"Um, Childe? What is this?"
Amber raised a finger pointed at the wooden contraption in front of her. It was small box fitted with a single slab of wood to serve as a seat on top of two iron wheels. Extending from the side were two handles meeting a few feet in the front. Next to Amber, Teucer was holding her other hand, little fist wrapped around hers. The outrider could practically feel the boys quizzative look that mirrored her own.
"It's a cart." Childe deadpanned. Leaning down Childe grabbed the handles and stood up motioning over his shoulder. "Hop on."
Amber tried to open her mouth to speak but Teucer was already bouncing toward his bother dragging her along. With a wince Amber was forced to follow. Childe must have seen the twinge of pain on her face as he put the handles down and grabbed Teucer from the scruff of his shirt, halting him immediately.
"Hey easy there buddy." Childe scolded gentle. "Can't be pulling Amber along like that, she's still pretty hurt."
Teucer went red from one ear to the other turning to Amber sputtering grabbled words of an apology. Amber could not help but laugh before ruffling his hair.
"I'm fine." The outrider said. "Just a little sore."
It was a lie. Amber knew that 'a little sore' was sugar coating it way out of proportion, but she hated looking weak in front of others. Especially Childe. The only problem was the older man seemed to be able to see right through her. Each step this morning had been more painful than the one before. Ver Goldet had given Amber some numbing suave to help wrapping up her waist one more time before giving Amber an earful about taking it easy. But even with that, it still felt like someone was digging a knife slowly into her side. Amber had started to take the stairs before Childe had steered her towards the elevator without even saying a word to her.
And now here they were.
"Where did you even get this thing?" Amber asked as Childe reached down grabbing Teucer around the waist and hoisting him up onto the seat.
"Bought it," Childe replied before turning back around. "Come here I'll help you up."
"I'm not invalid, Childe." Amber scoffed trying to push passed the taller man.
Childe simply looked down at her for a second before swooping down, and with more grace than Amber thought the man was capable of, hooked once arm under her knees and another around her shoulders and lifted her up. Amber only had enough time to make a shocked gasp before she felt the hard wood of seat under her bottom. Letting go Childe promptly turned around the leaned down grabbing the handle again. Amber felt her whole face turn a crimson red. Maybe she was still a little out of it from the pain meds.
The rest of the trip was thankfully uneventful. Childe did not say a word to either of them as he pulled them along. Teucer on the other hand was more than happy to fill the silence with never ending chatter. At one point Amber was able to convince him a play a game of I-spy trumping him for a whole 20 minutes with the color orange. He pouted for while after when he finally realized Amber was using Childe's hair color.
Cresting the top of a large hill Childe paused from a moment Amber noticing the sweat rolling down the back of his neck. The outrider felt guilt twist at her stomach. Her she was leisurely being pulled along while Childe was working himself to the bone. Opening her mouth Amber was about to suggest they simply walk the rest of the way when Childe suddenly pointed off into the distance.
"We've made it"
The first thing Amber saw was the long never-ending stretch of the ocean in front of her. Looking inland she saw Liyue Harbor fan out beneath her in an array of the green, red, and gold. Towering building loomed over the sparkling blue waters of the ocean with an array of docks stretching out into the water. Amber had to admit it the sight was breath taking as the reality that she had finally made it came crashing down on her. After all this time, after all the struggle…
She was one step closure.
.:
Where Mondstadt was a city bustling with activity, Amber quickly discovered Liyue Harbor was bursting at the seams with it. Countless stalls lined the streets, people walking quickly here and there. Ores, fabric, foods, the blur of color and variety had Amber's head spinning. The sudden realization of how big the city was made the Outrider feel ridiculously small. Where in the world was she supposed to start. She remembered when she had been studying up on Liyue that the milenth were the Mondstadt equivalent of the knights. Peering around Amber saw a few standing at attention, pole arms in one hand. If she had to start anywhere it might as well be with them.
Turning Amber made a step toward a friendly looking man about her age standing at his post only to feel a hand latch onto her arm and pull her away. Looking up she met Childe's cool blue eyes as he stared down at her silently steering her away and back into the flow of the crowd.
"Easy there," Childe said pulling her along. "You can get lost really easily if you wonder off."
