(Lazy_MaiMai's fox AU)
Pantalone would consider himself cool-blooded and sophisticated, uncaring for anyone else's suffering even! But when it came to the youngest Harbinger, he could never seem to keep his composure for as long as he wishes to. The eleventh always seems to be able to bring some kind of reaction out of him, whether it be anger or exasperation the boy was always able to gain a reaction out of the bespectacled man.

But Pantalone had the luck of being the harbinger who's spent the most time around the eleventh aside from Pulcinella, after all the Regrador had been the harbinger overseeing Childe's group while they were recruits. When the boy had still been 14 and freshly out from the horrors of the abyss. About a month after Pulcinella had taken the boy as his own.

Pantalone would lie if he said he didn't immediately know who the boy was, or rather who he'd been... as an adeptus himself the Regrator was familiar with the dead-eyed boy.

It sickened him to look at that face, a carbon copy of what the boy had looked like all those years ago. Long before Pantalone had screwed up and caused his own younger brother to suffer mortality. Before he'd left Liyue vowing to himself he'd not return until he found a way to undo what he'd done! Before he'd watched the death of yet more of his god's precious ones destroy him!

Pantalone would be lying to himself if he said he didn't care for the eleventh. After all, he may not have shown it in the past, still doesn't, but he cared... CARES! For the eleventh, to the point he doesn't think he'll be able to watch him go yet again.

Of course realizing that the boy in front of him wasn't the little fox who used to cling to him any chance he got, and who used to enjoy just sitting in the same space as him while the black-haired snake adeptus worked, silently just enjoying his presence while either observing him or reading a book. Or the same boy who used to ask him how to read or write, shyly asking for pointers... this boy, in front of him; was DEAD!

His soul had been trampled on and burned! There was not a single ounce of light left in that boy's eyes! Yet there were times Pantalone could swear he saw glimpses of who this boy used to be there. Even if they were just fragments.

One such time was a couple years back. The boy had recently turned 18 and gained the rank of Harbinger. All 11 of the Fatui Harbingers were gathered in the dining hall and Tartaglia had said something that had left the Regrator so in shock he'd dropped his glass of wine and it'd shattered on the pristine floor leaving the entire room in silence as the ever sophisticated Pantalone had let his glass fall out of his grip.

"Xuán-ge could you hand me the salad?" Had been what'd left the youngest and newest Harbinger's lips. 'Xuán' he hadn't heard that name since before he'd left Liyue, before he'd become a Harbinger, let alone Xuán-ge! After all, there'd only been two people who'd called him that, two little foxes to be specific.

Everyone else that the Regrator could bring to memory never called him that, it'd either been Da-ge (BaiZhu and the Yakshas) or Ge-ge (Morax and GanYu) of course the older adepti had called him a-Xuán which was expected! But Xuán-ge was something reserved for the two foxes they'd all gotten attached to. He never let anyone call him that again. Couldn't take the painful memories and ache in his heart whenever the words were uttered.

But this instance the words weren't just accompanied by painful memories and heartache, but nausea, a nausea so intense Pantalone thought he'd throw up right then and there! The boy who had been just as shocked as everyone else when Pantalone had dropped his glass had now opened his mouth to ask something when the bespectacled man beat him to it.

"HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT NAME?!" The Regrator refused to so much as glance at the boy, he'd started shaking and the look in his eyes was haunted. How did the boy know that name? Did he remember his life before? Or was it just something that had been lingering and the boy himself didn't know how he knew? Whatever the case Pantalone didn't really care right now! HE. HAD. TO. GET. OUT!

Before the newly named Tartaglia could answer Pantalone had gotten out of his chair and rushed out! He didn't know where he was going and he didn't pay the calls of his Harbinger title any mind as he practically ran out of the dining hall.

He ran and ran, rushing through the halls left and right! The Regrator didn't come to until he was on the floor of one of the bathrooms retching and bringing up the little dinner he'd managed to get down before the fiasco concerning his name had happened.

He could hear the door open and footsteps behind him. He glanced slightly and saw purple in his peripheral and knew immediately who had followed him here.

"What do you want Balladeer?!" As soon as Pantalone had finished his sentence he turned back to the toilet and threw up once again... oh that was definitely his lunch coming up now."Ew, ugh I came to make sure you were alright, idiot! Well, Pierro sent me to make sure you were ok... I would never do this willingly" Was Scaramouch's answer, well at least Pierro had sent the least insufferable one to check up on him.

