#btvau

Quick introduction to the concept of this AU:

It's been 30 years since the events of the game. The party eventually disbanded to form their own lives, though remaining in each other's now and again at least. They are all together for the first time in several years... and sadly the last, as Odile lay in her deathbed. She lived a full life, it's natural causes, at least they're all together again. As everyone gathers around for her final moments, and she closes her eyes for good, Sif suddenly feels a tug on his sto-

Hard cut to 30 years ago, the day just after the events of the game.

And that's pretty much all you need to know going in! Only other thing worth mentioning is pretty much all option content is canon in this AU, especially two hats... ESPECIALLY two hats.

I AM FINALLY PORTING THIS FIC TO AO3! YOU CAN FIND A LINK TO IT HERE!

I don't know how long it will take to port everything over, and I will be posting chapters normally here in the mean time, but expect a large restructuring once I finish porting it over! Also I am renaming the Siffrin chapters to 'Reprise of Stardust' and collectively calling the fic Lives Worth Living over there.

OFFICIAL RECOMENDED READ ORDER

[S-1] [S0] [S1] [S2] [S3] [S4] [S5] [V1] [V2-4] [V5] [S6] [V6] [S7] [S8] [S9] [S10] [V7-10] [S11] [V11] [S12] [V12] [V13] [V14] [S13] [S14] [S15][S16] [V15] [V16] [S17] [S18] [V17] [V18] [S19] [V19] [V20] [S20] [V21] [V22] [V23] [S21-23] [S24] [V24] [S25] [V25] [V26] [V27] [S26-28] [V28] [V29] [S29] [S30] [V30] [V31] [S31] [S32] [V32] [V33] [S33] [V34] [S34] [S35] [V35] [V36] [S36] [V37]

Siffrin Chapters (Lives Worth Living)

[-1] [0] [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21-23] [24] [25] [26-28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36]

Loop Vale Chapters (Behind the Vale)

[1] [2-4] [5] [6] [7-10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37]

If you're wondering why Loop is crossed out and Vale is in it's place, it will make sense by chapter 7-10, otherwise all you need to know is these are Loop's side of things. Text in Red represents duplicate lines between it and it's complimentary chapter, to let you know where it lines up with the other perspective without needing to repeat tons of lines.

Memories (First 30 Years)

[A Kiss] [Lost Letters]

Links to asks, lore posts, and art/fanart posts can be found here

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LWLAU Hub Extras

LWLAU Art/Fanart Hub

Siffrin didn't…have much of a past, he'd come to realize. He'd thought that it was just that he'd Changed! People do that, leaving their pasts behind, trying to pretend they don't exist, and Isa was nothing if not considerate. The truth was way more troublesome…There wasn't just a bad past behind Sif, or a past that belonged to someone he wasn't anymore, but nothing at all. Like if he let down his walls, instead of a bustling city, there was dry desert.

Well, the group had decided (but Isabeau especially), if there was nothing there, he'd water the crops and build the city with his own hands. He'd erect a town as great as the bustling Jouvente he left. Bigger even! With a nice number of bakeries full of memories of good food, and maybe a few Houses of Change…This metaphor was getting away from him.

So there Isabeau stood, surrounded by history that meant nothing to him, watching the love of his life go through each thing, turning it over in fascination.

"What're ya looking for, anyway?" Isa finally decided to ask, startling Siffrin from holding a small glass frog. "If I knew, maybe I could help?"

Sif turned to look at him, and the look of uncertainty hit him hard, despite his best efforts. "I…Don't know." Sif admitted, and Isa put the pieces together just a moment before Sif continued. "Something I remember, I guess. Something from back home."

Isabeau nodded, keeping his smile broad and warm, and ruffling Sif's hair. Thankfully, Mira had managed to teach him how to take care of it, so it wasn't as greasy as it once was…The first few times he'd done that, shortly after leaving Dormont, had not been a great feeling! Luckily, Isabeau knew how to keep things like that hidden (never show them let them think you're fine and dumb and-).

"So, stuff with stars? Or…The Universe?" Isabeau tried to think of anything else that could be a clue, that he could home in on. "Or…It was an island, maybe stuff with boats?" He asked it innocently, but the way Sif was looking at him made him pause.

"You…Remember all that? Now?" Siffrin had gone from curious to shocked, to almost crying, in seconds. Oh Change, what did that mean?!

"Well of course I do!" Isabeau tried. "They're important to you, aren't they?"

OOF!

A small, Sif-shaped missile impacted his chest, and Sif was hugging him and sniffling, looking up. This was important to the little rogue, huh? He tried reaching a hand around, to rub his back through the smooth cloak Sif always wore.

"Of course I remember. Why wouldn't I? They're things you care about. It'd be like not remembering Odile likes books, or Bon likes pineapple." You give a small laugh, your words quiet in the store whose customers all had their eyes turned to you now.

"I…I just, you never remembered before. Not when I didn't…"

"Do it perfectly?" Isabeau gave a sigh. Not for the first time, he wished he could've explained himself sooner. "Sif, just because that's when you learned that I knew, doesn't mean it's the only time I knew. I've cared about you for…For so very long. And if you can't remember it, I'll do my best to remember it for you."

Isabeau wasn't sure that was the right thing to say. Sif buried his head again, but the squeezing of arms around him made him oof, and he rubbed all the harder in return. "All of us will, Sif. Now…Shouldn't we be looking around?" Change, save him from the stares of random passersby…

Change was listening, or at least Siffrin decided to return to his search. He wiped his eyes, and Isa patted his back as he watched the puffiness of them, the darker shades that were a sure sign he'd been crying. "Right…" Sif managed, his voice wavering. "The Quest."

Isa allowed himself a little laugh at that description. The quest? That's really how they were thinking about this, still? Well…Nothing wrong in helping him. "Yes, we must quest forth for the mighty secrets of old." He allowed a nod, as though it wasn't the most ridiculous thing he'd said in quite some time.

Siffrin felt like an idiot. This was nothing new, but it'd been happening less recently? So it didn't feel great.

Of course Isabeau wouldn't know what to look for out on a secret quest! Of course this would make the whole thing awkward! And of course he'd wound up having to be comforted, again, when everything went wrong, again.

Thankfully, as Doctor Jinn had put it, he's got the same chance as everyone else to make it right. And Isabeau had remembered! He'd actually remembered, even though they hadn't gone stargazing! Or anything!

…Why hadn't they gone stargazing yet? They needed to remember to fix that later.

