Chara's Proposal and Dinner with Gaster
"Wait, you know Frisk's whereabouts? How? Why?" I look at him dumbfounded.
"You've seen the news, right?" he glances over my direction
"Are you telling me that Frisk, my Frisk was the one on the news?" I ask him still in shock. If it really is her, then maybe, just maybe…'
"Yeah. As for how and why I know I have an acquaintance of mine that has heard through the grapevine that you're looking for her. She tends to gossip a lot about things and happened to overhear a conversation I was having the other day with Monica. So, she wants to try and help you get back together with your sister." He smirks as he plays with the pocket knife he took from the silver box.
"Chara, thanks… but, to be honest, I really don't think this is a good idea." I look away from him. My thoughts turn dark and years threaten to fall from my eyes, "After everything that happened and everything I done, how do I know if she'll forgive me?"
"Jill, you're still blaming yourself for what happened? It wasn't your fault." He gets up and kneels in front of me reaching his hand to my cheek. I pull away and shout, "It is my fault! I always ended up fighting my parents and argued with them. And when my father would abuse both of them I would just hide behind the corner and whimper like a fucking coward! I'm scared, Chara. I am so scared of what others think and say about me. I'm scared that everyone might leave me behind if they found out what I'd said and done. It's pathetic…"
I feel something warm wrap around me and my eyes widen. When I look up I see that Chars had embraced me, "Just trust me, please? Besides, It's not your fault. It's his. And you were too young to do anything anyways. Anyone that was your age and had gone through that would've felt the same way you did. So stop blaming yourself for what happened because you are better than what You think you are. There people out there who really care about you… I care about you."
"I-I know, but i-it's ha-ard." I sob harder and he tightens his grip, telling me everything will be alright. I want to believe him, but it's hard to when I already know that good things never last and you can't fully heal something that's already been broken. A few minutes pass and my crying subsides, fading into soft whimpers. "As for Frisk, from what I hear, she's pretty kind and very forgiving just like you. Why else would she have been adopted by monsters? So cheer up, okay. You two will get along nicely."
"But what about the queen? Would she be as accepting as her?" I ask as different possibilities run through my head of what could happen.
"She'll be excited to know that she'll have another kid like you." He ruffles my hair and I giggle.
"So how am I going to get back to Frisk? Do you have a plan or are we going to just wing it?" I let go of him as I speak.
"Well, I told my acquaintance about you and she said that she would be willing to meet up with you to talk about it. Apparently she knows Frisk personally after seeing her regularly at her bakery. She mentioned that Frisk talks about you a lot to her and that she misses you."
"She does?" I feel a mixture of joy and anxiety bubble up through my body and lean in smiling at him.
"Yeah. Anyways, what are you doing tomorrow?"
"Well, I have to go hunting for a new job, do some chores, and then I have classes at the university in the afternoon. Why'd you ask?"
"I was wondering if you wanna come with me to meet up at the bakery with my acquaintance. We can get some sweets if you're interested?"
"Sounds good. So what's the name of the bakery?"
"Muffet's Gourmet Shop. It's not too far from the shopping district and should take you about two or three hours to get there."
"Alright. I'll try to get there around nine or ten o'clock."
"Sounds good. By the way, you said a lot happened today. Usually when you text that something happened it's either really good or really bad. Though most the time it's really bad. Did someone cause you trouble or something?"
'Ugh, I was hoping he wouldn't ask.' I slide further down into the bean bag and reply, "Yeah… I lost my job for the third time this year."
"Really? What happened this time?" Chara chokes out a giggle and smiles.
"It's not funny Chara! Anyway, my manager was a douche and decided to fire me all because of his own prejudice towards monsters. A skeleton walked into the coffee shop, we talked a bit, then my manager called me into the office and fired me all because of a polite conversation I had with him. Out of all the stupid reasons to fire someone he used the monster racism excuse!" I stand up, passionately expressing my fury.
"You know, I could take care of him if he's causing you trouble." He holds up his knife and grins evilly.
"But if you do that then you might and up in jail or worse and I won't see you as often," I pout, "besides, that guy doesn't deserve to die, Even if he is an asshole. All lives matter. Well, maybe not all, but most."
"There you go with that pacifism crap. But I guess that's the reason I like you because it just makes you irresistible." He rests his head into his palm as he crosses his legs together and grins.
"Aw, aren't you just the sweetest." I smile as I tease him, "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then. Have fun doing whatever."
"Oh, hold up a sec." Chara puts his hand on my shoulder just as I turn to leave.
"What's up?" I look back at him.
"You lost your job, right?" his demeanor is serious as he speaks.
"Yeah? And?" I look at him quizzically.
