The worst part about dealing with all these bureaucratic issues was the waiting times. The second worst part? Reading and signing everything. Some people just signed everything that they were handed over, but Faruzan knew better. And her eyes were not up to the task of reading such small text, neither was her mind fresh enough to do so.
It was tedious and dense. And honestly? A nice change of pace. After a century of doing the same thing, even this was fun. The charm would run off by the next day, but until then Faruzan would enjoy it to its utmost. A really, really small utmost.
And after all the signing, she noticed something quite important. She could be inside a closed room as long as somebody else was with her. The more she knew the person, the better. The office felt tight, yes. But seeing the outside through a window and being with this… Grand Sage, eased her mind ever so slightly.
At least, until the Scribe suddenly started to question her again. The same thing as before. How she was trapped, what happened while she was trapped and how she escaped. Those memories were not easy to recall.
"You seem to be suffering from a low degree of memory loss. Not uncommon when people get to a certain age." Alhaitham calmly explained, finishing up his writing. "Your episodic memory seems to be the worst of the lot."
What impertinence! To call her forgetful straight to her face!
"I have not experienced any noteworthy past event to recall in the past century. It goes without saying that my memory has degraded in that regard. It'll take but a few weeks to have it up to shape." Faruzan answered, trying to let her anger keep her awake.
"…That being said, you recall the names of all members of your family and the names of all your students. Some of which are quite famous among the oldest generation. You even remembered the city's layout and your previous residence as well." He stared straight into Faruzan's eyes. "Which is why I am quite sure that memory loss is not normal. Either you are lying, or you are blocking those memories due to sheer shock."
"I said all I know, I do not lie," Faruzan replied with complete honesty. "It was just hubris. I went into those ruins on my own, believing in my own expertise. I was under the belief there would be an ancient relic inside. There wasn't. End of story. Pride cometh before the fall."
"Yet you don't know why you headed towards those ruins. Or why you went alone, without telling anyone else where you were going. It could be attached to hubris…" With a sigh, the Scribe stood up from his chair. "You are lucky to be alive at all. That is all I can say to you."
"Hmph. Is that all the Grand Sage can come up with?"
He didn't react at all to her phrase. "Acting Grand Sage. But don't refer to me as such."
"So? Am I readmitted?"
"While I do not doubt your abilities, you'll have to be tested of y—"
"Are you serious?! How long is that going to take?! I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I'm homeless! I want to teach people already!"
"…If you'd let me finish. You cannot recall if your last investigation was Akademiya-funded or not. I'll try to find the appropriate records. If true, the Akademiya is ultimately liable for your disappearance. And as reparations, I assume you wouldn't have money troubles for the rest of your life." He paused, seeing Faruzan's scepticism. "But… if you did it on your own, then you still have your knowledge, prizes and diplomas."
"So that's it? Just… Good luck? We don't even know if the Akademiya took those…"
"As Acting Grand Sage, I can't really do much else." He said but quickly added. "As a fellow Haravatat Scholar, however, the least I could do is shelter you. My house is a bit too crowded at the moment, but I'll figure something out. As for sustenance…"
"All you need to do is deal with the bureaucracy as fast as possible. I don't need pity. I just want to give classes again, get some savings and forget this ever happened." Faruzan then puffed out her chest with pride. "I can find food and shelter on my own. Back in my day, I had to deal with worse proceedings!"
"I would not mix pity with decency. To have you disrupt the Akademiya's everyday life would be an issue for me and everyone involved. If for some reason you're on death's doorstep, then swallow that pride and ask for help. I will keep it a secret." He neatly stacked a pile of papers and put back his soundproof headwear. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to finish with this as soon as possible."
Faruzan clicked her tongue and hastily stood up.
"Oh, one more thing." He quickly added, not bothering to look up at her. "That man with the hat. Is he your rescuer?"
"Why, of course." She placed her hands on her hips with a smile. "He's quite the clever boy. He'd make a great scholar."
