#apocryphis: al haitham

[immobiliter]

on dehya's birthday, al-haitham had been confronted with a conundrum.

every time he had a birthday to celebrate, he would gift the person in question a book. a book was, in his correct opinion, the best kind of present anyone could get - timeless, useful, and an opportunity to broaden the mind like little else can.

problem being: he also knows that dehya does not like to read. well. that she is not as avid a reader as he is, or as he had (pointlessly) hoped to convert her into. al-haitham knows when to admit defeat and acknowledge that after all, not everyone has to be as much of a bookworm as he is (their loss, still). but the issue remains: what else to get her, then? he knows from discussions shared over drinks with the others that she likes jewelry - al-haitham does not trust his taste or judgement on the matter. he knows she enjoys make-up and skincare - again, probably not his area of expertise, when all he knows is the art of the khol (in its most minimalistic form).

so be it then. after a particularly fruitful ideation session, haitham had locked himself up in his library with his tools, and emerged on the dot on dehya's birthday, and sought her out and found her just on the outskirts of aaru village, an hour before they were all due to meet up at candace's for the occasion (her and dunyarzad's idea, and one they have faithfully followed ever since). al-haitham always finds it easier to exchange such vows without the commotion of the group. incidentally, he finds that he wants to steal a few moments of her time for himself, away from the group, too.

"i wanted to give you this before we join the others. it's going to get too chaotic in there - and you'll have plenty of other presents to open, anyway." in the small box he extends to her, neatly wrapped up in light green paper, she will find a hand-crafted compass, complete with a curious system of his own making. "i took inspiration from spantamad's research. the compass includes an instrument that's connected to the ley lines. whenever there is a disruption if your vicinity while you're out in the desert, it will warn you, and suggest an alternative direction. works for sandstorms too. i... may have had a bit of help from our archon on this one." nearby, a bird happily chirps and flies away. coincidence? "hope it comes in handy. there are people waiting for you to return from your expeditions in one piece, after all. and not just your orphans." and a happy birthday, dehya.

��      If it had been up to her then no fuss would have been made for her birthday at all. Not because she begrudged the idea of a party or because she did not like the thought of getting old; Dehya enjoyed revelry as much as the next desert-dweller who'd braved the harshness of the sands for too long, and each year celebrated was a milestone in its own right. But there was something about being the centre of attention that... didn't unsettle her, exactly, but was just something that she wasn't accustomed to. She was used to Dunyarzad and Candace making a fuss, of course — and it was their tradition of celebrating in Aaru Village that endured even now. But it was an odd thing these days to receive a visit on her birthday from the General Mahamatra, or her Archon, or... the very same Acting Grand Sage of the Akademiya who was walking towards her right now.

       Maybe especially the Acting Grand Sage of the Akademiya — though she wasn't going to admit to any sort of surprise at seeing him here well before the celebrations were about to begin.

       It did seem very like him to want to give her his gift away from the crowd, however. If a fond smile threatened the corner of her lip at the thought, Dehya quickly dispelled it.

       She took the small box from him, and her eyes widened at the intricate instrument she found inside. Had he... made this himself? Even with divine assistance from Lord Kusanali herself, she couldn't imagine how many hours had gone into this — from the research involved, to its creation, and the presentation of it to her in a neatly wrapped box. A crease formed in her brow as she looked up at him, meeting his gaze and listening to his enthusiastic ( at least, by his standards ) explanation of how it worked.

       Her cat-like eyes lingered on his face before she let out a sudden, uncharacteristically nervous breath of laughter. “ And here I thought you'd get me a book that you'd then insist on reading to me. ” Despite the attempt at a joke to lighten the inexplicable tension that had seemed to settle in the air between them, it occurred to her that she wouldn't have minded such a gift. Not at all. Listening to him read to her under the clear, dark sky amidst the endless dunes was turning into a fond memory all of its own, one that she thought back on from time to time — not that she'd admit to that, either.

