flnalpower

[flnalpower]

@atechalk:

[flnalpower]

@atechalk said: " want the last bite of my sundae ? " susie for kris. very topical :3

CHAPTER 4 STARTERS - ACCEPTING!

❤️ "YES PLEASE!"

The rapid and uncharacteristically loud response is accompanied by your hands slapping onto the diner table for emphasis, crimson eye practically shimmering with excitement up at Susie.

Perhaps you seemed a little too prepared to answer, as if you might have already known you had a short window... but, hey, that's a silly thought. It's not as if you'd have made multiples attempts at this, right? This was your first time having this meal with her.

You don't seem too concerned about that either way, though- far too enthusiastic about your victory to care, staring at the last bite...

Looking between the ice cream and Susie for a moment, before a thought seems to strike you, and you find yourself immediately acting on it- leaning yourself over the table towards her.

Gesturing between the sundae's spoon and your own open mouth expectantly, acting not unlike a famished baby bird.

You're very happy with your performance.

[flnalpower]

DELTARUNE CHAPTER 4 SENTENCE STARTERS .

part one of two . spoilers for deltarune's most recent chapters .

" there's no point talking about it . "

" hurry up or I'LL eat it . "

" you were sleeping like a puppy . "

" did you rest well ? "

" living like this has gotta be a sin . "

" WE HAVE TO GO TO CHURCH ?! "

" damn it . i KNEW these pancakes were a trap . "

" well , time for me to get the hell out ... "

" shut up !! this is your fault !! "

" heh , what are those little horns you're wearing ? "

" (NAME) ? hey ? (NAME) , hey , can we see that again ? (NAME) ?? "

" what the hell is this giant bloodstain ? "

" ... you aren't gonna sleep , are you ? "

" we don't have any time to waste ! "

" i don't think you've ever ... complimented me , before . "

" i always missed ... um , i liked hearing you play piano . "

" i'm getting better at singing , y'know. "

" i don't think you should try to go in there by yourself . "

" maybe that's just my paranoia speaking . "

" you wanna work on our , uh ... projects ... together ? at your place . "

" it would be nice to have a little treat before we go home . "

" here ... seems i had some extra flowers lying around ... "

" you going to the festival tomorrow ? "

" it is too late for you . "

" your corruption is fatal . "

" i missed you . "

" if it's any consolation ... i don't sense any immediate danger . "

" what is this feeling ? hope ... ? "

" i always thought tea parties were for wimps . "

" i don't want to say i've been getting soft . but ... "

" i just always ... HAD to be tough , y'know ? "

" you're actually kinda normal sometimes . "

" you gonna eat a piece , or what ? "

" can you enrich my enclosure ? "

" uh . i can punch holes in the drywall and hide toys inside . "

" please find someone to adopt me "

" making you happy ... is my purpose . "

" that's the stupidest goddamn thing i've ever heard !! "

" i don't really have any hobbies , or interests . "

" recently , i'm starting to feel like ... i'm developing my own opinions . "

" anyone tell you your family is goddamn weird ? "

" want the last bite of my sundae ? "

" what are you doing ? breathing on the window ... ? "

" i can never tell when you're messing around . "

" kinda feel like we're getting closer , y'know ? "

" please don't ruin this for me ... "

" um , excheese me ?! it's a great game ! "

" you want me to ... go on a date to the festival ... with you ? "

" it felt like no matter how serious our adventures got , they were just part of another world . "

[flnalpower]

"NGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!"

The roar of frustration is accompanied by the sound of a pile of... void. Being flipped over and onto the floor (also void). Somehow.

"This place SUUUUUUUUCKS! All the food is just filler, there's nothing to bench press, there's no coffee, and worst of all?!" She stomps on the ground several times, causing bits of the ceiling void to crash down on the floor void. "THEY WON'T GIVE ME THEIR WIFI PASSWORD! ALL MY GACHA GAMES ARE ONLINE ONLY!!!"

[flnalpower]

It'd been foolish of you, but you'd somehow hoped Susie wouldn't have had much to say on the topic. That she'd roll over it casually, give you simple reassurance and a smile like she so often did. Provide an easy out for you both to move past the question.

But, she did have a lot to say, and you had no choice but to listen to her... words so insightful you doubted anyone but you and Ralsei would believe they'd come from her mouth.

Somehow, despite your wishes, her having such well-developed opinions on the matter of promises fails to surprise you.

Your red-eyed gaze remained looking up to her the whole time as she spoke, attentive. Taking her face in as she bare her past grievances to you in earnest, your own hangups not strong enough to condemn her wisdom to deaf ears. You appreciated her, so very much, even as her words started to dig up a deep pit in your chest.

If you make a promise, you should mean it.

Not because it's the right thing to say.

Not to make someone feel better.

Not to do something impossible.