For now, though, they managed to focus on other things. Like the antiques around them. They had to admit, this had always fascinated them. Every single one of them, every item in the shop, with a history longer than Siffrin could imagine. He picked up a notebook with a hand symbol on it, and took a moment to try to imagine just how many other generations had held the same thing they're holding. Who wrote you? They thought it to themself as they stared, not really taking in the book in front of them. How many people read from you, how many lives did you change? What story were they holding in their hands right now, without knowing any of it?

They put it down with significantly more reverence than they'd picked it up, then jumped at Isabeau's voice. Stars, they'd gotten so lost in their own head again!

"Hey Sif, Stars are a thing from…Your country, right?" A part of them curled up at the way that Isa had to talk around the name of their home, but a much more interested part perked up.

"Yeah, why? What did you find?" They started towards the aisle that Isabeau was down, and then paused dead in their tracks.

"Well, this hat has all kinds of stars on the inside, see?"

It couldn't be.

That hat.

That. Hat.

That hat that saved them. That hat they'd last seen in the House. That hat that blew away on the wind. That hat that was their only upgrade, their only proof of getting somewhere for themself, their only proof of-!

"Woah! Okay, maybe stars aren't so good on hats? What, is it like, it's making a fake sky or something and that's not supposed to happen?" Isa went to put the hat back down, and they all but lunged forward. "NO!"

"No no no, I'm sorry, it's just, it's important, it's a big thing, I'm sorry, please let me have it, I'll pay you back, any amount you want, anything, please!"

They were babbling, but they couldn't seem to stop. That Hat. The memory of an orrery, of a tale they could only remember in their blankest moments, the memory of how they'd fought their way through. Of their darkest hours, too. But…It had been there.

"Woah woah woah! That's…Okay, star hats are good, got it! I'll tell you what…You tell me what's so important about this hat, and I'll pay for it entirely. Otherwise, it's a loan, you get it?"

Isa's voice had a laugh in it that Siffrin clung to as a lifeline. They slowly pulled themself back into place, like a sailor climbing back aboard after falling off their ship. They were here, not there. They didn't have it. They barely had their dagger. They didn't…need something, that armoured them, that saved them like it did. But at the same time…

"Alright, but it's…Loop stuff, not Island stuff. So…After we get out of here, okay?"

"Alright!" A heavy hand deposited it onto Siffrin's head, and they had the decency to blush about it, even if they did press up into the hand (not at all like a cat don't ask questions) and smile. "And if that's a Loop thing, you don't have to even tell me about it. I've never seen loop stuff make you that happy. Or…I guess, make you smile, a little? Either way, it's nice to know they weren't all bad! Even when you weren't trying your hardest."

Siffrin paused at that phrasing, and then gave a nod. The hat was theirs. It reminded them, the way it cut off their vision. It kept their eyes forward, and down. Above was only the same stars they always knew…They wondered if that was how everyone else saw the world all the time? But, Isabeau was turning, and starting to look around.

"Rusted garden shears…" Siffrin's wince was missed, thankfully. "A weird needle-pointed sword, some shades, I wonder what all this is about?" The thought made you step up, and look at what Isabeau had found. That was right…It looked like all the equipment you never found, in that last fateful loop, had somehow wound up here. Minus the fish book…Itchy-ology? Icky-ology? Something like that. The fish book, the earrings, and it looked like Bonbon's 'weapons' weren't there either. But the rest of it, all gathered up in one place, like someone'd put it there on purpose.

The world tilted under you.

It wasn't the first time you'd felt that, and you gripped your hands into fists. You were here. You were now. Gravity still worked. Breathing still worked. Don't get lost, Siffrin! Don't lose it, Siffrin! Bob your knees, feel the way the world feels under your feet. Close your eyes, then open them again, and look at things fresh, without the tilt your brain put on it. The tilt wasn't real.

It felt real.

It felt more real than the world around you. You reached out, and touched the sword's hilt, before jerking your hand back like you were burned. Was it going to vanish, now that you've seen it? Would…could…the universe still reset itself? Did you still have its eye? No. The sword was still there, just like the rest, just like the hat on your head, just like all of it.

Isa said something. You couldn't hear what. The words pulsed in your ears, your head throbbing at the tempo of the sounds, but you didn't understand them. Sorry, Siffrin's not here right now, can I take a message? You laughed, and even in your own throbbing ears it sounded like half a sob.

You were hugged! You were held! Hands were around you!

You jumped at the feeling, but it did ground you. The feeling pushed you back into your body like a puzzle piece slotted into place, and whoever held you turned you away from those…items. Dishware, it turned out, was on the other side. Dishes and cups, ancient and cracked, dusty even here.

"You back, Sif?" Isabeau. Isa. He's here. He's holding you. He's…Holding you. You could feel the way every little shift of your breath made sensation flare over your body, the slightest motion pulling and pushing your skin in ways you aren't anticipating, and you shiver. You can't pull away…You can't. You can't tell him this isn't what you want. You have to stay here. You aren't sure why that's what your mind latched onto, but it was true. You wanted to stay there in his arms, even if the back of your brain was screaming about the way it felt.

Stay there. Breathe. Worry later. Breathe. Respond.

"I'm back. But…I think we need to go." You managed, at your breathiest.

"Okay…Do you want to go alone, or should I stay with you?"

Considerate Isabeau. Always at your side, as long as you'll let him be.

"Stay. I'll follow you…we still need to pay for the hat. And, I'm sorry, Isa. About…"

"Don't worry about it!" He cut you off, which was good because you didn't have the words to continue that thought. "I wasn't sure what we were looking for, but it sure wasn't that! We can finish up our secret quest some other day."

You smiled. You'd have to explain yourself later, but…For now, Isabeau was there. Your rock. Your personal Savior.

You were glad to have him.

+++

"Just a collection of…items?" Odile asked, and all you could do was nod.

"Some shears, a hat, a sword, a bow…Just things you'd find in any store. You're sure you don't know?"

"Not at all. He's never done that before."

Siffrin had vanished off to your shared room when you returned, clutching the hat tight to his chest. You promised you'd give him space, and you'd ask before you came in, but in the meantime you felt like you had to solve this mystery. If it hurt Siffrin, you want to know about it, and stop it! Whether he believed it or not!

But this…

"It hit him hard. Almost as hard as that time Mira woke him up from his nap." You didn't think anything would compare to that day. "And he was alright when he wasn't looking at them, like Jinn said. I'm glad I didn't let him go alone."

"You said he found a hat? That he thought he should wear? A sword, like Mirabelle has…and a bow, like she wears. Glasses like mine…" Odile took a moment to adjust her glasses. "I believe I'll be going shopping, Isabeau. If you think you can help him alone?"

