#sifstem fanart

[vulpixisananimal]

Sparkle on! It's Wednesday Thursday! Don't forget to be yourself!

ASDHJASD OMG?!?!??!

THE BLORBOS,,,, THE BEBOS, THE BABYS HOLY SHIT THEY LOOK AMAZING!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!

[vulpixisananimal]

THAT IS SO COOL!!!!

Oh my god that Universe design is absolutly AMAZING I'm so in love with it just, SO PRETTYYYY THE STARS AND THE WISHES AND, AUGH.

AND JINN!!!! MY CREATURE!!!! MY :3 ASS CREATURE!!!!! SO CUTE,,,,

isat month day 14 change god

ft the universe! both my take(right) and vulpixisananimal's sifstems design (left)! the change god sort of became secondary in the prompt cuz all of my ideas relating to them require comics and i don got time for that right now.

[vulpixisananimal]

Have some asterion fanart

ASTERION!!!! MY BELOVED SADEST OF BLORBIES!!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH I LOVE THIS DUMB WET CAT OF A MAN!!!!

[vulpixisananimal]

[Soothing Restful Song.]

[Freezes one enemy in time, preventing them from making any moves. Has a craft cooldown of 8.]

[vulpixisananimal]

Lesson learned. Talking directly into your own head while you're in your own head while talking into your own head is a bad idea

[vulpixisananimal]

Oh My God

THIS IS AWESOME ASHBDNASD THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I LOVE MAL DU PAYS' VEIL SHINE, THAT'S SO GOOD. The Tee-Hee, the lil awkward smile.

OP I'm going to be thinking about this all month I have the biggest smile on my face. Look at the three of them. Siffrin looks so tired.

Sif-stem by @vulpixisananimal :D

I’ve been sick and icky feeling all day but i had to doodle them!!

I tried to make MDP’s veil like sparkly (because oooo shiny✨) but the shinys didn’t show up very well :(

I am now going To go pass the fuck out :3

Bonus:

I liked the darker background with this one

[vulpixisananimal]

Isapays fluff. For the soul. (And some implied self harm)

[BETWEEN ACT 1 AND ACT 2]

(You sat on the unfamiliar bed, looking at the scars that dotted your arm. Many had healed, many will not, and likely never will. In your other hand you fiddle with your dagger.)

(It was supposed to be easy.)

(You were supposed to be done. Out of the loops. Done with everything. Drama. Sadness. Whatever. Siffrin wished to keep traveling even after the loops were over. Said this was the best time of his life. Yet now, here you are. Going from place to place with some new looming dread instead of the clear skies of their dreams.)

(What a joke.)

(There's a knock on the door. It's Isabeau.) "Siffrin? Are you doing alright?"

(No. You hadn't even gotten changed from your nightware. You all arrived late to this inn, and you were lucky they had rooms left. You didn't sleep well.)

". . . I'm coming in."

(Of course he would. That was the system wasn't it? If there was a response, it was Siffrin or Loop, and they were probably fine. If there was no response, it wasn't. Or it was you, in which case they'd check anyways. Looking at the dagger in your hand and the scars on the other, you could at least see why.)

(Isabeau opened and closed the door softly. He looked at you, and the dagger, and your arm. You could see his shoulders relax a little as he realized you hadn't done anything.)

". . . Not a good night?"

(You nod. He walks over to you.)

"Mal right?" (you nod, he continues.) "Right, may I. . .?"

(He was holding out a hand, after a moment, you reach over and place your dagger in it. He puts it to the side.)

"Thanks you."

(There's a silence, a long, awkward one. You start rubbing your wrist. Isabeau sits down next to you on the bed.)

". . . Would you like to talk about it?"

(You draw a horizontal line with your finger. "No")

"Alright. . . Do you, just need space?"

(You pause, then draw the line again, then flick out two fingers held close. "Not sure".)

"Alright, I'll just, I'll just stay here then."

(Why did you say that. You never wanted company. You were fine staying in your room when you were forced front alone. You were fine being an observer in the corner. It was safe that way.)

(Then why did you not want Isabeau to leave?)

(The two of you sat in silence, a few feet apart on the bed. You did this a few times before. On a rare day, a rare good day, you would find where Isabeau was, and if he was alone, sit next to him. Of all of your traveling companions, he was the one you could tollerate the most. You could never find out why.)

