Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Never trust a forecast," they often said in Snezhnaya, which used to genuinely puzzle Pantalone. How can you not trust forecasts when the weather outside is consistently cold—yesterday, the day before, today, and tomorrow?

However, the longer he lived in Snezhnaya, the clearer the reasons for such mistrust became. The cold was never the same. Sometimes the cold was gentle and dry, almost picturesque. And sometimes an icy wind would blow in your face, and a damp frost would rise from the ground—both so fierce it felt like your bones were literally freezing from the inside out.

"Never trust a forecast," he himself started saying now and again whenever the townspeople were promised a clear day but ended up with the sky once again covered with gloomy gray clouds.

It appears he has become a true northerner.

"We're well within the budget, my boy," Pulcinella said contentedly after solemnly declaring the holiday fair open. "And considering that this year's budget was significantly cut due to a large amount of mora sent to Nod-Krai, I consider it a real success."

"I agree. Everything turned out just great," Pantalone said, smiling as he looked around the square. "I can feel it in the air. It’s the perfect time to forget all the troubles and enjoy the nice weather. Never trust a forecast, but this time it turned out to be surprisingly accurate."

"Yes, even nature itself is on our side today. So we're doing everything right."

"I never doubted it."

"Get some rest while you can. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go. I'm waiting for an important message from Her Majesty."

Pantalone watched him disappear behind the brightly decorated stage, where a local band was performing. Today, even the music seemed more light and cheerful than usual—and probably for the first time in a while, Pantalone actually felt relaxed. All the most important things were done, everything was under control. His health was great, too. Even Dottore, for whom this month was full of stresses and problems, finally regained his weight and got rid of the terrible dark circles under his eyes. Life was finally back to normal.

Pantalone lazily looked up at the sky and felt a light gust of wind on his cheeks. A pleasant, clear, sunny day. It seemed that nothing bad could possibly happen on such a nice day. That everything would be as good as it could be, and...

"This fucking sucks!" A familiar voice pulled him out of his thoughts, and Pantalone sighed.

"What happened?"

"The usual shit!"

"What usual shit?" Pantalone took a closer look at the face covered by the mask: Dottore's lips were bent in displeasure, and a small dark spot was visible on his cheek. His white clothes smelled strongly of metal and something burning—it seemed that he had been working with electronics before coming here. "Did something explode again?"

"I was sitting calmly, trying to rebuild the core of a gravity distortion machine that was given to me from the ruins of one of the flooded branches of the Fontaine Research Facility. The problem is, it only generates waves that…"

"Zandik."

"Oh, yeah. Anyway, that's when I received new information from Nod-Krai. In short, the initial stages of the project are being delayed due to a shortage of the necessary materials."

"A shortage?" Pantalone frowned. "I thought we had taken everything into account. You spent several nights in a row hypnotizing those papers instead of... well, I thought everything would be okay!"

"I fucking thought so too!" Dottore cussed and scratched his cheek, smearing the stain even more. "But it turns out we hadn't taken into account the things we thought we had. Soon we'll have to go to Nod-Krai in person, and the most important parts of the job aren't ready yet!"

Pantalone sighed, took a handkerchief out of his pocket and carefully wiped the stain off Dottore’s face. "Well, what can you do? I'll allocate separate funding for this. We're not in a position to cancel or adjust plans."

"It's not just the money, although that's part of it. The thing is, some materials are impossible to get either here or on the way to Nod-Krai. Almost all my people are currently involved in preparations, and we can't afford to trust strangers. Too much is at stake!"

Pantalone looked thoughtfully at the bank building, which could be seen modestly standing behind the stage and colorful tents.

"I don't have anyone to offer you right now either. Although Liyue may have some free hands, it's the largest branch of our Bank. And I have a network in Fontaine. Would you like me to send a request there?"

Dottore pursed his lips.

"That wouldn't help me. Your men won't be able to check the contents of the shipments anyway."

"Why not? My men aren't stupid."

"I’m sure they’re not. But, if I told you that I needed third-generation elemental energy beta transmitters in Fontaine, would your men be able to distinguish them from second-generation transmitters?"

"What kind of transmitters?.."

"See? And that difference is crucial to the case."

Pantalone remained silent. Dottore crossed his arms and muttered. "I knew I should have invested in new segments, I wouldn't have this problem now. I've got one left, but we can't rely on him, he's completely useless."

Pantalone stared at Dottore.

"You didn't mention you had a functioning segment left!"

"Might as well not have one at all," he snorted. "You could grow old waiting for him to do the simplest things, and he'd still screw up. A total mistake."

"Where is he now?"

"I don't give a damn. I used to send him to Mondstadt, but where he is now is another matter. Pfft... we'll have to figure something out with these materials quickly, we can't afford to waste any more time. It's already time to proceed to the next stage, and we haven’t even completed the preparations."

Pantalone cast a distracted glance at his watch.

"We'll figure something out today. Some solution must surely be found, the situation can not be hopeless."

There was a cheerful toast from outside, followed by shouts of approval. They looked in that direction at the same time.

"I've always hated events like this," Dottore said, pursing his lips. "Usually it’s just an excuse to get drunk. I hate alcohol, it turns people into idiots."

"Is drinking on holidays a thing in Sumeru, too?"

"What did you think? People are the same everywhere."

Pantalone looked at the crowd walking around. Everyone was having fun, eating treats and drinking various beverages. Even in the daylight, the colorful lanterns reflected in the snow and in frozen puddles. He involuntarily remembered walking around Liyue Harbor during the Lantern Rite Festival as a child. Memories of festivals was probably the only thing that didn't make him feel sad and angry; his other memories were only of pain, loss, and hopeless, depressing poverty.

"People are the same everywhere," he repeated and looked at Dottore. Many years had passed since their childhood, and many of their memories were equally painful. He had no mora to his name, and often had to steal or swindle for necessities and even food. Dottore had faced loneliness, aggression and hatred towards himself since early childhood, and his life was by no means wealthy either. Quite the opposite.

Pantalone looked at the festive lights again. There was no changing the past, but now they had a lot of mora, a lot of opportunities, a lot of privileges. But most importantly, they had each other.

His nose caught a sweet smell coming from somewhere, and Pantalone smiled. "Your weight is finally back to normal, but I still think we should take a moment to build on it. You could use a few extra pounds."

"Why though? I'm not gonna fit into my clothes at this rate."

"What if I like it when you're a little heavier?"

Dottore grinned and already opened his mouth to say something, when the even hum of the square was suddenly disrupted by a shriek that made Pantalone flinch.

"No way, bro!"

He and Dottore turned around sharply, and Pantalone felt his face involuntarily lengthen.

"What the…"

A familiar pink ball with a cowlick was flying across the square, deftly avoiding everyone in its path. It was followed by a whole crowd: Ifa and Ororon were in the lead, followed by some guy in an apron, and Capitano, who was walking more calmly, closed the procession.

"Cacucu!"

"Bro, stop!"

"You have to pay!" the man shouted in desperation, trying to grab Ororon by the cloak.

Dottore lifted his mask and stared at the scene with interest.

"Curious."

"What's in his beak?" Pantalone squinted.

"Nothing less than a gem, considering all the fuss."

Meanwhile, the men continued to yell.

"Stop that... thing!"

"Cacucu!"

"Bro, what the hell! You can't do that!"

At one point, Cacucu seemed to be completely exhausted, because he hit one of the stalls, fell right in the middle of the road, and began to greedily devour what he had in his beak.

"It's a pancake," Pantalone couldn't believe his eyes.

Pushing people aside, Ifa finally managed to catch up to Cacucu.

"What the hell is this?! Bro, that's not cool! I'm so sorry," he said, looking at the panting man and then back at Cacucu, who had several food stains on his face but no shame. "You ate just a very short while ago. What's with this attitude?!"

"I need... money," the man said, stammering. "Who's gonna pay for that?! I sure won't!"

After another bite, it finally became clear why the vendor was in such a panic to chase after the Qucusaurus: after his beak finally tore through the soft shell, the inside of the pancake turned out to be filled with very expensive delicacies. Cacucu is a gourmet, as it appears.

"How much?" Ifa sighed and reached for his wallet.

"Ten thousand."

"How much?!"

"Put the treats for this saurian and his companions on me," Pantalone intervened. "Submit your request and the Bank will refund you at the end of the festivities."

"Alright," the vendor finally calmed down, threw another disgruntled look at Cacucu, then turned and walked back.

"Banker Gramp!" Ororon exclaimed, grabbing him with all his might. "You're alive!"

Pantalone tried to free himself from the guy's iron grip, but it was not that easy.

"Wait… you know too?"

Ororon ignored his question and turned straight to Dottore.

"Doctor Gramp! How's your drinking problem? You haven't puked on Banker Gramp anymore, have you?"

Even under the mask it was clear that Dottore's expression changed so dramatically it looked like he was fighting the urge to throw Ororon into the slow-moving canal. The square also fell silent at once: it seemed that the sight of the Fatui harbingers being hugged by the foreign pancake thieves was far more interesting than the games and contests.

"I have no drinking problem," said Dottore and pushed him away. "And get off me."

"I know it's a hard thing to admit. But I'm sure you'll be fine; you can handle it. Capitano told me about one of his subordinates who got too friendly with alcohol, and…"

"I have no drinking problem!" Dottore snapped at him more angrily, but Ororon didn't seem to be so easily persuaded.

"Granny Citlali doesn't like being told about her drinking problem either. But when her hand reaches for the bottle, I…"

"Ororon," Capitano finally spoke up. "Don't torture the Doctor, he doesn't have a drinking problem. It was only once that he got so drunk he hallucinated and threw up on Regrator."

"Fuck, why can't either of you keep your mouths shut…"

Pantalone snorted.

"Good to see you again, Capitano. I take it you've decided to invite some guests to Snezhnaya?"

Meanwhile, Cacucu muttered something contentedly, jumped up, and promptly flew back towards the stalls again. Ororon and Ifa glanced at each other and hurried to follow him.

"I was called here on a matter of business, and both Ororon and Ifa wished to keep me company. Tell me, Regrator, is it true what they say about an attack on you?"

Pantalone grinned wryly.

"Partially true, yes. And what kind of rumors have reached Natlan?"

"That there are big changes at the Northland Bank. In fact, that's one of the reasons why Ororon, Ifa and Cacucu came with me—they wanted to make sure you were all right."

Dottore crossed his arms over his chest.

"Your new friends are surprisingly friendly with us. But do they know what kind of monsters they're worried about?"

"They see you as their bros, Dottore."

"Have you not tried to warn them?"

"These young men are very smart, they are capable of drawing their own conclusions and making their own decisions. Besides, I believe that you and Regrator will not harm them."

Dottore took off his mask and looked at Capitano carefully.

"We've never been friends. So why the magnanimity?"

"Magnanimity has nothing to do with it. It is true that our paths do not cross often, and we prefer different methods in our work. But in Natlan, I saw the real you for the first time, and that is something I can respect. Even when the situation itself... does not favor respect."

A look of utter embarrassment appeared on Dottore's face, and he pulled his mask back. Pantalone chuckled—it seemed he vividly remembered getting drunk and talking to nonexistent people while holding a bottle.

"And what kind of business brought you back to Snezhnaya?" Pantalone decided to change the subject.

"A lot of things happened after you two left Natlan. But I prefer to remain silent on the details for the time being, because it was ordered from on high. And I must admit, my memory cannot quite put the whole picture together either. All I can say for now is that I have finally solved a problem that I had not been able to solve for many years, and now I am extremely relieved."

Pantalone looked at Capitano with interest. Judging by the tension in his posture, even if he had resolved some problem, he had certainly not yet managed to relax truly. Moreover, even back in Natlan, he had looked far more relaxed than he did now. Could it be that the long journey had worn him out so badly? It was unlikely, though, that a tough warrior like Capitano could be so exhausted from a journey, however long it was. Could it be something else?

"If you don't hurry, there won't be anything left," Ororon said as he walked over to them and grabbed Capitano's forearm. "Cacucu is already eating his sixth pancake, and he doesn't plan to stop."

Pantalone sighed in defeat. The little round saurian's gluttony was going to cost him a fortune.

"Ororon, I think there are more than six pancakes in Snezhnaya." Capitano remarked.

“Unfortunately,” Pantalone added mentally.

"Gramps, what are you waiting for? C'mon, let's go!"

Ororon pulled Capitano along, while the two of them stayed where they were.

"I'd rather shoot myself than go out with them," Dottore grumbled, turning in the opposite direction. "Let's get the hell out of here. I need a…"

"A drink? Isn't that what you meant to say, alcoholic gramp?”

Dottore groaned, "Fuck you. I hate you." He walked swiftly in the opposite direction of the festival, then stopped and asked, "Are you coming or not?"

Pantalone giggled and followed him, but then couldn't help looking back. Something interesting caught his eye: as Capitano walked beside Ororon, his gait indeed seemed a little more relaxed than usual.

Pantalone smiled. So even black ice can be melted after all?

***

Dottore wholeheartedly despised holidays. Or rather, people, who did strange things, said strange words, and acted strangely in general under the pretext of holidays.

Although some people didn't even need holidays to act strangely.

"I'm still amazed that something can grow in this frost," Ororon pondered, twirling a potato in his hands. "This root vegetable is impressive."

"Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen anything like it either," Ifa appreciated the vegetable too. "With a little more time, this potato would be the size of Cacucu."

"When we get back, I'll try planting this kind of potato in Natlan."

"You think it will grow exactly the same size?"

"Actually, there may be some kind of trick here. Doctor Gramp! Will this variety grow to be just as big in my garden in Natlan?"

Dottore closed his eyes and counted to three. A few times.

"I haven't done any research on potatoes growing in different climates yet," he said coldly. "But when I do, I'll let you know."

"Great, I'll be waiting. And when will the results be ready?"

Capitano looked at Ororon.

"Ororon, I don't think the Doctor's going to research the potatoes."

"Ahh," Ororon said. "Was that said sarcastically, then? I don't get that sort of thing right away. Doctor Gramp himself behaves like a potato sometimes."

Dottore could not resist and also looked at the guy carefully. "Why?"

"Potato skins are usually peeled off because they are not tasty. They have eyes in them, and sometimes they're even poisonous. It's just like you, Doctor Gramp. I'm sure there's a white part underneath the nasty peel that could make a delicious potato salad."

"Pfft."

"Although some people prefer to eat potatoes with the peel on despite the disgusting taste, and even claim that it's good for them," Ororon continued to ponder. "Banker Gramp is clearly one of those people. Even though it might not be healthy in some cases."

"Not healthy, bro!" Cacucu agreed. He sat exhaustedly on the tabletop, clearly having trouble flying after the amount of food that had disappeared in his beak earlier. "Not healthy!"

Dottore put his hands on his temples.

"Remind me, what are you even doing here?"

Tonight, the Bank's lobby was quieter than ever: despite the fact that some of the employees had to take care of business on holidays, there were no customers to be seen today. It was already getting dark: a few employees yawned longingly in the reception area, dreaming of the end of the workday. A small group of security guards stood at the door, looking with sadness at the bright lights and noisy festivities in the nearby square. Only the five of them — Dottore, Capitano, Ororon, Ifa, and Cacucu were in the far corner of the hall, giving the illusion of at least some activity.

"I've been told that Pulcinella has an urgent order for me from the Tsaritsa, and he's in the Regrator's office right now," Capitano explained. "That's the reason I'm here."

"You're the least of my concerns," Dottore gritted his teeth. "But actually, I'm here for the same reason. Pfft, I wonder what happened."

There was a distant noise of footsteps, and they looked up at the stairs at the same time, where two figures appeared—one tall, clad in black, the other short in a suit with a hat. They were talking quietly, slowly approaching them. At some point ears were finally able to pick up their conversation.

"So the next time we’ll meet in Nod-Krai. It's a very important matter, and it's not something you can postpone—I think you understand that very well yourself."

Is Pulcinella already going to Nod-Krai?

