Winter Solstice | Fatui One-Shots (Genshin Impact)

Scientific Method | Dottore

Dottore
104°F = 40°C
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Dottore was always engrossed in his research. Pouring over data or diving headfirst into what ever experiment he could come up with, his passion for his work what admirable. There was something so amazing about the way his face lit up-at least from what you could see behind the mask-at the prospect of a new venture, and as much as you loved that inquisitive mind of his, you couldn't help but wonder if you perhaps were not fascinating enough to keep his attention.

Though as any researcher knew from the depths of their core, a controlled experiment was the one true way to verify the validity of any hypothesis. Therefore, you found yourself enraptured in anticipation-would you be able to entangle an acclaimed academic in a study of your own?

Sucking in a breath, you knocked twice on the door to his lab which you were sure he was in because he'd been in there for the past week.

"You may enter," he called from inside, not even bothering to check who it was as you pulled the door open.

He looked dignified-you're not even sure how he maintained his appearance-standing there studying the mechanical creatures moving around in the enclosed aquarium. Did water not destroy the components? That was fascinating.

However, now was not the time to fall victim to sudden variables, for you had your own hypothesis to prove.

Leaning against the doorway with your arms wrapped around your midsection, you weakly declared, "I feel quite faint, doctor." Your pyro vision, strategically moved to the back of your person, was activated; you had to have some type of real symptom, after all.

"Y/n?" He sounded surprised. Perhaps he thought one of his assistants were at the door. He set down his clipboard to inspect you. "Why haven't you gone to see a doctor?"

"I...I don't think I can make it that far."

"You sound sickly as well. Come, we shall have you sit in here for the time being." He lead you by the small of your back to an empty desk which he helped you on to. "Your skin is burning. By the looks of it, your fever is quite high...above 104, perhaps? When did your symptoms start?"

"A few hours ago; I'm not sure."

"Regardless, your condition is serious. I'll bring a doctor at once." Oh, the irony, but if he left to get someone who could inspect you properly your rouse would be up before you could conclude your study.

"Are you not able to yourself?"

"I do not have the means to do so right now."

"I-" He was gone before you could get the next words out. You sighed. You'd at least managed to tear him from his work, not that he'll be happy to hear it was all for nothing. Your gaze shifted over to the aquarium he was studying so intently.

It was a cylindrical tank reaching from ceiling to floor with a diamater about 10 feet wide. Some type of mechanical creatures floated around, their movements choppy and unpredictable. They resembled jellyfish in some way, but they were clearly distinct.

The door opened, and through came Dottore as well as some poor man who looked like he'd been dragged all the way here.

"Find the cause of her illness and treat it," Dottore demanded.

"R-Right away, sir," the man stuttered. He wasted no time checking your vitals to which you were unprepared. You subtly tried to activate your vision, however, just as you did so he paused.

"Don't say anything," you warned.

He nervously swallowed. "You're putting me in a tough position, Miss."

"What seems to be the problem?" Dottore asked.

"The doctor was just commenting on my fever."

His eyes were daggers, but he complied. "Y-yes, it's unusually high, but everything else seems to be fine. I reckon with a bit of fever reducer she'll be back to normal in no time at all."

"I see, then you're dismissed," said Dottore.

"What?"

"I said you're dismissed."

The man almost tripped over his own feet getting out of there.

Once he left, Dottore said, "Say, Y/n."

"What is it?"

"Did you know electro vision wielders are great conductors?"

"That's an interesting observation."

"And cyro wielders have a lower body temperature than average." He began to walk towards you.

"I always knew they were cold-blooded."

He stopped right in front of you. "So then, what do suppose the effects of a pyro vision are on the human body?"

Oh.

"Wait, how did you-"

"Look behind you."

You did-there was a small mirror hanging on the wall.

"Why didn't you say anything if you noticed?" you asked.

"Before that, you should consider the implications if I did say something. Would it have been any fun if I told you right from the start your footsteps were steady until right before you opened the door?"

"So you realized that early."

"Now, Y/n, don't be upset. If you desire something from me you need only ask."

"I can't believe you lead me on for that long," you pouted.

"I cannot fathom the idea of my lovely Y/n resolving herself to trickery."

"But you're allowed to?"

His lips quirked up, perhaps not to laugh at his own hypocrisy, but rather a grimace in the shadow of his laugh. "I have fallen far too deep to allow you to do the same."