TAGS: Graphic Depictions of Violence – Major Character Injury – Angst – Hurt/Comfort – Mutual Pining
••••••••
The trial has been ongoing for an hour by this point.
The defendant, Andre Monet, has been accused of laundering money acquired through a trust fund meant to help his struggling business to Liyue Harbour. The prosecuting party, a young couple who also donated a considerable sum of mora and were informed of these underhanded dealings, are convinced the man is guilty.
"You told us the finances would all go into the business, and I trusted you because you were an old friend of the family!" Mr. Julien exclaims for the umpteenth time that hour, bubbling with a rage that is poorly concealed.
"And I never lied to you! Your generous funding helped alleviate many costs of maintaining the capital and lands, and I had full intentions to return the mora to you once I made a profit. You just have to believe me!" Andre is desperate, she can tell.
The guilty usually become distressed when they begin to realize that the judgements are not in their favour. And the public opinion is certainly stacked against the man. The audience jeers and calls for an end to a trial they already know is solved.
The Oratrice pulses as it weighs on the side of the prosecution. Furina looks at the time at the great clock overhead and knows the day is at its end.
"Order."
Iudex Neuvillette's voice thunders across the Opera House and all occupants immediately fall silent. They would dare not speak out of turn when he is the one ordering it.
"Mr. Andre, if you fail to provide sufficient evidence against the claims of the prosecution, the trial will enter into its next stage." He speaks not unkindly but there is no trace of emotion behind the words. Andre, for his part, admits defeat as his shoulders slump and he fixes his stare into the ground at his seat.
Neuvillette waits for a last-minute rebuttal, he always does before a guilty verdict, and when none comes, he clears his throat.
"Following the accusations against Mr. Andre Monet, for the laundering of money into another nation, and in light of the proven evidence, the defendant is declared guilty. We will now turn to the Oratrice Mecanique D'Analyse Cardinale for the final verdict to this case."
Furina watches distantly as the lights in the Opera House come to life, spurred on by the great device that has remained a mystery to her even after two centuries of being the Archon. Despite its dubious origins, ones that Mirror-her did not explain to her (only its purpose of producing Indemnitium), the machine has never given a verdict that differs from the Chief Justice, and that is enough to satisfy Furina.
Neuvillette picks out the piece of paper the device produces and she takes the neutral expression on his face as confirmation that yet another trial has concluded without an issue.
"According to the judgement of the Oratrice Mecanique D'Analyse Cardinale, the defendant, Mr. Andre, is guilty. He will receive a sentence of ten years in the Fortress of Meropide."
Andre is subdued as the sentence is spoken and does not resist the Gardes that come up to take him away. He leaves the defendant's seat with a downtrodden posture, likely never to be seen again.
The audience has already started vacating their seats, and Furina does the same, gesturing to her bodyguard her desire to leave as well. Neuvillette, on the other hand, lingers at his Judge's seat, a severe frown on his face. Normally, this is nothing to be concerned about, the dragon is always frowning to some extent, but she thinks there is something bothering him this time.
Furina scatters the thought away and makes her way out of her seat to the backdoors of the Opera House. She supposes it will be a long ride back to Palais Mermonia if Neuvillette will remain so stilted the whole way.
She arrives at their private aquabus station approximately ten minutes before the first signs of the Iudex indicate he did indeed remember to vacate his seat instead of stay there the entire night.
"A Mora for your thoughts, dear Iudex?" Furina asks as they settle in, opposite each other in the covered mode of transport. Outside, Aeval pilots the aquabus. Neuvillette usually prefers the Melusine on duty to ride inside with them but it seems he's so preoccupied with his thoughts his body is operating on autopilot.
"I do not currently have any need for Mora, Lady Furina." He responds with a straight face and an intense look in his eyes.
"It's an expression…" Furina sighs, shaking her head. This interaction between them is nothing new. "I was asking what is on your mind. You seem distracted."
"Ah, I see." A subtle undertone of red colours his pale cheeks before he leans back against his seat, chin resting on his hand. "I could not help but feel there was something…off during this trial."
"Oh? Like what?" Furina is curious because she did not notice anything untoward, especially since the evidence was so clearly stacked against the defendant, and none of his alibis proved reliable.
"It felt…too easy. Normally, criminals involved in crimes such as money laundering present themselves with more confidence and a certain level of evasiveness, yet Mr. Andre showed neither of those. He seemed completely stumped." Neuvillette stares into the floor of the aquabus as he speaks, his aura growing ever bleaker.
"Perhaps he simply got lucky? He obtained those funds from trusted friends, who would be less likely to follow up on how they were put to use as opposed to our public service department." Furina reasons, though she supposes Neuvillette has already considered all this. His instincts must be picking up on something else.
"I did consider that, but even then, to have all his alibis completely torn apart is unprecedented. He is not the cunning sort, yes, but a true criminal always carries a sense of self-preservation while they commit their deeds." His eye brows are stuck to the centre of his forehead by this point.
"In that case, why don't you launch further investigation into the matter? If your gut feelings tell you something is amiss, then you should follow them." Furina suggests, smiling when he looks up at her with a hint of surprise.
"You make a good point, Lady Furina. I will promptly start working on it."
And Furina thinks that is the end of that.
⁕⁕⁕
It starts as just another regular day.
Furina rises early with the sun and begins her routine. First order of business is getting dressed and spending an hour with Madame Crabaletta, Gentilhomme Usher, and Surintendante Chevalmarin. The Salon members get bored if she is away for extended periods of time, so she makes sure to set times throughout the day just for them. Chevalmerain is all too happy to slot in these relaxing times no matter how packed her schedule is.
Next, she has breakfast with Neuvillette in the dining hall of the Palais Mermonia. The Iudex looks positively bereft of any sleep, the lines under his eyes even more pronounced than usual. He lingers on his bites and does not seem interested in engaging in conversation himself.
Furina, of course, takes it as a sign to assume the driver's seat.
"Another long night, my dear Iudex?" She asks with a hint of concern. She knows he will not notice any slip-ups when he is already so distracted. To confirm her point, he looks surprised at her question, as if he has forgotten that she was sitting at the table too.
She will forgive that indecency depending on his answer.
"Ah, yes. My apologies, Lady Furina. I find myself lacking today." He speaks softly, sighing as he takes another sip of water from his fancy goblet. His Consomme remains mostly untouched, which means he must be more troubled than he usually gets with overwhelming paperwork and sleep deprivation.
