Taking over the Abyss

77- Unfinished Journey

The sudden rushing around of the Lightkeepers didn't go unnoticed. Usually they had enough time to spare the odd glare or two before ultimately going about their way. Pierro assumed it had everything to do with the mechanics waiting around the giant cannon, a sight that only happened when the Wild Hunt had begun to act up.

Ridiculous as Pierro thought Rerir's rampages were, he had very little room to judge. Instead he could only roll his eye at the amount of trouble caused by a dead man ripped to pieces by his own foolishness.

"Lord Director..." one of the newer additions to his personal entourage started, having yet to visit Nasha Town before.

"The Wild Hunt is prowling," he told her. "Let him tantrum all he likes. It serves to push Nod-Krai further towards the protection of the Fatui."

An unspoken 'he?' passed throughout his guards. They knew better to question the words of their Director too deeply. While it made them great in their roles as guards, it further cemented the line between one who guards, and one who is guarded. One who held the potential of a Harbinger would seek knowledge from him, even if he would not give it freely.

"We've gotten what we came here for," Pierro told them firmly, silencing any worries about the Wild Hunt. He had some reservations about Arlecchino's decision to store critical information regarding the Hydro Archon in Nasha Town's Northland Bank, rather than sending it directly to the palace. But he supposed he could understand her intentions- if nothing else, Pantalone's ability to squirrel things away in his bank vaults was unparalleled.

For a Harbinger who valued secrecy as much as Arlecchino, placing trust in the privacy of the Northland Bank came easier than the risk of a courier becoming too curious. So long as he didn't have to endure Pantalone's complaints about Arlecchino using his bank for her own purposes, the method of transportation worked well enough for everyone. Putting aside the constant squabbling of his Harbingers in his mind, Pierro led his entourage away from the growing crowds, taking advantage of the chaos to slip away back to the Kuuvahki Experimental Design Bureau without any eyes on him.

"It's much too humid for all this ruckus!" An ear-grindingly familiar voice complained, loud enough to catch his attention. Not wanting to look at or acknowledge her, Pierro closed his good eye, intent on ignoring her and leaving. Unfortunately, Alice had already set her eyes on him. "Why don't you join me for a moment?"

Knowing the invitation was far from optional, Pierro choked back a sigh. The newest soldier in his entourage frowned, holding her rifle tighter. "Lord Director, should we...?"

"Don't do anything," he ordered them, fixing them with a stern glare. "If you have any desire to remain in this world, pretend to see and hear nothing."

His guards went stiff as rods, holding onto their riles like lifelines and hurriedly turning to face away from him and Alice. He took a seat at her table, and made a point of setting aside her offered cup of tea. Alice smiled, using her spoon to stir her own cup.

Not in the mood to deal with a Hexenzirkel witch, Pierro kept his question short and to the point. "Why are you here?"

"Why is anyone?" Alice's sickeningly sweet voice made him scowl. With a giggle, she let go of her spoon. "Just kidding. I'm here for you."

Pierro felt his insides squeeze with revulsion. Setting a hand on the table, he stood up to leave. There were better things to do than allow himself to be toyed with.

"I overhear a lot of things," Alice continued, not caring that her target was currently in the middle of escaping her. She reached out and tapped the tip of one of her long elf ears. "No doubt thanks to my elegant, lady-like features! But sometimes... I overhear things about people that I know. Some of them who I consider good friends of mine."