barelylivingscholar

[barelylivingscholar]

Arlecchino, with a daughter pt.6

I've been training my combat abilities with some of the harbingers, namely Signora, Pulcinella, and of course, Pantalone. I had not expected the sudden collaboration due to the tension around me. Whenever they are able to get to hang around me, it always end up with the question, "Is Regrator treating you well?" or the casual "You are free to live with me, if Regrator isn't able to accommodate you." Things like these makes me feel... Weird, but it is good to be wanted. But I wish it didn't feel so suffocating all the time. Lately, I've been having more nightmares, and panic attacks about the Knave... Making me grow restless and more ambitious to be able to heal from it... It was never easy from the start. Everything about the Knave makes me feel sick. I never cared to understand the reason behind her actions, because in the end, what is there to know, when her intentions were never pure from the start. Both Pantalone and Pulcinella told me about what's to know about her, and it makes me more angrier that the Knave was capable of doing such things... They fed me lies, lies that spiked my hatred for her. Until one afternoon, I fell into darkness. Endless darkness that had consumed my entire environment, different from Snezhnaya, everything appears endless, and devoid from any form of life. Enemies were fast approaching, I had to dispatch them. I draw my percussion-lock rifled musket, and started to fight off the horde. Occasionally switching to my rapier as my bullets began to wane... I became outnumbered, and surely enough I was swarmed with creatures that I have not encountered, some that were familiar. I was bound to be dead. The feeling of dread creeps up on me. In truth, I was scared to die, because I had just rediscovered my will to live during my time with Pantalone. It was too early, for me to perish without even getting the chance to see the Knave fall from her grace. It doesn't fuel my urge to fight at all. What rekindled my fighting spirit was when I saw someone, fighting their way up to reach me. I had to match their movements, I couldn't afford to lose here. It seemed like hours of endless fighting, but we managed. I lived. I collapsed from exhaustion. The mysterious woman caught me before I could land on the ground. I awoke to a woman observing a medallion...? I couldn't tell since my vision was blurry. The woman took notice of me when I slowly regained my consciousness. I see her holding up a vision. She stared at me blankly, then tossed me the vision. It was a geo vision. I sighed in relief knowing that I wouldn't have to use a delusion. For almost dying, they decided to grant me power? It was getting ridiculous. I then looked up to the lady, and thanked her for saving me from the verge of death. "...Thank you." The unknown woman sighed. "What led you here was your high ambitions." I struggled to grab a hold of myself as I feel the weight of of my actions from before. The woman sighed at the sight of the young girl slowly attempting to get back up. She was not supposed to be speaking with the girl, as she had no desire to speak with weaklings. But after seeing the girl's ability to withstand horde after horde, she decides that she is worthy to communicate with. The girl looked up at her, confused as to what she meant by that. She then elaborated further. "People do not easily fall here. Certain conditions are met before being able to traverse this realm. I barely even processed the words before responding, "...Which is why I'm here. Is there any way out?" She observed the girl who does not seemed to be disturbed by the events that had unfolded. "There is. But time will pass in long periods before you are able to get back to where you're from. Time passes differently in here." Again, the child's indifference to her situation has her interest peaked. She was eerily calm for a child.

I felt numb. Knowing that I'll be stuck here for months, or even years, decades... While the world that I'm supposed to be would pass for only days, or even weeks. It was supposed to drive me crazy. But it didn't. Maybe I wasn't recovering from the shock fully. "Oh... Okay then. I'm left to fight endlessly with creatures from the abyss, then?" Making the woman before her raise an eyebrow at her nonchalance. But the woman concludes the young girl's peculiar behavior as a side effect from already being corrupted by the abyss. "Not necessarily. You are the source of something being awakened." I wanted to ask more questions, but from the looks of it, the woman had no interest in holding long conversations. So I decided to keep things short. "I understand." Bowing my head to show my gratitude, the woman then halted me. "You're not going to last long without proper training. I'll train you in exchange for you to make things more interesting during your time here in the abyss..." This wasn't something that I can say no to, I barely knew my way around here. So of course, I accepted. Without knowing how brutal, harsh, and mind-breaking the experience was... Days have passed, with endless fighting, sparring with Skirk, with little to no breaks, I was bound to become mad... The thing that kept me from becoming mad was how the effects of the abyss kept altering my mind. I was not used to not being plagued by nightmares, thoughts, and especially the horrors of what I had experienced before... It felt peaceful, too peaceful that I start to see changes that I didn't know that I myself, am capable of. The abyss had changed me, in a way that I could not comprehend how. A month after endless fighting, I had gained some sense of morals. It had never occurred to me before, so this was likely due to the abyss's effects. Things felt out of place, as I was drastically changing into another person that I had not anticipated to be. I was never even the type of girl to put morals, above all. Despite my upbringing influencing who I was before, why did it suddenly all change to becoming righteous, and just? Since when was I ever a good person? Becoming virtuous was not part of the plan. Skirk was no stranger to the changes as well, noticing how my answers have changed from time to time. While we were on break, she asked something that made me think deeply about it. "You're strange, for a young girl who is but a child." "I am aware. I don't fit the standards of a "normal child." I was never normal to begin with. "A child from the hearth, raised to be a soldier for the Fatui, the mentality of a soldier, yet has the fragile mentality of a child. It is no wonder that the abyss was unable to corrupt you further into madness... You were already unstable, from the start. It is a miracle that your arrival to the abyss had changed you for the better. Tell me, after the effects of the abyss, what's your next move?" She could tell I was contemplating about how I will be able to move now that my ideologies have changed due to the temperament of the abyss... I summoned the geo percussion-lock rifled musket and shot it manually towards the opponent's head. "I'll remain in the Fatui. Changes will be made, regardless of the Tsaritsa's will. Justice is to be served, regardless of the ignorant, consequences are made. I am no different from the people who had fallen from the abyss. Being in an organization that is corrupt and unethical is ironic to begin with, perhaps I am there to inflict conflict, I will continue to cause tension and bring disharmony to them. My definition of rightness will be the standard, to all."

It had been 4 months since, and I was finally able to return to where I was. But this time, someone who I had not met before approached me. Judging from the description that Skirk, Pantalone, and Pulcinella had described him, this maybe is "Childe." He approaches me and enthusiastically greeted me. "You must be the disciple that I've been hearing from the old man and Regrator. Nice to meet you, I'm Childe. But you can call me Tartaglia." Before he could talk more, I cut him off. "So you're the one who is also a pupil of Skirk's." Making his eyes widen from shock; he was ecstatic to meet another student of his former master. But held back since you were still young. Too young to fight. "Oh, another fellow student of my former master! So I wasn't wrong about you falling in the abyss. 4 days have passed since your fall at the abyss. I assumed you know about how time works differently there, right?"

I nodded in response. "Yes. I know about it. Did anything happen while I was gone?" He chuckles. "Oh, a lot was going on while you were gone." Her expression hardened. "The Knave went ballistic on Regrator, you should've seen it in person! As well as La Signora, and the old man! Three of them were on Regrator's neck, chewing him for losing you." He stopped chuckling when he saw that I was not amused, at all. He scratched his head, his expression showed a nervous smile. "Well... I did tell them that maybe you fell into the abyss... Neither wanted to believe it until the old man made me look for you, but now you're here!" Making me shake my head and sigh. "The others haven't stopped searching, but I'll send someone after to tell them the news. But before that, why don't you hang out with me and share some stories with me as Skirk's pupils?" The man is persistent, he doesn't look like he'll take no for answer due to his eyes beaming with interest. "Lead the way." Looks like I'll be spending time with this strange man... We arrive at a dessert shop in Snezhnaya, he offers to buy me desserts despite my protests since I had enough mora to buy myself one... I was irritable to be honest since Tartaglia, treats me as a kid. He insists on calling him by his name. "After this, I'm going back to Pantalone's base." I say, he then responded, "Aw come on, I have been waiting to finally meet you. Let's chat more." I denied his attempts to stall me. "Tartaglia, I have to return to my mentor. He's looking for me, right?" He then counterargues, "But I already told an agent to inform them that you were found." I huffed at that. He only gave me a brotherly smile, to which I find annoying. "You know... If the Regrator mistreats you, I can-" I can't believe this is happening right now. I cut him off saying, "No. I'd rather stay at Signora's or Pulcinella's." I displayed a deadpan look, making him pout. "I have younger brothers and sisters for you to play with!" He attempts to bargain. "Erm... I'd still stay at Signora's or Pulcinella's." He looked determined to convince me. "I can be your big brother." Not sure if I want this guy to be my brother at all, he was overbearing. Too much for me. "No." After the back and forth conversation, he maintains a friendly aura during the exchange. The young girl was not an ordinary kid. She seemed too mature for her own age. Of course, the knave had something to do with it, she's crazy after all. Pantalone's a business man, so how can he take care of the child? The only sensible option here is him or the old man. But he's capable, he has his own siblings after all! He just needs to convince the girl to pick him over the others... She shouldn't be exposed to the Fatui at such an early age! She should be playing with toys, just like his siblings at home, protected, and sheltered from the harsh conditions of this climate. The Fatui is not a place for children. He of all people know that, except for the Knave. Who raises children to be child soldiers. But if it's the Tsaritsa's will... He can't do anything about the orphans of the Hearth. But he may be able to do something for this kid... He now sees why his fellow harbingers are fighting for this kid. He doesn't intend to lose at this custody case that they were having, even if no one looks at it that way. But he'll win. No matter what.

An: Kid gets thrown in the abyss, comes back out as fixed(?) 🤐🤐🤐 Not Childe at joining the ongoing child custody battle... 😶 *goes mia for days again* TOODLES!

