ACT THREE: HEART OF DEPTH
Chapter Twenty-One: Confrontation
Against his better judgment, he returns to Mondstadt for longed to see her if only to say goodbye. After his meeting with Pulcinella, he had dragged his feet confirming his suspicions, preferring instead to return to his post at Liyue Harbor. As much as he hated the thought of never seeing her again, Childe knew that it was better this way. How else would she recover enough of her senses to realize the magnitude of what she has so blindly promised.
And while he hoped that the passage of time would have quelled whatever desire his own lust had roused within her, a part of him feared and even hoped that it wouldn't. And so, he had stayed away, diligently attending to his administrative duties and occupying himself with blistering training sessions during his spare time. But with every passing day the itch to see her grew. And soon he had convinced himself that closure would ease their abrupt parting.
Under cover of darkness, he rides into Mondstadt, forsaking his normal uniform for a pair of dark suspenders and a long-sleeved dress shirt which he secured with a sleeve garter. With his vision hidden and his mask and earring carefully stowed away, the sentries guarding the front gate greet him with equally concerned frowns.
"Pardon me, sir, but are you—?"
"Not here on Snezhnayan business," he informs them lightly as he rides past. "Just here to enjoy the festival."
He smiles at their confusion as he feels their gazes trailing him as he calmly makes his way through the city.
"Sorry, Bennett," he hears a brunette address a short youth with ash grey hair from behind a large receptionist desk. "But we haven't received any new commissions since you checked in this morning."
Tartaglia pauses to observe the vaguely familiar scene with mild bemusement as he is reminded of his own interactions with Kathryne not too long ago. Back then he was only thirteen years old and would often pester the Adventure Guild receptionist back home for more exciting commissions, eager to whet his desire for danger.
"Oh," the young adventurer sighs dejectedly. "But the festival doesn't start until tomorrow."
"Sorry Bennett," Kathryne offers sympathetically. "But commissions usually start declining around this time of year."
"I know, I know," Bennett agrees, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's just, well I actually found an elegant chest this morning with some artifacts and thought my luck had finally turned around today."
"Oh, Bennett," Kathryne sighs. "I'm so sorry. Tell you what, why don't you enjoy the festival for the time being and I'll let you know if I receive any new commissions. Alright?"
"Oh, boy! Really?! That's so awesome! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
Tartaglia feels a small smile twisting his lips at the youth's infectious glee. When the boy notices him watching them, he spins to face him, jade green eyes twinkling hopefully.
"Good evening traveler, a-are you here to place a commission?" He asks.
"Yes," Childe replies without thinking. "I am a traveler from Snezhnaya, and I just arrived for the festival. Do you know where I can find a room?"
"Oh, dear sir," Kathryne blinks. "I'm afraid all the inns and taverns in the city are fully booked."
"W-we could ask around," Bennett the adventurer states hopefully. "Someone might have canceled a reservation. I can help you ask around if you'd like."
"Excellent," Tartaglia beams. "That would be a great help, comrade."
"Ok, you wait here and I'll—"
"Why don't I come with you?" The Eleventh Harbinger offers suddenly aware of the hidden gaze trailing him from the shadows of a nearby rooftop. "You could give me a tour. It's been a while since I was in Mondstadt, and I didn't have a chance to properly explore the city during my last visit. I'd pay you extra."
The youth's eyes light up as Tartaglia pulls out a small pouch of mora. His green eyes suddenly dim and his shoulders sink as a thought seemingly occurs to him.
"It's probably best if you wait here, Mr.—?"
"Please call me Ajax," Tartaglia supplies with a pleasant smile as he leans down to extend his hand.
"Bennett," the youth replies as he accepts his hand with a sheepish smile. "Well, you're probably better off waiting here, Ajax. You see I have this condition…er…well it's a little hard to explain but it makes me very unlucky."
"You sure you're not just clumsy?" Childe asks arching an eyebrow.