(Odile is too observent, simple enough. Mirabelle is nice, too nice, you felt like you were oil to her water. Nille is a stranger, even Siffrin couldn't look her in the eyes. Bonnie. . . Bonnie was tollerable. Isabeau though. . .)

(You glance to your side, Isabeaus hand was rubbing his leg. Looking up, he was trying very hard to not look at you. Was he shy? Nervous? No, well, maybe. It was hard to tell. He wanted something, or was feeling something. You see his hand move around.)

(. . .)

(You put your hand to your side. You're considering it, why. You shouldn't be. It is selfish. And you don't need it. You consider it anyways. One beat passes, then another. Your hand twitches, and reaches over a little bit to Isabeau. You stop, and put it back by your side. Even if you could talk, wanted to talk, how could you ever ask him. . ?)

". . . Mal?" (You glance at him,) "Did you. . . Do you want to hold my hand?"

(You wince. And then gently nod.)

(Isabeau held out his hand, you hesitated. You placed your hand in his. It's warm, soft. You could feel the rough skin where he worked his fingers the most. He had been sewing more, and he had been training just as much as before too. His hands were a bit sweaty, wait, no, both of yours were. Was he nervous? Where you nervous? Yes, you probably were. Looking up at him, his face is turning a darker shade. You glance away.)

(. . . . . . . . It's nice.)

(. . . . No, it's not nice, it's selfish isn't it? Why would he want to be here, or you? No, you knew that. You couldn't trust them. None of them. "I should never have trusted you." That's what he said, wasn't it? You can't stay close to him. You need to protect Siffrin, and you can't trust a stranger to do that.)

(You're still holding his hand. You're squeezing it.)

(He glances at you. This isn't right. This isn't right at all this isn't, this isn't right or safe! Why are you being so open! Why did you want to be so open! You're shaking. You're shaking so much. Why are you doing this to yourself.)

(You take your hand back. You're shaking so much. You should leave. Just leave and don't come back right? How stupid. You scratch at the scars on your arm. Your breathing was getting heavier. You, you, you-)

"Hey. . ." (Isabeau was talking you. Gently. Soft. His hand was hovering over your own.) "Hey, you're alright, right?"

(You stop scratching, you don't respond.)

". . . Was it, was it the touch?"

(You don't know. You haven't felt this strongly about something before.)

". . . . Do you want me to leave?"

(Your head bolts up. You shake your head. Why. Why did you shake your head. You wanted him around? Why.)

"A-alright!" (He seems, worried. He wants to help you. Why.) "What do you need?"

(. . . . .)

(What do you need? You can't think straight. You need something. You don't need touch, right? You don't need food, or anything material. You need. . . You need something. What, do you need comfort? No. You don't need comfort. It's your job to garuntee Siffrin is the one who gets comfort. You don't need it. You don't. . . .)

(. . . . . You hug Isabuea.)

"!!!"

(You hold yourself close. You don't want to think about it. You're selfish. You don't even know what you want and you're selfish. You can't trust him, why are you doing this!!! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS!?!?!?!)

(Isabeau hugs you back.)

(It, it doesn't make sense. You feel conflicted. You feel. You, you don't know what you feel. It's, it's not bad, right? Stars, you don't understand. You just, don't. . .)

(You stay like this for a few minutes. Isabeau is warm. And soft. His shirt is soft. Your feel shivers on your skin. You've been sensitive to touch, much more than the others. But you didn't want to let go. Whatever you were feeling, you wanted it more. Your breathing steadied. You're confused, but a nice confused. Why is there a nice version of being confused? Strange.)

(. . . You can hear his heartbeat. It's nice. Steady. Strong. You look up at Isabeau. He's looking down at you, glancing away as you turn to look at him. Hmm. He is shy about it. Maybe that is what you are feeling? Are you shy? Maybe, that doesn't feel quite right. You keep looking up at him untill he looks back. He smiles softly.)

". . . Better?"

(You blink up at him.)

"Not sure?"

