Months passed by and Nozomi had published two volumes of 'They Were Roommates.' Kaveh sat inside his room, many rolled stacks of paper laid on the ground and a large canvas of the current project in the desert sat perched on an art stool. Blueprints lay scattered across his bed and he sighed.
"Lately I haven't had much time to even clean my room… thankfully Nozomi has taken over the cleaning." He rubbed his temple, a quill in his hand. "I've been working overtime for the last week, I'm happy I'm paying rent but it barely covers enough to pay my debt. At this stage, I may have to extend payments."
At that moment, a letter flew through the bottom of his door. Kaveh looked about irritated, wanting nothing more than to complete his blueprints for the project. He walked over and picked it up. Nozomi had told him she was on shift for today and that Alhaitham conveniently booked a few days off for himself.
"I keep telling her to stop letting him get away with having breaks… she barely comes home herself, what with her working and all." Kaveh tore open the letter. "I still need to read her recent volume… I'm still apprehensive even if it's a concept of me and Alhaitham being together."
Kaveh's mouth fell open. He read the letter word for word.
To Kaveh of the Kshahrewar,
It is your favorite fun raiser, Dori!
(Get it, because I raise funds for starting Scholars?)
Anyway, thought I would write this letter in regard to your recent loan. You currently have three loans that still need to be paid off. The Palace of Alkazazaray, your previous loan for the house in Avidiya Forest, and finally, the current one for building a room at Alhaithams.
You have a period of the next two years to pay it off. I expect everything paid by the end of next year.
Otherwise, I regret to inform you, The Palace of Alkazazaray will be auctioned off to anyone willing to buy it at double the price in any nation. I of course will need to vacate my wonderful home, but with the newly acquired funds, I think there will be no reason to worry.
As for you, please consider this your final warning. How much is the Palace of Alkazazray worth to you, it being your Magnum Opus and all?
Pleasure doing business with you!
Regards,
Lord Sangenomeh Bay
AKA: Dori
A knock at the door startled Kaveh making him drop the letter. His brows furrowed in annoyance as he walked over and pulled it open.
"Can't you see I'm in the middle of something! Why do you always have to be so annoying!?" Kaveh snapped.
His face fell as soon as he realized it was Nozomi, why was she home early from work? Kaveh saw Nozomis' expression change from chirpy to crestfallen.
"Oh… I didn't realize you were busy. Sorry, I'll leave you to it." Nozomi turned away.
"Wait!" He grabbed her hand. "Sorry, I honestly thought you were Alhaitham… I haven't exactly had an easy day. Please, come in."
He watched as Nozomis' face calmed and he felt a pang in his chest. He wished he could take everything he had said back. Nozomi followed him inside, Kaveh kicked the letter underneath his bed and sat down. He hoped Nozomi hadn't noticed.
"I'm sorry about the mess in my room, I haven't exactly had time to clean it…"
Nozomi held her hand up and smiled.
"Don't worry about it, that's not why I'm here." She held a book out. "I thought you might like a copy considering you accepted my idea of 'They Were Roommates. I…also got you something else."
Kaveh looked at the package already feeling a sense of dread. Would she ask him to read it right now? He took out the second volume and put it aside, then his hands wrapped around another book.
"Huh… did you already… wait a minute." He pulled it out. "I… don't know what to say, this is beautiful!"
Kaveh's eyes lit up while he flipped through a few pages. Many pictures of different architectural designs and scripts filled his mind. He looked up at Nozomi who was already looking around either at his blueprints or canvas on the art stool.
"How did you get this? It's a very hard book to buy right now… please tell me you didn't spend too much?"
Nozomi shook her head and held her hands up.
"It wasn't expensive at all. I've noticed you haven't been home much and that you're working really hard out there. As a writer, I know how much your brain can turn to mush coming up with new ideas and you love art so…"
Kaveh walked over and gave her a tight embrace.
"Thank you, I know you've been picking up the chores for me while I've been gone. I hope Alhaitham hasn't been a slave driver to you." His hands moved to her shoulder as he looked at her. "Speaking of, I think all of us were invited tonight at Lambads."
Another knock came at the door and Alhaitham stood with his arms folded, leaning on the frame. Kaveh narrowed his eyes, he didn't want his good mood with Nozomi to be lost.
"I told you I was busy, can't you at least leave me to my own devices?"
"Oh, I'm not interrupting quality time with Nozomi am I? Or have you received really bad news that you can't be bothered dealing with me knowing about it?"
