𝓔𝔂𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓮𝓱𝓸𝓵𝓭𝓮𝓻 ~ Neuvillete x Fem!OC ~ Genshin Impact

001. Fontaine

~ Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder ~

══════✮❁•°♛°•❁✮ ══════

Stepping off the boat, Juliette Bellerose marveled at the sight before her. The Romaritime Harbor displayed Fontaine's elegance perfectly mixed with its modern technology. Clutching her suitcase, Juliette walked toward the elevator but not before noticing a blonde traveler and some kind of cosmic floating fairy.

But it was their clothes that caught her eye, using mystical elements that didn't go in the way of making any movements. Taking out her sketchbook, she began taking notes and sketching the pair, focusing on the more unusual parts of their outfits like the halo and particles coming from the fairy or the glowing gems on random parts of the blonde's body. 

Suddenly a high voice snapped her out of her drawing, "Paimon noticed you were looking at us! Can Paimon help you?"

"Oh my goodness, I am so sorry! Did I stare? I'm a seamstress and I couldn't help but draw your clothing. It's so unique yet eye-catching! Who made it? Was it Sumeru Textiles or Snezhayan Cloths? The gems and metals must be from Liyue, it's the luminosity that gives them an ethereal look!"

The fairy, Paimon, interjected, "Paimon has no idea!"

"Where are my manners? My name is Juliette Bellerose. I apologize for the rambling," Juliette drooped, blushing, "I haven't spoken to anyone in a few hours."

The blonde cleared his throat, "It's really no problem. It's a relief to hear another voice other than Paimon's."

"HEY!"

"I'm Aether and this is my emergency food, Paimon," Aether deadpanned.

"FOR THE LAST TIME! PAIMON IS NOT EMERGENCY FOOD!"

Juliette giggled before asking, "So what brings you here to Fontaine?"

"The Traveler and Paimon are here on a quest to meet the Seven to help find Aether's lost sister!"

"Is there any way I can help aid in your journey?"

"Thank you for your offer but I don't think you've seen her since you reacted like that to my clothing, I would think you would remember someone like her. Lumine often leaves an impression on people" He handed her a missing person flyer of a girl who she'd never seen before.

"I see, well, I'm rather new to Fontaine myself. Why don't we explore the city together?" 

"Paimon likes that idea! Come on Traveler, let's go! Maybe we can eat some of the local delicacies~!"

══════✮❁•°♛°•❁✮ ══════

The trio began to explore the city more, savoring local delicacies and talking to locals about their archon. In that time, they deduced that while the people of Fontaine like their archon, they do not revere her. Looking around, Aether spots a girl at the edge of the port and starts stepping towards her. Juliette eating a crepe, notices where the blonde is heading and grabs Paimon, sprinting after him.

"Don't scare me like that! You nearly made me choke on my crepe!" Juliette panted, catching her breath while covertly handing Paimon her crepe.

"May I help you?" A pretty girl with cat ears and a tail looked up, her violet eyes staring at them.

Aether nodded, "Excuse me, but may I ask, are you alright?"

"Huh? I'm fine... Thanks."

"Oh, okay then. We just noticed that you seemed to be worried about something," Paimon said, still trying to finish Juliette's crepe.

"About many things, actually... But there's nothing I can do but just keep my troubles to myself. I was just reminiscing about a place my brother and I would play when we were kids. It was just atop that hill over there, see?" She stared at the water with the waves splashing their melodious tune.

"Uh, you're pointing at the sea... Wait, are you saying you and your brother lived in the water?"

Juliette cleared her throat, "Actually, though the people call the waters around Fontaine a "sea," it's actually an inland lake filled with fresh water."

The girl nodded, "Even though the hill has become completely submerged, I can see it clearly in my memories. He would skip and jump, tossing sand into the wind... The sun shone brightly and the air was filled with the scent of the sea. But now the water is gradually swallowing our memories... And soon it will swallow us."

"Uh, sorry. Paimon doesn't really get what you mean."

Suddenly, a male voice cuts in, "Ah, I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting. Are you Lynette's new friends?"

"Oh, and you are..."

The young man smiles, "Thanks for taking care of my sister, she often comes here to reminisce about her childhood, that's all. There's no need for any concern. Ah, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Lyney, and this is my sister, Lynette. If I had to guess you're all travelers from abroad."

"Nice to meet you, Paimon is Paimon, and this is Aether and Juliette. We just arrived in Fontaine and were talking with your sister, uh... even though we didn't really get what she was saying."

"Hmm, I see. It's unusual for Lynette to be so willing to talk with anyone, in fact, she seldom speaks to at all," Lyney explained, "I'm usually the only one she talks to."

"Oh, really? Then you two are just like us! Paimon's always the one talking for some reason."

"It's because I have hardly anything else to say when you're done talking Paimon," Aether joked, smiling.

Paimon looked at Aether surprised, "Huh! So that's how you think it is?"

"I also think my brother can be too talkative at times," Lynette added, narrowing her eyes at her brother while Juliette observed with curiosity, is this what it was like to have a companion around, how utterly fascinating.

"Hehe... Seems you were right Paimon, we are quite similar."

Paimon giggled before asking, "So what did Lynette mean just now when she said that the water is engulfing your memories and that it won't be long before it engulfs you too?"

"Ah, that... It's from a prophecy that's been circulating around Fontaine for some time now. Well, I suppose "prophecy" isn't exactly the right word, because that implies a certain amount of uncertainty. There's no doubt about what's happening in Fontaine now..."

"Oh? What's happening in Fontaine?" Juliette looked troubled, noticing her clenching fists, he lightly patted her on the back before focusing on Lyney and Lynette again.

"Where to begin?" Lyney made a thinking pose, putting his fist on his chin, "Hmm..."

══════✮❁•°♛°•❁✮ ══════