Lost in the Underground

Aria smiles.

((OH NO MY DOOR.

Starter for @grumpy-skeleton-cousin ; Post-Pacifist/Main Timeline))

* Aria’s footsteps come to a stop at the outskirts of the small town.  Colorful, bright lights dotted the town’s landscape.  A banner stands just off to the side with the words ’Welcome to SNOWDIN!’ painted on the canvas and covered in what appeared to be Christmas lights.

It had a warm, festive feel to it.  But, it also felt empty.

Her eyes lit up a moment as Helvetica mentioned traveling between the Underground and the surface world, but her excitement passed quickly.

Even if she were to go back, there was no place for her to return to.

“To be honest, I’m a little sad.  I wish I could’ve seen this place when it was more alive.”

A shiver runs down her back as the cold starts to affect her despite her attire.  Aria rubs her hands together before cupping it against her face—warming her chilled fingers with her breath.

“Do… do you know where I could find a pair of gloves?  Or even just a warm place…?” she asks with a sheepish grin.

((OH NO MY DOOR.

Starter for @grumpy-skeleton-cousin ; Post-Pacifist/Main Timeline))

* Aria’s footsteps come to a stop at the outskirts of the small town.  Colorful, bright lights dotted the town’s landscape.  A banner stands just off to the side with the words ’Welcome to SNOWDIN!’ painted on the canvas and covered in what appeared to be Christmas lights.

It had a warm, festive feel to it.  But, it also felt empty.

Her eyes lit up a moment as Helvetica mentioned traveling between the Underground and the surface world, but her excitement passed quickly.

Even if she were to go back, there was no place for her to return to.

“To be honest, I’m a little sad.  I wish I could’ve seen this place when it was more alive.”

A shiver runs down her back as the cold starts to affect her despite her attire.  Aria rubs her hands together before cupping it against her face—warming her chilled fingers with her breath.

“Do… do you know where I could find a pair of gloves?  Or even just a warm place…?” she asks with a sheepish grin.

Neutral Timeline.

In another timeline, Aria disappeared into Mt. Ebott much sooner.  And although she found HOME to be warm, comforting, and everything she wanted, she knew she couldn’t stay.

And so, she sneaked into the basement and found the door that would lead her out into the rest of the Underground.  She only left a note behind to thank Toriel, who briefly took her in, for everything.

This takes place prior to Frisk’s arrival.))

It was so cold.

Aria kept her arms wrapped around herself, keeping in what little warmth she had from escaping as she trudges through the snow and ice.  Giant trees stripped of their needles towered over her childish form.  Occasionally, flakes of snow would fall from the sky and she would just stop and marvel at it.

It was like an eternal winter here.

Her stomach let out a gurgling noise.  Several hours had passed since she had last eaten, and there was a tinge of regret that she didn’t save some of the cinnamon-butterscotch pie for now.

Up ahead, there was a bridge and what appeared to be a construction zone  with all the wooden columns and planks lying around.  In the middle of it all was a lone, skeletal figure.

Aria’s pace slowed considerably as she approached the monster.  Flowey’s words echoed in her mind…

In this world, it’s KILLED or BE KILLED.

But maybe… just maybe it would be nice like the other one she’d met.

Then again, she DID sneak up on him.

She looks up, giving Papyrus a small smile in hopes of getting him to relax a little around her.  "Uh... what are you building out here?  It seems like a lot of work for one person to do alone, so maybe I could offer to help you...?"  It certainly didn't hurt to ask again now that she had the skeleton's undivided attention.

“i’ll do it.”

“please just don’t.”

“i hate you.”

“i love you.”

“you love me?”

“please stop it.”

“i can’t breathe.”

“just go away.”

“you’re an ass.”

“you’re a bitch.”

“don’t leave me!”

“don’t walk away.”

“stay with me.”

“i’m begging you…”

“for fucks sake…”

“clean this up!”

“please kiss me.”

“get off me!”

“you are despicable.”

“are you okay!?”

“don’t do this.”

“please shut up.”

“are you drunk?”