[Closed]

[justscribing]

WHO: (fussiest), (justscribing), (cashewlater), & (wreatharrow)
WHAT: Sumeru crew have a little huddle.
WHERE: Some little cafe with outdoor tables.
WHEN: Early July
WARNINGS: N/A







[It's been a couple days for them all to try and orient themselves in this situation. And, given it's already a strange situation, it might as well just get stranger when Alhaitham is the one who makes a decision that they need a gathering between the four of them that already know each other and have the same place to get back to.

In the morning, he scouts nearby blocks until he finds a small cafe, empty as every other place is but with small tables outside which are a suitable meeting space. Also, maybe he can take some coffee bags to go.

Then, he sends a message to Tighnari and Cyno:]

You're not busy this afternoon, right? [Trick question none of them are busy.] Come meet with Kaveh and I around 1 pm. We should establish a routine with each other and share what information we've found.

[And he'll send along the location, and a photo of the cafe front. Just in case.

Kaveh gets less warning, because Alhaitham decides to just tell him in person when he catches him: they're meeting with Cyno and Tighnari (did he know they were here? Well, anyway,). They'll walk there together. Alhaitham brings one of those blank books and a pen, because he's sure he'll want notes.

And slides into one of the cafe seats, just a bit before the designated hour.]

Comments

[cashewlater]

I don't disagree. I'd rather not linger here any longer than is necessary, but getting home might prove.. difficult.

[ they hardly have a leg to stand on, when it comes to information. cyno investigates for a living, yet he has turned up almost nothing when it comes to unraveling the nature of this place, and exactly where they are. he certainly has empty hands when it comes to finding a way back to sumeru. ]

As for the rest - mm. I'm able to manipulate electro through his use, but not through my Vision. Hermanubis is divine by nature, as well, and he has come to this place with me, however weakened he might be. So I'm led to believe that the elements as we know them do exist here, it's only the manner in which we harness them that has been interrupted.

[fussiest]

[ as he expected, kaveh thinks - rather than there not being teyvatian elemental laws in place, the place may simply have so little ambient elemental particles that without the proper use of a vision or something else as a channel, utilising it is futile. which means to say, teyvatian elemental laws do apply. they simply are missing the fundamental catalyst to bending it to their will.

save for cyno, whom kaveh decides he needs to pester further just to see if electro can be mixed with whatever that's powering everything in this city. from kaveh's observations, the power source 'electricity' seems to have similar basis to electro, but knowing the differences means kaveh can better use it in his own experimentations.

instead: ]

I'm in agreement. It only took your existence to debunk an entire hypothesis that I had brewing in the back of my head, but that's the nature of if it all, isn't it? [ for someone who's just had a hypothesis debunked, kaveh looks positively pleased. ] Few ambient Teyvatian elemental particles; the divine can pierce through the veil given Hermanubis' presence. Which makes me think that our Visions are inert because we are cut off from their power-source. I've always thought that was the Archon, but now I'm starting to question that thought as well.

[cashewlater]

[ cyno nibbles idly at a dry cookie. it's not very excellent, but it scratches the itch for something sweet. ]

There's much we do not know. It's also entirely possible that our visions are not cut off from their power, so much as they - and we - are instead being suppressed by something. Given that I am still able to access Hermanubis, however slightly, and I can.. feel that there is more there.

[ that hermanubis is not weakened, but instead.. locked? it's a difficult sensation to explain. ]

[fussiest]

[ kaveh picks up on that thread. more there - but behind a barrier. a lock, then, though that implies the existence of a key. the thought worries kaveh more than it probably should. ]

Which means it's possible to unlock more - either by ourselves, or by the experimenters. [ kaveh hesitates. ] And if they are capable of locking it, they are capable of exploiting it - think of it as amplifying, or controlling. That's the logical conclusion, isn't it?

None of us are in any position to defend against Hermanubis as we stand.

[cashewlater]

[ given the dawning shock that washes over cyno's expression, he hadn't yet made that connection. ]

That -

[ .. was petrifying, for a number of reasons. while hermanubis was quite powerful, and useful in a fight, cyno had never found the spirit to be particularly violent or bad tempered. the idea of it being used against him, and against those he cares for, was enough to make his blood run cold. ]

I'd die before I'd let it hurt any of you.

[fussiest]

[ kaveh looks up. the red of his eyes is that of dyed steel, sanguine and unbending. ]

We won't get there, and you won't die. Don't take a hypothetical with the weight of reality, and don't take your life so lightly.

[cashewlater]

Hermanubis is my responsibility.

[ cyno certainly doesn't intend to lay down his life foolishly, but should the worst ever happen - gods, he would never be able to live with the guilt, should he lose control. ]

[fussiest]

And we will find a solution. [ firmly. ] You and Alhaitham toppled a government together. I'd like to think some lessons about teamwork must've been learned through that.