(Did you feel better? Stars. You don't know. You're just staring up at Isabeau. What was so fascinating about him. Why did you care? You're supposed to just protect Siffrin. You're supposed to make sure you all wake up the next day. Yet here you are. You are, for lack of a better word, transfixed by your Defender.)

(You open your mouth. You want to say something. You want to say anything. But he wont understand. But you want to do something. What do you do. Isabeau tilts his head slightly.)

"Do you want. . ." (He looks away again. Blushing.) "N-nevermind."

(?. You reach up and turn is head back to look at you. Then you put your hand palm up and shake it a bit. "What is it?")

"Do you. . ." (He trying to hide his face.) "Do you want to kiss me?"

(Your heart skips a beat.)

(He just asked it? Just like that? Why would he. He didn't at first. You asked him what it was after all. You look up at him. He knew that you were you, and not Siffrin, or Loop. He knew you were the one who was most touch averse. Most aggresive. Most defensive. And yet, he trusted you enough to ask you something like that. What does that mean. Did he trust you? Or was he trying to get to you.)

". . . . . S-sorry. . ."

(Why was he apologising. Did he feel embaressed? Ashamed? Ah. He was assuming that your feelings for him was the same as the other two. Looking at his eyes, you could tell he was terrified he was wrong. It's true, you know your feelings are far, far more complicated than Loop or Siffrins, and truly that is a feat in itself.)

(And yet. . .)

(You reached up and touched Isabeaus cheek. When he looks back down at you, you very gently nod.)

"I-- a-alright!" (You could see his surprise. His. . . Excitement? Nervousness? Maybe that's what you were feeling too. He puts a hand hovering right by your cheek. You nod. He places his hand on your cheek. You wince, but don't pull away. He's gentle, and he's warm. You feel like there's spikes on your skin, and yet his hand feels like. . .)

(He leans closer to you, you're face to face, you can't look away. He's nervous. He doesn't know how to kiss you. It's like at the sleepover. Or at the tree. Or at the end. You want to kiss him. And he wants to kiss you. It should be alright then, right? It'll be alright if you. . .)

(You reach up and kiss him.)

(. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .)

(Your heart. . . . You're warm. You're shaking. You have, you feel, you feel amazing, you feel so warm, you feel boiling. You kissed him. You just kissed him. It was only for a second but it felt like an eternity. You don't know how to feel about it. You think the feeling is good, you hope it is. Because, because. . .)

(Ok that's enough touch now.)

(You start tapping Isabeaus side untill he lets go of the hug. You sit back in your spot, fists balled up in your lap. You're sweating. And shaking. But you weren't thinking about that dagger anymore. Was that good? That should be good, right? Isabeau is worried about you.)

"A-are you alright?"

(You nod. And hold up a finger. "One second.")

(Isabeau waits patiently for you. You breath in and out. Alright. Alright you're normal again. You ball up your fists and push them away, laying them out flat. . . Then take a hand to your temple and drag it down. "Alone time, please.")

"A-alright. If you need me, or, need anything. Just, just come and find me, ok?" (Isabeau gets up to leave.)

(You tug on his shirt before he goes, he turns. You point to the dagger Isabeau put to the side. Open palms up from one side of your body to the other. "Take it away")

"Oh, alright." (Isa takes the dagger and holds it close.) "I'll protect it with my life."

(The corner of your mouth twitches. Heh. Funny. You look up at Isabeau. One last thing. You drag a finger accross your lips.)

"Our secret?"

(You nod. Our secret.)

[vulpixisananimal]

BRAND NEW REFERENCE POST!!

Some of these refs have been updated since last time, and now there's added refs for some preferred outfits and look in headspace!

Edit: I should clarify with Null, he just doesn't wear the eyepatch and just goes with the glass eye, since you're supposed to have one even if you have an eyepatch

[vulpixisananimal]

(You wake up.)

(How long were you asleep? You were asleep so long you were dreaming. You were having a nightmare, more like. You were wandering around Dormont, and no matter what you'd say, everyone else would stay to The Script. Even when you saw yourself at the favor tree, all you would do is say the same stupid lines.)

(You shudder. Never again, please, never again.)

(You look to your side, someone had placed a heaping plate of food on your nightstand. Your stomache growled, so you decided to grab a bite. A quesadilla again, naturally. It was mostly cold now. That would put you at least an hour, maybe two behind schedule. It sounded busy outside, so maybe closer to midday?)

