#sorry sif’s hat

[magicwhiskers29]

The whole gang! The lines randomly start getting thinner partway through, but whoops. I had each of these on different canvases and didn’t check the others in between :p

[medi-bee]

isat pokemon au, my liege?

my rambling in tags

[sparkdoesart]

I saw my favorite cat image again, and i couldn't stop myself, so here you go

Kibty Sif.

Og image

[sysig]

Time Loops are they/them culture (Patreon)

Bonus of my little guy in ISaT style:

[remxedmoon]

“the eternal wanderer. even death cannot release it from its plight.”

tribeless

1 power - 1 health - 7 bones

unkillable - when a card bearing this sigil perishes, a copy of it is created in your hand.

corpse eater - if a creature that you own perishes by combat, a card bearing this sigil in your hand is automatically played in its place.

brittle - after attacking, a card bearing this sigil perishes.

hidden trait - cursebearer

this card cannot be sacrificed at the sigil stones event.

finally posting my isatscryption stuff here!!! yipee!!! here’s a writeup about the card design because frankly i put wayy too much thought into all of these cards. sorry if these are a bit hard to parse!

unkillable and corpse eater effectively make sif immortal, since every time he dies, he’ll be placed back on the board! and i thought that was fitting for. y’know. timeloop reasons. brittle is only there to emphasize the whole constantly dying thing. because is it really isat without siffrin torment

also didn’t notice this until after i designed this card, but the brittle sigil art has a star on it??? not intentional in the slightest but it is Fitting

sif is a fox here! i know that that would technically put them in the canine tribe, but i felt it’d be more fitting for them to be tribeless? and base game inscryption already kinda bends the rules when it comes to tribes (such as the bullfrog being a reptile and the rabbit being treated internally as a rodent) so i think it still works

i’m well aware that card traits don’t actually have cool names or anything but i still want to give them cool names because it’s fun. anyways! cursebearer! i gave them this trait both because these sigils are extremely overpowered, and for lore reasons. sif sees their sigils as a curse! they don’t want to force them on anyone else!! it’s their burden to bear!!!

tangentially related to that last point, but sif is a talking card in this au! because it’s fun :3. and because i think it’d be really interesting to see how he’d react to the cabin

sif’s scar is covered by the hat a bit but it’s Star Shaped. and so is the eye shine teehee

this was the first card i made and Boy Does It Show. i had the WORST time trying to get the card generators to work for this because oops! both of the card generators are inaccurate in different ways! plus theres a few mistakes in the card art that i didn’t notice until after i finished most of the others... i promise the others are a little more polished

also, since i didn’t mention it above the cut, the sigil patch is for the bone king sigil! which makes the card award 4 bones instead of 1 upon death. this is less for lore reasons and more for the synergy with his sigils. since he’s constantly dying and coming back, he can basically give you infinite bones for Zero Cost. fun!

aaand i think that’s all the notes for this card! thanks for reading this absurdly long post. here’s his alt card art without the patch for your troubles 🫡

[livesworthlivingau]

Lives Worth Living Chapter 1

Spoilers for TwoHats

"C'mon Bonnie, Sif still needs his rest, let's give him some time to process everything."

"Awwww, fiiiiine, but I'll be back with some snacks later to celebrate!"

(The door closes behind them and you're left alone. You stare at the ceiling as you lay in bed, static filling your mind. It's a low drum at first but the cacophony grows and grows and grows until it's overwhelming.)

(You're... back… how could you be back?... It was over… it's BEEN over… it's been so long… Why here? Why now? Why-No… this is a dream, it must be, right? Some weird manifestation of grief over Odile, that has to be it…)

(As the initial shock dies down, you take a few deep breaths to collect yourself. You examine your oh so distantly familiar surroundings, a faintly recognizable Inn.)

(That’s right, it was the first place you stayed after leaving Dormont once you beat the King. You didn’t stay long to celebrate after all as Bonnie was practically dragging you all back towards Bambouche to check on Nille…)

(Was this actually real?... you’ve had dreams, or more accurately, nightmares of returning to the loops before, but you were never this aware in them, and upon waking up you could notice all the cracks around the edges. You’re lucid, there’s no cracks, no signs this wasn’t the real deal… So if this IS real…)

["Stardust?... Is that you?..."]

(?!!!?! LOOP!)

(You dart out of bed, you rush out of the door so fast you don’t even remember to grab your cloak and hat, almost slamming into Isa who seems to be carrying your breakfast to you in bed.)

“Hey, Sif! You’re u-AGH!” (He jumps, nearly dropping the tray as you just narrowly avoid splattering into him like a brick wall.)

“Sorry! I’ll explain after, I promise!!” (You shout back without breaking your stride, hoping your word would be enough to sate his inevitable worry.)

“Siffrin?! Shouldn’t you be resting?!”

“Frin! Hey, you didn’t eat breakfast!”

“Gems alive, what is it now?!”

“Can’t talk! Be back soon!” (Nothing else mattered right now, you had to be sure, you had to see them, you had to know if this was real.)

(You bust through the door, suddenly darting through the town, frantically looking around, you aren’t even sure what for until you see it. A tree, a massive tree, the largest one in sight, that has to be it. You make a beeline straight for it, stumbling some over rocks and roots, you were very out of practice after all.)

(Finally you’ve made it, busting through the tree line into a clearing around this region’s Favor Tree, sliding to a stop. Your breaths deep and heavy, lungs and legs burning some, various little scrapes and bruises from the various flora smacking against you as you rushed through. None of this mattered, especially once your eye locked onto what you’ve been searching for… the dark figure with a bright face, those vibrant eyes staring back at you in shock, almost horror, confusion waving through their entire form.)

“Loop… LOOP! LOOP IT’S REALLY YOU!” (You practically scream, running again and almost collapsing into them. Your arms wrap so tightly around them as tears pour from your eye.)

“Stardust… What-When is this? How long has it been?” (They asked, their forearms slowly coiling around your back in return.)

“It’s been so long Loop… I thought you were gone… I missed you so much…”

“So long? But.. you look the same, it couldn’t have been more than a few weeks? Are you really that desperate to have me around Stardust~?” (They asked, feeling confident enough to bring back that facade they always put on. It was helpful for breaking the awkward tension, but they clearly knew something was wrong. Their existence simply returning again was alarming in and of itself.)

“... It’s the next day… after you vanished, but… it’s been a lot longer than that for me Loop.” (You begin to explain, pulling away finally as you wipe your tears. You take a deep breath, knowing you’re gonna have to tell someone what’s going on, so who better than your… self? Kinda?)

---------------------------------------------------------------------

“30 YEARS?!?!” (Loops voice cries out, the sudden shout sending every bird in a wide radius to suddenly scatter and flee every tree around.)

“WHY ARE YOU THE CALM ONE HERE?!” (They continue, seeming to be more upset about your own reaction than the actual news.)

“A lot’s happened in 30 years… I’ve gotten better about handling my emotions-”

“Ugh, don’t tell me you’re all ‘put together’ now, how long did you go to therapy in all that time?”

“...”

“... Great, just fantastic, now I’M the unreasonable one! This isn’t fair Stardust, you can’t just swap the whole dynamic all of the sudden!”

“Well it’s not like I chose for this to happen! We were all with Odile in her final moments and…

“So, what? The wish stuck around? We’re destined to reset anytime any of your family members dies?”

“... I guess so… but is that really that bad?... we’re not stuck in the same 2 days anymore, it’s a whole life practically…”

“What do you mean we, Stardust? What am I supposed to do while you’re off galivanting your whole life away over and over again?”

(You just beam a bright smile towards them in response)

“... Why are you looking at me like th-No! No no no no NO Stardust! I did NOT sign up for this!”

“Fine, suit yourself, just hide in the tree line for decades while I live my life~.”

“... This is actual hell, when I vanished I went to Hell, didn’t I?”

---------------------------------------------------------------------

“Just admit it Stardust, we’re lost, because you were simply too obsessed with me to bother with directions~.”

“The past 30 years must have been dreadful if you’re so eager for a do-over~.”

“Let me guess, your Fighter still hasn’t confessed, has he~?”

“You know teasing you isn’t any fun if you aren’t going to react anymore, Stardust!”

“That’s exactly why I’m doing it~.” (You respond with a smug little smile. You were glad to have your old looping confidant back, and even more glad you could mess with them just like they used to do to you.)

“... So what’s the plan here anyways? We just show up Hey everyone, Loop is back! and I’m just part of the family? You really think it’ll be that easy?”

“Yeah, pretty much!”

“... And… What about… everything else? Do you really intend to tell them everything?”

“I uhh… haven’t really gotten that far yet. Do you want to tell them everything? I assume that would take a lot more of an adjustment, but we could try it out.”

“Try it out? You just lost the last 30 years of your life and you’re just fine with ‘trying it out’?! Seriously, no one is this well adjusted Stardust, what are you hiding?”

“I’m not hiding anything, I just… I really missed you Loop… I’m really glad to have you back, and honestly, seeing you again is kinda making all of this okay for now. Am I gonna have a mental breakdown tomorrow? Maybe! It wouldn’t be that surprising, but I just… I want to enjoy this moment, while I have it, okay?” (You ask as you’ve stopped in your tracks during your little speech. You turn to Loop, holding out your hand, inviting them to take it so you can walk in tow.)

(They just stare at you for a moment, holding their hands close to themselves almost defensively, instinctively. It takes them a moment to let their guard down, slowly relaxing and placing their hand in yours, letting you take it with a roll of their eyes, just trying to put on a face as always.)

“So, just Loop? No other details?” (Your question sends Loop into a thoughtful stare towards the ground, lost in it for a while as you both walk along. Several minutes pass before they finally look back up to you, ready to answer)

“... Just Loop.”

