Learning the Ropes (Part 2)

Learning the Ropes (Part 2)

"Please stop scratching your horns, Asriel."

"I can't help it, Mom, they're itchy!"

"Did you rub the ointment on the base last night and this morning like I said?"

"Uh, no. I forgot, sorry."

A gentle sigh. Toriel came over and lightly patted Asriel's head. A moment of comforting warmth, and then it vanished, along with the itchiness.

"Now if I need to do that tomorrow, we shall be skipping dessert for the rest of this week. Please do not rely on my magic to cover for your responsibilities."

"Okay, Mom. I'm sorry."

A few years had passed since clearing the ice cube dam in Waterfall. Day to day, week to week, Asriel's life felt like it hadn't changed that much, though if he actually pondered it, it had. His horns starting to grow in had just been the capstone of everything going on.

After his basic introduction to the official rules of the kingdom, civics had gotten dull. Toriel had insisted on his memorisation of all the major laws passed. For a Kingdom established centuries ago, there were surprisingly few. In a land with little contact with the outside world, there was little cultural stimulus to provoke significant reviews of the law. That being said, the amount of laws had begun to pick up in the years before his birth, as the humans began discarding more and more interesting technology for them to adapt.

His time with History was surprisingly short. Toriel had obviously taught him about the war and the nature of their confinement, but there was very little from before the war. Not that she didn't have books about then, and Asriel sometimes read some of them for something different to do, but as Toriel explained, the pre-war history would likely be useless should he ever be in a position to talk to humans once more. They lived such short lives, their societies could change remarkably quickly. The technology seemed to reinforce this idea.

Magic was always the best time. Beyond basic exercises he did each day, they hadn't worked on fire magic in about a year. They had moved on to healing magic. Asriel was excited to be potentially learning something that could directly help someone, not just burn their clothes off. The only problem was he was never quite certain he was doing it right. Mom would touch him and he'd feel a warmth or a soothing feeling and then she'd talk him through doing the same to her, and the expression on her face would signal whether he had done it right. Not like they could go and make an injury for him to practice on.

In spite of his uncertainty, Toriel remained pleased with his progress, and spoke of arranging other tutors to teach him the basics of other magic. She could shield herself or move things without touching them and other things, but she knew there were other monsters who specialised in this who would be better suited to teach. In the meantime, they were now working on something that would either be the most important skill he had, or would be useless: Diplomacy.

With Asgore's hands on, almost laid back approach to approaching most situation involving monsters, there was little need to practice diplomatic speech for running the Kingdom. But Toriel insisted, for the same reasons she did not linger on unnecessary history: They would not know how humans would react should they ever cross paths again, so they must put their best foot forward.

Today, it was posture. "Back straight, like this. Not so rigid, you come across as nervous. That is better. Hands at the side unless you are using them. Always look at their face, but try not to stare. Do not think about breathing, allow it to come naturally, or you shall end up spluttering something."

Asriel felt like he was flexing several muscles he wasn't sure existed.

"Hmm, your tail is twitching. Can you keep it under control?"

"I'm trying, but it's hard when I'm thinking about everything else."

"Ah, no matter. If necessary you can wear a cloak to cover it. That is what your Father does."

"Really?"

"Oh yes. Ever since the first time he had to meet a human diplomat. But that tail is for another time..."

"Ugh, really Mom?" They smiled at each other regardless.

After a lot of practice bowing ("Always keep looking at who you are addressing, my child."), and some standard lines of greetings ("Do not mumble your speech. E-nun-ci-ate. Ev-er-y. Word."), it was lunchtime. After some snail pie, they cleared the dishes to the sink.

"Mom?"

"Yes, Asriel?"

"Do you think I'll ever have to use diplomacy like this?"

"Hmm." A pensive look, slightly uncomfortable. "I shall be honest, I do not know. As I have said there is little use for it in running the kingdom. Most monsters would assume you were speaking down to them. It is just in case you ever get an opportunity, it is better to be prepared."

"Do you think humans will ever want to talk to us, when they sent us here in the first place?"

This question hung in the air for a while.