Amber opened her mouth to retort but felt her words die in her throat as Childe slide his hand down her arm and grasp her hand pulling her in the direction of a large set of stone stairs. Behind them Teucer followed along obediently grabbing Amber's other hand as they dodged through the crowd. The tips of Amber's ears felt hot as she let Childe pull her along.
At the top of the stairs the smell of cooking food waved up to the Outrider's nostrils and she felt her stomach growl in response. Childe paused into front of Amber looking over his shoulder at her.
"You hungry?" He asked.
If she wasn't blushing yet Amber knew she was now. "No I'm fi-"
Amber heard her stomach give an extra audible growl where even passerby's were casting her a side glance. Next to her Amber could hear Teucer giggling under his breath causing her to shoot him a glare, but Childe simple gripped her hand tighter and pulled her off the busy street.
Walking toward a set of double doors the smell of the food only grew stronger to Amber senses. Outside the small women dressing in formal Liyue attire smiled brightly up to them grin looking like it was going to split her face in two.
"Lord Childe!" The women exclaimed making Amber frown. "It is an honor as always to see you. Will you be dinning with us tonight? I can have the usual private room prepared."
"Ah how kind of you!" Like the flip of a switch Childe's demeanor switch to a cheerful and smiling person. Beaming he pulled Amber up beside him sliding his hand to where it sat on her hip. The outrider felt her whole face burn as the other women sized her up under hooded lashes before beaming her a fake smile.
"It seems you have a guest," The hostess said turning to open the doors and motion them inside. "I will make sure the cook has our best dinner brought out for you."
Childe gave a polite laugh pulling Amber along inside. "Ah your hospitality is always the best in Liyue," he said following the women passed a set of sliding screen doors. "Please inform the chef that my little brother is also dinning tonight."
"I don't like spicy things! Only sweet!" Teucer bounced in front of them and sat down at the large ornate table in the middle of the room.
Amber eyes swam with the splashes of gold, green, and red. Everywhere she looked gushed prestige and money, a far cry from the modest taverns of Mondstadt. Even Master Diluc's winery had nothing on this place. The outrider cast Childe a side glance but he wasn't looking at her instead staring up at the ceiling fingers drumming on the table.
Within minutes waiters came shuffling in carrying plates and bowls of food that made Amber's mouth water. She had to admit the spread was extremely impressive. One of the waiters placed a bowl of soup in front of her that was so clear she could see her reflection. Giving a curt bow the staff excused themselves sliding the doors close as they left.
Hunger overriding Amber's wondering thoughts the outrider picked up her spoon and started to eat. Everything she touched was delicious. The meat melted in her mouth. Next to her Amber heard Childe give a grunt and looked over to see him struggling with a pair of chopsticks. Amber had to bite her lip not to laugh when she watched him drop a piece of meat that was mere seconds from being in his mouth.
"Here," reaching over Amber grabbed his hand and adjusted his grip helping him pick up a piece of meat and guide into towards his mouth. "Open up."
Childe paused before opening in mouth and taking a bite. Chewing his blue eyes looked up at her face and Amber felt her stomach do a backflip. Childe really did have bottomless blue eyes. Amber felt like she could fall into them sometimes.
Suddenly realizing she was just sitting there holding Childe's hand and staring at his face, Amber quickly let go and returned to her meal. What in the world had she just been thinking? The image of Childe's lips closing around the chopsticks flashed before Amber's mind and if she wasn't red before she knew she had to look like a tomato now.
"This food is so good!" Amber grabbed her spoon shoving more soup into her mouth, anything to divert attention of the fact that she couldn't look Childe in the face right now.
"Liyue Pavallion is one of the most highly exclaimed restaurants in all of Liyue." Childe replied. "I'm glad you like it."
Amber choked.
"Liyue Pavallion?!" Amber spun looking at Childe's surprised face at her outburst. "Like the Liyue Pavilion? Like the extremely famous restaurant that you have to wait on a three month reservation list to even get in Liyue Pavilion."
Childe simple blinked at her. "Well yeah I guess."
"You guess?" Amber turned back around looking at the spread of food in front of her. "How much is this going to cost?"
