crescentview | ( open ) summer/fall catchall.

( open ) summer/fall catchall.

✿ who ✿ Alhaitham and you!
✿ what ✿ intro with open prompts!
✿ when ✿ latter half-ish of summer
✿ where ✿ around
✿ warnings ✿ n/a!

a. scavenger hunt

[ Games like this don't really interest him, when they're nothing more than contrivances to get people to learn things about others that they didn't really care to know in the first place. However, if it's to get seeds, he'll go along with it.

More seeds means he can give them to Kaveh and keep him out of the house more, which means more peace and quiet indoors for him. This is a flawless plan. If Kaveh doesn’t want the seeds, Alhaitham will simply have to point out to him how the seeds will go to waste if he doesn’t plan them, and that should hopefully to the trick.

To that end, he hands passersby in town a clipboard with a list of scavenger hunt questions on it. ]

Fill this out, if you will.

[ It’s not too far off from collecting surveys for research. Not his favorite academic pursuit, but it makes the task more palatable. ]

a. in the library

[ After becoming aware of a library in town, it’s where Alhaitham begins to spend most of his time. Relatively quiet and away from the hustle and bustle with plenty of new literature to get his hands on. A lot of it is pointless fluff, sure, but even that can grant him insights on this island and its goddess.

Anyway, if you happen to be there, too, he eventually starts piling books on the desk you’re reading at. He offers a quick explanation: ]

Ran out of room on my own.

[ Indeed, the desk he’s been sitting at is piled with books, and instead of putting any of them away, he’s just going to use someone else’s space, too, natch. ]

c. happy hour

[ Another Alhaitham book reading prompt…but this time he’s at the bar! It’s Happy Hour, but he doesn’t seem keen on socializing, even if the drinks here are decent.

Should someone sit down next to him at the bar, he’ll lift his gaze from his book just enough to give them an appraising look, as if deciding whether or not to say something and strike up a conversation…but no. He just goes right back to reading. Don’t take it too personally - the god of wisdom herself could sit down next to him and he would be hard-pressed to start a conversation.

Then he fiddles with his headset - turning up his music, perhaps? ]

d. wildcard

[ Bingo card is here and he is available for any gen prompts. He will put up with a little socialization to fix his roof, thanks. Feel free to reach out to me if you want to plot something specific! ]

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( guess which new arrival is stressed about their current situation and is pacing around the farm? ✨✨✨ this disaster of a man! ✨✨✨

while Kaveh loves himself a bit of romance, being whisked away to a mysterious ""marriage farm""" with Alhaitham is, hmm ... how shall he put it ........ NOT IDEAL

like!! who is this harvest goddess? what was she thinking!? at least she could've brought them separately. or housed them separately! it's bad enough that people in Sumeru are slowly clicking on to the fact that they live together when Kaveh has tried as hard as he can to hide it. (alas, he would drunkenly tell everyone within a hundred miles who his housemate is. even the god of their nation knows too. it's fine. everything's fine.) (💀)

the blonde man pushes out a loud groan mid-pace while he rakes his fingers through his long locks of blonde hair. )

Why this! Of all the things! Why are we now farmers in some strange marriage place!? And while I do appreciate the outdoor forest scenery, the buildings in this place are so ... peculiar! I haven't seen a single stained glass window pane since we got here. They could certainly learn a thing or two from me! ( he's so good at multitasking, stressing about architecture and their living situation simultaneously. )

If I don't come across any kind of outstanding building or get an answer as to why we've been brought here, I may just explode!

[ Ah, well, there are at least a few things they can agree on. Namely, that this is not ideal in the least, and that he would have taken anyone else as a roommate at this point. He's so tired of Kaveh's...Kaveh-isms. Alhaitham has no intention of playing at romance, either. It's all a good deal of trouble he didn't ask for, and a way out isn't so clear to him this time.

He already has a book with him (of course he does) though he's not making a show of reading it to tune out Kaveh's ranting and raving - for now. Of course, engaging means arguing, and that's more of the mood he's in right now. ]

Would you stop yelling like a lunatic? The windows and buildings are the last thing you should be worrying about right now. Then again, the joke's on me for thinking you might have more common sense than that, I guess.

[ He lifts a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. He has a headache already... ]

Our roof has holes in it. Maybe stop to worry about that for a moment.