       Still, this was better. This was so much better, and so much more than she had expected. “ This is... ” Dehya shook her head. Words had seemed to fail her completely. As if by its own accord, her free hand reached out towards him. Her fingertips brushed lightly against the fabric of his sleeve, before she grasped his arm firmly and squeezed it with a small, grateful smile. “ Thanks. Now, promise me you won't ditch us all before the cake is brought out, all right? ”

@apocryphis

[twilightichor]

@apocryphis asked: [ 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 ] : receiver hears sender calling their name while asleep. (from nahida, and could be either nahida hearing dain call for her, or dain hearing her call for him, whichever is most ic for dain!)

Bearers of innocence are known for being unable to die, might as they try. The reason for this incapacity is none other than the lack of complex feelings established in their psyche that makes them perceive the world around them in whites or black, the in between, a sea of colors. Such statement would hold the truest for children, but so does for Aranara regardless of the wisdom they may come to acquire over countless of moons since their birth as a seed.

And it is through reacquainting himself with them as what few reminisce as Golden Nara and others know by tales told meant to be preserved, and fighting alongside them once again in order to keep Marana at bay that Bough Keeper knows the time has come. Stalling Marana, uprooting it and vanquishing it will be only a temporary solution to the ailment that threatens to shower Sumeru anew as Eleazar did the first time lest something is done to prevent it while they have time. If that comes to past, a domino effect is bound to occur, the biggest being the fall of the Sovereign of Dendro whom slumbers under dunes of sand that used to be verdant fields. Her demise naught short of a nuclear bomb of dendro to overflow over the rest of Teyvat and break the natural balance betwixt elements.

But they still have time, and one of them must be the bravest.

◜Bu'er.◞ Long ago has it been since the last time they had a direct conversation in this manner, where both of them allow their psyche to connect once again and see each other in an otherwise pitch black realm of the mind— all byproduct of their unique connection to an even greater network source in this world that brings them together... and Dáinsleif's own with her predecessor. Or rather, her past self in the previous samsara. No matter how much time may come to pass, Dáinsleif knows she listens. She always does— partly due to the misfortune that very few if any would talk to her directly.

◜Reluctant as I am to be bearer of bad news, the time has come. And time waits for no one.◞ For even for long-living beings as them, the changes of the world will not cease from happening. Albescent lashes flutter close to meditate a few moments his next words. Be that as it may, that doesn't change the fact that the God of Dendro has been reduced to nothing in the minds of many whom either believe in Rhukkadevata still or something else. An orchestrated plan that will lead to nothing but catastrophe if it continues its destined route with nobody to interfere. The one who must interfere first is her and her alone. ◜...I am deeply aware that it is easier said than done, but a chain of undesirable events are bound to occur if it isn't stopped. Should that come to pass, not even you would be able to do anything against it.◞

Namely the fall of the Devourer of Gods if she isn't given the freedom she necessitates to act before it is too late.

◜It may be terrifying... and you may be exposed to even cruder truths than what you know. But there are those whom only need to be tipped in the right direction to go with the flow leading to your eventual release, those that will believe in you at the smallest proof of your existence and your reassurance that you never abandoned them.◞ Unlike lies spread about her, about her incompetence and the need to let inept sages do an even worse job than she herself would if she were allowed to grow naturally among people. If there is one caged god that can do miracles in a state of enclosure, it is her. Even more paradoxical yet, one last breath of inspiration from a non-believer: ◜I have faith in you.◞

Because... if there is anyone who understands the importance of stepping in and healing Irminsul, it is you. If there is anyone who never gave up on her people even if many of them already did, it is you. If there is anyone who can pick up a failed attempt at purifying Irminsul entirely where She left it...

It is you.

[lunaetis]

@apocryphis replied to your post :

al-haitham, looking in silence, and taking off his shirt while maintaining eye contact. now nobody has a shirt. is this solidarity. challenge. appreciation. who knows. now what.

​─「エデン」─  one would think the trailblazer would be familiar with him, body and soul, by now, to not be too affected by the sight of him baring himself like that. truth is, however, the way the space raccoon literally FROZE in place, pupils wide at the majestic sight before her spoke otherwise. eden wasn't sure what sort of message he was sending.

                but she ain't complaining.

                and without a word, she just took a step closer. one. two. before literally plopping her chin onto his exposed chest, arms looping around his middle to prevent him from pulling away just yet.

                " five minutes. " muffled. best boyfriend. 100/10 will do it again.

