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Chapter Text

Clorinde wakes up as per routine at dawn, gets some exercise, breakfast and gets ready to go out.
She has been a Champion Duelist for a few years now. And as every day she goes to her duty station.

Her duties are simple, as a duelist on the side of justice she serves the nation in case a defendant asks to duel for their honor refusing to take part in the trial. 
Honor, since ancient tradition it was a duty to defend, and if the trial poses a threat to one's honor a duel was a way to get retaliation. Of course, it has fallen into disuse but it has not disappeared, today the duel is a deterrent for criminals who believe they can escape justice by force.

The god Focalors is not a fan of duels but still allowed humans to keep their traditions within certain limits, plus nowadays it is extremely rare for anyone to be seriously injured or killed. The Callas's case was...The first in several decades. Normally in the case of a crushing defeat the challenger surrenders.

Clorinde become the most notorious Champion since no one has ever defeated her, now even her name alone causes a defendant to desist from attempting a duel making the course of justice in the hands of lawyers and judges.

Because of this however she does not find herself with much to do during the day, as a duelist she is officially summoned, but she is not even the only one in Fontaine so given the rarity of duels she finds herself with a lot of free time. 

She is still a government officer but has a lot of autonomy, so she often gets hired on other jobs in the court, sometimes she helps maintain order as an affiliate of the Maison Gardiennage, members of the Marechaussee Phantom call her in case they need more officers in some investigations, she even helps around the Fortress when needed. 

All well-paid jobs, certainly, but mostly occasional. So to keep herself busy she took the job as Madame Furina's bodyguard.

It's a tradition in Fontaine that the archon is protected and escorted by a group of guards or to have one skilled protector at her side. Perhaps it might seem bizarre that a god needs protection but there are several reasons why she is not left to defend herself.

The god Focalors by taking her human form has limited her powers by making her a bit more vulnerable. The god does not like to manifest her powers as she feels they are unnecessary and unfair to use against mortals, as a god of justice she lets justice take its course without divine intervention here in Fontaine, so it is the humans who have to handle themselves.

Another reason is that their archon detests violence to the point that just witnessing a violent act makes her extremely uncomfortable and unhappy.
Everyone who knows her quirks has realized that it is best that there is a group of guards to intervene in case a manifestation of violence happens around her. It seems logical that the god of justice does not see eye to eye on such things, and well, no one can know what a god is thinking.

For Clorinde it's a fairly simple job anyway to protect one individual, most of the time she has to just follow the Lady around. It's not even that stressful, there are also others involved in protecting the archon. Furthermore, Furina is a very magnanimous and friendly god though strange, once you know how to behave around her everything goes smoothly.

The only drawbacks, let's say, are when said lady decides to disappear without a trace. The Iudex always waits a certain period of time before he sends to search for her when it happens, but hardly anyone finds her if she doesn't want to be found. 
Many times the duelist has found herself in the Iudex's office when Madame Furina's presence was necessary and they couldn't wait for her to return, in that case she was the one who had to find her.

With her skills as a hunter and knowledge of the habits of the archon she is the best at tracking her down. Clorinde has worked alongside the lady for years and only on very few occasions has she been unable to find her.

Monsieur Neuvillette places a great deal of trust in her and she works closely with the nation's archon, many envy her position, although it can be tiring at times to keep up with the fickle god she considers herself lucky to have such a friendly boss.

It happens that when she follows the lady to her tea parties the archon secretly puts treats in her hands, other times she showers her with compliments like a proud mother whenever she sees her in action, and sometimes she drags her around the city streets to chase cats to pet. 
She is indeed an oddball their lady but she is lovable even like this, with all her quirks, as long as you let her roam free she will find a way to make everyone's day happy.

In fact, they have a saying here in Fontaine 'when the water rushes you go with the current'.
So Clorinde has learned to keep her calm attitude and simply get carried away by the goddess. Clorinde is taciturn in nature but the lively lady has always appreciated the duelist as she is, both are at ease in the presence of the other. 

The days spent as a bodyguard are not so bad.

In any case, Clorinde has a special task today. This morning at the Opera Epiclese will be held no trials but a meeting with some scholars from the Sumeru Akademya along with researchers from the Fontaine Research Institute.
Clorinde is not sure what it is about, but it sounds like something important; she heard that it has been arranged for months in order for the archon to be present as well.

Clorinde doesn't know why these Sumeru scholars want to meet with the archon of Fontaine, but anyway, her job is to stand by Lady Furina's side for the day and accompany her to this important meeting.

So this morning she got ready to make the best of the day, and now she heads to the archon's quarters. 
Today she arrived at the Palais Mermonia earlier than usual and no one has yet seen the goddess that morning, they say she is still in her room. 

As the duelist approaches in the hallway she can see a group of attendants and maids outside the door of the lady's bedroom.

The people in front of the door seem nervous, impatient or perhaps worried and indecisive about what to do. Clorinde greets them “good morning” a young maid quickly turns to her “Miss Clorinde! oh, thank Celestia you are here!” then the servants rush around her “good morning Clorinde!” another says “you came just in time!”

The duelist is confused “what's going on?”

The worried-looking young maid replies “It's Madame Furina! She hasn't come out of her room yet, and we have to prepare her for this morning's meeting which is in less than one hour!”

This sounds like a problem “Did you knock on the door?”

“yes, yes, of course, but she doesn't answer. And the door is locked...” the girl is nervous while the older woman next to her sounds calmer “we have sent for Monsieur Neuvillette, he will be here shortly. In the meantime could you try to call our lady?” the man in the group nods at the duellist “perhaps she will answer you Miss Clorinde, we don't know why she is acting this way today...”

Clorinde understands the problem, they are anxious that something is wrong with the lady. Besides today Madame Furina has to go at this important meeting arranged months ago, it would not be ideal to be late “I understand”.

Then she approaches the door and knocks “Lady Furina?” but no answer comes, so she tries to open the door, but it won't budge. She could force it open in case of emergency but that would be very disrespectful and perhaps too reckless, if the door is closed there must be a reason, no matter how odd even the god of Fontaine has her own logic.

“We have only to wait for Monsieur Neuvillette, he will know what to do” and, as if summoned, a few moments later the man is visible at the end of the corridor approaching with a sullen look.

When he sees the group in front of the archon's door he greets them briefly, then he turn to the closed door knocking firmly “Lady Furina please open the door” but no response comes, the man sighs heavily and with a tired face addresses the door again “My lady I'm coming in” he says. Neuvillette uses his elemental power to open the door - the power of water is to take any shape and an experienced elementalist like the Iudex can use it to move the gears of the door as if the key had been inserted.

The door opens and cautiously peeks inside, what he sees must not be a pretty sight to make him take on that aggravated expression.

Clorinde watches as the man sighs and opens the door further, inviting them in. The two maids exchange a glance and enter, the butler pushes in the cart with the breakfast. Finally the duelist follows them inside the room where they hope to find the goddess.

However, what awaits them is certainly not an ordinary scene. The room is a wreck and looks as if a typhoon has passed through it. 

The curtains are closed but the Iudex with a simple movement opens them illuminating the room.
There are papers and books scattered around all fallen or open on the floor, there are bolts and cogs scattered around along with tools that Clorinde has only seen in the hands of the mechanics at the Institute. The large bed in the center of the room is unmade and stained with a black, oily substance that appears elsewhere in the room.

It's oil, the grease used for mekas. On the floor between the bed and the nightstand there is in fact a small robot, it looks like one of those quadruped mekas. However, it is hard to identify what it is supposed to be since it is partially dismantled and with a hole where it is supposed to have the energy system. Around the meka there are other notes and blueprints and a bunch of stained clothes as well.

The maids gasp at the sight of the room's condition, and the butler stands there dumbfounded not knowing where to put the little breakfast cart; even the small table is occupied with books and blueprints.

Monsieur Neuvillette, however, does not stop to look around for too long. Clorinde too is more focused on spotting the missing lady.

Clorinde follows the Iudex's gaze as he looks intensely at a pile of blankets and pillows on the floor. 
The mystery seems solved because an unmistakable lock of white hair emerges from that pile, under a sheet.

Neuvillette kneels in front of the bedsheet from under which small movements can be seen “Lady Furina?” another movement but no response. Then he brings forward a hand to lift the blanket covering her “Furina?” his voice a tad concerned.

“mmhhm” is the only response heard. The maids starts to recover from their stupor and look in the direction where the lady is supposedly buried. 

Even Clorinde is definitely surprised by the situation but remains composed. They all look to the corner where their god has chosen to sleep, hidden by a pile of sheets and pillows on the floor surrounded by chaos.

“Furina wake up” says the Iudex more firmly, “Furina we must be at the Opera Epiclese this morning”

From the blankets comes a “mmmhhn, no, don't wanna” after that response the older maid tries to intervene “Please Lady Furina, we'll help you get ready and clean up the room quickly” but in response the blankets tighten even more around the lady who refuses to even show herself.

Clorinde says nothing, it is not her habit to interfere with her boss's day, she just waits for further instructions. Then looks at the Iudex who seems confused and frustrated by the situation but not surprised, she assumes that such a situation may have happened before.

Then Monsieur Neuvillette does not wait any longer, he removes the blankets revealing the lady who remains motionless in a fetal position half asleep. As the sheets are removed she snuggles even tighter trying to hide her face from the sunlight. Another striking detail is that she is completely unclothed.

The Iudex sighs again and in a stern voice says “Furina, my lady, we must go” in response they hear only a annoyed huff. 

Clorinde then hears the sound of something falling, she turns around and sees the young maid frozen on the spot with her hands open from which the broom she was holding has fallen. The poor girl is all red in the face as she sees the naked goddess rising from her sleeping place.

The butler decides it's best for him to look at the wall behind them.

So Neuvillette too takes note of the lady's unkempt and naked appearance “Furina why are you without clothes?” the god murmurs sleepily and slowly rises to a sitting position with an absent and drowsy look, she turns to the pile of dirty clothes and points to it “they are stained with oil...” then she yawns and stretches a little, raising her arms.

Monsieur Neuvillette only nods, and continues the conversation kneeling before the naked lady, on the floor and with a messy room around them as if it were the most normal thing in the world “And you decided to sleep on the floor because...”

Madame Furina ignores her unpresentable state and starts talking like her usual self “Because the bed got stained with oil too, look!” she says with a little more vigor “and the pillow got burned!” Clorinde then looks at where Furina is pointing and sees the scorch mark, probably caused by some one of these mechanical devices.

The Iudex very calmly looks at the bed absorbing the information “I see”

Clorinde thinks maybe he forgot why they are there in such a hurry. 

The older maid is unperturbed and just urges the Iudex “we have time to give her a bath and a quick breakfast, come on take her there. We'll take care of this mess” Clorinde wonders why the maid feels so comfortable giving orders. Then the woman turns to her “you too duelist, we need all the help we can get, lets move!”

Then, the god, who should have the highest authority in the nation, is simply lifted and taken in Iudex's arms causing her to utter a sleepy protest, so with determination the Chief Justice runs to the side door leading to the luxurious bathroom.

The young maid is shaken by the older one to get back to work and together they begin to arrange the messy room. The butler cleans up the coffee table and places the breakfast. Clorinde remains uncertain for a moment about what to do; these situations were certainly not her thing. 

She glances at the direction in which the Iudex carrying an indisposed goddess has disappeared, she hears the lady's voice “nooo I'm not getting in the tub without the otter!” 

Really what is going on?

The experienced maid seems to have realized something, and sighs “Lady Furina is not in a good mood at all today, let's expect the worst” Clorinde does not even have time to think what it means that from the door where her two superiors had disappeared comes out the lady, still naked but now all wet.

“No, no, NO! I said I don't want to!” behind the fleeing goddess follows the Iudex without his overcoat and shirt sleeves raised. When Clorinde looks at his gaze she feels her blood run cold. It seems like watching a monster hunting its prey, something ancient and powerful seems to lurk behind the gaze of the calm and respected Iudex “Furina! This is no time for tantrums!”

“tantrums?!  How dare you speak that way to the archon!” the lady screams as she runs across the room, as soon as she sees the duelist she hides behind her hoping to escape the man chasing her. Clorinde stand still motionless and by instinct protectively sticks out her arm shielding the lady.

Clorinde is now really confused, even the other servants who were tidying up the room did not expect such a scene, except perhaps the old maid.
From under her arm pokes out the nation's god who looks menacingly at Neuvillette who stops and frowns at her “Furina don't act like a child now”

“ah- unfortunately I don't feel like acting like a responsible adult today” the two continue to talk amongst themselves, ignoring the presence of the other people in the room. The butler and the young maid don't know where to look, only the older woman manages to make them work for more than 5 minutes before they get distracted.

Monsieur Neuvillette sighs for perhaps the tenth time in the span of a few minutes. Whatever the duelist perceived to be coming from him now calms down completely “Furina what is this all about?” his voice is completely devoid of anger, only confusion. At his words the lady also calms down, she just looks down defeated, but says nothing.

Clorinde does not want to get in the middle of their conversation but it is a bit difficult considering she is physically standing between the two. So she decides to take the initiative, she addresses the lady: “do you need help getting ready?” she receives no verbal response but a simple nod.

The duelist sees the old maid sticking her thumbs up at her. Clorinde then exchanges a glance and Monsieur Neuvillette nods as well, and the three of them head for the bathroom, with the lady clinging to her side.

The room is spacious, the tub inside is large and full of water and suds, all around it is wet due to the little lady's rushing out and wetting everything in her wake. On a small shelf are all the lotions and other body and hair care products, on another larger shelf at the side of the room are on display a row of bath toys such as a set of little ducks and other little creatures floating around, there is even a bubble shooter. 

Clorinde finds it a cute bathroom, far too cute. And it is also neat and clean unlike the room from before.
Neuvillette approaches Furina without hesitation this time, extends his hand toward the lady who reluctantly takes it and is helped into the tub. 

The Chief Justice anche the hydro archon seem to be communicating telepathically, the two of them moving harmoniously as the lady bathes. It feel like if they have done this a million times.
She, too, does not stand by and watch. While the Iudex washes the goddess's hair the duelist takes toys to put in the tub that are silently pointed out by the man.
The archon seems a little calmer and happier as she begins to fiddle with the small floating otter in the water.

