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Chapter Text

[LOOP 73]

(You wake up in the Field in Dormont.)

(...)

( You dreamt you were eating your family friends whole. )

(You feel sick to your stomach.)

(...)

(You go through the motions.)

(You forgot the Openphrase to the door between the two rows of tears on Floor 2.)

(Of blinding course.)

(You head to Floor 3, and take the wrong path of tears.)

( Openphrase123. )

(You touch a stray tear and–)

[LOOP 77]

(You wake up in the Field in Dormont.)

( You had that same dream again. )

(You have trouble resisting the urge to throw up.)

(You stop at the door, say the Openphrase, and grab the shiny piece of glass.)

(You zone out until you reach Floor 3.)

(. . .)

( Stars. )

(You just had to forget the Crying Key.)

(No matter.)

(You, being the blinding useless idiot you are, touch another Tear.)

[LOOP 82]

(You wake up in the Field in Dormont.)

(The dreams are getting worse and worse as you loop more and more.)

(You’ve even begun to have intrusive thoughts.)

(Of vivisecting Isa’s heart, of chopping Bon bon nie’s eyes…)

(And eating them.)

[LOOP 83]

(You wake up in the Field in Dormont.)

(The dreams are getting more and more vivid.)

(You’re beginning to have trouble telling dreams from loops.)

( Are you sure that you haven’t eaten them before? )

(You shake off that thought, get up, and go north. Time to talk to Mira.)

Chapter Text

(You walk towards Center Stage.)

“Siffrin! You’re up!”

(Enter MIRABELLE, Upstage Center.)

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

( You have to consciously hold your hand back from reaching for your dagger to slit Mira’s throat. )

(You zone out through Mira’s lines, before reminding her about the CARROT method.)

“W-Wait, how’d you know about–”

(SIFFRIN winks.)

“O-Okay…”

(Exit MIRABELLE, Upstage Left.)

(Exit SIFFRIN, Upstage Right.)

(...)

(Enter SIFFRIN, Downstage Left.)

(You go up towards where Isabeau always stands.)

(Enter ISABEAU, Stage Left.)

“Isa!”

“Sif!”

“Isa!!!”

“Sif!!!”

“Isa!!!!!”

“Okay, that’s enough.”

“Aww, boo.”

( ... )

( . . . )

( You could murder Isa right now. )

( He wouldn’t feel a thing. )

(No!!! You won’t!!! )

( But you could. You’re much stronger than him. )

(It only takes one moment of zoning out before–)

( Your next lucid moment is you seeing your knife covered in Isa’s blood. )

(Isa’s neck is covered with his own blood.)

(His eyes, rapidly losing their life, show a betrayed look upon his face.)

(You look Upstage, only to see just the Favor Tree. Did Loop see what you just did?)

(Isa’s body collapses onto the ground.)

( You want to throw up. )

(But a sick part of you is curious.)

( What does Isa taste like? )

( You never stay frozen in time long enough to learn what they all taste like, after all. )

(You take a step towards Isa’s body.)

(And another.)

( And another. )

(Before you know it, you’re crouched down above Isa’s corpse, slicing away at his ribcage.)

(The ribcage he made himself.)

(You carefully slice Isa’s veins.)

(You grab his hand-Crafted heart.)

(You raise      it to       your mouth    and )

( Bite.)

(Down. )

(...)

( . . . )

(.  .  .)

(You're horrified with yourself.)

Chapter Text

(Blood stains your mouth as you consume Isa’s heart.)

(You hunger for more.)

( and more. )

( and      more. )

(You chop Isa’s legs next, and when you’re finished eating those, you cut Isa’s eyes.)

(When you pop the eyes in your mouth, you notice that they taste salty.)

(...)

(. . .)

(.   .   .)

Once you’ve gluttoned enough on Isa, you turn and head Upstage.)

(Enter LOOP, Stage Left.)

“ . . . ”

“...”

(You and Loop are silent.)

(Loop looks to Isa’s now mutilated corpse.)

(The hand-Crafted body that you ripped apart for your own selfishness.)

(The silence is so loud.)

“ ...Stardust…? ”

(Loop is looking    directly        at               you.)

“ ...What did you do? ”

(. . .)

(You flee.)

(You hate how your vision lingers on Isa’s gluttoned corpse.)

(Exit SIFFRIN, Downstage Left.)

(You sneak off to the river.)

(Your cloak is coated with Isa’s blood, and you need to wash it off.)

(...)

(. . .)

(You notice that the water has flecks of an odd shade.)

(What was it called again..?)

(Whatever. You exit the river, remembering the taste of Isa.)

(It was pretty spicy, like eating hot peppers in Malanga Fritters made by your…)

( Your… )

( Who… )

(No matter.)

