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"The color of my eyes?"
Sandrone looked up from the machine she was tinkering on the table, her focus, swayed again, for who knows how many times does this make, because her nosy guest asked another question, and apparently she can't help but answer everytime too. Sandrone almost clicked her tongue at the thought, but when she turned around, her chair swiveling with her, and her gaze landed at the feather on top of that silky black hair, uncharacteristically, she held herself back from saying more nasty things.
"Why be curious about something so useless?" She asked instead.
Columbina tilted her head a little to the side, the gesture, accompanied by her famous... Infamous confused and innocent expression, "Knowing the color of your eyes is something I'd... like to know."
Stupid question, stupid face, stupid tone, stupid feather that moves along with its owner, stupid Columbina.
Sandrone should really check her memory module again to see if it's functioning properly because it seems that no matter how long they've already known each other, the things this girl says and do would still sometimes take her by surprise. It's not like she doesn't regularly do her maintenance, but... It's a mystery, one that can't be solved with her great mind for some reason. Everything about Columbina just affects her that much, not just her memory module, but also her emotions... Hah! She shouldn't even have an emotion module, and even if she does, she shouldn't be feeling such human emotions, and yet...
"Am I not allowed to know?" Columbina asked, the feather on her head dropping a little as her head also did.
"... It's blue." Sandrone found herself answering. The feathers on that head lifted up again.
"Blue... Like the ocean, or like the sky on a sunny day?"
Sandrone rolled her eyes, more questions, "Can you even tell the difference? Well, it's shade is more similar to the dark blue color of the ocean." Then she found herself staring at those closed eyes behind the mask. Several times before, she had thought of asking about it, but every time, she also would hold herself back without fail. The question itself is fine, but the answer it could bring feels too much. Too close, too intimate. As if they're no longer simple colleagues, but friends.
Yes, they're colleagues. That's all, and she's doing a good job at maintaining that relationship by playing along with this girl's whims, almost like an actual puppet tied to strings...
"I see, then it must be very beautiful."
"What?" Sandrone blinked at the compliment. If she had been drinking tea, she certainly would've choked too. She doesn't need to use any processing power to know that.
"I'd like to see it someday."
Sandrone turned around, her gaze landing on the machine again, but her focus weren't there, "Why someday when it could be today? Or are you truly blind behind that mask of yours?" She questioned, her tone, as causal as possible. Then, she felt some movements behind her.
"Are you curious about my eyes too, Sandrone?" The voice suddenly become too close, almost as if it's right behind her...
So she turned around for the third time, and behold, that girl is indeed right behind her! What— Sandrone could vividly feel the gears inside her head lagging as she looked up at the girl slightly towering over her. As usual, Columbina has that stupid serene smile on her face as if nothing could affect her, as if it's only Sandrone who's feeling that infuriating discomfort in her heart and stomach at this moment, ironic, considering how she doesn't even need those 2 organs to function.
"I'm not, and won't you back away—" She stopped, her eyes widening when in the blink of an eye, the mask on Columbina's face vanished.
Then, her eyes opened.
It's the moon. The most beautiful shade of pink, and... The reflection of the moon in them, as well as the reflection of my figure— and then, it was gone. The eyes closed once more, the mask in placed, and Columbina stepped back with that never fluctuating serene smile.
"You—" Sandrone tried to find the words to say, her imaginary heart, her core, thumping hard against her chest, "You can't just do that!"
"But I thought you wanted to see my eyes?" She looked confused again, then, "And I was able to see yours too. It's truly beautiful, like the ocean. I like your eyes, Sandrone." What an awful thing to say. Stupid assumption, who said she wanted to see it?!
"Of course. Everything about me is nothing less than perfection." Sandrone scoffed.
.....
Dormi cara columbula
Sleep, dear little dove
O columbula mea
Oh, my little dove
Splendeat fenestra
Let the window shine
Adsint somnia flora
Let floral dreams be present
🎶
"Sandrone, are you having a nice dream?"
Columbina laid her head on the edge of the moon stone platform, her now completely opened eyes, gazing at the person sleeping there. Sleeping... Because there's no concept of death for machines.
Once, she tried to fight against said concept, attempting to use her newly found power and authority, only to found out that there's nothing to fight with, and that's more devastating that having to go against an unknown entity.
It turns out that she can do almost everything with this power, everything... but take back the thing she wanted the most.
It's been a while... Is it truly time to say goodbye?
Columbina stood up, then proceeded to sit on the edge of the moonstone, her right hand gently brushing away some strand of hairs on that face. It's closed now, but every time she would take a peek ever since she saw it for the first time, she would always see the ocean reflected in those eyes. She's not one to care for physical appearance, but every time she would recall Sandrone's statement about being nothing less than perfection, she would agree, because even with or without using her eyes she could tell, Sandrone is indeed beautiful.
