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It’s been about a week since everyone got to Bambouche, about a week since Boniface got to meet their sister again and about a week since Siffrin’s wish was, technically speaking, fulfilled. The party has also grown a bit in size since then, with two new members.
Petronile was lovely to have around, you can definitely tell where Boniface takes after her. Although she wasn't the happiest when she learned they were brought halfway across the country and was there the king was defeated, that anger has simmered out by now to the point where she was both willing to let Bonnie keep travelling and also join herself.
The other one Odile still isn’t completely sure about. Sure, Loop was able to help everyone reach Siffrin before they died while fighting the king, but it's also painfully obvious those two are hiding something and haven't told anyone yet.
Aside from being very vague about the whole time-loops thing, and much more importantly what happened during them, they refused to give any sort of information about what the deal was between them and Siffrin. Not talking about everything that happened in Dormont she can understand, Siffrin had obviously gone through a lot and was very much traumatised from the experience.
Not telling anyone about where they came from and what exactly they are, she could also understand that it simply isn't anyone else's business.
But there is still something about the way the two act around each other that doesn't make sense yet with the pieces she’s been given. And the two certainly act capital W Weird around the other. At first she just chalked it up to shared trauma making the two close, it would make sense they would stick to each other when no one else could remember the loops.
But at the same it felt like a bit of a too loose way of saying just how close Loop and Siffrin are. Like they had known each other better than any of them ever knew Siffrin before the loops and will ever know him after. Afterall, they will probably never know everything that has happened.
So, the only thing she can do is keep an eye out, just like she already has for anything she should take notice of. She knows that Siffrin is much more likely to tell them how he feels now, but if she learned anything from this it is that he would much rather suffer in silence rather than tell anyone. If Loop ends up hurting him she would never forgive them, so she keeps an eye out.
1. Loop only seems interested in socialising if it is with Siffrin.
She started taking notice of this quirk soon after Siffrin recovered enough to get back on the road, that unless the conversation was with or about Siffrin they had little interest in talking with the rest of the party. Any time someone tried to talk with them without Siffrin around it would just get them waved off.
“That sounds very interesting, housemaiden. I'm sure the fighter would want to read it too. Why don't you go ask him?” Everyone had been sitting around the campsite waiting for Boniface to finish with the food they were making, usually Loop would be sitting with Siffrin at this point but he was still sleeping. Mirabelle had taken the chance to talk to them about that book series she likes, The Cursing Of Château Castle, hoping to find something in common with Loop.
“I'm sure you would like it if you tried it, Loop!” However, Loop keeps just deflecting any attempts to talk with them. “Siffrin found me the last issue so if you want to you can read the whole story, no need to wait for more volumes you know?”
“Oh I know. I also know how it ends so I doubt it would interest me that much. What a cheap plot twist that was, it would have made much more sense if his false lineage had been the truth.” They cross one leg over the other and lean on their hand.
“So you have read it? With how you were against reading it I just thought some part of it doesn't interest you.” Mirabelle is smiling while talking, clearly about to continue talking. But before she can, the tent behind her opens and a bleary eyed Siffrin walks out.
“Good morning, my Stardust!” “Oh! Good morning Siffrin!” “Well rested, I assume?” They nod, and mumble something about the carrot method Mirabelles way.
“Come sit down, why don't you.” Loop was patting the spot next to them. “Your Housemaiden was just telling me about that book series about ‘just some guy’. Very fun conversation.” As if they were even wanting to take part in said conversation.
Siffrin sits down next to Loop and says something to Mirabelle, which makes her gesture to the book and talk while he nods along. Loop stays silent while leaning back slightly, completely ignoring what is happening around them and only speaking again when Bonnie calls out for everyone to start eating.
So far, no one but Siffrin seems to be able to hold Loop's attention. It makes sense, the only person who loop had apparently talked to since becoming who they are was Siffrin. Or so they claim at least, Odile isn't sure she believes them. While everyone is eating, she subtly writes a short sentence in what is soon to become a list of unexplained or odd behaviours from Loop.
