Harlequin Hearts // Arlecchino Genshin Impact x Female Reader One-Shots

First Glance, First Spark

First Glance, First Spark

The air in Snezhnaya was crisp and biting, the kind of cold that seeped into your bones no matter how many layers you wore. The streets of the city were busy, as they always were, with Fatui soldiers marching in formation, merchants shouting their wares, and ordinary citizens going about their day with the practiced efficiency of people who had long since adapted to the harsh climate.

You had just arrived in the city, sent on a mission that you were still piecing together. The orders had been vague—something about securing a meeting with a high-ranking Fatui "officer", someone of great importance who might help in stabilizing the region. You didn't have many details, and that made you uneasy. But you were no stranger to the unpredictability of such missions, and you knew better than to show your discomfort.

As you made your way through the bustling streets, you couldn't shake the feeling that you were being watched. You scanned your surroundings discreetly, trying to pinpoint the source of your unease. Snezhnaya was a land of secrets, and it wasn't unusual for strangers to be observed with suspicion. Still, this felt different—more intense, more personal.

You turned a corner, and that's when you saw her.

She stood at the end of the street, framed by the shadows of the tall buildings around her. The woman was striking, her presence commanding the attention of everyone in her vicinity. She was dressed in dark, form-fitting clothing that spoke of both elegance and danger, her posture exuding confidence and control. But it was her eyes that caught you—sharp, calculating, and cold as the winter winds, yet there was something else there, something deeper that you couldn't quite place.

For a moment, your eyes met, and the world around you seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of you standing there, locked in a silent stare. There was no mistaking the power she held, the aura of authority that surrounded her like a cloak. You knew, instinctively, that this was the person you had been sent to meet, though she had given no sign of recognition.

Arlecchino—the name echoed in your mind, the title she bore as the Knave, a figure both feared and respected within the Fatui. You had heard stories of her ruthlessness, of her unwavering loyalty to the Tsaritsa, but standing here, facing her for the first time, you could see that the tales only scratched the surface.

She took a step forward, her movements fluid and deliberate, as if every motion was calculated. Her gaze never wavered from yours, and you felt your heart rate quicken, not out of fear, but out of something else—something you couldn't quite name.

"You're the one they sent?" she asked, her voice low, smooth, carrying an undertone of skepticism.

You straightened your posture, meeting her gaze with as much composure as you could muster. "Yes," you replied evenly, keeping your voice steady. "I'm here to discuss the arrangements."

Arlecchino's eyes narrowed slightly, as if she were evaluating you, weighing your worth in those few seconds of silence. You felt the intensity of her scrutiny, the way she seemed to see right through you, past the surface to whatever lay beneath. It was unsettling, but you refused to back down.

"Interesting," she murmured, more to herself than to you, though you caught the faint trace of curiosity in her tone. "You're not what I expected."

"And what did you expect?" you asked, the words slipping out before you could stop them.

Her lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile, though it was more predatory than warm. "Someone less... composed," she replied, her eyes glinting with something that might have been amusement. "You're new to this city, aren't you?"

You nodded, careful not to give too much away. "It's my first time in Snezhnaya."

"Then let me offer you some advice," she said, her voice dropping to a more intimate tone as she took another step closer, closing the distance between you. "In this city, appearances are everything. People will judge you by the way you carry yourself, by how much they think they can push you. Show weakness, and you'll be swallowed whole."

You held her gaze, refusing to let her words rattle you, though you could feel the weight of their truth. "And what about you?" you asked, your voice steady. "What do you see when you look at me?"

Arlecchino tilted her head slightly, considering your question with an intensity that made your breath catch. "I see potential," she finally said, her voice soft but firm. "But I also see someone who doesn't yet understand the game they're playing."

Her words hung in the air between you, a challenge and a warning all at once. You knew that she was testing you, probing your limits, trying to see how far she could push you before you cracked. But you weren't about to let her win so easily.

"Then maybe you can teach me," you said, the boldness of your own words surprising you. "If I'm going to play this game, I might as well learn from the best."

For a moment, Arlecchino said nothing, her expression unreadable as she studied you. The silence stretched on, heavy with the tension of the unknown, until finally, she gave a small nod, as if coming to a decision.

"Very well," she said, her voice carrying a note of finality. "But be warned—this game is not for the faint of heart. If you're not careful, you'll find yourself in over your head."

You nodded, acknowledging the gravity of her words, but something within you—some spark of determination—fueled your resolve. "I'm ready."

Arlecchino's smile widened, just a fraction, and for the first time, you saw a glimmer of approval in her eyes. "We'll see," she murmured, her voice like a whisper of wind through the icy streets.

She turned on her heel, her coat swirling around her as she began to walk away, expecting you to follow without needing to look back. And follow you did, your heart pounding in your chest as you fell into step beside her, the weight of your first encounter settling over you like a heavy cloak.

As you walked through the streets of Snezhnaya, the cold biting at your skin, you couldn't help but feel that something had shifted—something fundamental, something that you couldn't yet understand. Your life had changed the moment you met Arlecchino, and though you didn't know where this path would lead, you knew one thing for certain:

You had been drawn into her orbit, and there was no turning back.

This was just the beginning.