After his third betrayal, he stumbles upon the one thing that would never deceive him. Not a god, not a human; a broken puppet, discarded just like him. Part 1. Extras.
"This land has no place for us, thus we will find it somewhere else."
You've found yourself behind Kunikuzushi once again with his arm extended as a barrier between you and the world he so desperately wants to protect you from.
It was an unconscious habit, second nature by now to him. Something that once conflicted you now became your normal.
Your light touch on the hand that hovers over his blade eased the rising tension in his shoulders, opting to instead wrap his digits around yours with a reassuring squeeze. Too reckless; that and you'd always been more patient when it comes to humans.
After refusing the coat, Kuni would slightly turn to you and adjust the veil to cover you better despite claiming just now that the cold doesn't affect you both.
"I know of a place that would be beneficial to you, the same place where this boat is heading," the stranger that helped you both turns his head to you. "But this one here..."
Despite the mask, there is an undeniable look of scrutiny underneath it that unconsciously forced you to hide your exposed limbs beneath the veil.
You almost missed the way he tilts his head slightly in deeper contemplation when Kunikuzushi suddenly pulled you close to his chest, an arm circling your back to grip at your forearm.
There was an emphasized growl when he speaks your name towards the Harbinger. He was correcting this all-powerful man, all so he addresses you by your new name instead of some object. "They're with me. You take both of us or none at all."
"Interesting." He seems preoccupied with something else. That doesn't seem to be in response to Kuni's words.
A shock like shiver courses through your body as your eyes narrowed at him.
"Very intriguing." You cannot trust this doctor.
Turns out you DO need a coat.
Here in the land furthest north the cool wind bites at those who are fragile, and out of the two of you, the frost bites through your cracks and restrains you stronger than the vines back in your homeland. Over your haori lies Scaramouche's harbinger coat.
Yet despite its thickness, trips outside to barren lands of snow is still risky. You sigh, at least mimic the action, who would have thought you'd miss sitting outside under the shade of sakura trees.
You also miss Kunikuzushi, who was now busy with tending to his work as a Fatui Harbinger.
Like how Snezhnaya hides away the sun, Kunikuzushi was only spoken behind closed doors.
Lord Harbinger or Lord Scaramouche is what he goes by now, titled by the gracious Cryo archon herself in welcome of you two. The benevolent Tsaritsa that accepted your presence as much as Kunikuzushi.
Before you spiral into madness at the thoughts of her soft gaze of recognition, huge and heavy steps easily took your notice.
Your fingers wraps protectively around the sakura bloom by instinct, harder to do so than before, before you turned your head to see Sandrone already looking at you.
"Waiting for someone?" Her smile is as demure as usual, but the tilt of her head betrays her true intrigue.
Sandrone and Dottore, you were quick to find out their interests in you and Kunikuzushi for the simple fact that you are living puppets. You've heard various warnings from Kuni to not be deceived by their invitations and coaxing, and to only engage when he's with you.
She at least made repairs and gave useful pointers when your body started acting up. Albeit, under the orders of the Tsaritsa.
The robot holding the Marionette suddenly shifts to retrieve something from its pocket, and soon the both of them make their way to stand in front of you. "I'm positive of the inconvenience that petal in your hand brings." Without fear, you also narrow your eyes at this Harbinger. "How curious, but I am only here to offer a simple solution."
From a silent command, the huge gauntlet of the robot unfurls to reveal a small empty vial attached to a necklace chain.
The gaze on you was searing and hawk-like as the Harbinger watched your ministrations, your stiff hands gently nudging the petal inside the vial before donning the necklace. It hangs just over your chest. Yet Sandrone, the Marionette, still can't seem to look away.
Out of all the Fatui Harbingers, it was Dottore, Sandrone, and occasionally Tartaglia that actually paid attention to you.
And it's that fact that Kunikuzushi explicitly warned you to stay away, or at least not be alone in their presence. More for the crazed ones who are mostly interested in your anatomy and mechanisms than anything else.
The only time you were even physically close to them were when you had to be fixed upon your first malfunction in the cold, and that was due to the benevolence of the Tsaritsa, any harm on you would have broken more than just your joints.
It was only when you covered the petal with your haori did Sandrone finally look away, still that gentle yet seemingly malicious smile on her face.
"Say, how long have you had that sakura bloom?"
A cough and a call of your name had you eagerly turn to Kuni - Scaramouche, his eyes wide before redirecting a glare towards his fellow Harbinger. "Let's go, we have places to be." And with a protective hand on your shoulder, you left the Palace.
The Balladeer consists of two lords.
This was a fact that only those that worked under Scaramouche knows and something that other Fatuus would look at them weirdly for. Was this some kind of gaslighting beaten into them after all the trauma they deal with daily for unfortunately working for the Balladeer?
