Speech = ``...´´
Thoughts = [... ]
ºº
``I was looking for you…´´
That was the first thing she managed to hear inside the emptiness of her personal room apart from the fickle sound of her own breathing and the soft, echo of the flames licking slowly the edges of the lit up candles...if one were to ignore the soft, melancholic tune of the music machine.
Her voice devoid of any apparent emotion through the length of her words, sharp, quick, yet remaining neutral through the entire statement for it was not a question.
Calm and collected like the tide waves smoothly brushing against the sand and rocks of cliffs, or cold and eerie like ice scratching glass...depending on who you ask for, the voice could be one or both..
And yet, she did feel that little tinge of emotion beneath the control and masks that clung so smoothly to anything that came from that throat, so small, so almost imperceptible, yet it was there..
The curiosity...and that sense of familiarity.
She really didn't know why that made her smile, she had caught on the gesture already too late to stop herself, but perhaps the fact that she was giving her back to the voice was what made things a little better at least..
She had not heard her coming, nor she had expected to…even now she couldn't hear the sound of her footsteps slowly approaching her from behind. Something that should have been impossible with her augmented hearing through her transformation from human..to something else. Something that spoke lengths of the nature of her visitor more than any-word she could share with her…
But she had not been caught unprepared….
In a sense, she knew that she would come. Sooner, rather than later after she had sensed her eyes look at her direction more than once in the cold halls of the palace.
And like a crow in flight, she had come at the darkness hour, when the souls that patrolled the castle grounds were few and far between, when everyone was tired or busy with something else rather than pay attention to that furtive shadow that slipped so smoothly over the polished grounds...
It was then that she turned around, the sound of her heels softly clicking on the floor all while she did. The red and black furs hanging from the straps of her coats long sleeves moving back and forth with almost a life of their own.
``Ah, look what the night brings to my doorstep….the newly anointed Harbinger among the Tzaritzas ranks. I thought you would be celebrating your ascension to the highest place we can dream of.., what drove you here of all places..?´´
Signora said, rather welcoming, if not down right amiable to the girl, barely turned woman that stood in front of her, the one that had so brazenly intruded in her own private quarters, yet she could not help herself to care this time to punish the intrusion like she would have done any other time before.
Swiftly and violently...
Smaller in stature than herself for the time being, yet her presence carried a weigh on its own.
Her hair, unlike her own golden mane was cut short, almost utilitarian, barely hanging above her shoulders like fresh shed snow over a field if one were to ignore the duality of its colour with the black spots hanging above the right side of her head. Her eyes, two emotionless ponds that would have made anyone who stared into those red X looking pupils shudder and walk away in sheer fright of the coldness that bleed out…
Cold…
Ruthless…
And perfectly human shaped almost to perfection, almost….
Like a pretty doll made by a masterful crafter…, yet instead of being made for playing or hugging, it was made to take the breath out of ones own lungs, either in magical fixation of her uniqueness..or for her ability for killing.
Signora knew, she knew very well..., that no matter how much one tried to ignore the woman as nothing more than a simple mortal compared with the living monsters that dared call themselves Harbingers…, even "colleagues" if one were to foolishly stretch the meaning of the word, that her visitor even though less powerful than some of the maniacs that lived inside these walls..., she was... by no means less dangerous than them.
Perhaps, even more so...for it was like she was standing in-front of a predator instead of being it. A dangerous thing to consider, even more to admit...and yet, the first time she had laid down her eyes on her…..she had inevitably caught her attention.
Not as a foe…
Not a distraction of the monotony that chewed at her day after day..
But rather as an inspiration…
She almost wanted to laugh, the ghost of her lips pursing upwards, threatening to do so against her wishes had she not been so self conscious of her body. Madness, wasn't it? To even dare conceive such thought...
And yet..., and yet that was the truth...
Something had told her that she was different from others, that she would be rather interesting individual to monitor. To witness...
She really had not known how right she had been back then...even now she was having trouble admitting how much she had underestimated the woman, even as the moonlighted grounds were tarnished with fresh spilled blood and gutted bodies laying around broken like string-less puppets.
Even now, that coppery scent came back to her senses at the memory of that cold night, not that long ago.
If the Fair Lady itself fought with elegance and the grace of an angel of death when the need arose…..then the other one fought with brutal, cold ruthlessness. What she lacked in strength compared with the Captain...she made up with ample spades of cruelty and sadism, honed by experience and skill.
The dead were the lucky one's…., those who she kept alive? Well…, they were the unlucky, as she taught them to sing.
The smile on Signoras face grew.
Fascinating, wasn't it? To realize that there was a way to cut a man so many times in the spam of five seconds, cutting so much flesh, yet keeping them alive for a long, long time…even when the bones showed, even when the muscles fell down or were exposed in all their raw glory, she managed to keep them alive for the questioning.
Bloody….and rather crude for her liking, but no less fascinating to know. Besides, who was she to judge given that she either burned her foes to death...or shattered them like glass when they were frozen in ice cubes.
The remains were always messy unless she atomized the body into dust...
The newly made Fourth of the Harbingers took a few steps inside her room, moving closer, one step at a time….
Slow, paused, deliberated steps...they seemed simple and almost without worry, yet each and everyone one of them carried a utilitarian grace and utter control through it, for she was, even now…., ready for an ambush to jump at her from every shadow around her.
Always ready for action.., always doubting and expecting the worse, never lowering her guard, even now in the depths of the palace of an Archon which should have been the safest place on earth that she had ever stepped on…
But she didn't, because she knew she was a stranger to it. And what one did not know, one could only glare at it with either contempt or suspicion.
Which, was rather wise in its own…, since it was not paranoia if you knew they were actually going after you. After all, she had murdered the former Fourth Even a maniac would know that the remaining Harbingers would not see kindly to that. For what she had done..could be considered a challenge.
But the white haired woman was no maniac, and if she was...she was a rather competent and charismatic one to boot.., so she had concluded that if was not necessary for her to aid her when she had everything on the bag any ways..
Lending a hand in killing the Director had been enough participation on her part, she would rather not let it spill on her more than was necessary. More than it already had...
She closed her eyes for a brief moment.
The act should have been blatant suicide if one were to listen to common reason or just the urges of her body to be wary given who she was sharing air now…, but, for some reason, she knew that she would not harm her.
