Chapter Text
Focalors and Furina were the same person. This was objectively true, as they were originally two halves of one whole individual: the Hydro Archon, at once both divine and human.
So then why did they feel leagues apart?
Neuvillette had entertained the thought that he had been in love with the benevolent god who had sacrificed herself for humanity—had he loved Focalors all along, and merely imprinted her memory on Furina? The suggestion had been easier to refute than the Chief Justice ever expected.
It all came down to one simple phrase.
“Hydro Dragon, Hydro Dragon, don’t cry,” Focalors had said. The words were spoken warmly, softly. They were intended to be a source of comfort for him in such a melancholic moment. Yet, Neuvillette only felt more sad as a result.
In hindsight, hearing that phrase pass Focalors’ lips only served to widen the rift between herself and the part of herself with which she’d originally been closely entwined. An early memory was all Neuvillette needed to consult to feel certain in his thoughts.
It had been a matter of days after Vautrin’s trial. The rain had hardly faltered in the time since. Despite the naïveté she wore on her sleeve, Furina was far more perceptive than she let on. The fact that Neuvillette was the Hydro Dragon was no mystery to her, nor did she harbor doubt about the link his emotions shared with the weather.
The Fountain of Lucine was deserted, save for the Iudex and the approaching Archon. Even with the rain drenching him, Neuvillette’s focus was locked on the babbling waters of the reservoir.
“My, what a stern visage my dear Iudex wears,” Furina lilted as she stepped up to her companion’s side. She leaned into his view with a coy smile. “What could be perplexing him so?”
Neuvillette was quiet for a spell, his gaze refusing to budge. Furina’s grin dipped as she straightened up at his side.
The rain frightened her, certainly, but she knew the Hydro Dragon, with his ease of control over the element, would have a substantial role to play in keeping the flood at bay. What sense would it make for a dragon to allow their domain to be destroyed through circumstances they themselves could prevent? So, she let the rain wash over her as she stood by her companion.
“Lady Furina,” Neuvillette finally said, just over the patter of rain, “perhaps you can offer a second perspective here.”
A pause.
“Do you believe it is natural for all living beings to value survival over all else?”
Given what had happened in the past month, Furina had an idea of where this was going. “But of course,” she answered with as much certainty as she could salvage. “To be a living being is to live, is it not? Why sacrifice…that aspect?”
Again, Neuvillette was quiet. When he spoke, his voice reluctantly crawled from his throat, “If that is so, then why… Why would Carole ever feel like she should…” His voice cracked on a shaky breath. “Why would Vautrin throw away everything he worked for, for someone who can no longer speak?”
Furina’s expression grew grim. She looked back to the fountain. “I hate to say that I don’t have an answer for that, Monsieur Neuvillette.”
A steadying breath. Neuvillette muttered, “Apologies, Lady Furina, that you had to see me like this.”
The Chief Justice shifted as if to step away, but was stopped as he felt something wrap around his hand. Looking down, he noticed Furina had woven her fingers through his. Despite their difference in size, the light pressure from her thumb against the back of his hand was an anchor in this storm.
In a voice too small to be an Archon’s, with an expression too mournful to be hers, she said, “If you need to feel something, let it submerge you. Even if it feels like you’ll never surface, you have to let these emotions run their course. You’ll reach the shore again—it’s only a matter of time.”
Furina took a deep breath. Then, she stepped away from the awestruck Neuvillette and waved a hand over her face. “Annnnnnd scene!” She giggled. “Well? Five-star performance, wouldn’t you say?”
Neuvillette blinked. The rain seemed to slow, if only for a moment. “That is debatable, Lady Furina,” he said before turning and making his way to the Opera Epiclèse.
“Whaaaa? You’re so mean, Monsieur!” Furina pouted as she hounded his footsteps. “Didn't that mean anything to you? I put my heart and soul into that read!”
“Well, I would ask you to not waste your ‘heart and soul’ when there is still a trial to attend today, Lady Furina.”
It meant much, my lady. More than you know.
Neuvillette’s mind wandered to a fonder time. They had encountered each other at the fountain again, but the weather was clear, and the roles reversed.
What had happened a few centuries prior felt like yesteryear as Neuvillette stepped to his Archon’s side. He followed her gaze to the stars blinking quietly above; they effortlessly magnified the delicate glow of the moon around which they danced.
“The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?” he mused softly.
Furina took a moment to respond. “It is, Monsieur. More beautiful than I, Focalors, could fathom.” Her voice trembled on the way out.
Neuvillette glanced Furina’s way to see tears skating down her cheeks. “My lady, why do you cry?” he asked.