“It's about the Sumeru scholars?” breaks the silence Monsieur Neuvillette. “mmhm mmhm” it appears that will be the only answer he gets because the god does not elaborate further.
Then the Iudex changes the subject “why is your room like that?” even Clorinde is a little curious.

“mmmh, my new project has turned out to be rather... slippery when active” 

“and how did this project of yours manage to mess up your room in such a way?” the Iudex continues to ask placidly. He runs his hands through the hair of the god who continues to splash in the tub like a child.

Clorinde now sees them as an admonishing father that listens calmly to her rebellious little girl. It's really funny how the god of Fontaine represents her element so well, she constantly shifts and changes: the lady changes her mood, her behavior, and her words several times during the day. 

Sometimes she acts like an old lady who, with great wisdom, guides the young; sometimes she acts like a young woman who likes to talk to everyone about her interests; sometimes, like now, she acts like a little kid who just wants to play.

The mind of a god is inscrutable, it can be hard to keep up with the lady's whims but this very way of the lady is one of the things that makes her special and beloved, Neuvillette who has known her the longest of all is the one who best knows how to adapt to her changing moods. Just like now, the only thing to do is to go with the flow.

Furina stops spilling water everywhere and in a low voice replies “during the night I had a brilliant idea... and started to reconfigure the energy system trying to combine pneuma and ousia...” everyone knows that the two react as opposite poles, what the lady did is dangerous “...see the explosion of that kind inside could work, but the overload was too much then the meka went crazy and started jumping everywhere!” Furina continues the story by mimicking with her hands “...he did swush, kaboom! and it burned the pillow.”

Iudex interrupts the story in a worried voice “you had that dangerous thing in your bed?” 

“Well, of course. I didn't have time to put it anywhere else, it was still pitch dark outside” then she pouts and crosses her arms indignantly “and his name is Mr.Bouchi not Thing” she however doesn't dwell on that “so, where was I? Ah, yes, the explosion broke the pipes with the oil and when Mr.Bouchi started jumping around he made a mess! He stained all my clothes when I caught him”.

Neuvillette while finishing rinsing the lady's hair says “my lady, as brilliant and intelligent as you are what you did was really reckless”

“ah, yeah, I know - by the way - The heat generated was supposed to be limited to heating the water inside a container... but I had forgotten to put it inside hehe” Clorinde, as the Iudex says, thinks that was really reckless “...ah, poor Mr.Bouchi! I had to dismantle him almost completely to remove the damaged parts” says Furina with her dramatic manner “I spent almost the whole night fixing him! And all my little fluffy darlings were afraid of him”

Clorinde really has no idea what she is talking about, but Neuvillette does “now that I think about it, I haven't seen your plushies” okay, that makes sense.

Furina is handled by the gentleman like a doll, pulling her out of the tub as if she weighed nothing. So Clorinde approaches with towels in hand but the Iudex uses his power to control the hydro and dries the little woman in an instant.

The lady spins around giggling happily “mmh in fact I have them all stuffed in the closet” almost as if she had anticipated it in the next room the maid opens the closet and finds herself submerged by an army of plushies, even from here they hear her yelp. The lady chuckles while Neuvillette sighs.

Clorinde feels strangely tired, and it is only the beginning of the day. 

Immediately the elderly maid enters in time with clothes for the lady and together with the duelist they dress the god. The bedroom is not completely cleaned, but it is possible to walk in it without the risk of stepping on something, the breakfast in the small table looks delicious, and the lady hurries to sit down.

Neuvillette and Clorinde sigh in unison, without further protest from the god of Fontaine they can go on with their day without incident. Hopefully?

Chapter Text

Clorinde is just doing her job, accompanying Lady Furina and Monsieur Neuvillette to the Opera Epiclese.

After a... hectic start now the waters are calm. They are sitting in the aquabus with two other guards in tow, Antoine and Diane. The two are very dutiful young fellows and perhaps a little nervous; their lady puts them at ease by offering candy that she pulls out of her pockets.

A candy is offered to her as well. Clorinde accepts with a simple “thank you”. Madame Furina seems much calmer than she was some time before however she does not appear very happy. This meeting seems to displease the lady deeply. 

It's something really rare to see their god like this, even the Iudex think so since he looks at her thoughtfully. The journey is not long and in no time they arrive at the station, the walk turns out to be peaceful and everyone moves at the lady's speed. It is a slow cadence, almost as if it were a funeral march, the passersby look at the lady with curious expressions as if everyone is wondering "what is bothering our Lady Furina?"

No one is given to know, Monsieur Neuvillette however has a hunch “Lady Furina” the archon hums “my lady, these Sumeru scholars are not the same from centuries ago” this statement intrigues Clorinde, she continues to walk silently beside the two. She hears the lady chuckle “I know my dear Iudex, I certainly cannot condemn someone for the crimes committed by their predecessors. The people who deeply offended me are no longer here. However, given the recent scandals of the akademya I can't help but be skeptical of such people.”

Monsieur Neuvillette looks at her pensively “The old sages have been exiled” 

“I know, but these scholars were under their government until a few months ago, with the recent developments I wonder what they might want now. This 'proposal' of theirs was never approved by Buer, the fact that they are here now despite everything...” Clorinde is surprised to hear the lady speak so calmly; as if she is absorbed in a deep state of meditation.

“If I think back to that episode from centuries before...ah- maybe now that Kusanali is once again in charge the scholars will stop being so arrogant” Furina spits out these words so angrily that the two young guards behind them gasp.

The duelist has never heard of a meeting between the Hydro archon and the sages of Sumeru, a tale, however ancient it may be would remain in history especially if a crime was committed against the lady. How strange, as if history itself wanted to forget such an event, Clorinde can only imagine what happened.

The duelist wonders what they could have done to offend the lady that still after centuries the mere memory of the event makes her furious.

Anger has never been an emotion that suits Madame Furina, often her anger is fleeting and disappears as it came, sometimes just saying sorry appears to make her calm down instantly. Clorinde wonders what could make a god so enraged.

Lady Furina realize she has gotten too carried away herself, then changes her attitude and her tone lightens “Well! Let's not think too much about it~ it could be a proposal for collaboration between the Institute and the Akademya, they may have asked for my presence just to make things more... official, yeah”.

Monsieur Neuvillette seems to be mull it over “now that I think about it, it's suspicious that they haven't stated precisely what they want from you” Clorinde thinks so too, it's definitely a strange move, but perhaps with a simple innocent explanation.

Their short walk ends and they arrive at the Opera Epiclese; the meeting will be held in one of the building's rooms. Besides the spacious theater there are other chambers and small offices dedicated to formal events or procedures between lawyers before a trial. Today's meeting will be held in the most spacious room the one with a large window.

The small group enters the room with Fontaine researchers and Sumeru scholars already in attendance. 
The Hydro archon makes a spectacular staged entrance, “Good morning my dears! What a pleasure it is to see so many brilliant minds united here today in my Opera Epiclese” not only Chlorinde notices how the lady dwelt on the word my.

The Fontainian researchers looks a tad nervous, perhaps because of what they were discussing before the archon arrived; they all make a slight, formal bow as they greet “Good morning Lady Furina, Monsieur Neuvillette” The Iudex responded with a polite gesture to the greeting and the god returns them with a bright smile.

Sumeru's representative is unimpressed by the god's demeanor, the other three behind him say nothing while the leader replies politely “Good morning Iudex Neuvillette” then toward the lady “thank you for coming Lady Furina” something in his tone must have displeased the lady because she turns to him with an icy stare “it's Lord Focalors for you”

Clorinde hears it again, she can feel that dormant fury that had surfaced in her words earlier. It feel like the lady is trying not to give it too much away, but perhaps she does not care so much if she does not mask it completely. 

Clorinde keep standing behind Madame Furina's seat at the head of the table, to her right is seated Monsieur Neuvillette. One of the three Fontainian researchers is seated while the other two cannot stay still for a moment and start illustrating plans and messing with a blackboard to explain something about their technology to the Sumerians.
 
Whenever the researchers seek assent and approval from Lady Furina they are reciprocated with smiles and words of encouragement, while only one of the scholars from Sumeru takes the floor whenever he addresses the goddess he receives only a neutral look.
This difference in treatment is...really unnerving to watch, Antoine and Diane try to disappear by standing at the back of the room, somewhat like the other three scholars on the opposite side of the room, they have not opened their mouths since the beginning of the meeting.

After the end of the small presentation comes the moment everyone has been waiting for, which is the 'proposal' of these scholars. In short, they ask about a collaboration to create a new system similar to one used until not so long ago in Sumeru, the Akasha System. They proceed to explain what its operation was like before it was shut down, Fontaine's researchers are fascinated and discuss how a database is something they were also trying to achieve although in a more mechanical way by creating computers with small terminals.

All interesting talk and so on but not things that compete a duelist, Clorinde has long since stopped listening to the big words of these scholars preferring to concentrate on looking at the room and the people around.

After what seems like hours the Iudex takes the floor “these studies are very fascinating, and certainly no direct government approval is needed if your intent is just to exchange the results of your studies” in other words he is telling them to get to the point and say why they are here.

Lady Furina still says nothing and looks at them even more coldly than before. The Fontainian researchers look fearfully toward the representative of the other nation, seeming to be pleading with their eyes for him not to say anything rash.

What is all this about? It does not look promising.

The Sumeru scholars takes then speaks “well, to create a new Akasha we studied how it was built, and as a tool created by the Lord of Dendro was used, in addition to a permanent source of energy, a divine power” Clorinde feels a chill down her spine, she cannot see Madame Furina's face but notices that she is clenching her fists in the table.

Neuvillette remains as still as a statue, but his gaze does not leave the person speaking, the Institute's researchers feels like to want to disappear behind the blackboard, the senior researcher now rises from his chair to approach his colleagues, the tension in the air is palpable and someone seems to know that the next words to be spoken will not make a certain archon happy.

The scholar continues unperturbed “So we have come to assume that your Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale functions in a similar way, even if it has a different purpose it is still a device that takes power from an abstract concept and is converted into energy for...” he has no time to finish.

“Choose your next words very wisely, human” spit the Hydro archon. Words no one expected to hear from their lady. 

Clorinde feels a strange pressure, even the Iudex seems a bit surprised but the Fontainians could expect all this animosity from the god for at least one reason. When the Oratrice was mentioned. Perhaps the researchers understood what the Sumerians wanted to ask, this is not good. 

Lady Furina absolutely does not want anyone to touch or even come close to the justice mechanism, she even made laws specifically for that.

Also, how the lady has referred to them is very unusual. The speaker however doesn't even seem to blink “I was saying, if you allow us to analyse the Oratrice and provide us with the necessary power we can recreate the Akasha and whether the Lord of Dendro...”

A loud noise is heard coming from Furina who abruptly interrupts him one more time, pounding her fist into the table “ahahaah hilarious! Do you really think you can make fun of me?! Do I look like a fool to you??” the mocking tone has turned into a more stern one.

Clorinde is not a scholar, and if she has to be honest she was not even following all the things these people were blathering on about, but she did get one thing. After all that fiasco at the akademya about trying to create a new god left many Sumeru scholars who relied on the old sages with no means to continue their unethical and blasphemous experiments. 

The news about the heroic rescue of the Dendro archon came all the way here in Fontaine, although the origin of the corruption of the akademya has been purged there are still many of these fools who believe themselves to be above the gods.

As their lady feared these people seem to be knowledgeable about how Kusanali was imprisoned and are probably accomplices of the old sages, or alternatively are just fools who believe they can follow in their footsteps.

“Your arrogance has no limits, your offenses are not limited to insulting me but your own god, my people, and my work!” the fury in Madame Furina's voice is evident, she is no longer even using a derisive tone but just a very, very angry one.

“How much do you underestimate Kusanali that you don't rely on her wisdom? Wasn't she the one who wanted to shut down the Akasha, why recreate it? Do you underestimate her so much that you don't even bother to say her name! To you, she was just a battery for your stupid database? Or maybe imprisoning her for 500 years wasn't enough? Do you want the power of another archon now?!” 

Everyone stay silent, even the Iudex gets up from his seated place. He merely glances at the Sumerians with his intimidating stare, not even his stoic face hides how outraged he is.

The stage is of the lady who has not yet end saying her piece, “You are disrespecting MY researchers who without relying on divine power have created wonders, and you are disrespecting MY laws if you think you can approach the Oratrice!”

“Your archon has been magnanimous enough to merely exile the corrupt old sages while you, so complacent and lived by heeding their arrogance, want to resume their disgusting deeds! In MY court, in MY nation, before MY Iudex?! Perhaps you do not know what true justice is” Clorinde holds her hand to the belt where the gun rests in silent menace, now these scholars tremble with fear. Cowards, the three who have said nothing so far certainly won't have the guts to speak up now.

The Fontainian look with fearful eyes at their archon as if seeing her for the first time, all together moving to stand further back in the side of the room occupied by the guards thus forming a united front almost as if they were to face the scholars of the other nation in battle.

“Centuries ago a little group of arrogant people like you tried to make fun of me by using the name of Egeria! And you are here today not only tarnishing the name of Focalors but also that of Buer herself!”

Well, it did not turn out to be a peaceful meeting.

After Furina's rant the Iudex took matters into his own hands by sending the Sumerians away and blacklisting them as 'unwelcome guests' the Hydro archon will not want to see them for a long time perhaps forever. 
The Institute's researchers explain how even they did not know that the Sumerians intended to handle the Oratrice and that only at the beginning of their explanation did they realize that it was their intention to try to study it, those foolish scholars even went so far as to say that they would gladly dismantle the nation's instrument of justice along with them.

However, the mere words they uttered did not constitute a crime so they would not be prosecuted, the statement that they intended to break the law is not the same as committing the act. Lady Furina was not at all happy about what was said in that room so once things calmed down she decided to flee, disappearing when Clorinde and Neuvillette were busy escorting the scholars out of the Opera Epiclese.

Antoine and Diane said the archon wanted to check the inside of the Oratrice and let her go alone, as by law in fact no one but the lady can approach it. Needless to say, the elusive lady used this opportunity to exit undisturbed through a secondary entrance. 

