#scriptfrin

That immediately took you from the cloud-9 feeling of being with Siffrin to the focus of something unusual. They were scripting…They had a plan. You didn't know what was about to happen, but you had a feeling deep in your gut that it was going to be significant.

"Well! Good evening! I, uh, I'm not in the way, am I?" You stumbled over your words, for all you tried to keep them focused. But it was Sif! With THAT look in his eye! Who wouldn't?!

"No, no, you're fine, hahaha!"

That was.

An answer.

"SIF?!?! Are you…Did you…I mean, it's fine if you didn't, but…Are you, can you stop scripting now?! When you want to?!"

The words spilled out of you, fully of hope, as you stared at him with a wide eyed expression. He'd! Answered you! Even though he was!!! Your heart soared, and then sank at the slight shake of their head. Then how-?

"…No, you didn't step in it." Were you that obvious? Or…no, no. Use your smart boy brain, Isabeau. And pay attention, they're talking again.

"I'm ready now." Ready? To talk? You stared, then realized you were staring and looked away, your face burning. Okay. You can do this. You can totally do this. Sif needs you. You can't be a blushing maiden about this. You took a deep breath in, and out, and let the pieces fall into place.

"You're…You've remembered more lines. You want to…try to use them? To…have a full conversation?" You guessed.

"You can be a smart jock." WHEN?! DID THEY SAY THAT?!?! DURING THE LOOPS?!?!?! You stared, trying to find the words, your jaw working uselessly for a moment as Siffrin once again changes the whole mood with just a few words. They said it with such finality, too, like it was just a fact. You tried to focus, but when?!

"Isabeau." The word brought you back to reality, as Siffrin drew your attention back. Right. Scripting. Even if they can answer a few things, you still have to lead, since he can only follow.

"Aheheh…Sorry about that, Sif! You just…caught me off guard, there. So you're exploring what you can say, huh? Pretty brave of you, Sif. But I'd expect nothing less from my Sifarooni!"

"Oh my!" The words sounded fake, but from the blush staining his pale cheeks, the sentiment wasn't. A hand went to his chest, and he managed a laugh.

"I mean it! If I'd wound up in something like that, I'd be lucky if all I got was a couple scars and a speech thing. Every day, even like this, you remind me you're still the same Sif I knew, deep down."

"I didn't say anything." It was a declaration, but they went into turtle mode again. Trying to hide their face, ducking down to peek up with the most adorable eyes. You could get lost in that look, if you weren't focusing for their sake.

"I mean…before, I guess you didn't? Or you didn't talk too much. But, well, that's alright! Sometimes it's nice to have somebody you can talk to, you get it? Someone you know won't judge you. So you can just…Be yourself, without worrying." You knew what was coming next. You weren't going to lose it. You WEREN'T.

"I've never been ashamed of knowing you, Isa."

You lost it. You blushed, you hid your face, and you found your mouth leaking nonsense sounds. No matter how many times they said that, you knew it was true, and you lost it every time. They'd even said it then! You didn't know when, but…during the loops, during the time-shaped pressure cooker, they'd said it, and they'd meant it!

"Let's have a look, then." You heard, barely over the sound of your own nonsense, and you felt his hand on yours. It was pulling! He was seeing your face! Like this! You felt the old you spurring you to run, and that alone told you to stand your ground. You managed a soft smile at him, even as you took a deep breath.

"He looks nice?"

You're gone again. Sif - Sif! Master of Hiding Emotions! - wasn't letting you hide your face, and the verbal garbage you were spilling refused to form itself into coherent words even as you closed your eyes and tried to find it in you to think. Big boy brain, you tried telling yourself, but the rest of your head was way too full of those three words to say anything.

"I have time now!" Okay, okay. You think that meant he was giving you as much time as you needed. Which! Was good! You needed time to! Recover! It was several quiet moments before you managed to get your thoughts back in order from the unexpected Siffrin Charm Assault. Well, that proves he can communicate, if he tries!

"Sorry 'bout that, Sif. You know I have a delicate heart."

"The heart of a delicate maiden." Sif is doing the deeper voice, for a line you'd said before in the past. Oh no, that was in his arsenal and he was getting clever. You were doomed.

"Absolutely!" You agree, for lack of a better option. "So…Want to just, uh, sit together for a while?" You offer, smiling down at him. "I think you've proved your point."

"I do!" they say, and lean into your side, just a little bit. You decide tonight? It's going to be a good night to just relax. You grab for your book again, to have something to enjoy as you rest together, only to feel Siffrin over at it, the slight body shifting against yours.

"…The book, is it related to your research?" Okay, that one you can guess. That was definitely something they asked Odile. But, well…When you let yourself be, you felt almost as smart as Odile, so that wasn't a surprise.

"Oh, I guess…I'm not really a researcher, you know?" You laugh, and feel the way it jostles them, and the way they cling tighter to feel more. Adorable. "I just sorta…read stuff, when the Houses let me borrow them. Which they do! As long as I drop it off at the next House, they're usually fine. Changing who has what information, you know?"

"So this is why…" They look up at you, not finishing the sentence, not seeming to have it in them to finish the sentence. You allow yourself to nod in return. "Why I've been the Smart Jock even more? Well, if I want to keep helping you, I've got to learn even more, right?"

