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Who: Kaveh and YOU
Status: Open
Where: Surasthana Cafe on Eltrut!
What: The grand opening of a book cafe.
Warnings: God I hope not.

[Kaveh hasn't talked much about what he's been working on for a few months now, because he wanted this moment to be a surprise (and because he didn't want to be scolded for overwork). It has finally paid off, now, with the grand opening of the Surasthana Cafe, just in time for the deep end of the fall season. The cafe is cozily furnished and warm, the smell of lovingly brewed coffee floats through the air, and soft music plays from Mehrak.

Kaveh isn't expecting a huge rush on any given day--this was done for his own sake more than anything, but now on weekday afternoons, the little book cafe can be found and people can stay a spell, enjoying expertly made coffee drinks and some light reading in a ridiculous plant paradise.

If you have any requests for new kinds of books, or wish to purchase various accessories, stop by the front counter! The owner is happy to accommodate you, after all.

ooc: you may also treat this post as a mingle and toplevel accordingly, just mark if you are doing so! Otherwise, Kaveh will be coming for you!]

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[With Alhaitham looking his way, Freminet didn't have much of a choice but to go toward him. After all, he didn't want to be rude and he didn't want to make things even worse. The treaty had allowed him the peace he wanted from Alhaitham, he still knew that it could be broken at any time.

Mumbling to himself, he made his way toward the tall scary man before looking down at the chess board.]

Um...sorry, I saw you playing and I was curious on what you doing...

[Alhaitham frankly wouldn't have minded at all if Freminet had decided to walk away right there and then—even if Alhaitham did acknowledge him, it didn't necessarily mean that the teenager needed to come over. But since he has then neither will the man chase him away either.]

Chess puzzles. [He answers the question easily, looking over to the board itself—its still set on the checkmate that he had to solve for earlier.] Is that something you're familiar with?

[Mostly asking out of curiosity, since Fontaine seems like the place where chess would be a much more common hobby compared to Sumeru.]

A little.

[He said before taking a seat by the board. He wasn't even sure what Alhaitham was doing. From what he gathered, he knew the Queen and the King were in their rightful place. At the same time, the rooks appeared to be in a defensive spot but that was the extent of what he knew.]

...I've only seen Lyney and Lynette play it a few times. Although, I'm not sure how to play it.

[Alhaitham starts to rearrange the pieces on the board as Freminet goes to settle down, mostly as a way to keep himself occupied—though he pauses in the middle of it once the teenager mentions not being familiar with the game.]

... [There's a brief pause then as Alhaitham considers this, and after that he goes to start rearranging them in a completely different manner.]

We can start with chess puzzles, then. I personally find it an easier way to familiarize yourself with the rules of the game. [Another pause.] But only if you're interested.

[He doesn't want Freminet to do this because he feels like he's obligated to. Alhaitham is just as fine with the teenager wanting to just sit here and read a book or several other things that one is free to do in a place like this.]

[Looking at the board once more, Freminet really didn't know what was going on. He knew his siblings and Father tried to explain it to him once. And yet, he wasn't too sure if he could follow along. There were way too many rules and there was strategy involved. He knew he wasn't smart enough to keep up.

And yet, when Alhaitham was helping him out, there was a sigh of relief.]

Then...what kind of chess puzzles are there? They're not too difficult, are they?

[He might as well try and learn. If he wanted both parties to get along, he might as well try to understand the tall scary man despite still being afraid of him.]

There are chess puzzles for every level of difficulty. We will start with the easiest ones.

[He takes a second to consult the book of chess puzzles that he has at his side, arranging the pieces as shown on it.]

We'll start with the basic piece—the pawn. [He takes the single pawn piece that's on the board now and holds it up for Freminet to see.] The first time it moves it is able to move two squares forward, but after that it can only move one square forward. And it can only capture a piece that's diagonally one square forward, like so.

[He demonstrates this by using the pawn piece to take out the other opposing pawn piece that was placed for this. Once that's done, he pulls his hands away and looks over to Freminet.]

Now, try to take this opposing rook piece with the pawn. I will move the opposing pieces accordingly.

[That sounds simple enough and yet, Freminet couldn't help but overthink things. Looking at the rook and at the pieces before him, he gave a mumble or two. As he took a piece and moved it one step forward, he didn't look up. Almost as if Alhaitham's judging gaze tore right through him.

With a mumble or two, he waited to see what else he would do.]

Um, I'm sorry, is that what you wanted me to do?

[Given how relatively linear and straightforward this puzzle is there really isn't much of a chance for anyone to really mess this up, let alone somebody as thoughtful as Freminet.]

Not quite [He says in response to the question, taking the piece Freminet had moved and putting it one more square forward.] Remember, the pawn gets to move two squares on the first move.