2. Siffrin is more likely to do something if Loop is the one to suggest it.
The first proper town they come across after continuing travel is barely a week northeast of Dormont. Even if they all arrived early in the morning and could keep going, they were all fairly worn out still and decided to stay in town until the next day.
Staying in a town for a few nights straight was something that happened often before when they were trying to save the country. But it was incredibly obvious for everyone, even Boniface, that Siffrin doesn't remember what he would usually do in towns. Everyone had taken the chance to offer anything they could do, but nothing stuck for what he could do.
Seeing as the things he would most often do back then being things like looking inside people's homes and napping those were obviously off the table. The estimate on how many loops it had been was.. concerning, to say the least. Going napping of all things in this situation would certainly end badly.
It has been a while since Odile and Siffrin have been able to go on a proper secret quest, much longer for one than the other, so it would be nice to see what some of the antique shops have in this town. Sure, she has the family tale to satiate her curiosity but it left a bitter taste when reading it. Whether from what Siffrin had said that day or from the knowledge of just how many times she had read that very book before, she didn't know. It should be something new yet familiar enough for them to tag along.
“What should you do? My my Stardust, you're still coming to me to figure out what's next. The loops are over you know?” Hmm. Maybe she could wait with asking a little longer, she wouldn't want to interrupt. And it's also a good opportunity to get a better idea of what Loop is like with nobody else around.
“I know it is, it’s just- I don't know what to do? Is there anything I have to do? Do I just, I don't know, wander?” She can't see either of them from where she is, but she can still imagine Siffrin reaching for a hat that's no longer there and retracting into his collar. There was silence for a few moments.
“Well, maybe that is what you should do? Walk around, take in some sights, anything you didnt do in Dormont just to get used to it again. This place is plenty different after all!” If she can recall correctly, that had already been suggested earlier that day.
She can't hear a response after that. There's some light shuffling, most likely from Loop, Siffrin is completely silent even when running nowadays. The front door of the inn opens and closes before she walks into the room properly.
“You know it's rude to eavesdrop, right Researcher?” Loop is just grinning, or an approximation of a grin without a mouth, before walking past her to do whatever it is they do when alone. Later that day, while in different antique shops alone, she could see Siffrin multiple times running around outside.
3. The two often walk off together without telling anyone, sometimes coming back with mild injuries.
In less than a week, they will be in Bambouche. In less than a week Boniface will meet up with her sister again and they are getting more restless over it, insisting to travel as far as possible each day. Even with how many Sadnessess they run from instead of fighting and how quick everyone is with packing up camping supplies, it's still going to be a couple days.
Even now, as they are sleeping, there are barely visible eye bags under their eyes. It reminds her of the nights back when they first joined and would barely sleep without panicking about the encroaching curse. She supposes it is a similar situation, just that now they are going towards Bambouche instead of away.
The fire in front of Odile is enough to see the words in the book she is reading, something about the sewing practices of Vaugarde, a book Isabeau had recommended. At the same time she flips to the next page she can hear one of the tents being opened behind her, and out steps both Siffrin and Loop.
“I believe there is still a bit of time before it's your turn to keep watch, Siffrin.” Especially considering everyone else had agreed that the time Siffrin was to keep watch would be kept short. “Any reason you both are awake?”
“Just a walk, we’ll be back within the hour.” Siffrin grabs his dagger, probably in case of any sadnessess, while Loop keeps slowly walking into the distance only to stop near the edge of camp. “Or maybe sooner, depends how far we go.” She nods in their direction.
“Have fun, stay safe and all that. Avoid Sadnessess if you can.” Which gets a single barked laugh out of Loop.
“Oh I can guarantee we will be incredibly safe and have a lot of fun. Isn't that right, Stardust?” Siffrin, who has by now walked up to Loop, elbows them in the stomach. They both wave, Loop much more enthusiastically than Siffrin who refuses to meet her eyes, and then walk off into the forest.
Roughly 40 minutes later, she’s finished reading the book and they have not returned yet.
