A/N: This idea just suddenly popped to my mind lol. Oh and forgive my grammar mistake and if I wrote the characters inaccurately.
It was just a normal day in Mondstadt, until two people from Liyue decided to pay a visit. These visitors came to discuss about business with the Acting Grand Master. They were attempting to shape a contract between the Knights of Favonius and Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. The fact that they were from a different region didn't stop them.
This decision was viewed as a foolish act by some of the workers. In order to stop their criticisms, the director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor decided to take care of this matter by herself. She knew if she just throws this responsibility to her assistant, they will label her as 'The incompetent and irresponsible director'. So here she was, in front of the city gate of Mondstadt, accompanied by her dependable consultant.
I think you guessed their names already. They are, the one and only, Hu Tao and Zhongli.
Zhongli was explaining the reason of their presence with the guards, until Hu Tao chose to cut off their conversation.
"Zhongli! How much longer is it gonna be?"
"It will be much quicker if you can let us talk peacefully, Hu Tao."
"But-"
Unanticipatedly, the sound of an explosion was caught by their ears. Smoke appeared in their field of vision and birds nearby were flying away rapidly. She perked up because of this incident and dashed away to the source of the chaos. Zhongli couldn't manage to stop her. He could only stare at her back with her brown hair flowing loosely.
Well, he could always ask for the guards to find her later if she didn't come back soon.
Zhongli didn't worry much about Hu Tao's safety. It wasn't because he didn't care about her, it was more like because he trusted her. He knew she was more than capable to take care of herself. Her appearance may not show it, but this girl was very strong.
"Ah, another explosion. I'll report this to the Acting Grand Master. Do you want to join me to meet her Mr. Zhongli? Or do you need to go somewhere else first?"
Zhongli detected something unusual from the guard's utterance.
Another?
Hu Tao stopped her feet and looked at her surroundings. She has finally arrived at the crime scene. But much to her disappointment, she couldn't spot a single corpse lying on the ground.
She has this unique mindset that petrified most people: 'Explosion equals dead people, and dead people equal profit'. Well, she was the director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor after all. Their income came from the dead, not from the living.
She let out a sigh. Since she was already here anyway, she decided to take a moment to enjoy the view. It was nothing much really. Tall trees with grass around them, some flowers and bushes were also there to complete the scenery. Looking to her right, she can see a massive lake that was surrounding the city of freedom. The sunlight illuminating the water, making it looks all sparkly. There was also a small girl.
Hu Tao blinked a couple times to make sure she was right. It was undoubtedly a child she was seeing, in a red outfit. A cute red hat was covering her pale blonde hair and she was carrying a heavy looking bag. She was crouching down near the lake and looking at the fish.
But there were two unusual things from this. Firstly, the fish were all dead. Secondly, her face displayed joy, not sadness.
Hu Tao was confused and curious at the same time. She approached the girl, crouching down beside her.
"Hello, what's your name little one?"
The child's eyes widen in surprise. She didn't answer her question and panicked instead. She tried to avoid eye contact by looking down at her feet. Hu Tao wondered which part of her sentence scared her. She usually got along quite well with children since she had a cheerful personality.
"Are you here you to send Klee to Master Jean?" The girl asked quietly after a few moments of silence.
"Aiya, you're mistaken. I don't even know who Master Jean is, I'm just a visitor from Liyue."
"Oh, a visitor! Klee can show you around!" She said with sudden excitement. She stood up and extended her hand to Hu Tao. "I'm Klee, the Spark Knight of the Knights of Favonius!"
Hu Tao giggled at her bright nature and wrapped her small hand with hers. "I'm Hu Tao, nice to meet you!" She retorted while shaking her hand.
Klee was now pulling her hand, asking her to stand up and follow her around. Hu Tao fulfilled her request and now walking behind her with a smile on her face.
"We are going to have so much fun together! Klee knows the best places in Mondstadt, oh and the food! You'll love them!"
And just like that, the two girls walked away and started exploring the city. They already forgot about the whole 'fish incident'. They have no idea that it was a massive blunder.
