Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I sat up gasping for air, eyes darting, taking in my surroundings. Just as memories shot into my head like a shot to the head. Dottore, I reincarnated as the worst harbinger. My favorite harbinger in Genshin Impact, worst of all a day after he arrived in Snezhnaya. I steadied my breath, trying to calm down. Drowning wasn’t fun from what I gathered, I was in my(dottore’s) room right next to the lab. Pierro was out getting more harbingers, meaning I was stuck here for five hundred years before the main story.

If I managed to live long enough, sure Dottore had clones, but that meant the original was likely dead. I didn’t want that to happen again, whether it be natural or not. I could possibly try to find a way to fuse my genetics with a long-life species. Which might work, but still the body and gender change is something I’ll need to get used to.

I finally dragged myself out of the very warm bed  and to the bathroom, using my memories as guidance. I take a quick shower, and hesitate to even look down. This would take a while, I’d have to get used to having a third leg. Which already felt weird. I just try to ignore it, dry up and get dressed. Then head to the lab I (dottore) had asked for.

It was marvelous, wires almost everywhere leading to different instruments of machines, desks with electronics similar to computers, test tubs, beakers, halls that led to different testing rooms, cages, panels, break room, and a storage room full of supplies.

Mine and Dottoore's wet dream, I didn't have much interest in science sure. But did I loved it when I could experiment and study the human body yes. This lab was perfect, beautiful, and mine alone. I settled down into a nearby chair, and got some paper and a pen. Who’s to say I’ll remember everything after five hundred years, if I make it alive.

First, if I want to stay in the Fatui, and not be kicked out (again like the academy), I should start by making delusions. The production method wasn’t on the wiki, so I’m free handing this, I can already see my future self’s multiple breakdowns. I sigh out loud, Out of everyone why Dottore.

I just hope the Tsaritsa will bare with me. I leaned back in my chair, and look up at the dim lights I was utterly exhausted already, but I needed to get to work. I just hope I have enough of dottore’s memory to do this.

[6 months later]
I finally did it, after messing around with dead visions. Then crating once close to it, mixing the remains of deceased gods and powerful adyss monsters. I made a delusion, I had to tinker with it to fix any drawbacks, though it hurt like a bitch in the begin.

It took so bloody long, going through the snow, getting zapped, falling more than once into a cave, gender confusion, lack of sleep, lack of food intake and lots of mental breakdowns. Along with that, I got the genetics of a dragon corpse, from long before the gods. Falling down into a cave had to be the best and worst thing to happen to me.

After testing it on a few rats and human scums courtesy of the Tsaritsa, I had it full tested and injected into me. Gaining a long white tail, bright ice blue feathers on top, with a iceblue feathery end, long ice blue horns atop my head, and scales near my neck and arms. The worse part? It was the cryo sovereigns genetics, fate really liked fucking me in the ass.

There hadn’t been any meetings, so she didn’t know yet, but who to say she didn’t know already. So few pros and so many cons, what has my life become, why must my lab become my prison,

I groan slumping on my desk, papers everywhere, and ink stains on my lab coat. My eye bags were as big as the hydro delusion I held, my skin as pale as the snow outside. I should get some-

My thoughts were interrupted by a hesitant knock on the lab door, my grip on the delusion tightened as, I held back the urge to murder the person outside. Didn’t they know not to bother me when I’m working. I get up, and walk towards the door, open it and outside was an agent.

The agent on the other side flinched hard.
“T-the jester requires your presence in the meeting room.” The agent stuttered. Now that got me interested, this would be my first meeting. Also, the first time he had called me since I arrived, and the captain could be there, since Khaenri'ahn had fallen 2 months ago. It would be a perfect time to show off my delusion too.

“Hn, now shoo before I strap you to the table next” I scowl, at the agent. He immediately went running. The best part about being the doctor is scarring the hell out of others.

