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"I've heard about it before but I never would've thought I'd be seeing a patient who've used it right infront of me." She'd stoop next to the man with the Delusion in her hand. It glowed a dark purple but the light faded in and out slowly.
"Yeah? Well... Ha.. Maybe this is your lucky day." The man clenched his jaw in pain after forcing out a fake smile on his handsome face.
She looked at him with narrowed eyes and dropped the delusion to rise from the ground. "I don't treat the Fatui. Get loss." She raised her chin and crossed her arms after firmly stating her conditions. She would be crazy if she didn't know who he was. His wanted posters were everywhere as soon as the incident at the Golden house happened. Sitting infront of her was Childe, the eleventh of the Harbingers of the Fatui.
"Ouch. So cold little lady. I thought your element was fire?" There was a teasing tone in his voice however he was on verge of passing out and just barely focused his vision on the woman glaring daggers at him.
She scoffed out loud. This man really had the nerve. "Oi. You're not planning on passing out here, are you?" She furrowed her brows unwilling to accept him in as her patient.
"Haa.. Well.. If I could've felt my legs right now. I wouldn't be here. Now would I?" He took short, sharp breaths inbetween his words when the pain shot hard through his body. At this point, he was desperately biting the insides of his cheeks till he tasted blood to keep himself from making noise.
"What?!" Her head was spinning. Was she really supposed to treat the enemy of her city or watch him die infront of her? Her hands were trembling when watching only stirred the uncomfortable feeling of guilt within her.
Just as she opened her mouth to say something, the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs alerted the two.
"Miss Xia? Is everything alright? We heard voices near your door." There was a knock on her door just she'd dump the heavy, tall man on her bed. She straightened up and immediately went to the door to partially open enough to peek out.
"X-Xan! Haha.. Ermm.. Don't mind me. One of the maids came by to drop something off." She played it off hoping that the man would take a hint.
"Ahh.. I apologize. Since it's late in the night, I wouldn't bother you anymore. Good night Ms Xia."
She waited till she couldn't see him anymore and then locked her door only turn around and head right to the man passed out on her bed. "Hey. Hey get up. O-Oi... Are you--" She felt his pulse and almost felt her heart drop to her stomach.
"H-Hey.. Don't die okay? Haa.. God. Okay Xia. You got this." She breathed in shakily and placed her hands on his cold body. His pulse was so weak that she could've barely felt it and the state of his body was terrible on the inside enough though the outside he appeared to be fine. Is this what the Delusion did to people? She'd hear stories from her teacher but to see it for herself was another thing.
Xia spent the rest of the night tending to the Fatui man laying lifeless on her bed. She wasn't even guaranteed that he'd wake up however when morning hit, she was woken up with the sound of the sheets rustling. She came to her senses soon enough when she saw him trying to sit up and sped off the single chair she was on the entire night. "Don't get up so soon!"
She grabbed his arm and tried stopping him, but the man was a lot stronger than she thought and easily shifted himself up with his other hand.
"Worried about me now?" He glanced at his arm which she was still holding. Immediately pulling her hands away, she made face.
"You know, it was a lot more peaceful last night when you were sleeping." She feigned a smile and rolled her eyes soon after a small chuckle escaped his lips.
"Well I'm glad that you didn't have the heart to abandon me. If it was someone else then...." He trailed off and she all she could've done was glare at him. What did he mean by that? Was she too soft hearted?
"If you feel better than you should leave." She chucked him his clothes and pointed to the black shirt she'd fix on him, "Take the shirt with you and burn it. I don't want it back."
"Oh? Did you strip me while I was unaware?"
"It wasn't meant like that! Pervert!" she immediately defended herself with a flushed look on her face.
"Hm? You're the one that changed me..." He clicked his tongue and gripped his slightly tattered clothes.
"Ugh..shut up. Is that how you're supposed to repay someone who saved you?" Xia didn't really need anything in return. Infact, it'd be better if she didn't have anymore dealings with the Fatui.
