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Four people basked in the sun that grew closer and closer to the horizon, a slow descent with it being the peak of summer. There was still plenty of light about, but the evening was quiet and filled with stillness. Only the dancing of leaves in the trees, the occasional chirping of birds, and the small waves swashing against the shore could be heard. It was warm, pleasantly so, even with the breeze that rushed by now and then.
A lovely sight it was, but only one of the four individuals there upon the bank was truly experiencing it because the other three were nothing more than headstones sprouting from the soil. That was why Navia found she couldn't quite enjoy the scenery before her.
She was sat by her father's grave again, but now either side of it stood two new plates of stone, the names Melus etched onto one and Silver on the other. Though their bodies could not be retrieved, Navia still honoured their wishes and created, out of her own personal funds, a resting place for their souls. Even so, she still stood by what she had said, about how she would make any journey for her two dearest attendants. Even if her father was buried here in Fontaine, Melus atop the highest mountain in Shnezhnaya, and Silver somewhere in one of the many vast fields of Monstadt, Navia would go visit them every chance she got.
She should have gone home hours ago, but it was as though some force had tied her to the ground as a means to make her reflect on the oh so eventful day she just had. Earlier, the traveller had asked her if she was okay, and now that Navia had a moment to herself as to process everything, everything beyond today stretching as far back as the day that she was born, she knew she wasn't okay in the slightest. She hadn't been in a long while.
Colter's words were fresh on her mind, and they cut deeper than any blade and made her bleed out an onslaught of grief. No matter what anyone said, it seemed as though there was always going to be a part of her that felt responsible for what had happened to Melus, Silver, and her father. Heck, her thoughts were so degrading that her brain pondered the idea that she was technically to blame for her mother's untimely demise too. Part of her, a small and fleeting part, mused over the fantasy of what would have happened had Neuvillette not shown up to save her from dissolving in the primordial seawater. Would that have been for the better- what she deserved?
And so, the next gust of wind that came to pass took with it a waterfall of tears from Navia's eyes. She pulled her knees to her chest and sobbed- silently even though no one was around. She cried and cried until her throat ran hoarse, and her eyes burned and her body felt heavy. She cried until she used up all the tears in her body, the final one rolling down her cheek and drying there as yet another breeze washed over her and left.
Navia sniffled and didn't bother to wipe her eyes. Instead, she unfurled her body and looked to her bag which she had brought along. Inside was a selection of desserts all wrapped up neatly, a bottle of wine, and three wine glasses. Three because she hadn't gotten used to making this journey by herself. Looking upon said glasses, Navia felt her lip quiver, a threat of another barrage of tears. Instead, however, she sucked it in and removed the cork from the opening of the fancy bottle before pouring herself a glass.
Navia brought the glass to her lips and took a sip, its taste a bitter one.
Thereafter, she cast her gaze back over to the horizon, noting how the sun had gotten lower in the sky. Someone was bound to come looking for her eventually, and it wouldn't be hard to guess where the boss of the Spina would be after almost losing Poisson for a second time. Navia did not wish to see anyone though, not now. No, she would much rather be alone. Alone where she didn't burden others or put them in danger.
But as luck would have it, it wasn't long before the sounds of footsteps approaching her whereabouts could be heard. Navia cursed to herself because, though it could have been a resident of Poisson and or the Spina coming to check up on her as she suspected, she had come to learn that hearing someone approach before seeing them usually meant that she was in danger. Hence, she dropped the red beverage on the ground where it spilled out, and rose to her feet, ready to fend herself from a possible attacker.
Navia assumed an offensive stance, used to all the lean men with greying hair, sunken eyes, and hollow cheeks who typically came to bring her harm. Thus, you can imagine her surprise when the person approaching had none of these features, nor were they a resident of Poisson.
This person was short in stature with elegance in their gait. Hair not grey, but white and shimmeringly so with undertones of a pale blue. Blue was a common theme for them with their frilly, deep blue blazer, blue hat and black shorts to compliment the get-up. Their eyes were not sunken, nor were their cheeks hollow, rather, they had rounded, big eyes and porcelain cheeks ever so slightly flushed with pink and lips of a similar hue.
All the attributes combined, and Navia realised that stood before her was none other than- "Lady Furina?"
Clearly not anticipating to cross paths with someone, let alone the boss of the Spina of all people, the former Archon stared at her in a brief surprise. "Miss Navia?"