Kaveh looked at Nozomi and quickly tucked his arms behind his back. Why did Ahaitham have to insinuate something so awkward? Did he open the letter from Dori before sliding it under the door? It was too on the nose for Alhaitham to make a snide remark about.
"Mind your own business, Nozomi and I were just talking about Architecture and her books. Not like you'd ever read anything that she creates." Kaveh looked at the door.
"It's true I don't read much outside of Non-Fiction, but I disagree. I've read both volumes and to be honest, I don't see a problem. It captures our characters well and has a decent plot." He shrugged. "So I take it none of us are going to TCG tonight?"
Nozomi looked at Kaveh quickly. "TCG? Is that the event advertised on the Billboards outside Lambads?"
Kaveh groaned. He remembered wanting to go to the tavern tonight to have a good drink, but he had forgotten General Mahamatra Cyno's invitation to compete in Genius Invocation TCG. He looked at Alhaitham who he knew would be just as eager to just stay home. The thought made him grin that Alhaitham would be as reluctant as him to show up. Nozomi repeated her question which he responded.
"So remember how we were talking about a card game in Sumeru? Cyno, the Akademiyas Mahamatra is the head of the tournament tonight. Me and Alhaitham were invited to participate a few months ago in the finals."
"Think it as more of settling the score Nozomi. To me, I'd rather just stay home, but Kaveh thought it would be a great idea to bet double the mora if we versed him and Tighnari in a double match… so, unfortunately, I need to be there to hold Kavehs' hand."
Kaveh scoffed. "Of course, Alhaitham only accepted because it would mean he'd receive free refills of wine... Anyway, enough of all that. Did you want to come out with us? I can buy us drinks tonight."
Nozomi shook her head. "Keep your mora, I can cover myself. Is there an entry fee to participate? Also, I don't even have my own deck…"
"I can lend you mine." Alhaitham waved his hand. "I have a few decks besides the main one I use. It should get you by rather easily. Kavehs' on the other hand, will need re-working."
Kaveh looked at the Scribe and huffed. "Says the person that uses the same deck every tournament and comes in second place! Hmph, I'll have you know that a few months ago I managed to get a rare character card in a booster pack."
He felt sorry for Nozomi who was clearly confused. Both men must have sounded like they were having an estoriec discussion with her while barely keeping up with the details.
"We'll explain the rules once we get to Lambads. It's roughly 2,000 mora for an entry fee. Funds go towards the children in orphanages." Kaveh walked over to his desk, fumbling around for a deck. "Alhaitham I can't find my deck, did you have it?"
"You probably left it at Lambads when we met up with Tighnari and Cyno last time."
"Don't say that! Come on it should be…"
Nozomi carefully moved one of his blueprints, underneath was a stack of cards. Kaveh counted his blessings as he smiled widely at her.
"You are literally the light of my life right now… I could hug you forever!" He grabbed the deck and placed it in his pouch. "Let's get going."
"It's nothing really." he heard her breathe in. "Jeez stop thanking me so much."
"I'll go ahead and wait outside, I'll give you the deck when we get to Lambads Nozomi." Alhaitham nodded and walked away.
Kaveh turned to Nozomi, a confused look on his face.
"So, you told me you were working today… how did you get home so early?"
"Well… I actually lied. You see when you asked me what I was up to this morning during breakfast, I'd actually gone to the shops. It's your birthday today right?"
"Are we leaving yet or have we changed our minds?" Alhaithams' head peered in from Kavehs' window. "You two are taking forever."
Kaveh's eyebrows twitched and he grabbed Nozomis' hand and both ran outside.
"You really need to stop appearing out of nowhere with the windows… I get that mirrors are a theme with your vision but there's being in character and then there's being creepy." Kaveh sighed. "Please make sure we actually play well together?"
"Sounds like a skill issue than a team issue."
"You! Quit doing that…"
Kaveh looked over at Nozomi who stood next to Alhaitham, her giggling seemed to put a bounce in his irritation and he felt himself blush. While Alhaitham had gotten him the occasional gift for his birthday, this was the first anyone outside of their home that someone had remembered his birthday. He smiled to himself while they walked over to Lambads Tavern.
"I only told her once last year, yet she remembered it today. I really need to thank her properly someday."
*
At Lambads, everyone is seated in several tables stacked in a line. Several jugs of wine were lined where everyone could reach them alongside any snacks anyone could want for days. Many acquaintances that Nozomi didn't recognize were seated around her and the two boys, all were in deep conversation with each other.
