"Dear father,"
"How goes it back at home? Here in London, people still write letters, so I don't feel as bad sending you a pick-me-up about my time here the old-fashioned way. Even then, technology is so advanced here! You think that after five years I would be used to everything the surface had to offer, but every day in London I experience some sort of new tech that blows me away! How wild is that! The hotel even offered me a pen that writes itself!"
"Otherwise, living in London is okay. I thought I would be more lonely, with less monsters around and all, but living in the Monster District feels a little like home! I've made a ton of friends with some of the other kids here and we all go to school together in the city! I'm proud to announce that all of the kids seem nice so far, even if they have a lot of questions about how we look like cartoon characters. The adults have mostly been kind too. We get a lot of stares on the street, but we all travel together to keep each other safe! I know you would love to know that we're all looking out for each other here.
"There's going to be a big conference here next week to finally end the War. And do you know who's coming? Frisk Dreemurr! yes, *that* Frisk Dreemurr! I'm know you probably don't want to hear this, but everyone's so excited to see the human again! they're so hot! They're supposed to visit the Monster Quarter while they're here and I hope I can get their autograph! aaaaaaaaaa!"
Valerie Vulkin, Senior at the London Academy for Monsters
Addressed Monday, April 22nd, 2120
Buckingham Palace, London, England.
Thursday, April 25th, 2120. 10:30 AM
The halls of the palace were quiet, with most of the administrative staff having left to attend to matters at Pendragon Palace for the conference. The ornate decorations and centuries of British opulence on display were more than the monsters could have ever imagined having in their own home, and certainly more than Frisk had seen in their life. They had just exited the state room to find Toriel approaching them from down the hall, with Sans and Papyrus talking among themselves not too far being.
Once recognizing Frisk from down the hall, Toriel excitedly approached, pulling out her phone "My child! You look so stunning in your formalwear! We must get a picture together so I have something to put up at home!"
Frisk chuckled, looking shyly away before being yanked into an embrace by their large goat mom. They couldn't help but giggle as their mom continued to dote on them. "Hey! Not too hard! It took forever for me to get ready this morning! Okay, on three! One! Two!-"
Toriel, grin as wide as ever, snapped the picture early and for her efforts was awarded a candid picture of her dear child. Frisk opened their mouth to protest, but decided against it as their mom reveled in the fun they were having. I am sorry, Frisk. You look so nice today! It makes me so proud to see you come so far. Are you nearly finished with preparations for today?"
"Just about! I'm assuming Asgore has gone ahead already to the palace?"
"ON TIME AND ON SCHEDULE!" Papyrus struck a pose as Sans and him caught up with Toriel. He began to boast about the details. "YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN IT! ASGORE WAS SO INTENT ON SLEEPING LATE, UNDYNE BASICALLY HAD TO SUPLEX HIM AWAKE! THAT'S WHEN I, THE CULMINATION OF YEARS OF CULINARY GENIUS, HAD TO MAKE SURE HIS MAJESTY WAS FED AND DRESSED TO FACE THE DAY! NYEH HEH HEH!" Papyrus' revelry in himself, despite being something Frisk experienced often, never failed to make them giggle.
Sans jumped in. "that's my bro. dealing and dazzling as always. it's only been a year and people are already calling you the backbone of the empire."
Toriel offered a gentle smile to Papyrus as she continued. "Captain Undyne accompanied His Majesty to Pendragon Palace earlier, so that he could prepare for the speech. However, I feel perfectly safe knowing I have the support of my *snicker* skeletons."
"and you don't have to worry tori. Anyone that tries to mess with us will be in for a bone-chilling time."
Frisk and Chara collectively groaned as Toriel and Sans winked at each other before laughing. It was clear they had planned this just to see everyone's reactions. Papyrus took a shocked face before returning to his usual composure "I'LL TELL YOU WHAT'S BONE-CHILLING, BROTHER! HAVING TO LISTEN TO YOUR AWFUL PUNS! THAT ONE WASN'T EVEN THAT GOOD! DON'T YOU EVER GET TIRED OF MAKING SKELETON PUNS?"
Sans shrugged. "don't ever get tired of being a clown. and besides, it didn't have to be good to make everyone smile a bit. after all, it seems like our lady of the day was entertained." Toriel blushed at the complement and began to respond before she was interrupted by another member of royalty who was laughing down the hallway with her retainers in tow.
