the-determined-daydream

[the-determined-daydream]

[ * It's a quiet walk home. ] [ * You spot it easily, the pathway you're always on the track to, where you can always be welcomed to, Home. ] [ * Feels warm and welcoming every time. ]

They smile happily, considering secretly having pizza or some kind of fast food delivered and surprising Flowey with it.

They then remember something important, something that they saw at the beginning of this whole thi-

Flowey: "Hey, do you think Kris somehow came over here?"

Frisk blinks and laughs.

Frisk: "You and me really do share a braincell, I was just thinking that, but yeah, it would make some sense considering what I saw...which...did you see?"

Flowey: "Yeah, I saw, I just hope they know a better way back home, that was exhausting."

Frisk: "It was."

With that, the two teens hurry even faster back to their Home.

[the-determined-daydream]

[ * As the letter is completely opened, in just the perfect angle, you could barely see worlds glossed on the envelope's flat surface shining in the sunlight. Or is it the shade? ] "Merry Christmas and a Happy NEO Year!"

Frisk smiles with gentle humor, and then curiosity as Flowey observes it for a bit longer, he seems very confused.

Flowey: "'Lightners'? ...'Lord Gaster... savior?' what in the...," he mumbles "this must be from the alternate universe,"

Frisk's smile drops as the anxiety hesitantly returns in their chest, now also just as confusion, maybe even more.

Frisk: "That's not... um, can you read it out loud to me?"

Flowey: "Oh no, something wrong with your eyes?"

Frisk: "More like I'm hoping something isn't wrong with my brain, can you just please read it to me?"

At that, Flowey nervously rereads the letter to Frisk.

Flowey: "'God rest ye merry Lightners, may nothing you dismay. For lord Gaster our savior was born this holiday. To save us all from Heaven's Roaring when we not to do. Tidings of new beginnings make your Skies Forever Blue!'"

Frisk immediately shakes their head in disbelief as they continue looking at the letter

Flowey: "What does it say to you?"

They reread their message back to him.

The duo share concerned expressions, the silence becoming heavy.

Losing his nerve, Flowey quickly flips the letter and envelope around and back again, scanning them for any new information that they may have missed.

Frisk: "Maybe....maybe it's a magic personalized card? Made special for individuals??? Maybe????"

Flowey chuckles and gives Frisk a nervous but hopeful smile.

Flowey: "Yeah, let's...go with that for now, let's just focus on getting back home for now,"

Frisk: "That sounds great,"

[the-determined-daydream]

[ * It's dark for a moment, Then... as if nothing happened. ] [ * It's a beautiful day outside, The refreshing air breezes past.

It seems to be the nearest sidewalk to home. It's all very recognizable. A good day out. Flower by your side, hand in hand. ]

The two teens wince at the daylight for a moment as their eyes readjust to the brightness.

Both finally fully relax in the sweet, sunshiny familiarity of it all.

Frisk let's out a long sigh.

Frisk: "Thank goodness...home sweet home!"

Flowey then spots something inside his potbot and picks it out, finding that it's a red and green letter! He looks at it with confusion...

And Frisk sees why, it's unmarked, anonymous.

Flowey: "Hang on, the weirdness isn't over yet, we've got mail...,"

Frisk: "Ooh, it has Christmas colors...,"

Flowey: "Ah, great, the elves FINALLY sent me a copy of the naughty and nice list so I can cheat the system."

Frisk snickers and nudges him.

Frisk: "Only one way to find out, open it Flower Boy,"

Without any more prompting, Flowey opens the letter with a single thorned vine.

[the-determined-daydream]

[ * Shouldn't it be time to go? ] [ * The way out just seems to be through the "front door". ] [ * Even if it's rather dark.]

Frisk eyes the door as the two continue talking, usually the dark didn't bother them too much... but after everything that happened today...it only felt eerier and eerier, causing a return of their anxiety.

Flowey's sigh snaps up their attention back, the sight of his vivid golden petals rewarming their heart.

Flowey: "Maybe I'll get around to talking to them someday, but right now, I think it's time for us to leave and go back home,"

It is then that Frisk wraps their arm around his metal one and finally speaks back up, hesitantly pointing to the door.

Frisk: "I think that's the way out,"

Flowey: "Seems right... ugh, sure is dark out there," he then looks at Frisk properly, "are you okay?" his voice low, soft, and full of concern.

