determinedest | ic inbox

[Another moment where there's a pause between wiping the glass clean and writing. An asterisk appears, a few letters start to follow it, but get smeared away into nothingness before a complete thought is put down.]

* I could help them out, too! I'd make it worth their while!
* There are things I shouldn't say, or can't, but... it would be useful, right? Having a friend on the other side.

[Frisk's mouth opens, closes again. Their brow furrows in concern.]

Is that...the only reason you think I'd want to be your friend? Because you'd be "useful"?

[Perhaps that's just how this Chara has been conditioned to think, to live like a commodity. They were created as one, weren't they?]

Because you - you deserve more than that. You know that, don't you?

* I deserve whatever I get, ha ha.
* Really, Frisk, it's enough that you're being this nice to me. That...

* That someone's willing to just. Hear me, I guess?
* Not that it's really hearing when it's all writing. Um. Sorry, you know what I meant.

N-no. You don't.

[They say it firmly, eyebrows knitting together.]

Doing or saying or thinking something bad doesn't mean you forfeit your right to - to ever treated nicely! If that was true, I wouldn't have any friends at all!

* I'm glad you've found some real friends, Frisk.
* But that's... I don't think it will ever work like that on this side.
* None of the mirrors here believe things like that.

* I mean... if you can't escape a world where people think you deserve to be hurt...
* Then... that belief. It's basically true, isn't it? If everyone believes it, then it might as well be.

Why not?

[They cock their head to one side, puzzled. They haven't encountered anyone's mirrors, so they can't know how it all works. Maybe they should ask Dipper. He seems to know a lot about this place, and even keeps notes and stuff.]

Can't you...can't you stay determined?

[Ha ha... ha.]

* Why would I ever want to be determined?
* That power is the reason the thing on your side murdered Asriel. Used monsters like toys just to start a war. Murdered everyone. The whole reason it won't ever, ever go away, even if it's already supposed to have stopped existing.
* I'd rather suffer than be like that.

[...oh. That must be the difference, then. Between them and the Chara on this side. No determination?

That's...

They try not to feel irreconcilably sad, but there's something awful and morose in the pit of their stomach anyway.]

Can't you just...I mean, you can still decide who you want to be. You don't have to be whatever - whatever you think you have to be.

[Their voice drops a little, quietly rankled.]

Chara's not a "thing".

[Another swell of bitterness, a scornful look that Frisk cannot possibly see. Nothing there but their own pitying reflection, after all.

Why? What's got Frisk so bent on defending something that would surely never stick up for them in return? They could tear their Real to pieces with hateful, disgusted words, but... they're trying to win Frisk over. Better to be agreeable. Better to drop it.]

* What should I be, then?

Anything you want to be.

[One of those grossly optimistic statements that Frisk utters without irony, spreading their hands wide with an encouraging smile.]

You're allowed to choose. Being a mirror doesn't change that, does it?

[They don't even consider deciding for themselves. They were made to be a pawn, and one utterly lacking in determination at that. Not an ounce of resolve to change fate.]

* For now, I think... just being your friend would be enough?
* You've given me a little hope already. That's more than I've maybe ever had.

Then we can be friends!

[Their smile widens as they again put a hand to the glass.]

I wish I could meet you. But if you need anything...I guess you know how to find me, huh?

[Not like Frisk could possibly know if they press their own hand to the glass, up against the barrier that separates them. Unless...

Haha, they've got an idea! They rest their hand on the surface, and they hastily trace it in marker. And the outline... the outline's the same size. No scars or uneven fingernails to make them not match up perfectly.]

* Maybe someday we could meet.
* But until then... even if you can't see me, I can be here for you.

[Another whim. They haven't lost all the bits of themselves that their Real's lost. They still like to draw! It's silly, but they take that handprint, give it an eye, a big smiling beak, little feet. A hand turkey, just like arts and crafts at school. Funny, right?]

[Frisk pulls their hand back and grins, delighted. Look at that! It's like they were barely separated at all!]

I hope I can be here for you, too. I don't want you to feel alone.

[They giggle at the hand turkey, feeling an indescribable warmth blossom in their chest. Look at this. They've already made another friend. Things are looking up more and more every day!]

* As long as we've got each other, neither of us is alone. That's what friends are for.

[They're almost reluctant to wipe that ridiculous handprint away, but it, too, goes. Don't want to leave traces behind, after all.

Ah, and speaking of that...]

* I won't pressure you, or make a bother of myself, or anything. But...
* I wonder if I could ask just one thing of you, Frisk?

Of course! What is it?

[Frisk, don't you know it's foolish to make promises before you know what you're promising?

...

Their trust is so easy to come by. They don't even second-guess themselves as soon as they utter it.]

[Even Chara pauses a moment, deeply tempted by the carte blanche that has just been laid out before them. Maybe even now, they could get away with convincing Frisk that they're the Chara that belongs on that side.

But... it'd be a bold move to just jump right to that. Bolder than something like Chara is capable of. Better to really worm their way into Frisk's heart, maybe cozy up with the rest of their friends, too.]

* Don't tell the other Chara about me.
* They hate themselves, and I'm them, but weak.
* I don't want to think about what they'd do to me.

* Don't... mention talking me to any other mirrors, either.
* I think it'd go badly for me if one of them overheard.

[Frisk hesitates. They don't like keeping secrets. They've been trying to keep fewer of them. But...maybe they can work up to it?]

All right. I won't.

[They nod the affirmative.

* this is why i never make promises.]

* Thank you.
* I know you'll keep me safe. =)

* Take care, Frisk.

You...you too! And...don't let the other me push you around so much, okay? You're worth more than that.

[They smile too, though it's a little worried, a little strained.]

* It's me, Chara.
* Try as they might, nothing can really kill me. I'll be fine!
* Just stay determined until we meet again.

[The words don't last long, though, before they're smeared away, and no more appear.]

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