[log] I will search the world, I will face its harms [closed]

[despiteeverything]

Characters: Frisk, Toriel
Location Library downtown
Date: Morning 130
Summary: Will Gorse and Sora ever get tired of happy reunions between these two nerds? Sources say no.
Warnings: Discussion of the event, etc.

[They'll be stiff when they wake up, lying on the floor on the threadbare carpet of the library they'd been in a few days before. Especially after all that running, harder than they'd run in quite a while. At least their head, thoughtfully enough, was left resting on a beanbag chair.

They're sleeping pretty hard though - no one got much sleep over the past three days, though Frisk at least hadn't spent most of the time being more and more vilely ill with radiation poisoning. But they were still running, still constantly moving. Never able to get more than a couple hours' naps at any one time, and often too worked up for even that. But at least Admin gave them all the parting gift of a full night's sleep, after what happened. Dreamless, even, to allow Frisk to sleep until dawn.

It'll be a race, really, to see who wakes up first.]

Comments

[inruins]

[The race is one that won't last long as Toriel awakens herself with a coughing fit, her lungs aching. The boss monster suppresses a groan, rolling onto her side.

There is a long moment of contemplation whether she should go back to sleep when she sees Frisk lay a few feet away from her.] Frisk-!

[Her movements are sluggish but she's up, moving towards where her child lay partially on the bean bag.]

[despiteeverything]

[Hearing their name rouses them, makes them jump even. The anomaly, the radiation stuff, the maze of rooms and running, the Admin... It takes a few moments for their head to clear and for them to realize that they're no longer in a sterile, high-ceilinged room.

And that there's someone they've missed dearly shuffling towards them.]

Mom?

[She'll probably get there before they can really get themselves moving, but they'll at least be on their knees, enough to hug her as soon as she's close enough]

[inruins]

[Frisk rises in time to be swept up in Toriel's arms. Her movements are slow and weak, but she holds onto Frisk for dear life. Her baby is safe. Frisk has returned in one piece. You're here- my goodness.

You do not know how happy I am to see you.

[despiteeverything]

[Frisk's enveloped in warmth - particularly given Toriel's fever. But they don't mind - after spending a few days in actual normal room temperature, the library feels actually cold again.]

I'm fine Mom, really. [And yet they nestle into her arms, hugging her back tightly.] I'm so glad you're okay.

[inruins]

[Toriel can only settle onto her knees, just relieved to feel Frisk's familiar weight against her.] My child- I'm merely ill, I didn't have to face whatever was thrown at you.

[Toriel is at least willing to admit she's ill, one step forward to some extent. She presses her muzzle into Frisk's hair as she holds onto them.]

[despiteeverything]

[Frisk makes a very unconvinced noise.]

It sounded like it was really bad up here. Down there it wasn't so bad. We just had to do those puzzles and answer those stupid questions.

It was even warm.

[Before the illusion had broken, at least.]

[inruins]

There was still risk involved given they whisked you away in the night. [She's worn down enough she growls a little at the thought before realizing she's actually done it. She looks at least a little embarrassed at the sound before brushing it aside.]

I'm glad you were at least warm for a short while.

[despiteeverything]

[They do hear that growl and it does startle them. But after staring, mouth slightly open for half a moment, they reach forward and try to pat at her face gently for a couple moments before diving back into the hug. Much more than startled, they're worried.

They'll stay there for quite a while, both content to stay there in comfort and wanting to reassure her they're really okay.]

[inruins]

[Seeing she's startled Frisk is like a dagger in her soul, Toriel winces visibly feeling guilt settling onto everything else.

What a terrible mother she is. Scaring her own child. Even with the patting she feels she's wronged Frisk. Toriel simply holds Frisk close, wishing she could do more against... everything.] I'm sorry, my child. I'm so sorry.

[despiteeverything]

[Honestly Frisk's probably becoming like so much dead weight in her arms, the more they relax. There'd been so little time to rest, down in the basement, or wherever that place had been.]

It's okay. [They hesitate, then take a guess at what she's apologizing for.] I wasn't scared.

[inruins]

[Toriel is tired enough that eventually she moves, Frisk carried in her arms to just wilt back into the bean bag chair.]

Still, I shouldn't... [She sighs softly at that.] I am glad you are safe now.

[despiteeverything]

[Frisk's only reply is to - without even really thinking - let a very low, persistent humming sound, as long as they breath in their lungs can comfortably sustain it. And when that breath runs out, they take another deep one, and start from the top.

A pale imitation, but still the closest that they can get to the contented rumble that she makes when she's really truly happy and calm.]

[inruins]

[Pale imitation or not, the sound stills Toriel. Surprise settling over her before warmth fills her chest. The fact Frisk picked up on that leaves her blinking back tears as she holds onto her child.

As she settles into the bean bag, the low rumbling rolls through her. A return of a very monster way of communicating without words.]

[despiteeverything]

[Frisk is more than happy to keep it up, though the sound starts to stutter a bit as they draw nearer to drifting back to sleep again. But then their stomach decides to get in on all this noisemaking, and the sound it makes clearly speaks of something besides contentment.

Frisk's eyes flit back open and they look down at it, surprised.]

I'm hungry.

[inruins]

It is about time to eat isn't it? [She noses fondly into Frisk's hair for a moment before shifting to sit up in the bean bag chair.]

I still have something left in my pack. [Toriel unsurprisingly is reluctant to let Frisk go, but relents by moving to get up, settling her child back on the bean bag.] I can get it for you.

[despiteeverything]

[Frisk makes another quiet hum, shorter this time, as they pull themselves up into a sitting position.]

I still have some stuff too, though the water made a lot've it go bad.

[They mourn the loss of everything that went moldy.]

[inruins]

When we're both feeling better we can find more. [She brushes her fingers across Frisk's head.

She stands up, shakily initially before she finds her footing and heads back to the backpacks laid out by the shelves.

After a bit of rooting around between packs, Toriel comes back with some food for Frisk. She holds it out for the child to take what they want.]

[despiteeverything]

[Frisk picks their way through the offerings, trying to select food that both appeals and will keep Toriel happy. Much as they wanted to pass over some of their vegetables and such from time to time, they knew she preferred that they eat them.]

Are we gonna stay here for today?

[They wouldn't mind if they do, and yet there's an antsy feeling, after what they saw down there, and knowing the deadline.

They also know bad stuff happens if you stay in one place too long, and they aren't sure if anything's started for Toriel yet.]

[inruins]

Given how tired you and I are, it would be a good idea for now.

[Frisk at least acknowledging the vegetables appeases the boss monster some. She settles down on the floor across from Frisk.] We can start moving around tomorrow, depending on how tired you are still.