one 🌼 video

[letmewin]

( It's Asriel's first time using the device to make a video-type post – so when he first appears on the network, it's a rather close picture of white-colored fur before he manages to zoom out. He can't help but fumble a bit with the phone, the picture shaking a bit before he realizes that it's zoomed out enough.

He's seated in his shared room at the inn. His sibling is out, so it's really just him. )

Oh! Here we go!

( He offers a tentative, but bight smile. )

Howdy, everyone! ( He uses a free hand to wave. )

Uhm.... I was wondering if anyone could help with something.

I really wanted to cheer up my sibling and grow a lot flowers for them for our room at the inn! B-But, I.... really don't want to use magic to do it. ( His expression falls for a moment before he smiles a bit once more, looking hopeful. )

Does anyone know how to take care of them...? I really want to help them live for a long time. Dad was always really good at gardening, but the flowers I want to grow might be different than the ones he grew...

Comments

[letmewin]

( The more Ochako speaks, the more at ease Asriel feels. It's obvious that she really just wants to help. He can't help but be grateful.

His expression lights up at the compliment. After everything that happened at home, all he wants to do is be the best person he can be for the people around him. It's really good to know that his efforts might just be paying off. )

Wow, really...? ( He had no idea that flowers meant different things! ) So -- giving different flowers can mean different things?

( He can't even begin to imagine what sorts of things that could be! )

[floatsaway]

[D'aww, what a little cutie. Ochako can't help but giggle at how his face just seems to brighten up. Gosh, but kids are just so sweet and cute, Ochako's always been pretty darn good with them, being such a cheerful and energetic thing herself. She just likes it when people around her are happy and smiling, and there's just something about making kids smile that is best of all.]

Mmhm! It's actually a little bit funny though, because waaaay back in the past, yellow flowers actually meant some pretty bad things because really superstitious people thought the color was bad luck. [Distrust, sorrow, neglected love...disappointment and rejection...] Nowadays though, the color yellow actually symbolizes friendship, hope, happiness, and longevity.

[letmewin]

( The fact that it can mean something so negative brings back some bad memories. There's some that he prefers not to talk about at all. For a moment, his expression falls. )

I... I think I know why... There are some yellow flowers that can be... really dangerous.

( But, it's not all bad. After all, things changed. Sort of... like he's trying to. Besides, she's being so nice. He doesn't want to make her sad. Her offers a small, tentative smile. )

Oh, then... that's really good, isn't it? And, since Chara's my best friend, then yellow flowers really are perfect. I'd really like them to be happy here.

[floatsaway]

Mmh, there are flowers that are dangerous, and really poisonous...but I'm sure as you grow and learn, you'll figure out how to avoid them, ne? I bet you're really smart, so you'll figure it out in no time.

[She smiles, reassuringly, easily catching the shift in Asriel's tone and body language. Ochako won't ask about anything that could be painful or intrusive on his privacy, but she won't let him wallow for too long. Kids shouldn't be sad like that. Especially not when talking about how the symbolism of those golden flowers changed. Everything in life changes. Grows. Reforms. It's just how life is. Good things can come from bad things, after all. The scorched earth after a wildfire, or a volcanic eruption...can sow even more beautiful greenery.]

I'm sure they're happy with just having you here. Ehehe, but a few bright and cheerful flowers won't hurt, either!! I don't think you have enough room for sunflowers, but those are really cute, too!! And you can harvest and eat the seeds! I wonder if there's a sunflower field somewhere here...that'd be so nice to visit, if you can't grow them for your sibling.

[letmewin]

( He can't help but think back to when Chara and himself made their Dad sick... if they would have known that Buttercups were poisonous, then Asriel knows that they never would have used them to make a pie for them. It was a really hard lesson to learn, but he's glad he knows better now, too.

He shies away a bit at the compliment, eyes drifting away from the feed - but he feels happy to hear it all the same. )

Yeah, you're right...! Especially 'cause there's so many people here who want to help me learn about all of this.

( At this point in time, he's not really used to so much kindness around him, but that was his own fault if anything. He... wasn't exactly all that kind himself, and that's putting it lightly. )

Woah, people eat seeds from sunflowers...? They won't hurt you?

( A sunflower field! That sounds like a place he wants to visit... And, maybe Chara would want to come with him. He does wonder if she'd like to see it, too. )

If there is, I'd really like to see it with Chara! Or, maybe there's a place full of other kinds of flowers... I think they'd really like that.

[floatsaway]

Mm, people here are really friendly. When I first showed up, I learned a lot about how this world works from those that were here before me, and I made a lot of friends, too. It was, um...p-probably easier for me, since a lot of my friends actually showed up here with me, but.