Amber was surprised to hear Childe scoff. Looking back at him Amber froze when Childe grabbed her chin rubbing his thumb over the underside of her bottom lip. The outrider felt all her thoughts of the dollar signs she was seeing going up in a puff of smoke. Next to her Childe's eyes burned with something Amber couldn't recognize before he blinked dropping his hand abruptly.
"You had something our face," Childe muttered. Coughing he cleared his throat looking away.
"Don't worry about Mora." Childe flashed her a disarming smile raising both arms behind his head and leaning back against this chair. "I have more than enough funds to afford this and anything we would need."
"Brother is the best businessman in the whole world Big Sis!" Teucer beamed at Amber across the table around mouthfuls of food. "He always sends mom and dad money. He even bought them a big house and—"
"Don't talk with your mouth full." Childe said, cutting off his brother. "You could choke."
Teucer frowned, mumbling a sorry before returning to his meal.
Amber had always had a feeling that Childe was well off. If the money bag he had thrown her when the first met was anything to go off of Amber would have thought Childe was a wealthy as Master Diluc was. This though, to simple be able to waltz into one of the most esteemed restaurants in all of Liyue and get a private room, was on a whole another level.
"I didn't realize toy making was such a profitable business." Amber said turning to look at Childe.
Childe almost looked sheepish scratching his chin. "Well to be perfectly honest I also do a lot of trading on the side. You'd be surprised on how much toy making supplies overlap with other businesses. In fact I even have business contacts at Babu Pharmacy."
It wasn't like Childe explanation was unreasonable. Besides Amber was the last person who would be able to make heads or tails of Liyue's business practices. Still, Amber cast Childe a glance, her gut was telling her something didn't add up. Shaking her head Amber tried to rid herself of the thought. She was tired and her side was hurting more as the numbing suave was wearing off. Childe didn't have a reason to lie to her now, so she shouldn't be so suspicious of him and he was currently her sworn ally. If Childe had as much connections Liyue has he said he did, then it would make finding her Grandfather that much easier.
Remembering the feeling of Childe's thumb against her lip Amber felt her stomach do that weird flip thing again and she immediately turned back to her food hoping Childe wouldn't see how red her face was.
:.
He needed to be more careful.
Childe wanted to stab himself in his own leg. He had been careless and the Harbinger had forgotten how sharp Amber could be at times. Luckily it seemed she was willing to buy his side trading story and had turned back to her food. He could still feel the weight of her chin in his hand as he had wiped some sauce off her bottom lip. Briefly he wondered what her skin would have felt like if he wasn't wearing his glove and quickly shoved the idea down.
Paying the billing Childe lead their group back out to the Harbor streets steering them toward the pharmacy. They paused for at the bridge crossing the Koi pond as Teucer and Amber peered over the side at the fish. Childe had to grab the back of Teucer's shirt to keep him from falling in and Amber had laughed at the pouting face the younger boy made in the process.
It might have been the reflection of the light against the water, but Childe could have sworn Amber's face was brighter than the sun when she smiled.
Standing at the foot of the stairs leading up to the pharamacy Childe could see the look in of distain on Amber's face as she took in the lengthy way up. Without even batting an eye lash Childe stepped behind her placing one arm behind her knees and the other around her shoulders and lifted the outrider off the ground with a small squeak coming out of the other party.
"Childe!" Amber's face was a red as her head band. "You do not need to carry me."
Childe simple scoffed walking up the steps in stride. "This is faster," he said completely ignoring the bizarre mix of looks he was getting. "Besides now you can almost say it's knightly of me to carry you."
Amber wanted to hit him for his lame joke, Childe could see it on her face, but instead she relented letting her weight settle into his arms. It took the Harbinger by surprise and made him worry. He was expecting more of a fuss out of her. Maybe the outrider was more tired than she had been letting on. He had been watching her since morning, noting how quickly she had slowed down even in the small amount energy she had to invest today. It made Childe's gut twist thinking about it. He did not like the feeling.
"Well this is a quite on interesting sight."
Hitting the top of the stairs Childe heard the familiar voice and looked up finding Baizhu leaning against the side of the counter fist propping up his chin. The owner of Babu pharmacy smiled pulling himself up to his full height, his white pet snake peeking up over his shoulder at the group.
