Even Ghosts Wither || Hu Tao x Reader 🥀

The Exorcist and the Feiyun Commerce

Hello! I've found out that listening to the Gerudo Valley theme from Legend of Zelda has given me motivation to write so tada

Also! I've recently finished Persona 5 and it was so good!! Probably one of my favorite animes I've seen, but I wouldn't say it tops Bungou Stray Dogs 😌🙏 I'm gonna start Devilman Crybaby after this bc I've heard a lot about it and I wanna hop on the wagon so here I am

Quick side note too, the chat between Childe and Signora contains minor Liyue story spoilers so finish the quests first if you haven't already if you don't want to be spoiled!

Anyway, enjoy!!

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(Childe's POV)

It was a little past midday, and the sun would be setting on the horizon in 2 hours or so. Liyue surely was a hot nation, nothing like Childe was used to in Snezhnaya. He was walking up the red stairs to get to the Northland Bank when he saw Zhongli sitting by the storyteller, listening to the tales about ancient Liyue and Rex Lapis. Childe smiled and waved at him before he kept walking and arrived at the bank. Taking a step inside, there was no one else in there except for her. A fairly tall woman with long white hair, a red-and-black cape with black fur near the top and a large black headpiece. She wore a white dress that draped to a warm grey at the bottom. She looked over at him when he entered.

??? | "Childe, you're late." The woman said.

Childe | He laughed, a little bit nervously. "Haha, I apologize for making you wait Signora. I ran into a little fiasco on the way. Anyways, you acquired the Anemo Archon's gnosis, yes?" 

La Signora | "Of course. In fact, that poor little bard didn't stand a chance. I can't believe that's what Mondstadt considers a god." She scuffed. "The Tsaritsa wishes for the Lord of Geo's next, this time it's your turn." 

Childe | "But now that Rex Lapis is dead, where could it be? Any part of Liyue is a possibility." 

La Signora | "I have two leads for you on where it could be." Signora, however, was lying to him. She knew exactly where the gnosis was, and who's possession it was in. She lied to keep the plan in motion, and have Childe running around in circles bringing chaos to the land. This was only the opening act. "First is the Golden House, right off the edge of the harbor. Its bathing in riches and Mora, but the Millelith is guarding it heavily. Nothing someone such as yourself can't handle, though. The second location is-"

Signora was interrupted by the sound of knocking on the bank door, then a Fatui Agent entering and kneeling on the floor to the two Harbingers. Both Childe and Signora looked over when the agent entered. 

Fatui Agent | "Pardon the interruption. Lady Signora, the Tsaritsa is requesting your help. It is urgent." The agent said, still on one knee bowing.

La Signora | "Don't you know it is rude to barge in on an important conversation?" She sighed before turning to Childe. "We'll continue our discussion later, then." She then walked over to the door, motioning for the agent to get up off the ground. "Farewell, Childe." And with that, they were gone. 

Childe | He watched as Signora and the agent left, sighing to himself. "That woman is always so strange." He mumbled. "So the Golden House, huh?"

He stayed silent for a moment, thinking about where the other location could be before walking out of the Northland Bank. As he was walking back down the stairs, he crossed the storyteller again. Zhongli was still sitting in the back, so Childe decided to go sit with him. 

Childe | "Still listening to the stories of the past?" He asked, sitting beside him.

Zhongli | He looked over at Childe when he sat down before nodding and looking back in front of him. "Of course. Liyue has some of the best history."

Childe | "Don't you think you've heard it all already?" Childe wondered why this was what he did in his freetime. Its no surprise he's practically all knowledgeable, though.

Zhongli | "Who knows. There is always at least one story that gets lost in history."

Childe looked at him for a moment before looking in front of himself, thinking about what Signora said. The Golden House, heavily guarded by the Millelith which the Tianquan Ningguang could've sent to guard the gnosis that she took from Rex Lapis's vessel. Or..

Childe | "Say, Zhongli. You preformed the Rite of Parting for Rex Lapis since the Qixing didn't follow the tradition, right?" 

(Y/N's POV)

Hu Tao | "You're leaving Liyue already?" 

(Y/N) | You look up, not expecting that response from her. "Oh, uhh, that's what I plan on doing." 

Hu Tao | "Ugh, that's so lame." She sighed.

(Y/N) | "W-What's that supposed to mean?!" 

Hu Tao | "I meaaann what I said! If you're going to come to Liyue for the Lantern Rite, then stick around a little to see what the rest of Liyue has to offer, hehe!" Hu Tao responded, taking a large bite out of the food. "Mmmm that hits the spot!" 

(Y/N) | "I guess I never thought about that.." You murmur, looking at the harbor around you.

As you glance around, your eye catches something. A girl, about 5'2 seemed to be coming your way. She had purple hair with twin tails and a short purple-and-white dress and long black tights with heels. She had sort of this elegant aura around her. 

(Y/N) | "Hey, Hu Tao. Who's that?" You ask, lowering your voice as you point towards the girl.

Hu Tao | She looked over to where you pointed, seeing the girl she seemed to be alarmed. "Eep! That's Keqing, she's the Yuheng of the Qixing. She's hard to talk to and uptight..and her opinions are..well, ah...strong. It almost makes me want to mess with her, but she might hit me with her sword.."

(Y/N) | Yeah, maybe its best you don't do that. You think, looking at Hu Tao before at the girl. "Keqing..I wonder what the Yuheng is doing out in the open in the harbor. More importantly, why she's coming this way.."

Keqing walked up the stairs to get to the tables before turning to the left, where the two boys were instead of where you and Hu Tao were. 

Keqing | "I am Keqing, Yuheng of the Qixing. You there, you are the exorcist Chongyun, correct?" 

Chongyun | He looked up at Keqing and nodded to her. "Oh, I am." 

Keqing | "There is an evil spirit in Cuijue Slope that the Qixing is hoping you can deal with. It is not that strong right now, but we want it stopped before it grows into anything worse. Our hands are a bit full right now, and you are the second most trustable source that we can rely on to deal with this." 

Chongyun | He slightly glanced over at the boy beside him before standing up. "I would be glad to accept. I will make sure the evil spirit is exorcised and report back to the Qixing when I am done." He said with a bow. 

Keqing | "Thank you, the Qixing will remember this." Keqing nodded to him before leaving. 

??? | The boy beside Chongyun nudged him a bit after he sat back down. "Got a new job now don'tcha? Directly from the Qixing this time, too." 

Hu Tao | After discreetly eavesdropping on the conversation, Hu Tao looked back over at you. "This could be a perfect chance, yea?" 

(Y/N) | "Chance for what?" 

Hu Tao | "To show you around Liyue! We could join Master Xingqiu and Chongyun over there on their trip to Cuijue Slope then split up when they're done with their job."

(Y/N) | "Xingqiu, Chongyun..you know them? And you're going? But what about what you need to do for the funeral parlor?" 

Hu Tao | "I know them, a little bit~" She giggled. "I can get Zhongli to watch over it while I'm gone! He may not look it, but he's a pretty good fighter yknow." 

(Y/N) | "But.." Your voice trailed off as you watched Hu Tao stand up and walk over to them, waving. 

Hu Tao | "Yoh, Master Xingqiu, Chongyun!" 

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