"You should pace yourself, you know. The Iudex has a lot of important duties, yes, but how will he fulfil them if he does not take care of himself?" She means every word of it, allowing a sternness to slip into her saccharine tone.
Neuvillette considers her for a moment, glancing sideways, and he looks as if he wants to say something. Furina waits patiently, wondering what could possibly be on his mind that has him so disturbed, but then he simply nods his head and focuses on his food.
"Of course, my Lady. Thank you for your concern."
Furina purses her lips, tightly gripping onto her utensils, staring at the man who deliberately avoids looking back up. She takes a deep breath, and heeds her own advice, loosening her hold on the fork and spoon. After all, she has secrets of her own, and she will not probe where she is not invited first hand.
He must have been awake the whole night looking into the case of Mr. Andre for whatever reason. Of course he had. She really should have waited until today to suggest further investigation into it. She does not see why the matter must be kept a secret from her, though.
They have known each other for two centuries, but sometimes, it still seems as if they only met a week ago, strangers that just happen to live in the same palace.
After breakfast, Neuvillette excuses himself to his office, leaving behind a half-finished bowl of Consomme, and Furina starts preparing herself for the first appointment she has before the morning trials begin.
Mademoiselle Elise is an elderly woman who lives in the middle levels of the Court of Fontaine. She has lived alone ever since her husband passed away a year ago, and her only son was convicted just yesterday for laundering money to Liyue. A ten year sentence to the Fortress of Meropide and the dissolution of his small-time business were deemed as appropriate punishment.
Furina is trained to recognize signs of anomalies, she had to be to make up for her lack of divinity, but she senses nothing untoward in this case. After all, this appointment has been made months in advance, and she highly doubts this is anything but chance.
She prepares like it is any other meeting, and warmly greets the lady when she is ushered in by Rosalind the attendant.
"Welcome, Mademoiselle Elise! I hope you will find this meeting to your liking, just as I do." Furina observes the wrinkles on the woman's face as she smiles, sees her dimmed brown eyes, the bend in her posture, and almost forgets that she is older than this human, who is both free of a curse and bound to another one.
"It is an honour to finally meet you, Lady Furina." Elise smiles, her smile warm and amiable. "Forgive me if I cannot extend the courtesy of bowing to you as one should. These old bones are not so agreeable these days."
"Do not fret, dearest! I am most moved when the elders of my people desire to meet me as well. It is not often that I get to mingle among the wise." Furina gestures towards the chair for Elise to sit in, and only takes her own spot on her sofa once the older lady is settled.
"You flatter me, my Lady. An Archon such as yourself is wiser beyond all our years combined." Elise smiles even as her eyes stare downward. "In honesty, I am grateful to still have the opportunity to meet you. My son…" Her eyes closed in regret, and her shoulders seem to weigh heavier than before.
"Yes, I remember yesterday's happenings, but I do not recall seeing you at the trial." Furina dares not assume anything. Despite her disconnection, she is all too aware that family is a sensitive topic among the humans.
"It was all so sudden, you see. Andre has always been an impulsive person, ever since he was a child. He did not even see it fit to inform me of his trial, and I only became aware of it through my neighbours." Elise sighs, curling her hands together in her lap.
"I have no objections, however. I know the Chief Justice is a fair man, and that my son must truly have been guilty of his accused crimes." The resignation in her voice is downtrodden, and Furina feels it drag her down as well. Soothing words of comfort are on her lips, waiting to be imparted, before the woman seems to realize the drop in the mood.
"Oh, I apologize for bringing the mood down so much. This is not why I wanted to meet you all this time. Please do not worry about it, Lady Furina."
And Furina lets the matter go with an easy smile. Suddenly, she feels grateful to her past self for urging Neuvillette to keep pursuing this case. It will bring them both comfort to know they did not wrongfully accuse an innocent man. And if it turns out Andre was not, in fact, guilty then they will have avoided separating him from his elderly mother.
Though, that would open a whole other can of worms regarding the evidence that had been presented in court.
Their discussion moves to more pleasant avenues after that. Elise is an open woman; she talks about everything from the recent weather to the workings of the various factions in Fontaine.
"I used to work in the Maison Gestion when I was younger. Nothing special, just a regular desk job and managing everyday files." Her soulful brown eyes are staring past Furina to the lines of bookshelves behind her. "It paid very well and my family was not left wanting for anything. My husband was unable to work manual jobs, you see, and his lack of formal education hindered him greatly. I am truly grateful to have been able to raise my children in a stable way."
Furina smiles in response; hearing stories like this warms her heart, lets her know that Fontaine is doing alright beneath the surface of her deception. In a sea of people coming to her with frivolities and mundane requests, someone like this occasionally comes along and it is everything she could ask for.
"I am glad to hear that. I endeavour to make Fontaine viable for all who reside within its borders."
Elise nods in gracious acknowledgement and her gaze falls to her lap once more. "I of course worry, sometimes. Even more so after yesterday. About my daughter."
"I would be more than happy to hear your concerns." Furina soothes. Her persona as an eccentric Archon tends to slip up in front of certain people, ones she knows understand she is not as she presents herself.
"It is nothing I truly know about, I'm afraid. She has been mixed up with odd crowds ever since she matured into a teenager, and she had a tendency to try and keep her younger brother out of the loop. I only fear Camille may get into something too large for her." Elise confesses. They are the words of a parent who does not have the strength to keep them in any longer.
"I only regret that I did not do more to help her when it mattered."
"It is never too late, my dear," Furina speaks softly. For a mortal, every delay is a breath closer to death, of affairs left unsettled. "The manner in which you can help may have changed, but I am sure she would be responsive to any effort you showed."
"You speak truthfully, Lady Furina. In honesty, one of the reasons I have wanted to meet you for so long was indeed to gain insight in matters that have long since plagued me. I am grateful for this opportunity." Elise beams, her wizened face stretching in a radiant smile.
The rest of the hour is just as pleasant as the first few, and before long, it is time for Madame Elise to depart.
"Allow me to see you out, Mademoiselle," Furina offers, standing before her guest can. "I will not accept anything else."
"Well, if you must insist. It is an honour, my Lady."
On the way out, they are greeted by passing employees of both the Maison Gestion and Ordalie. When they reach the waiting room, a woman approaches them, standing out thanks to her clothes.