[barelylivingscholar]

Arlecchino, with a daughter prt.5

I could hear footsteps approaching. ̝̣͔̝͎̎̃̈́̾̈̇̓̑́͞I͕̣͛̏ͨͦ̃ ̷̺̺͙͐ͫͫ̃͟k͛ͨ̉̚҉̸̴̳̬̼͓͔̹͓͍̘̀͊́̏͒ͣ͛n̨̥͍̬͈͈̼̯̜ͧ̓́̿̔͆͂̇̕͝ͅơ͇̬͎̲͍̮̼͚̮̘ͦ̓͑w͚͓̃ͤ́ͮ͆ͧ̑ͫ͢ ̮̘̣̭̰͓̖̗̆͗̊ͮ̏̑ͯ̈̉͞i̓͏͙̬̝ͫ̂͏̨̯̲̭͞t̵̡̠̘̙̮̥̯̰̄͋'̪̻͉̞̞̗̠̎͂̃̑ͧ͘͜s̸͖̖̹̑͒ͭ̓̂̈ ̼̟͈̹̙͔̟̏̉̽̅͛H̬͈̩͔̜͔̝͎̩̖̦͕̬͔̹̋̂̂͂͌͌̓͝E̤͙̰̖̘̣͕̰͖̭̳̥̝͇͚ͫͪͬ̈͢͝R̈́̐̽͡͏̠̫. I closed my eyes for a bit. Not wanting to see her in front of me. I don't fear her at all. ̨̣͕͉̫̜ͅI̴̞̦̦̗̥ ̹̖̘ḑ̛̛̱̥̜́ͅo͈̙̦. ̨̣͕͉̫̜ͅI̴̞̦̦̗̥ ̝̺̠̖̭́͟͝f̷̛̩̲͈̘̯̙͈̫̹̜͢ͅȩ̣̰͓̻͎̜͔̘̰͇́͡͠l͏̵̘̜̭̤̱͇͈̤̩̝̣͞ṱ͓̕ ̧͈͇̘͎̫͙̰̗̩s͇̬͟c̟̪a͏́͏̡͖͍̞̥̺̘͍͚̻̤ŗ̸̛̲͙͉͓͚̘̯̙͈̫̹̜͢ͅȩ̣̰͓̻͎̹̖̘͡ḑ̱̥̜́ ̵͈̤̩̝̣ṱ͓̝̙̲̰͚̗͓̕͝h̢̟̲͠a͏́͏̵͖͍̞̥͈̤̩̝̣ṱ͓̕ ̧͈͇̘͎̫͙̰̗̩s͇̝̙̲̰͚̗͓͝h̢̛̟̲̘̯̙͈̫̹̜͢͠ͅȩ̣̰͓̻͎͡ ̛̗͖̜́w̛̛͚͈̟̬̩ͅó̴͈̙̦̯̘̮̯̲͈̙̳̲͢ú̧̢̖̞̝̖̤̥̱̳̜͔̘̰͇͝͠l͏̘̜̭̤̱͇̹̖̘͞ḑ̱̥̜́ ̵͈̤̩̝̣ṱ͓̕a͏́͏̸͖͍̞̥̰̤̱͚͙ͅk̛̫̰͇̲̼̪͚̤̘̯̙͈̫̹̜͢ͅȩ̣̰͓̻͎͡ ̧̰̣̼̘̱̰̥͟͜m̵̧̛̯͖̺̥̘̯̙͈̫̹̜͢ͅȩ̣̰͓̻͎͡ a͏́͏̛͖͍̞̥̗͖̜́w͚͈̟̬̩a͏́͏̛͖͍̞̥͕͚̝̘̞y̕҉͙̝̟̞͈̪̼. A͢͏̛̜̖̙̲̗͖̜́w͚͈̟̬̩a͏́͏̛͖͍̞̥͕͚̝̘̞y̕҉͙̝̟̞͈̪̼ ̝̺̠̖̭́͟͝f̷̡̩̲͈̺̘͍͚̻̤ŗ̸̛̛̲͙͉͓͚ͅo̧͈̙̦̰̣̼̘̱̰̥͟͜m̵̧̯͖̺̥ ̵͈̤̩̝̣ṱ͓̝̙̲̰͚̗͓̕͝h̢̛̟̲̘̯̙͈̫̹̜͢͠ͅȩ̣̰͓̻͎͡ ̵͈̤̩̝̣ṱ͓̝̙̲̰͚̗͓̕͝h̢̟̲͠҉͏̫̼̜͉̭i̙͙̙̥̰̯͎̘̖̹̦̙͝͞n̴̫̘͈͈͈̳̩̳̞͔̭̤̩͍͢g̨̧̪̣̤͎̟͈͇̘͎̫͙̰̗̩͟͠s͇ ̵͈̤̩̝̣ṱ͓̝̙̲̰͚̗͓̕͝h̢̟̲͠a͏́͏̵͖͍̞̥͈̤̩̝̣ṱ͓̕ ̨̣͕͉̫̜ͅI̴̞̦̦̗̥'͏̵̼̝́v͏̛̮̮̼̤̣̬̘̯̙͈̫̹̜͢ͅȩ̣̰͓̻͎͡ ̴͝͏̬͙͕ͅb̴͎͚̤̩̪͎͕̖͚̯̘̮̯̲͈̙̳̲́͢u̧̢̖̞̝̖̤̥̱̳͝҉͏̫̼̜͉̭í̙͙̙̥̰̯͎̘̜͔̘̰͇͠l͏̵̘̜̭̤̱͇͈̤̩̝̣͞ṱ͓̕ ̝̺̠̖̭́͟͝f̷̛̛̩̲͈ͅo̡͈̙̦̺̘͍͚̻̤ŗ̸̲͙͉͓͚ ̧̰̣̼̘̱̰̥͟͜m̵̧̛̯͖̺̥͕͚̝̘̞y̕҉̧͙̝̟̞͈̪̼͈͇̘͎̫͙̰̗̩s̛͇̘̯̙͈̫̹̜͢ͅȩ̣̰͓̻͎̜͔̘̰͇́͡͠l͏̘̜̭̤̱͇̝̺̠̖̭́͟͞͝f̷̩̲͈, ̧͈͇̘͎̫͙̰̗̩s̵͇͈̤̩̝̣ṱ̡͓̺̘͍͚̻̤̕ŗ̸̲͙͉͓͚҉͏̫̼̜͉̭i̙͙̙̥̰̯͎̘̜͇̫̹̞͜͞p̱̳̹̻̱̻̘̠͉ ̧̰̣̼̘̱̰̥͟͜m̵̧̛̯͖̺̥̘̯̙͈̫̹̜͢ͅȩ̣̰͓̻͎͡ ̛̛ͅó͈̙̦̝̺̠̖̭͟͝f̷̩̲͈ ̧̰̣̼̘̱̰̥͟͜m̵̧̛̯͖̺̥͕͚̝̘̞y̕҉͙̝̟̞͈̪̼ ̛̛ͅớ͈̙̦̗͖̜w͚͈̟̬̩̖̹̦̙͝͞n̴̫̘͈͈͈̳̩͢ ҉͏̫̼̜͉̭i̙͙̙̥̰̯͎̘̹̖̘ḑ̛̱̥̜̘̯̙͈̫̹̜́͢ͅȩ̣̰͓̻͎̖̹̦̙͡͝͞n̴̵̫̘͈͈͈̳̩͈̤̩̝̣͢ṱ͓̕҉͏̫̼̜͉̭i̵̙͙̙̥̰̯͎̘͈̤̩̝̣ṱ̛͓͕͚̝̘̞̕y̕҉͙̝̟̞͈̪̼ a͏́͏͖͍̞̥̖̹̦̙͝͞n̴̫̘͈͈͈̳̩̹̖̘͢ḑ̱̥̜́ ̧̰̣̼̘̱̰̥͟͜m̵̧̛̛̯͖̺̥ͅó͈̙̦̜͔̘̰͇͠l͏̘̜̭̤̱͇̹̖̘͞ḑ̱̥̜́ ҉͏̫̼̜͉̭i̵̙͙̙̥̰̯͎̘͈̤̩̝̣ṱ͓̕ a͏́͏̧͖͍̞̥͈͇̘͎̫͙̰̗̩s͇ ̛̗͖̜́w͚͈̟̬̩̝̙̲̰͚̗͓͝h̢̟̲͠a͏́͏̵͖͍̞̥͈̤̩̝̣ṱ͓̕ ̛̗͖̜́w͚͈̟̬̩a͏́͏̧͖͍̞̥͈͇̘͎̫͙̰̗̩s͇ ̛̛ͅo͈̙̦̖̹̦̙͝͞n̴̫̘͈͈͈̳̩̬͢͟c̛̟̪̘̯̙͈̫̹̜͢ͅȩ̣̰͓̻͎͡ ̝̙̲̰͚̗͓͝h̢̛̟̲̘̯̙͈̫̹̜͢͠ͅȩ̡̣̰͓̻͎̺̘͍͚̻̤͡ŗ̸̧̲͙͉͓͚͈͇̘͎̫͙̰̗̩s͇ ̵͈̤̩̝̣ṱ̛̛͓̕ͅo͈̙̦ ̴͝͏̬͙͕ͅb̛͎͚̤̩̪͎͕̖͚̘̯̙͈̫̹̜͢ͅȩ̣̰͓̻͎̳̞͔̭̤̩͍͡g̨̪̣̤͎̟͟͠҉͏̫̼̜͉̭i̙͙̙̥̰̯͎̘̖̹̦̙͝͞n̴̫̘͈͈͈̳̩͢ ̛̗͖̜́w͚͈̟̬̩҉͏̫̼̜͉̭i̵̙͙̙̥̰̯͎̘͈̤̩̝̣ṱ͓̝̙̲̰͚̗͓̕͝h̢̟̲͠- I sharply inhaled. Leveling my voice, I spoke, " The Knave. What is it that you want from me?" A tight lipped smile adorned on my face, I refused to give in to my bloodthirst. (There is something in the image description. Can you read what it is?)

