For those of you who follow me because of my Sekirei story, sorry to say this isn't that update. I'm still working on it.
For those of you who clicked on this story because of a certain game, welcome to my first story of that fandom. Since her debut, I've been dying to work something out with Furina and the Traveler (AKA Aether) but wasn't able to until today. So, read on if you'd like to see my take on this pairing. I've got quite a few things planned out for these two.
Disclaimer: Genshin Impact and its characters belong to Mi-hoyo and Hoyoverse; I own nothing.
The sun hung high in the afternoon sky as people bustled about, heading to a fro through the busy streets of Fontaine's magnificent capital. Vendors called out their wares to the masses, beckoning them to come look whilst keeping a wary eye on their competition. Through this throng of bodies, a familiar pair made their way through carrying on without a care in the world. Some stopped to get a glimpse of the two who had quickly become the nation's most fascinating subject while shop keeps tried to get their attention to no avail. The two of them were lost in their own world, going back and forth with each other with smiles on their faces.
"It's hard to say what Paimon likes more. Sweet Madame is so juicy, but there are a lot of other dishes that seem just as good," the white fairy-like girl chattered on to her blonde companion.
"Is Butter Chicken on that list?" he asked, giving a smirk.
"Mhm! But Paimon could do with a little less spice. Sometimes it's too much for her stomach to handle…" Paimon replied, giving a little dance in mid-air. "Oh, now Paimon's hungry again."
"I don't think you could get full even if you had all the food in the world, Paimon."
"Hey! That's mean!"
The Traveler chuckled, giving a brief glance around with a sigh. "The world is full of marvels, isn't it? When we set out on this path, I never would've thought we'd go through so much…"
"That's Teyvat for you! Every nation has their own wonders and secrets, each one special in their own right," Paimon beamed. "And even though we've only been in Fontaine for a little while, we've already seen so much. Meeting the Hydro Archon, solving mysteries, exploring long-lost civilizations…!"
"And you managed to not become the catch of the day this time," the Traveler jeered.
"Urgh! Paimon should've let you go underwater alone!" Paimon cried, pouting.
"Alright, alright I'm sorry. I'm glad you've been with me Paimon. I don't think I could've gotten this far without you."
Paimon stared at the Traveler for a long moment before she offered him a giggle, floating back over to his side. "Well, we've still got a ways to go. After this will be Natlan and Snezhnaya, and hopefully…" Paimon trailed off, glancing worriedly at the blonde boy whose smile had since faded.
"I know. There's still a long road ahead. We'll just have to keep walking till we get to the end Still…"
"What is it, Aether?"
"I still want to try to talk to the Furina, even though the Chief Justice already answered most of our questions."
"Um… Paimon doesn't think we'll get much out of that one."
"We won't know until we try. Since there's no trials or conspiracies going on to deter us, we might as well give it a shot," Aether stated with a determined expression.
"That's true. Even the Raiden Shogun seemed scary at first until we got to know the one behind the strings. Ei's just a big ol softie isn't she?"
"Better not let her hear you say that, or you might be the next target of her sword."
"Paimon's not worried, because Paimon knows you'll protect her right?"
Aether gave his traveling buddy a warm smile and a nod before glancing up towards the transit station. "Alright then, let's go see if we can get an audience."
"Uh, but didn't they say we need to book an appointment with her first?" Paimon pointed out dubiously.
Aether just shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe we'll catch her in a good mood."
Furina was in a foul mood.
Boring. So, so, sooo boring!
When she had learned of there being a trial today, the Hydro Archon had hoped it might've taken her out of this funk she'd found herself in. Between getting humiliated by that Traveler in her own arean and then the Oratrice going on the fritz during Tartaglia's trial, Furina had been in a foul mood as of late. She'd all but snapped at her attendants that morning after they seemed to be taking their time helping her get ready for the day. Honestly, how hard was it to dress another person? Sure, she hadn't done it in ages but that was no excuse!
If it hadn't been for Clorinde stepping in, Furina might've dismissed them all outright.
Once she had slipped into the proper attire for the day, she had made her way to her favorite seat and awaited for Neuvillette to arrive so they could go over today's proceedings. Fortunately there had been a few trials scheduled today so that had brightened her mood for a bit… until she realized they were financial disputes.
Ugh.
When it came to trials, even the God of Justice had her preferences. Domestic disputes were her most "favorite" if one could label them as such, as they often provided the most thrilling back and forth between the parties.
