Pale Fire || Childe x OC

Chapter 6

Faith's fingers curl around the fabric and hold it up. A dark blue and black Qipao inspired dress unfolds, butterflies are embroidered on the sheer shoulders. Hu Taos butterflies. Faith pulls it close, hugging it tightly. She takes in a deep breath, savouring the smell of the beautiful city.

She notices another smaller paper package on the floor. Crouching down, she gingerly picks it up. The brown paper concealed a small box, upon opening revealed a drawstring bag. Faith opened the bag slowly, but she could smell before she could see what was inside.

"Aww Jueyun Chilis" Faith grinned, picking up the red fruit. "How'd she get this through the border?" She followed up, her eyebrow raising.

Faith walks into the kitchen and stuffs the chilis into the back cupboard, then tries on the dress. It fit snugly, covering her curves and extenuating her muscular arms. She twirled, it was stunning, Hu Tao always had a taste for clothes. The girls had met while Faith was exploring the city, Faith had asked to join the girls table at Heyu tea house. The bright girl accepted and they'd been friends for years, although Faith had not visited since Hu Tao's 18th birthday. 2 years ago. Faith was a year older than the girl, giving them a found sister bond.

Hu Tao was not the only person she knew in Liyue, Faith had been introduced to many of Hu Tao's friends such as Xingqiu, Chongyun, Xiangling and Yun-Jin. They had known each other for years and quickly accepted Faith, despite her unfamiliar appearance and attitude. Faith's blonde hair would stick out in the city, she blended in with her motherland. Her personality matched it too, at first Faith was rude to her new friends, it took her months to stop calling them comrade. The new warm personality made her stand out in Snezhnaya but she quickly found a way to mix the two.

A knock interrupted her thoughts.

She swiped a knife from her dresser and hurried to the door, she squinted through the peephole. A man, his grey suit filling her vision. She tightened her grip on the blade as she unlocked the door and slid it open.

"Hello Comrade!" The voice said warmly.

'It's him' She thought 'What was his name? Childe? Yeah that was it'

"Hi, what are you doing here?" Faith questioned, tucking the knife into the belt hidden on her thigh and opening the door further.

His eyes floated over her, he swallowed harshly. "Tsaritsa's orders, told me to find you and tell you that you're coming to Liyue with me" A grin covered his face.

"I beg your pardon?"

"You heard me, pack your bags we leave at sundown"

"Isn't it a bit soon?"

"Our queen sees potential in you"

"Let me start packing"

Faith turns around to head to her room, leaving the front door open. Childe standing awkwardly, not knowing to enter or wait.

"You can come in, close the door or the place will get cold" Faith called from her bedroom.

Childe stepped inside, he wiped his boots on the doormat. Leaving blood-stained snow. He looked around. It was a small home, nothing compared to his family. The walls had a deep wood trim with brown wallpaper, 2 windows on each side of the wide room, a fireplace against the right wall. Striped couches surrounding the bricks. A tall bookshelf sat against the wall across from him.

A squeak from the bedroom door alerts Childe, he walks over and lightly pushes the door.

"There's a cockroach" Faith breathes out, her eyes wide.

"Where?" Childe says calmly.

"There" And there it was, the tiny creature sitting on the wall.

Childe stepped into the room, he formed a bow with his vision and shot an arrow made of water straight into the creature that thrashed for a second before going still.

"Thank you" Faith breathed, her hands reaching her face embarrassed.

"Why didn't you use your vision?" Childe asked, his lips curling into a smirk as he threw himself down on her bed.

"Didn't think of it" She shrugged, turning back to packing.