The Sixth was "Fate"
Amaranth6
Chapter 6: Tidal Lull
Summary:
The calm before the storm as preparations are made to steal the show.
Chapter Text
And the storm is rising inside of me
Don't you feel that our worlds collide?
It's getting harder to breath
It hurts deep inside
The Traveler has been in Fontaine for about a week at this point, and would be attending the Fatui twins' magic show. The damnable Knave has clearly started to act in her city. The show is most likely a guise for a Fatui scheme, what with it being the twins' first performance within the Opera Epiclese. But what to do, there's no way to remove them just for being Fatui, that would cause Snezhnaya to come down on Fontaine like a particularly spiky and cold hammer. Furthermore, spies reported that they interacted favorably with the Traveler and co when the group had arrived in Fontaine to see the House of the Hearth's act of charity.
The Traveler is a nosy person, unwilling to let the secrets of the world remain so, if their attention is drawn to me, they'd have the highest chance of seeing through my act. The focus should be on the dissolving issue, then perhaps the Traveler. Maybe I could make them help? Use them for all they can provide, then grant them a nice sounding title. A good idea since it would make the errands run worthwhile, and Fontaine would benefit. Neuvilette's been more antsy, expecting her to do something loud soon, she's been quiet for about a month. The reveal of the Primordial Seawater would not only establish her credibility, ensure she's believed in as the Goddess of Justice, and deal with the perpetrator, but it would also give her a bridge to speak to the Traveler over.
"Lady Furina, your 2 o'clock is here." That should be Monsieur Callas. Shady, but reliable when it came to Fontaine's justice. "Regina of the Waters and Goddess of Justice, your humble servant brings good tidings." Callas is as dramatic as ever, as capable of pandering to the crowds as he was in his prime. "These documents contain proof of Marcel's involvement in Sinthe trade, and also a location, likely a base of his, that I dare not venture for fear of what awaits. For all that I have returned by thine grace, I know not if you find me charming enough to bring back twice." The information is well organized, and nearly enough to sink him, however, it isn't enough to tie Marcel to the Serial Disappearances Case, and that needs rectifying.
"I'll go to the location to gain information on the same day as the preformance at the Opera, the magic show. Distract Marcel in any way you can in the late afternoon, before the performance, and detain him if necessary." Callas salutes her, "Yes, my lady. It will be done." With a yawn at his theatrics, easily seen through, she adds "Renumeration will of course be provided, and your name, and the name of the Spina, will be cleared of cowardice with this. Everyone loves an underdog. You should be able to walk with your daughter in the day, not skulking in the night, watching from afar." The look in his eyes is reverence for the goddess who gave him a second chance as he salutes again and leaves.
With time to herself, she might as well make an appearance at the Opera, just to guise the fact that she won't see the Fatui twins perform. Best to have an excuse ready. Do the divine answer to mortals, they know not what's best for themselves. Questioning would indicate faithlessness would it not? They aren't perfect, but she loves them regardless. What of when they do not love you? What of those who turn from you to another, like Peruere, like the prisoners in Meropide who forsook Justice, what of them? She loves them all, and even when they stray, they're still hers, they still bear the same blood that's unique to her people.
Walking through the Palais is easy, while people glance at her, it's not out of the ordinary for her to go out to pursue flights of fancy, neither is it odd for her to go watch trials and performances at the Opera as she pleases. No one sees the truth, and perhaps they don't want to, don't want to see power where they believe they can assert control. That isn't a question, it's the truth, you're just as willfully blind as them sometimes. Although people do seem to be getting out of my way quicker, perhaps the reverence for me as a goddess with power has finally kicked in? Hah. The walk to the private aquabus is slightly lonely, it'd always been better when Neuvillette was by her side. Having someone there made everything feel better, and with him, she always felt safe.
The trials at the Opera are boring, while her heart goes out to the people onstage, she can't concentrate. While she adds a helpful insight here, a jab at a defendant there, she doesn't speak much. She doesn't fan the flames. 'Ananiel, could I bring back the dead halfway? Like, not fully alive, akin to a ghost? Just enough for last words and such? I was wondering since I don't exactly have any justice-related powers, perhaps I could grant closure, a chance for victims of murder and suchlike to speak?' Justice is central to Fontaine, a goddess who cannot claim Justice is one that few believe in, and for all that Furina is powerful now, large portions of the belief in her comes from belief in Neuvillette, who is seen as an extension of herself. Perhaps, this was never something I considered, more focused on annihilation after gaining control. People are cruel at heart, and it's best not to forget that, they adore in equal measure to how they hate. Shivering slightly, Furina turns her attention back to the trial, but not before deciding to try to work on it on her own.The Sixth was "Fate"
Amaranth6
Chapter 7: Just Before The Storm
Summary:
Moments before the trial, with the end to a nightmare come earlier than expected.
Chapter Text
Kill Your Pride
Turn Your Fear To a Weapon
And Don't You Forget It
The night of the performance is nigh, and admittedly, she's terrified. Standing outside the hideout, looking in, looking at the place where a serial killer goes to kill, it scares her. She's trembling in the mild weather, clutching at the sword in her hands as though it's her only lifeline in the middle of her seas. Forcefully taking a deep breath, shrugging her shoulders, her body untenses she takes her first step into the belly of the beast. Stepping forward with false confidence before tripping over herself due to her artificially large stride. Pace yourself, Marcel works alone, not even his associates know this secret, and with him distracted by business in the city, you have time. Rushing does you no favors and only wastes time. Despite only hearing Ananiel's voice in her head, Furina can easily visualize her, especially the disapproving frown with her lips pursed like she sucked on a lemon or something equally tasteless.
The sloping path down into the depths of the cavern is littered on the sides with debris; crates, barrels, large gears, and the crushed remains of flowers with weeds growing in. The air itself seems to be blue in the dim light of the fluorescent plants. Further ahead she can see piles of color, pastels, dark tones, white and black accents. Furina whispers aloud into the air, "Women's clothing." And many other belongings too. Contributes Ananiel. She's right, trunks, stacks of books, and chests jut out of the piles of clothing like rocks out by a lighthouse at sea. The lighthouse of this scenario being the research table next to the spring of Primordial Seawater. Bingo.
