melodiesofeternity | [Closed] From Heart to Stomach

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[Closed] From Heart to Stomach

Who: Papyrus & Madhuri (Open to a very sneaky Frisk)
When: August 16th
Where: Sparks Golsaucia, The Lady of Bliss and Madhuri's apartment
What: It's a date! Gotta catch a show and then cook dinner together.
Warnings/Notes: Papyrus. Nerds. Gratuitous foodiness.

The applause was uproarious. Each actor and actress quickly collected upon the stage to link hands and give their final bow, the orchestra playing the final overture. Weeks of hard work paid off for premiere night, allowing all of Vaikuntha to feast their eyes on a sweeping love story: An Otherworlder falls in love with a Native, but saves the world and is granted the chance to go home. But do they stay and live their life with their love, leaving family, work and friends, or do they depart...?

Madhuri gave her applauding hands a rest and sighed, resting her hat upon the table. As the owner of the establishment, a private box seat was always in the wings for her. Tonight, she took in a date. She turned to him, smiling.

"I'm elated that Rosemerta - the woman playing Beatrice in tonight's production - was able to overcome her fear of the stage. She'll have a wonderful career here in the Lady!"

She crossed her ankles. "What did you think, dear? I realize I never asked if you've seen an opera before."

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Fortunately for Madhuri, any food and drink just sort of... disappeared. Into the void. The mysterious, skeletal void. Still, her comment earned a laugh from him all the same.

"FEAR NOT! I MAY LACK A STOMACH, BUT I ALWAYS WELCOME A SUCCULENT SNACK."

But it looked so intriguing! Something different from the pies he'd tasted in the past. So, naturally, he grinned at the prospects of the treat. Although...

"I HAVE TO SAY, THOUGH. YOU REALLY DID THINK AHEAD, DIDN'T YOU?"

"Well, when you've been through all that I have, you learn that thinking ahead and having a couple of back-ups makes sure you wake up tomorrow."

She went ahead with serving it up, topping off glasses and the like. But she had to laugh, herself.

"Oh, that sounded rather dire, but my previous world's rather dangerous. It demands a bit of planning before heading outside, honestly. But the party I traveled with were a bunch of bullheaded boys who got into bundles of trouble. I was the 'fixer', I suppose, the one with the solutions and the back-up plans."

"OH." That sounded rather... sad. Though it seemed she picked on it fast, given the swift clarification.

He prodded his tiramisu in contemplation. It was tempting to ask about that danger, but what if he came across as too nosy? She'd already revealed quite a bit, after all!

"BOY, I KNOW HOW THAT FEELS. MY LAB PARTNER, BRILLIANT AS SHE IS, ACTS FIRST AND ASKS QUESTIONS LATER. SHE'S ALL ABOUT TAKING EXPLOSIVE RISKS. THEY USUALLY PAY OFF, BUT IT CAN BE SO EXHAUSTING TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH HER!!!"

It didn't help that she'd made some... very, very risky choices. Ones that cost her dearly. But, to keep his mind off of unpleasant memories, he proceeded to nibble on that treat. "BUT HONESTLY, I AM SORRY YOU HAD TO DEAL WITH SUCH HARDSHIPS! PERHAPS I'M LUCKY IN THAT RESPECT." Sure, being trapped Underground was unpleasant, but the only true danger came from his alliance with Frisk. Mostly due to Undyne.

How awkward.

"Never you worry. I'm still alive, aren't I? It's my lot in life because of what I am. The trick is realizing that I have gifts because of my lineage as well. Your partner sounds like..."

A casual, casual bite of tiramisu.

"A real blast."

He raised an index finger. Opened his jaw. Shut it. Made a sound like a sigh crossed with reluctant laughter. But dang it, he couldn't help but smile.

"YOU KNOW, WITH PUNS LIKE THAT, YOU'D PROBABLY GET ALONG WITH MY BROTHER." But... goodness, that certainly put a damper on things, didn't it? Even if she took it in stride. "BUT WHY SHOULD WHAT YOU ARE MAKE YOUR LIFE SO HARD! THAT'S JUST UNFAIR! ...THEN AGAIN, WE MONSTERS WERE ALL BANISHED UNDERGROUND DUE TO HUMAN FEAR. SO IT'S NOT LIKE I DON'T UNDERSTAND."

But still, the Underground was peaceful, all things considered. This... did not sound so peaceful. Even if she did take it well.

She had to have a little shimmy in her seat, proud of her stupid pun. Maybe she'd hit it off with Pap's brother, but that required him coming here someday. But would he do better here, or at home?