"Columbina." She heard Arlecchino's voice behind her. She knows. She had long sense her presence, but she couldn't bring herself to move from her place.
So she just sat there and stared at Sandrone.
If I let you go now, will it be the last time I see you?
Only now does she feel a true hint of regret for leaving the Fatui the way she did. If only she knew back then how farewell could feel this... painful. How did Sandrone feel back then? Watching her leave the Fatui, then watching her leave for the moon. The conclusion might not change, but she should've put more mind in the process. This must be a payback. She paid the price of leaving her 1st home, then the 2nd, and now... The 3rd.
"Will you be taking her now?" Columbina asked despite knowing the answer.
"... Yes."
She did hear something about Sandrone's request... Or last will, and about her entrusting it to Arlecchino, but other than that, Arlecchino told her that that's all she's allowed to say to her. She once wondered if Sandrone hated her that much, to not even be allowed to hear about her last will, but then every time she does, her mind would then take her back to a certain conversation they had back in the Fatui.
"Am I afraid of you, you ask?" Sandrone mimicked her question, then scoffed, "Hah! The more accurate question would be if I hate you."
"Do you hate me, Sandrone?" Her hear hung a little low.
"... What? Acting like you care now? After barging in here again and again despite me telling you not to? After bothering me for so long? After making me do useless things because of your whims?" It was a question one after another, but it felt like an answer too. As it Sandrone was asking her, without being aware of it; Seriously? Do you seriously think I'll allow just anyone to do this? Someone I hate?
"I like you too, Sandrone."
"What!"
Is this another case of that then, she wondered. But there's nothing she could confirm it with now but her memories. No Sandrone's frowning, or smiling face in front of her.
With a small smile, Columbina leaned in and kissed Sandrone's forehead.
If the concept of death doesn't exist, then there's no reason for her to believe that this is truly the ending.
"Please... Take care of her."
O cara filia lunae
Oh dear daughter of the moon
Neve plumam pulvis foedet tuam
May no dust ever soil your feathers
Nec iam complexum alma
And now, in a gentle embrace
Capias bona somnias a luna
Receive good dreams from the moon
🎶
.....
"... And they live happily ever after."
Columbina blinked as Lauma closed the book she was reading to the children of the Frost Moon Scion. The children cheered at the ending before they scattered, laughing and playing, some sharing the story they just learned to their family who was standing nearby, the others, having fun by roleplaying it.
"Is a happy ending truly the ideal end for all stories?" She found herself asking once it's only the two of them in the table.
Lauma thought for a moment, "Yes, I would say so because it's the opposite of a sad ending. In all the stories I've read, their ending could be divided into four categories; a happy one, a sad or tragic one, a bittersweet one, and an open ending. Most people would prefer a happy ending because it brings a happy conclusion to a story."
"Then why do writers still create sad endings for their fictional stories?"
"That... Might be a matter of preference, I believe, and perhaps, it might have been inspired too from their experiences and perspective of things." It makes sense. Columbina found herself nodding.
Each writer is different, one might be the happiest with their story ending, or the saddest for the exact same reason.
... If she were to put a name for hers and Sandrone's ending, would it be an open ending?
No, it's not even an ending. Not a proper... Ending at all.
And if she must blame someone, then she'll blame no writer but herself alone, for... Being late, unable to save her as she watched her slip right through her embrace even with the power of three moons within her.
Columbina stood up and bid farewell to Lauma and the others, saying that she'll now return to Silvermoon Hall.
In reality, she found herself in Sandrone Room in the Kuuvahki Experimental Design Bureau.
It's probably... Been a while, and often times, since bidding farewell to Sandrone, she found herself returning here. If only she could without trespassing or alerting the Fatui, she would also visit Sandrone's bedroom in Snezhnaya. She passed through the table where Sandrone was always tinkering with something, then she sat on the bed. She once wanted to ask Sandrone if she has multiple bedsheets with the same design, and if likes the design of gears so much.
Besides her, Luonnotar appeared, nuzzling against her.
Columbina smiled and brought one hand up to pat her head, "Do you miss her too?"
She remembered the time she sneaked in here with Luonnotar, and how Sandrone reacted, seeing a kuuhenki that resembled her closely. At that time, she had no idea still that Luonnotar was a small part of her soul.
"Columbina! What on Teyvat are you thinking? There's an edict out for you, and here you are, sneaking directly into the enemy's den!" Sandrone immediately told Pulonia to guard outside, and let no one in, or even approach close.
