[shattereddetermination]

((Hey, guess what?

I survived. And I plan to come back soon. Just need to clean up a bit. Did you miss me?))

[shattereddetermination]

tyree403​:

“I have an idea, Alya. Just do it, Alya. If you wanna become a ribbon dancer then just become one. What is stopping you? You could certainly find someone who would teach you somewhere in the underground. And maybe you’ll have the chance to perfrom in front of an audience. That could be a lot of fun if you think about it. You need to have an outlet for all the death and murderous thoughts you have on a daily basises.”

He nods in thought, wondering if they really need human organs to be able to cast such spells? And how the hell did they get a human? ]

“I could but... I dunno if i still want to. It feels like so much work. And time required. And if I’m not going to put enough work to be one of the best then what’s the point?”

[She shook her head.]

“I’m fine with spending my time just eating sweets and reading comics. Or just hanging back and see what Bel will do. Hah, honestly, if they didn’t push me out sometimes, you’d probably rarerly even talk to me.

Oh, or exploring! Exploring is pretty nice too and something we both like. And it makes me feel kinda good in this body, because it allows me to get to places not many people can. I’ve got secret bases all over The Underground.“

[shattereddetermination]

tyree403​:

“You know, this would be the best time than any to make my move, and I’m certain you have prepared magical traps all over the cave. What happens if my magic dispel or reflect them? And how do you know I’m telling the truth or not? Having ambitions in your state is admirable. And weren’t you a ballerina once?

Tyree has successfully given Alya a hug and hasn’t lost his arm yet! He held for quite sometime, a new record!!! Anyways, Tyree couldn’t help but grimace at the description she give. Sounds like a definite abomination and he’s happy they took care of it. Something with that many eyes are beyond freaky!

“Mmm... you’re probably right. If you wanted to fight me it would be your best chance. But I probably wouldn’t really put much of a fight. Without Bel being excited for it it’s... ehhh... Still I think I still could hurt you more than you could hurt me. That’s why I allowed you to touch me.”

[Ayla sighed tired.]

“And traps? There are some. But please don’t activate or destroy them. Unless you want to donate your organs to replace them. ...Actually don’t do it even then. Have you ever had to harvest organs from a human? It’s gross. I don’t want to do it any more than necessary.”

[She shuddered remembering the experience.]

“Hah, do I have ambitions though? I’m just helping Beliad. I’m their vessel after all. And yeah, kinda. It was ribbon dancing. But I wasn’t that good. ...though I guess maybe I’d be better now. I’m a bit more precise and careful than back then. ...I guess anyone would become more careful when missteps in training cause you to fall onto big sharp spikes. They hurt, you know? But they did make me get better.“

[She smiled, though the smile was tainted by painful memories.]

[shattereddetermination]

tyree403​:

“Okay, I’m just going to let you know that I always have your back, not because you threaten me with horrible death and destruction to my person, but because you’re a cool girl, pun intended, and I enjoy spending time with you and help you cope with your past.”

“That said, can you describe what you and Beliad fought if that’s not too much for you? I’m very curious, though I do not want to trouble you in your condition.”

[Ayla moved away slightly, just enough to rise her head and look at his face. She furrowed her brows in disbelief.]

“No way. You’re just saying that so we will stop threatening you. I know that I’m cold but there’s definitely nothing cool about me. Bel is cool and I’m... I’m just me. I’m not interesting by myself.“

[She moved away from the hug and looked into space trying to find good words. None were accurate. ]

“The things we fought, hmmm...

 Well most of the time we just checked seals and crushed the small ones that got through cracks. They were quite simple. But we’ve met like two or three bigger ones. ...they looked just... wrong. Warped. With too many parts. Sometimes in wrong places. 

Like one of them... It was like a fat man with too long torso and thin, too long claswed arms. But it’s head... it was, uhm... like... shark... shaped. But instead of eyes it had like... really big eyesockets and at least15 small black eyes in each. I’m not sure how many exactly. They kept popping in and out of existance. And no neck but it had maw with many sharp teeth, so big it reached it shoulders. And such long, slimy tongue... over twice it’s body lenght. Ugh it was disgusting. But this is at least the one I can describe.

