escordvi | (no subject)

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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[Though Alhaitham's impression of Lyney is... far from the best right now, he can at least appreciate the way the magician cares for his brother. At the very least, its clear enough to him that Lyney cares very deeply for his sibling, given how much Freminet speaks about him back in turn with a high level of care and concern.

Even so, there is still a limit of how much another's reactions should influence one's own choices, and Alhaitham goes to say as such.]

How your brother reacts isn't something that you can control. [He speaks candidly, here.] And its obvious that keeping yourself quiet for his sake isn't a long term solution. Are you simply going to let yourself keep doing this for the rest of your life, simply because you're afraid of upsetting him?

[And—look. Alhaitham isn't going to say that the point should be to upset people, because he of all people knows how badly that can turn out. But keeping quiet isn't the way either, especially when its something that affects Freminet to such an extent. Something clearly has to be done here, before it gets to a point of no return.

Not that Alhaitham has any intention of being the one to do it, of course, but he's at least willing to talk to Freminet on the subject.]

No, I'm not.

[But in the back of his mind, he knows that he also can't expect the same from his brother. He wanted the both of them to be equals and he was glad that they were. He always thought that Lyney never thought of him as his brother but there are still things that need to be said. Taking a sip from the hot chocolate, he gave yet another sigh.]

...I just want him to open up to me also. When I tell him what is wrong, he never said anything. He brushes it off and tells me not to worry.

[Was this even a good idea to express all of his emotions to Alhaitham? Perhaps but it was a good way for him to open up more.]

[Well Alhaitham certainly did not ask for this but here they are now, he supposes. Thankfully for better or worse he has experience in the ways of stubborn blondes who bottle everything up within themselves.

Granted, the sibling angle is new, but it shouldn't change anything that he can say about the subject.]

That's where you have to remind him that everything should be a two way street. A talk of being equals is only lip service until one does something to actually prove it. [He crosses his arms back over his chest by now, falling quiet for a beat before adding on,] Just as one day you will have to be without his protection, he likewise cannot shelter you forever. Be it time, or age, or some other factor, continuing to stretch himself will eventually backfire.

[He's seen that happen before, after all.]

Which is why I want him to know that we can do it together. It's just...

[In the end, Alhaitham was right. He knew that Lyney was doing this as a way to protect Freminet and Lynette. He wanted to take on everything for himself because he was supposed to be the older brother. He already had a feeling that Lyney would take over Father one day and would have to take on the burden.

Still, it just hurts knowing how his brother just continues to flat out refuse to tell him anything.]

....Takes him some time to allow me to talk to him.

[As much as Alhaitham hates to admit it, he can understand Lyney's desires here; to shelter and protect his family, to shield them from all the things that would hurt them. Its what he feels for Kaveh himself, after all—it goes without saying that he would do just about anything to keep his senior from any and all harm as well.

But just as he's come to learn in these last few months, some burdens, even if they involve the other party, can still be shared; after all, to defend them is to also put yourself up to danger, and such an act affects them in turn.]

Whatever the case, a stalemate like that cannot last forever. [Alhaitham states, plain and simple.] Either your brother lets himself realize that his actions are unsustainable, or you have to make the move to push forward and confront him. Nothing will come from maintaining the status quo.

[Freminet really didn't want to confront Lyney like that. He was always someone who would much rather let action speak rather than words. Not only that, but he also wasn't someone who was willing to speak up in fear of upsetting people. However, it seems he didn't have a choice.

Either he talked to Lyney or he just let this continue. Leaning back against his seat, he gave a long sigh.]

I suppose not. If I talk to him, I'm not sure if he is willing to accept it but...

[Pause]

...At least I tried.

[Being a graduate of Haravatat means that Alhaitham is all too aware of the power that words can hold—and also know of both its strengths as well as limitations. While there are times where actions are what come through more quickly, there are also other moments where things have to be stated clearly, in black and white.]

How your brother desires to react is entirely beyond your control. [He repeats himself from earlier, because this is something that Freminet has to remember—how Lyney chooses to take his words is not indicative of Freminet himself.] Just as how there are things you have to face, the same also holds true for him. If he refuses to accept what you have to say, then that is a failing of his.

[Alhaitham may not have the best opinion of Lyney but he does at least understand the magician's desire to protect his family, and the feelings that comes from that. But stubbornness can only do so much, and refusing to listen to the very person he intends to protect will not help anyone in the situation at all. Surely, that much should be a recognizable fact.]

[Those words made him wince. Whatever Lyney does is his choice. There was nothing Freminet could do and that was the worst part. Especially since he was used to making sure the family always stays together. What happens to one family member can and will affect another.]

...That is a really difficult thing for me to hear. I know there isn't much I can do for my brother but that is something I will have to accept.

[All he could do was give a sigh. Not really sure what else he could do, he continued to drink some of his hot chocolate before remaining silent once more.]

[Alhaitham sees that wince for what it is, and while he can understand why Freminet may feel that way given his disposition, ultimately it is something that he needs to work to move past. Nothing can happen for as long as the status quo is maintained—so if he wants to change, that is what needs to be done.

At the very least, Freminet seems to have come around to accept that himself, so Alhaitham sees no point in pressing on the topic any more than he already has, and so has nothing else to say. In lieu of that he picks his own book back up to resume reading, more than fine with letting the silence come back in between them.]