Author notes: You want to know something? After this chapter we're going to be switching perspectives again. I know what you're thinking but there's a reason trust me. We have been consistently following Frisk for at least 15 chapters? We need a reprieve don't you think? Silly moments that come back into play? Plus, there is something I need to do and add on to the story. We need to follow others to do that.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"IT MIGHT BE A LONG WALK I HOPE THAT YOU ARE ALRIGHT WITH THAT? NORMALLY I WOULD CALL A CAB TO COME GET US FROM THE FOREST AND TAKE ALL THE WAY TO SNOWDIN. BUT I KNOW THAT THEY WOULD BE ALL BUSY TAKING SCARED MONSTERS HOME. YOU UNLIKE THEM HAVE TWO OF THE TOP ROYAL GUARDS TO PROTECT YOU ON YOUR WAY TO SNOWDIN! SO, I DOUBT YOU WILL NEED SOMETHING LIKE THAT. WHEN YOU HAVE ASRIEL AND I TO CARRY YOU. IF YOU FEEL SLIGHTLY DISORIENTED OR TIRED AND WINDED. DON'T WORRY MISS DOOMFLOWERS YOU ARE IN THE SAFEST HAND." Papyrus whose energy was so contagious for a moment seemed to give me the same enthusiasm especially for the fact even though every word out of mouth was shouted I didn't feel like he could say it any other way something about just told me this is how he was. he was full of optimism and very proud of what he was making what Asriel told me earlier seem to make more and more sense.
Papyrus started jogging up ahead leaving us in his dust. all around royal guard's men where calling the cleaning crew and the construction team from what I can tell from their sides of the conversation somewhere searching to see if more people where flung away in other directions the fact they were still looking for others who got injured by whatever that thing was made me move even closer to Asriel his fire powers still present in my mind and probably enough to save me. It was like being at the epicenter of a disaster area with the cops but unlike what I usually feel I was front row center for most of it. The fact I could've died still has me rattling my nerves were on high alert Asriel gestured to follow him. Which I did slowly the buzz of activity in the clearing surrounding me honestly had my attention. The vampires and werewolves the slimes and all the other assortments of monster I can't immediately identify clearing what should've been a fun and exciting and celebration. Ended in tears and misery possibly death of others. Walking away from them feeling like nothing I could say or do. but at least they were not depressed or sad. they were cleaning up and seem to be almost unbothered with what just happened with they are doing.
The road was cleared as we walked I noticed the street lights. And the paved road even though all around the sidewalk the forest made a different juxtaposition but still the creeping ice and light snowfall all around us.
Papyrus positivity and enthusiasm seemed to be infectious. It didn't matter that things seemed bleak he was a spark of light where the sun doesn't touch the cavern Papyrus positivity seemed to be it.
"I'm sorry that you got injured no one not even us were prepared in case of an attack by the wards." Asriel look pennant maybe about me get launched off a cliff.
"Who can predict that that thing came out of nowhere! I don't blame you, but can you tell me what the hell is going on?"
"Let me guess, mom, didn't explain completely what's been going on down, here has she? Probably didn't want to scare you since it's not the safest down here right." Asriel sighed dragging his furry palms over his face in exasperation.
"The thing about the underground is… When we were put down here? The Wizards Who cast the barrier left something else to ensure we would we would die… And that was things that attack us aggressive enchantments that can be almost anything that from time to time attack anytime anywhere."
"So, let me see if I get this straight, you guys on are under constant attack and have to be alert constantly but you still seem to be fine you even have vacations and time off!" I was shocked how can they be happy or surviving so easily down they are thriving down here! It's a question how are they still happy?
"That my dear Frisk, is because of the Royal guard. I doubt we would've made it past the first three years here without the guard protecting the civilians. What we did with simply call the veterans who survived the war. Putting them on constant watch to protect them while foraging and basic survival. For a few centuries that's how we survived, we did everything together and that kept us from dying out as intended. There was a lot of close quarters our home alone had more than ten families sharing space. The duchess would swaddle the prince in my room! We would take everything in terms we were together regardless of everything and when the population grew? We started to move again slowly expanding out. The guard constantly growing and that helped. we've dismantled the enchantments, the runes that are inscribed on the cavern walls. took a while but even then, random attacks still happened. We have a large amount of monster who wanted to protect the underground that leaves enough people to make sure its protected at all time without being worked until they are dust. "I felt the words soak into my mind I could see it clearly in my mind. especially with the placard I found, it must have taken a long time to get to this point that they feel comfortable to just celebrate.
