The Akademiya - Morning
Nozomi woke to the sound of crackling, she breathed in the smell of bacon.
She peered around, feeling the lounge push into her back as she sat up. Kaveh stood at the stove, two plates laid on the counter in front. She looked at the clock beside her.
8:45am
Nozomi rolled over and started to doze off. After a few minutes their eyes shot wide open an she sat upright.
"Urgh I'm late!"and darted over to Kaveh who waved to her. He chuckled as he served breakfast.
"I remember my first day being the sa- don't eat that so fast!" Kaveh watched as Nozomi gulped down her food, handed her a glass of water, and sighed. "Have a good day.'
"Thanks for the food! See you soon Kaveh."
Nozomi ran out the door onto Treasure St, The Akademiya wasn't very far. She made her way upward toward the Akademiya. Her feet seemed to glide as she brushed past Alhaitham. His cape caught up in the speed of the wind.
"Seriously?" Nozomi thought she heard him say but didn't have time to check.
The doors to the Akademiya swung open from other students running late. All were dressed in their moss green uniform with perspective bonnets with a badge on the top. Kaveh had explained the night prior that each badge represents a Darshan. Darshans were equivalent to clans or houses in the schooling systems in Inazuma.
Nozomi dashed through the doors and quickly asked for directions to their classroom. She didn't notice the confused looks at her martial arts uniform when they made their way through the outdoor corridors. She barely noticed the greenery that every hallway had as she reached the door to her class.
The door was slid open and an older man in his 50s greeted her. A gold crown of feathers laid on his greying hair and wiry frames were held together on his nose as he pushed them up. She remembered Kaveh mentioning those with feathered crowns were often professors or lecturers. He looked her up and down.
"What business do you have with me today?" He asked promptly.
"Oh… um, I'm here for my first day of class?"
The Professor looked down at her again, his hands now on their hips.
"You want to start my classes without a uniform? Were you not made aware of the uniform requirements on enrolment?"
Nozomi blinked and looked around awkwardly.
"Er…"
The Professor sighed then shook his head.
"In any case, you don't even have your yearbooks or stationary." He waved her away "Come back here when you've got yourself organized for goodness sake. Honestly the audacity of students these days… why back in my day…"
Nozomi looked around and slumped her shoulders, then turned around to leave. Her head bumped into someone's chest, she looked up to see Alhaitham.
"Professor Rajkumar, it's been a few years." He looked at Nozomi "You ran past me forgetting your timetable for the semester."
Alhaitham held a package wrapped in black fabric and motioned for Nozomi to take it. Nozomi tilted her head but bowed in thanks. Professor Rajkumar raised his eyebrows.
"Indeed it has, ever since you've graduated and stepped down as the Acting Grand Sage. I'm so glad you could finally grace us with your presence, Scribe."
Nozomi thought she could hear sarcasm in Rajkumas's voice, Alhaitham pointed at the bag.
"Inside are three books. The main one you'll be using is the black one with the Haravatat Symbol. It's the one with a bull."
"Hey! Don't you ignore me… just because-" Rajkumar interjected.
"Your uniform should arrive tomorrow morning and I've attached your itinerary to your books. Have a look at it when you have time." Alhaitham turned to leave "See ya."
Alhaitham walked away down the corridor, not once stopping even when Professor Rajkumar kept yelling.
"Hey wait a minute! Don't just walk off when- urgh!" Professor Rajkumar looked at Nozomi and waved her in "Well, you might as well come in. Of all the miseries, even if Alhaitham's no longer the Acting Grand Sage I still don't understand why he's being paid like one!"
Nozomi tilted her head but quickly got the hint. Rajkumar kept on and she heard him cough while she peered in. The classroom was full of many students from different Darshans. Many she had recognized from Inazuma, Liyue, or Mondstat. The lecture room itself was lined with the same stained glass patterns and the walls were many shades of the six Darshans.
Nozomi walked up the stairs to find a seat. A few curious whispers and amused ramblings could be heard about her martial arts uniform.
