Holy shit. He said I looked familiar. Oh no, oh no, oh no.
"I'm sure I've seen you somewhere." Childe sneers. "Maybe on a fucking wanted poster?"
I internally flinch back. Yep, he knows who I am.
"Perhaps," I say, trying to keep it short.
"You're wanted in Snezhnaya." He growls.
"This isn't Snezhnaya." Paimon looks shocked, while Zhongli looks like this is just an inconvenience.
I won't win in a fight. I've heard what this guy is capable of from Traveler. He's not above hurting civilians. And there is no way I could take on Childe and Zhongli. I'm sure he would want to protect Childe.
Childe is fuming, but Zhongli takes a step in front of me.
"Childe, this is not the time." He says, his back to me.
"What do you mean this isn't the time?! He has gone through multiple Fatui strongholds, leaving little to no one alive." Childe shrikes, pointing at me.
"And how many have the Fatui killed?" I can't help but ask. Trying to prove a point.
"Diluc..." Paimon starts, worry lacing Paimon's voice.
Despite knowing I can't win, I can't help but antagonize him. "How many people have you killed? How many innocent people have you put in danger?" Filthy fucking harbinger.
Childe takes a step forward, only to be blocked by Zhongli. "Darling, he isn't worth it. Remember what the Tianquan said."
"But-"
"No buts, he isn't worth it. Stop please, for me?" He says, moving to hold Childe's face in his hands.
"That's not fair," Childe says, leaning into the touch.
"There is no reason to start a fight with Barbados' plaything."
More anger. Fuck being civil.
"Right, because you love him. Harbinger, you are stupid if you think you are anything more than a blink of time for him. Nothing more than a pawn for the Tsaritsa and a moment of fun for Morax."
Everyone looks shocked at my words. I hope I'm not wrong about Zhongli, or else I just made a fool of myself.
Childe summons a hydro blade and clenches his teeth. Zhongli steps directly in front of me, blocking my view of the harbinger.
Paimon flies behind me, cowering.
Childe side-steps Zhongli, charging for me. Stopping inches from my face he points the tip of his blade to my throat.
"Say that again." He dares me, pressing the blade into my skin, drawing a small stream of blood. I glance down, where I have a small switchblade pressed against his stomach.
A stalemate. I could say it again, and he could lop my head off before I can puncture his skin, I could stab him now and cause an all-out fight, or I could stand down, taking my dignity down with me. None of which is preferable.
"Did I strike a nerve?" I can't stop talking now, though I don't much care for the idle chit-chat of it all.
"That is enough." A strong feminine voice calls out. Looking away from each other, Childe and I turn our attention to the woman.
"Lady Ningguang," Zhongli calls to her. "I can assure you that this was not going to go any further."
"We both know that isn't true, Mister Zhongli. Childe, I believe you remember what I said about you staying in Liyue?" This lady, Lady Ningguang says, walking forward.
"No starting fights." He says, his head down.
"Master Diluc, I believe you were to meet me thirty minutes ago. I assume this is why you are late."
Childe and I are still standing a lot closer than I would prefer, so I take a step back and do a small bow to Lady Ningguang. "My apologies, Tianquan."
"I'm sure you both are. Childe, we will talk about this later." She motions for me to follow her, and so I do. Waiting for Paimon to fly after her.
"I can assure you that I do not normally hold myself in such a manner, Lady Ningguang," I say, trying to keep up with her pace.
"I'm sure. Childe does have that effect on people." She pauses, glancing at me as we walk. "What caused him to act that way in the first place?" She asks.
Shit. I can't possibly tell her about Venti and Zhongli's true identities. Though she might have figured out Zhongli. From what I hear she is a smart woman.
"I might have gone on a killing spree in his country a few years back. That and I called him the Tsaritsa's pawn. Not my finest moment I'll admit." I answer, keeping my head high and looking forward.
To my surprise, she laughs.
"I've never seen anyone stand up to him in such a manner. He is a Fatui diplomat after all." She laughs again, opening the door to the chamber.
"Well, I'm not the biggest fan of the Fatui." Paimon stays quiet through the exchange, floating closer to me than anything else.
"Why are you quiet, Paimon? Usually, you have much to say." The Tianquan inquiries.
"That was just reeaalllyyy scary," Paimon says, moving to hold onto my coat.
"I'm sorry you had to witness that, Paimon." My apology is sincere, and I hope Paimon can tell. I didn't mean to scare Paimon. It kind of just happened.
"It's ok, Master Diluc. Just...Please don't do it again!" I smile and nod at Paimon, confirming that I wont.
"Now, I believe you were going to turn my offer down, Master Diluc?"