"Asriel, it is easy to think of a group of people as thinking alike, but it is never the case. Even during the war, we had intelligence of humans beseeching their king to stop it. No one idea reigns forever among humans. When the time comes, I believe it is better to strive for peace. Any further blood spilt means those who died in the war, monster and human, will have died for nothing. I cannot abide that."

"Oh." Looking thoughtful. "Well don't worry Mom, if I ever meet a human, I'll just say 'Howdy!' and try to be nice to them."

Asriel found himself in an unexpected hug. He hadn't been squeezed like this in a long time. When Toriel finally released him, she rubbed one of her eyes gently.

"I...I would suggest you stick to the greetings we practiced this morning." She said. "But I think you have the right of it. Now, shall we-"

Knock knock.

"Just a moment!"

Mother and Son went to the door. It was Leonard the Courier.

"Majesty, the Core Housing Act was agreed to by the council."

"Excellent. Is that the final draft?"

He handed it over.

"Hmm. Pyros. Thermia. Magmus. Larry. These are families who live in Hotlands at present, correct?"

"That's my understanding, Queen Toriel."

"Was the housing at the Core not intended for those unable to cope with the heat of Hotlands?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Then why have they been pre-cleared for moving...?"

"Apparently the King noticed that the proposed boundaries of the Core District Annex included one of the two high-phosphorous volcanic vents. The Provisional Core Councilors didn't want to reopen the debate on the boundaries, and one vent would not be enough to meet demand. So he paused the meeting and went to talk to these families. the Core is happy to leave the area around the vent unchanged, and allow these families to move there and ease up the pressure."

"I see. Ha ha. That man can spot the tiniest details when it comes to how they affect people. I am somewhat ashamed of myself I did not think of it. Thank you again, Leonard."

A short bow, and Leonard left.

"You missed a detail like that? That's not like you, Mom."

"It is a lesson, Asriel. For me as much as you. There are many different ways to think about a situation, and you would do well to always think about problems from multiple angles. When I discussed the boundaries and pre-clearance lists with your father, I was thinking about the overall Kingdom. He is the one who thought of the people. As is his specialty." An affectionate smile played on her mouth.

"How can I learn to think like that."

"It is part of the wisdom we hope you will develop as you grow up. That being said, perhaps I should give you some problems to ponder."

"Like, a math problem?"

"Ha ha, no. Although I believe you shall be able to get everything to add up."

"Moooom..."

"Here is one such problem. Imagine that a ghost has wandered into somebody's house without permission..."

****

"...and I was about to take off my bathrobe! He'd have seen me in my bare fur! My son could have been there!"

"...oh. Um, sorry I guess. I wasn't paying attention..."

"Asgore, you can't allow creepy stuff like that to go on, it makes ghosts think they're entitled to go wherever!"

"...I can go to my quiet spot in the Ruins if you want..."

"You have to set an example, if you have him locked up..."

"Well, if it makes you feel better..."

"Enough."

Asgore had done 'the trick'. His tone of voice wasn't much different from when he greeted an old friend, but there was a force to it that made everyone pay attention. With a slight dip of the head he suddenly looked a lot scarier. It was only for a moment however, and soon his natural demeanor was restored.

"Now Bearnardo, I know this was most unpleasant and you're worried about Bearnard, but you do recall there is such a thing as an accident, yes?"

"Well yes, but-"

"Or what about the accident when you picked up Rovie's bag of groceries by mistake?"

"I apologised to her, I don't even like dog treats-"

"Exactly."

Bearnardo pawed at the ground awkwardly.

"And Napstablook, I believe we've talked about you getting lost in thought before. If you are having trouble with your feelings, you do remember your cousin is there to help you?"

"I guess. I just don't like to bother him..."

"It's not bothering Hapstablook to ask for help keeping your, um, spirits up."

"Well, okay."

The ghost faded from view entirely. Bernardo sheepishly addressed the King by his name and then walked away pretty quickly.

"Asriel."

"Coming, Dad!"

In some ways Asriel was disappointed he hadn't seen Rovie and Dohj today. On the bright side, he hadn't had to keep an eye on his tail, as Dohj was determined to get him back for their last meeting. And it had been kinda cool to see his dad get all serious for a moment.