The duelist and the Iudex sigh heavily as they hear of the incident. Little Trow manages to point out the door from which Madame Furina exited, and Aeife confirmed that she saw her running off in the opposite direction of the Icewind Suite.

Chief Justice turns toward the duelist with a serious and somewhat worried look “Clorinde, do not leave Lady Furina alone. Find her.”

“At your orders Sir” 

So the duelist takes on the role of a hunter, setting out on the trail of the nation's elusive deity.

Chapter Text

Clorinde has always relied on the teachings of her Master, the techniques and teachings of the Marechaussee Hunters are like her legacy, and she has sworn on her honor to always make use of them to defend Justice.

From the perspective of a citizen of Fontaine working on the side of Justice is a great thing and working for the god who represents it's a big honor.
For Clorinde, it is about using the sword to protect her principles of justice; she works for the court against the threat of lawless people.

One day she obtained a gift from the gods, a vision, which proves that her ambition is worth pursuing. It was during a duel when a criminal who believed he could escape justice by using lies, believing himself to be on Fontaine's side and that he was in the right, he even tried to intimidate her with force, but it was the sword of the young duelist that defended the honor of the court and not the sword of that vile outlaw who believed he was in the right.

When Clorinde began to accumulate only victories and no losses she was considered the strongest Champion Duelist of their time. She had no idea how things worked at court initially, the only thing she wanted was to be a protector of justice. In her years of service she had occasion to confront many sinners and innocents and helped maintain order in Fontaine's court.

Another of her current duties is to act as bodyguard to the true embodiment of justice namely Lord Focalors, the Hydro archon. The beloved Lady Furina who has currently decided to disappear. It is now part of her job to use all the tricks of the Marechaussee Hunters in order to be able to find a lady who sometimes seems to be running toward danger rather than letting her followers protect her. 

Not to underestimate her power, but if Chief Justice himself does not feel comfortable leaving her alone, it means that the goddess can easily get into trouble. Even Clorinde can say she worries about her, especially about her current mental state.
Madame Furina is their beloved god; no one likes to see her unhappy. 

The only thing Clorinde can do is to follow and protect her, as she always does.

Having experience as a hunter certainly helps to find your prey, even if that prey is not an animal, rather humans and the like leave traces far more visible and easy to read. 

Another very important thing about hunting is to know your prey well, to know its habits, how it moves, even how it thinks. All this information can help you figure out what path they decide to take.

Lady Furina can be difficult prey to track but not for an experienced hunter. To be fair, today it seems that the god is not even trying too hard to hide; Clorinde has already found some pretty obvious tracks.

The duelist drives along the road east of the Opera Epiclese, the path is barren, there are many trees including some fallen ones, no dwellings around. A fairly deserted and unpopulated place, in the evening one can probably encounter bandits and small monsters.

In fact in her path Clorinde sees some Hilichurls, these appear calm and are quite far from the path, at least of those there is no need to worry. The ground is dry but the footprints of the god's small heels are still visible, she is following the path without too many detours.

The Foggy Forest Path is not too difficult an area to walk, this is also the place where the lilies sprout most.
Speaking of Lakelight Lilies, the hunter is not seeing many around now. With careful observation of the ground she notices that they have been ripped out of the ground recently, very recently. 

Knowing her preferences Clorinde initially thought she was headed for the shore, perhaps to play with some Blubberbeasts, but then she notices something: all the flowers along the road are gone, the lady is picking flowers.
Uumh if she is picking lilies then she is headed for the Weeping Willow.

Clorinde walks along paying attention to further tracks, her prey cannot have gone too far. At one point she sees something blue near a bush, there are two Hydro slimes, but they are not the ones that caught the duelist's attention. Next to them is a shoe, the lady's decorated shoe.

The hunter with a few skillful blows finishes the slimes, with no more obstacles she checks in the nearby bushes. Clorinde finds the other shoe, it was thrown away probably, was the intent perhaps to distract the slimes? She wonder what Madame Furina was thinking.
The duelist makes a note to send someone to retrieve them later, she has no place to put them and needs her hands free to act if needed.

Mmmh now it will be harder to find footprints, now that the lady is without shoes.
Continuing down the path Clorinde finds two socks on the ground, these are next to each other and seem to have been carefully placed on top of a rock. It's easy to assume that after walking in them for a while the lady decided to remove them.
Ah, no one will want to wash those socks; they have turned from white to black with dirt.

Looking at the surrounding vegetation, it is easy to see where the lady walked by, the grass has been trampled and there are the broken stems of the flowers she picked. She cannot be far away.

Clorinde keeps walking with a watchful gaze, in her mind there are many thoughts; what was Lady Furina thinking? She wonders what happened to make her act that way, was it really just about the meeting this morning or was there more to it? Her mood swings are hard to read, despite all the years she has been beside her, she still finds it hard to understand the Lady behavior, well if Monsieur Neuvillette who has known her for centuries can't do it then maybe she is not the one who has a problem reading people. Lady Furina is simply too... special. 

Furina is special in many ways.

For Cloride the lady is a bit like the sun that envelops everyone in its warmth, always present and lighting the way; but she can be also like the moon, that stays shining in the night or at times disappears leaving it dark; but most of all the lady is like a star, always bright in the sky, even when you don't see her you know she is always there.

And like a star she is distant, her ephemeral light disappears in the day, and you never know when that light may fade, maybe that star lost its light long ago but no one is able to see it.

Lady Furina is like a star full of mystery and wonder, everyone loves and admires her and her light is a reference point for navigators, for those who lost their way. 

Even Clorinde found herself relying on her light, there was a time three years ago when the duelist felt lost. At that time she thought she had lost everything, the feelings of confusion and regret devoured her from within, when all she did was work day and night to not think about that day, that fateful day she duels with Callas. It was a little chaotic goddess who gave her the time to think.

It was a rainy night, only one month after the day when she stained her hands with the blood of the man she respected. That night, like many others before, Clorinde had asked to take the shift of guard in front of the Palais. She’d been spending weeks committing to every job she could find, and the other officers weren’t even surprised to see her constantly around.

That night a little lady slipped through the darkness coming up to her, a lost duelist, the lady came announcing that she had an important mission for her: she had to accompany the god secretly with a small boat to Poisson. That night lady Furina held her by the hand almost as if leading a lost child. 
Perhaps she really was one that night.

Lady Furina led her to the grave of the man she had killed, on the way the lady had picked up some flowers to put on that lonely grave, Clorinde still remembers how at one point she huffed at her “and you didn't bring anything? Come on, go get some flowers, you don't visit a gentleman in his resting place without a gift" she had ended her lines with a yawn, the poor lady could not bear to stand she was so tired but would not hear of leaving until her subordinate obeyed her orders.

Yes, because Madame Furina had used this tactic to make her confront Callas, she gave her the order to go find flowers in the middle of the night while she was waiting for her at the grave to pay her respects to the man.
Clorinde remembers the episode warmly, perhaps she would have spent a few more months or perhaps years moping around. 
No one had been able to see how sad and confused she was, her natural expression hides her feelings well. But Lady Furina knew, with all her divine wisdom she saw through her.

Furina was like her guiding star that night, showing her what she herself did not understand. Facing Callas was not easy, but now it is in the past. 
Facing Navia, on the other hand... is still too difficult for her; she prefers to protect her from a far and maybe one day speak to her directly. Even in this the little lady wants to support her, whenever she hears the Spina di Rosula is targeted the god instructs her to take care of 'public safety' so that she can follow the Demoiselle to make sure she is safe.

Ultimately Lady Furina is many things, she is quite bizarre and has strange habits, but she is a kind-hearted person and cares deeply for her subjects. Clorinde knows this well and would dare to think of her as her friend, her ally, and someone she wishes to protect above and beyond the call of duty. 

It is strange how loving Furina is so easy.

Gods are followed and revered for their greatness and power; here in Fontaine the archon is loved for her dedication, for the love she has for her people, and for the closeness she has with them as a person. No matter how many flaws you might see if you are close to her, no matter how many imperfections make her look less magnificent, it will always be her as a person who will capture their hearts, win their affection.

And it certainly won't be her display of explosive anger that will change that.

Clorinde thought hard about what happened, perhaps that downcast look and trembling eyes with which the lady looked at the researchers leaving the room was her feeling ashamed, perhaps ashamed that she had lashed out in front of them.

One thing she has learned in her years of service beside the lady is that when she disappears so suddenly it is because she is overwhelmed.
She is probably looking for a place to be alone and reflect. From the first morning she had shown signs of being upset in some way, when she cannot contain her emotions she resorts to running away, she tends to hide from everyone's eyes.

Clorinde arrives in front of the lake with the large willow tree, around it are some Hydro Phantasm but no Furina in sight.
She walks around some more, always looking where the flowers have disappeared, she comes to a tree where a garland of Lakelight Lily and Pluie Lotus adorns the trunk. 

She continues her search; her prey is near. Not only that, but she finds more small garlands hanging in low branches, there lie bare flowers, with only the stem as all the petals have been ripped off. A small gust of wind carries petals from across the lake. Clorinde wanders all around the body of water finding fewer and fewer flowers, but there are blue and white ribbons wrapped in some branches.

The huntress approaches to analyze them; they are Lady Furina's. They have been tied with purpose, forming ribbon-like bows.
She finds herself in front of yet another tree adorned with ribbons and flowers, what does it mean?

Another branch with a ribbon but this time there is a candy hanging from it. The same candy the archon had given to Clorinde that morning.

Ah, so the lady is playing a game? It is true that this morning she had said she was not going to act like an adult.
This game... is the game of hide-and-seek, the game where she is telling Clorinde to find her. 

Well the duelist does not back down from a challenge.

Clorinde circled around the whole lake, looked in every tree but of Madame Furina not a shadow. All the flowers she picked she left scattered among the trees some high up so that the wind would carry their petals.
The duelist wonders what this means, ponders for a moment as she walks, almost returning to her starting point on the other side of the lake.

Today is not a windy day, but there are small gusts coming from the north.

The wind and the Lakelight Lily.

Furina is at Loch Urania.

Clorinde wastes no time walking down the road to the lake known for its strange vortex phenomena. 

Years ago the whole area of Erinnyes Forest was contaminated, the willow trees did not shine, the waters were contaminated, and at Loch Urania a strong wind made it impossible to approach.
Nowadays it is back to normal, but wind-bent trees are still visible in the area, and the vortex merely lifts the water up, forming a bizarre large drop in the middle of the loch.

So wind and Lakelight Lily. 

Arriving at the lake, the same pattern is repeated: flowers picked from the ground and hung in garlands in the branches.
The duelist walks and as in the previous body of water all the way around following the crumbs left by the archon.

Then it is no longer flowers that catch her attention but is a large blue gem left under a tree, no flowers around though.

Clorinde kneels down to pick up the gem. It's the one that carries Lady Furina to her waist.

The lady left her overcoat in Chiori's hands some time before to have it repaired and her hat is gone so she had another one commissioned that is not ready yet.
So it has been a while since she has been seen around in her typical attire, but she has not given up her decorations, this blue gem remained in her side tied with a large blue and azure bow. 

Clorinde picks up the precious gem this time, surely the lady will want it back. As she rises from her sitting position she sees a blue petal fall before her. 
Then another, and another.

The hunter looks up, and high in the trees sees her. 

She sees her prey perched in the branch like a cat swinging her legs back and forth, in her hands she has a lily whose petals she is plucking one by one.

Their eyes meet; Clorinde has won the game.

The prey smiles smugly “You found me”

Chapter Text

Clorinde did not know how to react. Now she looks like the prey who has fallen into the hunter's trap. That smirk on the archon's face means that everything went as she planned.

With Furina it is always that way: if you know her well, she knows you well. 
In any case, now the duelist has completed her mission. Finding Lady Furina was not difficult after all, now the archon has also had her share of fun.

Clorinde turns up where the goddess sits “Lady Furina” there are no more words to say, she already knows why she is here.

Furina only looks at her, expression unreadable, her smirk gone. The god drops the flower she was holding, or what's left of it, and then holds her hands still in the trunk of the tree, not moving. She clings to the branch as if she does not want to be separated from it, needs no words to say what she wants.

Or rather what she does not want, the nation's god who is nestled in a tree like a stray kitten has no intention of coming down. 

Now, is this part of her game? Does she expect Clorinde to go up and just grab her? 
No. that can't be, Furina doesn't let herself be touched recklessly she has to be the one to initiate physical contact.
Maybe she has to say something? But the archon doesn't seem in the mood to listen. 

The goddess specifically invited Clorinde to find her, she wants her here. 

Furina however eccentric always does everything with her own logic, all this hunt has told her that the lady wants to hide from everyone and wants to play like a child.... Clorinde has neither the role of her superior nor that of her caregiver, she is her bodyguard who is always close to her, even when the lady escaped from the bath before and from Neuvillette she hid behind the duelist to seek protection.

Obviously the Iudex was not a real threat to her person but it's the presence of the taciturn woman that Furina wants. 
She wants someone who will protect her without question, someone who will not scold her for her behavior, someone who will be near her without saying anything just as Clorinde has done all these years.

Clorinde cannot say she completely understands Furina but knowing how she thinks has always served to respond to her commands without the lady uttering a word, and it has always served to find her when she disappeared.

The lady now does not need words or her sword, she just needs her to be there.
 
The god never needed words with Clorinde, although Furina likes to talk her silences can say more than mere words.
And Furina has never failed to tell Clorinde with those silences how much she trusts her.

The duelist then without saying anything looks at the little lady in the tree, they look into each other's eyes for several seconds.
Taking a step closer to the tree she opens her arms in silent invitation.

Apparently that was enough to make the lady act. 

Without further hesitation Furina throws herself into the arms of her bodyguard.
The god falls straight down to the woman beneath her, strong arms catching her in midair without letting her touch the ground.
The lady clings to the duelist like a kitten seeking protection from its mother, her arms holding her tightly around her shoulders and her legs entwined around her waist.

Clorinde did not even flinch, her hard training has made her strong, agile and with good balance, plus the 'cat' that fell into her arms is so small and light. 
Who would have thought that this is the way she would have used to describe what it is like to have a god in her arms. It is like having a fragile little warm body to hug, no different from any human.

