[video]

[alltozero]

Howdy, everyone! Um, my name is Asriel. And I couldn't help but notice... I think we have new people showing up again? So I thought... well, I had an idea!

[He scuffles around a bit, clumsily adjusting the camera, and holds up a fistful of crayons. Black, blue, yellow, red, and half of a broken purple. Truly a magnificent rainbow this kid has scrounged up.]

Maybe we could make little badges? Or nametags? Something that says "I'm new and I might need help." And maybe people who wanted to help could... I don't know, wear "guide" badges? Nobody has to, I just figured... it's kind of scary when you first come here, right? Maybe it'd make settling in easier! And you wouldn't have to worry, because I'm really great at drawing, and I've got lots of paper and tape. I can make the badges all by myself!

...Um, but maybe try not to get them wet. I don't know how to get plastic, so it's just... paper.

Comments

[alltozero]

Yeah! I mean, who needs help more than the newcomers, right? They don't know how anything works or where anything is, and they've been pulled away from their friends and family. It's a scary thing to have to deal with all by yourself, isn't it?

[kittycaterer]

[ What can he say? He's got a soft spot for kids. Noctis finds the response kind of charming, in a way. ]

It is, actually. A little.

Maybe you can start here. I'm Noctis, one of those newcomers you're looking out for. Could probably use a little guidance.

[alltozero]

Golly, in that case... howdy, Noctis, welcome to Hadriel! I'm Asriel. Hee hee, I guess it'll be easy to remember, since it rhymes!

Um, is there anything that you'd like to know more about? I'm still getting used to the place myself, but I can tell you about the gods and stuff!

[kittycaterer]

[ This kid is... Extremely adorable. Not that he would admit it himself. Noctis is a hard-core, tough sort of guy. Who... Just so happens to be not so tough in the face of small children and cute animals. You can't be mean to them. It's legitimately impossible. ]

[ Asriel seems to be a combination of both. ]

Thanks.

You're right. It does kinda rhyme, doesn't it?

We could start with the gods, definitely. I've actually been wondering how I get a hold of them. Any ideas?

[alltozero]

Well, if you're lucky, you might catch them posting on the network sometimes, just like we're doing! Or you could try visiting, like, um... oh, Hope has a temple. That's where you end up if... if something bad happens to you, and Hope has to bring you back.

[Is that a little dark? Maybe it's better that he's prepared for the idea that bad things might happen in a place like this than not.]

But you probably won't have to worry about that! The events I've seen so far can be pretty dangerous, but the people who live here are mostly nice! I'm sure nothing bad will actually happen to you.

[kittycaterer]

Something bad?

[ If he sounds worried, it's not about himself. It's about this kid. It's about Frisk and Chara. Chara seems like a pretty strong one, can defend themselves just fine. But the idea of a child having to be in a compromising place at all disturbs him. ]

How long have you been here, Asriel?

[alltozero]

Not very long, actually. Just a couple months. But, um, really! That's enough to know you don't have to worry too hard about something bad happening! You'll be fine, I'm sure. It's just... you know. Sometimes, accidents happen, or... or people get sick...

[Get sick. Ha ha. Accidents. His voice wavers, and he really really wishes it didn't. He swallows, looks away.]

Sometimes people... die.

But, um, but don't be sad! It's okay! Hope brings us back. That's all I meant.

[kittycaterer]

[ Noctis has had his fair share of disturbing experiences in the short while he has been here. The mental wrestling between relief and concern over his father and oldest friend/fiancee being brought from the dead, the discovery that he's far, far away from his own world... But this? Discovering that there are children here, aware and a part of something like this? That seems to shock him far more. ]

[ Noctis lowers his voice, gentle as can be. ]

Hey, it's fine. I'm not upset or scared, you don't need to worry about that.

I think it's great that you're telling it to me straight, actually. No point in making me think it won't happen, right?

[alltozero]

I... yeah, I guess you're right.

[It's better to know the ugly things, isn't it? It didn't... it didn't really help a lot of things, in retrospect, to just know Chara hated humanity - to go and blurt that to someone who'd never even met them, like that would inform Frisk about the kind of person they were when there wasn't a single hint of motive or context offered. It didn't really help to ask Frisk why they climbed a mountain that would make them disappear, then just leave it at "only you know the answer."]

I just don't want your first impression of Hadriel to be that it's a scary place. The people here aren't unkind, if you give them a chance. There are happy things here, too.

[kittycaterer]

It's not.

[ Noctis tries to sound as reassuring as he can, and he manages. If there's anyone else who understand how ugly things can get, it's him. And despite the second chance that Hadriel has given him, there's still an ugly side to all of that. Knowing he could easily lose his father and closest friend again just like that puts a dark cloud over this place. Being realistic isn't exactly what he wants, but it won't change things either. ]

You're a great guide. It's good to know that this place isn't as intimidating as it seems.

[alltozero]

Really...?

[Asriel's smile lights up, just a bit. If he helped, then that's enough. If he made things even a teeny bit better, it's enough.]

If there's anything else I can do to help this place feel a bit more like home, just let me know. I'm happy to help!