( What makes an apology? Is it words strung to soothe the pain, or is it promises? He has not drafted anything in his head come the meeting date. Besides his blatant fault at dinner, he feels there is much more in the undertow of his heart that he should be apologizing for. Everything that was left to silence in the sound of the guillotine dethroning her.
This entire time, he loved her performances. Timeless like water even now that she walks among humans. He goes down the elevator with the proper arrangement of cakes inside. An apology should be all the flavors, right? For 500 years, who was he protecting, if it had all been just an act?
He's only happy she's as fine as seaside freedom, indulging all the waters of life. People don't seem to bother him this time, perhaps because they don't wish to disturb the forlorn energy following him. He's really just trying to come up with the right apology for her.
He knocks on the door with the back of a gloved knuckle and steps back to wait. )
[ In reality... Mademoiselle Crabaletta did not ask for such an apology. To be human is to lie – perhaps, her living lie was the most she ever had felt human. Painful as it was to be a mirrored version of an Archon, Furina feels... numb now that she is free.
Lost, confused, unsure – a fish out of water now that she was forced to swim in clear waters where she can see things from a new perspective.
Furina was selfish, as if returning to a dynamic was safe... even for an evening. Neuvillette bending to her whims was something comfortable so imagine her surprise when he does truly act on her words.
The lonely flat was lit up, organized to the best of her ability but it's still dreadfully lonely and by-the-book. Nothing of Furina's own personality shines through besides things provided initially.
The only thing Furina felt compelled to get is a portrait of Palais Mermonia hanging in the entranceway.
The knock makes her jump and she does her best to be prompt. A few quick fluffs of her hair, a tilt of her hat, and perfume spritzed over. To be presentable was an art she doesn't let grow rusty with lack of effort.
In another life, she'd greet Neuvillette with my Iudex but when she pulls the door back – her eyes were a bit more hollow. It feels like it's been centuries already. ]
Ah! You are true to your word. Five minutes early. If I hadn't been ready and waiting for your arrival, you may have caught me off guard.
[ Even now, only a glimpse of her 'role' passes through... but her tone was much more somber. ]
( There are times he gets a faint, bitter taste in the back of his mouth. Much like the waters abandoned by all the oceanids that fled. Except it is not exactly bitterness as a person might describe it, but loneliness. She is, all in all, the last of her that remains. Would it be far-fetched to say waters also feel as she feels?
It is also familiar to bring sweets to her like this. It is like living in a fragment of their past. All the days he thought were good are now stained with her suffering. How can he apologize for never realizing it?
His gaze is more alert the moment the door opens. She never needs studio lights to pop life into any frame. She does so naturally, and seamlessly, even when she's not putting on an act. That doesn't mean he's entirely off the hook, he has no idea he's walking into yet another lie. A much more...Digestible one. )
I did say I would arrive early and as promised I had Sedene order all the cake flavors. These should last you a day or two if you pace yourself.
Oh.
( He catches sight of the painting when he enters. )
It's beautifully made.
( She didn't have to move out...But he understands. )
[ What separates an actor from someone in the crowd?
The spotlight.
Take it away and the poor girl has had to rebuild herself and her life. For the first time, it was hers and hers alone. The weight of responsibility falls on Neuvillette and the guilt does linger – but he can do more than she ever could, no?
There's times where she thinks of happier days, sitting on his desk and dangling spaghetti noodle with her fingers with some story about jellyfish stings or even catching him with an umbrella in the rain after difficult trials. Silly and somber days... like rainstorms and the sunshine.
These few moments, even if he seemed frustrated at times, were treasures for her in her loneliness.
And now, a lie brings them together yet again. ]
Oh... all of them? Even that spicy chilli one from Liyue?! [ She was eager to try them. She goes to try and take the cake with two hands but he seems lost in something. Peering over her shoulder – her foot barely grinds to the floor. ] Ah. Yes. That was a piece at the Sunday market. A person was selling it and... when I looked at it a little too long, they gifted it to me for quite a good deal.
[ It was at an angle different than front on – one that caught the window of Neuvillette's office. ]
( His new life keeps him busy enough that he avoids facing this yearning of floating in the middle of a lake with rain pouring over him. It must have hurt her the most the moment he also turned his back on her, along with everybody. Even the Oceanids once rejected her existence.
Cake will never be enough. He lets her have the box.
It’s dark in here and minimal. As if there’s barely any effort in making this feel like a true home. He understands some people may still violate her privacy or try to peek in sometimes.
Upon her explanation of the artwork and it’s history, he finally breaks through the barrier of fog, and guilt is at the forefront. )
Lady Furina. I am truly sorry.
( Rain begins pelting windows outside, and this is clearly not something that would be provoked by a simply mistake at dinner. )
[ The box was set down in a rush, to a side table with no pictures or decor – it's merely there. Her vision doesn't pull from him, unique eyes so precise and confident when an explanation of art turns into something... different. ]
Eh?
