—

▷ 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?)

—

* 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.

—