"Of course I understand. And yet I don't know how to organize it. I have so much to do, I can't just jump into other matters. Some of the issues are already delayed because I've had... health issues."

So Pulcinella wants to dump some of his responsibilities on Pantalone. How inconvenient.

"Everyone understands that. But at the same time, you must realize that there are more important matters at hand. Especially since it was Tsaritsa's personal order, no one has the right to question it, my boy. We're all in this together."

Pantalone immediately pulled on one of his signature smiles.

"Of course. We'll be heading out soon."

‘We’...?

"Capitano, Dottore." Pulcinella shifted his gaze towards them and immediately noticed the unfamiliar faces. "Oh, and young men in foreign clothes. Are these your Natlan subordinates, Capitano?"

"No way, bro!"

"Oh-ho-ho, such a cute bird," he smiled contentedly and began tugging the Qucusaurus' cheek. "What a chubby little fella."

"For real, now?!"

"They're not Fatui, but I trust them like one of us," Capitano replied. "Ororon is a hero of Natlan, he has helped me and my people in times of need. Ifa is a very talented vet, who you can easily trust with your own health. Cacucu is his assistant."

"Oh, wow, bro!" 

Pulcinella released Cacucu and folded his arms on his chest politely.

"Nice to meet you, gentlemen. They call me Pulcinella, I'm the mayor of this town. I'm very pleased to have foreign guests and I wish you to enjoy the festivities to the fullest. However, I'm afraid we need to speak privately now. And this is not up for discussion."

"Of course." Ifa turned to leave first, grabbed Ororon by his cloak, and pulled him along. "Cacucu, let's go!"

Cacucu grumbled and flapped his wings. The amount of food he had eaten made it difficult for him to get off the tabletop the first time. On the second try, however, he managed it and staggered after the others.

They watched in silence as Ororon, Ifa, and Cacucu left the Bank. And when the door finally closed behind them, Pulcinella shifted his gaze back to Capitano.

"What do they know?"

"They don't know anything they're not supposed to know."

"How much do you trust these young men?"

Capitano answered firmly, "I would trust them with my own life."

"And I will trust your judgment," Pulcinella replied. "But remember your responsibility. No one should know what they're not supposed to. Not everyone from the Fatui can be informed of our inner workings, let alone outsiders."

"Of course. I won't let them in on the details of our plans for their own safety."

"I'm counting on you."

"Is something the matter?" Dottore interrupted their exchange of pleasantries irritably, and Pulcinella looked at him.

"As always you want to get straight to the point, Dottore. Very well, then, let's get to it. The three of you will have a lot more to do now."

Dottore looked at him intently.

"What do you mean?"

"Her Majesty the Tsaritsa has received the latest information from Nod-Krai. There is a critical shortage of materials vital to the project. I assume you are already aware of this as well, Dottore?"

He pursed his lips.

"Yes."

"So the preparations did not go well enough. You made a mistake, Dottore. And mistakes must be fixed."

Dottore felt like he was about to boil over. Does this runt even know how much information he had to work with? Why the hell is he scolding him now?!

"I don't think I—"

"Mistakes must be fixed," Pantalone interrupted him, and Dottore felt his hand on his back. "That is what we shall do. The Tsaritsa's personal orders must be obeyed, am I right?"

Dottore inhaled and exhaled deeply. The level of irritation had managed to lower slightly, and in the end he simply fell silent.

"That's right, my boy. The Tsaritsa's personal orders must be obeyed. And according to this very order, the Fatui harbingers in the person of Capitano, Pantalone and Dottore are sent as soon as possible to get the missing materials for the project around the countries of Teyvat, with further relocation to Nod-Krai. The lab's planned research, the Bank's business, the work in Natlan – everything is put on hold until the more important work is done. In fact, that's why we're here today, so I won't keep you any longer. I will only remind you once again that it is better to leave within the next few days, because, as they say, delay is tantamount to death. Have a good evening."

They watched in silence as he left the Bank's premises. 

"What the fuck," Dottore muttered. "I've worked out this whole project myself down to the smallest detail, and now I'm the guilty one."

"I guess the materials issue was resolved without our participation," Pantalone sighed and looked around the hall. "I don't like it either, but we have no choice. I'll just have to spend the next day finishing at least the most urgent issues. Then we can go."

"I never thought I'd come back here for another journey," Capitano said. "I suppose, I should let Ororon and Ifa know that we're going our separate ways from now on."

The doors burst open again, and the familiar Natlan bunch burst into the Bank.

"Are you done? The dude in the hat came out, we thought we'd invite you to the square."

"To the square, bro!"

"Listen, there's been a change of plans. We have to…"

Dottore put his hands on his temples while Capitano explained to his Natlan bros what had happened. His head was starting to buzz unpleasantly—he'd probably need to take some painkillers. It would take a sober head to quickly get some lab work done. And...

"So we're going on a journey? Cool, man!" Ifa's cheerful voice broke into his thoughts.

"If you're going anywhere, it's back to Natlan," Dottore said. "Fatui business has nothing to do with you."

"Gramps, we're going with you. You may need some extra hands, won't you?"

"We don't need your help, don't even think about it."

But then Ororon came at him so sharply and squeezed his shoulders with such force that Dottore jerked and immediately felt the mask begin to slip from his face. It was only a second before it fell to the floor with a clatter.

"Our bros' business is our business," Ororon said firmly, looking straight into his eyes. It was so uncomfortably close that Dottore felt goosebumps run down his skin. "We’ll go with you."

"Yeah, bro, yeah!" Cacucu shouted. "Pancake, pancake!"

"Let's go eat something," Ifa suggested. "And then we'll discuss when we'll set off. We need to prepare and double-check everything. Speaking of pancakes, we should probably get some of those sweet ones sold by the bakery around the corner for the road. And..."

Dottore and Pantalone sighed at the same time, and Capitano remained silent. It seemed they’d need to change tactics and leave Snezhnaya without those two and their voracious saurian noticing anything.

Because traveling in such a company would be simply unbearable.

Chapter Text

Pantalone had never traveled as much in his life as he had in the last year. Unlike Dottore, who had traveled all over Teyvat, Pantalone could not boast that in his considerable years he had seen a large number of places. He knew about many things only from Dottore’s stories and from his agent network, but he never managed to see all the interesting corners of Teyvat with his own eyes.

Yet.

"We're leaving tomorrow morning," Pantalone sighed, looking longingly out the window at the evening sky. “I can't believe we're leaving Snezhnaya again.”

"I knew we'd have to leave for Nod-Krai soon, but certainly not with a detour through Teyvat," Dottore grumbled as he placed his mask on the windowsill.

Pantalone looked at it absentmindedly.

“We still haven't decided how we're traveling—with insignia or not.”

Dottore pursed his lips thoughtfully and shifted his gaze to the window. Pantalone stared at him for a while and then also looked up at the sky.

As if saying goodbye to them, the local sky appeared before them in all its fake beauty today. Not a single cloud obscured the bright stars, and echoes of the shimmering northern lights were visible a little further away. Pantalone sighed again—not only were they going who knows where and who knows for how long, but also at such a beautiful moment.

“With insignia or not,” he repeated, bit his lip and turned away from the window.

In fact, both choices had their strengths and weaknesses. Their relatively recent trip to Natlan was so pleasant because they traveled without insignia, as ordinary tourists—attracting no unnecessary attention and causing no stir with their presence. Traveling incognito now would probably be a smarter idea, too, since three harbingers traveling together would attract too much attention. On the other hand, wearing the Fatui uniform could save them time and effort because no one would want to mess with them. While saving time would certainly work in their favor, wouldn't it cause problems in the long term once news of their missions spreads throughout the whole Teyvat?

He glanced at the top shelves of the closet, where he kept his everyday neutral clothes. Perhaps temporarily removing the Fatui insignia would be a more reasonable option. Only...

"Capitano might be against it," he voiced his concerns. "If we suddenly decide to travel without a uniform. I'm not sure I've ever seen him without a helmet."

"I have," Dottore said, turning his gaze to him. "And believe me, this is one of those cases where the uniform will attract much less attention than what he has underneath it."

Pantalone sat down on the bed and began to take off his rings.

"So, we have no choice. We'll have to travel in uniform."

"No," Dottore stepped away from the window and began to unbuckle his belts and throw off the accessories. "It would indeed be better for us to travel without it. Remember how well we blended in with the other tourists in Natlan? No one cared about us. This will play into our hands."

"But what about Capitano?"

"We can't make him take off his helmet, no matter how much we want to," Dottore took off his white lab clothes, hung them on the back of a chair and began to unbutton his shirt. "Even if he decides to travel as a harbinger, it won't hinder us in any way. Capitano has a good reputation. Unlike..."

"Unlike us," Pantalone finished for him.

"Correct. You and I traveling together would immediately cause a stir in other countries. But if Capitano were to travel around the world with some abstract companions, no one would care. Perhaps this will even help us—we will use the Fatui name through Capitano when needed, and present ourselves as private individuals in all other cases."

Pantalone nodded in agreement.

"Then we need to send him a short letter to inform him of our plans and arrange a meeting place. And let him decide what to do with the uniform."

"The most important thing is that his annoying bros don’t suspect anything," Dottore grumbled. "The very thought of their Qucusaurus buzzing in my ear and Ororon chattering nonstop about vegetables makes me feel nauseous."

"So you have no complaints about Ifa?"

"He has revolvers." Dottore took the belts off his hands and threw them on the table with a crash. "For this alone, I am ready to tolerate him."

"You think that's gonna help us in tough situations?"

"No. But then, we’ll be able to shoot ourselves if we get sick of everything."

Pantalone chuckled.

"Fine. I'll write a letter to the Captain right away, then take a bath, and go straight to bed.”

"Hm, straight to bed?"

"Zandik, we need to get a good night's sleep before the trip."

Dottore thought about something for a while, then came closer, grabbed him with force and pulled him somewhere.

"The heck are you doing?!"

"You yourself said that we need to get a good night's sleep before the trip."

"So what?"

Before he could blink, the man dragged him into the bathroom and turned on the faucet the moment they crossed the threshold.

"That means we have to get everything done before we go to bed, and we’ll do it right in the bathroom."

"You want me to write the letter in the bathroom too?"

Dottore snorted, "If you have such fantasies, then go ahead."

Pantalone smiled, pulled him by the strap around his neck and kissed him. Indeed, there was no time to waste. After all, who knows when they’ll have another chance to just be alone together?

***

Dottore had been an early bird since his childhood. When his acquaintances at the Akademiya complained about not getting enough sleep due to waking up early, he only raised his eyebrows and snorted. How can you wake up at six and still feel tired? This is not five, not four, and not even three!

As he got older, this trait only became more pronounced. Now he easily woke up at five, and sometimes even at four, without an alarm. It could still be dark and quiet outside, yet he would already feel quite fresh and full of energy.

Pantalone, on the other hand, didn't like to wake up so early. He was an early bird, too, but his comfortable awakening was still a little later. Most of the time he woke up at half past six or even at seven—when Dottore had already finished a lot of chores and thought about a few complex problems and concepts for work. And sometimes his sleep stretched right up to eight in the morning, and then Dottore had to wake him up, which was not always successful the first time. Pantalone slept in a surprisingly contrasting way: sometimes he woke up because his pinky toe was freezing from not being covered by a blanket, and sometimes he fell into such a deep sleep that he had to be awakened almost by slaps.

But fortunately that was not the case today.

The frosty coolness of the Snezhnaya morning burned his cheeks, and a thin strip of gentle dawn barely touched the horizon. He and Pantalone stood on the forest road, waiting for Capitano and thinking about which countries to visit and in what order.

"Our first stop should be Fontaine." Dottore thoughtfully examined the map. "So we go through Gorodai-Gorod. It has the most convenient connection to Fontaine."

"Shouldn’t we go to Nod-Krai first?" Pantalone shuddered and adjusted his dark jacket, which didn't give any hint that he belonged to the Fatui.

"No need, I have a full list of what we need. As it turned out, it wasn’t me who miscalculated some of the materials—one of the last caravans carrying materials from Snezhnaya got lost somewhere along the way."

"That's strange." Pantalone looked at him carefully. "Our men wouldn't steal something just to resell it. Who was responsible for the materials? Whose subordinates?"

Dottore rolled the map into a tube and put it in a small dark pouch on his belt.

"Mine, but I don't know who exactly. When we get to Nod-Krai, we'll check all the lists—and if I find anyone missing, I'll go the ends of the earth and help their death wish come true. Hell, where's Capitano? It's time to go."

"You said yourself that he'd rather be delayed but come by himself than with his bros." Pantalone walked a bit farther and looked behind the trees where the road curved away. "Oh, there he is."

Dottore also moved forward a little and looked where Pantalone had pointed. Indeed, a familiar black figure was walking steadily through the thick layer of white snow, approaching them more and more rapidly.

"In uniform," said Dottore. "But alone. What a relief."

They waited in silence for him to approach. Fortunately, he moved so quickly that, in less than a minute, he was standing right in front of them.

"I apologize for the delay," Capitano said instead of greeting them. "I only wanted to make sure that my departure would go unnoticed."

Dottore only nodded, and Pantalone smiled politely.

"Good morning, Capitano. Then, since everyone is here, shall we set off?"

Walking in such company turned out to be more comfortable than Dottore had expected. If over all these years he had already become accustomed to Pantalone humming something under his breath, he sincerely did not know what to expect from Capitano. And fortunately, there were no surprises: Capitano was almost always silent, only occasionally commenting on their route or suggesting alternative ways.

The first four hours passed unnoticed. The sun brightly illuminated the road. Forests gave way to fields, wide roads to winding paths, and rolling hills to gentle plains. They still had a day's journey left to Gorodai-Gorod, but if they didn't stop for too long, they would be able to reach the village by the end of the day. This outcome would be very much preferable: spending the night in the open would not be a good idea, given the weather conditions. And if…

"Wait," Capitano's voice broke into his thoughts. Dottore also stopped and looked around.

"Hmm..."

"What is it?" Pantalone asked tiredly. "Changing the route again?"

“Be quiet,” Dottore answered briefly. "Something is wrong."

The three of them stood, listening to the sounds of nature. At first, nothing seemed out of the ordinary: the quiet hum of the wind intertwined melodically with the distant singing of a thrush, and a stream ran somewhere in the distance to the right. The sounds were even too pleasant for the ear, not arousing even the slightest suspicion. And yet...

Dottore turned sharply when a throwing dagger clanged loudly to the ground, having been knocked off the cold edge of Capitano’s ice blade.

"You have a good reaction," they heard an unfamiliar voice, and the treasure hoarders came out from behind the trees. "But that won't help you."

An involuntary chuckle escaped Dottore's lips when he counted eleven treasure hoarders below and four more on the trees.

A pitiful sight.

"Let's move on," he snorted and crossed his arms over his chest. " These aren't worth the time."

It seemed that their leader couldn’t even find the words to respond to such impudence, as some incoherent mumbling escaped from him first.

"Ah... you... you got a death wish or something?! Quickly hand over your weapons, artifacts, and mora!"

"What else?" Pantalone asked. "Gentlemen, get the hell out of here. You have no idea what you're condemning yourselves to."

"If you won't give the money yourself, we'll take it by force!"

There was a menacing clang of weapons and the sound of a bowstring being drawn from above. Dottore clenched his teeth and raised his hand to draw his claymore—it seemed that force was the only way to reach these dimwits.

"Wait," one of them suddenly said. He was clearly trying to speak in a whisper, but it was so loud that it didn't sound any quieter. "Look at the one in the helmet. He's definitely one of the Fatui."

"So what? We've seen the likes of them before, they folded from the first blow," the other answered in the same loud whisper.

"Look at him, he doesn't look like those wimps. Let's just let 'em go, we don't want any more trouble!"

"What if they have a shitload of mora, look at that fop in the black. Lots of jewelry!"

"We don't want to get in trouble over gold! Can you see that ice blade?!"

