AN: Both this chapter and chapter 11 are up. Completely forgot to upload this one on FF. Sorry!

With Furina's apartment building repaired, Furina was quick to invite Aether to celebrate with her favourite activity for any social gatherings. She insisted that with their current relationship, as much as she struggled to find a phrasing that aptly described it without leaving her a blushing mess afterwards, he learn the proper etiquette for a good tea party as he would undoubtedly be part of many more to come.

It was a shame though that her Salon members were forbidden from her apartment with the amended rules. She had originally intended to make an argument for Mademoiselle Crabaletta to be exempt as she was neither a pet, nor a Gentilhomme or Surintendante however knowing she was on thin ice with the amount of damage she had caused, she thought it would only result in her getting evicted. She dreaded what people would think of their former archon getting kicked out of her home and didn't think she'd be able to live down the shame.

While frustrating, it wasn't a major loss for the tea party. It may have taken her some time to adjust to the challenges that came with living a normal life but she was capable of arranging and setting things up for a tea party herself.

"Furina?"

"Hmm?"

"You know you don't need to do anything fancy just to impress me, right?" Aether held up one of the cakes on offer. "I mean, I'm no expert on what's customary for tea parties but these are some fancy cakes and I'm pretty sure the tea is too."

Furina pouted. She'd hoped he would appreciate the fact that she'd bought only the best she could find despite Surintendante Chevalmarin's financial advice. It was a special occasion so she was allowed to indulge herself a little. Either way, she wasn't about to admit to it.

"Being impressed is a completely natural and unavoidable result of attending one of my tea parties," she smiled to herself, satisfied with what she had come up with. "Honestly, you make me sound so uncouth."

"Well, it wouldn't be the first time you went out of your way to get my attention," he smirked. "Remember, Romaritime Harbour when I met Lyney and Lynette? Or showing up for their magic show way before even we got there?"

"Oh, that," Furina said, somehow maintaining her composure. "What better welcome for the esteemed traveler than one from the Archon herself? And as for the show, I was a regular of theirs. My presence was a glowing endorsement of their talent and, for their big night, it wouldn't do for me to arrive fashionably late and steal their spotlight, would it?"

"Right..." he deadpanned.

"I'm hurt that you would assume I would go so far out of my way just to win your approval," Furina placed a hand on her chest in mock offence. "After all the waiting I had to endure for you to arrive, you should be grateful I was so lenient with you."

"And how long were you waiting for me to get to Fontaine exactly?"

"Ah- ahaha... That's... neither here nor there, is it?" Caught off guard, Furina's mind raced. "As Archon, of course I had heard tell of your deeds throughout Teyvat however I was much too busy to give your escapades much thought. In the end, I simply decided to wait as it was only a matter of time before you arrived here. There's no interesting story behind it and I certainly wasn't keeping tabs, hehe..."

"Is that so?" Aether sighed and prepared to stand. "I'll ask Neuvillette and see if he says the same."

"Ah! No no no, there's no need for that," Furina, quickly crossing from her position opposite him to sit next to him, grabbed his arm, urging him to stay seated. "I'm sure Neuvillette is very busy and you could, uh, find yourself back in the Fortress of Meropide in an instant if you disturbed him with such a frivolous matter. You already have a reputation for getting into trouble, particularly with certain Archons, and I won't let my... my-" Furina stopped herself, struggling to force out the word she wanted. " -mon amour get in any more trouble with the law, especially since you've already served time in the Fortress. Think of how that would reflect on me!"

"I'm a little hurt that it sounds like you wouldn't come to my defence in this hypothetical," he chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "What did you say near the end though? I haven't really studied any-"

"And that's another thing! If you're going to be in Fontaine for the foreseeable future, you'll need to have an acceptable level of Fontanian," Furina announced, taking the change of topic and running with it. "I refuse to let you embarrass me on any formal arrangements I may have in future so I'll enrol you in classes if I must."

"Well, that's something to look forward to I guess," he said. "So what stories have you heard of me getting into trouble? I thought you said you weren't paying that much attention and I figure you're referring to what I got up to in Liyue and Inzauma."

"O-oh, w-well, naturally I, um... news of the other Archons was something I tried to keep up with during my time... hehe." Offering a sweet smile didn't have the desired effect so she visibly deflated. "Hang on, my memory's a little fuzzy. It was so long ago and I was very busy, you see, so I might not have all the details exactly right..."