"Well at first I thought that's what it was but honestly it's like I'm a magnet for misfortune," the adventurer explains. "Let's say whatever bad thing that could happen always ends up happening whenever I'm involved."
"Hmm, you're probably just superstitious," the Harbinger shrugs as he alights from his horse. "Anyways, I don't believe in such things, so I'll be coming with you anyway."
"Oh," Bennett sighs. "A-alright."
"Why don't you take Hermes over here to the tavern stables while I settle up with Kathryne?" Tartaglia suggests.
Bennett nods hesitantly as he cautiously approaches the tired horse. The Harbinger watches as the youth carefully leads his horse away, taking care to give it a wide berth as he guides it towards the stable. Once he is out of earshot, Childe returns his attention to Kathryne who is watching him blankly now.
"Oral report," he commands leaning forward to block the receptionist's hands from view. "Last known location. Subject, Barbara Pegg.
Conscious of his stalker's lingering gaze, he pretends to examine the Adventure Guild logbook sitting on the reception desk.
"Subject, Barbara Pegg," the android drones. "Last seen, seventy-five minutes ago exiting the Cat's Tail Tavern…in the company of…classified."
"Hmm, declassify."
"Authorization," the android requests watching him expectantly.
"Agent Tartaglia, constellation Monoceros Caeli," he supplies.
"Declassified. Subject Barbara Pegg. Last seen, seventy-six minutes ago exiting the Cat's Tail Tavern in the company of—"
"Hey Mr. Ajax," Bennett calls sleepily as he reemerges clutching a large horseshoe. "I think…your…horse…. threw his…shoe."
"Reboot," Tartaglia commands with a sigh before turning to acknowledge the young adventurer.
"Understood. Rebooting," Kathryne states.
"Sorry?" Bennett asks, blinking blankly.
"How did that happen? He just got re-shoed three days ago," Childe chuckles as he accepts the horseshoe somewhat incredulously. His smile falls as he notices the nasty gash above the youth's right eye and inhales sharply.
"S-sorry, you see…I told…I was...unlucky," Bennett chuckles weakly as he begins to lose consciousness.
Tartaglia hurries forward to catch him and feels a shudder of dread rip through him as he notes the dark blood seeping out of the youth's wound. Securing his limp frame against his chest, the Harbinger leaps onto a nearby rooftop and sets off for the cathedral.
He arrives just as the last stragglers from the evening mass are departing and is greeted with a chorus of dismayed gasps and shocked screeches as he pushes his way through.
"I need a medic!" He bellows. "Kroshka! Kroshka!"
"Barbatos save us! What have you done to him?!" A chubby nun shrieks.
"By the archons is that Bennett?!" Another nun cries out thoroughly mortified.
"Somebody help me! He's dying!" The Harbinger shouts suddenly beside himself.
"Someone fetch the knights!"
"Calm down everyone," an elegantly dressed woman addresses the crowd as she calmly approaches the Eleventh Harbinger. "Tell me, what happened."
She was impressively collected as she assessed the gory scene with her pale blue eyes. Judging from her even tone and composed demeanor she was well acquainted with dealing with gruesome injuries. Rolling up the sleeves of her blouse, she leans forward to carefully study the adventurer's injury. Childe notes the streaks of grey lining her pale blonde hair and is struck by how closely the shade resembles Barbara's.
"He was helping me put my horse away and the hoof came off and struck him in the eye," the Eleventh Harbinger explains as he watches her curiously.
"Bennett dear can you hear me?" the woman asks, resting a gentle palm along the adventurer's chest. "I want you to stay awake for me, alright?"
"Can you heal it?" Tartaglia asks nervously.
"Unfortunately, his wound is beyond my ability," she confesses with a grim frown. "However, my oldest daughter should be by soon. She's an exceptionally gifted healer. She will save your friend."
"Thank you," Childe sighs a lump forming in his throat.
"Bring him this way," the lady instructs as she turns to lead the way to an empty pew. "And try to keep him talking until she gets here."