[ A small squeak of confusion slips past and the jolt of rain pattering to the rooftops and filling the gutters sets the stage for this conversation.
Act I Scene I: Penance Enter: Neuvillette.
She isn't sure how to react at the apology that sinks to the bottom of Fontaine's waters, heavier than a lie about eating crab. ]
F-Fair Iudex, I accept your apology. [ Even how she says it feels lighter and ill-fitting. Her tone was close what what Neuvillette may recall, how boisterous and animated it was to compensate – but, it washes away soon after with a few cautious steps towards him. She's somber and loses some of that energy: ] You haven't even stepped further into my abode, don't get hung-up upon my demands for an apology so soon. It'd make for a poor gathering, right?
( Emptiness is only meaningful between the substance of life. Rain would not be rain without spaces between each drop, yet the emptiness in this abode she is to call home is anything but. All her life she held a script to her face and now she must keep writing on her own. Without dramatic entrances or laughter. If his tears are anything to go by, they should be taken as his apology and hopefully, someday they will wash away his guilt.
It will not be every day he gets to meet up like this, so he's trying to get ahead of himself and cut to the chase. Deliver his words for her to be the one to pass judgment on him.
He knows there is something off in how her words come out the few times he has met up with her. It's like witnessing her true person peek through the curtains. He breathes in deep and ... Apologizes again. This time, it's because even after all this time, he can't exactly blend in as a person. He has never had a friendly visit before, even those with Wriothesley still have business attached to them. )
I'm sorry, Lady Furina. I didn't want to intrude on your personal space past a certain line, but you are right.
And thank you...For accepting my apology. You're not going to eat the cake now?
[ It's always been business between them. Furina, perhaps too overbearing at times, clung to the notion that Neuvillette would never leave her side. His role was always meant to be there, wasn't it? In reality, she never began to think her own role and suffering would end – and one of the few things she could find comfort in was no more.
She dare not ask anything from him, she has no right.
Yet... ]
You are my guest, please, do not fall short of being one.
[ With the a masked apology, Furina has no knowledge it is meant to be deeper and perhaps Neuvillette thinks Furina is looking deeper.
With two extended hands to her side, a slow twirl gives a half-hearted 'tour' of the living area first. She stops mid-twirl and laughs, only a tired giggle under her breath. ]
Would you like to share a slice with me first, then? I was not to be rude and just... dive right in. It'd be unsightly.
( And yet here he still stands, filling the role presented to him centuries ago. He still supports her from the shadows, but had it not been her wish to part ways? He will elaborate on his apology at the right time.
He glances at the box and then back at her before following suit. He recalls motions like these, so fluid and effortless just like in all her performances. Then and now, that bit has not changed. His lips lift slightly at both ends as he indulges her on the tour. )
Do you spend most of your time in this area? It's a very large space for one person. I take it your tea parties must be quite enjoyable.
It's all up to you. Please, Lady Furina, do you really think I would be taken aback by your "unsightly" sweet tooth?
[ She can’t pretend to be an Archon — to consume time relating to the Court and her Iudex. A request to live as something she so fiercely wished to protect… it required sacrifice.
How does she break habit of performing? Who is Furina, if not the reflection of an Archon? She isn’t sure — and it was her duty to figure it out.
Neuvillette, with sharp eyes full of hope… Furina laughs at such a statement. ]
You always had to rush near the end. We rarely shared the cake. [ Mostly tea or other handheld sweets. Furina finally goes to pull the box and bring it to the small coffee table. Off she goes for plates and cutlery — yelling all the while. ] To answer your question, yes. Or the bed. I have not found myself too comfortable to leave the abode, if only because the media still buzzes for answers and more gossip. I’ve had the Traveler visit once or twice — but… it is merely me and my squadron of salon-savvy summons.
[ When she returns, she has a look nearly of embarrassment on her face. Saying such a thing out loud… it was a reminder of her own loneliness. ]
Please have a seat at the coffee table. A pillow on the floor will do or kneel.
I never truly understood leisurely eating if one was not hungry.
( So instead, he is able to enjoy afternoon tea easier. At least it's a liquid. This time, however, he wishes to partake in something more fruitful with her. He awaits by the table for direction, ready to jump to action if she were to find herself into trouble gathering everything. No other reason for this other than first-hand experience. )
Ah, I still have to apologize to Mademoiselle Crabaletta. I'm happy to hear at least the Traveler has offered you their company.
( He knees on one of the pillows, motions rather awkward when he tries to properly fluff aside the long pieces of fabric donning his entire form. He clears his throat and then idly watches her. )
I should have realized how much pressure you were under, Lady Furina. All these years.
It's for social gathering! No matter the tongue or beliefs, food is a common ground.
