#▪︎ ENDPOINT: SOLSTICE ▪︎

[akashicsystem]

So Cyno had indeed weaseled out of this one. Clever man. Alhaitham sighed softly and shuffled some papers on his desk, scanning the alchemist in front of him, quite literally so.

He's warm, but less like a human and more like a battery. No strong signs of ley line energy. Geo elemental energy, coming from their Vision, but a lack of warmth and numbers he was used to seeing. There is something he is picking up, and it gives the part of him he shoves down a headache. He wants to pull him apart until he can see what Albedo runs on- no, no. He doesn't want to do that. They're here for paper reviews. He wasn't as skilled in elemental science to comfortably review these projects, so Alhaitham had reached out to Cyno. Upon hearing of such a workload, Cyno had practically contracted it out to the alchemist before him. Surely this had nothing to do with the Genius Invokation release in Fontaine the week of project reviews.

“Acting Grand Sage, yes. Lord Kusanali refuses to let me quit just yet.” Alhaitham rolls his eyes, shaking the alchemist’s hand and sitting back down. “You have sufficient elemental and alchemical knowledge to review these projects with me, assuming Mondstat is capable of teaching their citizens. That is why we are here today. What I require from you is a critique of each project, its implementation, and a discussion with me on whether or not such a project is a good idea for the health and well-being of Sumeru and the Akademiya. Does that answer any questions you have?”

He was relieved Albedo seemed to be introverted, much like himself. Glimpsing at the first paper on his stack, he sees the words forbidden knowledge jump out at him. Kusanali save him.

He rubbed his temples with his fingers and tried to recalibrate his brain. Already he felt a headache coming on, and he didn't want to waste valuable time going to Kaveh and asking him to check his tension springs again. The less suspicious he looked, the shorter this would take.

“The closest food stall is a short walk from here, should you get hungry. I'll show you when the time arises.” He made an effort to accommodate for the human pitfalls everyone else around him seemed to have- but something about the way Albedo looked at him made him doubt they would be needed.

@sevrdfate

sumeru was unbearably hot and humid, nothing like dragonspine. of course, they expected this, they were familiar enough with teyvat & its various climates that they knew what to expect. of course, what they came to expect had no reflection that their body was now, for better or worse, not used to traveling in such conditions. their master would have no patience for this, so despite themself - and without appropriately stopping for water - they continued to sumeru city.

their gloves tucked into their bag, a book in hand ( faintly, anyone looking could see various specimens the knight had found pressed between the pages ) and a top that, a letter. their steps are quick, quiet, graceful -- and almost like a ghost as they navigate sumeru city and avoided bumping into people. the akademia's doors pushed open, icy blue eyes scanning the rows upon rows of books.

... they simply pat some of the dirt from traveling off their gloves and walk in. students were in abundance and yet none of them were who the alchemist was looking for. they watched in silence, every discussion among students and the papers that needed to be written. they could help, the thought briefly passes their mind. of course, could and will are completely different words with different definitions.

albedo turned shoulder, continuing until they found who they were looking for. tall, grey hair, dendro vision... their tongue clicked.

they approached, standing off to the side and placed the letter down on the desk. "the general mahamatra asked me to assist the acting grand sage," they smiled, but it was hard to decide if it was a smile of coy amusement or politeness. "my name is albedo, the chief alchemist of the knights of favonius i look forward to working with you." ... @akashicsystem

[akashicsystem]

Alhaitham shifted in his seat uncomfortably. Albedo was making logical and reasonable points, and he was facing questions he had no desire to ask. It’s true that the old way of doing things needed reform. He had seen the pain that was inflicted firsthand. Hell, he was the guy that orchestrated the downfall of the previous sages. How was this any different? 

He was being watched. If he were to revamp every process of the Akademiya himself, some may see it as a power grab. He had made it clear that he had no interest in being part of Sumeru’s governmental system. Nobody had ever pressed him as to why. When Lord Kusanali had initially forced him into the position, she had scanned his mind to ensure he was fit for the role. Her young face nodded, deep in thought. He remembers what she had said to him: You’ve got the spirit to do this! Don’t give up!

He could lie to Albedo or brush it off as much as he wanted, but the truth of why he sought to avoid power was because he didn’t trust himself to wield it. He didn’t know what he was or where he came from, and like hell was he going to do that on the clock. He needed time to be away from people, away from Sumeru, and then he could open that box he was afraid to touch.