"Well as you can see I'm very much alive! So you can be on your merry way back now and leave me be!" The adeptus was huffing, still short on breath from throwing up and his hair out of place with glasses crooked as well as fogged up. An eyesore Pantalone was sure, so he wouldn't torture the Inazuman doll with his hideous appearance for longer than he had to.

"No way I'm gonna leave you now! You look ready to pass out any moment!" Scaramouch hurries to his side and brings his hair out of the way before he stands again to grab a paper mug to fill with water and hand it over so Pantalone could drink it.

"What the hell happened back there anyway Regrator? You lost it then you ran out?! Why? What did the kid say that got you so worked up you're making yourself sick?!" Pantalone really didn't wanna have this conversation right now let alone with the doll of another god! So he opted to be silent a little longer, drinking his water to stall a bit.

Once the black-haired man's finished his water he sighs and brings his mug down nursing the now empty paper cup "Ugh, Balladeer I really don't want to have this conversation right now, here in a bathroom. Let alone with you! You're a doll Scaramouch I doubt you'd understand my reaction let alone empathize with it!"

Pantalone stands on shaky legs, flushes the toilet and brings down the lid to sit on it so he's no longer on the dirty floor. Once seated properly he looks up at the Inazuman doll and catches his breath, the short male looks... hurt? Angry? Pitying? A mix of all?! Pantalone doesn't really know, but he suddenly finds himself regretting his choice of words.

"Look, I get where you're coming from and I'm quite sure that normally you'd be correct but I'm more of a homunculus rather than a doll. When Beelzebul created me... she did something wrong... which in her eyes made me defective. I was more human than I was supposed to be, I may not have a beating heart but I can still feel emotions to an extent, Pantalone. I'm not as unemotional as I make myself out to be, and I'm doubting that you are as unemotional as you yourself pretend you are. So try me! Tell me the truth and maybe I'll be able to give some insight, at least as much as my limitations allow me to"

Scaramouch's sentence hung in the air and the black-haired man found himself giving in easier than he would've done under normal circumstances, but he has been burdened by this for around 4 years now! He can't keep it to himself any longer!!

"I- um... I'm an adeptus"... well that hadn't been what the Regrator had wanted to say but at least it was a start, or so he thought until he looked up at the Balladeer's deadpan face.

"Yeah, I already knew that Pantalone I'm not stupid! Of course, I knew you were an adeptus you're not exactly hiding your divine signature! But that's not what I asked! I asked what happened in the dining hall not what you are!" Alright, Pantalone supposes that's fair so instead he tries to find a way to explain what had transpired during the dinner.

"I... well you see... it's so that- ugh this is harder than it seems Scaramouch you have to understand that! How do I even begin to explain what happened back there?!" The Regrador really didn't know how to go about this situation at all! And it seemed his outburst had shocked the other, eyes wide and mouth agape.

"Uh... You're right, sorry. I would assume the beginning is the best place to start?" The doll shrugged as he backed up and started leaning on the sink arms crossed.

Pantalone sighs weighing the consequences of starting from the beginning. "Ugh, fine! You're already aware of my status as an adeptus. Correct?" Scaramouch nods "Well you're probably not aware of the fact that I'm older than Morax" The Balladeer does a double take "What? You? Older than the oldest archon? No way!"

The Regrador chuckles "It's hard to believe yes, but I am indeed older than Morax... and there are still adepti around that are older than him. He was the son of the previous Prime adeptus and warrior god, when his father died he took on that position. Then the archon war came and he created Mora and became the god of contracts and so on so forth. I was a secretary first to his father and later a-Li himself"

Pantalone sighs once he's done and Scaramouch stares at him in bewilderment.

"You're telling me you're over 6000 years old?!" Pantalone laughs to himself at the Balladeer's disbelief. It is indeed quite hard to believe that he was older than who was believed to be the oldest god in Teyvat, but that was a truth he'd rather not be common knowledge.

"Yes but I'd appreciate it if you kept that information to yourself. Well moving on, there was one adeptus all of us were very fond off... a playful fox with blue eyes sparkling like the ocean. He passed 500 years ago... I'm sure you know how so I don't have to go into detail about that" The snake adeptus waved his hand in dismissal as Scaramouch let the information sink in.

"Alright, I think I get it? But what's this got to do with what happened during dinner?" The Balladeer seemed puzzled and Pantalone prepared himself.

"Scaramouch, what is my name" Pantalone stared past the Balladeer as he awaited the others answer.

"What?! What kind of question is that?! Your names Pantalone dumbass!" The shorter of the two had stated that as if it was the most obvious thing in the world while the banker started chuckling shaking his head. "Huh? Regrador then? Like what else is it supposed to be of not either of those two?"

