Chapter Text
"Go… little deer…" Columbina murmured as she crouched, petting the Rimehorn Deer beside her between its antlers. "I promise, she might look a little scary… but on the inside, she's alright," She giggled at her own words. "More than alright, actually. She's just as nervous as you are, I promise."
Kuutar, her devices are taking over my home!
"Ah, are they?" Columbina stood and placed her index finger on her chin, imitating a contemplative expression she'd seen both Arlecchino and Rosalyne engage in before. As if she was thinking about something that deeply, though… "Well, I'll give her a scolding then. But you should introduce yourself. Perhaps, if my dear marionette understands the wildlife she's living alongside, she'll take better care."
The Rimehorn Deer snorted at that, but that seemed to be the right thing to say. It began to kick up dirt with its back legs, then darted through the trees into the direction of where Sandrone was.
Columbina decided to give them a few moments alone before she began floating over. And when she did, the sight of Sandrone petting the deer's fur, feeling the antlers—all of which the deer willingly let happen, and appeared to enjoy.
Columbina's soft laughter must have given her away, for Sandrone spun around at that exact moment.
"Sandrone, all the little animals are hiding from you. You look so pitiful. I told them you aren't a bad person, that you're actually quite gentle, and that you go to sleep hugging—" She didn't mention that part (yet), but Sandrone didn't know that, so why not take the time to tease her doll?
"C-Columbiiinnaaa!" Sandrone's hands immediately retracted far from the deer and back down to her sides. "G-go, deer! I-if I had known you were a spy for this-this infuriating, no good, absolutely terrible—"
While Sandrone spouted off insults, Columbina wordlessly floated closer and closer.
"—ill-mannered, inconsiderate—"
Instinctively, as Columbina got closer, Sandrone stepped back, seemingly not realizing what she was doing until her back hit tree bark and Sandrone could put no more distance between them.
"—selfish, annoying—ah, C-Columbina—"
Sandrone loved her personal space. Columbina, too, loved Sandrone's personal space.
"Hehe," Columbina peered up at the marionette, their faces no more than three inches apart as Sandrone tried and failed to raise her head away. At that very moment, a Puffin swooped down from the tree above and poked Sandrone in the cheek with its beak before flying back away.
"Columbina!" Sandrone seemed to snap back to her senses then and pushed, physically pushed, Columbina away from her then. "Agh—I know you did that!"
"What?" The Moon Goddess tilted her head. "You would blame me? But that was clearly not me."
My Lady, I have done as requested, the little Puffin chirped, which Columbina could understand but Sandrone would not.
"Grr—stop trying to fool me!" Sandrone huffed and turned around.
"Apologies." There was not a single bone in Columbina's body that was an ounce apologetic.
"W-well! I must return to Nasha Town now, I have dealings with that Curatorium I must finalize." Sandrone dusted off her skirt, her very wonderful skirt that complimented her well, Columbina thought. Not that there was anything that wouldn't compliment Sandrone, though. She could wear a garbage bag and still be beautiful, or nothing at all… hmm, Columbina would like to "test" that theory.
"I see. Perhaps I can find Lauma there, too."
"W-w-what!" Sandrone was so cute. "That was not an invitation for you to just—just follow me, Columbina! I will be departing now, and you will absolutely not be going with me!"
🕊️⚙️
"How lovely it is to see you both here. Sandrone. Lady Columbina." Nefer crossed her legs as she leaned back on her couch, her two guests sitting opposite of her on the other couch. Ashru curled himself partly on the back of the couch and partly across Nefer's shoulder.
Sandrone gritted her teeth and balled her hands into very tight fists she squeezed. She was doing her very best to not snap at Columbina here, not even as Columbina poked her in the cheek!
"Yes, well, I hadn't realized how impossible it is to get some alone time here." Sandrone attempted her best at some resemblance of decorum. Normally, her talks with Nefer never lacked even a smidge of chivalry or respect. That was something she could appreciate about the businesswoman—even if it was just a manipulative tactic, she did know her manners.
"There is a saying in Nod-Krai that goes: wherever you wallow, may the moonlight follow." Nefer took a sip from her tea cup and placed it back down on the coffee table between the two parties.
"Is that so?" Sandrone side-eyed Columbina at that, who was—forgive her bluntness—seemingly trying to nudge her way under Sandrone's arm. Sandrone sighed at that and gave in, moving her arm to wrap around Columbina's shoulders.
That certainly did not escape Nefer's gaze.
"So to what do I owe our great Moon Goddess's visit here? I see your trip to Fontaine went rather well. Have you come to thank me?" Leave it to Nefer to somehow be both respectful and insulting to her own god who was literally in front of her.