"Gentlemen, you sort yourselves out, and we'll be on our way, okay?" Pantalone adjusted the collar of his jacket, and Dottore looked at his rings. Yes, perhaps, for treasure hoarders, it is indeed a very tasty morsel.

But it seemed that fear for their own safety had won out over greed, and the bandits even began to lower their weapons, when suddenly there was a sound so terrifying that birds flew from the neighboring trees.

"No way, bro!"

"What the..."

Dottore stared tensely at the very end of the road, from where two men and a pink ball were rapidly approaching them.

"So it was a trap!" The gang leader shouted. "Attack ‘em!"

Dottore gritted his teeth.

What a bunch of morons.

***

Capitano was very fond of silence.

The long years of living with the constant voices in his head had taught him to appreciate the value of quiet. Even the simplest walk through the forest now felt like a blessing, when he could just enjoy the quiet singing of birds and the crackle of trees swaying in the wind.

That being said, the sounds didn't annoy him, not at all. Even the noise of a busy city, the roar of a crowd in the midst of a tournament in Natlan, or a fair in Snezhnaya had its own charm. Happy voices, enthusiastic voices, even angry voices—they carried life, emotion, and the very passage of time within.

And the passage of time can only be fully appreciated by those for whom time has once stopped.

"No way, bro!"

Capitano stared intently into the distance, where the three figures—Ororon, Ifa, and Cacucu—were coming towards them in a hurry. He clutched his sword tightly, ready to repel the bandits' attack at any moment. Yet, he still couldn't help but once again be distracted by how much comfort the voices of these young men and the cry of that round Qucusaurus were bringing to his ears.

"What the…" Dottore, who was standing right next to him, cursed quietly.

"So it was a trap! Attack ‘em!" The leader of the treasure hoarders gave the order to attack, and Capitano had no choice but to clench his sword and accept the challenge.

Treasure hoarders usually didn't pose much of a threat to anyone but unarmed travelers, but these ones were surprisingly agile. Capitano didn't use his power to its fullest extent to keep the duel fair—but even so, he was able to appreciate their technique. With a few exceptions, their weaponry was quite good. The clang of metal was music to his ears, yet it certainly wasn't enough to enjoy the battle.

The Doctor and Regrator, on the other hand, were as professional as ever. Although neither of them called themselves warriors in the full sense of the word, they wielded their weapons quite skillfully. Perhaps the quiet work in the office made Regrator a little less agile, but still, they both handled the battle surprisingly well.

"Bros, we'll be right there! Cacucu, let's go!"

Seeing that reinforcements were on their way, the leader of the treasure hoarders and his two subordinates, who were still on their feet, grabbed weapons and some other things from the ground and ran off into the forest. The Captain didn't strike them in the back, and watched them silently until they finally disappeared behind the trees.

"Gramps, are you okay?" Ororon, Ifa and Cacucu jumped up to them determinedly. "There were quite a few of them!"

"Okay, what the hell!" The Doctor raged. "What are you doing here?"

"You forgot about us!"

"We didn't forget about you," Capitano gave them a serious look. "We left you on purpose. These are our internal problems, which we must solve ourselves."

"But we are not useless, maybe you’ll need our help!"

"No," Dottore snapped, reaching for his belt, but stopped and looked around. "Goddamn it…"

"What's wrong?"

"Looks like they stole my bag."

"Was there anything important in it?"

"A list of necessary materials," he said grimly. "We need to catch up with the brutes, I can't restore all the details from memory, and going to Nod-Krai would be an extra round. Shit, they were planning to leave until these fucking..."

"Ororon, Ifa," Capitano hurried to say something before Dottore could blurt out something truly unpleasant. "Please. Just go back to Natlan."

They looked at him silently, and finally Ifa nodded in agreement.

"Okay. Sorry that this happened because of us, we just wanted to help you."

"Yeah. Sorry, gramps."

"It’s just that traveling together could’ve been fun. But since you don't want us to..."

"Here, bro!" Cacucu's demanding voice came from somewhere behind the trees, and they all looked in that direction at once.

The Qucusaurus flew in circles over an unknown dark spot on the ground, and Capitano moved closer. Beneath a small cap of white snow was an indentation, which on closer inspection turned out to be a hole going deep down. He raised his gaze and looked around. After only a few seconds, something else caught his eye—it seemed that the mysterious spot under their feet was not the only one on the ground.

"Hmm."

"What 's there?" Ororon came up to him. "Is something growing here?"

"I don't think it's someone's garden," he answered, and turned to the others. "Their lair is closer than we thought."

"Why do you think so?" Pantalone stepped carefully over the snowdrift and looked down. Cacucu flopped down in the snow and looked into the hole as well.

"Oh, wow!"

"There's a lever down there," Capitano looked closer. "And up ahead behind the trees there's something that looks like a trapdoor, with a bandana lying next to it. That seems to be the reason why they managed to get to us so quietly. This is the entrance to their lair."

Dottore came up to them.

"Interesting," he said quietly. "We could take a gamble and intercept the bastards."

"Oh, wow, bro!" Cacucu leaned even lower, nearly hanging down. But completely out of nowhere, Dottore forcefully kicked the Qucusaurus aside.

"What are you doing?!" Ifa shouted angrily. "Why are you like this!"

Capitano felt the tension begin to build in his body too, but then Dottore picked up a stick and jabbed it right at the spot where Cacucu had just leaned.

There was a nasty clanking sound—and a trap in the hole snapped shut.

"Oh dear! Oh dear!" The Qucusaurus shrieked and flew upward in a panic.

"Stay back," Dottore said briefly. "Unless you want to turn into two bleeding hemispheres."

There was silence. Ifa gratefully put his hand on the Doctor's shoulder, but the man threw it away in one movement and silently reached down for the lever.

"How primitive," Pantalone commented, examining the trap. "Either they lacked the brains for a better defense, or they were hunting a wild boar."

"A wild Qucusaurus, I'd say," Ororon added thoughtfully and looked at Cacucu. "Are you all right, little bro?"

Cacucu still looked frightened, but at least unharmed. Capitano looked at the trap carefully. The force with which it snapped shut would have seriously injured not just a Qucusaurus, but even a human.

“Got it,” Dottore muttered quietly, and something clanked underground. There was a low rustle, and a dark trapdoor behind the trees slid open.

Capitano carefully approached the opening and peered down, where a poorly lit basement filled with countless boxes, glass jars with dubious contents, and other sorts of junk came into view. The basement smelled aggressively of dampness and mold—it seemed that there used to be a house on this very spot, of which only the underground part had remained.

"Not bad," Ifa commented. "Right in the middle of the forest!"

"Are those canned foods?" Ororon asked, looking at the jars. "Why would anyone be canning tomatoes?"

"It's a local culture," Pantalone explained briefly, covering his nose with his glove. "It's obviously been abandoned for a long time, though. Phew, what a smell."

Capitano crouched down and carefully inspected the hatch and floor for traps. But as his eyes ran over the rotten boards, Dottore crouched down and jumped off decisively.

"There might be traps down there," Capitano warned him briefly.

"If there's anything here, it's fungus," Dottore looked up at them. "If you want to keep standing, please do. Meanwhile, I'm off—there's a passage behind the boxes."

Capitano carefully jumped down. The rotten floor beneath him made a sad crunching sound, but luckily there indeed were no traps.

While they waited for the others, Capitano looked into the passageway. Judging by the rough workmanship and wooden supports, it had probably been dug out with a shovel quite recently. Fresh air blew in from somewhere in the depths, and loud swearing could be heard, so there was no longer any doubt that this was indeed the bandits' lair.

"Let's go, bro!" Cacucu shouted, and Ifa shushed him.

"Quiet. There's someone out there."

Cacucu nodded and fell silent, and they headed down the hallway. With each step, the smell of dampness and mold receded more and more, and the scent of pine trees and freshness began to become more pronounced.

"They probably ran into the forest to come back here from the other side," Pantalone said quietly, stepping carefully over the roots. "Judging by the smell, the exit is quite close."

Capitano nodded in agreement and clenched his sword just in case. Whatever surprises awaited them, it was better to be prepared.

"The smell is getting stronger."

"That's odd," Ororon stopped and sniffed. "So, do bandits smell like some kind of... perfume?"

"It's me," Pantalone grumbled. "I guess I'll have to get rid of my city habits for a while."

"Pfft, be so kind," said Dottore. "Or they'll be able to detect us by smell."

"Go ahead and tell me you don't like my perfume, Zandik."

"Smelling like that in the middle of a forest is an incredibly irrational idea."

"Gramps…"

"You didn't say a word this morning when I was getting ready."

"I thought you'd air out in a couple hours."

"Dudes, even Cacucu's quiet!"

"Zandik, do you even know how much—"

"Can you keep it down?" Capitano couldn't help himself. "We're already getting out."

After another turn, a much stronger gust of fresh air hit them in the face, and sunlight blinded their eyes. Capitano squinted and immediately spotted the two treasure hoarders and their leader standing at the exit of the cave, emptying a small, dark bag.

"We should have stolen the bag from the one with the jewelry," one of the bandits grumbled. "This one only has some papers! Worthless garbage!"

"The worthless garbage is you," Dottore commented, and they jumped in surprise.

"You!"

"For real now, bro!" Cacucu flew toward them, looming menacingly over the three of them. They immediately jerked toward the table where their weapons lay, but Capitano blocked their path with a single motion.

"We'll give you a few seconds to return the stolen goods," Pantalone said. "Otherwise, the weapons will be unleashed. Believe me, this is your best bet right now."

The treasure hoarders looked at each other and pulled something out of their pockets with nasty grins.

"You know what these are? Explosives. One wrong move and you're trapped in here. And if..."

"I'll give you a couple of seconds to leave it all and get the hell out of here. When I get to zero, you're finished," the Doctor interrupted them coldly, and crossed his arms over his chest. "Three."

"You're on our territory. We're not..."

"Two."

"Bro, he's not kidding," Ifa said, shaking his head. "No one's going to be nice to you."

"And how are you going to wall us up?" Ororon looked back. "There's a second way out."

"One."

They put the explosives on the table, apparently unable to keep their nerve.

"Take everything you want," their leader hissed. "There's nothing but junk in these boxes anyway."

They watched in silence as the bandits hurried out of the cave.

"What junk?" Pantalone asked.

“Gramps,” Ororon said somewhere behind them. "I think this is the junk."

They turned around. Ororon was standing near the wall, peering into huge dark boxes labeled with Fatui symbols.

"What a surprise," Pantalone said with a smile. "And here's the missing cargo."

"Now I understand which Fatui these pieces of shit attacked earlier," Dottore walked over to the boxes, pulled out one detail and shook the dust off of it. "A caravan that headed to Nod-Krai."

"So we don't have to go anywhere now?" Pantalone asked hopefully, and Capitano caught himself thinking the same thing.

"You wish. This is far from everything we need." Dottore picked up the list and crossed off a few items. "This find will make our lives a lot easier though. Good thing we found that hole in the ground."

Ororon and Ifa coughed at the same time, and Cacucu hovered right in front of Dottore.

The man was silent for a while, and then looked down at the list again.

"Don't even think I'm going to say thank you."

They continued to stare at him in complete silence until Pantalone's quiet chuckle broke it.

"All right, all right. You helped us. Without you, we would have walked right by and never found these items. They're worth a lot of money, not to mention how much we need these materials."

Capitano nodded approvingly: it 's always worthy of respect when someone admits their mistakes.

Ororon and Ifa also smiled contentedly and took Pantalone under his arms.

"And where is our first stop? "

There was a long pause, after which he sighed and answered briefly, "Fontaine."

"Let's go, bro!" Cacucu announced solemnly and sat on the Doctor's head. The latter brushed him off irritably, grunted, and began digging through the boxes, checking something only he could understand. He said nothing more.

Capitano felt a slight smile touch his face, which had become weaned on positive emotions over the years. Looks like these two have come to terms with the fact that they won't be able to get rid of their new Natlan company so easily after all.

"Let's go," Capitano said, finally holstering his sword.

This is going to be a very interesting journey indeed.

Chapter Text

Pantalone started to feel like they were getting close to Fontaine long before he saw its blue waters. Only in Fontaine did the air smell so fresh, humid, clean, and—no point in hiding it—romantic.

"We're almost there. Still can't believe it."

He lovingly adjusted his wedding ring and smiled, remembering every detail of the moment it ended up on his finger. After all, it happened right here in Fontaine, several years ago.

"Zandik, you know I'm persistent, right?"

"Too damn well, you’re a real pain in the ass."

"I know you’ve rejected my proposal three times already. And I hate you for it, if you only knew how much it infuriates me. But for some reason, I still want to spend my life with you. To wake up and fall asleep together, to solve our problems together, to change the world together. For the fourth time, Zandik, will you be my husband, you stubborn bastard?"

And then, after a long, long pause, he replied completely unexpectedly:

"Yes."

A shiver of excitement ran through his body—then and now. Pantalone vividly remembered the incredible weather that day; the blue, clear sky; the cozy, peaceful streets of the Court of Fontaine; the bustling cries of seagulls and distant howls of blubberbeasts; the smell of roses and fresh coffee.

Everything in the world seemed to change at that moment. From the embarrassment and discomfort on Dottore's face when he uttered that short "yes"; from the fact that he then vomited right onto the flowerbed with rainbow roses; from the way it scared the passing Melusine. Not the most romantic moment in the world, but Pantalone, both then and after all these years, couldn't stop smiling, experiencing his most favorite combination of feelings in the entire world.

A feeling of passionate hatred and a feeling of genuine love.

He glanced at Dottore, who was walking silently beside him with an exceptionally focused expression on his face, and gently touched his fingers with his own. Dottore continued to stare into space and ponder some complex questions, but gently squeezed his fingers in response, and Pantalone once again felt a wave of those very same, his most beloved, feelings.

I love you so, so much, you workaholic freak.

"Fontaine." Ifa took a deep breath when the wide, blue waters finally came into view behind the trees. "It's so good to be back here again."

"We should check the calendar so we don't accidentally break any laws again," Ororon added thoughtfully and turned his head. "Right, Сaсuсu?"

"No way, bro!"

"But then, we'll get to see our bros Neuvillette and Wriothesley. Although I agree, we don't necessarily have to break the law for that..."

Pantalone looked at Ifa curiously.

"Are you acquainted with the Iudex of Fontaine and the Duke of the Fortress of Meropide?"

"Yeah, bro!" Cacucu flew cheerfully between them all, as if he too could not contain his excitement about arriving in Fontaine. "Yeah!"

"You too?" Ifa asked, adjusting his hat, which had almost been blown away by the air currents caused by Cacucu's erratic movements.

"Only by correspondence. I only communicated with Monsieur Neuvillette once, but I had closer contact with the Duke. Let's just say that in his domain, I had a chance to refine something I've been working on for years through my agents."

"What is it?"

Pantalone smiled, looked up at the sky, and then turned his gaze back to them.

"Something that could change this world."

The guys stared at him silently for a while, clearly intending to ask more questions. But then, the forest was finally behind them, and their gaze fell on ginormous water cubes floating right in the air.

"Oh, wow!"

"Holy shit! We haven't been here before! What is this?!"

"Zandik," he squeezed Dottore's fingers tighter. "What is that?"

Immersed in thought, Dottore glanced briefly at the cubes and replied monotonously.

"Allogravity-condensed water bodies, formed as a result of an explosion during experimental research on the use of Arkhium as an energy source, once conducted at the Fontaine Research Institute of Kinetic Energy. Another vivid demonstration of the old saying, 'There is no cure for stupidity.'"

There was a long, awkward pause, after which Ifa sighed.

"I wish I hadn't asked…"

"By the way, gramps," Ororon looked at them seriously. "Since you want to remain incognito, what should we call you? ‘Doctor Gramp’ and ‘Banker Gramp’ sound too obvious."

Pantalone thought for a moment.

"I suppose you're right. What shall we do?"

"Just leave me alone. Don't call me anything," said Dottore, returning to his thoughts.