"Ahh.. I forgot about that. How should I repay you Milady?" He threw his legs off the edge of the bed and faced her directly, causing her to sit up almost taken aback by his sudden movements. "Impressive....I don't feel a single ounce of pain." He stretched his legs and closed his fists, only to reopen them. "Yesterday I couldn't feel a single thing in my legs. What medicine did you give me? I'll pay you a thousand--no, ten thousand Mora for it."
Xia's face jaw dropped at the mention of him throwing out money like that. So this is it's like for rich people. She shook her head out of her money hungry thoughts and folded her arms.
" I didn't give you medicine. I healed you with my methods. This method was taught to me by my master and you can't pay me for it." She explained but immediately regretted it from the expression on his face.
"Oh I see." He pushed his hair away from his face and remained silent for a few seconds. "I understand. Then it'd be best if the Fatui didn't know of your skills hm?" A small smile curled on the corners of his lips.
The girl truly never thought of how dangerous the idea of the fatui coming to know of her techniques actually was and for the first time in her life, she felt scared as hell." W-what.. Haha..." She nervously started to play with her fingers. Maybe she should've lied to him and said that it was medicine. Oh Rex Lapis, if you are listening in the world of spirits, please help her out of this one. She was still looking forward to the Lantern Festival.
"I'm not planning on telling anyone, calm down." He stared straight at her as if reading every thought running through her mind at the moment.
"Huh? But...why?" She looked at him confused and still cautious. If he wasn't planning on using it for the benefit of his precious organization, then...
"Since you saved my life, I'll spare you yours. A life for a life." The dead look the man's eyes sent chills down her spine. He was only being kind and sparing her life now. Haha.. What would happen the next time?
"I see... I didn't realise you were this kind." What else did he expect her to say in a situation like this? That she wished she'd let him die instead?
"I didn't say I wasn't going to use you to benefit myself however." He got up and started fixing the leather gloves around his long fingers.
Yes yes. He's going to use her to benefit--wait a second.
"Um. What?!" she shot up from the chair and glared at him. "I'm not going to be your slave Harbinger."
"Not yet at least." His gloves fitted onto his long, slender fingers perfectly, at least from what she thought. No wait. This was NOT the time to be thinking of how good his fingers looked in a half glove. Ugh God.
"What do you mean by that? I'm not planning on treating anyone or you anymore. Consider yourself lucky last night." She held herself together when he shot her a look. His aura and attitude was way different from last night. Right now she really preferred him to be dying. His glare was as scary as getting caught within range of a predator.
"You wouldn't have the heart to refuse anyways. I'm not planning on using the Delusion anytime soon either don't worry about treating me more." He leaned against her vanity easily with his long figure. "From what I recall, last night you expressed knowledge of the Delusion I had. It seems that you know perfectly well how to treat people who've used it too."
She gulped hard. She'd given him too much information about herself then she'd plan on letting on and to think he'd easily organize his thoughts despite the chaos of last night. "So what if I did? I'm not changing my answer."
"I wish I could leave you be, but to pass your skills up would be hard even for me. I'm sorry little Miss." His words were soft, but underneath that gentleness, was a threat message that meant she had no other choice.
"Ha. The Fatui knows how to apologize? Amazing." She probably should've shut up by now, but she found herself rather angry that she couldn't have done anything else other than listen to him.
"What can I say? I feel a little bit guilty myself." He stared her and wondered why he wasn't being as assertive as he would with others. Then again, the look on her face made him want to enclose her more and more into his clutches, but he stopped himself from indulging the worse of his personality. "Well. For now I'll tell you what I need you to do. An organization has been experimenting with children using delusions. The experiment hasn't been successful and they threw the kids aside after abandoning the experiment. Heal them and I'll let you go from there." He crossed his arms waiting curiously to see what her expressions would be and not to his surprise, she was burning holes through his body with her glares.
"You disgusting shits! Don't you ever learn your lessons?" She cursed at him this time much more angered than before.