"But this is your room, Sandrone." It's not part of the enemy's den.
It was only then that Sandrone noticed the kuuhenki besides her. She raised an eyebrow, "What is this? You even brought one of your pets with you."
"It's Luonnotar."
Sandrone huffed, "Alright, Columbina, and Luonnotar, or whatever, the two of you, get out, now." Just as she was about to turn around to continue with her work, Luonnotar appeared in front of her, nuzzling against her.
"What—" She stepped back, surprised by the sudden turn of events, only for Luonnotar to kiss her on the cheek before vanishing as quickly as she approached before re-appearing again besides Columbina.
"That...! You—!" Columbina giggled.
"It seems that she likes you too."
"You and your pet—! Get out of here, now!"
Her eyes weren't opened then, but she could sense the Kuuvahki radiating from the surrounding. Was Sandrone'a face red back then? She must've looked so flustered. Columbina lied down on the bed and curled up, hugging Luonnotar. Why didn't I open my eyes at that moment? I should've taken a peek at least.
... Sandrone said they're both not the self-sacrificing type, but she's truly a big liar.
Columbina learned the joy of giving just recently, and learned that while she might not sacrifice herself for the world she has nothing to do with, she would, for the people she cherished in it.
Sandrone, did you do it for me?
Her questions would remain unanswered.
I'll do it for you, Sandrone, this powers of mine too, I'll wield freely for you, if it means you can return to my side if only to say nasty things to me.
And yet, it didn't work even when she tried.
This too, will remain... unreachable for her.
All she can do is take a peek into the past if only to catch a glimpse of what she once had and had lost.
.....
"Ta-da! Welcome to Fontaine!"
Paimon's cheerful voice managed to add to Columbina's already cheerful mood. Other than that, she let her senses do its thing as it answers to her curiosity in this new and unfamiliar environment she found herself in.
"So... What do you think?" Lumine asked. A few days ago, Lumine informed her that she'll be leaving for Fontaine before she travels to Snezhnaya, and Columbina decided that she'll tag along, wanting to explore more of the world she now considers her home. After talking about it with Lauma, she was allowed to go without any problem.
"It's... A new environment. I like it." She concluded. So this is Sandrone's hometown...
They spent the next hours going around from one place to another, or one shop to another with both Paimon and Lumine introduci her to new things, until they arrived in front of Palais Mermonia.
Columbina hummed, "... I'm not sure I'd want to meet him."
"He's not a bad person. He's a fair judge of things, and he also helps a lot ot people. He even cries often!" Paimon said and besides her, Lumine gave her a look, as if asking if the last statement was really necessary.
"Maybe next time if the opportunity arise then, he must be busy too, considering his position." Columbina nodded, acknowledging her friends words.
After that, they found themselves in front of Fontaine's Research Institute.
It was then the Paimon and Lumine suddenly started acting weird. Fidgety, as if they're hiding some they're about to reveal. Columbina didn't point it out, instead, she simply waited. They went on to explore different facilities, machines, and just as she began to wonder if she was purposely brought here for a reason related to whatever the two was hiding, they stopped in front of a large double door.
"Um, Paimon and Lumine have a surprise for you, Columbina!" Paimon said. Despite the cheerful tone, both her and Lumine still looks hesitant.
What is beyond this door?
"It's not exactly a surprise... But a long overdue reunion. The main reason why we decided to go to Fontaine first while hoping that you'll tag along is because we received a message from Arlecchino. The Fontaine's Research Institute succeeded in completing Sandrone's request." Lumine explained, scratching her head a little with an almost embarrassed smile. Finally, Columbina reacted.
Sandrone...?
Then, she wasn't standing in front of Paimon and Lumine anymore. She was back in Silvermoon Hall on the day she last said her farewells and handed Sandrone over to Arlecchino. Is this where Arlecchino took her then? Back to her hometown? And here in this Institute to...
"May I enter this room now?" She asked, the mask vanishing on her face, her gaze never once leaving that door.
"Of course!" So they said.
But as her hand made contact with the door, she hesitated. Will she truly see her again once open this door?
It sounds too good to be true, still, in the end, she pushed it open.
She stepped forward, and as she heard the door closed behind her, she was tempted to look behind, but she could no longer tear her eyes away at the sight in front of her.
"Who's there? Haven't I told anyone not to bother me—?" Sandrone turned around, and in a long while, finally, Columbina can look at the sea through that eyes.
"Columbina?" Sandrone was surprised, to say the least, but before she could utter more words, Columbina was already in front of her. Without any words, she found herself in a tight embraced. Columbina's hold was strong, with no intention of letting go. Surprisingly, for a moment, Sandrone reciprocated the hug with an equally strong hold.
