𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜'𝙨 𝙜𝙡𝙤𝙬 // scaramouche x oc

Chapter 31 - The Kitsune's Whisper

Scaramouche's Perspective

I twirled Rin's hairpin between my fingers, lost in thought.

This wasn't how it was supposed to be.

But I wasn't ready for a fourth betrayal.

Carefully, I took off my jacket, easing it under Rin's head and sliding the door behind me.

Inazuma was cold at night, but not for a moment did I think of going back to get my coat.

I had spent most of my time in Kannazuka, so I didn't know Narukami Island the way Rin did. The way she spiraled through the streets like a bird in flight made it seem like she had never left this place at all.

If I had never been created, Rin would've never had to leave.

Why did you let me live, even though I was a faulty creation?

Why didn't you destroy me, Mother?

A bolt of lightning struck me in the shoulder, accompanied by a flash of pink, and I crashed into the ground, spitting out a mouthful of dust.

"I certainly didn't expect to see you here, Kunikuzushi."

Regaining my senses, I hoisted myself up.

"Although these days," she mused. "It seems that you tend to go by the name, 'the Balladeer'."

I tipped my hat to her mockingly. "You're pretty well-informed for someone who despises anything with more words than pictures, Miko."

"I see you're familiar with my publishing house. I always suspected that you still kept tabs on Inazuma."

"Skip the small talk," I snapped, remaining guarded. "How did you find me here?"

Yae Miko shrugged elegantly. "Your spiritual core reeks of your mother's power. Cold and scathing, with an unbelievable concentration of electricity. If not for my yōkai blood, I wouldn't even be able to approach it without shocking myself.

"But to be quite honest," she continued. "you don't even come close to your mother, Kunikuzushi. Your spiritual core is merely a cheap copy of Ei's."

"Why you--"

"What's next, are you going to try and imitate human emotions?" Miko chuckled. "You poor thing."

I clenched my fist.

Even now, I was only her prototype plaything.

Miko wasn't an opponent I could beat in a fight, and if I laid a hand on her, she'd come running to her mistress like a dog.

This was exactly why I hated Inazuma.

"I'm here on official business for the Fatui," I snapped, changing the subject. "So I'll be leaving, thank you."

She furrowed her brows. "Not so fast. You came here looking for something, didn't you?"

I gulped. "How did you . . .?"

"I know Ei like the back of my hand. You really are your mother's son."

Smiling, she removed from her sleeve exactly what I had been looking for.

The Electro Gnosis.

"Hand it here," I said sharply, my eyes fixated on the artifact, mesmerized by its smooth, golden grooves.

"With no price?" Miko snickered. "Certainly not."

Grimacing, I gave in. "What do you want?"

"There is someone who has recently arrived in Inazuma, a member of the resistance against the Shogun from beyond this world. Does the name 'Traveler' come to mind at all?"