Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was Alhaitham the one coming up with the idea, but it was Cyno the first one to put it into use. Repeatedly.

A month ago by now, the Akasha had been officially dismantled in all the corners of Sumeru, and it's power source which was fed by the Dendro Archon's elemental energy also stopped functioning. Consequently, the network system and the storaged information were no longer a problem either a tool for the scholars.

However, the artifacts still provided a subtle wave frequency that were reflected by the Sanctuary of Surasthana, which was acting like a tower. That's why Alhaitham deemed possible to keep using it for a more practical use. He adjusted some pieces and added some changes like he did with his own headphones, then modulated the frequency and inserted a radio signal transmitter plus a receiver. It was a challenge as much as a cool pastime to mess a little with technology and science in order to make his life easier as a reward, so he carried on until he achieved.

In theory, he just adapted the Akasha to function as a dispositive to communicate remotely with another person possessing the other Akasha, well, as long as this person remained inside the range of the City and its near surroundings.

It was a medium range telephone that's it.

Although Alhaitam only worked this little experiment for two Akasha terminals, he considered it was enough for what he had in mind.

Just one person for emergencies. Just the one person he had been in so much contact ultimately -besides the Archon, of course-

"It would be practical" He told Cyno that day he just finished his peculiar project "If you need something you may call me and do not have to waste time coming to my office, nor wonder where in the City i've could be hiding. Because you know, as a matter of fact, while I can I will hide—..."

"Then don't hide!" Cyno stated, hitting the large desk between them with a fist

"The Sages leave me no choice, they are overly annoying"

"You're their leader Alhaitham!"

"Against my will! And sometimes I need my own space either way, people should respect that"

Cyno unclenched his fist, sighing "You have your point"

"And I offer a solution instead, for you at least"

Indeed, when the Scribe wanted to disappear from the rest of the mortals, it was very difficult to find him. Nevertheless due to this fact, Alhaitham could see a wink of interest barely peeking out behind Cyno's stoic features, but when the latter eyed the adjusted Akasha Alhaitham had placed upon his Grand Sage's desk, alongside a pile of inspected reports, the General flinched with distrust.

Since they both started working for Sumeru's reformation as the main institutional heads of the Akademiya, the things had been going exhausting. They have to be at one place and then at the other. In fact, Sumeru is sooo huge, they have a lot of things to read, to write, to inspect, to delegate, to go through. They have endless meetings and few free hours.

Most importantly, they always have to comunicate through letters or notes, some of which can take even days to reach the other when either of them were on different missions.

This situation wasn't ideal for Alhaitham, it was uncomfortable, and he hated to be stressed about minuscules and repetitive tasks.

They could make it more efficiently.

"I don't want to use that thing ever" The General stubbornly replied eyeing the artifact distastefully. Like Alhaitham, he also had his quirks, one of them being his lack of acceptance of unnecessary changes, because Cyno –the strange creature he was– appreciated routines and boredom; anything else, even if exciting due to unexpected adventures, also meant troubles and danger for the people he cherishes "That dependence, even simplified it's not something I desire to have around once again. We are doing fine like this"

"General, this is not the same thing as the previous device, this is different" The Scribe defended with the flicker of his expression about to turn into a scowl "Is not feed through Lady Nahida's power or the sages, and it doesn't content any information. It would be exclusively for quick and brief exchanges to keep us updated at distance... And it would only be for the two of us, I set it up myself"

Cyno stood there unfazed.

"What if the others find out and decide to take a different opinion, knowing that the Acting Grand Sage and the General Mahamatra still kept the same artifact that was prohibited? What if they intercept their signals and hear our conversations?" Apparently Cyno decided that particular day to stand against Alhaitham as he generally inclined to

They both already knew the discussion will extend indefinitely, while in the other hand, it was amusing to have little disagreements occasionally, he kinda even enjoyed it so Alhaitham was never one to restrain.

"We will keep it hidden. We are not going against the rules since the devices are not the same terminals that controled and catalogued information as the Sages pleased, this is my own project device and even if is reminiscent I could patent them as my own new invention, though I just don't have the time or desire to expose it to others; but I trust that you understand this perfectly" He reclined against the back of his uncomfortable chair and lifted one of the Akasha terminals while pressing a bottom, it send a signal that made the other terminal on the desk glow "I designed a low vibration system. In that way only we would know what this is about. Try to call me when no one can see it and receive where no one notices, or is it too difficult an stealthy task for the General Mahamatra?"

Cyno's headdress fell down just a little, obscuring his features and Alhaitham knew that it wasn't a good signal. If he was even considering it, Alhaitham wouldn't know "Careful with your words, Scribe"

As matter of fact, they continued to argue a little less than half an hour, but in the end the Scribe achieved to make him took one of the Akasha terminals 'just to prove it for a couple of weeks', before the General left his office, and if it wasn't necessary or useful, the Scribe should take a step back and definitely destroy the devices himself to never bring the topic again, he promised.

So, it really was his idea and he really planned to use it as soon as he could, to prove Cyno how successful this method of communication could go. However he wasn't expecting –no more than five minutes after the General left– in the absolute deafening silence of the office, that his own Akasha terminal started to vibrate. A low green glow also reverberated through the walls of the drawer where he put it away.

For a moment he stayed frozen, observing and pondering the probabilities of something going wrong. The device may be actually failing, he felt tempted to hit the thing to stabilize the incomprehensible. But he decided for the reasonable, checking it instead while answering promptly.

"General?"

"Scribe... hmph, this thing actually works"

Of course. He arranged it personally and Alhaitham had a lot of confidence in that regard.

The faint ghost of a smile that's what Alhaitham perceived through the remote call in the General's voice. Strangely, it was enough to dissuade him from showing off his petulance about the success of the artifact "This is actually embarrassing, I just told you mere seconds ago that I wouldn't use this thing—..."

"Nevermind that, I understand you have your doubts. We can just keep testing it for the moment anyways"

"However, you're right I need to depart immediately, it's a long way back and I forgot to tell you something before I leave for the desert"

"What is it about?"

"Nilou invited all the members in the Akademiya to a premiere–... although she specially wants us to assist to the theater's performance, it'll be the other weekend, saturday at eight PM"

Yes, since Nahida's rescue, the Akademiya and the artists have been trying to reinforce their relations. The Zubayr theater took a main role in the process to open the scholars' minds about the appreciation regarding the arts, the dance, the painting, the tales and novels. Sometimes they've make special invitations like this one, in exchange, the theater and the artists started their new delegation inside the Akademiya, must likely they would have their own Darshan in the near future... eventually.

"Would something may happen if I decant in not to assist?"

"No, Alhaitham, nothing's going to happen, but you know we should put on our part to help them interact with the sages and scholars. Furthermore, we should take care and watch that everything go smoothly"

"That means... you won't even look at the spectacle, you just want to assure another conspiration is not edging in the shadows"

"I want to protect Sumeru's citizens, and you more than anyone know how many people inside the Akademiya is still against the Zubayr theater and its people"

"So, you are definitely not going in order to appreciate their art, don't you think that is a little bit hypocrite?"

Cyno sighed, there he was the Scribe again, trying to ire the hell out of him "Goodbye Alhaitham"

The call's signal shut down and instead it remained a buzzing sound.

The Scribe quietly enjoyed his little victory.

It was a fair victory, but it wasn't as wholesome as the feeling to receive a second call the next day by the afternoon. Once again, Cyno initiated it.

"Scribe, I need the title of that thesis of the Amurta sage you were investigating so closely for the last month. The folder should have come to your desk about half a week" The General voice came in the company of some scribbling sounds in the background, he sounded hasty and impatient

"Oh, so you finally have enough proofs to open a case against him?"

Alhaitham heard a smirk through the Akasha and he himself smiled, standing up to search for the folder Cyno requested in the adjacent shelf.

"A whole series, I'm starting a huge file and filing the inspection's order"

Apparently Cyno had doubled his efforts in order to pick up some clue from the desert, something related to that clandestine Eleazar hospital with the means to incriminate this ambitious scholar and be back in a sole day to take the lead before said sage could be prepared against his judgment. This sage wouldn't be evading justice for any more time, he fooled everyone while disavowing his complicity with Azar with far-fetched excuses and legal technicalities.

But Cyno was about to complicate his life thunderously.

"The General is so hardworking as always" Alhaitham finally fished the indicated folder

The conversation went on from there. While Cyno filled the paper Alhaitham gave the name and the details and they both studied the case together, which then decanted towards the remembrance of that time they spend together in Aaru Village and mainly their hospital incursion.

This second call lasted almost like a whole hour.