I head back inside, to my room and put on a dark blue shirt, and black pants with a gold belt. Then I put on my thick white coat with black fur on, threaten my assistants and head out to the meeting,  looking out the window at the snowy landscape as I walked.

Once I reached the door, I knocked. “Enter” i heard from the other side, pierro. I opened the door and see…

Chapter Text

The infamous long glass table, white marble at the sides, glass pieced together in the middle, with a white cryo imprint in the middle, golden frame at its side.

My eyes landed on Pierro sitting in the center wearing the same outfit from “A winter night’s lazzo” one seat away from him was someone I didn’t know interesting, her hair was black and curly, she wore a black and white gown, mostly black with white ends, white gloves, and a black and white the top being black and the ends white, with medium-sized white bow to the sides. She was looking straight at me like the others.

I knew I was late, but there was no need to stare at my (D̶o̶t̶t̶o̶r̶e̶'̶s̶) marvelous face.
Beside her was La Signora in an outfit a bit similar to her final form clothes. Just without the large mask, hair down, dress more crimson red with the “crimson witch of flames flower” in her hair. She looked to be a bit lost in thought. I wasn't sure when her lover died, but it couldn’t have been that long ago.

To Pierro’s right, one seat away was Columbina, dressed in the same outfit. A small but noticeable smile on her face, the aura she gave off made me shiver. I now understand why even Tartaglia didn’t want to fight her. Something about her… felt wrong how strong was Dottore to keep her at only third. Just being in her presence alerted my body, my mind kept screaming run, run, RUN! How did the doctor ever get used to her?

Beside her was Pulcinella, I was actually surprised to see him here. I had thought he would join later or something. But then again, his ears were a dead giveaway he wasn’t human. I’m very curious about what he is, some kind of elf? Dwarf? I wanted to get my hands on some samples, or mayb- I’m going too off-topic. There's no way Dottore's memories affected me that much. Sure, Dottore was known to be insanely curious to the point he would do anything to satisfy his curiosity and so would I. Back on topic, he looked younger than he did in the game and was a bit taller too.

To Pierro's left was Capitano, in his usual outfit in game, I was expecting something more, since he most likely just joined. I really wanted to see his face, but beggars can’t be choosers.

I enter the room, and close the door behind me.
“I apologize for my tardiness, I just had some things… I needed to take care of.” I say, with a closed-eye smile as I take a seat to the right of Pierro.

Having already noticed the way everyone was placed, it was by ranks the first being on his left, and the second on his right next to the third, by the first was most likely the fourth.

Would be the stranger, since Arlecchino hasn’t been born yet, would most likely be the current owner of the house of the Hearth.

“Just take a seat, so we may begin Dottore” said Pierro. I take the seat to his right, the chair was nice, I barely felt the cold. I’m really liking the perks of being the cryo sovereign.

“Now that everyone, here I expect you to introduce yourself to your new colleagues” said Pierro, I glanced at the others and went first.

“Since we’re doing introductions, you may all refer to me as Dottore. I work on the controls science, enhancements, research, and upgrades. I’m also the temporary owner of the northern bank.” I say, with a sharp smile. I was panicking internally, that sounded right? Right? I want to go back to my lab. This is too much social interaction…this feels so awkward. I only got the owner status after asking Pierro through a letter, the main reason was, so I didn't have to ask someone for money for my work. I balanced things out well enough.

“Capitano, the captain of the military” was the only thing the captain said.

“anna caroline” said the current head of house of the Hearth, she didn’t appear to be interested in anyone”

“Columbina, Tsaritsa's chief lieutenant.” she said, with a smile.
“La signora” she looked as if she’d rather leave than stay in our presence.

“Pulcinella” the old man, was as calm as pierro.

“I expect you all to get along, if you have anything to say. Say it now” Pierro says, it was clear he was going to end the meeting if none spoke up, and this was my time to shine.

“I do in fact have something I need to share with the director, a new invention I’ve been working on while you were gone” I said pulling out the hydro Delusion, I had been working on for months on end.

