#please wait

arlecchino was not a big fan of going to theatre's like this, unless it was a show that starred her children. today was an exception, she was invited by a few of her orphanage's investors and to maintain a good reputation amongst them, she had to come and get along with them. she put on a faux smile as she just kept on mindlessly agreeing to their stupid chatter. they were talking about some pretty lady going on stage tonight, she was rumored to be fontaine's next big star- or whatever. ugh, she couldn't stand it, those old men fantasizing over a woman.

the light had dimmed with one spotlight focusing on one spot on the curtains. arlecchino sat back on her chair as a yawn left her lips. she really wasn't interested, she was hoping that this would end more quickly than she'd expected.

her eyes closed as the curtains opened. the soft melodies of the piano playing first, then the violin had lulled her, making her feel like she'd fall asleep. not that it'd matter; she was high up in a balcony reserved only for VIP audiences, and she was the only one occupying this one.

however, her eyes shot open as she heard a voice join in with the melody, comparable that to a siren's- she couldn't help but stand up and get a closer look at you. curses, she thought, why didn't she bring galilean binoculars with her? still, she sighed and stilled, listening to your voice with more interest this time.

oh celestia above, she'd love to compare you to an angel, but no- you were so much so like a siren to her. how your voice pulled her in, making her want to go closer, probably jump off from this balcony if that made it quicker. to her, that was a threat- your voice was a threat, to make her feel this way.

as she got a closer look at you, sitting there as you sang so beautifully, gracing her ears with your own melodies. truly, it was euphonic to her ears. she watched you and stared at you, she earnestly believed that you were a being descended from celestia. how on teyvat could you be blessed with such a face as pretty as your honeyed, mellifluous voice?

she stared at you in shock and as the show ended, arlecchino had excused herself from the men. she was thankful that her children had been frequent performers in this theatre and it'd granted her an easy backstage pass as an esteemed guest of the theatre.

she looked around, eyes darting around as she was desperate to see you, and yet she kept her calm. she asked one of the staff where you were, but they said you were currently unavailable. having to keep her reputation, she could only frown at the thought of not having to see a closer glimpse of you.

the theatre had already been vacant by the time she walked out the backstage as it was the establishment's after-hours already.

as she walked out the doors of the theatre, it was raining. she felt fumbled, not seeing you and walking in the rain? what luck tonight, she thought.

however, much to her surprise, water had stopped dripping on her. someone had obviously held an umbrella up her head, and as she turned head to see and thank who had done it, imagine how fast her lips shut itself into a thin line. you looked up at her, smiling so innocently, like you hadn't almost quite literally made her jump to her own death back at the theatre.

so instead of muttering a thank you, she awkwardly looked away and sat there silent. the singer beside her didn't mind, as per the orphanage's head's reputation, she was known amongst the people as a person of small talk and an incomprehensible expression. so you decided to strike the conversation for her.

"miss.. arlecchino? was it? my, you shouldn't really be walking out in the rain. shall i accompany you to a cab?"

you asked, and with your words, the said woman had tucked her hands in the pocket's of her pants. she curled her hands into a fist, trying her hardest not to fumble with her words. ".. oh, no need, mademoiselle. it'd be improper of me to ask a lady to escort me." she answered back, then looking at you. her breath had been taken aback for the third time this day, once at the theatre and once just minutes ago.

"oh, no! it'd be my pleasure to, miss arlecchino. i don't really mind."

you insisted and it made her heart thump. you looked so.. divine and heavenly, but her thoughts had been filled with indecency. your lips looked plump and glossy, that it made her wonder, what would it be like to-

"miss arlecchino?"

the calling of her name had caught her off guard, the way her faux name rolled off your lips like honey off a honey dipper. so smooth, so silky- and so damn good in her ears. she wanted to hear more.

"ah, pardon, mademoiselle. i was just thinking of something, however, shall i invite you to dinner instead? we can dine as the rain persists, then leave when it has gone. i'll take you home."

you smiled at her suggestion, thinking it'd be nice to spend some time with her. arlecchino grabbed the umbrella from your hands, insisting on holding it for you. both of you walked side to side in the rain, and her presence was akin to a tranquil silence. she didn't talk much, but her company was very much comforting.

as dinner went on, the knave sat in front of you and you sat in front of her. you chattered on and on and did not mind her silent demeanor but unbeknownst to you, indecent thoughts had been filling her head as she stared at you.

eventually, wine had been served to the both of you as dinner almost ended. none of you knew it was alcoholic, so it obviously made the both of you tipsy. seeing as you were getting a bit hazy, she kindly offered to take you home.

too drunk to make decisions for yourself, you just nodded along and let her take you away.

as she dropped you off by the door of your house, she grabbed your hand and kissed it. at first, you took it as a sign of respect, but not soon after had she brought her head up, she leaned in to your ear to whispering something.

"little nightingale, i enjoyed your company today. however, if given the chance, i wish to make you and hear you sing my name in ways most people cannot."

perverse at it may sound, the way she spoke in such a hushed and gentle tone made your heart flutter. she moved back from you, but you found yourself pulling her back towards you.

perhaps, it was dangerous to spend the night with a stranger- but with how good her kisses felt to your skin, how she had pleasured you just right, maybe it was worth it. you sang in her ears beautifully, and arlecchino felt bliss alone from your dulcet moans.

tonight was your first tango with the devil, and you just found yourself wanting more.