( yes, of course, the scribe is just sat there reading while Kaveh complains. once Alhaitham points out their roof hole situation, the architect stops his mid-pacing endeavour and turns to him with his hands on his hips. EXCUSE U. )

You think I don't know that? I can criticise a building for its unappealing aesthetics just as much as I can criticise it for its practicality, you know!

( when he says that, a heavy droplet of water falls from the ceiling and lands on his head, which makes Kaveh glance up at it while patting down his blonde hair. )

... Hmph. Well, if we can't escape this place, you had better believe I'm going to sort this building out. That's the number one priority. While I do not wish to deny the request of a Goddess, the idea of getting married in such a short space of time is preposterous. Even still, I want to fix this place up and make it habitable while we're stuck here. ( priorities!!!!!!!! )

What about you? Are you just going to sit there reading all afternoon, Mr. Bachelor?

Yes. Is there a problem with that?

[ Comes his automatic response, even if in reality, it’s a bit more complicated than that. This is…rather inconvenient. In Sumeru, he was the one letting Kaveh stay in his house, in the end he had the final say as the landlord, but here…they’re on uncomfortably even footing. Alhaitham doesn’t like the idea that Kaveh has just as much say as himself on what they should do with the house.

At last, he looks up from his book. ]

Or were you hoping I’d play bingo and till the fields?

[ His tone makes it clear just what he thinks of that idea. He is…not going to acknowledge that they could get things improved twice as fast if they worked together. That’s not on the table. ]

Well, it would certainly teach you a thing or two about getting close to people, wouldn't it?

( Kaveh takes his own bingo card out of his pocket to look at the squares he has. )

Maybe this could provide a revelation for you. About how, I don't know, being completely isolated from people and keeping your nose buried in a book isn't beneficial to anyone? ( apart from himself!! ) Some of these aren't too obscene. One of mine requests that I give someone a "surprise gift." Another one says to "compliment." That's not so hard, is it? Basic human decency?

[ With a soft noise of annoyance, he reaches into the back of his book for his own bingo card. It seemed prudent to keep in on hand, in case someone brought it up - some of them wouldn't be too terrible to do in order to improve things around the house, while others...

Well, he'll do the bare minimum he can get away with. ]

Oh? Care to enlighten me how something like "spoon-feeding" or a "watergun fight" [ wtf is a watergun ] will teach me how to get closer to people?

[ How asinine. As if it's a matter of lacking knowledge, instead of lacking interest.

After a moment, he reaches forward to try to snatch Kaveh's card away from him. Gib. He wants to pry. ]

( Kaveh holds his arms outstretched and animated with his bingo card in hand while he explains. seriously, mr. scribe, isn't knowledge your field of expertise? )

Surely you don't need my help to figure that out? Doing activities brings you closer to people! That's just fact! And sure, your books might tell you as much, but it's a different matter entirely when you get out there and do it yourself!

( don't ask him what a water gun is either, though, because he has no idea.
Kaveh widens his eyes in surprise when he suddenly notices Alhaitham trying to steal his card-!? HEY-! )

W-What are you doing!? Give that back-! ( success, the scribe has managed to steal Kaveh's bingo card and he can now cast any judgement he likes upon it. )

[ Oh, and cast his judgment upon it he will. With Kaveh's card in hand, Alhaitham rises from his chair, leaving his book turned face-down on the seat so he can evade Kaveh if he tries to snatch it back. All the while, he holds the card aloft, scrutinizing it through narrowed eyes. ]

Huh...I'm surprised, Kaveh. I didn't think you had it in you.

[ What is he referring to? It is a mystery. He also knows full well these cards are assigned at random, and his own contains some...interesting options, to say the least. But that hardly means he isn't going to give Kaveh a hard time about it.

If he gets his perspective in the meantime, then that's informative, too, much as he isn't about to admit it. Kaveh has done more socializing than him, and there might be a valuable nugget or two in what he has to say. ]

( OH, KAVEH CERTAINLY KNOWS WHAT HE'S REFERRING TO. )

Had what in me!? I haven't done anything yet!

Edited 2023-02-01 05:49 (UTC)

( but, you know what, Alhaitham? that could all be subject to change :) )

... Though that's not to say I wouldn't obey the whims of this Goddess in order to restore this house in its entirety. Who would I be if I allowed a building to suffer? ( his scarlet eyes burn a very striking gaze into Alhaitham while he speaks. ) You and I both know that between the two of us, I'm the one who will be taking on the role to restore this house. You hate giving others the time of day - how could I expect you to make this home habitable?