The rate of impromptu playdates had declined over the last year in any case. His father had begun to insist he listen to the people's problems directly. And shortly after the Core Housing Act passed, he had begun to ask Asriel what he thought of the situation from time to time. Hypothetical scenarios are all well and good, but it seems like his Mother felt real world ones would have more value. He hadn't felt confident about a single answer yet, though once or twice he had been surprised by Asgore immediately deferring to his suggestion.

Besides, it's not like he didn't see his friends at all anymore. He still had days off from schooling and duties, and his parents practically ordered him to spend time with the other children. He'd have done it anyway, but he knew they were glad he continued to forge his bond with other monsters. And that he had friends at all after a pretty quiet early life. Not that he wouldn't occasionally take some quiet time attending to his long term project in the Cavern. The flowers were strong in their pot in his room, and he would replant them some day.

"So what's next today?"

"Well, unless we are waylaid by another problem to handle, we have to speak to some ministers."

Both of them sighed. The Royal Ministry each assisted the Royal Family with one long term plan or another. At least on paper. No matter how many times Asgore told them to relax or keep it simple, most of them would go off on a tangent about needing a larger budget, and sometimes a sniping match about why does the Infrastructure need so much money just for snow. It was truly wearisome.

Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on the perspective, the return trip to New Home was uneventful. The first meeting wasn't too bad however. The Finance Minister, a large lizard, was talking about the impending surplus in the budget as construction of homes in The Core neared completion. He and Asgore seemed to agree that a moderate tax cut would be the best approach so the other districts didn't feel resentment. He was planning to keep some of the revenue for a new project, however.

The piscine Justice Minister kept it brief, for it transpired all she wanted to discuss was the Napstablook incident, unaware that Asgore had already straightened it out, at which point she smiled in a way to show off her razor sharp teeth and got snippy about Royal overreach. It was the eternally damp Minister for Infrastructure that was really tiring. As a Water Elemental, He had hoped the taxes to build the Core houses could be kept and used to extend the riverways through the Ruins, providing more drinking water and transportation. It sounded like a good idea to Asriel, but since his father had already promised to release most of the taxes, that was the official line.

"Well, that was pleasant." Said Asgore, after a parting shot from the Minister about what the Justice Minister was doing if Asgore was doing her work for her. "Just one more today..."

"At last!"

"The Royal Scientist."

Asriel perked up. In these ministerial conferences, he had yet to meet the Royal Scientist. Before he could say anything, he was walking in. A tall thin skeleton dressed in a black suit with glasses, surveying the two of them with interest.

"Gaster! Welcome. I believe you know my son?"

"Of course. Good afternoon, Prince Asriel." His voice wasn't particularly friendly, but it wasn't cold or hostile either. He had thought his mother could be polite and hide her feelings in her words, but Doctor Gaster made her look like a novice.

"Hello, Doctor Gaster." Somehow he felt 'Howdy' would be a bit too forward.

"So Sire, you wished to speak with me?"

"Indeed, Doctor. As you may know, we will have a budget surplus once the last homes around the Core are complete. The Queen and I have discussed what to do, and we have agreed that part of that surplus should be given to you, in order to finance your proposed 'Core Plus' project."

Strange how you could see a spark of interest in empty eye sockets, but there it was. "Ah, I am pleased you have faith in me! If this project is successful, it should benefit every monster in the Underground."

"Um, excuse me, Doctor Gaster, but can you tell me what this Core Plus project is?"

Asgore looked in mild surprise at Asriel, but he also gave a note of being impressed.

"Why not ask your Father, young Prince?"

"Oh, well I could, but, well, I need to learn how to talk to Ministers and other people sooner or later."

Asgore gave a smile of approval.

"That eagerness to learn. It reminds me of your mother. Very well. First, do you know how the Core functions at present?"

"I...think so." Ventured Asriel. "We pump lava through a pipe, and the heat of the lava boils water into steam, and the steam is forced through pipes that spin propellers and turbines and that generates electricity."

"A succinct summary, Asriel. It is a design that relies exclusively on laws of nature. In fact we took the design from a human book recovered in the garbage heap. Now the electricity it generates is currently enough for our needs, but there are several inefficiencies. Inefficiencies we are uniquely suited to overcome."