You can't help but slouch a bit more into your arms with each line, the truthfulness of them all making the discontent within you show clear on your face even through your usual stoicism.

As Susie finally glances back to your way, and turns the questioning back onto you, your own gaze finally averts; you can't bring yourself to look her in the eye as you struggle with your own thoughts.

Your throat feels so dry all of a sudden. ... and yet, somehow, words still escape you.

❤️ "Not a new thing."

Even that slightest of an admission came out quietly, restrained, reluctant, hands upon the table briefly tightening into fists.

Only for a moment, released alongside a defeated sigh.

❤️ "Let someone down, long time ago."

<" ... uhhh . i mean . what , like --- important to me ? " is she overthinking it , or is that kind of a loaded question ? more to the point : why the hell is kris sat out here , pondering something so intense ? the dragon looks over at them , head slightly tilted , and rolls her shoulders into an easy shrug . as usual , these days , she'll oblige them .

" okay ... so . look . i don't mind making 'em . i only ever promise things i know i'll definitely wanna make good on , y'know ? it's gotta be important to me , whatever i'm locking myself into . like , uh . like when we ran around town finding tenna a new home . "

she nods absently , rarely thoughtful as she deliberates . propping herself up with one arm , the monster leans back a little . her gaze drifts from kris back out over the lake .

" couple of people have made 'em to me , too . but they can't have cared much about what they promised . ' this'll be the last time we move , susie . ' or , ' yeah , sure , we can stay in touch when you're gone . ' y'think either of those got kept ? hell , no . "

recounting past letdowns doesn't sting as much , anymore . after all . if she hadn't kept getting uprooted --- or even if she'd had some kind of friendship lingering from before , keeping her from feeling totally alone in the world ... she probably wouldn't be sat right here , with kris . that'd suck .

" i dunno , kris . i just ... i think if you're gonna promise something , you should mean it . yeah . you shouldn't ... promise something just because it's the right thing to say , or --- to make someone feel better , or --- promise something impossible . 's'just a disaster waiting to happen . "

a beat . she glances back over , lifting her brows .

" why ? someone letting YOU down ? i'll kick their ass !! ... or , uh . you getting roped into somethin' ? c'monnn , SPILL . i know SOMETHING musta happened to make you ask that . "

[flnalpower]

Also, for the record, I am a "College Dormmate Chara" Truther. They're the one who taught him his current coping mechanism.

[flnalpower]

Also, obviously forced to be a bit canon-divergent inherently in order to actually write Asriel, so this freak IS coming home for the Festival by complete surprise and to the potential panic of his parents.

He's not nearly as worried about his future anymore, it's no shock he might be a little irresponsible and start his break early.

[flnalpower]

Something I'm very particular about when it comes to my take on Deltarune!Asriel is the fact that I consider him very Flowey-coded.

Not in the sense of being soulless or a murderer or anything like that, but rather just the general personality of snark, mock-kindness, and a tendency to do things just to see what will happen- in very purposeful contrast to the golden image of him that is so heavily represented in Deltarune by everyone who knew him.

Those memories aren't wrong, of course- he WAS a big softy who was loved by everyone and loved most people in return.

But those memories are mostly of him at a much happier point in his life, before the girl he considered his best friend disappeared tragically. It wasn't something that immediately knocked the kindness out of him, but it did make him numb for a great length of time, up to the point he eventually left for college.

He didn't become This until college, where through some new influences, he learned a new method of coping with all this baggage he couldn't let go of- he was taught how to distance himself from it. In turn, he started distancing himself from other stressors as well.

On one hand, he's become much better at taking life easy and not worrying himself into an early grave about responsibilities and grades and the future as a whole. He's much "happier" than when he left.

But on the other, he's practically a completely different person from when he'd left. So much ruder and more callous about everything.

Is he still a loving, caring person under all that adopted coldness he's using as a defense mechanism? I don't know, maybe? Probably. Push hasn't come to shove to prove that just yet.

[flnalpower]

Even with the evident lapse in your mood, you can't help the snickering that escapes you at Susie's rebuttal & uproarious laughter, the slightest glimpse of your braces-covered teeth in the accompanying smile probably more than enough of an answer to your friend's own query, rhetorical as it was.

A part of you wished the conversation was actually left at that, that you could finally just get up and go on your daily adventure around town alongside your best friend... but, that was only a part.

You remained seated, and Susie gave you the go-ahead to actually follow through... an uncertainty growing on your face as several possible questions came to mind, your fingers drumming tensely upon the table as your options were mulled over.

Your gaze briefly averting as the words left your mouth.

❤️ "Do you think promises are important?"

