victory_road | 2nd Petal [Violet City, Video]

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2nd Petal [Violet City, Video]

[The feed clicks on to a close-up of a Natu's face. It tilts its body to the left, to the right, and pecks the screen before letting out a Na! and hopping back to reveal a quiet corner of the Violet City Pokemon Center's lobby, and a blue Shellos. It is slowly pulling a half-open backpack into frame, and once it's in sight the Natu appears again, landing on the backpack and making short work of the zipper. Its beak reaches in, probing the contents, before pulling out a flimsy plastic bag and flinging it down onto the floor. Inside that bag, as can clearly be seen, are five unopened chocolate bars. The Shellos looks at them, then shakes its head. In again goes the Natu's beak, and it flings out a bag of butterscotch candies. Another shake of the head. The Natu hops up and down, trilling angrily as the Shellos flinches and tries to reason with the other Pokemon.

This goes on for a full minute, until they both freeze and look up at the sound of approaching footfalls.]

H-Hey! What're you two doing?!

[Those who recognize Asriel will know that he's the one who runs into frame, looking upset as the two Pokemon back off with hanging heads. He starts to shove the candy back into his backpack while the Flabebe in his hair looks on quietly with some concern.] What'd you make a mess for? That stuff's for all of us an' Frisk later, not now! [His cheeks turn pink, and he zips the bag closed.] And you can't touch the chocolate 'cause it's for Ch - it's for even later! [The Shellos makes a mournful sound, and Asriel's expression softens.] Aw, Pie, we're gonna have breakfast soon, can't you wait a little...

[It's now that Asriel has noticed the Natu hopping towards the Pokegear, and he turns and freezes, noting the recording light.

Oh no. Oh no oh no. He just talked a lot in front of everyone, he mentioned Frisk, he almost mentioned...what if his Dad...]

FLAPPY, NO!!

[With a yelp he dives for the 'gear, fumbling before he manages to cut the feed, the last shot a glimpse of one of his widened eyes and his Flabebe clinging desperately to his hair.]

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[...man, they leave the room for five minutes.]

[Frisk startles a little seeing Asriel dive for--something,t hey can't see quite what from this angle, and Shelly lets out a bleat of 'Flaa!' before running over to try and mediate the altercation. After a moment Frisk is right on her heels, reaching to help Asriel get up.]

Asriel?! What's wrong?

[Five minutes and already everything's messed up to heck. Asriel doesn't shy away from Frisk when they come to help him up, but he's not exactly reaching back - instead, he's got his Pokegear clutched tightly in his shaking hands. Gracie seems to be picking up on his distress, because she's worriedly smoothing out his hair.

Poor Flappy, he's just staring up at the two kids with no idea that he's done anything.]

I-I dunno what h-happened, I just...Pie, and Flappy, and...they were going through my stuff, a-and the phone thing was on, and it r-recorded me, and...a-and Frisk, Dad is here, what if he saw me?! He can't know I'm here!!

[ARRIVAL TIME IS NOW. GUESS WHAT HE HAS MADE FOR YOUR ARRIVAL.]

[LOOKING AT YOU NOW. WHAT'S GOING ON PAPYRUS. IS IT SPAGHETTI. DID YOU BRING THE CHILD SPAGHETTI IN THE SHAPE OF YOUR FACE.]

[THERE IS A TABLE SPREAD WITH COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF PASTA DISHES. AND GARLIC BREAD SHAPED IN A LIKENESS OF HIS FACE.]

I'M SO GLAD YOU TWO MADE IT BACK TO VIOLET CITY SAFELY! YOU'RE HUNGRY, RIGHT? RIGHT????

[.........................................]

...H-Hi, Papyrus.

[Aw darn he's just so happy. And. Yeah, please distract this child from his 'gear.]

'M a little hungry, but I think Pie an' Flappy are a lot more hungry. Can they eat pasta, too?

OF COURSE THEY CAN! MY POKEMON ALSO LIKE MY COOKING!

