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“Siffrin! If we think, if we go through it all again, we can—”
Loop winced as they watched Siffrin storm away. They didn’t really know what they’d expected with a suggestion like that.
They curled up in between the Favor Tree’s roots and sighed, settling in to watch the latest loop unfold.
Loop didn’t know what exactly the Head Housemaiden had said to Siffrin—he hadn’t exactly told Loop before jumping into his theory, and the Head Housemaiden was too far into the House for Loop to eavesdrop—but suffice it to say that whatever it was, it didn’t have a great impact on him.
Siffrin’s words still lingered in Loop’s mind, making them hesitate to follow Siffrin along. They wanted to help, but…
Well. The party didn’t head to the House until the following morning, anyhow. Loop could leave Siffrin alone until then. They settled back again and looked up at the stars.
…
The sound of the door to the House opening jolted Loop back to attention. Surely it wasn’t morning yet. Was it?
Loop glanced around and realized they were correct—the House door was open, but it was still pitch-black outside. Loop frowned and hopped into Siffrin’s vision. Siffrin was alone in the House. They had opened it by themself. Without his friends-allies-family- …party, who were probably still asleep.
Loop grimaced. This loop was going to be rough.
…
Morning came while Siffrin was still making their way through the House. Loop alternated between watching Siffrin and looking in the direction of the clocktower, but the latter didn’t exactly tell them anything about how Siffrin’s party members were doing. Loop had just stepped back from Siffrin’s perspective when they heard footsteps approaching the Favor Tree. They curled up tight in their hiding spot, and listened.
The footsteps stopped right in front of the tree, followed by a sharp exhale and a single clap of their hands. Someone making a wish, then. Or trying to, at any rate.
“I wish…” Oh. Oh.
Not just someone.
This was the Fighter.
“I wish to be able to find Siffrin,” the Fighter said. “To help them! To save them! I just… I don’t know where he went. So if you could help me figure that out… that’s what I wish for.”
Oh.
Loop knew the tree wouldn’t do anything. The Universe wouldn’t listen, not with such an improper ritual. But…
Loop slowly detangled themself from the tree roots and foliage. They stepped over to the part of the Favor Tree where the Fighter would be able to see that someone is there. “I can help,” they told him.
The Fighter jolted back, surprised. “Oh!” He peered closer at them. “Are you… part of the Favor Tree?”
Loop laughed, suppressing a flinch. “Of course not,” they sing-songed, “That’d be ridiculous!”
The Fighter frowned. “Okay,” he said after a moment. “You said you could help?”
“Yep!” Loop beamed, hoping the expression came across properly without a mouth. “Your buddy Sif is also a friend of mine! I saw they were acting all weird and grumpy yesterday, so I’ve been keeping an eye on them!” Loop winked with their good eye, but felt cold. Their expression sobered. “He’s in the House,” they told the Fighter. “He’s doing a pretty stellar job, actually! Just… not feeling very stellar in the process,” they added with a wince.
The Fighter nodded, processing this. “Something was bothering them yesterday,” he said.
Loop hesitated. “I can tell you what that was,” they eventually said, “But we should gather your… allies first.”
…
The explanation was worse than Loop had expected.
Or, not the explanation itself—the party members all reacted with appropriate concern and determination—but everything that came with the explanation.
Seeing the Fighter had been bad. Seeing the rest of these paper cutouts of Loop’s friends… that was worse.
The Housemaiden’s eyes shone with worry, but they’d lit up with surprise when she first saw them. No recognition.
The Researcher’s eyes had narrowed in thought, but she made no suggestion that Loop had any connection to Siffrin beyond however they knew each other. Not even a mention of the King’s star motif, as infuriating as its implications would have been. No recognition.
The Kid had mostly just been interested in how Loop had a star for a head, and then was upset by Siffrin’s predicament. No. Recognition.
Stars, Loop itched to tear themself and all these copies apart.
But no. Siffrin needed them.
So Loop finished their explanation and taught the party the secret fourth hand sign and guided them through the traps and hidden keys and walls of tears Siffrin had spent loops figuring out.
And when they reached a lull in the House—as much as there could be, with how distorted it had gotten—Loop curled in on themself and tried not to scream.
Soon. Just a little further.
They breathed in, and out.