Divinity in mortal | Childe x Zhongli

Pending debt

As usual, Childe woke up with the first rays of sunshine. He cleaned himself up to put on his Snezhnaya uniform, tidied his room and started his day after a grand breakfast at the Bank.

He headed for the offices of the Fatuus agents to look for the debt collectors. Their loud conversations could be heard from the downstairs. Goodness, it's still early, Childe thought. Not because any of them were still asleep, but in the morning he didn't wake up in the mood for loud talking like that.

"Good morning", Childe greeted from the doorway, tapping on the wood. Dead silence was created in the room. He couldn't help but laugh. "Gee, pardon me, I spoiled your moods."

"Good morning, Lord Tartaglia!", all the agents greeted in unison, turning to the Harbinger.

"I'd like to talk to Javert", he announced.

Another silence fell in the room. All the comrades turned to look at Javert from the corner of their eyes, some more discreetly than others. Javert took a couple of steps towards the 11th Harbinguer, "Yes, Sir."

"Thank you", Childe expressed his gratitude. He waved for him to follow to another room by flashing him a reassuring smile, which achieved the opposite effect. "Relax, go about your business", the Harbinger added.

Javert followed him a few steps behind, in total silence. Tartaglia was one of the few superiors who did not punish his agents but still dealing with a Harbinger directly imposed. Tartaglia entered his office and held the door for Javert to pass. The agent couldn't help but stretch his hands out, he could already feel the nervous sweat.

Childe made his way to the desk and leaned forward, placing both hands on the table. Javert wasn't quite sure whether to sit down or continue standing there by the door just in case.

"Relax, have a seat if you want", Tartaglia instructed him as if he had read his mind. Javert walked over to the table where Childe was standing but didn't take a seat either. He stayed just in front of him, a few steps away. "Thank you."

"Javert, I was looking at the reports on Yungsheng Teahouse", the agent couldn't help but audibly swallow saliva. "I saw that you have taken on this debt collection task yourself and I would like to ask you a couple of questions", Childe explained.

Tartaglia's gaze did not stray from Javert at any moment. The agent could feel himself drowning in the dull blue of the red-haired man's eyes, they were like a sea of stormy waters. "Y-yes, Sir", he managed to reply.

"Calm down, it's just...curiosity", Childe said in an attempt to make the agent feel more comfortable. He could tell how he was stiff as a stick. He doubted he could think straight and was genuinely interested in the answers he had to share. "I have seen that they have a lot of debt, they will hardly be able to continue with the business of selling tea... if they do what they say they do..... What did you find when you went to inspect?"

"I don't know what you mean, Sir", replied the agent.

"Sorry, I was no clear. What kind of treasures were you able to impound from that place?", rephrased Tartaglia.

"I did not inspect the treasures, Sir. My task was only to announce an ultimatum."

Tartaglia laughed, "Don't worry, you can tell me with complete confidence. I will not punish you for stealing."

"I-it was as I said, Sir. I didn't take anything. I just took a look around and they didn't seem to have anything of value other than Mora", even if Tartaglia had made it clear that it wasn't an interrogation for punishment, somehow he was more nervous about the Harbinger's calm tone.

"Oh, I see", Tartaglia replied. He paused briefly to think about his next question and for Javert it was like two hours of punishment, keeping his eyes on the Harbinger. "What did they say about the ultimatum?"