You didn't like the expression Siffrin got at that. Like he was a rotting carcass. Like he was a weight making you sink, instead of a joy bringing you smiles. "So what do you need me to do?" They asked, and you could tell they wished they could make it sound more bitter. Oh, Sif…

"I mean! You just have to keep being you! I'm doing this because I want to! And, you…I mean, Sif, if I didn't want to spend time with you, I wouldn't bother doing this. But you make it worth it, every time! You know?"

"I do." Simple, cold, to the point. Not looking at you. Oh, you really stepped in it now. You reach down and turn his head to face you (and such a novelty, your fingers on his chin, without worrying!), staring down into his eyes with what you hope is an expression that matches your own intensity.

"Hey. Sif. Sifarooni. You've said it a lot, but it goes both ways. I've never been ashamed of knowing you, either."

For once, you get a bit of revenge on Siffrin, seeing the way his face flushes almost lightless and he buries himself against your arm. "What was it you said before?" You ask, pulling them away so you can see their face, even as they try to hide. "He looks nice?" You do your best imitation of their voice, and the two of you laugh together as they punch you lightly in the arm.

“Oh oh oh! Guys! Look, this place has samosas!” Bonnie said, tugging them through the streets of Bagon. Even amongst Vaugaurde, the area was known for its cooking. The smells of food filled the streets, enough to make even the pickiest child consider trying something new, and the outdoor market was in full swing now that it was warming up again!

It was that perfect time of year where spring made it warm enough to travel, but still cold enough to enjoy some nice, hot food (and oh Change, being medicated again made her hungry!), or at least Mirabelle thought so! It was still too cold for Bonnie and Odile, and Siffrin kept pretty warm with his cloak, but she and Isabeau seemed to like it! 

And speaking of Siffrin, he was staring at where Bonnie had seen samosas on the menu. While they were all getting better at reading Siffrin, sometimes it was still a little difficult. This was one of those times. His head was tilted, an odd look in his eye. Not necessarily upset, but not exactly happy either. He opened his mouth like he was about to say something, but only a breath came out.

It wasn’t just her that noticed. Isabeau put a gentle hand on their shoulder, not minding that Siffrin jumped before settling into the contact. “You alright, Sif?” 

“Huh?” Siffrin blinked owlishly. “Ah, sorry. Was just remembering something.”

Odile’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh? Remembering what?”

“Remembering loop stuff…

Loop stuff? From samosas?

Bonnie jolted. “OH RIGHT!!! Crab, sorry Frin! I forgot that’s why I stopped making Samosas! ‘Cause you had ‘em every day in forever school.” 

Oh that’s right! Mirabelle had forgotten that Bonnie made samosas that day, but makes sense Siffrin wouldn’t have…

Bonnie took Siffrin’s hand to start tugging him away. “We can go somewhere else-“

“No.” He said it a bit too seriously, which he must’ve noticed as he smiled and mussed up Bonnie’s hair. “I can’t deny my Bonbon TWO of their three favorite foods!” He looked back to the shop. “Besides, I’m pretty sure they sell more than JUST Samosas. Though they might not be as… as…” They scrunched up their eye, glaring at the sign for a moment. Then their eye widened and they puffed themselves up as they said, “DE~LI~CIOUS as yours would be.”

“Why’d you say it weird?” Bonnie asked.

“I was trying to sound like Isa? It’s, uh… been a while. Since I heard that.” He trailed off again, staring into space…

Odile went over to the door and said, “Would you like to have this talk on a chair with some hot food, or would you rather keep staring through the window like an incompetent stalker?”

“Madame!” Mirabelle squealed. You can’t just?! Say that?!

But say it she did, and everyone else was laughing, even as Siffrin also tried to sink into his cloak like a turtle. 

“Yeah yeah, we should go in. But, um… I need time. To get thoughts together first? And not do this in public?”

“Reasonable enough. Now get in, I’m cold.”

They all filed inside. Only Bonnie ended up ordering the samosas, but none of them entirely missed the way that Siffrin eyed them.

————

They were all back at the nearest inn… which was fairly packed, given that spring was here. Mirabelle wasn’t the least bit surprised. After all, Spring was quite important in the Change religion! A time for new growth, a fresh start, and a reminder that while Change was destruction, it was creation too! A lot of people celebrated by picking up new hobbies, clearing out some space for those hobbies and just tidying in general (Spring Cleaning!), travel, and bonding ceremonies. 

All of this to say, there was only one room available… but Madame Odile was pretty insistent on NOT having only one bed, and somehow they ended up with three. Mirabelle made sure to slip extra tips to the poor staff, that was mortifying! Though the space was nice…

“I call Mira!” Bonnie said, grabbing her hand. She could only yelp in shock as they were both catapulted to the nearest bed, making it thunk against the wall. 

“Can I call Sif?” Isabeau said, chuckling at the not-actually-a-question. Even in the days before they saved Vaugaurde, it was rarer that they didn’t sleep together. 

Siffrin stuck his tongue out and, “Nah. Isa…” they trailed, took a quick breath in, and smirked, “Isa has to sleep on the floor.” They looked over to Odile for a moment, then jumped a few inches when Bonnie laughed instead.

“FINALLY! No more being gross!” Bonnie cheered.

“I was just joking,” Siffrin said.

“BOOOOOO!”

“Yaaaaaay!” Isabeau said, even clapping his hands and looking all sparkle-eyed at Siffrin (how had she missed that they liked each other?!) 

“Heh! Heh…” Siffrin trailed off again.