"I'm sorry to cut in but, forget the puns! A cape, really? And I thought the British regalia was overdone!" Queen Willow came down the other end of the all flanked by a man and woman that Frisk had never seen before. Queen Willow had decided on a formal dress for the conference that was modest compared to the regal uniforms being worn by the monsters, making all of them seem stuffy by comparison. "You look like an anime hero!" she exclaimed.
Frisk's face flushed in embarrassment. "C-capes are cool! They're flashy and awesome and have been worn by monster royalty for over a millennia! Plus, I get to do cool maneuvers with it like this!" They swung their right arm back to flash their cape and drew their sword with their left, striking a pose that could only be compared to the ancient portraits of old European generals that decorated the castle walls. Their silliness caused Queen Willow to laugh even more. Sans shook his head as Papyrus beamed at Frisk's display.
"BROTHER!" Papyrus demanded "THEY MUST START LETTING ME WEAR A CAPE AS WELL! THINK OF HOW COOL I WOULD LOOK! HOW CAN A MASCOT AS COOL AS THE GREAT PAPYRUS EVER WALK AROUND WITHOUT INSPIRING THE WORLD WITH MY GRANDEUR!?"
Sans chuckled. "sorry paps, they're only for royalty. and the captain of the royal guard. but if it means anything, you're already a cool dude without it." He shot a soft, affirming look at his brother, who returned it with stars in his eyes.
"You two are a riot, two true bags of bones!" Queen Willow finished teasing them before straightening up and introducing her retainers. Papyrus and Frisk held back their groans. "Everyone, this is my knight, Sir Justin Greenwood, the Duke of Margate. And to my right, this lovely lady is one of Britian's finest spies! Like you see in those historic James Bond films! Her name is Lady Collette Andover, the Marquees of Dover. They're acting as protection and my personal assistants today. If you need anything, just call them."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both. I'm Frisk Dreemurr, Heir Presumptive and Royal Ambassador to King Asgore on behalf of the Kingdom of Monsters. To my right is Lady Toriel, the Dutchess of Home. Behind us is Sir Sans Serif, the Duke of Snowdin and our Chief Intelligence Officer, and Colonel Papyrus Serif, Chief of the Monster Royal Guard and the Marquees of Snowdin. They're my escorts, but also my friends!" Frisk smiled as they extended their hand to greet Duke Greenwood and Lady Andover, who bowed before returning the gesture.
Justin, a tall, skinny man who couldn't be much older than Willow, was the friendlier and more open of the two, beaming a smile at the Monster delegation. His unassuming and easygoing demeanor left Frisk feeling eased as he followed in their footsteps and stuck a pose as he introduced himself. "Consider me charmed! We can leave the titles back at the palace. People around these parts just call me Justin. It's an honor to be able to work with the pacifist ambassador themselves! I feel like I'm meeting a celebrity!"
Collette, a small petite woman in her mid-20s, gave Justin a judging glare before focusing again on the visiting party. While not at all cold towards the monsters, she offered a glare fitting for an intelligence officer, one that Frisk recognized from dignitaries around the world who were cautious of a human representing a kingdom of monsters. Her slight smile as she formally stepped forward and shook Frisk's hand suggested she took her duties as an escort seriously. "Heir Dreemurr, nice to make your acquaintance. As Her Majesty says, I'm part of her personal protection team today. Welcome to Britain and the European Union." Pausing to shoot a glare at Justin, who smiled and winked in response, she continued. "While I would love to chat more, our rides to the palace are ready and we must keep to our schedule today. Are you ready to depart?"
After the brief exchange of pleasantries, they all started down the long hallway connecting them to the portico where their rides to Pendragon Palace awaited, splitting up into two posh transports for their ride to the palace. Sans and Frisk accompanied Willow and Collette, while Papyrus and Toriel went with Justin. After some melodramatic words from Papyrus on separation and loss, Frisk's other passengers initially remained quiet as the car moved through the tight London streets lined with onlookers curious about the country's exotic guests. Mixed in with the throngs of humans were monsters from London's own monster colony, a space organized by Willow and Frisk just a year prior to give monsters experience with living somewhere other than Grand Ebott City. To see humans and monsters standing in the same crowd together, even if it was just for a parade, was truly a historic sight.
Willow waved at the window as she examined the throngs who had gathered to watch. "I've never seen such a crowd for a procession before. Not since my own coronation five years ago. But then again, there's still plenty of people who have never seen a monster before, let alone a human royal wearing the standard for a kingdom full of them. I don't think the world could have imagined that kind of irony."
