Scene I: 'The world is but a stage.'
Furina wept, as she had every night for the past one hundred years.
In truth, she may have done so for much longer, but by the time something becomes routine one stops keeping track. Burying her face in tear-soaked pillows now came as naturally as eating or breathing, not that anyone else would ever know about it.
After all, the world was her stage, and she, Furina de Fontaine, was the lead actress in the greatest opera ever conceived.
She was fated to try her best every single day, only to have those she suffered for see a vain, conceited and lazy excuse for an archon in her place.
Never would they see the person behind the character, but then, was that not a fair price to pay?
It didn't matter that it hurt.
It didn't matter because as long as Furina played her part, there was a chance that Fontaine might be saved.
"Do you know what the greatest flaw of mankind is?"
A foreign lady's words came to mind, the memory sending shivers down her spine. Even now she wasn't entirely sure who that woman had been, only that there was more to her than met the eye.
"N- No..?" she'd responded, trepidation rising.
"It's simple, really. You never know when to be content with your lot."
The conversation reminded her of her run-in with the Knave, only somehow it played out even worse. What had the woman meant? Did she know? Her words implied Furina to be human, and more perplexingly, that she herself was not.
Thoughts running wild, Furina conjured ever-worsening scenarios, unable to stop from falling into a terrible nightmare. In it, the mysterious woman revealed herself to be an agent of the gods, all the while taunting her about the inevitability of the prophecy.
At least the maids come morning would pretend not to notice all the pillows torn to shreds, stuffing spread out across the room while she laid in a pool of her own sweat.
It wouldn't be the first time such a thing occurred.
Scene II: 'Why cry, when you can laugh instead?'
The legendary blond traveler was nothing like Furina had imagined.
To be fair, the Steambird wrote more of his exploits than his appearance, but she'd still expected him to be a little taller. His small companion, on the other hand, fit pretty much every description made available to her.
The more devious part of her mind was already coming up with a plan to ensnare them, when a third entity stepped out of their ship. It was a beautiful, regal lady, with violet hair so long it would've reached her ankles were it not tied up in a ponytail.
"Eh..?" she mumbled to herself, "Who's that?"
The woman looked Inazuman, but the dress she wore was perfectly suited for the harsh desert climate of Sumeru.
"Did you say something, Lady Furina?" asked Clorinde, the champion duelist serving as her escort.
"Huh- What? I mean- not at all! You must be imagining things, my dear Clorinde! Ahaha…"
She looked on, entranced, as the Traveler held out his arm for the woman to take. Her rather stone-faced expression softened in an instant, replaced by happiness so great it bordered on bliss. Honestly, it was enough to make Furina blush, and she'd witnessed some brazen shows of affection over the years.
"Lady Furina, you're staring. People are beginning to notice."
It was true, and Furina's eyes widened at the crowd that had gathered at the bottom of the pier, fingers pointing in her direction without a hint of shame.
"Gah!" she exclaimed, coughing into her hand, "Y- You should've said something earlier, Clorinde!"
Her bodyguard remained silent, betraying nothing of her thoughts.
"No matter. It is only natural that the people's attention be drawn towards their god, isn't it? Yes, that's right! It cannot be helped!"
The lump in her throat refused to leave, however, stubbornly persisting while Furina introduced herself. Her eyes locked briefly with the Traveler's, and the lump grew exponentially.
He didn't look impressed.
Even his fairy companion had her hands against her sides, head tilted awkwardly as though struggling to come to terms with what she was seeing.
Worst of all, the violet-haired lady wasn't even paying any attention, preferring to stare into the horizon. Had she truly made such a poor first impression that she wasn't even worth looking upon?
"Ahahaha!" she laughed, masking the embarrassment she felt over the situation.
Sometimes, privately, Furina wondered if she was descending into madness, succumbing to fits of laughter whenever things didn't go her way.
"What's with the looks on your faces, my esteemed guests? Have your deeds and adventures dulled your senses such that even a god's welcome is considered un événement quotidien?"
"Uh…" the fairy began, her high-pitched voice carried all the way to the top of the crate Furina had made her impromptu podium.
"Paimon doesn't know what that means, but probably… yes?"
"Aha! Well, that won't do at all! Look, even the crowd is growing rowdy! Indeed, as Fontaine's archon and the God of Justice, I cannot let stand such a slight!"
Raising a dainty, gloved hand, Furina reached out towards the Traveler.
"I challenge thee, traveler from afar, to a duel!"
The Traveler raised an eyebrow, and finally, the woman beside him displayed some sort of reaction too.
The most intense pair of eyes bored into her own, sending a jolt through her body akin to a lightning strike. Suddenly, she felt as though she'd made the worst decision of her life, cursing her impulsive nature and fear of disappointing the masses.
Furina's heart pounded furiously, threatening to burst out of her chest, and before she knew it the tip of a blade was pointed her way.
