[center][abbr=Primrose][img]https://i.imgur.com/4DgO1VH.png[/img][/abbr]
[color=FFC6C6]Word Count: 990 (+2 exp)
[u]Level[/u]: [b]8[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 114/80 
[b]Location[/b]: The Under - Ash Lake[/color]
[color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color][/center]
Asgore's was a sad tale, a kind king deposed and replaced by cruel tyrants. Primrose listened quietly as the story was told. It was very informative, and a few things stuck out to her and she mentally filed them away for later. It was just a shame that the context of the information was so tragic. Once the story was over, the group sat in silence - but only for a moment.

She was both amused and bemused at the Koopa Troop's treatment of the flame clock. She watched them try to break it, sink it, then retrieve it. Though ultimately their attempt had failed, all the same Primrose was glad that they were on the Seekers' side after that display of power. Once the clock was resting in its new place between the altar weapons, the dancer spoke up.

[color=D34C25]"Instead of dealing with the clock, we should instead deal with the people forcing the issue,"[/color] she said. The former king had even bid them as much, to not let P or F get away with what they were doing. [color=D34C25]"The consuls. Once we defeat the area's guardian, the... [i]energy[/i] it gives off might be enough to free the city. But the consuls are sure to get in our way before that."[/color]

Besides the fact that the Consuls seemed to want to preserve the status quo of the World of Light, everything else about them was a mystery. Their motivation, their goals behind hindering the Seekers... but even still, that they'd pose a problem in the Seekers' quest was a given. 

[color=D34C25]"We know there's one consul right below us, so why don't we pay him a visit? Hopefully we can find the others before that, but if we dispose of one consul, it may draw the other out."[/color]

Though to be honest, Primrose wasn't so sure of that. Were the consuls friends, or just comrades by circumstance? And for one as cruel as Asgore made F out to be, would he even care if P was killed? If he wanted to toy with the Seekers, it was more likely he wouldn't show up in the event that P was defeated. But they couldn't know until it happened. [color=D34C25]"Even if it doesn't, that would be one less obstacle to deal with later as we look for those masks."[/color]

Speaking of the mask pieces, Primrose collected the one that Asgore relinquished to them. Then she glanced at the Hive Knight. [color=D34C25]"We should help Barnabee out after our trip into the city. After what Asgore told us, it would make sense that one of these pieces is in his queendom."[/color]

Regardless if the other Seekers agreed with her suggested plan or not, their next step would be traveling to the Home of Tears. At some point they should probably purge Teemo and Barnabee of the "lifelight," maybe just before heading to the city? Vaguely Primrose wondered what time it was, since it had been more than a couple of hours even since arriving at the Temple of the Black Egg. Before the group went outside to seek the pipe the would take them to the city below the lake, Primrose turned to Asgore.

[color=D34C25]"Thank you for hosting us, and telling us your story,"[/color] she said. [color=D34C25]"I have one more question for you, if you don't mind. Though I'm not sure if you'll have an answer. You mentioned that you've been here for years... here, in this remade world? How could it be that you've been here this long, when there are others who only recall being here but a few months?"[/color] 

Though she didn't explicitly saw that she was one of these people, it could be inferred. She remembered Noblecourt, the Obsidians, Simeon... and then she remembered the aptly named Land of Adventure, ending up in Smash City Alcamoth, and living there amongst its battle-friendly inhabitants until the Seekers of Light arrived. It troubled her to think there might be a huge gap in her memory. 

[color=D34C25]"Is it possible that the world isn't... done expanding? That it draws people into it over time?"[/color] she asked, preferring this theory over a bout of amnesia or something more sinister.

Asgore took a long, deep breath. "That's... not it." Even more so now than when he mentioned the countless lives thrust into his hands, to be sustained through interminable acts of murder that he abhorred with every fiber of his being, the old goat sounded grim. "I'm a kind of monster that only ages when my children do, but... my only child died long ago. So no matter how many lives pass me by, I'm still here." He twiddled his thumbs, not meeting the dancer's eyes. "I'm sorry, miss. But I don't think you or your friends are ready to hear the truth. It's just too darn much." The former king rattled out a hollow-sounding sigh.

His response surprised Primrose. Silently she regarded the goat man and considered whether or not she should press him. He was being honest about withholding information, and apparently did so for their sake. If they didn't learn the truth now, they could come to know it eventually - but patient as Primrose was, the ominous answer would sit with her for a while. 

[color=D34C25]"Alright,"[/color] she said after a few moments, voice soft. [color=D34C25]"If it won't help us, then I'll leave it be for now. But if... whatever it is might interfere with our plan, I think we have a right to know."[/color]

Asgore nodded stiffly. "It shouldn't. But if you do manage to finish the job here in the Under, and you still want to know, I'll tell you then."

[i]Good enough.[/i] Primrose gave him a nod of her own, fully intending to hold him to that. She finished the last of her tea that had gone cold and bid the former king goodbye for now. Once Teemo, Rubick, and everyone had their fill of tea, cookies, and questions it was time to move on. The group ventured outside to look for the "green pipe," the path to the Home of Tears.