"Hey buddy," Tartaglia says, nudging the young adventurer gently. "You, okay?"
"Mhm," the youth hums weakly.
"Do me a favor will you, tell me how to find your parents," the Harbinger presses squeezing his eyes closed, intent on blocking the images of his younger brother Anton bleeding to death.
"Dads…adventure…guild…"
"What's that buddy?"
"His fathers," a female voice supplies from over his shoulder. He turns in time to find a tall blonde with tight white trousers and a dark blue tailcoat approaching them. "He lives with the older adventurers at the Adventurers' Guild."
The Harbinger carefully lowers the youth's head unto the pew before carefully stepping aside as the blonde reaches them. His eyes narrow suspiciously as her sword materializes suddenly at her side. As he is about to pull out his bow, she reaches for her sword but pulls the hilt up to her face instead.
"Barbatos, guide us," she murmurs earnestly. A surge of anemo energy surges into her sword before pooling at her feet forming a healing circle of floating dandelions that envelopes the dying adventurer.
The tension in Childe's heart subsides as tendrils of healing anemo neatly sew the once-gaping gash shut, restoring the flesh there to its unbruised state. Bennett's once drooping eyes fly open and he starts when he notices the crowd of worried faces peering down at him.
"Er…w-what's going on?"
"You got hurt Bennett," the Dandelion Knight informs him kindly. "But you're better now."
"D-did you h-heal me, M-master J-Jean?!" The youth cries out, thoroughly dismayed. "I'm so so sorry! I didn't mean to—"
"Calm down Bennett," the acting Grand Master pleads with a bashful smile.
The Eleventh Harbinger inhales sharply as he is suddenly reminded of Barbara. As the crowd of concerned onlookers flock to examine Bennett and cheer the acting Grand Master, Tartaglia quietly makes his way outside, intent on slipping away unnoticed.
As he walks, he notes the immense weight that seemingly lifts from his shoulders as a joy and relief wash over him. When he blinks, the image of Anton and Teucer bleeding profusely from gaping gashes on their heads fills his heart with dread and he feels his stomach flip. It is all he can do to remain conscious as he reaches blindly for a nearby pillar to support himself.
A warm body presses against his instead, steadying his swaying frame until he regains his bearings. As his vision recovers, he turns to thank the kind stranger and is shocked to find the greying blonde watching him patiently.
"Are you alright?" She asks kindly.
"Y-yea. Thanks," he chuckles awkwardly as she releases him.
"Frederica Gunnhildr," she introduces, extending her hand with a warm smile. He accepts her hand in his with a sheepish smile.
"A-Ajax." He replies before adding. "Chernyshevsky."
"Oh, so you're from Snezhnaya," Lady Gunnhildr notes, genuinely intrigued. "Fascinating. Are you here for the Windblume Festival too?"
"Yes, I am," he confesses with a small chuckle. "I've heard great things about it. So, I thought I'd check it out myself."
"Have you settled on any plans for tomorrow yet?" She asks watching him inquisitively. He shakes his head after some thought and her expression softens
"Well, there are lots of games with tons of fun prizes," the Gunnhildr matriarch informs him. "I'm sure you'll be able to find something."
"Be-Bennett you really ought to lie down and—" the acting Grand Master's voice trails off as she reaches Lady Gunnhildr and the Eleventh Harbinger. Her pale blue eyes, so similar to the Gunnhildr matriarch's, widen as they fall on the unusual pair conversing quietly.
"M-Mr. A-Ajax sir?" Bennett the adventurer stutters nervously rubbing the back of his head as he reaches them.
"Hey, buddy," Tartaglia chuckles. "You doing alright? Gave me quite a scare back there."
"Aw, I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to worry you," the green-eyed adventurer mumbles. "My luck is just that awful you see."
"Yeah, no kidding," Childe chortles before shifting his attention to the Dandelion Knight. "Thank you for healing him."
