#thoughts about loop

[beneathsilverstars]

siffrin post-canon h/c is like "dw you're not actually mean, we love you!" and loop post-canon h/c is like "yes you are mean, and we still love you!"

[nidbaesenpai]

Happy one year anniversary ISAT! To celebrate I wanted to share the lil strips I made for my friends when they reached the end of the game! They're all meant to be snippets of life post game and a glimpse into the world I'm making for Loop.

[chimerafeathers]

i really love how intensely Mirabelle reacts to act 5 Siffrin botched friendquest.

Isabeau is mostly operating out of concern and, eventually, hurt. he already knows something’s up before Siffrin gets to him. he knows something truly awful must be wrong for Siffrin to be lashing out like they are, and as soon as he can’t handle the situation anymore, he leaves and asks (with strained cheer) for time apart to cool off.

most of Bonnie’s anger comes from being upset and afraid that Siffrin would willingly put themself in danger for no reason, when that’s exactly why they’ve been so unsettled since the eye incident. they hate that Siffrin values their own life so little, they hate that they’re the cause of any pain or loss for him, and here he is, putting himself in that situation AGAIN. on purpose. it’s loud and explosive, but it’s familiar, too, being “hated” by Bonnie for this reason.

Odile pushes, and keeps pushing, until her concern overwhelms Siffrin and they strike where they know she’s most vulnerable. she gets physical, just for a moment, grabbing his collar before controlling herself and letting go. her fury shuts down into cold detachment, and she walks away.

but Mirabelle—dear, sweet, gentle, loving Mirabelle, “the most wonderful being on earth,” with her secret “ruthless side” that largely involves lightly badmouthing people behind their backs and then apologizing—slaps them. immediately.

and then COMPLETELY RENOUNCES THEIR FRIENDSHIP.

not just “we’re not friends anymore,” but “we were never friends in the first place.”

that’s!!! pretty extreme!!!!

of course, she ALSO starts by asking what’s wrong. something must have happened for him to act like this. but as soon as Siffrin brushes her off, she jumps past that line of questioning and dives headfirst into re-evaluating everything she thought she knew about them as a a person.

if he could say something like that to her and not see anything wrong with it, then she was wrong to treat him as a friend, wrong to read camaraderie into his teasing, wrong to think they must care about them all under their aloof demeanor.

that’s how Mirabelle phrases it—“I was wrong about you”—but i think that there’s a hidden layer of I was right about you, too.

she talks about the way they tease her like she had to convince herself that he was doing it in a friendly way. she says they talk like they “know better than her” like that’s a thought she’s had for a LONG time.

“Always soooo mysterious, Siffrin, always talking as if you're better than me! As if you know me!!! But you don't, Siffrin!!! You're just as lost and useless as I am!!! So stop!!! Talking!!! As if you know me!!!!!!”

none of this comes across as a new, sudden way to view Siffrin for her. it doesn’t shock or confuse her. it makes her angry, defensive, almost like she was waiting for something like this to happen at some point. the feeling of resentment, frustration, jealousy, being patronized and condescended to—this is something she’s been actively pushing down and rejecting this entire time, but they’ve given her ample reason for it all to boil to the surface. violently.

Mirabelle’s kindness is not inherent or easy. it’s a choice she’s making. she treats Siffrin warmly because she gives him the benefit of the doubt—refusing to act based on anxiety-fueled, cynical speculation, and reassuring herself that his actions are driven by care and friendship even if she can’t quite see it.

“I was wrong about you” doesn’t mean she always and without question believed them to be a fundamentally kind, caring person from the beginning—it’s that her first, colder instincts were right, and she was wrong to convince herself otherwise.

never mind that she asked what was wrong at first. she barely gives them time to speak in their own defense, to explain what they really meant by what they said. all of her suppressed doubts and frustrations are getting aired out now, now that all the trust she’d so deliberately placed in him has been betrayed. her pain feels bigger than this singular moment, so when she hurts him back, she makes sure it extends back through the entirety of their relationship for him, too.

