Toriel must have said something to the other monsters about pressuring the children, because when the group finally emerged from the library nobody stopped to talk to them. At least, Mary hoped that was the reason everyone was avoiding them now.
Mary clung tightly to Toriel's paw, reveling in both the soft texture and the sense of safety it provided. The goat woman's other hand held the rope for the sled that still held Chara, and Asriel padded along beside it.
"I was able to send a message to the River Person before I came to get you, so the ferry should be waiting for us now." Toriel said, leading the group northward.
It struck Mary as odd that they would go this direction, which in and of itself was rather odd. The way to Snowdin had involved a few ups and downs, but ultimately they always went East, even in the Ruins. Mary had believed that they would keep going that way until they reached their final destination. By the looks of things, maybe she wasn't entirely wrong.
Once they passed the last of Snowdin's houses Mary could see running water ahead of them. That must be the river, and the cloaked being floating in the long wooden thing in the water was, by extension, the River Person. Mary gazed at the water curiously as they arrived at the bank. Toriel let go of Mary's hand to help Chara off of the sleigh, and the blonde knelt down to study yet another new phenomenon. She startled a bit when she saw eyes staring back at her, only to realize they were her own. Her reflection was dark and wavy, and looking at it made Mary uncomfortable. It was like running paint, the lines blurring and the colors mixing together...
BYE BYE MARY
Mary shot up and stumbled away from the bank. The terrible memory didn't consume her this time around, but it had come on swiftly and painfully. Thankfully, it left just as quickly and there was still plenty to distract her.
Toriel had Chara in her arms and was just stepping into the boat. With a murmured apology she placed a hand on top of the River Person's head to steady herself, but the cloaked figure didn't seem to mind at all. The goat woman carefully settled herself at the rear of boat, and then held a hand out to the two on the shore.
"Be careful stepping into the boat children, it can be a bit wobbly and the water is very cold."
Asriel rolled his eyes and reminded his mother that this wasn't his first time on the ferry. Toriel smiled and agreed, but she kept her hand out anyway and the boy still took it. Mary, on the other hand, took the advice to heart. She was already a little dubious of the boats ability to keep so many people from sinking, and her scare at the bank hadn't helped matters. She already knew she burned like a painting, she had no desire to find out if she could be washed away like one as well. She approached the boat with hesitant steps, and gripped Toriel's hand tightly when it was offered to her. She took her first step in, and gasped when the boat dipped from her weight.
"Deep breaths, my child. I won't let you fall." Toriel's soothing voice took away some of Mary's fear, and she dared to take her other foot off the shore. She collapsed onto the middle bench of the boat, next to Asriel.
"Are we leaving the sled here?" The goat boy asked. His mother nodded.
"Yes, it won't be of much use where we are going. Those runners are designed for snow, not rock or floors, and it isn't a far walk from the ferry point."
Chara looked distinctly uncomfortable at the mention of having to be carried more, and leaned away from Toriel a bit. Once they realized this put them in closer proximity to Mary they shifted back.
"All going to Hotland?" The cloaked figure spoke for the first time. Toriel gave an assenting nod.
"I know it's a bit far with this many, but if you would be so kind."
"Of course, tra la la! I do love to ride in my boat."
With that the boat started to move, seemingly of it's own accord. Mary twisted in her seat to look back at the River Person; the monster hadn't changed their stance or position at all. The only time this changed was when they turned their head from side to side to study the river. When they started looking ahead again, Mary took the opportunity to speak up.
"So, what's you're name?"
"I am the riverman. Or am I the riverwoman...? It doesn't really matter."
'Well, if that doesn't matter to them, than it probably shouldn't matter to me either.' Mary thought to herself. She frowned. Still, that didn't really answer her question...
"I guess not, but what about your name?"
"My name? … It doesn't really matter..." The girl's frown deepened.
"But...it's your name! How can it not matter?"
"The same way it does not matter if I am the riverman or riverwoman."
Mary let out an annoyed huff and turned back around. During the brief conversation Asriel had started running his paw through the water on his side of the boat, creating extra waves and ripples as they went.
"Cool." Chara commented, watching him. They leaned over to get a better look at what Asriel was doing, and Toriel adjusted her grip to make sure the child was fully supported. "Can I try?"
"I fear the boat may become unbalanced if you both lean over the same side like that. Perhaps you could try on the other side."
"But then mine will get messed up when Mary starts to do it." Chara argued.
"It's okay." Mary interjected. "I don't want to try it."
Toriel frowned in confusion and Chara gave Mary a suspicious look, but after a moment the child shrugged and sat back up. Toriel helped them sit beside her in a way that didn't aggravate their hurt leg, and Chara started playing with the water. Toriel kept one hand placed behind Chara, ready to grab the child if they became unbalanced.
"Dang, that really is cold!" Chara pulled their hand back after a bit, shaking it to get the blood flowing again.
"You think so?" Asriel asked, looking up. "I guess I can't feel it as much through my fur."
"You sure about that?"