Not without reason, anyway…
….
….
She shook her head internally with a slight sense of amusement, albeit this time tainted with a pang of frustration directed at herself.
Her new colleague was cruel, wasn't she? To have, even now held her fascination…one that only grew in spades as she Still could not hear her footsteps, nor the back and forth sound of her clothes rubbing with one another while she did, dressed now as she was with that large and oversize white coat with black fur around the neck and shoulders...one that was not that dissimilar with the one she bore herself if one were to exclude some of the more personal decorations the two of them had attached to their coats.
The coldness that the very power her Archon exuded was all times all too strong for even those whose blood was composed of flames rather than that old precious arterial liquid that used to ran through her veins so long ago.
She ended her musings when her new acquaintance stopped just a meter away from her, her head still tilted towards her, still focused on her, those eyes never wavering, never blinking...almost as if she was expecting her to disappear if she did.
And though she was loathed to admit it, she was pretty...for a doll. Though one that had never learn to smile.
``You were not there…´´
``What...?´´
``You were not there..´´
She repeated, seemingly not troubled by having to repeat her answer.
Still, to say that was not what she had expected to hear would have been an understatement.
So it was not surprising for Signora to find herself blinking her last remaining eye with what could have only been bafflement, if not bemusement at her chosen words once the gears of her mind started to rotate accordingly.
If one were to ignore the sheer surface dry, dead tone of her words, it would appeared that she was reproaching her missing a bag in her home, and that she had to bother to come here to give it back because she was a good neighbour...
There was nothing malicious to her reproach…, no scheme, no veiled threat... jut a sense of mild disappointment at the fact that she...had chosen to stay as far away as she could from the new acquisition of the Tzaritzas Harbingers.
She would have frowned if she could have, it wasn't like the others had gone out of their way to go there to "celebrate" either with her. In fact she doubted that some if any would have even bother themselves to actually participate in such festivities after the integration of the new member had taken place...
Excluding the Jester and the First who had more important things to do, the rest were too self-centred to do so…, and neither of them was mad enough to put themselves in a secluded place with drinks in between and NO supervision from either the old man or their goddess.…
For gods sake, they could hardly tolerate each other as it was..! It would be better for them and the establishment for none of them to actually grace the place with their presence.
A lot cheaper too….
Thinking about it, perhaps it was a small mercy...she doubted the new Fourth would have enjoyed the extra attention of all those… "special minded individuals". She had not when it had been her time to join, and by then the rooster had been at least smaller in comparison.
Signora shook her head again, a delicate hand holding her hip, while the other remained pressed against her ample breasts as she offered an apologetic though no less graceful smile.
``I see…., then I apologize for whatever troubles my lack of presence may have caused you.…, it was not my intention to cause any unnecessary mishap between us..´´
The white haired girl did not reply, she seemed to be contempt with glaring at her, those plump lips remaining as still as carved rock.
Watching her…
Studying her…
And trying to peer into her soul like they had done many times before...trying to discern the lies from the truth. Something that she had found rather annoying and rude at first, but had come to accept that it was how she behaved.
The world was filled with shadows and knifes with a proclivity to land in your back..unhealthy paranoia was not the worst thing for one to have. After a few too many seconds, she nodded at her.
Satisfied…
Signora took a step back, her slim figure swaying while she turned on her heels, taking her rightful place on the empty seat right next to the table where the candles had been lit a while ago. Her fingers gracing the smooth, cool wooden surface, tapping it playfully.
``I don't say this often, but welcome to my humble above…, pardon my lack of manners at this present time, but I was not expecting company at this hour..´´
``And yet you were waiting for me…, how curious for someone who was not expecting company to have an empty seat, waiting for use..´´
There was a spark of life glinting in those eyes of hers, her voice still too somber, too controlled yet she had felt the amusement at what she had laid down eyes now that she was inside her own room.
A table having been prepared previously for two, with a set of glasses and bottles of wine laying neatly placed in place. All under the tender touch and flickering form of the candlelights. By all looks she was right, she had been waiting for someone…
It would have been too embarrassing to tell her that she was merely reminiscing on those times when there was a someone who she could enjoy times like these.
A time lost to the ever passing of time, when she was more a maiden of spring rather than winter.
A woman made of dreams, love and ambition...instead of fire and old, worn down spite.
A girl who sang on the fields under the veil of the stars….not under the pyres of flames consuming the corpses of the fallen.
The coldness of those resurfaced memories clashing with her present made her smile rather brittle, though she brushed it aside with practised patience. Stretching a hand forward first in a polite gesture before graving a bottle of red wine that had laid unattended for a while, pouring the drink down into the cups, before graving her own.
She was sure that the now owner of the House of the Hearth had noticed, she was sure there was little that could escape those ever glowing red X, but for now, she seemed content to not point it out.
That was...nice.
``I knew that sooner or later our paths would cross again, and though I had my reservations about a matter or two, you don't seem displeased to see me..´´
``I am not...´´
This time she did smile without the desire to hide it from her eyes. A small, yet prideful thing..
As far as she knew, as far as anyone alive was concerned…. the woman before her was a box of lies and half truths, so terribly mixed between one another that even a god would have trouble finding where one started and where the other ended.
One never knew whether she spoke seriously or not. Whether she was merely jesting or was rightly threatening to pull your guts through your eye sockets.
And yet, she had, by no means lied about her answer.
It wasn't like she made any sort of mistake, she had not given out a real clue to be caught whether she lied or not. She just knew when she was honest or otherwise...just like that.
Or perhaps it had to do with what she had learned with her first love back so long, long ago…
With the life he had lived both in the light and the darkness and all the secrets he held close to his chest and no one else. Secrets that while she had unfolded one by one, who knew how many had been lost to the endless pit of an early grave..
She quickly brushed those thoughts away, pushing away their sting as she made sure that the mask she bore to hide the pain had not cracked.
The white haired woman took her seat with the elegance of a cat, leaning softly against the chair who barely creaked at the new weigh upon it. One of her arms resting on the, while the other had taken hold of her cup of wine, toying with it. Gloved fingers brushing and gracing the glass before they brought it to her lips…
She did as-well….enjoying for a moment the sweetness, the roughness and yet potent touch of a drink all-most as old as herself.
