Work Text:
YWEOCH-
You wince as you attempted to run a hand through your hair- Blinding hair- You had forgotten how much of a pain it was to take care of. It had been a while since you begun your Body Craft sessions with Isabeau. During the first session, he helped you get the star shine to go away. Just a little bit of fuzz was there, but it meant the world to you. Now, your hair had begun to grow and it matched Siffrin’s in length. Long enough to tie back.
However, you forgot about the maintenance that came with hair. Isabeau helped to comb your hair during the last session. Siffrin, Odile, and Isabeau went on a run shortly before you began combing your hair. That left you by yourself to take care of the hair. Except every time the comb touched your hair, it- OWW. Pulled!!!
You growl as you stared daggers at this new attachment. Blinding stupid hair- Sparks fly past your hand and it makes you pause. The stars that used to follow you around began to disappear as you worked on your Body Craft. The more you pushed the star head away, the less you could see them. Nevertheless, if you were too frustrated, angry, or just too emotional, these little sparks would pop up. It felt like the Universe’s way of telling you to stop it. You scoff as you drop the lock of hair you made an attempt on. It hurt too much to comb, so you put the brush down and look around.
You were in the side town of Repose. You and the party were right outside of Bambouche, so you all took one last stop at the inn. The room you were in was a small room, but enough for three people to stay in. The inn gave your party a special, two connected rooms that when the door was opened, would act like one. Towns everywhere treated you all so nicely, it made you smile that they gave that kindness to your family- party. Your party.
You cannot see them, but you know Bonnie was right around the corner. They were busy in the kitchen of the room, in the middle of prep to go into Bambouche. They wanted to bring special treats for Petronillle, or Nille as they call her. You could feel the excitement and nervousness radiate off of them. You are surprised you are even getting to see Bonnie get back to Nille. Those emotions began to rub off onto you. Even though you know about Nille, you are not excited to meet someone new. What if she-
No. Do not think it. You will not entertain that thought. You instead look to the only other person in the room with you.
Mirabelle was off to the side, with that book… That Chateâu book… Ugh, you remember. Stardust struggling to remember the last book for that one story-loving town person. And the ending- José was just a guy!! What was that!!! His history, who he was, did it even matter???? You kept a scoff.
You thought back on a Body Craft session with Isabeau. He held your arm still and pushed the night sky skin away. You mentioned to him how often your hair has been twisted into knots.
“Why don’t you go to Mira or Siffrin?” Isabeau asked as he smiled, “Mira does Siffrin’s hair and vice versa! She may help you out and can give you pointers!”
Ridiculous. You don’t want Stardust to help you with this, it's just hair. He has helped you enough… You don’t want to bother him.
And Mirabelle. You remember watching her do Stardust’s hair while in the loops. How content he seemed, and how gently she would comb their hair. They both had experience with this hair… And you had experience with Mirabelle’s hair… Didn’t you?
…
You cannot remember.
But, you know if you asked Mira, she wouldn’t hurt you… Not one bit.
You mauled on the thought. You want your hair to stop hurting… But that means you need to get her attention. No. No you don’t NEED to bother her. This is something you can take care of, to not rely on anyone else for. You turn your head to grab for the brush and you felt- OW- Okay, you HAVE to tell her. Otherwise this pain is going to make you insane.
“Mira?” You quietly call, raising her attention.
“Oh! Hello Loop! What’s up?” She smiled softly at you and put her book down.
You clammed up. Do you really need her help? The regret that you said her name came in before you felt more pain. You snapped back into focus from it and attempted to open back up. You needed to stop and tell her!
“I…I see you, helping with Stardust’s hair.”
She gave a little nod to you, swishing her legs to and fro., Today she wore a mid-lightless pantsuit, so her pant leg would leave a little tail as it moved. Mirabelle’s eyes looked at you as she waited for you to continue.
“I…” you could feel the heat on your face. Not to mention those blinding sparks came back. You physically waved them away as she started to GIGGLE at you. NOOOO, don’t giggle!!! Mirabelle quit her giggle as you went to cover your face.
“No no no, don’t go away!!” Mira looked so concerned and animated, so you froze in place. “I want to hear your question! I just, you are really sweet and I don’t want you to stop yourself from talking!”
You blinked slowly at Mirabelle and lowered your hand a smidge. You don’t know what to think when she called you sweet. However, you also knew that she would listen to you. As you push yourself to ask, you give her a small nod.
“My hair hurts. I need some help.”
“Of course Loop!!” she said almost instantly.
Huh?
It is so instant it takes you aback.
“Here! Come here and bring your comb! I will help you get it untangled!” Mirabelle smiled at you as she gave the spot next to her a small pat.
She’s THAT willing to help you??
Huh?????
Quietly, you stood up with suspicious- Wait, suspicious? What is wrong with you??? This is Mirabelle!!! Soft, kind Mirabelle!! You were suspicious of her???? HER??? You rolled your eyes internally at the thought as you made a move to sit down next to her. You hand her the comb and look away from her, it was easier to not look at someone some days. She immediately moved to untangle your hair- OUCH! You sharply inhaled, hands gripped to your knees for something to hold from the pain.