"Muffet at the bakery has been looking for new people to hire. So when we go to meet her tomorrow you can ask her if she'd be willing to hire you. That way you won't have to spend a whole month looking for a job and it would be a way of compensating for her help. What do you say?"
"Sounds like a deal." I hold out my hand and we shake on it. Then we both laugh, "Alright, I better get going. See ya later, Chara."
"Adios, bella." he blows me a kiss and I smirk in response, climbing down the ladder and walking back to my car. 'Hopefully everything goes as well as Chara says.' On the way home I decide to make a stop at a diner and grab a bite to eat. When I arrive, after parking my Honda Civic, I see the same skeleton I saw earlier at my previous job as I get out. He gets out of his car and, as he does, he notices me. He waves and I wave back reluctantly. Then he begins to walk up to me. Gaster stops about a foot in front of me and smiles as he says, "Hello again, Jill. I hope you don't mind if I use your name without honorifics."
"It's fine. I don't mind at all, Mr. Gaster," I smile back at him, tilting my head back enough to make eye contact with him, "I am really sorry about earlier, again."
"Whatever for, dear?" he clasps his hands as he looks at me in confusion.
"That awkward conversation earlier and the bad joke I told you." sheepishly, I stare at the ground and fumble with the zipper of my jacket.
His eyes widen, then the same goofy smile he wore earlier appears on his face as he laughs, "My dear, you certainly are a strange one. If anything, the conversation we had earlier was one of the most enjoyable I had today besides the ones with my brothers. Also, just call me Gaster. It is only fair to call me by my name since I do the same with you." his words cause my face to heat up. I stare at him then quickly look down and say, "Thanks... I guess, Gaster." Gaster chuckles then I ask, "Wait, you have brothers? How many? Are they older or younger than you?"
"Well, you certainly are a curious one. I have two younger brothers, both of which get along well with one another. In fact, they are practically inseparable from each other. And me, of course. Those two, however, are as close as siblings could ever be."
'That sounds a lot like how Frisk and I were before we got separated. I really miss her...' My gaze drifts off as melancholy and nostalgic memories flood my consciousness. Gaster looks down at me in distress, "Jill, are you alright? Did I say something to offend you?" his soothing voice calms my nerves and pulls me back into reality. "Oh no. I'm fine. It's just... you talking about your brothers brought up a lot of nostalgic memories for me, that's all." I try to smile as a way to reassure him of my feelings, though tears threaten to overflow like a broken dam.
"Oh, I see... I am sorry. I did not know that something like that was a very personal topic to you." his tone becomes somber and his expression is solemn.
"It's okay. It's not your fault since you didn't know," I swipe a hand over my eyes to dry my tears, "So, um, are you here to get something to eat? 'Cause I can pay the bill for you if you are."
"You don't have to do that for me, dear."
"I know, but... I insist. Besides, consider it a tip for the friendly conversation we had." I smirk as I recall what he had said earlier when he gave me the extra cash. He shakes his head in amusement and I offer my hand to him, "Shall we, Gaster?" instead of grabbing my hand like I thought he would, he pulls me closer and locks his elbow to mine, "Of course, dear." both of us walk into the diner blushing and grinning like idiots. We earn a few odd and bemused stares as we sit down in a red colored, leather booth. I look at the menu that was placed down by a very unhappy waiter. Occasionally I glance over at Gaster sitting across from me. He has his legs crossed and hands clasped together under his chin. In a way, he looks very sophisticated and classy as he stares down at the menu lost in thought. 'Well, he certainly is handsome and cute.' I smile then look back into my menu. After a few minutes we decide on our orders and the waiter comes back, asking us what beverages we want and if we decided on our order. I ask for a strawberry milkshake while Gaster asks for some golden flower tea. Then we place in our orders.
The whole time we are there I tell a few bad puns and jokes and we talk about our interests. I find out that Gaster likes science, especially quantum physics, as he talks about Einstein's theory of relativity, wave particle duality, unified field theory, and the big bang. I also make a few comments about my own input on the subject and talk about the possibility of multiverses, alternate universes, time travel, and the possibility of finding life outside our solar system. Gaster seems to be impressed and fascinated by how much I know and understand.
"My dear, not only are you kind and humerus, but you are also very intelligent." he rests his head in his palm as he stares at me.
"Thank you. By the way that was a very good skeleton pun. It really tickled my funny bone." I chuckle to myself then give him an idiotic smirk. Gaster also chuckles, giving me a small smile. Then a strange ring tone plays and he pulls out his phone from his coat's pocket, "Ah, excuse me for a moment, Jill." he answers the call and I wait patiently, tuning into the conversation, "Hello? Ah, Papyrus. Is everything alright, brother? Oh. I am terribly sorry. I completely forgot about it. I'll be there soon. By the way, how is Sans? I see... I'll have to talk to him when I get home. I shall call you later once I get there. Goodbye, brother. See you soon." he ends the call then turns over to me, "Sorry about that, dear. Looks like our meeting has been cut short,"
"That's okay. Those were your brothers, right? I'm sure they'll be happy to see you once you make it back home. Besides, I don't want to keep you too long. After all, family comes before friends." I say with a smile.
