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Ekaterina had been part of the Fatui for almost 10 years now, having joined right after finishing school as well, it was simply the best option. She didn't want to make it big, just make it enough to where she and her family could live comfortably. And after several years of grueling fieldwork, she was eventually transferred to work under Pantalone, who would station her in Liyue at Northland Bank. Her job was still demanding, but much preferred in comparison to freezing to death in a camp in a Snezhnayan winter. She acted as the receptionist for the bank, but as one of the higher ranking members stationed in Liyue Harbor, she also had some overlook of the other lower ranking members.
However, her workload would nearly double with the appointment of the 11th Harbinger. Whenever he was stationed in Liyue, she was to report directly to him. On paper it shouldn't require that much change from normal, but in practice…
She sighed, rubbing her temples. It made her head hurt just thinking about it. First off, he drove her nearly to her wit's end with how much he procrastinated with his work. He could do it and do it well, he just did not want to. Not that she could blame him, paperwork was awful, but they were running a bank here, it had to be done. Ekaterina had to wonder why the higher-ups gave him of all people a position with so much desk work. Her current conclusion was it was because no one else wanted to do it.
Secondly, she often found herself having to clean up Tartaglia's messes. After that whole Osial incident, she nearly got into a fistfight with some of the Qixing (Ningguang and her secretaries were not people to be messed with) and she was the one who had to report to Pantalone about the exorbitant amount of money they were being fined for the destruction of the Jade Chamber. She could hear that man's voice yelling at her as she read the letter he sent in reply and she was pretty sure the whole affair took 15 years off her lifespan.
Once she had been explaining some of her duties to the Traveller. "So basically, you're Childe's babysitter." She said.
Yes, that summed it up quite accurately. She was Lord Tartaglia's glorified babysitter.
But she supposed she at least expected most of those things to some extent. What she had not expected was she would also be dealing with the 11th Harbinger's love life.
That's right. Apparently, she was his go-to person to ask for relationship advice.
Ekaterina couldn't believe it either.
It had started out simple enough, one day as he was leaving the bank, he paused by the desk and asked her, "Hey, do I look alright?"
"Of course, sir," was her automatic reply because, well, what else should one measly underling like herself say to a Harbinger?
"Are you sure?" He pressed, looking her directly in the eye.
Ekaterina resisted the urge to flinch and look away as she contemplated her options. Option a: repeat what she had just said. Or option b: tell him the truth. She wasn't quite sure which one had a higher chance of her surviving the conversation. While Tartaglia was a much preferred Harbinger to work under than say, Signora, she wouldn't say she was on a really, speak her mind terms with him. On the other hand, lying in any kind of matter was very hit or miss depending on what Harbinger one was dealing with.
Steeling her nerves (and crossing her fingers), she took a deep breath before saying, "Your hair looks a bit tangled and it looks sloppy with your jacket unbuttoned like that."
"Oh, huh," he muttered to himself, raking his hand through his hair in what she assumed was an attempt to comb it. She didn't move, only continuing to watch him.
"Well, thank you, Ekaterina," he finally said after messing with his buttons for a few moments. She slowly released the breath she had been holding, today would not be the day she died, bless the Archons.
"And I am going to be late," he said to no one in particular, quickly leaving before she could ask if he had signed those papers she needed. (And his jacket was still unbuttoned as he went off.) As she watched him go, she wondered about what had caused him to ask her that. Oh well, none of her business.
At least, that's what she would say if that had been the only instance.
Instead, this happened several more times. He asked her if his scarf was crooked ("Just a little bit"), was there blood on the back of his shirt ("Not this time"), did he have food stuck in his teeth ("Nope!" She said without even looking. She'd risk the fact that she was wrong and would get caught because she was not paid enough for that.)
Something was definitely up and these moments did not go unnoticed by the other Fatui at the bank either. The rumor mill was spinning fast. But what could she say? Harbingers made for a very enjoyable source of gossip, so long as one didn't get caught talking about them.
"You know, I've been seeing him with the Traveller a lot," Vlad said one day, right after Tartaglia had left the bank. "And the other night, Nadia said she saw the two of them walking into Liuli Pavilion."
"Oh, I saw them out by Dunyu Ruins a few days ago," An agent chimed in. "They were clearing the area of those ruin guards together."
"He follows her when she does her Adventurer's Guild commissions," a cicin mage tittered.
"He likes her," Vlad concluded, the others nodding in agreement. "Really likes her."
(Ekaterina thought it was funny how Vlad was able to notice that but failed to recognize the big fat crush Nadia had on him. Granted even one of those flighty cicin mages could pick up on it, it was that obvious.)
"Tell you what," Vlad said. "I bet you 2000 Mora they get together before the next Lantern Rite."
The mage laughed. "Only 2000? Have you seen how he looks at her? 5000 for me."
"3000 he doesn't. I mean, he's kinda clueless when it comes to this stuff," the agent said with a shrug.
He had a point.
