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

[The... very unsubtle way in which the two women are throwing themselves at him now is doing a very fine job in reminding him why he loathes any form of attention that isn't from Kaveh. The blatant flirtatious advances, the aggressive come ons, the thinly veiled attempts at seduction... its all enough to put him much closer to the point of discomfort. Honestly, he wouldn't even be mad if Benedikta had decided to end the charade here and move on straight to the violence. He's almost tempted enough to do that himself.

But he doesn't, since it'd probably cause more trouble at this point in time, and after he casts a quick glance at Benedikta to ensure that she's in the right spot (ie. completely ignored) he (reluctantly) nods an agreement to the offer that'd been given to him. He's not so naive as to think that they are actually going to bring him anywhere that's remotely close to what they're saying here, but he can handle a few sexual advances. The more important thing right now is to give Benedikta whatever time she needs to get things done.]

[Like him, Benedikta is itching for a bit of violence. The way these girls—if they can even be called that—are throwing themselves at Alhaitham make her sick to her stomach that it's hard to watch. Not just for him, though she certainly does feel no shortage of pity for the poor man, but because if that alchemist had any decorum or even a proper conscience, he would not have done this at all.

This is no way for a woman to live, and it leaves a bad taste in her mouth like bile as she watches it all.

Violence will come, and she will be sure to put these girls out of their misery... once they have something—anything that they came for.

"Will you please come with us?"

Hardly waiting for him to answer before they are dragging him away, and Benedikta gives him a not-so-subtle nod to let him know that she will be right behind them.]

Edited 2024-05-15 04:05 (UTC)

[It's one thing to tell himself to be ready for it, but its another thing entirely to actually go through with it himself. Both women prove to be just as troublesome as the other, almost working in tandem to drag him out of the waiting area he and Benedikta had been in. They stick close to him the whole time they walk down the hallway, their breasts all but pressing against him in an act that he supposes is meant to seduce.

Of course, none of that has any effect on him whatsoever, and if anything all it really does is to make his skin crawl. Had it been any other situation Alhaitham would have already done whatever he needed to to get himself out of it, but the current circumstances isn't going to make that work—at least not without breaking their covers entirely, so all he can do is to grit his teeth and continue to put up with this.

Thankfully the walk down the hallway doesn't go on for much longer, as the women comes to a stop at a door on the side. The one closer to said door does a little wave with her finger, causing tiny sparks to fly out from her fingertip over to the door, which unlocks with an audible click and then swings open.

"Right in here, good sir," they trill to him once the way is open. Alhaitham would be a fool to not see the trap for what it is, but turning them down would most likely not fly well... is there anything else he can do to buy some time?]

...I want to see the library first. [He says after a moment, giving both of the women a flat stare.] It will give me a better understanding of his basis, before moving on to see his actual work.

[It really is too bad that these women are not at all interested in other women. While Alhaitham is handling this whole thing like a champ, Benedikta would have at least been a little less uncomfortable about it than he appears to be, and it's not like she can blame him for it. The way that they are fawning over him like that makes even her skin crawl...

Benedikta, in the meanwhile, picks up her teacup and dumps it into the nearest potted plant—or what should be one. The poor thing is as good as dead. She'll carry the cup with her, however, and peer out of the room and down the hall just in time to see them at the other end, but just as they are about to enter, they all stop, and she ducks back behind the door.

"Oh, then it's this way." And they tug him further along into another new corridor, with Benedikta following, her feet tiptoeing over her wind so as not to make a sound...]

[Try as he might, Alhaitham can't help but hold his breath a little after he'd voiced out his request—though the gesture is not so much due to nervousness, but rather to brace himself anything that might happen. With how... insistent and forward these women have been they've long since set off more than a few warning signs within Alhaitham, even if he's been doing a decent enough job of keeping his suspicion under wraps at the moment. It's going to be a matter of time, however, if things keep up the way they do.

But at the very least, they've acquiesced to his request, so that will buy them both a bit of time which Alhaitham intends to make good use of. He allows the women to lead him down this new corridor, which... looks just about the same as the previous one, really, but there are a few more signs of this house actually being lived in by someone. Some portraits on the walls, frames on small display tables, and even a bouquet of lilies... even if most of said flowers have already wilted from the lack of sunlight.

