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It's been quite some time since you went here. Or really any bar at all. Ever since the-- incident --you vowed that you were done going out here in fear of another one happening.
But then again...
It has been a couple months now, since Vaugarde was saved. The lot of you could do anything they wanted. And with everything that's happened in that journey-- what with your friend losing their mind and almost destroying the world --really, how could something like this get any worse than that?
This would probably just be more embarrassing than frightening, admittedly. Regardless.
You take a purposely small sip of a glass of wine, placing it upon the table, careful not to overstep yourself. Gems forbid Mirabelle isn't the only sober one in the pack trying to get everyone home. You smirk to herself at the thought of her -- Mirabelle, actually going out here to drink? Granted, she wouldn't take any more than a few sips, but it still surprised you somewhat.
Speaking of which.
The four of you are by a table--obviously Boniface wasn't present, put back in the care of a visiting Petronille for the time being. Beside your side of the table, you hear Mirabelle stifle a slight cough just sipping her drink - a light one by the looks of it. Probably a type of wine as well.
You aren't in any way religious - your family, who knows but you - but you found yourself respecting her devotion to Change. You still remember the first time you met her, when you were out 'researching' your past, who you are. She was already with Isabeau when you joined the two on their journey.
At first you figured, maybe this would help further your goals by going to Vaugarde. Maybe you'd have answers there.
You may not have left the journey with much answered apart from a familytale you felt like you needed...but you left with something much more valuable.
A family to look over.
"Is it the scent getting to you?" you turn your gaze to her, amusement tinging your voice. She nervously glances at you with a huff.
"P-Partially!!" she blurts out, face darkened, "I'm more bothered by the taste...how could a light drink like this burn this much??!!"
"'Cuz you don't drink, Mira." On the other side of the table sits Isabeau, laughing before taking a swig of his own drink - whiskey. His regular, harder than your wine for sure. "I'm never one to keep my belly cold!!! Ha ha!!"
...You take note of the blush on his face.
Gems alive, it's already taking an effect on him...
Mirabelle pouts at that, though the Fighter does blink in response, "...n-not to say you do it on purpose of course!!" he corrected himself. The pair share a giggle after that.
You smile to yourself, happy to be here. You never thought you'd think that after the-- thing that happened. But with everyone here, with the country safe, it felt so rewarding.
You hear someone else by the bar. Letting out a ridiculous, snorty laugh. You don't make out everything they're saying, but they sound nothing but playful.
And wasted.
They're walking over to this table--
and they bump into it.
The sound they give off immediately tells you who it is, if the voice didn't before.
"NYA-!"
"Oh, Sif, hold on--!!"
You smile wide, trying not to laugh as Isabeau stood up and steadied a tipsy Siffrin, them and their drink saved from falling.
Before you know it, Mirabelle gasps and says, "DID--THEY JUST--???"
They did.
And it was funny.
"...no, not again, not againnnn..." they grumble about something to which you hear Isabeau question.
"...Waaaait a minute." that grin comes back. "Hooold up, Sif. You say nya, don't ya?"
"N-No!! Isa, it's--" they scoff, sitting down on Isabeau's side of the table with him. "--N-Not on b-blinding purpose!" their drunken self stammers a bit.
"...Siffrin." they almost tense up at you, "Judging by your reaction..." you raise a brow, smirk wide, "...did that happen in your time loop?"
Siffrin just stares at you, eye slowly panning down at his drink. You notice it's the same mojito, with yet more sugarcane juice in it.
A little hint of clarity comes out as he barely whimpers, "...every time."
He lets out a weak sound and starts chugging, hat hiding his flushed face. You bring a palm to yours and hold back a snicker, while the others voice their sympathy.
"Awwww, Sif, buddyyy!!!!" Still hazy, he pats and rubs their cloaked back, "I'm sorry, buddy, we didn't know!!" before letting out a laugh. Kind of involuntary, it seems. He must've been tipsy enough to be more amused by their reaction first.
"Oh, Siffrin..." you hear Mirabelle next, "Please, don't be upset about that...! I-I'm sorry, I just didn't know that...you, uh..."
You swear to yourself you saw a couple tears trickle down under their hat. You feel a bit guilty now.
