Verisimilitude (GI Various x Reader)

Chapter Ten

        My life was irrevocably changed after my first meeting with the Anemo Archon all those years ago. Never would I have imagined I'd meet the people I would meet, nor make the friends I have made. Yet, even still... I never imagined I'd be sitting at a table in a fine Li-style restaurant in Liyue Harbor with both the Geo Archon and a Fatui Harbinger. There was a fine spread of Liyuean cuisine, but yet my nerves seemed to be getting the better of me and I was hardly hungry at the moment, even with all this delicious food before me. Not to mention expensive. I shot Childe a quick glance over the food and noticed his dead ocean-eyes staring straight into my soul almost. I broke our stare and coughed, opting to instead glance back over at the Geo Archon, or should I say, Zhongli of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

"It is a pleasure to have the company of one of your renown, Miss Oracle Knight. I hope the travel from Mondstadt wasn't too harsh." Zhongli asks, his voice just as deep and smooth as I can remember from my weird dream I had. I gave the "consultant" an amicable smile. While I'm here, I might as well try to get on good terms with the Geo Archon.

"My companions and I arrived in Liyue just in time for the Rite of Descension. It was unfortunate what happened. However, I fully believe that Liyue will be able to find the strength to stand after the storm has passed." Zhongli's brows dipped down ever so slightly.

"Is this knowledge spoken from experience, or something else?" He's asking if I've seen the outcome. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't.

"I have. However, due to... certain company in the room, I don't feel like sharing. So please accept my sincerest apologies." I sent a sickly sweet smile Childe's way, who only looked off in the other direction with a glare. Yeah, that's right. I'm not here to give you free information, Harbinger. Zhongli watched the interaction with amusement in his eyes. His eyes then caught sight of something in my hair. It was then I remembered I still had that weird, stone glaze lily tucked away in my hair. I watched the Geo Archon's face for any sign or recognition that he knew about its origin. Zhongli closed his eyes, his face never showing any sign of change.

"If I may be so bold to ask, what are your plans for the future?" Zhongli asked me. My future, huh?

"I suppose for now... I'm going to give Lumine all the help she needs. Perhaps on our journey around Teyvat, I'll find some information about what happened to my parents." Childe raised a brow at this.

"Your parents?" I frowned at his question, but the look on the harbinger's face claimed it was genuine curiosity that was asking, so I nodded.

"Yes. My mother and father were adventurers with the Adventurer's Guild. One day they took a commission and the next when they were supposed to return, there was nothing left of them. Even the commission itself was just... gone. I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out if they were even in Mondstadt still or not. I've come to the conclusion that they're no longer in Mondstadt." I noticed the pitying look on Childe's face. He must think like everyone else that they're dead. "And before you start pitying me, I know my parents aren't dead. I don't know how I know, just that there's a part of me that can feel that they're alive still." I finished. Childe looked off to the side. There was a different expression on his face now. Understanding? He must have people he'd do anything to protect, as well. I never would have taken a man like him as a family man.

"Hm... I'm sure the Fatui could help you with your search, if you were willing to accept our help, that is." I couldn't help the frown that grew on my face. The Fatui have eyes and ears everywhere. There's no doubt about it that the Fatui would easily be able to help me... But...

"Sorry, but no thanks. I don't have the correct morality compass to accept help from the Fatui, even if it's genuine. Thank you for the offer, though." Childe frowned when I denied his help. Hm, how odd... Perhaps I was too quick to judge the man. He shrugged and sighed, throwing his hands in the air as if my rejection meant nothing.