#aesthetecomplex

[phantomiaou]

why must you force me to play god, only to make me watch helplessly as you destroy my creations one by one? please don't come near any of my machinery ever again. i can't take this anymore. they're all I have in this life. please i'm begging you. don't even look at mehrak

"your computer has a design flaw. maybe i can get mehrak to scan it or whatever."

[dellarosula]

♡ blonds make up the dream team yfm

KAHVIA !!!

I FEEL YOU I DO the joint slay the combined serve it is unrivaled. they say two blonds don't make a right but they are Wrong

this is kind of just girlveh but genuinely otherwise it would have just been. navia. at least i was angling for like... frenchveh

i actually think this thing is kind of genetically predispositioned to be a mechanic of sorts. you take kaveh's life art and you throw in navia's dabbling in gunmaking.... are you seeing the vision.

[iustitians]

[RECALIBRATE] How frequently does your muse evaluate their own ways of thinking? Have they little self-insight/feel set in their minds for better or worse, or are they constantly questioning their own outlook? To the point of self-doubt, even?

Thought, learning and intellect headcanon asks for muses | no longer accepting

---

Oh god. I started casually answering this and then as I got further I had to open a Google Doc to keep notes, because the more I think about it the more I realize that Neuvillette is such a mixture of someone who is so open to new knowledge and yet at the same time so stuck on his own ways that it's actually kind of ridiculous. Okay let me try to be coherent for at least a moment.

So on the one hand...

How often does he re-evaluate his knowledge? Short answer is, all the time. Neuvillette came to Fontaine to learn about himself and who he is, due to losing many memories but also largely due to being born in human form. That means by extension learning about humanity, and that's what he's been doing all those centuries. He is also fully aware that there is much he doesn't know, he doesn't understand, and perhaps he doesn't truly have the potential to understand due to being a dragon. It's something he openly acknowledges. In that sense, he is certainly open to new discoveries and new knowledge, and re-adjusting and changing what he knew or what he thought he knew about humans and the world around him that now belongs to them.

And there certainly is a high degree of self-doubt involved, too - as I mentioned, he questions not only what he understands, but what he's capable of understanding in the first place. We see that at the beginning of his story quest - in spite of having lived in Fontaine for about 500 years, Neuvillette not only didn't consider himself a part of it, but also in fact didn't seem to even consider that a possibility to begin with. It took the experiences of that whole investigation, everyone pitching in willingly to help him, and then Wriothesley and the Traveler spelling things out for him, for him to begin to realize that both Fontaine and he have changed without him noticing. However, this kind of realization doesn't lead to immediate change. I'd say he's still processing all that to this day, to be honest.

But that doubt also seems to be at least part of what causes him to stand in place, or at least move forward very slowly. He appears to be his own greatest limitation, and that's where I say,

On the other hand...

How often he actually applies this new knowledge he has gained and adjusts to it is a whole different matter, and here my brain just returns a bunch of static noises as the answer. Because for all his openness to learning new things about the world, humans and himself, and for all his readiness to accept and acknowledge everything he had been wrong about, Neuvillette is a horribly inflexible person for whom many meaningful kinds of change take entire centuries to contemplate and then implement. Or try to, anyway. To a varying degree and with varying results. Like as an example, I'm pretty sure Furina has been trying to get him to loosen up and interact more with the human world for centuries, and finally after five hundred years, during the last Lantern Rite, he decided to give it a shot. Finally he was going to implement what he had learned about humanity in all that time by initiating some sort of activity on his own!

So he went to one place in Liyue, tried one new thing, and went back to work after half a day. Good job, buddy.

But hey, baby steps.

And perhaps part of the problem, in addition to the self-doubt issue I mentioned earlier, is something that he himself mentions at the end of Lantern Rite, and something I've been thinking a lot with regards to him recently: he is hardly bereft of time. He is under no pressure to learn and change quickly and rapidly. Of course, this does not apply to matters related to his work, and this kind of knowledge will be put in practice much more effectively. For example, the serial disappearances case taught him that people will sacrifice themselves for spiritual needs as well as each other, so now he will know to consider that as a possible realistic motive in future cases. But matters related to his work are human matters, and human matters are under more time pressure - and time itself is also a human matter.

When it comes to changing himself, he is in no rush because he does not need to rush. He has all the time in the world. If he doesn't understand something now, he can take a couple decades or centuries to think about it. He has too much time.

