(no subject)

[empyrean_mirror]

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!]

Comments

hehehe

[empyrean_mirror]

[Well, let the owner know and he'll make an attempt to stock teas, friend. But he's from a coffee-drinking culture, it's always going to be his truest love.

Speaking of true love, apparently a wide selection of the books here are...romance novels? The question is, is this a reflection on the culture on Eltrut, or on how many books Alhaitham collected and donated to the cafe on the subject?

And why the hell are there so many mermaids?]

Good afternoon, sir! Please let me know if there's anything you'd like to see stocked.

[Now, there's a familiar voice, huh?]

[deepstar]

[ Maybe he will! But there won't be anything like Almyran Pine Needles. A crying shame, you know.

Now Claude is going to bypass the romance novels. Those aren't really his thing. Though he will be looking at the ones with mermaids. Claude knows he's heard the locals talking about them. And uh he saw the ghost zombie mermaids so there's that.

He looks up when addressed and offers a wink and a grin. Sure is a familiar voice. ]

How about a beginners guide to dancing?

[empyrean_mirror]

[There is a visible pause and a flicker of irritation on Kaveh's face because really? Really? But it passes quickly.]

Certainly, shall I bundle it with a book on etiquette?

[deepstar]

[ Heh. He does enjoy getting reactions from people. But for now Claude just goes along with it. He sucks in a breathe and just pretends that had been a gut punch. ]

I would take you up on that, but those etiquette lessons? They never really stuck.

[empyrean_mirror]

Maybe they should have used more glue.

[Kaveh snorts, but shakes his head.]

I'm not sure a world primarily populated by pirates will have much on either topic, though.

[deepstar]

Ooooor it's a difference in customs. Either way, I thought that I was pretty polite.

[ But hey. They can at least have a chuckle about it. Maybe. ]

You're probably right, though. Truthfully, I was hoping for something that could give me more information about this place.

[empyrean_mirror]

That'll be hard for us to get our hands on. The Conservatory keeps a pretty tight grip on it.

[He sighs, and shakes his head a little.] I'd love to stock it if I could...well, I could ask Alhaitham to compile his notes to distribute copies, but I'm not sure how interesting you'd find it.

[On the other hand it'd keep people from bothering Alhaitham directly and that's probably going to work out better for...everyone.]

[deepstar]

The Conservatory… That might be a little difficult for me.

[ Being a Corsair and all. But not impossible. He’s pretty sure about being able to slip in, given time. Now what is interesting are these notes. Someone else has been researching? Oh man… ]

Actually, if you could get me a copy, I would appreciate it. I think an unbiased view on all of this would be best. Now it’d be more helpful alongside what any book in the Conservatory says, for comparison purposes, but I’d make do.

[ He’s not a scholar, per se. But he is -]

I have an insatiable thirst for knowledge, as it so happens.

[empyrean_mirror]

You'll find yourself in good company.

[Kaveh chuckles, and makes a considering noise.] I can ask Alhaitham, but he's here himself if I am--grey hair with the little sprout in the corner there. He's just a bit...prickly.

As far as getting you into the Conservatory, I'm sure I'd never suggest asking someone allied with the Paladins to help you get in, and wouldn't suggest Gale Dekarios by name if I had.

[Kaveh you are so, so bad at being subtle. Oh my god.] I'm afraid I don't go up there myself very often.

[deepstar]

Someone being a "bit prickly" hasn't been a deterrent for me yet.

[ If anything, it is just the opposite. Claude happens to LOVE getting under the skin of people who are "a bit prickly." It brings him no small amount of joy.

The blonde here isn't subtle at all and Claude has to stop himself from laughing and telling him that. Really, he might as well have just told Claude everything bluntly. ]

Of course you wouldn't and you didn't. [ A wink ] Aaaand I would never think of following up on it, if anything was said at all.

[empyrean_mirror]

I am simply providing a warning up front; if it doesn't bother you, then have at him.

[Kaveh laughs, and shakes his head a bit.]

Now, might I interest you in some coffee? No crime in it, I'm afraid, but I can guarantee the quality of our beans myself.

[deepstar]

I appreciate the warning even if it seems like I'm blowing it off. It helps me know what kind of situation I could be stepping into.

[ Because who wants to walk into a conversation and get off to a bad start? There might be some benefits to that, depending on what you want to do. But in this case? Getting someone's notes? Yeah, that's not the approach that he's looking for.

Claude gives a bit of a laugh at the comment. ]

Tea, if you have it. First thing's first though: I don't think I ever caught your name.

[empyrean_mirror]

Oh! I'm Kaveh. Originally an architect, from Sumeru. The grey-haired grump pretending he's not napping over there in the corner is Alhaitham.

[Not that it means much to another riftfarer, but...to Kaveh, at least, it seems less lonely to talk about the worlds they came from, rather than eschew discussing it because no one else recognizes what that means.]