15 minutes after that, there is a dim light coming from the forest and out walks both of them. Siffrin looks like even more of a mess than they usually do and for some reason unbeknownst to Odile, Loop is wearing his cloak.
“We’re back~” Loop gestures to both them and Siffrin in a sing-songy voice as they sit down on the opposite side of the firepit while Siffrin sits next to Odile. “Don't suppose it's our turn to keep watch yet, do we?”
“I suppose it is, if you have the energy for it that is.” It should be fine, even if Siffrin looks a bit roughed up he could be convinced by Loop to go back to bed if needed. Grabbing the book, she gets up and ruffles Siffrins hair. “Then I'll be off, Isabeau is to keep watch later so make sure to wake him.”
A straight, agitated scar is barely peeking out over the edge of Siffrin’s collar. Part of it scabbed over and part of it was already turning pale against the skin, clear evidence of healing craft being used. That is not the type of cut you get from some normal stray sadnessess or shrubbery, that looks like a sharp blade had been used. Maybe more like that of stronger sadnessess. Siffrins cheeks are dark when she looks, but he doesn't comment on it.
While writing in her journal what is quickly becoming a whole page dedicated to Loop, she can faintly hear the chiming sounds she often associates with healing craft and conversations she can't make out.
4. Loop often wears Siffrins clothes, even after getting their own.
That time in the camp wasn't the only time she had seen Loop wear Siffrin’s clothes. They have roughly the same size if she had to guess so it was convenient and it's not like Loop had anything else. Apparently, not only did they not have anything else with them, but also-
“What do you mean you’re always naked?!” She had to partially agree with Boniface here. Even if they had no parts to cover or need for temperature regulation, it is still in poor taste to walk around naked, celestial body or not.
“Wait, then how do you express yourself if you have no clothes?” That too. Vaugardians and their obsession with showing themselves for who they are at that time, it would make sense that is what they focus on instead of the practicality of wearing clothes.
“And why would I need to wear anything? I have nothing to hide and the only person who ever saw me in Dormont was Stardust. I'm eye-catching enough as it is already.” Ever since they arrived in Bambouche there had been an unspoken rule about not talking about the loops just yet in front of Petronillé, or Nille, as Bonnie told the others to call her.
“You've been flashing all of us this whole time! There are kids present, you know!” Although she had, just as Odile, been heavily suspicious of Loop it had been for different reasons. After she learned that no, they didn't bring a Sadness along with them as a pet, the two had gotten along well enough with each other. Enough so to be able to jokingly annoy them back with fake malice.
“Stars are known for being quite flashing.” Siffrin’s pun got a groan from Mirabelle while Bonnie punched them in the side. Isabeau hadn't laughed, just stared forward at Loop with a thoughtful look. Later that day, Mirabelle and Isabeau had dragged Loop with them to get their own clothes, self expression is a right in Vaugarde afterall. When they came back, Loop was wearing actual clothes while their hands held at least three different changes and a nightgown in them.
After that, nobody really let Loop walk around without clothes and encouraged them to wear their own clothes that they chose instead. They’d certainly acted weird about it for a bit but after a couple weeks of having clothes they had gotten used to it and acted normally again.
Well, as normally as they usually do. Loop was still an enigma for the most part, even with the things she had so far about them it felt like something was missing to really solidify her theory. Nothing new has popped up in a while.
It certainly made things easier when they did tell Petronillé about the loops so that it could be talked about out loud, most of the suspicions she had had about the saviours and Loop had disappeared by then and, soon after, she had agreed to let Bonnie continue to travel.
There are only a few things left before they can keep travelling, Supplies are to be stocked up, Nille needs camping gear, preparations for Boniface to get an education on the road. They should probably get another tent now that she thinks about it, she doubts Nille is comfortable sharing one with anyone else in the group yet.
Then the next day would be a good time to get some of those off the list, if all goes well travelling can start as soon as by the end of the week. She should ask the others if there's anything she has missed or anything they want to add. Maybe it would be a good idea to get extra, there's no way to know if any shops they could normally stop at would be back open yet.