Indeed, one such case had involved a young man who had been found unfaithful to his wife but refused to plead guilty to the crime, claiming she had already done so herself in secret. Up until then Furina would've been content to let her Chief Justice handle such matters but that case had caused her to step in. Strangely enough, she found the whole dynamic fascinating especially as the two parties became more and more emotional over each other's slights.
It might've seemed vain to the outside observer, but to Furina it was nothing short of proper entertainment. In the end, she had sided with the young man, giving some spiel about how one should be faithful to their partner or some such but truthfully, she couldn't have cared less about the result.
What she really had been in it for was the conflict which was what made up her love of trials itself. When one cast away all the grim circumstances, it was naught but a play put on by the most spectacular actors whose fate was never set in stone until the last moment.
Indeed, it was spellbinding in and of itself the tribulations between a man and a woman.
This, however, was mind-numbingly dull.
"Am I to understand, Mr. Carlyle, that you believe your partner, Mr. Brunswick swindled you out of your most recent business deal?" Neuvillette questioned from his high seat in upon the Oratrice.
"Absolutely!"
"He's lying!"
"Order!"
Furina rolled her eyes with a sigh, resting her chin upon a gloved hand as she fought a yawn. The sound of her trusted aide clearing her throat pointedly drew her attention for but a moment before she scoffed. "What?"
"Lady Furina, please do not make light of the matters playing out," Clorinde scolded her. "These are very serious allegations."
"Don't chastise me, Clorinde. Surely you aren't blind to how often this type of case plays out."
"That is hardly the point, my lady. As the Archon-"
"Do not tell me how to be a God, mortal," Furina hissed, stunning her stoic aide.
To her credit, Clorinde recovered her composure quickly and returned to facing forward, at attention. "I merely wish to remind you that you have an image to maintain, milady."
I don't need you to tell me that! Furina groused, glaring down at the stage.
On and on the two parties bickered with no real end in sight. The Chief Justice kept the peace but instead of keeping her entertained, all it did was frustrate the young Archon. She bit her lip, trying to force back a scowl even as her frustration mounted, like a coming tsunami.
Then, as if to drive her aggravations home, the voice of an insipid little man weaseled his voice into her mind.
"You only have yourselves to blame! You set up this ornate opera house in pursuit of your so-called justice, your beloved drama, while turning a blind eye to the suffering of the people!"
BAM!
"QUIET!"
The dull roar that had dominated the chamber was left stunned by the god's outburst, even more as she stormed up to the balcony to glare down at her Chief Justice. "I've heard enough of this prattle. It's clear that there will not be a decisive victor at this stage, therefore it falls to me to make the final choice."
"Lady Furina, please-"
"Silence, Chief Justice!" Furina shouted once more, causing a few in the audience to gasp at her audacity. "This circus has gone on long enough. Since you cannot make the choice, and the machine that I created can't even decide," she gestured angrily to the large scale that remained balanced, "then I shall make the decision for you!" Her eyes landed on Mr. Brunswick, pointing a gloved finger at him as though she wished to stab him with it. "You. Do you have any evidence to refute your partner's claims?"
"W-well no but-!"
"Then that's the end of it. Without evidence, there can be no defense and since there is no defense, this charade is POINTLESS! I hereby declare you guilty of all charges. GARDES!"
"W-wait, please my lady-!"
"ORDER!"
Neuvillette's voice boomed like the roar of a dragon, silencing the chaos that had been ready to boil over, bringing everything to a standstill. His gaze locked with Furina's and for the first time, the Hydro Archon realized she had overstepped her bounds. Nevertheless, she didn't shy away from that piercing stare and matched it with one of her own.
Finally, the Chief Justice spoke, his voice low and level. "Lady Furina. When you step into this court room, you pledge to abide by its rules that nobody, even this nation's ruler, is exempt from. I would ask you to remember that. That being said," he then turned to glance between the two disputing fronts briefly before going on, "perhaps a recess will encourage those affected here to come forth with new evidence to support their claims. Otherwise, this trial will not proceed – do I make myself clear?"
Not a single soul in that room dared to utter a word of defiance to the highest legal authority figure in the land, even Furina.
"Then we shall reconvene in one hour. Gardes, please see to the guests. Lady Furina," the Chief Justice called out to the archon on the balcony, "please remain where you are. I wish for us to share a few words."
There was little Furina could do but heed the man's words. What else was she to do? To storm out like this would've done nothing but cause another ruckus and Clorinde probably would've tried to stop her anyhow.