“You're awful. You're not my friend, not my ally, not anything. You never were.”

like the others, she goes back to the clocktower and tells Siffrin not to come back until later. but there’s a finality to the way she ends this confrontation that isn’t quite there with the others. Isabeau and Odile reach their breaking point and remove themselves from the situation, asking for space to cool off but still somewhat leaving the door open for Siffrin to tell them what’s really going on at some point. Mirabelle is the only one who tries to fully cut ties—after everything else she says, her “I don’t want to see you until tonight” reads to me somewhat as “I don’t want to see you anymore unless I have to.”

I can’t wait to never see you again.

even back at the clocktower, Mirabelle doesn’t really defend Siffrin’s place in the party when Odile suggests leaving them behind out of concern for their trustworthiness on the most important day of the journey. Isabeau and Bonnie protest out of sentimentality and faith in Siffrin’s abilities and connection to them, and Mirabelle agrees, but…

“I agree, but... B-But would he even agree to come with us, still? Maybe they won't even come back tonight...”

she doesn’t say much outside of that. maybe the stutter and hesitation here are signs of regret about how things happened, but she lacks Isabeau and Bonnie’s confidence that Siffrin even wants to come back to them in the first place. she doesn’t trust that their bond was real anymore. maybe it never was in the first place, or maybe she broke whatever was there herself.

and she’s still mad when they finally catch up to Siffrin at the King! and she makes sure Siffrin knows that—after saving them, assuring him that he no longer needs to fight, that they’re all there for him. she still cares, of course she still cares—she’s still hurt, too, but they can figure that part out once there’s less world-ending stuff going on.

she’s the first to say that they all reserve the right to still be angry at Siffrin later—and that they’ve already forgiven him.

she’s also the first to say we want to stay with you, too. it’s not just you.

she was wrong! she thought they didn’t care but they care so much, it’s overwhelming, it’s world-ending.

i think she’s gonna be wallowing in guilt post-canon the moment she remembers what she said and did TO SIFFRIN and not just what Siffrin said to her. especially now that she knows Siffrin’s exact hangups, and especially especially if she figures out what Siffrin was trying to say.

they put themself through hell out of loneliness and fear that none of the others cared about him the way he cared about them, he was going insane from repetition and exhaustion and hunger and trying to keep them all safe and together, and all they did in the midst of all that was say something kind of mean to her one time (that turned out to not even be MEANT to be mean it was supposed to be HELPFUL they just SAID IT ALL WRONG) and she SLAPPED THEM? and told him that they WEREN’T FRIENDS AT ALL??? how could she!!! she should have known better!! what they said hurt a lot but still!!!

so when they eventually manage to try to talk about it, they end up almost in, like, a guilt competition.

Mirabelle apologizing for how she reacted, that she shouldn’t have yelled or hit him, that she doesn’t want to be the kind of person who acts that way out of anger and she’s sorry that she made Siffrin expect that reaction from her, she should have known better and believed in him more and they only messed up like that because they were losing their mind in a time loop but what’s HER excuse—

and Siffrin going nononono stop I deserved it—(HUH DON’T SAY THAT NO YOU DIDN’T)—and that he should never have said such awful things to her, ever, and she was under so much pressure already with the weight of the country and everyone’s lives and futures and her religion and their whole party counting on her to do this impossible task because she’s the only one who can, all this unbearable expectation and hope crushing her, and they KNEW that but they thought they could skip to the ending as though her feelings didn’t matter at all, like helping her wasn’t as important as saving a little time—

until they’re just. in tears together, apologizing for all the horrible things they did in between complimenting each other’s strength and kindness and resilience and how much they admire each other and saying that no, everything you did was completely understandable, actually, the only one who sucks here is me. which neither of them will accept coming from the other!!

they’re so similar, in ways they couldn’t really understand, before.

warm, affectionate, perfect Mirabelle, the resolute hero, a beacon of compassion and hope for all those around her, who wears her heart on her sleeve, her fear making her courage shine all the brighter—nothing like the insignificant, forgettable Siffrin, too terrified to be known, too fragile to touch, too selfish and disgusting to bear letting go.