But they are none the wiser, after all, Lord Scaramouche had always been so careful and secretive when it comes to you.
When you came to Snezhnaya, you never had a title for yourself other than your name and aged folklore that died with your departure. Your affiliation with the Fatui is also superficial, as your ties are only with Scaramouche. Your loyalty lies with Kunikuzushi, and Kunikuzushi's loyalty lies with your safety.
Arrangements followed suit and you had your own subordinates to mobilize even if you had no need for them.
The Balladeer's other lord is a blessing - a vacation. When the underlings rotate to switch from serving Scaramouche to being under your command, it was always a massive relief for them. After all, Lord Scaramouche is ruthless and you were low maintenance.
They felt more like retainers and bodyguards, looking out for you and fetching whatever you may need. The only time it felt like a job was when Scaramouche was visiting, or you wanted to be outside for a walk. You always loved to look around and the awe of the frozen wasteland had always been baffling for the locals who had long grown tired of the weather and wither.
The job only ends up badly when you turn up 'sick' after a walk outside in the cold. Despite their warnings, it would be them that gets punished by Scaramouche.
You may be patient, a blessing in the Fatui, but you are no means inherently good. After all, you value fairness above all. "Please, my lord, don't send us back to Lord Scaramouche." One of the new recruits practically begged by your feet.
Everyone else were too late to prevent him, not when you stopped writing in your journal to look down at the kneeling recruit. "But we've always had this rotation set up ever since?" The softness of your voice, devoid of edge, must have urged the confidence of the soldier.
"You must understand, Lord Scaramouche had always been ruthless! I would rather serve you forever, you have my utmost loyalty, Lord -"
"Don't." The fatui soldier shuddered at your harsh gaze looking down at him, shakily forcing him to remove his hold on the end of your veil. "You wish to receive a different treatment? What about the poor soul who's supposed to switch with you? Are you fine with them staying in Kuni's command permanently so you could stay here?"
Turning back to your table, you refused to continue your writing as you gripped at your kimono, expression only visible to the masked-desperate soldier.
The coldness in the room bites with the addition of electricity. "Selfish... Selfish humans..." And you closed your eyes, refusing to acknowledge anything else.
Never had any soldier sighed in relief at the arrival of the Balladeer, but just this once, when he finally visited your quarters did the unnerved subordinates finally had a semblance of sanity after being subjected to silence so damning. No one had told them what to do when you went into this state after all - sitting stock still, unmoving, without a breath or a single word out of you no matter what they do.
The feeling of Kunikuzushi's hand adjusting your slipping veil finally roused you from your stasis, turning your head to look back at his thinly veiled worried gaze. "Kuni."
"I'm here." His eyes flickered to look at the fatui soldiers standing by. "Your henchmen reported you acting... Differently, are you feeling okay? Do you need check up again?"
This would go down in history as one of the events that the Fatui soldiers would never believe. Even as witness, the sight still felt like a fever dream from the harsh cold of the region.
The rarest sight of them all. Of their very own Lord Scaramouche speaking in such softness and gentleness only a mother to their child could mimic, matched with a worried gaze that looked so foreign and unwelcomed to his usually glared eyes. And that foreign name not even the most trusted soldier under his command is privy to.
So easy to fall behind just for you.
"Then let's walk, I have time." Urging you to stand, the harbinger himself took your (his) coat from the chair to drape over your shoulders. A second of silence passed before he suddenly pulled his hat down to hide your faces from the soldiers.
Incoherent whispers that had everyone intrigued, but when he leaned away, a smile on your face was revealed.
The walk was pleasant for everyone.
Scaramouche could see it in the slight purse of your lips and the furrow of your brows, that even your vow to silence, he knows you still do not have it in you to be as disconnected as him.
No matter the betrayals, their discrimination, their capability to harm - you still find it in you to sympathize with humans. You only stayed silent as it was an order.
But he couldn't leave you there, vulnerable in the presence of other Harbingers, and so you find yourself stepping foot on the very soil you've left behind years ago. It was a different experience in comparison to your trip to Mondstadt when he was investment the meteor shower.
Scaramouche had to take care of the delivery of the delusions first, and with the small freedom you had before you explore the current Inazuma once he was done, your feet carried you to a familiar sight. The calming sight of pink rain and the soothing scent of said blooms.
You miss the freedom you had wandering the lands of Inazuma, before the Tsaritsa swept him away. Despite still seeing each other almost daily, his duty had kept him from the same routine, the same freedom. And for what? To take the gnosis from the Raiden Shogun to match her power?
You had every right to be skeptical the moment he became clear of his intentions simply because you knew him. Better than anyone. Perhaps better than himself.
The puppet you knew, of Kunikuzushi, never once strived for power. From the stories of the humans he met, even if vile, not once did it cross your mind that he would turn out to be this way.
He's lonely, hurt, betrayed.