She’ll figure it out, for now she should ask the others if anything is needed. Everyone else other than Siffrin is out, so she can ask him first. He’s still sleeping more than before, even after all this time recovering from craft exhaustion, she's starting to think maybe the fatigue will stick even months down the line if not longer.
Thankfully, he is not asleep right now. They are reading something in a language she doesnt recognise while sitting in bed, looking at it gives her a headache. She must've made a face at the book, because he puts it down after they turn towards her. He’s wearing their normal clothes but not their cloak, and she can't see it anywhere.
“I was going to ask if there is anything you need to get before we get moving, but have you lost your cloak?” Even when he wasn't wearing it he usually had it nearby, if not just right next to their other things. They had already lost their hat somewhere, she doubts he wants to lose their cloak too.
“Nope, Loop has it.” Or it would be with Loop, she thought they would have stopped taking it when they had their own clothes. Perhaps Loop hadn't realised yet that since they had their own clothes they could stop using Siffrin’s cloak.
“I will remind them of having their own clothes, now-”
“Oh! No, I don't mind. They can wear it whenever they want, you don't have to tell them anything.” Huh. That's quite a reaction. And a bit of an odd one, at that. There is no reason for Siffrin to let Loop do that anymore, and it's not like the weather is unpredictable during this season so Loop is not missing any clothes for the windier and colder seasons as those aren't needed yet.
Why would?-
Oh.
Oh.
“Is there any reason that Loop wears your clothes still?” She might be cornering him a bit here, but she would like confirmation. Sure, if she is right about this she wont gossip about it- at least not yet, they should get a chance to tell everyone themselves- but it would be good to finally have a reason for their weird behaviour.
Siffrin, as she expected, is caught off guard by the question. He looks to her side, not at her face. Their shoulders hike up as if forgetting about them not having their cloak and trying to hide under their collar, and their hand goes half up before settling down back next to them.
“...No. No reason.” Sometimes she wonders how she apparently only figured out about the loops once, Siffrin is a Terrible liar afterall. “Why would there be?” That really was the only confirmation she needed.
“I don’t know why, Siffrin. Why don't you tell me why there would be?” She can already imagine the reactions Mirabelle and especially Isabeau will have to this when she tells them. “Is there anything I should know about you and Loop?”
Siffrin’s face has gone dark and they are doing anything but look in her direction now, he is also gripping the mattress under him so hard she can't help but worry it's going to tear. Maybe she should let him off, just for now. She ruffles his hair before backing off and going back towards the door.
“Just in case, if there really is anything about you, or Loop you would like to tell us at some point. Remember that, no matter what, we do care about you and nothing will change that. We’ve already established this afterall.” She could hear a small affirmation before closing the door behind her.
If anyone pointed out how neither Siffrin, nor Loop, seemed to be able to look at Odile the next couple of days. No, they aren't, they are just imagining it.
5. Ever since Petronille joined, Loop and Siffrin share a tent on their own.
Even with her suspicions being basically confirmed by now, this was really the final nail in the coffin.
Before getting to Bambouche, they hadn't needed a new tent even with Loop joining. The weather had been good enough and they were fine with sleeping outside as long as they had their own sleeping bag. But now that they had yet another person travelling with them, an extra tent would need to be added.
This, however, messed with the previous sleeping arrangements. Petronillé was happy to have her own tent, and was even happier with the choice when Boniface claimed that they wanted to share with Nille. That left Mirabelle without a ‘sleeping buddy’, which she would prefer to have.
There was no way Odile was going to give up her personal tent, the logical choice would have been for Loop to take up the empty space and stay with Mira. Loop had their own either though. Isabeau could move into Mirabelles tent, and Loop themself could stay with Siffrin.
“Not that I have anything against staying with Mira again, but why can't you just move into the empty slot?”
“Well fighter, to put it frankly, I think that Stardust would have less, how should i put this? Less reminders of their time in the loops? Remember, you two would always sleep next to each other in the clocktower so that is sure to make things easier for him to not have to remind themself every morning.”
“I would be fine with it either way. I didn’t always go to the clocktower anyway, so it doesn't matter much.” That doesn't really make it any better, she can tell by the way everyone is looking at him that they agree too.
