ah, si je pouvais vivre dans l'eau

[majeste]

WHO: Furina & You!
WHERE: Labyrinth / Libra App.
WHEN: Eve of November 20th.
WHAT: The Spirit Realm spits out another person for wet France.
WARNINGS: None at the moment, will update if needed.

LABYRINTH.

[ it had been raining when furina finally placed her head on her pillow. not heavy, mind you, but just enough to make it difficult for her to fall asleep. to allow herself to relax into her bed, to put thoughts of waters rising from her head. truly she had no idea how long she had laid there, anxiety crawling through her limbs, but eventually - eventually - she drifted off to sleep.

a mistake, the most dreadful of mistakes, as the sound of rain seeps into her dreams.

she wakes with a start, a yell caught in her throat, jumping as mismatched eyes scan the room and quickly realize this isn't her apartment. no, no, no, this is her former room in the palais mermonia. panic claws its way up her throat, her mind racing as her feet move independently from the rest of her body.

why? why did she wake up in the palais? why is it so quiet? why isn't there anyone in the halls? her footsteps, slow at first, echo off the walls as she walks through the empty halls. water drips from the ceiling, seeps from the carpets underfoot, and furina's footsteps get faster, more frantic. ]

No, no, no!! It's ─ It can't be! It can't! [ she all but sprints through the palais mermonia, pushing open the large heavy doors and stumbles outside where she suddenly stops. fontaine isn't underwater, it looks as it did right after the waters receded. but where there were people she sees only trinkets; a badge here, a hairpin there, a teddy bear, a camera, and so on. as far as she can see there are only objects of life, of the people who had once been there.

furina walks towards the teddy bear and reaches down, fingers curling around the soggy form, and stands up straight holding the bear to her chest. ] This... this is a joke, right? Just a bad dream brought on by the rain. I'll... I'll wake up any minute now!! Yes, exactly, this is nothing but a bad dream. Wake up, Furina, wake up...

[ as her voice trails off she falls to her knees, shoulders shaking with uncontrollable sobs. ]

─

[ or maybe you've stumbled upon furina after she's found her way out of the labyrinth; which has decided the best place to deposit her is right next to a lake. thankfully she wasn't thrown directly into the lake, but it's close enough to have her scrambling away from it with a panicked yelp ─ utterly unaware of the phone beside her feet. ]

W─what was that?!

► APP, un: regina.

[ it is much later, and with some coaching from wriothesley, that furina even dares to investigate the app. which results in the video feed flicking on with an upside down shot of furina herself, she tilts her head, mismatched eyes widening with sheer delight. ]

─Oh!! Hehe, it is like a Kamera! But it's so much smaller! Wonderful! [ she claps excitedly, looking off screen at another before turning her attention towards the phone once again. she should introduce herself, right? the book did mention that others can see and communicate with her through this, didn't it? well, now that she has gotten it working it would be rude not to introduce herself.

she shifts slightly and clears her throat, putting on her best smile. ]

Hello, people of Kaisou! Stand up and rejoice, for Fontaine's most beloved star, Furina, has graced your lovely city with her presence! [ a laugh and her expression drops slightly, her voice taking on a more somber tone. ] Although I am still uncertain as to how exactly I ended up here, or for what reason I was brought, it is... a welcomed change of scenery.

So, um, one might need to get a proper lay of the land if I am to be here for some time. [ something in the back of her mind feels as though she might just be. ] Thus I implore you, my good fellows, to help me do just that!

[ she'd love some cake right about now. ]

Comments

Labyrinth

[infezione]

[Fugo can't really place just why he wandered in here-- well, okay, that's not entirely true. When he noted a tear, he couldn't just... pass it by without paying it any mind at all.

Honestly, fire-aligned as he is, calling him uncomfortable in a place like this is more than just a bit of an understatement. But as unsettled as he is, he can't just bring himself to walk out.

... And then Fugo gets deep enough to hear the sobs. Discomfort be damned, if someone's in here-- He takes off at a run, with his Maschiff at his heels. He skids to a stop when he spots Furina, then takes a couple of cautious steps closer. The canine Pokemon accompanying him looks just as concerned.]

... Excuse me...

[majeste]

[ 'excuse me'.

what? but there shouldn't be anyone here, should there? this dream, this terrible nightmare, should have dissolved everyone the water came in contact with, and yet the voice was unmistakable. fearfully she lifts her head towards the voice, hot tears staining her cheeks, mouth agape. ]

─ How? [ the bear falls with a soft thud, hands raising to furiously rub the tears from her eyes. ] How did the waters not claim you?