“Oh, I’m so sorry Loop!” She consoles you, gently parting your hair. “Your hair is such a mess… No wonder it hurts you.”
Mirabelle begun to fluff the ends of your hair and you could barely feel it. You hum at her before you speak up slightly. Communication, you told yourself. “I forgot how much care my hair needs.”
“Well that’s okay!” She says, continuing to comb the end of your hair. “From what it sounds like, you haven’t had hair for a while! It’s going to be hard to remember everything you need to do!”
Head held still, you looked from your good eye around the room. You can see Bonnie buzzing around in the kitchen. Looked like you were right, Bonnie was trying to get prepared for Nille. If your hair wasn’t as painful, you would go to help them.
Your housemaiden behind you spoke up as you watched Bonnie carefully place balls of dough in boiling oil. “So I was thinking about this little side town. We are cutting through Repose to get to Bambouche.”
You hum at her to continue as she stopped to pick at a knot.
“I have been thinking about my duties as a housemaiden of Change.” the picking noise slowed to a stop as you felt it lightly bump your shoulder. “This adventure with everyone to fight the King, I could call it a pilgrimage… But, have I even Changed?”
Oh Mira… You turn slightly to face her. She jumped slightly, spooking her out of her thoughts.
“ Oh I am so sorry!!! I wasn't trying to make you a captive audience!!!”
You couldn’t let her spiral. You did enough of it to know she needed help, so you spoke up. “Mira.”
She jumps again, looking you in the eye.
“You are fine. I enjoy hearing you talk.”
A soft smile appeared on her face. This encourages you to continue.”You have changed so much from when I- Siffrin, met you.”
The heat in your face begins to roll in again, but you push yourself. For Mirabelle’s sake. “And change doesn't have to be something big, it can be little things. Like you and Isabeau picking up those breathing exercises. Or how you are beginning to speak up more. I think you are doing just fine, as a small change is still a change.”
You pause a moment from talking to look at Mirabelle and- OH NO YOU ARE MAKING HER READY TO CRY.
“N-not that's a bad thing Mira-” No, that’s Stardust’s nickname for her. “Belle” No. “Mirabella-” STILL NOT IT. “MIWA-” BLINDING–
You stop the attempt at her name when you hear a giggle. Mirabelle was covering her mouth with her hands to muffle it. Hey, she begun to laugh at you!!!
“Hehehehe, awww~. Thanks, Loop.” Her eyes shone brightly from the tears of a moment’s past, but her smile was so wide. She looked at you so happily…You see another spark shoot off and quickly attempt to hide your face. DRAT!! The heat on your face was very apparent as you used both hands to hide. Don't show your face!!!
“Hehe, Noooo, Loop!! Turn back around!” You felt Mirabelle tug on your sleeve as you doubled down. No- No you can't- Don’t show her your face. The housemaiden continued to giggle, patting your back. “Awww, it's alright Loop. You are doing a good job too.”
After a moment, Mirabelle sighed and kept a hand against your back.
“I guess I bring Change up because… everyone has changed so much. And now you have changed too. You have been changing so much in the past two months or so that I have known you!”
That last sentence made you lower your hands. You forgot that you only met the party three weeks before Dormont. Before the timeloops. It never felt like a month to you, it felt like a lifetime.
Before you follow that train of thought, you think of Mirabelle's comment on changing yourself. After your wish, your body became something unknown. Soft like flesh and yet hard as stone. Electric zaps coming off of you, despite your form retaining shape.
“I just, wonder what counts as Change…”
You… REALLY don't want to talk now. You don’t like to think of your choice you made to eat that blinding star. But… Mirabelle was really beating herself up underneath these small phrases. What harm would one sentence do?
“You are too hard on yourself, Mira.”
You don't hear a thing. After a beat, you glance at Mirabelle to see her silently looking at you. Stardust should be having this conversation with Mira, not you. But you know that if she doesn’t confront these thoughts now, she will just continue on the trail of thought. She really needs to hear this.
“I have watched you in all the Loops, Mira. Yes, it was almost the same for the whole time. But, when I first met you… You were so quiet…” Not unlike how you are now, “You are so kind and loving. And now you are outgoing and stand your ground so firmly on your thoughts. I don't want you to sell yourself short…”
You begun to turn your cloak’s hem in your hand, “You are a good housemaiden, Mirabe-UH.”
Before you know it, Mirabelle is hugging you!!! You freeze a little before you remember what to do. Between Stardust and Isabeau, you have been working on physical contact. Slowly, you wrap your arms around her and return the hug. You are pretty sure she got snot on your only cloak. Ugh… Oh well, Mirabelle was worth it. Always and forever. After a minute of tight hugging, Mirabelle sat up. She continued to hold onto you as she smiled, face covered in wet tears.
