"Oh… you fell down again…" Napstablook didn't move from where they laid—hovered?—on top of the leaf pile. "I hope you're ok…"
"I'm great." Frisk dusted themself off. The fall didn't really hurt. The red leaves cushioned their landing, and they were used to falling down holes in the Ruins' puzzles by now. "Even better since I found you again." They winked.
"Are you flirting with me again…?"
"Nope. Just complimenting my really cool ghost friend." They walked over to Napstablook and flopped down next to them, folding their hands over their stomach. "I missed you."
"Really…? Oh… I'm sorry…"
"It's okay." They wished Napstablook was corporeal. The ghost sounded like they could really use a hug. "How have you been? Did you do anything fun while you were gone?"
"Not really… just lied around and felt like garbage…" Napstablook smiled a little. "Oh… and I saw a new episode of my favorite TV show…"
"Cool!" Frisk beamed. They didn't know the Underground had TV—Mom's house didn't have one. "What was it about?"
"Oh… um… this cool robot… his name's Mettaton… he picks random monsters to get makeovers… and this time it was my scary neighbor…" They paused briefly. "Oh… I'm rambling…"
"Wait, what's your neighbor's name? How did the makeover go?" Frisk asked eagerly. It was the most Napstablook had spoken in a while. They didn't want them to stop now.
"Her name's… oh… I don't remember. I'm a terrible neighbor…"
"I'm sure you're not," Frisk tried to reassure them.
"That's nice of you to say…" A soft pink blush colored Napstablook's cheeks. "Anyway… Mettaton started off by breaking into her house… and eating grapes on her piano… even though he doesn't have a mouth… oh… and then he gave her a bright pink dress… but I don't think she liked it…"
"That's too bad." Frisk wished they'd seen the episode. It would be nice to actually understand what Napstablook was talking about.
"But then my neighbor's friend came over… and she, um… saw my neighbor in the dress… and she turned red and fainted… yeah… the episode ended early since Mettaton had to carry her home… oh… I hope she's alright…"
That was… interesting. Probably better than any of the TV shows that Frisk's old mom used to leave on while she was at work.
"Do you know where I can get a TV? So I can watch it too?"
"Oh… I don't know… but you could come to my house, if you want… or not…"
Napstablook didn't live in the Ruins. Maybe Mom would let them go visit… but probably not.
"I'll ask Mom if I can," they said while picking at the hem of their sweater. "What's it like where you live?"
"Wet… and kind of smelly… you probably wouldn't like it… oh… forget I said anything…"
Frisk sighed. If only flirting would cheer the ghost up. They were running out of other ideas.
"I don't care if it smells. I'd still come to see you."
Napstablook was quiet for a moment."
"You're too nice… thanks."
Frisk blinked. It was one of the first times Napstablook had sort of accepted a compliment.
"You're welcome."
Yeah, yeah, enough sappy stuff, Chara interrupted. When are you going to ask them about Asgore?
Oh. Frisk had been so excited to see Napstablook again, they'd forgotten why they'd been looking for them in the first place.
"So, um. You live outside the Ruins," Frisk started, suddenly feeling nervous. They were pretty sure that was Chara's emotions bleeding through this time. "Have you ever met a monster named Asgore?"
Napstablook frowned, his white form flickering. "Oh… I'm bad at names… I don't know… I'm sorry…"
Let me try something.
Suddenly an image flashed into Frisk's mind.
"He's really tall. And furry. Kind of like Mom—Toriel. And he's got big curved horns." Frisk mimed the horns above their head.
The Underground is pretty big. Don't get your hopes up.
Despite that, it was Chara's hope that beat in their chest.
Napstablook blinked. "Oh… there's a big hairy guy who shows up at the farm every month… he's the only one besides your mom who still buys snails…"
Frisk bolted upright. "That has to be him!"
"Is that a good thing…?"
"Yes!" Frisk stretched their arms out to hug them—but of course, they passed right through. Oops.
"Oh… sorry…"
"It's okay, Napstablook. Thanks so much." They flashed their brightest grin.
The ghost blushed again. Maybe flirting would have some effect after all.
"It was nothing… did you want me to tell him something…?"
They blinked. They hadn't even thought of that. It wasn't like Asgore would know them. If Mom was right, he might not even want to know them.
He would. He'd love you. Chara's voice was somehow wistful and bitter at the same time.
You're the one who knows him. Does he know you? Is there something you want to tell him?
No. Chara didn't elaborate.
"No," Frisk echoed out loud. "We—I just wanted to know he's okay. Thanks again."
"Really, it was nothing…"
"I should probably get home. Mom's teaching me math today." Frisk got to their feet, crunching leaves as they did. "You'll be back soon, right?"
"I guess so… I wouldn't want to make my friend upset…"
"You won't." Since Frisk couldn't hug them, they settled for blowing them a kiss. "Bye, Napstablook!"
"Oh… goodbye…"