It'd be nearly impossible to notice with how your hair hangs over your face, but you do feel a brow raise as the question was asked.

spending a day without kris in tow feels --- unnatural , by now . susie wouldn't say she's been at a loss , necessarily ; there's been plenty for her to get up to . her usual pre - kris activities ( to avoid having to hang around at home ) were laid out before her when the day began , and trust her when she says they've been well and truly exhausted .

rummaged in the alleyway trash cans for snacks . fished in the ice-e dumpsters for salvageable leftovers . tormented berdly in the library until she got kicked to the curb for gnawing on the books .

still , the whole time … deep down … she found herself preoccupied with a sickeningly soft , distant wish that kris was with her . perhaps that's why she straightens up at the sight of them sat by the lakeside , visibly perking --- tail wagging behind her before her clawed hand reaches to grip it firmly in place . embarrassing as hell .

she grins across at them … can't quite bring herself to shatter their quietude . not YET , anyway . seems like something's eating 'em , and it's not her for once . heheheh . her head turns from the view of calm blue water , the sun glinting off it's tranquil surface invitingly , back to her friend as they finally speak .

" … man , screw YOUR question !! the hell have you been DOING out here by yourself , huh ?! … don't tell me you're bored of spending every goddamn minute with each other ALREADY ?! "

susie barks with laughter , huge hand settling against their small shoulder to give them a shove . it's playful ; there's no true resentment behind her tone . their mom even mentioned they get like this , right ? with the disappearing acts ? must be an , uh . introvert thing .

" heheheh . just messin' with you . sure , kris . shoot . "

[flnalpower]

"This is gonna be soooooo hilarious." He is casually leaning beside his family's front door, early in the morning, waiting for the first person to step outside.

Just so he can say 'hey'.

[flnalpower]

I may be considering picking up Deltarune Asriel for myself...

[flnalpower]

Between me and my wife, we've just finished all of PS!Outertale's endings, and it was blast. Excellent fangame.

If we start talking about Outertale verses (or return to working on our Outerrune take we started a long time ago), that'd be why.

[flnalpower]

@atechalk said: " guess i'll TRY not to let you die of loneliness . " my susie, for your kris? :3

DELTARUNE CH2 STARTERS - ACCEPTING!

You hadn't been doing anything particularly exciting when Susie had found you, having just taken a moment to yourself, sat alone at the one of the benches near the lake, resting your head on your arms.

Had you been waiting for something to happen? Expecting a visit from your good friend 'Asriel 2'? Or, maybe, you'd just wanted to sit and listen to the birds singing on this beautiful day?

If only you knew.

You perk up only slightly as Susie took a seat across from you, still resting your chin on your soft sweater-covered limbs, only looking up enough to face her. A smile briefly tugs at the corners of your lips, before returning to it's initial blank expression.

❤️ "....."

You don't say anything back, not at first, still just sitting there in silence for a moment listening to the wind & the birds, just with Susie there now. Which does make it a little bit better, you think.

Eventually, you stir, looking up at her, and you say...

❤️ "Can I ask you a question?"

[flnalpower]

"Oh... thank you!" She said, giving a polite nod to the Darkner she'd half-expected to immediately engage her in battle. Guess it made sense since this was a business, and she was pretty good at being a respectful customer (unlike her mother)...

Leaving the workers to their duties, she walks over the short distance to look at the map, waiting for the other two to make their way over.

"I wish Cyber City had been this convenient..." She muttered to herself, nodding at the other two's assessment of the route they'd have to take to get through to the end. Certainly seemed like it was gonna be a long journey, but that wasn't really anything she hadn't expected going in... at least this time she wouldn't have to spend most of her time here being kidnapped by robots seeking world domination.

Probably.

"Hot and cold does make sense, their most popular items are pizza & ice cream..." She mused, humming as she did her best to commit as much of the map's contents to memory. "... I should be able to help with any hot hazards with my magic, so it shouldn't be too hard?"

Which is to say, half as hard, unless either of the other two had an answer for cold hazards. One of them has to know fireball, right?

Either way, Noelle seemed content with her scanning of the map, looking towards the exit that would lead them on the path forwards. "Unless there's anything interesting on the map either of you think we should investigate, I thiiiiiiink we're ready to move on?"

As Alice took a power nap, Ralsei simply shrugged in turn as Noelle gave her a final glance before approaching some of the workers. One turns as Noelle approached, looking almost cute with it's little hard hat just a bit too big for it's head and bear-like features... It was like a little teddy bear of some sort. Except, well, sporting those big eyes that are unmistakably ICE-E's.

"A service map?" Came the shockingly gruff voice, rubbing their chin as they considered the words. "Think they got one over there, by the diner next t' the stage."

They pointed off toward the left of the stage, where indeed a small sign advertising a "KOOL KID'S CLUB", with the 'O's stylized to also be ICE-E's eyes.. and, sure enough, there's a large color-coordinated map for them all to look like. Thankfully enough, it seemed this place really was consumer-friendly.. at least, well, besides the Knight that had been here moments ago.