“You got it~.”

[azureblooet]

Ok loop nation, for another funny i think it would be really funny if Siffrin didn’t recognize Loop when they appear in a human form. Like their hair is longer and everyone else in the party is like “woah why is this sif twin here” their mouth is covered cause they keep smiling with only their eyes and they have the hat but with different clothes

Like they show up and

Loop: *in serious voice* “Hello Siffrin. It’s nice to see you again.”

Siffrin:*genuinely* “oh I’m sorry do know you?”

Loop: *now talking normally and pulls down scarf* “Are you shitting me Stardust?”

Siffrin: “WAIT LOOP?!”

Loop: “YES YOU IDIOT I HAVE YOUR HAT AND AM COVERED IN STARS WHO ELSE WOULD IT BE!?”

Also the more star imagery human loop has the funnier this is.

Put this in your fics it would be funny >:3c

[basilpaste]

post-game loop!!

for... me, mostly, i think. do they look enough like themself? or even sif really? im not sure. but i like them well enough that im not too worried about it.

(design notes and an alt under the cut!)

okay. so. first off? they were originally gonna have a mouth. but i just... couldnt. i couldnt reckon with it. so they get no mouth. sorry, loop.

while they dont have a scar on their eye anymore, they have... something? there are 'freckles' that radiate out from their eye. unlike the rest of their person, these dark spots dont seem to radiate light.

the hat theyre wearing is sifs! this worlds sifs. siffrin doesnt need it anymore, after all. and theirs is... long gone.

speaking of the hat: its adorned with orchids. orchids are funeral flowers. they represent everlasting love and sympathy for the deceased. their friends no longer exist. they cannot, not in the way they once did. its a way to hold on to those people, but to let them go, too. the only way through is forward now, after all.

the core of their design was asymmetry. siffrin is actually very symmetrical as far as his design goes, so i wanted loop to throw all caution to the wind. a long white glove paired with a short black one, a cloak that drapes over one side, hair not sticking to an even length.

theyre actually wearing white tights. not that you can really tell unless you colour pick and see the very mild difference between their skin tone and the white of their clothes.

wears platform boots almost exclusively to be taller than sif. lmao.

[ppenguinpperson]

"Isabeau picked Sif, Bonnie picked Frin.." Mirabelle jumps, horror dawning upon her. "I... I have no letters left!!!" Siffrin tilts their head, watching her like an amused cat. They stick their tongue out at her. Teasing..!! Even in these difficult times, they tease her!! She puffs out her cheeks, now determined to find a new nickname. She’s never taken a class on nicknames, but she's sure that if she tries hard enough, she'll come up with something...!!!

Mirabelle feels like Siffrin is a different person than they were this morning. They’re opening up, reaching out to everyone in their party. They even talked things out with Bonnie. Seeing them laughing together, like they did before Siffrin lost his eye, fills her heart with delight.

She doesn’t know why they’re acting like this out of nowhere, but she’s not going to pry. Despite the circumstances, this past day has been wonderful, her bond with her friends stronger than ever before. Though their journey through the House fills her with fear, she knows they’ve got her back.

After defeating another strong Sadness, the traveler leads you into a big, empty room. They declare it safe after a brief inspection. Bonnie calls for another snack time. You lay down your rapier, and sit in a circle with your friends.

---

It turns out that Siffrin handled things with Bonnie better than Mirabelle could have imagined. He probably wanted to talk to them now, in case the King… no. They’ll slay the King, save Vaguarde, and they’ll be okay. Bonnie’s determination could single handedly defeat him.

With their confidence boosted, everyone’s ready to tackle the last floor. Like he did after their last snack break, Siffrin checks in on everyone. When they get to her, a smile that you can’t help breaks out across her face. “Siffrin!” She says, joy seeping from your voice.

He blinks at you. Despite his newfound openness, she still can’t read his expressions.

She giggles. “Sorry, I just wanted to say your name.”

“Mira!” He replies, a smile now on his face. It doesn’t meet his eyes, but his smiles almost never do. Her heart still fills with warmth at the sight.

She giggles again. Feeling bold, she says, “Sif!”

“NO.”

She startles, tensing up. Eyes wide, she looks to Isabeau, who’s glaring at her. “Sif is MY Siffrin nickname, Mira. You HAVE to pick another one,” he crosses his arms, shaking his head. “I’m sorry. I won’t budge on that.”

Mirabelle can only continue to stare at him in shock. What?? What?? Only his nickname?? That’s not how it works!! That’s- what about Mira?? What about Bonbon?? She can’t get her thoughts in order, so she’s grateful when Madame Odile interrupts with a frustrated groan.

“GEMS ALIVE, Isabeau.”

The fighter startles like a cat with bristled fur. He stammers for a moment, giving you a chance to collect your thoughts.

“What? B-but you and Siffrin share ‘Mira’!!” She squeezes her hands together. Next to her, Siffrin hides under their hat. “It’s not fair!!!”

Instead of stammering, Isa falls quiet for a moment. Then, he sighs, and the tension in his body dissipates. “That’s true.” In a second, he’s back to his usual cheerful self. “Alright, in the spirit of fairness, we can get joint custody on “Sif”, then!”

Though he’s smiling again, Mirabelle can’t shake her anxiety just yet. Even she can tell that this is important to Isabeau. He usually never gets upset, so for him to do so right now, even if only over a silly nickname… She’d rather not upset him further. She’d choose him over a nickname in a heartbeat.

“... You know, I think I’ll pick another nickname for Siffrin after all.”

She plays with the jingly things on her cloak, trying to think of a nickname for her friend. They’re still standing before her, unspeaking, observing her. She mutters to herself, considering her options. Can’t be “Sif”, Isabeau picked that one. Bonnie picked “Frin”, so… so…!

You jump. “I… I have no letters left…!”

Siffrin tilts their head, watching her like an amused cat. They stick their tongue out at her. Teasing..!! Even in these difficult times, they tease her!! She puffs out her cheeks, now determined to find a new nickname. She’s never taken a class on nicknames, but all of her friends have them, so… if she just studies those…

Bonnie calls Odile ‘Dile’, Siffrin ‘Frin’, and herself ‘Belle’. Looks like they just remove the first part of the name to get their nicknames. They already got ‘Frin’, though… maybe ‘Iffrin?’ ‘Rin’? No. It sucks. She’ll die before she gives them a sucky nickname.

Only for Isabeau they use ‘Za’, so.. ‘Ziffrin’? … if all else fails, she can use that. Oh, no, wait- would Bonnie take that as making fun of them?? Making fun of their nicknames?? No. She has to use something else.

Madame Odile doesn’t use nicknames. She calls everyone their full names, including Boniface.

Mirabelle’s not risking taking inspiration from Isabeau.

Siffrin uses ‘Mira’, ‘Isa’, ‘Bonnie’... Oh!! OH!!! ‘Bonnie’!!!

If all the letters are taken, why not add on more?? ‘Siffrinnie’?? ‘Siffrie’??? Wait, no!! You’ve got it!!!

“Siffie!” She grins. Siffrin, who has by now walked away from her, looks to her in surprise. “Siffie!! I’ll call you Siffie!!”

Their eyes widen. They quickly hide under their hat, a telltale sign that they’re hiding something. Loudly, Isabeau ‘Awww’s, and so does Odile, but quieter. Bonnie laughs.

“I told you that you could use ‘Sif’, Mira!! Why’d you go and make a cuter nickname?” Isabeau laments, placing a hand over his heart. “You’re making me look bad!”

She puffs up, proud to have created a cuter nickname than ‘Sif’. “You should have let me use yours when you had the chance. We’re at war now.” His laugh that follows is boisterous, filling up the room.

“Maybe I’ll start calling you ‘Siffie’ too.” Odile teases. Siffrin grumbles something unintelligible.

Mirabelle glares at Isa, pouting. “But of course. Everyone is allowed to call Siffie that.”

“Yeahhh!!” Bonnie grins, their eyes creasing into thin lines. “We’ll call you Siffie forever!!! No Frin, no Sif,” Isabeau winces, “No Siffrin!!! Only Siffie!!!”

The housemaiden giggles. “Only if they like it!” Despite the warm reception, Siffrin hasn’t said a word about what they feel. She intertwines her fingers and looks at them. “Do you?”

“... It’s fine.” Siffie says, still hiding under their hat.

[auncyen]

and another little scene THIS IS THE LAST ONE I'M POSTING UNTIL I UPDATE ON AO3 JUST BECAUSE I REALLY SHOULDN'T SPOIL MY OWN FIC THIS MUCH but like. I'm also just excited that I'm writing. And the mental image of this scene has been in my head for way too long lol

-

"You're…real this time, right?"

Siffrin has always been on the quiet side, but this question could have been whispered by a mouse. You nearly miss it; Isabeau reacts first while you're still parsing it. "Sif? Of, of course we're real! Can't you tell??"

Siffrin flinches away, shrinking into their cloak with a faint "sorry", and you know.

They can't. They can't tell. Not well enough to be sure.

Have they been hallucinating? How long, that they're doubting their own sight right now? "I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry," they whisper. "I'm sorry, I lost you. I'm sorry, I have to make sure you're fine, I have to be sure, I have to loop back--"

"Siffrin," you say loudly, just as their hand lights on their dagger. Why is he reaching for his dagger if he's going to loop back? No, no, that's not the issue right now. The issue is that they cannot loop back. You'll forget everything. He won't tell you again, not if this is how things end. You cannot have him looping. "If--If you can't trust that you're seeing us," you say, thinking quickly. "What if I touched you?"

