a warm breath. Visible, like a heavy fog against the cold. The light in her eyes shining faintly for a moment.
It felt nice to help, or to feel like she had helped. A purple line shined nearby, a glow that only she could see. The thought she had helped someone else persevere, if only for a moment longer, filled her heart. In turn, giving her the power to persevere.
She headed back inside, the little bell she'd hardly noticed before chiming again. It prompted looks from the other two beings inside. Paprus was waiting by thecounter, as it appeared the pair had just finished their conversation. Some G being placed on the counter.
Chara saw, and wondered aloud. "Did you buy something?"
"Technically, yes, and no. How did your phone call go?" Papyrus responded.
"Oh, uhm. Wrong number." She replied, stepping over.
"Fret not, for even The Great Papyrus must endure such troubles." He remarked, before adding. "Also, to address your first question. I paid for you to get an outfit. Something properly protective."
"Oh?" Chara examined the wall of things. "Well uh, what did I get?"
The woman at the counter grinned some. "That's an adorable question. Kid, you can get whatever you want. It's a whole custom outfit, just for you." She suggested. "Cuz Papyrus is a big old softie."
Papyrus scoffed. "I-I am not. It's...for safety. You make durable, armored clothing." He added. "I just understand that proper armor must also be fashionable, or what's even the point?"
The shop-keep snickered. "Hey kis, why don't you aim for some of the more expensive materials and ideas?" She suggested. "Ya know, make sure it's fashionable too."
Papyrus gave the vendor a look. "Let's...try and be reasonable about this."
Chara wasn't quite sure what she wanted, having anticipated it be picked out for her. However, now that it was her choice. She walked about the shop, taking in the materials along the walls.
The various colors, and designs. The plates, and metals. Some synthetic, some genuine plastic, or even iron in one case. It was truly a varied assortment of things. Though, a couple things came to mind as she placed her hands in her pockets.
She asked. "I can...pick whatever kind of outfit I want?"
"Well of course." The vendor leaned against the counter. "Why, what'd you have in mind, kiddo?"
Chara felt excitement at this prospect. Digging something out of her pocket. Placing, with a big smile, the mage figurine on the counter.