IC Inbox

[despiteeverything]

"Hi, this is Frisk. Leave a message!"

Comments

day 73

[bonefriend]

frisk

frisk, when you get this [ don't type if, don't type if-- ] please respond

let me know where you are.

day 75, early afternoon, probably a few minutes after they put up their forthcoming general post

[despiteeverything]

[... the feeling that something is very wrong intensifies as they stare down at the message. Sans was okay, he was all right. That's what they'd been wanting, wasn't it? When they'd charged down that monster that'd been chasing them? That he and Quark would be okay.

The don't really feel it. They don't feel anything at all, except the aching absence of something important. They bite their lip. Something is very wrong, and it scares them. Seems they can still feel that at least. Their fingers fumble a little as they reply.]

I'm okay. I think Im at the hospital down in the caves.

[They hesitate before adding a second message.]

What happened?

[They remember being pinned down, drowning in dust - like one of their nightmares come to life more than anything - and then waking up here.]

day 075 - text - @claytonator

[dr_unconscious]

She's worried, you know.

Text - @determination

[despiteeverything]

[They debate not answering at all. In fact, they don't, not until that evening. A response does come though, rapid-fire and shakey. They don't need to ask who "she" is.]

Mom's always been worried about me.

Ever since

I can't see her now

I can't

not like this

Night 97 - [audio]

[inruins]

[It is startlingly clear enough she isn't going to find Frisk by the end of the day, so Toriel settles in and calls the child as lockdown settles in over the snow plagued town.]

Frisk? My child, are you there? [She hopes Frisk answers if not already asleep or distracted.]

[audio]

[despiteeverything]

[Not asleep, nor distracted (un?)fortunately. They aren't relishing the thought of going to sleep. For some ten days now, Toriel's been there whenever they slept. Her mere solid, breathing presence next to them was enough to ward off many of the nightmares, and for the ones that remained, whenever Frisk woke up, she'd be there to gently soothe them back to sleep.

No such luck tonight.

Hearing her voice though makes them start and they flip themselves over and grab their tablet, pulling it towards themselves.]

Y-yeah. I'm here. Did something happen?

Day 110, after seeing the obituary; @CaptSteveRogers; voice

[starsandtights]

[Wrapped up in trying to keep his own grasp on reality solid, Steve had been scarce on the network on day 109. It's only after he sees the obit that he checks back and sees Frisk's post, his heart squeezing painfully. He glances over it only briefly before opening a message directly to Frisk.]

Frisk—my God, I'm so sorry, I only just saw—are you all right? Are you and Yukio still together?

[despiteeverything]

[Footsteps on snow and ice, the sound of the weather outside. But Frisk still hears his message and... after a couple minutes of gathering themselves, they respond.]

Yeah, we're... we're heading towards the clinic, I think. [They cough briefly.] Then the school, um. We both need food.

[They don't comment on the "are you all right" question. They sound like someone who's fighting to hold it all together. To put one foot in front of the other. Determination.]

Day 114 | text

[ecks]

You were correct. Traveling with other people is not as dangerous as I thought it would be.

[She's in this tiny house full of people and no one's attacking her, it's amazing.]

holy shit I meant to reply to this sooner I'm so sorry

[despiteeverything]

[Things are feeling a bit brighter at least, now that they're back with Toriel. They're still a sort of tired though, tired enough to keep things to text.]

Really? you made more friends?

Thats really great!

Day 116

[inruins]

[She is literally next to Frisk, yet...]

What do you get when you cross fish and an elephant?

[despiteeverything]

[They glance over with a tired but happy sort of grin.]

I dont know. what?

@jwatson; text (Morning 118)

[jumpthegun]

[He doesn't know if they'll remember, but he certainly does. And now that he's awake, all of it is coming back to him.]

frisk?
Frisk are you all right

this is dr. Watson

Apologies it's so early.

Are you with someone?
your mum?

@determination, text

[despiteeverything]

[On one hand it's strange, because they'd never spoken really before now. On the other... they do remember bits and flashes of last night. Of the nightmare and others... being there? It was confusing, dizzying, and they don't know how to feel right now. Things almost feel wrong? But they feel calmer too. They don't know.

Overall though, they're cautious enough to go with text.]

Yeah, I'm with Mom. Why?

Morning 127 -1/?

[inruins]

Frisk? Where are you?

2/?

[inruins]

Frisk?

@jwatson; audio; Day 130

[jumpthegun]

Frisk? Hey, it's John. Are you back with your mum? How are you? Everything all right?

[He means physically. Emotionally... he doesn't imagine there's a lot all right about anyone after what they've just been through.]

@determination, voice

[despiteeverything]

[When Frisk does reply, they honestly sound more tired than anything. A bit sad, but... nowhere near as bad as they sounded after say, when Toriel had died.]

Yeah. I think... I think we're gonna stay at the library today? Mom's still sick 'n I'm sleepy.

[Frisk is referring to the coughing and fever, effects that Watson probably had noticed in a lesser degree during their trip through Robert's game. They don't realize that their words could be misunderstood.]