Alhaitham passes by all of those things and then some, eventually coming to a stop at one of the doors near the end of the hallway. One of them—he is no longer bothering to tell the difference between them when they're both equally annoying—opens up the door with a giggle, and the other lets out one of her own in return as she more or less unceremoniously shoves Alhaitham right inside, making sure to shut the door right after.]

[Benedikta is not far behind, and before that door closes, there will be a breeze that blows in past him—a sign to let him know that she is near, and that she knows where they had disappeared off to. She may not have much time, so she, too, intends to make the most of what he has given her.

Down the corridor she goes, opening what doors that she can... which is surprisingly quite a few. Nothing of note, of course. She would have been shocked if there were any that were left unlocked... Just some more books, more sitting areas, a bathroom, all of them looking like they have not been used in years what with the cobwebs and dust.

But there is one room at the end of the hall, close to the library, and that door in particular is very much locked... with a padlock and everything holding the door shut. She jiggles it, the sound echoing far too much through the corridor...

And inside, the two women will look over their shoulders. "Did you hear that?"]

[Alhaitham feels that faint breeze, which does give him some measure of reassurance, but it doesn't change the fact that he's basically by himself with these two women who constantly shift between discomfort and danger. The discomfort is, of course, obvious, but the danger part is still something he's trying to figure out. If push comes to shove he can defend himself, but in an enclosed space like this...

That's a bridge he'll have to try and figure out how to cross if necessary as he starts to look through the library. Truthfully he is a little surprised that they'd actually brought him to it at all instead of attempting anything else, but perhaps this might be a ploy to lower his guard, since its not like he's really made an effort to hide his wariness of them.

"Are you sure you want to keep looking at these boring old books?" One of them asks in what he assumes to be some sort of sweet, seductive tone, but to him it pretty much just falls flat. That does nothing to deter her though, and she leans forward, all but flashing her chest at him as she continues to speak. "You're such a studious man, but surely you want to take a break too? Both of us are right here—"

She's cut off by a rattling sound that Alhaitham just barely manages to make out, and he tells himself to not react too visibly as the two women look over their shoulders in the direction of the door. "Did you hear that?" they ask, their suspicions rising, and Alhaitham knows that he has to act fast here lest they decide to step out.]

Hear what? [He asks, doing his best to sound as guileless as possible—which turns out to be fairly convincing, at least in his opinion.] I'm more concerned about the fact that these books seem to have not been touched for a while now. Does your... companion no longer use them?

[At the very least, Alhaitham's disinterest only serves to fire up their determination further. They turn away from the door at his question, and there's a fire that lights up in their eyes as they exchange a look. Frustration? Anger? Something else entirely? Who is to say, but one of the girls growls something under her breath, impatience getting the best of her.

Why isn't their allure working!?!? Well, whatever.

"Not really. We haven't seen him use them." One of the girls wanders to the shelves and runs her fingers along their spines, but she looks more bored than anything. "If you'd like, I can let you see something far more interesting than these boring books..."

Meanwhile, in the corridor...]

Fucking thing...

[Benedikta hisses at the lock and she has half a mind to just blast this door to shreds. It would certainly be faster, but it might blow their entire cover. She came for information, and she is not about to leave empty handed and with only scarred eyes to show for it. She does hope that Alhaitham is doing fine in the library, because she's reaching into her pockets and pulling out a small keychain, the lockpick dangling from it.

At least her career in subterfuge taught her this much, and she makes quick and dirty work of the lock in no time, the loud thunk of it as it falls open like music to her very sore ears. The door itself is far too loud for her liking, but at least she is in.

And oh, she does not like what she sees...

Some sort of laboratory? Filled with books and papers and tools scattered everywhere with no rhyme or reason to them. She has no idea where to start, but she makes a hurried attempt to search for something—anything that will give them a hint of what this could all be about. Hell, even a recipe that they could use to sell for money... which is mainly what she was here for. The black market would kill for something like this if what she heard is true.

However...

What she does find on these scribbles...]

Fuck.

[Well, that would explain things.

It takes about ten more minutes after the initial thud of the lock for the library door to burst open with a blast of wind that pops open one of the girl's shirts. (whoops)]

Alhaitham, get out—!

