𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐀 | 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐨

𖤓𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝟬𝟮 - 𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗦𖤓

The young star walks down the streets, fresh out of the bar where she performs for every eye to see. She clings to her purse, her arms pressing multiple stacks of paper to her chest as she makes her way through the small city, her gaze kept low and her figure reserved to hide from anyone that might feel invited to speak to her. Her steps are short and precise, heels slapping the frozen concrete and hips swaying from side to side; her hair hovers in the chilling breeze, sometimes sticking to her temple as she heads towards her destination. Even during the dangerous hours of the night, she still managed to cast away the darkness with her splendor, the eyes of the people who would pass her by the road still lingering behind her minutes after she'd left.

Wearing a jade, long-sleeved gown was bound to garner some attention despite the black fur coat she wore to shield herself from the cold and from any perverted looks that might've been sent her way, with or without her knowing. The hem of the skirt would graze against the ground with each step she took, surely staining the gorgeous fabric of the dress, yet her hands were fully occupied for her to hold her skirt off the pavement, making her groan. From afar, she looked like a jumbled mess as she tried to juggle her things so they wouldn't slip from her grasp while keeping her arms close to herself to warm her body. She would've benefited from some sort of help, but alas, she was alone in this world. No family to rely upon, no friends to confide in and no partner to keep her company during the toughest times in her life.

Solitude didn't mix very well with her kind soul; she yearned to have someone, anyone, to listen to her worries, her concerns, her ambitions and even her deepest desires. As she continued her quick pace, walking down the streets, she cursed her life, the situation she'd gotten herself into by entering the stage and performing for the people to see. And now, as if some kind of malevolent force was tampering with her life, she had brought herself the attention of a harbinger. Not the most cruelest of the ton, but the First, nonetheless.

Poor soul.

Unbeknownst to the star, the Captain watched from the rooftops, the dark of the night engulfing his armored figure in an ebony blanket as he stared down at the streets. He'd been following her for a while, observing her patterns, her schedules, all the little things she would do as soon as she'd left the bar. The harbinger would move from building to building, his presence hidden from prying eyes as he pursued the woman that had been able to pique his interest. Not the actual reason as to why he was chasing after her like some stalker, yet it did influence in his methods. The Captain didn't want to risk scaring her away, on the contrary, he would've preferred to approach her calmly before asking further questions about her life and how she handled herself in this city.

Nevertheless, his mission required him to remained hidden from her sight until he obtained what he was looking for.

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"We seem to have a problem," The older man spoke, pulling from his coat a file before placing it on the other male's desk in front of him. "I hear rumors of a leak amongst our forces. Have you heard of such things?"

The Captain took hold of the folder, slowly peeling away the contents as he skimmed through the pages, only catching a glimpse of the information within that caught his eye. Tales of records and data missing, only to miraculously appear at the hands of their enemies. Strategies and classified military documents being passed to their foes and even those who Snezhnaya called "allies". Sensitive information that their enemies already knew beforehand, even before they could manage to put it to the test on the field. Such classified schemes could make changing the tides of war an easy task, yet a certain someone was spewing their secrets away, possibly costing them their advantage.

"I have heard of some... whispers. An agent with access to our archives. Friends or comrades inside the strategy meetings that take place in the palace, willing to slip away a few files in exchange for gold." The First responded, the pad of his gloved fingertips rubbing the corner of the pages, his gaze firm on the file in his hands. The Fifth Harbinger in front of him hummed in deep thought, placing his hands on his cane as he leaned forward, face devoid of the heartwarming smile he would always put for the subjects of Sneznahya. A mayor playing the role of a caring, elderly man; his influence on the people was not to be ignored.

"We must take care of this," Lord Pulcinella whispered, as if the very walls around them were alive and dying to swallow any classified information that might slip from his lips. Capitano closed the file and crossed his legs beneath his desk, the chains of his helmet clinking softly as he tilted his head to the side.

"Pantalone could assist you with such... task... of finding the traitor. Even the Jester or the Fair Lady would suffice." The Captain claimed, observing how the shorter male would frown in discontent. "I have things to attend to at the front lines. I cannot afford to waste my time with these kinds of things... as concerning as they might be."

"You're here in the capitol and your methods have always been effective." Taking a few steps back, the elven man tapped his cane above the polished floor, his chin held high. "Help your fellow comrade, and you might save us, once again, from another catastrophe, Captain."

Silence surrounded the two men as they engaged in a brief standoff, their eyes locked and shoulders held back tightly. Like always, the Rooster has a knack for persuading speeches, capable of even convincing a crowd of stubborn heretics to do the Tsaritsa's bidding. It was true that it would not take him long to find the traitor, but that didn't change the fact that he had other things to attend to. Nevertheless, the Captain released a deep exhale through his nostrils, closing his eyes beneath his helmet for a moment before snapping them wide open.

"Alright. You shall have my assistance." He stood up, his height making the mayor seem like a toddler next to him. "But make sure this doesn't happen again, or you'll be dealing with the Regrator instead of me."

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Little star, where does your path lead to and why does it collide with mine?

Peering through the edges of the rooftops, the harbinger observed the woman stop in front of a apartment building, her hands quickly rummaging through her things in search of her keys. Glancing around her surroundings to make sure no one was around, she pulled out the key and inserted it into the lock, opening the door with ease. The woman sighed as she slipped inside the comfort of the building, her figure disappearing from his sight as soon as the door slammed shut.

No need to fret, there were more ways for him to observe her from a safe distance. As he moved swiftly from roof to roof, he stopped when he reached the building right next to your apartment; the windows illuminated by a faint glow indicated that you'd arrived at your apartment. Keen eyes watched as your shadow moved across the room, placing your things in their designated areas before disappearing into the hallway that lead further into the apartment. He lost sight of your shadow for a moment, probably meaning that you'd went to take a shower. When fifteen minutes passed, you were yet to emerge from the hallway; his instincts were correct.

Alas, the lights were turned off, and he took it as a sign to retire for the night. Tomorrow was a brand new day, and he'll make sure to pay you a visit once more. But for now, he'll let you sleep without his presence lurking in the shadows, stalking every single move you would make.

Rest well, little star.

...

School will NOT stop me from updating today.

Anyways, thank you all for your votes and support!! I'll try to keep updating a bit more since I have a severe case of procrastination when it comes to writing stories.... haha..

Once again, thank you all and have a great day/evening <333