escordvi | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Riftfarers wanting to know how this place works is at least a fairly understandable motivation, though as far as he knows not many have delved into the topic as much as he has—or at least, as broadly as he does. Most others that he knows seem to focus on a particular thing, which is also just as understandable, and its not like Alhaitham doesn't have a goal himself that he's aiming for. But that doesn't mean he has any reason to limit himself to any one specific topic, for he knows better than most how the most important discoveries can be found in the most unexpected places.]

The exact history of the world itself is a tall order, as they have as many accounts about it as the numerous cultures that are present here. [He says with a small snort as he glances down at the cup of coffee the stranger had placed down earlier, and after a pause goes to pick it up to take a sip, speaking thereafter.] I can give you a copy of my notes, alongside the titles of the books I have referenced the information from if you wish to verify them for yourself.

[There's also the bonus part where they're also probably the best books that he's managed to find on those particular subjects, but that should go without saying. One's research is only as strong as the sources they derive it from.]

[ It would appear that Claude and Alhaitham are like minded in some aspects. At least when it comes to reading and the accumulation of knowledge. He would very much like to keep whatever he learns here with him when he returns home. Anything that could help him pursue his own goals and agendas with Almyra and its neighbors. Seeing how so many differing peoples interact here is a good way for him to observe behaviors and see what works and what doesn't.

Hearing, however, that there are many accounts and cultures isn't really... Putting him off. ]

Oh no. You're threatening me with one of my favorite pastimes; reading and research.

[ A chuckle. ]

I'm going to guess that you've notated where there are similarities in each one. History, they say, is written by the victors. Maybe that's survivors in this case.

[...while not rare, per se, it is still uncommon enough to meet a riftfarer who's actually interested in the pursuit of knowledge, though he has an inkling that the stranger's reasons behind it aren't exactly the same as his own. Though that much isn't anything new, to be fair. Even Kaveh's reasons for knowledge aren't exactly the same as his, when one gets down to it.

Regardless, this is at least a topic Alhaitham is willing to expand the effort to maintain a conversation on, and so he hums a note of agreement, gaze briefly flicking to the closest window where he can see whatever is visible through it right now—this strange and inexplicable world, where he and Kaveh have now been on for the better part of a year.]

History as told by the Paladins are easier to find, mostly due to a lot of it being consolidated at the Conservatory, but the Corsair's side of the story isn't too hard to get either, so long as you know where to look. [And also who to make talk, though many of them are easily persuaded with some dubloons—the way of a pirate and all, he supposes.] Still, if you want to ask about something more specific, than that will be on you.

[It should probably go without saying, but Alhaitham's not here to provide all of the answers, especially since he doesn't have them himself.]

Is the Conservatory open for all or just for Paladins?

[ That's one of his bigger concerns here. He's already noted that while cultures aren't really the issue here, factions are. Which seems a bit silly to Claude, as it doesn't seem like the lines are really all that cut and dry. Being a Paladin doesn't guarantee that you are a good person and being a Corsair doesn't necessarily follow that you're some kind of heathen.

He considers Alhaitham for a moment then shakes his head. Claude is catching what the other isn't saying here. ]

I'm not the sort of person that thinks everything is just going to be given to me. Coming to you was just me hoping to utilize a resource, a starting point. The rest I want to figure out for myself. After all, the answers that you find might be different than mine.

The Conservatory itself is open to all, but there are certain sections of it which are barred to those who are not in the Paladins, including the library.

[The whole faction thing has never really mattered to Alhaitham, and it certainly isn't going to matter to him now. For the most part he's just taken it as one of the many peculiarities of this world, especially since it hasn't really interfered with his day to day life; the Hideaway doesn't care, and all that matters for Alhaitham in the end is being with Kaveh. As long as that tracks, he has no issue.

But with that having been said, he does agree that the dissemination of information should be a right, as long as it isn't anything that could be dangerous out in the open. Speaking of which...]

I see. [A nod as Alhaitham responds to those words. That is all completely valid and honestly, a really good move on the stranger's part in his opinion. Alhaitham can only approve of such an action. It seems like whoever this person is, they've at least got a decent head on their shoulders... which is already more than he can say about a good fraction of the other riftfarers here.] I'd be interested to see what these answers of yours might be then, should you ever feel inclined to share.

[Despite his initial misgivings, this stranger has more or less proven themselves to be somebody worth talking to, so Alhaitham at least is willing to further entertain the conversation to see what he is able to glean off the other.]

