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[ It doesn't take long for her to answer. She's been taking advantage of the quiet to add more notes to her notebook. ]
Yes?
Yes?
[ It's extremely expected, and a little comical considering how much Isabeau went through to save her and Siffrin. She cocks an eyebrow. ]
I'm doing well, thank you. And what about you? How are you holding up, after everything?
I'm doing well, thank you. And what about you? How are you holding up, after everything?
[ Isabeau puffs out his chest, a fist lightly tapping against it. ]
You know me! I bounce back quickly! [ Which is Isabeau's way of making light of it. Very convincing with his reassuring smile and confidence, right? ] But you know, if you're in ever need of another huuug~ I'm riiight here.
You know me! I bounce back quickly! [ Which is Isabeau's way of making light of it. Very convincing with his reassuring smile and confidence, right? ] But you know, if you're in ever need of another huuug~ I'm riiight here.
How generous of you.
[ She most assuredly doesn't need a hug. Isabeau might, but that's firmly outside of her comfort zone. ]
I don't need a hug, thank you. But if you feel like getting a drink, I suppose I could join you.
[ Things are weird. She wouldn't mind a bit of non-hug bonding. ]
[ She most assuredly doesn't need a hug. Isabeau might, but that's firmly outside of her comfort zone. ]
I don't need a hug, thank you. But if you feel like getting a drink, I suppose I could join you.
[ Things are weird. She wouldn't mind a bit of non-hug bonding. ]
[ That's alright, he knows the limits when it comes to Odile, and other ways they can adapt to some of that bonding. Which she so conveniently brings up and ]
Crab yes! It feels like it's been forever since we've managed to sit down and have a drink together! Let's do it!
Crab yes! It feels like it's been forever since we've managed to sit down and have a drink together! Let's do it!
[ She smiles, just a little. Alcohol is definitely the answer to the question of the haunted mansion. ]
I'm told these things only happen once a month or so, so we should relax while he have the chance. You'll have to catch me up on what I've missed while I've been gone.
I'm told these things only happen once a month or so, so we should relax while he have the chance. You'll have to catch me up on what I've missed while I've been gone.
[ Absolutely the answer to escape the horrors. And honestly, it's one way to wind down. ]
At least that means we'll have some breathing room... [ A nod. Yeah, the catch-up he was expecting, especially sooner rather than later. ] Right, yeah. There's a lot to fill in, which I can do on the way, while we're still capable of perfectly good conversation!
[ A joke. But also Isabeau well known for being a big drinker. So when she's ready, he's happy to fill everything that's gone down in her "absence" - minus the important detail about Loop's identity, no he leaves that important part completely out, as they make their way to the Watchtower Bar. He's... obviously going to downplay a lot of the intensity and more harsher results of what happened, because it's Isabeau. Doesn't want to cause conflict. Doesn't want to cause trouble. Doesn't want to make it seem as bad as it obviously was. ]
..In the end, even when I realized the two of you guys were fakes, I couldn't really..
[ Do anything about it. A coward as he is. Couldn't raise a hand to harm them. ]
So I'm sorry, M'dame.
At least that means we'll have some breathing room... [ A nod. Yeah, the catch-up he was expecting, especially sooner rather than later. ] Right, yeah. There's a lot to fill in, which I can do on the way, while we're still capable of perfectly good conversation!
[ A joke. But also Isabeau well known for being a big drinker. So when she's ready, he's happy to fill everything that's gone down in her "absence" - minus the important detail about Loop's identity, no he leaves that important part completely out, as they make their way to the Watchtower Bar. He's... obviously going to downplay a lot of the intensity and more harsher results of what happened, because it's Isabeau. Doesn't want to cause conflict. Doesn't want to cause trouble. Doesn't want to make it seem as bad as it obviously was. ]
..In the end, even when I realized the two of you guys were fakes, I couldn't really..
[ Do anything about it. A coward as he is. Couldn't raise a hand to harm them. ]
So I'm sorry, M'dame.