[ Furina smiles as she looks down to Neuvillette, admiring the view before her. It was... different. Seeing her Iudex kneeled before her, not high and on a throne to judge – he feels awkward with his posture but Furina doesn't cast her gaze anywhere else. It brings a warmth in her eyes lost since her execution of her divinity. ]
Oh. The lovely Mademoiselle can arrive fashionably late. Let us enjoy this moment, for old time's sake.
[ Opening the box and kneeling herself, pulls out a slice of orange & creme cake and spots one that she knows well. ]
Would you like the mint slice? I hear it's crisp like water.
[ Teasing lightly, she plates herself first since she knows what she wants but when Neuvillette's tone changes... she stops shy of that mint slice. ]
...No one could have known. That is how fate was dictated in order to shatter it. Performers work through sickness and injuries all the time when no one else can take over. [ It's a simple, painful analogy. ] The years... were unkind, but there were moments I look back to remember fondly.
( It is worthy to note how Furina insisted on Neuvillette arriving punctually only to excuse the Mademoiselle's lateness. He begins to suspect the crab dish incident might have been a ploy instead of a true form of offense: an excuse to organize this meeting.
Her home, her rules. He doesn't particularly mind the difference in bias. All performances aside, he knows Furina is rather cunning. Maybe next time she will be direct with her wishes instead, though. )
I will take the mint flavor if such is the case.
( Too bad silence cuts through the moment briefly. Neuvillette lifts his chin towards her, momentarily in shock to realize the analogy and his bitter uselessness in the situation. Then and now, it's as though he has failed her all over again. )
I may not be able to go back in time and lend you my support, but I am here now. The way I exist today is all because of you, so it is my turn to lend you my shoulders and ears. However much or little I can do, I've never once regretted my position at your side.
[ It was far from the first time Furina used theatrics to pull away from the oh-so obvious. Was she any different than Lyney? Magic was about illusion, after all, and for someone who seemed fascinated with it... she had a few tricks up her sleeve.
With the mint flavor plated and slid over, the girl takes her seat fully on the back of her legs. The topics were hard to swallow and it feels wrong to break 'bread' over it. To subject him further to see his 'Archon' weak, a fraud – it pains her but she swallows her own pride a bit. ]
...And your position was served beautifully, as intended. If fate was to be changed, some remained true – I think. Things had to be this way. Would you have been able to judge me if you viewed me any other way, Neuvillette..?
[ If she had confided in him, if she had endeared herself more? It was a lonely path, that spotlight – ]
Learning to be human is far more difficult, but... I want to be able to play that role beautifully as well.
( She did perform the greatest masquerade the nation has ever seen or will ever see. Surely Mr. Lyney also found the deception applause worthy sitting in the audience.
Sitting here with her is comforting on a surface level. Despite the confessions exchanged and sweetness, she still feels oceans away. He cuts into his slice neatly with centuries of practice and hundreds of tea parties with her. She did tame him quite well. )
I believe you already play the part beautifully, Lady Furina. You were the one who taught me many human things and even encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone.
( Did she forget already just how fooled he was? )
However, I cannot help but feel you are dodging the point I am trying to make. You are no longer playing that role and therefore have no need to carry burdens on your own. Should you need to confide in someone for anything, you know where to find me.
[ To hear Neuvillette attribute her with his understanding of humanity... to embrace the messy and even theatrics of what life really was. They all had their part to play in life but there's a beauty in the time 'on their stage'. She laments, still, the suffering she went through and vows to never perform again... but.
When he looks at her like this, she feels the spotlight tighten around her. ]
I... I... [ How can she confide in him in what she feels? The burden he holds now are heavy – even if she knows he can handle it. To have a dragon's authority was to have powers exceeding that of an Archon. She cuts into her cake, distracting herself as she always will. ] How can you lay claim to that? I was an Archon to you, to the entire populace of Fontaine. ...I don't know a single thing about being a human.
[ Really! She just eats maraconi and hasn't even experimented with where travels could take her. ]
... Do you think we would have met, if I was a human, Neuvillette? Or even have been friends, all those years ago?
( A vast portion of his understanding comes from the windows trials offer, but they're simply that. Small instances pieced together over 500 years, stirred in him emotions and empathy. While he respected and viewed Furina as his Archon, her inconsistencies were, in hindsight, human.
He tries the cake. )
The mint used is very fresh indeed, but it should be wetter.
( Her words strike a chord deep within him. Fear is what greets her when he glances at her again, very brief and deeply rooted in the idea that she may one day be gone. )
If you, as an Archon, were appointed because of your humanity then it would still not change how I saw you all those years ago, so yes. I like to think we are friends even now.
You and I both have human qualities and live in human form, do we not? One does not have to be human to possess a degree of humanity.