“Huh?” The melancholic Archon rubbed her cheeks and felt the water seep into her gloves. “That’s—I’m—it’s nothing, Monsieur Neuvillette,” she stammered.
Neuvillette tilted his head. “Was it not you who told me to allow myself to feel when emotions run high? Can’t you afford yourself a similar luxury?” he asked.
Furina chuckled softly and wiped her eyes. After a steadying breath, she said, “Neuvillette, tell me this: even if you were not the Chief Justice of this nation, if you were not bound by the chains of your birthright to this nation… would you still stay by my side?”
“Without question,” Neuvillette answered succinctly.
Furina was taken aback. “I-Is that so? And what, pray tell, might your reasoning be? You are as aware as I that my abilities as an Archon are…limited.”
“That matters not, Lady Furina,” he said. “What matters is that I value your gentle soul and your love for life. I believe that my days would not be nearly as bright without you in them.”
It seemed to take a moment for these words to sink in for Furina. “Is that so?” she asked softly as her cheeks flushed. After clearing her throat, she spoke with her usual certainty, “Well, I thank you, Monsieur Neuvillette, for your continued service!” She gave a small curtsy. “In fact, your deeds have earned yourself a gift from the Archon of Hydro—hallowed be my name. My only request is you close your eyes before receiving it,” she laughed, but her face had not lost its color.
“Lady Furina, are you certain I must be—”
“Yes, Monsieur Neuvillette, now close them!”
Neuvillette did as he was asked. He heard the click of Furina’s heels on stone. A small, warm hand lifted his chin before something soft gently pressed against his lips. Neuvillette had seen couples kiss in town before, but he’d had no idea what such an embrace would feel like. Suffice to say, when he opened his eyes, he was not expecting to realize that he was on the receiving end of one.
Furina’s eyes were closed in concentration. Her other hand had landed on Neuvillette’s shoulder in order to steady herself where she stood on the lip of the fountain. This close, the scent of Lakelight Lilies, honey, and vanilla that followed Furina’s step was intoxicating.
Her eyes fluttered open as she pulled back. Meeting Neuvillette’s gaze, she grew flustered, in such a way that betrayed just how new this was for her as well. “C-Could you just say something already?!” she whispered.
Neuvillette acted first: he placed a hand on the small of Furina’s back and urged her closer before asking in a low breath, “Would it be greedy of me to ask for another?”
Furina’s eyelashes dipped as she leaned in closer. “Take as many as you like,” she murmured against his lips before closing the distance.
He recalled how she felt so warm so close, melting against her companion as she wrapped her arms around his neck. In recalling how, in that moment, all troubles felt miles and miles away, Neuvillette knew.
It’s her. It’s always been her.
“I knew you’d be here.”
A voice sweeter than birdsong called Neuvillette from his reverie. He could hardly believe that, here—next to the Palais Mermonia where he had taken to pondering—Furina was standing, smiling up at him softly, as he faced her and two of the friends she’d made through her tribulations.
“I am merely here for a short break. It has been a while, Miss Furina. And you, too, Traveler and Paimon. What might I assist you with today?”
Furina proceeded to explain how they needed to book the Opera Epiclèse for the performance of The Little Oceanid . Neuvillette could not help but note how closely the piece’s plot aligned with what Furina had experienced. Not only that, but the actress seemed to be…more accepting of herself since they last met. While he was somewhat disappointed that she had no intent of returning to the stage, Neuvillette couldn’t help the small smile that crossed his face seeing Furina so full of verve for this.
After ironing out the details, the trio began to depart.
“Miss Furina,” Neuvillette called to her.
Furina stopped in her tracks and turned back to her past companion. At the head of the stairs, the Traveler and Paimon also stopped short. The wayward adventurer made a quick exchange of eye contact with Neuvillette before catching on. Promptly, the Traveler yanked Paimon down the stairs by the cape.
“Come on, Paimon, they’ve got a new menu item at that café down the road,” the Traveler coaxed.
“H-Hey! Paimon wanted to know what they were gonna talk about!” the sprite whined.
Furina shook her head as the Traveler dragged her tiny companion away. She then turned to Neuvillette and eyed him expectantly. Now that they had a moment alone, the words the Iudex had been pondering all escaped his mind.
“ I will approach you when I think I’m ready."
“Furina,” Neuvillette started uncertainly. He swallowed thickly as he met Furina’s two-toned gaze, “does this mean that you… that we could, erm…”
Furina said nothing. She held her hand out to Neuvillette, silently asking for his own. When the Chief Justice acquiesced, Furina yanked him down to her level with surprising strength.