And sometimes one has to wonder whether that's a good or a bad thing.

tl;dr he's a mess that needs to be studied in a lab

[trailblczed]

hc + 🧡 for a friendship-themed headcanon

themed headcanon prompts | accepting.

Caelus has some small co-dependency issues. Not necessarily attached to anyone in particular, but to all of his close friends ( though especially applied to the Astral Express Family ). He does not like to be alone for very long a majority of the time. He has to be with someone he knows in order to be comfortable- or has to be someone recommended by someone he trusts/is close to him.

He often makes visits to the friends he's made on each mission, wanting to make sure that he sees them at minimum once every two weeks. If he can get a phone or video call from them that lasts a few hours then he can go a tad longer without seeing them in person. Otherwise, he starts to feel unease, even if he knows that his friend is completely fine and safe.

[dukemeropide]

30. What is their preferred level of activity and stimulation? How do they cope if they get either too little or too much?

Character Dev Questions | still accepting

This answer, unlike the last ones, is mostly headcanon. By and large, I think Wriothesley prefers mental stimulation over physical, contrary to how he may appear (I think back to all the impressions that came out around the time that his designs were leaked, most of which tended to lean more on Big Tough Guy Who Lets His Fists Do The Talking which, while different from canon, is still valuable in conveying how he might come across at a glance, and what kind of assumptions a stranger might make about him). I pull this idea from the fact that he has multiple lines about picnicking in the sun, or lying in the grass, and that his favorite time of day seems to be when he can have his afternoon tea. All of this portrays a character who enjoys physical leisure.

Where does boxing fit in? Wriothesley says it himself: it's not a hobby. From his character stories, we're told that boxing has always been a means to an end for him, first to gather strength and tools to kill his foster parents, and then later to win the credit coupons needed to survive in the Fortress of Meropide. We're also told that after becoming the prison's administrator, he doesn't fight in the Pankration ring much anymore. He's earned himself a comfortable life at this point, and no longer needs to rely on this to make a living. His line about the imitation Pankration ring for the teapot also has him declining the offer to fight in it.

All that is to say: I think if given the choice, in terms of physical activity, Wriothesley would prefer lazing in the sun all day. Obviously, he's muscular and fit, but like with boxing, this is probably borne from necessity.

Mental stimulation, on the other hand... his office is full of books. He talks about how he'd sought out the long lost history of Remuria and read history texts on it just out of his own curiosity. His character stories say that he has "always seemed to be preparing for something," whether that be learning to build meka to defend himself with, amassing credit coupons to take down the last administrator, or building a flying ship for some vague disaster in the uncertain future. Wriothesley comes across as the kind of person who needs projects, and planning for and building toward those projects is rewarding for him. Likewise, his drive to learn appears to be at least partly driven by the possibility that such information might be useful one day, which also seems to be what drives his interest in listening to other people's stories (i.e. finding people he might be able to hire for projects later on).

Overall, I think he has a high tolerance for both mental and physical stimulation (I imagine you'd need to, to run a prison), but to cope with having too much of either, from these two lines --

(Teapot: Nighttime) Wriothesley: The daytime hours are always full of sound and fury, so I've developed a habit of saving work that requires more considered thinking for the evening. Wriothesley: However… I'll pass on that while I'm here. Allow me to space out for a little longer.

(Good Night voice line) "Good night. I'll be staying up for a little while yet — want to run some numbers while everything's nice and quiet."

-- it sounds like he seeks quiet solitude after the bustle of the day, whether to work or to simply unwind and space out for a bit.

[entwinefates]

💐 here ya go paimon!

it's may day! send 💐 to give my muse a flower basket!

      ‎‎ ❝ ohoho, trying to sneak your way onto paimon's good side, are you? ❞      ‎‎ though unlikely to be kaveh's true intentions, the way the little fae's round, cherubic face splits into a cheery smile suggests it's working nonetheless. with her face cradled in the warmth of her palms, constellations whirl in the air as she admires the flower basket, all azure and lush and delicate petals in full bloom. as expected of sumeru's most passionate aesthete! if the sabzeruz festival ever hosted a flower arrangement competition, paimon would award every blue ribbon in her possession.