The research notes are horrible, even what little she can see from a distance. In the middle of the clearing, taking out a kamera to document the evidence, it's absolutely galling to see the spoils of murder sitting pretty as you please, to see the beauty of the seawater as it pulses with iridescent pink and blue highlights. Stepping closer, she can see so much; all of Marcel's notes, his mad ravings seeking to bring back his apparent lover and partner, Vigniere. Making an about face and rapidly turning, Furina splutters and coughs as she vomits the treats she ate earlier. The acrid bile makes her throat burn, her eyesight is blurred and shifting like visibility is the shaken water droplets in a lava lamp, and snot (!) is dripping down and mixing with the half digested food in the pool.
Furina comes to, curled on her side, with the itchy, tacky feeling of fluids drying on her chin paramount. Crawling to her feet, staggering to the side where there's actual, safe water. Gargling it in her mouth, washing her face, all to make her feel normal again. Then she turns to the piles of clothing. Time to find Vigniere's belongings and bring Marcel, no, Vacher, to Justice.
----{ Lumine's POV }----
The Opera Epiclese is packed, so many people are here to see Lyney and Lynette perform. Her heart pulses with borrowed pride and admiration both. Pride for what her friends can do, basking in the reflected glow of their clear successes, and admiration for their efforts that made it all possible. Paimon is right beside her, just as giddy with excitement as some of the other theater-goers. On her left, however, in the best seat in the theater, the stately Monsieur Neuvilette seems to be worried about something, shifting every so often to try and crane his head towards the highest seat; Furina's throne in the Opera Epiclese.
"Do you know her? The Hydro Archon?" Her query pulls his attention away for a moment as he takes him time to answer, "I am close to her, but as she says, the workings of the divine are beyond the comprehension of mortals." What a puzzling man, he reminds her of Zhongli with how he doesn't actually answer her questions. Pushing further, "What is she like? I've heard so much about her, but apparently her waiting list is quite long." His pause is much longer this time, perhaps Lady Furina is mercurial, ever changing just like her element? As he begins to reply though, Lyney pops up onstage and the show begins.struck feeling, with the twins having fully captured their audience, that everyone sees when things go wrong.
Lyney calls for an audience member to come up and join them for the trick he himself just preformed, swapping places in an instant, with his mirth and excitement audible to all, a trill at the end of his words just like the flourishes that come with his card tricks, sweeping and taking you with it. He calls for audience member 37 from a random number generator, and while Paimon's clearly a little disappointed to not be called, all that's put aside in favor of watching closely to uncover their next trick. The girl, whose appearance is reminiscent of wheat, a pale young woman with dark eyes and dirty blonde hair, steps forward and into the magic box among the audience as Lyney is enclosed within the magic box onstage.
The sound of Lyney's voice calls out intermittently from inside the magic box, first complaining about the difficultly of the magic show, and suddenly appearing from the box on stage as though he messed up, before suddenly disappearing back inside… Suddenly, a thump, sounds, a low noise but one that was heard nonetheless. As the audience laughs and the countdown ends, Lyney successfully emerges from the magic box among the audience. However, just as the young lady selected from the audience should have appeared from the box on stage, the water tank suspended above it suddenly falls, smashing the magic box… He was stepping forward, to get back to the stage when it happens; the tank of water tilts up where it's suspended and it falls. Everything feels like it's in slow motion, watching the tank fall feels like when the Raiden Shogun advanced upon La Signora, the feeling of watching catastrophe unfold while being too slow to stop it. It feels inevitable and yet still not there yet.
Then it lands, crushing the box below and soaking the stage as the shattered glass prison releases the water within. Someone screams. Gardes and medics, dressed in blue, led by Monsieur Neuvilette, step forward asking for everyone to stay in their seats, telling everyone they can't leave, the Opera is now an active crime scene. Beside her, Paimon yelps, "Oh no, maybe this isn't part of the show… The girl was still in that box, right?" That's true, and a worrying thought; what's going to happen to Lyney and Lynette if someone's died? They'd been so kind to her and Paimon.
The Gardes take control of the situation easily under Monsieur Neuvilette's direction, discovering that a person was killed by the falling tank, but it wasn't who everyone expected. An assistant, Cowell, was killed by the fall, not the volunteer. Further investigation indicated that the audience member who should've been in the box, was named Halsey, an up and coming artist. Additionally, it is presumed that the fireworks onstage ignited one of the ropes holding the water tank, causing it to fall when the weight became too much for the other three. People are ready to call it the result of Lyney's supposed impatience and lack of thoroughness in ensuring the safety of his group when an older man stands up from where he's seated and calls Lyney a murderer, the culprit of the serial disappearances case. So much for a relaxing event, things have gone so off the script a new one's probably being written. Regardless, she'll defend her friends, return their kindness with her own.
Then, from the doors, a young woman's voice sounds, clear as the waters of Fontaine's seas and it pulled at the awareness of everyone as though it were a clarion call, none could turn away from her. "Monsieur, do not be so quick to point fingers in order to shirk thy own blame. The truth is inexorable and Justice will prevail!" So, this is the Hydro Archon.The Sixth was "Fate"
Amaranth6
Chapter 9: Lies Cast Shadows Under Gathered Lights
Summary:
Trial time! I hope you guys like it! I think I do.
Hooray! This is probably my longest chapter yet!
Chapter Text
There Is A World, Where I Help You Get Home
But That's Not The World I Know
I See A Song Of Past Romance
I See The Sacrifice Of Man
I See Portrayals Of Betrayal
"Since all parties whom wish to be involved in this event are present, I declare that the trial regarding the magic show incident and then the serial disappearances case accusation is now in session."
The Hydro Archon speaks first, standing up at her seat, above everyone. "My citizens! Today is a day that will live on in history, where the guilty face punishment and the truth will be revealed to all." As the one who chose to take on the role of defending attorney for Lyney, she likely would have to speak, even though she doesn't have anything to say, if it weren't for the Hydro Archon speaking first and presumably speaking over her. The man in the other box declares, "Indeed, the truth shall be revealed, and your guilt will be revealed. If what I speak is false, then I'm not Marcel from the Confrerie of Cabriere." The scales on the Oratrice seem to tilt towards him.
