Shattered hearts

Burn

Have you ever woken up in the middle of January, and walked outside in your pyjamas, to meet the cold wind on your body? Well that's what entering Snezhnaya feels like, no matter what clothes you're wearing. It's all the same, all year, every hour, day and night. Diluc didn't understand how the people of Snezhnaya managed to survive this way, but they sure did, and they seemed to like the cold. Strange. Diluc could feel Jean's cold body behind him, and he was aware that she was asleep. Good. He knew this trip was gonna be bloody, or maybe it would be getting even more bloody than he'd expect it to. That's good too, since he was really out for blood this time. For all the people he loved that had been hurt, for the countless teasing, for the near death experiences. They were all gonna pay for it, just you wait.

When they got to a zone where Diluc knew there were enemies ahead, he let his horse rest in a safe spot, where he always had it. He still had his old tactics, and those were the reason he stayed alive those years ago. Memories. "Jean, wake up." He spoke, shaking her cold body. No response. "Jean." He said a bit louder, and all he could hear was her grunting and moaning. He wondered what she was dreaming about, but it didn't matter much, so he just gently got her off the horse, and lied her on the ground. Eventually, Jean woke up, and they both set off to where they knew there was a small village. A village close to the Fatui, and the Tsaritsa. You see, Diluc had long planned this, and knew what happened everyday. Meetings, arrangements, and most important of all. A ball they were gonna hold, a party to celebrate their Archon. A masked party. That was their best bet, and Diluc had already told Jean about it, so he didn't have to fill her in much. It was risky, and Jean had protested just slightly to it, but when she knew that it was either that, or she could go home, she agreed. When they made it to where they could see the village, they noticed a Fatui camp, with just a few enemies. Diluc advised Jean to go find a place where they could cover for the night, while he dealt with them. Jean agreed, and didn't act stubborn, which was odd, but he didn't mind. He then charged to the camp, and began taking them out, one by one. "Burn!" He shouted, before he summoned a wave of fire, killing them all at the spot. There we go, now he could find out where Jean had parked them both, and rest for the night. They had around two days to figure out what to wear, masks, and new names. He did consider dyeing his hair, to see if it would get him less recognition, but he figured a lot of people had red hair, and that they wouldn't notice him for that.

Diluc soon arrived to a small house where Jean had already gotten their stuff in a closet, and sat by a small dinner table. "So the theme is just, a masked party? What if they already know that we're here, or that we were gonna arrive, and that they're setting it up to find us?" Jean asked, but Diluc just shook his head. "I know how they work, Jean. They wouldn't do that, and they would never figure out our moves, since I have people that I work with, just don't question it. You don't need to know more than what I've already told you." He crossed his arms, as he toured himself around the small house. One bed, two nightstands, a closet, a small kitchen, a kitchen table, a fireplace and a couch. All the things they need, including a medical kit on the table in their room. Perfect.

"Rest for a bit, we're going out to buy clothes, and our own masks." Diluc told her, and she just gave him a small smile. "Matching?" Jean's words were like a whisper. "Red and blue, don't they go together?" Diluc leaned forward to her. "We'll figure it out. I'm not that interested in seeing you in a suit." A smirk formed on her face, and Diluc knew exactly what she was referring to.