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The world around Furina buzzes in blurry gray in a constant beat in tandem with her heart. A habit she keeps, only broken when she goes to sleep or grows too distracted to maintain the continual use of elemental sight.
Everything living bustles around her, Fontainians and their fauna alike much louder in the past few days now that the Masque de Fleurs Festival has arrived. The streets smell of various flowers, yet the most prominent are those similar to what she’s grown used to. Flower petals brush against her nose as she bobs her head to a passing melody which jolts Furina into a sneeze. Her foot catches on a stray brick in the sidewalk, gone unseen from her elemental sight, and unnoticed by her cane leaving Furina to brace herself for the fall.
A firm hand catches her a mere inch into her fall, quick with practiced ease. Furina clears her throat at the burn of embarrassment burns the ack of her neck as she stumbles back onto her feet. “Is my city so enamored by the intrigue, and drama of the court and theatre that they neglect to maintain it’s beautiful streets?” she turns away from where she knew the other was watching her.
Clorinde’s voice comes with the usual professional bluntness that Furina sought most in overwhelming times; Furina’s gaze lands exactly where the guard’s gray figure holds greater visual detail due to her proximity to the archon. “I will ensure that someone is notified about the state of the street.” Her words are curt, addressing the issue without problem or hesitation unlike other attendants who remain somewhat anxious around the hydro archon—used to accommodating Furina’s sudden whims and fancies.
Truthfully, it is the migraine that came with these festivities that’s led to Furina missing such a minor detail in her path; her mind a constant buzz with the dense crowd around them being picked up by her elemental sight. Her eyes itched as well, and it took everything in her not to scratch at the area in public. What would the public think if their archon showed discomfort to the flowers across her eyes which she had willingly taken for them? Furina hums at the thought, tapping her cane along the stones without truly swiping it back and forth as she’d prefer. Really, she holds the image of a ditsy god who has taken a walk along the streets in a flight of fancy. What true god would have such mortal flaws as full blindness?
Her hand twitches at the itch but remains wrapped around her cane.
In the crowd, just in the corner of her vision, a hydro infused brooch in the shape of a star catches Furina’s attention, just close to being a blue beacon in the sea of blurry grey. Excitement bubbles in response, her footsteps picking up as she follows the brooch at a distance. Clorinde follows her as well with a small sound of confusion, perhaps surprised by the sudden change in route. “Come along now, Clorinde. I believe we have a new guest in our city!”
The guide swiftly moves along the mass of people, the fact that they weren’t being stopped at every step by devout citizens perhaps played a role as well. She’s led to the main elevator of the city, passing the guide who had stopped just a few feet from the elevator to casually deign interest in a recent magazine stall. Vaguely she sees the gray outline of three fingers held behind their back as they walk away. Furina happily enters the elevator with her trusted guard and turns to Clorinde to press the button she wants.
“Is there, perhaps, a reason for this sudden trip to our country's borders?” Clorinde hums in question as she stands against the elevator wall across the archon.
“Could a god truly explain their whims?” Furina brushes off the question and shrugs, “Just believe me when I say that someone I’ve been itching to meet for a while is now at our border. The details of the matter are only important to me, my dear guard.” Clorinde thankfully doesn’t push anymore after that answer.
A ride on the aquabus turns out to serve as a great way for Furina to relax and let her migraine dull just a little bit. Garde’s eagerly greeting them at the end of the trip, each saluting with raised elbows and perfect angles. Their unique gray outline easy for her to tell apart from a regular citizen of Fontaine. Furina pays them no mind and continues, well aware of how they run after her. Behind her eyes she could feel the pain slowly bleeding back in despite the brief respite of the aquabus ride.
Now for the tricky part.
From spreading information, the Traveler has a flying companion with her. Thankfully this is easy to find when only one living being in that state appears in the next pulse of gray static, hovering next to an individual Furina could only guess to be the Traveler. Another pulse tells her of a hidden line between the flying companion, and one of the people standing next to the traveler. There’s the vague outline of a decorated top hat, and the presence of a pyro vision, which is not a common combination of details. The figure beside the Traveler must then be the magician Lyney, which means his sister Lynette is the last person in the group of three. A sigh leaves her without thought, a matter of irritation at the realization that she wouldn’t be able to exactly challenge the traveler as she had planned. Not with the technicality of the red line could be used to refute her planned accusation. What a smart boy.