Presumably most of the attendants tonight were part of Sumeru's political landscape changing years before. Alhaitham had explained to her that Sumerus Archon, Kusanali was held captive due to the belief people had about her being a weak Archon unable to govern the nation. Her fists curled as she remembered the details being explained, just because an Archon was new to their position was no excuse to kill them. She felt sick to her stomach.
Dehya, a tall woman wearing leather pants with a few belts and a red and black bralette sat next to her. Nozomi had to look twice at her cat ears in her Ashburn hair. Dehya had referred to herself as the 'Flame Mane' of Sumeru. Next to her sat Candace, legs folded holding a goblet of wine. A gold crescent enveloped her lapis lazuli hair, and themes of gold adorned her white dress. Both turned to her while Nozomi got her deck ready.
"So what is it like living with Alhaitham and Kaveh? I honestly can't believe they would take anyone in. I'm still surprised Kaveh is putting up with Alhaitham." Dehya leaned forward. "Actually I'm surprised Alhaitham hasn't been arguing with you, usually he gives snide remarks and makes you feel like you know very little about everything."
"Oh believe me there have been times like that, but I tend to ignore them. It also helps that the two of them bicker like a married couple, it's so funny." Nozomi closed her eyes and chuckled. "Man, those two are amazing."
Dehya's eyebrows raised while Candace took a sip of her wine.
"They're amazing at tearing into each other verbally? I guess that's a positive…having your own room away from them would help too. How much rent do you pay per month?" Dehya asked.
Nozomi took a gulp of her wine as Alhaitham and Kaveh stared in her direction. She felt her palms sweat. She knew she was paying an exorbitant amount of rent, but there was a reason she and Alhaitham discussed the signing of the lease.
"Uh…"
"Hey Candace, you in to play as well? Can you teach the newbie the rules of TCG?"
The General Mahamatra Cyno, a general policing authority walked over and placed a few playmats down for everyone to rest their decks. Different sections of the playmat gave indications on where to place exact cards in different positions. Two dice trays lay in the middle.
He placed two sets of eight dice in either tray and then looked at Nozomi.
"I've got a couple of the booster packs for you if you need them. You might want to open them now. Also, apologies I haven't introduced myself. I'm Cyno, The Adventurer." He held out his hand. "Thank you for participating, it's always nice having people play Genius Invocation."
A groan came from across the other side of the table. Nozomi recognized a short-haired man with a green streak, she struggled with an urge not to pat the two ears or tail. She wanted to ask whether he was a fox-like Yae Miko or another animal entirely. Kaveh had introduced him as Tighnari, head of the Forest Rangers and expert in many flora, natural remedies, and herbs.
"So, Cyno does this thing where he will repeat himself and his jokes to everyone willing to listen to him. Please tell him to stop if you're ever in pain from his terrible puns Nozomi." He smiled in sympathy. "I have heard every pun and no remedy or doctor will ever cure me from being scared for the rest of my life."
"That's because no one ever listens to my jokes carefully… even when I try to explain them." Cyno looked at Nozomi. " Actually, I have one. Why should you always be happy?"
"Uh… why?" Nozomi blinked.
"Because sad spelled backward is Das… and Das is not good." Cyno smiled proudly.
"Make it stop." Tighnari groaned and covered his ears. "I've heard that a thousand times already."
Most at the table burst into laughter except Tighnari and Alhaitham. Kaveh visibly shivered. All three were waiting for their double duel to begin. Nozomi chuckled and shook her head.
"You got any more?"
Cyno instantly gasped. "You… like my jokes!? Wait, now that I think about it… you're an author. I read your first two volumes about my teacher. Can I please commission you to publish a book with me? I want it titled 'Cyno the Adventurer and the Book of Puns." He spread his hands in the air. "I've got another one-"
"Cyno! Can we please start the match already? It's been thirty minutes since we've been here!" Tighnari yelled while everyone laughed. "Also before we start, there is something I need to do."
Tighnari stood up and pulled two earplugs from his pocket and inserted them in his ears. He took his seat and smiled in relief.
"There… I won't be able to hear any more of his terrible jokes tonight. My night will know peace."
"How are you going to hear how people play their cards though?" Cyno folded his arms, cynical.
"I can lip read, and it isn't a hard thing to figure out what people play once the cards are placed on the field."
Alhaitham, Kaveh, Cyno, and Tighnari poured rounds of drinks and took their seats. Then a rock paper scissors decided which side took the first round. Alhaitham and Kaveh went first.
