sticksandbones | some sunny day

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in stars and time: siffrin

some sunny day

Its the early morning, the sun has been up for about an hour or two with the quiet stirring of the Grove. The town slowly wakes up, and goes about their morning...

There is a smell in the halls of the Inn. Subtle in the early hours, but as the sun rises higher in the sky, it becomes difficult to ignore. Pungent and sharp. It's the smell of warm milk on the cusp of growing sour.

Under one of the doors a bright, almost pearlescent substance, that has started to leak out.

Uncovered Clues:

1. Unlocked door.
2. Signs of light scuffling
3. Upended box of pastries
4. Stabbed in the heart, likely died instantly
5. Wound is small with no exit wound.
6. Window is Adjacent to Body
7. Dipper's blood is two different colors, red and pearlescent white. The pearl blood seems older. The red blood comes straight from the wound.
8. body is cold and has been dead some time.
9. Noise at 10-11 pm
10. Dipper left a note for his uncles he was meeting a friend.
11. KNIFE

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Odile is dragged a couple of steps before Siffrin is scooped off the ground. She crosses her arms, glaring first at him, then at Loop. Yeah, she knows you're still plotting murder. ]

If we're all quite finished, I believe I asked for Siffrin's side of their argument with Loop.

We will not have another brawl in the hallway.

[ODILE COME ON YOU WERE SO READY TO THROW DOWN FOR HIM A FEW MINUTES AGO

Siffrin taps Isabeau's shoulder even more fanatically, urging him onward whilst looking back at Odile.]

I can tell you when we're away from them! Odile, please!

[ She sighs. She's so, so tired. She should have just gone to the cafe instead of investigating the milk smell. ]

It won't work, Siffrin.

[ She chooses not to go into detail, but she has mathed out their hypothetical escape. She turns back, again, to Stanley and Loop. ]

But I believe everyone here is aware of the consequences should they make any rash decisions.

[ She will absolutely throw down. ]

[........... well. Loop dashes after them for about two seconds, anyway, before just standing there staring from the other end of the hallway. Still pretty stressed, and worried! But not panicking about it, so that's progress.

Stan probably gets to hear a few indecipherable swears off them first, though. Please don't shoot the big guy they are trying SO HARD]

[ Despite the insistent tapping, looking ready to follow to the rushing encouragement of moving -

Isabeau also slows down, his grip on Siffrin firm and tucks him more into his arms. Though he still keeps his back in both Loop and Stan's direction.]

I'm sorry Sif, but M'dame is right. They're just going to keep coming after no matter what we do.

[ There's a bit of a torn expression, but it hardens with a serious look and more quieter to them. ]

We won't let them kill you, I promise. They'd have to get through me anyways. So, please, just trust us Sif.

[ A small glance to Odile, but sorry he's got his hands full with the fella and does not want to risk turning around to face the other half of the group lest they take that opportunity to try and attack Siffrin. ]

[Stan's never had to deal with magic that speeds you up or slows you down, but woah, what a rush! It...kind of reminds him of something, but he's choosing not to worry about it.

By some miracle he doesn't trip over his own feet when he has to skid to a halt. Here they are again though, back in the hall. Stan's grip is tight on his cane, but thankfully he manages to hold himself back.]

I haven't even tried! I just grabbed you a little hard, sheesh!

[That being said, that doesn't mean he's not on board for killing Siffrin if he did kill Dipper - Stan just wants credit for having held back. Much like Loop, he has been so good here.]

Do I think you did it? Yeah! I do! And right now it looks like you're trying to bolt 'cause you know you got caught, so spill it already!

[ Odile shoots them both another glare in warning before turning to address Siffrin again. ]

I trust you, Siffrin. But if you continue to try to flee I have no choice but to conclude that you are refusing to answer my question.

[Betrayal. What happened to his ride or dies?? Siffrin throws his hands up, exasperated.]

I'm not refusing to answer! I've literally already explained it! I don't know what more you want me to say! What, do you want the exact words said? Do you really think my memory is good enough for that?!

Can you even specify what it is I supposedly lied about? Or do you lack even that much imagination?

[Sticking by Stan's side, for now, because they can at least trust their former party to keep him from running away... they are going to get an answer out of him.]

If you can't come up with anything, just admit that I told the truth already. You're a poor actor and it's getting on my nerves.

Paraphrase, young one. You've given us vague summaries of your impression of Loop. I want to know the sequence of events.