Your question works in that it distracts Siffrin. His eye widens as they stare at you, the surprise clear as crystal on his face. "Huh?"

His hand falls away from the dagger.

You don't like that it was there to begin with, but you need to convince them while you have their attention. "If you're doubting sight and sound, touch would be the next logical option. It may be distasteful to you, but…" You raise your left hand with a deliberate slowness so that it's clearly in their vision. "If I touched you, would that be enough reassurance?"

He stares at you for a moment. The 'no' is already ringing in your mind. If he goes for the dagger again you'll need to use your Craft to slow him down and grab him--or hope Isabeau grabs him--but why would he reach for the dagger? He said he was going to loop, he said he was going to loop last night, how does he choose when to loop when he's made it clear he can't control the looping itself? The only answer coming readily to mind is abhorrent--

His hand moves up, further away from the dagger. Both of his hands reach up to the top of his head, snatching his hat off to hold by the brim as he stares at you, light eye unblinking.

"You want me to put my hand on your head?" you guess, trying to make sense of the silent response. The question elicits a nod, and it seems…logical enough--their cloak and gloves would mute any touch on his body, and the face and neck would likely feel too vulnerable--so you move your hand toward the bird's nest of hair, still slowly, not wanting to alarm them. He's so tense. "Breathe, Siffrin." You don't want them panicking, and you certainly don't want them fainting, either.

He breathes deeply in a familiar way. In and out. He still stares at your hand as it approaches, but at least he knows it's coming. Both his hands are occupied with the hat and won't make a Craft sign by accident. He has time to object, either with words or a gesture, if he realizes it will be too much.

You lower your hand into his hair in a waltz count, one-two-three. Immediately you encounter tangles and take care of where your fingers go in his unkempt hair. He tenses up even more, his breath hitching, but otherwise doesn't move. You hope that means they trust you.

"I'm real, Siffrin," you tell him, putting all the self-assurance you can muster into your voice. "As are Isabeau, Mirabelle, and Boniface. We're fine. We were only separated for a few moments."

"…Anything could have happened," they whisper.

"Nothing did. And even if it had, we're a bit hardier than that."

He winces. "I'm sorry I lost you."

You can't help the dry exasperation that creeps back into your voice. "Then don't storm off again. Straightforward enough, don't you think?"

He quickly nods several times, the motion frantic under your hand.

"We're here, and we're okay. You're…" They're not fine. You can't bring yourself to say that they're fine when it's plainly untrue, especially after how often they've misused that word in the past day, but you need to reassure them somehow. "You aren't alone. We're here with you. Do you trust me?"

The nods are less frantic this time. He seems to be calming down. He's still rigid, though. Touch has done its job and now it's only making them uncomfortable, so you start to take your hand away--

And then they bunt your hand with their forehead. Their eye darts up to look you in the face before it widens in horror. Siffrin takes two quick steps back, his gaze dropping back to the floor as he jams his hat back on. "Sorry! Sorry!" With his shoulders hunching up, his cloak and hat eclipse his entire expression.

"Siffrin?" Mirabelle asks. Isabeau and Boniface are both looking at you, likely trying to gauge what Siffrin did that they're apologizing. You're trying to figure that out yourself. The way he moved…certainly, you're not harmed. They tapped against your hand with only a little bit of force; if anything, it reminded you of how one of Ka Bue or Poteria's many friendly stray cats, comfortable around people, would sometimes ease up to you as you were reading in the open and bunt your hand to signal they wanted to be pet.

You doubt that was anywhere near Siffrin's intention. They hate being touched. Still… you wonder what that expression meant. Before he'd gotten scared, the expression he'd given you had been almost…

The only way you'll figure it out is if you ask. And if, hopefully, you get a straight answer. "What are you apologizing for this time?"

[sixpossumsinatrenchcoat]

Memories of Touch — Part 2

Just a comfy lil In Stars in Time afterword! An epilogue to the epilogue! Some cozy postgame fluff for those of us who are still choking on our own emotions! Spoilers abound for the entire game, so... you know. You've been warned.

Isabeau has shared a bed with Siffrin a million times before. It’s normal. It’s totally super normal. That must be why he feels so crabbing normal.

[You can read part one here]

The night after the world doesn’t end, the whole party camps out in the Clocktower. It’s the sleepover they were supposed to have yesterday, except that Sif was too busy having a really unkind manic episode. (Not that Isabeau can blame them. It sounds like the past two days have been a really stressful year.)

There are only three beds in the loft, but that’s okay. Siffrin’s never minded sharing.

…Though things are a little different now.

###

“Ehehe,” Siffrin giggles to themself, when they see the bed.

Isabeau can’t help grinning, too. “What, d’you think of a new joke? Lay it on me!!”

“Oh. Um. Not exactly. It’s just… you tried to confess here, too.”

Oof. “Just ‘tried,’ huh?”

Sif nods.

Rrrright. Of course he did. It probably shouldn’t come as a surprise. “Guess I didn’t pull it off, then, huh?”

“It’s okay,” Sif tells him. “It was. Um. Cute. I think it kept me going, the first few loops. When the King still killed us every time.”

(Cute.) “Siiiiif! I don’t wanna be cute!! I wanna be cool and tough!!!”

“You’re cool and tough,” Sif agrees easily. “You can be cool and tough and cute.”

“It’s too many adjectives!!!!”

Sif shakes their head. “Never enough.”

###

Isabeau has shared a bed with Siffrin a million times before. It’s normal. It’s totally super normal. That must be why he feels so crabbing normal.

Even with his eyes closed, he can feel the space between them like a hole in his chest. He keeps catching himself counting their breaths, each one another moment’s reassurance that Sif is still here, alive, with him. Every little rustle of motion pumps the bellows on the fire in his belly. Kindling catching and sparking and curling.

…Aw, crab, he can’t help it. He has to see them.

When he opens his eyes, his breath catches. Sif is awake. Their huge bright eye is open wide, locked onto Isabeau’s face with the single-minded focus of a cat watching a very transfixing speck of dust. Isa opens his mouth to say something normal but nothing comes out. Nothing about this is normal.

“Isa?” Siffrin whispers.

(Be crabbing normal.) “What’s up, Sif?”

“You still won’t touch me.”

Isabeau freezes.

“So. I guess I wondered… Why?”

H-Haha! Ha ha ha!! What an excellent question!!! Why indeed!!!!!!!

Isabeau is— It’s just that he’s!!! It’s not an easy habit to break, okay???

Isabeau has always been a touchy person. It’s the best way he knows how to love someone. Touch is a universal language, one of the few that translates between the geekiest of geeks and the goofiest of goobers. And it feels nice!! It makes everyone feel nice!! Why wouldn’t he hug the people he loves when it feels so crabbing nice!!!

That’s why, when Siffrin joined the party, Isabeau had to work so hard to keep his hands off them. Especially because they were so silly, and so cute. Like a fluffy little kitty in a big floppy hat.

But whenever anyone stepped too close, Sif would flinch like a dog waiting for a kick.

Isabeau isn’t stupid. He can read a room. And he’d rather die than make anyone uncomfortable. So he learned to keep his distance. To bite his tongue and keep his hands to himself and, and—!!!

—and that’s what hurt them the most, in the end. Isabeau never tried to touch them, even though he touched everyone else; so of course Sif noticed, and they just figured he hated them. This whole time Isa was watching them, sitting on his hands and choking on all the things that he was too afraid to say to them, and Sif thought he was keeping his distance because he didn’t care.

“I’m sorry,” Isabeau whispers. “I guess it’s a sort of habit. I—um. I had to... try really hard, to not touch you.” This part is embarrassing, but he has to say it, because otherwise Sif won’t understand. “B-Because I wanted to so much. So it's… I guess it’s hard to stop being careful.”

“Is that why you pushed me away?”

“Huh?”

“In the loop where I kissed you.”

OH, WELL IF THAT’S ALL.

Fireworks. Cataclysm. Continents splitting and colliding. Sif might as well have wrapped both hands around Isabeau's lungs and squeezed.

Isabeau’s eyes burn. His palms itch. Even just hearing it is almost too much. To know that Sif wanted to be closer, too… That they wanted it badly enough to reach out and pull him down by the collar and— Oh, crab, he really can’t think about that. He can’t bear to think about it. He can’t think about anything else. “Um??”

“You pushed me away, after,” Sif explains. “Right after. Like you were. Um. Disgusted.”

“Huh???” But—no. He wouldn’t. Why would he…

Sif looks a little embarrassed. “I… didn’t really warn you. Or ask if it was okay, or anything. I was just… I guess I got impatient.”

Isabeau’s chest aches. The thought of Siffrin yearning for him, burning for him, is a little more than he can think about right now. “Ehehe, umm… Hehe… Y-Yeah. I guess that’s probably why.” He feels a pang of sympathy for his past self. Poor guy must've totally blown a fuse.

“But you want to.”

“To… touch you?”

Sif nods.

“Ehehe,” Isabeau giggles helplessly. “Um. Y-Yeah. Yeah. Yes. I… think about it. A normal amount. Which is a lot. I tried not to, but I… wasn’t very good at it. But I didn’t want to scare you!!”

Sif’s stare sharpens into a glare. “I’m not scared.”

Well, that makes one of us. “Hehe. Yeah. I’ve been getting that impression.”

Sif pouts. It’s cute. Obviously. Everything Siffrin does is cute.

Isabeau beams at them. “Aw, Siiii~iiff. What do you want me to do? Anything. Just say the word.”

“You say that,” Sif mutters. “You always say stuff.”

Isabeau gathers his courage. He can do this. It’s not like Sif is asking for a hug or anything. He’s just got to start small. “Um. Here, um… G-Give me your hand.”

