open post / alhaitham

[logicxlly]

"Book learning alone is not enough to cultivate intelligence.
All those scholars in the Akademiya are prime examples."

The current scribe of the Sumeru Akademiya, endowed with extraordinary intelligence and talent.
A man of freedom, people usually can’t find him, unless he wants to be found.

Comments

[merlot]

[ Hearing about the mission had been surprising enough for Kaveh, but being asked to help is something he still can't believe happened. He's used to hearing about the things Alhaitham does afterward, missions and tasks that involve worrisome acts that could easily get him hurt, killed, or captured. Luckily, the only concern for this mission feels like capture should the king figure things out, but Kaveh highly doubts that will happen.

He returns to Alhaitham's office with a large rolled sheet in hand that looks a lot like one of his blueprints. It's not far off from that -- once unrolled, it's a drawing of the layout of the areas most important to them for the mission. ]

Don't over-analyze the plan. You might start mixing up the steps. [ It's a soft warning, given as he hands over the layout drawing so it can be pinned to the board as well. Then Kaveh moves back to his seat, settling into it and taking a sip of his tea before sighing softly. All he really wants is a cup of coffee. ]

If you have corrections, I can adjust the drawing as needed. You'll have a better idea of exactly what we're working with since I can only get so far.

[logicxlly]

[ Alhaitham extends his hand expectantly, almost a little too automatically, when Kaveh's footsteps near him. He resists the urge to roll his eyes and glances instead at the blonde before he moves out of the Scribe's field of view.

Sometimes he hates how well Kaveh knows him.

He pins the blueprint to the board, analyzing every nook and cranny carefully. ]

Mixing up the steps? [ He sounds mildly offended, but it's lacking any real heat to it, his focus still on the drawing in front of him. He missed a room. Alhaitham thinks to himself, but decides against bringing it up. After all, Kaveh hadn't seen the place himself, he'd only had Alhaitham's verbal recollection of it from when he'd been there for the sham of a job interview. Considering that, he was impressed by the level of detail the Architect remembered from what he'd told him. ] Planning for any contingencies is vital.

[ Alhaitham finally turns around and away from the board, his eyes feeling strained from having read every sentence over and over for what felt like hundreds of times.

He moves to seat himself in the other chair, momentarily closing his eyes as he rubs at the bridge of his nose to soothe the building tension there. ]

No revisions necessary. The visual was more for you than for me, you can piece together the rest when you get there. [ He sighs, starting to regret having agreed to do this in the first place. ] I'll be going early tomorrow. The so-called King wants to gather everyone for a rundown of the event. [ He leans back in his chair, finding his cup to take a sip as he opens his eyes again and his gaze falls on Kaveh sitting by him. The tea wasn't doing much to soothe his headache. ]

Do you remember the steps?

[merlot]

[ Once seated, Kaveh looks at the blueprint from a distance, almost sure he's missed some things. For the time being, and based on everything Alhaitham's told him, it's the best he can manage. He's certain he's included everything absolutely necessary, at least.

One elbow comes to rest on the table as Kaveh leans his head into his hand, giving Alhaitham a look at the question. ] Contingencies are vital, but planning for every possible outcome as unlikely as they might be is too much in this case. You're directly involved. You can rule out some things from your position alone.

[ In Kaveh's opinion, Alhaitham isn't really a suspicious person. There's no reason for this king to think something may be amiss when Alhaitham plays his part so well. His gaze follows the younger man as he moves to sit down and there's little thought in the way he reaches over for the plate of fruit that's near the tea, pulling it closer to begin peeling a peach. ]

I'm surprised he's waiting this close to do a rundown. [ He offers Alhaitham a slice, rolling his eyes as he does. ] Of course I remember the steps. The only thing left on my list is getting together a formal outfit. I have to blend in enough to start.

[logicxlly]

[ It's hard for Alhaitham to admit he sometimes overprepares, over-worries, overthinks absolutely everything. While to everyone else, he's usually the picture of calm and collected, able to sort through everything with ease. For some reason Kaveh's always been able to see through it, even when they were just studying together in the house of Daena...

His eyes lid open a little at the realization.

Alhaitham listens with a low grunt of acknowledgment in his throat. It's disapproving, but only because admitting Kaveh is right isn't exactly something easy for him to do. ]

Me too. [ Alhaitham admits softly, wondering why it had taken the King until now to do it. Was it to make sure things went off with potential hitches inlaid into the ball? Did he change any plans last minute and is that why none of them were privy to the information they're going to get in the morning? His thoughts whir again until he notices the slice of peach being offered.

His mind quiets in that moment, Kaveh's warm gaze flitting away through a roll of his eyes and Alhaitham takes the opportunity to lean in and take the offered slice of fruit with his mouth. His hand lightly wraps around Kaveh's wrist as he does. It's quick, the warm brush of skin to skin before Alhaitham leans back again, chewing quietly on the sweet peach. ]

You didn't see the box I left on your bed? [ He questions after a moment, looking back at the blonde curiously. An outfit befitting the ball laid waiting for him. Then again, Kaveh hadn't come back until later in the day and when he had, Alhaitham had propositioned him with all of this. ]

[merlot]

[ Kaveh knows he's right, but he doesn't need Alhaitham to admit it. The grunt and the lack of verbal acknowledgement are enough for him. In other situations, he might gloat or take the chance to playfully prod at the other man about it, but this isn't some silly disagreement between them.

More than anything, his concern lies with pulling off this plan the way Alhaitham has designed it. Kaveh trusts him with his life and knows no harm will come to either of them as long as he can help it, but it'll be easier to feel settled with that once the king has gone over everything with those closest to him so Alhaitham knows any details that may change.

He's still caught between mulling that over and considering an outfit as he feels the touch, his gaze returning to Alhaitham to see him eating the slice directly from his fingers. Kaveh's lips part for a second, fingers releasing his wrist as a light blush creeps across his cheeks and he shakes his head. ]

No, I haven't been back to my room. You had an outfit prepared for me for this? [ Ignoring the warmth in his face, he gives Alhaitham a curious look, already looking forward to seeing what the other left for him. ]