I̸̺̺͎̰̥̜̯̼̮̰͖̜͂͆̿̈́̿̔ ḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅp̴̩͙̺̩͓̣͈͖̎ͅë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ s̴̹̀̎̇͗̍͗̾̋̏̈͐͒̕͠͠ͅḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ l̶̬̞͎̖͉̹̝͕̝͖̣̉͆i̶̡̹͈͎̳̞͙͖̾̂̀͑̀͆̑̓̽̉͐͘͘ͅṽ̵͇̟̺̣͓̰̭̲̼̻̪̩̰͒̓̿̄̾̔̊͝ͅë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝s̴̹̀̎̇͗̍͗̾̋̏̈͐͒̕͠͠ͅ ẃ̸̝̝̰͋͒i̶̡̹͈͎̳̞͙͖̾̂̀͑̀͆̑̓̽̉͐͘͘ͅt̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ i̶̡̹͈͎̳̞͙͖̾̂̀͑̀͆̑̓̽̉͐͘͘ͅt̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅ f̵̢̻͈̫̬̻͔̘̞͈̆̇̍̈̌͊ͅŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅr̵̡͕͈͚͍͍̼͕̍̀̈́̽̎̍͗̍́̏̚͜͠ t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ r̵̡͕͈͚͍͍̼͕̍̀̈́̽̎̍͗̍́̏̚͜͠ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝s̴̹̀̎̇͗̍͗̾̋̏̈͐͒̕͠͠ͅt̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅ ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅf̵̢̻͈̫̬̻͔̘̞͈̆̇̍̈̌͊ͅ ḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝r̵̡͕͈͚͍͍̼͕̍̀̈́̽̎̍͗̍́̏̚͜͠ l̶̬̞͎̖͉̹̝͕̝͖̣̉͆i̶̡̹͈͎̳̞͙͖̾̂̀͑̀͆̑̓̽̉͐͘͘ͅf̵̢̻͈̫̬̻͔̘̞͈̆̇̍̈̌͊ͅë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ ;) "Though, you may not see me as your "Father", I intend to take you back from the hands of the Regrator. I am the one who knows you best, and is the most suitable "Father", you are aware of it, right?" She declared, as if it there was some truth in her words. Ś̸͙̺̥̰̯͙̭͆̏͂ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ ḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅẃ̸̝̝̰͋͒ I̸̺̺͎̰̥̜̯̼̮̰͖̜͂͆̿̈́̿̔ f̵̢̻͈̫̬̻͔̘̞͈̆̇̍̈̌͊ͅë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝l̶̬̞͎̖͉̹̝͕̝͖̣̉͆ ǎ̴̯̀͠b̸̼̋͛̑͆̈́͗̿̅ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅu̷̬̩̰̫͕̘͎̔́̃̄̍͋̓t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅ y̶͔͗ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅu̷̬̩̰̫͕̘͎̔́̃̄̍͋̓, I̸̺̺͎̰̥̜̯̼̮̰͖̜͂͆̿̈́̿̔ ḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ǎ̴̯̀͠t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ y̶͔͗ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅu̷̬̩̰̫͕̘͎̔́̃̄̍͋̓, I̸̺̺͎̰̥̜̯̼̮̰͖̜͂͆̿̈́̿̔ ḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ǎ̴̯̀͠t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ y̶͔͗ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅu̷̬̩̰̫͕̘͎̔́̃̄̍͋̓ I̸̺̺͎̰̥̜̯̼̮̰͖̜͂͆̿̈́̿̔ ḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ǎ̴̯̀͠t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ y̶͔͗ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅu̷̬̩̰̫͕̘͎̔́̃̄̍͋̓ I̸̺̺͎̰̥̜̯̼̮̰͖̜͂͆̿̈́̿̔ḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ǎ̴̯̀͠t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝y̶͔͗ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅu̷̬̩̰̫͕̘͎̔́̃̄̍͋̓ i̶̡̹͈͎̳̞͙͖̾̂̀͑̀͆̑̓̽̉͐͘͘ͅḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ǎ̴̯̀͠t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝y̶͔͗ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅu̷̬̩̰̫͕̘͎̔́̃̄̍͋̓ i̶̡̹͈͎̳̞͙͖̾̂̀͑̀͆̑̓̽̉͐͘͘ͅḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ǎ̴̯̀͠t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝y̶͔͗ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅu̷̬̩̰̫͕̘͎̔́̃̄̍͋̓ I̸̺̺͎̰̥̜̯̼̮̰͖̜͂͆̿̈́̿̔ Ḩ̵̛̘̤͙͔̝̫̖̻̦̞͙̺̅̿͘͝Ą̵̺̰̻̻͔͇͓̈́̓͛̏̈́͌͋̄̑͆̏T̷̡̧̬̲̭̦̘̩̊̉͛̓̓̌͌̕Ȩ̸̪̯̗̘̥̣̲̣̣͍͚͙̥̩́̀̈̆͑ Ý̴̥͙̘̇̈́̇̃͒̿́͘͘͝͝ͅO̵̧̗͕̹̼̦̗̮̱̝͆͊́́̈̿̋ͅU̴̡̢̱̳̳͓̗͔̮̔͜͜͜ "You can try, but I wont let you. I refuse. Even if it means I end up dead before you could even reach me." I state, enjoying the fact that her eyes widened only for the slightest. We both know each other so well, despite all. She sees me but I SEE HER as well.

I̸̺̺͎̰̥̜̯̼̮̰͖̜͂͆̿̈́̿̔ s̴̹̀̎̇͗̍͗̾̋̏̈͐͒̕͠͠ͅc̵̛̥͊ǎ̴̯̀͠r̵̡͕͈͚͍͍̼͕̍̀̈́̽̎̍͗̍́̏̚͜͠ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ ḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝r̵̡͕͈͚͍͍̼͕̍̀̈́̽̎̍͗̍́̏̚͜͠ d̶̡̲̗̼̮̤̤̳̲͖͓͍͔͓̓̎̽́̽̏̐͂̆͆͘͘͘u̷̬̩̰̫͕̘͎̔́̃̄̍͋̓ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅ t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ f̵̢̻͈̫̬̻͔̘̞͈̆̇̍̈̌͊ͅǎ̴̯̀͠c̵̛̥͊t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅ t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ǎ̴̯̀͠t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅ s̴̹̀̎̇͗̍͗̾̋̏̈͐͒̕͠͠ͅḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ s̴̹̀̎̇͗̍͗̾̋̏̈͐͒̕͠͠ͅë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝s̴̹̀̎̇͗̍͗̾̋̏̈͐͒̕͠͠ͅ ḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝r̵̡͕͈͚͍͍̼͕̍̀̈́̽̎̍͗̍́̏̚͜͠s̴̹̀̎̇͗̍͗̾̋̏̈͐͒̕͠͠ͅë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝l̶̬̞͎̖͉̹̝͕̝͖̣̉͆f̵̢̻͈̫̬̻͔̘̞͈̆̇̍̈̌͊ͅ i̶̡̹͈͎̳̞͙͖̾̂̀͑̀͆̑̓̽̉͐͘͘ͅǹ̷̨͍̮̥̹̘͙̗̻̬̬̜̥̮̃̒̈́̽͗̿̍̄̂̏͆͠͝ m̵̢͕̫̓̔͑̊̈ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝, b̸̼̋͛̑͆̈́͗̿̅u̷̬̩̰̫͕̘͎̔́̃̄̍͋̓t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅ I̸̺̺͎̰̥̜̯̼̮̰͖̜͂͆̿̈́̿̔ k̵̘̺̦͉͖̪̪͖͉͊̆̔́̈́̍̃̈́͒̂̑̀̚͜͝ǹ̷̨͍̮̥̹̘͙̗̻̬̬̜̥̮̃̒̈́̽͗̿̍̄̂̏͆͠͝ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅẃ̸̝̝̰͋͒ i̶̡̹͈͎̳̞͙͖̾̂̀͑̀͆̑̓̽̉͐͘͘ͅt̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅ i̶̡̹͈͎̳̞͙͖̾̂̀͑̀͆̑̓̽̉͐͘͘ͅs̴̹̀̎̇͗̍͗̾̋̏̈͐͒̕͠͠ͅ b̸̼̋͛̑͆̈́͗̿̅ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝c̵̛̥͊ǎ̴̯̀͠u̷̬̩̰̫͕̘͎̔́̃̄̍͋̓s̴̹̀̎̇͗̍͗̾̋̏̈͐͒̕͠͠ͅë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ I̸̺̺͎̰̥̜̯̼̮̰͖̜͂͆̿̈́̿̔ r̵̡͕͈͚͍͍̼͕̍̀̈́̽̎̍͗̍́̏̚͜͠ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝m̵̢͕̫̓̔͑̊̈i̶̡̹͈͎̳̞͙͖̾̂̀͑̀͆̑̓̽̉͐͘͘ͅǹ̷̨͍̮̥̹̘͙̗̻̬̬̜̥̮̃̒̈́̽͗̿̍̄̂̏͆͠͝d̶̡̲̗̼̮̤̤̳̲͖͓͍͔͓̓̎̽́̽̏̐͂̆͆͘͘͘ ḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝r̵̡͕͈͚͍͍̼͕̍̀̈́̽̎̍͗̍́̏̚͜͠ ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅf̵̢̻͈̫̬̻͔̘̞͈̆̇̍̈̌͊ͅ ǎ̴̯̀͠ǹ̷̨͍̮̥̹̘͙̗̻̬̬̜̥̮̃̒̈́̽͗̿̍̄̂̏͆͠͝ ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅl̶̬̞͎̖͉̹̝͕̝͖̣̉͆d̶̡̲̗̼̮̤̤̳̲͖͓͍͔͓̓̎̽́̽̏̐͂̆͆͘͘͘ f̵̢̻͈̫̬̻͔̘̞͈̆̇̍̈̌͊ͅr̵̡͕͈͚͍͍̼͕̍̀̈́̽̎̍͗̍́̏̚͜͠i̶̡̹͈͎̳̞͙͖̾̂̀͑̀͆̑̓̽̉͐͘͘ͅë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ǹ̷̨͍̮̥̹̘͙̗̻̬̬̜̥̮̃̒̈́̽͗̿̍̄̂̏͆͠͝d̶̡̲̗̼̮̤̤̳̲͖͓͍͔͓̓̎̽́̽̏̐͂̆͆͘͘͘ s̴̹̀̎̇͗̍͗̾̋̏̈͐͒̕͠͠ͅḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝ ḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ǎ̴̯̀͠d̶̡̲̗̼̮̤̤̳̲͖͓͍͔͓̓̎̽́̽̏̐͂̆͆͘͘͘ k̵̘̺̦͉͖̪̪͖͉͊̆̔́̈́̍̃̈́͒̂̑̀̚͜͝i̶̡̹͈͎̳̞͙͖̾̂̀͑̀͆̑̓̽̉͐͘͘ͅl̶̬̞͎̖͉̹̝͕̝͖̣̉͆l̶̬̞͎̖͉̹̝͕̝͖̣̉͆ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝d̶̡̲̗̼̮̤̤̳̲͖͓͍͔͓̓̎̽́̽̏̐͂̆͆͘͘͘. I̸̺̺͎̰̥̜̯̼̮̰͖̜͂͆̿̈́̿̔ ẃ̸̝̝̰͋͒ǎ̴̯̀͠ǹ̷̨͍̮̥̹̘͙̗̻̬̬̜̥̮̃̒̈́̽͗̿̍̄̂̏͆͠͝t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅ t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅ l̶̬̞͎̖͉̹̝͕̝͖̣̉͆ǎ̴̯̀͠u̷̬̩̰̫͕̘͎̔́̃̄̍͋̓ǧ̷̡̟̲̹̩̱͉̮̭͇͚̮̖̟̽̓͊̔̓̕ḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ ǎ̴̯̀͠t̸̫̫̤͕̳̻̰̣̭́̌̉͝ͅ ḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝r̵̡͕͈͚͍͍̼͕̍̀̈́̽̎̍͗̍́̏̚͜͠ f̵̢̻͈̫̬̻͔̘̞͈̆̇̍̈̌͊ͅǎ̴̯̀͠c̵̛̥͊ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝.

"Daughter of mine..." She carefully says, I could see her attempt in diffusing the situation, so I wouldn't end up committing to it. But I made my choice. She no longer has control left in me. I had already purged it after my escape from the Hearth. I won't be coming back to the Hearth as her daughter. There was no way for her to reach me, right? "Pantalone has other businesses to attend to. Farewell, Knave. May we never meet again." I had the last say in our conversation. But I know she is relentless, and hell-bent on getting me back. I have plans... Plans that involve her and the Hearth. Soon. I walked back to where Pantalone was, and immediately told him what The Knave had come to speak to me about.