Sif blinks at him. Then they lift one arm, leaving their hand half-curled on the pillow between them.

Move, Isabeau. For crab’s sake, it’s holding hands. You’ve been holding hands for as long as you’ve had hands. This is baby-tier intimacy. So just do it. Do it. MOVE!!!

The tips of his fingers brush Sif’s.

Isabeau can feel it like a wound. A lightning-strike straight to the brainstem. Siffrin’s hands are so small, like raccoon paws. They almost never take off their gloves, so there’s something painfully exposing about seeing them like this. The pale, untouched skin of their palm.

Sif takes an unsteady breath. “Oh,” they whisper. “I see.”

Before Isabeau can remember how to talk, Sif is already moving. The pads of their fingers skate down his, tracing a line down his palm with the most tentative, featherlight touch, like he might break if they don’t treat him gently. Isabeau can feel it like a brand. Sif is touching him. On purpose. They’re touching him and they’re doing it on purpose, because they want to, because apparently they always wanted to. Oh, crab, it feels like his heart is going to burst.

“Warm,” Sif mumbles. “Are you always so warm?”

“H-Haha. Um. No.” That would be his circulatory system totally blowing a gasket.

“Hm.” Two fingers slide down his wrist, climbing a few inches up his shirtsleeve before slipping back down to his palm. Isa’s hand closes on reflex. Habit almost makes him flinch, but he can’t trust Sif not to come to the worst possible conclusion. He holds his breath and forces himself still, waiting for Sif to pull away.

…Sif doesn’t pull away.

Isabeau lets out a shuddering breath.

Sif squeezes their eye shut for a second, their face scrunching in the way it does when their feelings get a little too big to hold. Then they look up at him, frowning. “You’re very warm. Are you sure you’re not sick?”

“H-Haha!! Um!! Not… physically?”

Siffrin gives him a blank stare.

“Um,” Isabeau rushes to explain. “Y-You know, like. ‘I’ve got a fever, and the only cure is—’”

“I’m going to try to kiss you,” Sif says flatly.

Isabeau’s heart stops.

“So.” Sif clears their throat. “That’s your warning. So you can stop me if you want. But—preferably with your words. Um. Now, please.”

Isabeau doesn’t even breathe.

“Okay,” Sif whispers. “Okay. Then, um…” He frowns a little, gathering his resolve, before shifting just a hairsbreadth closer.

Probably Isa should close his eyes—contrary to just, like, everything about him, he does in fact know how this works—but he can’t make himself look away, not when Sif is burning so bright with resolve. Their hand is still trapped in his so he can feel them trembling, shaking all over like a ship in high seas, but they’re being so brave and it makes the fire in his chest flare even hotter. Sif takes a deep breath and that seems like a good idea, so Isabeau does it too, but it must only work for Sif because Isabeau can’t seem to get any calmer.

Sif leans in—

—and then they just. Stop.

“Oh,” they say quietly. “Hm.”

“S-Sif?” Isabeau squeaks. “You’re kinda killing me here.”

Sif looks faintly amused, which might be infuriating if it wasn't so cute. “Sorry. It turned out I couldn’t do it.”

“Why not????”

“Too scary.”

Oh. Yeah. That makes sense. (Not that Isabeau can relate or anything.)

“And it’s probably… rude?”

Ohh. Right. There are three other people asleep on the other side of the room. They're all so exhausted from fighting the King that they could probably sleep through several earthquakes and a hurricane, but it's the principle of the thing. Isabeau isn’t being spineless. He’s just being… principled. Probably.

“And there’s… time, now,” Sif says softly. “So. I can always try again later.”

Isabeau can’t suppress a flinch. Right. Because of course it's all on Siffrin. They already know that they’re sharing a bed with the biggest coward in the whole stupid country. Isabeau already kept them waiting for an entire year of the same stupid day. “Um. Sif?”

“Isa?”

“Am I a huge loser?”

Siffrin snorts a laugh. “No.”

“How do you still like me after seeing what I’m really like???”

“I like that you’re a coward,” Sif says simply. Matter-of-fact. Like they’re just remarking on the weather, and not blowing a smoking crater through Isabeau’s whole worldview. “It just makes it cooler when you decide to be brave.”

Isabeau’s head feels light. “…I really love you, okay?”

Sif nods.

“No, but like. Really.”

Another nod. “I know.”

Of course they do. They’ve been watching him try to say it for an entire time-stuck year.

…Crab, but he’s pathetic.

Isabeau can hear his pulse thudding in his ears. His heart is battering at his sternum like it's trying to fight its way out. But he’s already kept them waiting so long. Sif has done so much for him, so much more than they could ever know, and this is— This is something he can do for them.

Tentatively, with excruciating gentleness, he brushes their bangs to one side and presses his lips to their forehead. He can hear Sif’s breath catch and it’s just encouragement enough for Isabeau to will his arm into motion, carding his fingers through their hair before his hand comes to rest at the nape of their neck. Siffrin smells like ash and moonlight. Like sugar and silver and salt.

When he draws back to read their reaction, Sif’s face is violently flushed. Their pupil is blown wide, like a cat that saw a squirrel. Or like someone who’s been waiting on a total coward for an entire year of the same shitty day.

“Wow,” Isabeau whispers.

Sif nods vigorously. Then they tug on the end of his sleeve. “Take this off.”

(UM????) “Sif???”

“Isa.”

“A-Are you going to ravish me?”

Sif chokes on a laugh. “Stars. You can calm down. No one’s getting ravished.”

…Aw.

“I just wanted to see you. More of you. I guess I want…” Sif looks away, letting their hair fall over their face. “…Never mind. It’s stupid.”

“I bet it’s not.”

“You’ll think it’s stupid.”

“I bet I wo~on’t.”

Sif rolls their eye. “I wanted to. Um. Memorize you, I guess. So I can’t forget. So even if you’re different later, or… you Change into someone who wants something else… I’ll still know you were real.”

“Siiiif!!!!” Isa wails, as quietly as he can manage while totally losing his mind. “You’re gonna make me cry!!!!”

Siffrin looks baffled. “What? Why?”

“And why would I think that was stupid????”

“Because it… goes against Change?”

“Loving someone doesn’t go against Change!!” Isabeau says indignantly. “Love, like, is Change!!! You’ve already changed me so much!! You change me all the time!!!!”

“Nuh uh.”

“Yuh huh!!!!”

Sif rolls their eye. “By—upsetting you, or making you anxious—”

“Nnnnnnnope! By being the funniest guy I’ve ever seen! And being totally stupid-cool in a crisis! And only always doing what you want!”

Siffrin huffs a laugh. “You have no idea what I want.”

“So tell me!!!”

“I—” Sif hesitates. “I just mean. Everything you think about me… It’s just because I got to decide what happened, for a while. I’m the only one who had the script, so of course I could say all the right lines. But the whole time, it was all just—”

“Sif!!!!” Isabeau cuts in. “You were so mean!!!!!”

Siffrin’s eye widens.

“I don’t love you ‘cause you got god-powers for two stupid days! Which you spent being really mean, by the way! And going off on your own! And being reckless and thoughtless and scaring the crab out of everyone!!!”

Sif looks painfully regretful.

Isabeau curses himself. Why can’t he be better at this? “Nonono, I don’t mean— I just meant!! I don’t love you because you time traveled!! I love you ‘cause of all the stuff before!!”

Now they’re really confused. “What? No. But I wasn’t—”

“You were!! Super lovable!! The whole time!!!”

Sif gives him a critical squint. “That… doesn’t seem right.”

“But it is!!!”

“…Huh,” Sif says. “Um. Well. No accounting for taste.” He tugs on Isa’s shirtsleeve. “So take this off already.”

Isabeau flushes. “You—um. Are you—”

“We just did this,” Sif says impatiently. “No one’s getting ravished. I just want to look.”

Isabeau heaves a sigh. “If I take off my shirt, do you promise to stop thinking that I fell in love with you because you ‘tricked me,’ or anything stupid like that?”

“Yes.”

“Sif!! That was too fast!!!!”

Sif shrugs.

“Pffff,” Isabeau sputters. “You’re a real piece of work, do you know that?”

Siffrin’s face darkens. “Yes.”

“Aw, come on, I didn’t mean—” But that’s when he notices the spark in Siffrin’s eye. “Sif!! Are you messing with me???”

“I’m not sure,” Sif says archly. “I haven’t decided.”

###

When he wriggles out of his shirt, Siffrin’s eye gets very wide. “Oh,” they whisper.

Isabeau cringes. Right. Sif didn't join the party till the weather had already started to turn, so of course they haven’t seen his scar.

Body Craft has made a lot of advances in the past few years. If he wanted, Isabeau could have got rid of the scarring. But he kind of likes it. It makes his Change feel more… personal? Like a grave marker for his old life, stamped right on his chest. Or like an exoskeleton or something. Armor that grew around his former self. "…Is it weird?"

Siffrin shakes their head fast. “Pretty.”

Isabeau flushes. “Aw, you’re just saying that.”

“I’m really not."

“It’s okay if you—”

“No,” Sif says quickly. “It’s not like that. It’s just. Um.” They trace the scar with the tip of one finger, point by point by point. Isabeau can feel all the hair on his neck stand up straight. “It’s… like a star.”

“You don’t… mind?”

Sif huffs another laugh. “Isa. I’m— You’re. It’s not… You really shouldn’t like me like this.”

“Why the crab not???”

“I’m not like you,” Sif says grimly. They flash another smile, but this one doesn’t reach their eyes. “I’m—um. Well. It doesn’t matter, because you’re just going to disagree. But I’m really not how you think. I was just pretending so people would like me. There’s nothing really true about me. I’m… not good. Or honest. Or even really real.”

“And I am?”

“...Obviously?”

“Hah. C’mon, Sif, you should know better. You’re the one who said it.” All the stuff that Siffrin said before running off to fight the King alone… Of course it stung. It still stings. But it only hurt so bad because Isabeau knew that they were right. “You’re, like, the only one who knows that I’m a total fake. I only Changed on the outside. Underneath, I’m the same spineless loser as always.”

“You’re not—”

“Sif.”

Siffrin falls silent. Of course they know the truth of it. They’ve seen Isabeau try to be brave a hundred different times, in a hundred different lifetimes. And they’ve seen him weasel out every. Single. Time.

Isa smiles unhappily. “So… you know what I’m like. And you still wanna… um. Be around me, or whatever.”

“…Uh huh.”

“S-So get bent, Sif!! You don’t know anything!! You’re not doing any worse than me!!!”

Sif quirks an eyebrow. “I think I’m doing a little worse.”

“You’re not!!! You’re just—” But it's pointless. Sif has already made up his mind. “Oh… It doesn’t matter!!! No one is more real than anyone else, is all I’m saying!! We’re all just trying not to suck!!!! And sometimes being sucky is our first instinct, but we still have to try!!!"

“Oh,” Sif says quietly. They chew their lip for a moment, like they’re actually thinking about it. “Is that true?”

“Huh? Yeah! Of course!!”

“…Oh.”

“You didn’t know?”

“I didn’t know.”

Pfff. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

“I know,” Sif says seriously. “It’s my best quality.”

“It soooo isn’t.”

“That and my pun-derful sense of humor.”

“…Okay, that might actually be one of your best qualities.”

Sif nods sagely. “Why be actually wise when you can crack wise instead?”

Isabeau stifles a laugh against his pillow.

“No wonder I could solo the House,” Sif says airily. “I don't even need Piercing Craft to leave 'em in stitches. Ehh?"

“HAH!!!” Oops. That was definitely too loud.

Sure enough, a half-second later, there’s a blur of white. Siffrin doesn’t even look. His arm flicks out and swipes the pillow right out of the air. “Sorry, Bonnie.”

“We’re sorry, Bonbon!!!”

“Not yet,” hisses Madame Odile, with audible murderous intent. “But you will be soon if you don’t shut. Up.”

“Oooooh!!” Bonnie cackles. “Dile said a swear!!!”

“‘Shut up’ is not a swear, Boniface.”

“So I can say it too???”

“No.”

“You guys,” Mirabelle says pitifully. “Please… I didn’t beat the King just to die of sleep deprivation…”

“Sorry sorry sorry!!!” Isabeau wails. “We’ll be quiet!!! We’re being so quiet!!!”

Sif nods his agreement. “So quiet, you can hear a pun drop.”

“Siffrin,” Madame Odile hisses. “One more joke, and you won’t live to see tomorrow.”

Siffrin’s eye lights up. Oh, crab, they definitely just thought of another one.

Before they can draw breath, Isabeau clamps a hand over their mouth. “Good night, you guys!! We love you!!! And your merciful nature!! And also our continued survival!!!”

“Hrmph,” Odile huffs.

“Gross!!” Bonnie giggles.

“Love you guys so much,” mumbles Mirabelle, already half-asleep.

Isabeau raises his eyebrows at Sif, like, Are you going to be good?

Sif wrinkles their nose at him, then rolls their eye. Fine. But only under duress.

###

Sif passes out maybe two seconds after the room goes quiet. Isabeau can’t say the same. How is he supposed to get sleepy with Sif’s back pressed snugly to his chest? With his arm wrapped tight around them and their little hands still clutching onto his, like even in sleep, they’re trying to get closer? How is he ever going to fall asleep when he's living out his giddiest, most far-flung fantasy in real life?

But when he opens his eyes, it’s already morning.

###

They’ve both shifted a little in sleep. Siffrin’s wrapped around him like a climbing vine, half-awake but still dozing. When they feel him stirring, they give him a crooked smile.

“It’s—” Sif hesitates. “Do you… um. Or. We… don’t have plans to fight the King today, do we?”

Isabeau shakes his head. “You’re okay, Sif. It’s done.”

He watches them take that in. The light in their eye is wondering, reverent. “…It’s really tomorrow?”

“Really really.”

Sif lifts one hand to their chest. They take a deep breath in… and out. “Wow,” they whisper. “Cool.”

Then they tuck themself into the crook of his arm and go back to sleep.

I don't have any particular plans to write more, but I am subject to my own whims, so.... if you wanna find out if I do, feel free to swing by ao3 & subscribe to the series!

[btas-swap-au]

FLOOR BOSS 1: THE MASTER, BIG BALL HEAD (Pre-fight)

(The torches in the hall suddenly go out.)

Mirabelle: "A-AMBUSH!"

Isabeau: "Stand ready!"

(My party and I stand guard, waiting for an attack to strike from the darkness.)

(...instead, a beaming spotlight illuminates a hovering figure right ahead.)

(A massive glass ball for a bead, massive tentacles for a torso, three floating hands, and a most peculiar bowler hat.)

💎 ("Oh yeah, this one's an odd BALL all right.")

???: "First off, don't you know it's bad manners to talk about someone BEFORE you even know them? Secondly, YOU FOOLISH MORTALS! YOU DARE ENTER MY DOMAIN AND RAMPAGE THROUGH MY FIRST FLOOR TERRITORY!"

Odile: "So...you're one of the Top Three Madnesses. The strongest soldiers of the Emperor's minions."

???: "Correct! I am the lowest of the group, but one of the strongest nonetheless, and sure to crush you 'Heroes'!"

???: "Allow me to introduce myself! ONE OF THE EMPEROR'S THREE, THE ROLLING TERROR, THE TRIPLE HAND THREAT, THE SIX TIME WINNING CHAMPION OF THE EMPEROR'S SOLDIER MONTHLY PIE BAKING CONTEST..."

???: "THE MASTER, Big...Ball...Head!!!"

(Confetti seems to rain out of nowhere in celebration as the Madness announces his name.)

Nille: "Uhm, did...did you come up with that name...or?"

BBH: "Why, is something wrong with it? Did I mispronouce it?"

Isabeau: "Hehe, nope! It's...a very good name!"

Odile: "Ha. Indeed. Most ingenious and clever."

(I hold back a full blown laugh.)

💎 ("Pft...really suits a master as great as you.")

Mirabelle: "...I think it's...dumb."

(Okay, now I can't hold back anymore. I burst into a fit of giggles.)

BBH: "YOU WOULD DARE MOCK MY NAME, FOUL HEROES?!"

BBH: "Very well...you shall suffer a most humiliating defeat! FEAST YOUR EYES AS WE BATTLE IN THE DEADLIEST SPORT THERE IS..."

(There's a blinding flash of light...I close my eyes shut...)

(...and when I open them again, the torches are lit once more.)

(And...there's a small table with a checker board and pieces before us.)

(...there's no way.)

BBH: "...CHECKERS!"

Odile: " . . . "

Mirabelle: " . . . "

Isabeau: " . . . "

💎 (" . . . ")

Nille: "...sir, I... I don't think... checkers is a sport."

BBH: "High stakes, a showcase of one's intelligence and strategy, a rush that gets your very HEART pumping! You dare say that such an activity, is NOT a sport?!"

BBH: "Enough pointless chatter! Which of you five shall face off against me?"

(Me and my companions huddle up.)

Mirabelle: "This is an important choice."

Odile: "It's more of a pointless choice. We could easily just fight him, right now."

Isabeau: "Even so, it might be safer to just win the match."

Nille: "Are any of us any good at checkers?"

💎 ("I'm not too bad with it.")

Odile: "Same here."

Isabeau: "I know how to play, but...I've never really won?"

Mirabelle: "...I have...zero clue about any of this, I'm s-sorry."

Nille: "I've played a bit, not too good."

Odile: "Not a lot of certainty around the board here from any of us..."

Nille: "Frin... maybe you could decide."

Nille: "I mean, doesn't matter if we lose anyways, right? Just means we'll have to fight him like we originally intended."

Odile: "The child is right. It shouldn't matter, but I suppose it might be nice to win."

Isabeau: "We trust your judgement, Sif! Lead us to checker glory!"

("...I think...")

("...I could go against him.")

("...Mirabelle should have a try.")

("...Isabeau could pull us through.")

("...Odile would destroy him.")

("...Nille would win for sure.")

[vulpixisananimal]

Isapays fluff, the Thrilling Sequel.

"We'll be back in a bit Isa!"

"Alright! Take care!"

(With that, Nille and Bonnie headed off to the farm down the road for some fresh food. That was the nice thing about this little temporary cabin, it was close to everywhere in the little town! You could rent it out for a night, stay in, have a nice dinner and explore around, and then move on! For parties like yours, it was perect!)

(Mirabelle was already out meeting the locals, Odile had dissapeared for alone time, naturally, Ramos was exploring around the town, and Siffrin had yet to come out of their room. That was alright, you were happy staying here. You had your own little hobby to work on. And you were working on it right now!)

(You were working on a hat. It was one for Sif, well, Mal du Pays technicaly. You had started making a few for the three of them, the idea was maybe giving them an easier way to see who's who. But that didn't mean they couldn't be practical! You knew the sun hurt Mals eyes, so, right now you were sewing dark cloth to the rim to make a veil.)

(It had been hard to find a good material, one that was light, but could also blot out the sun. Luckily, it wasn't anything a bit of craft stitching couldn't fix. You had tried mimicing the type that Siffrin had on their cloak, but that was way too advanced. But you made do.)