I've long struggled with my sense of belonging. Is this also something concerning you lately?
[ Neuvillette and Furina shared a home, in a sense – trapped and looking out to the world through those trials. Rarely did they partake in ways that felt... real. The last time she had tried, she was nearly assassinated. Dancing down the street, pawing for cats... she wanted moments like that for so long. ]
Wetter... [ The texture makes her cringe a bit, but she pays him no mind. Yet, the subject was a wave to the shore: here and gone before they knew it. A foam of uncertainty left its wake. ] You view us ...as friends. Not coworkers or those bound by a similar duty?
[ The clarity was important. ]
The amount of questions must feel like a dam breaking. [ Furina looks down, sighing a little. ] I would not be sure to say I don't belong. There's plenty of people who have called for me in the streets, begged to hear stories or invited me to tea. Deep down, fathoms below... there's a fear I can't quite pinpoint.
[ There's a sad little smile as she takes her bite.
Does she deserve this cake as much as she does her happiness? ]
( It is true his view surrounding Furina and what type of relationship they embodied has shifted over the years. Her absence is very telling throughout his days, especially the commutes without her commentary in his private transport. Meetings are no longer tea parties. She brought more than a simple duty to his days and he can only compare it to companionship only she can provide. Is that not what makes a friend? )
We are no longer working together, so friends seems like an appropriate title.
( He puts his utensil down, bestowing her with his full attention. He searches for the answers himself in all her intricacies. Like softness surrounding similar to a mist of newfound loneliness or her lips letting go of all her tensions. He's unsure how to reach out to pull her out from the depths taking a hold of her. )
[ Where there was once boisterous laughter to cover up a loneliness... there was nothing. Silence, perhaps, was a more painful resolution to their dilemma. That is how Furina suffered for so long, lonely and unable to even utter a word to it.
To her most trusted.
Furina fidgets a bit, fingers grazing over oak wood of the coffee table, prattling like a nervous dancer on stage for the first time. ]
...Fear of the unknown. [ Of what is next? What will be, if not for the security of the torturous role she played for 500 years... ] Many people, when asked why they fear the depths of the oceans have surmised it equates to not knowing what is out there.
[ Yet, her confession falls just a little short. ]
I fear, even dubbed as a 'human', I will be alone. Finding purpose after being given one for so long... how does one tell a bird that has lived in captivity to fly freely?
[ It's not in its nature to, but Furina will save that for when she meets a certain bard from Mondstadt. Maybe. Who knows! Regardless, Furina looks away a bit shamefully. ]
I lied to you. Beyond the 500 years, just recently... to have you here for a simple slice of cake because I am not sure what awaits me tomorrow... or the next day. Time, Nuevillette, is as vast as the ocean.
( Even the god of freedom wound up a lost wisp at some point, but it does not erase the paradox of he who rules on the basis of stolen power. May fate forbid Neuvillette from having a premature encounter with these gods. Although, for Furina here, for all her fidgeting and curiosity and suffering, he will make exceptions. If her will takes her to Mondstadt, he'll accompany her as long as she allows him to...Even if his presence ends up causing a disturbance among winds. )
So in other words, you feel as though your purpose is somewhere in the deep. I, too, have felt like this in the past.
( Ironically, until the nation flooded. Neuvillette glances down at his plate. )
I don't hold grudges against you, Lady Furina. That's why I've come to visit you. Even a lie worth 500 years can flow back into the veins of our planet and fall as rain. I'm quite happy you have the option to feel however you like, or do whatever you wish. It's ultimately what you truly deserve. Today of all days should be something you can cherish and savor before time itself expires. The ocean will always be there.
I will personally support any of your causes to the best of my ability. If it means anything to you, as long as I reside over this nation, you will never be truly alone.
[ Mondstadt may have well called her before Fontaine did, if fate had been different. Furina's gaining her own footing among the city that survived the great flood – but there's something that is something idealistic about traveling free of duties... lost for nothing more than a passion for the arts.
Unfortunately, she still feels unworthy. ]
That purpose is quite murky, is it not?. Never have I thought there would be a chance to see anything other than what I had to do...
[ Even if she was so tired, so lonely. Neuvillette sets his plate down and Furina sits a bit straighter, as if she knows one of those verbose lectures were on the horizon.
She was right, but there's something different.
Word by word, there's humanity there. It's raw and it reads between fanciful lines and loses itself with formalities. ]
The oceans will always be there, but will you be?
[ He says he'll support her... that she won't be alone. Her question is simple, a confirmation to a clause that was deeper than the agreements Focalors had engrained into the Archonhood and Iudex's position. ]
You've taken a lead role, my Iudex... from supporting to center stage is something different. My step back has allowed you to reclaim what was once taken from you, to live to be the ruler the people need. [ And then, her voice cracks – that facade washes away like seafoam. ] I don't remember days without you at my side, but our relationship is different now.
