dear_mun | not sure on where we're going, but hey. voicetest! [Canon: Undertale]

Sage advice. Starting small, then working your way up.

It's like we say in the Netherworld: "Have to crawl before you walk, have to walk before you can run, have to run before you can soundly crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their people."

Words to live by for any aspiring young Overlord! Ah, to be a kid again, dreaming dreams like any demon...

[He quickly stops reminiscing and flips his cape.]

But enough about that. ...Now "goatmother" I get... but fiery?

[She was totally on board up until crushing enemies. Lineface.] That is an awfully violent saying.

[Although, she can see Undyne saying something very similar. So, uh. Maybe this young man isn't too bad. Maybe he just needs to learn the value of mercy. You must always give someone a chance.

With a small shake of the head, she gladly jumps on that subject change.]

The "fiery" is a reference to my fire magic. Though I do not use it for much more than cooking these days.

[And, y'know. One fight with a protagonist. But she hated every second of that.]

Of course, it's the Netherworld. That's just how we demons do things. There's seldom a better way for a demon to get to know another one than to engage in a good fight. It can tell you a lot about what kind of demon they are.

The lucky ones find lifelong rivals to compete against for self improvement.

[What most other cultures would call "friends." But regardless. He at least doesn't look like he intends to pick a fight with anyone here, if nothing else.]

Fire magic? Well, that would do it. And I've never actually heard of it being used for cooking before. How effective is it? ...Do you think it would work well for preparing sardines?

Edited 2016-05-26 23:19 (UTC)

[Yeah, that sounds eerily like Undyne's definition of a friend. Toriel gives a nod of understanding and just smiles. Maybe she doesn't agree with the fighting, but she'll still give him the benefit of the doubt.]

I suppose it could be used to prepare sardines! I find it much more reliable than using a stove or oven. It is only ever as hot as I need it to be.

Here. [And just like that, there's a small fireball in her paws.] It is only warm, if you are curious.

[Beat.] But please do not try this with just any fire.

[He raised an eyebrow, looking at the flame. He cautiously reached forward, and despite his hand being gloved, he could tell the fire she held was not especially hot... and that had to take great control.]

Well, naturally. You clearly know what you are doing when it comes to using this magic. Few I've seen have been able to have such fine restraint in the spell to keep it stable and relatively cool.

I admit, I am impressed. Are you a professional chef, then? Or a professional magician?

[Toriel chuckles softly and shakes her head.]

I am a teacher.

[Because that's what you do, when you are a boss monster. You teach elementary school children. At least, once you're freed from the underground, of course. Her mischievous grin sobers up slightly as she goes on.]

Once upon a time, I was queen of monsters. That was a very long time ago, though.

[The demon's face brightens considerably, a smile quickly finding its way to his lips, with perhaps a little bit of fang showing. He sounds incredibly thrilled at the notion.]

A teacher! A wonderful choice of profession. I'm a teacher of sorts myself, back in Hades. I am a Prinny Instructor, you see.

[....But when she sobers up a bit, and then mentions being queen of the monsters, his face also calms into something more reflective, and his voice brought down to perhaps the calmest it had ever been.]

...Seems we have more in common than I imagined. Though I was no king or Overlord among demons, I held the title of Tyrant for some time. ...That was also a very long time ago.

[A flicker of surprise lights her eyes for a second or two before Toriel just smiles. Her own fangs are definitely visible as she does so.]

Perhaps we understand one another better than we might have realized! Quite the coincidence, is it not?

[Goodness, this is exciting. It isn't every day you meet a fellow (kinda) monarch-turned-educator. Toriel lets her flame magic fizzle out and clasps her paws together, all brightened up.]

I am afraid I have never heard of a... "Prinny," yes? What is it you instruct them in?

I am glad you asked!

[He flung his cape wide open to the side, in a dramatic and over the top display, but he was excited to talk about it.]

A Prinny Instructor teaches a Prinny the skills they need to be a Prinny. And the next step would be to explain what a Prinny is. A Prinny is a type of demon that houses the soul of a dead human who has committed sins and crimes in their lifetime. Theirs is meant to be an existence of servitude, suffering, and long hours until such a time that their debt to the universe itself is paid off, and their redemption and chance for reincarnation is well earned.

As a Prinny Instructor, it is my duty to prepare the recently deceased souls that have been brought into Hades for their path to redemption... and to convince those who refuse it. For some, their time as a Prinny might be relatively short, but for others, they may be doomed to the fate for a very long time. But even the most sinful soul will eventually earn their reincarnation.

Still, while that might sound... harsh, the alternative is much worse. Without Prinny Instructors and our system, the Netherworlds would be overflowing with lost souls with no hope... and with no way to reincarnate, life might simply... peter out.

[And then, perhaps in one of the greatest shifts in mood he's ever produced, he continues.]

...Prinnies also look like little demon penguins. I've heard some humans call them cute before.

[That. Is a lot of information. And a lot of it sounds horrible. Toriel opens her mouth...

...shuts it again.

Thinks about it for a second.

Not that monsters would ever have such a chance - their SOULs are just too fragile - but humans? Could all of those lost SOULs have gone on to live again? All the ones she couldn't save herself? Just the thought makes her heart ache.

The possibility brings on so much hope that she has to allow that the prospect has its value. To a (near) immortal such as herself, a long time for a true chance of forgiveness and redemption is a worthy price.

She huffs out a sigh, the horror-struck look on her face fading into a slight, shaky smile.]

"Harsh" is certainly one word I might have used. Do all human souls turn into Prinnies? Or is it merely the sinful ones?

[She knows that human SOULs stick around for a long time regardless, but all she can think of are the innocents she knew suffering and it's not sitting well. It's far too close to home.]