( he idly walks a few paces, with the floorboards creaking beneath his feet. )

I suppose the means to achieve this will be as they are.

[ Oh, he doesn't like that change in expression, and the pause is enough for Alhaitham to glance away from Kaveh's bingo card, gazing at him from beneath pinched brows. Why would he put such a fine point on this, specifically? Is he saying what he thinks he is?

...Of course he is. For better or for worse (it's definitely worse), Alhaitham knows Kaveh better than he knows anyone else. He could have been referring to any of the squares on the card, but they both know that isn't the case. It's clear in Kaveh's eyes, and in his tone.

Alhaitham's eyes narrow in a nearly imperceptible margin. ]

Please. You wouldn't dare.

[ Unless in the extremely unlikely scenario that he would, and that's what bothers him, though Alhaitham doesn't bother to consider why. ]

Or are you really that desperate?

[ To fix the house or to smash?? Who can say. ]

( oh? what's this tone Alhaitham is offering him? he may never be able to place why the other man has delivered his words with a tinge of bitterness, and yet the only conclusion that Kaveh may be able to draw is that he is shaming him somehow. after all, between the two of them, only one is more likely to be in favour of pursuing romance than the other. "romance" coming in the form of a one night stand. )

Oh, you're daring me now? ( he tuts. ) Do you think I'm too afraid of chasing intimacy, unlike yourself? Do you shame me for even entertaining the idea?

( Kaveh folds his arms and glares. )

What I am desperate for is a decent roof above our heads. One that doesn't leak, and it seems that I'm far more willing to go the extra mile to make our home comfortable than you are!

[ He opens his mouth to retort, the reflex instinctive from countless arguments - his sharp tongue is a finely honed weapon when it comes to Kaveh. Yet when he readies himself to clap back, there's nothing waiting to be said, and he closes his mouth again.

Disconcerting. He never has to think twice about how to poke and prod at Kaveh. He makes it so easy.

After a moment, he hands the stolen bingo card back to Kaveh. ]

You go right ahead and do that, then. While you're at it, if you could do something about the draft, I'd appreciate it. The weather will be getting colder soon.

[ And then he's returning right back to his book and the chair he'd been sitting on before. ]

( in the way that Alhaitham is knocked back for words, Kaveh experiences the same thing. his housemate kicked up such a fuss just now about him being "desperate", and yet ... now he's giving him permission? is this a trick? )

Well-! I never said I would, did I? ( he stuffs his bingo card back into his pocket and folds his arms. ) Just that the option is there, is it not?

And, you. Are you really going to leave this all to me? What if I reach a point where I do have to use my body to collaborate on fixing our house? It's hardly fair if you're not willing to do any of the heavy lifting if I have to resort to sleeping with strangers.

[ Yes, it's hardly fair, but it's nothing new as far as their dynamic is concerned. They've had arguments like this countless times before, with Kaveh insisting he do this and that, when Alhaitham simply knows that if he doesn't, Kaveh will do it himself eventually.

Maybe that's why this threat doesn't sound hollow to his ears, though why it bothers him so much, he couldn't say. Or - maybe he could, but wouldn't, in a thousand years, if his life depended on it. It's simply too much trouble.

It's not his problem. And none of his business, what Kaveh does or does not decide to do with his body. ]

You're really worked up about this, aren't you? [ Like he isn't the one who worked him up... ] Alright. I'm feeling generous, so just for you, I'll find out what a water gun is.

[ never ask him for anything ever again.jpg ]

Uh, yes!? And I wonder whose fault that is?

( calling u out, binch!! )

You're the one who took my bingo card off me AND called me desperate. Despite the fact that I have done NOTHING so far in this place!

( he scoffs, and shakes his head. )

Aren't you a generous one? Tell me, are there acts of intimacy that your card demands from you too?

[ There’s a part of him that wants to deny it, and another part of him who would see that as terribly cowardly, and while Alhaitham doesn’t put much, if any, stock in what others think of him, the idea of Kaveh thinking him a coward chafes. Or, worse, he gets away with his lie - and he far prefers brutal honesty.