It made me kinda glad we did prepare ourselves.“

[shattereddetermination]

tyree403​:

Tyree would’ve realized the pain he’s causing her and shift his arm just a bit to avoid touching the injured area. He’s still going strong despite the chill, but she needs it! The human is going hold onto her as long as physically possible.

“No, you’re undead, not dead. So technically, you’re still alive. Sorta. Let me know when you have enough.”

“Mhm.“

[She stood there in silence for a moment. Listening to his heartbeat. It was... calming. She could hurt him more that he could hurt her. Yeah. So maybe she could try and relax a bit? Just a bit...]

“So, you wanted to ask about the night? You can ask. What do you want to know? Oh, and uhm... it was probably more for me, but I don’t really have anything to hide from them, but Bel said they won’t peer into memories of this period uninvited. So if you want to ask or say something to me without them hearing it, I guess now is your chance.“

[shattereddetermination]

tyree403​:

Looks like Tyree is more focused on giving her a hug now! Maybe to him means a definite YES! So gradually, as if someone is attempting a grand heist to steal something without setting off an alarm, he slows leans towards her painstakingly slow, slower than a snail! It’s almost like he’s stuck in time with his arm fully outstretched as he gets closer and closer to her! It’s only a matter of time before Alya gets embraced by an affectionate human! Accept the hug! Accept it! There’s no escape! Try what you must until you’ve exhausted all your options and brace for the loving embrace Tyree is about to provide!

“…ah…“

[He is coming closer. But she said maybe. That means she thinks it may not be best idea, right? Right? And what about everything else? Did he not hear anything? Maybe it won’t be so bad? She should be above that fear, right? She did experience a lot of worse stuff by now. He is just a human. She is stronger than him. He will not dare to hurt her. Ayla repeated those words in her head. And yet it reminded her so much of that time. She froze. Quite literally. When his arms were cosing around her, Ayla’s arm and back covered in thick, spiky ice. Maybe it was good he was so slow. Otherwise it could’ve hurt him.

If he still did touch her he would notice she was tense and flinched when feeling the contact. And of course cold like a corpse.]

[tyree403]

He presses onward! He’s too close to stop now! This situation is like seeing a person trying to comfort a cornered animal that is on the verge to bite! He’s taking extreme caution to not rattle her in anyway or the consequences could be dire! Her cold body is chilly, kinda icy in a way.

“Alya, you’re so cold. Here. Allow me to warm you up.”

An arm would firmly wrap around her, held to the side of her shoulder as he presses his upper body against her side. She should feel his natural body heat.

[shattereddetermination]

“Duh. I’m dead. And covered in ice. Doubt you could warm me much. Not that it matters.“

[She hissed silently and flinched. He did press her wounded, armless right side and it hurt. But she didn’t move away. It didn’t matter.

She still did feel his heat. She wondered how long was it since someone hugged her. Well, beside Beliad. She almost couldn’t remember. There was the lizard boy and Watcher... Distant memories. But it still made her tense up and hold breath. The vague memory of that man from the Surface still haunted her.]

“... ...hugs should feel nice, right? ...it’s stupid... you’re not him. So why does it make me feel like this?“

[She murmured.]

[shattereddetermination]

tyree403​:

Looks like Tyree is more focused on giving her a hug now! Maybe to him means a definite YES! So gradually, as if someone is attempting a grand heist to steal something without setting off an alarm, he slows leans towards her painstakingly slow, slower than a snail! It’s almost like he’s stuck in time with his arm fully outstretched as he gets closer and closer to her! It’s only a matter of time before Alya gets embraced by an affectionate human! Accept the hug! Accept it! There’s no escape! Try what you must until you’ve exhausted all your options and brace for the loving embrace Tyree is about to provide!