"It was no problem," the acting Grand Master shrugs. "If you don't mind my asking, how are you both acquainted?"
"Oh, I'm his guide," Bennett supplies. "He commissioned me to give him a tour of Mondstadt and help him find a room for the night."
"Oh, my are you just getting in?" Lady Gunnhildr asks.
"I am," Childe nods. "I decided to head over here on a whim and didn't make any preparations for my arrival."
"I'm sure your comrades at the Grand Goth Hotel would be more than happy to accommodate you," the Dandelion Knight suggests.
"Your comrades?" Bennett repeats arching a puzzled eyebrow as he regards his ginger-haired client. "But I thought the Grand Goth Hotel was fully booked by the Fatui."
"It is," Tartaglia replies crossing his arms as he considers the acting Grand Master's frown. "I'm the Eleventh Harbinger of the Fatui—Tartaglia. Codename Childe."
A pregnant pause follows his awkward confession as the Gunnhildr matriarch and unfortunate adventurer consider him with identically blank expressions. At first, they merely watch him expectantly as if waiting for him to break the silence with a hearty guffaw. When he doesn't, they shift their attention to the acting Grand Master who merely gives them a solemn nod of affirmation.
"You cannot be serious, Jean," Lady Gunnhildr gasps before turning to address the slender ginger. "This boy? A Harbinger? Pray, what is your age?"
"Nineteen," Tartaglia replies with a small smirk. It never failed to amuse him how shocked people got when they were forced to reconcile his magnificent feats with his youth.
"It's not possible," the Gunnhildr matriarch insists shaking her head. "The Eleventh Harbinger has been active for at least five years which would mean that you were fourteen when you joined."
"Precisely," the Eleventh Harbinger chortles pleasantly.
"If you'd excuse us Lady Gunnhildr I'd like to have a few words with Mr. Childe in private."
At the acting Grand Master's words, the Gunnhildr matriarch regains her composure and motions for Bennett to follow her as she prepares to walk away. The young adventurer casts a confused glance over his shoulder at Tartaglia prompting the harbinger to give him an encouraging thumbs-up. Sufficiently reassured, the grey-haired youth jogs to catch up with the departing aristocrat, leaving his client alone with her daughter.
"That's gotta be exhausting referring to your mother by her title," Tartaglia notes with a smirk as he stretches his arms high above his head with a small yawn. His journey and mad dash to the cathedral had sufficiently drained him and he was eager to resume his quest for accommodations.
"It is what is expected of us," the Dandelion Knight returns pointedly.
He chuckles as he observes her stern frown. While her visage was strikingly similar to her mother's and younger sister's, the acting Grand Master easily towered over both and carried herself with a regal grace and confidence that was strangely reminiscent of the Tsaritsa herself. Unlike the Tsaritsa, there was a softness in her eyes and an assuring warmth in her tone whenever she spoke. Her stance with her sword at the cathedral betrayed her immense combat prowess and proficiency.
So, this is Kroshka's big sister. Fascinating. She would be an exciting opponent. He muses.
"From my understanding, your Tsaritsa prefers to station one harbinger per country," the acting Grand Master states tapping her chin with a contemplative frown. "And by all accounts, you were assigned to oversee your operations at Liyue Harbor while La Signora was tasked with running the Mondstadt branch."
"Oh? Are you interested in joining us?" he asks playfully tilting his head ever so slightly to the side as he studies her.
"Why are you here?"
"Well, my guide got hurt and was bleeding—"
"I meant in Mondstadt," the Dandelion Knight interrupts, shifting to stand at akimbo.
"I'm on leave," he informs her with an innocent shrug.
"Why are you really here?" She asks lowering her voice significantly as she studies him disapprovingly.
"Why do you think I'm here?" He parries with a charming smile.
The Dandelion Knight's frown hardens at this as she crosses her arms in obvious annoyance. Tartaglia's smirk widens considerably, thoroughly amused.