"My, my and what do I owe, Lord Childe, for you to grace my humble shop." Baizhu tilted his head to the side taking in Amber in Childe arms before the Harbinger placed her on her feet. Suddenly Baizhu's eyes shifted, becoming sharper and with a few graceful strides was in front of Amber leaning done to peer into her face.
"You poor thing," Baizhu reached up hand moving towards Ambers side. "Your hurt."
The weight of Childe's hand closing around Baizhu wrist made the other man freeze. Eyes snapping from Amber Baizhu met the Harbinger's eyes and quickly stood up retreating back.
"Ah, my apologies." Baizhu stood his full height crossing his arms in front of himself hiding his surprise with another shallow smile. "I didn't mean to get ahead of myself. It's very obvious from your wound you have come here in need of some medicine."
Childe returned Bazihu's smile with an equally fake one as well. The man had never quite set right with Childe even if they were business partners. Baizhu's eye were always too sharp for Childe's liking. They always had a calculating gleam and put the Harbinger on edge. Though Childe wasn't opposed to the excitement, Baizhu was obvious not one of the sword and more of the fighter of wits.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Stepping forward Amber extending her hand in greeting. "My name is Amber."
The girl never stopped surprising Childe. Childe wondered if she had a self preserving bone in her body.
Childe watched as Baizhu gentle took Amber's hand and leaned down brushing a kiss across her knuckles before looking up at her with a beaming smile. "A pleasure to be of your acquaintance. My name is Baizhu, owner of Babu pharmacy and what might I do for you Amber."
Childe felt the hair on the back of his neck rise. Biting his tongue, he watched Amber pull her arm back face going red. There was that feeling again in the pit of Childe's stomach. A twisting pull that made him frown.
"Uh…well…" Amber stuttered making Childe frown even harder. "I was hoping you had some healing suave for pyro whopperflower wounds."
Baizhu frowned. "Let me guess, you had an unfortunate run in that Vampire flower in the Marsh, hmm?"
"Well actually yes—"
Baizhu raised his hand stopping Amber mid-sentence. "Say no more," Turning the pharmacist walked behind the ornate wooden counter pulling down and box from the top shelf. "It's been a while since the Wangshu Inn has requested any, I was beginning to hope those vile creatures had been taken care off."
Sliding the box across the counter Baizhu smiled. "I'm glad to see you at least survived your encounter. With this your wound should heal within three days."
Amber's smile could have fought on equal grounds with the sun. Reaching forward she went to take the box from Baizhu's only for the other man to slide in back out a arms length.
"Unfortunately, this is the last of my stock and it is quite expensive and time consuming to make." Baizhu smiled completely unfazed by Amber's crest fallen look. "Usually I would require a prescription to be able to purchase this alone but as you are obviously not from around here I'll overlook it for now."
"Prescription?" Amber looked confused casting a look over her shoulder at Childe. "I'm sorry if I had known I would have gone through the proper procedures."
Baihzu actually laughed. "My you are quite upright. I assure you given your circumstances we can overlook a few side steps of procedure. Now as for price—how about 400,000 Mora?"
Childe actually thought Amber was going to drop dead where she stood. "I...um…Oh. 400,00 you said?" Amber reached into her pouch pulling out her money bag and started to count looking sheepish. "Is there…anyway you could sell it cheaper?"
"Unfortunately that is the lowest I can go." Baihzu's smile never waivered finger still perched on top of the box. "But seeing as you are a good acquaintance of Lord Childe I'm sure you could ask him for help, no?"
Childe could see the tips of Ambers ears turn red. Slowly she looked behind her rubbing her the back of her head with one hand an awkward laugh spilling out of her lips. A tug at Childe leg made him look down. Teucer was staring at him eyes wide and blue.
With a sigh Childe walked forward and slapped his money bag on the counter. "It is always a pleasure to do business with you." The Harbinger said through a forced smile.
Baihzu's eyes seemed to glimmer for a moment as Changsheng uncoiled herself around Baihzu's neck and looked up at Childe with her red snake eyes.
"The pleasure is all ours," The snake hissed before lowering herself back down. Childe couldn't help but feel the sarcasm in the snake's words as he reached across pulling the box off the counter and turning to leave. Behind him Amber gave a polite bow and thanked the pharmacist before hurrying after him.
