deercountry | nobody gets to decide who they are in this world [CLOSED.]

Entry tags:

chara: kai

nobody gets to decide who they are in this world [CLOSED.]

Who: Chara & Frisk.
What: After performing one of the Winter's Mourning rituals, Chara and Frisk are both made to view another version of their world...
When: Just a handful of days after Chara's arrival.
Where: Fucked up memshare space.

Content Warnings: Unreality, Deltarune spoilers, body possession.

[And it is. Peering up into the light, Chara makes a note of the sunlight shining in through the window. Where were they last...?

Right, they did the bizarre practice, or rather, they helped Frisk with it and then... the next moment they found themselves here, in this somewhat familiar house, in a bed that almost feels like it's theirs. They blink, realizing with some alarm that Frisk doesn't appear to be here.

Then they feel their foot knock into them and do a double take to realize Frisk is also in this bed that's not quite theirs, and certainly isn't big enough for two people. Chara frowns, staring back at the sunlight, before reaching forward to flick Frisk's forehead.]

Get up. We appear to have temporarily been transported somewhere.

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( The rude awakening is enough for them to furrow their eyebrows, making a subtle, quiet noise of complaint - a hand rubbing their forehead briefly. It takes a moment for them to take in Chara's words before they push themselves upwards to sit.

Indeed, the room they're in is unfamiliar. It was nothing like the room that they were staying in in the Waking World, nor was it the home they were living in at the surface.

What Frisk takes in on the other side of the room, there's a feeling that they can't quite shake. They may be here now, but they can't help but feel as though... they don't belong here at all.

They eye the rug in the middle of the room. ... They know that symbol. But, why did none of this sit well with them...? )

... Are we home?

...I don't recall there being two beds in your room. Or... [They stare at the little wagon and the stained birdcage inside of it. They get to their feet and get closer to examine it.] ...this.

[Hm. Smells like DETERMINATION. But it's muted and dull.]

We should be quiet. There might be something malicious here.

( Frisk shakes their head. No, this isn't their home persay... but it could very well be somewhere in their own world. The gesture to the emblem. )

That's the Delta Rune. We could be back in our own world.

( Though... Chara was alive here. Could that really be the case? )

It might be okay if there are monsters here.

[Your home, perhaps.

Chara's home is in the dark silence of the void. The sight of the emblem makes them... something. Uneasy? Maybe. It doesn't feel great. It's the thing they committed suicide over, after-all, and the one that made them think they could ever be a hero.]

You seem to forget that almost all of our interactions with monsters has involved them trying to kill you.

But yes. Just stick close as we leave the room.

We were able to find peaceful way out, even if I got hurt.

( It'd be difficult to forget how they died as many times as they did. Regardlesss, at this point in time, getting hurt isn't something that makes them hesitate.

The move so they're at Chara's side, looking around for a moment as they near the door. )

... This room is strange.

( It's almost as if only one person actually lives here, rather than two... One side seems widely decorated with things like trophies, and stars and pictures decorating the walls. The other side, however... )

Even if you died, you mean.

[They shake their head. Apparently that's bad but eating buttercups was a good plan that would have worked if Asriel hadn't backed out at the last minute to ensure their death meant something.

They frown at what Frisk says about the room. And yeah, it is. The only sign of a person on one side of the room is that unsettling cage...

Disturbing. Something about this feels wrong. They open the door and creep out into the hallway. It seems sparse but... familiar. They reach out a hand for Frisk to hold. Just for safety.]

Do you smell butterscotch?

( The thing about dying over and over again? It never really becomes easier, even if the idea of it doesn't exactly phase them like it should. Still, it asked -- their partner dying is something far worse.

They take Chara's hand, but stop at the smell. The smell is a bit faint, but they recognize it quite well at this point. )

... It smells like Toriel's pie.

[The thought of a sudden reunion with Queen Toriel fills them with dread.

They look at Frisk and frown.] Well... if she's here, it's better if she sees you, right? Seeing as this seems more likely to be your home, given my own... status.

[Of being dead, that is. They try to sneak a peek to try looking downstairs, and all they see is a fairly ordinary living room... But there's someone down there, now that Chara focuses, they can faintly hear someone humming.]

( Asriel's words come to mind upon hearing Chara's request.

*I don't want to break their hearts all over again.
*It's better if they never see me.

A part of them wonders if it'd be so awful if Toriel was reunited with Chara. At one point, they know that Chara was adopted by the Dreemurr family. Though, they also want to respect their wishes.

When they hear humming, they shake their head - looking to Chara with a near wary look. )

This isn't a home I'm familiar with.

( Whatever place this is... It wasn't the home that Toriel and Frisk now shared. )

But, that sounds like her.

It's her.

[There's a touch of finality to their voice, though the emotion behind it is a bit hard to pinpoint. Are they happy? Sad? Angry? Bitter? Resigned?

