It is what it is

Time moved, and Isaac and Furina concluded their "investigation."

They reached a consensus and agreed that it was a trap set up by the Masked Clown to ambush Spina Di Rosula's president, Navia.

Isaac didn't have much to say about this matter. After all, he hadn't anticipated that Marcel would attempt to assassinate Navia then and there. As such, he wasn't able to prepare anything for such a scenario.

In the end, he just pinned the blame on his other persona.

However, he had already sworn friendly relations with Spina Di Rosula— how could he let his connections to them fall through?

For now, though, he was just letting everything go with the flow. If this matter spreads, then the Masked Clown's name would gain notoriety. In the future, he'll try to make amends if possible.

---

Court of Fontaine, half past seven in the evening.

The silent and forever serene moon quietly hovered above the inhabitants of the world as the night deepened.

Walking down the pathway to Palais Mermoia, Isaac and Furina's figures can be seen under the moonlight. They seem to be conversing, due to the smiles and laughs present coming from them.

Isaac was holding a brown waistcoat and a navy blue overcoat. Since their clothes got drenched, it was only natural to take them off.

"Here we are," Isaac stopped as he looked up the Palais. He then looked over to Furina and handed her overcoat to her. "Your coat, my lady."

"This investigation had been quite joyous. Well done." Furina looked at Isaac and smiled as she took the overcoat. "You are indeed an excellent investigator."

"I don't deserve such praise." Isaac lightly chuckled. "Moreover, I'm merely helping you, Lady Furina. I was just glad to be of help... And..."

"Going out with you was a breath of fresh air for me." Isaac lightly smiled as he said this.

"Hehe, that's to he expected." Furina chuckled also. "Such things are bound to happen when you're in MY presence."

Isaac nodded. "Well then, have a good evening, Lady Furina. I bid you adieu."

Hearing this, Furina chuckled to herself for a moment before smiling warmly. "Yeah! Farewell."

Soon, people from the Gardes appeared, ready to escort Furina back to Palais Mermonia.

Isaac didn't move and stood firmly as he watched her depart.

He then sighed lightly as he cleared a stiff neck. '...this mission turned out better than I expected.'

Turning around, Isaac looked at the quest tab once more and found that he still had five days left until the quest ended.

'Five more days with Furina...' Isaac's mind then started to drift as thoughts of scenarios like what happened today flashed in his mind.

He then stood still, and soon, chuckled lightly. 'I guess it won't be so bad...'

Having thought of this, Isaac decided to finally return to his sanctuary— his cafe.

---

"...Proceed to investigate the matter. Leave a few informants around the area." Inside the Chief Justice's office, Neuvillette spoke as his calm and solemn voice fell upon a Melusine.

"As you wish, Monsieur Neuvillette." The Melusine, who was part of Marechaussee Phantom, nodded before turning around.

Just then, right before the Melusine was just about to open the door to leave, the door opened widely as a figure dashed through it.

It was none other than Furina.

"My Dear Iudex~!" Furina said in a good mood. "How do you do?"

Neuvillette, who saw Furina suddenly barge in, sighed inwardly. "Knock first, Lady Furina. That is common etiquette."

"Yeah, yeah, I'll remember." Furina rolled her eyes. She then changed the subject. "Hehe, can you guess how my investigation went?"

"...I suppose excellent?" Neuvillette said. "Judging from your overall mood right now."

"That's right!" Furina said before sitting down on the side of his table. "It was the most glorious investigation I had! It was packed with suspense, mystery, and action!"

She was exaggerating a bit too much.

Hearing this, one of Neuvillette's eyebrows slightly lifted. "I thought that your part was only a decoy?"

"W-Well, that's..." Hearing this, Furina, who was in the middle of showing off, suddenly got flustered. "Well... It turned out better... Than I had anticipated...."

"...Your assistant?" The ever-so-sharp Iudex instantly made a speculation. "His name was Isaac, was it not?"

"Ugh, don't even get me started with him!" Suddenly, Furina swiftly crossed her arms as she pouted. "He's such an inconsiderate fool! A jerk!"

"A sharp jerk... A reckless fool! A smart fool... A..."

The scene of Isaac's face soon flashed in her memory— his deep languid amber eyes seemed to hide the abyss, yet give an odd tranquility, was the most prominent.

"Erm..." Along her words, Furina's face suddenly shifted from her previous enraged expression to that of a complicated expression.

"..." Neuvillette watched silently as Furina spiraled down a swift emotional swing. He then opened his mouth, "I wager that he was someone worth being around with?"

"Yes— Yes, you could say that!" Furina stopped fiddling with her fingers and nodded. "Though he has some... Unique quality about him... His presence had significantly made my performance much better than I had anticipated."

"Furthermore, he was a great assistant. Knows exactly what to suggest at the best of times." As she said this, Furina walked over to a sofa and sat down.

