hetuvidya

[hetuvidya]

"of course. I'll write a few notes for you, we can discuss it once your business concludes. oh, and remember to clean up any evidence before you leave the scene."

"You know I had been hoping to learn about Sumerian cuisine, see what inspiration Senpai could take away for the summer menu. That would fall more under research".

#castilium #nothing could ever possibly happen #they're totally sensible and don't enjoy a little mischief at times

[hetuvidya]

"you're free to visit whenever you want, regardless of the reason. what will the occasion be should anyone ask questions 一 reading? research?"

"I will do. I wouldn't want to get anyone else caught up in a personal matter that shouldn't be like pulling teeth to initiate in the first place. May I stop by yours to serve as an alibi?"

#castilium #partners in chaos

[hetuvidya]

"isolated..." sounds good enough. "sure. don't forget to extinguish before it burns out of control though."

"An isolated building. A residence where one person, the intended target of forced discussion, currently resides, his housemate is staying elsewhere".

#castilium #listen I'm always here to support you in causing trouble #unless you're being extra evil

[hetuvidya]

"it depends. what scale of damage are you referring to? theoretically of course."

"Would you consider property damage and arson too extreme a method to draw someone you intend to confront out?"

#castilium #they can be unserious together

[hetuvidya]

it isn't until after she has already placed her hand in his own, he purposely chooses to answer the questions. will it annoy her? perhaps but Dusk could simply have ignored the strange offer. "there's no requirement, but from my observations, it is what most would do. fortunately, you went along with it before I could explain...

now you don't really have a choice." as if to prove that point, his grip tightens but only the slightest bit.

dancing has no appeal, she is right about that. there are better things to do with the time. "I don't dance, so you would be right. you're likely the same." or maybe she has some hidden talent for it he's not aware of, not that he could ever imagine her joining such an activity. not with that attitude, at least. she seems more the type to watch everyone else from one side until boredom settles in. "currently I have no desire to see anything particular, I think it's best if you do whatever you want. after that, we could go for a walk. if you'd like to."

there is some small part that's curious, if Dusk should agree, whether it would be her own choice, or merely to be seen leaving together so she can sneak back to her paintings after. on the other hand, maybe he should give her the benefit of the doubt and see how things turn out.

rather than wait for an answer, the scribe encourages her toward the sculptures she's interested in seeing, and to give her more time to think about whatever decision she chooses. each of the creations gets a brief glance before he watches her examining them one by one. "so... do you like them?" her liking of painting is well known but regarding other forms of art, he has no knowledge of any preference.

WHAT GREAT HELP HE WAS, she thinks. lips curl into what one could claim to be the slightest pout, an expression which mirrors this very same sentiment. ❝ Tsk. You could be at least a little bit helpful, you know, ❞ she chimes back, feeling as if she should have expected such a thing from him. not to mention his suggestion of recommendations, the young sui feeling more and more as if she were a flounder within minimal water.

but at least he asked for some, something she can be grateful for一

and just as she was about to settle to think, her gaze falls upon that of an extended hand. eyes remain on it, almost as if parsing what it is he means, though she knows exactly the intention. ❝ We have to hold hands... ? ❞ the question isn't one of disdain for such an act, nor is it meant to insult him, but rather... ❝ Is that what couples tend to do? ❞ another question more to line her ill knowledge on this matter, hopefully easing any misunderstanding he might have had upon her first query.

despite his statement of idling too long, she only manages to do just that, as if mustering beyond her timid nature to finally take hold of the hand he'd been holding out until then. warmth permeates from his touch to her own, the soft feeling almost welcoming, if not only causing that prior, strange feeling to flicker once more, much to her subtle annoyance. but rather than focus on it, she is swift to ignore it, beginning to make her way toward the sculptures as she speaks of the other activities here for him to consider.