[Alhaitham raises a bit of an eyebrow at both of the women's reaction, and he supposes they must have assumed that he can't hear well due to his ear pieces because otherwise there is no reason as to why one of them would say something like that right in front of him, even if utter under her breath. Doesn't change the fact that its not inconspicuous at all—even if his noise-cancelling had been turned on, he'd have been able to read her lips anyway.

Regardless, now that he's heard those words his suspicions have risen much further, and as wary as he has become now Alhaitham does his best to keep them on the down low as the other woman brings up the idea of something more interesting than books which is... well. Very much another trap if he knows one, especially after what he'd heard just now.]

I'd like to take more of a look at the books myself before making my own judgement.

[...clearly, his answer is not what they'd been wanting to hear, given the displeased frown that appears which they do not bother to hide this time, which is interesting. Either this is a slip up, or their patience is starting to get thin... Alhaitham can't say for sure, but he would not be surprised if it were the latter. Regardless, it does not matter, and he simply turns his attention to the book that's currently in his hand to resume reading.

"...So muscular and studious. You really are everything that a woman can dream of, aren't you?" The question comes after he'd spent some time reading, the words leaving in a purr from the one that'd been skulking to the side, now seemingly having decided to return from that and even ramp up this whole charade. He feels the press of her breasts against his arm as she leans into him, his skin crawling in discomfort as she slides a hand up the length of his arm. "Such a shame that you're with that lady friend of yours..."

...all Alhaitham does at this point is to blink, because he doesn't know what Benedikta has to do with any of this aside from the breaking and entering she is most likely in the middle of doing right now. Plus the other things he'd seen her take from the drawers. At least she won't be damaging any books, since he's the one in the library.

But he can tell that they're expecting... some kind of response? So he tilts his head after a few beats and says, quite simply] Yes, but she's not present here at the moment.

[The women take this answer with a fair amount of amusement, their unearthly eyes now gleaming bright with unnatural excitement.

"Yes, she isn't here at all now, is she?" the one still pressed at his arm states, her voice nearly a purr. "Just the three of us then, in this nice room where nobody can hear anything..."

She trails off to a chuckle, dark and discomforting, and Alhaitham feels that same discomfort making itself even more apparent now inside of him as the other woman chuckles too and steps closer to him. Alhaitham feels himself flinching a bit, but the woman at his arm has a much tighter grip than expected, effectively keeping him trapped in place, and that sense of danger that'd been bubbling underneath his skin is coming to a boil now. He narrows his eyes and flexes the hand of his free arm, ready to do whatever is needed to get out of this if necessary—

—but for better or worse, that's when the door to the library bursts open, the force of the wind that comes after it strong enough to rattle the books where they're kept and even cause some of the loosely packed ones to drop. But between all of that is Benedikta's warning to him, as clear as day, and it's one that Alhaitham immediately heeds to; with the woman at his arm shaken by the blast of wind he's able to push her away, ignoring the shriek that comes from that in lieu of relishing having freed himself from this before going over to where Benedikta stands, making sure to some decent space between him and the two women.]

Edited 2024-05-23 17:39 (UTC)

Fucking hells...

[She looks at the mess that she has made in just a few short seconds, a look of disgust at the two women... or not-quite-women in the room, one of them clutching her top to herself as if she wasn't just trying to lure him further in with it.]

Succubi...

[That's all the explanation that she gives to Alhaitham before she's relentlessly ripping her robes off herself so that she can better reach for her sword hidden beneath. Ugh, she really should have just gone with no robe at all.]

[Alhaitham has only the faintest notion of what a 'succubi' is, since they're something that does not exist in Teyvat—and while he has read up on them since coming to this world, he hadn't had a reason to delve past the surface understanding. After all, what use does he have in knowing about creatures that supposedly lives off something as nebulous as 'sexual energy'?

Still, it does explain why they've been so forward, and judging but the hisses that both women let out the moment Benedikta addresses them as such, Alhaitham sees no reason to doubt her words.

He summons his sword out from the ether then, and readies himself for a very possible fight while Benedikta does the same next to him.]

Are we going to assume that the alchemist is a lost cause? [He asks at that point. The texts that he has read up did make quite the point about these succubi eventually taking the life of their targets, and considering the circumstances, things don't look especially promising.]

