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."The Sixth was "Fate"
Amaranth6
Chapter 14: An Old Nightmare
Summary:
Already bad teatime takes a terrible turn.
Chapter Text
And I've Realized Someone Like Me
Could Be
A Real Nightmare
Completely Aware
It's time for her meeting with the Knave, and all her bravado is gone. She let Neuvilette go to the Fortress, to finish up matters with the Traveler. Even with Ananiel reminding her that if needed, she'll deal with the Knave, Furina is safe, she's still scared. The fourth of the Fatui has been a terror to her for years, but until recently, until now, she hadn't ever directly tried to speak to her. Now she'll be stuck. In a room. With the woman who tried to kill her. For at least half an hour!
She won't have anyone with her. It'll be a one on one with a nightmare of hers, regardless of whether they were originally one of her people. I'm still present. But you can't speak without speaking through me! She wants to cry. Even sweets are off the table for her, she's nauseous and scared, and alone in the sitting room. At least until the doors open again and a Melusine, et Tou! Brute!, escorts the Knave in.
Calm. Rational. Unfazed. Calm. Rational. AAH! The Knave is clearly quite pleased with herself, probably able to see the panic in her eyes as she releases her hold on the pastry box she just set on the tea table. Furina! Pour the tea! Hospitality!! Her hands at least don't wobble. Midway though the pleasantries, someone shows up! The audacity!
They're sent by Neuvilette?! Even worse! Her co-ruler, Iudex, question mark? Doesn't think she can handle a diplomatic meeting! How DARE HE!! It's the Traveler, which is good. They brought the loudmouthed, improper, and rude fairy creature. NO! This is a headache. If he really wanted to send someone helpful, he should've sent one of the aides who are in waiting at the diplomacy-foreign relations sector of the Palais, not an outsider!
Does he want her to fail? She adores him, but does he? At the start, he'd been so vitriolic, which was why she didn't tell him. Plus, mirror me didn't say she could.
She'll excuse herself, there's probably some kind of emergency somewhere, right? She'll rush to Poisson for the distance it can make between her and the Knave. Yes, that's a fabulous idea. Time to go then.
"I do hope Snezhnaya will not take this personally, but an emergency has occurred at Poisson, and I need to get there as soon as possible. If you would. I will be off immediately." With that, she's free to go. Now, time to commandeer that skiff her Gardes think they're hiding so well, it's meant to be for her anyways. With that, she's speeding over the waves, to Poisson.
Her supposed lie is actually the truth, people are indeed dissolving in Poisson. She can hear the screams and shouts from where she's run her boat ashore. Ananiel! Can I nullify the seawater with my ability to decay? I'll gather the souls who're dying, and you'll be able to do that then. Go ahead of me then, you'll need all the time you can get to grab them all. With that, the presence in her head fades, and she feels truly alone for the first time in months.
Moving one arm to the side, outstretched as though she were carrying a weapon, she can feel her energies coalesce there. It's a sensation that never seems to get easier, but Ananiel said that was natural. She's holding decay made manifest in hand, if she wasn't scared, maybe that would be more weird than if she was.
Jumping over the edge of the hole Poisson made itself in. Jumping over the people who are safe. Going to stop the problem here, to seal it away with decay instead of authority. Regardless, she's sure of herself. This is what's right. Ananiel will grab the souls, resurrect them, and she'll ensure they cannot die from the same source twice. She'll be their archon, their Goddess of Justice. The Regina of Waters, Kindreds, and Laws. They'll never look away when she's done.The Sixth was "Fate"
Amaranth6
Chapter 15: Biding Time
Summary:
Happy Fourth of July!
A second courtroom confrontation is inevitable, so let's see what's happening before then.
Chapter Text
There's a life here for the taking
is it mine or is it yours
All I am is what you make me
I didn't realize she would be so bold as to lie to my face about an emergency. I suppose I should've expected such, none of the archons can compare to the Tsaritsa. However, she did give me such a nice opportunity to get the measure of the famous, or infamous Traveler. They seem quite collected for a babysitter whose charge just up and ran off, polite enough to make small talk as they wait for an appropriate time to leave, and confident enough to say that she'll be tattling to the Iudex as soon as possible. Overall, it was a nice tea party, even if the host ungraciously disappeared.
After getting back to the Hotel DeBord Lyney is the first of her children to greet her, as is proper. Her heir stands tall at attention, reporting that there was a Primordial Seawater leak in Poisson and Furina de Fontaine came rushing to the rescue. What's she supposed to DO with the revelation that the archon she turned her back on isn't? as incompetent as she seemed.
----{ Navia's POV }----
An hour before.
Rushing over her, like the torrents of a waterfall, a figure in blue leaps down into the flood that dissolved her bodyguards. Her first thought is, Monsieur Neuvilette? However, the shade of blue is darker, less green. "Lady Furina," breathes Archenoul, still a believer even after Father's fall from grace, even more of one after his second rise. Father's there too, taking care of things. Unwillingly, a flash of irritation makes itself known. Why is he here now? He'd spent the first few months back with her at home, but he's always with her, and everyone asks him if he agrees with her actions. People seem to forget, now that the dead are coming back to life, that those who mourned the dead did so already, and now they all need to readjust to having these people back.
Clorinde's avoiding her now, she used to discreetly stalk her, in a misguided attempt to fulfill her Father's last wishes. She misses her, somehow. Maybe what she missed most was the assurance that someone was there, a safety net in the form of a person. Maybe she could seek Clorinde out?