On top of that, there was still a third call from Cyno in the night. Alhaitham was still at the Grand Sage's ill office, sighing deeply as if it was the howls of a wolf in a cage.

"For someone who despised the idea so much, you are taking it quite better than I imagined, are you enjoying the new Akasha this much or is it just my voice?" Alhaitham couldn't contain his mockery anymore. He felt kind of conditioned everytime Cyno would call him, because it would also felt like a victory, like something to delight, so he had started to fuss in the strange elation it arose "The General overall should keep short developing addictions"

"Silence Scribe, don't ruin my good mood. The fact that you're device is more useful than I thought, in the end inferred positively in my opinion"

"I told you we would be saving precious time. So what is it now?"

It wasn't the first time since he got promoted that he realized how many late hours the General Mahamatra had to work to compensate his occasional long journeys outside the city. The same went as for the Grand Sage, a good Grand Sage would undoubtedly have to remain until late, specially in such a critical recovering point where the personal lacked or was very inexperienced on reformations.

But Alhaitham never saw Azar stay after workhours.

Why was he so committed in contrast?

They were probably one of the very few people inside the Akademiya at those hours besides the guards.

"It's nothing really..." The General hesitated, how unusual- the Scribe noticed

There was a short silence, but Alhaitham didn't want to press the other's words so he waited patiently.

"Whatever... I'm just bored"

"Hmm... what would have you done then if haven't accepted my modified device?

"Tch, probably just walk around Surasthana Sanctuary but today I don't have the time. We're making preparations, soon we will be catching that sage" Cyno sighed heavily, somehow emboiding his tiredness of the last forty two hours "Stop being so cocky about it, if you're going to be this asshole and want me to hang out just say it already"

"I don't want that"

It was an odd statement he realized, but he surprised himself for the veracity of it despite the circumstances.

And he definitely must have surprised Cyno too, judging by the heavy silence on the line.

They weren't really the more talkative persons in the world about mundane topics, and in the first place Alhaitham had been intending to use those artifacts as little as possible, they were just mere tools; moreover neither he used to chitchat when he was bored and busy, he tended to read a book or listen to some instrumental music.

In any case he couldn't do that right now and conversations with Cyno were simply... easy and entertaining.

Now that he had his contact at reach within his fingertips, there was no reason to cut it out.

"Just humour me for some more time" The Scribe continued while flickering a page on a Gandharva Village's report regarding a strange withering zone "Something interesting you want to share with this scholar? Maybe some feedback about his work so far?"

The General hummed through the phone, Alhaitham noticed it was a peculiar sound. Unexpected, different to what he had in mind, it was calm and almost timid, he wouldn't even know Cyno could sound so... soft this close to his ear.

He continued reading the report, marking the location of the corrosion in a map on another sheet besides the current paper. The withering appeared as if expanding towards one of the rivers amidst the Village and the City, but Alhaitham felt something aloof, because they were supposed to be almost eradicated or completely under control by now.

"Bet you already know what I am going to say, don't you?"

Alhaitham chuckled just a little "You say that as if I am a god who can read minds"

"You can't read minds but you can predict behaviors"

For some unexpected reason Alhaitham thought for a moment that the General Statement felt more personal than it should be, so he deterred his focus and took a deep breath "Is this about that method the Akademiya employed to predict your decisions during Nahida's rescue, again?"

"It is"

"I told you Cyno, I merely read what was placed on my table, it was part of my duties back then"

"Yes, I know you always have a back up speech when you feel cornered, but I also know deep inside your soul, that you have certain greediness aside your clame for a peaceful simple-minded life—... Like when you took that capsule of divine knowledge without permission"

"…" Alhaitham could only held his breath, a little disheartened. Usually he always has a scathing verbal counterattack, but right now he just wanted to listen. Cyno sounded so serious out of the blue, and in contrast he didn't want to go back to a past full of tension and distrust, it wasn't convenient, he had already explained his decisions back then.

But the General also didn't sound displeased or angry after all "Despite that" There was a pause in which the Scribe imagined the other's lips opening and hesitating for a fraction "Since I've been working with you, I came to know now— even if it took me a while... that you would never put another person in risk for your personal ambition. We all have this... not so worthy ambitions, but yours must be one of the must benignant eagerness I've ever encountered, I dare say it's even fascinating and encouraging for your labour. However, as you already read all what is to know about me, you must comprehend I would never stop watching for Sumeru; that implies I must be severe with all the sages and the scholars, you included"

There was a deafening silence, Alhaitham unsurprisingly didn't know how to react but felt the General's anxiety through the phone almost as if he wanted to hang right away. He realized Cyno must be refraining out of pure politeness and nothing else.

"So that was your feedback, huh" He chuckled one more time "Benignant?"

"Alhaitham if you're going to make fun of—" Oh, Cyno did sound angry now

"I appreciate your words" Alhaitham whispered to add promptly "Nevertheless, I don't think that is true"

"Are you implying that your ambition will put someone in danger?"

"No, I'm implying that I don't know anything there is to know about you Cyno. As you just proved it to me, I didn't expect you to say such—... kind words about me. Furthermore, your ambition would be really the purest among everyone, not mine"

'Do you still remember who you are, General Mahamatra?'- Then he remembered the moment he said those words, the look on Cyno’s face. He wondered if, back in that instant, he had touched some hidden piece of the General’s soul, and how deeply it had been and truly felt to know he could come to understand him even more, because there was still so much behind those red-scarlet eyes, molten into amberine light.

"If you ever tell anyone about this—"

"I won't" Alhaitham assured him with forcefulness and determination, coming back from those old memories "I told you I appreciate them"

I don't want to share them with anyone else- went unsaid

For better or worse. Whether Alhaitham felt ashamed or proud to share, Cyno couldn't determine.

"Alright then, I must leave now to inspect the Amurta sage's house" The General stood up, Alhaitham knew he was walking towards the Daena's exit but he couldn't hear his non-existent steps "Goodby—"

"Wait!" Alhaitham stood up abruptly, his tired mind coming quickly with a fresh conclusion "Probably you wouldn't find anything in that place, he must have cleared his proximity once Azar and his sages were dismantled"

"Too much cleanliness is also a good trail, sometimes it emphasizes traces of filth"

"Yeah, but it'll be better to catch him dirty-handed. I know we can afford the time, but I think I have an idea"

"And what do you suggest?"

"I'm coming with you, guess there is a new plan"

"There is?"

"Well, I'm working on it while waiting for the insufferable long elevator to go down"

"Got it"

They hung just then.

....

Alhaitham met him in the main entrance of the Daena, Katayoun the librarian was beside him seemingly intimidated due to the General's presence. Cyno hardly stayed in one place, he was always moving from one place to the other, so having him standing still and upright near one felt like something may be happening.

"Acting Grand Sage" The girl greeted him with a curt nod

"Katayoun, is everything in order?"

"Indeed sir, just a few books strayed from their shelves"

"Hopefully they all would be found in those tables, otherwise our dear General here and his faction would have a lot more of work" He nodded towards Cyno who was hearing and eyeing the exchange like a gargoyle, the girl eyed him too, and she turned even more nervous, Alhaitham decided he shouldn't terrify her anymore or Cyno wouldn't appreciate the gesture "Anyways... Shall we?"

The general nodded and they both left the Akademiya, only when they were almost outside the city and away from ears behind walls, Alhaitham finally came into a halt.

"So, what is the plan?" Cyno crossed his arms in front of Alhaitham

The latter put his index finger under his own chin, adjusting his calculations "First of all, send your Matra into the erudite house to roll the inspection, they have to keep him busy, meanwhile you and I will go somewhere else. Do you think they could manage?"

"Of course, Nayab can handle fieldwork fairly well on his own. Just give me a couple of minutes to explain my Matra the situation"

"By the way, don't tell them that we are not going, highlight that we will arrive eventually. Until then, they have to be very meticulous and search every inch of the house because there must be something very important inside—"

"But there isn't"

Alhaitham nodded "Feel free to take your time"

"Alright, I'll be back in five minutes"

"Let's meet in the east gateway"

"Deal"

The General Mahamatra disappeared imminently in front of Alhaitham's eyes. He left just a speck of Electro sizzling in the air when he sprinted towards the heart of the city, and the plants around them danced all over the place exhilarated by his energy.

A second later, the Scribe released an exhalation before he took the opportunity to walk away by the west instead of the east.

They both had been already accustomed to work together, in the beginning it had been almost terrifying how easy their connection went from their horrible starting point, loaded with distrust and rejection, but now boosted with a different kind of renewed energy. It was instantaneous, nearly prodigious the way Cyno could understand his actions without words, the General knew when and where to follow, how to proceed, which other routes to take. Meanwhile Alhaitham always knew how the General would think, he admired how direct and decisive Cyno was and he fussed with that kind of natural force the General yielded.