It's cold, but it's warm. I... can hear the gears turning. It's Sandrone. My dear Sandrone.
The day she lost her, she had once dreamed of a happy ending.
One where Sandrone didn't 'die', where when she finally managed to return home, the first person she saw was her, smiling with both pride and smugness for being the key player in bringing her back, then after the battle with the Doctor, she went to hug her, and this time, Sandrone hugged her back, scolding her for doing what she wants without a care in the world, and for showing off as a moon goddess.
If not that, then she also dreamed of a world where after Sandrone 'died', in the future, she also returned.
And then...
"Let go of me now for a moment, won't you!" Sandrone finally complained, and wanting to look at her again, Columbina let go but remained close.
Looking at her face which must've look funny, Sandrone laughed, "What, miss me?"
"Yes, a lot." Columbina answered without any hesitation.
"Ugh— you... As direct as ever." Sandrone looked away.
"Why didn't you tell me about your backup plan?" Columbina asked, then, "Why... Did you do something so dangerous? Did you do it for me?" And then, "I like you. I missed you. I love you, dear Sandrone." She poured out everything she's been wanting to say.
"What... Wait, calm down. I..." Sandrone looked both shocked and flustered, and Columbina would probably be able to hear the gears in her pretty head turning if she's not distracted by everything else.
Sandrone took in a deep breath, "Why would I tell you about my backup plan? It has nothing to do with you... If It failed, then wouldn't I just be giving you false hope?" She looked away.
"And did I do it for you? Hah!"
Silence.
"Who else would I do it for?"
Then she started mattering almost to herself, "How... How can you easily say such words? Like, love... Do you even know what they mean?"
"I do. I thought about it a lot. I see Lauma and the traveller as family... But my bond with you feels different. Too much to simply be called friendship, and enough to be called... Lovers. Or is that not allowed?" She mulled over it again and again. What makes hers and Sandrone's relationship different from her other relationship?
"It's not a matter of being allowed or not!" Sandrone exclaimed, her face completely red now.
Columbina stared at her, refusing to missed a single thing.
"It is. Would you allow me to have that relationship with you?" Regardless of the answer Sandrone would give her, their friendship won't change. It's a bond she cherish nonetheless.
But she already have a feeling and this love isn't one sided.
"Stupid girl, making me say it.... Would I do all of that if I... If I don't love you..." Sandrone looked away, her eyes darting at everywhere but at Columbina in front of her who giggled.
"I love you too, Sandrone."
— "Let go of me... Please. I recognized your name, and I have some memories of you. They're all stored at the most secured part of my core for some reason, but... That's it. I have the data, but it's hard to relate such memories to my current self." Columbina stepped back, her gaze never leaving Sandrone. Miraculously, her mind still managed to register Sandrone's words.
It's certainly her... Her Sandrone... But why?
.....
"Is it really okay for us to not warn her about the memory loss?" Paimon asked Lumine, the concern evident in her tone as they both look towards the closed door.
"It's not exactly a memory loss since Sandrone still retained some memory of Columbina, and her creator but... Arlecchino's letter said so. She can't see herself as the Sandrone who knows Columbina. It's like... having the memory of someone else." Lumine frowned, wondering if this problem occurred specifically because Sandrone is a machine.
Her syetem allows her to think of the most logical and optimal solutions, but it's exactly that system that makes her think of things such as... Can she really say if she's still the same Sandrone if she was destroyed once then rebuilt twice now?
But...
"I'm not too worried." Lumine smiled.
Paimon frowned, scratching her head, "Paimon doesn't really get what you mean but Paimon hopes you're right!"
.....
"Here, tea."
Once they finally calmed down a little, Sandrone found herself and Columbina sitting in front of a table with the tea and snacks she just finished serving on it, but no matter what she says, or does, it seems that this girl refuses to look at anything... Or anyone, but her. It's unnerving. It brings some kind of familiar discomfort to her chest and stomach. It doesn't make sense. How can a robot even feel such discomfort? A newly rebuild one even.
She even did maintenance before all of this and was sure that everything in her is functioning properly until.... This girl arrived.
"You hugged me back." Columbina said.
"That was... An automatic response." Sandrone fired back. It truly was. She doesn't know what possessed her, but the moment this girl hugged her, she was suddenly overcome with a mysterious feeling of sadness and desperation. Such description is also foreign to her, but for some reason, those are just the words her mind could conjure. Is this bug? Is someone hacking into her system or something?
Just as she was thinking like that, the girl in front of her— Columbina, no longer said anything as if she's also pondering about her words.
