#loop 55

I'm glad you changed your mind! About! Doing that!!!

I'm sorry. I'm terrible. I'm horrible.

It's not... great. What you wanted to do was bad.

(You're reminded of what the Director had said in the garden.) (How much of that was projection and how much was the truth?)

But now you know. I'm just as awful as the Director.

Dusk... I forgive you.

...What?

You didn't go through with it. I don't know what it's like to live with your Curse, but I know I'd probably...

No, I know I would've done the same as you. We're the same person, dusk.

But... but I don't... deserve your forgiveness... I'm so-

I don't care. I love you. Can we just put this behind us?

...

Dusk? Please. Can you-

There'll be a labor shortage. Empty homes. Maybe... we'll find one that works for us.

I'll need you to speak for me. I won't be able to talk to people to get hired in the first place.

(How has he been getting jobs until now?) (You can't imagine Lupus was able to negotiate labor.)

But I'll be healthy, I can work while you get better.

We'll figure it out. I'll watch over Lupus while you're out working. Maybe I could cook dinner?

I'm not sure that I trust our cooking skills for that, dawn.

Snrk, but someone will have to! I'll ask Bonnie for some easy recipes before they leave.

Be sure to. I've never had a house before, so...

Me neither. This is new to me too.

We'll build a home together... something permanent.

For Lupus.

Yeah. For Lupus. And you, dawn.

For all of us, dusk.

...Dawn.

Yes, dusk?

I know... I've done wrong with you and I don't deserve this but...

(You hold onto him as he crumbles up into you.) (You lean back, he takes every inch he has available of you.)

You really forgive me? You said you love me?

Yes, dusk, I do.

I'd been so cruel. I'm sorry. Forgive me.

(You reassure him again and again.) (He doesn't seem to get any less frantic.)

Can I… be selfish? Can I touch you? Would that… be… okay?

(Does this hug not count as touching???)

Yes, dusk. I'd like that.

Dusk.

Ha... ha... I feel so alive...

(You return to Isabeau, who you find sitting awkwardly, scratching at the bandage on his arm.)

Sif! You got it back!

(You try to smile.)

...Did look at my other art?

No! No, I swear we didn't! It's just... we got too excited.

You both liked it?

We both... really, REALLY liked it. We'd like it if you drew us more.

"Us?"

I mean, um, me. See, uh, dusk looks like me? Sort of.

And he was jealous I drew you instead?

(Wow! He got it even when he didn't know the full context.)

Why don't I try drawing him tomorrow? If you describe him, I could figure something out?

We'd love that.

(This went well.) (Why were you so nervous again?)

So, Sif-bo-bif, can I get my sketchbook back?

(Ah, right.) Um... so I said we were too excited.

...Uh huh?

I kind of... ate it.

You... ate... my book...?

No, no, just the drawing. We were too happy and I just-?

That's the highest compliment I've ever gotten???

(You give dusk his new headwear.) (Dusk now has two hats.) (Hehe.)

Alright, mx. funny person. How about I give you...

(They dig into their pockets looking for something.)

(...They pull out a handkerchief.)

...

Snrk...

IT'S LIVER TIME! SPECIAL ORDER FOR FRIN!!!

Assuming you're all done with your dumb dress up games.

Hey, dressing up isn't dumb. You're being mean.

Nuh-uh. Frin looked stupid and silly. I wouldn't be caught dead doing that.

(Augh! You knew you looked dumb!!!)

Aaand that's my cue to leave. Wish me luck.

But our clothes?

...I guess we could switch back now.

(The two of you switch back.) (Brrr! Does the Director do nothing to heat this place up?!)

Good luck, Dusk! You can do it! Whatever that is!

(...You give a small wave.) (And just like that, he leaves.)

Huh? What's Dusk doing?

He's scouting ahead. We'll meet with him later.

(Assuming he's still alive then.)

(No, no, no, don't think like that!) (He promised he'll make it out of the garden.)

(You can't falter in your trust.)

Cool. Anyway, I made you Grilled Portobello Mushrooms!!!!! I made plenty for everyone!

(Mmm... yummy!)

Look, Siffrent, I'm kicking my legs like you are!

(Aw, they are.) (Lupus really is the cutest.)

(The two of you spread out through the grass to find flowers.)

(There's little tiny ones, which you know require more work with your hands to tie into crowns.)

(Seems like this activity will take a while.) (You begin picking them...)

(One... five... ten... you don't want to take too much.)

I got enough. Let's sit together and weave them in.

O-okay.

(It's so...) (So nice.)

(You've missed dusk.) (You've missed having someone next to you, sharing body warmth.)

(You missed him, you've missed him SO MUCH!!!)

(Dusk...)

Heh... idiot, you got a leaf on your face.