"Good luck guys." Nozomi held her cup up to them and turned to face Dehya and Candace.
An hour passed by as Candace and Dehya took turns in between drinks showing her how Genius Invocation worked. Nozomi grasped many of the rules but lost two demo matches to Dehya. She looked up as Dehya grinned and held out her fist and the two fist-bumped.
"It takes some time to get used to the rules. I remember my first time taking days to the point where I actually threw my first deck into a bonfire. You picked up the rules really fast though!"
"You threw your first deck into a Bonfire? Wha-"
Candace threw a look at Dehya. "Your words are starting to slur a little… I'm not carrying you back to Aaru Village. Please slow down with drinking both of you."
Dehya waved her off.
"I'm fiiiiine please shtop worrying." Dehya grinned. "So I know this is the first time you're meeting me, but you seem pretty chill… did you know that even as a mercenary, I donated every mora I had saved to supporting an orphan? I couldn't sit with myself leaving her there so I made arrangements for her to have a comfortable life."
Nozomi looked at Candace who motioned her head toward the jug of water. While Dehya wasn't looking, she swapped the jugs and poured her some water. She placed the cup of wine underneath the table.
"You… donated your savings to an Orphan? So how is she these days?" Nozomi whistled and slid the goblet of water near Dehya.
"Well.."
The table started to wobble underneath Nozomi making her jump. All eyes now turned to her while she glanced around.
"You guys don't have earthquakes in Sumeru do you?"
"No, we don't have any natural disasters except in the desert. Are you okay?" Kaveh placed his cards down. "Maybe you and Dehya knocked on the table?"
"Oh… right." Nozomi sat back down and everyone returned to the game. "Sorry Dehya, please continue."
"I felt that too, maybe we're so tipsy we didn't realize." Deyha took a sip of the water. "This tastes different."
"Our taste buds are different after a few drinks." Candace tutted and poked Dehyas's face. "Are we going to continue with playing TCG or just call it for the night?"
"I feel we should… call it." Dehya smiled sheepishly. "As I was saying, from time to time I get letters from the little girl. They're soooo sweet! I am so proud of how far she has come in a few years! Now I want to ask you a personal question… if you were forced to date either Alhaitham or Kaveh, who would it be?"
Nozomi tightened her grip around the goblet and took another gulp, hoping to drown out her embarrassment. Kaveh sat next to her and so far was only occupied with the game, not hearing a thing the two ladies had said. She hoped it would stay that way as she answered Dehya.
"Where did this come from!? They're just roommates! Okay then, who would you date?" She challenged.
"Kaveh, no questions asked… I wouldn't be able to deal with Alhaithams attitude. He's a good guy but our personalities would not click. Though personally there's already someone I really like so Kaveh is hypothetical." She started to blush. "You still haven't answered, who would you pick?"
Nozomi started to feel her head spin, whether it was from the wine or from her embarrassment, she wasn't sure. They took a long look at Kaveh and Alhaitham. Both were arguing with each other about why the other played a certain card. Cyno and Tighnari stared at each other, watching the spectacle. She felt a sense of amusement and a smile crept on her face.
"You know what… I wouldn't be able to choose. They're both very helpful and have given me a lot of advice over the year I've spent with them."
Nozomi covered her face while looking away and whistled to herself.
The table once again shook.
"Okay, what the hell… that's twice that's happened. Something is definitely up." Dehya stood and looked at Nozomi. "It happened after you whistled to… hold up, am I drunk or have you always had blue eyes?"
"Huh? No, I've always had dark brown… I think we're both drunk."
Dehya waved to the boys to pause their game, Tighnari and Cyno looked over annoyed while Alhaitham and Kaveh stared curiously. Dehya and Candace stood next to Nozomi and pointed to her eyes.
"You guys see what I'm seeing right? Her eyes are blue."
"Um… are you drunk? They're dark brown. Sheesh, stop interrupting our game girls." Tighnari turned back to the cards he held. "Seriously what is with you three?"
"I saw it too… her eyes changed color." Candace looked at Nozomi. "It happened after you whistled… can you do it again?"
"Okay, I don't know what that'll do but sure." Nozomi took a breath and whistled.
At that moment Nozomi felt something on her chest stirring. The brooch she had pinned her vision and quill to start to glow. The feather started to float and paused in front of her face as she stared. She watched in wonder as it turned infront of her while Cyno stood and walked over to her and Dehya.