What's she doing?! Reflecting on her nonexistent love life and lack of friends in the middle of a crisis!
Striding to the railings, the crowd of people who had to run from their homes part for her to move through. Dozens of people in various states of dress, some in nightgowns and coats over negligee, others in daily casual wear, having already started their days, and a rare few in fancy clothing, for dates, other important events, or her people, the members of the Spina di Rosula.
Below, the water's movements have been quelled, no longer rising, and instead falling backwards, back down to where it leaked. She's watching a whirlpool form, and in the center, there's the Hydro Archon, there's Lady Furina. She's floating. That's the first thought that goes through her head. Why is she FLOATING? Is the second. The water drains, flowing around her archon and down below her feet in tendrils, rivulets. When the last one dissolves, heh, back into the water, the small spring that appeared as a result of the leak, something happens.
Dark indigo light flows from the weapon in Lady Furina's hands rippling in the air as though it's moving to a foreign wind. The part of her that hasn't processed Melus and Silver dissolving is a little giddy from the show of power, screaming, 'Ribbons!' They're weaving around her, laying themselves onto the water's surface. From above, it seems like writing, if the seemingly nonsensical scribbles on the floor are in fact some sort of language. It's shape is odd though, looped in some parts and all straight lines everywhere else. But that doesn't matter so much as what it does.
Once the last of the power made manifest is set into the surface of the Primordial Water spring, it glows an unearthly kaleidoscope of bpue, and purple shades, blending over each other like waters running through a delta into an ocean of white light, swallowing the colors whole. Once it stops shining, she peeks back at it, the spring of water no longer shines with the myriad colors of the Primordial Sea, and Lady Furina is gone.
What in Teyvat HAPPENED?!?
----{ UNKNOWN POV }----
The room is dark, even more dimly lit than the Fleuve Cadre is usually, what a cliché, but it serves it's purpose well enough as a discreet meeting place. No one would believe that these men and women meet in such a shabby place.
He's at the end of the table closer to the door, a lower ranking among those gathered, which makes sense too. A Viscount is lesser to most of the other lords, but that, along with many other things, should change in time. The drip of an archon has proved herself to be profitable, for all that she's useless otherwise, leaving everything up to Monsieur Neuvilette. With such an embarrassment of an archon, with her temper tantrums and whimsy, wouldn't it be better for those more suited to lead to take the reins?
Most of those gathered here are those with decreased loved ones, or the truly cutthroat businessmen, looking to get a nice mora out of their archon's abilities. Yet the only question is… "Friends, allies, ladies and gentlemen. We're gathered here in light of " and he spits the words here "Lady Furina's ability to revive the dead. Now, how should we ensure she complies?"
For all of their bravado gathering here, no one seems to have any ideas.
"Threaten to withhold imports like sugar?" And give Monsieur Neuvilette a reason to oust you and reconfigure the industry for attacking the source of his lady's treats?
"Hold a Melusine hostage?" Again, Monsieur Neuvilette would retaliate.
"Hold Lady Furina hostage?" These are variations of the same bad idea. Hostage taking only works when there's good enough leverage and… This one could work.
Time to put his own spin on it. "How about kidnapping Lady Furina and threatening her?" Perfect.
----{ Ananiel's POV }----
I grow weaker as she grows stronger. Not in terms of powers, as we now share the same source, but her willpower somehow has grown instead of shrunk with her new access to actual power. She could be my equal. I hate and love it.
Hate because I should have been able to take control in her moments of weakness, should've been able to take over and make the world anew. I still can, she still can. The power to do so is there, to purge the world of life, of souls, and make something brand new without the taint of humanity. Yet I cannot, because she loves humanity so much that she would save them again and again at her own expense. Was this who I was before I became S̸̨̮̫̭̼͇̤̘̙̫̤̘̎͂́͜I̷̛̛͎͍͓̓̈́̐̀̂͆̈̚̚̕X̵͍͌̓̀?
She's beautiful. I hate her. Hate how she's so sweet she tastes sickly underneath.
She's all the best of humanity, too much of humanity, too much empathy. I love her for that, I love her. She's who I wish I could've been when the Gestalt first started whispering in my ears. Nearly five hundred years of anguish, and she stands tall. I couldn't take fifteen.
She's part of me too, one of the three south gates, inclined to the south-east as she blows hot air as breath. Her mirror self, the goddess Focalors perhaps, is the south gate, of dew, rain, and life, the ideal the two of us on each side strive for. I am the gate due south-west, bringing dew, rain, locusts and devastation, hurting and helping in equal measure.
Furina. What a suitable name. Named after the Furies, the punishers of the wicked dead. Named after the ones born from the blood of Heaven falling to earth, who chose to break the cycle of blood vengeance and became protectorates of justice. Her name is stamped all over her nation, Erinnyes from Erinyes and Erinyes means Furies. This nation is hers, and so it is mine.
Perhaps the comparisons of their strength of will doesn't mean much, we are now one in all the ways that matter. Her soul meshes well with mine, and soon we will never be parted. No one could replace me. I would be her too. Share her strength. That would be perfect, wouldn't it?
----{ Lumine's POV }----
Maybe this is wrong, maybe she's wrong, but, everyone can tell something's off. They're worried, and while she doesn't know if it's a crime to discuss this, the caution is unnerving. Three of the most prominent figures in Fontaine are sitting with two Fatui, Paimon, and herself, an outlander from beyond the stars, not that anyone knows that, to discuss oddities about the eccentric archon of Fontaine. It seems almost like the lead up to a comedy reel, but it's not.
