-

The boat ride back to Ritou was eerily quiet. The sun had started its descent, casting golden hues across the water, but the warmth did little to ease the tension hanging over the group.

Furina, for once, wasn't filling the silence with dramatic speeches. Instead, she sat beside Yoshika, arms crossed, deep in thought.

Yoshika's fingers tapped lightly against her knee as she replayed the whispers she had heard in the ruins. The voices had faded the moment they left the water, but their presence still lingered in her mind like a distant memory she couldn't quite grasp.

Neuvillette, standing at the front of the boat, finally spoke. "You said the ruins were a key. Can you explain what you meant?"

Yoshika exhaled slowly. "I'm not entirely sure. But I heard something down there-voices. They weren't from the Abyss. They felt... older. As if the ruins themselves were speaking."

Arlecchino's crimson gaze sharpened. "And you think this is connected to Celestia?"

Yoshika hesitated, then nodded. "It felt like something from there, yes. But not in the way I expected."

Furina tapped a finger against her lips, thinking. "How terribly cryptic. But that just makes it all the more intriguing." She turned to Yoshika with a grin. "So? What now? Shall we charge headfirst into another ruin? Confront the gods themselves? Perhaps I should prepare a speech for when we unravel the mysteries of Teyvat!"

Yoshika gave her a tired look. "Or we could take a moment to actually figure things out first."

Lyney chuckled. "That does sound like a more reasonable plan."

Lynette, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "We should investigate further. But we'll need more information."

Neuvillette nodded. "Agreed. I may be able to access Fontaine's archives for any records on these ruins."

Arlecchino crossed her arms. "And I'll see what I can find through other means."

Yoshika glanced at Furina. "And what about you?"

Furina grinned, flipping her short white hair dramatically. "Oh, I'll be right where I belong-by your side, naturally."

Yoshika sighed, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

-

Later That Night

The inn was quiet. Most of the group had retired to their rooms, but Yoshika found herself unable to sleep.

She stepped out onto the balcony, the cool night air wrapping around her as she gazed up at the stars. Celestia loomed in the sky, distant and untouchable, yet its influence was everywhere.

"You're thinking too much again."

Yoshika turned to see Furina standing behind her, arms folded, a knowing smirk on her lips.

"I don't think enough, according to you," Yoshika countered.

Furina leaned against the railing beside her. "Well, I do enough thinking for the both of us. Perhaps that's why we make such a wonderful duo."

Yoshika chuckled softly. "Perhaps."

A comfortable silence stretched between them, the sounds of the distant waves filling the air.

Then, after a moment, Furina's voice was quieter. "You know... no matter what happens with Celestia, you don't have to face it alone."

Yoshika glanced at her, surprised by the sincerity in her tone.

Furina looked away, feigning disinterest. "Not that I'm getting sentimental or anything! I just-well, it would be terribly boring without you."

Yoshika studied her for a moment before speaking. "Thank you, Furina."

Furina blinked, then quickly turned away. "Hmph. Just don't expect me to say anything so heartfelt again."

Yoshika smiled. "I won't hold my breath."

Furina scoffed, but she didn't move away. Instead, they stood together beneath the night sky, silent but not alone.

-
𝖠𝖭 𝖭𝖮𝖳𝖤: Finally some oc x canon content bruh🙏😭 i wrote this book to ship my oc with Furina but i kinda forgot that while writing it help😔