#and that's why i love their secret conversation in pardis dhyai!!

[protect-namine]

the thing is, I really like traveler. but my favorite thing about traveler is their carefully balanced relationship with teyvat.

they're divine/non-human but they pretend anyway and don't correct people who think they're human (they also don't even really hide it from those who figure it out). they are kind and helpful and but go-with-the-flow and most of the time it's paimon setting that flow and prodding us to save people. they are beloved by teyvat but the moment they see their sibling they immediately say, "<abysss twin> let's go home!"

they don't lie but they also don't tell paimon everything (like how they were there during khaenri'ah, or any of their secret conversations with scaramouche or venti). they don't share their true name, and only use the player-given alias.

they love teyvat, but they always set some kind of distance and doesn't yet see it as home, not without the abyss twin. and who's to say they won't leave once they reunite? I think this part of them is really fascinating

[sha-n-dowbannedlol]

Alhaitham — Nothing ever goes according to plan

It is no secret that Alhaitham is a man of many talents and extreme knowledge—however, one thing that he is willing to admit that he knows little to nothing about is the Art of Romance. Which is why when he caught wind of the budding feelings that he had for you, and when he realized that he actually wants to do something about said feelings, he turned to the one thing he knew he could trust; books.

(No matter how much Kaveh claims to be an expert on the topic, Alhaitham would much rather eat his own shoe than to approach his roommate for advice.)

Which lead to his situation now. The book in his hand was surprisingly quite heavy, a few inches thick with red leather as covering. He almost lets out a scowl as his gaze traces the gold lettering spelling out the title of the book.

Introduction to the Psychology of Love and Attraction.

"Give them a bouquet of flowers"

"Which flowers would be optimal for a confession?" The forest ranger's ears twitch, looking at Alhaitham with a raised brow, quoting the gray-haired man's words, "What's gotten into you, Alhaitham?"

The Scribe inwardly cringes, he knew he should've just went into the House of Daena and researched himself, but when he managed to catch the sight of a certain former botanical scholar turned forest ranger, he couldn't stop himself from approaching him and asking the question. Tighnari furrows his brows to think, before turning his back to Alhaitham and tending to one of the many flowers planted in Pardis Dhyai.

"Red tulips declare love, begging the recipient to believe in your confession. Gerbera Daisies shows desire for a relationship. Sunflowers can be used to tell someone their presence brightened up your life. Garden Cosmos may mean to cherish the one you love. Geranium can send the message that they make you happy, and daffodils can represent self-love or a plea; 'please respond to my love'. Or you can just go with the usual red roses." Tighnari responds without a moment's pause, his voice leveled and neutral, just stating facts and information for Alhaitham to absorb, "Though, these messages may vary depending on the source material you've read, but these are the first ones that came to mind."

"Thank you," The gray-haired man no longer sees any reason to prolong this conversation, "I would appreciate it if no one hears of this conversation,"

"Don't worry," The forest ranger didn't turn to face the scribe, but he did wave Alhaitham goodbye, "I don't think anyone will care enough to ask."

Alhaitham didn't waste any more time and headed to the nearest florist, and with the florist's expertise, it didn't take long before they created the optimal bouquet that he could give you to wordlessly clue you in to his feelings. Sure enough, the florist was quick to notice the language that the bouquet was trying to send and teased Alhaitham about it which he pointedly ignore, giving them the payment for the arrangement and acquiring it from their hands before he headed off.

Much to his dismay, however, he couldn't find you anywhere. As it turns out, you left town earlier in the day for your research, the scholar that informed Alhaitham didn't comment on the obvious disappointment on the Scribe's face as he was informed of your whereabouts. But he eventually shrugged it off, you'll be back soon enough. He can just place these flowers in a vase at home (Kaveh would be sure to have one of those laying around) and give them to you when you come back.

Unfortunately, at the day of your return, Alhaitham was greeted with the horrifying sight of a blank vase.

"Kaveh, have you seen the flowers in this vase?"

"Oh?" Kaveh glances up from his plates he's working on, taking quick look at the vase before looking back down at his work, "I threw them away."

Alhaitham almost exploded.

".....What?"

"They already wilted, what, was I supposed to keep it?"

The architect looks up again, mouth still open and was about to give another jab at his roommate but said roommate has already rushed his ay to the door, and the only thing Kaveh caught sight of was the door closing.

"Weird."

Alhaitham looks on with horror at the sight of the closed shop of the florist, and he fell into even more despair at the sign written at the front of the shop, indicating that they will be closed for quite a while.

To rub even more salt to the wound, you actively sought him out that day because a certain scholar couldn't keep their mouths shut about him searching for you, and here you are now asking him as to why the Scribe of the Akademiya was searching for you—outside of his work hours, even.

"The record you borrowed last time," he lied, "It's already past its due date."

"Ah, of course!"