"You're wrong yet again little doll, neither of those are my name, my REAL name that is" Scaramouch once more let the words sink in before nodding in understanding which Pantalone took as a sign to continue. "My real name is Xuán" the poor 6th harbinger frowns in confusion as he tries to decipher the name.

"Shuan?" Scaramouch cocks his head to the left as he stares at the other, which is quite endearing if Pantalone was honest. He chuckles and shakes his head.

"Xuán, I believe you Inazumans pronounce it Gen" Pantalone digs in his pocket for his writing block as well as the pen he always keeps on his person. Once he has the objects in hand he starts to write out the character ''玄'' on it showing what he'd written to the other.

"It means 'black' or 'mysterious' in Liyuen which is quite fitting now that I think about it. Nevertheless it's obvious I haven't told my actual name to anyone here" while the bespectacled man's speaking he allows the other to grab the block and study the character written out.

"Wasn't this what the brat called you during dinner? Xuán-ge I think he said? But if you haven't told anyone here your real name then how come the brat knew it-..." as the Balladeer trails off in realization his eyes widen "The fox adeptus who died during the cataclysm" Xuán nods at that.

"Yes, do you get it now? He should by no means know that name!" The black haired man slumps over, he's gonna be sick again, but he tries to hold the nausea down.

"So what? He remembers pieces of his past life it isn't that big a deal Pantalone. Isn't it a good thing that he's back again?" The doll shrugs dismissively, not really seeing an issue.

"YOU DON'T GET IT SCARAMOUCH! I WATCHED THAT BOY DIE! I WATCHED HIM BEING MUTILATED! RIPPED TO PIECES!!! THE BOY I PRACTICALLY RAISED!!! WAS MURDERED AND I WAS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING TO STOP IT!!! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! YOU DON'T! I SHOULD'VE KNOWN A DOLL COULD NEVER UNDERSTAND HOW I FEEL! I-I can't bare it! I really can't bare having the boy I failed by my side once more... I can't watch him die again Scaramouch! I can't go through that pain again"

Pantalone now had tears streaming down his face, he hadn't even realized he'd started crying and it seemed that the shorter man had been shocked by the outburst and sudden crying.

"Uh, wait! Why are you crying? I've never seen you cry? What do you do when someone cries?!" The poor doll was panicking, completely out of place in this situation.

"Calm down Scaramouch, I'm quite alright. I got a little worked up that's all. My tears will dry once my body decides it's done" The Regrator wiped his tears as best he could and took his glasses off. Standing up on wobbly legs he walked shakily over to the sink to clean them.

"Oh... I'm, uh, sorry by the way! I should've been more mindful of-" The Inazuman is interrupted by the Liyuen raising his hand up to silence him.

"Don't worry about it Kunikuzushi, I shouldn't have lost my cool. It's just that... so much went wrong after we lost not only him but our little fire cracker as well, you see... I was the one who found the boy. He'd been abandoned and well soon after we found the conqueror of demons as well as some others among them another fox... fox adepti are rare, unlike Kitsune's in Inazuma fox adepti are known for not making it far... they're known to be some of the rarest adepti you could find. Now they're instinct" Pantalone splashed water on his face to clean it up. Staring daggers at the sink.

The doll was silent for a while but eventually said.

"There are no more fox adepti? You mean that there haven't been a single fox adeptus in the last 500 years?!" The shock was evident in the others voice. Pantalone took a deep breath and let it out.

"Yes, that is precisely what I'm saying! There are still many adepti in Liyue but they don't tend to walk around in the realm of humans... rather they spend their days in their villages hidden away from mortal eyes. Of course there Adepti that still mingle around humans like a-Li, the conqueror of demons, Madam Ping, the Yuehai Pavilion secretary, and of course the half-blood legal student. There are others but I'm not in the mood to ramble them up"

Pantalone suddenly found himself thinking of the doctor, no not the harbinger rather his younger brother. Yet another one he'd failed. Shaking his head to clear his mind he puts his glasses back on his face and turns to fully face the 6th harbinger next to him.

"I'm done now, tho I am no longer in a mood for food. I would much rather make my way back to my quarters. If it shall give you peace of mind I will allow you to escort me back" The Regrator really just wanted to lay down and sleep for the next year! Vomiting really was exhausting not only that but his emotional outburst had also tired him out immensely.