"This experiment happened when I was out of the area. I couldn't do anything about it either." He frowned however she stomped right up to him and jabbed a finger to his chest.
"Does it look like I care? You're still a piece of shit for even being in the Fatui. HA. If I'd known sooner, maybe I wouldn't have felt guilty leaving you to die." She clenched her jaw and pointed to the door. "Leave. I don't want to see your stupid face."
He pushed himself off the vanity and grabbed her chin to force her to look up at him, "Well luckily I found you now, didn't I? Get a reality check little lady cause..." he leaned down near her ear, "I didn't say it was the fatui who started the experiment now did I?" He whispered softly as she had to let his words sink in for a bit.
Once he released her, she was still frozen in shock. It wasn't the fatui? Ha. There was another scum of an organization that messed with people's lives?
"I still have work to finish." His voice broke her out of her thoughts, "So I'll come collect you during the lantern festival. Don't forget." he draped his cloak around his body and threw his tattered clothes into the small fire pit in the room. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Your payment. Hopefully this will be enough."
A large, heavy pouch dropped into her hands as she peeked inside to see the shimmering gold of Mora. The sight of a huge lump sum amount of money made her swallow hard. She almost forgot that the man infront of her was probably one of the richest and youngest self made business owner. Haha. Don't even get her started on how she even found out about it in the first place.
"I don't want your dirty money." She closed the bag up trying to give it back when he took one look at her and lifted a finger underneath her chin.
"Really? Your eyes are glowing though. Should I take it back?" He leaned down to her height.
Damnit. Was it showing on her face?
As if reading her mind, he chuckled lowly, "Oh it's definitely showing now and don't worry, I actually made the money from selling toys."
It was a ploy! Fuck. He saw right through her and even manipulated her right into his hands. Tsk. What an annoying man to deal with.
"Just. Leave." Mustering up whatever little pride she had left in her to force him out of her room, she slammed the doors shut and slid down slowly onto the floor.
She'd be lying if she said she wasn't scared as fuck for her life when he woke up. Despite the Harbinger's easy going nature, he was unstable with his heated emotions and she couldn't help but also keep her emotions in check before it actually upsetted him.. Tch. Well it's not like he can kill her right now.
She touched her slightly trembling knees and breathed out. Maybe coming out of the ship to stay in Liyue for the while was a terrible idea. He'd easily found her in the state that he was in which meant that he'd done his full research on every important figure in this city before stepping into it to create chaos. It was scary to think that he could easily keep tabs on her without her noticing. No. It only made her annoyed thinking that he would do so. Is she his dog?
Despite her small panic attack, she'd overcome it after collecting her thoughts and then stripped her sheets of the ones he slept in only to change them with the extra the Inn had in the cupboard before knocking out on the bed.
By the time she awoke, it was already evening time and she'd freshen herself up before gathering her things before walking with her things to the dock where she was determined to meet with the boatman, Pinghai before he left for the night.
"Oh, Ms Xia. Are you ready to head back to the Pearl?" The middle-aged man greeted her with a kind smile to which she returned.
"Yes, I think I had a pleasant stay." She stepped onto the boat with the help of the older man and brought her things along before he started rowing towards the Ocean Pearl, her home for more than 5 years now.
"Did you try the desserts I mentioned last time?" Pinghai rowed the boat with such ease that she thought it was no wonder his arms looked so well built.
"Hm? Ahh! I did, I did. They were delicious. Thank you." She grinned widely as he nodded his head proudly.
"It's my wife's specialty! Thank you for supporting us as always." He bowed graciously before pulling onto the side of the large ship, "And as always Ms Xia. Please be careful on your way." He extended a hand to grab the swing that was attached to the ship to help her sit as the crew from further up start cranking it up.
"No thank you! And be safe on your way back!" Xia waved as the swing she was seated on lifted higher and higher till it was at perfect height to step off onto the ship.
"Xia?! You're back already??" the sound of a familiar voice approached her from the right.
