𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 - c.tartaglia

027 - 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝

short chap sorry babygirls

Lumine stood in the shadows, heart beating fast as she observed the scene unfolding inside. Zhongli, Childe, and of course, you. You were in the middle of a conversation. What were you all discussing? She watched the exchange closely, her interest piqued.

"Lumine come out of the shadows please." You smirk, crossing your arms looking over to where her and Paimon were hiding.

Lumine's heart skipped a beat. So, you had noticed her.

She hesitated for a moment, but then reluctantly stepped out from the shadows. Paimon followed close behind, looking equally surprised at being found out.

"Don't try hide from me in a bank that I know like the back of my hand." You chuckled.

Lumine felt a sheepish flush spread across her face. She should have known better than to try and hide in a place you were so familiar with.

"I wasn't trying to hide," she protested half-heartedly, her voice slightly defensive. "I was just... observing."

"Observing? Lumine you are such a bad liar."

Lumine's eyes widened at your blunt words, her embarrassment growing.

"Who said I was lying?" she retorted, trying to sound nonchalant even as her face turned slightly red. "I just happened to be passing by."

She knew her excuse was weak and unlikely, but she wasn't about to admit she had come here specifically to spy on you.

"Hm? You walked into the Bank that is owned by the Fatui, and tried to lie, Lumine we aren't stupid." You laughed.

Lumine looked from Zhongli to Childe to you, the heat in her cheeks deepening as their amused expressions confirmed that her lie was pathetically transparent.

"I... I just..." she stuttered, struggling to find an excuse that would convince them.

Paimon, who had been quiet until now, chose that moment to float forward, trying to defend Lumine's actions.

"Uh... Lumine was just curious!" Paimon said, her voice high-pitched and nervous. "She wanted to know what you guys were talking about, that's all!"

"Oh? Whatever helps you sleep at night. Morax, gnosis please." You blankly said.

Lumine's attention was drawn to Zhongli as you spoke, her eyes fixed on the scene with bated breath. The gnosis. This was it. She watched as Zhongli reached into his coat pocket, producing a small object wrapped in silk. It was the Geo gnosis. Lumine could feel her heart thudding loudly in her chest.

"Thank you, Morax." You grabbed it from his hand, then placed it in your pocket.

"The contract is fulfilled. I see that you have questions Lumine and Childe? I apologise, you may both ask." Zhongli glanced between the two.

Lumine hadn't expected Zhongli to address her and Childe so directly. She exchanged a quick glance with Paimon, then summoned her courage and stepped forward.

"Why.. Zhongli. Why would you lie to me? I thought I could trust you..."

"And why am I always the one kept in the dark about everything?! I got sent on a mission for the gnosis, but in reality there was a contract for the gnosis!" Childe crossed his arms over his chest in frustration.

"Childe. Shut up. The contract was none of your business." You sternly say, crossing your arms.

A pang of regret hit you in the heart, you couldn't bear to speak to him like this, but you couldn't break the contract.

Childe, however, bristled slightly at your statement. "None of my business?" he echoed, his voice tinged with irritation. "I'm literally a Fatui Harbinger. I think I deserve to know."

"Nothing to do with you Childe." You sighed.

Childe looked like he wanted to retaliate, but a warning look in your eyes made him bite his tongue. He grumbled under his breath, clearly dissatisfied. Lumine, meanwhile, watched the exchange with interest. It seemed you held some authority over Childe.

"So... you serve The Tsaritsa then, right?" she asked you, a hint of skepticism in her voice.

"Yes, I never properly had the chance to introduce myself back when I first met you. So let me do it properly this time, I am La Ruffiana, Assistant Director of the Fatui." You turned to Lumine, smiling at her.

Lumine's eyes widened as you introduced yourself. So La Ruffiana, Assistant Director of the Fatui. She hadn't expected such a high position in the Fatui. Although your position explained why you had the authority to shut down Childe's protests just moments ago.

"And... and you serve The Tsaritsa, you said," she continued, her voice betraying her intrigue. "What is your purpose? What does The Tsaritsa use you for?"

"Now that, is nothing to do with you. Stay in your lane and stop asking me many questions, I have introduced myself properly. So go back to speaking to your friend Zhongli." You glared at her.

Lumine was about to ask another question when Paimon, ever the mediator, floated forward, trying to diffuse the tension.

"Zhongli... why? Why would you..." Paimon muttered.

"It was a contract, I had no choice. It was nothing against you, Lumine and Childe personally."

"Contract... but with who?" Paimon raised an eyebrow.

"It was between I, La Ruffiana and The Tsaritsa. The reasoning will not be disclosed though." Zhongli replied.

"Yeah I'm getting bored, I'm going to leave, goodbye for now, see you three again sometime soon." You plainly said, leaving the bank whilst Childe followed grabbing your wrist.

Childes grip on your wrist was tight and you could tell he was annoyed, "We need to talk, now."