(...)

(You wonder what everyone else would taste like.)

(Your mouth waters at the thought of tasting your family friends.)

(Odile’s up next.)

Chapter Text

(Enter SIFFRIN, Stage Right.)

(You walk through the eastern section of Dormont, before turning to enter the shop that Odile is always in.)

“Odile.”

“Oh, Siffrin.”

“You look… rested …”

(She trails off.)

( Why..? )

“Siffrin… Why do you smell like blood..?”

( Oh. )

“Just.. uh… gutted a fish, that’s all!”

“Uh-huh…”

(She’s looking at you weird.)

(Too perceptive.)

“Well, other than that…”

“What’d you need, Siffrin?”

“Can I help you with anything?”

(You zone out through ODILE’s lines.)

(...)

(You don’t zone back in until you’re at the field, outside Dormont.)

(Alone. With Odile.)

(You zone out just a bit before you–)

(In a flash of movement, you slice into Odile’s flesh.)

(Blood sprays as you hit the jugular.)

(She drops to the ground.)

(You get up.)

(SIFFRIN walks Upstage to ODILE’s body.)

(You take your dagger and chop. )

(Leave no trace of blood behind, make sure she isn’t still alive.)

(When you’re done, Odile is limp and lifeless on the forest floor.)

(You take a hunk of her arm and you)

(bite)

( down. )

(...)

(. . .)

(.  .  .)

(... Delicious. )

Chapter Text

(When your glutton on Odile is done, there’s nothing left but a bloodied skeleton in an isolated forest.)

(Your mouth is absolutely covered in her blood.)

(You can’t risk going to the river again.)

(You were already lucky that the Fishing One didn’t catch you the first time.)

(So you simply smear the blood onto your lightless gloves.)

(You don’t have a mirror, but you hope that it hid enough of the blood.)

(Exit SIFFRIN, Downstage Right.)

(...)

(Enter SIFFRIN, Stage Left.)

(SIFFRIN walks into the center stage, towards MIRABELLE’s usual spot.)

“Oh! Siffrin-”

(She puts her hands over her mouth.)

“Oh, Change! Siffrin, are you okay? You’re bleeding –”

(She casts Healing Craft on you, but doesn’t find anything.)

(You wipe the blood away from your mouth, ignoring how sticky your glove is.)

“It’s fine, Mira. Just didn’t have a chance to wash my face from eating a fish, earlier.”

(She doesn’t seem to quite believe you.)

“Hmm...”

“Well, unrelated to that…”

“Can I help you with anything, Siffrin?”

Chapter Text

“So, which one will you choose?”

(You point to her papers.)

“Hm? Sorr–”

“WHAT? HOW?! WHAT DO YOU KNOW?!?”

“ANSWER ME!!!!”

(She grips her rapier.)

(You plaster on a smile, with your bloodstained teeth hidden.)

“You’re choosing someone for something, right?”

“Seems important.”

“Maybe I can help?”

(Mirabelle is silent, though her expression is… different than normal.)

(You zone out, before–)

[ Stardust, get back to the blinding Favor Tree, RIGHT. NOW. ]

(You do your best not to startle.)

(Where did the script just leave off?)

“--ange belief… is very, very important to me.”

(Ah.)

(Right as you go to zone back out, your stomach growls.)

(Your hand’s grip on your dagger grows tighter with each breath.)

(...)

[ Stardust, don’t even think about it. ]

(You breathe–)

         ( slice )

                          (--in–)

                ( swing )

        (--and out.)

                                       ( stab )

(Actor I Mira’s corpse sits under the evening sun, limp.)

(Her darkless dress is stained with lightless and that same odd shade.)

(You take a calm bite of Mira’s arm.)

(Then another.)

(And another.)

( And another. )

(...)

(You might as well grab the leftovers to bring them for the house.)

(You zone out, and when you zone back in you have everyone.)

(As you go to find Bonnie, however, they’re nowhere to be found.)

(Hm.)

(Well, it’s getting late after a long day of eating staying with your family friends.)

(Time to head to the Clocktower.)

(Maybe Bonbon will join your banquet there.)

Chapter Text

(With a bit of difficulty, you bring the leftovers onto the second floor.)

(You set everyone down to lie.)

(You take your dagger and start slicing into Isa.)

“ --elle? ”

“ ‘Dile? ”

(Ah. Bonbon’s home.)

(You continue to indulge yourself on Isa’s body, hunched over.)

(His blood stains the upper half of your once-darkless cloak.)

(You can hear Bonbon’s footsteps on the staircase heading up.)

“ ‘Za..? ”

(Bonbon gasps.)

“ Isa… I love you. ”

“ Marvellous taste, a perfect blend of flavors… ”

“ Not one bit that I dislike. ”

(You turn around.)

