The doctors marionette

Part 5

"Master Pantalone someone is here to see you,"

"Hmmm," Pantalone kept on look at the paperwork he was reading, whilst not particularly interesting he had to finish it to be free for that afternoon. The fatui agent knew better than to interrupt him whilst he was working and as such waited. "Who is it?" Pantalone said now signing the piece of paper. "Your daughter sir."

"I see, please bring her in," Pantalone, now done with the paperwork stood ready to great his daughter.

Outside off Pantalone's office sat a girl no older than 10 waiting to see her father. She was beautiful with long blond hair and rich purple eyes like her father's. "My Lady, your father is ready to see you,"

"Thank you," Eleanor stood up and walked into Pantalone's office, it was a luxurious room with the centrepiece off the room being a roaring fire. In snezhnaya the ultimate display of wealth was heat and warmth due to harsh temperatures all year round and Pantalone wasn't shy about showing his riches. "My darling angel Eleanor how are you?"

"I'm great. What about you Daddy?"

"Im the best now that you're here to save me from my boring work," Eleanor giggled as her father picked her up "now shall get ready to go out,"

"Yay," Eleanor replied, it had been a while since the two off them had been out together and when Dottore got back from Monstadt they would go out together again but Pantalone did enjoy spending time with his daughter and regretted that his work sometimes limited him on that.

Once they had reached the main hall of the bank Pantalone put Eleanor down and wrapped a warm cloak around her befor wrapping one around himself. They exited the bank together; then got in a carriage. The carriage took them through the winter wonderland of Snezhnaya despite it being autumn. "My little snowflake what would you like to do when we arrive?"

"I don't mind just as long as I get to spend time with you Daddy," Eleanor always found spending time with her father fun. She would sometimes feel lonely at home, her mother died giving birth to her and she had no friends her age but her father would always make her feel included. "Haha aren't you sweet. How about we go the tailors to get clothes made for the upcoming winter?"

"Yeah okay," Pantalone laughed again at his daughter's enthusiasm. The rest off the journey  was pleasant with Eleanor talking about everything she had learnt from her tutor.

Once they had arrived at the city centre they both got out of the carriage and thanked the driver before entering the tailors. The door had a little bell near the top that rang when the two entered "Welcome to my humble shop what can I do for you today?" The shop keeper asked the pair as they took their cloaks off "We would like some clothes for the upcoming winter," Pantalone said to the shop keeper, he was a short well kept man maybe in his forties. "I see well if you would like to come this way and pick out some items,"

The shop keeper led them into a room filled with different types off clothing for them to browse. The both looked around for a while, Pantalone not finding anything that caught his eye."My snowflake is there anything to your liking?"

"Yes look at this," Eleanor held up a coat made from animal fur, it was gorgeous. "Yes it's beautiful snowflake, shall we go and get it fitted?"

"But what about you Daddy, don't you want anything?"

"No I don't my snowflake,"

"Oh, ok," the two walked back to the main room and greeted the shop keeper; Pantalone showed him the coat "could you fit this to my daughter,"

"Of course," the shopkeeper turned to look at Eleanor and crouched down so he was on here eye level. "Hello little misses would you like to come over here to get this coat fitted?"

"Yes please," Eleanor replied, excited. The shop  keeper lead Eleanor to get her measurements taken. He was quick with his work having done it a thousand times or so. Not once did Pantalone's eyes did not leave his daughter, making sure she was safe at all times. Once the shop keeper was done Pantalone approached them. "Thank you, when can I expect the coat to arrive?"

"It should arrive within 2-3 working days sir," Pantalone gave an approving nod to the shop keeper. "Isn't that exciting my snowflake,"

"Yeah," if there was one thing Pantalone loved about his daughter it was the excitement in her eyes and face whenever they went to do something, it always brought him so much joy when she was happy.

After Pantalone gave the mailing address the pair exited the shop to be greated with the ice cold wind biting at their faces. The carriage was waiting for them to return. Behind, stood two people that Pantalone recognised to be from the fatui evidently having been sent to protect them. He always felt like the other Harbingers underestimated him in combat, however if things went to hell for whatever reason he knew he could rely on the agents to protect Eleanor.

The carriage ride was only short as it took them to the restaurant Pantalone had booked in advance. Pantalone helped Eleanor down before the pair entered the restaurant. Pantalone addressed the waiter, "I have a reservation under Pantalone,"

"Of course sir, if you would please follow me," the waiter lead them to a room at the back of the restaurant reserved for only the richest of patrons, it had multiple tables for two set out and more , whilst Pantalone had dined there before it was Eleanor's first time. She was taken aback about how big the room was, the only room she had been in that was bigger was the entrance hall to bank that Pantalone ran.

The two took a seat at one of the more luxurious tables, with ornate silverware and a candle burning with the smell of fresh flowers. After they had ordered Eleanor interrogated Pantalone on how his work had been recently. Pantalone happily answered her questions being careful to leave out the more dubious aspects off his job. Sitting so close together it was remarkable how alike they looked, with Eleanor clearly inheriting more of here father's genes.

They had decided to go straight for mains and skip starters, they had both ordered the same dish, Sumeru tomato chicken, it was a simple dish yet packed with flavour when cooked correctly. The waiter came out with their meals and placed them down in front of Eleanor first then Pantalone before leaving the two to dine in peace.

Eleanor was cutting her chicken when Pantalone noticed something was off with it, "Snowflake?"

"Yes dad,"

"Can we swap dishes?"

"What? Why?"

"Because I think you'll like mine better,"

"But they're the same,"

"Trust me on this my darling girl,"

"Ok, but if this is some kind trick you have to swap back,"

"Fine," Pantalone smiled swapping the two dishes. The two enjoyed their meals with Pantalone eating around the chicken. Once they had finished and paid he sent Eleanor out to the carriage with the guards before heading to the kitchen.

He walked with the confidence of a man who knew who was right, regardless if he was or wasn't. It was a slow steady walk that was similar to that off one in a slow romantic dance. He entered the kitchen causing instant disruption, people yelling at him to get out, threatening to call security until one person recognised him as a harbinger. The room fell silent. Everyone knew he could make them all disappear with just a snap of his fingers.

He silently strolled over to a specific chef, grabbing a knife so casually you would've thought it a normal occurrence. Pantalone grabbed the back off the chef's head pulling it so the chef's chin was on his shoulder. Pantalone's lips were almost touching the chef's ear when he whispered "Never try to feed my daughter raw chicken,"

Pantalone took a step back to look at the chef. Satisfied with his work he turned around and left. His presence in the room brought a chill that the frost never could. A chill colder than the dead body left on the floor.