(The betting pool would make its way through the whole office and even some Fatui stationed outside of Liyue Harbor got involved. Ekaterina for her part would end up betting 4000 mora that they would be together by then.)
"Ekaterina," the bank was closed for the evening and she was cleaning up for the night when the Harbinger came up to the desk.
She set down the papers she was organizing. "Yes, sir?"
"So, you're a woman, right? What do women like?"
One of the first things everyone who joined the Fatui learned was to always respect one's superiors. Always. Especially the Harbingers. The tiniest of slip ups could get one demoted, kicked out, or killed. She had seen it happen multiple times before. There was a very valid reason this rule had been drilled into every recruit's head.
Despite all of this, Ekaterina could not keep the look of abject disgust off her face as she stared at Tartaglia. He had asked it so simply, so casually, and yet, she could not believe what words had just come out of his mouth. Her reaction, very clear even with a mask covering part of her face, caused his expression to shift from one of curiosity to one of "oh shit, what'd I do". (Ekaterina never thought she'd see a Harbinger look at her like that.)
She let out a small cough as her senses came back to her and she realized what she was doing. Quickly, she tried to compose herself and work her face back into an impassive expression and after a few seconds, she was finally able to speak again. "Lord Tartaglia, I hope I am not overstepping my bounds here but I absolutely must say that, on behalf of whatever women you might interact with in the future, please never say that to any of them."
His face was reminiscent of that of a puppy who had just been scolded as he gawked at her, wide-eyed. But that was a pretty apt description at the moment. And since she didn't get yelled at, fired, or stabbed, she took that as he had listened.
"Now, what was it you needed?" She gave a polite smile. Back in line like nothing had ever happened.
Ekaterina watched the Harbinger nod his head several times before blinking rapidly, as if waking from a trance. She could practically see the gears in his head sliding back into place after they'd gotten mixed up.
"I understand," he paused, running a hand through his hair and tapping his fingers on the counter a few times before continuing. "So. Lumine's birthday is coming up and I was trying to decide on what to get her."
She nodded. "What ideas do you have so far?"
"I was thinking of inviting her for a spar and then taking her out for dinner."
Of course he was. She pursed her lips, choosing her next words carefully. "While I am sure that Miss Lumine would enjoy that, isn't that what you already do every week?"
"Oh, you're right." He frowned. "Then should I do something else?"
She had money riding on them getting together sooner rather than later. So yes, she very much encouraged the man to treat Lumine to something special. Also clearly she couldn't just leave him to his own devices with that, he truly was hopeless.
She needed to try to guide him away from whatever he was currently thinking of. "What kinds of gifts do you usually give people on special occasions? For example, what do you do for your family?"
"So Teucer is pretty easy to please-"
"Sir, your kid siblings are probably not a good reference."
The way his expression visibly deflated, he really did love talking about those kids.
"I usually cook for my parents, make them the fancy dishes you don't really eat that often. And last year I got my father some new fishing equipment."
Ekaterina clapped her hands together. "There's your answer sir. Get her something nice and cook dinner for her." That honestly sounded quite lovely to her. She should do that for her own partner for a treat.
"Are you sure I shouldn't invite her for a spar?"
This battlesexual dumbass. "That is up to you," she replied. Because as far as she knew, in this case, the person in question would actually enjoy such a thing. "But just try to do something else that makes the day at least a little special."
The Harbinger's crush on the Traveller resulted in Ekaterina seeing her around a lot more. Like a lot more. While their interactions were usually polite, it was just one more thing she had to deal with.
"Morning, Ekaterina," the Traveller would greet her as she walked in.
"Good morning, Miss Lumine."
"Is Childe in?"
"Yes, he should be in his office."
"Great, thanks."
"Wait he's…in a meeting," she said to the woman's back as she had already dashed up the stairs, her fairy companion shooting one last glare at Ekaterina before following.
Ekaterina rolled her eyes. Okay then, just do as you please. She had contemplated lying about it multiple times before, but always decided against it as she did not want to deal with Tartaglia should he find out she had done so.
And that damn pixie. She felt like the fairy should be used to seeing them by now and yet, her snippiness towards them never wavered. One of these days, that sharp tongue of hers was going to get her in trouble.
The Traveller and Tartaglia's relationship got to the point where Lumine would be coming into the bank to see him multiple times a week.
Sometimes she would just march up to his office without even asking Ekaterina if he was in, just waving hi and going on by. Ekaterina couldn't help but slightly regret pushing Tartaglia in the right direction because now he was putting off his work more than ever before. He really did seem to find a way to make her job worse somehow, whether he was aware of it or not. Oh well, she was already this deep in, no turning back now.
"Ekaterina, Lumine kissed me the other day."
"Congratulations, sir-"
But he wasn't finished talking. He looked at her, an extremely earnest expression on his face. "Do you think that means she likes me?"
Ekaterina wished she could bash her head into a wall right then and there. Because why, why of all the Harbingers, did she get stuck working with the lovesick 20-year-old who was desperately trying to figure out his feelings? Surely it couldn't cause her any more damage than everything he had already done.
