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[apolunee]

[hetuvidya]

while Dusk browses at her own leisure, he spares few glances between some odd little trinkets he's been eyeing up in thought. "what exactly are you looking for anyway? you didn't explain before dragging me here." he may not be all that interested in fancier or artistic items like his roommate, but still, he's not opposed to shopping around now and then if asked.

when she doesn't answer though, he stops to see what has her so quiet all of a sudden. "did you find something?" it's hard to tell what caught her attention with all these items in the painter's line of sight, the largest being a table of some kind with cloth draped around the sides. surely that can't be it? nothing else in particular stands out as anything she might like, so perhaps... "is this what you're staring at?"

@feranmut

[hetuvidya]

"weird place to be practicing, don't you think?" his comment comes without warning, given he'd only been watching in silence before, curious as to why anyone would be swinging a sword around on a public beach of all places. by normal standards, people tend to find somewhere remote to avoid any mishaps. there are forests perfect for this kind of thing, even an arena he'd heard word of in passing. but here? unless a meeting is meant to be taking place soon or something of the like. "do you usually just wave that around wherever you want, or is this a one off?"

@robustdragonheart

[empyreanlight]

IT WASN'T AS IF KAVEH WOULD DENY THIS, though he cannot help but feel a little bit defensive on the matter. in truth, both of them were stubborn people, with alhaitham doing his own thing alongside kaveh for two very differing reasons. so, his arms cross over his chest, turning his head away from the scribe to give him a glance from the corner of his eye. ❝ People don't have to say things for it to be true, you know. Even the first time, I never really knew why you asked me to move in with you like you did, ❞ he states, leaving out his ruminations that he had always thought of what alhaitham might want from someone like him.

in the state that he was when he had been extended that invitation, he was such a fragile thing, likely to shatter at even the slightest touch beyond what he could handle. but, again, he had been brought into the home of the other graciously, even when he had been far better off with accommodations and money than before.

❝ So we're supposed to collaborate our schedules now to avoid this happening again? ❞ it sounds ludicrous to think of, especially since they were both adults with differing lives that overlapped mostly in their homestay while here in this city. ❝ Couldn't you also send me an image of what you're looking at if I don't happen to be around? Consulting with one another doesn't always have to be in person, you know. ❞

[hetuvidya]

well, maybe not, but it doesn't exactly apply in this situation and he'd prefer not to explain in detail. part of that reason no longer has any relevance, nor is it true now. he will always be concerned about Kaveh's well-being though. that would never change, even with the arguments. "do I need a reason to help? it was convenient at the time and my home never stopped being yours as well. here is no different. simple as that." plus, the other willingly chose to leave. regardless of place or time, the architect would always be welcome to return as and when he wants. why should anything change just because of a difference in personal views?

which is an issue that's persistent in their daily lives as usual with the way this conversation is going.

"my opinion of technology hasn't changed, so I'd rather not use those devices where it can be avoided." most of it is far too complicated and filled with the unexpected. no, he prefers the physical aspect of things. whether it's books, cassette tapes, or meeting face to face. he finds it's less likely to be led astray, but that depends where people are concerned. "let's just compare schedules when I feel like purchasing an item again. how does that sound?"

[hetuvidya]

NAME / ALIAS: Zoe AGE / AGE GROUP: 30+ PRONOUNS: she/her TIMEZONE: UTC +1 (daylight savings sucks) WHERE ARE YOU FROM?: England CHARACTERS IN THE GROUP: this nerd right here, Anaxagoras, Flins, Arlecchino, Zhuang Fangyi, that one abyss guy Aether A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF: a few people will know my lovely other half, Rena, who has a whole bunch of muses as well. I've been writing for like half my life at this point. only on this site and privately because other places are scary lmao. unfortunately I am in those hell pits they call gacha and probably play too many of them (while avoiding the player base like it's the plague) but I do also like open world and rpg type games, sometimes shooters (very rarely because there aren't many I enjoy). I like eating pasta a lot especially if it's with veggies and cheese sauce, also very much a drinker of tea and chocolate milkshake. perpetually tired but doing my best, sorry about that. pretty open in general, I just suck at talking to new people because I'm very nervous. shout out to the anxiety.

if anyone would like to chat or thread, feel free to pop in ims or you can find me on bsky!

[descensionstar]

what?!

what was this? some parent-teacher conference in the making?! why was he so hung up on this in the first place — it wasn't like anything she learned here would be applicable back home! ✦if you're that's concerned, why aren't you and Kaveh enrolling? don't you think we should be focusing on other things, like why this place is the way it is before getting saddled with homework that'll eat up every night?✦

[hetuvidya]

the question couldn't be any more confusing. it's obvious why, or at least it should be and Paimon should know the reason. plus, it isn't as if they aren't learning new things every day just by getting through life here. "what for? we've already learned what we needed in Sumeru. you, on the other hand, still have a long way to go. you might as well make good use of your time."

as for the other half... well, none of that really matters, nor does it interest him much. his focus lies elsewhere, not why this city is the way it is. truthfully, he doubts anyone will ever find out. "chasing an explanation for something you'll never find is a waste of time. the stars are careful with how they operate. do you really think they'd simply let a stranger from another world discover the secrets of this place?"

