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"What are you doing out here, Eula?"
Arlecchino almost jumped in surprise at the sudden call. The sky was still dark and Mondstadt's gates were shut. She was debating over jumping past the walls of the city or waiting for the gates to open when a voice startled her from her own thoughts. Arlecchino did not even notice the arrival of the bunny-haired lady before her until she called her out. She must have been too immersed in her own mind, she supposed.
"You misidentified me, miss. I'm afraid that is not my name."
Arlecchino slightly backed away when the short woman leaned towards her — probably an attempt to recognize her. She only came to Mondstadt in the first place to tie up some loose ends under Pierro's orders. Arlecchino was to check Rosalyn's remaining subordinates since she's the nearest harbinger in the area. But maybe she should have given a heads-up to the ones stationed in Mondstadt so that she wasn't stuck outside like a suspicious individual.
The nameless person apologized before nervously chuckling, "My apologies for that. You just possess the same stature as Eula so for a second..." Arlecchino only gave a quiet smile in response while giving a subtle eye roll. She doubts that someone actually possess the same aura as her.
The girl holds out her hand for what appears to be a handshake and says, "I'm Amber. The Knights of Favonius's Outrider! I haven't seen you around. Are you maybe a tourist from another land?" Arlecchino, on the other hand, shuns handshakes. She only gives it to people she thinks deserve it. She could amuse the little lady, though. Since she identified herself as one of those prestigious knights, Arlecchino could use her company to enter the city without incident.
"Tourist. I am indeed one." She supposed she identify as one. After all, Arlencchino is a guest — or something of sort.
"Then, allow me to guide you once the dawn breaks as an apology as well for misidentifying you awhile ago. But for now, allow me to bring you to have a sumptuous breakfast!"
*
In her entire life, Arlecchino had never been dragged around by anyone. People would sooner flee at the mere sight of her from a distance than treat her callously, as this little knight is doing while dragging her by the hand and babbling about stuff she doesn't understand. Arlecchino, despite her impudence, believes that she can be pardoned. She does intend well, after all, and even if that isn't the standard justification Arlecchino uses to pardon someone, that isn't the issue. For her, Amber was a breath of fresh air. In contrast to her subordinates who cower before her in awe and dread or the harbingers who do nothing but spite each other every time they meet, she is honest to a fault and the energy she offers her is not a mere pretense to impress Arlecchino or to garner favor from her.
Her train of thoughts was then interrupted when the Outrider let go of her hand. Amber paused in front of the building named as the Good Hunter and asked, "Well, we can't exactly go around on an empty stomach, can we?" Arlecchino can surmise that it's still three in the morning yet it's quite impressive that Mondstadt has a restaurant that stays open for twenty four hours.
"Arle, is there anything you want to eat?" Arlecchino looked at the menu laid out before her for perusal. She's not familiar with Mondstadt's cuisine. She is therefore unaware of which foods taste terrible and which do not. "It's my treat, so don't hesitate to pick any!" Arlecchino inadvertently glanced at Amber with appreciation. Nobody ever bought her a meal for free. Harbingers, after all, are not short of wealth. Instead, some people pursue her for money in return for a specific something—not that she minds, of course, especially if she's trading her goods for equal value. It has always been more about profit and merit than good will when it comes to Fatui, after all.
"I will be satisfied with whatever you choose. I'm afraid that I am not knowledgeable enough to pick my own food. I eat anything, as long as it's not too spicy."
"I got it! Sticky Honey Roast would be my recommendation for you! I'll order it now, so please don't go anywhere and stay seated!"
Arlecchino watched Amber's retreating figure. Mondstadt is still engulfed in silence and houses are yet to open. Arlecchino can grow accustomed to brief periods of tranquility. Unfortunately for her however, her job doesn't truly give her the luxury of sitting on a restaurant while being idle with an innocent stranger who's too trustful to be true.
"Arle, I'm sorry but something came up. I will come back before our meal is served. There was just a bit of a problem."
Arlecchino's eyes squinted, Amber assured her that she would be with her for the entire day; surely she is not leaving her? She will not allow it. No one has ever gotten away with breaking their word to Arlecchino, and Amber is not about to do so; Arlecchino won't let it happen.
"Can I come with you instead? It would be boring to merely sit here and await your arrival." Arlecchino is certain that whatever problems the knight who pulled Amber to the side has, she can assist in resolving them. She heard from Dottore once that Mondstadt was plagued with monsters, but she found handling the remaining trash of Khaenri'ah to be fairly simple.
"Well, that works too. I'll have to bore you though since I will only be dealing with some difficult merchant. Nothing too interesting, in fact."
Arlecchino just hummed in response. Amber looked quite hesitant when she asked to join her. She could only wonder why until she witnessed the shambolic attitude of a Snezhnayan merchant named Tsarevich towards the knights who were attending to his whims before they arrived. Arlecchino frowned even more when the haughty merchant scolded Amber who was only trying to placate his anger about his cargo.
"As far as I know, a Snezhnayan merchant is supposed to have their own entourage of mercenaries or soldiers to help them keep their products safe." Arlecchino sternly approached the incensed man, who snapped his head towards her direction. "I also believe that you are expected to be self-sufficient when trading alone in another country. Such basic knowledge, yet what is this unsightly drivel? "
Arlecchino watched as the merchant stumbled in fear once he realized who he was talking to. This was their natural reaction everytime they are spoken to by a harbinger. Nothing too surprising.
"You — You are!"
Arlecchino smiled, threateningly.
"It is rude to point at people. However, I believe that we're done here now, right?"
Tsarevich nodded vigorously. Amber on the other hand just stared at them incredulously.
"Then let us go, Amber. There's nothing for you to do in here. What a worthless man. How unpleasant." She remarked before turning on her heel. Their order should be prepared by now. It wouldn't be polite to keep the food waiting.
*
Amber was the most understanding and endearing tour guide Arlecchino had ever met. She provided her with all the information she need of the land of freedom, covering everything from the cathedral to the tallest cliffs in Mondstadt, their Archon, and even their history. Arlecchino had never truly enjoyed himself till today. After all, her enjoyment revolves around manipulating others and causing them to suffer. Today, though, was unique.
"You can leave me here."
Arlecchino stopped in front of the Goth Grand Hotel. The foot soldier who guards the doors of the establishment bows to her in reverence as she hands him the trinkets that Amber gave her. Arlecchino can feel Amber's bewildered gaze because of the treatment she's receiving from the delegates of Snezhenaya, whom she assumes, are not the nicest. They are Rosalyn's subordinates, after all. She didn't expect them to be polite to someone who didn't hail from Snezhnaya, because they mirror the harbinger they used to serve. Harsh and haughty.
"Welcome to Mondstadt, Lord Arlecchino."
Arlecchino slightly nods in recognition before turning to Amber, who still appears to be pleasantly shocked by her identity. She should have told her sooner.
"Amber, this is where we part. I greatly enjoyed your company, I hope today will not be the last one."
Pierro only gave her a week to finish her job in Mondstadt. She will thereafter be expected to return to her former task, which is regrettably located far from the city of freedom. This might be the last time that she will see the jovial Outrider because Arlecchino will be busy fixing and disciplining the subordinates of the departed Rosalyn. It's unfortunate, but her job takes priority at the end of the day.
"If you were to ever visit my home country, Snezhnaya, find me."
Arlecchino took her coat off and wrapped it around Amber, who just nodded to her in response.
"If you do decide to visit, I'll make sure to offer you an enjoyable tour. But this is it for now; avoid getting sick and wear this at all times when you go on nightly patrols alone."