"It's unfair, but it's life. It's all in how you take it and not let it get under your skin. Or bones."

Then she grinned and opened her arms to gesture to the table and the lot of it.

"So, all that aside, what do you think? I swear so many people stress themselves sick over dates, but I can safely say I'm having a grand time. I dearly appreciate you coming all this way while I'm at it, Papyrus. Thank you. I just wanted to express that."

Okay, that bit of wordplay actually got a genuine chuckle outta him. Well played, Madhuri. She'd successfully cracked through the typical indignant display he gave his brother's jokes. Her grin was infectious, even, although...

He sagged in his seat a bit, rubbing at his neck and sighing. "WELL, IT'S BEEN VERY ENJOYABLE!!! THOUGH I ADMIT, I... DIDN'T QUITE KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. N-NOT BECAUSE OF ANY LACK OF SKILL! JUST. WELL."

Oh, this was going to sound so silly. What if it made him sound less cool? But then, she'd been so honest with him. Might as well be equally honest.

"I'VE... NEVER REALLY DATED ANYONE BEFORE. OR REALLY BEEN APPROACHED THAT WAY? OTHER THAN THAT ONE TIME FRISK FLIRTED WITH ME, BUT I'M FAIRLY CERTAIN THAT IN HINDSIGHT THEY WERE JUST BEING... FRISK."

"Frisk has game and will have no shortage of interested parties over time, that's for sure." You know. Once they stop threatening people with ninja skills. Or someone would like to date a ninja. Feel safe. Who knows?

"In any case, it's alright if you're a first-timer. Plenty of people out there date regularly and never quite settle. Others date and simply click. And I feel like there's someone for everybody, if only they open their heart to it and keep their eyes keen. As for me... I enjoy spending time with you."

She stood and tread around the table. She figured she'd wait until late, but heck with it: Papyrus gets a smooch on the cheek.

"I'd like to do it again sometime. But for now, please eat up and make yourself at home."

Did she just.

Was that

A kiss?!

The moment she planted that smooch, those googly eyes returned with a vengeance! Along with a very, very bright blush. Words failed him at first, though he made a sound that... sounded like an attempt at speech? But there was no denying the ridiculously giddy, goofy, and slightly crooked smile on his face.

Dates were already more than he would've hoped for, but this? Wowie. And she enjoyed his company! Did that mean they 'clicked' as well? Finally, after moments of looking like a total dork, he finally managed to speak up.

"O-OH. YES!!! I SECOND THIS NOTION. I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, WILL GLADLY SPEND TIME IN YOUR COMPANY WHENEVER YOU WISH! AS LONG AS YOU LIKE!"

But. How was he supposed to repay her for all this? Though he neared the end of his meal and drink, he paused and prodded at the desert with a crease in his bony brow.

Well. The least he could add was, "THANK YOU. ...AGAIN. HONESTLY, I FEEL KIND OF SPOILED. SO I'LL HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO MATCH YOUR CARE AND KINDNESS IN THE NOT SO DISTANT FUTURE!!!"

"Isn't that what dates can be, in a way? You spend time together and maybe spoil each other a little. Otherwise you're simply sitting at home on the couch watching a television or listening to a radio, you know?"

She settled back.

"Though I have to wonder now... what do monsters do? Back home, I mean. I'd love to hear some customs! You spoke of being made of magic."

"TRUE! WHICH I SUPPOSE IS FINE FOR SOME PEOPLE. BUT... I LIKE THIS."

Okay, seemed he'd calmed his nerves for now. A small exhale, and he leaned back in his seat, contemplating for a moment. Where to begin with monster customs, really? There was so much to consider!

"ANYWAY, WE MONSTERS HAVE A WEALTH OF QUIRKY CUSTOMS! LIKE PUZZLES. SO MANY PUZZLES, BUILT WITH PRIDE TO THWART THE ADVANCE OF ANY HUMAN WHO DARES THREATEN US!!! ...EVEN THOUGH I DON'T THINK HUMANS ARE THAT BAD, AND FIND PUZZLES REWARDING IN THEIR OWN RIGHT."

But it was a tradition carried down from the days of the war. Some monsters found it unnecessary, but Papyrus? He reveled in it, really.

"BUT WE ALSO HAVE OTHER, LESS PERILOUS CUSTOMS... LIKE AN ENTIRE HOLIDAY DEDICATED TO GIVING GIFTS, ALL BECAUSE SOME TEENS HARASSED A LOCAL MONSTER."

Monsters and humans warred before. That seemed to be a universal constant. She may wish to pry further, but after everything else she wasn't sure she wanted to delve any more into troubling topics.