``So, apart from the previous given reason...is there any other matter for why you are here.., Arlechinno?´´
She uttered the tittle just as the now named woman brought the cup down from her lips, placing it down the table with one swift yet sultry move. Yet as she did, one of her fingers remained over the wedge of the edge, circling over it, softly...and slowly as if she was holding a piece of porcelain that would break if she put any more pressure to it..
Her eyes, for once not looking straight into her soul, but...having now derailed from their original purpose and staring at her surroundings.
And she found in their reflection….not just curiosity, but longing...
``You have….a pretty place...´´
Strange, was it not? For only two words to captivate her attention as much as they did...
For her ears, to hear something like that would been not worthy of her attention…., just another speck of dust to be swipe under the rug, it should have been the case…, but given who had shared said remark...well, she was sure that was the nicest thing that had ever come out from the white haired woman's own lips in a long while...
It was….endearing in a sense to be the one to behold said thing.
Like a child who received their first gift...or a maiden who managed to catch bouquet of flowers thrown in the Windblume festival back in her days..
It made her feel special, just a bit, not like she would ever admit it...
Taking a good look herself, she tried to look at what may had caught her attention. Though, if she was honest..., she would have some trouble in said matter.
Not because there wasn't much to look at, much to the contrary in fact, but the matter resided that even though her room was just one of many in the palace wings, if one were to compared the room with the cold blues and whites of the Tzaritza own home...then this room held more life to it than the entire building.
Soft, colourful rugs that covered the floor in strange patterns….
Banners of ancient houses she had known and could stablish with pinpoint accuracy their origins, glories and shames and the meaning of each and every emblem they bore, accompanied by a series of thick yet sultry curtains held aloft above her head, surrounding the candles ignited with magic in a way that they never obscured or diluted the light coming from them, making the attempt to create an artistic design of a fake starry sky in the cool ceiling.
Paintings of both the scenery of green like fields overfilled with shades and hues of trees and flowers in full spring where people could be seen enjoying what could only have been a festival complemented rather well with the more darken, yet mysterious portraits of a young man with golden eyes. His features carved into stone, staring aloof at the spectator, yet only she could decipher the soft, yet playful smirk that extended over his lips.
An image she herself had crafted, for..in truth she had been fearful she would ever forget his face.
All in all, surrounded by the soft, melodic tune coming from the music box at the far end of the room. The Fontaine like device, mimicking the songs that the bards of today could not remember, and her voice had no longer the fortitude nor force of will to sing through without breaking down in the attempt.
This was her small kingdom…
Her little special place where she could go back to live in an era that was no longer there. A place where she could pretend life had not gone by and pass her after she entered through those doors, where she no longer had to lie and act as the Fair Lady of the Fatui….but someone a little more...simpler.
She leaned a little bit against her sea, smiling, not out of happiness...but longing as she felt lost in the threads of the past. Dulling the aching beating heart in her chest.
It was...indeed colourful, warm even.…
And yet, it felt a bit lonely.
``Memories of my past, I am afraid. Things that I was able to save or collect to bring back the memories that otherwise would have been lost to the passing of time. Shreds of my home...one that I am no longer welcome to it..´´
``That saddens me to hear, I take that there is a story behind it..?´´
Signoras silver eyes barely narrowed as they found their mark in those gleaming red x. Her lips open, yet her breath halted for a moment, finding trouble to find her words..or making them come out from the clutches of her throat.
Speaking of these things, was not something she enjoyed much. Especially when it was a bit closer to home...
``Lets say that if fate would have it, I would have died long ago...alone and abandoned, but luckily, the Tzaritza found me and graced me with a second chance. Not everyone of so fortunate..´´
That really had been the worst and best day of her life, aside her brief marriage to Rostam.
In pain, dying, with a few last burning embers of her soul barely floating in the cold, barely clinging to her withering body as blizzards continued to strike at her…
She knew she was dead the moment she uttered that spell..
She knew that she would burn sooner or later as she melted through scores of monsters…, joining their ashes that floated in the air.
Back then, it had been something that she had cared, much to the contrary in fact- She had wanted it. After all, what was left for her in world were he had been taken away from her..!?
But when the people shunned her, her presumed God banished her and the world went to consider her as just another monster...her broken heart had been filled with bitterness.
She had never wanted to harm a soul, that was not why she had chosen immolation through the flames of the arcane...but the moment everything she had done that was thrown at her face...she no longer wanted to die without giving a piece of her mind to those bastards.
But it was already too late. Her time was up, her body could no longer keep the flames in check and the only thing she could do was dread the ticking clock as she started to burn...
Living alone, and dying alone...it was almost poetic, in a sick, twisted way. Perhaps, that was what the gods found as entertaining in their endless lives, witnessing her sorrow and bitter end like the play in a theatre.
But, then, there was her...
Her goddess.
Her saviour…
Coming to rescue her with her kindness and love when others would look away, holding her tightly and quelling the flames with her frigid touch..
Arlechinno had remained silent for as long as she had been lost in thought. Her eyes ever observant of the changes of her demeanour. Always alert, always watching...and yet.., though whether Signora or the white haired woman noticed, there was now a slight warmth starting to ooze from her.
The fourth took her cup again, and rose it towards her lips, sipping once more the wine with care...tasting the fragrance more than the liquid itself.
Sometimes, the way she held the cup felt more like she was drinking blood than actual wine, with the fresh scarlet droplets colouring with an even more brighter palette of red on the Knaves, plump, soft lips….
All things considered, perhaps she did. Considering the bunch of freaks the rest of the Harbingers were, that would be mildly normal.
``Truer words have not been said, still...is quite a sight, don't you think? ´´
``What..?´´
``The thought of you been stranded somewhere far away, alone and in your last breaths like an orphan that the cold was about to finally claim...was not one I had in mind´´
Arlechinnos voice reached her ears, there was a softness to it, a secret understanding that only she seemed to know its meaning. As if she was, not feeling sorry…., not finding it funny even if her words and the way her lips curled upwards make it look.
The tone was different, it was….she was.. empathising with her fate?
Signora did not know what to say to that.., nor think or wonder. If she was right, that was something rather touching to a heart that had been beaten too many times. However, she almost found herself coughing out the wine that had just decided to go in the wrong direction when the woman uttered those words.