"What do you-!" Asriel let out a high pitched bleat when Chara swiped their hand down and sent water splashing over the goat boy. He started at the human in shock, and Chara giggled.
"Sounds like you can feel it after all."
It took a moment, but Asriel's expression morphed into a playful grin.
"Oh yeah? Well so can you!"
Asriel scooped up a pawful of water and tossed it at Chara. The way the water clung to his fur caused droplets to be flung in all directions. Mary flinched back, but some still landed on her hands and clothes. She held her breath, and let out a sigh of relief when the water simply beaded and clung to her skin. She was so relieved that she hardly noticed when the splash fight started to rock the boat.
"Tra la la." The River person's sing song voice interrupted them. "Playing in a boat is great fun, but a danger."
"He makes a good point children." Toriel gave the two meaningful looks. Asriel obediently straightened up and, after a put upon sigh, Chara followed suit. The two didn't have long to mope however. Within a few minutes the boat began to slow, and the River person steered toward a patch of shore that was opposite from the side they'd boarded. Mary's eyes were immediately drawn to the approaching bank, curious to know where they were going. She was also curious about the hulking purple monster that was standing on the shore.
As the boat neared the bank, Mary realized the monster itself wasn't actually purple. A flowing purple robe was draped over the monster's shoulders, held in place by gold shoulder pads and a clasp that bore a strong resemblance to the design on Toriel's dress. The monster was covered in white fur, like Toriel and Asriel, for the most part. There was some golden brown fur that made it look like the monster had a beard. Once the boat had come to a stop Toriel smiled warmly at the new monster.
"I see news of our departure from the Ruins has traveled quickly." Toriel teased.
"That is the way of news in the Underground, as you well know my dear." The monster returned the smile, which helped alleviate his intimidating presence. It was good to know the monster was friendly with Toriel, considering he was both taller and broader than her. It wasn't by much, but still.
"Howdy Dad!" Asriel piped up. Both Mary and Chara's eyes widened. 'Dad?'
"Howdy to you too Asriel." The monster man said with a chuckle. Toriel took it upon herself to explain.
"Children, this is my husband, Asgore. Darling, these are the two humans Asriel found in the Ruins, Chara and Mary."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, little ones." Asgore said with a quick bow of his head. He knelt down, making himself eye level with Toriel, who was still sitting in the boat. "Now, let's get home and put this journey to an end." He offered a hand to whomever wanted to get out first.
"Could you carry Chara dear? Their leg hasn't completely healed yet."
Asgore nodded, and slowly moved to pick up Chara, giving the human time to object. Chara stiffened, but made no attempt to protest. Asgore took this as approval, and carefully lifted the child. Once Chara was out of the boat, Toriel and Asriel got up. Mary held tightly to her seat as the boat wobbled with their shifting weight. Mary gratefully took Toriel's hand when it was offered, and stumbled onto the shore. She sighed a little once she was out, relieved to be on stable land again.
"It's warmer here." Mary voiced the sudden realization. The boat had so preoccupied her she had failed to notice the gradual change.
"Indeed, my child. We have reached an area of the Underground known as Hotland, which is where the city New Home is located. That is where we live."
"Clever names." Chara said, more than a little sarcastically. For some reason, Asgore looked abashed while his wife and son smirked.
"Anyway," Toriel quickly regained her usual demeanor. "as the name implies, Hotland is a very hot area. So it would be wise for all of us to remove our coats and hats."
Toriel turned around and started to help Chara out of their coat, despite the child's protests that they could get most of it on their own. Mary and Asriel took this as their cue to remove their own winter gear. Mary had gotten her coat off, and was just moving to grab her hat when Toriel grabbed her wrist, stopping her.
"Perhaps you should leave that on for a bit longer my child, and push it down to cover your eyes."
"Why?" Mary asked. Toriel hesitated, suddenly tense.
"Oh! I know!" Asriel interjected. "You want our home to be a big surprise right? If she keeps the hat over her eyes it'll be like a blindfold and then we can take it off when we get there."
"Yes, that's right Asriel." Toriel quickly agreed with her son's conclusion.
"Oh, okay! That sounds fun! But what about Chara?" Mary asked, seeing that all of the other child's winter clothes were already off and being held by Toriel.
"Do you want to be surprised as well my child?" Toriel asked Chara. The human shook their head.
"I like to see where I'm going."
"Very well. Let us be off then."
Once Mary had pushed her hat down over her eyes Toriel took the girl's hand and they headed out.
It was interesting moving without sight. Mary found she noticed other things more, like the dry heat of the air and the crunching of rock under her feet. Mary listened apprehensively as Asriel told his Father how he discovered Chara and herself, and the journey that followed after. When she realized he was glossing over the more personal moments she began to relax and add some commentary of her own, such as how much she enjoyed playing in the snow. Toriel explained anything that Asriel had gone over too quickly for Asgore to understand, while Chara only made a few short comments here and there. Such as their insistence that their team up with Toriel had won the snowball fight. Mary started a little bit when the crunch of stone was replaced with metallic tapping.
