#loop 52

Ah, I guess the cats out of the bag. Yes, I do not love you, Professor.

That's okay.

Please, stop crying, you are making this more embarrassing for us both.

I'm not.

Please, don't be so upset, professor. If it means anything, Pierre-Jacques-Erneste and I aren't dating. He's helping me out.

Alas, with this murder solved, it's time I left.

...Huh? But, uh, weren't we going to leave together?

Baby, you're broke! And your "rich" boss is dead. You have nothing for me, ciao~!

(What?) Pierre-Jacques-Erneste?

(He runs up to the table, snatching something that hadn't been there before.)

Pierre-Jacques-Erneste?!!!!

(It was the key!) (He took the key and ran out of the room?!!)

What.... what was that all about?

He... he left me?

I loved him, and he left me...

WHAT?! Pierre-Jacques-Erneste would NEVER do that?!!!

I thought so too!

(You stupid, stupid fool.) (Of course he was just using you.)

(He never loved you!) (You're just a useless butler-)

(No, worse than that!) (You've been fired.) (You're nothing.)

(!!!) The lights?

What's going on?

Siffrin, stay by us. Something's wrong.

What's-

AHHHHHH!!!

(You were backstabbed.)

That's a good Bandit! That's a good doggie!!!

Asfasjdfasjdf?!??

(Aw! They're wagging their tail!) (Finally, Bandit's move has improved.)

(...Hopefully it's not the alcohol that's done that.)

Okay Bandit. Time to see everyone else.

No. Don't stop.

WHY'D I SAY THAT OUT LOUD.

(Ah!) (So demanding!)

Later okay, Bandit?

Pet me again, and I'll bite your hand off?????

THE DINNER

(You wake up.)

(You are "DAWN PAIGE", "he/they", "23".) (You are a dedicated butler who adores your master above all else.)

(You take great pride in their work, holding a strong belief that "Cleanliness is closest to Godliness. And I like being beside my God.")

(As for hobbies, you enjoy taking long walks off short piers at night.)

(You practice cooking, even on your off-work days.) (You're no good at it, but it's endearing in how you try.)

(For a social life, your best friend is your pet hamster.) (Otherwise, you live a lonely life.)

(The only one who'll ever love you is yourself.)

(...Huh?)

-in! FRIN! Wake up!

(Bon...nie-?) (What's... wrong?)

(THE SADNESS!) (You push Bonnie out of the way.)

(You strike.)

Frin, stop! You can't-!

(NGH...!!!)

(Ah... ahhh... you almost...)

(No no no NO!!! This isn't how it's supposed to go.) (You're supposed to keep them safe.)

(You'd lose every eye for them!) (You'd die a million times!) (Anything! Everything!)

(So why-) (WHY CAN'T YOU FIGHT?!)

NO!!! NOT THIS TIME!!!

(Chair!) (That's brilliant.)

(...) (You sit down.)

Ughhhh... I really don't want to redo this whole room again.

(You kick your legs.) (You're doing a good job at using this chair.)

It's a shame you can't ask Loop, isn't it?

...

You're acknowledging Loop? I didn't think you could do that.

Oh, I can. But I don't want to give them the satisfaction of talking about them when they're alive.

Wh-?

Director, Loop is very clearly alive??? I saw them yesterday.

Then how come they're not talking right now?

(...) (Hey, Loop hasn't been speaking to you either.)

(Why is that?) (Did you or dusk upset them?) (Did they really die?)

(Aw... that's so sad...)

I miss Loop.

Hehe, remember when they laugh all funny?

(Words aren't working.) (Something. Something important.) (What can you-)

(You grab his hands, pulling them up close.) (Intertwined, is the bright flower.)

A bright flower. It's for people who are important to you.

Dusk, please, please understand. You're important to me.

Ah-hhh-ghh?!!

I can't stand see you do this. To think like this. You have to stop. So, please, stop!

I... I uhm... You... thank you???

I... I didn't know you cared...

I always-

...

Yeah, dusk. I care.

A h ?

W-why are you...?

Why am I what?

...Nevermind.

We're late for dinner. And we need to introduce you again properly.

(Wee, it's game time!)

Director, are we going to play a game today?

Yesh, we are~

But it's not any fun. It's the same one as last time.

Oh stars, this is the last game. I was so Cursed and miserable I couldn't think straight.

Heh heh... no thoughts dusk. Heh... you had no brain.

Ok, actually, it will be fun with you like this!

Do you want me to LITERALLY remove his brain? It'd make him stupider~

Ohh, could you? I love stupidity.

NO!!!

Okay, okay. We'll be big brainers instead.

I could swell his brain with blood. That'll make brain REAL big.

Ohhh-

(Isabeau is here, probably considering what favor to ask from the wonder well.)

Oh, hey, Siffrin.

Hi, Isa.

How’s the Curse going?

It's heart to say, I guess I'm feeling clot of good right now.

...

(How do you keep forgetting.) I'm going to go now.

See ya later.

(Isabeau leaves you at the rock.) (Now, there's nothing to do but visit the well.)

(You find Loop, kicking their legs playfully at the well.) (No dusk in sight.) (Good.)

Heya, dawn! How can I help you on this wonderful new inner loop?

...

...Ha.

I was really hoping we could play things out normally. After all, we all learned what a BAD IDEA it is to talk about this~!

Then let's be careful.