(What WAS your schedule?)

(Wake up, be sick, bump into isabeau, breakfast, explain over breakfast, clean up, prep for the day, go out and do whatever. Ramos came around at about. . . Three hours past noon. Stars, you had to plan.)

(You start to eat as you get up; your body lodging formal and VERY vocal complaints against moving. Stars, you were so hungry, you already finished your first quesadilla and needed another. And you still needed to get dressed!)

(It took a few minutes, but you were up, fed, and ready. Looking yourself over in the small mirror in your rented room, you looked. . . Looked like normal. Looked like him. Looked like you? Maybe.)

(Who were you, Loop? Who were you now? Just the friendly star? Is that all?)

(Ha. hahahhaha.)

(Curse you, Universe.)

(You head downstairs.)

". . . Hellooooo?" (Huh. There wasn't anyone around. They must have headed out or. . . Wait.)

(That noise you heared. It sounded familiar actually. You walk over to the door to the front yard and pull it open.)

(!!!!)

(Mirabelle, Bonnie, Nille, Isabeau, and Odile were all there going over battling! It looks like Isa was pretending to be a big ol scary sadness, it was, surprisngly similar to the house! You knew the script by heart too! Next Bonnie would say-)

"IF WE DO A COMBO, AND HAVE FIVE OF THE SAME SYMBOL, WE DO A 'JACKPOT SKILL!!!"'

"Exactly, Boniface. And see? We already have a combo of two right there."

(Ah right, because you weren't there to give that third hit.)

"When we get five of the same symbol, whether Rock, Paper, or Scissors, we'll be able to use a Jackpot Skill. . ."

"Only Rock, Paper, and Scissors attacks count for the Jackpot, by the way. We should be careful with how we use those skills, but we can use any other type of skill or item without breaking the combo."

"Yeah!! A combo will beat me!! Please, do a combo!"

(Hehe, because he's being a big ol sadness and not "knocked out.")

"You heared the man. Let's add three more scissors symbols to our lineup, shall we?"

(. . . Heh. Hehehehehehehe.)

(If you were going to be stuck in Stardusts little body, you will have some fun.)

"Of course M'dame!" (You say as you run past them all straight as Isabeau, leaping at him while he's still surprised. You both tumble back into the grass. You make a scissors symbol, and poke him on the nose with it.)

"!!!?!?!??!?!??!??!!?"

(Oh he looks so confused. And maybe blushing a little? Oh silly Loop~ You look over your shoulder to the rest of your companions with a cheeky smile.)

". . .Oops~"

"'HEY!!!" (Bonnie stomped the ground angry.) "CRABFACE!!! WE HAD THE MEANIE HANDLED!!!"

"L-language." (Nille was barely holding in a laugh, probably at seeing such a big guy like Isa being boddied by a twig like you.) "Good morning to you too."

(Odile chuckled and shook her head.) "Defeated in one blow. Truly, you are leagues ahead of us oh wise one."

"I was worried we were going to die, oh how strong it was!" (Mira continues.) "Bested by someone who should still be resting up!!!"

(Wuhoh.)

"A-ah, I'm doing fine! S-see?" (You say, getting off of Isabeau and sitting on the grass.) "No issue whatsoever~"

"incredible, absolutely incredible." (Odile says, she and the rest coming over.) "You're somehow a worse liar than Siffrin."

"Wh-" (You choke on your words.)

"Do they look paler than normal?" (Nille teased.) "What do you think Bonbon?"

"They look like white paint!!!"

"H-hey guys be nice!" (Isabeau FINALLY sat up.) "Loop just woke up, after all."

"Aww thank you Isabeau~" (You stretch. Huh, Loop, it was kind of nice to be known, honestly.) "And what have you all been up to since I passed out."

"Quite a bit!" (Mirabelle said, shaking her hands excitedly) "Madame Odile had an idea about your looping! And we decided to try and making easier! A-and-"

"Alright 'Bella, how about we get inside first." (Nille says, picking up her hammer.) "Gotta say, y'all really do have the whole battling thing down much better than I do."

"Oh don't worry Nille!" (Isabeau gets up.) "We were traveling for a whole year! We had lots of practice!"