[ She tries to keep her voice low and level, but this has been going on for far too long already. She can only protect them if they cooperate. ]

Loop said that they asked where you were last night, then asked for proof, and that made you angry. Is that correct?

[It's a good thing Isabeau is holding them because Siffrin seethes, leans back over his shoulder to holler at Loop.]

You keep lying exactly like this! You keep insisting I started that fight and that makes me sooo much more suspicious than you, but you started it! You literally threatened me, started shoving me into walls, and then turned around and played victim to make everyone think I'm the one hiding something!

[There's a hysterical edge creeping into his voice, and an incredulous breath of a laugh escapes him.]

You want exact words? You really want me to tell them exactly what you said to start that fight? Or did you forget what you did?!

[Fine, he'll tell them.]

"You're not me, but I could be you if I wanted to." And it's not the first time you've tried to kill me to do just that, was it? Oh, but I'm the bad guy because I didn't give you a chance and used Craft to get you off of me?!

Edited 2024-10-14 20:56 (UTC)

[Stan doesn't have a lot to contribute, but after that last part he can't help but look from Siffrin, a small fluffy-haired kid, to Loop, a....person with a very noticeable giant star for a head.

What. What the fuck is that even supposed to mean???? What's Loop gonna do, take their whole face off?!]

[They've stopped counting how many times he keeps bringing this damned thing up. Of course, he was going to keep pushing it. Why wouldn't he, if he doesn't care for Loop at all? Why would he keep a secret for someone who calls him a fake, a copy?

There's an anger in the way their skin bristles, like something trying to tear its way free from within, but their expression remains fixed. Unflinching. Furious, yes, but also tired. They are so, so, so tired of having the same wounds picked at again and again.

They stare, and stare, and...]

... Is that what you want from me, Siffrin?

[Calm, quiet, like the eye of a storm. They do not move.]

Sure, maybe I tried to kill him once. I can believe that. And yet he never seemed to have a problem with it until now, did he? Why do you think that is?

You don't get us at all. That's why you can't fool me. I know, I know more than anyone what stardust is like. We've fought over pettier things than this before, he's accused me of far worse things than murder, but I would still do anything, anything for his sake. You couldn't even begin to understand what it's like to be us.

So go ahead! Say it already. I know you want to. And that's how I know you can't be him. Because Siffrin wouldn't dare to expose me over something so unbelievably petty.

I could have been him. But I'm not. I stopped being Siffrin a long time ago.

Edited (words) 2024-10-14 22:01 (UTC)

[ Odile tenses, then closes her eyes and lets out a long, slow breath. Things were heading in this direction for a while already, but she hadn't wanted this particular theory confirmed.

Worse, Loop is right. She knows they've brawled before, but Siffrin has never so much as hinted about Loop's history before. She doesn't even know Loop, not really, not anymore, but they sound so much more sincere right now than Siffrin. And if this Siffrin isn't the real one...

She opens her eyes and looks up in Siffrin's direction. ]

[ There's plenty he can focus on, to split his attention between, go over thoughts that support and seemed strange or just - anything. But his grip remains firm on Siffrin, if not a bit tighter, staring mostly ahead still with his back still remaining towards the other two. Even if part of him wants to look over, wants to let those words sit. Change, they don't really have time for that, do they? In a predicament like this.

There are some things Siffrin would have done. Has done. Some things he didn't say, some things he probably would've never said, things that come to light now after constant pushing. And he has to stop himself from overthinking, from thinking too much, even if there are questions and even more questions. That feeling of dread and fear sinking in his chest like a heavy rock.

But equally, like Odile, he does not say anything. Just exhaling a breath he had been holding, gaze flickering down to Siffrin with a torn expression. ]

[Of course. And now everyone's looking at him like he's the villain here, because poor fucking Loop finally came out and said it just to make themself the victim. So much for being able to trust his friends with his life. All it takes for them to start looking at him like that is Loop's goddamn vague sob story.

With grit teeth, he shoves at Isabeau, trying to get back to the ground. Don't fucking touch him, he can't deal with that on top of everything else right now.]

What was I supposed to do?! You kept pushing and calling me a liar and trying to convince everyone I'm hiding something! I'm suspicious because I wasn't explaining more, but then I'm also suspicious because I did explain? And you even admitted to trying to kill me! Was I supposed to just sit back and let you? I'm suspicious because I'm not reacting in the exact way you think I should, because you know me sooo well, but I can't be upset that the person who knows me better than anyone doesn't trust me?!

