𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐀 | 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐨

𖤓𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝟬𝟲 - 𝗙𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗢𝗘𝗦𖤓

TW: usage of guns, suicide attempt.

Switch from 3rd POV to 2nd POV at the end.

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Standing in front of the oaken door, the young star stared at the knob, contemplating on whether she should barge in or not. She could pivot around and head back to where she came from, hide in the backstage rooms and wait for the Captain's men to leave. But such actions could end up being used against her, for it did seem a bit suspicious. As much as she wished to run out of the bar through the front door and disappear into the night, she forced her feet to remain put and to ignore her screaming gut. The singer took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment before placing her hand on the knob. She twisted and pushed gently at the door, eyes peering through the crack to scan the room. The bookshelves by the left wall were the first thing she managed to spot, covered in dust and frail cobwebs that threatened to disintegrate in the freezing air around them. Ochre lights from the nearest fireplace coated the books with its warm hue, the golden spines sparkling like molten ores.

A few feet away, beyond the door, she could hear something shifting its position by the way the wooden tiles would heave. Not wanting to stall any further, the star pushed the door open and stepped inside, quickly turning around to seal the door shut. She kept her hands on the wooden surface for a solid second, still pondering about her limited options. She could at least... try to make a run for it. Maybe the harbinger would have mercy on her.

"You seemed different tonight," The First spoke, his voice right above her, causing the woman to freeze. She clenched her fingers, a cold sweat beginning to pour down her spine as she forced her body to face the man behind her.

"Forgive me if the show was not to your liking, my lord," She muttered in a single breath, shifting her position to face him properly. Her gaze avoided his like the plague, eyes firm on the ground below them while she fidgeted with her fingers. The act made him tilt his head to the side, stepping closer to diminish the space between them.

"Do not fret," The Captain assured. "It was a lovely performance that simply lacked your usual... vigor."

"Pardon me for asking, my lord, but where exactly were you seated? I never got to see you," The young star inquired, knitting her brows as she saw how he inched closer, making her take another step backwards. Her back was pressed against the door, leaving her no choice but to melt beneath his hidden gaze.

"I have my ways," Was all he replied.

It only took her curiosity to be sparked for her to peel her eyes off the floor and stare right into the lightless pit of his headgear. He stood barely inches away from her, his broad chest just a few centimeters above the crown of her head while he tucked his arms behind his back. The military coat hung gracefully from his shoulders, the numerous amounts of medals and emblems glinting softly with each slight movement of his body. There was something imperial about him, the way he demanded upmost respect even to those that appeared to stand against him, yet also dignified, how he would carry himself with regal elegance, akin to the Sneznahyan nobles that funded the fatui's pockets. She couldn't possibly tear her eyes away from him, not in this instance at least, when he seemed to be watching her as if she'd been placed into the spotlight of a stage. An alluring star for him to observe with his undivided attention, to gawk at as if she held the very world in her hands. His world.

"We have much to discuss," Capitano spoke in a hushed tone, seeing how the woman would (unknowingly) stare into his covered gaze for a moment before blinking away the daze she'd slipped into.

"Ah, of course..." How foolish; she'd forgotten the reason she'd been summoned by him. As if on cue, fear began to settle into the fibers of her muscles, her shoulders tense as she watched the harbinger step back. He gave her one last look before heading back to his desk, his hands reaching to pull out the chair so he could sit and rest his feet.