Chapter Text
The idol world, a sparkling universe filled with individuals and groups alike who light up the stage with their talent and charisma. Attracting people to the lights, the money, and the fame, making it one of the most competitive industries in Teyvat. But the world is not without its flaws and scandals, news that would bring someone down instead of cheering them up. Just like the news that was staring Columbina in the face, too big to ignore.
“No…”
Columbina stops and stares at the bright LED screen of the building. She was on her way home to celebrate her debut on stage, though she really wasn’t in the mood to celebrate anymore.
BREAKING NEWS: SANDRONE, THE MAIN VOCALIST OF INTERSTELLAR, LEAVES THE GROUP AND HAS DISAPPEARED FROM THE PUBLIC EYE. HER REASONS WERE NOT DISCLOSED TO OUR SOURCE, AND LUX ENTERTAINMENT HAS YET TO COMMENT. STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES.
“Sandrone…” Columbina mutters, a mixture of heartbreak and reverence.
“Where did you go?”
—
It’s been two years since that fateful day. Two years without hearing her voice, seeing her face, and watching her perform. Two years without her. Columbina skyrocketed to fame after her debut, with a goal, or a wish if you will, in mind, which was to perform with her idol.
Sandrone.
If you were to ask Columbina who Sandrone was to her, she would definitely talk your ear off. To keep it short but nevertheless sweet, Sandrone was her star. She was the main vocalist of Interstellar, a girl group composed of seven girls that debuted 5 years ago. Seven girls from seven different nations.
The visual and face of the group, Barbara, with skills worthy of being the group’s perfect center.
The calm leader and vocalist, Yunjin. Her demeanor dripping with elegance and grace, as if like a real princess.
Mualani, with her high energy, alongside Nilou’s soft personality. They perfectly complemented each other as the dancers of the group.
Then there was Furina with her outstanding rapping skills, eyes shining whenever her verse came up.
Kirara was the youngest, happy-go-lucky, and skilled in crowd work. She always knew how to hype up their audience.
And then finally, Sandrone. With her doll-like face and powerful voice, she’s captured the hearts of many with her vocals. Even though her personality was a bit rude and sarcastic, Columbina couldn’t help but be entranced. Her hair reminded her of sandy beaches she would visit, eyes the color of the sea she wished to drown in.
Before finding Sandrone, Columbina’s world in the most simplest of terms was dull. As the youngest daughter of the wealthiest man in Teyvat, she was deeply loved by her family, spoiled to no bounds. However, getting anything she so wished dulled the colors in her life.
Having been frail since childhood, her family opted to keep her indoors despite her health improving. She didn’t have any hobbies or many friends; her sole solace in life was singing.
Simply, she was a quiet child who kept her eyes closed as nothing she knew was interesting enough to open them for.
Until she heard singing.
—
A rich, deep yet feminine voice could be heard from her TV. This voice carried a hidden story, one that only a few could truly hear.
Intrigued, Columbina decided to open her eyes. A decision she will never regret making because the moment she opened them, she was met with bright, passionate ocean-blue eyes staring back at her as this beautiful doll-like stranger sang with all her heart. She couldn’t help but gasp upon watching his girl’s performance, truly enraptured.
She finally saw the world as it truly was. She saw its color. She saw the beauty. Her heart was racing for the first time in her entire life, feeling the warmth spreading across her face.
She felt alive.
“Just who are you?” Columbina murmured, staring at the TV as it could reply.
That was how Columbina first found Sandrone.
An encounter that changed the course of her life forever.
—
She became a very devoted (hardcore) fan after that. Never missing a new song release, an interview, a reality show, or teasers. Buying every single merchandise related to her idol. Consuming any type of media just to get to know her star more. The only times she opened her eyes were when Sandrone was involved. Her family was surprised by her new fixation, but was happy that Columbina seemed happier and livelier than before.
A year after their debut, they held a fan meet, one that Columbina just had to attend despite her dislike for crowded places. Seeing her idol up close would complete her life. She wore a black cap paired with a black mask to disguise herself, as her older sisters had taught her.
Upon arriving at the venue, she noticed a lack of female fans. She supposes that it made sense since this was a girl group after all. As she waited in line, her heart raced with anticipation, palms sweating at the thought of seeing her star.
“Please Sandrone! Step on me! Insult me!” Columbina was startled from her thoughts. She’s heard Sandrone talk about crazy fan encounters during interviews, but she didn't expect to witness it.
“What is wrong with you?! Are you insane?! ” Columbina’s heart skipped, videos didn't do justice to Sandrone’s voice; it was even more pleasant to listen to live.
She was so rude and so straightforward.
So unapologetically herself.
“I’m insane for you!!!” The voice of the fan was getting smaller as security dragged him away.
“HAHAHA! You always attract the craziest fans, Sandy!“ Furina laughed beside Sandrone, earning her a glare that she purposefully ignored.
“Shut it! I'd like to see you deal with them!” Sandrone hissed, making Furina laugh even more.
As everyone calmed down, the fanmeet resumed, and the line started moving forward until it was finally Columbina’s turn. She truly underestimated the experience, she was not mentally prepared at all. The moment she saw Sandrone’s face, she couldn't help but stare. Her heart wasn't prepared for the full attack of Sandrone’s beauty.
“Are you just gonna stare, or are you going to say something? I don't have all day.” Sandrone grumbles, snapping Columbina out of her reverie, making her blink slowly.
