The Puppet

Healing Wounds

"I'm eight years old and I can shoot better than someone who is probably three times my age." Diona commented as Childe missed the apple... again.

"Hey, I took on an Abyss Herold thing!" He snapped as the girl hit the apple. "I know what I'm doing!"

"Venti is a stupid drunk and he can shoot better than you!"

"I'll show you, kitty!"

"Barbara said you should take it easy, Mr. Childe." Klee said as she puts another apple on the barrel they were using for target practice. "You are still healing, aren't you?" Diona had annoyed Childe about his bow skills to the point where he challenged her to an archery battle to prove his isn't a bad archer with Klee as the self-appointed judge. The moved to the pier outside of Mondstadt and so far... Diona is winning.

"I've been here for two weeks..." He groaned, rubbing his neck. "The Quixing have already left, Hu Tao is trying to make a deal or something, Zhongli works for her, and I have no clue why Xiao is still here." He fires off another arrow and it hits the barrel.

"Aren't you a fatooi hairdresser person?" Klee asked. "Jean said that you are supposed to be strong and important... but why can't you shoot a bow correctly? Klee can get Amber-"

"Why are two kids picking on me?! Don't you have school or something?!" Childe snapped.

"Lisa teaches me!" Klee exclaimed.

"I will have to return to the Cat's Tail soon..." Diona mutters, aiming another arrow. "And be glad that I decided to help you with your aiming..."

"Why is a child working at a bar and I didn't ask for your help!" He said as she shot another arrow, just as the apple started floating upward into the hands of Venti. Diona still managed to hit it, however.

"Such disrespect for a wonderful fruit." Venti said before sneezing. "Even from this distance my allergies are s-still ah... ah..."

"Pineapple." Childe commented, which, in fact, stopped Venti from sneezing.

"Screw you..." He sniffed, glaring at the man who was giving him a cocky grin.

"Uncle Venti!"

"Ohhhhh! What do you want, drunkard?!"

He sniffed again. "I came to see if Mr. Childe here knew where the gentleman Zhongli is... I really need to speak with him... and I feel like he is avoiding me..." He finally sneezed after that.

"Who?" Klee asked.

"Eh... last time I've saw him he was with his boss. She's was trying to get the knights to sign up for her services or something." Childe said.

"Saw him near the Knight's headquarters." Diona said. "Or what's being rebuilt."

Venti thanked them, sneezed one more time, then went off to find him, munching on the cold and crisp apple after taking the arrow out­­. I already yelled at Kaeya for not telling me that Morax faked his death... He thought as he quickly made his way through the city. But why oh, WHY didn't that blockhead tell me anything?! AND WHY DOES HE KEEP AVOIDING ME!?! IS HE STILL UPSET ABOUT THAT VASE?! He finally found him with Hu Tao and one of the knights. He seems to be annoyed about something.

"Director Hu, I don't think they are going to budge on their decision." He said, exasperated.

"Zhongli, hush!" She said, snapping her fingers as close as she can to his face, which wasn't very close. "How about this? A personal burial ground for the knights plus custom coffins for those who have fallen. First ten people get a discount."