Pantalone was surprised to hear that she intended to use The Knave's deep rooted affection as leverage, to his future plans. He realized, in that moment, that she was indeed, a worthy candidate, to become his heir. He didn't tell her about that part, though. She'll soon learn of it once she grows, into a much finer version of herself. He thinks that she is not ready for it, yet. But through his guidance, The fair lady, Pulcinella's, and especially Tartaglia's, she is likely to become powerful than the Knave. He wonders what would be left of the Knave once his disciple will go against her. Perhaps too much confidence I have in my pupil, but she is very likely to overpower the Knave with combined efforts from his fellow harbingers. This wasn't the plan, but he IS good at improvising, after all. After taking in his disciple, Pantalone intended to expose her in, a much darker side of the Fatui's operation. Wanting to utilize her abilities to gather intelligence as a spy. He knows that the child is incapable of committing murder. He already was aware of it for a while now, despite the child's claim of being a murderer herself. He is not blind to the child's developing interest in politics. Maybe she is getting too involved with the Pulcinella, he thinks. And he especially didn't miss the way his fellow harbingers seemed to have an attachment to his pupil. His disciple is the center of the attention of the others. He doesn't intend to give her to anyone, not even for a bargain. Her value is irreplaceable. The other harbingers is aware of it too. Perhaps it is time to teach her a thing or two about using delusions. Just in case. Just a safety measure. Unless, his disciple had managed to manifest a vision. He questions the power of Archons, which led him to believe in "fair exchange" desiring to fix the imbalance himself. Perhaps he can instill the same teachings in his disciple as well.

Meanwhile, Arlecchino looks back at the encounter with her daughter. Her daughter had been brainwashed, manipulated, especially influenced greatly by the Regrator. She will stop at nothing to bring back her daughter back to where she was supposed to be. She believes that her daughter is rebelling against her due to being stripped away from the title of "successor". But she swears that it was only to protect her from the hardships. After all, everything she does for her daughter, is to protect her from the dangers of Teyvat. But perhaps her daughter still didn't understand. No matter, she will make her understand once she is back again at the Hearth. Her home. Unlike the place she currently resided in. She is aware that other harbingers have their eyes on her daughter. No one is capable in taking care of her, other than herself. She cannot fight her fellow harbingers, but if she was able to, she would've easily expedited them just like what she did with Crucabena. Dottore would've followed after her as well, but unfortunately she isn't able to. It is the rule of the Tsaritsa, but when did she ever follow the Archons anyways? She will betray the Tsaritsa in a heartbeat if there were factors that would lead to it. Đ₳Ʉ₲Ⱨ₮ɆⱤ Ø₣ ₥ł₦Ɇ… ł ₳₥ ₮ⱧɆ Ø₦ⱠɎ Ø₦Ɇ ₩ⱧØ ₴Ʉł₮₴ ɎØɄ ฿Ɇ₴₮… ĐØ₦'₮ ₣ØⱤ₲Ɇ₮ ₣₳₮ⱧɆⱤ. ł ₩łⱠⱠ ₦ɆVɆⱤ ₣ØⱤ₴₳₭Ɇ ɎØɄ. ɎØɄ ₳ⱤɆ ₥Ɏ Ø₦ⱠɎ ₵ⱧłⱠĐ. ₮ⱧɆ ₵ⱧłⱠĐ ₮Ⱨ₳₮ ł ₮ⱤɆ₳₴ɄⱤɆ ₮ⱧɆ ₥Ø₴₮. Arlecchino had plans to discuss with Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet. One that includes getting her daughter back. She may not be able to fight physically for her daughter. But she can have people do it for her stead, instead. They wouldn't see it coming, she thinks. An: I put something in the pictures. Can you make the words out? Can you tell me what the description was? 😇 Unfortunately, they aren't able to duke it out in the arena in the end... 😶 Though, through wits and coercion, the child would end up in ??? Hands. There will be alternative routes. Looks like the apple doesn't fall far from the tree between her daughter and herself... And how events from the past are going similarly with the current events now What do you think were the similarites? 😊 Though, Children from the Hearth stop commiting matricide challenge or is it patricide now since Arle is "Father" 🤔🤔🤔 Tartaglia will appear in the following chapters. Maybe she and Tartaglia are going to bond in going through similar experience... I wonder what experience could that be...? 🤨 Pants guy is finessing something. Will the child get a vision? Or will it be a delusion? 🤐🤐🤐 Other harbingers pov will come soon...

[barelylivingscholar]

Arlecchino, with a daughter pt.4

An: The long awaited update... Babes, medical school was breathing down on my neck so I had to count tears on a bottle... (Drops per minute in IV) Luckily, I managed to get perfect marks regardless... 🥳 I'mma just give a lil bit of context in this latest installment: THE GIRLS ARE FIGHTINGGG 😊 I started hyperventilating... Pantalone gave a stern look towards the Knave, making the Knave glare back at him in response. "I think that's enough hounding my disciple for today..." Her eyes narrowed, replying, "What are your intentions by stealing my daughter away from me, Regrator...?" I couldn't look the two of them, my mind reeling on the fact that I am unable to move. I was stuck. Frozen. ̝̣͔̝̎̃̈́̾̈̇̓̑́͞ I͕̣͛̏ͨͦ̃ ̷͈͖̊͋̉̀T̉ͣ̾́̋ͩ͏̧̫̦̥͙͖̭̳̥̝͇͚ͬ̈͝R̈́̐̽͡͏̠̫̝̣͔̝͎̎̃̈́̾̈̇̓̑́͞I͕̣̖̦͕̬͔̹͛̏ͨͦ̃͌̓E̢̤͙̰̖̘̣͕̰̦̦̠ͫͪͩͧ̋ͭͯ̇͢D̦̿ͮ ̷͈͖̊͋̉̀T̉ͣ̾́̋ͩ͏̸̸̧̫̦̥͙̖͙͇͙͉̯̞̦ͥ̉͒̌͌̒͟Ọ̥ͫ̌͟ͅ ̴̰̦̗̤͍̈́̿͡Ǧ͚̗̜̬̤̺̼̖̦͕̬͔̹͌̓͟͝͞E̷̤͙̰̖̘̣͕̰͈͖ͫͪ̊͋̉̀͢T̉ͣ̾́̋ͩ͏̧̫̦̥͙ A̸̟̤̖̗͈̦͔̮̻͔͍̘͐̒̇ͩ͋̃̾̇͒ͨͤ̐ͬ̓̽̊̕W̧͍̫̔ͧ͐͆̌̈́ͪ͌A̟̤̖̗͈̦͔̮͔̗͇̪̩̖̖͐̒̇ͩ͋̃̾̇̍̅̌͒ͬ̈́́̕͢Ỷ̢̱̭͋̌̃ͨͬ͐͟͡ ̴͚̫̲̳͚͈̭̊̄̆̐̌͜ͅͅFͮ͗͑̈́ͦ̑͏͖̺̱̻͖̭̳̥̝͇͚ͬ̈͡͝R̈́̐̽͡͏̸̸̠̫̖͙͇͙͉̯̞̦ͥ̉͒̌͌̒͟Ọ̡̥̬ͫ̌̃̔̂͟͢͝ͅM̻̯̔ͤ͑̐̇̈̎̉́ ͔̗͇̪̩̖̖̍̅̌͒ͬ̈́́͢Ỷ̸̸̢̱̭̖͙͇͙͉̯̞̦͋̌̃ͨͬ͐ͥ̉͒̌͌̒͟͟͡Ọ̥ͫ̌̾̍ͨ͐ͤ̚͟ͅ͏͏̷̝̪̫̪͈͍̱̣Ū͉̭̬̩̀̒̌ͮ͐, ͔̗͇̪̩̖̖̍̅̌͒ͬ̈́́͢Ỷ̢̱̭̖̦͕̬͔̹͋̌̃ͨͬ͐͌̓͟͡E̷̤͙̰̖̘̣͕̰͈͖ͫͪ̊͋̉̀͢T̉ͣ̾́̋ͩ͏̧̫̦̥͙ ͔̗͇̪̩̖̖̍̅̌͒ͬ̈́́͢Ỷ̸̸̢̱̭̖͙͇͙͉̯̞̦͋̌̃ͨͬ͐ͥ̉͒̌͌̒͟͟͡Ọ̥ͫ̌̾̍ͨ͐ͤ̚͟ͅ͏͏̷̝̪̫̪͈͍̱̣Ū͉̭̬̩̀̒̌ͮ͐ ̷̦̫̟͓̝̣͙̞͓͂̈́ͯ̌͡S̷̛͇͉͈͈͖ͥ͊̉̄̾̊͋̉̀͜͡T̉ͣ̾́̋ͩ͏̧̫̦̥͙̝̣͔̝͎̎̃̈́̾̈̇̓̑́͞I͕̣̥̘͛̏ͨͦ̃ͭ͠L̏ͦ̀ͯͨ͋͟͏̣̪̥̘ͭ͘͠L̏ͦ̀ͯͨ͋͟͏̣̪͘ ̬̱̣̠͔͌̑͗́K̥̹̳̖̭̖̝͎̖̦͕̬͔̹ͯ̒̆͛̍͐ͣ͌̓E̤͙̰̖̘̣͕̰̹͈͎̜̟̯̺ͫͪ͊̿̋́̋ͪͩ̉̚͢͢P̷̯̜͈͖̑̊̀̿̊͋̉̀ͅT̉ͣ̾́̋ͩ͏̧̫̦̥͙ ̹͈͎̜̟̯̺͊̿̋́̋ͪͩ̉̚͢P̯̜̖̦͕̬͔̹̑̊̀̿͌̓ͅE̤͙̰̖̘̣͕̰͖̭̳̥̝͇͚ͫͪͬ̈͢͝R̈́̐̽͡͏̷̠̫̦̫̟͓̝̣͙̞͓͂̈́ͯ̌͡S̛͇͉͈̝̣͔̝͎ͥ͊̉̄̾̎̃̈́̾̈̇̓̑́͜͡͞I̷͕̣̦̫̟͓̝̣͙̞͓͛̏ͨͦ̃͂̈́ͯ̌͡S̷̛͇͉͈͈͖ͥ͊̉̄̾̊͋̉̀͜͡T̉ͣ̾́̋ͩ͏̧̫̦̥͙̝̣͔̝͎̎̃̈́̾̈̇̓̑́͞I͕̣̰͎̰͛̏ͨͦ̃͗ͩ̌̽̿̎̂N̴͚̘̖̻̰̦̗̤͍̓́̈́̿͡Ǧ͚̗̜̬̤̺̼͟͝͞... Both Pantalone and the Knave kept throwing jabs at one another, critical of one another's actions. The door had opened. It was Signora. A frequent visitor of the Hearth, she was someone who I enjoy spending time with during my time here... It was only because I wanted to get away from HER. She walked right in, staking her claim on me without saying anything, and had taken me away from both of them. They could only stare as Signora guided me away from them. But as soon as Signora and I was far away from the Knave's office, Signora wordlessly hands me a treat. I just learned to accept her offerings, as she had once told many of us that those who dislike her wouldn't receive any "gifts" from her... Even without the gifts, I still liked her company. After all, she was only just a woman who had been lonely for many decades... Signora stares at the child reading the book she carefully picked out for her, studying the young girl carefully, as she drinks her tea in order to hide her growing smile at the sight of the little girl's enjoyment.. She quickly learned that the child was not tempted by the gifts she showered her when she had visited the Hearth subsequently. She can tell by the way they stuck around, happy to sit in silence, and how the girl was relaxed around her presence rather than the Knave... She held no ill feelings towards the Knave, but she thinks, that she is the best candidate to satisfy the child's needs much better than anyone, not even the Knave herself... "How come that you are now under Pantalone's wing, child?" I paused reading and shortly responded. "I became his disciple." "So, you were the one being talked about by the Mayor and Zandik, huh..." I stiffened at the mention of the Doctor's name. Gauging my reaction, she added, "Both Pantalone and Zandik work closely together. Have you ever met Zandik before, child?" I shook my head. "No. I don't plan on meeting him, ever." Signora laughs. "Good. But if ever Pantalone decides on letting you meet Zandik... Come to me, and I will protect you from any harm to come upon you... It is even surprising, that he was the one who ended up becoming your guardian." She huffed, unable to mask her annoyance at Pantalone. "He isn't even considered a candidate, in being the most likely to take good care of you, child."

