Chapter 30:

Locked and Fired Up

The next day comes and I decide to bundle Arial up and head into town first thing in the morning. We could visit the shops and get a few things I needed with the bit of money I still had left and I could see if Grillby was in. We swung by the bakery and bought a cinnamon bunny and I spread a little frosting on her lip for her to taste. She licked at it with her little tongue and squirmed excitedly at the taste.

I beamed at the sight of her pleasure and carried her into the waiting bar. The warmth of the bar made me strip both my coat and hers and I left them on the table closest to the door. I looked around and spotted Grillby cleaning a few glasses at the counter, but no one else was in. He must have either just opened, or I walked in before service time. He didn't seem to mind though and waved me over.

I noticed now that his sleeves were rolled up and he was a bit under dressed for work. His arms were more solid than his dancing face, but a few wisps would curl up at the edges. He was relaxed and gave me a small smile. This only confirmed I entered when the place was meant to be closed.

I took a seat on a stool and put Arial on my knee. He glanced over the bar and down at the little bundle in my arms, a look of surprise in his eyes. I guess I neglected to tell him about her the other night when I was in. To my defense though, I was a little preoccupied.

"This is Arial, my daughter. Papyrus and Toriel were watching her when Sans and I were here a couple days ago."

He nodded and waved a finger at Arial. She scrunched her face up, like she was trying to make sense of the monster before her. It was cute how well she was responding to each of her new friends, and how she didn't seem too worried by their appearances.

Grillby went back to cleaning dishes and glanced at me. It was clear that he was wondering why I was here. He never had to ask me because I could read him so well, and this was one of those times. I told him of my intent to live on my own and how I wanted a job.

"I was wondering if you needed any help around the bar."

He paused a moment in thought. It was unclear what he was thinking at the moment, but I knew eventually I would get my answer. He set down his glass and rag and walked toward the back door, one that I had always assumed lead to the kitchen. He waved a hand for me to follow, so I did. This wasn't what I was expecting as an answer.

He opened the door up to a short hall with two proceeding doors and one open doorway. I glanced in the open frame as we passed and saw the small kitchen with a fryer, grill, fridge, and sink. We then came to the second door that he opened up and led me inside.

The room was small. It had a set of three lockers in the corner and a couch with a table in front. I caught a glimpse of Sans's name written haphazardly on one of the lockers, reminding me he worked here some nights as well. Grillby traveled to the furthest locker and wrote with a marker on the front. He scrawled out my name and took out a key, unlocking the metal door.

Inside was an apron, a black shirt that would be a little big on me, and a mirror stuck to the back of the door. He offered a wave of his hand to the locker in the presentation He then spoke, his deep voice ringing clear in the small space.

"Be here two hours before opening tomorrow to start training."

I was hired.