Oh god, this is so embarrassing… it didn't even occur to me to pick up the uniform. She sighed. Well, let's get this over with.
She took a seat up top at the back row, not wanting any more curious eyes on her for the day. Looking over to her right, she noted a girl wearing a green uniform. Long blue curls flowed down her shoulders, most of it obscured from her bonnet. A blue symbol of skies and two stars at the front of her hat, the Rtawahist Darshan. She seemed in and out of a daze, then she looked in her direction.
"Hello… you must be new… here." She blinked "My name is… Layla. It's nice to meet you."
"My name is Nozomi, it's nice to meet you too."
"I noticed that the Scribe was outside…" Layla yawned "Everyone was talking about it… are those new books?"
Nozomi shrugged but opened the package. Inside were three thick books with a timetable. She showed Layla who seemed to gaze up surprised. Her gold eyes scanned the piece of paper and slid it back to Nozomi.
"You're… most… in most of the same classes as me." Layla closed her eyes and smiled "Hopefully we can study together. I've never… had a study buddy before."
Nozomi couldn't help but yawn, her legs and back felt like they had been heaving heavy loads of boulders for years. Watching Layla made her feel relaxed. Too relaxed.
"I think it would be nice to study together." Nozomi nodded.
"So, do you know why Alhaitham came by to drop off those books?" Layla blinked and looked towards the door. "He's never made an appearance or helped any students before."
Nozomi laughed nervously.
Should I tell her I live with him and Kaveh? Hmm, probably not. Kaveh told me to keep a secret about them living together. They'll figure that out if I told her.
"I'm not sure… I did run past him on the way here, maybe it's a good day?" She tapped the desk "Maybe he's feeling generous?"
"Oh," Layla looked away "I wouldn't know. Many students say he's a mixed bag… it's hard to get many applications through. I had to re-apply twice. I didn't make it in the first year because I didn't fill in my form properly. This was… five years ago."
"Wait… five years! What are you studying?"
"I study Astrology, but for most students, it doesn't matter… it's very hard to graduate from the Akademiya for many years. I've heard of Scholars spending… thirty years here."
"I… but I'm here for three years for a Bachelor of Arts?" Nozomi held her chin "Does that mean how many years they tell you in the applications, that it's just a rough estimate?"
Layla nodded forlornly. "I was meant to graduate two years ago… but as you can see… well I fall asleep most of the time. I find it hard to stay awake. Anyway, let's do our… best"
Nozomi nodded and her class began.
"Alright, alright. Take your seats!" Professor Rajkumar slammed a folder down to his desk "Today we're going to be looking into the history of the Akademiya, open your books."
Many students groaned sliding their books onto the desks and whispering among themselves.
"We always go through this every year with Professor." One complained.
"Why can't they just put it on the front page of our books? It's so boring."
Nozomi didn't mind, she felt clueless about the history of Sumeru. From what she heard from Yae Miko, the current Archon was Kusanali. Rajkumar continued and wrote on the board. The rest of the day dragged and like Layla, Nozomi started to doze off by the end.
*
Kaveh tightened a magenta apron around his waist and slid on a pair of gloves. The smell of lemon and bleach wafted in the air though Kaveh didn't complain. He'd need the smell to cope with the amount of grot he was used to finding. He opened a fridge door and automatically pinched his nose. Inside were three opened cartons of milk, all past their expiry date. Open packages of strawberries and other fruits were either half eaten or left in a wrapping. He threw it all to the ground in a plastic bag and then wiped everywhere with bleach.
"I always tell him to throw whatever he uses away. Ergh I pay to live here, not become a housemaid!" Kaveh threw the sponge into the sink. "I've only been gone on a trip for two days, yet a week's worth of garbage is already on our doorstep…"
He continued to rant to himself, now sweeping the lounge room. His foot hit the edge of where Nozomi had slept. He put the broom down and sighed. Kaveh took a seat next to her temporary bed and ran his fingers through his hair.
