Queen Under the Mountain

* whatever happens, tori, you know i’ll be around if you need me.

* I know. And I appreciate it.  * Now- with that I-... I think I will have to wish you a ‘Farewell.’ * Be safe on your way home, will you?

[✱ The next few minutes were spent tidying up- and making a little to-go package for the skeleton, whether he was expecting one or not. Thermos (tea), cobbler, and packets of... ketchup? Some things never change, she reasoned, and it was better to be cliche than inconsiderate. ... Still, she found herself lingering, not quite wanting the visit to end. But everything must, eventually. She of all people knew that.]

“Child, I have given up trying to keep my quiches intact. If it was not you, it would be the dog, or my students, or it would vanish, replaced with an I.O.U. from Sans.” She waved a hand. “Frankly I am surprised it lasted half an hour.”

“Do not worry about it. I should really apologize myself.” ... “Hope- I.. am sorry for putting such a damper on things.”

“It seems quite likely that your parents did not want to worry you. As.. Well. As I have just done.” She sighed, tugging on one ear. After a moment’s pause, she continued... Gently.

“Whatever past we had in this place, you were unbound from it, if you wished to be. To trouble your heart with the worries we had decades to heal would be ... unfair.” 

“At least, that is what I would think, in your mother’s place. Take it as you will.”

Toriel kicked herself mentally. Incredible. Unload the Big Bad Backstory on a child who- .. how old was she? Twelve- thirteen? Ah. For someone who loves children, you are Incredibly bad with them, aren’t you! 

Oh.

For a moment, he just stood staring, Toriel’s words not even registering at first. Thankfully, the winged dog that had originally led Asgore to his room had explained the multiverse to him, so this wasn’t entirely unexpected. Nevertheless, hearing the explanation was one thing, but having Toriel before him again and talking to him civilly was a whole new ballgame. This was real. And given her amiability, he felt it safe to assume that this was most likely not his timeline’s Toriel. He would have to do his best not to make an ass of himself.

He smiled, and one of his hands reached up to scratch the back of his head, though the worry and tension that collected about his brow gave away any relaxed facade he attempted to put on. “Hello, Toriel.” Was this how one interacted with alternates? he had to ask himself. “Yes, I did, just a little while ago. I will say, I didn’t expect this to be quite real!“

He glanced around the hotel as if to emphasize his point before his gaze came back to rest on her. “You look lovely, by the by. Have you been helping out?“ he asked with a slight gesture toward her nametag.

(At least he appeared to look as awkward as she felt.)

Still, she flicked her badge with one claw, flashing a quick smile at his comment.

“Volunteer staff. I have been herding monsters and children all day, so of course I am enjoying every moment of it.”

Toriel raised her hands in a peaceful gesture, the corner of her mouth quirking up at Asgore’s worried look.

( A strong gust of wind blew through the boardwalk area, which coincidentally was where a certain boss monster was walking through. The strong wind blew off their hat! The horror! It flew away until it rested safely onto a table, pushing something out of the way. It now sat on the table near a folded stand that said “125 G”. 

Behind the counter stood a spider merchant staring blankly into the distance, until suddenly gaining back his attention of the on coming goat. )

* Greetings, welcome to Itsy & Bitsy. The greatest shop above and in the underground! Would you perhaps like to purchase anything? We have a wide arrange of items available for purchase.

She tried to reply to the small spider merchant, holding up one finger in a silent “wait” gesture as she gulped air down. And again. ... Still gasping.

About a full minute later, Toriel finally managed to get a few words out. 

“I- haa- I believe, you have- hhooo.. My hat!”