"Perhaps let's compare notes first?" Navia speaks first, which makes sense, as a Demoiselle, she's in the in between space between Clorinde and Neuvilette, higher ups, and everyone else, whom are generally upper middle in the social tiers of Fontaine. Or would Clorinde be below Navia? Nevermind, compare notes first.
"Lady Furina seemed startled by the Oratrice's message to Harbinger Tartaglia." Clorinde spoke first, and as her bodyguard, she would know. The only question is, why share their concerns with us? Two are Fatui, who answer to another, are loyal to another archon, one who is seemingly intent on war. She herself is not bound to anyone, and involving her could prove disastrous as there are few ways to silence her.
"Father said that she seemed to be under a curse when they met." Lyney speaks for them both, Lynette clearly not as active, as interested, for all that she likes tea, perhaps not gossip. His words are masterfully crafted, leading enough for those unaware to think it was from the meeting over tea and not the attack made on Furina years ago. Should she tell? It would probably be right, but since when has right gotten her closer to her brother? Right made her keep helping when others dragged her into their conflicts, but that hasn't gotten her much leads besides with Nahida.
She might as well speak up now, "She seemed surprised by the worship of her. Most of the time she defaults to speaking in third person, as though it's not her that's receiving their praise." And it is a quirk of hers that is noticeable, what with her inconstant manner of speaking, as well as how she gets more loud when that happens.
Neuvilette is the one who delivers the somewhat killing blow. "The day of the invitation from the Oratrice, she wasn't sure of what happened, but she also couldn't answer any questions about why it's sentence was so different." He seems unsure of himself, both trying to reach out to other people to understand his dilemma, and concerned about if his actions are right, if his concerns are legitimate. For all his importance, he seems to wave off the fact that the twins are foreign agents quite easily.
Oh, they've moved on to speaking of confrontation, trying to pry her secrets out into the light by force.
"Let's put Lady Furina on trial."
Who was that? It didn't sound like anyone who gathered, but it sounds familiar.
"It might be a good idea." You too?
Maybe it's the right path forward. Fight her on the same grounds.
But in her favor, unlike usual.The Sixth was "Fate"
Amaranth6
Chapter 16: Diluvies
Summary:
Clarification of Neuvilette, and Redemption!
Chapter Text
With All The Promises To Make Right
I Won't Give In Without A Fight
He's not sure if this is right, he just knows that they need the truth. Speaking to her has yielded nothing, and he's worried. Better to have everything out now, before they act, rather than letting their plans go forward. Once he knows the whole story, he can protect her. He promised himself. The only question is, how? She won't let him close, won't trust him because he burnt those bridges himself when they first met, spurning her kindnesses.
Acting now, even if it hurts, will be for the best. A preventative treatment. Prevent the so called aristocracy that is made of Suevegothes and Thiberts from sinking their claws into his lady. He'll have the truth out, and then what passes for justice would follow. Trials are his duty, but they weigh on him, all the pain that results, whether large or small.
Perhaps he's wrong. Lady Furina was the one who found justice in law, in the rules of society, even if she would disregard them herself, sometimes even the ones she herself made. I don't mean to condescend humanity, for it's adherence to the rules my lady flouts, but it's quite clear that society's concepts of justice, fairness, equality, and rule of law are not equivalent, and can never be. Now of course, water seeks to even itself out, and it was in this spirit that the previous Hydro Archon, Egeria, hoped to achieve universal equality by connecting all things with love. Her successor chose instead to seek equality by means of the law.
If he's wrong, he'll have burnt the bridge again, but she'd be warned. If he's right, she'd be safe. What if the hurt is too much regardless? He doesn't know what he'd do then. Probably grovel, beg for her mercy or punishment, so long as she stays. He doesn't know what makes him want to, but whatever this feeling is, it's too much to ignore, he can't wait, he can't march up to her and demand answers. Even thinking of doing so makes him quail as little else ever has.
He's fought for her nation, the nation she taught him to love, the nation she taught to love him alongside her. He is one of her people, one of the many she would defend. He is not her confidant.
Yet.
He's her Iudex, the one who enforces his lady's laws, and decides whether their actions are within the bounds of the law. She's the one who makes laws, decides the boundaries within which everyone lives, she's the one who leads Fontaine through international affairs, the heart and soul of Fontaine. She embodies her nation.
He wants to keep her safe. But this could hurt, even just a little. Is that alright with you?
He wants her to trust him as her partner. But he was so cruel, so callous about the loss of life at first.
Maybe he wants to be her partner, in more than just rule. Is he worthy? He still calls her usurper at times.
Would she want that too? It's not a secret that you find her annoying sometimes. She knows that too.
Would she still want him by her side? Maybe? He'd been here so long. Isn't this proof he'll stay?
Would she still see him as on her side? Would she choose to let him remain?
No, he's being an idiot, he's going to hurt her with this, but he's in too deep now. If he pulls out, what can he do? Tell her? The accusations they'll throw at her don't need him, and he cannot dismiss a trial outright without cause. He doesn't want to hurt her, he just wants her safe. He doesn't know how to make her safe and happy. Safe is all he can provide. No wonder she doesn't want to trust him, not with her secrets.
He needs to do better.
He needs help. Clorinde.