Pantalone looked at him intently, then turned his gaze back to the boys.

"We'll think about it later and let you know, okay?"

"Sure, bros! By the way, Capitano, do you…"

While Ifa and Ororon shifted their attention to Capitano, who was walking along silently, Pantalone slowed down and gently took Dottore by the arm.

"What's up with you? Did something happen?"

The man gave him a gloomy look.

"Nothing new. I'm thinking about where to look for the transmitters."

"Is that all? Or are our companions bothering you so much?"

Dottore snorted.

"Of course, I'm not thrilled about their constant blabbering. But I'm not going to make a big deal out of it; I have more important things to think about. I'm thinking about what we should do—search the ruins of the Research Institute ourselves in hopes of finding what we need or look for dealers."

Pantalone smiled.

"You don't have to worry about that."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you told me what kind of transmitters we need back at the fair in Snezhnaya. I wrote everything down, made inquiries, and submitted a request to find the right people. All we have to do is go to the meeting place and ensure that the items meet our requirements."

Dottore looked at him in surprise.

"Have you already found the dealers?"

"What did you think? We won't make it to the Court of Fontaine today, but when we arrive, I'll give the signal and they'll meet us."

A smile touched Dottore's lips, but he said nothing more.

They continued walking. The sun was slowly sinking closer to the horizon, causing the light to reflect off the cubes and making them seem even more magical. Pantalone stared mesmerized at the sharp edges of the water cubes—a sight you don't see every day. Perhaps for the first time since the beginning of this spontaneous journey, he felt genuine excitement and joy. How many more incredible things would they get to see with their own eyes?

"How beautiful…"

They slowly approached the water. The smell of freshness became stronger, accompanied by a noticeable drop in temperature.

Pantalone shivered and adjusted his jacket, while Capitano looked intently at the sky and said briefly, "It's getting dark. We should set up camp here."

Everyone nodded in agreement and stopped, while Cacucu jumped into the water, startling a sleeping blubberbeast nearby.

Perhaps that’s enough adventure for today.

***

Capitano lived a very long and difficult life. So long and so difficult that at some point, he stopped even dreaming of finding at least the slightest bit of rest.

And finally, after days, weeks, months, years, and centuries, something incredible happened in Ochkanatlan. Although his body was still cursed with immortality and his temporary sleep wasn't what he'd always dreamed of, his mission was finally accomplished. The lost souls found peace and found home. And although he never achieved what he had dreamed of for himself, did he feel disappointed?

"Hey, catch it, catch it! Quick, it's jumping off the hook!"

He took a deep breath of the fresh Fontaine air and looked at Ororon and Ifa, who were eagerly catching fish for dinner.

Of course not.

His life had become easier—incomparably easier—when the constant cries of fear and pain no longer echoed in his head. Now he was left to his own thoughts—alone in his head, alone in his mind, alone in his body.

The exhausting, sleepless nights and long days were no longer filled with endless, futile attempts to change things. It was a strange feeling of serenity and calm. It was as if the unbearable burden he had been forced to carry had finally disappeared. It was as if something old had finally faded into oblivion, giving way to the new for the first time in five hundred years.

So wasn't this the peace he had always dreamed of?

"Dude, pull harder! Come on, don't let it get away!"

Capitano looked at the bustle created by Ororon and Ifa and felt his face relax. These two, or rather three, if you count Cacucu bustling nearby, had been around him for a long time. They were there when war still raged in Natlan. They were there when he sat on the stone Throne of the Primal Fire. They were there when he opened his eyes and got up from the Throne.

And now they're still there, too.

"Got it! Oh, here's another one! Hold on tight!"

"Yeah, bro, yeah!"

"I'm trying!"

While they were busy, Capitano looked back at the Doctor and Regrator, who were calmly setting up camp. These two remained a mystery to him. In the old days, their interactions had always been very dry and superficial, if not hostile. It was believed that it was difficult, if not impossible, to have a good relationship with the Doctor and Regrator. And sometimes, it was even dangerous.

"Your new friends are surprisingly friendly with us. But do they know what kind of monsters they're worried about?"

He watched closely as Pantalone spoke to Dottore with a smile, and Dottore listened calmly. Perhaps they really had been monsters once. But at the same time, ever since their last meeting in Natlan, Capitano couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed fundamentally. That these two had become much calmer, much more balanced. They no longer behaved as if they were ready to bare their teeth and stab you in the back at any moment. It had become much easier to be around them, their behavior had become more understandable. The Doctor snapped at them when he was annoyed, but he didn't let Cacucu get hurt because of the trap. Regrator’s smile still seemed overly polite and distant, but he no longer sounded arrogant and fake. Who knows, maybe they changed so much because they came into each other's lives? Then it's just amazing that feelings—no matter how strange they were between these two—can change even such complicated people.

"Don't let it get away! Woah, it's huge!"

Capitano looked back at the lake, where Ororon was struggling to pull a massive fish onto the shore. He watched the guy closely: he looked so focused, as if the fate of humanity depended on the outcome of this catch.

A smile touched his lips. Ororon always gave his all. He was always ready to do whatever it took to get things right—for his friends, for the future, for the greater good. He was a reliable friend, a reliable companion, a reliable shoulder to lean on in difficult times. And even though Capitano had spent his entire life relying only on himself and teaching each of his subordinates to do the same, he increasingly found himself thinking in a new way.

Now he knew that he could always rely on Ororon in difficult times, and he genuinely wanted Ororon to know that he could rely on him too.

"Almost there, c’mon!"

Capitano resolutely approached the pond, leaned over, and touched the water's surface with his hand. At his touch, the water began to slowly freeze, and he forcefully splashed it onto the giant fish that Ororon was still trying to pull ashore. The water around the fish cooled rapidly, and it stopped resisting, allowing the guy to drag it onto the shore in one swift motion.

"Wow, dude, you could do that from the start?!" Ifa leaned over the fish, appraising it. "This will make things go so much faster!"

"Faster, bro, faster!"

Ororon looked at him intently.

"Thanks. I guess you and I can work together from now on?"

Capitano nodded in agreement and touched the water again.

Things really do get easier when you’re working together.

The cozy crackling of the fire echoed pleasantly, and the light from the bright flames danced on the grass. The quiet chatter was accompanied by the loud munching of Cacucu, who was torn between the fish, the freshly picked bulle fruits, and the neat, round buns filled with vegetables that Pantalone had taken out of his bag.

"Anyway, that was the end of it. I still can't believe we got off so easily!"

"Yes, after that, Granny Citlali grumbled for a long time about the swarm of phlogiston aphids settling near her house. But what could I do? At least the tribe stopped swearing and waving their arms at me every time I walked by. Hmm, the Fontaine fish is actually very tasty."

Capitano rarely paid attention to small things like the taste of food, but today, the fish really did seem especially tasty. He carefully picked out the large bones and ate the tender flesh—even if he came across small bones, they didn't bother him at all.

"Are you comfortable eating with that helmet on?" Pantalone asked. "Doesn’t it get in the way?"

Capitano didn’t know how to respond at first, because what answer did they expect from him? "You don’t want to see that face"?

"I’m used to it," he finally said. "Now, I hardly notice it anymore."

"How do the Fatui wear these masks anyway?" Ororon wondered. "You can’t see anything when you’re wearing one."

"You can see," Dottore said briefly. "Or do you think someone would deliberately put a spoke in their own wheel? The masks only slightly alter your perception, but you can see perfectly well in them."

"Can I try your mask on?" Ifa asked suddenly, and the Doctor waved him off.

"Don't even think about it."

Ifa didn't seem too upset about it, because he asked almost immediately, "So, what’s our plans for tomorrow?"

"We need to get to the Court of Fontaine and arrange a meeting with the right people," Pantalone replied, carefully wiping his mouth with a napkin. He was the only one of them who did not touch the fish with his hands, but ate it with elegant dark chopsticks. "We'll probably spend the night there, too."

"At the Hotel Debord?"

"We were planning to stay at one of our houses near Café Lutece. They serve amazing croissants and coffee in the morning."

"Can we go with you?"

 "The Hotel Debord serves excellent croissants too, so there’s no need to go down to the square."

Ororon looked at Regrator closely.

"No, I mean... Can we stay at your house, too?"

"No way," Dottore refused flatly. "Since you've tagged along with us, let's still keep a healthy distance. We're not friends."

"No way, bro," Cacucu muttered lazily and closed his eyes, resting his beak on a soft rice bun. Within seconds, he was snoring contentedly.

"You're from Liyue, right?" Ifa pointed to the chopsticks Pantalone was holding. "And I take it these buns are also from Liyue cuisine?"

"Rice buns, yes," he confirmed. "It’s a very simple dish, but it’s one of my favorites. There are many interesting dishes in Liyue cuisine, but this one is perfect in its simplicity. At first glance, there’s nothing special about them, but they’re the kind of comfort food you never get tired of. Plus, they’re convenient to take with you on the road."

Capitano also picked up a bun. It was perfectly smooth and, despite several days of travel, still quite soft. The rice bread was springy and tender, and it absorbed the rich aroma of the vegetables cooked in sauce, which had a slight spiciness to them. It was truly an excellent dish for traveling—much more pleasant than the tasteless, dry military rations.

"And you’re from Sumeru, aren’t you?" Ifa asked Dottore.

"What do you think?" He raised his eyebrows and pointed to his light-colored clothing with traditional Sumerian elements.

"It's just that you never looked like a Sumerian to us, we thought it was part of your legend," Ororon said. "Although, come to think of it, it probably suits you. They say that everyone in Sumeru, without exception, is very smart."

Dottore rolled his eyes.

"That's funny. And apparently, everyone in Natlan, without exception, is hilarious."

Ororon picked up a bun, tore it in half, and stared thoughtfully at the vegetables inside.

"Rice bun," he repeated and looked at Pantalone. "You still haven’t told us what to call you, so I suggest we call you Bun from now on, Banker Gramp."

Dottore snorted, but a smile had clearly flashed across his face. And Pantalone didn't look angry either.

"Well, Bun it is. It's nicer than the words people usually call me."

"And you'll be Grump, Doctor Gramp." Ororon looked at Dottore. "I don't think I need to explain why. Or do I? Not everyone is from Sumeru, some may not get it right away."

Ifa laughed loudly, and Capitano couldn't help but smile, too. Dottore just snorted irritably and waved his hand dismissively with such a displeased expression on his face, as if an annoying fly was buzzing around him.

"Bun and Grump," Pantalone repeated thoughtfully, putting on another smile. "I guess no one will recognize us with names like that. It'll be something to remember when this journey ends and we go our separate ways."

"I can't wait," Dottore muttered and stood up. "I'm going to sleep so we can hit the road early tomorrow morning. You do whatever you want."

Pantalone also politely wished them goodnight and followed him. Capitano took a deep breath and looked up at the sky. Even though the Doctor and Regrator had undergone remarkable changes in their behavior, the relationship between them was still very cold, each keeping their distance in their own way. Dottore often sounded angry and irritated, while Pantalone hid behind a smile and refused to open up. And he himself was not ready to take off his helmet in front of them either. Only Ororon and Ifa behaved as usual, because among them all, they were the most normal people.

He shifted his gaze to Ororon. The guy had been an oddball in his tribe his whole life—and in the end, he found himself in a company where he was the most normal one. How ironic. 

Somewhere nearby, a cricket started chirping. There wasn't a cloud in the clear sky, and the stars were twinkling and shimmering, reflecting in the dark water—but for some reason, Capitano kept staring intently at Ororon, as if at that moment, he was the only thing left in the world.

It was a really strange feeling.

Too strange.

***

Pantalone always considered himself a city dweller through and through. He didn't like spending time in nature, didn't like sleeping on the ground, didn't like hearing the buzzing of insects, and didn't like washing his face in the river. Even the slightest inconvenience could give him insomnia and cause him to wake up in a terrible mood, which usually ruined not only his day, but everyone else’s, too.

Fortunately, one thing greatly brightened his days on all his recent trips: he was not alone. Dottore was so comfortable in any situation that his confidence eventually transferred to Pantalone. The buzzing of insects no longer bothered him as much as it used to, and washing in a cool river no longer seemed like the end of the world. And sleeping on the cold ground ceased to be a problem for him altogether when he discovered that in the open air, he could sleep right on top of Dottore.

Dottore was always hot like a furnace. For some reason, his body radiated so much heat that even in their bed in Snezhnaya, Pantalone often slept without a blanket. The situation was further exacerbated by the fact that Dottore himself often threw his arms and legs around him—so when Pantalone slept outdoors on top of Dottore, this arrangement worked for both of them.

Pantalone loved to brush his fingers or nose against Dottore's neck and feel his steady pulse. Sometimes the pulse would quicken when Dottore was having a dream, and sometimes it would slow down, becoming slow and quiet, almost imperceptible. Sleeping together like this was very, very comfortable—and it didn't matter whether they were in their own bed or somewhere at the end of the world.

After all, he always felt comfortable when Dottore was around.

Pantalone lay with his nose buried in the warm neck, half asleep, listening to the distant singing of birds. A cool morning breeze blew into the tent from the outside, and he felt the soft touch of hands on his back. It was too good to get up. He pressed his nose harder into Dottore's neck and made himself more comfortable, but then…

"Rise and shine, bro!" A piercing shriek rang out right above his ear, making his heart jump into his throat.

"What the fuck!"

"The hell!"

Pantalone grabbed his glasses with trembling hands and took a closer look: when his vision adjusted, the pink spot in front of his eyes took on familiar features, and he finally managed to recognize Cacucu.

"You," Dottore said, cracking his knuckles menacingly. "You've gone too far, you little pest!"

He stood up and summoned his claymore in one swift movement. Cacucu let out a frightened squeal and rushed out of the tent, and Dottore jumped out after him.

“I will end you.”

“Oh dear, oh dear!”

“Come over here, you stupid fat Qucusaurus!”

Pantalone sighed and also got up. Judging by how dark and gloomy it was outside, the sun had not yet fully risen. He lazily pulled on his jacket, opened the tent, and went outside.

“Good morning,” he grumbled when he saw that the other members of the group had already gathered: Ororon and Ifa stood outside their tent with equally sleepy faces, while Capitano was standing a little further away by the forest, polishing his sword.

“Good morning, Gramp Bun,” Ororon greeted him.

“I take it Cacucu stopped by to say hello to you too?” Ifa grumbled. “I swear, I didn’t teach him that, he picked it up somewhere on his own!”

Pantalone rubbed his eyes sleepily and stretched. It wasn't the most pleasant awakening in the world, but his body felt pretty good nonetheless. What a shame that his head would now be aching from the rude awakening.

“Good morning.” Capitano approached them. He looked so fresh as if he hadn’t gone to bed at all. Even his long black hair looked as if he had just come from the barbershop, not the forest. "I assume everyone is up and ready to go?"

“Did you even go to sleep?,” grumbled Pantalone, fixing his hair, which had become tangled during his sleep.

“I’ve been awake for a while. I checked the perimeter, and Dottore and I even had a duel while you were sleeping. I have to admit, he’s exceptionally agile.”

Pantalone glanced at Capitano doubtfully.

“What duel? Zandik and I just woke up.”

Capitano looked at him thoughtfully.

"That's impossible. I met him in the forest while I was checking the area this morning. He was wearing his Fatui uniform, so I thought he had returned from a secret mission."

“Did he say anything to you? Zandik sometimes talks in his sleep and sleepwalks.”

“He just attacked me silently. It was like a normal duel.”

There was a crunch, and a disheveled Dottore emerged from behind the bushes. He walked toward Ifa decisively and pointed at him threateningly.

"You're next, vet."

Pantalone swallowed the lump in his throat.

“Zandik, did you duel with Capitano in your Fatui uniform today?”

“Did I do what?” He snorted. “I was sleeping peacefully until that stupid Qucusaurus showed up.”

“Where’s Cacucu?” Ifa asked timidly.

Dottore silently ran his finger across his neck and hid his claymore.

