CROSS-CANON DOUBLE DATE OF THE MULTIVERSE

[bitemark]

Comments

[piteous]

[ The easiest starter in the world, but Vash is in Sumeru without Wolfwood—or maybe Wolfwood is somewhere, but Lowe would need to throw him in. For now, it is Vash and he will peek through the window of Alhaitham's house rather than knock, most likely looking for Kaveh (who can be out, or maybe it's Alhaitham who's out).

In his defense, he was going to round to the front door and knock after, but curiosity has him peering in because the window is open? Let's say that. ]

[ohthehumanities]

[I'M HERE NOW

Kaveh is... in the kitchen!! He's dressed down with his hair up in a messy bun, and it looks like he's cutting up some fruit. I flipped a coin to see if he'd look up to spot Vash before Vash talks, and he does! By chance, he glances up, and jumps violently, almost dropping the knife.]

Vash--! Good gods, you scared me.

[piteous]

[ Oh, oops. As if it would do anything, he brings back his head out the window even though however much of him is still in view. ]

Sorry! I was just... Peeking to see if anyone was home before I round over to the front door.

[ohthehumanities]

No, it's alright. I just thought--never mind. [Note to self: It is not, in fact, safe to leave the window open while he's in the kitchen... people still can't find out he lives here!!!] Come on, I'll let you in.

[So saying, he will abandon his snack and move away to go unlock the door!]

[piteous]

[ Hm? Vash gives him a curious look, but doesn't pry. He knows it's likely that Kaveh just wasn't expecting someone to roam around and peek into a window. From his visit last time, Sumeru seems rather safe for the most part. Little to worry about a shootout over absolutely nothing.

He disappears from view and waits for Kaveh in the front. Have a little wave. ]

Sorry. I should have given you a heads up, huh.

[ Hehe! ]

[ohthehumanities]

[Kaveh would rather Vash think it's that than for Vash to know the true extent of his paranoia and his woes... which would be true under any circumstances, but especially with Vash, who has so many other big, important things to care about in his life. Even if he and Wolfwood are successfully enjoying their peacetime right now, that still holds true to him.

He opens the door, gesturing for Vash to come inside--the movement is a little urgent, but he tries not to make it too obvious.]

Well, I would've been a little more prepared if I'd known, but it's fine as long as you don't mind a bit of a mess. [He's glad to see Vash at all times!! Anything else is secondary.]

[piteous]

[ What's wrong with being housemates!! Anyway, they can forget about a wild west showdown for now. Vash rounds over to the front door and is allowed in.

Whatever customs this house has when entering, he follows it before taking a look at the foyer and beyond. ]

The place looks clean enough to me. [ And uh... ] Something up?

[ The vibes are different. He can't quite place it as urgency because what is there to be urgent about?? ]

[ohthehumanities]

[Because! His reputation!!!

Vash might be speaking too soon, though--once he gets further into the house, he'll see a bunch of architectural models strewn around the living room. On the table, a few on the floor, one or two on the shelves--there's still a path to walk, but it'll take a bit of care. Once Vash is inside and Kaveh's hastily closed and locked the door behind him, he'll head back and pick his way across the room with the practiced ease of someone who does this a lot.]

Hm? Oh--no, I just didn't want to leave the door open too long. Oh, that reminds me-- [Excuse him as he slips off into the kitchen to shut the window too]

[diffract]

[ With a matra and a helpful neighbor constantly sweeping near the door, Alhaitham can afford to leave a single window open while he makes a visit to the bazaar. Or so he thought. This is the first time he's had someone poking their nose into the house. At least this is someone he recognizes, although a visit from Vash is certainly a surprise.

Alhaitham lowers the crate he's carrying next to one of the potted plants flanking the door. If the light clattering of bottles isn't enough to alert Vash, Alhaitham steps around the corner to meet him. ]

The front door is here.

[ He folds his arms and nods to the entryway. ]

[piteous]

[ Well, he smiles, anyway!!! And abandons the window he was using as a peeker to meet Alhaitham since he has little interest in decor and furnishings. People are better. ]

Alhaitham, hey!

[ Greeting like a friendly dog seeing someone familiar, or anything at all, and he even approaches him with like an overly familiar stray. It comes with a small wave of his gloved left hand.

Can he see the crate around the corner with Alhaitham in front of him... He heard little clinks over here. ]

Aboooouut to head out? Or... Just got back?

[ Curious. ]

[diffract]

[ Just a big golden retriever with a prosthetic... It's tough not to lower his guard around Vash, who's been as harmless as a desert fox since they met. No wonder Kaveh likes him. ]

I went to the bazaar to pick up an order I made. [ He pointedly glances at the crate on the ground. ] If you're looking for Kaveh, he's on an expedition in the desert with one of the professors at the Akademiya. He won't be back until late in the evening.

