Until Then [2]

Furina looked up and saw the dumbfounded expression of Isaac. Noticing him staggering in disbelief as he gazed at her, an amused smile crept up her face.

Seeing him falter in sight of her made her want to see more of that kind of reaction. It was such a stark contrast to his usual confidence and collected demeanor that she might get addicted to seeing it— she craved to see more.

Having thought of this, a devious thought blossomed in her head.

'Right... I should do that right now...'

Having thought of this, she then took a moment to place a strand of silver hair behind her ear before looking at him...

And winking in his direction.

At that moment, although they were separated by a floor, Furina clearly saw Isaac's face turn red before choking from his wine— she might be imagining things, but she was sure that a gust of steam rose above his head.

The wine he was drinking spilled out before he swiftly covered his mouth with his hand. He then placed down his wine glass on a table and stood up straight, his hand still covering his lower face.

His deep amber eyes then looked back at her.

He gently lowered his hand, and, after causing that little mischief, Furina saw his reaction.

"...!"

He was flustered.

"That" Isaac that always seemed to have control over his emotions... was blushing like a fool.

Seeing his flabbergasted face that was beet-red, Furina's eyes wavered. She has expected some kind of reaction from that little act of hers, but she didn't expect it to have that much impact. Seeing that usual Isaac get stunned by her...

'Cute!'

She tried her best to mask her expression, but a mischievous smile still managed to escape her defences. She then turned her gaze away, trying her best to not look at his piercing gaze.

As she looked back to the crowd welcoming her with a roaring applause, her smile quivered and her breathing became slightly turbulent as she thought of something.

'I might... get addicted to that...'

It was not everyday that she could see such a... raw... reaction from Isaac, as such, she wanted to see more. There was just something about dismantling that confident façade he has and exposing his true emotions that just makes her want to...

...eat him up like a predator to a prey.

Her eyes lit up then narrowed as she hid her thoughts, formulating some sort of devious idea in her mind.

'After this... maybe...'

She smiled before dispersing those thoughts. She just had to wait until the end of the ball to see it come into fruition, after all.

It was only a matter of time.

Hiding those thoughts at the back of her head, she looked at the crowd in front of her and prepared to give her speech. She still had to fulfil her role as an Archon, after all.

Standing on the center stage, the golden glow of the chandeliers casted a soft light on Furina. Her silver gown flowed elegantly as she raised her head, looking out at the sea of faces before her.

The room buzzed with the excitement of the evening, the guests dressed in their finest suits and gowns, their anticipation growing.

With a smile that radiated confidence, she stepped up and spoke. Her voice, rich and charismatic, filled the hall.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to stand before you tonight— on this wonderful occasion, as we celebrate the incredible artistry and dedication shown during this year's Fontinalia Film Festival."

- Woo!

A ripple of applause filled the room, but she held up her hand graciously, waiting for silence. Afterwards, she continued.

"Each of you, in your own unique way, contributed to the magic of films we've had the pleasure of experiencing these past two weeks. Your passion, your creativity, your tireless work—tonight, we celebrate all of you."

The crowd erupted in applause once more, but this time it lingered, an acknowledgment of their collective achievements.

Furina let them soak in the praise, her smile widening as she looked over them, her heterochromatic eyes sparkling with pride.

She then gazed at a certain someone above, another mischievous smile forming on her face.

She then continued.

"And, of course, tonight is not just a celebration of the festival itself, but of the extraordinary talent that has emerged from it."

Her eyes then narrowed on a particular man above, her smile softening as she fixed her attention on him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I want to take a moment to congratulate the winner of this year's Best Actor award…"

"With his incredible acting that perfectly captured a burdened Hunter's remorse, he made it possible for their film to come out on top!"

"Everybody, a round of applause to Mr. Isaac Alder!"

The spotlight then shifted to Isaac, who was sitting above and cleaning his face with a handkerchief. Noticing that the crowd's attention shifted to him, he quickly fixed himself.

As the crowd's applause surged around him, his face flushed slightly, caught off-guard by the attention. He then gave a humble, slightly awkward smile, raising his hand in a subtle wave.

"Thank you for the praise, Lady Furina. But I believe that it was with everyone's efforts that made the film impeccable. I just... became the centerpiece, that's all."

"Moreover, I believe that the one who made this film great is none other than you, our beloved director."

He then turned to the crowd and raised his wine glass.

"Everyone, to Lady Furina! For being a great director and Archon!"

The crowd cheered as Isaac redirected the credit back to Furina, appearing to be humble. Well, it's not like he was faking it— he believed that the film truly became great because of Furina's meticulous writing and directing.

Seeing him turn the crowd back against her, Furina quickly retorted.

"He's a modest one, isn't he?"

Furina teased, earning a chuckle from the audience. She continued while looking at him proudly.

"Stand proud, Isaac. Do not sell yourself short."

"Your performance this year was nothing short of breathtaking. Your depth, your commitment, and your sheer talent have left us all in awe. We are fortunate to have witnessed such mastery."

She paused and lingered for a bit before forming a dazzling smile— one so pure and genuine that it outclassed everyone in the grand hall.

And that smile was directed to none other than him.

"Congratulations, Isaac."

Isaac, still appearing humble, nodded appreciatively. Matching her incomparable smile, he too showed one that reflected his gratitude. Then with a more composed demeanor, he spoke.

"Thank you... My lady."

For a moment, the crowd saw an inspirational scene worthy of a painting. In that split of a second, all of them witnessed the undeniable compatibility between the two.

The radiant, and charismatic Furina, along with the elusive yet debonair Isaac created a perfect scene of a human and a god sharing the same quality—

Glamour.

Both of them appeared romantically glamorous. And... everyone, in their minds, unanimously agreed to such a thought.

Oblivious to the thoughts of the crowd, Furina nodded before shifting her gaze back to them, her tone now wrapping her speech in a sense of finality.

"And so, as I bring my speech to a close, let us not forget that tonight is a celebration not just of winners, but of all the stories, the moments, and the artistry we've shared."

She lifted a glass of wine from a nearby table and raised it high. Remembering a certain phrase uttered by Isaac, she hesitated before smiling.

"To absolute cinema, to creativity, and to all of you. May we continue to inspire and be inspired!"

The room followed her lead, lifting their glasses in a unified toast. Their voices echoed in the grand hall.

"To absolute cinema!"

She smiled one last time before taking a sip of her wine. The evening's festivities are now truly in full swing.

---

After Furina's speech, the grand hall quickly became a stage where every participant socialized and danced. Of course, the majority of those dances are people making connections.

As for Isaac, he had long left the hall in search of somewhere far quieter, eventually finding himself in one of the balconies.

The dark night sky filled with stars contrasted sharply with the brisk ball currently happening behind him, giving him more reason to stay.

Gazing up at the night sky, he felt the crisp chilly air brush off his face— a sign that winter was finally here, and soon, snows would find themselves in the streets of Fontaine.

While Isaac was immersing himself in the quiet contemplation, a voice suddenly spoke to him.

"You don't really hate social gatherings that much, do you? There's a lively dance currently occurring in there... Yet here you are all on your own."

Hearing this, he lingered for a bit before smirking. He then turned towards the person who spoke.

"That is true... But what is a dance if it's not with someone who I want to dance with?"

He paused before continuing.

"Good evening, Furina."

Standing right in front of him was none other than the guest of honor tonight. The charismatic and adored celebrity of Fontaine, as well as the Goddess of Justice.

Usually, Furina held an air of class that always filtered her away from the common people. It wasn't divine air, but rather, the boundary between a celebrity and the normal person.

However, tonight, that air was gone. That flamboyant character she played... is no longer veiling her true self.

Looking at Isaac, she lingered for a bit before smiling softly.