You gave a nod, trying not to think about what Odile was saying. You didn't see any gloves there, and with a clench of your hands you felt your crystal knuckles at the ready. Whatever was happening, you couldn't help but wonder how you were excluded from it. As much as you tried not to.

Instead of dwelling on that, you walked upstairs and knocked on the door to your shared room, waiting for the faint sound of 'come in'. Thank Change, it wasn't too long in coming.

Siffrin was staring at his hat when you came in, curled with his knees up near his chin on the bed and facing towards the door. One finger had been tracing the lines on the inside of it, and rested there as you walked in and gently shut the door.

"Want to talk about it?" You asked, hoping against hope.

"No."

"That's a shame." You walked over to the bed, and sat down, watching them. It was a practiced motion, and you both knew what it meant. You saw Siffrin set the hat down, saw him order his words, and saw him decide to speak - and made sure he saw the thankful smile that came from that decision.

"They were from the House. Each one of them was…a piece of the story that never happened. Something else that I left behind." Left behind was good! You liked left behind! It was a lot better than 'crabbed up' or 'completely blinded' or anything else they'd called it! "When I saw them, I…I just remembered. Everything I'd been forgetting. Everything I didn't get to do. Everything I tried to go back and do." You liked that less, but…the phrasing wasn't bad, at least. "I don't know how they got here, but it was like they were tracking me down, to find me again."

"Would you…like new memories with them?" Another one of the doctor's suggestions. "Or do you want to put those behind you? We don't have to go back, but now that you remember…wouldn't it be nice to prove this time was better than anything you left behind?"

"Yeah…Thanks, Isa." They reached a hand out, and you smiled brightly. Another concession, another suggestion, and you took his hand and used your thumb to slide the glove up the back of it, before planting a gentle kiss on the back of it.

Not! That you did that every time! But, every time he opened up, you wanted to give him something. And showing him how you loved him? You'd do that whenever he let you. This was a good chance.

[You were all packed and ready to set out once more. You were used to packing light, in case we needed to run since you've been on the move for as long as you could remember. It would have been nice to settle for a few days if not for our insufferable company... Speaking of.]

"Oh, dear Fighter, great. You're here early..." [You do very little to hide your distaste as he approaches alone, finding you waiting at the edge of town.]

"You... Alright there, Vale?"

"Just Peachy~!" [You sharply snap through the gritted teeth of a forced smile.]

"... So no pretending anymore, now that the secret's out?" [You blink a couple times, not expecting him to just come out and say it. You sigh and turn away, crossing your arms.]

"... Not much of a point anymore, is there? There's no facade to keep up, no mask that can block those piercing stares of pity from you all..."

"We don't pity y-"

"Stop it. This morning alone, the way you all looked at me... like... like..."

"Like what?"

"Like you were trying to find something, someone! Someone who's long gone... just like the real versions of all of you..."

"The... real versions? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Never mind, forget I said anything."

"Vale. I get that you've got a problem being around us, but-"

"No, you don't get it! No one could ever get it! No one could possibly understand what this feels like!"

"... May I speak now?" [He asks in a calm yet firm tone. You roll your eyes and dismissively wave your hand to allow him.]

"I'm sorry it came off that way, that's not what I meant. But us all travelling together isn't going to go well if you're just going to be belligerent about everything. You're right, I can't imagine what you've been through, everything that happened to you. I'm so sorry that it had to happen that way. But you hurt someone I love, he's forgiven you, and they want us to give you a chance, so that's what I'm doing. Do you want to accept that chance for what it is, or keep pushing all of us away?"

[You stand there silently staring towards the ground. Enough time passes that it's clear you don't have an answer for him. He gives a sigh of defeat then thinks for a moment. After a pause he smiles once more and holds a hand out to you.]

"Why don't we just start over, okay? I'm Isabeau! Nice to meet you!" [You glance back up at him, then down at his hand...]

"You know I can't call you that, right?"

"Well then what can you call me?"

"... Eclipse."

"Is that another universe thing? Like flares?"

"Yes... it's when the moon and sun align, one blocking out the other... it often represents change or rebirth..."

"Huh, I like it! Fitting too!" [You muster up what little of a smile you can as you finally shake their waiting hand.]

"Then it's a pleasure to meet you, Eclipse."

"Likewise, Vale! And for real, I want to help make this all work, you just gotta meet us half way, okay?"

"... I'll try. I still don't know if I can promise any more, but... I'll try."

"That's all anyone can ask for!" [You finally pull your hand free of his massive mitt. You go back to standing awkwardly in silence for a moment, only for him to break it once more.]

"Hey, I'm not sure if you realize this yet, but Sif cares about you, a lot, like, holding it together after losing 30 years of their life, a lot. I just wanted to make sure you knew how much you mean to them." [You... You don't know how to respond to that... You feel yourself freeze in place as you process it. Your eyes are starting to well up again. We cannot have another break down already!! Hold it together!! Change the subject!!]

"Heh... back In that first loop, he may or may not have offered you to me..."

"E-EXCUSE ME!?"

"Yup~. He said, and I quote. I mean, I had 30 years with him." [You give a teasing wink, glad to have regained some confidence.]

"... If you'll excuse me, I have a call to make." [He steps a small ways away, copying the phone sign that you taught him during the last loop against the king. You casually try to hide your own phone sign as you put it up to your ear and wish to hear their conversation.]

"Uhhh... Hello?"

"Hey, Sif... Did you uhh... Try to offer me to Vale?..."

"... Oh stars they told you..."

"I-Is that a yes?!"

"... Kinda?"

"KINDA?!"

"It's more complicated than that!! I-I wasn't just gonna hand you over! I-I was gonna talk about it, with all of us!!" [You release your sign with a small chuckle under your breath, proud of the chaos you've sewn for now, and very happy to get the attention off of yourself. You continue to listen to Eclipse's confused and embarrassed shouts at Stardust.]

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

[You hum softly to yourself, staying near the middle of the group as you're walking along the trails towards Bambouche finally. You walk beside Nille, with Little Flare sitting on her shoulders. Trailing behind are Stardust and Eclipse having a hushed argument.]

"You've certainly got a pep in your step! I'm glad to see you're feeling better after yesterday." [Nille mentions with a smile, looking over at you. Flare grinning wildly above them.]

"I helped! I let them be my a-stick-stant!" [They cross their arms and raise their head proudly.]

"Heh, Assistant, Little Flare, but yes, you helped me a great deal! Thank you for that oh wondrous little chef~." [You give a playful little bow of respect as they chuckle. Nille lightly pats their leg happily, before taking a peek behind herself.]

"Any idea what's going on with those two though? They've been having a little spat ever since we set out."

