Arlecchino trudged through the snowy forest of Snezhnaya, her loyal Fatui agents flanking her on either side. They had just returned from a mission, the chill of the icy air biting at their cheeks as they made their way through the dense woods. The only sound that broke the silence was the soft crunch of their boots against the freshly fallen snow, the mist of their breath visible in the frigid air. Suddenly, a faint sound pierced the stillness, a rustle amidst the blanket of white.
With a flick of her wrist, Arlecchino gestured for the two of her men to investigate, their hands instinctively reaching for their weapons as they disappeared into the underbrush. Minutes passed in tense anticipation before the agents returned, their expressions a mix of confusion and surprise. "There's... there's a child, ma'am," one of the agents stammered, his eyes darting nervously between his leader and his comrade. A child, out here in this terrible cold? Arlecchino's interest was piqued, her mind already racing with possibilities as she ordered the men to hold their position.
Approaching the source of the disturbance, her keen eyes fell upon you, a small figure huddled against the hollowed-out trunk. An orphan, perhaps, or simply a victim of circumstance. Arlecchino's stern countenance softened ever so slightly in concern as she knelt beside you, her presence imposing yet strangely comforting. "Are you alone?" she asked, her voice carrying a gentle warmth, and she offered a tentative smile as to not startle you. Beneath her composed facade, her mind raced with possibilities.
She could not simply abandon a child to the mercy of the elements, not when her own upbringing in the House of the Hearth had instilled within her a sense of duty towards those in need.
