[Text]

[somuchlove]

[Up until now Chara has never posted on the network this way. Things were always easier to hunt up other people and respond to them, never do one of their own.

But in this case it was time. They had finally been proven that LV 20 meant nothing here. The Real Knife did not carry the weight that it did in the Underground and they had very little in the way of medical knowledge. So, they'll ask for help even in text form.]

Greetings Hadriel.

This past event has shown that I am lacking in physical strength and medical knowledge. I wish to learn more in both areas and as much as you are willing or able to teach.

As this event has drained those here physically and mentally I am willing to wait as long as needed. Until then.

[They can't think of any other way of ending it so they just leave it. And now, to wait.]

Comments

private text

[skelebro]

[He can guess what this is about. He's got a pretty damn good idea, actually.

But he don't need to draw a lotta attention to it, and he has the decency to make it private. Throw a filter over it. He doubts the kid would forgive him if he broadcasted their Achilles' heel all over for the damn world to see - even if it gets to be real obvious to anyone who sees the pair of the kids in the same room together.]

what happened wasn't your fault.
you know that, yeah?

private text

[somuchlove]

[They would be...very upset if he didn't. Honestly Chara is somewhat happy he had the foresight to do it. But.]

I am aware. These events have made me powerless again.

But I thought I would attempt to ease things for them.

[This is why they stuck to text. So much easier to lie.]

private text

[skelebro]

did the best we could.
told them jokes.
made it easier.

[He supposes he should ask. Knows he should. Closest thing to an authority figure either of these kids got, and hell if he's cut out for this, but he don't got much of a choice, does he?]

they seemed pretty used to it.
like it was nothing.

private text 1/2

[somuchlove]

Just because they're used to it doesn't make it easier.

2/2

[somuchlove]

[But even though they said it, they know snapping at him is useless.]

This is all I have. I see no other way.

[skelebro]

that wasn't what i was implying, kid.
i think you knew that.

i'm just saying it's a little worrying.
first thing they did sometimes was apologize to me afterward.

[somuchlove]

[Chara isn't going to apologize. They know they're in the wrong there, but they refuse to.]

You said it best yourself, once before.

there is no point in a circle

I wish to make it easier. That is all.

[skelebro]

[All right, yeah. At this point, he can't even be surprised when they go flingin' his own words back at him. They've both gotten so good at it, after all.]

what about you, huh?
i know you were all over the map, but you didn't look to be as bad off.

[somuchlove]

[It's the best way to explain it without going to far into everything.]

I do not know why it affected me the way it did.

Perhaps to show that regardless of my LV I am weak. Who knows.

[skelebro]

[A notable pause precedes his response. An exceedingly long, agonizing moment in which he don't rightly know how to respond. Considers tossin' the phone aside and callin' it a day and conceding to a nap.

It'd be a real callous thing, but he's a real jerk, and he knows it. They all of them do, and those that don't have started to wake up and smell the awful, awful coffee.

But he answers eventually. Not sure it's enough, but this ain't really his area, so he's got that excuse goin' for him.]

i think frisk would disagree with that.

[somuchlove]

[They're not tossing easy responses to him, they know that. And perhaps in this moment Chara's mind is too sharp and focusing on their perceived failure. But it's all they've got and they need to fix it.]

I wish to protect them. That is all.

[Isn't that better than being that LV 20 demon? Just a kid that wanted to protect the person so close to them it was almost parasitic. That's all.]

[skelebro]

i know, kid.

[But there's somethin' about this that continues to rub him wrong. Somethin' that really just don't sit easily with him.]

you talked to them at all about this?

[somuchlove]

[Chara can't not answer that question. Silence answers it as a "No." for them. An actual answer will say it. The length of time before they respond is a dead giveaway regardless.]

No. Frisk does not need to worry about me.

[skelebro]

well, you know frisk.
i think they do anyway.

[That ain't a big stretch to say so, he thinks. But yeah, silence is a pretty indicative thing when it comes to them, far as he can tell. Their cue to laugh. Or to...emote at all.

They seem to prefer silence. Never using two words when one would suffice.]

[somuchlove]

[It's quiet, much better that way. But sitting and thinking for too long was probably bad for them.]

I know. Perhaps I would just feel better if I did this.

[They've really got nothing else.]

[skelebro]

[Seems they prefer action to inaction. That's fine. Honestly, it's not so surprisin', all things considered. He's the kind that don't bother fillin' the void with sound or meaningless action, and they're the kind that's gotta do the opposite for the exact same reason. All things considered, they really should be on more similar a wavelength than they are.

He really is absolutely terrible at this, ain't he?]

i know the feeling, buddo.

[Back to the old script again. Well, the classics are classic for a reason, he supposes.]

good luck.

[somuchlove]

I will see you later.

[They can't quite thank him. Not yet. It's not out of any lingering bitterness as they were trying to let go of that golden hallway. It's just still incredibly awkward.

Chara says it out loud, hidden away in their room instead.]

[skelebro]

see ya.

[Feeling's mutual, kid.]

[whichend]

It's not about how strong you are. It's about how smart you are.

What do you know of war?

[somuchlove]

I believe I am somewhat smart. I lack the physical knowledge to apply it.

Not much. Can I be taught?

[whichend]

Then you can learn anything.

What I know is not taught. It's experienced.

[edibles]

It's a good idea - being able to help someone.

[somuchlove]

Perhaps.

Do you have know anything about these subjects?

[edibles]

No. One of my friends probably knows someone who could help.

[somuchlove]

What are their names?

[edibles]

Chris. Maybe Emily.