"Of course! We can't have you collapsing in the halls! As a harbinger you can't let anyone see you at your worst!" The Balladeer quickly walked ahead of the other and held the door open so Pantalone could walk out.

"You have my thanks I suppose" The banker looked around to see where in the palace he'd managed to get himself in his need to get out of the dining hall. Once he'd identified the hallway he started walking towards his room "This way Kunikuzushi, I'd rather not dally here any longer than I already have" the Inazuman doll nods and the two of them walk in silence until they reach a corner and turn it.

"Pantalone, and Scara there you guys are!" The both of them startle and turn to face the newest harbinger.

"I was just about to check your room Pantalone sir! I apologize if I said something to offend you! I didn't mean to. Whatever I said that upset you I'm ready to face repercussions for it" Tartaglia stood stiff and in a slight bow as he awaited the 9th harbingers wrath. Scaramouch and Pantalone in turn stood shocked glancing at each other.

Letting out a sigh and rubbing his temple Pantalone breathes out "There's no need to apologize Tartaglia, the fault lies with me. I haven't been feeling well and I took it out on you. If anyone should apologize it's me. So please, there is no need to await punished" as he finishes the Regrator puts his hand on top of the newest harbingers head and ruffles his hair.

"Re-really?! So... it wouldn't be too much to ask you for lessons in Liyuen? And calligraphy?!" For just a moment Pantalone could fool himself he saw the boy's eyes sparkle once more, not only that but also that there were a pair of Fox ears twitching and tails swishing, but when he blinked they were gone and he had to shake his head to clear it once more.

Reprimanding himself for fooling himself to think the fox he'd raised to be in front of him once more.

"Liyuen? What brought this on boy?" The black haired man was curious, why would someone like the battle hungry 11th want to know Liyuen of all things.

"Well... I know Snezhnayan and basic Teyvatn but it couldn't hurt to know more right? Besides ever since I was really little Liyue has entranced me! Please, Pantalone! I know you're Liyuen so you could teach me right?!" Clasping his hands together in front of his face and bowing his head the boy begged the bespectacled man, and well, Pantalone wouldn't have been able to say no even if he wanted to...

"Ugh alright! I'll teach you. But you'll have to be up bright and early tomorrow. In my office at 4, we both have recruits to teach at 05:15 and then other official matters to tend to understood" The Regrator smirked slightly as the other cheered and went on a rant of how he "wouldn't disappoint" once the boy was out of sight Pantalone turned to continue on his way back to his room catching glance of Scaramouch smugly grinning at the other.

"What you insufferable doll?" He really wasn't in the mood! Pantalone had a headache he really wanted to sleep off!

"Seems like someone's soft for the newest harbinger, well now I know who's going to spoil the boy just as much as the Rooster will!" Ok maybe it was fine to bash the doll's head in just this once!

"If you don't shut your trap I'll put that head of yours somewhere you'll never be able to reach!" The shorter male just laughed as he escorted the other back and later bid farewell, not without teasing just a bit more but soon he was off.

Pantalone woke up in his office, why would he reminisce about something that had happened years ago, something that had to do with the traitor no less.

"AGH!!! YOU PIECE OF SHIT RUNNING OF ABANDONING US AFTER ALL WE'VE DONE FOR YOU! AFTER I SHOWED MYSELF VULNERABLE TO YOU!!! AFTER I TOLD YOU ABOUT MY PAIN AND LISTENED TO YOURS!!! I'LL BURN YOU TO ASHES YOU FUCKING DOLL!!!" Pantalone had trashed his office in his outburst. Papers on the floor, ink staining the wall and carpet, pencils and abacus no longer on his desk, and is empty cup of tea shattered.

"Pantalone you alright?!" The door to said office was burst open as the now older Tartaglia rushed in. He stopped abruptly as he took a look around the messed up office. "Uh did you get a Anemo Vision while I was away cuz it looked like a tornado's been running rampant in here" The others puzzled face drew a chuckle from the Regrator as he used his adepal powers to clean his office. Putting everything back where it belongs and reversing the stains.

"Well a Vision would at least leave me less exhausted, but no. I did not gain a blessing from the element of Anemo while you were off here and there, I just happened to have a burst of uncontrollable anger... had to let it out but now that I think about it the training hall would've been better than my office!" As he's talking the snake adeptus makes his way over to Childe "Speaking off how was your adventures in Liyue and Inazuma? Tell me all about it I'm curious, our lesson can wait"

Childe nods and walks over to the guest chair as Pantalone pours two new cups of tea, violet grass, and puts one in front of the 11th as he sits back down behind his desk to listen to the others rambling.