* VIOLET TORMENTOR.

affiliated with isola radiale. header art by croptopman.

[rudebustxr]

SUSIE : DELTARUNE

it’s susie. not susan.

big, purple, and mean (but maybe not as mean as she wants you to think)

here to kick ass and chew gum.. and she’s all out of gum

has a reputation of being her school’s most terrifying bully, but also somehow ended up being a hero in a completely different world

at first she thought it was lame.. but now, saving people is kinda cool

do you need to be shoved in a locker? or thrown at a high velocity? susie’s your monster

totally doesn’t have a tail. don’t even TRY looking.

[zipsunz]

i trust you two more than anything

[anttennatime]

"That's what it told him all those years ago, huh. Eight words..."

A cold shudder runs through his form. And for the briefest of moments, the light in her room catches those twin scars in his screen perfectly and pointedly. His hand squeezes her own, more for support than the other way around. All this time, and he finally learned what words etched his fate in glass.

"Oh, don't worry! I wouldn't doubt you would! I uh, actually, I know you do try. It's..." ... "W-well you're right. I made it. So it's fine! It's fine. Keep defying fate--prove that stupid prophecy wrong! Yeah!" ... ("Actually, I don't even know what the rest of it says, and I don't wanna know. But you can do it!")

But her surprise catches him off-guard, too.

"You put him in jail? What, did his jester tell you to do that?"

It had been a long time since he'd seen the Card Kings.

"Do I remember what happened? Uh... I don't know, everything was kind of fuzzy. I remember..."

The snowscape--no. He actually smacks himself in the head to switch the channel on that one.

"...Well? I remember you. You were the first thing I saw. I was in a lot of pain... I think you and Ralsei tried to help me up. And, that's it. Next thing I knew, I was in the middle of that city, and someone came in a cab to come get me. I think I'd remember a castle..."

He can't help but rub at the phantom pain in his shoulder. They don't lock up as much ever since Spamton repaired-- --!

As if in alarm, he pulls on the collar of his shirt to look at the seams where his shoulder met his torso... and sighs in relief. The purple rivets are still there; so is the repair. Whew! With the other damage gone since the respawn, he was afraid the repair had gone too... maybe it was too sentimental to leave with the rest of the damage he'd sustained in the year he'd been here.

[rudebustxr]

Without his hand in her own, Susie took a moment to look down at her palm; what little moonlight was able to filter between her curtains catching sight of the scar now embedded deep into her skin. Strangely enough, it was proof that the prophecy was something real; something she'd witnessed, something she repeated in her head over and over again, since the moment she saw it.

Since the moment she saw how it was all supposed to end.

But Tenna was right. She'd already defied fate. She saved him-- so what she said to Ralsei and Kris..

It rang true even more now. It was so stupid, so, so stupid-- none of them.. would ever let it happen.

So why should they have even had to worry about it?

".. don't worry. I'm gonna do everything to prove it wrong," she managed to mumble, forming her hand into a fist before pulling it close; hiding it from Tenna's vision.

Although, luckily..? The tension in the room quickly broke away, as Susie was quickly starting to realize.. these were things she should've talked to Tenna about a long time ago!

"Huh-- you knew Jevil?! Seriously?? We, uh.. I mean, we fought him, but.."

".. that was.. before we kicked King's ass. I think he's like, in Kris's pocket now.. maybe..?? But, yeah, nah. King was working with the Knight for a bit-- he didn't want us sealing his fountain, but. Y'know. We kick ass, we stopped him-- and Lancer overthrew him and everything. It was awesome."

At that, Susie suddenly stood up from her bed, standing in front of Tenna just as his screen flashed to that night in the snow. Yet, there was part of her that was quietly beaming, maybe even excited-- even as she saw the remnants of his repairs that she did for him, fighting tooth and nail with the rest of the Darkners to keep him in one piece.

Through all this craziness, she would actually be able to tell him some good news. That was enough to bring her out of her prior funk, feeling a grin beginning to take over her previous expression.

"Anyway.. we took him to the same place we took you-- Castle Town. It's where Ralsei's from. We can bring every Darkner there to live after we seal their fountains-- it's the one place they won't turn to stone! King sucks, so he's in jail; but Lancer's there, Queen, the Card Kingdom Guys, everybody from Cyber City.. and, well. You. You, the Shadow Guys, the Pippins, Zapper, Shuttah.. even Lanino and Elnina! Everybody we could grab from the TV World came back with us after we fixed you up."

She laughed a bit, rubbing the underside of her snout with a finger.

"Well.. you were there, anyway. Even had your own room for a bit-- but, y'know. Me and Kris had a promise to keep-- so, we found you a new home in the Light World. With someone who was really, really excited to get to watch you," her excited grin settled more into a heartfelt smile as Susie revealed that part; as if maybe a little nervous to bring it up.. but part of her knew that it would make Tenna happy to hear, even if it hadn't happened for him yet. "I get it, it's different here; you've got a studio again, Lightners and Darkners get to watch you.. it's not like that at home. I would've.. uh, we, would've really loved to have you in Castle Town for a little longer.. but I didn't forget about what we talked about for a second. It's okay if you don't know about that yet, but.. if something happens, if you go home for a bit.."