cool, mysterious, unflappable Siffrin, the worldly traveler, as charming and silly as they are confident and skilled, who brushed off losing an eye like it was nothing, accepting the risks of this journey with barely more than a shrug—nothing like the anxious, stagnant, undeserving Mirabelle, a fraud and a nobody crumbling under the weight of a mission too important to be entrusted to someone like her, doubting herself, doubting her friends, doubting her mentor, doubting her faith, too weak and brittle to bend and change the way the world needs her to without breaking.

not worth bothering others with their problems. they should be able to handle this alone. stay positive, stay calm. breathe in, and out.

they’ll struggle with it, still—the hiding, the minimizing—but now, they understand each other a little better. they can hold each other accountable for what they leave unsaid.

it’ll get easier, eventually. they have plenty of time.

[astrangeavenue]

drew some totally normal sadnesses

blank bg and individuals below the cut

edit: i posted some of my thoughts that went into these designs! if youd like to read you can find it here

[lucabyte]

even dogs pass the mirror test

[all-my-ocs-are-evil]

This is entirely self indulgent and I haven't even gotten to the indulging part yet.

[composeregg]

edit (10/23/2024) now that the poll is over: Original version, with 10 questions, from April 2023 here

And, given that the original is from April 2023, that means I can very easily say:

No, this was not an ISAT reference!

Just because I use parentheses and 2nd person pov and love the same concepts of what a time loop can do to a person doesn't mean it's ISAT

(Yes, I like ISAT, the original poll is why I was recommended the game! But if you look at the original, you can see all the origins of the options to choose from, including what spurred me on with the moss option from the replies)

If I were going to make something for ISAT, I would never be so vague, you can simply look at my ao3 for proof of that

[andy-lup]

Crab off! --gives your Loop a mouth-- because in this family not eating Bonnie's food is a crime.

So, remember this comic I did the other day? At first it was just gonna be a random Odile looping au comic, but then I said "what if the family DOES interact with Loop in the fic I'm writing?" And this happened.

A little explanation (cause I don't know when will I finish this fic so I may as well tell the story in comics or something):

We apply the 'teams' here (beauty alliance and opposite sides of the age spectrum alliance). That means (since act 4) Mirabelle knows Isabeau is looping, Isabeau knows Mirabelle is looping; Odile knows Bonnie is looping and Bonnie knows Odile is looping; but no one knows EVERYONE is looping (I will assume this makes sense).

Why hasn't Loop say anything about this to the other family members? Because.

Why hadn't they told Siffrin that the rest of the party is looping? Because Siffrin knows already but he's in negation, to put it simple (and because something something they know Siffrin would mcblinding lose it and they don't want that)

I'm also gonna add the little fact that Loop's mask only works with Siffrin, and it slips a bit TOO often with the rest of the family.

Are you seeing the possible drama??? Do you see my vision???

Anyways, full and alt text under cut, I'm going to sleep or finish that hollow knight skin, whatever comes first BYE

Alt text:

First page:

- First panel shows Bonnie bringing Loop a plate of dumplings. Loops is sitting at the favor tree (they're wearing Odile's coat from the previous comic)

Bonnie: "Star head!"

Loop: "don't call me that kid."

Bonnie: "I bring you. Dumplings."

- Second panel shows Loop with a sad expression holding one of the dumplings

Loop: "Aww Bon-bon...

thank you but... I don't think I can eat anything at all" (whispering: "I don't have a mouth")

A text pointing at Loop says "trying not to burst into tears"

- Thirth panel shows Bonnie holding the plate of dumplings

Bonnie: "Yes you can!"

Loop: "wha-? No I'm pretty sure I-"

Bonnie: (interrupts) "You just have to ask for it!"

"To the universe or something"

"Is what the king said!"

- Forth panel:

Bonnie: "If Frin can ask for a country you can ask to eat!"

