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The situation that you are in isn’t favorable. You’re heavily injured, Isabeau is out cold, and Mirabelle’s attacks alone likely won’t be enough against this sadness. “Mirabelle, can you heal Isabeau?” You force down a sour tonic. “I don’t think we have any choice but to run.”
“M-madame?! What about the curse?” Despite her protest, she rushes over to Isabeau’s side.
“We currently don’t have another choice! We’ll just have to --” A blast of piercing craft strikes the sadness from behind. The attack is strong enough that the saddnesses attention is drawn away from you and your companions. You try to spot the source of the attack, but only see a darkless blur thankfully leading the sadness away.
“Ugh…” Isabeau seems to be coming to and pushes himself off the ground, “What…? M’dame, did you scare off the sadness?”
“No, it is currently preoccupied chasing down something that attacked it.”
“Huh? We gotta help them!”
“We don’t have to do anything. This might be our only chance to escape without having to risk running into the curse.”
“M’dame, that’s awful!”
“Even if that’s true madame, they went out of their way to help us. We owe it to them.”
You aren’t at all surprised. You haven’t been traveling with the pair long, but you already know that it would be next to impossible to convince either of them to abandon someone in need. You can only sigh and concede to their united front, “Fine then. Slow II.” You three rejoin the fight. The sadness looks significantly more damaged than before. The blur stands still long enough that you can get a good look at it. Large darkless hat and cloak. Dagger in hand. Lightless hair. You are pretty certain that they are not Vaugardian.
It’s a few more rounds of combat before the sadness melts and slithers off to reform elsewhere. You all take a moment to collect yourselves before Mirabelle addresses the stranger, “Thank you so much for the help! I’m Mirabelle, she/her.”
“Isabeau, he/him! We really owe you one!”
“Odile. She/here.”
“Oh, um…” He pauses and looks slightly panicked. “Siffrin, he/they.” Their accent is unique. You can’t remember if you ever heard one quite like theirs… “You don’t owe me anything, but the freezing craft is getting close. You three should get going.”
“Do you mean the curse?”
“...That is a much better name for it.”
“If you’re aware of how close the curse is, why are you out here?”
“I’m looking for something. Probably.”
“Probably? You aren’t sure?”
The wanderer shakes their head and reaches into their cloak. You sense up ready for anything. “I think I’m being led to these.” He then pulls out an Orb?!
“T-that’s an Orb!!!”
“...Yes?”
“...You are aware of its significance, right?”
“...Is it not just some artifact”
“Are you suggesting that you single-handedly fought off a powerful sadness to get this?”
They shrug dismissively, “I found it in some ruins. It had a few traps, but no sadnesses that I couldn't avoid.”
“Ooh, sounds like fun?”
“Um, we're looking for the orbs too. We have to collect all five to open Dormont's House and defeat the King.”
“The King… He is the one behind the fre-- the curse?”
“Yep. Mira here is actually immune to the curse.”
Siffrin seems to be thinking before he speaks again, “That would explain why I’m here… Here.” He holds the orb out to her?!
“What?! Really?! You’re just giving it to me?”
He nods, “Well wishes on the rest of your journey,” and with that he turns with a quickness to leave.
“Wait!” He pauses and hesitantly turns around. There’s a tilt to their head, “Would you like to join us? You seem really strong and you even got an orb all by yourself. We could really use your help.”
You are immediately against the idea. This complete stranger just happened to show up right when you were all in need of help and handed over an orb that they claim to have no knowledge of its importance in return for nothing. He must have another motive for their actions. He seems surprised by the offer.
“O-only if you're willing. If you’re busy then please don’t feel obligated to join us.”
“It isn’t that, it's…” He doesn’t continue their thought as the silence grows stiff.
“How about you travel with us for a bit before you decide? We need to get away from the curse either way?” He doesn’t meet any of your eyes, but he nods. “Great! Nice to have you aboard, even if just for a bit.”
“Yeah. It’s nice to have you, Siffrin. Let's try to make it to Maubeuge before night.”