[Small blessings, that everyone else has decided to shut up for this. They can focus all their energy on Siffrin. Just the two of them, alone in this sad little hallway.]

You know what? Fine. I'm tired of repeating this same blinding argument over and over again.

[They finally step forward, moving halfway between both groups... but they don't draw a weapon, nor raise their hands in Craft. They merely shrug their arms, palms open. No tricks here.]

Just kill me already. Then you can go back to your silly little pretend life, and I'll be wherever stardust is. That's fair, isn't it?

You and I both know you can break out of that hold easily.

[ Nope, no, that is not fair, no Siffrins are allowed to die without her knowing absolutely for sure that they are not Siffrin. Odile glances quickly between Loop and what little of Siffrin she can see. ]

Don't you dare.

[ She is addressing everyone in the hall right now. Every one of you. ]

[ There's a notable weight to that shove, but sorry, sorry sorry Isabeau doesn't want to risk letting them go. He can't, he's sorry but he can't! That fear bubbling up in his throat, trying to secure his hold on them despite the squirming and struggle. ]

W-Wait, Sif, hold on! It isn't-!

[ Well, Loop's words do manage to have him finally turn, eyes wide and a quick shake of his head. Absolutely not!!! Joining in right after Odile's words. ]

What??? N-No! Nobody is killing anybody! We don't have to do this!!

[Oh for fuck's sake–]

I don't want to kill you! I don't want to kill anyone! I didn't kill anyone!

[And Isabeau still won't fucking let go–]

Get off me! Don't touch me!

[Maybe Stan should be more concerned that the person he's sided with this whole time has opened themselves up to be murdered, presumably just to get all of this over and done with. Maybe they would expect him to be as horrified as everyone else and beg them not to.

But.

...Whatever they're doing won't work if everyone does that. Right?

Stan meets their eyes the next time they look to him, and he gives them a slight nod and takes two steps back.]

Why the hell not? Are you waiting for someone else to do it for you?

[Whatever everyone else is saying, they're not listening. Their attention is still locked on Siffrin, unwavering.

They take another step forward.]

Oh, Siffrin, we already know that's a lie.

Stardust has good friends, you know. I'm sure they'll find an excuse to keep you alive—maybe they'll decide to believe you once I'm gone! Killing me isn't murder if I gave you my permission, right? It's okay!

But really, it doesn't matter to me what you decide to do.

Either you kill me right now, or I will end your life myself. That's a Loop guarantee~

[ Aaaand they're back to where they started. Odile shifts to make sure she's between Isabeau and Loop, ready to cast Slow if she has to. She keeps her eyes on Loop. ]

I've had more than enough of this. Stanley, I'm sorry for your loss, but this can't be allowed to go on.

Isabeau, take Siffrin and go.

[ Isabeau had thought he was getting better at it, had been trying to get better at it, at everything, but no those words cut through and he's already setting Siffrin down as that habit kicks in. (You're only making it worse.) But even as he sets them back on their feet, part of him still clings a little at the part of their clothes. Still trying to protect them. Trying to shift part of himself in direct way to cover Siffrin, because that's what he was meant for, to protect the group. To protect those he cares about. (And if he already failed that?) Is it worse not knowing than it is to see it before his very eyes? All this talk about real or fake... he doesn't want to see them die even so.

One arm crosses over himself, gripping at his other arm, taking a breath. ] Killing isn't going to fix anything right now. Loop, I can't let you kill Sif, but you don't need to die either! Nobody else does!

[ There's a desperate plea in his eyes as he looks over to Odile. They have to stop this from escalating any more than it already has. And yet at her words, he hesitates. Why wouldn't he hesitate? In the next breath, his other hand makes a quick fist, a boost to defenses for their trio before he carefully nudges Siffrin on. He wants to counterargue, he wants to say he should be the one to stay and take guard. The bigger person should be staying and fighting anyways but.

There's that sternness in Odile, and he already knows if he so much as argues she's going to put her foot down harder. Be realistic, Isabeau. A deep breath, before he steps away and ushers Siffrin along. ]

Be careful, M'dame.

[ Unfortunately, Isabeau knows when to be logical and realistic and knows that in a moment like this it's best to just listen. When it comes to protecting Siffrin, it's just something their family will come to agree on. Odile would struggle to keep up with Siffrin anyhow so if anyone can keep up... ]

C'mon, Sif.

[ TIME TO GO NOW. ]

[ Good. It's exactly as Isabeau thinks; Odile would only slow them down. She nods, her eyes never moving from Loop. ]

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