"...Yes, Siffrin, we're sorry. I was...careless." you say, letting him chug his drink even though you aren't exactly comfortable with it. You do hope this would be his last mojito. Any more and he would have a hangover to be reckoned with.
Once they set it down, they emit a whiny "...neeeh." that gets you snickering. They spurt a giggle in return.
And so, you change the subject.
"...And you should eat before we leave the bar. Or at least have a glass of water with you. Unless you feel like suffering." you lightly shrug your shoulders.
"...yeaaah mooom..."
Oh.
OHH.
That one caught you off guard. Your eyes widen a bit, blinking a few times as he got to drinking again. Mirabelle gasps out loud, "S-SIFFRIN???"
And Isabeau bursts out laughing, almost falling off the seat.
"HOLY CRAB--" He wheezes out, "THAT WAS AWESOME, SIF! HA!!!" He puts a hand on their shoulder, them almost nuzzling into it with a wavy grin on their face--just before they too burst out laughing.
"...Mom...?" You blink a few times, sharing a shocked look with Mirabelle before she too cracks up in a giggling fit. You see Siffrin and Isabeau now chugging together as you start laughing along with the Housemaiden.
He wasn't wrong, even as drunk as he was. You always felt the need to protect everyone and do what you felt was right for them.
...Almost like a mother's love...
You're not too surprised. You've met many people younger than you, some children, and there came times where you put yourself forward to shield them. Even if you never had children of your own.
Here though, with the people you love, you notice how much stronger those maternal feelings feel within you. As in, you really would do anything in the world if it meant they were happy.
You aren't bothered by it. It's refreshing, actually.
You let out a smile - gems alive, an honest and big smile - leaning forward to gently rub the Traveler's cheek once he places down his empty glass. They blink their eye blearily a few times, tilting his head when-
A bartender comes by and hands Siffrin something, causing you to recede back in your chair, to let her place it upon the table.
You sigh to yourself. The fourth mojito now. You can't see it well thanks to their hat, but they have a wide smirk looking down at it.
"Siffrin??" you hear Mirabelle, sounding concerned but also scolding. "Aren't you already feeling...uh...effects??"
You hear them hum in response, looking at her with his tongue out. "...No."
They are.
"You are."
You can't hide your smirk, and from what you see, Mirabelle can't either. "Try taking it slower if you don't feel like vomiting."
"Oh, c'mooon, m'dame, Sif'll be just fiiiine!" Isabeau grins somewhat lazily, "He's gone through way tougher crab than some drinks, haha!!!!"
"...I'm not tough," you hear them huff, "I'm, like. Stupid." they breathe, clutching onto their drink, "So dummy and so. Ssssooo gross--" they, absentmindedly, began to drink again.
You see another tear.
"Sif, buddy pal, my guyyy," you see Isabeau pouting, "don't sell yourself so short like that!! You're way too cute to be gross!!! But it's like...cool cute!!! Really cool cute!!!"
"Yes, Siffrin!!!" Mirabelle almost banged the table, "The fact alone that you're drinking this much is amazing...I would never!!!"
They just let out a light whine, continuing to drink.
That wasn't a good sign, actually.
Yeah. Not at all.
"Siffrin. Siffrin, slow down." you try to gently say, "You're already under the influence. Don't rush it-"
A protest.
"...Young one." You furrow your brows. "You don't wish to stay in the moment for a bit?"
Another one.
It would be so frustrating if it wasn't so amusing.
You let out a sigh, "Gems alive, what did you go through to want this much..."
That was four glasses down. Hopefully the last.
Siffrin practically lays their upper half on the table, eye covered by their hat again. It's clear they'd probably not be able to stomach much more, without it all coming back up anyway.
They were absolutely not passing out without some water. Of course you won't allow that.
"..." you frown. "I told you so. Too many and you'd be on the floor."
"HEHE." Siffrin spits out before anyone else can respond, "Buuuuuut...b't you can't bleh--blame mmeeee..." they roll onto their back now, Mirabelle trying her absolute hardest not to bust up laughing. "I'm...totally fiiiine..."
"...Yep!! Yep. We tooootally believe ya." A grin on Isabeau's still flushed face was present, one that you could tell was teasing and sarcastic. You hear them sputter a messy laugh in return.
"But...it's truuuuueeeee!!!" they whine out loud, "I'm...not that big a...of...eh...of a deaaaal..."
