happy donut day

[phantasgoria]

WHO: Asgore Dreemurr & the Iron Bull
WHERE: Navy Nebula Donuts
WHEN: 2/14
WHAT: Asgore accidentally goes on a date with the Iron Bull, basically.
WARNINGS: The Iron Bull's mouth is the only warning you're gonna need.



[It was so nice to already be meeting so many new people, making new friends. It's been quite a day already, and he's looking forward to actually interacting with someone face-to-face now.

The Iron Bull is an interesting fellow so far, and Asgore is certainly looking forward to getting to know him better. That and, well, there will be donuts and hot chocolate involved.

He's notably left behind any of his royal regalia; there is no point to wearing that here, and Asgore has taken up to wearing quite the flowery pink shirt. Briefly, the monster is distracted as he observes all of the hearts plastered across the windows around here. Its significance doesn't immediately sink in for him as he looks thoughtful.

Well, clearly, people must really like love around here.]

Comments

[rideme]

[The pink hearts and sappy movies on TV don't really mean much to the big Qunari -- up to the point where a couple kids leave gifts on the doorstep, anyway. Then things sort of click. Because of COURSE there's a holiday like this...]

[Oh well. He's got a meeting with the big, oblivious guy. Or a 'date'. Whichever. Donuts will be involved, so whatever happens, the Iron Bull won't complain.]

[He's still without a shirt, though he's traded the circus pants with a pair of workout pants reading "SUN'S OUT, BUNS OUT" on the ass. Because of course he is. And it's not hard to find the guy he's here to meet. This Asgore is about his same size -- they both stand out.]

Hey! You beat me.

[phantasgoria]

[If the Iron Bull's incredible sense of fashion leaves any lasting, unfortunate impression, it doesn't make any apparent change to Asgore's mood. The monster is smiling brightly to the Qunari, delighted that he'd had come.]

I like to think that I am very good at being punctual. I hope that we're early enough. [Donuts.]

Thank you for coming with me, the Iron Bull.

[rideme]

Don't see why we wouldn't be.

[He holds out a hand. Sure, they've already met each other over the network. But this is face-to-face.]

Nice to see you in person. Also nice to look someone in the eye for a change. Humans are short.

[phantasgoria]

[The friendliness is appreciated, and the expression Asgore bears is warm and welcoming before he takes the Iron Bull's hand in a strong grip, giving it a good shake.]

And you as well!

Ah ha, that they are. Not as fragile as they may seem, though. Still, it's nice to speak with someone on equal footing, as it were.

[rideme]

Yeah, isn't that the truth.

[It's nice to shake someone's hand, and not worry you're going to accidentally crush hand bones. He grins, jerking his head toward the shop.]

You ready for this?

[phantasgoria]

Incredibly ready. Let's go in.

[The town is undoubtedly somewhat adjusted to the presence of unusual things. Still, there's probably something a little alarming about two tall horned people walking into your store.

Probably.

Asgore looks thoroughly interested as he steps inside, but he does seem determined to find a particular flavor.]

Do you have any particular favorites?

[rideme]

[At least by now, the Iron Bull is a pretty regular sight in this shop. He even waves to the people working behind the counter, grinning at them before ducking into line.]

Is it weird if I say "all of them"? Because hey. It'd be true.

But they've got this blackberry-glazed thing. It's pink. And amazing.

[phantasgoria]

Hmm, that does sound nice.

[But he already knows what sort of flavor he has his heart set on. Asgore is nothing but predictable, and clings onto memories.

As he approaches the counter, Asgore smiles warmly.]

Excuse me. Would you mind if I had your butterscotch frosted donuts, please? I think I would like all of them. With hot chocolate, of course.

[rideme]

[Hearing the other guy's order, Bull can't help but raise his eyebrows. All of them? Holy shit. Maybe he'd underestimated this guy.]

[In response to the startled looks from a few of the people behind the counter, he leans a beefy arm on the case, winking at them.]