(Bonbon is staring right    at             you. )

(Tears begin to form in the corners of their eyes.)

“Oh, Bonbon…”

“ You’ve come to join my banquet? ”

“ ... ”

“ ...’Frin..? ”

“ Don’t worry. ”

“ You’ll be served nicely.~ ”

Chapter Text

“ ‘Frin..? ”

“ W-wha.. ”

(Bonbon’s tears begin to spill.)

(You stand up, smile growing.)

(They grip their Wok tight.)

“ Bonbon… ”

“Don’t you see? ”

“We don’t need those orbs, anymore.”

“All we need now is your flesh and bones… ”

(Bonbon stumbles back a step.)

(They have a white-knuckle grip on their Wok.)

“Do you understand , Bonbon?”

“We can stay together forever , can't we?”

(Bonbon is shaking uncontrollably.)

(Tears stream down their face in fear.)

(You take a step forward.)

(and another.)

(and yet another.)

(Until you’re right in front of them.)

(You–)

                                          ( Chop )

           (–Zone–)

                            ( Slit )

        (–Out.)

                      ( Cut )

(...)

(When you’re done, you stand over Bonbon ’s lifeless corpse. )

(You)

( B i t e )

( D   o   w   n   . )

Chapter Text

(The house stands before everyone.)

(SIFFRIN is surrounded by their friends.)

ISABEAU: The House’s Gate, huh?

ISABEAU: It’s bigger than I thought! So scary!

ODILE: It really is locked shut. I can see spaces for use to put the Orbs…

MIRABELLE: This whole adventure… This whole journey…

MIRABELLE: After all this time… I can finally open it!

BONNIE: I have my Orb right here!

ISABEAU: Let’s go for it, then!

(The Gate opens.)

(...)

( SIFFRIN drags their corpses inside the House. )

(Everyone enters.)

>>>>>>>>>>>>

MIRABELLE: Oh! Up ahead, that's..!

ODILE: A Sadness, huh? The hou-

>>>>>>>>>>>>

(SIFFRIN zones out.)

(When the Sadness is defeated, SIFFRIN consumes it everyone moves onward.)

Chapter Text

(You turn right.)

(Head down the hallway like usual.)

(Walk past the tear.)

( Drag everyone’s corpses to the Crest Room. )

(Defeat the Crest Sadness.)

( Eat the remains. )

ISABEAU: A crest..?

BONNIE: Feels weird, too.

BONNIE: Like the Tear we passed by earlier.

ODILE: Okay…

MIRABELLE: Hmm…

MIRABELLE: Maybe it’ll be useful, later?

(SIFFRIN walks to the wall of Tears and uses the Crest.)

ODILE: Well, I don’t know what this water was, but the Crest made it go away…

BONNIE: Oh, Wait! I remember!

BONNIE: Those were Tears!

BONNIE: The villagers back in Dormont called them Tears, and if you touch them, they freeze you in time!!!

ISABEAU: Good thing we found this Crest, then!

(Everyone walks into the Kitchen.)

(SIFFRIN bumps their hip into the counter.)

(They hit the counter back.)

MIRABELLE: Oh!!!

ISABEAU: Bad counter!!!

BONNIE: Let’s beat it up!!!

(ISABEAU and BONNIE both take turns attacking the counter.)

(After a moment, SIFFRIN goes to the Closet and grabs the EGG KEY.)

>>>>>>>>>>>>

ISABEAU: This room feels different than the others, doesn’t it? It’s missing the threatening pressure the rest of the house has.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

BONNIE: Okay, Who wants snacks? I HAVE SNACKS!

( SIFFRIN takes bites out of Isabeau. )

(Delicious.)

Chapter Text

(When SIFFRIN is done eating Isabeau’s Arm their snacks, they get up.)

ISABEAU: Are you ready, Sif?

SIFFRIN: Ready!

ISABEAU: Alright! Let’s go, everyone!!!

(Everyone leaves the Safe Room. Exit Upstage.)

(...)

(Enter SIFFRIN, Downstage.)

(Everyone heads into the center room of Floor 2.)

(SIFFRIN heads to the right, into the classroom.)

>>>>>>>>>>>>

(You head into the Crest Room.)

( You’re starving. )

(Your actors party friends family ’s corpses are behind you.)

(You defeat the Nostalgie.)

( Your stomach rumbles. )

(Perhaps Bonbon can forgive you for feasting before they can get out their snacks.)

(You zone out, and when you zone back in there is nothing left of the Sadness.)

>>>>>>>>>>>>

(You open the gate.)

(In front of you stands the two Sadnesses.)

(You just attack, and the short-haired one consumes its’ partner.)