You hear the others straight away.
"But you ARE!!!"
"Yeah!! You are, Sif!!!"
"Siffrin. None of that." You frown again, lightly running a hand across their cheek to which they flinch to. "They're right. You matter a lot to us, you know that."
You hear a light whimper as they try not to look at you.
Then, you hear the bartender from a distance, apparently asking if they needed more. Mirabelle glances at the two of you and responds, "Oh! U-Uh...no, no! No, they look like they're finished..."
"Nooooooo...!!!" they whine like a petulant child, tugging their hat over their face. "Th...that...iiizn't fffaaairr..."
"...oh, Siffrin..." you sigh. In all the times you lot went out drinking, you've frankly never seen them this deeply drunk. "You've had four mojitos. And..." your lips make a flat line, turning to the larger man, "how many did you have, Isabeau?"
"Two. Two whiskeys!" he hastily corrects, "Not mojitos, haha..."
Your eyes go back to the whining mess. "...Yes, I believe you've had plenty."
No response. In fact, they were too busy giggling at something. You find yourself shaking your head slightly, smirking a little.
It was hard to scold them like this, admittedly.
"...Yyyeah. Yeah, Sif, you're all mojito'd out." he busted up a little laugh. Clearly he's still woozy, but not quite as bad as...well.
"Nooooo, pleaaaaase..." they fuss and whine, "I-I can handle moooore!!! Cooome oooonnnnn..."
"Nope." he snickered. "You're gonna have to eat or drink water now."
"...I can't eat waterrrr..."
Isabeau and Mirabelle bust up laughing as you shake your head, smirking. "Such an astute observation."
If Siffrin responded, you probably didn't hear it.
"...No, but seriously, buddy. You should probably try something before we go..."
"H-Huh??? But...we just got heeere...!"
"Siffrin..." You hear Mirabelle coo softly, "What he means is, we don't want you hurting yourself...o-or hungover, either!! You can enjoy the moment, but...n-not for too long!!" The only response from them is a low little whimper, before you hear them mumble something under their breath.
You could've sworn they slurred out something like,
"next page...line read".
Then you see them trying to stand up.
You tense up a bit, ready to intervene.
"...I'll...just...go ge-"
Suddenly--
They stumble off their feet--
"Siffrin--?!" You blurt out in shock, but they don't hit the ground.
They
fall
on Isabeau's lap.
"W-WHOA!!!" The Fighter jolts, freezing still. "SIF-!!" His face is totally blushing dark now. If you were to look at Mirabelle's direction, her hands are covering her mouth with what you swear were shining sparkles in your eyes. Whatever this implies to her, she enjoys it.
You blink a few times, but are relieved that they didn't hit the floor. You see the bartender by her table. Stoically, you gesture her to bring water. She nods quickly and gets to it.
You turn back to the group. Siffrin is still not very coherent. His eye slowly opens to see Isabeau, covering his face and stammering things. He breathed out with a big smile, "Hhhiiiiii..."
Mirabelle is shaking a bit now. It makes you chuckle a bit.
They slowly reach out, lightly pawing at Isabeau's chest, lazily staring up at him but smiling so wide. The sobering larger man slowly shows his face again, looking down at the heap on his lap.
"...Sss...so...p-prettyyyy...guy..." they lean against his flustered self, still touching his torso. You crack a smile, holding back another laugh. Mirabelle is trying not to scream.
"...Sif..." He starts to hold them tenderly, hat noticeably slanted on their head, close to falling off, which makes him laugh a bit.
"...mmmmm??" They seem to question, eye half-lidded again as they paw at his collar. "...whoooo...are youuu..."
"Pff-" You finally crack up just as the glass of water arrives. You manage to blurt out a thanks betwixt laughter.
To think they were so intoxicated they outright forgot who they were with.
"...Siiiif!" He faux pouted, holding the smaller one closer, "...You know who I am, don't you??"
They giggle a bit. "...S-Stars, I know this one..." they mumble out, "...Izzziiit...uhhhhhhhhIIIIsaaaa???"
"Yeah!!!" He laughs in triumph, "Yes!!!" With him, Siffrin explodes into a messy laughing fit. "Just the awesome Isabeau by your side!!! Hahahaha!!!"