“Well if it’d help Sif, I'm fine with it!” Isabeau says after a while, Hand flat over his chest and smiling. “So I'm with Mira, Bonbon with Nille, Odile on her own and Sif with Loop. Sounds good to me.” It doesn't sound like anyone is objecting, so with that out of the way everyone got started with setting up their tents.
Until barely five minutes in, when Siffrin and Loop have their tent collapse on them for the second time already. Hearing annoyed hushed grumbling from their direction, Odile finished putting up hers before walking over. “-like you've never put up a tent before.”
“And, pray tell, when was the last time I put up a tent Stardust?” The strain on their voice obvious tell on how frustrated they are. Loop isn't human, at least not in the traditional sense, the last time they put up a tent would have been never.
“Oh I don't know Loop, maybe if you could’ve just!- Oh hi Odile.” Loop immediately turns around, letting go of the tent pole and letting it hit Siffrin in the head, who doesn't even flinch from it and instead stares straight at her. “How much of that did you hear?”
“More than enough, I think. Would you two like some help?” As fun as it is to see them fail doing something as simple as putting up a tent, it is just another way to tell just how much longer he was in Dormont compared to the rest of them. Also it is kind of pathetic, it can't be easy being grown adults who don't know how to put up a tent.
Siffrin eventually nods and she gets to helping them and pointing out what they should do, eventually the tent is put up with the entrance pointing towards the fire Bonnie has started for dinner. She isn't sure where Siffrin and Isabeau had gone off to, probably for some more firewood or something.
“Thank you for the help, Researcher.” Loop is looking much more calm now that they aren't actively cursing out a piece of fabric and pile of sticks.
“Of course. I can't exactly expect you to know, there wasn't any way or reason for you to practise putting up tents of all things when you had to focus on breaking the time loop. Especially if you never planned on coming in the first place if Siffrin hadn't asked you.”
“Right, as if stardust had any other thought than to convince me to come with. Didn't the Housemaiden say they went right to the favourtree after talking with all of you in the house?” Now she could just confirm that and move on, or she could tease them. The answer is obvious.
“That he did. It makes sense that they would want the one cut from the same crystal to come with.” Odile had thought she could hear Loop's neck snap after she said that. She didn't know their eyes could go that wide, but there was a lot about Loop she didn't know.
“..whAt?” That is one bad voice crack, and of course Loop wouldn't know what that means, they've never been to Ka bue.
“I suppose Vaugardians often say the person's other half if that makes more sense.”
“No, no, I heard and understood you the first time. I just forgot you knew.” Loop knew Ka buan sayings, who would've guessed. If a star knew Vaugardian than they could probably understand other languages, she doubts Siffrin had to teach them a whole language for them to be able to do what they were sent to do in the first place.
“Hm. Well then you wouldn't mind passing along a message about this to Siffrin.” She doesn't give them a chance to respond before continuing. “If the others ask me what your deal is, I won't lie to them. So if you and Siffrin want to come out about this on your own terms, you better get it over with before then.
Loop looked like they had been hit with the shock of a lifetime, but didnt say anything. They just nodded and moved to put their things into the tent.
Only to have it collapse, yet again, right on top of them.
“Hey madame Odile? Me and Isabeau have a question.” The family was nearing the Poterian border at this point, only a few more days and they should be out of Vaugarde. While Siffrin and Loop were off doing Expressions know what, Mirabelle and Isabeau had approached her while she was putting up her tent. Bonnie and Petronillé went to get firewood a while back, they should be coming back soon.
“More like checking something, really?” Isabeau seems to be thinking, she can nearly see all the cogs spinning in his head. “Have you noticed how Sif and Loop have been acting recently?” Oh, she can tell where this conversation is going. This will be fun.
“How Siffrin and Loop have been acting?”
“Yeah! They've been whispering to each other more than usual! And running off more often together!?” Mirabelle was squeezing her hands together and shifting in place. Even with being back on her medication she still gets anxious, at least it’s not as much.
