The new 10th Harbinger

Back Alley Dealings

Running down one of the many alleyways of Snezhnaya's main city, Evangeline expertly dodged the attacks being thrown at her from behind. The flashes of gold, red, blue and, white would've blinded anyone less skilled. Pissing off the number one gang of treasure hoarders was certainly not in the itinerary for today but, the original plan also didn't consist of stealing dozens of manufactured delusions.

Evangeline barely had time to change directions when she felt a sweltering hot flame approach her from behind. Stumbling over her own feet, she watches the ball of flames fly past her, if she hadn't moved, she would be dead. Eyes wide, she doesn't give it another thought before gripping the sack of delusions tighter and beginning to run again.

'Damn Nikolai...!' Evangeline thought as she hurried away from what she could only describe as his "foolish followers". Being sold out wasn't in the plans. Being the center of attention wasn't in the plans. Almost dying certainly wasn't in the plans! Her eyes flicker around, searching for anything that could help her get further ahead. A fire escape, a split in the path, somewhere to hide, but there was nothing. She had no escape and her tails were quickly catching up.

Breathing heavily, she fails to spot the ruble covering in snow right in front of her. Tripping over it, face planting right in the snowy dirt, gives her pursuers just enough time to catch up. In the fall, the delusions had leapt from the bag, scattering around her like some twisted stained glass art piece. Quickly looking up, Evangeline narrows her eyes at the men, analyzing them. 'I could take them one on one but, not like this...'

"Well, it seems we finally caught ourselves a rat, boys!" The leader of the men, Markus, roars, looking down at Evangeline with a condescending smirk. The look in his eyes disgusted her, like she was prey to them. Though, at this moment, she supposed she was.

Letting out a breath, she holds her head up, replying with the same confidence she held in any negotiations. "What now Markus? Going to take me back to Nikolai?" She smirks back, her eyes holding a sense of hatred, "Do you have the guts to face him after dragging this chase out for so long?"

Feeling anger rush through him, Markus lunges forward, his palm connecting with her cheek. The slap echos, harshly pushing her further into the dirty snow.

"You should know to hold your tongue in front of me," Markus sneers. Evangeline scoffs, flipping her head back to look at him with haggard breath. However, before she even gets a chance to reply, the sun is blocked by a large shadow. Evangeline can't look behind her, not wanting to take her eyes of Markus and his men, but from the looks on their faces she can make an assumption.

'Shit', she thinks. 'Must be a Fatui guard.'

Everyone in the alley freezes as someone clears their throat, a deep voice echoing off the frosty brick walls. "I don't think that's how you should treat a woman," The voice speaks in a deep vibrato.

It's Evangeline's turn to tense now. She knew that voice. She'd heard it before when passing the city square during a diplomatic announcement. 'What could a Harbinger- no... what could the director of the Fatui want this far out of town?!?' Evangeline watches as the shadow moves along the wall, causing Markus to scramble back, pushing his men to run, leaving her alone surrounded by scattered delusions. Letting out a breath of relief she didn't know she was holding, she gathers the courage to finally look over her shoulder up at the intimidating man.

Pierro stood in his Fatui coat, several soldiers behind him. Evangeline had never taken the time to fully examine him, being too busy dealing with her own life to care about diplomatic discussions. He was tall, almost too tall, his white hair was easily hiding the fresh snow falling onto his head, and the mask stood out among the sea of white surrounding them.

His voice broke her out of her thoughts. "Now then, are you Miss. Evangeline Novikov?" His face didn't give anything away, it was almost scary. Evangeline had never met a person she couldn't read. Feeling a shiver go through her spine, she meekly nodded, trying to keep her face as neutral as possible. Trying to hide the fact that in any other circumstance, she'd be running for the hills of Mondstadt.

Pierro simply motioned for her to stand, knocking her out of her frozen stance. She stumbles, rushing to stand on her feet and rush the snow off her pants and coat arms. It's now, standing in front of a dozen Fatui soldiers and the Director of the Fatui himself, that she realizes the gravity of the situation. 'I'm surrounded by delusions,' is her first thought, 'Wait... he knows my name!?!' immediately follows.

"Relax Miss. Novikov, I simply have a proposition for you," Pierro begins, seeing her panicked expression, despite her best attempt to hide it.

"And what would that be?" Evangeline responds in a slightly shaky voice.

Pierro glances over her one final time before a small smirk twitches at his lips, "How would you like to join the Fatui? Or, more specifically, the harbingers?"

'WHAT?!?' This, definitely wasn't in the plans.

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