( They remind you of yourself, right now. )

(You attack again and again until the short-haired one falls as well.)

( You consume it, as well. )

(You enter the safe room.)

(You hunger for more.)

( You eat bits of Bonbon to satiate you for now. )

( ... )

(It would taste so much better with pineapple in it.)

Chapter Text

( You finish gluttoning upon Bonbon, eventually. )

(You get up.)

( Back to the Stage. )

ISABEAU: Sif, you ready?

SIFFRIN: Yeah!

(You drag your family’s corpses lead your family into Floor 3.)

(You head right for the Smiling Key.)

BONNIE: That’s a big mirror.

ODILE: Massive, even… and there’s not really anything else of interest in this room.

MIRABELLE: I don’t know anything about it…

MIRABELLE: Before the House shifted around because of the King, it was in a part of the House I didn’t often walk by…

ISABEAU: If it is what I think it is, then…

ISABEAU: It should be…

(ISABEAU looks around the Mirror.)

ISABEAU: A-HA!

ISABEAU: Everyone, say “FROMAGE!”

(SIFFRIN smiles nice and wide.)

BONNIE: Froma–

BONNIE: Wh- WHAT WAS THAT?!

MIRABELLE: Oh, look! Something’s on the ground…

ODILE: A piece of paper..?

ISABEAU: Eheheh… BEHOLD!!!

(ISABEAU holds up the Mirror Picture.)

( It depicts SIFFRIN standing in front of everyone’s corpses, mouth stained. )

(It depicts the family standing in the middle of the room.)

(Everyone except SIFFRIN and ISABEAU seems surprised.)

MIRABELLE: Oh!

MIRABELLE: It’s us!

ODILE: This is lovely.

ISABEAU: Isn’t it? It’s a Crafted mirror that takes pictures!!!

ISABEAU: I heard rumors that someone was creating one…

ISABEAU: …but I didn’t know that this someone lived in Dormont’s House!

BONNIE: We look so surprised!

MIRABELLE: Only Isabeau knew this was coming!

ODILE: Pictures are so rare… It’s nice to have one of us.

MIRABELLE: Thanks for telling us about it, and for taking a picture, Isabeau!

ISABEAU: Oh!

ISABEAU: Hehe, it’s nothing!

MIRABELLE: What should we do with it?

ODILE: Hm…

ODILE: Would you keep it safe, oh one with all the secret pockets?

(SIFFRIN takes the Mirror Picture.)

>>>>>>>>>>>>

(You sit in the safe room before the King’s Chambers.)

(Your stomach rumbles.)

( You bite down into Mirabelle. )

(...Juicy.)

Chapter Text

(Everyone is dragged into enters the King’s Chambers.)

(The KING towers over everyone, center stage.)

( SIFFRIN stands opposite him, smiling wide with his bloodstained face. )

KING: Ah…… Ah……

“. . .”

(..?)

“ Bright One..? ”

(Why isn’t he following the script?)

“ . . . ”

“ ...What have you done..? ”

(You take a step forward.)

( Blood is dripping from your mouth. You’re fairly certain remnants of Bonbon’s eye are still visible. )

“ ... ”

“ ...I am sorry, Bright One… ”

“ ... ”

“ ...But I am a merciful king… ”

“ ...I will allow you time to come to terms with your eternal end… ”

(SIFFRIN is silent.)

(They draw their dagger.)

SIFFRIN: …Let’s just get right to it, then.

( The KING is trembling slightly, out of fear. )

( His voice wavers. )

KING: ...We shall fight.

KING: AND WE SHALL SEE WHICH SIDE THE UNIVERSE FAVORS!!!

Chapter Text

Battle Start!

KING: Oh…… oh……

KING: Bright One……

KING: Why have you done this……?

KING: Why throw away your dignity like this……?

(SIFFRIN is silent.)

KING: Bright One, I……

KING: I do try to be merciful……

KING: But against someone like you……

KING: I cannot afford to be merciful.

KING: Not when I know that you will not stop with me.

ODILE: Get ready, Everyone!

(SIFFRIN time.)

(SIFFRIN snaps their fingers, and everyone feels faster!)

(...)

(MIRABELLE time.)

( SIFFRIN takes bites out of her. )

(SIFFRIN felt hungrier.)

(...)

(ISABEAU time.)

( SIFFRIN takes bites out of him. )

(SIFFRIN felt hungrier.)

(...)

(ODILE time.)

( SIFFRIN takes bites out of her. )

(SIFFRIN felt hungrier.)

(...)

(SIFFRIN time.)

(SIFFRIN slices, his hand in the symbol for Paper Craft.)

( Critical Hit. )

(...)

(The KING waits as he trembles in fear. )

(MIRABELLE time.)