“I dont think it's anything bad, Sif wouldn't hide something bad at that scale anymore. But you have to have noticed something being off m’dame.” Isabeau has his arms crossed and is looking around as if making sure the people of discussion aren't here.
“...I might have.”
“You have? Oh that's great! I was worried I was just making it up before. But then Isabeau came and said he noticed the same things.” If they don't know, then obviously Siffrin and Loop have been stalling in telling them.
“So! M’dame, what have you noticed?” Too bad for them, Odile already said she wasn't going to lie if asked.
“Aside from what you already mentioned about running off together, Siffrin trusts Loop's judgement on what he should do a lot. You might have noticed that already though.” Might as well start small.
“I just thought that was a habit from Dormont or something, only other person in the loop and all that.” Maybe she started a bit too small.
“That could be it, or at least part of it, but there is more of note. Have you seen Loop wear Siffrins cloak lately?”
“Well, Loop didn't have any clothes before and Siffrin might not have said anything about it even if he is uncomfortable with it.” Judging by how Isabeau had gone stock-still, he had figured it out now. It would seem Mirabelle has not though.
“Gems alive, they literally insisted on sharing a tent with Siffrin.”
“Oh I just thought those two were dating.”
At some point in this, Petronillé and Bonnie had returned. Their arms are full of firewood and a few mushrooms too it would seem. Mirabelle is the first to react to this, shouting about ‘how surprised she is’ and ‘how did she not notice earlier’.
“How long has this been going on?! Oh Change, did you know this whole time madame?!” Odile barks out a single laugh at Mirabelles enthusiasm, she swears there are sparkles in her eyes.
“Well at least since soon after Dormont, maybe even earlier! I figured it out a while ago.” Isabeau seems to have recovered and is taking it surprisingly well. Or maybe that's just to save face, judging by how he’s trying to get Mirabelle to calm down and take it as a certain fact.
“Well we don't know for certain, it might just be-”
“I can just imagine how much of a romantic confession it would have been! Siffrin, fresh out of the loops, running off towards the favour tree the first chance they get.” Mirabelle pauses for a moment, as if expecting Isabeau to continue where she left off like he normally does when the two do this.
“Loop being completely prepared to be left behind and go away, only for Siffrin to beg them to stay with him. And in the middle of this happening, he tearfully admits his feelings that have been building throughout the loops.” She keeps pausing for Isabeau, yet he just stands there with a small smile that keeps growing more forced.
“And then Frin keels over with a fever and doesn't come back for a whole twenty minutes leaving us to starve until they get back. Loop laughs at them the whole time.” Bonnie walks up to them and shoves the firestarter into Isabeaus hands. “Nille still won't trust me to start the fire so you do it.” While Isabeau and Bonnie go to start the fire, Mirabelle stays with Odile and gently nudges her to get her attention.
“Do we tell them we know they are together?” Ha.
“They already know I know, but everyone knowing might overwhelm them so let's keep it between us for now.”
“I couldn't care less about what gross stuff Frin and Loop do, now someone is going to find them so we can eat.” Which is exactly what Mirabelle ends up doing after Bonnie told them. Even if they might not know why, Siffrin and Loop could very obviously feel how something was wrong with how Isabeau and Mirabelle were when talking with them judging by their shared confused looks.
+1
Loop and Siffrin had requested a family meeting that day, now that they had settled in their Inn rooms for the coming days in Savezanta, an eastern town in Poteria. When asked why, they only responded with ‘Odile knows why, we’ll tell you soon.’ Suffice to say, everyone already knew what it was they were going to come out and say.
Whenever neither were looking, the others grinned and could barely keep themselves from laughing the entire day. That afternoon would be when Siffrin and Loop came out about their relationship, and it felt like Odile was the only one who was able to pretend nothing was out of the ordinary.
“We need to tell you something.” Had been the wording Siffrin used to start the meeting. They were all sitting in a circle by the edge of the bed in the room Mirabelle and Isabeau are sharing. Odile, Siffrin and Isabeau sitting on the bed, Loop is holding his hand and standing next to the bed with the rest of them sitting on the floor around them.
