#speaking of: kaz ofc has full permission to be savage so plz don't feel like you have to hold him back for this idiot's sake 😂

[howthesleeplesswander]

starter for @greedbent ((oh lawd he cometh asfjdk it's the end for kaz 8'D))

Look, Kaveh was a pretty understanding guy. He truly believed that most people were inherently good deep down at their core. And if that were true, just think about how much higher those good people could strive with a little belief and encouragement!

So, yes: ninety-nine percent of the time, Kaveh made an effort to be empathetic and kindhearted. To connect with people rather than making assumptions or passing judgement.

But—! BUT.

Every once in a while, someone came along who was an exception. Not to name names, but it'd come as no surprise that a certain roommate of his had more or less invented this category. It wasn't that Kaveh didn't want to give those people all the same kindnesses, mind you! It was just...hard to do that when a person did everything in their power to purposely drive him to his breaking point.

This was another one of those times. There were two of them, now. Just lovely.

When Kaveh burst through the door of the busiest tavern in Sumeru City, the storm clouds in his expression were starkly out of place. Any hope of drinking and merriment this evening had already been dashed—and he'd just about had it with the person he knew had to be responsible. Again.

Vermilion eyes scanned the crowd, passing over anyone wearing a single speck of color or with any trace of warmth, compassion, or overall joy for life in their expressions. And when he finally spotted the man he searched for, Kaveh bristled like an enraged rishboland tiger. (Well...more like a rishboland kitten, really. Before there were any claws or fangs or intimidating features to speak of.)

"Hey!" A harsh shout disrupted the atmosphere for a few beats. Kaveh ignored those who turned to stare in favor of pointing at the black-clad figure across the room. Storming up to Kaz with his feet stomping like a toddler, he plastered on his best 'no-nonsense' face.

"Alright, what did you do this time?" No point in false pleasantries; considering Kaz never even tried to hide his disapproval of Kaveh's continued survival, they were well beyond that. "Jesper was supposed to meet me for dinner over an hour ago! He would never just stand me up like that, and yet this is the second time this has happened since you guys came back to Sumeru. I know it has to be your doing, so you might as well come out with it!"