Why? Because her mind had decided to focus on a particular...small, nifty, little th-
An orphan….!? Like adopted….!? The audacity of that woman! Did she see her like another fatherless child from that slave-house she was now owner to..?
The thought to be compared to those starved, brainwashed, suicidal brats almost made her break character had she not reined her passions low with just sheer discipline. A problem that time had not managed to quell down, no matter how many times her father, Rostam and even her servants had tried to soften the sharp edges of her words.
The thought was sobering enough to cool whatever flames could have tried to spike out, allowing Signora to present a dignified look towards her "friend". Though it was more than probable that it would have been for naught. Something told her that the woman standing a few breaths away from her was far more perceptible than one could give her credit for.
Still, once again…., there was no reproach in her words, no attempt to ridicule or look down on her in said remark like many others would have given the chance. In fact, the way she said those words, deep inside... it seemed to speak of a hidden sense of companionship, as if the value she held in her eyes seemed to increase somehow.
Strange, strange thing indeed…., but even if that was the case, she would begrudigly refuse it if she could help it. For better or for worse..there was something that ticked her off in the wrong way to be seem like that. Mostly pride if she was honest about it…, but also...something else.
Back in her time, before tragedy struck...wasn't the truth of the world that those who had nothing were preyed by everyone else..? Were they not shamed, ostracised and spurn by those more fortunate? By those who lived in the ignorance of their own happiness?
A cruel, bitter truth to accept in ones own youth…., but one that did not change the end result in the slightest.
And now, who pray tell of those who had nothing had less than a mere orphan..?
…
...
Her face creased, lines sinking deep into her perfect features the same way hooks would. Fingers rubbing against one another as she bit her lips in frustrations.
No, she was not such thing...
She was not weak…
She was not a the whim or mercy of others…
Wasn't she a force of nature on her own right? Wasn't she capable of blasting entire armies into an ashen fate in the blink of an eye? Yes she was…, but not always...and that was what hurt the most.
The music continued to echo inside the room walls, the tune now slow and solemn, the air no longer heavy and chilly…, no longer bearing that particular scent of electricity.., but it felt all too familiar with that foreboding thought of the calm before of the storm.
A storm...would be made out of flames or ice..? Or perhaps...something else?
Decisions..
So many...decisions...especially since she had given way for the conversation to be derailed into..whatever this was, but it would not best her. Talking after all, was one of her best weapons.
And what her weapons said, was that from one standing point of view…, Arlechinnos view at that, she was in a sense just that. And perhaps...there was an opportunity to be taken there.
After all...weren't they..."friends"..?
Friends, sometimes had to make concessions.., had to...say or admit things they would not belief in order to reach their goals.
That was life, that had been and still was her life... this dinner would not be any different.
It was not a long deliberation before she answered with what she knew was held a sliver of true...and the mad woman before her would love to hear as-well.
Two birds, one stone...
``I suppose that statement could be considered truthful enough given the circumstances, yes…, like an orphan if you would...´´
She said slowly, almost as if considering the words as they slip through her lips, yet never truly admitting to be one in the first place. Raising her glass and holding it at her eye level, staring at her reflection in the process..
Her silver eye glinting with a strange light as she saw her figure, first at her exposed face. Youthful, eternal, angelic even….but her eyes had lost their shine, making them callous and cold. Switching her attention to the other side was not any better, obscured under the silk of the black mask, what laid beneath was a mystery to most, but not herself…
Her hold over the cup grew tighter, cracks starting to wrap around the glass...ice slowly dampening its clear frame all where her fingers made contact with.
``Like an orphan…. push and thrown away from their home, their family and everything they knew…´´
The scars started to ache, the raw exposed flesh hidden underneath the cloth pulsating with a life of their own.
``But not any-more...´´
And just like that, the cup shattered in her hands with a loud final crack. Yet as her hands closed into a tight fist, nothing spilled over...having long been frozen by the cryo power leaking out from her. The shards merely landing on both the table and the floor with a soft thud...
Arlechinno did not reply, she did not even flinch at the way the bottle disappeared under her grip.
She did not offered words of apology or comfort at the sight of her hands trembling, she did not judge her or belittle her at this...uncharacteristic, raw show of emotion.
She merely stared at her, silently...with those eyes that for once in the entire conversation felt more alive than anything else.
And that was enough for her...
A moment of silence stretched between them after that…, the two sharing brief glances at each other for a while, for some reason neither wanting to meet the others glare.
It did not last long.
It seemed that the point she had tired to make had landed, but...she would be damn if she allowed the situation become more awkward than it was. She was the first and most effective diplomat of this bloody kingdom for gods sake!
And so she did.., bearing once again that dignified composure that always made others feel lesser to her.
``Still, I am surprised to hear that. That was rather nice of you to say.., but I am sure that your own room may look better than this.-..´´
``It doesn't...´´
Signora tried to quell the urge to either chuckle or frown at the interruption, deciding instead to place a hand over her lips to hide the end resulting expression with a brush of elegance.
She really was...direct with her words, wasn't she..? Not mincing in the least.
Honesty...she could work with that.
``Well, time to time….there is no need for you to push yourself when you joined just today…, the life of Harbinger may not be as long as many thought it to be, but it grants many opportunities´´
The first part was a mere technicality in the eyes of the law and rules of the Fatui, in truth she had already been here for a while…
But it did not be said, no..? To do so would have been redundant..
Arlechinno glared at her again, there was now a softness to it, a lesser weight on those red X that tried to pierce everything they looked at. But it would not last, her face then creasing with a few lines that marred the smoothness of her pale countenance, then her lips sealed against one another.
Her head leaning down a little bit as she switched her attention towards the cup of wine her fingers were still circling around.. with doubt. Almost as if she was having trouble to put the right words to what she would say next.
``Regarding your question, I came...because I too had some reservations….about a certain matter if you know what I mean...´´
[So it was that..?]
``Who is free of reservations, my dear..?´´
Her lips almost seemed to quirk upwards alongside one of her pale brows, a ghost, a mirage for tired eyes….but what she could not see, she could still feel it. In a sense, she was having fun out of this…
She then stopped playing with her cup, holding it and raising it to her lips. Emptying the thing halfway in a swift go before the glass returned to the table.
``Too true..., even more times that I can image.., but before I ask.., how would you rather I address you? ´´
That was a strange question indeed, and more so why her heart had started to beat a little faster now..?