Furina stomped through the Palais Mermonia, a copy of The Steambird in hand, heading straight for Neuvillette's office. It wasn't often that she was seen in such a foul mood but everyone around gave her a wide berth to not get in her way.

Without knocking, she shoved the doors open. "Neuvillette!"

"Yes, Lady Furina?" The Chief Justice didn't appear startled, only sighing and putting what he was working on away as she approached. She laid out the newspaper in front of him.

"What is this?" She folded her arms and tapped her foot expectantly. "And don't tell me it's The Steambird! I'm not in the mood for your usual brand of humour."

"It appears to be reporting on the recent events in Liyue," Neuvillette stated, casting his eyes over the headline. "Liyue Harbour was recently attacked by an ancient god of the sea and the Qixing's efforts in repelling it were successful. An impressive feat to be sure."

"Yes, yes, and fortunately damage to the harbour itself was minimal." Furina huffed, trying to speed up his reading. "Of course, if I had knowledge of this creature, I would have lent my own assistance."

Neuvillette merely watched as Furina paced around not content to stop there.

"To think that foul being is of the very element I preside over... It is fortunate it was dealt with before I caught wind of it. Alas, my many engagements keep me tied to Fontaine and the threat has already been dealt with. I shall have to send my thanks to the Qixing for ridding Teyvat of this stain on Hydro's good name."

Neuvillette remained impassive. "...and was this was has you so incensed, Lady Furina? If so, you needn't worry. You are not currently blamed for the existence of Hydro Slimes or any other Hydro based creatures."

"Hm? Oh, no. Look here." She pointed to a section of the article. "The Qixing had assistance from 'a mysetious traveler' with no given name. It also says he's the same traveler who's an honourary Knight for the Knights of Favonius and helped with what was going on in Mondstadt!"

"That it does," Neuvillette said simply.

"Why didn't I know of this?!" Furina slammed her hands on the desk. "Everyone I visited today was talking about it. I usually just chat with them about current events in Fontaine once we get past how excited they are that it was their turn for me to visit but I had no idea about this! I'm usually good at keeping up with the happenings of the world. Don't you know how embarrassing it is to be asked your opinion of something you haven't even heard of?"

"If I recall correctly," Neuvillette began. "I brought the Steambird's coverage of the Mondstadt news to you thinking it would be of interest. You, however, said you would be late to the Opera if you wasted time reading it."

"You know how I get when there's opera to be enjoyed. You should have reminded me later." Furina said, grabbing the newspaper and scanning it again. "Well, no matter, I won't be upstaged by this... this vagabond."

Neuvillette watched calmly as her tirade continued. He imagined with her thinking her pride was at stake, her conclusion would be asking him to accomplish some unreasonable task.

"I demand to see this traveler for myself," Furina concluded, eyes burning with determination. "We know his location so send someone to drag him to Fontaine if you must."

Sighing inwardly, Neuvillette chose his words carefully to avoid sending her into another tantrum. "I doubt even you have the authority to forcibly bring the traveler here. As he has gone from Mondstadt to Liyue, he may be on a journey across Teyvat to visit different nations. It would be prudent in which case to wait until the journey brings him to Fontaine naturally."

Furina shook her head stubbornly. "We can't take that chance. I insist that we make contact immediately so that he be made aware of my brilliance as soon as possible."

Nodding slowly, Neuvillette recognised that arguing further would be futile. "Very well, I will make the necessary arrangements to locate and invite the traveler to Fontaine."

"See that you do," Furina smiled smugly, her mood lightening. "In the meantime, I shall contact The Steambird to have them provide me with any additional information they may have. Toodles~!"

Weeks later

"So after my explicit instructions, this wandering 'hero' of Mondstadt and Liyue is on his way to Inazuma?"

Days later, Neuvillette found himself in his office, facing Furina and preparing himself for her reaction to the information he had received from Liyue. She appeared to be taking it rather well as far as his initial predictions went. Then again, the vagaries of Furina were something he was almost certain he would never fully understand. He was already having enough difficulties understanding humans.

"Indeed and Inazuma's current climate makes it particularly difficult to establish contact," Neuvillette nodded.

"Ugh," Furina groaned. "It's not too late to get a message out there to have him sent here, is it?"

"I doubt the Raiden Shogun would pay it much mind if it did arrive on time. Our contact with Inazuma has been minimal in recent times."

"Ughhh," Furina sank into one of the sofas in the office.