[ Only the desert heat would keep Kaveh and Madam Faruzan from debating and tinkering and philosophizing until daybreak. Alhaitham will draw a bath for him when he gets home. ]

[piteous]

[ Good. He wants Alhaitham to think of him as a harmless critter instead of a walking nuclear bomb. The crate... He eyes it again, but doesn't ask any questions about it. ]

Evening? [ EVENING. Yes, Vash, people have consistent jobs. ] Maybe I should have texted him before showing up...

[ Hands on his hips, he isn't sad or disappointed Kaveh isn't around. Instead, there's excitement. Is this worrying? Depends on the beholder. ]

That gives me a couple hours to check out more of the city, then!

[diffract]

[ Vash hasn't done anything outwardly strange or dangerous in Alhaitham's presence just yet. There have been stories offhandedly mentioned by Kaveh, but Vash himself seems pretty unassuming, albeit (understandably) uninformed. He hasn't visited Sumeru enough to know everything about it. Unsupervised, he might get himself into trouble.



So, fine. He will play babysitter. Kaveh won't forgive him if he finds out that Alhaitham wasn't accommodating and let Vash wander off unattended. Vash is an adult, but Alhaitham should be a gracious host, etc. He'll never hear the end of it.

Alhaitham breathes a sigh through his nose. The company could be worse. ]

I'll accompany you, since you're already here. [ He fishes into his utility belt and holds out his silver house key to Vash. ] Before that, I'd like to ask you to hold open the door for me while I bring this box inside.

[piteous]

[ Alhaitham is assuming a lot of things about Vash here. Who's to say he'll get in trouble? Wouldn't it make sense to stay OUT of trouble when you're visiting foreign lands? He could be very much well-behaved!

However, he isn't going to say no to company, not when it isn't posed as babysitting. His eyes do gleam a shine when Alhaitham mentions tagging along. Not quite a perk, but welcoming all the same.

Keys are his now, taken by his gloved left hand. Thank you. ]

Noooo problem! [ With a twist and push, the door is open and he holds it open. ] What's in the box, anyway?

[diffract]

[ Being well-behaved doesn't necessarily mean that trouble won't happen. If Vash is ambushed by eremites or lost in the desert or god forbid his ass eats something too spicy or unfamiliar, there's a chance that no one will be there to help him.

Alhaitham hoists up the crate and brings it inside. He settles it beside one of the divans; again, the bottles clink together. Alhaitham walks aside to grab a short metal crowbar propped by the shelves. (They keep this handy, obviously.) ]

Wine.

[ He works open the lid of the crate and carefully pries it off. He pauses, bent over with a hand on his knee, contemplating something. He ultimately decides to speak on it, if only because Vash understands Kaveh's emotions to a better extent than he can: ]

We argued last night. That argument is part of the reason why he left for the desert.

[crucifer]

[ Are you okay bottoms coffee has summoned him into Sumeru just separately from Vash I guess. He can show up later. Alhaitham didn't get a homophonic phone but I don't know maybe he can steal Kaveh's. ]

You got coffee in Sumeru?
Or any other snacks or whatever you want to recommend.
I'll take it home to the ship.

[diffract]

[ Alhaitham has a phone! We collectively decided this. He is also answering because this is about coffee specifically. ]

Coffee is one of the leading exports from Sumeru. You'll have to be more specific about the type of roast and flavor profile you're looking for.
Unless you're saying anything will do.

[crucifer]

I'm not picky. I'll take whatever is good and doesn't cost a million bucks.

[ BOUGIE SEVEN THOUSAND MORA COFFEE ]

Taking the opportunity to look around besides.
Have you seen spikey? I assume he's somewhere around here.

[diffract]

I haven't.
You lost him?

[crucifer]

I don't know if I can call it "losing" him, he's a grown-ass adult and can do whatever he wants.
Just want to know he isn't getting into unnecessary trouble is all, but since you don't sound concerned, I'm going to take it that everything's fine.
You all ever get tired of the colour green?

[diffract]

He's an adult, as you said. There's a chance he's with Kaveh if he's not with you. You should ask him.
As for the green, I think the answer is obvious.
And as for the coffee beans we were talking about earlier, Puspa Café sells some varieties. Occasionally a vendor appears in the bazaar to sell beans from Natlan, but only on rare occasions.
Would you be buying the coffee beans now?

[crucifer]

Will do.

[ The dismissal of the green question is so funny but Alhaitham is so right for it. Wolfwood is griefing. ]

Sure, why not. Carpe diem.
What's so special about Natlan beans?

[ohthehumanities]

[I am here to say I think it would've been very funny if Alhaitham had used Kaveh's phone and I just let nat tag you from this account... 1 am ideas, so shall they be left in the wastelands of sleep deprivation.]

[crucifer]

[ Help that would be such commitment to the bit. ]

[diffract]

[ KSJKDSLDKDKJF IT'S NOT TOO LATE ]