We either assume he is a lost cause, or already dead. But I think it may be safe to assume they are looking to replace him.

[Gracious of them to wait until they are done discussing this—

But the hissing tells her that they've lost their patience, and just as quickly as it had all started, one of them is lunging at them with nails that have sharpened into claws. ~~bitch that's her thing!!!~~ Benedikta raises her sword to block, the jagged edges of it doing wonders to hold her back...

It's a blast of wind that she needs to actually force her away from them, throwing her into the bookshelf against the other wall.

"Master isn't here right now, but YOU WILL HAVE TO DO!" The other shrieks, her eyes shimmering and glowing a bright red.]

[Alhaitham only has the time to do a short nod to Benedikta's answer before their attention is directed to the two women—succubi. One of them lunges forward, but Benedikta is quick to handle it, though Alhaitham has to wince and hold his ground at the blast of wind that comes right next to him, doing his best to make sure he doesn't fall.

Thankfully, he manages to keep his balance, and when the other comes in for an attack right after Alhaitham is the one to respond. He blocks the lunge that she does after shrieking, then sends her stumbling back with a hard shove that he quickly follows up by using his flicker. It's a very short teleport, but its more than enough for what he needs, and when he strikes its not with his usual sword but rather one that's fashioned out of pure Dendro energy. It's more than enough to do the job, and Alhaitham sees with some satisfaction at the cut that he's managed to land as his opponent staggers back further, dark ichor seeping out from the injury.]

Tell us. Is this Master of yours still around? [He asks then, seeing if this start will do anything for them here. Benedikta may have her suspicions which Alhaitham can agree on, but its always best to get it straight from the horse's mouth. He highly doubts that it will change any of his decisions, but its always best to know the full story as much as possible.]

[They play coy now that it's Alhaitham.

"Well. Sort of." She twirls her hair with her fingers. "He's 'here' enough that he can take care of us when we need him to."

Benedikta's frown tightens. She knows all too well what that means. She's read enough books to know where this goes—

"But he's not as delicious anymore, is he?"

The other one shakes her head. "No, he's kind of old and spoiled now."]

Just answer him!

[God, she's already furious, and Benedikta storms inside the room, sword extended out in front of her.

"Alright, alright! He's here, yes. But he's been nearly sucked all dry, unfortunately..."

As she thought. This whole house is a write-off.]

[Alhaitham sucks in a sharp breath and slowly lets it out as the two succubi play coy in response to his question, but for better or worse Benedikta is quick to interrupt and force them to get to the point. Alhaitham would have more or less done the same himself too, so he's certainly not complaining.

But they finally get their answer, clearly and definitively, and Alhaitham exhales sharply when he hears it. Kaveh would not be happy with this news, if he ever knew... but that's something he will deal with when the time comes. But for now—]

Since he's gone, then there is no reason to continue this conversation. [Alhaitham says as he readies his sword, clearly ready to fight.] Just as there is no reason for creatures like you to exist.

[Any potential sympathy he might have had for them had all but vanished the moment they admitted to having basically taken the life of the alchemist. While he respects the autonomy one has with their life, regardless of how they come into it independent of the one who granted it to them, the way they hold so little regard for having taken the life of their own creator is what irks him more than anything else. After seeing that sort of display, he knows better than to let either of them step out of this room—let alone this house.]

Edited 2024-05-27 12:48 (UTC)

[Fucking hells, were they really planning on making Alhaitham their new "master" to drain the life out of just like their first? Well, whatever it might be, she has no more time for this.]

Right or left for you?

[It's uttered under her breath to Alhaitham.]

I'm going to assume you can handle it?

[He seems to have been immune to their wiles so far, but that's about all the time for their consideration because they are being rushed at by both girls this time, their coy smiles now turned to toothy grins, fangs making themselves known, their eyes glowing that brighter red...

And whatever side he does not go to, Benedikta will—]

[Alhaitham attempts to take second to make his choice, but before he can even indicate which one he's decided upon the two succubi make the decision for them instead by leaping forward at the same time. Alhaitham is quick to react there, using his sword to block a swipe from the one on the left who'd made an immediate beeline towards him. Though he manages it, the impact from the collision runs all the way up through his entire arm, and Alhaitham has to tighten the hold on his sword to keep it from slipping off his grasp.]

