The next day, wanting to let Shenhe and Ganyu rest a little longer, Mu Yang didn't wake them. Instead, he decided to head over and check out the start of filming for The Two Musketeers.
Little Paimon couldn't wait any longer.
"Last night after watching your film, I was shooting movies even in my dreams!"
"Let's hurry up and go meet everyone!"
The three of them made their way to Debord Grand Hotel.
While passing by Lutece Cafe, Mu Yang told Lumine and Paimon to go up first—he would join them shortly.
Lumine and Paimon had barely reached the top of the stairs when they spotted Kamisato Ayaka and Naganohara Yoimiya already there.
"Good morning, you two. You're here so early?"
"Good morning. We heard from Mr. Xavier that your progress yesterday afternoon went really well."
Paimon nodded in confirmation, then asked if the two of them had gone out to have fun yesterday.
Kamisato Ayaka explained that after they parted ways the day before, her brother Ayato had gone alone to Palais Mermonia to visit Chief Justice Neuvillette.
"I originally wanted to go with him, but Brother said he could handle it by himself. He told me to spend more time enjoying Fontaine's scenery and experiencing the local culture."
[Wait, I just realized something—does Ayaka's outfit count as cosplay to the people of Fontaine?]
[Her clothes really do look like they came from here.]
[Don't sweat the details. Yoimiya was too embarrassed to walk into the Akademiya because of her bandages.]
[Forget the scholars—even I can't handle it!]
Since Ayato had gone to handle official matters alone, Ayaka and Yoimiya had taken a boat together to the Opera House on Erinnyes Island.
The moment Yoimiya brought it up, she lit up with excitement.
"It turns out there were two mechanical dolls dancing right next to the Opera House! You know the ones, right?"
"Coppelia's Funeral and Coppelius's Judgment." Lumine knew them well—she often "fought" those two automatons, secretly hoping they would drop some parts… (just kidding).
"Yes, yes, that's the one! Wow, it was seriously amazing."
Ayaka nodded in agreement. The two of them had sat there watching for a long time and still couldn't get enough.
Lumine and Paimon exchanged knowing smiles. When they first arrived in Fontaine, they had also spent a long time sitting there.
"After that we even went swimming at the beach—well, more like diving. It was my first time breathing underwater."
[Breathing underwater? What kind of divine phrasing is that?]
[You can breathe underwater too?]
[She has a Vision. Do you?]
[Fontaine's waters allow it, otherwise how would the protagonist even go down there…?]
"I held Ayaka's hand, and we counted together—three, two, one… then splash! We dove straight in."
As she spoke, Yoimiya grabbed Kamisato Ayaka's hand and acted it out.
"At first I didn't dare open my mouth. Only when I really couldn't hold my breath anymore did I finally work up the courage to take a big gulp. Haha, turns out it didn't taste like anything at all—not salty like I imagined."
"When I came back to my senses, I realized I was already breathing normally. It felt so strange. Ayaka said I was so nervous that I squeezed her hand until it hurt. She adapted really quickly, though."
[Now I don't know who to envy more.]
[They're both my wings!]
[Let me drink, let me drink!]
Ayaka admitted she didn't have much experience either. She had simply thought that if Lumine could do it, then of course they could too. So they just dove in.
"The seabed of Fontaine is truly beautiful. I especially like those Sea Dew Flowers blooming in the water. They look like candle lamps lining the streets at night."
Ayaka was drawn to bright, luminous plants.
Yoimiya, on the other hand, was more fascinated by the sea creatures.
"Those fish that go 'shoo-shoo-shoo' and shoot out blade-like light, and the chubby fish that go 'buzz-buzz-buzz' whenever they see people!"
Paimon smiled and corrected her. "Those are Glaive Rays and Blubberbeasts."
"Haha, Blubberbeast is such a cute name! If I told my dad and uncle about it when I get back, they probably wouldn't believe me."
[Cheese seal]
[Furina and her animal friends]
[Awoo, awoo]
[Shut up!]
[Are you trying to kill me, friend? .JPG]
The group walked into Debord Grand Hotel.
"Yoimiya swam in the sea for so long that it was already dark by the time we took the aquabus back to the Court of Fontaine. I was worried she'd be too tired to get up today."
"I was scared I wouldn't wake up either. Even while sleeping last night, I still felt like I was swaying with the waves."
Even though she said that, anyone could see that Yoimiya was still bursting with her usual energy and liveliness.
Paimon glanced around the room.
"Why are only a few of us here? Where is everyone else?"
Ayaka explained that Xavier and the others were still negotiating with the hotel owner about using the space for filming. They should arrive soon.
As for the rest…
"We're here."
It was Chiori and Chevreuse.
"Sorry we're late. I just finished the special training squad's ten-kilometer morning run."
"Ten kilometers?!"
[Action director: Kaveh]
[Black stockings and knee-high boots running ten kilometers, huh? Let me check if the scent is right.]
[Outrageous!]
"Ah— I'm dying of sleepiness. I could hear you all chatting from downstairs. I really envy you guys for having endless stamina."
Furina walked up while yawning.
[Furina gives off this vibe of a several-hundred-year-old elder, haha.]
