Footsteps In The Snowdrift. || Arlecchino x Fem!Reader.

unlabled door.

Y/N had woken up early morning to the sound of banging and a woman yelling "Wake up," at the top of her lungs. She practically jumped up, glancing around before slumping back in bed. The yelling continued, she grumbled and finally got up getting dressed in her signature fluffy coat with her black cargo pants and her combat boots. She zipped up the coat, sighing, it was still extremely cold in this region, she had no idea where she was, all that was told was she was in a place with a lot of water. Annoying, she had no way of escaping if she was caught, she had to lay low and if she got caught, she would have to make up some sort of excuse for her actions. She kept moving, grabbing her gloves and slipping them on. They were fingerless and had some sorts of padding on the joints and vulnerable points in her hands. Finally, she grabbed her cross-body bag and walked out the door.
Empty, how suspicious.
There was yelling but nobody was outside, in fact, nobody seemed to be relatively panicked about anything. Everyone was still sleeping. Now this made her both confused and extremely concerned. She snuck around the hallway trying to figure out just what was happening. Finally, she stopped at a fancy looking door with writing on it, "Orphanage?" She muttered and placed her hand on the dusty doorknob. She turned it slowly before being met with Arlecchino's gleaming red eyes, she practically yanked her hand almost making her fall and slide forward on the floor and dragged her inside past all the doors. Y/N caught a glimpse of children laughing and playing amongst themselves and others. Suddenly she was thrown in a chair in Arlecchino's office.

"What were you DOING BY THAT DOOR." Arlecchino screamed out, her nails gripping the wooden desk making scratches into it. She looked like some sort of ravaged animal, starved by hunger for the longest time. She attempted to catch her breath, sighing. "You're not allowed back here." Arlecchino calmly spoke, she turned around to the window and stared at the bleak outdoors.
"I'm sorry, I got curious. I really didn't know." She was cut off by Arlecchino, "Isn't it common sense not to snoop around into things you don't understand." Her face wrinkled as her eyebrows furrowed. "Look, I'm sorry I won't go snooping again." Y/N spoke softly, averting her gaze. There was silence for a few moments, "The children need someone older for them to play with." Arlecchino started, but then paused for a moment, "You will be their guardian. I will monitor you." Arlecchino finished, turning to Y/N.
"I don't know how to take care of kids." Y/N grumbled, "You will learn." The Knave stated. Y/N sat there confused, Arlecchino just brushed past her worries like it was nothing. This woman was something and she pissed her off. "Well what if I don't want to." Y/N mumbled, "You have no other choice." The Knave shifted to Y/N gently caressing her chin. She ran her nail on her soft skin, cutting it slightly. Y/N hissed in pain, grabbing her chin and screaming out in protest. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cut your beautiful soft skin." Arlecchino smirked. Y/N blinked confusingly, "Wait huh. Did you just compliment me?"
"Of course why wouldn't I compliment such a divine woman?" She chuckled softly.
Y/N felt her face get hotter, "I-..." She hesitated before being interrupted by Arlecchino, "I was angry at you a second ago, now I'm doing nothing but light flirting, how humorous."

Y/N was still sitting in the cushioned seat, her mouth practically slammed shut to trap the words that dared escape her lips, "Is something wrong, Miss Y/N?" Arlecchino spoke softly, genuinely concerned. "Yes I'm fine just — Nobody has ever spoken to me like that before. I wouldn't think a harbinger of such high rank as yourself would do such." Arlecchino chuckled as Y/N spoke and stumbled on her words. "You are so adorable. I wish to see you more often. How about you come visit me in my chambers in the sweetness of the evening." Arlecchino subtly suggested.
"I don't see why not." Y/N averted her gaze.
"It's settled, I'll get one of the children to fetch you later. I'll see you later." Arlecchino smiled as Y/N shakily stood up. She stiffly made her way out of the office, glancing at the children laughing and playing in the different rooms. She smiled softly before walking out, she snuck by, making sure nobody saw her shifting out of the odd room she instructed people not to go in. Once the coast was clear, she made her way to her room once again and collapsed on her bed. She stared at the ceiling and started overthinking,
"She was hot. WAIT WHY AM I THINKING THAT? What is wrong with me, I'm supposed to be getting revenge for my people and here I am swooning having a sleepover with a harbinger. What do I know, this is the perfect time to get revenge! But she seemed sweet. All those children, she seemed to be caring for them. If she dies, where will they go?"

All these thoughts ran through her head while she tried relaxing, it was a challenge but she was able to catch a nap before a sudden knock came at the door. She awoke and checked the time, "It's evening." And she knew exactly what this was about. The children were right on schedule. She grabbed some blankets, her favorite pajamas and a stuffed animal and walked out the door. She was met with a short child with frizzy ginger hair and green eyes. A pretty young girl, but she was in a messy shape. She suddenly dashed off leaving no time for Y/N to react. She ran as fast as she could but she couldn't keep up with the child inches shorter than her. She stumbled before being met with the floor.

"Don't keep the lord waiting." The child scoffed.
What was she to do. Insanely fast children, crazy harbinger with a soft spot, this day couldn't get any weirder.