"You mean to tell me she didn't know how to use her vision?" Cyno looked at Alhaitham. "When did she get it?"
"Don't ask me, I only noticed she had a Hydro Vision a few weeks ago. I personally don't keep track of anyones Vision let alone mine." He turned to Kaveh. "You're better off asking him.
Kaveh nodded although irritated. Nozomi looked at him apologetic as he explained how she received her vision months ago.
"Then after that we just went to bed. That was the last I heard about it." Kavehs eyes glistened at Nozomi. "But I am so proud she's finally discovered how to use it!"
"Kaveh… you're saying that like you're her mother." Dehya snickered. "Are you sure you don't micromanage her at home?"
"I don't tell her what to do at home! I'm not her mother!" Kaveh huffed. "She's her own person and I appreciate her as a friend."
Nozomi felt Kaveh watch her and could tell he was about to stammer if she didn't interfere. She held her hand and then whistled again, this time the feather darted forward toward Alhaitham. Closing her eyes and whistling louder, a quick thud could be heard.
"Alhaitham please tell me you're okay!" Nozomi opened one eye. "I really need to stop doing that and actually plan out what to do. I am so sorry let me treat you to another drink!"
Alhaitham examined the blue quill that was lodged in the wood near his fingers and pulled it out. He held it out to Cyno to investigate and shrugged. Cyno held the feather in his hands, turned it over, and handed it back.
"So by definition, you'd be a Catalyst. From what we can see whenever you whistle, your eyes change color. I watched when you closed your eyes that it stopped. To stop it, you whistle again or close your eyes… the only way to really figure that out is if you go out and do some training." He turned to Candace and Dehya. "You two want-"
"As if you need to ask! We're just as curious about what she can do." Dehya punched her hands together. "Should be interesting testing how far her Vision can go."
"We'll leave you guys to your match. We'll see if Alhaitham and Kaveh can get it together long enough not to lose or Tighnari dies from Cynos' puns." Candace winked and grabbed Nozomis' shoulders. "See you all soon."
"Wait, I don't have my sword though-"
Nozomi felt ushered away with Dehya and Candace while Cyno turned to Alhaitham.
"You didn't look like you cared when that feather hit the table. I'm assuming you're fine to continue?"
Alhaitham folded his arms, his voice was terse. "Been waiting for the past five minutes. It didn't hit me so I'm fine, aren't I?"
"I was only thinking of your wellbeing, oh Scribe of ours." Cyno held his hands up. "Anyway, who wants to hear another pun? It goes like-"
"Let me put my earplugs back in! Damn it all Cyno!" Tighnari threw his cards on the table. "The next time I'm asked to go to Mondstat, I'm nominating someone else to go with you."
"Nominate me as well then, I feel like escaping from everyone right now." Kaveh sighed as he lifted his drink. "Anyway here's to my birthday I suppose."
"I remembered your birthday Kaveh. Happy Birthday." Cyno thumped his back. "You're getting older you know."
"Cyno, we're all getting older. We're all looking at retiring together." Tighnari sighed.
"Speak for yourselves." Alhaitham placed a card down. "I'd rather have a room to myself if it ever came to that."
"Imagine, retiring with Alhaitham… I hope I'm blind by the time I'm that age so I don't have to look at his face."
"You're already blind." Alhaitham retorted. "I hope I have dementia so that way, I have an excuse to forget you owe me Mora. Happy Birthday by the way."
Kaveh bit his lip and glared at Alhaitham.
"You'll get your just deserts soon, don't you worry. Happy Birthday my ass."
*
"Hmph."
Alhaitham stood at the front of the door, removing his keys. He blinked twice then looked over his shoulder at Nozomi who had just caught up to him after her training with Dehya and Candace. He turned back to the door, hearing quick breathing on the other side. Then he looked at the locks.
That idiot… I should have known he'd change the locks eventually. Can't say I didn't see this coming.
"Alhaitham is everything okay? Did you forget your keys? You can use mine if you'd like?" Her voice croaked.
"That should be my line, your voice is croaked from whistling or the alcohol isn't it?" Alhaitham hid his keys from sight. "Don't bother, I'll book us two rooms back at Lambads tonight."
Alhaitham started to walk past Nozomi, she trailed behind.
"I could break the door down and pay you back the cost in damage if you'd like?" Nozomi smiled. "Also what about Kaveh? Will he be okay?"
