Dear Diary,

Welp. It's actually happening. I'm going to the camp. I don't know how long I'll be there. A few weeks at least? I'm not really sure. Will I even last a few weeks?

Boss actually came with me to drop me off at the camp. He hasn't given a shit about me for so long that I would've been touched if it had been any other act. It's in WaterFall, since Undyne is the main camp leader or whatever. I don't think I've been to this part of WaterFall before though. It's a fairly large dry patch of land with a few echo flowers here and there. 

"Hey punk!" I tried to compose my face into an indifferent mask as I looked up to meet our renowned Captain of the Guard. "It's nice to see that you guys changed your mind about the camp. You won't regret it!" She bared her fangs in a smile. I had to hold back a snort. Yeah. I wouldn't regret this.

"Yes, yes, yes. Now, I want you to make sure you know you're giving Sans only what he is capable of." Although Boss was still a dickhead, it seemed that he still had a few doubts about the camp. 

"Yeah, of course Papyrus! This camp is only meant to train monsters to be stronger." She smiled proudly again, obviously satisfied by her camp's reputation. Papyrus frowned slightly, but let it go. He looked down at his watch. "I'll have to head back soon." To check on Lust, no doubt. Boss turned towards me. "Behave Sans. And don't get killed." I laughed internally. Yeah, good luck with that. 

"Yes Boss." I answered gruffly. My voice was quiet because I didn't want it to break from all the emotions I was feeling right now. Boss scrutinised me a little more before seeming to deem me to be stable. Like I was anything close to stable as of the moment. 

Boss strode off towards the general direction of Snowdin, leaving me with Undyne and a small bag with a couple of my things. She turned towards me. "Alright punk! If you wanna get into shape, this camp will make sure you're a prime fighting machine! C'mon!" She motioned for me to follow, going through an arched opening near one of the cavern walls. I followed behind numbly, not really feeling anything. It was better to shut everything out.

We passed many different hallways cut straight into the stone, the designs along the walls, ceiling, and even floor fitting a beautiful, but somehow still aquatic, theme. Everything seemed to be lit purely by the fluorescent blue glow of randomly situated pools, mushrooms, or echo flowers. However, their arrangement still fit the theme and somehow made it even more beautiful. 

After passing through many twisting hallways, Undyne led me to a room that actually had carpet. Inside, there were multiple alcoves cut into the stone where mattresses and pillows were set. "This is the barracks, where you'll be sleeping with the other recruits! Down the hall is a rec room for y'all to hang out and whatnot. Bathrooms are 'round the corner. We just passed the kitchen earlier, where you and the other recruits will have all your meals. You'll be called for training and mealtimes, but other than that, you're free to spend your time however you wish."

Heh. Didn't sound too bad. But from what I've heard, training took up most of the day, and the rest of the time was usually spent resting up for training the next day. Maybe other monsters could handle that, but I wasn't sure if I was able to. And I didn't even know what we were doing for training yet. 

My skeptical feelings must've shown on my face. "Hey punk, don't worry about it. You'll be fine. Your Papyrus's brother!" I winced at that. Heh heh, yeah. Living up to my brother's name. 

"I'll let you get settled in. There'll be around 20-ish so recruits, but since you're the first here, you'll have some time to yourself before they come. Have fun!" She gave me a big toothy grin before turning and bounding down the hallway. 

I looked around at all the alcoves set into the stone, counting 25 of them. Guess most of them would be filled when the other recruits came. I walked all the way to the back of the room, choosing a lower bunk. I didn't want to accidentally injure my already weak HP by falling out of one of the top bunks, and frankly, I didn't really wanna socialise with any of the other recruits. Being in the back meant that I was the last person they'd see, and most likely the most away from the crowd. 

Climbing into the little alcove, I found that the mattress wasn't much more comfortable than the one I had back at home. But I wasn't picky. Resources were pretty limited down here after all. Set into the inside of the alcove wall, I noticed there were actually shelves carved in so you could put your personal possessions on them. How convenient. 

I took out my bag, riffling through it. I didn't really bring much. Just a spare change of my usual clothes and some usual bathroom essentials. Pausing, I felt my hand brush the smooth surface of an object in my pack. I pulled it out, looking at it. Smiling softly, I remembered how I had gotten this.

(Random flashback)

"Hey Fell!" I turned towards the melodic voice that I've come to love. Seeing the lithe figure skipping gracefully through the echo flowers towards me sent my soul into a stuttered frenzy. 

"Look at this." He held out his hand. In it, there was a strangely coloured stone. It was a normal smooth grey colour, but there seemed to be light sparkling in it. "Huh. That's weird." I shrugged it off. Lust looked put off by my lack of interest. "I thought it was kinda pretty." I scoffed. "It's just a rock, bud." Besides, nothing in UnderFell was really pretty. Besides maybe those deep, purple eyelights..

I shook my skull out of my daydreams, hoping my face wasn't as red as it felt. Lust didn't seem to notice, or if he did, he had the courtesy to pretend not to notice. Instead, he turned away from me to glide through the echo flower field again, whispered words following his wake.

(Flashback changes to another one a few days later)

We rested by the edge of one of the many pools in WaterFall, just listening the endless dripping water and enjoying each other's company. Lust was resting against my chest, playing with a echo flower chain he was making. I was still not used to this proximity, but we had been in that position for awhile now, so I had relaxed somewhat. 

"Hey, Fell."

"Hmm?" I looked down at the figure in my lap. "I have something for you." He sat up, turning around to face me as he searched the pockets of his borrowed jacket.

"Close your eyes." I squinted in confusion. "Why?"

"Just do it." I sighed, closing my sockets. This was super dumb, but tibia honest, I didn't really mind playing along with Lust. It was kinda fun.

A smooth, slightly heavy object dropped into my hand. Blinking, I looked down at it.

Whoa.. it was some kind of heart-shaped runestone, with many sparkling lights at the center of it. I turned it over. The light seem to emanate from it, glowing a little brighter when it was moved.

I looked up at him. "Where did you get this?" He only smiled at me slyly. What was that look?

"I thought you said it was just a rock." He kept his smug smirk on his face. Blanching, I realised that this was the rock he had tried to show me earlier this week.

"Oh my fucking God, Lust." I laughed. "Okay, okay, you got me this time. It is very pretty. But how did it become like this?"

He looked down at it, the stone's light shining off of his face. "After I found it, I decided to try and carve it into a new shape using other rocks." He smiled up at me. "The heart shape is a very important symbol where I come from. It represents many different things. Patience, integrity, justice, perseverance, kindness, bravery, determination."

"But most importantly, it represents love." I could feel my soul beat faster as I took in his words. Did that mean..?

"I wanted to give you this symbol to remind you that although your world is filled with hate and misery, there will always be love. Don't give up hope. You'll find love one day." Oh.. So I guess it wasn't what I thought it was..

I still really liked the gift though. It was very meaningful. And it was from Lust.

Lust leaned forward, looking me straight in the eyelights. My soul stuttered at his closeness. "Remember, it is not always easy to see the beauty inside." He put his hand lightly on my sternum. I hoped he couldn't hear my frantically pounding soulbeat.

"It's inside everyone, Fell. Even here."

(Flashback ends)

I stared at the glowing heart-shaped stone, turning it over in my hands. Sighing, I put it on the shelf along with my bag. Today was gonna be a long day.