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Mitya didn’t care much for the bodyguards the Fatui kept assigning him. The constant surveillance felt like he was being constricted and made his skin itch. He had always hated being constrained, whether it be the walls that surround him or the people that seek to use him for his intelligence. That used to be the great thing about working for the Energy Commission. They let him do whatever he wanted as long as he continued to produce results. The Armoury Palace was a completely different story. Since the information was so heavily restricted and Mitya having the highest clearance, they took his safety very seriously. Too seriously.
He even tried bringing the issue to Lord Pierro himself, hoping that by claiming it was hindering his research there would be a change. But Mitya found that only the face greeting him the morning after those meetings would be different, not the presence of a bodyguard itself.
In the beginning, they had been easy to slip past, and he could wander the city as he wished, often finding wonderful cafes that allow him to find plenty of inspiration outside the oppressive atmosphere of the Armoury Palace. But as time went on, it seemed each new bodyguard would study his favourite spots to frequent, and what was once hours before he was found, began turning into a maximum of 40 minutes to order his thoughts. It was quite frustrating really, having sweaty fatui soldiers constantly running up to him to grab his arm to drag him back.
After the last guy got sent to the hospital for stomach ulcers, Mitya arrived the next morning to a new face waiting at the grand entrance of Glupov. It seemed the Fatui were finally starting to take his endless escape attempts more seriously, because this new guy looks a lot more important than any of the others before him. The insignia of a major on the man’s winter coat glinted in the early morning light.
“Greetings, Mr. Mitya. I am Major Valeriy, the head of the Special Assignments Battalion. Apologies for only coming to meet you now.” He spoke in a polite tone, but his face lacked expression. He held out his hand for Mitya to shake.
Ah. Mitya thought. So, he’s the boss of all the previous bodyguards they’ve sent.
Mitya took it.
“A pleasure to meet you Major.” Mitya responded with a smile. “I’m Mitya, from the Energy Commission. Though I’m sure you’re already well informed on all that.”
Valeriy nodded slightly.
“We best be off, we’re already two minutes behind schedule due to your late arrival. I hope you are a fast walker.” He took off into the complex immediately, leaving Mitya almost jogging to keep up.
Though it sounded like a dig at his height, Mitya had a nagging suspicion that was just how the Major spoke. He certainly seemed like the type to care about sticking to a schedule.
He was also quite well groomed, with a clean face devoid of stubble and carefully styled black hair. He lacked the mask of an ordinary Fatui grunt soldier, so Mitya couldn't help but notice how handsome the other man was.
As they went deeper and into the depths of Glupov, the normal chatter you hear from the outside quickly dimmed to silence. Valeriy didn't seem that inclined to talking, but Mitya couldn't stand the suffocating silence and almost unconsciously tried to fill it.
“How is Florian doing by the way? Truly a shame he had to take time off. I quite liked hearing about his recent baking exploits.”
Valeriy glanced at him from the corner of his eye.
“He’s doing much better now with proper rest and the removal of all the most stressful factors of his life. Such as certain energy scientists escaping his sight.”
That was definitely a dig. Mitya laughed.
“Yes, I suppose that’s true.” he said with mirth. “Still, I am surprised that you are his replacement, Major Valeriy. Surely someone of such high station has neither time nor wish to spend his days following me around.”
This time Valeriy turned his head fully to face Mitya.
“As you are one of the head researchers for Project Mistilteinn, your safety is of utmost importance to the Fatui and, by extension, Her Majesty herself. Your habit of disappearing without informing anyone has caused many headaches for not only me and my subordinates, but everyone involved in this project. So, I volunteered myself to take on this task.”
Mitya blinked, slightly shocked. With how much he’s been sneaking off, he assumed that Valeriy was just another person who drew the short end of the stick, possibly even forcibly assigned to this position by Lord Pierro. The fact that he offered to himself made him a true anomaly.
As Mitya became lost in his thoughts, the two finally reached the main laboratory within the Armoury Palace. The large chamber was near the centre of the building, but due to the lack of windows, Mitya found the atmosphere too oppressive to spend much time there. But most of the other researchers could be found, working at benches covered in schematics and loose papers with scribbled equations. Thankfully, Mitya was provided with his own personal office a couple floors up, complete with bookshelves lining the walls and a large window facing west towards the frozen sea.
“Feel free to take a seat on the couch over there Sarge.” Mitya said as he made his way over to the large desk across the room.
“I am a Major. Not a Sergeant.” Valeriy frowned slightly. It was the most expressive Mitya had seen him all morning. He smiled.
“My bad. I’m sure I’ll remember next time.” He wouldn’t.
But Valeriy nodded, taking the other at his word. He sat down on the sofa, sinking into thick cushions, his posture remaining perfectly straight. It was something Mitya had specifically requested when he had first moved from the Energy Commission to the Armoury Palace. The perfect couch for taking naps on.
“You just take it easy there Sarge. I’m normally quite focused when working, so regrettably I won’t be able to engage in any chatter. You could even take a nap for all I care!” Mitya was praying for it honestly.
This time, Valeriy’s brow furrowed. But he did not comment on the use of “Sarge” again.
“That won’t be necessary. I have my own paperwork to read through. Just pretend as if I am not even here.” Valeriy brought out a thick file from the folds of his coat and began reading it.
As if I could… Mitya thought.
The two sat in silence for the most part, but instead of work, Mitya spent most of his time observing the man in front of him. Despite Mitya’s office being well heated to the point of being hot, Valeriy made no move to remove his thick coat. He didn’t have so much as a bead of sweat either. Fascinating. His body language was as stoic as his face, not moving even an inch for what felt like hours. His only movement was his hands turning the page and his eyes scanning the information on it.
Stoic as a statue…
Eventually, Mitya’s need to alleviate his boredom won out and he opened his mouth once again. He’d already been good for much too long.
“So, Major Valeriy…”
Valeriy looked up from his papers for the first time since they arrived.
“Finally got sick of staring?”
Mitya didn’t even blink at being exposed so ruthlessly.
“Indeed. Instead, I’d like to learn a bit more about you, Sarge. Since we’ll be spending so much time together and all.” Mitya smiled sweetly.
“I’m sure you’ll be asking no matter what I say anyways, so I’ll give you this one chance to ask all your questions. Then it’s back to work.”
Mitya fought back the urge to roll his eyes. Time to satiate his curiosity.
“Why’d you join the Fatui?”
“Most commoner children will join once they graduate. I, of course, was no exception.”
Boring.
“Do you have a lover?”
Valeriy froze, staring at Mitya with slightly widened eyes. He looked as if he was questioning where the other man found the audacity.
“I apologise. I should have been more clear. I will not answer any questions about my personal life. Please keep your questions work related.”
“Okay so single.”
Mitya laughed as Valeriy let out a sigh. It already sounded long suffering.
“Believe what you wish.”
Just then, there was a knock at the door. A young looking Fatui soldier entered and saluted.
“Major Valeriy. There’s an issue that requires your immediate attention.”
Valeriy frowned and furrowed his brow. That was a new expression, technically.
“I thought I informed everyone that all issues should go through Stepanyan while I am assigned to guard the Energy Commission scientist.”
“That is part of the issue, sir— “
Mitya jumped at the opportunity.
“Oh please, don’t mind me, Sarge. I need to keep working on this equation anyways. You go deal with whatever’s come up. I’ll just continue my questions once you return.” Mitya flashed his most innocent smile.
Valeriy still looked hesitant, but under the urging of the soldier, he reluctantly made his way out, glancing back at Mitya one more time.
“No unscheduled breaks. I won’t be gone for more than an hour.”
“Yep yep, I got it!” Mitya waved until the door creaked shut. He listened as the two’s footsteps got fainter and fainter. When he couldn’t hear them anymore, he promptly opened the window and jumped out.
The weather was quite mild in Snezhnograd that day, so Mitya took his time slowly walking around the city, taking in the sights and searching for inspiration. It was a relief now that the Major’s weighty gaze no longer fell on him. Maybe now he’ll be able to focus. It’ll be at least another hour before anyone even realised he was gone, and at least another few after that before they actually find him.
Soon Mitya found himself in front of the bookstore. It was said to be a favourite spot of Lady Marionette, but Mitya wasn’t too worried about running into her. She was off to Nod Krai in a couple weeks to start building Project Mistilteinn, so he was certain she’d be much too busy to show up anywhere outside of Glupov. But even without the upcoming trip, she recently seemed much less inclined to host her usual tea parties since Lady Columbina disappeared.
Mitya slowly dragged his fingers across the book spines, waiting for something to inspire him. Then in the history section he noticed a book on rusalka. He remembered only one remained in Snezhnaya now, the Prima Donna of the Korolevskiy Troupe. Perhaps the theatre would be a nice way to spend his time.
It was incredibly busy outside the theatre, with people lining up to enter and plenty more just milling about. Mitya made his way to someone who looked like an employee.
“Do you know where I can buy a ticket for today’s matinee performance?”
The man raised an eyebrow.
“Not sure there’d be any left for today I’m afraid, but you can check with blonde woman over there. She’s the one who’d be selling any last-minute tickets.” He pointed his chin towards the other side of the entrance.
“Many thanks!”
When he asked the woman, he was delighted to discover she had one last ticket for the performance starting in just ten minutes. Although it was in the last row, Mitya didn’t mind. He had just come on a whim anyways.
The lights dimmed and a hush fell over the crowd. A clear, melodic voice sounded through the theatre. The lights slowly got brighter to reveal a woman centre stage, sitting in a large shell. Her voice was absolutely mesmerising, a perfect backdrop for Mitya to focus on his work. Being in this theatre, listening to the singer’s voice, he felt absolutely bursting with inspiration. He quickly got his notebook out and started furiously scribbling, not looking up once until the Rusalka’s performance had finished. He felt satisfied in a way that he hadn’t in so long. Satiated in his hunger for progress.
He would definitely be visiting again.
As he left the theatre, Mitya heard some voices arguing. When he looked over, he froze.
“I’m sorry sir, I’m just trying to find someone I have reason to believe is in that theatre. I just need a chance to look.” Valeriy said to the usher.
“And I’m saying you are unable to enter without a ticket.”
“I did offer to buy one, but you refused.”
“Yes, because they’re sold out.”
“I guess it seems we’ve entered a stalemate then.” Finally, Valeriy looked over and noticed Mitya watching them.
“Mr. Mitya. There you are. I’ve come to escort you back to the Armoury Palace.” His face portrayed no hint of annoyance and his tone remained perfectly polite. This guy was certainly a professional.
Mitya looked around but couldn’t see any more Fatui waiting for him outside of Valeriy, which meant he had come alone. Mitya could barely hide his shock. All the other bodyguards always called in their buddies to help with the search, clearly Valeriy must trust his own skills quite a lot.
“Of course, Sarge! Sorry to keep you waiting. Next time we should go together, I think you’d really enjoy the singer there. Her voice is heavenly.”
Valeriy hmphed, walking off. Mitya followed. He had no need to run away now; he had already gotten plenty of inspiration during the performance.
“I have no interest in the arts, take someone who would appreciate it.” He thought for a moment then added, “outside of work hours.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Mitya laughed.