She'd be sad if she sees someone with her trust against her. Clorinde doesn't have much of a role, they could call anyone else, bring them under false pretenses too, they don't need her to be the one with her sword in hand. It's decided, then. He needs to keep her safe, the trial idea is too much. But the trial idea would bring the truth. Even if it would bring the truth, as it goes with trials, it would hurt her. Worst case scenario, it makes her unsteady, and she'll be even more in danger. That would be unacceptable. He needs her safe. Perhaps she matters more than the truth of secrets she'd tell him if he actually were properly trustworthy. Perhaps what he needs to do is prove his worthiness to share her secrets.
He'll be better, be worth it.
Whatever it takes.The Sixth was "Fate"
Amaranth6
Chapter 17: Capability and Tolerance
Summary:
Poisson after the leak.
Chapter Text
You Know I'm Afraid Of The Water
I'll Make Sure You're Safe And Sound
It hurts.
Returning to Poisson and finding a ghost town.
After the paired trial, she'd came here often. Usually to bask in the company of someone who'd seen the two sides of her best, her give and take of life itself. Callas didn't fear her, nor did he truly revere her like some of the girls she brought back. It was refreshing, being herself and being Focalors at the same time without issue. It was like her body was her own, every sensation, even the wind tugging on her hair, completely hers. Ananiel was there, of course, but she felt everything personally, nothing felt dulled, muted.
She felt alive.
But some people aren't yet.
What happened was that, according to Ananiel, she'd overextended herself. Everything felt fuzzy and too sharp. The slightest breeze felt like cuts against her skin and the whistling wind and the thrum of the water falling were painful to hear. She had to get away further. The Court was… An exercise of willpower, not showing pain while walking through the city on her way out towards somewhere safer to winter though this… malady. Ananiel calls it 'soulstrain.'
Apparently, her small exercises, the amount of time spent practicing her powers out in the countryside over the last few months or so, wasn't enough to acclimate her soul to the power she now wields. Reviving all those affected by the Primordial Seawater was too much for her. Apparently.
Huffing to the air seems like the best way to speak to Ananiel and parse through her thoughts at once. "Are you sure I can't do it? I was able to before."
Before, you hadn't done something of this magnitude. You saw the amount of clothing and other belongings piled up. Did you really think a change in the balance of life and death of such magnitude would go without punishment. Not to mention the power used to seal the Primordial Seawater leak. You're lucky you survived that and didn't end up cationic for your troubles.
"Why have you been less active, you don't speak to me as often anymore." That is pretty concerning, but she'd mostly brushed it off at first because Ananiel is pretty taciturn except for when she's complaining about something, and she'd already been used to being alone in her head for a long time.
Do you miss me? I threatened to kill all life in your world.
"Well… No, but…"
What's that sound?
It's getting louder.
Footsteps?
Interrupting, or perhaps the universe conspiring to cause a misunderstanding between her and Ananiel, are a group of men. Even from a distance, the odors wafting off of them are rank and sour with the air causing it to drift down to where she stands on one of the ledges. It's definitely sour, but also yeasty and sharp, like they've bathed in alcohol rather than just drank it. Gross.
The one at the front, pretty burly despite his fishing gear, huh, actually, all of them are like that. But that doesn't cause what happens next to escape her notice. He swings his head wildly around, with his shoulders partially following the movement before he apparently sees her, and starts to shout.
"There she is!"
For a group of drunkards, their coordination is pretty good, immediately sprinting towards her like a horde of wolves intent on their kill. Backing up quickly, she yelps "What are you doing this fOr?!" when she misjudges the placement of the stairs and prepares to step up but ends up walking backwards instead. She almost didn't hear what was said in response when she turns around and takes off, the rattling plates beneath her and the inconstant drumbeat of her pursuers covering most other noise, even the rushing waterfalls. But she hears it, and she's just a little devastated by it too.
"Because for a goddess who can revive the dead for justice, why can't you bring back my family?"The Sixth was "Fate"
Amaranth6
Chapter 18: Roles And The Actors Who Play Them
Summary:
Hi! I've been a bit busy, trying to update my Genshin so that I could post this chapter. I'd accidentally had it switched to another location and couldn't get it changed back. Thankfully, that's over and now I can post!
Trial Time!!!!
Chapter Text
I Put On My Bravest Face
Hanging By My Fingers Over Empty Space
I Could Let It All Go Today
Free Myself From Me
"Over here! Hurry!" Another voice rises above the din, much shriller than the others. It's the floating being that goes with the Traveler. She can see them too, a bit lower, thanks to the different ledges on which the platforms were constructed. Her partner? Is there too. Lumine. They focus on helping others, so they'd probably help her, right? Regardless, they're her best chance of getting out of this situation without injury.
Although, not on her side, but rather the rioters. Your insistence on keeping those who would hurt you unharmed is truly vexing, it wouldn't kill them. And there's the probable cause for the injuries. Sprinting down the last few steps between her and safety is easy enough, following them into the house to hide is simple, even with the sounds of the rioters rushing past. Ahh, she probably showed a bad face to Lumine, needing to rely on her like this. She's a goddess, shouldn't she fight her own battles? But she can't. She's not capable enough yet.
Everything in the room suddenly begins to tremble and shift, them included. "Huuuuuh!?" Paimon's pretty loud, but her exclamation of surprise speaks for everyone. Lumine picks up the verbal baton in the new conversation. "Another disaster struck, I suspect." The side eye is pretty clear, a question about her abilities. Time to head it off, see what angle they have. "Another so soon… I need to leave then, get to the disaster area." Cringing backwards in midair, Paimon is not particularly subtle. "Well, there's no need to worry too much about that! Neuvilette's made some emergency plans, so the evacuation should go a lot smoother this time." Why do they want me to remain here?