Yes, I went out at times to get specific materials, but I mostly got my assistance to do it resulting in some deaths.

While I did feel sad knowing I caused it, I had work that needed to be finished. I needed it perfect for the Tsaritsa since I had caused her losses, and the fatui was still young so mistakes and failures couldn’t be made. So I’d rather not end up on the other end of her blade.

“I call it a Delusion, just like a vision it can grant the user the ability to control elements. Unlike a regular vision it can be used by anyone, I’ve had a few test subjects test it out. It’s mostly safe unless it’s overused, or broken which would result in an explosion of elemental energy.” I explained, the original Delusions had lethal drawbacks in exchange for drawing power and had the possibility of backfiring.

But with the power of fear, the use of materials, test subjects, explosions, and coffee for the second time in both lives. I managed to get it stable enough, though it did leave most subjects feeling exhausted.

I had yet to find out its effects on vision holders, but for me I could use it for a long time before feeling faint. So it could possibly be the same, but then again I was the cryo sovereign due to my dumb ass putting old DNA into my body.

I didn’t even think it would work, since it was so old and dead. But then again, it was a dragons DNAof course it would be more dominant than my human one.

It at least got rid of my fear of old age, but I should definitely find out how the electro archon made Scaramouche. That way I could experiment with my own body instead, and find out a bit more about how much my body has changed. Or just create an x-ray and others, but the experimenting on my body sounded better.

“Is that so? How did you make it Dottore?” Pierro asked, one eyebrow raised but I could tell he was impressed by his tone. Success! I just hope using dead bodies of old beings and dead gods wouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Chapter Text

“Crystal Marrow, remains of old dead gods, abyss monsters core, Cor Lapis added for geo delusions, Spring of the First Dewdrop, Dracolite pyro, and Noctilucous Jade. I used most of them to create different delusions.” I answered, most of the items were easy to get, others were expensive. I only used the elemental energy inside most of them for the Delusion, dangerous things, those ores where I got zapped more than I would have liked.

“And how many have you made aside from this one?” He asked.

“Seven right now, for each element to test so each one works well” I answered, doing it seven times was annoying but necessary. I needed to have a list and an idea of how to make a delusion of each element.

Pierro nodded, and I relaxed a bit at least my hard work paid off. I am still a bit worried I might be kicked out of the Zapolyarny Palace, having made delusions I'd likely have higher expectations placed onto me. Aeons I wish I was back at home on my phone, or hell at school I'm less likely to die here quicker.

“Hmm…you did much better than I ever expected. Excellent work dottore.” Pierro said, looking at me with a pleased smile.

“. . .” I stayed silent for a moment then nodded. As if my heart wasn’t racing, I rarely got compliments in my past life and this life. I didn’t even know how to react, but the warmth I felt on my cheeks was more than enough. I wanted to hear it again, and I want it soon.

“Any other reports?” Pierro says, eyes scanning the room. When none else answered, he says.

“Meeting adjourned”

He then turns around and leaves, he must be really busy or just wants us to take the time to get to know each other. I glanced at the others just as they all stood up, most likely taking a leave. I had read and heard that the harbingers didn’t like each other a lot, but I didn’t think they’d be this quick to leave.

What a pity, but I also had things I needed to do like plan for my next 500 years in Snezhnaya. While also finding out how to get closer to Capitano, he was going to start to rot the moment he passed 100 years old. A time limit for me to find out if i could change that fact, something my past life self would want. I have the power of determination, and a genius mind on my side.

How hard could it be to pause someone's youth? It definitely going to be very fucking hard, but still i hated myself enough to suffer this fate.

}}[11 months later]{{

I looked at my test subject on the other side of the window, recording the way flames started to bloom on her body. I had been procrastinating a lot outside of my original task, for the sole purpose of testing out new weapons with delusion power input into them.

