Chapter Text
The cool air of the Fontaine brushed Lumine’s legs as she walked around the Court of Fontaine.
The Nation of Hydro was a stark contrast from her recent adventures in Natlan. She hadn’t quite gotten used to seeing Gardemeks patrolling the streets again, nor the chillier weather. The biggest difference, however, was the lack of Abyssal threats. It hadn’t been long since Lumine had first stepped into Natlan, but the security she felt here was…strange.
She shook her head. Enough of that. She had to focus on the task at hand.
With one last look at the address written on the scrap of paper in her hand, she walked up the steps and knocked on the door.
“Come on Lyney,” she muttered under her breath as she waited. “You better have given me the right address.”
The sound of heels clicking approached closer, until their owner finally opened the door.
“Ms. Lumine.” Arlecchino greeted. “Please, do come on in.”
Lumine took her boots off and followed the Harbinger down the hall. Although the two were on good terms, she couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy in her presence. It wasn’t often someone bested the renowned traveler in battle. If The Knave wanted to…
She pushed the thought out of her mind. Like she’d told herself before, she had a task to complete.
“So, what brings you here?” Arlecchino asked, taking a seat on her sofa. Lumine followed suit on a chair across it. “Hopefully none of my children have been causing you any trouble.”
”It’s nothing like that,” Lumine assured her. “My reason for meeting with you are…admittedly selfish.”
“Oh? Indulge me.”
“You know about the Fatui Ball taking place soon, I assume.”
“Yes. Us Harbingers were informed months ago.” Arlecchino said. “What is it to you?”
Lumine suddenly felt a bit anxious. When she’d devised this plan, she’d underestimated the nerve this phase would take.
“I’d like to ask you to take me with you.” She spoke as confidently as possible, though she caught her words wavering a little.
“Hm.” The Knave adjusted her position on the sofa. “Curious.”
Lumine felt her stomach drop. ”Curious?”
“I’m not saying no,” she said, quelling Lumine’s worries. “But I’d like to ask…why me? Why wouldn’t you ask Childe instead? I thought you two were…rather involved.”
”That’s the problem!” Lumine sighed exasperatedly. “I can tell he wants to ask me to come with him, but he hasn’t!”
“So your plan is to make the boy jealous, is it?” Arlecchino mused. “That’s a bit juvenile, isn’t it?”
“Oh please. Childe’s the most juvenile out of all of you,” Lumine huffed. “I’m tired of having to make all the first moves. He’s impulsive and upfront in everything else he does.”
”I see. And what do I get out of this?”
“You can think of it as a way to thank me for proving your dear Lyney and Lynette innocent in court,” she said, response ready and rehearsed. “Also, you’ll get to see the Eleventh jealous. That has to entice you at least a little bit, right?”
“You drive a good bargain, Ms. Lumine,” Arlecchino said. Lumine swore she heard a ghost of amusement behind her authoritative tone. “You have a deal. I’ll have one of the children deliver a letter with more details within the next few days.”
“Fantastic.” Lumine let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “I’ll see you then.”
“Likewise.” Arlecchino stood up. “Let me escort you out, traveler.”
***
”You need to stand still if you want this done right,” Chiori grumbled.
Lumine hadn’t anticipated putting so much effort into the ball, but when Navia had gotten wind of the situation…needless to say, that all changed. After receiving an earful about how big of an event a Fatui gala is and how important her appearance would be, she’d referred Lumine to Chioriya Boutique.
”No, I didn’t mean going as stiff as a board,” the designer sighed. “Navia, some help here? I think she’s more comfortable with you.”
After some discussion with the two of them-plus a word from Lyney-Lumine had decided on a deep red, velvety gown. With Navia’s guidance, Chiori was able to properly measure and fit the sleeves. She scribbled a few numbers onto the clipboard she was holding.
“Okay, now turn around for me, would you?”
“Does it always take long to get dresses fitted?” Lumine muttered as she followed suit.
“Oh, it’s never a short process,” Navia said. “But for an event like a Fatui gala? This gown needs to be perfect.”
“You’ll be carrying the Chioriya name all the way to Snezhnaya at a big event. I’ll be damned if it’s not my best work.”
”By the way, Lumine, you never told me why you’re going in the first place,” Navia commented while Chiori worked.
Lumine wasn’t sure how to respond. She and the Fatui had been butting heads less often lately. Arlecchino helped Fontaine with her children, and Il Capitano had formed an alliance with the Pyro Archon to save the nation. But if she said that was the reason she was attending the ball, she’d be a liar.
That being said, she was not about to admit to Navia and Chiori that she’s commissioning this dress to make the Eleventh jealous.
“Oh, y’know, just thought it’d be good to build diplomatic relations.” She hoped her voice didn’t betray her.
If it did, neither woman showed any indication.
“Hm,” Navia hummed. “So, who are you going with? From what I’ve heard, you can only get in as a plus one.”
”The Knave.” The words felt odd coming off of Lumine’s tongue; as if her mouth knew what she actually wanted to say.
“Oh, the twins’ Father,” Chiori remarked. “Those two hold her in very high esteem. You’re really something special, being her date to the gala.”
“Lyney gave me the address to meet with her, actually,” Lumine said. “And I don’t know if I’d use the word ‘date.’”
”Whatever you say,” she said briskly. “I’ve finished your measurements. Your dress should be finished within a week.”
Lumine said her thank yous on her way out the door, head of the Spina by her side.
***
A week had passed since Lumine’s fitting at the Boutique, and just as Chiori had promised, her dress was ready.
She felt a little strange as she stood in front of the mirror, gown adorning her body. It wasn’t often she changed her outfit; the familiarity of her regular dress was one of the only things reminding her of her life before her journey in Teyvat; it held memories of her time with Aether. But although the Chioriya dress felt a little odd, it was strikingly beautiful.
