Three weeks later…
"Hey, mister, what's that?" a small child asked, tugging at a man's coat. Her eyes widened as she peered at the tiny object he held, no bigger than a toy.
Silvano glanced down, noticing the spark of curiosity in her gaze as she stared at the miniature train model that he had created.
"Oh, this?" he said, handing it to her. "It's a small version of something much bigger—a new way for everyone to travel across Teyvat."
"Really? That sounds amazing!" she squealed, tossing the tiny train into the air with glee.
But before she could continue playing, her mother's voice called out, causing her thrill to quickly fade into disappointment.
"Go on, keep it. I have plenty to spare," he assured her, and with a delighted laugh, she ran off happily and waved him final goodbye.
Silvano returned a smile, watching her vanish into the crowds of Fontaine, his fingers curling around a warm cup of coffee.
"Even now, children still carry the promise of shaping humanity's future," he said, with a soft chuckle.
With a gentle sense of contentment washing over him, he took a slow sip of his morning drink. Bitter though it was, it was still far better than anything he'd ever tasted in Snezhnaya.
"Sir, the Knave requests a meeting with you," a Fatui operative interrupted, dressed in the refined attire of Fontaine's citizens.
There went his wonderful mood. He sighed, causing the operative to flinch slightly, thinking he had done something wrong.
Of course, he expected the knave to come knocking eventually, especially after his little emotional moment at the Opera House, but not this soon.
Then again, she was probably eager to push him out of Fontaine, pride and all, and probably thinking she could locate the Gnosis all on her own.
Newsflash: he wasn't going anywhere. The scenery here was far more enjoyable than anything Natlan had to offer, to say the least.
He cast a brief glance toward the Fatui operative, who stood behind him, fidgeting nervously as he awaited a response.
"I suppose I can't delay a proper meeting any longer," Silvano said, rising from his seat. "But first, I have a task for you."
He gave the Fatui operative a look that seemed harmless enough—but, to the poor man, it felt like staring death in the eyes.
"Set up a meeting with Furina. After witnessing her performance, I can't help but wish to discuss the wonders of the theatre with her," Silvano said, with amusement.
"But… sir—" the operative stammered.
"Oh, right," Silvano interrupted, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "She must be quite busy. In that case, perhaps I should arrange something more official—say, a diplomatic meeting between our two nations."
Wait, he suddenly remembered he was here under an alias. "Actually," he said, correcting himself, "forget that. Just bring me all the information you can about her."
"Yes, sir, right away." And just like that, the operative hurried off.
"He's certainly in a rush," Silvano muttered, watching the man disappear as if his life depended on it. "Hope his bladder's all right."
Jokes aside, he hoped with that information, he might uncover a weakness in the Hydro Archon—or at the very least, find a way to get close to her without raising suspicion.
But first, he had to deal with that Harbinger before she got a head start and jeopardized his chances of locating the Gnosis.
He adjusted his tie before straightening the black hat he'd bought not too long ago.
It was a good look, he thought. Dressed in a sleek black suit, a crisp white shirt, and a green tie, with a false Cryo Vision pinned to his front pocket, he could almost pass for a refined human gentleman.
Yet he knew that beneath that polished appearance and mortal guise lay something far older. A being who was the master of deception, whose very smile could unravel entire nations.
But as of now, his name was Fenn—a humble toymaker from Snezhnaya who happened to open a small shop in Fontaine.
Speaking of which, he still hadn't rented a building for his shop—a task he intended to take care of later.
"Now then," he murmured, his gaze drifting toward the bustling streets of Fontaine.
"Where exactly am I supposed to meet the Knave?"
...…
Location: House of the Hearth
Inside a spacious modest office, behind a polished wooden desk, sat a young girl with striking white hair streaked with black.
She also had eyes shaped like an X that burned with the mark of the crimson moon. A curse that burns fire which she had wielded to slay Crucabena, the woman who once called herself "Mother."
A wretch who cast children aside like broken tools—or even handed them over to that unspeakable Doctor, the very man who had the audacity to ask if she would send children his way.
Arlecchino sighed.
None of that mattered now. Crucabena was dead, her friend avenged and now she stood as the Knave, a fact that surprised her, given her crimes.
Not that she was complaining. It had simply been unexpected for the Cryo Archon to pardon her—but she respected Her Majesty's sincerity.
She was useful. Nothing more, nothing less.