Her long flowing brown hair are settled with a black tophat, her striking gray eyes accentuated by the lighting in the hall. An Electro vision rests on her shoulder pad, securely strapped alongside the handle of the sharp blade which stands beside her neck, ready to be drawn.
Elise brightens immediately upon seeing the young woman and her steps become more excited. The woman, who Furina assumes to be Camille, smiles at her mother though her eyes linger on Furina for longer than expected.
"Camille dear! I did not expect to see you here." Elise hugs her daughter with enthusiasm, her positivity radiating from her form.
"I remembered you had an appointment with Lady Furina today, maman, so I thought I should personally come to pick you." Camille accepts the hug with genuine grace. "It is an honour to see the Archon in person outside of court."
The brunette bows once the hug ends, her piercing eyes looking at Furina from underneath the lashes. Despite her sweet tone, there is something that grates Furina's nerves. It itches in her skull and takes hold in her throat. She suppresses it with a lighthearted chuckle.
"And it was my pleasure to meet with Mademoiselle Elise. I would be delighted if you considered coming to visit again." She turns to the elder woman, who clasps her hands together in joyful agreement.
Furina watches her daughter from the corner of her eyes and spots the delicate frown that settles on her face, though it disappears within seconds. Most intriguing.
"I will look forward to that time, Lady Furina. Thank you so much for your hospitality." Elise bows before mother and daughter depart from the Palais together. Furina lingers in the waiting room, watching them go.
"Lady Furina, the Iudex is waiting for you in his office. The private aquabus is ready to receive you." The Archon looks behind in the main hall of the Palais, seeing Sedene scurrying off with paperwork towards the upper floors. Gestaionnaires step aside to give her passage, their own files dangling in their arms. It is always a bustling rush in the morning in the Palais.
Furina heeds the Melusine's words and makes her way to Neuvillette's office, not bothering to knock. Contrary to Sedene's words, the Iudex is not, in fact, ready. He is glaring into the files on his desk, so concentrated that he does not even seem to notice her loud steps towards the table.
It is only when she stands opposite, with her shadow casting down on the papers, does he realize he has a visitor.
"Lady Furina." He stands hastily, on attention despite the many times she has told him not to bother doing so. "Is it already time for us to depart?"
She watches him intently, notices the droop in his shoulders, the bags underneath his eyes, and purses her lips. His hair is slightly unkempt, many locks slipping out of the loose bow that usually ties it elegantly at the end tips.
"It was," she affirms, and holds a hand up to stop him when he begins to gather his things. He looks questioningly at her, pausing. "First, we must fix your appearance. The people will immediately latch onto the fact that their Iudex looks like he has not slept in a week."
Neuvillette, bless his heart, drops the file he has picked and starts looking over his clothes which are, of course, in pristine condition. "Oh, sit down, will you? It's your hair that's frazzled."
"My Lady, I do not think you should be attending to such a mundane task. I can see to it myself," he protests, helplessly watching as Furina digs out the hairbrush from one of the tables on the corner.
"Sedene is preoccupied right now, and do not think I am unaware that you cannot replicate the little bow your daughters make for you everyday on your own." She smiles as he sighs in defeat, vacating his spot at his desk chair and walking towards the fancy sofa on the left.
Neuvillette sits sideways, allowing Furina full access to his long hair as she unties the bow and begins her work. She takes off her gloves and gently gathers the luscious locks in her hand, running the brush down from the top to the end.
The smooth texture is a comfort to hold, and soft enough that the brush slides unimpeded, straightening the rebellious strands immediately. Even though she does not lean in too close, Neuvillette's scent reaches her nose - a sweet fragrance carrying the morning dew and faint cologne.
"So, how did the investigation into Mr. Andre's case go?" Furina asks to break the silence, mostly to suppress the distraction she recognized she was feeling.
"Not well, I'm afraid. His two business partners, who also testified against him in court, do not appear to have any shady dealings, and Mr. Andre was not approached by untoward individuals hoping to exploit him. It appears my instincts were wrong."
That is a shame, Furina laments. "Perhaps it will need more fieldwork rather than sifting through papers. If there truly is a hidden layer to this case, it has been concealed well in the usual channels." She offers, still.
It is odd. Normally, she would not take an interest in such a circumstance, but meeting Madame Elise, coupled with Neuvillette's own misgivings, she feels it is worth pursuing.
"I will take that into consideration, Lady Furina." He acquiesces.
She gathers the locks into her hands at the tips, making sure to mimic the usual flowing arrangement that has become characteristic of Neuvillette, and neatly ties the ribbon into a bow.
"There, good as new!" Furina exalts.
"You have my thanks, Lady Furina." Neuvillette smiles as he makes to stand back up.
"Nuh-uh, I didn't say I was done yet," she chides, pushing him back down with her hands on his shoulders. He looks at her in confusion.
"We still have the make-up to do." She explains, walking to his office desk and rummaging through the drawers.
"I already had it done this morning. Are we not running late now, Lady Furina?" Neuvillette asks with a sigh but makes no move to slip outside the door.
"Being fashionably late is all the rage these days, no need to worry. Ah, here it is!" Furina grabs hold of the eye cream from the range of makeup products she personally set.
"You forgot to get your eye cream done." She informs with a smirk, twirling the item in her fingers.
"It has been a busy day…" Neuvillette concedes, sounding like the day has already ended instead of just having started.
"Consider this a lesson to always get your eight hours, hm?" Furina chuckles, leaning in front of him and applying the cream on her fingers before gently smearing it under his eyes.
Neuvillette gives a non-committal hum in response, violet eyes closing as she works. In the silence, there is a sense of peaceful repose. Minutes pass as Furina creates a blend that matches with his skin tone.
"And voilà! Très bien !" She exclaims once she is done, but the moment she leans back to her full height, Neuvillette pitches sideways without restraint.
Furina yelps as she catches him by the shoulders, which in turn causes him to jolt into awareness and shoot up to his feet, almost causing the Archon to fall down instead.
They stare at each other for a few moments before Furina places her hands on her hips with a pout.
"That is the second transgression you have committed against me today! I expect compensation for this!" She declares, spinning on her feet, collecting her gloves from the sofa, and then walking out of the office with a spring in her step.
She tries not to think that Neuvillette looked almost adorable while being overtaken by sleep.
⁕⁕⁕
The ride on the aquabus is a silent affair. Neuvillette tries not to fall asleep the entire way through while Furina watches in both amusement and bemusement.