“No way.” Ororon and Ifa immediately rushed anxiously toward the forest, as Cacucu appeared from behind the trees. He flew up to them cautiously and hovered behind Ifa, glaring disapprovingly at Dottore.

“This is weird,” Pantalone couldn't take his eyes off the forest. “Capitano, are you sure it was Zandik?”

“Unless it was his doppelg…” Capitano paused. “Dottore, could your segments be following us?”

Dottore frowned.

“I only have one active segment left, and he’s a moron and no one knows where he is. Unless…” He fell silent and rubbed his temples. “Fuck. Alright, I suggest we continue on our way, but let’s keep our eyes peeled.”

“Zandik,” Pantalone said, taking him by the shoulder with concern. “Could there be segments following us that you don't know about? Is that even possible?”

He looked grimly at the forest.

“That's only possible in one case. But I'm not even going to mention it, because if it's true, it's a disaster that will lead to another disaster.”

A tense silence hung in the air. Pantalone stared at the forest for a while, then clenched his teeth.

"Okay, maybe it was just a misunderstanding. All right, since we're all up, we might as well get going. We need to get to...”

 He pointed toward the Court of Fontaine, but then froze.

"What the hell...”

He stared at the sky, which was getting darker by the second. Beyond the hill, it had already started to rain, and at one point, such a strong gust of wind blew in his face that Pantalone even coughed.

“What the hell is going on?” grumbled Dottore when it started to rain. “How fucking lucky are we?”

“Hydro dragon, hydro dragon, don’t cry,” said Ororon quietly, while also looking at the sky. “I heard they have a saying like that in Fontaine.”

Pantalone bit his lip and looked up. This weather was very unusual for Fontaine.

Something strange was definitely going on.

Chapter Text

It continued to pour rain for the rest of the journey, so by the time they finally reached the Court of Fontaine, everyone was soaked to the skin.The city greeted them with no less gloom and dampness: the puddles had already turned into one solid lake, and the townspeople had completely left the streets, preferring to hide at home, in cafés, or—in Fontainian fashion—in theaters.

"This is odd," Pantalone said, looking thoughtfully at the sky. "Of course, you can never trust a forecast, but the weather in Fontaine should be milder now."

"They say when it rains in the Court of Fontaine, it's the hydro dragon crying, monsieur," said a little boy standing near the station entrance, holding a stack of newspapers. "In such cases, you have to say, 'Hydro dragon, hydro dragon, don't cry!'"

The boy shouted the last words into the sky, and they looked at the clouds in unison, as if something were about to happen.

"Someone acts like a crybaby, and now everyone is suffering," grumbled Dottore, shaking the water off himself.

"The water dragon has his reasons, monsieur," said the boy, handing them one of the newspapers. Pantalone took it, adjusted his glasses, and read the headline aloud:

"'Exclusive interview with chef Escoffier: The limit on cake purchases at the Debord Hotel may be reduced.'"

Dottore snorted, while Cacucu stared at the newspaper and exclaimed:

"Oh dear, oh dear!"

"No, monsieur, I'm talking about what's written on the right."

Pantalone shifted his gaze to another headline with a photograph of a Melusine attached.

"'The mysterious disappearances of Melusines continue. The Marechaussee Phantom is investigating what might be the cause.'"

"Disappearances of Melusines?" Ororon asked. "That's strange. I thought everyone in Fontaine likes Melusines. Maybe they just went somewhere?"

"Then it wouldn't be a 'mysterious disappearance,' but rather a picnic trip," Ifa remarked, glancing at the article. "Hardly anyone would be worried about that."

Pantalone turned the newspaper over and ran his eyes over the column with news from the world of economics.

Hmm, this month would be a good time to invest in real estate in southern Fontaine. 

"What a disaster, the Melusines are disappearing," Dottore said, shaking his head. "All right, let's move on."

Pantalone nodded in agreement, handed back the newspaper, and hurried after him.

"Wait," Ororon called after them. Pantalone felt a hand on his sleeve. "We can't just leave! What if something serious has happened?"

He removed the guy's hand from his sleeve and adjusted his thoroughly soaked clothes.

"Really, gentlemen, this is none of our business. Fontaine has its own authorities; let them deal with local issues. We must attend to our work. I intend to schedule a meeting as soon as possible."

"What if Neuvillette needs our help?"

Pantalone glanced at the Palais Mermonia towering above the houses.

"I'm sure the Iudex has enough strength to deal with this problem without uninvited helpers. The best thing we can do is mind our own business, especially when we have nothing to gain from it."

"For real now, bro?" Cacucu hovered right in front of them, and Dottore waved his hand irritably.

"Fine, if you want to be heroes so badly, go ahead. We'll go do our work; we have more important things to do."

"But dudes!"

Capitano hummed and finally spoke up:

"I should say that Doc…."

"Grump," Ifa corrected him quietly, glancing at the boy with the newspapers, who was still standing nearby. Pantalone could almost hear Dottore grinding his teeth after that.

"I should say that Grump is right," Capitano said with such seriousness that Pantalone couldn't help but chuckle, immediately catching the scorching gaze of red eyes. "There are many of us, we can split up and deal with both issues while we are in Fontaine. When friends need help, we must help them."

Dottore raised his palms slightly and turned away. 

"They're your friends, not ours. You can stay here in Fontaine with them if you want, but we're moving on," he said, and walked decisively down the street.

"Why is he so selfish?" muttered Ifa, and Pantalone gave the guy a grim look.

"He just knows how to prioritize and when to stop sticking his nose into other people's business. We're moving on, gentlemen," Pantalone said, turning his gaze to Capitano. "We’re leaving Fontaine as soon as we resolve the issue with the transmitters. If you don't finish before we leave, we'll go without you."

Without waiting for a response, he hurried after Dottore, who had already walked far down the street.

"No way, bro," came Cacucu's quiet voice from behind, followed by a few more words, but Pantalone didn't even bother to listen to them. He adjusted his glasses and quickened his pace to catch up with Dottore.

Upon hearing the click of his heels, Dottore slowed down and turned around.

"I thought you'd decided to stay with them."

"Why would I want to?" Pantalone grumbled, making another futile attempt to shake the water off his clothes. "I'm soaking wet and want to change my clothes, not save humanity. Why do those four always have to act like heroes?"

"Probably insecurities," suggested Dottore, looking up at the sky. "Let them do whatever they please, though. That makes things calmer for us, and who knows—maybe their heroic nonsense will fix the weather problem faster."

Pantalone sighed heavily.

"Yes, I wouldn't want to spend all our time in Fontaine wet just because the water dragon is in a bad mood."

Dottore smiled.

"The important thing is that these chatty bros' presence in Fontaine doesn't worsen his mood."

Pantalone smiled, too, and took him by the arm.

How pleasant it was to walk together, just the two of them.

***

After the Doctor and Regrator left and went about their business, the four of them headed straight up to the Palais Mermonia.

Capitano was eyeing the neat streets of Fontaine with curiosity—even in the terrible weather, they seemed bright and clean. Unlike Natlan, where every corner was covered in colors and patterns, Fontaine was surprisingly elegant. Identical architectural elements on each house, neat little balconies with flower pots, cozy shops with inviting glass fronts. Capitano had been to Fontaine more than once in his life, but in contrast to the familiar Natlan, its neat doll-like appearance felt like one continuous stage, on which small, fleeting scenes from the lives of ordinary people were constantly played out.

The Palais Mermonia greeted them with a pompous silence. The Melusines went about their work, cheerfully hopping on their short legs, while visitors sat and filled out paperwork, stacking it into terrifyingly tall piles.

"I still have twelve forms to fill out," said the man wistfully, surrounded by five empty coffee cups and just as many stacks of documents. "Just a little more, and I'll finally be able to go home..."

"Monsieur, then you'll need to go to another floor and fill out a few more documents there."

"What?!"

"No way, bro," Cacucu commented on the scene. There was even something like compassion in his voice.

They walked silently to the end of the corridor and approached the desk, where a Melusine in a blue suit was looking at them expectantly, when a voice came from somewhere to the right: "I knew it was you I saw from the window."

Capitano turned and looked closely at the man standing in front of them. He was tall and dressed in a dark suit, with a fur-trimmed cape hanging from his shoulders. His gaze was very serious and focused, but there was a friendly smile on his lips.

"Hey, bro Wriothesley!" Ororon greeted him. "It's been ages!"

"We were here not so long ago," Ifa remarked. "Have you forgotten?"

"That’s what they say in the movies when they meet," Ororon said thoughtfully, touching his lips with his knuckles. "Isn’t it?"

"The heck are you on about?" Cacucu croaked at Ororon.

Capitano felt Wriothesley's piercing gaze on him, full of distrust and even some hostility. But in the end, he smiled broadly and opened the door for them.

"Come in. Neuvillette, Sigewinne, and I were just talking about you."

They entered a spacious office with a large window, at the far end of which two figures stood by a heavy desk—one tall and male, the other small and female.

"Please, come in."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Sigewinne," said the female figure, who turned out to be a Melusine. She looked surprisingly like a human: her skin was a delicate light shade, and her hands seemed tiny and thin. She was dressed in a neat medical uniform with a white cap, and a strange association with the Doctor immediately came to mind: their hair and eye colors were somewhat similar, but while the Doctor exuded coldness and aggression, she radiated only warmth and kindness.

"Sigewinne is our head nurse, she is responsible for health in the Fortress of Meropide," explained Wriothesley, continuing to look at them intently. "And yet, I am somewhat surprised that you have come in such... unusual company."

"The Сaptain is our close friend," said Ororon, and these words simultaneously warmed him and caused an inexplicable feeling of melancholy. "The fact that he is from Fatui never played any role."

Neuvillette nodded politely.

"It's nice to see familiar faces," he said calmly, but there was a great amount of thoughtfulness and sadness in his gaze. "And although I didn't expect to see you again in the company of the Fatui Harbinger, I must admit that your arrival is most timely."

"But still, another Fatui?" Wriothesley asked doubtfully.

"I've heard a lot about the First Harbinger's sense of justice, so I see no reason not to trust him, especially after Ororon's words. Besides, I've heard about the important role the Captain played in the prosperity of modern Natlan."

"I'm sure the rumors about my role in Natlan are greatly exaggerated."

"No way, bro!" Cacucu flew up to him and settled on his head.

Finally, a slight smile touched Wriothesley’s lips.

"Well, if Cacucu thinks so too…"

"But why is our arrival so timely?" Ifa asked. "Is it because of the disappearance of the Melusines?"

A flash of bitterness crossed Neuvillette’s eyes.

"So you already know, too." He turned away from them again and looked out the window. "It's all my fault."

"But why? What happened?"

"Recently, there was a very high-profile case in Fontaine. An organization involved in the extraction of rare minerals began hiring Melusines."

"Melusines as miners?" Ororon asked. "That seems like an unusual decision, doesn't it?"

"Melusines' vision is very different from humans'," Sigewinne explained. "We can see things that humans can't. That's why Melusines were hired as workers; they made it easier to search for rarities."

"Hmm..."

"What happened next?"

"Then something happened that caught the attention of the Maison Gardiennage," Wriothesley leaned on the table and began fiddling with the handcuffs. "One of the Melusines lost consciousness on her way home from work. On closer examination, it turned out that their working conditions were downright dangerous, not to mention that they were paid a pittance. And then the organizers were brought to trial. They were found guilty, and the court sentenced them to serve their time in the Fortress of Meropide, as well as to pay the Melusines compensation for working in hazardous conditions by selling all their assets."

"And what is Neuvillette's fault here?" Ifa looked at the Iudex.

He sighed and closed his eyes.

"As soon as the court session was closed, I had to leave urgently on another matter, and I was unable to personally supervise their handing over to Wriothesley. As a result, the criminals disappeared as soon as they left the courtroom — probably someone helped them escape. And at the same time, a series of strange disappearances began in the city."

"No way, bro!" Cacucu jumped off Capitano's head, flew to the table, and plopped down on the documents.

Ororon thoughtfully shifted his gaze from Neuvillette to Wriothesley.

"Are there any glues?"

"Ororon, it’s called ‘clues,’" Ifa remarked.

"Do you even hear yourself, bro?"

"Oh, right. Are there any clues?"

Wriothesley hid the handcuffs and slightly raised his palms.

"Unfortunately, no. Their ‘office’ kept moving from place to place even before the trial, all the testimonies contradict each other. They just vanished into thin air."

"One of my friends disappeared, and that's how it all started," said Sigewinne, shaking her head sadly. "Mireia never left home for long without telling anyone. Now she's been gone for a week, and no one knows what happened."

"And then, at least four other similar cases were discovered." added Wriothesley. "Three Melusines disappeared in a week, and another one just tonight. And I'm afraid the disappearances won't end there."

Capitano looked out the window at the raining Fontaine. The Melusines were kind and harmless magical creatures, but someone was not only trying to exploit them for profit, but had now begun actively kidnapping them. Disgusting.

 "That's why we came to you," said Ifa. "We can help you search for information. Maybe we'll see something that seems suspicious to us too."

Neuvillette looked up and stared at them for a moment, then sighed and nodded.

"I feel guilty for burdening you with our problems, but your help will also be appreciated. Go to Fleuve Cendre, you’ll find the organization Spina di Rosula there. Their leader, Navia, is also trying to track down the criminals using methods that are unavailable to me due to my position. Perhaps she has already found some new leads."

Capitano nodded.

"All right, we'll start there. But I would like to reiterate that I am not here on behalf of the Fatui. I am acting as a private individual, so I would not want my involvement in Fontaine's affairs to cause unnecessary speculation. I have no interest here, only to assist those who are… dear to me."

Finally, Wriothesley’s face relaxed completely.

"Well, if it's really not about the Fatui wanting to put down their roots in Fontaine even further… We'd be grateful for your help, Capitano."

"The heck are you on about, bro?" Cacucu said indignantly.

"Ha-ha, yes. And, of course, yours—Ororon, Ifa, and Cacucu."

Cacucu nodded contentedly, jumped off the table, and headed for the exit.

All they had to do was follow him.

***

Following the breathtaking water cubes, Pantalone was in for another incredible discovery: as soon as they arrived at the meeting place with the dealers, they saw mysterious, enormous stone ridges protruding from the ground and extending far upward.

"What on earth is that?" he turned around, assessing the scale of this strange view.

"Elynas," Dottore replied briefly, also glancing at the stone ridges. "This skeleton has been rotting here since the Cataclysm."

"That is a skeleton?!"

Dottore approached one of the ridges and slapped it with his hand.

"Another interesting creation that was a thorn in people's side. According to the records, Elynas was a spawn of the Abyss, brought to life within our world so that he could see it with his own eyes. But his very existence proved destructive to the lands and waters... In short, a tale as old as time — he was hunted until he met his end right here."

"Huh…"

Dottore sighed, then crossed his arms and gazed into the distance.

"I once studied this matter. I wanted to find whether it was possible to use Elynas's remains for our own purposes. It's a great loss that all that’s left of him now is just this. His death wasn’t without consequences, though." he nodded toward the Court of Fontaine. "A people known as the Melusines were born from Elynas’s very wounds."

"Really?"

"It’s always fascinated me how something people rush to condemn can give rise to its complete opposite that everyone loves and adores. Is it hypocrisy? Stupidity? Or the ability to condescendingly accept only those who are weaker than you?"

Pantalone took off his glasses and wiped the raindrops off of them.

"Maybe they don't feel threatened by the Melusines the way they did by the Elynas?"

"Pfft, ‘threatened’. The real threat is stagnation, narrow-mindedness, fear of everything you can't understand. The real enemy of humanity is within its own mind."

They silently stared at the stone bones. Pantalone took off his glove and touched the smooth surface, which felt cold and slippery from the rain. The existence of something that once poisoned Teyvat led to the emergence of a new race that is protected at all costs.

The world is indeed an amazing thing.

"Hey, are you here for the goods?" Pantalone flinched when three strangers suddenly appeared from around the corner. He adjusted his glasses and looked closely at their clothes. They wore neat, mid-range suits and unassuming Fontaine hats, but their shoes were completely unkempt, and their hands had never seen a manicure—or possibly even soap.