✦✧✦✧✦
You don’t make it to Maubeuge tonight. There were way too many saddnesses in the way. Thanks to Siffrin, you all managed to sneak around most of them, but that still slowed you down. He isn’t much of a talker as you both collected firewood. Maybe he’ll come out of his shell if he sticks around. He’s sitting up in a tree away from the rest of you just staring up at the sky. Apparently, it was the best time for m’dame to start a private conversation. “ I believe that letting Siffrin join us would be a mistake.” You’re not that surprised. You’ve seen m’dame throwing suspicious glances at them since he saved you,
“How could you say that, madame? He seems nice and a strong fighter.”
“He is a complete stranger who found an orb, picked it up not knowing of its use, and then seemingly found his way right to us completely by chance and unaware of who we are. I can not believe that it is a coincidence.”
“I found both you and Isabeau by chance, why not Siffrin too?”
“Crazier things have happened. Plus he sounded really genuine.”
“...You both trust them?”
“I do.”
“Maybe not trust, but I’m sure he isn’t here to hurt us. And if he was, wouldn’t it be better to keep an eye on them?”
“...Alright, I won’t object further. Just be cautious of them.”
You look back up towards Siffrin. They haven’t moved in the slightest. You’d think they were sleeping if sleeping in a tree didn’t sound uncomfortable and very dangerous.
✦
Today is odd. You were woken up from your nap, saved the “saviors,” and were invited to join them. You don’t know what to do. You don’t feel the stars leading you anywhere. Maybe you’re supposed to choose for yourself? Ugh…
First is the warm one. The one blessed to resist the freezing. She seems to be the leader and really wanted you to join but really didn’t want to feel like you had to help. You don’t really want to upset her.
Then there’s the loud one. He feels like he’d like you to stay but wouldn’t be upset if you did. He seems… different. You’ve never been the best at reading people, but he’s harder? You’re not sure.
Finally, there’s the cold one. You shiver despite the warmth of your cloak. You don’t think she likes you. You felt her eyes burning into you. Traveling with her without knowing what you did to hurt her sounds bad. You don’t want to make another mistake.
One okay reason to join, one really good reason to stay away, and a… neutral(?) opinion… Again, it’s up to you. It always was.
…
You… there’s nothing else for you to do. Vaugarde freezing affects you too. You might as well fight to continue living. You will join them. You drop down from the tree and head over to the fire where they’re gathered.
✦
“Excuse me?” You all jump and turn to see Siffrin suddenly next to you. You didn’t even hear them leave the tree, much less his approach. “I would like to join your journey. If you’ll still let me.”
“Yes! We’d love to have you, Siffrin!”
“Crab yeah! Welcome to the team!
They look flustered and unsure of who to look at. They settle on looking at the ground with their hat hiding their face, “Mmm… Welcome.”
“Dinner’s pretty much done. It’s just some bread and soup. You hungry?”
You’re pretty sure Siffrin was just going to head back to his tree but he nods and sits with the rest of you. You serve up the soup. You made a bit more than you should have trying to account for Siffrin. Hopefully someone wants seconds. And maybe thirds. You start talking with Mira with m’dame occasionally speaking too, but Siffrin stays quiet. “Hey, Siffrin?” They turn with a slight tilt to their head. Cute. “What were you doing when you found us?”
He looks back to his bowl, “Sleeping.”
Mira looks at them, confused, “Sleeping? During the day?”
You suddenly realize how light Siffrin is traveling, “Did we leave your stuff behind where you found us?”
“I like traveling at night. I didn’t leave anything behind.”
“Really? No tent or even a bedroll?”
He shrugs, “I usually sleep in trees or a cave.”
Oh. Maybe he was napping a bit ago. “We should definitely get you your own tent”
“You really don’t have to. I like sleeping outside.”
“Mmm… Can we at least get you a bedroll? I don’t mind sharing my tent. It’d make us feel better than you having to sleep out in the rain.”
“I wouldn’t mind sharing either.”
“And I would mind.”