"How can we overcome it?"

"With magic. The human design is clever, but energy is lost at every stage. Heat dissipates, some of the steam escapes requiring additional water to recapture it, even the noise of the turbines is useless to us. What I have been experimenting with is turning the heat directly into magic. And then working with those monsters who have experience with shooting lightning, trying to replicate that conversion of magic to electricity with a machine. If successful, the core's output could be tripled or even quadrupled, giving us more than enough energy to do, well, all sorts of things we thought we couldn't."

"That sounds really useful! We could add heating and air conditioning to every house and everyone could have electricity and we could add lights through the darker parts and..."

"Ah, a font of ideas." Gaster's expression didn't change, but Asriel felt he was smiling. "I'm pleased you see the potential. However my experiments are in their very early stages. The funding we're discussing is to procure a working prototype. Even then it will take a long time to fully upgrade the core. Combining magic with new technology like this can be dangerous if not approached with wisdom. The last thing we want is to damage the core or hurt anyone."

"Exactly." Agreed Asgore. "This project should let us get an idea of how feasible the ultimate project is. I trust Gaster's ultimate assessment, or rather, heh, I should say the Queen does. She has a better head for this new fangled stuff. Well Doctor, I've already discussed things over with Roger to procure the funding, so you may begin this project."

Gaster delivered the most mechanically precise bow Asriel had ever seen. "Your Majesty. Prince." And he was gone.

"Privately," Said Asgore. ", you were quicker on the update than I was."

"I was?"

"Oh yes. In fact that's the first time anyone explained how the core currently works that I feel I understand." They laughed. "You've definitely got your Mother's brains-"

"King Asgore!"

An armour-clad member of the Royal Guard had burst into the room.

"What is it, Argie?"

"The Core Construction site. There's been a collapse. A lot of the workers are trapped!"

Asriel was almost knocked aside by the speed of Asgore rising to his feet and marching out the room. He followed without question.

****

The elevator opened, and Asgore continued his steady march. Asriel borderline sprinted to keep up, taking two steps to his father's one. The commotion drew them to the site. One of the last apartment blocks appeared to have collapsed. A small crowd was around the wreckage, trying to clear the debris away and reaching the injured. An even smaller group was nearby, three or four arguing while the Justice Minister tried to quiet them.

"EVERYONE!"

His call cut through the chaos. Everyone not tending to casualties turned to face him, silent. Authority was here.

"Sally, what happened?"

"Still trying to piece it together sir." Replied the Justice Minister. "It appears this group was having an argument about something-"

"He just wouldn't stop talking about my-"

"Don't." She bared her fangs at him. "And it came to blows and an errant magical bolt crashed into the corner of the apartments."

"Alright. Sally, keep them there. The Royal Guard will arrive soon, take two of them to help you keep order. Argie, how's your Blue Magic?"

"Been practicing."

"Alright, round up as many Blue Magic users in the crowd as you can. We want to start clearing away the larger parts of the building."

He pointed at a Final Froggit. "Fred, marshal anyone not helping away from the scene. We need space to lay out anyone who's hurt."

"Ribbit."

"Good point, get some in the crowd to get those blankets."

"Asgore!"

"Tori, perfect timing! Help Fred prepare a space for the wounded, then take charge of the medics. We could use your healing today."

A steely resolve flashed in her eyes. "Of course."

"What can I do, Dad?"

Asgore hesitated, but a glance brought him face to face with the same steel his wife had just shown.

"Join one of the smaller clearance teams. If anyone has a cut or scrape, you can patch that up, but leave the more serious injuries to your mother."

"Got it!"

"Right. Let's go!"

With the decisiveness Asgore had brought with him, the chaotic scene seemed much more orderly. Definitely quieter. Once the rest of the Royal Guard arrived, Asgore led them personally to the larger piles of wreckage, and coordinating with Blue Magic users were able to get the worst of it clear. Some of the wounded had to be carried by two guardsmen. Others could be carried in Asgore's large hands alone.