So he wasn't worried about taking the lead first and aiming for the possible location of their objective on his own for Cyno to catch up later.

That's why he barely stopped in the opposite gateway to leave a tiny spark of dendro in the air, so tiny it could barely react with an electro spark. He left it posted on the road to Chinvat Ravine.

Here is your sign Cyno

He smiled, imagining how the shorter male would be absolutely mad at him for not waiting. However, he knew he needed to find the place first.

The withering zone he was searching for was precisely under a waterfall, just like the report indicated, but the environment was plagued with fungus and mushrooms mutated by corrosion that were pacing around, and he swinged out his sword while preparing for the fight the instant they noticed him.

The battle lasted for at least ten minutes and when he had finished the monsters and had purified the valley, a little cavern emerged from the bowels of the earth.

Pausing for a second, he did tried to contact with Cyno via Akasha before entering, but the signal didn't reach til the riverside.

"Oh, well.. whatever"

Alhaitham wasted no time and entered quickly without hesitation, because that's exactly what he's been looking for. Deep inside the cavern, there was an improvised and handmade science workshop. It was small and narrow, but it contained a lot of papers and laboratory samples too; half of it were already corrupted and damaged because of the withering.

"Such a shame" He muttered "But still—..."

He ruffled through a couple of papers, careful to not disturb the evidence while reading some paragraphs, searching for dates, names and procedures.

"Alhaitham! You left me behind, again!" The angry voice of Cyno resounded in those cavern walls five minutes later "Why didn't you used the Akasha? Wasn't this its purpose?"

"The signal cannot reach until here. Its functions are limited to the City and the immediate surroundings"

Then he noticed the General was also dragging a body with him, but said sage was unconscious, probably because the General himself left him that way.

"Oh, so you caught the Amurta sage" The Scribe murmured nonchalantly, without looking at Cyno, instead he was meandering around while looking at the evidence "Did he try to escape?"

"No, he was following you"

Alhaitham huffed, smirking "Of course he was, I guess you caught him dirty-handed"

"You used me, again... while lying to me as well"

"You've met my sings don't you? I had a plan"

"That was an horrendous plan, why can't you ever wait for me?"

"The sage thought I was coming alone when he observed the scene. The moment we departed and you went away to met with the Matra, he pressumed that you would go with your group to his home to stop him. With me alone, he probably thought it would be easier to take out a weak Scribe like me and then secure this place. Therefore, it was essential that he believed I would be an easy and isolated prey. Either way, I knew you would arrive in time to cover me and become the real hunter in this play"

"How did you know about this place anyways?" He heard Cyno's silent footsteps, and realized he only made that sounds on purpose when he tried not to startle anyone

"A report from yesterday" Alhaitham faced him and extended a paper, it was like a page torn from a field journal signed in the name of a certain 'Zandik', the edges slightly worn away by corrosion "Wherever the withered areas go, so do the experiments with Eleazar and the Fatuis. A clear sign that stands out even more after having cleaned almost all of the corrosion from Sumeru, and like you said, when there is too much cleaning, the filth usually stands out even more. These experiments to manipulate withering zones and Eleazar were always carried out using questionable methods by the figure identified as 'Il Dottore,' and I had already heard of similar episodes in other areas. Knowing Azar's collaboration with that individual, it is not surprising that his lackeys followed the same tactics and committed the same mistakes"

Cyno took the paper and read it thoroughly, his eyes shining like a person who finally sank their teeth on a delicious meal. The paper described an investigation regarding possibilities to extract energy from the withering zones in an attempt to recreate and submit the forbidden knowledge "Fine, and how did you know he was following us?"

"That was actually a bet. If he wasn't after you, then the Matra would take care of him on his house while we investigated this place— but if he was actually cautious of you, well... he will always be keeping an eye wherever you go and by consequence in me in that moment. When I left the city while you stayed, it was simply a matter of sorting out the possibilities that he will choose to follow me instead"

"So he was cautious, thus coming after you appeared to be the logic option for him"

"Yes, he has slippery tendencies, it's been noticeable since he disengaged from Azar's fall"

"He couldn't slip from your genius though"

The Sage's body hit the ground when the short man dropped him heavily from his shoulder, so Alhaitham took a little instant to chuckle softly. It was so pleasant to earn Cyno's grace when working with him, he almost feel tempted to join the Matra. Maybe that explained that weird charm the others felt towards him...

He is morally inspiring

"Thank you for the hard work and for lending me your intelligence" The General complimented and Alhaitham haven't unconsciously smiled for this long since a distant past where his grandmother were still with him

"You are welcome General, I'll be back to the City now so I can inform your Matra to come here and help you with the rest of the investigation" The Scribe side passed the other, stepping dangerously close to the Amurta sage's face on his exit

"Alright I'll appreciate the help" Cyno was eyeing him with a curious look on his eyes, Alhaitham noticed it from the corner of his eye and thus he paused a second to regard the General one last time

"Oh, and Cyno..."

"Yes?"

"Can I call you through the Akasha later? Just to make sure everything went smoothly?"

"Of course, I'll inform you the details then. Give me at least an hour or so to sort this out"

"Deal"

....

The sound was monotonous.

Sitting on his couch in mild darkness with coffee in hand, he was waiting for the General to answer the Akasha. Meanwhile, the greenish luminescence from his own Akasha was the only thing that illuminated the living room.

For a brief moment Alhaitham thought that Cyno forgot their conversation, perhaps he wasn't going to answer the call after all.

Still... being genuinely curious about the criminal they both trapped, he pressed a little more and persisted in the line waiting for Cyno's voice on the other side. But he promptly started to feel a little dumb, the General probably had a lot of things to do, or he could be tired and trying to finally have some good sleep.

He should hang up the call.

It was just that he couldn't, there was something weird gnawing inside him... something like a chimera between hope and whim.

And it felt so childish, he really must shut down such obnoxious insistence for talking to Cyno through the Akasha everytime he felt like it.

He rose his hand to press a bottom just in time when...

The sound was disrupted, suddenly the ringing was replaced by heavy panting, a dull sound like something falling and then an abrupt slamming, like a door perhaps.

"Alhaitham?" It was Cyno’s voice, winded "I almost didn’t get to answer— had to run all the way home" Then he took a deep breath "Archons, I thought you were going to hang up before I got here..."

"If you are so busy, our call can wait until tomorrow. This is unnecessary"

"No, no, it's fine... I'm already— huff" There was some ruffling. Probably Cyno taking off his accessories and clothes

A burst of soft laughter that couldn't be contained emerged from the Scribe's lungs.

"Take a seat first"

Some steps. The other may be entering another room, his bedroom or bathroom perhaps?

"Never would I thought there be a day you will invite me to sit at my own house" Cyno sounded much calmer now

In the background of the call he heard things being discarded, so Alhaitham pressumed it must be Cyno's bedroom.

"I'm not even there" The Scribe murmured as if sighing, then closed his eyes. Despite his words, he tried to imagine the whole scene in the other side. Albeit he never delved beside the coworkers point with the General, he felt intrigued about Cyno's domestic side– while thinking about it more often, he found this inwardness of the other kind of interesting "Honestly, I don't even know where do you live"

"And you'll never know"

Something bouncing slightly. The featherlight weight of Cyno's sitting upon a fluffy bed or sofa.

"Why?"

"That's confidential. The fewer people who know, the better"

"Inflexible as ever, General"

The General hummed quietly and Alhaitham wondered If he had lay down on the mattress, succumbing slowly into slumber.

"Cyno"

"Hm?"

"Would you rather to continue this conversation tomorrow?"

"No" Cyno stood up abruptly and this time he did enter his bathroom "But I need to brush my teeth, can you... do the talking part in the meantime?"

Alhaitham smiled, a little flattered "Sure, a random topic?"

"Yeah"

The water running from the sink signaled a cue for the Scribe to start, and so he tried to evoke something interesting "Did you know that a conference on the epistemology of translations was recently held in semiotics faculty? I personally consider it one of the most interesting recent studies. It was titled 'Translation as Devotion' by Leiden"

Curiously, the first thing that came to his mind was this particular information that he haven't intended to share with anyone. Few people enjoyed these topics for a light conversation, especially at this difficult hours; so he probably was being carried away by his own personal appreciation.

But why choose Cyno? Why to spill it at this moment?

Suddenly he regretted his choice.