[His words may be firm but they are not said snappishly. Alhaitham is of course well-aware of Freminet's more timid nature (still a bit of an irony, considering what he does), so he's doing his best to not come across as fierce. Scolding at this point does nothing for either of them.]

[With his words, Freminet had to wince a little. There was nothing wrong with making mistakes and especially when he was still new. However, given that it was Alhaitham, he was intimidated. He didn’t know if he should be worried about making a poor impression despite not having to care.

As he saw him moving it a step forward, he sunk his head onto his shoulders before mumbling to himself.]

O-okay then. Uh, what should I do next…?

[This was almost as bad as disappointing his Father…]

[Fremninet please the whole point of this is to make mistakes and learn!!

There's a brief pause here as Alhaitham sees the way Fremninet reacts. He knows things between them in general are still not Great despite the truce, but he truly has nothing against Freminet at the very least. His brother, however, is a different matter, but that's neither here nor there.]

Now I make my move. [He says, then goes on to move the opposing pieces as he remembers from the book. The rook piece, in particular, comes to a stop at the right position for Freminet's pawn to take it.] And now its your move again.

[The answer is right there, Freminet. It's impossible to miss.]

[He knew what Alhaitham was trying to do; he was telling Freminet to go and take the rook. However, he was hesitating. Placing his hand over the pawn, it stays there for a moment or two. He was overthinking things as he wondered what would happen should he take it.

He knew there was nothing wrong with taking it but he just didn't know how Alhaitham would react. Without another moment to lose, he took his piece and moved it forward.]

Um...there? It's your turn now...?

[...

This is going to take a while now, he can see.

Alhaitham doesn't say anything just yet, at least not immediately, but he does use the rook piece that should've been taken to take Freminet's pawn instead, though he doesn't put the pieces aside once he's done so.]

I understand your caution, but an abundance of it may end up backfiring on you. [He says, not unkindly, as he arranges the pieces back to where they started.] Let's try it again.

[Freminet is just scared! He knows he's on good terms with Alhaitham but it doesn't change the fact that he works in the House! He just wants to have a good relationship with him!!

Which was why he kept on being quiet, almost as if he were a student being taught by a teacher. Looking down at the piece again, he took a sigh.]

A-Alright.

[He said before doing what he was told before attempting to take the rook piece.]

...Sorry, I guess I'm still nervous....

[~~Obviously the answer there is to just leave the House Freminet, you're better than them anyway /j~~

Alhaitham, for better or worse, doesn't attempt to say or do anything that will get Freminet to act in any one way or other, though he can't say he's a fan of how the teenager still acts in the end. After all these months, one would think that he'd at least try to have a little more backbone...

Once the pieces are set back to their initial places they start the lesson again, this time with Freminet going through the right steps (at the beginning, anyway—jury's still out if that will stick).]

There is nothing wrong with exercising caution, but an overabundance of it is just as detrimental as any other displays of recklessness. [He admonishes again, though not unkindly.] Just many other things, it is best to have it in balance.

[He moves his pieces after that, ending with the rook at the position where it'd been before. Alright Freminet, you have this in the bag this time.]

[~~But he can't...!!~~

He didn't say anything at first. He simply watched the man move the pieces around. He wasn't sure if he understood what the rules were just yet but he liked to think he can. Which was why he attempting to do the same thing as before. However, this time, he was able to do so with a little bit more confidence.]

I know...but I always have to be overly cautious in case something happens.

[He said before looking upwards to take the piece as he wondered what to do next.]

[~~skillissue.jpg~~

He watches as Freminet makes his move, though as he does so Alhaitham realizes that perhaps he should've just moved on, since its not like Freminet can truly understand now that he'd been practically told the answer. An oversight on his own end... he'll have to keep it in mind.]

You cannot prepare for everything that will happen. [Just says with that straightforward, blunt manner of his, not bothering to mince his words or try and make it pretty. He's never been that kind of person and is certainly not going to stop now.] I'm sure you know this better than most, given your line of work. You can make all the preparations you feel that you need, but it will be for naught nothing goes according to how you planned it.

[He'd shifted the pieces to a new arrangement while saying all of that, gesturing with his hand once he's done.] Here. This time, aim to take the bishop with your rook.

[There it was. Upon being reminded of what his actual work was, he found himself wincing. He knew there was nothing to be ashamed of, not when he told him what he did. And yet, he couldn't help but be scared.]

I-I know. It's just...playing chess is a little different.

[When he was an assassin, he had to be overly prepared should something go wrong. However, it was something he was used to.

This was different. Feeling his gaze on him, he gave a nod before attempting to move forward with the rook. As he took two steps forward, he wasn't sure what he would do next.]

