ask-the-determined-river

[ask-the-determined-river]

Girls will say "I just need to lie down for a little while" and then sink into a muddy river and get all their hard.tissues replaced with mineral deposits

[ask-the-determined-river]

[ * The ⬧︎⧫︎♋︎●︎♋︎♍︎❍︎♓︎⧫︎♏︎⬧︎ almost seem.. uneven the longer you look at them. As if they slowly melt in place like ice cream if looked at for too long. ] "What is your truth...?" [ * They seem to await it. Slowing down in the snow as they reach out their hands to feel for any snowflakes. Either forgetting about the lack of sky or simply not caring. ] "Games are still... fun." [ * They comment. Either as reassurance for you or themselves. ]

TRANSLATION: (stalacmites)

-

River Person smiles agreeably, fidgeting around inside their robe as they walk along next to them.

They seem to hesitate speaking for a moment, becoming distracted by their snowflake-searching hand.

But looking back at those uneven stalacmites again seems to help them regain their focus.

"...Do you...have you.........ah, are you...a cane user? I can see that your vines help you get around...but...it's not quite enough support, is it?"

They look up at them with stubborn concern, looking prepared for... something, perhaps a dismissive response.

[ask-the-determined-river]

"* Truth or dare... dare or truth... ❄︎❒︎◆︎⧫︎♒︎ □︎❒︎ ♎︎♋︎❒︎♏︎📬︎" [ * They smile and seem to think about it for a moment. Then a while. Reaching out to the trees. The snow falls on them... then through them for a moment. Before landing back on them. ] "* Had to check... out of... ⬧︎⍓︎■︎♍︎." "* What did you have in mind... for such a game?" [ * They get ahead bit. Finding the way with a bit of a rush seemingly as they glance at cliffsides and overlooks. ]

TRANSLATIONS: [ Truth or dare.] [sync]

-

They watch with continued awe and wonder as they watch the snow fall on them, and then- through them, nodding very slowly at the explanation.

They grin nervously but happily at their question, looking down at the snow as it becomes crunchier underneath their boots.

"..Hmmm, for now...ah, only simple and innocent questions for the Truth, and simple and innocent Dares to go along with it,"

They then smile mischievously and look up at their friend, losing their steam in the middle of their next sentence.

"...We can raise the bar when we're... more comfortable and we know that we're completely alone, don't want to risk any hidden...strangers to hear or behold anything. ...spice- specifically.....inappropriate???"

They then chuckle half heartedly to themselves and look away and over at the cliffside view, sighing shyly.

"...Also, I'd like to play this game genuinely and honestly, but, we can pass if a request is.....too difficult,"

They turn their gaze upward, at the dark and distant stalactites, but quickly become distracted by the two familiar stalacmites growing from their friend's head, almost white in color, but never quite.

"I... have a simple Truth to ask you... whenever you want to play,"

[ask-the-determined-river]

"It's... ⬧︎⧫︎❒︎♋︎■︎♑︎♏︎. Being here." [ * They shamble a bit crunching along in the snow. Vines never digging that far in the cold. ] "...You never know who you'll recognize and not..." [ * The words seem to struggle parting from them, their movements seem determined to reach the cliffsides, moving past any homes or sights of interest as they seem steadfast on what they want. ] [ * Until they stop. Turn to glance. Asking. ] "After meeting them all... seeing it all... you just ever get the sense to dig at it? Poke at it. Even if it burns or freezes, if it's painful... to just... know?"

They look at them hard, silent for a moment, before nodding, quieting their voice down as much as they can.