(ISABEAU time.)

(ODILE time.)

(SIFFRIN time.)

(SIFFRIN strikes.)

(It lands a clean slice against the KING’s chest.)

(He’s bleeding.)

KING: Ngh……

KING: ……Bright One.

KING: You are…… much stronger than I first thought……

KING: But how about this……?

(SIFFRIN sees a vision of the future…)

(SIFFRIN is KO’d!)

(...)

( . . . )

(  .  .  .  )

( The KING and SIFFRIN both feel a tug on their stomachs. )

<<<<<<<<<<<<

Chapter Text

( And the curtains open once more. )

(Your stomach growls like the black hole it is.)

(Nothing has filled you since… Loop 3? 5?)

(Not until this loop.)

(Your mouth waters at the thought of such a feast upon the King.)

“ B-Bright One…… I…… ”

“ It seems that you’ve trapped this country in time…… even more surely than myself. ”

“ So why……? ”

“ Why use this gift from the Universe in such a manne- ”

(You cut him off with a Just Attack. )

( It slices clean through his right hand. )

( He SCREAMS in agony as he tries to stem his own bleeding. )

( You strike again. And again. And again. )

(His screams of agony turn into gurgles as he begins choking on his own blood.)

(He finally falls. After a few moments, he goes limp.)

(The house around you begins unfreezing.)

(You don’t pay it any mind.)

(You drag your leftovers towards the King.)

(You need variation in your entrees, after all.)

(You    bite       d o w n . )

(...)

(Delicious.)

Chapter Text

(You eventually find the courage to bring your leftovers over to the roof.)

(You set everyone in their proper places, zoning out through Euphrasie’s horrified gasps.)

(Bonbon, splayed out on the ledge.)

(Mira, leaned on the bench.)

(Isa, splayed along the wall.)

(Odile, laying against the pillar.)

( The King, a useless pile of flesh and bones in the previous hallway. )

(More than he deserves for what he did to Bonbon.)

(You stumble your way towards Euphrasie.)

EUPHRASIE: Travelling One!

“ Travelling One…… ”

EUPHRASIE: Are you done talking to your companions?

“ What have you done……? ”

EUPHRASIE: Yes, wonderful, wonderful!

“ You…… ”

EUPHRASIE: I’d like to thank you for accompanying young Mirabelle this far. I’m very grateful.

“ Young Mirabelle…… ”

EUPHRASIE: Siffrin, yes? If there’s anything I can do to thank you, please don’t hesitate to let me know!

“ All of them…… ”

EUPHRASIE: I know you will go back on your travels soon, but I do hope you’ll keep in touch, if only for young Mirabelle…

“ You……killed…… ”

EUPHRASIE: But no matter what, know that Dormont will be open for you!

“ Slaughtered…… ”

EUPHRASIE: Please come back… any… time……

(Cue glitch.)

EUPHRASIE: …!!!!!

EUPHRASIE: Oh… Oh no. Oh no, no, no, no, no…

EUPHRASIE: Oh… Siffrin…!

EUPHRASIE: I’m so sorry! There’s no way we can stop it now…!

(Cue glitch.)

EUPHRASIE: I’m sorry! You’ll be going back! Back when everything started!

(Cue glitch.)

EUPHRASIE: I know you thought your quest was over, but it can’t be!

EUPHRASIE: Something’s broken, something’s failing, rotting!

EUPHRASIE: I can’t fix it on my own, not before it all ends…

EUPHRASIE: If only I had noticed sooner!

EUPHRASIE: I should’ve seen it, prevented it!

(Cue stomach tug.)

(Cue glitch.)

EUPHRASIE: It’s my fault that you have to suffer like this.

EUPHRASIE: I just hope that one day…

(Cue glitch.)

EUPHRASIE: You might learn to forgivegivegivegivegivvvvvvvvvvvvv–

( YOU FEEL A TUG ON YOUR STOMACH. )

[LOOP 84]

(You wake up in the middle of the field.)

( Your stomach feels like a black hole. )

Chapter Text

(You monster.)

( You really ate them for your own satisfaction? Your own greed? )

(Selfish.)

(Yet.)

(A sickening part of yourself still beckons for you.)

(Beckoning for you to go back.)

( To do it again. )

(Nothing has even come close to filling you like the last loop.)

(Not since before you beat the King for the first time.)

(So you get up.)

(You murder and consume talk to Isa.)

(You do Odile’s quest to get her guard down. )

(You stab help Mira with your dagger her papers.)

(You slit Bonnie’s throat in the Clocktower train Bonnie outside Dormont.)

(You snack upon everyone's perfect blends of flavor on Bonnie’s meal they prepared.)

(You enter the house.)