"Papyrus, that sounds like a story of tradition! As a bard, I absolutely must know the story. If there's a song about it, all the better! Or perhaps I'll make one."

She leaned forward. Give, give.

Such enthusiasm! It was rather infectious, truth be told. To see someone so intrigued by monster culture... Ah, what a refreshing change of pace. And how could he turn her down?

"WELL, YOU SEE, THERE'S THIS MONSTER CALLED GYFTROT WITH VERY BIG ANTLERS. THROUGHOUT THE GENERATIONS, THE SNOWDIN YOUTH HAVE HAD THIS TRADITION OF PUTTING ALL SORTS OF OBJECTS ON THE POOR MONSTER'S ANTLERS. IT'S SORT OF A RITE OF PASSAGE, I SUPPOSE?

TO PROVE YOU AREN'T JUST A CHILD." He huffed for a moment. Yes, even he remembered that experience- the social pressure to partake in the pranks. Instead, he opted to build a force field to protect Gyftrot.

"BUT THE PEOPLE OF SNOWDIN FELT SORRY, AND SO THEY BANDED TOGETHER TO GIVE GIFTS TO THE UNLUCKY FELLOW. ...AND NOW WE PLACE GIFTS UNDER A DECORATED TREE AS A RESULT!"

Sadly, the pranking also continued throughout the generations of Gyftrots, but 'twas just another part of the traditions.

"...I WOULD HAVE PUT THAT INTO A SONG, BUT I'M NOT SURE WHAT RHYMING SCHEME WOULD DO IT JUSTICE."

What a tale! Those poor Gyftrots. "Well, the name of the creature is two syllables and rolls off the tongue, I'm sure you could do anything... note their plight, but end on a high note. Perhaps you could end on caution, urging the little monster children that they should be kind to others, and for the little Gyftrots, to be proud of their big antlers."

She snapped her fingers. "Let's do it! Let's cook up a Gyftrot song sometime!"

He nodded, rubbing his chin and drumming his fingers on the table. "A CAUTIONARY TALE WITH A STRONG MORAL! THAT COULD WORK. ALTHOUGH THERE'D NEED A CATCHY MELODY, TOO..."

Not his area of expertise, but he was with a very talented bard. "I'M CERTAINLY WILLING TO GIVE IT A TRY, AT LEAST! EVEN IF I HAVEN'T DABBLED IN MUSIC AS MUCH AS YOU."

"No worries. I'm sure we can come up with something."

She paused, then tapped her chin. It never really occurred to her before, but with the evening going so well, she wondered if this thought was perhaps too forward. The airship rides were so arduous, after all, and she'd hate to begin winding down the evening...

"In the meantime, would you like to stay here tonight? I'd hate to subject you to another airship ride later, especially with the crowds heading home in the later hours."

Wowie! That was... unexpected. So expected that it gave him pause. Not quite enough to summon the googly eyes, but just enough to give him just a hint of rosiness in those cheek bones. Not that this was a bad thing! The night had been going so well. It was a nice apartment. Good company, good food, and fighting the crowds to get aboard an airship...

It wasn't ideal.

So after a moment's contemplation, he nodded. "WELL, AS LONG AS I'M NOT IMPOSING! I'LL JUST NEED TO LET FRISK KNOW THAT I'LL BE STAYING, BUT I'M SURE THEY'LL UNDERSTAND!!!"

They were a resourceful human. They'd managed without him for short periods back in the Underground, so what was one night apart?

Though it briefly occurred to him... Back at the literature club, she'd shown concern about his lack of sleep. Would that be a problem here? Well. Time would tell.

"Absolutely. I'll go gather up these dishes and you make that call." She would not take no for an answer as she began to stack empty plates and leftovers.

The tiramisu could stay, however. She needed to nibble on that just a little bit more.

"I'll brew up some tea or coffee too, if you'd prefer! A little cafe near here gets their hands on some lovely leaves and beans. I'm not a picky type with my drinks, but they've managed to make my toes curl on an occasion or two."

"HMM... NORMALLY I PREFER TEA, BUT I CERTAINLY DON'T MIND BRANCHING OUT! I TRUST YOUR JUDGMENT." After all, all the meals so far had been lovely. There was no reason to doubt.

But while she took care of the dishes, he pulled out his Mognet Slate, sending a message along to Frisk. They'd probably have all sorts of questions by the time he returned, but with luck, they'd have an enjoyable night even without him.

Still, once he'd sent the message, he went a little quiet. This was all uncharted territory for him, but it... seemed to be going well. Which was good! Very good. Perhaps it was silly of him to fuss so much beforehand.

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[Closed] From Heart to Stomach

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