"It's alright Mary, we've just entered a building. I think we can remove your hat now, since we are close to New Home."
Mary sighed in contentment as the garment was removed. Hotland really lived up to it's name, and Mary's hair had become unpleasantly damp underneath the cap. She looked around, and was confused when she realized what a small space they were in.
"Where are we going from here?" she asked.
"Up." Asriel replied. Mary found this answer very unhelpful, as there were no stairs in sight. It was then that Mary noticed a series of buttons across the back wall. Was this another puzzle? Asgore was closest to them, and bent his head so that one of his horns pressed a single button. The whole room suddenly jolted slightly, and Mary put her hands on the wall to steady herself.
"What? You've never been on an elevator before either?" Chara asked from Asgore's arms.
"N-no. I mean, I know what they are, I just didn't realize we were in one." Mary replied. Chara gave them a strange look, and Mary tried not to blush. She was saved from further interaction by Asriel.
"Don't worry, monsters ride this all the time to get from New Home to the rest of Hotland, so it's very safe."
The doors opened just a few seconds after Asriel finished talking. Mary remembered the 'surprise' that was coming, and eagerly trailed after Toriel when she stepped out. The walls just outside the elevator were made of brick, but when those walls ended...
Mary could only stand and gape at what lay before her. The city was absolutely massive, sprawling into every corner available and reaching for the cavern's ceiling. Monsters of every shape, size, and color could be seen going about their lives on the streets below.
"Children." Toriel's said. "Welcome to New Home. If you so desire it, this place can be you're new home as well."
Mary blinked several times, and looked up at Toriel and Asgore.
"Huh?"
Thankfully, Chara was a bit more articulate.
"You want us to stay here? I thought you were just showing us the way out." Asgore bowed his head solemnly.
"If leaving was that easy, we ourselves would have left to live on the surface years ago. The barrier that keeps us here will let nearly anything in, but prevents anything from getting out. The barrier can be breached under very specific circumstances, but neither of those options are currently available to us. It pains us that we cannot reunite you with those you left behind on the surface, but I promise that for as long as you remain here Tori and I will take care of you."
Both Chara and Mary stared at him, stunned by the offer.
"You mean, you want us to stay with you? For always?" Mary asked shakily.
"You would really do that for us?" Chara asked just after Mary. Asgore nodded.
"For as long as you desire, we would be happy to have you."
Mary stared at him once more, something warm and buoyant unfurling in her chest as she realized what was being offered to her.
"Mary, Chara, would you like to know where we live?" Toriel prompted. Both children nodded mutely. The goat woman pointed ahead, and far in the distance the children saw what looked like a castle rising up above the other buildings.
"A castle..." Mary gasped, her awe shifting towards excitement. "Doesn't that mean-"
"Yup! Mom and Dad are the rulers of the whole Underground!" Asriel stated proudly.
As she took that in, little details started to click in Mary's memory about how all the other monsters deferred to Toriel and even Asriel. Such things were momentarily swept from her thoughts when one major connection was formed in her mind. Mary gasped, her eyes grew incredibly wide, and she nearly vibrated from the realization.
"Mary?" slight concern colored Toriel's tone.
"I'm going to be a princess!" Mary squealed. The three goat monsters couldn't help but smile and laugh at the pure delight in Mary's words.
"I'll take that as approval from Mary." Asgore said, still chuckling. He turned his head to look down at Chara. "What about you little one?"
Chara's reaction was far more subdued, but no less genuine. The child gazed back at Asgore with obvious wonder, and something glittered in the corner of their eyes.
"I'll stay." They answered in a hushed, almost reverent, tone.
"Then welcome to the family, my children." Toriel said with her warmest smile yet.
"Yeah, welcome to the family!" Asriel shouted. He enveloped Mary in a tight hug, who hugged back just as tightly and gave another excited squeal. Asriel turned to Chara when he was done, but had to stop. Seeing the problem, Toriel quickly lifted her son by the waist so he was level with the other child. He hugged Chara as best he could, and after a moment of hesitation Chara lightly wrapped their arms around him in return.
Once Asriel was placed back on the ground Toriel took his hand as well as Mary's. With that the Dreemur family, now two members larger, set out for their home.
A.N.
Woo! Glad that's finally out of the way. Sorry, this took so much longer than the other chapters. I had a heck of a time deciding how Asgore should be introduced. I can't say how soon the next one will be out, since I've got a couple other stories I want to work on. But rest assured, this story will be continued.
Some of the upcoming chapters I plan on being a bit more slice of life rather than purely story driven. So if anyone has suggestions for some character interaction between these guys feel free to leave a comment about it.
In other news; there's a fan creation for this story! NatAngel Dark Wings from made an MMD animation of the opening scene for this story. The movements a bit rough in some spots, but overall I approve. :) Here's the youtube plug for it:
watch?v=3NennjDGfDI&app=desktop
Reviews and constructive criticism are always welcome. Thanks so much for reading!