i think it would be SO fucking funny if arlecchino was 100% aware of esfir's whereabouts and is just straight up lying through her teeth to dottore

like. why would she tell him if she knew? lmfao. fucking idiot. stupid stupid man. she doesn't know anyways so why are you asking her 🤷‍♀️

i like to think that esfir told dottore that they wanted to meet the new knave in person so he just. decided to take her with him the first time he tried to convince arle to work with him. and when arlecchino is like “no. 😐” dottore goes “but look at this one! this one turned out wonderfully. crucabena was very fascinated by her." and esfir is just staring into the void with blank eyes that have seen far too much trauma. and arlecchino is just all “they do not look 'wonderful.' What the fuck are you on about.”

like. she hears esfir was a rejected orphan and immediately understands that she is in the right for denying that man access to her children. because esfir does NOT look okay. she's probably around 8 or 9-ish atp but she has the face of a whole ass soldier who has seen war. there is only absence in their eyes. they are physically but not mentally present. and arlecchino is like, "???? Holy Shit Dude What Did You Do To That Child."

and she's astonished to find that they look up at her and the first thing they ask is, "it was you who personally escorted that vile excuse of a woman right back to the pit she clawed her way out of, yes? i hear there was nothing left of her. she deserved no less."

idk i think there is so much potential in a dynamic like this!

[Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius] Heu, quam praecipiti [(fol. 442r) CA Gg. V. 35, University of Cambridge, University Library]

Heu, quam praecipiti mersa profundo / mens hebet et propria luce relicta / tendit in externas ire tenebras / terrenis quotiens flatibus aucta / crescit in immensum noxia cura! / Hic quondam caelo liber aperto / suetus in aetherios ire meatus / cernebat rosei lumina solis, / uisebat gelidae sidera lunae / et quaecumque uagos stella recursus / exercet uarios flexa per orbes / comprensam numeris uictor habebat; / quin etiam causas unde sonora / flamina sollicitent aequora ponti, / quis uolat stabilem spiritus orbem / uel cur hesperias sidus in undas / casurum rutilo surgat ab ortu, / quid ueris placidas temperet horas / ut terram roseis floribus ornet, / quis dedit ut pleno fertilis anno / autumnus grauidis influat uuis / rimari solitus atque latentis / naturae uarias reddere causas: / nunc iacet effeto lumine mentis / et pressus grauibus colla catenis / decliuem que gerens pondere uultum / cogitur, heu, stolidam cernere terram. // [Boethius. De Consolatione Philosophiae. I : M2]

_ Boethius: Songs Of Consolation – Metra from 11th-century Canterbury Sequentia (2018, Glossa – GCD922518)

esfir was always quite the rebellious little thing and she never particularly liked "mother." her time in the house of the hearth was, therefore, quite... short, but it did happen.

the last thing she ever said to crucabena before being sent off to dottore was, "i hope someone kills you. you are a terrible king, queen... whatever."

Esfir's Introduction —✧

"Did her expression frighten you? Ah, please be patient with her. That child is rather shy, and they seem to struggle rather deeply in that area. They are well-meaning. She simply appears far more intimidating than she truly is." —Baizhu

◆ Name: Esfir ◆ Gender & Pronouns: Female, she/they ◆ Age: 18 ◆ Affiliations: Fatui (formerly), Bubu Pharmacy (currently) ◆ Nation: Liyue ◆ Heritage: Snezhnayan ◆ Vision: Cryo ◆ Weapon: Claymore ◆ Constellation: Sidus Gelida ('Frozen Star')

Esfir often has nightmares about their past with the Fatui.

It isn't unexpected, and the entire Bubu Pharmacy staff has been more than accomodating and understanding regarding it, but Esfir can't help but be a little embarrassed by it. The frequency with which she has bad nights is far too high for her liking.

With a sharp gasp, Esfir shot up from the bed they were sleeping in, eyes quick to scan the surrounding room for any threats or concerns.

Ah... Bubu Pharmacy's backroom. The tension in their body dissipated somewhat. Right. She had fallen ill about a day prior, and Baizhu insisted on keeping them at the Pharmacy to monitor their condition.

"You're awake."

Baizhu's gentle, lilting tone drew her attention away from whatever horrid things she was thinking about. They didn't look him in the eyes; instead, they anxiously picked at the skin around their nails and looked anywhere but at him.

"It's late, you know," he said, standing up from his desk and coming to sit beside them. He hummed quietly as the back of his palm met her forehead. "You're burning up."

"I'm cold."

"Would you like another herbal remedy?" Baizhu mused. "I'm sure I could put something together for you that would not interact with your other medication."

"No," she murmured, fingers anxiously fidgeting with the blanket in their lap. "It's late. I wouldn't want to trouble you.

"You are no trouble, Esfir. What can I do to ease your suffering?"

Baizhu was earnest when he asked this. Esfir could tell, even without looking at him... and she was certain he would not fully drop it until they accepted his help.

"...Can you sit with me until I fall back asleep?"

"Of course, dear."

PERSONALITY

◆ The silent, swiftly moving young Pharmacist who puts together herbal remedies and stitches up a patient's wounds with deft, oddly practiced hands is known as Esfir. The ever-steady, stern glare fixed on her face makes her appear quite mean, but the truth is that she simply... looks like that. Their face defaults to this expression, simply because she knows not how to express herself in a gentler manner, though she has made significant improvements in the recent months. Esfir is a kind soul at heart, but she has suffered quite deeply all throughout their childhood. To survive, this kindness has been buried far beneath the surface under layers of cold indifference to the injustices of the world... but it seems she is growing warmer. Slowly, the ice that grew around her damaged heart is melting away, all thanks to the warmth of Baizhu, Qiqi, and Gui. The citizens of Liyue have recently bore witness to her softer acts of care—tenderly treating the wounds of children who scraped their knees, helping tired mothers care for their babies, and aiding the elderly with the chores that have become too difficult for them to handle alone.

the bubu pharmacy family, including esfir, is so silly. baizhu just has two unexpressive daughters, one of which is exceedingly cute (qiqi) and the other looks like she is going to murder you if you so much as look at their family incorrectly (esfir)... except they're actually just quite timid and uncertain, and she has no clue how to express herself in a way that is regarded as socially acceptable, so they default to the expression that is easiest for her. gui and baizhu always have to reassure everyone that they are not plotting anything sinister.