``Pardon me lady Arlechinno, but why and what would drove you to the need to ask such a question? If you dont mind that is...´´
That glinting in her eyes returned for a brief moment, turning the aloof and cold expression plastered on that doll like face into a more predatory reflection as the smaller woman leaned forward, towards her. Holding her head with one of her hands, while the other remained on the table as she pressed her chest against it. The stiffness of her lips vanishing as they remained open yet silent for a few mere seconds.
``Because, would you rather I addressed you as Signora...or should I call you Sarah?´´
…
…
If one cared to listen, they would have cared to hear the way a pin could have landed on the ground at the way the proverbial cat was now properly out of the bag...though, in sense, this was what she had come to expect would happen, sooner rather than later.
Especially with the way those eyes had never lost their sight on her…
Not in the ceremony…
Not in the proverbial greeting between all Harbingers…
And not even now...
She sighed tired, yet covered the act with a singsong whistle. Her body leaning a little bit backwards while stretching a hand forward to grab her cup knowing that she would rather be wasted than be sober for what was about to go down, only to grimace in a prehension at the reminder that her hands merely scratched the thin air and the still frozen shredded remains of her drink.
Right, she had shattered it...
Truly, this chat was becoming less appetizing by the minute…, and it seemed that the artefact of that abominable excuse of a mad doctor could not truly deceive such inquisitive eyes. Something that she would note to herself for later, by the time she regarded the woman back, she was once again standing in her sit, like a proper guest.
Regal and well behaving.
How nice of her.
``So you know….´´
``You don't deny it...?´´
She shook her head. Perhaps if it had been someone else she may have tried, but with the likes of her..? That would have been a waste of both their times.
And they deserved better.
``No, there is no point in doing so anyway….better to get to the point than circle around´´
``Oh? And here I thought you would bring out a tirade or an excuse to shield yourself….I had prepared a hundred different replies to dissect your defence, only for you to end my fun just like that..?
``Just like that..´´
``Tsk., I dont say this often, but thats...a bit unfortunate ´´
Signora smiled, the mirth in her expression not fully reaching her eyes, yet it was one that was warping her lips in both growing mischief and daringness.
It was not something that she could explain.
``Thats a real shame, perhaps next time I will do it for you if you are so inclined…, I would hate to keep you away from your fun´´
``Oh, there is no need...I would not like to...push such desire onto my newest acquaintance´´
``Oh, but I insist...´´
``Is that so? Then dont mind if I do, though you may regret it..´´
``Only time would tell, but you would not bite a helping hand so readily offered now, will you?´´
Once again the two stared into each others eyes, silver meeting red and black. Their depths brewing with a million and one thoughts as none of them blinked.
Like a pair of felines staring at their vivid reflections, waiting for the other to either pounce or ran.
Curious enough the two broke what would have been a tense situation as the two seemingly started to chuckle.
The tension bleeding out of the room through the beautiful voices of the two, something that would have been a marvel to witness for an onlooker as-well as terrifying to comprehend.
``My oh my... colour me surprised, but you really seem to be rather generous individual for the presumed cold Eight of the Harbingers. Perhaps there is more than ice and fire running your veins than I originally thought..´´
``What can I say, appearances can be as deceiving as rumours...´´
``Indeed…, they surely can be´´
``Now, returning the point, I was never that good in covert operations..., something that you seem to have a nick of it unlike me who prefers to take the spotlight..´´
``That would explain why you leave that radiance afterglow where ever you go..´´
``Oh? I am radiant now?´´
``Flashy more likely..´´
``My dear, there is no need to be shy about it, what drew eyes the most? My face? My figure..or perhaps it was my-?´´
``You should try more practical choices of clothing, your usual attire makes you a big target…, easier to spot ´´
Normally she would have close her eyes with a huff of annoyance, or looked away in disdain for even hearing someone question her fashion taste, however she found herself humming in approval, chuckling even to herself as she leaned a little bit forward, placing a hand over her chest.
The tone of her guest had not changed in the slightest, her body not betraying her voice or beliefs, the fourth been more akin to a peaceful pond of water. And yet..the reply had been a second a bit too fast.
Too hasty..
After centuries of dealing with scheming cowards, arrogant ambitious men and even wheezing, greasy conniving speakers. It seemed that she had found a particular aspect of her "guest".
Who would have thought it would pertain… "that"
``Well, perhaps that is my intent., thought about it..?´´
``To draw danger to you..? A rather unsound approach to your goals...´´
``Or something else.., besides, if if serves its purpose, can it truly be considered unsound..?´´
``Too many risk's for such little reward…, I cant say I would condone such decisions...´´
She was almost tempted to ask whether the woman was actually worried about her, or just playing along with their game to save face between their conversation. She however did not. Thinking it to be a little too far this time to tease her about it for a first meeting.
``I suppose that everyone is a critic these days…, but I will take them into consideration. Though no promises that the end designs will be of your liking..´´
``I will take my victories where I can..´´
``I am sure you would, though..., as entertaining as this was, it appears that we have gone out of track once more, how troublesome...´´
``That indeed seems to be the case...´´
``However, humour me on this before we do it, for I have a small question…´´
``And why would I answer it?´´
``When did you found me out..?´´
``Does "that" need answer?´´
``I suppose not, but I guess for a while...it would explain why you were glaring at me back in the grand Harbinger hall..´´
The comment was not meant to bear that much weight, more like a small arrow head rather than an actual bombshell..and yet, it changed the mood in the room immediately. It had been so sudden that she almost thought that someone, or something had entered the room without her noticing.
After all, why then would her guest stare back at her with such clear show of confusion. Brows rise and rising as they exposed the thought that though still left unsaid, was all too clear. Eyes blinking once, then twice…
But when she did, Arlechinno was already mid way uttering a strange, almost whispered question.
`You... found me….staring?´´
…
…
…
Oh, by the Tzaritza...was that embarrassment that she hear hidden in her voice? Did she just stuttered at the thought of being on caught red handed..? Were her cheeks barely turning a slight shade of red..?
If she was not the living representation of a doll with a bit too much power and killing intent, she would have even dared to call her cute right there and then.
Signora shook her head, raising a placating hand, dismissive in nature. However she was too late from sparing herself from the scowling and narrowed eyes that glared back. Not pleased in the slightest of having been found waiting..