"Bring it on."
"Y- You're not… afraid?" she stammered, "Ahem! Might I remind you that this is a duel against the divine!"
"Oh, I'm aware. I've taken on your kind before... I even have a resumé."
A wave of gasps went through the crowd, equal parts excited and terrified.
Furina, who'd no intention of engaging in any sort of physical confrontation, least of all a duel, was beginning to panic.
If only Neuvillette were here, she thought - he'd surely devise some way out of the mess she'd created for herself. Alas, her old friend was far away, nose-deep in some document or other and preparing for the next trial.
Trial.
Furina's eyes landed upon the floating fairy, her tiny head shifting back and forth between the Traveler and herself.
"Ahahahaha!"
Scene III: 'For laughter is humanity's preserve.'
In the Palais Mermonia, Furina had spent the last hour and a half conversing amiably with Neuvillette - which in other words meant she'd been venting her frustrations while he listened on patiently.
"A maid, you say? A maid?! I refuse to believe it, Neuvillette - there's no way someone that frightening- I mean, f- formidable! Yes, there's no way someone that formidable could be a simple maid!"
Neuvillette gave a refined shrug in response.
"The Marechaussee Phantom has yet to lead us astray, Lady Furina. In fact, we ought to consider ourselves fortunate. They claim it is pure happenstance that allowed them to identify your person of interest."
"How so?"
"One of the guards brought in for questioning was stationed at the harbor a few weeks ago. He recognized this maid as a visitor from Mondstadt, one Rosa Starfell."
A strange sense of familiarity welled up inside her, though Furina couldn't quite fathom why.
"Rosa… Starfell."
"Indeed - and it would seem your hunch was not entirely without merit, if the Melusines' description of Miss Starfell is anything to go by."
Neuvillette cupped his chin, looking as though he'd found a particularly complicated puzzle to solve.
"They say that within her rages a firestorm, one so bright and hot that given the chance it would burn the entire world to ash."
Furina gasped, quickly covering her lips with the palm of her hand.
"S- Surely you jest, Neuvillette?"
"I'm afraid not. However, I do not believe this to be cause for concern. You see, another important piece of information gleaned has do to with Miss Starfell's loyalties, which coincidentally lie with none other than the Traveler himself."
"What?!"
When Neuvillette revealed that the woman from her nightmares was the Traveler's personal maid, Furina's mind spun like a top.
Why would he ever associate with someone as terrifying as her, and why would she ever settle for becoming somebody's maid?
Unless, of course, it was all a façade.
She shook her head clear - the fact remained that they knew each other, and had to be working in tandem. Therefore, Furina could only surmise that the Traveler was spying on her, which in itself posed quite the dilemma.
What could he possibly want from her?
She knew he was on some sort of quest leading him to every corner of Teyvat, though not to which end. He was in search of the archons, had presumably met a few of them already - even fought against them if his words were to be believed.
There was no reason not to.
He'd already proven himself honest and just, helping solve an awful, long-standing case of kidnapping and murder in a matter of days.
Did he expect something in return?
"Anyhow…" continued Furina, already dreading the answer to her next question, "What about the other one?"
Neuvillette grew even more pensive, a sign she'd come to realize meant the Iudex felt exceedingly uncomfortable.
"Ah, that one. While I do not believe she bears any ill intentions towards us, I cannot help but feel wary in her presence."
"What do you mean?"
"Official documents confirm her to be Narukami Ei, an Inazuman adventurer and wielder of the electro element."
"Well, that doesn't sound too bad-"
"As you know, my affinity towards the elements is greater than most, and when I look at Narukami Ei… I do not see one, singular vision-bearer."
Neuvillette looked straight into her eyes, more serious than she'd ever seen him before.
"I see many hundreds, if not thousands of them."
Furina gaped.
"Uh- erm- eh… hehehe… ahahahaha!"
Neuvillette stared at her.
"Did I say something amusing?"
Scene IV: 'Laugh it all off, fret not.'
Late one night, Furina decided to sneak outside for a walk.
She should've known better, but then, what were the odds of getting caught off-guard a third time? The Court of Fontaine had been her home for half a millennia, and god or not there were few people that knew the ins and outs of her city like she did.
She knew of every nook and cranny, every dark alleyway and every hidden shortcut - some constructed by her own design. Even in the unlikely event that someone attempted to chase her down, Furina was sure she'd make it out unscathed.
"…something wrong with her."
Furina froze in place, a chill running down her spine at the muffled yet familiar tone.
On most nights, Café Lutece would be all but abandoned at this hour. The last few guests should've left by midnight, tables cleaned and chairs folded neatly in preparation of tomorrow's service.
Why then, did that maid have to show up here of all places?
"That's a little harsh, don't you think?"
She didn't dare step any closer, but recognized the Traveler's voice nonetheless. It wasn't too surprising given Neuvillette's reports and her own suspicions, yet for some reason Furina couldn't shake the sudden feeling of betrayal.