[feranmut]

OF COURSE SHE HAD NOT ASKED FOR IT, nor had she truly ever when it came to those who came into her life for one reason or another. and yet, thinking about it now, she would have it no other way when it came to the man who rests beside her. perhaps this is what they oft meant when they would claim something as a blessing in disguise, some little thing which once felt like a hindrance that, eventually, becomes reminiscent of beauty throughout every day life. as it is now, she could not imagine a day going by without seeing him, no matter how hard she might try, if at all. in the end, having placed that scroll where she did... she would not think to change that moment even if she had been given an opportunity, the loss of doing so being far too great.

and though he states it so plainly, she can at least see the expression on his face, satisfied by that alone as she gives a slight nod. ❝ Yes. It is a Yanese dish specifically. Terra has other cuisine, but I prefer the dishes of my homeland, ❞ she explains, even if some were a little too spicy for her own liking, they were easily modified to taste when under her command.

once he invites her for a walk, she tilts her head ever so slightly. truthfully, it sounds like a pain to get up and go about the city, though she supposes it wouldn't be too bad...

❝ Mm. Alright. That's fine. It has been some time since we left this place, anyway. ❞ not that it would bother her, but she knows that he isn't someone who could hide away for centuries on end as she has once before. ❝ Was there anything in specific you were wishing to see or go to? ❞

[hetuvidya]

if her other homeland dishes are anything like this one, he could understand why she prefers them. he is much the same with Sumeru cuisine, though he won't turn down the offer of trying something different. "maybe something with more spice next time... if you don't mind." he doesn't expect her to agree of course, she does as she pleases and often denies requests. might as well make the attempt while she's in a better mood.

although she asks, there's no real reason in particular he wishes to leave. they would all be excuses just to walk hand in hand. "no. somewhere quiet away from people is enough." it doesn't really matter as long as she's there. she may prefer her seclusion, but he would still encourage her to leave the scrolls every now and then, even if only for a short time. "we won't be out too long anyway, I only wanted a change of scenery. and to pry you away for a while." a finger gently pokes at her side before both arms rest around her waist.

"if you decide you've had enough at any point, we can turn back. I'm not worried about cutting it short." pushing her wouldn't help, he'd prefer that she enjoys time outside with him and in general. in the meantime, he'll remain as close as possible, stealing warmth from her until either she moves him herself or they finally leave.

[lightoball]

did he not like the idea? well... he didn't say no, kind of. but then... someone who wanted to trick him or another who was naïve would say yeah so they could do what he warned the Pokémon of. so that just proved he was a good person. it was kind of complicated, and he'd need to get used to thinking things through rather than just jumping at anyone who would open their arms to him.

his head bounced again with the warning made. not everyone was free all the time, and that didn't mean they had to be gone to be unav... ailittle(?). he didn't want to lean on the same humans so much that it got annoying for them, so maybe he should think hard about new friends, make sure he wasn't accidentally getting attached to bad ones. ϟ okay, then I can use the phone to ask you to make sure, is that okay? I won't bother you when you're busy. ϟ

[hetuvidya]

"sure. I don't wake up too early though, so if you send anything before a certain time, I'll read it later." that's something he does not have any plans to change here, having kept to his usual schedule from home all this time. Pikachu could probably understand humans well enough to figure out appropriate timing. if not, well, it couldn't hurt to send the information as a heads up.

back to the original intention behind this trip though, it seems to be rather quiet today. "we may need to come back some other time if you're still curious. it doesn't look like there'll be any trouble today."

[descensionstar]

ugh, he really wasted no time! thankfully she'd been able to get to the door before Lumine made a move. having to use some of her floating time... he owed her! (it didn't matter that she was doing this to save her own skin!)

✦that's the first thing you say? o— of course Paimon has! anyway it's not like we have exams here. unless you're volunteering.

...

...

...don't do that. that's not an invitation!✦

[hetuvidya]

now that is an interesting proposal.

"if I were you, I wouldn't sound so confident." he could certainly inquire about a teacher in no time at all, perhaps enroll her into one of the schools. she shouldn't slack off simply because she's away from Teyvat for the time being. "...I think I'll visit one of the schools and see if they'll accept you." he could even help pick out some books at the library during breaks.