1/5

[godmaker]

[he wasn't sulking. sulking was beneath him. he was convalescing, if anyone asked. his still-healing injuries had translated into his otter form: a broken arm, a stitched-up cut on his cheek, some singed fur. vaguely he knew he shouldn't be taking a dip in lake water but how else is he going to get his daily depression bath in.]

2/5

[godmaker]

[he hears her voice first, distorted through water.]

3/5

[godmaker]

[
















what the actual fuck, kaisou.]

4/5

[godmaker]

[it's a good thing nobody except that one school of really petty walleye would pay attention or recognize an otter having a mental breakdown ten feet underwater right?]

done... ouuugh

[godmaker]

[maybe he's hallucinating????????????????????????????????

so yeah he peeks out of the water, several feet away, holding his emotional support clam shell. she looks so real.]

Labyrinth!!!

[poisontippedcure]

[If there’s one thing Rose doesn’t feel nervous around, it’s water. It’s been years since she was blessed by the kojin—-and when the thought of drowning disappears, so does the fear.]

[But that doesn’t make the scene any less eerie. She may not be afraid, but she is uncomfortable. Something about all this reminds her of the run-ins she almost had with Black Rose. Before she can do anything, though, she spots the lone figure in the labyrinth.]

[Older sister mode is instantly activated. She rushes over, placing a hand on Futuna’s back. She’s never sure what to say in situations like this, but she says something, because saying nothing feels wrong.]

It’s okay. This is all a cruel joke. I don’t know what you’re afraid of but this—-this isn’t real.

[majeste]

[ the hand on her back that snaps her from her sobs, her head snapping up immediately toward the person that joined her. how did she survive? how did the waters not claim her like it had everyone else? how terrible that her nightmare would give her such a fragile thread of hope. ]

What? [ her cheeks are stained with tears. ] I'm dreaming, aren't I? A terrible dream I can't escape...

UN: JOJO | Video

[standless]

Well hello there!

[Furina is met with a lovely little bat- who strangely enough, is not upside down, as bats ought be,]

Indeed, you are operating a video camera at the moment! It's a marvelous device as you've seen, recording very motion rather than mere images!

You're not alone in such ponderings however, as quite truthfully a great many of us have simply found us here for no true reason. It's quite thrilling! And such marvels to behold!

Though I do fear I shan't be a very useful guide for that particular reason, as I've only been here so long...oh, and where are my manners-

[The bat clears his throat before trailing off too far on a tangent.]

A pleasure to meet you miss! I am Jonathan Joestar, it's good to meet you!

[majeste]

[ unfortunately she isn't exactly aware that the feed is upside down, regardless she appears even more delighted to see the little bat appear before her. ]

A video camera? Fascinating!

Please, you needn't be so formal. Furina will do just fine. That being said, it is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance as well, Jonathan Joestar. [ although... there is one burning question. ]

I must ask, were you always such a small creature?

labyrinth;

[lapislazily]

[He really is in no shape to be traipsing around inside of rifts and he knows that, but upon stepping into this empty version of a city with the tide having gone out, he feels so... somber. There must be someone here. He walks cautiously, carefully, stepping around the broken picture frames and waterlogged furniture of someone else's memories.]

Is anyone there?

[Then he hears it, before he sees it—a girl sobbing. He comes upon a terrible scene, grief despite the lack of bodies, this poor girl clutching some soggy toy. It reminds him of something... Could this be Fontaine? He hardly recognized it, and yet.

The Hydro Archon crying alone on her throne. Even he knew of the prophecy in his past life.]

Excuse me. Are you hurt?

[majeste]

[ the prophecy did not come to pass, she knows this. the waters did rise but the people of fontaine did not dissolve as it said, the hydro archon was not left alone crying on her throne, the hydro archon is no more. even so, this dream feels so real, so true that it brings her memories into question...

what if she had only dreamt the prophecy failed, what if the waters rose and everyone dissolved, what it ─

'excuse me. are you hurt?'

her head rises, eyes red from crying, cheeks stained with her tears. she doesn't recognize him, he does not look like he is from fontaine. ]

No, I'm ─ I'm unharmed... but everyone else...

