The atmosphere at the tea party gradually relaxed.
Rosalyne held a cup of black tea, a rare softening in her haughty expression.
As colleagues, being able to gather together for a cup of tea before departure is a unique way of saying goodbye.
"From Mondstadt," Arlecchino spoke first, her voice steady, " Barbatos, the wind god, is also a very ancient deity. Be careful when you go there."
"Hmph," Rosalyne snorted coldly, a hint of arrogance flashing in her red eyes.
"He's just a drunkard, what's there to be careful about? I will definitely bring the Gnosis back to Snezhnaya on this trip."
Even so, she still picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and accepted Arlecchino's kindness.
The Captain sat to one side, quietly drinking tea and rarely speaking.
His gaze occasionally swept over Bai You, a hint of inquiry in his Kamisato beneath his helmet.
Sandrone sat in the main seat, outwardly indifferent, but inwardly he was secretly observing Bai You and Columbina.
These two were the quietest, sitting in the corner of the tea table.
She watched Bai You nibble on the macarons, her cheeks bulging like a little hamster hoarding food, and for some reason, she felt... a little cute.
But she would never admit it.
Columbina, on the other hand, was quite used to it; she would always stuff food into her mouth whenever she came to the tea party, and it was nothing new to her.
Sandrone snorted and turned his head away from looking at the two of them.
Columbina sat next to Bai You, watching Sandrone's awkward expression, and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and her gentle eyes were full of smiles.
The tea party proceeded slowly in this subtle atmosphere.
Before I knew it, the sky outside the window gradually darkened.
The afterglow of the setting sun streamed in through the icy windows, bathing the entire room in a warm orange-red hue.
The sunset in Snezhnaya is always exceptionally beautiful, with orange-red rays reflecting off the white snow, like a richly colored oil painting.
"It's getting late," Rosalyne put down her teacup and stood up.
"I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning, so I'm going back to prepare."
"Have a safe journey. "Arlecchino also stood up.
"I'll see you off. By the way, I also have something to say about the Wind God; the Empress asked me to pass on a message to you." The Captain stood up as well.
Tartaglia followed with a grin.
Several people left Sandrone's lounge one after another, and the room suddenly became quiet.
Sandrone frowned as he looked at the mess of cups and plates on the table, then silently began to clean up, while Pronya tidied the tea table beside him.
"Aren't you two going back yet?" Sandrone's tone remained indifferent, but if you listened carefully, you could detect a hint of awkward tenderness.
"It's getting late. If you don't leave soon, I won't have anywhere for you to stay."
Sandrone maintained his haughty expression as he spoke.
Bai You paused for a moment, then smiled, " Sandrone! I'll be going now!"
Sandrone didn't say anything, but simply waved his hand with his back to her.
Columbina also stood up, smiled gently, and said, "Then I'll take my leave."
"Hmm," Sandrone responded, still with her back to them.
Bai You and Columbina walked out of the lounge. She followed behind Columbina, her short legs carrying her.
Walk out along the corridor.
After a while, they came out of the Snezhnaya Palace and went outside.
Bai You walked quickly towards the theater. She hadn't seen Varesa for a long time and missed her very much.
After leaving the Snezhnaya Palace, Columbina followed behind Bai You, her steps light and graceful.
Inside the performance room, Odette had just finished her last dance and was panting heavily.
Varesa then closed the sheet music, and the rehearsal came to an end.
Varesa wiped her sweat with a towel, glanced at the sky outside the window, and frowned slightly.
It was getting dark.
Bai You hasn't come to find them yet, but I blame myself for not telling Bai You that the performance room is here.
" Odette," Varesa walked down from the stage and sat down next to Odette.
"Why isn't Bai You back yet? It's so late."
I glanced out the window. "They're probably out playing. They should be back in a bit. After all, the city is quite big, and there are plenty of places to visit."
"But no matter how much fun you have, you should come back by now."
Varesa hung her head, "It's been a whole day, and not a single message."
"She's just a little child, completely unfamiliar with the area during Snezhnaya. What if something happens to her?"
"She's not really a child," Odette said calmly, "Don't worry too much."
Even so, Odette's gaze unconsciously drifted toward the entrance of the rehearsal hall.
Actually, she was a little worried too.
Whatever was brought back by that fish, Varesa, must be something special.
"No, I have to go find her!" Varesa suddenly stood up.
"I'll go back to my room and check. She might already be back, just not in the performance room yet."
After saying that, she ran out quickly.
Odette watched her retreating figure, shook her head helplessly, and stood up as well.
Varesa ran to her room door and pushed it open—
The room was empty, the blankets were neatly folded, and the things on the table were untouched; clearly, no one had returned.
"Not here..." Varesa's brows furrowed even more.
She ran to Odette's room and pushed open the door—
It was equally empty.
"He's not here either..." Varesa began to panic.
At this moment, Odette also came over. Seeing that neither room was occupied, her expression turned serious.
"It's so late and he hasn't come back yet," Varesa's voice trembled slightly.
" Odette, do you think something might have happened to her? Snezhnaya is so old, and she doesn't know the way. What if... what if she gets scammed?"
"Don't overthink it," Odette, pressing down on her shoulder and trying to keep her voice calm.
"Let's go check the door; maybe she's on her way back."
The two of them hurriedly ran towards the theater entrance.
At the theater entrance, the last rays of the setting sun cast a warm, orange-red glow on the snow.
As soon as Varesa and Odette reached the door, they saw two figures walking towards the theater on the road not far away.
One of them is a small Bai You.
The other one was slightly taller, with a slender and elegant figure, appearing very light and graceful. Her long, reddish-black hair shimmered softly in the setting sun.
Varesa stopped abruptly.
Her eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape, and she looked as if she had seen a ghost.
Odette also stopped in her tracks, her light purple eyes filled with shock.
The person following Bai You...
Is it Columbina?!
The third seat of the Fatui, " The Damselette " Columbina?!