The Art of Reading People and Social Savvy

Poisson, Headquarters of the Spina di Rosula

Callas was already waiting there, dressed smartly and with a calm and composed demeanor. Even when facing the Harbinger of the Fatui, he maintained the dignified and unyielding attitude of the boss of the Spina di Rosula.

The sound of footsteps grew louder as they approached.

Arlecchino walked slowly into the hall, her long silver hair tied in a low ponytail with a strand of red hair interspersed among it, and her scarlet eyes exuding an air of authority befitting her high position.

Callas rose and nodded slightly. "Welcome to Poisson, Harbinger Arlecchino. We have completed the inventory of the supplies. Thank you very much for the Fatui ' assistance."

translate:

(We've accepted the benefits. If there's anything we at the Spina di Rosula help with, feel free to bring it up and we can discuss it.)

Arlecchino stopped, her gaze slowly landing on Callas. Her tone was calm, revealing no extra emotion. "It's just a mutually beneficial exchange; there's no need for excessive thanks. Using the supplies to stabilize the livelihoods of people along the town's coast is a prudent choice for both sides."

(This small benefit is nothing to us Fatui; if we can establish a long-term cooperative relationship, we can reap much more benefits from you.)

The two took their seats, and various contracts detailing the cooperation were laid out on the table.

But both of them knew perfectly well that the core of this meeting was never this batch of supplies.

Callas broke the brief silence first, saying, "It is truly an honor for a small, ordinary organization like the Spina di Rosula Society to have Harbinger of the Fatui personally visit us for these supplies. I wonder if you have been satisfied with your journey? Have we been poorly received?"

(For someone as important as you to come here in person means you must have something important to do. Just say it.)

Arlecchino lightly touched the tabletop with her fingertips, her red eyes narrowing slightly.

"President Callas is very thoughtful; the arrangements along the way have been very thorough. To ensure the smooth progress of our cooperation, I would like to know some current information about the Spina di Rosula. What do you think?"

(I have a few questions for you, and you'd better answer them truthfully.)

"Of course, I'll answer anything you know."

(You look at what I'm saying, and I'll look at what I'm saying in response)

After a pointless conversation about the child being as tall as Chlothar, the dialogue, or rather the clash, finally reached its core theme.

"I've received word that a special scholar of Sumeru arrived in Poisson a few days ago. I wonder if this news is true or false."

(Where is my Xingsu?)

"That's true. A few days ago, Miss Clorinde from Court of Fontaine brought him to Poisson. He's very capable and has a charming personality. Everyone in Poisson likes him very much, and he's now a member of our Spina di Rosula. I wonder if there's anything special about him that caught your eye?"

(He has connections in Court of Fontaine and is also a member of the Spina di Rosula. He's currently under my protection and is safe and sound. You have no right to interfere. If you want to touch him, you'd better think twice.)

"I have no intention of interfering with the rules of the Spina di Rosula, much less of forcibly taking him away. Mr. Callas need not be overly wary." Arlecchino listened quietly, a slight movement in the depths of her crimson eyes, her face remaining elegant and indifferent, showing no emotion. "I simply have some old acquaintance with him and wish to meet him and speak with him alone."

(Old Deng, stop spouting nonsense. I've given you so much stuff, and I can't even meet him?)

Now it was Callas' turn to hesitate.

He had anticipated that the Fatui would exert various pressures and make all sorts of demands. But all he wanted was to meet Xingsu...

Ugh, what is this? Openly trying to win over Xingsu? Planting a spy? Isn't this insane?

For the Fatui, planting a few spies here is as easy as it is for the author Chlothar.

And they did indeed do that.

Just because I don't say anything doesn't mean I don't know.

For a moment, Callas was unsure of Arlecchino's attitude.

She couldn't possibly have come all this way just to see Xingsu, could she?

What kind of supernatural power have I received?

Seeing Callas's hesitant expression, Arlecchino, sitting across the table, pressed him further, asking:

"What's wrong, Mr. Callas? Is there something you're having trouble saying? Just meeting up for a chat shouldn't be a difficult thing for you."

(Hurry up, I'm getting impatient!)

"Ah, no, I can call him here right now. It's just that I heard he has some... grudges with another Harbinger of the Fatui, ' The Doctor.' He might have a bad impression of the Fatui, so if..."

(If something really happens to Xingsu, can you take responsibility?)

"Please rest assured about that. The Fatui are not a monolithic group. Different Harbinger have different stances. Putting aside my disagreement with the Doctor, my meeting with him was merely a brief encounter and a few pleasantries. It won't put any pressure on him. Besides, we'll have more cooperation in the future, won't we?"

(Urgent!)

Callas understood the implication in Arlecchino's words. Moreover, if Xing Su and Arecino were to associate with the Fatui, then Xingsu and Arecino would be watching Chlothar sidelines—they would inevitably run into each other. Even if Xingsu didn't see her today, Arlecchino would bring it up again sooner or later.

"Alright, I'll send someone to fetch Xingsu right away."

(I'm sorry, Xingsu, this is all I can do for you, and she's already given you way too much.)

As for the Fatui, Xingsu could say that he had Chlothar.

Whether it was the bloodshed in the House of the Hearth ruled by Crucabena in his previous life, or the various birth practices he witnessed with the "The Doctor" in Sumeru now, Xingsu's attitude towards the Fatui can be described as either contempt or deep hatred.

So when Xingsu heard that a distinguished guest, namely Arlecchino, the Harbinger of the Fatui, wanted to meet him, his first reaction was undoubtedly resistance.

Peaceful days are hard-won. He finally escaped the strife of Sumeru and found a peaceful place in Poisson. Naturally, he didn't want anyone from the Fatui to disrupt his peaceful life or touch his long-buried scars.

However... Xingsu also heard that the Fatui had given Poisson a lot of material aid, but their only request was to meet with me, and their words were almost pleading.

"Another Harbinger, sigh..." Xingsu sighed. He was a sensible man. If the Fatui wanted to talk to him, there were countless ways. This time, they chose the gentlest way, which meant that this Harbinger's attitude towards him was relatively friendly. Moreover, even if he refused this time, there would definitely be a next time, and he would have to face it sooner or later.

"I understand, please lead the way." He was no longer the child in the House of the Hearth who could only fight for his life, nor the traveler fleeing in disarray on the road to Sumeru. Now that he was in the Spina di Rosula, under their protection and with a stable foothold, he had to shoulder the corresponding responsibilities and duties.