DUTY | 𝗔 Chili 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗰 | GENSHIN IMPACT

5. Lumine

a/n
this story is set up in my own au, where the main character siblings are both in Liyue and have reunited.

--

"I apologise if I'm intruding on any plans you might've had today."

Zhongli and Childe walked across Liyue with Qiqi as they made their way to meet a so-called 'friend' of Childe.

"Haha, not at all, Zhongli. It's perfectly fine. I had nothing planned, really. I thought it might be best for us to go to a friend of mine first. She has a little something I need."

She? Was Childe talking about his... no. It's none of my business. I must not stick my nose into his business. These thoughts fervently swirled in Zhongli's head, contrasting the calm, composed facade he had plastered on.

--

"Ah, here we are! Lumine told me to meet her here."

Childe entered the Liuli Pavilion, gesturing Zhongli and Qiqi to come with him. 

"Excuse me sir, you need to reserve the dining hall to dine here." A cook called out from the kitchen.

At that very moment, a young blonde girl with short hair decorated with flowers, she had wide, doll-like amber eyes and sported outlandish clothes that even Zhongli had never seen before strutted into the restaurant. 

"They're with me." She responded curtly, her doll-like face and girly voice contrasting her serious, confident posture. 
The cook looked taken aback, and at a clear loss of words.

"Ah-Ah, Miss Lumine, of course." She stuttered, heading back into the kitchen.

As Lumine began to sit down on her seat, a small, pixie, or maybe a child, with white hair and unusual clothes poked out from behind her. It swirled around in the air, taking a seat next to Lumine. Childe, Zhongli and Qiqi sat down on opposite sides to them.

"Why if it isnt CHILDE. Not only showing up fashionably late, but also bringing a hoard of uninvited guests!" Huffed the little pixie. Childe laughed awkwardly.

"Ah, sorry Paimon, something came up and I thought I'd just bring them here. I hope you dont mind."

Lumine shook her head.

"It's fine. Hello. I'm Lumine." She said, as she turned to Zhongli.

"Greetings, I'm Zhongli. It's a pleasure to meet you."

How does this woman know Childe?

Paimon turned to the menu, peering inside with great interest. 
"Lumine, Lumine, they sell grilled tiger fish! Paimon loves traditional food!"

Zhongli shook his head.

"Actually, grilled tiger fish is a recipe that has only surfaced recently. It was heavily inspired by the Grilled Egg Stew, an old Yue-style classic. Many Liyue restaurants have adapted to the new recipe and have added their own twists ever since." (a/n- this isnt actual lore, just made it up)

Lumine eyed Zhongli skeptically.

"Zhongli sure knows a whole lot about Liyue food, maybe he could teach Paimon some too.. Maybe get her some taste testers while he's at it too? Hehe..." Grinned Paimon, a sliver of drool leaving her mouth.

Lumine picked up her menu, reading through the options.
 
"Mr. Zhongli, you seem to know a lot about traditional cuisine, but wasn't all of this last seen over a century ago?"

Lumine's statement caught Childe's attention too.

"Yeah, come to think of it, you know everything! It's as if you've been alive for centuries, haha!"

..

"Haha, how preposterous. One could only dream to live for that long."

---

"Here's the bill!"

Lumine and Paimon looked at Childe expectantly.

"You want ME to pay after YOU invited ME?"

"We're not the ones who wanted to schedule a fight, remember?" Paimon crossed her arms. 

Childe sighed in defeat, putting a bag of mora, which Zhongli was sure had more mora than how much the bill was, on top of the check. 

"It was wonderful getting to know you, Lumi--"

Zhongli was cut off midway, by Qiqi, who had just woken up. Oh, right. They had completely forgotten that she came with them. 

"Cocogoat..."

Cocogoat?

Everyone in the room stared at Qiqi, who was only half awake, with curiosity. 

"Qiqi wants cocogoat milk.."

Paimon gasped.

"She means coconut milk! Qiqi, I had no idea you had such fine taste in milk!" Paimon cried, dramatic tears forming in her eyes.

"Ah, anyway, you guys must be busy. I'll see you later. Come on Paimon."

Paimon and Lumine walked out of the pavilion, leaving Childe and Zhongli with an only half conscious zombie.

"Zhongli, do you happen to know what she's talking about?"

Zhongli looked deflated. 

"Ah, no-no, unfortunately I don't. I've never heard of this 'cocogoat'.. unless it's a new breed.."

Qiqi jumped off her chair in delight, (although it was hard to tell, since her expression barely changed.)

"Qiqi remembers. Qiqi met a cocogoat at Wuwang Hill."

"Wuwang Hill?! I'm not sure that's such a good idea.. why don't we look for a cocogoat somewhere else, right, Zhongli?"

Hmm? Is Childe scared? No, that can't be. Childe isn't immature enough for something like that.. Perhaps he's busy? No. Zhongli knew immediately. Childe was hiding something, and Zhongli needed to find out what.

"I think we should go."

--



Word count: 801


a/n
childe sus 😳