Asriel Dreemurr (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
pleasereset) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thisavrou_log2016-08-27 02:38 am
pleasereset) wrote in thisavrou_log2016-08-27 02:38 am
pleasereset) wrote in thisavrou_log2016-08-27 02:38 am
Asriel | August 27th | OTA
And with his identity disk.
Rinzler had taught him and Frisk how to use theirs, and the rules of having one. Don't give it to anyone, don't let anyone tinker with it - Asriel had already broken several of those rules, though he wasn't aware of the consequences of it.
But that doesn't stop him from taking it to an empty room during a night where he can't sleep. He sits the disk beside him and uses it to project images of his memories. It ends up being a little like watching a home movie, shot through Asriel's perspective. Anyone passing by the room will hear children laughing, followed by Asriel's voice.
"Haha, Chara, you got me again!"
A woman's gentle voice soon interrupts, calling out to them both.
Of course, if anyone peeks inside the room they'll only find one goat monster child holding a circular, glowing disk in their hands and watching the "video" it projects. There's a somber expression on his face as his jaw tightens.]
no subject
He just hears the sound of Asriel's voice, slightly filtered as if it's coming through a television, and decides to peek into the room where it's coming from; even if he's back to his present age, Mettaton still feels a need to investigate whether Asriel's a baby. If he is, he might want some company again, and age didn't really change the robot's willingness to babysit.
When Mettaton pokes his head in however, he sees the Asriel he knows, holding a disk which appears to be transmitting what he'd heard.
...Chara. He can see them in the image. Oh...
His brows knit together, and he knocks gently against the doorframe to announce himself.]
Sweetheart, shouldn't you be sleeping?
no subject
[It really shouldn't be a surprise that eventually someone would check the room he's occupied, but Asriel thought he'd have a little more time to be able to slip in and out. But the disk drops, freezing on the image of Chara trying to make a weird face at Asriel...
...and then fast-fowarding.
Asriel quickly paws at the disk, panicked muttering under his breath as he tries to stop it. The images are mostly blurring, but some of them are a little more noticeable - such as a brief image of Sans with a glowing eye and his gaster blasters behind him. A blurry image of Toriel with a frightened and confused look on her face.
By the time Asriel gets it to stop, he wishes he didn't. The image skips far, far ahead to scene Mettaton might recognize. Asriel being dragged away from him while he was chained to a platform, his monster-like wails interrupted with a sharp tug of the metal around his neck. Once Mettaton is out of view, Asriel is picked up and slammed into the ground with enough force that if Asriel wasn't struggling so hard to protect himself and escape, it'd shatter a monster. In any case, the action hurts and there's a squeal of pain that follows.
"Shut up! You've caused enough problems today, and you're damn lucky I got a decent price out of you. If you end up biting our buyer or running away again, I'll skin you my damn self. You're probably worth more as a rug anyway."
Asriel whimpers and cowers, but he's too afraid to move. Somehow, he doesn't think the slaver is lying. Being submissive doesn't get him out of being muzzled again, and a piece of rope is strung under his jaw and tied in a tight loop a few times around his snout. It seals his mouth shut. He's lifted back up as the slaver glances to someone off-screen, his face going from cruel to pleasant in an instant.
"Ah, there you are! Here is your animal. See? Healthy as can be..."
The video cuts out suddenly, because Asriel is desperately clawing at it. His small body is shaking violently, thick tears forming at his eyes.]
-I'm sorry, I-I just have to turn it off, please turn off...
no subject
At first, anyway. If he had time to process any of the blurred playback, he might wonder what Asriel could be doing to brink forth such negative emotions from Sans or Toriel. After all, Toriel was his mother and shouldn't be afraid of him, and Sans? The only time he looked that way was under some level of upset.
But...he didn't have time to process it, because all of it fell away like nothing as the images replayed events from just last month; Mettaton on the platform, Asriel crying out in despair as he's captured again.
Mettaton thought he had been able to internalize this better, and with the memories afforded to him by his foray into the future, he even thought he had a strategy. But it didn't matter as soon as he saw that. He dropped to one knee, feeling as if his entire body was in the midst of shutting down.
