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The sorrowful Knave of the Fatui Harbingers, Arlecchino, sat reclined in a lux chaise lounge, inside a cold suite in the Zapolyarny Palace. Her feet rested on top of each other, and she stared up at the painted ceiling of the room, occasionally taking absentminded drags from her cigar. She stared at the hand-painted snowflakes and ice crystals that made up the artistic pattern of the ceiling.
She pondered a couple of things in between each drag: the pathetic excuse for “camaraderie” that was between her fellow Harbingers, and the all-too-soon demise of her comrade, Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter. She remembered the poor display of sympathy for her death by her "comrades," despite the fact that the fallen Harbinger had made the most progress towards the Tsaritsa's mission than any of them combined. Even the useless Pantalone couldn't deliver a damn fur coat for their Tsaritsa, but La Signora was able to deliver two gnoses for the Ice Queen's chessboard.
On top of the Knave lay a petite woman; Columbina, the enigmatic Damselette of the Fatui Harbingers. Her sleek black hair draped down the two bodies and gathered on the marbled floor. Her eyes were kept closed behind a mask of lace, and she hummed an angelesque melody that echoed throughout the silent room. Her head was nestled into the Knave’s broad shoulder, and she enjoyed the aroma of cologne that came from the woman’s neck. Smoke from the Knave’s cigar slowly circled around the two women as it filled the room; it smelled of tobacco with sweet hints of sunsettia.
“Arly~” the smaller woman said, abruptly stopping her song. Her sweet voice temporarily melted the wall of ice that surrounded Arlecchino’s thoughts.
“Yes, my Dove?” the other replied, with a deep and raspy voice that contrasted with Columbina’s.
Arlecchino moved her gaze down from the ceiling, and onto the woman that was comfortably laying on her; she waited for her answer.
“You’re awfully quiet tonight,” Columbina said, lifting her head from its resting place. She opened her eyes—their irises a bright fuchsia like the colored strands of her hair—and met the gaze of the handsome woman. She gazed pensively at her, running a hand through her white hair. Arlecchino returned the concerned gaze with a cold stare.
“Hmm,” Columbina muttered, dissatisfied with the Knave's continued silence. “What are you thinking of?” she asked.
Arlecchino ignored the question and took a long drag from her cigar, using her other hand to gesture at Columbina to come forward. The latter obeyed, and parted her lips to inhale as Arlecchino released the smoke. The Knave then laid herself back, admiring the Damselette’s silhouette that was visible from beneath her overcoat. As she exhaled into the air above her, Arlecchino decided to answer her question.
“I’ve just been thinking…about things.” She sounded avoidant—which was unsurprising—but Columbina already had an inkling that she knew what her Knave was thinking of. The woman leaned forward, placing her hands on the other’s shoulders, and looked down at her.
“Are you thinking about her? ” Columbina asked with contempt. The Knave took a deep breath from her cigar and let out a sigh.
“Am I not allowed to mourn for our fallen comrade?” she asked, with an obvious tinge of annoyance. She cocked her head to the side as Columbina continued looking at her with disapproval written on her face.
“I feel like you’re mourning a little too much ,” she answered in retaliation. Her sweet voice hid sharp daggers of disdain. “I miss her too, but what’s done is done. There’s no use in moping about it.”
The Knave merely shook her head and scoffed.
“You’re happy that she’s gone now, aren’t you?” she asked accusatively. Columbina tutted, refusing to respond. She knew that there was no use in pretending to Arlecchino that she was just as sad about La Signora’s death as the rest of their comrades. She was able to fool everyone else at the ceremony, with her beautiful singing in remembrance of the Crimson Witch, but Arlecchino knew better than that.
Before Columbina had been recruited as the 3rd Harbinger of the Fatui, the Knave was infatuated with the Fair Lady, Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter. She admired her grace, her beauty, her knowledge, and most of all, her wrath. And though Rosalyne was flattered, and a bit enchanted by the dashingness of Arlecchino, she couldn’t find it within her heart to move on from her deceased husband. After all, his death was the catalyst for her awakening as the Crimson Witch of Flame.
When Columbina joined the Fatui, she immediately became enamored with Arlecchino; similar to how the latter was enamored with La Signora. Columbina found herself not only attracted to Arlecchino’s classy and princely etiquette as a diplomat, but also her controlling and wrathful nature as a Harbinger. She could quickly tell that the Knave was enthralled in a one-sided romance with the Fair Lady, which tore away at pieces of her heart. It didn’t show on the Damselette’s face, but she despised seeing the one she loved paying so much attention to someone who didn’t admire her—not in the same way she did.
In the end, Arlecchino nonetheless grew out of her love for the Fair Lady, and fixed her gaze instead upon the Damselette who had been watching her from afar. Although their relationship began with a few lustful affairs, mostly fueled by Arlecchino’s unrequited passions from before, the two developed a close companionship shortly thereafter. But even though it felt like Columbina had finally gotten the woman of her dreams, she always kept a close eye on Rosalyne. She made sure to watch out for any lingering stares, any stray touches, or private conversations.
Arlecchino herself was aware of this, but part of her enjoyed knowing that she was so desperately wanted by Columbina. It came to a point where sometimes she would purposely pull Rosalyne to the side to talk, or give her a polite kiss upon the hand, just to drive Columbina mad. Her jealous rage turned her into a beautiful beast behind closed doors, and the Knave reveled in being able to tame her to her whims.
And even now, when the Crimson Witch was defeated and laid to rest, Arlecchino could see that same beautiful jealousy shining beneath the Damselette’s mask. Arlecchino placed her cigar down on the table next to her, and removed the damsel’s mask gently while giving her a coy grin.
“I am glad,” the damsel admitted in a hushed tone. She moved one of her legs over so that they were intertwined with the Knave’s. She then leaned in forward, holding Arlecchino’s face with both of her hands. The jealous gaze that was in her eyes had already faded to one of hunger.
“ Because finally, you’re all mine now .”
To the Knave, the sound of the Damselette’s possessive declaration was more beautiful than any symphony. But before she could act, Columbina pulled her face towards her and kissed her. The Knave immediately held Columbina with the same intensity, gripping her waist and the back of her head. The two kissed each other deeply and fervently, not wanting to let the other go, their bodies locked and grinding against one another.
Columbina pulled away slightly, trying to catch her breath, but the Knave saw this as a chance to pull her open mouth back in. She then slid her tongue inside, causing Columbina to let out a muffled moan. The Knave used her other hand to pull off the woman’s overcoat, letting it fall to the floor. Columbina was wearing a light and lacy white gown underneath her coat, and it was short enough for Arlecchino to lift up so she could caress the back of the woman’s thighs. She would occasionally move the hand further up to grope the damsel, each time rewarding a soft moan.
Columbina kept a hand held against the back of her Knave’s neck, while the other hand rustled through her white hair. The Knave then lifted her right leg up slightly, encouraging Columbina to grind her hips against her. The two continued to lock tongues with one another, humming and moaning melodies of lust into each other, as the Damselette felt herself wanting more and more.
She managed to remove herself from Arlecchino’s lips, and swiftly lifted off her dress, revealing her petite figure and breasts.