"You are far too kind, Jill. Thank you." he gets up to leave, but then turns back towards me, "I almost forgot to ask. Would you like to exchange phone numbers? I loved conversing with you and would especially like to spend time with you again, if you do not mind it, of course."
His charm and politeness is just too cute, making it impossible to refuse his offer, "Sure. I would love to hang out with you again." I hand him my phone and he gives me his. We both put our numbers in then exchange them back.
"Thank you again, dear. I'll be sure to message you soon." Gaster walks out the diner as he waves goodbye.
"No problem, Gaster. It was nice meeting you and I'll be sure to reply to your message!" I shout out in excitement, ignoring the menacing and disgusted glares some people are giving me. The waiter hands me the bill begrudgingly and I leave the required amount plus a little extra cash as a tip. Then, I gather my things and head out, giggling happily like a high school girl whose confession had just been accepted by her crush. I drive back home and, once I get there, change into my lavender nightgown, take off my glasses, and fall into my bed. I fall into a deep slumber.
Suddenly I jolt up from my bed in fright. I've had another nightmare. This time I dreamt that everyone I've ever known and loved had betrayed me. They mocked me then I... I saw them disappear one by one... they all died by my own hands. And there was laughter. Sick, twisted laughter coming from a young boy with crimson eyes. I sob as I recall the disturbing nightmare. Goosebumps begin to form on my arms and legs. A chill runs down my spine. 'It's just a bad dream. It's not real. None of it is real.' I repeat these words in my head as I sit in fetal position, but in the back of my mind there is a seed of doubt questioning my thoughts. I can't go back to sleep, so I start pacing around my room with the lamp turned on. I read some novels, work on solving jigsaw puzzles, draw, play games, even hum to myself to keep my thoughts from wandering to the darker side of my consciousness. I change into a casual, loose, pastel pink blouse and cream colored skirt. I grab a white scarf, gloves, and earmuffs with my white, loose, and long pea coat, placing them downstairs by the coat hanger beside my door, By the time it's six o'clock I put on the news. I make myself some coffee as I listen to reporters talking about rising anti-monster gangs and riots occurring in the downtown area of Harrisburg.
'As far as I'm concerned, monsters haven't done anything hurtful against the humans after the monster war was won, so why bother causing them trouble? Sure, they may look strange and some even scary, but there has been no mention of any of them assaulting a human or hurting them on purpose. Plus, they are just like us. They have families, friends, and emotions just like humans.' I sigh as I sit back on the couch, placing my coffee onto the table. 'The human race is so messed up and ignorant. Though, not all of them are bad, just a lot of them.' I think about my friends and sister as I take a sip from my mug.
Suddenly, I receive a message from my phone as it vibrates on the coffee table, I pick it up and read the text. As I thought, there was a message from Gaster sent about five minutes ago while I was making coffee and a new one from Chara. My eyes scan the texts.
The first one, from Gaster, read "Hello, Jill. It was nice talking to you yesterday evening. I hope you had a decent night's worth of sleep. I am wondering if you'd be willing to meet me and my brother this weekend at his favorite bar, Grillby's. Preferably during lunch on Saturday, if you are not too busy." the other one, from Chara, reads "Morning, beautiful. You ready for today? Muffet's been excited to meet you and I've already planned out some stuff for today. Let me know when you are about to leave. I'll see ya later, doll. Oh, and be safe on the road today. There's a lot of ice on the roads and I don't think I could bare it if anything were to happen to you." I reply to both of them, texting the first one, "Next weekend sounds good. I shouldn't be too terribly busy. Plus, it would be nice to meet your brother. Is only one of them coming or are both of them going to be there? And if so, which one?" then the second reply I send reads, "Alright, Chara. I'll see you in about two or three hours." After a couple of minutes my phone vibrates again. I pick it up and read the new message from Gaster, "Wonderful, and yes, only Sans will be there with me. Papyrus does not really like the restaurant his brother frequently visits. He says the food is too greasy for his tastes and that he has other plans for that day. Maybe another time you'll be able to meet him. I'm sure the both of them will be pleased to have you in their company." A smile creeps up onto my face as I read the text. I exit my messages after leaving a final text for him and notice the time on my phone. It was already eight o'clock so I got off from my couch, put on my coat and other accessories, and head out the door, grabbing my keys and large purse.