“...ah...“

[He is coming closer. But she said maybe. That means she thinks it may not be best idea, right? Right? And what about everything else? Did he not hear anything? Maybe it won’t be so bad? She should be above that fear, right? She did experience a lot of worse stuff by now. He is just a human. She is stronger than him. He will not dare to hurt her. Ayla repeated those words in her head. And yet it reminded her so much of that time. She froze. Quite literally. When his arms were cosing around her, Ayla’s arm and back covered in thick, spiky ice. Maybe it was good he was so slow. Otherwise it could’ve hurt him.

If he still did touch her he would notice she was tense and flinched when feeling the contact. And of course cold like a corpse.]

[shattereddetermination]

tyree403​:

Tyree is nobody’s human! He’s nobody property! Nobody owns them! Even Alya and Beliad! So who in the hell do they think they are? The only reason why Tyree is even here because he feels indebted to them, not because they’ve threaten him with brutal murder or anything!?

“Okay, if you say so. May I ask you details about you recent battle? And may I give you a hug? One hug. You look like you could use it.”

He presents that positive, radiate smile of his, opening his arms. Looks like he’s getting ready to wrap her around in a tight, loving embrace! 

[She didn’t really like being hugged that much by anyone besides Bel. It was another trust issue. But he looked warm and positive. Maybe she could let him but she was scared he would sqeeze her too much.]

“I... I maybe could use one. But even if I look better I still have a lot of just barely stiched wounds. It would probably hurt. And what if I stabbed you when you hug me? Shouldn’t you be more cautious or something?

But I guess I can tell you about the fight. Well as much as I could comprehend. Can’t say I understood all that was happening. ...but Bel still said I was helpful! Even if I messed up few times...”

[shattereddetermination]

tyree403​:

That is surprising, he doesn’t recall much regarding Alya checking up on his well-being. It feels a bit out of character, but supposingly, she’s really interested in having some company and wish for some small talk.

“Yeah, I’m okay. You seem to be better than last year. I remembered that you were really bloodied. Let me do your hair and clean you up. It’s a mess. You looked like you had a battle with a blow dryer, but lost.”

[Ayla nodded. Bel would be annoyed if something happened to their human. And if he was fine then that meant they’ve dealt with most of the dangers. Because if something was left it probably would try to attack him.]

“Ha. I wish it was a blow dryer and not... whatever the hell it was. Blow dryers at least don’t try rip you apart.“

[She gave him a faint, tired smile and shuddered at the still fresh memory.]

“...I guess it did get a bit messy but... you said yourself it’s not thaaaat bad. And I’d rather wait for Bel to come back. And they should be back soon. I hope. So there is no need for you to clean me.“

[shattereddetermination]

@tyree403​

[Ayla would wait at the endge of darkness, few rooms before their home. Even in this dim light she looked messy. Her hair were fluffed up, tangled and going in all directions, unbrushed for over a week. Her face was scratched but she didn’t seem to care.]

“...thanks.“

[She reached out with one hand smiling faintly but she didn’t open the bag. Usually she would grab a few treats right away but now she just kinda hugged it closer to her chest. And there was a good reason for it. It could be hard to notice under her cloak but her right arm was gone. She stared at Tyree for a moment then asked suddenly.]

“...were last days okay? You seem fine so I guess nothing eventful happened to you. ...mhm, I guess that’s good.“

[shattereddetermination]

Preparations Part.2

[Drip. Drip. Red liquid slowly fell to the ground from her blade joining the pool of blood that was still growing, flowing out of the body. Creating tiny red steams by filling the cracks between stones.

Ayla was standing over a corpse in the middle of the Ruins. Staring at ai, shaking slightly. It was a corpse of a human. One she had just killed. One that just didn’t turn to dust. Of course it didn’t. It was a human, they didn’t do that. She knew that and yet it still hit her a bit.

Here he was. A boy, maybe over 16 years old. Few minutes ago he was wandering the caves, limping slightly. And now he was here. Dead but still existing. It was both disturbing and fascinating.

