The Fallen Angel screeched to a halt.
They have arrived at their destination.
The inazuman waters were choppy and turbulent, just as beidou remembered.
The door to her room slid open with a slight drag, and in came il Capitano, ready to ruin her day once more.
Behind the man were 2 women, one whose dress was decorated with shining rubies and the other, whose cheongsam (traditional Chinese attire for females) was decked with striking sapphires.
One could tell right away that they were favored by the second of the harbingers himself, considering how both dressed as extravagantly as he did.
Beidou recognized them as her senior brother's handmaidens.
No, not handmaidens.
Pets.
"Rise, sister." Capitano smiled, extending a gentle hand for beidou to take.
The former captain of the crux only batted his hand away forcefully, earning a hiss from both of the females Capitano had beside him.
With a raise of his hand, the hissing stopped instantly, and the two women returned to their former subservient selves.
"Master. Do you think it is wise to have this... deserter join our ranks?" One of the women, the one in vermillion asked.
"That is no way to treat a long lost comrade, Hong'er." Capitano scolded.
The man snapped his fingers and as if on cue, 2 Fatui agents materialized beside beidou, grabbing her by the arms and forcing her to stand up.
"Our guest is simply tired... We should all be understanding. After all. We are all family here." Capitano smirked.
Beidou struggled and threw the 2 agents off, grumbling something along the lines of how she could walk by herself, before leaving the room with an obviously stormy demeanor.
"My liege. You do realize that your sister will eventually betray us." The other woman in azure reminded.
"My dear Lan'er. Who do you think TAUGHT her how to betray in the first place?" il capitano chuckled darkly, as he waltzed out of beidou's quarters.
The air became salty and thick the moment beidou stepped out from the metallic hull of the fallen angel.
Thunder bellowed and purple lightning stretched its tendrils across the sky.
What a warm welcome.
It was like the weather itself was against them
Beidou knew that the moment she entered the nation, she was a criminal- a trespasser who defied the raiden shogun's sacred orders of total lockdown.
The fact that she entered with the Fatui, who were known for their world wide gnosis hunt only solidified her status as public enemy number one in the eyes of Baal.
But then, a small wave of relief washed over her.
A silver lining in her predicament.
She would lead the Fatui straight to the vision hunters.
With any luck, they would weaken the fatui's forces enough to impede Capitano in reaching his objective... whatever they might be.
She gazed into the waning sun, slowly hiding itself behind the horizon.
Capitano will regret ever bringing her back into the fold.
Beidou was jolted out of her reverie by a hand on her shoulder.
It was Capitano, with a sickening smile on his face.
In response, Beidou forcefully wrenched her shoulder away from her senior brother's grasp in disgust.
Capitano frowned.
"Sister. I've tried to be hospitable. But you've still treated me with such icy reciprocation." He pouted, albeit with some disappointment, before continuing,
"Is there anything I can do to make you feel more at ease? To make everything how it once was? You and I fighting side by side... us against the world-"
"Save it." Beidou snarled.
The young man's eyes turned bitter with the cold rejection, before lighting up again as an idea clawed itself into his head.
"I know! How about, I give you a few hours to wander Inazuma by yourself? No bodyguards, no spies."
Beidou shot him a glare, before retorting," do you know what a pirate, a Fatui and a diplomat have in common?"
Il capitano cocked his head at the question.
"Do tell."
Beidou laughed darkly.
"You can never trust them to tell the truth."
The second son of the tsaritsa chortled at the answer.
"Oh but you can. Why? Is it so difficult to believe that I want you to be... happy?"
Capitano snapped his fingers, and the serpent shaped obedience collar on Beidou's neck clanked onto the floor, where the discarded metal pieces transformed into steel serpents that slithered up capitano's hand.
Then, with a satisfying click, they reattached themselves around his wrists like a bangle.
Beidou's eyes widened slightly with small surprise at the relaxation around her throat.
It was like she was alive again.
Like she had free will once more.
Still, her mouth curled into a sneer.
"Brother. Serpents shouldn't play with your food too much. They might just run away and leave you hungry."
"Then run away! Be free, sister!" Capitano smiled warmly, before adding," until sunrise that is. Like I said. There is much work to do, so enjoy this luxury for as long as it lasts."
Beidou tsked, leaving capitano and his underlings at the beach, shrouded in the now dark of the night.
As il capitano viewed beidou walking toward the bustling marketplace, the silver bangle around his wrist that was on beidou's neck a few moments ago began to vibrate.
The serpent shaped ornament then twisted to life, coiling affectionally around il capitano's arm.
"What have you learnt from your time with her, my pet?" Capitano inquired.
"She didn't even try to escape, my lord. You have nothing to fear. It's just like you said. She is broken and has lost the will to fight."
The serpent shaped bangle replied in a feminine voice.
"Well done. Continue to serve me well and one day, you will achieve human form like Hong'er and Lan'er." Capitano smiled, stroking and caressing the head of the silver snake with his fingertip, prompting it to cuddle with his hand in response.
