Petals certainly didn’t seem to show much reaction when it was revealed that it was indeed another Frisk, though their head did tilt a little lower in a more serious manner. Their demeanor was still friendly however, they were just listening more carefully to what this other them had to say.
When the inevitable topic of Chara came up, the older human did appear to slouch the slightest bit, looking more saddened than before.
“...I haven’t been able to help them much. Mainly because they won’t let me.”
Despite having come to terms with the fact that there wouldn’t be any more RESETS from Frisk, the spectral child was still incredibly cross and stubborn, angry as ever...no matter what they tried to say.
“It’s hard to help someone who doesn’t want to be saved. Or...see themself as worth saving.” Petals mumbled as they gazed down at their tea, swirling it around a bit with a sigh. “But...as long as you stay open and honest with Sans about what you’re doing, that should help. He won’t have to follow you around as much if you tell him ahead of time what you’re doing, and don’t lie to him.”
That part sounded like it had been learned from experience, which unfortunately it was. They’d had a similar problem with their own Sans, though he wasn’t ever outright mean or biting to them. He would still hawk-eye them whenever he was suspicious about something, so when they were young Petals just resorted to giving him an update on how their day had gone, what they’d done, and what they planned on doing the next day, all in the form of casual conversation.
“It’ll help build that trust with him, but its...going to take a while, if the Sans you know is anything like mine.” It had taken years...
The Mention of Sans caused the kid to flinch slightly, and look sidewise. she sipped on her cocoa some before shaking her head. “I’d love to be able to do that. we’d... both like that. but it’s not fully my... control. Chara says she doesn’t want to either, but if it weren’t for the tears I've seen it’d be hard to believe. I-... i don’t know how to explain. when it’s just me, everything seems fine. But if control transfers between us, without an agreement, things go haywire. and i can feel neither of us want that!” uh-oh it looked like Red was upset now.
“It may be best if I explain. you understand even less than I do, because you can’t feel the strings on your wrists. May i?” the words from the phantom were slow, collected. this topic always made Chara slow down it seemed. either that, or strike...
Red shook her head slightly, not ready to do that without asking if Petals would be okay with it. “I guess i’m not explaining right. it sounds like you have troubles with your Chara, but... mine’s trying. and she’d like to try and explain what she feels is happening, apparently.”