He’s hesitant, but does give you a slight nod, “Great!”
✦✧✦✧✦
Siffrin is more alert today. You dislike putting any merit into their apparent precognition, but ignoring the blatant patterns between their actions and subsequent events would be foolish. Which is why you are equally on edge. They didn’t ask to lead like when he is trying to avoid saddnesses. They are not rushing you as if there was an oncoming storm or curse. “Siffrin, is there something we should be aware of?”
He stops in place and looks at you, surprise written on their face, “H-huh?”
“You seem on edge today. I would like to know if we should be worried.”
“Change, thank you for asking, madame.”
“Yeah, tell us what your Sif-Senses are saying.”
“Sif-Senses?”
“Yeah, you always seem to know things ahead of time. Are you sensing something bad?”
“No, it’s nothing just…” He shakes their head, “Nothing dangerous. But… urgent. Important.”
“Could you be clearer?” He shakes his head and mutters something about clouds. You make a mental note of that.
“Oh! Would it help if we kept our eyes out too?”
“...Maybe”
Their combined vigilance somehow devolved into a game of pointing out the most interesting things they can find.
“Hey look! A Squirrel!
“Isabeau, this is the fifth time you’ve pointed out a squirrel. …I think it might even be the same squirrel.
“Yeah, any more of that and you might just drive nuts.”
“Haha!”
“Bad. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Agreed.”
“Heheh. I spyyyy…” Siffrin grows silent as he looks. You notice concern in their eyes as they lock onto something in the distance.
“Siffr--" Before you can finish, they run off in the direction they were looking.
“Wah! Siffrin?!” Mirabelle runs after them followed by Isabeau and (slightly begrudgingly) yourself.
By time you catch up, any potential action is over and you take in the scene before you. A child collapsed in Siffrin’s arms who is holding them protectively. Mirabelle is using healing craft on their more obvious wounds. Isabeau is lost on how he can help. “Well… I do believe this falls under urgent. Let's set up camp early. Isabeau?”
“Right. No problem, m’dame.”
✦✧✦✧✦
“Is it some kind of craft?” Siffrin doesn’t take their eyes off the night sky, but still manages to tilt their head, “What you’re doing. How you’re managing to seemingly predict the future. Is it time craft?”
“...No it isn’t craft. I’m just…” He squints their eyes, “Listening? Reading? Following? I’m… not sure.“
You take out your notebook and start writing, “Listening… to the sky?”
“No something… greater…”
“The dots in the sky?”
“...Stars. Hoshi.”
“Stars?” He nods, “So, is it the stars that you’re… interpreting?”
“Somewhat. It’s closer. It’s a part of it... Everything is…”
“I can’t say I’m following.”
“I’m not sure.”
“You seem unsure about quite a bit.”
“...Yep.”
“Does it bother you?”
“Not at all.”
“Hmm.” You don’t believe them in the slightest. You know Siffrin has a poor memory, but time and time again, he displays that it is much more severe than simply forgetfulness. He’ll speak on a subject and then lose their train of thought and any memory of the subject even. More similar to amnesia triggered by them recalling certain memories. You find it difficult to believe they aren’t the least bit concerned. You certainly are. “Alright then,” You sit next to them and look up at the stars yourself, “Tell me about them.”
You see Siffrin shift in the corner of your eye. He’s looking at you now, “You really want to hear about them?”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t. As long as the lesson doesn’t include puns.”
“...Do you see that one?” He points up and you try to follow where he’s pointing, “It’s one of the brightest stars in the night sky.”
“...Ah, yes. I see it.”
“It always points north.”
“Does it now?”
“...You don’t believe me.”
“It is difficult to believe. If that was the case, you would think it’d be common knowledge.”
“It should be…”
“...” You grab your compass out of your jacket. To your surprise, north is in fact in the same direction as the star. “I stand corrected. That is north.”
“And it stays north all year long.”
“The way you said that suggests that the other stars don’t stay in their positions.”
“They don’t. As the Earth moves, the stars change and so does the… the… the pictures that you can see in them.”