I was amused at her words, hearing her talk about my mentor is funny. The way she questions the ability of Pantalone's ability to take care of me made me chuckle. She heard the sound of my laughter and reached out to comb my hair with her fingers affectionately. Making me blink at her slowly. She sighs, opting to pat my head. "Dear, did he force you to dress similarly as well? It doesn't suit you. What suits you is a nice, warm coat, and jewelries that compliments your eyes well..." I stifled another laugh threatening to come out of my throat. Her eyes softened eventually as she ran out of things to say towards my mentor... "I decided to match his wear so people are able to tell that I am his disciple." Her hands gently reached to my coat, fixing it for me as it was loosened. "My dear... Surely you can distinguish yourself as your own person. Aren't you dependent a bit too much on Pantalone?" She then proclaimed, "As your other guardian, I am making sure you don't turn into another copy of that greedy businessman." "I promise not to become another copy of Pantalone." I pledged, making Signora laugh in return. After her laughter died down, she stood up, offering a hand. "If you find yourself unable to break free from the identity that both the Knave and Regrator had given you, you are free to come to me, and I'll see to it that you are not burdened by any of their actions." I thanked her in return and assured her that I'll turn to her for help if it happens. I could tell that she was hesitant to leave me here, as she saw the display earlier, she probably saw how shaken up I was returning to this place. So, I end up saying something. "I'll be okay. I'll visit you if I'm not too busy..." "Is the little girl all grown up now...? My, how time flies so fast." She teased lightly, making me huff. "Hmph. I can work too..." She reacts to it as if she finds it hard to believe... Making me pout. Signora then hugs me so sudden, that I was not able to register it. When was the last time I was ever given a hug? I don't remember. I clung to her a bit tight, but she paid no mind to it. We pull away, and finally parted ways.

A fatui messenger had approached me, giving me a letter from the Mayor. It reads. I heard from the others about the encounter you had with the Knave. You and I both know that she won't stop at nothing from attempting to get you back. If you feel unsafe or being watched, feel free to come in my territory so I may provide you with protection. And if Regrator decides to dispose of you, the same thing is being offered. But I only ask in return that you do not attempt to work too much. I'm afraid that you're growing too fast... And that your growth will be stunted as well... Be sure to take breaks, and have a full 9 hours of sleep to supplement your body. I've heard plenty that you do not seem to take good care of yourself. The Regrator have seemed to influenced you. Has the Regrator been giving you a hard time lately? It won't do. I will have a word with him in regards to your work schedule. I'll see to it that you are still able to enjoy the sun after working. Don't be shy to reach out to me if Regrator has been giving you a hard time. As always, you are free to come in my territory for a chat, or to stay. Take care of yourself, and be vigilant towards the Knave. Sincerely, Pulcinella.

I finished reading the letter, happy at the fact that I am desired by the Mayor and The fair lady as well. I'll keep that in mind. As I walked back to the House of the Hearth... I see Pantalone outside. I approached him. "Did the Knave do anything you?" He replied, "No. We only argued. But went back to business after exchanging words." I sighed in relief. "Can we go back to base now?" "Wait. The Knave has a few words to say to you." My eyes widened. What does she want from me now...? Extra an: Child custody battle...? 🤨

[barelylivingscholar]

Becoming Naviaonce's bodyguard

An: Before anyone asks, yes. You read that right. Watch the video that I saw on tic tac before coming back here... https://www.tiktok.com/@kazuhaspookiebear/video/7336543103064624391?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7364806683635533313

- Navia was doing some fieldwork for a prime suspect she was trying to catch... 👮‍♀️🔎🔎🔎 So, as her bodyguard, you and the other suits 🕴🕴🕴🕴 hide in the bush 🎋🎋🎋 while Navia's tryna catch a thief... You got ambushed by elemental slimes out of nowhere so... You guys had to fight off the multicolored slimes. "Get down ms.president! 👸 I'll protect you! 🐺🐺🐺" line with the suits but of course, the boss 💃 DOES NOT disappoint. SERVING 💋 💄 with both looks and the country, she uses her gunbrella and the geo cannons posing like the QUEEN she is, the slimes take MAJOR 💅💅💅 damage with that MASSIVE serve 👁👄👁 from the divaaaa - Miss maam stepped on a platform that slowly rose... 📈📈📈 Coincidentally, there was someone holding a concert near a luxurious hotel... And there were some concert going on... 🎤👩‍🎤 babes... I think... Their name was Beyoncé??? Was it? 🤔🤨🤨 The moment was so ICONIC that you couldn't help but watch as the QUEEN descends from the platform and land the final blow, making the slimes go poof 💨 just like that... Queen Navia SERVED cunt while ya'll just stood there, giving nothing, while the Queen commands the suits and you, to clean up the mess 🧹🧹🧹 "Yes Navia." We all say in unison Extra An: This is the literally it, that's all I have 😔✊ I just had to let you know about how MAJESTIC and GLORIOUS the QUEEN is, and how this one random tic tac inspired me to write a short HC about it... Slayed! 💋💋💋 Toodles! 🏃‍♀️💨 (Gets into hiding again to prepare for the other part of the daughter fic...)

[barelylivingscholar]

Arlecchino with a daughter prt. 3

Arlecchino with a daughter prt. 3

And before I knew it, a month had passed. Under the banner of “Regrator,” I had been learning a lot under his guidance. I started to look like him as well. Everything about my appearance had been designed to match his… It wasn’t something that I had decided right away, but it was more of a branding for me. To better match his image as his “disciple,” rather than to feel like I still am a part of the House… I discard the clothing that I wore before and burned it. It was a clothing that was too similar to the outfit of “Knave.” The color… And the designs… It’s too much of a coincidence… She continues to haunt me in my dreams, that I wake up in the middle of the night… Sweating profusely at the prospect of returning at the House and to meet her once again inevitably.

Pantalone had decided that I should not return to Fontaine as a safety measure for me since the “Knave” had been informed of my return that day… He told me about her sending letters to him about my wellbeing and demanded that he return me back to her house… In which, I had been assured again and again that I won’t be returning back to the House at all… Pantalone plans to keep me as his disciple. Although I am still shaken up by her now and then, I grew to resent her more as days would pass…

I began to see Pantalone as the closest familial figure that I have as it was only natural, I felt that way due to how well he has taken care of me. I used to think that I am more or less just a servant to him. He had trained well to see him as his “business partner.” More or less, we do indeed have a transactional relationship. But I know there is more to it. H̴̴e̴ ̴j̴̴u̴̴s̴̴t̴ ̴w̴̴o̴̴u̴̴l̴̴d̴̴n̴’̴t̴ a̴̴d̴̴m̴̴i̴̴t̴ ̴t̴̴h̴a̴̴t̴ ̴I̴ ̴i̴̴n̴̴f̴̴l̴̴u̴̴e̴̴n̴̴c̴̴e̴̴d̴ ̴h̴̴i̴̴m̴ ̴j̴̴u̴̴s̴̴t̴ a̴̴s̴ ̴h̴̴e̴ ̴i̴̴n̴̴f̴̴l̴̴u̴̴e̴̴n̴̴c̴̴e̴̴d̴ ̴m̴̴e̴ a̴̴s̴ ̴w̴̴e̴̴l̴̴l̴…̴ He had introduced me to Pulcinella, who in return, mentored me during my visits in the other branches of the Northland Bank with Pantalone. He mentors me exceptionally well that I grew to respect him in the same manner as Pantalone. When I am unable to accompany Pantalone, I am with Pulcinella. He takes care of me well. Too well that there is something more to it.

Pulcinella would come to tell me stories about the “Knave,” that made me despise her even more. He warns me about her madness. Pulcinella had successfully managed to deter me from ever seeing the “Knave” in a positive light. The remnants of her teachings still remain. It is not easy to break free from it. Somehow, I still felt guilty for leaving the House. But I will never admit to it at all. I was led to believe that she cared for me, and had loved me the best out of the many children from the House, so how was I supposed to hate her, right? If only that was how I felt. ̶I̶ ̶b̶̶a̶̶r̶̶e̶̶l̶̶y̶ ̶f̶̶e̶̶l̶̶t̶ ̶i̶̶t̶ ̶a̶̶t̶ ̶a̶̶l̶̶l̶. She was a liar. ₴₮Ø₱ ₮ⱤɎł₦₲ ₮Ø ₲Ɇ₮ ₥Ɇ ฿₳₵₭. ł ₩łⱠⱠ ₦Ø₮ ⱤɆ₮ɄⱤ₦ ₮Ø ɎØɄ. ł Ⱨ₳₮Ɇ ɎØɄ.

Pantalone informs me that we will be arriving soon at the House of the Hearth. I mentally prepared myself as we make a trip to the House… I kept my hood up and my head down during the duration of the trip. Pantalone informs me of the project in collaboration with Pulcinella, one that involve the members of the Hearth… He plans to give them a great deal of funding, to make them the “key members” of the project… Project Stuzha; A project that supposedly sets the Fatui’s future. I have yet to meet “Tartaglia” or Childe as he is frequently mentioned in this conversation. I couldn’t care less how the project would turn out. I only care about the amount of Mora that is put on this project. Pantalone really is a generous man. Too generous.

