thisavrou_log | [open] Perfect weather for a game of catch.

Who: Frisk, Asriel, Chara, and YOU
When: Sssssssometime this month, wibbly wobbly have fun with it
Where: A park in Kauto R1
What: Kids having a picnic, what could be better?
Warnings: Chara, will be updated as needed

It's been a long trip.

Definitions of 'long' are a little variable, but all three children have been anxious to see an end to their travels. It didn't start when they crossed through the Ingress, but long before that.

Someone climbed a mountain for an unhappy reason.

Someone carried a body to a field of golden flowers.

Someone took a long journey, just wanting to live their life.

But now they've come, not to The End, but an end. It's not perfect, not quite what any of them were expecting. But it's better, it's theirs, and...they can stay. What it means to each child, what they think of it and what they have to say, it all varies. But no one and nothing can or will take this from them.

The three of them are gathered together in a park. Birds are singing, flowers are blooming...a blanket is laid out on the grass, and in a cooler drinks and snacks are kept on hand. A few toys lay nearby, but it seems that for now the trio is content enough to relax and talk amongst themselves. Smiles adorn their faces (though one face in particular wears theirs a little sharply), and the scene is...nice. This is nice.

Even if they may not agree, they have long since earned this respite.

(( ooc: Feel free to come and pester the kiddos! Everyone will be responding separately, though there may be threadjacking or some doubling up. Have fun! ))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

But it was just a joke, Chara. Don't be like this. Don't ruin anyone's fun. But they do, because that is what they do. Ruin things. Take too much too fast, and watch it all spill across the floor.

They train upon Reinhardt an even, empty look. Not a creepy face, not a smile. Cold judgment, and nothing more.

"Yes," says Chara, simply. "You should."

And they turn to take their leave.

"Chara!"

Frisk wriggles and jumps down from Reinhardt's shoulder, landing heavily on the grass with a grunt before hurrying after Chara.

"You don't have t' go! We'll stop makin' fun, okay? I promise!"

Reinhardt isn't a stranger to that sort of look. It reminds him of the omnics. Of those that were taken over by violence. Those who knew only the war. It's strange to see it from a child.

He returns it as mildly as someone his massive size can. Allowing Frisk to take the lead.

"You have my apologies once again, Chara. On my honor, I am sorry to have upset you."

So very hasty to mend that which cannot be mended, are they not? They pivot, neatly, on their heel to face the pair of them, polite and even of tone.

"I think I have spoiled an otherwise lovely day quite enough." Their smile sits on an angle askew, bizarrely sincere despite the utter lack of honesty behind its formation. "Enjoy your picnic."

Frisk stops in place, both hands gripping into their shirt and fidgeting with the fabric.

"No, you didn't! It's...it's my fault. Okay? I started it."

They want to reach for Chara but...they can't. Shouldn't. It's their choice to stay or go, they promised that back then...but still...

"Frisk."

He says it somberly. Quietly -- which is a miracle, for Reinhardt.

"If it would help, we can meet again another time."

He'll go, in other words. And just check up on them later.

Shut up. The words nearly curdle like a snarl from between parted lips, a fraying of composure that would be heinous in its egregious shattering of the porcelain mask - would be, if it occurred at all.

Which it does not.

To force them to choose would be cruel. Even for them. So they do not force anyone to choose. They pick an option that one would consider a MERCY, in every respect.

* Flee.

They've got better to do.

Frisk turns back to Reinhardt for just a moment, shaking their head. "N-no, you don't have to! I--we can just--"

But in that one moment, Chara has vanished--no, no, not quite. Frisk can see them still, running across the field. They have no green magic to halt a fleeing SOUL, nor the will to initiate a FIGHT to stall for even a tiny amount of time. Encounter over, back to the world again.

Frisk raises one hand, whimpering softly, but after a moment lets it fall to their side. Chasing after them...wouldn't be fair. Frisk knows how much Chara detests being around people, and forcing them to stay around after feeling humiliated would just be cruel. They...Frisk can apologize later. They'll probably just head home...they hope.

A moment longer, and Frisk turns around again and walks back to Reinhardt, head bowed. "...'m sorry."

He feels his shoulders sag for a moment, watching the exchange. It's a situation wildly out of his control. Something he can't assist them with. Something he can't guard Frisk from. And perhaps that hurts the worst.

When Frisk turns back to him, he says nothing. There's no need to apologize, but telling them that might not sink in. So instead, the big man kneels.

Offers up open arms.

Come here, Frisk. It's okay.

They don't deserve this sympathy. Yet over and over Frisk finds open arms waiting for them from the people they've come to know...what did they ever do to earn this? How many times have they fooled everyone into thinking they're something worth keeping around?

And disgusting thing they are, they still accept it. Sniffling and scrubbing at their eyes, Frisk reaches up to put their arms around Reinhardt again and hold on tight. Why can't they ever do anything right?

In Reinhardt's opinion, Frisk absolutely is deserving. Granted, he doesn't know much about them, or about their odd friend. But he's always been one just to follow his heart. And here, his heart says to offer support.

I will be your shield.

Even if it's just to offer an embrace.

"It is all right, my friend. If you have tears to shed, no one will see." A beat and a huff of laughter. "I am too big to see around."

[open] Perfect weather for a game of catch.

(ಠ ∩ಠ)

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