Now knowing that she was under no threat, Navia relaxed her stance, a small, relieved smile coming to her lips upon appreciating this intruder's familiarity. "My, it's been some time. I don't believe we've spoken since your visit to Poisson with that theatre troupe."
Navia remembered that day well, for it wasn't long after the death of Melus and Silver. She was in the process of handing over supplies to a few residents when they asked that she join them for a drink. She did just that when all of a sudden one of them let out an audible gasp. It wasn't long before Navia understood why, and she too couldn't believe her eyes upon seeing the Hydro Archon back in Poisson after what had happened. The boss of the Spina had expected her to avoid it like the plague, and after catching the whispers of the residents and all the less-than-friendly things they had to say about Furina, Navia would have done the same. But after being present in that fateful trial, and being the empathetic person she was, Navia didn't think twice about looking out for her. How could she not after hearing about her five hundred years of silent suffering?
"Has much changed since that day? How are the people?" There was an undeniable nervousness in her voice as she asked this.
Navia took a moment to reflect yet again. All in all, Poisson was in a better place and it was only improving by the day. The residents had returned to their usual cheery selves, and their little gift, the sketch for the statue, still warmed Navia's heart. However, after the events of the day and everything before, the president of the Spina still felt doubts she hadn't up until now. Doubts of pleasing the people, of protecting them from harm.
Hence, there was a bittersweet tone to her voice, and like a magnet, her gaze fell to those three headstones. "Things are better," she replied.
Furina must have noticed her line of sight because all of a sudden she grew anxious and apologetic. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I was just on a walk looking for some inspiration, but I'll be on my way now."
That said, Furina began to walk away, but before she had the chance to leave, Navia called out without thinking, "Wait, Lady Furina." The said woman stopped in her tracks and looked at Navia in anticipation. In the few seconds that passed, the blonde woman rethought her prior desire to be left alone. Initially, she didn't want to burden others with her sorry state, and she didn't want to make them understand how she felt if they didn't already. But Furina... Furina knew suffering like no one else in Fontaine, and that fact made Navia a little more comfortable about not concealing her feelings. "If you're not in a hurry, I wouldn't mind the company."
Navia watched her body language closely, and the way her shoulders relaxed and lips curved upwards told her that Furina had no qualms about adhering to her request. In fact, it seemed as though she was glad to be asked such a thing. However, what she spoke next did little to please Navia. "Of course, it's the least I could do after... everything."
Navia frowned, and when Furina walked closer, she reached out and placed a firm but assuring hand on her shoulder. "Come now, I thought I told you not to speak like that." Upon hearing her words, Furina looked away sadly, guilt plastered all over her face. "Not once did I ever blame you for what happened, Lady Furina. There was nothing you could have done, there was nothing anyone could have done. Ultimately, that disaster contributed to the saviour of the whole nation, and those we lost will live on as heroes of Fontaine."
Furina's shoulders slumped down further, this time out of sorrow. "I... I know, but I wish that it could have been different, that no one had to die for this."
"I know," Navia replied, because that's all that she could think to say. Hence, she returned to the patch of grass she was sitting upon and patted the space next to her. "Come, sit down with me."
The former Archon did just that, pulling her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around her legs as she did so, facing forward towards the sunset. Navia watched her for a moment before she too looked upon the scenery again. The sky was growing pink, and the clouds were developing an orange hue. But still, it was warm.
"How is the human life treating you, Lady Furina?"
"Please, just Furina is alright, I'm no longer a God," as she spoke, her prior tone of sadness shifted upwards, and Navia couldn't help but feel relieved as she continued, "The change in perspective, though different, has been wonderful. I'm getting to see so many things I never was able to up there on the throne. No longer am I an observer, but an active part of this society. I can pursue hobbies, take risks, learn from consequences, and start to form new, meaningful relationships. I think... I'm finally starting to live."
The Furina that spoke now was far different than the one Navia had become accustomed to over the years. The way her voice lacked its usual, dramatic shrillness made it clear that she shorter woman was still recovering, still trying to find herself. Navia had no doubts that she would get there in time.
Navia's gaze softened, and she was powerless against the smile that fell onto her lips. "I'm very glad to hear that." Then, her smile turned to a playful smirk. "And what of your cooking skills? Have you since upgraded from macaroni?"
