Chapter Text
The large light strung banner that boldly read, “Welcome to Snowdin” was the very first thing that greeted Axl as he set foot into the town. It wasn’t anything too grand, more akin to a small winter town one might find up in the northern parts of the world and well, he kinda liked it despite the whole cozy winter aesthetic being his vibe.
Not too far from the sign stood two figures, large hornet-like Reploid decked out in what looked like some sort of promotional garb stood near the town’s welcome banner alongside a much shorter penguin-themed reploid, decked out in a lei and sunglasses. Not exactly something somebody would be wearing on a place like this but regardless, it maybe wouldn’t hurt to ask them about this place.
Blast Hornet would be the first to notice Axl, calling out to him as he took out a flyer.
”Welcome to Snowdin. It’s not often we get Reploid visitors to this little place, a humanoid model even. Given that most people around here might mistake you as a… well… Human.” He introduced as Axl turned to face the approaching reploid, a slight urge to reach for his gun twitching at the back of his mind until he noticed the flyer. The paper was yellow and had a rather sweet smell to it and seemed to be advertising some sort of resort that was just a bit deeper into the forest up the road. There was also a free pin attached.
”Usually we charge you for these but manufacturing in recent years means we can easily produce more of them at a lower cost.”
”Um thanks…” A freebie was nice but the Rookie Hunter wasn’t really planning on sticking around that long. He would however ask for directions and their names after introducing himself.
”The name’s Axl. I’m guessing you two are from around here?”
”Axl. Nice to meet you. I am Blast Hornet and this over here is Chill Penguin, a rather frequent customer to the Honeydew Resort where I now work for promotional manager. We recently got the space heater fixed and I know yes… I’m a hornet and not a bee. But nobody really notices anyways which I’m fine with.” Chill Penguin in the other hand, had been relatively quiet, listening in on the conversation until the mention of directions was brought up.
“You’ve come to the wrong place if you’re looking for anything exciting. All this town really has is the Snowed Inn and Store. The library which they can’t even spell the name correctly of. And Grilby’s, where most people hang out. And guess you have the news and radio station that got put in thanks to those Repliforce bureaucrats who want to implement some mandatory conscription crap or whatever in preparation for when the barrier falls. I think not!” Penguin raised his shades as he squawked loudly on his opinions about said planned policy that thankfully the King had been good about hindering any further progression on getting passed.
Repliforce…
There was that name again, just as he had heard on the radio. And well, something about it left a bad feeling in the pit of his circuits. Even more-so, as he swore he caught a glimpse at what looked to have been a hastily painted over logo on Chill Penguin’s torso. Screaming at him to act as part of his duties as a Hunter. Yet he suppressed those urges, reminding himself of what Toriel said.
His first stop would be the Inn. For only 80 G and promise that it would grant him a little energy boost, Axl took the offer for a quick little nap. Except his attempts at going into sleep mode would be greatly impacted by the snorcastra in the room next door before the owner decided to just give him a full refund.
Next up was the Shop, run by an another rabbit monster whom was rather friendly and a bit surprised by another tourist in the area. Though she didn’t recognize him as either a human or a reploid despite quickly deducing he wasn’t a tourist from the Capital. After buying a few things, Axl decided to ask her if she knew a bit more about the town since she seemed like she’d been here for a bit longer.
”Think back to your history class…”
”I haven’t… exactly taken one on the Underground.”
”A long time ago, monsters lived in the Ruins back there in the forest. Long story short, we decided to leave the ruins and head for the end of the caverns. Along the way, some fuzzy folk decided they liked the cold and set up camp in Snowdin and over time it grew into this town. Recently our little town has seen some growth after those “Reploids” as they call themselves started showing up.
Oh and don’t think about trying to explore the Ruins… The door’s been locked for ages. Though there has been some talk of other entrances into that place after some self proclaimed “treasure hunter” came through the area. He hasn’t been seen since.”
Another question came to mind. Perhaps she might know a bit more about this so-called incident he’d kept hearing about as well.
”Snowdin Incident?” The lady’s face went cold at the mention of the name. “Oh that happened quite a few years ago… Two monsters out on a walk somewhere deeper into the forest were supposedly attacked by a human who fled into the marshes. It was a shock to the whole town but thankfully nobody was killed.
