UnderIsle (PART 22): Tra la la...

Sleeping is always facilitated when led by a constant movement accompanied with warmth and a repetitive sound. Any insomniac could find slumber with these three criterias respected, whether they experience it in the womb (as all mammals once did), at the wheel of a car (which is incredibly dangerous, please do not try), or, let's say, on a moving boat. However, what would happen if one of the criterias-being warmth, movement and a calming, constant sound- ended up being disturbed? It was not the movement of the boat, for it kept going forward lazily, nor was it the sound, since a sweet humming was still filling her ears, thus, the guilt of her awakening was most certainly the loss of warmth. And for cause; as her body laid on the drifting wood, her hand had slipped into the water on which it floated.

All groggy and numb, Frisk slowly woke up, annoyed by the wetness on her hand. She sat up and shook her head, still trying to chase away her drowse and her dreams. Then, she realized where she was-on a little boat, making its way on one of the many streams flowing in the Waterfall Lake's region. Little boat being directed by a tall figure all covered by a large cloak, whose face looked forward, turning its back to her. A little humming came from him-or her? How could she know?-

Frisk cleared her throat and simply said:

-«Excuse me?»

The tall person turned to her. They had no face, only two bright eyes shining under the dark a their hood. The only response the child got was:

- «Tra la la... I am the River Person, what is your destination?»

- «I... I don”t know, I just... I think I fell asleep and...»

- «Oh! Yes, you fell asleep in the water. You are not a fish. Water isn”t a safe place for ground people to sleep. So, I picked you up on my boat. Now, where do you want to go?»

- «Don't you monsters want to kill me? I am, after all, a human, don't I represent a threat to you?»

- «Will you keep me away from the rivers?» The thing asked.

- «What? No, I would never-»

- «Good, you are then my passenger. What will your destination be?»

Frisk remembered about having to head towards the Capital. So she asked:

- «Could you take me to the Capital?»

- «Not from this stream dear. Maybe from another.»

Frisk sighed.

- «Alright, then get me to the closest you can get to it if... you don't mind?»

- «Indeed I can. Enjoy your ride.»

Flying freely through the sky is one of many men's dream. However, without wings or proper technology, it is one difficult and treacherous achievement. So it is obviously eccentric to even to think one would be navigating through clouds, for the only water in the sky, in a world full of sense, is destined for rainy days and snowy months. How improbable was it to float on a little piece of wood, which itself floated on the waters of a flying river? Frisk let her hand touch the water as they went, now enjoying its cold embrace and the view around her. Where she was, they floated above the thick clouds covering the Isle, and hence for the first time since she had gotten there, she could escape the Isle”s darkness to admire a colourful dusk. All the while listening to the humming emanating from the strange sailing creature.

And then, she noticed the absence of motion. The river Person-as it had called itself-had stopped the little boat in front of a piece of land. There, a wooden deck met them and Frisk stood up.

- «This is as close as I can get you at the moment.»

- «Thank you for the ride!»

But, as she started to leave the boat, the River Person strongly grabbed her by the arm and plunged its shining protruding eyes into hers, to then only say:

- «Beware of the man who came from the other world.»

The River Person then let go of her. Frisk, spooked, quickly ran on the deck and then on the land. Looking over her shoulder, she only saw the odd being leave with its boat, only and ever humming...

Tra la la...