Sistertale

Diversions and Doorkeys

"Uh," she blinked up at the goat... monster as she stood back up, holding Frisk close in her arms. "Hi. I'm Merle, and this is my younger sibling Frisk."

Toriel smiled softly, and it made her hold on her sibling tighten. "I pass through this place every day to see if anyone has fallen down. You are the first humans to fall down in a long time... Come! I will guide you through the catacombs. This way."

They watched as she walked away, disappearing through another archway not far off. Merle held a unsure look on her face... feeling incredibly dubious towards this new character. Flowey acted all nice at first... what was stopping Toriel from doing the same?

"I like her." Frisk hummed, an arm looped around the back of Merle's neck. Glancing at them, she raised an eyebrow. Frisk... wasn't usually this trusting. But then again... they seemed to be getting pretty chummy with the talking weed that tried to kill them a little while ago.

Frisk's face suddenly contorted to a pained expression and causing Merle to blink. Did she say that out loud? She didn't think so... Letting out a soft sigh, she readjusted her grasp on Frisk. Opting to settle her younger sibling on top of her shoulders with their butt settled on the top of her backpack. Tilting her head back with slight smirk as Frisk had practically latched onto her beanie. "Just don't pull it off, squirt."

"M'kay." Frisk chirped, patting Merle's head with a slight hum as she moved forward. Moving through the arch, the stark darkness of the previous room gave way to a rather pleasant shade of violet and warm hues of red. Smooth floors paired with the brick walls decorated with bright ivy. Toriel waited for them patiently, a smile on her face as Merle's head swiveled around as she took in their new atmosphere. Compared to their entrance, these... ruins actually looked rather charming. Frisk's hand rapped against her temple lightly, making her glance back to her sibling as they pointed forward. Right... right, moving on then. Toriel had moved ahead towards dual staircases at the very end of the hall. Frisk fidgeted on her shoulders and Merle walked. At a sudden point when she reached the stairs a sudden sharp tug on her back pulled her backwards with a yelp. Falling painlessly onto her rear, she sent a sharp look back at Frisk.

Her younger sibling was paying no attention to her, pawing at something hidden to her in the large crimson leaf pile. After a couple seconds, Frisk trotted back to her and climbed back onto her shoulders. Patting her beanie, they urged her to stand up again. Letting out an irritated sigh, Merle slowly got up off the ground to avoid dropping Frisk.

"What's gotten into you...?" She glanced up at Frisk, then to the leaf pile when her sibling avoided her questioning stare. Nothing stood out among the bright leaves, maybe Frisk had picked something up? Giving a slight shake of her head Merle pressed on. Slowly making her way up the stairs where a concerned looking Toriel stood.

"Oh my- are you alright?" The goat monster asked, and Merle bit the inside of her cheek. Avoiding Toriel's gaze she nodded mutely. She was being wary of her... better to be careful than anything. Toriel nodded quietly before walking through the open doorway ahead. Merle did not see the worried look she was given.

"Welcome to your new home, innocent ones." Toriel hummed cheerfully, and Merle just bristled under Frisk. They were supposed to stay here, then? Without their say in the matter? "Allow me to educate you two in the operation of the ruins."

Merle watched Toriel step on a sequence of stone plates before flipping a level on the far wall. Frisk patted her cheeks, snapping her from the subconscious glare she held. Glancing at her younger sibling, she followed their pointed finger back to Toriel as the giant door slide open. "The ruins are full of puzzles. Ancient fusions between diversions and doorkeys. One must solve them to move from room to room. Please adjust yourself to the sight of them."