"Just know.. you won't be alone. Okay? Even if we go our separate ways for a bit. I'm really happy with our life here.. but I'm happy you've got an audience, too. I, uh.. don't know much about them, but if you have any questions.. I'll try and tell you whatever you wanna know."

[dreemerknight]

Kris squeezes Susie's hand back without thinking about it, trying to carve out the jealous heat in their chest. The Soul is restless, burning in their chest with what they recognize as anticipation, and they brace themselves for whatever words it may try to make them say. They wish the Soul would stop butting into their life when it was least convenient. But they suppose it would make having it tolerable, and neither want that apparently.

They don't want to even think. Not about Dess. Not about their family. Not about Noelle. Not about what they feel.

They don't want to talk about any of it.

So they don't.

They let Susie say what she needs to and just listen, quiet and somber. Their hand slackens in Susie's though, when they're reminded of Susie's intent on bringing Noelle into this.

Kris had hoped that, maybe, being here in Spirale, Susie would change her mind. That she would like being here too much to want to even think about telling Noelle anything about it. That maybe, they could have enjoyed the daydream that maybe, just maybe, they could have... something. The delusion of someone caring about them the same way they care about her.

Susie is all they have left. And maybe if they say it enough, they'll believe that that's the only reason they feel so deeply for her.

Daydreams all have to end someday.

The jealous burn sputters out, and all they feel is hollowed out and exhausted.

"... It was fun." Kris forces out, fighting back the ache in their chest and the burn in their eyes. Their hair offers them some small amount of privacy, but it doesn't mask the faintly queasy note in the words. Though that's less due to the misery of a one-sided love and more about how bad that day was no matter how it played out.

"I had fun."

They swallow around the growing knot in their throat. "And, Susie, it's okay if things change between us." Kris adds, not lifting their gaze from the edge of the bed, hand twitching to squeeze her's weakly even though it feels like all of their strength has left their body. "Loving someone changes people. And it's okay if you want to spend more time with Noelle, or we don't spend as much time together as we do now. I just want you to be happy, and we're friends."

Kris feels like they've put some sort of wall up around themselves with the familiar soft flatness that returns to their voice and expression. Just saying cookie-cutter responses that sound like the right script to read from.

"Nothing will change that."

[rudebustxr]

...

That was maybe the first time that Susie full-on didn't believe something that Kris had told her.

Maybe they were upset about her wanting to tell Noelle about everything-- maybe.. they didn't actually have fun at the festival, and just didn't want to hurt her feelings. She knew she'd practically dragged them along on her day with Noelle, but.. they told her once, didn't they? That out of everyone, they'd want to go to the festival with her. It was the first night she'd spent at their house, the night they met Tenna.. even though all that stuff happened, she remembered.

Their voice sounded more like them in that moment-- a little awkward, shy, but bold. Honest. Right now, even as they reassured her, as they said things that.. maybe, were supposed to sound nice..

Kris.. just didn't sound like themselves. At all.

And nothing they said made her feel good.

“.. uh..”

Susie wasn't even sure what she should've said, shifting somewhat as she lifted her head off her knees. She kept her hand around Kris's, but her hold loosened a little; feeling an unfamiliar lump start to form in her throat.

It was okay.. if they didn't spend as much time together? It was okay if things changed?

Did they really think that would make her happy?

“Okay.. I guess,” is all she could settle on at first, her heart thumping at an uncomfortable beat as she felt a chill run down her scales. “But.. what about you?”

"Is that what would make you happy? To not.. see me as much anymore..?"

It wasn't what they said, but the jump from Susie reassuring Kris that things would be the same, that she still wanted to see them as much as she usually did, to them telling her.. it was fine. She didn't have to worry about that. She should just do what made her happy.

In what universe would that ever make her happy? Why would they ever think that's what she wanted?

"I don't, uh.. I mean. Nobody's ever told me that they like me before, man. If it's 'normal' to just, ditch everybody else to spend time with that other person.. I don't.. want that? And, like. Yeah, me and Noelle told each other how we feel, but.. that's.. it? It's not like I know what's going to happen next.. if anything even does.. so maybe.."

".. maybe don't.. decide what I want for myself, Kris. I don't want things to change. I don't.. not want to be around you, just because I like Noelle. That doesn't make any sense. You're just as important to me-- you're, like.. the first person.. who ever gave a shit about me. My best friend. I'd never just.. blow you off. Ever."

You know that, don't you?

But for some reason, Susie couldn't get that last part out.

Eventually, she let go of their hand as she brought her knees up to her chest; wrapping her arms around them. Her bangs fell forward, hiding her eyes, as she felt something starting to sting in the corners.

She didn't expect things to turn out this way-- she didn't even know why it was hurting so much, but.. man. This.. sucked.

".. am I doing something wrong? If I am, can you just.. tell me?"