Neuvilette interjects, "Firstly, in order for the audience to understand the causes and results of the incident, could we please have Mr. Lyney explain the trick?" Slightly nervous, judging by the tremor in his voice, from behind her, Lyney responds, "Yes, of course. I will explain, while Lynette demonstrates onstage. All the necessary items have been prepared." He proceeds to explain that at the beginning, he had switched places by having Lynette be in the audience dressed as Lyney, a trick that only worked due to them being twins. For the trick with the volunteer, they would use an underground passage to move the box inside the magic box which would transport the audience member to the stage.
Marcel retorts quickly, "If you were in the box the whole time, then what did you hear?" Puzzled, Lyney replies, "The roaring countdown of the crowd, of course. That's how I kept track of the time and built anticipation for the finale." Smirking, Marcel closes a trap on the young magician, "If you didn't hear anything, then you weren't in the box, as when the count reached thirty seconds or so, there was a thud -- one so loud I believe practically everyone heard it." Gobsmacked, all the boy can say is, "Huh!?"
Paimon's the one speaking then, pointing up at the blue and gold structure, "Look at those scales, could those mean… The Oratrice agrees with him!?" Self satisfied, the man goes on to pronounce, "Well then, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to use the words of the magician himself: 'You never know what can happen in the blink of an eye.' Indeed, it seems his alibi can also collapse in the blink of an eye. This comes naturally to the Fatui, flimsy words to cover horrible misdeeds. As children from the House of the Hearth, raised by Fatui, how could they escape their true nature?"
The audience's fervor is rising, and on Marcel's side. "No wonder they did something like this." "I've got a feeling that what happened on stage probably wasn't just an accident." "Well, that's it. We might as well move on to the sentencing already." Neither Paimon nor herself are unswayed, turning to face them, with Paimon asking, "Hey, Lyney, why didn't you tell us this before?!" Suddenly, the Hydro Archon adds her two cents, "You would know that too, wouldn't you Marcel? Since the main question right now is; What was Lyney doing during that minute? I'd like to find out now." What's she saying? Wait, gotta focus on the case.
----{ Furina's POV }----
Clearly caught off guard, Lyney Snezhevich looks like someone slapped him with a live Rust Koi, "Pardon?" Pulling together a face of annoyance, she repeats herself, "Explain what you were doing in the minute you were supposed to be pulling your trick. While all information from trials are recorded, and your response would be a testimony, I do believe telling the truth would be better than going to the Fortress ahead of your Father's schedule, on charges she wouldn't be able to refute."
The audience seems confused, perhaps a crumb or two of information is in order, as a treat. "The goal of the Fatui is to take the symbols of authority each archon has, it appears that the Father of the House of the Hearth was assigned to find and steal mine. While their performance likely is a cover for more dubious actions, they haven't found anything of note there since it's not available for their taking. Need I remind everyone that the Palais, meaning I, know exactly who uses the Opera Epliclese?"
The crowd roars with laughter at the twins, jeering at them for thinking that their archon's symbol of authority would so easily be stolen. Neuvilette is the one to silence everyone. "Now, Mr. Snezhevich, your testimony please?" Finally, he cracks. "We've been trying to find out how the Oratrice operates. We want to know why it has a consciousness? Why can it deliver sentences accurately? During our investigations, we learned that the machine's core is beneath it. From that moment on, Lynette and I have been designing this box-swap trick, with the objective of getting close to the core." The crowd goes wild again, with some more foolhardy member trying to go up to attack the siblings.
Continuing with his testimony, knowing it's the only way to stay out of permanent trouble, he says, "So after jumping into the tunnel, I accessed the opera house basement via the vent in the tunnel and went to investigate the room in which the core is stored, but there was nothing there. I thought I heard someone's voice, but that should be impossible. I was quite certain I was the only one in the room. The voice tried to speak to me, but I erred on the side of caution and left. While I saw the broken vase and clothes on the ground, I didn't think much of it since the countdown was almost over."
Continuing from where he left off, the Traveler, who has clearly committed to helping until there's absolute proof Lyney Snezhevich, and by association, the House of the Hearth acted against others, states, "Because Lyney went into the vent immediately, he couldn't have attacked Halsey since he returned when time was running out, not in the middle of the count down. He also couldn't have attacked Cowell for the same reason, he arrived back too late to be part of the altercation that resulted in the noise."
Dumbfounded by the second wind granted to the defense by Lyney's testimony, Marcel blusters, "Even so, if Mr. Lyney didn't participate in the altercation, what caused the disappearance and death?" Placid, clearly calm now that the facts align for her, the Traveler continues. "The onstage equipment was clearly tampered with in a premeditated fashion, as shown by the fibers of rope that were burned being a different material than the rest." Paimon, the little floating creature, chips in, "If that's the case, then if Cowell hadn't entered the tunnel, who was the setup meant to kill? Only the girl had to disappear for a new disappearance case, what was the point of Cowell's death?"
Public opinion is clearly shifting in their favor now, as the accusations from before now make less sense. Navia, the Demoiselle, is clearly proud of the two, saying, "Haha, that's right, you tell them! And that's why they're partners of mine. They've managed to turn things around!"
Then, concluding their response to Marcel's question, the Traveler has Paimon announce that the killer was Cowell, the deceased by analyzing the scene from Cowell's perspective as if he were the culprit, and based on the sounds in the tunnel. The Traveler lays out what might have happened. "The criminal must have understood the methods behind Lyney's magic trick, and must have been in a position to easily modify the equipment. Leaving aside how he died, Cowell had all the means to commit the crime at his disposal."
At this point, one of the stagehands, another assistant stands up from where they were sitting in the wings, shouting that Cowell was a good person, he wouldn't have done that! Fools, would it be better or worse to bring him back, let them see his evils? No, it serves no use, the facts refute it well enough. Motioning for Neuvilette to allow the Traveler to continue, she sits back. Her part is for when the magician's innocence is proven. Turning her head back, to speak to the Melusine standing guard behind her, she whispers, "Have someone keep watch at the Demoiselle's side, ensure all drinks are safe for her." Veleda obeys and goes to the blonde girl's side.
The Traveler is continuing their monologue, "The strange noises could likely have been the sound of Cowell and Halsey struggling. Lyney was not in the tunnel for one minute. This would have given time for Cowell to bring Halsey out of the magic box in the audience stands, but according to the Gardes' testimony, no one entered or left the Opera, so even if he'd taken her, there'd be no means of exiting. So where did they go…"
Triumphant, Marcel shouts at them again, "I see how it is! So this was all just a bluff, and here I thought you had something to show for it, but you're still far from the truth." My turn. Calling out to those below, the jellyfish caught in her current and the creatures who swim around and along, she takes a stand. "Yet, Primordial Seawater can dissolve Fontainians, but not those of other nations, as you found out, didn't you, Vacher? Gardes, have a non-Fontainian examine the personal effects of the deceased."
