escordvi | closed 🪶 it's a long way down to the bottom of the ocean...

What is it with the men of this place?

[Benedikta shifts uncomfortably in these new clothes of hers. The robe that she's dawned on herself is itchy as hell, but walking up in her leathers to this man's door with her sword at her hip is not exactly the greatest idea. Even she knows that, and she is the most brash, impulsive person she knows.

Holding up a piece of paper with the address scrawled upon it, she compares it to the building that stands before them.]

First the slaver and now him... Couldn't just find a woman the normal way, could he?

Considering who he was trying to get, the 'normal way' wasn't quite going to work.

[Kaveh did sort of vaguely mention to him about his encounter with this particular alchemist, though Alhaitham hadn't thought too much of it beyond how it affected his senior. Matters of loved ones departing have always been something that tugged at the architect's heartstrings—for understandable reasons—and while Alhaitham won't look down on such emotions, its ultimately not really in his wheelhouse of things to handle. Death, for him, has always been an inevitability that he has accepted; the understanding that all things one day will meet their end, and it is a fate nobody can escape from.

Alhaitham eyes the building up the same time that Benedikta does, arms coming up to cross over his chest. He's dressed in his own usual garb, sword tucked away in the ether for now, ready to summoned out should he need it. He has heard a few... things, but he is never one to fully trust rumors unless he actually sees it for himself. Which he supposes is what is about to happen here soon.]

If we're lucky, maybe we can talk him out of it.

[That comment is spoken with a distinct dryness because yeah, Alhaitham is not going to hold out hope on that front.]

I very much doubt that.

[She shoves the piece of paper into the pocket of the robe.]

If what I have heard about this man is true, then he is very much a few cards short of a deck already. ... Not that it excuses any of that.

[Benedikta walks on, shoving open the gate to the yard and wincing as it creaks.]

Still not entirely sure what to expect, but we will pose as alchemists looking for information on his... spell.

[Or whatever the fuck it is.]

[Alhaitham simply follows Benedikta from behind, humming in acknowledgement to her words as she speaks and thankful for his earpieces at that awful creak from the gate. The yard itself certainly does not look... very well kept, which probably serves as some sort of indicator to the alchemist's mood. Of course, it could just as easily be that the alchemist has never bothered to maintain said yard, but even if he isn't as knowledgeable about plants as Tighnari, one doesn't live in the nation of Dendro and not know a few basic things.

As they get closer to the front door Benedikta makes the comment of them posing as alchemists, something that Alhaitham is for the most part alright with. He's read... a few things about alchemy, though it is Mondstadt that has more knowledge about such practices—and even beyond that he has no idea how similar or different this world's alchemy is like to Teyvat's.

He sends over an inquisitive gaze to Benedikta then, and asks.] Do you practice any alchemy? [She doesn't seem like the type at first glance, but well—Alhaitham has been surprised before.]

[She snorts.]

Not at all. I've no interest in that sort of thing. My talents lie in more direct means of magick.

[Which is probably why this disguise is not the greatest, but that isn't the point.]

This is just to get us inside. I am almost certain he'd be more suspicious if I were to simply knock on his door looking the way that I do. Once we are in, however...

[The way that she comes off to strangers is not lost on her, and honestly, she prefers it that way... but for a job like this one, this is the better route for now.

Which is why she doesn't hesitate to rap her knuckles loudly on the door once they reach it.]

[Well, good to know that his guess wasn't entirely off the mark. Not that this particular knowledge will be of any use, but its just something to keep in mind, he supposes.

For now, all he does is to give a nod of acknowledgement to Benedikta's words, standing behind her as she reaches over to knock on the front door. As they wait for a response Alhaitham casts another cursory glance at the unkempt yard followed by noting the somewhat run down state of the house exterior. They'd probably be able to see more once they step inside, but until then...

The doorknob gives a faint rattle then, and Alhaitham goes on alert, waiting to see if there's anything else, but a minute passes and nothing happens. He forces himself to stand down, but a frown is visible on his face as he can't help but be wary.]

[Benedikta eyes the doorknob when it rattles and then stops, looking as if it had just said or done something incredibly offensive. And in a way... it has. Rude? So, she lifts a hand to knock on the door again, but before she can violently and loudly slap her hand against the door like she'd been planning to, it suddenly swings open, and her palm swings through the air and narrowly misses the woman's face that appears on the other side.