[dreemerknight]

They look at her from the corners of their eyes, chest tightening at the color in her cheeks and the way she turns away. Ah... so she remembers that version... that's... good. That's better than the alternative... Kris's fingers tighten against their legs at every event Susie listed off that she and Noelle shared.

They really don't want to think about any version of that day though. Or... well, maybe they would rather think about anything other than how cold the lake was. It was better than that grinning face that haunts them and the worst version of the sunset.

But being so miserably sad and lonely because of something so agonizingly mundane and pathetic like that, after drowning twice, just makes them feel stupid. Like they should be worrying about bigger things than their stupid hurt feelings.

Kris shrugs a little, looking away from her.

"Yeah... it was a lot."

They make a small noise of uncertainty at her question.

No, not really. They don't say that.

"I'm okay," they say, though it rings hollow even to their own ears. "just... it was a lot. It... brought up a lot of bad memories of... before. When I was a kid. The dark world I mean, not the festival." Kris picks at their sheets, forcing themselves to relax. Susie i there, her warmth and closeness calming their nerves.

They chew on their inner cheek, trying to think of something to say that isn't just placating remarks about a day they wished they'd slept through. Hell, they almost wish Susie had let them get dragged off by Berdly. At least then Kris could have at least distracted themselves by tuning Berdly out entirely.

"... I'm glad you and Noelle had a good day. You both deserved it." That's honest at least, and they try to add in a joking tone, "but, I think Noelle would really like to be alone with you next time." They force themselves to quirk a small, teasing smile at her. "I think you'll survive without me giving you supportive thumbs up in the background."

[rudebustxr]

".. yeah. I guess.. that makes sense."

Not that Susie knew everything about what Kris went through before their parents split, but.. watching Asgore do the things he did, the way he treated them, the way he obsessed over the Dark World; even how he started ignoring the flowers, despite how much they wanted to spend time with him.

She wondered.. if he'd ever made Kris feel that way, too. So focused on proving himself, he never saw what was right there in front of him; a kid who just wanted their dad.

...

She wasn't really sure when she reached for their hand, as if it was done on instinct; but her fingers were curled around Kris's eventually, giving them a gentle squeeze.

"You don't have to talk about it, if you don't want to. But.."

".. I'm here. For whenever you might."

They said they were fine, but Susie had a hard time believing them; even when Kris started to tease her about her date with Noelle. Her face warmed up again, nearly spluttering out of her calmer demeanor; all the while, still holding onto their hand. Maybe a little tighter now, though.

"Wh.. who the hell said I wouldn't, huh?!? I mean-- we've hung out alone before!! H-here! And in Cyber City! O-obviously I can do it, dumbass!!"

She was happy to see them smile a little, at least; grinning a little herself as she pulled up her knees and hid her face in them.

".. I dunno. I.. wanna ask her, if she'd wanna do something like that again.. whenever we get the chance. It's just.. the next time I see her.."

Turning her head, no longer letting her words be muffled by her pajama pants, Susie looked at Kris then; her bangs haphazardly falling across her face.

".. I'm gonna tell her everything about the Dark World. Even if it happens before we ever go back home-- if Noelle shows up here again.. I'm not gonna wait. She.. needs to know. We really need all the help we can get, y'know? And maybe.. maybe while we're all here, we can figure out what we're gonna do to get your dad and Undyne back."

.. she didn't really know how Kris felt about that part. Her last memory with them was thanking them for walking her home, and then.. telling them that the secret of the Dark World couldn't just be between them anymore. It was getting way too big for that, wasn't it? Didn't it make sense to bring Noelle into it, too..?

Idly, Susie tapped her thumb against Kris's while she held onto their hand; as if she was worried about what they might say. As if she wondered if, maybe, she was crossing a line she herself had once drawn in the sand.

But that wouldn't change them. Telling Noelle, inviting her to their world, the place that once just belong to the two of them-- it wouldn't change anything between Kris and Susie.

.. right?

".. I hope you had fun, too," she eventually said, her voice quieter than it usually was; yet sincere all the same. "I was.. really happy I got to be with Noelle like that, but.."

"I was happy I got to be with you, too. And, yeah, maybe.. me and Noelle will start hanging out alone together more eventually.. but I still want to hang out with you, Kris. Like this, or.. when we play games all night, or eat junk until we get sick-- or when we lay on the couch all day watching scary movies. That's just as important to me, y'know-- and that'll never change."

[anttennatime]

...Ah. He said it so casually that the thought didn't occur to him that she'd question it. (Maybe that's a good thing...)

"Well? Hm." ("How do I explain this in a way that isn't going to freak either of us out.") "...Oh. Y'know how in that game Kris was playing, if you doubled-back and did the side-quest for the Blacksmith's Daughter, she'd come back with the item to cure her father? So he'd be in your camp in Chapter Four? Instead of... turning to dust because of the poison dagger? It's something a lot like that." ... "I'll be honest, I'm not the one with the whole. Understanding of it all. Spamton's the one that knows that Prophecy thing, I... don't like thinking about it. That's a later conversation, unless you feel like asking the guy yourself."

That could... go well.

The more the girl spoke, though, the more Tenna seemed to deflate.