"You've got to be kidding! People, dissolving into water?!" "The Hydro Archon said so, has Lady Furina steered us wrong before? I think not." "Wait a moment, this reminds me of a certain prophecy. But, it's just a coincidence, isn't it?" "If people can become water, does that mean the water tank's real use was as a means to hide water stains? And if Cowell was targeting that girl… Wait just a moment… Could that mean…? You two, with me, quick!"
The Garde dispatched to examine the personal effects returns, "We are still examining the items, but we have already made critical progress that we feel must be shared with everyone posthaste. We discovered several test tubes of fluid within Cowell's baggage, each labeled separately. The notebook in his backpack claims that these fluids are 'Water from the Primordial Sea,' just as Lady Furina stated. The notes' contents also indicate that Cowell belonged to an organization that sells illegal drugs, and that he had an accomplice. The notebook has many entries concerning safe usage of these fluids, in which the keyword 'dissolve' appears many times. One of the tubes was labeled 'Opera Epiclese' along with yesterday's date. It is empty, and supporting what Lady Furina implied, it purportedly only works on people from Fontaine."
All eyes are on her now. It's perhaps time, but, Lyney is not innocent yet. Turning towards the Traveler and her companion, the fairy like being speaks. "Ahem! It's Ace Detective Paimon's time to shine again!" She reconsiders the events that may have happened for Cowell with the seawater in mind, but then Lyney unfortunately reminds everyone of the two untied ends; the exact circumstances of Cowell's death, and the matter of the accomplice. Yet, at this moment, Neuvilette speaks up again. "On that note, the Gardes have just contacted me indicating that they have uncovered new evidence. I shall now invite him onstage to share it with us."
The Garde who comes up, seems self assured and fearful at the same time, there's something going on. He turns to the crowd and announces, "Thank you, Your Honor. It's not much of a pleasure to speak to everyone, considering the circumstances. However, we were just inspecting the luggage of the other people involved in this case… And we found an identical sample of the Water from the Primordial Sea among Lyney's personal effects!" Ah, no wonder, what a ruse. Marcel begins to use this evidence to create a scenario where Lyney uses Cowell to deal with the girl while he investigates, later returning to remove Cowell to keep the secret as such.
The Demoiselle then returns to the stage, uninvited, and undoubtably causing her dear Iudex much annoyance. With a flourish, she has Lyney reopen the magic box, lo and behold, a young girl stands within, presumably the supposed victim. The girl timidly admits to not being Halsey, that the artist hadn't showed up, she'd stolen the ticket. The girl was Liliane from Mondstadt, a thief there to see a magician perform, and Cowell's true killer. Now the Traveler had all the evidence needed to prove Lyney Snezhevich's innocence. My role comes after, but it's almost time to swoop in and stop waiting in the wings.
----{ Lumine's POV }----
After Neuvilette finished the recount of the events, declaring Lyney Snezhevich and Lynette Snezhevna innocent, the Hydro Archon interjects. "Now that the dross is cleared, I do believe that it's time to jail the true criminal, and the mastermind behind the attempted frame job to accuse the House of the Hearth, and the Fatui at large, of being the culprits behind the serial disappearances case, so, Vacher who calls himself Marcel, with the accomplice being Vaughn from my own Maison Gardiennage. Care for a duel of wits?" WHAT!
The whispers of the audience are nearly deafening. "Marcel? The prosecution?!" "He's the head of Confrerie of Cabriere." "What's that?" "A sister organization to the Spina di Rosula." "Look at the Demoiselle, she looks startled too!" "Why'd he choose to prosecute anyways?" "Probably to win back glory for their organizations." "Ooh! Is this an the enemy is disguised as the good guy situation!" Monsieur Neuvilette looks like he's sucked a particularly sour lemon, his lips are so pursed. "Please let me remind you, my Lady, that charging someone is an incredibly serious matter. Committing to the charge also means taking on the legal responsibilities associated with it. If the charge fails, depending on the circumstances, you may be charged with the crime of making a false accusation. Knowing this do you intend to proceed?"
The woman seated at the top seems to toss her hair as she flippantly responds, "I do, after all, I have enough evidence to back this claim up. That's why I'm saying so, duh~" The Hydro Archon, Lady Furina, seems to swing between extremes, focused on justice one moment, flippant and slightly irritating the next. Monsieur Neuvilette sighs, "In that case, I declare the charge to be valid. Lady Furina and attorneys, please take your places on the court. Mr. Marcel, please take yours. Since both sides have now arrived, Lady Furina, please present your charges."
As she, Paimon, Lyney, and Lynette take seats among the audience, at the stands, Furina makes her opening statement. "Let's start with what's most recent, and work backwards. To start with, did any of you know that Garde Vaughn's sister is a Sinthe addict? Sinthe, as a drug is not more expensive than a decent chunk of alcohols, costing between 60 to 100 mora per 750 mL bottle, the costs do add up though, and as such, to try and wean an addict off, is a very costly endeavor. Garde Vaughn's sister, Amelie was brought to a private rehabilitation clinic, with her care being personally sponsored by you, Mr. Marcel. Now Vaughn has provided false evidence to incriminate Lyney Snezhevich in a trial where you are the prosecutor."
Marcel, or is it Vacher, tries to make a protest, but she steamrolls over and past him. "Additionally, after the reveal of the Primordial Seawater by yours truly, backed up by the evidence found in Cowell's personal effects you immediately pivot to calling Lyney the culprit behind the disappearance, implying that he had a hand in others as well. Most likely, your goal would be to later accuse a higher ranking Fatuus and shift all blame to them. However, if Lyney were the culprit, why would Cowell have more information? By the chain of command, since Cowell was most likely the accomplice, as the assistant, why did he have the notebook when it would've been with Lyney if he was guilty."
