Ah, yes. The PTA meetings. A set time where parents and teachers come together as one, as they help come up with ways to better the community, and better themselves. Making things better for parents, teachers, and students all around. One would think that these meetings should be treated with some degree of seriousness, and maturity. To be organized, and handled in a calm and orderly manner...
Flowey: Ha! NOT TODAY IT WON'T!
Chara: Yeah. Calm and orderly don't really mix with Flowey. So this might not go as the humans planned.
Chapter Start!
Muffet tilted her head curiously as she was sitting next to the Dreemurr Trio in their home, sipping some of her tea. "How do you think your mother is doing, preparing herself and the others up for her first time at one of those PTA meetings?"
Asriel tilted her head and sighed, sitting backwards and lying his head on the cushion on the couch. "Geez...this is one of those times that we'll be really glad that Mom was put in charge. Some of the human members of the PTA are not very nice, especially a few other moms. Guess thery're still not extremely thrilled that a monster's been put in charge of the new school. She'll have to put in a lot more work in order to convince them that they'll like her better."
"Those other moms have gotta get used to the fact that Toriel is here to stay. She isn't going anywhere, they all need her more than they possibly know." Chara said as he placed hia hands behind his neck and rolled his eyes. "I mean, she's been doing pretty good so far. Heck, she's doing a much better job than even she thought she was, which really says something. And double heck, she's offering her baking to them! Plenty of snack and whatnot! It's always a great idea to use delicious food to get closer and bond with someone! That's why we Dreemurr's tend to eat a lot."
"That, and we just really like to eat." Frisk said with a calm nod. "Though if we were to take a really great example, it would be Asriel. He really likes his cinnamon, you know. I mean, he really likes his cinnamon. Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie, Cinnamon Bunnies, any kind of cinnamon will do! He and Dad really like Mom's pie. Every chance they get, they'll get their paws on it and really get to nomming on them!" Asriel blushed brightly at Frisk's description of he and his fascination with cinnamon. "And I really don't think we need to explain Chara, now do we?"
"Of course not, Dearie. I have that committed to memory~" Muffet said with a delighted giggle. "For most of Chara's chocolate needs, I'm usually the one he goes to. I'm sure she means no offense to his mother, it's just that I have a lot more time on my hands to bake for him personally. That, and having six hands tends to help speed things along~"
"More chcolate, no problems. Very few problems as long as I get my daily share of chocolate." Chara shrugged. "So...Muffet. You're gonna be providing snacks for the first PTA meeting, right?"
"Indeed I am. More will be bound to come to my parlor if I appeal to the positives!" Muffet beamed with a cheerful clap of all six of her hands. "Me and Toriel's baking skills are superior!" She then grimanced a bit. "When Mettaton isn't trying to show us up...and fail."
"No argument there..." Chara muttered. "I wondered how he even thinks he can outdo either of you in baking. He's sub-par at best due to his overwhelming urge to put his face on everything."
...I thought his cake was delicious. Asriel thought quietly, pouting.
They were all cut off from their thoughts and conversation as they see Toriel enter the room, her paws clasped and a slightly nervous look on her face. "Children. I've just taken a call from a couple PTA members. They would like for you to attend alongside me, Asgore, Sans, and Gerson."
"Nnnnoooooooo!" Chara takes a couch pillow and stuffs his face into it, moaning with agony. The others turned towards him and blinked owlishly. "Whyyyy? Why would they want to see us? There's nothing for them to see! We didn't do anything that deserves that kind of torment!" Pause. "...Asriel and Frisk didn't do anything to deserve that kind of torment!"
"Wait, what does that mean? What did you do?" Muffet asked.
"...nothing worth mentioning right now..."
"Hmm..." Toriel narrowed her eyes in suspicion, thought didn't press him on the issue. "The other teachers and mothers have noticed that I do not bring you three to school with me, that I homeschool the three of you. That bake sale was the one and only time they've gotten a glimpse of you, and it wasn't in much detail. They wish to meet you, see what you're like. They want to see the children of the 'Royal Couple' with their own eyes."
"...I guess we can use this as a chance for them to get to know us better. I mean, we can't keep ourselves hidden from humans just because we don't really attend the school like the other kids." Asriel said, lightly scratching his cheek. "Who knows? Maybe they'll like us."