[feranmut]

WARNINGS AS THESE WEREN'T ENTIRELY NECESSARY, especially when she did not expect the others to show up often. or perhaps she had already laid an unintended honey trap that would simply lure the tiny fairy (was that what she was? she never got information about such...) into it time and again, with the trap portion being for dusk herself. the more she thinks about it, the more dour her expression starts to become, all before realizing she might have truly landed herself in a bothersome predicament.

great, as if she needed more unwanted guests come times一

though when alhaitham asks if she's certain it's edible, her expression morphs into one of a softened glower. ❝ What? Do you think I would feed you something that could kill you? Would I do such a thing? If I wanted to do such a thing, I would have simply allowed you to wander that scroll for all your life. ❞ she huffs, just a little bit, before soon becoming satisfied enough that he acquiesces.

and just like that, she feeds him the portion she had scooped up for him, waiting for him to fully take the bite before retracting her hand. she observes, one hand now resting upon her palm again as she speaks. ❝ Well? What do you think? ❞

[hetuvidya]

an answer is given only after the food is gone, albeit not the one she expects, while propping himself up with his arms. "you wouldn't have bothered with the trouble of catching my attention. although, I guess I can't truly blame you for that. it's not as if you asked for it." perhaps he has caused her more problems this way, than if he had simply ignored her whenever they met, but that's a mere hypothetical scenario. in truth, it was impossible to just block her out as if she were not there.

"...the food is alright." so he says, but the expression he wears tells otherwise. it's better than he expected being made from ink, actually. the dish itself is rather interesting though, something about it piques his curiosity. "is it from home?" maybe Dusk might consider showing more eventually, when she's ready and the mood suits her. and not just food, of course.

for now, he's content with her presence alone, lounging in peace with no possibility of interruption or noise. he could bother her another time for scenery, and anything else she is fond of back home. "Dusk. would you like to accompany me for a walk later? outside though. we can return after."

[empyreanlight]

HOW INFURITATING COULD HE BE? it was always like this, he feels, even when things have started to improve between them ever so slightly. he can't exactly fault him with this excuse, though sometimes he feels as if it is always done on purpose, some targeted gesture meant to send him into an irate state no matter what mood he might be in prior. so, he scoffs a little, arms crossing over his chest, all until that little comment that causes him to only stare.

was there really something going on, then? or maybe it was just alhaitham doing what he usually does, being anti-social through and through.

❝ And what's that supposed to mean? Aren't you always the one saying I need to take a break? ❞ he's swift to point out that little detail, emotion driving him to to argue back, if not for what was going on but for the fact that he was being awfully suspicious now. ❝ You... you're acting just like you want to get rid of me! It's not like I'm hindering anything with being here, you know. ❞ not unless it has to due with whatever alhaitham is avoiding. ❝ This is as much of my place of stay as yours. Or what, are you going to kick me out if I don't just go along with it? ❞

[hetuvidya]

"nothing in particular, but you don't listen regardless of any suggestions. telling you to go outside and do something beneficial to your well-being is a waste of time." both know well Kaveh would choose to dedicate ridiculous hours to work, even into late night, just so everything is exactly as requested by clients. the other has always been a perfectionist and remains so. "and I never said anything about you being a hindrance. if I wanted the place to myself, then I wouldn't have bothered asking again... or have you forgotten that in your rush to keep busy?" it isn't an offer that stands only while in Sumeru, nor Teyvat as a whole, were they ever forced to move elsewhere.

well, at least Kaveh recognises this is a home for both of them, though it will likely be met with denial in public as usual. it's none of his business if that's how the architect prefers things.

"as I said, you're welcome to return the item. say it wasn't comfortable or whatever." in the end, it doesn't really matter what the excuse is. he is to blame for such a spontaneous purchase, that he can admit, but not the reason for it. "perhaps next time, make sure you're here before I leave the house. since you're that worried about the furniture."

[genshin-impact-updates]

Happy Birthday, Alhaitham!

We meet again.

So the both of you think I'm resting? You could say that, but it's rather noisy. I'm sure you've noticed that someone is singing in the café, and I'm planning to pretend I haven't heard it.

Perhaps our friends thought preparing a surprise here would be more discreet, but they didn't consider the possibility that unexpected guests might be standing outside the door.

[descensionstar]

uuhh... did she have enough Dust saved up if he was serious? h— hopefully... she couldn't back down, otherwise he'd never stop holding it over her head!

TO — ALHAITHAM FROM — LUMINE / TRAVELER

fine! if we're making a test out of it, you better be ready to pass Paimon with flying colours Paimon will let her know you're coming over, seeing as we'll need her here.

[hetuvidya]

poor Paimon... she has no idea what she's getting herself into, nor does she receive a reply. true to his word though, he arrives at their residence right on time, waiting patiently until someone answers the door.

and of course, the very person he came to see opens it for him. "did you speak to the traveler? I'll need to see proof you've kept on top of studying."