Frisk: "Yeah...it's just......,"

Flowey: "I understand. We'll be back home soon, spondeo, I promise, noli solliciti esse, stulte, don't worry,"

Flowey reaches out with a vine to gently pat their hand, comforting them as they make their way to the door together, Frisk nods, smiling nervously.

Flowey: "......Te.. amo,"

Frisk smiles more, already knowing the translation for that one, now much less nervous.

Frisk: "Te amo,"

[the-determined-daydream]

[ * It seems to be the only door unlocked, The others seem occupied. ] [ * ... It's dark in there... ] [ * The sounds of this hospital feels similar to regular hospital... but not quite. ] [ * Drowns out the noise of anything else in the room after a while... ]

As Flowey converses with the secretary, Frisk listens and pays attention the best they can, but the sounds of the hospital could easily zone them out if they let it.

It's...kind of eerie but some how very calming, thinking back to their art therapy days, despite how tough it was sometimes, they feel a bit nostalgic now.

They quietly wonder why they were brought here...by chance, or...?

[the-determined-daydream]

[ * Comfort him. ] [ * After your journey through the town before. You find solace with the metal of a magical metaled pot. ] [ * There seem to be some doors behind him, occupied by others and one with a Tree scrawled on it... Is it familar? ]

[ * Comfort him. ]

Frisk's eyes widen in slight fear but increasing excited anticipation as Flowey ZOOMS down the hallway and practically crashes into Frisk- causing them to emit a funny little squeaky toy sound, it hurts a bit, but Frisk doesn't mind as Flowey wraps his stretchy metal arms around them, vines combing through their hair as they embrace with immense relief and happiness.

They definitely find solace with the metal of a magical metaled pot.

Frisk equally passionately embraces him, hugging this flowery head to their cheek and giving him a big sniff, his scent seems to calm them, their shoulders relaxing.

Frisk: "Oh man, I am so happy to see you! I was in your alternate sibling's world, it was kinda fun until I made it to their home...and then weird stuff started happening, I was worried that I was losing my mind!"

Flowey: "Yeah! Dr.Asterisk came and got me and directed me there, and I heard you speak! But I didn't see you... and then everything went black and... I saw a tree...underwater? And then I was here? Wherever here is, it's definitely been a weird ride."

Frisk: "Whoa...I saw Dr.Asterisk's shadow and it sent me to a dark place too, but I didn't see any cool underwater trees... just a hundred gorgeous stained glass windows without a church,"

Flowey takes a peek at the mystery hospital as they continue hugging.

Flowey: "Hope we both haven't gone nuts and this is a hospital for the mentally ill...,"

Frisk: "We could ask the secretary,"

Flowey: "...Secretary?"

Confused, Flowey looks around further and gasps and laughs in surprise, casually letting go of Frisk to face the secretary properly.

Flowey: "Ha, you're so tiny I didn't even notice you down there, so, what kind of hospital is this? Is it for the physically ill or the mentally ill? Both?"

[ * There seem to be some doors behind him, occupied by others and one with a Tree scrawled on it... Is it familiar? ]

Frisk narrows their eyebrows, becoming distracted from Flowey's question as they focus on the tree...

Frisk: "..Hm...,"

It's possible that it reminds them of a specific tree... perhaps the one at home...the one at the park.

[the-determined-daydream]

[ * Well... there is a flower here. He looks nervous to be here. ] [ * He spots... You! But it's hard to tell if he recognizes you that far away, could be the lighting here. Strains on the eyes. ]

"* Feel free to leave when your business here is concluded." [ * The small secretary laments. ]

Frisk smiles big when they see him, their expression nervous and hesitant.

Frisk: "Oh, I hope it's actually him and not another alternate version, I also hope he's real... it's... been a long day,"

They notice him move forward, so they begin walking toward him.

Frisk: "He seems a little confused, maybe-,"

Flowey then raises his robo hand up in the air and yells. Flowey: "HOWDY!! IS THAT MY FAVORITE IDIOT?!"

Frisk laughs excitedly and opens their arms for him.

Frisk: "THE ONE AND ONLY, FLOWER BOY! COME HUG ME!"

[the-determined-daydream]

yeah im “transitioning” *dissolves into tiny pieces as i click to the next slide*

[the-determined-daydream]

[ * They just... simply point to one of the windows. Seemingly as a direction. ] [ * Following it. You find yourself at a... hospital area? ]

"* K- Oh, I'm sorry, I was expecting somebody else here. No harm done. The patients are in the other room. I think we have a new visitor as well, you know him?"

"* Yes, I know I'm quite small for a secretary." "* But, knockoffs don't have the right to complain..."