I clicked my tongue as we arrived at the destination. There were many children that were staring at my figure, probably shocked that I am alive and well. Dressed in expensive clothing, glasses that are studded with eye-catching jewelries, and with a cloak elegantly placed on my shoulders… I almost looked like the man himself. Pantalone held a closed-eye smile as he greeted the children. Then, the door opened. It was her. The woman that I grew to resent. The knave. I adjust my glasses to hide my growing anxiousness as the memories came back. I stifled a shaky sigh. ̶I̶ ̶f̶̶o̶̶r̶̶c̶̶e̶̶d̶ ̶m̶̶y̶̶s̶̶e̶̶l̶̶f̶ ̶t̶̶o̶ ̶c̶̶a̶̶l̶̶m̶ ̶d̶̶o̶̶w̶̶n̶ ̶u̶̶s̶̶i̶̶n̶̶g̶ ̶t̶̶h̶̶e̶ ̶4̶-̶7̶-̶8̶ ̶t̶̶e̶̶c̶̶h̶̶n̶̶i̶̶q̶̶u̶̶e̶. Pantalone greets the “Knave” politely. While the “Knave” eyes me down, her crossed eyes narrowing at the sight of my appearance. ̶S̶̶u̶̶r̶̶p̶̶r̶̶i̶̶s̶̶e̶̶d̶ ̶t̶̶o̶ ̶s̶̶e̶̶e̶ ̶m̶̶e̶? Her eyes stayed on me, while speaking with Pantalone.

“I see you have brought yourself a new child. A child from the Hearth.” I froze at her words. She continued to stare at me deeply. “What was the reason for not returning the child from my orphanage, Regrator?” She hissed at him. Pantalone paid no mind at the hostile tone aimed at him. “You are mistaken. I did not take an orphan from the Hearth. I offered Anastasia to be my disciple after saving them from an ambush by a cryo abyss mage.” Pantalone countered. I glanced away at the two adults talking, to see Freminet staring at me. I gave him a brief nod, and I was then met with a familiar pair of twins looking in my direction as well… Lyney and I briefly stared each other down for a short while, before my attention went back to the voice of the “Knave.” “Nonsense. She would’ve returned to the house had you not manipulated her to come with… You must’ve threatened my daughter for her to work with you.” The “Knave” accused.

I rose a brow at the comment. Blinking slowly as I take in the words she had said to Pantalone. I decided to speak up before Pantalone could reply, “My mentor had come to visit the orphanage for a proposal. The “Regrator” has other business to attend after the meeting, I suggest to keep the exchange brief, “Knave.”” I didn’t miss the way her eyes widen slightly at the sound of my voice. The children were shocked to hear me interrupt the harbingers heated exchange. I simply brushed off my coat, in an attempt to feign nonchalance at my action. ̶I̶̶f̶ ̶o̶̶n̶̶l̶̶y̶ ̶t̶̶h̶̶e̶̶y̶ ̶c̶̶o̶̶u̶̶l̶̶d̶ ̶s̶̶e̶̶e̶ ̶m̶̶y̶ ̶h̶̶a̶̶n̶̶d̶̶ ̶s̶̶h̶̶a̶̶k̶̶e̶ ̶a̶̶s̶ ̶I̶ ̶a̶̶t̶̶t̶̶e̶̶m̶̶p̶̶t̶ ̶t̶̶o̶ ̶s̶̶t̶̶o̶̶p̶ ̶t̶̶h̶̶e̶ ̶t̶̶r̶̶e̶̶m̶̶o̶̶r̶̶s̶.

The “Knave” went silent for a short while. Before answering in a calm and collected manner. “Very well. We can discuss the matters in my office.” She then went ahead of us. I went to discreetly grip the hilt of my dagger tightly. ̶I̶ ̶a̶̶m̶ ̶r̶̶e̶̶l̶̶i̶̶e̶̶v̶̶i̶̶n̶̶g̶ ̶t̶̶h̶̶e̶ ̶m̶̶e̶̶m̶̶o̶̶r̶̶y̶ ̶o̶̶n̶̶c̶̶e̶ ̶m̶̶o̶̶r̶̶e̶… ̶M̶̶y̶ ̶b̶̶o̶̶d̶̶y̶ ̶h̶̶a̶̶d̶ ̶r̶̶e̶̶f̶̶u̶̶s̶̶e̶̶d̶ ̶t̶̶o̶ ̶m̶̶o̶̶v̶̶e̶. Pantalone snapped me out of it as I hear his voice. “You have the option to stay behind. I’ll make it quick.” I shook my head, clearly uneasy at the thought of being surrounded by children from the Hearth. “No need. I’ll come with. I have so much to learn about socializing with people like her…” My voice had a trace of venom at the last word, luckily no one dared to point it out. Children were still staring at us, as we walked inside the house, on the way to the “Knave’s” office…

The walk to her office felt so short, that it just made me realize of how much dread I felt from before I decided to escape from the orphanage. ̙̥̻̰̻̀͡T̩̙̰̬͙͖̝̙̲̰͚̗͓͝ͅh̢̛̟̲̘̯̙͈̫̹̜͢͠ͅȩ̣̰͓̻͎͡ ̧͈͇̘͎̫͙̰̗̩s͇a͏́͏̧͖͍̞̥̰̣̼̘̱̰̥͟͜m̵̧̛̯͖̺̥̘̯̙͈̫̹̜͢ͅȩ̣̰͓̻͎͡ ̹̖̘ḑ̡̱̥̜̺̘͍͚̻̤́ŗ̸̛̲͙͉͓͚̘̯̙͈̫̹̜͢ͅȩ̣̰͓̻͎͡a͏́͏͖͍̞̥̹̖̘ḑ̱̥̜́ ̨̣͕͉̫̜ͅI̴̞̦̦̗̥ a͏́͏̧͖͍̞̥̰̣̼̘̱̰̥͟͜m̵̧̯͖̺̥ ̝̺̠̖̭́͟͝f̷̛̩̲͈̘̯̙͈̫̹̜͢ͅȩ̛̣̰͓̻͎̘̯̙͈̫̹̜͢͡ͅȩ̣̰͓̻͎̜͔̘̰͇́͡͠l͏̘̜̭̤̱͇͞҉͏̫̼̜͉̭i̙͙̙̥̰̯͎̘̖̹̦̙͝͞n̴̫̘͈͈͈̳̩̳̞͔̭̤̩͍͢g̨̪̣̤͎̟͟͠ ̖̹̦̙͝͞n̴̛̛̫̘͈͈͈̳̩͢ͅớ͈̙̦̗͖̜w͚͈̟̬̩… Pantalone had opened the door. I stepped inside after Pantalone. I forced myself to calm down using the same breathing method I use to alleviate my anxiety. The meeting went well. Too well… The whole time I was being watched by the “Knave”, her eyes were observing me during Pantalone’s breakdown of the project. I didn’t like that. I felt uncomfortable.

Despite her eyes were on me, I was able to keep a straight face, and was able to maintain my composure from the start till the end… The “Knave” would eventually request my presence after the successful meeting, to which Pantalone had left the decision in my hands, whether I accept or decline her request. To both their surprise, I agreed. Pantalone looks at the “Knave” warily before handing me a tracker before he left.

“You now go by the name Anastasia. Why is that? Was it a name that he picked for you?” That was the first question being asked by her. “No. Pulcinella picked it for me.” Her eyes had narrowed at the mention of the “Rooster.” “Who else did you meet other than the “Rooster?”” She interrogated. I was left confused. Why is she asking me these questions instead of asking why I left? “None. It is only my mentor and him that I met.” Her suspicions didn’t stop from there. “Do you happen to know the “Doctor?” Had you met him before?” I went stiff at the mention of the “Doctor.” “No. I do not want to meet him.” The “Knave” seemed to be pleased by my answer. “The “Doctor” and “Regrator” work closely. I can shield you better than Regrator. You just have to come back to the House… I will not let harm come upon you.” The “Knave” attempts to sweeten the deal. I didn’t fall for it easily.

“I humbly decline the offer. My mentor takes care of me well enough to keep me safe from any possible harm to befall upon myself.” I didn’t like how my voice went a bit shaky… “So, you are saying that Regrator is protecting you better than I did for you. Is that what you imply?” My eyes widened at her tone. I didn’t like when her voice gets like this. “…I am not implying anything. I am saying that, I am in good hands, “Knave.”” I flinched as I hear the sound of wood being scratched. This was not good… “You have changed your identity. From clothing to a new name… Are you sure that he did not force you to change drastically?” My brows were now furrowed. “Pantalone never forced anything on me. It was I who made the decision to change my own identity. I did it for branding.”

Her tone went sharp. “Since when were you ever interested in business? I never strike you the type to be interested in such matters…” My eye twitched. This is getting ridiculous. “What are you trying to say? That I am not suited to be my mentor’s disciple?” I tried to sound calm but my agitation was taking over… “I am saying that you perform best under my guidance.” Her response surprised me.

At this point, I was unable to refrain from making unnecessary commentary anymore. “What makes you think that my performance was better when I was on your side? Did you never notice how miserable I was during my stay here in this house?” I am distressed. I fell into her trap, again. “I knew you were alive. I refused to believe that you were dead. I know my daughter very well that she is able to defend herself well.” The “Knave” was smiling. ̶I̶̶t̶ ̶w̶̶a̶̶s̶ ̶u̶̶n̶̶s̶̶e̶̶t̶̶t̶̶l̶̶i̶̶n̶̶g̶.

I took a step back as she rose from her chair. “No… Stay back…! She is dead! I am not her!” My voice trembled; I was shaking due to how intense my fear was… “No. My daughter has come back to me. She is alive and well. She is right here in front of me.” The “Knave” went closer… I felt trapped. Unable to move as she stepped closer and closer to me… “Welcome back, dear daughter…” Was what she said before attempting to embrace me. But before I knew it, I was then pulled away by Pantalone. He came just in time to save me from the “Knave’s” attempts to take me back to the house… An: I was supposed to post earlier but ended up posting wayyy late... I'll be having a break writing this to think about the plot more and the alternate routes that I planned to write. Till then! I also appreciate the likes, the reblogs, and follows. Because I cannot believe people actually read this... If there's a new post it's either that it's a new part or a silly short story that I will write about. Idk which fandom I'll be writing for, though!

[barelylivingscholar]

Arlecchino with a daughter prt. 2 tw: Dottore (mentioned), gore(?), torture.

I’ve been hearing from Pantalone, that I am being searched for. Interesting. I sipped on tea as Pantalone had given me updates in regarding the new “successor” that had replaced me. Lyney was his name. He has a twin sister, Lynette. I have not met them before. I fiddled with the fur of my cloak, as Pantalone then switches the topic about the Northland Bank… A few weeks had passed after my exit from the House of the Hearth. I have been working alongside Pantalone to establish plans and how to manage each branch. I have learned a lot from him in regards to Mora, and how to use it effectively. In one week, I learned how to negotiate, bargain, and put someone into debt… Then on the second week, I have learned how to use different torture methods to instill fear upon people who are unable to pay their debts… By the third week… I learned how to control people. By using Mora.  