The worst case scenario here could be a future where he reorganizes and changes the Akademiya to a point where it loses its reputation as an erudite institution. Where he, single handedly, broke the trust of the students and Sumeru at large- and was found out to be nothing but a machine. They would exile him.

Was it a matter of pride, like Albedo had insinuated? Or was he taking the coward’s way out to avoid being discovered for what he was? Was that a good enough excuse?

“I would agree that the Akademiya could better suit its students and their studies. I’ll invite some prominent scholars to discuss the topic next week. It’s embarrassing, as an institution, to be held back by ancient and outdated philosophies. I remain firm that I am not the man to bring about those changes.” His fingers clench on the paper he was reviewing, crumpling the edges, and leaving a tear in the parchment.

@sevrdfate

Alhaitham set aside the papers and resigned himself to telling The Story, which Albedo was sure to be entertained by. He thought back to when Kaveh and himself had worked on their thesis project together. They had gone out to the desert to examine the ancient architecture and its impact on the Akademiya.

"Kaveh and I were in the desert doing some academic work a few years ago. During the thesis application process, I experienced intense questioning regarding our intent behind the project. The sages believed that tampering with the ruins of the Scarlet King fell under 'attempting the forbidden and fearing none'. Are you familiar with the concept of forbidden knowledge?" Alhaitham asks, mouth suddenly feeling dry.

"I argued that this was ridiculous, our intent was to examine and draw conclusions, and we had no plans to tamper." He leaves out how Kaveh had lost his mind when doors of the ancient temples seemed to almost open in front of them. Alhaitham claimed they were most likely motion activated doors, until Kaveh waved his hands back and forth in front of them to no avail. That was one of the first incidents that should have warned him.

"We continued to face difficulties with the administration throughout the project. It was a hassle, and I don't want to put anyone else through that." If he could cry, the emotions stirring in him would surely be pricking his eyelids.

Again, Alhaitham realized he'd given Albedo far more than he wished to. Was it the way they had asked pointed questions with that piercing gaze? Or perhaps, a darker force, one Alhaitham did not know- the kind of dark force in his own body he wished to never escape.

[akashicsystem]

Alhaitham set aside the papers and resigned himself to telling The Story, which Albedo was sure to be entertained by. He thought back to when Kaveh and himself had worked on their thesis project together. They had gone out to the desert to examine the ancient architecture and its impact on the Akademiya.

"Kaveh and I were in the desert doing some academic work a few years ago. During the thesis application process, I experienced intense questioning regarding our intent behind the project. The sages believed that tampering with the ruins of the Scarlet King fell under 'attempting the forbidden and fearing none'. Are you familiar with the concept of forbidden knowledge?" Alhaitham asks, mouth suddenly feeling dry.

"I argued that this was ridiculous, our intent was to examine and draw conclusions, and we had no plans to tamper." He leaves out how Kaveh had lost his mind when doors of the ancient temples seemed to almost open in front of them. Alhaitham claimed they were most likely motion activated doors, until Kaveh waved his hands back and forth in front of them to no avail. That was one of the first incidents that should have warned him.

"We continued to face difficulties with the administration throughout the project. It was a hassle, and I don't want to put anyone else through that." If he could cry, the emotions stirring in him would surely be pricking his eyelids.

Again, Alhaitham realized he'd given Albedo far more than he wished to. Was it the way they had asked pointed questions with that piercing gaze? Or perhaps, a darker force, one Alhaitham did not know- the kind of dark force in his own body he wished to never escape.

“Independent of Mondstat? Fontaine, perhaps? I wasn't aware of other science oriented elemental teaching facilities.” Alhaitham tried his hardest not to say ‘This sounds like bullshit’ out loud, which is a courtesy he rarely gives others. He doesn't do it out of goodwill, there's a suffocating energy in the quiet room. Usually he liked that. His sensors kept returning [UNKNOWN] or [UNIDENTIFIED] and it unsettled him. He refreshes his sensors again, in a self soothing way. Still no identification.

“The cardinal sins that no student should commit while a student in the Akademiya are as such; interfering with human evolution, tampering with life and death, delving beyond the universe, investigating the origin of words, revering gods without acts of devotion, and attempting the forbidden and fearing none. I would argue some of these are outdated and have been misapplied to certain projects, often out of prejudice. However, as the Acting Grand Sage, I am expected to uphold the rules.” He groaned, leaning back and staring at the ceiling.

