"What do you think?"
Furina stood before the Troupe's poster, squinting at the promotional image.
"Isn't it fine?" Luna remarked, finding nothing amiss.
Dressed in their performance costumes, Furina and Luna occupied the center of the poster, their backs turned toward each other in undeniable C-position prominence.
Yet Furina sensed something amiss. She stepped closer, rubbing her chin as she leaned in to examine it.
"Hmm... Ah!"
She'd found it. Luna had curves, while she didn't!
The poster's title failed to cover her flat chest - no wonder the composition looked unbalanced.
"This won't do. We need to redo it!"
Luna sighed. "The performance is tomorrow, you know? Posters are already plastered everywhere, everyone's set up their stalls, and all the promotional merchandise is on display."
There was no way to take it back now.
"If only we'd noticed earlier," Furina said regretfully.
Luna thought the problem was utterly trivial, but tactfully kept silent.
The day of the Archon-human performance would become a special occasion in Fontaine, its festivities rivaling any holiday.
Such was the influence of the Archon—its grandeur required no further explanation.
"Come to think of it, you seem remarkably calm," Furina observed.
"The more critical the moment, the more essential it is to maintain composure."
Furina nodded in agreement, then added with a hint of irritation, "That's all well and good, but do you realize you'll be performing alongside me, Focalors?"
Luna clasped her hands behind her waist, smiling. "And what of it?"
And what of it?!
She was practically as irreverent toward the Archon as the Phantom Thief White Cat herself.
Furina's displeasure remained undiminished. "To say 'what of it'..."
"I'm confident I won't be outdone by you, Lady Furina. Besides, on the stage, all are equal—your own words, you'll recall. I'm merely treating you as such."
Furina stared at Luna for a long moment before nodding appreciatively. "Considering your strength is indeed on par with mine, I'll forgive your impudence!"
"Moreover, I must admit I'm not particularly invested in the performance itself," Luna added.
"I know," Furina replied.
"Hm?"
Furina planted her hands on her hips. "After a few rehearsals with you, it became clear you lack deeper passion."
All technique, little emotion.
Though she enjoyed being the center of attention, her attitude toward the performance itself remained lukewarm.
"Still, that's of no consequence. I'll bring you the passion you need! Just as brilliance can be contagious, so too can fervor ignite others' flames."
Furina pointed dramatically. "Let me, Focalors, demonstrate this truth to you!"
-
The next day, the Opera House buzzed with anticipation. Both standing and seated tickets had sold out instantly during the release period - not a single person failed to anticipate this grand performance.
Charlotte clutched her ticket, scanning the seat number.
24... 24... Here!
She settled into her seat, retrieved a notebook from her bag, and checked the status of her recording device.
Though she couldn't film during the performance, securing the post-show interview with the lead actor was non-negotiable.
As she rummaged through her small bag, her elbow suddenly brushed against something.
"Sorry, sorry..."
Charlotte turned her head and met the gaze of a pair of uniquely angled eyes.
"It's alright," Arlecchino murmured.
She looked further to the side.
"Miss Lynette and Mr. Lyney?"
Lyney waved slightly. "Hello, Miss Charlotte."
Lynette nodded, but for some reason seemed to be in a bad mood. Especially when she inadvertently glanced at the promotional posters plastered on the Opera House.
"Ah, I'm here too..." Freminet said.
"Yes, I see. Are you three here to watch Miss Luna and Lady Furina's performance, or perhaps to observe for your upcoming show at the Opera House?"
In the near future, Magician Lyney and his assistant Lynette would also perform at the Opera Epiclese. This would be their first time on such a grand stage. Charlotte thought she could conduct a proper interview with them.
Lyney scratched his face. "Both, I suppose."
Three familiar figures approached from the front row.
"Chiori, over here!"
Navia patted the seat beside her. Chiori glanced at the ticket number.
14
That's right.
"Miss Chiori!"
Chiori, Navia, and Chevreuse looked up.
"Charlotte. I'm not giving interviews," Chiori said.
"I was just saying hello!"
Navia patted her chest. "I can give you an interview!"
Chevreuse's gaze fell on Arlecchino's face.
"Can I help you, young lady?" Arlecchino's smile was polite yet distant.
"...No."
Is the Fatui's fourth Harbinger also here to watch the performance? Chevreuse's eyes swept over Lynette and her two companions before returning to Arlecchino. If they're not causing trouble, there's no need to engage.
Charlotte asked curiously, "I heard you recently became Miss Luna's manager, Miss Navia?"
"Yes!" Navia said proudly. "I was just thinking about finding time to announce my relationship with Lulu. Let's schedule an interview later!"
"Absolutely! Thank you so much!"
Navia was undoubtedly the most cooperative interview subject she'd ever encountered.
Suddenly, Lyney distinctly sensed a drop in the atmosphere around Lynette.
The reason was obvious - it stemmed from that "Lulu" nickname again.
"It's quite rare to see Miss Chevreuse here," Charlotte remarked curiously.
Chevreuse replied softly, "Luna gave me tickets. It would be a waste not to come."
Besides, that Phantom Thief kept mentioning performances and stages. The more she understood about these things, the greater her chances of catching her.
"Huh? So those three are..."
"Yes, all tickets from Lulu. After all, she's the lead actor—"
Before Navia could finish, a purple-clad figure approached and sat down beside Charlotte.
Clorinde, aware of the eyes on her, maintained her impassive expression. "Did I sit in the wrong seat?"
"Shouldn't you be with Furina?" Chiori asked, surprised.
"She's preparing for her performance. As her subordinate, I can't take her reserved seat without her presence."
"Even though Lady Furina wouldn't mind, it's best to avoid unnecessary rumors."
Chevreuse nodded in greeting to Clorinde, who returned the courtesy.
With a slight delay, Clorinde then asked, "What brings you here?"
"Rest day."
"No training?"
"Later."
Clorinde glanced at Navia, who pursed her lips and sat down.
"....." Clorinde lowered her gaze.
Charlotte inquired curiously, "Miss Clorinde, did Miss Luna give you the ticket too?"
As Furina's bodyguard, Clorinde shouldn't need a ticket at all.
"How did you know?"
Lynette puffed out her cheeks.
Arlecchino placed her hand on Lynette's head and whispered, "We got tickets too."
"Really? I thought..." Lynette's expression softened considerably.
Arlecchino withdrew her hand.
When she returned to her office last night, she found an envelope on her desk with no writing on it. Inside were four tickets.
Since she'd received an invitation from her child, she naturally couldn't refuse.
Clorinde added, "It was given to me by Miss Luna and Lady Furina together."
Lynette sighed.
Why didn't she say so earlier?