Chapter Text
Kris never understood the sole purpose of the soul stubbornly interacting with everything twice. Wanting to know everything the world had to offer was their best guess at the reasoning for its actions. Going downstairs to the kitchen, the pancakes Toriel made before going out sat proudly on the table. The warm and sweet smell was always comforting for them. Thankfully, the option to consume them was chosen. Phew, today was going to be a long one, after all.
As soon as they left the house, a phone call came through.
"Sup, Kris. Uh... How are you doing?"
"..."
"I kinda spent the night at Castle Town last night, was expecting you to sneak out and come along too, actually. Toriel did mention you doing that a lot, so, uh, I really thought this was one of those times."
She very clearly sounded worried, despite her best efforts to camouflage it.
Kris did have this habit. Toriel never seemed to put much thought into it, though. Not even after what had happened with Dess all those times ago. Maybe she thought that not restricting Kris would make them feel free. Kris liked to regard her seemingly "carelessness" this way. She was trying her best to be a good mom, but she was still a person, a deeply wounded one, at that.
"I'm calling from the phone at the library, by the way. Since Berdly's still at the hospital, it was difficult to break in, but... heh. I managed. Meet me at Castle Town if you're up to it. See you."
Click.
Although Susie and Kris didn't go a long way back when it came to their friendship, she had realised something was up with them. They really appreciated her trying to give them the much needed space they desired for a while. She was too nice for her own good.
The trip to school wasn't a long one. The weather was nice. The sunlight reflecting on the trees gave the street a yellow tint in the morning. The festival was today. Many important things were supposed to be happening today, and many things could go south. They were at the mercy of the fate's hand.
The streets were empty, the townsfolk must be at the forest setting up their stands and preparing for the festival supposed to be happening afternoon. Well, they really didn't wanna be interacting with anyone at this time, so this was in their favor anyways. They were just about to go pass the convenience store, when-
"Kris..?"
A hand grabbed their shoulder from behind, gently.
It was Noelle. Their heart sunk the moment it hit them.
She wasn't supposed to be here.