"Juuust my huuuuubby Isaaaaa!!!!~" they cackle out when--
wait.
Hubby?
"Yeah!!! Just your--your...
...HUH????"
...
You facepalm again, this time with a grin.
Gems alive, this silly child.
"S-SIFFRIN--!!!" Mirabelle almost shrieks. You wouldn't be surprised if tears were in her eyes right now. She tries to say something but is only able to blubber gibberish.
Looking at Isabeau, he's looking like his heart just stopped, a wheeze escaping him. "C-Crab..." he barely is able to get out.
"Yyeeeaaaahhhh..." they grin lazily, still giggling a bit. They dig their face into his chest as much as they could. "Mmmmmm, I loooove youuuuu..." all while he stared down at him, eyes wide yet shining.
You can't hide your smile - how rare - even as Mirabelle clutches onto you.
"They are going to get married one day. I can see it right now. They are SO precious." She said dead quietly. Her breathing was uneven, but you can almost hear her grin. "I'm about to explode, Madame."
You just hum a chuckle in response. "...As if they ever did a fair job hiding this."
"...I love you too, Sif..." Isabeau is totally in the moment, hugging the Traveler tight. "I love you so crabbing much!!!" You can only imagine how warm and soft that embrace felt for the drunken mess. Beside how funny you find all of this to be, you're grateful for one thing.
Siffrin, no doubt, feels like they're loved. Just as they deserve.
"...Izzzzaaa..." they whine out, "I need...annnother--"
"No." You try to sound stern, but it was hard to. They fuss in return, swiping a hand at you as if trying to bat at you like a cat.
"Come...onnnn!!!" they complain, "I'm...doing great...aren't I??"
"...I mean no offense, Siffrin, but...I don't believe so." Mirabelle meekly glances away. "In terms of sobriety anyway."
"Whyyyy???" they try to force a sob, "Y-You know I need another one... I-It's theee only...the only way I can escape..."
"...Escape?" That caught your attention. You blink, folding your arms. "...Escape from?"
"The looooops, the stupid blinding loops, Odiiiile!" they outright growl now, "I-I'm still stuck, aren't I...I s-still bump into corners...just like in the loops...doesn't that confirm it??" They breathe shakily, continuing before you could say anything. "I'll just...go back again, huh...I'll beeee...I'll be back to just write the script...all...because I love you..."
Mirabelle tries to interject. "...Siffrin, you're-"
They're whimpering. Oh no.
They're clinging tight to Isabeau now. "...But it's...it's all fine. Because...you won't remember anything...!!!"
"Sif. Buddy."
Isabeau sounds sobered up some, now. He's holding their hand which shocked Mirabelle further. He oh so gently lifts up the drunken disaster's hat, holding their hand close to their chest.
They try to keep their gaze on him.
"...Sif. The loops are over. Don't you remember? We fixed it, all of us." He whispered quietly to the Traveler, who flinches at his words.
"...A-Are they? Really?"
"They've been over for two months, young one." You say softly, feeling a pang of something looking at how messy they are. "And it didn't take an extra drink to end it." You smirk a little, slowly standing up to sit on the opposite seat with them.
"..." They stare at you in awe and trepidation. You can't tell if it's just the mojito taking the helm at this point or not. "...R-Really...?"
"Siffrin...dear..." Mirabelle frowns, going over to sit between you and the others. "I understand you're scared of it happening again. However long you were there, I don't wanna know!! But...it would've started again by now, right...? It's behind us now...it's behind you now."
"...I-It's...you swear that...it's...??"
"Yes, Siffrin." You nod gently. "Yes."
A moment of silence as the knowledge slips back into their head.
...
Gems alive--they're sniffling?
"Sif--hey, Sif, are you--?"
No. No, they're crying.
Burying their face into his chest.
"...Siffrin..." You say nothing more. You scoot closer to give the small one a hug, and you feel Mirabelle sit on the other side to join in. With all your love, you gently readjust his hat to ensure it doesn't fall off.
"Siffrin...it's okay..." Mirabelle quietly says while the drunken wreck whimpers, face buried in his hat. "You don't have to worry about it now..."
"M-Miiiiraaaaaa," they sob out loud, "I'm sor-rrrryyyyyyyy..." they whine and snivel, still in a drunken stupor.