"Oh, how fortunate." Ralsei mused, gently nudging the skeleton witch as she stood. "Come, come, we don't want to get left behind."

Alice, meanwhile, stretched as she stood, quickly following after like the intensely brisk nature of her nap was the intended result to begin with as she went to (likely) follow Noelle to the map so they could look at it.. pointing to the 'YOU ARE HERE'... purple heart-like object on the map.

"So we're here..." She murmured, skeletal finger sliding along the surface of the map all the way to the top where an equally convenient 'Dark Fountain' location is indicated far off in the 'Lost Lands', wherever that was. It seemed like they'd have to go through the entirety of the Dark World, unsurprisingly, if they hoped to get there. They'd have to get past the Food Zone to get there, too..

"I'm guessing that would be the, erm, kitchen?" Ralsei guessed, pointing to the Food Zone. "It looks to be rather hot there.. and, well, cold, too. ..Somehow."

[flnalpower]

"The spinach salad and a glass of water for me, thank you!" Noelle's answer came rather quickly, with the waitress hardly being surprised by it at all. Seemed that was her new 'usual' meal here.

Very different from when they were kids, when all the reindeer would wanna order was pancakes, even when they were there for dinner.

Still, that didn't make the atmosphere feel any less nostalgic, the two of them sharing a booth amongst the busy diner, quite a few familiar faces still there amongst the new ones. Everyone knows everyone, just as Kanako praised, Noelle nodding with a smile.

Even if the topic, especially as it broached friendship, seemed to bring the slightest droop to the reindeer's shoulders.

"It's always nice..." She repeated to herself with a quiet hum, thoughts trailing off for a moment, before she refocuses on the conversation, quickly shifting back to cheer. "I'd love to meet them someday! Once mom actually figures out the internet issue, maybe..."

It was a bit weird it was taking so long... but, she supposes it's cruel of her to expect when she's already going through so much.

"I haven't made many new friends for you to meet, really..." She admits, drumming her fingers on the table, before she remembers something and a blush returns to her cheeks. "W-well, except um... there's a new girl at school. We... well, I don't know if we're really friends yet, but we're studying for our project together!"

The blushing only seems to deepen as she talks, the red glow of her nose reflecting off the window to their side. "A-and... and, um... she's my date to the festival, actually... I think. Hopefully!"

Kanako's ear twitched at the mention of something going awry with Noelle's father, though the subject was changed just quickly enough that she would have thought it too rude to change it back. Attention turning fully to the familiar diner with the familiar faces (a fair few of which looking somewhat taken aback by what must have looked like a stranger to most) all strewn about.

"I think I do, but it wouldn't hurt to refresh myself." She admitted, making her way to a booth for the both of them to sit at while she swiped a menu from the front. Kanako's beaming face seeming to make the bunny woman across the counter light up in turn as she passed. Still, she looked at the menu with a hum, even if she was fairly sure of what she was going to get regardless.

"They really didn't change a thing, huh?" She quietly mused, before watching the waitress come by for orders for them both. "Oh, right, um.. I'll take the root beer float and loaded grilled cheese?"

It's met with a polite nod, along with a fine happy to see her again- as Kanako just smiles wider and looks to Noelle to continue their conversation once the other girl's order has been placed as well.

"Another thing I missed was everyone really knowing everyone. Our neighbors didn't even really like us over there, what with how close the houses were and how loud dad could get on his projects.." She continued, shrugging her shoulders. "Though, I did meet some really nice people, too. It just... took a lot of work, y'know? Maybe you can meet them someday! Y'know, it's always nice when your friends are all friends, too and all that."

[flnalpower]

On the subject of BLOOD...

It's been long enough for me to feel comfortable full discussion my headcanon on a significant reveal in the new chapters: the confirmation that Susie bleeds and the sprite that was found in CH2's files wasn't just a mistake that got replaced.

The way I currently believe this to be the case, and how I'll move forward as the headcanon for MY Susie, is that she is the series' first official Monster/Human Hybrid, and that is an opinion informed of me by a multitude of factors even beyond just the bleeding.

Specifically, my Susie is a monster/human hybrid with unknown parents, as she was orphaned in a human city, and ended up growing up through her teens in a human orphanage that really struggled in caring for her needs. It's only recently, with her finally being transferred to a foster household in Hometown, that she's been reintroduced into a monster-prevalent society.

This is why she doesn't seem super familiar with monster customs, like the whole deal with turning into dust and spreading that dust on important objects. Meanwhile, she knows all about humans and how to clean blood out of the carpet if she has to.

She's felt like an outsider in Hometown since she's arrived, and it's not just because she's relatively new. She still struggles to fully relate to monsters almost as much as she struggled with humans.

[flnalpower]

@actxfmercy replied: [ kris ] noelle. noelle just know. that if i die. i never liked those dancing santas

"I'll... be sure to tell them that, so they know."