So far, Pantalone has been nothing but more of a figure that I have learned to respect… Unlike “Knave”, Pantalone gives me time to explore places, areas that I have not seen before… I am free to do whatever I want to. There is no limit to what I cannot do while I am under his wing. Pantalone is more honest and straight to the point. He is not vague on wording things regarding any type of situation. He feels more familiar than the “Knave.” While I do not have any obligation or whatsoever to call him “Family”, I feel more connected to him rather than what I had with the “Knave”. Pantalone had given me permission to call him by his name, rather than his codename. I like to think that Pantalone grew on me as I grew on him too. He started little, he invites me for tea after finishing missions, gifts me things from other nations, and values my input rather than ignore it. Pantalone was never shy on telling me what life was like back then when he was once someone who had no Mora in his name…

Pantalone had told me stories about his coworker “The Doctor.” Stories that had my bone chilled even until now. He warns me to not wander off far from his radar. “Who knows what Zandik would do to you once he had set his eyes on you as another project of his” Pantalone remarked, as he shakes his head and switched topic. It seemed that he had noticed my discomfort about his coworker. Pantalone mentions that the “Knave” seemed very adamant on not believing that I was dead. My expression had hardened. Pantalone as always, caught onto it. He nods in understanding. “You’re in a better place now.” “Am I really?” “It depends on how you see it.” We then finished our tea and left to go back at his base. I encountered a few children from the House of the Hearth on the way back, their eyes widening as I walked alongside Pantalone. A child who I presumed to be Lyney, as Pantalone had described to me what the boy’s appearance was approached me. “Are you Blanche? The one who has been missing for weeks?” I stiffened at the mention of my former name, but regained my composure. “Surely you are mistaken. I am not Blanche.” I answered, staring at him curiously. Is this the person who is the “successor” of the House of the Heath? “You look exactly the same as the image “Father” had provided.” “I may look the same as the person in that photo but that isn’t me. That person is dead.” I say bluntly, scanning Lyney’s surprised expression. “But-“ I cut him off. “I am not the same person you are looking for. I am a disciple of “Regrator”. As you can see, we are busy. He is a busy man. If you’d excuse us…” I then walked away from Lyney. His twin who I assumed to be “Lynette” had come up to him and exchanged glances. I am not coming back from that place.

Pantalone surveys my expression. “You look pale.” I attempt to calm down, as I answered him in a tight voice, “I am fine.” Pantalone does not buy it. “Are you afraid that the “Knave” will take you back to the House of the Hearth?” He goes straight to the point. I then replied in a harsh tone. “She can try. But I’m not coming back. I’m never stepping foot in that place again.” I looked haunted. “If it helps, I do not intend on surrendering you to the “Knave.” You are now my disciple. Not her orphan anymore.” I attempt to at least smile a little at his attempt of comfort. “Correct. But people like her do not intend to give up easily. There will be consequences.” I sighed. “She has no other choice. I provide the funds for the Hearth. She cannot act rashly.” I then looked away from him, staring at the path ahead. “I know someday I will return to that place eventually, but in a different standing.” Pantalone nods. “You will. But as my disciple this time. You have been well informed of our upcoming schedule.” I stretched my limbs. “Duty is duty. I am bound to it. You have been accommodating enough to me that I see this more as a business opportunity rather than… Revisiting trauma.” I shakily sighed. “Whether I have any negative feelings of that place… It does not apply to the agenda. This is strictly business.” I attempt to convince myself that there is nothing more than that. But thoughts still continued to plague me on the way back to the base. We walked in silence. Pantalone does not further question me anymore.

I was left to my own devices by Pantalone to deal with an unsettled debt by an old man. I subdued the man into torture, as usual. The torture method used is to mark their skin with an iron stamp, as I cast the iron to the stamp and brand their skin with the Fatui logo, I enjoyed the screams of my victims. Before, I was afraid. Now, I am numb to it all. I left the chamber with a bloody bag of mora in hand. I report back to Pantalone that I had collected the debt, and left to write down a report for Pantalone. I then scrubbed the blood off the bag of mora. I tutted as the old man’s blood was spilled on the bag of coins. I hate filth. I hate who I was once. I am now cleared of the filth that I was once covered in. This is me now. Blanche is dead. “Disciple” is who I am now. I emerged out of the washroom as a new person. In a month, I will revisit the House of Hearth under the banner of “Regrator.” If there is anything that Pantalone had taught me best, it is the language of Mora. I am just as obsessed with Mora as well. For now, I must stay in Snezhnaya.

Freminet had been searching for Blanche for a while now. She was a calm girl who only spoke a few words. “Father” had seemed to favor her over the many children of the Hearth, which led to many despising Blanche. All but Freminet. He never hated Blanche. She was the only girl who respects his boundaries and chooses to speak with him in a manner that is comforting. She indulges him in visiting “Penguin Town.” And had once gifted him a penguin plush that is still kept by him in his room. Although their interactions are limited, but he considers her as his only friend. Freminet believes that Blanche hadn’t died. Before her disappearance, he saw Blanche rushing out of the house, seemingly in a hurry. He paid no mind to it until he saw Father asking about Blanche’s whereabouts an hour later. He then went to search for Blanche. Only to come back with a frozen bloody pin. Blanche had disappeared. No one knew where she was.

Until, Lyney had come to him to inform him of Blanche’s reappearance. Freminet was stunned to know that Blanche had chosen to not come back to the House of the Hearth. Freminet believed she will be back after being found. The man she was with had something to do with it. “Regrator”, ninth of the Fatui… Father must know of this. Lyney had said to him. He then leaves Freminet to think about the news. Blanche should have no reason not to return, she was favored, loved by Father, why else would she not return? Surely, she had not been brainwashed by the man she was with. He vows to help Blanche come to her senses so she would return to House of the Hearth, to where she will spend time with Pers and him again. He just had to convince Father to let Blanche play with him. ̶S̶̶h̶̶e̶ ̶w̶̶a̶̶s̶ ̶a̶̶l̶̶w̶̶a̶̶y̶̶s̶ ̶u̶̶n̶̶a̶̶v̶̶a̶̶i̶̶l̶̶a̶̶b̶̶l̶̶e̶ ̶t̶̶o̶ ̶p̶̶l̶̶a̶̶y̶ ̶w̶̶i̶̶t̶̶h̶.

Lyney entered Father’s office. To where Father has been waiting for updates in regards to her beloved daughter.  ̶H̶̶e̶̶r̶ ̶d̶̶a̶̶u̶̶g̶̶h̶̶t̶̶e̶̶r̶ ̶w̶̶h̶̶o̶ ̶s̶̶h̶̶e̶ ̶h̶̶a̶̶d̶ ̶d̶̶e̶̶a̶̶r̶̶l̶̶y̶ ̶l̶̶o̶̶v̶̶e̶̶d̶. She had loved them so much that she didn’t want any harm to come upon her daughter…  Her daughter had run away from her after what she said to her, to which Arlecchino had come to regret deeply… Perhaps she shouldn’t have said those words.  ̶M̶̶a̶̶y̶̶b̶̶e̶ ̶h̶̶e̶̶r̶ ̶d̶̶a̶̶u̶̶g̶̶h̶̶t̶̶e̶̶r̶ ̶w̶̶o̶̶u̶̶l̶̶d̶'̶v̶̶e̶ ̶s̶̶t̶̶i̶̶l̶̶l̶ ̶b̶̶e̶ ̶h̶̶e̶̶r̶̶e̶ ̶b̶̶y̶ ̶t̶̶h̶̶e̶̶n̶.

Her crossed eyes had seemed to have a dangerous glow at the mention that her daughter was with Pantalone. ̶H̶̶e̶ ̶s̶̶t̶̶o̶̶l̶̶e̶ ̶h̶̶e̶̶r̶ ̶f̶̶r̶̶o̶̶m̶ ̶m̶̶e̶! Silence had engulfed the office… Before she finally spoke up. “Thank you for the report, Lyney. You may now leave…” After Lyney left, Arlecchino angrily digs her nails on her desk, leaving a claw mark. Mɏ đȺᵾǥħŧɇɍ... Ɨ wɨłł ǥɇŧ ɏøᵾ ƀȺȼꝁ...

An: Things will get more confusing once part three rolls out... There is more to it now that there's another pov... Especially "Father's." Feel free to interpret things as there will be more misunderstandings to come in the next following chapters...  

[barelylivingscholar]

Arlecchino with a daughter tw: unhealthy family relationships, manipulation, and gore(?), suicidal thoughts, unstable/mentally ill daughter. Not for the faint of heart, heavy angst, a somewhat positive ending in the last part(?) (Do not read if uncomfortable)

An: I am backkkkk, second semester and last semester’s finals kept me busyyyyyy but I’m here again to post some stufffffff!! Not hsr related but like I also write for Genshin now, apparently… Will post a part two, I guess? “Father. When am I able to hang around with the others? I have done everything that you’ve asked for.” A young girl asked, to which “Father” responds with, “You need to focus on the task in hand. I still have many more missions for you to do before I set you free.” The girl sighed, knowing very well that she may as well never be able to be allowed to play with the other kids… For a moment, the girl had wished that she wasn’t the only one to deal with this kind of burden. The burden being, the “successor” of “Father.” She wanted to play with the other kids as well, but alas, her father does not permit her to do so. Instead, excuses are made, and the standard Fatui discipline is instilled in her mind, always have to act proper and professional, not allowed to shed a tear, or to feel strong feelings regardless of what the matters are. I hate it here. I do not wish to stay here any longer. Every day feels like I am only made to be the person that “Father” wishes me to be. I am never truly happy. I am sinking. Father was not  family. This whole thing is and always was, a lie. Do I ever get to be free? Perhaps I can set myself free. There is a way.  ̶T̶̶h̶̶e̶ ̶q̶̶u̶̶e̶̶s̶̶t̶̶i̶̶o̶̶n̶ ̶i̶̶s̶, ̶a̶̶m̶ ̶I̶ ̶w̶̶i̶̶l̶̶l̶̶i̶̶n̶̶g̶ ̶t̶̶o̶ ̶d̶̶o̶ ̶i̶̶t̶? --- After burning the corpse of their enemies, I return to the House of the Hearth, albeit bloody and face that is smudged of dirt, the smell of blood and gasoline lingers around me. With every passing servant, caretakers, and also children as well, unsettled and left shaken up at the sight of me. I stained the carpets red. I wonder if “Father” would notice as the carpet is in the same shade of the blood of her enemies…? Will she punish me and discipline me? Although words are exchanged, no form of physical harm done, I am still left isolated.  Like I am to be a monster kept away from people… I feel caged.