"I can't believe Alhaitham actually agreed to let her stay, though he could have listened to me for once. Oh, I hope she's alright at her classes today," Kaveh stood and began to pace "Though if I'm being honest, I was really looking forward to having someone else help with the cleaning."
Kaveh rolled his eyes. "Or as Alhaitham would put it, nag her to nag him. I swear he never gives me much credit or has so little faith in me. Seriously what difference does it make if we have another tenant here!"
He winced as he kicked a bookshelf and felt a thump as a book landed on his face. Now visibly shaking with rage, he tossed the book onto the lounge.
"This is why things should be where they're meant to be!" Exasperated he said, "Why can't we just have another room to… wait, another room!"
Kaveh threw off his apron and gloves, placed them on a counter, and poured himself a coffee.
His amber eyes had a glow as he ran to his room dragged large blueprints and spread them out. If anyone had looked into his room, they'd see that Kaveh had a smile while being entranced in his work. An hour passed, and his hands seemed to drift from one design to another. He stepped back, pen in his mouth.
"Hmm is this too big? Maybe I could add a cabinet here." Kaveh fiddled with his quill "Now just to find contractors. I'm sure that will work."
He picked up a messenger bag and then rolled up his blueprint.
"I just hope Nozomi will like it, I really want to see her make it here." He gulped. "Though it means I need to see Dori… well, no point in dwelling on it, let's get this built."
*
The Scribe lay perched in his office, a book covering his eyes while he napped. If anyone noticed him napping on the job, they quickly left their research papers on the floor. No one wanted to risk disturbing the Scribe, for fear of possible rejection. Piles of research papers now lay scattered on the floor, waiting to be Accepted or Rejected.
He started to wake up and looked at the floor and then at the time. He pulled up a pile and began his usual routine of stamping papers till late in the afternoon. An image of last night's agreements between the trio lingered for a few seconds than he would have liked.
Though the thought of seeing Nozomi's panicked expression while she had run past him on her first day, gave him a sense of amusement.
"Hope she's finding her first day here fine, she'll need it."
His thumb brushed along her application that was still at the corner of his desk. It only took a few hours after he accepted her application for an official acceptance letter to be typed up by the head office. Alhaitham sighed to himself wanting to get home and do nothing but put his feet up or read, then re-read her application for what seemed a thousandth time.
"As if she didn't notice another letter attached to her first manuscript, which reminds me," He placed a quill into its holder "I suppose she'll need an address for now. I guess it's time to clock out early for the day."
The Scribe didn't carry much besides whatever was in his pouch, some keys, a music player, and notes. It's all he ever needed and didn't understand how people could carry so much here at the Akademiya. He closed the door to the office and then made his way down to Treasure Street.
It didn't take long for Alhaitham to see his house. He suddenly stopped and looked up, he fought off irritation as he looked at the roof of his house. Scaffolds and builders swung their hammers down, and parts of the tiles were being removed.
He clenched his fists knowing all too well who was behind this.
"Kaveh you dammed idiot, wait till I find you." His eyes scanned then he put his fingers to his forehead "There you are."
Two small mirror fragments floated beside Alhaithams eye as he felt himself rush forward to where the would-be Architect was standing. Not even noticing his feet landing behind him, Alhaitham placed his hand firmly on Kaveh's shoulder.
"So, what have we here? Don't suppose you can explain why my house has a hole in it? Or why," He gestured to the builders "They've arrived?"
Kaveh's face whitened under his gaze and visibly jumped from Alhaithams grip.
"Oh hey there… I was just going to, um, talk to you about this brilliant idea…you see, I didn't get around to Nozomi having a house to stay so… why not build a room for her?" His voice quivered. "It'll be a nice room?"
Alhaitham removed his hand, and a hard slap to his forehead could be heard from the builders who turned away. They knew the reputation that Kaveh had, especially with Alhaitham.
They knew a shitstorm was about to hit the fan.
"I agreed… to let Nozomi stay for a month. Any further IF she had paid the first month of rent, Kaveh." He breathed in. "Explain to me how you're covering the funds for this, I'm ALL ears."
