Soft Reset

[buttercup_eater]

As everything fades away when they die, coming back to life is like seeing everything fading into existence again.

The first thing they're aware of is light, and that they can see, rather than seeing anything in specific.

The second thing they're aware of is sensation, the weight of their limbs pressing into a smooth, stone surface.

Where are they, exactly?

Chara tries to focus, blinking a few times in the hopes of clearing their vision. An empty stone hallway, rather like the one they last died in, with high windows flooding the area with sunlight.

They take a deep breath and try and push themselves into an upright position, only to be hit with a wave of sudden dizziness and have to flop back onto the floor. Okay, that's not good. What happened?

They can remember their SOUL shattering, and laughing so hard their sides were aching. Sans. Bruises. Blood. Theirs? No, not at first. Chasing the other child down unfamiliar hallways. Messy. No EXP increase, no LV.

No partner.

Chara waits a moment, just in case any input is forthcoming, but even after several minutes they remain alone. Once again, they're going to have to do everything themselves.

They manage to sit up with only a minimal amount of dizziness, then lurch to their feet. Minus the dizziness, it's rather like the last time they died and woke up again.

The knife is nearby, again, and they pick it up, again. Their locket is also still hanging from their neck, and they can still feel it faintly beating. But there's also a strange weight in their pocket, and when they slip a hand inside to check- oh. Right. An... alternative version of their locket, they guess.

Gripping the locket tightly, they set out to find their purpose once again.

[As with Frisk's post, this is set three days after their death.]

Comments

[dustless]

They suck in a breath. "Tauriel?" Despite their attempt to sound strong, their voice only comes out ragged.

Frisk's just about climbing up the stairs on all fours at this point. It's a little gross, the dirt on their hands, but the can deal with it.

To the point: "Have...have you...seen Chara?"

[buttercup_eater]

Chara pauses in their actions hearing the sound of Tauriel's voice; they turn to stare at the door, thinking for a moment that she's trying to talk to them, but then they catch the sound of something moving up the stairs. Followed by an indecipherable, yet familiar voice.

Chara doesn't speak up, but they do move quietly towards the door, trying to listen to any ensuing conversation.

[lightofthestars]

As soon as she understands how Frisk is trying to climb the stairs, she runs down to them upon light feet.

"I have, hên vell--are you hurt? What has happened to you?"

Soon she will be able to see for herself, but she cannot wait so long. They sound utterly spent.

[dustless]

As soon as they hear her voice getting closer, they flop to sit on the stairs and groan softly.

"Been running. And my face got...kinda cut. 'M okay. Where are they?"

[buttercup_eater]

From inside the room, Chara reaches the door just as Tauriel starts to bolt down the stairs. They can hear Tauriel speaking- and they wonder what hên vell means, though it's obviously an endearment of some sort- and then that other voice.

It's Frisk. But Chara can't quite make out what they're saying, the other child's voice is so soft and hoarse. So Chara carefully lies onto the floor and presses their ear against the bottom of the door, hoping it'll help. Somehow.

[lightofthestars]

At the sound of their groan, she runs still swifter until she can see Frisk for herself. Her breath catches at the sight of them, for it is clear they have met hardship.

She sits at once by their side and reaches out to wipe their face. "They are in this tower, and they are unable to escape. You have nothing to fear."

[dustless]

Their head jerks up, and they stare past her shoulder. "Not scared," they tell her distractedly. "Gotta...need to talk to them."

So saying, Frisk grabs the railing and start dragging their body up to stand.

[lightofthestars]

She catches them by their shoulders. "Frisk, you are spent. At least wait until you have rested before speaking with them."

If she forbids Frisk from speaking to the other child outright, she knows they will never listen to her. This is better.

[dustless]

Frisk can't help but sag in her grip, despite their blatant frustration about it.

"But I'm--I've been looking," they argue, as if that matters.

[lightofthestars]

Gently, she draws Frisk closer, so they will not fall down the stairs.

"Now your search is at an end. Please rest, hên vell. You are so newly returned to us...."

Her voice wavers, and she must stop speaking.

[dustless]

Frisk would generally be a the slightest bit less blunt, but they're not in the mood or the mindset for subtleties right now. "'M not gonna die 'cause I'm tired." And even with the cut on their face, they're not going to bleed to death, either.

They keep their eyes on the stairs above, just in case. Just in case...something. They don't know. They're upset.

[lightofthestars]

Tauriel blenches slightly. Her heart feels--raw now; such words from Frisk are harder to bear.

"I...know, but I would not see you come to further harm. It is vital that you take care of yourself."

[dustless]

Their gaze slides down to hers'. Frisk shrinks down a little. Mostly, they continue looking frustrated.

"'M okay." Their mouth presses into a flat line. "...gonna keep them in there?"

[lightofthestars]

Tauriel will not call Frisk a liar, but it is clear to her that they are not well.

...She will set this aside for now. Instead, she answers, "I am indeed. It is not safe to let them have their freedom."

[dustless]

They don't like that, but they don't know if they can deny it, either. Even if they want to. Especially with Sans...dealing as badly as he is.

"...okay. I'm...I'm gonna visit. Soon. We need to talk. About a lot." Frisk tries pulling away to stand on their own.

[lightofthestars]

She lets them go, though she watches them closely.

"Once you have rested. Please," she adds. "For my sake."

[dustless]

Frisk grabs the railing, but other than that, they seem a bit steadier now that they know where Chara is, has a plan to talk to them.

"That's...that's...a good idea." As obviously reluctant as they are to say it. "...Know they won't get out?"

[lightofthestars]

"I swear to you that they will not." She smiles the smallest bit. "I have not been here so long to have forgotten my work completely."

[dustless]

They just look a little more confused--their memory is very much not the best right now--but they nod. "Okay. I'm--I'll be back later. After...some sleep."

So saying, they slowly turn and start making their way back down the stairs.

[lightofthestars]

"Sleep well," she calls after them.

She listens to their footsteps until they are out of the range of even an Elf with sharp hearing.

hopefully this won't throw anyone off

[buttercup_eater]

Before Frisk's footsteps fade away, Tauriel might also catch the sound of Chara moving about in their room: They roll away from the door, shakily get to their feet and move to lean against the windowsill and watch the door.

They didn't manage to hear all of the conversation, not with Frisk talking so quietly, but they got the gist: Frisk, for whatever reason, wanted to see them, and Tauriel...

It seems like the woman intends to keep them prisoner.

But unless she also intends to starve Chara to death, the door has to open eventually. Or even if she intends to ask them questions, like the rest of Frisk's... well, friends. So they have to remain vigilant. And ignore the bed that's nearby.