The Second Archon War: Animula Choragi 2

Animula Choragi 2: Addio del Passato

After dinner, Furina bid farewell to Julie, Ling, and Mr. Mao, and followed Yennifer down the street to a tall apartment building. It wasn’t especially notable, looking somewhat dingy and worn down like the rest of this part of the city, but it was still a good eight stories tall, with architecture that reminded Furina of Fontaine in many subtle ways. 

“Home sweet home!” Yennifer said, opening the door by pressing a series of buttons on a pad. “Come on in, Charlotte’s home, and I told her I’m bringing a guest.”

“Oh! Sorry, I called you Charlotte earlier, didn’t I?” Furina said, blushing. “I’m sure you’re not the same person.”

“Eh, it’s fine, I assume you’ve seen her videos online,” Yennifer said with a shrug. 

Online? What line? And videos? That word vaguely reminded Furina of those newfangled films that had been all the rage for the past couple of years. She’d seen several and enjoyed them, and could only assume that Charlotte was some sort of film star. “Er, perhaps, you merely reminded me of someone I know from back home,” Furina prevaricated. “Mostly the hair and eyes.”

Yennifer nodded, then led Furina to a lift, taking them up to the 3rd Floor. The hallways were somewhat narrow and cramped, with the carpet faded and worn, and everywhere smelled of old cigarettes. It was a far cry from Palais Mermonia, but Furina was willing to bet it was better than sleeping in the street. 

Upon reaching the door of the apartment marked M317, Yennifer took out a key and unlocked it, before swinging the door open. “Lottie! I’m home! Brought you some orange chicken!” 

A moment later, Furina’s heart nearly stopped when Charlotte, her Charlotte, stuck her head into the hall and grinned. “Sweet! Thanks, Yen! Is this the lady you texted me about?”

Charlotte stepped into view, and Furia felt tears flood her eyes. The same bright pink hair. The same glasses and sparkling green eyes brimming with curiosity. And the same Cryo Vision on a pendant around her neck!

“Charlotte?” Furina rasped, taking a step forward. “You…you’re here too?”

“Huh? Oh, um bonjour,” Charlotte blinked at Furina, then looked at her sister, an expression of concern on her face. “What’d she say? It sounded weird.”

“Old French. Furina has a way with languages,” Yennifer said, putting a hand on Furina’s shoulder. “This is my little sister, Charlotte Lustria. She has a Dailymotion channel called Crystalline Truth. Maybe you’ve heard of it?”

Furina blinked back her tears, uncertain. She’d switched back to Fontainian subconsciously, and forced herself to speak French now. “How could I not? That’s her Constellation. But, Charlotte…”

Furina trailed off. Something was off. Charlotte looked as she had many years ago. Back when she’d just been a newspaper girl who’d badgered Furina into an interview. She’d been, what, 15, 16 back then? It had been at least five or six years. People grew and changed so quickly…

“Woah! You know my Constellation name?!” Charlotte said eagerly, springing forward and grabbing Furina’s hands in hers. “I totally just learned about mine like a month ago! I looked it up online, they say every Vision Holder has one! It’s what I named my channel after too! I’ve only been running it for a few weeks, but I’ve already got over 100 subscribers! That’s really good for a French Language channel! Are you one of them!? I’ve never met a fan before! Well, unless Barb or Yen count.”

“I…I…” Furina trailed off, putting a hand to her head. “Is…is it a news reporting...paper?”

“I mean, I work for our school paper too, but it’s not a paper, it’s a Dailymotion channel! Here, let me show you!” Charlotte grabbed Furina and dragged her past a small kitchenette and into a bedroom. It had posters on the wall of what looked like a few music groups, as well as various important-looking people in dramatic poses, and many, many newspaper clippings. There were clothes scattered about on the floor and the bed was a tangled mess of blankets, so Furina had to step carefully so as not to tread on soiled laundry. 

There was an odd glass box that was glowing softly with some sort of power. There were devices hooked up to it, including a typewriter. Charlotte began to do something that caused the glass box to flash and emit noises, even as the girl chattered away.

“Dailymotion is a new site, you see! It was founded just about a year ago right here in France, and you can post just about whatever you want! There aren’t that many people posting videos in French yet, and especially not journalism!” Charlotte chittered, and with a few strokes on her typewriter, a film began to play inside the glass box. Furina was shocked that it was in vibrant color, and that it had sound to go along with it! All the films she had seen were in black and white, and of course, sound had to be provided by an accompanist. 