Arlecchino tapped her fingers lightly against the wooden desk, her gaze drifting over the children's profiles laid neatly before her.
This time, no child would ever be forced to fight one another. Like I was…
Also, there was another matter she had to deal with. The Fatui Harbinger known as Silvano was currently in Fontaine, pursuing the Hydro Gnosis.
She had no objections for now, though she did want to have a proper meeting with him first.
Given what the Jester had said, Silvano had gathered vast intelligence across Teyvat—and unlike most others, he was different. She had seen it firsthand at the Opera Epiclese.
Aside from acting like a fool, she wondered if he was familiar with the Fontaine prophecy.
Knock, knock.
A soft rap came from the door, followed by a hesitant female voice.
"Uh—Miss? Or… Sir? Or, ah—"
"Come in," Arlecchino said.
The door creaked open, and a middle-aged Fatui agent stepped inside, head lowered to avoid eye contact—a sight that mildly amused Arlecchino.
"My apologies for the inconvenience," the agent began nervously. "I've received word that the Fatui Harbinger known as Silvano has taken a… detour." She swallowed hard after speaking, her unease palpable in the silence that followed.
A detour?
How ridiculous.
...….
Back in the Court of Fontaine, Silvano strolled through the streets with a carefree smile, his cane tapping lightly against the cement.
He paused occasionally, savoring the scent of freshly baked croissants mingling with the sharp tang of machine grease from nearby repair shops, a blend that perfectly captured Fontaine's peculiar charm.
Then a small crowd ahead caught his attention, and curiosity guided his steps. In the center of the plaza, two children were performing a magic show.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" the boy announced, fanning out a set of cards in his hands. Beside him, a cat-eared girl—likely his sister—worked subtly behind the scenes, a clever act of misdirection.
"I am Lyney," the boy declared proudly, "and this is my assistant, my dear sister, Lynette! Today, we'll be performing a special magic trick—yes, you, young mademoiselle! Would you kindly step forward?"
Silvano studied them closely beyond the performance. They were thin, their clothes worn, as if they hadn't eaten properly in days.
Orphans, perhaps, or simply neglected. But despite their hardship, there was a spark in their eyes, a fire that refused to die.
His eyes softened, and that alone moved him to offer a few words of encouragement.
"You two have remarkable skill in the art of illusion," he said, stepping forward with a warm, approving smile.
The crowd's attention shifted toward him, a few gasps rippling through as they took in his refined, handsome appearance.
"Oh, thank you, sir," the boy murmured, rubbing the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed.
Silvano lifted a hand and snapped his fingers. The sharp sound echoed across the courtyard, and for a brief moment, stars twinkled faintly above them, as if the night had crept into the day.
The crowd stood in stunned silence, some rubbing their eyes in disbelief, while the two children's eyes sparkled even brighter than before.
"Illusions are only what they appear to be until someone believes in them," he said, his gaze sweeping over the children.
"Remember this: what you create, no matter how small, can shape the world around you. Never underestimate the power of your imagination."
The words hung in the air, leaving the performers stunned, while the crowd sensed that magic and reality might be closer than they had ever imagined.
Without another word, Silvano reached into his pocket, pulled out a small pouch of mora, and tossed it toward the boy, who caught it with wide, astonished eyes.
"Consider it a token of goodwill," he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "May it help you create performances that shine even brighter. I'll be watching for your growth."
"Thank you so much, sir! We really appreciate your kindness," the boy said, his sister echoing his gratitude with a small bow.
With a simple smile, he turned and strolled away, his cane tapping once more against the floor.
The crowd's cheers slowly faded behind him as Silvano wandered down a quiet street.
"Perhaps the new Knave would be willing to take them in," he whispered. A question for another time—once he manages to find her that is.
He paused, feeling the cool wind brush against his face as he watched the people around him moving with bright, carefree smiles.
Then, a familiar presence brushed against his senses. Glancing upward, he spotted Stolas swooping gracefully down before landing on his shoulder.
"I do hope you enjoyed your flight," Silvando said softly, scratching the owl beneath its chin before offering it a small treat from his pocket
…..
Not far away, in one of Fontaine's narrow alleyways, Lyney and Lynette hurried through the dim passage, their hearts pounding as their footsteps echoed off the damp stone walls.
"Come on, Lynette, this way," he urged, tightening his grip on his twin sister's hand as they weaved through the maze-like streets.
Behind them, the men's footsteps echoed, a relentless game of cat and mouse unfolding.