Ruby stared up at Toriel as they walked down the hallways of the Ruins. "Um, thanks for helping me out back there. But, uh, sorry if this is rude, but… what exactly are you?"

"Why, a monster, of course!" Toriel answered. "We were sealed underground by humans many years ago after the Great War. Did you not know about this?"

Ruby shook her head. "How long have you been down here?"

Toriel looked away thoughtfully. "I don't really know. I've somewhat lost track of the time down here." Ruby could tell she wasn't entirely telling the truth, but before she could say anything, Toriel shook her head. "Anyways, we need to get you out of here! It's dangerous for a human like you to be here. There are other monsters here that aren't quite as… trusting of humans as I am, you saw for yourself with that flower."

Ruby nodded. "Well, as long as I'm more careful, I should be alright to handle myself. I've got Crescent Rose if worse comes to worst." To emphasize her point, Ruby pulled the weapon out from behind her back and flipped a switch. It burst into action, gears shifting, blades unfolding as the nondescript metal rectangle transformed into an enormous scythe.

Toriel scrambled back with a shocked expression. "Goodness, what are you doing with such a dangerous thing!?"

Ruby shrugged. "It's for killing Grimm. What else?"

The poor monster looked like she was about to faint. "Killing? You use that thing to kill?" The air leaked out of her lungs and she turned away. "Maybe you really are just like them…"

Ruby wasn't sure how to respond, but she put the scythe away in hopes that it would make Toriel feel better. "Do you know what Grimm are? Talking things out really isn't an option with them."

Toriel did not look convinced. "I still don't approve of someone so young being taught to be so… violent."

Ruby thought for a moment. "Well, Grimm are demons bent on the destruction of human society. They won't stop until we're all dead, and as a huntress in training, it's going to be my job to make sure that doesn't happen."

Toriel took a moment to think before responding. "Maybe the surface world is a lot scarier than I remember." she mused. "But in any case, there aren't any 'Grimm' down here, so why don't we work on solving your problems peacefully. As a human in the Underground, monsters are bound to attack you." Stepping into the next room, Ruby saw a white training dummy standing in the middle. Toriel gestured to it. "Here- why don't you practice talking with this dummy?"

Talking to a dummy? Ruby thought. Well, it won't be the weirdest thing that's happened today. She stepped up to the dummy, trying to come up with any topics dummies would be interested in. "Um… Hi, dummy. I'm Ruby." was all she could think to say. The dummy didn't seem much for conversation, but Toriel looked pleased.

"Splendid!" she said. "I am proud of you, Ruby." Taking Ruby's hand she guided her into the next room. "Now, I have some errands to run, and i want you to wait here while I take care of them, please." Toriel fished in her pocket and pulled out a rectangular device with a number pad on it similar to that of a Scroll, giving it to Ruby. "Here is a cell phone, if you need me, call anytime. But it's dangerous to wander around the ruins on your own. So please wait for me, I will be right back."

Toriel walked off. Ruby watched her go, waiting until she was out of sight. Like heck she was going to wait, she needed to get back. Ruby waited until she was convinced Toriel had gone, then set out. As she stepped into the next room, she realized something else was already in there.

A strange monster approached her slowly, flitting about on tiny wings. It had little stubby hands and feet that quivered nervously, and a face that looked like it wished it could just vanish so it wouldn't have to face her.

Remembering what Toriel had said, Ruby stepped toward it and reached out. "Hey," she said as gently as possible, "don't be-"

Before she could even finish the sentence, the monster burst into tears and fluttered away at surprising speed, wailing inconsolably. Ruby ran after it, calling out "Hey, wait! Can you tell me how to-"

The monster rounded a corner, but by the time Ruby had gotten there, it was nowhere to be seen. She was in a new room, a large square hallway that turned narrower in the center. Something white sat in the narrow space, blocking the way. As Ruby got closer she could hear it saying 'z' out loud repeatedly, like a poor attempt at pretending to sleep.

When she was next to it, she could see its shape more clearly. It was shaped like a cartoon ghost, with big white eyes that stared up at the ceiling, trying very hard not to look at her, continuously repeating " z".

Ruby simply stepped back and crouched down. Activating her Semblance, she zipped forward and jumped over the ghost. Rose petals filled the air and settled on the ghost, who stopped 'z'ing and sat up to look at her.

"Oh…" it moaned. "Did you want me to move? I'm sorry. I just really didn't feel up to a conversation. This is really awkward…" The ghost let out a forlorn sigh and vanished.

Ruby shrugged and continued walking through the Ruins. After several more hallways, she stepped into a grand hallway with a red carpet running down the middle and around a large tree that was barren of any leaves. As Ruby wondered how the tree even grew down here, she heard the phone Toriel had given her ringing. Immediately after, the monster herself walked around the other side of the tree and spotted Ruby. She hung up the phone and rushed over with a worried expression. "Ruby! Oh, goodness, are you hurt?" Toriel checked her over thoroughly to make sure there was not a scratch on her. "Thank heavens you're all right." Toriel sighed. "Well, since you're here, we might as well get you settled in.

Toriel guided Ruby over to a doorway set into the walls of the Ruins. "Here we are! Your new home." As she stepped inside, Ruby went to follow her, but something else caught her eye. She turned to see a golden light floating in the air beside the doorway. Something about it was… mesmerizing.

Against her better judgement, Ruby reached her hand out toward it. As she made contact, a warm feeling spread through her body. She suddenly felt like she could run a thousand miles.

Pondering the light for a few more moments, she decided she'd better not keep Toriel waiting, and she still needed to get out of this place. She shook her head and stepped inside.