Great Pretender | Chilumi

in the midst of it all

"Blonde, wears outlandish clothes, has a blue and white flower on her head? What is this?" Pulcinella asked, looking closely at the scribbled notes that was written.

"It's just a note so that I don't forget." Childe muttered under his breath.

"Forget what? What in the world are you- you know what, nevermind. I'm just here to remind you how important it is that you don't get distracted. Remember, we're doing this to serve-"

"Serve the Tsaritsa." Childe joined in to say it in unison with Pulcinella. He then sighed. "I know."

Pulcinella looked at him with a bit of pity. He walked closer to him and gave him a pat. "Don't worry boy, You're doing well so far." He said.

Childe cracked him a smile. "Thanks."

Pulcinella nodded. "I'll make sure to look after your brothers and sisters while you're away." He said before heading to the door.

"Be careful on your way to Liyue. If you need any help adjusting, you can go ask Anton for help. They're stationed at the Chasm." Pulcinella said, waving goodbye as he exited the room.

"Okay." Childe waved back. And by then the door has already closed.

Back to packing.

Childe sighed. "Why do I feel a sense of deja vu?" He looked at the note on the chair. He didn't even notice when Pulcinella left it there.

"I know I've been in Liyue, why do they keep implying I haven't?" He furrowed his eyebrows.

He stared into the wall for a while. The walls felt so... far. Like the room was larger than it actually was. Maybe it was the high ceiling. That put him off for some reason.

He sighed. "What does this mean?" He held on to the black star on his hand. It looked familiar. It felt familiar. He should know this.

Another knock on the door was heard.

"I'll be right there!" He yelled, before shoving his things in a bag.

He'll just have to figure it out later.

***

Their surroundings. It was all crumbling down. Everything was slowly just... Disappearing.

It was Khaenri'ah all over again.

"I should never have helped the Fatui." The golden-haired traveler muttered under her breath.

"Yeah." Childe stood beside her, watching the absolute shitshow that's going down. "I never should've offered." He said.

The traveler sighed. "Well, it was my fault for accepting." She said.

It was a miracle the two were able to talk amidst the chaos. Screaming, swords clashing, the world literally crumbling. That type of chaos.

"I'll make it up to you." Childe said.

"Sure, if we survive this I'll actually finally go out with you." The traveler said, scoffing a bit.

"I'll be taking that seriously." Childe smirked.

***

"Sir, we're here." A knock on his carriage. Childe grumbled as he stretched from his nap.

A dream? Again?