Thank God Asriel didn't have any way to see what MTT was thinking. His mind was everywhere, traitorously reminding him of every awful thing, and how guilty he felt--no, how guilty he was--for having let the slaver take Asriel away.
When he could finally bring himself to move, he doesn't hesitate to reach out and wrap his arms around Asriel. To comfort him.
To comfort them both.]
I'm so sorry.
no subject
He thought he was done crying over this, but as he's pulled against Mettaton a loud sob escapes. His chest heaves painfully as water blurs his vision, and he can't find it in himself to stop shivering.
The disk shakes in his hands, forwarding to a pitch black room. There's a tiny bit of light filtering in throw a barred window, and the sounds of chains pulled across the floor. The sounds of snarling and clawing can be heard from somewhere nearby.
The soft voice that pleads causes the young boss monster to freeze up. It's Asriel's voice, strained and exhausted.
"Please, let me out... I promise I won't run away anymore, please... it's too dark, I'm so hungry, I don't want to die-"
With a loud cry, Asriel throws the disk. It slides across the room before smacking into a wall and going silent. Asriel covers his eyes as he breaks into childish sobbing.]
It - it hurts.
[He doesn't mean the hug.]
no subject
He could feel it. The collar...the collar used to make him harm others.
Was it the collar? Nnh...]
You are safe here! We won't be recaptured--you won't be!! I won't allow it...!!
[He knows it won't help much, if at all. He wasn't a trustworthy protector.]
no subject
He couldn't even escape in his dreams.
Logically, the human who bought him couldn't be here. And he had enough people here to protect him if someone like that was on the ship. But the fear still remains. The people who could protect him stayed on the ship, not knowing where Asriel was or even if he could be rescued. And he was taken off the ship in an instance, stranded in that awful place.
The sobs continue for a while, and Asriel twists himself so he can bury himself against Mettaton and try to feel a little safer. He has to get it out of his system first, all the tears and despair he thought he worked out the first time. All the fear he thought would go away with time.
Once the sobs start to quiet, Asriel can use his voice again.]
I'm...
[His voice feels weak. This wasn't what he wanted, this isn't how he wanted anyone to know. Not even his own mom knows just how deep the scars go. He didn't want her to panic more than she already was.
He's not really sure if anyone would understand. But Mettaton... Mettaton was there too.]
I'm so scared. I'm so scared of him, I can't sleep. E-everyone says he won't come here, but I don't want to disappear again and end up somewhere where he can find me. I don't want him to find me ever again.
I... I hate him.
[Hate was a strong word, and not one that Toriel encouraged Asriel to use. But it's the first time Asriel's managed to talk about the person who bought him, and he can't think of any other word that feels right to use.]
no subject
He wasn't going to let a new friend be scared and alone. If the disk was to be believed, then that had already happened.
At any other time, Mettaton might have said that hate was the wrong word for this. Just utter distaste would do. But that's not true, is it? He hates his slaver too. He hates that he'd lost his freedom and become a tool. Even if his collar wasn't controlling him physically, it was through simply existing with the threat it held.
Mettaton's arms shook for a moment as his thoughts wandered to that uncomfortable place, but no. No, this was about Asriel, not him!!
He was an adult. He was fine to handle it.]
...I can't tell you not to hate him. I can't tell you not to be upset about what's happened. But I can tell you this. I would never let it go unpunished. Nothing could stop me from helping you, even if it took some time.
So I will only ask that you not fear. If anyone could have helped you. We would have...
[Where was his mother? Where were the captains? Where was anyone?]
I would have. You didn't deserve your treatment, and that disgusting, abhorrent human should never have shown you such disrespect as a living being, never mind a prince!! If I could just have gotten free, I'd have shown them...shown them what a real monster could do!!
[Not the true monsters they were. But what humans thought of them, and treated them like. He would show them what he was past just being a killer robot.]
no subject
I-if I were stronger, I... I would've...
I would've hurt him too. I would've bit him until he didn't have any arms left! I would've been exactly the kind of monster humans think we are! And then... then he wouldn't have treated me like I was nothing. And he wouldn't have locked me in that scary room, or pull my ears and... and...