"...It's one of the reasons why I kept coming back to your... his family...the happy family,"

"Even though my presence there would eventually and always unravel everything,♏︎❖︎♏︎■︎ ♓︎♐︎ ⧫︎♒︎♏︎ ✞︎□︎♓︎♎︎ ⬥︎♋︎⬧︎ ⧫︎♏︎❒︎❒︎♓︎♐︎⍓︎♓︎■︎♑︎ ♋︎■︎♎︎ ◻︎♋︎♓︎■︎♐︎◆︎●︎,"

"I...wanted to...keep pretending that I truly belonged, that my... existence wasn't wrong... I wanted to learn more about each of them....,"

"I....wanted t-to... to...♐︎♓︎■︎♎︎ ♋︎ ⬥︎♋︎⍓︎ ⧫︎□︎ ⬧︎⧫︎□︎◻︎ ⧫︎♒︎♏︎ ♎︎♏︎♋︎⧫︎♒︎⬧︎📬︎📬︎📬︎ ⬧︎⧫︎□︎◻︎ ⧫︎♒︎♏︎ ♎︎♓︎❖︎□︎❒︎♍︎♏︎📬︎📬︎📬︎♐︎♓︎■︎♎︎ ♋︎ ⬥︎♋︎⍓︎ ♓︎■︎⧫︎□︎ ♋︎ ■︎♏︎⬥︎ ♋︎■︎♎︎ ♌︎♏︎⧫︎⧫︎♏︎❒︎ ⧫︎♓︎❍︎♏︎●︎♓︎■︎♏︎,"

They shiver and laugh.

"I wanted to dig and find out so many things... why...I was trapped here, what happened to Her eye, why only children kept falling in, why I ran into that M...- and then...why He.. chose me for....for this job...,"

"...Why....,"

Fear flashes over their eyes for a moment, and they shiver again and hold onto their friend's hand with both hands, leaning forward.

They take a breather and look up into their eyes, and smile nervously, biting their own bottom lip hesitantly.

"Currently, though, I...ah...I've been eager to dig into...you,"

"Tra la la, but only if it's okay, we can always make a game out of it, like...ah, truth or dare or something similar,"

-

THE DOCTOR'S TRANSLATION: [strange]

RIVER PERSON'S TRANSLATIONS: [even if the Void was terrifying and painful]

[find a way to stop the deaths... stop the divorce...find a way into a new and better timeline]

[ask-the-determined-river]

hello hello it's been a while

"Tra la la, hello hello indeed, hope you've been well,"

[ask-the-determined-river]

[ask-the-determined-river]

[ * They pause again. ] "Drawing... plans... not much time for art when you're... always on the move." [ * They seem nervous as they itch themselves a bit, almost as if they felt something crawling on them as they stagger for a moment, briskly returning to their quick pace to reach out of the damp cold of Waterfall into the freezing cold of Snowdin. sighing in relief as they make it to the river flowing entrance. ] [ * They lock on to the Ice Cubes floating past, reminders about them seem to flood them. ]

"...I understand.. growing up...I didn't always have enough time or......,"

"I was overjoyed when I regained both, it's been... therapeutic,"

They keep a steady hand with their friend as they stagger, watching them, concern returning, slowly rubbing circles into their palm again.

Once they enter Snowdin, they look thoughtful and speak up again, following their stare and watching the ice cubes with them.

"...Everything well? You... seemed very tense in the fog,"

[ask-the-determined-river]

[ * There's a slight glow of the crystals around that seem to light up ⧫︎♒︎♏︎♓︎❒︎ face. A smile on it. ] "Doesn't it ever strike you as... interesting, how we can see them in so many ways? Through love and hate and indifference." [ * There's a certain air of cold to their voice and tone, the way it's remarked about as lines of sheets of paper all written one after the other. ] "Never grows... dull." [ * They walk the path, a bit of a familiar stride to them, guiding along a little better at times as they seemingly just know by... muscle memory. ]

With their spare hand, they glide their hand over the rock and crystal wall, pleased by the texture behind the fabric of their glove, admiring the way it glows between their fingers...

And then looking back up at their friend, quietly admiring more of the glow.

"...She... the Leader of the Royal Guard has always been one of my...my... .... best friends...but she's always had a special talent for striking fear into my heart,"

"Tra la la, which is excellent and sexy, it keeps me on my toes, she... would want that,"

They let out a sigh.