Time passed without Furina saying anything Neuvillette could hear properly. He debated continuing with his work but imagined Furina would see it as him ignoring her.

"Lady Furina, I must ask, why is it you have such an interest in the traveler?" Neuvillette leaned forward, tenting his fingers. "This is quite different from your other sudden interests in the past. Is their arrival something of significance to you?"

"No, no, nothing like that," she replied, staring at the ceiling. She sighed. "Things have been rather dull as of late. No exciting trials or duels. I was even thinking of stepping up to prosecute before I realised it would just lead to an early guilty plea once they realised they stood no chance against me. Then all of a sudden, Mondstadt and Liyue are visited by this unknown traveler who makes the front page wherever he goes!"

Furina sat up, her eyes lighting up. "Whatever his opinions of Mondstadt and Liyue, he's sure to be blown away by the magnificence of my realm and if he should happen to, oh I don't know, not uphold our laws to the letter, I will gladly take to the prosecutors bench in a duel for the ages."

She paused for a moment, making sure she was absolutely certain that there was no tiredness or anything wistful seeping into her expression or voice. "It would be a truly magnificent and dramatic trial, wouldn't you agree?"

Her smile slowly faded as Neuvillette merely continued looking at her, a slightly bemused look on his face.

"Forgive me, Lady Furina, but I don't follow," he replied, watching as she flopped onto the sofa again. "You wish to show him Fontaine before sending him to the Fortress of Meropide for a crime you can't be sure he'll commit?"

"Oh, everything sounds confusing when you view it like that." Furina dismissively waved a hand in the air. "All will become clear in due time and we need only wait until he has had enough of Inazuma before the show I have planned can begin."

"I see." Reaching into his desk and feeling Furina was largely finished, Neuvillette retrieved the documents he had been reading before she arrived. "Provided any charges against him are valid, then I have no opposition to your current scheme."

"'Scheme'?!" she squawked. "These are grand plans I've put into motion. Just make sure we have people ready to intercept him next time."

Months later

"Neuvillette, why does this keep happening?!" Furina groaned with her head in her hands.

"It is indeed strange," Neuvillette replied. "I can't seem to find any reason as to how all contact with our informants in Sumeru City has been lost."

Pacing back and forth, Furina scowled. "Why couldn't the Qixing have just given us the information we wanted? 'We respect the traveler's privacy and independence', hmph! Who are they to deny a request from me? They're lucky I can't be there in person. And now this! Just what is going on in Sumeru?"

The Chief Justice looked over the list of their informants who had seemingly completely disappeared upon entering Sumeru City. "Your future source of entertainment aside, I am interested to hear what explanation the Akademiya has for this."

Furina continued to pace around, fighting the urge to stomp in frustration. "At this rate, he's not going to bother going any further through Teyvat. If he just came straight here, he would've had no conflict with the Raiden Shogun and he'd still be on the map if he didn't go to Sumeru. These are exactly the kinds of things I wanted to avoid when I told you to grab him from Liyue the first time, Neuvillette."

"And you didn't think to share your foresight of such events?"

"How should I know what the other nations are doing?" Finally stopping, she glared at Neuvillette. "It's hardly my fault they can't seem to keep their troubles under control when they have such a fascinating visitor on their hands. Fontaine is stable and there is nothing getting in the way of the traveller seeing my nation for the wonder that it is."

As Furina smiled to herself and stood in a grandiose pose, Neuvillette narrowed his eyes. "And what of the prophecy then, Lady Furina?"

She faltered briefly. "Oh, don't tell me you've started buying into these unfounded rumours too. Honestly, it's almost insulting that people think that I would simply allow it to come to pass." She folded her arms with a huff and turned away. "As I've said before and will continue saying, believe in your Archon when I say that I have it under control."

Silence passed between them with Furina refusing to say anything more. She had half a mind to find some reason to leave. It was unsettling to see a handful of people making preparations for if the prophecy were to come to pass. There could only be a small percentage of the population doing so but it was a crack in their trust in her all the same.

Neuvillette closed his eyes, finally conceding that he wouldn't be able to draw anything further from her. "Back to the matter regarding the traveller then. Assuming this is a temporary setback, I recommend we wait as I initially suggested. With Sumeru bordering Fontaine, a logical next step for him would be to our nation."