Hmm.

"What do you think?" Dottore asked them. "You're late. If you can't keep track of time, set your watches ten minutes ahead."

Their leader was clearly dissatisfied with his words, as he immediately clenched his fists, but Pantalone quickly intervened.

"Really, gentlemen, let's get down to business. Your goods, our mora, and we'll go our separate ways."

Hearing about the money, their postures immediately became less aggressive.

"Of course." Their leader put the heavy bag on the ground and opened the fasteners. "Here's one of the parts."

Dottore leaned over the bag and began to carefully examine its contents.

"Where’s the rest?"

"We'll deliver the rest once we've agreed on everything," the merchant smiled. "These are heavy, no one will carry thirty of them uphill for you. Once we agree on everything, you can pick them up later at the pier and load everything onto your ship or cart right away."

Pantalone glanced around the area. Now it made sense why the men had set up the meeting here—so they would have an excuse not to bring all the goods. They will probably try to get them to pay for all thirty pieces, promising to deliver them, and then simply disappear. What idiots, they know where the order came from, yet they still try to scam them.

"Then the payment will be equivalent, gentlemen," Pantalone said, shaking his head. "You brought one item, so you will be paid for one item. Bring us the rest, and we will pay for the rest. It’s that simple."

"If you don’t want to pay for everything at once, pay at least a third for organizing the transportation. Operating the ship and the automatons costs money, you know. And what if you refuse to take the goods? We need a guarantee that we won't lose money."

Pantalone smiled.

"Well, we also need a guarantee that the goods will be delivered safe and sound. Payment upon receipt of all the items, gentlemen. No more, no less."

"That's not how it..."

"Hmm." Dottore stood up. "And what is this junk?"

Pantalone glanced distractedly at the transmitter. The device was clearly not in the best condition, but it didn't look broken either.

"That’s what you asked for."

"And what generation is it?"

"Third, monsieur."

Dottore snorted.

"It's not even the second. Who are you trying to fool here? This piece of metal is completely useless. It's old garbage, the kind you see all over the market."

"But monsieur, it's just like new!"

Dottore nodded downward.

"Your heads, which will roll down the hill, will also be just like new. How do you like that prospect?"

Pantalone also looked expectantly at the merchants. What a bunch of insolent bastards, they knew the order came from above, and still decided to deceive them.

Unless…

Finally, their leader let out a fake laugh.

"Oh, sorry. We must have mixed up the bags! We're meeting later with another buyer, you know. Here's what you asked for!"

Another man took the bag off his shoulder and opened it. Dottore sighed in annoyance and looked closely at the new transmitter. Pantalone stared wide-eyed at the two identical devices. It was not just hard to spot the difference, it was impossible — they looked exactly the same, down to the smallest detail. He looked back at Dottore, who was carefully scanning some nuances that only he could understand. Finally, the wrinkle on his forehead smoothed out a little.

"That's more like it, this is indeed the third generation."

The tension in the air eased dramatically after these words. The unsuccessful swindlers immediately nodded.

"Of course, another twenty-nine of these will be delivered down to the pier tomorrow morning, where you can load everything onto a cart or a ship, monsieur! But only with prepayment for the transportation, no other way. We need guarantees."

"And what guarantees can you offer us? A pinkie promise?"

"Only we have the items you need," one of them said brazenly. "They are not available on the market, let alone in such quantities."

Pantalone gritted his teeth and reluctantly threw them the bag of mora.

"Very well," he immediately caught Dottore's surprised glance. "Tomorrow at the same time down at the pier. Be sure to be on time."

The merchants opened the bag and counted the money with satisfaction.

"Of course, of course! It's a pleasure doing business with you, messieurs! See you later!"

After hiding the mora, they quickly made their way down the hill. And when they had walked a little further away, Dottore raised his palms in confusion.

"Are you out of your mind? Did you take their word for it? They were trying to scam us."

"They didn't just try, they scammed us," replied Pantalone. "Something's not right here."

"You bet something's not right. They scammed us!"

"No, Zandik," Pantalone kept his eyes on the merchants. "Did you notice how they're dressed? These aren't the men I made an arrangement with. I only work with people I know, and these guys are way below that level."

Dottore frowned.

"So what? They sent their pawns, big deal."

"No." Pantalone shook his head. "The people I work with, even their pawns look presentable. Reputation is everything to them, they won't work with the ragtag and bobtail." 

Dottore stared at the three men, who were moving farther and farther away, occasionally looking back.

"And what the hell does this mean?"

"Someone is playing games with us." He looked at Dottore, grabbed him by the shoulder, and pulled him behind the trees. "All we have to do now is find out who is playing, and what kind of game it is."

They resolutely followed the merchants as the latter walked farther away.

When someone tried to play a game with him, Pantalone always accepted the challenge.

But he had no intention of accepting someone else's rules.

Chapter Text

Fleuve Cendre was exactly the kind of place Capitano had expected from the base of a local independent organization. The long descent into the deepest depths of the city ended in what could even be called a small village. Among the enormous pipes were small houses and shops, tables and benches, and in some places even clothes drying—it seemed that life here was no less active than in the city above. Children played among the boxes while elderly Fontainians sat calmly at tables playing chess and other board games. There were many young people, too, rushing around intently, obviously performing some important, urgent work.

“Any ideas where we should go?” Ororon looked up distractedly at the faint sunlight filtering through.

“No idea,” Ifa looked around. “Maybe we should ask someone.”

Capitano also looked around and approached a girl, who was sitting on her knees and either repairing or, on the contrary, breaking some kind of mechanisms.

“Greetings. Could you tell me where we can find Navia?”

Upon hearing his voice, the girl looked up at him, and then stood up silently, continuing to study him carefully. She had very large lavender eyes and light-colored cat ears showing atop her head. 

“Fatui, right?” she asked bluntly, looking at him straight on. “If I'm not mistaken, Capitano, the First Harbinger?”

He looked at the girl carefully, trying to remember if they had crossed paths before.

“Lynette," she continued. “I'm from the House of the Hearth. The Chief Justice asked ‘Father’ for help with the Melusine case, and we were sent to Fleuve Cendre.”

So that's what it is. Arlecchino’s ward.

“So Monsieur Neuvillette has already brought Fatui into the case.”

"’Father’ is out of town right now, so it's just me and Freminet on the mission right now," she explained. “Are you here for the same reason?”

“We're here to help our friends," Ifa said cheerfully, and Capitano felt a friendly slap on his shoulder. “But yes, we're here because of Neuvillette, too.”

“Yeah, bro!”

"It’s ’sis’, Cacucu," Ororon corrected the Qucusaurus.

“Natlanese?” She looked at the boys carefully. “Capitano's subordinates?”

“We're undercover here. Shh! No one should guess," Ororon answered cryptically, like they were in a comedy movie about spies, and Capitano caught himself smiling again.

Lynette nodded seriously.

“Got it. You can find Navia downstairs in the cafeteria. I saw her talking to chef Escoffier. Let me show you the way.”

Capitano nodded and they followed Lynette in silence. A stairway up, then a stairway down, followed by another stairway down. The murmur of voices grew louder with each step: the cafeteria seemed to be at its most lively.

“How many times do I need to tell you, it is absolutely impossible to change the recipe, and still expect the same result!” The girl in the chef's hat scolded several subordinates, while they kept their heads down and listened to her. “Moreover, you even dared to raise the temperature during the baking process! What did they teach you?!”

A girl with long blonde curls and a black dress with gold elements, who was standing next to them, giggled.

"Come on, Escoffier. It tasted good! Yes, the pastries didn't turn out the same, but they still tasted nice!"

“No excuses! They've gotten out of hand because of you," Escoffier said sternly. “Soon, instead of fresh cakes here will be store-bought cookies made from pre-made mixes!”

"They're very easy to make, by the way. We tried it last time we were in Fontaine," Ororon said suddenly, and the girls looked at them.

“And you?..”

“More helpers," Lynette replied briefly. “From Neuvillette.”

“Monsieur Neuvillette wants to get to the bottom of this by all means!" The girl in the dress clapped her hands and smiled radiantly. “I am Navia, you have come to the right place. And what is the name of our help?”

“I’m Ifa, and this is Captain, Ororon, and Cacucu.”

Capitano felt the girl's attentive gaze on him. But unlike Wriothesley, who had a look of distrust and hostility in his eyes at first, Navia continued to smile. She probably didn't recognize him.

“This is great! With a team like this, our chances of finding something out are much higher!”

“We'll do our best," said Capitano, and Navia nodded.

"That's the spirit! With your help, we'll solve this problem quickly!" She cheerfully grabbed his palm, and Capitano carefully looked at her hands. They were very delicate and fair, which was surprising for the leader of a local organization that surely dealt with lots of dangerous situations. There was no hint of wounds or calluses on her fingers. However, there was a Geo Vision hanging from her shoulder, meaning she must have wielded a weapon of some sort. It might even be something massive, like a claymore. After all, even fragile looks can be deceiving.

“Please, make way, make way," came a quiet voice from behind, and Capitano felt Ororon grab his left shoulder and pull him sharply to the side. Navia's hand flinched and immediately let go of him.

He looked at Ororon in surprise and the guy explained,

“We need to let someone pass.”

He continued to stare intently at the guy, who had a strangely tense expression on his face. But then a man in a discreet Fontaine suit came running up to Navia, and Capitano turned his attention back to them. The man handed her some kind of paper and began saying something quietly in her ear. The girl listened attentively. The smile on her face changed to concentration, then anger, and then back to a smile.

"Okay, thank you," she said, taking a deep breath. "Well, you knew when to come. There's new information on our case. My men finally found a clue as to how Melusine might have been abducted.”

Capitano looked carefully at the sheet she held in her hands. Several names were written on it, along with arrows pointing to an inscription that had been circled.

“Beryl Region, house by the lake.”

"What is it?" Escoffier asked, leaning over the paper.

"All the Melusines went to a certain house in the western part of the Beryl Region before they disappeared," Navia said, opening the map and circling the location in red. "Right here."

“But why did they go there?” Ifa asked.

Navia shook her head.

“It seems they had been lured there on various pretexts. There were two witnesses who had been invited to the house, but they never made it there—fortunately, as it turned out. They invited Melusine Pasor to help her find a job, and Melusine Mia to help her find a missing friend, who was among those who had disappeared that week.”

“They kidnapped them, and then they promised to find them.” Lynette commented. “Unbelievable audacity.”

Capitano looked carefully at the red circle on the map.

“Did those Melusines say how they learned about this place?”

“Someone whispered here, someone gave a hint there," Navia shifted her gaze to him. “Melusines are easy to trick, unfortunately. They just don't think of anything bad when they're offered help. Even if it's done with ill intentions.” 

“We should explore this place somehow," Ifa suggested. “What if we find these two witnesses and send them to this house while we control the situation?”

“Yeah, bro!”

Escoffier shook her head.

“I don't think the Chief Justice would be happy to hear about this.”

“I agree," Navia nodded after a pause. “We can't risk the Melusines. We won't be able to enter the house with them and check everything inside. And in case of danger, they're unlikely to be able to fight off the villains themselves, if there are many of them.”

“I can do that," came a familiar voice, and they turned around.

It was Sigewinne.

“Sigewinne, no," Navia said flatly. "It's too risky. Wriothesley will destroy us if he finds out that we—"

"Listen," she said, stepping toward them, clenching her fists firmly. "We've got to stop this. We can't waste any more time. I'd rather risk going there myself than wait until they find new ways to kidnap innocent victims. I can tell them I need help… say, finding an apartment in the Court of Fontaine. Even if they start checking my cover story, they won't find anything since I'm in the Fortress of Meropide almost all the time. And in this house, if I see anything suspicious, I'll let you know right away!”

Capitano looked at the little Melusine with respect. It was impressive how much courage and determination she had in her.

“Well," Navia finally conceded. “I agree, we can't wait any longer. Then shall we take the risk? We'll lead Sigewinne from every possible angle to keep her safe.”

“Then we are ready too, aren't we?“ Ifa looked at him and Ororon.

“Then we are ready too,'' Ororon answered. “We will hide in the shadows. Quiet as a moose.”

“Quiet as a mouse," Ifa corrected him.

“Do you even hear yourself, bro?”

“Oh, did I mix everything up again?”

Sigewinne chuckled cutely.

“Then we'll leave as soon as everyone's ready.”

***

Following someone in an open area with nothing but trees and rocks had never been a particularly difficult task—but today Dottore felt as tense as ever. The men he and Pantalone had been following for forty minutes straight were acting not just unprofessionally, but downright weird: all three of them were constantly looking around, hiding behind trees and changing direction, as if they were trying to confuse their pursuers in this idiotic way.

“What a bunch of morons," he grumbled as the merchants changed direction again for no reason and headed down toward the dilapidated pier. "All they have left to do is put on their glasses with fake mustaches and cover themselves with newspapers. Did they learn from those stupid ass jokes about detectives?”

"Do you know any of those jokes?" Pantalone asked.

“If you ask me to tell you a joke, I swear I'll strangle you.”

Pantalone snorted.

“Grump.”

“Hey, you!" the men shouted in their direction, and Dottore gritted his teeth.

Fuck, had the brutes noticed us? Maybe this was all just a bad act?..

But fortunately, the men were not looking at them. After only a few seconds, several other figures emerged to join the inept conspirators. Dottore tried to follow Pantalone's advice and take a closer look at their clothes, but all seven looked exactly the same.

Bad.

“Your word?” one of the newcomers asked briefly.

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

“Success?”

“Yes.”

“The hook?”

“The bait.”

“Mistake?”

“A complete match.”

“What kind of nonsense is this," Dottore cursed, but then one of the newcomers said something that made him tense up immediately.

“Excellent. The client will be pleased.”

‘The client?’

“I don't know why on earth he wanted those guys, they didn't look anything special," one of them snorted. “No weapons, no visions. Just plain old junk buyers. Probably planning to resell that shit three times over, heh. Tomorrow it'll be over for good, and we'll get our money.”

“They don't even know we're Fatui. My dealers should have known that, I arranged the whole thing back from Snezhnaya," Pantalone rubbed the bridge of his nose thoughtfully. “Who the hell are these guys?”

“What are the chances their ‘client’ is the one you negotiated with?”

“I don't know anything anymore," Pantalone exhaled tensely. “It looks like all we have to do is wait. At least judging by the conversation, they really are planning to meet us tomorrow.”

Dottore stared at the water in silence for a while, trying to make sense of everything. An unknown ‘client’, unknown merchants, an attempt to scam them... who would want it and why?

Suddenly there was a strange noise, and the water near the pier began to ripple.

“What the heck?” Dottore muttered quietly, looking carefully at the waves.

“It's like a huge fish surfacing…”

As it turned out, Pantalone was almost right. As the noise grew louder and the waves grew bigger, a dark spot appeared, followed by the entire hull of a massive submarine surfacing from under the water.

“Holy shit," Pantalone fixed his glasses, staring at the surfaced boat. “How could there be a submarine ship on a shoal?!”

“Then it's not a shoal at all," Dottore said grimly. “It's a hell of a place for a base. No one would think of looking for anything near the beaches.”

They watched in silence as the men parted and went their separate ways: the three merchants disappeared behind the rocks, and the four strangers boarded the ship and went underwater. When the beach was quiet again, and the water had finally calmed, Dottore pursed his lips tensely.

“Pfft, what an interesting meeting we've had.”

“To be honest, I didn't think it would end up like this," Pantalone touched the bridge of his nose. “What do we do now?”

Dottore glanced at the rocks where the strange merchants had disappeared, and then looked up at the sky. The sun was already at its zenith.

“Let's go.”

“Where to?”

“To deal with things. We've already wasted enough time with these clowns.”

Pantalone took his watch out of his pocket and quickly checked the time.

“You're right," he nodded, and they hurried along the beach.