"Know more about their interests, try to indulge yourself in them"

"the main lead from that romantic novel... I love him! He's definitely my type! My ideal man!"

Alhaitham didn't mean to overhear your private conversation with someone else, but it's not like he cares. It doesn't interest him if a fictional character has managed to catch your eye, at the end of the day, that guy is just a figment of imagination anyway. Just a character made up by a bunch or words written in a page.

He truly doesn't care.

Besides, an ideal is just that. An ideal. Nothing more than a fantasy.

He made his way to the House of Daena, eyes sharp as he examines the spine of various books arranged in a neat fashion, keeping an eye out on certain book he's looking for. It took him half of the day before giving up and leaving the library, the book he's searching for still nowhere in sight. The sun is no longer as scalding hot as it was in the noon when the Scribe exits the Akademiya, making a quick trip from one store to another to search for his book but to no avail. The sun was already setting by the time he finally makes his way home, the book he looked so hard for now in his hands.

Entering his home, he basked in the silence from the absence of his roommate, crossing his legs and opening the book in his lap. He can finally read in peace.

"Which physics book are you reading now?" Alhaitham sighs at the familiar voice that rang, followed by the front door closing as the roommate finally made his appearance,

"It's called 'None of your business'."

"Oh, really?" the sarcasm heavily dripped from Kaveh's words, "What's it about?"

"It's a fictional story about the light of Kshahrewar finally minding his own business for once and not bothering his roommate."

"You-" Kaveh's words die down in his throat in shock, his crimson gaze landing on the book being held in the scribe's hand, the words written at the cover catching his attention, "Wait.. I know that book.."

Alhaitham took that as a sign to leave, snapping the book shut in his hand before getting up and turning his back towards the architect.

"Alhaitham," Kaveh's words were of disbelief, the architect glued to his spot near the doorway,

"Are you reading a romantic novel--?"

"If you're going to be hammering things tonight, do it outside."

He slams the door to his room shut with a scowl.

He can't even read in peace.

He just wanted to know what you like so much about this male lead and he can't even do that with that man around.

"Make sure to look out for them"

thump!

A bag was dropped in front of you, prompting you to look up only to be met with the face of the one and only Alhaitham. You confusion must have been showing because he was quick to answer your question without you even voicing them out.

"My roommate made too much food this morning and he asked me to drop it to you." he lied. He figured there wasn't a need for you to know that he woke up extra early today to gather the best ingredients just so he can cook something he deems to be perfect enough as a gift for you.

All of it was worth it, he concludes, as he sees the glint of pure happiness in your eyes at the sight of free food. You were quick to pull the bag towards you, opening it up to take a peek inside the bag.

"Thank you, please send my re-" you were suddenly cut off, and Alhaitham frowns in concern as the excitement in your features was washed away and replaced with disappointment instead. He blinks as you close the bag once again before pushing it towards him.

"I'm sorry, Alhaitham, but... I can't accept this."

"Why?"

"I'm.... allergic to this."

For the first time in his entire life, he suddenly felt the need to slam his head against the wall. Repeatedly.

How- how in the world did he overlook your allergies?

"I see, that is unfortunate." He didn't allow even a drop of his emotion to seep through his words, picking the bag up once again, "I'll be sure to let him know."

"And of course, go on a date."

"Ms. Nilou has a performance at the Grand Bazaar tonight, Care to join me?"

"Are you... talking to me?" The look of disbelief on your face made Alhaitham sigh exasperatedly.

"Is there anyone else within earshot around here?" He responds, a deadpan look on his face.

"I would love to!" you exclaim in response,

Once again, he is graced by the sight of your wide smile, an excited glimmer in your eyes that never failed to make his heart beat rapidly. His breath hitched in his throat as that beautiful smile was finally aimed towards him, and his thoughts has gone haywire. But of course, you were none the wiser, you never could know what he's thinking with that emotionless look on his face.

However, your smile immediately turns to a frown when you seem to have remembered something, and Alhaitham squeezes his eyes shut as he braces himself for another rejection.

"But... I have an exam coming up, I can't slack off." You sounded so disappointed that he couldn't fault you for cancelling even before plans were made,

"Nothing ever goes according to plan.." he sighs, muttering under his breath. He turns his head away from you, his gaze looking off into the far distance.

You frown at the sight. It occurs to you that you weren't the only one disappointed with not being able to go see Nilou's performance with him. You can't help the guilt that start to well up in your chest at the sad look in Alhaitham's eyes.

"Haitham.." you call out to him, and he turns to look at you with a hum. "Why don't you help me study instead?"

His eyes widen for a fraction of a second in surprise at your suggestion, and you almost blurted out that you were just joking and you couldn't possibly waste his precious time. However, his surprised look morphed into one of soft fondness, an almost unnoticeable smile etched on his lips as his usually sharp eyes now look gentle.

"I guess I can do that."