“Ah… h-hello…” Columbina mumbled.
“Speak up, will you? I can't hear you with all this noise.” Sandrone frowned, making no effort to hide the irritation in her voice.
“Hey, be more gentle with her! You know we don't have that many female fans, much less female fans of yours, and you might scare her away!” Furina scolded jokingly upon hearing Sandrone.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Columbina couldn’t help but giggle at the interaction, causing the two idols to look at her.
“I apologize for laughing, but it’s nice to see you two get along with each other.”
“What part of this conversation looks like we're getting along?!” Sandrone snaps.
Columbina giggles again, to which Sandrone could do nothing but sigh. Furina made a face at Sandrone before continuing with the fan before her. Their bickering did help Columbina relax.
“Please forgive me for staring at you before, I was just starstruck from seeing your beauty up close.”
Sandrone turns red to the compliment, causing Columbina to tilt her head in confusion to her reaction.
Has Sandrone never been complimented for her beauty before?
“I- You-! Ugh! How can you say that with a straight face?!” Sandrone manages to say, sputtering, as the warmth spreads across her face.
“Is there something wrong with what I said? I only spoke what I truly felt.”
That's the problem!
Sandrone isn’t used to honest compliments being given to her. She then takes deep breaths to calm herself down.
“Ahem, a-anyway, you want me to sign that, yes?” She points at the CD album in Columbina’s hands.
Columbina smiles and nods, proceeding to hand Sandrone the album.
“And who do I address this to?” Sandrone asks.
“Columbina.”
Sandrone writes ‘To Columbina’ with the standard message they write to fans, then signs her name.
“Here you go, anything else you want signed?” Sandrone asks, ever efficient in the things she needs to get done.
Columbina shakes her head and smiles.
“Thank you for meeting with us today, Sandrone. I truly enjoyed talking to you, even if it was only for a short while.” She bows politely after saying this.
Startled by the sudden politeness, Sandrone blinked, managing a quick reply, “Ah, yeah. Me too.”
Columbina walks away from Sandrone’s table but abruptly stops and turns around to face her once more.
“I'll see you around, Sandrone.”
She then continues walking away without looking back.
She thought that this meeting would be able to satiate the hunger to get to know Sandrone, to convince herself that it was enough to watch her from a distance. Oh, how wrong she was. It only fueled her desire more. She wanted a chance to get to know Sandrone not just as an idol but as a person. She wanted to be her equal, to stand on equal footing with her star. Which meant that she had to become one. She had to get on that stage.
That was the day Columbina the Damselette was born.
—
After deciding to follow her star on stage, she threw herself into training. Training under a company was a tough experience and less time for her star but she was determined, so she endured. She trained for two years until her company deemed her fit to debut as a soloist. Two weeks prior to her debut, she had the privilege to witness Interstellar's first concert live, to see Sandrone live. Oh, how alive Sandrone made her feel, further cementing her determination to debut in hopes that they one day perform together on the same stage.
Alas, that dream would remain just that, a dream. Here she was, on her way to meet her very own fans. People would look at her and say she had it all, becoming a prominent and well-loved singer just two years after her debut. She enjoyed performing, she had even grown to love it, yet something always felt missing. The fame and prestige felt empty when her goal was no longer there.
Columbina sighs, reminiscing about that brief and only interaction she had with her star. She was on her way to one of the busiest areas of Nod-Krai city, the hotspot for celebrities and events, Nasha Square, for her very own fan meet. It's what got her reminiscing in the first place. But life continued to move despite her sadness and longing, she could only hope that Sandrone was doing well. Wherever she may be.
—
On the other side of the city, where the slower, quieter part of life thrives, Sandrone awoke with a start.
“The fanmeet!!!”
She scrambles to get dressed, fix her hair, brush her teeth, before grabbing her cap and mask and finally rushing out the door. She hops onto her motorcycle and onto the highway. She was going to be late to the fan meet, which was fine if it weren't for the line that would be waiting for her.
After leaving the idol industry and Interstellar, decided become a songwriter by the name Marionette,
posting her work on the internet. During those two years, she has been using Vocaloids to sing her songs since her voice was still recognizable by their fans, the Illuminaries. While writing songs, she came across an angelic voice from her mix playlist. This voice instantly captured her to the point that she obsessively searched the web for who the singer was, which was, in truth, not that hard to find.
The singer was called The Damselette.
Columbina.
Since then, she has religiously listened to all of Columbina’s songs and albums. Listening to all of her performances. Not that she'll ever admit it. She'd rather die than let anyone find out about her current obsession. Now here she was, a year after discovering The Damselette, on the way to her fan meet.
Much to her dismay, the line had already reached the room’s entrance when she got there. At the far end of the room, she could spot Columbina’s table but couldn't see the singer herself. Sandrone despised crowded places, but when she heard about Columbina’s fan meet, she bought a ticket with no hesitation at all. She wanted to meet the singer at least once in her life.
To thank her for the impact she had on her life.
The line shortened over time, and soon, it was Sandrone's turn. She was close enough to hear Columbina's melodic voice, which was prettier than anything she’s ever heard. Her recorded performances couldn’t do it any justice for how it sounded in person. As the line moved forward, Sandrone felt her hands getting sweaty, heart thumping in her ears as she walked to the table. And now, finally, before the singer, awaiting for her to notice her, Sandrone swallowed thickly.
Ocean waters meet the colors of the twilight sky.
There she stood.
Absolutely starstruck.