“Is something wrong?”
“...I can’t remember the Vaugardian word for the pictures. Or Ka Buan. Or Portarian.”
Perhaps it’s a word completely unique to Siffrin’s native language. Or their constant forgetfulness, “That’s fine. Can you show me a few of these pictures?”
✦
Show her a picture? Can you? You should be able to. You know so much about them. You were taught so much about them. They’re so important. You are supposed to know more than most people do. This should be easy. A child could do it.
So why can’t you?
You’re looking up at the sky and can’t find anything. Can’t remember anything. You can’t even remember their name. They’re supposed to be so important to you and you didn’t even bother to remember their name. Their names, their locations, their stories.
You… don’t… remember…
You don’t want to look at the stars anymore.
You push yourself off the ground, “...Good night, Odile.”
“Siffrin?” You rush back to camp and into Isa’s tent to hide away from prying questions and the sky.
✦✧✦✧✦
Today could be better. You were caught in a storm for the first time in… awhile. Siffrin didn’t try to rush or warn any of you. You don’t think he grabbed extra firewood either. Which is fine. It isn’t his job. It’s just something he does to be nice.
Sif’s been acting off for a few days now. They’re almost as quiet as when they first joined the party and he looks like he’s trying his best to avoid looking at the stars. Odile said it’s her fault. She apparently had a conversation with Sif the other night that didn’t end well. Whatever happened between them, you’re sure it’ll get better. You’ve never seen anyone interested in stars as much as Sif. You doubt they’d completely lose interest after one bad conversation.
You and Sif are finishing your own tent when you see them stop and look around. “Something wrong, Sif?” He starts to shake his head before he starts glaring and reaches into his cloak and pulls out his dagger? You clench your fists, “Guys! I think Siffrin heard a--"
“Ah-- AHHHHHH!!!”
From behind Bonnie, a sadness raised its arm ready to bring it down on them. You run to save them, but there’s no way you could ever be fast enough. “BONNIE!”
A darkless blur, Siffrin, dashes past you. Faster than you’ve ever seen them move. They move themself between Bonnie as the sadness strikes!
✦
Your body is screaming. You’re screaming. You hurt. You want it to stop. But Bonbon is in danger. You have to save them. Protect them. Protect them. Protect pro-- “tect protect protect” It’s what you want.
You get back to your feet. You feel light. Your body is buzzing. Anything is better than the screaming. You grip your dagger as tightly as you can manage and face the sadness. You can’t get a good look at it. You don’t have to. You just have to protect Bonbon. An unfamiliar craft flows through you and you release it in a slash at the sadness. Whatever it was, it pushed them back. You think you hear screaming from someone who isn’t you. You don’t understand. It’s like you’re underwater. Something else slams into the sadness. You feel the buzzing in your body quiet for just a moment before the screaming comes back. You collapse. You try to get back up, but your body won’t listen. Just screaming. Your vision swims. You know you can’t go down without saving Bonbon, but your body doesn’t care. Your eyes droop. The screaming quiets long enough for you to fall into oblivion.
✦
As soon as the sadness dissipates, you turn your focus to Siffrin. Whatever energy that let them get back up the first time is gone now. “Isabeau, get the first aid kit. Madame, we need to get to the closest town as soon as possible.” You don’t wait for them to answer back as you turn Siffrin onto their back (they don’t flinch) and put your fingers against their wrist. Their heart is beating. You cast Super Sparkle Heal again. You hold your breath, expecting (hoping) that he’ll scream again. (Screaming means he’s alive)
The first aid kit is in your hand. You hurry and bandage his eyes. The sound of thunder rings in your ears, “East of here! If we run we can make it in less than two hours.” Two hours. (Does Siffrin have two hours?) He has to. Isabeau picks Siffrin up and holds them close to his body. You take Bonnie’s hand. Even in the rain, it’s obvious that they’ve been crying. Is still crying. You want to cry too, but that has to wait. You need Siffrin to keep Siffrin safe.