"He...the Cranky Boy is starting to show signs of getting...worse... I'm...becoming fearful for everyone in his path, I am also fearful for him."

There's a moment of silence, and then sharply, they change the subject.

"Dooo... you like..........art?"

[ask-the-determined-river]

[ * Their face remains... blank during the conversation, until they seemingly mutter out of nowhere. ] "How is the dark? Is that research going well?" [ * Seemingly realizing their sudden impulse of a response their head moves to face down to the floor, staring at it for a while in a brief panic as they try to not say anything else. ]

The Leader looks at the Scientist with confusion.

The few seconds of silence send an unreasonable amount of anxiety into River Person's heart.

Undyne: "...No clue what you're on about, civilian, but that sounds like a question for the Royal Scientist, Dr.Alphys, anyways, SEE YA!"

With that, she leaps off, not going as fast as she usually would without her armor, but still looks amazingly cool as she keenly keeps on the hunt for humans.

As soon as she's out of earshot, River Person begins laughing hysterically, a worrying sharpness to it.

But they seem to get a wrangle on themselves...

"Oh..ha ha ha hahahaha! Ha ha ha!...ha ha..I...I believe I'm no longer afraid of the Void, but...ah...ha ha ha, hahahahaha!...The very idea of being found out by...by... her still strikes fear into my heart... after all this time,"

"I...I... don't want to ever see the look of betrayal and disgust in her lone beautiful eye,"

They then look over at their friend and brush their thumb against their palm, moving it in slow circles.

"✋︎⧫︎🕯︎⬧︎📬︎📬︎📬︎ □︎🙵♋︎⍓︎ ■︎□︎⬥︎📬︎📬︎📬︎,"

It's very possible that they're saying that to the three of them.

-

TRANSLATION: "It's… okay now…,"

[ask-the-determined-river]

[ * They seem to debate on the question of personal tastes for a while, mummering for a moment during the walk before muttering louder words. ] "Soda...? No... no not Soda... opposite of soda..." "Smooth taste... a smooth taste of... something." "Salty... cold... pain... sweet... sour..." "I remember... green." [ * They seem almost energetic to ramble off as they walk on. ]

"Milk...?" They answer quietly to their friend, mumbling back.

"'Neo'...?"

They nod slowly, paying full attention.

"Green is good, green is........,"

Their attention is abruptly stolen and their mood suddenly turns anxious as they spot a familar suited figure up ahead.

It's the Leader of The Royal Guard.

"...Green,"

Old words from long ago echoes around in their head... 'As long as you're GREEN, you CAN'T ESCAPE!' ...Tumbling and tumbling...

Their grip on their friend's hand unconsciously tightens- yet, they put on a well-practiced cheerful voice.

River Person: "Tra la la... good evening, it's nice to see you~,"

Undyne: "Same to you, RP, see anything weird to report?"

River Person: "Oh...no, no...no..ah, speaking of which, this is my... doctor friend? Boat doctor? They're much like me...they.. live under a rock, so, ah, I...don't get to see them... that much,"

Undyne: "Uh, cool..?? Nice to meet you, civilian, don't forget to report any humans or anything out of the norm if you see it. Anyway, better get going! Enjoy your date- uh! Friend date! Heh...,"

Undyne begins to rush off, but there's still a moment to get a word in.

[ask-the-determined-river]

[ * The whisper is seemingly heard, or the same conclusion is reached. ] "Not really a field trip, more of a... expedition? A research outing?' [ * There's a jolt to them as they try to both walk and talk, an attempt to put on the most active display they could. ] "Scenic wouldn't do much harm to these legs, Let's find our way to Snowdin from here." [ * There's muttered whispering under their breath. ] "Some fresh air... some freedom." [ * They turn back to look. Making a choice as their hand is extended out in an offer. ] "Let's head together."

