Omniscius II [Genshin Impact]

7: A Chance At Redemption

"I'd say the same thing about you, but that would make me the second idiot in the room for pointing out the obvious," the Balladeer smirked.

The tongue of this brat seriously needs cutting, Soleil rolled her eyes. Why hasn't she gotten used to his attitude after all this time?

"Whatever. It's still too early for me to deal with your attitude," Soleil snorted and looked at his hand. He was holding the mask up by the window, as if to get what little light to observe it.

She looked back at Scaramouche, gaze wary and alert. He should be weakened after getting into a fight with Aether. But was he weak enough for her to escape from?

"I could read your face, scholar. Haven't you learned to hide your thoughts a little bit better?" Scaramouche said.

"I learned a few things. I just chose not to hide anything now. You deserve to see how much you irritate me," Soleil replied.

"Hah! Snarky, aren't you?" Scaramouche snorted, "I'm not here to hurt you. I'm not in the position to hurt you and get away with it."

"What do you mean by that?" Soleil asked. However, Scaramouche only responded by tossing the mask unto the bed, to the spot next to Soleil.

"Lesser Lord Kusanali asked me to pick you up but that doesn't mean I'll wait forever. Hurry up and get dressed," Scaramouche said.

Soleil snickered. "You, being bossed around by Nahida? Now that's interesting," she smirked, "I can't believe I got to live to see the day she put you in your place."

"And you're quite amused, aren't you?" Scaramouche muttered and adjusted his hat, "Ten minutes, scholar. I'm dragging you by your foot if you're not done by then."

Soleil watched him leave, her smirk fading away. Something was off with the Balladeer. His attitude was still there, no doubt about that, but his demeanor changed. It was like he was...broken.

Or maybe she was just imagining things. Soleil huffed and quickly dressed. She put her mask on lastly, letting it shift to fit her face. The Balladeer was leaning next to the door when she exited the inn.

He looked at Soleil, brows raising slightly. "So that's what you look like," he said, "Your disguise is not too shabby."

"...How weak have you gotten that an enchanted mask could fool you?" Soleil tilted her head, more confused than insulting. Scaramouche glared at her and walked ahead.

It wasn't just the mask that caught him off-guard. He may choose to admit it or not, but another reason why he didn't expect Soleil to walk around was that he truly believed that she was dead–killed by his creator. Who was he to hope that it wasn't true?

"Keep up. We're wasting time with your nonsense," the Balladeer said. "I know the way to the Sanctuary of Surasthana. Go on ahead if you want to move it so badly," Soleil rolled her eyes.

The sharp, defensive quips faded into silence when the two ascended the pathway up the Divine Tree. There was nothing left to insult one another with and that left them in heavy silence.

Slowly and silently, they were acknowledging that they were there, walking together. Soleil stared at Scaramouche's back.

When was the last time they were in the same place? A year ago? Or maybe two?

During all the times we spoke, I thought he was being spiteful for the sake of being spiteful, Soleil thought. I didn't know there was more history.

"You're staring," Scaramouche looked over his shoulder coldly, "If you've got something to say, just say it."

"I remember everything," Soleil said. "I know that," Scaramouche replied, "You wouldn't have pulled those tricks in Inazuma otherwise."