CROSS-CANON DOUBLE DATE OF THE MULTIVERSE

[bitemark]

Comments

[piteous]

[ Vash rudely POINTS at the new addition to the hangout— ]

It's that dude from your memory! [ Kaveh's memory. ] The one where you picked up the diadem!

[ This may be too telling of Vash's knowledge of the other man... Only stories from Kaveh about how annoying he is, then also their broken friendship, yet nothing else. There's some surprise because he didn't expect to recognize Alhaitham at all. ]

[diffract]

[ help. alhaitham just. stops and looks at him like this. he'll wait for vash to remember that pointing is rude, if he ever does. ]

[piteous]

[ He stops pointing not because it's rude, but because it's a weird pose to hold for too long. Sometimes, you're old and incorrigible to a fault, disrespectful and free.

That hand offers a small wave, though, undeterred by Alhaitham's steel countenance. ]

I'm Vash, Kaveh's friend.

[diffract]

[ ok, so he's not going to figure it out. alhaitham is taking notes on him, but based on this short interaction and what kaveh's already told him, he's already guessed that this is vash. ]

Alhaitham. I should get used to the fact that you're both more acquainted with me than I am of you. [ kaveh mentioned that they could see into other peoples' memories. awkward, but there's nothing he can do about it. ]

You were able to see Kaveh's victory at the Interdarshan Championship then.

[piteous]

[ Alhaitham is unfortunately going to learn that Vash is a creature. At least he's friendly and doesn't bite. ]

I wouldn't say that... Sure, Kaveh mentioned you a couple of times, but that's not the same as meeting someone.

[ A nods. It is incredibly awkward, but he tries not to make that the focus. ]

It looked like it. I couldn't ask for details because we were really drunk—wait. You should sit down and drink with us a little! Kaveh already brought out the wine, so...!

[ He gestures with his free hand. Come come!! ]

[diffract]

[ vash really is so smiley. alhaitham can't help but be reminded of nilou. ]

How unsurprising.

[ as alhaitham sits on one of the divans, he glances quickly at the wine labels. there's a chance that one or both of those came from his stash. ]

And thanks, but I'd rather not drink without having something to eat as well. We should get going to Lambad's Tavern soon.

[piteous]

We're going to eat out? [ This comes to a surprise where he stop drinking the wine. ] Wolfwood and I don't have any currency here yet.

[ Four people seems expensive! And while Vash isn't against taking freebies... He doesn't want to assume this is free. ]

[diffract]

Oh? Was that not the intent?

[ glancing briefly at kaveh and then back to vash. ]

When visiting another region, I believe it is customary to sample the local cuisines. There are dishes at the tavern that can't be found elsewhere in Sumeru. We can save dinner at home for another time.

[ like tomorrow. when kaveh has to cook. ]

Furthermore, cooking for several people seems like an unnecessary hassle. It would also take up too much time.

[ he's hungies ]

[ohthehumanities]

Really? They traveled all the way from another world and you can't spare half an hour in the kitchen? [:/ Alhaitham your single bachelor habits are showing]

[diffract]

I don't recall ever agreeing to cook for your guests in our discussions about their visit.

[ if they did, he would have outright said no or "i'll consider it but the additional ingredients will cost you". these are your friends not his!! ]

[ohthehumanities]

It's your turn to make dinner anyway! All you have to do is double the ingredients!

[piteous]

Uh... If it was, I didn't know. We kind of just showed up without knowing if there's a game plan. That all sounds cool to me if you're fine that we won't be able to pay until we pick up some odd jobs here.

[ The Triguns are very lax and not fussy about food. It is part of their outlaw life not worrying over what to eat, but the money to get it. ]

If it's prepping food that's a hassle, Wolfwood and I can help do some chopping!

[diffract]

I'm sure Kaveh already has an itinerary made up for you.

[ or at least a mental list of places he was going to take them to. ]

I'd be surprised if he allowed guests to do any work during their visits. Or was cooking something that you were looking forward to? [ maybe kaveh made some promise he doesn't know about ]

[ohthehumanities]

[HE'S HERE... THE MAN HIMSELF. Wouldn't it be funny if this wasn't Alhaitham's house and Kaveh was equally surprised. But no, he just glances over and goes back to putting stuff on the table.]

Finally escaped the shackles of employment, I see.

[diffract]

I'm not sure what you mean. My position is perfectly serviceable.

[ imagine having a job you like ]

[ohthehumanities]

Easy to say when you're never at your desk in the first place!

[Mr. "You can catch me during my office hours, just kidding no you can't"]

[piteous]

Didn't know scholars had to be stationed anywhere...

[ He just assumed you were all nerds researching and submitting papers to a council, not needed anywhere. ]

[ohthehumanities]

[They are, but unfortunately, Alhaitham is the person the papers get submitted to...]

He does, because he's the Scribe at the Akademiya. Which theoretically constitutes managing documents or some such, but apparently means that in reality, he gets to do whatever he wants and get paid for it.

[How many italics can you fit into one sentence, Kaveh]

[piteous]

Wow. He sounds pretty important.

[ That will not stop Vash from being rude, though. There's not much Vash can say about doing whatever and getting paid.

That's just an ideal job. ]

Well, he came home late! He must have had a long day today!

[ohthehumanities]

Ugh.

[DON'T JUST SAY "UGH"]

[piteous]

[ Whispers: ]

Still on bad terms?

[ohthehumanities]

[Whispers back:]

You're just realizing this now?!

[diffract]

[ he likes you, vash. ]

Actually I'm in the last stage of finalizing my resignation from a higher position within the Akademiya, hence why I arrived late.

[ and he made a pit stop at the house of daena for some books, but he's not mentioning that. ]

As for my being the Akademiya's Scribe, Kaveh has always been embittered by the fact that I purposefully chose a job with simple work scope, and that I'm able to fulfill my duties without running myself into the ground at the behest of my clients.

[piteous]

So what you're saying is that you don't pull all-nighters and you do get some sleep.

[ It's a small dig at Kaveh, though fond... If Alhaitham pulls out the "I also don't sleep I love studying too much" card, then he'll chalk it up to scholars being scholars.

He has no criticism on Alhaitham choosing to resign from what sounds like an extremely important position, either. Your life, your decisions. ]

That sounds like a sweet gig to me! Pretty peaceful, too.

[diffract]

Exactly, although such a lifestyle seems difficult to comprehend for some other people.

[ :)!!! ]

It sounds like you've heard much about his woes as an architect.