( In truth, these might be borrowed emotions learned after years of observing and living among humans. How they register in his mind and heart will never truly make immediate sense to him. Humanity isn't a skill acquired from books, so no matter how many trials he judges, or how many reports he writes up: what's left behind is true loneliness. The kind only another divine being could fathom.
The rain keeps pelting onto windows outside. He still can't forgive himself for allowing Furina to suffer all those years. As her... Iudex. Friend? As a fellow leader, he should have paid her more attention. )
I, too, will not rule forever, I'm afraid. Although that is something people should not be concerned about for a long time. I can only hope I am the leader people will be happy to follow until the next one rises to the occasion.
Palais Mermonia might be busy these days, but part of me can't help but feel like it's a dim reflection of what it used to be the years you resided in it. Well, I will also say, Sedene is very fond of the cake you used to like now.
I understand you wish to keep your distance from all those centuries, Lady Furina. We don't have to label what we are now. I'm not sure how people would label us. I also don't consider myself an entity ruling over you, either. In my eyes, you are still an equal, so perhaps that's what we will always be.
It goes without saying, yes. I do have authority over the oceans, do I not? My decision is thus: I'll always be here.
( Well, is she thrilled that she knows him so well? She sure got her verbose essay. )
[ Even the thought of him not being there – in some capacity in Fontaine – has Furina feel oddly tense. He'd been at her side and now as she's adjusting to the distances she has to impose on herself...
To separate Focalors and Furina. To live her own life. ]
I'm glad. I hope the halls still smell like that sweet creme. She has a mighty task to live up to ordering as often as I did from the bakery near the plaza.
[ But, even her flip-floppy way of addressing the situation falls short. Her eyes tremble when Neuvillette's words become more sincere, more raw. It was like she was looking more to a man, than an incarnate of draconic origin. ]
...Is your throat not parched from such long-winding words that follow the flow of Fontaine? [ She laughs, perhaps the first genuine kind in a long while. Her eyes try to shut tight enough to keep tears from trickling down but she fails. Doubling over just enough to cut into her cake to hide it. ] Well then. If you're here, do sample and partake in the finest things Fontaine can provide us. Culinary comfort in confections and... the company of ones we hold dear. Perhaps we can find ourselves here more often, sharing.
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no subject
( What makes an apology? Is it words strung to soothe the pain, or is it promises? He has not drafted anything in his head come the meeting date. Besides his blatant fault at dinner, he feels there is much more in the undertow of his heart that he should be apologizing for. Everything that was left to silence in the sound of the guillotine dethroning her.
This entire time, he loved her performances. Timeless like water even now that she walks among humans. He goes down the elevator with the proper arrangement of cakes inside. An apology should be all the flavors, right?
For 500 years, who was he protecting, if it had all been just an act?
He's only happy she's as fine as seaside freedom, indulging all the waters of life.
People don't seem to bother him this time, perhaps because they don't wish to disturb the forlorn energy following him. He's really just trying to come up with the right apology for her.
He knocks on the door with the back of a gloved knuckle and steps back to wait. )
no subject
Lost, confused, unsure – a fish out of water now that she was forced to swim in clear waters where she can see things from a new perspective.
Furina was selfish, as if returning to a dynamic was safe... even for an evening. Neuvillette bending to her whims was something comfortable so imagine her surprise when he does truly act on her words.
The lonely flat was lit up, organized to the best of her ability but it's still dreadfully lonely and by-the-book. Nothing of Furina's own personality shines through besides things provided initially.
The only thing Furina felt compelled to get is a portrait of Palais Mermonia hanging in the entranceway.
The knock makes her jump and she does her best to be prompt. A few quick fluffs of her hair, a tilt of her hat, and perfume spritzed over. To be presentable was an art she doesn't let grow rusty with lack of effort.
In another life, she'd greet Neuvillette with my Iudex but when she pulls the door back – her eyes were a bit more hollow. It feels like it's been centuries already. ]
Ah! You are true to your word. Five minutes early. If I hadn't been ready and waiting for your arrival, you may have caught me off guard.
[ Even now, only a glimpse of her 'role' passes through... but her tone was much more somber. ]
Please, come in.
no subject
It is also familiar to bring sweets to her like this. It is like living in a fragment of their past. All the days he thought were good are now stained with her suffering. How can he apologize for never realizing it?
His gaze is more alert the moment the door opens. She never needs studio lights to pop life into any frame. She does so naturally, and seamlessly, even when she's not putting on an act. That doesn't mean he's entirely off the hook, he has no idea he's walking into yet another lie. A much more...Digestible one. )
I did say I would arrive early and as promised I had Sedene order all the cake flavors. These should last you a day or two if you pace yourself.
Oh.
( He catches sight of the painting when he enters. )
It's beautifully made.