She considers telling him to rest up while he can, but then remembers the two times he ignored (unintentionally) her presence and decides not to. Elphane takes over and proceeds to keep the Iudex engaged in conversation instead.
The first trial of the day concerns a theft case. The accused was found stealing precious items from an art museum and, as there were multiple witnesses present, his pitiful attempt at a defense is immediately shot down by the prosecution.
The entire day's worth of trials are similarly uneventful, with routine charges and routine sentences. It is a boon for Neuvillette, who looks like he is about to fall apart any second now, but Furina is bored to her core, and wishes some excitement would spark life into the Opera.
By the time the final trial concludes, the sun has already disappeared into the horizon and the black hues of the night are starting to blot out the orange sky. Furina takes a moment to notice how frazzled Neuvillette looks though she notes rather proudly that his hair is still in the setting she arranged for him in the morning.
They exit the Opera Epiclese through the front doors; Aefie sees them off with a well wished night, and the atmosphere seems pleasant enough, people starting to retire to their homes. Despite the untouchable figures that the Archon and her Iudex pose to the mortals, members of the Gardes still accompany them to the aquabus in Marcotte Station.
By the Fountain of Lucine, a group of humans are gathered, along with Veleda and Blathine. They are focused on their fellow peers, interested in what is being said. Furina recognizes one of the mortals as Camille herself, the one who is speaking.
The brunette catches sight of the Archon, though instead of a greeting or a smile, an unnerving flash crosses through her cloudy gaze. All hell breaks loose after that.
What was a relatively quiet street is turned into a cesspool of people, most of them being dragged along by others. They converge from all three directions towards the Fountain where Furina has frozen to her spot, Neuvillette right beside her.
"What is the meaning of this?" She questions, grabbing the anxiety clawing at her throat and shoving it down. The authority in her voice is still shaky and Camille steps forward in response. Veleda and Blathine look in alarm at the sudden shift in the environment, but they have nowhere to go, boxed in as they are around the group of people, all of whom seem involved in this scheme.
The threat is clear, and Neuvillette wisely holds back against lashing out for the time being. He does step in front of Furina and glare the woman down.
"I think the people are simply not happy. Is it not obvious, Lady Furina?" The Electro vision wielder replies, gesturing towards the hordes of people around them, the crowd growing increasingly agitated. Dissent quickly rises among them, cries for injustice being delivered against them.
"What game are you playing?" Neuvillette hisses. Suddenly, the normal, uneventful, day has transformed into something both unusual and undesirable. It's a cliche if Furina has ever seen one, and she has seen countless in her long life.
"You may not have realized from your chair high in the operahouse, Iudex, but the common folk have been suffering at the hands of the ruling elite for a long time." Camille responds with a calculated step forward. It's not close enough for Neuvillette to attack her without immediately putting the two Melusines in danger but it is also not far enough away to not unnerve Furina.
"If this is about your brother, Madame, you would have been assured in knowing we were already conducting further private investigations into the matter." She speaks with a disappointed flare in her tone. Her performance must not falter, and a god would not succumb to such a miniscule pressure.
"Even if that were the case, Andre was but one victim of the justice this nation upholds." Camille sneers, bringing her hand around to the hilt of the sword clinging to the back of her shoulder. "The people have had enough."
Furina startles at the first droplet of water that lands on her shoulder, her eyes lifting up to the sky as the rain begins to fall in earnest. She glances at Neuvillette, but he is silent. His silence was never enough to conceal his feelings.
The Gardes are outnumbered as they try and fail to subdue the increasing number of people, all indistinguishable between instigator and innocent. This plan must have been in the works for a long time with how meticulously it has been conducted.
"I have no quarrel with these Melusines," Camille states, striding towards them. The sword in her hand crackles with Electro, the element sparkling from the reaction with the rain. "They were simply insurance."
Veleda looks at the woman with a glare while Blathine holds her sister's shoulder and tries to make them appear as big as possible. Furina dares not utter a word.
The falling droplets suddenly stop, frozen in mid-air. It is impossible for everyone present not to get distracted by that fact, and that is exactly what Neuvillette counts on. He surges forth in a flash, the pitter-patter resuming after the brief pause.
He doesn't bother with the Electro user and instead carries the two Melusines back to his previous spot, kneeling down in front of them all before the humans have even realized what just happened.
"Are you hurt?" Neuvillette softly asks, patting them both, no doubt using Hydro to sense for any injuries. The severe frown on his face dissipates once he determines that they are both unharmed.
"Thank you, Monsieur Neuvillette!" Veleda and Blathine exclaim simultaneously.
The Gardes abandon their attempts to contain the crowd after that, instead circling around their Archon and Iudex in defense. It seems ludicrous, that Neuvillette should need protection of that kind, but it is clear he cannot exercise force in restraining unknown targets in a sea of innocent people.
The mob only seems to grow with every effort made to contain it on part of the Gardes. Neuvillette stands in front of Furina, a protective arm hovering around her as he shouts orders and tries to make way for her. It feels too surreal, even as the Melusines grab her legs for comfort.
Fontaine has been at peace for two centuries, the people have not been left wanting for anything, so why? Why now?
"Furina, you must follow me." Neuvillette secures her around his arm, a mass of impregnable protection. He has always been present, and she has always known that she would not be anything without him. Without him, this mob could tear her to pieces within minutes.
She never thought he would ever have to do this for her. Mirror-her never did tell her why she wrote the letter inviting a dragon to be the Chief Justice of a city he has never set foot in before, but she supposes it is a good thing she complied with the course that had been set for her.
Their path is obstructed by a fragmented formation of Gardes who look like overgrown scouts and not like a security force trying to ensure the safety of their ruler. Neuvillette growls in frustration as one of them trips and falls in the way, nearly sending the Judge and Archon tumbling to the ground. It would be comical if it was a mere play.
"Lady Furina, you must continue down this path until you reach the Marcotte Station; Elphane will immediately take you to the Palais. I cannot calm the situation down with my powers in such a large gathering here." She sees his point. There are innocent people who have been caught in the crossfire of the mob and the Gardes, and it is impossible to tell who belongs to which category. It is a calculated ambush, one accounting for the assertion of order through elemental power.
Yet, she finds herself unwilling to part ways with Neuvillette. It is an irrational thought, one that has no place in a time like this. She does not know what to do. She often does not know what to do, but she always finds a path to alleviate that through her performance. What performance can she give right now that will stop this radical mob from growing even more violent?