[ She doesn't press much for details, especially not about Loop. She's picked up that there's some big secret there, and she's determined to figure it out for herself and/or hear it from Loop themself. She knew already how Dipper died, since she was able to talk to him in the mansion. A lot can be inferred just knowing the basics of what happened.
She shakes her head as they enter the bar. It's almost eerie how quiet it is, the town being as small as it is. ]
Don't be. I'd be more concerned if it were easy for you. That isn't a decision that should be taken lightly.
[ The decision that someone isn't 'real' could have some terrifying consequences. Even if it stings a little that nobody knew she had died. That the doubles were ultimately all killed is a moral conundrum she chooses not to linger on. She'd do it again if she had to. ]
Besides, nothing you could have done to our copies would have helped bring us back.
She shakes her head as they enter the bar. It's almost eerie how quiet it is, the town being as small as it is. ]
Don't be. I'd be more concerned if it were easy for you. That isn't a decision that should be taken lightly.
[ The decision that someone isn't 'real' could have some terrifying consequences. Even if it stings a little that nobody knew she had died. That the doubles were ultimately all killed is a moral conundrum she chooses not to linger on. She'd do it again if she had to. ]
Besides, nothing you could have done to our copies would have helped bring us back.
[ Admittedly, Isabeau kinda misses the boisterous loud energy that a bar usually is but the town really is small. No crowd from travel or a heavily populated town to bring constant chatter and company within. Either way, he tries not to focus too much on it, moving to go and seat them both at the bar where they'll be provided with their drink of choice. ]
Even so, it feels like I didn't.. do anything for you, for Sif.
[ He wasn't able to protect them. Couldn't even find any sign of their... bodies... and ugh, that thought makes him shudder, shaking his head. His expression pinches, feeling that bubble of nausea that he is more than eager to chase away with a drink. It won't help, not permanently, but it'll help to distract him. ]
..I. I guess not.
[ No, it wouldn't have done or changed anything but he still feels like he's failed them. He fiddles with his glass, before he decides to continue the conversation along. ] So what was it like in the house? You guys were just essentially ghosts, right?
Even so, it feels like I didn't.. do anything for you, for Sif.
[ He wasn't able to protect them. Couldn't even find any sign of their... bodies... and ugh, that thought makes him shudder, shaking his head. His expression pinches, feeling that bubble of nausea that he is more than eager to chase away with a drink. It won't help, not permanently, but it'll help to distract him. ]
..I. I guess not.
[ No, it wouldn't have done or changed anything but he still feels like he's failed them. He fiddles with his glass, before he decides to continue the conversation along. ] So what was it like in the house? You guys were just essentially ghosts, right?
[ Odile feels exactly the same way. Siffrin and Dipper were killed, and Isabeau and Loop had to go through that wretched mansion, all because she let a cheap knockoff sneak up on her.
Intellectually, she knows that neither of them are to blame. So rather than bring it up, she knocks back her own drink. ]
It was... strange. As if the longer I was there, the less I was myself. Nothing felt real. It's hard to remember any details, even now. When I saw you there, at first I didn't know who you were.
Intellectually, she knows that neither of them are to blame. So rather than bring it up, she knocks back her own drink. ]
It was... strange. As if the longer I was there, the less I was myself. Nothing felt real. It's hard to remember any details, even now. When I saw you there, at first I didn't know who you were.
[ His fingers tap the counter idly, thinking it over while their drinks are refilled and he hums with thought. ]
Less yourself... I think that makes sense. As "ghosts", you're just drifting in a space that was basically a sorta limbo? Nothing to attach yourselves to, and with each passing day you'd lose more of yourself and I'd bet any longer you'd have been completely a husk of what you once were, if not just disappear entirely. [ ... ]
Haha, that's a pretty dark thought, isn't it?? I'm glad we got you guys out before then!
