—

▷ Chara left it at that for a moment, before starting up signing again, slowly at first; hesitantly.

(* Are Toriel, Asgore, and the others well, then?)

▷ They knew how most timelines shook out, but decided to ask about one last person even despite that.

(* ... Asriel?)

▷ They'd been in a similar symbiotic relationship with their Frisk... until one day, it all reset - and a struggle for power began in place of the peace that had been created. Now they were linked with someone /else/, as a wraith bound to living off of the life energy of another.

(* Excellent.)

—

—

* Would you tell her, that Chara sends their regards?

▷ They had to stop every few words to lightly cough, their voicebox prickling with pain.

—

* Wait.

▷ Chara speaks out loud for the first time, needing to as Frisk is no longer looking at them. Their voice is hoarse from disuse.

* You... kff... you do not have to, I would understand, but if it is Toriel you are talking about...
—

—
(* Taking the lives of others...)

▷ They feel the merest twinge in their chest, turning their head slightly to the side and thinking about the faces of the people they'd killed on their path of destruction. Frisk's last words draw their attention back, however.

—

▷ Unlike others who might have jumped to defend themselves, Chara merely nods at their outrage. It's an understandable response, Chara believes, and one they agree on - despite everything they had done even since then.

(* Yes. It was not something I should have done so lightly.)
—

(* It is merely a minor precaution.)

▷ Frisk may not know them, but Chara has been through so much with them - or a version of them, at least. Someone who could SAVE the world like that... it had inspired them.

(* I hope that my hesitance does not damage our parley here.)

(* Apologies, Frisk.)
(* I know you quite well.)
(* I imagine you would interfere if I told you.)
(* ... Perhaps you will anyway.)

▷ Chara noted his awkward response, but didn't comment on it. They were aware of their... effect on people.

(* I ended it with my own hands.)
(* As they say, 'you cannot make an omelet without breaking any eggs.')

▷ In the name of what they pursued, it had to be worth it. For the greater good...

(* I have not fully moved on from it, nor do I plan to.)

(* Remembering it...)
(* Gives me the strength to do what must be done.)

(* Then I suppose the only answer would be to excavate you and find out.)

▷ It IS a joke, but it's nearly impossible to tell with their unshakably neutral expression.

(* My timeline has not existed for...)

▷ They consider it, eyes wandering off to the side for a moment.

(* Many years now.)

(* Not to worry, I have full control of my faculties.)
(* And I would not be interested in any of your organs unless they happened to be made out of chocolate - then, perhaps.)

(* It sounds like you have your work cut out for you.)
(* I suppose, in that, we are kindred spirits.)

(* More akin to a zombie, I would posit.)

▷ They sign this without pause after ghosts are mentioned.

(* I have met real ghosts before - they are quite the characters.)

(* I do hope your timeline gets better soon though.)
(* At least, before it all resets.)

(* Apologies, perhaps that was too intense for our first meeting - insofar as your timeline is concerned, at least.)

▷ They rarely get the chance to talk to other people, so they have very little filter and tend to say whatever they feel like at any given moment.

(* I am still here though.)

(* I thought that would be the case.)

(* And yes - partaking in buttercups despite knowing the risks is tantamount to a suicide attempt.)

▷ They're fully aware of the implication, but finish signing without mentioning it, their expression remaining (seemingly) permanently stoic.

(* I suppose so.)
(* I would not wish my past life on anyone.)
(* Which is why I have worked this one entirely in the effort to prevent that from happening again.)

(* Define 'okay'.)

(* Regardless, I am better than I was then - not that that means much.)
(* Soon, everyone will be.)

(* I see.)

(* I once ate buttercups, myself.)
(* Poisonous, they are.)

(* You'll eat 'anything'?)
(* Is this an exaggeration or truth?)

(* It does hurt when I swallow, but I would sooner perish again than let that stop me.)
(* I assume you are of the same ilk.)

(* Thank you.)

(* Long ago, I chose it to eschew my old life, in favor of my foster parentage.)
(* A manner of being reborn anew, as it were.)

(* Indeed.)

(* I would not blame you for getting it wrong; it is a name I came up with myself.)
(* Not a commonplace one.)

▷ They briefly point at their throat.

(* My voice box is damaged, so it is difficult and often painful to speak through my mouth.)

(* Char-uh.)
(* Char, as in, you could 'char' the flesh of your enemies.)
(* And uh, as in the sound one makes when having lost their train of thought.)

▷ They notch one brow at the comments.

(* I would not dream of taking such luxury from you, Frisk.)

▷ They seem sincere with their expression despite signing it out instead of talking.

(* Sovereign is simply another word for 'ruler', nothing too complicated.)

(* On chocolate, it is agreed.)
(* There is perhaps no other substance I would trade my unlife for.)

(* Ah, a feast for sovereigns.)

(* We are reaching the promised time.)
(* The DELTA RUNE... tomorrow, perhaps?)

▷ Like Frisk's SAVE ability, Chara also has a human SOUL power. This ability is determinant on the vessel they are currently cohabiting with. Using Gaster, their power is CORRUPT, which can turn others into Lost-Soul-like forms when successful.

▷ Chara can travel through realities to anyone who has a proper name and they know of it. This includes themself and other entities that are 'divorced from canon'.