"Some unexpected issues arose with the Mikage Furnace, and Lord Scaramouche sent me to investigate the situation."
Tatyana remained as cold as ever—or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that Mirror Maidens have always been this way.
If Pyro Agents are born as unrestrained and lively little suns, then Mirror Maidens are the daughters of winter, bound by rules.
As part of the Special Honor Guard, they represent the face of the Fatui, even of Snezhnaya itself, and thus must maintain elegance at all times.
Even the length of their strides, the motions of summoning water mirrors, and the tone of their speech must be kept within strict parameters.
Yet they do not resent this. On the contrary, they take great pride in it.
For this is the glory bestowed upon them by Her Majesty the Tsaritsa.
"Is it because of that barrier?"
Bai Luo raised his head, looking toward the translucent shield that nearly enveloped the entire island, and asked.
"Mm. This barrier has proven far more troublesome than anticipated, leading to complications in the plan. After investigation... it appears someone tampered with the Mikage Furnace's data, and their methods were highly sophisticated. Even Fontaine's engineers have been unable to resolve it."
Logically, such classified information should not be disclosed to others. But Bai Luo was a Fatui Harbinger—her superior, in fact.
Thus, there was no harm in telling him.
Mirror Maidens recognize people differently from others. Though blind, they perceive through other means.
All of Bai Luo's powers were concealed by a special ability, but Tatyana, having spent many days with him on the same ship, had her own way of confirming his identity.
"So, how's the mission progressing?"
"Lord Scaramouche's orders are to observe the situation for now. Once Fontaine's engineers dismantle the barrier, further plans will be made."
"In other words... you're free for the time being?"
"Mm."
"Observing the situation" was, in reality, just Scaramouche being too lazy to assign her tasks and leaving her here—typical Harbinger behavior. Many of them operated this way.
Especially him and Tartaglia, who would vanish without a word at the slightest provocation.
Now, whenever Fatui subordinates encountered an unknown Harbinger wandering outside, their first instinct was to call them "Instructor" or "Childe."
That said, Tatyana's hydro manipulation abilities did make her well-suited for standby near Tatarasuna.
"I have a mission to carry out as well. Stick with me for now—I'll inform Scaramouche later."
Under these circumstances, Bai Luo naturally wouldn't hold back.
He hadn't forgotten that the Mirror Maiden had originally been assigned to him by the Tsaritsa.
"As you command."
Tatyana did not refuse Bai Luo's arrangement.
In a sense, he was her true superior.
It was only during their time in Inazuma City, when Bai Luo spent his days slacking off instead of working, that she had been reassigned to Scaramouche.
"Change your clothes first. Our mission requires us to conceal our identities. Do you have spare garments with you?"
Tatyana seemed reluctant at Bai Luo's order to change.
Their attire was specially made, symbolizing their status and honor.
But for a special mission, she had no choice but to comply.
However, the way Tatyana changed clothes took Bai Luo by surprise.
She manipulated water to envelop her maiden's garb, and when the water dispersed, the dress had transformed into ordinary Inazuman clothing.
Even her height had adjusted to that of an average person.
Bai Luo instinctively reached out, wanting to pinch Tatyana's cheek to confirm if this was real.
And then...
Before touching her face, his fingers sank into something soft.
The texture... tsk tsk.
"Sir, this is an illusion. That is not my face—it is my chest."
"..."
Bai Luo had been wondering—even if Tatyana had baby fat, her cheeks couldn't possibly be that soft. And was that a giant pimple...?
Turns out...
Come to think of it, given Tatyana's height, her chest would be at the position of her illusory face now.
"Quite the impressive illusion."
With an air of nonchalance, Bai Luo withdrew his right hand as if he hadn't just groped something he shouldn't have.
"You flatter me."
Tatyana showed no sign of agitation, her tone as icy as before.
Truly, a Mirror Maiden through and through—even in such a situation, she remained unshaken.
If it had been Kseniya or Katarina, they probably would've already...
Shudder.
The tent moved. Better not think about it.
"Is there anything else you need to pack?"
Since Tatyana had been observing the area for some time, she must have had a temporary residence here. Now that they were leaving, she ought to gather her belongings.
After all, Bai Luo had already "reclaimed" her—he wasn't about to let her go back so easily.
"Just some food. Nothing worth packing."
Perhaps it was just his imagination, but when Bai Luo mentioned packing, Tatyana's voice carried a faint tremor—something that hadn't happened even when he accidentally touched her "pimple."
This only deepened Bai Luo's curiosity.
Was there something hidden in her temporary quarters?
"Food? Perfect, I'm hungry too. Let's go together."
The more she reacted this way, the more intrigued Bai Luo became.
Just what could elicit such a response from her?
"It's just rotten fish and spoiled shrimp. Once we reach Inazuma City, I will personally treat you to the finest restaurant."
"..."
What did Mirror Maidens value most?
Foremost was the Fatui's objectives.
To achieve the grand ambitions of the Fatui, they would do anything.
Next... was discipline. As part of the Special Honor Guard, their dedication to discipline was second only to the above.
Yet there was one rule that every Snezhnayan Fatui subordinate broke, even though everyone knew it was against regulations.
And that was...
"You didn't stash Fire-Water, did you?"
Bai Luo asked tentatively, never expecting the frosty Tatyana to nearly lose control of her illusion over it.
"..."
She did have Fire-Water!
Just how obsessed were Snezhnayans with this stuff?
Even though Bai Luo had lived in Snezhnaya for a long time, he could never stomach the taste of Fire-Water.
Yet its popularity in Snezhnaya rivaled that of Dandelion Wine in Mondstadt.
Sometimes, Bai Luo even wondered if the lofty Tsaritsa herself secretly kept a stash.
"Sigh. Go pack your things. I'll wait for you at the checkpoint ahead."
With a casual wave, Bai Luo didn't bother reprimanding her.
Fire-Water... it wasn't as if he'd never brought some for his subordinates before.
He wondered if the bottle he'd buried in Chinju Forest was still there.
Who knew? It might still come in handy someday.