The hunter does not know that in her arms the god is having a hard time, that embrace means more than a mere support of her weight.

Furina does not miss the rare opportunity she has to be so close to another living being and clings to the woman as if her life depended on it. Perhaps it is so, that bit of warmth she allows herself to touch with her selfish hands is enough to keep her anchored in the world of the living, is enough to keep her from sinking into the vacuous realm of loneliness that is slowly driving her to madness.

As much as no one would deny her anything, how would a god justify wanting a simple, innocent hug? How could a god have the need to depend on affection given by someone else?
Furina doesn't know, and as fallible as gods can be, they don't have a strong emotional attachment, she cannot justify her obsessive need to feel life with her hands.

The small courteous gestures that people exchange in Fontaine are a way for her to feel in her hands the life of another human being that is not herself; when she shakes a hand in greeting, when she kisses a damsel's knuckles or when she pet a child's head she is able to feel the warmth, the blood pulsing in a living body.

But she cannot pass it off as a need, she cannot jump on the people she sees to verify that they are alive, that they are not ghosts in her head; Furina cannot say that she constantly needs to verify that the prophecy has not already come true, and so she is not living in a limbo of torment. The god, the silly little god who is only a human need to know if her insanity has not reached a point where she can no longer distinguish reality from nightmares.

There is that constant fear, what if it is all a dream? What if it is all a nightmare and her true self is imprisoned in her dreams like poor Kusanali? What if her people actually hate her and she has created this illusory world in her head? What if everyone is already dead and she is really left alone to weep in her throne? After all, that is what she has been doing every night in her room for centuries now, everything she does is perhaps just a sick joke in her head, she may have gone completely mad and been consumed by erosion. 

No, she has no room for doubt, no room for fear or else she would give up her mission, she cannot. She doesn't have to think about it.

Furina is here in the Erinnyes forest and has just jumped down of a tree. Furina is in the arms of Clorinde.

Clorinde is warm, she is alive and today is a beautiful day.
Today she met those stupid scholars, but her day will not be ruined, her world is a stage and for every scene there is a script.
According to the script that had to happen, Furina played her part. 
Furina has everything under control, the mask is always on her face, she just... deviated a little, yes, it was just an improvisation and nothing went wrong. 

Clorinde is here, Clorinde is alive like everyone else in Fontaine. It is not an illusion, Furina is not trapped in a dream.
The show is not over, she was not supposed to be in the stage for many many years? This is what mirror-me said, Furina trusts her other half.

Focalors is fine, no one has touched the Oratrice.
The Justice machine will help to save Fontaine, Furina is certain. She does not know how, she does not know when, but it is indispensable. It took her time to figure it out but Furina knows that inside the Oratrice is the god, her god, the god that only she knows, the god that is herself. 

Focalors is in there safe, she is fine, no one will hurt her.
Mirror-me just needs time, one day she will come out and save Fontaine as she promised. Everyone will be rescued and they will be reunited happily, she must have been very lonely in there too but Furina is ready to give her everything she has, her rightful position, her rooms her clothes and plushie, she will offer her the best tea and sweets in the whole world, they will play together and finally Furina will have someone to hug without fear of exposing her human status. 
They will have their happy ending, she promised, Furina is ready to sing every opera in her honor, and Focalors will finally know the world.

This is not a dream, it cannot be. Her hope will not be so easily extinguished, mirror-me will forgive her for being afraid, everything will work out in the end. Furina must be strong for both of them, for Fontaine and all the humans they love.

Clorinde is here and will protect her, those scholars will not lock her up somewhere like Buer, those scholars will not reach Focalors in the Oratrice. 

Her trusty dragon will not allow it, her Clorinde will not allow it. No one will stop her from saving Fontaine. 
Clorinde is warm, she is alive, Furina had her arms are wrap around her, her eyes are not crying, in fact Furina is happy. She is playing with her bodyguard, it has been fun. She also picked her favorite flowers, later she will come home and tell Neuvillette how beautiful this day is. 

Clorinde will protect me, no one will take me away because she is strong. 
Not even the gods of Celestia can stop my Clorinde, she will hold me close I know.

'Are you really sure'    no, not again   'are you perhaps afraid of your own voice?'   no, shut up!   'You are never safe and you know it'   no...   'you are fragile, anything can hurt you, anything can take you away'   even if it's true I have Clorinde, I have Neuvillette, my people love me and they will protect me    'what if they turn against you? Who would you have to protect you then?'   it won't happen    'you are not a god, you can't see the future'     I just have to hold on a little longer, just a little longer, another century or two more, I can do it     'ahaha and you think their opinion of you won't change? You saw the faces of your researchers, they are afraid of you now~'   that's not true   'continuing to delude yourself that everything is fine won't work'

Furina can do nothing but close her eyes and hope that the voices that haunt her will go away.

Cloridne stay still on the spot, with her arms holding tightly to the lady who has no intention of letting go of her. She does not know what Furina is thinking; she has been silent for several minutes holding her so tightly that it almost hurts. The duelist can do nothing but hold her against her chest.

She has dropped the gem on the ground, perhaps she will pick it up after Furina decides to get off her. It's not proper to make a lady walk barefoot, though; Clorinde's shoes, however, are too big for her, and the slippers the goddess threw away are far from them. 

Both hunter and prey are lost in thought but remain in their embraced position. 
It only takes a few minutes and the silence is broken.

It is the god who speaks first, perhaps to interrupt the thoughts screaming in her head “Clorinde”

“My lady” her bodyguard immediately responds with attention.

This time the god hesitates, whatever she wants to say stays in her mouth for a few seconds “Clorinde, do I look weak?” she asks in a cold, quiet voice.

The duelist does not understand where the question comes from, but answers as best she can “no.”

The lady, however, is not satisfied; she wants to know more. She starts firing off question after question to which the duelist just as quickly replies “Clorinde if those scholars tried to take me away would you stop them?”

“Most certainly.”

“Clorinde, this is a beautiful day”

“it is”

“Clorinde, has anyone touched the Oratrice?”

The Opera Epiclese is guarded day and night “no”

“Clorinde are you alive?”

Strange, really strange question “yes”

“Clorinde, is this a good day?”

She has already asked this, but the answer does not change “I would say yes”

The archon squeezes her tighter “Clorinde, are we underwater?”

“We are not”

“Clorinde, do you hate me?”

This question certainly surprised the duelist. The lady always looks sure of her popularity, she is always sure that people love her but at the same time she never demanded it, she never showed that kind of insecurity. A god does not need to be loved but only to be revered, and no matter how much you may hate a god they has no reason to consider such a feeling.
Madame Furina, however, has always been careful about such things; she seems to know so well the emotional sphere of humans that it takes little for her to understand how someone feels.

That is why she never needed to ask, or at least that is what Clorinde could observe “No, I do not hate you my lady.”

The lady then releases her grip around the woman's shoulders, leans back to meet her gaze.
Clorinde thinks her eyes are beautiful, two drops in a sea of blue of different shades, they are the most peculiar eyes she has ever seen. They really suit the Hydro archon. 

Furina is one of those people who likes to talk, she tells stories, sings praises and talks her heart out saying whatever she wants.
But like the sea she too has her moments when she is calm, sometimes all that energy disappears leaving a placid, meek girl who has no words to share. Those are the times when she speaks through silences, gestures, and glances.

Just like now, those drop-shaped pupils seem to want to say something to the hunter with violet eyes. 
Clorinde swears she can see a stormy sea in those eyes, but it is like an illusion because there is only silence between them.
A beat.
And after a few seconds come to her ears the melodious sound of the lady's voice “Say my name, my true name.”

Clorinde remembers the only time the archon asked her to say her true name was when she took her official position as a member of Fontaine's court, when she swore allegiance to the nation and its god. 

That was the only time she used that name.

“Focalors”

The goddess smiles brightly, her hands resting on the duelist's shoulders clasped lightly, her tear-shaped eyes watching her intensely with a manic glare. Clorinde remains impassive even with the strange lady in her arms, waiting for the next question to be asked, “Clorinde, who am I?”

“The Hydro Archon” she replies without hesitation. The archon looks at her without saying anything, expression unreadable. Perhaps either disappointed or pleased. Clorinde sees a stormy sea in those eyes and yet the waters seem calm.

The lady's small smile widens “Good! Your archon commands you to put her down!” her voice is now warm and lively.

Clorinde does as ordered, the lady's bare feet touch the ground.

The god stops to pick up the blue gem and puts it back in its place in her hips, now she looks happy. She does a spin and starts humming as she moves around without a purpose swinging back and forth around the tree that housed her. Her bodyguard watches her enjoying herself as if she had not been upset until a moment ago.

Clorinde is really confused. Those questions were strange and spoken in an almost desperate tone. She can only assume that the god was upset by the meeting with the scholars, that bad affair with the Dendro archon could be the reason. Perhaps... perhaps the lady is afraid that it might happen to her? It is not known for sure how those sages imprisoned a god, although weakened her power should not have disappeared completely. Maybe she was imprisoned by deception, how evil did those people have to be to do such a thing to their god who gave everything to protect them?

The duelist will not allow anyone to do anything to Lady Furina, the Iudex and the rest of the people of Fontaine will not allow it.
But perhaps there is more, the matter of the prophecy is not discussed openly, but the rising waters in recent years portend that a disaster could happen. 

If for people to somehow find a way to save themselves and avert the prophecy to the expense of Lady Furina maybe... maybe in that case they could... no, Clorinde does not want to believe it's possible. 

The Fontaninans love their archon too much, and if there are any evildoers among them there will be just as many protectors anyway.
Their lady is smart and will not be fooled and even without using her powers she always has Neuvillette by her side, he would not allow anyone to do injustice, especially against Furina.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why she does not want her divinity to be questioned, she does not want to be underestimated and for somebody to try something against her.

The lady begins to dance under the watchful gaze of the duelist, both completely unaware of what the other is thinking.
Their thoughts are interrupted when Furina stops singing. She turns to her bodyguard and with a vaguely sad smile asks her one last question, “Clorinde, if I- if I lost all my power and was unable to stop the prophecy would you still stay by my side?”

Clorinde does not need to think about it further “yes” her reply seems to make the lady happy, her smile widens, but that manic glow in her eyes is back, that look seems to say something she is unable to understand. 

But she is able to understand what she asks “why?”

“Because I vowed, I swore to protect Fontaine and you Lady Furina. I keep my promises, my honor depends on it.”

Furina stops to think as she moves a few steps closer to the duelist, walking lethargically in complete contrast of the energy she showed a moment before when she pranced happily “Clorinde you know... I keep my promises too. Keeping my word is an obligation, you know?” The duelist nods, the god's tone has turned cold again, this back and forth of her mood destabilizing the duelist.

“I want you to promise me something, Clorinde,” and she listens.

“I want you to promise that you will always protect justice no matter what, I want you to promise that you will protect Hydro archon when she needs you, I want you to promise that no matter what happens to me, you will protect the Oratrice. Are you able to do that my dear Clorinde?”

Clorinde listens carefully, she feels that strange tension coming from the goddess, it is a strange feeling. She wouldn't say she was afraid, but something in her words disturbed her, what she says almost seems to contradict herself. Why is the Oratrice so important? She seems to mean that it's more significant than the god herself.
The duelist thinks that such a promise she has already made when she swore an oath to the nation, but now the lady is asking her directly, she wants her to promise it now in front of her.

Clorinde has a choice, Furina wants to know if it is a choice that is one she will make anyway even if the god becomes powerless. Strange, all this is strange but if it will serve to appease the lady so be it, it's a promise she is capable of keeping “I promise Lady Furina”

After her statement Furina lights up, then a joyous spin she runs to hug her “I knew it, I knew it! My Clorinde is the best aahah” her laughter is happy and melodious, the duelist has welcomed this explosive affectionate gesture with open arms.

She too finds herself smiling, not quite sure what she has done but if the beloved archon is happy, all is well.
“Now that you've had your fun are you going to go back to the Palais?”

The lady pulls away from her and she poses pretending to think “mmmmh no, I don't think I will. Today is a beautiful day! Play with me more, my knight. Right here where no one can see us, where no one can see me” her voice suddenly loses its vigor ”...where, where no one can reach me”

There is one thing Madame Furina likes to say 'all the world is a stage' and if Clorinde has been given the role of knight so be it, her task is not to leave the lady alone as Neuvillette ordered.

The game is not over yet, they do not run danger here, if her sword serves to make Furina feel safe she will not hesitate to draw it.

With a chivalrous bow the hunter-turned-knight replies to the lady, “As you wish fair lady, your knight will not allow anyone to reach you” The lady only gives a very small smile in return.

Chapter Text

Clorinde follows the lady's lead that brings her into a world of play and fun. The duelist is always careful to separate work and private life but with Furina it is really difficult.

Lady Furina is now here in the forest with only her for company, they are wandering among trees and lakes where only the song of the birds echoes accompanied by the melodious giggles of the lady who contentedly runs around barefoot. 

Now they are playing the princess and her knight who escorts her on an adventure. Clorinde is no stranger to this kind of play, in fact at the Tabletop Troupe club she has a great deal of experience in role-playing and the lady is always fascinated to hear the stories she tells about her evenings at the tavern.

For an archon surely Furina shows a lot of interest in human life even their pastimes and games.
Not that the lady is incapable of being serious but most often she prefers to maintain a positive and playful attitude, she likes to sing and dance in every situation as if it were the secret ingredient to happiness.  Indeed, it is for her subjects; to see her so full of life, so positive, is a great relief to the Fontainians. When their god is so happy and hardworking everyone is quick to applaud her performances, when she is seen playing in the streets people feel comfortable to come out of their homes even at night or in a storm, there seems to be no problem when the justice of the Lady Furina reaches the whole nation.

Many consider it a divine blessing that their archon has decided to live among them without hiding or relegating herself to some unreachable heavenly palace. Other archons do not rule their nation, some do not even show up for centuries, but their lady is here with them in human guise to conform to their way of life.

The knight merely follows the lady in silence, they walk and retrace the steps that earlier a hunter followed in search of her prey. That hunter knew her destination, but now there is only a knight who has no aim, her only purpose is to protect the lady and not to allow anything or anyone to reach her.