Alhaitham watched as Kaveh wiped his brow from the heat, and held his fingers together.
"It's… a friendly loan? Come on I mean it's-"
"So you mean to tell me, that you asked Dori, who you're already in debt to by the millions, for another loan to build a room?!" Alhaitham threw his hands up in the air. "Oh, and did I forget? You did this behind my back when clearly I'm on the lease as the owner… give me one good reason I shouldn't throw your stuff out into the streets."
"Well, I would be on the lease too if you didn't have to argue with me every time we worked together on that project!" Kaveh retorted "You owe me one Alhaitham-"
"I owe you nothing, I took you in out of obligation when we called off that project for the Akademiya together... You still call that an explanation?" Alhaitham pointed to the roof "What happens if Nozomi can't pay the rent? You didn't think that far ahead, did you?"
"Well excuse me! Obligation? You took me in because I'm someone to be pitied!? What a load of- " Kaveh's face was now red "Is that all that matters to you is Nozomi's contributions and not the fact she's nearly homeless?"
"Kaveh, I will reiterate again. I already live with someone who hardly pays rent." Alhaitham shoved a finger into Kaveh's chest "I don't have any guarantees of Nozomi having a consistent stream of income."
He felt his hand being slapped away as Kaveh took a step back. Both were now sweating from the heat. Alhaitham looked as Kaveh took a seat on a log and decided to join him. A few minutes of silence passed between them, birds flew by and a letter was dropped into the post.
"I just wanted things to work in my favor for one…" He heard Kaveh whisper "Is it really gullible of me to help her out?"
"Helping her out isn't gullible, it's how you've tried to help." Alhaitham now calm added "I expect she won't find a job by the end of the month. It's hard at this time of year with students already applying."
"I get it, but surely-"
"Why are trying to help her exactly?"
Kaveh looked away but Alhaitham could already tell by the blush in his ears that he was embarrassed.
"She was so nice, Haitham. I feel appreciated when she's around. I know people aren't your thing but something about her being here helps."
Alhaitham had already grown accustomed to Kaveh's emotional pleas over the didn't usually care and it wasn't the first time he had seen the Architect try to help others and come back home deflated for days. While he hadn't seen Nozomi being the type to take advantage of other people's kindness, he knew Nozomi would have to go back to Inazuma eventually.
"Nozomi will have to go back to Inazuma someday, you do realize that? Even if it's after graduation. How are you going to handle it when she does? It's better to accept the reality that she won't make it this month. To print out a manuscript, study here, and find a job are all too much for any student let alone her."
Kaveh slumped into the log. "We don't know that for sure. I appreciate how you look at things logically, but can you see where I'm coming from?"
"Not really." Alhaitham shrugged.
It was a half lie but it would take time to explain it to him. Kaveh slumped backward and rolled his eyes.
Alhaitham stood up to leave, looked up at his home, and then back to Kaveh.
"Look, you should focus on paying off your loans. The Palace of Alkazazar-"
"I'll pay double the rent, to cover the new room."
The Scribe's eyebrows shot up and he turned around, a small thought came to his mind. However, he needed to be sure of what Kaveh had said.
"How are you going to manage that? You barely keep up each month."
"As it so happens, I have a three-year contract with the Akademiya for a housing complex over in the desert. A few researchers have conducted studies for low-income students and want small houses designed and built over the next three years."
Alhaitham watched as Kaveh's slumped figure now became straight. Confident, with a shit-eating grin that beamed. He felt amused, why couldn't he have brought this up sooner?
"Better not lose this job, because if you do," Alhaitham turned his back and started to walk "I'll be using that room for my woodcarvings."
."Urgh, those ugly furniture choices of yours get on my nerves-"
He could hear Kaveh mutter under his breath as he shut the door in his face. Alhaitham looked at his keychain with a copy of Kaveh's. It looks like he'd be sleeping out on the streets.
"Ah well, I need the peace and quiet somehow while renovations are done."
*