"I hope so too. Hopefully no one is too surprised by two human children having been adopted into a monster family." Frisk said. The monsters would also like to avoid touching upon the rather...difficult subject that surrounded the Dreemurr Trio, and the events closely related to them. It wouldnt be worth the trouble to explain the circumstances surrounding them.
"Ugggh..." Chara groaned. The only good thing about this was that Muffet would be there offering snacks as well. That's always gonna be a plus in his book.
"Believe me, I don't wanna go either." Flowey muttered, soaking up sun rays on the windowsill. "But they insist. The majority has seen how great a Principal Toriel has become so far, and the Gardner Asgore is quite a great guy himself. So they wanna see what you brats are like, up close and personal. That, and the morons seem to be really interested in a talking flower. Hence why I don't wanna go. They're just gonna poke me, prod at me, tug on my petals...there isn't a lot keeping me from biting them."
"You will bite no one."
"I'm serious. If any of those soccer moms so much as brush against my petals... I'm. Going. To Bite them."
"You're not going to bite anyone, Flowey." Toriel said firmly. "You're going to behave like the good flower that I know you are. The children must have a splendid first impression, and they can't do that if you sabotage them by being naughty."
"Oh yeah? What's to stop me from acting out?" Flowey challenged. Toriel immediately cracked her knuckles, a small ring of fire channeled through her arms. The flower paled and looked down sheepishly. "I'll try to behave...but I can't guarantee anything..."
"Very good." Toriel nodded. She blinked as she turned around to hear the sound of pies being munched. Toriel's smile fell and her face scrunched in annoyance. "Asgore! I truly hope that you're not trying to eat the pies I've prepared for the PTA meeting! We're supposed to share those!"
"Uuummm...of course not, Tori!" This was said after a very hesitant swallow of something in his mouth, muffling his speech slightly.
Toriel turned back to the children and smiled warmly, her eyes calmly closed. The young ones immediately shivered at her gaze as an infuriated aura surrounded her. "Excuse me, children..." Toriel slowly stepped out of the room and disappeared into the kitchen. They wondered what she was up to...
PONG!
They grimaced sympathetically as they heard the sound of a frying pan harshly hitting something...
(Later...)
"...uh...do i wanna know what happened here?" Sans asked, caught off-guard. Asgore was quietly whimpering in pain, caused by the oversized comical lump on the side of his head.
"He tried to eat the pies I prepared for the other PTA members to share...so I gave him a nice little 'bop' on the noggin." Toriel smiled kindly, gleefully ignorant of her husband nursing the bruise on his head. " Maybe now he'll hold himself back a bit better next time."
"i wouldn't really call that a mere bop on the head...nor would i call it nice...or little...
"It wasn't something I didn't deserve..." Asgore said quietly, tears running down his cheeks. "I shouldn't have have tried to eat the pies when she's trying to make them for the best there PTA members...I was thinking with my stomach."
"And that's precisely one of the less serious reasons for why Mom is in charge." Chara deadpanned.
"Can't you just leave me out here? Ya know, let me take in the outside?" Flowey asked, lightly begging to be let out of his pot.
"No way. If I have to endure this cruddy meeting, so do you. We suffer together." Chara said strongly, taking the flower pot and carrying Flowey himself.
"Uuuugggghhhh...fine. But this doesn't mean I approve of this. I'm letting you know that I'm here against my will."
"So am I. Except that I'm less of a baby about it than you."
"...You're garbage."
"No, Sans is garbage."
"Huh, that's true. Smiley Trashbag does tend to resemble actual garbage bags."
Frisk took a mooment to think about their insults, then shrugged. "Sans does tend to smell sometimes...he sleeps in a really messy room, after all."
how did this suddenly turn against me? Sans thought irritably, sighing as he sensed that this experience would not be the best they'll ever have. Asgore was preparing himself to be polite and courteous to the other parents. Toriel was taking on a dignified and calm demeanor. Asriel seemed a bit nervous about this, Chara was looking deadpan, and Frisk was being completely calm. He was actually wondering what the other parents would be like. Probably not, but there was no harm in at least making the attempt. Flowey remained completely deadpan, lowering his head and keeping his face from being seen. As much as he can, via forming a leaf hood over his head.