He stopped as she almost walked into him, resisting every urge to curse under his breath about Kaveh. He always caused unnecessary worry and he didn't need Nozomi to fret right now.
"It's not worth your mora to break the door down, I'm sure Kaveh will be back in the morning." He folded his arms and waved at the air. "That moron can fend for himself, he'll be fine."
Both walked together back to Lambads. By this time the entire bar was empty and sounds rattling of cutlery and wet floors being mopped greeted their eyes. Lambad stood piling the chairs on top of the tables and turned back in surprise. He quickly came over to greet them.
"Alhaitham? Usually, I see Kaveh here whenever he's been locked out at night… a bit odd that Nozomi is with you." He grinned at her. "You keep out of trouble? Congratulations on your vision by the way."
If Nozomi showed enthusiasm she was reserved.
"We're here to book two rooms for the night." Alhaitham held out a small bag of mora. "I needed a break from home anyway."
He knew Lambad would be suspicious of both him and Nozomi so he explained out of earshot about Kaveh. Lambad suppressed a chuckle and took the bag of mora. He leaned forward over the counter.
"Unfortunately all of our rooms are sold out for tonight except our twin share. Are you sure-"
"I'll take it, it's just for one night." Alhaitham looked at Nozomi who looked like she'd tip over at the flick of a wrist.
"Right." Lambad avoided his gaze. "Here's your key and your change. The second floor is to the left. Have a goodnight."
"Likewise."
Both Alhaitham and Nozomi walked up the stairs, the narrow hallways had dim lights as they walked towards the room. Once they were outside, he turned to face Nozomi. He breathed in knowing her reaction would either be embarrassed or annoyed.
"Lambad only had one room available, it's a twin share."
He watched as her whole body sprung from exhaustion. Nozomi looked at the door and then at Alhaitham, he heard her breathing and knew she was suspicious.
"Look I don't mind sleeping on the floor if that's what makes you comfortable, just don't annoy me when I'm asleep." He opened the door. "You go get ready first, I'll wait here outside while you get dressed."
Nozomi kept staring at him while she walked inside, he felt her hands push the door closed and he leaned back. His body felt like collapsing from the events of the day while minutes passed by. He heard a knock and stood back up while Nozomi opened the door.
She wore a black singlet with her martial arts trousers. On the bed, the pillows had been arranged into a neat line in the middle. Nozomi averted her eyes and held her hands behind her back.
"I feel bad you paying for the room and you not having a comfortable sleep tonight. So… I separated the bed for us. I don't mind you sleeping there as long as you don't move across the barrier." She spoke briskly then moved and sat on the bed. "It's been one heck of a day for either of us."
Faint taps on the roof grew and Alhaitham could smell rain pouring down. He instantly felt his back ache and tried not to limp in front of Nozomi as he took a seat on the other side of the bed. He bit back pain as he removed his boots and slid off his cuffs.
"Alhaitham… are you alright? I mean I can get out and wait if you want."
"It's just the rain. Nothing to worry about." He flicked his socks off to the side. "My body tends to ache on rainy days."
He was sure he felt her stare at the back of his neck. Alhaitham pulled his legs up, covered himself then sat up straight.
"If you're going to stare at least wait until I've grabbed my book. This is only for one night."
Nozomi looked away and then did the same. He couldn't tell if she was blushing or just nervous near him. He was used to Nozomi distancing herself from him during their shifts together. Either way, it didn't bother him if she was intimidated. Alhaitham was used to everyone with the exception of Kaveh, who never got too close.
"In Inazuma, it would always rain. Whenever we had lightning, we took it as a sign the Almighty Shogun was angry." Nozomis' voice strained. "I guess I don't mind the rain, but I hate the idea of what might come after."
Alhaitham placed his book down on his lap.
"We're inside, unless you're under a tree you'll be fine." He paused as Nozomi shrank under her blanket. "We aren't under any trees… did you want to borrow my headset if that'll reassure you things are fine?"
She shook her head. "Maybe… talk to me about something. Anything."
He blinked in thought. In all the times they interacted, their conversations had been brief either about Kaveh or work. Anything outside of the context was either met with silence or an awkward sense of being around each other. Who could blame her?
"I don't do small talk, but you asked." He closed his eyes. "We actually beat Cyno and Tighnari in Genius Invocation. Especially with how Kaveh kept playing event cards… he had one character card at one health point left. Then again Cyno kept telling puns and eventually, Tighnari lost his concentration."
"Huh? I thought Tighnari had his earplugs in for that purpose. Did he just forget to put them back in?" Nozomi turned her head.