“Bien le bonjour, Truth Seekers! It’s your trusty source of solid info, Crystalline Truth here again!” the film version of Charlotte warbled. She was outside of a large building with many children of various ages going in and out, apparently a school of some sort. “Today, we’re going to be investigating a very important subject: Education! Is it really for everyone in France? Come with me today, as we investigate rumors that certain ethnic minorities are being denied access to school, even if they speak French! So come along on this journey with me, as we attempt to bring the truth to light!” 

“Charlotte, you’re not going to make Furina watch that entire expose, are you?” Yennifer said from behind them. “You haven’t even introduced yourself properly yet, or eaten dinner.”

“Oh, right!” Charlotte said, spinning around in her chair and grinning up at Furina. “I’m Crystalline Truth, though you can call me Charlotte Lustria! It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Furina.”

“Ah, likewise,” Furina said, giving the girl a nervous grin. “I am Furina de Fontaine, and I-”

“Did you say de Fontaine, or de la Fontaine?” Charlotte interrupted. 

“Er, de Fontaine,” Furina said. “I’m from Fontaine, and it's where my family name comes from.” Not that Furina had a family. Or at least, she couldn’t remember one. The first and really only thing she remembered was being given her task by the true Archon, Focalors, then left to fend for herself for 500 years alone on the stage of heaven. 

Except, that was over now. Though she still didn’t have a family. 

“Really? Where is Fontaine?” Charlotte asked eagerly. 

“Er, your sister said it might be near the Loire Valley, in Aquitaine,” Furina said, feeling a bit frazzled. This really was like getting interviewed by Charlotte, though this girl was a lot clumsier than the woman she knew. Actually, she was exactly like her Charlotte had been when she was but a girl. Was it six years? Or eight? It was so hard to keep track after so many long centuries, and so many faces had passed through her memory. 

“Interesting! So, what brings you to Paris? You’re a cape, right? A parahuman, like Yen?” Charlotte said, pointing to her right eye. 

Furina fingered her own eye and grimaced. “...no. I’ve no special powers. This is just a birthmark. People have always assumed I had some mystical abilities, but, alas, the only magic I know is of the theatrical variety.”

“Really? Are you sure?” Charlotte said, narrowing her eyes at Furina as she stood up to peer more deeply into Furina’s pupils. 

“Yes. Quite sure,” Furina sighed, her shoulders sagging. “I’d have noticed if I had even a modicum of power. I won’t lie and say I’ve never bluffed that I had some abilities, but the reality is I’m simply a completely ordinary human.”

“Then why’d Yen take you in?” Charlotte said, frowning over Furina’s shoulder. “She usually focuses on helping capes.”

“Let’s just say Lord Barbados touched my heart to show kindness to a wayward soul,” Yennifer said, putting a hand over her heart. “I wouldn’t be much of a Knight of Favonius if I ignored a young lady in need, now would I?”

Furina blinked in surprise at that. Come to think of it, hadn’t Yennifer mentioned she was a knight before? “You’re a Mondstadter, then? I thought you were French,” Furina said, feeling very lost and confused. 

The expression on Yennifer’s face was unusual. She started at first, then her face went completely neutral and blank. Oh no. What had Furina said?! 

“She’s half French,” Charlotte said, slipping around Furina to hug her sister. They did look an awful lot alike, especially in the face. Their eyes and hair were slightly different shades, but their similar features and builds made it easy to believe they were sisters. Even if Yennifer did have antlers hanging down past her ears. “Her mother was German, mine was French. We had the same father though.”

“My mother is German to this day, Barbados bless her heart,” Yennifer said wryly, putting an arm around Charlotte’s shoulder. Then her expression saddened. “Our father passed away at the start of the year, while I was off fighting in the War near Riga. Heart attack. Charlotte’s mother, she died in a cape battle five years ago. She was a civilian, just collateral damage. My mother is still alive and living in Munich, though we don’t talk much.”

“But as far as I’m concerned, we’re full sisters!” Charlotte declared, kissing Yennifer on the cheek. “I’m still only 14, though my birthday’s next month. And, um, well…I did somehow get a Cryo Vision, sooooo…she sort of kept me out of jail.”

What did having a Cryo Vision have anything to do with locking someone up? Just because Duke Wriothesley had one didn’t mean anyone with a Cryo Vision was sent to the Fortress of Meropede. 

“As I’ve said in court, just because your ambitions align with the Ice Bitch’s doesn’t mean you’re automatically an evil monster like she is,” Yennifer said, rubbing the top of Charlotte’s head and making her squawk in protest. “Even if you’re a little gremlin. Go on, go eat your dinner, Ling made it special for you.”

