'til death do us part

11

"You're simply radiating with discomfort," Wriothesley stared at Neuvillette. Although others may not notice at first glance, this was the third time Neuvillette had spun the glass in his hands without taking a sip. The Hydro Archon had thrown a ball, which both of them were forced to attend, and Neuvillette couldn't help but remember similar events in the past. 

"She has a tendency to throw public events to back me into a corner..." Neuvillette confessed, spinning his glass a fourth time. 

"Neuvi!!!" Furina's voice called as she ran across the room and jumped into Neuvillette's arms. "At last, you've come home!" she smiled.

"Please release him, he is uncomfortable," Wriothesley stared, frowning. 

"Who is this?" Furina didn't do more than glance at him, asking Neuvillette as she regained her footing. "Is this this the reason you ran away from home?" 

"His name is Wriothesley," Neuvillette's eyes narrowed. 

"You've never gone to the north. How did you two become acquainted? There cannot be much to your relationship. Stay here, Neuvi," she reached out to grab his hand but was brushed off. 

"I am no longer needed in the capital." 

"How could you say that?" Furina teared up. "Neuvi, tell me what's wrong!" 

"Lady Furina," Neuvillette tensed at the voice. While the individual changed throughout his lives... the root cause of Furina's betrayal toward him was almost always a Fatui Harbinger. "This is neither the time nor place to discuss such matters," she placed her hand on Furina's shoulder. "May I suggest moving to the balcony if you wish to inquire about the Duke?" she gestured. Furina nodded and led the way. Wriothesley moved to follow, as did Neuvillette, who was cut off by Arlecchino's hand in front of him. 

"There is no need to worry," she smiled, eerily. "We will be back soon." 

"Pardon?" Neuvillette's concern skyrocketed. 

"Stay here, Neuvillette," she placed both of her hands on his shoulders, pressing down with a good amount of strength before following the archon. 

Every bone in his body screamed 'no' but he managed to contain himself until he saw the balcony doors close. He swam through the sea of people, only crowding around him more to interrogate him. There were too many. He might not make it. In time for what? He wasn't sure. He just knew something was wrong. 

Through the glass of the balcony's door, he saw it happen. An argument, Wriothesley's anger, and a shove from Furina toward the hazardous railing. He fell. He was falling. Neuvillette ignored whatever words were being spewed at him from the archon and dived after him. 

"I'm not falling fast enough," he muttered, not able to close the gap between himself and the duke. 

The closer and closer the two made it to the water the more frantic Neuvillette got. As a last resort, he opened his mouth and yelled in a language only certain creatures would be able to understand. A large vishap rose from the water and opened his mouth, swallowing Neuvillette and Wriothesley whole.