``Its nothing, so please...feel free to ignore my statement´´
``How magnanimous, I must that I feel rather welcome and appreciated already by my fellow Harbingers..´´
The blond woman ignored the now added sharpness to her colleagues own words. Knowing full well that she had a hand on it..
``We do what we can, after all...the old should ease the venue of the new.., wouldn't you agree.´´
``Indeed, but are you sure? There would be so many things to share on that regard…, I wonder what of me captivated your attention so much for you to even bring up here..´´
``Your wonderful personality, your demeanour? Or your eyes perhaps..?´´
``So you find my eyes interesting..?
``Like two targets set ablaze in the dead of the night...´´
Arlechinno smiled. A small, pretty little thing…
It was hard to admit it, but it was as terrifying as it was endearing to behold. That did not stop or held Signora back from continuing on as if nothing had happened. Compared with the Thirds true visage, the fourth was actually an angel...
An experience that she did not know whether to be grateful, or bitter about. She however, had no time to ponder about such thing.
``Now...I would rather you called me by my given title. Not a name I conjured on the spot..´´
``That seems...agreeable. How did you do it..?´´
She shrugged, almost winking a knowing smile back at the white haired killer.
``A tool that the mad doctor developed a while ago.., it can make people change appearances and voice with the push of a button..´´
``That sounds rather useful, still... you don't seen to hold him in high regards..´´
``And neither will you in time, but I have the feeling that you are dodging the real question..´´
Perhaps it was just her imagination or the flickering lights of the candles still burning and the shadows they oozed through the room...but she had the feeling that just then, Arlechinno had titled her head backwards with almost a sense of pride at her words.
It disappeared soon enough when the younger woman leaned forward, her face once more encapsulated in a stoic mask.
``Why did you help me..?´´
``I am afraid that you would have to be more precise, my dear…´´
``Hmm…., you are correct, then...by all means...allow me to rephrase the question. Why did you helped me take down the Director…? The old Knave...´´
Yes, why had her..?
What had drove her to it….?
``I believe that I already answered such query before when we were trying to overthrow that old bastard a few weeks ago..´´
``You did….´´
`` And if my memory is not wrong, then did I not pass with flying colours your past scrutiny...? Not saying that you did wrong, just...curious´´
``That was then, the past. We are here now in the present...´´
``I see…´´
``And as impertinent and tedious as it may sound for you for me to rephrase this question, I must do so to be sure..´´
That was a lie..
She didn't need to remake the question to know the answer to that…, she was just been an ass about it. Though, at least she would have to give her props for been civil about it if not thorough through in her query. Was this what people called been rude while pretending to be polite..?
The white haired woman nodded at her, taking her silence as her answer.
``I am sure you would know that beliefs and passions are rather fickle like the tides of water slipping through cracks, capable to change...with the twist of a hat..´´
That was a truth...
With the flip of her wrist, the broken shards of her glass and the remnants of the spilled wine were pulled up from the ground, and remade in the air into what they had been before.
She grabbed the drink and stared at the dark liquid within, almost as if a moment ago said thing had not been a bunch of broken icy pebbles in the floor..
A welcome, dazzling and elegant interruption from having to meet the inquisitive, never blinking glare of her guest without it making it obvious she wanted to do that...
``So in other words, you want to see whether I was true to my word, or I was just merely using some fancy wordplay to get what I wanted like so many others have done before…, to see whether my resolve have changed, is it not?´´
Arlechinno nodded, a pang of satisfaction glimmering in those eyes. Her lips slowly twisting in upwards in what could be considered the ghost of a smile.
``As expected, your deductions are right on point like the ticking sound of a well cared clock. Yes, you would be right in your assessment, after all, it would only be "fair", my lady...´´
Signora closed her eyes to a half lid, yet her lips pursued upwards.
``Bold words for someone sharing my table…., but I would be lying if I said I do not like them..give the context of course´´
``Given the context, of course...´´ The fourth parroted back, her tone neutral.
She took a sip of the wine, letting its flavour remain for a little while in her mouth before swallowing.
``And where should I start? The beginning? The end? Or you have a personal preference on said matter my dear..?´´
``I will leave said choice to your fully discretion..if you don't mind´´
The white haired woman answered coolly, almost as if she did not cared in the slightest, though Signora knew all too well that no matter what choice she took, she would end up telling everything. Her "guest" was not the kind to let her keep anything under the rug.
Ah...she really had missed this conversations. The others either did not cared, were weird if not diabolical, or she just despised.
To have someone to talk with..and not have them balk away in fright or subservience, yet not going at her with hatred or disdain...was truly refreshing.
How long had it been?
``You are rather magnanimous…, so many people would have used the opportunity to siege me with question after question, and yet here we are, with you granting me such grand opportunity...´´
``Why? Are you going to abuse your new found freedom...?´´
``Afraid I may…?´´
``I fear that you may just wander off in the wrong track...´´
``Oh? Why is that…?´´
``You just…. like to talk, a lot…´´
``Why do we have mouths if not to speak?´´
``Why do we have ears if not to hear fools ramble on…?´´
The white haired woman mused with a playful jab, her head tilting softly to the side as her body made micro-movements to find a more comfortable position for herself.
Signora merely chuckle at that, raising her cup in a welcoming manner
``All too true…, your observations seem to always be on point. You never miss your mark...dont you?´´
``No I do not…´´
``That's very humble of you…´´
``Its a fact..´´
``Had anyone else say that I would have my doubts, but you are not anyone.., isnt that right?´´
The edge of the Knaves lips tinged a little bit upwards.
``Hmm…..as much as you may enjoy to laud my character, such words are lost on me..Signora´´
That was another lie…she clearly enjoyed the praise, especially with the way the edges of her lips softened and loosened.
``Then I better held my tone, but there are many reasons that I could say...´´
Arlechinno merely tilted her to the side.
``And why is that..?´´
``Well, I could have done it to take out a thorn in my side for good. It is no mystery that no one liked him, he had too many enemies and no one would mourn him after his passing...´´
``But that was not it..´´
She shook her head. ``No, or perhaps no in its entirety... I could say that I was ordered by my superiors once they caught wind of the madams… "wavering loyalties..", especially given the amount of corruption the woman in question was brewing under her ugly head and was profiting through it´´
``And was it..?´´
The woman was soft spoken, yet she could read behind the lines that she was a bit sceptic of her words. She could not help but playfully giggle at the query..
