victory_road | 6th Petal [Video, Goldenrod City]

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6th Petal [Video, Goldenrod City]

[This evening, Poke-Pals, you are in for a special surprise. The video starts with Asriel standing before it, smiling, a pad of paper and a box of crayons in his arms - it's important to note that the crayons were not spared any expense, because they're the deluxe box with the sharpener in the back. Clearly this is a special occasion.

Gracie the Floette floats over into view to settle in his hair - ah, so that's who turned the 'gear on - as he begins to speak.]

Howdy! Um, I wanted to show you guys something. [He fumbles a bit, trying to turn the pad around while keeping the crayon box in his arms, but eventually he reveals...a drawing. A wobbly, rough drawing of a vaguely goatlike, bipedal creature wearing a green cape and robes. He's smiling, and very kind-looking, without any dark marks on his face, and he's holding bunches of golden flowers.]

I used to have, um, a character that I liked to make up stories about. But...he wasn't really very nice. [There's a flash of tired guilt on his face, as if remembering something, but it doesn't linger long.] And, he was real sad 'n stuff. So, I wanted to make a new character to show everybody, and...um, yeah. Maybe make more characters with other people and...make up stories? O-Or play pretend? If that's okay...

[He mumbles the last bit shyly, and Gracie pats his head, cooing Flo, floette at him in a comforting manner. It helps Asriel take a breath and steel himself with a bit more confidence.]

U-Um, my new character...his name is Torgore the Great! And, he's a magician, and he makes all the beautiful flowers grow! And he loves to make friends and keep them safe! S-So...if you wanna play make-believe stuff or just wanna draw characters, you should! And, um, I'd like to see 'em.

[A pause. He puts his materials down on the floor to come over to the 'gear.] Mm, that's all I've got to say about it. Just, um, lemme know if you wanna do it!

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[Frisk chews on the inside of their cheek and glances to the side, looking a little nervous.]

I dunno what I'd want, though. I dunno if I'd wanna be--um. If they should be a...a hero or just normal or what.

They could be both. Or, um, you can make more than one character. Nobody says you can only make one - and, well, nobody says you gotta make it up all at once, either. You can take your time, if you wanna. [He pauses, shifting the supplies in his arms.] There's no rules to imagining stuff.

You're so good at it, though! I don't...um. I guess I'm just nervous, ehe.

[From off-screen a 'Skiiiii!' can be heard, and Frisk giggles a bit.]

Oh! Um, I'm almost back, I'm comin' inside now! Save me some paper!

Aw, I'm not that good! Ch...

[He catches himself mid-name, his expression tightening just a bit, but the implication is there. Frisk will know who he means.]

- Uh, sure! I've got lots, don't worry!

[...]

[Yeah. They were really good at that stuff, weren't they?]

[Frisk smiles, and if it's a little strained at the edges...well, maybe he'll account it to them being worried for him.]

O-okay! I'll be up soon!

[True to their word, it's only a few minutes longer before Frisk opens the door to the hotel room with the bag of sandwiches. Buddy bounds into the room and over to Asriel, gently butting his head against the boy's arm in greeting.]

Hi! ...um, 's it okay if I ask about them?

[They really were. Asriel waits patiently for Frisk to appear, spreading out the paper and opening up the crayons for the two of them to use. He looks up when Frisk enters, smiling at Buddy's greeting and patting him on the head as Gracie floats over to rest in the grass goat's leaves - and then pauses as he considers the question.]

...Ah...y-yeah. It's...it's always okay for you to ask, Frisk.

[His smile is sad, but welcoming.]

[Frisk nods, and while Buddy settles himself nearby they walk over and hand Asriel his sandwich.]

What...um. They made characters too, right? What were theirs like?

Oh - thanks. [He takes the sandwich gratefully, automatically pinching a bit of bread off the top for Gracie, who floats to his shoulder curiously and is happy to take the snack.]

They liked...real strong characters. Ones that could change things, and could never be beaten. Ones that weren't ever sorry for anything.

Strong enough they never needed help.

[Frisk says it softly, more to themself than anything, before they shake their head and look up again with a soft smile.]

Did they like t' be th' hero when you played? Or did...did their characters make trouble, ever?

[Asriel hears it, but...doesn't think anything odd of it, and nods in agreement - like Frisk had just guessed how Chara was like, and got it right.]

Um...well...hm. I dunno if we ever called each other heroes. But, yeah, their character usually did things that were really troublesome. They said it was better that those things were done, though, so I just...

[He shrugs, smiling sadly. There was a lot that Chara did that he just went along with, as well as a lot that was naughty yet sounded like the greatest idea.]

["Yeah, they've always taken the hard stuff onto themself, haven't they?"]

[Frisk just barely catches themself before they say it. It's...hard, to pretend like they barely know his sibling. Like Chara is a stranger to them, someone they never knew, someone they don't miss like an aching void in their heart.]

I guess...they figured if somethin' that wasn't all nice had t' be done, it should...be them?

[Frisk looks down at the papers Asriel has laid out, then reaches for a red crayon.]

...d'you think they could show up here, one day?

[Nice save, Frisk.

Asriel shrugs.] I guess so. But, it shouldn't have to be like that. I wish...they realized that, when they were alive. [He doesn't have to elaborate. He knows Frisk has seen the True Lab.

He pauses at the last question though, something squeezing inside his chest.]

I...d-dunno. I...guess? If if I could be here...then, there's nothing to stop them from coming here, too, is there? [He tries to laugh a little, his emotions an incredible maelstrom. It shows in how he picks up a yellow crayon, drops it, tries to pick it up and gets a green crayon instead.] I...I hope they...they would, um...not be mad at me. For...taking over, when I did.

[Something in Frisk's chest twists painfully, and they lean over to wrap Asriel up in a tight hug.]

I...I don't think they would. They were...they were with you, in your SOUL, right? So...so they'd know how you felt. Jus' like you knew how all th' monsters felt back then.

[There's a moment when Asriel doesn't move, but eventually he hugs back. Frisk's hugs were always the best - he has a hard time letting go when they happen, but at least he's gotten a little used to the idea that everything will still be okay once they do.]

Y...Yeah. They'd know. [A heaved breath.] Doesn't mean they'd be happy about it.

[He just. Wants some closure. Even if he firmly avoids saying so.]

[Frisk doesn't let go, not just yet--Asriel isn't the only one that needs comfort right now...even if it's selfish of Frisk to take this.]

Maybe...but... [How can they say it without giving everything away? How can they explain?] I...I think they'd understand. You're...you're their brother. Their best friend.

[Even if it's selfish by some unseen definition, Asriel would give it to Frisk - they deserve everything he's got.]

...Yeah. I know.

[But can't family still fight? Don't best friends disagree? He's so bad at this.]

Y'know...they didn't like humans, but...sometimes, I like to think they'd like you, Frisk. And, if they were around, we could all be friends. M-Maybe that's silly, but...after everything, if I've got this chance here...and if they ever got the chance, then, I'd really...really want things to be the best they can. And, nothing's better than love an' friendship, right?

["We could all be friends."]

[Frisk goes still for a moment, not stiff, but...something else. They're somewhere else, far, far away...someplace that isn't a place. Someplace that maybe, just maybe that could be real.]

[It doesn't last long.]

[They don't even realize they're crying until the first wet drops fall off their cheeks, and by that point the stone has already started rolling. They hiccup, and sniffle, and try to keep their breathing under control.]

I...I hope they...they would...

[Frisk holds on a little tighter, their voice trembling.]

They...they missed you so much, I-I know they'd...that they'd...

[!

Asriel pulls back and reaches out to help Frisk wipe their tears immediately, pulling up the sleeve of his sweater to do so. He knows from experience that it makes an excellent tissue. Those words at the end only make his forehead bunch up, confused.]

Frisk...you can't miss anyone when you're dead. You just - you're just dust. What...

[What are you talking about, it's not like Chara's SOUL would really have lingered in the Underground...]

Y-you were...you were dead, too...

[They can't stop, as much as they want to. The words spill out along with their tears, and they bow their head, unwilling and unable to meet Asriel's eyes.]

I didn't--I didn't know until the end. I didn't...they were just there, they kept me alive, th-they...

[Frisk sobs and scrubs at their eyes, but it doesn't help.]

I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry...

Yeah, but I was a flower a-and a monster and...

[Oh no - Frisk, no, please, you can't cry, Asriel is beginning to cry too, even as their words make his heart skip a beat.]

Wh...Chara...

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6th Petal [Video, Goldenrod City]

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