This time, I didn’t bother to clean up and went straight ahead to father’s office. Where I know I’ll be punished for such a careless mistake. “Father, I have returned.” I greet, looking to see her eyes staring straight at me. For once I don’t cower. I simply walk up to her and wait for her response. I have no reason to be scared, right? I don’t think I care anymore. Father’s eyes narrowed. The sight of blood that wasn’t mine, the smell of gasoline, in her eyes, I may as well be the filthiest child in the house. One that is simply, uncouth for the position of “successor.” “Why have you not followed protocol? Especially contingency 8? Have I not taught you well?” Her voice sharp, dissatisfied with my performance. It must be a surprise for her that her “successor” had become disobedient. What is she going to do to me, I wonder? Dispose of me? Or would she find someone else who is to succeed her as the “Father” of the House of the Hearth. “I… I have no other excuses.” I was unable to control my voice. It was shaky, wavering. I hate it. Father’s eyes seemed to had harden. I am interested with what is going to be the left of me once this is all over. I look forward to it. I want her to snap at me. Kill me. Foul words for a child like me, but this is what I planned. Maybe it is best that I sleep in eternal slumber instead rather than live a life full of misery. I have nothing to be grateful here. I am not thankful that I am still alive today. “…You are hereby stripped of the title “successor.” You are no longer worthy of the title. I am disappointed.” Is that it? No severe punishments? My mind raced; I was unable to comprehend why had she punished me in a way that is so… Little? Had she gone soft? I do not remember anything that made her want to punish me lightly. Don’t I deserve… More? My brows had furrowed. “Father” did not miss that. “Daughter… Are you, upset?” Her voice sounded confusing, to me. Why do you suddenly care? I don’t understand you at all. I do not feel safe at all. Are you really “family?” “…I’m fine.” I say, my voice a little tight. Unshed tears on my face, I am no fool. I do not need your love.

“You are now excused.” Never had I ever left her office so quickly after that. I had to get away…! I need to get out of here… I breathed heavily as I ran and ran… Until there is nowhere to go. The heavy snow had engulfed me. And soon… I was unconscious. I awoke to an unfamiliar place. This is not the House of the Hearth. I quickly got up, ignoring the sudden rush of blood shooting up due to how fast I went up. I ignore the throbbing pain on my forehead, I focused on my surroundings instead. Where am I? This place is… Different. I jolted as I felt a hand on my shoulder, immediately backing off and grabbing a hidden dagger in my boot. “Stay there! I will stab you!” I hissed. Glaring at the mysterious figure. They looked… Kind. I am not supposed to feel that way. There are no kind people in this world. Everyone I know will always lie to me, manipulate me for their gain. Just like “Father.” Just like them…

The stranger had knelt down and attempted to soothe me. I only responded with aggression and threats. They weren’t phased at all. “Who are you? I am no ordinary orphan! I am a murderer!” I shouted, clearly agitated. The man in a familiar coat had not reacted violently at all. I am confused. And angry. “I am Pantalone. “Regrator” from the Fatui. I assume you are one of the Knave’s lost children…” My eyes widened at the statement. He is no ordinary man… I should’ve known, I gritted my teeth and gripped my dagger tight. “I am not her orphan! I am no longer a part of that… I could care less if you are a part of the Fatui, I will die gladly in vain if I have to fight for my freedom!” I hissed. The man is amused. I can tell by the look in his eyes. “I have a better proposal for you, child.” “Regrator” inquired. I had not chosen to back down even at the prospect of an offer. “What makes you think I will take it?” I replied, gripping the dagger tight. “I will not surrender you to the Knave. Rather, I’ll take you in as my disciple.”

Disciple? Is this man sick in the head? Why would I agree to that? It seems “Regrator” had heard my thoughts, and so, he added, “Although, it is up to you if you would rather be surrendered back to the Knave… Or join me and I’ll give you a much better purpose, in life… Not that you have any choice on the matter if you decline my offer…” I had no sense of purpose to live for. I am merely an empty shell of what I was once. I have nothing to achieve… In the end, I don't have what it takes to truly end my life. So I will follow my new superior. “Fine. But don’t expect me to be easily obedient. I am rather mad.” And it was the start of something anew…  I had become, “Regrator’s disciple.” I wonder how “Knave” will react to such arrangements… An: Part two will include Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet. There will be other characters who will be included as well but, part one's story was set before Lyney became the sucessor of the House of the Hearth. I am thinking of interesting ideas to write for this story and some alternate routes as well... We'll see once I whip up part two.

[barelylivingscholar]

“Dr.Ratio with a student who has an attitude…”

Babes this is 900+ words... I've put out another one, AGAIN.

- So, you are a member of the Intelligentsia guild, studying under Dr. Ratio’s class. At first you were like, “I think he’ll embody the “🤓” emoji while at the same time insulting the fuck out of me until I get it right 🙄. You were not wrong… Dude basically walked up to class one day and decided that everyone was “uneducated” without even taking a single look at you guys… Yeah… And that was the day you decided, y’know what, this old man will not be the cause of my 13th reason… Not me… I paid for this and I’m getting out of here with my diploma, bitch 💅. - Days with the old man is literal hell. Like, he will NOT give you guys a break… I can imagine all the work you guys do with this old man and leaving you guys to figure it out so you guys get “educated” like be serious right now he is not PLAYING at all. Literally the worst but, he does make sense… Sometimes. Me thinks he is not bad, but just a really, really, strict teacher… Terror professor vibes… That’s what I’m getting. I mean, bro would insult you “lowkey” and would not gaf about your comebacks… At all… So, it’s lowkey pointless to argue back because dude will literally just say one word… And that’s it…   - The number of students dropping his class is INSANE. If you look to your side, you would only see either one or two people in the class meaning, the class is looking almost empty… If not for the toughest students like you guys… Congrats on not dropping out and still continuing to go through the old man’s class like… This is kind of a test for mentality and how long you guys would hold out… Me thinks, that you are definitely going to develop anger issues with this man… And some other mental illnesses you might catch during his lectures…

- If you manage to be one of the excelling students in his class that’s when he would start talking to you and you’re like… No way this old man suddenly decided he wanted to chat with me right now… Me thinks you’re going to be acting up the whole time… The conversations would start with stuff about the class and will end with how the lectures went for you. Oh boy… The way you DID NOT hold back on the feedback…You literally went off with your unresolved anger issues on him and the other mental illnesses you caught while under his guidance and bro just said “interesting.” All that for one word… Smh… - The next meeting went surprisingly… Smooth? Like the man suddenly decided he would be less insulting and more on… Lecturing…? What did this old man EAT??? You basically just sat there and side eyed him the whole time. Did the old man got possessed? That is what you were thinking halfway through the lecture until he called you out to answer his question so you had to snap out of it for a while sis… But alright, you’ll take it rather than the usual poorly disguised “constructive criticisms” you’d get every single damn time. You are very fortunate that you even got a score rather than the others that get 0’s or even negatives… Not saying you that smart but, you were just really good at what you’re doing me thinks… - There are only a few people that would catch the old man’s eye… So, consider yourself lucky to be “breathing” in the same air as him as he himself would say… Yeah, I think the urge of punching the old man and dropping out is at an all time high now… Or, if you’re too down bad for this man I think you would rather smooch him instead…? But idk man he’s kind of… Though I think you need to get therapy if you like getting berated or nagged by this old man all the time… He gives me Asian parents vibes… - Anyhow, time skip to the second semester and the class is FULL, yet again… You lowkey wished that it would be half empty again so fewer annoying people to deal with and fewer of the old man’s copies… I kid you not there are probably clones of him in the class… You can handle the old man but if my classmates were carbon copies of the old man, I would start throwing hands ngl… During the duration of the semester, you have seen… Students getting kicked out LITERALLY by the old man himself like, he just YEETED out a kid that wanted to bribe him for a slot in his class yikes… Or that one time some dude was caught slacking so he did the L thing to measure air idk??? And threw the guy like he was catapulted in angry birds... So many things happening in his class that you find yourself enjoying it now kind of??? Minus the usual hell that you would do every day though, that’s still insane and is not for the faint of heart… - So, TL;DR only sign up if you’re ready for to catch mental illnesses in his class… Tbh me thinks you get more negatives than benefits but it’s all good??? Somehow??? You get to flex that you graduated in HIS class??? And like now you’re desensitized, although you caught some mental illnesses on the side... But still, congrats?!?!  

[barelylivingscholar]

“Herta, with a childhood bestie who is in Genius Society as well…”

Crack post. Don't ask what I was on while making this... - You and Herta met during kindergarten, whereas you would act as her “research assistant” in her tiny experiments which would evolve into something else pretty soon… How did Herta ask you into becoming her assistant? You basically won the idgaf war regarding her attitude and that pretty much sums up how you two became “friends”. - At first, it was strictly business. But over time… You got her involved in many of your chaotic ideas and experiments that you would do whenever she’s out and about… Somehow, she would always catch you in the act… 😃😃😃 Be it be… Feeding the warp trotter with your latest invention that’s named “Scooby Snacks.” 😈😈😈 It ended up with the trotter becoming hyperactive… Or, that time when you said you wanted to test if you could go to the moon without using oxygen and just by using a trampoline… Yeah… 😬😬😬 It was pretty embarrassing but it worked! But you ended up in the hospital for days since… Y’know…   - Fast forward to when you guys were teenagers, you grew up to be a chaotic scientist that would usually either… A. Do experiments that would either end up in flames or something will go wrong or B. Do experiments whereas people expect it to flop 🤢🤮 but it didn’t??? 🤨🤨🤨Okay but you slayed??? Somehow??? So yeah, a mixture of yay or nays, while Herta went off to become that bitch by whipping up experiments that have a 100% success rate like okay queen pop off! You were proud of your bestie despite the attitude she gives you while the two of you collaborate on research… 🙄🙄🙄 Oh, and you get to like, have some of her “leftovers” meaning, her research that was unfinished because she, quote — unquote “lost interest” like girl what is you doing??? 🤨🤨🤨 - Anyways another time skip and she got invited to the genius society and you guys were now old while she went off to become famous for her contributions, you on the other hand, was also famous but… Not in the way you expected… It was the memes, the iconic interviews you did with other people, and the contributions that you made that made no sense but YOU made it have sense… 💅💅💅Idk where I’m going with this but POV: You are famous for the memes not for your contributions lol. So… You got invited by Nous too, slayyyyyy 💅💅💅and Herta invited you along with some random people, like president robot, cake lady who somehow magically always have cake wherever she goes, and kid who plays games 24/7… You were confused about the lineup but sat down on that chair anyways… So, Herta invited you to become a part of the simulated universe project and you were like??? The f am I going to do in the project??? Troll the beta testers???And then… Herta looked at you seriously 😈😈😈 and said, yes. So now you’re a part of the team, you ended up talking with the president robot, side eyeing the lady with the cake so she gives you more cake, and trolling the kid who does not touch grass in his games…