Maybe the last one... but it's complicated. They love Queen Toriel, even now, after she's replaced them not once but seven different times. They can't blame her. They were a bad kid, and Toriel was always kind to them, so it only stands to reason that she would be kind to anyone who fell down.

They just know, that whatever their feelings on Toriel are at this point, she is better off not knowing them.]

We can sneak past her, if you would prefer. Otherwise, I will just be a stone-throw away while you speak to her.

( It'd be a lie to say that Frisk doesn't miss Toriel. They didn't exactly have anyone to return to on the surface. And so, much like she had hoped for she had become a parent figure for Frisk. From what they've heard from other monsters, it wasn't all that different for Chara.

They aren't so selfish to just leave Chara alone to speak with her, but they know better than to push Chara to do that in their place.

So, their grip on their hand tightens ever-so-slightly, and they tug at their Partner's hand. Frisk whispers when they speak once more. )

Let's try to sneak pass. Maybe we'll see something we recognize outside.

[Chara frowns, looking like they want to argue, when Toriel steps up onto the stairs, calling out.]

* Kris, dear, you're going to be late for school!

[She... seems to be looking directly at Frisk. Ignoring Chara entirely. Well. Chara's used to this feeling, so they just sigh, side-eyeing Frisk.]

It seems that plan was snuffed out in it's cradle.

[Toriel puts her hands on her hips, looking at Frisk with a faux stern expression, badly trying to cover up her own amusement.]

* And what foiled plan would that be, my child?

Edited 2021-12-29 15:38 (UTC)

( ... It's so strange. Toriel is looking right at Frisk, but not only did she not seem to see Chara, but Toriel would never address Frisk by the wrong name.

As far as Frisk was concerned, Chara may have been dead for a while now, but they were no longer a ghost. There's no reason why Toriel wouldn't be able to see Chara. )

... It's me. Frisk.

( Toriel stays silent for only a moment longer before speaking once more. Brows knitting together in concern as she frowns slightly. )

* Kris?

* Kris, if you have been playing pranks on Noelle again...

* Be kind to her, alright?

[Chara glances at Frisk. Toriel being able to hear them but being unable to see them Noelle...

Wait, they know Noelle. That's Rudolf's daughter. Huh. She wasn't in the Underground by the time Frisk fell, Chara always assumed that the Holidays must have all died at some point but it's not like they ever had a chance to ask. Bizarre.]

But playing pranks is half of our dynamic. It's my sole method of communication in an uncaring world. [Chara mouths the words "play along" to Frisk.] But fine, I'll stick to pranking Asriel.

[Toriel seems temporarily assuaged a little but she does shake her head, a little fondly.]

* Asriel is very busy with college, so don't go too hard on him, okay?

* And speaking of school, I believe both of us have somewhere to be, Kris.

* Are you ready?

[Asriel lived long enough to become an adult...?]

( Asriel...

Frisk glances at Chara then, more out of concern than anything else. Neither of them have brought him up since officially meeting, but Frisk can only guess that it's a sensitive subject for their Partner. They don't know the full details of the past they shared. They only know bits and pieces -- from videos, and memories that they've seen that didn't belong to them. The two of were undeniably close -- close enough for the both of them to not just be best friends, but siblings.

Frisk knew that it wasn't possible that Asriel could be themselves again. Not without a SOUL. But, with the way that Toriel was speaking -- Asriel was not only very much alive, but they're no longer the young child they had seen when Asriel was able to be themselves again.

This... Was this really home? Who was Kris? Had Toriel taken in another child? And, why was it that she didn't see either of them? Was this simply a dream that Frisk was having? But, there was nothing about any of this that felt like it was a dream.

Frisk remains silent, turning away from Chara before nodding their head. Chara may have told them to play along, but it doesn't seem as though they have a choice in the matter.

Toriel offers a smile then, holding out her hand to take. Frisk hesitates for a moment. The monster has lead them around by the hand multiple times now -- it's always felt safe, comfortable to Frisk. But right now, it feels wrong.

Still, they take that hand. )

* Let us go. We do not want to be late!

Remember, mother. A wizard is never late. So neither are we.

[Chara follows along, allowing Frik to do most of the getting dragged. It's... interesting. Is Kris another name of theirs? Given to them by another splinter of their partner?

What kind of fucking name is "Kris?" Kris Kringle? Were they a Holiday in this universe as well? Regardless, they don't like it and they follow Toriel and Frisk into the car and watch the outside roll past the glass windows. They nudge Frisk and point out a bar that looks suspiciously like Grillby's, with a grinning skeleton out the front and a familiar name on the top.

How curious.]

( The entire situation doesn't sit well with Frisk at all. It feels a little like they've been erased from the world completely - replaced with someone that they've never met before. The words of a monster from one of the many timelines they had gone through.

* Have you ever thought of a world where everything is exactly the same... except you don't exist?

