Toriel smiled. "Then I shall not require you to speak any longer." She lowered her head. "You are always my dear child. Goodbye, Frisk."
	Frisk nodded. ~I'll see you again as soon as I can, Mom.~
	"At which time..." Chara sighed. "I suppose Toriel has a right to know that she is playing host to more than just you."
	Frisk smiled. "You... could take care of that still..."
	Chara thought for a long moment. Then, they smiled so brightly Frisk could feel it. "I was going to say something like, 'let's not burden her with a hope that may never come'. But you... Free, maybe you were the hope everyone was waiting for."
	As Chara took control, Frisk giggled softly. "You're still their hope, Chara. But I'll help."
	"Toriel." She gave a start at the sudden words, and turned back with a blink. ~There is... that is to say, before we part there is one last thing I think should be addressed.~
	Toriel paused. "Are you... all right, my child?"
	The human winced ever so slightly at the phrase. ~This is... difficult for me.~ They drew a long breath. ~You deserve to know something, Toriel.~
	Toriel's breath hitched. "How... did you come to learn my name sign, my child?"
	~Frisk knows because I taught them.~ The human drew in another long breath. ~In truth, you have been taking care of two people, not simply one. You have extended to them a place to live and belong, but it is no longer acceptable for me to remain unless you knowingly extend that to me as well.~
	Toriel paused. Her eyes watered. "And... what would be the name of this second person I would be opening my home to?"
	The human paused a moment. ~Toriel, you know my name already, do you not?~
	"Chara..." Toriel's eyes squeezed shut, and she made their name sign even as she spoke it. "Is it... really you, my child?"
	Chara's breath caught. "Yes. It's me, Chara."
	Toriel forced herself to look again, meeting the human's bright red eyes at last. "How... is this possible?"
	Chara paused. ~I am not... entirely sure. However, despite my death I continue to exist. That, I suppose, is determination. As for how we can speak, Frisk gave me permission to speak through them, temporarily.~
	Toriel nodded. "How long... have you been with them?"
	Chara paused. ~Since the beginning. As I have with the others, save Peloche. I can only... hitch a ride, as it were, if a source of determination nears my...~ They stilled their hands for a moment. ~I must echo Frisk's sentiment. I saw how you raised those who came after me. You are, and always have been, everything a mother should be.~
	Toriel shook her head. "I see. Then I must apologize, Chara." She smiled. "It is very rude to speak of someone when they are listening, after all."
	Chara let out a gentle laugh. ~The story you told Frisk was exactly what I needed to hear. There is nothing to apologize for.~ They shook their head. ~But, there you have it. You deserve to know who you are inviting to stay in your life.~
	Toriel sighed. "Chara. I realize what happened must weigh terribly on you. There was a time I would have been terribly angry, had the consequences for you and Asriel both not been so severe. But I will not hate you for your mistakes. And I will not blame you for what happened to any of my children." She broke into a warm smile. "I already invited you to be a part of my life many, many years ago, my dear child. That will not change."
	Chara trembled. Their hands were clumsy as they signed. ~I will help Frisk as best I can.~
	Toriel chuckled. "Then I truly have nothing to fear. I look forward to when I see you both again." She drew closer. "Although... I have, technically speaking, only hugged Frisk goodbye."
	Chara tensed for a long moment. "I... suppose." They closed their eyes. "Please understand, any hesitance to call you 'mother' is a reflection only on myself. The things I have done to you... that which I considered doing, when you first raised your magic against Frisk..."
	Toriel shook her head. "I fully understand any anger you hold against me," she said softly.
	"... even if I would have acted on it, if not for Frisk?" Chara stared fixedly far to the left.
	Toriel shook her head. "I love you, Chara. Always. If your guilt is too strong, I will understand, no matter how long it takes." She smiled. "Even if you cannot bring yourself to say the words, even if you are convinced you do not deserve to think of me that way, I am always your mother."
	She opened her arms, and this time Chara let themself fall into them, crying softly against her shoulder. "I do love you." Their whisper was fierce. "And I am so, so sorry for everything. I shattered apart the family that opened their arms to me. I extinguished everyone's hope with my own hands."
	Toriel wound her arms gently around them. "Your father's choices are his own, Chara. As are mine. Had I not failed to help you..." She sighed. "Your mistakes are your own as well, Chara. But I will never hate you for them. No matter in what form, you are always welcome."
	Chara laughed weakly. "Just don't bug Frisk to let me talk too often. I realize that for whatever absurd reason you miss me, but... I've been gone for a long time. This is Frisk's body, and Frisk's life." They paused. "And that goes for you too, Free."
	"You slipped again." Frisk's voice was playful in their mind.
	Toriel chuckled. "... I am gladdened to see you on such gentle terms with another human," she said, with a wink. "Now, I think I have kept you both too long." She stood. "I will have one of my pies ready when you return home. And Chara, you are welcome to that chocolate I know you have likely been eyeing for over a century."
	She turned, and Chara gently let go. "I will return this time," they whispered.
	Toriel smiled. "I will entrust the fate of two of my children to you. Please be sure to take good care of them both." Even as she spoke, she had begun to walk, and now she rounded the corner and was gone.