Ley Line Eyes (ℤ𝕙𝕠𝕟𝕘𝕝𝕚 𝕩 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕣)

Morax

"Hold your horses Harbinger, any Millelith seeing you in that outfit will take you into custody no doubt. Here." Baizhu calls out to you as you were just at the bottom of the first staircase, you turn around and see that he's holding a dark teal Cheongsam with golden accents. You smile and chuckle in disbelief, making your way back up the stairs and taking the dress in your hands.
"No one goes rarely goes into the back, get dressed in there." Baizhu leads you into the back room filled with different herbs and medicine, floral scent with a hint of mint hitting you in the face.
"Oh uhm..." You sigh and bite the inside of your cheek, your back turn towards Baizhu.
"Could you...help me? I can't really use my elbows when I lift them above my head." You tap your wrapped up elbows and sigh nervously, but Baizhu just chuckles softly. He steps infront of you and shuts his eyes, unfolding the cheongsam. You pause for a moment before slowly unbuttoned your outfit, letting it flow to the floor.

God why am I trusting this smug prick- can't really do much about it though...

You hummed lowly, signaling to him that he could dress you, and he complied. You lifted your arms up and he carefully put on the dress, leaving you to fit it correctly.
"I'll be back in a moment, stay put." Baizhu smiled and walked out.

You looked down and adjusted it until you felt that it fit alright, convenient that he had your exact size. There wasn't a mirror around, so you couldn't exactly tell how you looked, but it wasn't half bad.

"Alright, I won't allow you to be walking around Liyue Harbor looking like that. Put these on." Baizhu walked back in and set down matching golden heels, along with golden hair accents.
"Thanks..."

"Come back anytime my dear, I have a feeling Qiqi's taking a liking to you, she was peeking in the entire time." Baizhu walks you to the entrance and smiles, looking back at the slowly approaching zombie.
"Thanks again, when do you want this back." You fiddle with the hair clip in your hair, that was now done up in a traditional Liyue hairstyle thanks to Qiqi.
"Keep it, it suits you."

"Alright then, I'll see you around. Bye-bye Qiqi!" You wave goodbye to the both of them and walk down. The stairs, eyeing a certain bank in the city.

Later

"The real deceivers are Signora and Zhongli...curse them for leading me on."

You hear Childe groaning as you silently open the door to Northland Bank, but still catching the attention of Signora.
"Well look who it is, our newest recruit. Welcome to the party H/n." Signora slims her eyes in a patronizing manner, crossing her arms as the rest of the people in the room all look over at you.
"Oh shut it Signora. You would be honored to call me a recruit about 2 months ago. Now tell me what the hell is going on."

The Traveler turns back to Childe, "Wait- Childe. So Zhongli tricked you?" You walk over to the group, only exchanging a glance with Zhongli before standing on the other side of the Traveler and Paimon.
"So actually, I think-"

"Stop wasting time Childe. There'll be plenty of time to chat once I'm through here." Signora brings her hand up to silence Childe, turning her attention to Zhongli, "You remember the agreement, Morax. Now, if you would be so kind...The Gnosis, please."

You scrunch your eyebrows in confusion as the Traveler exchanged a confused glance at Paimon, "Agreement?" They put a hand on their hip and raise an eyebrow.
"What in the world are you talking about?" Paimon expresses concern as Zhongli looks down, arms anxiously crossed. He sucks in air and raises a hand to his side, a glowing, floating, amber chess piece looking Gnosis appeared in his hand. You, the Traveler, and Paimon and gasp and step back, all turning to Zhongli confused.
"The contract is fulfilled. That which thou seeketh is now bestowed unto thee, for my promise is solid as stone."

"Hmph, how sanctimonious..." Signora didn't look amused in the slightest.

"WHAT! So you're the lord of Geo?!" Paimon flails her arms about as she tries to process, but you just stepped back and leaned against a pillar.
"Zhongli..."

"No, wait! That's an exciting twist and all but why give the Gnosis to the Fatui!" The Traveler nudges Paimon as they glance over at you, but you didn't look back, just taking in the information.

"I do not give it for free, I give it as agreed upon in the contract...for it is a matter solely between the Tsaritsa and I."

You block out the rest of what they had to say, you were just trying to not explode in emotion. What emotion that is? You couldn't figure it out. Angry for him deceiving you, yet you understood.

You looked up to see Childe looking at you with a sincere smile, but you just weakly smile back. He rolls his eyes and motions his hand secretly for you to come to his side. Which you do hesitantly.
He chuckles quietly and gives your shoulders a squeeze, leaning down to your ear.
"Don't worry, I was also in the dark." He groans and rubs your shoulder, not saying much more.

You quietly tune into the conversation, but with nothing to add you still kept quiet, just looking to the side away from the crowd.

"Heh...well then, with the Gnosis in my possession, I have no use for such idle chatter. We should return to Zapolyarny Palace and seek an audience with Her Majesty, the Tsaritsa. Come, Childe" Signora begins to walk off, looking back at Childe.
"Ugh, fine.. meet you there later, I'm not sharing a boat with the likes of you." Childe groans and gives you one last squeeze before walking outside, but you trailed after him.

"Childe, hold on!" You shut the door and grab onto his wrist, with him turning around. He peeks over to the guard and motions her away, and she scurried off.

"Is it just me? Who remembers the things back in...well-"

"Of course not. I all too well remember, don't worry, give him time to explain himself. Then he'll console you." Childe smiles as you look up at him with pure confusion, tearing up at the fact. You throw yourself closer to him, squeezing his waist with your hands.
"Stay strong. I know you can make it through this. I'm gonna go with Signora...but if you ever come back to Snezhnaya, come and visit, my siblings would love to see you again." He smiles and hugs you back, taking a deep breath.
"I'll consider it~."

You look up at him and bite the inside of your cheek, putting a hand on the back of Childe's neck, pushing him towards you and connecting your lips. He gasps as his eyes widen, but he breathes as relaxes.
"See you later Childe, hopefully."

You wave goodbye and open the door just as the Traveler and Paimon exit, not saying a word to eachother. You just walked in where Zhongli stood still, he caught sight of you and softly gasped.
"N/n I-"

"I heard all I want to hear. Figure your shit out, I'll be at home."