"Is that so?" Alhaitham glanced up at her for a few long seconds. "I would not judge a man's character without knowing them. And I do not listen to rumours. However, keep an eye out."
Faruzan's smile disappeared. "Excuse me?"
"I have nothing to add. I've given you my thoughts, take them as you will."
"The nerve! To disgrace my saviour in front of my face! Mind you, I am a century older than you, young man. I am not a naïve, stupid little girl. I don't care if you're the Grand Sage or the Grand Fool, I am still your senior. Like so, you should treat me as such and with the respect I am owed." She stomped her way over to the door, opened it, and then paused. "I'll be back tomorrow. You better be done by then."
She slammed the door shut and angrily marched through the hallways of the Akademiya for just a few seconds. And then the anger got the best of her, rendering her exhausted after just a little outburst.
"Since when do I have a short fuse… Must be the sleep deprivation."
Faruzan slapped herself awake and looked back through the hallway. It felt like someone was there. She was beginning to have hallucinations, that must have been it.
This past hour of continuous mental exertion had left Faruzan with little energy. Dying of exhaustion seemed a little worse than having a nightmare, but she could still battle it for a while longer. Thanks to her vision, her body could go on for another week.
So it seemed at the very least.
The main lobby of the Akademiya was a bit busier than before, but not many acknowledge the sleep-deprived Faruzan as she left the premises. Greeted by the shining sun, she ambled towards a stone bench right next to the entrance and sat down.
The sunlight entered through her eyelids. The hunger was good too. It didn't let her fall asleep. At the very least, that's what it seemed. She just needed to stay awake a little while longer. Even if her eyelids were so heavy, it would take just a moment to… Well, it didn't matter if she stayed with her eyes closed for a while. The only thing she needed was to stay mentally awake. That way she wouldn't sleep.
Yes, only a fool would fall asleep just because of closing their eyes.
…
"Err… Excuse me?"
Faruzan jumped at the touch of the sudden intruder. She hastily looked around, completely dazed for a few long seconds, but there wasn't anything strange.
"You shouldn't fall asleep like that, it'll hurt your back."
It took her a moment to realise that the man in front of her was that tall, blonde intruder from earlier. He seemed quite worried, which was a bit obvious since she just fell asleep while sitting.
"Oh, uh, I wasn't sleeping." She stood up while rubbing her eyes and observed the person. "But thank you for checking up on your elders, uh… Kaveh, was it? You are better-behaved than before, I commend you for that respect."
"Well, what happened with Alhaitham… He's usually not busy at all in the morning. I already apologised before, but I'll do it again if it's necessary." Did Kaveh always seem so caring, or was it only with her? Regardless, this was the kind of youth Faruzan liked. Treating her with the respect she deserved.
"Once is enough. At the very least now you know that looks can be deceiving, I take pride in my age and knowledge!" Those were the only things she had left, after all. "And… thank you for…. What Darshan do you hail from?"
"You're welcome, I think? I graduated from the Kshahrewar Darshan. You… As in, well, you are Faruzan, right? That's what you said. Can I ask how are you still alive?"
"Tis' but a wonder, is it not? And quite a bold opening gambit, I must admit. Also, it's Madame Faruzan." Her eyelids drooped momentarily as she held back a yawn. "Did you know me? Am I an eminent lost scholar?"
"Like, famous you mean? Well… I mean, I'm not sure. Your name is in a few important books, but I'm not sure if that qualifies as being famous. At least some of your research is. Your theory of the degrees of freedom in a kinematic chain is still being taught today. That's how I know your name, from my student days."
"Oh, that's good to hear. The Kshahrewar always tried to rope me into their projects. Alas, that is not how I work. But if that theory is being used, kinematic mechanisms must have advanced from my time as well… Tell me, did Arithmancy fall into disuse after I pummelled that fraud? With words, of course."
"Arithmancy… Ah, divination with numbers? I don't think anybody does that anymore. At the very least, not any man of science. It's superstition. The world is sometimes scary but even I know that deluding yourself with these things is no good. Sometimes, the reality is cruel and trying to deceive yourself with superstition will only make things worse." Kaveh's eyes narrowed for a moment before they lit up. "And you say you debated some pseudo-scholar?"
"That's right, I did. Mathematics is really important, but they hold no importance in our fate. Sometimes bad things happen to good people, it's true. But at least they happen to dastardly people too. Besides, he's dead and I'm alive. His numerology did not quite work did it?" Faruzan mentally patted herself on the back, quite proud of… outliving someone?
"I suppose you're right. Too many things have happened in this last century but for technology specifically… Who was it... I can't recall the name, but someone discovered at least 100 decimals of the number Pi. So measurements are so much more accurate nowadays."
"What! One hundred?! So trigonometry must have advanced so much as well! That's amazing. Or is it? I can't quite recall, I think I developed a converging inverse-tangent for Pi as well when I was… Never mind that." Faruzan loosely bounced around in place, as if trying to hide her excitement. "Ehem, you don't mind giving me a brief synopsis of the modern age, do you?"
The request caught Kaveh off-guard. "Oh, I mean, sure! But I'm not exactly free at the moment and… Shouldn't you sleep?"
She handwaved his concern away. "That's alright. We can schedule a meeting next time you're free. Until I rejoin the Akademiya, there's little I have to do."
Kaveh didn't seem too convinced of her enthusiasm, but he sighed and nodded. "It must be confusing for the world to advance without you. Alright then, it's the least I could do. Your research used to be quite important."
"Heh, of course that… Used to be?"
A cold breeze interrupted their chat as the Nameless Wanderer suddenly appeared beside the two of them. Faruzan was too tired to be surprised, but Kaveh took a step back from the sudden appearance.
"Hello." The sober greeting didn't seem to help his menacing aura. He completely disregarded Kaveh and turned his head towards Faruzan. "Are you… making friends?"
"Oh, Pupil!" Faruzan quickly held his arm and pulled him closer towards her. "Yes, this is Kaveh. He's a kind, proper youngster. We were talking about the leaps of knowledge!"
"Yes, we actually talked a few h—" Kaveh's words were quickly interjected by the Pupil.
"We've never met before." He answered, crossing his arms.
"Eh? But in the hallway…" The hardy glare of the Wanderer shut him up. "Right, well. Pupil you said? Is this the man who rescued you?"
"Did I say Pupil?" Faruzan tensed up, pushing the Pupil away. "No, no. You misheard me. I would never treat a Pupil so casually or intimately. I said… Puppy?"
If anyone had believed such a bold-faced lie, nobody showed any signs.
"She said Pupil." The Wanderer cleared up. "And I'm here to tell her that she has to sleep. I'm running late for something, so I would rather end this conversation now."
Kaveh looked at Faruzan for a quick second, perhaps unsure if he should really trust her Pupil.
"We'll talk later, youngster," Faruzan said with a well-prepared smile. "Good luck on your busy day."
"Have a good nap then, Madame." He waved them away, still somewhat unsure but not enough to actually stop them both.
Faruzan kept waving back until he entered the Akademiya's lobby and disappeared from her sight. And only then did she freak out.
"Oh egads! He must think I'm… I'm a cradle snatcher! A cougar! A woman after youngsters!"
"Yeah, okay grandma. Let's get you to bed." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and slowly led her out of the Akademiya's hectic entrance.
"No, I can keep going…" Her words clashed with her demeanour, as she simply let herself be herded through the streets. "I don't wanna walk. Carry me. I'm old."
"No. You're going to fall asleep and people will wonder why I am carrying an unconscious woman around like a prize. You're walking all the way there. It's just fifteen minutes." He didn't attempt to go faster, instead matching his pace to Faruzan's slow amble. "Back in the rainforest, I told you I had to confess something. So you have to be fully rested up."
"How exciting." Faruzan held her Pupil's arm and rubbed her face against his shoulder. "I'll just rest here for a while."
"Don't do that in public. I'm not a pillow, you're not going to fall asleep l—"
A warm, calm breeze caressed her skin. Soft, tender grass below her feet. Laughter and curious games from a sweet student. The kid asked her a question. A victim without a crime, are they still a victim?
