Coming back to Zapolyarny Palace after so much time away from it felt like discovering it once again. Its beautiful architecture buried deep beneath the snow, with imposing arches made out of ice, and its rooftops in different shades of blue and gold, the emblematic star of the Tsaritsa shining above everything ... it struck you. It always did . There was a sense of importance , and even if you lived here, you couldn't fully relax . This was the palace of the Tsaritsa herself, and her majesty, for as good and kind as she was, was still a goddess. It was still threatening, terrifying. And it made you feel like you were nothing.

Perhaps it was why Chāo hated this place. He felt unimportant, like a bug she could squash whenever she pleased . No matter his wealth, for gods didn't care about gold, and no matter his prestige, for he was to them just another vermin. It was just like when he was young, and when he was so poor his only option was to beg for his place in this world. Crawling at the feet of those Liyue merchants, begging for a scrap of money, or just a chance to be as glorious as they were in his eyes . Just to have the chance to be a good lapdog . Now, these merchants were begging to become his dogs. Such was the game of capitalism. Chāo knew there was a great deal of luck in what he had achieved .

For the older man that abused him for years was rich enough that he gave him enough money to start a business. For him to be pretty enough to become one of the most sought after Liyuean boytoy in the market. For him to catch the eyes of her Majesty when she came here. And for his tale to make her tear up, and give him a dagger, to take back the control of his life and change his owner. Yes, change his owner . 

It didn't matter if it wasn't his body he was selling anymore, but his talents . A dog he was born, a dog he lived, and surely a dog he'll die. He stayed that Qingce boy, begging and whimpering. One could never win that game . He wasn't born an Archon. He wasn't born to succeed . He was just born to serve .

His eyes turned to Ajax. The ginger too was looking at the palace . His lifeless eyes were for once showing emotions. The purest kind of fear . What could he fear so, the Tsaritsa's beloved lapdog, that his hands were shaking ? Chāo took advantage of the Doctor's snoring besides him. Zandik wouldn't know that Chāo cared about Ajax . He leaned a bit, and touched gently the youngest's hand .

- Are you good ? » it shook the younger man out of his trance-like state, and he smiled to Chāo .

- Yeah . Why ? Is there a problem ? » he answered . His voice was calm and confident. Pulcinella had taught him well, but not so that the banker didn't notice the red haired's body language .

- Don't lie to me Ajax. I have made a career out of figuring people's true intentions. » he retorted, eyebrows creasing. But, he softened after that . The goal wasn't to scare Tartaglia. Just know what were his troubles . « Is it about them ? Your fiancé ? 

- Can't hide anything from you , comrade, uh ? » Ajax joked , a smile full of uncertainty on his face . He quickly took back his seriousness, and answered lowly, just in case Petrov was eavesdropping : 

- Partly. I know that if it comes to the worst , Zhongli will be able to "save me" . But there's other reasons too . Maybe it's just that I haven't been back for so long, and ... I've never felt myself fitting amongst the Harbingers . Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but, you guys are so opposed to me ... » Upon hearing Ajax's confession, Chāo smiled . 

- You have nothing to fear Tartaglia. You're right, you don't fit with us. You're her favorite after all. Her most beloved hunting dog. You have a special place . You should be proud of it, for how far you've come . » Ajax let out a snort , and looked at the palace once again. A special place ... 

- Sure it does change from my little village . ... but I'm not sure it's for the best . » a silence took place . Perhaps it was out of mutual understanding .

Both Chāo and Ajax differed from all of the others harbingers since their birth. While Zandik was descendant of a goddess, and honored as such, and that Columbina was born a princess much like her lover was of a noble family, and others were born into wealth , they both were born as lower class. The lowest of lower class .

Chāo saw Ajax's reaction to the sound of bottles being put down, and he was sure that the ginger saw the scars on his hands. Both said nothing. They were trying to move on . Chāo was pissed that the ginger was actually capable of doing it, while he was not . Ajax had a fiancé now, and he seemed happier than ever. Even his fighting addiction, half fueled by masochism and half fueled by this intense need of self destruction they both experienced, had calmed down.

Now it was just Chāo, alone. Sure, he wasn't trying to drown in alcoholism anymore and it was a good thing. But he did relish in cruelty, especially to those that were like him before . Hurting the poor was always bringing him a great deal of pleasure . They can't fight back, just like he couldn't to his father, nor to Mr. Tāo . It felt good to be the monster sometimes. And who could deny him that now ? Certainly not his morals, they were dead and gone . 