      ‎‎ ❝ WAIT WAIT WAIT ⸻ KAVEH, PERFECT TIMING! ❞      ‎‎ joy blossoms into excitement as the little fae realizes the opportunity presented to her. mindful enough to set the basket down first, paimon rolls back into a pocket of stars and reappears to the side, eagerly searching through the traveler's bag. she's a little less mindful about dumping the traveler's belongings on the ground, but eventually she discovers what she's looking for and proudly displays a hardcover book.

      ‎‎ ❝ get this: after al-haitham sent paimon those books, she's been reading up a storm ever since! not only the advanced reading materials but inazuman light novels and fontanian detective novels too. her new favorite's this about a private investigator who⸻ ❞      ‎‎ hands fly to her mouth, starlight eyes widening.       ‎‎ ❝ eek, that's the trouble with all good books: everything's amazing, so it's hard to reveal anything without spoilers. hmm, you should definitely read for it yourself and go in as blind as possible, okay? ❞

      ‎‎ ❝ speaking of reading, that got paimon thinking and⸻hold onto your feather!⸻what if we started a book club together? we could invite everyone we know, even our faraway friends, cast our votes for a book to read together, and meet up discuss it over some delicious food. whaddaya think? ❞

[inscryptions]

there are three constants: the sun, the moon, and alhaitham’s ability to grind kaveh's gears. an unfortunate reality in its own right, though the architect ought to be grateful for any semblance of stability and reliability in his life, considering how often things (and people) seem to slip through his fingers.

the past is complicated, and relationships even more so. a stranger turns into a best friend, and a best friend to…well. whatever this is now. in an odd way, it reminds kaveh of the thesis he once ripped up and pieced back together all those years ago — still comprehensible, though far removed from its original state. 

but even in the face of never-ending arguments and bickering, there is an indisputable truth to contend with: alhaitham has done for him what others have not. and though kaveh is loathe to admit it, he finds that the most unshakeable part of his life is a friend that will never change — for better or for worst. 

he waits for alhaitham to step out before sneaking into the other's bedroom. it’s there that kaveh places a bottle of wine on the nightstand, along with a book titled, “In Other Words — A Unique Collection of “Untranslatable,” Culturally-Bound Words Across Teyvat.” 

A note is stuck to its cover: 

“I skimmed through this and thought you'd find it interesting. ”

With a P.S at the bottom:

“In the spirit of the New Year, drink to whatever it is that makes you happy in your own time. Just make sure you wash your glass after. I've already done the dishes.”

Signed with a flourish,  - Kaveh 

Oh.

I shouldn't be so surprised, considering how sentimental the man is, but finding that Kaveh has obtained gifts for me still takes me off-balance a bit. Perhaps I have only my history with him to blame for my lack of expectation, in which case he has succeeded at springing this gift on me. And how thoughtful it is, as befitting the man: a copy of In Other Words, which despite the resources at my disposable I had had yet to get my hands on the most recent version; and a rather delectable-looking vintage that based on its appearance will do well for welcoming the beginning of the new year. Despite the words on the note, he must've spent some time finding and procuring these items, and for a moment I wonder how much he spent on them. If he hadn't saved up beforehand... well, it makes me curious, and hopeful that he was able to get a good commission preceding their acquisition. And that, of course, he didn't spend all of said commission on these gifts.

I like to think that after so long I have become well-versed in the particular language that is Kaveh, and for all that we (more often than not) rile each other up after our fall-out, we still have at least a shadow of the friendship we once shared. This present wishing me a cordial New Year's is evidence of that on his end. After everything, he still cares in some way, shape, or form. It's... kind of nice, these little moments in which I realize all over again that our brotherhood, though tattered and torn to shreds, was not irreparably burned to ashes.

And now I don't feel as nervous or silly about the new foreign toolset I snuck in his nightstand. If he hadn't gifted me anything, he would've most likely felt embarrassment at having nothing with which to reciprocate as well as believed he'd incurred a debt and attempted to pay it back and, well, that's one headache I definitely don't need. Apparently our timing lined up well in the end, and how funny is that? (I don't think I'll be able to keep a straight face however if that Fontainian curve ruler makes its way into his hair with the rest of his architectural accountrements. No doubt it works well for him, and it still gets me every time that it does so well. It's very Kaveh, now that I think about it.)

I chuckle as I take both presents and hunt down a clean goblet before pouring myself a glass and sitting down to crack open the book. Now I want to see his reaction to the toolset if only for the look on his face.