Quite a... Serious expression. No smile, no teasing. Silence and... the feather hanging low.
The image overlapped with the memories stored in her core, and twisted something inside her. No. Get that out of my view.
She faked a cough, "So... Who told you about me? And what do you want?" Her gaze then glanced towards the untouched snacks and tea on the table, then she paused. Why on teyvat did she even serve tea and not coffee?
And isn't she going to eat? What else did I served it for?
"The traveller and Paimon brought me here... And Arlecchino informed them." Sandrone raised her head again at the answer.
"Arlecchino? I have no memory of her, but I do remember her being the one who brought me here. She's also one of the first person I saw when I came into being. As for this Traveller and Paimon you mentioned... Are they friends of yours?" The last question somehow left a bittersweet taste in her mouth that she can't explain. Surely, not even her taste module is malfunctioning now?
"If I knew, I would've been there too. I wanted to be there when you open your eyes again." Columbina said, her boldness, overlapping with all the other direct answer she gave from memory.
Yes, that's the only reason why she felt disoriented and flustered, because her mind did an unnecessary comparison again.
Who cares if she has the memory of Sandrone from before? Who cares if they seem to have a special relationship? It's... not her, is it? Her memory of her is not even complete, so clearly, the her from before did a trashy job of protecting it.
All of that only for them to end up like this.
Foolishness.
Sandrone stood up, "You didn't even answer my question. Whatever. I'm a busy woman, so if you can now excuse yourself." Just as she was about to walk away, Columbina also stood up abruptly, her hand reaching out for her as if to try and stop her, instead, it knocked over the teacup.
Sandrone's eyes widened, "Hey, watch out!" She maneuvered around the table, quickly pulling Columbina away from the table, but even then, it was already too late.
A part of Columbina's white dress at the front got soaked with tea, and her thighs too probably got hit. Sandrone cursed under her breath. This reckless girl. Does she never learn?!
Sandrone pushed her towards her chair, " Sit here instead, and wait. Don't you dare move." Lest you do anything else reckless.
Leaving that warning behind, she went over to one of her tables, fetching a towel, then putting a few cube of ice on it from the mini fridge below the table before closing it in a circle. Should I thank my incompetence now for not yet having renovated this room? If she had finished doing so, then such things wouldn't be here.
She walked back to Columbina, her body moving almost automatically as she kneeled on one knee in front of her before gently checking the area where the tea dripped. Fortunately, it's only slightly red.
But... Why the silence? I only told her not to move.
Sandrone looked up while her hands did its work, firmly but gently pressing the cold towel against the Columbina's skin, and when blue clashed into a familiar, and beautiful shade of pink, she paused because Columbina... Is smiling. Automatically, her mind compared the image to the image of her smiling from her memory, and found it quite different. Because it looks more stupid!
"You caused trouble and yet you're smiling?" She sneered.
Columbina shook her head, "I'm smiling because Sandrone is still Sandrone."
"Instead of saying such nonsense, why don't you hold this yourself?" Sandrone gestured to the towel with her eyes.
"... I want Sandrone to hold it."
Alright. That's it.
"Columbina! What am I? I'm not your maid for Teyvat's sake. How can you even be sure I'm the same Sandrone you know? I could just be a stranger holding the memory of another version of me." Despite the fury in her chest, she did not stand up nor let go of the towel she's holding.
And then Columbina laughed.
Freaking laughed!
Just as she was about to unleash another set of statements and questions, a pair of hands firmly gripped her face and she froze.
"A stanger wouldn't kneel like this for me, would they?"
"Of course they would, you're a god." Sandrone deadpanned.
"Yes, I'm a god. A moon goddess. Anyone else wouldn't make a big deal out of me making contact with hot tea."
"That's not true at all."
"Then a stranger Sandrone would've pushed me away already, but my Sandrone wouldn't. She would stay, despite her mind probably telling her not to." At that, Sandrone could no longer think of anything. Her thoughts suddenly become silent, as if she can only move and think now, by the command of this girl. Ridiculous. Absolute nonsense.
"Dear Sandrone, you can be so foolish at times." That, she certainly can respond to.
"What—! I'm not! I'm definitely the smartest person you know." As far as her memory of this girl is true, then if not for her formula, then Nod-krai would've been devoured by that scum!
"You are, but... Why question wheather you're my Sandrone or not? You are you, no?"
"You don't get it." She simply grumbled, avoiding her gaze.
Columbina tilted her head a little, her hands, going along with her so Sandrone also had to tilt her head a little.
