#loop 7

Okay! We should go look for Lupus again.

Hm... yeah. But where could they be?

Eh, I don't know, maybe-

Bonus: Long Banner

(You whisper comforts into their ear.) (The two of you slowly relax.) (Breathing together, one breath at a time.)

(You don't...) (Remember what it was like.) (What remains are faded footprints.) (Ghosts of a memory of a memory.)

(Were you hugged?) (Ever kissed on your head and told:) ("I love you?")

(The hole in your chest is easier to ignore if you're not prodding into it.)

(But Lupus is growing their own abyss.) (If you don't reach out and fill it.) (They'll become just like you.)

(You're not sure how you're supposed to do this.) (How can you give if you've never known?) (What if you make it worse for them?) (What if you're not enough?)

(But you have to try.)

(With hesitation, you kiss Lupus' forehead.) (They still, shocked by the gesture.) (Did you do bad after all?)

(...After a moment, Lupus leans back into you.) (They sigh, seemingly happy.) (Their little body is warm against you.) (It's still such a surreal feeling.)

Is this okay, Lulu?

"Lulu..."

(They breathe out the nickname as if sacred.)

Lulu would love more kisses, if that's okay?

(As ordered, you kiss their head some more.)

AHHH I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

LUPUS! GAAH!!!

Siffrin, are you-

…I thought it was a nice night for an evening swim.

But you looked so panicked?!

(UH!) (THAT'S RIGHT, SHE SAW YOU JUMP IN AFTER YOU LOOPED!)

Ah-! Okay, I was just really excited for my swim?!

Please don't lie to me...

...Sorry, I had a bad nightmare.

(When you're out here, everything in the Labyrinth feels like it was a nightmare.)

Oh... do you want to talk about it?

No, I'd like to get dry now.

Oh, okay! So I was thinking we'd have a party-

(Sigh... you get dried off and head down to the party.)

Siffrin!

TADAH!

Lupus...?

Hi, Siffrent...

You look so sad. I would have thought me being here would cheer you up?

But you're all tired and Cursed and...

Lupus, I'm fine now. See?

...

SIFFRENT!?!?!!? YOU'RE HERE!!!!

Dawn, please take care of yourself.

Ngh...

(You haven't been feeling great.)

I'd recommend taking it nice and easy this loop, okay? Work on getting your stats back up.

I guess so...

(Anything to avoid jumping into that furnace again so soon.)

Good. It... makes me happy to hear you'll be trying. Remember, eat food, get rest, talk to your family.

Loop, I, I don't, exactly...

...Sorry, I meant party members.

But I do have a recommendation! Have you ever considered... helping them?

Huh?

Mhm! It's called a "Friendship Quest!" You Siffrins just love to be helpful, it's so cute!

...I don't know if I can be any help.

No, no, no! You can! You're a wonderful little spark of joy!

(...Uh huh.)

No, do not "uh-huh" me! It's true!

Did you... perhaps not know... that you are liked??? By others?! Shocking, I know!

I-

NO, I'M NOT ACTUALLY JOKING. THOSE ARE YOUR FRIENDS AND THEY LOVE YOU.

Okay, okay! Stars, I got it!

DON'T ARGUE WITH ME.