The Festival went on for at least two more hours before anyone started to leave. Needless to say the next day was spent sleeping until the sun was right overhead.

Unfortunately it was also the day Asriel had to head back to school. He surprisingly managed to get up early-early enough that he packed and made us breakfast. He gave me the largest pancake, saying it was another way of making up for all that had gone down.

I had already put it past me though. Enough that I was actually quite saddened by the fact that he already had to leave. But he promised he'd come back for another Dream Festival, or at least whenever he could. And when he could he said he'd be the better magician. Kris laughed that I managed to make a rival when I don't even use black magic often.

"Goodbye mom, I'll be sure to grow some more while I'm out-maybe not physically but emotionally," Asriel said, hugging Toriel finishing.

"I'm sure you will, Asriel."

"Kris, don't be too mad at me, okay? When I come back let's all three of us sit at the lake and watch the stars."

"It's a promise," Kris and Asriel exchanged a smile, then a long hug.

"...And Ralsei, I really am sorry. You'll do a great job of taking care of Kris, I can tell. Be sure to give him a hug everyday for me, alright?"

"I don't need any more reasons to hug him," I laughed.

When Asriel came to give me a hug goodbye, he whispered in my ear that he meant it.

"I promise," I whispered back.

"Well… that's it then. I'm going to go say goodbye to dad, then I'll be off for good."

He stepped out to the front of the house, gave it and us one long look, then nodded to himself and turned to leave. He left with a smile, that much was at least admirable. Asriel had a good character, I was sure of it.

School was also cancelled for that day. Seems school can't go on when the principal doesn't wake up until the afternoon. Kris and I were more than okay with not going to school. Rather, he just took me to the library for a few hours and we read. Or maybe, I read. Every time I looked up he was staring at me with a look of such fondness; I don't think he actually read a single word.

Then of course we went down to the lake. Funny how much had happened here at the lake. Looking back on it now, it really is a lot. Our confession and our first kiss are two precious memories I'd always keep with me.

And it certainly wouldn't be the last good memory I made here either, as Kris suddenly pulled me over for a kiss. This time I was a bit more ready for it, and this one felt much more like I imagined a proper kiss would.

"Seems you're a master of multiple kinds of magic, Ralsei…" Kris said lovingly.

"I think you're a bit more magical than I am," I teased.

"I can't beat perfection."

"But you can certainly match it."

After that we simply sat there, pressed up against each other, just watching the ripples of the water and the wafting of the clouds. Another perfect day with my perfect love...

Author's Note:

Well, looks like we got here. I didn't think I'd get here ever, I didn't think I'd even write a prologue, but here we are.

I had to make an executive decision. I could continue this, or I could end it. I chose the latter not because I hate all of you or this story or romance or anything like that, but because my idea for continuing it doesn't fit with this story. So I made a decision, Perfection will end, and soon a sequel will come about. That's right, there will be more-when there will be more is a different story. I might take a short break or maybe a long one, but there will be more sooner or later. I might actually go back and revise all of this story before beginning the next, because I'm not perfect nor is this story perfect.

So I must thank you all for reading. Truth be told, I probably would've ended a number of chapters ago had I not been getting the support I did. But with that said, think of this as the goodbye Asriel had to give. He will come back, and he will come back better! And he left with a smile-that's exactly what I intend on doing. I hope to see you all again for part 2!