Wonderful golden light bathed the land in warmth and peace, the lush fields around the palace shining with new growth and promise. Shimmering blue orbs gazed down upon the land with childlike wonder as they took in the magnificent view just beyond the window pane. Rolling fields littered the land as far as the eye could see, the grass high with plentiful reeds and tall grass. The scattered wildflowers had bloomed beautifully, the long stalks barely visible from such a high vantage point, but there was no mistaking the enchanting lilac that swayed softly on the ground, the grass rustling in waves as a spring breeze wafted through the hillside.
With a smile, the woman stood, moving to fling open the window and let the breeze caress her face. The call of birdsong reached her ears and she watched a pair of doves as they flew by, sailing amongst the wind and cooing happily as the flew past, bringing a smile to her face. The wind felt wonderful against her skin, the sun beating down on her negating the sharp bite of the cool breeze.
Long strands of beige hair danced around in the wind, the breeze catching and lifting it in its playful dance, which only made the smile on her lips that much bigger. Long lashes fluttered softly as her heart shaped face lifted higher towards the sun, her hands coming to grasp at the windowsill as her body leaned forward to rest outside the stuffy room she was confined in. Her spirit lightened as the gentle breeze carried on the wind the scent of freshly baked bread and the faintest scent of morning dew.
It was only as a voice spoke close to her ear that the young woman started and turned to face the intruder. Her heart hammered wildly in her chest and with a small pout she began to chastise the young woman that had interrupted her peaceful morning.
"Chara, what have I told you about sneaking up on people? I could have fallen out the window!"
The woman, Chara, shrugged her shoulders, ruffling the long fabric of her sleeves as she did so, a large grin plastered on her cherubic face, "It's not my fault you didn't hear me, Frisk. You're always so lost in that head of yours, I've wondered if you'd ever find your way out."
Frisk huffed childishly and moved to sit down on the edge of her bed, the silk cool beneath her fingertips, no doubt from the chilly morning air. A soft sigh escaped her as she fell backwards onto the bedspread, her hair flowing off the ends to rest just above the floor, much to her sister's amusement. Chara giggled softly and came to rest on the end of the bed by her sister, gently ushering the girl into a sitting position once more.
"Come now, it's nearly time for the morning meal. Mother will be most displeased if we are late," she spoke gently all the while she gathered Frisk's locks and tenderly braided them until it hung beautifully down her back, allowing the shorter, curly pieces to frame her face. Frisk merely smiled, the earlier spat forgotten as she hugged her sister close, the two happily parting as Chara ushered her into her underwear, which Frisk fought tooth and nail not to put on, the corset was far too tight for her liking, but reluctantly agreed to after a fierce glare from her sister.
With Chara's help, the two managed to get her into her dress, an elegant lilac gown that formed tightly to her bust and tapered down with various layering of fabric, flaring at the hips before pooling in a circle amongst the floor. It was a rather nice gown, one that was pleasant to the touch since it was purely silk, and had beautifully interwoven crystals lining the top of the bodice that became more sparse the farther down it went.
Frisk couldn't help the weary sigh that passed her lips as she sat down at her vanity, pulling out intricate hair pins and different paints. Chara came and placed the flowery pins in strategic points of Frisk's braid, making her hair glitter and shine as the crystals caught the light. Meanwhile, Frisk got to work applying lip paint and tapping in a small amount on her cheeks to give her a blushing glow. The look was completed with a small amount of coal on her lashes and a thin silvery choker placed around her neck, a small silver lily dangling from its clasp. With a grateful smile, she met her sister's warm golden eyes in the mirror, the earlier apprehension reappearing as her sister's understanding yet concerned gaze met her worried stare.
She silently regarded her sister, marveling at how dainty and proudly she carried herself. Never once did she slouch or show herself as anything less than the beauty she was, taking great pride in her manners and eloquence. It was only in the confines of their rooms that the two would be allowed to act less than what their station required. Yet, you would never know, as now she looked the part, a pure and utter princess through and through. Chara's hair was short yet sleek, a braid on either side of her head that reached round to meet in the back, whilst the rest of her hair was free to flow and pool around her shoulders in beautiful waves, her auburn hair glistening in the morning's light.
Her sister's gown was similar to hers, but instead it was a rich burgundy color that contrasted with her honeyed gaze and pale skin beautifully, especially since the dress had been sewn with intricate patterns along the bodice and hem in gold stitching. Hers however, had sleeves that ran the entire length of her arm, clasping to the rings on her middle fingers, whereas Frisk's were long and flowy to reach well past her arms.
She supposed they both made beautiful pictures, but a small voice in the back of her mind spoke of endless adoration towards her elder sister.
With a gentle hand, Chara helped Frisk to stand and the two made their way down the lavish halls of the castle, pausing to bid good mornings to the passing servants and various guests that took up residence in their abode. None could mask their smiles to the two ladies as they passed, although they did manage to keep up with their tasks, none faltering in stride.