"Yes. Is Lauma here?" Columbina spoke for the first time then.
Nefer's face filled with heat at that, and her eyebrows furrowed instantaneously. If this were animated, she would surely have an exaggerated expression and indication of anger and embarrassment at that. Ah, but Columbina could certainly just use her powers to make an ikari mark appear. That was a phrase she learned from one of the books that the shaman in Fontaine had left around.
That seemed like a bad idea to do at this moment though.
"Why would you assume that the Moonchanter is with me? You should know the Frostmoon Scions and the Curatorium of Secrets have, at best, merely an amicable relationship. It would not do good for the Curatorium to demonstrate favor in any capacity."
"Hmm?" Columbina was confused by Nefer's convoluted and frankly, wrong answer. Calling upon the moonlight…
"A-agh!" A crash and the sound of glass breaking could be heard from the back room. Also, the voice of a rather recognizable Lady Moonchanter.
A moment later, the Moonchanter burst into the room, her antlers noticeably longer and at the ends was a chandelier caught up by the points.
"Nefer! Could you please, um, help me? My antlers… they seem to have grown, though it's not night time nor is the moon in its highest ascent." Lauma pleaded, her head face down.
Nefer sighed and flicked her hand, at which Ashru bounced away and jumped up to Lauma's head. Somehow, that cat began detangling the remaining pieces of chandelier from Lauma's antlers. Not long after, what remained crashed to the ground as it was no longer tangled up in Lauma.
"Kuutar!" Lauma gasped as she saw Columbina then, sitting without a worry on the couch. "I didn't know you were back yet—wait a minute, did you cause that?"
Columbina was neither going to confirm nor deny that she may have shone an extra bright beam of moonlight through the window and right onto Lauma.
"Kuutar, that is not something a goddess should be busying herself with!"
Blah blah blah, here came the inevitable scolding that always ended with Columbina returning Lauma's antlers to the appropriate length.
"Well, Lady Columbina. It appears you have bested me at my own game." Nefer conceded and patted the seat beside her for Lauma to sit down.
"It was quite fun," Columbina hummed, pleased with herself.
"I apologize, Miss Sandrone, it seems we'll have to postpone our meeting with the addition of these two guests." Nefer said very pointedly.
"I agree. As I said, impossible to get alone time here." Sandrone agreed.
"Perhaps then, we can just have a tea party of sorts." Nefer motioned and began pouring another cup for Lauma.
That seemed to perk up Sandrone's mood, no matter how much she may deny.
The tea was served alongside a platter of delicate pastries that Nefer had clearly sourced from the finest bakers in Nasha Town. Despite the delicious treats, Columbina, however, seemed far more interested in the proximity of Sandrone. As Sandrone reached for her cup, Columbina leaned her weight entirely against the marionette’s side.
"S-an-dro-ne," Columbina sang softly. "This tea is a bit hot. Don't you think it's too hot? I think I need someone to help me cool it down."
"Do it yourself," Sandrone muttered, attempting nonchalance. Key word: attempting. Her cheeks now flushed a pink color that deepened when Columbina began to nuzzle into the crook of the doll's neck, ignoring the amused glances from Nefer and the stare from Lauma.
"But my breath is occupied with talking to you," Columbina countered, peering up through her lashes in pure innocence. She shifted, her hand coming up to rest over Sandrone’s heart. "Oh? It’s beating quite fast. Are you worried about the Curatorium, or is it just me?"
"It's the caffeine!" Sandrone hissed, her grip tightening on the handle of her teacup. "Nefer, please, continue—Columbina, stop that!"
Columbina had transitioned from nuzzling to gently biting the fabric of Sandrone’s sleeve, tugging like a persistent kitten. The marionette huffed, but the corners of her mouth twitched. Finally, with a dramatic roll of her eyes, Sandrone set her tea down and used her free hand to pat Columbina’s head, smoothing the strands of hair.
"Fine. You have my attention," Sandrone grumbled. "But if you start chirping like that Puffin, I am leaving you here with the cat."
Columbina giggled, basking in the affection while Nefer quietly poured more tea.
"Ahem," Lauma cleared her throat. "Columbina, um, would you like to tell us about how your trip to Fontaine went? I am happy to see you back safe and sound and quite happy."
"Is it not obvious? I found my marionette there." At Columbina's words, Sandrone immediately stopped patting Columbina comfortingly and scooted as far as she could onto the other end of the couch.
"COLUMBIIIIINAAAAA!"
Hehe.