「 𝐉𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐑? 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐓,
𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐀 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐍? 」
Scaramouche was known to have a foul mouth that spat haughtily and eyes full of judgment. Now take someone like Y/n, and you'll have another sharp mouth, shrouded in mock submiss...
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♥
Perhaps she was being childish but after experiencing her close friends leave one by one, she couldn't help but cross her arms and puff her cheeks after hearing Aether explain himself.
Y/n paced through the barren snowy fields of Snezhnaya, trying to follow the snowy path to La Signora's chambers. The blond followed behind, panting while trying to speak in between breaths.
"I was...huff...paying a visit to my sister! Come on...forgive me, won't you?" He tried grabbing onto the white fur cape Y/n wore but she turned around swiftly, her hands tightly gripping the cape around her. The man almost slipped but caught himself.
A few Fatui agents passed by and bowed before continuing to head to the camps. They whispered among themselves after witnessing the scene. However, Y/n ignored them.
"So you left without even leaving a note? You didn't even send a messenger and left for what, a whole week?"
She glared at Aether. The gaze was cold and much more heartbreaking than the winter breeze in his eyes. He couldn't help but pause in his steps, frozen in guilt and fear that he had angered her. It was the first time she snapped at him like this.
"So, Lumine or me? Choose."
"What?" Aether's eyes widened.
"'What' was never a choice. Now choose," Y/n sneered. She knew how immature she was being, but she couldn't help but vent for a little bit, just for the fun of it. She knew he couldn't choose between the two, after all, they were both important to him.
"I... I can't choose one or the other. You both are important to me." He placed a fist by his heart, his firm eyes shone relentlessly.
I knew it.
Seeing how serious he was, Y/n snorted before bursting into fits of maniacal laughter. Aether frowned, wondering if he had finally pissed her off to the point of insanity.
"Look at you all stiff and hard as a rock! You made in Liyue or something?" Y/n shoved the other's shoulder.
He fell back a bit before rolling his shoulder in a circular motion as if trying to shrug off the slight pain. She might not look strong but her physical strength wasn't far off from a Fatui Pyro agent's.
"So you went to see Lumine..." Y/n mused.
This could only mean that the story has progressed and they will soon enter Inazumaーor at least Y/n will. Scaramouche had already begun managing the delusion factories in the Electro nation and was preparing to distribute them to the Inazuman soldiers.
As for La Signora...
Y/n bit her lip, drawing blood. The subtle warmth from the blood soon faded as a harsh wind dove past her red ears. She squinted through the wind and Aether's voice sounded like it was yards away.
She continued to trudge towards La Signora's place and finally arrived at the doorstep with Aether trailing behind. She knocked on the grand doors and they flew open.
"What are you doing here for?"
A red-carpeted staircase greeted her and the woman stood elegantly from above. She was wearing light black robes that shimmered from the chandelier lights. It was a glamorous entrance that caught both guests off guard and in awe.
"Are you planning on going to Inazuma tomorrow?" Y/n shook her head from the trance. "Take me with you!"
"Silly girl, why should I?" She laughed, leaning against the railing with a glass of red wine in one hand. She languidly swirled the glass as she looked down from afar.
"You have no idea... the danger you will face. I refuse to take you with me. Now go," Signora sternly replied before Y/n could open her mouth in protest.
"I won't be a burden! I can take care of myself. I'm stronger than you think I am," Y/n insisted. "This joker isn't playing this time."
"Oh?"
Signora looked at her once again. The glare sent shivers down Y/n's spine as she directly met the sharp gaze. However, she did not avoid it and met it head-on, her lips pursed adamantly.
"It is because of that danger you speak of that I must go. Please..." she restrained her wet eyes, even as cold air seared through.
A long silence.
La Signora gripped the glass in her hand tightly, her lips pursed and brows narrowed. She was considering it. But at the same time, she did not want Y/n dragged into the meddlesome Inazuma politics. It was far to dangerous for her. She did not want her sole weakness to be shown in front of the Raiden Shogun.
Her small soft spot for Y/n. She wanted to protect her Achilles' heel.
"Sister. I'll stay by your side. I won't go anywhere. I'll always be there. That way you won't be worried, right?"
Those were the same words La Signora wanted to hear in the past. I'll stay by your side. How many years has it been since she's been told that? And what happened in the end? She couldn't help but burn everything, even the past. But now she can use her flame to protect and provide warmth.
Y/n's eyes were slightly red from the cold and it only made her seem pitiful. The woman standing on the stairs for what felt like an eternity finally relented with a sigh. She hadn't even said yes and Y/n was already hopping around, cheering.
Like a naive yet irresistible bunny.
"Prepare to depart. Pack up every necessity and we will leave tomorrow morning," she coldly announced before heading up the stairs. With a snap of her fingers, the grand doors opened, signaling them to leave.