❝ Unless you are someone who is willing to eat ice amidst ice, ❞ she begins, referencing the shaved, frozen treats not far off. ❝ Then beyond the ice sculptures I came for in particular, there is a mirror room which one could walk through. Following the chimes would lead to the dancing, which I do not think either of us care for. If none is to your liking, we can just go somewhere else once I am finished. ❞ if he wished to stick around, that was, something difficult to predict given his personality.

#feranmut #feranmut 06 #♦ winterfes 2023

[hetuvidya]

"I'm surprised you have any at all, since you don't seem to do very much... or is that what Lumine has given you from her own earnings." merely a harmless jab of course, though many wouldn't understand his unusual way of doing so. in fact, they would just assume him to be a person of unpleasant nature, rather than read between the lines and see he means no ill.

and perhaps it is true the fruit may not be eaten before the date, but there are still boundaries for acceptable manners in someone else's home, regardless of how well acquainted one happens to be with the owner. "the point is to ask anyway. there is a high chance he wouldn't mind, but it's still polite to check. I'm sure even you are aware of that, no?" well, he'd like to think so, at least. who can say for certain where Paimon is concerned, she is often easily distracted by food.

his next words come with a hidden request, one he won't openly ask of them. instead he will trust they could decipher the true meaning for themselves. "he needs more friends who will take care of him, to remind him to think about his own feelings as well as another's. do you not want to be one of those people?"

considering the first time they'd met in Spirale, she had soaked him in soup, one could hardly fault Alhaitham for his commentary even without their typical dynamic, and Lumine had no intention of intervening. it was always entertaining to watch the two swipe like two cats, never surfacing their claws.

as such, Paimon would retort by herself, sounding a huff and clasping the apple between her hands defiantly. ✦we get by. it's never been an issue before. and Paimon has her own food fund, you know.✦

her next point of argument was shrugging off the suggestion she simply leeched off her companion, but caught herself just in time, just knowing he'd twist it into her badmouthing Kaveh! if nothing else, it was a sign she was getting very slightly better at catching herself before running her mouth too fast. (at least, this time)

✦are you saying the two of you will eat all this before it passes its best? with your nose stuck in a book and him always working? it's better that someone eats it.✦

#descensionstar #descensionstar 03 #sorry Paimon he took the shot

[hetuvidya]

"I hadn't realised the theatrics were visiting. and without a viewing fee."

#♦ dash commentary #u guys are so silly I'm enjoying watching the antics

[hetuvidya]

it's not a bad idea but... "my home already has the required amount of lighting. too much will make it difficult to settle during the evenings." and Kaveh already spends more time than necessary as it is working on various projects here and there through the early hours, it would be better for both if the man could get a decent night of sleep.

"besides, as I'm sure you've guessed, this is a gift. someone I know has a liking for more artistic decorative items. I thought this might be one he would appreciate. however, if my judgement is wrong on this occasion, I'd rather have a back up." their preferences were vastly different, after all, so he can't always be sure what may appease.

She knew Alhaitham to be one with lesser care for fancies, making his decision the more surprising. In fact, the scribe out shopping whatsoever was a prospect the Shielder had been taken aback by, politely inviting herself along out of curiosity after crossing ways earlier in the day. He'd been coy about the meaning behind their current venture, making it difficult to nail down a secondary option as per his musing.

"Perhaps a lamp to accompany it? While the days are progressive growing longer, daylight is still fading rather early in the evening, and a light might further the mood you might have in mind. Not to mention, partnering them would allow more time to enjoy its appearance with a gentler light if you would rather not turn on the overhead one".

#castilium #the almighty squishy one he hasn't seen in a while

[hetuvidya]

Alhaitham

#♦ scholar

[hetuvidya]

though far from intended, given the tone she speaks, it appears not much of an effort is required to annoy her, or perhaps that's just a general feeling among those who meet him. "not particularly. if you did think anything of the sort, you'd be wrong of course, but that's not my problem." then again, maybe leading her to believe such words were true would give reason to avoid him in future. but it seems too extreme for something so simple with an easier solution.