She'll play along for now. "Yeah… I hope you're right." Sag a little to the right, lean on that table, show a little bit of the exhaustion you hide. The two outlanders speak with each other off to a side, they seem to have lost interest in her, but she's not sure yet. Time to throw a bone. "…It's true, I've been investigating the prophecy for hundreds of years. I once had informants all over Teyvat, searching for clues and feeding information back to me… But all my efforts proved to be futile in the end. Really, the truth has been clear to me for a very long time… Heh. Fate is really unreasonable, isn't it? It has no heart, and obeys no rules. Don't worry. I… I will keep hope alive for everyone until the very end." For I love you all, my children of Fontaine.
And to my dear Ananiel, the angel who brought me new hope. To answer you. I hate what you threaten of me, yet love you nonetheless for being the one to help me make this mask my own. So, for both of us, and the world besides, I will be strong enough to resist the intent to devour all life. We will be strong. Together as ONE.
"This burden of yours, although I know not what it may be, even if your burden isn't meant to be shared, just share it with me. I'm what you call a 'witness'." Ah. You're an interrogator. So this is what you wanted me for. Perhaps I should tease a little. "A witness… Ah, yes. I've heard that you came to Teyvat from beyond the stars, yes? With your twin…" Bait set. " …And if Teyvat is, in its entirety, a show on a stage, then you're just a 'spectator', aren't you?" Trick question, you're actually neither, you're the protagonist, aren't you.
"If that's the case…"
Suddenly the world around the room grew loud again, the deafening noise of applause. What is going on? She can heat Lyney's voice now, as the walls around her fall down, revealing the Opera Epiclese.
But where is Neuvillette?
Is this a coup?
If so. By who?
The magician speaks again now. "Ladies and gentlemen… this concludes my opening performance. Now, without further ado… we may proceed to the trial of our god."
HOW DARE HE!?
Wait.
Focus, the Traveler is the lynchpin of this, focus on her. "So this is what it is. Yes… You deserve praise for the effort you took to raise the dramatic stakes. Do not forget, however, that I am Focalors, the God of Justice" I am Furina, who holds the power of the S̶̢̝͇̩̟̞̺̯̗̎̉̈́͂̽̋̄̿̿̈Î̸̜͖̣̹́̓̃̂̏̀́̈͠͠X̴̡̞̯̞̲̥̪̝̩͑̿̈́͑́T̷̡̜̩̳͔̱̤͍͉̪̳̘̻̽̌͛͋͜͠ͅH̵̢͕̣̜͇͉̫͚͕̮̏͐͂̒͆̐̚͝. "The embodiment of Justice itself. Does it not strike you as even the least bit absurd to bring the very concept of Justice to trial?" But it's not enough. This was foretold, the false Witness is in truth a part of the show, the protagonist, and the show must go on. She'll prove herself on this stage, and work hard to ensure nothing of the same happens again, if she is the Archon, she bears both power and responsibility for the actions of Fontaine. If she is dethroned, any punishment would fall on her people.
Some toothless lower court judge who probably was transported up from Petrichor with how impudent and crazy he is to sit in someone else's seat speaks then. "Then is that your choice? To refuse trial? If so, then you certainly have the chance to defend your honor through a duel." His tone of voice, as slimy and disgusting to behold as the rest of him, clearly indicates his thoughts on the matter. A duelist in red walks up onto the stage then, Savinien. One of her champion duelists, although a lower ranking one. He was probably bought. She's mad anyways. At least it wasn't Clorinde, not someone close. This is just for money on his end.
"Hah. Very well then! If repetition of what is true is needed to ensure knowledge is retained, then very well! I, Furina, will use this trial to remind the world of the meaning of Justice! Applaud and rejoice! One of the most outrageous and fantastical events unfolds before your eyes. Mark my words - this will be one of the most exhilarating and brilliant shows to ever grace the stage of Fontaine! The trial of the Hydro Archon, Focalors, will now begin!" She'll protect them, put on a show, and hide the danger to face alone. Muttering to herself as she ascends to the stand, "I'll keep you safe and keep this secret."
Okay. Scene set. Time to get going. "Well, before we begin. Two questions. One, who will be my opponent in this trial?" Oh, how could things have become so worrying, so close to the climax? The judge, whose name will forever rest in ignominy, speaks again. "The court asks the prosecutor to please take the stand." Lo and behold, the Traveler takes the stand. "Thank you, Your Honor." As if this worm has honor.
"Just how much work did you do to force me onto this stage?" She might as well throw out the question now. See how far they went to get her here, see who was involved. Not Neuvilette, please not him. Paimon speaks first, of the one who were presumably involved in this. "Well… We did do a lot of prep after the meeting that day…" Navia speaks after, and isn't that a crushing blow, that even her revival of the girl's father, the protection for Petrichor, isn't enough for her to truly have faith in her.
"I can go over the tasks assigned to the Spina di Rosula, since they were rather straightforward and easy. Most of the people who participated in the distrubence this morning were my subordinates. They changed into plainclothes, and came to the opera house as regualr audience members, waiting for the perfect oppurtunity to incite insurrection against you. The people's resentment, their wariness, against their Archon has been building as more and more of the prophecy is fulfilled, and a large increase occurred when you revealed your ability to bring back only some of the dead. A spark was all that we needed to turn smoldering anger into a flame."
They hate her.
For not being willing to be used to bring back everyone.
For not wanting to destabilize the balance that Teyvat lives on.