"...It's not that I want to keep anything a secret from you on purpose--sometimes, I remember things I should have known too. It's... one of those cases. We forgot how bad it got, how... obsessed he was over it all. We didn't blame him--nobody did. It wasn't his fault She went missing. But he clung onto that for so long that it just..." ... "Well, it's not like I need to tell you. You hear about how the people in Hometown think he went warped in the head. Not exactly like any of us could tell him that he was right."

...

"Rgh--there's gotta be something in that flower shop that has instructions on how to take care of them while he's gone, right? If not, Toriel might know. She might not like it, but if you told her it was because you want the Flowers to live, I don't think she'd brush you off. She gardens too."

It's not that the CRT knew of them personally (save for the one flower he ran into earlier who pissed him off so badly.) Time had past, but Asgore was still his Lightner, once. Those Flowers were important to him... He'd be devastated to lose the only friends he had.

"...What's Castle Town, anyway? You talking about King Spade's place?"

[rudebustxr]

Although not entirely expecting it, Susie.. was sort of relieved that Tenna didn't just brush past what he'd mentioned earlier; even if it was an accident on his part, maybe thinking this wasn't the time or place for such a revelation. But she had asked him not to pretend like things were fine when they weren't-- and if it was enough for him to mention it, then maybe it was bothering him to some extent.. even if the thought was terrifying to her, she wanted to know.

So she sat, and she listened. It was a pretty simple explanation; a different choice, leading you to a different path.. she was pretty sure stuff like that happened in Dragon Blazers III, but..

In real life? To the people she loved? Just like that.. like it was nothing?

But when Tenna mentioned Spamton of all people, mentioned the Prophecy of all things--

A chill ran up her spine. She turned her head, looking directly at Tenna; her eyes filled with horrified realization.

".. 'the lord of screens, cleaved by the blade'.. that's.."

"But you're.. you're okay, we fixed you.. so how could that mean..?" how did she not put the pieces together before? Even when she saw it with her own eyes, saw what happened to him..?

"-- screw that stupid prophecy," she suddenly barked, her voice louder than it had been previously. She reached for Tenna's hand, giving it a strong squeeze; the horror in her eyes quickly replaced with sheer determination. "Even if it could happen-- it didn't. It doesn't have to. Okay? There's a time, there's a place-- that we both know it doesn't. Don't listen to that guy. Even if it tells us what's supposed to happen.."

Her vision flashed to the last pane of glass she saw. Shattered in her hand. Blood between her fingers.

"It's just.. stupid. Because why.. would we ever let that happen? I wouldn't. I never would."

Perhaps realizing her sudden intensity, Susie eventually let the Darkner's hand go; scrubbing her now free hand through her hair. All of this at once-- it was a lot, but when it came to that.. there was no denying how she felt about it.

".. I don't.. really know anything about it. What he's so obsessed with.. there were notes and stuff all over that Dark World, but we couldn't read them. Kris.. didn't really want to talk about it, either. It probably all happened before I moved there," trying to stay on topic, Susie tried to make sense of what Tenna was saying, but.. who was 'she'? What had Asgore been so obsessed with, that made everybody think he was crazy? ".. and, uh.. maybe.. Kris can ask her, or something."

God, that was the last thing she wanted to do.. even if it was a good idea. Maybe, by the time she got back, she'd be over how uncomfortable Toriel had made her.. .. or maybe not.

Though, despite the heaviness of their conversation.. that last question of Tenna's was enough to bring Susie out of her gloomy mood for just a second. She blinked widely, confused at first.. sort of just.. staring at him.

"... no? I mean, he's there but like.. in jail?"

Wait a second. There was no way.. after all this time they'd been living together..???

"... damn. Did we really.. not talk about this before??" she slapped a hand over her snout, dragging it down her face. God, what a dumbass-- was she really that happy when she first ran into him here, that she never established WHAT he knew? "Tenna.. do you, uh.. remember what happened after I fixed you?"

[butterflyjam]

If you knew the truth, you’d hate me

[hereicomesanfrandisco]

"How? Hey, c'mon! All it takes is a seed, some soil, and a gentle hand! Even you should know that."

He still smiles, but even with that mop of hair on her head, he can see where her eyes go. It's like she's half-expecting him to fall apart in front of her. Flowers strewn on the ground. He remembers it hurt less than he'd expected.

Flowery taps his midsection and shrugs. "Still in one piece, Sussie. Your guess is good as mine. Maybe better, huh? But hey, don't worry too much, princess. Flowers makes smiles, so try."

There's a vague memory, right as the second fountain was sealed. Fingers digging into the dirt at his roots. Tape around his stem. Returned to his little chamber of glass, and all he could do was watch.

"...You tried your best. Whatever happens next, well. You can't blame yourself for it. You really do have a kind heart, Susie. It's a good thing."

Ah, but. There's another part of the memory, one he isn't entirely sure about. It would help settle the gnarled roots in his stomach.

Flowery's smile drops a bit as his grip on Susie's shoulder tightens. "Hey, actually. Susie, you remember... what I told you about, before the Knight showed up? About the code? You found it, right?"

