GNOSIS | Xiao

CHAPTER 12 | If I Said Goodbye, I'm Lying

My knees were starting to hurt from kneeling on the cold floor, Her Majesty seems to still have her bad habit of taking her time arriving.

My ears twitched as I heard the large doors open.

"Little Fox, what are you doing here?" The Tsarista asked, her cold yet smooth voice drew closer as she walked towards me, "Stand and tell me the situation,"

I did as she told, bowing slightly as she passed, "Yes. Signora has been successful in retrieving Morax's Gnosis although Liyue is now missing their Archon..." I trailed off thinking slightly bitter thoughts towards Zhongli. He had the nerve, I could give him that, the nerve to just simply fake his death. Perhaps I should try that, if it's something the Geo Archon is allowed to do why can't I? Make an escape from this world and live a new life.

"Wonderful...is that all you're here for?" She asked, gracefully pacing around the room.

"Uh no, Your Highness," I watched her nod for me to continue, "I would like to request to resign from the Fatui Harbingers,"

The Tsarista stopped in her tracks, "You...want to leave? Why? Did something happen? Did any of the others threaten your position as the First?"

"No no no, you've misunderstood. I want to resign since I've been here for thousands of years already...I think the Harbingers can make do with a new and fresh head. Furthermore, I...have some unfinished business in Liyue," I explained carefully. Talking that politely is tiring but if I made a mistake, no matter how much The Tsarista favoured me I could be stuck as an icicle for another few thousand years.

"Rex Lapis wants to take my own people away. Well I guess you did belong to him first...but your with me now," She said, resuming her pacing. I bit my lip at how much that sounded like we were in a relationship. As if I would ever even hold hands with that stinky old rock.

"I guess there isn't much I can do if Rex Lapis wants you back and you have decided to leave...I will grant you permission to leave the Fatui Harbingers," The Tsarista sighed, the air turning noticbly colder, "Take care Little Fox. I will find a suitable candidate for your position...is there anything else you may like before you leave?"

I met my eyes with her soft blue ones before smiling, "Yes. One thing, and it will benefit your cause to retrieving all the Gnoses. Would you please send La Signora to Inazuma to retrieve the Raiden Shogun's Gnosis?"

"The Fair Lady? I have already assigned this task to The Ballader since he is from Inazuma...however having her assist him would be very beneficial. I would take your thoughts into consideration," The Tsarista walked over to me before placing her hands on my mask.

"If your leaving, there is no need for this anymore, your face is quite pretty," She held the mask between her fingers

Wow what a simp, but at least Signora is now going to have fun in Inazuma with the short, slightly crazy hat boy.

I waited at the docks of Snezhnaya for a boat to arrive.

"Who-" I felt a hand on my shoulder before grabbing it.

"Don't touch m- oh Childe if you. I thought it would have been Scaramouche," I muttered

"Scaramouche? Why would he look for you?" Childe paused for a while, "Hey, wouldn't your boyfriend be jealous is he saw us holding hands?"

"What?" I looked down at my hand still gripping Childe's before immediately yanking it away, "Ew. And no. What boyfriend. Get your big nose out of my personal business,"

"How rude, and still, you haven't answered my question yet. And where's your mask? Wait why are you at the docks?" He asked

"You gave me 3 questions. Which one do you want the answer to first?" I sighed.