[feranmut]

LEFTOVERS? IT'S A LITTLE INTERESTING, albeit nothing she comments on. instead, she focuses on his other comment, taking note that they must know of each other enough to have surmised such. ❝ Yes, those are the two I made it for. It was by request of the floating fairy in specifics, ❞ she admits, trying to remember if that one was known as paimon or if it were the other. she would figure it out in due time, but for now...

she reaches over, taking brush in hand as he rubs a thumb over her skin. it surfaces a tinge of pink to her cheek, even after all this time. it was something she must get used to given their status, if only it would happen a little sooner. ❝ Alright. But you must watch. If you do not, anything I paint will not exist in the moment for you. ❞ it was difficult to explain, but she was better off saying that much.

and before long, she paints what seems a yanese dish, reminiscent to a plate of curry and rice with breaded cutlets on it. utensils were drawn alongside it, soon finishing it off as it begins to steam as if it were freshly cooked.

❝ Here. Now, open your mouth. Aah~. ❞ would she actually feed him? well, that would depend if he was willing to let her do so.

[hetuvidya]

hardly surprising at all, Paimon never misses an opportunity for a meal no matter the timing. "I see Paimon never changes, not even outside Teyvat. don't make a habit of feeding her though." otherwise Dusk might have to expect regular visits for the free food, and he knows how much she likes her peace at times.

but that colouring of her cheeks is something he's growing quite fond of by the day. since she said to watch though, unfortunately he cannot linger for too long, instead following the brush strokes as they form the selected dish. it looks real enough, as do all her creations but... he's still a little uncertain. "are you sure it's edible?" it's not a case of simply assuming so because she eats it. this is something Dusk has been used to for an extended period of time.

after inspecting it a bit longer, he sighs and does as requested, figuring it could be much worse. it's just food, even if painted, and he will admit it looks appetising, whatever it is.

[c6jpg]

Once the desires of the Hive accumulate… Beyond a certain threshold, they will kill their king.

[descensionstar]

why that...!

TO — ALHAITHAM FROM — LUMINE / TRAVELER

that's cheating! you can't get outside help! whatever you bribe her, Paimon will double it we're best friends! she won't sell Paimon out!

[hetuvidya]

and yet, somehow he doubts that. well, regarding this particular case, at least.

to: traveler

would you care to test that? I can afford a detour at lunch... it'll be easy enough to clear up with the traveler then.

[feranmut]

SO HE MUST COOK WITH A LOT OF THEM. though it shouldn't be as much as nian, right? she could only hope so, feeling as if her mouth was a roaring inferno already at the thought. still, she shakes her head just a little, deciding to put a smidgen of trust into him in the amounts he might use. ❝ So long as I do not feel I am amidst a volcanic pit of lava in one or two bites, a little is alright. My sibling, Nian, is one to go too far with peppers in all that she eats. Tsk. She once even snuck it into my own food! ❞ a little complaint is hardly too much, the pout on her face unmistakable as she rests her cheek against him.

so long as he doesn't do that, she would eat what it is he offers, again opening herself up to his mercy when it came to cuisine.

❝ Mm. I see. Then I take it that you alternate the cooking with your roommate, ❞ she assumes, figuring that would be the most logical unless the blonde had no sense of the word. but then he asks of her own foods, causing her in turn to prop her chin up with one hand. ❝ Would you like to see for yourself? If so, I can create a Yanese dish for you in this moment. Or perhaps I should make a dish you are more familiar with to better compare? ❞ whether or not he takes her up on it would be another story, though she was more than willing. ❝ Others have eaten my 'meals' before. I recreated a Honey Sticky... whatever for another and they did not complain of the taste. But when I eat real food, it is as if something is missing. Is it the subtle taste of paint only I can tell, I wonder? I do not know. ❞

[hetuvidya]

such a description is rather amusing, it's not one he's ever heard before. Dusk is one for her unusual way of speaking at times though, so he can't say it's a surprise. it only gives him more reason to be as fond of her as he is. "a pinch then. that should be fine." he wouldn't want to spoil the experience, especially to the extent she tells of her sibling. she could even supervise and see for herself if it puts her mind at ease.

"yes. sometimes he still brings leftovers though." which he always appreciates, even if it's not as obvious as it should be, but that's something he needs to work on in general. when Dusk props herself up, his gaze automatically shifts to give his full attention. "hmm..." he's somewhat sceptical of the whole thing 一 in the end, it is still paint he'd be eating. if it's as she says though, maybe trying a little won't hurt. "sticky honey roast? in that case, I assume you've met the traveler and Paimon."

after thinking it over a bit longer, he decides to humour her since she's agreed to test his own food, and even when admitting it won't taste the same. "pick something and I'll eat it. just for you." he lifts a hand to brush fingers against her cheek, then rests his palm there to rub his thumb over the skin.