Unsure of why, Faruzan suddenly stopped dreaming. She tried to recall what had transpired, but it was far away and blurry. It didn't matter. However long she had slept, it wasn't enough! She just had to find a cold, cosy spot in the pillow and…
Pillow?
She opened one of her eyes, staring at the ceiling above. The sight prompted her heart into an uneasy, quick pace. This was the room from the inn, she was quite sure of that. Like before, it was a small room. One bed, a nightstand and a door leading to a bathroom. There was not much else besides a window right beside the nightstand.
"If you're going to start crying, wait at least a minute."
Her eyes were led towards the voice of her Pupil, who was looking through the open window with his usual, lonely gaze. Wherever his hat was, it was not on his head, which was a rare sight.
"What, when…? Ugh, I smell horrible." Faruzan muttered, sitting up on the bed. "How long was I out?"
"Eighteen or so hours." He didn't move from the window and instead leaned against it further. "It's the dawn of a new day."
"Is that joke? Oh goddess, who am I kidding? Your jokes are actually terrible so this must be true. An entire day, goodness…" She rubbed her eyes, the faint sunlight being a bit easier to wake up. "Did you stay here the entire time?"
"I have experience waiting." He now finally turned towards Faruzan, showing his blue eyes. "Did you have nightmares?"
"Nightmares? Oh! I didn't! I actually dreamed of… Hmm… I can't quite recall. Probably because I have this nauseating smell on me. Since when do I smell like this?" Faruzan properly stood up from the bed, her body full of energy and her mind sharper than never. "Ugh, no wonder that Grand Fool took me for a vagrant. I have to wash this off before I meet him again."
Faruzan stood up, her feet touching the cold ground for a brief moment before fully walking towards what she remembered to be the bathroom. Or hoped, at least.
"I don't know if you recall, but I told you I wanted to talk about something." The Pupil suddenly said, leaning back against the window. "And… Are you going to shower? You? You're scared of interiors."
"I'm only scared if I'm alone. And I'll have the bathroom door opened, so you'd technically be here with me." She stared at her Pupil while walking backwards. "Also, you can tell me the issue so I know you're there. And keep being a gentleman, fine Sir, and don't peek."
Right now, he was the person she trusted the most. She had already slept beside him and he did nothing, so showering wouldn't be that much worse.
"The doubt hurts, fine… Madame?" He was unsure of what he just said, so he turned around and returned to look out of the window. "First you force me to sleep with you, now you want to shower basically together. But kisses are too promiscuous, wah, wah."
"I hear you, dolt," Faruzan replied as she opened the small bathroom.
A tiny awning window kept the measly interior lit. In front of the door, there was a decrepit sink with a somewhat clean mirror above it. She could see her triangular pupils clearly, as well as the back of her Pupil. Beside it, there was a shower which covered the width of the bathroom. Which would give her enough privacy even if the door was opened. Sadly, there wasn't any toilet around and she loathed to think what the shower's other uses were.
"Well, so what is it you wanted to say?" Faruzan said, removing her bracelets and placing them on the sink's faucet.
"I'll tell you whenever you're out. Otherwise, this won't be a serious conversation."
"If it's that important, we can talk about it now." She turned around to check on her Pupil, but he dismissed her offer.
"You do your thing. I've been waiting for an entire day, I can wait five minutes more." He answered, completely resigned.
"Well. Ten. Maybe fifteen minutes. My hair's a bit long around the sides."
After that, the shower was relatively uneventful. Hot water ran out right as she finished, so she was particularly lucky in that regard. Even if she was now colder than the Snehznayan tundra. That being said, putting back her dirty clothes would be awful, so she just wrapped a towel around her body. And there were no more towels, so her wet hair now clung to everything.
"Pupi~l!"
"What…" He muttered across the room.
Faruzan grabbed her dirty dress and walked out of the bathroom. "Use your great elemental expertise to clean my clothes."
