I am stressed and not doing super well so I wanted angst, and for some reason I’m on a signora pipeline.. (resurrection when) have this. I haven’t proofread it, so who knows if it’s good or not. Enjoy anyway:]
Word count: 2k
Content: arlenora relationship, inazuma archon quest, angst
When Peruere was pardoned for her matricide and was granted the title of Harbinger, it was no other than Signora who approached the scrawny girl, barely 18. There was no denying the other Harbingers had their doubts as to why The Tsaritsa would bring someone like her into their ranks. A teen, an orphan, no doubt, given her clothes, with messy hair and pale skin, paler than what one might consider normal. Not only that, but the curse that permeated her entire being was now incredibly difficult to ignore. If Rosalyne was honest with herself, that is what drew her to Peruere. She could care less about her age, but something about those patterns trailing up her arms, her skin burned black as if her body was burning firewood, the fault of her not being able to completely control the blood fire that coursed through her veins with every beat of her heart. It reminded Rosalyne of herself, for she too had fire flowing through her she could barely control.
Perhaps it was the flames that drew the two of them together, or perhaps it was the similarities they saw between themselves. Either way, it seemed as if The Fair Lady allowed Peruere Arlecchino to grow out of her teens in the most peaceful way she was able to. They grew close (one might say almost too close) (the things they did in Signora’s home will never be spoken of, nights filled with tearful pleasure in an attempt to forget the grief and loneliness they both carried with them), and the other Harbingers turned a blind eye. ‘If anyone is able to deal with the insufferable personality of Rosalyne, let them’ is something Pierro once said.
When Arlecchino first showed Signora where she committed matricide, she spoke with no hint of emotion, and Signora followed behind quietly. Her eyes were drawn to the small pink bunny laid next to a patch of lumidouce bells on the far right corner, and Signora has never been a fool. She was dangerously aware that Arlecchino refused to look in that direction, and silently worried herself on what Arlecchino could do if she dared mention it. Alas, her worries melted away like her cryo melted the fire that threatened to swallow her whole when Arlecchino turned to face her, showing her the wing she had somehow acquired.
Signora, in turn, showed hers off as well, bragging that hers were superior, that despite Arlecchino being number 4, she was still better. Arlecchino knew she was only bragging so she wouldn’t notice the way Signora’s eyes were drawn to her, the way her fingers twitched with the urge to stroke that crimson wing Arlecchino had shown. Signora’s bragging earned only an exasperated sigh from Arlecchino, but it was the closest thing to laughter Arlecchino could get.
The first time Signora visited Arlecchino at the House of The Hearth, the responses were.. less than ideal. Her prideful attitude was something the children did not particularly enjoy, and Arlecchino watched silently from the shadows. Polite, as the children were, it did not stop them from making it obvious they had quickly developed a dislike for the lady, and Arlecchino found it hard to miss the way Signora’s lips twitched into a sad frown and the way her eyes became glassy. She had always wanted a child of her own with Rostam. When Arlecchino murmured that a lot of them enjoyed different sweets and trinkets, Signora only hummed in response, but later took that advice, always bearing gifts when she visited.
The children’s attention towards Signora quickly increased until she was always greeted by cheers and laughter and smiles. Superficial, though it was, Arlecchino said nothing to deter them, nor to tell Signora the truth. Arlecchino saw the way she looked on longingly, as if she wanted to adopt one of her own. The Fatui’s operations would never allow her to.
Arlecchino and Signora’s nights together continued, growing more frequent and more romantic with every wane and wax of the moon. Mumbles of praise and what could almost be considered declarations of love. Almost. When Signora told Arlecchino she was to travel to Inazuma, Arlecchino felt a deep sense of unease. Sure, both of them had travelled to different nations before, Arlecchino often having business in Fontaine, Signora taking the Gnoses in Mondstadt and Liyue. Inazuma was a different story, however. Islands far away, ruled by dangerous lightning with no way in or out of the nation, thanks to the Vision Hunt Decree.
They spent one last night together, unsure of how long Signora would be gone. When they laid next to each other afterwards, Signora traced the patterns decorating Arlecchino’s arms in silence. Red crosses stared into icy blue irises as Arlecchino spoke in such an uncharacteristically quiet tone. “Must you go? The children will miss you dearly.”
“I must. It shouldn’t take long, Peruere. I will come back. To the children, of course.” Came the reply. Still, it didn’t quell the unease that grew in the pit of Arlecchino’s stomach.
“Rosalyne, you must be careful. That nation.. it is not like the others. You cannot afford to be cocky and arrogant. It will be a horrible blow to the Fatui’s reputation.” A plea was hidden behind her words, ‘please, stay safe, I can’t lose you, too’.
They laid again in silence for a while, listening to each others breathing. Signora’s touch is white hot, followed by a small moment of ice cold. In the few moments her hands were cold, Arlecchino’s own hands warmed them. “Will you write? To tell me what the children are up to. To tell me what that repulsive ginger has gotten up to now.”
“He is not as bad as you think. He needs time,” she murmured, sighing softly before her charred hand cupped the woman’s face in front of her. The most gentle she could really get with her touch. “Yes, I will write. Bring home souvenirs for the children. Lynette, especially. She’s having a hard time.”
