Your eyes were laced with burning pain as you barreled through the frost-bitten timbers. Your hands shook violently as though they were having a seizure of their own.

"Take a breath." You muttered. "Count to ten."

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight.

Your mind stalled a moment and you could feel my mind slip into memory.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight.
One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight.
One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight.

You froze. Time seemed to continue around you while your skin turned to stone. You watched a Snowflake fall gently, counting on. Then, as it fluttered to meet the ground, you snapped.

Your movements was fluid and controlled, like the ballerina of a jewelery chest. You leapt and landed on a pond of ice, gliding with the balance of a tight roper walker. With no skates, You couldn't direct your path, but you remained with its pattern, leaning and adjusting so you wouldn't fall. The cold seemed to numb you even more and your thoughts were lost to an old tune that haunted your memories.

You lifted your body to support on one prominent leg. With your other you folded your leg gently. Your torso leaned forward to counteract the shift and widened your arms so they stretched out on both sides. The air cracked as you swung your leg down with crushing force,  shattering the pond ice. It spread like a spider web and started to bob below the frigid water. Your body moved on its own accord as you retreated to solid land.

Your legs carried you quickly, brushing the ground every beat that hit in your head. Ruby glazed your vision as you rolled into a clearing and froze as you were. Your fluidity seemed to disappear as you moved choppily, as you began to move again your arms raised as though you were to dance the Tango. Though no one stood with you, in your eyes you could see the poor boy who hadn't known the intent of your training with him. In a second you had positioned your hand, the next he was gone. His cold, dead body hit the ground the next.

A sickening thud twisted your stomach and you choked back a cry as you tried to stop. But in your lack of success, your left arm crossed your midsection. Your fingers closed around a solid object, causing your heart to leap. You drew it into the air in a jerking movement, slicing the air before you. Had there been a person in front of you, they'd be dead. Your eyes locked on to the blade, things it's grip familiar but not truly recognizing the weapon. You hadn't hidden anything in your clothing since you'd escaped the prison. Where had it come from?

Your eyes wide open you cut through the air repeatedly. You sprung through the air in a complete flip and landed on a knee. Your leg swung 360 degrees as you swiveled to your feet. Flipping the blade you thrust the blade downward into the thick snow. Your chest heaved and your hand shook. Feeling yourself slip, you used your free hand and grabbed your left wrist.

"Calm down... you need to let go..."

Oh don't quit yet neicey dear!

You jumped upward in surprise and stumbled back in the snow. Landing on your bottom, your head swiveled. Your back was pressed to a large tree, reducing chance of ambush from behind. Trying to locate the new voice, you almost considered insanity when you couldn't locate them.

How shameful! Did my sister's drive shrivel away? Never let your guard down.

You stood abruptly and turned. "Sister?"

Up here runaway!

Your eyes followed up the trunk of the tree to see a new person. In a vague way, she seemed familiar. Her hair was short with a warm chestnut color, though in the current lighting it seemed auburn. Her skin was a pale tone until her cheeks which her a bright hue of red. Most of her body was covered by a large green and yellow sweater, brown shirts peaking beneath the sweater and worn boots on her feet. 

"Who are you?! Why are you following me?" You snapped, cheeks reddened by both panic and cold.

That hurts! You don't even recognize your dear old auntie, though I'm not surprised after your family disowned me.

"What? My parents were only children."

Nope! Mother dear used to be my sister before I was discarded like a broken toy.

As your eyes slid over her small body, you couldn't see any similarities other than small details that might distantly resemble your mother. "I-I don't believe you. And even if you were her sister I don't want anything to do with you or my mother!"

The girl frowned, but then smiled in a maniac way.

Oh! I get it! You're a reject too huh! Surprising seeing how you perform. I'm almost certain sister dear would accept it.

Your face darkened as your curled your hands into painful fists.

"Never lump me in with those creatures. Those monsters are NOT my family and I will NEVER believe otherwise!" You snarled.

"Soooooooo, a runaway? Eh, I guess I can work with that." She hummed.

"What?! What do you mean by work with? You aren't really expecting me to work with you, are you?"

She snickered.

I'd make it sound like you have an option but that would be too much effort. Here's the blunt of it, I've attached my soul to you and you can't get rid of me. The blood between us made it so much easier too. And your training will be so handy! Much better than your friend Frisk. He's too determined for me.

Hearing her speak to you like you were an object filled you with the acidic feeling of anger. "I guess megalomania runs in the family! I'm going to tell you this once, whoever you are. I AM NOT A TOOL."

Again she laughed.

Two things partner. One, call me Chara. Two, since when were you in control?

As she asked the rhetorical question her neck twisted at an unnatural angle to face you. Her eyes seemed to vanish in pools of tar-like black. The grin on her face stretched to inhuman distances. You wanted to speak, but you couldn't find the words. You stood paralyzed and mute. Her cackle ripped through you without ever causing a sound. You blinked and she was gone, leaving you once again alone.

