escordvi | [open] september mayhem

Entry tags:

[open] september mayhem

Who: Alhaitham and YOU, if they so choose
Status: Open
Where: Eltrut, Elah & Nilatast, mostly.
What: Catch-all/open log for the month!
Warnings: Kaveh.

A) let's mosey!! (elah / paladin quest)

[Given what the prize is said to be for this challenge, it doesn't take long for Alhaitham to be at the location of said event himself. The first few times are mainly to scout the venue—that is, the stairs—which are indeed just as long as described. The height that it reaches easily rivals that of the Divine Tree back in Sumeru, if he had to harbor a guess.

Regardless, while the stairs themselves don't intimidate him in the slightest, it is also a fact that there is a lot of them to go through if he wants to get to the top... thus Alhaitham can be seen trying the stairs a handful of times, with all those first couple of attempts not getting very far at all before he seemingly stops and gives up, uncaring for the booing thrown his way when he heads back down.

One particular day, however, it quickly becomes clear that something is up. The stairs themselves are the same as always, but every once in a while there's a bright green flash that appears every so often, making a clear trajectory up the stairs. And should anyone happen to be nearby during any one of those instances of said flash it becomes very clear very quickly exactly what Alhaitham is doing—he appears and disappears with every flash of his Vision, each use of his flicker bringing him to a spot higher than the last. Of course, since he can't exactly keep using skill, he does still have to do a fair bit of climbing as well.

There also may or may not be a certain wheezing architect with him who clearly did not ask to be here, but that's another thing altogether.

B) ruby seas under ruby skies (elah / paladin quest)

[There's certainly a fair bit to be done in the wake of Elah's return, and for better or worse Alhaitham does need the distraction. So its really because of that rather than any sense of altruism that he's out on the beaches helping out with the efforts to get the beached merfolk back to water.

Unlike others, Alhaitham has less of a qualm with getting his hands dirty, be it having to physically carry them from where they've been beached to the much less glamorous task of ending the lives of those who are too far gone to make it back anyway. At the very least he makes that happen quick; a swift slice of his sword is all that it usually takes to get the job done, though the clean up after is a much more messy affair.

For those who might have chanced upon one of these scenes, they'll see Alhaitham either cleaning or flicking off the blood on his blade after the deed is done before he looks down impassively at the freshly slain corpse of the merfolk, giving them a moment of silence before he starts with the necessary clean up.]

C) nilatast: in memorium

[There's only so long Alhaitham will let his past experiences hinder him, and that time is now. He's heard enough accounts of this underwater ruin and the many discoveries made within it to know that he has to see it for himself.

So he makes the trip down—most likely not alone—and with a couple of mothfish provided to him along with one of the pearl/gemstone powered devices, Alhaitham starts on his own (belated) exploration of the city. Though the main goal is to lessen the miasma that cloaks the city, he's definitely also going to take his chance to explore where he can and see what can be discovered. More than ever, he wants some answers to the continued mystery that is this world.]

D) his natural habitat (eltrut, surasthana cafe)

[Besides all of those places and events Alhaitham can, of course, always be found at Surasthana Cafe, never straying too far from his husband's side. And it goes without saying that the man has no shame whatsoever in engaging with PDA with said husband, so there's always that. Otherwise he's either napping in his usual spot or reading.

Strangely, not as much chess this month.]

E) the rest

[If nothing here strikes your fancy or you want something else, feel free to DM me on the journal or ping me in the discord server!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Kaveh does notice the orb, but he'll get to that in a moment. First, handing over the kulfi--it looks like a sort of ice cream, with crumbled pistachios on top and honey drizzled over it--with a smile.

In the background, Mehrak has beep-booped her way over to pester a man in the corner. Don't worry about that ~~yet.~~]

First time here? Then this one is on the house.

[If Alhaitham wants to stop him from giving things away for free then he has to put the book down.]

[Bennett gratefully accepts the order, mild relief washing over him after he sees what he actually got. It looked like a fancy ice cream-like dessert to him, but more importantly, it looked delicious. Good thing he's not lactose-intolerant, that'd certainly be a case of bad luck for him.