You all run in the direction where madame pointed. You aren’t sure where she is now. You don’t think she started running with the rest of you. Or maybe you all are going the wrong direction? No. She wouldn’t have let that happen. The sky booms. Unless you didn’t hear her. You’re all running as fast as you can. You don’t think madame would be able to catch up without Siffrin’s help.
You have no choice but to keep running. So you do. You run and run and run until you finally spot proof of civilization. And then you run faster. Healing Siffrin as often as you can manage. All the way to this town’s House where Siffrin is taken from Isabeau’s arms and into the infirmary. You try to follow the other housemaidens inside when one holds their hand up to you, “Housemaiden Mirabelle, you did so much to bring your friend here, but you are in need of rest. Please trust us to watch over them.”
“But--" You try to protest, but you suddenly feel incredibly dizzy. You steady yourself on the wall, “...Okay…”
“Thank you.” They give you one final look that you can’t read before heading inside as well. Someone helps you into a seat. You have no choice but to wait.
You don’t know how long it’s been when madame finally arrives. None of you can bring yourself to properly greet her. She drops a bag and sits with the rest of you. “No news on their condition?”
You shake your head, “They wouldn’t let me inside to help.”
She nods and joins you all in the horrible silence. Another housemaiden interrupts to offer a place to eat, bathe or sleep if any of you wanted to. Isabeau manages to get Bonnie to go with them while the rest of you wait for any news. Isabeau leaves for a bit before asking you to at least eat something and promising to get you if anything changes. You give in and leave. Madame doesn’t end up taking a turn. She just sits there, reading a book. You don’t think she’s turned the page once.
✦✧✦✧✦
Isabeau sits beside you
“M’dame, what’s on your mind?”
“...What makes you believe anything is on my mind?”
“You’ve barely let yourself eat or even sleep since the incident.”
“I’m simply worried.”
“I know, m’dame. We all are. But you’ve barely left Sif’s side since they’ve allowed visitation.”
Of course you haven’t. How could you? You are partially responsible for Siffrin’s current state. You caused him to stop whatever enabled them to prophesize the weather, sadness and so much more.
“M’dame, please. We’re worried about you too.”
“Don’t be. I will be fine.”
Silence fills the room only occasionally interrupted by Siffrin's infrequent breathing.
“Do you blame yourself, Odile?”
You refuse to entertain his question with a response. If you hadn’t pushed to know more about Siffrin’s past, you wouldn't have been caught in the storm, wouldn’t have been attacked by that sadness and Siffrin wouldn’t be bedridden. Wouldn’t have nearly died protecting Boniface. You put the most important people in your life in danger.
“Odile, you couldn’t have known Sif would react like that.”
Ignorance isn’t an excuse. You could have gotten either of them killed. You’ve lived through a few losses, but you’re certain losing any of them would break you. And you absolutely can not afford that. Especially not this close to the end.
Isabeau sighs, “Please take care of yourself. If not for yourself, do it for Sif. They don’t need to see you exhausted and hungry when they first wake up.”
…
You stand, despite your bones' complaints.
“Thank you, m’dame.”
You take a deep breath in, and out. You leave the room.
✦✧✦✧✦
You slowly regain awareness. You’re covered in cotton. There’s a lot of pressure near your… left eye. Your body is quiet. The room is mostly quiet. The room smells heavily of peppermint. You try to sit up. Your body doesn’t really feel like listening. You barely lean forward before landing right back down on the mattress. As you do, a voice fills your ears
The voice is cold. Like a breeze on a too hot day. Odile. Odile is speaking. You shouldn’t be ignoring her. You manage to turn your head right and look at her. She sighs. As she should. “Are you lucid?” Are you? You feel like you are. You do your best to nod. Stars, how badly did you sleep for your body to be this uncooperative? “That’s good. Do you know where you are right now?”
That’s a harder question. You don’t remember entering town. But seeing as you’re in an actual bed, the answer should be obvious, “Inn?” You cough. Your throat is hoarse. You hope you aren’t getting sick. You’re so close to Dormont now. You can’t hold everyone back now.