"Go, Furina!" Neuvillette is frantic, panic overtaking his normally calm facade and for a moment, Furina thinks that he knows; knows that she is not the god she claims to be, and that is why he is so concerned. Why else should a subordinate fear for their leader, if the latter was not a weak creature who cannot hold off a group of mortals?
She bites her lip and holds back tears, praying to whatever higher power there is to make this stop, to keep everyone safe, because she is useless here, has no place in a conflict between the people and a god that does not exist. She turns towards the path that Neuvillette has tried to carve for her, a pathway surrounded by lines of Gardes that threatens to collapse any moment. She takes one deep breath and surges forward, putting all the strength she can into her legs.
The shouting and screaming gets louder as the mob notices her escape, and their efforts to break through double. Curses and insults are thrown her way, and she must really have been blind not to have seen the rising resentment against her, the sway in public opinion about her.
"Where is our Justice!"
Tears fall freely from her eyes, and Furina closes them as she runs, wanting nothing more than to disappear in the rain that has started to fall. The droplets are heavy and sharp, leaving imprints on her clothes and hair where they fall. It is pathetic; it will truly be a miracle if anyone accepts her as their Archon now.
A deafening crash almost stops her in her tracks, the ground beneath rumbling as if an earthquake has also struck in this disastrous turn of events. Time seems to slow once she opens her eyes and looks beyond the formation of Gardes that offer her a barrier.
A barrier that stands no chance against the cannon ball that is headed straight for it, right in front of Furina. She freezes on the spot, eyes wide in horror as the projectile surges forth, getting bigger and bigger as it gets nearer. It will crush her. It will crush the human Gardes before it reaches her.
A faint sob escapes her strained throat, a stinging pain in her heart throbs through her entire being, and she loses all strength in her legs, accepting her fate with the little time she has left.
Or she does until she sees the blur of blue and white flashing in front of the humans, just barely in time before the projectile crashes and explodes in a violent blast. The aftershock sends a strong wave that takes Furina's top hat with it, and she has to cover her eyes to protect them from the dust that is forced into the wind.
Her own body pitches backward, toppling over in a heap of limbs ungraceful to her usual conduct, but that is the last thing on her mind. As soon as the dust settles and the force dissipates, she wrenches her arm away and rises to her feet within seconds, eyes desperately searching for what she suspects to find.
The line of Gardes has broken as they slowly also rise to their feet, taken completely away by the sheer magnitude of the mini-explosion. When Furina sets her eyes on the familiar blue and white, she moves without even thinking, her anxious legs carrying her forward through the humans. She ignores their calls for her to stay back, because there is something more important, someone more important-
"Neuvillette!"
Her scream is horrific, and it does not even convey the intensity of it she feels on the inside. She falls to her knees beside his prone body and hastily turns him onto his back. She gasps, eyes transfixed on the damage that has been done to him. She stares at his legs, mangled and twisted, and feels bile rise to her throat.
Silence permeates the air for a brief moment as everyone takes in what has happened. Even the instigators of this whole mess have frozen on their spots. And Furina does not care about any of it. Her hands shake as she reaches for him, placing one on his chest and the other on his shoulder.
"Hey, Neuvillette?" She sounds broken to her own ears. Neuvillette does not respond. His face is marred with wounds from the explosion, specks of brown and red looking so out-of-place on his pale skin. His clothes are layered with dust, blood starting to seep through them.
He took the full brunt of a blow meant for a crowd of people. She takes that thought in, processes it, and realizes he would already be dead if he was a regular human.
The rain howls in her ears, blades of hydro pattering against her shaking frame until all she is aware of is them and the fact that her most trusted person, one she has grown to call friend, is hurt, and it's all her fault .
"Why…" she murmurs into the despairing rain, knowing she will not get an answer. "You stupid dragon."
Her fingers curl into his robes, straining the cloth, while she allows her tears to fall freely.
"Lady Furina, you must move–"
The Garde has barely spoken before chaos once again breaks loose. It also marks the first sign of life from Neuvillette after he twitches in pain, eyebrows compressing while his heavy eyelids force themselves open.
Furina leans closer, uncaring of the conflict that has once again sparked on the streets.
"Neuvillette, talk to me." She holds the sides of his face and sobs in relief when his violet eyes find her mismatched irises. He does not seem to share her enthusiasm.
"Furina…" he begins, trembling hands coming to grasp her own. His eyes are wide in fear, an expression so foreign and misplaced on his face that Furina feels this isn't real. There is no way it can be.
"Furina," he chokes again, discomfort spreading through his body, breathing growing erratic, and she doesn't understand. "What is it? Tell me." She urges him, hoping her soft voice can soothe whatever panic is overtaking him.
"My legs," he gasps out, one hand shooting to grip her shoulder tightly. "It hurts. I can't move. It hurts ." He whimpers in agony and shakes his head. His other hand pushes against the ground and he uses the one at her shoulder as a purchase to try and lift himself up.
"Neuvillette, listen to me," Furina is shaking in terror, the tremor in her voice only concealed by the thunder roaring in the sky. Her face, on the other hand, is deep-set and determined. It has to be, because Neuvillette cannot be the pillar for the both of them right now. It's her job.
"You need to lie down, okay? You're only going to hurt yourself more." Neuvillette looks at her as if she has gone mad, and it breaks her heart to see such fear in his eyes.
"I need to keep you safe, Furina. I'm–"
He is interrupted by his own scream of agony. It strikes Furina's heart, constricting it until it bleeds through. A normal human would have lost feeling in their legs after such an injury, but Neuvillette is not human. Yet he is not full beast either.
It is a curse.
As the surge of pain dissipates, Neuvillette's struggles diminish as well, his complexion growing increasingly pale. Blood pools around his form and is immediately washed away by the unrelenting downpour.
His grip on her shoulder weakens and she only barely catches the hand as it falls to the ground.
A sickening squelch reaches Furina's ears through the bubble she has warded herself in, and she barely registers the dead Garde that lies just a few inches away from Neuvillette's feet, his head oozing blood from where it was pierced.
Suddenly, Furina realises that all the Gardes that had been protecting her are gone, having endured the same fate as the most recent one that caught her attention. And looming over her is Madame Camille, her sharp blade crackling with Electro dripping with blood. Blood belonging to people that Furina is responsible for.
