New Beginnings

[justabaddream]

Who: Asriel and Open
When: The beginning of Feoveuer
Where: Throughout Aefenglom
What: Arrival
Warnings: Probably talk of child death, Undertale spoilers



[This should be impossible.

It's the one thought that keeps repeating in Asriel's mind, over and over. This is impossible. He shouldn't be here. How'd he get here? One moment, he was watching Frisk walk away, while being left to his own fate. Frisk would leave with the other monsters, they would all go live happily on the Surface. It's what they all deserved.

And Asriel? Well. He deserved whatever came next. He'd return to being Flowey again, and he'd live out of the rest of his life alone, in the Underground. With Chara. He made peace with that fate. After all, he died. There was no future for him.

Except, when he caught a glimpse of himself in a small pool of water... he found himself somewhere else entirely. The shopkeeper had explained it to him, tried her best to explain the world and the questions he had. She didn't even seem to mind that he was a monster, even if she said that he'd eventually "be a different kind of monster". He's still not sure what that means.

It didn't really matter.

After getting a night of rest, he wakes up the next day. He's still himself. No flower petals, no murderous impulses. It's just him.

So he takes his first step outside, and he's blinded by the sunlight. It's not the first time he's seen it, but it's been a long, long time.

It's really pretty. Just like last time... He didn't deserve this. What was happening to him?

While watching the sunlight, Asriel isn't really watching where he's going. He'll stumble right into you, letting out a startled yelp. Sorry, he's not really used to being around people yet.]

S-sorry! I'm sorry! I was distracted... are you OK?

Comments

[noblegarnet]

[Ferran himself isn't doing the best as far as paying attention to his surroundings, but it's a good thing he was only thinking about groceries, and not carrying them, when Asriel knocks into him just enough to make him stutter a step. Although he catches himself quickly despite his long winter cloak seeming easy to trip over, he reaches out to steady the other person and make sure neither of them end up on the ground.]

I'm fine—are you okay? [His brow furrows with worry; he's not exactly familiar enough with goat-people to tell their age, but this kid's voice and stature gives off the impression of being young. His gloved hands stay on Asriel's shoulders, although not with any force to keep him there.] It's not safe to be distracted when you're out right now.

[Look, don't call him out, he'd be fine. He can turn invisible if he needs to.]

[justabaddream]

I'm okay. Just... a little lost, I guess? This whole place is so much to take in...

[Asriel's realizing just how many people around, and boy, is he feeling kind of uncomfortable right now.]

Why's it not safe? Is it because I'm a monster?

[noblegarnet]

Oh, no. Well— [Ferran frowns briefly in thought.] Hm.

[It certainly could be the case that monsters are in more danger than witches in this particular instance... with the class disparity and all. Best not to make things too complicated, though—it sounds like he's new here.]

People have been going missing the past few weeks, is what I mean. [Curious, he tilts his head at the young... "monster"? That's what he called himself, so it's probably not a new label like it was for Ferran.] Were you looking for something specific?

[justabaddream]

[Oh great. And here he is sticking out like a sore thumb. Hopefully missing people don't involve him.]

I'm not sure what I'm looking for, to be honest.

[noblegarnet]

[Ferran sees the shift in expression well enough, and he offers Asriel a sympathetic smile in the hopes of alleviating some of the anxiety that comes with being in a new, unfamiliar world.]

I understand, believe me. I was in a really bad state when I first got here. Are you hungry?

[killuwatt]

[ The stranger is quick on his feet; he dodges aside immediately, on instinct, stepping around and grabbing the Monster boy by the arm to make sure he doesn't fall from his forward momentum. ]

You should watch where you're going.

[ It's stated matter-of-fact, not exactly nice but not in an overtly cold tone either. Killua lets him go. ]

Your eyes don't work, or what?

[justabaddream]

[Asriel stiffins a little at the sight of a human, but said human isn't screaming at him or seems at all bothered by his appearance.]

Sorry. I was distracted by the sunlight... it's been a long time since I've seen it. I've lived Underground for most of my life.

[Until that one time he got out and died, but that's another story for another day.]

[killuwatt]

[ Killua slides his hands back into his pockets, brows rising at that sort-of explanation. He cocks his head, looking over the other kid as well. Right now, he's assuming this is an Aefenglom native Monster of some kind. ]

Underground?

Somewhere near here, or what? It's a big city, but I hadn't heard of underground housing or anything like that. Sounds pretty crappy.