You know how guys like us are -- bottomless pits, am I right?

[It earns a few slight smiles, as someone hurries to collect the order, and another brings up Asgore's drink.]

[phantasgoria]

[The Iron Bull fills in for an explanation, and Asgore silently allows it. He doesn't think that he can really eat all of them, but it's something... nice to have. Even if he knows it won't be anywhere close to what he's looking for.

Asgore simply smiles, accepting the drink with a sincere thank you before he has a sip.]

Oh, that is quite nice.

So. The Iron Bull. What is it that you usually do now that you're here?

[rideme]

Told you this place kicked ass.

[Meanwhile, Bull places his own order. One of everything. Aka: his usual. Complete with a generous tip dumped in the jar.]

Eh, usually I take the box home and let the kids' eyes pop out of their skulls. We could have a few here though, if you want.

[phantasgoria]

[That idea seems to settle well with Asgore, and the Iron Bull seems very pleasant to socialize with. He pulls up a seat, then pauses.]

Kids? Oh! Are you a father, or a caretaker?

[rideme]

[He'll never get used to that question. Even with Ken slipping up and calling him 'dad' or 'uncle' on occasion... it's different than when Krem would tease him about it.]

Let's uh... go with that last one.

[phantasgoria]

[The answer makes Asgore chuckle as he nibbles on a donut. The flavor is quite sweet, and he does like it. It makes him nostalgic, but nothing really quite compares...]

So you're looking after children. That's admirable of you. A warrior that looks out for those who need guidance is respectful.

[He pauses, then tilts his head.] Rather, I presume you are a warrior or a soldier? You have the look of one.

[rideme]

You should come over sometime and tell them that. Maybe they'll listen to someone else.

[Because the Iron Dad gets no respect, Asgore. Let him tell you.]

[He grunts an affirmative around a mouthful of raspberry donut.]

Mercenary. Had my own company back home. You?

[phantasgoria]

Well, I would be quite happy to meet them.

[Even if they're going to be little rebels, Asgore doesn't particularly mind.]

Ah, well. I was in something of a leadership position for my people. Monsters needed guidance in the Underground -- inspiration, and hope. I wanted to give that to them.

[rideme]

Hey, they'll probably get a kick out of you, too.

[Kaneda at least will probably ask if they're related.]

[He pauses, though, listening. Studying the -- monster? -- across from him.]

Must've been difficult.

[phantasgoria]

How old are they?

[Asgore considers as he drinks his hot chocolate. It's not a matter of lack of trust; if anything, Asgore can be overly trusting and reassuring, even to complete strangers.

But he has guilt, and regret. His time as king was not spent as well as it should have been.]

I wouldn't say it was easy. To summarize, monsters were banished to the Underground by humans where we are from, and humans placed up a barrier to prevent us from living on the surface. It was difficult for monsters to find hope, but I did what I could. Everything worked out in the end, but it was a long time until that point.

[rideme]

Teenagers. ... And Ken. Who's basically an old guy in a kid body, if you can believe that.

[He leans back in his chair, arms folded casually across his chest. He's sensing a lot more here than Asgore is telling him. But the reluctance to speak... It has to come from somewhere.]

[And he's not sure it's best to push right now.]

Glad to hear things ended up all right. Really sounds like a big shitshow.

[phantasgoria]

Teenagers. That is a difficult time to manage. Though I have to say that would be the first time I would meet someone trapped in a child's body, it is not the strangest thing.

[He is quietly grateful that he isn't inquired further. Asgore would have declined, but he doesn't particularly enjoy keeping secrets.]

It was a difficult time for everyone. But my people are happy on the surface now, and some of them are here with me in this place. I think it'll be a nice opportunity to help the people here.

[rideme]

Speaking from experience?

[That's asked with a grin, as he crams another donut into his mouth. Or most of one, anyway. These are meant to be savored, after all.]

You sure are optimistic. I'd be careful though... there's a pretty good chunk of people around who aren't exactly happy we're here.