"I know you saw Red and Roxy training the troops in Berry Cherry Meadows am I right?"
I nodded mindlessly I felt out of my deft slightly but Asriel was trying to honestly tell me what I had walked myself into and how to deal with what I would need to go through just to go home.
"There are places all over the underground with mini armies readily to defend their town with their lives. It's always a good idea to be over prepared than scrambling but things can and have fallen through the cracks but with the Duchess, Calibri finding a way around? for most of the monster to get to many places and cities quickly. She just finished making the subway very recently. And is unveiled to the public just recently."
"Why I can't I take the subway to the capital then?"
"You need magic to get on. Magic is like how you identify yourself here the only way on the train is as a prisoner for you, so avoid them. If someone offers to take you on the train say you want to see the sights. an alarm will blare if the train doesn't recognize the magical signature.
"Well walking everywhere won't be so bad! Right?"
"Not really there are some shortcuts you can take. monsters are always willing to help one of their own. don't be so nervous about where you are right now! didn't my mother tell you monsters are made of magic and our souls which are composed almost entirely of love, hope, and compassion! you saw that from my mother alone so imagine how kind the other monsters can be to one another." Asriel gave me smile that looks genuine and for once I felt at ease with him as Toriel I can see the son Toriel was proud enough to gush to me about. The one who had the little monster wishing to be their big brother.
as walked I felt his easy-going nature seem to flow through me. Almost like it was as contagious as a smile or a laugh. maybe my initial impression of him was wrong. maybe he isn't untrustworthy as I thought maybe being out of my element is skewing with my judgment? I felt like everything going on maybe I can't even trust myself with judgment calls right now.
You talked about your better half Chara but, where is she? I noticed Papyrus was a bit up ahead making calls which are to be expected at this point.
"Chara is stationed closer to the castle. the captain, Undyne, thinks I'm too distracted by her to work correctly as a couple." Asriel said almost with pouting in his voice.
"What did you?" My voice was teasing I had forgotten his gushing and lovey-dovey behavior from earlier
"I did nothing wrong!" I swear he sounds like a teenager whining. I'm trying so hard to keep in my snickering.
"Mm, I bet you got punched in the gut while staring huh?" I can barely keep myself from laughing.
"I'm not that bad!"
"I was in your house Asriel I've seen your room and the secret playhouse! I saw the teen goth look was it Chara idea?"
"Felix and Lucinda above and below!" I can tell the way he was ducking is head there was a glow of red that was bright enough even with his white fur. it was cute and
"There's no shame for being in love Mr. Dreemurrs but if the boss lady wants you to cool on the job she probably knows best right?"
"Just hope you don't run into her. She's incredibly suspicious and the only reason she doesn't see through Chara is knowing her so long I doubt anything about her would be on her radar. But you? She would interrogate you for forever."
Taking a note that their boss is terrifying and avoid at all costs.
I could tell that we're getting close to Snowdin. Since I noticed a signpost with the paths all point in all directions. Snowdin was pointing north, ruins behind, going west leads to the Evergreen and whatever was beyond it, and west was Berry Cherry Meadows. The street lights were becoming more constant the forest was thinning out.
Right in front of us was the brightly light sign with Snowdin lit up and proud.
"WELL FRISK DOOMFLOWERS I WOULD LIKE TO FORMALLY INTRODUCE YOU TO THE TOWN OF SNOWDIN." Papyrus had the peppiest energy that I really took a moment to look at this town. In front of me, I felt my jaw drop. I don't know what I expected Toriel mentioned that it was nice city she loves teaching at the elementary school. And visiting with her lady friends at Grillby's but this? Was very busy suburban town there was roads and little homes scattered everywhere. If it wasn't for the cavern ceiling I can almost make through the snow flurry like something out of a snow globe with clear roads that go everywhere and anywhere a call going down the asphalt road that leads out to the forest. The pavement of the road everyone in the town were scurrying around. The kids were playing under a giant pine tree with presents under the tree. Where they are celebrating Christmas strange and haven't they been down here before Christmas was established on the surfaces?