[justabaddream]

No, um, before I got here. I lived under a mountain with other monsters. We were trapped there by a spell put there by humans.

[killuwatt]

...before?

[ Killua looks a little surprised, blinking at him.

Well, it only makes sense that there are many worlds with people who look all sorts of ways. He'd met plenty of people in his own would who could be mistaken for Monsters here, though the terminology is hardly the same. This person seems to be from a world where they're also called Monsters.

Might make it easier for him to adjust, at least. Maybe. ]

I see. You're new, then.

Enjoy the sunlight.

[chefalier]

[With extremely pale skin and an open black umbrella covering the blond man's head, Sanji definitely doesn't look the friendliest person, not at first. He feels the bump against him and sends an irritated look at Asriel, although it shifts into surprise when he notices that it's just a kid that's bumped into him. A monster kid?? Whatever, it's not a big deal to him.

The irritation morphs into something more neutral, trying to show that he's not really annoyed by this anymore.]

I'm fine, kid.

[He breathes out, his usual cigarette in his mouth, although his eyes dart around to see if like this kid's parent is anywhere nearby. No, doesn't like it. On second thought, he might be a Mirrorbound person like him.]

...What were you distracted by?

[justabaddream]

[Sanji is tall compared to Asriel, enough for Asriel to feel a little unsure of himself. But Sanji isn't yelling at him, or anything like that.]

The sunlight... it's been a really long time since I've seen it. Or been above ground.

[chefalier]

...

[The fuck has this kid been through? A long time since he's seen the sun? Or been above ground? A frown crosses Sanji's face, although it's not directed at Asriel. He's just upset upon hearing this... not to mention that it hits a little too close to home for him.

Shit.

Sanji runs a hand through his hair and while he can't really look up at the sun without feeling uncomfortable, he nods in the kid's direction.]

...Yeah, it's nice being out here. Sucks living in the dark, beneath everything.

[justabaddream]

[The comment causes Asriel to look up curiously.]

You've been stuck underground too? I thought it was just us monsters.

[chefalier]

[Sanji takes in a breath, as if to keep himself and his voice steady. It's been years since he's been trapped, but those memories never went away. Doesn't help that he saw his father Vinsmoke Judge not too long ago. It's gotten a little easier, but the pain's still there.

Of course, he doesn't say any of that.]

There was this kid. Wasn't a monster, a human, but he was trapped inside this dungeon with a helmet over his head. For a while, he thought he'd never go outside again.

[textsfromhotland]

[If Asriel finds himself near the community garden, he might literally run into one of the volunteer caretakers. Even in the middle of winter, Alphys is hard at work tending to the plants, either making sure they're covered to protect them from frost or transplanting the more fragile ones inside. Today her vision is blocked by the large, potted bush she's carrying, which is why she doesn't immediately scream and run at the sight of him.]

Whoops! T-that was my fault, sorry!

[justabaddream]

[That voice...

Sends an ice cold shock down Asriel’s spine. For a while, he thought himself the only monster from his world here. It made sense, that he be here while the other monsters got their “happy ending”.

But this was clearly Alphys’ voice, and nothing can calm down the sea of mixed emotions and sheer panic that rises up in him.

He mumbles her name quietly, by mistake:]

Alphys?

[textsfromhotland]

[...That voice doesn't sound familiar. Was this someone else that Mettaton knows, and he's mentioned her in his various stories about himself? She peers around the potted plant to get a look at whoever she bumped into, and the color drains from her face. This is a monster. Not an Aefenglom monster, a monster monster, with a shocking resemblance to Asgore and Toriel and she sputters a little as she tries to keep her brain from connecting the dots.

Asriel, meanwhile, will more than likely notice the rack of reindeer antlers on her head. It's not some kind of fancy hat, those are for real growing out of her head.]

[justabaddream]

[Why do you have antlers? He wants to ask outright, but he's already screwed up by saying her name. Crap. Crap. Why does a monster from the Underground have to be here?? Shouldn't she be on the Surface with Frisk?]

I mean um, I heard someone here mention a lizard monster named Alphys! That must be you, right?

[Smooth.........?]

Although, you've got a funny pair of antlers on your head!

[That's a roundabout way of inquiring why she's suddenly grown antlers.]

[textsfromhotland]

Uh... have we, um, met before...?

[Because she's not buying the "somebody mentioned you" thing at all and she's getting the very nagging feeling that she knows who this kid is somehow.]