[hhhhhhhhhhhoo boy]

Then...yes please, I'd like some pasta.

[Flappy's already bouncing towards the table to inspect the food, while poor Pie is slowly chugging along. Asriel comes over to pick him up and carry him. Hey, look, he knows what he's getting into, but if he's just not thinking about his Dad then he will eat the spaghetti.]

[Well, Mettaton probably helped some, so it's more edible than previous attempts.]

COME AND GET IT!!!

[A Litleo, Shinx, Lapras, and Amaura come running!]

Edited 2016-09-08 17:51 (UTC)

[Thank you Mettaton

Asriel's going to let Papyrus's Pokemon settle in before he approaches the table proper, setting Pie the Shellos down on the table while he makes the Pokemon a plate first. When he's done, Pie's just...wobbling up and down in excitement, and smushes face-first into the plate.]

Heheh! Aw, Pie, c'mon...

[Frisk puts their hands over Asriel's holding them and trying to still his shaking. Their throat closes for a moment when he explains--how can they tell Asriel they already spilled the beans? It was an accident, and they tried their best to cover their tracks, but...]

It...it'll be okay! People record bunches of stuff, he might not see it! An'...an' even if he does--he won't be mad at you, you know he won't! He doesn't even know it was you back then!

[Shelly looks over the small group, and pats Flappy on the head to reassure the tiny bird. What's going on, here?]

[Flappy looks at Shelly and chirps that he has no idea. Pie said there were good things in the bag? He wanted good things? But Pie is a picky jerk and nothing he pulled out was "right"?]

But...but he'll still...

[Asriel tries to take a deep breath. Frisk's hand on his is comforting, but he still shakes.]

H-he'll still be sad...and...and ask w-why me n' Chara...a-and then he'll find out I was pretending to be Bob the Temmie!!

[Pretty much everything is combining in Asriel's mind into one big "NOPE".]

HE'S A REAL GO-GETTER! I LIKE IT!

I think he just likes food. A lot.

[That might explain why he and Flappy were going through his backpack. Were they looking for pies? You can't bring pies with you as provisions for travel, your food needs to last! Like hard candy!

Flappy's plate is next, but the bird isn't as nearly enthusiastic about the spaghetti. He just pecks at it, eating little bits of noodles before stopping and staring at his plate as if you could find the answers to the cosmos within. It's okay, he likes it, he's just being Flappy.]

WELL! I'M CERTAINLY GLAD THEY LIKE IT! HOW ARE YOU FINDING THE TASTE?

[Urk...]

Um...lemme make a plate for me, and I'll tell you.

[Yeah now that the Pokemon are set up he can't dawdle anymore. Asriel makes himself a plate, needs two hands to twirl the spaghetti on his fork, and takes a bite.

...

Huh. Not bad.]

It's good!

[Oh, dear. Shelly shakes her head and assures Flappy that he can just wait for his trainer and ask for the nice things next time.]

That's...

[It's hard to find an argument against that, and Frisk stops sort for a few moments. It's so hard, to try and shield their family from all this pain...swallowing, Frisk moves to pull Asriel into a tight hug.]

We'll figure it out...it'll be okay, promise.

[...wait.]

You pretended t' be Bob?

[He's beaming. Just. BEAMING.]

I...I'M SO HAPPY YOU LIKE IT!!!!!!

[HE'S REALLY HAPPY HE CAN BE HONEST BECAUSE IT IS NICE TO HAVE WARM FOOD. Also he managed to make someone happy. Even if it's Papyrus, who is very easy to make happy.]

Do you make spaghetti a lot here?

[Oh is that how it works, Flappy asks?

Asriel returns the hug immediately, pressing his forehead onto Frisk's shoulder. It terrifies him, the prospect of his father finding out any of what happened. He doesn't want Asgore to cry, or be sad, or get angry, or ground him - he shouldn't have to worry.

...Urk.]

Uh, y-yeah. I wanted to...talk to him, when he got here, but I couldn't be me, Frisk...