Marcel makes a face, and, realizing he can reply now, he retorts, "If they were given separate missions that would explain why Lyney would be the accomplice to Cowell and Cowell, Lyney. Furthermore, in regards to the accusation that Vaughn is my accomplice because I helped his Sinthe addict sister, I help all of them, they deserve help, not being left alone to their addictions." The blue and white haired goddess seems pleased by something he said, and the step back he takes from the railing of the stand indicates he sees that too. Her retort is quick, and shatters his defense easily. "Yet, according to the information collected by the Spina and Marchussee Phantom, this is the first instance where you've directly sponsored an addict in withdrawal. In all other cases, you've recommended they go to a hospital that you'd donated to for Sinthe addiction rehabilitation."
Continuing to take the lead in what must be a decisive victory, she then drops a bombshell, at least according to the other members of the audience. "I now call the previous leader of the Spina di Rosula, Damoiseau Callas Caspar, to the stand for a testimony." Turning in the seats is easy when you sit alone, not so much when it's two to a seat, even if you're sitting with Paimon, but she manages anyways. Whispering to Lyney and Lynette, she asks, "Why are people so worked up? Also, what is a Damoiseau?" The two look at each other, and then back at her. "Callas Casper is supposed to be deceased, it was pretty public, an Honor Duel that he lost, tons of people saw the duelist's blade pierce all the way through his heart. A Damoiseau is the male equivalent of a Demoiselle, but it fell out of use. I suppose it's a mark of Lady Furina's age that she used that term."
"How is that going to work then?! Does the Hydro Archon have the ability to bring back the dead, or memories of them then?" Well, you can always trust in Paimon to push past awkwardness to ask her questions, and this is certainly something to ask. Perhaps the Hydro Archon knows about Aether, then? Given her competence. Footsteps sound. Appearing behind Lady Furina is a man, possibly middle aged, but most likely in his 30s with blonde hair… just like Navia's. By the sharp intake of breath, clearly, Damoiseau Callas Caspar has truly returned to the land of the living.
Having gone as white as milk, Marcel was spluttering up in his box, "Wha- What did you- How is he alive!" He's somehow pointing at Lady Furina as the one who brought someone BACK FROM THE DEAD!?! Is this an ability Archons have?! Lyney and Lynette obviously also are shocked, it's visible in how their mouths are still open and their pupils are round like cat eyes when they're stalking prey in dim light. How does a goddess get away with having none of her citizens, especially those focused on information gathering, be aware of her capabilities. Unless…
On the stand, Callas is speaking to the audience, explaining what actually happened that day which caused him to be deemed, "Callas the Unfaithful." He explains, "That night, I chose not to explain what happened, willingly walking to my death to keep a secret thus, and my daughter safe. Navia had been selected to be the next target of the serial disappearances case when the incident had occurred, admitting what had happened would leave her in danger, and as a father, that is something I couldn't allow. Now my daughter is a woman grown, the president of the Spina, capable enough to face danger, and protected by her position, unable to be killed discreetly anymore. So now I will tell the truth. That day, myself and Jacques had ended up under attack by a third party wielding a gun, presumably intending harm on Jacques as he was the one shot. Grabbing the gun myself, I disarmed the third party, kicking them to the floor, however they then turned into water before my eyes. The clothing found at the scene has theirs. Jacques may have wanted me dead, but he would never have brought himself to do such a thing. He'd met me seeking protection instead." Furina interjects now, "The clothing is a match, I've confirmed it personally." The case against Marcel is nigh airtight then, and premeditated.
Marcel sighs, "You've established that Monsieur Casper's death was to protect his daughter, that isn't proof of my guilt, so what makes me the culprit?" "Ha!" Furina is clearly amused by something, although she's not sure what, then her tone takes on menace. "Perhaps I should elaborate. As the goddess of Justice tasked to avert the prophecy, I can bring back those who died from Primordial Seawater, directly, or by proxy." With a snap of her fingers, below the stands, on the stage, blue light weaves together, joined by red, yellow, and white to reveal Vaughn and Cowell, whole again. Sardonically, the Archon tilts her head, asking, "Welcome back to the land of the living now accomplices, now answer me, who is Marcel to you both?"
"Never mind! Although, regardless, my Iudex, do hold them accountable for their parts later, their testimonies don't actually matter. This is just to prove a point. See, I hold all the cards here, Vacher. Perhaps if you'd come to me, instead of trying to investigate the dissolving effect on your own, could you have reunited with Vigneire." Her words have crippled any words he has to or could say, crushed the trachea he would speak with, not through force, but with the truth. He's doubled over, clutching at his chest, dispair is written all over his face, even from their distance. Then, there are Melusine and human Gardes as well as members of the Spina di Rosula passing out small leaflets of printed pictures; an underground cavern, filled with women's clothing and other personal effects, piled up to form oceans and mountains over the stone and weeds, logs of tests, inflicting Primordial Seawater on innocent women, records of Sinthe production and distribution, even an assortment of flavors and stages of completion, mad ramblings about reunion that are both heartrending and disgusting, and a photo of a diary entry, stating that the son she and her partner, Vacher, would like to have, should be named, Marcel.
It's enough evidence. Everyone can see it. The Hydro Archon simply drew the trial out, like a cat toying with prey. How fitting for a goddess of Justice and the Waters; as absolute and as cold blooded as the depths of the seas beneath a veneer of many joys.
----{ Furina's POV }----
She's panting a little, on the inside, like she's run a marathon. Turning to the culprit, now held up by Gardes. "Do you think she would still love you if she knew what you did? The dissolved are mildly conscious, she knows, she knows because the girls you killed joined her." Returning to face the audience head on, she calls to them again. "My people! Now you have seen Justice at it's finest. The truth of the Serial Disappearances Case has come to light! Is there any among you who would claim that Callas Casper still deserves the epithet, 'The Unfaithful'? Who here would claim the Spina di Rosula to be a disgrace? If you believe so, stand and state your reasons then!" The audience is silent, not even the accomplices, not even Vacher, not the reporters. No one speaks.
"Well then, show's over. Goodnight!"The Sixth was "Fate"
Amaranth6
Chapter 10: Focalors: A Sinner's Perspective of a Queen in the Making
Summary:
Focalors considers the changes in her other half from within the Oratrice, as well as what happens next.
To explain, Herrscher is apparently German for Ruler.
Partial credit for a headcanon in this chapter goes to WSarcasm, from their work; 'The Hidden Star of Teyvat'!