Asriel did as he was ordered, helping the smaller monsters move smaller pieces clear. He was able to warn them about moving the very bottom pieces, as his experience in the cavern had taught him the dangers of collapse. As the walking wounded passed, he was able to gently pat them to clear the minor cuts and scrapes. He didn't dare touch those being carried. Before long, the stream of casualties slowed to a trickle. Judging by the makeshift beds Fred and Toriel had set up, they had accounted for most of the people on the site. But not everyone.

Despite his warnings, two Looxes had tugged on a piece of masonry on the floor, and this caused a small tumbling of other debris. Amazingly, it stopped before it got really started. Asriel felt like admonishing them, but he noticed the shifting wreckage had opened up a tunnel. Looking down it, he thought he saw someone. He looked around for his parents or a Royal Guard, but everyone was busy. He felt like he should have thought this through, but he also felt there was no time. He climbed in.

Flicking a small ball of light into the cavity, he saw two Whimsuns lying unconscious on the floor. He couldn't carry them both out safely, and he didn't want to waste time. So once again his Father's instincts to act won out over his Mother's instincts to think.

He laid his hands on the first Whimsun. Thinking back to what Mom had taught, he carefully channeled healing magic into the tiny body. They didn't move. Maybe he hadn't done it properly? He tried the same technique on the second body. Their eyes jerked awake.

"Where, what-?"

"It's okay, I've got you. Can you stand?"

"I think so." Asriel helped him to his feet. "My wings hurt, I don't think I can fly."

"Okay, see the light over there? Follow it out. The King and Queen are there, they'll help you."

"What about Whilbur-?"

"Let me worry about him, go!"

The Whimsun obeyed. Asriel returned to the first body. If he did it right on the second one, then maybe...

Still no response.

Maybe Mom could help. With care, Asriel scooped the body up in his hands, and carefully climbed through the tunnel.

"There he is!"

"Asriel, what-?"

He ignored the exclamation of his Father. They could have this talk later. Turning his head around, he saw his Mother tending to the other Whimsun.

"Mom! Mom! I've got someone else!"

She turned at his voice as he marched carefully over with the body in his hands. In spite of herself she wondered where that dirt on his clothes came from. Remembering her duties, she crossed to meet him half way and-

But as she laid her hands on the tiny body, it suddenly slipped through Asriel's fingers. Fragments of it remained in his hands, while the rest became dust that landed softly on the floor. Asriel continued to look at where the Whimsun had been, not noticing the dozens of eyes now bearing down on him. He was completely frozen.

****

Several hours later, Asriel sat upright on his bed. He was still looking at his hands. He hadn't processed much. Something about four dead and the instigators of the fight being locked up and this being the first time in a long time that had happened. He hadn't quite remembered the journey back to his house, though he was pretty sure he had walked there. Wasn't the room brighter? It had gotten dark pretty quick.

Knock knock.

"Come in." His voice was calm. His parents obliged his acceptance, turned on the light, and sat down cross-legged on the floor before him. The silence continued for a few minutes.

"Asriel." Toriel ventured finally. "I just wish to say...that we are both very proud of you."

"Why?"

"Why? Because today you proved you have your father's heart. He saw you take charge of that group, and how you emerged from that tunnel without a second thought. You acted quickly, and because of that you saved Whilliam's life."

"But I failed."

"Asriel-"

"I should have been faster!" Tears began to flow in earnest, after waiting all afternoon for their chance. "I wasted time with that second attempt at healing him, and if I had gone straight to you he might have...might have..."

His voice was lost in sobs now. He used to cry a lot when he was younger, mainly when he got a cut or scrape, but the roughhouse games of the likes of Bearnard and Dohj had helped him get over that habit. It almost felt nostalgic. Perhaps surprisingly, it was his father who scooped him up in a hug.

"Asriel," continued Toriel. "There was nothing you could have done for Whilbur. Your spell worked perfectly on Whilliam, remember? If it did not wake Whilbur, he was too far gone. Nothing I know could have helped. It was not your fault."

The child continued to sob. He knew his mother was right, but his emotions didn't care. Her piece said, she carefully edged her way into the hug, so that both King and Queen comforted the Prince. With the patience borne of their long lives, they waited for the sobbing to subside.

"D-Dad?" He eventually forced out. "Does...does it always hurt like this?"

