In the RUINS, there is a house. In the house, there is a chair. In teh chair sits the beloved goat mom. Beloved of skeletons, humans, and monsters alike, Toriel sat daily, reading one favorite book or another and occasionally reciting interesting snail facts to anyone who passed. If it was Frisk, she would get through one or two facts before he would make up some xcuse about having to go to with Papyrus or Undyne. She didn't mind. She like knowing Frisk loved her enough to humor her even a little. Sweet child.

If Sans came through, he would stay long enough to make a well-timed pun. She loved his puns, and she could never stop herself from laughing uncontrollably.

Today, nobody came by. She didn't mind much She managed to finish her new book on snail racing, but it was a little lonely. She liked the interruptions because they were by people she held dear. The house was oddly quiet, too. Even when no one was in the room with her, she could usually hear movement or conversation of some kind. Maybe the went to Sans' house? Sans usually stayed at her house in the RUINS, but sometime he went home to Papyrus, to see how he was doing.

Ever since Undyne's house blew up, she'd been staying in Sans' room.

Toriel put her book back in its proper place amongst the others and got her jacket. After the barrier opened, the Underground had become susceptible to the winds of the surface, both warm and bitter. As of late, bitter winds were most common.

She left the house and headed for SNOWDIN, stopping in a Grillby's for hot chocolate. When she got to Parpyrus', the first thing she noticed was the tag on the knob. Something was written on it.

"You will a-door what awaits you."

Smiling, she opened tohe door.

Inside, all was dark. except for the kitchen. Light from the kitchen fanned out across the living room floor, lighting her path. Approaching, she called out. "Hello? Frisk? Sans?"

In the middle of the kitchen stood her friends. Sans, Frisk, Papyrus, Undyne, Alphys, Napstablook, and Asgore. They all stood semi-circling something on the floor. Whatever it was, it was box-shaped, the size of a moderate fih tank, and covered in a purple cloth.

"What's going on?" s

Sans spoke first. "It was Frisk's idea, but everyone helped. Frisk went through your favorite boos, and went through any other bookmarked passages to find the best kinds.

Then Papyrus. "All of us pitched in towards costs and supplies."

Then Undyne. "Napstablook was helpful when it came down to finding the best places to buy everything."

Finally, Frisk. "I went out and got everything, to minimize issues with the shopkeepers concerning monsters, but really, it's a gift from all of us. You do so much for everyone, and we wanted to show you how much it means to us."

Toriel was stunned.

"Y-you got me something?"

Sans pulled off the purple cloth, reealing a tank of snails.

"We know you love being helpful, but we also know it disappoints you a little to reallize that sometimes it isn't necessary. That's not to say we don't need you. We'll always need you. But these little guys? They need your love and attention more than anything else in the world."

The gesture was so kind, so loving. She had no idea she'd had such an effect. Her vision was soon clouded by tears, so she didn't see Frisk coming to hug her.

"We hope you like it."

She held them tight.

"I do, child. I love it. I love all of you."