"Uh-uh" The General answered, half an attempt to clarify he haven't heard anything about the conference, and the other half being toothpaste and the constant brushing while Cyno puffed out his cheeks

Alhaitham laughed once again "Forgive me, this is probably boring, truth is, I don't know what to talk about"

The General hurriedly spat into the sink, turned on the tap, and quickly rinsed his mouth before intervening harshly "How is that boring? You may think you're the only one who enjoys books and knowledge here, but I shall remind you that I'm also a graduated from the Spantamad Darshan of the Akademiya"

"Then you probably enjoy learning more about potions, ley lines or elemental energy"

"So the translations doesn't affect our work line and our comprehension on authors with different languages? What were to happen if a mistake in the translation— however small, affect the formula and composition of a substance being studied?" Cyno laughed smugly for a while "Besides, I hardly remember you even cared about what other people think or prefer. You always state whatever you want"

Alhaitham's mood turned introvert. Not because he was angry with Cyno, but because he knew that in some way the other was right about everything said, on the contrary he solely made a fool of himself. He usually chose his words carefully, but perhaps it was the weariness, perhaps it was this strange and disconcerting atmosphere of normalcy with the General during this unexpected phone calls; nevertheless, he had let his guard down, and in his eagerness to cover it up, he had overlooked how astute and perceptive Cyno was.

"No— Of course translations affect the whole academic environment, that is why it enticed me for starts. I don't see it as a topic that might pique your interest, though"

"Well, I won't be able to tell if you don't finish explaining it"

"Alright, but I must not promise it won't be boring" Sighing, Alhaitham resumed and Cyno took his toothbrush once again "The conference took as its practical application the religious literature of Szechsnaya and its various linguistic currents. It began with the premise that its practice should be understood more as a ritual than as simple reading; that is, you should try to see a page as a prayer with all the components a ritual requires. Extrapolating from this, a book and its comprehension require certain practices and routines as well; but often when we translate, the words remain in mere flat cognitive spaces, subjective assertions, and what is presumed to fit the original feeling without feeling it in reality— this is the most basics of hermeneutics"

There was still some brushing sounds and water running once in a while, but Alhaitham could tell that Cyno was trying to be quiet. Somehow he was sure he held the other's complete focus "So the conference suggested to enable another realms of discussion for the translation episteme, especially in terms of methodology, it suggested other tools besides cognitive ones with the intention of enriching the semiotic apparatus used for the configuration of words"

"Such as?" Cyno finished cleansing and got out of the room, keeping up the mental pace of the conversation

"Sensorial methodology"

"How is that"

"To comprehend the real significance of the words, one must experience them as closely as possible, if possible in the flesh. For example, to understand the religious verses I mentioned, we could think about the smell of the incense they used during masses, or the light of the candles, the whispers when they prayed alone echoing off the marble walls"

"I think I understand" Alhaitham heard Cyno climbing up his bed, followed by the sliding of the sheets caressing the mattress "So if I read ancient literature in one of the desert languages, What else could I do to try to evoke that raw, visceral feeling as you listen? Besides the meaning of words, I should try to give it a sensory depth"

"Indeed" Without realizing, the Scribe had entered his kitchen, pouring himself a second cup of coffee "Sound stimuli reminiscent of the desert, but if you don't have that, mainly the tone of voice, that would be the closest thing. So practicing voice inflections perhaps...?"

Clear silence and a stilled breath on the other side.

The Scribe opened his mouth to ask something, but then...

"Dar moord in chatur?"
(How about this?)

Alhaitham shivered from head to toe.

In the process, burning himself with the boiling coffee mug when it slided sideways and spilled onto the countertop.

It wasn't a surprise to discover Cyno knew desert languages, it was Cyno's voice that sounded so... drowsy and deep, it made him feel like a wire, electrified with the phonemes that came out of his mouth.

"That is... pragmatic" The Scribe hesitated, hurrying to clean up the mess, and trying no to think about Cyno's –unexpectedly– pleasant voice

On the other side, oblivious about Alhaitham's inner turmoil, the shortest man stirred "Hm, it probably works better in long term using meaningful words, I hope you keep investigating that theory though. However, for now— let's get down to business as you say"

Fumbling a little on his kitchen, Alhaitham rearranged another cup of coffee. Deep inside he wanted to hear more of that voice spectra, but he either wanted to press Cyno into such thing.

"Yeah, sure. Tell me what happened" They surely had more important matters to discuss after all

"Everything went fine. There were mostly protocols and regimentation while the Corps of Thirty took him to the city, he was still out of combat when we imprisoned him to be interrogated tomorrow first hour" Cyno informed and Alhaitham hummed softly while taking a sip of coffee, a signal the first took to continue "The Matra confiscated all the documents and artifacts we found, but we still need time to search into everything"

"So nothing new for now?" Another humming from the Scribe "That is actually boring"

"I inspected an important document before leaving it with Aarav, though" Cyno perceived it was his turn to capture Alhaitham's complete attention, so he smiled briefly before turning his expression serious "It's related to the Akasha and its association with the dreams, explains how they extracted the energy to trap people into loops— besides the Lady Archon power"

"The sages experiments during the Sabzeruz festival, I always thought they needed something else to switch on and create the devices they worked with"

"Exactly, I didn't read it thoroughly but we can expect to comprehend the nature of those events..."

"But there is something else worrying you" He felt Cyno's hesitation "What is it about?"

There was a pause before Cyno answered "Are you sure your new Akasha doesn't work with something related with this?"

"I am sure" Alhaitham finished his coffee "Don't you trust me after all this time? You said it yourself I wouldn't put anyone at risk, that includes you too"

"You can't know everything, I had to ask... when things become quite addicting, there's usually a price to pay"

"Cyno— are you admitting that you are enjoying that much my idea, to the point it makes you suspicious?" The scribe heard the other huffing, he wasn't about to accept or deny anything "The world must be about to end"

"Anyways" The General resumed "I shall sleep at least a few hours, I'll call you later to keep you updated"

"Please do, wouldn't dream of leaving you without your daily dosis"

The General hung up, probably slightly annoyed by his joke. It was always easy to prick Cyno's nerves a little, but the other's remark had truly stirred something warm within the Scribe; for the first time, he felt excited to share something so unusual with someone.

The strangest part was, that he also expected Cyno to be as equally invested in their exchanges.

....

The next few days increased exponentially their constant communication.

It became almost like a commitment to make calls whenever they felt bored or had some little free time. Usually they'll make calls during lunch, then at evening, and if they were lucky enough to coincide, the calls happened during midnight when they were about to sleep.

Those were the longest calls.

They mostly talked about cases or investigations, documents and conferences. Sometimes the topics were work related, but other times the conversations strayed towards their personal tastes and interests. The long minutes turned into hours, and the hours continued to increase further.

This dynamic repeated during two whole weeks without fail. Unexpectedly, they shared an affinity for word games, although they did not have the same sense of humor; conversations usually ended in witt contests to see who had the most eloquent and laconic answers.

Their proclivity was to prolong as much as imagination allowed them.

Eventually, the days evaporated and the saturday's premiere flourished in between spring vines, paper colors and incense of all kinds. Since noon from the previous day at full bloom, preparations in the whole city started, market stalls were placed around the stage theater at Grand Bazaar and the crescent cacophony of noise coming from the crowd flooded the streets as time passed and the afternoon slowly died about to become the great day.

Amidst the chaos and high expectations, Alhaitham suggested that the Matra should attend the performance undercovered and disguised. They'll be keeping an eye, but they also got the chance to partially enjoy the festivity as civilians.

"If we force people to take an interest in art, they might eventually develop resentment as a counterproductive effect. Instead, we should try to create a space where people can gather and enjoy it on their own, without pressure" He said to Cyno the night before, via Akasha "We can meet at Puspa Cafe at six PM, trying not to draw too much attention to ourselves. If we are running around with a Matra group, people would feel repressed and watched"

"Isn't that the idea to prevent animosity?"

"Not at all. Tomorrow even you ought to enjoy the spectacle"

"Well, I must say that I agree. It's much more enjoyable when people can relax around you and have a good time" Cyno snorted "Now I am even considering suggesting to the Zubayr Theater that they include a stand-up comedy section; I might even participate—"

"No— " The Scribe scoffed interrupting that line of thought "I am afraid is too late for such addition to their itinerary don't you think? Next time maybe"

If Cyno were to participate there telling jokes, he would likely ruin the Zubayr Theatre's recently begun-to-gain reputation in the city.

That was the locals opinion, not Alhaitham's, it should be clarified.

"All right, All right. I'll keep a mind on it though, maybe we can explode other hidden talents from people of the Akademiya" The General chuckled a little, probably he knew about more than one secret from said people "See you tomorrow at six then"

That's how Alhaitham ended up waiting in a seat on the almost empty cafe, reading a book and having a nice capuccino while the clock turned 6:15 PM on saturday.