Soon, they were alone and Furina waited for the Chief Justice to speak his mind as she took a seat on her throne once more, an impassive look on her face.
Inwardly however, it was a much different story.
How could I breach court etiquette like that?! What was I thinking? M-maybe it's not too late. Maybe I can still escape-!
"Lady Furina."
It took all her strength not to flinch at the man's address of her, but she couldn't suppress the shiver that rolled down her spine.
"I have abided by your whims due to your station as this nation's ruler and thus far, your interferences have been minimal. The people even seem to delight in your meddling which is why I have allowed it to carry on until now. But let me be perfectly clear: in this room, you are the God of Justice and therefore will conduct yourself as such. I will not tolerate your immature behavior if it disrupts both these proceedings and to a lesser extent, the people's perspective of you. In respect to that, I feel I must remind you of a condition you set forth once I agreed to this position."
At this, Furina gradually paled.
No, he couldn't possibly be referring to-!
"…should your conduct become disruptive to egregious extents, I reserve the right to temporarily exile you from this opera house for the given day. By such authority, it is my decision to uphold this condition. Lady Clorinde, if you would."
Clorinde stepped forward, but not to grab Furina initially. "Sir, with respect, this decision seems too hasty. Lady Furina-!"
"-has given me this authority the day she instated me as Iudex of Fontaine, and she knows it."
"I know what I did, Neuvillette! But… but where am I supposed to sleep? This is my home!"
"I have the utmost confidence that you can reserve a room at the Hotel Debord for the evening. But for now, you shall be removed and not allowed to return until the day has passed," he answered matter of factly.
Furina stared helplessly at the judge for a long time before finally giving a scoff and whirling away, storming off. She didn't care to listen to Clorinde and Neuvillette's exchange, only focusing on making her way to the entrance of her opera house that she was now being exiled from.
What a joke.
Yet, there was nothing she could say and nor did she want to say anything. But the eyes that landed on her and the crowd's murmurs she heard as she practically stormed down the stairs and to the foyer only itched at her temperament, though Clorinde quickly arrived to keep her from exploding.
Though even that did little to help douse her outrage at this outcome.
"I will arrange to have the Gardes as an escort, milady," Clorinde was saying as they approached the door. "If you wish it, I may even-?"
"Oh spare me, Clorinde," Furina seethed, glaring at the captain of her retinue. "Am I but a child to you that needs supervision? Do you wish to hold my hand if it'll make you feel better?"
Clorinde remained silent, boring it with her usual stoicism.
How dreadfully dull. Part of her was hoping to at least get a rise out of the woman, if only so she wouldn't have to feel alone with this misery.
Shaking her head a bit, she faced the door and squared her shoulders. "No, I shall be fine on my own. Far be it from me to disappoint Monsieur Neuvillette if he has such a faith in my capabilities."
"My lady, forgive me but I must ask," Clorinde asked, stopping her reach for the door. "Is it really true what the Iudex said? That-?"
"That I established such a condition based on my behavior in the court?" Furina finished sourly. "What does it matter? I have made my bed and now I must sleep in it – literally. Now if there is nothing else, please carry out your orders, Champion Duelist."
"…very well. Please leave, Lady Furina."
She had expected the words, but to hear them still stung her something fierce though she refused to let it show on her face. She'd be damned if she allowed herself any other unsightly displays for the public to see.
All the same, Furina, Hydro Archon, stepped out of her domain and into the wide world beyond, blinded briefly by the bright sun. And as the doors shut firmly behind her, the young ruler let out a silent but heavy sigh, turning to the Fountain of Lucine…
…and found a certain blond-haired young man making his way towards her with his white-clad companion.
Being thrown out of her own castle was one thing, even if she had been the one to technically do it. But having to deal with the one who had made an utter mockery of her in front of her subjects was too much to bear.
Well, if she was going to suffer indignities, then she would not be alone in her misery, oh no. It was high time this neophyte learned once and for all who he truly was trifling with! It was time for a reckoning!
Thus, mustering up all the dignity she had left, the god known as Focalors gestured to the approaching Traveler and called out. "Traveler, today you shall be my servant!"
I finally got this irritating thought out of my head, but it's not over yet. That said, this is just a taste of what's to come. A lot can happen in a day after all and I've got a ton of interesting things lined up for these two (well three, if you count Paimon). If you want more, be sure to review and let me know your thoughts on how I can improve.
Till then,
Take care.
