Work Text:
“What does Lady Furina like?” Sedene, an employee of the Palais Mermonia, whispered, standing on her tiptoes to somewhat maintain eye contact with the girl. “I know she holds tea parties with important people. Sometimes it happens with close associates too, but to achieve such a level of trust from such an influential figure, one must try very hard!”
While this interest was somewhat expected to hear—she is a lady, after all—it was necessary to clarify.
Sedene thought for a little longer, placing a paw on her chin.
“You surely know of her love for performances. Oh, she is such a professional in that matter, she has no equal!” the Melusine smiled. “Otherwise, I’ve told you everything. She has no particular interests, even if she is an Archon,” the creature shrugged.
So, everything typical for that type. Operas, tea parties (with gossip if possible), and excessive manners.
The only thing Clorinde could possibly figure out was tea etiquette.
The table was laden with desserts in the form of macarons and two pieces of cake, a sugar bowl, and a tea set. Clorinde had never had the chance to attend this kind of event before. She usually managed without any saucers of sweet snacks, at most having a cookie on the side so it wasn't too sparse.
Navia sat opposite her and carefully, with a slowly appearing smile, observed her friend’s tense posture.
“So, you’re planning to prepare for a job as the Hydro Archon’s bodyguard?” She noticed a confident nod. Seeing this from the previously unsociable girl was too unexpected for her, but she nodded in response too, watching the unchanging, diligent gaze.
“I hate to disappoint you, but you’ll have to sweat quite a bit, considering your… manners.”
Her friend tried to say it as softly as possible, but Clorinde was hardly concerned by her tone at that moment.
“Let’s just start already, so you won’t question me further,” the duelist looked over the table one more time before focusing on the most important part—the pinkish-tinted tea in front of her.
Navia clicked her tongue and also shifted her gaze to the steaming cup.
“Let’s start with the simplest thing. Sugar cubes should be taken with tongs. Stir gently and briefly with a spoon, without touching the sides of the cup.”
The girl demonstrated with slow movements, her eyes darting from the action to the girl sitting opposite, before she placed the spoon on the free space of the saucer. Blue eyes looked at Clorinde, who, after a moment’s hesitation, began to repeat the actions: she took the tongs, clicked them a few times as if testing if she could use them, picked up a sugar cube, but barely managed to carry it to her cup, almost dropping the piece.
Taking the spoon, Clorinde began stirring it in circular motions. It clinked loudly against the sides of the cup and caused strong ripples on the surface of the drink. The duelist’s expression changed, her eyebrows furrowing, and before Navia could voice any criticism, she tried to relax her hand a little and let her wrist move more smoothly. Two steps were already done.
Her friend opposite decided to overlook the stiffness for now; she was a beginner, after all, and they had two hours of free time for further practice.
Clorinde hadn’t thought she would be nervous, let alone stand uncertainly at the door of the office of the waiting goddess, who would be furious if the duelist didn’t enter soon.
Sedene peeked out from behind the girl’s tall figure, nudged her closer, and knocked herself. Nodding to the duelist, the Melusine stepped back a few paces and began to await any developments.
“Come in,” a high voice sounded muffled, fortunately, not dripping with impatience or displeasure.
The girl exhaled, straightened her shoulders (she needed to present herself in all her glory, but she felt she wouldn’t be able to keep up that standard for more than 10 minutes), cleared her throat, and entered the room.
The room’s warm lighting and slight coolness relieved the anxiety that had been lurking deep within and tormenting her to the point of making her hands and shoulders tingle. Completing this most pleasant picture was the Hydro Archon herself, sitting on a sofa by the table, legs crossed and a palm brought to her chin, showing interest in the newcomer. She didn’t look serious at all—on the contrary, even friendly. And she smiled slightly as Clorinde approached closer.
A fraction of a second later, Furina assumed a different pose, one more customary for nobility, tucking her feet together and placing her hands on her knees.
“Good afternoon,” the deity’s smile widened. “I presume you are that rookie duelist who already has no equal? I am glad to have the honor of meeting such a person,” a laugh, characteristic of her, escaped her lips.
Clorinde gave a bow as a greeting.
“Good afternoon, Lady Furina. My sentiment regarding this audience is mutual.”
The duelist suddenly fell silent, remembering she had completely forgotten to introduce herself.
Seeing the sudden uncertainty on the previously serious face, de Fontaine merely closed her eyes and, without removing her smile, spoke into the silence:
“Well now? Don’t be so nervous. Sedene has told me all about you, moreover, your name is already well-known, Mademoiselle Clorinde.”
“Thank you,” the girl said dryly and quickly scanned the table: on it stood the now-dreaded tea set, and to the right, a multi-tiered dessert stand with several blancmanges with two different fillings and equally varied pieces of cake. A hospitable reception from the Archon, as was proper.
Furina read all the movements, and when Clorinde finished checking the table's contents, she fidgeted in place, attracting attention.
“I suggest we have a tea party. It’s not good to just sit with all this assortment, right? Don’t be shy, take a seat opposite me!”
“I came to you to propose becoming your… bodyguard,” Clorinde didn’t wish to delay any longer; she hadn’t come here to drink tea, after all. But it felt like the opposite was expected.
The goddess averted her piercing gaze to the floor. She was silent and, judging by her hums and the hand brought to her mouth, was pondering the blunt words. The duelist decided to support her—she couldn’t interject anyway, and it would be inappropriate, would only anger her and she’d be faced with a sullen expression for the rest of the audience.
“A bodyguard would be quite timely. At the moment, I surprisingly have no protection whatsoever,” Furina’s eyes glided over Clorinde’s figure as she simultaneously reached for the sugar cubes, taking the tongs in hand. “And a person such as yourself would be an excellent candidate for the position! I might have even proposed it myself, but I allow citizens the freedom of their choice,” she smiled to herself, closing her eyes contentedly for a second.
Two pieces ended up in her cup. Clorinde began to do the same.
“I am glad you agreed so quickly, Lady Furina. When can I sign the necessary papers?”
Furina hadn’t managed to touch the cup to her lips before she answered with a smirk:
“Of course, after the tea party! This moment must not be rushed.”
Even if such future events occurred only once every few years, and even then mostly the duelist simply stood at Furina’s right hand, sword at the ready, the duelist thought that her many questions about the goddess had been most opportune. And, who knows, maybe someday Clorinda would become her guest for a tea party once again.