"Maybe I don't, but it doesn't matter. I'm still your friend, and I still love you, so I would still like to be your lover." It's two sentence, but it's enough to send Sandrone's mind into a spiral. Did her hearing module fail her? Or did her processing power run out? An overload? How come she can't think of anything but wanting to choke on something? What... What...!
"What are you even saying... Friends, then lovers all of a sudden... Do you even realize what that word means?" Lover. Such a foreign word, and yet... The moment she woke up and saw those memories, she tried to put a name on their relationship. Too close to simply be friends... So close friends? There's the term best friends... But then, there's also the term lovers. If not love, then why else would they go so far for each other?
They could be family, like sisters or something, but if that's the case, why, everytime she thinks so, something inside her twist uncomfortably?
If not love, then why else am I feeling like this?
When I'm not even supposed to feel.
Then, she felt incredibly envious of the her from before. A funny thought, ironic even, because Columbina is right. Herself can only be herself, there's no point in arguing which is the more real or complete version. Even if she had lost all of her memories, even if she had failed to at least store Columbina's name at the innermost part of her core, by some illogical part of her, she thinks everything will still go the way this girl wants.
Because for some reason, it seems that she's fated to always be drawn towards the moon.
"I love you." Her forehead felt warm, and returning to reality, Sandrone found Columbina's face much closer to her own, their foreheads pressed against one another. At some point, she had accidentally let go of the towel, the cloth left hanging on Columbina's thighs while the ice cubes had spilled all over the floor. She didn't even hear them falling.
"I love you, dear Sandrone." Columbina said again, as if Sandrone didn't hear her the first time.
Shut up! Shut up! I hear you... Loud and clear!
"I missed you. A lot." Sandrone gritted her teeth. She has no tear ducts, therefore she don't have the ability to cry, not that she'll have any use for them, or she'll even want one, but strangely, she thought that if she could, then she'll probably cry at this moment. She's going to cry, and this girl will still remain as serene as ever making her feel as stupid as ever... Or not.
Columbina's eyes closed, and the tears suddenly started falling, and Sandrone panicked. She's crying...? She's crying?!
She brought her hands up, leaning back a little to seperate their foreheads, but as she cupped Columbina's face, they remained close. Her hands shook, but she no longer have any intention of pulling away, especially when Columbina's eyes opened again, looking at her as if she holds the answer to every problem in the world. Why are you looking at me like that? Why...
"I..." She looked away for a second before forcing herself to look back at Columbina, "I missed you too, Columbina." Then she shut her eyes off, "I love you too... Because why else would I do all of that? Seriously... You better be serious about what you said about loving me. You can't take it back anymore, do you understand? Not after all of this."
Columbina laughed and if she weren't mesmerized by the sound of it, she certainly would've glared at her more.
Then—
A peck, and Sandrone's mind officially stopped functioning for a good 5 seconds.
Columbina's laughed, a beautiful sound, then something soft, a peck, a kiss... A kiss?!
"What.. What was that?!" She asked, pulling away a little as she finally let go of Columbina's face. The girl being questioned simply blinked at her with that usual stupid and innocent face.
"A kiss." I know what that is!
"Why?!"
"Was I... Not allowed to? I'm sorry. I learned form a book that one should learn how to read the room for kissing, and I thought it was a good moment to kiss you... I'm sorry if I didn't do it right." What the heck is this girl saying! Stupid book! Stupid author of that book! Stupid Columbina!
"In the first place, it's not a matter of reading the room! You should've warned me first!"
"... Oh. So it's okay as long as I warn you beforehand?"
"No! That's not it!"
This is truly stupid. Stupid Columbina... and stupid me.
.....
"Oh! They're out!"
The door opened and not from a far, Paimon and Lumine immediately approached Columbina and Sandrone who came out. Columbina's mask was back but they're holding... each other's hands? Paimon and Lumine exchanged a look.
"Whoever you two are, don't expect us not to see the looks you're throwing at us and at each other. If you don't want me to blind you, then stop!"
"Oh... Hi, Sandrone! Paimon is Paimon and this is Lumine! We're adventurers, and umm... We're friends before? Sorry, we didn't mean to be rude!" Paimon is always sincere with her words, but she's also sincere with her actions which is why even while saying that, she also couldn't stop glancing at Columbina and Sandrone's hands. Sandrone felt a new kind of twist in her stomach at the attention, but while Columbina's grip was gentle, it's also firm with clearly no intention of letting go.
... Not that I'll let go.
"Paimon and Lumine? Traveller? The two of you are Columbina's friends then?" Sandrone raised an eyebrow at the two, her gaze alternating between them. Good, they look like nice and genuine people at least. Then she glanced back at Columbina who smiled at her. She looked away. Whatever.