Chapter Text
Cause You Were Made From Stars
To Live A Life You Never Loved
So If This Is The Last Night
And You're Feeling Hollow
I'll Give You My Half Life
So You'll See Tomorrow
What has Furina done. How would she have the ability to bring back the dead?! What's going on outside this grand stage? She split them, the divinity and memory made her, and all the rest is Furina's. Everything else is Furina's, including the soul that gained divinity in the first place…. Did she ascend on her own power?! That would track, Furina is, after all, perfect. But how?! Celestia would realize the difference immediately when she ascended, and she hasn't had any disappearances, she'd stayed, still tied to the cursed prophecy.
It's not Neuvilette who precipitated this change, that was obvious from his startlement when Callas Casper appeared onstage. The dragon is territorial, none of the other divines would be able to influence her with him lurking in her wake. Elynas's gifts were spent on the Melusine, without anything left to make a goddess of such caliber as her dear Furina, still perfect, still human, even with her newfound power.
All the others nearest are too focused on their own, or do not have power enough anymore. There is no music involved as far as she knows, so it couldn't be Remus, regardless of the praise heaped upon her where she was not yet the Archon. He's dead, fallen because Celestia doesn't appreciate or want those who would alter fate. Scylla is also not an option, given he's still sealed, and Furina has never went to Petrichor before, and any visits would have been remarked upon at least once.
Furina's powers of returning life, is not dissimilar to the Primordial Sea's abilities, since it is the womb of the world. If her powers come from the Primordial Sea, how did she get them. She's unable to breech the surface of waters, they'd slide right off of her, at least if she's not thinking about getting wet. But Furina still has the same blood as all the rest of Fontaine, so what would allow her such abilities without her being in danger of dissolving herself?
What concerns me more is how she's changed. It's hard to recognize her, the other half of what should have been a whole if only the others didn't leave us to this accursed land of tainted waters. Furina... She's become different. Other, and belief in Justice has waned. Fontaine is still very much in danger, if not more so, due to the change. Our people do not understand what has became different, but something has. Perhaps it is a lack of resonance? That the Seawater within them cannot feel Seawater within her despite having felt it before? Or is it something more insidious, that they intuit from their fragility?
Now what is to be done about the whale's approach? With the cause of the serial disappearances case already in custody, what would send the 11th of the Fatui to Meropide? Perhaps a different charge then. After all, he only needs to stay there for two weeks at most, soon after, he'd follow the call and make it to his battle. Or perhaps he could be approached to lead him to the fight, but that would be much more difficult, with her being unable to influence the world besides verdicts, and to do that would be to bring suspicion upon Furina and allow Snezhnaya power to pressure them.
Having Tartaglia go willingly would prevent Snezhnaya from influencing Fontaine, which makes it the best choice of action. However, it's also the most difficult, as she gave up her ability to act outside this machine to deceive the Heavenly Principles. She'll have to charge him individually, using the knowledge of the whale then, to get him to help, so it'd be best to lay more blame on him then.
Furina's powers, Furina's condition, change everything, and nothing at all. It wouldn't be enough to stall the whale, and perhaps it also would not be enough to hold back the Sea beneath the seal under Meropide. The Harbinger, the one who woke the whale, still needs to seek it, but how? Perhaps a large change to operating procedure is in order.
The Sixth was "Fate"
Amaranth6
Chapter 11: In the Wake
Summary:
In the aftermath of the trial, there are some things that need to be said and done with.
Chapter Text
But They Can't Tell I'm A Liar
My Reflection's Someone Else
And I Don't Know Their Name
After the trial, everyone tries to swarm her. There are paparazzi and other assorted species of reporters trying to get the 'scoop' before their competitors and peers. Bereaved who seek to have their dead be brought back, scientists who want to study her powers, at least, the direct results of it. There's even a scholar from the Akademiya there, named Navayi according to his self introduction. Worshippers, flocking to her altar, seeking those who've already passed on. All of them approached, wary of her, but still hopeful. She knew it would break them, to know their loved ones are in reach and so far out of it at the same time, but it's for the best that she doesn't bring back people as she pleases, as they wish of her. The dead are better off left as such.
Making it back to the Palais is easy enough with Neuvillette at her side, taking their aquabus lets them get back faster than those trying to follow her. Out of the corner of her eye, she can see him opening and closing his mouth, eyes always set on her. He wants to ask something, brace yourself Furina, it's going to be about the trial. Cutting him off, before he can even speak, she announces to the only other person in the aquabus, "I had such a nice time this morning! Going around the countryside not only spreads my presence, but also allows me to relax! Neuvi! Why don't you join me next time! We can try their local specialties and tour around the nation." Please, please, please take the bait.
"Thank you for the consideration, but I'd rather not. The paperwork would pile up." Huh, so he's not going to immediately try to ask. Good enough. The reflection of her on the water seems to be pacing, mirror-me seems worried about something, would she approach? Focus, you need to deceive him. He's asking her a question. "Why didn't you ask me to help?" Intelligently, she responds with "What?" Neuvilette's eyes are sad, which is never good. "Why didn't you ask me to help you deal with Marcel?" Oh, goody. This.
She adores him, how much he cares, how he's too soft hearted for the job he endures, but it makes doing this so much harder that she dislikes him, just a little. Scoffing, "Is it not natural for the goddess of Justice to correct injustice? Having you help would be to weaken my efforts, if the judge is part of the investigations made by the prosecution, is it truly a fair trial? You swore to be impartial." He wants to say something else about this subject, but forces himself to pivot, it's easy to see, his eyes were sad, angry, and then concerned.
"My Lady, what about the outcome of this trial? Your abilities need to be discussed. The Palais would need a statement to give to the people." Waving his worry off, despite knowing how it irritates him to see her so lackadaisical, is the obvious choice. "It's just an ability I have, but I'd only started to be able to use it because people had started using Primordial Seawater to commit crimes." This clearly doesn't assuage his worries.
"Is this ability why Egeria chose you?" Drat, he saw right through me… Is what I'd say if that were the truth. It's not, it's a bald faced lie, but he came up with it, and he'll mentally justify it if I say it's true. Time to act a little scene then! Bring your knees up, wrap your arms around them, and hide your face with that, and say a muffled, "Yes. I wasn't anything special besides that." Neuvi-chou is clearly perplexed, so it's time to code switch, have your limbs spring back out, get up on your feet and put those hands on your hips. Cue the obnoxious laughter! "Haha! My Iudex is only slightly correct, I was chosen because I was the best! This ability of mine was minor when being considered! No need to fret, the divine are always correct!" That rhymed! Will that break the statement?
