arlecchino / the knave .

@lordknave​ said:

‘ don’t push my buttons. ’

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Comes his response, choosing to speak his peace rather than a simple silent roll of the eyes.. “All I’m trying to say is that I’d keep a closer eye on those orphans of yours that’s all.” He shrugs his shoulders. Truth be told he doesn’t care how she decides to run her little orphanage, but what he does mind is when one of them gets involved into his matters instead of minding their own business. Obviously simply announcing that he’s the sixth harbinger will always suffice he’s sure, but the mere inconvenience of it is what takes the cake for him. “Some of them seem to think they can run about and do so as they please when you and I very well know that’s not the case.” Scaramouche has heard plenty a rumors about how her children will do just about anything to stay in her good graces, to get some nod of approval, to impress her, like they’re her little chicks and she’s their mother hen. He doesn’t quite get it, why they’re so… attached to her, he hardly sees anything to get attached to. Even so, that isn’t any of his concern since the little children-soldiers-to-be have their uses for the organization. How she accomplishes it will be something he’ll never bother diving into.

“They serve their purpose so you must be doing something right.” He’ll give her that much… as a treat. “As long as they don’t interfere with my affairs again, all will be fine, that’s all I’m trying to say here. Don’t take it so personally. We’re all on the same team here, after all.” Until further notice perhaps.

❝Mmm… So they have,❞ she starts, unconcerned with whether or not she is doing a decent job of feigning that news hadn’t already reached her, and dear Capitano was far too late in letting her know.

Many things that were true in her life were rare cases of fortunate miscalculation. The words preached at the orphanages had always been meant to instill a fierce loyalty to her─to her alone. Not to the Fatui, and not to the Tsaritsa─but she could not have predicted how far they would go, without orders. Without permission.

How they could be so blinded to future consequence. To not be at least ten steps ahead…

The actions committed were… A gross miscalculation.

A deep exhale later, her gaze falls, becoming fixed on her knuckles. 

❝How unfortunate… For them. I suppose I made the mistake of thinking some of my children were long-past needing reminders of where their place is.❞ She ponders out loud, her stare flickering back to Capitano in that instant. ❝Efim will be dealt with.❞ Arlecchino says, far more firmly this time.

Efim. Gods-forsaken Efim. How he could be so foolish as to overlook the many risks that his operation implied is beyond her, truly.

The Tsaritsa’s goal being put at risk is, regrettably, not her main concern. Rather, it is her own reputation in the eyes of no one other than her children. Frankly, anyone else’s opinion of her is irrelevant. For Efim to have so callously caused civil unrest like that, is… Overzealous of him. Arrogant. The gall.

first & foremost , I don’t want to fully establish this as a headcanon yet - as I don’t want to impose on a potential writing partner’s portrayal. These are more like my thoughts regarding Arlecchino’s unknown rank.

I intend to write Arlecchino while having her in mind as the 7th harbinger, without ever actually saying it, as I want to leave room for what is decided canonically, and because I don’t want to force any narratives on any other harbinger writers.

That being said, I will omit her official harbinger rank from most of my writing, except for in personal drabbles.

Below I will explain why Arlecchino as the 7th is my current theory:

I don’t believe she is the 4th or 2nd, as Capitano and Dottore both seem far too valuable ( Childe vouches for Capitano in his voice lines ), so that leaves 7th & 10th. 

Originally I thought, perhaps Arlecchino’s No. 10 since the Marionette looks like… A lot. A handful, a nightmare boss, and Childe had a lot to say about her. However, I did take a look at the archetypes that the harbingers are based around - and in commedia dell’arte, the Harlequin ( Knave ) almost always plays a deeper role over the Sandrone. Guiding myself off the tropes, it would make more sense to me that Arlecchino would be No. 7.

That being said, I don’t want to undermine Sandrone’s potential role, like I said these are just thoughts and where I personally am leaning. Additionally, Arlecchino is in charge of overseeing the training of the orphans her team recruits. And to be in charge of something of the sort—training child soldiers, for whatever number of years, until the students are ready—is a very delicate task.

@inavagrant

Arlecchino’s heavy footsteps come to a slow stop just as she walks past him, and she gives a low chuckle. The sound unsettlingly echoes through the hallway.

She knows exactly what Kunikuzushi refers to, of course. It was the knave’s look of jealousy when she hears he will be leaving for Inazuma. It was not a look of ill-intent, but Arlecchino has no doubt that he must know she covets what he has. Fortunately for her, she has very little shame.

For one, the weather is delightful over there. She likes thunderstorms! And she hears that Inazuma is abundant in those. Arlecchino likes even more to know that Rosalyne is not too far out of reach, and she would soon have to make her way to the alleged Land of Eternity. 

Rosalyne, who surely cares very little for having eyes on her. 

Rosalyne, who likely has not yet realized that Arlecchino still has affection for her.

Though that isn't the only thing that makes her envy him. Admittedly, Arlecchino would like to have an excuse to travel more often, but alas... The nature of her work does not always allow it.

Her lips widen into a smirk that is very poorly concealed as she turns to face him again. One might even say there was no attempt to hide it at all ( there wasn’t ).

“Like what?” She inquires, now grinning at him with her head tilted upwards just a bit, eyes focused down on him. On purpose.