Chapter 1: First Day On The Job - Settling In.
Gaster, the newly hired Royal Scientist, had been escorted to the laboratory in Hotland. Naturally the building was massive, giving the scientists plenty of room to build and experiment. The young skeletal monster was amazed, he tended to work in the handmade lab he built into the side of his house but that was tiny in comparison.
Gaster took his time exploring the lab, wanting to know his new workplace as well as possible. Slowly building a map of the building's layout in his mind. He was in the middle of exploring the second floor when the automatic doors slide open. King Asgore, the one who appointed Gaster his new role, walked in.
The skeleton monster gasped, surprised to see the King walking in. If he bothered to walk all this way then surely it was for a reason! He practically scrambled down the escalator, almost falling over his own feet upon reaching the last step. Oh stars that was embarrassing...
"Oh my, are you quite alright Doctor?" Asgore asked, soft concern lighting his face. Gaster flushed a light purple but hurried to straighten himself, brushing himself off.
"Y-Yes." He clears his throat, the purple hue fading slightly. "Yes your Majesty, I'm fine. I do apologize for concerning you. Is there anything I can do for you Sire?"
Asgore smiles, a tender chuckle rumbling in his throat. "I'm glad to hear it. I, too, apologize. I should have let you know that I was coming, so please do forgive me." There had been no real way of letting Gaster know ahead of time, not until the skeleton had set up an account on Undernet at least.
"Oh! You needn't apologize your Majesty! You couldn't have done that anyway, I have yet to complete setting up my account after all." Gaster offers the King a soft smile. "Now then, you must have come here for a reason correct?"
"Ah yes, that's right! I wished to gift you this." Asgore pulls out a cell phone from his pocket, offering it to Gaster. "I thought that this would be an easier method of communicating, I do hope you don't mind."
Gaster was surprised, such a generous gift! How could he refuse? It would be rude if he did, so Gaster politely takes the phone. "Thank you Sire, I am honoured you thought of me."
"It's quite alright, I know you may not always have time to check your computer for messages so this is the next best thing I could think of." Asgore smiled warmly, causing Gaster's soul to flutter. It made him feel happy whenever he saw that smile, it was confusing. He wasn't that well acquainted with the King yet, so why did he feel this way?
"I see. Well, I deeply appreciate it Sire. I'll be sure not to lose it." With the elegance of a swan, Gaster swiftly pockets his new cell phone. He'd most definitely take care of it.
Asgore nods. "Before I forget, I also came to give you your first assignment." He takes out a file from the small bag he was carrying, offering it to Gaster.
"The first task I would like you to tackle is finding a renewable source of magic, a source that can be converted into power. The power source we have now will not last much longer. If you could find a new way to create power then it would be a great benefit for monsterkind." The King adds, it was a large task to ask of a newly hired scientist but he did not hire Gaster due to lack of skill nor imagination. He knew Gaster was the right fit for this task.
Gaster took the file, before being hired he had been doing some research on this topic. He had been curious to figure out how the process of turning available sources into magic and then into electricity. The skeletal monster was rather excited to have the chance to deepen that research and build something which would benefit all monsters.
"I'm honoured your Majesty, I won't let you down." He grinned. Finally, he was going to make a difference.
~Later.~
Gaster let out a loud, exhausted yawn. Not long after Asgore had given him the assignment, Gaster had gotten right to work but that was... How long had it been? He drowsily glanced at his wristwatch... It was 2 am already!? The skeleton bolts up, every bone in his body whining in protest of the sudden movement but Gaster ignored it.
He hastily runs out of the lab and down the path, arriving at the dock where the RiverPerson tended to reside. Gaster pants but was relieved to see the RiverPerson sitting on their boat. He yawns as he sat on the boat.
"To Snowdin please." With that they were off, the sound of water splashing could be heard as the boat raced along the river.
"Tra la la~ Beautiful day for a lazy boat ride~" The RiverPerson hummed softly. They didn't tend to speak often, sometimes telling monsters little quips during the ride. It, more often than not, confused their riders.