And you didn't tell Kris, right? He doesn't say that part.

[rudebustxr]

"I.."

It was hard to say anything-- to be so hard on herself, to be down about it all.. when Flowery kept cheering her on like that. Smiling his usual smile, that she knew sometimes could just be bullshit-- but, this one didn't seem like that at all. Sure, maybe most of it was to just keep her hopes up.. but at the very least, he was aware that she had tried. Even if her methods weren't the best, if the tape was the only thing at her disposal..

She wanted him to be okay. She really, truly wanted to see Flowery again one day-- and the rest of the flowers, too.

And in that moment, Susie was really glad it could be here. Where he was safe. Where he really was.. in one piece again.

".. heh. You sure are corny, man," forming a fist with her hand, she brought it up to lightly knock against the man's chest; managing a bit of a smile. "Even if it wasn't the best job.. we're gonna get Asgore back, and he'll fix you up even better than I could. That's a promise."

Her fist loosened, instead resting her palm on him; giving him a few light pats.

"It's really good to see you, Flowery. I'm glad you're here."

Eventually, she brought her hand back down-- just at the same time that the flower gripped her shoulder even tighter. Oh, right! That would probably make him feel a lot better about things, too!

"Sure did! Actually, when I went to grab the tape for you, and I came back upstairs.. Kris found it!" her mood seemed to perk up at that, hoping the news would bring Flowery some comfort after everything that happened. "They were already digging through your dirt when I came back upstairs-- could've let me know you were gonna tell them, y'know. Weird to tell me to keep it a secret when it wasn't.. but! What matters is we've got it! I know we're away from Hometown and stuff, but.. we're gonna get the third one as soon as we're back, and make everything right again. I swear it."

[anttennatime]

...Something bad had happened. Enough for Susie to try and keep it between the two of him. The pit in his core begins to grow as she bars the door, and the brightness in his screen dims--perhaps his equivalent to growing pale. By the time she finishes and trails off, he's already a couple feet shorter.

" . . . . . . "

Yeah, that was pretty grim news. The Knight was still around, Asgore was not, and another Darkner fell victim to its...

It flashes on his screen again--that memory of lying in the snow like that. But the 'tape' it's on almost seems to fast-forward, as if Tenna was trying to push it out of his mind. It already happened; he was here. But one of Asgore's flowers...

The sigh that pushes the dust from his vents isn't one of disappointment; not at all. He knows how strong Susie, Kris and Ralsei are, and the Knight was on a completely different level. No, it's a sigh to match the gravity of the situation... no jokes to be made here.

"...Alright. Let's... think about this. And Not. Freak out. We're not freaking out, Tenna, it'll be Fine."

He walks over to go sit on Susie's bed pensively, folding his hands in thought.

"So. You and I come from the same... I don't remember how he put it. Timeline. I guess." He accents with a shrug.

"And where you come from, and where I come from, I'm fine. I know that's... not. Usually the case."

Had he told her about that? That Spamton knew?

"So if I'm walking and talking and standing here when you fixed me, I mean. Maybe the Flower the Knight got will also pull through. Maybe not without a little damage, sure, but! You've got one success. So they might just be okay the next time you see 'em. Or, heck, maybe they'll show up here like I did. But Asgore..." ("Aw, Gorey...") "Got no idea who this 'Undyne' character is, but maybe the Knight's underestimating Gorey. He's a big softie, sure. That's what everyone knows! But..."

"Kris can tell you; he's not all sunshine and rainbows to a fault. If he really means business, he can get kinda scary. Their ass is is

"Once he comes-to, I bet. S-so maybe it's not the end of the world." ... "--Oh it's royally @#$%ed, no denying that! But not the end of the world." ("I hope...")

[rudebustxr]

Susie didn't think Tenna would take the news well-- and it was evident by the images that quickly flashed over his screen, making her stomach twist and turn at the sight of them. Even though they disappeared quickly, it still wasn't easy to remember that moment-- thankful, that at least.. he was still here. She managed to get help and put him back together again, but..

.. for a moment, the girl lost focus on what her guardian was saying to her, regarding her new memories. There was something else she wasn't expecting-- something that.. terrified her, as briefly as Tenna moved past it; her eyes widening for a moment.

"What.. are you talking about?"

.. she wondered if he'd elaborate. Susie was at least aware that things could be different for all of them-- experiencing things out of order, not all at the same time, but.. that? Tenna.. not getting fixed?

That had to be a joke, right?

".. you don't get it. We're.. not gonna see them again. Not unless someone opens up another Dark World in the flower shop," she managed to get out, rubbing one of her arms as Susie willed herself over to her bed as well, taking a seat next to Tenna. Her whole body felt heavy, like she could fall through the floor at any given moment. "They can't come back with us to Castle Town. Asgore.. he's the only one who can take care of them, and now he's.."

.. she trailed off, not able to finish the sentence.

"I just.. hope what I did to keep him together.. works. It was just me and Kris this time, not like when it came to fixing you-- and flowers.. they're so fragile. If he shows up here, then.. yeah. That.. would be the best outcome, I think."