Cyno was oddly late and he wondered for a brief moment if something else came up, an emergency or likewise.

"Due to the festivities and the spectacle at eight PM in the Grand Bazaar... we are closing off in about half hour" Informed the staff member to the few people that were still stalling in the coziness of the shop

Resigned, Alhaitham sighed and closed his book to concentrate on finishing his coffee. He didn't like being told what to do, no matter how simple and conventional the commands were. That's why he wouldn't wait until he was kicked out of the shop.

On his third sip, however, the bell at the entrance of the store rang and instinctively he looked up to the source.

There he was.

Or someone wonderfully similar, because there was no way that man was the same General Mahamatra Alhaitham met everyday at work.

Not the usual Cyno anyways.

Except that apparently his newcomer copy caught the Scribe's gaze recognizing it and taking it as a sign to approach, he moved incarnating that strong striking presence the General always carried with him.

It was crazy. It was maddening how he couldn't tear his eyes away from the other, because this person looked devastatingly beautiful.

And for a moment, Alhaitham's breath was stolen away with a flicker of white eyelashes and desert sunset eyes prying under them.

Half of his exquisite white long hair was tied up in a high ponytail, in this way, his face was more visible, except for a few strands that escaped to frame his forehead; plus the longest hairs caressed delicately his uncovered and natural tanned shoulders. The shape of his eyebrows was polished delicately and thinly at the outer edges; while right in the middle between the scarce velvety moonlight fur, Cyno wore a beautiful ruby-colored bindi, a detail that highlighted his eyes, which in fact had a subtle detail of kohl underlining the lower eyelids.

Though, the most insane part were his clothes.

It didn't make sense how Cyno managed to look more enticing with more clothes on him than with his usual uniform, in which he walked around half-naked all the time.

On contrast, he was now using a black tank top, fabric loosey in the front and completely uncovered at the back. Where he usually wore a black tiny choker was instead a wider peace of gold, the same piece that kept his top in place. He was also wearing a long, amathyste-colored silk belt wrapped several times around his hips, wide, very loose trousers reminiscent of those worn by Tighnari. Finally, his duppata, folded as a shawl over one naked shoulder, translucent in an even more vibrant purple than the belt, and decorated with delicate gold embellishments. The only accessories Alhaitham recognized on him, which he normally used always anyways, were their arm and leg protectors.

Even if his face remained as stoic and rigid as a stone, his mind and thoughts were crumbling with every step the short male took towards him while looking like that.

He felt an odd heat rising somewhere inside his core, but discarded the sensation nevertheless.

In any case, Cyno looked majestic, and Alhaitam felt a little out of place, appearing in only an ordinary robe like those worn by any sage of the Akademiya. These were his formal garments for when he attended events –He never wore it anyways–, as he had never bothered to acquire any other kind of clothing.

"Sorry I was late" Cyno mumbled, thus confirming that this was indeed him in the flesh

On the other part, Alhaitham was at a loss of words, he couldn't stop his eyes from eyeing from top to bottom and back, noticing more enticing details, like those of his tattoos in his arms that looked slightly more accentuated by the garments

At the end, Alhaitham resumed for meeting Cyno's eyes while silently melting under such intensity, he hesitated.

Should he compliment Cyno's beautiful outfit or let it slip?

"Alhaitham? Are you in there?" Cyno snapped his fingers in front of the Scribe's face; it was clear that he had remained like a statue, completely still.

"Why—... Something happened?" He finally inquired, gulping down a long sip of his forgotten coffee

"Like I told you the other day, today was that criminal's trial, I had to testify against him but... the process delayed because, as you must know, the imbecile is well versed in law, so he tends to evade as many charges as he can" Cyno never took a chair, Alhaitham continued to admire him knowing too well they soon must leave the shop, plus the lights that were bathing the other's tan skin in all the right ways would be equally missed "I'll tell you the rest of the details later, the point is, I barely had time to change into this clothes... do you think they are okay though?"

Cyno was looking at himself, a hint of nervousness. Alhaitham nodded for a loose of words and an impulse to reassure him, then promptly added "They look flawless on you"

It felt kind of simple compared with what he really would've want to express. Even if he was the Grand Scribe, apparently when it came to his 'compliment skills' using his most eloquent words, they turned out quite inexpert. Inwardly, he wished the gift of cleverness for saying something more appreciative.

"Thanks, you too look good with the formal outfit"

"Shall we go then?"

"Yes"

They left for the Grand Bazaar without any hurry, although Alhaitam noticed that Cyno glimpsed at a Padisarah Pudding, which strangely reminded his color palette, so he scurried to brought one for him before resuming the journey towards the street. He knew too well that Cyno wouldn't indulge himself in any treat otherwise, so Alhaitam gave it like a peace offering.

"Thanks, you didn't have to bother" Cyno murmured before taking a spoonful of the pudding. Alhaitham could only marvel at how beautiful and graceful he looked even when he ate without a care in the world "Do you want some?"

"No, I don't like sweet things" He avoided the other's inquisitive gaze, admiring the streets instead

"Huh, is it because your position is going to be soon—..." He paused to emphasize, searching for the Scribe's elusive eyes "dissolved?"

And now Cyno's unmatched grace flew out the window.

Internally, he thanked Celestia for Tighnari and Collei's appearance around the corner; he probably would have been tempted to make a comment about the other's peculiar joke, which would have infuriated him the whole night.

"Oh, hello there!" The Forest Ranger greeted them, Collei vowed and shook his hand a step behind him "You're going to the premiere as well, am I right?"

"Tighnari, Collei... Yeah, we were thinking of maintaining surveillance while posing as civilians" Cyno nodded

"Now that I think about it, you're very well dressed; one might say it looks like a special occasion. We're used to seeing you always in your uniform" Tighnari gave a swift gaze in Alhaitham's direction, a gaze that did not go unnoticed by the latter, but was as equally undecipherable

"The Scribe convinced me otherwise, it's a good idea to present myself in a more cordial light"

"You look very handsome, Cyno" Collei smiled towards him

Ever since Cyno brought her to Sumeru City long time ago, he'd made sure the little green-haired girl forgot all titles when talking to him. He preferred she call him by his name, or if possible, some affectionate nickname like an older brother's. Collei never used affectionate nicknames, though.

"Thank you, Collei, you look very pretty as well" The girl was also using a different outfit, resembling a traditional green Saree instead of adventurer clothes "Did Tighnari choose that for you? Or was it your personal choice?"

Tighnari, slightly blushing, stopped staring at Alhaitam and covered his face with his hand "I'm afraid I don't have good taste in fashion," He said, and indeed, he was wearing his usual Ranger clothes "Surprisingly, the person who suggested her clothes was Kaveh"

Collei giggled and nodded sheepishly.

At that, Alhaitam snorted and the others observed him curiosly.

"An old and annoying habit of him. He tends to get involved in clothing choices, furniture choices, and everything that is 'aesthetic' choices related; I think that must be one of the reasons why he has followed Nilou's performances so closely" He informed, crossing his arms

"Yeah, I don't think that's the real reason..." Tighnari murmured quizzically and Alhaitham raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate "Anyways, he's probably at the Bazaar already, let's go meet him?"

That ended the conversation while the group walked to the Grand Bazaar, experiencing the sudden increase in noise, bioluminescence, and eccentricity after passing through the doors.

It wasn't easy, but they finally found Kaveh, or rather Kaveh found them first...

"Oh—... my—God!" The blond approached them with a marked determination, his every step excited "Collei, Cyno! You look absolutely stunning"

"Hi Kaveh, thanks"

"Thank you Sir, Kaveh—"

Cyno and Collei greeted him consecutively, and Kaveh promptly launched himself to caught them in a candid hug.

"Tighnari, I would have loved to help you choose an outfit... Maybe next time? Your usual clothes are fine, but I'd love to see you wearing something different another occasion"

After a minute, Kaveh let go of his poor captives, who breathed a sigh of relief and took a step back. For the next moment Tighnari held Kaveh's attention, who was discussing some options with said Ranger that could only nod with a soft, complacent smile.

"By the way, you should see how spectacular is Nilou's dress, she looks out of this world" The blond man said, daydreaming; and now the Scribe thought he understood what Tighnari may have implied before

Trying not to get too involved in rumors about other people's lives, Alhaitham then noticed Cyno feeding Collei a few spoonfuls of dessert, and for some reason, the gesture touched him more than it should have.

"Oh what is that? Is it new?" Kaveh asked in the direction of Cyno's dessert "Looks delicious"

"Yes, Alhaitam was very kind to invite me; we met at Puspa Cafe and—..."