"Chara?! Get back here you-"

"(Y/N)? IS THAT YOU?!"

A familiar voiced echoed through the woods into the clearing. You turned quickly, heart pounding with panic. Your eyes darted to the blade which had magically appeared. From where you stood, you couldn't make out the voice or see them, but no matter who it was they couldn't see the weapon. You turned towards the forest and flung it deep into the frosted timbers.

That wasn't ni-

"Shut your mouth Chara." You growled.

"(Y/N)? YOU THERE?" This time the voice was closer. You gazed in its direction, glimpsing a flash of blue. Your heart leapt and an easy smile settled on your face.

"Sans?!" You called back.

You watched the figure jerk at your voice, confirming your assumption. He glanced back at whatever his prior interest was for a split second before jogging in your direction. You couldn't help but appreciate his melodic, steady pace. You walked his way, trying to cover any signs of stress from your encounter behind a look of innocence.

"Hi, Sans." You said sheepishly.

His grin seemed genuine. You couldn't help but wonder how he always kept the smile, but felt it would be best to just appreciate it.

"Heya (Y/N)!" He chimed. "You worried us when you ducked out like that. Mind telling me what happened?" He asked.

You laughed softly and averted your eyes, knotting your fingers below you. "As trustworthy as you seem, I don't really have the courage to share what just happened." You said.

He shrugged. "Meh, maybe later. I'm more concerned about getting you back to the house. Paps was a bit sore when you took off as soon as the dance started."

You blushed, but remained silent. You hadn't yet found a good excuse that wouldn't expose your troubles, or emphasize the new one. He continued, seemingly not phased by your silence.

"You seemed pretty expert when he dipped you though. You drew yourself into the right position, even going as far as you shift weight so you were balancing more on your leg than relying on Papyrus to hold you. Seemed pretty trained to me."

You gave a hallow laugh. "Believe me. It's not as simple as that."

Sans shot you a look of confusion. "So what I'm hearing is despite your seeming expertise from what I've seen, Latin isn't your dance?"

You nodded. "I told you I don't dance."

He chuckled. "Yeah, I remember something like that being mentioned."

You knew you were getting closer when the far off smell of Grillby's started to waft. You grinned. "We're almost there. Are they waiting for us somewhere?" You asked.

"They're probably on a date about now."

"A date?!" You squealed. "But Frisk... he's so ... and Papyrus is nice but... and I-"

"Don't worry about it (Y/N), it's just a formality Papyrus is accustom to. He does this with most of his new friends."

You blushed lightly. "I'm guessing I won't be among that group huh?"

Sans put a comforting hand over your shoulder and offered a warm smile.
"Nah. Papyrus already loves Frisk. He'll love you too."

You returned his smile as you approached the home with Sans. It was a large two-story home. Outside stood two mailboxes: one labeled Papyrus in red, empty of mail, the one labeled Sans in Blue that was overflowing. You eyed it warily and turned to Sans. "Do you need help with that? The mail I mean."

He glanced at his box and shrugged. "Nah, I'll get it some other time."

He left you to the stairs then on to the porch. A wreath hung on the door as though constantly ready for Christmas. He twisted the knob which turned without defiance. Door now wide open, he stepped aside and bowed to you while sweeping his arms in the direction of the inside. "Ladies first." He declared in a chivalrous tone.

You rolled your eyes and entered the home, looking around at the home for the first time. The carpet was patterned with purple and blue zig-zag while the walls were solid blue. Tucked in the corner was a table bearing only one object, that being a sprinkle covered rock on a plate. In the middle of the room sat the couch facing a large stereo system. The television seemed small compared to the sound system but that was no surprise. As you expected the coffee table was easily hidden as well. They're living room had a makeshift dancefloor.

"Nice house." You mused. "The stereo system isn't like anything I've seen on the surface."

He nodded with a sly grin. "I'm not surprised. You humans may have the Surface but we monsters were forced to adapt. As such, the smarter of us became way more technically advanced."

You raised a brow. "Everything is more advanced down here?"

He shrugged. "Well, that's what I'm guessing."

You laughed. Suddenly loud clatters drew your attention up the stairs where the views of the second floor doors were clear. One was barren of decoration, but load music and neon lights seemed to seep through it. The other one, the one with clattering, was plastered with warning stickers and danger signs.

Papyrus flung the door open to show off both himself and Frisk behind him. Based on his giddy grin, you could see he liked it with Papyrus.

"AW HA! I THOUGHT I HEARD YOU BIG HUMAN! MY BROTHER HAS FOUND YOU I SEE. JUST IN TIME TOO FOR I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, AM GOING TO PREPARE A MEAL WORTHY OF THE GODS!"

You snickered gently and nodded. "Okay Papyrus, but is it okay if I help?"

He considered it a moment then nodded. "YES! IT CAN MAKE UP FOR THE... DIFFICULTY IN OUR EARLIER DANCE!"

You blushed but nodded. "Of course Papyrus."

"LET'S GET STARTED!!!"