Furina paused as she considered his words. She perked up, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Ah ha, so you caught on to my plan, did you?" she said. "What better palate cleanser could there be to the bitter conflict in Inazuma and desolate deserts of Sumeru than our tranquil nation of Hydro? Indeed, it only makes Fontaine appear that much more appealing than it already is."

She paused, tempering her burst of excitement with a sigh and a shrug. "Well, I suppose I can wait a little longer. Let the traveler cavort and caper in Sumeru. He'll soon realise there is much more enjoyment to be had here."

Neuvillette maintained his calm demanour. "Very well. I shall leave preparations in your hands."

"Most kind of you, Chief Justice," Furina began, her mind buzzing with plans for the traveler's reception.

Instead of making her exit, Furina remained by his desk.

"Is there something else you need, Lady Furina?"

"Oh, I was just wondering if it be too much trouble for you to join me when the day arrives," she said, trying to look nonchalant. "With his past exploits in mind, namely assisting with defeating that god in Liyue and conflict with the Raiden Shogun, I'd simply like to make sure he won't get any foolish ideas in his head about challenging me. Clorinde will be accompanying me and there's nothing to fear, of course, but perhaps he'll think twice about any trouble making with our champion duelist, Iudex and myself present."

Neuvillette picked up his pen and returned to his work. "We shall see. With you occupied, someone will need to continue with documenting trials so I cannot guarantee my attendance."

"O-oh, well, that's... unfortunate," Furina coughed into her hand before regaining her composure. "I shall have to review your timetable closer to the time then. It... should be fine though. Clorinde is more than capable of dealing with any threats to my person. Besides, I've waited this long so I wouldn't want to immediately scare him off with a demonstration of my power."

There was an awkward silence as Neuvillette looked at her as if questioning what she was intending to do with her apparent power.

"Ah, listen to me going on about something that won't happen." Covering her mouth with her hand and laughing, Furina turned and headed for the door. "I shall be off then to decide how to best greet our future guest. Keep on top of any news from Sumeru, won't you? Toodles~!"

Furina blinked, bringing herself back to the present. She glanced at Aether, who was watching her with a curious expression following her rendition of events. Furina masked her embarrassment with a casual smile.

"So you see, while I can't remember everything about it, Neuvillette was most interested in meeting you. I was very busy as I said," she said, her tone light and dismissive.

Aether raised an eyebrow with a teasing glint in his eyes. "Right, that's exactly how I imagine the two of you reacting."

"Well, that's what happened, believe it or not." Furina closed her eyes and forced herself to keep smiling. "Let's leave it at that shall we? We don't need to worry about the dark days before you arrived."

"Hmm," Aether crossed his arms. "I think I'll risk going on trial for bothering Neuvillette to get his version of events after all."

Furina groaned inwardly, realizing she was cornered. She sighed in defeat, her shoulders slumping. "Fine, you win. Maybe I was... a bit more interested in you than I let on. But it was purely out of professional curiosity!"

Aether's expression softened as he reached out, taking her hand in his. "I'm glad you were interested in meeting me, though," he said quietly. "We've been through a lot together since then."

Furina nodded and squeezed his hand gently, her heart swelling at the words. At the lull in conversation, Furina felt she could bring up the other reason she wanted to see him.

"Y-you know, the Fontanalia Festival will be coming soon," she began, trying to steady her nerves before she continued. "There'll be lots to see and do there and you haven't had the chance to experience much of Fontaine's culture what with everything going on."

"Yeah, that's one way of putting it," Aether smiled. "It's been mostly trials and prison life so it'll be nice to see more of Fontaine outside of those."

Furina's cheeks flushed and glanced at him with a bashful smile. "I was thinking maybe you'd like to attend the festival with me. There's nothing for me to be present for this year so I can show you around and you can see what Fontaine has to offer now that you can finally relax a little."

"Sounds good to me," Aether's smile widened. "I'd really like that, Furina."

"Great! It's settled then," she said, trying to keep her excitement in check. "I'll make sure to show you the best parts of the festival. You'll get to see everything that makes Fontaine so special."

"I look forward to it."

Furina shuffled closer and rested her head on his shoulder. "Now then, since we were on the topic of hearing about each other before meeting, I'm sure you heard all manner of wonderful things about me in your travels. Do tell."

"Well, one that sticks out said that you have a 'very unique personality'."

"And what's that supposed to mean?! Just who was trying to colour your impression of my good self with such a description? I insist you take me to this person and defend my honour."

"That would be the Dendro Archon."