Toriel Dreemurr walked through Hometown, finally walking through the large gate at the front of the property on the edge of town, looking at the large, but still quite cozy brick house standing in the center. She walked up the stairs, onto the porch, stood at the front door, sighed, and grabbed the door knocker, using it to give a few quick sharp knocks. She waited for a moment, and the door opened.

A reindeer woman about Toriel's height stood inside. She was dressed in a sharp suit with a medium length skirt, a red and green striped turtleneck underneath her blazer, black cat eye glasses glinting from the light coming from outside. She stood straight and firm, her other arm placed behind her. Her medium length hair was blonde, but was starting to fade, with a single shock of hair near the center of her face turning white. She looked all business. She was.

"Hello, Mrs. Holiday," Toriel said, a bit tensely. "I understand you wanted me to come to talk about something Kris had done?"

"Hello, Toriel. Yes, I'd like to talk about that with you. Please, follow me, come sit."

Toriel was a bit surprised at the first-name basis. It had been a long time since her and Carol talked. Maybe she should relax a little and use her first name, too. Maybe not. That could be weird, she thought.

Carol brought Toriel to a small dining room, right next to the kitchen. There was a table with spots for four people, but only two were set up. One seemed to have been unused for awhile, and the one across from it, even moreso. Yet, the chair was still set, pushed in underneath the table, waiting for the day when all four spots would be used again. Toriel sat in a chair on a side of the table that had been used recently, and placed her hands in her lap.

"Make yourself comfortable," Carol said. "I'm making coffee but it isn't done quite yet. I'll be with you shortly."

"Ah, I like my coffee with-"

"Don't worry, I remember how you like it." Carol walked into the kitchen.

Toriel looked around as she waited. She could peek into the living room from her spot, where she saw a young reindeer girl sitting on a couch, playing a video game console.

"Ah, hello, Noelle!" Toriel said with a smile. "How have you been? Making friends? Getting good grades?"

Noelle paused her game. "Oh, er, yeah, I have! Hello, Mrs… Ms. Dreemurr. I-I've been pretty okay. Recently."

"Have you been getting along with everyone at school?"

"Yeah, it's been fine. Berdly and I's group project is coming along great, and I recently convinced my mom to let me have a sleepover with a… friend."

"That's wonderful, dear! Have you and Kris talked lately?"

Noelle almost said something about Kris striking her as a bit strange recently but held her tongue. "They've... been talking to me again recently, which is nice."

"You two used to be so close as kids. I'm sorry that it seems that they've taken Asriel going to college a bit hard. I remember you four always playing in the woods, and how Azzy and Kris would always come home with smiles on their faces from getting to hang out with you and…" She hesitated. "W-well, maybe Azzy coming home will help them relax a little."

Noelle nodded. "That would be nice, Ms. Dreemurr."

"Okay, I'll stop bothering you now, you can get back to your game! Have fun, dear." Noelle nodded and proceeded to do just that.

Carol must still be working on that coffee, Toriel thought to herself. She then started thinking about the past, and how Kris was before Asriel went to college. She thought about Noelle. That poor girl. She's as bright as a star on top of a tree, even after December went missing. Not to mention her father…

Toriel's train of thought was interrupted by Carol walking in with two saucers, a small cup on each. She placed Toriel's in front of her, then took hers and sat at the side of the table right next to hers, at the other spot that was still getting regular use. Toriel thanked Carol, then took a sip from her cup.

Damn. She did remember how she liked her coffee, Toriel thought.

"Noelle, honey, can you please go up to your room so me and Ms. Dreemurr here can speak to one another, adult to adult?" Noelle nodded, saved her game, and waved to Toriel before walking quickly out of the living room, up the stairs, and finally Toriel could hear a door creak shut.

"She's… certainly well behaved," Toriel said. "I'm glad you two are doing alright."

"It's been tough. But we're managing the best we can."

"I understand."

There was a bit of an awkward silence.

Toriel cleared her throat. "So… About Kris. What have they done to make you call me here?"

"Well, last night, Noelle convinced me to let her new friend Susan come over for a sleepover. She's a bit old for something like that, I thought, but she insisted. And… Well, I don't want to be TOO hard on her. I often fear that I'm a bit… Too strict."

From what I've heard from Rudy, I think your fear is a bit justified, thought Toriel. She nodded, saying nothing.

"Well, anyways, last night during the sleepover, somehow… little Kris ended up getting in and scaring Noelle. They were hidden underneath the futon bed in the living room and started making noises while they watched a movie, then finally crawled out on all fours, covered in red marks and… some sort of dried plant matter?"

"Hmm. I fear Kris might have snuck out when I was preparing dinner. I do apologize."