The next best idea is to confront the other outright, and hope that there be no conflict of interest between this individual and Fontaine’s people. Perhaps something intriguing enough that would help Furina in some way as she hoped for. The Traveler has helped four other regions before Fontaine, perhaps she could help Fontaine as well?
A part of Furina recoils at the thought that all of her sacrifices would be outdone by a single outlander. But the people of Fontaine are her main priority.
The Traveler heads towards the main elevator to the aquabus, and Furina hastily intercepts them right as they reach the base of the stairs. The Gardes all formally aligned around the nearby walls and stairs as some sort of formal occasion. The people cheer upon recognizing her, and Furina does everything she can to bear the aching behind her eyes as she spews her planned speech, the roar of approval from those present, and the acoustics of the building doing her head no favor. All the while her attention never ventures far from the Traveler and the way her figure crouches slightly and widens her stance as if expecting to be struck in that moment.
“You think me to be some brute as the Archon of Inazuma. However! This benevolent God who stands above you is one who prefers a battle of wit and tongue. Traveler,” Furina scoffs and lowers her head in mockery as if looking down at the other from where she stands atop a box, “I hereby, so graciously, grant you a personal audience to speak with such a benevolent arcchon, such as I, about your intentions for my domain. Come to the Palais Mermonia in two days time. There, I shall listen to what you need from Fontaine’s archon.”
A knot ties in her stomach by the end of her speech, her limbs numb with nerves despite how desensitized she’s become to such grandiose speeches. After a few beats of silence, Furina wonders if the Traveler would hate her as everyone else does, but relaxes just a little bit when the flying companion screams their assent to the meeting. Furina takes that as her signal to leave, a satisfied smile tugging at her lips as she crouches low to ensure her cane taps the stone below before even taking Clorinde’s guiding hand off the box.
“Were those flowers on her face?” the flying companion speaks with no real control in her volume. Hidden by the railings and high angle, Furina lingers and listens. Clorinde pausing beside her without a word, perhaps already figuring out her intentions. No one corrects the floating companion and instead, someone answers.
“Yes,” that Lynette girl’s voice is somewhat monotone. “It is said that she’s chosen to blind herself with the flowers to portray a ‘true’ God of Justice. Someone who listens and judges without being blinded by prejudice and surface-level observations.”
The explanation sounds recited, and at the mention of it, Furina fights a small smile. Seems like the seeds she had planted a few centuries ago have been planted perfectly in the modern Fontaine. The explanation now said as a matter of fact, rather than theoretical or of a gossiping nature.
Lyney's much jollier and overly friendly tone pipes in, “you actually came to Fontaine at a perfect time! It’s the Masque de Fleurs Festival and there are many attractions for you and Paimon to try.”
The companion- Paimon is overly verbose in her excitement, the shrill of her voice somewhat hitting the exact point for her head to start aching again. Furina’s been here long enough, it’s time to end this walk and return home. Clorinde moves without much need of a signal and the Garde’s move accordingly, rushing to prepare an aquabus before Furina can reach the top of the elevator as every one of them proceeds efficiently as expected and required of them. The previous aquabus had departed during her talk with the traveler and the wait would take a few minutes.
They stop just a few feet away from the aquabus stand and Furina can’t help but eavesdrop on the people nearby. The deep need to keep track of rumors driving her every choice after centuries of reputation control.
“The water is rising too fast,” someone mumbles.
“Don’t think too much of it. Lady Furina has a plan,” another objects.
Another shifts what must be a bag in his hands, “and what exactly is her plan? Those kids seem to have a better plan than whatever she’s doing.”
A harsh hush pushes past clenched teeth as the first shakes their head. “You’re just impatient. Have you not heard of ‘slow and steady wins the race’? You just want immediate results.”
“I want tangible results. What’s tangible right now is that our archon chooses to remain blind in every sense of the word, despite the concern of her people concerning our fate.”