( She didn't have to move out...But he understands. )
no subject
The spotlight.
Take it away and the poor girl has had to rebuild herself and her life. For the first time, it was hers and hers alone. The weight of responsibility falls on Neuvillette and the guilt does linger – but he can do more than she ever could, no?
There's times where she thinks of happier days, sitting on his desk and dangling spaghetti noodle with her fingers with some story about jellyfish stings or even catching him with an umbrella in the rain after difficult trials. Silly and somber days... like rainstorms and the sunshine.
These few moments, even if he seemed frustrated at times, were treasures for her in her loneliness.
And now, a lie brings them together yet again. ]
Oh... all of them? Even that spicy chilli one from Liyue?! [ She was eager to try them. She goes to try and take the cake with two hands but he seems lost in something. Peering over her shoulder – her foot barely grinds to the floor. ] Ah. Yes. That was a piece at the Sunday market. A person was selling it and... when I looked at it a little too long, they gifted it to me for quite a good deal.
[ It was at an angle different than front on – one that caught the window of Neuvillette's office. ]
no subject
Cake will never be enough.
He lets her have the box.
It’s dark in here and minimal. As if there’s barely any effort in making this feel like a true home. He understands some people may still violate her privacy or try to peek in sometimes.
Upon her explanation of the artwork and it’s history, he finally breaks through the barrier of fog, and guilt is at the forefront. )
Lady Furina. I am truly sorry.
( Rain begins pelting windows outside, and this is clearly not something that would be provoked by a simply mistake at dinner. )
no subject
Eh?
[ A small squeak of confusion slips past and the jolt of rain pattering to the rooftops and filling the gutters sets the stage for this conversation.
Act I
Scene I: Penance
Enter: Neuvillette.
She isn't sure how to react at the apology that sinks to the bottom of Fontaine's waters, heavier than a lie about eating crab. ]
F-Fair Iudex, I accept your apology. [ Even how she says it feels lighter and ill-fitting. Her tone was close what what Neuvillette may recall, how boisterous and animated it was to compensate – but, it washes away soon after with a few cautious steps towards him. She's somber and loses some of that energy: ] You haven't even stepped further into my abode, don't get hung-up upon my demands for an apology so soon. It'd make for a poor gathering, right?
no subject
It will not be every day he gets to meet up like this, so he's trying to get ahead of himself and cut to the chase. Deliver his words for her to be the one to pass judgment on him.
He knows there is something off in how her words come out the few times he has met up with her. It's like witnessing her true person peek through the curtains. He breathes in deep and ... Apologizes again. This time, it's because even after all this time, he can't exactly blend in as a person. He has never had a friendly visit before, even those with Wriothesley still have business attached to them. )
I'm sorry, Lady Furina. I didn't want to intrude on your personal space past a certain line, but you are right.
And thank you...For accepting my apology. You're not going to eat the cake now?
no subject
She dare not ask anything from him, she has no right.
Yet... ]
You are my guest, please, do not fall short of being one.
[ With the a masked apology, Furina has no knowledge it is meant to be deeper and perhaps Neuvillette thinks Furina is looking deeper.
With two extended hands to her side, a slow twirl gives a half-hearted 'tour' of the living area first. She stops mid-twirl and laughs, only a tired giggle under her breath. ]
Would you like to share a slice with me first, then? I was not to be rude and just... dive right in. It'd be unsightly.
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He glances at the box and then back at her before following suit. He recalls motions like these, so fluid and effortless just like in all her performances. Then and now, that bit has not changed. His lips lift slightly at both ends as he indulges her on the tour. )
Do you spend most of your time in this area? It's a very large space for one person. I take it your tea parties must be quite enjoyable.
It's all up to you. Please, Lady Furina, do you really think I would be taken aback by your "unsightly" sweet tooth?
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How does she break habit of performing? Who is Furina, if not the reflection of an Archon? She isn’t sure — and it was her duty to figure it out.
Neuvillette, with sharp eyes full of hope… Furina laughs at such a statement. ]
You always had to rush near the end. We rarely shared the cake. [ Mostly tea or other handheld sweets. Furina finally goes to pull the box and bring it to the small coffee table. Off she goes for plates and cutlery — yelling all the while. ] To answer your question, yes. Or the bed. I have not found myself too comfortable to leave the abode, if only because the media still buzzes for answers and more gossip. I’ve had the Traveler visit once or twice — but… it is merely me and my squadron of salon-savvy summons.
[ When she returns, she has a look nearly of embarrassment on her face. Saying such a thing out loud… it was a reminder of her own loneliness. ]
Please have a seat at the coffee table. A pillow on the floor will do or kneel.