Furina's cheeks turned red, and her mouth formed an O shape in shock and horror. "How- how did you know about that?!"
A laugh escaped Navia's mouth, a true and genuine laugh that hadn't escaped her lips in a while. "Oh, you know how Paimon can be, she may have let it slip earlier today that cooking wasn't one of your strengths... even after five hundred years." Furina pouted and turned away, and as if on cue, a low grumble sounded from her stomach, causing her face to grow redder, and drawing out yet another laugh from Navia. "Well, you're just in luck- I don't go anywhere without an adequate amount of tasty treats."As she spoke, she began to again rummage through her bag.
"If only you'd burst into the Opera Epiclese with confectionaries rather than evidence that would publicly humiliate me," Furina jested.
Navia giggled before retrieving all that she had brought with her. "Let's see... we have sponge cake, shortbread, macarons, and...scones." That last item unlocked a memory for Navia, and judging by the way Furina's eyes widened, it was clear that she too was reminded of that day. It felt like ages ago since then, and Navia still struggled to believe that it actually happened at all. After all, it wasn't exactly normal for one to hold the God of their nation in their arms in an attempt to encourage them to fall asleep... nor was it normal to accidentally knock them out with rolling pin.
But perhaps Navia, in her slightly delirious state, had simply imagined Furina's change in disposition at the mention of scones, and that day truly never happened at all. That would be the only logical explanation of how she was able to plant her lips upon her Archon's head and live to tell the tale. Not that Navia would tell anyone. No, if it did happen, then it was their own little secret. A secret that she was certain Furina had pushed into the depths of her mind.
"I'll have a scone please," said Furina.
Navia handed her one shortly after, opting for a macaron herself. "Can I interest you in a drink?" she asked, presenting the bottle of wine before her newfound company.
Furina looked at her surroundings, and that's when she discovered the discarded, spilled glass on the floor. "Are you sure?"
Navia knew what she was truly asking. "Don't worry, I'm not here drinking away my sorrows. Melus, Silver, and I used to come here and share a drink. We all felt the same in that it's what my father would have wanted... and I'm sure they still feel that way."
"Alright then," Furina said, ultimately accepting the glass that Navia soon poured for her before pouring her own.
Silence fell between them, a comfortable one, as they drank their wine and nibbled on the confectionaries. Perhaps Navia was just tired, but she couldn't help but feel as though the wine didn't taste as bitter as it did earlier. The tang that she felt was now a pleasant one, and it was then that she remembered what Melus had said once upon a time, about how drinks tasted better in the company of others.
"Forgive me for prying, but did something happen? You look troubled."
Yet again, her eyes found Furina's. So close now, and Navia could appreciate how pretty they were with how they sparkled like water from the primordial sea. But unlike the primordial seawater, Furina's eyes weren't dangerous, rather they were soft and comforting. So, Navia hesitated little when opening up, only pausing to let out a contemplative hum as she collected her thoughts.
Finishing the last drop of her drink she answered, "Would you believe me if I said we almost lost Poisson for a second time today?"
Fear and sympathy were apparent in Furina's visage. "Oh, that's awful Navia, I'm so sorry."
"It's quite alright," she said with a small wave of her hand, but her tone of voice suggested otherwise. "Thanks to the efforts of myself, the traveller, and Paimon, the crisis was averted, and no one was hurt."
"That's a relief to hear."
Navia nodded, "Indeed." all too soon, the frown that was previously upon her lips returned to her face as she went on, "Though, I overexerted myself. Not only that, but the one responsible for what could have been another catastrophe was an old friend of my father's. He had some... rather unpleasant things to say about me which all but reinstated the guilt I thought I had overcome from the initial loss of Poisson. Needless to say, I'm not exactly feeling so grand about myself right now." Tears were threatening to fall from her eyes, but she blinked them back.
Then suddenly, a new sensation- one that was once familiar to Navia that had been long forgotten. It was the sensation of Furina's hand placed atop her own, her fingers curling under her palm slightly. "That sounds horrible, you well and truly did not deserve something like that... I couldn't imagine how awful something like that felt."
Navia smiled, but sadly so. "Oh, I'm certain you could, actually," she said, and Furina leaned back in confusion, ultimately separating their hands. Navia tried not to dwell on how she quickly missed the contact as she said, "During your trial, there was something that you said which really stuck out to me... 'I'm still the same Furina you knew... the one you loved? Shouldn't you want to believe in me?' those were your words, and thinking about them now, they resonate with me."