As they return to the lake where the willow tree rests Furina suddenly goes silent. In front of them are two Hydro Phantasms, the same ones the hunter had seen some time before.
The hunter did not consider them a threat, but now they are in the way of the lady, so the knight is about to draw the sword. However, she is immediately interrupted by the lady herself “shh, don't move” a command that is obeyed.

Furina looks silently at the beings made of hydro. The mono eye of the two look at the beings in front of them but show no sign of wanting to attack. 

Then the Hydro archon speaks to them “hello” of course the creatures say nothing, they are neither able to understand the language nor speak it but Furina is still determined to speak to them “today is a very good day”

The knight watches the lady and the two creatures without making a sound, but is ready to intervene if they become aggressive.

Furina clears her throat before she takes the floor again, her scene ready “my dears, in honor of this beautiful day I will honor you with a song!” fearlessly the diva takes a bow and begins to sing: 

“With you~   with you I'll be able to share
my cheerful times”

The knight is puzzled but lets the lady have her fun. The two hydro beings just move the drops around them without a purpose, maybe they are dancing?

“Everything is foolish in the world
which is not pleasure~”

Now Clorinde is convinced, these  Hydro Phantasms are dancing, the drops of water seem to move to the rhythm of the diva's voice. How is this possible? is perhaps the power of the Hydro archon.

“Let's enjoy ourselves~  for fleeting and quick
the delight of love is-”

The diva sings and dances amusedly with only two Phantasms and a silent knight as spectators but looks like the happiest woman in the world:

“-it's a flower that blooms and dies
and can no longer be enjoyed”

The lady takes the knight's hand and invites her to dance, a twirl or two before completing her piece

“Let's enjoy ourselves, fervent
flattering voice invites us!”

Clorinde recognizes this song, it is one she heard at the opera years ago. Its a tragedy, its a love drama but it is this very one song, inviting us to enjoy the fleeting happiness, the love, that most of all has stuck in the hearts of the Fontaine audience.

“Ah! let's enjoy the cup~ the cup and the chants~
the embellished nights and the laughter,
let the new day find us in this paradise!”

Furina keeps singing and dancing and does not stop. She continues until many small hydro drops flutter around them making the atmosphere even more magical, she does not stop even when more curious spectators arrive from the lake. 
It's three vishaps and a little melusine that start touching the drops in the air, more bubbles are created by the Phantasms but they don't take their attention away from the star in front of them.

“Let's drink~ let's drink from the joyous chalices
that beauty blossoms-”

The knight starts to get a little nervous at the sight of all these curious creatures around the lady, but Furina's smile and joy chase away any worries, she continues unfazed without stopping, her gaze at an almost manic lilt as she replays the song again and again.

But then slowly she stops visibly tired. A deep breath, a bow. An applause and then two.

It is Clorinde and little melusine, the only ones with hands to actually clap.
The bubbles around them slowly fade as well as those Hydro Phantasms, however the vishaps are standing there in front of them along with a snake-eyed melusine “Furina brava! Pretty song!” she says approaching the diva.

The knight perceives no threat but for safety she too comes to the side of the lady who with a big smile goes over to the melusine and hugs her tenderly “my little fairy!” two vishaps stay with only their faces out of the water watching the scene, one of the three comes out of the lake to lie down on the shore and close his eyes sleepily. 

From the little melusine can be heard many happy noises, Clorinde can swear they resemble a cat's purr and a lot of “Furina, Furina!” keep coming out of her mouth as if she didn't know how to say anything else, it is really an adorable scene to see the two hugging each other with such affection. The god's laughter is as melodious as her singing.

“Pahsiv, let me introduce you to someone” the lady turns to the knight “This is Clorinde, she is a friend” as suggested she makes a small bow, the melusine looks at her curiously “Clorinde, friend, friend of Furina” at first she has difficulty speaking, but the archon rewards her with tender head pat.

The lady seems very pleased with herself for some reason, her mood seems so much better than before, Clorinde almost forgot how upset and angry she was at the meeting with the scholars that morning. 

Between songs, dancing, and games it seems there is no trouble in the world, here in the Erinnyes forest there are no villains, there is nothing to fear, no prophecy or dread that can reach them. The games are not over, the lady begins to gather the garlands she left earlier in the tree, the same ones that guided a hunter to her prey.

Together with little Pahsiv they pick up the flowers left lying around, the melusine even starts to eat them happily while the garlands are used as decorations for the sleeping vishap who lets the two of them climb over it without protest. Once filled with flowers they go on to make crowns with the remaining stems to put on the heads of the other two vishap floating in the lake.

 They also involve the knight who was following them silently, after a few attempts she creates flower wreaths so well-made that she gets the compliments of the god; Clorinde is not too convinced that they are made so well, for Lady Furina any small and insignificant achievement seems worthy of praise.

They have fun like this, the silence broken by a few words and giggles.

When they run out of flowers to play with, the melusine and the lady lie on the ground against the big sleeping vishap, Clorinde sits against a tree as she listens to the two chatting. The knight also gets caught up in the conversation even though she does not have much to say, actually no one has much to say except Furina who fills the silence talking about this and that, she does not fail to emphasize how beautiful this day is.

For some reason that disturbs Clorinde, as if saying that phrase makes it true even if it is not, something feels off.

Lady Furina narrates her day to the curious little melusine, she sounded like a GM telling all the details of a story, precisely describing the setting the feelings and impressions of all the characters involved. It all seems normal, but slowly she adds fabricated details, exaggerates reactions, mixes reality with fantasy; she goes so far as to say that as soon as she woke up she was chased by an evil dragon and that Clorinde here the brave knight rescued her from the bath.
It no longer made any sense but the little melusine listened engrossed and laughed, asked questions to which a prompt answer removed all doubt. Clorinde takes note, Furina's imagination is phenomenal, an asset to a proper role-player.

One thing catches the brave knight's interest, the lady describes the project she was working on, the melusine doesn't really appear to understand anything about mechanics and meka, so the narrative is limited to explaining its vague workings and concentrates on describing what it should look like: a dog.

Lady Furina is trying to create a quadrupedal meka that looks like a dog for the purpose of operating a kettle.

A tea kettle, now, Clorinde does not know how much of what the lady says is correct, but she wants to create a meka that serves tea.

The duelist has a vague thought that there is more behind this mysterious Mr.Bouchi, the lady is very focused on explaining the details now, the poor melusine has no idea what she is talking about, even Clorinde doesn't have that kind of knowledge.

“-so, with the only problem remains the stability of the kettle, pouring hot water must be safe an- or my, I'm boring you” Madame Furina must have read a strange expression in her face because she stops and looks at her apologetically.

However, the knight doesn't want to interrupt the lady's flux of thoughts, she seemed so happy to talk about Mr.Bouchi “I can't say I understand everything, but it's not boring to hear you talk, you seem very dedicated to this project of yours”

Furina blushes slightly embarrassed “umh, well, no I-  You see it's a... kind of gift for someone”

This response is unexpected, a present? Who could be so important as to receive a gift made by the hands of the nation's god “a gift?”

“Gift? A friend of Furina receives a gift?” repeats little Pahsiv.

The lady seems to become a little more frustrated but at the same time excited to tell this little secret of hers “yes, something like that but you must not tell anyone! No, it's a state secret, got it!” Furina smiles shaking and plays with her hands nervously looking in the direction of the duelist.

Clorinde is not really surprised to see the archon behaving in this adorable way, the lady has on several occasions asked her to keep small innocent secrets, such as where is her secret supply of sweets “on my honor I swear not to mention it” she replies with a smile

“Especially to the Duke! He must not know about it!” the lady quickly adds, but she immediately regrets having spoken so impulsively, her mouth suddenly closing.

But it is too late because Clorinde has heard correctly “ it's a gift for Wriothesley?” now that's a surprise.

“aaah! You didn't hear anything noooo” the little lady shyly covers her eyes with her hands and wiggles her legs like a baby.

The reaction seems to amuse the melusine who imitates her laughing “noooo”

Then Clorinde allows herself in this enchanted forest away from everyone a hearty laugh at the expense of the poor lady who timidly joins the chorus of laughter. But the duelist is not done teasing her “I am sure the Duke will be honored to receive this thoughtful gift.”

After a few more playful comments the knight and melusine spare the poor lady who is suddenly very interested in changing the subject.

When Pahasiv asks more about the previous performance the lady brags about how her voice can bewitch ghosts as well.

At one point caught by curiosity the knight asks “my lady, how did you make those Hydro Phantasms harmless?”

Furina closes her eyes as she lies comfortably on the large reptile “mmmh you are asking the wrong question my dear knight, I did not make them harmless, but I made sure they did not become so.”

Clorinde thinks she understands what she means but still does not fully comprehend “are you saying they would not have attacked anyway? But they are creatures known to attack adventurers”

“In fact, the mistake that adventurers make is to see them as enemies. The hydro is the element of life, it's in all living things, even humans, elemental beings can sense the feelings that water carries...” the goddess opens her eyes and looks at the sky and continues to speak “if you approach ghosts without showing hostility they will not attack, they are incapable of understanding language, but they can read emotions”

Clorinde always had this hunch, when she was training with her Master however she always had to concentrate on seeing every monster and creature as an enemy in order to deal with them. This wisdom has only now been imparted to her by the Hydro archon, obviously she knows more about the subject.

“However there are hydro elemental creatures who have developed an ego, these are more than a mere mirror of your emotions. They can be openly hostile because they want to be, and they can be friendly in the same way. Those Hydro Phantasms, on the other hand, are just little droplets without a strong will, all I had to do was show tranquility and contentment, and they joined the dance” the duelist assumed that the goddess had used the power of an archon, while the answer is so simple but equally incredible.

Clorinde wants to know more “so anyone could do it? It's just enough not to feel fear and hostility?”

Furina smiles “yep! It's so easy, sometimes just a little love can make all the difference”

The duelist is struck by the revelation “the same goes for these vishaps?”

The god chuckles “mmmh in a way, even though they are something like a less evolved dragon they are not so different from an animal”

At that the duelist finds herself smiling thinking back to her childhood, a less evolved dragon eh? She remembers that Geovishap her teacher gave her as a pet “do you know much about vishaps?”

Madame Furina looks at her with a strange smirk, strangely very confident “let's just say I know a thing or two~ I have experience raising one, a big, stubborn one”

Clorinde then smiled equally amused “what a coincidence, me too” at her statement the lady excitedly storms her with questions, wanting to know everything.
So they talk about their experiences about having a vishap pet, though for some strange reason Furina cannot hide her laughter when she draws parallels between her 'pet' and the duelist's.

They go on like this for what seems like hours, the little melusine is on the verge of falling asleep snuggled up to the big vishap who is lying down, the other two can be seen in the distance swimming in the lake. Then the lady decides that playtime is over, standing up she wishes good dreams to little Pahsiv. 

Clorinde as per her role escorts the lady away from the lake, they are making their way back to the Opera Epiclese, the way is not long but Furina is tired and begins to walk slower and slower, her feet start to hurt. After all those hours of playing she is visibly tired.

Then she stops altogether “mhph I don't want to walk anymore” and sits on the ground, not like a lady, crosses her legs and with a snort plants herself there. 

In the middle of the road. 

The knight at her side then stops to watch her waiting for a command, but nothing comes.

Her expression looks dejected again, the same expression she had when she refused to come down from the tree. Clorinde then kneels before her “my lady, is something troubling you?”

Furina looks into her eyes, in the two drop-shaped pupils there is no longer that joy and serenity of before, the closer they come to the Opera house the more her mood returns to the same one she had when she had fled from there. 

Clorinde sees in those eyes a lost child, there is no longer the star that guided a knight in the forest, no longer the guide of a sad young duelist who is facing regret. Before her is not a strong and invincible god, it's not Lord Focalors who demands respect but a petite lady with bare feet, a girl who does not want to go home. 

In front of Clorinde is only Furina.

That is why the duellist shows with all her sincerity only Clorinde “my lady if you don't want to walk I will gladly carry you on my back, if you don't want to go to the Opera Epiclese or the Palais we won't go there” The knight begins, her hand extended in silent invitation “if for you the time for games is not over I will keep you company all evening, if my sword makes you feel safe I will point it at every threat in your path” they are words of comfort but she means every word, Clorinde is truly devoted to lady Furina, even when she doesn't act like a god. 

Because Furina is Clorinde's friend.

That little speech makes the lady unsure for some reason, her hand hesitates when she touches the knight's. Her small hands tremble “I-I'm sorry, not-I can't steal your time like that. No, that just selfish- We'll have to go back... Neuvi will be waiting for us” the duelist thinks she hears... fear in the lady's voice.

Fear doesn't suit Furina.

“I am here to do your bidding my lady, the only order the Iudex gave me is not to leave you alone” that is the truth, she never received orders to bring her back, so they can stay away from everyone until the lady feels ready.

“Will you really do as I say? Will you grant my selfish wish?”

“Yes, Lady Furina” Clorinde is sure that Furina will not ask anything unreasonable, or at least she hopes so.

With a huff the lady gets the knight to help her to her feet and without any more hesitation she issues her command “Then you will no longer be my knight” Clorinde's heart sinks a little.

But Furina looks at her giggling “now you are promoted to my personal mount!” strange way of accepting the offer to carry her on one's back, but the duelist does not refuse her new role. Loading the little woman on her back is not difficult.

Giving a piggyback ride to a god is a peculiar experience, even the hug earlier when she helped her down from the tree was strange. 

Furina clings to her with almost desperate force but at the same time seems to be frightened by it, it seems that being so close to her is stressing her. The lady has always been strange and full of contradictions, so perhaps it is simply in her nature and there is no special meaning.

Clorinte however cannot help but feel a little sad, when she feels that little body trembling it seems that she is carrying a frightened little kitten, afraid of other people's affection, as if human warmth would burn her.

Clorinde continues to walk aimlessly with the goddess on her back, but says nothing.
The air around them is salty; they have approached the beach. The lady gave no further directions on where to go then the mount makes the independent decision to go to the shore in hopes of finding Lumitoile to show the little lady. Possibly this will be able to make her somewhat happier.

