Noelle stands in front of the Dreemurr house's door, frowning. Ever since she visited the Dark World, she's had more questions than ever before. It's good to know that Susie is safe, and that she's nice, and that she's apparently happier there, but why is there some kind of portal in the school? How did they discover it? And most importantly, will Kris tell the truth again? For once, Kris told her the truth. Would it be tempting fate to hope they'll do it again?

She straightens herself and forces her expression back to a pleasant smile before knocking. It doesn't take long for Mrs. Toriel to appear. Like always, the smell of cooking food bursts from the house.

"Oh! Hello, Noelle." She greets. To her credit, she quickly tempers her surprised expression into something more neutral. "Were you looking for Kris?"

"Yes ma'am," Noelle nods.

Toriel opens the door wider and gestures for her to come in. She does, realizing that she hasn't been inside their house in years.

She had quickly learned that it was best to avoid Kris, even if their older brother was nice.

"They're in the bedroom. Just leave the door open," Toriel instructs, as if Noelle has any interest in Kris like that, or an open door would help at all when it's on the second floor.

"Okay."

She makes her way down the hall to their room, hooves clicking against the hardwood floors noisily. There's a reason her family's home is strictly carpet.

The door is shut, so she knocks gently.

"Kris?"

There's no response. Maybe they're listening to music? She knocks again, louder.

"Kris?"

Nothing. Didn't Toriel say they were here? Raising a hand to cover her eyes just in case, she opens the door and steps inside.

"I'm coming in, Kris."

When there's still no response, she uncovers her eyes to find the room empty and the window open. Of course. With a sigh, she adjusts the door so it's halfway open and harder to tell that Kris has snuck out. Seating herself on top of Asriel's bed, she folds her hands and decides to wait.

She could rifle through their drawers, but the human's half of the room is so barren, she doubt she'd find anything useful or interesting.

So, legs crossed and hands clasped together, she waits. She's good at waiting. She's had a lot of practice.

When her phone informs her that she's been waiting for half an hour, she's almost ready to give up. Before she can though, a hand appears on the window sill. They pull themself up, and their genuine look of surprise is absolutely worth waiting half an hour for.

"Hey," she says, impressing herself by not stuttering. "You owe- you owe me one for not getting you in trouble."

"This is a really bad time," they say, face smoothing back out to its usual blank expression.

She stands, scowling. "I suppose it's always a bad-"

"No. I mean it. It's a bad time."

"Kris you always-"

They shove her out the door. "I will text you and we'll figure things out later, but now I really need you to just go." For once they sound like they're actually concerned about something. It's creepy. "Please?"

She huffs, but doesn't bother trying to argue. "Fine. I'll cover for you one more time, but you really owe me a lot of explanations."

She has to stop and take a moment to close her eyes and breathe deeply before going down the steps. They've always been mean spirited and self centered, but the older they get, the less tolerant she's becoming.

When she opens her eyes again, she's ready to put on a smile and walk down the steps without stomping her frustration.

Toriel is on the phone now, and she smiles at Noelle as she leaves, giving a little wave. Noelle returns it, not caring that her false smile probably doesn't quite reach her eyes.

Outside, she just barely hears a feminine voice in the direction of Kris's room. Despite her better judgement, she decides to check it out.

Someone with black fur is standing under the bedroom window talking to Kris, and it feels like she's met them before.

And then it hits her. It's Ralsei.

Kris, what did you do?

The mood had shifted almost as soon as they pulled into town. Dad had switched from telling stories about his college days to nostalgically recalling events from Asriel's childhood, back before the divorce. Now that they're sitting Mom's driveway, it's crushingly somber.

Asriel shuts the door and makes his way to the driver's side, still holding his single suitcase.

"Aren't you coming in, Dad?" He asks, stopping himself from reminding Dad it's his house, too. It's not anymore. He keeps forgetting.

Dad keeps his gaze fixed firmly at the steering wheel. "I don't think that would be a good idea, Azzy."

It's a sad reminder that things will never go back to the way they were. Asriel has to consciously keep his voice steady. "Alright. Well, tomorrow you, me and Kris are all gonna go out for lunch, okay?"

Dad turns to smile at him. "Sounds like a plan, kiddo!"

It's forced, and they both know it, at least Asriel hopes so. At least he's trying.

The sound of the front door opening tells him he needs to hurry up.

"Well. Thanks for the ride, Dad. Just call me whenever you're ready to get lunch, okay?"

Dad nods and shoots him a thumbs-up in agreement, and Asriel waves, forcing a smile of his home. Suitcase in hand, he turns around to see who's on the porch.

Kris is standing on the porch now, arms stiffly at their sides and watching Dad drive away. They aren't looking at him.

"Kris!" Asriel is about to drop his luggage and hug his sibling, but then someone else walks out of the house.

"You must be Asriel!" They beam, passing by Kris and extending a paw at him.

Feeling awkward and suddenly realizing Kris never told him what this person's name is, he reaches out to shake their hand. "So you're the friend Kris was talking about." It comes out sounding rude, and he can just hear Mom chastising him now, but he can't help it.

Out of all the people Kris could have made friends with, they chose another goat. The feeling of being replaced is cutting through him like a knife.

There's an awkward pause before Asriel asks, "So what's your major?"

"Uh-" he starts.

"Biology," Kris interrupts.

It's the first thing they've said since seeing him for the first time in forever.

"I see," he says. He forces another smile, and he wonders how many more forced smiles he'll have to inflict on other people.

Thankfully before it can get anymore awkward, Mom rushes out - Kris and the other goat both sidestep out of her way - and sweeps him into a hug with a little squeal of joy.

"I have missed you so much, my child!"

Well, at least someone does.