In fact, the town’s planning a small ceremony in a couple of days to honor the poor monsters involved since the anniversary’s coming up. Our local ice sculptor’s even been working on this lovely ice carving that’s going to sit in the town as a monument.” The news was a bit of a shock to Axl as it was pretty clear that the attack had been unprovoked. He felt bad for the victims but the past was in the past and all he could do was hold onto hope that they were doing better.
The Librarby, sign misspelling aside that the attendant did acknowledge, did provide some much needed information to Axl flipped through a book on monster funerals.
”So that’s why she…” He said a bit loudly as a few of the monsters in the building kind of looked at him funny.
”Oh sorry.” He quickly shut the book and excused himself, hoping to put this quickly behind him and instead go out and explore the square.
A large decorated Christmas tree sat in the center, surrounded by presents.
”It ain’t even Christmas yet.” A smirk crossed his face as was reminded of a memory of Red when he and Gungaroo had decided to decorate the base for Christmas in July. The leader hadn’t been amused and had made them clean it up.
Tink tink tink.
A gentle clanging sound drew his mind from the memory as he noticed a small stand not too far nearby being run by a rather large buffalo reploid, hard at work on a half finished sculpture that looked like some sort of vampire and fox holding hands.
Blizzard Buffalo’s Never-Melting Souvenir Ice Sculptures: 30 G each (One per customer. Refunds not accepted. You break it, you pay for it.)
The sign read in big letters as its owner noticed Axl approach, causing him to stop.
“A customer… Welcome to my humble stand. Would you like to buy an ice sculpture?” There was a gentle and friendly look in Buffalo’s eyes as Axl passed a couple of coins across the stall. They were quickly deposited into a humble glass jar as he got to work, quickly producing a small chunk or ice from his hand before gently chipping away at it until it took the shape of a Reploid. A rather familiar looking Reploid with an arm canon.
Axl took a moment to smile the figure and the others on display that also resembled some other familiar things: A met and other misc Mechanloids, a ride chaser, and one that resembled Zero.
”Have a good day.” Buffalo turned his attention back towards his work as Axl put away the sculpture into his storage.
A few of the locals had some things to say which gave Axl a bit more into what else was going on around the town.
“This town doesn’t have a mayor. We do have a representative from the Capital stationed out here. However, he doesn’t do much aside from throwing a temper tantrum when things don’t go his way. Instead, a fish lady will come deal with any problems that may occur. Thaaaaaats politics!”
“Isn’t my little Cinnamon the cutest? Huh? No. This is my little brother. We go on walks like this all the time.”
“Awful teens tormented a local monster by decorating its tree-like antlers. So we started giving that monster presents to make it feel better. Now it’s tradition to put presents underneath a decorated tree. Apprently Humans do the same thing on the Surface as well. They call it Christmas.”
”Yo! You’re a kid too, right? I can tell ‘cause the red stripes on your boots!”
”Everyone’s always laughing and cracking jokes, trying to forget our modern crisises. Dreariness. Overcrowding. Political unrest. Lack of sunlight. I would join them, but I’m just not very funny.”
“There used to be this fellow who lived around here who was real into the whole Christmas gig. Real festive type. Every year, he’d meet up with this big fluffy fellow in a suit while wearing a red glowin’ nose and the two of them would go off deliverin’ presents to the whole Underground. Till one day, he just stopped showin up. I swore that last year I saw him that he was coughing an awful lot.”
Grilby’s was hard to miss with the large letters that spelt out the establishment’s name on the brick building that stood out from the mostly wooden infrastructure that made up most of the town. A sign displaying “Open” sat in the window beneath what looked to be a recently constructed outdoor seating area along with a notice:
Due to recent events, customers who cannot fit through the door must sit in the newly opened outside dining area and wait to be serviced.
”I don’t even want to ask…” Axl shook his head at the sign before stepping into the establishment. The first thing that hit him was the warmth, a stark contrast to the cold winds outside.
The place looked just like a bar and grill one would find on the Surface. Several patrons sat about in the booths, tables, or the bar. Some intoxicated while others, such as what Axl clearly recognized as the dog monster he had faced on his way up to here, were caught up in a game of poker. All the while, a fire elemental he assumed was the owner diligently wiped down the countertop in silence.