"Ah, yes, that might have been my doing~."

"Is that why you look so crabbing proud of yourself?! What exactly did you do, Vay?" [She asks interrogatively. You raise your hands lightly in innocence, but your smile betrays the gesture.]

"I simply told the truth~! If Eclipse has a problem with Stardust's actions, then that's their business." [She looks unimpressed after you explain.]

"I hope stirring up trouble isn't gonna become a habit of yours. It's hard enough to keep Bonnie out of too much trouble, I don't need to add your nonsense to my plate."

"What? Are you my babysitter now~?" [You ask with a grin.]

"May as well be~." [She grins back at you... Flare starts to kick their legs after a moment.]

"Ewww! Stop making those faces!! We don't need more Frin and Za grossness!!" [You both blink as your faces burn much darker, quickly looking away from each other again. The Researcher then calls back from the front.]

"What have I told you about you about insulting young love, Boniface?" [Your body stiffens as your face gets even hotter, you look away and try to compose yourself, only to feel a hand intertwine in yours. You almost pull away out of reflex, turning to see Nille holding your hand, looking down with a still deeply blushing face.]

"Wh... What are you doing?"

"H-Holding your hand?... Is that alright, Vay?"

"... What is it, Stardust?"

"... Bonnie heard us earlier... they told everyone. I tried my best to calm everyone down, they just want to talk but..." [You freeze in place, you feel a pit in your stomach as your smile fades fully. Nille's hand carefully reaches forward, taking yours in it before she speaks.]

"It's time Vay... You gotta tell them the truth, I don't think there's any other way out of this." [You pull your hand back from theirs, taking a step back as you hold both your hands to your chest... No words escape your throat in this moment. You simply look between the two of them, looking like a cornered animal begging for a way out.]

"Vay, it's alright. We'll be there for you, but they're not gonna drop this without an explanation."

"O-Of course not~! Wh-What reasonable person would accept me stabbing their beloved family member~?" [You let out through a shakey voice. You try your best to smile again until the tears begin to flow, betraying your expression.]

"I won't let them turn you away, Vale! You deserve a place here with us!" [You can't help but let out a sharp laugh at that.]

"Is that what I deserve, Stardust? Because I'm pretty sure you already took that place from me~!" [SHUT UP! STOP TALKING YOU IMBECILE! YOU'RE ONLY GOING TO MAKE THIS WORSE!!]

"Loo-"

"NO! Do NOT call me that!!! You've taken everything else from me, the one blinding thing I have left in this forsaken world is my name!"

"... I'm sorry, Vale..." [He recoils from you, ducking into his cloak and stepping back. Nille steps closer in his place.]

"Vay, please, take a breath. We're trying to make the best of a bad situation. I know you're just lashing out cause you're upset."

"STOP ACTING LIKE YOU KNOW ME! HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY KNOW ME?! I DON'T EVEN BLINDING KNOW ME!!! This personality I've been parading around as my own?! I made it up! For HIM! I gave up my life, my world, my family!! All so he could have it instead!!"

[You watch as he takes another step back, tears welling up in his eyes. He goes to speak but nothing comes out, just closing his mouth again.]

"Vale! Knock it off! What happened wasn't their fault!"

"STOP ACTING LIKE YOU UNDERSTAND! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH!!! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE REPLACED!" [Nille's form tenses, her fists clenching as that comment seemed to affect her deeply.]

"... I wouldn't say that exactly." [She takes a deep breath, trying to keep herself from snapping.]

"You-!... You what?... What could you possibly understand about that?" [Your anger subsides partially for confusion.]

"Well, it's not like I was in a time loop or made a wish or anything... but when Bonnie first came around, it might as well have been like I didn't exist anymore..." [You roll your eyes at this, your trauma being compared to a simple sibling rivalry.]

"You don't know how this feels..."

"Maybe not exactly... but I know how it feels to be loved until you're not their 'perfect little girl' anymore... to be resented for being myself, for someone else to come along and receive all that love you so dearly missed..." [Nille crossed her arms, holding them and trying to keep from crying. Stardust is watching her with a shocked glance, it seems he hasn't heard this before either...]

"That... That's not the same..." [Your anger has subsided, but you still tried to keep yourself closed off.]

"Not quite... but I looked at Bonnie like that at first, the way you were just looking at Frin."

"... Then how did you get past that?... How can you look at them and see anything but that?..."

"The most important thing to remember is that they never asked to replace you... It's no fair to blame them when they were forced into that situation just as much as you were." [She steps closer again, carefully cupping your face in her hands and wiping your tears away.]

"Frin and I just want you to be happy, and by change, we're not gonna let anything get in the way of that, not even yourself you moron." [She teases as you can't help but chuckle softly. You bring a hand up to place on hers, yet you still can't stand to look her in the eye yet.]

"You can do this, Vay. You've been through so crabbing much. All you gotta do now is talk, that can't be that hard, right?" [You let out another laugh, this one a little more manic.]

"If it were, I'd never have been stuck in that time loop in the first place~." [Stardust chuckles a little at that too.]

"Gotta agree there, took a lotta years to be able to talk as openly as I can now."

"Thank Change I don't have to deal with both of you being like this now, not sure my hammer could deal with two thick skulls like yours." [You both laugh again before you take a few moments to try and compose yourself.]

"... Okay... Okay, you're right. It's time... I have to do this."

"We'll be there for you the whole time, Vay." [Stardust nods with a confident smile.]

"It'll be fine, I'm sure of it." [That makes one of us...]

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

[The three of you make the short yet agonizing walk back to the house they were all staying at. The Fighter was out front, waiting. His arms crossed and an upset look on his face, yet reserved as usual. Despite this, he regards you with a polite nod.]

"Vale... We've agreed to hear you out, and be civil. Though I'm sure you can understand how we all feel about this at the moment." [Stardust steps in front of you, almost defensively, while Nille remains beside you, hand on your back.]

"I appreciate the opportunity..." [Though that convenient path into the woods in our peripheral vision looks much more tempting...]

"Use it wisely." [He advises, it almost feels genuine even. You nod to him before he opens the door, letting you all back inside. The Researcher and Housemaiden were still there, comforting The Ki-... Little Flare. They take one look at you through teary eyes before jumping up onto their feet.]

"NO! GO AWAY! LEAVE STUPIDFRIN ALONE!!! YOU DON'T BELONG HERE!!!" [The pit in your stomach starts to feel more like a black hole.]

"Bonnie! Everyone agreed to hear them out, now please just-"

"NO NO NO! I DIDN'T! I DON'T WANT THEM HERE!!!" [They scream in defiance. As Nille tries to reach for them they dart for the stairs.]