Mmm, yeah that's what I thought. So either I have to rely on some charitable Paladins to take out books for me or - [ A wry grin. ] Just or.

[ After all, Claude is no beginner when it comes to being able to sneak into places. Especially libraries to read histories and books that Seteth would ban or remove. The man isn't doing that now, of course, but that has a lot to do with Teach and the war.

While he's not being entirely honest with Alhaitham - and really, one day he might learn there's no need to play ALL of his cards close to his chest - he is being honest enough. Well, Claude is certainly being more direct about what his intentions are. Just not his overall goal. ]

Of course I'd share whatever I find. There wouldn't be any benefit in holding onto all of it myself.

[ Since that is the last thing that Claude wants to do - build more walls. He's about tearing them down and fostering understanding. Not the other way around. ]

Name's Khalid, by the way.

[Those first words have Alhaitham giving a Look because sir, you are not being subtle at all. Also what are with Corsairs (or at least that is his assumption right now, based on his understanding) and their first idea being that of sneaking into places they want to be in. It's happened far too many times now for him to count.]

Or you can just ask somebody. There's plenty of people—riftfarers especially—who are willing to help out as long as you make it clear why you need the help. [Heck, some of them will even do it with no strings attached, though that is very much not Alhaitham's style of doing things. But he's not going to be the one to say it ~~since his husband is that exact same sort of person~~.

Still, putting that aside, the promise to share his own findings is promising, and Alhaitham nods in approval before he introduces himself back in turn.] Alhaitham, though I doubt you really needed it.

[Seeing as how he's spoken with Kaveh, there's a good enough chance that his name had been brought up, especially seeing as how Kaveh had specifically directed the stranger—Khalid—over to him.]

Edited 2024-12-16 08:07 (UTC)

Why do you think I mentioned "charitable Paladins?" As fun as it might be to engage in a childhood pastime, I really am not out to make enemies here.

[ Despite his tomfoolery and laid back attitude, Claude won't want to stir up hostilities. Especially if it's not ultimately beneficial. Of course he doesn't believe that charitable even really exists. Claude expects there to be favors for favors or accruing some kind of debt to be paid back later. That's just what he is prepared to do.

And no, an introduction hadn't been needed, but Claude huffs a laugh all the same. He'd offer a bow, but they're sitting. ]

Maybe I already knew it, but it's better, I think, to get it from the actual person, you know?

[Considering the current topic of conversation its not too hard to imagine what 'childhood pastime' means here, and while Alhaitham has his own opinion of it, he also sees no point in voicing them out loud since 1) he doesn't know the full scope and context and 2) its obviously in the past, given the choice of words, and so there is no reason to drag it back up.

Thus, he simply moves along with the conversation, which leads him to let out a huff of his own as soon as Khalid confirms his suspicions.]

I suppose. I don't mind it, at any rate. [He knows full well how much Kaveh likes to talk about him so he's long expected this—its flattering, in a way, and its not like Alhaitham isn't as prone to doing it himself.] It saves me the hassle of having to constantly introduce myself.

[And sometimes also a surprisingly easy way to weed out the people whose presence he'd rather not tolerate at all, or should remain in Kaveh's.]

[ For an antisocial guy like Alhaitham here? Oh Claude can definitely see it. Though it also says something about their relationship, too, that Alhaitham is all right with it and Kaveh does so freely. They are married, but he doesn't know if his father or mother would necessarily do something like that. No, they're more of the "go and meet my spouse for yourself, if you dare" types. ]

Personal question, if I may?

[Alhaitham gives a small eyebrow arch at the request to ask a personal question, which is a little odd in an of itself—but since he asked nicely and hasn't really done anything to truly irritate him so far, he'll allow it, and he indicates as such with a wave of his hand.

Of course, while he has no problem listening to the question, he makes no promises of actually answering it, if it truly happens to be something he has no desire to disclose to somebody who's still ninety nine percent a stranger.]

[ Sometimes it's probably a good thing to be wary regarding Claude. He is someone that tends to watch people. Analyze them, trying to understand their behavior patterns and what they value.

This time, however, it is genuine curiosity. ]

Just how long have you and your husband been together?

[Well, a question like this is easy enough to answer, seeing as how there are people here who literally saw them get married.]

Six months, in two weeks.

[...yeah.]

Only six months? Feels like to me that it might be longer than that.

