#o captain! my captain! 🕆; main verse

[l-capitan]

💋

Capitano is ever on guard, never once letting it down, not even for those whom he’s ‘close’ to. Especially not for some strangers.

However, when this person approaches him and beckons him to come down to their level, he levels his voidlike countenance at them. If they could see his expression, it’d be one that expresses his incredulity in the form of, ‘really?’

And so, he doesn’t budge. Regardless, it doesn’t seem to deter the stranger, as his hand was taken in both of theirs, before being given a kiss upon his knuckles. The Harbinger freezes up completely, unable to form any words while his entire being was filled with one thing and one thing only: pure, unadulterated, utter confusion.

No words left him. Instead, he just stood there and was the epitome of:

???

[l-capitan]

“To admit to one’s faults is to take accountability,” he responded simply. A dramatic answer, really—who cares about how he needs to go to bed soon?

However, he sat patiently with a leg crossed and hands folded neatly atop his lap as the two dealt with their transactions, going quiet as she organized her papers. He does this, every so often. Visiting the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, that is. Pantalone or Tartaglia, of course, would be the better options out of all Eleven of them to make trips to Liyue to conduct business within the Nation of Contracts, and yet here he was anyway. Something about him being a safer option out of all of them, as Tartaglia felt awkward returning to the Parlor and Pantalone found himself to be above such matters.

Matters of making sure their agents would be sufficiently taken care of in death as they are in life.

“I apologize for the exhaustion lacing my voice, Madame Hu Tao. It has been a long day.”

Though, it paused at her grim humor and hummed inquisitively in response, a small huff of mild mirth escaping it in turn. “Perhaps. Even the most lively cannot escape the grips of mortality. It will come for us all, sooner for some and later to the rest.”

@l-capitan (cont.) “So, to answer your question, it has been approximately ten hours since I last slept. I suppose I should be preparing for bed again, soon.”

"I'm impressed," the director remarked inclining her head slightly. It didn't seem too often the Fatui's infamous Capitano made a visit to the funeral parlor. But alas she figured that this was business as usual.

"Not only have you diligently kept track of those hours, but you also admit your own limits. That isn't too surprising though," she added organizing the paperwork that was just delivered to her. Most of which were reports on recent burial services Wangsheng undertakers had helped with discreetly as per request.

"I only ask since I could sense the tiredness in your voice. Luckily you don't need much convincing like a few of my other clients," she added as she sat back in the chair. "Aiyaa..one of these days instead of resting in a bed its going to be one of our signature coffins for them~"

[l-capitan]

@grimulf-of-the-wilderness | cont'd.

Capitano must hand it to this stranger, they’ve been rather audacious in their romanticisms and flirtations, and it left him utterly stupefied.

Not once has he ever been caught off guard the way he has been by this…admirer, and while it does somewhat make his hackles raise, he had to give them credit where credit was due. After all, indeed, audentes Fortuna iuvat.

Fortune favors the bold.

The Harbinger made no move to slay the stranger where they stood. No, instead, it just stared at them ever silently, the oppressive aura that it always carried upon its shoulders having quieted considerably and was even replaced by something else entirely:

Curiosity.

Their playful yet almost taunting words intrigued him, hues of cerulean glinting within the void of his mask as he regarded the newcomer carefully. The Captain’s lived for a little over five centuries now. He has seen many things when it came to humans and their customs, even those when it came to gestures indicating courting. He’s certainly never seen anyone lick another’s knuckles, however. It was strange—and yet, somehow, mildly amusing?

He's confused. Terribly so. He’s never been at the receiving end of any sort of attention that was not fear or reverence. Or both.

As the wanderer rose to their full height, Capitano was subtly taken aback by the fact that they are tall; much taller than him. He’s never encountered any human that passed him in stature, and just that alone further solidifies the assumption that they’re anything but—or at least, no longer are.

Only when they pushed back the hood and revealed everything did he truly understand. Understand, yet grow all the more bewildered at the fact that of all beings, it was a Hilichurlian Rogue that had courageously stepped forward and gave him his affections.

It’s not often that the Harbinger comes across Hilichurls, no less rogues, as he tends to keep his distance from them in order to leave them with what little peace they have left. So, to be face-to-face—or rather, mask-to-mask, with one was utterly novel. It’s not unwelcome, even as the Hilichurl reiterated his words from before.

