Heartwarming / In Stars And Time

Awww, they DO like you!

"Memory of Family: You don't want to leave them behind."

Even as bleak as the time loops get, there are still plenty of heartwarming moments to be found in the game.

• In one loop, Siffrin can take the time to hang out with his friends and get to know them more. Continuing through the House without looping from that point results in the group becoming much closer, with even the generally abrasive Odile admitting that she sees the others more like family than friends to the agreement of the others. This touches Siffrin greatly- from that point on, even in subsequent loops, Siffrin refers to his allies as "Family" in both inner dialogue and the game menu. The kicker? Going through this gives Siffrin a new memory to equip; the Memory of Family, which asserts how he doesn't want to leave them behind, and doubles the rest of the party's exp gain.
  • The hangouts themselves deserve special mention:
    • Mirabelle and Siffrin talk about being asexual, with Mirabelle worrying about her lack of interest in romance and what it means for her faith. Siffrin reassures her, and the two part with Mirabelle being significantly more cheered up.
    • Odille and Siffrin hunt down a Family Tale together, and Odille tells Siffrin that she isn't here to do any proper research, but to reconnect with her lost heritage. Siffrin admits to missing his own home, and the two end up talking about their pasts and understanding each other better.
    • Bonnie and Siffrin fight sadnesses together to train, and Bonnie admits that they feel so guilty over Siffrin losing his eye to save them. Siffrin responds in near tears that no matter what, he'd rather lose an eye than Bonnie, and the two hug with Siffrin promising he's now strong enough to protect both himself and Bonnie.
    • And finally, Isabeau takes Siffrin to watch the stars, telling Sif about his identity before being Isabeau, and the two take the time to lie down there together before the others join them for a picnic.
• Siffrin's friends coming to save him after he nearly succumbs to the King and Mal Du Pays. Even after the awful things he said that hurt them, that didn't stop them from looking for him and making sure he's okay.
  • The battle portraits when his team show up to help him. Just. The portraits. They’re different to usual, and everyone has a big smile. While the smiles are exaggerated, it’s likely because Siffrin is so relieved to see them deep down.
    • The sheer concern everyone shows for Siffrin in the aftermath of the fight. The King has been defeated, and they're victorious, but no one's ready to celebrate yet: because Siffrin is hurt and injured. The slow, agonizing march to Euphrasie the Head Housemaiden is only made possible with everyone making sure not to leave Siffrin behind.
• Act 5's final battle. Just. Everything about it. Siffrin, overwhelmed by his emotions, initiates a fight with the party. Through it all, his family refuses to abandon him and breaks down all of Sif's arguments. This culminates in Sif finally admitting that his wish had been to stay together with the others, and that his fear of losing them was the root of it all. Rather than condemn him for it, Siffrin's family tells him that his feelings are very much mutual: showing that they still want to be together as well, that he was never hated and that they still care about him even after all that happened. The surprise and relief from their words causes Sif to break down crying while they hug him, his suffering and despair finally lifting along with the darkness.
  • The battle itself can be heartwarming in a horrifying kind of way. Siffrin can choose to refuse to attack his companions even now, opting to instead direct all his attacks at himself. If he goes with this option, then Mirabelle will spend her turns healing Siffrin and making sure his health doesn't go too low. It really hammers home how despite everything, they're still friends.
• Isabeau finally gaining the courage to confess his love to Sif, almost overwhelming him with his confession. And on that note, Sif also admitting his love to Isa, with the two looking forward to building a relationship with each other.
• The game is full of small moments that show the group care about Siffrin and are aware and worried when he’s not fully himself. They’re all there in the narrative for the player to see, even if as the acts go on Siffrin himself doesn’t.
• The reason Bonnie just so happened to have Malanga Fritters with them? They saw Siffrin looking at the recipe once, so they decided to try and make it for him!
• The aftermath of Loop and Siffrin's battle. Loop begs for Siffrin to kill them, asking why it is that Siffrin managed to get this happy ending where they couldn't. Siffrin's answer? "Because of you, Loop!" Loop's presence prevented Siffrin from losing hope; and now Siffrin can repay the favor. In the end, the two part ways having traded coins, with a promise to each other that they'll meet again one day.
• The twisting of the House in Act 5 results in Siffrin going through a room that would normally be a dead end and prevent the party from reaching the King. In that room is the Broken Doll, the one that Siffrin always notes "will never see the end". Pick it up and examine it after breaking the loop and Siffrin will note that you both made it out after all.