“No matter where I go, it’s the same menu, the same people… Help! I want new drinks an’ h-h-h-hot guys!!!!”
”Hmm.. Isn’t human food different from monster food? It does things like “spoil”. And when you eat it, it passes through your body. Disgusting. I’d love to try it sometime. Or maybe even Reploid food. Stuff like electricity and sunlight… Do humans eat that stuff too?
Axl took a seat at the bar and waited to order while listening to the other three monsters talk. That ugly fish monster still burned into his memory banks from the photograph droned on about their failed romantic life while a hipster horse discussed politics. The bird next to him said that Gribky would be with him in a moment until somebody else stepped into the establishment.
A frog monster dressed in a delivery uniform came hopping into the establishment clutching four bags of what looked to be take-out orders, dropping them onto the bar counter as he took a seat next to Axl. That was when noticed that the monster’s feet were frozen a block of ice.
“I’m sorry… boss… I have failed you. And on my first day too… I’m so croaked.” He sniffled letting out a quiet croak before burying his face into the countertop. That was, until he felt a cold hand place itself on his back.
”What’s the problem?” Axl decided to ask as the monster looked up at him with his large bulbous eyes.
”Oh it’s horrible. You see, I’m Grillby’s new delivery boy for this new service we’re offering where Monsters can call in, make an order, and have it delivered right to the comfort of their current location. I’m originally from Waterfall and I thought I could use the river as a quicker alternative than riding my unicycle. Believe me, snow ain’t easy to ride in, And well… I got cold feet from it.” He motioned towards his legs as Axl winced.
”Why don’t you ask the monster running the bar here to melt it for you?” Sounds like that would be an easy fix.
”Grillby? Toadally not going to happen. I don’t want to be turned into fried frog legs.” The monster extended a slimy hand. “Well I best be introducing myself. Jeremiah D. Bullfrog. I’m guessing you have a name too patron?”
“Axl.”
“Well it’s good meeting you and all but I best be leaving you to ordering. So I can wallow in my own… yawn Failures.” He was just about to doze off until Axl’s hand stopped him.
”I’ll do it.”
”Y-You will? But you’re a customer. I’d just be cutting into-“
“Well. It’s kinda in my job description to help others with their problems.” Axl cut him of with a smile as Jeremiah blinked a few times.
”I guess… But that’s up with the boss. Hey Grillby? Would you be ok with this kind patron taking over my shift until my legs thaw out?”
The fire elemental simply looked up at the two with a nod then back down at a glass he was now cleaning, that was all the frog needed to know from his boss as a smile crossed his face.
”Oh, joy! Joy! Joy! He said yes! Thank you so much Axl. You’ve saved my legs from having to go back out there in the cold.” Jeremiah wanted to jump out of his seat knowing that his job would be done. However Axl was only left confused on how he was able to read Grillby whom clearly didn’t have any discernible facial features.
”But he didn’t say anything.”
“Grilby’s not much of a talker. I’ve learned to tell from the way his flame flicker.” Jeremiah slid the orders over to Axl with a yawn. “Only every once in a while he will say something. The last time that happened was when this big large dude nearly wrecked the building when he threw a tantrum about the ice cream he had ordered had melted. That’s why the outdoor area was constructed, all thanks to our local carpenter. She can be a bit scatterbrained at times, but she can sure get the job done.
This job shouldn’t be too difficult. All four of these customers are locals here in Snowdin. One at the news station. Another south of here, can’t miss his cabin. This one might be a bit tricky since he lives in the forest, just find a trail that leads into the trees. And finally…
Well… You might want to hold off till the very end for this guy. Real mean fellow by the name of Frost Walrus. Always complaining about something with his orders which is why it’s usually best you drop it off while he’s out of office. That what the previous guy told me. He should be out of his place by the time you get back from the third guy.”
‘Sounds a bit like a Maverick if you’re asking me…’ Axl grumbled under his breath as he was handed the delivery bags alongside the frog monster’s hat. He would do as he could to avoid whom was very likely a Reploid and get this done with.
Jereamiah smiled as he slipped into a state of torpor in the spot where he sat, a much needed break after hopping around the underground all day knowing that his job was in the good hands of whomever this stranger named Axl was.