"Mm, happy New Year indeed."

[aevitium]

✧ ˖ @aesthetecomplex asked:

[PAPER KITES] the sun begins its descent now, painting the sky in vibrant shades of orange and pink. wispy clouds catch the dying light, turning a soft shade of lavender as they drift lazily overhead. seabirds glide gracefully on the breeze, their calls mingling with the distant sound of crashing waves. "you seem like you're enjoying yourself," kaveh remarks, his tone pleasant. he joins her on the soft sand, and with a contented smile, the architect leans back, propping himself up on his elbows. he gazes upward at her kite, watching as it twists and twirls with each gust of wind. "what's the inspiration behind your design?"

Attention flits lazily to her company, the already fond smile on her expression curling invitingly. Never one to object to a new friend-- a new life to become acquainted with, a new story to learn-- she welcomes the addition to her evening.

"Of course I am," comes her hum of agreement, "the weather is perfect, the sky is beautiful..." A dreamy sigh. It has been so long since she last could enjoy a place like this, and though the quiet of her old friends' absences hangs heavy around her shoulders, Elysia takes it as little more than a challenge to enjoy it enough for the twelve of them.

Or ten, now, a thought that serves only to soften her expression more.

"Hm?" His second question catches her in that thought, steals her from it with a breath of laughter. "Oh, it's just a reminder of an old friend." She offers the spool it is tied to, an invitation. "I like to imagine it's me up there, carried by the wind among the clouds... Oh, I know it's silly, but I would love to be a kite myself. Though I suppose a bird is more reasonable..."

[fanfaire]

[ drinks on me ]

the sun hangs high in the sky, casting a warm, honeyed glow over the sand. the salty breeze carries with it the scent of the sea, mingling with the faint aroma of sunscreen and smoke that wafts in from the direction of the harpastum games.

kaveh waits for furina off to the side — with not one, but two drinks in tow.

"i wasn't sure which you'd prefer, so i got both just to be safe," he says with a smile. "i figured you'd need something refreshing after all that running around." in his right hand, a glass of sparkling berry juice. in his left, a frosty concoction made of berries & mint. "you can have both if you'd like. i prefer something stronger, personally."

SHE HADN'T EXPECTED TO BREAK SUCH A SWEAT. maybe it was the outfit she chose. . . maybe it was her decision to keep her hat, even in such menacing heat. with the games concluded, she's more than eager to take it off, fanning herself with its brim amid a deep breath and sigh to clear the last of the tension from her shoulders. a glimmer of the vision at her hip, and a twisting vine of water manifests la chanteuse at her side, her cooling presence bringing a smile of gratitude from the girl in turn.

a flicker of color in her periphery, and furina's attention turns next to the familiar face approaching her with— oh, a pair of drinks? one for himself and one for her, she presumes ; lips part upon a smile to thank him, but he speaks first, revealing her assumption to in fact fall short of his generosity.

". . . both? oh. . . " mouth shapes a small, perfect ' o ' as she takes this in. and in the next instant, it's gone, almost a mirage. she nods, reaching for the one on the left with an elegant acceptance.

"how thoughtful of you! i am parched after that exercise ; you wouldn't realize that tossing around a few balls could be such a workout. but i'll help myself to just the one. you take the other ; it'd only be right."

( she will not let her eyes linger on that sparkling berry juice, no matter how tantalizing it smells ; something that sweet could only set back her regimen by at least a week, and she would never hear the end of it from crabaletta! )

"but where were you, kaveh? i saw you spectating from the side, but surely you didn't think yourself too old to be playing this kind of game anymore, do you?" the look of chastisement, hand upon hip, is almost dry — as though to say ' consider carefully who you're talking to '.

[fragrantwisp]

MORTAL

send MORTAL for a scene from my muse's past in which they had a brush with death, either themselves or someone close to them / / — accepting.

she's thirteen when she learns the fragility of life. her grandpa, built sturdier than the peaks of mt. tianheng, had grown ill. his large hands, thrice the size of her own feeble ones, could only squeeze with fading strength.

she knew that with life comes death. and following death comes new life. a cycle that never rests. only mortals were allowed that luxury at the end. lessons that were instilled since a younger age. however, the weight of such lessons never became fully realized until now.