Chara took the lead, guiding them through the various halls and staircases until they made it to the dining room where a woman dressed similarly awaited them at the head of a small yet lavish table at the top of a raised platform. Other ladies and gentlemen of the court were filing in as well, taking seats amongst their peers, the loud chatter a tad overbearing as the morning feast was about to commence.
Chara kept a smile plastered to her face, but inwardly frowned at a few of the rambunctious men who leered at her and her sister as if they couldn't wait to take them to their chambers. It was to be expected of course, the two were finally of age and were expected to settle down in the near future with someone of a high standing and reputable background, and yet, she couldn't help but shy away from the prospect of marriage, her life far more than just finding a husband and rearing babies. The thought alone was enough to make her snort, yet she fought the urge down and held her head high as she passed the scattered tables to take their place at the main table where their mother currently sat awaiting their approach.
With a barely suppressed shudder, the two made their way to the end of the hall and sat on either side of one another, each in their respective chairs and glanced briefly at the woman before them. She was stunning, a vision of absolute beauty, her sunshine hair pulled up in an elegant twist, showing off glistening sapphire jewels round her slender neck that matched wonderfully with her eyes. Her attire was far more enchanting, her cream colored gown reaching the floor below and pooled out into an elegant train beneath her. The woman's face showed the barest signs of aging, merely a few smile lines around her eyes and cheeks, no doubt from the happiness she had come to enjoy over many years. Her presence was warm and inviting, giving the two daughters a modicum of relaxation that they so desperately needed.
"Good morning, Mother."
A tender smile reached her cheeks as the woman looked down at her eldest daughter, "Good morning, Chara. I trust that you slept well?"
She nodded a small smile tugging her lips, "Yes, Mother, I slept fine. Although it seems a certain someone didn't get much sleep last night."
Frisk's cheeks reddened further, a small pout on her features for only a moment before it was replaced by a somewhat strained smile, "Yes, sleep eluded me last night. I was far too nervous for tonight's festivities to catch a bit of shut eye.."
Her mother smiled softly, a gentle hand reaching out to caress her daughter's, "It's okay, Frisk. It's nothing to be worried about, darling. Your sister has gone through it and tonight you will as well. You will be fine."
Frisk nodded, a strained smile in place as she accepted her mother's words, although an overwhelming feeling of dread filled her at the thought of tonight. Her gaze shifted to Chara who seemed to have spaced out, her eyes downcast as memories flashed before her.
Frisk could only worry, for she was nothing like her older sister. She wasn't strong and courageous, her mannerisms weren't as proficient and she was far too shy to be able to be a good princess. How was one even supposed to be a good leader so young? Eighteen was a far cry from being experienced enough to run a kingdom, but thankfully she should have plenty of years to learn since her mother was still around.
Fear cinched her features despite her mother's gentle reassurances, but all that was soon forgotten as a brilliant fan fare announced the arrival of the King and Queen of the neighboring kingdom. When startled gasps rung out amongst the crowd, Frisk and Chara whipped their heads around to face their guests, yet they weren't prepared for the sight that met their eyes.
Standing there were the King and Queen of the monsters, the two goats stood there with gentle smiles that weren't quite reassuring since their elongated fangs were on display for all to see. Those gathered fell silent as the monsters strode forward, their gait strong and prideful, only stopping to rest before their table, wide smiles shining up at the human family.
Chara smiled back hesitantly and shifted nervously in her seat as the King and Queen bowed before them, their smiles warm and gentle despite their strange appearance. The monsters seemed fairly nice, no trace of malice coming from them, and yet Frisk couldn't help but stare at the goats, her mind processing just how different they looked in person.
Of course, tales of monsters had reached far and wide, although many considered them to be little more than demons, and the girls were no exception, having had it ingrained by their father from the day they were born. It was not as if they hated the monsters, no, they were more frightened than anything, tales of murderous beings and powerful demons plaguing their minds and haunting their dreams.
With a strangled cry, Frisk scooted back in her chair, doing her best not to squirm uncomfortably, but the look of fear in her eyes was enough for the monsters to wipe their smiles off their faces.
"Queen Esma, it is wonderful to make your acquaintance once more," the King, as told by his large crown and deep baritone, spoke, his large cerulean eyes watched them with an inner warmth. He was far taller than any human in the castle, easily doubling them in height, which only made the girls that much more nervous despite his lack of hostility.
"Yes, it is an honour to be in your presence. I hope all is well with you and your kingdom," their mother spoke, a small smile playing on her lips as she gestured to the other end on the table, "please, join us. The morning meal will be served shortly."
The two nodded and took two of the seats towards the end of the table, trying to ease the discomfort from the young ones that eyed them nervously when they thought they wouldn't notice. True, they were used to such a response- one could not help but garner such a reaction when they looked so extraordinary- and yet their smiles didn't quite reach their eyes as they looked upon the young ones.