Oh. Nope... Aww, he's clearly clenching his jaw! Now, the aquabus has arrived, so scoot! "Your Archon bids you goodnight! Remember, it's an honor, of course~" Despite how fast she moves, somehow, she can still feel his gaze.
The next day is as tedious and annoying as she expected, taking breakfast alone, with Neuvillette already slaving away at his desk over piles of paperwork, and the unnerving amount of eyes on her after the papers went through. 'The Hydro Archon, able to bring back the dead?!' 'Lady Furina, unsympathetic to the dead!' Tabloids. But some of them are better. 'Callas Caspar speaks! The truth about that night!' 'Spina di Rosula's name is cleared!' 'Culprit of the Serial Disappearances Caught!' She likes the last best, the Steambird is truly the tallest dwarf among her garden gnomes. On the topic of that metaphor, does that make Neuvilette a full sized statue attached to a fountain? Perhaps he's the fountain itself.
People are whispering her name in the halls as she passes by, they all are wondering where she's going. It's fear in their eyes, a wariness that she cannot understand. She's good now, able to serve them, lead them, as an Archon should. Why are they afraid of her when she's become what they need? Regardless, their curiosity of her destination will not remain for much longer. Stopping in front of the Archives, where all the judicial information is kept, cases gone cold, closed cases, court minutes, etc.
She pulls the two doors wide open, practically throwing them apart like a middle aged father catching his daughter in bed with a male. Hehe. Marching in, and leaving the people at the desks outside staring and trying not to stare, she goes straight to the filing cabinet with the names of those who went missing within the Serial Disappearances Case timeframe.
She'll make things right.
She has to.
Otherwise, what use is she?
The Sixth was "Fate"
Amaranth6
Chapter 12: Wake from Death
Summary:
The wake.
Chapter Text
We've Seen What You Can Do
Oh, God Of Wonders
Your Power Has No End
The Things You've Done Before
You Will Do Again
She's alive.
This wasn't what she expected. The last thing she remembers is arriving at the Opera? There was a trial. Wait. She was the one on trial! But she's not? She was deemed guilty. Shouldn't she be in Meropide? What! Why is she back at the Opera! Who are the people next to her? Where is her troupe!! Did something happen to them?!
No, something happened to her. Someone followed her, out of that hotel, splashed her with something? After that, she was at the Opera. That's what happened. What happened to her troupe?!
The rest of the audience? Is waking up. Something's weird. Why is everyone so similar? Not that everyone looks about the same, but why is the audience almost all female? Why does almost every woman have the same age? There's only one man. What's going on?!?
A breeze ruffles her hair, and makes the light dress flutter around her calves. Wait… DRESS?!? She went out in pants! A pair of pants disguised as a skirt, but still, pants. It's not a skirt. WHO UNDRESSED HER?!? She's doubled over, breaths coming in and out of her lungs like it's sandpaper, rubbing her throat raw. Distantly, she hears screaming, choruses of it, like what a slaughter would sound like, if it was just the victims.
Oh, she's screaming too. That's why her throat is raw. What happened?
Gardes come rushing in, weapons at the ready. Why? They're the one's in danger now. No, wait, it's to protect them, they're screaming, aren't they? Of course they came armed. She feels a little silly then.
A group of the Gardes split off, and then split off again. One of them comes up to her, they have a blanket? She's shaking her head, trying to tell them she doesn't need one, she's not cold. They put it around her shoulders anyways, how rude. But it makes her feel calm, it's warm, smooth, and drapes over her like safety made manifest. She's not screaming anymore.
----{ Vigneire's POV }----
Vacher. What. Have. You. Done?!
She's alive. She's seated among the people her husband, her partner, killed. It's the Opera. How odd. She hasn't been here since that one time her école took them to see a trial as a field trip. That was so long ago. It's been ages since she was that small. She'd waited, in the water, and ended up meeting so many women, didn't she? They said they were killed by a man using water that dissolved them.
Then one of them said they knew the person who did it. It was a man named Vacher. That broke her heart. He'd been a loving, kind person when they'd travelled the nations together. Yet, and yet, there was already a dozen other women killed by him, if what they said was true. And it was. She just didn't want to accept that her Vacher was dead, died with her, that day so long ago before everything was tinted blue.
She was adrift in a sea of souls, many unaware of the world around them, those who weren't murdered by her once love, and those who were. As the women kept pouring in, she kept losing parts of the love she had for Vacher. They were going to marry, settle down after that adventure, have a baby boy named Marcel. Why didn't he accept that there was no way back? No one stabs an assorted number of people just because someone else they loved died by stab wound, trying to bring back the already dead, why didn't he?
She knows why. The waters that killed her were something new, no one knew what it did, no one knew what it was. But there was no way to tell him to stop, he wouldn't stop. Then more people came. Boys, girls, young, middle aged, all convicted to remain with them for the crime of overdosing on a drug named Sinthe. She could see them too, they were back too! They were in the rows further back, behind the rows closest to the stage, filled with young women. They were all screaming. It hurt her ears.
Everything felt tender. Just like how she felt when someone else came through, another man, convicted for trying to murder someone else with the water, but ending up crushed under a water tank. Then yet again, another, convicted for trying to pin the blame of the disappearances onto someone else. Both were convicted, but they disappeared in a flash of blue light.
Blue light. That was what flashed before she woke there! It was blinding, almost white in color, not like the previous two times, which were clearly sky blue, or the blue of clear streams in the mountains. Pale blue… Maybe it was blended blue and white? Like the popular although antiquated Liyuen porcelain? Like the… THE HYDRO ARCHON! That would make sense, wouldn't it? But why? But how?
You know, you already know this. It's obvious. She wants us to live, this is justice, the continuation of life that was once cut short.
You'll need an altar, a shrine, won't you?
"Yes. For thine is the kingdom, Lady Furina."The Sixth was "Fate"
Amaranth6
Chapter 13: White Roses Stained Red
Summary:
Fallout?
Chapter Text
Half Of Me Believes Her
While The Other Half Needs Proof
This Was No Immaculate Conception
Only Just The Ultimate Deception
The new scoop is clear! She just needs an interview! THE interview! Writing about the trials was interesting, and luckily for her, she was first on the scene, originally to hear about the magic show, and that easily pivoted to the trial. The abilities of a professional journalist are not ones to be trifled with! The Steambird's reputation would soar if she lands this fish!