Whatever was happening, they must not lose control over the situation.

***

Ororon would have genuinely enjoyed the Fontaine scenery if it weren't for the circumstances. The clean air smelled of water and freshness, and the lush green trees were so different from Natlan’s that they seemed even more beautiful. The view was so marvelous in every direction that it took every effort not to be distracted from Sigewinne walking in the distance.

"There's an open field ahead, so don't come out of the woods yet. The others should be in position by now.”

Ororon looked up at the cliffs behind the house and took another step forward when a root suddenly appeared beneath his feet, causing the world to lurch abruptly away.

"Oh!" he exclaimed and leapt back in an attempt to keep his balance as he felt himself gently caught from behind.

Capitano held him silently, almost lifting him above the ground. A strange mix of excitement and frustration rippled through his body, and Ororon took a step to the side.

“Didn't notice the root," he explained. “I wouldn't have fallen, but thank you.”

Capitano looked at him for a moment, then nodded.

“Good. Be careful." He went straight ahead, and Ororon shot a glance at him.

“I will.”

What 's going on, where's this irritation coming from? I have to concentrate, my head feels like a cabbage.

Ororon took a deep breath, exhaled, and followed him.

Their company, consisting of Lynette and her quiet friend who shyly introduced himself as Freminet, was already sitting at the agreed-upon spot.

“She’s approaching the house. Get down,” Lynette said quietly, and Ororon squatted down, examining the area.

Sigewinne was already approaching the house, and he stared at the other vantage point they'd agreed on beforehand. There was no one to be seen behind the trees on the other side of the house, but Ororon had no doubt that Ifa, Cacucu, Escoffier, and that enterprising Navia had already taken up their positions.

He exhaled irritably again and touched his forehead. It seemed that time spent with Grump was starting to take its toll on him: there was too much of this strange vexation in his body.

“Are you alright?” Capitano asked quietly. “If you have a headache, lie down.”

"I'm fine," he answered briefly. "You should watch Sigewinne, not me."

"Ororon," Capitano said, looking at him carefully. "What's wrong? You're acting strange."

"’Strange?’"

“Strange—even for you.” 

He looked away as Lynette said briefly:

“Attention.”

They fell silent and turned their attention to the Melusine as well; you can't think only about yourself at a time like this. Ororon squinted and studied the house: a small shack, nothing special in appearance. Half-ruined steps, an overgrown well, a fence broken in some places. A typical sight for the edge of the countryside.

“Interesting," he commented quietly. “Nothing suspicious on the one hand, but on the other, the absence of anything suspicious is already very suspicious.”

He watched carefully as Sigewinne knocked on the door and it swung open. It was only a second before Melusine was finally inside the house.

“What are we supposed to do now?” he asked quietly, clutching his bow.

“We sit," Capitano replied. "In case of an emergency, we'll see her signal. It will only take me two seconds to get there."

Five minutes passed, or maybe seven, as the door swung open again. Ororon stared at the doorway where Sigewinne stepped out briskly, waved to someone, and headed down toward the beach where their pre-arranged meeting place was.

"Let's go," said Capitano. "But let's keep her at a distance in case they're following her."

They walked down the road between the trees until the house was far behind them. There were no signs of followers, but Ororon kept clutching his bow just in case, ready to unleash a wave of electro damage at any moment.

Sigewinne was waiting for them by the water, pondering something and kicking rocks lightly with her small shoes. She didn't seem to be hurt or frightened, so Ororon finally holstered his bow.

“Are you alright?” Lynette asked the Melusine. “Who was there?”

Ifa, Cacucu, Escoffier, and Navia also appeared from behind the rocks.

“What was there?” Navia asked impatiently too. “Who was in that house?”

Sigewinne looked at them intently.

“There were several people in there. They introduced themselves as members of the Citizens' Bureau of the suburbs of the Court of Fontaine. They even showed me their documents, but I don't know if they were real.”

“And what did these bureau members say?”

“Just general phrases, that some jobs provide housing and so on. Nothing suspicious. They just asked a few questions and gave some advice on where to go for help, and these were all real, official organizations in the Court of Fontaine. Neuvillette had already checked them out, and they were all clear.”

Navia rubbed her temples.

“Did they ask you for money?”

“No, nothing.”

Ororon looked thoughtfully at the rocks behind which this strange house was hidden.

“They couldn't have seen us watching, could they?”

“I don't know," Sigewinne shook her head. “But even I didn't see you, even though I knew you were near.”

“We've lost our last clue again," Escoffier sighed. “Looks like we're coming back with nothing.”

Capitano nodded toward the house.

“We need to keep watching them and their house. Something's not right here, maybe they were just probing the victim today.”

“We'll take care of it," Lynette said briefly. “You can leave it to us.”

“Escoffier and I will escort Sigewinne to the Court of Fontaine," said Navia, putting on her sunglasses. "From a distance, of course."

“And what are we doing?” Ifa asked, and Cacucu hovered resolutely in front of the girl.

She smiled.

“I’ll message you when we need your help again. I think we'll meet again tomorrow morning to discuss the further steps. So I'll see you then!”

Once everyone had left and it was just the four of them again, Ifa sighed wistfully.

“And here we are again, right back where we were. We only wasted our time.”

“Let's go. There's nothing more to do here.”

They were slowly making their way up the hill when Ororon turned once more to look at the water. A familiar figure in the distance caught his eye.

“Look," he pointed down at the far edge of the beach, where four men were standing near some crates and old boats. One of them was wearing a familiar white outfit with a feathered collar. “That's Grump.”

“Where's Bun?” Ifa looked around the beach. “I thought the two are always together.”

“Maybe they had a fight," Ororon shrugged. “They both have rough tempers. Diamond cut diamond.”

Ifa and Capitano looked at him at the same time.

“Where did you hear that saying?”

Ororon touched his face thoughtfully.

“Isn't that what they say?”

Capitano hummed quietly.

“Let's go back. We should finally get to the Hotel Debord and get a room.”

"Yeah, or else we'll have to ask Bun and Grump if we can stay with them," Ifa sighed. “And then we'll probably have to sleep outside again.”

"Let's go, bro! Let's go!"

They walked slowly up the hill. As they entered the forest, Ororon turned and looked at Dottore again.

What the...

“Wait," he called out to the others. “Look!”

Dottore continued to stand quietly while his three companions held onto their necks and slowly settled to the ground. After a few moments, all three were lying motionless on the sand, and Dottore threw them into the water in cold blood, right into the jaws of the local predators. He then turned around as if nothing had happened and went somewhere behind the rocks.

“No way, bro," Cacucu was the only one who could say anything. They continued to stand in silence, watching the water turn darker and darker.

Ororon felt goosebumps run down his back.

This was not something he had expected.

***

Capitano had always known you can’t trust these two, yet he still fell into this trap. Ororon, Ifa, and Cacucu were pale as ghosts after what they had seen. They remained silent, for the first time faced with the bitter truth about their new friends Grump and Bun, who had turned into the Fatui Harbingers Dottore and Pantalone right before their eyes.

“What are we gonna do?” Ifa was the first to break that ringing silence when they reached the Court of Fontaine. “Should we tell Neuvillette and Wriothesley? Or should we wait for some explanations from Grump?”

“Listen," Capitano looked at the guys. “I know what you saw shocked you. But there's a lot of things you don't know about these two, they're not that simple. Maybe we made a mistake. Maybe I made the mistake of believing that people can change.”

“Tell us the truth," Ifa asked with a defeated expression on his face that was hard to describe in words.

“In fact, they have a reputation for being… cruel people who are willing to do anything to achieve their goals. Dottore is considered a criminal in some countries, he has done a lot of bad things. Pantalone is willing to do anything for money—to deceive, to commit a crime, even to literally play with other people's lives. They have been business partners for a long time, working together on several dubious but lucrative cases that are not usually spoken about. Why do you think they are choosing to take off their Fatui uniform while traveling? Because otherwise, too many eyes will be watching them.”

Ororon and Ifa stared at him intently.

“Are you saying that they might be using us for their own purposes?”

“All I'm saying is that we should have been more careful with them from the very beginning. It's all my fault, you didn't know anything. I should have warned you. Naive of me, but I really wanted to see the good in them that had recently emerged. Seems like we'd really be better off letting them continue the journey on their own.”

"You know what I'm thinking," Ifa said, looking absentmindedly at the colorful sleep masks on display in the storefront. “What if Grump really tried to attack Capitano this morning while the others slept?”

“But Bun said that—”

“Ororon, he could have lied to us," Ifa said, looking at him grimly. "They could have lied to us about everything."

There was silence. After a moment, Ororon shook his head.

“No." He looked at them firmly. “We need to listen to them first, I don't believe they were lying to us. Grump may act mean sometimes, but remember how he saved Cacucu from that trap!”

“Yeah, bro!”

“Just think about it, he had no reason to do that. It was his first reaction to danger!”

“But—”

“Yes, I do believe there may be a black mark following them. But I also believe people can change!”

Capitano looked at Ororon intently. Once again, the same strange feeling he had been experiencing for the past few months intensified. There was something incredible about Ororon. Directness, perhaps. Or maybe it was his kindness and openness. Ororon was capable of accepting, capable of forgiving. And that made him just incredible – worthy of respect, worthy of sincere admiration, worthy of…

“Alright," Capitano made a decision and walked swiftly down the street. He heard the guys and Cacucu hurrying after him. “They told us where their house is. I suggest we leave them a note that we need to have a serious talk.”

The walk to the Café Lutece took only a few minutes. The café was empty, with only a few people sitting at a couple of tables under umbrellas, enjoying a cup of coffee and taking a break from the constant drizzle.

“Hey, how's it going," Ifa said cheerfully to the man behind the counter. “Could you please help us? We are looking for our companions' house, perhaps you've met ‘em? Both are tall, one with dark hair, and he wears glasses and Liyue clothes. And the other has light blue hair, wears Sumeru clothes, and has a constant frown on his face. They told us they have a house somewhere near Café Lutece.”

The man listened attentively, then shook his head.

“Perhaps you’ve got something mixed up. There are no residential buildings near the cafe, all the buildings here are rented – they usually host foreign delegations involved in court hearings. And I didn't see your companions either, unfortunately. There aren't many people on the streets today, you see what the weather is like…”

The three of them looked at each other.

“And here's another lie," Ifa concluded.

“No way, bro…”

Capitano lowered his head and inhaled deeply.

Trusting them was a mistake.

Chapter Text

At night, the Court of Fontaine was even more alive than during the day. Even though the rain lingered, in the evening the townspeople came out in their finest clothes and strolled through the streets with their elegant, fashionable lace-trimmed umbrellas.

Pantalone gazed with pleasure at the lights of the night city. In just the few days of their journey, he had already begun to miss the sense of life that pulsed only in the big cities. The hum of voices, quiet music, the clatter of heels, and playful laughter – it all merged into one harmonious, unique melody of night city life, which he loved with all his heart.

“It's so beautiful here, even in the rain,” he said and tilted his umbrella to look at the cloud-covered sky. “It's a shame we have to carry around an umbrella, though.”

“Do you want to talk about the weather?” Dottore asked, took his hand and forcefully returned the umbrella to its original position. “If so, please be kind enough not to walk in the rain, at least. We got soaked this morning already, and you get sick from any nonsense.”

“I feel better than ever.”

“Pfft, I bet, after that large glass of wine. But watch out; if you wake up with a runny nose tomorrow, I'll make you eat a whole ginger root”.

Pantalone only smiled.

After a few days of traveling with constantly chattering companions, he was genuinely enjoying the walk, just the two of them. They could talk, but they could also be silent. And even their silence sometimes conveyed more emotion than all the words in the world could.

He glanced at Dottore, whose face was as focused as ever, but no longer irritated. It looked incredibly beautiful under the light of the evening lights. Pantalone admired his handsome features and bright red eyes until the familiar tables appeared before them, followed by a bed of delicate rainbow roses.

“This is where I asked you to marry me for the fourth time, and you finally said yes. And then you puked on the roses,” he chuckled. “You always throw up when you feel intense emotions you can't process.”

Dottore frowned, but his face immediately smoothed out.

“Years go by, and it's still strange for me to think about it. I never thought my life would turn into this.”

“What do you mean, ‘this’? Do you regret it?” There was a nasty lump in his throat. The mere thought that Dottore might regret their marriage shattered something inside him in an instant.

The man looked back at him.

“Am I that big of an idiot? No, that's not what I mean. What I mean, is that I've gotten too sentimental because of you. Sometimes I feel like I'm not the same person I used to be. And that really annoys me.”

Pantalone felt the lump immediately recede, and warmth spread inside him again.

“Of course you've changed. Sometimes people need a little love, Zandik. Everyone needs to be loved and accepted. Look at the flowerbed. For a flower to bloom, it needs to be watered regularly.”

Dottore looked at the rainbow rose.

“So that some weird scientist who can't handle his emotions can vomit on it afterwards?”

A chuckle escaped his lips.

“You've vomited on me before. Believe me, I didn't die from it.”

“Is that how you called yourself a rainbow rose, you narcissistic banker?” Dottore stared at the sky in silence for a while. “It doesn't suit you. You're a glaze lily.”

A wave of pleasure spread through his body. It was his favorite flower, and Dottore remembered that.

“Will you sing for me?”

“No way. It's dangerous to sing in Fontaine; they'll mistake you for a street performer and start throwing coins.”

“Not a bad business idea, though” Pantalone smiled and looked intently into Dottore's red eyes. “And you, then, are a henna berry. A brightly colored fruit from the Sumeru Desert, that grows on cacti with sharp prickles. You're extremely hard to pick, but nothing else has such an unmatchable red color.”

Dottore listened attentively, staring off into the distance. A smile appeared on his lips, too, and Pantalone could not take his eyes off it.

They had both changed, Pantalone felt it too. The all-consuming hatred and anger that had dictated all his previous actions had somehow been replaced by calmness and confidence. Dottore had also become softer, more humane, and more balanced. And these amazing, invisible to the eye internal changes gave him such a feeling of harmony that even the world started to seem a much more pleasant place.

The whole world became the crimson color of desert henna berries and the delicate blue of glaze lilies when you came into my life.

“Tell me,” Dottore said quietly as they turned from the crowded square into a narrow alley. “I didn’t stop being the man you… chose, did I?”

Pantalone took him by the arm lightly.

“No, Zandik. Some things may have changed, but the core of your personality is still the same. I guess it's just that I could see the fruit behind your dry prickles, ready to burst with life and color.”

“What kind of sappy nonsense is that? You're talking just like that crazy Ororon.”

Pantalone laughed.

“Speaking of them… Why do you think Ifa and Ororon came with us?”

“Because they're annoying and don't understand the word ‘no.’”

“Because they like you, Zandik,” Pantalone said, shaking his head. “They like both of us, so they stick around. And I tell you, it's a feeling I'm still getting used to as well. I guess you and I have both changed a lot.”

“Pfft, well, you're never gonna change one thing.”

“What's that?”

Dottore looked up at the sky.

“You will always be my pain in the ass.”

Pantalone smiled warmly and squeezed his arm tighter.

“And you will always be my stubborn, prickly, abstruse bastard.”

As soon as he said those words, emotions overwhelmed him so strongly that he could not help himself. He threw the umbrella aside and grabbed Dottore sharply by the other shoulder.

“What are you—”

Dottore could not finish the sentence, for Pantalone gripped his shoulders tightly and touched his lips with his own. Whistles and cheers came from somewhere in the distance, and after a few moments Pantalone released him, still feeling the soft warmth echoing on his lips.

“What are you doing, you insane banker?” muttered Dottore in disbelief. “Why in front of everyone?”

“I guess I'm just a little drunk from that glass of wine. And right now we're nothing more than Grump and Bun. When will we ever get a chance like that?" He chuckled and picked up the umbrella. “Now, let's see if our first kiss in front of the crowd makes you puke.”

He walked slowly forward, enjoying the air of the night city and the warm feeling on his lips. Dottore remained standing still, but after a few seconds followed him.

