"You've come for a wish yes?" Vel continued as he bowed to show respect. She smiled looking right at Odile. "I've heard from Yancy you're quite... the determined bunch."

"Then there's no need to beat around the bush," Odile declared.

"I suppose not," Vel continued. "However I have a question."

"Go on," Odile demanded. She was speaking for the group now through the tension. Loop was to anxious to speak. Mirabelle stood back with Isabeau, either unsure what to say, and Bonnie was overwhelmed by the prospect of the end of their quest and they couldn't find the words.

"Do any of you recall-" Vel began to ask. But he said a word. A name. Like the shape of a name entered the air and was torn out of reality. Bonnie cried out in pain. Loop covered their ears.

Loop heard it. They heard it, they knew it. That name. The name of their homeland.

"Ow my head," Mirabelle groaned. She had covered her ears and fallen to her knees. Isabeau helped her back up and looked back to check on Bonnie and Loop. Despite the pain throbbing in her skull Odile kept standing. She had noticed something...

Loop had not so much as flinched.

"I see," Vel continued. "That is the situation. This does... well it should work all the same. Allow me to summarize my intentions. The Festival of Fortune is an annual tradition held every eight years. It is in six days. Upon its arrival I will hear your wish and perhaps grant it. Room and board will be provided for you in the meantime. The finest hotel in the nation has already been rented out for you. I ask only one thing in return."

"What did you just say?" Odile demanded. "That name-"

"Simple an island north of Vanguard," Vel's smile became forced and pained. "Nothing... to worry yourself with. However, you in the mask. I would like to speak alone."

Loop began to walk forward but Odile stuck her arm out in front of them. She whispered, "I don't trust him. Not enough to let you go alone."

"I'll be fine," Loop assured. "I-"

Odile raised her voice yet maintained a whisper, "I am NOT losing you too."

Loop smiled under their mask. It was nice, knowing Odile cared. They wondered if everyone still would after they saw their face.

They were not Siffrin.

They never were. Not the same Siffrin.

They weren't Loop either anymore.

It like their name, their self, their soul, was mislabeled.

They knew neither name was them. Who they were born as.

Then... who were they?

"I would like to accompany them," Odile interjected.

"As you wish," Vel smiled. "You three rest in your chambers. It is getting late. Come Odile. Come Loop. I have a matter to discuss with you."

Isabeau made eye contact with Odile, asking wordlessly what the crab she was doing. Odile merely shrugged back, unsure what else she could do but play along. They needed Vel's help.

Vel lead the duo to a public park across from the station. Birds sang as they flew from tree to tree and children played on a basketball court.

"Odile I understand you don't trust me," Vel explained. "So I have brought us to an expressly public place. I must speak to Loop alone. We will remain in line of sight. Is this OK?"

Odile glared at Vel, but Loop looked at her and nodded. They were so hard to read with that mask. She still had no idea why they had that mask. She conceded, "Fine. I'll be ballin'."

Odile proceeded to go to the basketball court and hit a few three pointers.

She was indeed, ballin'.

Vel took a seat and gestured for Loop to sit beside him on a bench. Loop complied as the two watched Odile school, the kids playing with her. For a single moment, she let herself relax. She seemed happy.

"...I'm not reviving him." Vel declared with a solem resolve.

"What?" Loop demanded. "You... you have too. You're the one who taught the Housemaiden Wishcraft! This is your BLINDING fault!"

"Oh so I was just supposed to let The King destroy all of Vanguard?" Vel retorted. She sighed and shook her head. She looked down at the ground. "I've made... a lot of wishes. In my time. A lot have backfired. But I made one good one."

Vel's eyes glowed. It was a calming, beautiful shade. Serene and vast, like oceans or skies. It was blue.

Vel declared, "I wished for safety. I was granted the ability to see disaster. I've used this power to save so many people but... my wishes have slaughtered so many more... Wishcraft... has to die with me. The world will be better without it."

"Siffrin doesn't deserve this!" Loop protested. "You can't-"

"The King used Wishcraft," Vel retorted firmly. "And nearly took out an entire blinding country. Stars, Loop, you of all people should know about this. You're another Siffrin. You should understand!"

"I'm not Siffrin!" Loop declared. "I'm just... not. Maybe I never was. I don't feel like Loop either. I never was that name either."

"I understand that," Vel sighed. "But you get what I mean. You'll find who you are. But... I am standing my ground. Wishcraft is too dangerous to allow to continue. It dies with me. You can tell her however you want, or I can do it at the festival."

"Please don't do this," Loop begged. "I... I care about them. Please don't do this to them. Please..."

"My mind is made up," Vel sighed. "I mean... Do you really think that this is the first time Wishcraft nearly ruined a country? Do you truly believe that hasn't happened before? I've known since the first wish I ever made how dangerous it was. Cause truth is, that's what happened to-"

That name again. That headsplitting name only Vel and Loop could declare. It hurt. Even for Loop it hurt if far less than it did for others. He said it and didn't bat an eye. Like he was saying hello. It came easily to her.

"Vel?" Loop demanded. "What did you wish for?"

"I must be going," Vel declared. "I'm sorry Loop. But this is for the best. Each year at the festival I grant one wish to one lucky person at the festival. Usually they help people. I will grant you any other wish. Any. But not that."

"This isn't over," Loop declared.

Vel's eyes glowed that calming shade. She sneered, "Looks to me like I'll be fine."

With that she left. Odile walked over and demanded, "Ok what did he say? What's she planning! Tell me everything and-" Odile noticed a look of despair in Loop's eyes. Even behind the mask. She inquired, "Loop? Are you OK?"

"Every year she grants one wish at the Fortune Festival," Loop replied. "That's our best bet."

"Could that be how Zick gained his ability?" Odile muttered to herself before asking again. "That aside, Loop. Are you OK?"

"Do you even care?" Loop inquired. "I thought I was just... useful."

"I..." Odile looked away in shame. She sighed. "I... I'm sorry Loop. I do care about you. I understand I've been handling this poorly but I cannot stop until the task is done... I have to to do this."

"I disagree," Loop retorted. "But let's pretend I do. Even if that's true, you don't have to do so so... bitterly. You're not alone in this."

"I have to protect them," Odile retorted. "I-"

"Then protect yourself," Loop retorted. "Siffrin didn't and look what happened. Look how they snapped at all of you. You're repeating his mistake."

Odile sighed and rubbed her eyes. Loop was right. She knew they were right, but that old wisdom echoed in her head. Her duty. Her guilt. She had to revive him. She had to revive them. If they saw her as their mom that was her duty. After all her mom wasn't there for her and look what happened to the people she cared about. If she didn't fix this the cycle would never end.

But Loop was right. She knew she couldn't promise anything. She knew her guilt and the feeling of having one foot in the grave, of being a dead woman walking, was to much to bare. But she promised what she could.

"I'll try," Odile assured.

With that the two went to the hotel, not saying anything else. It was late and after the events of the day there was nothing left to say.

The room was nice, with a bell to ring for room service by the soft bed and its light shaded silken sheets. A bath with all the amenities was available. Even a little mint on the pillow. The whole nine yards.

Odile lay awake and considered Loop's words. Even if she saw herself as the one to blame, she had to try. She had to try to take better care of herself than this. Lest her family be caught in the crossfire.

Starting tomorrow there were five days until the fortune festival.

Five days to at least... try to destress.

Five days, she told herself, blissfully unaware of Vel's refusal, until they get to see Siffrin again...