＊𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕘𝕤𝕥 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℍ𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕔𝕙𝕦𝕣𝕝𝕤＊

＊Chipstacks!!

After the visit at Northland Bank, Xuan demanded to take a break and eat something.

"We can't really stop now, we have to get a lot of things done." Aether said and Xuan frowned.

"Me tired! I stay at in spot here!" Xuan exclaimed as he crossed his arms.

"Urgh! We don't have time for this! Just come with us and we'll get you food along the way!" Paimon growled and flew over to the dual haired boy.

Paimon grabs Xuan by his hair and starts pulling at it, trying to dragging the boy along with hair.

"OW!! Beru si!" spat Xuan and he began pulling at Paimon's hair.

"OWOWOW!! Stop that!!" Yelled Paimon.

"No!! Ye biadam! Mi biat ye!!"

"I don't even know what that means! What are you even saying?!!"

The two began bickering while pulling at each other's hair. Aether only sighed, exasperated and fatigued at the two's antics.

·

The trio eventually meet up meeting Childe outside Liuli Pavilion.

"As promised, I have found someone who can help you. Someone who can solve the mystery of why the Liyue Qixing would hide the Geo Archon's vessel." Childe said.

"So where is he? Is he in Liuli Pavilion?" Asked Aether.

Childe nods, "He certainly is. Come, I'll introduce you. I took the liberty of setting up a business dinner, as per the Liyue custom."

Aether, Paimon, Xuan and Childe enter Liuli Pavilion, heading into one of the rooms of the building.

"Allow me to introduce Mr. Zhongli, consultant to an organization known as Wangsheng... and a trusted associate of the Fatui." Childe says as he gestured to a man sitting at a table filled with various dishes.

Both Xuan's and Paimon's attention were quickly drawn to the food. However, before they could rush over and dig in, they immediately restraint themselves as they felt Aether giving them a death glare.

Once Aether was sure Paimon and Xuan weren't going to pull any stunts, he spoke up, "So... Mr Zhongli is an associate of the Fatui at Wangsheng?"

"Indeed. Wangsheng's line of work can be... sensitive at times. Let's just say they understand when discretion is needed. And we, the Fatui, have always been glad to do business with friends who walk in the shadows." Childe explained.

Aether raises a brow, "Walk in the shadows?"

"It is an honor to meet you. I have heard tell of you from Mondstadt." Zhongli said.

While everyone seemed to be swept up in a conversation, Xuan decided to take a seat at the table and began grabbing his share of meat onto his own plate and began eating.

"Xuan! Don't take up all the good meat!" Yelled Paimon as she flew over to the table.

Just as Aether was about to scold the two, Childe stopped him.

"No need to get worked up now. Why don't you and Mr Zhongli get a few things done - I'll gladly watch over these two for you." Childe offered and Aether grew hesitant.

The moment the traveler saw Paimon and Xuan fighting over a piece of meat, Aether thought for a bit before coming to a final decision.

"I'll be on my way then! Why don't we get going now Mr Zhongli!" Aether says and he immediately exited the building.

The boy really didn't want to deal with Paimon and Xuan within that moment.

·

"My... chopsticks... truly are difficult to use..." Childe muttered and Xuan looked over at him with Paimon.

"Well, Paimon can show how to use them! It's quite simple!" Said the little pixie as she grabbed her own set of chopsticks.

Paimon then demonstrated how to correctly use the utensil. Unfortunately for Childe, he still couldn't get the hang of it.

"Guess I'm going to need some real practice for quite some time, huh?" Childe sheepishly smiled.

Xuan casually scoffed, "You is just bad using chipstacks."

"Ahem, chopsticks." Paimon corrected and Xuan rolled his eyes.

"Me show you! Look nicely, I is really good doing stuff!" Xuan proudly smiled as he grabbed his own set of chopsticks.

The boy stabs the chopsticks into his piece of meat, before stuffing his mouth.

"Tha's huow itssh doune!" Xuan exclaimed with food with his mouth.

Paimon gagged, "Urgh! Don't talk with food in your mouth! It's gross!"

Xuan swallowed the food in his mouth before blowing a raspberry at Paimon - who'd gasped in defence as a response.

Childe watched the two and laughed at how much they'd act like young siblings constantly fighting with one another.

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