T-these? [she glances up at her antlers for a second.] Well, uh, I didn't used to have them...

[metalcrusher]

DISTRACTED, FROM CATCHING SIGHT OF SUCH A HANDSOME ROBOTIC BUNNY??

[Now. Mettaton fresh out of the Underground would not be self-describing as a "robotic bunny," but it seems Asriel's reasonably bumped into something resembling more a wall than a person. The monster runs right into the idol's metal face, his screen dim to start—but it quickly lights harsh, bright yellow.

As for the robotic bunny part, well... As soon as Asriel glances up, it becomes clear: Mettaton does not at all look the same as he did last he saw him, that much is for sure. Long gone are the plain facets of Mettaton's, well, planes, as they now sport a healthy pair of tall rabbit ears. Claws tip his fingers, and fur sprouts on arms and even his back—but that's all for another moment, when he's not facing forward.

Mettaton claps his hands together at the sight of Asriel, who he does not recognize as Asriel, but...]

WELL WELL WELL! WHY, CALL IT MY PUCA'S INTUITION... BUT ARE YOU, PERHAPS, NEW HERE? I'M SURE I WOULD HAVE REMEMBERED A FACE LIKE YOURS AROUND, BEAUTIFUL!

[justabaddream]

[That's Mettaton with rabbit ears. That's Mettaton with rabbit ears. And fur? And... well, Asriel's got a lot of questions and a lot of feelings. Maybe this was a new act and costume? He wasn't expecting to see another monster here - they - they were all supposed to go to the Surface, right? That's especially what Mettaton wanted, Asriel thought.

He doesn't recognize Asriel though. Good. Asriel's not really sure how he'd explain being dead and coming back to life and ending up here.]

W-what's a Puca? Are you dressed up like a bunny?

[metalcrusher]

[That sure is Mettaton with rabbit ears.

Mettaton's silvery ears spring up and lean for Asriel in an expression of interest. Expressive as ever, he taps the area just beneath his screen with a black, neatly-filed claw.]

"DRESSED UP?" WELL WELL WELL. WHAT A PECULIAR ACCUSATION TO MAKE. [Peculiar, and one that has him positively glowing. His screen displays the classic letter M upon its face.] YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST BE NEW HERE, DARLING. I'LL TAKE THAT AS A YES! SO BEFORE I EXPLAIN WHAT A PUCA IS TO YOU...

[All over again, he clasps his hands together, wheeling excitedly closer to Asriel.]

COULD IT BE? ARE YOU ALSO A MONSTER, FROM THE UNDERGROUND? ONE OF MY FANS??

[justabaddream]

[Mettaton doesn't know who he is. That's... kind of a relief. As far as Mettaton knows, he's just another monster from the Underground, and not the dead prince turned murder flower.]

Y-yeah, I'm a big fan! I think I saw you in concert once!

[Which... isn't a lie?]

I just got here a day ago.

[metalcrusher]

[While Mettaton's certainly old enough to know of Asriel, he's also related to Napstablook, who didn't know Toriel and Asgore were the queen and king... It could take him a while, but he is clever enough to connect the dots.

Asgore was never very creative with his names, after all, and everyone knows it.

Nonetheless, Mettaton claps his hands, further excited. He'd bounce if he could, as a new rabbit-like feature.]

WONDERFUL!! A FRESH FACE, WHO IS ALSO A FAN OF MINE... THEN YOU'RE NO DOUBT AWARE OF MY NEWEST ANATOMICAL ADDITIONS, HAVING SEEN ME SO RECENTLY.

[A fan of his would surely know that classic rectangular taste, void of fur and ears. Mettaton points to them again, and they flick.]

I'M SURE THE COVEN GAVE YOU A RUNDOWN, DARLING. BUT SOME OF US COME HERE AS WITCHES... WHILE SOME OF US COME HERE AS "MONSTERS." BUT DON'T LET THAT WORD CONFUSE YOU: MONSTERS ARE TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM OUR IDEA OF IT! THEY AREN'T NECESSARILY EVEN MAGICAL, FOR ONE. THESE EARS MEAN I'M A PUCA!

[And a developed one, at that. He's been here for over a year, after all. Mettaton shifts the focus onto Asriel, now that he's given his promised explanation.]

HOW ABOUT YOU, DARLING? DO YOU KNOW IF YOU'RE A WITCH? A MONSTER?