"Yup! That we are! You're one of our friends too!" The two smiled at her.
"Right, right, whatever. Well, if you're friends with this girl, then there's no way I also won't fit in." She rolled her eyes but then the two exchange a knowing look with each other again.
"What?"
Paimon giggled, waving her hands in front of her as if sensing that her irritation is rising again, "Nothing! It's just that you said something similar to us before so Paimon thought that it's really still you!" Lumine nodded with her in agreement with the same stupid looking smile as the flying girl.
Columbina giggled, "See? Sandrone is still Sandrone."
"Oh, shut up already!" Ugh, now I really dug my own grave with everything I said earlier about being another version of me...
"So... Do you two have some plans now?" Paimon asked.
Columbina hummed, "We plan to travel around Fontaine for now, then I'll wait for Sandrone to finish her business before we travel to Natlan. We plan to travel around Teyvat." She looks happy as she said that, and Sandrone even felt a squeeze in her hand in which she instinctively squeezed back. That's what they talked about after all the stupid shenanigans.
Columbina asked her first what she wants to do now, which then resulted to her asking the same question back. In the first place, such questions are useless to her. She doesn't know what she wants, all she cares about are her research, and she supposed... Columbina. It's just a thought, but why is it still so... embarrassing?
But if there's something she doesn't want now, it's... To let go of the hand she now holds in hers.
This is really stupid.
"Hah! She insisted on wanting to travel around Teyvat so I had to tag along. Before we go, I shall attempt to restore all the other lost data I had before. I also plan to rebuild the other core they sent with me in the institute. It's already in progress, but they prioritize my rebuilding first which I should applaud them for, I suppose, since they did a decent job of doing so and now I can take charge with everything else."
"That's great! Both the travelling and Sandrone's plan at the Institute! Oh, maybe we'll have the chance to encounter each other in one of our travels often?" Paimon almost flew up and down at the thought.
"But whatever the case, above all else, I'm happy for the two of you." Lumine then said, smiling wholeheartedly at them and Sandrone blinked, processing her words.
"Thank you, Paimon, Lumine. I wish the two of you safe travels as well, and may the moonlight connect us." Columbina smiled. The two echoed the wishes.
"Whatever. Don't die I guess, and... thanks." The last word was almost a whisper but the two cheered nonetheless with Columbina giggling. Seriously?! They're friends alright, they're stupid all the same. Why did I even bother... She looked away, trying to hide her expression until the two finally waved goobye.
Watching their leaving back, Columbina turned to face her. Sandrone raised her eyebrow at her.
"I forgot to say earlier. Welcome home, Sandrone." The mask vanished again, and she got struct by that stupidly beautiful eyes and face again. Her eyes widened.
"... Welcome home, Columbina."
We're finally home together.
.....
(From here on out, a bunch of extra)
"Sandrone, this looks beautiful."
"This stuff toy looks like you, Sandrone."
"My dear Sandrone, whatever you wear, you're beautiful."
"Thank you, Sandrone. I... love it"
"Sandrone."
Sandrone stared at Columbina who's busy talking with a merchant about various possible flavours they can start selling as drinks. They're on their way home after stopping at one shop after another in Fontaine. It's been 3 days already, and by home, she means her quarters at the Fontaine's Research Institute. She did consider buying an apartment in the City but when she asked Columbina about it, they concluded that there's no point in doing so since they'll be travelling soon anyway.
... We really should talk soon about where exactly our home will be, not that it matters as long as they're together. In the end, she'll probably end up following this girl to Nod-krai? Right. It's not like she'll bring it up first!
But that's not the point, or the main problem.
Because something about being lovers must have altered something in Sandrone circuits again because for some reason, every time Columbina calls her name, it's just... It just feels weird!
"Sandrone, can I buy a box of this?" Like that!
"What?" Sandrone looked up, approaching Columbina who showed her a box of assorted drinks in plastic bottles. She looked at the box, then back at Columbina who's showing her usual smile. Her mask is in placed, the feather on the head, steady and up, nothing unusual. Totally normal. So why does something feel different? And it's making her agree more than usual. Definitely.
"Why ask me? Just buy whatever you want. It's not like we don't have the money." While they're no longer part of the Fatui, she still have her hold on the adventurers guild as well as the likes of Fontaine's Research Institute.
"I still want to ask you."
"And I'm saying there's no need to. Just buy it." Columbina nodded, going back to talk to the Merchant who chirped happily upon receiving the payment. Then she returned to her side, hugging the box.
"I'm done."
"Give me that." Sandrone offered her hands, and Columbina handed her the box.
"Thank you, Sandrone."