Frisk for one had been uncomfortable the moment they walked through the door, but manners dictated they be shown the same respect as one of their own. Strange or no, they were royalty and had to be treated as such. She dared a quick glance to her sister noting how tense her shoulders were and how her fixed her smile had become. Her movements were automatic and stiff as she reached out to grasp her mug of tea and taking a long sip of her streaming drink, her eyes trained on the monsters nearby.
While Frisk was busy watching her sister, Chara took the opportunity to study the monsters who had begun polite conversation with their mother over political affairs and their respective kingdoms. The two seemed friendly enough, but their stature was far greater than any human's since they were creatures of old, long since forgotten until the last hundred years or so. They were both tall, thrice as high as herself and quite frankly it was a bit unnerving, especially since they were nothing but sheer muscle and power.
Oh, yes, despite them being human, they could not help but notice their overwhelming auras that radiated immense power. It was enough to set her nerves into overdrive and with a slightly shaky hand, she set her cup on the dish beneath her, grateful that the morning meal had begun to be served.
Maids bustled about placing platters of freshly baked bread, fresh fruits and jams, along with pitchers of fresh squeezed orange juice, milk, and mead for those who chose to partake in such pleasantries so early in the morning. Smiling softly, she turned to the maid closest to her and whispered her thanks before looking towards their mother.
Her mother was still talking pleasantly with the royals, but as soon as platters had been set before them, she smiled encouragingly and implored their guests to eat. Soon, the table was buzzing with activity as they all plucked a few fruits and breads, savoring the taste of peaches and oranges, the delicious raspberry jam smothered on top of crisply baked bread, and soon, the two human girls found themselves somewhat relaxed as they snuck glances at their mother and the monsters.
It was odd that their mother did not mind their presence, seeming to rather enjoy their company, but then again she had always been quite the odd ball. The rest of the hall had been thoroughly unnerved by the monsters, but had been polite enough to keep their opinions to themselves, not wanting to risk the Queen's ire.
It was only as Frisk reached for another slice of bread that the soft voice of the monster queen caught her attention.
"Congratulations on your upcoming ceremony, child. It's not every day you come of age."
Frisk gulped, shifting a wide eyed gaze to the Queen who smiled encouragingly. She nodded and went back to spreading a thin layer of marmalade of her bread while her mother's voice broke the tense silence.
"Oh, yes! It will be a most wonderful day for us all. My dear little Frisk, you're finally a woman from this day forward, and as such we must throw quite the banquet in your honour," she cooed softly at her youngest child before turning back to their guests, "I do hope that you will attend!"
The two goats smiled and nodded, the King's deep baritone held a soft lilt to it, "It would be our pleasure."
Queen Esma nodded, clearly pleased with their answer, but as a thought crossed her mind, she looked back at the monsters, "Ah, forgive my rudeness, but where are your sons? I have missed them so since the last time they have visited."
Both girl's eyes widened and they shared a look of confusion with one another before busying themselves with their breakfast once more. Their questions would have to be saved for later.
The Monster Queen laughed softly, her voice calm and soothing despite her strange appearance, "Oh, you know them. Always getting into trouble, especially our little Sansy. The lazy boy took so long waking up that we simply left him behind."
"Yes, let him catch an earful from his brothers," the King laughed.
Queen Esma joined in, her amusement lighting up her sapphire orbs, "Ah, yes. That's just like him to oversleep. In fact I know one just like him," she giggled casting a look at her youngest daughter who flushed with embarrassment. She merely chuckled and turned back to the monsters, "I do hope that they will be present for the ceremony. It would be a most fortuitous opportunity to catch up again."
Both goats nodded, "They will be here. Rest assured."
Queen Esma glanced back at her silent daughters, resting on her youngest, "My dear, I hope you do not mind their attendance."
"No, mother. I am pleased that the king and queen of the monsters will make time in their busy schedules to attend the ceremony. Today will be quite joyous for the kingdom and I hope that you enjoy the festivities," Frisk whispered softly, hiding her trembling by clasping her hands together under the table.
"Good," the Queen smiled, "Now run along the both of you. Your studies await."
Both girls nodded, curtsying low before their mother and the monsters before leaving the dining hall and rushing off to their studies, leaving the king and queens alone to their own devices.
Queen Esma smiled sheepishly, "I apologize sincerely for their manners, or lack thereof. It would seem they have yet to get over the incident."
The queen nodded, sending her a soft smile, "It is quite all right, Esma, dear. They are naught but children in our eyes, just as you yourself are. It is understandable. I must ask however, do you think this is a wise idea?"
"Absolutely. There is nothing to worry about Tori. They will come around, of that I am sure," The human queen smiled, "This is for the best, for both our children."
The King nodded, "You are right. The time for change has come and surely with us united, a dawn of a new era will be born."
They all shared a soft smile before the human Queen escorted her guests out the dining hall, leading them to one of the many gardens to enjoy a lovely stroll in the sunny weather as she caught up with her long time friends and saviors.