[Wow, he can already feel the disappoint and disapproval from Toriel, Sans, Papyrus, and Frisk. Monsters weren't wild, vicious animals - but after Asriel was treated that way, he wanted nothing more than to show that same human just what a so-called "wild, vicious animal" could do to him. The bout of guilt he feels from the imaginary figures of his fellow monsters and family evaporates as he indulges in this anger.
After all, he wasn't really a monster. He was filthy and warped, corrupted into something that couldn't even call itself a kind or gentle monster anymore.]
I... would've saved you and Papyrus too.
[But he wouldn't. He was too small and weak. Too terrified. So they bound him and silenced him instead.]
no subject
To be honest, it was just another part to his personal crisis puzzle; humans weren't all good. He had put so much faith in the race due to the entertainment aspect, and he'd looked up to him. Now his body made him feel sick. It was what he wanted, and yet he hated himself more than ever for it, because how could he be comfortable in the "skin" of those who had oppressed monsterkind so thoroughly?
Who would treat a child like an animal, just because they didn't look the same?]
Oh honey...you are strong though. It hurts, it won't ever feel alright. But you held through, and you're back on board, with the people who love you!!
[Mettaton smiles, trying to look encouraging, but it's a hollow expression, and he appears as if he's looking through Asriel.
Words spoken out of truth tend to carry less weight when someone's upset with themselves. But god is he trying. He's so fortunate that he can't cry like Asriel can.]
Someone came to save you. It wouldn't have been your responsibility to save me or Papyrus. You are far more important.
no subject
It takes the wind out of his sails, even though he wants to stay anger. He is angry, for the both of them. For Papyrus too. He was so scared and hurt, and towards the end he was pretty sure his owner was perfectly willing to starve him to death while working every last ounce of strength out of him.
... He hates that he has an owner. Somewhere out there. A human who probably still thinks that Asriel belongs to him. Someone who would willingly drag him back and put him right to work again if he had the chance. And somehow, that man didn't think any of it as wrong.
Screw being the better monster, or finding mercy. If Asriel had the chance, he just wanted to make them sorry. The thought flashes through his mind, and for a few seconds he's horrified for thinking that way.
What Mettaton says distracts him a little from his own mixed up, messed up thoughts. He shivers a little and settles against Mettaton.]
... Did someone rescue you?
no subject
When the question is posed, he lets out a breath he wasn't even aware he was holding.]
Papyrus. He did it.
[That's all he says. He doesn't want to say more, especially since Papyrus has been absent for almost two weeks. He hadn't thought to ask--he just internalized it all. The fact that Papyrus was in cryo. That he might be at fault for it somehow.
That he was a selfish bastard for not noticing some invisible sign...
He grits his teeth, pushing it back again. He's good at that.]
I owe him so much. He's such a good person.
no subject
Asriel shakes that thought aside. Sans found his way back, he's sure Papyrus can too.]
I owe Papyrus a lot too. He really is a good person.
[He wanted to do a better job of being the kind of monster Papyrus thinks he is - even if he is sitting here with a head full of violent thoughts of how he'd like to set all of those slavers on fire. He's not sure if he ever could become the kind of friend that Papyrus deserved, but as long as Papyrus was there he really believed he could. And maybe he wanted to do a better job of trying.]
Papyrus said you two fought in an arena and then got away.
[The statement felt a little intrusive, and Asriel would understand if Mettaton wanted to shift the conversation elsewhere. After all, Asriel didn't show off his own memories of his imprisonment willingly. Asriel places both of his hands on Mettaton's before making a quiet offer.]
Um... if you wanna get mad too... I'm not gonna tell anybody.
no subject
Mettaton lets out a laugh that sounds as if it could almost be a sob. Is Asriel serious?]
Sweetheart...all getting mad has done is make things worse! Why would I want to be mad? The first time, I was mad, I was told what an awful person I was. And I stayed mad anyway until my soul shattered. The second time I was mad? It didn't matter, because I couldn't change anything. All I could do was kill defenseless people until...Papyrus...
[He shakes his head, and there's that hollow smile of his again. What he had meant with all that was...whenever he was mad, he hurt people. He wouldn't stop and that's how he died. And then he lied and hurt the feelings of those concerned for him, until he was laid bare and had to admit what he was. When things began to look better, they instantly fishtailed into slavery, and more hurting. Loss of control until full compliance was gained.