[He nodded to the second question.]

Only the sinful ones. Humans who live good lives relatively free of sin actually are eligible for reincarnation immediately... and particularly virtuous souls sometimes are scouted by the Angels from Celestia to become one of them.

That's a very rare occurrence, however. But one I have seen happen.

[Well, in that case. Her fur is still a little ruffled at the idea of a life of suffering and servitude, but a chance at redemption is worth more than almost anything. And the confirmation that her precious innocents would likely have gone on to live again -- at least, where this demon was from -- helped smooth the message even further. Toriel gave a small nod of acceptance.]

I must say, it sounds as if your days as an educator may be far more exciting than mine. The worst that I may need to handle in a given day is more likely to be an ill child.

[Which is. Not something she enjoys dealing with. It's always horrible to see any child sick. But still.]

[That brings a lighter smile to his face, an easier one. Honestly, hearing that her life is quiet is good... but he's not about to write off her own troubles either.]

It's all relative. There's quite a bit of stress involved in dealing with illness, particularly in someone left in your charge. Not to mention still seeing to the needs of everyone else.

You must work very hard on that.

[She has that kind of air about her, after all.]

[Nobody stresses over illness quite like Toriel. Her mind always takes off running down the worst case scenario path. Some ancient pain flickers in her eyes, but she tries to push past it with a (slightly forced) grin.]

I do try. They are all like my own children.

[There's a spark of mischief in her voice as she adds:] Except, of course, that I get to send most of them to their homes elsewhere at the end of the day.

[He chuckles at that comment.]

Nothing quite like the ability to get away from a particularly obnoxious pupil and turn them back over to their parents. No doubt they feel the same when they go off to school, so... a cycle. One that's good for everyone's collective sanity.

But that you care deeply for your charges like you do... a very good thing to hear.

[He even cares about his Prinnies, even while he might come off as harsh, mean, or seemingly unreasonable.]

[Her smile turns much warmer again at that.]

Why, thank you. I am glad to hear that you understand. It speaks to your own skill as an instructor, as well.

[She can tell that he cares too, just from the way he is talking. There's usually a good deal more exasperation with her motherly attitude from someone who doesn't "get it."]

I imagine your... "students"... must be rather difficult sometimes, but I can see that you care for them.

[He cleared his throat a little, shifting his weight and trying not to let that on any further.]

...Yes, well. It is my job to see to it that they make it through their atonement. I take pride in producing the finest damn Prinnies in any Netherworld, anywhere. Without proper instruction, they may be forced to stay even longer in Netherworld.

[Thus, needlessly prolonging their suffering. That's not how he operated.]

But all I really do is equip them to deal with the future. They have to do the rest on their own.

Ah, but that is what all teachers do, is it not? Preparing the next generation for the future?

[She's onto you, good sir. Toriel looks almost mischievous, but doesn't tease.]

It is no small task.

You are correct, of course.

[While he's a little embarrassed over the matter, still, he's proud of what he does and is glad he took up the mantle.]

...when I held the title of Tyrant, I used to think the job of being a Prinny Instructor was lowly and beneath me. But... well, you can never predict the future.

And this has been a great deal more fulfilling than the time I spent with all that power. Sure, it was fun, being a demon feared by all who heard my name, but... hell. Not like I didn't end up having plenty of adventures as a teacher.

Edited 2016-06-04 03:00 (UTC)

What're you so worried about? It's just people. And mun-people won't let you die there, so there's nothing to worry about!

O-oh. Goodness, I would certainly hope not! [Murderous muns are an upsetting thought for so many reasons.] I am merely concerned that she will not leave herself enough time to finish her other work.

Oh. That's nice've you.

Hey, what're you? A goat?

[She's only slightly miffed about the question. There is some strange resemblance, she supposes. It's certainly better than being called a cow.]

No, my child. I am a monster. There are many different kinds of us, though not so many who resemble me.

[Except for Asgore. She tries not to think of him too much, though.]

[she's silent for a long moment, then gives a decisive answer]

No, you're not. You're just not a human.

What people do is what makes them monsters.

[She's. Honestly not too sure what to say to that for a moment. Then, after that moment, she just looks a little sad.]

Where I come from, it merely means a magical being. It does not mean anything negative. We are just... different.

Then it's a nicer place than where I'm from. Monsters are what some people call Dimensional Beings when then hunt them.

[then, quite genuinely:]

I'm glad you can all live in peace.

[She doesn't have the heart to say that they didn't live in peace until very recently. Instead, Toriel just gives a small smile.]

I am glad for that too. And I certainly hope that you can have peace as well one day.

Maybe. I dunno.

Was it ever a problem, humans and monsters? Did you fix it? Or has it just always been peaceful?

[Oops, called out.]

It has not always been peaceful, unfortunately. The peace is very recent. A long time ago, there was war between us.

When we lost, monsters were condemned to live underground.

[she visibly shudders. honestly, there's not much worse she can imagine, being both personally claustrophobic and a wind-elemental creature that needs open skies]

That's. Wow.

That's awful. So awful.

Was it hard? Did you have to live underground?

Edited 2016-05-29 03:35 (UTC)

[It was hard. Especially seeing her subjects growing restless, some losing hope of ever seeing the sky again. But she doesn't want to dwell on that too much.]

I did. But a human child recently found a way for us to reach the surface again. Thankfully, we are free now.

Sounds like a hero.

But... why would a human child do that?

They are a good child. [No small amount of pride in her tone. She is so terribly proud of all Frisk has done.] It is their nature just to help others. I must admit, I am glad for that.

And... everybody else just listened? To a kid?

not sure on where we're going, but hey. voicetest! [Canon: Undertale]

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