"I'll pay you back I swear." Amber whispered to him as the descended the stairs. "What's the nerve of that guy charging so much for medicine. It's straight up highway robbery!"
Childe simply shrugged before smiling down at her. "Don't worry about it. Mora is of no concern to me."
"Big brother always takes care of the people he likes." Teucer beamed up at Amber. "And he'll buy you great toys!"
"Speaking to toys," Childe paused. "How about we stop by my shop? Your big brother can show you where his main store front is."
Teucer's eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his head. Blabbering in excited gibberish Childe simple laughed at his brother's energy before secretly signaling the Fatui guard that had been following them since entering the Harbor. Without either of his traveling companions noticing Childe let the guard lead them down into the business district. Finally the guard signaled to a small shop toward the end, the open window bursting with color. Outside locals mingled window shopping over a variety of stuffed toys. Overhead a sign in hastily painted letters read "Shneznaya toys".
Childe watched as Amber nearly tripped as Teucer grabbed the girls arm and dragged thru the front door. Taking a deep breath Childe followed them.
For how rushed of a job it had been it was surprisingly well put together. Toys and other items lined the shelves and display stands. In the back a small sturdy counter towards sat in front of a door way that was blocked off with curtains. Behind the counter stood a middle aged man with a forced smile as he sold an excited girl a stuffed rex lapis toy. Looking up Childe caught the mans eye and watched as the man immediately stood up start face turning white.
"Lord Childe!" The man exclaimed.
Out of the corner of his eye Childe could see Amber pause and cast him a look and Teucer acquired himself with a basket of stuffed bears. Forcing a smile Childe tilted his head at the man.
"Now, now. You don't need to address me so formally." Childe's eyes bored holes into the worker in front of him words searing like venom. "I'm only your boss."
The poor man's soul looked like it might have fled his body. Quickly nodding the worker cast Teucer and Amber a glance before shuffling back towards the curtains.
"Excuse me Lor—Bos. I—uhh, just need to check the inventory we uhhhh…just received."
Childe sighed. Before forcing a smile back on his face and turning to the other two in this party.
"Big brother can I have this?" Teucer pulled out a stuffed bear and clutched it to his chest. "It's just like the one we have at home!"
"Of course, any thing for my favorite little brother."
Teucer's smile nearly broke his face. Glancing at Amber Childe say her smiling at the other boys happiness. Leaning down Childe put an arm around both of there shoulders and started to steer them towards the door.
"Well I don't know about you but I think a nice real bed and bath are in order what do you all think?"
The faster Childe got them out of here the easily the glamour would be to keep. Now Childe just had to make sure he steered both Amber and Teucer clear of any troublesome people and—
"Well my isn't this a interesting sight?"
Childe stopped dead feeling his teeth clench. Looking up he took in the Ningguang's standing in the doorway chin prop up on one of her pointed finger nails eyes blazing.
:.
She was as pretty as Jean. It was the first thought that went through Amber's head. The woman standing in front of her smiled, eye glimmering. Next to her Amber could feel Childe tense up before suddenly relaxing, standing back up to his full height.
"Oh, if it isn't the Tianquan herself. What brings you to my humble shop, Lady Ningguang."
The name stirred Amber memories. She remembered from her time researching Liyue that the leaders of Liyue were divided into seven sections under Rex Lapis. The Tianquan was in charge of upholding and overseeing the old world rules set forth by Rex Lapis himself. They were, in a sense, considered Liyue's leaders.
Ningguang gave Childe the smallest of smiles, just a slight upturn of her lips, before her eyes lowered, finding Amber's face.
"I thought I would just stop by to see how your…new adventure was doing." Ningguang said. "But it seems I've come at a bad time."
"Yes well," Amber felt Childe's hand slide the middle of her back giving her a slight push forwards, "Me and may travel companions have just made it back to the harbor after a long journey, so if you'll excuse us-"
"Oh how thoughtless of me." Ningguang glided forward extending a hand towards Amber smile soft and inviting. "I forgot to introduce myself, how silly of me. My name is Ningguang, I am the acting Tianquan of Liyue harbor. It's a pleasure to be of your acquaintance."