"Good evening, Isaac."

He nodded.

"You don't seem to be in good spirits as well— you even found yourself here. Is it not because of the ball?"

She lingered before shaking her head. Afterwards, she walked past him and leaned on the balcony.

"Although the appropriate answer is saying no... to be frank, it is."

He raised an eyebrow at this peculiar answer.

"What does that mean?"

Her gaze then looked up, staring at the sea of stars laid out in front of her like a mesmerizing painting.

She then spoke while looking up.

"You should have also seen it... That grand hall is filled with nothing but blank masks of people hiding behind a façade."

"You and I know much about the masks people wear... We know it's natural and not something unusual. Still..."

Her voice then trailed off as she tried to find an appropriate analogy to back her words.

Isaac walked beside her before also leaning on the balcony. He then finished her words for her.

"It feels nothing like dancing with people... but more like with puppets, yes?"

She smiled.

"Indeed. As for us, we are only miserable fools who can see through their masquerade— be it a blessing or a curse, I don't know..."

"The masquerade of the guilty, eh?" Isaac mumbled under his breath as a slight smirk formed on his face.

He turned silent for a moment before turning to her, his deep amber eyes gazing at her, enamored by her beauty that transcended anyone else in his eyes.

Then, he slowly bent his body lightly while placing his hand on his chest and the other stretching out to her.

Furina noticed what he was doing and watched, already aware of what he would do.

He then spoke.

"If that's the case..."

"Lady Furina... would you honor me with a dance?"

Looking at his hands reaching out to her, Furina lingered for a moment before smiling softly.

She reached out her hand which was covered with white gloves and held his hand. Feeling the heat of his hand be shared with her, her face flushed.

"I do."

Hearing her accept, Isaac released a sigh of relief. Then, he stood up straight and held both of her hands while still looking at her with a soft expression.

"If I would be so bold... May we dance somewhere else?"

Furina tilted her head.

"Why? Do you not want to dance in the grand hall? And where do you want to go?"

Instead of answering her, Isaac merely smiled before leaning closer and... hugging her.

"...?"

Suddenly enveloped by him, Furina became addled for a moment. He had completely enveloped her, his towering figure leaving no room for her petite body to escape.

Yet in that entrapped state... she felt a strangely comforting warmth. She felt safe in that embrace as if his body was both an impenetrable shield and a source of warmth.

She... liked it.

Then, while in a stunned confusion, Furina suddenly heard Isaac speak.

"Hold on for a moment and... don't let go."

'What do you...'

She was just about to say something when she suddenly felt like the whole world became much darker. She even noticed that the lively noise of the ball gradually vanished.

She wanted to look around, but Isaac suddenly held her head and pressed her to him, preventing her from seeing further.

Stuck in that embraced position, she originally wanted to part away, but the feeling of him seemingly protecting her made her reluctantly stay. Also...

'...why does he smell nice...?'

For a barista, he doesn't smell like burnt beans at all. Rather, he smelled more like...

Vanilla?

...she liked that too.

After a few moments, Isaac finally let her go, separating her from that comfortable warmth that gave her a sense of safety.

A moment later, she heard something.

"You can open your eyes now."

Following his words, Furina sluggishly tried to open her eyes, still addled by Isaac's confusing and sudden actions.

"Seriously, Isaac... What was..."

However, when she opened her eyes, her words suddenly left her mouth. It took her a moment before uttering only two words.

"This is...?"

Isaac smiled.

"The perfect backdrop for the most spectacular dance..."

In front of Furina laid a vast grassy plain, with a single tree behind them serving as a shade.

And, as if Celestia themselves wanted them to see it, the night sky's astonishing darkness flickered with a stunning vast sea of stars, illuminating the world with a brilliant prospect.

Then, outstretching his hand once more, Isaac smiled at her.

"Shall we? Tonight... the stars themselves shall serve as witnesses..."

"To this dance."