"I DON'T CARE WHAT THEY'RE GONNA SAY!!! GET RID OF THEM!!!" [They shout more, stomping up the stairs to their room and slamming the door behind them. Nille gives a heavy sigh and rubs at her temple. You stand there, trying to make yourself look small, though your flashy outfit certainly doesn't help. The Researcher then speaks up.]

"That's probably for the best. It may be difficult to speak as openly with a child present." [She states, giving you an inquisitive once over, as if trying to size you up in this moment. Her stare feels like daggers stabbing into wherever she looks... The Housemaiden agrees.]

"Y-Yes, considering what sparked all of this, they probably should take some time to decompress."

"Right... Thank you all for giving me a chance... I apologize for being dishonest."

"You weren't the only one to lie to them..." [Stardust attempts to defend you again, of course by throwing himself to the fire as well... Nille guides you along onto the couch, both her and Stardust flanking you. You take a deep breath, looking at the other 3 before you. Their stares feel like they pierce your very soul. You avoid eye contact to make this easier. You feel Nille grip your hand in a comforting squeeze.]

"Whenever you're ready, Vale." [She gently encourages you.]

{You step back inside after a moment, closing the door behind you. You lean your back against it, sighing out defeatedly. That sure didn't go very well.}

"Nille? Is everything... Alright?" {You turn to see Za standing there, Belle in tow, and Dile still sitting at the otherwise empty table.}

"I'm... not really sure, to be honest. I think they both just gotta cool off for the night. Vale's staying at the Inn for tonight. Did Frin say anything? And where's Bonnie?" {You ask, realizing they were missing.}

"They stormed off back to their room after you three ran out, I guess they were upset their big dinner was ruined..."

"A-And what happened with Siffrin? He just stormed off too after they came back in, they wouldn't say a word to us!"

"There was a little, uhh... misunderstanding. Like I said, I think they just gotta cool off. I better go check on Bonnie though, I'll help clean up after."

"Oh don't worry about that, We'll take care of it. I'll check on Sif in a minute then, let him cool off a bit first."

"Thanks y'all." {You give an appreciate sigh of relief, you've got enough on your plate tonight as it is. You quickly head upstairs to Bonnie's room, tapping your knuckle on the door.}

"Bonnie? You okay in there?" {You ask before pressing your ear to the door. You hear sniffling and soft sobs behind it. You slowly open the door, peeking inside to see them kneeling next to the open... window... Oh crab...}

"Bonbon... You okay sweetie?..." {You walk over hesitantly... They didn't hear all of that, did they? You place a hand on their shoulder, only for them to pull away. They scooch further from you, still sniffling and rubbing at their eyes, the usual tactic for when they didn't want to talk to you.}

"What did you hear?..." {They flinch at that, face still buried in their arms as they cried.}

"Why did they hurt Frin?!" {They finally lift their head up as they shouted in response.}

"It's... complicated, I know it's a lot, and I'm sorry you had to hear all that, but it's gonna be oka-"

"NO! I DON'T WANT IT TO JUST BE OKAY! I DON'T WANT FRIN TO GET HURT ANYMORE!" {They scream at the top of their lungs. You panic a bit, looking back at the closed door, then quickly shutting the window.}

"Bonnie please, keep your voice down at least!"

"WHY ARE YOU PROTECTING THEM?! WHY DO YOU AND FRIN CARE SO MUCH ABOUT TH-?!" {You panic more, quickly grabbing them to cover their mouth.}

"Bonnie! We'll talk to everyone soon but please just hold o-OUCH!" {You cry out as they bite your hand, quickly pulling away from them. Before you can do anything else they're already darting for the door, yanking it open and rushing out.}

"BONNIE!" {You cry out, quickly chasing after them.}

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

[Your senses slowly return to you, as well as a feeling of calm, peace, content. A stark contrast to the day prior, but a welcome one. Your dream unfolds before you, sitting on cool grass, leaning against a large tree, staring forward at a beautiful sunset... and Nille next to you to share it, hand in hand.]

[You let out a shaky sigh. You know this isn't real, you know you don't deserve this... which only makes you grip her hand tighter, as if making sure it won't slip through your fingers. She gives a light laugh, perhaps the most beautiful sound you can remember...]

"Afraid I'm gonna run off on you, Vay?" [You hold back whatever tears you feel coming. You lay your head on her shoulder.]

"That's usually my job, isn't it~?" [You tease playfully, trying to hold it together and savor this fantasy you've concocted for yourself.]

"Might be, but I always come running after you." [The sun continues to dip lower, finally touching the horizon.]

"Hey, Vay... Mind looking up at me?" [You hesitate... your mind isn't this kind to you, there must be something horrible waiting for you if you look, right?... But what if... You slowly turn to look up at them, looking like you might be bracing yourself.]

"It's something nice, I promise." [She swears as you look into her smiling face. She looks deep into your eyes, her cheeks darkening just a tad. Your own darken in turn, especially once her hand meets your chin, gently lifting it further.]

[She leans closer. Your heart starts to pick up. You know this isn't real... but in this moment, you're not sure that you care. You slowly close your eyes, leaning in as well. We'll never experience this for real, so why not live out the fantasy in a dream? It's the best we can hope for...]

[Your lips touch. It's warm, soft, your heart burns and aches, time seems to fall away as it happens... It's not real, it can never be real, but there's nothing in this world you want more... Eventually she pulls away with a sigh. You keep your eyes closed, you hardly move, you're just trying to hold on to that feeling so desperately.]

"So... That's what the kiss of a murderer is like~." [Your chest stings as your heart breaks... Right on cue... Of course your mind had to make it hurt as much as possible. You keep your eyes closed, you don't want it to get any worse.]

"That's what you are, isn't it?" [You feel a hand grab the back of your head, gripping your hair tightly and tugging. The hand doesn't feel like Nille's it feels... wooden. Your eyes shoot open again as you're yanked back. That same thing that tormented you last time was before you again, wearing that horrifying mockery of Nille's face. It leans uncomfortably close to you.]

"That's all you're ever going to be to us." [The sky, the sun, the tree, the grass, it had all vanished. Around you now was the same lightless void from before. Suspended in a circle above you were.. masks on strings. The faces of what was almost your family.]

"MURDERER! MURDERER! MURDERER!" [They all cry out.]

"No no no no! Not you again! I thought I took care of you last time!" [You shout, trying to kick it away and struggle in their grasp. The being barely reacting to your movements as the mask of Nille slides up off its head, suspended on its own strings as it joins the circle above. Left behind, staring into your soul, was that sick, twisted mask of your own face. The one it pulled out of your chest before.]