Frisk doesn't get a chance to observe the hospital for too long, becoming distracted by the supposed knockoff secretary, giving them a thoughtful look.

"I don't know about that, you seem perfectly sized to me,"

They then blink as they realize that they were asked a question.

"W-wait, new visitor??? I'm not sure... I'm new too, can I take a peek at him to make sure?"

-

(The new visitor, perhaps)

[the-determined-daydream]

[ * Another flash. One moment you're in the hall. The next... It's dark... But you see windows, illuminated by some unseen source. They seem endless... ]

YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE

[ * The figure remains, Twisting and wrong. As if they are insisting their existence here to their own detrement. ] THIS CAN BE CORRECTED

They gasp and blink in wonder at the endless windows, mesmerized by the sight.

"Whoaaa.....so..pretty...,"

But the figure snaps their attention back, frowning with further concern, they attempt to approach them again, but hesitantly this time.

They hold themselves, self comforting the anxiety as it returns.

"Then please show me...if you can,"

"....Are you.. alright?"

(Somewhere else, Flowey is lost in the darkness too)

[the-determined-daydream]

[ * There's something there... in the hallway, It's shadowy, But it's there. ] [ * Leaving from one of the rooms, a very familiar figure stand. Rather the outline of them. Completely dark against all the lighting in the room. As if they shouldn't be here. They look completely out of place, a sore sight but a welcome one to you. Even with the current issue you seem you're going to have with them. ]

They smile nervously, holding back their relief as they approach the dark Dr. Asterisk-shaped shadow.

"Oh, hello...there you..sort of are? Did you have something to do with all of this? Things have been getting pretty strange, I think it's messing with my head,"

"Being here has been neat, but I think I've had enough."

"...I want to go home,"

[the-determined-daydream]

[ * It's... cold. ]

[ * One moment you are in living room, the next... Upstairs? You don't remember going up them... ] ☞︎☼︎✋︎💧︎😐︎

☞︎☼︎✋︎💧︎😐︎✍︎

☞︎☼︎✋︎💧︎😐︎✍︎

[ * You hear... something call out to you. In a room? And then a... sound of wind. ]

TRANSLATION: FRISK FRISK? FRISK?

-

Frisk gasps in confused shock at the sudden room hop, shivering from the cold.

They hold onto themselves for warmth and comfort as panic attempts to sink in.

"Oh..oh no-,"

They then pause when they hear their name being called in that Other Language...they decide to reply.

"Hello...? ☟︎♏︎●︎●︎□︎✍︎ 👎︎❒︎📬︎✌︎⬧︎⧫︎♏︎❒︎♓︎⬧︎🙵✍︎✍︎✍︎✍︎"

-

Frisk Translation:

"Hello...? Hello? Dr.Asterisk????"

[the-determined-daydream]

[ * Finding yourself inside for real this time. You look around taking it all in. The not-your-home, home. ] [ * There's a living room in the front. A kitchen in the back. Stairs leading to the second floor of the house and a door at the very end of the hall. ] [ * You find yourself completely absorbed by the surroundings you're in you don't even realize Toriel has been talking until you look at her. Her expression awaiting an answer to a question you have not picked up. ]

Their mouth, that had dropped in awe at the cozy home closes back up as soon as they see Toriel was speaking to them and they smile awkwardly, tucking a stray hair behind their, trying to appear casual.

"...Um, sorry Mo- miss, I was distracted by your very very very cute home, can you please repeat that?"

[the-determined-daydream]

[the-determined-daydream]

Yeah, things are finally starting to look up for me.

*She chuckles to herself again*

Well, I'm ready to head out when you guys are. I have a lot of things to get done for my time here, and the sooner I start on them the better.

Everyone automatically looks at Frisk, who is still finishing their dessert, and they chuckle sheepishly.

Frisk: "Just give me a sec and I'll be ready,"

Asriel: "Don't eat it too fast, you'll get a brain freeze,"

Chara: "Oh relax, they'll be fine, you know Frisk has only one speed, and it's slow,"

Frisk: "Slow and steady, give me time and I'll be ready," they then laugh "ha, I rhymed! I wasn't even trying,"

The group briefly chats, and soon enough, Frisk is finished up and looks content.

Frisk: "Alright! Let's get your life restarted, Schara,"

Asriel: "Hell yeah,"

Chara: "Hm, yes, what they said,"

[the-determined-daydream]

Hitachinaka, Ibaraki

pucchii_k

[the-determined-daydream]

Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington, USA by Bryan Swan