“‘Kay! Thanks Yen! I’ll show you more of my channel later, Furina!” Charlotte called, dashing back into the hall.

Yennifer jerked her head towards the door, and Furina followed her. Yennifer led her into another bedroom that was far neater, though rather cluttered. The cramped writing desk in the corner had another glass box, though a sleeker looking one, on it, along with stacks of folders and papers. The bed was neatly made, and there was a Favonius Sword hung on the wall that caught Furina’s eye. 

“You really are a Knight of Favonius,” Furina said, reaching out a hand to the sword. To her shock, she felt something, energy, pulse within it. She snatched her hand away, eyes wide. That had never happened before, and she’d handled Favonian blades more than once. 

“Close the door,” Yennifer said quietly, and Furina complied, feeling suddenly terribly nervous. She took off her hat, clutching it to her chest, and giving Yennifer a nervous smile. 

“Sit down,” Yennifer said, gesturing to the bed, and Furina complied, with Yennifer taking the chair at the desk. There wasn’t much space, the bed and desk took up nearly all of it, and Furina began to sweat. This had the tone of a serious discussion. 

“Who are you?” Yennifer said quietly, her eyes locked on Furina’s. 

She swallowed. “I…I told you. I’m Furina de Fontaine, an actress from-”

“No,” Yennifer said softly, and shook her head. She nodded at Furina’s clothes. “Those are too nice. They’re not the clothes of a bumpkin. They don’t look like anything I’ve ever seen before, but they’re obviously custom-tailored and of immaculate quality. And that hat…it looks like a crown.”

Furina gulped. She’d known that hat was too ostentatious from the moment she saw it. “It’s…a costume…”

“Don’t lie to me,” Yennefer growled, and her antlers popped and smoked for a moment, making Furina cry out in shock and scramble back to the edge of the bed. 

“Putain de merde !” Yennifer growled, and yanked the antlers off to Furina’s shock and horror. Then she tossed them in a sturdy metal box by the wall, and slammed the lid shut. A moment later, there was a muffled thump, and the box rattled. “Sorry. Not you. Stupid useless powers. Anyway.” Her eyes locked to Furina again. “Don’t lie to me. Not with my little sister here. If you lie to me, I’ll kick you out onto the streets and not give it a second thought. Now. Who. Are. You.”

It was too much, Furina slumped forward, head in her hands, and began to sob. “I-I d-don’t know!” she wailed. “I-I don’t know w-where I am, o-or who a-any of these people are, o-or what a-a bus is, o-or those m-magic glass boxes are! A-and especially n-not what a D-Dailymotion is!” 

The stress and fear that had built up for centuries, especially over the past few days, began to pour itself out in Furina’s tears. Outside, it began to rain. Not a drizzle, but a heavy downpour, as if the heavens themselves wept alongside Furina. 

Hydro Dragon, Hydro Dragon, don’t cry. That children’s rhyme came to Furina’s mind. Did you cry for me, Monsieur Neuvillette, at the very end? 

There was a rustling of sheets, and Furina flinched away, only to feel warm arms wrap themselves about her. “Shhhh. It’s OK. It’s alright. Let it all out.”

Yennifer drew Furina to her, and despite herself, Furina found herself weeping into this stranger’s bosom. She hadn’t done this since…well, never. She’d had times when she went off and hid and had a good cry, of course. Especially in that first century. But never when another could see her. She could never, ever break character. Her performance had to be masterful. Had been masterful. But it was over now. She could finally drop the mask. 

Nobody would die if she cried, if the mask broke, and… she was free. Right?

Only, after all this time…was it even a mask, anymore? What was behind the facade? Who was she? She didn’t know. Couldn’t know. Had never had the chance to find out. 

After long minutes, Furina finally came to a sniveling, shivering stop. Yennifer had gone through an entire box of paper tissues and helped Furina into the bathroom, there was only one in the small apartment, to help her clean up.

“Take a bath. You’ll feel much better,” Yennifer said, turning the faucet in the tub on. “Or a shower, if you prefer. Do you know how to work it?”

Furina peered at the thing and nodded. “Yes, this one for hot, and the other for cold?” They had such things at the Palais Mermonia, though usually, a servant drew her baths for her. 

“Yes. You’re about my size, so I’ll give you some of my sweats to wear. I’m afraid I don’t have any new underwear, so you’ll have to go without. Is it your time of the month?”

