Besides Hu Tao, Furina didn't know many foreigners. Go back to Clorinde? Furina's gaze landed on Shenhe, blinking to invite her to team up. Shenhe blinked back, but her blank expression—like Ei's—showed she didn't get it. Before Furina could explain, her view was blocked by another white-haired woman.
"Lady Furina," Arlecchino stepped in front of her. "Neither of us has a teammate. Shall we pair up?"
She'd been wanting to see Furina, and this was the perfect chance—talk about a gift on a silver platter. "Besides, we can discuss some official matters," Arlecchino said with a faint smile.
Furina was dumbfounded. Arlecchino really is a devil, making me work while terrified?! Neuvillette had something to say about that: You made me work while grieving.
After a moment's hesitation, Furina didn't refuse. Arlecchino used official business as an excuse, and as the Hydro Archon, Furina could hardly say no. She couldn't help but glance at Lucian. Lucian! You better keep an eye on me! Please, watch me closely! If something goes wrong, you'd better swoop in—handsome or not, just make it quick!
Rosalyne, who came with Arlecchino, was stunned. What about me? When I wanted to bring you, you flat-out refused, and now you're ditching me? What a painful realization—I'm not your everything! If only I'd known I wasn't your first choice, I wouldn't have come.
They'd actually come as a trio, including Tartaglia, but Rosalyne instinctively ruled him out. She shot a disdainful glance at Tartaglia beside her. No way I'm pairing with this guy, right?
Tartaglia didn't care to deal with her and went straight to Lucian: "Buddy, if someone attacks me because they're scared, can I fight back?"
This guy was trying to exploit a loophole to pick a fight—pretending to strike but holding back, so if the other person retaliated, they'd be the aggressor. Lucian nodded, approving. Fight back. Everyone here's no ordinary person—except that little Fufu—so go wild. With three gods watching, I doubt anything could go wrong.
Tartaglia was thrilled, practically wanting to kiss Lucian, and eagerly slipped into the forest to join the scare crew.
"???" Rosalyne was full of question marks. What about me? I said, what about me? One of you pairs up with someone else, another joins the scare crew—what about me? I thought I'd cry, but I didn't. I just stared at your retreating steps.
Looking around, the only "familiar" people left were Venti and Lucian, her two least favorite people. No way she'd go to Ei, who turned her into a "familiar," right? Rosalyne noticed Lucian waving at her when her gaze landed on him. After a moment's thought, she glanced around, threw a brief tsundere fit, and walked over.
"…What is it?" Rosalyne asked, slightly awkward.
"Join us," Lucian said with a smile. "You're the last piece."
He gestured to the "pro team" behind him.
"Hm? Me?" Rosalyne was confused. "What do you need me for?"
She was puzzled but didn't refuse. Deep down, she wanted to help Lucian. "We need a singer with an ethereal voice," Lucian explained. In a spooky atmosphere, ethereal can be terrifying—very atmospheric. If sung well, an ethereal voice could turn "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" into a horror ballad.
That said, Rosalyne's gaze shifted to Venti. Among those present, could anyone outshine him in this? Her voice was indeed ethereal and beautiful, but she felt she couldn't compete with the Anemo Archon.
"Don't look at me. I'm playing this today," Venti said, tapping the drum set in front of him. "Hahaha, doesn't it look fun?"
Lucian was speechless. Bro, if you're making excuses, at least make them believable. A drum set for a spooky vibe? You gonna rock out with ghosts? If you keep this up, I'm pulling out a suona. Your drums sound like a battle theme—escape turns into Resident Evil. One's about fleeing, the other's about fighting!
Lucian had brought out a pile of instruments for everyone to choose from, yet somehow Venti picked the drum set. Venti didn't know Lucian's thoughts, or he'd retort: Why? It's because of your damn good story! Can't I vent a little?
"…What a ridiculous reason," Rosalyne thought, echoing Lucian.
Venti scratched his head. Is it really that ridiculous? Bang bang bang—he tapped a few times. Isn't this fun? It's great for venting.
"…Hmph… It's absurd, but if you need me, I'll help," Rosalyne said, turning away to hide her expression. She saw through it—this was them helping her again.
"Great. Venti, you're out," Lucian said bluntly. If Rosalyne had refused, Venti would've been the backup. Since she agreed, Venti was "useless." Go play.
"Eh!? What's that!?" Venti exclaimed.
"Even if you kick me out, you're not skipping my bar tab!"
Barbara clasped her hands, starry-eyed. Ah~ Lord Barbatos playing drums is so divine! What? Bar tab? Sorry, too enchanted—didn't hear the rest.
Leaving the vibe crew aside, the others had mostly sorted their groups. It was just a fun event, so people picked partners based on preference, no strict requirements. The first group to tackle the test was Kuki Shinobu and Arataki Itto—no surprise, Itto was the loudest about it. But while he was the first to volunteer, he was also the first to freak out, hiding behind Shinobu the whole time. He even fainted from Hu Tao's scare—or so he claimed, saying he just "fell asleep."
Yae Miko was having a blast watching, slapping Ei's arm. Ei: … I'm out. I've got my own "adventure" later—setting sail tonight.
Itto's group still cleared, thanks to Shinobu carrying him out—literally winning by being carried. They ran into Tartaglia on the way, and seeing Itto passed out pissed Tartaglia off. With tears in his eyes, he left. It wasn't you who fought me to the end.
The next group, Paimon, wasn't much better than Itto. She mocked him, but they were about even. Paimon also fainted from Hu Tao's scare, and the Traveler carried her out. Hu Tao in her home turf was invincible!
Hu Tao: 2-0-0
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Character Voice · Furina: About the Test of Courage
"It was fun, but way too easy. I wasn't scared at all. What? Do it again? Ahem, I'm the Hydro Archon—very busy!"