June 21st, 2020: Qurairu
Fiona looked up from the book she was reading as she heard a knock on the door. Grillby rose, resting a hand briefly on his wife. Due to the confusion over the past while, they had been switching residence between the city, and currently, Muffet's parlor.
"That should be him, Fiona, are you ready?"
She tucked her book away, and rose. "I think so, Uncle Grillby."
"Well then…"
He went to the door, and opened it. "Good morning."
Frisk blinked up at him with golden eyes, shifting slightly on his talons. His wings were folded back and his feathers were flat and neat against him.
"Morning," the edge of his mouth where his beak met his head twitched into a smile. "Gotta say, it's gonna be a lot easier getting through Hotlands once I get more used to all this…"
"Of that I'm sure...hopefully your trip was uneventful," he stated as Fiona approached.
The Phoenix shrugged.
"Yeah… not too bad. Fairly standard interdimensional travel for an Ex-Human trying to learn how to be a Monster. The quota of falling down cliffsides was met, so we're good."
"Well, if you're still in one piece…" Grillby moved. "This is my niece, Fiona."
She dipped her head slightly to gaze down at him. "Hello," she greeted simply.
"Hello!" Frisk seemed to perk up as he saw Fiona. "Well, I have to say-"
Whatever it was Frisk felt he had to say was left unsaid, as just at that moment, his legs gave out and he fell onto his rump with an undignified squawk.
Grillby instantly stooped down to get him back on his feet. "Are you alright?" he asked while Fiona stepped forward, pausing when she saw her Uncle had the situation under control.
"Everything but my pride," Frisk grumbled, getting his legs under him again and wobbling his way back to his feet. "Stupid… bendy legs."
"Luckily...there isn't much walking planned," Fiona stated softly.
"Well at least there's that…" Frisk ruffled his feathers. "Now would normally be the part where I mentioned getting a move on before I make more of a fool of myself, but at this point it's kind of inevitable so…"
"We'll go behind the lab. There aren't a lot of Monsters over there, and if something happens, we'll have help nearby."
The older elemental nodded. "All right, Dear. Just be careful. Don't set anything important on fire."
Frisk bowed at her, sweeping one wing towards the door.
"After you. I'll try not to cause too much trouble."
"We should be okay," Fiona assured as she led the way to the nearest elevator. Frisk followed along carefully, doing his best to stave off the inevitable.
"So, you're Grillby's niece?" he asked conversationally. "That must be a treat… do elementals have some form of non-verbal communication I'm not aware of?"
Fiona shrugged. "...I guess you can learn a lot from watching one's flames…"
"Guess this is the kind of thing I'm gonna have to figure out," the Phoenix mused. "Though I've actually heard your uncle say more than two words, so maybe I don't have to worry about him so much."
"He does speak when he finds the need," she stated as they reached the elevator, quietly opening it. "He just prefers to listen most of the time."
Frisk eyed the elemental from behind for a moment, then let out a little sigh, ruffling his feathers.
Guess she's not all that interested in talking, he thought to himself. Ah well, I guess I should probably be focusing anyways…
Once he was fully in, she pressed a button, fidgeting quietly as she tried to gather her thoughts and find something to say to fill the silence.
Eventually, the elevator came to a halt and the two exited. Frisk looked around, seeing the lab close by, as well as the entrance to Waterfall.
"So… where are we going?" the boy asked, the tips of his wings twitching slightly.
"To the area on the other side of the lab," Fiona stated with a hand motion. "Enough room, not many monsters, and the Lab isn't known to be set on fire, so...we have backup if something manages to get out of hand."
"Makes sense," Frisk agreed, grinning slightly. "And I appreciate not having an entire audience watch me fail spectacularly."
There was a soft crackle. "Just an audience of none if things work out," she assured as they approached the lab.
As the door slid open, they heard voices.
"I can't believe those horrible people!" a woman complained. "Using the tiara against you-and then just outright stealing it!"
"We know, Lalida. That's only the hundredth time you said it today."
"Well, I'm glad you're so calm, Henry!"
"Now, now, Darlings," came Neo's amused voice. "Can we just finish the tiara without you two going on another bickering war?"
"Hmph."