The carriage stopped , and disrupted the Liyuean from his spiraling thoughts . He woke up the doctor with a nudge, and exited the carriage towards the great white gardens just before the entrance .Guards opened the heavy doors, already leading towards the grandiose throne room. All the Harbingers were already present , exception made for the first and the Tsaristsa .

Lights shone down from the impressive stained glass windows just behind the icy throne . It gave a cold glow to the entirety of the room, even if it was very warm inside . Most of the coats were hanged in a little corner, and the Harbingers were standing up before their respective chairs for the deep blue round table , waiting for the Tsaritsa's arrival. 

Most of them were not in their uniforms, but in their parade outfits : Pulcinella was wearing his old Snezhnayan uniform, decorated with so much snowflake-shaped medals it was hard to discern where they stopped and where the original pattern of the fabric began . He was talking to one of Sandrone's Automata, a brunette this time , wearing a beautiful white dress of Fontainian origins, showing off her flawless pale skin . Chāo always despised his automatas. Always young females, very attractive and doted . He knew for what he used them, and the very thought disgusted him. Even if Zandik did the same ... at least his were himself. It was akin to masturbation in a weird way, but it wasn't as disgusting as Sandrone. It wasn't creating sex dolls and parading them around and then making them go to reunions in his behalf . 

Capitano was standing in a corner of the room, in his normal uniform. Ajax smiled upon seeing him, and quickly left Dottore and Pantalone to join him. It prompted the Knave to finally notice them .

They were wearing a Fontainian knight attire : everything was in pure white, a heavy decorated coat over her shoulders, and her parading sword fastened to her belt. Her boots made a very distinct clanking sound against the floor, as intimidating as she was herself . Her wife was following her, arms against her, both of their wedding ring flashing in the cold glow .

Even if Chāo was a gay man, he couldn't deny how attractive Columbina looked . Tall and slender, a skin as white as snow and long flowing hair as dark as the night ... her lips were full and rosy , just like her cheeks. Her traditional Snezhnayan dress was made out of the finest fabrics, with the Tsaritsa's star embroider just beneath her collarbone . Her famous wings were adorning her shoulders, hips and wrists, as well as her headpiece . A devil dressed just like an Angel. She turned to Zandik, and asked, her voice as pure as cristal :

- You didn't happen to steal some of my flowers, did you ? You know how mad I'd get ... » As the Doctor was still half asleep, he took a moment to gather his thoughts, and especially more to gather them in Snezhnayan. He couldn't rely on Irminsul anymore...

- What if I did ? You've got an entire garden full of them. » Even though Columbina knew the answer, she still smiled at the doctor, and looked gently at her lover, as if she was asking her for permission. Arlecchino looked utterly disinterested. It wasn't the first time the Damselette and the Doctor got into petty fights. They disliked each other, for no other reason than how the other behaved.

- In Snezhnaya, you cut the hands of thieves. Please, show me which one you like the best. »

- Amour, I don't think it is wise to meddle with him now. The Tsaritsa will soon be here. We'd better leave. » Arlecchino's voice was always a pleasure to hear. Androgynous, calm and strong, they knew how to talk, and what emotions to elicit from the others. No wonder they were so popular amongst the troops – and the children infortunate enough to end up under their care.

- Please, as if she could cut my hand ! Let her be, or else she's going to throw a tantrum ! » snarky response from the Doctor, that immediately got him the Knave's sword under his throat. He smiled.

- Keep your forked tongue in that dirty mouth of yours, doctor. » That icy calmness now threatening, the Knave kept her crimson eyes into the Doctor's . He cooed, gently :

- What happened to staying calm, Emile ? » the knight's grip on the sword got even more tense, and things started to escalate . Chāo wasn't having any of it . His gloved hand carefully reached for the Knave's hand, and he lowered it, saying in his usual pleasant voice :

- Please, do not get heated, Knave. You said it yourself, the Tsaritsa will appear swiftly. You can deal with your personal ... quarrels, later. I will not stop you. Though, if I may, you know just as I do how il Dottore behaves : you just forgot how annoying he was after a few weeks without him. » Zandik chuckled upon hearing that, and side-stepped the sword. He left towards the table, and finally sat, taking out a notebook of his. A new one, Chāo noticed, of Liyuean making , noticeable by the golden strands. It was strange : he didn't finish his last notebook, and usually, Zandik was a perfectionnist, and he always filled out his notebook to the brim.

They didn't have to wait for long : soon, the doors to their right opened, and guards entered the room. Heavily armed, each one with cryo delusions or visions for the luckiest of them, they each looked at their weapon and their weapon only. They stationed at their usual place, against each wall of the room, and finally, one of them blew their trumpet. 