Furina blinked at her. Her time of the…? Oh! 

“Ah, no, it is not,” Furina said, blushing. She’d never had a time of the month. Part of her Curse. She was suspended in time, and thus, did not have a monthly cycle as mortal women did. Only…did she, now? That was an odd thought. Not a disconcerting one, just odd. She wouldn’t mind being just an ordinary human, prone to the same troubles and pains that all others were. 

“Well, there’s the pads. Lotte and I don’t have heavy periods, but if you need something more we’ll figure it out. For now, take a bath, and if you need it, have another cry,” Yennifer said. Her gaze drifted off to focus on nothing, and pain flashed across her face. “Lord Barbados knows I’ve had more than one since Riga…”

“That…war, you mentioned?” Furina said, feeling like a fool.

Yennifer nodded tightly, and gave Furina a sad smile. “You really don’t know anything, do you? Amnesia?” 

Furina opened her mouth, then closed it. “I…perhaps? I can remember things,” about 500 years of things, Furina had a near flawless memory that was both a gift and curse, “but I don’t know this place at all, or how I got here. There’s a…gap. In my memories. I think I nearly drowned, but…” She shrugged helplessly.

“Hmmm. I’ve heard of this before.  You’re probably from another world. Teyvat, unless I very much miss my guess,” Yennifer said, then nodded at Furina’s stunned expression. “Yes, I take it my guess was correct.”

“Ah, yes. Fontaine is in Teyvat,” Furina admitted, biting her lip. “Do you know…how to get there?” She wasn’t certain she wanted to get back, honestly. But, well, she at least wanted to know her options. 

“No. This is Earth Bet. Not even the Raiden Shogun, Lesser Lord Kusinali, or Lord Barbados know how to find Teyvat,” Yennifer said with a shake of her head. 

Furina started. The Archons? Yennifer had mentioned an Ice Bitch. The Tsaritsa? If the Seven were here…

“Do you know if Egeria is here? Or Focalors?!” Furina asked desperately, hoping for some connection. Yennifer’s brow furrowed slightly, so she hastily added, “The Hydro Archon! Where are they?”

“Honestly, Furina,” Yennifer hesitated, then barked out a laugh. “...I was going to ask if YOU were the Hydro Archon.”

Furina blinked several times. Then she sat down on the toilet, the lid was closed, clutched her belly, and laughed as hard as she could, until tears streamed down her face. She felt so, so much better now. Even now, after everything…people still assumed she was the Hydro Archon! Truly, her life was a tragedy with a healthy dose of Black Comedy.

“N-no, Yennefer,” Furina gasped, wiping away her tears. She shook her head emphatically. “No. I can say with absolute certainty that I, Furina de Fontaine…was NOT the Hydro Archon of Teyvat. That was Focalores, and Elgeria before her. Like I said: I’m just a perfectly ordinary human. Albeit, one with an unfortunate birthmark.” She touched her eye and grinned at Yennefer. 

“I…believe you,” Yennefer said slowly. She shook her head. “I was so certain…that song…just like when Venti sings.”

“Who?” Furina asked, tilting her head to one side.

“Lord Barbados. He goes by Venti Luft when he’s…mingling? Well, when he’s not being the Archon.”

Not being the Archon? That made no sense to Furina. Then again, there were plenty of stories of Barbatos and Morax both going out amongst their people in disguise. Furina had done it a time or two herself, though that hardly counted. 

“Well, anyway, your bath is ready. Take a long soak,” Yennifer said. “We'll talk later. I’ll leave clothes just outside the door.”

With that, she left, and closed the bathroom door behind her. Furina regarded the water for a moment, then giggled. A bath did sound good at the moment. 

Stripping off her clothes, it was an absolute pain to do so without a servant to help her, Archons curse the fashion industry, Furina sank down into the tub. She lay back, closing her eyes and letting the waters take away some of her sorrows and worries. 

“At last…I’m truly not the Hydro Archon,” Furina murmured to herself.

For a time. I do not know how long I can give you, my beloved Furina. But for your struggles, you have earned a respite. I will keep this burden from you for a time. But only for a time. One day, the stage will ask for your role once more. When that time comes, whatever you so choose to do, know that I still love you.

“Eh?” Furina sat up, reflexively covering herself and looking around. “Yennefer?” No answer. “Charlotte?” Silence. 

She looked around for a moment longer. That voice…it was eerily familiar. She had heard it before, but not for so long…no. Surely not. It couldn’t have been Focalors. She’s only spoken to Furina once, right at the beginning. But Furina had never forgotten that voice.