Like the glove with pyro delusion embedded into it, that test subject 374 was wearing. The flames bloomed like flowers on her hand, her screams filled the room, as her skin burned slowly, leaving small burn marks where the flame flowers bloom. Smoke filled the room slowly, even when the delusion wasn’t being used the fire remained, as test subject 374 screams echo across the lab.

I continued to write used to death by now, I never feared seeing gore, hell i lived to see it. Seeing it in real life didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. I sighed, as I left knowing the subject 374 skin was going to heal soon. Another failure.

I did procrastinate, yes, but I also worked on it purely to learn how to give someone “regeneration” by increasing the cells in the body, specifically the ones that helped grow limbs. I’m truly fortunate to have Dottore’s memories, or I’d be fucked both ways.

I rubbed my eyes tired from the lack of sleep, passing most of my assistants since the segments I was growing weren’t of age. I only knew half of the process thanks to my curiosity about the doctor. I usually just looked up most of the lore I likely missed. Which just happened to be the segments, made of organic pieces of me, other pieces like the body of subject 37 and lastly, mechanical components.

I had them in tubes in the main center room of the lab, so I could watch them grow from an embryo to a child. Having this knowledge meant I didn't need Scaramouche to find out how to do it, so the only thing I needed to plan was to find out how to get him into the fatui. Without killing off those close to him, though it was likely he was already close to Katsuragi so it would be much harder. Plus I'd have to convince the Tsaritsa to add him, which definitely wouldn’t be easy.

I walked deeper into the lab, stepping over wires, passing the subjects in their cells, screams, and dry blood till I reached my office. My large black bookshelf wall was the first thing I saw. My desk was near the L-shaped wall, filled with papers, floor dark brown, window to the left, by the window was one long couch, a lamp in the corner, with a small table in front of the red couch.

I sigh, as I fall onto the couch snugging up my tail curled closer so much work yet so little time. I groan and I'd have to go to Mondstadt soon enough, to make Mondstadt indebted to the fatui making it easy to get in and out. Which would also make it easy to add a bank, spread the fatui’s influence and get new recruits. I wouldn’t even be free after that, since I'd have to go to Inazuma.

Just then Onyx, my first ever pet landed near me, I could hear the sound of the gears moving in his little body. I shift and look at my lovely old crow. I got a bit inspired by the fact that Dottore had crows in some fanart. So…I made my own Onyx, I got a crow three months ago. He died early due to touching one of my prototype delusions, I had forgotten to put away and I like any sane person. Put him back together, I honestly didn’t think it would work but here we were.

Onyx had been by my side for only 3 months yet we were very close, and seeing as it worked I continued getting more ravens. Onyx was my main raven, next Obsidian, and lastly Avaritia.

Obsidian was out doing his own thing, I never minded as he always came back. Avaritia was snuggled up in my room with shiny things next to him, as his name stated he was quite greedy. Onyx mostly stayed on my shoulder or kept a close eye on me, throughout the day. His loud worried caw snapped me out of my thoughts, as I focused my attention on him.

“I’m just a bit tired, don’t worry about little old me Onyx” I say, with a light chuckle using my index finger to pet his head. Paperwork and me were in an off-and-on relationship, I almost regret choosing to also have some control of the northern bank. When I wasn't completing experiments, I was doing paperwork or spending time with Onyx.

So sleep never made its way into my mind or schedule, it took precious time as I’d sleep for long periods of time. So I’d rather not try to push myself off my warm bed again, it was harder than completing paperwork.

“Caw!” Onyx cawed with a stubborn huff, tugging my fingers and pointing his beak outside. As if saying, “Go out, you’ve been in here too long.”

“Onyx… I still have things I need to do” I reminded him, but Onyx was persistent and continued nipping and tugging on me. Till I gave in.

“Fine, fine, I’ll go out and take a break” I say, with a defeated sigh sitting up. Then get up and put on my coat, I might have a strong resistance to the cold. But I liked being warm, then just cool.