Oh Change. “Hey, Siffrin? Are you okay?” Mirabelle walked over and… wait, crab, what does she do with her hands now? Um… “Pat Pat!” Head pats, sure! Wait… Oh Change, he actually leaned in that’s??? So??? Cute?!?!

Siffrin smiled, eye shutting, and let out a sigh. “I’m alright, just…” He shuffled his feet, looking down, then up again, staring at the ceiling.

“Is this related to earlier in any way?” Odile asked.

Siffrin looked aside. “… maaaaaybe…” 

“We aren’t doing anything too close to the loops, are we?” Isabeau said. “I’m willing to actually sleep on the floor if-“

“NO! I mean, kinda, but also no? You don’t have to sleep on the floor, Isa. And it’s, um… weird.”

“Yeah, well, you’re weird! And we like you that way,” Bonnie huffed. “So out with it!” They scampered over to the door and held their arms out. “No escape!”

Siffrin blinked dumbly. Once. Twice. “Snrk-“ He plopped down on bed and started laughing. “Oh come on! I’m not that bad at talking…” he looked around the room and added, “…anymore!” 

Odile nodded, “I will concede, you’ve gotten better. But Boniface, stay there.”

“Sorry ‘Za! I’m the Defender now! Ehehe.”

“Oh nooooo!” Isabeau said, dramatically swooning onto the ground in exaggerated defeat. Everyone laughed. Some a little, some a lot, but they all laughed, even Isabeau!

Change, she loved these people.

“So then… Siffrin…” Mirabelle stepped closer with the utmost seriousness. Siffrin trembled before her! “You will…” Pause for dramatic effect, hand on her currently missing sword (she was in pajamas after all)… “Talk about your feelings!!!”

“NOOOOOOO!” Siffrin moaned, collapsing onto the bed and snickering. Though he sighed and rolled to look at all of them. “… but okay. Just… promise you won’t find it weird or wrong?”

“Of course, young one.”

“Sif, we aren’t going to judge you!”

“Never! Never ever!”

“I mean, you are weird, Stupidfrin, but tell! Us!” 

Siffrin squeaked and rolled into a ball like a little hedgehog.

Mirabelle couldn’t help but giggle, “Oh no! We came on too strong!” She sat down in bed next to him.

“Scared like the stray animal he is,” Odile tutted.

Maybe it was a little mean to poke this much fun when he was having problems… but it seemed to relax him, actually? She could say from experience that treating it too seriously was anxiety inducing itself!!! A cornered animal bites! 

Siffrin pushed himself up, shuffling close enough that their knees and elbows bumped together, but not much else. “Thanks guys.” In… out. “I dunno how you guys are so sweet when I’m so weird…”

“Like Boniface said, we already know that. It’s going to take more than a few new quirks to scare us off.” 

Blushing, Siffrin tried to bury into their collar, but he was in night clothes. No cloak! So cute! Everyone was nice enough not to mention it.

They continued, “It’s just…” He looked around as though looking for a distraction, but no one was interrupting. “With the samosas, it, uh… Took me a moment. To remember. What you guys said.”

Odile raised an eyebrow. “And that’s… bad?”

“It shouldn’t be…?” Siffrin squirmed. One of his hands found one of Mirabelle’s. She gave it a little squeeze, and he gave one back. “I mean. I… Let’s talking about something. Stars-!” 

Mirabelle squeezed his hand again. “There’s no rush.”

In… out. In. And out. “Thank you.” One more time. Big breath in… big breath out. “I guess it surprised me more than anything. Which is? Kinda dumb???”

Isabeau tried to cut in, “It’s not-“

But Siffrin kept talking, “I was careful! No wishes! No ‘Hi Isa, I need to do the Favor Tree thing!’ Even though I thought I wis- though I wanted to forget. But I didn’t mean those parts!” He held tighter to her hand, breath quickening. “I wanted to forget the King and the Sadnesses and the Head Housemaiden! Not you guys!”

Everyone tried to act at once, tried to protest, but Mirabelle was closest. She took his face in her hands—ignore the way he jumped, the moment of panic, the memory of a slap—and made him look her in the eyes. “Siffrin. You are NOT forgetting us! We’re right here, okay?” 

Bonnie barreled into him, Isabeau showed a little more restraint and just opened his arms for the group hug, and Odile messed up his hair a bit from the side. 

“Yeah! No way you can forget me!!!” Bonnie shouted.

“I would hug the memory back into you,” Isabeau said. 

Siffrin snorted, relaxing into the group hug. “Thanks guys, heh. Sorry, like I said. It’s a little bit weird, but I guess…” he had to stop to breathe again. “I guess a lot of things. I don’t want to forget more. Some part of me’s scared I’ll somehow forget my scripts and just go entirely mute. And it’s- it’s the only proof I have that it happened, because it didn’t! It didn’t happen to anyone else. Not on the loop that stuck!” His grasp on them tightened. Not painfully so, not when spread out across three people, but it was noticeable. “And it’s kind of not blinding fair! I- I… ‘I’d rather you ask everyone else if they need help, first.’ And I did! And- and THANK YOU SNACK LEADER FOR THIS DELICIOUS MEAL! and Fromage and… and it… How can I help you on this wonderful new loop…”

He let out a bitter laugh. “… it didn’t happen.” 

No one knew what to say. What even could they say? There was a heaviness in the air, an oppressive silence. It felt like if something broke it, everything might shatter…

But Change is destruction, and Mirabelle was a Housemaiden. “It happened to you.”

“But-“

“No, Mirabelle is right,” Odile said. “Even if it didn’t technically happen to anyone else, it happened to you for the equivalent of months. And if I recall correctly, you’ve mentioned before that that was your rock bottom, as it were.”

“I don’t think anyone blames you for feeling cheated, Sif,” Isabeau said. “Or for missing good memories, or, uh… wishing things went better.”

Siffrin sighed, resting his head on Isabeau’s shoulder. “I just, I just wish- wait! No. I want you guys to remember too. But I know that can’t happen without, um, actually wishing it. And no thank you. I think sharpening my dagger is the most wishcraft I want anymore.”

“Fair and valid,” Isabeau said. 

“Yeah… though I feel like it’d get confusing, having two memories of the same day,” Mirabelle said.

Siffrin gave her the most deadpan look and-

“Oh Change, I guess you technically do have a lot of the same day huh,” Mirabelle said one quiet breath. 

Siffrin chuckled, “Understatement. Though for better or worse, the fact that I, uh, didn’t change much made parts of it less confusing? Like…” He looked around and his eye widened. “Y’know, if you push that bed off the far wall to be more in the middle, it looks like the clock tower…” He trailed into mumbles as he just… apparently decided to do that! Without much issue! Sometimes Mirabelle forgot how strong they were now.

Isabeau, regardless, decided to pick up the other end and help. “Uh. I am going with this because you started it, but why are we doing a thing that seems kinda tailor made to trigger you, Sif?”

“I have, like, half an idea. Working on it,” Siffrin said as he set the bed down.

“Curious as I am, I’m with Isabeau on this one. This seems ill-advised,” Odile said. 

“That took, like, five seconds. We can move it back!” Siffrin huffed, sitting on the newly moved bed. “Besides. They’re way closer.” The room was quite a bit smaller than the clock tower after all, not really meant to shove all five of them in there.

“Oh! Are we making one BIG bed?” Mirabelle said. “Ultimate bed!!!”

“Gross, Frin! I don’t wanna be next to you and Za KISSING!”

“I agree with the preteen,” Odile said. “Veto’d.”

“That’s not-!” Siffrin huffed and pulled his legs in to sulk.

Oh no! “C’mon, we should probably let Siffrin think! And then tell us, um, what he’s thinking,” Mirabelle said.

“Thank you!” Siffrin said, flopping onto his back with an overdramatic huff. There were a few chuckles, but then they let the poor guy think. 

Siffrin took a deep breath. “So… I know I’ve been, uh, a little skittish. With play stuff.” They’d tried to see one once or twice, but he couldn’t step foot into a theatre without looking like he was just… empty. “But maybe I could act it out…?” His voice hoy quieter until it was a near whisper, eye averted…

And she couldn’t blame him. Isabeau and Odile both looked like he’d suggested going to swim with Sadnesses, and Bonnie looked to Odile and tried to mimic it.

“Sif, I don’t think-“

“Don’t be stupid, Frin-“

“Young one, this might not-“

“I THINK IT’S A GREAT IDEA!” Mirabelle shouted… and jumped, surprised at just how loud that came out. And oh Change, all eyes were on her now! But… oh, just pretend they’re in their underwear… hmm, that doesn’t work as well when you’ve had to wash clothes and bathe in rivers and have actually seen that. 

Deep breath, like Siffrin! They’re her friends, and it’s her turn to help. She walks over to Siffrin, sitting beside him and pulling them up enough to take their hands in hers. “I know it might sound a little counter-intuitive, to do something relating to what scares you, or, um, trauma in your case, but sometimes it’s good to? In little ways where you have control!”

She rubbed the backs of his palms with her thumbs. “It’s kind of like reading horror books? Getting to be a little scared, but safely? Or, hmm… no. Not reading… writing fanfiction! All the control is in my hands! I can make it horrible if I want, or can make them live happily ever after, or can have them face my greatest fears in front of an audience and make out over the gorey remains! And yeah, maybe it’s scary, but it’s safe scary? My, um… some of the other Housemaidens who are good at medicine and therapy and stuff recommended it, actually.”

She smiled at Siffrin, putting a hand on his cheek. The rest are probably staring at her, but this is no grand stage. It’s… “It’s us, our family! Not a whole theatre, not Dormont, or a House or anything like that. You’re safe here with us, and you can stop or break the script whenever you want, okay?“

He was looking at her like she was the one who made the seasons change and sun move across the sky. “Okay.”

She stood up and clapped. “Good!” And then dared look around. Everyone was staring!

“So, did you take a class on psychology, then?” Odile asked. 

“Three. One of which was actually theatre related!”

“Crab yeah Mira!” Isabeau pumped his fist for her. 

“You guys are nerds,” Bonnie said.

They couldn’t refute that! 

“Snrk- yeah, we can’t all be as cool as you, Bonbon,” Siffrin said. “So… if we’re good, do I just, like, do it…? I mean, the scene setting is already here.”

“What, by yourself?” Odile said.

“I’m not writing you a script and having you do it. If I see you guys say and do those things again, it might actually give me a panic attack,” Siffrin said. He stood up on the bed. “Sorry guys! One man show!”

“One! Man! Show!!!” Bonnie cheered. “Should I make popcorn?”

“I mean, yes, always,” Isabeau said. “But how long should this take?”

