Spotted! Trainer

[collectyourfriends]

There's a familiar voice echoing through the gardens--almost. After all, Frisk's voice hasn't been loud in a long while.

 "Papyrus! Papyrus? Papyrus!" What were those others called again--? "Dogs? Dogs? Papyrus! Where--are you?" 

The first visible difference one might notice is a massive dog-thing walking alongside them, ears flicking. Anyone who can tear their eyes away from him will notice that this Frisk is wearing a bandanna on their head, a pair of goggles and a bland-looking necklace hanging around their throat, a bag hoisted over their shoulder, and a black ball clutched tightly in their hand.

It's a Dusk Ball, and Papyrus was supposed to be inside of it. But he's not. It's empty. They hadn't seen him get out. Where is he?

Where are they? The sight of the sky goes against everything he'd told them, that Toriel had told them. If just walking back towards the Ruins to Snowdin ("IT'S A GOOD PLACE FOR 'TRAINING'!" Papyrus said) would somehow get them out--that doesn't make any sense. None of this does.

...Finding Papyrus is the most important thing right now. So they can ask him questions. Or to make sure he isn't in trouble with Sans, or that Captain he'd been going on about.

Their Manectric partner is the only reason they aren't completely panicking--and then he freezes and turns his head with a growl. They stop too, heart hammering, peering to see what he's looking at. "Sparks...?"

Or rather, who. Seems there's someone nearby. 

"Hello?"

Comments

[exuviiated]

It's a kid. Walking around with a-- thing. He recognizes it, kinda, from that card game that'd been an absolute craze when he was younger. But this is a kid, and they look scared. Aaron steps out to where he's easily visible and waves.

"Hey! Are you new here?"

[collectyourfriends]

Sparks takes a step forward to critically look him over.

For a minute, Frisk just stares. Because...that is a human. Even not counting underground, they haven't seen another human in a long while.

"...Yeah." Their voice is toneless, a far cry from their worried shouts just a few moments ago. "New. Where is this?"

[exuviiated]

"As far as I know, this is a castle."

Aaron submits to the scrutiny from Frisk's... pet. "I've tried to find a way out, but when you're in here you're..." he doesn't want to say trapped. "stuck. But there's lots of other people, and most of them are nice."

He smiles. "I'm Aaron. I've been here for a month or two. What's your name?"

[collectyourfriends]

Alright. That's really weird, and concerning, and it shows on their face, but there's worse that could be happening, they guess. It's the fact that where they are isn't making any sense that's the issue, here.

"...Frisk." Not that they look much like the one he's already met--the shirt is the same, but their skin is darker, they're taller, and not to mention-- "And this is Sparks." They sound a bit warmer introducing their Manectric, at least, who huffs and nods his own acknowledgement.

"You know how we got here? Even if we can't get out?" That's a little more important than introductions.

aaron: called manectric a dog

[exuviiated]

"...I'm sorry. Frisk. I don't know. Nobody does."

That's going to have to be enough. Aaron doesn't want to say they're never going to escape, or that they're 100% trapped-- but he doesn't want to lie, either.

"This place isn't too bad. I'm sure you and your dog will like it here, after you get over the whole... snatching situation."

[demonthatcomes]

Is that a new Frisk? There's something unusual about them... not to mention they're a lot louder than they're used to. Would they recognize them if they saw them? If they did, would they attack? Considering everything they've gone through since their arrival, Chara wasn't in any mood to defend themself again.

Curiosity takes over for this "Sparks" fellow though. Their eyes widen as the electric dog approaches them.

"What is that thing?"

[collectyourfriends]

Sparks gives a mildly affronted huff at being addressed as 'thing'. But since they don't immediately attack or seem prepared for a battle, he doesn't do much else.

Frisk doesn't answer for a moment. A human. That's--that's odd to see, even outside the Underground.

"...he's a Manectric." They must be from another region. Frisk isn't sure exactly where that mountain was. They were pretty sure they were going north when they left Hoenn, but they didn't exactly have a map.

Frisk steps forward, gives Sparks an absent pat along the back (and ignores as his namesake buzzes along heir hand). "D'you know where this--where are we?"

[demonthatcomes]

The Manetric seemed harmless enough, just cautious. Frisk acts unaware of their existence in general, so hey, fine with them.