“I'm sure whatever it is, Sif, will be completely fine with the rest of us.” Isabeau was staring at him with a hand on their shoulder. She’s half surprised by how quickly he was able to move on when he realised He and Siffrin wouldn't happen.
He had asked a while back what They thought of having multiple partners after Mira mentioned how she wanted the protagonist in her book to end up with both love interests. ‘I have nothing against others wanting it, it's not for me though.’ Is what he answered, as if the fact that Isabeau had confessed back in Dormont completely slipped out of his memory at that point.
They smiled at him while Loop seemed very fascinated with the painting on the wall opposite to them. Jealous much, she would chuckle if that wouldn't bring attention to herself. Siffrin took a heavy breath and Loop turned back to the rest of them
“Me and loop are-”
“We already know, you crabs.”
“BONNIE! We weren't supposed to say that yet! Siffrin I am so sorry but we already knew we just wanted you two to have a chance to tell us on your own.” Loop and Siffrin just stared while Mira rambled. Eventually Loop turned to Odile.
“Couldn't have waited just a bit longer, could you, researcher?” Loop was surely putting up that tense smile they always do while turned towards her, Siffrin is definitely glaring daggers into her too at this point.
“Of course not. They asked first and I answered truthfully like I said I would.” Nille is just laughing in the corner while Bonnie is yelling at them to stop and take it seriously, Isabeau is trying his best to hold Siffrin in place as if he would run away at any point in this.
“You all knew this whole time.” Their voice is barely heard above the ruckus, but obviously it was heard by Mirabelle at least.
“No! Siffrin we haven't known that long and we wanted to give you and Loop the chance to tell us on your own terms. We were not keeping anything hidden from you. Never would.” Mirabelle holds out her hands, Siffrin lets go of Loop and takes them.
“Sif, Loop, this changes absolutely nothing. We are still family and we still love you both.” Isa was leaning back a bit to be able to look at Loop without Siffrin in the way and to make sure they knew they were part of this too.
“Well at least it makes this less dramatic than we thought it would be, that's for sure.”
“Of course, there’s nothing you could do at this point to make us hate either of you. If we stick together after you nearly end the world, then I'm sure that you two dating would change nothing.” Odile ruffled Siffrins hair and they flinched, must have not noticed her move.
“...You think me and Stardust are dating?”
That certainly got everyone to go silent and stare. Specifically Loop as they started laughing more than she had ever heard them laugh before.
“YEAH, SURE, I’M DATING STARDUST! THAT'S DEFINITELY IT!” She can't catch the rest of what they said as they just keep laughing while the rest of the family look on awkwardly.
“Stars above. Why did we ever worry about Odile knowing when she clearly didn't?” Siffrnin had raised their shoulders to hide in the collar of his cloak, she could just about see their face go dark behind the fabric.
“TERRIBLE THEORY, RESEARCHER, WE THOUGHT YOU ACTUALLY KNEW WHAT WAS UP THIS WHOLE TIME! HA!” Loop continuing to laugh at her certainly isn't helping her confidence in knowing what is going on.
“Wait if you weren’t gonna tell us about that then what was it you were gonna tell us?” Bonnie’s question certainly got Loop to stop laughing.
“Well first off, me and Loop aren't together.”
“Oh how dare you stardust?! After everything we’ve been through! Did our nights when you snuck out of the clocktower mean nothing to you?!” Loop leans over Siffrin dramatically and promptly gets shoved away by him.
“Blinding stop, that isn't helping.” Loop and Siffrin keep arguing with each other, without actually letting anything slip about what the point of this was. She’s pretty sure she heard Loop refer to him as ‘My Stardust’ multiple times which makes it even more confusing.
“I don’t get it.”
“Neither do I, Boniface.”
“So if this wasn’t you two dating, what was it you wanted to tell us in the first place?” Isabeau had stepped in between them to hopefully get them to stop squabbling in front of everyone.
“I’m a clone of Stardust.”
“What.”
“No, Loop came first so I’m the clone.”
“Please explain???”