".. oh, uh.. right. I forgot, you.. were knocked out at the time.. but.." with her hands in her lap, Susie threaded her fingers together, taking a small breath out. "Undyne's a cop. She was the first Lightner that the Knight took, after we fought them the first time. She's, honestly.. really tough, too. I.. wanna believe they're both okay. They have to be. I'm not gonna let that bastard hurt anyone else, but.. damn, I wish I knew what happened next. I wish.. I could tell Kris.. that their dad's okay."

That's the part she hated the most-- the unknown. Even though they had two codes to the Shelter now, even though she knew they'd be asking Noelle for help.. would it all work out? Would they be able to stop everything, before it was too late?

"Kinda.. got to see how scary Asgore can be, too. I didn't know he was so.. intense.. I just thought he was a big goofball. But, damn-- he shoved me and Kris back to the Light World before we could even stop him. We managed to get back, but he was saying so much weird stuff.. like he'd..

Like he knew about the Dark World already. But.. we never got to ask him more about it."

[dreemerknight]

"Nah... I wasn't asleep," Kris says quietly, honestly. "I was already awake, just..." They don't know how to finish that thought, eyes on the floor between their feet through their hair. Their fingers twist together, and they feel exposed without the over-sized sweater and baggy pants. In their pajamas, a plain t-shirt and shorts, they feel like Susie is going to be able to see through them completely.

See every raw nerve and prickling, conflicted feelings from the... memories, they suppose.

Yeah.

They're memories.

Kris feels nauseous.

"... I wasn't able to sleep." They finish their thought finally, after chewing on it for what feels like forever to them. It was only a couple seconds, but still enough to be awkward. They shift their hands, hugging their elbows and crossing their ankles, moving their toes idly to try and get feeling back into them.

Susie's question makes them visibly flinch.

They want to tell her no, I didn't so she wouldn't say anything. They just got her back it feels like, had such a close moment... and now, surely, Susie is going to want to go back home... for Noelle. And they should be okay with that, but they... can't say that they are.

Kris swallows around the knot in their throat.

"... Yeah. I did. Everything. I think. Or at least a lot of it. I... it's all jumbled and hard to pick specific things out." That's true at least. So many alternate routes, different things the Soul did just for the sake of experimentation. They can still taste the lake water, feel it on their skin. It makes them have to suppress a shiver. "... I remember us going to the festival." Did she spend the whole day with Noelle? In some of these memories she's with me, in some Noelle is with me, others they're together... In one... did she... see the aftermath of the lake? Which does she remember?

It's so hard to sort it all out. Their head hurts so much.

It makes them twitchy and jumpy, bouncing a leg now in nervousness.

"... You and Noelle had a good time. You both... were really happy." They add quietly, and, unfortunately, not as happy as they would like to sound. "And, dad's dark world." They rub the back of their hand, skin itching as pricks of phantom pain crawl through the limb, like an unhealed injury.

A cat bite. Stinging, painful, the first time it's lashed out at them despite stalking them for so long.

Suddenly, the dark feels oppressive. Frightening and heavy. Like something is under the bed waiting and waiting and smiling. They can almost see the grinning face and they swear it looks like the shadows are stretching from under the bed. Reaching—

Kris pulls their feet up onto the bed, scooting back until their back is against the wall, and they grab for their phone, tangled in the blankets. The flashlight is lit, and Kris, hand shaking, sets it on the nightstand, but that's the closest they get to the edge of the bed. Their arms around around their knees, and they stare at the edge of the mattress, throat tight.

Nothing is there. Nothing was ever there.

Kris licks their dry lips.

"That's about it I think... I mean, there's more, but those are the things I remember the most. What do you remember?"

[rudebustxr]

".. yeah. Me too," Susie admitted quietly, her usually rough voice sounding just a tad softer than usual; maybe evidence to the fact that she, too, was exhausted. "I should've come in here to see you earlier, I just.. I didn't know, at first. If I was dreaming, or how to process.. any of it. And, like.. I know.. even when we see people from the same place, we don't always remember the same things.. so I didn't.. want to freak you out. Not until I kinda.. processed all of it."

Noelle not remembering the Dark World.. yeah, that had always made sense; even if here, Susie wished she could've told her about all of it. At the very least, she was on track to do that at home.. but she wondered just how much time they'd have to get into it all. In Spirale, the days went by so slowly; it was nice, to be able to live, and just enjoy her time with everyone. With Kris. Before they had to think about anything serious again.

.. they didn't have that kind of time at home right now.

When Kris mentioned the festival, Susie suddenly felt her face grow hot; purple scales tinted with scarlet in the shadows of their room, turning her face the opposite direction as she scratched her cheek. Through all the deeper stuff, those memories are what kept her grounded; that incredible day that felt like a dream, the best she'd ever had.. it was still hard to believe that it was actually real. But if Kris remembered it too, then..

"H-heh.. yeah. I remember that, too. It was.. pretty awesome," she managed to get out, her claws tapping the edge of the mattress almost in embarrassment. "Going on the ferris wheel with her, getting ice cream and talking to QC again.. heh! Not to mention getting to hit you in the head with the big hammer. Oh, yeah-- and the haunted house, the King and Queen ballot.."