I'm still being helped by new people everyday, too. And I want to give that kindness back to others.

[Plus, that's just how Ochako is. She's a very kind and helpful person. If she sees someone struggling, or in need of something, it's just in her nature to want to try and help them out. It's among the many factors that made her want to pursue becoming a Hero - her generous and giving nature. If most humans that Asriel knows are filled with DETERMINATION, then Ochako's major trait of the seven is definitely KINDNESS.]

Nope, they're totally safe to eat once they're harvested and processed, ehehe. I'll try to look around and see if there's a field somewhere with them!! Or at least a botanical garden of some sort! I'm sure if not a field of one specific type, there should be a place where your sibling could go to see all kinds of pretty flowers, yeah!

Oh!! I bet there's a garden around the palace! Castles and stuff like that always have fancy gardens!! I know the Imperial Palace back where I'm from does! Really, really beautiful zen gardens and sooo many gorgeous sakura and ume blossoms! I love when the trees back home bloom for springtime!

[letmewin]

Yeah, you're right! Maybe... it's because we're all working together, but everyone just wants to help each other here.

( It reminds him a little of home. All the monsters did their best to help one another - to keep what hope they could have, even when they trapped in the Undergound. )

It's really good to have friends from home here, 'cause then it doesn't really feel like you're away from home completely. I'm real glad you have friends you know, too.

( Being with Chara again is... probably the best part about being here. It's a chance he knows he'll never get again.

But, it's not just that. He's been learning so much just by being here. He's never felt the sun before or seen the stars in the sky. Even if he doesn't know if he really deserves it after everything, he feels like he can try to be happy here.

Plus, he can meet kind people, like Ochako. It's people like her that he really hopes can see a good ending to all of this. )

Oh -- uhm... i-it's alright. You don't have to. ( He doesn't really want to trouble anyone! )

Gosh, you think so? I've never heard of those kinds of flower, but... I'd really like to see them. Especially if they're as pretty as you say they are.

[floatsaway]

Most people are like that, I think. Not all, but...I feel like a lot of people just don't enjoy watching someone struggle or need help with something. If they can help, they usually will.

[It just in their nature to, and Ochako is much the same. She likes, and is always willing, to reach out to people who might need help. It's partly why she's training to be a Professional Hero in her world, after all - one that specializes mostly in rescue. Because she enjoys it when people are happy, carefree, and smiling, she's made it her goal to preserve those smiles and lend aid to her financially ailing parents. It's a difficult road, fraught with the high risk of injury and even death, but...she's growing. Every day Ochako is growing and getting stronger.]

Mm, and I'm glad you have your sibling. Being away from my family is hardest for me right now...my mama and papa. I can't imagine someone younger than me being all alone like that, without anyone they know. [It's definitely a thing, Ochako know this, but she wants to sort of try to ignore it. Or at least try and befriend those that are feeling lonely and alone. Who don't have the support of family or friends in this world.]

If any of the parks or whatever here have a Zen garden, there probably might be some sakura...but probably not like how we have in Japan. They're very special to my country, after all. [Since they're the official, national flower and all.] Maybe the library would have books with pictures of them - they're really cute, and pink, and pretty, but they don't last very long...maybe just a few weeks into spring.

But I bet a sunflower garden would be easier to find, and I really don't mind taking you if I do ever find one, you know!! Oh! You know, the farmlands here probably might have some, now that I think about it! [Since sunflowers are actually kind of usual....sunflower seeds, oil, dyes, and the leaves are even used as fodder. They're a really economic plant.] I did work there a few months ago, I can try asking some of the farmers to see if there's a local one somewhere, and we can visit!

We just gotta watch out for pixies. They turned my hair blue, once.

[letmewin]

Uhm... I know that-- there are some bad people out there, but... sometimes they're like that because something really bad happened to them.

( He speaks from personal experience, if anything. At one point... he wasn't a very nice person. He's glad that things can be different here, but it certainly doesn't change the fact that that happened in the first place.

But, he also knows -- there are a lot of really good people out there, too. This place has shown him that Frisk was only one of the many kind people out there. That the world truly wasn't kill or be killed at all.

His expression falls at that, frowning in sympathy for what she's going through. Now that he's himself again -- it's difficult not to miss his Mom and Dad... But, it's different for her. It sounds like she still has a close relationship with her parents. ) ... I really hope you can see them again soon. But... if I can see Chara here, maybe you'll see them again really soon. At least-- I think that whoever brought us here really wants us to be with the people we care about the most.