@hsiaoke; voice; Night 136

[heavensreader]

Frisk?

[Kesara sounds deeply thoughtful. Her voice echoes a little strangely in the tunnels.]

Are you awake? Listen, this is important.

@determination

[despiteeverything]

Kesara?

[Frisk's voice is a touch drowsy, but that fades quickly enough at the urgency of her words.]

What is it? Did something happen?

@zd; text; day 138 (still playing waiting/catch up with mods)

[swatsflies]

[ Sending her a map done in the simple paint editing program. ]

Bet Steve would be happy with the police station.
This is what we've found so far.

@determination, text

[despiteeverything]

Yeah he woulda
Maybe he'll come back still and we can show him

[They really really want to hope. They really do.]

That gate. Is that the gate outta the town?

@Mnemosyne; text; Day 143

[bookofnope]

I would understand if you'd rather avoid me. But if you're willing, I would like to talk. Business.

[This is going to be a very very awkward conversation.]

@determination, text

[despiteeverything]

[... this is admittedly a very confusing and surprising text. Though not inherently unwelcome.]

Okay... I'm still learning to be an ambassador though if that's what you need.

[It's what they think of first when they hear "business" referred to themselves, to be fair.]

@quark; audio; Night 149

[averytinyparticle]

[Everyone else has gotten text. And talking is hard, but somehow, for Frisk, he feels like he has to try. His face is cold, but his hands are even colder, and typing is only becoming more difficult. Voice to text just made the words come out all wrong. The noise of the weather speaks loud enough for him to need to explain where he ended up, if the cold chattering of his teeth doesn't do the trick.]

I wanted to tell you, before you see my name, that this isn't something you need to try and fix.

@determination, voice

[despiteeverything]

Wh- Q-quark?

[They'd been doing their best to get comfortable. The house leading to the split tunnels was all right in general, though Frisk lamented the lack of bed a bit. Still, it was enough that Frisk had to shake out of a half-doze a bit, when they heard a message for them.

In those crucial moments though, they hear the wind, and realize what's wrong with his voice. It's a kind of shaky blurriness ]

No- No! Quark you- you can't be, you can't!

[He can't be dying, especially not the same way that Toriel did.

His words too, hit hard. Isn't something they need to try and fix. He can't say that, he can't say that there's nothing they can do, because if there isn't-]

@Ecks | text | 155

[ecks]

It is valentines day and I appreciate you.

[despiteeverything]

Awww!

That's really nice and I appreciate you too!

[Live your dreams, Ecks.]

@Mnemosyne; voice; Day 160

[bookofnope]

[It's early in the morning, and Beckett sounds very tired, dazed, almost like he's talking in his sleep.]

You said go back. Fix things. Before. I'm sure you... what did you mean?

[It's been a long time coming, this question. But it's distinctly more urgent now.]

@determination, voice

[despiteeverything]

[It's been... a rough night and day before. Better now that the worst of the glitching has faded, but there's still this lingering sense of unease. Of loneliness. Frisk's dealt with it by furiously distracting themselves and trying to ignore it.

This... is actually good for that, though they're not sure how to feel about this particular distraction. Their reply opens before they're really ready to speak, so there's a long moment of them hesitating. Deciding whether they're ready to divulge this secret.

The fact that he's understood so many other things is... it's finally what decides it.]

It's... it's what I could do. Back home, not here anymore. If I- If I mess up, I can go back to when and where I was. Like um... like a reset button, I guess.

[Thus why Flowey had probably called them that. Resets.]

@totheark, text, day 160

[0thingsonmymind]

whereare
?

*He miiiight have something you can help with.*

@determination, voice

[despiteeverything]

Oh. Um. I'm helping take food over to Kesara's pass.

[This is a bit odd. They're not used to contact from Brian.]

before she's diddly dang dead

[inruins]

[For her part her coughing has lessened and Frisk's presence makes her breath a little easier. All of them are settled for the night.] Would you come here a moment, dear?

Tucked in Frisk's book about monsters

[inruins]

Frisk,

There is so much I want to say and so little time to write it. You know me, I can go on a tangent if I do not stay focused.

I've been hesitating writing this for quite awhile now. Given my illness growing stronger, I knew I couldn't keep putting it off. You deserve to know these things. I cannot assume I will be here forever. I'd rather be safe than leave you wondering.

First and foremost. I love you. Truly. You are my child. We've gotten many questions, stares and much judgement on the topic. Sometimes it can irk me (just as much as it irks you I've noticed!) but it doesn't change the fact we are a family. I say this quite often, I know, but you always need to hear it. To know it will not change. Even if I die briefly from this cold, you must remember this. You are my child no one can change this.

Secondly, adults will treat you like you are clueless. I struggled on how to phrase this, but we both know this is true. Very few adults will listen to a child. It means you must fight harder than they ever will to be heard. To show mercy where they will not and consider the un-considerable. You've shown me that. You've taught me so much. I can only hope I've taught you as much.