Those big eyes look at Benedikta first, but when they land on Alhaitham, something in them lights up and doesn't go out as she keeps staring.

"Yes? Can I help you?"]

[Alhaitham is more than used to being stared at, having been subjected to many of those back in Sumeru, so it doesn't bother him in the slightest.

Still, with that having been said, this woman's entrance (for lack of a better term) is certainly... interesting. The same can be said with how they look as well—while there isn't much that he can see due to the door that is still blocking out most of the other woman's body, what he can make out does not suggest much in the way of clothing.

Alhaitham notes that, and then also notes the strange light that has appeared in her eyes, and while the stare doesn't unnerve him, there's something about her demeanor that does not feel.. natural, and its enough to make him warier than before.]

We would like to see your... acquaintance. [That works, right? Instead of... whatever else he should call the alchemist.] We're fellow alchemists who are interested in his work.

[There. That should be good enough... right?]

[The way that the woman's eyes stare at Alhaitham is not lost on her, and Benedikta's own dart between him and the woman...

...

...before she puts herself in between them with a very deliberate sidestep. The woman's eyes narrow at her, but whatever answer Alhaitham has given seems to work because the door opens wider, and she moves aside to let them in, Benedikta going first. And even as they enter, she'll keep herself in between.

The entrance, despite boasting large windows above the door, is dark and dreary, old mahogany and dark purple velvets lining every wall.

"What about his work are you interested in?" She addresses Alhaitham, and not Benedikta, but she clears her throat to answer anyway.]

We've heard much about his... creations. [A subtle glance to her.] We would like to know more about it, and perhaps have an offer to make.

[Alhaitham blinks when Benedikta moves to step between him and the other moment; he knows Benedikta enough to at least know that she does not do anything without purpose, and so while he isn't too sure what the problem is, doesn't say or do anything that would draw attention to what she's doing and just lets it happen as if it is all natural.

It seems to work well enough at the very least, judging by how neither he nor Benedikta gets questioned about it and is instead allowed inside. Though said interior is not very promising, what with how dark everything is, not to mention the state of the furniture... its easy enough to imagine Kaveh letting loose some sort of admonishment about it, and the thought of it is enough to lighten his own spirit a little.

Benedikta goes on to answer the question posed to them, which Alhaitham is of course perfectly fine with, but when a moment of silence passes just a bit too long for it to be natural Alhaitham sends over a brief glance at the woman who is once again giving him that same, unnatural stare from before, clearly waiting for him to say something despite the fact that Benedikta had already answered for them both.]

...what Benedikta said. [He eventually voices out, feeling slightly more wary than before now. Of course, he can objectively see how pleasing they look, but no matter how appealing this woman is it does absolutely nothing for him at all. None of them holds even a fraction of his interest in the same way his senior does.]

[Benedikta scratches at her neck—this robe is getting both heavy and far too itchy for her liking and she has half a mind to just throw it off herself and finish the job. Then again... as the trio walk through the corridor that never seems to end, she does wonder quietly to herself if this "woman" is even saveable. She heard the horrific stories, and she can only guess what that means. But if getting her out of here would mean living a more normal life instead of whatever her "master" deems suitable for her...

"Please have a seat." The voice pulls Benedikta free from her thoughts yet again as the woman gestures to the velvety couch in the middle of yet another grand, albeit dark and gaudy, sitting area. "Would you like anything to drink? Or maybe something to eat?"]

[Compared to Benedikta Alhaitham has no real strong opinions himself—and while he won't deny that part of it is due to him naturally distancing himself from most things, at the same time he isn't one to take any story at face value until he sees it for himself. But so far, he has to admit that the things he's heard does seem to line up with what he's seeing so far... for better or worse.

It's not much longer now that they're eventually led to a sitting area with more design tastes that he can again imagine Kaveh making more commentary about, and it draws out a small snort from him despite himself. The woman looks to him then, those unearthly eyes still looking at him as if with the intent to pry something off him.

"Is there anything you want, good sir?" she asks him the same question again, and Alhaitham can see the moment when the intent look in her eyes turns into something strangely excitable. Why, though, is a reason he can't quite fathom.

Not that it matters at the end, since its not like her looks do anything to him at all. So he shakes his head and returns with a simple,] I'm fine.

[Benedikta watches the woman with care, amber eyes locked on to her every move as she slowly lowers herself to sit on the velvety couch, and she lifts a hand to give a sharp clear of her throat.]

I will have some tea. With lemon, if you don't mind.

[The woman looks at her as if Benedikta has just said something utterly offensive, and she swears she can hear her gritting her teeth from the other end of the table before she smiles sweetly. "Of course. Please make yourselves at home. I will fetch my master... and your tea."

Meanwhile, she casts another glance at Alhaitham and waits for her to leave before she speaks up.]

Surely there is something in here describing the nature of them.

[The woman's reaction to Benedikta when she asks for a drink does not go unnoticed by Alhaitham, though he wisely elects to not say or do anything that would indicate as such. For better or worse showing indifference is something that comes easy enough for him, though its never been something he employs as often as people might think.

Still, that's neither here nor there, and Alhaitham continues to maintain his state of placid disinterest until the woman leaves them for the moment to get Benedikta her tea. Once she's gone Alhaitham drops the mask fairly quickly, glancing over to Benedikta as she speaks.]

That's assuming he didn't destroy said information for some reason or other. [That woman, and those eyes of hers... it doesn't sit well with him, that's for sure. Not to mention Kaveh having mentioned to him about his attempt to coax the very same man out of all of this. The pieces are there, but the puzzle that he's trying to put together from it is proving elusive.] It might be something we'll have to take a chance on.

[She pulls her hood down for a better view of the room and stands right up again from the couch. She's been granted some time to snoop, but not much, so she might as well make the best of it.]

If it worked, then I don't see why he would discard it.

[She rolls her shoulders in a shrug as she begins her haphazard search, throwing open a drawer in the coffee table, picking up random books and flipping through them... All while making no effort at all to hide the fact that she has.]

Though, I very much doubt we will find anything in here. I'd be very surprised if he was so careless as to leave a recipe like that sitting out.

You could turn that very same question the other way around: would he have any reason to keep it, after having gotten what he wants?

[Granted, there is always a chance of that logic not holding true, but considering things as they know it right now... its hard to tell.

Unlike Benedikta he stays in place as she goes around to snoop through anything she can lay her hands on in the room, blinking once at her lack of regard on not putting things back to how they were after rifling through them. That's... certainly not the most subtle of searching, if he has anything to say about it.]

I doubt we'd be able to find the exact proof at first pass either, but any other clues would be just as helpful. [Such as the nature of that woman... there's definitely something inhuman to them, but it's hard to place a finger on it.] As long as it is something that'll allow us to actually have a face to face conversation with the alchemist.

[It's definitely not the most subtle way, and with how she's tossing things back, it looks like a small wind has blown through. And it has—it just takes human form in her.]

Do you suppose he has a lab someplace in here? Or an office that we could sneak into?

[Benedikta arches a brow, and flips open a book, but she glances over her shoulder at Alhaitham.]

I only ask because that woman seemed rather taken with you...

[Her words hang.]

[Frankly with how much noise Benedikta is already making from her less than subtle ransacking Alhaitham doubts that their actions are going unnoticed, so there really isn't much of a point in covering it back up. Thus he doesn't bother with any attempt at all and just continues to stay where he is.]

He has to have had conducted his work somewhere, and there hasn't been any indication of it being performed outdoors. [Even if this particular house is somewhat secluded Alhaitham has no doubt that his work wouldn't have stayed unnoticed for long, with the kind of place Eltrut is.] I'd be surprised if he didn't have one.

[The only question now is of course where that might be...

...but before Alhaitham can fully immerse himself in that line of questioning Benedikta speaks up again, bringing up a remark that has him blinking back at her in mild confusion for a moment, and then faint irritation.]

I do not have any interest in the likes of her. [For one, she isn't Kaveh. Secondly... well, the first is good enough, frankly. There's hardly any reason for him to consider anyone else when Kaveh already exists.]

I didn't say you did.

[Irritation that goes in one of Benedikta's ears and out the other, nothing more than rain off her back because she sees an opportunity.

She pauses when she finds a few coins on the fancy oak desk on the other side of the room, and she pockets them.]

I am simply saying that we could use that to our advantage.