So after a moment, he pulls his bingo card out of the back of his book, and hands it out to Kaveh like it’s no big deal. ]

See for yourself. What, did you think you were special in that regard? The goddess doesn’t care who’s sleeping with who, so long as it’s getting done.

[ Or so it seems to him. Maybe he should consider utilizing those squares, as much of a hassle as it might be. What would Kaveh have to say then? ]

( Of course, the moment the card is in his hands, Kaveh hones in on those smut squares while his eyes widen in shock. How can he be so shocked over this!! Don't ask. The man's a disaster. )

Rough sex?! Leaving marks!? Bites and bruises!? W-What the--

( He slaps the card with one of his hands. )

What does this Goddess expect of you!? Y-You're not some kind of animal! ... Are you!? Actually, please, don't answer that! ( He doesn't know what Alhaitham likes in bed! Or what he is like in bed, even! Does he fuck? How can he fuck?! He hates people! Plus, he's never brought anyone to their house before ... as far as he knows. By reflex, Kaveh INSITS he doesn't want to know about Alhaitham's sex life. But ALSO: He's jealous and doesn't realise it. Aren't emotions fun? ) Ugh! What a nightmare ... you! Being made to-- ( Okay, Kaveh isn't sure about "made", but-- ) I-It's just ridiculous! And what about me!? If you bring someone home and do all this to them, I ... I don't want to be around for it!

( wow, he is. taking this So well. )

Edited 2023-02-08 16:51 (UTC)

[ Ah, yes, there it is. The reaction he expected, maybe even hoped for, even if he doesn't quite realize why. Kaveh sounds almost jealous, jealous of the idea of him being with other people, of possibly trying these acts with them. Why should Kaveh care what he does in bed?

...Why should Alhaitham care that Kaveh cares?

Shoving the thought to the side-- ]

If you were paying close enough attention, you might've realized that we both have a square for rough sex.

[ He's not implying anything by that. Merely an observation. ]

Do you even listen to yourself? You're talking more about my sex life than I ever have.

Yes, well ... Don't change the subject!

( Ugh - the fact that he's describing a "sex life" now. There's just no way! Is there!? The prospect of this makes Kaveh's face stiffen into a bitter scowl. Why is he reacting so badly to this? Hm. )

Right, okay. Your "sex life"-- ( He quote gestures with his fingers. ) And for what it's worth, I don't want to talk about it! Not yours or mine. ( Seriously, why is he reacting like this. Kaveh likely has no problems talking about sex with Cyno and Tighnari! And yet ... )

Just promise me you won't do anything ridiculous when I'm around. I'm not sure if you noticed, but I never brought anyone back to our place in Sumeru! ( He's using "our" and not "your" place!! ) Things must stay the same here. I'll keep to my half of the bargain, too. I do have more sex squares than you do, so who knows where I'll end up to fix this farm. ( Once again, he is contradicting himself. )

[ He's so adamant that he doesn't want to talk about it...and yet Alhaitham also doesn't want to talk about it, much as prodding Kaveh on the subject is entertaining. It's like playing a game of chicken to see who will change the subject first. ]

Do you want to talk about your sex life or not? I'm getting mixed signals. For someone so adamant that he doesn't want to hear about mine, you're sharing quite a lot about your plans for yours.

[ And Alhaitham doesn't want to hear about it either. The idea of Kaveh going home with someone, of returning back to their house the following day with that telltale spring in his step, grossly self-assured--

It makes him want to shove his nose into a book and never look up again. ]

Well, then. Whatever you decide to do or not do with your body, let me thank you for your noble sacrifice on behalf of our dilapidated farm building.

You don't have a sex life.

( He issues, point blank. Don't @ him. He's so normal about this!! So normal!!!! And yet the funny thing is, neither does he. )

Whatever I do for this farm ... I'll make sure you appreciate. I can't spend another day knowing that this building is collapsing in on itself.

I don't have a sex life that you know of.

[ Now he's just rubbing it in. Kaveh is right, but that won't stop Alhaitham from being an ass about it, because he can. ]

You do that. Meanwhile, I'll find out what a watergun is, and we can both improve the farmhouse.

And I know that you don't have one full stop.

( Don't prove him wrong. Gods, please don't prove him wrong. )

Fine. ( He's glad to see Alhaitham will try fix this place too. Hmph! )

Edited 2023-02-11 16:08 (UTC)

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( open ) summer/fall catchall.

wildcard

rubs my filthy hands together

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