"Apology accepted. Please try to keep a closer eye on them."

"Oh, I will. Although…"

"Hmm?"

Toriel took another sip of her coffee. "Well, this isn't the first time they've done something like this. They used to do pranks like this all the time to her. If anything, I'm sort of glad they're acting like how they used to."

"I guess so. But… I want to keep her safe. Especially with the strange things that have been happening in town recently."

"Carol…" Toriel replied. It was hard to see her eyes through her glasses, but she could see Carol's face move from her eyes widening.

"I really doubt Kris would do anything to bring harm onto Noelle. I also doubt that they were the ones that slashed my tires or the person who took the computers from the library."

"I'm… not implying that," Carol said, and sighed. "I just… need to protect her."

"I know, but a silly prank from a friend won't bring her any harm. I bet her and Susie laughed about it afterwards." Toriel quieted to a whisper. "I… I know it's been rough since December went missing and Rudy got ill. But I'm sure Rudy will get better soon. And maybe Dess will be found eventually."

"Tori, Tori, Tori…" Carol sighed. "It's been so long. If she ran to somewhere else and she's fine, that's wonderful, but she didn't want to be here. But it's more likely that…"

Toriel reached out her hand. Carol hesitated, but eventually grabs it and squeezes.

"It's alright, Carol."

"Sorry. It's been hard. Well, if she did run away, I would have at least... liked to know why."

"I hope you'll find out one day."

Some moments pass. After awhile, Toriel noticed that they were still hand in hand and felt her face grow a bit warm. "Um, Carol…"

Carol realizes as well and suddenly lets go of her hand, placing her hands back in her lap, appearing professional. She said nothing.

"Well, er… Thank you for the coffee, Carol. It's quite nice. And it's always nice to come and chat."

Carol chuckled. Toriel seemed to noticed that Carol was starting to relax in a way she hadn't seen in years. "Twenty years… It's been twenty years and you still take your coffee the same way. I remember fixing it for you then, too." Toriel felt another wave of warmth rush to her face.

"Ah, those years at UoM… We didn't know what we had then."

Toriel laughed. "Yes, those were the days. I was almost a completely different monster back then. I look back on then fondly, but I'm also glad I've grown and settled down."

Carol relaxed even more, putting one of her elbows on the table, her hand on her cheek, holding her head up, tilted and looking at Toriel. "So, what all do you remember fondly, Tori? I know I have my own little vault of memories that I'll never forget."

Toriel thought. "Hmm, well, getting my degree is a definite high point. All the friends I've made. The parties as well… At least, the ones I can remember!" she chuckled.

"And… meeting Asgore… We… We might have split months ago, but… We really had something for a long time. Shame it couldn't continue to work, but…"

Carol nodded. "What about your dorm mate though? The one who helped you study, helped you get ready with your dates with Asgore, the one who helped you get home after wild parties, and…"

"Made me coffee when I woke up with a screaming headache?"

"Mmhmm," Carol nodded. "Although, if I remember correctly, there was something else I gave you along with your coffee back then…"

Toriel felt her face go red again once again. "A kiss?"

Carol nodded.

"Carol.. Are you… doing alright?"

"I'm fine."

"I'm serious. This is the most strange I've seen you act, college included."

Carol reached out again and gently grabbed Toriel's hand, rubbing her thumb against her white fur. "I've just been remembering lots of things from back then, is all. Are you… still…?"

Toriel shifted in her seat. "Aha, well…" Carol tilted her head further, waiting for a response.

"Well, yes. But please do not think that's why me and Asgore divorced."

Carol shook her head. "Of course not," she replied. "So you still… like women."

Toriel cleared her throat. "Yes. Yes, I do. I've been trying to date around, but… Well, no offense, 'Mrs. Mayor,' but your town is just a bit too small," she said with a laugh. "And nearly all the women around here are almost half my age."

"I could think of a woman who lives in town that's your age."

Toriel chuckled and shook her head. "Sorry, I'm no homewrecker."

"Well…"

Toriel raised an eyebrow.

"I've been talking to Rudy over the phone, and… We've agreed that if his… illness… improves, that we will… separate amicably."

Toriel stammered. "Wh… For what reason…?"

Carol laughed. "Tori, Tori, Tori... Your ex-husband is sending my husband flowers daily. Rudy seems to talk about him and the old college days more than anything else recently. I'm sure it's a coping mechanism, but, well… I don't regret marrying Rudy. He's a lovely man. We created a lovely family. But it seems… It seems we still ended up marrying the wrong people, didn't we, Tori?"

Toriel's heart started racing. Carol reached her hand out again, and this time Toriel clasped it between both of hers. "So…" Toriel replied, "You're saying that Rudy is going to try to get with Asgore after his illness improves and things are said and done?"

