Omniscius II [Genshin Impact]

59: Red Herring

Childe hummed as he read the crumpled piece of paper in his hand.

"They're quite focused on setting up cannons on the southern beaches of Seirai," he said and smiled lightly, "Well, not that it really matters."

"You're lax about it," Soleil said. "I'd say the same about you. You were pretty alert when you first heard the news. But now, you're just tinkering away, unbothered and all," Childe pointed out.

"Because it's therapeutic," Soleil grinned while working on her table. Childe took a closer look at what she was doing.

"What are you up to anyway?" Childe asked curiously and walked over, but Soleil had been quick to snatch the papers and hide it behind her.

"Nope. No peeking," Soleil took a few steps backward. "Ah, now I'm curious," Childe said, "Come on. I just want to see what's keeping you busy."

"Don't be nosy, Tartaglia. Even if you saw it, you wouldn't make heads or tails out of it," Soleil said. "Wha—Are you saying I'm dumb?" Childe asked, slightly insulted.

"Nope. Just stating a fact. If you're insulted by it, that's your problem," Soleil smirked.

"Heh. Look at that cheeky grin on your face," Childe shook his head, "Fine, I won't bother you and your little scribbling."

Childe raised his hands in surrender and walked away from the smiling girl. Soleil let a small sigh of relief.

That was close. He nearly saw the blueprints, Soleil thought. Seeing Childe respect her secretive behavior, she returned to the table and smoothened out the crumpled edges of the paper.

Childe stole a glance at Soleil. Her brows were furrowed and her lips were slightly twisted, focus never broken while she fumbled and fixed the papers before her.

She was like a toddler fixated on a puzzle. An image of Soleil being a small baby popped up in Childe's mind, furiously biting the pacifier in her mouth while fumbling with toy blocks.

"Pfft," Childe covered his smile with the back of his hand. Soleil looked at him in confusion, "Is something wrong?"

"No. Nothing's wrong," Childe answered. Still, the idea kept the smile on his lips. A child in Soleil's image made him fuzzy for some reason.

Weirdo, Soleil thought dubiously when Childe started chuckling and smiling to himself.

She sighed and stacked her papers together. He's becoming crazier each day that passes.

"Now that I thought about it, something is starting to bother me. Have you received word from the Fatui we sent into the Watatsumi base? It's been days since we told them to pull out of the task," Childe asked.

"I'm sure they're still waiting for an opportunity to get out. Be a little patient and let the plan execute itself," Soleil said. Childe shrugged.

"If you say so," he said. Soleil double-checked her papers while Childe was in a spur of boredom. He glanced at Soleil.

"..."

The draft is ready. I just need to look into the inventory and make sure there's enough materials, Soleil said. Childe tilted his head.

"..."

But going back to Kannazuka isn't a smart idea, Soleil frowned in thought, I should ask Luna to run an errand for me before she comes here.

"..."

Childe let out a loud sigh. "Aren't you done yet? I'm getting bored," he said, "Let's go do something else."