[ See? It had been a harmless question. Claude had just been curious because of how Kaveh had talked about Alhaitham. ]

When we first met, he made it very clear he was taken.

[Well, Alhaitham could elaborate further and say that they've also known each other for over a decade now, but then that would be extra effort that he doesn't feel like getting into right this moment.

But also, that remark is completely unsurprising, simply based on the conversation he's been having in the last ten minutes, and the look he gives to Khalid says as much.]

Then it would be to your benefit to keep that fact in mind.

[It's not that he's against people looking at Kaveh, or even sweet-talking him a little—his husband does deserve his credit where its due—but there's always a line to draw for these things, and for Alhaitham it may be a little closer to home than the norm.]

[ Hands go up! Completely defensive, he'd like to think. Claude had just found that Kaveh saying that immediately had been interesting. Also talks about how close these two likely are. Now he won't get into what else Kaveh said as a follow up but - ]

I also made it very clear I wasn't interested in that way. Though right now I'm not sure which one of you sounds more like my mother.

[Alhaitham raises a bit of an eyebrow at the way Khalid instantly backs off, and if he wasn't sure then he becomes certain very quickly once the other mentions his mother. It seems like such behavior isn't new to him after all, like he'd thought.]

I'll take that as a compliment. [Because who wouldn't be fiercely protective over the person they love? Alhaitham certainly wouldn't have it any other way.]

Oh absolutely. It would've taken a very... Unique individual to have tied down my father like she did.

[ Since he has a lot of siblings and well. Almyra only had one queen. That says a lot about Tiana von Riegan, honestly. Though she's also known as the Demon Queen. Not that Claude will say anything regarding that. ]

Seriously, though. Kaveh looked like he wanted a dance and I wanted to get to know people a little better since I had just arrived. No ulterior motives, promise.

[It certainly sounds like Khalid has quite the colorful family life, and perhaps at a later time it might be something that Alhaitham is actually interested in hearing about. But for now he's perfectly fine with letting the topic drop there—after a fashion, seeing as how Khalid goes on to elaborate the context of what exactly happened.]

I see. [A dance... so the end of last month then, considering the timeline. They did end up being separated for a while after first arriving, so he supposes it had to happen around there, considering the fact that they didn't leave each other's side again once they were reunited.

That aside, Alhaitham really doesn't have a reason to suspect Khalid's words here—Kaveh probably would have mentioned being hit on if it were actually an issue, so the fact that he hasn't and would even be willing to get the other to come and talk to him says enough. As always, he trusts Kaveh's judgement for things like these. But with that being said...

He gives Khalid a bit of a sideeye here, accessing him for a moment before speaking.] I don't know how often you get away with it back in your world, but this sort of insistence isn't going to help you come off as somebody to be taken at their word.

[Just a hunch, of course, but the way Khalid is going about this does seem to suggest that this is something that the other has been through—not so much the exact specifics, but rather the idea of trying to pass himself off as somebody without ulterior motives. Perhaps it is just Alhaitham, but for him its hard to not have his suspicion piqued the more specific people get about their denials.]

Oh, I ended up getting away with a lot more than what people realized.

[ His fingers are playing along the rim of the teacup. There are... Not as many reasons now to hide things as there used to be. He's doing fine holding Almyra together, though some of his scheming is reserved for keeping his siblings at bay. Khalid doesn't want to put them down, of course, but he will if he needs to. Changing the warrior-like culture of Almyra isn't going to work, so he needs to restructure how that can look.

Though the next task is to talk to Teach in Fodlan. See if those borders between Almyra and Fodlan can be opened up a bit. Khalid has big plans. ]

Though no, I don't often insist on my sincerity. Usually I just allow people to think what they want since that would, ultimately, benefit me. Though that has no bearing here.

[Hearing Khalid admit everything that he just did is not exactly something that Alhaitham had been expecting. Experience after all has shown that most people would rather keep their cards close to their chest, and Alhaitham himself is no exception. So to hear this means one of two things: either he's confident about his own standing, or revealing those cards mean little to him at this point. Of course, given what he'd just said, it sounds very much like the latter.

Alhaitham hums his acknowledgement of the other's, words, taking a moment to sip at his coffee as he muses over this. He can definitely relate to the desire of letting people make assumptions of him that is to his benefit, though unlike Khalid it's not really something that he has ever actively aimed for.]

I suppose it's something you'll have to get used to. [He remarks as he puts his coffee cup back down after having drink from it.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only