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( So instead, he is able to enjoy afternoon tea easier. At least it's a liquid. This time, however, he wishes to partake in something more fruitful with her. He awaits by the table for direction, ready to jump to action if she were to find herself into trouble gathering everything. No other reason for this other than first-hand experience. )
Ah, I still have to apologize to Mademoiselle Crabaletta. I'm happy to hear at least the Traveler has offered you their company.
( He knees on one of the pillows, motions rather awkward when he tries to properly fluff aside the long pieces of fabric donning his entire form. He clears his throat and then idly watches her. )
I should have realized how much pressure you were under, Lady Furina. All these years.
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[ Furina smiles as she looks down to Neuvillette, admiring the view before her. It was... different. Seeing her Iudex kneeled before her, not high and on a throne to judge – he feels awkward with his posture but Furina doesn't cast her gaze anywhere else. It brings a warmth in her eyes lost since her execution of her divinity. ]
Oh. The lovely Mademoiselle can arrive fashionably late. Let us enjoy this moment, for old time's sake.
[ Opening the box and kneeling herself, pulls out a slice of orange & creme cake and spots one that she knows well. ]
Would you like the mint slice? I hear it's crisp like water.
[ Teasing lightly, she plates herself first since she knows what she wants but when Neuvillette's tone changes... she stops shy of that mint slice. ]
...No one could have known. That is how fate was dictated in order to shatter it. Performers work through sickness and injuries all the time when no one else can take over. [ It's a simple, painful analogy. ] The years... were unkind, but there were moments I look back to remember fondly.
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Her home, her rules. He doesn't particularly mind the difference in bias. All performances aside, he knows Furina is rather cunning. Maybe next time she will be direct with her wishes instead, though. )
I will take the mint flavor if such is the case.
( Too bad silence cuts through the moment briefly. Neuvillette lifts his chin towards her, momentarily in shock to realize the analogy and his bitter uselessness in the situation. Then and now, it's as though he has failed her all over again. )
I may not be able to go back in time and lend you my support, but I am here now. The way I exist today is all because of you, so it is my turn to lend you my shoulders and ears. However much or little I can do, I've never once regretted my position at your side.
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With the mint flavor plated and slid over, the girl takes her seat fully on the back of her legs. The topics were hard to swallow and it feels wrong to break 'bread' over it. To subject him further to see his 'Archon' weak, a fraud – it pains her but she swallows her own pride a bit. ]
...And your position was served beautifully, as intended. If fate was to be changed, some remained true – I think. Things had to be this way. Would you have been able to judge me if you viewed me any other way, Neuvillette..?
[ If she had confided in him, if she had endeared herself more? It was a lonely path, that spotlight – ]
Learning to be human is far more difficult, but... I want to be able to play that role beautifully as well.
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Sitting here with her is comforting on a surface level. Despite the confessions exchanged and sweetness, she still feels oceans away. He cuts into his slice neatly with centuries of practice and hundreds of tea parties with her. She did tame him quite well. )
I believe you already play the part beautifully, Lady Furina. You were the one who taught me many human things and even encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone.
( Did she forget already just how fooled he was? )
However, I cannot help but feel you are dodging the point I am trying to make. You are no longer playing that role and therefore have no need to carry burdens on your own. Should you need to confide in someone for anything, you know where to find me.
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When he looks at her like this, she feels the spotlight tighten around her. ]
I... I... [ How can she confide in him in what she feels? The burden he holds now are heavy – even if she knows he can handle it. To have a dragon's authority was to have powers exceeding that of an Archon. She cuts into her cake, distracting herself as she always will. ] How can you lay claim to that? I was an Archon to you, to the entire populace of Fontaine. ...I don't know a single thing about being a human.
[ Really! She just eats maraconi and hasn't even experimented with where travels could take her. ]
... Do you think we would have met, if I was a human, Neuvillette? Or even have been friends, all those years ago?
[ Would their roles have allowed that. ]
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He tries the cake. )
The mint used is very fresh indeed, but it should be wetter.
( Her words strike a chord deep within him. Fear is what greets her when he glances at her again, very brief and deeply rooted in the idea that she may one day be gone. )
If you, as an Archon, were appointed because of your humanity then it would still not change how I saw you all those years ago, so yes. I like to think we are friends even now.
You and I both have human qualities and live in human form, do we not? One does not have to be human to possess a degree of humanity.
I've long struggled with my sense of belonging. Is this also something concerning you lately?
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Wetter... [ The texture makes her cringe a bit, but she pays him no mind. Yet, the subject was a wave to the shore: here and gone before they knew it. A foam of uncertainty left its wake. ] You view us ...as friends. Not coworkers or those bound by a similar duty?
[ The clarity was important. ]
The amount of questions must feel like a dam breaking. [ Furina looks down, sighing a little. ] I would not be sure to say I don't belong. There's plenty of people who have called for me in the streets, begged to hear stories or invited me to tea. Deep down, fathoms below... there's a fear I can't quite pinpoint.
