Premonition

Hesitantly, Frisk stood in the snow, pondering over their former opponent's kind and welcoming words. They had no doubt he and his wife would welcome them into their home with open arms—and in any other case, they might have taken him up on his invite.

But, it didn't feel... Right, somehow? Not because they might be intruding (though, that did concern them a bit) but mostly because they just didn't want to take up any more time than was necessary. They wanted to continue onwards, to home, wherever that may be.

EXCUSE ME, HUMAN, I DON'T MEAN TO PRY BUT—WHAT'S THE HARM IN STAYING A LITTLE LONGER, EVEN SO?

The young human froze at their invisible companion's question, before silently saying back to him, Nothing. But I... I have somewhere else to be.

They expected him to argue, or at least ask of them something else; instead, he made a small humming noise. WELL... ALRIGHT. I TRUST YOU!!

It felt out of left-field, almost—it seemed a silly thing for him to say that, especially to them, who he barely knew, but...

Their soul felt a bit warmer, and glowed brighter because of his words. They smiled. Thank you. They wished they knew what his name was, so they could properly thank him; however, they'd made him a promise, and they intended to keep it.

So, on that note, with their flimsy stick tightly weld, they trekked on.

Almost as soon as they entered the Waterfall area, they spotted Toriel at one of her "sentry" stations, idly reading a book. When she saw them pass by she immediately put it away, perking up as she held up a hand to stop them. "Oh, wait!” she hurriedly called to them. “Pardon my interruption but, may I have just a moment of your time, my child?"

Without question Frisk nodded, tucking their stick back into their pocket.

"Right!” the monster went on. “As for what it is... You are not too busy, currently, are you?"

Albeit confused, the child shook their head.

"Oh, good. You see, I was hoping I might treat you to dinner. I am sure you must be starving, after all your journey has entailed so far; and you’ve seemed so exhausted, and… ”

Her smile faltered slightly.

“Well, I thought a break might help, if that is alright with you. I happen to be free myself, right now, so if you’d like...”

The child brightened, nodding their head in a quick yes before she could finish. Toriel beamed in return, hurrying around the sentry station to join them.

“Wonderful! Here, take my hand for a moment, will you?”

They did, and she led the way back into Snowdin Town, chatting idly about said town along the way. The weather didn’t feel as cold, nor the wind as chilled, suddenly—as though somehow, having this motherly monster around protected them from such.

But soon they stopped in front of the restaurant they’d seen before, “Grillby’s,” as it was called. The two stepped inside and Frisk was instantly hit with a warm, cozy atmosphere, brightening up whatever shadows that may have still settled in their soul. Everyone, the patrons and Grillby alike, turned to see whoever had walked in—and then they smiled, a chorus of greetings filling the air. It seemed mostly directed at the former queen herself, but it was clear a few were keeping an eye on the child with her.

Toriel went up to the front of the room, taking a seat at the bar, Frisk there to follow suit. When asked, they ordered a milkshake and some fries, while Toriel only requested a milkshake. The bartender himself disappeared into the back, soon to return with the food.

Through the cluster of noise and conversation around them, Toriel looked at the child next to her, a simple but gentle smile on her snout.

“It is nice here in Snowdin, is it not?”

Frisk nodded, the answer seemingly obvious to them.

“Yes,” Toriel agreed, “but… You have somewhere to return to. Do you not?”

They hesitated—but nodded again. The smile slowly waned from her face.

“I understand. My… Only regret is that you could not have stayed longer.” Grillby returned, and she paused a moment, taking her milkshake in hand. “My husband… He’s missed having a child around, ever since our son left.”

Frisk listened, even as they popped a fry into their mouth. They wished they could say something to comfort her, but…

“Of course… That is not up to you. I...” she laughs, “I am not quite sure why I am telling you all of this. I’m sorry.”

They opened their mouth, but,

“Anyhow, I… Do still have something I'd like to tell you.”

…

Um.

Okay… ?

Toriel took a brief slurp of her milkshake, before murmuring, “By chance, have you ever heard of a talking flower?”

Mid-bite of their fry, Frisk stopped—and stared at the goat monster.

A what now?

“Right. The Echo Flower,” Toriel went on, “they are all over the marsh in Waterfall, after all.”

...Oh.

Just slightly the child relaxed.

“If you say something to them, they will repeat it. Over and over. You are wondering why am I asking, are you not?”

She hesitated.

“Well… Just recently, something… Strange has happened. You see, us monsters—we have always used the Echo Flowers as a coping mechanism, of sorts. Most of our wishes are heard only from them. They seem to mark our journey, in a way. But…”

. . .

“Someone has been playing a trick on my husband, with one of them.”

Frisk blinked at her—the way her brows furrowed, as though she was trying to solve a riddle, somehow.

“He’s told me about it. They whisper… Odd things. About the prophecy, mostly; of a human falling down here. One such as you.”

She took another look at them, pausing.

“...Referring to them as the Angel of Death.”

She must have seen the brief look of alarm that passed through their eyes, because she quickly changed her demeanor, backtracking, “Of course; I believe it to be nonsense myself, little one. After all, you have proven yourself to be worthy of the true prophecy. Have you not?”

Again, Frisk opened their mouth to protest—what prophecy? What was she talking about?—but she leaned over and patted their head, almost comfortingly.

“You are a very kind child. That is why I am looking out for you; why I have brought you here. I want you to stay safe, despite what obstacles get in your way.”

They nodded, slowly. She beamed once more.

“Right, then… Let us enjoy the rest of our meal, shall we?”

*

After Frisk finished aforementioned meal, she went with them all the way back to Waterfall, holding their hand once more. And before they went on their way, she gave them a butterscotch cookie to take with them, fresh with magic.

She bidded them goodbye, with a warm smile and a wave, and they waved back.

“Be safe, alright?” she called to them.

They promised for her that they would be.

.

.

.

Only later did they remember again the other promise they’d made,

and how their ghostly companion had been quiet that entire time.