deercountry | IN THE GREAT SHIPWRECK OF LIFE (WE ALL FALL DOWN)

[Chara has had a rough couple of months, but nothing's been worse than the past few days of searing agony. Chara is used to pain, they've inflicted so much of it on others and themselves that they would classify themselves as something of an expert (ha) on the subject.

This isn't pain. This is control. And that control is made worse when they are forced by searing agony to have their secrets ripped out of them by Mercy. What a grand cosmic joke that is. Of course, it's always about control with Gods and those who would seek to mimic them or speak for them.

Nobody but Frisk was there to witness their confession, which is good, they wouldn't want the hassle of killing all of them, but the shame and humiliation and utter powerlessness has ripped a hole in them. There's still something trailing down their cheek. Black ooze, almost like paint, or oil, or tar or...

Tears. They're crying, and there's a vicious and angry smile on their face as they mutter the word 'DETERMINATION' over and over again.

And then, in a hushed whisper like a prayer...]

* 13 left.

Edited 2022-02-12 20:44 (UTC)

[If you're looking to give them chocolates, this'll be about the only time they'll take them, as after receiving Mother's Mercy, they'll be far too jaded to trust anything of the sort.

And alternatively, they might find a box left abandoned and decide to test it while reading on their front porch. All while, of course, someone just so happens to pass by.]

(OOC: I'm particularly interested in White Chocolate, Caramel, Strawberry, Peanutbutter, Truffle, Almond, Cherry.)

[They still have a box of chocolate, but by now they have become fully aware of the magical nature of them. Just not the actual effects yet. They'd like to know that before moving on to decide which to keep a supply of and which to discard.

They're standing in the archives, the box in front of them and a large notebook beside them.]

Excuse me. Could I trouble you with assisting me in an experiment?

[Chara ate an entire peanut butter chocolate and promptly transformed into something... greater.

Normally, turning into a goat would inconvenience the average person, but Chara is an improviser, even as a goat. So naturally they decide to be as much of a menace as possible. Perhaps that's why a small fire was started in the marketplace along the docks, or why a basket full of mushrooms was dropped on top of a passing man's head. Regardless, they are having practicality issues with dragging an entire pitcher of wine without spilling it, intending to drop it on a bunch of patrolling hunters.

They look up at whoever has found them with clear shameless alarm in their eyes, an elaborate device specially crafted to let them drag the pitcher using only their tiny baby mouth set up and in use, and they look shocked at this interruption.

...As a goat can they reset? How are they going to reach the menu? They didn't think this through.]

( This world isn't one that's been easy for anyone to adapt into, muchless two children - no matter what the both of them had been through previously. However, Frisk isn't about to linger on what they themselves have gone through when they know what Chara is feeling now. They can feel the pain and the anger that they feel at the moment, and it's more than enough to encourage them to find them.

It hurts. It isn't just because of their connection to one another. They've never felt pain like this from their Partner.

So, they follow that feeling -- only stopping when Chara's in their sight.

And then, they reach out for them. They know that there's anger there, but they aren't afraid either. )

I know it hurts.

( But, they're here. Chara isn't alone. )

[They startle as they're touched, ready to draw a knife and slit the throat of whoever wants to hurt them now, but it's just Frisk. Their partner, Frisk, who knows now what Chara did. More so than the lives they took, Chara broke the cycle forever, and took away Frisk's happy ending forever.

They feel no guilt, that's something they refuse to feel. But they didn't want Frisk to know about that. Still, the eerie narration cuts off, and although they still have an intention, Chara swallows down a lump in their throat and leans into Frisk's touch.

Don't leave me. Please don't leave me.]

I hate her. I'm going to kill her, I'm going to kill them all. [It's a lot less intimidating when there's tears actively pouring down their face.]

Edited 2022-02-14 14:45 (UTC)

[Zib is also in the archives today, albeit not for the purpose of researching chocolate. They've been coming to this place a lot in the last month or two looking for some books on the subject of time, wanting to read and study everything this place has to offer. It'll help with the schematics of their portal invention they have been thinking about building in this place.

However, his attention darts away from the book he was reaching for and to the other child with their chocolates.]

Depends. What kind of experiment are you wanting to do here?

[They pause, momentarily, observing the book that he was reaching for. Time, hmm. That's certainly something they were interested in testing themselves. Perhaps that's something to ask about later, for now, they have resources to test.]

I don't know if you've heard about these. [They pick up one of the chocolates.] They're a trap, of course, just like everything else in this place. If you eat one, it'll give you an effect depending on the flavour.

I want to know what each of them does.

... And I guess testing them on yourself might not be a great idea, if it turns out to be something that you won't be able to take notes on?

[He probably shouldn't be getting involved in something that might cause him to be the one made to look like a fool, but... Zib can't deny that he has been curious about the strange candy.]

Are there any that you've already tried before now?

Pretty much, though I'm willing to take turns. I've tried the Peanut Butter one and I've been warned about the milk chocolate and dark chocolate ones. There's a few I have theories on.

[They point out their notebook and open it up. Inside are general speculations on them.

White Chocolate - Platonic
Almond - Impulse related?
Raspberry - Dangerous. Nobody seems to want to eat it again.
Peacan - Paralysis? Sedative? Immobilizing in any sense.
Vanilla - No immediate noticable change.]

Take a look. Well? Are you interested?

( Frisk knows that the words are said out of anger and frustration more than anything else. There's been a lot that's happened in the last couple of months that feels like it's been cruel, but forcing the truth out of someone, especially someone who has secrets they want to keep like Chara, feels cruel.