[ There's a sad little smile as she takes her bite.
Does she deserve this cake as much as she does her happiness? ]
I must confess to something.
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We are no longer working together, so friends seems like an appropriate title.
( He puts his utensil down, bestowing her with his full attention. He searches for the answers himself in all her intricacies. Like softness surrounding similar to a mist of newfound loneliness or her lips letting go of all her tensions. He's unsure how to reach out to pull her out from the depths taking a hold of her. )
What sort of fear is it?
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To her most trusted.
Furina fidgets a bit, fingers grazing over oak wood of the coffee table, prattling like a nervous dancer on stage for the first time. ]
...Fear of the unknown. [ Of what is next? What will be, if not for the security of the torturous role she played for 500 years... ] Many people, when asked why they fear the depths of the oceans have surmised it equates to not knowing what is out there.
[ Yet, her confession falls just a little short. ]
I fear, even dubbed as a 'human', I will be alone. Finding purpose after being given one for so long... how does one tell a bird that has lived in captivity to fly freely?
[ It's not in its nature to, but Furina will save that for when she meets a certain bard from Mondstadt. Maybe. Who knows! Regardless, Furina looks away a bit shamefully. ]
I lied to you. Beyond the 500 years, just recently... to have you here for a simple slice of cake because I am not sure what awaits me tomorrow... or the next day. Time, Nuevillette, is as vast as the ocean.
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So in other words, you feel as though your purpose is somewhere in the deep. I, too, have felt like this in the past.
( Ironically, until the nation flooded. Neuvillette glances down at his plate. )
I don't hold grudges against you, Lady Furina. That's why I've come to visit you. Even a lie worth 500 years can flow back into the veins of our planet and fall as rain. I'm quite happy you have the option to feel however you like, or do whatever you wish. It's ultimately what you truly deserve. Today of all days should be something you can cherish and savor before time itself expires. The ocean will always be there.
I will personally support any of your causes to the best of my ability. If it means anything to you, as long as I reside over this nation, you will never be truly alone.
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Unfortunately, she still feels unworthy. ]
That purpose is quite murky, is it not?. Never have I thought there would be a chance to see anything other than what I had to do...
[ Even if she was so tired, so lonely. Neuvillette sets his plate down and Furina sits a bit straighter, as if she knows one of those verbose lectures were on the horizon.
She was right, but there's something different.
Word by word, there's humanity there. It's raw and it reads between fanciful lines and loses itself with formalities. ]
The oceans will always be there, but will you be?
[ He says he'll support her... that she won't be alone. Her question is simple, a confirmation to a clause that was deeper than the agreements Focalors had engrained into the Archonhood and Iudex's position. ]
You've taken a lead role, my Iudex... from supporting to center stage is something different. My step back has allowed you to reclaim what was once taken from you, to live to be the ruler the people need. [ And then, her voice cracks – that facade washes away like seafoam. ] I don't remember days without you at my side, but our relationship is different now.
[ The honesty slips through her words. ]
I do not know what we should be.
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The rain keeps pelting onto windows outside. He still can't forgive himself for allowing Furina to suffer all those years. As her... Iudex. Friend? As a fellow leader, he should have paid her more attention. )
I, too, will not rule forever, I'm afraid. Although that is something people should not be concerned about for a long time. I can only hope I am the leader people will be happy to follow until the next one rises to the occasion.
Palais Mermonia might be busy these days, but part of me can't help but feel like it's a dim reflection of what it used to be the years you resided in it. Well, I will also say, Sedene is very fond of the cake you used to like now.
I understand you wish to keep your distance from all those centuries, Lady Furina. We don't have to label what we are now. I'm not sure how people would label us. I also don't consider myself an entity ruling over you, either. In my eyes, you are still an equal, so perhaps that's what we will always be.
It goes without saying, yes. I do have authority over the oceans, do I not? My decision is thus: I'll always be here.
( Well, is she thrilled that she knows him so well? She sure got her verbose essay. )
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To separate Focalors and Furina.
To live her own life. ]
I'm glad. I hope the halls still smell like that sweet creme. She has a mighty task to live up to ordering as often as I did from the bakery near the plaza.
[ But, even her flip-floppy way of addressing the situation falls short. Her eyes tremble when Neuvillette's words become more sincere, more raw. It was like she was looking more to a man, than an incarnate of draconic origin. ]
...Is your throat not parched from such long-winding words that follow the flow of Fontaine? [ She laughs, perhaps the first genuine kind in a long while. Her eyes try to shut tight enough to keep tears from trickling down but she fails. Doubling over just enough to cut into her cake to hide it. ] Well then. If you're here, do sample and partake in the finest things Fontaine can provide us. Culinary comfort in confections and... the company of ones we hold dear. Perhaps we can find ourselves here more often, sharing.