Furina snuggles as close as she can, her face hidden in her mount's shoulder. In a low voice she starts speaking again after many minutes of silence “you know Clorinde, is not your sword that makes me feel safe”

The duellist contemplates whether to respond for a second, then remembers her role as a mount and then only makes a sound of assent indicating that she is listening.

Small hands squeeze her shoulders “its only you, because you are Clorinde” the woman replies with a mumble, she has plenty of time to consider those words and their meaning.

In the meantime, however, she does not know that in Furina's head a chorus of voices is shouting  mine, mine mine-

Chapter Text

Clorinde stands there on the shore, watching a lady stomping the water with her feet to shower an Armored Crab hiding under the sand.

The duelist has left the role of mount to return to that of bodyguard, her only task now being to silently watch Furina play with the water. 

They have spent hours wandering around the forest, in her back she has carried the god to the small beach to collect Lumitoile to put back in the sea, now Clorinde allows herself a moment's rest sitting on a log but with her eyes always vigilant.

Lady Furina has not yet run out of energy, it seems almost impossible given how she acted before.
Sometimes she pauses thoughtfully grievous and a minute later you see her running from side to side like a child who has no trouble at all.
Its only the way of the archon of Fontaine, it is only one of her quirks. But today for Clorinde to closely observe these sudden mood changes stirs a little concern.

It's not like any other day, something is wrong, her hunter's senses tell her.

When a prey is desperate it becomes nearly impossible to predict what its next move will be, a harmless rabbit might bite, an elusive deer might run towards you or a bird might choose to stop fighting, it might fall to the ground and never attempt to fly again.

Clorinde does not think this is a good comparison but she senses the same kind of alertness and fear from the lady.
The trust she places in others is too much for her to be considered a prey but why does the care others have for her frighten her in the same way as the threats aimed at her person? She seems to act as if she is doing something wrong, like breaking a law. Whenever a hand is extended to her she greets it with fear, it is as if she loses all the confidence she has in herself. She showed much more strength and conviction when she shouted at those scholars, while the supportive gesture of someone she trusts makes all her defenses crumble. This is how Clorinde seen Furina.

The real Furina, the one hiding behind the mask.

Furina can be shy and reserved, placid and very loving. But also passionate and joyful, energetic and hysterical. When things don't go her way she finds elaborate ways to turn the tables, her every move has a definite purpose and is without a reason at the same time. 
She has a heart too human to be a god, the feelings she has make her so strong but vulnerable. She seems to want to hide, as if ashamed. 
Perhaps it is a blow to a god's pride to be seen so fragile.

Clorinde has known Lady Furina for years; she has always been beside her for many hours during the day. She has had a chance to see how she behaves with others, how she enjoys herself, and how she works.

The duelist knows many things about the lady, she knows about her collection of colorful stones that she collects when she goes to the beach, she knows where she hides candy at the Opera Epiclese, she knows where Furina goes at night to feed strays, and she also knows what her favorite novels are.
Lady Furina may seem like an open book but there are many layers that hide other aspects of her there are hard to see, no matter how well you observe her you will always find that you don't know her well enough. There is always something she is hiding, there is always a face of her that no one can see, you will never know what she is hiding behind a smile.

Even her words, so beautiful and spoken in the most melodious voice, seem to conceal unspeakable secrets.
Like that promise she made her earlier. Whatever it means the only thing Clorinde can do is to trust the lady and follow her. That is what Furina wants, she has always said that the divine is full of mysteries and mortals need just to have faith.

Clorinde however would never think that anything dark is hidden in Furina, she believes no one would think so. Whatever her secrets are she keeps them for a reason. The lady said she feels safe with her, Clorinde would never want to change that.
No matter what mask the lady chooses to wear, no matter what role she takes to hide herself, even if their great god decides to be a child for today her protector has only the duty to stay close to her and if she is allowed to guide her when she feels lost and alone.

All the skills and power she has accumulated over the years have served to protect in what she believes in, to protect justice and her loved ones. If the time comes to point the sword at the lady's enemies then Clorinde will not hesitate.
Furina is too kind, she would not be able to hurt anyone, her disdain for violence is well known. And if her hesitation to show her power is cause for insecurity then there will be Clorinde to take that role, she has sworn to be the sword and shield of justice and by extension the god who represents it.

Clorinde is ready to face every enemy for the lady, she will defeat every monster and hopes that a day will come when she will allow her to get close enough to banish the demons in her heart. Until then the only thing she can do now is to wait with an open hand.

The sea is calm and the air is crisp. Furina watches the water droplets slowly slide over the crab's shell. The animal remains buried in the sand motionless as if nothing disturbs it. 

If only she, too, had such an impenetrable armor, if only she were strong enough she would not live in fear of being found out, would not live in fear that someone would stand in the way of Focalors and that the prophecy come true.
If only she were strong enough she would not need someone else's comfort, she would not need companions by her side.
If only she were strong enough on her own she would be able to cope with loneliness and more decisively push away the care that comes to her, she cannot display weakness.

A weak god is not what Fontaine needs, the nation does not deserve a wayward child who cannot control her emotions. Furina needs to get her act together, this morning's performance has frightened her people, her actions now are only making her Clorinde worry.

Furina cannot afford it, she cannot afford the luxury of having someone to love her. No one must know Furina, the only thing they can have is the Hydro archon.

With Clorinde it is so easy to forget about acting, her wonderful bodyguard just sticks by her, protects her and doesn't ask questions. A friend like Clorinde is something Furina doesn't deserve. Clorinde is so loyal and understanding that she keeps up with her every whim, and is only returned with lies, her oath made to a weak person.

Someone so weak that she cannot reject her affection, so weak that she cannot push her away all the way. Furina is a weakling who is so selfish that she wants Clorinde for herself, that she wants the comfort that the presence of this incredible woman can give, someone she would like to consider her friend. 

All of Fontaine belongs to Furina, everything is hers and it is her duty to protect it. Everything she has must be treated with care and love, Furina cannot let her people down, their lives depend on it. she cannot be too selfish, she must not taint the people around her with her stupid emotions.

If only she were strong enough, she would not need anyone. if she were a strong person, she would not make the people around her worry. If only... loving wasn't so painful, if only she wasn't so lonely. 
No Furina must not think that, she will only end up wanting more. Something she is not allowed to have otherwise she would doom Fontaine. She must not be cruel, she cannot ruin all her work and that of mirror-me.

No matter how much the kindness of her beautiful people wears her down her walls will not collapse, every crack will be closed and strengthened even if the grout has to brew with her tears. 
Furina has all her masks to protect her, when one breaks down just wear another, and if that one fails just put on another one.

No one can see Furina, she can only give a part of herself only her divine self, a fake.
Not Furina the human, she must not exist, she cannot be loved because it would mean revealing her secret, Focalors secret.

Clorinde frightens her, whose beautiful violet eyes seem to see into her soul, the comfort she provides envelops her like a blanket capable of protecting her from everything. But the safer she feels the more the mask slips. 

Furina cannot risk being seen, even if everything seems alright when she is near Clorinde, she cannot take the risk as she did with Neuvi or she will end up saying something she will regret. 
Although Furina would just like to hug them tightly and never let them go, but that's okay she's content to be able to call them hers    this is not what you want    you all shut up today I don't want to hear you   'today we just need to play'
Luckily that kind voice is on her side this time    'hehe it's always you Furina don't forget'   ah, okay, now you all shut up.
 

Clorinde sees Lady Furina stooping down to pet the shell of the crab that still has not moved. Now her face looks relaxed but her downcast eyes make her look sad. But perhaps it is only the setting sun that makes the evening gloomy or maybe the distance does not allow her to see her expression well.

The duelist relaxes her mind as she listens to the quiet singing of the lady who has now decided to walk closer to the water letting it soak her up to her knees. On the horizon the sun is setting, and a new presence approaches. 

But there is no need to fret. Its Monsieur Neuvillette who stands by Clorinde's side watching the lady who dances barefoot happily humming at the sea. At least on the surface she is happy, but her notes carry some of the sad moods she hides within herself, in fact Furina looks tired, too tired to completely hide what she feels.

The Iudex notes the state of the archon “where are lady Furina's shoes?”

“somewhere in the Foggy Forest Path serving as a slimes toy,” the duelist promptly replies. In reply she receives only a hum. Then she asks “'Is everything all right at the Opera Epiclese? Lady Furina was worried that someone had reached the Oratrice.”

“Sumeru's scholars left several hours ago, the Garde did not leave them alone for a moment”
As they talk their god plays with another crab that unlike the other is definitely more active and starts chasing her while she runs away giggling. “Furina looks happy.” 

Clorinde turns to glance sidelong at Chief Justice, he always has his usual expression and his eyes are on the lady, his intense gaze not missing her for a moment. He almost looks like a hunter aiming at his prize, no, rather he looks like a predator watching his prey waiting for the right moment to attack. 
Clorinde first saw up close the beauty of the goddess's eyes, now she can catch a glimpse of the peculiar serpentine pupils of the man beside her. Both of them give the feeling of looking at the surface of a deep and ancient ocean.

Many people wonder what is the relationship between the two, no one knows what exactly Monsieur Neuvillette is, the fact that he has lived for centuries indicates that he is not human, and rumors say that perhaps he is some sort of archon's familiar. All rumors of course but it has its own logic seeing how close the relationship between them is. 

Clorinde recalls that once a young woman enamored of the Iudex brazenly sought the archon's blessing to try to woo him, the girl went so far as to insinuate that the goddess might be the man's paramour.
To put her in her place the lady eloquently stated that anyone was free to court the Iudex but that they should keep in mind that the archon herself is his mother, his sister and his daughter at the same time, the girl was so confused that she did not have time to respond that the lady wanted to make clear the relationship she has with Monsieur Neuvillette by making very awkward statements such as “my Iudex is not only my subordinate but he is like my child, actually no my pet! mmh maybe we are like lovers?” the puzzling thing is that she was sincere in trying to explain the relationship they had even though her statements made no sense to an ordinary mortal. 

Clorinde can only assume that centuries of living together have changed their relationship that no human definition can define them, the only thing that is clear is that they care for each other.

Perhaps that intense gaze expresses more than words can say, he is not a predator and he is not a hunter. Perhaps the lady does not need to assign him a role as she did with her bodyguard, perhaps Neuvillette knows what role to assume without being told because he knows her so well. Today Furina wanted to run away and she doesn't want anyone around her, just fun and peace, a peace she never could achieve, and she wants to feel protected and safe. 

So today she has her most trusted companions with her, that is their role.

Clorinde has many thoughts on her mind, the day spent with the lady was fun on the surface but something still disturbs her “Monsieur I have something to report” her grave tone catches the man's attention “tell me”

Then the duelist tells how the day went vaguely, how the lady's behavior worried her and of the strange promise she made. She does not spare any useful observations to understand what the lady was thinking, there is something underneath that she might be hiding, Clorinde surmised that the lady may be hiding a condition, perhaps an illness, or perhaps something to do with prophecy. If anyone can figure it out more it is Neuvillette. 

“it could be erosion” this is what Neuvillette assumes. Clorinde has heard about it but it is hard to tell if it is really the case.

They are interrupted in their conversation when they hear a yelp, a splah and an 'oww'.

Furina has fallen face-first onto the water, she is now drenched from head to toe and a crab is attacking her feet, another splash when trying to get up she stumbles back into the water.

This is certainly not how Fontine's celebrity is usually seen. She looks like she has lost all the elegance she shows on stage.

The crab is slow so the lady manages to escape its claws but keeps stumbling through the water, and not elegantly. She can be heard laughing for a moment and then emitting frustrated huff. 
Escaping the crab proves more difficult with her irregular movement, after stumbling a few more times she shouts “My knight! a terrible monster is attacking your lady, do something!”

Ah, so now it's the knight again. All right it seems time to go into action.

Clorinde goes to the lady's rescue, once near the water she uses her electro power to generate a small shock in the direction of the crab, so the terrible monster runs away away from the lady. The knight then extends a hand to the lady to help her up, Furina has only a moment's hesitation before catching her and exclaiming with a smile, “My hero!”

Neuvillette watches the scene at the shore, watches the two women coming toward him, when Furina notices him she does not express any surprise even though she refuses to look him in the eye. He would just like to reassure her and know what is wrong but he cannot ask for anything or she will fly away, run from him and maybe even from Clorinde this time. 

His hand extended “my lady, if you allow me” after receiving confirmation with a nod, he uses his power to completely dry the two women. A giggle and Furina runs back to play on the shore without diving too deep, that crab buried under the sand still seems to pique her interest. 

Clorinde and Neuvillette almost let out a simultaneous sigh, the weariness of the day catches up with them but their god has not yet decided to stop, indeed after the Iudex enters the scene she seems invigorated by her previous exhaustion.

After this small interruption the two return to the sidelines apprehensively observing the little lady while wondering what was going through the goddess's head. Resuming the talk from earlier the duelist has something to ask hoping her curiosity will not be considered sacrilegious “how gods die?” 

Neuvillette cannot say he does not know the reason for the question “as deteriorating the erosion is not lethal, but in history many divine beings to avoid going mad and destroying everything around them have chosen to end their lives, sometimes by asking other gods to kill them.” 

Clorinde does not know much about ancient history of when the world was populated by many deities, but there are many myths and legends that help to know the stories of a world different from today's. Monsieur Neuvillette seems to know more about it “Is there no other way?”

“Some resort to purification rites or leave their physical bodies to live as spirits or become sealed by falling into a millennial sleep. No story tells of an effective way to 'cure' erosion completely” He never thought of this possibility, maybe Furina was really effected by erosion. It could explain her fear of forgetting, the fact that she does not use her powers, and the sorrow and fear she carries with her at the thought of condemning her people. It seems so logical now that he thinks about it, it's all very similar to the stories of ancient gods who fell, went mad and lost their selves, the more tenacious ones struggling for centuries with their condition. What scares him most is what Furina might do, he knows it devastates her just to think of hurting anyone, her people and her nation.

And then he thinks about what she confessed in his arms that day after the storm. She said she would like to disappear, she said she does not want to feel alone but she would never want to impose a cruel fate on others because she loves them too much. Everything seems to make sense but something doesn't add up, it doesn't seem completely right. If only Furina would confide in him he could help her, even Clorinde seems willing to do what she can for her protégé.

