[Yeah you gotta grab him as a playable character before he starts talking about fighting the other Harbingers]
Mm, it's... fairly complicated, yes. The easiest way to explain it would simply be that we're at war with the rest of the world. We are diplomats as much as we are warriors, or informants, or debt collectors--anything we need to be. There is no part of Teyvat we can't reach.
[So they are... kind of all up in everyone's business, and also doing some things. It's fine.]
So sort of like being jack of all trades types where you don't have to worry about things slipping past you. Doesn't that get confusing to know where information's coming from or who you're supposed to be fighting all the time?
Not particularly, no. I'm the Eleventh of Her Majesty the Tsaritsa's Harbingers--all of us have our own divisions and handle our business as we need to. I can't speak for the others, but I trust my subordinates to track their information properly before they bring it to me.
[Which is part of what makes it harder here, given that he's always believed everyone here is capable of backstabbing and murder.]
I'm a bit of an outlier, though, compared to the others. I've always preferred battling in the light to scheming in the shadows, the way they do.
[it's a good thing he clarified because for a moment there was a real fear there that there were ten other childes.]
That doesn't surprise me. You're not really good at being subtle all the time. [just saying.] But...so does that mean the Harbingers are good guys or neutral guys in this whole thing?
[LOVE HIM FOR WHO HE IS!!! He's grinning, like he did this on purpose. But it's not like it isn't true, so...]
I'm only "kind of" a bad guy, wouldn't you say? I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting a good fight against an equal match. [Of course he doesn't.] Anyway, our goal will lead to peace eventually, if we do things correctly. Her Majesty is a kind woman--she's a true warrior. I don't mind being her pawn, if she's the one playing the game.
[The ends justify the means, is kind of the whole deal.]
No. You're very different people, and I'm here for myself.
[Even when he suspected her of starting the killing, he never viewed her the same way he views the Tsaritsa.
Though, that said--]
Isn't that what we are, though? Our indulgences help you, as well as ourselves, but you have power over us that we couldn't fight against, if we wanted to. [Not with all the abilities they have at their disposal, and not with their ability to revive.] What else does that make us?
[To his credit, he does try to say it gently. He doesn't seem that bothered about it, either. Just accepting, as if this is nothing outside the usual.]
That doesn't bother you, does it? [she knows the answer, but maybe she just likes hearing it from him to know what is and isn't real. also please ignore the absolute elation from the emotional feedback thanks to using her real name.]
No, of course not. [IRIS YOUR FEELINGS.] I'm content with the path I walk, but it is a narrow one, and very bloody. I don't want my family to walk it with me, either.
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Mm, it's... fairly complicated, yes. The easiest way to explain it would simply be that we're at war with the rest of the world. We are diplomats as much as we are warriors, or informants, or debt collectors--anything we need to be. There is no part of Teyvat we can't reach.
[So they are... kind of all up in everyone's business, and also doing some things. It's fine.]
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So sort of like being jack of all trades types where you don't have to worry about things slipping past you. Doesn't that get confusing to know where information's coming from or who you're supposed to be fighting all the time?
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Not particularly, no. I'm the Eleventh of Her Majesty the Tsaritsa's Harbingers--all of us have our own divisions and handle our business as we need to. I can't speak for the others, but I trust my subordinates to track their information properly before they bring it to me.
[Which is part of what makes it harder here, given that he's always believed everyone here is capable of backstabbing and murder.]
I'm a bit of an outlier, though, compared to the others. I've always preferred battling in the light to scheming in the shadows, the way they do.
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That doesn't surprise me. You're not really good at being subtle all the time. [just saying.] But...so does that mean the Harbingers are good guys or neutral guys in this whole thing?
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well,]
Oh, they're much worse than I am. Signora stole the Anemo Archon's Gnosis right out of his chest! At least I wanted to fight Rex Lapis for his!
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Even if you're probably crazy, I don't know if I can totally admit you're a bad person. [but also. why!]
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I'm only "kind of" a bad guy, wouldn't you say? I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting a good fight against an equal match. [Of course he doesn't.] Anyway, our goal will lead to peace eventually, if we do things correctly. Her Majesty is a kind woman--she's a true warrior. I don't mind being her pawn, if she's the one playing the game.
[The ends justify the means, is kind of the whole deal.]
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...is that how you've been approaching this whole thing with me, too? [squinting.]
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Have I been treating you the way I would the Tsaritsa, you mean?
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No. You're very different people, and I'm here for myself.
[Even when he suspected her of starting the killing, he never viewed her the same way he views the Tsaritsa.
Though, that said--]
Isn't that what we are, though? Our indulgences help you, as well as ourselves, but you have power over us that we couldn't fight against, if we wanted to. [Not with all the abilities they have at their disposal, and not with their ability to revive.] What else does that make us?
[To his credit, he does try to say it gently. He doesn't seem that bothered about it, either. Just accepting, as if this is nothing outside the usual.]
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I was just wondering. That's all.
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[But he shrugs.]
But, as I've said before--this is a reflection of me, not you. I don't expect anyone else to think the way I do.
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I'd be concerned if you did agree with it, Iris.
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Then...guess you can just say I'm on the path next to you for as long as I can be. They'll divide eventually, but until then...[a shrug.]