"She doesn't strike me as a god at all," the maid rebutted, "Not even the Anemo Archon is so… useless."
Furina realized they were talking about her, each word that escaped the maid's lips a sharp knife stabbing at her heart.
"You sound like the Knave."
The woman actually growled at that.
"Don't compare me to that maniac," she hissed, "And didn't I tell you to stay away from her?"
"I tried," said the Traveler, "But one thing led to the other, and suddenly we were all chatting over a nice cup of tea."
"Ugh..."
"In any case, you're wrong. You weren't there - you didn't see the way she looked. Furina might be different… but I don't doubt her conviction."
He believed in her?
"No doubt the little thing wishes to thwart the prophecy," the maid drawled, "If only that were enough to accomplish such a task."
"Isn't it?"
"She's not like you- like us."
The Traveler made an amused sound, a short laugh escaping his throat.
"It's not just you and I that have the right. No future is truly set in stone."
Furina held her breath, inching ever closer to the conversing pair. A low, well-trimmed hedge was the only thing keeping her out of view, and the slightest sound would give her away.
"You mean-"
"Mhm…" the Traveler hummed, neither in acknowledgement or denial, "Like the newly-birthed star named Rosa, hope can always be found in the unwritten."
A million different emotions raced through her body, her mind working frantically to make sense of those enigmatic words.
"For now, we need only play our part."
He made it sound so easy.
Even if he was right, Furina didn't know how much longer she could laugh her sorrows away.
Scene V: 'Let's just enjoy the moment.'
"I can't tell you."
It didn't matter that he stood before her, somehow making it past the impenetrable fortress that was her mind.
Her secret was hers alone, never to be revealed.
Not now, not ever, and not to anyone - not even to this man from another world, whom the gods' gaze did not reach.
"Furina-"
It didn't matter that it hurt.
"Please, I- I just… I just can't do it."
"You misunderstand. That's not what I'm here for."
Furina kept her eyes pressed shut, not about to fall for more of the Traveler's honeyed words. She'd nearly broken her promise already, the thought of sharing her burden so tempting, so enticing, that five hundred years of suffering almost came undone in an instant.
"You've made yourself clear, Traveler. Not only in Poisson, but also during my trial. I've nothing else to say to you."
"Then… don't."
A pair of fingers brushed against her own, and her eyes shot wide open.
The Traveler took her hand, and while a layer of silk and leather dulled his touch, she could still feel the warmth from his fingertips. For some reason, the thought to pull away never crossed Furina's mind.
"Confide in me."
"B- But-"
"No words," he said, pressing a finger against his lips, "No secrets."
He stood only a head taller than her, but in that moment Furina may as well have been staring up Dragonspine itself.
Her lips moved, but not a sound came out.
She didn't even notice when the first tear trickled down her cheek.
"It's okay," whispered the Traveler, "There's no need to keep on laughing here."
His words cut straight to her heart, and Furina stumbled, knees about to give way when he took her into his arms. As though he were one of her pillows, she buried her face into the crook of his neck and cried, longer and harder than ever before.
"There you go," he murmured, rocking her gently from side to side, "Let it all out."
An anguished, melancholy wail echoed throughout the hall, centuries of loneliness and pain pouring out of her tortured soul.
She didn't even know how long they stood there, alone in each other's arms at the center of the stage. All she knew was that a massive weight lifted from her shoulders, her sobs slowly but surely subsiding.
"Everything will be all right."
Furina found that she believed him, surprising herself by letting out a giggle. It was an awkward sound, far removed from her usual boisterous laughter, yet all the more genuine for it.
"How long I've waited to hear those words."
The Traveler held her tighter in response, his warmth increasing tenfold.
"You're warm," she said, resting her head against his chest, "I can hear your heartbeat, too. It's… a little strange."
"What if I told you it's not a heart at all, but a tiny star pumping light all around my body."
"…"
"Just kidding."
Furina giggled again, amused by this silly, unexpected side of his. A star for a heart - how did you even make up something like that?
"Say, Traveler… will you dance with me?"
For a moment he looked surprised, worried even, but eventually a soft smile broke out across his face.
"I'd like to say that Ei wouldn't mind, but she would."
So that woman was his lover, after all - just like she'd suspected.
"Ei doesn't need to know."
"Oh dear," he muttered, "This doesn't bode well at all."
Much to her joy he took the proffered hand nonetheless, falling into step when she began a slow waltz. He was clearly an amateur, but Furina could tell that someone had instructed him on the basics at least a handful of times.
All in all, it was pleasant, and she couldn't think of anyone else with whom to share her first duet.
"C- Could you say it again, please?"
"Hm? Oh... of course."
Golden eyes met blue, shining with such understanding that it nearly brought her back to tears.
"Everything will be all right."
"Merci, mon étoile."