Chapter Text
Neuvillette brushed his finger against the edge of the page he was currently reading. This was a last minute submission by one of the counsels for the hearing tomorrow, and he usually would not permit such submissions, however in the interest of upholding the principle of natural justice, he let this procedural irregularity slide this time.
Unfortunately, it also meant there would be more work for him, requiring his attention beyond office hours.
But it did not matter. He had been the one to absolve the sins of the people of Fontaine, had watched over them for the past five hundred years- this was not a responsibility he took lightly, and what more was a few more hours, to make sure that everyone got the justice they deserved?
At least he had no other plans today.
As he thumbed down the next page, he wondered how Furina was doing. Furina was currently on a short trip with the Traveler to Mondstadt, to visit some of the Traveler’s old friends.
For the past few decades, they had spent this day together. Ever since Furina had somehow figured out his birthday, she insisted on making a big deal of it, bringing him an absurdly large cake topped with what she called ‘trendy designs’.
She was also very adamant against fondant on the cake, so the designs had to be all carefully piped with cream. Which meant little ships made of cream, seashells made of cream, et cetera.
When he had once voiced his concern for the baker, she had reassured him that she had paid the baker a fair sum in recompense for her work.
Neuvillette’s eyes darted up from his work for a moment as they lingered on the clock.
Another hour before this day was over.
He had not put particular meaning into this day, having lived for such a long time and also not being a human, but having followed this human custom for so many recent years, it still felt rather odd to let the day just pass with little fanfare.
Neuvillette continued to diligently go through the filed submission, making notes at the side as he read it. As he was almost done, and the clock almost struck twelve, his door suddenly burst open.
“Happy birthday my dear Iudex!” Furina exclaimed, bearing in her arms a large blue cake with a small dragon piped in the centre that looked suspiciously like him.
“Furina,” Neuvillette greeted, confused, “Shouldn’t you be in Mondstadt right now?”
“I left early- how could I miss your special day, after all!” Furina said, a bright smile on her face as she expertly set the cake on Neuvillette’s coffee table, procuring paper plates and a paper knife out of somewhere.
“You did not have to,” Neuvillette said, swallowing, “I was working. And Sigewinne had made me a special meal today.”
Furina laughed. Neuvillette noted that her expressions seemed more free, more real in a way they had not been before. He was truly happy for her. “But a birthday is not complete with cake! And even if I’m not your best friend, as your longest friend, the duty falls upon me to make sure that you have a worthy cake to celebrate!”
“That is very kind of you, Furina,” Neuvillette said softly, reaching for the paper knife, only to get his hand gently slapped away.
“Not yet, you have to make a wish and blow out the candles first!” she reminded, procuring a lighter and candle out of nowhere once more as she deftly lit the candle and placed it on the cake, next to the little dragon made of whipped cream. Had her hydro vision somehow extended to cake supplies? Neuvillette should go check that out some time.
Neuvillette watched the little candle next to the little dragon, wax slowly melting and falling down the side of the candle.
“Have you made a wish yet?” Furina asked, her head angled up at him curiously.
Over the past few centuries, the weeks and years had mostly blended together into a blurry mass, during which he had focussed on his work. He would just work and work, tirelessly making sure that justice was upheld. At times, time had felt like a shackle, seeming to flow ever so slowly like the slow dripping of wax from a candle, one drop by one drop.
He had never really realised how little that candle had been.
Over the glow of the candle, Neuvillette regarded Furina, who was staring back at him with wide eyes. Furina, who was now mortal. Furina, who would be gone within the next century.
“Neuvillette, what’s taking you so long? It’s just a wish- Oh goodness, is it raining suddenly?” Furina exclaimed, whipping her head to look at the window, then turning back to look at him. “You-“
Neuvillette blew out the candle gently, then met her gaze fondly with a soft smile. “You are not just my longest friend, you are my best friend, Furina.”
I hope that everyone around me can be happy and healthy for a long, long time.
Furina’s lips parted in surprise. And then she smiled.
“Happy birthday, Neuvillette.”