"This isn't a joke," she informs him frostily. "What you're doing to my sister will ruin her."
"Honestly," he sighs, his smile dropping now. "I just wanted to see her."
"Why?" the acting Grand Master presses, arching a skeptical eyebrow.
"Because I miss her," he admits. "She makes me happy."
"You frighten her," the Dandelion Knight states matter-of-factly.
"I would never hurt her."
"Do you really think she's worried about you hurting her?" the Gunnhildr heiress scolds. "Seeing others in pain destroys her."
"With all due respect, I'd rather not have this conversation with you," Childe snaps bristling visibly now.
"She thinks she's in love with you," Jean informs him with a withering glare.
"That's not tru—"
"If you care about her…you'd leave. Right now," the Dandelion Knight states coolly. "Before she sees you. She's already decided to stay. Don't make this harder for her. Don't make her choose. Don't take her away."
Tartaglia opens his mouth to retort but feels his response die in his throat as he notices the sadness within the acting Grand Master's eyes. Beneath her rigid posture lay a disheartening weariness of one who bore the weight of the world upon her very shoulders. Such, he imagined, was the toll of her family's vaunted lineage.
As the firstborn, her family's legacy fell to her to protect and grow so it made sense that she was not above beseeching him if she felt it would avert scandal and ruin. And yet, in that moment Tartaglia recognizes the shadow of despair and concern for the Deaconess. He felt the deep ache within her at the thought of losing her younger sister to something truly foul and sinister. It was a fear he shared whenever his thoughts returned to his younger siblings.
"Look," He begins, pausing briefly as he bows his head and averts his gaze. A soft scowl lining his features. "I get it. I'm not good for her. I tried to stay away but…I'm worried."
"Worried that she'll forget you?"
"No," he says shaking his head. "I'm worried that if I try to disappear without saying goodbye...she'll try to find me."
He lifts his gaze to study the acting Grand Master as she considers his words. While part of him longs for her to challenge him and assure him that he was sorely mistaken, he knows that he is right. When the Dandelion Knight finally meets his gaze, it is clear that she knows it too.
"I see," Jean hums somewhat distractedly. "How will you convince her to let you go?"
As he is about to respond he notices movement from the corner of his eye and turns to watch an elegant Snezhnayan carriage pull up to the cathedral. He feels the acting Grand Master's gaze shift when she notices what had commanded his attention.
That's Signora's carriage. He notes frowning deeply. But why is she here?
His breath hitches sharply within his throat as the carriage door swings open to reveal Mondstadt's shinning idol sitting within. As she alights, the footman steps forward to assist her. She acknowledges his help with an awkward nod as she prepares to climb the stairs leading to the cathedral.
Feeling the Eleventh Harbinger's gaze trailing her, the Deaconess scans the square for the unknown observer. Schooling his features into his signature disarming smile, he lifts his hand to wave at her but freezes when he notices the visible slump in her shoulders.
"Ah, Childe there you are," the Eighth Harbinger notes as she follows Barbara out of the carriage.
Tartaglia feels his blood run cold as he observes the cruel twist of his colleague's painted lips.
Author's Note: Yes, I made Kathryne an android. The theories about her being one given her appearance in Mondstadt and Liyue Harbor and her "Error...rebooting" idle voice line, make a lot of sense. While researching for this chapter, I learned that the Adventurers' Guild actually originated in Snezhnaya so I decided to make her some sort of reconnaissance android tasked with keeping track of various vision bearers and other persons of interest.
For some reason, Bennett and Tartaglia just seem like they would get along really well. Almost like a brotherly/mentor friendship given their passion for adventure and excitement.
Given what we know about Tartaglia's personality after emerging from the Abyss, I decided to make him a former member of the Snezhnayan branch of the Adventurers' Guild prior to joining the Fatui. Knowing how much of a showboat he is, I can totally see him accepting the most dangerous commissions from the guild as a way to show off his battle prowess.