at least it would be if he could leave but she's apparently determined to keep it to herself, no matter how many times the scribe might ask. if she expects him to continue guessing until finding the correct answer, well, unfortunately she'll be disappointed and forced to suffer his attitude until letting him out.

for now, he offers a slight shrug, still watching in case she decides to do anything else to worsen the impression. "I figured you might say something like that. you won't mind if I make myself at home then." before she has the chance to answer with any opposition, he heads back to where he found himself so suddenly, taking up a spot that's partially sheltered to get comfortable, knowing she likely won't allow him to remain unsupervised. it isn't as if he would dare mess with anything belonging to another, not without good reason and certainly not on purpose.

while she doesn't owe an explanation of any sort, it's impossible to avoid asking the more obvious question that comes to mind, regardless of how she may react to it. and if one were to account for how unpredictable she has been thus far... who can say how well it will go. "out of curiosity... are you always like this with everyone you meet?" naturally he won't presume her dealings with others without definitive proof or an answer of her own. she hasn't given the best image in the short period of arriving here, wherever here is. "perhaps it's just me that you don't seem to like very much." if it were as simple as that, he could understand well enough and respect her feeling on the matter.

still, freeing herself of his presence is easy if she would just cooperate. what could he possibly suggest that may convince her to tell him how to leave. is there even anything at all? there's no point in being overly polite since they're already beyond that stage now.

MOUTHY AGAIN, UNSURPRISING AS BEFORE. were any to contest with her own, mood statements, surely she has found her match in this man. it doesn't bother her so much as it gradually grates, chipping away the calm of an approaching storm. ❝ Whatever. I don't care about whether this suits your interests or not, ❞ she speaks back swiftly, as firm as any other would be in their confidence of a statement.

dusk watches, his form now comfortable against the tree he rested beneath prior, almost as if it were the one thing that belongs to him in this realm. in this way, she was right to call him a punk, all words exchanged thus far considered. and accompanied with those few, gathered droplets of water directly toward her, it only continues to apply itself. ❝ I like people, I need not act against them like that. ❞ her words snap, something to a direct point, to what it is he asks of her. whether he knows such weights of what it means was another story.

still, she cannot help but feel a subtle growl escape from her at his audacity, laced with a provocation that could lure anyone truly undisciplined in their demeanor. ❝ Is it your goal to make me think the brain in that pretty head of yours really is full of rot? ❞ difficult as she may be, she was never quite one to act out without some genuine cause, even when words may dangle a crimson carpet as if to entice her. nor would she ever go beyond some tiring, psychological punishment, one meant for those who trespass to simply reconsider doing so ever again.

but there was always something more than just what can be seen. spirale was not terra, and yet... if she can arrive, that leaves way for others of her world, too. the thought alone is enough to stem any flow of harmful action against him, were any to even come to her mind, let alone any other, without proper reason or defense. were a line to be crossed, surely these fragmented pieces would be stripped of more trust, deemed as threats to mankind as so many believe them to be. they had always been kept under watch to see that one, little misstep.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀and here, well... it would be no different if they came.

❝ Shut it. Killing you would be too troublesome. ❞ a lie of her own, one she doesn't intend to give up so easily, at least not in the moment. after all, were she to destroy the painting, it would simply cause the world to fall apart, shattering the illusion the dreamer sees, releasing them from her works. and so dusk remains unwavering, the tantalizing allure of some unspoken challenge warded off, as her own arms cross. ❝ And this rain won't stop until morning resets, if you planned to wait out its torrent. ❞

#feranmut #feranmut 01 #casual random throwback it's fine

[hetuvidya]

"I wonder if..." he trails off that last part while studying a rather expensive, fancy looking vase, pride of place for all to see on one of the store's top shelves. "this should be good enough, and it's within the range of acceptable. perhaps I'll look for a second item just in case. but what?"