"Tch, who knows? I wasn't paying much attention when they kept arguing over one another. All that matters is that Kaveh received double the prize money and I received free refills of wine."
He heard Nozomi chuckle. Good, she was finally starting to relax.
"Now that I think about it, you aren't even drunk. I've seen you go through like, five jugs of wine and you haven't even broken a sweat. If you won Genius Invocation through sheer will, then I'm impressed. Did you and Kaveh used to drink often back when you were students?"
Alhaitham picked up his book and flicked through a page. He remembered a time when he and Kaveh used to go every day after classes to either drown out their grievances. Kavehs smile replayed in his mind then quickly remembered a bitter time of arguing. He tightened his grip around the book.
"For a while yes." Alhaithams' voice snapped. "Before we worked on a project together, it was a better time."
"Sorry, it sounds like this isn't a good time to talk about it." Nozomis's voice softened. "I still don't get how you can drink so much and not feel a thing?"
"It isn't that I can't feel anything, it's just I have an unusually high tolerance to alcohol." He smiled grateful for the change. "The most I get is a buzz."
The rain grew heavier as they both talked back and forth about each other's lives for a few hours. Alhaitham dragged himself down and turned to Nozomi. Wasn't she already tired from her training?
"It's late, aren't you tired?"
Nozomis' eyes glistened and she shook her head.
"Not at all, I like talking to you. I'm actually surprised that I'm not more tired too. You know, you're actually more relaxed than I thought." Her smile widened. "I'm sorry I got the wrong impression of you when we first met. To be honest, when Kaveh told me about you, I thought you were in your fifties."
Alhaitham looked at her amused. "Let me guess, Kaveh called me an annoying, selfish, and ignorant Scribe? Something to that effect?"
"Well…he did say you were nice to everyone else?" Nozomi giggled. "Something about not doing dishes as always?"
"Hah, I leave the dishes like that on purpose because I know he'll blow a gasket about it when I get home. You've probably noticed, I tend not to like socializing a lot. I prefer a private lifestyle unless it's important like my work or Kavehs annoyances." He shifted his hand and moved. "It's nothing personal. Though you seem to already understand this about me anyway."
"That's… because I'm kinda busy writing away or studying in my room. Don't worry, Kaveh does complain I never make time to-"
"Go outside and get fresh air or talk to people. I've heard this all before." He reached over unconsciously and rested his hand on the barrier. "You were saying you never had a prior education in Inazuma and studied under Yae Miko… how did you get by before that?"
Instead of answering, Nozomi flicked his hand off the pillow barrier. Her eyes were narrowed and he wanted to flick her nose.
"I rested my hand there because it's comfortable. I have no intention of doing anything to you. You're the one jumping to that conclusion." His voice teased. "You thought I was together with Kaveh remember?"
Alhaitham watched as a few minutes went by of Nozomi mumbling or stumbling over her words.
"I mean… are you gay? That would add a lot more realism to my Light Novels."
"As much as your fans and Kaveh himself might wish, I am nowhere near gay. Sorry to disappoint you." He grinned. "Are you actually a lesbian or just bisexual? I heard about your 'inspiration' with Miss Lisa Minci."
"I- what!" Nozomi bolted upright and looked at Alhaitham. "I mean yes… but who did you hear that from? Damn it, did Kaveh tell you about the couch that night?"
"I heard it from Lisa herself, you're a good kisser from what she says. She only brought it up after you had published your first two light novels. Hmm, wait? What's this about Kaveh and a couch?"
Nozomi turned away and wiggled down into the covers, hiding her face.
"I just realized I have something to do tomorrow. It's late, I'll wish you a goodnight."
She switched off her light at the other end. Alhaitham rolled onto his side, amused. If she wanted to deny or avoid the questions, he was fine with that too.
"Suit yourself." He switched off his lamp. "Goodnight."
"I'm bisexual…" he heard her mumble slowly. "To answer your question from before, I have no memories of what happened to me before I was twenty. The physicians in Inazuma say I have amnesia and that my case is unusual…"
Alhaitham closed his eyes remembering the case file in the Akademiya under Siraj. While he had been an Acting Grand Sage, someone named Illyas was part of a Hivemind experiment under his previous classmate; Siraj.
Nozomi arrived well after my resignation… she wouldn't have any connection to the case.
"Do you have any flashbacks of places at any time?"
