Winter Solstice | Fatui One-Shots (Genshin Impact)

First Meeting | Arlecchino

It was dusk, and the sky was a perfectly clear ocean of blue gradually fading into crimson at the horizon where the sun had lied previously. The night was warm but strained, for even though it was supposed to be a party, all who attended knew better than to openly chatter about mundane affairs—such was the preference of the host who hadn't even bothered to make her presence known.

Glass in hand, you swirled the blood red liquid around before tipping the cup towards your lips. It was nothing like the light-hearted wine hailed from Mondstadt; this wine was cold and unforgiving like your homeland, but you weren't in Snezhnaya right now.

It was a garden of fountains surrounding a small plaza with stone bricks and soft weather. This was Fontaine, and despite being held openly underneath the sky, it was a gathering for the Fatui. Of course, that didn't stop some wealthier residents from attending, namely so-called pompous nobles who didn't know how to keep their mouths shut. It was easy to tell them from actual Fatui, for the nobles chattered incessantly, though quietly, and all Fatui members quietly kept to themselves, eyeing the others suspiciously.

Perhaps she had some purpose for these uninvited guests—not that you could understand the motives of a Harbinger. This was normally the kind of thing thrown on a whim without regards to actual business needed to be attended to, but then again, if it needed to be done it would be accomplished sooner or later. You didn't think of her as the type of person who'd care for foolish theatrics, and you still didn't; she was all work, and this party certainly had some kind of agenda not known to you.

At last, it was time. Her entrance was subtle and a mask covered her face, but you'd recognize that foreboding presence anywhere despite never speaking to her—every Fatuus could. The only ones completely oblivious were the aforementioned nobles, but it's not like she cared. Her stride was powerful, her heels clicking on the ground like thunder and lightning.

"Master Arlecchino wishes to speak with you," a voice said as a dark figure materialized from the ground, a Fatui agent.

This was the reason you were invited: to fill in the place of your recently deceased superior and present your team's results for a ongoing major operation. It was your first time speaking to any Harbinger, but you knew the time would come as soon as you were notified of your promotion. Could you do better than the one who came before you? Well, it was either that or die trying.

"Lead the way," you commanded, fully in your right to do so.

The agent nodded, "Of course, ma'am." He extended his arm and you linked it in his, following him.

You weren't in anything especially extravagant, just a flowing black dress with a high slit. Always dress your station, neither below or above lest you incur unwanted attention. Hair tied back in an elegant bun and a mask covering the entire upper half of your face, you certainly looked the part.

"It is my honor to make your acquaintance, Master Arlecchino," you said, dipping your head.

"Enough with the formalities. I assume you know why I called you here?" she sounded almost bored, as if she didn't want to be there a moment longer. She held a glass like yours, but she carried herself in a much more elegant manner. From head to toe she was clad in black, yet her silhouette was distinguished in spite of the dim lights. 

"As you wish," you replied, heart racing. "Everything you asked for has been prepared, and we are ready to proceed as soon as you give the order."

"I see," she hummed, though with the same bored tone. She motioned for one of the agents standing beside her to come closer, and she whispered something in his ear. He simply nodded and disappeared, then, she turned her attention back to you. "Well then, what should I give you in return for your hard work?"