But what Kaveh says to him definitely manages to fluster him.]

O-on the house? [Did he hear that right?] I couldn't possibly expect you to give this to me for free, after all the work you and your little floating helper did!

Edited 2025-09-15 20:29 (UTC)

Oh, don't worry about it. Least I can do for a fellow riftfarer, no? And I'm sure Mehrak doesn't mind either.

[Kaveh laughs a bit, and Mehrak cheerfully beeps in response!] You haven't been in this world long, right?

Then... Thank you very much!

[Bennett ducks his head in gratitude. He could be a little hotblooded and impulsive at times, but his manners were always on point. The dadlective raised him well.]

Riftfarers... That's what they call people like us, right? I've been so busy running around and trying to get my bearings here, I haven't really had the chance to ask too many questions, haha.

[He scratches the back of his head in embarrassment. Truthfully, he just never really stopped to ask them.]

Well, if we can peel Alhaitham out of his corner over there--

[Kaveh points to the grey-haired lump ignoring them on one of the couches.]

We've both been here a long time, and we can probably help answer some basic questions. Better you hear it from other people from Teyvat, isn't it?

[Kaveh had been cautious, given just how many Fatui keep turning up here, but Bennet has such a pure and wholesome vibe to him...he has no reason not to reveal where they're all from, and that he's noticed Bennet's vision.

He can't really guess what Nation he's from, though. Guess not everyone's fashion can be as much a dead giveaway as Fontaine or Inazuma.]

[If Bennett had paid any manner of attention to the aforementioned grey lump in the corner before being explicitly pointed out he might have noticed Alhaitham having glanced over in their direction earlier with a pointed frown. Between the free kulfi and the fact that his coffee refill is still in Kaveh's hands Alhaitham is not enjoying the fact that his senior is so occupied. Especially when he has his hair up like that!! So rude!!

...anyway, its clear that Kaveh is not going to come over any time soon, so Alhaitham resigns himself to ~~sulking~~ more waiting, returning his attention back to his book to occupy himself in the meantime.

Or at least that was the plan until he hears that last statement from Kaveh. Needless to say his curiosity is piqued, and this time its more than enough to have him get up from his usual spot and head over to where Kaveh is.]

The coffee's going to get cold if you stand here and talk any longer. [He drawls out as he unceremoniously plucks the cup away from his senior's hands and onto his own with no shame or regard whatsoever.]

[Truthfully, Bennett had paid Alhaitham little mind when he was off in the corner. He was lounging so peacefully there with his book, Bennett had just assumed he was another patron of the cafe. He was really helping to sell the vibes here, to be honest!

As Alhaitham approaches, Bennett is now engrossed in conversation with Kaveh, and his mention of Teyvat is certainly enough to get Bennett's full attention now. His face lights up, and his energy peaks now.]

You're from Teyvat too?! That's amazing! [He's grinning from ear to ear now, excited by this prospect. He'd met lots of people so far but he hadn't really run into anybody from his own world yet.] Where are you from?

[Bennett plants his hands on his hips as he contemplates this new information, going into full motormouth mode now. Sorry, Kaveh and Alhaitham. He's one of those kinds of people. ~~A Pyro.~~] I know just about everyone from Mondstadt, so I'm guessing you're probably not from there. And you don't really have the vibes of a Natlanese, so... Maybe--

[It's about this time that Alhaitham interjects, so Bennett cuts himself off mid-sentence, and he's offering his deepest apologies, clapping his hands together (still holding the bowl, mind you), and bowing his head. He almost looks like he's offering the kulfi to Alhaitham as penance, but that's not his intention.]

Ah! I'm sorry, mister! I didn't mean to hold your order up!

[Kaveh actually has to blink a moment, because it's rare to be confronted with THIS much energy ~~there aren't a lot of pyros in Sumeru~~, but in all honesty it's quite adorable. Like an overexcited puppy...

Bennet's excited babbling answers Kaveh's next couple questions (though he's curious about the mention of Natlan right after Mondstadt. It's harder to get farther apart without going to Inazuma), and he's about ready to answer Bennet's question when a certain incredibly sulky cat turns up.

Kaveh turns his head towards Alhaitham with an incredibly dry expression, even as he hands over the coffee.]

It's called customer service, Alhaitham, you could try it out now and then.

[...And then back to Bennet with a bright smile.]

Ah, don't mind him too much, you didn't do anything wrong. To answer your question, we're from Sumeru.

I don't work here.

[Last he checked he is supposed to be the trophy husband and he's sticking to that role thank you very much.

Anyway he'll be taking a sip of his (not as delicious because it is not longer HOT, senior) coffee as he looks over the newcomer with renewed interested. He wasn't paying much attention earlier, but now that he is, well. Hm...

But before anything else—]

Eat your kulfi before it melts.

[Since its already been given for free he won't argue on that but don't waste his husband's goodwill!! That would be unforgivable. >(

Also ignore the hand gesture that he's oh so casually making which Kaveh would be able to interpret as Mondstadt. It's mostly a guess based on the way he speaks, though it'll never be 100% accurate due to how magic auto-translate works in this place. Which he'll forever be annoyed about no matter the usefulness.]

Sumeru... Oh, that's where Miss Lisa of the Knights of Favonius once studied.

[Bennett hasn't had many personal interactions with the Witch of Purple Rose, but he's had more than the occasional encounter with her since she's his best friend's mentor.

Alhaitham manages to snap Bennett back to reality, as he realizes the state of his kulfi. It was definitely already starting to get a little melty.]

Ah! Right! [Taking his spoon, he jabs it into the dessert and gives himself a big mouthful.]

Mmm! This is amazing!

Senior Lisa...yes. I never met her, before you ask. [Kaveh has a distant look on his face. Of course he's heard of Lisa Minci. Everyone's heard of Lisa Minci. He'd have heard of her even if he didn't know Cyno and Cyrus.

Frankly, everything he's ever heard is kind of terrifying.

The kulfi is incredibly creamy, subtly sweet (lavender flavored!) and getting kinda running. It is delicious though. Kaveh takes the moment while Bennet is eating to sign back at Alhaitham--Of course Mondstat, but that makes him bringing up Natlan even more curious! ]

I'm Kaveh, and this is Alhaitham, who's job it is to keep that spot in the corner warm.

[In other words, sit there and look pretty.]

[Alhaitham also knows of Lisa Minci—her reputation in the Akademiya is legendary, though he also does know more than that thanks to his previous position of Acting Grand Sage. Azar and his cronies had been rather desperate in their attempts to recruit her for their not so little side projects, and he'd read their letters... as well as their responses.

All he can say is that he has a very healthy amount of respect for her.]

And I was doing it well until somebody decided to let my coffee go cold.

[He snorts out in response to Kaveh's comment, though it doesn't stop him from taking another sip. At least the good thing about his husband's coffee is that it is still palatable even when no longer hot.]

[Bennett watches Kaveh and Alhaitham go back and forth while he enjoys his kulfi, a little confused by their banter. He didn't sense any malice or hard feelings between the two of them. It kind of reminded him of the way Diluc and Kaeya talked about each other. Is this just how adults are with the people they care about? Adults are confusing...]

I'm Bennett. [Since they were introducing themselves and all... He was certainly happy to be making new acquaintances, especially far off ones from his home world. It meant someday they could meet up in Teyvat maybe! Not that he had much interest in the Akademiya...] Leader of Benny's Adventure Team of the Mondstadt Adventurer's Guild!

It is barely a couple degrees cooler, don't fuss.

[Sorry, Bennet, it is flirting. They are flirting. Right here in front of your kulfi.]

An adventurer, huh? Then a lot of things about this world will probably be a little easier for you, but there's still a lot to explain. Would you like to sit down?

[Kaveh gestures to all the incredibly comfy looking couches around them.]

[Alhaitham wrinkles his nose at Kaveh's response, almost as if his senior's words had personally offended him somehow. He's not being fussy okay he's just stating the objective truth! Kaveh should know this!!

