[network] @determination; Days and stories! [open] Evening 121 video/text

[despiteeverything]

[One of the first things to note is that Frisk looks... brighter, a bit. Happier than they've been for a while.]

According to Miss Luna and Mister, um... [oops they never got his name did they. Thank goodness for usernames.] Mister Asolomons and Mister Rogers, today's January 11th!

We thought it might be a good idea to start our posts with what day it is. After a while it gets hard to tell when each of the days all our posts are on, and how much time's passed between 'em. I know it's really small, but I still think it'll help us all out. If everybody helps it won't be so hard!

I know people've been writing the days on the walls too. If anybody knows what day we're writing for that too, that'd help! That way we can put them both on our posts.

[That's all they seem to have to say in that regard. Onto the next topic. And this one makes them actually delighted, if their expression is anything to go by.]

Um... I saw a kid - a ghost kid, in the library, and they left me one of those cards. It has lots of stories, really good ones!

If anybody wants to listen, I'm gonna read a few!

[They settle back against someone, both of them comfortably resting on a pile of beanbags - most will easily recognize it's Toriel. Frisk begins to read. They make it through three short stories all of different length, although there is definitely a common theme. A story about a shy but kind troll who lived under a bridge, a story about a large fluffy monster helping some children who got lost in the woods, a sea serpent monster who saved and island and loved playing on the beach with the people who lived there.... Those who know Frisk will probably be able to tell why they're so happy about this particular find.

Next to them, Toriel can be seen and sometimes heard, gently correcting any pronunciation errors, encouraging Frisk to drink some water when their throat starts to catch, and occasionally breaking into a mildly concerning coughing fit, turning her head away and making Frisk pause and look back up and over in concern. She always brushes it off with a gentle apology.

Still, after all the hell that the past couple weeks have been, the two are clearly content, and very happy to be so. Even if it's only for the moment.]

[[ooc; replies will be mainly from Frisk, though Toriel threadjacks are entirely possible. I mean she's right there.]]

Comments

;o;

[despiteeverything]

[It's absolutely not what they would have expected to hear from her. Or from anyone really. And it's enough to make them turn in surprise. Their throat catching a little. After everything that's happened? Even though they've only got maybe half their time left, and Frisk's done nothing to really help advance their progress at all? Even though they couldn't do anything the time she'd been locked outside, or in danger? Even though she found out so much of what Frisk was hiding?

Those aren't the words that come out though. Not quite.]

Really?

[inruins]

Really. [She curls an arm around Frisk, offering her child a gentle hug. Things have been tough to put it lightly, but Frisk keeps persisting, keeps trying. It makes the world of difference to the boss monster.] You keep finding hope where others do not, it only makes me prouder of you, my child.

[despiteeverything]

[Unbidden, some words - though Frisk can't quite completely place where they're from - come back to them.

'If even one person can listen and take comfort, or feel that there's still some sort of hope, then their efforts aren't worthless.'

Their eyes are stinging a bit. They feel a bit awkward - this isn't something to get upset about! But it's hitting on a lot of the big things they've been most insecure about.]

That's... that's really enough?

[Enough to help. Enough to make people happy.]

[inruins]

Yes, yes it is. [She offers Frisk a gentle supportive squeeze.] Even the smallest glimmer can inspire.

[despiteeverything]

I... You really think I can help that way?

[They hesitate.]

I tried, back when we first got here. I tried to do things to help everyone stay determined. But bad stuff kept happening, and everyone was fighting each other, and-

[They not quite gave up. But very close to it. They got wrapped up in their own worries and fears and despairs. They'd not given up themselves, but they'd started to give up on those around them, too distracted by their own pain.

That was wrong. Their face fully falls.]

I've been selfish.

[inruins]

I know you can. Even if it seems hard- even if no one wants to listen, it is helping. It is making a difference. [This small child is just going to be settled into her lap at this point. Concern settles at Frisk's words.]

You are not selfish. Where is this coming from?

[despiteeverything]

If this is how I can help best...

[Since nothing else seems to be working.]

I stopped for a while. When things got... when too many things were happening. But if people need me to be happy, I shouldn'tve given up.

[Even if it was only for a little bit.]

[inruins]

...My child. You don't need to force yourself to be happy on others behalf. You can bring hope without having to pretend you do not feel sad or upset about something else.

[despiteeverything]

But... I didn't even really try that stuff you said. About finding the hope.

[And certainly not really sharing it with others, that they can remember. They'd just... kept going.]

[inruins]

Giving hope does not mean suppressing what you are feeling for the good of all. You offer it when you can, without compromising how you feel.

This is hope, a distraction in the darkness that comes from a real place.

[despiteeverything]

But [Frisk swallows] But what if they need me? That's more important than anything.

[More important than anything to do with their own feelings. For the good of all implied just that... it was for everyone's benefit.]

[inruins]

You still need to attend to your needs. It doesn't negate what hope you can give. The duty to your people cannot be done if you make yourself ill in the process. [She brushes her fingers through Frisk's hair gently.] Trust me, my child. I have lived this. I was a queen, once very long ago.

[despiteeverything]

'm not gonna get sick.

[It's a very halfhearted protest, as they list against her. They're already sick, and deferring their own misery to give people hope isn't the same as working themselves ill, is it?

But mostly it's a protest for protest's sake and little more. They do, in the end, get what she's saying. Though they don't like it.]

[inruins]

Frisk. [Her tone is a touch chiding at that.] You know what I mean, I can see as much on your face.

[despiteeverything]

[Frisk groans, half tired, half almost frustrated, and 100% caught. And then... in a marvelous show of maturity, they duck their head against her. Can't see it on their face if you can't see their face.]

[inruins]

[In a show of supreme maturity, Toriel dips in to blow a raspberry against the top of Frisk's head.]

[despiteeverything]

[And that just earns a slight squeal and a writhing eleven twelve year-old.]

Moooooom!

[But the seriousness is well and truly broken. They're mortified, but there may just be the tiniest hint of amusement beneath it.]

[inruins]

Yeeesss? [She noses against the slight wet spot left in Frisk's hair.] Was there something you wanted, dear? Possibly more?

[She makes a very threatening raspberry noise. Though she doesn't seem in a hurry to do it again.]