(You continued sewing. It wasn't that far from done, actually. You could probably finish it today or tomorrow. But, don't rush it. Take your time to make sure it was perfect. It was intricate work, but nice. You continued on for a few minutes before pausing and leaning back where you were sitting.)

(You nearly jumped out of your skin when you turned to see Siffrin was there staring at you.)

"O-oh! Good morning!" (You say.)

(They waved softly and walked over. Oh! Not Siffrin, Mal. It was getting easier to tell who's who every day. Mal du Pays didn't talk, rarely showed up, and was stuck with a resting neutral face, to be polite about it.)

(And, well. You two, had, that one time.)

"Everything alright?" (The other thing you'd noticed was that Mal came out usually when something had gone wrong. You'd been told it does come out casually sometimes, but you'd yet to see it, really.)

(It held up crossed fingers. "I'm ok.")

"W-well. . ." (Oh Change, you still didn't know how to talk to it.) "Well you're free to stick around, if you want!"

(It nodded, and sat down next to you.)

(. . . Change, you were fine! Oh you were really fine! Sure, it had sat with you before like this, but, but it had been a few days since, since that encounter you two had. And you, really had no idea what to think about it still!)

(You continue sewing. Was it. . . Hopeful thinking? That it liked you? Well, maybe it did! It did want to kiss you after all. But, but then it needed to pull away. You knew it was probably just too much touch but, but what if it wasn't? You might have done something wrong, or. . .)

(You feel a gentle poke, making you jolt and turn, Mal was looking at you.)

"O-oh! Sorry! What's up?" (you reply, a little nervous.)

(It looked at you for a second, then held two fingers to their chest, then drew a line above their eyes and clasped both hands together. "That's a veil, for me?")

"O-oh! Yeah, it is! I wanted to make you something nice, Loop mentioned the sun bothers you, so. . ."

(It blinks at you, its face impossible to read. It tapped its temple. "Why.")

"Huh? W-well, I don't want you to hurt your eyes so-"

(It shook its head, tapped its temple again, pointed at you, then made a circle motion with both hands. "No, why do you care?")

"H-huh? Why wouldn't I?"

(It just looked at you. Its gaze felt cold, looking into your soul. It was, really terrifying sometimes. But that was ok! You continue,) "I just, wanted to make you something nice, b-because."

(It's still just, looking at you.)

". . . I just, want you to feel comfortable."

(It pauses, then taps their temple again. "Why?")

"B-because, because you deserve to?"

(Another tap.)

"You deserve to because everyone does! Everyone should be able to feel comfortable."

(It pauses, and considers you for a moment. Then tapped its chest. "Me?")

(You nod.) "Yes! you! I know you guys have gone through a lot, so-"

(It waves a hand, cutting you off. Tapping its chest and wiggling an open palm, then splayed it open. "I can't relax.")

(Huh?) "Why not? You're not in danger right now or anything."

(It's staring at you, you think you see its eye twitch. It turns away from you.)

"Mal. . .?" (You wait for a moment, trying to give it space, but, you're worried. Did you say something wrong? After a minute you lean over to try and see if it's ok.)

(It's. . . Crying.)

"Are you, are you sure you're ok?"

(No response, it's not looking at you, its breathing is getting heavier. You try and very gently offer a hand out.)

(It slaps your hand away and-)

"&$*#%^###$"

(You wince. Ow! It, it talked? R-right, that's why it didn't talk. Island language. You look away and hold your head, Ow ow ow. . .)

(It slapped your hand away.)

(You're looking down at the veil your sewing as you hold your head. It slaped your hand away. Did, did it not want you around? O-or, or did you just take it by surprise? O-or maybe even. . .)

(You feel a touch on your shoulder. A hand. You turn around.)

(Mal has its hand on your shoulder. It's crying, and shaking a lot; its face that was always neutral is showing cracks. It holds up a fist over its heart. "Sorry.")

(. . .You place your hand over Mals.) "I-its, it's alright."

(It shook its head, and looked away. Finally, it tapped its chest, and made a grabbing fist. "Can I trust you?")

"I- O-of course you can!"

(It glared at you.)

"Promise! I promise!! I haven't given away our secret right? Even if some people are relentless about it."

(It stares at you for a long time, as if considering something. It drew a horizontal line, then made a motion like breaking a stick. "Do not break it.")

"I promise, I really do, alright?" (You smile at Mal.) "I, I don't want to hurt you, okay? I promise, from the bottom of my heart."

(Mal looks you up and down. Takes a moment, breathing in, and out. It patted its chest with an open palm. "I'm scared.")

"Whuh?" (Mal? Afraid?) "W-what of? Did someone-"

(It shook its head, it held up a hand, paused, then continued. It patted its chest again, and then made a hand motion from you to it.)

("I'm scared of falling in love with you.")

(Your eyes widen and your breathing quickens. What?!? could that mean??? What could that possibly mean?!?)

"Y-you're. . ."

(It nodded, it was shaking.)

(You were, so, so confused. A-and, worried, and. . .) ". . . Do you, want, to talk about it?"

(It took a minute to reply, taking it's other hand back, it shakily took a hand and tapped its chest, drawing a line, then made a slashing motion. "I don't want to be hurt.")

"You're. . . Worried about me hurting you?" (Why would you hurt it?)

(It placed a cupped hand over the other, open palms moving away. It pauses, then pats its chest, and makes a slashing motion. "I protect Sleepwalker, I'm scared I'll fail.")

(Sleepwalker? Oh Right! That was Siffrin! It was hard to do full names in sign language so, nicknames. It was scared it couldn't protect Siffrin if it. . . Oh.)

(It raises it's hand, stops, unsure what to say. It looks away, shaking even harder.)

". . . Mal?"

(It looks at you.)

"You're, you're scared that, i-if, you and me are, a-a, a thing, then. . ."

(It nods.)

(It wants to protect Siffrin, more than anything. That's, that's what it is after all, right? A protector? Someone who takes care of the body, the host, Siffrin. It's done that job so well, so. . . Personal. It's, it's surpressing everything including you, but.)

(But that's something you can both agree on!)

"Let me help you then!!" (You lean in close.) "I-I, I want to make sure Sif's safe too! I want him to be happy a-and, and not to have to worry about these loops or memories, or anything! So, so. . ."

(It's looking at you, bewilderment having broken through that mask of neutrality. It opens its mouth, and closes it.)

". . . Please."

(It's looking at you, its face, it's, hard to describe. It does so well at hiding it's emotions, even though it's mask is cracking more and more with each word you say. Eventually, it gently claps its hands and holds a palm to you. "Promise?")

(You take its hand and hold it close.) "I promise! I-I promise with all my life! A-and. . ." (Oh Change come on Isabeau, no, don't freeze up now, just say it!)

(Say it! Say it!!)

"A-and, and I'll protect you too!! B-because I love you!!"

(It's shocked, you're shocked too, honestly. You didn't think you'd have, have the courage to, t-to just say that! Here! Now! But now your words are falling effortlessly out of our mouth.)

"I-I've, I've been thinking about when we kissed every day and! A-and about all you went through in Jouvente, a-and! And I don't want you to think you're alone in this!! One of the first things I learned as a Defender was to find someone to have your back. To find someone you can trust a-and-" (Oh Change, you had butterflies in your stomach.)

(You continue.) "I-I want to be that person for you! I want you to, t-to be able to feel safe! Like you don't need to fight the world on your own!! Because, b-because I trust you! And I love you! And I'll always be there to fight the world right by your side!!"

(That. . . That was a lot wow, ok. How long have you been holding all THAT in, Isabeau? You take a second to catch your breath.) "I-I, I know, that, that was a lot, but-"

(It shuts you up with a kiss.)

(. . . . . You, you just forgot everything you were about to say. I-it, it's kisisng you, it, it's kissing you and isn't moving away quite y-yet a and that's MORE than fine by you t-that's, that's, oh you're gonna just die here and now!)

(You put an arm gently on it's side, it flinches, but doesn't move. It puts a hand to your chest, it's cold, but that's ok. Oh, oh you feel so hot, you're deffinatly blushing! Eventually, it moves away, it's mouth hanging open a little, showing more emotion than it ever has before. It pats its chest with a fist. "Sorry.")

(It takes you a moment to register it, you were extremely flustered and still catching up.) "I- n-no! N-nono no need for sorry I, was, surprised, b-but a good surprised like! Like a surprise gift, o-or a-"

(It kisses you again!)

(This time for much shorter but! B-but it still, kissed you! again!! When it moved back again you squeaked out a reply.) "O-okgotitmessagerecieved."

(It smiled at you. Actually smiled. This, this was a first! You were trying really hard not to, well, loose it just a little bit! With one hand, it made a rising gesture from its chest towards you. "I love you.")

"I love you, too." (You say effortlessly.)

(It looks at you, and tilts its head, considering somthing . . . It made a grabbing fist, then tapped itself. "Trust me?")

(You nod enthusiastically.) "Of course trust you!"

(Mal breathes in, and out. It pauses for a minute, then grabs your hand, and lays it out flat, palm up. It does the same with it's own palm.)

(With its other hand, it draws its dagger, and places the sharp edge against its own palm. It looks up to you, for. . . Confirmation? What was it doing?)

(You nod. Mal cuts open its palm, it doesnt flinch, there's blood. It moves the dagger to your hand where it hesitates for longer before cutting your hand open as well. You wince, ouch. Looking up at Mals face, it looked a bit sad that it hurt you. You smile at it, that makes it feel better.)

(You look down to you and Mals wounded hands, an elaborate ritual that Mal Du Pays would want to share with you? Was, was it a wish? If it was, should you just follow Mals example? Should you wish for something?)

(You do, don't you. And you knew what it would be. The same thing you wished for back in Dormont. You wished that Siffrin, Mal, and everyone else who was sharing that head would be okay. That's what you wanted.)

(Mal Du Pays held it's hand up, bloody palm facing you. You do the same back, it nods in approval. A moment, later, your hands are entwined, it stings, but that's ok. Mal closed it's eyes, you do the same. This was where you wished, righ?)

(It was. You could feel it.)

(You wish that they're ok, you wish that they're ok, you wish that they're ok. . .)

(It's. What. You. Want.)

(. . . It, it must really trust you. You knew it was protective of it's memories and wishes. After all, it keep nearly destroying countries.)

(Your hand still stings from the cut, that's ok. You feel a tap on your arm and open your eyes, Mal's smiling at you.)

"Y-you ok?" (It nods, almost enthusiastically.) "h-ha, that was, u-uh-, that was a wish, right?"

(It nods, clapping it's hands and putting a palm to you, then with it's thumbs and index fingers makes a star. "A promise Wish.")

"O-oh!" (You blush a bit more, looking to the side.) "I-I, I won't break it. Promise."

(It reaches you out to you, and gently turns your head back to it. It's smiling, and leans in close. Your heart, you can feel it beat out of your chest. It's. . . It looks so beautiful. You lean in close and-)

(You hear a click from the front door.)

(You blink and Mal was standing a few steps away, face back to its usual neutrality. After your brain catches up to you, you frantically start work on the veil again as the door opens.)

"I'm home!!" (It was Mirabelle.)

"M-Mira! Welcome back!" (You say in your most convincing voice.)

"Hi Isabeau!" (Mirabelle walked into the room.) "Did the siblings go out- oh! Mourning sif."

(Mal waved a hello, then turned and left. Change, it was such a better actor than you.)

"O-oh, sorry, I-I meant-"

"I-its alright, Mira." (You smile, trying to stay normal.) "We're just, all getting used to it!"

"I-I know, just- AAH!!" (Mirabelle rushes over to you.) "Y-your hand!! What happened!!!"

"Wh-" (You look down, CRAB!!! You forgot the cut!! Uh, u-uh-) "O-oh! Oh it's nothing! I-I just cut myself sewing, it's no big deal!"

"Don't be silly! Here, let me see." (She put a hand over yours, and with a bit of healing craft the cut closes. You open and close your hand a few times.) "How is the veil coming along?"

"Well. . ." (Your hand tingles a bit. What a morning is been. . . You and Mal are, well, a thing now! A-and, you made a wish together! Even if, you didn't know what it wished for.)

(You breathe in, and out.) "It's, it's going well! Very, very well."

[cyten0]

A Symphony In Crimson

Act 1: A Movement in Black

Chapter 21

A tale to tell? Does that mean...

✦̵ “So you’ll tell us your story, I’m guessing?”

✸ “Correct! Not like I’ll get a better chance~ With you out of the Timeloops, and before you ask Yes I can confirm you are, I only have a few more hours left before I go back to where I was summoned from~”

◉ “Oh! W-Will we get the chance to see you again later?”

✸ “Maybe! But we can worry about that later. First things first, Let’s settle stuff here~ Shall we?”

The others nod and get up, joining you and Loop as they start to head out. But…

You realize you hear people outside!!! Oh stars, you can’t be seen right now, you aren’t human!! A-And after all that beforehand you-! Where did your hat go?!”

▲ “Sif? You good?”

✦̵ “Can’t find hat, my face, I-”

✿ “Don’t worry about it! If anyone’s rude, I’ll punch them!”

◆ “Frankly, we’re in a house of chance, I doubt it’ll come to that.”

◉ “Right! You look fine though anyways.”

▲ “Agreed! Also your eyes and horn are kind of adorable?”

!!!!!! Oh!! Uh. You….

✸ “Oh stardust, flustered so easily?”

▲ “Oh! Sorry! Still, food first, worries later! Besides, they are setting up that party back in town!”

You hesitate for a bit… But nod. Food first, you guess.

You walk through the house, your family at your side. Several people, freshly unfrozen, nod and wave at your family, but you still notice the odd looks at you…

Their stares are.... Briefer then you thought they’d be? And. No one seems scared? You guess that's fair, they don't know but... You thought they'd at least. Dislike you? They... don't react much at all? Polite curiosity, and that's it...

◆ “So out of curiosity, just how much food is Siffrin going to need, Loop?”

✸ “Right now or in general?”

◆ “I can have the general diet talk with Siffrin later, I’m more curious as to how bad their starvation is.”

✸ “Hm… Well, This is a rough estimate, but I’d say… About the same as an entire farm's livestock~”

Everyone else seems surprised at that.

✿ “An entire FARM!?! Frin!!! You didn’t say you were THAT hungry!!!”

◆ “Gems, no wonder you were going crazy!”

▲ “W-Where are you even going to get that much?!?”

✸ “Oh, I was thinking a certain ranch near Folie~”

Everyone stares blankly, remembering the chicken incident… A variety of mischievous grins creep onto the faces of your family.

◉ “...Siffrin?”

✦̵ “Yes?”

◉ “You better eat every last bite.”

You chuckle. Ow. Laughing hurts a bit still. But you nod in agreement. You have been cleared for vengeance.

You continue walking through the house. You notice cracks in the wall from where you planted parts of yourself in the surroundings. Nothing seems too damaged, but you still feel bad about it.

At least the sadnesses are gone. You’re glad you remembered that.

Every now and then one of your family members will turn and smile at you. And it makes you feel happy.

>>>

✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

Okay! Favor tree nearby, and Loop can help Frin out! You kinda feel bad that you can’t help Frin, cause this is a food thing, but you can’t cook that much so oh well. And also you hate that one rancher a whole lot so crab it, Loop can get food this time. Payback!

✸ “If you all would be so kind as to wait out here? And preferably let the villagers know not to come over? This will be rather messy, and I’d rather not ruin anyone’s appetite!”

▲ "Uh. How messy?”

✦̵ “Uh, well um.”

✸ “Oh, Stardust will be in an utter feeding frenzy the moment they get a taste! And I’m bringing them over alive so... Large scale Blender?”

◉ “O-Oh!...Um?… Okay then, I guess?!”

Oh yeah. I mean, you had to butcher a chicken once and it was kinda messy, and this’ll be a lot of chickens, and a bunch of other stuff. You know Za gets sick seein stuff like that, and you guess some others would be too.

✿ “Okay! I’ma grab party favors!”

Frin and Loop go round to the favor tree, and you start grabbin food. You all kinda missed breakfast too, so you’re also pretty hungry! Could only get so many snacks for everyone in the rush.

You manage to find where the plates are, and grab one, before seeing a lot of that weird shade over in the woods. And a lot of animal noises. And then there’s a bunch of meat tearing noises, and monster sounds. Wow, it’s loud!

Some people grabbin food next to you seem surprised.

“By Change!!! What’s happening over there?!?”

✿ “Don’t worry, Frin’s just getting food after doing weird magic craft stuff.”

They just seem confused and more scared, but you don’t wanna explain, cause you don’t know it too good yourself, so you just keep grabbing food. After you got a plate, you go and sit by the entrance to the favor tree with the others.

Oh! A cow’s escaping! Crab that ain’t good! You gotta- Oh wait, nevermind, some flesh thingys just grabbed it and dragged it back in. Guess Frin’s got it!

…Za looks a little sick?

✿ “If you don’t eat your food, I’m giving it to Frin.”

▲ “T-That’s fair...”

Za starts eating real slow. But slow is still eating!

You eat too. Not as good as your cookin, but it's alright! And it tastes better with vengeance! King's dead! And you got to shoot him in the face! Feels great!

… Huh, now it’s quiet, guess that was all of it? You’d think that’d take longer, that farmer had a lot of animals.

✿ “Think Frin’s done. They really do eat fast!”

◆ “I… suppose? Gems, that was… a lot.”

◉ “W-Well then, let’s go join them!”

✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵✦̵

You finish swallowing the last of your prey, finally starting to regain your senses. Oh. Huh. That’s... a lot of blood. Everywhere….

Oh, you hope no one has to come by here soon.

▲ “All good Si- HOLY CRAB?!!”

✦̵ “Uh. Hi. All done?”

They just sort of stare at the mess you made. There’s claw marks and broken branches all over, blood practically coating every surface. Stars, how'd blood get up that high? You uh. Don’t remember doing any of that. WOW you were hungry.

◆ “I… Am honestly impressed. Points for efficiency, but... Gems.”

▲ “Yeah uh. Wow.”

✸ “They're normally a lot cleaner then this, but there was a lot to keep track of, and they were a little too hungry to think!”

◉ “W-Well then, how are you feeling?”

✦̵ “Um. Good? Little dizzy? But not… Hunger Dizzy? Or. Even tired?”

✿ “Oh yeah, you did eat a bunch real fast.”

✦̵ “Does that… do that?”

◆ “...Yes, especially on an empty stomach. Though not normally on this kind of scale. You should be fine after a bit.”

You just take a seat for a bit. At least you don’t feel very hungry right now. You were trying not to think about it up till now, but now that you have food, you think you’re okay? Can't tell honestly.

✸ “All good now?… Then I’d best hold up my promise back there. I have a tale to tell… and then after, a favor to ask.”

Right. Loop said they’d tell their tale after food, right?

But… You wonder what this favor is?...

The others take seats nearby, as do you. Loop looks you all over. Their expression more grim then usual.

✸ “...I will warn you all. This is not a pleasant story. There is blood. There is death. There is murder. If any of you are not willing to hear it, then you’d best walk away now.”

◆ “Ah, is this not suitable for children?”

