-

The banquet had reached its peak. Conversations interwove like a delicate dance, with each word carefully measured. Yoshika kept her composure, but Pulcinella's probing remarks lingered in her mind. He knew something-how much, she wasn't certain.

Furina, ever the showwoman, played her role perfectly, steering conversations away from dangerous topics with exaggerated gestures and dramatic storytelling. Neuvillette, ever composed, observed in silence, only speaking when necessary.

But Arlecchino remained tense.

She had spent enough time dealing with the Fatui's inner workings to recognize when something was off. The way Pulcinella spoke, the subtle glances exchanged between his subordinates-it was all too calculated.

Then, the doors to the banquet hall slammed open.

A gust of wind rushed in, carrying the scent of salt and rain. The guards immediately reached for their weapons, but the figure who entered was not an enemy.

It was Scaramouche.

Or, as he was now known, Wanderer.

Dressed in his usual dark-blue attire, he strode into the hall with the confidence of someone who knew he was unwelcome. His sharp indigo eyes scanned the room, briefly meeting Yoshika's before settling on Pulcinella.

Pulcinella's polite smile didn't waver, but there was a flicker of annoyance behind his aged eyes. "Ah, and here I thought we had accounted for all our guests."

Wanderer scoffed. "Spare me the formalities, old man. I'm not here for pleasantries."

The entire room was on edge.

Ayato remained calm, hands folded as he observed the exchange. Neuvillette straightened ever so slightly, ready to step in if needed.

Yoshika narrowed her eyes. "Then what are you here for?"

Wanderer's gaze flicked back to her. "To warn you."

The atmosphere shifted.

The guests whispered amongst themselves, tension thick in the air.

Pulcinella, ever composed, took a slow sip of his drink. "How dramatic. And what, pray tell, are you warning them about?"

Wanderer crossed his arms. "Celestia."

A heavy silence fell upon the hall.

Even Furina, who thrived in dramatic moments, felt the weight of his words.

Pulcinella let out a small chuckle. "Ah, yes. The ever-mysterious Celestia. Such a fascinating subject, wouldn't you say?"

Wanderer didn't rise to the bait. His gaze remained firm. "You're all playing politics while the real threat is moving in the shadows. Celestia isn't just watching anymore." His expression darkened. "They're acting."

Yoshika clenched her fists.

Pulcinella simply smiled, setting his drink down. "How intriguing. But tell me, Wanderer, do you speak on behalf of the Akademiya? Or are you simply a wandering ghost, clinging to matters that no longer concern you?"

Wanderer's jaw tightened.

Yoshika had seen many manipulate conversations before, but Pulcinella's subtle prodding was masterful. He was testing for weaknesses, distractions-anything to use.

But Wanderer wasn't easily shaken.

"I don't answer to anyone," he said flatly. "Not anymore."

Pulcinella exhaled as if amused, leaning back in his chair. "Well then, by all means-enlighten us. What does Celestia intend to do?"

Wanderer hesitated for the briefest moment.

Yoshika caught it.

That meant he didn't know everything yet.

Still, his voice remained firm. "Something's coming. And when it does, no amount of diplomacy will save you."

With that, he turned on his heel and walked out, leaving the banquet in uneasy silence.

-
𝖠𝖭 𝖭𝖮𝖳𝖤: 𝖡𝖱𝖮 𝖨 𝖥𝖮𝖱𝖦𝖮𝖳 𝖲𝖢𝖠𝖱𝖠 𝖣𝖤𝖫𝖤𝖳𝖤𝖲 𝖧𝖨𝖬𝖲𝖤𝖫𝖥 𝖥𝖱𝖮𝖬 𝖤𝖵𝖤𝖱𝖸𝖮𝖭𝖤𝖲 𝖬𝖤𝖬𝖮𝖱𝖸 𝖶𝖧𝖨𝖫𝖤 𝖶𝖱𝖨𝖳𝖨𝖭𝖦 𝖳𝖲😭