They moved into the school and right into the cafeteria, where most of the parents and teachers were gathered up and stationed. Muffet could be seen in the very corner, handing out her precious pastries as her spiders assisted her with moving things along. A couple humans were obbviously not very comfortable with having spiders handing out their snacks, but there's also a few that have been to her bake sale from before, and she was delighted to see that this was the case. Gerson was seen talking to a few teachers on his own, history teachers to be a bit more specific. Asgore smiled as he sees Helen among the teachers, waving cheerfully to her. She smiles and waves in return, blushing uneasily. Gloria rolled her eyes and forced her hand down with an agitated hiss.
It didn't stop Asgore, who was slightly oblivious to Gloria's hostility. "Howdy, Helen!"
"Hi, Asgore!"
"SHUT UP HELEN!" Linda shouted, and the other woman recoiled with a small whimper.
...Wow. I'm soulless, and even I have ro admit that was uncalled for. She was just saying hi. Flowey mentally muttered.
Linda huffed as she turned towards Sans, folding her arms. "Tch...you actually showed up. For all intents and purposes, I really hoped that you wouldn't. But...Mrs. Dreemurr did gte you enlisted into the PTA...though I seriously wish that she didn't. I highly doubt that you'll be capable of keeping up with the subjects."
"oi, there's no need to be so hurtful. especially when the meeting didn't even start yet." Sans casually waved off, lightly making Linda feel slightly miffed, and turn away. Sans shrugged. Yep, it was going to be those kinds of days. The type of days he wasn't exactly looking forward to. He would proceed for Toriel and Asgore, but hat doesn't mean he would really like it. It was like the situation with...no. That time was over, there's no use going back to it.
"U-Um...Mrs. Dreemurr..." Helen said quietly, raising her hand. "I don't want to impose or anything...but...do you mind if we see your kids? I mean, you don't have to, or anything...we're just a bit curious, is all..."
"It's no problem, Helen. I even brought them with me. Though they might be a bit shy..."
Frisk and Asriel both climbed from behind Toriel, and made themselves known to the other parents. They didn't think they would see so many moms in one place at one time. They honestly didn't know what to expect from this, nor how to properly react. They were all staring intently at the duo, as well as Chara. The third didn't really care too much, just scratching his head. After a moment of awkward silence, Asriel coughed, and shyly waved his paw.
"Um...howdy...?"
...
...
...
"OH! MY! GOOOOOOOOOD!"
It happened so fast. One moment, they were standing straight and confused. The next, they were tackled by nearly half the mothers-minus Linda, Gloria, and Diana-and are currently being cuddled relentlessly. Asriel was the most desired target of this.
"Oh my goodness, these three!"
"Toriel and Asgore, you have the most adorable children!"
"This one looks so cool and collected!"
"Well this one has the most pinchable cheeks I've ever seen!"
"And this one is so delightfully fluffy! And his voice squeaked a bit when he said 'Howdy'! CUUUUTE!"
This was what was going on now. Frisk's hair was being rustled, Chara's cheeks were being pinched, and Asriel's ears were being pet, all with the most enthusiastic of voices and the most cheerful of faces. Linda was infuriated when she saw Helen was one of those moms petting Asriel, not even bothering to take into account that she might be displeased with this. She could swear that Helen had to be some sort of weak-willed woman if she gave into cuteness so easily.
"I told you your cheeks are incredibly pinchable, Chara-Dearie!" Muffet shouted mischievously over the crowd.
"You're not helping!"
Asgore, Toriel, and Sans were watching the scene with surprised looks. Never would they have expected that the meeting would begin like this, half the moms just suddenly cuddle-rushing the Dreemurr-Trio with recklesss abandon. After a few moments, Asgore turned to his wife and friend, smiling sheepishly. "Golly, this was a rather energetic start, wouldn't you say?"
After the commotion died down a bit, everyone finally took their seats, looking a bit calmer than before. But before that, Chara grabbed all the chocolate Toriel allowed him to take, which was at least twenty. Muffet seats herself right next to him, her lower hands on her lap, her middle hands clasped on the table, and the upper hands playing with Chara's cheeks. He wasn't pleased by this. She didn't seem to notice, as he didn't do much to let her know it. Helen was meanwhile twidlding her fingers and silently weeping as Linda, Gloria, and Diana were glaring down on her with infuriated expressions. Though Asgore's peaceful and reassuring smile towards her seemed to lift her spirits a bit, and she smiled quietly without being noticed.
