to live is to enjoy

“Hee.. ho...”

“Aha.. You’ve got power over it...” 

A force to be reckoned with-- Right? While they spoke, Black Frost even began trying to look through what was still salvageable. On top of that, it had even started to pick up anything that wasn’t to throw in a nearby trash bin. Black Frost would have done this for Daichi too but it seemed.. Different!

Rude demon...

“Huh? O-Oh.. Black Frost is pretty strong so a lot of it was carried just fine--” Wait, hold on. She was offering to help and they could easily talk more like that, right? He could have easily summoned another demon to help but she seemed nice and turning her down probably wouldn’t be too polite after Black Frost had knocked her over already. “I-I mean.. Sure! Some of it might be done for but we can probably use the help..!” 

Frisk pouted slightly as they talked about monsters. They knew the stereotype, but their protective side flared up and made them want to scold him for speaking of them that way. No, they had to remain calm. It was a difference of worlds. Despite Daichi saying it could wait until icecream, Frisk disagreed.

“Mom is a monster. So are most of my friends. As in the monster species. They’re really kind, much kinder than humans have ever been to me. I think our definitions are different, so please forgive all my bristling and huffing. My family are monsters and it makes me really bad when people assume they’re bad. They never did anything bad.”

Well, nothing unprovoked. Frisk wouldn’t share that detail. Their irritation gave way to excitement as the food court came into sight. They loved sweets and had a child’s attention span. They walked a little too quickly towards the icecream place, a happy hum of a familiar tune escaping them for a good few seconds as they looked over the flavours. So many wonderful choices…

It was interesting to hear at least... A take on monsters different than what the rest of the world would tell you. And from someone so young too. Kids could really see in a different perspective, huh? “No, no.. Don’t worry, Frisk. I totally get you.. It’s like...” He thought a moment as they approached the food court. “Demons too... They’re scary looking and if they’re on their own or in contracts with bad people they do bad things but.. I don’t think they’re all bad. Mine are pretty awesome.” There were obvious differences for sure. Demons were actually pretty bad but the monsters Frisk knew sounded much nicer.

Daichi appreciated the change of mood. “Sure! Orange creamcicle sounds great.. I’ll get the bubblegum flavor for sure though.” He ordered when prompted, paying once their order was taken.. Frisk’s excitement rubbed off on him, it seemed. He really couldn’t wait! The two cones were handed to him and Daichi handed Frisk theirs before motioning for them to follow so they could take a seat somewhere.

Was that chocolate being handed to her? “O-oh. Thank you…?” Natsuki blinked at the item she was handed, looking at the companion with wide, confused violet eyes– and then took another– and another– and another– wait. Why do I keep taking these–?!– 

“I’m–” Hold it in. “I can’t–” Hold it in. “I really–” 

That was until the girl fell over, dropping his things in the process. “Oh--!” Oh no. At first, he thought that she might have been hurt. Maybe Black Frost was too forceful.. So he was worried up until he heard her laughter! Where he probably should have been by to help her, Black Frost was already trying to help pick the girl up. 

“Ahaha.. I.. I’m really sorry about that. I guess Black Frost took a liking to you..”

   ❝ Yoohooooo!!! ❞

Just.. How did she do that? 

But! Fair was fair. He owed her now! Thankfully, it was just snacks... But he had to hold back asking her for a rematch set for the next day. 

“Fiiine, fine..! You won this time, alright? Next time I won’t go easy on you!” 

Daichi was a little flustered. That’s embarrassing as it is. But she was.. Nice about it. She even offered to let him go before her even though he’d slipped in front of her. “Ah-- Are you sure? You were waiting...” This was definitely awkward. Dumbfounded, he stood there... They both did. He fidgeted where he stood before clearing his throat. 

“I-I’ll go then.. And then you-- Oh.” By this point, the person behind both of them got impatient and pushed through to go place their own order. “Aha.. I guess we’re waiting again..”

Oh - then someone - what? “Uh… Yeah, fine I guess, thank you. Um.”

Shoot. He’d already apologized, hadn’t he? “Did she hurt you?.. I-I don’t think any harm was meant but...” Well, there was something he should take care of at least. Daichi took his phone out then and cancelled the summon for Pixie before slipping his phone back into his pocket. The demon didn’t seem too pleased but not having a demon in someone’s business made conversation a lot easier.

“There.. See? I..”

Deep introspective conversations never were very popular on the playground, and Frisk realized pretty early they were odd. They guessed it came with the territory of being as smart of they were. Well, smart in some categories at least. They were aware than most children didn’t really have the attention span for what they did. Maybe that was why they were the one that survived the underground.

“Oh yeah, my mom is a goat. Specifically she’s a type of monster that looks like a goat, but I just like saying she’s a goat. I can give you the full story later though.”

They said this is the most dismissive wave possible, like this was hardly a big deal. They had to walk a bit faster not to get separated from Daichi as they walked to the zoo, but soon enough they were inside. It took a lot of will power not to run off and look at the cool animals right away, at least for a nine year old.

You get what he’s saying. 

But yeah. It was a little strange. More so when their mother was brought up again. “A monster...? Well. I mean... Is she really a monster if she took care of you?” Of course, monsters and demons came in all shapes and sizes. But if you were close enough to call one your parent? “Our definition of monsters could be a little different, right? I’m thinking big and scary.. Creatures under your bed kinda monsters.” Daichi had never heard of a goat monster that took in cool kids. 

“We can talk about this over ice-cream though. Or over the next few weeks. Months... However long we’re stuck in this place...”

Don’t forget. You’re here forever. 

But he was glad that Frisk seemed to like the idea of getting ice-cream! Honestly, he was probably looking forward to it a bit more too. Once they were in a more food court looking area, he looked around for some kind of ice-cream stand.. Their adventure wouldn’t be one to end in disappointment. Daichi would make sure of that.

This kid was going on about things he’d never really thought about. Ah, youth. Here his first thoughts on someone’s name were... Well.. How cute a name might be. How tough it sounded.. In a way, it was almost similar. But his thoughts were a little more simple, weren’t they? 

“Lions.. Goats.. Maybe we’ll see some monkeys too, right?--” Wait. Wait just a second. “Your mom’s a goat?...” He’d stopped for a moment to put a little thought into this.. However, he quickly returned to walking alongside the child. “Well! Maybe you can tell me more about her while we’re having a bite to eat?” 

They’d be at the zoo soon at least. It wasn’t too much of a walk. Once they were there? Daichi paid them in and made his way right to get something to eat! 

Had he messed up? Poltergeist was cute, yes. When he’d first encountered it... Well, it was scary. A big, scary, and green blob. But she didn’t seem all that impressed. Even if she actually was, Daichi found himself a little flustered. “Th-They talk, yeah... This one isn’t the only one either...! I have uh.. Bigger ones! And stronger ones too. Demons--.. That is.” While he spoke, the demon at his side batted at his shoulder. It was seemingly offended by Daichi’s words anyway. 

“Anyway.. Depending on the demons I use, their abilities range. Some are better with magic while others are better at their physical abilities. I-I’m able to use some of these abilities too..” 

Their mood was as bright and cherry as ever, only to become more so when he mentioned cheeking stuff out around town. the child nodded enthusiastically.

So it was decided! They’d figure out something and hang out for awhile. It’d be fun.