The cornerstone of Snezhnaya, a humble town resided at the very edge of Snezhnaya Region, is a cold place named Severnyy Town.
Its people loves to drink and brawl. The queen despised the weak, hence Snezhnayans are encouraged to prove their value and valor through battles and spars, which was the one of the reasons Snezhnaya was recognized as the nation with the strongest military force.
Sometimes, Fatui, Snezhnaya's core operation and where the Queen took control and gave her decrees, would sent a group of Fatui agents to select exceptional warriors in this town.
They would held a test for those who wished to be of the Fatui. This deeply enthralled the people, since only by becoming one of the Fatui would their queen considered them exist.
As the New Year Eve came to an end, Heins shielded his eyes from the falling snowflakes. The snowstorm today was particularly fierce, and it was especially so in Snezhnaya, a nation of everlasting winter.
He pulled his thick black cloak tighter to his body as he delved into the Severnyy Town. Liyuans, unfortunately, have yet to comeback. The snowstorm was so fierce, how could they possibly risk to go here?
Thus, Heins pushed his way through for a warm store at the corner of the street of town's square. The store was owned by a full-blooded Snezhnayan, a store specialized in warm beverages and comforting seafood.
The owner is a rough man named Rayter. A strongman who fished on the icy lakes by cutting a hole through it, a method Heins had been taught by his late father, a key to his survival in the first year when he couldn't even bring himself to kill.
At times when he received a sum, he would go here to replenish himself, physically and mentally. It was the only warm corner he could find.
There was also a particular reason.
"Welcome—! Ah, is this lad again."
The man was joyous until he recognized Heins's face. He chuckled lightly as he pointed out a wobbly girl coming out of the backdoor, "Shouldn't show your face too often here. Your face is quite problematic, don't you think so? Getting the lil lass all worked up."
The boy could only laugh nervously as he took a seat and ordered the usual, "Spicy Crayfish Soup, please."
Rayter raised his eyebrows as he prepared the meal, "Crayfish spicy ukha? Boy, just what the hell you're trying to do? Wanna ruin the authentic meal or something? You've been doing this for the last two months!"
Heins just smiled wryly. He likes spicy food, and he likes crayfish. What's wrong with it?
"Well, the weather's pretty cold. I need something to warm myself."
Rayter paused. He stared at Heins for a few moments before he sighed, "Alrighty. I'll get it done. Fire-Water?"
Heins shuddered. He was so miserable by a couple of vodka shots. Who knows what would happen if he chug that insane stuff? "Uh, no, thank you. I'll explode, literally. Besides, why are you offering a kid like me those heavyweights?"
Rayter laughed, "Aha, you're not a real man yet, huh? Still half a man."
"Heins!"
Heins's face softened, the rough lines of the scars on his face lengthened as he caught a small bundle of white in his arms. It was only now that he could showcase his face fully bare from the ugly black cloak, his sharp, scarred yet boyish face accentuated by the warm light.
Heins looked rough, but there was a certain rugged charm that the lasses very much like so. Rayter could vouch for that.
The girl's obsidian eyes are clear, their unique glimmering crimson X happily shone as she dived into his chest.
As he hugged the unique child, Rayter placed the spicy ukha on the table, his face plastered with concern, "Boy, the lass caught someone's attention."
"Who?" Heins asked in undermined concern as he played with the girl's cheeks, making her pout in indignation. "Bad Heins! No pinching!"
Rayter looked left and right. It wasn't until he was assured of the confidentiality of what he was about to say that he solemnly answered, "Crucabena, the Knave."
Heins remained unresponsive, but Rayter could see the empty, red-blood orbs that seem to consume the soul from the glimmering rubies they once were. The boy did not say anything, merely playing and toying with the little bundle.
Her uneven bangs are sleek black, charcoal, like his, but Heins noticed that a fringe of white began to appear from her hair whorl.
"No! Heins, don't play with my fringe!"
The little bundle whined as Heins picked a strand of her white fringe, fidgeting relentlessly. He smiled as the girl stood on his lap and took her vengeance by playing with his own face.
However, a girl is always sensitive in certain matters, and soon she noticed something, her unique eyes narrowed in concern and suspicion, "Heins, why there are additional scars? Did you get into fights again?!"
Heins merely smiled as he squished her soft pale cheeks tenderly, "Now now, a small girl like you shouldn't come to a conclusion too early."
The girl's eyes closened slightly as she whined. However, her focus was unparalleled, and she has no intention to divert the topic, "Hmph, I know exactly what you're doing, Heins. I am not dumb! I'm Peruere, no way you're tricking me with such petty attempts!"
The boy's crimson eyes shone with a playful look, "Don't be so presumptuous. I just came back from the lake we visited last time. These ain't scars, but soot, came from the campfire. See?"
Heins specifically nudged a scar that he had prepared, and it disappeared, his finger darkened, like soot.
Presented to an undeniable proof, Peruere began to feel guilty, "O-Oh, then I am sorry, Heins. I was too arrogant..."
Looking at the girl who looked like she was about to cry, Heins rubbed her hair, "It's already so late. Go back to sleep so you would be at your best, or else no one's gonna marry you in the future. You know what they say, a true Snezhnayan is a strong man and an even stronger woman! And to be strong, sufficient sleep is crucial."
"Heins, you oaf! There has never been such a thing!" Peruere mischievously planted a peck on his cheek as she ran away. Heins smiled as he watched the white little bundle strutted away.
As soon as Peruere disappeared from the scene, the atmosphere turned cold. Heins's empty crimson eyes stared at Rayter and asked, his tone as flat as a meadow, "When?"
"The lass went out last week."
"Fuck."
Heins breathed out as he took a sip of the soup. It was savoury, spicy and delicious. He always preferred crustaceans to be shimmered and boiled.
Rayter sighed for an umpteenth time, "Now what are you gonna do? The lass was found by you at that shimmering lake. Her traits were too unique to be shown casually, but now that all were blown out of proportions, hiding won't do you and her any good."
"I guess I have no choice."
From Peruere's mysterious appearance, her unique eyes, her unreasonable white fringe...
Even Heins could discern that something was about to awaken. One that he knew he couldn't handle. She was very mysterious.
This may be a rash decision, but only this way could Peruere had a chance to survive, and perhaps even scavenged her full potential.
"I'll join the Fatui."
"Shit."
Rayter shook his head as he chugged down a bottle of Fire-Water. The effect... Was explosive.
Literally, explode.
"I fucking hate this drink—"
BOOM!
Rayter's burp was explosive. Heins was somewhat speechless.
"Anyway, the ukha's 400 Mora."
"Discount—?"
"No!"