For not wanting to let them give into selfish desires?!
She brought back this girl's father. Even if she needed him for a conviction, she didn't have to bring him back specifically. She didn't have to bring him back all the way. Her choice was simply because she felt bad for the child that was left behind, left so lonely at the top of Poisson, leading what used to be a sinking ship without much support. Her blessing for her, yet the impudent girl who was forced to grow up too soon continues to speak of her treason. "Moreover, according to our understanding and analysis of you, when something like that occurred, you would likely flee the scene and head to Poisson by yourself. So, we arranged for a second group to lie in wait there…"
And the magician twins finish the speech. Of course it was the Fatui who would assist in destabilizing the local government for personal profit. What else was she expecting when she heard that Peruere was returning? Lyney starts the continuation. "And their goal was to force you to enter the Giant Magic Box, so you may personally participate in the greatest magic performance in all of Fontanian history." With the role of speaker transferred to Lynette, she elaborates. "That's right. That house was a magic box, rather than someone's residence." Done talking, she steps back, and Lyney steps forward, it almost seemed rehearsed, if it weren't for his creased forehead.
"As the 'Super Ultimate' version of the setup that I used when I first performed at the Opera Epiclese, the volume of the box was increased by a whole order of magnitude, and the distance it traversed was the entire gap between Poisson and Erinnyes. It's cargo, of course, was an Archon, instead of a human. My thanks, Furina. Without your help, we could never have pulled off such an extraordinary performance. Of course, this performance was only made possible with 'Father's support. The House of the Hearth spent a massive amount of labor and Mora to pull this off. We had to select a location, construct the Giant Magic Box, dig a tunnel, and open up a path through the water… It was a lot of work for all of us. So was hiring the champion duelist you encountered. Our first option didn't pan out, you see."
The AUDACITY!
Refute. Refute. Refute. "How quaint. Then the costs for the clean up will also be billed to the Fatui then. If you make a mess, you clean it. The tunnels you made should be cleaned up PROPERLY. Don't just fill it with cement or break the tube in the water. If that much isn't beyond your capabilities. I know the Fatui are worth little beyond the money they spend to the locals, and the damage they wreck to their queen. Why else would you be called 'fools'?" Nailed it.
The gaping mouths are a nice touch.
Now. "As for you, Lumine… I suppose your role was to keep me distracted with conversation once you found me in Poisson. You'd make sure that I didn't notice anything amiss before revealing yourself as my prosecutor once we'd arrived onto the stage… But you didn't do a good job of that, didn't you? Paimon was quite circumspect." Here, the blonde outlander shakes her head, the motion visible even across the stage, emphasized for her, and the audience's, convenience then. "No. My mission… We hoped that you'd share your secret with us…". Hah. At this she can't help but laugh, it's sharp, out of tune, and tastes bitter on her tongue.
"Share my secret? With you? The only thing preventing it from being your brother on that stand, with you leading the Abyss Order was that your brother acted first. As for giving me a chance, I've already missed it centuries earlier. I wouldn't have answered you with the truth, you aren't the person who could have helped me." Shaking her head helps a little to dislodge the pain of that memory, the reminder that she's almost entirely alone. If it weren't for Ananiel, she would be alone and powerless in the face of Fate.
"The prosecution and the defense are both in position. The trial shall now begin." Listening to that judge will wear at her like nothing else, why is he here?
No need to listen to him for longer than needed. "Just fast forward to the part where the prosecution lays out my offenses. As the defendant, and the lead actress of this performance, I still haven't even been informed of my supposed guilt in all of this. Of course, it is only natural for humans to struggle to understand the actions of a god. However, you will need more than that to convict me of a crime…" That's what they're here for, isn't it? They want to make me bring people back, they aren't happy that I have 'limitations' because it doesn't benefit them.
"My charge here is unrelated to your conduct as an Archon. Instead, I would like to charge you as a fraud whose never been the Archon in the first place." How did she guess? How did she come to realize? Would they end up seeing it too? But, I was always the Archon. After Egeria, no one claimed it until me, and mirror me, who probably is the real Focalors, is identical to me, the earliest thing I remember is her. But all the people of Fontaine knew was me.
Out in the audience she can her them whisper. It's not subtle when a million other voices are asking the same questions as what's on your lips.
"Wait… what was that? Is Lady Furina's a fraud?"
"Hey… I came here thinking that we were going to try the Hydro Archon for how she did her duties, the whole death revival issue that's been circulating, but did I hear that right? She's not our Archon at all?"
"Charge accepted." That damnable judge!! "Do you plead guilty to the charge?"
As if I'd let someone like him have such a feather in his cap. "I plead not guilty. How could I be guilty? My people. There is no way that I, Focalors, otherwise known as Furina de Fontaine, Hydro Archon of the Seven, and the Regina of All Waters, Kindreds, Peoples and Laws of Fontaine, could be anything other than your Archon. All this, at the word of those from beyond our borders, even after I solved the Serial Disappearances Case and restored those victimized by the Primordial Seawater to rights?"
"Yeah… Even though Lady Furina can be rather eccentric, isn't it going too far to doubt her very identity?"
"Furthermore, most of the people saying so aren't really of the Court."
"Yeah, I've never questioned her identity either. Sure, Lady Furina can be super whimsical, but what grounds does that prosecutor have to make such a huge claim? Especially since they're outlanders."