The first Harbinger entered the room : Pierro, mage of the Tsaritsa. His long white hair was neatly tied into a low ponytail, and his deep blue uniform was looking more like a prince's than a general's . The Northland Star shone on each of his buttons, and his long dark cape was not embroided with the Fatuus emblem, but the Tsaritsa's personal emblem. Chāo frowned . There were rumors about the nature of the relationship between the Tsaritsa and the Jester, but never before had they appeared so close. Usually, he was wearing the Fatui uniform, and holding his ceremonial ice sword, walking just behind her. But now, he was walking by her side, dressed as a prince.

He felt nothing but disgust upon seeing him so proud, head held up high, as if he was any different from the rest of them. He was the one to put pressure on the Harbingers, and forbid them from entertaining any romantic relationship. « Love is nothing but an obstacle to the pursuit of our great cause. Do not weep, soldier, for soon you will see the mercy I showed upon you.» he heard him say, once . Pierro probably did not think of himself as cruel, but it was his reputation, and in the eyes of Chāo, it was well deserved. Just like his own after all.

As soon as the Tsaritsa stepped foot inside the room, every Harbinger knelt, and looked at the marble floor. They heard her sat in her throne, and then say :

- Let us start, dearests . » her voice was motherly, warm and tender, but also devoid of any real affection. She was trying to love them, but couldn't as her heart shattered long ago — that's what Pantalone wanted to think at least. It was better than to know she only saw them as disposable tools. 

He raised, and took his place besides Dottore, and got a better look at the Tsaritsa. Her skin was as white as the snow, and her long creamy hair was flowing in delicate curls overs her heavy fur coat, bearing the multiple snowflakes of her land . She wore a kokoshnik adorned with pearls and aquamarine, as well as a heavy white veil that hid her face .

Chāo was amongst the selected fews that had seen it . The night she paid for his company, while he was only 18, in this Liyuean high-class brothel ( though officially a restaurant ) . At the time, he didn't understood she was an Archon. Unlike Rex Lapis, she didn't exude the strength and the magnificence of a god . Only a kind of frailty and pure compassion, akin to angels . 

Her face seemed to have been made out of porcelain, with bright red lips and cheeks, and always teary pale blue eyes. Tears were running on her face constantly as she wept for every soul unfortunate enough to have been born Snezhnayan . Her touches had been only tender, the night they slept together, and after she had taken what she sought of Chāo, she had asked him what were the scars on his body, and the burns on his inner thighs . Perhaps it was because of her face that inspired confidence, or the simple fact that she was the first person to ever treat him like a human being, but he told her everything as he broke down into tears. The abuse he had endured from his father , that he ran away from just to get into the hands of Mr. Tāo and endure the same — if not worse . She had asked him if she had a dream. Chāo did not remember what he answered. Was it his desire to enact revenge on all that had wronged him ? To finally find peace ? To start his own life and business ? A mix of all of those ? But after he told her that, she had smiled, and from nothing appeared in her hands a beautiful dagger, and told him to seize his destiny and come back to her once he was done — if he had enough drive to do so . He did in the end, and ever since, he was Pantalone, the 9th Harbinger, and his little business had grown to be the Northland Bank . 

So deep in his thoughts, Chāo didn't hear anything of the reunion. They talked about Signora's death and how such offense would not go unpunished , Pierro had raised concerns about the multiples Abyss fractures in Snezhnaya and they seemed to be more and more, the Knave talked for some times about how they were getting worried because of the new Fontainian Archon's investigations, and Zandik had tried to crack some weird jokes that left an awkward silence, with only Pulcinella smiling at him like he would to a small child. But finally, Chāo came back to his senses when the question of Signora's replacement came .

- I believe there is a good enough replacement in our ranks . » said elusively Arlecchino. Il Dottore rolled his eyes .

- Petrov ? The man can't even handle a team ! » he protested . Columbina smiled at him.

- And so can't you . » Dottore frowned.