"Ms Saye? Oh, yes. Yes I am anddd I brought those lanterns you wanted for the boat." Xia lifted the string connecting all the lanterns in a bunch as the older lady playful nudged her.
"How many times do I have to tell you to call me big sis?" She scolded her before asking a guard nearby to take the lanterns and hang them up.
"Oh my~ How could I, a little helper of this huge ship call the owner Big Sis?" Xia grinned while teasing her.
"Shush you! Hmph. Since you're my little helper, come now. I have lots of chores for you. Oh and, a few 'visitors' came asking for healing. Maybe we should get that done first." Saye lowered her voice before tugging Xia with her.
"Huh? Healing? Who?" She immediately frowned and followed the woman.
"A few foreigners from Inazuma. They've had their visions taken away and for some reason, parts of their memory is gone." They walked into the room as Xia got caught up on the details, however from the moment Saye mentioned memories, it was out of her hands. It was going to be tougher to relay it to them than helping them.
--
A Week Later
--
"Xia, can you please deliver this to Xan? Also, can you tell him that I'll meet him at the harbour tonight?" Saye passed on what looked like an official letter addressed to the council of Liyue.
"Ohhh?? A date with Xan?" She wiggled her brows to tease the other girl only to receive a slap on the shoulder.
"Shush! Now shoo!"
"Hehe. Okay~ Bye bye!" Xia climbed into Pinghai's small boat and waved to the girl before sighing out loud. For some reason whenever Xan complimented her on her hair or outfits, she'd feel happy. But knowing that Saye and Xan were together officially, it broke her heart and one sided happiness.
Shaking her head out of the depressing thoughts, she didn't even know why she'd let herself get so sad on a nice day like this. It was the ending of the lantern festival which meant, tonight would be the biggest rite. She'd only seen the rite a few times when she was younger. Now that she was older, she was excited to experience it even more. It'd definitely be more meaningful now.
"We're here Ms Xia~ Come, let me help you off the boat." Pinghai stretched his hand out and helped her off as she tipped him along with the fee. "Ah! Ms Xia--"
"I know! Treat your kids to a nice meal tonight! Bye bye!" She waved and then got going while looking around and staring at everything as she passed by. "Wow... They really decorated everywhere. It's beautiful." She whispered before reminding herself that she needed to get to Xan and deliver the letter.
"Ms Xia! I haven't seen your face in while!" By the voice that called her, was the restaurant's owner and Xiangling's dad.
"Oh! Xiangling's dad! I've only been gone for a week. Haha. Is it because I came here too often when I was here?" She decided that the letter could wait as she took as seat at the counter.
"Hahaha!" He laughed cheerily and immediately grabbed a bowl to fill it up with some noodles, pork, vegetables and sauce, "Here. It's your favourite and don't worry, this is on the house today." He placed the bowl infront of her with a pair of chopsticks.
"W-Wah! Of course not! I'll pay you for the meal definitely." She didn't hesitate to dig into the savoury sweet noodles and cripsy pork cutlets that melted into her mouth better than dessert. "Mhhh! It's still the best. No matter how many times I asked our chef to make me this, it doesn't taste as good as this."
"Haha, good! Then it'll be a good excuse for me to see you here more. Eat up, I'll give you some side dishes as well." He added a few more things on the table while she ate everything graciously.
"Oh, excuse me Sir. What would you like to have?" Xiangling's dad immediately went to serve his other customer.
"I'll have what she's having." The sound of the familiar voice made her choke on the noodle as she coughed and got up, grabbing the nearest napkin to cough the food out.
"Ms Xia! Are you alright? Hold on sir. I'll be right with you. Xia, I'll bring you some water." Xiangling's dad left to get a glass of water as Xia looked up at the man next to her teary eyed.
"Ahem...haa...I thought I was going to die." She breathed in and then collected herself as if she wasn't just dying a few minutes ago.
"Clearly. From the looks of it, you seemed to have been rather taken aback." His dead blue eyes landed on her, giving her all of his attention and not sparing anything else a glance.