"It seems that you had a lot of fun..." Neuvillette watched her walk to the sofa and lightly scoffed. "Well, no matter."

"While you were busy with your... D—" Neuvillette paused for a moment and thought over the next word he was about to say. In the end, he chose another word. "—Performance... Your informants and the Marechaussee Phantom had gathered a quite significant amount of information."

After saying this, Neuvillette took out a portfolio from his desk and placed it on top. "It seems like Mr. Isaac's speculations were right after all."

"What do you mean?" Furina stood up and took the portfolio. After opening it, she immediately saw the reports from her informants, spies, as well as the members of the Marechaussee Phantom.

Neuvillette leaned back as he held his cane beside him. "The Marechaussee Phantom had an extended investigation in Poisson, and, from what we gathered..."

"The presence of the Masked Clown and the one who appeared in Poisson with a twisted gift are present and connected." After saying this, Neuvillette drew in some breath and sighed lightly. "Through this, we found that..."

"Wait, how did the Marechaussee Phantom even gather these anyway?" Suddenly, Furina was reading the portfolio, interrupted him, and raised her head, showcasing her swaying ahoge.

"...through convenient means." Neuvillette did not specify. However, his solemn tone did not make his words sound amiable at all.

"Oh..." Furina instantly knew what Neuvillette meant and her face darkened. She then swayed her hand, "Do continue."

"As I was saying..." Neuvillette shook his head as he picked up from where he left off. "Through... Persuasion... The Marechaussee Phantom convinced some members of Spina Di Rosula to "leak" the information to us."

"After repeated confirmation, it had come to our conclusion that..." Neuvillette's eyes then turned sharp as he looked at the portfolio Furina was holding. "The Masked Clown, and the mysterious gift sender, are associates."

"The Masked Clown and the Gift Sender, huh..." Furina read the portfolio and an amused smile formed on her face. "These names are getting more attractive by the minute— wait who even comes up with them?"

Neuvillette didn't mind her comment and continued working.

"Connecting this with Monsieur Isaac's theory... It matches well." Neuvillette then stood up. "There may very well be a new group or faction hidden in Fontaine... As for their motives, it is completely unknown."

"The Case of the Nocturnus Masked Clown and the Bloodied Gift of the Night shall now be one of our top priorities— next to the Prophecy and the Fatui," Neuvillette said as he adjusted his jabot. He then looked at Furina. "Do you have any objections, Lady Furina?"

"None at all." Furina lowered the portfolio and looked at Neuvillette. She then stood up. "Well then, if you'll excuse me, I'll have a bath now. Toodle~oo!"

With that said, Furina turned around and waved her hand as she walked out of the room.

Neuvillette watched her in silence, and soon, a silent and solemn thought emerged from this dragon's mind. 'Isaac Alder...'

'...he amuses her— and she likes it.' Neuvillette judged. He then shook his head as he looked out the window in silence. 'I never would have thought that I'd see such a scene in my long life...'

'...I'd like to observe and see where this will go...'

---

The next day. A new day had once more dawned upon the land of Fontaine— waking up those who were needed in their respective work.

Isaac was no different. He woke up at eight sharp and prepared himself for another day in the cafe.

At around nine in the morning, Isaac finally opened his cafe and silently sat behind the counter with a cup of cappuccino in his hand.

"Hawwn~..." Yawning, Isaac once more lifted his cup, cradling it, and taking a sip. He then blinked twice. "Life's good."

"I sure do hope nothing bad would happen today—"

Ding~*

Before Isaac could finish his mutterings, the door of the cafe suddenly opened, triggering the bell on the door.

"Good morning, are you perhaps Isaac?" A woman with a pale complexion, bright turquoise eyes, and salmon pink-colored shoulder-length hair barged in.

She was wearing a Steambird journalist uniform and had a monocle on her left eye.

Isaac saw her and quietly took a sip of his coffee. '...you know what? I'm too placated to even overreact. It is what it is.'

Ding~*

Just then, the door of the cafe chimed once more, and a new person suddenly barged in.

"Is Isaac Alder here?" This time, a woman with dark purple hair that turned slightly red at the end entered. She was wearing a pointy witch hat.

'...Oh come on, who else would want to come in?' Isaac took a sip of his coffee as he looked outside.

He then saw Lyney and Lynette walking while carrying a bunch of crates. Not far away from them was the Champion Duelist, Clorinde.

'...you know what? Never mind. It is what it is.' He decided to stop jinxing himself.

'Here we go.' He then stopped drinking his coffee and stood up. He then looked at the two ladies before warmly and courteously smiling at them. "Welcome, belles dames, what would the two of you have?"

Time for another hustle.

* * *

A/N:

Dad bought me a bike.

I haven't biked for like 8 or 9 years.

If I stopped uploading, I either got burnt out or I got hit by a truck somewhere.