“I don't like doing that. I think that this causes more trouble than it has to. More practical rules would fit a logical institution such as this, but I don't see fit to pass such radical laws as a temporary leader.” Why was he spilling his guts to Albedo? He hadn't even complained about this during Cyno's Invokation games with Kaveh and Tighnari, and that was where he typically did things like gossip and complain. He didn't trust the alchemist quite that much.

While he redirected his focus to the papers in front of him, he ran one more scan. Still. Nothing. The blonde was a mystery.

Something turned in where his gut should be and he's reminded he's not exactly clean either. He didn't know what he was- didn't seek to, intentionally- but he didn't feel like it was anyone's business but his own, and occasionally Kaveh's when he needed mild repairs. The lack of a human form shouldn't change anyone's opinion of him- he is still the same Alhaitham.

When he looked back up, he swore Albedo's ice cold eyes hadn't left him.

[akashicsystem]

“Independent of Mondstat? Fontaine, perhaps? I wasn't aware of other science oriented elemental teaching facilities.” Alhaitham tried his hardest not to say ‘This sounds like bullshit’ out loud, which is a courtesy he rarely gives others. He doesn't do it out of goodwill, there's a suffocating energy in the quiet room. Usually he liked that. His sensors kept returning [UNKNOWN] or [UNIDENTIFIED] and it unsettled him. He refreshes his sensors again, in a self soothing way. Still no identification.

“The cardinal sins that no student should commit while a student in the Akademiya are as such; interfering with human evolution, tampering with life and death, delving beyond the universe, investigating the origin of words, revering gods without acts of devotion, and attempting the forbidden and fearing none. I would argue some of these are outdated and have been misapplied to certain projects, often out of prejudice. However, as the Acting Grand Sage, I am expected to uphold the rules.” He groaned, leaning back and staring at the ceiling.

“I don't like doing that. I think that this causes more trouble than it has to. More practical rules would fit a logical institution such as this, but I don't see fit to pass such radical laws as a temporary leader.” Why was he spilling his guts to Albedo? He hadn't even complained about this during Cyno's Invokation games with Kaveh and Tighnari, and that was where he typically did things like gossip and complain. He didn't trust the alchemist quite that much.

While he redirected his focus to the papers in front of him, he ran one more scan. Still. Nothing. The blonde was a mystery.

Something turned in where his gut should be and he's reminded he's not exactly clean either. He didn't know what he was- didn't seek to, intentionally- but he didn't feel like it was anyone's business but his own, and occasionally Kaveh's when he needed mild repairs. The lack of a human form shouldn't change anyone's opinion of him- he is still the same Alhaitham.

When he looked back up, he swore Albedo's ice cold eyes hadn't left him.

So Cyno had indeed weaseled out of this one. Clever man. Alhaitham sighed softly and shuffled some papers on his desk, scanning the alchemist in front of him, quite literally so.

He's warm, but less like a human and more like a battery. No strong signs of ley line energy. Geo elemental energy, coming from their Vision, but a lack of warmth and numbers he was used to seeing. There is something he is picking up, and it gives the part of him he shoves down a headache. He wants to pull him apart until he can see what Albedo runs on- no, no. He doesn't want to do that. They're here for paper reviews. He wasn't as skilled in elemental science to comfortably review these projects, so Alhaitham had reached out to Cyno. Upon hearing of such a workload, Cyno had practically contracted it out to the alchemist before him. Surely this had nothing to do with the Genius Invokation release in Fontaine the week of project reviews.

“Acting Grand Sage, yes. Lord Kusanali refuses to let me quit just yet.” Alhaitham rolls his eyes, shaking the alchemist’s hand and sitting back down. “You have sufficient elemental and alchemical knowledge to review these projects with me, assuming Mondstat is capable of teaching their citizens. That is why we are here today. What I require from you is a critique of each project, its implementation, and a discussion with me on whether or not such a project is a good idea for the health and well-being of Sumeru and the Akademiya. Does that answer any questions you have?”

He was relieved Albedo seemed to be introverted, much like himself. Glimpsing at the first paper on his stack, he sees the words forbidden knowledge jump out at him. Kusanali save him.

He rubbed his temples with his fingers and tried to recalibrate his brain. Already he felt a headache coming on, and he didn't want to waste valuable time going to Kaveh and asking him to check his tension springs again. The less suspicious he looked, the shorter this would take.

“The closest food stall is a short walk from here, should you get hungry. I'll show you when the time arises.” He made an effort to accommodate for the human pitfalls everyone else around him seemed to have- but something about the way Albedo looked at him made him doubt they would be needed.

@sevrdfate