Video | UN: makeitaventi

[venti_late]

[Furina, she says? That brings a memory to his mind. A girl trying so hard for her people and nearly breaking. A girl who really needs a break to find herself again. While Furina is here, Venti will have to pick up where he left off in his past life. Besides, she's a fellow performer! It's only right to help her get her footing on a strange new stage!

That being said, maaaaybe it'll be good to meet up in person. If she recognizes him. His memories are unfortunately lacking.]

And what a magnificent debut! Welcome to Kaisou, Furina!

[He bows to the camera.]

My name is Venti! I'm a bard, musician, and VTuber, and I would be more than delighted to give you a tour of the city, if not point out some of the major hot spots. If you would like, I'd be happy to meet you where you are now!

[majeste]

[ while she knows the other archons by name, she cannot admit to knowing them by face. after all, when has focalors, the hydro archon, ever left fontaine in the past five hundred years? she has no memory of the other archons visiting fontaine in that time either, why they would know her predecessor certainly, but furina herself? she had not yet thought to travel the rest of teyvat and visit the other nations now that she is free.

regardless her demeanor seems to perk back up again at venti's own introduction, hands clapping in delight. ]

I cannot claim to know what a VTuber is, but how wonderful it is to meet a fellow performer. I would love a tour, it won't do to be as blind as a babe any longer! If I am stuck here I wish to know everything there is to know about this city. [ after a moment of struggle, she sends over her location. ] I shall see you soon, yes?

labyrinth after

[hoshikiri]

[Presumptuous, perhaps, for Takame to assume a duty to venture into newly cropped up Labyrinths. He caught a glimpse of one, but it would seem its owner had found her way out on her own. He did not know the horrors which she may have seen, but did catch wind of that sheer horror she ran from the lake with.

He was out to further assess the damage taken to the city and to calm his own restless nerves he's felt since visiting that strange Good Will this weekend.

He was quiet in his approach, too quiet perhaps, but from a few feet away Furina would hear a gentle voice from behind.]

Are you alright, young lady? [He announced himself before coming any closer, and even then he did so carefully, gauging her reaction to him. She was clearly nervous about something, scared of whatever she saw perhaps. He would not give her more reason to fear.]

[majeste]

[ to say that the labyrinth was an experience would be putting it lightly, it has left her barely able to stand on her own feet, her breathing frantic and anxiety coursing through her veins. it makes her understandably jumpy, so when a voice comes from behind her she does just that, she jumps.

whipping around furina gasps, eyes wide as she holds a hand to her chest, perhaps if she had a few moments to compose herself she would not look so disheveled but alas. ]

I ─ Yes, I'm... I'm quite alright! [ except she doesn't look it at all. ]

LABYRINTH

[loupmorque]

[ it's home again. After his own arrival in Kaisou, after he'd gotten a bit of a lay-of-the-land, he'd found another tear much like the one he'd fallen out of. Having... no attachment to this world and a hope of getting home, he of course, drives himself to go inside.

He's almost relieved to see the familiar shapes of his home--and he starts to run through the streets in hope of finding more evidence of the fact that he's returned, but. Much like Furina, he starts to find the place unsettlingly. Quiet.

He visits his favorite cafe, first. Empty. Clothing left scattered on the floor, wet and left as if those wearing it merely ceased to exist.

There's a deep fear in his belly.
They... should have stopped this. It's at this point that he realises this... can't be real. Or he'd somehow wound up ina version of his world where that terrible prophecy came true.

Which means...

He takes off like a shot. Running through the streets to try to find the one person who would be left behind. Would she be on her throne, as the prophecy told? ...Certainly no, she would be out trying to find someone. Anyone, wouldn't she?

The echoing sobs from her would tell him everything he needed to know: she did exactly as expected.

Even if she doesn't see him approach, he closes the gap between them--moving to wrap an arm around her shoulder--to try to pull her to her feet. ]

...This place isn't right, your Highness.
We should get out of here before we get stuck.
If this is anything like what I experienced.
It's not real.
Okay?
It's not Real, Furina.

[majeste]

[ she hears his heavy footsteps though barely has time to register him beside him as he wraps an arm around her shoulder, his strength is far greater than her own so it is easy for him to pull her up to her feet - even with how limp her body is.

they never truly had much to do with each other over the years of her role as the hydro archon, she has been present for his trial only to retire early out of what most seemed to assume was little more than boredom. why would she stay when the defendant admitted to the crimes so easily? in truth it wasn't boredom that had her leave the courtroom that day, but a weight that threatened to crush her carefully crafted facade into little more than dust.

how could she not feel for him? for the suffering he had been through? that those other children must have been through? it was terrible. ]

Wriothesley?