"But until you catch up try to stick back with Boniface." (Odile adds.)

"Maybe I should be telling all you that~" (You joke, standing up.) "But really, I am feeling much better."

"Good! Now, to buisness-" (Odile leads you all back inside.)

(Your allies had been busy during your nap. They had gathered all the trinkets and supplies you'd gathered. You didn't bring all the eqipment you found in the house with you, and you didn't have nearly as much tonics, but it wasn't nothing. Paper mache gauntlets, Wok, etc.)

(They went over basic battling, and brushed up on their crafts. Nille had a solid place in battle too now. She had a nack for countering hits, so she'd stay to the side untill an opritunity showed itself and she'd jump in.)

(They were. . . Thinking about you?)

"-as the theory goes, anyway." (Odile had just finished explaining her theory on sleeping and looping.) "I do hope it's true, it would make everything so much easier."

"And if it does work!" (Mira says, excited.) "In the future just come out and say which loop it is! Everyone talked it out and well, i-it'll be easier to help you!"

"That's. . ." (It was, it was a lot to take in.) "That's really thoughtful."

"I didn't want you to have to do this alone." (Isa is smiling at you.) "We didn't, so, we perpared for you!"

"It was pretty fun, actually." (Nille is leaning back.) "Change, like I was finally getting to join my little sibling on fighting the bad guy."

"Yeah!!! And this time we're doing it as a big family!!!" (Bonbon, they're giving you the biggest smile.)

(You, you don't know how to respond.)

"I know this probably wont be the last loop, so we wont remember, but, that's ok!" (Isabeau. . .) "Because, Loop, I know every other me is going to try just as hard to help you!"

"Me too!"

"Mine as well."

"Same here!"

"YEAH!!!"

(Oh stars.)

(O-oh stars, it's, it's all too much. You're starting to cry. You're crying. It's, it's like when you first met them, so kind, and, a-and, and they're treating you like, like-)

"U-UH!!" (Isabeau holds up his hands seeing you cry.) "D-did I do something wrong?!?"

(You shake your head.)

"I think it's all a bit overwhelming. Besides, we were practicaly strangers in Dormont." (Odile rightly points out.)

"Doesn't matter!!" (Bonbon runs over to your side.) "Hey, hey, look at me."

(You look up at Bonnie, they're waving their hands-)

"You've been helping 'Frin out, and you helped us out too! We're not strangers anymore!"

"Hear hear."

"Alright! Group hug time!"

(O-oh stars, oh starsohstarsoh-)

(You're crying more, they're, they're so nice, they're being so nice. They're. . .)

(They're treating you as you. As Your own person. As a part of Siffrin but, as yourself as well. You're YOU. They know you're you!)

(You're cry even more now.)

"T-th, thank you guys. . ."

(You all stay a second more there, in a big old hug. They don't know who you really are, but they know you're Loop, and Loop needs help. And, they love you, even after all this time, they still love you. . .)

(. . .)

(Eventually, it has to end, and everyone gets back to their seats and you take a few deep breaths. In, and out.)

"Got a plan today then, Loop?" (Mira asks.)

"Well, a few~"

[vulpixisananimal]

OHHUUUU HOLY SHIT

THAT IS SO BLINDING COOL!?!???? HOHUG

@vulpixisananimal

[Soothing Restful Song]

[You hear a bell. Chiming, tolling, calling your name.]

[vulpixisananimal]

Mal: Do you find yourself comparing you to the "Mal Du Pays" Siffrin met, during that time? How do you feel about that being?

{I was harsh. It's what I thought was right. It's what I still think on occasion.}

{Why sacrifice your life for people whose journey was only meaningful to you. To them it was a nightmare, but to him it was a dream come true. A dream that took an eye.}

{I would have taken our body, and ran, to protect it from the eventually betrayal that "love" gives.}

{. . . But things changed.}

{I would still abandon them if they betrayed us. But, now it'll be harder. And it'll hurt more.}

{So all I can hope for now is that the others know what they're doing.}

[vulpixisananimal]

Friend Who Is Not Loop: What should we call you? I'd say Siffrin, but that's already very heavily taken.

