Archive of Our Own ^beta

You don't want to sound ungrateful. Siffrin is pleasant to be around. You would have been worse off had you never met them. But they are not acting like themself since they woke up yesterday. More silent than you expect. They knew to ask the boulangerie's child for the familytale. Eating as if they've been starved. Even when going through the House they looked completely exhausted and unaware. And even now, as they talk to Boniface and Mirabelle, they look as though they would prefer to be anywhere else. It's finally your turn. After the pleasantries, you strike at the heart of the matter, "...But really, is everything okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know, Siffrin. You've felt off since yesterday. More withdrawn, mostly. Tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing's wrong!"

"...It's okay if you don't want to tell me, you know. I'll find out eventually."

"But I'm not hiding anything."

"Is that so. Is that so? So Time Craft has nothing to do with you?"

"Why would--"

"And the fact that you knew how to read that book on Wish Craft... Knew how to wish correctly, when no one else did... It doesn't mean anything, either?"

"Odile, you're--"

"And the way you're acting, doing that stupid smile like nothing's wrong... It doesn't mean anything, either?!?"

He lets his smile drop and just stares at you. He's paying more attention to you right now than he gave the King. 

"I'm not stupid, Siffrin. If I find something strange, I can do nothing except give it my full attention. And you are actually strange. There were so many signs... I did not understand them, but now I do! You've been acting strange since you woke up from your nap, yesterday!" His stare is intense, as if you're a child playing with something you shouldn't. But you won't drop it, you can't, "When we talk to you, you act out of it, almost bored... And the way you reacted to the rocks falling... We all jumped, but you just looked at them fall, calmly. And there's so many other things, the way you reacted to so many things throughout our entire journey through the House! And, and... And how every time you found the keys we needed to proceed, you didn't seem surprised, like you knew exactly where they were. Even that key hidden in the classroom. Almost like... Like you had found them before, maybe?"

"...How would that even be possible? It's my first time in the House."

"I don't know, Siffrin, why don't you enlighten me?! Don't think I believe the whole 'I wished croissants would disappear~' thing, too. So, if you lied about your wish... What did you wish for, then? That's it, isn't it? Did something happen? To you, to us? Did we die against the King, maybe? Is that why you're repeating the same events, Siffrin?"

He is not staring at you anymore, opting to avoid looking at you completely. "Congratulations, you figured me out. You want a cookie?"

"Siffr--"

"Sorry, that was mean. Sorry..."

"Siffrin, I believe you're entitled to a degree of tactlessness. So, will you tell me what is wrong?"

"Why do you care? We're here at the end, aren't we?"

"Are we? Is that why you look as though you're just going through the motions?"

He sighs and mutters something about perceptive, "...I loop back while talking to the Head Housemaiden."

"For how long, Siffrin? Why didn't you say anything?"

"...Ninety-two, maybe ninety-three times. And I knew you'd hate me if you knew."

"Hate you? Siffrin, I don't--"

"Of course you do. How could you not? I trapped all of Vaugarde in the same two days. I don't want you to hate me."

"Siffrin, I don't hate you. I'm worried for you. Gems, I can't imagine the toll this has taken on you. I'm sorry for not noticing before, but please, Siffrin, let me help you now."

"...It's too late. This loop is almost over."

"Can I trust you to tell me in the next loop?"

"Maybe!"

You're certain he means no. You're not sure how you're meant to convince them to rely on you. You decided to take a gamble and put your hand on his head, nearly knocking his hat off in the process. Siffrin finally looks at you again, eye wide, "You're touching me?"

"I noticed earlier that you leaned towards my hand when I ruffled your hair earlier. I take it you actually like touch?"

"...It's nice. Grounding. Reminds me that I'm here."

"You are here, Siffrin. Here with me and I want to help you. But before I can do anything, I need you to talk to me."

"...I'll try."

"Can you start by telling me your wish?"

"It doesn't matter... It's selfish."

"Wishes are supposed to be selfish. You already know what I wished for and why. I won't judge you for yours."

"...I wished to go with you to Ka Bue."

"Oh." You hadn't expected that in the slightest. Gems, you must be blushing. "That's... a lovely thought, Siffrin. I would like that. Let's work together to make it happen."

"Okay." You actually believe them this time. They leave you to speak with Isabeau before the Head Housemaiden. You notice a drastic change in how she's acting. You join Siffrin's side. The smell of burnt sugar hits you suddenly, the smell of Time Craft. Or maybe it's Wish Craft? A thought for the next Odile. You put a hand on Siffrin's shoulder. They look conflicted before resting their head against your a--

You check your list for what else you need to purchase when you notice Siffrin, "Oh, Siffrin? I didn't see you there..."

"I need to talk to you. It's important."

"...Lead the way then."