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

Keeper of Memories

You're from the future, aren't you?

Childe's whole body froze at Guizhong's words. He didn't even dare to breathe. His thoughts ran rampant. How did she know? When did she find out?

Do I tell her the truth?

His mouth opened and closed as he struggled to answer. Childe finally snapped out of his shock from the sound of Guizhong's light laughter. She held a hand to her face, poorly concealing her amused expression.

"Your silence speaks volumes, my friend."

Childe's jaw audibly clicked shut. She knew. Of course she knew. Guizhong doesn't let much get past her, he recalled the thought he'd had only an hour ago. Not even this. He wanted to laugh.

Guizhong tilted her head and prompted, "Well?"

He let out a resigned sigh, "You clearly know the answer."

"I do, but I want to hear you say it."

"I mean, what is there to say?" he shrugged. "It's as you said...I'm from the future."

Childe wasn't sure what kind of reaction he was expecting, but Guizhong's squeal of delight and invasion of his personal space was not it. He hadn't even registered her movement before she took up his field of vision. The god grabbed his hands in her own and was practically vibrating with excitement. Her silver eyes glittered with questions.

"I knew it!" she squealed in delight. "How exciting! I have never encountered such a phenomenon!"

"Um–" he started but Guizhong had already let go of his hands and began rummaging through the room. She moved with a deceptive speed, leaving behind a slight afterimage of dust wherever she went, and the only sounds she made were from moving paper and the clink of tools being misplaced.

"Oh, I do hope you'll tell me everything!" she said before making an excited little noise when she found whatever she was looking for.

"I–" Childe tried again, and was once again cut off. One of Guizhong's ghostly arms shot out and clamped over his mouth the moment he opened it. It felt odd, like a light mist over his face. Only, it exerted enough pressure so that he could not speak. He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at her. Did she want him to speak, or not?

Guizhong's expression was torn between jittery excitement and alarm.

"My apologies," she approached him, arms holding loosely bound papers, ink, and brushes. "I got ahead of myself."

He nodded in understanding.

"Before we begin, I need to set some general rules," she said. "Please do not tell me anything outside of answering the questions I ask. Even then, proceed with caution. As much as I would love to know everything , I'd rather not risk Istaroth's wrath."

Childe tilted his head in question. Istaroth?

"The God of Time," Guizhong explained. "I have no doubts that she knows of your existence here and, while she is generally benevolent, I don't think she would take kindly to you revealing future events."

Then why would she let me come here in the first place? he wondered.

The corners of her mouth twitched upward, as if knowing the thoughts that ran through his mind.

"I don't know why she would allow you to be here. I can only assume that your presence here is necessary, that you have a role to play."

Childe nodded and felt the weight over his mouth disappear.

"Do you know the God of Time well?"

Guizhong shook her head, "I've never met her, but we do share a...connection."