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"I'm trapped in a time loop."
"What?" Bonnie cocks their head, confused. Hm. Maybe Siffrin should've waited until after they handed out the snacks?
Odile and Mirabelle share a glance, both confused and a little concerned, while Isabeau visibly perks up. He looks to Siffrin, eager to see what joke they've come up with!
...But, they have to dissapoint him, don't they? He has to disappoint everyone, once again. It's their fault, really. He should've kept quiet, he just... couldn't bring himself to watch this again. Watch everyone cheer up Mirabelle and eat up for the fight ahead, smiling so brightly... they couldn't watch it, when they knew that it was all for nothing. They had to say something.
They just couldn't stop thinking about it, okay!?!? Loop had said back at the start that they shouldn't be keeping this from the party, that they should just tell them, and what were they supposed to do!?
It's one thing for Siffrin to fake a smile himself, but to have to watch everyone else smile for real, to see them be hopeful that they're going to win, and to know victory won't stay in their grasp for long....!
They just couldn't do it. They had to burst their bubble, tell them right at the end even though it wouldn't matter, especially because it wouldn't matter! Distantly, through the clamour of his loud, loud, loud mind, Siffrin notes the party huddling up across from him, clearly talking about what to do, what to say.
Maybe they'll leave them here, locked on the third floor for the King's curse to claim him before they beat the King. Maybe Mirabelle will run him through with her rapier, furious at him for keeping everyone trapped in stasis, one that's so similar to the King's Time Craft. Would serve him right, Siffrin thinks.
Turning back around, the first thing Siffrin notices about his friends is Bonnie and Mirabelle's expressions. They look... he doesn't know what the expressions are, they weren't exactly in his party members' library during the loops, but he does know they're bad ones.
Before anyone has a chance to speak, Bonnie steps up, their expression twisting into something far more familiar. 'There's the Bonnie I know, just how I remember them. So, so angry.' Deep in their mind, where no one can see, they grin humourlessly.
"You're a stupid crab Frin, why did you hide all of this??? If you're trapped in some forever school, then you gotta talk about so we can help you escape! Or leave early, or w-whatever! It's not a test, you can ask your classmates for help, you dummy!"
While a bit taken aback by the odd metaphor - maybe the Kid found the time loops confusing? - Siffrin gets what they're putting down. They hate him now, don't they? Don't they? Behind them, Odile slinks off to a corner, nose in her book. She can't even bear to look at him...
Bonnie's fists are clenched, their brow creased as they clearly seethe, eyes all but burning through the House's floor. Mirabelle steps up next to them, about to put a comforting hand on their shoulder, but thinks better of it.
"What Bonnie was trying to say, is, that you should've said about this sooner, Siffrin." She drags her eyes off of the kid to look at him, looking an odd mix of angry and concerned. "If we're trapped here, then you could've been telling us what's ahead, where the strong enemies are, that sort of thing! This isn't something you should just be happy to do on your own! I had to look high and low for help, and you had it right here! Why, how, would you choose to do something like that!?"
"U-Unless you... didn't have a choice?" Mirabelle mutters, her anger waning. "Unless you weren't allowed to talk about them, or we didn't take it well before, or even if we did, talking about it would... would..."
Mirabelle's shoulders sag and her hands raise to her mouth, as if she's getting her nails in position ahead of time. With her anger from before all gone, now she just looks scared. "I should've known something would go wrong. Of course, of course, even when we have my blessing, even when we have a time looper, we're never gonna beat the King, are we? Even though we're moving, hah, he's already won! We're not statues. but we're still frozen!"
"Hey that's not true! We're gonna beat the King, of course we are!!!" Bonnie looks incensed, doing their best hopeful grin despite the waver in their voice, but Mirabelle can only look away, her shoulders slumping more.
"Don't look like that we're gonna beat the King!!!!" Bonnie yells. Siffrin doesn't have to look at their clenched fists or teary eyes... to know that they don't believe it, either.
"OKAY MY TURN!!!" Isabeau booms, bodily but oh-so-lightly shoving Mirabelle and Bonnie aside, snapping them out of their anguish. Making himself look larger than life, Isabeau says that Siffrin really shouldn't have hidden the loops, yeah, but we're here now! "You told us, so good job, buddy!!!"
Beside him, Bonnie and Mira perk up ever so slightly, Isabeau's attempt to show them the bright side clearly working a little, to Siffrin's relief.
"Sif... I know it's probably hard to come clean about this, right? I mean, why else wouldn't you have told us?" Isabeau says with his voice soft. "Sorry if you don't want me asking, but... Do you know why you're trapped here?"
Siffrin looks up at Isa, an easy, reassuring grin firmly on place on the ex-Defender's face. Beside him, Mira and Bonnie have gone from crushed to concerned, Isa near-effortlessly getting them on a better emotional level.
...He's always been great at that, hasn't he? Always knowing just what to do, just what to say, exactly what face to put on to keep everyone healthy and happy. He's just so cool, Sif couldn't begin to think why he'd hide all that under playing dumb.
...Well, actually, they. They might have a few ideas.
