Chapter Text
The air in Nasha Town, usually crisp with the bite of the northern wind, shimmered with a warmth Columbina had never truly felt. It was Moon-Prayer Night, a celebration that, until now, had existed for her only as a distant, abstract concept, a fleeting pulse of lunar energy she might occasionally sense from her sanctuary.
Tonight, however, it was a living, breathing entity, a vibrant tapestry woven from the laughter of strangers, the scent of roasting spices, and the soft glow of countless lanterns. Her name, ‘Columbina Hyposelenia’, still felt new upon her tongue, a fragile, exquisite thing. It was a name chosen, not merely given, and with it had come an anchor, a tether to this world she had always observed from a distance.
She stood at the edge of the central square, a silent observer amidst the joyous chaos. The townsfolk, dressed like her., moved with an easy grace, their faces illuminated by the ethereal light of the Moon. Children chased each other with unbridled glee, their giggles echoing off the timber-framed houses. Small, whimsical Dodoco projections, courtesy of Alice's playful magic, flitted through the crowd like luminous fireflies, occasionally landing on a shoulder or darting past a nose, eliciting delighted squeals.
"Columbina!"
The familiar voice, bright and insistent, cut through the din. Paimon, a tiny comet of enthusiasm, zipped towards her, Aether a steady presence just behind. Arlecchino, ever watchful, stood a little further back, conversing with Lauma, whose antlers glowed softly, mirroring the rising moon. Sandrone, surprisingly, was also present, her mechanical contraptions whirring faintly as she adjusted a sensor on her elaborate puppet, though her gaze flickered towards Columbina with an unreadable intensity. Even the typically reclusive Nicole, manifested as a shimmering Dodoco projection, floated near a makeshift game stall, seemingly engrossed in tinkering with something.
"You look… well," Aether observed, a gentle smile gracing his lips. His golden eyes, so often filled with the weight of his journey, now held a soft, welcoming warmth that mirrored the night itself.
Columbina found herself returning the smile, a subtle curve of her lips that felt foreign yet entirely natural. "I am well, Traveler. More so than I have ever been." The words resonated with a truth she was still processing. Her existence, once a whisper on the edge of fading, was now a song, clear and resonant.
Paimon bounced impatiently. "Come on, Columbina! Nasha Town has gone all out! There's food, games, and Paimon heard there's even a special performance later!" She tugged lightly on Columbina's sleeve, an audacious gesture that, weeks ago, would have earned her a frigid stare. Tonight, it simply made Columbina’s chest feel a little lighter.
"Indeed," Arlecchino added, her voice a low murmur as she approached, Lauma’s gaze following her. "This festival is for you, Columbina. They call it a 'welcome home.' It would be… impolite to simply stand here and observe." A hint of amusement, rare for the Knave, touched her eyes. "Go, enjoy yourself. Experience what it means to be truly among them."
Columbina nodded, a quiet acknowledgment of the unprecedented freedom she was being offered. To simply *be*, without purpose or pretense. She turned to Aether, a silent question in her gaze.
"We'll be around," Aether assured her, understanding. "Explore at your own pace. There's no rush tonight."
With a small, almost imperceptible nod, Columbina drifted into the heart of the festival.
Her first stop was a candy stall, its wooden counter laden with an array of vibrant confections. She had tasted little beyond the practical sustenance offered during her time as a Harbinger, and certainly never anything purely for pleasure. A vendor, a kindly woman with flour dusting her apron, offered her a small, translucent sugar confection shaped like a crescent moon.
"For you, Moon Goddess," the woman said, her voice warm. "A gift. It's honey-lavender flavored."
Columbina accepted it, her fingers brushing the delicate surface. The scent was sweet, floral, and utterly unfamiliar. She took a small bite. The sugar dissolved on her tongue, an explosion of unexpected flavor—cloyingly sweet at first, then a gentle, herbaceous note of lavender that bloomed in its wake. Her eyes widened slightly. It was an entirely new experience. She tried another, this one a vibrant blue, tasting faintly of mint and some ethereal fruit she couldn’t place. Then a fiery red one, which brought a surprising, pleasant tingle to her tongue, like spiced berries. Each was a miniature adventure, a tiny revolution in her palate. This simple act of tasting, of experiencing pure, unadulterated sensation, felt profoundly significant. It was a communion with the mundane, a grounding force.