“See you at the performance, Neuvillette,” she murmured, her breath warm against his ear.
And then she let him go, leaving him to stagger in place as Furina waved over her shoulder and dashed off to join the others. Neuvillette covered his mouth with a hand as a heat he hadn’t felt in a long while rose in his cheeks.
Processing everything that had happened during the performance took a lot for Furina: her brief return to the spotlight, a real Vision manifesting for her, the unexpected credit given during the curtain call.
Only one thing could’ve been called a disappointment: she hadn’t seen Neuvillette in the audience.
It was all too easy for him to get lost in his work, she knew that, especially with trials happening as frequently as they did. And yet, Furina couldn’t help the bit of bitterness she felt. That is, until her eyes landed on the bouquet sitting on the windowsill in the rehearsal studio.
It was an elegant bundle of Lakelight Lilies—only one person would know that those were her favorite flower.
“When did these get here?” Furina asked the room as she approached the flowers. The petals were still damp, as if a storm had been braved to pick them, and recently.
“Oh, a deliveryman brought them before you came back,” Dulphy answered. “No return address, but he said the flowers were ‘For Furina, From Her Biggest Fan.’”
Furina rolled her eyes as she plucked the card from the bouquet and opened it.
To my dear starlight,
My apologies that I could not stay until the curtain call. It was a wonder to see you on-stage again.
You stole the show as easily as you stole my heart.
Furina closed her eyes to abate the heat already rising in her face, the knot tightening in her chest. After a steadying breath, she turned to Dulphy. “Would you mind keeping an eye on the flowers until I get back? I need to step out and take care of something for a moment.”
Dulphy and Lauwick exchanged a charged glance before the leading lady grinned. “Go do what needs doing, Miss Furina,” she encouraged.
As the Traveler and Paimon watched Furina rush out the door without a second glance, Paimon muttered, “What’s her problem? It’s just some flowers…”
“I’ll tell you when you’re older, Paimon,” the Traveler sighed.
Neuvillette was kicking himself for needing to leave the Opera just before the curtain call—a Melusine had approached him with a letter that required his immediate attention. Thankfully, he’d managed to watch the entirety of Furina’s performance, unexpected as it was. The Chief Justice could not help the genuine smile that turned his lips as he had watched her step out onto the stage. Confident, passionate, loving every second of her craft— that was the Furina the Iudex held so dear. He desperately hoped the flowers had reached her without too much trouble.
Just as the thought crossed his mind, the door to his office slammed open. Furina shut the door with such force that it banged on the hinges before she stomped over to Neuvillette’s desk. The Chief Justice could not deduce what exactly she was feeling in that moment other than, whatever it was, it was intense.
“Miss Furina,” Neuvillette greeted as his eyes darted to the door that was drifting open again, not that Furina seemed to care as she rounded the desk and stopped in front of the Iudex. “I apologize that I could not—mmph!”
Neuvillette was dragged up by the collar to meet Furina’s lips in a searing kiss. His eyes widened as his pupils narrowed.
When she pulled back, Neuvillette attempted to speak again, “Furina, the d—”
Another kiss, more desperate. Yet the man still tried to get a word in once they parted again.
“Furi—”
The kiss was accompanied by teeth and tongue this time. Furina’s mouth moved as if to claim Neuvillette entirely. He couldn’t contain the whimper that spilled past his lips. The actress moved in to climb atop Neuvillette’s chair. She straddled his lap as she dragged her fingers through his hair. She greedily swallowed the moan that bubbled from Neuvillette’s throat as she ground her hips into his.
Hearing the door click shut finally snapped the Chief Justice back to reality. He reluctantly pried an incredibly flushed Furina (though he may just have looked even more worse for wear, given he hadn’t been prepared) away to look at the now-closed door.
I will have to offer a carefully-worded apology to Sedene later, Neuvillette mentally filed this away.
“Neuvillette,” Furina demanded. Directing his attention with a finger under his chin, she leaned in close again and spoke in a volume only he would hear, “Tonight; my place; 8 o’clock; I’ll cook us a nice dinner, and then I am going to fuck your brains out, my dear Iudex. Does that sound good?”
Fearing his voice would betray him, Neuvillette nodded.
With a final, parting peck and a pat on the cheek, Furina rose to her feet and backed away sensually. “Don’t be late,” she murmured with a coy grin before turning and sashaying out of the room.
Once the door had shut behind her, Neuvillette practically melted into his chair.
This woman is going to be the death of me.