~oOo~
Frisk paced heavily in her room, the sound of her heels clicking softly against the floor as she walked in fast circles, mirroring the angry buzzing of her thoughts. Chara, who up until this point, had been silent, finally snapped.
"Frisk, you need to calm down. Everything is going to be fine. Now come here. We have to get you ready for the ball."
The younger of the two frowned, slumping to the floor as Chara approached crouching down to her level. Tear filled sapphire met understanding gold as their gazes locked and before she knew it Frisk was dragged into a tight embrace from her elder sister, sobbing and sniffling as the fear of what was to come set in.
"Shh.. hush now, Frisk. Everything is going to be okay. It's just a party, it's not like you're being shipped off to a neighboring kingdom. You're still a princess of Eriden. Don't cry.."
Frisk nodded, trying desperately to stifle her tears, and after a few minutes of choked sobbing, she pulled away and wiped her eyes. Chara smiled at her encouragingly and grabbed her palm, helping her to stand before pushing her into the bathing chambers where two tubs sat filled with steamy water. The scent of lavender filled the room, and with a small smile, Frisk felt herself relax before stripping down and climbing into one of the tubs, a pleased sigh escaping her.
Chara chuckled and followed suit, climbing into the other tub as she gathered their bathing supplies, sighing as the warm water eased her tense muscles. She tossed a rag over to Frisk who squealed as it hit her in the face, but was quick enough to catch the bottle of soap tossed her way. They both took their time soaking and enjoying the warm water, until it started to cool and then they began to wash up, making sure to rinse thoroughly.
Two towels were waiting nearby and with a soft sigh, they both toweled off quickly before moving over to the vanity to apply make up for the evening. It wasn't much a task for Chara who had plenty of time to paint her lips a stunning burgundy, tapping in a small amount of blush to her cheeks before dusting brown shadows on her eyelids in a smokey eye that made her honeyed eyes stand out beautifully in contrast.
Frisk on the other hand made sure to keep her makeup light, opting for a more subtle look instead. She only applied what was necessary, a bit of pink tint to her lips, a bit of coal to her lashes, and the faintest touch of blush. It wasn't anything terribly eye-catching, but it suited her well, bringing out her eyes and drawing attention to her lips.
Heaving a sigh, she turned to face the dreaded dress that was sure to wait her. It was beautiful, stunning even, but it was very flashy much to her disdain. Walking over to the bed, she lifted the heavy dress up, taking in the light blue material with a bit of a huff. It felt soft and cool to the touch, but she knew there would be plenty of tight undergarments and the multitude of crystals made going unnoticed impossible, not that she had any hope.
Despite her fussing, Chara helped her into the gown, cooing softly as she eased the girl's frazzled nerves. As the gown was slipped on, Chara tied the sash behind her in a semblance of a rose. Another thing Chara was great at, dressing up.
Frisk sighed as her sister gathered her hair and wrapped the lengthy strands in soft curls, pinning them at the top of her head so they would dry curled. Her sister looked proud, smiling softly in the reflection of the mirror, and Frisk found herself growing curious.
"Chara, what was it like when you came of age?"
The hand in her hair paused momentarily and Frisk couldn't help but turn her head to gauge Chara's reaction. Her sister however forced her face back towards the mirror, chiding her for moving, but after a few moments of tense silence, Chara spoke up.
"It was.. interesting. That's for sure. You should know, you were there," she teased, continuing her work as they spoke.
Frisk sighed, "Yeah, but that doesn't help. I'm.. afraid. The gentlemen here are so.."
"Intimidating," Chara asked, already knowing the answer beforehand.
"Yes, very much so," at this Frisk frowned, looking at her sister who had finished pinning her curls and had moved back to admire her handiwork, "I don't want to be courted. Especially not by any of the men here in the castle.."
A gentle hand cupped Frisk's chin, guiding her to look into knowing golden eyes. Chara smiled reassuringly, "It will be fine. You don't have to find a husband right away, so just relax and enjoy the party."
Frisk swallowed thickly and nodded, but that did little to squash the rising fear in her stomach. With an inward sigh, she turned back to the mirror and mustered as much courage as she could for what was to come.
~oOo~
Lanterns strung high on stone pillars glowed softly with warm light, casting peacefully dim lighting that bathed the banquet hall in flickering hues of orange and yellows, offsetting the gentle moonlight that filtered in through the floor to ceiling windows that lined either side of the room. The marble floor gleamed with pride as the moonlight illuminated the expansive room.
The hall itself was bustling with ladies and gentlemen of the court, all gathered talking amongst themselves since the festivities were to begin shortly. A small band was playing in the meantime, the soft music filling the hall with peaceful tunes that served to relax their guests since the Queen and her daughters had yet to make an appearance.
Many of the guests were growing rather tired of waiting for their majesties to show, some even whispering that maybe they had been taken by the monsters. It was no secret that the humans were uneasy around their neighboring kingdom, especially since many saw them as little more than beasts and freaks of nature.