#isola mini #“what's he doing” don't worry about it just some stuff

[hetuvidya]

"this is a nation where knowledge is highly valued. of course they were going to ask questions. you're completely new to them, so it's only natural they want to find out more." if they were left to it, they would likely annoy her far beyond anything even he could achieve, unintentional as those occasions have been. to stand by and allow them to do worse would result in an unfortunate circumstance for both sides. "as for the matra, there is one in particular you should avoid raising suspicion around. I was once on the receiving end of it. he won't go easy on you until you explain yourself, and even then, you aren't clear until he confirms it for himself." but enough of that; since Dusk has taken the option to move away from the city for a while, it's an opportunity to keep her out of their way.

what he won't mention is the fact of it being a fair distance, though a sight such as that alone should be worth the journey. "anyway, we should go. stay close and don't wander off." once standing himself, he leads her to the specified location while avoiding dangerous areas along the route. upon arriving, he finds a safe spot with a good view of their surroundings where no one can disturb the peace, should anyone venture this way.

"well? does this meet your criteria?" if not the view, perhaps the grass and crystalflies will gain her attention for a time. he's unsure what else could possibly fall under her classification of interesting. local wildlife seems unsuitable as something the painter might find fascination with, she has surely seen creatures more unique in her own world.

HAD HE EXPLAINED WHAT THAT WAS? this matra sounds more like a headache than anything, something to avoid, if only to make sure she wasn't dealing with more trouble on her own part. ❝ Tell that to them. Had those two not bothered me, I would have let them be, ❞ she retorts back, almost with an annoyed tone once more at how intrigued they seemed by her. not that she could fully blame them, her appearance something even unfathomable to some within her own world, and yet she can't help but feel the points of annoyance. ❝ Even if I were to end up in their hands, I doubt they could do much. ❞ nor does she have to truly elaborate to him her meaning, whether or not he knows she wouldn't exactly bring harm to them without good reason.

though had he not brought up the topic of another location, one of grass that illuminates when you step through, perhaps she would have merely decided to remain out here to see what he'd do. and yet, fortunately...

❝ ... fine. If it isn't that far, then I will go see it with you. ❞ easy enough, given the context, let alone the intrigue it spurs in itself. dusk takes this moment to then stand up, letting out a soft sigh in response, as she turns to him. ❝ Then I'll leave it to you to lead the way. This is your world. ❞

#feranmut #feranmut 05 #♦ homecoming

[hetuvidya]

Happy Birthday, Alhaitham!

I wouldn't have guessed I'd bump into you two in a Sumeru tavern.

Here to give me your wishes? Thank you, it is indeed my birthday. I just hope that today will be as relaxing and enjoyable as any other.

The signature dish here at Lambad's Tavern is fish rolls. You should give them a try if you're interested.

If you stay a little longer, you'll see a couple of other familiar faces too. They're coming over from Avidya Forest, so they should be arriving any moment.

When there's something that calls for a celebration, we meet at the tavern — that's how it's always been with us four.

#opened tumblr again just for this tbh #♦ scholar

[hetuvidya]

bags placed on the table hardly come as a surprise, and he already knows not to state the obvious, even before noticing the look directed his way. honestly, Kaveh should have more faith but it's a natural reaction given previous disagreements regarding the other's methods. however, he has long since learned to leave it be and carry on with the day as usual. which is exactly what he does, inspecting the items to take some candy. "if you don't intend to keep all of them, I'm sure I could find someone who might take one off your hands." not for free of course, and not necessarily resorting to a purchase, despite whatever protest may arise.

"by the way, there's fresh coffee." that aside, a closer look at the candies tells him enough to know they won't suit his tastes. still, he opens the packet anyway to test one. as expected, too sweet but it isn't as if they're the worst thing he has eaten. "try not to drink more than necessary, you'll be awake all night again making too much noise like always."

BY THE TIME HE GETS HOME, he knows. once more his kindness had been taken advantage of, what empathy he fosters far too potent, something that many might find an opportunistic means for. it's the reason when the bags of confections, incense, and a few plushies plop upon the coffee table before the scribe he already has a look that screams to spare him the headache. ❝ Don't say anything, ❞ are the words that leave him next, only verbalizing that very look.

fingers press to his forehead with a heavy sigh, one hand upon his hip as he contemplates everything. really, why did this have to start here, too?

