[Honestly, Alhaitham didn't think that Kaveh would actually go through with this despite his off-handed suggestion and goading a while back... but given how much Kaveh likes to keep himself occupied he supposes he shouldn't be too surprised. But he will admit that his senior has managed to strike a good balance between making this a space that works for the both of them—Alhaitham gets his corner for books and Kaveh gets to putter about as well as tinker, all while enjoying the beverage that they both love.

Needless to say, its to basically nobody's surprise that Kaveh's oft-talked about reclusive husband is present just about any time Kaveh is around too. But where Kaveh is busy attending to customers and busying himself with all manner of things Alhaitham has made himself comfortable on the nook that was specifically made for him in mind, wiling the time away with reading the books that he brought over from their library at home.

Feel free to come and pester him. Or not. While he very much would prefer not to be disturbed, being out in public like this means that he's just as exposed to the whims of the other party as any other person... though in the same vein nothing will stop Alhaitham from ignoring anyone who he deems as not worth its time.]

[If ever asked Alhaitham has many complaints to make about this place, but truly the chief among them is the fact that there is somehow still nobody around to play chess with.

—well, okay, saying that there isn't anyone is a bit of a stretch since there's the likes of Gale and Cid and occasionally Heizou, but three people is still not a lot in the grand scheme of things. By now, its gotten to the point where Alhaitham has to find some new way to engage himself with this, because at the end of the day there is so much mental stimulation that books can provide him for all that he loves reading, and Kaveh can never stay still long enough for a proper game.

Thus, this leads to the current situation: Alhaitham, sitting on the long bench by the large window that looks out into the water, with the gnome chessboard set placed next to him. The pieces have been arranged to follow one of the hardest chess puzzles that he'd gotten from a book that he's been working through, though while he'd done so Alhaitham was already figuring out the solution in his mind.

...and said solution is one that he proceeds to do now, as he methodically goes through the steps that he'd formulated in his head. The last step ends in a checkmate victory, as these things often do, and Alhaitham exhales loudly as he studies the board once he'd done. So much for those hard chess puzzles.]

[With how cozy the cafe is and with things set up in a way that'd please Alhaitham more than others, it doesn't take very long for the man to eventually doze off... especially not when the warm afternoon sun had come up to hit him in just the right way.

But Alhaitham, being how he is, never makes it easy for anyone else that isn't his husband. So while he has indeed dozed off, he'd done so while having leaned back on his chair with his legs stuck out, head tilted just a little to the side as his arms stay firmly crossed over his chest. His eyes are of course closed, but with the earpieces that he has on him it wouldn't be too surprising for people to assume that he's simply vibing in his own space within the confines of the cafe.

Now, the only question left is if anyone would be bold enough to try and wake this giant sleeping housecat... not that Alhaitham will ever agree to the assumption of being regarded to a housecat. He is very much not one, thank you very much.]

[Feel free to hit me up on the Workship CR post, PM this journal or the discord server if you want to plan or have something else entirely in regards to this log/top level. One is also free to assume him being around the shop most of the time in the threads with Kaveh.]