“Not long. Two minutes or so? Provided you don’t combust, Isa~”

“Wait, why would I combust???” Isabeau was already blushing some, holding his hands up defensively.

“EW! I don’t wanna hear you pretend to be Za being mushy! We get enough of that!” 

Siffrin smirked. “Okay, but, then you can laugh at me being Isa being mushy. And you’re in this scene too!”

Bonnie’s eyes went wide, mouth open in childish awe. “Am I yelling at you?”

“Mmmmmmaybe~” Pause. “Yes.”

“I KNEW IT!”

“Oh I’m going to have to give the neighbors something to make up for this,” Mirabelle whispered to herself. It wasn’t too late though, so hopefully they weren’t in, or at least weren’t trying to sleep.

“Dile! Get the tea heater!” They pulled out a small pan and lid from their bag. “I’m making POPCORN!” 

“Guess we’ve got a few minutes before the show. Everyone take your seats~”

“There is only one chair, and I claim it,” Odile said. 

“Overbooked! A tragedy!” Isabeau said with an exaggerated gasp and hand over his heart. 

Mirabelle, meanwhile, felt some of her theatre classes coming back. Just the rehearsals though! There was a play, but she panicked so hard that poor Junette had to just throw on the bonnet she was supposed to wear and, well, improving that that mother requesting help was the secretly the villain in disguise was sheer genius, actually! 

Wait… “Oh!” She pulled an extra bow from her bag and gave it to Siffrin. “Here! To play me! Um, assuming I’m here?” 

“You were!”

“Hmm, probably better than you attempting to do accents. Because, young one, if I didn’t know you, I’d think your attempt at mimicking me was offensive on purpose,” Odile said, smirking at Siffrin.

“Sorry Madame.”

“Here,” she passed him those weird, opaque glasses that they’d… wait… when did she get those??? 

“What about you, Bonbon. Should I steal your hat~?” Siffrin teased, inching to where it was piled atop their things.

“No. Borrow a spatula.” 

“Bon yes bon!” They pulled a spatula. Brilliant!

“Wait! What can I give you…?” Isabeau said, making a sad puppy dog face. And that was fair! Siffrin’s ears weren’t pierced, and putting earrings on and off would be a chore anyways. And Isabeau’s gloves were just too big for Siffrin’s hands!

It apparently stumped everyone as they just stared… 

Until Bonnie said, “Make your hair stand up like a bird’s.”

That alone got a chuckle out of some of them, and it turned to outright laughs when Isabeau fake cried, “So MEAN! I’m not a bird. I’m buff!”

“The buffest of birds,” Siffrin said, pressing again Isa and standing on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. 

Bonnie threw some corn at them. 

“Worth it!” Isabeau chirped.

The popcorn was ready shortly afterwards, salted and put in a little bowl in front of everyone. Siffrin was on the bed, stage right. He spit in his hand to spike up his hair, like a bird!

“Sif…” Siffrin deepened his voice, prompting snorts from all of them at his attempt to sound like Isabeau. “Hey… hey Sif. Siffrin. Siffarooni.” 

Siffrin then scooted over and tamped his hair down just to look behind him then quickly scoot back and fluff his hair again. If the ridiculousness of such an act weren’t silly enough, it was clear he was aware of this, trying not to laugh. 

He took a deep breath and got back “in character,” looking at the empty space in front of him with the biggest, puppiest eye he could muster. “Um… Sorry? To wake you? I just have to tell you something. If that’s okay?”

“Oh crab, I didn’t!!!” Isabeau groaned, pressing his hands into his eyes. 

“In front of my Belle?!” Bonnie said, gesturing to Mirabelle like she was an art piece.

Siffrin once more played “himself” and nodded before doing his silly little scoot back to being Isabeau. “Okay, okay, okay. Then I shall tell you the thing! The thing I woke you up to tell you!”

“Siiiiiif I take it back let’s end this!” Isabeau groaned. 

“Quiet, I’m watching the show,” Pdile said, taking a handful of popcorn.

Bonnie seemed considerably more interested in laughing at Isabeau, but Siffrin didn’t seem to mind.

Siffrin continued, unmoved by the begging. “Haha! Um. So.”

“The thing I have to tell you. Is. That…” Siffrin looked off to the side, a snort escaping as he caught Isabeau’s clearly shaded face. Still, he delivered his line. “I don’t have anything to tell you right now. But I will, when, uh, we beat the King, okay?”

“Oh Change and I said this every night, didn’t I? Aaaaargh that must’ve gotten so crabbing annoying!” Isabeau moaned. 

“Now you know how I feel!” Bonnie said.

Siffrin was back in his place, but… “Uh… hmm. Breaking character of, uh… myself? A sec? Eventually I just got quiet but that’s more sad than funny, so we’re doing the funny one. Okay back to it!” He cleared his throat. “That is still SO ominous, Isa.”

Back to Isa and oh Change he actually did a really good impression of Isabeau’s flustered face! “I, uh, just don’t wanna tell you right now when it might distract you! Wouldn’t want that! So, uh, I’ll tell you when we beat the, um, King, okay?”

Siffrin looked at them, opened his mouth to say something, then it split into a head manic grin as an idea hit. Oh Change here we go. 

Siffrin bolted up, snapped, grabbed the spatula and a pillow, threw it, dropped the spatula, and lunged for the bed so it hit him in the face. 

“SIF?!”

“Pfffft, hahaha!”

“PILLOW! THROW!”

“Hahahaha! Oh noooooo!” 