"You fell asleep at the lake, but.. that was.. really.. nice, too. I, uh. I kinda remember rambling about that to you in my memories too, though.." she shifted a bit, her hair shielding the side of her face, as Susie's smile slowly disappeared. ".. just wish we could've caught up with her after I got more ice cream. That's when.. the Dark World was opened at your dad's shop, right..?"

At that, Susie went quiet; as if searching her memories, still trying to make sense of.. how that happened. Though the timing was right, as she saw how Kris quickly scrambled for their phone; fumbling to put the flashlight on before scooting to the back of their bed, almost like something had scared them.

She blinked, not sure what to make of it-- but eventually followed suit. Scooting over the blankets until her back met the wall, her shoulder bumping into theirs; pressing against Kris to remind them that she was there.

".. then we met all the flowers. Flowery, and the rest of them. All the things they did to try and make your dad happy, and then.. the Knight.." she trailed off a bit, raising one of her knees up to rest her arm over; leaning her head against the wall shortly after. ".. there was a lot of good stuff that happened, yeah.. but it's.. kind of a lot, isn't it?"

"Are you.. okay?"

[faehorse]

Whimsy can't help but laugh, endeared by the girl's enthusiasm.

"My ma was always trying to make me eat green stuff growin' up, so that makes total sense to me that it'd be good for ya!" Not that it took much encouragement to get her to eat most things, even as a kid. "Kinda sounds a lil' bit like hay, but that's just me bein' biased I think."

And also a horse.

"My place ain't that far from here, actually. We can stop by and check out the moss situation!"

____

Just as promised, some of the trees in her backyard did show some promise for prime moss munching. Though Whimsy wouldn't be able to tell the difference between premium moss and bad moss.

"So, uh, what's the trick to findin' the good stuff anyway?"

[rudebustxr]

"Oh, man-- I gotta try hay now, too! I only ever slept in it before."

"Sweet! Lead the way!"

--

Once they got to Whimsy's place, Susie went straight to work; crouching down by the trees and examining the stash of moss she had. And hey, the lady was right-- there was a LOT to choose from. Next time, she would definitely have to ask if she could bring Kris along..

"You wanna make sure that it's kinda wet. Like. Sounds weird, but all the good moss I've had has been on the ground. The stuff growing directly on the tree is kinda dry, see?"

"But THIS, here. THIS looks moist. Full of nutrients.." .. honestly, Susie was mostly talking out of her ass, but it was fun. And the always eating moss off the ground thing WAS true! She picked some up where it looked like some dew had collected; it was deep green, and a little slimy. She shoved a whole thing of it in her mouth before offering some to Whimsy.

"Yep, that's the good stuff. Here! You try!"

[madeupxmemory]

"Hm, maybe," Namine says as she continues. She does smile, though, as Susie asks about what she's considering on doing.

"Not really," the Nobody says. "I am thinking about sketching a mural idea. I want to see if..." she trails off. What should she call Legato now? He seemed to have taken more and more care of her these past few months.

"Well, I want to make it a present for someone." The blonde says instead after some thought. "I wish I could build something, but all I can do is draw and paint."

[rudebustxr]

"A present, huh?"

Susie perked up a bit at that. Drawing things neatly and accurately wasn't really her strong suit, but maybe she could help the girl with some inspiration; grinning as she hooked her thumbs into her belt loops.

"Hey, 'just' being able to do that stuff is awesome! And if it's somebody who really cares.. they're gonna love what you make, no matter what it is," it was almost as if she spoke from experience, practically beaming at the thought. "What do you wanna build, anyway? I've, uh.. put a couple things together before. Maybe, I.. could help? If you wanted?"

Even if it was on the smaller scale of things-- it was still what a hero would do, right?

"Oh, yeah-- I'm Susie, by the way. What's your name?"

[everybodyhatesjax]

It was for the best - Jax didn't really care anyway.

Jax purses his lips as Susie describes Gumbo or whatever, and then lets out a little laugh as he shakes his head.

"Alright whatever, if he's got a horse he's cool."

Jax glances down to the gun, then to Susie, then to the gun.

"Actually not trying to scare anyone, just like show n' tell, y'know. Sick that they actually let me have th--"

"WHAT. That's WAY cooler! Where did you get that? I want one!"

[rudebustxr]

"Yeah, you WISH. There's only one of these bad boys, and I earned it fair and square. 'Guess you might be able to find some other dinky axe around here, though.."

For a moment, Susie glanced at her weapon with fondness; maybe even a twinge of melancholy, before it turned back into a comb and plopped into the palm of her hand. She slipped it away into her pocket, safe and sound.

"I guess.. it's pretty cool that you got a gun, though. You use any other weapons?"

[dreemerknight]

Kris feels lighter for a moment, like they'd released some of the pressure that has been building over the years, but then they remember that they shouldn't be leaning on her. On anyone. They don't deserve it for everything they've done and felt and seen...

