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English
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Part 1 of Judgement On The Curtain's Call
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2023-11-12
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1,674
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Beneath the Mask Lies a Tired Soul

Anonymous

Summary:

There's something wrong with Neuvillette. He hasn't come out of his room for a whole day, not even for a glass of the special fermented juice he's so fond of.

Furina may be theatrical and dramatic, but she knows when to be serious.

~

(A swap au between Furina and Neuvillette)

Work Text:

The ludex, the Head of Justice, the fascinating subject for many journalists and yet so out of reach...

Furina goes by many names and titles, some more flattering than others. Hundreds of years of serving as the embodiment of justice aside from Neuvillette has gave her so much experience in the ways of humans and how they act, as well as how to identify any expressions of distress, as the humans refer to extreme cases of stress in others.

As it so happen, the Hydro Archon seems to be experiencing some distress, or a prolonged amount of sadness.

Neuvillette returned from an excursion yesterday night, and has been acting extremely strange and concerning. He shut himself in his room for the whole night.

At first, Furina thought nothing of it. After all, she knows that sometimes people needs some time to themselves after specific events that cause them to become withdrawn from others.

But as time went on, it was clear that Neuvillette wasn't well. Even offering a glass of well fermented juice he enjoys so much didn't work on him. All she got in response was a 'I'm not thirsty' from him.

Furina knows that that juice was his favourite over the years of knowing him and working by his side. Even when it came to more...solemn topics such as the prophecy, it always got him to calm down.

So seeing that it didn't work this time around triggered her concerns and turned them up by ten times the scale. She's not one to investigate cases on her own, but this wasn't an official case nor was this the time to be pondering on that. Neuvillette needed someone, whether he liked it or not.

The next night after Furina was done overseeing the trials at the opera house, she went straight to Neuvillette's room, suspecting that he still hasn't left. She was sure Archons didn't need to eat regularly like humans to sustain themselves, so he probably didn't go to the kitchen for a snack.

She knocked on the door, putting on a chirpy and upbeat attitude. The humans have taught her many tricks over the years, and one of those was by beating around the bush until it was time to bring up the right topic. "Monsieur Neuvillette! I have some cakes prepared in the dining room! Would you like to come out and test them to see whether they fit your tastes?"

There was no reply at first. A few moments of silence passed before Neuvillette decided to grace her with a response.

"...no need, Lady Furina. I don't want any."

Ouch. Furina has known he doesn't have a strong preference for desserts like she does but some tact would be appreciated.

"Ahem...I see. Well, would you mind if I come in? I have something to discuss with you."

"And what is that?"

"Uh..." Furina hadn't thought about what she would bring up as a cover topic for the real subject before coming here. Her eyes darted to the ground, her brain scrambling for something to use to get inside. "...about the recent trials! You...weren't present for them today. It was strange to see you absent from your seat, even some of the audience questioned on your absence."

No reply once again. Furina waited patiently outside the door, hoping that he would let her in.

It was strange really, for a god and a dragon sovereign to be friendly with one another. She knows all the other sovereigns hated the gods, and she was supposed to hate them too. But she can't find it in herself to do that. What would be the point of bringing up past grievances once again, what good would it do? She saw no point in continuing an old feud.

Furina was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard the door open, revealing Neuvillette in his usual attire. His eyes look swollen, and his face was red. She can tell that these were signs of crying, even if he tried to hide them.

"...you may come in, Lady Furina." Neuvillette said, stepping aside to allow her to enter.

"Why, thank you Monsieur Neuvillette and your ever unending kindness!" Furina chirped as she skipped inside, recognizing the familiar layout of the room and knowing it by heart. Still, she can't help but examine the surroundings.

"I see your room has not yet been refurnished with new furniture. Really, we talked about it last week, or was it last month? Hmph!"

"You wanted to see me regarding my absence, correct?" Neuvillette skipped straight to the point instead of indulging in her attempt for small talk. Well, at least it'll make things easier for her.

"Ah, that's right..." Furina paused, wondering how she should formulate her response. If she is to find out on the reasoning behind this new behaviour of his, she'll have to be tactful. "...Monsieur Neuvillette, about last night...did it have to do with your absence?"