The young woman looks nothing like the one who so amiably met with the Archon, who smiled so warmly and talked so much like a person who was kind if a bit jaded. Her deep gray eyes are venomous with a hatred that rivals the abyss, and yet Furina does not find it in herself to care.
She should have been terrified, would have been terrified, but the emotional toil she has endured today is too great.
"Mademoiselle Camille." She greets tonelessly, only mildly aware of Neuvillette's renewed struggles to stand on legs that have failed him for now. Perhaps if she plays her cards right, then her Iudex will be spared. If Furina dies but Neuvillette lives, then maybe Mirror-her will still have something left to salvage.
"Lady Furina." Camille acknowledges her, gray eyes only briefly drifting to glance at Neuvillette and his devastating injury. She must know he poses no threat like this; Furina hopes she believes. A dragon is not defeated until it is dead, and Neuvillette is no exception. No one knows he is a dragon except Furina and the Melusines. No one must know.
"Chief Justice."
Furina frowns. Camille seems focused on Neuvillette, who is teetering on the edges of unconsciousness. Who is not in a place to defend himself at all.
"Do not look so fierce, Lady Furina. Or should I say Miss? A real Archon would have crushed a rebellion like this under their foot the moment they caught scent of it and yet, here I am, staring you down and you make not a move to end me."
Furina gulps imperceptibly, ignoring the way Neuvillette freezes to look at her, trying to process even in his hazed state.
"Would you even lift a finger if I attempted to slay your Chief of Justice here?"
The mere suggestion sparks something within Furina, anger bubbling through her to her lips. She snarls, an action that surprises even herself.
"You will do no such thing." The force in her voice feels foreign, as if someone else has taken over her body. Camille cracks a smile, a vile thing so far-removed from the Camille in the morning that she might as well have been possessed too.
"So you do have some bark. Would you not say that ending his life would be a mercy? Surely you know he will never walk again." The brunette lifts her blade, pointing out Neuvillette's ruined legs, which remain limp and bleeding no matter how much effort he puts into moving them.
"But, I suppose a divine familiar wouldn't be held back by something like this, huh?"
Furina refuses to break eye contact, even as Neuvillette hisses and growls like a cornered creature on its last legs. She knows he is fighting against unimaginable pain, and she cannot fail him like this.
"Tell me, which of you is the actual Archon?" Camille's eyes glint like a sharp blade, her sword crackling with Electro. "I'll make it less painful."
"If you think you have us cornered, you are sorely mistaken, madame." Furina glares back defiantly, rising to her feet. Her heart hammers against her chest, her instincts scream and scald at the proximity to the blade that could end her life in an instant. But she stands her ground, hands held together behind her back.
She gestures secretly to Neuvillette, hoping - trusting - that he will understand what she wants him to do, if the both of them are to come out of this alive. Furina trusts that he can endure the pain enough to strike the decisive blow. It doesn't matter that her facade will drop for him, she will cross that bridge when she gets to it. For now, they both need to survive this and bring Fontaine back under control.
The three of them are locked in this vacuum, impervious to the rest of the chaos unfolding around them. A full-blown fight has broken out, and Furina knows, she knows too well, that many innocent lives have already been claimed. It is just another one of her failures.
"I am indeed the Archon, Camille. Neuvillette is my familiar who I very much adore. And it is you who hurt him so, are you not?" The righteous anger that laces her words is genuine, the seething rage that threatens to burst forth is constantly trying to break free, only spurred on by Neuvillette's faint grunts behind her.
"Perhaps you realise how unjust it feels when someone you love is unjustly harmed, now," Camille seethes back, shifting her feet to adopt a stance. "I watched dumbfounded yesterday as my brother was sentenced to a crime he had no conscious stake in, while the real perpetrators got off scot-free."
"Even if that were the case, how do you believe the best way to retaliate was to launch a rebellion against the nation? There are proper channels in the legal system to go through that would have bore you better fruits."
The sword is hovering over Furina's heart, mere feet away from one stab that could truly end it all. Her resolve remains firm, and she does not break down into tears and collapse to her knees like she would have expected. It is a wonder even to herself.
"The same system that looks the other way as children suffer at the hands of the nobles? The same one that condemned a grandfather struggling to provide his grandchildren with bread and water to the Fortress of Meropide because he had no other choice but to steal?"
Camille steps closer as her words become more intense, her eyes growing wider in madness. She gets close enough until her face is inches away from Furina's, glaring down in a way only a predator could. "The very same one that has, on countless occasions, proven to serve the interests of the upper class?"
"Also the very same one that is run by the man accepted to be the most impartial Judge in all the lands. Whose Archon opens her doors to the people and listens to their thoughts and concerns." Furina feels lightheaded, a clarity that she has not felt in ages.
"Did your mother not come to meet me the very day after your brother's trial? Did you not come to retrieve her and witness the Archon personally see her out after a pleasant conversation? Tell me, Madame Camille."
Furina forces herself forward, pushing back against the imposing figure, watching in satisfaction as a slight stunned look graces the woman's sharp features. "I doubt you assembled an entire mob set on rebellion and destruction in a single day. Am I to assume you have been harbouring such intentions for an indefinite amount of time?"
It is a bold move, to accuse the woman within the same conversation where she expressed her distaste for the legal system, but Furina is indeed backed into a corner, and she has not only herself and Neuvillette to think about, but the entire nation. The weight of the prophecy looms ever more bearing, and she takes solace in the fact that perhaps that very same prophecy will save her from this predicament.
Her gamble doesn't seem to work, because Camille snarls in response and moves to close the gap Furina has established between them, her blade drawing–
The Vision wielder is knocked off her feet by a torrent of Hydro. The beams twist and morph and plunge her into the counter of the coffee shop to the side of the street. Furina watches in bewilderment for a few seconds before she is ripped from her lapse in attention with a howl of pain.
She curses as she once again drops to her knees beside Neuvillette, who breathes heavily and sweats as if he has been left in the desert. His skin is a sickly pale and, oh no, do dragons die of blood loss?
Get it together, Furina!
"Help should be on the way, Neuvillette, just hold on!"
She grabs his shoulders and pulls his head off the hard ground, laying it gently in her lap. His slit pupils are dilated, the violet depths staring past her into the sky. He raises a shaky hand towards her, and she takes it as if it is a lifeline.
"Furina…" He is fading fast. She doesn't know if he will wake up again.