"... Are you going to thank me every time? I'm not doing anything extraordinary for you to thank me." She looked away as they continue their walk.
"But you did. Letting me use your money freely, then carrying the box for me, and a lot more."
"Can you stop saying it like that? And like I said, nothing extraordinary. I'm just doing what I want to do." She grumbled, "You're the one who kept on saying those melodrama and sentimental nonsense about doing something for someone because they're worth it or something." She almost hissed out that statement, and Columbina chuckled.
"You're worth if for me too, Sandrone."
"Whatever, Columbina!"
.....
Dormi cara columbula
Sleep, dear little dove
O columbula mea
Oh, my little dove
Splendeat fenestra
Let the window shine
Adsint somnia flora
Let floral dreams be present
🎶
Sandrone woke up to the familiar sound of singing, but she didn't exactly sleep. She just disabled most of her processes for a moment to conserve power and put her modules to a brief rest, not that she needed any of that. She just did because someone insisted on sleeping with her and yet... She's up and singing instead of sleeping, but... Sandrone sat up, looking at Columbina's back.
"Hm? Sorry Sandrone, did I wake you up?" Columbina was sitting at the edge of the bed, and hearing Sandrone's movements, she returned to Sandrone's side, laying her head on her shoulder as she hug her waist.
"Why are you awake already? Weren't you the one who insisted on sleeping with me?" Sandrone gave her a questioning look, one of the few times where she's immune to embarrassment at the close physical contact. She looked at the feather on top of that head which seem a little lifeless. How can that feather even tell her so clearly how this girl feels? Not that I can't read her clearly too from her manners, expression, gestures, voice, and eyes alone.
"... I had a dream. I dreamed of the day you went to a long sleep." Columbina answered, her voice, almost a whisper, sounding softer than it already was.
... Damn you, Dottore!
Sandrone shook her brain for words to say, was tempted to scoff, but instead ended up saying, "I'm here now, aren't I?" The hold on her waist tightened.
"When you went to sleep, I spent a long time saying goodbye to you. I... brought you to Silvermoon Hall. I did try to use the trilune authority to wake you up, but it didn't work at all." Sandrone's eyes widened at the information, "That day, I learned that this power isn't really that useful after all, since it can't even bring back the person I want to be with, but... It makes sense. You're not human, so it makes sense that it wouldn't work."
Columbina hid her face in at the crook of her neck, "I thought that would be the last time I see you, but I couldn't accept an ending like that."
"Lauma said it's normal for me to feel like that, and it wouldn't be easy, but time will teach me to accept it over time. It... makes sense. I'll be accepting the reality of it, but I'll never move on from that moment. I would never be able to forget it, the sight of your key not moving, the silent gears, and your closed eyes that I thought I would never see open again."
"Thank you for coming back, Sandrone."
The air feels heavy, but probably not as heavy as the feeling, or discomfort Sandrone is currently feeling on her chest— even that too, is nothing compared to what Columbina must have felt the moment she saw her 'death'. After managing to reclaim most of her memories now, before proceeding with her plan against Dottore, she once thought of a scenario like this. Her plan succeeding, her dying, then reviving, and surprising Columbina.
She envisioned herself teasing her, scoffing at her for now knowing what she felt when she left her back in the Fatui without even thinking about it more, or what she felt when she bid her farewell because she plans to return to the moon.
What enraged her then, was the fact that Columbina didn't even try to ask her to go with her though, not that she knows how she would've answered then.
I envisioned that, but not this. Never like this.
"... Hey. Why are you being such a crybaby? All of that was on me for being such a crappy planner. I... I didn't mean for you to react like this." Sandrone gritted her teeth, raising her hands to hug back Columbina qs she also leaned her head against hers, "I thought nothing else would matter as long as they could bring down the moon and bring you back. I told Arlecchino not to tell you my request because I don't want to give you any false hope, if it were to fail, that would just make me a stupid liar."
"But you've always been a liar."
"Columbina! That's not the point!" Finally, Columbina giggled.
Sandrone let out a sigh, "Seriously, at least I had a backup plan while you were out there before, throwing yourself inside the moon gate then into the past without even thinking! Then you went on to show off as the Trilune Goddess. Who would've guessed that's how Nod-krai become a home to Kuuvahki?" Columbina laughed.
"All of that when we said we're both not the self-sacrificing type."
"Hey! I'm still not. I only did that because of you!"
"Me too, Sandrone. I did it too, for you, and the friends I cherish in this world."
"I'm not your friend."
"I know. You're my lover."
"... As long as you know."
"Sandrone?"
"What?"
"Thank you for returning to my side."
"... You did too, Columbina." You waited for me, and then you returned to my side.
"Of course."