"please don't leave me." she's knelt by his bedside. hushed prayers masked as whimpers echoing off the room's walls. precocious she may be, in the end, she was still a child. a child who couldn't bear to lose family.

he chuckles in response, aged lines creasing further across his face. not a hint of fear could be found: in his voice, eyes, demeanor, nor heart. to the 75th director, death was akin to an old friend. a friend kind enough to wait. so he cherished the precious time remaining to be with little hu.

because even on his death bed, old hu was very much still alive.

[phantomiaou]

let me guess. u also have an annoying man in ur life?

they all think they can hide things from you. one day i'll enter bite mode and then you will realize

[sunlightamed]

[Cathedral] Your muse finds mine at the Favonius Cathedral. / have ya ever thought about architecture, klee?

neffikins teyvat prompts ( accepting! )

little sun was surprised at the shine of another, golden ━ haired person inside the cathedral; someone that wasn't herself or barbara! however, despite her enthusiastic curiosity, it wouldn't take more than a glance to notice how strange the man appeared. not that he, himself, was a frowner like diluc or a fun ━ yet ━ weird person like fischl, but he simply didn't look familiar. and klee made it her job to know everyone in mondstadt!

though she had meant to spend the day at albedo's feet, beneath his desk, as she experimented with the new gunpowder from an already ━ destroyed hillichurl camp, klee could save that for later. especially since this man might need a guide, if his foreign ( but very pretty and intricate ) fashion was anything to assume. which klee did often! uh, with good intentions, of course!

"hiya, mister!" klee smiled up at him, unaware of how the man seemed to be focused on the walls of the cathedral, bouncing on the balls of her feet as she continued, "you're really pretty! i like your hair, it's almost like mine. uhhh, not really, since klee's hair is lighter, but it's somewhat similar. either way, we're matching!"

before she could continue, there was a light shush from a nearby nun, a reasonable response, as klee had been happily yapping in her outdoor voice instead of her indoor one. ( lisa had taught her that one; the indoor and outdoor voice! ) klee nodded and waved, apologetically of course, before turning back to the pretty, blonde man.

"as pretty as the cathedral is, klee knows more pretty buildings she can show you. do you wanna play outside? i can show you around mondstadt as we play. and━━ohhhhh, wait, sorry, klee hadn't even introduced herself. here," little sun paused and, after turning around in a circle, smiled brightly up at him as she exclaimed, "i'm klee! spark knight klee of the knights of favonius! now, do you wanna play?"

[sweepingthunder]

[ICE CREAM]

beneath the shade of a generous palm frond, kaveh reclines in tranquil repose, settled into a plush beach chair, his toes buried in the warm embrace of sun-kissed sand.

in his hand, a simple bowl holds three scoops of mango, passionfruit, and pineapple ice cream. he samples a spoonful of each thoughtfully, savoring the flavors before turning to his new companion.

"not bad," he muses. "though, i'll admit it's a touch sweeter than what i'm used to. where i'm from, something like this would be balanced with spices or nuts to temper the sugar content — things like saffron, pistachios, or cardamom, for example."

another delicate spoonful finds its way to his lips. "and what of your homeland?" kaveh inquires, his eyes flashing curiously. "what sort of desserts are served there?"

A much simpler bowl sat in the generals lap, a pair of sunglasses being brought up to rest on his forehead. Gazing at Kaveh, Jing Yuan would look at his own treat, thinking back to the Luofu and its desserts.

"We have all kinds of treats. And while I normally prefer a savory food like beef patties, I am a big fan of... well we call it Immortal's Delight. It's a type of bubble tea, if you've ever had it. It's an ice cream and coffee mixture, with whipped cream and caramel swirled into it." Possibly the sweetest thing Jing Yuan has ever tasted, it was a personal favorite on long nights... Or whenever he wanted a reason to leave the office.

His own bowl was a reflection of his tastes, a mocha and caramel swirl, which he ate leisurely, even if it meant the ice cream melted. "And, perhaps this is my own taste, but the fruitiness of your bowl is certainly not my go-to. I think in your instance, some honey or hazelnuts, or something a bit more savory might make it easier to eat."