"Neuvillette, listen to me!" Despite her frantic calls, her desperate shaking, he does not restrain his sleep, or perhaps he can't. She finds that even worse.
"Damn it, protect Lady Furina! Reinforcements should be here soon!"
It is a blur for Furina. Her eyes are transfixed as those pearlescent eyes fully close and she has to balance his head on her lap.
He'll be fine. He has to be.
She cradles his head and sinks low, connecting their foreheads together. The rain continues falling, shedding tears that Furina no longer has the strength or will to, and she convinces herself that everything will be fine because she can feel the ragged breaths through his chest and the faint wisps of air that escape his parted mouth against her own.
Furina vaguely hears Veleda and Blathine, their voices muted in the haze of static around her. She feels them gently lift her head up so they can get a better look at Neuvillette. They must be so scared too, she thinks, after Veleda gasps at the proper sight she gets of his legs.
Furina wishes she was strong enough to help her people when they truly needed her.
⁕⁕⁕
Neuvillette looks like death.
Three days pass in a blur, and Neuvillette does not wake up. Neither does the rain halt its incessant pounding against the roof of whatever building Furina takes shelter in. Neuvillette is asleep, yet the skies will not stop weeping.
Her schedule is horrendous following the failed coup. Camille and her accomplices, a circle of fifty people in total, are all taken in by the Marechaussee Phantom, most of them not even granted trials before they are sentenced to the Fortress of Meropide. With the Chief Justice incapacitated, it falls to the lesser Judges to handle the remaining cases.
The death toll exceeds a hundred, exactly one-hundred-and-twenty-six. Furina mourns for all of them, even the ones who were involved in instigating the coup, or creating panic among the innocent civillians. Of the toll, ten are children, twenty-two are women, thirty-eight men, and forty-five Gardes. The remaining eleven are part of the rebellion group.
Furina is overwhelmed. Her people are scrambling for answers; they want to know why she didn't stop it all before things escalated so much; they want to know what happened to their Iudex, and how he survived a blow no normal human could; they demand to know why such a radical organization was allowed to fester for so long without either the Marecasussee Phantom or the Surveillance Patrol recognizing the threat.
Neuvillette is sleeping. Furina is alone.
She sits across his bed in his room, watches the bandages wrapped around his body - from his chest to his arm - and at the patches stuck to his face, and thinks he looks too human. Under the sheets, his legs are wrapped in layers of plaster, and Camille's words flash in her mind.
"Surely you know he will never walk again."
Sigewinne says his life is not in any danger. The blood loss was not severe enough, though it would have killed any ordinary human. The dehydration is the bigger issue. As the Hydro Dragon, Neuvillette's body uses water to heal itself, and the blood loss also meant loss of water. Add onto that his sleeping state, and it is a whole affair to gently manoeuvre his unconscious form and make him drink water.
But it works. His pallor fades, his cheeks become fuller, and perhaps the sleep is good for him after he has been working himself to the bone for no reason at all. The only thing Furina hopes is that his legs will heal and he will be back on his feet sooner rather than later. She dares not try to get a peek to see for herself.
She cannot hold off on making a public statement for long. While the people allow these three days out of consideration for her, many of them are starting to get anxious and their whispers reach her through the Melusines on patrol.
"You must address the public promptly, Lady Furina. Otherwise the fragile peace we accomplished will be for nothing." Sedene implores that night as the Archon exits Neuvillette's chambers, and Furina finds herself agreeing with a heavy heart.
"Call for a public address tomorrow morning. Do not worry, I have everything sorted out."
She does not, in fact, have anything sorted out, but her role never ends, not until the prophecy is over and done with, and she will be damned before she allowed these two centuries to go to waste.
So, Furina plans. She pulls an all-nighter like never before, constructs a speech and rehearses it until her throat is sore and the sun is starting to rise from her windows. Not that anyone could tell, the clouds are ever-present as they continuously pour out rain.
Neuvillette's condition has remained unchanged through the night, and he sleeps as if there is nothing wrong in the world. At approximately seven in the morning, Furina visits his chambers to get one last look at him before she makes her public address.
"I'm sorry that this happened to you…" she whispers, afraid even in the privacy that someone will hear. She brushes his bangs away from his face and laments how youthful he looks without the perpetual frown he carries around.
Neither Furina nor Neuvillette are creatures of affection, yet she finds herself yearning for it right now, in this moment before a possible storm.
She supposes a near death experience tends to alter people on a fundamental level.
"I promise I will never let something like this happen again."
If he were awake, Neuvillette might consider her words for a long minute before whispering something encouraging. She would like to imagine he would profess his desire to stay by her side in this endeavour no matter what.
It is with this belief that she gathers the final inklings of resolve that drive her steps outside of the chambers and into the halls of the Palais. Outside, the people have already gathered, and she can hear their anticipation through the windows as she makes her way downstairs.
Sedene is waiting for her at the doors leading outside the Palais, her own face smiling in encouragement. "Do your best, Lady Furina. We are all rooting for you."
As if on cue, several more Melusines make themselves known - Blathine, Aefie, Menthe. More linger around the hallway, waving and sending her motivating gestures.
"If Monsieur Neuvillette cannot offer his support personally, then we will offer it in his place!" Kiara's declaration is met with widespread agreement, and Furina finds a considerable chunk of weight lift off her shoulders.
"Thank you, my dears! Rest assured, I will carry your words of encouragement with the most grace, as only I can!" She bows to them, naturally slipping into her persona of Focalors. When she turns back towards the door, she knows she will overcome whatever hurdles she will face.
The muted pattering of the rain transforms into a violent surge of splashes as the doors open and she is greeted by a mass gathering of people beyond the podium which has been placed for her. The people are indeed anxious, if they have responded on such short notice in weather like this.
"Greetings, my people. I would like to thank you all for attending this address on such short notice. Rest assured, I, Focalors, have been working to resolve the aftermath of the crisis that unfortunately occurred four days ago."
They are silent, for now. Furina knows better than to assume that bodes well.
"During this time, I have been hearing your concerns, and it is my goal today to alleviate them. Starting with the severity of the implications of such an attempted coup. Do not fret, for I have already delegated special tasks to the Marechaussee Phantom to prevent any future threats. I take full responsibility for failure to recognize this violent force festering right in the heart of the city, and therefore offer my deepest condolences to all who suffered as a result of that night."
