𝐓𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭 | Neuvillette

ᴅɪᴄʜᴏᴛᴏᴍʏ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ

FIVE

NEUVILLETTE SAT PARTIALLY submerged in a bathtub, his gaze fixated on the somber patterns of movement across its surface. Some locks of his long white hair clung to his bare skin, others floating freely on the water as if they were part of its flow. His eyes, usually sharp and discerning, narrowed in concentration, his thoughts adrift in the complexities of humanity — a concept he was worlds away from fully understanding, given his non-human nature.

His thoughts meandered to his role in the courtroom. For him, it was more than just a venue for legal discourse; it was a window into the human condition. Each case that came before him unraveled a set of emotions, conflicts, and moral complexities. Here, he observed the spectrum of human behavior — from the noblest acts of altruism to the darkest depths of deceit.

Yet, despite his immersion in these human dramas, Neuvillette found himself perpetually on the periphery. His understanding of human emotions was akin to reading a richly detailed novel in a language he could comprehend but not speak. He could dissect motives, anticipate reactions, and even empathize with the plights presented before him, but always from a distance.

The courtroom, it was a constant reminder of his unique position — the perennial role of an observer, always on the outside, looking in.

The introspective silence enveloping Neuvillette was broken by the renewed sound of rain. It drew him back from the depths of his contemplation, like a gentle nudge from nature itself. Shifting his weight in the water, he glanced upwards towards the window, veiled by a curtain of thin fabric.

Through the semi-transparent material, he could see the raindrops as they cascaded against the glass pane. Each drop journeyed down the surface, distorting the view of the world beyond in a dance of light and shadow.

Letting out a soft sigh, he acknowledged the connection he had with the world around him – his mood inadvertently influencing the weather. On days like this when his thoughts were heavy, the skies often mirrored his sentiments, cloaking the world in a blanket of rain.

Neuvillette rose from the bath, the water cascading off his form in rivulets. He moved with a fluid grace, each motion reflecting the quiet contemplation that occupied his mind. Stepping out of the tub, he reached for a towel, wrapping it around himself with a practiced ease.

He chose his attire with the same meticulous care that he applied to all aspects of his life. Slipping into a finely tailored shirt, its fabric cool and crisp against his skin, he then selected his usual suit. Each piece of clothing was put on with precision, from the sleek trousers to the impeccably polished shoes that clicked softly against the floor as he walked.

Transitioning from the sanctum of his quarters, Neuvillette made his way down the hall to his office. The corridor was quiet, the only sound being the soft echo of his footsteps. He stepped into his office, closing the door behind him with a gentle click. His hand lingered on the knob for a moment before letting go, his eyes scanning the room.

The office felt cold, tinged with a sense of isolation. As his lashes briefly covered his eyes, he took in the familiar sight – the plush chairs, the imposing desk, the bookshelves heavy with volumes of legal and philosophical texts. Yet, in the dim light and the solitude, these symbols of his profession and intellect seemed distant, almost foreign.

Neuvillette's gaze then shifted towards the vast window behind his desk. He walked towards it,  his mind still ensnared in thought. Outside, the rain fell in a relentless torrent, each droplet tapping against the glass.

As he stood by the window, deeply immersed in his thoughts, the tranquility of the moment was abruptly shattered by the sound of the doors bursting open. In walked Furina, her presence as commanding and vibrant as ever, even amidst the subdued atmosphere of the room. In her hand, held delicately between her thumb and index finger, was an object that seemed to captivate her attention. She turned it this way and that, admiring it from different angles as she approached.