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Two individuals sit on opposite sides of a desk — one human, one dragon. A glass of Chenyu Vale’s purest water and a cup of tea imported from Inazuma sit untouched between them. The air of the room is silent and still, almost oppressive in its stasis.
The dragon looks up from where he has been staring at the same court transcript for the past twenty minutes. He hasn’t read a word of it.
“You haven’t touched your tea,” Neuvillette says. “Is it not to your liking?”
The human smiles slightly. She looks tired. “No, it’s fine. I’m just not feeling well, I suppose.”
“Do you want me to contact Sigewinne?” Neuvillette asks worriedly. He frets — he can never help it.
“No, no. She’s busy. I’ll be fine,” Furina replies. She traces the rim of the teacup with a finger. Steam wafts up from the liquid within, curling through the air almost gracefully.
Neuvillette is silent for another moment. “Is there a reason you wished to meet with me?” he asks. “You didn’t send in a written request this time, so I assumed it was of a more personal importance.”
Furina hums in response. “I just wanted to see your face. That’s all.”
She’s still staring at the teacup. “You didn’t need to make this for me, you know.”
“Force of habit, I suppose.” Neuvillette tries and fails to attract her gaze. She won’t look at him. She hasn’t in a long time.
She hasn’t looked at anyone as of late.
“It’s been a while since everything, hasn’t it?” Furina remarks. “Since the final trial, Focalors, the flood… everything. You handled it far better than I ever could.”
“Only because my power was returned to me,” Neuvillette replies. “You did everything you could. I’m sorry that things came to what they did… I’m sorry for everything that happened to you.”
“All water under the bridge, Iudex. All water under the bridge.” Furina seems transfixed by the tea. She stops touching the cup entirely, primly placing her hands in her lap. “I miss you a lot, you know. We had our disagreements, but ultimately… I care a lot about you.”
“I know. Believe me, I know.” Neuvillette hears the telltale pitter-patter of rain on his office window.
“Hydro Dragon, Hydro Dragon, don’t cry,” Furina recites.
“Please,” Neuvillette says — pleads, really. “Drink your tea. One sip, that’s all.”
Furina only offers him a slight, sad smile. Her gaze lifts to meet his own—
The office door opens.
“Monsieur Neuvillette?” Sedene asks, poking her head into his office. “Are you alright? It’s raining outside.”
Neuvillette looks up. The tea remains untouched. He is alone.
He has been alone for quite some time now.
“I—“ He cuts himself off. He has no excuses. “Please leave, Sedene. I’m alright. Nothing is wrong.”
He’s lying. They both know it. Sedene offers him a sad, almost pitying look and closes the door.
Neuvillette takes a sip of the tea and places it down.
“There. I’ve taken a sip. Happy now?” Furina says.
“Very much so,” Neuvillette replies as the rain turns into a downpour.