𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐃'𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐄, childe

( TRES. )

    (Y/N)'S GAZE narrowed as she sat at the edge of the cliff overlooking Liyue Harbor. From up here, the bustling people below seemed no more than tiny ants.

    She knew Childe would show himself when he was ready, but she didn’t want things to go entirely his way. Her patience was wearing thin.

    A sharp breath escaped her lips as she ran her fingers through her hair. 'If I want to catch Aj—Childe. If I... want to catch Childe, going after his diplomats is the fastest route. But not all Fatui diplomats are involved in their plans. How do I know which one to target?' She paused, her thoughts racing. 'That blonde girl with the floating companion... Childe saved them. Maybe... they know something about him.'

────

    The girl climbed the rugged mountain path, her movements deliberate and her breathing steady despite the thin, crisp air. The scent of trees told her she was getting closer to her destination.

    Her eyes stayed fixed on the path ahead—until she heard a rustling sound. Turning, her gaze locked with a pair of sharp golden eyes. Just a few meters away stood the blonde Traveler.

    Their eyes met, the silence between them thick with tension, like a storm about to break.

    "The Fatui Diplomat shows themselves," (Y/N) said, her hand tightening instinctively around the hilt of her sword. Her voice was calm, but her glare was cutting. "You were the one who attacked my troops alongside your master, weren’t you?"

    The Traveler took a defensive stance but didn’t draw their weapon. The unspoken threat hung in the air.

    "Why are you here, deep in Jueyun Karst?" (Y/N) demanded, her voice sharper now. "Turn back, this instant."

    "Okay, miss! We’re not here to fight!" the floating companion spoke quickly, waving her hands in a placating gesture. "You’ve got it all wrong! We’re not Fatui diplomats, and we don’t have any ties to that organization. Promise!"

    (Y/N) tilted her head, suspicion flickering in her eyes. "You’re not... with Childe?"

    The blonde shook her head firmly. "We’re not."

"I... see." (Y/N) frowned, though she still didn’t lower her guard. "That’s hard to believe. But... I’ve heard of a blonde in Mondstadt." Her grip on her sword eased, and she shifted to place a hand on her hip.

    "We didn’t have anything to do with Rex Lapis’ death!"

    "I saw that. There’s no way you—or the Fatui—could’ve taken down Rex Lapis," (Y/N) admitted.

    The floating girl clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with hope. "So... we’re not suspects anymore, right? No arrests, right?"

    "Blondie here assaulted the Millelith," (Y/N) said, her tone sharp as she eyed the Traveler, who sighed in frustration. "If you hadn’t run like fugitives, maybe the Millelith wouldn’t have chased you."

    "We couldn’t afford to get caught, okay?!"

    "Sure." (Y/N)’s tone was dry as she crossed her arms. "Now, what’s your business here in Jueyun Karst? Moon Carver won’t take kindly to trespassers."

    The floating companion tossed her hair dramatically. "Oh, we’re totally allowed here! Traveler, show her the sigil!"

    The blonde pulled out a Sigil of Permission, its glow catching (Y/N)’s eyes.

    "A Sigil of Permission..." Her voice dropped, almost a whisper. "Where did you get this? Who gave it to you?"

    "We’re not obligated to explain anything to someone who nearly froze me," the Traveler said flatly.