( The Sadnesses are scared of you. It’s hard to catch anything but the Nostalgies and the Wardens, now. )

(You don’t think your leftovers family is powerful enough to defeat the King.)

(So you grind.)

(You hunt down Sadnesses with the expertise of a poacher.)

(You glutton upon defeat them.)

(And you keep on doing this.)

(All the way until there are none left to be found.)

(You go to the King.)

(You zone out through his spiel.)

( You stab him slice him chop him render him nothing but flesh and bone rip his hands off pull his eyes out and bite intointointointointointointointo )

(. . .)

(After a while, you get up once you’re full.)

(You set everyone in their places onstage.)

(You talk to Euphrasie.)

(Watch her break down.)

(Go back.)

( Again and again. )

( You want to do it again. )

Chapter Text

>>>>>>>>>>>>

<<<<<<<<<<<<

>>>>>>>>>>>>

<<<<<<<<<<<<

[LOOP 100? 104? Something like that.]

(The first time you did it, you were horrified with yourself.)

(Disgusted.)

(But when the fourteenth time came around, you began relishing it.)

( Relishing. Ha. Gotta save that one for later.)

(You can’t wait to stay with them all again.)

(You get up.)

(You stay with Isa.)

(You spend time with Odile.)

(You sit down with Mira.)

(You train with Bonnie.)

(And you grab all the orbs.)

(You go through the house.)

(You b eat the king.)

(You set everyone up.)

EUPHRASIE: Travelling One! Are you done talking with your comp–

(You stab into her.)

(You never get to savor her taste.)

(Not that it’s very good.)

(She tastes like nothing but Burnt Sugar.)

( YOU FEEL A TUG ON YOUR STOMACH. )

<<<<<<<<<<<<

[LOOP 107? 110?]

(You lay down.)

(You’re content to sit here and listen to the same blinding nature.)

(...)

[ Stardust. ]

(You don’t want to listen to Loop admonish you right now.)

(They’ve been doing nothing but that since the third time.)

[ Stardust, listen to me. ]

(Nope. Not listening.)

[ Stardust. Listen to me. ]

[ You need to stop doing this. ]

[ This won’t do anything. ]

[ This isn't the answer to breaking the loops. ]

(And what if it is? Maybe you just have to prepare them differently! )

( Maybe it’s the seasoning! Maybe it’s the dishes! Maybe, maybe!!– )

[ SIFFRIN. ]

(Loop shouting in your head makes you snap out of your own thoughts.)

[ Come see me at the Favor Tree. ]

[ See you soon, Stardust. ]

(You feel Loop hang up in your head. You hear footsteps.)

(Ah. Mira’s coming.)

MIRABELLE: –frin! Siffrin!

“...Siffrin..?”

(Mira is looking directly at you, like you’re a stranger.)

“Oh, sorry. Do you know where Siffrin is?”

(Does she… not recognize you? )

“Mira..?”

“Wait, how do yo–”

(She suddenly gasps as she brings her hands to her mouth.)

“ Siffrin?! Oh, Change, are you okay? ”

“ You’re so thin! ”

(..?)

“ I… huh..? ”

“ Here, let me help you up– ”

(You involuntarily flinch.)

“ Oh! Sorry, Siffrin… I’ll go get Madame Odile and Isabeau! Stay here! ”

(Mira leaves the Field.)

(This is already different.)

(You wonder if it'll affect her taste.)

Chapter Text

(Mira eventually comes back, Odile and Isa in tow.)

(Odile’s face is hard to read, but Isa is definitely concerned.)

“ Sif! Are you alright? ”

(He notices just how thin you look.)

“ Oh, Crab! ”

(Odile is looking at you curiously.)

“ Mirabelle, you said they only began looking so… gaunt this morning, yes? ”

“ Y-yes, Madame… ”

“ Change, I almost didn’t recognize them! ”

“ That’s… concerning. ”

“ ... ”

“ Siffrin, have you been eating enough? ”

(You still feel like a black hole.)

(You have been eating, but they’d despise you if you told them exactly what.)

“ Yeah. I’m fine. ”

“ Siffrin. ”

(She doesn’t believe you one bit.)

“ I highly doubt you’re ‘fine’. You look like you’re about to keel over and die any second. ”

(You get up with a little bit of struggle .)

“ I’m fine, Odile. Don’t worry about me. ”

“. . .”

(You can’t quite figure out Odile’s expression right now.)

(But she seems to finally relent.)

“ Well, either way, we will be helping you get to the clocktower. ”

“ You aren’t in shape to do much of anything right now. ”

(Odile and Isa grab you, one to each side.)

(They try to help you walk.)

>>>>>>>>>>>>

(They both set you down onto the bed.)