They look to Sans then, and Frisk presses their hands against the window. Chara may very well notice some discomfort on Frisk's end... In the past, a feeling like this would be enough to tempt them to RESET. However, they have a feeling that such powers might be nonexistent while they're here.

They open their mouth to speak, but stop themselves. Chara can't exactly answer them without Toriel hearing them. Instead, they look out the window - looking to what seems to be Undyne in a police uniform.

They tug gently at Chara's sleeve, pointing towards her direction. )

[A small part of Chara almost wants to say something.

Now you know how it feels, don't you?

But they don't. Because it's never been Frisk's fault. They watch Sans pass, and get the distinct feeling that he is watching them from behind his aloof skull. But then Frisk points them towards Undyne and they cock their head in confusion.

A cop... unfortunately makes sense. Frisk is uneasy, though, and despite the petty jealous part of them that might consider it fair, they want to soothe that, so they reach a hand for Frisk to hold, as a reminder that someone does see them.]

( They look back to Chara then, and they smile slightly in return. They know that they're there with them, and that in itself is reassuring. The situation is confusing at best, but it's something that they can try to figure out together.

They eventually reach their destination, and Frisk can't help but eye the emblem on the door. There's so many things that have caught their attention during their short time here. It'd be difficult not to notice, for example, the lack of humans here. )

Well, mother, you have escorted me back to my cell. [They look around, staring into one of the windows.] I will see you this afternoon after my latest escape attempt.

[They tug Frisk's hand along to follow them inside, and Toriel shakes her head affectionately.]

* Of course. Have a nice day, Kris.

[And with that, Toriel lowers herself to give Frisk a big hug, leaving Chara with no choice but to seperate and watch.

It's not an unfamiliar feeling.]

( It feels... awkward, to say the least! While they had known they had help in the Underground, it feels very different having Chara there, simply watching what was happening. Even moreso knowing that Toriel can't hear anything that Frisk says.

(Not that they were very talkative to begin with.)

So, they simply let Toriel hug them, clinging a bit awkwardly to her clothes before she pushes herself away. They watch her walk away before they look to Chara once more, their attention focused back on them.

Nothing about this makes sense. )

... Where are we?

How should I know?

[They frown. It always stings a bit to watch that, even after they've murdered her and destroyed her world. That relationship is permanently severed, as it should be, but... Hmph. Lingering feelings of resentment remain.

Yes, that's what this is. Resentment.]

If I had to guess... have you heard of parallel universes?

( Frisk pauses at the question, looking thoughtful for a moment, cupping their chin. While they haven't heard of such a thing, after everything that had happened in their own world, it'd be rather difficult to not at least be able to guess what Chara meant... )

Uh-uh. ( They shake their head. ) .... Do you mean another universe?

[They hum.

How to answer this. There is, of course, the helpful and normal way to explain things. And then there's the batshit Chara way.]

Kind of. Do you remember when we first began our journey, and Toriel asked you if you'd prefer butterscotch or cinnamon?

Yeah.

( It'd be difficult not to remember question given to them during their journey in the underground, if only because of Chara's influence. But, that was one of the few questions that was only their own to answer. )

... But, answering that differently wouldn't have changed anything.

[Me, sighing as they prepare to go on a longwinded monologue about this when it could be explained so much easier.]

Exactly. Nothing except her response, just the slightest bit. String theory would suggest that at any point there's even the slightest chance for divergence, another world exists where it does.

If you made that choice, Toriel would have struggled with a slightly different choice, would have asked you a slightly different question, would have bought the ingredients in a slightly different order. We've seen that world, and nothing drastic happens to differentiate it from any other timeline, but in the background your choice has altered events beyond your understanding.

Now, imagine if in addition to that, you kept on making alternate choices. You stayed with Toriel months, or even forever, you were dismissive and rude to Papyrus, you chose to abandon Monster Kid, you killed any number of people who you would have spared. The world is altered more dramatically.

But those are just your choices, across a fairly limited and linear amount of time. [Because it's a video game. Of course it'll be limited.] The choices that I made, however, could create an entire different world for you to have fallen into. If my plan succeeded, if I'd never died, if I'd struck Asriel in fear when he found me... [That was what happened the first time.] And again. That's just me. There's any number of ways things could have changed.

I don't know what this world is or what the diverging point is, but if I had to guess, it's something of that nature.

Edited 2022-01-24 06:27 (UTC)

( It's a lot to take in, to say the least. They can't help but wonder when this world changed -- at what point this became a different universe. They can't help but wonder what Chara and their own place in this world is. But, they also can't help but think of the monsters in this world. Were they happier here, in a place where it seems as though they may not have lived in the underground?

Asriel is alive. There was never any Flowey here. More than that, it seems like they were able to potentially grow up with another sibling. And then there's Toriel, who was able to perhaps become a teacher much sooner than she had at home.

... )

It's almost like the monsters were never trapped underground here.

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nobody gets to decide who they are in this world [CLOSED.]

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cw for suicide mention

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