Carol nodded. "He doesn't want to break the news to him until he's out of the hospital."

"So… by process of elimination… You're asking me if…?"

Carol slid her chair close and leaned in, speaking in hushed tones. "What do you think, Tori? After all these years. You think I just wanted to chat with you over something your kid did? I could have just sent you a letter in that case. I wanted to try and break the ice. I know I've been distant, but seeing your face again…"

Toriel took her other hand and reached over to Carol, placing it on her shoulder. She gently dragged her palm up to Carol's neck, and brushed it with the back of her hand.

"I… I do think about the times we had often… Carrie."

Carol tilted her head back as Toriel tenderly rubbed her neck, her eyes closed. "So… how about it? Would you consider it?"

"I… I'll have to think about it. I want to run it by Rudy first just to make sure."

"Ask him all you want, like I said, it was his idea." Carol suddenly pulled away from Toriel and cleared her throat. "But of course, that's only if he recovers. If… anything else happens… I don't think I'll remarry."

"Oh, Carrie…"

"That's my own choice. It just seems… Well, hopefully it won't come to that, right? But if it shall…" Carol sighed. "I think I'd like to just focus on me, Noelle, and running our town. Keeping us safe."

"I… I hope it doesn't come to that. Rudy does seem to be improving."

Carol stared down at her coffee cup for a second, then looked back up at Toriel. She smiled. "You're just saying that because you want to use me as a blanket again, aren't you?" Toriel nearly spit out her coffee. "Carrie!" Carol laughed and reached out, rubbing Toriel's hand again.

After about an hour of talking, reminiscing, and laughing, Toriel realized that she should be getting home to start dinner for her and Kris. Toriel and Carol walked to the front of the house, still talking about things and laughing, finally stopping at the door. Carol opened it for her and sighed.

"It was nice seeing you again, Tori." Carol said. "I'm glad I thought to do this."

"Likewise, it was fun connecting over some nice coffee."

"Perhaps we can make this a normal occurrence."

"Perhaps…" Toriel said, reaching out at Carol. Carol embraced her, squeezing her into a hug. Toriel squeezed back, causing Carol to groan.

"God, I'm still surprised you didn't play any sports in college," Carol said. "You hug like a bear."

They stayed in the hug for seconds before Toriel looked Carol in the eyes, past her glasses, her eyes green as ever.

"You know, I think there was a little something missing from my coffee earlier, Carrie…" Toriel said.

"Ohh, really? What was it?" Carol teased.

Toriel brought Carol's head close to hers, closed her eyes, and kissed her. She could feel Carol move her arms to lower back, embracing her as they kissed. Finally, Toriel pulled back and chuckled.

"Thanks a million, Car-bear," Toriel said, now playing with Carol's dangling ear.

"Hey, no fair, I could never think of a cute nickname for you. But… you're welcome." Carol reached up and played with one of Toriel's ears as well. "You know, I still remember that one night in college where you played with my ear just like this."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. You bit the hell out of it. I needed a band-aid."

Toriel blushed and chuckled. "Oh dear, I do remember that. I think I got a little too excited that night. Sorry about that."

"I didn't say it was something you needed to apologize for," Carol said with a wry smile. Toriel cleared her throat.

Suddenly, the sound of a door unlocking came from upstairs. Toriel and Carol quickly stepped away from one another and straightened their clothes. Noelle poked her head out of the door. "Bye, Ms. Dreemurr! Tell Kris I said hey."

"I will, dear! Be good for your mother, okay?"

"Okay, I will!"

"Well…" Toriel said with a sigh. "I'll be heading off now. Do let me know whenever you want to do this again. I enjoyed the coffee."

"I will. Goodbye... Ms. Dreemurr."

"So long, Mrs. Holiday."

Toriel bowed and walked out the door, stepping down the walkway towards the large gate. She turned around and waved, and Carol waved back. So did Noelle, who was now standing next to her mother. Toriel turned back around, and walked home.

Noelle looked at her mom, who was still smiling. "Mom, I didn't know you and Ms. Dreemurr were still friends. It's been a long time since I saw you two together."

"It has been a long time, hasn't it? Well… Perhaps things will start changing for the better and we can all see each other much more often, right, Noelle?"

"Yeah, that'd be, uh, nice."

An awkward silence. Finally Carol cleared her throat. "Noelle, darling, let me know what you want to eat. I think we'll go see your dad together and bring him something nice. As a family."

"Sure thing, mom."

"And you can tell me all about your nice sleepover friend on the way. She didn't really talk to me very much. I think she was a bit shy."

"U-Uh, sure, yeah! Uh, well..." Noelle stammered, as her and her mom walked to their car.

END