Chapter Text
Hidden far across the ocean of planet earth is an island that people say is filled with monsters of all shapes and sizes. While most humans don't seem to know it exists, to those that love the art of Dance and Music, it is known that the most prestigious academy of Dance and Music could be found on the Island that was curiously known as "The Underground"
the Island itself is only accessible by one single boat, whose pilot is a cloaked figure who jokingly is called Ferron.
The island itself is separated into 4 quadrants, each seemed to focus on a single season, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. In the center of this is a building with a central tower that stretches 2 miles high into the air, and another 3 below. In all four quadrants are dorm buildings for those who come from off-island.
The ruler of this island lived in Spring Town, the Dreemur family, Asgore, Toriel, Asriel, and their adopted child, Chara, all lived happily in their rather small castle, with the young Princess and their adopted child attending the Academy.
Underground Academy of Dance and Music had an open door policy, though for humans they were invited to the academy if they lived off-island with all expenses covered to get to the island.
The headmaster of this academy was none other than the famous Dr. Wing Ding Gaster, who brilliantly designed the school to teach young monsters anything they wished to learn, from dance to music to more practical applications such as math and science and languages and such. Though quite brilliant, he was a very strict instructor and only one skeleton seemed to actually calm him down.
Aster Lafaunte was the public face of the school for her husband. She taught more freeform waltz compared to her husband, but not only that, she also mastered a few other dances that she taught when it was sought.
Their souls resonated like no one had ever seen before. Their dancing perfectly synced and something to behold, the only pair that danced with more sync was the Royal couple of Asgore and Toriel, though their waltzing was more modern compared to the traditional waltzes Gaster and Aster performed.
Gaster walked with stiff posture to the large studio that was divided into two for the two teachers of two different forms of Waltz. Inside he saw Aster doin her warmups alone, stretching a bit before running through a few standard moves. She was more freeform in her style, but knew every single move he did as it was essentially the same dance style.
His soul pulsed in his body as he watched her graceful moves. He loved her dearly, her grace and kindness was part of the reason he had fallen for the female skeleton. As she finished some warm up moves, she twirled her way over to him before holding a hand out to him. “Dance with me?” She asked in that sweet voice of hers.
He felt his cheekbones flush with green blush, a light coloration only Aster seemed to be able to bring out in him, before he walked forward and laid his hand over top of hers. “It would be my pleasure my dear.” He replied to her delightful smile as they bowed with hands still touching.
They came together as their souls came out, close together as they resonated as if one whole. Together they went through the dance, he led and she followed.
1 2 3..
1 2 3..
Right foot..
Left foot..
They danced to music only they seemed to hear, she twirled with him and he dipped her on occasion. Around and around they danced in the studio, lost in each other’s eyes, his emerald ones and her amethyst..
Their movements each other predicted, performing with a grace no one seemed to be able to match in this style of dance, it seemed as if they were the same person.
Finally after what seemed like hours of dancing they came together in embrace, teeth clacked together in skeleton form of a kiss, their souls splitting apart to return to their chests.
“Wonderful as always my dear..” He whispered against her.
“Flatterer, you are the wonderful one.” She replied playfully.
Applause broke their thoughts from one another as they had not realized their students had filled in for class that day, each watching bewitched as Gaster’s blush returned in full force and he cleared his throat.
“Right class, that is how a true waltz is done, and of course you will be able to perform at at least half as decent.” He said, returning to his facade of strictness as Aster chuckled softly.
This class was a new one for the year, their class specifically teaching newcomers learning to waltz, young monsters or humans unfamiliar with how their culture worked but knew enough of dance to have earned a spot there.
Gaster continued to speak before the class, dressed in tuxedos and dresses as they chose to be, gender didn’t matter, as a couple of males were in dresses and a fair few women in tuxedos, what mattered here was comfort.
“When a monster or in this case, person, is born their soul resonates with a style of dance. For some monsters the style is discovered in early childhood, and perfected into adulthood. For others it takes years and years before they discover it. For Mrs. Lafaunte and myself ours resonates with the styles of Waltz you will be learning during your time here at this Academy.” He said firmly.
“Know that I am in fact a strict teacher and I will not tolerate laziness in my class. If you cannot cut it, I will send you back to remedials.” He said firmly, which caused a few younger students to shudder before Aster put a hand on his shoulder and spoke still.
“What Mr. Gaster is trying to say, is that we strive to make sure you learn all we can teach you, and some simply aren’t ready for this level of dance. In which case we simply send you to Lady Toriel, who teaches the lower aspects of Waltz in a more relaxed setting.” She informed and then continued to explain.
“A person’s soul comes out during a dance if the people dancing form a bond. Be it friendship, platonic or romantic love, or simply understanding. However, if there is malice between the two or the styles do not meld well, the souls will not come out and no bond will form.” She explained calmly. “If you do not seem to feel right with this kind of dance, do not feel discouraged, perhaps it simply is that Waltz is not your style of dance. There is absolutely nothing wrong with telling us you feel like you need to try a different style, there are many to choose from.” She said softly.
Gaster nodded in approval. “Now, warmups!” He said firmly, his tone loud as Aster kissed his cheekbone and went to her side with the freeform dancers. The warmups were the same of course, each student going through it and those that knew the warm ups helped those that did not to hold the form correctly.
Throughout the day Gaster’s cane could be heard smacking the legs, arms, or backs and rear of students as he corrected their forms more strictly than Aster did.