"Alright, everyone! If we can stop getting off track for a few minutes, I think it's about time we get started." Linda declared. "We'll go over a recent proposal for a certain division...a club that focuses mainly on managing the gardens around the school, as well as the neighborhood...Asgore?"
"Howdy!"
"You can confirm that this proposal was your idea?"
"Indeed!"
"Why is that?"
Asgore folded his arms and tilted his head. "Well...of course that I don't mind doing the garden work on my own...but I'm just outting it out there that if anyone wishes to help me make the neighborhood and school gardens look as nice as they can be, then I humbly ask of them to join me. Besides, gardening isn't a bad extracurricular to get into, if one is motivated enough. Either human or monster are welcome to join me, should they have the free time on their hands or paws."
"I'll join!" Helen immediately raised her hand.
"Helen!" Diana shouted, and the woman shrunk back shyly.
"now, diana. if helen wants to join asgore in his gardening, especially since it helps to have a nice looking school, then i say let her do it." Sans shrugged. Of Linda's group, Helen was proving to be the easiest to interact with since she wasn't hostile at all, so he usually cuts her a break.
"Oh come on! She's not supposed to just agree off the bat! She didn't even properly think over it!"
"But..." Helen began sheepishly.
"Helen...I swear if you-"
"Ler her speak, Diana." Toriel narrowed her eyes, immediately silencing the woman before turning to Helen. "Helen. Are you interested in helping Asgore form his garden club?"
Helen blushed brightly as Asgore began looking at her, his head tilted curiously. She lowered he'd head and continued twiddling her fingers. "W-Well...I don't really do much outside of teaching anyway...so it wouldn't hurt for me to join in...and lend a hand..."
"Helen. Seriously. What the heck?!" Diana shouted.
"oi, how about you let helen make her own decisions, diana? she ain't a puppy who has to follow you all everywhere. she's allowed to do her own thing if she really wants to. don't be such a downer, diana. yeah...you're 'diana the downer', now. because you'll always try to find a way to screw up somebody's fun."
"Why you...! You just...! Agh...! Who even takes you seriously with those pink bunny slippers?! Who bring's those things to a meeting?!"
"the best of men can wear pink proudly and not care about how people might criticize it." Sans responded, followed by a supportive high-five from Asgore, both of them grinning widely.
"Besides, this guy is a top notch gardener. If anyone should have his own garden club, it's Asgore." Flowey said. He would know something about that, considering gardnlening for Asgore was free pampering for Flowey.
"...I'm sorry. Who are you again?" Gloria said with a huff. "Does a flower even get a say in this?"
"I'm not some ordinary flower. I'm Flowey the Flower. Or Flowey Dreemurr." Flowey smiled mischievously. "And just who the hell are you? Gloria the Glorified Hippo?"
"What the-?!"
"Flowey. Be nice." Asriel gently reprimanded, petting the top of his petals. Flowey simply huffed and turned away with a sassy huff of his own. "Sorry. He tends to get a bit carried away..."
"Hey, she started it! She shouldn't have done that if she wasn't willing to finish it!"
"Flowey! Settle down!" Toriel narrowed her eyes, and the Flower shrunk back a little.
Gerson coughed a bit, though it was to hide an amused chuckle. "Well then. That makes four members to start off this little Gardening Club. I joined in as well, as well as Undyne."
"Wait, what? You considered letting her into this little club of yours?!" Diana said in disbelief. "Why would you even...why would you even consider letting her near any gardens?! Why does she seem like an ideal candidate to be managing flowers?"
Gerson adjusted his monocle, smiling. "Ya greatly underestimate just how gentle that little firecracker than be. After all, she's spent a lot of time with Asgore. The Fluffybuns who takes great care of his flowers, has a lot of pink flowered shirts, and makes a mighty cup of tea. I reckon a lot of his softness has rubbed off on her, so she's more than capable of managing a garden."
"She really likes Golden Flower Tea. It calms the nerves." Toriel added, raising a paw. "Undyne is much gentler than you give her credit for. Give her a chance to prove it, you'll see soon enough. We know her better than any other monster aside from Alphys."
"yeah. i got no problem with undyne gardening. why not?" Sans nodded.