Onyx lands on my shoulder as I head out of the lab upstairs using the elevator. Yes, elevator you heard that right. I was honestly a bit surprised about the fact Snezhnaya had them but then again advanced technology, but I was thankful as there were a lot of stairs.

Once I got to the first floor, I got out of the elevator and looked out the long windows, the halls mostly quiet, walls ice blue, pillars gray, floor pattern diamond, with a few doors to the right. I then spotted the training grounds, where the captain and new recruits were. I immediately knew what I'd do with my free time.

I head down multiple steps, passing a few agents who salute to me on sight. I just  nod, and head to the training ground watching from not too far away. As Onyx tsks in pity, I glare at him.

“Oh stop your tsking you act more like a love sick fool with Badb, I’ve seen you swoon and spin more than me.” I snapped, teasing him knowing full well that Onyx had his eyes on Badb since the day they met.

“Let me have this” I whisper, eyes on Capitano. I might love Dottore for his complexity and appearance. But Capitano stood neck to neck on my list of favorites to say I was, and still am Capitano’s biggest fan was an understatement. I was interested the very moment I watched A winter night’s lazzo, I had multiple pieces of fan art and items with him. I spent a lot of time learning his lore, so to see the man I simped for in the flesh is the greatest experience.

I hadn’t reacted much the first time we met, during the meeting 11 months ago solely due to the fact I was busy giving my amazing report on delusions. I sigh as I watch him command the newbies, the way his voice brought everyone's attention. Don’t get me started on that body of his, gods how can a man look this good even with his face covered.

A deep rumbling inside my body stirs, I was practically purring tail wagging behind me.

Then our eyes met.

Chapter Text

Khaenri'ah my country, my friends, my comrades, my home set aflame. By those blasted gods, all of it gone.

Only a few of my men remained, I couldn't bear to see them suffer. So I took the weight as my own, carrying it on my shoulders no matter how heavy.

We marched for days, nations denied us help. We couldn’t blame them, the war hit every single one of us. Day and night we walked. When all hope was almost lost we met Ayizu, the chief of the Master of the Night-wind.

We quickly became friends, and fought side by side in battle till his death. Then an offer from the fatui came, promising us a home and a place with open arms. I was of course suspicious, but I knew my men needed a place to rest.

So I accepted, and joined as Capitano. The first few months went well. We got a room, met with the Tsaritsa, and warm homes. A job to help new recruits as the general for the Tsaritsa, I truly don’t get her.

I mainly trained new and old recruits, as the commander. It reminded me of my time in Khaenri'ah, training new recruits, always jumping at the chance to train with me.

Sleep came hard as memories of the dead haunted me, I often found myself strolling the castle halls. Till I heard a song, I didn’t know where it came from or whose voice it was. But each time I couldn’t sleep, I found myself on the left side of the palace listening to the soft melody that bounded off the walls. The first time I heard it I fell asleep while standing. The next time I slept in a room nearby.

It became a routine for me to go to the left side of the Zapolyarny palace, listen to the voice that sings the melody that helps me slumber. I rarely get nightmares now, just calm sweet dreams.

Then 7 months later, an invitation to a meeting with the other harbingers. My new colleagues, I was curious to see who the jester had picked. I arrived early, the other harbingers were…interesting to say the least.

Appearance wise, they…seemed to be dealing with their own problems. Busy or would rather be elsewhere. One harbinger caught my eye.

The doctor, I had heard about him from the jester and my assistant Galahad. A genius, the devil, a mad man, a man who cares only for his experiments, and discards human life as if they were bugs. Screams are often heard from his lab, and the agents under his command are rarely seen.

The rumor ranged from believable to exaggerated. But my interest still peaked. I was interested in meeting this so-called mad man. So I wasn’t really expecting a tall, lean man, with wavy grayish blue hair, glowing cylinder earring on his right pointed ear, beak-shaped black mask that covers his eyes, a long white coat over a blue dress shirt and cravat, a bunch of feathers behind his neck sewn into his coat, with three sky blue wings pieced together with gold, a dangling cord draped off his left shoulder, and black gloves.