"Hmm,"

River Person seems uncertain about the suggestions, also not quite sure what to call their Upcoming Outing either, visibly not satisfied with it being only a science thing.

As River Person watches them walk, they frown with concern, deepening as their friend mentions their legs.

They sigh longingly at the mention of fresh air and freedom...a tired but dreamy smile appearing.

And that same smile reappears as they take the offer, vine-wrapped hand in gloved-wrapped hand, joining their side.

"☹︎♏︎⧫︎🕯︎⬧︎,"

Excitement about the Trip returns as they walk, but every now and then, they peek down at their friend's long, modest lab coat, looking for their hidden legs, or perhaps watching their gait.

"...Tra la la... so...small things... I know you're... ♒︎♓︎❍︎ ♋︎■︎♎︎ ✋︎, but, you're very, very, different from us, so, aside from science, what are your favorite... things? Subjects? Food? Foodsss? Color? Colorssss~? Is it similar to our favorites, or... different?"

"I'm...asking out of genuine curiosity, and... no other reason,"

Their earnest, curious, but sneaky smile is very distracting.

RIVER TRANSLATIONS: (L︎e︎t︎'︎s︎) (h︎i︎m︎ a︎n︎d︎ I︎)

[ask-the-determined-river]

[ * The silence after the whisper seems to imply they have taken the remake far too seriously. ] "Not... ♍︎◆︎❒︎❒︎♏︎■︎⧫︎●︎⍓︎" "Field trip... that's something to call it." [ * They pace along the walls, seemingly planning out something as they motion it with their hands, Some imaginary map as their hands proceed to guide along the nonexistent map. Mutterings over what to do and how to enact such plans fall from them as they seem intently focus on ensuring it. ]

[ * They seem to realize you're still there. ]

"So... I will need to head to... around Snowdin, hopefully the... pathway is there. * Just need the... door."

TRANSLATION: (currently)

-

They watch their friend thoughtfully, secretly fidgeting inside of their cloak.

"Is...'field trip' too... childish? We could call it.....something.... else...," they mumble quietly, their voice turning into a nervous whisper, they seemingly go unnoticed. (?)

They then perk back up at the mention of Snowdin, regaining their courage.

"Tra la la, would you like to take a ride on my Puppy Love Boat there...or would you like to take the scenic route? I very much enjoy both ways,"

[ask-the-determined-river]

[ask-the-determined-river]

cave diving at Hell’s Hole, Mount Gambier, South Australia 

[ask-the-determined-river]

"Ooh la la! 110 votes! 110 passengers! How wonderful!"

"Come aboard, everyone now, first stop- we are going home!"

[ask-the-determined-river]

[ * They listen intently. Taking in every detail as they seem to smile at the things they learn. ] "A library visit could be... possible. If you don't mind a bit of... sneaking in the wrong place." [ * There's something off about their tone. As if they're unsure they should even be saying this.] "My... borrowing habits haven't gone away quite yet. I still... visit places I shouldn't from time to time." [ * They begin to whisper a bit. ] "I have somewhere I've been to. Just the... surface of it. You could... visit it too, as long as we... don't intervene with anything." [ * Their hands have gone to their pockets as they talk. Digging around seemingly for something or to quell themselves as they almost seem... nervous? ] [ * Their eyes seem to become a bit brighter as they talk. Almost hard to look at directly. ]

River Person's own eyes light up, and they become instantly excited at the news, already processing the possibilities.

They let out giddy but hushed giggles.

"Tra la la! To go on another field trip, especially with you, to an outside library, I would be on my most best behavior, careful is my middle name,"

They then laugh more, stand on their tippy toes and suddenly gently hug their friend. "Nooo, that one was a joke, I don’t have a middle name, hahahaha!"

They then quickly go silent, going back to a whisper, still hugging.

"Are you anxious? You seem...a little...antsy..do you have ants on the brain?"

[ask-the-determined-river]

Glow Worm Caves, New Zealand by Daniel Kordan