"Oh? Even with the monster settlement here in London? It's been very popular with vacationing monsters back home." Frisk said, genuinely curious but also basking in their own accomplishments while they could. They could have sworn they heard Chara scoff in the background.
"Sure, there's a monster here or there. But they mostly keep to tour groups and the enclave, making seeing them difficult. We also have to provide extra security for them so they tend to stay close to each other. There were some in my staff who hadn't even…" She trailed off, becoming lost in thought before turning to face Frisk. Willow was normally energetic, and her boundlessness often reflected in her voice and how expressive she tended to be. However, she spoke to Frisk with an aura of seriousness they weren't used to. "You know, I don't think I've ever asked. How did you become the ambassador for monsters, as a human?"
Frisk took in the soft hazel of Willow's eyes, contemplating how to respond without giving away too much information. Five years of getting asked the same question by countless people had led Frisk to give as safe an answer as they could: While Frisk was in the mountains for a solo hiking trip, they went to explore the cave and fell in, only to be saved and cared for by the monsters. But Frisk felt a little insincere saying the same to Willow, even with the ace detectives Collette and Sans in the car.
Chara spoke up, jokingly, to provide emotional support. "Why hesitate? You could always just tell her the truth."
"Pshhh. Like I would even dare to do that in front of Sans."
"Assuming he doesn't already know. Knowing our comedian, he's probably just waiting for the punchline."
Frisk did their best to force back a giggle, but ended up letting a smile show on their face. Their reaction to a joke that only they could hear served to puzzle everyone else in the car.
"Uhhhhh, Frisk? Is it a particularly funny answer?" Willow asked.
Frisk blushed, waving their hands around as they tried to find an excuse. "N-no! It's not like that! It's just…the monsters in the underground were so funny! Everyone was so unique and different and it was a lot of fun to get to know everyone."
Collette raised an eyebrow before responding in confusion. "Enough fun to get you to stay?"
Frisk felt their blush deepen before they decided to bring the conversation back on topic. "Anyway! It's simple really. My time in the Underground, my experiences with the monsters, even in the short time we spent together, it was clear that the Underground was a place I belonged. They wanted me to be a part of their home." Frisk look down, folding their hands as they stopped to appreciate just how much their life had changed on that fateful day. "When I think about it, I can't remember ever having a place or a people I could feel safe in. I'd had to struggle for so long. It was hard for me to accept that life was anything else. But when I fell into the Underground, I found a place where I could heal. Somewhere I could be a better person than who I was. So, I let the Dreemurrs adopt me."
Frisk continued. The entire focus of the car was on them now. Even Sans, who had spent the ride sleeping until then, woke up to listen to what Frisk had "When I fell, I was in…a really dark place. I had given up on the world, and especially on myself. But the monsters helped restore that determination within my heart. They gave me a reason to keep going." Frisk hesitated, feeling both themself and Chara choke a little on the thought of Asriel's sacrifice. "They taught me that even now, it's still worth it to have hopes and dreams."
"aww kid, you're too kind!" Sans was spread out over his half of the seat, his skeleton arm slung over the headrest. His position gave off the impression that he was much lazier than he actually was. "and can you blame them? us monsters, we kind of grow on people. or in the case of skeletons like me, in them. plus, the kid had nowhere to go, no home to return to. what were we going to do? send them home with a burlap sack and a photograph? staying with was an us easy solution."
Willow, for once, looked uncharacteristically serious as she took in the details of Frisk's story. It appeared Sans' attempt to defuse the tension in the car hadn't helped. "I…I didn't know. I could never have imagined. I'm sorry for asking! It's just that, your past is just such a mystery. No record of you exists anywhere before five years ago. It's like you just appeared out of nowhere. Maybe, no, especially because of that, you've done well to make it this far Frisk, heir to the Platystemon Throne."
"heh. gosh your highness, I'm over here just trying to breathe a little. but leave it to a princess to make it even more stuffy in here."
"That's Queen, mind you! Just because I'm young doesn't automatically make me this cute little princess! And you don't even have lungs! Do you even breathe? And now that I think about it, why do you even have a nose hole? What's the point?
"the point? of course I need a nose hole! how else am I supposed to be so nosy?"
Collette finally let a snicker out, earning an offended look from Willow. "Lady Collette! Do you mind filling me in on what's so funny about all of this?"
Collette tried her best to keep herself together, but she couldn't help but smile as she bantered with the Queen. "Sorry your highness, it's just, I've known you for so long, and well, you certainly haven't been shy to indulge in the more theatrical parts of the job."
"What!? Are you saying I'm overindulgent? I'll have you know I spend far less than some of the other nobles do! And is it not a queen's job to be an example to her people, and that requires the upmost in manners…!
"Admit it! You just love being being a large ham! I'd bet you'd wear a cape too if you could~!"
"T-take that back right now! I order you!"
Collette and Willow's bickering lightened everyone's mood at their expense, and Frisk relaxed slightly as it seemed everyone was going to manage to get along, and that their secret would be safe another day.
Chara commented on everyone's silliness. "Golly Frisk! I can't believe you told her the truth. How admirable! I was so certain you would throw her off. You'd better thank Sans for that save later. It would be problematic if any other world government started to probe into our past, especially since we've already got a skeleton crawling on our back."
"Sans saving us. Who would have thought? And nah. I like Willow. Doesn't she feel like she'd fit right in with us? She's even a magic user."
Chara scoffed, but decided to give Frisk one small concession. "Meh. Human are humans. But I guess she's fine."
Pendragon Palace, London, England
Thursday, April 25th, 2120. 10:40 AM
"Announcing Her Majesty the Queen! Following her is the Heir Presumptive to the Kingdom of Monsters!"
The large ornate doors of the palace opened and gave way to Pendragon Palace's stately Grand Hall, filled with humans of all backgrounds who had assembled to usher in a new era of human-monster relations. Members of the Queen's Guard snapped to attention at the doorway, creating a path for the royals of both nations to follow from the doorway into the Assembly Room across the hall. Queen Willow in her flowing dress led the way, flanked by her suit-clad retainers that scanned the crowd for anyone of note that had gathered in the lobby. Behind them, Papyrus escorted Frisk as Sans walked with Toriel.
"Ugh." Willow said, letting her displeasure show plainly on her face. "The plenary begins in half an hour. And there's still so many people in here. Duke Greenwood, you informed the guests that I have no intention of speaking with anyone until after the ceremony, correct?"
Justin replied "Yes, your highness. But, can you blame them for asking? With all of these dignitaries here? There's no way in the world anyone would miss this chance at diplomacy."
"Oh yeah? Feels more like a chance at brown-nosing if you ask me."
In every corner of the spacious hall were delegates from every member state of the United Nations, creating a perfect breeding ground for politics to play out among the world's elites. To an onlooker, people exchanging pleasantries over h'ordouvres might seem standard for an event like this. But just beneath the surface, it was clear to all the players involved that every word spoken was really part of a larger calculated move, where every intention was followed by an ulterior motive. This was a place where deals were made, the fates of millions were decided, and where secret deals and political maneuvering were commonplace among those who wished to stay relevant. All innocuously occurring over wine glasses and plates of cheese.
Someone like Queen Willow, who reveled in being direct and transparent about her politics, hated spaces like this. Her egalitarian approach to running her country was indicative of her Justice-imbued SOUL, and to participate in a social scene where this sort of scheming and shady political maneuvering were paramount disgusted her. As the Queen of the United Kingdom, she realized that there were times when fighting the social war was a necessary evil. But, the power imbued in that same title spared her from having to deal with the worst of it. Today, she wanted to ensure the monsters were granted the same privilege.
"Justin? Collette? Command the guard to ensure that the path to the conference room stays clear for me and my guests."
They both bowed and responded in unison. "Yes, your highness."
"And Collette? One more thing. About those terrorists."
Collette gave a confident smile. "Our security forces are already positioned to take care of them. We've anticipated every route of entry, and by our estimation, they're using guns that date back to World War III, at least. They shouldn't be a problem for our modern security forces."
Toriel spoke up. "Lady Collette, was it? We're used to being…the center of attention at these sort of events. Whatever comes at us, we should be able to handle it. But we appreciate the extra support."
"yeah, your highness. when it comes to protecting the people closest to us, you could say our defenses are bone solid." Sans added, causing Toriel to grin and for Papyrus to offer an annoyed expression in response.
Willow giggled. "I guess I don't have much to worry about then. Still, the well-being of my people comes first. Don't let your guard down." She turned and gave her two retainers a concerned smile before they both left to attend to their duties.
The room slowly began to return to volume as Justin began to give orders to the guard and the crowd, but it was just quiet enough to give everyone in the party enough of a chance to hear the comments of the other attendees.
"Those two are…actually walking skeletons…? Is that the best they have? Did Halloween come early this year?" said one woman in attendance to a burly man dressed in a three-piece suit.