[ there are no formalities from furina, her usual demeanor utterly gone in favor of a side of her the duke would have certainly never born witness to. ]

How? Where do we go?

[ the bear falls from her grip and furina clings to him instead, trembling fingers curling into the fabric of his vest. ]

un: ecraig | voice

[fiddlestick]

[Well a performance like that will catch Elliot's attention!]

Haha, I didn't know we'd be getting a star here! Welcome to Kaisou, Furina. Can't say I know anything about Fontaine, but what kind of stuff do you do there?

[majeste]

Well, I am a performer of course! [ as if that should be more than obvious. ] Although I am still a little ways off returning to the stage itself, I have a plethora of experience to aid those who are.

Labyrinth

[bethorns]

[ Yor has always followed her instincts. Honestly she just doesn't see herself as bright enough to do otherwise. Her brother is the smart one - she's the one who sort of stumbles through life just a little bit confused. So going into Labyrinths when they occur often comes down to pure instinct.

Water-aligned herself, she's sort of drawn to this particular one. Ans as a kind person who wants to teach children someday...

A younger girl being upset calls to her instantly. She doesn't know Furina, but that's never once stopped her before. ]

Oh no...are you alright? Please don't cry! I have some chocolates if you want some!

[majeste]

[ the voice, different from all those she is used to, snaps her quickly from her grief. from the horror of a nightmare she's seen far too many times. she did not expect to find another, nor for someone else to find her, thus is in such a terrible state; tear-streaked cheeks, scraped knees, and her hair an utter mess. ]

I-I don't know, the prophecy was averted everyone should have been safe but... [ she looks to the scattered objects and clothes strewn about, the only signs of the life that once filled these streets. ] They're gone.

Video: UN: hotgoss

[bebest]

[Zulius will pop onto the network in all his zebrataur glory because beloved star immediately speaks to his CORE. ]

Hello! Our presence has been WELL and truly graced!! Welcome to our fun little city. I promise it's not usually so uh...smouldering wreck. Some stuff happened. It's fine now.

Anyway! I'm Zulius, the owner of the fantastic Vogue Theatre here. normally I'd offer to show you around but we're currently uh...renovating because of the aforementioned smouldering wreck stuff, but still! I can put one on layaway for you.

[majeste]

[ frankly? she has seen weirder individuals in her lifetime, he is likely something like the melusine for all she knows. ]

Oh, it is quite alright. Of all peoples gathered I, for one, understand how slow the process of recovery after a disaster strikes can be. I am certain the city would shine like a fantastic jewel once again!

[ oh, how she brigthens at the mention of a theatre. ]

How it breaks my heart to hear that your theatre was also affected by the 'smoldering wreck stuff', as you put it. Although once it is fully repaired I would love to take a tour.

Labyrinth

[joies]

[ Persie has been within a few labyrinth's in her time, but just how... quiet this one is sets her on edge. It's so empty, beyond the sound of water dripping. But she keeps going deeper, straining her ears for any sound of someone.

Then she hears it, the cries. Concern swells in her chest as she follows the sound, not hesitating to head towards the source - a young woman, sobbing and alone, holding a soaked bear. There's no way she can just ignore this. ]

Oh, my dear... [ Her voice is gentle and warm, and so is the hand she places on Furina's back as she kneels next to her. Strangers they may be, the sheer concern in Persie's voice is genuine all the same. ]

Do not worry, none of this is real. It's just a cruel illusion.

[majeste]

[ the hand on her back makes furina jump, body tensing as she lifts her head to look at the person who found her, mismatched eyes widening at the sight of persie. she's beautiful, and the concern in her voice washes over her. questions sit on the tip of her tongue, confusion as to how the woman is here, who is she, what does she mean that all of this is just some sort of cruel illusion - but none of them come, they catch in her throat and sit there. ]

I don't understand...

text | un: kni

[ornamentals]

if you're a star that must mean you're famous for something, right?

[majeste]

[ she blinks rapidly, despite the words being little more than text on the screen, she can feel something behind it. ]

Why yes I am! I am a performer and a well-renowned one at that!