They had to take a short intermission from everyone laughing too hard. Once, even twice it almost ended, but someone snickered and started it again! But third time’s the charm.

Siffrin picked the dropped spatula back up, “I’ll wash this after,” and then got on the middle bed and pointed accusingly at the empty bed, “SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP!” 

“HEY I DON’T SOUND LIKE THAT!” Bonnie huffed.

“Oh he’s trying,” Mira said. Though truthfully, the squeaky voice Siffrin had chosen was awful.

“You hit me with a pillow?!” Isabeau said.

“I would’ve used a book,” Odile said.

Siffrin hit the bed and set the bow on his hair. “YEAH ISABEAU! SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP! CLOSE YOUR MOUTH AND SLEEP!”

“PFFFT, Belle sounds like a mouse!” Bonnie said. “Belle’s on my side Belle’s on my side!”

Then Siffrin rushed over to stage right once more, slicking hair in the midst of a fit of giggles. “CLOSE YOUR MOUTH HOUSEMAIDEN! YOU’RE GONNA WAKE UP M’DAME ODILE!”

“How could I have slept through this?” Odile said. 

Siffrin went to the far bed, stifling giggles behind his hand before putting on the dark glasses and somehow managing to be utterly serious as he said, “I’m already up.” He didn’t bother with a voice, but got the tone scarily serious. 

“Oh, so I didn’t,” Odile remarked.

“And if the noise continues, I will stand up. You do not want to know what will happen if I stand up.”

Aaaand right back to the energy. He looked exaggeratedly spooked as he picked up the spatula and dove under the covers. “Sorry.” Then tried to roll over, presumably to be Mirabelle, and-

THUMP! “NYA!”

“Did you-?”

“Did he-?”

“Did Sif-?”

“Did they-?”

“Stars- YES I JUST SAID NYA!” Tangled in the sheets, Siffrin had hit the floor, and now was hiding in the covers, wiggling futilely for a few seconds before giving up. “… for the record. That did not happen. Uh… crew? A little help? Rather not cut these.”

Mirabelle giggled as she got up, helping get the sheets off without having to resort the scissors craft. 

Siffrin brushed the dust off of him, held the bow up, and gave a quick little, “Sorry.”

Then went back to be Isabeau. “Sorry m’dame…” He looked appropriately abashed, but the look turned into one of a familiar, adoring smile. “Good night, Sif!” 

“Aaaaaand scene!” Siffrin said, standing back up and giving a little bow.

They all clapped for him, even if Bonnie was breathless from laughing and Isabeau was still dark-cheeked. 

“Good job, Siffrin!” Mirabelle said, going over and playfully spinning him… and forgetting their current lack of space, squawking as they both tumbled onto a bed, laughing and breathless.

Isabeau must’ve gotten jealous as he scooped Siffrin into his arms and started kissing his cheek! “Mwah mwah mwah mwah mwah!”

“GROOOOOOSSSS!” Bonnie whined.

Siffrin was laughing so much that both he and Isa had to sit down a minute, but eventually Siffrin got back up to put the bed back, then munch on some popcorn. “Mmmmm, good as always, Bonbon~” They mussed up Bonnie’s hair with a smile as more salty snacks disappeared into their mouth. 

“I AM the best chef cooker after all!” Bonnie said, little chest puffed out.

“You are!” Siffrin said. He went a bit quiet for a moment before saying, “Speaking of that, we’re near a market anyways… wanna try making those fritters again? Maybe with a few spicy peppers?”

“YEAH!!!”

“We might wanna grab something for the neighbors too, if only to apologize…” Mirabelle said. 

“And we haven’t been kicked out yet, so to bribe the inkeepers as well,” Odile said.

“MADAME!”

They went into another bout of giggles and finished up the popcorn before going to brush teeth and settle in…

And in the dark and quiet, as she was starting to drift off to sleep, she could hear Isabeau say, “And hey Sif, just gonna tell it this time… I love you!”

“I love you too!”

Mwah!

And that night, everyone slept well.

-----

It’d been a few weeks since they’d beaten the king. A few weeks since breaking both his curse and Siffrin’s. A few weeks since they decided to keep traveling together. They were on the road this lovely morning, camping in the woods as they often had. Birds sang their cheerful Piou Piou as Bonnie threw a bunch of leftover ingredients into a mass of omelettes. Most smelled quite good, but everyone silently agreed that Siffrin would get the “honor” of trying the Pear and Cream Omelet. Isabeau was taking down most of the tents while Odile worked on purifying some water with craft, leaving Mirabelle awkwardly idle. Sure, she’d been the one to chop the firewood—scissors craft was useful for that—but it still felt wrong to be the only one not helping!

Though look! It seemed she was no longer alone.

“Good morning Siffrin, did you sleep okay?” Mirabelle asked gently. Hopefully he wouldn’t find it condescending, but these days, it was something worth asking…

His curse may have been broken, but he still suffered from it.

“Hey Mira, have you thought about doing a sleepover tonight?”

“Um… we do those… every night?” Mirabelle said. She had a sinking feeling in her gut, but no need to panic yet! Maybe it was just a strange but innocent question, maybe it’d be a one off, maybe-

“Absolutely, I’ll let everyone know!”