There's no doubting the pain and confusion that the truth has brought, but the hurt that Chara feels now overshadows their own feelings. They don't doubt that Chara has their own reasons for such a thing, but it's questions that need to be saved for later. Chara needs comfort right now.

They wrap their arms around them in an embrace, pulling Chara into a gentle hug. Actions speak louder than words, and Frisk wants them to know that they aren't going anywhere. )

I know you're angry - and hurt, but -

You aren't going through this alone.

Edited 2022-02-18 07:23 (UTC)

[It's easy to assume that. That when they say they'll kill someone it's just the childish anger of a hurt creature, and in truth it partially is.

But they'll never forgive Mother Mercy for this. They'll kill her and all her followers if that's what it takes to repay the debt. Vira told them of their other self and their feelings towards this woman, and Chara is beginning to understand the wrath that they must have felt.

And then Chara feels Frisk's arms around them, and tears come pouring out of their eyes like black ooze and they feel their heart in their throat.]

I didn't want you to find out. Especially not like this.

I'm sorry.

[Zib glances over the notes within, seeing what Chara has taken notes on so far.]

... Well, I'm definitely not trying Peacan if it might paralyze me. That's just a bad time waiting to happen.

[That said...]

But alright, I can't lie that I am interested. I'm curious to see what happens with some of these other ones available here.

Well, the effects all seem temporary, so there's that, but I don't blame you for wanting to avoid such a thing.

[They push the chocolates forward.] You can go ahead and choose whichever you'd like to start with.

[Zib looks over the chocolate available. He ends up picking up a strawberry one, and a vanilla one to glance between before he holds up the latter.]

Your notes said that you didn't notice a change with the vanilla one, right? Were you the one who tried it, or did someone else try it in front of you first?

I saw someone else try it. They said they didn't notice a change, but they could have been lying. If you'd like to give it a try, just describe how you feel and I'll write it down.

... Alright. I'll give it a shot.

[He eats the vanilla one, and waits. At first, all he can tell is that it definitely tastes like vanilla chocolate, so at least that's a comfort that the label is correct in that regard. As a vileblood, sometimes it can be a gamble on whether something tastes good or not, regardless of when it logically should or not.]

Well, it does taste like vanilla, I'll say that. [He turns his hand over, examining it as he watches to see if his skin does anything funny. As far as he can tell, it still looks the same. He then touches his face, but doesn't feel anything different there, so he'll ask--] Do you see any odd changes going on with my face or anything yet?

( They can feel so much of what Chara feels -- the rage and the sorrow of it all. It's enough to make tears sting the corner of their eyes from how overwhelming it feels. They knew that they were connected, but now -- now they aren't sure if it's because their SOULs have always been linked, or if it's because Chara now control their SOUL.

Still -- Chara... Chara is their friend. Chara helped them keep going when things were their hardest. Their apology isn't something they'd say without sincerity - not when their tears are falling as they are now.

* Forgive them
* Do not

Did they take their SOUL out of some way to stop Frisk from what they had decided to do? Or, was it for another reason entirely?

You never reached the absolute.

Frisk doesn't know what happened during the remainder of the TIMELINE when they had gained LOVE. They can't find it in themselves to hold a grudge against Chara for such a thing - not when they don't understand why they did it. Not when they still trust them.

* Forgive them

They hold them a little tighter, a little closer. )

... Even if you did that, I still don't think you're as bad as you think you are. ( No matter how much Chara tries to tell themselves that they're a villain, that isn't what Frisk believes. )

You're still my friend.

( They can forgive Chara for any hurt they may have done to them. That's just the kind of person Frisk is. )

[They wish they could say that this choice came as a shock. Of course Frisk would forgive them. Frisk forgave everyone, no matter how many times they brutally mangled their corpse.

Frisk forgave Toriel for lying to them, for trapping them. Frisk forgave Undyne for hunting them down and impaling them on a spear. Frisk forgave Alphys for manipulating them, Mettaton for all the ways he'd been trying to kill them all along. Asgore, Asriel...

Why should they be any different?]

...Why are you the way that you are? [There's something fond in their tone, despite the bitterness of all of this there's even half a laugh. Their hands shake, and tears, thick and black like ooze drip down their cheeks, staining their face.]

I don't deserve you. Nobody does.

... That's not true.

( Frisk's made so many mistakes. They've become sorely aware of that fact. They can't reset what they've done away, no matter how determined they were to do so before. But, this isn't about them. Their focus is on their partner right now.

Frisk gently places their hand on Chara's. )

Everyone needs someone. And you don't deserve to hurt anymore.

[They let out a bitter, self deprecating laugh.]

I think there's a rather large list of people who'd disagree with you on that.

But I appreciate the sentiment.

They're wrong.

( Frisk can't help but feel firm in what they believe. However, they know that Chara likely isn't going to agree with them. They'll say it as many times as they need to. )

[Sans is wrong? Alphys? Was, I suppose.]

Alright. No suffering allowed, I guess.

[It's a hollow sentiment, but maybe it'll make Frisk feel better.]

[They squint.]

...Not immediately, no. Do you feel any different?

That's not what I mean.

( The statement isn't something that Frisk agrees with at all, especially if Chara is just saying it to humor them. )

... I think that sad things can be important, just like happy things are. But... you should have a chance to be happy.

IN THE GREAT SHIPWRECK OF LIFE (WE ALL FALL DOWN) | Open

Mother's Mercy (After) | Mid February

Chocolatier (Accident) | Early February

Chocolatier (Experimentation) | Early-Mid February

Chocolatier (Goat) | Early February

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