“No Siffrin. We’re in the Niort House’s infirmary… What is the last thing you remember?”
Infirmary? You really are sick. Of course you’d let everyone down like this. The last thing you remember… “Tents in storm… Sorry… I should have warned…”
“Siffrin… That isn’t your fault…” She sighs again, “You don’t remember what happened after?”
After…? You finished the tent and then… A sob, right? You heard a sob and then… then…!
“BONBON!” Your outburst rewards you with a coughing fit. But that doesn’t matter! You need to see them! You need to know they’re safe! You manage to sit up and try dragging yourself out of bed when a hand forces you back down.
“Siffrin! You are in no condition to be moving yet! Boniface is safe and uninjured. You protected them.” You lie back down. Bonbon’s alright. You’re relieved.
“Everyone’s okay?” Odile doesn’t answer, “...Odile? Who--"
“Siffrin… I’m sorry… They couldn’t save your left eye…”
“My eye?” You lift your hand up and touch the bandages over your eye. You can’t tell what it's like under there. But you’d happily trade your eye for Bonbon’s life. Stars, you’d trade your life if you had to. It’s your fault their life was in danger to begin with. You decided to abandon the stars. You put them in danger. You got off lucky. Your eye will serve as a reminder. “That’s fine.”
“That’s… fine?”
“Yeah, eye believe so.”
“...Alright Siffrin… The others will want to know that you’re awake. I will be back.” She stiffly leaves her chair and heads out of the door. You probably should have held off on the eye puns.
The others come in. Odile doesn’t return that day.
✦✧✦✧✦
Barely a week’s passed and Siffrin is insisting that he’s ready to continue traveling. Madame dragged you all into the hall, “Siffrin is not ready to continue traveling. They need more rest.
You kind of agree with her. An injury like Siffrin’s would usually need a few weeks before any strenuous activity is recommended. But you trust Siffrin’s judgement, “More rest would be better, but I think we should trust Siffrin. He’d know what he’s ready for more than anyone.”
“Yeah. Sif’s tough. If he’s saying he’s ready, I’m sure he means it.”
“And if he’s just lying or wrong? Even if he believes he’s ready, more rest wouldn’t hurt them.”
“Madame, the curse is getting closer. We don’t have any more time to spend waiting.”
“If Frin wants to be a crab, let them be a crab… Let’s just go…”
“But…”
“M’dame, I know you’re worried for Sif, but he’ll be fine. He knows we’re here to help if he needs anything.
Would he? You and Siffrin are alike in that aspect. You are very private people. You both would prefer others to not notice your struggles and solve them alone. There is no doubt in your mind Siffrin is pushing themself for all of your sake.
…
You sigh, ”If you all insist.” You’ll just have to keep an eye on them. To take some responsibility.
✦✧✦✧✦
You finally make it to Dormont. Tomorrow is the last day of your journey with your friends. The others head into town as you nap in a field nearby. You have a strange dream. A bright star comes down to your hands. You’re not sure why, but you take a bite out of it and wake up. You were going to fall back asleep, but Mirabelle interrupts you. You follow her into the village. You tell everyone about the sleepover, you believe strongly to the Change God, and wish to go with Odile to see her country before meeting everyone at the Clocktower.
After dinner, everyone gets ready for bed. You step out to look at the stars. The trees block a lot of the skies, but you know better than to climb up a tree. After a bit, you hear Odile’s footsteps behind you.
“Do I even want to know what they’re telling you about tomorrow?”
You look back at her with a smile, “They’re celebrating.”
“Heh, I guess they hate the King just as much as the rest of us. Is there any reason for concern?”
“Nope!” She doesn’t need to worry.
“...If you say so.” There is a minute of quiet before Odile shivers. Come inside. Everyone else is ready for bed.
You follow her inside. The next few hours are a blur. Isa wakes you up to tell you he has something to tell you after the King is defeated, you eat breakfast, enter the House, and try your best to reassure Mira that everything’s fine. And then everything goes dark.