[grislyintentions]

@apocryphis: mildly judgemental senior al-haitham stare -

......

"Don't stare at me with those big ol' eyes. It's a perfectly normal reaction!"

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

The words of his senior were not taken lightly. Cyno had come to that office expecting very little, a bit like the day he'd crossed that threshold the first time, though in a much different light. If once he believed the Akademiya did not harbor a single soul who could be trusted by a desert-dweller, he now knew that there were special souls to be found, people like Al-Haitham, who demonstrated care in their own ways, even subtle ones sometimes.

His parting message to Cyno was more than he could have asked for, carving into his heart like the art of a sculptor in one of the many walls he'd spent so many days admiring as a child.

Senses and knowledge are always more reliable than sentimentality or principles. The boy still pondered over that even much later as he left the safety of the great tree behind with Master Cyrus.

The next time the Spantamad Sage would make that journey back, he'd be alone.

It wasn't a rare occurrence. At times, fledgling dryosh would be left behind to train in the field, typically under the care of watchers or local guides from the desert. Soon enough, Cyno's student profile within the Akasha was updated with his new status, with his location and assignment hinting at a certain area beyond the Wall of Samiel.

The next week, that information changed again.

And then again.

Place after place, the weeks became a month, and then two, and still Cyno would be out in the field, off to do something, with no indication or mention of him coming back to report any findings. No papers to turn in, no samples to deliver. It was as though the student existed only in name.

Not that it seemed anyone was bothered to even notice such a quirk in the system. Unpopular and without connections, a young boy from the desert was dismissed as a topic as much as a person.

And should there be anyone who'd notice, or anyone who'd think of asking questions, they'd find themselves met with silence. No one would know a thing about Cyno. They'd suggest asking Master Cyrus himself, but the man had become increasingly difficult to catch with spare time for conversation.

Ever too busy, always in a hurry, and increasingly stressed, he'd mutter some excuses and turn his back. Everything was fine, and nothing was amiss, he'd repeat like a mantra. 'Back to your studies.' he'd say.

Even Lisa would shake her head with dejected confusion. She knew as much as the rest... only her face was struck with worry of late, according to some of the students that were closer to her would say.

This was until one fateful day, when the Spantamad professor's classes were interrupted altogether. A sudden and unexpected development on a project that required his undivided attention, according to the system. Yet, his location still seemed to be within the city, unusual for any kind of Spantamad-related work.

Here and there throughout the city, witnesses reported seeing the man barely leaving his home, only to make quick groceries, before sneaking back in with barely a word exchanged...

This is it then. The end of this 'mentorship', imposed upon both of them by teachers and educators who had thrown in the towel with two unruly students nobody knew what to do with anymore. Al-Haitham will not be a hypocrite: he had been reluctant, at the beginning, convinced he would never take to this role or his protegee... and Cyno had proven him wrong. There is something there, settling in his chest as Cyno talks about his and Cyrus' plan. A quiet sense of pride. Contentment at the sight of his success. Lingering questions as to what comes next. The young Haravatat student had not expected it, but he is not so cowardly or of bad faith to deny that he is invested. In Cyno's future, his next adventures, where life will take him.

Perhaps this explains the nagging impression of something a little off gnawing at the back of his mind. Al-Haitham is not used to being interested in what will become of another person; perhaps this is nothing more than part of the experience. Therefore, he files it away, an impression he will maybe pick up on later to inspect it. For now... it is time for their goodbyes.

"Sure." Al-Haitham assents with a nod. "I'll emphasise that you don't owe me anything, and... well. You didn't give up on me either, so consider us even." He admits. Even he can admit he is difficult to handle. "But I'd like to hear about your travels all the same. Goodbye, Cyno. Stay safe on the road. And if you're ever in a difficult situation, remember to listen to your instincts. Your senses and knowledge are always more reliable than sentimentality or principles."

[zorkaya-moved]

❛ you okay? caught you staring off into space again. ❜ (from al-haitham!)

