shipwrecked || furina & neuvillette

🫧 42 🫧

Furina sits on one of the infirmary beds, waiting for Sigewinne to check her over. Neuvillette is standing beside her, his arms crossed.
"I'm sorry I left," Furina speaks, even though she said the same thing a million times already.
His face softens, and he relaxes.
"I just really wanted to let Clorinde know I'm alright." Furina tells him. "It's weird seeing her worry like that. Clorinde isn't usually one to worry."
"You don't need to apologise," Neuvillette gently replies. "I... I was the one who overreacted."
Furina shakes her head. "You didn't-"
Sigewinne skips into the room, a clipboard in hand. Wriosthesley walks in behind her, giving Neuvillette a curt nod.
"Will you be alright for a couple of minutes while I speak with Wriosthesley?" He asks her. Furina nods, glancing over at the Duke.
"It's good to see you," Wriosthesley speaks. "I hear you put The Doctor in his place."
Furina just nods with a nervous smile, before Neuvillette practically drags him out of the room.

Sigewinne is thorough in her check up, ensuring that Furina is physically well.
"Aside from the fact that you need to eat a good, hearty meal, and drink lots of water... physically, you're perfect, Lady Furina."
Furina tenses at the word Lady. It still cuts deep, even now. It still hurts, it still threatens to bring the darkness inside of her to life.
"But I can assume that Dottore didn't physically harm you to get what he wanted." Sigewinne sits on a chair in front of Furina. "Which leaves me a little concerned."
Furina sighs, not ready to have this conversation. "It was awful, but I made it out the other side." She shrugs it off.
"Did you?" Sigewinne says warmly, and Furina flinches.
"Yes, I did." She brushes her fingers through her hair, shaking her head. "I did what I needed to do to survive."
"You did," Sigewinne nods, acknowledging Furina's words. "But what did it cost you?"
Furina's eyes narrow. "What did it cost me? Dottore is who knows where in Snezhnaya, I made it out. I don't see that it cost me anything."
Sigewinne smiles over at her with warm eyes.
"Neuvillette told me that you saw Focalors."
Furina sighs, shrugging her shoulders.
"Yes," she admits. "I did see her."
"What made her appear in your mind?"
"I don't..." Furina shakes her head, feeling the darkness creeping in. She doesn't want to talk about this, doesn't want to admit that she almost let Dottore win. She stares down at her lap, gaining her composure before she clears her throat. "If you believe that I am physically well, then I'm afraid I must go. I imagine that the guests from other Nations will want to be leaving soon, and I wish to say goodbye to them."
Furina stands up, smoothing out her trousers, trying to shake away her emotions. She'd buried them successfully so far today, and she doesn't feel ready to let them come to the surface now.
She goes to leave, to find Neuvillette, but Sigewinne speaks again.
"It will not end well for you," she pauses, "if you don't allow yourself to deal with what he made you see. What you've been through... Lady Furina... is perfectly normal to feel-"
Furina clenches her fists, adjusting her blouse, focusing on every little detail. How it feels against her skin, how it itches when she moves - how she wants to explode.
"Thank you, Sigewinne." She smiles, swiftly cutting her off. "Neuvillette is most grateful that you made time for me." Furina gives a tiny wave over her shoulder, before she flees the room.

Neuvillette stands with Wriosthesley a few feet away. Furina feels her heart racing, and doesn't want either of them to see her. She doesn't want Neuvillette to see her watery eyes, because then he'll believe something is wrong. Nothing is wrong with her. She's fine, Furina's sure of it.
Furina has no choice but to walk over to the two of them. Hiding her face, staring down at the floor, she tries her best not to look upset.
"Sigewinne says I'm perfectly fine." She tells Neuvillette. "I just need something to eat and drink, and I'll be good as new."
Neuvillette turns to face her with narrowed eyes, and she knows he's doubtful.
"I think... I think I just need to head home," Furina tells him. "I'm sorry," she apologises. "I'm really tired." Her voice cracks and Neuvillette takes her hand. His brows furrow with concern for her, and he nods.
"Alright," he speaks, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Let's go home."
"Neuvillette," Sigewinne calls out behind them. "Before you go, can I have a quick word with you?"
Neuvillette sighs.
"Will you be alright for just a couple of minutes?"
Furina nods with a smile.
"Would you like a cup of tea, Lady Furina?" Wriosthesley asks softly. "I have a new kind bought from Inazuma, if you would like to try it."
Furina nods. "That sounds delightful." She can't really be bothered, but watching relief flood into Neuvillette's eyes makes her feel a bit better.
"I won't be too long," he tells her gently.
Furina just stands on her tiptoes, and kisses his cheek.
"Don't rush," she smiles. "I rather fancy a cup of tea." She kisses him once more before she pulls away.