Moving on, she found herself drawn to a game stall. Columbina hesitated. Such trivialities had never been part of her existence. Yet, the memory of Paimon's playful tug, Arlecchino's rare amusement, and Aether's gentle encouragement spurred her forward. "I… suppose I could."
Dori handed her three small, weighted rings. The first she threw with precision, though it was an unfamiliar application of her innate power. It struck the ten fairy-tale characters dead center, sending them scattering. Dori clapped, delighted. "Amazing! A true goddess's aim!"
Columbina found herself laughing, a soft, melodic sound that surprised even herself. It was a genuine laugh, not a polite one, not a sardonic one, but one born of simple, shared amusement. She played a few more rounds, sometimes winning, sometimes losing, each interaction a gentle brush against the fabric of ordinary life.
A short distance away, she noticed Sandrone. Playing a game.
"You have a surprising aptitude for children's games, Sandrone," Columbina remarked, her voice carrying a hint of wry observation.
Sandrone stiffened, her movements becoming rigid. The harbinger paused, its articulated fingers frozen above a piece. She turned, her masked face giving nothing away, but Columbina sensed a flicker of something in her posture. "Columbina. What brings you to me?"
Sandrone’s gaze lingered on Columbina for a moment longer than necessary. Her voice was dismissive, yet the underlying current was tinged with a familiar melancholy that Columbina recognized from their shared past.
"Of course,"
Sandrone let out a huff, a sound of irritation. "Do not presume to understand my motivations, Damselette. You of all people should know better than to project sentiment onto the pragmatic."
Columbina smiled, a full, genuine smile that softened her entire countenance. "Perhaps. Or perhaps I have simply learned to recognize the heart beneath the steel, even when it resists recognition itself." She paused, her gaze meeting Sandrone's, a silent acknowledgment of their shared history. "It has been… interesting, Sandrone. Our time as Harbingers."
The other Harbinger’s head tilted infinitesimally. "Indeed. Though you rarely graced us with your presence, Columbina." Her tone was sharp, but the edge was dulled by something unsaid. "You are… leaving, then." It was not a question, but a statement of reluctant acceptance.
"Yes. To my true home."
"A home you never truly had, until now," Sandrone mused, the words spoken with a surprising lack of malice. "A fitting end to your curious tenure. The moon, I suppose, is a more suitable stage for a goddess."
"And you, Sandrone?”
"The Tsaritsa's will is paramount," Sandrone stated, the familiar shield back in place. But then, almost imperceptibly, she added, "Though even intricate machines require occasional maintenance. And perhaps… a new blueprint, from time to time." She looked at Columbina, her gaze surprisingly direct. "Farewell, Columbina Hyposelenia. May your chosen name grant you the stability you always sought."
"And you, Sandrone. May your mechanisms find purpose beyond mere function." Columbina offered a genuine, if fleeting, nod of respect. It was as close to an emotional farewell as she expected from the usually unfeeling Harbinger, a testament to a connection forged in the unique crucible of their shared Fatui service.
As she moved away, she saw Nicole, the Dodoco projection, waving enthusiastically from a stall. "Columbina! Over here! I finally got someone to test my new game!"
…
Nicole's projection zipped around her head. "That's it! That's exactly what I wanted it to do! You understood it perfectly!" She paused, then tilted her head, her voice softening. "Thank you, Columbina. Truly. It means a lot that you gave my little invention a try."
Columbina reached out, her fingers passing through the shimmering projection. "The gratitude is mine, Nicole. To be able to play your game, it is a gift." It was a simple, heartfelt exchange, a moment of pure, uncomplicated connection born of shared enthusiasm and genuine appreciation.
As she continued her wanderings, when A flash of red and black, a familiar figure launched a water balloon with surprising force. It was Arlecchino, her stern features softened by a mischievous grin, aiming squarely at a smaller, more agile figure — Nefer.
Columbina paused, observing the playful skirmish. Arlecchino, the feared Knave, was engaging in a spirited water balloon fight, her movements fluid and surprisingly light. Nefer, quick as a sprite, dodged and retaliated, giggling as she splashed Arlecchino's elegant coat.