“Siffrin, that’s not…” Deep breaths Mirabelle, you couldn’t panic now! Panicking would just make him panic, and then they’d both be panicking, and that wouldn’t help anyone, and-

Deep breaths, Mira. In… and out… (Thank you, Siffrin, for teaching her that). She took an acting class once, as one of the many, many classes she took at the House of Change. It wasn’t one that had interested her all that much, but time to put at least a bit to good use. She kept a smile on her face and forced her cadence cheerful as she raised her voice, looking at the others. “Hey guys! Siffrin is scripting again! What should we do about that?”

It wasn’t the first time something like this happened. Sometimes, something would occur that was a bit too similar to something that already happened and he’d just run with it. He described it as instinct. Blind. Deaf. Unthinking. As ingrained as returning a hello, or his attempts to wink despite only having one eye so it looks like blinking. He just woke up though, what would’ve triggered it? Maybe her being the first he saw? But that hadn’t happened in days! Turned out he just needed to be carried in a tent if he fell asleep outside—waking up on grass to sunshine and temperate weather was, sadly, a trigger. So something else?

A few times he just started falling back on lines when he got too stressed out… oh! A nightmare, maybe? That seemed most likely. Or if he had a nightmare about waking up in loops, it could be both… either way, that’s….

“Why are you acting so happy about that, you crab!” Bonnie yelled, glaring at her.

In a tone way too teasing to be any more natural than Mirrabelle’s, Odile said, “Because, young one, if we get too upset, Siffrin might panic.”

… what she said. Unfortunately, trying to just shock Siffrin out of his script tended to only lead to him shouting his lines instead. Turns out, adding stress to something stress related does NOT fix it!

Siffrin wandered over to Isabeau and greeted him with a cheerful, “Hey Isa! Need to do the favor tree thing!”

All of them looked at Siffrin helplessly with uneasy, clearly fake smiles except Bonnie. Bonnie stared at him with a clearly concerned pout. “So. What do we do?”

That was the question, wasn’t it? Because while they were learning some of Siffrin’s triggers and that trying too hard to break him out might very well make it worse…

They didn’t have a solution.

Siffrin, for his part, was apparently scripting so thoroughly that he was, in fact, trying to act out a day, ignoring that they were in a forest and there were no particularly large trees in favor of just finding a bit of root sticking out of the ground to sit on. He stared across from himself, waiting…

Waiting…

“… Loop?” Siffrin said. He blinked (or winked???) his eye rapidly, as though trying to clear something out from it. His head slowly swiveled as he took the world in with an utterly lost expression. Finally, he settled on Mira. “Where is everyone again?” The playfully embarrassed cadence didn’t fit his wide-eyed expression or shaking hands at all, but it was just another sad thing to get used to.

Where is everyone? What did that mean though? Could he not see them? Maybe the trees were hiding one of them from view? Perhaps Bonnie? He’d had a few lines pretty clearly concerned for the kid and-

“We’re in the Liligant Woods,” Odile said, “twelve days north of Vaugarde. We’re headed to Bambouch to reunite with Bonnie’s sister, and the loops have been over for three weeks.”

Oh , Mira thought, feeling a bit silly. That made sense, actually. There probably wasn’t any time where Siffrin needed to ask where he was (not many options there!), just everyone else…

Isabeau knelt across from Sif, close enough for their rogue to reach out to him, but not touching yet. (Another thing they failed on. He didn’t mind touch, actually, he just wasn’t used to it). “Are you back with us, buddy?”

“Isaaaaaaaaa!” Siffrin cringed at his own cheer, screwing his face up while the next lines spilled from his mouth. “What a… TREE-mendous tree.” He then face palmed, but cracked a smile as Isa laughed despite the situation.

“Sure is! Maybe not an actual favor tree, but still, gotta love these leaves, right? Look! Five pointed! Like a, uh…”

“They’re called constellations .” Siffrin paused, then shook his head.

“They’re… not?” Mirabelle said.

“I think you mean stars, right? Like that word you say under your breath!” Isabeau said.

Siffrin actually smiled a little at that. He inched forward a bit, but paused. It was hard to tell what, exactly, he was thinking, but as Isa opened his arms for a hug, Siffrin almost literally fell into them.

Isa grinned and scooped Siffrin up like a little princess, bringing him over to the fire.

Bonnie grinned, taking a plate. “Heyfrin! I know you can’t say how cool and awesome and delicious they are ‘cause you’re stuck with the same lines, but! OMELETTES! And one of them, is my secret special one! Try it!”

Oh. Oh no. Mira had to try her best not to grin, a skill honed through many puns. Luckily madame had a great poker face, and Bonnie would look eager no matter what, so really only Isa was going to give it away, and  Frin was too busy being held and blushing and pointedly not looking to see Isa trying not to laugh.

Siffrin. Poor, trusting Siffrin took a bite of the dreaded pear and cream omelet and managed to smile despite it, chewing for way too long.

Madame smirked at him, “So, how was it, young one?”

Siffrin gave a thumbs up, a grin, and said, “Croissants.”

“Hmm… bad then,” Bonnie said, nodding sagely. They put a stick on their nose and pushed it up like it was a pair of glasses and pretended to write something down. “No one appreciates my gee-nee-us. I am researching omelette ology. Very important, makes my back hurt.”

”Really, Boniface?” Odile said, though she couldn’t stifle a laugh. “We’ll see how your back is doing in forty years.”

The actually good omelets were passed around shortly after. Unfortunately, Siffrin had to be returned to the ground so Isa could eat too. Sure, Isa probably could’ve carried Sif under one arm like a sack of potatoes, but then Siffrin would have a hard time eating, so really this was best for everyone.

