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Furina watched the drops of water falling through the window, sliding and gathering together until they ended up at the bottom. Sometimes, she thought, they were like the lives of mortals; they fell alone but then ended up joining others on their journey to the inevitable pool where, in the end, they were not so different.
But she didn't give a shit, she was bored! She kept wondering where Neuvillette was. It was already midnight, and he hadn't returned to their chamber. Furina knew not all the rain was caused by him, but what if that one was? As the thought crossed her mind, she leaned back in her seat. Suddenly, the drops were a most prominent point of interest.
“Neuvi, are you the one causing the rain? Of course, you must be! Why else are you not here?” She asked mournfully and dramatically into the air, pouting. Her face reflected in the window showed a bittersweet grimace. “I'll go look for you. That should be entertaining! After all, water connects us… I'll find you sooner or later.”
Without further ado, she left their chamber to search for her right-hand man.
And so Furina ended up in the streets of the Court of Fontaine without covering herself. She claimed that being the Hydro Archon, she did not need an umbrella – The water repelled her as she walked, and not a single drop had dared to wet her. Focalors firmly believed that it was thanks to her divine powers, for how else could it happen?
The goddess liked those nightly strolls through the streets. They gave her a sense of pride, for it was her nation. But, at the same time, that pride was replaced with worries. The uncertainty of being up to the task. The weight of a prophecy and the lives of citizens on her shoulders.
When she was alone, sometimes, she wondered… If this was how her future would be too – Lonely, where only the water reflected her sins. It was why she preferred to walk with Neuvillette. With him, she didn't have to think about such serious matters – Only about ways to tease him for a little while.
After so many years, Neuvillette had become a refuge. She could trust him completely and was the only one whom she granted the privilege of seeing her true self.
Furina would not last much longer without the attention of her beloved judge.
It was also thanks to her powers that the two were connected. They could sense each other whenever it rained or entered a watery environment. Over time, they learned to perfect the accuracy.
And now she could feel him close. Too close.
“Where are you, Neuvi?” She asked the sky. Her heterochromatic eyes were scanning the overcast sky when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
Focalors smiled immediately.
“You shouldn't be out alone at this hour, Furina…” He nestled his umbrella over both of them. “Certainly not in this rain.”
Neuvillette usually looked serious – but his grim expression told her he was causing the rain. Something pivotal, unmistakable, your honour! The archon wanted to cheer him up as soon as her hand ended up in his, helping him to hold it.
“How you have left me alone and cold, looking at this rain in our chamber.” She began dramatically, squeezing his hand. “I've decided to come and look for you, my judge. But you'll have to make up for the hours of waiting now that I've found you.”
Despite looking tired, he lowered his umbrella just enough to offer them privacy. As he bent over Furina, gazing at her with a look worthy of divinity, he made her blush. Now that she could admire him more closely, she looked at the slight dark circles under his eyes.
“I admit you're right, I've kept you waiting too long, forgive me… Some business has come up that I had to take care of. I'll go into details later. What's your quip… Focalors ?” Every time he said her real name, she shivered. No matter how many years passed.
Furina rested a hand on his cheek, running her thumb delicately under his eye. She took advantage of the intimacy afforded to look at him, demanding. It was clear what she wanted first. After a few moments, Neuvillette read her correctly and pressed his lips to hers, lowering the umbrella further.
It was scandalous enough that the judge and the goddess of Fontaine were kissing in the Court streets. Even though there were no passers-by in the avid rain, she knew Neuvillette wasn't completely focused. Still, his slow, gentle gestures were enough to satiate her.
“But I don't just want you to kiss me, Neuvi…” She mused against his lips, placing her hand on his shoulder. Her fingers caressed the nape of his neck gently. “Dance with me in the rain.”
Well, what remained of the rain. Unlike minutes ago, it was only drizzling now. So Focalors was full of confidence – she was succeeding in making her beloved feel better. She could see, too, in his dilated gaze, filled with the same love as always.
“Somewhere else, secluded…” He suggested, sliding his hand from her back to her waist.
The goddess laughed lightly. “Who needs a secluded spot when you're the Hydro Archon?”
In a snap, she turned them both invisible. Now water was a camouflage, a medium they could both take advantage of. Only they could see, hear, and touch each other. But to the eyes of any other citizen of Fontaine or outsider, it would be nothing more than an umbrella abandoned on the ground.
He noticed that the rain didn't wet Neuvillette either. Of course, it had to be the work of her divine power too.
But… She also felt that something was missing – If they dived to dance together, like at the bottom of the ocean, they would hear nothing. The sounds of nature would not be enough to please her. However, there was a voice that could make amends.
“Since we have no music…” Furina continued. “Sing with me! It's been a while since I've heard your melodic voice, Mon chéri .”
After a few hesitant moments, Neuvillette responded. “I guess I deserve it for keeping you waiting…” He mused resignedly, kissing her forehead. Her smile widened, and she enjoyed his warmth. “As always, my duty is to lead the dance. Focus on choosing the song you want; I'll know it.”
“I will!”
Fontaine was known for its masquerades, the goddess' favourite events. At them, she could attend majestic balls with Neuvillette without being recognised. It only took a simple camouflage spell and a mask to dance as a couple, mingling among the nobility. Thanks to them, they both developed an interest in this kind of dancing.
Focalors was always hesitant when it came to some steps. Fortunately, Neuvillette was so good at taking the reins she could improvise them and look just as perfect. Even if her feet moved in the wrong direction or her voice rose beyond range, her beloved always knew how to make amends.
Their voices danced along with themselves up and down the street. The mood seemed to work with every note, for Focalors could feel Neuvillette growing more and more relaxed in her arms. The drizzle ceased more and more.
Without enough water, they became visible again. When the judge noticed this, he used the ground dampness as a source for disguise, fixing it.
Furina, for her part, remained entranced by every traditional romantic lyric that came from their lips. The sweet way Neuvillette looked at her… The warmth of his caresses as his fingers brushed against her.
Neuvillette finished singing his part and pulled her even closer. Without opposition, it was she who mischievously stole a kiss from him. Her judge only smiled faintly, quelling the droplets altogether.
“You know…?” He mused, pressing his forehead to hers softly.
The goddess whispered the last few stanzas, hugging him around the waist. Her narrowed eyes watched him with interest. Whatever he had to say, the attention she had received had more than satiated her.
“I thank you…” Neuvillette continued, “Not just for today… You see, though it's hard to express, what you've done helps me do it. You are always my Sun, Focalors.”
She shivered so hard at those words that the goddess felt herself blushing up to her ears. She looked at him intently, silently telling him to go on, to keep talking!
“No matter how… Tough my days are. Whether in court or for other reasons, you always figure out how to brighten them up with your presence.” Her pulse continued to quicken when he smiled again. “Certainly, it's one of the things I appreciate most about you.”
“Oh, Neuvi! Keep flattering me. Don't even think of stopping right now.” Demanded the goddess, causing Neuvillette to pull away slightly and take her hand. After leaving a kiss on her knuckles, Furina knew what he would suggest.
“May I continue in our chambers?” He whispered.
Focalors nodded impetuously and took his hand. Impatience was growing in her – she couldn't wait! After all, as hard as it was for Neuvillette to enunciate his feelings, every word was more than worth it.
Besides, the rain had stopped, and she had found her beloved. And not only found! She had also succeeded in freeing him from his torments. There was no reason to be outside their chamber at such an hour.
“Yes, but on the way, too.”
After a few moments, arm in arm, they went on their way.
And Neuvillette did nothing but comply with her requests. What could she say? She was a pampered goddess.