some sunny day

[sticksandbomesmods]

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

Comments

[jouvente]

[ 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. ]

[start_again]

[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?!

[theuniverseleads]

[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.

[alphacraft]

[ 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. ]

[jouvente]

[ 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!!

[start_again]

[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!

[charlastan]

[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?

[theuniverseleads]

[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~

[alphacraft]

[ 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.

[jouvente]

[ 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. ]

[alphacraft]

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

[start_again]

[Finally, someone seems to realize how insane Loop is sounding. But it's almost like it's too little, too late to be a relief, Siffrin just feels numb. He barely registers Isabeau finally letting go, just flatly staring at Loop and then Odile as if all the fight has gone out of him.

Silently, he makes a handsign, hitting Odile with that Regener-ade. He doesn't trust Odile not to hurt her, after all.]

...Don't die.

[Yup, time to go. He turns and runs.]

[theuniverseleads]

[Loop does not move. Not yet, at least. They watch the other two retreat, ignoring the glare being levelled at them, whatever look the Fighter might be wearing. Whatever empty words he thinks might reach them, at this point.

Not as explosive as they'd hoped for, but that's fine. They know how to be patient. Only so many places to hide, after all.

They finally meet Odile's gaze, their expression a blank mask of a smile.]

I'm sorry, Researcher. I've already made up my mind. Sorry for dragging you into this.

[and... rather than attack, or try to pass her, they back up until they're next to Stan again. One more quick little thing—]

Fire is really effective at stopping paper, isn't it? Try to be gentle with her!

[—and then they book it around the corner, back into Siffrin's room.

unfortunately there's no cool window crash here because the window is already broken but BOY ARE THEY A COMIN']

cw: gun!

[charlastan]

[As much as Stan would love to be the one to beat the crap out of the fake Siffrin, it's gotta be this way. They won't make it past Odile together, but Stan can buy Loop a few minutes at least. If they're smart about it, that's all they'll need.]

Heh. Luckily I've got more than one kinda firepower up my sleeve--

[He swings his cane around in a wide circle over his head, with a number of spins and dramatic flourish as the metal pieces all click and slide into place, and in the span of about two seconds he has a rifle pointed toward Odile, finger on the trigger. ]

Alright, stay right where you are! Hands up! Don't move!

[He's big and bulky, so getting around him to Siffrin's door is probably out of the question - which really means he just needs to keep her from turning around and running after the others. The longer he can stall her, the better.]

cw: gun!

[alphacraft]

[ She briefly considers the weapon and the request. The weapon is clearly intended to have some long range effect on a narrow spot, probably. The request is nonsense. Hands up are how she uses her Craft. He must not know what she can do.

She raises one hand, flat, and sends a powerful Paper attack down the hall at him. ]

It's nothing personal, but I don't have time for you.

[ She trusts her Craft to throw him off and turns to head after Isabeau and Siffrin. ]

cw: gun!

[charlastan]

[Based on how everyone talked about it before, he assumed she fought with some kind of magic. He definitely didn't think it was hand symbol based though, or maybe he would've said literally anything else.

It isn't a visible strike, but Stan still reflexively puts his arm up to guard his face. The force is enough to slide him back about a foot and it shreds his sleeve and a few gashes on his shirt, but then he pushes off his heels and bolts after her.]

Oh yeah?! You think I have time for any of this? GET BACK HERE!

[Stan points the Red Herring and pulls the trigger a couple of times, but he's noticeably not aiming for Odile. He's going for anything in the hall that might be able to slow her down a little - decorations, lights to shatter glass, anything that might keep her from getting too far.]

[not here]

[beathollow]

( you know how mafuyu's been outside playing with her deernicorn to calm down? yeah no she's booking it to the bunny cafe bye. )

cw: gun!

[alphacraft]

[ She nearly jumps out of her skin. What the crab is that weapon? And why has it left marks so far from her on the walls? Is his aim bad, or is he missing on purpose?

She turns to cast Slow on the man, choosing to gamble on this unknown weapon and new acquaintance. She rushes for the stairs after Siffrin and Isabeau. ]

They went out the window!

[ She shouts as loud as she can, praying they can hear her. ]

cw: gun!

[charlastan]

[Stan has no idea how the hell she made him slow down this much, but it's pissing him off. The gap between them is getting bigger and bigger and it seems like it takes an extra 20 years for him to pull the trigger again--

--but wow. Even the bullet seems like it's moving slower. He still isn't even aiming for her, but if it does happen to hit her it probably won't do more than bruise.

So, in a move of desperation that probably won't work either, Stan yells:]

NO THEY DIDN'T THEY'RE STILL HERE!

cw: gun!

[alphacraft]

[ She has the doubtful luck to watch a bullet fly past her head, slow enough to be seen clearly. It's a tiny piece of metal, being thrown fast enough to leave those holes in the wall. What a dreadful device... She shouts back at Stanley as she reaches the stairs. ]

Your nephew's death doesn't warrant Siffrin's murder, guilty or not. I should hope you understand that when you're calmer.

[sticksandbomesmods]

[Its by absolute fucking chance that Loop lands where they do. Though in a hurry maybe their eyes will catch sight of something interesting! Foot prints in the ground made with a heeled boot.

[theuniverseleads]

[im so mad we wasted 200 comments before finding this

SIGHS. FINE. MURDER CAN WAIT. where do the prints fucking GO, where are they to and from. also can Loop tell these are Siffrin's stupid little heeled boots or not, I rolled a 19 I deserve a treat.]

[sticksandbomesmods]

[tee hee.]

[jouvente]

[ the tee hee is happening

Anyways, if Loop is taking the time to figure out whatever they stumbled upon yeah once they make it to the Inn's entrance, Isabeau slows enough to look around before gesturing for Siffrin to lead the way. After you, buddy!

Even if the sound of whatever is happening in the inn is concerning. What the CRAB is going on. ]

[start_again]

[There sure are loud bangs coming from just upstairs, followed by pounding footsteps and Odile's shouting. Ah, fuck.]

Hurry!

[Siffrin books it towards the opposite side of the building from the one his and Dipper's rooms are on. Is Odile coming? Hopefully, he no longer trusts these crazies to not fucking shoot her!]