Devastatingly handsome paired with a beautiful soul…as though he wasn’t baffled enough.

However, Capitano was snapped out of his reverie the moment a passerby screamed in terror at the sight of the rogue before him, his head turning almost mechanically towards the source of the exclamation before chaos erupted around them.

Ah.

His attention remained on the crowds of people that scattered and hollered to get away from the rogue that had revealed himself, however it returned towards the Hilichurl once he spoke again and dismissed himself before the guards could step in.

“… Wait.”

These are not Capitano’s people—they’re not a group that he could easily calm with a simple gesture. What he can do, however, is to bring back that oppressive nature that weighed heavily around him as he turned his attention towards the guards and the few stragglers that remained. He has no jurisdiction here in Natlan, of that he is aware, yet he is still a Fatuus.

He is still a Harbinger, and one that demanded respect by his mere presence.

“Leave this being to me and return to your people. Assure them that all is well, as there is nothing to be afraid of,” it said, its voice unwavering and stalwart. Should they listen or should they not mattered little to him as his attention fell on the rogue once more if he did actually listen and stay, motioning with his head for him to follow.

There was no need to continue causing unnecessary stress on the inhabitants of Natlan, so the two of them may as well find a more secluded place so they could have a talk.

[l-capitan]

🌹

When presented with a rose, Capitano stood frozen like a deer in headlights.

… What is happening?

He’s never received a flower before, at least not one fully bloomed. Packets of seeds so he could plant his own? Sure! However, never a lone rose.

“Ah…thank you,” he eventually managed to say, accepting the flower and handling it very delicately with his fingers. “I will be sure to cultivate it properly.”

[l-capitan]

"just help me with this, and i'll be out of your hair for good."

prompt

“…”

A slow sigh escaped the tall Harbinger as he looked at the empty coffins that were lined up along the floor. “Madame Hu Tao, I would have expected you to have employees to assist you with this,” he stated, turning his head to regard her. If she could see beneath his mask, she would be able to see him giving her a Look.

A look similar to that of a disappointed father.

Still, he moved over towards the coffins anyway, and one by one, lifted them as though they weighed absolutely nothing. As though they weren’t hundreds of pounds of wood and metal. With three on one shoulder and one tucked beneath his other arm, he shifted to place them up along the walls in a proper display. The way he held them up and put them in their rightful spots was completely effortless, as there was not a hint of exertion.

He has all this strength to use for the greater good…and he’s using it to assist a young lady with her funeral business.

“Is this an acceptable spot for you, Madame Hu Tao?”

[l-capitan]

A sigh left the larger Harbinger as Rosalyne rebuffed his requests, moving to try and body-block any nearby flora from that dreadful smoke. “Be that as it may, you could attempt to care for other things that are not people,” he stated.

Such as his flowers.

He knew that was a tall order, though, thus his exhaustion.

“I am to assume that the boy is with the Rooster, then? Or were they sent off to be stationed elsewhere?”

It should have figured that there was potential to be the target of today’s harassment if Signora wasn’t near the youngest of the group. Actually being at the end of said harassment, however, was a whole other ballgame.

@l-capitan \ smokey the bear would be disappointed.

( 🦢 ) THE CRIMSON WITCH lets out a noncommittal hum as she listens to capitano's request , all while tilting the cabriole between her two fingers. her other hand rose and clicked two fingers , bringing a flame alight between them 'fore she lit the cabriole while her head tilted ever slightly to the side.

A PYRO CRYSTALFLY came to perch atop the harbinger's hat , mostly still yet wings fluttering every so often. ❛ PERHAPS. BUT NOT this day. unser lieber tartaglia isn't here - thus anyone else's wellbeing is not my concern. ❜ capitano was one of the eleven that she found to exhaust this day , but she'd keep her smoking minimal as she knew the larger individual rather liked his lungs and his plants.

[l-capitan]

no one:

kaeya: I can take you ;)

What is with these odd people today? First it was that stranger that called him devastatingly handsome, and now it was a young man claiming he can take him. He’s not even sure what that means.

Either way, “… No.”

He is not going to fight someone all willy-nilly, that’s just silly.

[l-capitan]

Please refrain from being so devastatingly handsome and far too beautiful for this realm, we cannot handle it.

