Today happened to be a rather peaceful day, warm sunny weather and hardly any disturbances. It was the ideal day to patrol around the city in a more leisurely way.
Passing by Chioriya Boutique, you caught a glimpse of yourself from the reflective mirror. The Boutique had lovely outfits that are actually made from an Inazuman designer.
"[Name]! Are you finally here for fashion advice?!"
Eloffe, one of the staff spoke.
"Um no.."
you awkwardly shut down her strange fantasy for giving you a makeover.
"Oh.. Some of the Gardes have talked about updating their standard uniform to be more fashionable. I just thought you were doing that too"
"Aren't uniforms supposed to be about practicality, besides I don't see what's wrong with mine."
you tipped your hat rather confidently
"Well if you're going for a pirate like look then you've met success. However... the feather is rather obnoxious."
she bluntly tells you
"Ah well.. If I consider updating my inform then I'll be sure to come back here."
you assure her
"Excellent, we'd be delighted to have you as a client."
she smiles, finally letting you go.
At a far enough distance your posture sinks slightly, your outfit isn't ridiculous... right?
Never mind that you still had patrolling to do, you wouldn't let a an opinion about your uniform get in the way of work.
You took the path towards the hub, specifically the clementine line. People either go there to take the aquabus or have a magnificent bird's eye view over the city.
A few people crowded around the corner of a post, murmuring to each other. Of course anyone capable of being curious would too join the crowd to investigate.
"He's just standing there.."
"Doesn't he look majestic?"
"Is he alright?"
"Should someone ask him?"
So many people whispering at once to each other, they then notice you.
"Oh hey, I know that feather.. it's the MPS chief."
one of them says slightly louder to you.
"Why is everyone crowded like this?"
you ask
"Monsieur Neuvillette is standing close to the edge there, Do you know why?"
"I'm afraid not... maybe he's just sight seeing. Which is completely normal unlike you guys creeping around the corner watching and whispering about him."
"Oh.. sorry. We are just a bit interested since he's so... him. Could you ask him what he's doing?"
"I only speak to him on professional basis'"
you replied bluntly
"Aw don't be like that, we would ourselves but you're better acquainted with him."
the crowd looks at you expectantly
"Alright alright fine, clear the way please."
you give into their demand
"Could you ask him if he's free for dinner?"
Some lady sighed in admiration
"I will not be doing that."
you clarified once able to step past the crowd.
It wasn't strange to see him out in public, though it seems whenever he is out he attracts a crowd of fascinated admirers much like this one. You stopped only a few feet behind him, whatever was occupying his mind had him very entranced as he didn't notice you until you called out to him.
"Mr. Neuvillette?"
He glanced back only once before turning back to the view
"I apologize if the crowd pushed you to talk to me. Though it is still a delight to be able to encounter you in this setting."
"I will admit I am a bit curious myself as to why you're stood there.."
you confess
"Care to join me?"
he offers
You stepped slightly closer, stopping right before the caution line on the ground.
"What exactly am I joining?"
"Well you can't join me from back there."
He turns back around noticing you're stood a strict distance away.
"You're past the caution line."
you pointed out the obvious observation
"There's a railing. If you must know so desperately, I am merely out on a stroll."
"It's a nice day for that, isn't it?"
You stood behind him in silence for a few minutes, wondering if you were to stand at the ledge next to him would the people below look like ants? Or was it the clear blue horizon that his gaze was fixed upon. Someone then "Psst" your attention away,
"Well? What is he doing there?"
They asked.
oh right
"Nothing to see guys, he's just on a stroll so you can let him be now."
They all looked at you with disapointment from the underwhelming report. You stood there watching as the crowd began to disperse. Before continuing patrol you awaited for the scene to become the normal kind of bustling since it was a hazard for them to crowd the way they did. There was no railings for the shallow water pathways, they were only for the edges where one could fall from the high distance.
You cannot stress enough that your number one priority is ensuring public safety...
"Hm, you got that crowd to disperse rather quickly."
Startled by his sudden presence behind you, it caused you to loose all proper footing and fall into the shallow water you were desperately protecting others from. Falling onto your behind ensured that the water was tall enough to drench you completely. Your hat hanged low over your face but lower enough a gloved hand reached out,
"My dearest apologies, It was not my intention to startle you so badly."
He pulls you up back onto the platform
The gasps of others fed into the embarrassment,
"It's.. fine."
Shivering at how the relaxing breeze felt icy now that you were drenched.
"I insist you wear my coat. It might be big on you."
He quickly takes it off, urging it towards you.