[Sorry, Alhaitham. She may respect you, but she is not above using people for her own gains. And besides, it's for him, too!]

[Honestly Alhaitham is more annoyed by the momentary assumption that Benedikta thinks he'd be swayed by some random woman for no reason other than physical attractiveness, especially when she doesn't even hold a candle to Kaveh, but since that particular misunderstanding has been cleared up he's perfectly fine with moving the conversation along—

—and said conversation now goes onto... well.

Alhaitham lets out a heavy exhale through his nose as he crosses his arms over his chest, a difficult expression coming onto his face. He sees what Benedikta is suggesting, and for the most part he does agree with her idea and sees why it would work, it is just... well. Putting on an act for Azar had been one thing, but the feign interest in somebody who he could care less about? That's a whole different thing altogether.

Then again, if he changes it to how he might use that 'interest' to his advantage... maybe he could make it work.]

Alright. [He voices out his agreement a moment after his exhale, dropping his arms down from his chest as he makes his way over to where she is.] What signal should I give to warn you?

[They don't have too much time before the woman returns, so best to quickly settle things while they still can.]

Hm.

[Benedikta wishes she could say that she would just go in there with him, but...

She presses her lips together thoughtfully, as she pockets what appears to be a letter opener, but to her, it is an easy throwing knife for if things get a little dicier.]

Not to worry, I won't leave you waiting for long in there. But... should you need me sooner... simply whisper for me. The winds will do the rest.

[Honestly, she's a little surprised that he had agreed so quickly to it, but it's a pleasant sort of surprise.

... As the footsteps return down the hall. Only there is not one set of footsteps anymore, but two.]

[Alhaitham had agreed to it despite not being the biggest fan of it because he can see how this would probably be the best way to do things. Of course, they could just go for the violent option, but its not the best course of action when neither of them know how to deal with... whatever that strange woman actually is. Or if she is even human in the first place. It's still frankly kind of up in the air.

...and the sound of a second set of footsteps brings about a new set of concerns. Alhaitham frowns at this, then looks at Benedikta to give her a quick nod to acknowledge her words, followed by a jerk of his head as the signal for her to quickly make her move before they return—whoever they are.]

[They are the succubi, the other one accompanying her "sister" this time as they both walk into the room. Their eyes land on Benedikta first as she stands by the desk, staring back, as if she hadn't a care in the world of what they might think she was doing there... but then their eyes are quickly set on Alhaitham before they enter, almost in complete sync of each other... it's almost eerie in a way.

The one sets the cup down while the other remains near Alhaitham.

"Your tea, miss." A gesture for her to sit down, and Benedikta does as she's bid, picking it up but definitely not fucking drinking that—]

So, my partner here was very interested in seeing the work you all do here. He was wondering if he might see where all the magic happens?

[Ah so there's not just one of them, but two. Granted, the job description itself did seem to suggest as much, but he hadn't been wholly certain prior since they'd been only just dealing with the one. So at least this particular mystery is solved.

But this, of course, only brings about a new set of problems, the top of which is the fact that Alhaitham has no idea how to deal with two of these women. Well, he probably can and he will, but its not going to be any less annoying and potentially irritating.

As always, he's perfectly fine with letting Benedikta call the shots on how to make this work, and at the right cue nods to show his agreement.]

My knowledge about bioalchemy is mostly theoretical, so I'd like to learn more from his expertise. You help in this would be appreciated.

[He puts on his best innocent, gullible look then, which... is pretty much the same impassive expression that he's seen with, but bright look in his eyes is hopefully good enough to be convincing.]

[Well, on the bright side, at least he won't have to do much to impress them. Neither of them seems particularly interested in what he has to say about his knowledge in bioalchemy, or what Benedikta has to say, period...

On the not-so-bright side... well, they don't seem that interested in what he has to say, which gives her very little time to gauge the situation, because both of them are throwing themselves at Alhaitham now. One makes doe eyes at him as she circles him while the other wraps his arm with hers and pulls, aggressively.

Benedikta makes a face, and her hand nearly goes to the sword hidden beneath her robe. Magic trickles from her fingertips that he might see, but she puts all of that away immediately.

"Well, we can show you where the magic happens. I'm sure our Master won't mind~" One of them coos.]

🌱 for alhaitham.

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