2
“Lady Keqing, on behalf of the Liyue Qixing, we warmly welcome you to Liyue, Mister Tartaglia.”
Upon reaching the warm golden harbor of Liyue that bustled with life despite the early hour, Childe found himself greeted by a peculiar purple=haired twin tailed lady. Sporting a stern and fierce expression, but she maintained her professional facade, bowing to greet him as he and his men disembarked the ship.
“Ah..” Childe awkwardly stood, in the midst of disembarking, his thick winter clothes sticking to his skin due to the warm Liyue atmosphere.
He made a feeble attempt to bow back awkwardly, “it’s an honor to be here, and uhm, to meet you Lady Keqing.”
He cringed when she gave him an amused expression. Nonetheless, she dismissed it, waving for the mileith soldiers to aid his comrades in unloading the crates from the ship.
“Mister Tartaglia, we have a long schedule ahead, if you’ll follow me please.” Keqing opens her scroll, turning on her heels as she makes her way towards the city.
Childe scrambled to follow after her, the heat and weight of his winter cloak and clothes weighing him down, clearly not dressed for liyuean weather. He silently trailed behind the liyuean lady who was engrossed in analyzing the contents of her scroll.
Deciding that the lady did not seem interested in entertaining him, he took the time to take in the streets of Liyue. He gasped in marvel at the elaborate Liyue style building, bridges and winding staircases. It was glorious and breathtaking, especially in the glow of the sunrise. His steps slowed to a halt as he took in the sights and smells of the city.
“Mister Tartaglia, I would appreciate it if you could make haste, not all of us are here for sightseeing.” Keqing huffed.
“Childe,” he offered.
“What?” Keqing stopped in her tracks, confused.
“Mister Tartaglia is too stiff for me, you can just call me Childe, or Tartaglia, whichever you prefer,” he explains as he catches up to where she’s standing.
He notes that she smells vaguely of lavender and ginger. Faint but there.
“You are the bride of our majesty, the Geo Archon, Rex Lapis. It is extremely disrespectful to address you casually. Please understand, mister Tartaglia.” Keqing replies sternly, leaving no room for argument.
Childe frowns, but doesn’t protest.
“Where are we going?” Childe asks.
Keqing coughs, as she continues her previous route, ignoring Childe’s question.
“Uhm, Lady Keqing, where are we going? Are we going to see Morax?” Childe probes further.
Keqing gives an exasperated sigh, “Morax is currently preoccupied with urgent matters and has left us with the responsibility of helping you settle in.”
“I see.” and Childe was quiet.
He obediently follows Keqing, sweat soaked clothes and all, into a grandiose building, decorated in golden and rich dark brown details. It shone with elegance and beauty leaving Childe bewildered. He looked forward to changing out of his winter coat soon.
“Ah, Mister Tartaglia.” an elegantly poised white-haired lady with striking golden eyes greeted him the moment he stepped foot past the double doors of the grand building.
“Good to see you arrived safely. Ningguang, leader of the Liyue Qixing,” She smiles, business and professional.
“Honor to meet you, lady Ningguang. I thank you for your concern,” Childe shakes her hand firmly.
“His majesty, Morax, apologizes for being unable to welcome you personally to Liyue as he is currently preoccupied with important matters outside. He has entrusted us to help you settle in, we do seek your understanding.” Ninguang explains as she leads him and Keqing down the halls.
“Ah, no worries,” Childe smiles, a facade.
He wasn’t expecting Morax to welcome him with a warm hug the moment he arrived, but his heart felt a twinge of sadness that he couldn’t quite explain.
They exited the main building, walking along a wooden corridor, revealing a chinese styled garden with beautiful sand bearer trees and koi fish ponds.
“Mister tartaglia, if there is anything you require, please do not hesitate to approach any of our staff or even me. We are more than happy to accommodate. You are of course an esteemed guest within our walls.”
“There is no need for such an extent on my behalf, but thank you for your consideration.” Childe laughs bashfully.
“No need to be so polite, mister Tartaglia. Here is your room, after you are done settling in, an escort will arrive to give you a tour of the palace.” Ningguang smiles as they reach a room.
She and Keqing bow, taking their leave, leaving Childe alone in the hallway. He enters the room to find it larger than he expected. A large canopy bed with wooden pillars etched with beautiful and intricate designs, liyuean-style [the curtain panel thingy], a dedicated area for a beautiful tea room on the right, finished with a well lit study on the left.
Although by the looks of the well-equipped study, he wasn’t sure if this room was also Morax’s. He could faintly smell the scent of amber and bamboo in the air. He slides shut the bamboo doors gently behind him. He quickly shed his thick fur coat, but frowned as he found no place to hang it. Opting to fold it neatly and leave it on the cushion at the front of the bed. He sighs in relief as he pulls off his layers, leaving his signature red button up, leather harness and gray pants.
He sighed in instant relief, feeling slightly cooler than before. His attention was quickly caught by a sharp rapping on the door. He opens it to find a youthful face with blue locks smiling gently at him, a warm scent of pu erh tea and fresh ink filled his senses.
“Sir Tartaglia?” the voice calls out, snapping him back to the youth at hand.
“Childe, please.”
“Oh, I’m afraid I can’t, it would be equal to treason to-”
“How old are you?”
“Sorry? I’m soon to be 18.”
“I’m your elder.”
“Yes..?” the youth paused, confused as to what Childe meant.
“You should respect your elder’s wishes. And this elder wishes for you to refer to them without honorifics.”
The youth stares at him stunned before chuckling to himself, a wide grin spreading across his face.
“Excuse my rudeness, you’re different from what rumors say, Sir Childe. I’m Xingqiu, the FeiYun commercial guild master’s son.”
“No, just Childe or Tartaglia please. It feels awkward being called so formally by everyone.”
“So long as you’ll defend my honor if morax comes after my head, then I shall comply with your wishes Tartaglia. And you must address me casually as well then,” Childe nods in promise.
“And what do rumors say anyways?”
“That you’re a heartless and vicious killer. Bloodthirsty and insatiable,” Xingqiu describes vividly.
Childe’s forehead wrinkles, “that’s farfetched.”
“I can agree now that I've had the honor to have met you in person. Don’t worry, I’ll set the rumors straight as much as I can.”
“There’s no need for such extents, but thank you.” Childe smiles as the thoughtful youth.
“Alright then, shall we depart? There is a lot of ground to cover and I have a feeling you might enjoy the training grounds.” Childe nods for Xingqiu to take the lead as they chatter up a friendly and amicable conversation.
Ajax blooms at the prospect of having found a new ally.