Asriel really was stronger than him.]
You're so sweet, Asriel. It makes me feel awful that I intruded upon you! It's not your fault that those awful things played out.
[Mettaton's segue is hardly smooth. Clearly he's struggling a little.]
What, uh. What was that anyway? That round thing. A gift from the captains, was it?
no subject
But he freezes as Mettaton keeps talking. Because what Mettaton says? It hits way too close to home. He wasn't told he was terrible for acting the way he had, but Toriel's disappointed face wasn't something that could easily leave his mind. The feeling he'd let Sans down too. All because he got mad and stayed mad until he was too exhausted to keep going.
And in the end, it didn't make any difference. It didn't bring anyone back. Just like before, just like with Flowey. They all stayed dead, and it was all his fault.
He doesn't address what Mettaton says yet (but he's not leaving that statement alone), but he does wiggle out of his arms to go fetch his identity disk and bring it back from where he threw it.]
It's my identity disk. I got it when I visited Rinzler's world with Frisk to rescue him. We got captured - almost right away - and put in this awful game where we were given these to fight other programs who got captured too.
[The disk lights up in with a hum, circuits glowing with warm colors.]
But later I learned that it's not just something to fight with, it... makes up what I am too. It has everything about me recorded on it - memories, thoughts, everything.
...
Um, Mettaton...? I think there's something I should show you on this disk.
[A memory that Asriel doesn't really want to show, but he thinks maybe it could help? At the very least, he could at least prove to Mettaton that he understands.]
no subject
I see. How interesting! I assume it's now an intrinsic part of you, and that you should take very good care of it.
[He smiles a little as the disk begins to glow before him.]
Look at you, you may as well be a proper robot yourself. [It's a tease, of course. One that he abandons when Asriel appears to become more serious.]
Oh? What would you like to show me?
[His tone is uncertain. He's not...interested in seeing anything from the past few months, he doesn't think. But maybe it won't be something like that.]
no subject
But he doesn't dwell on the thought. He hears the uncertainty in Mettaton's tone and all he can think of is please don't get mad, I just want to help.
Or maybe... his reasoning is a little more selfish then that? His hand shakes a little as he places it on the disk, trying to hurriedly rewind through the more unpleasant slavery stuff.]
When you said you got mad, you got told what an awful person you were and that it didn't change anything. I think I understand what you mean.
[The image on the disk stops on a dust-covered Asriel. It's not a flattering image of the young prince - a tear-stained face with wild, furious eyes. The image of the carnage behind him is familiar, with the bodies of dead refugees strewn about. Asriel is reaching for a bright-red heart hovering over the body of refugee.]
... I got real mad too, when those humans took away mom, Papyrus, and Frisk.
[Asriel's expression tightens to keep himself from showing those same feelings he had during the massacre. The image skips to the blood-stained God of Hyperdeath, standing in the same hallway as Sans after the skeleton had also absorbed his fair share of souls. They look like they're having an argument, mostly about Asriel's refusal to stop his own massacre.]
I got mad and did a lot of terrible things. Mom was really disappointed, and I'm pretty sure Sans was disappointed too. I was a pretty "scary monster", at least, in the human sense.
[The image vanishes, and Asriel places his paw gently over the disk before lowering his head as he turns to Mettaton. There's a frightening feeling bubbling up in his chest. There was more he could've shown, like all the terrible things he did as Flowey, but he can't bring himself to do it. He's a little afraid that Mettaton might already be disgusted with what he's seen already.]
The point is... it scared me. And even right now, I'm still scared of getting mad. Because sometimes I don't know if I'm gonna turn into someone I don't like.
... But I am mad. And if being mad makes you a bad monster then... I don't care about being a good monster anymore.
[That's not entirely true, he does care. But right now? He just wants to feel this.
And if Mettaton wants to feel this too, in this empty room where no other monsters can watch or hear them, then that's okay too.]
no subject
But that monster. He knows that monster, had even ventured a guess as to who it was. Interesting to see how correct he really was. There's something beyond that, and Mettaton wonders why this adult boss monster seems so uncomfortably familiar.
Like he's seen it before this memory. Except he'd certainly remember that, so clearly that wasn't the case.]
Sans. Of course it was Sans.
[He rolls his eye, looking half-guilty, half-annoyed, as he watched the argument unfold. It doesn't linger though; there's more important things here than being aggravated at the short skeleton.]
Being angry doesn't make you a bad monster. If it did, what in the hell would we do with Undyne? She's angry almost all the time!
...Heh.
[He tips his head down, his brows knitting together.]
You know, even as a ghost, I could never stomach the thought of being anything but a happy person. Even when I was miserable, I didn't want to feel it. I would just work harder, be more energetic and optimistic.
...This must be what it feels like when you don't hold it in. Anger? Sadness? Maybe even a little hatred.
Even in here, I feel my own emotions. Inside.
[He puts a hand to his stomach, pressing his fingers over his core container.]
I used to be a monster. I can still feel, but I can't cry.
[Maybe if he did, he'd feel better. Mettaton was, after all, a very emotional creature. Why wouldn't he cry if he was upset, except if he couldn't?]
Asriel? May I please ask you for something?
no subject
There's no disgust or hate on Mettaton's face that Asriel can see, even though it kind of sounds like Sans and Asriel weren't the only ones that had a run-in that awful evening. Maybe he does feel a little guilty for the relief he feels right now.
Mettaton's request gets a tilt of his head.]
Of course. What is it?
no subject
No.
He needs this.]
My soul hasn't fully integrated with my body since I only recently repossessed it. I can still leave here since I'm not permanently corporeal yet. I'm not completely the same as a ghost. I sound different and all, and I really don't like it. However...
I would really like...to cry. Just this once. Before I can't do this anymore.
no subject
Still, it comes as a surprise hearing that Mettaton wasn't actually fused to his robotic body yet. In any case, Mettaton's request earns a sad smile out of Asriel. One more cry before he can't cry anymore?
Asriel sniffs a little. Mettaton, that's the kind of request that's going to make him cry.]
I guess it wouldn't be very fair if a crybaby says no to something like that, huh?
[It's meant as a joke, and Asriel nods his head.]
I can stay here with you, if you want.
[He'll watch Mettaton's body for him, or just be a shoulder to let Mettaton cry on.]
no subject
He looks...relieved when Asriel all but says yes. It's not his intention to make the young boss monster cry anymore, but Mettaton really just wants to feel. His range of emotions is usually on the optimistic spectrum, as he said, but sometimes you had to let go.
This...was a start.]
Please do stay. I'm not concerned if you see me this way. I just wanted to warn you--
[Mettaton's core--the soul in his abdomen--begins to glow as he removes himself from his body. It looks strange, because as soon as that pink glow leaves his body, it simply slumps over, lifeless. It really doesn't have complex programming, so when he's not there, it may as well be dead.
The glowing light reforms into something more transparent. Pink and small, the size of a child. When Mettaton speaks, his voice is pitched higher. More feminine.]
--so you won't be too surprised.
[There's a momentary pause, in which he fades out, but it's only to reappear closer to Asriel.]
Honey, thank you.
[Tears well up in his one visible eye. What a miserable looking specter.]
no subject
It doesn't last long, as a high-pitched voice interrupts him. And for a few seconds, Asriel is taken aback by the little pink ghost in front of him. He wasn't really sure what he was expecting but, Mettaton the robot and Mettaton the ghost were so strikingly different.
Asriel pushes those thoughts aside as he watches the tears form in the pink ghost's eye, and Asriel can feel his own eyes get a little watery too. He holds out his arms and nods to Mettaton.]
It's okay. I'm right here.
no subject
He should be embarrassed that he, an adult, is seeking comfort from a child who he had upset first, but he doesn't care. All he wants to do is cry, and finally...finally he can.
It doesn't take the upset away...but it helps a little to be so close to someone who wouldn't judge him, and who wouldn't think he was a lame little ghost for crying loudly into their shirt.]
no subject
His arms wrap around the little ghost, and while Mettaton is sobbing loudly into his shirt, Asriel takes the opportunity to get his own crying out. He's not really sure if he'll ever stop crying when it always seemed to feel so bad, when he always felt so scared and hurt, but... this helped.
Asriel's cries aren't as loud, but he closes his eyes and doesn't try to hold back the flow of tears anymore. They start to pool on the floor as he holds Mettaton close.
It wasn't okay. Nothing about what they've gone through is okay. But it was all right to feel this.]
no subject
He doesn't want anyone else to see this. Not Papyrus, not Frisk...no one. It was the one secret he could share with Asriel.
It's a good few minutes before he controls himself, dabbing at his eye with one nubby "hand" once he's gotten about as much emotional turmoil out as he's able. He still remains silent for a while, just...existing. But eventually, he gives a little sniff and looks up at Asriel.]
Thank you.
[He feels less...heavy.]
no subject
Glad to help.
[He really means it too. His chest is aching, his face is drenched, but he already feels like a weight has been lifted. It beat crying alone on one of those medbay cots. And maybe... it was just nice to let out all those emotions in front of someone who understood.]
H-ha, it feels like I've been crying all month...
no subject
You are allowed to cry. We have experienced something unhappy, and crying...being sad about it may be the only way to express it.
[He wants to say he feels better, and in a way he does. But on the other hand...he will never feel alright with this, and he knows it.]
Asriel, you really are a good prince. Thank you for taking care of your silly little ghost subject. And thank you for being a good friend.
no subject
I-I haven't been a prince for a while, Mettaton. But... I'm glad to be your friend.
[Asriel's eyes water a little. No, no - come on, not again.]
It still feels really awful... I just want it to stop feeling this way and I-I wanna stop crying too.
[Unfortunately, it doesn't look like that's going to happen right this second. A fresh wave of tears start to well up in his eyes. It's almost funny to him, but he's too exhausted to laugh.]
S-so do you mind if - if I cried a little longer?
no subject
Surely Mettaton felt that, but even hearing it makes him eel just a little better. It's weird, perhaps because he doesn't believe he deserves friends right now. All he does is be sad anymore.
...Asriel's feelings are just as valid as his though, and when he's asked permission for Asriel to keep crying? He laughs softly, not in derision. Just in awe.]
Of course you can cry, as I said--it is the only way we can express ourselves at this point. And if you need a shoulder, I will be there for you. I promise, sweetheart. That's what friends are for.
no subject
A quick brush of scans finds only one signature, and when he rounds the corner, the program isn't too surprised by what he sees. Disk review. Memory. The data should be accessible in dock, and short of a bugcheck, there's not a lot of reason for an external playback with no audience. But Rinzler's learned better than to expect strict logic from anyone in this place. Especially his allies.
The enforcer makes no move to enter, but he'll settle outside the door, ready to glower, growl, or otherwise drive off any potential intruders. He won't announce himself otherwise, though he's not being too careful to hide. If Asriel looks up at the right time, he might notice a glimmer of red-orange light. And even if he doesn't, the regular hums and noises of the ship seem to have acquired a familiar low rumble.]
no subject
Rinzler? Are you there?
no subject
no subject
Sorry, I figured there wouldn't be that many people up right now.
[The video, uninterrupted, plays out a scene of Toriel tucking in Chara and Asriel. She jokingly suggests to read them snail facts as their bedtime story. Asriel's eyes drift back to it for a few seconds.]
I know this isn't what the disk is for but, I don't have mom and dad's camcorder from home anymore so...
no subject
Internal access: faulty?
no subject
[It takes a while before they track him down. They stop for a moment with their hand on the doorway, their chest clenching painfully hearing the familiar voices. For a moment they're frozen, sorrow and pain welling up and nearly overwhelming them...stop. Breathe. Count to ten...]
[Frisk doesn't stay anything. Quietly, trying to not disturb their brother, they make their way across the room and hesitate for a moment before sitting down next to him.]
no subject
[He should've expected Frisk, honestly. Asriel hasn't been unaware that Frisk has been struggling to sleep just as much as he has, but the child sitting next to him still surprises him anyway. The expression on their face isn't too shocking - Chara's disappearance has been hard on them too, if not worse. At least bad enough that Frisk ran away because of it.
Asriel bites his lower lip nervously.]
Do you... um, do you want me to turn it off?
no subject
...what...what were they like with Mom an' Dad?
no subject
For the past hour, Asriel had watches his memories over and over of their life together. Mulling over all the thing he should've done or said. He should've told Chara he loved them. He should've spent more time together, or tried to do more dumb kid stuff that they used to do... but he was always afraid, wasn't he? Afraid that deep down, Chara still held that resentment.
But it always felt like there was going to be enough time. That they could finally make up all that lost time when they got off this ship for good. They couldn't go home, so what other option was there?
... He was so stupid, for not thinking about it.]
I can show you.
[His voice is quiet, and he flips through his memories as if he were rewinding a video with a TV remote. The scene settles on a family dinner, shown through the perspective of Asriel. Toriel seems to be making some kind of stew, a flame carefully hovering in her hand as she cooks. Asgore tries to come in and offer help before Toriel shoos him back out.
Asriel is sitting at the table, watching Asgore walk back out before smiling gently at him. Chara hops into a seat, almost placing muddy hands on the table before a female voice calls out.
"Chara, wash your hands before you sit down."
Chara makes a face, as a childish giggle interrupts them.
"Hee hee, looks like you can't fool mom, Chara..."
Chara tilts their head towards Asriel with a friendly but dangerous look.
"Maybe not. But you know, Azzy, looks like you're gonna need to wash up too."
"Huh? I already washed my - augh, Chara! Stop! You're getting mud on my nose!"]
no subject
[A small smile pulls at their face, though the sight of the Dreemurrs together like this makes their chest ache. Toriel cooking, and Asgore watching his children fondly...seeing a happy moment like this makes knowing what happened later all the worse. But Frisk chuckles quietly when Chara puts their dirty hands all over Asriel's face. That's so like them...]
Did they help in th' garden a lot?
no subject
Mm, sometimes. Usually when it was dad and me. Dad always gave us our own spots in the garden where we could plant our own flowers. Sometimes Chara got frustrated that theirs weren't growing as fast as mine or dad's.
[Chara got frustrated over a lot of things, for unexplained reasons.]
Though most of the time, we'd just stay out in the garden and talk about all kinds of different things.
no subject
...did they tell you about th' Surface much? I know they...never talked about before they fell much, but...um.
no subject
But sometimes, Chara would get really upset or quiet sometimes and me, mom, or dad could never figure out why. Chara wouldn't say why either. I think wherever they were on the Surface, it wasn't a happy place for them.
[Asriel was too naive at the time, or maybe just too afraid to know the answer. The Surface was where all monsters wanted to go - it was a place of wonder and hope for all monsterkind. To hear that it wasn't as perfect as everyone dreamed of...
Well, it foolishly got them killed in the end, didn't it?]
... I wish I would've asked more questions back then.
[Maybe it would've saved Chara? He doesn't know. Maybe if he'd done things this way, maybe if he tried to reach out to them a little more... he wouldn't be sitting here watching his memories of their family play over and over.]
no subject
...yeah. They never told me, neither, but...I could sorta guess. I don't think they wanted anyone knowin'. It...it hurts sometimes, thinkin' 'bout that stuff.
[Frisk wraps an arm around Asriel's back, squeezing him as support and comfort for them both.]
...'s not your fault.
Asriel | August 30th | Closed to Kyoko
In fact, it looks like she's preoccupied with reading something. If he felt braver, he might take the opportunity to sneak up on her and surprise her with a play stealth attack, but if she's anything like auntie Undyne... er, he's not sure if he wants to get suplexed.
Better play it safe.]
Howdy, Kyoko! What are you reading?
Asriel | August 30th (evening) | Closed to Kyoko, Frisk, and Toriel
And maybe introduce his new friend to his mom and sibling, although he leaves that part out. He's been chatting up his family to Kyoko the entire walk to his room though.
Once they enter, Asriel interrupts his conversation to see if Toriel and Frisk are even around.]
-and they're really nice, and mom is - Mom! Frisk! Are you home? We brought a surprise!
[The cookies. Kyoko. The fact that Asriel is practically a chocolate chip cookie himself with the amount of flour and chocolate in his fur. Take your pick.]