( He's far older than he appears now, but it isn't something he really wants to bring up at the moment. He'd prefer not to make conversations heavy ones. The last thing he wants to do is make anyone sad -- especially when it's someone so nice like Ochako. )

It sounds like your home is really, really pretty... Gosh, I'd really like to see it if we could find a book on it! We had a lot of flowers in the Underground, too -- but... it was mostly Echo Flowers that grew the most.

( His face lights up at what she offers next, nodding his head. Company sounds really nice... Seeing something like that sounds way better if he can share it with someone. )

Okay! If you really want to, than let's go together! Heheh, maybe you can bring home some pretty flowers, too!

( He's... just sort of trying to imagine her with blue hair now... )

But... I didn't know about pixies... Did they just do that for fun...?

[floatsaway]

[That's actually...yeah. Yeah, it's true. Most people aren't born straight up evil, or wake up and decide to be villains or anything, most of them are pushed into it by some sort of circumstance. Something is their lives happen that forces them to walk a path of wickedness, and it's...sad. It's really, really sad. Worse yet, there are people that need actual help, very real help, and never receive it, or are shunned by those who would usually give it. It's a depressing reality, but it's a reality all the same.]

I understand that, and it's sad that those sorts of things happen to people. I wish it didn't, or that someone could have found and helped them when they needed it. [But nobody came.] ...It jst means people like you and me have to do our part to help others, ne? Even if it's just something as simple as planting flowers for a friend...or sibling. To make them smile.

[Her smile softens a little bit. Asriel is such a sweet, hopeful, young kid. Ochako doesn't want to take that hope away, or sour it by explaining how this world twisted her want and desire to see her mama and papa in such ugly and underhanded ways. Illusions, deceptions, imposters posing as them to trick and lead her into death's cold embrace. No, he doesn't need to know any of that. He should remain blissfully ignorant to it, at least for the time being.]

Mm, we really strive to keep the city beautiful!! Even is Musutafu is a big city, filled with lots and lots of buildings and people, it's important to make sure it stays beautiful and clean!! I think preserving the environment is important to a lot of us, even if I stay in the city nowadayas. There's always a splash of color around somehow though, and I like that.

But Echo Flowers...I've never heard of that befo--oh, w-wait, do you live underground, Asriel-kun?!

[Hold the phone. Ochako blinks tilting her head to one side, forgetting all else after that. He did say Underground, so...]

[letmewin]

... You're right. Sometimes, when someone takes a bad path -- they just need someone to be there for them. ( You know, to be able to SAVE them and all. ) I... I hope I can help someone like that someday.

( He'd like to return the kindness that a friend showed him -- the kindness that eventually saved him from himself.

Ochako may not know that Asriel knows the harsh reality of just how cruel some people can be. He was one of those people, after all. He knows that some people can be cruel just for the sake of it. But... he's finding that it's important to try to make up for the bad things that you've caused -- to try to make up for it, even if it really does end up being impossible. )

If you and your friends are working hard to keep it that way, then I bet it really is beautiful! I'm sure it's filled with lots of people and things to do, too...

( He can't even really imagine. He's never been able to visit a human city properly. )

Y-Yeah... A really long time ago, humans sealed monsters Underground with a magical barrier. It was before I was born, so all I really know about it is from books -- and what I was told.

[floatsaway]

I'm sure you will. You know, sometimes it doesn't take as much as people think.

[To save. Being a Hero means that yes, she has to save a lot of people from very dangerous people and scenarios, it's what Ochako has made one of her primary goals for the future, but the fact of the matter is...sometimes saving someone can be as simple as doing an act of goodwill to them. Just being there. And sometimes, people don't need Heroes to save them. All it takes is someone willing to reach out their hand.

But everything else sort of gets shunted to the back of Ochako's mind for a moment as she listens to Asriel speak about being from a place underground. Monsters? W-Wait, some that means Asriel is a 'monster'? Aah...she understands it's probably nothing bad to him, but the term has always been a bit of a rude one for her. Maybe like a Yokai - spirits - where some bad be good, and others can be bad? Sealing them all away though, that's.]

That's terrible. I'm sorry, Asriel-kun, I didn't mean to bring up anything sad... Is there any way to get out? I-I mean, if humans made the seal, then maybe they can undo it, right? You seem kind, and...a-and so sweet. Things from a long time ago shouldn't impact people now like that!!

[Things change. People change, too. Blaming someone's blood relatives for the transgressions of their ancestors is sort of ridiculous, actually.]

[letmewin]

( There's a pause on Asriel's end. He didn't mean to bring up something heavy, or sad. Usually, when he brings up living in the Underground, people seem curious about it more than anything else. This person was... really kind and empathetic. Not to say that other people weren't, of course.

He just hopes he can help make their conversation happy again. )

N... No, it's okay. Everyone did their best to be happy, even if we were all Underground. And... all the Monsters have gone free. One of my best friends... really helped that to happen.