``Of course no, or at least...not completely.´´
``And which would be the true answer?´´
She leaned a little bit back in her seat, holding her head with one of her hands.
``If there is an answer that actually holds the actual truth to it then it can only be-.….´´
Her words halted for a moment, her lips parted, yet nothing but thin air traversing through them. The burns in her skin starting to ache, the scars biting onto the raw dead flesh that was hidden underneath the mask.
Its sting still as fresh as it had been the first day. A reminder of past failures...
She clenched her jaw, a small wave of frost starting to emanate from her fingertips .
``Yes..?´´
She lazily regarded her guest, even if deep inside her body had grown heavier than before and the body functions were trying all their best to make her movements all the more rigid and bitter. Their eyes finding each other mid way., one pretending to not be interested, the other trying to be..
This conversation no longer amused her Signora decided. And so she stood up from her seat, though not before answering in kind.
``That the children deserved better...´´
..
..
..
That was it.
Four words.
Four simple things…..and yet they seemed to held the world in them.
And much to her surprise, she found herself that she agreed with the notion they brought. She had tried to said something smart, only for her lips to betray her and say what she actually meant to say at the very last second.
Or perhaps not.., truth be told, but she had already gotten bored of this game and wanted nothing more than to have a time for herself like she had wanted.
To drink.
To grief.
And perhaps both while she was at it.
The burns started to ache a little more…, she sighed a bit loudly as she made her way towards the window, pushing with her hand one of the drapes that covered the cavity in the wall, allowing her to see the darkness that had wrapped the nation as the moon shone bright through the clouds of the blizzard still blowing on..
The cold winds brushing her fair skin and toying with the locks of her golden mane as they made their way through, but she did not feel them. The snow melting even before touching her...
``That is rather….kind hearted for the known lady of ice...´´
She heard Arlechinno say, almost trying to put some humour to it...though failing at the delivery given her once again, cool, deadpan tone. Still, she was trying unlike that brute of a Captain. That would have to count for something.
``Already probing and digging into my personal information? You work fast...´´
She mused as she turned only half way to look at Arlechinnos direction. Placing one of her arms below her chest and pressing them tightly against it, making the bulge of her chest more noticeable, the thick furs that shielded her fair body from sight not able to conceal it well enough. The other hand caressing her own left cheek...
The way those red X like pupils looked down then up, then down before switching finally to look at her face was….rather cute.
However, one thing that her brain took a few seconds to understand was the fact that her guest was no longer sitting on her seat, but standing right next to her, just a few breaths away.…close enough for her to pick up on the different threads of the dual coloured hair calmly shifted as they waved under the touch of the air current passing between them..
The Knave did truly move in soundless feet. She was fortunate then that she sought words to exchange with her, rather than the sharp end of a knife.
Though she doubted that mere steel would be enough to end her. Given the brief look in her colleagues eyes, perhaps she too had come to that same conclusion.
``I was giving a report of my soon to be…. "colleagues" by the First Fatui´´
[Of course he would have done that…] ``Thats the Director for you, always wanting to keep the new blood up to speed...´´
Arlechinno seemed to nod at that, and though the act was dulled in an air of aloofness.., her eyes however were filled with anything but as they stared into the deep darkness of the barely glinting lights of the city below.
Looking, searching...almost as if those red x could pierce through the entire blizzard and watch every little soul
But the sensation that she was still staring at her was not lost.
It doubled in fact…
[What is this? Pretending to be uninterested when you are anything but...?]
The oldest trick of the book...and yet one the assassin made use flawlessly.
How many had fallen for it?
How many would in the future…?
``It would have been foolish to discard the information given to me….even if the information were meant to be shallow or redundant, meant to superficially satisfy and avoid newcomers to have an edge over the others...´´
The knave said, before she halted for a moment, before she tilted her head in her direction.
``It was also the most logical thing to do...given my new responsibilities to the House of Hearth´´
``For someone who have barely tasted the power of their new title, you surely have not wasted any time in meaningless endeavours..´´
What the woman had just said did not just made sense, but she had come to expect it from her superior. It was the same when she had joined, though there had been a lot less people back then…, making them know something of one another before actually meeting each other far easier to remember.
Was it to make them no strangers to one another..? She did not know, what strange thoughts passed by the mind of the Jester were not some in which she had been given a chance to be privy to.
``I take that you have more than that to say about that, why? Do you disagree...?´´
Signora shook her head. `` Don't take that on the wrong track, my dear.. I actually feel flattered that you would go through that hassle….after all, one only investigates those they seem interested on..´´
``Or targets..´´ Finished the other woman for her with a cool yet sultry voice.
``Or targets…´´ She parroted back.
The ghost of a frown could almost bee seen form in Arlechinnos face, or was it a smile..? It was so hard to tell with her now that a shadow had descended on her with the flickering lights of her candles been slowly snuff away one by one...making the glow of her eyes far more terrifying and enticing to look at.
``You are not bothered by it, why..?´´
``Am I a target...?´´
This time the answer made itself wait, the smaller woman's lips having trouble whether to either purse upwards or bit down. Or perhaps she was not sure she could trust the way her voice would sound if she responded right away.
``In time..., perhaps...´´
A vague answer if there is one, but one that made her chuckle.
True or not, she welcomed her to try...
``Its good that you hold it into consideration then…, I better tread carefully in your gaze.., though perhaps you would do more than just stare..?´´
She mused out loud, smirking devilishly as if the other woman had not just made the attempt to make a veil threat of a very probable future. As a result Arlechinno crossed her arms, pressing them tightly against her chest, clearly not amused at her wording and what she implied…
Now, wasn't that cute? That was probably the closest she would get to a playful scoff or a roll of eyes from the assassin. Even though she was not off mark there, the fourth did seem to have a proclivity to...stare
With those cold, deadly...and sinister eyes of hers that would make many shudder in terror if left to face it alone in a dark room.
Speaking of which..., they started to fluctuate with some unspoken emotions before they narrowed into thin slits of black and red. One arm falling limp to her, while the other remained clutching tightly her arm.
It was...strange to say the least.
