Arlecchino sifted through the paperwork strewn across her desk, examining the new Fatui laws regulating troop facial hair. Every Harbinger had to keep up to date with the rules—even the beardless. All Fatui could no longer wear beards that grew over 10 millimeters due to concerns with hygiene, standardization of troop appearances, and propriety. Real riveting stuff.
When someone knocked on her office door, she was honestly relieved.
"Come in," she said.
Nikolay popped inside. His broken leg had mended, but he still hobbled with a slight limp. The Fatui bowed. "There's someone here to see you, Father. One of Aether's friends. The um… lightning lady."
Arlecchino stiffened in alarm. Please, she begged, not the damned fox. "Describe her."
"Violet hat, long brown hair, green eyes."
"Lisa," she murmured. That lazy mage had been one of the seven girls, who led by Yae Miko, dealt out her brutal initiation into the UHA. Arlecchino shuddered at the memory.
Lisa rarely exerted energy on anything. What was she doing out here?
Well, no sense putting off the inevitable.
"See her in," she said.
Nikolay held open the door. Lisa strode inside, hips swaying in their easy little way. She made herself comfortable on the couch. With a bow, Nikolay left them alone.
"You're a long way from Mondstadt," said Arlecchino.
"What's the matter, dear? Aren't you happy to see me?" Her voice had this singsong lilt much like Yae Miko, which made Arlecchino uneasy. "And here I came all this way just to see you."
"I doubt that," said Arlecchino. "Tracking down an overdue library book again?"
Lisa chuckled. "You know me so well. Thought I might as well pop in for a visit."
She yawned idly.
"Miss Minci, I cannot entertain guests today. I have work."
Lisa sighed. "That's a shame. And I just got here too."
"I'll have Nikolay brew you some tea. You're welcome to stay a while, but I must work."
"Oh alright. As long as I'm here though, there's a matter I wish to discuss. I understand little Heloir has a gift for potion-making and alchemy. I'd like to take her under my wing."
The offer caught Arlecchino off guard. She quirked an eyebrow. That only made Lisa chuckle. Arlecchino brushed aside her paperwork and folded her hands together. Lisa correctly took that as a sign she could continue.
The librarian smiled. "Now mind you, I won't be teaching her how to make poisons; just potions and alchemy."
"What are your plans for her?"
Lisa went through some proposed lessons. Her curriculum had been well thought out, accounting for Heloir's age while pushing her. The librarian put a lot of time into this school. Arlecchino listened as Lisa switched from the short-term lessons to her long-term goals with the child.
"If she proves promising, I'll introduce her to some colleagues from the Akademiya. She might earn a full scholarship someday."
"They'd accept a Fatui?"
"If she proves herself, yes. I imagine my old friend Cyno will gladly vouch for her if I ask him nicely."
Arlecchino considered. On one hand, sending Heloir to the Academiya could prove useful. With such a formal academic education, she'd become an asset to the House. And the Knave wouldn't have to worry about Heloir's safety when she had Aether's friends looking out for her. Between Cyno and Dehya and Nahida, nobody would touch that child.
What was stopping her? Mother had turned over many children to the Doctor. Those who went never returned. Arlecchino knew Lisa was different from the Doctor, but even so, handing over one of her children didn't feel right. She became the Knave to stop that kind of thing from happening.
"Bring her to the Serenitea Pot when I'm around," Lisa suggested. "I'll give her a few informal lessons. We can decide where to go from there."
Lisa yawned. "I think I'll have that tea now. Good day, Peruere."
The librarian departed, leaving Arlecchino deep in thought. She had a duty to protect the children. But didn't she also have a duty to foster their talents? Clervie had dreams that Mother crushed; dreams of being a dancer, of seeing the aurora borealis, growing old, and having kids. She didn't want to be like Mother.
Arlecchino stared out the window into the clear blue sky. She wondered what Aether would do. He'd probably ask Heloir what she wanted, knowing his considerate nature. But what someone wanted wasn't always what they needed.
Then again, who was she to judge what someone needed? Her time with Aether taught her what people needed went beyond the physical. Look at her: lingerie, larping, singing in a talent show—she'd never known she could do all that before. Much less, how much she'd enjoy it all. She never knew how good it could feel just to live.
Arlecchino made up her mind. She left the paperwork on the desk and marched to the lab where she knew Heloir would be. Sure enough, the child sat over a workbench, grinding Juyen Chilies with a mortar and pestle.
"Heloir," she began. Her child stood up straight.
"Hello, Father," she said. "What can I do for you?"
"There's someone I'd like you to meet. Come."
Leaving behind the paperwork for now, Arlecchino brought her child into the kitchen where Lisa sat, sipping tea. Most kids would've been shy around a stranger. Not Heloir, she marched right up to the stranger and said hello. The librarian smiled warmly at Heloir.
"Hello, cutie," she said. "My name is Lisa. My friend Aether told me you've got a knack for potion-making."
