Pale Fire || Childe x OC

Chapter 7

As she continued to pack, Childes' eyes stayed on the girl.

She had strong arms, her waist was surprisingly slim against her muscular build. He assumed she had strong legs too, and he wouldn't describe what he saw from his position. Her blonde, nearly white hair was in two long braids down her back, the ends being dyed a frosty blue.

"You must blend in here," Childe commented.

"Hm? Oh yeah" She replied, shoving clothes into her suitcase. "My whole family looks like me, we're all from here, except my father, he's from liyue"

"Tell me more"

"My mother was a student at the akademia, she was a genius so she got a scholarship there" Faith started. "So she travelled across teyvat and studied there for many years, she went on a trip with some friends to liyue and that's where she met my dad. He was a member of the millith at the time and stood guard outside her hotel." Faith smiled to herself and turned around.

Childes deep blue eyes watched her, he was looking at her like she was prey.

She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat and continued on.

"They got to chatting and soon enough they were visiting each other all the time, then it was time for here to come back home and he came with her" She finished, jamming her suitcase shut.

"That's a cute story" Childe hummed.

Faith hummed in agreement as she slung her bow around her shoulder and slid her sword into her belt.

Childe stood, leaving the room. Faith closed all the windows and curtains around the house, put any meat in the freezer and locked the door behind her.

"There's a coat waiting for you in the carriage" Childe mentions, picking up her suitcase.

"I need to take Alastor to the neighbours"

"Don't take too long"

Faith walks around the side of the house and greets her horse. She guides him through the trees to the neighbour's stable were she ties him up and kisses his nose goodbye.

She jogs up to the back door and knocks quickly. The door opens almost immediately.

"Oh Faith! I thought i heard you with Alastor! Do you need us to look after him?" The chirpy woman beamed.

"Yes Mrs Gusev, I'm not sure for how long though sorry" Faith replied with a sorry smile.

"That's alright, Ivan loves him, he is no burden, We'll keep an eye on the house for you too" Mrs Gusev grins.

"Thank you so much, I'll see you when I get back" Faith thanked as she walked away.

She jogged back to the carriage. It's door swung open and a hand stuck out. Faith gripped it tightly and pulled herself in.

The carriage was roomy, enough to fit 4 people comfortably. There were hooks on the wall for weapons and she assumed her luggage was on top.

Childe tapped the window against the front wall and the carriage started to move.

"Faith's a beautiful name," He said.

Her head whipped around, staring at him with wide eyes. He peered out the window, a grin forming on his face.

"How did you?-"

"Your neighbour's quite loud"

Faith groaned.

"Please don't use my real name" She complained, tugging on his sleeve.

"I won't" He replied simply, his eyes still focused on the scenery.

The pair went silent.

"Your coat" Childe muttered, pointing to a large white trench coat.

Faith picked it up 'How did I not see this when I came in?' She thought to herself as she slipped it on.

The coat was heavy, beautiful but heavy. The inside was lined with a black material which carried onto the outside collar. On top of the collar sat fur. It was black too, silver and gold embellishments lined the opening. A belt like strap was on the back for adjustment and a fur filled hood sat lazily against the seat. A four piece sigil was placed on the shoulder, with ropes connecting to the back. There were no sleeves, only a long slit.

"Are these commonly worn?" Faith asks, fiddling with a rope.

"Last time we wore them was for the funeral"

"Ah"

"We wear them on business, people are afraid of them, same with the masks, the instil fear" He says, handing his mask over.

She holds it carefully, her fingers feeling every graze and scratch. The red seemed to glow in her hands. She felt sick.

She hurriedly passed it back and averted her gaze to the snowy landscape.

"I don't want to instil fear" She mumbled into the coat.

"You're a harbinger, act like it" Childe replied sternly.