Frisk perked at the sound of voices, and walked a little quicker, now curious.
There was an older Human leaning against the wall, tanned arms folded as he watched a slightly younger woman working at the desk, her black hair in a messy bun, silver streaks within ebony locks. Neo was supervising, while little Frisk was sitting on one edge of the desk. Their ear fins twitched, and they glanced up.
"Hey, Mini-me!" The bird unfolded a wing to wave at his counterpart, stumbling and almost falling with the motion. He just managed to catch himself before hitting the floor. He grinned cheekily at the child.
"Hey, look! Progress!"
The little fusion clapped their hands in response, while Neo chuckled. "There's some progress, Darling."
The woman glanced up from her work. "Oh, hello there," she greeted, while the man moved closer to her.
"Heya!" the Monster Frisk replied. He sent a sidelong glance to his counterpart. "You didn't tell me you had personal jewelers! Think they can make me a bracelet for one of my legs after?" He lifted one leg, spreading his wings in an attempt to keep his balance on the other. "Bare legs are so not in this season."
Fiona gave some sort of amused sound, while Lalida glanced to the fusion. "A friend of yours?"
They smiled with a shrug. "Maybe…" They leaned closer to peer at the new gem she was using to remake their tiara now that their old one was lost to the organizations. The child was pretty sure the gem had been sold off and long gone by this point.
Neo turned. "So what brings you two Darlings here?"
"...teaching him his fire magic," Fiona replied.
"Fire magic?" Lalida asked, before glancing him over. "A Phoenix?"
"Last time I checked, anyways." The three-foot tall bird shuffled his talons. "Heard of 'em before, have you?"
"A little here and there."
"Woman's fascinated with creatures," the man-Henry-explained. "Of course, creatures, plus scientist, equals a fisherman's misery."
"I don't use all of your fish!"
The fusion dipped their head. "I think he's complaining about your end results…"
"Okay, so maybe the angler fish and the piranha wasn't a good idea-"
"You think?" Henry huffed. "Darn tiara is the one experiment that can't backfire on you...unless others mess with it."
"Give her time," Neo teased.
"Maybe you could make the tiara out of fish!" the Phoenix laughed. "Maybe stick the gem on the anglerfish…"
Lalida raised her head thoughtfully. "Hmm-"
"Absolutely not!"
"I wasn't-"
"I know that look."
Lalida rolled her blue eyes and glanced back to the avian. "As you can see, I may be out of luck."
Frisk clacked his beak sympathetically.
"Always with husbands reining in the free spirits, hmm?" he shook his head forlornly. "However do you put up with him?"
Lalida smirked as she stood. "Well, I suppose he's good for getting me fish," she replied, while the purple-eyed fisherman gave her a look. She giggled and hugged his arm. "What? You are a wonderful fisherman."
"And this is the wife I catch," he grumbled-but there was a smile slowly creeping in.
"Might be a little late to throw her back in now," the bird teased. "I'm afraid you're probably stuck with this one."
"He never was good with the catch and release," Lalida joked.
"And let someone else snatch you up? I think not."
"Good thing Gerson isn't here," Neo chuckled.
The Phoenix laughed, then glanced over to where Fiona was standing, her flames crackling in quiet amusement.
"Well, much as I'd love to stay and chat, I have a rule never to keep a lady waiting. Well, not for too long, anyways."
The fusion gave a soft huff of amusement while Fiona perked. "Oh…" the elemental started. "Um-right...don't mind us, just passing through." With that, she continued forth.
"Have fun~" the little fusion called.
Frisk waved goodbye, then followed Fiona out of the lab.
"Well, they seemed nice."
Fiona nodded. "They saved Frisk when they fell into the bay by the city, and took care of them while my Uncle and the others were searching for them." Her flames wavered oddly before she turned, taking several steps back, before stopping all together.
Frisk stopped and watched her, his head cocking slightly to the side.
"Fiona?"
"Are you ready to start?" she asked, her flames softer as she clasped her hands together.
"Ready as I can be…" Frisk shuffled himself, his golden eyes sharpening and his stance widening somewhat.