There were small murmers of agreement amongst everyone, before they nodded in agreement. The idea was being considered, which was all Asgore desired. After that, a few hours passed through the meeting...Sans was currently sleeping, much to Linda's irritation. Though she snapped through it as she was irritated by something else.
"...Helen..."
"Yes...?"
"I noticed that for a while, everyone has stopped eating my lemon bars, and it's mostly because of you. Care to explain?"
"Well..." Helen started sheepishly as she quietly and shamelessly nibbles on a slice of pie that Toriel offered to the others. "I've gotten a taste for monster food, you see...and it's much more beneficial for us than you might think...since it's made of magic and all..."
"HELEN! You switched over from my lemon bars to monster food? Why?!"
"Because your lemon bars suck! NOBODY likes them!" Flowey declared. "I'm pretty sure eveyone has just been forcing themselves to eat them just to escape your horrid voice if they actually say no to them. But now that you're not the scariest woman on the block anymore, they don't have to submit to you. You and your cruddy lemon bar empire are going DOWN!"
"W-What?! Why you vile weed!"
"You know that stuff that gardners use to help their flowers grow? That stuff they in the ground, in the pots, all of that junk?"
"...You mean compost?"
"Yeah...it tastes a helluva lot better than those abominations you call snacks. Seriously, those lemon bars are a direct insult to actual edible food!" No one would have ever thought that there was something out there that tasted much worse than Papyrus's spaghetti, and leaves an abnormally negative feeling in their bodies...but they've finally found it.
"...uh...how would you know that compost tasted better than her lemon bars?" Sans asked.
"...I don't feel obligated to answer that."
Asriel nodded quietly. "It's true. Frisk tried one of those lemon bars once...it took him a couple days to get better, as it kind of made him a bit physically ill. Mom wouldn't let him leave bed at all."
"It was pretty bad, he threw up a lot and he couldn't really eat anything else for a while." Chara said. "So the moral of this discussion is...lemon bars suck. Mom and Muffet's baking is the best around."
Linda was turning red with anger, as well as embarrassment. "There's no way that's true! Everyone loves my lemon bars!" Everyone looked in different directions while whistling awkwardly. Frisk and Asriel hid their faces. Gerson shook his head, and Sans almost gagged. Asgore tried to be polite and smile, while Toriel just facepalmed. Flowey seemed to be enjoying every moment of this exchange.
"ya sure you didn't imagine that part in that small little world you call your brain, covered up with unnecessary amounts of makeup?" Sans said with a casual shrug. Linda turned even redder than before. "pretty sure that everyone has the same thought. 'god, her lemon bars are so cruddy. i'm switchin' to monster food, because why not? i've heard good stuff about it.' yeah. your lemon bars are old news, linda. or more accurately...they weren't really news at all. time to make room for the outstanding baking skills of toriel and muffet."
Linda was flabbergasted as well, placing her hands on the table. "Okay, okay. Mrs. Dreemurr, I can understand. But how can you all be more comfortable with a spider serving you treats and snacks instead of me?!"
Muffet slowly turns towards her and smiled sweetly, head tilted to the side. "I'll have you know, despite me being young and extremely cute, I'm pretty well known around the monsters when it comes to sweets and treats, and I'm slowly getting noticed by humans as well. The ones who gave me a chance seem to like my treats regardless of what I am. Chara-Dearie and the Dreemurrs tend to be my most frequent customers. So I know what I'm talking about when I say...there's no need to try and break us down. Give us spiders a chance, okay?~ Kindly mind your own business, because mine will likely have a significantly higher success rate. As for you, your lemon bars are never going to be a hit in the neighborhood because they have the quality taste of a mud covered rock." She tapped her chin a bit as she tilted her head to the other side. "Hm...nah. Flowey was right. The mud rock will probably taste better! Ahuhuhuhu!~"
A shocked silence passed through the room. The ones most shocked were Linda and Chara, the former staring at the spider with her mouth agape, the latter was just watching Muffet calmly sip her tea with one leg crossed over the other, as if nothing even happened. He wondered how she could do such a thing and just continue on whatever she was doing as if nothing happened. It was surprising...and...kinda cool.
Sans suddenly teleported next to Linda, grinning madly. "pssssst. hey, linda."
"...What."