"Oh... they look really cool." Chara stays still and avoids eye contact in case the Manetric wished to approach and sniff them. It's rude to try to immediately pet animals without their consent, especially if they're as intelligent and headstrong as this one. Chara holds enormous respect for canines and canine-like creatures for many reasons such as that.

"We are in a castle in the sky that draws people in from different worlds and dimensions. It's strange, but... don't let it shock you much." Ugh, that was terrible.

[collectyourfriends]

(Their Chara was much...quieter.)

"Yeah." Manectric are definitely the best, in their opinion. (Which they realize is probably quite biased, but they don't care.)

They don't speak beyond that. This Frisk is much worse of a conversationalist than the other one.

Sparks is rather used to dealing with humans and their generally-unintentional rudeness, but the shift to respect is quite appreciated. He gives them a short growl of approval.

...That was a terrible pun, yes, but they still laugh a little. Maybe some of it's at how surreal it sounds.

Frisk and Sparks both wander closer. Sparks does indeed take the opportunity to sniff at them a bit while Frisk is occupied with examining the castle properly. Even a human saying impossible things is a tad more steadying than being in a strange place with only their team--who they trust with their life, but whatever's dragged Frisk here dragged them all there without even a hint of warning.

[demonthatcomes]

"Do they have a name? They're okay with being petted, aren't they?" Chara is totally not biased toward animals over people. Nuh uh. Like with the other Frisks, Chara is glad they're not much of a talker either. It meant no one calling you mean or anti-social (gee, thanks for pointing out the obvious) because you weren't willing to gabble on 24/7. Still, they have to wonder what kind of universe Frisk came from to get to know Manectric. It can't be as bad as the one they've originated from.

This could get interesting.

[mediadarling]

"Fris--!"

Mettaton brings himself up short. Unless his nibling has had one significant growth spurt, he's looking at someone new--and some monster new, as well.

"Hello, there, darlings!" he greets them both. "Welcome to the castle!"

It could~!

[collectyourfriends]

Sparks--well, sparks a flashing warning across his fur. This...metal human's voice completely shatters the garden's quiet.

Frisk's reflexive expectation for attack means they miss the bit of name coming from his lips, at least for the moment. They draw themselves up (they're not that tall, sorry kid) and cross their arms tightly across their chest.

They don't miss all of his words, and it sounds important enough they decide to wait a turn before seeing if they can drive him off, or even need to.

"Castle? King..." what'd Papyrus call him? "Dreemurr's?"

[sansational]

Today has not been a good day. Its head is full of fog and blood and his bones feel especially heavy. Agitated and unable to remember why, the monster restlessly paces the grounds, growling and snapping at anyone or anything with the misfortune to get in its way.

But it can never not remember that name. It hears someone calling (a human, kill kill kill) and lifts its skull, panting raggedly, staring in the direction the voice had come from.

Then, all in a rush, it races off. That is an important name. It needs to know why the human knows it.

Sans isn't about to sneak up on Frisk. He's too big and even less concerned with stealthy, at the moment. Frisk will probably hear the branches rustling and twigs snapping for several seconds before the monster stumbles out from the denser trees of the wood, shaking its head in a vain attempt to focus.

[collectyourfriends]

Frisk is backing up long before he's in the open. Whatever's coming, they're sure they want to be out of its way--

--and oh, yes, they very much do.

There's a fleeting thought when they notice that the monster is made of bones, that maybe Papyrus will be that someday. Maybe.

Doesn't matter. Their partner backs away with them, but he'll do nothing more than flash a warning shower of sparks across his fur in warning until they give the word.

[sansational]

Even when Sans can keep some modicum of control over himself during these times, it sometimes feels more like he's yelling at a particularly idiotic horse, if said particularly idiotic horse was able to bite trees in half. no no no you will not hurt frisk you idiotic oversized...

But as it stops and stares at the (stranger?) human, some of that yelling makes it through. This is...this is a familiar human. Isn't it? It thinks so.

It ignores the other monster - it's not a threat, or at least it doesn't feel like a threat yet. Instead, the beast pads nearer to Frisk, lowering its head a little to better look them in the eye. It lets out a soft growl, but otherwise makes no other hostile move just yet.

[collectyourfriends]

They keep backing up.