Since Kaveh's attention is back onto the Mondstadter Alhaitham will just continue to ~~sulk~~ drink his coffee, more than fine with letting his husband lead the conversation. The one consolation he has now at least that this newcomer from Teyvat isn't actually a Fontanian for once—they have more than enough of those, in his opinion.]

[A lot to explain, huh?]

Are you sure that's okay? Don't you have other customers to attend to?

[Because business is absolutely booming right now, right Bennett?

Still, he'll definitely take that offer to sit seriously, making his way over to one of those comfy-looking couches and sitting down on it, folding his legs underneath him as he situates himself.

...Oh this couch is comfy. He can see why Alhaitham was lounging so contentedly.]

Mehrak knows how to take their orders, don't worry.

[Kaveh will grab Alhaitham from where he's sulking and find a spot on the couch opposite Bennet. They are extremely comfy couches.

A very fluffy black cat stirs on Bennet's couch. Looks up, meows, goes back to being a puddle. That's fine.]

You're an adventurer, so maybe you've heard of this before...have you ever heard about ruins or domains that affect the flow of time?

[Wow senior how dare you presume him to be sulking!! But he isn't going to point that out because he does at least have Kaveh seated next to him which is always nice. Don't mind Alhaitham as he very casually loops his arm around the back of Kaveh's waist and pulls him in to ensure that they stay close, hand resting on his hip at the other side.

He still isn't going to say anything, more than fine with Kaveh doing the explaining here, so he's simply taking advantage of the situation to get the things that he wants after being so cruelly deprived of it for far too long earlier.]

[The flow of time...

His first thought is a recent experience of his, as his mind drifts back to the Mare Jivari. A windless land that had been blown off of the timeline...

Slowly, Bennett nods in answer to Kaveh's question.]

Then that makes this simpler. Time doesn't flow the same in this place as it does in Teyvat--or any other world people come from, it seems. No time will pass in Teyvat, no matter how long any of us are here. And if you're sent back and then return...

[Kaveh glances at Alhaitham, briefly. This isn't exactly a fun topic for either of them to bring up but...it's necessary for people to know.] People have reported years passing at home and returning here only days after they disappeared. And that's if they remember being here at all.

[...the fact that the kid—Bennett—actually nods to Kaveh's initial question says a lot, and while there's a part of Alhaitham that is interested to hear more on that he supposes that its something he can come back to later, since said interest is not wholly relevant to their current conversation. Or perhaps it is...?

Either way, Alhaitham is still quiet as Kaveh elaborates on the peculiarities of this world to the Mondstadter, returning his husband's glance when it comes to acknowledge what he intends to say. It's been a bit over a year now since it's happened to them, and there had been a part of him anticipating on it potentially happening again... but the month came and went, and they're still here. It's hard to say if he's relieved or disappointed by that.]

[Bennett is quiet for a moment, as if trying to make sense of that. It was a lot to take in, especially for someone like him.]

That's... really over my head, haha. [He wasn't going to sugarcoat it, he knows he's not smart, he won't pretend he is.]

I don't really get it all. But it sounds like things are different here than what I'm used to back home? Kind of like having a really long dream? Except it's all real, I guess...

A dream...I guess you could think of it as a long samsara.

[Kaveh sighs a little. He really doesn't know much about dreams, but...] As things are now...when you return to Teyvat, you won't remember your time here at all. We're...looking for a way to change that, and for people to choose who goes home and who stays, but there hasn't been much progress yet.

[Kaveh nudges Alhaitham gently, as he says this next part. You're the one with the research notes, sir.]

We've--I've been here close to two years, now. Alhaitham just a little less than I have. If you have questions about this world, we can try to answer.

[Alhaitham knows about dreams just as much as Kaveh does—which is to say, not much at all, so its kind of a moot point to ask him about that. The other things, however.

Alhaitham lets out a small grunt when Kaveh nudges him, though he doesn't do much else besides drinking his coffee. He isn't going to give any answers if he isn't given any questions in the first place.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

2/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject