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‘Piou Piou!’
You can hear the birds crying outside the half open clocktower window above your bed, the light from it filtering in rests softly on your scrunched up blankets and sheets. Right now, you’re focused on preparing for the festival the townsfolk are hosting later tonight in celebration of the King’s defeat. Boniface was insistent on heading out a little earlier than the actual event starting time as they wanted to get sparklers and firecrackers in advance. They made sure you, Mirabelle, and Isabeau knew this by yelling to wake you all up at dawn. You decided to put it up with it for everybody's sake due to these past few days not being the easiest on all of you.
More light floods into the room as the sun rises higher into the sky. It falls onto something that catches your attention. The metal rimmed parts of your newly acquired cane sparkling in the sunlight remind you of its existence. The Head Housemaiden, ‘Euphrasie’ as she insisted on you all calling her, gave you one right after the fight with Siffrin due to your struggle keeping upright. Quite honestly it was a little embarrassing to stumble and almost lose your balance so many times in front of everyone, but you had more important things on your mind at that moment so you weren’t entirely focused on the increasing pain in your legs and overall body.
Now that you are, you’ve tried to rest more. It's a good thing in the end as it gives you more time to read the family tale Siffrin had found for you and dims your pain substantially. You still get the occasional joint pain but it only really becomes a problem when you try to walk, but even then you have Isabeau and Mirabelle there to support you just in case. You’ve been careful not to stress yourself.. But you cannot say the same for certain member of the group.
You close your eyes and sigh, picking the cane up to examine the new stickers Boniface has put on it for you. A few more egg themed ones from the pack Mirabelle got them the other day combined with a new little flower doodle done in a metallic pen, most likely Isabeaus work.
You should get up and moving soon, you’ve spent enough time laying in bed looking over the same outfit you’ve worn this entire adventure and the random pocket items you plan on bringing. The Head Hou... Euphrasie… said that starting physical therapy soon could do you some good, which you agree with. While resting does make you feel better, it’s only so long until it causes you to feel worse.
You put your coat on, wrap the bag around your shoulders, and lift yourself up from the bed slowly, leaning on the cane for support. As you make it to the doorway and reach out for the knob, it creaks open. You walk back some to make room.
“Mad- Oh! Sorry!” Mirabelle squeaks out upon seeing you. She clasps her hands together and smiles. “I was just coming to get you!”
“It’s quite alright, Mirabelle.” You reassure her and nod. “I’m assuming Boniface is ready to leave?”
“Hehe.. It’s all they can talk about right now! I have to admit I’m excited as well.” Mirabelle giggles out, a hand covering her mouth. “Oh! Do you have the money?”
“I do. Let’s get going, shall we? Wouldn’t want to keep Boniface waiting.” You smirk a little at the idea of Boniface getting their hands on sparklers. You plan on getting some for everybody as Isabeau and Mirabelle expressed interest as well.
You begin to walk down the hallway with Mirabelle, the sound of chatting echoing through the halls from closed off rooms and people walking down the hall. The House looks beautiful now that it's not taken over, darkless walls with etching into the pillars and paintings on the ceilings. It’s very lively now too as Housemaidens make their way up and down the corridors, talking to their friends. You’re nodding along as Mirabelle lists off items you need to buy. You already know but you know it's reassuring for her to tell you and get confirmation. It's obvious that she just wants this to go well and means nothing by it. Eventually, after a few stairs, you reach the entrance where Boniface is waiting.
“DILE!! BELLE!!” They yell, very obviously giddy. “We’re going right now right? To get the fire stuff?!” Boniface runs up to you both and grabs Mirabelles hand, dragging her along. “We can get firecrackers too, right?”
Mirabelle laughs. “Of course! Anything you want Bonnie!” Her charms on her cloak clink together as her shoulders rise and fall.
You study the room as Mirabelle and Boniface make their way to the doors.
“Where’s Isabeau?” You ponder, not able to see him coming down the hall nor in any of the corners.
Mirabelle and Boniface stop and look around as well.
Mirabelle falls silent as Boniface echoes your concerns too.
“He has to be there to teach me how to write with the sparklers!”
You look at Mirabelles face. She looks worried with a hint of sadness as her lips purse.
“Mirabelle? Do you know?” You softly question, not to startle her.
Of course, because it's Mirabelle, it still does make her jump a little.
“O-Oh! Maybe.. He might still be.. In the medical bay?” Mirabelle whispers, obviously not wanting to bring Boniface's mood down. They still frown at the mention of it.
Ah. You should’ve probably guessed the moment he wasn’t around. You lift the bag off your shoulders and put it onto Mirabelles. “I’ll get him, go buy the stuff with Boniface.”
Before Mirabelle can respond, Boniface pipes up.
“Wait, why can’t we come too! I wanna see him!”
You look at Mirabelle and then Boniface
“I think it’d just be best if it was me, okay? I need to have an adult talk with Isabeau. We can all go together after the festival Boniface.”
Boniface looks a little upset still, but sighs and nods.
“Okay.. I get it.” They’ve been more understanding of this stuff as of late, probably due to recent events. You appreciate it and still keep them in the loop. Just not as detailed.
“Okay! We’ll get going then! Bonnie, maybe you can think of what shade sparkler you want before we get there!” Mirabelle cheerfully says, breaking the awkward silence that fell upon the room after Bonifaces response, clasping her hands together and turning to look at Boniface.
Boniface immediately perks up again.
“THEY HAVE DIFFERENT SHADES?!”
Their conversation gets quieter as you walk into the direction of the medical bay. It’s on the third floor, so more stairs for you unfortunately.
As you make your way up, you catch bits and snips of conversations the others around you are having.
“Did you hear the rumors about a person in Mirabelles party betraying her?”
“Yeah! Do you think it really happened?”
“I mean, they all look fine. The darkless haired one got way more bruised up though.. Maybee..”
“NOO!” The person bursts out laughing “Don’t say things like that!”
You stop, breathe, and continue on your way.
Eventually you make it to the medical bay and slide open the door. You walk past Housemaidens at work and numbered rooms until you make it to the sixth. You knock and wait.
You can immediately hear shuffling, shoes hitting the ground, and then a pause. A person sighs heavily behind the door. It takes a few seconds for Isabeau to open the door and greet you.
“M’dame! Is it time for the festival?” He keeps up his cheerful demeanor, grinning at you. You look past that to examine the dark circles under his eyes. You bite your cheek softly, trying to plan out what you say in your head.
“Isabeau. Can we talk for a bit?” The moment you ask, his expression falters a little as he sits down and gestures for you to take the other seat next to him. The one infront of..
He looks better. Less pale but still fragile. Their brows are furrowed as they sleep, stirring ever so slightly occasionally. You remembered when they collapsed after talking to you all and how Euphrasie reassured you all that it was just the craft exhaustion. It was a hard day for everyone. You had to reassure Boniface that no, Siffrin was not dying, despite looking like death itself. To take their mind off it, you had sat down with them to write a letter to their sister, telling her that Boniface is okay and is coming back home.
You draw your attention back to Isabeau. He’s obviously been making himself sick over this. His facial hair was a little more scraggly and he just looked.. Tired. The first night he had fell asleep in that same chair and stayed in there all night. Nobody had the heart to kick him out and you had all tried to convince him not to. Isabeau is typically level headed but at that moment he just wanted to make sure Siffrin was okay. You could tell he was also hoping he would maybe wake up sooner than expected.
He eventually went back to sleeping in your assigned House rooms that Euphrasie had given you all. But you’d be a liar if you said he wasn’t constantly in here. If you can’t find him anywhere else, this is probably where he is. He needs a break.
“Isabeau. I… We’re all worried about Siffrin.” You start, trying to not sound too harsh. “But you can’t sit in here all day either. You should be going out and trying to relax. These past few days haven’t been easy on you or any of us.”
Isabeau just sighs. “I know. I know. I just..” He cuts himself off, putting a palm to his forehead and leaning back a bit. “I don’t want him to be alone if he wakes up. And I know the Housemaidens are here to help but.. I don’t know. I’m worried.”
You sigh as well. “I can tell. But you need to trust that he’ll be alright. We can’t always be there for him, he’s capable of grounding himself.” You continue to look at Isabeau despite him never looking back. “He was doing alright before he passed out and he’s in a new setting. He’ll know he isn’t in the.. ‘Loops’ anymore.” He finally looks back at you and nods.
“Yeah you’re right. I just.. Ugh. You know?” You smirk “Oh, tell me about it. Let’s go, shall we? Boniface was practically exploding with excitement. You still have to teach them how to write with sparklers don’t you?”
You outstretch a hand to him, which he takes and stands up. He stretches and finally has a genuine smile on his face.
“Oh right! Let’s go!” Isabeau quickly walks ahead as you trail behind. You stop and look back at the Siffrins still figure, sigh, and continue.
-
“BELLE LOOK! BELLE!” Boniface yells, pointing to the concrete they’ve been drawing on for a past few minutes.
Mirabelle smiles and sets down her drink on the picnic table you’re all settled at. “I’m coming!” She picks up her dress and runs over.
A poorly drawn plum is on the concrete, with a bow on it reminiscent of Mirabelles.
“Ooh! Bonnie! It’s so good!” Mirabelle tilts her head and smiles, bending down to get a closer look at the drawing. “You really think so..? I.. I mean! YEAH! I'M A MASTER DRAWER!” Boniface cheers, and begins to run around with the sparkler. You don’t bother to correct their grammar. Mirabelle begins to chase them, telling them to slow down with the sparkler still being in their hand.
Isabeau and you are observing from the picnic table, glasses of wine in hand. Isabeaus is almost gone while yours hasn’t been touched much. You’re a bit hesitant to drink all of it honestly, after last time you drank around them, but you’re trying to enjoy it. Isabeau laughs at Boniface's shenanigans as Mirabelle chases after them, telling them not to run into the grass with the sparkler. You’re all a bit far off from the actual festival, due to it being way too noisy. Not before grabbing all kinds of foods for Boniface to try though. They had dragged you all to every stand that seemed cool and asked if they could get some. They brought a container to keep some food for Siffrin too. Isabeau had even played a few festival games to get Boniface a crocodile plushie. He bought fake glasses resembling yours and said it was you. Har har.
He had also successfully guessed how many jellybeans were in a jar with a “lucky guess” but you totally saw him doing the math in his head. Now Isabeau has a way too large egg plushie and some extra cash. You’re happy he seems to be having fun, especially after your talk.
Mirabelle thoroughly enjoyed the crafts section with Boniface and made a paper lantern for you to let go into the sky tonight. Boniface apologized that it wasn’t as good as they wanted, but to you it’s wonderful. Apparently during festivals, a lot of Vaugardian towns release lanterns into the sky. You can’t really find anything on its origin though. You find that most of them resemble the dots in the sky.. Stars. You wonder if Siffrin knows anything.
You’re snapped out of your reminiscing by the sound of a firework going off. You can see everybody immediately turn to look towards the sky. Boniface stops running from Mirabelle to look and Mirabelle stops chasing them to look too. Isabeau is gazing up at the sky softly. You turn your head and look.
The bright shades of the fireworks contrast against the lightless sky, light bursting around you all and then glimmering off everybody. The table you're at faces the house, relatively close but still far away. You examine how the House looks now, especially with the beautiful lights. It looks more welcoming, less cold. You’re glad this is all over. The King is gone and now everybody is safe. Your party is safe. You relax your shoulders and just gaze off. Maybe that's why Isabeau looks so relaxed now. Maybe that's the realization everybody is having right now. It’s over.
“How are you?” You turn to Isabeau and ask.
“Hmm.. Better. This is nice, thank you for getting me.” Isabeau responds, looking down a little. “Really. I don’t think I would’ve came to see this if you didn’t. It’s beautiful.”
You hum in response “Of course. I’m glad, Isabeau.”
“.. What do we do?” Isabeau suddenly asks.
“About?”
“The whole looping thing.” Ah. You pause for a bit.
“I don’t know.” You answer bluntly. There’s never been something like this before to your knowledge. You doubt anybody could know how to help somebody who has gone through time loops.
Isabeau just hums.
“But.. we could help find him a therapist. Somebody who can help but professionally. But we can all do our own parts too. Just being there to listen is enough.”
“Yeah..” He says solemnly.
“It’ll be okay, Isabeau. We’re all here for you as well.”
You can see tears well up in his eyes. You wish you could do more.
“Thank you, M’dame.”
You turn your attention back to the house.
Something catches your eye. One of the windows in particular.
-
You feel heavy. Not that you’re not used to that at this point, but it's a different kind of heavy. You don’t feel burdened or exhausted anymore, it’s a nice sleepy kind of heavy. A feeling you haven’t felt in a bit, where you just want to curl up in the blankets and relax. Let the world move on without you. After all this time, it’s nice. You can see light occasionally shine on your face as the insides of your eyes turn brighter. You open your eyes to see what’s causing it.
There's a slit in the curtain of the room in your in. You look around the room and see medical supplies all around you. You finally realize you're in a medical bed with IV’s attached to your arm. You remember what happened before. You remember it's over.
The curtain blows in the wind, light seeping in with the occasional crackle and boom. You slide it open to see.. sky lights. Ah, you forget the word. Something about fire. You don’t really care honestly. It’s weird, you don’t feel that looming anxiety anymore as you look up to the sky. They’re different shapes. Hearts, circles, diamonds.. Stars? Huh. It’s pretty.
You can feel yourself drifting off again and you let it happen. You allow yourself to zone out and just enjoy the lights. You haven’t felt this relaxed in a while. The smell of good food lingers in the air, coming through your open window. You look around at the town, a little far off but still visible. You can see tiny children running around with plushies, people playing festival games, food vendors, and..
In the corner of your eye you noticed something below. A tiny light from the ground. As you look towards it you see.. Mirabelle? Mirabelle. She’s looking up at the sky with Bonnie as they hold a sparkler. You look over to see Isabeau and Odile also looking up at the light show. Odile glances over but then does a double take. Is she..? Oh.
She waves.
You wave back.
You both go back to looking at the sky. Until you hear something from the ground. You look down again to see Isabeau staring directly at you, with his mouth open. You can infer what he’s yelling. Mirabelle and Bonnie lookup too. You smile at them all, and suddenly everybody except Odile are running out of sight.
She gets up slowly, looks back at you while smiling, and turns back around to follow everybody.
You’re happy you’re free. You’re happy they’re happy.
And for the first time in a long time,
You’re happy to be alive in this moment.