Isa doesn't look hurried, or mad, or resentful, when Sif looks up at him from where their gaze had fallen to the floor. Seeing them look back at him, his ever-patient smile widens, crinkling his eyes. He'd wait forever for them to come clean, wouldn't he? Until they're ready. If Isa has the courage to show what he's been hiding, then...
"I don't know." They want to murmur, to look away and burrow their face into their hat, but make a special effort to keep their voice clear, tilting their head up to face the party. If Isa can do it, they'll take a page out of his book.
"I thought it was so we could beat the King, but... most times, we haven't been strong enough. And when we are." Siffrin stops abruptly, confused, before trying to make more words come. Nope, their body seems to say, refusing to let the words pass their lips, even as he knows what to say next.
About the Head Housemaiden. About how they're all trapped here. Forever.
"Easy, Sif, easy. You don't gotta tell us if you aren't ready." Siffrin blinks in suprise - when did Isa get so close? He's kneeling in front of them, arms outstretched as if he wants to reach out, but can't.
"You're shaking..." he mutters under his breath - not wanting Siffrin to hear, clearly. He sounds worried. "Hey, maybe it's time for a break!"
"That's what we were doing, you crab!! And HEY, Frin's so hungry they're shaking on the spot!" Bonnie rushes to their bag, indiscriminately yanking out snack after snack to balance between their tiny arms, before rushing over. "You gotta eat something, dummy, take your pick!"
They do their level best to sound chiding. but Siffrin knows they're worried - he can hear it in their voice, the way they're rushing around after being still as a statue for so long, just now. They want to do whatever they can to help, and if it's snacks he needs? They'll give him the whole bag, without a second thought.
Unlike every other smile Siffrin's thrown out this loop, this one's real. "Thanks, Bonbon."
Bonnie perks up, somehow managing to stand up straighter even with the weight of the snacks piled in their arms. Siffrin can see in real-time as emotions flick across their face, all in response to the nickname he now knows was a bad call to say.
He couldn't help it, though - something about the sincerity of the moment had it falling from his lips like nothing. Like before the eye incident, and everything that came after, when they were just a travelling group of friends with a mighty quest.
But that's just like you, isn't it, Siffrin? Putting your wants, your needs above your friends without a second thought. Keeping them preserved just the way you like them, even as they change and grow right in front of your eyes. They're people, understand? Not actors wearing the face of them like you. Not like you, you sick, twisted-
"FRITTER BLOW TECHNIQUE!!!" Siffrin hears as something smacks him in the face. Looking at their hands where it landed, it's... a malanga fritter!? Stars, yeah, they'd practically forgot Bonnie had these! He'd been saving it for the final loop, the one where... they'd...
Looking up, Bonnie looks to be scrutinising them with a critical eye. Literally, almost - they've got one eye shut tight, the other wide as a dinner plate, like they're trying to pop it out through sheer force alone.
('Then you'd match!' a traitorous corner of Siffrin's mind supplies. They immediately shove it down - that gives them chills to think about, never mind how it wouldn't go over well.)
Apparently satisfied with whatever their sharp eye saw, Bonnie relaxes. "I, um. Made that for you. But I dunno if you had it before at lunchtime or here or whatever. It's a fritter."
"It's okay, I love these! Thanks, Bon." You slap a hand over your mouth as your mind catches up to your body a second too late, and Bonnie... mumbles something. You lean forward.
"What was tha-"
"I SAID you can CRABBING CALL ME BONBON! IF YOU WANT!!!" They shout directly into Siffrin's poor, poor ear before running back to their seat, snacks wobbling all the way.
Despite the painfully sharp ringing in Siffrin's ear, they feel... light. Happy. Bonnie... Bonbon's alright with the nickname again, huh? That's... that's wonderful.
(Out of the corner of their eye, they see Isabeau puffing himself up with a massive grin, clearly proud of them both. Beside him, Mira looks to be melting into a viscous, thick puddle of cuteness agression, 'squee'ing and 'awww'ing as she goes down.)
The rest of the snacktime passes in blissful silence, with Siffrin still riding the high of their short interaction with Bonnie. They take time to savour every bite of their fritter, happy to be tasting a blast from the past same as they are to be in the present. Maybe, in the end... things will turn out okay.
[I don't know about that one, Stardust.] A familliar voice chimes out in their head. [I mean, you did good opening up about the loops finally, proud of you~ But...] They trail off for a not-insignificant amount of time.
[...You know this probably isn't the last one, right? After you beat the King, she'll...] Loop stops, but Siffrin isn't exactly chewing at the bit to hear them finish. Maybe their voice is seizing up, too.
'I know, but...' Siffrin projects back at Loop as best as they can from within their mind, subtly doing the Call sign with his free hand. 'I think you were right about telling them? We probably won't get out, but... They only got mad a little bit, they recovered, they're... fine. They still want to keep going.'
He sounds unsure even in his mind, Siffrin distantly notes. But it is suprising, right? He always thought the party would go livid at him when they opened up - that, or they'd lose hope and give up on the quest. They hadn't given much thought to what'd happen if he told them... but then, he'd given even less to what'd happen if it went over well, in the end.