Siffrin only picked at breakfast though, except for when Bonnie was watching. Thankfully, he could scarf down food fast enough that a bit of child-staring ensured he was fed, but…

“… hey, are you okay? I’d, uh, say we should have a feelings talk, but given the circumstances…” Isabeau said. He was trying to stay positive, but everyone could see him trying almost as hard as Siffrin to find words, but neither could.

Odile spoke up next, “Well, whenever you do, I don’t mind listening either.”

“Woop woop.”

“Are you sassing me?” Odile said, eyebrow raised.

“In a while, Rockodile!” Siffrin said with a grin.

“NO!” Bonnie shouted.

Siffrin opened his mouth with one of those cat-like grins he gave before making a pun, but what came out, well, wasn’t, “Rice. Pineapples. Samosas.” He chuckled like he’d said something, but everyone’s confusion and worry must’ve shown. He slunk back, trying to hide under a hat he didn’t have anymore.

“… Siffrin?” Mirabelle said, reaching a hand out but stopping short.

“… take my ashes and throw them from the highest peak,” he said, pulling his legs up to his chest and hiding in them.

Mirabelle’s heart twisted in her chest. He’d been doing so well, but she couldn’t imagine this was easy. It was tempting, to try to just keep going, to smooth it over for them, but would that help? It might just make things worse, and even if she asked, he couldn’t answer.

“Sif?” Isabeau said.

Siffrin had gotten up, leaving. “Sleepover, clock tower, see you there!”

The others started talking, moving, but Mirabelle sat, still thinking.

How would that feel? To wake up and barely be able to communicate? To go off thinking she was doing one thing and realize she was somewhere completely different? To try to apologize, but not having the words. It feels uncomfortable just imagining it, but with other people, it’s worse. It’d be so frustrating to look up, to try to talk, but then not be able to understand. And then trying anyways, it’d be so sweet, but she’d feel guilty for it. Wouldn’t it just be easier to leave? Then they wouldn’t have to adjust for her. Though maybe that was just her anxiety speaking, telling her that others wouldn’t want to deal with it, but isn’t this anxiety too? Fear and pain and trauma? Maybe not exactly the same, but still. And imagine that happening so quickly? Asking everyone to accommodate her? Everyone to…

Change.

Stand up Mirabelle. This is your cue. “I’ve got this.”

Siffrin was fast, he’d already run off, but he was upset enough that he didn’t bother hiding his tracks (or maybe he wanted found). Bushes and grass were pushed aside, branches broken, an easy trail. Siffrin sat by a stream, muttering lines to himself and tugging at his hair in frustration. It tore at her heart. In some ways, it was hard to imagine this was the same, playful and near-careless traveler they met on the road…

“You’ve Changed,” Mirabelle said.

Siffrin jumped, twirling around. “Mirabelle, have you heard of the CARROT method?” He tugged on his hair again, teeth grit. In other circumstances, maybe it’d be comical to see him throw a fit after saying something out of context, but knowing he couldn’t stop…

“I have, actually,” Mira said. “Thank you.” She went to sit beside him, watching the water flow. “… it’s hard, isn’t it? Changing.”

He blinked at her, opening his mouth before nodding his head. Siffrin sat back down, just watching.

“A lot of people come into the House all the time, you know? To learn, to try new things, to become different people. It’s expected, celebrated even, but it doesn’t mean we take it lightly. Change is destruction, and you have to weigh that when you decide to Change…”

“And you didn’t get that choice, did you?”

Siffrin shook his head, tears beading in his eyes.

“That’s alright. Sometimes it just happens. And, well… you can’t always get back what you lost, but you can still try to Change in ways you’d rather, y’know? And, um…” she swallowed a lump in her throat.

“Maybe we should go over strategy?” Siffrin said, putting a hand on her back.

“Thanks Siffrin, but- hey! Wait! I’m supposed to be comforting you!”

He chuckled under his breath.

Mira huffed a little, but smiled. “The point is, well, yes, you’ve Changed. And it was forced on you, so now you’re something you probably didn’t want, but that doesn’t mean we stop living you. A lot of people Change all the time, and we still welcome back whoever they are now. I’d be a crabbing TERRIBLE house maiden if I left you just because you have some trouble communicating now.”

Siffrin’s breath hitched and he inched closer, slowly putting his head on her shoulder. Wetness soaked the fabric there as she threaded fingers through his hair. “It’s okay. I’m here. You Changed, but I still love you.”

His hands came out, tugging almost desperately on the fabric. The hug was near-crushing, almost painful. Perfect.

“There there… I get it. Having trouble with, um, thoughts and all. And I can barely imagine, I’m, making you guys try to figure things out, but we want to, okay? Besides, I’m great at learning! I’ve learned so much I taught classes on learning! And, um, maybe im not naturally as smart as Isabeau and Odile, but they are! And kids can Change really easily, and the point is we care. We care enough to Change with you, to learn. If you’ll stick around and give us the chance.”

He couldn’t muster more than a nod between sobs as an answer, but that was good enough for her. They sat there until Siffrin cried themselves out, leaning lightly against her as they returned.

He only let go to collapse into Isabeau’s arms instead.

“Good talk?”

“Sounds like there’s nothing else for me to add, huh?” Siffrin said. It was hard to pin his voice, hard to say when he’d use this line, but at least for now he was smiling.

-------