It didn't help that the monsters' powers far exceeded that of a human's, nor that they excelled in combat, their diversity not only applied to their kind but to their abilities as well. Many found it strange that the Queen had the courage and maybe even foolishness to invite ones that were so different than they were, yet none would dare voice that opinion for fear of bringing shame upon their families, or worse.
It was a quarter candlemark later that the Queen and her two daughters swept gracefully into the hall, their heads held high and gait slow, in no hurry to reach the wooden platform that awaited them. Every eye followed their movements as the trio strode up the stairs and turned to face the crowd. The Queen lifted her hand and the hall fell silent, the absence of sound startling the youngest daughter, who despite being incredibly fearful, kept her chin up and a smile plastered to her face as she flanked her mother on one side with Chara on the other.
"Ladies and Gentleman," Esma began, "The time has come for the last member of the Lancaster family to come of age. Today marks the day that our kingdom has blossomed, with two wonderful daughters that uphold their family name and bless this kingdom with strength and vitality. But of course, tonight is a celebration of my youngest child, one that has grown over the years from a young tyke to the beautiful young woman you see standing before you all."
The Queen motioned towards Frisk, the latter coming to stand beside her mother, a fixed smile upon her face. The older woman beamed at her daughter and motioned towards her eldest, who obeyed immediately, moving to her mother's side and presenting a shining golden crown in its wake, the azure gems sparkling in the candlelight.
Although Frisk had been prepared for this, a bout of nerves threatened to knock her off her feet, her doubtful eyes trained on those of understanding cerulean. Her mother reached down to gently pick up the crown, a warm smile on her face as she commanded her daughter to lean down.
Frisk obeyed, lowering her gaze to the floor as her mother spoke the traditional words, placing the crown upon her head gently.
"Frisk, daughter of Ederin, youngest of the Lancaster name, from this day forth you will be no longer a little girl, but instead second in line to the throne. You are to adhere to the standard as the heir to the throne, guiding our people to glory and reverence. Do you, blood of my blood, promise to uphold our values, to protect our people, and to care for all that reside under your reign?"
"I do."
Her mother smiled softly at her daughter, waiting until she rose as an encouraging hand was placed upon her shoulder, "Then I now pronounce you, Frisk, second to the throne. May your life shine on our kingdom with humility and compassion for all."
With that said, they both turned towards the crowd that bowed low to their rulers, and with tinkling laughter, their mother spoke, "Rise everyone, and enjoy the festivities! Let us all remember such a joyous occasion for years to come!"
The crowd cheered happily before dispersing to let the royals step down, people moving in different directions as men and women moved to the dance floor, while others sat at tables scattered on the outskirts, eating and drinking amongst themselves.
Queen Esma smiled and quickened her step as two familiar goats came into view, a few other monsters making their way alongside them.
"Asgore, Tori, you made it!" The Queen smiled clasping hands with Toriel's furry paws.
"Yes, child. We said we would, did we not?" She teased before turning to Frisk, "And you, my dear, look wonderful. Congratulations!"
Frisk smiled politely and hid her trembling hands behind her back, "Thank you, your majesty. I do hope you enjoy the ball."
Asgore nodded, a soft smile on his face, "Thank you, little one. It will be a night to remember."
Queen Esma looked at the two monsters accompanying the King and Queen and with a smile, she launched herself into the arms of a similar goat monster, a bubbly giggle escaping her as she was enveloped in a warm embrace.
He was tall, not so much as the king, but still a few inches taller than the human queen, his long furred ears hanging down either side of his face with a tuft of fur poking out over the top in a sort of choppy bang. His eyes were a shining crimson, enhanced by the black coloring above his eyes along with similarly colored streaks running on the sides of his furred cheeks. His horns were long, definitely shorter than the king's, but they were grey in color and curled in towards his head much like a ram's. The goat was dressed similarly as the King, with the same purple tunic with the monster's insignia on the front, not that you couldn't tell he was a monster.
The goat let out a hearty laugh, swinging her in his arms while she giggled merrily, not noticing the two dumfound children behind her.
"Oh, Azzy! It's been so long since I've seen you," the Queen cooed while she pulled away to look him over, "You've grown so tall! And my goodness, those ears! Have they gotten longer?"
The goat, grabbed her wrists with extreme gentleness as he moved them away from stroking his ears, chuckling all the while, "Ezzy, it's wonderful to see you again, but please be mindful of my ears. You know how sensitive they are.."
Esma sighed and backed up a bit, but her eyes shone with happiness as she inspected the monster before her, "And here I thought you'd forgotten about me. It's been what, fifteen years?"
"Fourteen and a half," he winked, much to the human girl's disbelief.
"Oh, you scoundrel! You had better visit more or mark my words, I'll hunt all of Underground just to find you," she scolded playfully before turning to the other monster waiting nearby, "Ah, Papyrus! It's nice to see you again. I hope all is well with you and your brother?"
