moonlit guide

Always in her space. Always waiting for her to finish. Always draped over her bed, just like that. It was nostalgic in a way that she secretly found pleasant. Which made the predicament all the more alarming, knowing she might not be able to keep it classified as a "secret".

Speaking of, Columbina's voice snapped her out of her focus. Sandrone bit her lower lip with annoyance briefly, but ended up turning her chair to glare at the goddess. "Let's put it this way. If I asked you to study one of my machines, would you be able to figure anything out? I'm totally clueless here!" That was likely a side effect of the flowers on display there. Sandrone would never admit she was "clueless" about something. The Marionette clenched her fists at what she'd let slip. "I mean...! UGH! Forget it!"

so, she merely moves to rest her chin upon her knees, one finger lifting to trace along a sprouting petal from beneath the mask. ❝ I wouldn't. ❞ her response is barely anything at all, some matter-of-fact statement that anyone would know if they have gotten to know her within a matter of minutes.

❝ But it's difficult to forget anything you say to me. ❞

another side-effect of this pesky pollen, albeit something columbina has no issue allowing to slip out in this way, even with the implication it means she had, in some instances, simply ignored what it is sandrone has said to her time and again. rather, she prefers it as such, some loophole to speak the truth without outing any of the more cherished, secretive information she wishes to keep clutched tightly to her chest. only when sandrone presses further do lips thins, the hand idly flicking at the flower plopping itself onto the covers of the overtaken bed.

"Legends say created twelves dragons waged war against each other. One of them was through with how much chaos kept being brought throughout the land, and decided to forge weapons to place into the hands of humanity in order to stop such a war."

The actual result of it was something she felt didn't need to explained, given how if humanity did lose she wouldn't have been standing here in the first place.

"Still the lineage of royalty of our land stretches that far back. Because of it we were "blessed" with their power and manifest it in the land itself. Although only my adopted sibling, the one who carries true royal blood as a descendant was able to perform such a feat." Albeit after going through such an event in the first place.

one hand lifts to rest fingers upon her chest, her head tilting to the side ever so slightly. ❝ But you're still connected through that. ❞ plain and simple, there was something which keeps them together, a bond that only they can truly see, something of their own, much like the trilunar authority that courses through her own body.

… It seems I really arrived too late" - his expression looked worried. Don't panic.

“We don’t always know what’s best for us, so we must trust in others to make important decisions for us sometimes.” That was his only rebuttal, a dismissal of her feelings, seeing himself superior to her. Admittedly, there was a flair of the unknown and unattainable about her, so could she really blame him for taking the chance of taking her and giving her the opposite? Before, she was worshipped by people who took their own goddess prisoner, had the Fatui as well as his own personal involvement not changed the fact? 

Indeed, despite all his knowledge and wisdom, he could not understand why her animosity towards him had taken such extremes. So far he had thought to be a good collaboration partner to have. No, she was the one who didn’t see the bigger picture, it was her judgement that must’ve been faulty.

“Oh please, Columbina. Do you really see me as such a tyrant? Have I not been granting wishes of the common people for a long while now? It’s hardly my fault that what they wish for cannot be achieved with mere pleasantries. Wars are not waged with fruit baskets and expensive chocolates. They strive for change but are not willing to pay the price for it.”

And he would like to believe that his bloodshed had been for a good cause. Morals were ever such a hindrance in the advancements of humankind. Those who claim to be virtuous stop at the slightest resistance, the slightest discomfort and would rather suffer in stagnation than bring on a true revolution. Many did not see eye to eye with him on that front. The Doctor shrugged, his voice dropping the feigned pleasantries, his tone growing harsher, “suit yourself. If that is the image of me your so called ‘friends’ have indoctrinated you with, there will be no changing your mind. But that is also not something I am interested in doing. Allies who cannot align with one's ideals and convictions, will never be allies for long. It is a shame it had to end this way, because truly, even now, I do not feel a lick of disdain for you. No sadness either. Still, I would hope you’ll be there at my funeral, and that you enjoy the grand display of my genius.”

so when he speaks his rebuttal, she cannot help but take notice those same, unfortunate feelings settle in her chest, a means of dismissal rather than truly listening. ❝ Our views of family and home... will never be the same, ❞ she speaks forth, as if to reaffirm it to herself than to truly drive a finely tuned dagger of words his way. like an acceptance, some final realization that, after all they had been through, the hopes which she once held when beginning to open up to others in their ranks, had truly been misplaced.

it is a realization she has long since needed to embrace in full一

dark tresses fall forward as she hangs her head in this understanding, resolution once more sparked within her to stand steadfast in all she has come to learn thus far. and even though there is much and more for her to experience come her stay here, let alone back within teyvat upon her eventual return, she can find some sense in knowing that, despite his opposition, he would never change. that, too, is something she can carry forth with her now without a sliver of doubt to mar her soul, no matter what might be said, only further driven by how his tone shifts, the belief that her views are merely controlled by her newfound friends and not of her own conclusions.

her head lifts thereafter, uncertain if what he says to be true, even now. were there surely no disdain nor sadness, then it only makes her wonder what is left, as she cannot find there to be any fondness, either. ❝ I agree with that much. If there is no mutual understanding, then there is nothing left... ❞ a solemn, quiet declaration to him of what now remains of their past now in unsalvageable ruins, once having brimmed with the hopes of home and a likened, found companionship. still, she straightens herself, turning upon her feet as if to signify her inevitable departure, head turning to where he stands just beyond the cover of her shoulder. ❝ Perhaps I will. Or maybe I will not. But were I to be at your funeral... the song I would sing for you will not be one of sorrow, ❞ she relents, her tone soft, yet devoid of if she truly means so in lamentation or resolve.

"I work at a fight club," he adds, for context, sitting up on his elbows in the snow.

"Nooot...entirely sure it'd be your scene, though." Or maybe it would - he found it almost impossible to get a read on her. Maybe she actually had more in common with him than he thought! Maybe...

it makes her wonder how much or little he truly knows of her in turn. where they once crossed paths at sandrone's tea parties, there were hardly many words spoken between them, much as she had not spoken to many at that time in her most distant days.

to see Columbina breathe free and speak without affixed title during Moon Prayer Night had been a delight to witness — and here, that could be a much more frequent occurrence, both with and without the backdrop of a festival. there were many here with esteemed positions in their worlds, but under these stars, they were much closer to the passers-by created to create a bustling environment. Columbina wished to be something other than a goddess, and this world was the perfect opportunity to grant that.

"of course — if you want to make friends, we'd be more than happy to help. you had so much fun in Nasha Town, so seeing that again, without that feeling being shattered, well, who wouldn't want that for you?"

though there is a curiosity to what it is that paimon interjects, head tilting to the side ever so slightly at one name in specific. ❝ Hmm? Flins is here as well? ❞ that might mean there were others beyond her past colleagues.