“Wow, Lumine!” Navia exclaimed. “You look amazing! Red’s really your color!”
“You think so?” Lumine studied her reflection again. “I’m not used to wearing things like this.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she huffed. “What’s-his-name will lose his mind when he sees you wearing this.”
“Him?” Chiori said. “I thought you said you were going with The Knave.”
Lumine groaned. Within the week, she’d spilled her secret to Navia; she just couldn’t keep it in. And she thought she’d told her to keep it a secret, but…
“Don’t worry about it.” She dug through her bag and took out her Mora pouch, taking out a few gold coins to hand to the seamstress as a tip. “You did an amazing job on the dress.”
“Did you expect anything less?” Chiori took the change. “Have fun juggling Harbingers, or whatever it is you’re doing. My work here is finished.”
Lumine opened her mouth to retort-she wasn’t juggling Harbingers, she and Arlecchino made a deal, she wasn’t leading anyone on. But even if Chiori knew some of Lumine’s plans, she didn’t know the full scope. She preferred to keep it that way.
The gala was tomorrow night, after all. If she could make it through the whole scheme with only one outsider knowing her frankly embarrassing situation, that was good enough for her.
Although…
”Navia, could I ask something of you?” Lumine asked as the two of them exited the boutique.
“Of course!”
“I’d really like to keep the whole ‘going with The Knave to make Tartaglia jealous’ scheme under wraps,” she said quietly. The Court of Fontaine was never void of people, and she didn’t want any of them to hear about this.
She was honestly starting to think telling Navia was a mistake.
“Oh. Did I mess up mentioning it to Chiori?”
“If you could’ve let it slip in front of anyone, it was better her than anyone else. I don’t know her as well as you, but I’ve gathered that she’s not one to gossip.”
”She’s not,” Navia reassured her. “And don’t worry, you have my word that I won’t talk about your…plans anymore. Your secret’s safe with me, partner.”
Lumine smiled. “Thanks, Navia. Knew I could count on you.”
“Don’t mention it. It’s your secret, so it’s not up to me to tell.”
The leader of the Spina was very easy to talk to; Lumine was reminded of how easily the two became partners so quickly before. She didn’t think there was anyone better to help her freshen up before the ball the next night.
***
As Lumine’s journey in Teyvat continued, there were many things she grew to love about the world. The people, the food, and the attire were a few things that had quickly grown on her throughout her travels.
One thing that she loved immediately, though, was her access to teleport waypoints.
She wasn’t sure if it was because she was a descender-did all descenders have access to waypoints? Either way, she was able to go straight from Navia’s place to Zapolarny Palace, her makeup perfectly applied without even the slightest smudge.
And just as The Knave had promised, she was waiting for her.
“Shall we?” Arlecchino offered Lumine her hand, and lead her to the ballroom.
Lumine had traveled all across Teyvat, but Zapolarny Palace had to be the grandest place she’d ever laid eyes on. It seemed as if every step towards the ballroom revealed something new to see; she couldn’t keep her curious eyes away.
“It’s gorgeous,” she said to no one in particular.
“Impressed?” Arlecchino asked, in what Lumine thought was an amused tone.
”I’ve just never seen anything like this,” she said honestly. “I’m starting to feel a little out of place.”
It was true. Lumine had come fit with a custom Chioriya gown, but she still somehow felt underdressed. Arlecchino was in the suit she normally wore, yet Lumine still felt as if she fit into the scene more.
“You look just fine,” she replied simply. “Now make sure you don’t trip over your heels. There’s stairs leading down to the ballroom.”
To Lumine’s relief, her entrance didn’t make too big of a fuss. Everyone was occupied in their own doings. There were a few familiar faces that she recognized-The Captain, for one, in the company of…Mavuika?
She blinked. The two had formed an alliance during the recent battle in Natlan, and fought alongside each other valiantly. She supposed it wasn’t too unexpected that the two would be here together.
She fought the urge to analyze her surroundings a bit longer. The gala was about to officially begon, and she wanted Childe to see her with Arlecchino when he stepped through the doors-to drink in his expression and jealousy.
As if she had read her mind, her partner took her hand and pulled her to the floor. Making sure they were visible from the front entrance, Arlecchino led Lumine into an elegant dance; it was a routine fit for such a spectacle, but Lumine found it hard to perform while frequenting her eyes back to the doorway.
“Distracted, Miss Lumine?” Arlecchino was having no trouble, her heels effortlessly stepping to the rhythm.
”Slightly.”
“Well, best you get focused. The main event is starting now.”
Before Lumine could ask her exactly what she meant, Arlecchino had spun into action. She’d bent down on her knee, holding Lumine’s hand up so she could plant a kiss onto it. Throughout the act, she’d kept her gaze focused to the front hall where Lumine had been watching.
When she was pulled back into the dance, Lumine struck a glance at where The Knave was staring.
Even though she’d been expecting his arrival, seeing Childe made her stomach turn a flip. He wore a white winter coat with edges adorned with fur, and a red shirt underneath. Apart from his-Lumine would admit it, attractive formalwear, he looked the same as ever; his hair fluffy and red, his face littered with freckles.
She pinpointed the moment that Childe saw the two of them together. She saw his expression falter, and his eyes widening in disbelief; guilt gnawed away at her. She felt her facade slipping, the urge to run and comfort him growing in her chest.
But a certain Harbinger’s words brought her back to the present.
“Don’t forget, this is the most important act of your performance,” Arlecchino said. “I didn’t agree to do this for you to give up.”
”Of course not.” Lumine forced herself to not look at Childe as she was led into another dance, putting all her focus into her movements. She was sure he was watching her, and it would only be a matter of time before her efforts would bear fruit.
For now, she just needed to dutifully play her role.