And that voice sounded so familiar, the answer was at the tip of my tongue. His lab was said to be on the left side of the palace.

At first glance he looked human, but small horns peaked out from his long wavy hair. An ice blue tail peaked out from under his coat, the end feathery sky blue with silver ends.

When he talked about his invention, the delusion, I could see little fangs peaking out. He was practically chirping with pride, and the way his long tail wagged after being complemented was a bit cute.

For a man known as the devil, he was more childish than I had originally imagined. I found myself hoping we’d meet again, in the near future.I didn’t think it would be that soon, as 11 months later there he was hiding behind a pillar. Mask gone, giving me a clear view of his eyebags and gorgeous crimson eyes.

His tail wagging with bare restrained curiosity and interest. A crow on his shoulder, looking at him like an offended father. I didn’t know pets were allowed in our line of work, as it would be dangerous and harbingers are busy people. Especially for someone like him, his lab most likely wasn’t safe for animals to roam.

Then our eyes met, he straightened up so fast I could hear the pop of his back. I chuckled under my breath, and gave the new recruits an order to take a water break.

Then walk towards him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~♡~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I straightened up, at being caught blatantly staring at the capitano. Gods, I hope my face wasn’t weird.

I straightened up, at being caught blatantly staring at the capitano. Gods, I hope my face wasn’t weird. I didn't drool, right? Gods above.

Onyx snickering at my misfortune, I swear one of these days I’ll get him back. I had to look up to even meet where his eyes should be gods, he was fucking tall. We were close enough for me to smell, the iron and thin layers of sweat on him.

I shivered at the smell. The feathers on my tail puffed up slightly, as my tail curled around my leg. I needed to focus, so I didn't end up looking like a fool in front of him.

“Doctor” he says, looking down at me.

“Capitano”

“I thought you’d be busy with your experiments” he says, with curiosity rather than disdain.

“I’ve been meaning to take a break, since the lab lacks windows. I came out for a breath of fresh air.” I say, calm and collected as if I actually planned to take a break. Onyx does the crow equivalent of a scoff, as he gets off my shoulder and lands on Capitano’s.

“Is that so…Very well. Though I find myself curious, what is the name of your lovely crow?” Capitano asks, gently petting Onyx’s head. Onyx coos and clicks, I’m almost jealous of how quick he was to trust Capitano. It took me days to even get him to coo at me.

“No need to flatter my old dirty bird. His name is Onyx” I say, glaring at Onyx when I say old and dirty. He caws offended, looking away from me like a spoiled little prince. Clicking more at Capitano’s pets, I grumbled tail thrashing in annoyance but I froze at the sound of Capitano’s low chuckle.

My heart…my heart is going to burst if I hear that sound again. Gods, if I knew I’d be meeting him here earlier I’d have cleaned myself a bit more. He then looked at me.

“Doctor, would you indulge me in a question I have?” he asks, as calm as ever.

“Why of course” I say, I wouldn’t mind answering any questions he wanted.

“I’d been hearing singing from the left side of the Zapolyarny palace, I was wondering if you knew who it was since your lab is nearby.” he asks, with a hint of curiosity in his voice.

“Singing? You heard…singing” I say, frozen because I knew very well who he likely heard.

“Yes, I had first thought that it was the Damselette. But I've listened to her sing more than once, and I never fall asleep as fast as I did when hearing the songs from that hallway.” he starts with complete certainty that it wasn’t the Damselette, it was someone else. He continues with.

“No matter how far and long I search and look, I can't seem to find the source. So I was hoping you had the answer.”

I was a bit dumbfounded, since I had thought the lab’s walls were sound-proof. But from what Capitano said, they obviously weren’t. Meaning he had heard me singing more than once! I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole.