A personal film would inevitably lack the polish of a commercial production; the limited resources were a given.
With no other crew, Furina had to handle everything herself. Yet, she reveled in the process, finding it as satisfying as building a castle block by block with her own hands.
Any inspiration can be woven into the story!
"O Masked One, please tell me, what is your name?"
"I am the gentle breeze that caresses your soul, the shadow that envelops you as you sleep, the ethereal glow that accompanies you in your solitude. You need not know my name; I only wish to make you mine."
The script's plot was simple: it would tell the story of her and Luna.
Of course, it wasn't a direct adaptation.
Furina made significant changes to key parts. For instance, the heart thief wasn't a Phantom Thief but a "Immortal" descended from the moon...
It seemed she'd been reading too many novels from Liyue and Inazuma.
One couldn't say the story was altered beyond recognition, but anyone not personally involved would never connect the film's protagonists to them.
"You've really gone all out with the creative liberties," Luna remarked.
Furina beamed. "But that's what makes it fun! If a film fails to entertain its audience, that's the real failure."
"That's true."
Watching the already recorded footage, Luna felt a wave of nostalgia.
In the blink of an eye, so much time had passed since she first became a Phantom Thief. Back then, she hadn't even known how to walk her path.
"Feeling nostalgic?" Furina asked, sensing her thoughts.
"Yeah."
"Me too. That's why I decided to set the final scene of this film in a place we're both very familiar with!"
A place we're both very familiar with?
Could it be... there? An image flashed in Luna's mind. She followed Furina across the beach until they finally arrived in front of the abandoned shack.
"Of course it's there," Luna said, not surprised at all.
"Where else could it be?"
"I'll never forget the time you took me away from the Opera House. In my long career of playing a role, that was the most relaxing and happiest period of my life."
Furina smiled faintly. "It seems this shack is scheduled for demolition soon, though."
Luna glanced at the rickety structure. Battered by sun and rain, it looked even more dilapidated than the last time she'd seen it. Even if it weren't demolished, it would likely collapse on its own before long.
She smiled. "Then let's start filming."
"Of course."
Setting up the Compact Filming Device and a recording device, Furina confirmed everything was ready. She raised her hand, held up her fingers, and counted down: "Three, two, one... Action!"
Luna stood with her back to the camera, the frame capturing her from the shoulders up.
"I'm sorry," Furina began, her voice intended to be from the perspective of the other protagonist. Luna's back was turned to the camera, just as she was turning her back on that character. "I've been deceiving you all along. I'm not a god at all."
"I've been deceiving you too," Luna replied. "I am a sinner from the moon. To walk with me is to dance with sin. In this vast world, there is no place for me. Don't involve yourself with me any longer. Your place is not by my side—"
"What about our promise? Can I never see you again? If walking with you means dancing with sin, if it means being stained by the filth of transgression, then I would rather cast this body aside."
Luna spun around, her expression one of shock.
"...This shouldn't be."
She continued.
"Then you shouldn't have accepted my heart in the first place. Since you've torn it from my body, take the rest of me with you. We are both sinners. You have no refuge, and neither do I."
Furina extended her hand into the camera's frame.
"Take me with you."
Luna's expression shifted subtly—from shock to emotion, then to hesitation. Her outstretched hand moved cautiously, as if it might shatter at the slightest touch, but finally settled into Furina's palm.
Her face softened into a relieved, shy smile.
"Okay."
"...Alright, cut! That's a wrap!" Furina announced.
Luna's expression immediately returned to normal.
She sighed helplessly. "I remember when you first approached me. I definitely wasn't this shy."
Furina cleared her throat, embarrassed. "It's called dramatic adaptation!"
"I think the original scene was dramatic enough," Luna retorted. "The great star Furina, completely ignoring everyone's stares, saying those things to me and practically dragging me away."
Furina's face flushed even redder. "Don't, don't bring that up again!"
"But you're the one who wrote this scene, aren't you?"
"I... cough. I was just desperate back then! Isn't that a normal reaction? Anyway, let's just drop this, okay?"
Luna smiled teasingly. "I still remember what Furina said back then—"
Furina yelped in alarm. "Waaah! I told you to stop!"
"'Then take me with you, too!' You were crying so hard."
Furina rushed over, grabbing Luna's cheeks, her face beet red. "I told you to stop! You really don't listen, do you?"
"...But I'm glad I said what was truly in my heart," she added softly.
Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to be with Luna like this.
Luna hugged Furina, nuzzling her cheek. "Me too. I love being with you, Furina."
"Of course you do! After all, the one you're dating is me, Furina!" Furina puffed out her chest proudly, despite her shyness.
No other woman could ever compare to me! Furina thought smugly.
Their eyes met, and as if by unspoken agreement, they leaned in and gently kissed.
"...Alright, time to see how the recording turned out."
Furina, thoroughly satisfied, pulled Luna over to the desk and picked up the Compact Filming Device.
Playback!
"Huh? Wait a second."
Something had just flashed across the screen.
Furina leaned in for a closer look and gasped in shock. "How did our... our... get recorded too!"
Luna peered over her shoulder, and realization dawned on her.
Their entire conversation and kiss had been recorded.
Furina must have forgotten to stop the recording, and now the tape contained this unexpected behind-the-scenes footage.
It was actually quite amusing.
"Should we cut it out? We could keep this part as a private collection."
Should I cut it? Furina hesitated. Cutting it wouldn't ruin the previously recorded footage, but... somehow... watching it back, it had a certain charm.
"...Forget it. Let's leave it in."
"So we're releasing it like this?" Luna asked.
"Of course not!"
"That would mean everyone in Fontaine would see us kissing!"
Furina laughed. "Let's just keep this film as our personal record. We don't need to release it. That way, whenever we want to watch it in the future, we can."
"It'll be a brilliant, radiant memory that will never fade!"
"As for my solo film, we can just shoot a new one later. I still have so many ideas I haven't tried yet. Why later?"
"Because it's almost showtime, of course," Furina said with a beaming smile. "Everyone gathered together, performing their hearts out on stage... It's going to be absolutely magnificent."