“Thank you, Loop.”
The heat of your face began to hurt your eyes now. Blinking them away only made your eye blur completely, so you use your wrist to wipe your tears. You cannot cry, not in front of Mirabelle! After a second, you see Mirabelle hold a handkerchief at you, causing you to snort as you push it away.
She snorted, holding it firmly to you. “Nooooooo, you need it more Loooooop.”
You cannot help but giggle at her. You think to continue to push her hand away, but you choose to let her win. She held the cloth up and dapped your wet eye. She had such a small, peaceful smile on her face. You cannot help but smile back. As you smile, you hear Bonnie from the kitchen yell to you both.
“EWWWW YOU BOTH ARE HUGGING!!!!”
“Oh you are being so extra right now Bonnie!!!” Mirabelle huffed, looking at the preteen. “We can all hug as much as we want!”
You feel yourself hatch an idea. With a smirk, you look at Bonnie and slightly pull to hug Mirabelle.
“You just want to join in on the hugs, don't you Bonbon????”
Bonnie stuttered at that, oh that must have been a yes. “N-NO!! Go be mushy feely elsewhere, I am trying to cook!!!”
“We are just comfortable here Bonnie, you will just have to deal with it~~~” Mirabelle smiled, making you feel warm as she returned the hug to you.
Bonnie sticks their tongue out as they hurry back to scoop the dough that was cooking from the oil.
“Careful Bonbon!” You holler to them, resting your head slightly on Mirabelle’s shoulder. The more you have had Body Craft with Isa, the more you welcome these impromptu hugs you may stumble upon. Mirabelle looked at you and gave you a little smile.
“So, been meaning to ask, what did you do after the festival in Dormont?”
Oh you are not talking about THAT. Your grip tightens slightly on her suit, so you give a white lie.
“I went on a pilgrimage of my own.”
She gasped, giving you a shiny eye'd look. “Are you going into the Change religion????”
Uh oh- You sat up as you shook your head. “N-no, I am not-”
“Oh!” She paused with a hint of disappointment, “But you have been such a strong advocate for Change… Did you want to learn about it?”
You? An advocate for Change? Was she calling you a housemaiden?
“Change religion is not a bad thing!” She smiled softly at you. “And it is your choice! But, everything you do really dips into Change. I think you would find it interesting!”
You give a shrug. You didn't feel like exploring your religious preferences today. Mira nodded at your, slightly crestfallen.
“W-wait!”
You jump at her energy spike.
“Sorry, sorry!! It's just…” she rubbed your cloak in thought. “Just, after I said that, I thought about something fun we could do together. Like reading stories, talking about ideas, things like that!”
Huh? She wants a book buddy?
“You have Odile, right?”
“What do you mean?”
Oh right, the Girls Only Book Club hasn't happened yet because that was in the Loops. So Mira has been reading all alone…
“Well, I could ask Odile. But, I think you might get a kick outta some different books! Different ones from her tastes!”
You blink at her, what could she be talking about. She moves an arm from the hug and grabs a book from her bag. You give her a moment before you try and fail to hide your disgust as you see what it is.
“Cursing of the Château Castle! This is the first issue!”
Ohhhh she wants you to sit and read it???? Oh no Miraaaaaa.
“I really think you will like it!!”
Nooooooo.
“I can see you don't want to, but I have a proposition for you!”
Oh Stars, whyyyyyyyy.
“I fix your hair, and if you want to, you can hold this book for me!”
“...Just, hold it?”
“Yup!” Mirabelle smiled as she held the book to you.
You stare… What. She just said she wanted you to read it. You look at her and quirk an eyebrow.
“Unless you can’t hold itttt.” she begun to take the book away from you. What? Unless you can’t hold it? What is she calling you? Quickly, you take the book before she puts it away.
“Ohhhhh, you don’t want to read it.” Mira hummed and gently turned your body to face away. You felt disappointed from the broken hug before you felt the comb run through your hair again. “Unless it’s too much for youuuuuuu.”
HEY! What is this?? You look over your shoulder at Mira and narrow your eye at her.
“What???” Mira smiled,, and there is something about it that made you stare longer at her. “I only jest~!!! But, if it was too much, I can just, take it back~.”
She slowly reaches for the book, you pout and hold the book away firmly.
“IIII can read it!!” you open the book, huffing. Rude of Mirabelle. How dare she. You can read just fine, thank you very much.
Mirabelle hummed and returned to combing your hair. “And if you want, you can read it out loud. I don’t think you will be able to voice it~.”
You frown as you feel conflicted. “Why are you attacking me so much today, Mira????”
At this, she laughed and patted your shoulder. “That was a joke, Loop. If you want to read out loud though, I would appreciate it. It will help me focus on combing your hair.”
You suppose that makes sense… You feel like something is weird about this situation, but you feel like proving Mirabelle wrong more than trying to figure out what just happened. You opened the book and got ready to read the first part of the Cursing of the Château Castle. For Mirabelle.