“I’m imagining things,” Furina said, laying back in the bath and closing her eyes. “It’s the stress. I’m finally breaking at last. Maybe I’ve gone totally insane, and I’m being locked up right now by the Garde.”

She didn’t think so though, but Furina let herself relax in the warm waters. Time enough for more troubles later. For now…she would just…be. 

Yennefer sat on her bed, phone in hand, tapping away. 

Hey, Cookie. You got time to chat? I’ve got a situation.

She put the phone down and busied herself with finding an old pair of sweats for Furina. They were close to the same height and of a similar petite build, so it wasn’t too hard. She heard her phone buzz and hastily picked it back up. 

Make it quick. War’s still on, even if the fighting’s died down, and there’s a major situation brewing.

Hastily, Yennifer typed her reply.  I found someone. Here’s the pic. Tell me what you think. 

She sent an image of Furina while she had been singing. It was grainy and compressed to fit on the phone’s tiny screen, but it was zoomed in on Furina’s face. 

This time, there was almost zero delay. The phone rang. 

“Holy fuck, Yen! Did you find her?” Cookie’s breathless voice gasped. 

“Let me guess. The Hydro Archon just showed up?” Yennifer asked, folding her arms over her chest to hug herself tightly. 

“Fucking yes! Not two hours ago, Sara Tengan popped out of a portal, and then like five minutes after that, the Dendro Dragon appeared out of a dream, then the goddamn Sim-uh, the Tone Deaf Bards flew in and told me what was up! Shit, Yen, France is on the shortlist! Where are you right now?!”

Sim? The Simurgh? No. That was silly. It had only been ten weeks since Mecca. “Well…I’m not sure. She swears she isn’t the Archon.”

“And Itul swears it wasn’t him who drank my last beer but I damn well know it was that big idiot. Gods damn it, Yen, who is she?!”

Yennifer took a deep breath. “...a scared, lost woman. But she is from Teyvat.”

“YES!” Yennifer could just see Cookie dancing in a little circle and pumping her fist. “Alright, here’s what we’re gonna do. I sent a contingent of knights, tell the Shogun and Nahida and we-”

“Katherine!” Yennifer barked. 

The line went silent. After a moment, Cookie said, “Ok. I’m listening.”

“I honestly don’t know who she is. Or what. But she swears up and down she isn’t the Archon. Merde, Cookie, she asked after someone called Elgeria and another called Focalors!” 

“Focalors is the Archon that we’re looking for,” Cookie confirmed. “Or Elgeria, actually, she was mentioned as the previous Hydro Archon. Although…”

“Although…?” Yennifer prompted. 

“Well, thing is, they said something about the constellation not being right for them,” Cookie admitted. “Fuck, I don’t know how much I should say, this line isn’t exactly secure.” 

“It’s fine, it’s the phone Amber gave me,” Yennifer said. “Secure Knight comms and all that.”

“Yeah, well, you’re in France, and Amber’s compromised,” Cookie sighed. “OK. You’re the woman on the ground. What’s your call, Yen?” 

“We monitor, and wait. And, well, offer to help her as much as we can,” Yennifer said, biting her lip and getting up to peer down the hall. Charlotte’s door was closed and the light was on, so she was probably editing a video or something. She crept down the hall and put the sweats by the bathroom door, but there was no sound from inside, so Furina was probably still just soaking. 

“Right, ok. And do you or do  you not have an Archon?” Cookie demanded bluntly. 

“I don’t…think so? Although…when she sang…Cookie, it was like when Venti sings. No, when Barbados sings. And when she cried, it rained. But…honestly, if she was doing anything, I don’t think it was intentional. She swears up and down she has no special powers, and honest to Barbados, Cookie, I believe her.” 

“Right. A woman from Teyvat appears in Paris, the place I was specifically told to look, at exactly the same time the Hydro Archon arrives, and you expect me to believe she’s just some random Jane Doe?” 

“Have any Hydro Visions begun to appear?” Yennifer asked, tiptoeing back to her room. 

“We’re looking into it. So far, no dice, but you know how it is. They’re awarded randomly and not very frequently. The most on record was like, a couple dozen on the whole planet in a 24 hour period, and that was a major outlier, probably because it was when Nahida was doing her whole ‘defeat an Endbringer and overthrow the dictator’ thing.”

“I see.” Yennifer stood and went to the window, pulling the curtain aside and looking out at the streets below. The rain had stopped, and the pavement shone black in the street lights. “Look, I’ll keep an eye on her. She calls herself Furina de Fontaine, and honestly, she sounds French, but like my aged grandmother. Or someone from the back end of beyond. At least when she’s not focusing.”

“I thought Venti was just a Bavarian Bohemian when I first met him, and he just made a whole damn mountain range and kicked the Fatui back to Moscow. So looks can be deceiving,” Cookie warned. 

Yennifer sighed and turned away. “True enough. But I’m going to need some help here, so as not to draw suspicion.”

“If it’s money I can increase your stipend, but not much. Funds are tight,” Cookie said with a heavy sigh. 

“That would help, but I was thinking of more official documents. Do you have someone who could…manufacture…a legal identity for my guest?” 

“Oh, that? Sure, easy. If she’s from the back end of beyond, a forged birth certificate and government-issued ID won’t be hard, and I can just ask Tessa to put her in the computers. All I need is a good-quality photo and her approximate age and build.” 

“She’s about 165 cm and 50 kilos. Light blue hair, blue mismatched eyes. Though I can probably get her to dye her hair blonde,” Yennifer said. “Could you get her contacts? To hide the pupils” 

“No problem at all, though sunglasses would do the trick too. Probably whip up some Tinkertech glasses that solve the problem easier than contacts. We’ll do both,” Cookie confirmed. “I’ll send it via courier tomorrow, you’ll have it by noon.”

“That quick?” Yennifer said with a smile. “All for your ex?” 

Cookie snorted. “I’m not doing it just for you, or because we dated. This is big, Yen. I’ll keep my eyes open, but I think you found the Hydro Archon. You alright if I inform our allies?” 

That took some thinking. Yennifer sat down on her bed and massaged her temple for a moment, then sighed and nodded. “Yes. Venti’s still out of action, so tell the Bards, the Shogun, and definitely Nahida. We’ll have to keep this from the Ruskies, and the Americans. I don’t like the noises that the Protectorate has been making lately. And some of them, especially Eidolon, scare me.”

“You’re not the only one. You weren’t there when Alexandria tried to murder the Russian Princess. I mean, I get it, but damn. The Yanks are playing hard ball and they’re not taking having competition for being the only international big dog anymore well.”

“And how does it feel to be one of the international big dogs yourself, Cookie?” 

There was silence for a moment. Then a dry chuckle. “You know, I feel more like the big dog's minder than an actual heavyweight. Especially with my pooch taking a damn nap. I never really wanted this, Yen. And, well…I miss you. Us, I guess.”

“I thought you decided you were straight?” Yennifer said, and she couldn’t keep the bitterness out of her voice. 

“Fuck, I don’t know. It’s just lonely sometimes. Yeah, I fucked a few dudes, and it was alright, but, well…sorry. Again. What I did wasn’t right.” 

“We were both young and dumb and figuring outselves out,” Yennifer sighed. She was forcing herself to be kind here. It had been years, and Venti had made it clear to her she’d never heal if she didn’t forgive. Even if finding out her girlfriend had slept with two guys while they were dating had been the worst day of her life. At least it hadn’t been Itul. “You’re not the first or the last girl to experiment in college.”

“Yeah, I just wish it hadn’t hurt you so bad. Fuck, I still blame myself for you triggering.”

“Well, we did team up for a bit, even if that turned into another disaster,” Yennifer sighed. That had probably been the second dumbest thing she’d ever done. “And it wasn’t just you. Though I will blame you for these useless ass powers. Putain. Would that I could have gotten a Vision, at least those are useful!” 

“They do come in handy, and without the psychic alien brain parasite,” Cookie said wryly. “Alright. I’ve got a lot to get done and so do you. But we’ll keep in touch. I’ll probably find an excuse to come visit. Shouldn’t be hard, there’s serious talks of actually forming a European Union now. More than just economic ties. Something to replace NATO and stand against the threat the Tsaritsa represents. She’s asleep now, but…”

“But the bear will wake up. And when she does, she’ll be pissed as hell,” Yennifer said grimly. “So you need me to make sure we have a back up Archon if that does happen.”

“Would be nice,” Cookie agreed. “Though I really hope we don’t have a second Tsaritsa on our hands.”

“That…doesn’t seem likely,” Yennifer said, thinking of how Furina wept on her chest and looking lost and confused. The Tsaritsa had announced herself by trying to freeze the world and battling Scion for dominance. Furina had announced herself by singing a song in a small Chinese diner. Rather a different scale. 

