Chapter Text
The day the prophecy came and ended, Furina innately knew that the catastrophe ‘Mirror-Me’ had talked of was over. Perhaps it was the remnant of divine instinct inside of her, the one she would get to know of moments later in conversation with Neuvillette – or the plain sight of broken pillars and trees on the wet ground, showing signs of a great flood washed away.
Had it all truly come to an end?
Furina stood by the front steps of the Opera Epiclese, squinting as blinding daylight reflected off puddled pavement. She couldn’t recall how long she had stood there for – for that moment, the concept of time didn’t exist. All she could do was let her eyes lead, from the man kneeling in overwhelming relief, and the mother hugging her child tight, both clad in soaked clothing. She simply watched, watched an aftermath she never thought she would be able to see.
“Lady Furina?”
If it weren’t for the voice, Furina would’ve stood there forever. She felt soft hands gently press on her own, reminding her of the sensation of touch. She knew this little Melusine. It was Trow, a member of the Marechaussee Phantom, positioned at the Opera Epiclese. How could she not? Furina practically lived here.
A small thought, the beginning of many, crossed her mind. That’s right, she practically lived here.
But now that everything was over, where was her place?
Trow’s warm hands tightened around Furina’s own, easing her out of her brewing thoughts.
“Lady Furina. Let us go to the Palais Mermonia. Let us settle somewhere safe and comfortable, shall we? See, the flood is no more. It’s alright. Shall we go?”
Furina knew this tone of voice. It was the one the Melusines used to calm troubled humans. Did she look troubled? Furina couldn’t tell – after all, it was only moments ago when her mind collapsed along with her body into the Opera Epiclese’ s cold red chair.
Trow began to walk. Furina’s legs felt so heavy, almost like they were bound to the ground. But regardless of such feeling, they moved, albeit slowly.
Where were they going again? Furina didn’t remember. But she had nothing else to do, so she let herself be dragged along.
Before she even knew it, they were at Marcotte Station.
‘I have a personal passageway to the Palais Mermonia though,’ thought Furina. But she couldn’t make the words out of her mouth.
Amidst her foggy mind, Furina found mild surprise in the fact that Elphane, Operator or the Navia Line’s Aquabus, hadn’t left her position. Truly diligent, these Melusines were.
The ride to the Court of Fontaine was quick, and it only took a few steps to enter the Palais Mermonia. The doors opened without a sound.
Furina lifted her eyes to see Neuvillette – or more precisely, his back. He was turned away from her, surrounded by soggy members of the Maison Gestion.
“Monsieur Neuvillette, the prophecy…!”
“Monsieur Neuvillette, the Fatui have…”
Please Monsieur Neuvillette, just stay for a bit longer…!”
But Neuvillette seemed to heed no immediate attention for them. It was only his back, but Furina could tell he was in a hurry – after all, they worked together for almost 500 years.
Neuvillette lightly pushed away the people around him and turned towards the exit. And Furina saw his face.
It was unlike his usual demeanor. Though slight, there was a twinge of agitation, a bit of distress, overshadowed by a shade of sadness she had never seen before. There was no more time for a next thought. Their eyes met, and Neuvillette stopped in his tracks.
“Furina…?”
An unmistakable spark of despair flashed across his face in a fleeting moment. He looked at her face – almost like he was seeing someone else in her, Furina noted.
“Lady Furina! Thank goodness you’re here, the prophecy, it—”
A spectacled man soggy from head to toe realized Furina’s presence and spun towards her in an almost maniacal manner. Trow stopped him before he could get any closer.
“Most disrespectful, sir! Please maintain your distance.”
Neuvillette looked at the Melusine, smiled, then turned to Furina. Almost hesitantly, he held her hand.
“I am truly glad to see you safe. If you don’t mind, may we head to your quarters to… have a discussion?”
“Huh?” Furina questioned. “… Weren’t you going to go somewhere?”
She was surprised by how quiet her voice sounded. It was her own voice, but it sounded so unfamiliar, so… tired.
“I was intending to head to the Opera Epiclese to see you,” said Neuvillette, “but I see you’ve made your way here. I really do need to have a discussion with you – and I’m sure you need rest. Trow, thank you for escorting Lady Furina. You have my gratitude.”
Trow smiled. “No problem, Monsieur Neuvillette! Now please, go on your way with Lady Furina. I think I’ll take care of this mess for now. Members of the Maison Gestion, please remain orderly!”
As Trow began to hush the crowd, Neuvillette quickly took Furina to the innermost spaces of the Palais Mermonia, into the corridors and up the elevator. A small ding sounded, and the doors opened to the hallway leading to Furina’s quarters.
Following the hallway and beyond yet another door was a spacious drawing room, carefully decorated with golden trinkets and frames capturing the sights of Fontaine.
Neuvillette sat Furina down onto one of the sofas and took his place on the opposite side himself. Furina sank into the seat, feeling the softness of the fabric embracing her – a stark difference from her rigid chair in the Opera House.
She glanced at Neuvillette, waiting for him to speak. On normal occasions, she would’ve spoken up first, but she didn’t know what to say and had no strength to talk anyway. So, she watched silently until Neuvillette lifted his face and their eyes finally met.
“… I have a message to relay to you… one I received just a while ago.”
And the words that followed revealed everything, a giant ocean of schemes she had danced on the surface of for the last 500 years.
“Monsieur Neuvillette, are you leaving already?” Sedene asked Neuvillette as he entered the Palais Mermonia’s main foyer.
Neuvillette nodded at the Melusine with a faint smile. “Yes – as much as I would like to stay for a little longer, there are evidently too many things to cover right now. I will have to go outside and calm the people myself.”
From what he could see, barely any of the Palais Mermonia were present at their respective positions. It couldn’t be helped, considering a prophesized catastrophe had just occurred. There were families to return to.
As he made his way out of the building, he recalled his earlier moment with Furina. He had explained Focalors’ devious plan from the beginning to the end, and her success in fooling the Heavenly Principles to avoid the destruction of Fontaine.
He had prepared for Furina’s sorrow or anger, or even great happiness – but when he saw her face was void of any emotion, his mind failed to think of anything to say. Was there something unclear about his way of speech? But, more likely, perhaps she was still in shock…
It was no lie when he said he would’ve liked to stay longer, but he knew the people of Fontaine required his immediate presence. All he could do now was hope that Furina would come to her senses, and whatever plan she made for the upcoming future he would give his undivided support. After all, she was free now. If she truly wished, she could leave the nation.
Yes, that sounded right. To support her no matter what. No matter how large of a plan or wish, to do his utmost to fulfil it. That would be the only way to repay her for 500 years of endless solitude.
Furina was done thinking.
There wasn’t much to think about, really. The thought was always at the back of her mind.
She was so incredibly tired. Much so since everything was over. It almost didn’t feel real.
“You have your own freedom now, Furina,” Neuvillette had said. “You are free to do whatever you want.”
He was holding her hand when he said that. His words were warm and genuine. It was at that point Furina had realized how the curtains had truly fallen.
The world was no longer a stage for her to dance on.
Freedom was a strange and unfamiliar concept to Furina. Over the centuries, she had reflected on what ‘freedom’ meant to her. She may not have had it herself, but she had seen countless humans chase after their own freedom.
Truth be told, she had decided on her freedom long ago – and now she wanted it.
Oh, how she had yearned for it over the years, only for it to stay seemingly forever out of her reach.
…Her freedom was death.
To die,
Was her greatest wish.