"Anemo can dissipate the smell, but the fabric will still be filthy." He calmly answered as he turned around. He watched the towel-bound Faruzan sit on the bed, her hair completely wild. "What are you doing?"
"Hm? Well, I can clean my clothes later. As long as it doesn't smell… Why are you angry now?" She asked, putting down her dress and looking at her towel. "This covers everything important."
He angrily mumbled whatever insult he had come up with and entered the bathroom momentarily, only to come up with a brush. He sat down on the bed as well and forced Faruzan to turn away.
"Oh, that's why you were angry? Because I didn't comb my hair?"
"If I'm having a serious discussion, you have to look the part." He didn't wait a second to start combing her long hair. "How does your hair even work…"
"It's simpler than it looks. So, what is it you have to tell me? Stop delaying and teasing." He quietly brushed the back of her head, where her hair was relatively short. It tickled. "Hello?"
"Shut it. I'm thinking."
Faruzan shrugged and simply enjoyed her Pupil's gentle touch as he worked away with her hair. She didn't quite know what urged him to do so, but since he had apparently stayed the whole time here, it was the least she could do. It was starting to look like he did not care about his own well-being that much.
Her eyes were lured towards the open window and the morning sun pouring through it. At least she had not to wait much. But goodness, she was hungry… Asking her Pupil for more would be too much. He had to focus on himself too.
"I had long hair once." He suddenly started, as if filling the silence. "It's not very useful. It gets everywhere when working, or fighting. Even a ponytail is a nuisance once it reaches a certain size."
"That is quite the serious topic." Faruzan's quip was answered by a quick tug on her hair. "Ow! Idiot!"
"You're the idiot trusting me. I don't… Ugh, look. I don't quite understand why, but it's hard to tell you this." He continued to brush her hair, this time gathering her long hair. "And that is not how I used to be. I could say whatever I wanted without any issues. Now it seems like I care and I'm starting to believe it. I didn't regret any of my past actions but now…"
What was he on about? Perhaps he was feeling guilty about kissing her. He did say it was related to what he wanted to confess back in the rainforest, where he clearly wanted to kiss her. And he believes that for whatever the reason, it was wrong and he regretted doing it. It must be related to his conflicted way of seeing himself, Faruzan thought. He didn't think he was a good person after all.
"There's nothing to say. It was my fault. If forgetting it makes you feel better, then it's alright. I don't mind. It was just… a bit of misplaced energy." Faruzan wasn't sure if she really meant what she said. "So just say what you think, I won't mind it."
Her shoulders tensed as she glanced back at him. He seemed too focused on her hair to notice.
"I don't think I can forget about it." Absorbed in thought, it took him a moment to realise her curious gaze. "Eyes to the front, hag."
Faruzan spun around, tensing up even more. "You know, I don't mind being called old. But can you please use a more endearing term? Such as kind elder? Or wise senior?"
"I can use a more endearing term. It doesn't mean I will though." He stood up once again and threw the brush to her hands. "Brush what's left. I'll be right back."
Faruzan caught a glimpse of his forlorn stare into nothingness, right before he turned towards the bathroom and entered to search for something.
"You still haven't told me anything. What is it? I'm getting a bit worried…"
She caressed her hair, realising that it was almost completely dry. Her Pupil must have used anemo to remove the excess humidity. She had to learn that trick.
"Yeah, what I had to say." He entered the room again, carrying her triangular hairclips. His desolate gaze had disappeared, though she was certain it was a pretty mask. "I have to leave for a couple of days. Maybe a week. My guardian seemingly has to reunite some… shroom family or whatever. And I know how those things spiral out of control."
"Is that so? That's why you were so scared?" He tossed the hairclips to her lap. "Bit rude."
"You're the one who is scared of being alone, that's why I am telling you."
The words looked like empathy. His distant demeanour didn't. He himself noticed his act and quickly added a clumsy smile. Cute.
"I see… Well, it's alright. I'll be fine on my own. I may be old and poor, but I am still self-sufficient. I've lived with worse conditions." She flicked her wet hair. "Just make sure to come straight to me when you're done. I will have a nifty, nice office all for myself that you simply must see. Otherwise, I will get quite mad."
