#astutis

[sungracd]

@astutis:  smash or pass.  /  meme

“  have  you  seen  those  abs ?  it  would  be  a  shame  not  to.  ”    they’re  practically  starry - eyed.    “  ...  smash,  that  is.  i  could  never  quite  resist  the  tall,  dark,  mysterious  types.  but  as  nice  as  his  body  is,  it’s  his  mind  that  intrigues  me  most.  he  just  always  seems  to  be  thinking  ...  ”    adrian  trails  off,  seemingly  deep  in  thought  as well.    “  and  those  dreamy  eyes  ...  did  i  mention  smash  already ?  ”

[torrentide-a]

unprompted  ✦  @astutis  ✦  arms circle around tartaglia's waist from behind. innocent kisses are peppered along his neck. it's far too cold for al-haitham in snezhnaya, yet here he is. "warm me up."

Pausing the second he felt those arms close around him--Childe couldn't help but laugh. Not at his partner's request, of course--but rather his insistent little kisses; if Al-Haitham was trying to butter him up enough to convince him turn around...Well. It was working.

    "Regret coming all this way yet?" Tartaglia turned in that gentle hold as he pulled his ruby scarf from around his neck, pausing to fix it around the scribe's instead. "I promise it won't be so bad once we get you moving. But if you wanna head back..." He took his time adjusting it to his liking. "I know just the thing to warm you."

[gunnhildred]

@astutis​ asked "you awake?"  || ​𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 

IT WOULD BE RUDE TO IGNORE HIM, wouldn’t it? To ignore the question and pretend for five blissful minutes that sleep hadn’t eluded her. It’s an oddity really, to feel so energised, to be buzzing with so many thoughts and so much vibrancy even after a day of taxing exploration. She’s still tired of course; still feels the ache in her muscles from so much walking and the faint tinge of scarlet that colours the bridge of her nose from catching just a little too much of the sun. But Jean is happy here; drowning in a sea of all things new on this grand expedition to a land she has only ever read about. 

The sights, the sounds, the scents. It’s sent every nerve ending within her prickling to life; left her mind unable to switch off, even when her body is more than ready to just knuckle down for the night and actually rest. It makes her feel like a child again. So wide eyed with wonder and enthralled by an environment as if it had been plucked from the pages of one of her favourite novels. And she supposes, feast for the senses aside,  the company’s not been so bad either. 

From the realms of silence, Jean finally offers a hum, eyes trained skywards as she finally responds to the question posed. ❝If I say no, does that make you a figment of my imagination?❞ A half amused huff leaves her, body pushing itself upright so that she can sit up enough to seek out his face. ❝What’s on your mind? ❞

[zarays]

                                        @astutis​ liked for a starter

       “ enough is enough, i can’t take this any longer !! ” kaveh burst into the room, finally giving into the annoyance that had built over so long “ - there is a dire need for some mosaics in this house. ” it physically caused him pain as he looked up and only fond a plain color, the architect did in many ways hold back his own preferences in his work in sumeru. the house he was living in was the one place, he couldn’t stand being as bare as it felt.    

[sungracd]

continued  :  @astutis

alhaitham  is  not  one  to  make  such  bold  accusations  without  reason;  and  there  must  have  been  plenty  throughout  the  course  of  his  time  at  the  akademiya.  lisa’s  words  of  warning  also  come  to  mind  as  further  confirmation.    “  i’ll  take  your  word  for  it,  mr.  grand  scribe.  ”    a  light  and  easy  remark  as  usual,  but  there  is  a  weight  of  sincerity  as  well.

suddenly  they  shift,  taking  the  blanket  from  their  lap  to  instead  drape  around  the  both  of  them  for  added  warmth.  it’s  big  enough  for  two,  although  just  barely.  adrian’s  gaze  returns  to  his,  filled  with  tenderness  just  as  much  as  concern.    “  my  gut  is  also  telling  me  you’ll  get  yourself  into  trouble  someday,  trying  to  get  to  the  bottom  of  it.  whatever  it  is.  i  might  be  continents  away  by  then  but  ...  i’ll  always  come  if  you  need  my  help,  haitham.  ”

[fatedevour]

   The bitter flavor of displeasure settles in Dottore’s mouth at once again crossing the lands of the Akademiya. A bitter loss in youth; although ultimately it had been beneficial. It had let to his place within the Fatui after all. But a mind such as his had not forgotten youthful plans or experiments. Dream creatures. Truly a new field of limitless possibilities! His hands itch still for the opportunity to nab a few or a dozen so he might conduct research that the Akademiya had condemned and discarded him for. Loathing twists but he shoves it down for now alongside the temptation to hunt for subjects. For now. 

   “  Though observation is the key to any good experiment or battle, it only yields limited knowledge.  “  Dottore speaks, making it apparent he knew of the figure that was watching him. Outsiders would always gain such glances ; he doubted anyone here would recognize him based on appearance alone. The single earring sways as he turns to look, arms on his hips. It was better to address this person now rather than before an experiment or on escape. Vexing. He loathes it. Useless interactions when all he wants to do is gather some resources and watch his blasphemous plan unfold in blazing glory. But that would take some time still and the last thing needed was a shadow.

   “  Why not approach and gain knowledge yourself? Those too timid to do so will earn nothing they seek unless feasting of knowledge gifted by another.  “  Come out, little spy. He’d behave at least for a little while. (  Maybe they’d make a good test subject.  )

                                            ——————————————  

starter call for @astutis​  

[toradoji]

@astutis​ -- ;

A hush fell through the House of Daena when the pile of books Shinobu had been carrying towards the reception desk suddenly spilled from a misstep, which was an ordinary occurrence enough that didn’t merit special attention. Though no one stepped in to help, what others might’ve interpreted as rude was warranted when she lifted her head to survey the room at the silence, the first few regained in her arms despite the gawking eyes not on her, but on the Grand Scribe who’d entered, as indicated by her Akasha Terminal. Considering his controversial reputation within the Akademiya, the silence and lack of intervention made sense.

“...I’ll just be another second.”

[toradoji]

☔

"Okay, he's out. Can you two just... talk your issues through? I get enough of these bulletin board hostilities from my own friends back home."

Of all the things Shinobu expected to encounter while in Sumeru, strong reminders of home were not among them. During the Subzeruz Festival she attended shortly after arriving, the discovery of Yalda Candies in Lavender Melon and Onikabuto flavors resulted in a pleasant conversation with the Flower Knight, Farris, and even tips on how to replicate them. Though Shinobu had winced at the poor Onikabuto who'd perished to make the candies, she didn't bring it up. It was definitely something she'd omit in her letters back home to Itto, Granny Oni, or the rest of the Gang, that was for sure...

The downpour was rather torrential that night, and the eaves outside the small outlet prison of Port Ormos didn't exactly provide much shelter from the tropical rain. Amethyst eyes strayed towards the Grand Scribe, and she couldn't help but wonder: was the reason he couldn't get involved in the law because he wasn't the Akademiya's variation of a lawyer, but more of a clerk? It was good Tongwen Academy allowed international practice, then.

Yet, as the man finally emerged with the disgruntled architect in tow, just when she thought he might remark sourly, the taller man dipped down and quickly snuck a kiss from her that caused her eyes to widen in surprise. As he drew away before Kaveh could notice, over the sound of their squabbling, Shinobu huffed softly.

Sheesh, you're really like Sara, aren't you? You care for Kaveh, you're just too proud to admit it, huh?