I'll manage, just focus on the other one—!

[Alhaitham manages to grit out his answer to Benedikta's questions before the succubi lunges for another attack which he just barely manages to dodge. He very quickly recgonizes here that there's no way all four of them are going to be able to fight within the confines of this room at the same time—and quite honestly Alhaitham kind of doesn't want to, considering all the books that are in here. But any attempt he makes in regards to heading towards the exit is quickly interrupted by more reckless lunges from the succubi who now has him in her sights.

"What is wrong with you?!" comes the frustrated screech from her at this point. "Why aren't you falling to our charms like the rest?!"

Alhaitham has no idea what her question is about, nor does he truly care; her frustration is making her sloppier, which allows him to have a chance to properly fighting back despite the difference in strength between them.]

Edited 2024-05-30 15:48 (UTC)

["It's HER fault!" The other one shouts, as Benedikta does, indeed, focus on the other one. This poor library—as much as she'd just like to make this a clean kill, drive her sword through its throat and be done with it, this particular succubus has other ideas. "She keeps interrupting us!" She lunges at Benedikta, leaping upward and then back down, and she's forced to raise her sword to block her.]

For fuck's sake—

[She grounds through her teeth before there's a surge of wind that centers from where she stands, pushing back the succubus into the shelf before she tumbles to the ground, a pile of books falling with her.

A flick of Benedikta's wrist, and the shelf comes down not long after, wood splintering and being torn out of the books by that snappy wind.

These unfortunate books. 😔

Meanwhile, the one attacking Alhaitham shrieks as she's nearly lifted off her feet, and she grapples for him, trying to grab onto whatever part of him that she can reach before Benedikta can fling her across the room, too.]

[Alhaitham winces and stumbles at the burst of wind, just barely managing to hold his ground with how close he is to the source of the wind itself. With how strong they are he isn't particularly surprised at how messed up the bookshelves get, especially when the succubi that tries to lunge for Benedikta gets thrown onto it instead, causing a good amount of books to tumble down along with her, shortly followed by the bookcase itself.

...he can't say that he's mad about it, but there's no denying the unfortunate reality that's befallen them all the same. With luck they might be able to salvage something from that mess after this is over.

But there's not much time for Alhaitham to focus on it for much longer; a shriek right in front of him quickly draws his attention back forwards, and he does so just as he feels a tug at his sword and quickly realizes that the succubi going after him has grabbed onto the end of it in what is a last ditch attempt to stay where she is. Even as the blade cuts into her fingers and palms it stays there, trails of dark ichor flowing down the length of it and staining the otherwise intricate and elaborate green and white design.

Alhaitham narrows his eyes then, and his mouth twists into a grimace before he lets go of his sword and sends it back into the ether. The succubi's eyes widen in surprise, and its the last thing that Alhaitham sees before she gets flung across the room by Benedikta's wind, crashing right into another bookcase with enough force to splinter the shelves, causing the books on them to spill out and tumble down with her.]

[There is still movement from under the shelves and the books, but Benedikta simply shakes away her windswept hair from her face and wanders over to where she can hear the pained groans and muffled, annoyed shrieks that come from them as they try to clamber their way free.

Her fingers wrap tight around her sword, but she neither raises it nor sheathes it. A hand appears from beneath the massive pile, and she simply lowers her boot over it, crushing the fingers against the floor to stop her from moving any further, and she simply scoffs at the sound that the succubus makes beneath.]

Only fitting that you do the honours.

[For better or worse the fight finishes itself quickly enough, and not for the first time Alhaitham finds himself impressed by the power that Benedikta is able to wield. Her mastery over the winds far surpasses that of a Vision holder, which in turn brings to mind what Cid told him before about Eikons and Dominants from his own world. Their power... as well as their price.

...still, despite what he himself thinks, it is ultimately not his place to interfere in. Alhaitham shelves those thoughts away to consider for another day as he walks over to the messy pile of books that have fallen all over the succubi and kept them pinned to the ground, further aided by Benedikta's boot upon their hand.

