once a city that's hailed her as its hero, defeating the resurrected overlord of the vortex with her sword, its streets now feel unfriendly, the stares of its citizens stinging like the frigid, unforgiving winds of snezhnaya. she supposes that she herself is no longer forgiven, not when her clothes bear the symbol of the organization that nearly upended its government if it weren't for certain individuals, its soldiers flanking her on both sides: the fatui.
her thoughts trail towards her friends—or are they considered enemies, now?—and she wonders if they'll understand the choices she's made. zhongli might, the ex-archon far more insightful and discerning than most. but even she knows that he would shake his head, his real thoughts hidden behind his impassive face. the others?
highly unlikely.
but it needs to be done, the order from the top uncompromising. there would've been a time when she rattled against such austerity and authority, unwilling to bend her knee to it; she was a creature not from this world, after all. and yet, it was the only way; every other gave her false hope, bearing bitter fruit that she needed to swallow during her journey.
if she wanted information and resources to ensure she's moving forward in this journey, then she needed more power, more connections. she needed the tsaritsa and her indomitable will to tear down the heavens.
she needed to make a choice, one that will force her twin brother to finally reveal himself to her.
the wooden doors of the northland bank open and lumine's head cants a little, her eyes flickering at the familiar architecture. red and mahogany, gilded and lined with gold—liyuen, with pantalone's touches. nothing has changed since she's departed from the harbor and started her way towards the west. it's a moment later when ekaterina walks up to her with a slight bow.
"lord tartaglia is in his office. shall i—" ]
No need, I know where it is.
[ up the staircase to the right, down the paneled hallway—she no longer remembers how many times she's been through this path, traversing it easily even with her eyes closed. the agents standing at the door give her a nod before knocking, announcing her presence to the harbinger inside.
why he was even sent back here, she also doesn't understand. but maybe that's why she's been sent to liyue, to drag him back out with her.
[ Tartaglia has an office because of his rank, but he never really seems to do much with it. the Eleventh Harbinger would much rather be out on the field of battle than paper pushing, and his office reflects that. part of his duty as a Harbinger means he has to be available, and intimidating enough, for those who want to reconcile their debts with the Northland Bank. those deep-pocketed merchants always need reminders that there is something more terrifying than money, and it's an unhinged, dim-eyed Fatui Harbinger.
there's nothing on the agenda today, so he's surprised when he's roused from his seat with the storm that Lady Signora brings with her. he was slouched backwards, feet up on the desk that was probably more expensive than his family's house, but he untangles himself in greet, boots on the floor and all. ]
Well, look at that. To what do I owe the honor?
[ around most of his coworkers he's impersonal, distracted and uncaring – that's because most of them he doesn't like. they're all too scheming and exploitative. it's not as if Tartaglia hasn't caused his fair share of chaos, but he revels being at the center of it. when Lumine shows up his entire expression seems to brighten, his heart on his sleeve and a twist of a little smile at the corner of his lips.
[ it's common knowledge that childe isn't too fond of his coworkers—save for lumine, that is.
hence the task of dealing with him since she's assumed signora's old post has been unceremoniously dumped on her lap. after all, who else could rein him in like an equestrian reining in their unruly horse just before a competition better than her? it's not a compliment by any means and childe's at times unpredictable enough for her taste, but she supposes it's inevitable given their relationship.
she waits until the door closes behind her with a click, the footsteps receding outside. a part of her has always wondered why there's a need for agents to accompany any of the harbingers; they're more than capable of undermining an entire government, after all.
and yet, it's only after the coat has been draped over her shoulders that she realized their purpose. ]
I was told you were sent back to Liyue.
[ and since she was in sumeru dealing with a few things and tying loose ends, might as well take a look at what's going on. there must be a reason why they're sending people back to the other nations. ]
Considering your history with the city, I thought they'd send someone else ...
[ like her with her once-special connection to its ex-archon and its leaders. ]
[ the Harbingers find it easy to send Childe places. he doesn't need much to make trouble, and if sending him off on missions here and there kept him out of the pathway of the other Harbingers, then they were all the better for it.
Pierro had a plan for him, even if he hadn't divulged much to Lumine – it had something to do with the course of his Fate. ]
If Qixing starts a protest – and they've tried, if politely – they'd be met with a few unhappy Snezhnayan loaners. Sometimes I think that the boring things like finance talk better politics than battle, but if it were up to me, I'd much rather the Tianquan send someone after me. It might actually be fun.
[ though Ningguang would try something, he was sure of that.
then, he sounds a little darker. ]
She left Fatui recruits in the Chasm after I left, you know. She doesn't think that she'll need them eventually, but she will.
[ there is a war coming, they all know that. perhaps Childe is chaffed because it was, in a way, his own fault. or at least, Ningguang had made it out that way. in reality it was the combination of outstanding political climate, and Ningguang's rage toward the Fatui.
[ it's been so long, and yet childe continues to hold that against ningguang and the others. an instinctive response to the attempted destruction and undermining of their city, but of course, they're the ones at fault in the eyes of the fatui who were only following the noble orders of their tsaritsa.
still, lumine says nothing to defend the tianquan. ningguang may have been her friend, but she's turned away from the path offered by the woman, essentially betraying her. it isn't that she didn't value their friendship; it just didn't produce anything fruitful to her journey. ]
The Jester assigned me the task that ... [ once belonged to the balladeer. she can't say that, not when that seat has been empty for so long. ] Has something to do with the Abyss.
[ she's more than aware that pierro has a plan and that recognition in his eyes when he saw her on the steps of the zapolyarny palace is very telling. the abyss is the one place he's certain she will want to be in even without disclosing any further information about her twin.
how sly, she thinks to herself. truly one of the mages of the fallen kingdom of khaenri'ah. ]
You've found yourself in the Abyss once a long time ago, haven't you?
[ is this an invitation for him to join her? who knows.
she'd ask the wanderer regarding his experiences of the abyss, and nahida would certainly advise her of such if she were to ask her. but archons knows that he won't entertain her now that she wears the mantle of the organization he wants to take down the most. ]
[ given Ningguang's distaste for the Fatui, it's good to keep an eye on where her rage may point her; Childe knows that all too well. ]
The Abyss?
[ well, now that's caught his interest. his time in the Abyss was horrifying, but he seems to regard it as a learning period in his life: without the Abyss that day, he would have never met Skirk, never become a warrior, and never been close to the person that he was now.
his feet hit the floor, and with his elbows, he leans over the desk. ]
That was a long time ago.
[ though a task appointed directly from the Jester – that was also interesting. ]
But from what I remember, you have too. [ though he knows the circumstances aren't terribly clear to him. ] Are you looking for a partner, partner?
lumine doesn't answer right away, careful with her own words. to be fair, the jester never gave very specific instructions, only to investigate the abyss further and pick up where they've left off. he also mentioned nothing about investigating alone, though she supposes it's implied rather than directly said, understanding the strange flavor of secrecy happening between the harbingers.
even now, despite her own repute and abilities, she remains in the dark about many of the plots and schemes brewing in snezhnaya. she almost wonders if she should try to pry them open, cut them in half and see what she can glean from the remains.
she opens her mouth. it closes a moment later, teeth worrying on the inside of her cheek. ]
If you're not busy ...
[ her gaze flickers to the paperwork on the desk, a familiar sight. the smell of ink permeates the room too, still fresh. ekaterina must've just placed those today, in need of the harbinger's perusal, approval or signature.
there's a faint amusement in her tone, almost laughing at his fate. pantalone sure knows who to choose to deal with it. ]
But I can see that you are, and I'm sure Ekaterina would be upset if I were to take you with me.
[ Tartaglia being busy is generally negotiable. while he certainly had some duties, most of them were comprised of supporting new recruits and making sure daily dealings went to order. his presence was mostly the thing required. Harbingers in certain nations made a statement, and Pierro knew exactly how to play that game of chess. ]
It is pretty boring here.
[ see: shaking down merchants who weren't that strong, settling debts with weaklings and making himself a general nuisance while buried in paperwork. Childe craved chaos as much as he craved battle, making himself the center of conflict.
there is a part of him thrilled at the idea of walking into danger with Lumine, but a smaller, haunted part of him that is reminded of the horrors that he found in that place. ]
Really, she could probably take care of things herself. If I took a leave, I'm sure that the eyes fixed on this place would turn a different way for a while.
[ since Ningguang had particular dislike for him. he did ruin the first Jade Chamber, after all. ]
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if we're sinners, then it feels like heaven to me ( harbinger au )
once a city that's hailed her as its hero, defeating the resurrected overlord of the vortex with her sword, its streets now feel unfriendly, the stares of its citizens stinging like the frigid, unforgiving winds of snezhnaya. she supposes that she herself is no longer forgiven, not when her clothes bear the symbol of the organization that nearly upended its government if it weren't for certain individuals, its soldiers flanking her on both sides: the fatui.
her thoughts trail towards her friends—or are they considered enemies, now?—and she wonders if they'll understand the choices she's made. zhongli might, the ex-archon far more insightful and discerning than most. but even she knows that he would shake his head, his real thoughts hidden behind his impassive face. the others?
highly unlikely.
but it needs to be done, the order from the top uncompromising. there would've been a time when she rattled against such austerity and authority, unwilling to bend her knee to it; she was a creature not from this world, after all. and yet, it was the only way; every other gave her false hope, bearing bitter fruit that she needed to swallow during her journey.
if she wanted information and resources to ensure she's moving forward in this journey, then she needed more power, more connections. she needed the tsaritsa and her indomitable will to tear down the heavens.
she needed to make a choice, one that will force her twin brother to finally reveal himself to her.
the wooden doors of the northland bank open and lumine's head cants a little, her eyes flickering at the familiar architecture. red and mahogany, gilded and lined with gold—liyuen, with pantalone's touches. nothing has changed since she's departed from the harbor and started her way towards the west. it's a moment later when ekaterina walks up to her with a slight bow.
"lord tartaglia is in his office. shall i—" ]
No need, I know where it is.
[ up the staircase to the right, down the paneled hallway—she no longer remembers how many times she's been through this path, traversing it easily even with her eyes closed. the agents standing at the door give her a nod before knocking, announcing her presence to the harbinger inside.
why he was even sent back here, she also doesn't understand. but maybe that's why she's been sent to liyue, to drag him back out with her.
"lady signora has arrived, lord tartaglia." ]
no subject
there's nothing on the agenda today, so he's surprised when he's roused from his seat with the storm that Lady Signora brings with her. he was slouched backwards, feet up on the desk that was probably more expensive than his family's house, but he untangles himself in greet, boots on the floor and all. ]
Well, look at that. To what do I owe the honor?
[ around most of his coworkers he's impersonal, distracted and uncaring – that's because most of them he doesn't like. they're all too scheming and exploitative. it's not as if Tartaglia hasn't caused his fair share of chaos, but he revels being at the center of it. when Lumine shows up his entire expression seems to brighten, his heart on his sleeve and a twist of a little smile at the corner of his lips.
this is better than a fight. ]
no subject
hence the task of dealing with him since she's assumed signora's old post has been unceremoniously dumped on her lap. after all, who else could rein him in like an equestrian reining in their unruly horse just before a competition better than her? it's not a compliment by any means and childe's at times unpredictable enough for her taste, but she supposes it's inevitable given their relationship.
she waits until the door closes behind her with a click, the footsteps receding outside. a part of her has always wondered why there's a need for agents to accompany any of the harbingers; they're more than capable of undermining an entire government, after all.
and yet, it's only after the coat has been draped over her shoulders that she realized their purpose. ]
I was told you were sent back to Liyue.
[ and since she was in sumeru dealing with a few things and tying loose ends, might as well take a look at what's going on. there must be a reason why they're sending people back to the other nations. ]
Considering your history with the city, I thought they'd send someone else ...