"We're going to need me for a long, long time." [Cracks appear in the corner of the mask's eyes, running down the face like tears.]

"Especially since we know how she'll feel about us now..."

"Shut up! I don't need you!! Get out of my blinding head!!!"

"She's going to hate us. They all will."

"MURDERER!" [The masks above cry out once more, Nille's joining in this time. The facade's grip on your head tightens as it pulls your gaze towards the masks above.]

"None of them will want anything to do with us."

"I don't need you to tell me that! So what do I need you for?!" [The mockery of your face leans in uncomfortably close as it speaks softly into your ear.]

"You'll break without me to hide behind. You're not strong enough to face them alone." [You clench your jaw, feeling their presence hovering just beside you. The hair on the back of your neck standing up.]

"What good are you if I can't sit through as single blinding meal with them all?!"

"You didn't embrace me, then. You tried to feel, to make it work. Too weak to become numb."

"And what good is a life if we're just left as a husk?!"

"We always were one." [It pulls away, holding you in front of it as a blank, star shaped mask descends from the void into view. It dangles between the two of you, covering them from view. You freeze upon seeing it... you're filled with absolute rage as you're shown this damned face again. You practically let out a growl, clenching your fist and suddenly slamming your hand into it, SMASH!!!]

[The mask of what once was shatters, the pieces scattered to the void, some left upon the ground like the star you ripped from your chest and left for Stardust to find... You stare at them for a moment before it's other hand suddenly wraps around your throat. It clamps down as you kick and struggle, gasping fruitlessly for air. Your face begins to darken, your vision goes blurry, and just before you pass out it loosens its grip to let you fill your aching lungs, then pulls away after another moment.]

"There's three paths ahead of us. First, you wear me to withstand what's coming, salvage some kind of life with them, with Her. Second, you fail, fall, perhaps die trying to take the consequences unprotected, and we end up alone in the dark." [You finally catch your breath, just dangling defeatedly in its grip.]

"... and the third?" [The end of your whip suddenly falls heavily into view, along with the sound of something snapping. Your whip has been tied into the shape of a noose, with the mask of your Stardust hanging from it. The mask of your face cracks some more, the fissures forming into a desperate grin.]

"We make them forget~." [You freeze... You stare at the noose before you... Your eyes dart to it, then the creature. You quickly grab the noose, managing to get it around that blinging thing's neck! In response, Strings, many-strong and pulling tight, wrap around your own throat in equal measure. Despite this it continues to 'speak'.]

"We've done it before, we can do it again. He cares so blinding much about us that he might even agree to it~." [You choke out for air, feeling those strings tighten on your throat as you tighten on its. You don't care, you keep pulling tighter as you only feel your throat tighten in turn.]

"I am a part of you, as much so as any other. Finish the job if you want, when he finds out we never woke up he'll loop back anyways~." [It leans closer to you, filling your slowly fading vision as your lungs burned even more, the strings tightening even further.]

"That's probably what you want, isn't it? With all that sleep medicine you put in us." [It's lying, it must be... It's just a dream, and we've defeated it once before... You use all of your draining strength to keep going tighter and tighter... and... tighter... The dream fades. Sensation, sight, feeling... all... going... away...]

[Your eyes snap open. You're in bed. Just a dream after all... Yet you can't move... You can't breathe! Your eyes dart around as you try desperately to move your limp form. All you can manage is to let out a frightened almost whimper in your panic.]

[As your eyes dart back and forth, you finally lock onto it... No... no no no no no no! It's standing there, in the corner. The Facade is watching you with your own face, eyes that should be yours alone, the cracks still forming that sick grin. It puts a finger to its fissure of a mouth, hushing you as it stares. You feel pins and needles all over your body. You still can't breathe, you still can't move!]

[As you stare in horror, waiting for it to act, it suddenly vanishes with one more blink. You finally let out a pained gasp for air, shooting to sit up in bed. You grip your throat as it burns, still taking deep gasps for air as you frantically look around to ensure it was truly gone... You're awake now, and it's gone, yet... You saw it while you were awake... You're not sure if you'll ever truly be without it, now...]

"Hmmmm…" [You ponder deeply, looking over the collection of daggers on display at the town's blacksmith.]

"What's up? None speaking to you?" [Nille chimes in, noticing the look on your face. Does having a mouth again really make us that easy to read?]

"No, they aren't… I'm not sure a dagger feels right anymore."

"Oh? Well what else would you get? I can't exactly see your scrawny butt using a big hammer." [She teased with a smirk. You rolled your eyes some.]

"Riiight, and who destroyed that sadness standing over you when we first met~?"

"I had that under control! I was just making it think it had me!" [You both laugh, even she couldn't pretend that was true.]

"But to answer your question, I'm not quite sure, something agile still but…"

"How about a rapier?"

"NO! No no no! The Housemaiden uses one of those."

"… And?"

"… Just… I'd rather not… Have that constant reminder." [She rolls her eyes but drops it. It seemed the only thing preventing another talk was the fact you were in public.]

"Okay, uhhh... Oh! What about one of those?" [She asked, spotting a rack with several whips hanging off of them.]

"Oh… Oh yes, that actually sounds nice~." [You say as you walk over to it, glancing about at them all hanging, finding a lovely looking one with lightless and darkless diamond patterning across its whole length.]

"I think this will do perfectly~."

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

[The sound of 3 booming CRACKs sound out in a row as you try to snap your new whip across the practice targets setup. You manage to split the first in half, but your swings go wide on the follow ups, missing the other two.]

"Hey! Not bad! You're a natural at this!"

"Not bad?! I only hit one blinding target!"

"... Vale, have you ever used a whip before?"

"Not that I can recall, no."

"Uh huh, and you just expected to be great at it first thing?"

"I mean, I used paper craft pretty well first thing~."

"Well yeah, that was instincts. If you're a paper type now, that's gonna come a lot more naturally. Stress of combat and all, you don't think you just act."

"Hmmm... You make a good point... Maybe there's some more sadness nearby we could try and track down?"

"You wanna go hunting sadness' now?!"

"Well how else am I going to get better at this?" [Nille smacks her own face gently in a facepalm before sighing out.]

"Alright, alright, if you're set on this..." [She begins, placing a hand on your shoulder.]

"Now think fast!" [She shouts before using her other arm to scoop under your leg, suddenly lifting you over her head and tossing you over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes.]

"WH-HEY?!" [You cry out, tumbling across the grass and sliding to a stop. You look up at Nille, her hammer now out, playful grin on her face.]