"Wow, mad? You out of all people mad? That's impossible."
"Sarcasm does not suit you well, Pupil." Faruzan twirled her hair for one last moment before raising her hand towards him. "But since I am quite wonderful, you may kiss my hand before you depart."
Rather than disappointed, her Pupil was more reticent than anything else. "I don't think I should."
"What do you mean you shouldn't? I'm not going to get mad. Well, I didn't get mad earlier either, I was just telling you that back in my day… It doesn't matter." She stood up, took a step forward and cusped his cheeks with both of her hands. "Just turn that frown upside down, like so!"
Faruzan twisted his expression into a strange half-smile that made her crack a laugh, much to her Pupil's annoyance.
"You thould—" His words were twisted thanks to Faruzan's fingers around his mouth. He grabbed her right hand and pulled it away. "You should dress up before I start calling you a wannabe nudist. Towels are quite easy to tear apart, and I have to go sooner rather than later."
"Gee, and you say I am old. You're like a boring, stubborn grandpa."
She pinched his cheek one last time before pulling back. Rather, Faruzan tried to pull back, but he did not let go of her right hand.
"I shouldn't be caring about this whole situation. In the end, your reaction will be the same whether I do this or not." He looked at her hand, lowering his hold towards her wrist. "I'll be taking your offer before I go."
Taking advantage of her hand's position, the Pupil gave her palm a soft kiss. Faruzan was already quite happy with that, but he didn't stop. Instead, he used his free hand to hold her waist tightly and pull her towards him. A bright flush spread along her cheeks as he began to kiss her wrist, then her forearm.
"P-Pupil, you…"
"No kisses in the mouth, was it? And there are none."
Faruzan's back stiffened as he leaned against her, deciding to harass her neck with gentle kisses. Whether it was the goosebumps or the suddenness of his love, she was left unsure of what to do in this situation besides enjoying the moment. This was more stimulation than she had had in a century. Rather, her entire life. So maybe it was a bit selfish to just enjoy the moment, but she didn't care.
"You're… really the worst," Faruzan muttered, her breath shorter and shallower with each second.
"I'd say this is very kind of me. The worst would actually do this." He released her hand, his hand trailing through her arm, up to her shoulder and then at the hem of her towel. Without warning, he slipped two fingers inside it. Her body shivered at the contact of his cold fingers, a petite moan seeping out of her lips. Her Pupil was a small tug away from leaving her completely naked, yet he stopped. "But maybe I'm not as bad as I thought. So? Am I not the worst? The worst scum in this world?"
Her mind was a complete mess that didn't know what she wanted. If she said yes… what would happen…? But no, that wasn't true!
"Don't tell me the Haravatat scholar is out of words? That's not going to work for you." His hand slid down her waist and suddenly jumped down to her thigh. "Say it. I'm the worst, am I not? Just say yes." His voice was but a throaty whisper, as if saying those words to reassure himself of what he was doing.
A mess of shivers and shallow breathing, Faruzan said the first thing that came to her proud mind. "Worst… or not, deep inside you're a good person… That's what your acts say. So I don't care what you say. So, if you want to…"
If he was looking for a conviction, he found none of it in Faruzan's words. Instead, they had the opposite effect on him. Haunted and sick of his actions, he pulled back and walked towards the window without thinking.
"I have to go. Bye." He stormed off the room with immense speed, barely letting Faruzan say a word.
As soon as it started, it stopped. Confused, heated and lacking oxygen, Faruzan stayed motionless for a few long seconds.
"Eh…? Oh. Did… Did I make a mistake?" Faruzan was left hanging, unsure of how to feel. Whatever it was, it didn't feel good now. "Ugh… I'm stupid… So stupid… Maybe he was really trying… Or he was even stupider… I'll take a cold shower now…"
She was in an empty room alone. Maybe she should just dress up and leave already. And forget how she had completely screwed this up.