He glances over to her when she says those words, blinking for a second before looking back down to the soon to be fallen succubi. Perhaps Benedikta is the kind of person who relishes in the joy of a fight, but Alhaitham doesn't quite partake in those things. A fight for him is simply a useful way to get his point across in the most direct manner, especially in times when his temper does not afford him any more patience. Doing something his needlessly elaborate is—mostly unnecessary, but he can't say that he has any lost love for the succubi either, given what they've done.

So rather than saying anything Alhaitham simply brings his sword back out from the ether, nudging some books aside to reveal just enough torso for him to unceremoniously drive the blade through, grimacing at both the sound that comes from the act as well as the dark ichor that gushes out of the mortal wound.]

[She is, indeed, the type who enjoys a good fight, regardless of the bloodshed. So long as she comes out the victor in the end and, in this case, she has. So, when Alhaitham blinks at her for a moment, she stares back at him, brows arched and waiting, boot pressing more firmly over the wrist beneath her, so when he finally finishes the deed, she huffs with relief beneath the dying, choking sound that it makes.

As for the other one, Benedikta has little patience left for the screams that she is making, so she simply takes her sword and drives the end of it through her throat, making her end just a quick and easy before she can crawl her way out of the books. She makes a face at the blackened tip of her blade and glances around the room before she wipes it down on one of the fancy velvet couches stationed in the centre.]

No wonder they were so adamant... Looking for a new master or some such...

[After the first one has been dealt with the second is not far behind, quickly slain by Benedikta's hand and left to die from the gaping wound in her throat. Alhaitham, on his end, waits until the cries of the succubus have faded away for long enough before he draws back his sword, making another face at the stains on his blade and doing his best to flick as much away as he can.]

At least it sounded like they haven't gotten to anyone else besides the alchemist. [He says in response to Benedikta's remark. They'd certainly taken their time with him, for better or worse. It's hard to say if Alhaitham pities him, even though he knows the backstory from what Kaveh had told him of his own prior encounter with the now deceased man. The grief for his wife is, of course, understandable, but to chase after something that is clearly beyond human ken, throwing all rationality and logic aside... its easy to sympathize, but ultimately there is no denying the fact that his death was one that he brought upon himself.

Alhaitham gives his sword one more flick, ensuring that the worst of the ichor is gone from the blade before he sends it back to the ether, and with both of his hands now free he crosses his arms to study the collection of books that line this entire room—the ones that haven't been ruined or damaged from the fight earlier, at least.]

These books shouldn't be kept here.

[He can't quite decide yet how they should be dealt with, but the important part is that they should not remain here for anyone to come across, considering what the knowledge in them has wrought—the evidence of which now lie dead in this very room, bleeding out pools of dark liquid.]

[Benedikta reaches into the small pouch strapped to her sword's belt and unfurls a small, torn piece of paper that looks like it was taken from a book.]

I've no idea where he kept the recipes, but this was telling enough.

[It's a page about the lore and mythology of succubi. Just one of what was clearly many, and it could have been from any of the books here. And the reason she knew that Alhaitham might have been in trouble. It would explain their strange behaviours, and why the Alchemist himself was done in before they even got here.]

I've half a mind to burn it all.

[Alhaitham eyes the scrap of paper that Benedikta holds out towards him, eyes narrowing as he reads whatever he can off it; the words themselves are familiar, and it only takes a moment for him to remember that he's read it off one of the books from Elah's archives a while back. Perhaps this is a copy that the alchemist has made, or something that'd been smuggled over—either way, the fact that it'd been torn off suggests that finding the book will most likely be a lost cause.

But that aside, Alhaitham takes a second to actually consider the suggestion that had been put forth. While he does agree that the dangerous stuff should be disposed of, part of him can't help but find it a bit of a shame to have everything in here destroyed. But its not as if they really have the time to go through and catalog every single book in here, and considering the nature of what he has done—and the depths of his desperation—Alhaitham highly doubts that he would have deviated much from his research, so...]

Let's. [He says once he's made his decision, glancing over to Benedikta.] These books are most likely too dangerous to keep, even under lock and key.

[Because people have always been curious... and while that isn't an inherently a bad thing, the cardinal sins established by the Akademiya exist for a reason—and what the alchemist has done here has very much crossed it.]

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

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we can wrap this here I think! 💚

\o/ yee