Destined for greatness, she left it all behind. Destined to be one of the most influential Tayū within Inazuma, (Y/N) fled the Yukaku with intentions to explore Teyvat yonder. Alas, every journey has its challenges along the way. Will she be free fr...
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❉ ╤╤╤╤ ✿ ╤╤╤╤ ❉
After retrieving the bell and entrusting it to Zhongli's care, Aether and you took our time walking to the next item on the shopping list, Paimon making sure to fill your ears with questions she had bottled up until this moment. Aether seemed only to listen, his gaze never straying far from you.
"Does that mean you have some kind of contract with Mr. Zhongli, (Y/N)?"
"I suppose so, Paimon." You answered Paimon's one-hundredth question, finding the ground to be the most interesting thing in the awkwardness. Aether still hadn't spoken.
Looking up to give your neck a break, you were met with Aether's eyes until he bashfully glanced away once noticing his staring. Of course, your thoughts wouldn't allow for any positives, so you assumed that maybe Aether was frustrated that you hadn't told him your secret earlier. Zhongli said he would be at the stall once you had arrived. The old man got distracted plenty, so there was no need to rush.
Eventually, you wound up standing before a withered wooden table that presented kites of many shapes and sizes, all magnificently crafted in their own ways. You thought the kites were familiar—a distant toy or a time in your life that your brain had deemed unimportant. Aether was the first to jump into a conversation with the old woman that sold the kites, with Zhongli taking over once he had finally arrived. You completely zoned out, your surroundings becoming a watercolour painting as you focused on a certain kite.
The kite was shaped to resemble a small rabbit, and its light paper of red and white brought forth designs that were dotted all around the body. You couldn't take your eyes off the kite; it was as if they had been charmed by an enchantment that struck the mind and soul. The arrival of none other than the ginger harbinger was the only thing that could break your trance. "Well, allow me." Childe offered, sending you a sly wink as he approached.
"Hey, it's Childe!" Paimon noted the obvious, to which you only rolled your eyes.
"Come to haul me back, harbinger." You asked in a tone of annoyance. Childe only chuckled in return.
"Haha, I would never embarrass you like that; I was just passing through!"
Yeah, right.
"I see Mr. Zhongli's the same as ever. "When paying—well, when getting others to pay for him, he neither looks at the price tag nor his wallet." Childe explained, earning a chuckle from you. "He just doesn't consider poverty to be something that could happen to him."
For once, you agreed with the harbinger yet also envied Zhongli, who was neither bound nor worried about Mora in any way. The careless Zhongli only laughed off Childe's jokes, returning focus to the task at hand almost immediately, as he suggested moving on to the next requirement without any break. "The materials should be located near the docks, as well as helping hands."
"Oh, by the way," Childe halted Aether, about to walk off to the docks without bidding farewell. "Take this bag of money. You don't want Zhongli to do the bargaining, nor (Y/N); she'll probably spend it all on cakes and baozi."
"Hey!" You cursed the rude harbinger, and you were about to start a scuffle if Aether wasn't there to pull you away.
.•° ✿ °•.
Arriving at the docks, which were bustling with locals and travellers alike enjoying and preparing for the festivities, you were pulled over to talk with a few workers in hopes of acquiring help. When asking for the help of Tic, Tac, and Toe, the prices kept rising, which didn't bother Zhongli in the slightest, yet it required some bargaining tricks from Aether to settle at a reasonable price.
It wasn't long till you met with Childe again, to your dismay. "All finished? Splendid! The leftover cash is yours to keep—a reward from the Fatui."
"You think you can buy us off with some loose change? No way!" Paimon crossed her arms in disappointment, to which you joined in with the fairy.
"Exactly, this is beyond slave labor." You said, wanting to ping Childe off.
"Oh, but you are my slave." The harbinger mumbled, yet his voice was loud enough for you to unfortunately hear.
"I beg your pardon?! I'll have you kno—"
"Any who! If you give me the information I need, I might be able to leave the Northland Bank's vault unattended for half an hour...."
"What information do you need!?" Paimon took the deal with no hesitation whatsoever and earned a frustrated sigh from Aether. "Do you know what information, Aether?"
Aether leant over to try and conceal what he was about to say. "Are you forgetting what happened in Monstadt?"
"What happened in Monstadt?" You inquired, mind racing with possibilities.
"Yikes! Signora!" Paimon gasped.
The atmosphere suddenly got so tense that it seemed to suffocate. Childe's mood didn't appear so playful anymore, as did Aether, who looked at the harbinger with a nasty scowl.
"You both need to calm down...what's gotten into you?" Childe questioned. "Just what is this about?"
You were curious and desperate to know what happened in Monstadt and why Childe was responding in a passive-aggressive manner. Thankfully, Zhongli showed up and cut through the awkwardness.
"Some everlasting incense is required. This is available at the Bubu pharmacy—is... everything okay?"
"Everything is fine." Childe stated. "Now, I must be leaving." And with that, the harbinger left, leaving you all in a confused stupor.
Your eyes met Aether's again, this time full of concern. "Care to explain, Aether? Paimon?"
Tad underwhelming chapter for a grand return but I suppose it's something.