"If you're so set on a fight, I'll give you one pretty Vay~!"

"N-Nille?! Y-You can't just toss me like that!!"

"Actually I can, pretty easily in fact!" [She beams with a bright laugh, your face burns in a fluster as you grumble, readying your new whip, holding your other hand in a paper sign.]

"F-Fine! But you asked for it!"

"Don't hold back for me now Vale, I won't for you!" [She remarked with a wink, then suddenly rushing towards you.]

[You step back in surprise, not expecting her to actually approach with such intent. She raises her hammer, preparing to swing. You finally snap out of it and bring your hand forward, summoning a shield like before. Nille's hammer swings right through it, dampening the blow but still sending it slamming into your side, knocking you over and tumbling a bit again.]

"Ack! H-Hey!!"

"Oh come on, you're paper type now, you barely felt that!"

"Y-Yes but STILL!!" [You shout, more so protesting about getting tossed around than anything else. She pays no mind to your pleas as she begins to rush at you again. You wonder how she's so blinding fast with that massive hammer.]

"Gonna have to go on the offensive soon~!" [She taunts at you. Alright, we can figure this out, there's got to be some way we can slow her down somehow... Wait, didn't Odile have a craft like that? Yes! We've seen it countless times! You take a breath for a moment, trying to replicate the ritual she performed when using it, sending a lethargic wave towards Nille to help weigh her down some.]

"Oooh, got some other tricks up your sleeve?" [She calls in surprise, though it doesn't seem to affect her as much as Odile's ability did. It would have to do for now, taking a defensive stance and flourishing your new whip. She swings high as you duck below, swapping her momentum to slam down before you barely manage to jump back out of the way.]

"C'mon! Go on the offensive Valey!" [She encourages, you snap your whip forward, coiling it around the neck of her hammer. With a heavy tug and pulling paper gesture, you manage to yank it free from her grip, tossing it upwards and spinning off behind you as you watch it fly overhead.]

"Hah! What are you gonna do no-ACK!!" [You begin to tease, turning back to Nille who was suddenly moments away, tackling into you and sending you both sliding across the ground, skidding to a stop. You stare up at her in stunned silence. She chuckles some, seeing your face.]

"HAHA! Here's a tip, Vay. Never let your guard down." [She teased... then perked up some, noticing your face with her own darkening, quickly getting up off of you... Our face feels hot. Are we blushing?...]

"Heh, uhh... Sorry about that, got a little carried away there." [She mumbled some, holding out a hand to help you up, taking it and easily getting lifted off the ground.]

"But good hustle! Seems like you got a few new moves to work with!" [Her face is still dark, she's trying to change the subject, you recognize this tactic... Why is our face burning?! You try to shake the sensation away.]

"R-Right~! Guess we won't have to worry much next time a sadness comes around~!" [You remark, desperately trying to slip the mask back on. You both stand in awkward silence for a moment.]

"... W-We should probably get back to the Inn."

"O-Oh yes! I'll uhh... meet you there, I wanted to stop by the local tailor first~."

"Oooof course you do."

"This traveler had been alone for a very long time. They had lost their family, their home, even their own name." [You continue to stare towards the floor. You won't dare make eye contact with any of them. You feel Stardust hook their arm into yours, likely in a show of solidarity.]

"Then they finally found friends, and it was the happiest they'd ever been... so happy in fact, that they made a wish. They wished that it wouldn't have to end, they wished to stay with their friends... Ironically, that very wish is how they'd end up losing every one of them..." [You feel a strain in your throat, desperately trying not to break down as your story just began. Nille grips your hand tighter. You take another deep breath, shaky as it may be.]

"They found themself trapped, stuck in time and forced to fight a hopeless battle... forced to watch their friends slain mercilessly by the King... dozens, hundreds, thousands of times... more than they could count.... It seemed hopeless, impossible. Until one loop, they finally did it. They finally defeated the king..." [You can't hold it back anymore, your throat straining to speak, tears rolling down your face.]

"When it all finally seemed over... they suddenly woke up in that same damned field where it all started... This broke them. They couldn't take it anymore. So they made a second wish, they wished for it to be over. They wished for someone, anyone to help them. They begged the universe for help, and they were answered with a star."

"So they ate it... and it destroyed them, turning them into a star themself... It's fitting really, they were already destroyed on the inside, why not lose their husk of a body as well~?" [You let out a manic little laugh, more tears flowing down your face. Stardust hugs you on your side suddenly, wrapping his arms tightly around you.]

"It's okay... take all the time you need." [You start to wipe your tears, still not daring look towards the others. You're just thankful they haven't tried to interrupt at all. You take a minute to regain your composure, then continue again.]

"So they were sent the help they asked for, by becoming it themself... or maybe there simply wasn't enough left of them to be helped... So now they were stuck guiding a copy of themself through the very thing that broke them. Forced to watch as their friends... their family... were taken by somebody else. Forced to watch as they got your happy ending, the one you fought so hard for-" [You can't conjure any more words, just sobbing leaves your throat now. You bring a hand over your face, trying to keep what little dignity you could as you break down in front of them all.]

"Vale..." [You hear the fighter's strained voice above you, shadowed by his large figure. You look up at him in surprise, not having realized he was suddenly in front of you. Tears rolled down his face as he yanked you into a tight hug.]

"I'm so sorry we couldn't help you..." [You struggle weakly in his grasp. You want to shout, you want to get him off of you, you want to break free of his burning touch. Yet you can manage no words in this moment as you just sob heavily. You soon feel Nille and Stardust join in on the hug, crying harder as you give up your struggles. You even feel the Housemaiden join in after a moment. The burning slowly fades into light warmth... They may not be your real family, but this is the closest you'd ever get to them, and right now you're far too weak to fight that. You even feel the Researcher's hand on your shoulder not long after...]

[Once the hug breaks it simultaneously feels like it was an eternity, and only a short moment that you'd beg to keep going. The Fighter clears his throat after crying so much.]

"Okay! We should all probably get some rest and process all of this... You're welcome to stay here, Vale." [He offers with a light smile through his sad expression.]

"Th-Thank you..." [You barely manage to choke out even those two words. Nille still hasn't let go of your hand this whole time, squeezing it comfortingly again.]

"Do you want some company tonight? Or do you need some time alone?" [You shake your head lightly, trying to force a little smile as you continue to only manage a word or two at a time.]

"Go."

"Okay, if you're sure. Just come knocking if you need me, alright?" [You nod to her, everyone slowly leaving the room to head to their beds for the night. Stardust tells the Fighter they'll be a second as they remain behind. They wait until everyone was gone to speak.]