You cannot let them change your hopes and dreams. There is always room for growth, but do not let them take away what makes you special. A child who saved the underground, a child who is giving, a child who gives too much. A child with secrets and sadness they struggle to share.

Thirdly, take care of yourself. You are allowed to be selfish, you're allowed to be upset, you're allowed to be angry. To take care of others, you need to care for yourself. You need time to pout, to yell, to play, to be agitated by things. Don't try to smooth it over to play nicely with others. Sometimes you need to make room for yourself if no one else will. You can campaign for studying anomalies and mercy without needing to be friendly all the time. You are a child who deserves an off day in this hellish landscape.

Fourthly, try to be careful. Your life matters. You may not think it does in the grand scheme of things, but you matter. You do reckless things for the greater good, but you must tread carefully at times. Risk only when it is truly needed. If you are to help others, you need to be in one piece, my child. I want to see you grow up! I want to see you go to college, learn to drive from Papyrus, play games with your friends far too late and go through a rebellious phase all children have. This means you need to stay in one piece! Indulge your mother on this, young one.

My apologies for writing such a lengthy letter, my dear. I've been dwelling on this long enough I had to put this down on paper. If you do find this, you're free to tease me on being a silly old woman.

I love you,

- Toriel

@kingdomkey ; audio - Evening of 164

[seekthelight]

Hey Frisk..

[Sora had seen the obituary. He'd seen one name in particular that he knew was going to cause a certain someone a lot of pain. And since he considered them a friend, he couldn't help but contact them once he and Davesprite had settled in for the night.]

..Is...can I do anything for you?

@determination, voice

[despiteeverything]

[Sora gets points for not immediately telling them they need to go find somebody, to not be alone. Yet, at least. Their heart twinges a bit with something not-entirely-awful, hearing him want to help.]

I... I dunno. Can't think of anything. 'm sorry.

[They just have to wait, and hope that it's somehow enough.]

@jwatson; audio; Day 181

[jumpthegun]

[Here's someone that John just hasn't seen on Davesprite's post and who's been keeping quiet, in general, after he saw that House mentioned they were coughing up blood. The fact that another doctor seemed to be aware of it and that the Frisk had been with someone else looking out for them had stopped John from reaching out. But it's getting to the point that he's concerned again. He told Toriel he would try to look out for them if she passed.]

Frisk, are you there? It's Dr. Watson--John. I haven't heard anything from you since last night happened. I know you're probably not okay. If you wanted to talk about it, I'm here. And I saw you were having more problems with your sickness. I can't do much more than offer medicine, but if you need that, let me know.

[despiteeverything]

[It's evening before Frisk responds. Before they pull themselves away from where they've been curled up on Lutha to check the network and such. They see Watson's message and.... the mention of the night before stings. Even if they didn't hurt anyone.]

Dr. H gave me cough syrup. It only works sometimes but, um... [The pause, coughing wetly] That's how it's supposed to work I guess?

[Because it's MN Poisoning.]

@determination, voice

[despiteeverything]

[Today is a slightly worse day. The cough medicine has been largely ineffectual and they can't focus enough to type. Especially while walking and trying to navigate through the Split Tunnels. So voice it is. Their voice is a little muzzy.]

Yeah, me 'n Mom wrote it. What, mm... what is it?

@ordo, voice, Morning 201 (before lockdown ends)

[hangfire]

[He's gotten the time, the date, Frisk's username and a general grasp on his sanity by the time early morning rolls around. He hasn't been able to sleep much, but at least he can keep his voice somewhat steady despite how rough and flat it sounds.]

Frisk. It's Lutha.

Tell me where you are whenever you wake up.

@determination, voice

[despiteeverything]

[The response won't be long in coming. They don't sleep as well by themselves. Even with the axolotl plush Ecks gave them to cling to.]

Lutha.

[They swallow, licking their lips nervously.]

I- I'm still at the entrance. To Kesara's tunnels. W-what happened? [a nervous beat] Are you okay?

@ketximq; audio; Day 200

[mightyratslayer]

[Charlie's antsy today. He's on his way to meet up with Ginger, and that should be awesome, but he's nervous. The obituary doesn't help. That's, like, a lot of names. He doesn't recognize all of them, but he does recognize some friends. It's never easy, even when a lot of those people are probably back by now.

Among the names he doesn't recognize is one that kind of sounds familiar, but he's not sure. If it's who he thinks it is, though, he's not surprised. That kid was bound to get himself into some trouble sooner or later.

But... He had another kid with him. Like, a kid-kid. Someone should check up on the little dude, right?]

Hey, uh, Frisk? Hey. It's Charlie. Just, uh... Just wanted to see how you're doing. I thought I mighta seen Lutha's name up on the obituary there, so I thought I'd give you a call.

[despiteeverything]

[Oh. They actually remember you, Charlie. And they appreciate the concern, though they... dunno if it's warranted yet. They hope it's not warranted.]

Dunno if it's him yet. We split up a couple days ago. We were gonna meet up again soon.

[But they did see it... and they're worried enough.]