"I guess…we start with the basics...fire..." She opened her hands, a little flame dancing between them. "It stands for many things," she murmured. "It's warm, it's wild, it's passionate...and it's life. Your anger will likely make it rise out of your control," she said as it began to move erratically.
"But...a level head can keep it in check…"
"So… you gotta concentrate on it? Keep it under control, that kind of thing?" Frisk asked, hunkering down a little as he watched the flame.
She nodded, her eyes vanished into her flames-perhaps the equivalent of an elemental closing their eyes. She clasped her hands together, the flame vanishing away. "That is the first thing you must know about this," she stated as the eyes reappeared.
"Control does seem to be a good starting point," Frisk agreed. "But uh… I'm not actually sure how you're suppose to start conjuring magic. Remember, little Human who never had magic up until this point here."
"I know," she assured. "Regardless, we don't want you to conjure it, and then lose control…" She gave a hum of thought, trying to figure out how to explain to him what was second nature for her.
"Well, I don't think you have to worry too much about raging out of control, I'm a pretty easy-going guy." Frisk narrowed his eyes, trying to feel the power, to figure out how he was supposed to do this in the first place…
The green elemental eyed him for a moment, and then gave a soft sound, before stepping forward. "Maybe we...start small? I'm no teacher, so…" She shrugged as she opened her hands, summoning another little flame.
"Hmmm, I wonder…" Frisk concentrated, reaching into the same area of his being that he remembered going to when he had wanted to RESET all those years ago. That power was long gone, but maybe it was the same principle?
He concentrated for several minutes, and he thought he felt… something at least. But no flame burst up and he huffed his irritation.
"I'm sure it'll take a few tries," Fiona stated softly. "Um...here, I…" She offered up the new flame a little more, letting it dance and flicker freely.
"I feel… something," Frisk mumbled. "But…"
They spent the next few hours trying to get a hold of his magic, but with no success. Eventually Frisk flopped over, covering his face with a wing.
"Enough," he groaned. "I need a snack before we do anything else… just failing at this is exhausting."
"I think the Nice Cream man might be out here again today, if you want," Fiona offered as she approached, offering a hand, but unsure if that would really help.
The bird let out another groan and looked up. He reached out a wing, placing it in the proffered hand, then stared at it and sighed.
"A loooot to get used to," he grumbled, trying to get his feet under him.
"Sorry," she replied. "I don't interact with a lot of the bird monsters, so…"
The boy sighed, and stood with a slight wobble.
"Ah, don't worry about it. Believe me, I've been through worse. Just hard to come to grips with everything, what with the new body and how Monsters run on emotion…"
"It must be very disorienting."
"No kidding. You guys… feel so much more Humans do. It's kind of overwhelming to be honest. Especially-" Frisk cut himself off, closing his beak with a snap.
Fiona tilted her head in confusion, her flames dimming a little as she did.
Frisk glanced up, his eyes brightening.
"Anyways! How about the Nice Cream, huh? Figure both of us could use something nice after having to put up with me all day."
"I'm sure you'll enjoy it."
Frisk's eyes widened for a moment, then he smacked himself.
"Great going Frisk," he muttered sarcastically. "You've been around Monsters for years now, and you already forgot about how elementals and liquids work. C'mon man…"
The elemental stifled a giggle, though her flames betrayed her. "It's all right. It doesn't help that my Uncle is always around drinks to confuse the issue."
"Still, I'm gonna feel bad if I'm the only one who gets anything out of this. Is there still a restaurant around here? I got some gold on me, consider it a thank-you for putting up with me like this."
"...I could get us something at the tavern-though I guess there's still some places in the Monster capital."
Frisk hesitated, then shrugged.
"I'm uh, Imma let you make the call. Normally I'm good about picking the place but…" he gestured around. "I don't spend a lot of time in the Underground these days. That and I'm obviously not running at full cognitive capacity if that little incident before said anything."
"Tavern's quieter," Fiona stated. "Unless you feel like sneaking off with some of Aunt Muffet's pastries."
Frisk hesitated.
"I do like pastries…"
"And children make for good distractions," Fiona replied, her flames crackling with amusement.
Grillby chuckled, holding the burning item close to his daughter. Rotisa cooed, and then reached forward, grasping at its flames, taking them upon her own form. "There we go, little flame."