The duellist follows the same line of thought as Neuvillette, no further words are needed between them to clarify what is bothering them. is it possible that the Orarice has a role in countering Furina's supposed erosion? Does she want to leave it as a means of averting the prophecy even in her absence? or does it have another meaning?

So many questions flash through her mind but no answer she can come up with seems right, if Furina has never said anything there is surely a reason and her followers just have to have faith. But that does not stop the preoccupation she has for the lady. If only there was an enemy to fight, a monster to point the sword at, but instead they find themselves fighting against the shadows of their doubts, uncertainty, an enemy that may not exist. Now that's scary. 

In all her years of training with her master, she has never had difficulty identifying her target, perhaps taking longer to come up with an effective strategy to catch her prey but at least she knows what she is fighting. In contrast with Furina's enemies it is like crawling in the dark, you never know what to expect, you don't even know if there are real enemies or it is all fiction, fighting a calamity or erosion is not even like facing a tangible opponent. 

For the first time in many years, Clorinde finds herself lost and helpless in facing something she does not know. Long ago when she was struggling to understand her guilt it was Furina herself who guided her, taught her to face her feelings face to face and stop running away. Now she feels that sense of helplessness again but her god will not guide her this time, her god refuses to even acknowledge that something ails her and will not allow anyone to help her.

In the distance the god, the all-too-human god of Fontaine thinks about how her trusty companions are so perfect. She admires them from afar by casting a sidelong glance before returning to her new game of stacking pebbles and shells. She places a white pebble on top of a larger gray and purple one. Her hands work as her mind races, her thoughts returning in a forbidden direction.

Her yearning for humanity. Like desire to be part of a family, as now she is secretly experiencing what it feels like to be an ordinary human child playing mindlessly under the watchful gaze of her loving parents. The mask she wore today is not one she puts on often, no, it is one that is too weak and vulnerable that does not hide her sufficiently.

Her trusted companions, allies and beloved friends are so wonderfully human. Even Neuvillette manages to experience the human world as himself even if he does not make his dragon identity public, he never hide his true self. Perhaps what she feels is envy but she should not forget that this is her choice. She chose to save Fontaine, she was aware of what she was up against. No, maybe that is not completely true, she was naive and did not know it would hurt so much but still she does not regret her choice.

She loves her nation too much now to let it go, she loves her subjects too much. No matter if her mind deteriorates, no matter if her heart breaks she is a god now, she must be and she will be as strong as she has always been. 

Even if sometimes she feels lost like a puppy, even if sometimes remembering her loved ones that are long gone make her sad like a mother who lost her children, even if she is seized with fear like a helpless young maiden, even then she just have to be happy that she can experience human emotions. Because those are what give her the strength to keep going... even if Furina is tired, very tired. 

Mirror-me for how much longer? how much longer must this masquerade keep going? 

Furina promised to never stop, promised to protect Fontaine, promised to protect Focalors inside the Oratrice.

But she has knows how weak she is, if even a god like Buer has been subjugated by ordinary mortals how can Furina hope to survive and stay out of danger? If someone saw her weaknesses they would find out the truth about her, even as a god they might want to hurt her, her mask might not protect her forever. what if she dies? what if someone closes her away and leaves the nation unprotected... no, no, she must not think about that. She must not fall into that vicious circle.

Today is a beautiful day, today she is having fun.

Clorinde is here and she will protect her, no evil will reach her. Neuvillette is here, he will protect justice, he is going to protect the laws so he will not allow anyone to reach the Oratrice.

It's okay they are there, they are here with me, alive, the prophecy is not being fulfilled, the stage belongs to her, the spotlights are still on, it's no time to doubt, she must win against fate and no matter how much she falters, she will win, no matter at what price.

Clorinde silently watches the archon. She watches her play with stones, watches her stack one pebble on top of another without stopping.

Clorinde watches the tears roll down Furina's cheeks, a silent weeping that she does not seem to be aware of. Furina has her normal relaxed expression as she continues her task unperturbed, as if her eyes are not crying.

The duelist feels she must run to her but it is not her place, the god has made that clear. she turns to see Neuvillette's reaction, he has not changed his expression but sees his fists clench. Even the stoic Iudex is stricken, perhaps he too feels that grip on his heart that she feels. 

Perhaps even the great and respected Chief Justice is just a man who feels powerless before the nation's god, powerless before the invisible enemy she alone fights, leaving her partners behind.

Clorinde loves Furina as her god, loves her as her friend, loves her because she is Furina. That is why she wants to be there for her when she cries and when she feels lost, she thinks Neuvillette feels the same way, perhaps all her devoted subjects feel the same way. 

Lady Furina is strong, whatever enemy she is facing, visible or invisible, real or imaginary, whether it is erosion or the prophecy she will find a way to emerge victorious. Her bodyguard only hopes that the lady will not sacrifice everything for one victory, only hopes that she will continue winning and let her people fight by her side.

The sun finally fades, its light remains distant on the horizon as evening arises. A lone god on the shore of the small beach lets an outstretched hand help her stand up, the hand of her Clorinde. The little lady is not in her right mind, not aware of her tears, not hearing what the two people in front of her are saying.

She only knows that she is tired, very very tired. 

She sees the dragon, her beloved dragon open his arms, she does not know why but she feels the need to bury her face there. His embrace is warm, warm that almost hurts her heart but that same warmth melts the cold of her fears. Strong arms support her and she lets herself be cradled like a baby, she feels so safe now.

She feels that she is being carried, she does not know where they are going but she cannot think about it, she only looks at the eyes of Clorinde walking behind the dragon. 
Her head rests on a broad, comfortable shoulder, her eyes close as she hears the sound of the waves and looks at that one human who makes her feel safe the most. 

Her world slips into the tenderness of sleep. Whatever happened now is all right, she is safe, even if it is only an illusion she wants to believe it is real.

Chapter Text

“you are doing well, it's all right” a sweet voice is heard whispering ”everyone will be saved, everyone will be free”

What beautiful words, everything that voice says is truth, it has always been the voice that doesn't lie and that soothes. That is all she wanted to hear “you are perfect the way you are, I am proud of you” Furina would really like to believe that it is true, she has doubts, so many doubts. But she always tells the truth, Furina trusts that voice “you just have to have faith” she will do it, she can do it “you won't be alone anymore” how nice “you just have to stay strong until the end” she will do it, but it's so hard “the harder the challenge the better the reward in the end, don't you think? “ sounds right "sleep Furina, humans need to rest" but she doesn't want to, please don't go away "I'm always with you" but I want you by my side not in a dream "you know it's not possible, my dear" but someday it will be. Right?

Furina feels herself floating above the water, it feels like she is in a vortex cradling her as she sleeps, everything is dark but it is not scary.
Nothing can be heard anymore, no noise, no voice, nothingness. It's not the first time this has happened, this is like a limbo where it seems like time doesn't flow, it's like being high in the sky and deep in the ocean at the same time.

This dream is the only one in which Furina can hear that voice. When she hears it, it sounds so familiar and nostalgic but she can never remember when she last heard it. Maybe it is one of the things she is slowly forgetting? In this dream she cannot even feel anything, it is like being at peace, there is no anger, sadness or fear. There is no happiness either, it all seems so empty but maybe Furina has never been happy, when she is here it seems like that. 

Only when she hears the words of her other self does she begin to feel something, she feels something and remembers things, they are like memories of a distant past that she has long forgotten. But now it is gone without giving her an answer, now the emptiness threatens to engulf her but she feels no fear for that fate, in fact maybe she welcomes it.

Clorinde accompanied the Iudex to the Palais after dark. Together they went to the archon's quarters to put her to sleep. The room is much cleaner than it was that morning when they found the lady in the chaos of papers and with oil stains all around, everything is in order now, the plushies are back in their place in the bed, every tool and blueprint is gone, and even the infamous Mr.Bouchi must have found a better resting place than the floor of a goddess's bedroom.

Lady Furina is sound asleep, no matter how much she is handled by Neuvillette or Clorinde she shows no sign of waking up. Even if her eyes flicker and two stray tears fall she does not get up, who knows what the gods dream of.

She is not sure if it is her place to worry about a god but Lady Furina is not only that, she is also the celebrity of Fontaine, the beloved diva and the archon of the people. For Clorinde and many others she can be regarded as a friend. In the nation, the Lady is considered the beating heart of Fontaine beyond her divine status.

Furina is loved thus for who she is, even with all her mysteries and quirks.

This however seems to scare her, she shows so much love but receiving it makes her insecure, happy yes, too happy and for her it seems as much a relief as a burden. At least that is what Clorinde can understand. But who can know for sure, with Lady Furina it is all smoke and mirrors, the tactics she uses to hide her true thoughts and feelings are so effective that no one can figure out what is going on with her. Even Monsieur Neuvillette cannot understand her despite having had centuries to get to know her.

The duelist and the Iudex have long since left the room, Neuvillette has headed to his quarters and allowed Clorinde to take the night watch at her request, after he gives her a thoughtful look she clarifies that it is only because she does not feel like sleeping soon and not because she is falling into her old habit of overdoing it.

It's honestly not something he of all people should criticize, but she understands where the concern comes from. That time three years ago was a hard time for her, and when Fontaine's god took matters into her own hands, she expressly forbade everyone in the Palais to let her work too many shifts in a row.

So even if she tried to overwork herself day and night in the court of Fontaine, the Lady would hear about it and force her to take days off.
At that time, after the duel with Callas, she even put a group of melusines on her tail who did nothing but follow her around and report back to the lady, in time they even became great friends she and the lively meleusines.

Truly cunning Furina, for such a spontaneous person she knows how to design articulate plans and does not reserve the right to use her tricks to trap her in her care. She did not even have to say a word or put her under pressure to succeed: When the duelist insisted on taking all the night shifts there was always a melusine who came to offer her milk and cookies, when she volunteered to track down criminals together with the members of the Maison Gardiennage she was never sent alone on a mission, when her turn came to have another duel there was always someone else who would offer to do it for her.

But Clorinde was too stubborn at the time, too lost in her regret and confusion to want to accept such care. And it was then, within a month of Callas' death, that a god took her by the hand. Lady Furina led Clorinde to the man's resting place, close to the place where she most tried to push her mind away. Clorinde did not know she had it in her to weep before a grave, after so long since the man's death even, it had never happened before. Whatever her tears let go of served to make her stop being so stubborn and face her feelings face to face, a burden that lightened even if never fully.

Furina was her guiding star that night, Clorinde could see how much experience and wisdom the goddess has, it did not take her long to recognize her grief and find a way to ease it. It is amazing how a god can grasp the human heart so well, even when all the people around the taciturn duelist could not figure her out it took only a short time for the Lady to unmask her. 

Clorinde realized that perhaps gods are not so different from humans. That morning it was brought to mind how the Dendro Archon was subjugated by her people, more than a year ago the death of Rex Lapis was announced, also the story of the Vision Hunt Decree showed how an archon has limitations in pursuing one's ideals and thus making mistakes. Even gods are imperfect beings, even the divine has love and compassion as well as anger and resentment.

As much as they may be similar to humans, gods are always different entities, to know human feelings so thoroughly and to recognize someone's pain is something that Lady Furina can do so naturally. This makes her suspect that the goddess is also capable of feeling so much and so deeply, perhaps as Furina herself said it is because hydro is the element that carries memories and emotions.

The duelist thinks this as she stands guard in front of the Lady's bedroom. She has a lot to think about, that day has been long, and she thinks that perhaps she has been able to get closer to the god who sleeps in the next room. In all her years of service to the nation, no one had ever told her that she is capable of making one feel safe. Certainly her strength is well known, feared by her rivals and praised by her allies. But no one ever told her that what makes them feel safe is not her sword but only her, Clorinde.

It is strange that a simple woman can make a god feel protected, perhaps it is because they can consider themselves friends. Maybe that is also why she too feels a little more at peace in Furina's presence or maybe it is just the little lady's charisma. 
But today that peace has not lasted, Furina's sorrow has begun to become more evident but she is stubbornly hiding it. There are rumors about the Fountain of Lucine and how someone heard the god's cry, knowing the myths about the waters of Fontaine it does not seem so improbable that such an event happened. And today Clorinde saw those tears firsthand.

Just as she hears it now, a louder, more haunting cry than before. Its only a closed door separating them but Furina's voice is unmistakable, though she does not understand what she is saying one can hear sobs in her voice. Then a loud slam and a hoarse ”That's not true!“ can be heard coming from the room. 

The duelist remains alert. After several minutes that door swings open revealing an obviously unhappy Furina, with a vacant and haunted expression additionally she's wearing a black ready to leave and sneak out of the Palais, she might guess.

Her assumption seems correct, when Furina sees Clorinde her eyes widen in surprise as if she had been caught in the act. Despite the strangeness of the situation Clorinde acts as she always has, a slight bow of greeting, no words spoken, and waits for direction from the Lady.

Furina stops to think what to do, no one is in a position to stop her but she feels guilty to cause so much trouble to Clorinde, as per her job she will be obliged to follow her if she leaves the Palais. She however does not want to consider going back to her room, she still needs to flee from there and from the fears that haunt her. Even in her dreams she no longer finds peace after the gentle voice is gone.

But her bodyguard is so strong and comfortable, perhaps she will be able to keep even the nightmares away “ Clorinde”

“my lady” the woman promptly replies. “Clorinde you like cats do you?” the lady asks. “I do” after receiving the answer Furina is more radiant ”very well, I have an extremely important task for you.” The duelist has a suspicion that she knows where this is going, “Clorinde, you and I will go to the kitchens without being seen, understood?” a nod in response “and we will get some delicious slices of meat, only the best!” another nod “and we will go and offer them to some err- distinguished furry gentlemen I know, understood?” 

“as you command, Lady Furina” Clorinde should have expected it, today is the day of the week when Furina disappears to feed the strays behind the Palais Mermonia. 

And so they do, they take the 'offerings' for the 'distinguished furry gentlemen' and go to the small cat gathering place, waiting for them are seven cats all very different from each other. There are tall ones, short ones with different colors and ages. Furina is ecstatic at the sight of her little friends and is quick to shower them with cuddles and food. 

However, there is one particular cat that tries to escape the attention of the exuberant Lady; it is a black and white specimen, short fur and bright yellow eyes.