Less yourself... I think that makes sense. As "ghosts", you're just drifting in a space that was basically a sorta limbo? Nothing to attach yourselves to, and with each passing day you'd lose more of yourself and I'd bet any longer you'd have been completely a husk of what you once were, if not just disappear entirely. [ ... ]
Haha, that's a pretty dark thought, isn't it?? I'm glad we got you guys out before then!
[ She hums thoughtfully in turn. The memory of that last day is so much clearer than the days before, and she was more real for it. It's harder to recall the time before that. ]
No, that sounds right. I may have reached that point already. I'm glad I didn't harm either of you before I knew who you were.
[ She very well might have, if Loop hadn't been so eager to play along with her 'games'. ]
No, that sounds right. I may have reached that point already. I'm glad I didn't harm either of you before I knew who you were.
[ She very well might have, if Loop hadn't been so eager to play along with her 'games'. ]
I'm just glad we got you guys out before it was too late then!
[ Even if he's doing his best not to think about how they already were too late. They still died in the end. ..Ugh, keep talking Isabeau. ]
Once we realized it was you, I wasn't worried though. I knew you wouldn't hurt us, M'dame.
[ Even if he's doing his best not to think about how they already were too late. They still died in the end. ..Ugh, keep talking Isabeau. ]
Once we realized it was you, I wasn't worried though. I knew you wouldn't hurt us, M'dame.
[ She smiles wryly. They're both glad for that. If being a ghost is always that miserable then she can understand a lot of horror stories a lot better now. ]
Maybe so, but you probably should have trusted me a little less. That's what happened in the maze room, isn't it?
[ Which is when the demon attacked. Maybe it wouldn't have, if they had gone through the maze properly. Maybe it would have found an excuse anyway. She doesn't want to think about this, why is she talking about it? She takes a gulp of her refreshed drink. ]
I need to get back to the plans for our house, now that I think of it. Heimr said he could take care of it all, but I don't want to leave anything to chance when unknown magic is involved.
Maybe so, but you probably should have trusted me a little less. That's what happened in the maze room, isn't it?
[ Which is when the demon attacked. Maybe it wouldn't have, if they had gone through the maze properly. Maybe it would have found an excuse anyway. She doesn't want to think about this, why is she talking about it? She takes a gulp of her refreshed drink. ]
I need to get back to the plans for our house, now that I think of it. Heimr said he could take care of it all, but I don't want to leave anything to chance when unknown magic is involved.
Ehhh, that wasn't your fault, M'dame. Logically, it just makes sense to try and go the fastest way! And I think... eventually, Loop and I definitely would have tried to just go through just as we did anyways.
[ With their loved ones on the line? Sometimes taking it slow and easy just goes out the window. But still, all of that is something he'd be happy to take a step away from thinking about for a good while, swallowing it down along with his drink. ]
Oh!!! Right! The house. That's good we'll have some help, but is there something you're specifically worried about? [ To see where he can come in and hopefully help. Arms cross, tapping at his arm with a hum. ] If we wanted, I could help set up a Vaugardian lock with it? I know we aren't in Vaugarde but.. on the chance we want to use an openphrase with us. For some extra safety?
[ With their loved ones on the line? Sometimes taking it slow and easy just goes out the window. But still, all of that is something he'd be happy to take a step away from thinking about for a good while, swallowing it down along with his drink. ]
Oh!!! Right! The house. That's good we'll have some help, but is there something you're specifically worried about? [ To see where he can come in and hopefully help. Arms cross, tapping at his arm with a hum. ] If we wanted, I could help set up a Vaugardian lock with it? I know we aren't in Vaugarde but.. on the chance we want to use an openphrase with us. For some extra safety?
[ That's a good idea, but... ]
It's Loop's room, actually. It's going to use a lot of glass, and I want to be certain that the structure will be sound with or without any magic. It will probably need additional protection, too.
It's Loop's room, actually. It's going to use a lot of glass, and I want to be certain that the structure will be sound with or without any magic. It will probably need additional protection, too.
Glass? ...Oooohh.