[mabiku]

[COCONUT]

on the pristine, sun-drenched beach, the sound of gentle waves fills the air. the golden sand, warm underfoot, stretches endlessly along the shoreline, dotted with seashells and the occasional piece of driftwood. palm trees sway lightly in the tropical breeze, their fronds casting dappled shadows.

kaveh approaches the familiar figure near the water’s edge. "commissioner!" he calls out, his voice carrying over the rhythmic surf. "what a happy surprise. i didn't expect to find you here." and indeed, the architect is pleased to see ayato — it shows in his quickened pace, and his smile, warm and welcoming. "have you been here long?"

he slides himself into a nearby chair, its woven texture slightly rough against his skin, and extends a coconut drink. "i thought you might like to try this. they say the act of drinking directly from the coconut, unprocessed and pure, connects one to the simplicity and authenticity of nature —a practice often celebrated as a return to idyllic, unspoiled beauty."

The quietest of smiles is, in Ayato's language, among the loudest and fondest. Like to a petal floating atop a glassy lake, small of size yet infinite in effect, ripples reaching the furthest corners with vast stories to tell; the cause being a certain Sumeran architect, of course. Amber seaside dunes as far underfoot as the eyes could see and the legs could traverse with another existence of warm gold to join them beside.

"Mister Kaveh. I see the day is full of pleasant surprises. My time here has not been long, but I see now there is ever more reason for me to stay." Gracious acceptance of the natural coconut drink occurs across two hands, though his attention does not stray from the other man. A masterpiece and an artist both placed before him and it is clear who he would first honor. "I have been judged with accuracy. Your thoughts are correct—and expressed even as a poet would. Such evocative meaning does plenty to entice both interest and thirst. I would be pleased to try it."

Offered a rustic drink by someone not born into his clan, the regular protocol of checking first with tasting servants nevertheless does not apply. There is no threat of poisoning, no underhanded motivations to prove a hazard either, for it is precisely because Kaveh is not Inazuman that such ideas would pale of their color. Instead it concerns a gift between friends, one of which he sips, ruminates, and expresses pleasure with an approving nod.

"Mm, delightful. I imagine this is something that my younger sister too would enjoy." And with that, Ayato goes lax in his chair. With the vastness of the ocean before him, one could say that he is surrounded by his element, but there is none that he would greater prefer than this pleasant company; their flowing conversation and a chilled drink on a rare hour of repose.

[dukemeropide]

[JADE TALISMAN] ruby eyes light up once he spots a familiar face by the kiosk. kaveh waves wriothesley over, relieved to see the duke's decided to take him up on his offer. (a debt has to be paid off, after all — hadn't he once forced the man away from his well-earned coffee?)

"have you been enjoying your time off?" kaveh asks, only to briefly turn away. he then draws forth a small parcel and letter, offering both to his guest. "this is long overdue, but thankfully the timing's worked out for us. the rite really is something, isn't it?"

Wriothesley, I'll admit that our last run-in left quite the impression on me — in more ways than one, as I'm sure you can imagine. Have you worked with jade before? Its hard exterior presents even the most experienced craftsmen with a laborious challenge. To carve and shape the stone into a new product is a tedious process in every meaning of the word. That's what makes the end result such an impressive feat. Every profession comes with its own hardships, yours being no different. I won't pretend to know them, but from our time together, I feel confident drawing this comparison. Working with unyielding exteriors is a taxing process in of itself. I would guess that, much like jade, it takes skill, patience, and an unwavering will to help shape a broken person into a polished gem. You grant people the opportunity to change and evolve. I'd argue there's no gift as precious. After all, what is the point of living if we can't mold our existence into something meaningful? Just as you instill hope in others, I sincerely hope the new year affords you the same. Regardless of the path you choose, may your choices bring you great peace and prosperity.

Signed with a flourish,

— Kaveh

RECEIVED: Jade Talisman, Modified Storage Box A round disk roughly the size of one's palm. Two dancing dragons have been etched onto its surface - a testament to the aptitude of Liyue's craftsmen. It has been placed into a metallic box with emulative designs. Inspired by their first run-in (and perhaps the recipient's interest in Mehrak?) the gifter has taken it upon himself to equip it with abilities emulating his beloved toolbox's. Largely simplified, of course, but should the recipient be curious enough to investigate...

Encountering faces both new and old is the heart of Liyue’s Lantern Rite, so glimpsing the Sumeran architect among the crowd of festival-goers - an eye-catching gem in his own right, yet carefully fitted in the middle of the mirth and merriment like he had belonged there all along - comes with not as much surprise as it does joy. Although their last meeting had been mostly one-sided, it had not sullied the impression the man had left on Wriothesley, so he joins Kaveh at the nearby table with an amicable smile.