Look virtuous. "I have cause to believe that common sense will prevail in this case. Many of the members of the audience have known me since they were born, there is no way to fool their memory. Even the Oratrice agrees. Are you sure you want to commit to a charge that will never be upheld? If you wish to drop the case, I can promise you, as the God of Justice, that you wouldn't have to face trial for making a false accusation and we can call this a dramatic spectacle, moving on with our lives."
Lumine looks a little stumped, before she's ready to strike back. "The people only see you an their Archon…" A half finished retort. Disappointing, but expected. Regardless, a trial is what's needed to bring forth the end, and the sooner it happens, the faster she can collect the souls to bring them back properly. She can do it. While they made their preparations, she made hers. "If I'm not the Archon, then what in the world do you think I am? A Melusine? Despite the cuteness we have in common, I don't think that I'm that short."
Paimon is the one who holds up the flimsy argument as Lumine takes her time finding a proper retort. "First of all, you may be a member of another long-lived race, which would allow you to naturally possess an extended lifespan. Second of all, even if that wasn't the case, there could be other ways to extend your life…" The blonde outlander seems to have finally figured out what she wanted to say, with her words falling lightly, but the actual weight behind it so much more than it seems. "Or a curse."
Well, clearly they spoke with Peruere. This is workable regardless. "So you take the word of a Harbinger who has never met any other Archons besides myself and the Tsarista who she crawled to. The Eighth Harbinger sent Barbatos flying in front of his own church but I am nigh unscathed from the Knave and are false for it? I would understand if it were Ms. Rosalyne who accused me of being cursed and not divine, with her encounters with four of the Seven, but Peruere? Are you sure?" Hint at power, knowledge others lack, and watch them justify it to themselves.
"It doesn't matter who gave us the information." Lumine is trying to justify the testimony, hilarious, she's holding onto a sinking ship. Silly girl, she doesn't care about the actions of pests, you don't bow your head and pander to the ladybugs that crawl into your home. "You only have the world of a Harbinger to attest to the veracity of this supposed testimony, and your supposed witness isn't even here." If they want to actually trap her, they'd need much more than this.
"To enlighten you. What separates the divine from mortals is the possession of 'authority.' Gods can do what humans cannot - that's why they're worshipped as gods. The Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, and the Indemnitium it produces, is one manifestation of my capacity as the God of Justice, and my ability to bring back the dead, so long as the cause if Primordial Seawater, is another." That should be enough, she's had centuries of proof on one side, and visible evidence of the other.
Paimon retaliates, speaking for Lumine again. "You tried to reference the Oratrice, but weren't you as confused as any of us by it's actions regarding Childe and the invitation it produced? Otherwise you should have come up with a good explanation of what happened by now." It's galling to know that pixie is right. She doesn't have an explanation for that. "You don't know why Childe was given an invitation, and you don't understand the structure and operations of the Oratrice. So it wasn't made by you, and it wasn't made by Egeria before her passing. It must have been made by the real Hydro Archon!"
She'll need to bluff. Pity the people who put her in this corner are intent on calling every bluff she has to offer. "It is true that I don't understand the invitation that was presented that day. However, the Oratrice has been in operation for centuries without incident. Furthermore, before the incident, during the trial of Vacher against the Fatui, represented by Lyney and Lynette, wards of the House of the Hearth, Lyney Snezhevich admitted to entering the central chamber of the Oratrice. Is it so odd for me to be puzzled by what should have been a verdict if it was the result of my machine being tampered with or damaged by the Fatui? I dare not break Fontaine's peace, but if you intend to use this for a coup, then I will respond in full!" There, salience has been dropped at the Fatui's feet.
"You don't know if he tampered with it!" So eager to defend them? If only her people were as diligent. None of her retinue have arrived yet, if they're coming at all. "All that aside, I haven't seen an actual display of your power, Furina. Are you actually able to bring back the dead?" Oh. Oh. She's tired, not physically or mentally, but she was overtaxed earlier. Can she act now? Can she risk acting now? If she faints she can't defend herself. She'd be at the mercy of the conspirators and the crowd.
Bluff. Bluff. Bluff. Now!!! "My power as an Archon? Is the amount of people I returned from the dead a joke to you?! You met Callas Caspar, and the others who were also brought back. Was that not the power of my divinity at work?" The Traveler clearly is pleased by her redirect. Which means…. "A brief demonstration of you power over Hydro would be enough." But she doesn't have Hydro, and she's still strained, even if she's almost in the clear, aggravating the sore spots would set back her recovery and cause more damage to her soul. What can she say…. "I'm afraid that's not possible, bringing back so many people before the disaster had worn at my soul, pulling on the powers that I have would set back my recovery and cause the good people of Poisson to need to wait longer for their loved ones to return. Furthermore, I was chosen by my predecessor for the fact that I could revive the dead. In regards to shaping water, I was incapable."
Weakness.
Blood in the water, and the sharks hone in.
"You can't even wield the power of Hydro?" Even from a distance, the mocking tone of Paimon's voice stings. Is the power of life itself seem so cheap to them? She's desperate. But she has to push forwards in this, she needs to convince them. "I undid the power of the Primordial Sea! I sealed it, back in Poisson! Is that not control of Hydro?! Is being able to shape water for the amusement of people like you truly what makes one a god in your eyes! If so, then very well! I'll abdicate to Neuvillette if he accepts and I'll never bring back another person ever again!"
