The scent of cinnamon drifted through the little house.

The pie had only been in the oven for a few minutes, but already the warm sweetness had spread into every room.

Toriel smiled as she adjusted the timer.

"It should not be much longer."

Frisk nodded.

"It already smells amazing."

"I certainly hope so."

Toriel draped the dish towel neatly over the oven handle before turning back to her.

"In the meantime, would you like some tea?"

Frisk hesitated.

"...Actually."

She rubbed the back of her neck.

"Would it be alright if I stepped outside for a minute?"

Toriel tilted her head.

"Of course."

She gestured toward the front door.

"Take all the time you need."

"Thanks."

Frisk forced a small smile before slipping outside, gently closing the door behind her.

The neighborhood was quiet.

A warm breeze stirred the flower beds along the sidewalks.

Somewhere farther down the street, children laughed while riding bicycles between the driveways.

It was peaceful.

Almost enough to make her forget why she had stepped outside.

Almost.

She walked several houses away before reaching into the inside pocket of the borrowed sweater.

The burner phone was still there.

She stared at it for a long moment.

Then she powered it on.

The screen remained dark for only a second before displaying a single number.

No name.

No messages.

Just one contact.

Frisk pressed Call.

The phone rang once.

Twice.

Then the line connected.

"...Frisk."

Evelyn's voice was as calm as ever.

"I was beginning to think you'd forgotten our arrangement."

"I didn't have a chance," Frisk replied quietly. "I've been with them almost the entire time."

A brief silence.

"...Good."

Frisk leaned against a nearby mailbox.

"I'm in."

"I assumed as much."

"I met Papyrus."

"And?"

"He believed my story."

"I expected he would."

Frisk glanced back toward Toriel's house before continuing.

"He found me after your men chased me into Family territory. He didn't ask for proof. He just... helped."

"Hm."

Evelyn acknowledged the information without emotion.

"Continue."

Frisk mentally sorted through everything that had happened since entering the Family's territory.

"I've been inside Grillby's."

"The meeting place."

"Yes."

"What did you observe?"

Frisk frowned slightly.

"It wasn't what I expected."

She searched for the right words.

"It feels... normal."

"Eating. Talking. Laughing."

"Nobody looked nervous."

"They actually seemed comfortable around each other."

"They treat it like a neighborhood bar."

Evelyn answered almost immediately.

"Appearances are important. They cultivate that atmosphere deliberately. It makes them approachable."

Frisk wasn't entirely convinced, but she continued.

"I met Sans."

For the first time, Evelyn didn't answer right away.

"...Go on."

"He lives with Papyrus."

"You were inside their home?"

"Yes."

"Were you questioned?"

Frisk shook her head before realizing Evelyn couldn't see her.

"Not really. He barely asked anything."

She frowned as she remembered the encounter in the hallway.

"It felt like he was trying to figure me out without saying much."

"And your impression?"

Frisk didn't answer immediately.

The memory of the pistol aimed at her chest surfaced again.

"...He's dangerous. Not because he's loud, but because I don't think he misses anything. I felt like he knew more than he was letting on."

"Hm."

Evelyn almost sounded pleased.

"That fits his reputation."

Frisk shifted her weight.

"Then today happened. The shopping trip."

She sighed.

"Papyrus crossed into Black Rose territory. I didn't even realize where we were until people started shooting. The shopkeeper must've alerted someone."

"Interesting."

"Undyne showed up and got us out."

"Did she question you?"

"No."

"She only cared about getting Papyrus out safely."

"And now?"

Frisk looked back toward the little white house.

"I'm staying with someone."

"Oh?"

"Her name is Toriel."

Silence.

Longer this time.

When Evelyn finally spoke, her voice had changed.

"...Repeat that."

"Toriel. Undyne brought me here. It's some kind of safe house."

Another pause.

Then Evelyn spoke again.

"Describe it."

Frisk slowly turned in a circle.

"Small white house. Blue shutters. A flower garden. Large oak trees."

She heard paper rustling on Evelyn's end of the line.

Then another long silence.

"...Interesting."

Frisk frowned.

"What?"

"We believed Toriel was dead."

Her heart skipped.

"...What?"

"Years ago."

"The Family announced she had been killed shortly after separating from Asgore."

Frisk instinctively looked back toward the house.

Through the kitchen window, she could see Toriel moving around the oven, humming softly to herself.

"...She's alive."

"So it would seem."

The realization hung between them.

Not even the Black Roses had known.

Evelyn finally broke the silence.

"You've exceeded expectations."

Frisk blinked.

"I didn't do anything."

"You located someone we believed no longer existed."

That wasn't something she'd intended.

It had simply happened.

Evelyn's voice sharpened.

"Your assignment has changed."

Frisk's stomach tightened.

"...Changed how?"

"You've demonstrated that you can gain access to places our people cannot."

Frisk already knew she wasn't going to like what came next.

"Tonight," Evelyn continued, "someone will leave a package at Toriel's front door."

Frisk frowned.

"What kind of package?"

"You don't need to know."

"I do if I'm supposed to handle it."

"You'll understand once you open it."

Frisk remained silent.

"It's a listening device."

The words landed heavily.

Evelyn continued before Frisk could object.

"It will be disguised as an ordinary household item. After everyone has gone to bed, retrieve the package and install the device somewhere inside the house."

Frisk stared at Toriel through the kitchen window.

"...You want me to bug a safe house."

"Correct."

"I..."

She watched Toriel pull the pie from the oven and smile to herself.

"...She's been nothing but kind to me."

"That is irrelevant."

Frisk didn't answer.

Evelyn's voice became colder.

"You are there to gather intelligence, not friendships."

"And after that?"

"The same procedure applies everywhere you gain access."

Frisk frowned.

"...Everywhere?"

"Every safe house. Every meeting place. Every vehicle. You've been given access. Exploit it."

Frisk tightened her grip on the phone.

"...What if they find it?"

"They won't."

"And if they do?"

A brief silence.

"They won't trace it back to you."

That wasn't the answer she wanted.

She noticed.

So did Evelyn.

"If your cover is ever compromised," Evelyn said evenly, "your usefulness ends anyway."

The implication was unmistakable.

If she was exposed...

The Black Roses would leave her to die.

Just as they always intended.

Frisk slowly looked back at the house.

Toriel was setting plates on the dining table, completely unaware that the girl she had welcomed into her home had just agreed to spy on her.

A sharp knot of guilt settled in Frisk's stomach.

"...Understood."

"Good."

For the first time, Evelyn's voice softened.

"You've done well, Frisk."

It was the closest thing to praise she had ever received.

"And one more thing."

"...What?"

"Do not let their kindness cloud your judgment."

Frisk remained silent.

"The Family survives because they make people feel like they belong."

"They are exceptionally good at it."

Evelyn paused.

"They are still your enemy."

The line went dead.

Frisk slowly lowered the phone.

The screen faded to black.

For several moments, she simply stared at her own reflection in it.

Then she slipped the burner phone back into her pocket.

As she walked toward Toriel's house, the smell of fresh pie drifted through the open kitchen window.

Warm.

Comforting.

Inviting.

For the first time since accepting the Black Roses' deal...

The tiny burner phone hidden inside her sweater felt heavier than any weapon she had ever carried.