But... If any time is a good time to just... accept it, now is that time.

So they let themselves bask in that warmth so different than the Soul's that hums in their chest. Just... for a moment, they let themselves sink into her arms and warmth and listen to her breathing, her heart beating, the way her voice vibrates through her chest and chin and lets themselves think, I'm not alone.

Their crying quiets down to sniffles, and then soft, quivering breaths.

"... Yeah... we'll always find each other..." Kris nods, loosening their grip on Susie's shirt. They pulls away slightly, letting go of her shirt to rub at their eyes. They hurt so much from the crying and it feels like their head is going to fly away with as foggy as they feel after all of that sobbing. "Somehow."

They sniffle, shaking their arm to get their sweater sleeve to fall over their damp hand so they can use that to mop up their tears and nose. They open their eyes, staring at the dark patches on Susie's shirt where their tears have soaked in, and try to half-heartedly wipe at the spots like that would erase their moment of weakness.

As expected, it doesn't work.

Kris takes another breath, pulling back but not letting go of Susie's hand as they lift their head. They flash her an unsteady grin, eyes red and puffy from crying so hard. "I'm good now." Their words crack. Clearing their throat and coughing into their sleeve, they try again. "Yeah... y-yeah, I'm okay now. Let's... ahem, let's go and save this place. It's our home after all."

It feels more like home than home ever did.

"... Sorry for getting snot on your shirt." They add in an awkward attempt at lightening the mood.

[rudebustxr]

Even with the chaos all around them, Susie didn't dare move. Even if they could be heroes again, saving all sorts of people this time-- Kris just needed a little longer. Honestly.. she did, too. To remind them, and herself, that she wasn't going anywhere again. Even if the last time was out of her control.. she could stop it from happening again, couldn't she? If she just wished hard enough. If she spoke it over, and over again-- convincing every damn Star that even if they tried, they couldn't tear her away from this.

The only home she'd ever really known.

The family that was given to her-- that she helped form.

A place with Kris, where they could just be.. together.

Home was still waiting. The Prophecy, and all that bullshit-- she knew they'd have to face it all again some day.. but for now..

For now, as she held them, listening to them quietly cry; feeling their hands hold onto her for dear life.. she could just bask in how real this was. How lucky she was, how she never wanted to be without them again.

As Kris began to pull away, Susie only slightly followed; mostly letting them tell her what to do, keeping her hands on them until they moved out of her grasp. She watched them, carefully; noticing the redness around their eyes and nose, how tired their voice sounded now.. it, was quite the thing to open her eyes to finally, but she didn't dare look away. As they struggled to clean themselves up, she just smiled a little; then laughed.

"Yeah.. our home. Man, where'd all these people be without us, huh..? Sure are lucky to have a couple of heroes save them in a minute here."

".. don't worry about my shirt. I'll cherish your snot forever," the smile then turned into a grin as Susie gently cupped Kris's face into her hands, wiping their eyes gently with her sleeves this time. "The hell're you trying to clean me up for anyway?? You're the one who needs it, dummy. Besides, I'm totally not gonna wash it EVER and then make you wear it later."

That was definitely a joke. Maybe.

Once she was satisfied with wiping their tears away, Susie went for Kris's hand again; and in a flash, she was in her Dark World clothes. There was a stage just ahead of them that she spotted, gently giving their hand a tug before she started rushing towards it.

".. c'mon, Kris! Let's show these assholes what we're made of!"

Because, when you're with me..

I know we can do anything.

[anttennatime]

Whew. They're okay.

[Text]: That's double the cheese up there!! Is it still a full moon if it's all... like that? [Text]: I MISSED IT!? [Text]: But I believed in you both!! You're amazing!! [Text]: I'm beat but I'm still in one piece.

...

[Text]: What do you say to doing @#$% all tomorrow and staying in.

[rudebustxr]

[ TXT ] : dude now ur speaking my language [ TXT ] : one moon is cheese and the other one is a donut [ TXT ] : cheesedonut [ TXT ] : do u think i can get back up there and take a bite LOL

[ TXT ] : whew glad ur ok [ TXT ] : sounds good to me. we can jsut stay on the couch all day and sleep. maybe in a cuple days me n kris can put on another show for you [ TXT ] : well be home soon ok??

[rudebustxr]

".... wait. Two moons.. that means..."

"SHIT!!! THERE'S TWICE THE CHEESE UP THERE NOW!!! PUT ME BACK GOD DAMNIT, I NEED TO EAT THE MOONS!!"

[anttennatime]

| Group Message to: @rudebustxr, @dreemerknight |

[Text]: I think everyone's back in the city. Are you both okay?? [Text]: Tell me where you both are and I'll come take you home. [Text]: Or to the hospital.

| Message to: @bigshot |

[Text]: If you're not dead send me a text

[rudebustxr]

[ TXT ] : tenna!! holy shit THERES 2 MOONS NOW LOL [ TXT ] : me n kris are good! you shouldve seen us rocking out!! we totally saved the day lmao [ TXT ] : idk where we ended up rn but i dont think were hurt [ TXT ] : are u ok??