Muffet glanced over from the kitchen as she pulled something out of the oven. "She behaving?"
"As well as she can be."
The door opened, and Grillby leaned back to catch sight of his niece. "Finally returned, hm?"
Fiona nodded as she led Frisk in.
"Grillbz. Muffet," the bird called.
"Oh~ They did come back here!" Muffet exclaimed happily. "And with good timing!"
Fiona raised her head to the strong scent of pastries. "Well, so much for sneaking them," she muttered to Frisk in amusement. "She's just going to shove them at us by the sound of it."
"Makes it easier on us," Frisk chuckled quietly. "Besides, do you really want to trust my sneaking skills right now?"
"You'd make for an extra distraction?" Fiona suggested, though the tone was gentle as Grillby finally rose as Rotisa ate the last of her food. The little one's eyes locked onto to them and she gave a little squeal, reaching out.
"Well, there is that…" Frisk looked over to the child, stepping closer. His expression seemed to soften a bit as he gazed at her.
"Hello, little Flambe. Still grabby as ever I see?"
She gave another sound as Grillby knelt. "She seems insistent on seeing you, anyways," he stated, his flames gently crackling.
"Well, who am I to deny her?" Frisk came up close, putting himself in arms reach of the little one. "Though I wouldn't trust me with holding her…"
"Not for now anyways," Grillby admitted. "But, should you sort that matter out…"
Rotisa gurgled, and attempted to grab at his beak and feathers-her extra arms aiding in her new mission.
Frisk tried to stay aware of his curved beak, keeping the pointed end away from the little one, but otherwise let her have her fun.
"Bet she's gonna give you no end of trouble once she figures herself out."
"Don't we know it," Grillby replied as Fiona made her way into the kitchen. "I'm slightly thankful that she doesn't have six arms...less things will disappear."
"Better keep anything important under lock and key," the avian agreed. "I hope you guys are prepared for when she starts burning things…"
"Oh, we've been preparing as much as we could. Thankfully, Fiona and I can do fire control…" Rotisa giggled, tugging on some feathers.
"Hey, I need those!" Frisk exclaimed quietly, glancing down at the little one. "What would you do with them anyways?"
She slowly blinked all three eyes at him, staring...before gently continuing to tug.
"And now I'm a plaything for babies," the phoenix mumbled good-naturedly. "This is my life now…"
Grillby chuckled. "At least you won't be in danger when she starts burning things."
Frisk grinned.
"Well, I've always wondered what it'd be like to take a swim in Hotlands…"
"I'm not sure how 'lava-proof' you might be…"
"Eh, point." The Phoenix sighed dramatically. "Guess I'll hold off violently throwing myself in for now…"
"Please refrain, young Sir," Muffet stated as she approached with a tray of doughnuts, croissants, and what looked like cinnamon rolls.
"Well, if you're going to bribe me with sweets…" Frisk grinned, pulling slightly away from the infant to eye the tray hungrily.
Rotisa gave an insistent grunt, her grip fastening on what feathers she held.
"Ow!" Frisk started, but grinned sheepishly. "Guess I should have seen this coming…"
Muffet giggled at the sight, while Grillby shook his head.
"Clingy little Dearie," Muffet cooed, while Grillby gently worked at her grasp so that he could free the avian.
"Thanks," Frisk sighed, pulling away from the little one. "Guess I'm just too fascinating for my own good."
Rotisa stared at her empty hands, before starting a soft whine. "Oh dear…"
Muffet used a spare hand to draw Frisk out of the way as the elemental swiftly rose, already gently bouncing the child as he tried to soothe her.
"Aw man, I feel bad now." Frisk watched the baby being taken away, ruffling his feathers in minor agitation.
Muffet shook her head. "Do not fret. Rotisa's too young to understand that she can't have everything she wants."
"Her collection would grow at an alarming rate, otherwise," Fiona replied as she stepped into sight.
"Sounds like another little one I know," Frisk laughed quietly. "There's a lot of babies running around now…"
Muffet smiled. "I think that works out rather well-Cupcake is certainly enjoying it."
"I bet." Frisk returned his attention to the tray. "Now, about those pastries…"