Folding her hands together, she gave him a tight-lipped smile. "Sir, what do you think it means?"
He ran a hand through his hair before answering, "I think it means she does? She was so cute and I told her so and then she pulled me down, quickly pressing her lips to mine before running off." A dreamy expression formed on his face as he gave a soft sigh, brushing his fingers over his lips. But that was swiftly followed up by a look of worry. "But what if it was just a heat of the moment thing? Leftover adrenaline from our fight? What if it was an accident?"
Oh to be young and in love and so stupid, Ekaterina wished. So, so stupid. How could he say that first part and still be that worried?
"Have you considered asking her about it? Sir."
The look he gave her was all the answer she needed.
"How about you go try that next time you see her?"
"Of course. Of course." He slapped his hand on the counter and pointed at her. "You're a genius! How could I have never thought- I'll go do that now. Thanks, Ekaterina."
Never mind that it was nearing 10 PM, oh, and there he goes.
Ekaterina just stood there, trying to understand just what had happened that had led her here. Even before he had been stationed in Liyue, she knew of him. Everyone knew of Tartaglia, the Tsarista's weapon for war. His skill in battle was a legend amongst the Fatui and his accomplishments were a common topic amongst new and old recruits. But she never could have guessed working under him would be like this.
It showed her no one really knew Tartaglia, this ridiculous side of him that fumbled words and could barely understand feelings that she only saw in flashes.
Love truly does crazy things to a person.
Every time Ekaterina thought that things couldn't get worse, they did. Damn the Traveller and Tartaglia both to the Abyss for everything they put her through.
She thought it was weird when once a few weeks had passed and Lumine hadn't shown up at all. That combined with how irritable Tartaglia had gotten, she realized something had happened between them. Tartaglia was usually a fairly chill guy to work under. But right now, yeah, he was definitely taking his anger out on them. She pitied the poor recruits who accidentally got in his way, he had already sent a few to fight the Oceanid for just looking at him wrong. Ekaterina could only wish them luck.
The tense atmosphere was suffocating though, making even the customers uncomfortable. She wanted to do something about it, but her wish to not draw his ire was stronger.
Finally, one day Lumine came in and Ekaterina almost could have cheered at seeing the Traveller and Paimon.
"Lord Tartaglia is in-"
"I'm not here to see him." Oh dear gods, then what was she here for?
"Can you just, give this to him?" She handed Ekaterina a folded-up letter.
When did she become their middleman? Why can't she do it herself? "Of course."
After Lumine left, Ekaterina headed up to Tartaglia's office, knocking on the door. "Sir? You received a letter from Miss Lumine."
He looked up, a grouchy look on his face as she handed it to him. She quickly backed out of the room before he could tell her to go kill the Cryo Hypostasis by herself. But she hadn't even made it back to her post when she heard the door burst open behind her and he ran past her down the stairs.
Ekaterina only blinked a few times before shrugging and returning to the front counter to resume her work.
Tartaglia never returned that day. Oh well. At this point with how much stress those two had put her through she was hoping they worked things out otherwise, it would have felt like those extra gray hairs were all for nothing.
Ekaterina knocked at the door. "Lord Tartaglia, your meeting is in 15 minutes." She didn't get any response. She knocked again, "Sir?" Still no answer. Dammit, did he run off without her knowing again?
Opening the door, she stepped in, "Lord Tartaglia? Your…"
Her voice trailed off as she took in what she was seeing. The room was in fact very occupied. Papers were scattered about the room as the Traveller was practically laying on her back on the top of his desk. Tartaglia was leaning over her, supporting himself with one arm, the other hand tracing down the side of her face. His jacket was off, laying in a pile on the floor and Lumine had one hand holding onto the strap around his chest, the other resting on his shoulder.
Both of them turned to stare at her, open-mouthed and redder than a Pyro vision.
Now Ekaterina wasn't a prude, she could recall being caught in similar positions when she was a teenager. However, never had it been by someone she worked with. Or worked under her.
Well, she had a reason to be here, this was her job, this is what she got paid to do. Not interrupt her boss while he was-, ah, whatever.
"Lord Tartaglia," she repeated once more, somehow keeping her voice even. "You have a meeting in 15 minutes." And with that, she turned, stepped out of the office, and let the door shut behind her, closing with a thud. She almost collapsed to the ground, holding back a bout of laughter. Oh curse the Archons as this might be her last day on Teyvat and clearly, they hate her.
Tartaglia eventually came down the stairs, his hair looking even more disheveled than usual and the one button he used to fasten his jacket close had been buttoned improperly. She could see the edges of a bite mark on his neck and discreetly signaled for him to raise his collar.
"Don't tell anyone about what you saw," He instructed her in a hushed voice as he adjusted his shirt.
"Of course, sir." She wouldn't tell him how many people had already figured out he and the Traveller were together. Or that she had made a tidy profit off of the office betting pool.
But that certainly did not make up for all the extra stress and near-death experiences he had been putting her through. She really should ask for a raise.