❝ Look, I don't want to talk about it this time, alright? Just... do me a favor and share this with me so none of it goes to waste. ❞ nothing that demanding, he thinks. of course, knowing alhaitham, this may be an uphill battle, depending on how the other feels. ❝ You'd probably prefer some of the incense compared to the plush dolls. It should be an even split, if I recall correctly. But there's no way I can eat the candies all myself. ❞

@hetuvidya

#empyreanlight #empyreanlight 02 #♦ cupid shuffle #sounds suspicious :thinking:

[hetuvidya]

her comment draws his gaze away from all the noise, attention settling on her rather than the liveliness of this place. "not really. I'm fine going wherever interest leads you. if I happen to find anything along the way, I'll mention it." it was her invitation, after all, so allowing her to take charge of their visit makes the most sense. besides, this is may even be an opportunity to discover her preferences, if Dusk is willing, to avoid suspicion regarding their status. although, learning more about her in general is among his own interests, so for now it seems more fitting to observe her choices.

or perhaps she could offer a few suggestions to think about in the meantime. "do you have any recommendations, Miss Dusk? I'm willing to consider them, to an extent, at least." naturally if they are too far beyond the reaches of his curiosity, he'll politely decline and stick with the original plan. either way, it still works out—she gets some form of entertainment, he finds some information to keep in mind, and hopefully both come to an understanding to reduce any annoyances with one another.

"we shouldn't idle too long though." the scribe extends a hand, all for display of course, they do have an image to uphold and there are plenty of people to witness it. "you can tell me while you're looking around."

MUCH LIKE HER VERY MUSE, the offer for alhaitham to join her had been spoken on a whim 一 one which he had accepted, leaving them both to stroll across the crystal funhouse. lights swim in an array across the floor, refracting with every step one takes, amassing a congregation of sound that could clash if one were to try and focus on them all. such came easy to her in this very moment, given the sound of each movement forward that the scholar makes beside her. something about it feels like peace itself stands in a stasis, gazed upon by the blinding warmth of the sun, exuding from a flower so beautiful, one would be ashamed to pluck it for themselves and condemn it to a slow demise.

briefly, if but a moment, she nearly forgets exactly what she's listening to, a pause in her step as if to admire it, before realizing exactly what she was doing with a gentle clear of her throat and a glance toward the ongoing festivities.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀maybe she'd forgotten herself a bit too long一

❝ I hardly thought they would have so much in here. I don't really care about the dancing, but the sculptures and whatever else they spoke of... ❞ naturally, she would shift the subject to something at hand than settle on whatever that was. ❝ Alhaitham, does anything strike your fancy to see first? As I wish to see most of it anyway, we may as well start there. ❞

@hetuvidya

#feranmut #feranmut 06 #♦ winterfes 2023 #this is a little gay tbh #and as always he's not very helpful

[hetuvidya]

a while has passed since last meeting, which is to be expected given he prefers space and the pair always seem to be travelling, even in this city. it was only a matter of time before they would receive an invite to his home, this appeared to be a perfect opportunity.

Lumine had found a comfortable spot on one of the couches, while Paimon opted to, ridiculously enough, seat herself on the edge of the table within easy reach of the fruits. one of which she happened to sneak from the bowl, likely assuming it hadn't been noticed. "your appetite hasn't changed at all despite the length of your stay. I wonder what Kaveh would say if he knew you were helping yourself to his fruit without permission." luckily for her, the person in question isn't home at the moment, not until later at least. who can say whether one missing fruit would be obvious enough to realise.

"I can't imagine the food budget is cheap with how much you eat."

@descensionstar

#descensionstar #descensionstar 03 #flattens Paimon in a book flattens Paimon in a book flattens Paimon in a b

[hetuvidya]

"perhaps more people should be concerned by another's ability to turn a topic into the strangest conversation possible, but I guess it's unsurprising nobody seems to care."

#♦ dash commentary