“I—…”

Even with his mask covering the entirety of his face, it was clear he was visibly confused. Terribly so.

“Admittedly, I fail to understand your words, as I always wear a mask—and who’s ‘we’?”

Capitano tries not to scratch his head, but he fails in his attempt. He was stumped.

“… I suppose beauty is subjective, but perhaps you should not focus on such things and instead make sure you are taking care of yourself and your priorities.”

[l-capitan]

❛ here, give this a try and tell me what you think. ❜ ( rattles harbinger crepus in your face )

| prompt

“Hm?”

Capitano glanced down at whatever it was that Brighella was offering out to him. Even though no one could see his face, those who have come to know him even slightly would slowly begin to learn what expression he may have through little tells in his body language. Right now, it was in the form of a slightly tilted head, as he took in the sight of what appeared to be a small tart.

“… Brighella, should I be worried about someone’s kitchen being on fire?” it inquired, its tone a little monotonous despite the somewhat amused inquiry.

Still, it did as requested and took the tart, bringing it up to where its mouth should be—before a maw full of sharp, shark-like teeth appeared as he took a rather delicate bite from the pastry. As he began to chew, those teeth were quick to disappear back into the void of his mask.

A soft hum escaped him as he tasted the treat and took a moment to really savor it, before he slowly nodded in assent.

“It’s good. Did you make it, or did you purchase it?”

[l-capitan]

pantalone, retracting all of capitano’s funds for calling implying he is a cunt: “how dishonourable.” //he infact is a petty cunt

Even beneath his mask, he was visibly confused.

“I am not the one who made such implications. You are only exacerbating their claims, Pantalone.”

[l-capitan]

a teenaged kaeya just sits on the first harbinger’s desk with the biggest pout on his face. “why does my dad give you the fun missions but doesn’t trust me to do anything?”

A soft hum of acknowledgement resounded from the large man, his focus upon the paperwork atop his desk but still sparing some for the young Alberich lad.

“Whether one deems something as ‘fun’ is subjective. He assigns you missions that he knows you are most capable of, nothing more nothing less. The same applies to everyone else.

“If you’re looking for a change of pace, perhaps volunteer yourself for missions that are open to the rest of the agents if you’re able. Focus on gaining more experience and strength; eventually he’ll give you other opportunities.”

[l-capitan]

there's columbina , slowly making her way over to him . there's no hesitation from her as she literally climbs up his back , wrapping her arms around his neck to keep herself stable before resting her chin against one of his shoulders so that she can go back to sleep . ❛❛ carry me ? ❜❜ ( :3c )

Ah.

Capitano didn’t even need to look back once to know exactly whom it was climbing his back. In fact, there was only one person who had the audacity to do so, and that was the Damselette.

Mild amusement lined his voice as he spoke, “As though you ever give me any choice, Columbina.”

With a gentle sigh, he reached behind himself, adjusting her a bit so he could better support her while he went about his business. His business of training the new recruits, that is. It was obvious they were confused and perhaps even nervous to suddenly be in the presence of two Harbingers—yet there was also some form of endearment in a few pairs of eyes, as they bore witness to a somewhat soft side to the Captain.

How odd.

[l-capitan]

this was the last place i wanted to go. \ something something kaeya trying to get in touch with pierro but doesn't know How because he's trying to keep diluc from being murdered bc of what he's done smth smth

prompt

Cerulean eyes flashed from within the void of his mask as he gazed down at the young Khaenri’ahn coolly. Capitano was not foolish. He knows full well who the young man before him was—the likeness to the Director was not lost on him. The only thing that was is the exact relation between his boss and the boy before him.

The fact that the Khaenri’ahn was also blessed by Her Majesty did not escape him, either.

However, he was curious…

“You are far from home, boy,” he stated, his voice steady and not giving way to anything in particular. He was only pointing out facts. “You mention this is the last place you wanted to go, so that leads me to believe you are in search of something. Or someone.

State your business. What, or whom, brings you to these frigid lands?”

[l-capitan]

❛ do you mind if i smoke? ❜ \ signora ( tho tbh lbr she'd do it anyway )

| prompt

“Rosalyne, we both know that regardless of what I say, you will simply do whatever you want anyway,” Capitano responded, his tone just a little tired.

“Just try to be mindful on where you decide to smoke. Preferably somewhere with open air, so as not to suffocate any plants or passersby. Surely on that we can come to an accord?”

If any expression could be seen through the void of his mask, it’d be one of utter exhaustion with a hint of pleading. Hopefully his voice alludes to the same.

[l-capitan]

❛ i was wrong about you. ❜ 

( bitch just u wait until im well again !!! woe !!! )

| prompt

A low, curious hum resonated from the Harbinger as he gazed down at the young man that stood before him. Capitano knew very well whom it was facing.

Diluc Ragnivindr, elder son of Crepus Ragnivindr. The young master from Mondstadt with lineage that ran so deep, whose family line was known for the brilliance of their fiery hair and those wickedly righteous eyes. The former Cavalry Captain who went out on a conquest for vengeance in retaliation for his father’s untimely demise.

Snezhnaya’s number one most wanted criminal, and persona-non-grata. However, they were not in Snezhnaya currently. No, oddly enough, the two were face-to-face in the Nation of Justice.

Fontaine.

Capitano was visiting Fontaine briefly in order to check on the Knave and the children at Hotel Bouffes d’ete, as well as to see if Tartaglia was still around. He took some time here and there to visit the kids and to see how they are growing, calling them the Knave’s ‘little soldiers.’ He had a soft spot for them and found it prudent to visit whenever he had the chance to. Although, it certainly didn’t expect to come face-to-face with the very same man that had razed their camps only a few years back, standing in the middle of a field off the beaten path. Better here than in the city, it supposes.

There was tension in the air that crackled and practically permeated the air with the scent of ozone as it gazed towards the Ragnivindr. From his stance, it seemed he was preparing for an altercation—for Capitano to lunge at him and tear him asunder.

Yet, such a thing never came.

Instead, the Harbinger merely raised a hand in a show of assurance, palm facing the young man as it inclined its head slightly. “At ease, boy,” he stated, his voice resolute and calm. “If you thought I would draw my blade at a man in a nation neither of us are citizens of, then you thought wrong. It is clear to me that we are both here for personal reasons, and I intend for us to keep it that way rather than clash blades with someone I have no jurisdiction to take into custody.”

Capitano kept its distance from Diluc and gave the young Master plenty of space for himself to try and relax, while it then lowered its hand, soon swallowed by the coat that was wrapped around it.

Upon hearing the young man’s statement, the Harbinger grew quiet and was admittedly mildly surprised to hear such a thing from the redhead. He is fully aware of the absolute vitriol Diluc feels towards the Fatui. He does not blame him, nor does he blame anyone, as he is fully aware of what some of his fellow Harbingers have perpetrated across Teyvat, as well as some Fatui delegates that acted out of their own selfish accord. So, to hear such a declaration from one who vehemently hates the organization and everything about it, it is just a little surprising. How interesting.

“Everyone has their priorities, Ragnivindr. Apprehending you in a country outside of my own is not one of them. However, do not mistake this as me ignoring the crimes you have committed. Should we ever find ourselves face-to-face again within her Majesty’s lands, then I am certain that you are aware our meeting from today will not be repeated then.”

Even now, as he spoke, there was not even a modicum of tension or upset of any form that lined his body nor words. It was merely stating a fact.

[l-capitan]

❛ if i have to think about one more thing today, my head will explode. ❜ ( from 'bina ! )

| prompt

Honestly? Capitano had to agree with Columbina, for once.

The two had just left one of the Harbinger meetings together, and normally they’re rather productive! However, sometimes…

Sometimes, some of the Harbingers got rowdy. Sometimes arguments exploded from the smallest of phrases, sometimes snarky comments, and even hands, would be thrown at one another. It was rather rare, as more often than not, Pierro, Capitano, and Pulcinella were able to tamper down the tension.

Today, neither of the three could, as instead they had to try and wrangle Dottore, Tartaglia, and Scaramouche.

The remaining Harbingers usually got a kick out of the clown show, but it seems that even Columbina was exhausted from it today, especially from Dottore’s remarks. It, at one point, was afraid that even she was going to jump into the fray, and it’s truly counting its blessings that she didn’t.

Releasing a heavy, exhausted sigh as his frame seemed to sag (yet still managed to keep up the smaller one that draped herself over his back), he then brought his hand up and pinched at what would be the bridge of his nose.

“… Perhaps a good nap is in order.”