”Best of luck. I shall split the tips with you when you retur…. ZZZZ…”
The first on his short list of deliveries was at a building named The Snowdin Daily, a relatively newer and larger looking building just on the upper outskirts of town. Home to both the town’s newspaper and fancy new radio station. His first target was a monster by the name of Carol Holiday, acting director of the place.
”Oh, you must be the delivery boy. You’ll find Director Holiday’s office on the top floor. She’s probably working as she’s always doing. Our elevator’s down but the stairs are still up.” The front desk monster said as the Reploid saw he had no other choice.
First he’d pass through the newspaper department which consisted of a single room filled with desks. Paper was scattered everywhere in various different shapes as several monsters scribbled down ideas for what was mostly puzzles.
”Some people think that this whole new radio tech’s gonna cost us our jobs. But let me tell you, the main reason people read the paper is for the games and comics. Something that radio can never dream to replicate.”
”I swear, nobody else in this department seems to care about their job’s future anymore. I kept trying to tell them ever since those Repliforce goons set up their own station in the Capital that it would only be a matter of time until it spreads to here. Sure our radio division has lightened the load and allowed for us to devote more page space towards entertainment which may have been a factor on why we have seen a slight increase in readers. But you never know…”
”I’m in charge of the newspaper’s weekly recipe column. Usually I share some old family favorites but I found this really tasty one in the Dump just a few days ago. Pizza on pineapple. Such a strange combination but I’m sure the readers will love it.”
“Hey, welcome to the… Wait, you’re not here to steal the keys to tomorrow’s puzzles are you?”
The floor above where the Radio Department was a lot more organized but still small. Half was dedicated to office space while the other half was encapsulated by various studios.
“Sure we have things like television and the UnderNet. But those will never replace radio. Just think about it, you can get breaking news on current events without having to refresh a page or sit in one place flipping through channels. So much more convenient when all you need is your phone to tune in. Wouldn’t you say? Humans must be crazy if they think this sort of thing is “outdated”.”
“Radio’s still a fairly new thing here in the Underground. You can thank those Repliforce folks up in the Capital for introducing it for what was originally an easier way to get news out to a wider part of the Underground. Then they started letting us common folk use it and the rest is history.”
“Ah, hello there. I’m the host of Anomalous Underground, your helpful voice on the airwaves there to guide you through all the strange occurrences down here that not even Magic can explain. My show was just about to get the axe until some wonderful callers finally decided to speak out and confirm a few of their strange occurrences. Before that, all we got were reports from that pirate station in waterfall that’s run by some shady arms dealers or whatever when they changed frequencies.”
(Anomalous Underground will broadcast new segments whenever certain FUN or rare events are triggered. These flags will persist across all Saves.)
“So I’ve heard there’s different types of radio stations. FM stations like ours only cover local ares while AM stations cover the whole underground. What do those even mean anyways? I always thought they stood for “Few Monsters” and “All Monsters” since that’s who can hear it. Then there’s these other types of Radio: Pirate, Numbers, and Anomoly. I’m guessing they sing sea shanties or talk about math all day. The other’s just something made up for that weirdo who runs Anomalous Underground or whatnot.”
He would reach his destination, the top floor which held three doors. One labeled, Carol Holiday: Managing Director.
An oddly chilly sensation ran up Axl’s robotic spine as he opened the door to the office. Situated at the large desk was a reindeer monster with icy blue horns, typing away at a computer as she looked up at him. Messy blonde hair and somewhat messily applied makeup that barely concealed two dark rings around her eyes didn’t help either as Axl held up her food order, trying to avoid her icy glare.
”Miss Holiday. I’m here with your order.” He trembled, looking away as he held out the insulated sack. She would stop what she was doing, taking the bag and beginning to poke through its contents. Axl didn’t know what to expect but he had a bad feeling as his joints locked up.
That was, until a small hand placed itself on his boot.
”It’s okay. Mom can be a bit scary but she’s not going to hurt you.”
”Gah!” Axl fell backwards as a surprised squeak caught his attention followed by rustling footsteps as a small deer-shaped figure with dark hair came into his view. The monster smiled at him before offering him her hoof-hand and helping him off the snow colored carpet. Nearby stood another monster with blonde he assumed must be a sibling who was now hiding behind the scary deer lady’s desk.