[deepstar]

Given how you've mentioned him twice and gave me a warning... I take it that's your partner?

[ It's not an unfounded guess, but well. He figures that the two have to be close to bring him up again. And he recalls that Kaveh had said something about a husband. Good for them, if that's the case. ]

Since you've given me a name it's only polite that I do the same, right? My name's Khalid and I'm just your run of the mill guy from a place called Almyra.

[ "Run of the mill guy" sure. Titles aren't really important, are they? Naaaaaaah. ]

I'd introduce you to my partner, but unfortunately the rift didn't think to bring her on through. She might have been just a bit too big.

[empyrean_mirror]

My husband, yes.

[Kaveh manages not to launch into Alhaitham facts on the spot. barely. Just barely. Claude you are in DANGER.

Mostly because he was distracted because oh no! This poor man! He must be putting on such a brave face, being here without his partner!]

Oh...that's so sad. She might still come through yet, so don't get too lonely waiting for her!

[deepstar]

[ Called that...

But then Kaveh and his earnest reaction make him laugh again. Oh he hadn't meant for Kaveh to be so distraught over it!

Actually, that's a lie. The reaction is priceless. ]

My wyvern. We were parted for a little while and then reunited a short time ago so I feel bad for her. Though maybe for her it won't feel like any time has passed at all.

[empyrean_mirror]

[...A wyvern? What is a wyvern? Like some kind of divine beast? Kaveh blinks a little, brow furrowed. That's not what he thought partner meant but, okay, being without a beloved companion is still lonely, so...!]

It probably won't...but I've seen other people who brought their animal partners through, so there's still a chance she'll show up.

[deepstar]

Almyrans are known for being wyvern riders so it just doesn't quite feel right, know what I mean?

[ Harmless information to pass on. While he doesn't need his wyvern to be particularly useful, he's had one with him for the last six years. Give or take. ]

Good to know that there's a chance she might appear. If not, I'll manage.

[empyrean_mirror]

Wyvern riders? I can't say I've heard of anything like that, but I suppose...it'd be a little like if I'd been brought here without Mehrak.

[Speaking of, a Suitcase just popped around Kaveh to make a ^_^ face and beep at Claude. Hello!]

[deepstar]

So I'm learning. To me, it seems really strange for people to not have at least heard of a wyvern.

[ Really, he is about to ask who, or what, Mehrak would be. But it would appear that this question is, in part, being answered.

BUT UM. THAT THING IS BEEPING. AND MAKING A FACE??? Which means that Claude is kind of. Staring. In surprise. Because what is that. ]

Uhm. You've got a little... Friend? Right there?

[empyrean_mirror]

Oh! This is Mehrak, my assistant.

[Kaveh beams in pride, and Mehrak makes another cheerful series of beeps in greeting.]

I'm very lucky she came through with me. I'd really be lost without her.

[deepstar]

Your... Assistant.

[ Claude might be moving a little away from Kaveh and more towards Mehrak. He's definitely not afraid of her. If anything, he seems more curious. ]

Just what is she?

[empyrean_mirror]

[Mehrak doesn't mind the approach, and cheerfully beepboops at Claude as he comes closer. She's definitely...metal?]

She's a construct. I rebuilt her around a core taken from the ruins of King Deshret--well, from a much more advanced culture than ours. Finding someone selling an intact core was an incredible stroke of luck...frankly, if that merchant realized what the core was, he'd have charged me more than he did.

She helps me with surveying and carrying my tools...we're working on her being able to take orders but you have to be pretty specific in how they're phrased.

[deepstar]

[ There had been constructs used by the Empire and Those That Slither In The Dark. Agarthans. Even under the monastery there had been stranger contraptions and the like. Oh Claude had been curious about it all then and he's curious about it now.

Not that anything that Kaveh says makes sense but. ]

Can you say that all again? This time assuming that I might need to know what a core even is?

[empyrean_mirror]

...Hm, okay, hang on.

[Mehrak chirps and pops out a...sketchbook? Which Kaveh grabs, pulls the pen out of his hair (what did you think that feather was?) and starts sketching. He's really just drawing out a diagram of the Primal Constructs.]

Primal Constructs are automatons from King Deshret's civilization, and they still roam the desert today. They no longer receive new instructions and guard the tombs and old ruins, so they're very dangerous to come across--because of this, most cores recovered are either damaged by combat or time, and can't be used or reprogrammed.

The 'core' is both Mehrak's energy source and where her program...where the basic instructions that make up her functions were housed. The civilization that made automatons like her has been gone for centuries, so I don't know exactly how they made her, even though scholars from my field of study have been researching it all this time.

What I did was build the body she rests in now, and made my own set of instructions and functions for her, so she can understand what she's told and helps with my work.