The monster, a very tall skeleton with a large grin, walked over and shook her hand tenderly, "Yes, your majesty. We are well, although Sans has certainly put a.. time constraint on our arrival.."
The queen swatted his hand gently, "Papyrus, you don't have to keep up with formalities! You can call me Esma or Ezzy."
When he went to refuse she glared, "No buts! As the Queen, I insist you call me Esma at least."
He sighed but nodded, a small smile on his face, "All right, Esma. You are looking well I see."
The skeleton turned and looked over at the two girls giving them broad smiles before holding out a bony hand, "You must be Esma's children. Hi, it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Papyrus."
They both hesitated, much to the other's notice, but slowly they shook his hand. Chara watched him like a hawk while Frisk hid demurely behind her, a bit shaken at everything that had happened in the last few minutes.
"I'm Chara. Chara Lancaster. This is my sister, Frisk," she introduced them, placing a gentle hand on her sister's back and nudging her forward a tad.
"H-Hello Papyrus.. I'm Frisk," she stuttered, looking him over warily, not placated by his large smile.
"A pleasure," he smiled, "I do hope you don't mind that we aren't all here to greet you. My brother will be arriving shortly."
Frisk and Chara looked at one another before back at the skeleton, "Brother?"
The goat son laughed stepping up to the skeleton monster and throwing an arm on his shoulder, "Yeah, our eldest brother Sans. He's always lazing about, wouldn't put it past him to be fast asleep at home right about now."
Their mothers shared a laugh, while Asgore shook his head wearily, "That boy marches to the beat of his own drum. Hopefully he arrives soon."
The girls nodded, moving away from the monsters with as much subtlety as they could manage, not wanting to seem rude, but were becoming increasingly uncomfortable. Frisk was searching for a way out, and fortunately found one in a suspiciously timed gentleman approaching her person.
From what she could recall, he was one of the lesser nobles in the court, a decent man with a nice enough personality. She jumped at the chance, apologizing to their company and excusing herself to the dancefloor, leaving Chara floundering by herself with the younger monsters since the older couple were engaged with her mother.
The three of them struck up polite conversation about political affairs, the economic situation in their respective kingdoms, and how different their lands were. Chara, although wary around the monsters, found herself a tad curious about them. It wasn't every day that monsters visited their kingdom, since they usually preferred to keep to themselves.
After a bit of time, Chara could no longer ignore her protesting stomach and with a curtsy in their direction, she excused herself to the banquet table, moving to grab a few finger foods as she scanned the area. She managed to find a few strawberries, a sliced peach, and a handful of grapes. Nothing too filling, which was fine with her since she felt a bit uneasy with the all the people nearby.
A soft sigh passed her lips as she moved to a more secluded area of the hall, sitting down in a free chair at a relatively empty table. She smiled politely at those that passed and picked up a few slices of fruit, her thoughts turning inward as she watched people come and go, dancing and laughing all around.
It's strange, the way the monsters seem so calm amongst a large group of humans. You'd think they'd feel out of place surrounded by us all.
She couldn't help but frown at her plate, mindlessly pushing a grape back and forth under a carefully painted finger.
It would seem that mother has some sort of past with them, and yet she never spoke of this to me, and judging by the shock on Frisk's face, she never told her either. But the question is why? Why would she hide her past, and why would she knowingly associate with them after what happened only a few years back..
During her quiet contemplation a figure slid into the seat beside her, startling the young woman into action. A stifled shriek was bit back and a hand flew to her heart as she turned towards the person, frowning at the furry goat monster from earlier.
"Don't sneak up on me like that! You scared me half to death," she hissed, forgetting her station momentarily.
The deep baritone of his laugh made her relax a bit, despite the fright he had just caused, "Ah, I'm sorry, my dear. I had thought you heard me approach. I wasn't quite sneaking up on you, you know?"
Chara flushed in embarrassment, but turned her head to the side with a slight pout, "Still, you could have just tapped me on the shoulder or something."
"It's more fun this way."
As if just noticing him for the first time, she tilted her head pursing her lips slightly while her eyes searched his, "You.. what did you come here for?"
His eyes danced with amusement, his lips turned up in a small smile as he propped his head in his hands, "Why, I came for you, silly. After all, you're the only person besides your mother that I know around here, and they're too busy catching up."
Chara found herself entranced by the strange coloring of his eyes, the flickering candlelight making them glow, almost like a crackling flame. She scowled at him momentarily, another pout forming as she finally registered his words.
"Ah, so I'm just a distraction, so to speak."
"I did not say that. I merely stated that our parents are preoccupied at the moment."
Huffing, she proceeded to pick up a grape and pop it into her mouth, looking out to the dance floor once more, "No, but it was implied."
He frowned softly before plucking a strawberry off her plate and tossing it into his mouth, her eyes bugging out as she realized what he had done.