“Mom’s been overworking herself a lot after daddy got sick and fell down. We can’t contract human illnesses but we have our own. Though they’re not that common. He was supposed to come home but we haven’t heard back from the doctor.” The older brown haired deer monster kid said as her little sister trembled behind her mother. Axl tried to calm her down with a smile but she only retreated further.
”Elly’s a bit shy. I’m Dess. Thank you for bringing her something to eat since sometimes she forgets.” The reindeer girl would hand him some gold as she’d been the one to place the order.
As he left, he swore for a brief moment that the stressed deer woman smiled at him.
Knock, knock, knock!
“Oh! Somebody’s at the door. I’ll get it for you, Mr. Eagle.”
”I was about to get it but thank you, Martlet.”
The blue bird monster had gotten up from the seat she’d been sitting in as she went over to see who was visiting. It was probably one of the locals coming by to visit as Storm Eagle was a bit of a local celebrity and war hero in the eyes of many monsters.
”Oh hello. Are you here to-
…”
And well, for a moment did the bird lady feel as if she’d been hit with a wave of Deja vu as she stared into those green eyes before turning around to look at her friend sitting in his recliner.
”Eagle. You need to come look at this. I think there’s a… Human standing outside your door.” She sounded a bit nervous but also worried as they too looked a bit like a child. A child whom was probably lost and scared.
“A human?” Storm Eagle raised an eyelid as he got up, deciding to have a peak for himself. Though that would soon change as he realized that their visitor was actually just another Reploid. One whom seemed to be here to deliver something that looked to be his order from Grilby’s as a small smile crossed his beak and shook his head.
”That’s no human. That would be another reploid. Guess the doc either found a functional humanoid model or that shark threw him back together.” Martlet looked up at Eagle with a mix of surprise and confusion. He knew very well she could be rather scatterbrained but he understood that she and most monsters were bound to make that mistake.
”A Reploid like you? But they look so much like a human.” There was now a look of worry in her eyes again as she feared the possibility that some monsters may have attacked him amidst his errands, or perhaps, the Royal Guard might make that mistake like a certain other monster she knew from her days working for them. “Maybe we should invite them in for a bit. I know you like having company over, Eagle. You and I also know how Monsters can be with anything they perceive to be a human.”
Eagle liked that idea, plus it would likely give this poor kid a break as he pulled the door open fully.
”Is this Storm Eagle’s place?” Axl asked as he read the bag, looking up at the Reploid standing beside the blue bird whom had poked her head out the door.
”Indeed it is. Why don’t you come in for a bit? Wouldn’t want that food to get cold now?” Axl hesitated but decided to take the Reploid’s offer as he followed the two into the living room that was covered in Air Force memorabilia. Notably what looked to be a broken piece of metal off the hull of a vessel belonging to that of the 7th Unit.
”Hey! This is something off the side of one of the 7th Unit’s airships. An older model even.” Like a child overcome with joy, Axl picked up the object as Eagle could help but to smile. This kid surely knew his stuff before the group took a seat as pleasantries were exchanged. Namely from the scatterbrained yet eager bluebird whom Axl would soon learn went by the name of Martlet, a now retired member of the Royal Guard who now made a living as a freelance carpenter.
“Axl. I guess this means welcome to the Underground. This place might be a little scary at first since a lot of monsters might mistake you for being a human but folks around here are really nice once you get to know them.” Martlet chuckled a bit as she recalled a certain somebody she knew back during her days as a guard.
”Even to an old Maverick Hunter like myself. Lot of the kids here see me as a sort of war hero.” Eagle would remark with a chuckle as Axl pretty quickly put two and two together.
”Wait!? You’re a Maverick Hunter too?” Axl’s eyes nearly lit up as his suspicions were confirmed. Though the young reploid was a bit surprised to say the least. Given the mountain’s status of being off limits, he would have likely heard of any hunters going missing. That was, until Axl thought back to what some of the others he had met mentioning some doctor as Eagle’s demeanor changed.
”Or well, I used to be one…” The Reploid would rise from his seat and head towards the fireplace, back facing Axl as he began to talk. “It would probably be best that you keep that to yourself. Active duty Maverick Hunters are kinda seen down here as Public Enemy #2 next to humans.”
