Ruby Red Blood (Genshin X F!Reader)

Seven Archons... Wait Was It Kites?

"Ah, sir, you're here. The seven kites you asked for have made to order. Would you like to take them now?" the toy seller, Granny Shan asked Zhongli.

"Yes. Thank you."

"It's rare to see customers who want to buy these type of kite nowadays. In the early days, we used to get orders from people of all walks of life..." the old lady looked at a big kite beside her, a red dragon with all kinds of colors, handmade.

"Well, this is Mr. Zhongli from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, so he's probably well versed in all these walks of life." Paimon explained to the old lady. "We've talked about a whole bunch of things while traveling with him..."

"Fashion, economics, jewelry and Jade pottery..." Aether said, and then took up new examples. "Tea, perfumes, flora and fauna..."

"He seems to know Liyue's favorite topics, money and government, really well, but he likes talking about less useful topics instead." Paimon face palmed, to which Zhongli argued back.

"Well, that's because I prefer to share fun things with you." he smiled a little.

"Children's toys are very fun things, that's for sure. I enjoy watching the children at play as much as anyone else. But there is more to it than that." Shan said with an old and nice smile. "Finely crafted toys are well-loved by children. But this craft itself has been honed over thousands of years, and there is meaning behind that. I have made kites in Liyue for over forty years, and I am intimately familiar with the forms passed down by my ancestors. The meaning of these seven kites are far from banal." Granny Shan seemed interested in why it was so.

"Indeed. These are decorations used in the Rite of Parting. The seven kites represent the Seven." Zhongli said, though Shen already knew that was the answer.

"I took the liberty of coloring outside the lines when doing the insignia of the Anemo Archon. As for the kite that honors the Geo Archon, one must follow the contract given right down to the last letter. These patterns are ancient, and you can also find them in the Golden House."

"Ah, Paimon's heard tat name before-"

"Paimon, stop talking, you are interrupting her." (Y/N) said, trying to make it sound like she was simply scolding the child for her manners, when there was more behind it.

"Ah, sorry..." Paimon said and rubbed the back of her neck with a nervous smile.

"The design of this kite displays a firm grasp on the cyclicality and eternity so dear to the Electro Archon." Zhongli muttered to himself as he looked at the kite. "These markings of three and leaf pay due honor to wisdom and the passage of time. All this, on a single kite - truly astonishing. Justice flows across the surface of the waters, war rages like a flame, as does that which the Cryo Archon once... yes, these details are masterfully done." he seemed happy about the resul,t and smiled at the old kite maker.

"Hehehe, the compliments of a learned man truly are pleasant."

"Well then, Granny Shan, I shall take these back with me. As for the payment..."

"Uh-Oh!" Aether said as (Y/N) simply rolled her eyes, ready to check her money pouch, just as a voice spoke up and a person put a hand on her shoulder. Sure, she had known who was there, but hoped he wouldn't step forward.

"Well, allow me." Childe said with a grin on his face, as he looked over (Y/N)'s shoulder.

"I am quite sure I have the right amount in my bag, thank you." (Y/N) said, taking up her Mora bag.

"Oh no, a fine lady like you should not do such thing. Allow a gentleman to pay instead." he tried.

"And where is this gentleman whom you're speaking of? It is not Zhongli, I know him well enough to understand that." she could almost see the tick mark by the red haired boy's head.

"Now, don't be like that." Childe said, trying to not sound annoyed.

"I am being just like that though." (Y/N) said. "We're not in debt to you."

"Ah, so that's it! Of course you aren't, and letting me pay won't put you there. This I can pay with my own pocket money."

And so he paid before the girl could say another word.

"Ah-" and she got a mad and depressing aura.

"Wow, (Y/N) really hates Childe, right?" Paimon said to Aether, who could only sweat drop with a smile and nod.

"She's definitively not to mess with." he could already see her, with a murderer's aura, and red shining eyes, along with her majestic scythe. It would have been pretty but commanding, only if it isn't you who are the victim.

"Let us go over to the next step in our preparations, since buying kites went off without a hassle. The Rite of Parting requires helping hands as well as materials. We should be able to find some people near the harbor." Zhongli explained what to do now.

"Oh, and by the way Aether, take this bag of money. You probably won't want to let Zhongli do the bargaining, if you know what I mean." and so the four left the Fatui Harbinger to his own business, however, (Y/N) could still hear his words he muttered to himself as they left.

"Hmm... it seems I missed out on some interesting information.... I suppose I'll just have to find a more opportune moment next time." he said, and she could practically hear the smirk in his voice.

Whew... that took longer than a week to post = longer than ever done...

My schedule this week:

Priority one: write Ruby Red since you have not updated in a while.

Priority two: read Cucumber Quest when priority one is finished.

...

Okay, but seriously, Cucumber Quest is so good, I couldn't help it.

... Sowwy...

Heh, once I've finished Cucumber Quest, Ima write a fanfic to it! Who do you think I should make a love interest?

Hope you enjoyed~!

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