"It seems you've run into some trouble!"
"Trouble is an understatement. Craftworld Finlay is facing total annihilation!"
"Heehee, but the Craftworld is already destroyed, isn't it? Do you really have the time and resources to build a new one?"
The Harlequin's words cut straight to the cold, hard truth. In this age of Aeldari decline, building a single battleship was considered an extraordinary feat, let alone a Craftworld. Even if these survivors managed to endure, their best hope was to be absorbed into another Craftworld.
"The Laughing God told us that there is a stage here for us to display our craft. You are welcome to stay as the audience, of course, though the other spectators joining you might be a bit... restless."
The Farseers could never truly grasp what these gaudily dressed kin of theirs were planning. "Does this mean you intend to cover our retreat?"
"No, we will not cover you. We are here to meet our audience. Oh, it seems they've arrived."
The Harlequin sprinted out with a giggle. Asira had no time to waste on these lunatics. He immediately turned to the Seers. "We must find a way to destroy this Webway Gate. If the Tyranids enter the Webway, the consequences will be unthinkable!"
The Seers exchanged looks. "Regardless, retreat first. We will be the last to leave. If the risk is truly that great, we will destroy it ourselves."
These Seers, who usually spent their days bickering and attacking one another, finally set aside their malice to secure a path of survival for their people.
...
The Harlequin Troupe had received a revelation three days ago. Ten minutes after the prophecy arrived, their Solitaire had returned to their side, prepared to perform the most dangerous and magnificent show of his life.
Within a Harlequin Troupe, the Solitaire is the most enigmatic and lethal member. In the Aeldari tongue, they are known as Arebennian—the avatar of doom. They play the role of the Prince of Pleasure herself, the one who destroyed the Aeldari Empire and its pantheon. Their souls are already claimed by Slaanesh; when they don that perilous mask to perform, other Aeldari dare not even speak to them, for even a simple exchange is said to invite the most terrible curses.
On the battlefield, a Solitaire is an unrivaled terror. His skill ensures that no blade can touch him. To the supposedly powerful Tyranids, he was nothing but a flash of light followed by the sound of chitinous heads hitting the ground.
The Solitaire was preparing to push his assault further when the other Harlequins suddenly stopped. The Tyranids had halted their attack—a thing unheard of.
"That mask of yours is quite interesting."
The voice came from behind him, sending a jolt of genuine horror through the Solitaire.
"It looks a bit like a certain someone in the Warp... Hiss... I think the name was Slaanesh?"
The moment that name was uttered, the other Harlequins instinctively recoiled in fear. Only the Solitaire did not flinch.
"Come then. I am the Prince of Pleasure, here in search of ultimate joy!"
"That's a bit ridiculous. Slaanesh doesn't talk like that. She's just a little sister who wants to be an older sister," Yuno complained, reaching out to fiddle with the Solitaire's costume.
The Solitaire's Harlequin's Kiss was primed to fire, but he knew that if he made the slightest move, the creature appearing as a human woman behind him would kill him instantly.
"Stop teasing him. These Harlequins are excellent actors; they aren't that afraid of Slaanesh, after all. Cegorach protects them."
Another man appeared, looking like the leader of these monsters. Yet, could the Swarm truly have such a leader? The Solitaire didn't know.
"I originally only intended to borrow this Craftworld's Webway, but I didn't expect to run into a Harlequin Troupe. What brings you here?"
Ignoring Yuno behind him, the Solitaire gave Yuki a deep, theatrical bow. "To perform the most beautiful and magnificent play, of course!"
"What is that fellow Cegorach planning now?"
"Yuno, that might be the ultimate mystery of this universe."
"Come! Since death is inevitable, why not let us laugh aloud?"
"Actually, we... forget it. It's no fun to just eat a Harlequin Troupe the moment we meet them."
The Solitaire could feel that both entities before him had taken an interest in him—exactly what Cegorach would have wanted.
"However, if you want us to spare those pathetic Aeldari, you'll have to give us a good enough reason."
"Then allow us to offer the most perfect drama and the two acts you love most. You won't find another troupe in the entire galaxy with a repertoire as rich as ours."
These words didn't come from the Solitaire, but from the Troupe Master. Yuki looked at him and remarked, "I imagine almost every Harlequin Troupe says that."
He then turned to Yuno. "What do you think? Any ideas? This little bit of meat doesn't mean much anyway. We've already got the star charts and our little snacks."
Yuno shrugged. "Whatever works."
Yuki nodded, agreeing to the Harlequin's bargain. "Very well. Before we depart, you had better satisfy us. Use that to earn your chance at life."
...
"Are you looking forward to the Harlequins' performance?"
Yuki held Yuno from behind; her hair was still damp with water. Even the Great Devourer's physical form required cleaning occasionally to flush out inorganic waste. Besides, a bath added a certain atmosphere.
"To be honest, I am. They are the finest performers in the universe. It's said their portrayal of Slaanesh once scared the regular Aeldari half to death."
Yuno swatted away Yuki's purposefully wandering hand, her expression one of mock annoyance. "Can you get straight to the point?"
"Shouldn't I build up the mood first?" Yuki continued. "And besides, it seems Cegorach has noticed our situation as well."
"What use is that coward hiding in the Webway? If Slaanesh hadn't been too busy to deal with them, how many Aeldari gods would even be left?"
"I was thinking... during their performance, we could move the fleet further away to thin the Shadow in the Warp. That way, perhaps even Slaanesh could enjoy the show."
"What if she interrupts our viewing?"
"Then we'll just have to have a little 'chat' with her first. I wonder if these actors can complete their performance in front of the real thing? I'm quite looking forward to it."
"Perhaps Cegorach would enjoy that too."
Yuki rested his hand on Yuno's waist. "Do you think Slaanesh is watching us right now?"
"If she really is watching, I'll go into the Warp and gouge her eyes out."