Nightfall
With nothing much to do, Luo Qing leaned back in his office chair, flipping through a photo album Ayaka had given him. He browsed the pictures with great interest.
All his subordinates had been dismissed for the evening, leaving him alone in the room. The quietness made the space feel a bit cold and lonely.
As he admired Ayaka's shy, adorable expressions captured in the album, Luo Qing felt a sudden urge to return and be close to her again. However, his teleportation toilet—his peculiar invention—had already been installed in multiple locations, leaving him with none in reserve. Until he won another in the next lottery draw, his return would have to wait.
For now, he could only endure the loneliness, waiting for the prize pool to refresh and the lottery to reopen.
After some time spent appreciating Ayaka's sweet demeanor, Luo Qing walked over to the window, stretched lazily, and gazed at the bright moon above. He yawned, then suddenly turned toward the shadows within the room, speaking in a calm tone.
"Come out. You've been hiding there all night—doesn't it get tiring?"
The moment he finished speaking, a gentle breeze stirred the shadows, and a girl emerged slowly. Her gray-black cat tail swayed gracefully, adding to her charm.
"Lord Trickster."
The girl gave a slight bow of respect.
"It's been a while, Lynette."
Luo Qing showed no surprise at her appearance. Instead, he returned to his seat and fetched two cups from the tea set on his shelf, placing them on the desk with a smile.
"Calling me by my codename feels a bit distant. I'd prefer you use my old name. Tea or coffee?"
"Coffee…"
Lynette nodded lightly and approached him.
"Long time no see, Lord Luo Qing."
"Why do you always have to add the 'Lord' part?" Luo Qing teased, sliding a cup of freshly poured coffee toward her. "You didn't use to call me that."
Both children of the House of the Hearth, Luo Qing was slightly older than Lynette. By the time Arlecchino brought Lynette and her brother into the fold, Luo Qing was nearing adulthood, almost ready to undertake his own missions after years of training.
In their brief overlap, Luo Qing had spent a fair amount of time with the cat-eared girl and her brother. Of course, his primary motivation had been his fondness for the feline-like Lynette...
"That was then, and this is now," Lynette replied softly.
The last time they met, Luo Qing had been just another intelligence operative, similar in rank to her. But now, he had ascended to the Twelfth Harbinger, a position second only to the Tsaritsa and Pierro, making him one of her top superiors.
"What's so different?" Luo Qing leaned back in his chair, adopting a casual demeanor. For some reason, a peculiar image flashed in his mind—a boy holding a spear under the moonlight.
Runtu, my friend, is that you?
Master, you've arrived!
"Did Arlecchino send you?" Luo Qing asked, breaking the silence when Lynette remained tight-lipped.
Lynette's aloofness reminded him of a ragdoll cat: cold and elegant, yet quietly present when needed. Unlike most cat-eared girls, who were typically lively and cheerful, Lynette exuded a serene warmth that made her unique.
"Yes…" Lynette nodded lightly. "The Lady asked me to inquire about your purpose in Fontaine…"
"And you had to hide in the shadows all night for something so trivial? Were you afraid I'd tug on your ears again?"
"…"
Lynette didn't respond immediately. If it were the Luo Qing of old, her cheeks would already be puffed out in annoyance. He had always found excuses—bets or games—to tease her just so he could stroke her ears and tail.
But now, Luo Qing was a Harbinger, her superior…
"The Lady asked me to warn you not to interfere with her plans," Lynette said in a low voice. "Otherwise, she'll treat you as an enemy as well."
"Interfere with her plans?" Luo Qing responded nonchalantly. "I came here under the guise of a diplomat from Sumeru. I have no official ties to the Fatui on this mission. How could I possibly disrupt her plans?"
He knew well enough that Arlecchino's goal was the Gnosis of the Hydro Archon. What he couldn't understand was why she was so adamantly shutting him out, refusing even the slightest assistance.
Wouldn't it be easier for everyone if they worked together to outsmart Furina, claim the Gnosis, and return to Snezhnaya in triumph?
"The Lady believes it's better this way," Lynette replied softly. "Otherwise, she won't hesitate to disregard past camaraderie…"
"She really said that?" Luo Qing blinked in surprise.
"Yes." Lynette nodded slightly, then finished her coffee and stood, ready to leave.
"It was good to see you again, Lord Luo Qing. My apologies for the unannounced visit tonight."
With that, she turned to head for the door.
"Wait a moment."
Lynette stopped as Luo Qing called out.
"Is there something else, Lord Luo Qing?"
"Arlecchino mentioned that you've obtained a Vision, didn't she?" he asked.
"…Yes."
"What element?" Luo Qing leaned forward with curiosity.
"…Wind."
"Anemo, huh?" Luo Qing suddenly looked regretful, shaking his head. "What a pity."
"What's so unfortunate?" Lynette asked, puzzled. Was he eyeing her Vision for some reason?
"It's nothing." Luo Qing waved dismissively. "You'll understand someday."
"Well then, Lynette, please tell Arlecchino that I won't interfere with her plans. She can rest assured. And if she ever needs help, she's welcome to come to me."
"This…" Lynette hesitated, briefly stunned by his warm expression, but her usual cool demeanor returned quickly. "I'll relay your words to the Lady verbatim. Goodbye, Lord Luo Qing."
As she spoke, a faint azure glow emanated from her back. A gentle breeze swept through the room, and Lynette's figure vanished into the dim shadows.
"Tsk. Still as cold as ever," Luo Qing muttered, stretching again in his chair.
He had initially expected Arlecchino herself to show up. Instead, the moment he arrived home, he sensed Lynette lurking in the corner, quietly observing him.
From her words, it seemed Arlecchino still held some sentimental regard for their shared past, unwilling to confront him directly. This realization surprised Luo Qing slightly.
After all, Arlecchino was known for her ruthless efficiency, treating allies as friends only when it suited her interests, and enemies with no mercy.
It seemed inevitable that they would clash eventually.
Luo Qing leaned back, deep in thought. If things come to that, how should I handle it?
After all, she was the one who had saved his life back then. He couldn't truly bring himself to hurt her…
Maybe I should let Rosalyne handle it…
Those two always did get along fairly well…