Furina takes a breath, surveying the faces among the crowd. They vary in presentation - some are relieved, some remain anxious, while others are none too happy. On either side of her, just a few steps ahead of the podium, a line of Melusines has taken formation, all of them keeping watchful eyes on the crowd, and Furina suppresses a heartfelt smile.
"For the next point, concerning Iudex Neuvillette," many heads shoot up at the mention, eyebrows furrowing in worry once again. Ah, he truly has become an endearing symbol to the people. "The Chief Justice sustained major injuries in the conflict and is currently recuperating. According to the reliable Dr. Sigewinne, he is well on his way to recovery and will return to court when he is able."
They hang on her words and she knows they have questions before the first hand raises in the air, in the first few rows.
"Lady Furina, I am sure many people have this question as well: what kind of species is Monsieur Neuvillette? In all his two hundred years of service as Iudex, the Palais has never officially revealed that to the public."
It is a reporter, diary and pen ready in hand for whatever she will say. The pages are soaked and attempts to cover them with a hand or a hat are futile.
"You may simply think of him as a divine familiar, bestowed with long life and elemental authority by yours truly." Furina simply responds. If she absolutely has to answer, she will go with Oceanid.
"I see. Thank you, Lady Furina."
She waits for a few moments, watching the uncertain looks on the people's faces, anticipating more questions that will grill into her. When no hand is raised, she takes a deep breath of relief and moves onto the next portion of her speech. Sedene smiles at her from her post and the silent exchange between them calms the nerves that are still lingering on the surface.
The address proceeds without interruption, just as planned, and Furina uses the excuse of the heavy rain to dismiss the gathering early. The citizens do not protest at this, if they even realize the intent.
Furina disappears into the Palais and heads straight back to Neuvillette's chambers. Her legs work on autopilot, her mind becoming hazy as the adrenaline settles and the exhaustion starts to catch up to her.
Her Iudex is soundly asleep. She watches forlornly, feeling she will collapse to the ground any second now. She should return to her own chambers and rest, but Furina does not want to lose sight of Neuvillette for so long; she does not want to be away from him while they are both unaware of the world.
So, she circles around to the other side of his large bed, kicks off her shoes, rips off her gloves, and slowly sinks into the sheets. She keeps her distance, suppressing the tiny part of her that wants to be closer.
Neuvillette looks even younger from this angle, his hair spread out towards Furina. She runs her fingers through the locks, relishing their soft texture. The memory from just that fateful morning flashes through her head, a time mere days ago yet which feels like it belongs in another world.
She curls into a ball under the cosy blankets and finds her eyelids growing too heavy to keep open.
Furina falls asleep with one hand gently cradling the ends of Neuvillette's hair tied in the bow.
.
.
.
Furina doesn't know how it came to this.
"N-Neuvillette, h-hold on!"
She cannot hear her own voice over the thundering droplets of rain, over the chaos that has spread around her. The city has been plunged into disaster within a matter of seconds, and she does not know-
"Neuvillette!"
She kneels on the cold hard floor, the asphalt digging into her knees, but her attention is fixed on the person lying prone, unmoving. The Iudex looks nothing like his imposing figure as Furina tries to pry a reaction out of him. His long flowing hair, dirtied by the mud and grime, is crushed beneath the weight of his body, and his legs…
"Listen to me, Neuvillette!" Furina is frantic, her shaky hands hovering over the mess of limbs, her eyes trying not to linger on the sight that will surely bring her half-eaten supper out of her stomach. This shouldn't have happened; shouldn't have possibly happened.
"Lady Furina!"
The call of her name comes from somewhere in the chaos, but she pays it no heed. How can she, when her friend is so defenceless, so vulnerable, so hurt?
"Damn it, protect the Archon, you idiots! Get them out of here!"
Neuvillette will not open his eyes, will not move no matter how much she gently shakes his shoulders, no matter how much she cries for him to listen to her. Furina convinces herself this is a nightmare. Nothing else can explain the sheer absurdity of the situation.
"Furina."
"Furina!"
She jolts, eyes flying open to a world completely different from the one she was just in. She sits in the bed, breathing erratically as she reorients herself. The walls of the Palais Mermonia are a comforting sight, and the absence of the heavy rain on her form is a blessing.
"Lady Furina, are you alright?"
She freezes at the voice, recognizing the baritone yet unable to connect the dots. The Archon turns her head slowly, afraid her eyes will tell her a different story than her ears.
There is Neuvillette, looking at her through his lidded violet eyes and deep frown. He remains lying down though his hands are pushing against the sheets, and she is reminded too much of when he was trying to stand on legs that could not support him.
"Neuvillette…" Furina whispers, finally feeling the dampness on her cheeks and the sting in her eyes. She must have been crying in her sleep. His frown deepens at her fragile tone and his lips move as if to say something.
But Furina does not give him the chance; she barrels into his side, curling her arms around his frame as she sobs into his shoulder. Even after these days of turmoil and pain, he still smells of a fresh lake that offers succorance to any who need it.
She faintly hears him sputter something before a hesitant hand pats her shaking shoulder. Neither of them says anything, allowing the moment to linger and play out.
"I apologize for making you worry so much," Neuvillette says after several minutes, when Furina has stopped trembling so harshly.
"Hush. Tell me how you feel. How are your legs?" She whispers into his shoulder, the silken fabric wet with her tears.
She waits anxiously as he feels his body. He croaks out a gasp at the slight movement he makes with his right leg. Furina lifts her head and painfully takes in the exertion on his face.
"They will need…longer to heal." He offers after several breaths as he glances away in an attempt to hide the mournful look that creeps onto his face.
Furina thinks it is a good sign that he believes they will heal, no matter how long it takes.
"I didn't get the chance to thank you before, for saving me." She mumbles, immediately catching his attention back. "You put yourself through such pain." Neuvillette's expression morphs into panicked disbelief.
"There is no need to thank me for that. As Iudex, I would always put your safety over-"
"But you do not need to. And I am grateful that you would go to such lengths for me."
Furina tightens her arm around him and curls even closer. His warmth ebbs into her and it feels like home, or something closest to it. In a world of bleak loneliness, perhaps indulging in this brief moment of respite is not so damning.
When he circles his free arm around her, as much as he is able to without turning onto his side, she sighs and feels safer than she has in decades.
As long as Furina does not drop the facade she has been tasked with, surely it is acceptable to give into this desire, right?