Everything Stays: Frederic Scorch X Yang Xiao Long

Treasure Trove of Torture

Ruby and Fred walk through the glowing mushrooms of the Garden Acre. On Ruby's shoulders are Weiss, Blake, Leia, and Little. Fred, meanwhile, carried Yang in his hand, surveying the area constantly. Little pats Ruby's cheek to gain her attention. Ruby glances and Little points up to the Curious Cat, moving through the tree branches.

Curious Cat: (hopping on top of mushrooms) I'm so glad all of you are still the four of you. Not always the case in the Ever After.

Weiss: (fed up) You're the one who ditched us in the first place! Which, by the way, was how we ended up in that mushroom house to begin with! You know, where tried to drug us and then was swallowed up by a freaking hole in the ground?!

Curious Cat: (licking their paw) Ah, yes, yes. had a similar reaction the first time she saw someone return to the Ever After. But it's not how it seems... well, I suppose it is... but not the way you think, if you think like Alyx, which it seems like you do.

The group exchange glances with each other. The Cat hops from mushroom to mushroom while Ruby looks on, before looking down at Little. Their attention is then grabbed again by the cat.

Curious Cat: Ah ha! We're here.

The Cat proceeds down the path, with Ruby and Fred following. Ruby looks with astonishment at a large lake with lily pads carrying various denizens of the Ever After on them. They seem to be heading towards a grand structure toward the center of the lake with a large, pink lotus flower at the top.

Curious Cat: Better run.

Ruby and Fred hurry and jump over to the giant lily pad with the Cat.

Yang: So, Cat. Going to explain to us how a giant caterpillar disappearing into a hole "isn't how it seems"?

Curious Cat: Mmmm, when we break or wear out or simply finish what we were made to do, we're called back. But Herb... his heart was too weak to listen, so I gave him a little bit of mine.

Blake: Is he... dead?

Curious Cat: (chuckles) No, no! Well, maybe a little bit, but not at all.

Yang: Ugh! Which is it?

Curious Cat: (clears throat) Now that Herb's properly returned, he'll be fixed up nice, and made into the Herb he wanted to be when he was still "Herb". Then he'll come back and find his purpose. Could be the same as before, or maybe not.

Ruby: When Herb comes back, will he remember anything?

Curious Cat: (laughs) What would be the point of that? (stretches) Just like Alyx, you lot. I know, I know, where you're from, things... (shudders) ...die... but we're just not like you at all. We... ascend. Herb will have a purpose again.

Weiss: That's impossible. Things have to die someday. Right?

Curious Cat: Wha-- goodness no! Though I suppose there is a creature... No, no, that's not the sort of thing you talk about in polite company...

Leia rubs her chin a little, pacing slightly. She can't help but laugh a little to herself. Weiss takes notice, looking fed up with her as well.

Weiss: What now?

Leia: You know...I'm starting to enjoy the atmosphere here.

Weiss: And what does that mean?

Leia: (Chuckles) I think it's rather obvious. I feel like you should be able to tell at this point.

Weiss: Oh great, she's going crazy too.

Leia: Weiss, I was always a little crazy. You forget who the genius is here.