Cold Tea (announcement)
Asgore listened to the drip of water from a stalactite, and with each drop Asgore became more and more aware how foolish he was, thinking she would come back another year. But it was strange. She had not once missed the yearly visit, even when she had been sick she was there to chat with him about whatever was on their minds that day. Perhaps she had taken his advice, and decided to spend more time with her family.
Yet, that thought only made him feel worse.
As Asgore sat, nursing a cup of golden flower tea, he found himself recalling when he first met Vanessa, or Essy as she preferred to be called.
It had been a particularly windy night on the mountain top, and he was merely going to check if the soul chambers were undamaged.
But that was when Asgore heard her sobbing, weakly calling out for her mother. It sent a shiver down his spine. After all, hadn't his own children done the same before–
He decided to do what any good parent would do.
“Are you alright, child? Are you lost?” He asked carefully.
The sobbing was still there, but a tiny quivering voice answered him. “I l-lost my m-mommy.”
Despite the blinding light coming from the barrier, he could imagine a little girl in tears, desperate for her mother.
Then, there was tiny thought. Perhaps he could save a single child in the whole of his miserable life. Do what he should have done for every child that fell.
“Child, do you know your mother’s cell phone number?”
The little girl whimpered out a ‘yes’. Asgore fumbled through his robes, finding a black phone.
“Now, please tell me the number, and I’ll call your mother, alright?” He told her gently.
The little voice began to slowly say the numbers, and Asgore placed them into the phone. He hoped it would work. He was no scientist, but he knew well enough how different human technology could be compared to monster’s.
Now all he had to do was call, but heavens knew he wasn't ready to speak to a human after so long. What a coward he was.
Asgore called to the child, ”Child, move toward the barrier for a moment please. I will give you my phone so you may call your mother, alright?”
He slid the phone through the barrier, careful not to let it out of his grasp until the little girl had taken if from him. He heard a tiny gasp, figuring the child had finally noticed the barrier, making him chuckle quietly to himself.
“T-thank you.” Came the tiny voice, much clearer now.
Asgore nodded numbly, even though she could not she him. “You are very welcome, child.”
The feint ring of the phone began, last I only for a moment of so before it was answered.
‘Hello? Who is this?’ Came a raspy voice. Silently, Asgore breathed a sigh of relief.
“M-mommy… I- I–”
‘Essy?! Essy, oh my god, Essy! Where have you been?”
“I- I wanted to see the m- mountain, b-but I got lost…” She trailed off.
‘Oh, Essy, what have I told you about going on your own! Your only eleven, for goodness sakes! I was so worried.’ The voice quivered with the last sentence.
“I know… I'm sorry…” Essy said mournfully.
‘It's alright now, dear. Now, just wait where you are– wait. Where did you find a phone?’
“...” Essy didn't speak, and Asgore held his breath. How would she explain this without worrying her mother? How could she explain this at all?
“I f-found one… It's uh… Kinda old… Think someone may have lost it?” She lied nervously. Luckily it enough of an explanation her mother.
‘Well, alright. Please be careful though, I'll come find you, ok? Love you, Essy.’
“Ok mommy, love you.” With a telltale beep, the call ended.
Asgore breathed in relief. If felt good to help.
“Thank you again Mr.,” Asgore heard, as the black frame of the phone appeared through barrier. He took it gently.
“Dreemurr, child. You may call me Dreemurr.”
“Ok, Mr. Dreemurr. My names Vanessa, but you can call me Essy.”
Asgore sipped a tiny bit of tea, and sighed. So much for hope, he thought. A point of hp fell.
So much for hope.