"No? I couldn't even remember my name when I met Lady Guuji. I don't know… sometimes I'll see random letters in my head and they form sentences. I spent years learning how to read and write." Nozomi yawned. "Did you want me to book in to see Tighnari? You sound concerned."
"No, I think you're fine. If what you're describing is true, then there isn't really anything to worry about." He leaned back and said softly. "Get some rest. We'll talk more tomorrow."
After another yawn, Alhaitham leaned into the pillow and felt the world slowly dim. He listened to the rain while he heard the sheets rustle.
"It's not so awkward being around you. It's actually nice talking to you Alhaitham." Nozomi yawned. "This time, Goodnight."
Alhaitham waited until he could hear her faint snores before relaxing into the mattress. The downpour of rain continued, it lulled him to close his eyes.
"You too." He mumbled as the world faded to black.
*
Nozomi woke up first. She felt heavy as she tried to pull the covers off and rubbed her eyes. Her hands reached behind her neck, feeling like a bug was crawling along their back.
Do they have bedbugs here? They should really clean this…
Nozomi rolled over and nearly had a heart attack. Alhaithams face was nearly pressed to hers. Their noses touched, barely inches away. She blinked as she tried to think how they both ended up like this.
How the… what happened to the barrier idea?!
Now wanting to get away as far as she could, she tried wiggling her arms. She felt Alhaithams arms wrap tighter around her waist, pulling the two closer together. At this point, their foreheads were touched, and could feel his breath on her nose.
"Uh… Alhaitham… dude wake up!" She tried squirming. "It's almost time to check out! Oh great…"
Alhaitham didn't respond and she hurriedly tried to think of anything that would wake him up. She rolled her eyes remembering Kaveh would sometimes walk into his room and irritate him to force them awake.
If you ever need him to wake up for any reason, just say I tipped his wine down the drain… you may need to run away when you do. So only use this in an emergency!
Nozomi braced herself and managed to wiggle one of her arms out and placed her hand on his cheek.
"Alhaitham dude, I hate to break it to you… Kaveh poured your wine down the drain again."
In an instant Alhaithams eyes shot open, Nozomi swallowed as his irises glared back into hers. His pupils dilated and moved side to side trying to make sense of why Nozomi was so close to him.
"Care to explain to me why we're entangled like this?" He groaned.
"That's what I'd like to know! What the hell happened to the barrier idea!?" Nozomi squelched.
Alhaitham removed her hand from his cheek and she felt his arms loosen. Their faces were still close together.
"You kept rolling around in your sleep… I had to restrain your arms so you could stop punching me every few minutes." His voice rasped. "You certainly pulled a risky decision this morning on how to wake me up."
"I tried to wake you normally! Jeez, you sleep like a log." Her eyes narrowed. "Anyway, I don't suppose you want to check out now?"
Alhaitham kept staring as she felt her cheeks redden. She looked at his face closely, noticing how the morning rays seemed to make him softer.
"Do what you want, give me a few minutes." He closed his eyes. "I didn't exactly sleep well."
As quickly as he woke, he fell back asleep. Nozomi stared in disbelief as she watched his chest rise up and down with his breathing. His hands were still on her waist as she sighed.
For someone as handsome as he is, Alhaitham has some audacity… does he even care we're this close?! Actually… no he probably doesn't. The guy is too relaxed about this!
As much as Nozomi wanted to leave, she still felt hungover from the training and the many jugs of wine from last night. She fell back asleep next to Alhaitham. After a few hours passed by, both got dressed and headed back home.
A few grunts were shared as they walked up steep pathways through Sumeru City. Nozomi looked at Alhaitham confused as he slammed his fist into the front door a few times.
"Why are you bothering with knocking? Kaveh was-"
Kaveh opened the door, wearing a maroon apron on top of his usual attire. His hair was messy as if someone had ruffled it. His amber eyes had a smokey undertone as he stared at them both.
"Oh… Welcome home you two! Why do you both look-"
"Move." Alhaitham shoved past. "I don't have time for this, just let me sleep in peace."
He turned to look at Nozomi and nodded.
"Enjoy your sleep, see you at work."
Kaveh turned to Nozomi. "What happened?"
"We… didn't sleep very well at Lambads. Anyhow I'm glad you're home and you found a way back in. I was worried you were sleeping out on the streets. I'm going to bed too."
She walked past, not noticing Kaveh wince. As she shut the door she flopped onto her bed and pulled her covers over her face. Nozomi put her headset on, Alhaithams music lulling her to deep sleep.