WELL, SO FAR, YES! BUT, FRISK AND METTATON LIKE TO TRY DIFFERENT THINGS, SO I'LL PROBABLY BE BRANCHING OUT QUITE SOON!

...Could I help sometime?

[It's all he can think to ask to keep the conversation going.]

OF COURSE YOU CAN! FRISK LIKES TO HELP OUT TOO!

[aaaaaaaaa cooking with friends]

Okay! That sounds like fun!

[He wants to ask if they could make pies, but. Yeah no don't look a gift horse in the mouth little dude. Unless they're spaghetti pies.

Asriel would say more, but he's a bit preoccupied with Pie the Shellos edging into view and just. Slooooowly taking little nibbles out of his plate. The Pokemon hasn't noticed he's being watched yet, it's hilarious.]

[If you don't want to risk getting in trouble it certainly is!]

[Frisk holds Asriel tightly, rubbing his back and leaning their cheek against the side of his head. They know exactly what must be going through Asriel's head right now, and really...they can't blame him. They feel so very much the same way...]

[They let out a soft sigh.]

Mmm. I...I don't think we can avoid him forever, though.

[...Eh, Flappy says, and shrugs as best as a teensy round bird can shrug. He doesn't seem too concerned.

Asriel lets out a hard breath.] I know. But I...I can't just...I can't.

[As much as he'd like to be able to talk to his father, he's not ready to reveal himself. He'd never be ready to give Asgore the shock of his existing. It's tricky, though - he does sincerely want to make sure Asgore is okay, and he can't just hide on the Network forever, nor could he hide in Johto forever. If he has this chance at life, he wants to live it in the light, not the darkness.

He squeezes his eyes closed until they hurt.] I don't know what to do, Frisk...

[Frisk nods, letting out a soft but sympathetic huff of breath.]

I know.

[How many times had Chara frozen at even Frisk's mere thought of telling their family about their partner? How many times had Chara pleaded with Frisk to let them stay forgotten?]

We...we can figure it out later, okay? When you feel like you can.

[The last thing they want to do is push Asriel right now. They're pretty sure Asgore is still several days travel behind them both--if they keep moving, it should work out.]

[Asriel would sympathize with Chara completely, if he knew. It was better for their parents to move on and be happy, rather than chase translucent threads that only led to more pain. But...thank goodness for Frisk. Thank goodness. They understand.

Asriel gives them a little squeeze before pulling away some, sniffling, but reasonably calmer.] O-Okay...yeah. T-Thank you, Frisk...

[He doesn't know when he'll be ready, if he'll be ready, but he feels significantly less alone.]

[They nod and pat his hands, offering a smile that's more confident than they really feel. It's kind of funny--they've always wished they could SAVE Asriel properly, give him the life he deserves, but now it's happened and all the little problems they thought they could solve so easily seem so insurmountably huge.]

You're welcome.

[Frisk looks over at the scattered mess of his bag, which Shelly has started to try and tidy up, and frowns a little.]

Um, maybe we should clean up a little...

[There's a lot of problems. There's too many problems. This was why it was easier when he accepted he'd be in the Underground for as long as he lived. But...to get to be with Frisk and make new monster friends, and to have the surface might be worth it. He's just...gotta be brave. Right?

Asriel turns and looks, his face reddening. Oh yeah. Oops.] Uh, yeah, I'll do it - um, Shelly, you don't gotta clean it, it's my mess...

[Shelly looks up briefly and bleats out a 'Flaa!' before shaking her head and going back to organizing things as best she can. Frisk, meanwhile, smiles and takes Asriel's hand to squeeze it gently.]

I'll help, it's okay! Then it'll get done faster, too, you know?

[Frisk heads over to start picking up some of the scattered items of clothing, folding them up and setting them in a neat pile.]

A-Are you sure...?