Asgore bowed his head deeply, a few tears of his own joining his son's. "...Yes." A shuddering breath. "You are not the only one asking what else you could have done. It's not just Whilbur. Others also died. Perhaps if I had..."

A warm hand squeezed his. A second shuddering breath made Asgore's chest quiver a little.

"Son. We have spoken to you about the wisdom of when to act and when not to act. There is a third part to the wisdom of ruling."

Overbright green eyes looked up to meet his gaze, but otherwise there was silence.

"Acceptance of what has past. You will make mistakes and they will haunt you, but at least you can learn from them and do better the next time. Sometimes, it's when you know you have made the right decisions and done everything in your power, and it is still not enough, that is the hardest to cope with."

More silence. Eventually, "Does it happen a lot?"

"Not too often, thankfully."

"When...when did it first happen to you?"

He hesitated. Not because he didn't know, but because he wasn't sure if he wanted to answer. Another reassuring squeeze from Toriel gave him the courage.

"It first happened...when we were sealed down here. I'm not saying every decision I made in the war was correct, but I cannot regret the strategy I pursued. Even if I regret its outcome."

Asriel dipped his head again, deep in thought. The family remained like that for a while, but before long Asriel's breathing became steady as he finally drifted to sleep. Asgore delicately broke the embrace apart, resting his son on the bed and covering his body in the fluffy blanket.

"If you don't mind Tori, I would like to move the mattress from the spare room in here and spend the night with him. Harsh lessons like today don't go down smoothly."

"Of course." A small peck on his cheek. "I shall assist you."

****

Surprisingly, Asriel slept uninterrupted that night. The second night however had Asgore awaken twice to the sound of his Son's sobbing. Toriel's latest pie, baked on the morning of the collapse, disappeared a lot faster than it normally would have.

They had given him a break from his studies and duties. Dohj and Bearnard came round the day after the accident, their first actual visit to the Royal Household. He was happy to see them, and though they weren't nearly as rough as usual - everyone respected everyone else's tail - keeping him occupied helped raise all their spirits.

There was one duty they could not spare him, however. The other three victims of the accident were having a group funeral in New Home, as they lived there, and Asgore felt he and Toriel were duty bound to attend. Whilliam and Whilbur had lived in the Ruins however, and Whilliam had invited Asriel by name. Toriel wanted to insist she attend in his stead, but to their surprise Asriel insisted he do it. Even without the circumstances of the accident, he recognised this was part of life. He couldn't shirk from it.

Apart from the moment of spreading the dust, when Whilliam spread it round a fireplace ornament Whilbur had been fond of, the service had actually been fun. Whilbur's friends like Whillie, Whenceslas, Whilhelm and Whilhomena told funny stories about him. There was a party afterwards and Whilliam would not let go of Asriel's hand, except when he would introduce him to someone else who then got a few minutes to shake it. After his hand had started to ache, Asriel got a chance to play with the younger Whimsuns there. Everyone treated him with gratitude, both for helping Whilliam and paying his respects. At some point, maybe he'd feel like he deserved it.

Eventually the party wound down. Asriel said goodbye and turned his back on the dozen or so stragglers waving enthusiastically at him. He didn't turn in the direction of Snowdin however. Not yet. This was a good opportunity to survey his long term project.

As his duties had picked up, his spare time to spend in the cavern had dwindled, and it had been a few weeks since he was last there. The cluster of rocks made him think of the apartment, but he forced himself to think about the cleanup operation rather than the conclusion. He had cleared most of the smallest and even some of the medium ones away, but without a crew this was going to take years. He thought of the magic on display. At that moment, he resolved to ask Mom if he could learn how to move things with magic. She'd probably think it was because of the apartment, and she wouldn't be wrong, but it wasn't the whole story.

For now however, let's get some of these medium rocks cleared. There was a lot of grunting as he shifted them aside. It didn't look much different than when he started that day, but one tangible benefit was there. He could now see one of the stars he drew. It brought him back to that happy day. Dad had always stressed that the Throne wasn't all fun, but it was only today that he genuinely understood that.

Eyeing one of the very largest rocks, and looking forward to the day he'd shift it out of the way, he decided to head home.