Winter Solstice | Fatui One-Shots (Genshin Impact)

Oath | Capitano

Capitano

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His helmet gleamed like a mirror catching the light of the full moon as he stood stoically from the theater balcony. He watched in silence as the room spoke in hushed chatter. The sound of the band playing onstage was light, as if simply to prevent the room from becoming quiet; although, all would halt at the mere clearing of his throat.

It was a standard victory banquet, one you'd become increasingly accustomed to. It wasn't as though they ever lost, but you weren't particularly fond of these blatant displays of opulence. Nor was Capitano for that matter; however, some finnicky dignitaries insisted on them, and it was more troublesome to refuse.

Now was the time for Capitano to give a few words, and the hall hushed under his indirect command. That was the respect they had for their commander and the fear of the repercussions. He was clear and direct, and all the soldiers applauded with enthusiasm.

 You, who was standing in the curtains behind him, rolled your eyes, to which Capitano took no effort to acknowledge. You were sure he noticed—he had a talent for picking up on the small details—but he chose to walk past you back into the hallway. Perhaps he was planning on joining everyone in the main level.

"Y/n," Capitano said, suddenly turning around.

You blinked up at him in surprise. "What is it?"

"You look lovely tonight." He continued down the hall without missing a beat.

You made some kind of gargled noise, unable to formulate a proper sentence before he was out of earshot. It was just so...random? And he said it with such bluntness and without provocation that you could only stare, dumbfounded, as he disappeared into the main hall. 

The Captain was someone you held great fondness for, but you often found yourself unable to truly understand what went on in his head. Some days it felt more as though you were trailing behind him, and you never could say certainly whether that wasn't the case. And furthermore, you couldn't fight alongside him, only able to treat the injuries you had hoped he wouldn't incur. That was the limit of your hydro vision.

Some might say it made you an invaluable resource, but what could you do if someone died before you were able to reach them? There was a limit to what's possible, and bringing back the dead was simply not within that limit. You had that fear in the back of your mind, and though you believed in his impossible strength, it too, was not without its limits.

When you entered the main hall, you were greeted with the dim light of the chandelier hanging above and the smell of liquor permeating the air. There were gowns and suits, hanging jewels and gilded watches, and this distinct aroma of pretentious authority that clung to every spritz of perfume and cologne.

It was only so ostentatious because dignitaries were involved, and though soldiers were known to be uncivil, in the face of aristocrats, all wanted to appear more than they were. Capitano wasn't like that. His honor was earned entirely through merit, and the riches that followed his status weren't artificially inflated like many of the aristocrats that pranced around with their wallets on their sleeve.

You clicked your tongue. Though you thought it to be distasteful, you had adorned yourself in a sleek, black dress that softly clung to your body. You paired it a white gold necklace with shimmering diamonds and matching earrings, and black gloves on your hands. Your hair was elegantly pulled back, a few pieces framing your face. If one were to take a picture of the room at that very moment, you wouldn't stand out at all.

"Good evening, Y/n," greeted one of the officers.

"Renat, it's good to see you again. I'm glad your arm is healing up fine," you returned.