However, Lady Furina is notoriously difficult to interview and has never went one on one with any reporters. Even those who try to get information through her appointments with worshippers can't get anything. The Palais makes them sign waivers so that if they do print, then they could end up in the Fortress before anyone can say 'Macaroon' courtesy of Monsieur Neuvilette. Trying that isn't worthwhile in any form.
Good reporters don't give up either! She'll make it happen! Maybe Monsieur Neuvilette is the answer? Or Dame Clorinde? Furina did have somewhat of a leave of absence, being less present within the Court as of the last few months. An earlier announcement was made to tell everyone that she'd just been busy in the countryside, which spawned no small amount of rumors. Would her new abilities have any ties to the absences? Was she practicing with them out there? If so, then who was she reviving, and how did this not come to anyone's attention? There was rumors of Callas Caspar being revived, showing up in a less urban part of the court, but those faded out fast. Too fast. She's found a scoop!
Time to go check it out! Maybe her next article will be: 'Callas Caspar, the First of Many Returners?'
As she strides out of the office, absentmindedly patting Sir Arthur's head, a small boy rushes up, bumping into her. Picking him off the floor where he landed, he's indigent, and squeaking. "That hurt a little! Please watch where you're going ma'am! I need to tell Sir Arthur something amazing!" Curious as a cat whose noticed a moving light, she asks her favorite question. "Will you tell me what happened?"
After he's done talking, she's jumping for joy on the inside, and plotting the fastest route to the Opera Epiclese. The sweet boy has done something amazing for her. She'll have to find him later to give him thank you sweets, so long as the news is true.
Furina de Fontaine has revived all the dead involved in the Serial Disappearances Case, and they're in the Opera Epiclese.
Although she'll have to leave some parts out, like what he said afterwards.
"They scared meh."
----{ Arlecchino's POV }----
So, the weakling archon who begged for her life a year ago has the ability to revive the dead, so long as it was related to Primordial Seawater. Yet, and yet, she brought back Cowell, who did not die of the water, as well as Callas, who died in a duel. Perhaps it's simply a mental barrier. Perhaps it's a lie. She'll find out soon enough. The boat transporting her, and a few of her subordinates is fast, and they'll be at Fontaine soon enough. Lyney's message was fast and the Fatui will take advantage. Perhaps the coffin bought for the 8th would not be in vain after all. Perhaps she will be brought back…
Best not to get ahead of herself. There isn't yet enough information on whether the disgraceful archon's words are true or false. If she can, then Clervie may yet return, and if not…
She's always wanted to kill a god.
----{ Lumine's POV }----
Childe seems to be on edge and irritable, even Paimon's a little put off by his aggression. They're standing outside Beaumont Workshop when it happens. Eight Gardes show up, four on either side of them. They're armed. Childe, wait, not Childe, this is Tartaglia, is keenly aware of them. His smile grows colder and thinner up until it's not a smile at all.
The Gardes, who have been sending each other Looks, seem to finally have picked their spokesperson. A young man, with black hair and a couple more badges than the rest of his squad, speaks up. His voice tremors. "Excuse. Um. Excuse me. Are you Harbinger Tartaglia? Alias Childe? Truly Ajax Rybak of Morespok?" Childe's? voice is frigid, as cold as Mistflower Corollas, and probably actually as cold as the lands from which he hails when he replies. "That is me."
The spokesgarde seems to deflate and then reinflate before he speaks again. The first sentence, he's clearly more comfortable saying, although he's still anxious. As for the rest, he's reading it off of a piece of paper. "You're being called to the Opera Epiclese due to a charge made by the Oratrice Mechanique D'Analyse Cardinale. It has decided that you have been invited to the Fortress of Meropide for a month long stay in order to repay Fontaine. -- repay Fontaine for the crime of association with the man behind the Serial Disappearance Case, as the Primordial Seawater's first aboveground leak came as a result of your birth, your alignment. -- birth, your alignment to Monoceros Caeli." He's panting by the end of his little speech, and is visibly scared, probably for his life.
Taking the silence as a cue to keep going, he continues reading off of the card. "You know it to be true, at least in your subconscious. That's why you have that dream of the whale. Entering the Fortress. -- Ahem, entering the Fortress is how you'll meet your Master again. She knows about it. Ask her then. So cooperate. Please." The please is clearly his own words as he looks up at Childe when he says it.
It's honestly a bit of a surprise, but he cooperates. Well, as quietly as Childe does anything. First he tried to attack with his vision, but his water-weapons fizzled out on him, so he decided to go quietly. The most worrying thing is that he's tossed his vision to her for safekeeping, although it does make sense, if in a convoluted way. He's worried it's a ruse to get him in jail, and he knows what happens if a Vision is forcibly taken, so he's handing it over to someone he trusts enough to keep it safe. It's humbling, how much trust he has in an outlander he only recently met.
It's been a couple days since then, and Paimon has been going a bit crazy from boredom. Fontaine is surprisingly quiet. This must be the result of a nation having a present, dedicated Archon whose focus is on the people. True, some people say she's mercurial, changing her mind on a whim, but even more people talk about how she's very focused on what goes on within Fontaine, often starting, joining, and leading various events that later prove to have helped the community by a lot. She's clearly personally invested in the growth of her nation.
Since meeting Lady Furina is her best chance at finding information on her brother, she's admittedly been compiling data on her. She now has a half-full notebook of Lady Furina's likes and dislikes, and an appointment a month from now, which is pretty lucky. Apparently it was moved forward as much as the receptionist could, and someone else had canceled an appointment on behalf of the one who asked for one since they'd died recently. If anyone saw the notebook's contents, she'd probably be called a stalker, but, anything for her brother. Especially the end goal of dragging him back to her side.
"What's this letter for? It's really fancy and smells like cake!" What's Paimon up to now? A letter? Might as well ask. "Who's it from then?" Looks like she might just get her meeting much sooner than in a month.
"It's from Monsieur Neuvilette! He's asking us to the Palais for a meeting! Does Paimon need fashionable clothes?! Oh… It's about Childe. He's gone missing in the Fortress. Monsieur Neuvilette wants us to investigate."