[ like her with her once-special connection to its ex-archon and its leaders. ]
no subject
Pierro had a plan for him, even if he hadn't divulged much to Lumine – it had something to do with the course of his Fate. ]
If Qixing starts a protest – and they've tried, if politely – they'd be met with a few unhappy Snezhnayan loaners. Sometimes I think that the boring things like finance talk better politics than battle, but if it were up to me, I'd much rather the Tianquan send someone after me. It might actually be fun.
[ though Ningguang would try something, he was sure of that.
then, he sounds a little darker. ]
She left Fatui recruits in the Chasm after I left, you know. She doesn't think that she'll need them eventually, but she will.
[ there is a war coming, they all know that. perhaps Childe is chaffed because it was, in a way, his own fault. or at least, Ningguang had made it out that way. in reality it was the combination of outstanding political climate, and Ningguang's rage toward the Fatui.
the switch flips, and he smiles again. ]
So, it's my turn now, why were you sent here?
no subject
still, lumine says nothing to defend the tianquan. ningguang may have been her friend, but she's turned away from the path offered by the woman, essentially betraying her. it isn't that she didn't value their friendship; it just didn't produce anything fruitful to her journey. ]
The Jester assigned me the task that ... [ once belonged to the balladeer. she can't say that, not when that seat has been empty for so long. ] Has something to do with the Abyss.
[ she's more than aware that pierro has a plan and that recognition in his eyes when he saw her on the steps of the zapolyarny palace is very telling. the abyss is the one place he's certain she will want to be in even without disclosing any further information about her twin.
how sly, she thinks to herself. truly one of the mages of the fallen kingdom of khaenri'ah. ]
You've found yourself in the Abyss once a long time ago, haven't you?
[ is this an invitation for him to join her? who knows.
she'd ask the wanderer regarding his experiences of the abyss, and nahida would certainly advise her of such if she were to ask her. but archons knows that he won't entertain her now that she wears the mantle of the organization he wants to take down the most. ]
no subject
The Abyss?
[ well, now that's caught his interest. his time in the Abyss was horrifying, but he seems to regard it as a learning period in his life: without the Abyss that day, he would have never met Skirk, never become a warrior, and never been close to the person that he was now.
his feet hit the floor, and with his elbows, he leans over the desk. ]
That was a long time ago.
[ though a task appointed directly from the Jester – that was also interesting. ]
But from what I remember, you have too. [ though he knows the circumstances aren't terribly clear to him. ] Are you looking for a partner, partner?
no subject
lumine doesn't answer right away, careful with her own words. to be fair, the jester never gave very specific instructions, only to investigate the abyss further and pick up where they've left off. he also mentioned nothing about investigating alone, though she supposes it's implied rather than directly said, understanding the strange flavor of secrecy happening between the harbingers.
even now, despite her own repute and abilities, she remains in the dark about many of the plots and schemes brewing in snezhnaya. she almost wonders if she should try to pry them open, cut them in half and see what she can glean from the remains.
she opens her mouth. it closes a moment later, teeth worrying on the inside of her cheek. ]
If you're not busy ...
[ her gaze flickers to the paperwork on the desk, a familiar sight. the smell of ink permeates the room too, still fresh. ekaterina must've just placed those today, in need of the harbinger's perusal, approval or signature.
there's a faint amusement in her tone, almost laughing at his fate. pantalone sure knows who to choose to deal with it. ]
But I can see that you are, and I'm sure Ekaterina would be upset if I were to take you with me.
no subject
It is pretty boring here.
[ see: shaking down merchants who weren't that strong, settling debts with weaklings and making himself a general nuisance while buried in paperwork. Childe craved chaos as much as he craved battle, making himself the center of conflict.
there is a part of him thrilled at the idea of walking into danger with Lumine, but a smaller, haunted part of him that is reminded of the horrors that he found in that place. ]
Really, she could probably take care of things herself. If I took a leave, I'm sure that the eyes fixed on this place would turn a different way for a while.
[ since Ningguang had particular dislike for him. he did ruin the first Jade Chamber, after all. ]