Now, Furina was wide-eyed and left speechless. There was a subtle embarrassment to her features, but most of it was overshadowed by pain. Though Navia couldn't relate to Furina to a T, (No one could, really. For no human had suffered five hundred years alone.) That fear of doubt was something that the President of the Spina could understand, at least to some degree. This was because, as much as she tried to hide it, other people's opinions were something that Navia valued greatly. She had quite the legacy to live up to with what her mother, father, and so many others had left behind. However, unlike all of those aforementioned people, Navia had to tackle all of her issues alone- no longer did she have the guidance of parental or family figures. Now, actions had major consequences, and if she had learned anything from Colter's words or her father's case, it was that the smallest misunderstanding, disagreement, or accidentally winding up in something bigger could cause those around her to utterly despise her. Who's to say that she wouldn't die with the title of 'Navia the Unfaithful'?
Regardless, Furina's silence made it clear that she did not wish to recall the events of the trial, hence why Navia dusted herself off and rose to her feet. She bent down slightly and outstretched a hand to Furina before saying, "Well, I think I've been here long enough. Thank you for joining me, Furina, I won't forget about this."
Furina, still quiet, reached up and accepted the handshake, a silent means of saying goodbye. However, when Navia made a move to head home to Poisson, she found that the former Archon was still grasping onto her hand. Navia looked down at her, confused.
"If it's okay with you, then I'd like to stay with you for a little while longer."
Needless to say, this came as a surprise to Navia, but a pleasant one nonetheless. Thus, she smiled warmly. "I'd like that too."
And so, after packing up all of her belongings, Navia joined Furina on the rest of her walk, and by now, the once pink sky was gradually shifting to its usual nighttime blue. The shorter woman took her companion down a path that Navia had strolled down many times before, but they soon diverted, and no longer was the scenery familiar.
Their walk was spent in silence for the most part, but it was far from awkward. Refreshing is what it was, especially as the breeze turned cooler. But despite such a silent solace, there was one burning question that Navia had been dying to ask, and her desire to know the answer only increased the more that she stared at Furina.
But before asking, she let herself stare at the other woman for just a little while longer because, well, Furina was just nice to look at. She might not have been a god anymore, but there was still a divine aura about her that Navia couldn't quite discern.
Soon enough though, Navia's curiosity got the better of her. "So... about that?" She asked, nodding to the hydro vision upon Furina's hip.
Furina too looked at the manifestation of her new powers, her fingers contemplatively grazing the surface of it, provoking it to glow. "I still can't quite believe it. Five hundred years of utter powerlessness, and now I have this."
"It happened during that performance right?" Navia inquired before letting out a wistful sigh. "Ah, I do regret not going to watch it."
"Oh, you didn't miss much. Actually, I thought it was a prop at first."
"That's not what I meant," Navia said bluntly, causing Furina to again look at her with an inquisitive expression. "I regret not being able to watch you perform. Had I known that you yourself were going to be on stage, I would have dropped all my plans for that day. 'The voice of an angel' is what the townspeople were saying."
Once more, Furina's cheeks grew red, this time from the praise, and it was an awfully endearing sight. "Thank you," she mumbled bashfully before letting out an awkward cough. "Anyway, we're here."
Ah, of course. Navia had almost forgotten that this wasn't an aimless stroll and that Furina actually had a destination in mind. The former Archon had earlier mentioned something about venturing out here when she was stumped for inspiration, and It wasn't long before Navia understood why she was drawn to this place in particular.
They found themselves near a peak of a cliff, it was hardly steep and so the walk was more of a gradual incline, but it all amounted to a great view from above. Now, Navia had a better view of the Court of Fontaine, and she could see clearly the warm glow of the city, and stretching from it was the warming sight of the Clementine line. Further in the distance were outlines of mountains shrouded by fog that clung to their bases, and in the foreground resided the trees below of a variety of species. In the middle of the composition was a body of water that reflected the millions of stars and the crescent moon above, mixed in with the bioluminescence of marine life. It was all of enveloped in a rich, dark blue sky as the sun had finally disappeared over the horizon.
Navia let out a gasp as she drank it all in, but that gasp hitched in her throat, and suddenly tears were streaming down her face again. Clearly, she had not gotten everything out of her system as she thought she had, and when a wave of fatigue pulled her knees to the ground, her sobs all but doubled.