Ayla shook head to clear it. There was no point to think about it. It was for a greater good. And she needed to make sure his death wouldn’t go to waste. She put the Soul pulsing in her hand into a glass jar for later. It was better to eat it later or it could interrupt what they needed to do.

She didn’t know the details but she knew that human parts were valuable ingridients in various rituals. Most of the head: eyes, tongue, skull, face. Hands. Heart and a few other organs. She didn’t want to do it but it was necessary. The girl kneeled down and pulled out of the sack a few tools better suited for the job than her scissors.

---

Ayla didn’t know how much time has passed. Maybe hour. Maybe a couple of them. Thankfully she could work undisturbed. She didn’t know if it was because noone was around or just because anyone who has stumbld upon the grisly scene had enough common sense to not approach her. It didn’t really matter. 

She picked up the blood soacked sack, looked at the shallow grave where she put whatever was left from the corpse and turned around to go back home. She had enough of today. She was tired. She was dirty. She deserved a bath. With bubbles. And a bowl of happy, colorful sweets.

After all it was just a few days to the Halloween. To the day when the Veil was the thinnest. It will be a terrible day for her like every year. At least the preparations were almost done. But now she needed some rest. ]

[shattereddetermination]

((crimsoncrosses)) The way through to Snowdin was blocked by a familiar figure. Cast in shadow, only the light of Xanos's scar revealed the disappointment in his expression. His sword planted firmly in the earth, the old monster leveled a cool gaze at Ayla. "I can smell the reek of killing intent coming off of you, my pupil," he said, "Are you in need of a reminder of your training? I thought you had learned to curb these... urges."

“You...? You were gone for so long...“

[She murmured under breath surprised, stopping in her tracks. Why now? Of all the times why now? She cowed uned his gaze for a second before taking a deep breath - unnecessary reflex but it still calmed her. Disappointing people, especially one in aithority, still stung even if she tried to get rid of it. But she wasn’t little helpless girl anymore.]

“Haaa, no, thank you. We are killing a lot less, right? So there should be no need to remind me, right?  ...And I’m not intending to hurt any Monsters anyway. Sorry if I have alerted you. ...So can you let me pass? ... Please?”

[She spoke looking straight into the glowing X, her own pupils glowing slightly in the mist. Trying to keep her voice from shaking. Trying to speak slow. To look sure and calm. Even if she wasn’t. In fact Ayla was quite scared. She bit her lip automatically. She couldn’t afford fighting him now. What if she couldn’t convince him? What if he will attack her? They may be too weak to fight later. Calm down. Just calm down. If anything happens Bel will think of something, right?]

@crimsoncrosses

[shattereddetermination]

crimsoncrosses​:

“You know I cannot do that,” he sighed, “You cannot expect me to just stand aside while you plan on ending lives. I am sorry…” He was back at the side of his blade. Oathkeeper drew from the ground with a metallic hiss. In his hands, it glowed dimly. He held it level to his chest.

“… but I will not allow you to pass. Not unless it is me you are coming with. As I said, this does not have to end in violence, but you must discard this gruesome quest of yours if you wish to proceed.” Xanos was not going to make the first move. It would be on Ayla how this progressed.

*XANOS is blocking your path!

“...H-have you not heard anything I’ve said?” 

[Ayla growled annoyed. She really had a sliver of hope he’d understand. But getting angry won’t do any good. She can’t fight him now. She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.]

“Listen. I know, you’re not dumb but confused. You want to save lives, but you don’t know everything that’s going on. So please believe me, you’re not saving anyone right now. If I don’t kill that one person, a lot more people will die soon. And that person will probably die too anyway. So me going there and harvesing one Soul is really a lesser evil.”

[She decided to reveal a bit more. Now he had to understand. There was no non violent way. There was only one right choice. He wouldn’t damn half of The Undeground, right?]

