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The chilly nights in Inazuma felt different than in any other place; Rosalyne kept it in mind as she hid in the shadow of her hood, observed the locals. She is hard to not notice: a tall, statuesque woman, with the cold fire of calculation burning within her eyes.
She might have been ignored in Liyue - she was given attention here.
The city position allowed her to take risks. Things were going on secretly, people were afraid of being caught violating the decree, and the consequences were dangerous. But everyone was ready to make a deal with her, many wanted to get even the smallest bit of their former strength.
Signora compared them to hungry animals. Signora would even say that they're the only hungry animals in Inazuma, due to lack of such on the streets.
One of the first clans to make a deal with Fatui turned out to be the Kujou clan, known for having military glory and defending the country. Rosalyne couldn't help but chuckle: money sure hold a lot of power. Although, in the back of her mind, she knew well that the clan head was looking for something more in this betrayal. Something personal. The old man was serious, but so strangely pleased. The diplomat felt something familiar in that dry smile.
Perhaps she could understand him.
Wasn't the betrayal of the Shogun and his own clan something so rotten? Even the fatui agents shared a moment glancing at each other.
It was an ordinary day for Rosalyne.
She didn't have to think about the consequences of her own actions, but even a fool could see that the old man is digging his own grave. Maybe he had already accepted death and planned to harm as many people along as he could.
She called people like him rats.
She doesn't care about what happens to him next. She doesn't care about anything when there is the starry sky, which she can sometimes look at with a semblance of a question: what is going to happen to her next?
Corrupted fingers do not feel the hard, embossed bark, no matter how you touch it. The tree slowly begins to burn; she blows on it, and thin smoke goes out, the icy power extinguishes the fire.
The plan was ruined because of a little detail that she decided to ignore: a traveler, who, for some unknown reason, cares about the affairs of other countries. An eternal hero, a doll without a purpose or personality. Signora did not understand such people, and could not help but despise them. How did the obsessed moth which she allowed to fly, got in the way when Inazuma was on verge of anarchy and rebellion? A merciless, unfair series of misfortunes. Rosalyne could foresee many endings, but not this one.
Death was then two steps away from her, calling for her to retreat, and, strangely enough, her arrogance gave way to logic: it was not possible to defeat the lucky bug. She had to leave.
This was the second time death had been kind to her, expecting humility in return. But to her, such moments were an opportunity to think about what to do next. Inazuman forest, lakes, warring islands, animal noises, bird whispers.
Birds. Black birds flew after her a long time ago, ever since she left the shrine. Over time, they stopped hiding. The golden eyes gleamed in the thick night, bright dots hovering in between sakura leaves and crops.
Someone was following her.
Signora noticed the way birds were getting smaller, they flew away, dissolving, falling, crashing, leaving no trace. An impressive sight.
The predatory silence was interrupted by the distant clatter of hooves. Someone was in such a hurry to get to her. It flattered her.
Who was it that tracked her down not so directly, despite that she wasn't hiding?
The woman smoothly extinguished the fire burning from her hands, leaving a slight burning sensation on the skin of her palms. She wouldn't call this feeling pleasant, but it's familiar.
Her ear caught the sound. Bowstring tension and lightning discharge.
Oh.
It didn't take long to remember. She wasn't surprised, but she has to admit: the stubbornness of the local general cannot fail to impress. Was she looking for death, too?
It's unlikely that she is looking for revenge; Signora is capable of turning the tengu into ashes with a motion of her finger. However, the sight of her getting off from her horse, those amber eyes locked on her like a magnet, aroused her interest.
Oh, the limp of her legs. Signora wasn't acting diplomatically back then, of course, but what else could she do when she was being attacked with a sword, without even trying to solve it with talking first?
Could the general be even less wise, coming after her all alone, in this state?
There wasn't a smallest bit of fear in those demonic eyes. Signora knew this look: demanding answers. But even like this, the intruder took some time to calm the horse. Nervous tenderness is such a rare phenomenon.
“What an honor.” Sarcasm slipped between her teeth mechanically, without thinking. She had no love for this place or for those who live here. “Brave, though. Want to arrest me?”
The mockery was just right. Tengu's face did not change, but her wings twitched up and down, making the fabric of her uniform flutter. General grabbed her katana, not without difficulty, her hands shaking, weakly and barely noticeable, but the woman's eyes caught it. The physical shell was clearly at its limit, but yokai are not weak like humans.
Tengu suddenly lunged forwards, cutting through the air. Signora didn't understand her reasoning, perhaps the adrenaline rush of the poor girl has not passed yet. She reacts in time, freezing the ground under the feet of the dubious attacker, but she seems ready for it. A charge of electricity destroys the barrier and the stubborn tengu strikes again. Signora does not hesitate, a battle could dilute a boring night. She grabs her by the neck with a firm hand, not quite pressing down, allowing her to breathe. Revels in the way how annoyed the general looks by this condescending attitude regarding her thoughtless attack. She showed no mercy last time.
“Don't bother yourself." Signora said, throwing her back to the horse.
Tengu looks displeased. She is vulnerable now, she could be killed on spot.
“You're still here. What else do you need?" She finally speaks. Husky voice, almost adorable.
“What else do I need?" Rosalyne smiled as she examined the tengu, ”I did what was required of me, dear. Unlike you.” It's nothing personal, she would say, but something convinced her to hold her tongue. “I'd ask you the same question.”
“I need answers.”
“You sound crazy. What makes you think I'll be more useful than your clan rats?”
“You didn't leave while you had the chance. You are wanted, you know what awaits you. Shogun will bring justice.”
“Your faith is refreshing, really. You're right, I'm still here." Signora stopped right in front of her, close enough for her hot breath to touch the tengu's face. She was quite tall. “Looking for answers, so you didn't bring anyone along with you? How curious.”
Inazuma's situation was comically sad, and Rosalyne could try to put herself in the shoes of the desperate person in front of her. She was willing to die for answers, after receiving none from those who had granted her life.
“Be more specific, I can't read minds.” The woman took a step back, allowing herself to touch the horse, which started to kick.
“Who are you?”
“Oh, we're getting to know each other? Aren't you in a hurry?” Signora attacks her with questions; the tengu does not react, standing her ground. “It's going to take a bit longer, if we decide to start from the beginning. I must admit, our relationship was not diplomatic by any means.”
Signora was wanted, she couldn't leave this place, the general found her so quickly. The woman in front of her is, in fact, a threat, albeit a passive one. But she will find a way to get something beneficial for herself even from a situation like this.
The soldier's stoicism almost impressed her. She could grab her face, twist her, feel her wings, and there was no response. This tengu is smart and stupid at the same time, knowing about her position and still risking, relying on Rosalyne's unwillingness to die in such a pathetic place.
“How persistent you are.” surprisingly, without words, she was able to convince her to cooperate. The Fatui in Inazuma are crushed, so she wouldn't have any help from the outside.
Signora lunged forwards, suddenly catching her fingers on the collar of tengu's clothes. It was a little too late to think about what her name was. The soldier's back hits a tree with a dull sound, her wings twitch, more from contact than from surprise. Her life is once again within Signora's palm.
She bends down to her ear, listening to the hint of fear. Her heart is beating calmly.
“We've got a crow among the rats.”
It was not the best deal, Signora smiled thoughtfully, deciding to do something rash. She liked to confuse her victims, and since this one doesn't react to death threats, how would she react to this?
She leaned in even closer and kissed her on the forehead: gently, as gently as she could. The general immediately grabs her arms and pushes her away. An adorable sight. And she noted the strength of the woman in front of her. So damn strong when she wants to be.
There is potential in her.