"Amber, Outrider for the Knight of Favonius." Amber could already feel herself blush as she took the woman's hand giving a quick shake. She felt the other woman's finger clasped down around her's as as the other woman tilted her, looking Amber up and down.
"A knight of Favonius you don't say." Ningguang dropped her hand crossing them under her chest and looking down at Amber with a sharp, clear gaze. "You are quite a way from Mondstadt, Ms. Amber."
Amber could feel the heat flooding her face. She had just ousted herself in the most embarrassing way possible. The Outrider was just so used to introducing herself as a knight that she didn't even pause to consider keeping her standing in neighboring countries hierarchy, might have been better on a need to know basis. Ningguang was looking at her now like she was some odd fish that has dropped onto her doorstep.
"I uh…" Amber stuttered trying to back out of the situation. Suddenly she felt Childe's hand glide down her back to her hip pulling her a little bit closure. If Amber wasn't red before she definitely knew she was red now.
"This wonderful knight here is the reason my bother is now safe and sound back this his big brother." Childe's voice was as politically flat as Amber had ever heard. It surprised her a little, but then again Amber could reason that being a highly successful business man would need that necessary skill.
"As you can see," Childe continued on trying to steer Amber forward and around Ningguang who was blocking the exit. "We are very tried from our trip so if you'll excuse us-"
"Ah so I suppose you will be staying for the festival?" Ningguang didn't move from her spot planting a golden tipped finger nail to her chin.
"Festival?" Teucer peered around from behind Childe eyes big and shining. "There's going to be a festival?"
Ningguang laughed, the sound of her voice light and airy. "Yes, the lantern rite festival is tomorrow night. It would be such as shame if your companion traveled all the way here and was unable to see the show."
Amber felt Childe's hand clamp down on her waist harder making her face flush more than it already was. The outrider wasn't sure why but she felt almost embarrassed with Ningguang describing her as Childe's companion. They had been through quite a lot the last few days and yes Childe was quite rough around the edges but Amber could see the underlying decency in him. At this point they were basically friends…
In the doorway Ningguang's mouth twisted upward in a small smile. "It really would be an awful shame," the older woman continued. "For you to have come all this way and miss out on one of the largest festivals in Liyue." Ningguang tapped her chin with her gilded finger looking Amber up from head to toe. "And for being the brave knight who help rescue Childe's younger brother allow me to offer a change of clothes for the festival as well. Might as well go in style, no?"
Amber waved her hands in front of her face. "No, no you don't need to go that far. I—"
"Think nothing of it." Ningguang's voice was firm and final and Amber quickly summarized that she didn't except the word no often. "Consider it an act of good grace between Liyue and Mondstadt if you need an excuse."
"Oh, umm…thank you." Amber was barely able to mutter out her gratitude before Childe finally pushed past Ningguang and out of the shop dragging both her and Teucer with him.
"I'll have my assistants drop it off at your residence tomorrow afternoon." Amber heard Ningguang call out after them and then they were rounding a corner. Looking over her shoulder Amber caught Ningguang's face one last time. A deep satisfied smirk taking up her face before she was gone Childe hastily pulling her along.
:.
Behind him the door closed with an audible click. It had been a long time since Childe had felt this exhausted. Minutes before he had deposited Amber and Teucer in the guest quarters of the house he was renting off of the Liyue Pavilion. He could still she Amber face as she said good night before disappearing behind the door, face slightly flushed a soft shade of pink. The memory made something in his gut twist and he could feel a headache coming on.
Pinching his nose, Childe turned around intending to fall flat on his face in his bed and let sleep take him. Of all the annoying people to have to run into Ningguang was the last person Childe had wanted to deal with. Whatever that cunning bitch was think up of now, it seemed not popping Childe's illusion wasn't on her agenda. She even seemed to have been playing along, if not cutting in few underhand remarks. It made Childe uneasy. He was going to have to try harder in the future to make sure he kept Amber away from another other annoying people.
"It seems I can't leave alone for a second, can I?"
Childe nearly groaned at the sound of the familiar voice. Looking up he saw Signora sitting behind his desk reading over some documents.
Speaking of annoying people.
