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

The Scent of Rain

Tartaglia,

I did not think it necessary to wake you at the early hour of my departure, which is why I am leaving this note in my stead. I am taking a trip to my laboratory at Luhua Pool and I will likely be there for the next few days if not longer. For the moment, I do not have a date of return, though I do not wish to be away for too terribly long.

Should you require anything, feel free to speak with my attendants. Those with blue robes work directly for me and have been instructed to carry out any requests you may have so long as it is within their power. Otherwise, I am sure that Marchosias or Xiao Ping will be more than willing to help you.

One last thing. Now that you and Morax are better acquainted, I would appreciate it if you were to begin to work on your end of the contract. He is stubborn at the best of times and as you have seen, he can be outright hostile. However, you have nothing to fear from him. I am sure you will know what to do.

Oh and do keep the glaze lily on you. It may come in handy.

Best of luck,

Guizhong

Childe found the note along with a single, perfectly blue glaze lily at his door when he awoke. He twirled the flower gently in his hand. Guizhong wanted him to keep it on him, though why exactly Childe had no idea. He couldn't just hold the flower all day. He had plans...

Tonia's image appeared in his mind, holding out a small crown of little white flowers woven together. She always liked to make those during the rare few months the ground was not covered in a blanket of snow. Childe was by no means skilled in the art of flower crown making and, either way, he only had one flower to work with. So he did the next best thing and tucked it behind his ear, sticking the stem into his hair in the hopes that it would stay put.

Childe's first stop of the morning was the kitchen. He highly doubted that Morax would be interested in sharing a meal with him without Guizhong being there (or rather, without Guizhong forcing him). So, he decided to pay Marchosias a visit and make good on the stove god's offer to teach. It had been a little while since Childe had cooked for himself, he kind of missed it.

Childe wandered aimlessly for a while before stopping one of those blue robed attendants to ask for directions. The closer he got to the kitchen, the more heavenly the air became.

"Good morning, Marchosias!"

"Hey there! What can I do for you?" The large orange bear-like god turned to greet him, "I- oh, what's this?"

Childe was puzzled for a moment. Following the stove god's eyes, he remembered the flower.

"A gift from Guizhong," he replied, "I'm not entirely sure why she left it with me. Any ideas?"

Marchosias thought for a moment, "None, but knowing her there's probably a good reason for it."

The god shifted focus, "Anyhow, I assume you're here for breakfast? Anything you'd like me to make?"

"I'm happy to let you choose, but I'd like to take you up on your offer of a lesson."

"Oh, of course! Come'ere, I'll show you what I'm working on."

Thus, Childe's cooking lesson began. The dish of choice: scallion pancakes. Marchosias had already prepared the dough, quickly running Childe through the process before promising to show him step by step another time.

Childe was tasked with rolling out each section of dough, creating thin sheets out of each one and using a generous amount of oil to keep them from sticking to the counter. A mixture of oil and chopped scallions were spread over the top of each section of dough. Then came the rolling.