Work Text:
Marionette is tinkering on her workbench within the quiet workshop. The only noise that can be heard is Marionette’s own movements. The sounds of gears slowly turning and the soft clangs of materials being picked up and put down after use.
As time passes within this cold windowless place, she wonders why she even has a bedroom to begin with. Marionette must continue to work on her research. She has no use for a bedroom. If she does get tired, sleeping at the workbench will be fine by her. “Maybe I should bring my bed in here…” She stops and ponders, staring into the endless void above her.
On top of the research, there are also whatever pieces of “valuable” items that the rest of the Harbingers bring back to her. Marionette scoffs as she thinks about the “valuable” items they bring to her as she picks up one of said items. It’s a broken core from a pitiful machine that gained freedom from those idiots that thought they could defy what is set in stone. That they could defy gravity and create a floating city. Marionette scoffs again, taking a closer look into the damaged core. “I guess they don’t always bring me junk.” As she starts to pull out a small greenish hue crystal out of the core.
Marionette is careful not to agitate the crystal as she walks to put it with the rest she has in a sealed container within the workshop. “Of course, idiots will fail. They’re rushing everything with what little time they have. The one resources they could not afford to lose.” She looks down at the crystals within the container. “While I have a time too much on my hands.” She sighs as she closes the container and walks back to her workbench.
The walk feels eternal within the confines of her workshop. The only sound being made is the quiet shuffling of her steps within this metallic space. The only smell being that of metal and oil all around her. Things that bring Marionette comfort and peace. However, a chill is sent down her back.
Humming. Marionette is hearing humming coming from another part of her workshop.
Marionette heaves a deep sigh and starts walking towards the humming instead of her workbench. While walking, Marionette ponders on how she can increase her budget for her newest project. Since she is rarely ever outside of her workshop, it might come to a surprise to everyone if she leaves for once and asks them directly for the increase instead of sending out one of her creations. “As much as I don’t want to see them, let alone interact with them.” She sighs, “I’ll have a better chance if I went.” Soon she reaches the small arena within her workshop, where the source of the humming seems to be coming from.
As Marionette reaches the doorway leading into the arena, she chooses to lean on the door frame and observe what she is seeing at the moment. “Of course it would be her.” Marionette looks straight into the center of the arena and sees a young woman dancing. Her black hair swinging around with her fluid movements that show off her magenta ended tips of her hair. The small set of wings that adorn the back of her head flow with the shifting movements of her dance, as if there is wind in here to make the wings flutter. The dress of indigo and white hanging panels that the young woman wears remind Marionette that she should bring her coat next time. The thing that Marionette will always question is the lace mask in an X-shape that she always wears over her eyes.
“She already keeps her eyes closed all the time. Do you really need to wear that mask over them as well?” Marionette sighs to herself at the pointless thoughts she has about it since she’ll never get an answer.
After what felt like an eternity, the young woman stops dancing and extends out her right hand to Marionette with a smile on her face. Wordlessly and with no emotion, Marionette walks towards the young woman and takes the hand with her left one. Marionette spins her around and catches the young woman as she spills over Marionette’s right arm. Marionette then pulls her back up and holds her close, right arm around the young woman’s back and left hand still locked with the young woman. The young woman does the same in return, she places her left hand on Marionette’s right shoulder. The pair move in tandem with each other. Not missing a single beat of the song that is playing between their feet. As they pace and twirl around the arena.
The young woman smelled of fresh linen but also had the smells of ripe flowers on her. As if she just came out of cleaning herself in a bath of flower petals. A large contrast from what Marionette most likely smelled like; that of oil and metal.
“No singing tonight? Odd…” Marionette questioned internally as they continued to perform for the invisible crowd that surrounds them.
As Marionette spins the young woman around, the setting around them changes drastically. The sound of waves hitting the sandy shoreline, the feel of sand beneath their steps, the cool breeze coming from the seas. “When was the last time I left my workshop...” Marionette thinks to herself as she then looks up towards the night sky. This causes Marionette to stop in her tracks mid dance. The young woman nearly trips within Marionette’s arms and stops humming.
A chill goes up Marionette’s spine. Marionette looks back at the young woman in her arms. The young woman is making a pouting expression. This brings a small smile to Marionette’s face.
Still within each other’s arms, Marionette puts one of her arms behind the young woman’s legs and scoops her up like a princess. This catches the young woman by surprise, and she gives a soft yelp as she is scooped up. Marionette sits down on the sand and places the young woman into her lap. With Marionette’s arms wrapping around the young woman, the woman chooses to not struggle and lean her head on the bountiful chest behind her. The smell of both the ocean and the young woman in her lap puts Marionette’s mind at a surprising ease.
Marionette leans into the young woman’s hair and started to slowly close her eyes as her mind was allowed to rest, even for a moment. The young woman in her lap, however, started to shuffle around and was able to turn herself around in Marionette’s lap to face her.
A small snicker came out of Marionette while looking directly at the young woman’s face, “So, to what do I owe the pleasure, Damselette?” Damselette gives Marionette a soft giggle and smiles at her, “Well with how you’re still not giving me my daily smile, got distracted as we danced, and have only been teasing me, I may ask for something more tonight.” This makes Marionette jump a little, “How do you even know if I am smiling at you or not?” she says squinting her eyes at Damselette. Called into action, Damselette puts her right hand on Marionette’s cheek and caresses it slowly.
The warmth that comes from Damselette’s hand is something that Marionette has grown accustomed to as they have gotten closer. Marionette closes her eyes and leans her head into Damselette’s hand. Just because Marionette’s skin looks to be real doesn’t mean it is. There is no beating heart under it all, no warmth to be given to others with her touch. So, she questions why Damselette always wants to touch her and hold her.
To Damselette, Marionette is always cold and standoffish with others, but she has a warm heart (core) for those she deems worthy of it. That is the warmth that Damselette is always happy to receive.
“You know,” Damselette starts “you haven’t come see me in months.” Marionette scoffs at what was just said, “Damselette,” Marionette begins as she puts her hand over Damselette’s “it has only been 23 hours and 20 minutes since we last saw each other. Maybe I should get the Knave or Childe to entertain you and your delusions.”
Damselette giggles and puts both of her hands on Marionette’s face. “Arlecchino is always busy with her children. Tartaglia barely even looks my way, let alone want to be near me alone. But that would make me happy to know that you care so much for me to talk to some of the other Harbingers for me.” Damselette says with a sly smile. “But they aren’t you Sandrone.”
Sandrone flinches at hearing her name. Damselette taps Sandrone’s nose with her finger. “Didn’t I tell you? When it is just us two, you must call me by my name.” Damselette whispers to Sandrone. Damselette leans back and smiles. With a click on her tongue, Sandrone starts “Damse-“ but is quickly stopped when Damselette puts one of her fingers on Sandone’s lips. “Sandrone, it is only us two here.”
Damselette lets go of Sandrone’s face and looks at Sandrone directly. Even though her eyes are always closed, Sandrone could feel the stare of a thousand eyes peering into her. Damselette could sense how tense Sandone had gotten and started to stroke her cheek with her right hand again. Sandrone heaves a heavy sigh, leaning into Damselette’s hand. “I’m always playing at your tune, aren’t I?” she says while grabbing Damselette’s free hand and interlocking fingers with her.
Damselette smiles widely, “I feel it is more that we play off each other. Because I know,” Damselette leans in close “that you just like to play along with it.” This gets a smirk out of Sandrone as she nudges Damselette away so they can look at each other face to face.
“Yes, yes, whatever you say Columbina.” Sandrone says nonchalantly but looks to the side as her face starts to feel warm.
At that moment, Columbina hugs Sandrone causing her to fall backwards into the sand. Columbina puts her head against Sandone’s neck and starts to nuzzle into it. “Ah! Columbina! At least give me a warning?!” Sandrone squeals out. All Columbina does is giggle and continue to cuddle up with Sandrone.
Sandrone gives another sigh. With nothing to do, she starts to run her fingers through Columbina’s hair. “Truly, as beautiful as always. The stars in the night sky only enhances the beauty.” As they lay there in each other’s arms. The only sounds are the waves gently hitting the shoreline and the wind blowing softly. All Sandrone could do at this moment is keep looking up at the starry sky as the girl she loves enjoys herself.
“I wouldn’t mind more nights like this honestly. Better than the usual shenanigans she wants to do.” Sandrone looks down at the pile of black hair rubbing itself on her neck and kisses Columbina on the head. Columbina suddenly perks up from her cuddle session. Columbina’s face was flushed with pink. “Sandrone, what as that?” Sandrone chuckles at the sight above her and pulls Columbina back down into an embrace.