'Maybe, if I tell them next time?' No. 'When I tell them next time... it'll go even better.'
From Loop's side of the call, Siffrin hears... clapping? [Yeah, good going, Stardust! I didn't know you had it in you!!!] They say with a strange lilt to their voice. It's like, for the first time since they met, Loop is...
'That really made you happy, huh?' He grins. 'And all this time, I didn't think you actually cared.'
[Wha- of course I care, Stardust!] They say with surpisingly faux indignation. [Sarcastic remarks and witty comments are how I show affection!!] Aaaand there it is. You chuckle, under your breath.
[No, I'm just...] They pause. [I'm glad that, even if you stay trapped here... you won't have to do it alone. I know you've got me, but... now you've got them, too.] Siffrin can hear the genuine, once-in-a-blue-moon sincere smile in Loop's voice. They smile back, as real as they can make it.
[But wait, wasn't I... oh, OH! That's what I was calling you about! Aren't you forgetting one, Stardust~]
Eh? How could they have forgotten one of- by the stars in the sky he forgot Odile!!!! Whipping his head around frantically, Siffrin finds Odile - not in her usual spot by the exit, but to Siffrin's left by the entrance, smack-dab in the middle of their blind spot.
She's got her book out, pen in hand and snack untouched next to her. She's not writing though, instead looking right at Siffrin like she was waiting for him to glance at her. Her sharp eyes drift down to the Craft sign in Siffrin's hand, narrowing as Siffrin tries to play it off as a wave. She gets up, heading over to them.
[Good luuuuuck, Stardust~] The familiar pop sound plays as Loop hangs up the call, contrasted by the very unfamilliar situation of Odile coming over to talk to Siffrin, instead of the other way around. 'Talk about breaking the script...'
"Odile! Ho-"
"Stop. Just tell me one thing. Was that some kind of Craft you were performing just now?" She sounds calm, collected, a far cry from the accusatory, hateful tone they'd expected from her. Even that, though, still makes them nervous.
They flounder and stammer around a suitable response for a few seconds, Odile heaving out a long, tired sigh. "Siffrin." She sounds even more tired. "I'm sure I don't have to tell you that it's... hard, dealing with these things alone, right? You think that you need to take it all on your own shoulders, that anyone who steps in will just get themselves hurt. Or... that they'll hurt you. Am I correct?"
Siffrin blinks, practically starstruck. Rare Odile feelings talk?!?! They nod.
"Hm." She huffs out a humourless chuckle, a wry smile on her face. "Believe me, I know the feeling well. You think you can handle those feelings alone, but eventually they become too much to bear. You might not go to everyone, but... you go to someone, and force yourself to admit that you need help."
Siffrin nods.
"I thought so. Is that why you were muttering into your hand just now?" Odile's smile only grows as Siffrin's face falls - the classic expression of someone caught with their hand in the cookie jar. They were saying that out loud???
She chuckles once more, startling him out of their panicked stupor, before speaking again. "Apologies for using that trick on you, Siffrin. I just know how you children get when given details about my 'mysterious past.'" She jokes, Siffrin huffing out a breath through their nose.
"I'd been going over everything we knew about the House, about the King, but I just couldn't figure out how you'd keep track of everything alone. What Crests to use, where the keys are, what preparations to make - nothing added up, until I saw you muttering into your hand earlier. By those walls of Tears?"
Feeling like a Crafted bobblehead, Siffrin nods. While the Age and Beauty Alliances bickered, he'd subtly Called for help, having forgotten which route to take - not subtly enough, it seems. Even as Loop gave them the answer, he'd been frustrated with himself. They'd been through this ten, twenty times before, shouldn't they remember by now?
Odile must've noticed whatever look crossed their face, though she seems to not think it's as embarassing as they do, judging by her sympathetic frown. "Look, you... don't have to tell us who you've been talking to, or how they've been helping you. As much as I'd love to know..." She stage-whispers, making him laugh.
"You don't have to tell us everything, but... we want to help you. If you could tell us enough that we could help you with the next loop, as it were, then... even if we don't see victory, there's a chance our successors might, right?"
Despite the confidence in her words, Odile's tone is uncertain. Lucky for her, cheering up their friends is what Siffrin does best!
"...Okay. I don't want any of you to be upset, after all." They say with a nervous grin, which calms at Odile's playful glare. "If you want to help, then... after the King. When we've stopped, I'll tell you as much as I can. Before..." He looks away, and while Odile's frown deepens, they're grateful that she doesn't press.
"That's all I ask." Shooting Siffrin a smile, Odile straightens up and turns to leave, but not before Siffrin calls out to her. "Don't forget to eat your snack, though!" Then, louder, "We wouldn't want to disappoint our Snack Leader, now would we?"
They turn away with a big grin, stifling their laughter into their cloak as they catch Odile - mature, responsible, 'oldest one here' Odile - sticking her tongue out at him as Bonnie storms over to chide her about not eating.
They still have a King to fight, and they still don't know what'll come after everything loops back, but... if they keep telling their familly? Maybe, just maybe, everything will turn out okay.