Clorinde kneels down to pet an affectionate feline who rubs against her legs after it has been fed, at the same time watching as others rest, eat and play quietly. The only ones who do not stay calm are Furina and the kitten she chases who does not want to be touched, with a loud whisper she shouts, “little rascal! it's time you pay me respect!”

Clorinde watch smiling, at least Furina looks much more serene though annoyed by the cat's behavior. She suspects that the god resorts to all kinds of distractions to forget her worries, even for her the sound of the lady sobs seems a distant memory seeing her so lively now.

“ungrateful little cat, don't make fun of me!” the cat and the lady seem to be playing chase, they are walking in a circle in a continuous dance. 

The cat much faster than Furina seems to stop to wait for her and then escape when she gets closer, Clorinde can see how it looks like the cat is making fun of the lady, in fact the cat could slip off far away without anyone being able to catch it but decides to circle around in the small area giving a sense of illusion that the lady can get close enough to pet it, it also has a smug expression if that is how you can see a cat, even when Furina is distracted to pet the other cats that kitty comes closer as if to challenge her again to catch them.

And how much power it has over Furina, it manages to make her huff in frustration and amuse her in their game at the same time, it is as if the cat can manipulate her. A mere cat making a god dance on the palm of its hand, certainly an unusual sight.

Furina seems to have had enough and sits on the ground huffing and pouting, not much different than she did earlier in their outing during the day “uhmph, stupid Beignet, I really don't know why I haven't given up on you yet” 

Clorinde almost giggles to hear her talk like that to a cat “so its name is Beignet?” her question brings Furina's attention back to her bodyguard. 

“yes, she is kind of the leader of this little group. The first time I came here there was only her and over the months she brought all the others to my attention to feed them. But even though we've known each other for so long she won't let me touch her! The god of the nation! How dare she?!” the last sentence she says it sounding angry but her tone is actually kind of laughing, her face shows a small smile. Of course she is not really that upset with little Beignet, she seems really fond of that cat in spite of everything.

Now that Furina remains sitting on the spot a couple of cats comfort her by rubbing against her, the lady seems enthusiastic and gently begins to stroke the fur of the kitty that has curled up between her legs.

Her expression relaxes and she slowly closes her eyes, humming thoughtfully.

Clorinde also relaxes, watching the cats in the silence of the night, the air is cool and there are no noises other than the purring of the kittens and the Lady's voice in front of her, it is all so peaceful. Time goes by but it feels like standing still in the night, dawn is still far away.

Furina looks up at the starry sky but in her mind she sees a limpid blue sky, she sees the light projecting on her like spotlights, she sees herself on a stage with many tiny extras around her but only Furina is the real star, the diva. And what's an actor to do on the stage? Act of course, put on a performance, like she always did.

Life, her whole life is a performance, the whole world is her stage. That is why she begins to sing while looking at a sky that only exists in her mind:

“Somewhere over the rainbow~
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.”

The cats listen to the sweet melody, Clorinde stands there in silence and the night remains lonely.

“Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.”

Furina's voice is low as if she were rocking the cat in her lap, a sweet, sad lullaby.

“Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me~
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me~”

There are tears threatening to spill from her eyes but Furina is a professional actress, she doesn't stop to think, she just has to continue her performance. She doesn't have to dwell on thinking about her nightmares, she just has to keep going.

“Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly~
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh, why can't I?”

Clorinde hears in Lady Furina's tone the feel her longing, her beautiful voice manages to carry all the emotions the words hold. The song is really beautiful, melodious and sweet like a lullaby, but at the same time so sad.
No matter how much she tries to run away from her problems even here they have reached the Lady, her invisible enemies, her consuming ache will not go away.

“If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?”

At the end of the last verses Furina lowered her gaze thoughtfully. Then the humming stops “Clorinde” she calls.

Her bodyguard answers as always “Lady Furina” she cannot understand what that tone of voice means as she calls her.

“Clorinde why are you here?” Furina's eyes are on her, scanning her as if searching for the answer with her eyes.
Why is Clorinde here? Because she followed Lady Furina of course, but what she is asking is something different.

“I got approval from the Iudex to take the night shift,” she hopes this answer will satisfy the lady, looking into her eyes it almost seems as if she wants to scold her.

Furina does not seem satisfied, her gaze becomes more stern and her voice is grave “that's not what I asked you, why were you outside my door?”

Clorinde does not have a ready answer to that question, normally the guards stand at the end of the hallway but she after leaving the goddess's room did not leave “Forgive me, I got lost in my thoughts and forgot to take my stand.”

A small sneer appears on Furina's face, her hand resumes stroking the kitten on her lap “Has my best bodyguard been distracted on the job?” she mocks.

Something cold seems to run through her veins, Furina has never seemed so cold before, not with Clorinde. Her walls are back firm and that fear she saw earlier that day is completely gone, or maybe it is just hidden better. She appears to want to admonish her and push her away more firmly than she did during the day. But why now? 

Clorinde is used to keeping up with the troublesome lady, for years she has gotten to know her habits, her quirks, her mood swings but only now does she see her so on guard against her. She is confused, has she perhaps lost the archon's trust? a few hours earlier she had confessed to feeling safe with her. 
For some reason she feels frustrated, they have always had a relationship of tacit understanding but everything seems to have changed overnight “my lady, I am here to protect you as I always have” she stresses.

Furina is also frustrated by the situation she herself has created “but you can't!” she shouts. The cat in her lap runs away because of her outburst, Clorinde and Furina herself are surprised. The lady tries to recover, to correct herself but unsuccessfully “no- I mean, no- I-” then gives up when words fail her, she turns her back on her bodyguard.

Clorinde watches her still sitting on the floor but now shows her shoulders, the lady hugs her legs and hides her face in her knees. A sad sight, this is not how she would like to see Furina.

Understanding the Lady is impossible, especially when she herself does not want to be seen, when she hides behind her masks and performances. Understanding a god is not Clorinde's job, consoling the archon is not among her duties, the only thing she has to do is follow orders.

Clorinde understood why the Lady is behaving this way. it is because Furina realized that she heard her cry, realized that she did not hide from her as she hoped, realized that if she does not reject her now she will not be able to hide.

Clorinde is a hunter but her prey is not something she wants to catch, Furina is prey that cannot be caught, she is a princess that no knight can hope to follow in all her mysterious adventures. In reality Furina is just Furina and Clorinde is just Clorinde.

Furina is Clorinde's friend, this she has come to believe. Focalors is the god whom Clorinde the bodyguard must honorably serve and protect with her sword, just as she made her promise. But for this night if her bodyguard cannot protect Furina from whatever haunts her then she will not do so, if the only thing she can do is provide comfort by her mere presence she will not banish her sword against any enemy. In fact as Furina herself said it is not her sword that makes her feel safe.

For this time Clorinde does not wait for Furina to give an order, she does not wait for her to assign her a role, now at the moment when her lady needs it most she takes the initiative, as long as she plays along with her everything can go back to the way it was before, she can go back to making her feel safe “my lady, the night is really dark.”

The Lady is confused, she doesn't understand what Clorinde is saying “it's so dark I can't see you” this doesn't make sense, she is standing there in front of her “it's so noisy I can't hear you” now Clorinde is freaking her out, or does she have go completely crazy? Furina doesn't know how to act. 

The Lady still hasn't recovered, she feels tears welling up in her eyes. She needs to escape, to get away from there, she needs to find a place where no one can reach her, but she is so tired. She is very very tired, fighting against her own pain is so exhausting, so wearing. Her mind is falling apart, the voices of her fears do not stop following her and now they are even in her dreams, her only comfort in the world of the night abandoned her when she needed her the most and no matter how much she cries she will not come back.

Furina feels like a trapped prey with no way out, she has held on for 500 years, why is it so hard now? She would like to reject her humanity, it is what makes her weak, with limitations. But at the same time it is what she loves most about herself, it is what allows her to love Clorinde, Neuvillette, the melusines and all the people of Fontaine. If only she could be free but she cannot, must not, she can not allow herself to be free.

Clorinde sees how the Lady's small body trembles, she looks ready to snap and fly away but at the same time she is too worn out to move. If her theory is correct she just has to ignore what she sees, as sad as it is, she just has to become a safe place where Furina can hide. 

For this she will play the role of the blind and the deaf, she will only be a stage decoration in this play from which Furina cannot escape “Furina” she calls.

The duelist has never called her by her name, never without an honorific such as 'Lady' or 'Madame,' and the name Focalors she has always associated with her title of Hydro Archon. So today she will only call Furina, the one in hiding, the one who does not want to be seen or heard, the one who does not want to be loved.

Furina is intimidated and confused but Clorinde's voice, her Clorinde's voice is so warm and comforting, it resembles mirror-me even though it is completely different. She turns to face her, sees her purple eyes, remembers how it was the last thing she saw before she fell asleep, her sharp eyes are so beautiful.

“Furina no one can reach you here, the night is dark and it's a beautiful day” Furina wants to laugh and cry at the same time for that pathetic attempt to recreate the situation of that morning when she found her.

“Furina there are no threats here, there is only Beignet next to you” This is true, all the other cats have run away and only Beignet, that insufferable cat, has stayed to watch her make a fool of herself.

“Furina if you wish it Clorinde will become mute” what-“if you order it her eyes will not see, if it makes you feel safe she will give up her sword” what is Clorinde doing? what is she saying? she looks so ridiculous speaking in the third person as if she is not here, as if there is no one except Furina and a cat... “Clorinde will hear no noise, no crying” Furina feels like she wants to sob and let go so badly, but...

Then Clorinde opens her arms imitating how Neuvillette silently persuaded the Lady to throw herself into his arms when she felt exhausted. Its a risky move, honestly a tad awkward to act so differently from how she usually does but now she wants to be the safe place for the Lady, if she cannot join her inner battle at least she will not leave her alone in this sad and dark night “I am not an actor but I am an expert in role-playing” she can play her role if it will serve to make her feel safe.

After only a few moments of hesitation Furina throws herself into her arms, wraps around her like a small octopus and holds her tightly. She hears sobs coming from the trembling little body in her embrace. As per her role however she does not hear, see or speak. Clorinde just stands there, unaware of the tears streaming from Furina's face, she does not hear her sobs and will not speak about what happened tonight. 

The only witness is the black and white cat who looks at them curiously.

Furina is afraid, sad and confused, lost in her grief and uncertain of the future. The masquerade is not over, the battle between her and fate has not ended but at least now she feels a little safer.

In the arms of Clorinde she feels safe, no, in the embrace of a friend she feels protected from every voice that haunts her. 

Furina cannot be seen, cannot be loved, she cannot falter. But now there is no one here who can compromise her, Clorinde will not breathe a word of what she saw or heard tonight if she orders it. Furina can stay in Clorinde's embrace if that is part of her performance, she is still in the scene but has only allowed an extra to take a role other than observer, she is only holding her a little closer.

Her secrets will not be revealed, her promise will be kept and one day everyone will be saved, everyone will be free. Yes, even if not yet, even if not today one day she too will be free. Crying in someone's arms is a relief, now she feels she has regained her strength to keep fighting even if she has to do it alone.

Today is a good day, no enemy will stand in her way because she has the strongest woman in the world by her side “you know Clorinde, do you know that you are so strong?” as per her role Clorinde does not answer but her arms give her a small squeeze “do you know that you are the best and most incredible person in Fontaine?” between the small sobs now Furina giggles “-to be able to keep up with the most troublesome god in Teyvat you have to be the strongest human in the world!” a small and imperceptible smile appears in the duelist's face.

Clorinde keeps hugging the little lady, no matter if she laughs or cries she just has to pretend not to hear or see. Although in her heart she knows what is happening she will pretend that nothing has happened, after all she has promised to continue to protect Furina and make her feel as safe as she can, even if it is in this bizarre way.

A certain cat seems intrigued by what is happening between the two women and starts rubbing between their legs “maow” Furina moves surprised toward the cat and although her face is lined with tears a huge smile appears on her face when she reaches down to touch Beignet “I can't believe it! Beignet wants to be petted by me!” her immense joy is not dulled and she lifts the cat up and into her arms, perhaps a little too roughly but the cat does not protest "ah! I finally got you brat, my adorable little kitty"

The duelist watches her giggle and kiss the cat in her arms as if she were the happiest woman in the world. Amazing how the cat took her place so easily, it almost makes her jealous. But at least Furina is happy and whatever weight is crushing her she has found the strength to counter it.

Clorinde just has to play her role, she just has to fulfill her duty as she has always done, keep her promise and to always follow her chaotic, troublemaking and lovely lady.

Some time later both the archon and the duelist returned to their resting places. Clorinde has concluded her shift on guard duty and wished good night to the other guards. Furina in her bedroom also wishes good night to the stars, that night in particular she looks at the constellation Rapperia.

Furina then after changing into comfortable pajamas and writing in her diary of her achieved goal of petting Beignet walks to the big mirror.

“Mirror-me once again tomorrow I will do my best, today's performance didn't go as I hoped but everything ended up for the best” she extends a hand and rests it in her reflection “you know, for today performance my co-actor was Clorinde, she is the best” she giggles a little thinking about their last conversation “not only is she an incredible fighter but she is the best playmate!”

She closes her eyes thoughtfully, Furina is sleepy but no longer tired, not like before. When she opens her eyes again she takes a good look at herself in the mirror and like every night hopes to see more than just her reflection “my people... our people are incredible, being human is really like being part of the greatest opera ever known” in her eyes she sees only herself, only half of her.

“One day you will be able to see it too, when you come out of the Oratrice I will introduce you to Clorinde. You must be quick though! Human life is short she won't be here in a century-  aahh, not to put pressure on you of course, take your time, all to save the nation” she sighs defeated.

“I can do it Mirror-me, it's okay even if another 500 years have to pass, I have the strength that humans can give me; they are so amazing and magnificent, I also have the most adorable dragon by my side and the daughters of Elynas” she forces a small smile admiring in the mirror “I have faith, everything will be alright and I am not so alone. Even you are not because I am here, I am always with you.”

Furina then driven by fatigue lies in bed hugging one of her plushie and hoping for a future of freedom closes her eyes “goodnight mirror-me”