Gaster would have agreed but he had to concentrate in order not to fall asleep during the ride, which was over as quickly as it began. The scientist gives RiverPerson his thanks, tipping them some G before making his way to his house.
Upon arriving at his house, Gaster promptly made his way up to his bedroom and flopped onto his bed. He was so, utterly tired. Everything screamed at him to finally sleep, so without much hesitation, Gaster drifts off rather quickly.
~The Next Day.~
A cold; snowy breeze washed in through the window, causing Gaster to shiver lightly in his sleep. Even though he was a skeleton and had been living in Snowdin for a few years now, he could never get used to the wake-up call that was an occasional snow flurry blown in through the window.
He moaned in protest but sat up, yawning sleepily. He gets out of bed and sluggishly wanders downstairs and into the kitchen, where he made his usual cup of coffee. While the coffee was brewing, Gaster glanced at the wall clock. It was now 8:45 am, he didn't need to be at work for another 15 minutes so he took his time waking up.
Soon enough Gaster was fully dressed and had downed his morning coffee, with 5 minutes to spare he decided to teleport to the lab. He would have taken this shortcut last night but it was far too dangerous teleporting when he was practically falling asleep. The skeleton arrives just outside the lab, so with a quick brushing off of his uniform, he swiftly walks inside.
"Good morning Gaster, I'm glad to see you could make it on time. Is it alright if I check on the assignment King Asgore gave you? I wish to see what you've come up with." Dr. Moon, the head scientist at the lab, approached Gaster. She had heard good things about the skeleton, so she couldn't help but be a tad curious.
"Oh! Good morning Ma'am, you must be Ivory Moon if I'm correct. I admire your work!" Gaster had only heard about Dr. Moon but the things she's built have been revolutionary.
"That I am, it's a pleasure to meet you. So may I take a look at your work?" She smiles, it was always nice to meet people who like her inventions. Gaster flushed in embarrassment, right she had asked that hadn't she?
"Of course, I will warn you that it's only messy notes at the moment." And a LOT of messy notes at that, he had done a shit-ton of research last night and had plans to make some basic sketches today. Dr. Moon chuckles, understanding his plight fully.
"You needn't worry Gaster, we've all been there. I'd just like to comb through and give you some tips, if you need any that is." Gaster nods and was quick to lead her to his desk, the surface was covered with all sorts of papers and sticky notes. It was kind of embarrassing to have someone see this.
"My my, you certainly were busy. It's refreshing to see someone this passionate for an assignment." Dr. Moon did not judge since, as she said, it had been a while since she this much passion. In fact, she helped Gaster to organise the mess of papers and notes into piles.
The bear monster took a seat at Gaster's desk and starts combing through. Gaster fidgets, becoming more nervous with every passing minute. Would Dr. Moon like his idea? Was it too ambitious? Oh Asgore, it was probably too ambitious!
Once Dr. Moon finished reading everything, she turned to Gaster. She was absolutely amazed! His ideas were so fresh, so adventurous! No wonder Asgore hired him, he was a genius!
"I'm going to be honest with you. This is absolutely amazing! If we put this into action, our power problem will be solved!" Gaster was flustered when she told him this, one of his idols liked his work! Best. Day. Ever!
"Y-You really think so? Nothing needs to be changed?" He asks. Before he put his plans into action it had to be approved by Asgore, so Gaster wanted it to be perfect.
"Perhaps we can work in a few puzzles but otherwise, this is perfect." Dr. Moon smiled, she knew the King would approve of it but she also knew he loved a good puzzle. Why not add a few in to make it absolutely perfect?
"Of course, that'll be no problem. I just need to get started on sketches so I have something to show the King beside my notes." Gaster chuckled, he highly doubted Asgore wanted to read through all that. It was best to keep the more important papers for the presentation.
"I'll leave you to it then, keep up the good work Gaster." Dr. Moon waves her goodbyes to Gaster before leaving the room. Gaster felt incredibly proud of himself, it seemed like his dream was starting to come true.