"Care to join, Columbina?" Arlecchino called out, catching her eye, a challenging glint in her gaze. "It's a rather effective way to release… excess energy." She punctuated her statement by launching another balloon, which burst harmlessly against a nearby tree.
Columbina considered. Her previous existence had little room for such frivolous pursuits. Yet, the warmth of the night, the genuine joy radiating from her companions, beckoned. "I suppose… a little friendly competition could be invigorating."
Arlecchino's smile widened. Nefer, seeing Columbina's agreement, grabbed Jahoda to join her team. Soon, Columbina found herself armed with a handful of water balloons, their cool, taut surfaces a strange contrast to the warmth of her hand.
Laughter, clear and bright, escaped her lips as a perfectly aimed balloon from Nefer splattered against her cheek. She retaliated with a gentle splash that nonetheless startled Nefer into a fit of giggles. Even Arlecchino, for a brief, glorious moment, seemed to shed the weight of her responsibilities, her rare laughter echoing through the square.
Later, as dusk deepened into the indigo of true night, Columbina found herself drawn to a quiet corner of the festival, a small grove of shimmering trees where delicate paper wishes, illuminated by internal lights, swayed gently in the breeze. Aether was there, leaning against a tree trunk, gazing up at the rising moon, its silver disc now a brilliant presence in the sky.
He turned as she approached, his expression softening. "Enjoying yourself?"
"More than I ever thought possible," Columbina admitted, her voice a soft murmur. She stood beside him, their shoulders almost brushing. The air between them hummed with a quiet intimacy, a comfortable silence that needed no words. "These trivialities… they hold a profound beauty, Traveler. A beauty I was blind to for so long."
"They're not trivial when they mean something to you," Aether replied, his voice gentle. "And tonight, they mean everything." He looked at her, his golden eyes reflecting the moonlight. "You belong here, Columbina. Among them. Among us."
The words, simple and direct, struck a chord deep within her. She had always sought belonging, a place where her unstable existence could find an anchor. Now, she had it, not in a grand title or a seat of power, but in the genuine smiles of strangers, the playful challenges of friends, the quiet understanding of the Traveler.
"I had an interesting encounter with Flins earlier," Aether mentioned, breaking the comfortable quiet. "He was doing his spirit animal readings. Said my spirit animal was a… Star?, that’s not even an animal." He chuckled softly. "He seemed quite taken by your presence."
…
Later, as the Moon-Prayer Night deepened, the festivities reaching their joyous zenith, Columbina found Aether again. He was standing near the central bonfire, its flames licking high into the night, casting long, dancing shadows. Paimon was already asleep, nestled comfortably in his hood, her soft snores a gentle counterpoint to the lively music.
"Traveler," she began, her voice softer than usual.
Aether turned, his golden eyes immediately sensing the shift in her demeanor. "Columbina? Is something wrong?"
She hesitated, then took a deep breath. "No. Nothing is wrong. Everything is… wonderfully right. And that is precisely what frightens me." She met his gaze, a vulnerability in her usually composed features he had rarely seen. "I have never had this before. This warmth, this belonging, this… love. I fear that when I return to the moon, it will all simply fade away. That these connections, so newly forged, will unravel like moonlight in the dawn."
Aether reached out, his hand gently covering hers, his touch warm and steady. His fingers interlaced with hers, a simple, comforting gesture. "It won't, Columbina. I promise you, it won't. Do you remember what Nicole said? The emotional meaning behind a name is what grants it power. Your name, Columbina Hyposelenia, is a declaration of your belonging. And the connections you've made, the love you've found here tonight, those are anchors stronger than any spell."
He squeezed her hand gently. "We won't forget you. We can't forget you. And when you return to the moon, it won't be a farewell. It will be… a new phase."
Columbina looked at their joined hands, then up at his face, illuminated by the flickering firelight. His eyes held such unwavering sincerity, such profound care. A warmth, deeper than the bonfire's heat, spread through her chest. It was a feeling so potent, so overwhelming, that it brought a prickle to her eyes.
"I… I believe you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. The fear, a cold knot in her stomach, began to loosen, dissolving under the warmth of his gaze and his touch.
