Odile approached the Head Housemaiden who greeted the researcher. "Traveler. I am sorry for your loss. If there is anything I can do please just ask."

Odile sneered in malice and anger. "Yes. There is something you can do for me." She tossed the book onto the ground, it slid across the ground of the top floor balcony. She had passed by Isabeau who sat in the hallway, borderline inconsolable, but in such a way he seemed catatonic rather than crying. Not wanting to wake Bonnie, she had left the kid with him. "Care to explain this?"

"You needn't concern yourself with such matters," the Housemaiden evaded. "They shall not be used again."

"Oh that wasn't a request," Odile sneered, marching forward with that malicious smile. "You are GOING to tell me what you know about Wish Craft."

The Housemaiden began to back away. She tried to deescalate with a calm tone. "I understand now my actions were... misguided but if you just listen to me I can explain why I made the mistakes I made."

"Oh yeah go ahead and explain to the crabbing corpse," Odile took another step forward. "See what good that does us. I am going to ask this one final time. What. Do. You. Know?"

The Housemaiden pleaded, backing herself into a corner. "Please calm down Odile. I understand you are all upset but if you just allow me to-"

Odile prepared to use Craft, raising her hand and tome to prepare herself for battle. The Housemaiden sensed the danger and caved. "There was a person! Long white hair! He/she! She's the one who translated that book! She's the one who told me the basics of Wish Craft! If you want anything find him!"

"Where did he go?" Odile demanded.

"She said she was headed to Ka Bu," the Housemaiden explained.

Odile lowered her hand and smiled. "Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. I will be leaving immediately. Make sure the corpse is not damaged in any way in case we have need of it."

"You can't do this," the Housemaiden begged. "I know you're hurting but you're starting to lash out. Others may not be as forgiving as me."

"Did I ask?" Odile demanded glaring over her shoulder. The Housemaiden gave no response. "Yeah. Didn't think so."

Odile approached Isabeau and shook him gently, as he seemed to have fallen asleep. It was only now she realized how high up she was. However the agony in her heart covered the fear. "Wake up."

Isabeau rubbed his eyes as he awoke, "Huh? What? Oh thank Change it was a nightmare. Where's Siffrin?"

Odile evaded eye contact and continued, "I'm leaving. Are you with me?"

"Where are you going?" Isabeau inquired, confused.

"Reviving Siffrin," Odile replied.

"What?" Isabeau demanded in confused bewilderment.

"Reviving Siffrin keep up," Odile repeated herself to blinded by pain and spite to care enough to elaborate.

"You can't just bring the dead back," Isabeau retorted as he picked up the sleeping Bonnie. "What are you-"

Odile handed Isa the book. "Wishcraft my boy. Wishcraft can create life from scratch. In comparison revival of existing life would be child's play."

"How do we use Wishcraft in the first place?" Isabeau demanded as he flipped through the pages. "I don't exactly see any instructions here."

"This work was translated by a genderfluid individual with long hair of the lightest shade," Odile elaborated. "She taught the Housemaiden of magic. If anyone knows, it's her. He is our best bet."

Isabeau nodded, "OK... OK I'm in. But... are you OK? You don't seem... as composed as usual."

"It's just doing my job," Odile brushed past Isabeau's concerns. "Come on. We need to check on Mirabelle."

Mirabelle was already packing her bags in a huff. "Mirabelle," her roommate pleaded. "I know you're upset but-"

"My brother is dead!" Mirabelle snapped back. "They called me sis as they died! I watched the life fade from my sibling's eyes!"

Mirabelle snapped the suitcase shut and went for the exit. "I can't... be here right now. I just can't."

Mirabelle's roommate sighed and nodded in understanding, "OK... that's OK. I'll keep things clean for you until you're back OK?"

Mirabelle said nothing as she began to march for the door.

"You'll be back," her roommate inquired, concerned. "Right?"

"Sometimes change is uncertain," Mirabelle evaded, unsure what to say so choosing a non committal answer. As she left she saw Odile march with purpose for the exit as her and Isabeau, who held the sleeping Bonnie in his arms, followed behind.

"Where are you two going?" She demanded, concerned by Odile's expression seeming... off. Was it anger? Determination? It was more expressive than usual, a smile mixed with a scowl. Madness. "Are you OK?"

"Reviving Siffrin," Odile replied.

"What?" Mirabelle demanded, confused. "You can't just-"

Odile handed Mirabelle the book. "Keep up." She demanded. "The man we need to find has had a massive head start. We leave for Ka Bu. Are you coming?"

Mirabelle nodded, "I... I can't stay here. I just can't."

"Good," Odile smiled. "There's a woman who knows Wishcraft with long hair of the lightest shade. We need to find him."

"Is she genderfluid or something?" Mirabelle inquired.

"He and she," Odile elaborated. "No they."

"Do we know what else he's capable of?" Isabeau demanded. "Why she translated the book for the Housemaiden?"

"We will get the information from her," Odile assured.

The trio left in silence, Odile stopping at the party in Dormont. She ordered, "You three try to destress. Keep Bonnie calm."

"You should unwind too," Mirabelle suggested offering a slice of cake. "You seem... tense."

"I have something I need to do," Odile explained as she left.

"Something's wrong," Isabeau pointed out.

"I know," Mirabelle replied. "But... if we can bring them back..."

"...what if we can't?" Isabeau demanded.

"We have to try right?" Mirabelle retorted.

Bonnie stirred awake. Mirabelle and Isabeau tried to comfort them and gave them some cake before mingling with the townsfolk to calm their nerves best they could.

The Favor Tree loomed over Odile, leaves of light shades dancing in the wind past her face as she approached its impressive branches. Under those branches was someone she needed for her goal.

She greeted them sternly. "Loop."

"Oh..." Loop sighed sitting under the tree flipping a coin between his fingers. "Hey..."

Odile sat on the rock across from Loop. How many times had Siffrin sat here? How many hours, or the same hour rather, was spent trying to save her and everyone else from the loop? How long did he suffer before he...

"We need your help," Odile demanded.

"How so?" Loop demanded. "My Stardust is dead. He was my best friend and he loved you so much he died to protect you. I wonder why that broke the loop? Maybe he felt dying for you all was a fitting end?"

Odile snapped to her feet and grabbed Loop by the throat. "I wasn't asking. Loop."

She threw Loop to the ground who gasped for air. "Is that so?" They coughed rising to their feet. "Well, I don't owe you a blinding thing!"

Odile raised her hand preparing to Craft. "Last warning," she growled.

"Your funeral," Loop growled...