"OH, I SEE YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE GIFTMAS TREE? ISN'T IT WONDERFULLY BEAUTIFUL? IT'S SO WONDERFULLY DECORATED. GIFTMAS IS A WHILE AWAY BUT WE CAN'T GET RID OF IT IT'S JUST THE SPIRIT OF SNOWDIN AND SOMETHING ABOUT IT MAKES POSITIVITY FLOW ALL YEAR LONG." Papyrus skeletal grin on his face seemed to be the widest smile on his face.
"How was it started?" I was curious about how this being so like Christmas but apparently not Christmas at all.
"A GIFT TROT WAS BEING BULLIED WITH THINGS BEING PUT IN THEIR ANTLERS TILL THE POINT HE WOULD BE SAD ANSS REFUSED TO LEAVE INSTEAD OF DECORATING THE GIFT TTROT WE STARTED TO DECORATE THE TREE LEAVING PRESENTS FOR THEM TO AS AN APOLOGY. THIS WAS VERY CLOSE TO WHEN we STARTED TO MAKE THE JOURNEY TO EXPAND YOUR FAMILY HAD ALREADY SEQUESTERED THEMSELVES INTO MURKY MIRE. SO, I'M NOT SURPRISED YOU WERE NEVER TAUGHT THE STORY. EVER SINCE WE MADE GIFTMAS HAPPEN EVERY YEAR, BUT THE TREE IS NEVER TO BE REMOVED FROM THE CENTER OF TOWN AND IF YOU HAVE A GIFT FOR SOMEONE THEY WILL STAY UNTIL THE TIME GIFTMAS."
"That's a soul-warming story! That's really nice thing all you did!" So glad I caught myself before I said was on the tip of my tongue.
"WELL, THE GIFT TROT CERTAINLY ENJOYS SEEING IT!" Pointing to the gift trot in question who looked like a deer though the way the face looked said otherwise his antlers seemed very heavy as he seemed unable to keep their head up, but you could see the smile on their face.
"Poor thing by adulthood his magic will increase for him to be bipedal I'm sure."
"JUST LIKE HIS PARENTS BEFORE HIM THE WONDERS OF MAGIC. I AM SO GLAD BEING A BABY BONES ARE ALL BEHIND ME!"
I giggled imagining a small child skeleton prince was he bossy or as positive as he is right now? Especially as the crowd seemed to gravitate to him like a magnet a car monster?! That reminded me of Herbie the love bug if they were a she and more emotive she seemed nonchalant about talking to Papyrus another girl who seems very bundled up but her wing where very fuzzy and flapping hard, so they didn't freeze up in a similar way that a bunny monsters whose hair Farrah Fawcett a lesson in Long and voluminous. A slime who arranged herself into a humanoid like a shape. all of them crowding him some overtly flirtatious and some shameless touching his arm. I'd laugh if he didn't seem shocked that the crowd of amorous monster seeming coming from nowhere.
"Alright, fangirls off the prince. He wants to eat lunch in peace don't make me get Undyne again to break it up! You girls! Up and get going!" Asriel his easy-going nature just seems to wash off him and he was all business the girls all seem to buzz off in hurry apparently the threat was enough, but I noticed a few guys start to creep out to Papyrus.
"Fanboys too! Felix above don't any of you have work to do!" That made them run off.
"THANK YOU ASRIEL I COULDNT FIND THE WORDS TO TELL THEM I WAS BUSY I COULD STOP FOR IDLE CHIT CHAT
"No problem buddy you're my partner out here happy to scare off your adoring fans."
I PROMISED YOU GRILLBY'S THAT'S WHAT INTEND TO DO YOU KNOW THAT GRILLBY'S WAS THE FIRST RESTAURANT BUILT DOWN IN THE UNDERGROUND THOUGH I ALWAYS FEEL A DIVE BAR WAS NOT THE WAY TO GO THAT'S NEITHER HERE OR THERE ITS ONE OF MY BROTHER's FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT AND EVERYONE ELSE LOVES THE GREASY TRAP SO MUCH
When the door was open there was a cacophony of noise it was so expansive with day drinkers at the booths I could see a bunny monster I'm leaning towards woman faces where was laying her face on the table her eye where spirals hey your highness where's your brother? I haven't seen him in a while
"SANS HAS BEEN BUSY WITH MANY ROYAL DUTIES EVEN I HAVENT SEEN HIM ALL DAY IF HE WERE HERE HE WOULD PROBABLY APOLOGIZE ABOUT THAT HIMSELF."