"...For what, Siffrin? Y-You didn't do anything wrong! You're just...drunk!!" She holds back a smile, rubbing their back while Isabeau keeps hugging them.
"Yeah, buddy...You've been through a lot, it's probably gonna stick with you, but...that's okay, honey! It is--that's why we're still here, to help you out...!"
"...Honey...?" You blink a few times. Mirabelle parrots you with a delighted squeal.
"T--Th--" she stutters, "Y-You even call them!!!! H-H--!!!!"
Siffrin whines out again, still sniffling. "...cuh...call me that...mooore..." It gave Isabeau a smile.
He gives them a grin. "...Alright, honey. Heheh."
"oh change oh change oh change--" Mirabelle blubbers. She's probably about to faint by now if this kept going.
Always the romantic. So fascinating.
You hear them sniffle and coo out a softer whimper, Isabeau running a hand through their soft messy hair. Noting that there were still tears in their eyes, you lean in a bit to slowly, tenderly wipe them away, the Traveler gasping and whimpering a bit louder.
"It's okay." You quietly say, stroking his soft hat. "Relax yourself. Here, actually..." You take the glass of water. "Siffrin. Water."
They slightly look at it, face completely messy and worn out. Carefully they grab it, and it takes you a bit for you to let go, making sure he doesn't drop it.
A slow and very small sip--
"More than that, nya."
They whimper out, face feeling hotter. Mirabelle let out a startled giggle, Isabeau responding with an "ooooooh!" as if that were a deep cut insult.
They end up taking a bigger swig before you consider it, "Good." Gently, you take the glass and put it back on the table. "That should help with the hangover in the morning."
"...immm...not gonna getta hangover..." they huff and still sniffle sleepily, accent slipping in.
"...Well, as long as you keep drinking water, Sif..." he shrugged a little, still hugging them close.
"...nehhh..." was all they responded with, causing him to grin a little and Mirabelle to giggle. After a couple moments the hug slowly parted, though Siffrin still laid with Isabeau, hat over their eyes and cloak awkwardly bunched up to where you could see much of their slim frame. You return to your original seat to reclaim your drink.
"...Well then. Seems like they're done for tonight. Whether they like it or otherwise." That old smirk of yours comes back, as you take another sip of your wine. "I'm...quite glad I came back here, with all of you."
"So am I, m'dame...I told ya it was worth giving it another chance!" The Fighter praises you, though mindful of his volume. It looks as if Siffrin was soon to drift asleep.
"...Hmm...I-I suppose I can still try and drink this...If Siffrin could drink that many, then I should be able to try...!!" With a more determined look, the Housemaiden fights through the stingy scent and sips her drink again, wincing slightly.
"...Well...if you can't finish it, Mira, I can." Isabeau smirked, nudging away his empty glass an inch. "Sif kinda sobered me a little, haha..."
"I imagine so. Hope you're not too upset." You crack, wiggling a brow.
"N-No! No, I'm not at all--Sif needed the help, is all!!" His flustered response got you to emit a "heh". If you were to say anything, you aren't bothered either. Granted, they were a bit of a handful - rebellious at that - but hardly frustrating when you look at the kind of mess they are. Dreamy, giggly--the kind of drunk you remember yourself being.
Or at least, you know you smiled more like they did.
"Well. We might need to get home soon. Lest we have our kid throw up here." You shrug amusedly.
"Hey hey heyyy, just because they're small doesn't mean they're that much younger, M'dame!!" Isabeau pouted playfully. Even hugging Siffrin closer as if protecting them.
A smile creeps on your face, as you lean back. "Heh. By my standards you're all sorts of children."
"..." He breathed in as if to say something, before glancing away with an awkward smile. "Crab...that's a good point..."
"There you are. Score one for the old lady." A full grin on your face as Mirabelle stifles a giggle.
Shortly after seeing the little pout on his face, you then notice the wasted lump in his arms.
Snoring. Noisy snoring, like a dog's.
It almost makes you laugh again.
"Such a mess," you remark.
He turns back to you, a smile coming back. "...We wouldn't want him any other way..."
You hear Mirabelle hum in agreement. Relaxing, you finish your glass with a last careful sip.
It's been a while since you smiled like this.
Hopefully you noticing that means you'll still make it back sober.