The other two hiss in a panicked pitch, their heads snapping to where the click of Clorinde’s pistol demands silence without a single word or glance their way. Furina herself sighs as the trio practically run from the proximity of her sight, the loud toll of the aquabus bell interrupting the awkward silence that had been left behind.
A nap would suffice, yes.
---
It’s not exactly like Aether has never seen someone blind before; but rather, it’s the first time she’s met someone who tried to hide it.
“Given that she was the one who allowed the flowers to cover her eyes like that, she must have some vision to be able to walk around so freely and easily.” Lyney shrugs in thought. “The Lady Archon shows no sign of being completely blind, always taking walks without needing a guide besides those who follow her for formal purposes.”
That doesn’t explain the oddity of how the Archon ‘saw’, from what Aether could observe. The archon moved her head around when addressing people as if she could see them and look straight at them as she spoke, she even knew that her guard had reached for her as she came off the box. Yet, she struggled to gauge the height of the box she was on until her cane had made it fully to the ground with a solid ‘thunk’. Could she only see moving objects? No, the guard’s hand was still when she looked over; it had to be something else. Living beings?
Paimon flies closer to the siblings with a curious gaze. “You mentioned a festival, is that today?” An excited gasp, “is there food ?!”
“It’s technically this whole week, but the peak of celebration is today, and yes there's food,” Lynette replies, unaffected by the pestering questions of the other.
“It’s also why Lynette and I are going to be doing a magic show at the Opera Epiclese today! When best to do such a major show than on the highest point of a celebration?” Lyney stands tall with pride at the feat of being able to perform on such a day. “Not to mention we’ve been told that even the Chief Justice will be present, so it’ll be one of our biggest performances. Of course, I would be beside myself if I didn’t invite such honored guests as you two to our performance as new friends!”
“Brother loves making new friends,” the explanation comes from the twin sister automatically, used to her brother’s antics.
“We just have a few tasks before we head out. Care to help us?” Lyney reaches into a bag and pulls out an armful of pouches.
Paimon hovers closer and Lumine herself examines it when she’s given one to look at. “Bags?”
“Magic pockets.” Lyney shifts the bundle of items in his arms into an easier position, “I think it would be better if we explained things a little bit more. About the prophecy of Fontaine.”
---
Furina first hears about the Traveler through her usual spy network, enjoying a slice of cake all the while one of her trusted, Claire, sits across from her doing the same. To most, this is the Archon indulging her sweet tooth as she would usually do around this time, the presence of some kind of personal audience long becoming a norm to see.
“This Traveler…” Furina stirs her tea in idle thought, “Do you truly believe that they would be a threat to my domain?” Afterall, could a mortal truly achieve all of the things her informant had told her? If it is then perhaps this individual would become a problem. Perhaps not in the way her people would believe but in a larger way.
Wherever the Traveler goes he prods at major sore spots in the nation, and Furina’s spot is something she’d rather be left alone. If not for the safety of her people, then for her waning sanity. It would do no good for her long held secret to be put into jeopardy by someone who couldn’t keep their nose out of other’s business.
“I wouldn’t say a threat, Lady Furina. After all, the aftermath tends to be favorable to all the Archons and nations he’s worked with. It’s just that major events always seem to take place in those regions when the Traveler arrived.” Claire finishes off her slice of cake, her fork clattering just a little bit as it’s placed down.
That’s true too, but it’s been five decades of maintaining her secret and now wouldn’t be any different than any other time. Caution has been Furina’s friend since she started, and stopping now would be careless and naïve. “Prepare a new brooch and inform the rest about the addition. A star will signify the arrival of the Traveler. If ever this individual enters our borders then I am to be notified and led toward her. The sooner I meet her when she arrives, the sooner I can mitigate any possible problems.” Furina is pretty sure she ate most of the cake, slightly disappointed when her fork meets the plate rather than another bite. “That is all. It would do no good for someone, such as I, to stay in one location for too long, lest the paparazzi comes around wondering who I’m talking to.”
“Understood,” Claire stands first, nodding and walking away with little fanfare. Furina watches her leave with each pulse of her remaining elemental abilities, grinning slightly at the way she can see the hydro-infused brooch in the shape of a heart pinned at the center of Claire’s elaborate hairstyle.