"…can't believe she decided to show up to this in these clothes. She looks like her wardrobe has never had an update. As if a human-goat thing doesn't already look weird enough"
"These are the people the queen decided to bring into her graces? Is she daft?"
"Well you know, every woman has her needs. That human over there looks just her age too. Maybe a package deal?"
"I thought the monsters were supposed to look more human than this. How is the world ever going to accept them?"
Whispers and murmurs about Pendragon's new visitors could be heard throughout the hall, and between the rudeness of the guests and the lights from the media that was allowed into the palace, there was little more the group could do than just continue to walk through and listen without making a scene. Sans kept his hands in his pockets and his eyes closed as he walked next to Toriel, who's centuries of royal training and practice were clear in her grace under scrutiny on the red carpet, even if she wasn't royalty anymore. Frisk balled their hands into fists and bit their lip as they walked down the aisle, fuming to Chara about every nobleman and delegate they passed.
"Ugh. Typical responses I would expect that from the people that'll say in public that they support monsters. I guess it's still popular to hate on monsters in private. It's 2120, Chara! And people still have no shame. Look at the woman over there. Obviously if you're whispering to your friend with your hand over your mouth, it's clearly nothing good. Honestly, if you're dying to tell anyone anything, why not message them? It'll save you the trouble of looking like a jerk at an international conference. And over there, there's the delegate from the New American Republic! We're supposed to be in travel negotiations next week! Ugh, the lot of them are so unprofessional."
"Hey, it's not my fault you decided you wanted to be all goody-goody and go 'SAVE the World!' on me. Isn't this want you want to do? I, personally want nothing to do with diplomacy junk you insist on doing."
Frisk sarcastically rolled their eyes. "Wow Chara, such a bastion of support you've been for me so far! I should be honored to be taking such sage advice from a wise spirit like you. Clearly it would be better if we just murdered all of them instead."
"There's still time, you know? You are carrying your sword! It would be sooooo easy to just take a couple of SOULs and demolish the place. =). I doubt anyone would miss these garbage humans anyway."
Frisk laughed. "Wouldn't you like that? You know humans can't absorb human souls. And unfortunately, I think some of us have other plans."
Papyrus, never one to let the curiosity of others remained unsated, turned to face the crowd as the group neared the doors to the assembly hall. "HUMANS! DO NOT BE AFRAID! I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, KNOWS THAT YOU ARE OVERWHELMED, FRIGHTENED, AND QUITE POSSIBLY STUNNED BY OUR BRILLIANCE. BUT DO NOT WORRY! MY FRIENDS AND I ARE AMONG SOME OF THE BEST MONSTERS AROUND, AND WE ARE SURE TO ASTONISH AND PLEASE WITH OUR FANTASTICAL FEATS OF FANCY! SO DO NOT BE SHY TO APPROACH US! NYEH HEH HEH!"
With all eyes turned towards Papyrus, He used his magic to surround himself with tiny bones, and then arranged them all in the shape of a small flower, each bone falling in place as it finished a revolution around his wide torso. It seemed like they were being held in place by pure magic alone. He turned to the woman who had mentioned Sans and him to her husband, and between the column of guards, placed the flower in her trembling hands. Papyrus, even with his title as a Marquees, outranked many a noble in countries across the world. However, Frisk had known Papyrus to show more tenderness than many of the people they dealt with in their entire lives.
"THIS, MY LADY, IS FOR YOU! THINK OF IT AS A FLEETING GIFT FROM ME AS A SYMBOL OF OUR FRIENDSHIP." Papyrus stood up straight and softened his expression a bit, giving the now thoroughly flushed and humiliated noble a compassionate gaze before continuing with a lowered voice. "BEYOND OUR DIVERSITY, MONSTERS ARE CAPABLE OF GREAT KINDNESS. SO PLEASE DON'T BE SCARED OF DIFFERENCES."
Papyrus gave the lady a slight salute as if to wish her a good day, and as he spun around and joined the monsters, the same proud and triumphant grin that Papyrus is known for returning to his face as he cheerfully led the party into the assembly hall. The entire grand hall was completely quiet upon their exit. Many of the guests looking visibly shocked or embarrassed by their previous comments. But everyone could tell that the monsters were here to play ball, even if the world wasn't quite ready yet.
Sans raised his fist to bump with his brother. "you're the best, bro."
"OF COURSE! IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE WORLD RECOGNIZED MY BRILLIANCE! AFTER ALL, HOW COULD SOMEONE WITH A BROTHER LIKE YOU NOT BE AS FANTASTIC AS ME?"