"Miss Navia!" Exclaimed Furina in a panic, coming to kneel down beside the other woman. "Miss Navia, what's wrong?"
A gloved hand was on her shoulder soon after, soothingly rubbing up and down her arms as Navia continued to cry, too caught up in all of her emotions to feel any sense of embarrassment. Clearly not knowing what to do, Furina stayed silent and waited until Navia was ready to speak, and for that, Navia was grateful.
Eventually, she felt ready enough to turn and face Furina after rather ungraciously wiping her eyes and nose with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry, I just..." Furina's face was all but seeping with worry as she spoke. "I'm rather emotional today if you haven't already gathered," she turned back to the sight before her. "This is such a wonderful view, I wish that Papa, Mama, Melus, and Silver could be here to see it too."
Furina's brows furrowed, not out of pity, but rather, understanding. It was very clear that there was something she wanted to say, but whatever it was, it took a great deal of courage to speak it, and the pain that laced her voice when she finally began to talk made it obvious why, "Outliving the people closest to you is an inevitable pain that no one deserves to endure. That was part of the reason why I had to separate myself so much from society and refrain from committing to meaningful relationships. Otherwise, the loss I'd endure would only double the burden of my task." Her hand fell from Navia's shoulder and instead found its place with Navia's own hands, this time intertwining their fingers. "But despite my best efforts, every now and then someone would come along and make a space for themselves in my heart, and but a few decades later, I'd never get to see them again... It would hurt the same every time, but being the Archon of the Hydro element, I came to eventually learn something that made these losses a little more bearable. Tell me, Miss Navia, what do you know about the water cycle?"
Navia sniffled and looked at her in confusion. "Water cycle?" she echoed, to which Furina nodded her head. "Well, the sun heats the ocean, water evaporates and forms clouds, then it rains and so on... why is this relevant?"
"Because humans too play a part in that cycle, and through it, they live forever. Those who were laid to rest underground, their bodies give life to the earth, they become the dew on the grass in early summer mornings that gets washed away into the ocean, they rise into the air, they fall as rain or snow in an eternal cycle. What I'm trying to say is, Miss Navia, they'll never truly be gone. Regardless if they're speckles upon tree leaves, droplets of water in the oceans, or molecules of mist. They will be here watching, and I'm sure they are right now." Navia looked at her, stunned for a moment, trying to process her words. However, Furina began to panic in her quietness, and so she began to backpedal. "Well, now that I say it out loud it sounds silly. You're wanting comfort and here I am testing your geography knowledge- f-forget I said anything!"
Navia shook her head with a small smile, "I've never heard someone put it so beautifully before." The words echoed in her mind, and again she looked at the water before her, the mist that clung to the mountains, the snow upon their peaks, and the clouds that reached high above them. Indeed, Navia had not witnessed the dawn of a new day without the company of the ones she lost. At least, not entirely, and that thought was enough to make the curve of her lips increase.
"Ah, well, you know me and my theatrics," said Furina, bashfully. Then, she turned serious, and her hand fell away from Navia's. Something about what she was going to say next made it so that she couldn't quite look the taller woman in the eyes. "And as they're watching, I'm sure they're proud of the woman you've grown into, and will continue growing into."
There was a beat of silence in which Navia registered what the former Archon had just said. Many others had said similar things along those lines, but there was something about hearing it from Furina, someone who had suffered similar tragedies on a much grander scale, that brought the tears back in her eyes. This time, however, they were happy tears.
"Thank you, Furina," Navia sobbed, all but throwing herself over the other woman in a grateful embrace. She didn't say it, but she hoped that Furina knew her gratitude also extended to her selfless, five-hundred-year-long act to save her people. And, judging by the way Furina eventually returned the hug after remaining stiff for a moment, burying her face in Navia's hair, it was clear that she did indeed get the message.
They stayed like that, probably longer than they needed to and what was considered normal, kneeling on the ground whilst in each other's arms. They came to understand that this was something they both desperately needed. Unfortunately, though, they did have to break apart, and hand in hand Furina walked Navia back to her residence in Poisson.
On the journey back, Navia found herself musing in her mind, hoping that this was the beginning of a meaningful bond with Furina. Judging by the way Furina squeezed her hand assuring once they reached the door to her abode, she was certain that her friend felt the same.