“Let’s hope not. Because the impression I get is that killing an Archon is a Bad Idea on the order of a world-ending catastrophe. At least from the hints Tessa dropped. So that’s off the table. Get some rest, Yen. I’ll take care of things.”

“Thank you,” Yennifer said. “Take care.”

“You too.” 

The line went dead, and Yennifer slumped back on her bed, arm over her face. What had she gotten herself into? Did she have an Archon on her hands? Or did she just have a poor lost girl?

It would be some time before she realized that it could be both. 

After nearly an hour in the bath, Furina exited and toweled herself off. She wrapped her hair and found the clothing. The top and bottom were of a bulky, shapeless, and comfortable fabric that wasn’t quite like anything she’d ever worn before. A look inside revealed a tag that said they were made of cotton, which Furina was familiar with, and something called ‘polyester.’ Whatever it was, it was rather cozy, if not terribly flattering. Not Furina was concerned about how she looked at this particular moment in time. 

“Hey,” a sleepy voice said, and Furina turned to see a yawning Charlotte silhouetted in the doorway of her room, light spilling around her in the darkened hallway. “You spending the night?” 

“Um…yes?” Furina ventured. She wasn’t entirely sure about that. Not that she had anywhere else to go, just that right now Furina wasn’t sure about anything at all. 

“Good, been too long since Yen had a girlfriend. Figured that’s what it was. She still thinks I don’t know she’s gay. Night.”

With that, Furina blinked several times as Charlotte closed the door and the light in her room flicked off. Wait. Girlfriend!? That wasn’t- Furina had never- she wasn’t even- Wait. Was she?

Romance was not something Furina had ever given herself any time whatsoever to explore. There had been moments where she’d felt a passing attraction to someone, but she’d slammed the door shut on those feelings hard from day one. The Archon did not take lovers. The god of Fontaine could not be involved in romantic scandals. That was not what the people wanted, and it would be nothing but a distraction.

Besides, after the first few decades, Furina had quickly realized that any potential romance would be horribly torpedoed by the fact that she was Cursed with eternal youth, and those around her were not. Only Neuvillette and the melusines were her constant companions and one of the few things that kept Furina’s sanity from tearing away completely as she lost those dear to her by the inexorable grinding of the ages. 

“Furina?”

She spun, red-faced, to see Yennifer dressed in similar garb to herself: bulky sweat pants, though hers were a deep maroon. 

“Feeling better?” Yennifer asked quietly, stepping forward to examine her. 

“Um, er…yes,” Furina admitted. “T-thank you. I know my story sounds unbelievable, but-”

“Believe it or not, I’ve met at least two other people from other worlds, and heard of more. It’s not as rare as you might think,” Yennifer said with a chuckle.

“Yes, I knew a pair of Travelers from another world as well,” Furina said softly, thinking of Aether and Lumine. “They wanted desperately to find a way home. For myself…I don’t know. I’m so exhausted.”

“Well, come to bed. We’ll have to share, but it’s a queen so it’s big enough for the both of us,” Yennifer yawned, covering her mouth with her hand. “It’s not that late, but I’m exhausted myself. I’m sure you could do with some rest.”

“Ah, yes,” Furina agreed, her mind racing. “Um, Charlotte seems to think we’re uh…involved.”

Yennifer stared at Furina sleepily for a moment, then it was her turn to flush bright red. She covered her face with her hands. “Oh God. Um, well, that wasn’t a conversation I wanted to have with my little sister any time soon…I, am, um, that is…”

They both stood in the hallway awkwardly for a moment, until Yennifer lowered her hands and gave Furina a nervous smile. “Look, it’s not like that. You are quite beautiful, but, um, I’m not really looking for a girlfriend at the moment, and I assume you aren’t either.”

“No,” Furina said, feeling both a vast sense of relief and a twinge of disappointment. Maybe exploring a romance wouldn’t be so bad? But she really wasn’t ready for anything like that. Nor did she know if she would ever be.

It is not forbidden for the gods to take lovers, but it is rare. There were rumors that Beezelbul was involved with one of her retainers, a kitsune. I suspect they were true. But for myself, I never took a lover. You may choose your own path, Furina. But know that to love a mortal too dearly is to know pain. That is something you are already well acquainted with. 

Furina jumped and looked around, but Yennifer had turned her back and headed into her bedroom. There was that voice again. But it couldn’t be Focalors, could it? Furina didn’t know what all had happened, but something told her that Focalors hadn’t survived the prophecy either. Or, well, Furina obviously had, but she certainly wasn’t in Fontaine any longer either. Perhaps that was for the best. 