``Why the face dear? Did you swallow something foul..?´´
She joked, yet the white haired woman did not respond, those red lips shut tight and curling downwards..
The seconds passing by yet remaining still and quiet, her features now stone cold as whatever mirth, real or imaginary that she had managed to scoop out of her through the entire conversation evaporated like morning mist.
Replaced with steel and bitter resolution.
[Now what…?]
By now she had come to be used to the change on the woman's demeanour…, however, she was not sure what to make of it this time as she felt the tension return once more. The air becoming heavier and heavier as the seconds went by with a silver eye staring silently at those red gleaming x.
Had she said something wrong..?
Shaking her head internally she brushed the golden locks of her mane from her shoulder, while placing the other hand on her hip. Licking the underside of her lips as she hummed with a tired, well rehearsed sigh.
Well, for better or for worse...this seem to be the end of their conversation. Which..suited her just fine, it was starting to become annoying to her.
And she still had a bottle of wine to ran through...
``Well, I suppose its getting late...I would recommend you to return to your place. The jester is not forgiving of those who waste his time with simple things as lack of sleep..´´
And just like that she started to turn on her heels, flicking her finger as Anemo started to push the barriers and blinds of the windows, closing them in and keeping finally the cold outside. And bringing a new shade of darkness into the now barely lighted room once the silver glamour of the moon was denied.
However, something, or someone put a stop to her departure even before she took her first step..
``Why did you do it...´´
The voice was weak, hoarse even...which almost made her think she had imagined it, forcing her to tilt her head to the side if just barely.
``Excuse me..?´´
``Why did you offer your aid..? Why disguise yourself to offer your...assistance...? Why...why do it at all..?´´
It took her a few moments to realize what she meant. And when she did she could not help but frown in response.
Why this?
Why now again..?
..
..
``I explained it already.., did I not?´´
``You did, and yet the answer I seek remains elusive….´´
That rose an eyebrow. ``Elusive? The answer you seek? Oh my...you sound now like a man asking a fortune teller. Could you be more clear about that..?´´
``As much as enjoy our games, its time to settle them down... Signora, I want you to be clear about what drove you to do it...not just pretty sentimentalism´´
A small flame of anger and old bitterness started to crawl behind the back of the eight Harbinger, the darkness of the room concealing both the way her sharp and elegant jaw had started to clench as much as her fist.
Even if she was a guest, even if she was a newly acquired Harbinger...she would take down such disrespect.
Not from the puppet..
Not from the petty, butchery excuse of a Doctor..
And especially not from her..
``Pardon me for disagreeing with you, Miss Knave...but I think its a bit too late to argue about this any-longer. Have a good night...´´
And with that said Signora tried to walk away once more, only to find something else keeping her still in place. The unmistakable sensation of slender, cold fingers wrapping around her left arm.
Pulling her back..and immediately making her turn around to face her again.
``What are you-..´´
``Answer the question...´´
``Are you drunk..!? ´´
The woman merely stared at her in silence, almost as if she had heard her at all nor cared at the way magic started to crack the air around Signoras fingertips with Cryo. Her face once again wrapped under that veil of stoicism.
The playfulness gone...leaving only behind that doll like expression. And this time, it felt wrong...
``By the coldest winters, I wont be interrogated in my own abode, Knave...you are overstepping your bounds..´´
She seethed out the warning, her gentle mask cracking and revealing the scowl that was taking over as she tried to pull out with a simple yank, but the grip was strong, tight even…black fingers wrapped like a pack of snakes over their prey and refusing to let go no matter what.
But it didn't hurt.
Not at all, which was surprising...
Whether it was only for the sake of merely been extra cautious in trying to keep her there rather than hurt her or it was given by the nature of her changed body assuming was the only thing she could do, though she could not help to believe completely.
Assumptions were the mother of all mistakes, and she had done way too many already allowing the Fourth this close.
``I heard what you said., about the children deserving better.. ´´
``Really...? Its not like I directly told you less than a few minutes ago...´´
``You didn't lie…, as far as I am aware.´´
``Is that not enough? ´´
Her words were not meant to sound flippant...but she could not help it when presented with what her ears her hearing. It did not seem to bother the Knave though...or she had one of the best poker face in Tevat.
``You used a truth to hide another...´´
…
…
…
Well…..shit. She got her there….
What was she a detective..? Or did been mentally unstable made one become a genius..? A far fetched theory if there was, but if one were to look at their resident doctor….well.
The numbers started to stack up...
Her surprise must have drawn in her face as the grip softened, yet the Knave took a step forward, almost pressing her body against her. Her eyes serious to a callous amount, yet her body relaxed and losing the tension that had been building.
``But why now? Why act now? If you cared for them, why wait for me and not do it yourself...?´´
There was anger.., bitterness and pain in her voice. Diluted, concealed, a show of the monstrous amount of control the woman was capable to exert now and forever.
But it was there…
The cryo that had been building in her had dissipated, leaving only a whisper of snow trail between her gloved fingers. The anger that had been building in the Fair lady following suit as-well as the ache of the scars that pulsated in the burned side of her face.
``You know why..´´
``I want to hear you say it..´´
For the second time the cold mask seemed to finally come undone, emotions flaring out through not just her eyes, but everything else as-well. A deep, crooked scowl twisted her mouth, a fang chewing her lips, a black hand clenched into a tight fist, her eyes sharp slits carved into her face, their gaze penetrating...
It was clear that she wanted to say more..
That she wanted to do more than just hold her arm in search of the answer she sought..
So why hadn't she..?
And more importantly, why was she not trying to kill her for daring to touch her like this..? Perhaps for the same reason she had not blandish the sword that killed the former Knave…
..
..
..
``Do you like stories...?´´
The Fourth of the Harbingers glared at her with incredulity and bafflement as if she had grown a second head.., but either by luck or just the nature of the white haired woman that the shock washed away rather quickly.
A pang of curiosity settling down in her eyes…, but still wanting to know the truth. After a few more seconds, she relented.
``Why...? I am going to hear one now..?´´
``You just may...´´
ºº
A/N
The thought of making the tale scene was there, but I decided to scrap it. There was no need to extend it any more than it had any reason to.
We dont know much about Arles origins, and I may be wrong and Hoyo may make something more elaborate, but well, I think I waited enough to get a grasp of her behaviour to try approach it when she appeared in Fontaine.