Truly that girl loved using the brooch system more than the others.
---
Despite the deep longing for her silent home, Furina walks at a leisurely pace as she smiles and waves at her people who cheer for her just as they would a celebrity, swinging her cane to and fro as she makes her way through the streets. Kids run up to boldly compare their flower masks to the flowers across her own eyes, and it takes practiced control for her to return the energy tenfold; knowing that her public image rode on her ability to react and keep her relation with the public. As unstable as it had become in the past decade. She bends down slightly to mimic looking down as she plays along and compliments the masks she is sure are beautifully made by the various vendors along the streets. If not, then most definitely the adults who bare witness will just assume that shes saying such things as a way of being kind to the children. “Such beautiful creations are truly worthy of being compared to my own visage”, she pats the closest figure to her with a fondness she reserves for the people of Fontaine. Even after two decades this tradition has not grown old to her, The dedication of her people always awe inspiring to her despite how much of it she’s started.
She doesn’t fault them for not knowing the true nature of her flowers. If they did, then these festivities would never have become a thing.
The Palais Mermonia serves as a kind of solace to Furina’s discomfort, Clorinde bidding her well at the entrance before leaving as Furina walks straight for her private floor. The low number of regular staff relieves her of the pressure from the crowded streets. Around the corner along the many hallways, bright blue interrupts her path as she passes the hydro-infused being that is Neuvillette. His entire body thrumming with hidden hydro energy that Furina is proud to be able to detect due to how used to elemental sight she’s become. “Heading out to the magic show?” she tries at idle chatter, needing something to distract from her thoughts, despite her conflicting need to be alone.
“Yes. Though, Lady Furina I must inquire about your reasonings behind the personal audience with the recently arrived Traveler. It is quite unusual for you to outright invite someone instead of pushing the meeting to be scheduled at a later date via a third party, such as your assistants.” Neuvillette’s tone is dense in confusion, a small crumb she seldom hears outside of court when provided with conflicting evidence. To think that she could still stump him after so long is somewhat humorous to her.
A small laugh tugs at Furina’s shoulders, her body shifting slightly to lean against the cane she carries as she tilts her head toward him in the image of someone rather smug. “My dear Iudex, it is not your role as of right now to know the script of this incoming opera. As part of the audience, I would recommend that the best way to enjoy such a spectacle is to remain seated and wait for the beautiful twists to take place on stage.” Furina’s choice of words not so subtly tells the other that this is none of his business; she doesn’t need more factors in this problem of hers as much as she’d love for the help.
They stand in silence, both aware of the rising tension neither wants to acknowledge. Furina knows her Iudex had so much more to say, to inquire about, but she could not afford to give him anything more despite how much that had split them apart before. Thankfully, Neuvillette is the one to break it first and back away. “If you so believe that this is the best way to go about things, then it is not my place to impede on the Hydro Archon’s whims.” he turns way, his tone harsh with the unspoken edge of disapproval.
Hearing him finally concede on the topic… is it supposed to hurt like this?
“Do you trust me, Neuvillette?” she can’t help but inquire his retreating back, breath caught in her throat as his gray figure pauses not too far away. “I care for my people.” She breaks the awkwardness just as Neuvillette starts to walk away again. As if the small rift that she had been aware of this past decade was manifesting physically at that moment. “I love my people.”
“I know,” Neuvillette responds in the same monotone voice after a long pause, atleast she knows he meant it kindly. Acknowledging her words without doubt; though he continues on his way without another pause.
“I’m doing my best,” there’s no response- she doesn’t expect him to with how far he is by the time she confesses it. “I’m doing my best. I really am,” such vulnerable words continue to be ust for herself. The hallway deafeningly quiet.
The next pulse of elemental sight shows no sight of the other, Neuvillette’s figure now well out of the range of what she can see.
Ah. Furina smiles bitterly, turning away to continue her trek back to her room. Neuvillette must hate her. A person unfit to be his archon.
That’s okay. Let them believe whatever they must. This is for the best of Fontaine and her people.