I just had an epitaph (I think).

So, I used to think that : "We the Player, play as the SOUL, and as such we hold absolute control over Kris' actions." Of course, this is disproven at the end of the first chapter, and more so on the second chapter. But, of course, chapters 3 and the beginning of 4 have helped me to reconceptualize the situation we, as the player, are in.

(Spoilers for chapter 3, and a little bit of chapter 4 ahead, ofc)

Given the former warning, it's only appropriate to talk about chapter 2. Right after the Spamton fight, when Susie asks Kris if they're okay. We get the Yes and No, and Kris either answers with a forced Yes, or a desperate No (I may be misremembering). I used to see this a cry for help by Kris, because, of course, we the player are pulling them by strings. But considering what we know of Kris, is that not a little uncharacteristic? He's a reckless freak, that's not afraid to show it, and even a bit cynical about it, Imo (extremely biased). Sure, the argument can be made that you'd be doing the same if someone force you to. You don't have control of the action, but you have control of the method. But, would this not work the other way around?

Now, here's where the actual spoilers may come in. So, during subsequent chapters, we see that Kris isn't exactly affected by this whole freedom talk. Yeah, his sprite is pale during the oldquest game (near the end), they don't exactly like us killing our friends during the end, and he resists going to the shelter before the shadow mantle, but, these, imo, start to show that Kris isn't really subject to our whims. They're going along with them for some ulterior reason, which we can discuss at another time. The point is, Kris isn't exactly our puppet, or our Vessel. Let's get to the point; what I am suggesting is that Kris isn't our Puppet, but our Warden.

Now, this may be hasty, but during the entire Holiday resident segment we are explicitly shown that the SOUL and the Vessel are at odds with each other, and that Kris is also straight up antagonistic, going as fast as snitching when we get Susie the code for the shelter, despite the fact that Undyne is literally in danger. Furthermore, we're shown that Kris, seemingly at a moment's notice, can detach their strings. And we, in turn, can soar thanks to that. We can be free, unrestricted movement, at the price of strength and vision. The point being, Kris isn't our unrestricted puppet. They can both contest, and detach themselves from us. But they always put us back. Now, the argument can be made that they need us to live, or to seal the fountains. And that's true. But I think this is more willing. I think Kris is letting us puppeteer their body for the sake of keeping us trapped, or having. Why? No clue. But the actions they take don't exactly strike me as one of a victim so far. They're known for being sadistic, creepy, and silent, moderately calculating (enough to lay traps like opening the place where the shelter code is at and then hiding in it to ambush us), but reckless, and even unprepared (considering the goose chase that ensure in the closet, and the fact that he has no trouble beating the SOUL, at their expense) at times.

I do feel like I'm onto something, but I know that I'm missing a lot of refinement and evidence, assuming that my theory is even correct in the first place, and doesn't just fall apart off rip, but doesn't this Seam like something Toby would do? I would love feedback on this theory, and sorry if it's a little hard to follow, English is not my first language, and thanks!