[(Just your friendly rogue, Siffrin! Nothing else, nothing more! Nothing, else.)]

[vulpixisananimal]

Bonnie probably experienced nausea or some sort of temporal whiplash when null started speedrunning loops

Imagine having lag IRL

[vulpixisananimal]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA??!?!??!?!

ITS 1 AM SO I DONT HAVE THE WORDS BUT THIS IS?!?!?!?! SO COOL!??!?!? THANK YOU SO MCUH!?!?!?!?! OH MY GOD?!??!?!

I love them all SO MUCH these outfits are amaizng just. AUGH. THANK U. OMG,,,,

what if i give @vulpixisananimal's sifstem au outfits. what then

[vulpixisananimal]

<You jolt awake. Stars, you thought you'd survive that. It was just one story up, and sure, it was a little glass, but->

(Do you mind?!?!?)

<You roll your eye. No, but Odile did. Ha. Come on, Siffrin. Odile wasn't acting like herself. She was a dangerous enemy- we had to escape.>

(Stars, come on! You had to at least try and see what was going on, right?!?)

<Stop being stupid. Odile knows how to stop us Looping.>

(. . . I-)

<I'm right.>

(Shut up.)

<You sigh and sit up from the Favor Tree. Back here again, strange- oh stars, You hold your head for a moment. Headache, and sick. Your stomach churns, head pounding.>

(Craft exhaustion- stars, this is why, I wanted to-)

<We'll get over it. Just- just, breathe. . .>

(You breathe in, and out.)

(. . . Ack, stars. Why WERE we waking up here again? Wasn't it because of sleep that we make a checkpoint?)

<Perhaps whatever strange logic the Universe has at work counts our little meeting as a sleep. Which doesn't make sense, because->

(Yes I know we weren't asleep. I'm not stupid.)

<Could have fooled me.>

(You grunt, and shake your head. You start walking down to the homestead, seeing Ramos and Mirabelle walking up to meet you.)

(Mira waves to you.) "S-siffrin!! Oh thank Change, are you okay???"

(You laugh half-heartedly.) "Yeah, just a bit dizzy, it's the stage."

"It's. . O-oh!" (Mira perks up a bit at that.) "Oh then! T-then I guess we've, told you everything already?"

"Yup." (You nod.) "I'll try and make this quick. . ."

>>>

(You quietly open up the back door to the Homestead, which lead straight to the kitchen. Mirabelle and Ramos followed behind you, ready for anything. With Isabeau waiting for you up front, and Odile possibly going after you upstairs, getting in the back would be the best idea.)

<Or you could break in a window again.>

(After what you did?!? Not a chance.)

"Hey, wasn't Bonnie cooking here this morning?" (Asks Ramos.)

"O-oh, yes! They were getting along with Jan." (She tried not to bite her nails.) "W-we should, check on them! Make sure they're ok!!"

"Good idea." (You nod, continuing through the kitchen. Nothing too strange, so you continue-)

"I thought the kiddo usually cleans up after themself." (Ramos says, you look back, they're looking at some half finished dishes.)

". . . They do." (You squint. That's not like Bonnie. If they didn't clean up, they'd make sure someone else did.) "Let's hurry."

(You get to the doorway to the common area and stop. You hear some voices.)

"Get him upstairs, we can figure it out there."

(Huh? Oh wait you knew that voice. You pause for a second.)

"I, I don't, why should I trust you?!? I'm fine! I-"

(You didn't recognize that voice. You hear a craft spell of something. You feel Mira lean in a bit close to listen in. She asks,) "What is it?"

"People I met last loop. One of them gets effected." (You listen in again.)

"He'll stay asleep for a bit. I'll take him upstairs."

"I'll make sure everythings safe. Just be quick."

(You hear them walk off. You sigh.) "Stars, maybe talking to Polaris coulda helped but. . ."

"Maybe. . ." (Ramos starts.) ". . . Well, maybe next time I could do something about it? If we're quick to get here?"

(You nod.) "Right, next time. C'mon, lets find Bonbon."

<You're really worried about the Kid, aren't you.>

(You frown as you step out into the common area. Of course you are! You care about Bonnie, and you have to make sure they're okay!!)