Even without having to deal with chasing monsters away as much as possible since they stepped from the Ruins, being kidnapped and having their newest--friend--stolen away has done no favors for their friendliness. They are not in the mood for dealing with this.

"Get ready," they hiss.

Sparks shoots forward to stand between them, electricity arcing between his top and bottom teeth. The sky above seems to be a little darker.

Smells like ozone.

[sansational]

The monster backpedals sharply when Sparks gets between them. It crouches lower down to the ground, letting out a louder snarl of aggression and alarm. Now it can see that it's being threatened. Now it can see that it's being challenged.

The lights in its eyes blaze a brighter blue for a moment, and both Sparks and Frisk will feel their souls turned blue. Sparks, the beast tries to toss aside. Frisk it holds in place.

[andthebat]

The Batman's in the library, hidden behind a bookcase, when he catches the sound of an animal growling. It's followed shortly afterwards by Frisk calling out, and while the growling is strange enough, he also immediately notices that Frisk's voice is louder than it usually is.

"Frisk?" he says, just before stepping out from behind the bookcase.

Frisk will be able to see a seven foot tall, humanoid bat figure holding a thick book, who in turn is examining them and Sparks like they're some sort of puzzle.

Frisk looks older, Batman notes immediately, even if they're still what he'd consider a child, and they're dressed differently from how they usually are- not to mention the strange creature accompanying them. His eyes narrow. "Did you just get here?"

[collectyourfriends]

They'd assume he's a monster, except he knows their name. No monster knows their name.

(Of course, Frisk doesn't know there's another them around yet.)

He gets a matching stare from Frisk, a low growl from Sparks as he takes a step between the pair.

What is he? Looks like a Dark type, almost, except--he can talk. Almost no Pokémon can talk, and he sure isn't a Chatot.

"How'd you know that," they say, a bewildered demand and enough of an unintentional answer for him to figure it out.

[andthebat]

Damn it. The Batman really doesn't want this to turn into a brawl, but that pet of this Frisk's is definitely getting aggressive. He takes a moment to bare his teeth at the creature as a warning sign, before responding to Frisk.

"We've met before," he says simply. "This place gathers people from different timelines and worlds. Sometimes alternative versions of the same people show up."

It's about as straightforward an answer as he can give, considering the bizarre nature of the situation.

"I'd suggest you call off your guard dog, by the way."

[collectyourfriends]

That sounds...impossible and weird, but that's not as important as the fact that this might just turn into a battle.

Those warning just makes Sparks snarl more--and Frisk's teeth pull back too, in something that's bizarrely close a match to their guard dog despite their entirely different mouths and sets of teeth.

Things that don't want to fight run. Things that do stand their ground until they make them run.

"Why."

[lightofthestars]

Tauriel hears the new person long before she sees them.

It is the strong shouts that first tells her that this is not the Frisk she knows. The strange words they speak come next to her ears, for why would they call for Papyrus and dogs at once?

Last, it is the sound of their voice that speaks of a Frisk that is far different, for there is the sound of further years in their words--years that Frisk does not have.

Her steps toward the new Frisk soon stop, however, for they are sharing their company with something large that walks upon four feet. As she approaches the corner around which Frisk and the other are to be found, a growl begins. Once more, she holds her place; this time, her hand falls to a knife.

"Greetings," she says, without showing herself. "Please tell your companion I mean you no harm if they mean me none."

[collectyourfriends]

Greetings. Strange, how simple a word can choke them up.

Sparks flicks his ears to and fro, trying to find exactly where the voice is coming from.

Frisk sucks in a deep breath. "...he won't do anything unless you try to get me first." They run their hand over his back. "Who's talking?"

[lightofthestars]

...Now she can hear tears in their voice. Has she scared them that much?

"I am Tauriel," she says. She takes in a breath, lifts her hand from her knife, and steps forward.

Her hand shoots back to her hilt of the moment she sees what it is that had growled at her. It is a tall and fierce beast, and she begins to scan the room for advantages should she find herself in battle.

[collectyourfriends]

Their hand curls into a fist inside his fur. Sparks glances at his Trainer, moves quickly to nuzzle their hair with his snout before glaring at the this new being again.

"Toriel?" they repeat quietly. "Only heard that name once. She...didn't look like you at all."

Belatedly, Frisk lowers their gaze to the knife.

...Does she really think she can do much with that?