shoutfire | pursuing my true pacifist

[The world of humans has changed a lot from what Toriel remembers. Then again, so has the world of monsters - their worldview, really. The sky is so much wider than a narrow stone ceiling.

What endures is that the little, quiet corners matter just as much as the bustling population centres, to monsters and humans alike. They matter to Toriel; in some strange way, the mountainside scenery reminds her of other places she once knew thousands of years ago. And they matter to the up-and-coming ambassador to the humans, which is why they're on this world tour to begin with.

At least, this sleepy country town mattered to the ambassador up until half a minute ago, when they noticed a fox dart into a hedge and let out a squeal of delight. They are about ten years old.]

You will not wander too far, will you?

[They nod enthusiastically, and she smiles, reaching down to give their hair another ruffle before they can barrel away.]

All right. Play safely, my child.

[And off they go towards the shrine, paying no attention to either the faintly wistful look on her face or the whispers that have followed the two of them since they walked into the shopping district.

After a moment of quiet, Toriel turns away from the shrine entrance and pads towards the closest store, her pace slow and deliberately dignified. Perhaps she can find the child a hairbrush...]

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[ The store owner might be out on errands, but the place isn't empty; a young man fussing with a display of stuffed animals looks over at the sound of a visitor and blinks.

Well.

Kanji sure wasn't expecting a customer like her around here. Sure, he's not totally blind to the news - in fact, some of the dolls he's arranging are rather monster-inspired. But meeting one for the first time's still ... something.

It takes him a moment to shake his surprise off, but he smiles.]

Oh - uh, welcome! You lookin' for anything?

Ah, hello! [A way into the store without her horns bumping up against the top of the sliding door might have come in handy a moment ago, but no harm done. Old ladies like Toriel don't let things like this faze them. Straightening up once she makes it inside, she greets the young man with another smile.] Please do not be alarmed. I am simply here to shop.

[It's a script she's pretty used to running through by now. Never hurts. That said, she doesn't want to leave an important diplomat outside to chase foxes through the bushes all day, so she soon sweeps over to - yes, the display of little stuffed monsters on the side. Hmm... Frisk would certainly be happier to see one of those than a hairbrush, that's for sure.]

Are these handmade? They are a very good likeness!

Huh?

[ She's - she's looking at - man, he's really hoping he did a good enough job with them. There's the slightest hint of a sigh of relief as she speaks- ]

Those? Yeah, they are. [ He pauses for a brief second before deciding he can say- ] Heh - made 'em myself, actually.

I see...! You certainly have talented hands. [And is that really something to hesitate over, given that he's running the shop? She catches his eye for a second, or at least tries to.] I have not knitted anything new in a long time.

[After that, though, she scoops up a knitted Froggit to give it a closer look. It's even tinier in her clawed hands than it would have been in Kanji's.

Is it wearing a little scarf, too? How adorable!]

[ Okay, it just looks tiny with her holding it- he smiles at her approval. ]

Thanks. They're kinda popular with the younger kids... you, uh, used to knit yourself?

[ The idea's a little weird to think about, initially, but why shouldn't she? Though ... probably need some big needles, there... ]

Only a little, I am afraid. Scarves, sweaters, children's clothes... Silly little things like that. [There's a suddenly distant look in her dark red eyes for a moment. Still, she allows herself a self-depreciating chuckle, and it passes.] It is difficult enough to find appropriately-sized needles! Not to mention the accidents that can happen when you have fur. You have done very well for yourself, in comparison.

Did you make all of these, too? [Now she's looking toward the scarves and neckerchiefs displayed opposite, seeing as she reminded herself. The weather might get colder soon, if she remembers correctly. Frisk will have to be prepared. Not everyone has fur.]

[ ...did he say something wrong? Huh. Well, she seems alright, so... he nods along happily at the rest of her comments. ]

Those? Nah, my work's just the knitted stuff - I'm thinkin' of branching out a bit, but that's it for now. The other things are ma's.

Ah...

[She smiles back at him, toothily but not unkindly.]

Well then, she must be proud to have such a hardworking child. Perhaps I should take up knitting again.

[ Okay, that's got him glancing aside for a second - ]

Eh, we ... kinda have our moments. [ But he's not talking about that with some monster lady he just met. He looks a spot awkward before picking back up- ] ...If you want anythin' for it while you're in town, I'd, uh, be happy to help?

Oh! I am sorry. [Enough of that, then.] What would you recommend?

...Lemme see.

[ He heads on over to a stand - ] We ain't got a huge range, but what we've got's all natural fibres, good stuff - uh. What sort of stuff did you have back, uh, there? [ How to even talk about underground business? He really doesn't get it... ]

[She follows him over, picking up a roll of yarn with her unoccupied hand to weigh it thoughtfully.]

... Truthfully, I do not think it was so different. [Her voice is gentle, but a little bit pointed all the same.] Though it could be difficult to scavenge when the woolliest monsters were not in the mood.

[The yarn seems very nice, anyway. After a moment, she holds it up.] How would this one be for a scarf, do you think?

pursuing my true pacifist

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