( You feel so hungry. )

(. . .)

(Both of them leave the room.)

(You drift off to sleep.)

>>>>>>>>>>>>

(You eventually wake up.)

(It’s still dark.)

(You can hear the others talking through the door.)

( About you. )

“ –ean, are we sure that Siffrin can even come with us? ”

“ They seemed so thin… they seemed to have trouble even walking. ”

“ Let alone an entire 3-story House of Change... ”

“ ...How did this even happen? ”

“ I don’t know… just a day ago they were just fine, and now… ”

“ ...Is it because of me? ‘Frin hasn’t been eating… ”

“ Bonbon, no, of course not. I don’t know how or why Sif is so thin now, but… ”

“ ...but I know it can’t be because of you. They care too much about you to do that. ”

“ ...Everyone. ”

“ We need to make a decision about what to do. ”

“ Siffrin is most certainly not in a good shape to be running up the House with us. ”

“ I say we hold a vote. ”

“ Are you saying– ”

“ ...Are you saying we vote to leave Sif behind? ”

( No. )

( They wouldn’t leave you behind! )

( They wouldn’t!!! )

“ ...I think we should. ”

“ ...I have to agree with Mira on this one. As much as I hate to… ”

“ I’m not sure if Sif would even be able to survive the House with how thin he is. ”

( No!!! )

( They can’t leave you behind, they can’t, won’t! )

( They’ll die if you let them go without you! )

( not that it stopped you before )

( You have to go in with them. )

( ... )

( You tune out the rest of the conversation. )

( You pretend to be asleep. )

>>>>>>>>>>>>

( You can tell when Isa falls asleep, the rhythm of his breaths, his heartbeat. )

( You slither your way out of his grasp, stopping when his breaths pick up in weight. )

( When they die back down, you continue until you’re standing. )

( You try to walk, wavering slightly, over to where the orbs are kept. )

( There. )

( You sneak your way downstairs and out of the door. )

>>>>>>>>>>>>

( The entrance to the House stands before you. )

( You’re alone. )

( But this is to protect them. )

( Protect them from the King. )

( are you as bad as him, now? )

( You hold the 5 orbs. )

( They fly up to their respective places, and the House’s gate opens with a screech of agony resistance. )

( You have a house to prepare and serve scale. )

Chapter Text

| You’re internally panicking. |

| Not only is Siffrin gone, so are the orbs that you planned to open the gates to the House with. |

| You’ve sent Boniface to go keep watch at the vegetable garden. |

| Mirabelle is searching the center of town, asking around. |

| Isabeau is off searching over by the Favor Tree. |

| And you’re leaving no stone unturned over by the clocktower. |

| You’ve so far uncovered some smudged footprints in the dirt heading to the west. |

| That’d normally be helpful, if it wasn’t for the fact that this is the easternmost point in Dormont. |

[ …Researcher? Come to the Favor Tree. I have something I need to tell you. ]

[ Oh, and gather your party members. I won’t repeat myself twice!~ ]

| Your head is reeling. What was that? |

>>>>>>>>>>>>

(You grab the EGG KEY.)

(You walk past the destroyed counter on the way out.)

(There’s a sadness right outside the door.)

(You Just Attack it.)

(When it inevitably falls, you use it to satiate your hunger for just a moment.)

(Ah, what you would give to have your family friends party allies leftovers with you, now.)

(You head towards the EGG KEY door, open it, and grab the BROKEN EGG KEY.)

(You tarry a moment.)

(You always get perfect blends of flavor from your leftovers, but never from yourself. )

(...)

( You take        your dagger )

( and you              slice              into

                           your hand

and

            b i t e

                   d  o  w  n. )

(...)

(It’s tasteless.)

Chapter Text

| You approach the Favor Tree with everyone else. |

| Not everyone. |

| …Well. You found out who was calling you all to the Favor Tree. |

| It’s someone who must have had some extreme Body Craft, for sure. |

| You’re not even sure they’re fully human. |

“ ...Hello. ”

| Their voice is echoey. As if they were in a large cave. |

“ My, struck speechless at the sight of me, Researcher? ”

“ Wh– ”

“... Now, I’m sure you all have questions for me. One at a time!~ ”

“ Woah… why are you so glowy? ”

“ Bonnie! You can’t just say that!”

“No, it’s a reasonable question. It’s because I’m a star!~ ”

“A star? Like, the dots in the sky Sif is always talking about?”