Once more, there was that bad feeling in the pit of his circuits again. He knew where this was going, and half expected for a certain somebody whom once called himself “The Professor” to be pulling the strings to jump out of the shadows or for Eagle to jump him.
Yet neither of those came as the Hunter simply asked a simple question.
“Why is that?”
”Paranodia mostly. You see, all of us Reploids who live down here were formally declared Maverick and retired by the Hunters, myself included.” Eagle lowered his head while Martlet stayed quiet, knowing exactly what he was talking about. “And well… a lot of folks are scared that they’re going to lose this second chance when the barrier falls. You need to understand something at least, many of us had reasons for what we did. Rather that was by choice or beyond our control.
It’s up to you if you wish to believe them, rather you see them as desvering of forgiveness or not. All I ask is that you don’t hurt them.” There was a reluctance in his eyes that screamed he was scared to continue going into his past despite a wish to let Axl know. Something that Martlet saw as she approached the silent Hunter, placing a wing on his shoulder.
”Eagle didn’t exactly have a choice… He was stuck in a position that he could not say no to. And besides, from what Eagle’s told me. They’re not so bad. It’s um…” Martlet hesitated as she looked at Axl and back to Eagle. “Well… a lot of us grew up thinking humans and such were out to get us. But I learned that wasn’t the case… All because of a human named Clover.”
”Clover?” The name was unfamiliar but he didn't need somebody like Alia to put two and two together. That had to be the name of the human whom had fallen before him. A human whom’s fate was unknown but from the sounds of it, Martlet knew them. “That’s the human who fell a few years ago. The whole reason that the Exclusion Zone was set up.”
Neither bird had a clue what the red head was talking about but Eagle suspected that this kid hadn’t fallen down here like all the others had but chose to keep quiet. Martlet and Axl, on the other hand, had quickly changed topics and started discussing stuff about Clover but also how she and Eagle had met.
”So if you don’t mind me asking. How did you two lovebirds meet?”
”Oh, we’re just friends.” Martlet chuckled as Eagle smirked. “I was contracted a while back by him a while back for a custom built table and well… I guess we kinda just hit it off from there.” That was a pretty common misassumption the two got a lot, but they weren’t bothered by it.
“And sure she’s a bit forgetful at times. Martlet’s the best around here. Something she said that mentor of hers would be proud of.”
Eventually the time would come for Axl to leave as the duo encouraged him to swing by again sometime.
Two more left. And this order in particular had Axl heading back down the same path deep in the forest before as the local Snowdin teens he’d encountered on his way up here played in the snow. The Wolfloid from before would greet him with a bark.
Eventually Wolfang’s house came into view as the reploid stepped up to the porch and rapped on the door. The mail flap would flip up as Wolfang was just about to tell him to leave when Axl held up the bag.
”Sorry to bother you, Mr. Wolfang. But I’m here to deliver your order.”
The wolf reploid was silent for a few moments before the sounds of a lock could be heard turning as he stuck his claw out. Axl handed over the back as the door shut, followed not soon by the sounds of shredding paper until Wolfang stuck his head out the door with a pleased look on his face.
”Not bad for a kid who decided to show up here uninvited. Usually the K9 Unit brings me a doggy bag but since you were considerate, I guess I wouldn’t mind talking a bit. I’ve been locked up in this place for far too long.”
Hey, another chance to get sidetracked wouldn’t hurt.
Wolfang would open up to Axl about a few things as the young Hunter had quite a few questions about some of the things in the area that he’d yet to find any answers too. Namely that possible second Snowdin Incident he’d heard in passing despite the rabbit lady’s explanation.
“Snowdin Incident… No I was not involved in that. I was still on the Surface when that occurred. That was an attack carried by a human. Not a bunch of juvenile delinquents who were bored.” A snarl escaped his jaws. “You may have run into those brats. The whole forest is practically their playground. I was simply minding my own business when they decided to snatch me by the tail and throw me into the river. It… brought back some bad memories of how I first died…”
“Somebody else in Snowdin said that. I’m guessing you two were declared maverick.”
”Is the fate of all of us Reploids who have ended up Underground. Even for you, kid. Unless by some other means you ended up down here still fully functional which is unlikely. But who knows anymore. I’m assuming you want to hear my tale. Well then, have a seat cause this one is a long one.”