"Haa.. You... Who wouldn't be surprised to see you?" She defended herself and looked at the bowl of noodles in complete lost of her appetite.
"Me? I'm honoured that you think highly of me. But, I don't really see why you should be that shocked. I did say that I'd be coming to collect you, no?" He twirled the chopsticks around his long fingers easily as Xiangling's dad returned with a glass of water before she could reply.
"Ms Xia, here. Drink this. I think i may have made this too spicy for you." He looked down at the bowl disappointed in himself as she immediately jumped in.
"No! No no no! I loved it! I just uh.. It went down the wrong channel. Hahaha." She was sure by now that her face was flushed with embarrassment cause she surely was dying of it on the inside.
"Haaa.. I'm sorry dear. Just finish the rest okay? Oh! Sir, here's your bowl." He gave the Harbinger a bowl of noodles before heading to his other customers, leaving her and the Harbinger alone.
What was he saying again? Ah! How did it slip her mind?! He came to collect her? So what it wasn't just a really terrible nightmare?
"I haven't packed anything." She lifted the chopsticks up to pick at her food.
"I suggest we travel light anyways." He shrugged his shoulders and slurped the noodles down like a black hole.
"Tsk. Well i cant pack in a day." She stabbed the mushroom and frowned.
"And I can't wait more than a day for you. I leave by tonight." He bit into his pork while still being firm.
"HA.. I wanted to finally watch the rite..." She mumbled softly and a bit sad. Not only did she have to put an end to her one sided happiness but she couldn't even watch the rite she wanted to.
"I didn't say we can't watch it." He drank the rest of his sauce in less than a minute and placed the empty bowl back down with a sigh and a lick of his lips.
"Haa? Who's 'we'?" She furrowed her brows.
"The plural of us." He placed money for more than one bowl on the table and then got up, "Well? Are you coming?"
She stared at him dumbfounded for a second before getting up and hesitantly following him after saying goodbye to Xiangling's dad. "Hold up. I have errands to run and I never said I would watch it with you." She folded her arms as he slowed his pace to match hers.
"Oh? Well if you consider it this way. We'll be staring at the same thing with almost a hundred other people. Does it really matter if you stay by my side to watch it?" He looked down at her with a smug look on his face.
Ohhh that smartass mouth of his really irked her. Tch.
"Whatever I guess." She rolled her eyes and stomped ahead of him ignoring the fact that she was happy to atleast not be alone in the moment. Ugh. Why did it have to be him?
"So? Which way did you have to go?" His voice brushed right next to her ear, causing her to jerk away in surprise.
"Ahhh! Can you not!?" She held her ear and rubbed it before giving him a dirty glare.
He lifted a brow, clearly amused at the girl's innocent reactions and only shrugged his shoulders. Not only was the girl infront of him completely dense and oblivious, but she stuck out like a sore thumb no matter what she did. Maybe that's why when he came to the city a few times, his eyes would always trail back to her figure and he'd see sides of her that were amusing, like that one time the girl almost cried over the increased price of valberry fruits.
"Listen. Can you just be normal? Gosh.. So weird." She grumbled to herself and looked around before pointing to the tea house upstairs on the veranda overlooking part of Liyue's harbour and the Lantern Rites' stalls, "Over there. I have a letter to drop off. After I'll be free. BUT!" She grabbed his jacket and pulled him back before pointing to the huge wooden pillars near the stairs, "if someone recognizes you while you are with me, we'll both be in trouble. You wait there for me."
His expression said it all as he leaned down to her, "Am I your dog? Why would I obediently wait for you there?" He asked but the thought of it made her eyes glimmer.
"Yes!" She snapped her fingers and nodded her head as he pursed his lips into a straight line completely regretting even saying that. "Wait there for me like an obedient dog."
"I'm not your obedient dog." He glared at the smaller girl however visibly saw her tense up he heaved a sigh and slipped a hand into his pocket while looking the other way, "I'll look around at that stall in the meantime. If you're not back in 15 minutes, I'll come collect you myself."