115

Randow Pond

Sans woke up sometime a good week later. He was still feverish and out of it, but he was alive and that was all that mattered. "Welcome back to the Land of the living, Sans." Noto greeted him when he woke up, having been checking up on the bachelor in order to keep Zilla updated. He also gained Noto's favor in his act despite the consequences. "zi... lla.." He panted in his feverish haze. "She is ok, safe thanks to you." Noto attempted to reassure the boy. "re... remem... ber... me... plea... se.." Sans continued quietly. "Where and when did you two meet?" Noto asked curiously. "zil... la... re... mem... ber... th... the... pond... with... the swans... and the... wat... erlily... tul... ips... y... your........ favor............ ite........" Sans slipped back into unconsciousness, which was fine by Noto. The Skeleton seemed too affected by his sickness yet. But he was curious as to this pond Sans was talking about. Was it their meeting place? Noto wanted to see for himself. He wanted to know more of his daughter's history with Sans. He would ask her about it. "Until next visit, my Lord." Gaster bid Noto farewell as he left.

115

"Husband, what are you going to do about that boy? He is the reason our child got sick, Noto!" Noto turned on Karla. "You are obsessing over this too much. I've already dealt with who was responsible. That boy saved Zilla's life. I do not know why you despise him, but as long as he's alive, he is staying." Noto had been approached over and over again by his wife about Sans and he was getting quite sick of it. "As long as he's alive, huh?" She muttered as Noto turned and headed in the direction of Zilla's room. "So I just need to be sure the boy does the opposite then." Karla muttered as she went the opposite direction of her husband. She would need to talk to their daughter as well about her marriage goals. They can't falter now after every thing she'd done to ensure her daughters success. Noto didn't understand how hard it was to be a lower ranking female in society. Her family would never again be anything lower than her rank now, that was a promise. Meanwhile Noto made it to their daughter's room and knocked on her door. "It is your father, may I enter?"

115

Zilla allowed her father to enter as Lora tied a ribbon around her waist. She had to look good for her bachelor's after all. Her sickness had cleared up quickly, which was to be expected honestly. She was a strong and healthy young Skeleton. "How are things?" Noto questioned while Zilla held still for the final tie. "One of the bachelor's wanted to play piano for me. Let's see how skilled he is. How is S-115?" She questioned. "He finally woke up today." For a moment she looked genuinely excited. "He is?! May I speak with him father!?" Noto smiled at her. It had been awhile since he saw that look on his daughter. "I'm sorry, he did not stay awake long, nor was he coherent, but he did mention something curious." Zilla's expression fell, but still she asked. "What did he say?"
"He mentioned a pond with Swans and Waterlily Tulips. He'd known that they were your favorite." Zilla smiled fondly. "Ah... yes, that is where we would play as children, everyday until late. That was our pond, the Randow Pond."
"The Randow? That little pond on the eastern side of our territory?" Noto inquired. "Indeed. It is where we met and where we kept meeting until mother..." Noto nodded. "Apologies. I will inform you if your friend's status changes." She looked from the floor to her father. "Thank you."