Those Who Dream of Freedom (Scaramouche x fem!reader)

Chapter 16 ☆ ''Antiques''

☆ y/n

I swore I would avenge my friend no matter what it meant.

The shogunates wouldn't stand a chance against me, nor would those masked guys. I was stronger than all of them put together, and that made me happy at the time.

First I tried to find out who those people were that I saw. I asked my fellow rebels, but no one said anything special about them, but they all knew what group they belonged to. And that's how I found out about Fatui, as well as what actually alerted them. It wasn't our clothes that were the main reason that made them "raise the alarm", but my friend himself. A few months later, I learned the truth about the incident, and now I know that my former best friend had been a dangerous man before joining the group. He had defected from the organization a few years before, but eventually they were able to get to him. He had joined our group for the purpose of disguise, not for his own protection. Still, this revelation hadn't made me lose my respect for him, but I wasn't surprised to learn that he'd kept a secret from me, after all, I hadn't told him mine either, even if I'd planned to one day, when we'd have been safe.

My search area had shrunk a lot, and I was more grateful to my colleagues than I had let on. The desire for revenge burned inside me and could have burned everything around me to ashes. I was determined to do everything I could to make it come true. So I searched for them, I searched for a long time. I found the leads close to my 14th birthday. The leads I found brought me closer to what I wanted, a way to do justice to the man who had been my friend. His loss had affected me, and I wanted those who caused this to feel the same pain I had.

Was I a horrible person at the time? Maybe so, but I didn't care.

The burning desire to avenge him was what brought me my sixth vision. After so many unfortunate events, my heart had frozen. I no longer felt affection or pity for anyone. The vision floated above me as I stood on watch, slowly fell from the sky, illuminating the sleeping forest with a pale blue hue. The snowflake symbol winked at me as it descended, and the vision was cold when I touched it. An icy vision for an icy heart, it had been a fitting gift at that moment.

I had a real chance against them, I had the element of surprise. A girl with six visions against an army, I was convinced I could win no matter what I had to do. I was starting to plan, I was starting to do more research. I found out where to find them, but the hard part was just beginning. I couldn't act without thinking, even though in my heart I wished I could wreak as much havoc as possible the very next day.

☆

I'm seeing Zoe again in two days at Marjorie's shop. Today I trained with Scaramouche until noon, after which I had to leave earlier than I usually do. There was no limit to my surprise when Scaramouche asked, "Where are you rushing off to?" because he gave me the impression that he was interested, but immediately afterwards he added "Who would want to see you?" and I wasn't so surprised anymore.

I left quickly because I didn't want to keep my friend waiting. I found her in front of the shop, talking to the shop assistant. Neither of them heard me approach.

"Hello!" I greeted them when I got next to them.

"Cassie!" exclaimed Zoe. "Sorry! I didn't hear you coming."

"Hello!" exclaimed Marjorie at the same time. "Sorry, that was rude of me."

"Don't worry," I say cheerfully to both of them, and then whisper to Zoe: "Let's get this over with."

I didn't come here to chat, I came so Zoe could indulge her pleasure of buying me clothes for the festival and probably accessories. Not that I wear any accessories other than the pendant hidden under my clothes. That's where I put my Anemo vision. Clever, isn't it? That way I can always have it with me in case I need it and I don't even give myself away.