𝗜 𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗔 𝗚𝗢 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘 ✦ 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 [OLD]
𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻
"Zhongli? If you don't mind me asking, who exactly are we meeting up with...?"
Y/n was puzzled, still caught in the haze of sleep after having to get up on her day off and drag herself to the Harbor to meet with Zhongli so they could head to Liuli Pavilion together.
The duo were walking side by side, taking their time as they simply enjoyed the beauty of the late evening whilst chatting.
"An associate of the Funeral Parlor. I'm guessing you don't know who I'm referring to, telling from the look on your face." Zhongli replied.
Y/n sighed heavily, "No, no, I do. That ginger dude from the Fatui, right? I trust your judgment, Zhongli but all the Fatui does is cause trouble. Is making deals with them really a good idea?"
"There's really no need to worry, y/n." Zhongli assured his e/c eyed co-worker, "If there was any concern, Miss Hu Tao would've cut ties."
"I'll trust you on this one." y/n sighed heavily with a weary smile on her face before she gasped, "Oh, right! Before I forget... I have another day off in about a week. Would you like to hang out then?"
Zhongli seemed surprised by her request but smiled, "I would love to."
'AAAAAAA, WHY IS HE SO HANDSOME, WTF, I'M GOING TO DIE!!!' y/n screamed internally.
"Y/n, your nose is bleeding-"
"I-I'm fine! Don't worry about it!"
~~~ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ•°*
The nosebleed didn't stop even after the duo got to Liuli Pavilion, resulting in y/n having to excuse herself for a bit.
She spent ten minutes in the restroom trying to calm herself and stop her nose from excessively bleeding.
Once she did, she let out a quiet sigh and paused for a moment to think.
"I feel like something bad is going to happen." she said aloud, brows furrowed, "Something very, very bad. Maybe I'm just being paranoid-"
Yeah, paranoid.
Like how she was being paranoid seconds before she was hit by lightning.
Or how she was paranoid the night before the deaths of the elderly couple who had raised her.
...
"Something bad is going to happen..." she murmured before exiting the restroom to return to the room that had been reserved for her, Zhongli and the Fatui member.
"Sorry that took so long-" y/n began to apologize but froze when she spotted a familiar blond and his travel partner, "You again!"
"Oh! It's y/n!" Paimon exclaimed, "What're you doing here, huh?"
"I- when-" y/n looked confused, "HUH???"
"Do you know these two, y/n?" Zhongli inquired and y/n groaned quietly, looking rather miserable.
"Yes... unfortunately..." she murmured as she sat down across from Aether.
She decided not to rat them out.
Because she's nice.
"Allow me to introduce Mr. Zhongli, consultant to an organization known as Wangsheng and a trusted associate of the Fatui." Childe spoke up then smiled at y/n, "And though you've already met her, this is y/n. She also works here."
"Ha." was all that left y/n as she gave Childe an irritated look, 'This guy...'
"An associate of the Fatui?" Aether questioned with a frown, glancing at y/n.
Y/n glared back, 'Don't look at me.'
"Indeed. Wangsheng's line of work can be sensitive at times. Let's just say they understand when discretion is needed." Childe continued, "And we, the Fatui, have always been glad to do business with friends who walk in the shadows."
"W-Walk in the shadows...?" Paimon asked, clearly getting the wrong idea.
"It is an honor to meet you. I've heard tell of you from Mondstadt." Zhongli greeted.
"Wait, wait, wait... is Wangsheng the type of organization that... deals with people?" Paimon questioned hesitantly.
"It is as you have guessed."
Paimon made a noise of horror and y/n sighed heavily, facepalming herself.
"No, Paimon, you've got it all wrong." y/n told the frightened pixie, "Wangsheng is a Funeral Parlor. We organize burials."
"...huh?" Paimon looked puzzled.
"Did you think they were hired killers or something?" Childe laughed.
"Well..." Aether began to say, looking at y/n but flinched when she gave him a menacing glare, "erm... nevermind..."
"The Fatui calls many such people friends, but the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor does no dabble in such business." Childe assured them then added, "Well... ostensibly."
Y/n looked to Zhongli for some kind of confirmation that Childe was playing around.
Nothing.
'DID I MISS SOMETHING?!' y/n wondered in alarm.
"Well, they are still—" Childe stopped when y/n gave him a pleading look.
'Please don't say any more for the sake of my sanity. Please.' y/n thought.
"Ahem, I shouldn't say too much." Childe said as y/n exhaled quietly, "In any case, I brought you to meet Mr. Zhongli because..."
"Because I can take you to see Rex Lapis' vessel." Zhongli finished.
"What!?" Paimon demanded while Aether visibly looked a lot more interested.
"Ha, don't be so surprised. Sure, the Geo Archon's body has been squirreled away by order of the Tianquan Ningguang." Childe hummed, "But first, let's hear what Mr. Zhongli has to say."
Oh, y/n knew what was coming next.
A discussion mentioning how Rex Lapis was an adeptus, how the Qixing weren't bothering to hold a memorial service so they could find the killer instead and how Zhongli wanted Aether and Paimon to help out with preparing the Rite of Parting.
"Y/n, though I know you aren't too fond of Archons, your help would be greatly appreciated." Zhongli finished, looking at y/n who visibly tensed.
"Ah... welll..." y/n murmured, unsure.
"Archons, gods, non-mortals. It doesn't matter who they are or what they've done for you. They aren't to be trusted." Ayumu used to say, "Because in the end, mortals like ourselves are just pawns to be used or disposed of like objects."
Y/n smiled,though it was shaky and hesitant, "Ah... I'd love to help."
She cleared her throat before adding, "Since Ningguang-- erm, Miss Ningguang has made it so nobody is allowed to see the vessel, your only option would be to help out with the Rite of Parting. Of course, that's completely up to you."
"Looks like we've got not other choice..." Aether murmured, "Alright, I'll help."
"If we are agreed, come with me. We will speak of the details as we walk." Zhongli announced as he stood.
Y/n watched as he left and followed while Aether and Paimon hung behind to talk with the Ginger dude.
Y/n halted by the door, feeling miserable, "What have I gotten myself into..."
She shook her head, 'I need to make a note to avoid blondes and gingers...'
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