The bunny monster seems to twinge at the loud voice and they seem to sigh, disappointed in Papyrus answer to her question.
And taking a large chug of her originally discarded beer bottle and murmuring to her friend to what I could only call a dragon monster if the wings are anything to go by. murmuring to them but I caught one thing as we passed them Sans is so hot I wish he was the one who showed I need some hot guys to gawk and flirt with today.
For Christ sake their hot guys here giving a look around noticing that a lot of the patrons are pretty good looking. Then again, I just got flung off a mountain and I'm apparently more alert then the bunny is about, her options. I hate girls like this who are so focused on one guy that they make a fool of themselves or worse ignoring the world but who am I to judge? It's her life she wants to moon over the king that's all her decision and not something I should try to meddle in taking more of a focus on the rest of the patrons I can see some weary people.
"Heya Grillby!" Asriel for his part took a relaxed at the bar stool waving hello at the waitress taking order for a group playing poker in the corner.
"HELLO GRILLBY TWO BURGERS AND FRIES HEALING SHAKE FOR THE LADY AND TWO SWEET STARBURSTS SHAKE WE GOT MORE WORK TO DO AT THE FOREST CLEARING AND WE NEED OUR STRENGTH. GRILLBY I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR COMPANION FRISK DOOMFLOWERS."
Frisk looked up from her musing of how the bartender who was made of pure fire but somehow wasn't burning the bar down and where does he live? It's snowing outside will it kill him? So many questions he took so much of my focus. Considering there is a muscular seahorse and a horse monster chatting right next to me but Grillby got most of my attention. Hearing my name, I look into his eyes and I was shocked. He was handsome, and he was shocked to see me. Almost seeming to get over the shock and nodded in acknowledgment.
"Hello sire, Mr. Dreemurrs, Miss. DoomFlowers I'll get your orders find a booth and settle in."
I felt my jaw dropped and I was once again floored he was telling telepathic I heard this in my mind and I realized at that moment the underground is a lot more complicated then what I first assumed. Grillby's voice sounded familiar but I couldn't place it maybe I've heard someone with that voice. My thoughts rampant as I noticed that Grillby went through the door to the kitchen area.
Papyrus was grumbling but seemed to look around for an empty booth.
"HOPEFULLY, WE CAN HAVE A NICE LUNCH TOGETHER. WE CAN HAVE a NICE RESPITE FROM CLEAN UP DUTY AND I CAN GET KNOW YOU A LITTLE BETTER MISS DOOMFLOWERS!"
I felt my anxiety rise but tried to put on my best face putting myself into work mode pulling into my acting chops to make sure that Papyrus was convinced that I was who I said I was.
Grillby, as he walked to the kitchen, gave his self a long sigh relief. Glad she was alive and no worse for were considering what the prick pulled on her. But the fact she was hiding and wearing was wearing a hood now brought up a lot of questions. He knew he had to tell Sans and thank god for his cellphone.
Notes:
Final note I've been crying "My Husband" after watching Gabriel on supernatural. also screaming Charlie my daughter for even longer. If you know anything about me? You know that what I watch can impact my writing. I either slow down or speed up. Also, they are giving us all the shipping fuel for Sabriel right now. Also, it's has been affecting the way I do things. Most of you know I'm the epitome of a fan girl squee and it's something I do constantly. I will be editing the next chapters but they unlike this one should go up monthly because we are doing perspective flips. Also, I know I won't be as accessible for the next few months. College is about ninety percent of my focus. I want 4A's next semester I want to be in the dean's list next semester too. If I work hard I'll be on it when I graduate. Yeah over achiever that's me to a tee. I hope nobody was upset by the long wait time. Between chapter 23 and 24 of close to two months between uploads at least when I was writing this chapter. By the way why Herbie and not cars. Because fuck cars. But seriously Herbie the love bug is closer.