- I do not need one contrarily to him . No, no. If there is someone that can replace Rosalyne, that's Natasha. She has a dendro vision, and she has some wits. We clearly lack some around this table. » he explained. Chāo knew why Il Dottore disliked Petrov. He asked too much questions, and generally speaking was a proud man. But more importantly, he was snooping around too much. To both of their liking. A man like that would surely cause problems, if he wasn't dealt with quick enough. Chāo prepared to say something, but he was disrupted by Ajax, who asked gently :

- Isn't she supposed to come back ? I've heard some tales about the Crimson Witch of Flames, and in each of those, every-time she died, she came back some times later . » 

- Ajax, my dear . She was slain by the Musou no Hitotachi. There is no coming back from that. And even if, by some miracle, she would survive once again, we cannot leave an Harbinger's seat empty. Plus, there is the Balladeer's issue. He will not come back, I am afraid. So we need to find one successor at least. We can wait for a whole year, if you so please, before finding an heir to Rosalyne. Would you like us to do that ? » Every Harbinger's gaze turnt to Ajax. As always , the Tsaritsa's favorite had some privileges. He nodded, a bit uncomfortable .

- Yes. She would be enraged if she found out we replaced her so early. Though, for Scaramouche I have no objection. If he chose to betray us, well... his loss . » 

- ... Your Majesty, will there be any change to our dispatches ? » hearing Capitano's deep voice always made Chāo shiver. He didn't talk a lot, and was always straight to the point. But even if he sounded menacing, and utterly terrifying, he still sounded weirdly gentle. The Tsaritsa took a moment to consider . 

- Yes . » she answered . Suddenly, every harbinger — except perhaps the Jester — , tensed up . This was the moment of truth . It was no secrets, they all had their favorite places . Some were safer, some were simply nicer to work in, some had secret love affairs in some countries, and some just disliked working in a particular place . Chāo preferred to work in Snezhnaya or Liyue, Capitano was a huge fan of Natlán, Ajax ... well now he must prefer Liyue, and the list goes on. Getting assigned a place you disliked was a lot to take in. For all you knew , you could get stationed for a week... to a decade . And when you weren't immortal like Pulcinella, it was really rough. 

- Before you say anything, may I give some recommandations ? » Il Dottore spoke, surprising the Jester who frowned at him . The Tsaritsa nodded, and he continued .

- I know where the Balladeer's heading up to. It needs urgent maintenance work — I know because I'm in charge of it usually. It's got two choices : Fontaine, or Sumeru. I am willing to bet on Sumeru, since they have more ancient knowledge on robotics that might apply to him more than the Automata-related knowledge of Fontaine. Once again, I am the one to have created the Core, so I know what I'm talking about . So, if it's in Sumeru, with the Shogun's gnosis that it might or might not be able to use , it's at a major risk of actually becoming a god . That's why I'm proposing to be stationed in Sumeru. Yes, I know, I've been exiled and all, but I can shapeshift without any problems, plus I can kill it and take back the gnosis with no troubles. No matter how godly it might become, I can still take it down by breaking its mind. So, I think I am the obvious choice . » the Tsaritsa seemed to be convinced. She nodded, and answered .

- It is settled. You shall go to Sumeru, until we have its gnosis back. If it ever wants to join our forces again, I want you to accept, and take it back to Snezhnaya. Then, I want you to make it truly a puppet, without any mind nor dreams. It is cruel, but I was foolish to think it would obey me without thinking about its delusions of grandeur. Now, I cannot send you alone . If you get captured, it is the end for us . » She looked across the room. Pulcinella would have been the obvious choice, as he was a very good diplomat and spoke every language. But in his youth, he had committed several war crimes in the land , and burned down Port Ourmos' great library. The war crimes would have been forgotten since. But burning down a library would get him arrested, whipped, and killed as soon as he stepped in the country. Then, there was Pantalone. He had no criminal record in any country, spoke a bit of the language, and was a good diplomat too. His economics talent would get wasted there though ...

- Is there any economical interest in Sumeru ? » she asked , the banker immediately answering .

- As it is a neutral state, yes . Sure the workforce there is principally a workforce of the mind, but it is useful too. The northland bank's grip is still uncertain, but with adequate work and diplomacy, I am sure some deals can be made. Especially with Port Ourmos. Also, Sumeru could be used for laundering money after Fontaine's debacle, and I think we could use more advanced technology , that can only be found there . » he answered calmly. 

- Then it is settled. You shall be stationed there with Zandik, for an undecided amount of time until you get back the Shogun's gnosis. Plus, if possible, Buer's gnosis . » Chāo nodded, and bowed, then looking at Zandik. The man looked as calm as ever, but he felt overjoyed probably. He would get closer to Baizhu, and also live in his homeland for a little bit ! Chāo felt happy for him . And also himself. He could get to spend more time with his frie... well. Crush. Crush to be accurate . Very , very guilty crush —for fuck's sake he was engaged ! —

- Also, Ajax . » the ginger tightened his grip on the table .

- Your Majesty ? » he asked, in a shaking voice .

- I think your talents would be better used here . You are of no particular utility in Liyue, and the Abyss fractures here are concerning... plus I believe your family is missing you. I think it is best if you stay here . » the lifeless eyes of the youngest Harbinger seemed to lose a vitality Chāo did not know it still possessed. It was as if the world came crashing down for the ginger .

- But, your Majesty, I still have work t- » he protested faintly , in a whisper .

- Ajax. I know what is best for you. It is the consultant, is it not ? He is manipulating you. To get a harbinger by his side means to know what happens here. He is using you to spy on us . I am sorry you have to learn it this way . ... Come to my chambers tonight. We will talk more in depths about it, as a reunion is not suited for it . » her voice, though still gentle, did not allow for protestation. She stood up, and said calmly :

- Thank you for coming. May luck be on your side, my dearests . » and then she left, walking slowly towards the exit, the Jester soon following her . The other Harbingers left too, chatting relieved that their positions did not change, until only Zandik, Chāo , Pulcinella and Ajax were left in the room.

The young man looked absolutely crushed by the news . His hands were shaking, and he looked at the table , taking in the news quite bad . Pulcinella had come to his side, and he was holding one of his hand, without uttering a single word . Chāo looked at Ajax, and then at Zandik, who was readjusting his heavy fur coat . The doctor noticed him after sometimes, and asked :

- What ? It's cold. » Chāo forgot for a moment Zandik's inability to read the room. Instead, he focused on Ajax, and told him gently on Liyuean :

- If you need anything from me, meet me in my office . » and left the room. He was surprised to see Zandik waiting for him, looking at the snow settling on the gardens . As soon as Chāo was by his side, he turned towards Pantalone's office, and said :

- So I'm getting to Sumeru, uh ? Dreams do come true, I suppose . Are you happy with your deployment though? » Chāo nodded.

- Yes. I'm sure it will be good for the economy, if I go there to oversight in person the Smezhnayan's expansion. I am sure I can strike a few good deals, and make Sumeru our new "Fontaine". Plus, the company will be enjoyable . » the banker sighed after adding that last sentence . At least , there were no problems to flirt with the Doctor, as he'd never pick it up. Another advantage of his psychism, Chāo mused with a smile .

- Oh. Mh, I don't know about that banker . You know ... I might not always be in Port Ourmos. But if you are in urgent need of satisfaction, I am sure my clones would be delighted to help. » oh, there it was the usual grin ! His red eyes looked at the banker's coat, probably trying to convey the "look in the eyes" feel .

- Your clones are stationed there ? 

- Of course . The five mains at least. The child version that I use to track the Aranaras — little fuckers tied to Irminsul — , the Akademiya version for if I am in need of infiltrating a scholar's workplace, my first Version that I made when I was in my twenties, me in my forties , and Omega build. He's a special case, as he has his own definite personality . The others are me at different ages, but him ? I created a new "being" with roughly the same "codings" as me . Like a brother perhaps. » the banker frowned .

- Why would you ? 

- Tsaritsa's orders . She wanted to see if I was capable of doing so. Turns out, I can do anything I put my mind into, how unsurprising ~ » he chuckled, Chāo smiling by his side . They were near his office now, and he opened the door with his key, allowing for the doctor to go inside . Once they were alone in the warm room, and took off both of their coat, he asked :

- Why exactly have you followed me ? 

- You promised me a rough playtime, not so long ago, haven't you ? Time to honor your deal , Chāo . » his name was said with tenderness for once . The banker looked at the doctor, surprised, but just approached him . Ignoring the excitement he felt in his chest, his cold hands went just under the doctor's shirt , and tugged on his leather harness .

- You're no better than a dog, Zandik. You're lucky I like that in a man . » he whispered , pushing the older man on the nearby couch, letting go of the harness, slapping the doctor's skin with a sharp sound . The doctor only smiled at the remark. 

He liked when Pantalone complimented him . Even though, he was probably more seeking to do some dirty talk, it still felt nice to the doctor. What could he say, he liked getting some attention ! He started to unbutton his shirt, having switched his Sumerian clothes for a more warm Snezhnayan fashion, and said :

- Sorry I can't take off my mask now. I'll do it more in Sumeru, since you liked it so much ... » he was teasing the banker, his shit-eating grin always on his face . That earned him another slap from his harness .

- I don't look forward to you reading my mind every now and then ... »

- Scared I might see how much you like me ? » Chāo could have blushed and fawned, saying hysterically that it wasn't true, that it was just physical attraction. But backing away in an argument with Zandik meant loosing, and Chāo hated loosing .