deercountry | facing demons (closed)

( The way that she smiles only further helps ease Frisk's nerves, and they can't help but offer a smile - one that's genuine - in response. The way that Ochako is helping soothe their worries feels nostalgic for Frisk. It reminds them of the first time Toriel helped lead them through the ruins - how her presence helped to ease any worries that they had. It's the same for them now.

The question is enough to make them stop, trying to think of any songs that may come to mind before they begin to hum a a melody, directing their gaze to the looming darkness ahead of them. )

[It's really part of who Ochako is, really. She loves kids, she loves helping people, and she just loves it when people are happy. Frisk reminds her a lot of Eri in a way - though older than the young girl, they are still a child at heart, and don't deserve to be stuck in a place that can so easily do them harm. Brave, kind, considerate, caring... Ochako really, really doesn't want any child to forget what it's like to smile.

The song is not one she knows, but it's simple enough to follow along too, and sounds almost like a lullaby. It's beautiful, and she nods her head along to each beat, trying to get the rhythm down a bit and hum along.]

Oh, I really like that one...it's really pretty, hehe. I-- [Ochako pauses, and stops a bit suddenly. Hopefully Frisk doesn't stumble, but she'll apologize if they do.] S-Sorry, but...look.

[She points ahead, to a straight, narrow corridor that spans a relatively long distance. The floor is immaculately clean, without a speck of gravel or dust, unlike the rest of these carved pathways.]

I think that might be a trap.

( Frisk is about to speak then, if only to tell her where they had first heard the song -- only for Ochako to stop rather suddenly. Luckily, experience has helped them not only become quick on their feet, but it's helped their reflexes as well. They look upwards then, tilting their head in curiosity before looking to what lies in front of them.

A trap... and one that doesn't feel different than something they'd face at home. Back then, it was Toriel who had guided them through a puzzle like this one. But now, it feels like Frisk may be the one who takes the lead. )

I can go first. ( They start quietly. ) ... Home had a lot of puzzles and traps like this.

( And... it's okay if they get hurt. They can always LOAD if things get too dangerous. ... Perhaps. )

Eh?! B-But...

[Ochako bites her lip, unsure of letting a child go into danger before her - it's her job to protect people, that's literally what she's training and schooling to do for the entirety of her life - but she knows she ought to trust a little more, too. If Frisk says they can do it, she should believe in them. Kids are more resourceful than some people oftentimes give them credit for, after all.

She takes a deep breath in and decides to take a chance. If something bad happens, then she'll just ~~ACT~~ jump in and take the blow. It'll be fine...she has to tell herself that.]

Mmnn...okay. But please, be very careful. I don't want you to get hurt, s-so I'll make sure to get to you if anything happens.

( There's a brief pause on Frisk's end before they nod their head. They appreciate having someone look after them, especially considering how dangerous it was the last time that they ventured somewhere dangerous here...

They step forward then, quietly crouching downwards to look to the floor carefully for any sign of a trap. They look back and forth, brows furrowed -- and this continues for a while before they look back to Ochako. )

There's a path we can take. There's a part of the floor that looks a little different.

[Ochako is definitely waiting as well, and though she definitely trusts Frisk, she can't help the edge of nervousness that prickles on her skin when they get close to the floor. Of course she'd race to grab them, and even has her wires for additional reach, but needing to do that...ugh. It reminds her a little too much of that city ravaged by Gigantomachia - the little children, brother and sister, that were almost crushed to death under falling rubble, and Ochako and Tsu were there to grab and free them at the last second. And, ah...a-all the other things that come with those stormy memories.]

Mm? Oh, I think I see it, too!! Yeah, the color of the stone isn't as dark and weathered, but it's subtle enough you wouldn't see it normally if you were just walking along. Ehehe, that's really good observation skills, Frisk-kun!! Do you like puzzle and stuff like this?

[They said they were good at them or something, she vaguely remembers... And if Ochako can keep the conversation light, it'd probably be best for them.]

( Frisk's chest puffs out a bit at the compliment, a rather wide smile on their face. They can't help but feel some pride when Ochako compliments them. No matter how much they may have gone through, they were still just a kid. Being complimented by someone they admire meant quite a bit to them. )

The monsters at home like them a lot. ( They answer quietly. ) ... I got to practice a lot because of that.

But... I had help then, too.

( In a sense, this is the first time that they're really trying to do this on their own. )

[Reaching out for their hand to take (pinkies up!), Ochako walks Frisk along the path they indicated, testing it first just to make sure it's safe. Once sorted, they're on their way, though Ochako is definitely still on guard and her eyes are surveying pretty much everything around them very carefully.]

Monst--eh, that's right, you did say that before... What kinda of monsters were there in your world? [It sounds so funny, but she can't help but envision something from a children's picturebook of sorts.] And they liked puzzles, really? Ehehe, that's cute!! I bet you're really good at them, then. So I'll be counting on those good puzzle-solving skills while we're down here, ne.

And maybe we can find some cool treasure or something.

( There were so many monsters in the underground. It was hard to narrow it down to a couple that they want to talk about... But, when some come to mind, they can't help but smile. )

There were a lot of different kind. There were a pair of skeleton brothers, and uhm -- someone who owned a restaurant was a monster made of fire. And the person who saved me that I told you about looked a lot like a goat.

( They can't help but pause at the mention of treasure. They can't really imagine what they might find here... After all, the last time they had finished some puzzles here, they had ended up with Pokemon. )

What kind of treasure?

[That smile in contagious, if only because the description makes Ochako grin and think back on her own friends and classmates. Man, if only she had a picture or something...of her class. Just to show people how cool and unique they all were.]

Ah--... [S-Skeletons. Oh lord. Ochako tenses and her laugh becomes a little shaky and awkward. Okay, no, don't judge because you're a weenie. You've met a nice skeleton in Nippon once, too...it's fine. It's fine. Focus on the fire man and go--...]

[Skeletons, man made of fire, and goat monster. Hm... HMMMMMM...]

A bible. [OCHAKO, PLEASE...] I-I mean, maybe some candy.

...?

( Frisk can't help but tilt their head at that, gazing at Ochako for a moment in confusion. )

The last time I ended up somewhere like this, my friend and I found something that ended up being our friends.

facing demons (closed)

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I KNEW WHAT SONG IT'D BE AND I STILL WIBBLED LIKE A SMALL CHILD

IT WAS THE FIRST ONE THAT CAME TO MIND....

GOOD it's a good song but oof ow my heart

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cw: mild MHA spoilers

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