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"Okay, give me just one moment my dearest companions, I'll be back in a millisecond!!!"
Berdly raised his finger in the air as he strode out the door. Entering Kris's hallway, he started downstairs. Kris was hosting a group sleepover tonight, how thoughtful! They had been quite a bother with that meddling Susie influencing their bad behavior, not to mention Noelle not coming to his defense a singular time! But, they were still playing games together, and their mother made pie, so it was a balanced night so far.
The only reason he walked out for the moment was to go to the bathroom, so he went ahead and finished that up quickly, excited to get back to his friends. Ms. Toriel, however, sat at the kitchen table. And, for some reason, beckoned him over. Berdly, being the ever-so polite young man that shall win the hearts of every adult in town, obliged and took a seat across from her.
"Is there anything I may assist with, Ms. Toriel?"
Berdly held his wings atop his lap and smiled with a respect only allowed for elders. She cleared her throat.
"Burghley, you are... Quite close to Kris, are you not?"
He paused. Friends? Of course! But, close friends? That was a tough one. Kris was, and is, always so weird. Berdly didn't have a problem with that, he actually favored it, because they were straightforward with him. But, he didn't know if that bluntness stemmed from genuine care or annoyance. Nevertheless, this is Kris's mother! Of course she'd want to hear her child having tightly knit connections! And what if he gave the wrong answer and she got angry with him? He must appease adults. Always! He straightened his back.
"Of course! We're the best of friends. So close, sometimes it feels suffocating!!!! Haha!!!!"
Toriel didn't laugh, she smiled softly and hummed. Awkward. Berdly cleared his throat, begging she wasn't upset at him.
"That's good to hear. I know this is none of your business, but... I've been quite. Worried. About them lately."
Her head lowered.
"... Promise me you'll keep an eye on them, alright, Burghley? If you notice anything strange, please come to me."
"Oh?? Okay, yeah! I'll do just that, Ms. Toriel. You can count on me!"
He placed a wing on his chest so Toriel REALLY knew he was serious. She must be so proud of him. Hopefully. She gave him a peaceful nod and he made his way back upstairs. He was confused, though, why would Toriel even be so worried for Kris? They're strange, sure, but that's how they always are. No matter, he had a sworn duty to keep watch over them now, and he wouldn't let Kris's mom down over his dead body.
"Dude, damn! Took you long enough, bird brains. The hell were you doing in that bathroom?"
Susie laughed, taking every moment to make fun of him. If she was anything, it was consistent. His feathers ruffled.
"Hey!! It wasn't even from that! Ms. Toriel wanted to have a quick chat with me, i'll let you know."
He huffed and Susie just rolled her eyes.
"Whatever. Uh, hey. Why don't you tell us about that video game thingy from earlier!?"
Susie smiled. Not a genuine smile. Both her and Kris shared glances and stared at him. He blinked. Noelle looked guilty for something, well, she normally looks like that. But something was wrong here...
"Hmph. Well... I guess I can humor this, for now. I'll have to get my phone, however, as I have written down an in depth description of the entire history of FAAF (Five Afternoons At Freddy's).
...
Where's my phone?!?"
Susie burst out laughing. Laughing!? This was a very serious matter! Ugh, she probably did this on purpose.
"Susie!! You scoundrel! Where's my phone!?"
"Up."
Kris answered blankly, a smile clear as day on their face. What the fuck did up mean. He jolted his head to the ceiling. Are we serious?????
"Wha- KRIS, SUSIE!!!! H-how did you even get that to stick to the ceiling!?!?"
He had completely lost it at that point, so did his three friends in-front of him. His face turned red as they all giggled.
"UGH! Well, it's FINE, actually. I have most of it screenshotted in my memory anyways."
He scrambled to stand up straight and set his wings on his hips, speaking smugly. Susie broke her laughter IMMEDIATELY and gave a look of pure terror.
Good. Great, even. They had their laugh, so it's his turn, the night shall still be balanced!!! He cleared his throat.