[ Confusion if because he actually has no idea what Loop went and requested for their room but. If they don't really like being cooped up in places, having glass for most of.. say the walls, or even the roof? Does make some sense! Even a lot. ]
Yeah, who knows what else can happen here. And glass isn't exactly the sturdiest of materials without any protection. Is that something we could potentially ask? Not sure what we can do with Craft..
[ Confusion if because he actually has no idea what Loop went and requested for their room but. If they don't really like being cooped up in places, having glass for most of.. say the walls, or even the roof? Does make some sense! Even a lot. ]
Yeah, who knows what else can happen here. And glass isn't exactly the sturdiest of materials without any protection. Is that something we could potentially ask? Not sure what we can do with Craft..
I've been repeatedly assured that everything can be taken care of magically.
[ She doesn't like that answer. It's not that she doubts Heimr's abilities, but she doesn't know how this magic works, and she doesn't want to rely on something so vague. ]
I was able to find a book with what I believe are the correct formulas, though. With proper framing it will hold up against the normal dangers. For everything else, I'm not sure.
[ She doesn't like that answer. It's not that she doubts Heimr's abilities, but she doesn't know how this magic works, and she doesn't want to rely on something so vague. ]
I was able to find a book with what I believe are the correct formulas, though. With proper framing it will hold up against the normal dangers. For everything else, I'm not sure.
[ Magically isn't always bad, after all in their own universe they do make use of Craft with a lot of things. Outside and in battle. But he can understand wanting some sense of stability. The bit of doubt in trusting in something they don't really understand. ]
Normal dangers is at least somewhere. If it lists correct formulas, I can try a hand to doublecheck once everything is done though.
Normal dangers is at least somewhere. If it lists correct formulas, I can try a hand to doublecheck once everything is done though.
[ She raises an eyebrow. She doesn't doubt he can do the math if he's offering, but it's not the kind of offer she'd expect him to make. ]
If you'd like. I left my notebook in my room, but I can lend it to you later. It's in Ka Buan, but I can translate the names of materials.
If you'd like. I left my notebook in my room, but I can lend it to you later. It's in Ka Buan, but I can translate the names of materials.
[ It seems to hit him as much at that eyebrow raise, sheepishly laughing it off as he pokes at his glass. Right. Not really a part of him he shares but he's.. trying. ]
Yeah! I can give it a look over! [ ... ] Sooo... things going well with Loop then??
Yeah! I can give it a look over! [ ... ] Sooo... things going well with Loop then??
[ That's an interesting reaction. She wonders what it means... ]
I haven't spoken with them since the mansion. [ No, she will not call it a house, no matter how much she drinks. ]
I suppose things aren't going poorly?
I haven't spoken with them since the mansion. [ No, she will not call it a house, no matter how much she drinks. ]
I suppose things aren't going poorly?
[With the brand still spreading outside, the inn was decidedly the safest place to hole up. Loop doesn't love the idea of just waiting, but there were already others working on the problem, and it would be embarrassing if the Researcher had to pull them out of it again... or worse, if she saw another memory of theirs. They shudder to think about what else might've been shared while they were under.
They're not thinking about it, though, so it's fine! Just like how they're not thinking about how they can't even sense stardust's presence anymore, or that neither he nor the Fighter have answered any of their Calls, or if the calls are even reaching them at all. Nope! Not thinking about any of those things! Not even a little!!
They need something to distract themselves, so they busy their hands folding little paper cranes, trying to make them tinier and tinier until their fingers hurt trying to get all the folds right.]
They're not thinking about it, though, so it's fine! Just like how they're not thinking about how they can't even sense stardust's presence anymore, or that neither he nor the Fighter have answered any of their Calls, or if the calls are even reaching them at all. Nope! Not thinking about any of those things! Not even a little!!
They need something to distract themselves, so they busy their hands folding little paper cranes, trying to make them tinier and tinier until their fingers hurt trying to get all the folds right.]
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