He didn’t puke.

***

Sleep had always been as much of a luxury for Capitano as silence. Even now, when time had passed since he had been on the Throne, he still couldn't believe that he could close his eyes at any moment and fall into a light sleep.

His dreams weren't always pleasant. Sometimes they made him relive the emotions he had lived with for over five hundred years over and over again. Dreams of pain, of loss, of tears. Of those he cared about dying before his eyes. Of his homeland and loved ones no longer being there.

But more and more often he dreamed of something very soft, very bright. The rays of the morning sun, the light scent of flowers in the meadow. The bright canyons of Natlan, which had become his new home. The distant sound of the drums of the Masters of the Night-Wind tribe. Small, neat vegetable beds, lovingly cultivated by Ororon.

And often Ororon himself, with all his cryptic phrases and thoughts that can be so hard to follow.

Capitano smiled.

He was standing on the balcony, looking out over the square where the townspeople were slowly strolling. It was well past midnight, yet there were still lights in the windows. People went about their day, and quiet music and laughter still came from some of the establishments.

Ororon, Ifa, and Cacucu had been asleep for a while now, but Capitano continued to gaze at the city, taking in every sensation. The light breeze. The smell of wet ground and rain. The coolness of metal under his fingers. The sound of music and laughter. And the distant murmur of dark, deep waters.

He closed his eyes and touched his helmet. Since everyone was already asleep, he might as well take it off. He even touched the cold metal, when he heard the soft sound of footsteps behind him.

“You couldn't fall asleep either?” Ororon walked onto the balcony, and Capitano let go of his helmet.

“Yes,” he looked at the guy. He was wearing light sleepwear with the bright patterns of the Masters of the Night-Wind tribe. “I thought you had been asleep for some time.”

“I'm feeling uneasy.” Ororon walked over to him and leaned against the railing as well. “I've been thinking about what we saw today. About how... they lied to us.”

Capitano stared at the guy for a while, then turned his gaze to the clouded sky.

“We can finish with the Melusines and head back to Natlan. I was ordered to accompany them, but…”

But if I have to choose between all the orders in the world and you, I'll choose...

Capitano swallowed hard. What kind of thoughts are these?

Ororon didn't notice his confusion. He was silent for a while, and then began to draw some invisible patterns on the metal railing.

“I feel like I want to trust them. Whatever we saw today, we need to talk to them first. They're like a saurian claw... a succulent. Even if all the people of this world say they see a saurian claw in front of them, that doesn't make the plant a real saurian claw. Do you know what I mean?”

Capitano nodded thoughtfully.

“I think I do.”

“Even if their actions seem suspicious, we need to understand their motives first. I really want to believe that they are no longer the villains they once were. They sat by the fire next to us; they fell asleep next to us.”

Ororon kept staring at the railing, making patterns, while Capitano watched him intently. And when the guy finished some drawing, visible only to him, he suddenly asked,

“Why did you change your mind about taking your helmet off? Is it because of me?”

Capitano remained silent, and Ororon touched his shoulder lightly.

“You can take your helmet off in front of me. I promise I won't look if it makes you uncomfortable.”

Capitano felt his face smooth out.

“It's not that. It's just…”

It's just that everyone who saw this face without a helmet froze with a grimace of horror, wishing for one thing: to forget that sight as soon as possible. I don't want to see that look on your face too.

Ororon kept looking at him expectantly, and Capitano lowered his gaze to the city. Young people were walking and having fun, listening to street performances. Life was bustling.

He watched the people, feeling strangely confused. His life was finally moving forward, he was no longer a slave to his mission. He no longer had to find ways to bring peace to souls.

Yet, for some reason, time continued to pass only for those around him.

He shifted his gaze back to Ororon, who was now also studying the streets. The same strange feeling returned, and finally Capitano could recognize what it was like.

It was a sense of time. A sense of life. A sense of change. For some reason, Ororon made him feel alive – not frozen to death from the inside out. Not lost in a time that had stopped.

But why?

“You know, you're like a saurian claw sometimes, too, Capitano. You keep trying to hide behind your title, but you're no plant.”

The guy turned to him and suddenly touched his helmet, and Capitano stared at his attractive, focused face. One of Ororon's fingers ended up right on his cheek, and his heart beat faster. The strange feeling intensified, and Capitano swallowed hard when he had a sudden realization.

Ororon...

No, no. It can’t be.

He kept looking into his bright, multicolored eyes, at the determination in his gaze, at the pattern under his left eye. At his straight nose and full lips.

Or can it...?

“Please, don't,” he said, taking a sharp step back, and walked back into the room, unable to believe the discovery he had just made. Ororon remained standing on the balcony, and Capitano hoped that he wouldn't follow him.

Thankfully, he didn't.

     Morning at the Hotel Debord was surprisingly quiet. It would seem that such a popular place should have been filled with tourists, but the prolonged bad weather had apparently scared away the last of the city's guests.

Capitano had been up all night. He sat in his chair, thinking over and over again about what had happened that night. Ororon slept peacefully, unaware of the thoughts filling Capitano's head, which were as noisy as he had become accustomed to over the past five hundred years.

How did this happen? What to do about it now?

How to look at Ororon? How to talk to him?

How to be around him at all, because these thoughts will not be so easy to get rid of.

Ororon is young, very young, he's got his whole life ahead of him.

Ororon deserves more, he deserves better.

He deserves the very, very best.

The only solution is to crush these thoughts, crush these feelings.

Crush them, no matter how much it hurts.

Because nothing good will come of it.

Capitano sighed heavily and touched his forehead under his helmet when a demanding knock sounded at the door.

“Hmm," he got up from his chair and walked to the door. Ifa emerged sleepily from one of the rooms and yawned.

“Who's there this early?”

“I don't know yet," Capitano carefully opened the door, and Navia burst into the room. “Greetings, has somethi—”

“Sigewinne went missing!” she exclaimed, and the unnecessary thoughts finally left his head.

“How’s that possible?” Ifa clumsily grabbed his hat and knocked the coat rack to the floor. “Didn’t you walk her home yesterday?”

“We did!” Navia confirmed emotionally. “And when Lynette, Freminet, and I went to get her this morning, she had just vanished!”

Ororon and Cacucu came out of the room. Judging by the look on their faces, they heard everything.

“Vanished?” Ororon frowned in concentration. His hair was disheveled from sleep, and a tuft of hair protruded from the top of his head, just like Cacucu’s. “Straight from the Fortress of Meropide?”

“No way, bro!”

“Not from the Fortress of Meropide. She stopped at her missing friend's house in the Court of Fontaine today to water the flowers and feed the cat. She was planning to go back to the Fortress of Meropide in the morning, that’s why we came there,” Navia sighed. “On the bright side, if I may say so, we put a tracker on her last night, just in case. The gardemeks are searching the house now for more evidence, but we already have a rough idea of where she was last.”

“Where?!”

Navia pressed her lips tensely.

“That wild beach where we were yesterday, but the farther part of it. There's an old boat graveyard there.”

“No way, bro,” Cacucu repeated quietly, and Capitano clenched his hand into a fist.

This is the same place where they had seen Dottore yesterday.

Hurried footsteps sounded in the hallway, and Lynette appeared before them. She swiftly shoved some paper to Capitano and said briefly,

“New information.”

They glanced simultaneously at the small note, which contained only a few sentences written in small handwriting. Capitano sighed.

And here is the final proof.

***

The clouds over the Court of Fontaine didn't seem to be clearing. The puddles on the ground had already reached a frightful size, and even the drains seemed to be tired from the twenty-four-hour work.

Dottore wistfully looked up at the sky, which seemed no less depressing and gloomy than yesterday.

“Our heroes are not doing a great job," he commented and glanced down at the gardemeks, that were still miraculously not covered in rust. “The hydro dragon is still in low spirits.”

“He seems to be a very emotional gentleman.”

“Too emotional, even.” A strangely aggressive smell tickled his nose, and Dottore coughed and opened the window wider. “What are you doing in there?”

“Getting ready,” Pantalone answered briefly, and Dottore turned around.

Pantalone was standing in front of the mirror and repeatedly spritzed himself with the perfume from a small bottle. He was finally wearing his usual clothes from Liyue, which looked simply gorgeous on him; because they had been soaking wet yesterday, they had to walk around all day in the overly flamboyant Fontaine clothes which always annoyed Dottore with their inappropriate ruffles and pleats.

“Hmm.”

“While we're in town, I'm going to enjoy myself,” Pantalone explained with an incredibly pleased expression on his face and spritzed himself with perfume again. “Since I can't smell good in the forest, I'll do it in the city.”

“I think you overdid it,” Dottore grumbled and grabbed a glass of water as the perfume particles hit his mouth. “Ugh. And stop making stuff up, you always smell good. Even when you're all dirty.”

“That's because you're a sick pervert,” Pantalone's face brightened with a smile. “We'll stop by today and order fifty more bottles.”

“But please, don't pour all fifty on yourself at once, I wouldn't be able to take it,” he couldn't resist stepping closer to him and touching his neck with his nose. The light skin smelled aggressively of alcohol and essential oils. The smell was even too strong, but even underneath it, the soft skin still retained the wonderful, unique scent of warmth and love. “You alone must hold the entire perfume industry of Fontaine with your purchases.”

Pantalone pecked him on the cheek, set the bottle aside, and began brushing his hair with a small comb.

“I doubt it for the entire industry, but I did invest some money, and now I'm getting my interest back. In money and perfume.”

Dottore snorted.

“Actually, I thought I was joking. I guess I forgot who I'm dealing with. You're some kind of spider that has the whole world in its web.”

“Well, actually, you're weaving that web with me, Zandik.”

“Just don't eat me, my black widow.”

A strange noise came from below. Dottore frowned and walked to the window.

Something was clearly going on down in the square. Several gardemeks were listening to a tall man in dark clothes with a fur collar, while the blue-uniformed Melusines were knocking on all the houses and asking the locals about something.

“What the hell…”

“What's there?” Pantalone approached and looked down, too. But when one of the residents pointed toward their house and Capitano, Ororon, Ifa, and Cacucu appeared from around the corner, everything became clear at once.

“Looks like they're looking for us. Something serious must have happened.”

***

Pantalone was accustomed to the commotion their public appearances often caused in Snezhnaya, but he was not prepared for such a scenario in Fontaine.

He and Dottore decided not to wait for the knock on their door. They went down to the square themselves — whatever was happening down there, they had no reason to hide from the Fontaine authorities. At least, not as Bun and Grump.

“Look, it's those two!”

"Those two"?

A well-dressed man in dark clothing turned to them and examined them appraisingly.

“Hmm…”

Judging by his clothing, he was none other than the Duke of the Fortress of Meropide himself. He had an exceptionally grim expression on his face and was holding several pairs of handcuffs.

“Gentlemen guests of Fontaine,” he greeted them coldly. “It is best not to resist. You are under arrest on suspicion of organizing the kidnapping of Melusines.”

“But why do you—”

“Wait!” A familiar voice came from behind them, and Pantalone turned around. Ifa and Ororon ran up to them, followed by Capitano and Cacucu.

Pantalone gave the boys a confused look.

"Can you explain what's going on here?

“Bro Wriothesley," said Ororon, trying to steady his breathing. “Could we talk to them alone first?”

“It won't be—”

“Wriothesley, please,” Ifa said. “This is very important!”

“Yeah, bro!” Cacucu agreed too.

The duke thought for a while, then nodded.

“Alright. But make it quick; we don't have time to waste.”

They waited in silence as he stepped aside. Dottore was the first to break the silence.

“Pfft. Intelligence isn't your strong suit, is it? Why the hell did you go looking for criminals yesterday – just so you could turn the tables on us today?”

“We didn't call the gardemeks," Capitano replied coldly. “And you're in no position to talk about our intelligence. Be thankful, Dottore, that we're even listening to your explanations, because we know you lied to us.”

Pantalone looked at Capitano in surprise.

“What lies are you talking about?”

“We were looking for you yesterday,” Ifa explained. “We talked to the owner of Café Lutece. And he said that he had never seen you before, and that the houses around the café aren't residential at all – they're rented to host foreign delegations in Fontaine! Didn't you tell us you had a house right next to the café?”

Dottore clicked his tongue.

“And who do you think all these ‘rental houses’ belong to, who is the owner?” Pantalone felt the man lightly pinch his shoulder. “There he is, standing right in front of you.”

“No way, bro,” Cacucu flew a little closer to them, but Capitano stopped the Qucusaurus.

“Wait,” he still sounded cold. “Even if that's true, it doesn't explain the other thing.”

“What thing?”

“Sigewinne, the Melusine nurse from the Fortress of Meropide, disappeared tonight. And she disappeared in the same spot where we saw you yesterday, Dottore.”

Pantalone gave Dottore a puzzled look. The man rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest.

“And where did you see me yesterday?”

“Think back. The old beach, the broken boats. The three men you killed and threw in the water.”

Pantalone stared at Capitano.

“Did you guys hit your heads? What men?”

“Please, just tell us the truth,” Ororon asked. He was clearly uncomfortable being there; he didn't even look at them. “We saw everything yesterday. How Grump killed those men, how he dumped them in the water, how they were made into salad.”

"’Made into salad’"?

“Not literally,” Ifa said. “What's important is that there was another disappearance today in exactly the same spot. Sigewinne was wearing a tracker. And that tracker's signal had gotten lost on that very same beach.”

Pantalone bit his lip.

“What the hell…”

“And to answer your question about the gardemeks, they had been searching the house where Sigewinne spent the night,” Capitano continued. “On the floor by the front door they found a note saying that some foreigners had come to see her in the middle of the night. ‘One is wearing Sumeru clothes and has scary red eyes, and the other is wearing Liyue clothes with lots of jewelry. If I don't come back, look for them.’ How do you explain this? All the facts point to you. And it was you we saw at the boat graveyard, Dottore. Your white uniform is too visible from a distance.”

“Wait a minute,” Pantalone said, raising his eyebrows. “But that's utter nonsense. What white uniform? What Liyue and Sumeru clothes? We dealt with all our issues yesterday wearing only Fontaine clothes. We were soaking wet yesterday morning; all our clothes were drying at home. We literally just took them off the ropes, the crease on my shirt is not even completely evened out yet.”

The guys looked at the crease in his shirt and stared at each other.

“So you're saying you wore Fontaine outfits all day yesterday?” Ifa clarified. “Not your usual ones and not the Fatui uniform?”

“We're not as crazy as you are, walking around in wet clothes all day,” Dottore replied grimly. “Of course, we didn't wear those to meet the dealers; we wore some local clothing from our closet. Besides, we had better things to do at night than kidnap someone. Please feel free to ask around our neighbors, especially those in the house across the street.”

“Zandik,” Pantalone took him by the shoulder. “Someone wanted to frame us. And it all seems to have something to do with your mysterious doppelganger and those merchants. That beach with the broken boats where the murder took place yesterday and Melusine went missing today — that's the same place where we saw the submarine!”

“What submarine?” Ifa asked, but there were heavy footsteps.

“Your time is up,” said Wriothesley, who seemed even more grim than before. “I will now proceed with the arrest.”

“Bro Wriothesley," Ororon breathed out, finally looking up at them. “They did not kidnap Sigewinne.”

The duke pressed his lips together in frustration.

“Who did, then?”

“Let's go,” Dottore turned around and walked resolutely up the street. Pantalone and the others hurried after him.

“Where are we going?!”

“It looks like it's time to kick some arrogant piece of shit's ass.”

“We're going with you!”

Three girls appeared in front of them. One had long blonde curls, one wore a chef's hat, and one had little cat ears. Behind them stood an unknown boy, shyly lowering his gaze.

“Who are you?”

“What do you mean, who?” The girl with the curls put on her sunglasses. “Your ass-kicking team!”

“Yes, sis, yes!” shouted Cacucu and swiftly flew forward.

Pantalone gave their bizarre team a glance and smiled.

“Then keep up; we're going fast.”