"Alhaitham?!" Finally, Kaveh turned to look at him as if he had barely noticed his presence, which Alhaitam suspected was more drama than reality "So you actually came"

"You think so?" The Scribe replied with pure sarcasm

"What are you doing with those clothes? No, no. Let me guess, you had nothing else to wear. I've told you many times that you should update your wardrobe" The blond huffed and massaged his head "In fact, if you had asked nicely, I could have lent you something... that way you could have invited the General properly"

"That's not what—..." Cyno tried to clarify what may have turned out as a misunderstanding

But Alhaitam, who always got caught in Kaveh's arguments, didn't pay attention to it anyways "That is unpractical, this clothes work just fine for their due purpose today"

Tighnari and Collei exchanged glances, but remained quietly either way.

"Hm, whatever" Suddenly, Kaveh's eyes roamed the crowd until they finally landed on the stage "I've got to go help with something else backstage... Alhaitham can you give me a minute please?"

"Make an appointment at the Akademiya"

His roommate eyes pierced daggers through him and he ended up nodding and conveying to walk towards one of the nearest stall markets.

When they were apart from the other three, they turned around to observe the scene from afar. Then Kaveh took a long inhale as a preamble, for something Alhaitam presumed would be a headache "What's going on between you and Cyno?"

It was the Scribe's turn to sigh, trust his best friend to misinterpret the situation "Nothing is going on. We only met for convenience"

"And you are inviting him to dessert? For convenience? Well I can imagine in which department a treat for him would be convenient to you"

"Nonsense. I must point you out that you are quite mistaken. The fact that now we might be colleagues, and perhaps friends, doesn't give you the right to misinterpret the situation and incommode the General with foolish assumptions"

"You never invite anyone to anything, Alhaitham, unless it's something important or useful. You don't do those kinds of things out of the goodness of your heart" Kaveh eyed him, this time more serious "You especially wouldn't invite anyone for a treat; you consider sugar an unnecessary indulgence"

"This time I consider it a social convention; it is nice to be on good terms with the General" For a brief moment Alhaitam connected eyes with his roomate, but heard Cyno's laugh in the distance, and found himself turning back his gaze to the source; he couldn't control it and he felt like being caught on some unknown lie "Besides I did invited you to that vanilla dessert you like so much"

"That was two days after my birthday, and only because you forgot it"

"But I did invited you"

Kaveh shook his head "You do realize that even if Cyno is too oblivious to notice, it seems like you two are on a date. That's the social convention you –also obliviously– aimed for either way"

"That sounds ridiculous, how can it be a date if there is a whole group with us?"

"Bet you wish there wouldn't be anyone else, huh?"

For the umpteenth time the Scribe sighed; he wouldn't get the idea out of the blond's head even if they argued for hours "What was it that you wanted to talk with me, Kaveh?"

The man's eyes lit up. "Oh, right. I wanted to ask if you could lend me one of your fine bottles of wine. I'll return it next weekend. I'd like to treat Nilou to celebrate her debut"

"Weren't you saying a minute ago that I don't give anything unless for my own benefit? What is so convenient about giving you said bottle?" Alhaitham huffed

"It's not a gift! I said I'd replenish it later"

The Scribe looked at the blond again, a moment of reflection followed, during which he considered subjecting his friend to the same interrogation he had received about Cyno.

What was going on between him and Nilou?

But no, that wouldn't be necessary; he wasn't as meddlesome as the other. And contrary to appearances, he wasn't a stingy person either.

"I want some grains of imported coffee as well"

"Thank you, Alhaitam. Now get back with your date!" Kaveh patted him on the back and then ran off towards the stage

Alhaitham, grumpier, rejoined the group just as the lights began to dim, leaving only a single, shimmering spotlight in the center of the stage. He took the opportunity to have one last glimpse of Cyno's profile, wondering if there was any truth in Kaveh's words, if that was the case, he knew for sure the General wasn't an oblivious person as his roommate presumed.

If that were true, Cyno would have already suspected other intentions, but he didn't seem to perceive anything out of the ordinary.

Objectively, he could admitt that Cyno was handsome, brilliant and intelligent. Maybe a very moralistic person for his liking, but all of that was overshadowed because this was Cyno, and his aura transcended all such things. In any case, this wasn't a date simply because he might find some pleasant qualities in the other; rather, it was still another opportunity to keep the peace between them.

At that moment, Nilou slowly appeared from around a corner on the stage, her movements fluid and undulating, her arms swirling around her, unfurling like a flower, a bud bursting into full blossom. She didn't follow the music, rather the flute melody followed her closely, entangling the musical notes in the delicacy of her fingers.

Kaveh was right, the girl's outfit was beautiful. A dress that looked like something a forest nymph would wear, pure white with lovely purple ribbons decorating some of the lace. Combined with her hydro vision and the flowers decorating the stage, the presentation was simply magical.

Her dance was only the prologue to what would become an epic work about the legend of Gurabad and the genie of the lamp Liloupar; which was presented in such a way that even those less versed in arts, were still captured altogether with everyone's attention, due to its historical and cultural value.

In short, the evening had been an eminently success, even as midnight approached and the presentation concluded.

Then, after congratulating their friend Nilou and joining a larger group of familiar faces, the General had completely relinquished his responsibilities as guardian of the city and decided to indulge in the prospect of some free time, he seemed completely relaxed and willing to participate in whatever was proposed. Alhaitham was free to leave to have his solitude and his books, but due to Dehya's insistence, he decided to stay... Or so he told himself.

As it was now tradition between the group, Tighnari and Dehya were the first to suggest sharing a few drinks; Cyno had agreed, as had Alhaitham, but it was Kaveh who ultimately took things to extreme. Kaveh, one social butterfly who knew how to get his hands on booze from anywhere and in exorbitant quantities. Luckily, found that Dunyazard was more than pliant to contribute with the celebration.

He would then become the one most responsible for poisoning them all with liquor with this new sponsoring.

Tighnari remained the most sober, declining after a few drinks, as he was responsible for Collei and her security. Collei, too, was underage and therefore unable to drink. The Ranger also assigned Alhaitham with the honorable duty to take care of Cyno till the General was safe and sound in his own home.

Dehya, the most drunk, kept drinking endlessly; it was almost impossible to knock her down, and she continued the blunt pace while laughing with other acquaintances. She would probably continue like this until dawn while Dunyazard watched for her.

Kaveh, who was right in the middle, continued skirting the liquor, hoping that Nilou became free so they would finally share the bottle of wine that Alhaitham had given him, just the two of them alone.

Cyno, who was still following Dehya, couldn't handle as much liquor as the lioness, and he had already exceeded his limit of resistance a while ago, so he had stopped with the intention of at least being able to get home with some dignity.

Alhaitham was in almost the same condition, but slightly more lucid, if the way he pronounced the words gave any clue.

Although, when he blinked he could only hear distantly a blurred -menancing- vision of Tighnari and then Collei's farewell, besides them was Cyno who slurred the words and wished them a safe journey. Afterwards, Kaveh excusing himself the moment he laid his eyes on Nilou; and at the end, Dehya renewing a challenge against some poor soul trapped with her, going to a bar with Dunyazard.

Cyno and Alhaitam were left alone.

With the crowd gradually dispersing and the night's chill intensifying, their drunken state was somewhat lowered.

“We should’a... go home... L’Haitham..." Cyno snorted "Why yer name’s so... long...?”

Alhaitham laughed, a little louder than usual. He stood up from the bench they were sitting at and offered Cyno his hand "Com'on then. Can ya' handle yourself?"

" 'F course I can, I'm... Cyno the ad–adventurer" He stood up abruptly, with his hands on his hips, presenting a proud pose

Only for his body -a second later without realizing it- to began lurching backward, on the verge of falling. But Alhaitham stumbled suddenly and grabbed the shawl draped over his shoulder, pulling him forward and straightening him up.

"Cyno, do y' want me to accompany you?" Tighnari's piercing glare appeared in the back of his mind

"Nooot necessary! I already told ya, shouldn't know where I live, it's dangerous" He laughed as if it was the most hilarious thing in the world "Ya know... danger’s m’ middle name... but—safety comes firsst~"

Alhaitham chuckled, it wasn't even funny, but it was somehow amusing to have the privilege to know Cyno like this.

"—doubt it'll be difficult to keep up with y' in that state, I'd figure it out anyway" He was still grabbing Cyno's cloth, the latter continued to sway from side to side, but always seeking the gaze of the tallest from different angles

It was heart-melting endearing.

"Ya'll be surprised" The shorter one murmured, and Alhaitham thought it may be an unconscious innuendo

"Let's go" He told the General instead, trying to get him to go home while accompanying him

Cyno went to protest and took a step away, but Alhaitam ended up unfurling his shawl in the process.