“That’s why please, move out of the way. I know it may not seem like it, but it’ll really result in more people surviving.“

[shattereddetermination]

ask-thegoatbro​:

”Maybe, maybe if I work hard enough I could achieved that happiness like before. It may be different but it will be worth something~. For now, helping my people and those who are down here have better lives is more than enough for me.” Asriel lets out a soft giggle as he crosses his arms. “I will agree how unlikely it is but I’ve seen plenty of unlikely things in my repeatable lifetimes. Come on, you’re talking to a Boss Monster who was first revived as a golden flower by injected detemrination and the mixture of his dust that helped, then got bored, and started to kill everyone. I also know that humans can be cruel and evil. Even then, not all humans are evil, some are good. Still, it is what happened even that idiotic skeleton Sans told me during one timeline.”

He shrugs a bit as he kept his arms crossed as she wondered about the pie. “I’ll give it just five more minutes. But, if you want to quickly and slightly open the oven to get a good strong whiff. Be my guest. I put my all into this pie to make up for the last one.

“Haha, i guess it does sound unbelivable. I mean my own circumstances aren’t that normal either.“

“Maybe~ Tho is his past really that unlikely~? I think there is a high chance him being turn into a flower is a regurality~ Even if what happened later is rather irregular~“

[They said smirking, glancing at Boss Monster with a bit cold, analyzing eyes.

Hearing it’s still whole five minutes Ayla sighed deeply.]

“Nah. I’d probably ruin it somehow. I can wait. I’ll be strong and wait!“

[She said and crouched looking intensly at the oven.]

“So that Frisk... are they a key piece for the peace then~? I remember you asking me to not hurt them~ Thought they’re just your close friend or something~“

[shattereddetermination]

((crimsoncrosses)) The way through to Snowdin was blocked by a familiar figure. Cast in shadow, only the light of Xanos's scar revealed the disappointment in his expression. His sword planted firmly in the earth, the old monster leveled a cool gaze at Ayla. "I can smell the reek of killing intent coming off of you, my pupil," he said, "Are you in need of a reminder of your training? I thought you had learned to curb these... urges."

“You...? You were gone for so long...“

[She murmured under breath surprised, stopping in her tracks. Why now? Of all the times why now? She cowed uned his gaze for a second before taking a deep breath - unnecessary reflex but it still calmed her. Disappointing people, especially one in aithority, still stung even if she tried to get rid of it. But she wasn’t little helpless girl anymore.]

“Haaa, no, thank you. We are killing a lot less, right? So there should be no need to remind me, right?  ...And I’m not intending to hurt any Monsters anyway. Sorry if I have alerted you. ...So can you let me pass? ... Please?”

[She spoke looking straight into the glowing X, her own pupils glowing slightly in the mist. Trying to keep her voice from shaking. Trying to speak slow. To look sure and calm. Even if she wasn’t. In fact Ayla was quite scared. She bit her lip automatically. She couldn’t afford fighting him now. What if she couldn’t convince him? What if he will attack her? They may be too weak to fight later. Calm down. Just calm down. If anything happens Bel will think of something, right?]

@crimsoncrosses

[crimsoncrosses]

"A lot less? You make it sound as if any killing at all is a good amount." Xanos stepped out from the shadows, leaving his sword in the stone ground. "You were supposed to work toward overcoming these urges, Ayla. It doesn't matter if who you're killing is monster or not. I have not come here to harm you, but I cannot allow you to continue on this path. Not if where it leads is a scene of you with yet more blood on your hands."

He offered his own hand to her, his expression softening. He knew he could show her a better way. Better than that thrice-damned demon could, anyway.

"Come with me," he pleaded, "This does not have to end in violence. We can work toward beating these dark cravings of yours together."

[shattereddetermination]

“...Ehhh, you know is it’s not just ‘some urges’ but hunger. You know Beliad and I have to eat like anyone else. And it’s not their fault it’s Souls they need.”

[She puffed cheeks slightly, why couldn’t he understand that decreasing the number is all they could do. It would never be zero.

Ayla looked at his hand. He. spoke so soft and left his weapon. Did he really believed in other way? She kinda wanted to take his hand but... She closed eyes and sighed.]