[As expected of the most perfect human—this is what a normal person looks like.]
[Honestly, I'm the same as Furina when I have 8 a.m. classes.]
[Envious of the people sitting in the front row staring down the teacher. I'm usually zoning out in the second-to-last row like Zhuang Zhou dreaming he's a butterfly.]
"Good morning. Can someone get me a coffee? Extra milk, less sugar."
Kamisato Ayaka, who was standing closest, offered, "I'll go get one for you."
"Miss Ayaka is the lead actress. You should go get your makeup done first. Running errands like buying coffee is perfect for someone visiting the set like me."
The speaker was Mu Yang.
He was still as thoughtful as ever. He had already thought about breakfast. Lumine and Paimon had eaten at home, but the others probably hadn't. Besides, Mu Yang wasn't even part of the crew. Coming empty-handed to visit the set would have been awkward. So earlier, he had stopped by Lutece Cafe and ordered coffee and breakfast for everyone.
"Good morning, everyone." Mu Yang set the neatly packaged items on the table.
[Handsome.]
[Do any of you know a guy like this? I want to date him.]
[Only in my dreams.]
"Land— Landlord?"
"Ah, it's actually Mu Yang!" Yoimiya joked. "Still so attentive. Looks like this assistant director of mine is going to be out of a job."
"I'm not here to steal your job. I just came to visit the set and watch the opening ceremony for The Two Musketeers."
Of course Yoimiya knew that. She walked over, picked up the extra-milk, less-sugar coffee from the labels, and handed it to Furina.
"Thank you."
"Miss Furina, did you not sleep well last night?" Yoimiya asked with concern.
Paimon jumped in. "Don't tell me you're just not used to waking up early?"
Furina shook her head. "Of course not. Last night I stayed up and reread the entire novel from beginning to end. I marked every section I thought needed to be cut, changed, or emphasized."
This time it was Paimon's turn to be shocked. "Wow, I didn't expect you to take this so seriously."
Furina took a sip of her coffee. "Heh. No matter what, I was once Fontaine's most popular star. That title wasn't just for show. When it's time to be serious, I'll be serious."
"When I played the role of a god, I gave it everything I had. What reason would I have not to portray my own life with the same dedication?"
[Stop with the emotional damage already!]
[Well said.]
[Golden line! miHoYo's writing is god-tier.]
After chatting for a while, Xavier and Ayato arrived with the prop master and lighting technician.
"We've already spoken with the hotel owner. The second-floor area can be used as a filming location. We're free to use it however we like. He has high hopes for this movie and hopes it will bring him more guests."
"Really? That's great!"
Lumine gave her a speechless look. "Can you finish eating before talking…? Also, we already ate before we left."
Xavier noticed the breakfast on the table. Mu Yang told everyone not to be shy and to help themselves.
"We didn't think it through. Thank you for the trouble."
Xavier quickly finished his bread in a few big bites, then began the introductions.
"This is our prop master, Veronique. She's in charge of all the props used during filming."
The girl with neat straight bangs greeted everyone.
Next was the lighting technician, Bonnot, who handled the lighting equipment and atmospheric lighting on set. The young man looked sharp and energetic.
"Wow, this really feels like we have a professional production team now."
Xavier stepped into the center. "Please allow me to first offer my most sincere thanks to everyone."
After a short speech, the official filming of The Two Musketeers began!
Amid warm applause, Xavier handed the reins over.
"Director Furina, the set is yours."
Furina gave a light cough. "Alright, alright, everyone look over here."
"For the first scene, we'll shoot the innocent stage of the two musketeers at the Count's residence. Lighting and props, set the scene."
"Lead actors, go get your makeup done. Extras, go over your positions!"
"Everyone clear? I don't want anyone running around the set like scattered sparrows later."
[As expected of Fontaine's top star—immediately in character.]
[This is what a real veteran actor looks like.]
[Give us a one-take wonder with no cuts!]
Furina clapped her hands decisively. "Alright, everyone move. We'll start rolling as soon as the scene is ready."
"Let this movie sweep across Fontaine like a tsunami!"
Realizing what she had just said, the still-traumatized Furina quickly corrected herself.
"Uh… I mean the kind that shocks people, not the kind that drowns them."
Mu Yang thought to himself that the psychological shadow was clearly still there. But at least she had now accepted that the god in the mirror was gone. It was a good start.
Lumine wandered around the set. Yoimiya happily helped the lighting technician arrange props. Mu Yang chatted with the prop master about the muskets.
"I didn't expect Mu Yang to be this serious even when he's just visiting the set."
"Let's go see what Chiori is up to."
Chiori was deep in thought. Ayato tried to make conversation.
"Ayaka mentioned you before. She said the two of you had a good relationship as children."
"Don't talk. I'm thinking about the makeup for around your eyes."
"To match the protagonist?"
"No. For the 'innocent' scene."
"Is the wrinkle next to my eye too deep?"
"It's the scheming in your eyes that's too deep."
[Ayato: …Thanks a lot.]
[Blunt as ever.]
[That's Chiori for you.]
[This is what a clash between masters looks like. Terrifying.]
— — — — — —