The weeks passed, and Arlecchino’s first correspondence reached Signora. Alone, she didn’t have to hide the way her eyes lit up and her lips lifted into a smile. Her slender fingers carefully opened the letter, and she handled it as carefully as she would a baby, as if she was scared it would disappear should she use too much force.
‘My Fair Lady,
How are you faring? I hope the thunder is not harming your eardrums too harshly. The children have many stories to tell and they would be quite displeased if you could not listen. In regards to the children, they seem to miss you. They ask me of your whereabouts and your estimated return. I, too, wonder this. Do you have any indication yet?
I have heard that the onigiri in Inazuma is delectable. It seems like it would be my perfect dish, plain, no seasoning. Will you bring some back for me? Do not dare to garnish it with chilli flakes, I have enough heat flowing through me.
With love regards,
Peruere.’
The reply came to the House of The Hearth a week later. Arlecchino thought it smelled like Signora’s perfume. She retreated to her office after initiating a game of Marelle between the children, her nail sliced through the top of the letter with ease, the one crimson red nail painted by Signora herself. Her eyes darted towards the window, making sure not a single person had their eyes on her before she brought the letter up to her nose, her lips quirking when she did indeed smell the perfume. She quickly stopped herself from smelling it for much longer, and she opted instead to actually read the letter.
‘Peruere,
It is fine. The thunder does not bother me, it is a fear tactic from the Archon who hides herself away behind a puppet. The Archon is such a coward she hides herself away in a different plane entirely. According to rumours, the gnosis isn’t even in the puppet's possession. I believe it may be in the possession of the flirty kitsune who often finds herself at the Narukami Shrine. I can see your face now as you read that, and it has me chuckling. No, my cursed Knave, I am not flirting with her. I have an inkling that she and the Archon have some sort of relationship. Isn’t it interesting what goes on in different nations?
I have picked up multiple trinkets for the children already, I know they’ll love them. As for you, I will not tamper with your rice and nori.
I have seen that pesky blonde traveller here. I am unsure as to how they have arrived here, it seems they are following the same path the Fatui is in terms of Gnosis collection. Do not fear, I will eradicate them if necessary.
Keep the children entertained for me.
I hope your dreams are not keeping you awake.
Rosalyn.’
The letters go back and forth for weeks, ‘I love you’s and ‘stay safe’s hidden between random gossip. One day, Signora stops responding. Arlecchino’s first thought is anger and confusion. Signora is fine and perfectly capable, so is she attempting to scare Arlecchino? Arlecchino’s letters increase in number, and grow shorter in length.
‘Fair Lady,
Where are you? You have not responded in weeks. Do not make the children worry.’
‘Signora,
It has been six weeks since your last letter. The children are asking for you. I do not know what to tell them. Respond when you can.’
‘Rosalyne,
Do not make me concerned. I have heard the traveller has gotten into a fight with the Archon herself. I do hope you stayed away from there, I assume you are not so foolish as to involve yourself in that.’
‘Rosalyne,
I am concerned. Respond.’
More time passes and one evening, Arlecchino is writing yet another letter. The children and the other Harbingers have noticed she is often writing nowadays, and when she isn’t, her thoughts are often occupying her attention more than anything else. Her pen glides across the paper, her fingers gripping the quill inhumanely hard. The children never inquired about Signora, but Arlecchino does not think Signora needs to know.
‘Rosa,
I implore you to respond. I am scared for you. I have not heard any more news from the nation of Inazuma other than that the Vision Hunt Decree has been lifted and that the Fatui have obtained the Gnosis. I assumed this means that you were able to return to me. Return to me, please. The children plead for updates about you. I plead for an update. When you return, I will be having a stern talk with you about how we once agreed to not disappear without telling the other. You have worried me sick for weeks now, and I find it unacceptable for you to do such a thing when you know how I so dearly lov—‘
The letter is cut off before she can finish when a lower ranking Fatui officer knocks on her office door and hands her a letter. He looks solemn, an odd air about him and the letter. He leaves when she snaps at him to go, and she wastes no time in opening the letter.
It does not smell like Rosalyne’s perfume, it smells like ashes. Arlecchino reads the letter with wide eyes and slightly trembling hands, an increasing anger growing inside of her like a match lighting her insides as she reads the news of Rosalyne’s untimely sacrifice. Her breath becomes heavy, and she has to swallow hard to stop herself from screaming.
Arlecchino does not cry in the days that come. She hides her feelings behind a stony mask so convincing that even Pierro avoids her for fear of angering her.
When they stand beside Rosalyne’s coffin, she argues with the others, something she so rarely does. The others are so taken aback to the point they do exactly as she says, and keep their mouths shut.
Only when the moth that lands on her coffin, the last remnants of her, burns out into ashes (just like her body, just like everything Peruere touches), does Peruere let a tear fall from her eye.
She swears she will do everything she can to avenge her, even if it means attempting resurrection one day, if all else fails. She keeps Signora’s fatui coat underneath her bed. It remains untouched, but not forgotten. She cannot bring herself to touch it and smell her perfume one last time.
When people no longer mention Rosalyne, the last part of Arlecchino’s warmth smoulders until it disappears completely.