The 12th Fatui Harbinger

Liyue Harbor

The smell of the ocean breeze permeated the air. The sound of waves washing against the shores, the loud cacophony of the seagulls that roamed above, it was as if she had been transported to the very docks she grew up near. It was a sweet dream she didn't want to wake from, and Yuria snuggled closer to the source of the scent powering her reverie.

Childe slowly opened his eyes to his sweetheart digging deeper into his embrace. He had unwittingly fallen asleep right next to her. Her long eyelashes cascaded downwards as she took deep even breaths. His free hand gently caressed her hair, tucking loose strands behind her ear. Her head rested on one of his arms, and she was tucked into his embrace as he surrounded her small frame.

This just felt so right. Like they were meant to be. But friends he promised to be, and he intended to keep that very promise. No matter how precariously he edged towards crossing the line. He would wait until she was ready. Chuckling as he imagined her flushed cheeks from this unwitting incident, he hesitantly but gently pried her hands off of his waist, and slowly rolled himself away from her, careful not to wake her from her sweet dreams. He crept toward the small couch and closed his eyes-- already missing her sweet embrace and waiting for the day she would come forth willingly.

Yuria couldn't get over the sweet dream she awoke from. On their journey to Inazuma, the two of them agreed to take a small layover in Liyue so she could be introduced to the Liyue Fatui branch and Northland Bank's operations.

"Does it bother you being back in Liyue?" She asked as they continued to tread toward Liyue harbor after departing Wangshu Inn.

Childe beamed at her. "Not at all. Even better if I run into people I know! Quite a few of them owe me a serious battle."

Yuria was about to toss a joke back at him when they finally bridged the last hill, with Liyue Harbor coming into full view. With lantern rite in full swing, the harbor was decorated with red lanterns and festival decorations everywhere. Cranes flew away from their arrival and Yuria could not help but gasp at the breath taking view of the city.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Childe said, looking at her. The way the wind caressed her hair and the gleaming horizon stood in contrast to her bright excited eyes. Again he had to resist the spell she always cast on him.

Yuria looked up at him as he began explaining all the street food and customs of Liyue he was familiar with. "The firecrackers are to ward off bad spirits..."

Out of the corner of her eye, Yuria saw a burlesque man with a young teen. "Your father owed us a debt, and we are here to collect it." The man hissed under his breath as he tugged her unwilling wrist.

Without a shred of hesitation, she manifested an anemo based dagger, twirling as she sent the sharp object between the two figures. Childe watched amused as she walked up to them.

"I believe then, you should be looking for her father?" She smiled poisonously.

The man paused to look at her up and down with a prideful smirk. "Unless you want to pay her debt for her, I suggest you mind your own business. Her father was the one who put down next of kin as co-signers." He said as he pulled out a contract.

"But isn't the law the ultimate contract here in Liyue?" She mused, utilizing all the trivia Childe had thrown at her. "Why, this poor girl barely looks like a legal adult, therefore she shouldn't have to bare whatever debt her idiot father owes."

The man paled.

"I mean, I'm happy to grab the nearest millieth if you would like for a review of the contract and its contents for fairness and applicability. There's so many of them around. Unless you would really like to cause a scene...?"