"do ya hear that?" Sans mockingly placed a hand where his ear would be, and looked across the room, faking curiosity and confusion, while Linda's face was twisted with anger. "that's the sweet, delicate sound of you gettin' dunked on. and by the sweet and sassy spider, no less! what's the matter? didn't see that comin'?"
"Nnngggh..."
"You know what? I changed my mind! I'm enjoying this muuuch more than I thought I would!" Flowey snickered.
Toriel cleared her throat and stood up from her seat. She looked a bit tired from all of the exchanges, but she was also trying her hardest not to laugh. "I think that's all the time we have for today...everyone can go home..."
(Afterwards...)
Sans placed his hands in his pockets as he walked alongside the Dreemurrs. "well...that first meeting actually worked out better than expected."
"Though it seems that the only decent one of the bunch is Helen. She looks like she's just going along with whatever Linda and the others say and not really enjoying their shenanigans. If I'm not mistaken, she might even be the one who actually likes us. Or at least, she knows she won't gain anything by purposely engaging us in a less-than-friendly manner." Chara said as he turned to Muffet. "Muffet...you completely shot Linda down and dragged her through the ground while you were at it."
"I wasn't going to allow myself to be talked down upon by someone like her. When her treats are bad while mine are good, and she tries to deman my own treats...I'm not going to just take her verbal abuse. About time someone returned fire. And when someone finally did, her bite now has a lot less impact." Muffet grinned.
Toriel folded her arms and sighed. "I knew our relations weren't going to be easy...but she's making it surprisingly difficult to befriend her."
"Not to worry, Mrs. Dreemuurr. If she proves to be too difficult, you can always assert your authority and remind her of who's in charge of the school. For a long time, she's been at the top. Now she's been rendered speechless against you. You took her spot as the most feared mother of the neighborhood. Embrace it. I already know that you won't hesitate if she does get too irritable. Under your assertive gaze, she will cower." Muffet emphasized the last word wth seriousness, then she went back to smiling. "Well, I'd better get back to my parlor and make sure the spiders didn't cover it in too much webbing. We're not trying to trap our customers against their will anymore, it's bad for business." She quickly gives Chara a hug, nuzzling his cheek. "Ta-Ta, Chara Dearie!~"
"Um...bye." Chara waved as she releases him and runs off. He was slightly surprised that he began blushing for seemingly no reason. And he was also smiling as he thought back to how Muffet handled herself in the meeting, and how she thinks Linda should be handled in less-than-friendly situations. Again, she sounded...he doesn't really know how to describe it. He knows he's been hanging out with her more during their times in the Underground, and she tended to take great pleasure in embarassing him. Though recently...something began feeling...different. It's not a bad kind of different, either. But different enough to be noticeable. Maybe because he was getting older? He would be turning fifteen soon, with Asriel and Frisk approaching fourteen. He supposed he'll just have to see where his feeling takes him. He's...curious. And once his curiosity is grabbed, it's a bit difficult to lose.
While he was thinking about that, the other members we're bsuy nursing their wounded prides. "Linda...I don't wanna be a spoiled sport...but it looks like you've been rendered speechless once again. You've been knocked off your high horse three times now." Diana said with a sigh.
"I just...can't...believe it! The teenaged spider managed to completely tear apart everyone's love for lemon bars!" Diana and Gloria chose not to respond to this, for their own sakes. Linda then turns to Helen, who was still munching on some of Toriel's pie. Helen felt awkward as she swallowed the pie in her mouth. "...Helen."
"Yes?"
"You're STILL eating her pie?"
"...Yes...?"
Linda sighed, facepalming in aggravation. "Helen...I really...really hate you right now."
Helen dejectedly lowers her head. "I know..."
Welp...that happened. Those things happened.
Let it be known that in PTA meetings around here, time is spent insulting each other more than it's probably allowed. Luckily Toriel can be very focused. It helps to be in charge. In many stories, Toriel gets exhausted by Linda's antics and calls Sans in to deal with her. Not here. It's been made clear that Toriel will NOT tolerate Linda's presence if she gets too unbearable.
Which has been deliciously(and a bit disturbingly) pointed out by PTA Muffet. Isn't she the sweetest and sassiest spider you've ever seen?~ She doesn't take crap from anybody lying down, either.
And Helen...she just can't catch a break...
Oh well. Until next time!