<The time could be better spent looking for the star. Then the Kid could be safe.>

(You ignore him. You start looking for anything out of the ordinary. There's a few random dishes left out, Jan wasn't around, those three travelers went upstairs, Isabeau was waiting outside. . . Hmm.)

(Looking up to your friend and ally, Mirabelle looked distracted, probably worried about the rest of your family. Ramos was staring at that sign in your language.)

"It's just a cheesy proverb," (You call over, going back to looking around.)

"Wait, really?" (Ramos turns to you, hand on hip.)

"Really."

"Why."

(You shrug.) "Not every island thing is some omen- Oh, yeah that reminds me, Mira?"

"O-oh?" (Mira looks over to you.)

"Did I ever mention that I found a book in my language in the Dormont library?"

"Oh really??? What was it about?? Was it helpful or anything???" (Her eyes brightened- genuine interest! Yes!!)

"I mean, I got the title," (You stick your tongue out.) "The Cursing of Château Castle, volume 2."

". . . Pfft-" (That makes her giggle.) "Of all the things to be found there!"

"I know right?!?" (You shake your head.) "H-haha, I was so excited, too. Finally able to read it, and lo and behold. . ."

"Hehe, It was just a book from my favorite series!"

"Exactly." (You finish looking around and walk over to her.) "Well, nothing here. Upstairs next?"

(Ramos and Mira nod in agreement. The three of you get back in formation as you lead them upstairs. You make sure to step quietly, listening as you go, not wanting to be caught off guard.)

(You hear some talking, a door opening, then closing. You take a few more steps, and peek over the top of the staircase. There's no one in the hall.)

<What is your goal, Siffrin.>

(To find Bonbon, like I said!)

<Ugh, fine. If you're looking for the kid, why would they be here? Where should you go?>

(The room they were staying in? That's where you think, anyway. You walk through the hall, hand on your dagger, Ramos and Mira right behind you.)

". . . Which room was Bonnies again?"

"O-oh uh, that one, on the left." (Mira replies, pointing to a door further down the hall. You head over to it. Nothing out of the ordinary yet. You put an ear to the door.)

(You could see Mirabelle get more and more fidgety with each second. You wait, still. . . . No, you couldn't hear anyone on the other side. You try the door, locked.)

"Stars."

"I could break it down, probably." (Ramos suggests.)

(You shake your head.) "Too much noise."

"Uhm, what about the outside window?" (Mira asks.)

(You make a face.) "Yeah, that could work. Again."

"Why didn't you go in a window this time?" (Ramos asks.)

(Your face was all the response they needed.)

<It wasn't that bad.>

". . . W-well. . . Where, where else can we check?" (Asks Mira, finger to her chin.)

"I'm. . . Hmm. . ." (You tap your foot.) ". . . Your room, Jans, double check my own room."

"Lets check yours- out of Odile's way, hopefully, and maybe Isa did something." (Ramos suggests. You nod.)

<Your rooms one door down. Right side. You have a key for it in your pocket.>

(How did- Oh, it was YOU who was in charge this morning then?)

<It was. What of it.>

(Unpack that another day. You get to your room, listen at the door for a moment, then unlock it. The three of your slip inside and you lock the door behind you.)

"One bed?!?" (You hear Mirabelle exclaim. Uhoh.)

"Stars, you two really are like a bonded couple." (Ramos jokes, giving you a look.)

"S-shut up! I thought it was going to be two beds!!"

"Suuuuuure." (Ramos rolls their eyes.)

(You tug up the collar of your cloak. Stupid. Dumb. At least they wont remember this. You go over to your pack to check if everything's in order, only to find it isn't.)

"Oh blind it all!" (Your pack had been completely upturned, belongings spread out across the floor. Stars, what on earth was this?!? Null, did you forget to lock up once you woke up?!?)

<No. I made sure to lock the door.>

(Great. Mira came to your side with a sour look.) "Was, anything stolen?"

(You crouch down, sorting through your things.) "No, it doesn't look like it, but. . ."

(Among the items was a lot of scrap paper. You had been noting things down on them. A lot of things. Before you realized your amnesia was partially caused by freeloaders in your head, you had made notes to yourself. A lot of those notes you didn't remember. Each of those notes were laid out neatly, like someone was looking through them.)