Nervously, Furina crept into Yennifer’s bedroom. The other woman was getting out an extra set of pillows from a closet, and tossing them on the bed. “We’ll sort out things in the morning more. I’m going to take a quick shower and brush my teeth. Don’t wait up.”

As Yennifer passed, Furina reached a hand out, grabbing the other woman’s sleeve. “Um…thank you…for helping me. I…I don’t have much…or anything, really…so thank you. I know you did this just out of the kindness of your heart, to take a stranger in…”

Yennifer smiled wearily, putting a hand on Furina’s shoulder. “I know what it’s like to be lost and alone in the world. Get some rest. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“Ok,” Furina agreed. She lay down, hearing the sound of running water. The bed was soft and comfortable, and rather cozy. Furina tried to wait for Yennifer to return, but she soon drifted off to sleep. 

What felt like a moment later, Furina opened her eyes. She was standing upon a crystal clear lake at night, an endless sea of stars above her. 

Where am I? What’s happening?

She turned about, and found a woman in a white dress seated upon an alabaster throne, a sword across her lap, a white strip of cloth over her eyes.

Focalors! Furina cried, but her lips made no sound. When she looked down at her hands, she found that she was as translucent as the waters. 

What is this? A dream? 

Furina looked up, and beheld a shape rising from the depths.  It formed into a woman made of water, holding forth a small sphere in her hand. Suddenly, the hydro woman took the sphere and threw it away from herself, and struck a confident pose “No more will I be the puppet of a dead god! I will forge my own path! The stars shall be my guide, and I will forever lead mankind to a new future!” 

The woman spun about, and a new shape formed, identical to the first in some ways, but unlike the other, this one clutched at her head and wept piteously, drops of water detaching from her face and falling to the ground. “Gods help me, what am I going to do!? The path was false, the path was wrong! I’ve led them all astray! Please, can’t I just return to my own time?! I don’t understand any of this! How can I cast aside my path, when I am just a stupid girl!? And yet…I must…”

The Hydro Archon lifted her sword from her lap, tapping the blade on the shoulders of the two women, who merged into one form, hands uplifted to the heavens. 

Lost and alone, you dance upon the stage of the world, refusing to let Fate’s strings bind you.

Your Ambition is for Salvation, and your dream of the past only you remember; yet your eyes look forward. 

Though Heaven smites you, you will not bow your head: You meet your doom with laughter.

Let your Vision Guide you, Daughter of Prophecy 

A glowing star fell from the heavens, falling into the watery woman’s hands. For a brief moment, she solidified into a young, dark-haired woman with olive skin, dressed in men’s clothing. Then she vanished, replaced by flickering stars, that together formed the shape of an eight set in glass. Then, the stars returned to the heavens.

You’re granting Visions?! Furina gasped. She had never seen this before, but knew what it had to be. The Archon was recognizing mortal ambition, granting them a Vision. Then, the new Allogen took their place amongst the heavens as a new constellation, a beacon for mortals to find a way forward, even against fate. Oh, Focalors, I can’t believe it! How could anyone have ever thought someone like me was an Archon like you?

The seated Archon lowered her sword, pointing to a stone set at the base of her throne. Furina leaned forward to examine it. There, she read,

Furina de Fontaine. God of Justice. Hydro Archon.

Shocked, Furina looked up, just in time to see the other woman raise her blindfold. She grinned at Furina, who stepped back in shock. 

It was herself seated on that throne.

What is this?! I don’t understand! I’m not the Hydro Archon! Furina tried to wail, but her voice was silent as before. 

This is a vision of what has not yet come to pass. Time is a river, and the God of Waters is its boatwoman. See, Furina. See, my daughter. See what may become. What must become. 

Furina spun about, and found Focalors, dressed in the same gown she had worn when they had met, standing before her. I don’t understand! What is happening?! Your daughter?! What do you even mean!? 

Focalors reached out, touching Furina’s insubstantial cheek. I do not know what questions you will ask. Not even my Hydromancy is that strong. But know this, Furina. I am proud of you. Though I may be gone, I will forever be with you, for we are one.

I…I don’t…what are you trying to tell me!?  Furina pleaded. 

Focalors leaned in and kissed Furina’s forehead. Rest. This future has not yet come to pass. For now, sleep. I love you, my beloved daughter.

The vision faded, and Furina was wrapped in the warm embrace of a restful, dreamless sleep. 

PHILO: Furina deserves all the hugs. All of them.