✸ “If you're thinking about excluding the Kid for their innocence, DON’T. You all have a right to this tale, more then you know. I give this warning only for those unwilling to hear it.”

✿ “I’m not scared! It seems kinda important! And we already heard about the Frin stuff, so I don’t mind!”

Loop looks you all over. Nobody gets up. That they are still sticking with this...

✸ “...Very well. Then, let us start with a very different way things could have gone today.”

✸ “One day, before fighting the king, a simple traveler made a wish. A wish that went wrong. Like Stardust, they found they could turn back time. Like stardust, they thought they could help their party. Like stardust, they were struck by the fact that it slowly starved them…... But unlike stardust, they didn’t have a way to get food.”

Right… without Loop, that would have been an issue... Hm...

✸ “So they starved. Even as they kept going, they starved. They threw themselves at the king, too weak for an up front battle. They kept going, with no other options. They lost count after two hundred times. They kept going even after that for maybe a hundred more.”

… that is… oddly specific… This isn’t some hypothetical, is it?

✸ “.....At some point, they couldn’t think. And something snapped. They needed food, or they would die. And there was exactly one option. One prey that they could kill easily. One prey that would never have seen them coming. One prey… That trusted the traveler with their very lives.”

The others shift uncomfortably..... You don’t like where this is going…

✸ “… That traveler, in one maddened moment, lost their family. As the blood stained their hands, as their hunger felt the first reprieve in ages, Their love twisted into something rotten and monstrous. So they did it again. And again. And again.”

✦̵ “Loop-”

✸ “T-They kept going, hundreds, thousands of times, unable to stop themselves from killing their loved ones in as many different and horrendous ways as their mind could think of…"

✸ “And When they FINALLY beat the King... they cried.... For only then did they realize what they had become.”

You feel sick. You know this didn’t happen to you but… but you can still see it so vividly. You had many a nightmare about this very idea… And Loop is talking like it happened…

✸ “… In that moment, they realized it didn’t matter. No matter what, they would never come back from this. So they dug up the most twisted ritual they could find in their mind, and called upon something bigger then wishcraft. Something paid for in the very lives of their family, still slowly perishing in their stomach.”

… Wait… No...

✸ “...And the monster asked the being they summoned for reprieve. They gave up the memories, that twisted part of their soul, and BEGGED that what was left would be spared that fate…"

✸ “And in exchange, the being would forge their avatar from the sacrifices…. From what was left of the monster.”

No no no nononono you don’t like this you don’t like this at all….

◆ “Wait are you-”

✸ “The Siffrin that took that dark path is gone. Yours took it’s place. The only traces of it left are my own existence… and the fact Stardust’s body, the same one as the other, felt slightly fuller their ‘first’ loop.”

You gag. Oh stars no nononononono

The others just sit in stunned silence, horrified looks across their faces. Not knowing what to do. You can barely breathe.

✸ “… I said I’d ask a favor, after this, right? You see, when I fade away, one of two things will happen to these memories, To the mortal part of my soul…"

They... They mentioned this....

✸ "Either the Arcana I called upon, The Fool, will take them for themselves… Or I’ll go back to stardust. If that happened. It would break them….”

◉ “I-what are you planning?”

✸ “… I can’t afford that coinflip. So I’m picking option three.”

✸ “I need you all to kill me.”

▲ “What?!? No!”

◉ “We’re not killing ANY version of Siffrin!”

◆ “Surely there’s a better option?!?”

✿ “Nobody is getting hurt!”

✦̵ “…”

You don’t know what to say. You don’t want to kill them. Even as you are horrified by all this, you don’t EVER want to do that. Not to Loop. Not after everything!

✸ “… That’s a shame…”

You feel the air grow thick, and the woods darken. The sky starts to alight a brilliant crimson, and you see eyes surround you all, peeking from the shadows.

✸ “I’m not giving you all a choice~”

[livesworthlivingau]

Lives Worth Living Chapter 11

ISAT Spoilers below!

"So… 30 years huh?… Wow..." (Isa started, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. The two of you were alone again as everyone settled in for the night.)

"I-I know… I'm sorry Isa, I should have told you sooner, I- was panicking and I didn't want to scare you and-and-"

"Woah! Hey! Deep breaths, Sif, okay?.." (He spoke softly, walking over to gingerly take your hand in his.)

"I can't imagine what you're going through right now, and you told us in like what? A week? That's a win in my book!" (He let out a hearty chuckle as you join in with a lighter giggle, still on the verge of breaking down again as you tried your deep breaths.)

"Besides, the King and all that just happened for us, so we've been going through a bit too. Just... don't worry about that. I'm so glad you told us, that's all that matters." (There it is… His giant sweet smile… You could never resist that face. You grip his hand back tighter and nod, letting out a little sniffle.)

"Okay… a-and… i-if this makes thing's… uhm.. weird? I-l understand if you don't wan-" (lsa's hand rose to your face, slowly cupping your cheek. He stared for a moment, his eyes asking for permission. You feel your face darken before giving the slightest nod, the both of you closing your eyes before he leans in to press his lips against yours. Your heart flutters madly, holding him close and savoring this moment for as long as you can. Almost wanting to pull him back when he finally breaks it.)

"Heh… Wow… I-I guess you've had a lot more practice then me at this point but uhhh… was that… nice?"

"Hehe... It was just as perfect as the first time~." (You watch as his face erupts in a deep, dark shade of blush. Looking away some and making the cutest little noises.)

(The both of you finally turn in for the night, snuggling up close as you've so dearly missed. You enjoy the best night sleep you've had since you looped again.)

------------------------------------------------------

(Early the next morning, the both of you lie in bed lazily, enjoying the company and not wanting the moment to end.)

"... S-So you're sure it's not weird?..."

"... Well I mean... maybe a little, yeah, like... If our relationship was some kinda test, and I had to study super hard and work my butt off to try and ace it... and you just have all the answers written on the inside of your hat." (He chuckled some, still blushing as he kissed the top of your head.)

"Buuuut. You're still Sif, my favorite Siffarooni! Even if you are a cheater~." (You pout a bit at his words, causing him to laugh yet again.)

"Just promise me you won't use any of that secret info for evil, alright?"

"Heh... No promises~." (You tease, reaching over to juuuust the right spot before-.)

"TICKLE ATTACK!" (You shout before Isa practically shrieks in a giggle, thrashing about as this secret spot, suddenly tumbling out of bed with you. The two of you plummet on the floor with a heavy thud, landing onto his chest with your face dangerously close to his again. You stare into eachother's eyes for a moment, faces heating up, then lean in closer for yet another ki-)

(The door swings open suddenly. Odile is standing there in her night gown, looking a bit concerned at first... then her face quickly turns into an annoyed scowl. She rolls her eyes and grumbles before just closing the door again. You both hear a faint-)

"They're fine!... more than fine even..."

(You chuckle a bit together before returning to eachother's gaze, leaning in again to share your second kiss... and third, and 4th a-)

----------------------------------------------------------

"So are you two gonna start being all gross and kissy all the time now?" (You choke on a bite on your breakfast, Isa freezing up some in response as well.)

"Boniface, it's rude to make fun of young love... so you're only allowed to insult Siffrin about it."

"H-Heeeey!" (You snap back as she smirks, still trying to recover from the choking.)

"C'mon you two, don't make fun of them for being in love, it's really cute!" (Mirabelle chimed in, she always loved hearing about your relationship, just like one of her novels. It was actually kinda empowering how she would cheer you both on so much.)

"Thank you Mira, at least someone appreciates true love~." (You tease, sticking your tongue out at the other two. The both of them make gagging sounds about it. Your whole family shares a nice chuckle about it... It's been a long time since you'd all been together... It was nice... You can't help but think this is the last time you want to experience this moment... this exact moment, as it is... You don't want to force things anymore, you don't want to relive the same moments over and over again, no matter how nice they were. You can't force your family through that again! You can't force them ever again!)

"Sif?" (You snap out of it suddenly, looking around at everyone staring at you, looking slightly concerned... You were gripping the tablecloth like a vice, bunched up in your hand. You let go, sinking into your chair a bit more as you hugged yourself.)

"... Sorry... I was getting in my own head again..." (Isa just gave that bright smile as always, putting an arm around your shoulder. He softly pulled you closer, planting a smooch on your head. Your face darkened deeply as he held you.)

"Heh, well then I'll just have to come in there and rescue you now and then!"

"Heh... be careful in there, it's quite the... mind field." (You get the familiar mixed laugh and groan from the group, just laying your head against Isa's chest. You focus on his breathing and heartbeat to help stay out of your own head... Slowly returning to the conversation at hand once you've calmed down properly. You all make plans for your route to Bambouche, sticking to the original idea since it seemed to work out before.)

[basilpaste]

Writing Prompt: I'd like you to lock Canon Sif in a room with all the Chapter II Saviors and see what happens. Canon Sif can have his hat back if things get rough. (And his Played One form as well i.e. the Red Giant Sif if Reversed Tower becomes too "arrogant" for their own good). Not gonna lie, I have enjoyed your Slay the Savior AU (I also enjoy Slay the Princess as well, so no surprise there, and look forward to the Pristine Cut). Also, I may be planning some fanart involving canon Sif with the Saviors. We'll see if university is kind to me. Take care!

awawawa im so sorry but this is like. Very Complex and not really the type of thing id be super down with doing as a request? i will usually tell people when art/writing requests are open and really its on me for doing that sif and lamb thing without any preamble.

i think this idea could be fun! but itssss. a LOT of moving parts. its probably why stp only has two routes where all the voices pop up and why they only stick around for a short amount of time. eleven characters is a lot to keep track of.