“I- I don’t think there is another path left for me. And I don’t really care if there is more blood on my hands if it has to be on someone’s. But if you believe it and Bel is fine with that then I don’t mind you trying but... can it be later? 

I- um...I don’t know how much I can tell you, but the situation is not normal. It’s not just the matter of hunger. We REALLY need to be prepared for the end of the month. Or it’ll be very, VERY bad. And we need more energy to do that. 

So please. I need to go and... I won’t say it’s good but it’s the best option. Please understand.“

[She begged with a lot of urgency in her voice. It was a matter of life and death after all.]

[shattereddetermination]

[TXT]: It's that time of the year again! Spooky scary skeletons, send shivers down your spine, shrieking skulls will shock your soul, seal your doom tonight!

[TXT]: Yeah it is. You have any plans for The Night?

[tyree403]

[TXT]: I’m thinking about drowning my system with booze or watch scary movies.

[shattereddetermination]

[TXT]: ah. drinking poison that makes ppl terrible. great idea.

[TXT]: well we’ll be busy this year like usual so its not like i care

[TXT]: u can still leave some candies near our cave

[TXT]: i’ll ask Bel to trick you if u dont

[shattereddetermination]

[TXT]: It's that time of the year again! Spooky scary skeletons, send shivers down your spine, shrieking skulls will shock your soul, seal your doom tonight!

[TXT]: Yeah it is. You have any plans for The Night?

[shattereddetermination]

ask-thegoatbro​:

Asriel took noticed of them trusting to follow him as he reached the place, starting to gather the items needed to start making the pie all the while making sure she saw what he was going to use including the cinnamon and butterscotch. This trust will be rewarding for her without a doubt this time as he will be making it with all his skills to make it taste as good as his mother would have. His floppy ears twitch as he heard her speak up. 

Listening to her words as he continues his work, do this here, mix this with that, stir it properly, place it all in the pan, pre-heat the oven and place the pie inside of it. By the time he did all of that he just took notice of the ice crystals and left them be. Actually, his eyes seem pretty interested in them. As he looks back to her he saw her shrugging.

“If the object is important to you, if the object itself has value to your heart then keep it. Besides, seeing scissors being used as a weapon makes it unique and that is more special than being normal.  Besides, I have an object that holds value to me.”

His right paw goes inside the collar of his turtleneck sweater. Reaching in and pulling out a sliver heart locket. Holding it tightly with his paw.

“Even with what has happen between me and Chara. Those times we had in the start. Means so much to me, Gosh, I was happy back then. I just know… those times can NEVER return. Now, I have more important worries, my people being able to leave this underground while co-existing with humanity. In my timeline at least I saw it happen and I believe it can happen again if I fight for it. As long as it goes as it should with the human named Frisk.”

He rubs his eyes to wipe away the soft tears that he felt was coming and quickly regain himself. With his talk the scent of Cinnamon-Butterscotch filled the area. He put on mittens as he’s ready himself to take the pie out while keeping the locket out of his sweater.

“Golly, don’t worry about your weapon. If it serves you well, then there isn’t a need to change that. Especially if you cherish it. I don’t think it’s dumb, on the contrary I respect that.” He said with a  warm smile and step to the side to get out of the way of the oven. “It’s not done yet, but if you want to give it a look yourself. Be my guest.” 

“Those times may be over but never say never~ History likes repeating itself, and even if it won’t be exactly the same, maybe you’ll find similair happiness again~“

[The girl smiled warmly, but then looked at him full of doubt.]

“But boy, you seem to have a lot of faith in humanity to want to co-exist with them. They’re really not worth it.“

“Well, he says he saw it happen, so I don’t know if faith is needed here~“

“Still it has to be like some super secret game ending. Like, I can’t imagine humans co-existing with anything without conquering or taming it first. Pah, they barely even can co-exist with eachother. Humans are cruel and evil, so war seems so much more likely.“

[She huffed frowning, but she quickly cheered up.]

“Ah, but who cares about dumb humans! It smells soooo good~! Will it be long till it’s done? It looks almost done to me!“