Chapter Text
Snezhnaya is a cold, unforgiving place. Nobody is safe from the cold. While citizens of the nation tend to get used to the cold, nobody could handle the harsh snowstorms. Even some of the strongest people are often seen bundled up in warm clothing during those times.
An uncontrolled blizzard can bring fear to many people's hearts. A dangerous cold that could kill, the falling white that hides any potential dangers nearby, and a howl that could cover the sounds of the rest of the world. It was the weather for Snezhnaya outside of the main cities.
Perhaps that’s why the harbingers were at a loss on what to do when greeted by a small body of a child. Alone. In the middle of the monster of a storm in a stranded cabin.
“What’s that?”
“A child, obviously.” The white-haired woman, Arleccino, rolls her eyes at her colleague's words.
“I can see that.” Dottore scoffs, looking unimpressed at the small body in front of him. In all honesty, the child was nothing special other than the fact that they were living alone in such harsh conditions. They were frail and small, barely reaching their knees. “What’s a brat doing here?”
The child seemed to be no older than seven. Baggy clothes that seemed far too thin– even with a surprisingly warm cabin as shelter. Messy hair that desperately needed to meet a brush, and blank eyes as cold as ice stared at the group.
What did stand out, however, was the lack of fear in this kid’s eyes. Despite the group of tall, threatening-looking adults filling up the cabin, the young child simply stared. Although they seemed tense, they didn’t cry or run. Like they were waiting for something to happen.
Childe frowns, looking concerned as he approaches the kid and crouched down. The others behind him didn’t bother doing the same. They knew that out of all of them, he was the best with children. Other than maybe Pulcinella but he currently wasn’t there.
“Hey there, kiddo. What’re you doing here?” Childe smiles, keeping his tone light. The messy-haired child however stayed silent, keeping an unafraid and levelled stare on him. “My name is Childe, or also Tartaglia. And you are?”
“Hm.”
‘This kid…’ Childe scratches the back of his head. "Don't want to tell me your name? Fair enough. Where is your parent?"
"..." The kid blinked, looking away with furrowed brows.
“Come on Tartaglia. Let’s just leave them.” Dottore is already turning around. “The brat is doing just fine here. They’ll just bring us down if they aren’t being cooperative.”
“Funny coming from you of all people.” Childe narrows his eyes, watching as the doctor walks out. He wanted to say something else, but another person walked past him with long strides.
“Capitano?” Columbina tilts her head, watching as the masked man approaches the young child. The others held their breath as the man approaches the child, yet were shocked to see him place his cloak around the child. “Oh!”
“Sir, what are you doing-”
“It’s unreasonable to leave a child here. Especially in this weather.” His powerful voice seemed to quiet the cries of the snow outside. “Either we’ll take you to the headquarters or drop you off somewhere once we arrive. This is no place to leave a child.”
The room went silent. Processing the man’s words. The Captain, Capitano is a man who doesn’t pay attention to the weak. Anyone who he deems weak is not worthy of his acknowledgement. Yet he persists to bring a seemingly helpless child with no background. They didn’t know if this was his honour speaking, or if he saw something in this child that nobody else saw.
“...this is your coat though. You won’t be able to stand the cold.” A new voice finally spoke, breaking the silence within the room. Quiet, but not meek. Despite their young and dangerless appearance, their words held a warning. “This storm will not settle for a mortal.”
“You can speak!?”
“Shut up Tartaglia.” The young child didn’t react to the harbingers behind the masked one. Instead opting to stare up at him.
“Perhaps so. However, I will not leave you behind.” The Captain persisted, his tone left no room for any objections. It surprised his colleagues. “I’ll be taking you back to the headquarters. We’ll see what we can do with you afterwards.”
The child didn’t say anything, staring into the void that covered the Harbinger’s face. Their eyes narrowed, not once blinking.
“Fine…” They sigh, after seemingly finding what they were looking for. Though it was hard to tell. The two were as expressionless as a fresh layer of snow. Blank, cold, and empty. “But you’ll still freeze. Take back your cloak.” They held up the white coat, pushing it back to the man.
“They’re not wrong.” Arleccino crosses her arms, leaning against the wall. “No matter how powerful you are, you won’t be able to handle a storm like this without layers.”
Looking outside the frozen window, Capitano nods and takes back his cloak. However, he didn’t immediately button it up. Instead, he scooped the child into his arms and held them under the thick fabric. He ignored the surprised squeak and the punches against his arm and closes his cloak. Looking towards the other Harbingers, he looked unfazed by their bewildered eyes and opened the door to leave. “What?”
“Capitano-!”
Columbina couldn’t help but maniacally giggle, at the situation. Her laughter caught the attention of the blue-haired man outside.
“What happened in there?” Dottore looks over, noticing a lump under Capitano’s cloak and the muffled words. “Did you actually take that brat?”
“Let’s go.” The Captain ignored the Doctor as he led the way, holding onto the child under his coat securely. Not giving a single care of anyone giving him weird looks. Instead, he walked into the unforgiving cold without fear or hesitation.
Soon, the weak punches came to a stop along with the complaints. The child soon calmed down and leaned into the adult’s hold.
‘It’s… warm.’ The small child curled up, closing their eyes as they welcomed the unfamiliar, yet comforting feeling. Unaware of the storm seeming to calm along with them.