"Yes, but there is no need to worry. I was simply unwell, and could not partake in the audience." Neuvillette responds, no change in his expression. But Furina's years of experience as the judge of Fontaine has taught her well in the ways of lies and half-truths. The latter were harder to identify, and it seems like half-truths are the case here. The signs he was crying were too hard for her to ignore and dismiss.

"With all due respect, Monsieur Neuvillette, but I don't believe that's the case. If you were simply afflicted with a simple illness, then..." Furina looked up at the remnants of tear tracks on his face. "...you wouldn't be crying."

"You must be mistaken." Neuvillette had a subtle shift in his tone. A little more panicked. "They're simply a sign of me being unwell."

"Monsieur Neuvillette, you know well that lying wouldn't do either of us any good." Furina said, her eyes taking on a more gentle appearance. In all honesty, she felt a little hurt that Neuvillette refused to tell her anything about the previous night. She can do so much for him, and whatever's bothering him can be solved by her and she'll do whatever it takes to help him, so why won't he let her? "I'm worried about your wellbeing. Whatever happened last night...why can't you tell me?"

"...it's none of your concern, Lady Furina." Neuvillette responds. "It's getting late. You should get some rest, tomorrow should be a busy day for you."

"Monsieur..." Furina's eyes darted to the window, her thoughts trying to search for any reason or answer to this. To try and get Neuvillette to talk to her. There was nothing for him to fear. His stoic, cold exterior brought on so much fame for him in spite of his appearance. No one could bring harm to him due to his status. If word got out, then that's it for the perpetrator.

...unless...

"Neuvillette." Furina took on a more serious tone, looking at him in the eye. "Did someone hurt you?"

That got a reaction out of him. The combined use of using just his name and her question got him to freeze up, if only for a moment. It seems like she's on the right track...

...and she hates it.

Furina couldn't imagine how he got hurt, but she felt...angry. Angry at the person who somehow pulled it off, and angry at herself. Neuvillette could've came to her at anytime to deal with the matter, anyone for that matter. The person would be caught and thrown away, and likely condemned for eternity in the dingiest cell the Fortress of Meropide had to offer.

And yet he didn't.

Was he being threatened? About what exactly? The prophecy perhaps? Or was it something else?

Or was it just her the whole time? Her lack of care for trials and her care of making the best show possible as a judge in spite of her fair and just deductions...

Either way, she has to make him feel safe to tell her about this.

"Please, tell me. Did I do something to upset you? Is that why you won't talk to me?"

"No, it isn't you." Neuvillette shook his head, a sigh of defeat leaving his lips. "...you're correct."

"Who is it?" Furina's eyes narrowed and her fists shook, all thoughts leaving except for the ones that vowed to bring justice for the sake of Neuvillette.

"I...suspect it to be someone from the Fatui...but I did not see her face. There's no reason to raise accusations when there's so few evidence to overview."

As much as Furina hated to admit it, Neuvillette was right. The woman who attacked him couldn't be identified, not even from him. Accusing some random woman from the Fatui would not bode well for either of them, especially with more pressing matters at hand.

"...then...what can I do?" Furina asked, pleaded.

"...I don't know."

~~

"Traveler!"

Furina was so glad to have found them at the right time. As much as the crisis in the Fortress of Meropide has to be dealt with, there's another matter that needs urgency.

"Furina, you're here?" Paimon asked, but she cuts her off before she can ask any questions.

"Go to the opera house. The Knave and Neuvillette are having a meeting there. You need to protect him, do you understand me?" Furina let a few angry tears loose. Speaking of the Knave made her so angry for daring to attack him, and for what? No Archon would have their Gnosis on themselves at all times. It was a gambit that left nothing but Neuvillette scared. She saw it all during their first meeting.

She won't let the same thing happen twice.

"I will handle the crisis in the Fortress. Make sure the Knave doesn't lay her filthy hands on Neuvillette, understand?"

"Wh- I mean, sure but what brought this up-"

"Just go! Away with thee!"

Furina ran for the entrance to the fortress, leaving the Traveler and Paimon to heed her request.

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