#loop 56

(You bite the inside of your cheek.) (Okay, you're both unbelievably stupid and walk disasters, you got it!)

(Aughhhhhh...)

Eugh, okay, let's talk about something else. It seems dusk is taking their time getting here.

So... the Director's Sadnesses.

I didn't KNOW it was a Sadness! My blinding Paige memories were screwing with my head again!!!

No, I get that. Their Sadnesses sometimes appears within their puppets.

(Wait, what?!!) (That's happened before?!)

That's "Mal Du Pays," a unique Sadness that lives within the Director's Theater Craft.

Or maybe it's just using it as an opportunity to manifest? It's easier to take form if there's a physical base to work with.

Regardless, I didn't warn you because it's rare. And freaky. I didn't want to freak you out.

I have sufficiently been "freaked out", Loop.

You know, I could have really used your help when dealing with that thing.

I failed you.

Loop, you didn't-

No, it's true. I always fail you Siffrins. I've been honest about this from the start.

I will not save you, dawn. I will continue to fail you.

(You sit next to Loop with your head in your hands.) (How could everything go so terribly so quickly?)

(You were on track to get to floor 3.) (If dusk hadn't acted on his own, the two of you could've figured out the garden.)

Is there a way to reverse it?

...Not without paying an equal price. You know that's how wonder wells work.

(Three fingers.)

But the garden game can't be worth that much? Isn't that price too high?

There's no subjective answer to worth. Everything is equal to the Universe. It's your intent and belief that defines the value.

Dusk was stupid enough to think it was worth it, so it was.

(Oh...)

At least he knows better now. He won't go through that again.

...Dawn, are you being serious?

(But...) (But he couldn't have...)

Dawn. Your eye is still gone.

(Uh.) (You should see Loop.)

(Assuming they don't jump into the well the second you get there, you REALLY need an explanation to what is going on.)

(...Mirabelle isn't at her normal spot again.) (You keep waking up early.) (That's strange.) (Is that your new normal?)

Oh, hey, Siffrin.

(You don't have time for this.) See you later.

Okay.

Loop, what happened?

Isn't it clear by now? Your stupid copy made a deal with the Director.

But... what does that mean? I'm still around.

I don't actually know what he agreed to. I was on break when it happened.

Do you know what he gave up?

Gave up? But we're in a timeloop, he couldn't-

That smoke. Dusk used a well. He had to give something up.

It was his fingers. Three of them. But-

Blinding- Okay. Okay. That's. That's not SO bad.

NOT SO BAD?! LOOP-

It's not a limb. It's not their blinding LIFE.

Three fingers isn't that high of a price. Except, it is, for a game YOU could've gotten done on your own.

That game was rigged! I couldn't get through it-

...I'm not being filtered or restrained. That game's been canned because of the deal.

Dawn, it didn't work because you weren't confessing to everyone in your party. Dusk already knew everything you said.

(What?) (That was why?)

LOOP 56

(Dusk-)

[IDIOT!!!!!!!!]

(OW OW ow ow ow ow ow ow ow!!!)

[WHICH OF YOU IDIOTS MADE A DEAL!?]

(Deal? What is Loop screaming at you-)

[Not you.]

(Aghhh... ow.) (Your head still hurts.)

(...Loop?)

(Hello? Loop?)

What is going on? What deal???

SHUSH UP?!!? I'm DEALING with it.

...

Oh blind it, just get your ass over here so I can scream at you in person.

(Your ears wouldn't really like that...)

I don't care if you don't want to! GET OVER HERE!!!

Loop, please don't go into the well again. I need answers.

HAHA! Yes, dawn! My breaks are over. I won't be doing that again-

BECAUSE THE SECOND I LEAVE YOU TWO ALONE YOU START MAKING DEALS WITH THE BLINDING DIRECTOR!!!!!!

Loop-

Over the blinding garden? The blinding easiest game in the whole blinding labyrinth?!

It wasn't easy-

It is! All you have to do is confess something honestly to your party.

Blinding blind $#((@*$)!

$($(%)%(QW@$)$)!!!!!!!