Axl didn’t need to heed the warning as he got comfortable, listening on as the wolf Reploid went on about conspiracies and betrayal. On how he and 7 other Reploids who’s lives were cut short all as a ploy to sabotage his creator, a reploid by the name of Gate.
”His assistant was the reason I ended up in a watery grave before Gate brought us back. The last I’d heard was that she left him, just like everyone else. All I hope is that I never have to see her face again once the barrier goes down. Freedom is what everyone’s so hyped about… But like me and a few others wonder is it really worth it? The Surface isn’t exactly all sunlight and fun as everyone’s hoping it to be…” A snort of cold air escaped his snout as he peaked more out the door to look Axl in the eyes “So what about you, kid? I say there’s some sort of aura about you that makes you different. Do you remember anything about who created you?”
”Not really…” Axl looked down at the wooden porch. “All I’ve really known was Red and the rest of Red Alert as my family. That was until… they went Maverick and I was forced to watch them be put down. But I’m thankful to at least have found some people who care about me.” He was going to be sure to leave that part about him being a Hunter out after Wolfang’s story and all.
The rookie Hunter felt as if he was going to cry again as he closed his eyes, until a claw placed itself on his shoulder did he look up to see Wolfang standing outside. The blue wolf was smiling at him.
”And hey, there’s nothing wrong with that. Not remembering can be a good thing. At least you don’t have to carry those burdens like so many of us do.”
”I guess you’re right.” Axl said as he regained his composure. The once grouchy lone wolf did have a point as the Reploid noticed that it was now time to go. Bidding Wolfang farewell with payment in hand as he made a promise to possibly stop by and say hello again sometime later.
“Frost Walrus.” Axl swallowed a bit as he stared up at the large doorway he now stood before.
The building, like most others in Snowdin, was a cabin. This one having been clearly modified to resemble some sort of official building if the plates and bright blue “R” slapped on the door were enough to go by. Nestled just on the outskirts of town surrounded by trees, its mere size alone was enough to give the Rookie Hunter a bad feeling about the Reploid who resided here.
”Let’s just get this over with quickly…” He grumbled to himself as he pushed open the door and into the dark office space inside. Flicking on the lights, Axl would be greeted by a ginormous ritzy main office decorated head to toe in pretty much all things Repliforce that had to take up half of the entire building, save for some noticeable fixed holes and a whole pile of what looked to be empty cartons of vanilla ice cream piled up in a corner.
’Talk about brash. Even Commander Signus’ office isn’t this flashy.’ A smirk crossed the Hunter’s face as he hovered up onto the desk to place down the order and as an excuse to snoop on what was going on in the local banished military brat’s world.
A smashed inquiry box filled with letters and an icicle poking out of it sat next a beaten up computer with an unfinished email addressed to somebody named Storm Owl. Most of it being a rant about being reassigned to “this backwater snowdump where the locals keep giving me these outlandish requests” and a half-hearted attempt at apologizing for rioting in front of King Asgore for turning down a proposal he had drafted that just came off as more whining.
All of which Axl was cackling about as he sifted through his inbox of largely ignored emails.
Leaving the bill, the Reploid would bounce before the big brute got back as he probably didn’t want to be caught in the crossfire of one of his temper tantrums.
“So, how’d it go my friend? That big ol’ brute didn’t get in your way did he?” A now defrosted Jeremiah sprung from his seat where he’d been sleeping to meet back up with his fill in.
”No issues. I may have gotten a bit sidetracked meeting more of the locals and all but count your deliveries done!” Axl pumped a fist as he passed over the payments to Grillby. The fire elemental would count them up before passing a few back to Jeremiah who split Axl his half.
”Hey, that’s all a part of the job. Getting to know folks means you got more friends to hang out with once you get off your shift. And well, being a friend means you’re helping to spread joy to this bleak old world.” Placing down his hat, the frog would quickly jump into a position near the door now donning a bowtie. “Guess that means I can start my shift as a Boucer a bit earlier then usual. Thanks for your help Axl. And don’t get cold feet on your way out.”
”I don’t plan on it.”
Having now explored Snowdin enough to his liking. Axl now found it fit to move on.
Strangely, he’d not run into Sans nor Papyrus this whole time. Though that was about to change once he was on his way out of here.