Navia speaks then, clearly trying to redirect the line of thought away from a world where she doesn't revive the dead, since that's clearly all they think she's worth. "Since you insist on claiming to be a god and not a human, there's a method that you can use right here and now to eliminate all suspicion of you being the latter. I've brought some seawater from Poisson. Miss Furina, would you dare to touch some of this seawater? IF you are the real Hydro Archon, it won't effect you at all, but if you don't dare, you'll clearly be shown as a fraud. No one wants to see anyone else dissolve, so I hope you act prudently and admit guilt."
"Navia from the Spina di Rosula… The spina has governed Poisson for many years… I suppose her suggestion is valid."
The doors to the opera are blasted off it's hinges then. The jet of water that knocked it down also nearly hits the creature sitting in her Iudex's seat, which was a delight, seeing him understand how unqualified and unworthy he is of the position where he sits. Neuvillette strides in then, with Clorinde and all the people brought back by the Primordial Seawater. They came. But who for?
"Lady Furina. There's no need to waste time allowing this mistrial to continue. They brought you here under false pretenses, and brought in a judge from Automnequi who wasn't given leave to act in judicial measures here." They came to be on her side, and she can't help but feel so satisfied by how upset Navia Caspar is, seeing Clorinde unwilling to even look at her, when it used to be the reverse. It's cruel, but she's so glad that they're here because they support her, they trust her.
But she needs everyone's support.
She has to do this.
Walking down from the stand, she takes a diagonal path across the stage, supposedly to leave from the center instead of either side.
Instead of walking past the bowl that contains the seawater, she picks the bowl up as she passed it.
She'll prove herself.
She's the Hydro Archon, not her mirror self.
Even if Mirror-Me returned to claim the role and throne, she won't give it up without a fight.
It's the same here.
This is hers.
Holding the bowl in both hands, making it to the edge of the stage, under every spotlight imaginable, she'll show them all. And she lifts the bowl to the same height as her head.
And.
Tips.
It.
Ḅ̶̛͙̟̖͖͚͖̘̝̳̝̺̦̽̐͌̅̅̈́͝a̶͎̩͔̲̭̍͂́̿̀̀̍̏̓̑̀̋̃͝͝c̶̡̛̤̲͎̺̮̦̺̗̙͎͔͈̀̊͗̒͆̋̾͑͝k̷̖͍̗̞̞̦̫̼̲̹͑̋̓͝.
It splashes harmlessly over her face, dripping down her clothes without soaking them at all. So, conspirators, can you call me a fraud now?
One person claps. Then another. Her people are cheering for her, and calling the wretched creature still in the wrong seat all sorts of names. Above, the blue lights illuminate and the gears whir. A verdict pops up and over the worm in her Iudex's place, falling down to the little table that Navia presented the bowl of Primordial Seawater on. She turns back to pick it up, read it, and hand it to Neuvillette, and her eyebrows raise at the words on the slip of paper. Passing it to her Iudex is easy, sitting on the stage, watching his face work through a myriad of micro expressions is harder, but listening to his voice as he reads the verdict aloud is the worst.
"According to the judgement of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, Lady Furina, innocent. To be punished with the death sentence."
The Sixth was "Fate"
Amaranth6
Chapter 19: Leviathans
Chapter Text
How Do I Follow You
Into The Unknown
"What happened?" "Innocent yet punished?" "Is this a trick by the Fatui, as Lady Furina said?" "It must be, no one's went to see what's happened with the Oratrice." A mob of whispers arise as the judgement made by the Oratice is rejected in the public sphere. Good. No one is questioning her authenticity, just the trustworthiness of the Fatui. On a related note, she should ensure that less of her citizens are brought into the House of the Hearth. Peruere is disappointment enough.
A whirring noise sounds in her ear as she spins on her heels to face the crowd, and the rapidly widening crack or fissure at the end of the stage, made into reality itself. Someone starts to scream. Another voice rises above it, shouting orders to evacuate. Her heart is pounding, and she can feel panic start to seep into her mind. Where's Ananiel?! No, Ananiel's gone. She's still here! She's part of us! But she isn't here! We are ONE, so there's no need to be afraid. Right? The soreness of her throat abruptly shifts her attention to her surroundings. And… Oh. The person barking orders was her.
She was the dependable one. And isn't that something?
When the fractures create a hole, through which a whale-like creature attempts to rush through, she's ready to do whatever is needed. Even if it leaves her more injured afterwards. Thankfully, a figure wreathed in the jagged purple of Electro rushes ahead of the whale, beating it back. He feels familiar somehow. A voice behind her, the Protagonist's, Lumine's, recognizes and names the figure before her. "Childe!" So this is Tartaglia? The person before her doesn't share the same physique as the Harbinger invited to the Fortress, but the hair does resemble the young man.
In an act of what could only be foolishness, he doesn't try to get out of the rift that had formed, giving a thumbs up before falling backwards towards the hole in reality the whale disappeared into. There are multiple vision wielders, and an anomaly, before you and you choose to not attempt to get assistance?! How infuriating! Should she go after him?
Taking a glance back, to Neuvillette, to the others gathered there took effort. She'd been trying to avoid seeing them. After what they did, she certainly would be in the right to ignore the conspirators, but what of Neuvillette? He'd come in trying to save her, Clorinde too, and it made her dizzy with something that left her weightless and confused, like fireworks going on inside of her.
They'd be fine.
She'd be back soon.
She just needs to prove martial prowess, to hammer home her status as an Archon.
No one can doubt her then.
Not even herself.
Steeling herself for what would be a fall, probably dizzying and uncertain. She pivots towards the rift, and takes a running start to leap in.
This will be her debut as the true Hydro Archon's encore. They'll all be calling for more.
She will be real