You feel the same way, but how would the electro gnosis fix that? The idea of godhood only brought him pain, would this really be the right course of action for him?
And what about you... What's your purpose in this world?
Ambitions... Your hand reaches out towards the Sacred Sakura as if it felt natural, one of its petals whisked away from the tree to slowly descend in front of you. Would keeping it safe be enough to be called an ambition? Is... Staying by his side enough of a purpose?
"To think that there would be more than one of you. More so, stepping foot in my shrine."
The feeling of an object lightly tapping on the back of your head had you distracted, the petal falling past your awaiting hand.
"I suppose I sha'nt make the same mistakes. Close your eyes now, little one."
A beautiful flash of purple and violets shrouded your vision.
Scaramouche is in a good mood - was in a good mood - before he arrived back in the Fatui hideout to look for you. He had gotten what he wanted, and with all his goals achieved, there was no reason to stay with this wretched organization that only sought to test his patience.
Yet he was greeted not by his companion but of tight-lipped subordinates who cannot speak even if he beats it out of their system.
It was only when a soldier he vaguely remembers to be under your command rushed in did he finally get his answer.
"My lord, we are in dire need of your assistance." The sourness of his expression becomes apparent, but the soldier persists in desperation. "It has happened again - an accident occurred with the other lord."
The sky overhead was as gloomy as the day he was discarded.
Yet despite the carnage of blood and bodies laying around, Kunikuzushi was fearless on approaching the familiar form with your back turned towards him. Not even the thunder and lightning would keep him away from you.
"(Y/N)." The discarded veil in his hand is frayed and scorched on the edges. "I'm here."
Without a word, the turbulent weather ceased its anger, leaving behind a deafening silence. Even as you slowly turned it was soundless.
Only when he dropped to his knees did the illusion of peace shattered.
"What..." Kunikuzushi's hands shook on its way to cradle your cheeks. "What have they done to you?"
He does not realize his tears, not when his thumb gingerly stroked at the lightning marks that burned your skin. It was still warm. It was warm anywhere he touched.
Yet this warmth brought him no comfort whatsoever.
Nothing is more insulting than to be this fragile, to be this desperate, to stoop so low, to back down on his very words to enlist the help of a human.
But he was his only hope, even if he so desperately wants to destroy him right here right now with just his glare. The effort would not be worth it - this isn't the real one, after all.
Dottore is at least a wise man to not say a word about this predicament. In his head, he scolds himself for not seeing this approach sooner.
No matter, he is getting what he wants either way.
Scaramouche falling into his hand with a simple promise was already a guaranteed success. But for the arrogant puppet to offer his most prized possession so easily? He has guaranteed at least one win on this trip.
"It seems you have been preoccupied during your absence, and this is what I see of you after escaping surveillance." Nevermind, he simply could not hold his tongue.
After making sure you're sat properly on the operating table, Dottore's segment took a step to the side to escape a bolt meant to strike him, instead hitting a Fatui Skirmisher. It would be no surprised if he was dead on the spot.
"I agreed to collaborate with you -" even if he was to benefit from it all, Dottore rolled his eyes in his mind. "And I can easily revoke my decision if you dare overstep, mortal."
"I am merely stating a fact, but know that this opportunity is indeed too great to be lost. I will take good care of them."
Scaramouche does not hide the way he rolled his eyes before turning to you, eyes immediately softening to provide assurance. So long as he lives, you would be safe, he assured you.
Removing the veil and folding the fan finally gave the doctor the full detail of the damage he's agreed to fix.
He can see now why the ever so prideful harbinger would come to him for help. The second had only ever admired you from afar due to the obvious hostility of the lord harbinger, but even now in your most vulnerable, there is still an eerie ethereal aura around you.
Lichtenberg figures - the scar runs along your face and reaches deeper, continuing under your robes and layers. It was akin to burned branches decorating your already deteriorating skin, flaking from time and damages.
Like a porcelain filled with cracks, ready to fall apart.
Sandrone would kill him for having this opportunity first.
As Scaramouche carefully lays you down to rest, you can't help but keep your eyes on his. When had he last been so unguarded with his emotions that you can easily see through them? The guilt, the anxiety, the despair - all laid bare for you to see.
In your fatigue you managed to take his hand, hand in crumbling hand, he lands a kiss on the back of your hand. Like a silent promise.
"I will be here when you wake up," Scaramouche gently caressed your flaking hand. "In a perfect form you've always deserved."
On your way to sleep, you cannot help but let the endearing thought occupy your thoughts: he seemed more hesitant to let go of your hand than you to his.
Your dreams were pleasant because of it.
"They have fallen into a deep sleep." The soon-to-be god gently settled your hand on the table. "I will uphold my end of our arrangement, so long as you do yours."
"Tch." Taking out the electro gnosis from under his kimono, he wasted no time placing it on the doctor's awaiting palm. "Here."
