Chapter Text
Nights like these were a common occurrence for Furina. Nights like these gave her too much time to reflect on her past performance. Nevertheless, nights like these offered the opportunity to escape without fear of judgment. She had been relieved of the burden that came with ruling a country for a few days, all of that being dropped on Neuvillette’s much stronger and more capable hands. But that wound was still bleeding. Centuries of performing to the point of forgetting who you are wouldn’t do any good on anyone, after all.
Nights like these, her unfurnished, empty apartment felt like a prison. But not in the same way as the Opera used to feel like one. She’d been alone against her fate, back there. Here, she was physically alone. She couldn’t decide which of the two lives she’d had had been more unbearably excruciating.
Nights like these, she laid on her bland mattress wearing a white nightdress, never having bothered to buy a bedframe for it. Lightly suckling on the end of her thumbnail, she always hesitated to give in to the urge. Neuvillette had always told her it was bad for her teeth and palate to suck her thumb. Truthfully, she knew he was right. Neuvillette… he was always right. He’d been her pillar back then. If only he knew how important he’d been to her.
Neuvillette. How she missed him.
Now that he knew she’d been acting all this time, he probably would never want to see her again. She had lied to him for centuries. She could understand. It just felt like there was nothing out there for her anymore. She never knew what mirror-her had thought was so captivating about humans in the first place. She had become meaningless. No one to reinforce her performance efforts, no one to confide in. She had no purpose anymore. No trials to attend. No country to watch over. No prophecy to stop. If he would just come back… just to say goodbye?
She sniffled hopelessly. Tears had not stopped flowing since she moved out of the Palais Memonia, and her single pillow was drenched.
Since Neuvillette wasn’t here to tell her what to do, she gave in and slid her thumb in her mouth fully. Immediate comfort flooded her mind as she started to suck it, her painful bloodshot eyes slowly shutting. Furina hugged her knees closer to her chest and breathed out. With no covers on her bed, the cold air started to hit her. She somehow had no idea what to do to fix it, suddenly feeling like the whole world was just too big for her.
Thankfully, the now little girl knew just who could help.
Opening the door of her rez-de-chaussée apartment, she stepped out, thumb still latched between her lips. It was the middle of the night, when no one would be outside. She shivered, remembering why she was leaving in the first place. The cold winter air was freezing her fingers and bare feet. So, she ran in the only direction she knew. The place that had been her home for centuries.
When she finally made it to the Palais Memonia, she didn’t bother knocking. Stepping on her tiptoes to avoid disturbing the few Melusines still working, Furina made her way to the office door she knew so well. Worry finally flooded her thoughts, like she’d just realised what she was doing. It was too late anyway. She was too tired. She had nothing to lose. So, the short girl pushed the door to Neuvillette’s office.
« Lady Furina? » came that reassuring voice she’d longed for.
Her head hung low, not daring to look him in the eyes, she sucked her thumb harder. Neuvillette stood up.
« Lady Furina, are you quite alright? » he asked, rushing over to her, noticing her bare feet and lack of a coat — or any suitable coverage for that matter. He leaned down to her level, a worried expression on his face.
« Neuvi… » was the only thing she could mutter, words mushed around her thumb, before leaning into his embrace. He hesitated slightly, unused to her contact, but when he felt the temperature of her frail body, he scooped her up.
« Lady Furina, whatever seems to be the matter? Why don’t you have a coat? Have you gotten any sleep at all?» he inquired, and that’s when she began to cry again. A childish whimper was all she could mutter, burying her face in his neck and soaking his shirt in the meantime.
« Alright, we have to make your body temperature rise, » he said, carrying her closer to his fireplace and sitting in an armchair. « You know humans aren’t resistant to the cold, don’t you? But you’re alright now, I’ve got you. Would you tell me what’s wrong so I can help you, Bluebell? » The affectionate nickname had slipped out. The truth was, he had missed her presence.
« Neuvi, I … feel so tired. So small. I don’t know what to do, » she cried.
« The need to wind down is completely normal, my Lady. It manifests in different ways for different people. You feeling small is probably your way to deal with it. Do not fret, I am here to help you… if you are willing to let me, » he spoke, before taking her face in his hands to make her look at him. She still refused eye contact, feeling ashamed. She simply nodded to voice her agreement.
« You are so brave, Lady Furina. It is only natural to feel down after all you’ve been through. To ask for help is the most difficult act of courage, » he said, rubbing her back soothingly as she finally looked up at him with tear-stained eyes.
« No ‘Lady’, » she whispered, as if she feared he would actually hear her.
« Of course, Furina, as you wish. Shall we find you some dry clothes, ma louloutte? » he stood up as she nodded against his shoulders, hoisting her against his chest effortlessly. Her right thumb was still in her mouth, while the other hand fiddled with his shirt.
He knew no one would be in the Palais at this hour if not for Melusines. Neuvillette trusted them. He would explain if needed, but had no fear walking to the next room with Furina snuggled up in his arms. As he entered his private room, he quickly set the little girl down on his bed and reached for clean clothes in a cabinet.
« I’m sorry dearest, I only have my own clothes here. We’ll have to make do, » he whispered to the sleepy girl who didn’t seem to mind as she fidgeted mindlessly with his meka alarm clock, giggling at the beeping sounds it made. He grabbed a simple sleepshirt and pyjama shorts, which thankfully had a drawstring on the front.
« Furina, are you able to change yourself, or do you need a hand? I can step out if you wish, » he added, holding out the clothes in his hands for her to take. The thought alone of him leaving made her eyes widen, and she stood on her knees on the edge of the bed to push the clothes back against him.
« Are these clothes not suitable? » he pondered. The little girl sat back down, knees outwards, and stared, as if waiting for him to listen to her thoughts.
« I’m sorry Bluebell, I’m not sure I understand. »
At that, she whined and agitated her arms, getting frustrated. She was so tired, and didn’t feel like speaking. So, she made grabby hands at him, making him come closer. She handed him the collar of her damp nightgown to convey her thoughts, making him finally understand.
« I will help you then, love, » he smiled.
Once she had been changed, he slipped her under the covers to keep her warm. He caressed her cheek before asking, « is everything alright now, dear? »
She frowned, grabbing at his sleeves, silently begging for him to stay with her.
« You would like a hug, is that it? » he smiled. Her whole face lit up as she nodded, and she opened up her arms, waiting for him to lower himself for a hug. She held him tight when he did, sliding her short arms around his neck as he held her behind her back. They both closed their eyes, breathing in the other’s scent. And when they separated, Neuvillette couldn’t help but feel a hint of disappointment. Furina noticed his change in expression, and patted the bed next to her with an unspoken question in her eyes.
« I have to warn everyone that I have finished my work, okay Furina? I’ll be right back, dearest, » he said, offering a reassuring smile.
« Mhm! » she laid her head back down, sliding her thumb between her lips once again. When he came back and changed his clothes, he sat next to her on the bed for a moment, watching her chest heaving up and down. She looked so adorable, he couldn’t help but smile. And as her hands reached for his, she grabbed his index finger to hold on to, and Neuvillette had never felt more hopeful in his life.