"... Did you really watch the King kill everyone?... Every time?" [You wince at the question, and hesitantly give a nod in response. Stardust practically tackles you with another tight hug.]

"Thank you... for sticking around, Vale... it really means a lot to me." [You slowly wrap your arms back around them to return the hug. You let them remain this way as long as they like... You even consider pulling them back in when they finally let go.]

"Get some rest, you probably need it after all that... Good night, Vale." [You watch them head upstairs, finally leaving you all alone. You lie down on the couch and stare up at the ceiling. You wait for sleep to claim you, though it never quite seems to reach you.]

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

[You're not sure how much time has passed, but you're snapped out of your sleepless daze when you hear someone coming down the stairs. You peek over the couch to spot Flare descending them. You doubt they'd want to see you after your last interaction, so you quickly lay back down, closing your eyes and pretending to be asleep.]

[You hear them stomp past you towards the kitchen, dragging a chair somewhere, opening a cabinet, then closing it and dragging the chair once more... They stomp closer over to you and stop.]

"... Hey..." [You blink your eyes open, finding them standing in front of you, holding a bowl filled with something... it smells delicious whatever it is. They hold it out to you, looking away all the while. You slowly sit up and take it from them, curiously looking at it to find a plate of... malanga fritters...]

"I made these for Frin... I heard what you told everyone, so I thought you might need them more..." [They say with a bit of a pout, their arms crossed and still avoiding looking at you.]

"I... Flare... Thank you..." [You're certain the only reason you haven't started crying again is because you've already dehydrated yourself from it all earlier.]

"I'm still mad at you for hurting Frin!... S-So don't think you're just forgiven!" [They shout softly as to avoid waking anyone up.]

"O-of course... I don't blame you..."

"Well good!... Stupidvale..." [They mumble before starting to stomp back up the stairs. You can't help but chuckle a little at their reaction.]

[You can't sleep. You're absolutely exhausted but your mind still races endlessly. It was such a relief to get all of that off of your chest, or out of it in one case~, but it worried you still. Why did you spill your guts like that? Why were you so open with someone you barely knew?... Your chest hurts still.]

[You sit up in bed, looking down at yourself and the wonderful outfit covering your entire body. You begin to undo the cravat around your neck, then the buttons on your vest, then shirt. You pull the fabric to the side and shudder as the cool air wafts over your now exposed wound.]

[A large, raw, swollen, almost glowing star depression across your flesh, like you'd been carved open and hastily put back together. You carefully remove the rest of the clothes on your torso, slipping the gloves off as well, then standing up to step in front of the mirror.]

[You were still the same across the rest of your night sky skin, stars dabbled across it, fading into a brighter shade on your neck and shoulders. Your eyes are locked upon that cross shaped gash adorning the middle of your chest...]

[Your hand delicately raises to it, trying to press a finger against it before reflexively pulling away. It wasn't quite an open wound, but it was still horribly sensitive.]

"... Well, I guess if that's the trade off then it was still worth it..." [You mumble to yourself. Trying to remain positive about the situation. Imagine, us, trying to be happy... Stars, what has gotten into us?]

"Hmm… Vale?" [Nille mumbles some tiredly, sitting up and rubbing her eyes with a yawn. You quickly grab your shirt again, holding it over your chest to cover up.]

"O-Oh! Nille! Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

"Couldn't sleep?"

"… Not really, no."

"… You don't gotta hide that by the way, I'm the one that found you after all. Believe me, I saw it." [Your fake smile drops a tad, not even realizing you had put it back on. You let your arms fall to your side, your shirt removed from blocking that graphic brand.]

"Y'know, usually they tell you you might break some ribs during CPR, but that was a whole other thing to worry about. Does it hurt bad?"

"No, it's mostly sore. Very sore, but tolerable…" [You start to trail off, looking back into the mirror again.]

"I think I got some bandages in my pack." [She offers, getting up to try and dig them out]

"Hmm? Bandages?" [You ask absentmindedly, still staring at it.]

"To cover it up. If you want, that is."

"Oh… Actually yes, I'd like that." [She steps over, starting to unwrap the roll of gauze. You toss your shirt back onto your bed and try to hold your arms so they're not in the way. She drapes the fabric strip across your torso, swooping it around snugly several times. You give a few winces at the pressure to the scar.]

"Sorry."

"It's fine, just sensitive is all." [You reassure her, letting her continue to wrap it around in a way that covers your chest well and leaves it all securely fastened over your form like a binder almost.]

"There, how's that?"

"... Thank you, Nille"

"Of course, Vay."

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

[You manage to get what little sleep you could, tiredly dragged out of bed by Nille once noon hit. You just let out an annoyed grumble before getting dressed finally... You look into the mirror again, looking at your bandages and starry skin doing down your arms...]

[You decide to put your gloves and vest on, leaving the shirt and cravat off for now. You give yourself a bit of a smile... for once you don't mind being a bit exposed, even with the bandages visible around the vest.]

"Vale? Showing skin? How scandalous!" [Nille teased with a chuckle, to which you laugh back, striking a bit of a pose.]

"I can't hide all this from the world forever~. It simply wouldn't be fair~." [She laughs a lot heavier at that, slowly recovering from that giggle fit with a sigh. Her face turns more somber as she looks at the bandages again.]

"I really am glad you're okay... Did you really tear that crabbing star out of your chest?..."

"It had to come out somehow~." [You try to remark playfully, but the break in your voice signifies how visceral of an experience it was.]

"Change, you really are something else!" [She applauds, lightly punching your arm in a playful manner.]

"Anyways, which way are we headed now?" [She asked, fishing out her map and laying it out on one of the beds, tapping at the town she heard 'the saviors' had celebrated at recently.]

"So they were here, and if they're heading to Bambouche they'd probably be around here..." [Nille trails off, trying to think of a good way to intercept them. The whole plan to see them again still terrifies you to your core... but you can't keep that from Nille anymore, it's simply not fair.]

[You close your eyes and try to focus on him. You blink your eyes back open as you realize that little blip is missing now. Our wish, did it sever the connection?... Maybe this is for the best, we can't try to avoid them all anymore. We can't keep Nille from her sibling anymore.]

"What'cha think Vale?" [She asked, snapping you out of your own head, pointing to a couple towns that seemed like the right direction.

"Oh, hmmm. Let's try this one? I heard they've got a lovely tailor there as well anyways~."

"I swear if you blow all our money again."

"You can't resign me to simply one outfit, that's just torture for me and the rest of the world~."

"Oh yes, what ever would we do if you didn't have an outfit change for every hour of the day." [She remarks, rolling her eyes.]