'Terrorists have attacked Mondstadt! Bombs and fire was discovered today in the forest, go to your house and protect your family! '
This announcement has become wide-spread, consuming everyone with fear. Little did they know, all of these were just the work of two young girls with pyro visions.
When they were exploring the city, Hu Tao persuaded Klee to show her bombs more because they interest her. She of course was more than willing to do it. So they went to various other places, from the hilichurls camps to a random pond they accidentally discovered. Poor fish, they didn't commit any sin but their lives were still taken from them anyway.
Hu Tao and Klee were now sitting near that pond and grilling the fish that they managed to catch. The simple taste from this food was enough to bring joy and energy to them.
"This is not bad!"
"Yep, Klee has done this so many times so Klee knows how cook it perfectly!"
"Oh by the way Klee, why did you play with bombs? There are many other things that you could use."
"Oh, Klee just loves fire! So mother encouraged Klee to express it with these awesome bombs. She taught Klee herself how to add gunpowder and select fuses. Once she got back, Klee will tell her how much Klee has improved and make her proud!"
"How long has she gone?"
No answer was given to Hu Tao. She has guessed it, something was wrong with her family. There was no way a child would be left to play with bombs. No matter how crazy her mother might be, she must've at the very least limited her usage of bombs. And when she first met her, Klee mentioned 'Master Jean' instead of her parents when she was scared at getting caught.
"She will come back! Don't worry!" Klee exclaimed after moments of silence. It was obvious that this child was uncertain by this herself.
"Of course she will come back. Why wouldn't her?"
Simple words. But, if you add total confidence to them, nobody could deny it.
Hu Tao knew if she pities her or gives her empty words, it would only exacerbate the situation. What she really needs right now was a boost of optimism, by letting her know she has the same belief straightforwardly.
"Ye-yep! She will!"
Her mouth curved up into a slight grin. Klee's hope was restored once again, and it was quite amusing that a stranger was the cause of it. But now, Hu Tao became her new favorite person.
"Now, shall we go and create havoc again?" Hu Tao stood up and brushed the dirt from her clothes. Her hand was extended to Klee.
"No."
A voice answered her but it didn't belong to Klee. It came from a tall woman with blond hair styled into a ponytail. Her face was stern as her grey blue eyes were staring intensely at them. She was none other than Master Jean herself. Zhongli was also there with her.
"He-hello Master Jean…"
Jean didn't answer and only signaled her to come to her side at this instant. Klee hurriedly went to her, leaving Hu Tao by herself. But she didn't look scared because she was waiting for this moment.
"Oh you're the Acting Grandmaster right? Yes, you matched the description that was given to me. I'm Hu Tao, the 77th director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor from Liyue. I'm here to-"
"I'm sorry but no." Hu Tao was taken aback by this. She hasn't say anything about her objective and rejection was already granted to her.
"I already heard everything from your consultant and I'm sorry to say but I disagree. Now please excuse us." Jean explained and took Klee away with her. But that little girl stopped on her track and went back to Hu Tao. She pulled Hu Tao down so that she could whisper in her ears.
"Let's meet again some other time." She whispered and immediately ran back to Jean. Jean wondered what that was all about but decided to shake it off. A few moments passed and now Zhongli and Hu Tao were left alone.
"It's all your fault." Zhongli was confused by his boss sudden saying. He didn't say anything and raised his eyebrow as a sign of his puzzlement.
"You must've not tried your best! Everything would've gone perfect if it was me."
"I doubt that." That statement made the girl beside him screamed in annoyance. It was entertaining for Zhongli to sometimes tease her like this.
"Whatever, let's just go home. Oh and I'll be going back here next week." She grabbed Zhongli's hand, swinging it as they walked together.
He stiffened but just went along with it. "Is there any particular reason for this?"
"I got a lil sis here now. So of course I'm going to play with her often." She smiled a toothy grin at him. He ruffled her hair with the other hand that wasn't currently clasped in her hand.
Zhongli was washed with relief. Hu Tao didn't have many friends back in Liyue. Most people didn't want to be involved too much with her because of her odd personality and way of thinking. So, knowing that she won't be as lonely as before, brought happiness to him. Hu Tao was like a daughter to him after all.
"I doubt that you're going to be a good sister."
"Zhongli!"