"Someone tried getting in here." (Ramos comments, you look over, they were inspecting the window.)

<That window's stuck.>

"But isn't that window stuck?" (You echo.)

"Yep, but. . . Here, here and here, signs of an attempted forced entry. Probably gave up 'cause it would make too much noise."

<Very, very concerning. There is a good chance that was last night.>

(Yeah yeah.) "Who was trying to get in then?"

(Ramos shrugged.) "I dunno. Someone who could scale up to a second story window?"

"But whoever it was, that might be who we're looking for!!" (Mira says, almost excited.) "Oh this is like a murder mystery!!"

"But without the murder." (You hope.) "Stars, what a mess. . ."

"Don't think there's anything else here." (Ramos comments.) "Where to next?"

"I'm not sure. It was around now that Odile showed up last time." (You sit down on your bed.) "She was upstairs, and I opened the door and. . ."

<Quiet down, then.>

(You hold up a hand, and a finger to your lips, and listened.)

(. . . There were a few footsteps outside, from down the hall. There were a few voices, possibly the other traveling group. No-one coming upstairs. . . You hear some light footsteps run past your door, followed by a slower, heavier pair.)

<Going downstairs. Light footsteps are possibly Wren. Possibly Bonnie. Check that out next Loop. Heavier footsteps are either Odile or Vixul. Most likely Odile and Bonnie then, right?>

(Then you should go check on them! Make sure they're alright!)

<No. If Odile is being effected by Mind Craft, which I think she is, then Bonnie is too.>

(You frown. Stars, you hate that he's right. You wait a few moments more before saying in a low whisper.) "That might have been Odile going downstairs."

"R-right." (Mira nods.) "What, w-what's next then, Siffrin?"

"Don't know." (You shrug.) "This was where I died last time."

(You see Mirabelle wince at that. Oh, right, she's still not used to you dying. Eh, it was fine. You think for a moment, where to go next. . .)

"Uh. . ." (Ramos spoke up.) "I, know you can't exactly take a note thought the loops, but, maybe going through daily events could help? Where everyone is and such?"

"Right. . ." (You tap your foot. Where would you even start with that?) "Next loop, though."

"A-alright." (Ramos replies. They look out the window to the rain.)

(There's an awkward silence, and you're not sure what to do right now. Sneak to one of the other rooms? You weren't sure if Odile was still out there waiting for you. You were really sure she was downstairs now, but you didn't know.)

<There is still a lot to think about, Siffrin. For one, why did, assumedly Isabeau, look through your things?>

(Because he's being mind controlled?)

<No, stupid. Think deeper. Why would he be commanded to do that.>

(Why would he- right. Someone is in control, after all. Was it who talked to Ramos and gave them that star? They did seem like prime suspects, and they were interested in their guardian who was from the Island. Were they looking for more about the Island?)

<Good. You're on track. What about people we know are here.>

(Well. . . Jan? Maybe? No that just doesn't seem right-)

<"Doesn't seem right" isn't a good reason.>

(Alright, what about Vixul and her group? Sure, they seemed just as confused about this as you were, but she was a researcher. It would be up her ally.)

<Getting better, keep going.>

(What about that mystery couple who left this morning? We don't know much- well, anything about them.)

<Then that's who you should look into, right?>

(But they left long before any of this Mind Craft started! Who knows if-)

"Crabbing Stars-!"

(The strange mix of curses snaps you back to reality. You turn to Ramos, whos face was pressed against the glass, looking, concerned.)

"W-what's wrong???" (Mira asks, standing up. You stand too, going to the window. Ramos moves to let you look.)

"It's that sadness again." (Says Ramos. As you look out. . . Stars, it was. It was barreling towards the homestead. Looking as mean as last time! Come ON!  Why did this have to happen NOW!!)

"O-oh, oh no-" (Mira grabbed her sword, moving to the door.)

"Mirabelle wait, just a second." (You start.) "If, if we just rush out there, then we could be stuck between, u-uhm-"

(You stop talking at the look Mirabelle gives you. R-right. You, you couldn't just, leave a sadness to run rampant, even if you were looping.)

"N-nevermind."

(You hear a crash from downstairs, and a scream. The three of you race to save the day.)

[vulpixisananimal]

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