"Truthfully, I didn't expect to run into so many familiar faces here, but I suppose that's a testament to the Rite's fame,” he says as he pulls the chair out on the other side of the small, round table. It’s the last one with any open space, Wriothesley notices, and glances back half-apologetically.

”You weren’t saving this spot for anyone, were you?” He can’t entirely believe that Kaveh would be here by himself, or that he had not been waiting for someone else to join him, but he decides to take the invitation, and Kaveh’s assurance, at face value, and settles into the chair with arms folded across his chest. With an entire sea between them ordinarily, the opportunity to catch up is a rare and precious one, and Wriothesley has a number of questions ready to pick back up where they had left off. Kaveh, however, beats him to it. The little box he presents, resembling a Sumeran meka, renders him speechless for half a beat - the only sign that the Duke, rarely caught off guard, has finally lost his footing.

“I don’t remember wagering a bet with you,” he recovers lightheartedly, uncrossing his arms and leaning forward to accept the gift, first turning it over to examine the details of the box, then opening it to the beautifully crafted charm housed within. Such a token of sincerity is almost foreign to him, and for all of his experience with the theatrical art of gift-giving and receiving in Fontaine, Wriothesley finds himself at a loss, expression soft, a thoughtful smile illuminated by the green glow from the box’s projection, as he holds the gift in reverent silence.

“Is this your design?” he asks after a moment, glancing back across the table at Kaveh. “That reminds me: I’d actually hoped to meet you again to talk about a commission…”

- - -

Only once alone does Wriothesley open the accompanying letter to read its heartfelt contents. The words describe a man he would liken to the jade artisans to which the letter draws its comparison more than to his own reflection, and he finds it difficult to believe that he had left such an impression on the architect during their brief acquaintance. It’s a precious reminder, however, of the way water shapes the seabed, and the seabed shapes the shore, and hidden between the lines, Wriothesley thinks he can catch glimpses of the author himself.

When he returns to his office in the Fortress of Meropide, he adds the letter to a small collection stored away in an unassuming drawer in his office, on top of the letter conferring his title and a commendation penned by the Iudex. On the edge of his desk, near his phonograph, he sets the metal box in a place where he can always see it.

[trailblczed]

[NOODLES] hmm. a strange material — long, vibrant tubes in hues of electric blue, neon green, and shocking pink. surprisingly buoyant as well, he notes, as they seem to float effortlessly, bobbing up and down with the gentle lull of the waves.

kaveh picks one up, finding it light and slightly squishy. easily bendable. almost like a firm, resilient sponge. hmmmm. the potential is there for applications in water-based architecture; perhaps floating platforms or lightweight bridges of some kind. practical for rapid assembly and disassembly of temporary projects. something to think about. he turns to a nearby stranger, brows furrowed in thought, yet voice friendly and amicable. "have you tested these out already? it seems like they have a multitude of uses."

Caelus still finds it weird that even though he is terrible at remembering names ( of people, places, or things ) , he has this uncanny ability to just.. know how to do rather specific tasks ( ie: help Arrum Alley start functioning as a tourist destination yet again after being financially troubled and loss of public interest- when has he ever been a manager? Or pathway sculptor? Never as far as he can recall.. but he just managed to complete rather complicated tasks with little to no difficulty on his first attempt? That gotta be odd... right? ) or how to use items that the silver has never seen before since waking up in Herta Space Station.

So while yet again baffled at how Caelus seemingly knows what a "pool noodle" was used for, while not knowing the name, he isn't all too shocked as seemingly scripted words spill out an amused grin.

❛ Well... "tested out" is kind of vague, but I guess you could count the few times I've fought a few people in a friendly fight as "testing it out".

I think you could also use them to help those new to swimming to stay afloat? Though you can't just stand on them like a surfboard-- they are not designed to really hold up a lot of weight, simply to keep things from sinking too deep------ Ah... Huh.. ❜

Interesting.. a "surfboard"...? What even is that? Something one.. stands on.. in the water... the lad guesses? First time to randomly know the title of something but not have the purpose or image of it at the ready.. Should--- Should Caelus be concerned? Is he gonna start having a encyclopedia of untapped information stored in him now? No surely not... right?