His Eyes Never Change (Gold like Cor Lapis, Blue as Noctilucous Jade)

A Secret Exists in Silence

One sip. Two sips. Three.

Childe wondered just how much tea Guizhong managed to pour into that small tea cup. Surely she had finished it already?

He sat silently at the table as Guizhong drank her tea. Morax sat opposite him, similarly silent. The god's face was stony and impassive but, under the mask, Childe could tell he was still irritable. Despite that, Morax said nothing.

Then Guizhong put down her cup. She did so with a little more force than was probably necessary, the sharp clink of the ceramics making both Childe and Morax stiffen almost imperceptibly. She closed her eyes and let out a small sigh.

"I apologize."

That...was not what either of them was expecting. The two of them looked at her, puzzled. Guizhong turned to Morax.

"I should have informed you of Tartaglia's presence sooner," she looked meaningfully in the direction of the main courtyard, "had I done that, we would have avoided this...situation."

The courtyard was covered in shimmering silver particles as the ruined buildings and stonework were slowly being returned to their original state, courtesy of Guizhong's magic. Despite that, much of the damage was still visible. Craters left behind in the walkways, shattered walls and broken roofing. The flowerbeds, however, were remarkably untouched. So was Childe himself, who made it out of the encounter with nothing more than a few surface level scratches. Childe frowned, knowing that had Morax actually wanted him dead, he wouldn't be sitting at the table for this discussion. The god had gone easy on him.

"That being said," Guizhong steeled her expression and turned back to Morax, holding his golden eyes with her silver ones, "your actions were completely out of line."

Childe watched as Morax's eyes widened slightly. Guizhong continued.

"A master of martial and adeptal arts such as yourself could have easily avoided destruction of this magnitude. It is fortunate that my elemental energy has soaked this estate in its entirety which allows me to repair it with ease."

"And while I appreciate that you did not kill our guest outright, as I know you are fully capable of doing, I do not appreciate the threat on his life. Had you taken a moment of reflection, you would have undoubtedly sensed my energy on his person, marking him as my guest."

Her eyes narrowed but her face was otherwise impassive.

"Not only that, but I myself was present. So why, pray tell, did you not feel the need to confirm his words with me before launching your attack?"

Guizhong's voice was steady and gentle, but her words were strict. She didn't seem angry or disappointed. It was as if she was simply stating facts.

Morax, for his part, looked suitably chastened. Golden eyes shifted in Childe's direction, and the look was returned by a cheeky smile. The god's expression soured and he exhaled sharply.

"I admit that my actions were...impulsive," Morax said slowly, "I should have confirmed the situation with you, and I apologize for the destruction of the courtyard."

Childe wanted to laugh, but decided to keep it smothered. What, no apology for me?

Morax continued, glaring in Childe's direction.

"I do recall giving an order to have this one, Tartaglia was it? Yes, I ordered for him to be thrown out of the city," he turned to Guizhong, "so why is he here?"

Childe cringed slightly at the name "Tartaglia" said in Morax's (or rather, Zhongli's) voice. The funeral consultant had rarely called him by that name, if ever. Somehow, it made Childe feel like he was in trouble. He did realize, however, that he had never been formally introduced to Morax. If he had been, he probably would've insisted on the use of "Childe".