"Wh-why you..!"
"Ah, jeez. Don't make such a fuss, princess. It's just a berry. It's not very becoming of one such as your station," he teased, reveling in her angry scowl and flushed features.
"That may be but yo-"
He smiled and stood, holding his hand out as a new song began to play, this one slow but not so slow that it should make her uncomfortable, "Would you care for a dance, m'lady?"
He watched as she let her gaze travel over him, an angry glare in her eyes, yet a smile plastered on her lips.
"I'd love to."
He smiled, inwardly laughing as she seethed beside him, not the least bit bothered by her ire. He guided the ruffled woman to the dance floor, promptly ignoring the glares from various men and curious gazes of other dancers. Pulling her close, he rested a paw on her waist while holding his other out for her to hold. She seemed to freeze for a moment, but before anyone else could notice, she slipped a small hand into his larger paw.
She had been shocked at first, how warm his hands- paws- were, but she chalked it up to all the fur, and strangely enough his pads were surprisingly smooth against her flesh. She looked up into his eyes as he smiled, his muzzle pulling back a bit to reveal sharp points of canines on either side of his mouth. Barely suppressing a shudder, she followed his lead as he swept them across the dance floor in an elegant waltz, one that was surprisingly smooth despite his taller frame.
This.. isn't so bad. He's a remarkable dancer for someone of his size. But, he's a monster and a bit of a jerk..
She frowned as she looked up at his eyes, noting how dark they were now, like an endless sea of blood. It.. frightened her momentarily before she regained her composure.
He's no threat. Calm down, Chara. You aren't helpless anymore..
Taking a moment to steady her breathing, she closed her eyes and leaned her head back to stare up at the high ceilings, not noticing the small frown on the goat's face as he watched her curiously.
It was only as she looked back down that their eyes met, and her breathing hitched once more at the look of concern in his gaze.
"Are you all right..?" He whispered softly, just barely enough to be heard over the music.
She flushed but nodded, "Y-yeah, I'm fine. I'm sorry about that...uhm.."
"Asriel," he supplied, "Asriel Dreemurr, at your service."
She smiled slightly, despite her hesitancy around the monster, "Hmm.. I might just hold you to that, you know. It's not wise to make promises you can't keep."
He laughed, the tone soft and carefree and as the song slowed, he moved to spin her, watching as she flowed gracefully under his paw before taking her hand once more and guiding them in a slower rhythm.
"Who says I don't intend to keep it?"
She laughed lightly, her tension ebbing a tad as the dance ended, her demeanor softening a bit at his blatant flirtation. A twinge of playfulness had her leaning ever so slightly closer to his face, her honeyed eyes locking onto his scarlet gaze as she worked a below at him, a smirk plastered to her face, "Oh, is that so?"
He grinned, his smirk oddly warm as he brought her hand to his lips, pressing a chaste kiss to the back of it, "Absolutely. I could think of no other I'd enjoy serving as much as you."
Her face flushed and she quickly pulled her hand away, her earlier nerves returning at the warmth in his eyes, and the seductive tone in his voice. It was one thing to tease someone, a little bit of playful flirting was fine, but the sincerity in his words and the intense emotion in his gaze had her inwardly flustered.
With a curtsy, she thanked him for the dance and scurried away, her thoughts a whirling mess as she disappeared out of the hall, intent on escaping the strange monster.
The last coherent thought she registered was that Asriel was quite an enigma, one that she wondered if she would ever figure out.
~oOo~
Frisk had much better luck avoiding the monsters, since any and every male had taken turns offering their suits or congratulations and leading her through hundreds of dances throughout the night. In fact, it was becoming far too overwhelming trying to remain polite and gently turn down gentlemen dance after dance.
After her last dance, accompanied by a rather handsome gentleman, Sir Rivers was it?, she had been far too tired to accept any more dances, instead turning them away gently and excusing herself to slip in the crowds of drunken nobles.
Her mind was a blur of faces, the evening spent within arms length of different noble men who weren't all quite as respectful as she wanted them to be. Quite a few of the men her age had taken to running their hand places they should not have been, which had abruptly ended their dance much to their displeasure, but she would not tolerate some bumbling oaf pawing at her like she was a piece of meat. It was bad enough that some had tried to grope her, but a few had tried to steal a kiss, and one had even had the nerve to suggest going back to his chambers. Needless to say, the dance was cut short and with a less than elegant speech, she promptly informed him that if he didn't behave himself he would find himself awake in the dungeon by morning.
It took every last bit of composure to hold off on berating the man, and she knew she had to leave before she snapped. As she fled the hall, she smiled politely at those who stopped to greet her, but kept on her way until she reached one of the smaller windows that led out into the cool night air.
With a sigh of relief she pushed the window open and stepped out onto the awaiting balcony. The cool night air brushing against her heated skin helped relax her as she came to rest at the end of the structure, leaning against the cold railing.
