Toriel was an enthusiastic teacher. And while what Gaster approached his lessons with was not exactly enthusiasm, he was a quick study none the less. In a few days, he had learned a lot. Enough to at least have some sort of conversation with someone; how he was, asking how they were, that sort of thing.
Initially, the plan was simply to teach him the alphabet and vocabulary, but Asgore and Toriel both had insisted that Asgore teach him about magic, as well. And Gaster was significantly less thrilled about that idea.
But, he supposed, it made sense. The locket that he now wore to keep that magic in check probably wouldn't work forever… or, perhaps they wanted it back when their child was born.
But, the King had, thankfully, told him they wouldn't ask him to work on that for a good long while.
But, Gaster couldn't say that he disliked their company. Toriel and Asgore were so full of kindness it was unfathomable.
Not to say they were the only ones, of course. The two maids he had seen before, Helei and Mayda, were genuinely kind to him, more than happy to exchange friendly hellos, allowing him to practice talking to people that weren't Toriel or Asgore.
Although, it wasn't as if he spent a lot of time in a position to have much conversation outside of those four. A lot of the staff, and the entire Royal Guard kept their distance from him. Based on the first impression he gave them, he didn't blame them, either.
But, as the days there turned into a week, it was starting to take it's toll on him. And…. so was something else.
"Are you alright, Mr. Gaster?" Mayda asked him one day, spotting him as he walked down the hall from his room to the study. He wasn't meeting Toriel for lessons today, but, he liked to translate the books there in his spare time. "You seem tired."
Gaster started, and looked at her. "Mayda… He...hello."
She smiled for him. "Hello." She then repeated her question. "Are you alright?"
He frowned a little. "Am….. okay."
Which was a filthy lie. He wasn't okay at all. He hadn't slept more than a few hours a night since he got here, and he was just too worried about how people would respond if he told them he was having…. nightmares.
To her credit, Mayda didn't seem to believe him. "Are you sure, Mr. Gaster?" She asked. "You have dark circles under your eyes."
Gaster put a hand to his face. How in heck did his skull do that? He sighed and looked away from her. "Am...okay." He said again.
"You're a dreadful liar."
The skeleton squeaked and looked at her with wide eyes. She was still smiling at him. "You're just like my daughter." She said. "You don't have to be strong all the time." She reached out and put a hand on his arm. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Gaster whimpered. "I… don't know." He said. "It… not your…. problem."
"Oh pish tosh!" She returned. "You are very dear to my King and Queen, and they would be distressed if they saw you like this. And I don't like it when my King and Queen are distressed." She narrowed her eyes and grinned with her sharp teeth.
Gaster swallowed.
Her look softened. "Besides…" She said. "It's nice to have friends you can confide in."
The skeleton blinked. "Friends? With….. me?"
She nodded. "If you'd like."
He blushed a little. "S….sure."
Mayda beamed at him. "Come on, let's go sit under the peach tree."
"But!" Gaster protested. "Your work!"
"It's fine. I have it under control."
Truth be told, Mayda and Helei had been asked by the King and Queen to look after Gaster when they weren't around. They weren't worried that he would take the Locket off and go mental around the place, but they had a little less faith in the other Monsters in the castle. Fear was one of those things that could drive even the friendliest creatures to cold actions and words… and they wanted to make sure that Gaster didn't have to deal with any of that without backup.
But, Mayda and Helei actually quite liked Gaster. He was still very skittish after the Incident, but generally, polite and thoughtful. And smart. Very smart. Mayda was spoken for, but, that didn't mean she couldn't try and coax her cousin!
She led him into the gardens, not oblivious to how he hesitated at the gate. It must have been hard on him… she sure as hell wouldn't want the entire guard chasing after her! Some of those guys were really tough!
She sat down on the grass under the peach tree and adjusted her skirt delicately, before petting the grass beside her with a scaled hand. "Come sit, Mr. Gaster." She said.
He sunk down beside her, and hugged his knees to his chest with a sigh. She pet his shoulder. "What's bothering you, Mr. Gaster?"
He looked uncomfortable. "...I…. " He whimpered, and hid his face. What would he gain for not saying anything? Mayda had been so understanding over the last week, when she should have been petrified of him, like everyone else.
"...Bad… dreams." He said, finally.
"Bad dreams? Ahh.." She nodded. "I don't blame you. After everything you have had to go through…" Mayda rubbed his back gently. "Tell me about them."