[But look at Frisk go, already doing it. They always did strive ahead. Asriel finds himself smiling weakly, and hurries over to join them. He finds the bag of butterscotch candies that had been discarded, and he looks at them carefully.] Aw...some of 'em got cracked in half...

We can share those ones, then!

[It's easy to find the positives for other people, and showing--showing Asriel how things aren't so bad feels like second nature. They smile with a crinkle under their heavy-lidded eyes, exuding an aura of patient optimism.]

...Yeah.

[Yeah, he likes that better. The candies go in his backpack, and now the chocolate...he feels the bars inside, biting softly on his bottom lip. There might be a break in the middle of one of them, but that's fine, so long as it hasn't been pulverized. That's going much more carefully into his backpack.]

We just gotta be careful the pieces don't hurt our mouths.

[Frisk's eyes fall on the chocolate, and the space where their SOUL should rest clenches painfully. They don't say anything, knowing that even the smallest comment would be too much, but...]

[Maybe if they call their name enough times, when no one else can hear...that was how they came back the first time, wasn't it?]

[Frisk's smile only falters for a moment, and they go back to gathering the scattered items back together for Asriel to store away.]

Mmm. If you suck on 'em right, the sharp part can go away quick! But sometimes it gets worse, too...

[It would be alright if Frisk said something. Only Frisk. They...must've had an idea, Asriel thinks, of how much Chara meant to him. He did a lot of weird and stupid things to them as a flower over Chara, after all. If he only had an idea of how deeply things ran.]

Yeah...so, um, don't let it hurt you though, okay? I can throw the broken ones out if they do that.

[If Frisk felt as though they had a right, he would have known many timelines over by now. But...it wasn't their choice. Chara has so little agency anymore, trapped in Frisk's SOUL as they had been, that even if it hurt them they couldn't take the few choices their partner had from them. If they wanted their continued existence to be secret...then Frisk would carry that to every grave made for them.]

You don't gotta do that! We could...um. Maybe if they do, we can break 'em up super small an' mix it into milk? Like a hot chocolate or somethin'!

[It probably doesn't actually work like that, but sure, Frisk. You do you.]

Oh! So...it'd be...hot butterscotch!

[Kids no]

Yeah! We can do that! But, we need a grownup to use the stove for us. And, we gotta buy the milk too.

[Kids yes.]

Yeah! I can do th' stove, though, I hadda do kitchen stuff a lot before I fell down.

[Frisk frowns a little.]

I dunno what stove we can use, though...

[Oh wow...Frisk knows how to do everything!! And it's probably better if Frisk handles the stove. The last time Asriel cooked, it...yeah.......]

Do they have one here? The nurses're real nice in the Centers, maybe they won't mind?

Um, I dunno! I didn't ask before...

[Frisk glances back to the Joy on station in the lobby, who has been watching the two kids with an expression somewhere between exasperated and amused.]

Um! S'cuse me, do you got a stove here?

"No, we don't, dear. But we do have a microwave and some mugs I might be able to lend to you two."

Is a microwave gonna be able to do it, though?

[Oh, oh wait, there's a light in Asriel's eyes.]

Or, do you know if your Pokemon can use fire magic? We could make it that way, couldn't we? It'd taste lots better!

[After all, nothing is as good as homemade food cooked over fire magic.]

It can get stuff pretty hot...

[Oh, but that's an even better idea! The Joy gets a slightly panicked look on her face while Frisk bounces and grins.]

Oh yeah, they can! But, um, can any of ours...? They gotta be th' right type, don't they?

Do they? Hmm...

[He guesses it makes sense if a Pokemon more attuned with fire used fire magic than one, say, attuned with water.]

I don't think any of mine can.

I dunno if mine can, neither...but, um! Maybe we can go find one an' ask them nicely!

[They're making friends on the road all the time, it shouldn't be any problem at all!]

Okay! Yeah, we'll find one!

[THIS IS GONNA BE SO COOL]

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2nd Petal [Violet City, Video]

action; YOLO I DO WHAT I WANT

[Action] hELP HE DONE FUCKED UP

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