In his haste, he folded it randomly, and continued trying to grab the white-haired man's arm, but the latter did not allow it, playfully slipping away from him, and still making their way home in the process.

"I'll walk y' home, Scribe—..."

True to his word, the General indeed walked with him until Alhaitham's house...

How did Cyno know where he lived? It was a mystery, but not entirely a surprise.

In the end, Alhaitham ended up in his own doorway, holding the strong desire to insist Cyno that he should let him accompany him home; but no matter how hard he would have tried, Cyno continued to refuse.

"Tighnari's gonna kill me... ya know?" He whispered silkily, there was still some amusement tho

"He won't, can hendl' m'self"

They took some fresh air around the gardens while looking at the twinkle stars, and the remaining of the paper colors, brilliant like the stars but dusting the wind.

Finally, he had to give up, because Cyno did look more sober now and also tired, not near to accept his company anymore.

"At least call me when you get home, Cyno"

"Never would hav' imagined ya'd be such a worrywart..."

" 'm not... But you're as drunk as an ethanol formula"

Cyno grimaced at that "Leaf the jokes to me"

Alhaitham huffed "Just give me that call, would ya'?"

"Deal"

Just like that, Alhaitam remained frozen at his door while Cyno walked away. This time, he wasn't swaying, and his back didn't betray his facade of sobriety.

He waited until the pretty pale moonlight hair disappeared in the night, realizing that he was still holding Cyno's purple shawl, the canvas where he held the golden constellations through which his brown skin sailed during the whole night, when the fabric acted as a firmament caressing his shoulders with the passage of time.

Alhaitham stroked the fabric in his hand.

....

No more than fifteen minutes had passed before his Akasha vibrated softly.

"As promised, 'm home"

Alhaitham was already under the covers, ready to sleep, when Cyno's still slightly drunken voice came through the line. He also heard through the Akasha Cyno's well-known bedtime routine. Discarding accessories and clothes, brushing his teeth, setting sheets aside, climbing in bed.

"Didn't take that much, you must live closer than it seems... Is that why you didn't want me to come with you, are you hiding around the corner from me?"

"Hah, ya' wished that I lived that close to you" Cyno chuckled and it was contagious

"Why? Are you gonna confess that you live under Sumeru's sewers?"

"I wouldn't dream to take away Kaveh's house prospects when you kick 'im out of your place"

Suddenly, they both were laughing like the drunks they were. It was clearly a joke, but Cyno only said that because Alhaitham always enjoyed prick Kaveh wherever the opportunity presented, so even if he wasn't being purposefully mean, he still felt a little bad instantly.

"However... tell him 'm sorry about his situation, I do hope his job improves his financial funds soon"

"Tell him yourself, it seems you're practically our neig'bou— neighbourhood..." Alhaitham cleared his throat

"Did you missed me 'lready?" Cyno inquired, changing the topic as if realizing the Scribe's drunk slip in the tongue "That's why you want me living at the corner?"

The laughter gradually subsided, their slightly ragged breathing returned to normal, and suddenly the situation felt intimate and comfy.

When the tension couldn't linger anymore...

"Yes" He had no problem stating it; he used to be blunt honest, but now he was downright uninhibited by the liquor "Indeed, a lot"

"What did you miss the most 'bout me?" His words no longer sounded that slurred, now they sounded directly intrigued by something else

Something enticing heating up the tip of his tongue and the huskiness in his voice.

It provoked Alhaitam to loose his words even more.

"Your voice" He choose to say

"Do you like my voice?"

"You have no idea how much, Cyno" And so he closed his eyes, experiencing Cyno's laugh and voice while his head spun around the room with this strange intoxication. He lose it for a moment, blackness swallowing everything, including his consciousness for a moment; but then he heard Cyno humming a 'Mmm' sweetly and some heated instinct kicked him back

"—like your voice too... specially when you say my name like that"

He gulped, realizing how bad he suddenly wanted to hear what else pleased Cyno.

What was going on?

Was Cyno too drunk to realize what he was saying?

Was he too drunk to realize what he was also implying?

It didn't matter that he had no answers for those questions, he already decided he would follow the game without thinking in the consequences. Just because he loved Cyno's playfulness in whatever format it came.

Alhaitham wasn't thinking at all, he also wasn't completely lucid either.

"I also miss your smell"

Quite literally he felt the tension and the temperature rising between them in a flicker. Despite not being near the other, the circumstances felt quite livid.

He swore he will investigate how was even possible to feel that way only through a little device.

It was half the alcohol still swarming under their veins, but it was also a desire to move further and satisfy an unleashed curiosity.

While Cyno held his breath, Alhaitham abandoned his bed in the search of the General's shawl folded near the desk, stumbling a little in the process. He laid his face on the fabric and inhaled deeply the remanning scent, sucking his breath audibly for the Akasha, as if it was an anchor for his own tipsy consciousness.

"Thankfully you left this cloth behind... I can still smell your skin after it caressed you all night"

Cyno's breath turned irregular, his voice a mere lavender whisper and warm steam through the phone, when he retorted almost naturally "Wish it was you the one touching me instead..."

Then Alhaitham's lower belly did a double flip, because he couldn't believe what he was hearing but his body processed it for him. He too wished exactly the same thing. Instead, he only had the memory of chocolate tanned skin, luminescent and smooth for the eye.

Now facing what was denied during the whole night and what he buried deep in his unconsciousness, he dared to continue even further, to explore it.

"If you'd given me the chance, I would've done more than touch you, wouldn't have been able to control myself—..."

Alhaitham disconnected for a moment; he suddenly had a lapse during which he didn't know what he or Cyno said.

But they whimpered at that, and Alhaitham drunkenly smiled to himself. To whatever they had said.

"Ye'r cruel, Scribe, I can only imagine erotic things right now"

"Imagine" Slowly, Alhaitham returned to the bed with the cloth still wrapped in his hand "Tell me something—..." And he slurred a question he won't remember

For a moment Cyno became silent, Alhaitham feared he had fallen asleep, or worse, that he had regretted this lewd conversation.

How much consciousness would he had anyways? Because Alhaitham continued to have some blackouts lapses.

Was he on autopilot, even though his words sounded more coherent now?

Questions again, Alhaitham's own full conscience threatened to resurface when he tried to reflect but they all scattered as soon as he felt Cyno's breath return.

"It'll be easier if I lay down to imagine it" He murmured, his voice still sounded steamy and heated "If you were to... I'd like you to start with my neck"

Why?- He wondered

"Are you sensitive in there?"

"Mm-hmn, yes..." That sweet, tender tone of voice almost made Alhaitham lose his absolute mind "Would you kiss me there... with your tongue? You'll stop wanting to always have the last word that way"

Alhaitham's mind an consciousness spinned around de room faster, but his body became a blazing inferno in a second, he could picture biting Cyno's neck quite bluntly... He had no idea how, but he knew whichever way it happened it would feel fantastic.

"Cyno you're—... Yeah I'd love to do that, wanna taste your skin so bad" He anchored his hand upon his own abs and squeezed slightly, settling the battle against the crescent arousal, the strong desire was scratching flames down his lower belly, just right down there "That black choker you wear's criminally tempting... it makes me want to rip it with my teeth everytime I see it"

"If you bite me, I'll rip your ridiculous tight shirt with my hands— then I'll leave my marks all over your abs with my mouth, wherever your muscles start to twitch underneath... I won't stop until you're dripping down there"

Then it came, uncontrollable and pleasurable shivers all along fluctuations of unconsciousness "At this rate, you're probably gonna make me drip right now"

"Would you like that?" If it was even possible, Cyno's voice turned ten times more lascivious and breathless, provoking that all Alhaitham could think about was the other's plushy lips rubbing his ear. Now that they both were considerably horny, things started to escalate rather quick, but Alhaitham couldn't find in him the lucidity to stop, so he groaned something affirmative instead. Cyno was amused with his responses "I'd like to taste you too, I wonder how much it takes to make the Grand Scribe cum in my mouth"

Alhaitham moaned louder "Your saliva would make good lubricant for my cock, 'm sure it'll be easy" then he freed from his mouth the most indecent words he would never imagined he would use, hell he would never imagined he knew them at all; however, it apparently have a great influence on his dear General, as if his dirty words aroused him exponentially "Bet you'd look just as beautiful with me sliding into your mouth"

For starters, he couldn't have imagined the authoritarian deep-voiced Cyno, sounding as luscious as this drunk version.

"Hah, Haitham, 'm kinda—..." But, probing him wrong once again, he continued to nurture this new raw sexual image of him, because he was now wantonly gasping through the phone.
He only paused, as if searching for better words or a better way to hold them " 'm getting hard"

Not even in his craziest dreams would he ever have imagined Cyno could turn into this sultry lustful creature.

