Chapter Text
It wasn’t so much that Gaster hated fieldwork, it was more Gaster didn’t want to do it himself. Fieldwork was useful in collecting data and calculating risk and cost. It also required the collector of this data to interact with people, ask questions, answer questions, smile and nod and act like you care about their opinion. People skills were a requirement, a requirement that Gaster could have when he wanted to but preferred to not. Honestly, the whole ordeal just tired him out. It was more effective and efficient if someone else collected the data for him.
The king seemed to disagree.
Asgore was concerned for the Royal Scientist’s mental health, being locked away in his lab for days, even weeks at a time. He hardly went out to get fresh air, though in Hotland, it was understandable. Yes, the atmosphere was bearable, but it wasn’t exactly pleasant. So when the opportunity came for Gaster to request someone be sent to Snowdin to check the repercussions of building the cooling mechanism for the Core out there, Asgore shot him down without a second thought.
“Go to Snowdin yourself, Gaster. Enjoy the cool air, talk with the townspeople, stay at the Inn! Live a little! Oh, this request says that the field applicant wouldn’t be back for two weeks… Sounds like the perfect amount of time for a vacation for my favorite scientist!”
“But sir! I have to stay and work on the Core!”
“Nonsense, Gaster. Pack your bag. If I see your face around here at all in the next two weeks, you’re fired.”
“But sir-!”
“No ‘but’s, Gaster. This is a direct order. Go. Enjoy yourself.”
Gaster heard the snow crunch beneath his feet as he stepped off the ferry. He had one suitcase, which he was holding in his right hand. The River Person behind him sang a little ‘tra la la’ as Gaster walked towards the town. He walked to his right as the king had instructed him to do, past a tiny bar, to the Inn. He walked in, brushing off the snow with a frown. It hadn’t even been snowing. How any had gotten on his torso and arms was a mystery to him. He sighed and walked to the front desk.
“Hello… I am W.D. Gaster, the Royal Scientist? I have a reservation-”
“I’m sorry sir, I can’t understand a word you’re saying.” The bunny monster behind the desk said, looking startled and lost. Of course she couldn’t understand him. His font, Wingdings, made it almost impossible for anyone to understand anything he said. With some bitterness, Gaster held up his hands, signing,
“Do you speak sign?” The bunny nodded, and Gaster started again. “I’m W.D. Gaster. The Royal Scientist. I was told I’d have a reservation here.”
“Oh! Of course, yes! King Asgore called ahead this morning.” She leaned down and pulled out a key, placing it in the hand Gaster extended towards her. “Enjoy your stay!”
“Thanks.” He signed before slowly making his way upstairs to his room. He unlocked the door with trembling hands, frowning at how shaky he was. Maybe he was nervous to be so far away from his lab, from the Core. It didn’t mean he had to show it.
Gaster laid his suitcase down on the bed, opening it and laying out the folders and notes he’d brought along to study. By the light of the one lamp alone, he began to read them over, doing calculations in his head and cross referencing ideas with the charts he’d brought. The cooling mechanism would have to be built soon. The current cooling system, trying to irrigate water from Waterfall, wasn’t working, most of the water evaporating before it reached the Core. Ice, especially the magic rich ice of Snowdin, would be harder to melt and more efficient.
Gaster rubbed his skull with his left hand, looking at the data sheet in his right. It didn’t really have to be filled out. With the reputation he had, if he said it was necessary for the happiness of Monsterkind, people would follow him blindly. Collecting data and feedback had been more out of courtesy for Snowdin residents than out of necessity.
It was too late to back out now. Asgore wouldn’t hear of him abandoning the task, deadset on the scientist getting away for a while. Gaster slid his notes and graphs back into their respective folders before rummaging through his suitcase to find some sweatpants and a loose t-shirt for bed. He laid on the bed, closing his eye sockets as he tried to find rest. It had been so long since he’d laid in a proper bed, usually opting for the much more available couch in the lab’s breakroom. The soft mattress and thick, fluffy blankets felt like he’d wrapped himself up in marshmallows.
Gaster sighed, tossing and turning. It was all unfamiliar. The room smelled of sweet, baked goods wafting up from the shop next door, accompanied by the smell of burning wood coming from the fireplace below; a sharp contrast to his chemical-odor heavy lab. He was out of his element, in a town he’d only passed through once or twice, trying to sleep. It didn’t help that, next door, there seemed to be a trio snoring as loud as they possibly could. Gaster wondered if they were doing it on purpose to spite him. He turned once again, covering his head with one of the pillows, hoping to block out the noise.