Her eyes flitted up to the night sky, the stars twinkling high above almost as if they were dancing themselves. The moon hung high overhead, casting a silvery tint to the gardens below, bathing all in an enchanting glow. She found herself smiling despite her fatigue and with a soft sigh, she found herself surveying the landscape below, watching with satisfaction as the breeze swept through the fields, rustling the tall grass beneath her.
"It seems I'm not the only one looking for a chance to relax."
The smooth bass had her clutching her chest, a sharp cry filling the otherwise silence of the night. Turning sharply, she nearly tumbled as a heel managing to snag the end of her dress, and a startled yelp escaped her as she found herself falling backwards. Her eyes closed with fright as she felt herself falling, but before she could even register what had happened, an arm wrapped round her waist, halting her descent before she could actually fall over the railing. Her arms wrapped around the man who saved her, all sense of decorum gone as self preservation kicked in and she practically clung to the man's large frame.
"Gee, if you're goin' for the 'damsel in distress' thing, you sure play the part quite well," the voice chuckled low near her ear, causing goosebumps to break out across her skin.
When she finally realized the inappropriate position she was in, she tried to scramble back, but the arm locked around her waist kept her from moving and subsequently kept their bodies pressed far too close together.
"Ya better stop squirming there, kid. You'd fall to your death from this high up."
She stilled, realizing he was right, but tried to look up at the man's face only to rub her skin against the man's suit since his other hand kept a forceful, yet tender grip against the back of her head.
"I- ah, um- Th-Thank you for saving me, but c-could you please let me go? Th-This is far too.. intimate.. a position for two people to find themselves in," she stammered, cursing her nerves and the pleasant feeling of being held in such a way.
"Ah, and here I thought you were enjoying yourself," the voice teased, making her shiver for an entirely different reason than the night's chilly air.
She moved to retort, but before she could the man had stepped back, carrying her with him as they moved a safe distance away from the railing, spinning her around until her back was facing the window.
He released her with deliberate slowness, almost as if he was hesitant to part from her, but eventually he did. She tried to look upon his face, but the figure was wearing some sort of blue cloak, a hood covering the top of his head, and his face engulfed by the shadows made it impossible for her to tell who he was, only that he had strikingly beautiful blue eyes.
"Sorry for scaring ya, kid. I didn't think I'd find anyone out here."
"Ah, uhm.. well that's all right, I hadn't expected anyone to be out here either," She replied softly, but soon frowned, her brow furrowing as she registered what he had said, "Hey, wait a second, I'm not a kid!"
The man chuckled once more, his voice low and amused as that rich sound filled the silence around them. All too soon the laughter ceased, but the mirth remained evident in his gaze, "Ah, how right you are. You aren't a child any longer, forgive me, my lady."
Her frown softened and a small smile graced her face, "All is forgiven. I apologize for acting childish. It has been a long night."
The man nodded, his hood ruffling softly behind him, "Well, now that that's settled, what were you doing out here all by yourself, princess?"
Frisk sighed, a melancholic expression cinching her features and she turned her gaze up towards the moon, observing it's gentle glow and finding herself relaxing somewhat at the beauty of the earth before her eyes.
"The noble men are rather.. excitable.. since the ceremony. I'd rather not be subject to such unwanted advances, and as such sought solace from the pleasant night."
Her gaze flickered back to the man who had stiffened, but before she could make sense of why he had reacted as such, he sat down beside her, pulling his hood closer to his face, "I see. I'm sorry to hear that. A young lady should not be privy to such vulgar harassment."
She nodded, her thoughts turning inward as they sat silently amongst the stars, their backs resting against the cool stone on either side of the windows.
"Sometimes.. I wish I hadn't been born into royalty, it would make things less complicated, would it not?" She mused, not really expecting an answer, but much to her surprise, the man spoke up, his voice kind yet somewhat cold.
"You are wrong there, your highness. It makes things that much more difficult."
Her smile faltered as she had appeared to have struck a nerve with her savior, and a small frown crossed her features.
"Ah, I am sorry if I spoke out of line. I merely meant that I do not enjoy the attention that comes with being a daughter of royalty. I meant no disrespect."
The man nodded, but sighed softly, his breath blowing smoke out into the air, "It's quite all right princess, I understand what you meant. We all can understand that from time to time, yet we must remember we are blessed to be where we are, and fortunate enough to have the opportunities we were given."
She nodded and the two fell into a contemplative silence, neither one speaking as they gazed up at the starry sky.
"You know," she whispered after a few minutes of silence, gazing up at him through her lashes, "I never got your name."
He chuckled briefly, turning to face her as his hood slipped down to reveal a round skeletal face, a large grin plastered to his skull. Her eyes widened as fear engulfed her soul, and before she knew it, she found her hair stroked gently, before the monster disappeared, slipping inside the hall once more. The only sound breaking the silence of the night was his soft voice floating on the wind.
"Sans. Sans the Skeleton."