[cashewlater]

[ crossing his arms, cyno sits back in his seat, exhaling a hard sigh through his nose. stubborn as a bull. ]

Teamwork is one thing. Personal responsibility is another. [ cyno frowns, his brow knitting. ] .. but you have my word that I won't be reckless, and I won't do anything alone.

[fussiest]

[ kaveh looks. and then, because he is kaveh, he breathes out in the way of a sigh. ]

That is as much as I'll get out of you. But it's reassurance and a promise in both, so I'll take it.

Just... tell us if something feels off, or changes, alright?

[cashewlater]

[ a promise indeed, and cyno does not go back on his word. he won't work alone, here, not unless he's forced to. those days are over. he nods. ]

I will. You'll all be the first to know. Where are you two staying?

[fussiest]

[ it is a promise that cyno knows to keep, kaveh knows. it's why it had been important to have it said. but what is said next causes kaveh to stilt. he looks, and then, after a moment, runs his hand through his hair until they run in against the red of his clips. ]

Well, actually - my apartment is to the south-west in District 1. And Alhaitham's is north-east. Are you and Tighnari living together, then?

[cashewlater]

[ .. huh. given the way cyno's eyebrows lift, he's a little bit surprised, though after a moment, he nods. well, he knows how the two of them get on, and for kaveh, having his very own space must feel incredibly liberating. ]

We are, yes, we're sharing an apartment for now.

[ perhaps at some point that would change, but they both very much wanted to be able to keep an eye on one another. he couldn't say that he liked the idea of the four of them being so far apart. ]

[fussiest]

[ cyno's eyebrows lift. the finality of his nod, however, is reassurance that kaveh hadn't been seeking. he looks for a moment, and then, slowly, nods in turn. ]

I'll draw you a map. [ kaveh says, relieved without knowing why. it had been the first time he has shared that with anyone. it ought to be the norm, now. he breathes out. ] Of where we live, and a few other notable locations that we've discovered along the way. This city isn't all that large, but it's good to be able to start from somewhere.

[cashewlater]

All right. Thank you.

[ it's not a bad idea, to know where to find each other should things go south. much as cyno might wish that they were all clustered close together, he trusted them, as well; they were capable, grown men. ]

How are you doing?

[fussiest]

Me?

[ if it were anyone else, kaveh has room to deflect. but it's cyno, and it's them, and it's the cloistered stability of home in a way that kaveh hasn't been able to find since their off-kiltered arrival. cyno is there, and sure. kaveh breathes out; it comes out in the form of a stuttered laugh. ]

A little guilty, actually. I ought not feel so free when the circumstances are so strange - but I do.

[ after all, he is debt-free. ]

[cashewlater]

[ cyno's head tilts thoughtfully, and he crosses his arms loosely over his abdomen, leaning back in his chair. ]

I don't think you need to feel guilty about that. Better that you can get something good from this place.

[fussiest]

Is it truly a good when it's at the expense of so many people? And in any case, it's a temporary thing - or should be. I ought not get too comfortable about it.

[cashewlater]

Yes, but you're not responsible for that expense. There's no reason to suffer needlessly if you can instead enjoy even a moment of relief. This isn't on you, Kaveh. Take from it what you can.

[fussiest]

But Cyno, I'm not suffering.

[ kaveh says this with a smile. it's a smile that suggests he ought to. kaveh shakes his head. ]

That being said - I know, I know what you mean.

[cashewlater]

[ cyno is silent. his arms around his abdomen tense a little, and he drums his fingertips against his upper arm, his gaze on kaveh not unkind, but certainly knowing. he might be able to fool a great many people, but he cannot fool cyno, whose eyes are sharper than most, who relies on his powers of perception to be able to efficiently do his job. a hunter must study the body language of its prey.

but he won't push. just know that he knows, kaveh. ]

Well. Just know that the road goes both ways.

[ kaveh wants cyno to lean on him, well, he'd better be ready to lean right back. ]

[fussiest]

[ cyno's silence steeps. kaveh looks. then, as if the breaking of a wave, the silence relents. it isn't, kaveh knows, the end of the conversation, but he is being provided a measure of grace. his heart swells in affection for his friend. it's more than what kaveh deserves.

so what kaveh smiles and cants into that nod. ]

I know. If anything, you'll be tired of me showing up at your door. That reminds me then - it'll be good to have a standing dinner invitation. Say, once a week? We can oscillate between our places, use that as an opportunity to share information and catch up.

[cashewlater]

[ at that offer, cyno's mouth curves into a nearly imperceptible smile, his expression softening around the edges. ]

I'd like that. A little familiar routine would be nice.