Having made the tough and proud scary General Mahamatra hard while getting naughty with him through a call, had awoken something dark inside the Scribe, and his whole body tremors had nothing to do with the previous ones. He physically couldn't hold his own hand to squeeze his hard cock upon his sweatpants.

Well, now they were mutuals. The Scribe had been erect for quite some time now, barely resisting the temptation to touch himself in stand by.

At this point, he pretty much desired to let go any remaining restraint.

"Touch yourself" He blurted still without thinking and without filter

"What?" This time Cyno's voice actually recovered some decency to sound partially ashamed "But that's—"

"I wanna hear it... your voice is—... I need more, Cyno" He unashamedly huffed a hot breath

"Wouldn't ya think that's disrespectful?"

"Disrespect me then"

"Mhm didn't know you could be this eager..."

After a heartbeat, Alhaitham licked his own lower lip, breaths turning hungrier by minute. It was as if Cyno actually wanted him to beg, moreover, the craziest part was that he wanted to comply.

"Please, Cyno"

"Okay" Cyno exhaled some of his inner steam as well, Alhaitham was still obsessed thinking about his lips "Ya know? 'm already naked, so I'll need you to keep me warm with your words, Scribe"

An idea suddenly assaulted Alhaitham's mind. He didn't know much about dirty wordplay beyond what his subconscious concocted, but he had a general idea of the prosody of certain ancient erotic poetry, as well as the words themselves. Naturally, in his translation and semiotics courses he had covered those topics. In turn, he recalled with little vividness one previous conversation with Cyno...

Translation as Devotion... Treat every word like a prayer

This act was also a ritual charged with sensorial depth. He wasn't sure if Cyno would enjoy his next approach, but if it worked, the connection probably was going to induce another level.

So he closed his eyes and forgot everything else.

"Baraye shab naleh kon - begozar teoos to ra dar khod ghargh kand, lotfan nam mara zamzameh kon ta nafast sholehvar shod"

(Moan for the night—let my desire undo you, please
whisper my name till your breath becomes flame)

Like an enchantment Cyno's breath hitched in a way Alhaitham haven't heard till now. It was aflame and breathless, but there was also a tiny shade of his voice at the bottom...

Alhaitham's pronunciation wasn't perfect in the bare minimum; the liquor still slurred his words, especially foreign ones. However, judging by the little 'hummings' coming out of Cyno's voice, he guessed he was comprehending each word.

"Ta zamani keh labiacpeheit cpehmazman ba rannpeheit balarzad"

(Until your lips tremble at the same time as your thighs)

There was one more inflection in Cyno's breathing and the smallest of moans, which prompted the Scribe to slide down his pants to take himself directly in his hand.

"Pes baraye man bah khodat dast mizani? Saino?"

(So you're touching yourself for me? Cyno?)

Alhaitham heard him swallow a moan, the Akasha must have fallen upon the pillow because there was also a little 'thud' and the subtle sound of his movement on the sheets and mattress. Like he was stirring, unfurling over the bed.

He could imagine the scene quite vividly.

How Cyno may look with his eyes closed, sprawled on his bed and with his pale moonlight hair cascading on the pillows; every time the Scribe's drunk voice will reach the other's ears, he would squirm and spread his legs open further, losing one more breath per word. In contrast, Alhaitham pumped his manhood and pressed his index finger over the slit on its tip, as he predicted, he had started to leak, a single drop dripped from his finger and over his shaft.

"Hh, beleh... to mono to yah vaziyat khili bad ve niazmandaneh gharar dadi, Aleheysan"

(Hh—... Yes...You turned me in such a needy mess, Alhaitham)

Hieroglyphs and alphabet letters danced for a moment in his mind; it was quite strange and odd to feel so aroused just by the mention of foreign words. But above all, there was the image of Cyno between them, tangling them in his fingers, twisting them down to his navel, lower and lower, sliding them between her tanned thighs... and deeper and deeper.

Quite literally, Cyno's words turned into vibrations and opioids chemicals inside the Scribe's brain, while as a response a charge of goosebumps erupted down his neck and spine, sending waves of electricity all around his body, but heavily concentrating on his dick.

"Tell me more" He forgot the desert language, he couldn't keep it anymore even if he wanted to tell the other so much more erotic words, too drunk not only by liquor but also by the longing pleasure, consciousness once again coming and going uncontrollably

But Cyno didn't mind it, he continued gasping on the phone "I'm so slick already. Wanna feel your hands in me instead, grabbing my thighs, squeezing my hips with them—... You've such a big hands, is unfair"

"My hands're just perfect for your size, don't you think?"

Cyno moaned harder, his movements became more erratic, Alhaitham started to catch the telltale of slick sound of the other's hand pumping his own cock up an down, he combusted on his bed just for the mental image of the General doing something so indecorous like that.

How would he look like anyways?

"Mmn, Alhaitham... Yes! Want you to grab my waist too, and up my chest, your fingers—... Playing with my nipples when you rub your dick against me"

Grabbing his cock more firmly, he joined Cyno using a little bit of saliva to slick his erection, creating more delicious friction when milking all that condensated desire he held for the General.

"But it'll be better with your mouth... That smart mouth of yours" Cyno continued "Sucking me hard in there, Ahhm... Haitham..."

Alhaitham groaned, dreaming of it like a horny teenager.

It was almost cruel how –precisely now– the fact that Cyno's uniform displayed his chest almost fully suddenly came back to his memory. He always had a clear and full view of his nipples, although he had never been aware of it. He bit his own lip, speeding his hand while Cyno's memories kept dancing around his mind, tempting him to beckon closer and exposing his body in all kinds of positions and places, replacing old memories of the correct, impecable General, for the now moaning debauched Cyno.

"Then, next time let me handle all of your needs, let me suck your tits until they are swollen with my saliva... Bet your little buttons would be plushier than ever for everyone to see in that lascivious outfit of yours"

His outfit wasn't lascivious, he knew those clothes were almost sacred for the General; but currently Alhaitham's brain couldn't discern the difference, he wanted to pray for them, as much as he wanted to defile them. Cyno despite his impeccable moral, sounded allured by the idea as well, because he now constantly swallowed harder his increasing moanings, his shaking wouldn't allow him to control his breathing anymore and his voice slurred, drunk, drowning in pleasure loosened "My nipples are so sensitive… ngh— they twitch for you… I keep rubbing them and mmm— damn, it just makes me wetter but it's not enough… I need you to make them ache harder… ahh—"

The caresses on his erection had become erratic, Alhaitham realized he was following the exact rhythm of Cyno's breathing and moans. Pretending it was those sounds he was pumping out of the General with each stroke of his hand, he was approaching a peak, but he wouldn't allow himself to reach it completely, because he wanted to hear Cyno get there first.

"But you're devious, if I presented myself like that in the Akademiya t-the people... would notice—..." Cyno's voice continued

"I'll fuck you right away in the Grand Sage office then, all over the desk" Alhaitham almost growled, losing any rational though left while Cyno moaned harder, a wantonly plea the Scribe would never forget "With everyone watching"

The hight pitched register coming out of the General and how it became the heaviest punch directed to his gut, the biggest wave of hot liquid pleasure dripping down his spine, the perfect rythm in sync with his strokes as Cyno screamed "I...'m cumming, oh... I'm—"

Then it came a swift drift into the dark, everything came loose, he couldn't hold nothing anymore, not even Cyno's mellow voice drunk in distant ecstasy.

The pleasure overflowed in a way that was both unknown and overwhelmingly intense. An incredible orgasm, charged with a wild and instinctive sensuality.

White hot spurts evidence of his outmost desire, covered his abdomen and painted a canvas down his lower half, his spent dick continued pulsating while the lasts drops flowed down the base and his pelvis.

For two seconds he remained unconscious again, but the lights still on flickered back some lucidity.

As best as he could, he took off his shirt and wiped away the evidence. The exhaustion, the sleepiness, the drunkenness returned all at once, doubled over; he knew he was about to collapse.

"Cyno? That was..." He trailed drunkenly, a soft satisfied smile on his face "Impressive"

"Mn" Cyno barely hummed in affirmation, probably as worn out, or even more so than Alhaitham felt

"Think I can't keep up anymore, g'night"

"G'night Haitham..."

After turning off the lights, darkness enveloped him easily and quickly. Everything he had experienced became intertwined and part of a complex collage of reality, fantasy, dreams, and fluctuations in consciousness/inconsistency.

Even so, in his dreams, he clutched to something reminiscent of Cyno and nuzzled against it. He was still holding the purple piece of fabric.

....