“ Exactly. ”

“ Who are you? ”

“ Well, Housemaiden… I’m Loop. They/Them pronouns for me, please. ”

| That’s suspicious. You mentally jot it down. |

“ Now, about Stardust… ”

| ‘Stardust’? |

“ You’re looking for them, aren’t you? ”

“ ...’Stardust’? Is that Sif? You can help us find them?”
“ Yes. Now, tell me, everyone… ”

“ When’s the last time you saw the orbs for the House? ”

| Gems alive. |

“Wait, you’re saying Sif went into the House alone? ”

“Y–”

“We’re going after them. Now. ”

“Hold on, Researcher. There’s something else you should know.”

“ And that is? ”

| Loop shifts uncomfortably on the Favor Tree’s root. |

“St– Siffrin… has been looping. In time.”

>>>>>>>>>>>>

(When you’re done dining upon yourself like an Ouroboros, you can’t taste anything but blood and burnt sugar.)

(Your hand is mutilated to the point of looking less like a hand and more like shredded tenderloin.)

( ...You’re still starving. )

(You put your dagger back in its sheath on your belt, your blood still staining the steel blade.)

(You turn around.)

(You leave the kitchen and see a Sadness, cowering in fear behind a pillar.)

(You defeat it.)

(You indulge yourself upon it.)

( It doesn’t fill you. )

(You go to the door.)

(Unlock the second floor.)

(Fight the warden.)

(Glutton upon every piece of its lifeless corpse until nothing’s left.)

( ...Your stomach is rumbling. )

Chapter Text

| You and everyone else stand in front of the House’s Gate. |
| It’s already been opened. |

| …Loop told you about some… concerning things regarding Siffrin. |

| Namely that they’ve been trapped in a time loop for nearly 7 months. |

| You’re still suspicious of them, considering they also knew a secret fourth Craft sign. |

| However, you also have the much more pressing issue of a sick rogue that’s running through the House alone. |

| Everyone runs in as you all rush through the first few rooms. They have a concerningly long head start on you. |

| You see a couple pillars that seem to have sheared in two, but you hope it’s just your imagination. |

| You pray to the Expressions of Favor and Fortune as you run into the next hallway. |

“ SIF!!! ”

| Isabeau breaks out into a full sprint as he rushes to the rock, sitting in the middle of the hall. |

| Beneath it is a single gloved hand, poking out. |

| You– |

<<<<<<<<<<<<

| …The hand is gone. Just a boulder. |

| That vertigo… |

| You faintly smell burnt sugar. |

| You shudder a little as you follow Mirabelle and Isabeau on your way into the rest of the House, pulling Bonnie from behind. |

>>>>>>>>>>>>

(You enter into Floor 2 of the House.)

( Stars, you’re starving.)

(There’s a persistent stomach pain ringing through your abdomen.)

(You settle for chopping off your left little finger and chewing on it raw.)

( ...Tastes like nothing but Burnt Sugar. )

(You also take the time to indulge your hunger with the two Sadnesses here.)

(You turn right, grab the Crying key.)

(U-Turn, grab the Rock key from the Head Housemaiden’s office.)

(...)

( This isn’t where you came from. )

(You U-Turn, only to see a completely different room behind you. You turn around, and–)

<<<<<<<<<<<<

(. . .)

(Enter the Library, grab the Paper key.)

(Exit, ignore the world breaking around you.)

( Ignore the ghosts of you eating your family. )

(You finish chewing the marrow out of your snack.)

(You grip      your dagger             and)

Chapter Text

| You’re now rushing through the House. |

| Siffrin has a concerningly long headstart on all of you. |

| As you enter through the door to the second story, you see another ghost. |

| It’s hunched over something, presumably eating. |

| Perhaps a snack break you’d have had? |

| But something feels off. |

| As you go to pass by the ghost, you see… |

| …yourself. .    . |

<<<<<<<<<<<<

| . . . |

| You aren’t going to pretend you didn’t see that. |

| You thank the expressions that Mirabelle was blocking Boniface’s view. |

| …That was Siffrin. Eating. Cannibalizing. |

| …on you. |

| …You need to hurry. All of you. |

>>>>>>>>>>>>

( You slice once more into your fingers. )

(You start humming a little tune as you snack.)

(Oh!~ You have just 4 fingers!~ The knife goes chop, chop, chop!~)

(Blood stains your lower face.)

(You taste nothing but the familiar copper and burnt sugar combination you’ve experienced so, so many times.)

(...It still tastes delicious.)

(And yet it never satisfies you.)

(You want- no, need to have more.)

(You need to make it to the King and tear him to shreds and then enjoy the pulled monarch that you’ll make as an excellent dish to share with your family.)

( with your leftovers. )

(You run on ahead and grab all the keys, chopping off more snacks on the go as you collect them.)

(Run through the endless hallways.)

(Kill and consume the warden.)

(Stop at the snack room.)

(You’re all out of fingers on your left hand.)

(You’re feeling loopy.)

(You take your blade to the top of your wrist and–)