#KAVEH??? NOT USING TITLES?? WHEN HE HAS DONE SO IN EVERY OPPORTUNITY SO FAR

[iridescentmirrorsgenshin]

i think it's a really nice detail that titles like 'senior' and 'junior' are omitted when it comes to alhaitham and kaveh in cyno's story quest ii as it really ties nicely into the progression of their relationship

in the archon quest, in the npc dialogue, kaveh uses his senior status over alhaitham in order to get the truth pertaining to the overturning of the sages, which alhaitham refutes by saying that kaveh should use his abilities, as a senior, to uncover the truth for himself, effectively refuting this status. in kaveh's hangout, kaveh is seen to do the same to alhaitham by asserting that alhaitham should respect his senior's work, which alhaitham entertains sarcastically. and in a parade of providence, alhaitham calls into question the contradiction of kaveh continually asserting his title as a senior when kaveh's problematic decision making leads him to pass out in the desert.

in all of these instances, alhaitham's dismissal of kaveh's status of a 'senior' is a slight on kaveh's pride, and only serves to heighten the contention between them, as kaveh perceives alhaitham as looking down on him - potentially a reason for his consistency in claiming this title, as it is the only solid tie he has to alhaitham, and the only recognised leverage he has over alhaitham.

this usage of titles contributes to a power imbalance, in which kaveh attempts to gain 'correctness' over alhaitham, which is ultimately disregarded by alhaitham in a parade of providence as he says to kaveh that 'correctness' doesn't matter, and that they have long moved past this issue, insinuating that there are different reasons for the problems, the miscommunication, between them

narratively, it makes sense that this point of contention seems to have been smoothed over in cyno's story quest ii as the two's relationship has softened considerably, and that a new understanding seems to have taken place between them. the two work in tandem, researching together, spending time together in, and out, of their shared home, and the bitterness is completely gone from their dialogue. they respect, and listen, to the other's opinion, and work off of each other in order to form conclusions.

kaveh seems secure in his position as alhaitham's equal, and as such, alhaitham is regarded as kaveh's equal in turn. there is no reference to the superiority of a senior's expertise, correctness has been disregarded, and with this, an unequal power imbalance - the two have surpassed this issue on their road to reconciliation