He smiled, a soft, tender curve of his lips. He leaned closer, his gaze dropping to her mouth, a silent question in his eyes. Columbina, her heart thrumming with a mixture of newfound joy and bittersweet longing, met his gaze, and then, with a slow, deliberate movement, she leaned in, closing the small distance between them.
Their lips met, a soft, hesitant brush at first, then deepening into a tender, profound kiss. His lips were soft, warm, tasting faintly of the festival's sweet spiced cider. Her own, usually cool and reserved, responded with a surprising eagerness, a blossoming warmth that spread through her veins. It was a kiss that sealed their bond, a silent vow that distance would not diminish the connection they had forged. In that moment, surrounded by the vibrant energy of the festival, with the moon as their silent witness, Columbina felt loved.
When they finally broke apart, a soft, contented sigh escaped her. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes brighter than the moon itself. "Thank you, Traveler," she murmured, her voice laced with a raw emotion she no longer tried to hide. "For everything."
He simply squeezed her hand again, a silent reassurance. "Always."
The lingering warmth of the kiss, a gentle afterglow, settled deep within her. It was a memory she would carry, a beacon against any future loneliness. She realized then, with a profound clarity, that she wanted to savor every single moment of this final night. Every sound, every scent, every smile, every shared glance. These were the treasures she would take with her.
…
"Columbina," Lauma greeted, her ancient eyes filled with a gentle wisdom. "The Moon-Prayer Blossoms are almost ready to bloom. Have you prepared your wish?"
Columbina nodded. She took a small, blank paper lantern from a nearby basket, its surface smooth and waiting. With a delicate hand, she carefully inscribed her wish: *May all who dwell under the moon find belonging. And may I see my friends again someday.* She infused the words with every ounce of her newfound hope and love, a silent prayer echoing in the cool night air. Gently, she hung the lantern on a low branch, watching it sway, its soft light mingling with the countless others.
…
As the final moments of Moon-Prayer Night approached, a hush fell over Nasha Town. The Moon-Prayer Blossoms, until now tightly furled, began to slowly, gracefully unfurl their luminous petals, releasing a sweet, ethereal fragrance that perfumed the entire valley. Their light, a soft, internal glow, bathed the town in an otherworldly luminescence, turning every face into an ethereal portrait.
Her friends gathered around her, a circle of warmth and affection. Paimon, now awake and buzzing with anticipation, held a small, beautifully adorned greeting card. "It's for you, Columbina!" she declared, presenting it with a flourish.
Columbina took the card, her fingers tracing the delicate artwork. Inside, a collage of drawings and handwritten messages awaited her. There was a whimsical sketch of herself with Aether and Paimon, laughing amidst a field of blooming flowers. A drawing by Nicole, a detailed blueprint of a device capable of "trans-lunar communication." A surprisingly intricate sketch from Sandrone, depicting a mechanical bird soaring towards a crescent moon, its sharp lines softened by an almost tender quality. A bold, confident illustration from Arlecchino, showing Columbina standing tall, wreathed in moonlight, a symbol of strength. Even a small, childlike drawing from Nefer, a stick figure holding hands with a larger, winged figure, underneath a smiling moon. Each message, each drawing, was a vivid memory, a testament to the bonds she had forged. Tears, unshed but close, pricked at her eyes. This was her home, her family.
"This… this is beautiful," she managed, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you. All of you."
She looked at each of them, her gaze lingering, committing their faces, their expressions, to memory. "I have a plan," she announced, her voice gaining strength, a hint of her former Harbinger authority blending with her newfound warmth. "When I return to the moon, I will not simply observe. I will… communicate."
She paused, allowing the anticipation to build. "I will use the moonlight, my innate kuuvahki, to write messages upon the moon's surface. Not with ink, but with light itself. Hidden messages, woven into the very fabric of the moon's glow. Only those who know my heart, only those who understand the unique currents of lunar energy, will be able to perceive them. It will be our secret language, a constant reassurance that I am there, and that our connection remains unbroken."
A ripple of delighted understanding passed through her friends. Paimon clapped her tiny hands. "Moon messages! Paimon will look at it every night!" Aether smiled, a deep, knowing warmth in his eyes.