"Ah- There's really no need, it may send the public wrong ideas."
you pushed it away
"Nevermind that, I will clear up any misunderstandings that arise."
he insisted further
"I have an extra uniform at my office, I'll just change there. Though it will be a walk of shame and embarrassment..."
you sigh pitifully
"Then Please, Allow me to escort you at the very least."
You could tell he was overridden with guilt so you agree to the escort. He operated the elevator and cleared the way for you, people glanced but only for a second as any who dared to look for longer earned an intimidating stare from Neuvillette. Shivering, you began to regret not accepting his coat... the responsible side of you assuring that it was probably best you didn't as to not get it wet.
"I just realized I don't have an extra hat... bizarre feathered pirate hats aren't exactly in demand to be abundant."
attempting casual talk to distract yourself from the whole, walking in public completely drenched next to the Iudex of Fontaine.
"Bizarre? I'd prefer to say noteworthy, one can always tell when you're arround by the sight of that bold feather. It's quite recognizable, almost like your indicator."
"It's... unique for sure. I suppose I can have it sent to the botique if it's damaged in any way."
You took off the hat now feeling less self-concious about the predicament.
"I'll handle the expenses for it, I am to blame for its condition afterall."
his tone sincere
As you finally arrive at the post office you stop before the closet door.
"Please wait here, I'll let you know when I'm done."
While you're in there changing you were also tidying up the place. He's never actually been to or seen your office before, especially in person. So once you were satisfied with the rushed clean up, you sat in the gifted chair and called out to him.
As he opens the door; upon finally seeing the inside his eyes widen from how small the office actually is. He brings an hand to his face to hide a slight flustered expression,
"If I knew the dimensions of your office... I would have gifted you a chair more appropriate to the size of the room."
"Nah, I like my comically large chair. It really adds to theme of ridiculousness my life seems to always attract... well that and it makes me feel like a big boss."
self deprecating joke...
a small chuckle escapes him on accident,
"A big boss?"
"Oh? Did I make the Monsieur Nuevillette laugh?"
you impulsively tease somehow forgetting his status.
He tries to contain himself from wheezing at the sight of such a large and fancy professional chair in a closet sized office.
"Ahem.. I didn't mean to laugh at you."
"You're being rather mean to me today"
You dramatically whine, milking the sadness.
"Then perhaps I can make it up to with a real stroll around the city?"
the way spoke was so polite...
"Only if you promise not to cause me to fall into any more bodies of water"
you held out your pinkie
"Im not sure I can gurantee that.. but i'll try my best"
He completes the pinkie promise
This time you both decided to stay on ground level for the walk, passing by the cafe with such a pleasant aroma from its brews. Menthe waves hello as you both pass by, she's never seen the two of you in one place together before.
"You left rather quickly at our last meeting"
he reminds you
"Food delivery is no joke, a Melusine had to be fed as per your request."
you hope he'd drop the subject
"Well yes, I did send you to do that. Though I was... expecting to speak to you a little while longer."
"I can't provide detailed reports everyday if nothing worth nor necessary of noting is needed."
"I don't mind straying from the formal strictness of the detailed reports."
"Like partake in causal small talk?"
"I suppose that would be accurate as to what I mean"
You both become immersed in the conversation as your bodies lead the walk from muscle memory towards the top of Palais Mermonia, near his office building.
"I didn't think you'd be interested in a conversation with me"
your demeanor a bit bashful
"The Melusines have told me they find you to be... an amusing entertainer at times."
his laugh much softer
"Th-they did?"
you had forgotten he tries to speak to them as often as you do.
"I haven't had the fortune of seeing your more humorous side since you're always so formal towards me"
"Now that you've had a taste of it, what do you think?"
He leans over the ledge railing
"I think you shouldn't refrain yourself from showing it more often during our meets."
"I'll keep that in mind"
you leaned over the same ledge, now next to him.
"Does your job really bring you so much... ridicule?"
his tone becoming more serious and concerned
"Yeah, but it builds my charming personality. When people don't take you seriously, you sort of stop taking yourself seriously."
"I see"
his voice came out sounding like a low hum
A comfortable silence is once again shared between the two of you but at a different ledge, a closer distance to each other, and much more casual atmosphere.
"Does it get lonely?"
you ask
There was no need for further clarification as he understood what you meant.
"It's a lonesome responsibility I don't mind handling."
"Then I will try to put a smile on your face more often so the feeling of loneliness can ease a moment"
"I'd appreciate that. It seem that talking to you like this already brings a sense of serenity."
an unusual warm blush spread across your face from the poetic compliment. He leans lower over the rail towards your level,
"You know, you're past the caution line."
he points out
"There's a railing"
you repeat his words from earlier
Who knows how long you stood there mesmerized by the scenery. Only passersby's who have noticed the new and unusual closeness you had with the Iudex. A moment of ambiguity to those outside of it.