[Sorry Freminet, but regardless of Alhaitham's opinions of you as a person, it doesn't change what you're doing and where your true affiliation lies. He certainly isn't going to forget that anytime soon, at the very least.]

Is that so? I'd assume there'd be a fair amount of similarities myself. [Things such as waiting to see what the target does before acting himself, planning out for as many possibilities, having to adapt in case something happens... all of those things aren't too dissimilar to chess when it comes down to it.] But I suppose you're the one with the actual experience to speak on the matter.

[He glances down to see what Freminet has done after that, seeing that he did make the right move this time, so Alhaitham will proceed with the move that the puzzle instructs him to do.]

[It was different in that he didn't have to think as much. When he made the kill, he could dissociate. The screams of his victims could be tuned out with his helmet. He could go back to the ocean and just not think. Chess was worse.

He had to think at every given moment and he had to pay attention. Especially when it was with Alhaitham from all people.]

...It's....

[He gave a mumble or two before attempting to move his rook toward the side. He was paying attention to where the bishop was. The problem was that he didn't know what was going through Alhaitham's mind as he wondered if he made the wrong move.]

[Alhaitham narrows his eyes at the way Freminet mumbles and trails off, his body language clearly showing that something is wrong. What the problem is, though, is something that he can only speculate. Sure, it might be easy enough to see that its related to his work, but considering what said 'work' is that does not narrow things down as much as one would think.]

I won't be able to understand the problem if you don't explain it. [He says, in the same straightforward manner that he always has. At the same time he makes the next move as he remembers from the puzzle book—which, logically speaking, would be a bad move to make in a real game, but of course that's not what they're doing right now, so it doesn't matter.]

[He wanted to say what was on his mind but he didn't know if it was appropriate to do so. Not when they were out in the open. Looking at the chessboard, he decided to move the rook a little closer to the bishop. He didn't know what he was doing, he simply thought that was the best move.]

...Chess is different compared to what I used to do.

[He said in a low whisper. Suddenly, he was fidgeting around with his fingers as he was scared. Scared of what? He didn't know but he did feel like he might have done something wrong.]

[Freminet please talking about your work barely ranks on the list of 'unpleasant' things that he's had to deal with. Just ask Siraj and/or Ilyas.

He eyes the move that Freminet had done, which was another wrong maneuver, but before he comments on it he does see just how uncomfortable the teenager has become. Its obvious at this point that trying to do this isn't going to make things any easier... it might be best to switch things up a little.]

Explain what these differences are, then. [He says, pulling back his hands to fold his arms across his chest, the chess puzzles put aside for now. They can come back to it later, if Freminet feels up for it.]

I...

[He said with his gaze down at his hands. As he kept fidgeting around with his fingers, he just didn't know how to respond back. He mumbled to himself before giving a small whisper.]

...Chess makes me have to think. When I play it, I always have to make sure I make the right moves.

[With that, he bit his bottom lip as he continues to fidget around. However, it was clear his hands were shaking.]

When I kill someone, I don't. I can just put on my helmet and not think about it. I don't have to hear their screams...

Edited 2024-11-29 17:04 (UTC)

[Alhaitham stays quiet as he waits for Freminet to take the time he needs to explain himself, and while that does happen eventually its hard to say if that's actually a good thing, considering the exact nature of what he'd just heard. Alhaitham narrows his eyes, and while there's no denying the discontent that's made itself apparent on his face, none of that is really directed at Freminet himself.]

Something like that as a coping mechanism can only work for so long. [He just says it, without any real preamble. He figures it should be obvious that blocking up stuff like this isn't really the best way to handle this—after all it does not change the reality of what has been done. Alhaitham's no saint himself, but even he can understand the weight and value of a life, and what it it means to take it.] Have you not brought this up to— [Ugh, he doesn't want to say Lyney's name.] —to your brother?

[Or, well, his 'Father', but he figures that goes without saying. Hopefully.]

[Telling him was a bad idea. Alhaitham was already skeptical of the Fatui and he was a miracle he managed to form a treaty with his family. Now that he spoke about his open secret, he was fully prepared for a scolding. He found himself shrinking into the seat as he braced himself for something.

Luckily, he never happened. Giving a sigh of relief, he mumbled to himself once more. It sucked knowing his time with the former Knave has made him be so sensitive to any form of disappointment.]

No...I haven't.

[Because let's be for real. Freminet was never going to discuss it with his family when there could be more important things they could do. There was never really time to discuss these things when they had missions to do.]

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I AM LATE WITH STARBUCKS

never too late

As I am sipping on Starbucks right now

is it good at least

Yes, yes it was. I was hyped up.

hell yeah lets go

Right as I sip coffee right now

get all that good caffeine in your system

I'm on my second cup already!!!