Omniscius II [Genshin Impact]

66: An Attempted Exchange

Soleil watched warily as plates were laid out on the table before her. The food was appetizing, but Soleil was in no mood to eat, given that the view of the man across the table was a sight to revolt.

Who's to say the food isn't poisoned? He was fond of that kind of thing, Soleil thought with pursed lips. 

"What's wrong? Is the food not to your liking?" Dottore asked, more curious than worried or concerned. He wasn't capable of such emotions.

"I'm not eating anything," Soleil said. "Hm... I had no idea you had a selective palate. As a child, you were an obedient eater. Perhaps it's a side effect of your age?" Dottore mused.

"We can drop the formalities, Dottore. Pleasantries with you makes me vomit," Soleil spat.

"There's no need to be so harsh with 'me'. Can't you see that I'm still just a child?" Dottore asked, more as a jeer than an attempt at pity.

"That's what makes you even sickening. At that age, many children were already dying to your experiments," Soleil glared, "How dare you appear before me like that?"

Before him was one of the Second Harbinger's younger segments: his form when he was still a pubescent teen at the age of fourteen to sixteen. He wore a boy's suit, wearing shorts instead of slacks like some young boys do.

"Your anger is what I anticipated. You're right. I had planned to meet you like this. Of all the other available Segments, it was I who came to meet you. I was hoping you would be a little more tame at the sight of my child-like and youthful appearance," Dottore's bloody red eyes glimmered with delight, "What do you think? Did I succeed, big sis Soleil?"

Soleil's stomach churned. Aside from not eating for a while, the sickening scene before her amplified her uneasiness and anger.

'Big sis'. A way that many children would address her. Soleil's heart warmed up whenever she was called that way, but Dottore's chilling attempt to mimic it made her shiver.

"What do you want from me?" Soleil asked, not responding to Dottore's question. He huffed, "Aren't you fun. You could be a little more thankful we took you away from that island. If they got their hands on you and brought you before the Electro Archon, you would be dead."

"I was managing until you ensnared me and took me by force. No matter your age, you are still The Doctor. You wouldn't 'save' me if you didn't have a motive," Soleil stated.

"Haha! That's true. Well, since you've turned down the food..." Dottore waved a hand.

Soleil frowned as the food was taken away by nearby Fatui soldiers, leaving them. The woman crossed her arms.

"The Regrator told my other Segment that you were having some fun causing trouble here in Inazuma. You and Tartaglia were quite selfish, turning down the attempts to send you reinforcements. Either you are too proud or too selfish to share the fun with others," Dottore said.

"So it was Pantalone. That slimy old fox..." Soleil balled her fists angrily. That old smiley screwed things up for her.

"Oops... Didn't mean to namedrop. But anyway, there's no use getting angry at him. He likes you a lot, you know? He just wanted to help you," Dottore smirked.

"Hah! I'm assuming you being here means you're here to 'help' too?" Soleil asked sarcastically.

"Of course not. This whole war is your little experiment. How could I be so disrespectful and mess it up for you? No, no, no," Dottore's smirk widened, "I was simply being...opportunistic. I thought I could tag along to talk to you and discuss something that is overdue."