( Asriel had sacrificed everything in order to make sure that everyone could go free. So... it worked out in the end, even if it took a lot to get there. Even if... a lot of people had gotten hurt in the process. )

And, I get to be here now. Living here is a lot like living on the surface at home... At least, it's a lot like the stories I've read and what Chara's told me.

[floatsaway]

[Living underground is one thing, but being sealed there by someone else, seemingly against their will...it sounds like something out of folklore. Beings sealed away from the outside world, because others see them and 'unwanted' or 'unnatural' - exactly like monsters and spirits from legends and myths. It almost feels like a few of the people from home, with mutative quirks that alter their physical bodies to make them look less human.]

Oh...I'm so glad! [There's a sigh of relief, because really - no one should have to suffer just because of what they are. It's not right.] I'm so glad everyone finally got to go free, but...I hope everything turns out okay. I-It'll be jarring for people to just accept monsters after so long without them, I'm sure.

[Ochako bites her lower lip. She knows how some people can be. Just as there are good people, there are very, very bad people, too.]

But I really hope you and your kind can continue to be happy. There's so much out there, I-I mean...above ground, that you can't see below ground. Actually, if you have anything you'd like to see or do, Asriel-kun...let me know, and I'd be happy to try and make it happen, or tell you about it.

[letmewin]

( She seems so... happy for him and the others that he doesn't have the heart to tell her the truth. He's decided to stay behind for everyone elses's sake. It's... just better that he doesn't try to reintroduce himself to the others. He doesn't want to hurt them anymore. )

I... I have a feeling it'll be okay. ... My other best friend -- Frisk -- they're a human. I know that they'll be able to do really great things for everyone.

( Asriel has utmost faith in Frisk and everything that they do. )

Oh -- uhm... I've been able to see a lot here. Like the ocean, and stars -- and the sun, too. And, being able to sit on the grass is really nice. ( He's been able to do everything that he's only been able to really dream about doing before. ) Is there anything you really like doing here?

[floatsaway]

[Oh, that's really good, then. Having a human to speak on the behalf of monsters will be a pretty big help, Ochako thinks, th-though if that human and Asriel are friends, she really hopes that said human isn't just a child like Asriel is. It's a bit much to put the sake of an entire species on the shoulders of a single child, after all... Sort of like her canon!! 8Db

But the topic changes to more pleasant things, and Ochako hums a little bit as she taps her chin with a finger.]

Hmm...well, it sounds like you've done most of the big stuff already. But, ahh...something I like to do - it's a bit weird, and only because I've been able to use my quirk, or my magic now, but...

On nice days, when it's sunny, warm, and a little windy, I'd float up above the trees and just let the wind sort of blow me around like a dandelion... Sometimes little birdies would come and sit on me, and my papa got kind mad the first time, since they didn't know if I could get down on my own, ehehe... But that feeling of just being untethered from everything feels nice.

[letmewin]

( His eyes light up at what she has to say, hands moving to his cheeks in amazement. It's one thing to learn that so many humans can still use magic, it's another to hear that one could float around. )

You can float around at home...? Gosh, that sounds like it'd be really fun! ( He can't really relate with wanting to feel like a flower for Reasons, but all the other stuff sounds like it'd be a bit like being a bird... )

Oh, were you just learning how to use that back then?

[floatsaway]

Mm? Oh, yeah!! My quirk is Zero Gravity - anything i touch with all five fingers, so long as it's not held down, I remove its gravitational pull and make it float. People, super heavy objects...anything, really. It's not really the same here, but pretty similar. Here, watch!!

[Ochako sets her phone down a bit, propping it up with something, then moves away just enough so all of her is showing in the camera. She waves to it with a smile...then taps the couch in front of her with a hand...fingertips glowing pink, before the heavy object begins to float a foot up and off the ground. Ochako holds it up above her head, grinning.]

Ehehe, back then I was still practicing. I could use my quirk on myself pretty well, but anything super heavy back then was a lot harder, and made me sick really fast.

[letmewin]

( For a moment, all Asriel can do is watch as Ochako uses her magic, green-colored eyes never leaving their own device. There's no mistaking the amazement in their expression as the object begins to float. He knows firsthand how difficult it can be to really relearn magic that's fundamentally different from your own. )

Golly! I've never seen magic like that before! Even if it's not the same, it's still really amazing to see...!

( He calms down a little when she speaks again, tilting his head a bit at her words. He's never heard of magic having such an odd affect on someone. Then again, he supposes that if someone isn't made of magic, such risks are definitely possible. )

Uhm... did practicing help you? I know that even if different abilities come easily to someone, it takes a lot to time to really get better at using it...