Winter Solstice | Fatui One-Shots (Genshin Impact)

Clandestine | Capitano

Capitano
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It was dusk, with the sun just settled below the horizon. A haunted wind rustled the overhead branches, loosening the snow and sending it drifting down. It was a cold evening, unsurprising in the land of perpetual winter, but clear skies floated above.

He opened the creaking, wooden door for you, a small gesture that said more than his face ever expressed. Capitano wasn't much of a talker, nor one to wear his heart on his sleeve, but he revered you in his actions, always treating you with the utmost care.

The meeting room was dark and bitter, lit only by a few lanterns placed along the dark grey brick walls. Various leading officers making up the Captain's division were seated around a long table, with only two seats empty: the one at the head, and the one to the right of the head.

It was completely silent except for yours and Capitano's footsteps. You'd think a ghost had just appeared, but it was really the specter behind you. Despite the stony atmosphere, though, Capitano pulled out your chair for you. The atmosphere didn't seem to phase him, and if even noticed it at all he simply ignored it. But you weren't going to fight him over it, and he was only trying to be sweet.

Once Capitano took his seat, the meeting began. He started by saying, "Alongside our current mission, we have been given an additional task before we depart to Natlan."

By ranking alone you weren't qualified to take part in this meeting. These were the people directly below a Harbinger, and while they weren't as strong as one, they were all formidable opponents in their own right. You weren't even properly trained for combat. At best you could defeat some hillichurls. The only reason you were here was because Capitano ordained it. For whatever logic went on in that brain of his you found yourself in this room, listening to the directives given out to the officers. It was overwhelming, and you could sense you didn't belong.

The mention of your name pulled you out of your thoughts. "Y/n, if you would explain the details."

Huh? You? What were you talking about; it appeared your mind drifted off for a bit, and you lost track of the conversation. You shot a panicked expression to the captain.

"..Of the recent dissention group." Oh! That's what he meant. If he was going to bring that up at this meeting he should have at least forewarned you.

"Right, dissention is spreading among the lower offices. It only takes a small group for it to begin proliferating rapidly. A small group of dissenters have already been found out, but they refuse to disclose the identities of all the members. We have reason to believe there is a large group of them, and they're growing. It is our priority to get a wrap under this before we leave for Natlan." You hoped you didn't sound out of your station by directing the officers like that.

It was by pure coincidence you happened upon a few dissenters discussing their plan to raid a fortress. You reported it immediately to Capitano, and within a few days he'd uncovered a whole network. The rest was just getting the rats out of hiding, but it was too risky to go to Natlan without getting this under control.

"How do you suggest we uncover all of the dissenters?" spoke up one officer.

You said, "There is a plot to storm the Fortress of Dulstev three days from now at the feast. If we can crush the rebellion then with an overwhelming show of strength, there will be few left bold enough to make another attack.

"And how are we going to do that?" You supposed it was fairly obvious, but maybe he had his doubts because it was coming from you.

"You will discuss this with no one other then who is present in this room," you said, glancing at Capitano to make sure it was okay. He nodded in approval. "Which naturally leaves only us to stop the rebellion."

Capitano added, "As you know, I will not be present at the feast. In my stead, Y/n will act as leader."

Hold on, what did he just say? Mumbles rippled throughout the room, and surely they were voices of disapproval. How could he elect you as the acting commander? 

"I'm afraid I must object, sir. Surely there is a more qualified candidate in this room."

"You will not question my orders."

They all sat down. He could be so unreasonable at times, yet his strength was unrivaled.

"Then, Y/n, what would you have us do?"

You were surprised at the sudden authority thrust onto you, but it was time to be decisive, lest you appeared to be a weak leader. You said, "On the night of the attack, go about your usual business, but avoid eating and drinking as that is how they plan to lower our defenses. Of course, they'll be paying extra attention to all of you, so you'll need to trick them. I'll be a part of the waitstaff searching for the power behind their attack. On my signal, we'll close off all the exits and execute the dissenters one by one."

If anyone had any objections they didn't speak up. With that, it was all relying on you.

Capitano said, "That is all. You are dismissed."

The officers left the room, but you and Capitano remained. It was only when the last shut the door behind them that Capitano finally spoke. He asked, "What did you think?"

"I think a little bit of a warning would have been nice. I had no idea coming into this meeting what you had planned."

"What do you mean? I did tell you."

You furrowed your brows. "When?"

"The night you told me about the dissenters."

"You mean when you said, 'I'll bring this up at the next meeting.'"

"Yes."

You sighed, "That doesn't suggest at all that you'd be putting me in charge of it."

"You said that if it were you, you'd tell the officers to do their job for once and get their subordinates under control."

"Oh dear Tsaritsa, that was a joke!"

"But now this situation is very well a reality."

"You know, you are more than capable of finding any person who had even an inkling of dissention and squelching them. Why go through all the trouble?"

"If I did that, my subordinates would grow lazy."

He irked you sometimes. He was always unclear, always following a path he dug out for himself and expecting others to follow along. He went straight through the thorns without hesitation and crossed bridges that were one stray wind from collapsing. You supposed that was ultimate strength, unwavering ability to the point of aloofness.

"If everything goes south, will you step in?"

"I won't be there to help."

"What if I was dying?"

He paused, turning towards you with a sort of methodic confusion. He placed one hand on the small of your back and the other on your cheek. "I can assure you that I would never let that happen."

"You're confident."

"As long as I live, I will never let anyone harm you."

Capitano wasn't much of a talker, nor one to wear his heart on his sleeve, but every once in a while, when it was just the two of you, he could say the most profound things.