- Fifth panel:

Loop: -sigh- "Alright"

"I'll try"

- Sixth panel shows Loop somehow having a mouth under the light of their face and eating the dumpling.

- Seventh panel is Loop's surprised reaction.

Second page:

-First panel is both Loop and Bonnie surprised

Loop (thinking): "you can eat."

-Second panel:

Bonnie: "So? How is it?"

Loop (thinking): "you can eat!!! You can taste!!!"

A text pointing at Loop says "trying REALLY hard not to cry"

Thirth panel:

Bonnie: "uh... Loop?"

Loop: "thank you snack leader for this delicious meal"

A text pointing at Loop says "failure"

-Forth panel is Loop and Bonnie sitting at the favor three. Loop is cleaning their tears and Bonnie is sitting next to them about to fall asleep.

[catdile]

I’m so sad about Loop and the thought of them disappearing/never getting to see their party again devastates me to an astronomical degree so

Au where Loop gets ‘here we go again’-ed back to their timeline and everything is normal, except for the fact that the loops are still happening (supposedly, they haven’t looped back yet they don’t know I don’t know what are you a cop) and they’re still. Very much visibly a star.

They are obviously, very scared. Because their party doesn’t recognize them and there’s this whole thing where one member of the party REALLY has to look at them until they realize that ‘Siffrin’ really is, a WHOLE STAR NOW.

I HAD A WHOLE FUCKINH VISUAL FOR THIS. BECAUSE I BASED IT OFF OF THAT ONE MOOMIN EPISODE WHERE MOOMIN TURNS INTO A SWEET LITTLE BEAST AND HIS MOM IS THE ONLY ONE OUT OF ALL OF THEM TO JUST LOOK AT HIM AND GO ‘oh shit yeah that’s my baby’

Obviously there will be changes in dynamic and scenario, and it might be more than just one party member to do this, but the idea of a person looking at their unrecognizable friend and then being able to tell it’s them just from how they look at them makes me so ill.

Anyway since Loop knows damn well not telling their party shit will just get them in deeper shit they just like. Soppily start explaining everything, they cannot string two sentences together they’ve been crying nonstop since they saw their party give them a break. Obviously the party believes them because holy shit if you’re a whole fucking star and you’re also crying? Your eyes out? There are no tears, then why the hell would you lie about this?

It just ends in a lot of tears and Loop is. So sad

But also happy because…’yay !!! My party !!! I have my party AND I know how to break the loops now !!! Awesome !!! That was so easy !!!’

Yeah it only took losing yourself and accidentally changing your body into something you don’t recognize so you can leave your self made torment only to be stripped away from the ones you love and put into some other fucking fella’s timeline so that THEY can have their happy ending instead yeah Loop that was SO EASY.

IS THIS ANYTHING????????

[merrigel]

I want it back = I drag its dead weight forward

[nidbaesenpai]

two mimir

[hazelnootnut]

ACT 2 "You're... me?" "That's right, stardust!"

You know I've been drawing Loop as their Siffrin form so much that it's got me thinking. I've read and seen so many fics and artworks of Loop eventually getting back to looking like their old self, but I don't think I've seen any so far of Loop already being a mirror copy of Siffrin. So uh, yoink?

ISAT AU where the game plays out the same way (plot-wise at least) but Loop looks like Siffrin the whole time and while Siffrin is extremely perplexed that there's another him, he's still gotta accept their help because how else are they supposed to escape the loops? Good ol' Loop is here to help, helpful friendly Loop!

Siffrin is going through it still but Differently.

[yescking]

both arms cradle you now

[lucabyte]

some thoughts on Claude

alt title: diversity win! this Butch Nun is crafting bombs in an unventilated room in her convent while actively courting Mother Superior! Do Not Give Them Access To Unlimited Power No Matter How Nice They Are

+ bonus

[aquamarinebling]

doodle dump b4 bed :bleeh:

[starp00k]

This event went like this right

(based on art trend in twitter made by @ handji_kyle)