Pale Fire || Childe x OC

Chapter 10

The carriage stopped and the door opened. Childe exited and extended a hand to Faith, which she took gratefully. The millith asked for identification which the two provided before carrying on through the gates. Childe carrying their suitcases.

“The Inn’s up ahead” Childe mentioned as Faith walked next to him.

Many eyes were on them, the two were clearly tourists from their fair skin and strange clothes. Faith got some waves from merchants and people she knew, she promised too many catch-ups to count. They found the Inn and walked in, they had two separate rooms this time as they would be temporarily living there. Childe handed over her suitcases.

“Meet out here in 10, I want you to meet Pantalone,” Childe grinned.

“We’ve met, Same day i got a tour of Dottores lab”

“What?”

“I said we-”

“No i heard what you said, i’m just surprised”

“Does he normally not give tours”

“He would kill anyone who stepped in his lab, even me”

“Understandable” Faith joked.

“Hey!” He exclaimed, hitting her arm lightly.

“Okay okay, meet here in 10,” She said between giggles.

The pair walked together to their rooms, which were across the hall from each other.

“I’ll break in if you’re not done in 10” Childe joked as she entered her room.

“Same goes for you mister” Faith smirked back, closing the door behind her.

The room was big, to say the least. A double bet sat against the side wall, a velvet bench squished at the foot of it. Two small bedside tables cuddled on either side of the bed. A desk was opposite, a large bookshelf next to it. There was a closet and dresser against the front wall, and an ensuite bathroom stood to her right.

Faith placed down her suitcases and pulled out a pair of black heels and slipped them on, she then went to the bathroom and tied a low bun. She applied a light layer of make-up to make her a little bronzer. Faith then got ahead of unpacking, she was halfway done when his voice called out.

“Are you ready comrade?”

She rolled her eyes at the name and grabbed her room key.

He looked the same, or did he? His jacket was open to reveal a deep red button-up. A more professional look. She locked her door and headed off.

“Apart from the blonde hair, you look like a local,” Childe commented, sticking his hands in his pockets.

“Thanks, comrade,” She replied, exiting the Guesthouse.

When they reached the Northland Bank, Pantalone was waiting in the lobby.

“Ah, you’ve finally arrived. '' He greeted the pair, shaking Childes hand and kissing Faith's hand.

“Pantalone, I saw you the day we left for Liyue, How have you arrived faster than us?” Faith questioned the man as they headed to his office.

“I sailed over Brighella, Did you not?”

Faith shot a glare at Childe who sent a confused look back.

“We came by carriage”

“Strange, Now Brighella, I have business with Childe” Pantalone explained “We have a private meeting” A warm smile on his lips.

“Take your time, I will enjoy the city” She nodded, she watched the pair enter the office and then she took her leave.

She practically skipped into the lower half of the harbour, heading straight for Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Faith knocked happily on the door and Hu Tao answered. She squealed and leapt into Faiths' arms. The pair giggled and squealed together until they were out of breath.

“What are you doing here?!” Hu Tao nearly screamed.

“I’m here on business” Faith replied giddily.

“For how long?”

“A couple of weeks I think”

Another series of squeals echoed through the area.

“And you’re wearing the dress I sent!”

“Yes! I love it so much, Thank you, Hu Tao!” Faith giggled, embracing the girl.

"I'll just tell Zhongli I'm taking a break then we can go" Hu Tao said before dashing into the Parlor.

Once she was back out, the two linked arms and headed into the city. The two found Xiangling first, who was thanked for the chilis.

"Hey Hu Tao, have you met the traveller?" Xiangling asked as she dished up their meals.

"No, who are they?" Hu Tao asked, Faith looked between the girls.

"He's been wandering around Liyue with a little creature named paimon hes nice but he's pretty quiet. I'm surprised you haven't met him. I thought her was hanging out with Zhongli" Xiangling explained to the girls as they chewed away at their food.

"Well Zhongli has been out today more than usual so I wouldn't be surprised" Hu Tao hummed.

"Y'know he could be your you long lost brother Faith, he's got hair nearly as blonde as yours" Xiangling giggled, poking the girls arm, earning an eye roll in response.

"I'm curious to what he looks like now, if he's blonde then he's definitely not from Liyue" Hu Tao comments.

"Diona sent me a letter a little while ago about a strange man with blonde hair, she said they even made him an honorary knight" Xiangling said with a confused tone.

"Well he doesn't seem like a bad person" Faith spoke up "I mean if they made him an honorary knight he must've done something right" She shrugged.

"True" Hu Tao replied, Xiangling nodding.

"Look who we have here"