"And the second agreement."
And in here he hesitates, sending one last look on your form and one last glare to Dottore. "If I find out you've done something, I will end you myself." He spits with venom combined from eons of mistrust, before slamming the metal door on his way out.
Alone in this section of the factory, Dottore can't help but indulge in a triumphant laugh for a second as he rolls the chess piece in between his gloved fingers. It crackles to life as he walks closer to where the other puppet rests.
"Finally, I have found my answers." Holding it at its crown, Dottore slowly places the gnosis down next to your head. "Aren't you so fascinating? You've disproven all my theories, and yet I am not at all disappointed."
To think that a prototype had long overshadowed your light...
Waking up felt like leaving a warm embrace under the bittersweet accompaniment of a shedding cherry blossom tree, fallen leaves each rousing you to the path of consciousness with the softest of touches.
You leave your dream with the image of a smile, and wake up to one as you finally focused your vision.
"I'm here." Scaramouche stepped back when you quickly slid off the table, following closely as you made your way to the large mirror on the other side of the room. "It seems the operation was a success."
Success? "But - this is - " You touched the lines on your face. What modifications were you expecting beforehand? A new body? A new skin? You didn't expect it to be -
"Kintsugi." Scaramouche's hands slowly coaxed your hands off your face to show the golden lines clearly. You soon realize that your skin had been renewed to remove the flaking state, and the joints that were damaged were fixed. But there were no other changes, significant changes.
"I don't understand, the perfect form -"
His hand traced the branches of gold so lovingly, tenderly, with eyes of serenity you had never seen before. "You are already in your perfect form since the day I met you." The veil, trimmed to remove the damage from before, once again lays on your head. "There is no need to change you."
Watching yourself pull the veil close to your face, you can't help but admire how well the gold matches with the transparent purple.
To be looked at with such adoration from a beautiful doll like him.
"And once I become a god, I will create a perfect world for you too, one that you deserve and deserves you."
You close your eyes as he cradled your cheeks of beautiful scars.
"With this as my proof, I will walk this new life in my own terms." The Traveler does not miss the melancholic smile the Wanderer dons as he cradles the vision by his chest, even when he desperately tries to hide it under the shade of his hat. "For the both of us."
"Both of us?"
"Yes, I -" Locking eyes with the Traveler, his hopeful gaze from earlier dissipates to that of indifference. "Have you seen (Y/N)?"
"Huh? We've never heard of that name before." Paimon interjects, prying for clues on the image of this mystery person. "Paimon doesn't think we've seen anyone like that, even back in the port when we were with Dehya."
"Buer." Turning to the God of Wisdom, there was a sadness in her eyes that had only manifested now.
"I have the answers you seek, but... it may not be the answers you want." When his gaze doesn't waver, the dendro archon continues. "After negotiating with the doctor after the Traveler passed out..."
"While it is unfortunate that I was unable to see the results of this experiment, it at least gave way to another, more promising one." Lesser Lord Kusanali watched in apprehension and curiosity as the harbinger emerged from behind a pillar in the sanctuary, an unmoving form in his arms.
At that time, the dendro archon had no knowledge in her disposal to understand the direness in the situation, or the implications underlying it. All that she knew is that this was non-negotiable.
Even if she had the strength to fight, there was a possessiveness to the doctor that screams to her. This one, this puppet in his hands, is something he would not let go with simple bargains.
"Not only have you provided me with the gnoses, but you have removed the greatest obstacle to my newest magnum opus."
"This, is the only thing that was left behind." Placing the object she had cradled in her tiny hands on the Wanderer's palm, a familiar vial greets the puppet. "I'm sorry."
A necklace with a glass pendant. Inside lies a wilted petal that once shone a beautiful shade of pink.
Strong gale swirls around them as the Wanderer laughs, the glass exploding into shattered remains in his palm as he does so. "So this was your plan all along, Dottore? First, you take away my gnosis. And then..."
The edge on his voice makes the Traveler step back. But speechless when he raised his head to glare at the sky, his hat uncovering the hateful tears streaming down his cheeks. "You take away the only one that ever mattered to me. That vile, filthy -"
You must be so scared.
Clutching his vision close to his chest, the faint hum in the rhythm of a gentle heartbeat does not console him anymore.
Thank you for reading Kintsugi! This is the ending, folks! However I will be publishing another piece for this of all the different scenarios that got scrapped as well as in-depth explanation of the elements of this story. There were a lot of things changed and removed here in comparison to the original concept, and I will share them next time, but I hope you still enjoyed this one!
"Trattieni il fiato" mi dico. "Un altro po', solo un altro po' ". E così passi una vita intera in apnea. Nel tentativo disperato di non sentire le cose brutte, le ansie e le paure, finisci per non sentire e non vivere nemmeno le cose belle.
zoe
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