@apocryphis

Within a doctor lives a hunter, the devil of the snowy plains and the killer of those who could not survive within the land of ice. She is a survivor, and a survivor is far more aware of her surroundings than anyone else. She is a Snezhnaya, a warrior born and raised from survival and hardships. Her past is covered in layers of snow and ice, hiemal songs follow her footsteps in shadows but she hides them all too well behind the perfect facade. Yes, it may seem fake, but as long as she helps others and there are those who believe her - it is all that matters. However, as they go across the deserted land, she senses disturbance. A faint hint of murderous intent, danger lurks nearby and it causes her to slow down. She watches, studies, and checks their surrounding. Her hand rests on her the hilt of her knife and her Cryo vision subtly shines.

Al-Haitham's words do not stir her away from the watchful instance. The Sun is setting down and the darkness will soon cover them. It'll be the perfect time for fools to attack. This is what she asked the scribe before: Can you fight? And as he said he'll be capable of protecting himself, she doesn't take into consideration his possible death for he is smarter than majority - if not all - of Sumeru. Does Azar want to play this game? He's too aware of her capabilities and her reputation. The moves are quick, they are knowledgeable. Someone who knows how to operate in the desert, especially at night. Despite how she stares into the distance, she is relaxed. Her body doesn't show an ounce of tension in it, it's as if she's just zoning out, but when the question is asked, she answers:

"Someone's been following us," she says, turning her face to look forward instead, continuing her steps forward. The sand is soft yet irritating under her boots, she doesn't enjoy this and she doesn't like it. Sumeru'd deserts are her least favorite spot, it's dry and the sand particles getting caught in her hair or getting into her eye makes it more irritating. However, when she looks at Al-Haitham, she offers him a reassuring and small smile. Laid-back, wishing to watch what'll happen. "I asked you before if you could fight, but let's hope they are just following us to see what we do. "

It doesn't matter.

Al-Haitham doesn't need to know that Sirin, the bird of tragedy and ice, is already behind them, left to fly above to find that fool who will be striked by the icy needle. The ice will melt and the body will be found by animals, monsters, and the Sun. No one will ever know what killed them, no one will ever know if it was a beast or a human. The body will be taken apart by the desert. Azar should know better than to try and watch what she does with the Scribe. Al-Haitham is too valuable to be kept away and to be unseen for too long. Unlike the foolish sages, she watches and learns. She doesn't need this man to get in her way, not yet. Not until she had her fill of entertainment. It's getting too boring, but she needs to finalize that experiment. Return it to the Abyss.

"I'm surprised, you're paying attention to my behavior," she chuckles, seemingly relaxing as she continues moving forward. A change in subject as if she's nervou to continue the current one, as if she doesn't want to dive into the possible tail, as if she's afraid and uncomfortable. Her eyes look around again before she sighs out, her shoulders slumping. So watch, Scribe, watch and learn of her [actions]. "I thought I was not as bad. But still, it's concerning you're actually paying attention to me. Thought you'd just huff and continue your stoic silent walk." Zarina brings humor in and glances at the Scribe, now her smile seems more relaxed. "Must be bad if you actually asked, ugh. I'm a bit on edge. I don't like being followed, but it's mostly harmless. Sometimes, I need to make a run for it." Her hand lifts up to start playing with her braid, a gesture for subtle nervousness. (What an actor you are.)

"When I'm alone, it's easier because I don't worry about another person, but... Well, I do worry that you might get in trouble because of me. So that's why I'm trying to be as vigilant as I can be," the unspoken 'to keep you safe too' would make sense with what she told about being the older sibling. He may not need to be protected, but the actions of an older sibling would make sense, wouldn't it? It's all calculated. Truths can be found in lies, it makes them harder to discern. "We just need to move forward. I don't like being vulnerable. Let's go, Al-Haitham. Let's pick up the pace. It's also getting darker."

[daybreakrising]

@apocryphis: ❝ push yourself too hard and you become your own worst enemy. ❞ oooh and from al-haitham to baizhu!

With a smile, the doctor lowers the book in his hands, abandoning his perusal of the text to instead meet the rather stoic gaze of the man now hovering at his table. He marks his place with a piece of cloth tucked gently between pages and sets the book down, offering the scribe his full attention, as is polite.

A quick glance around the library tells him the hour is much later than he had anticipated. The House of Daena is virtually empty, with only a few scholars hunched over tomes at the scattered tables. He has, apparently, outlasted even the most overworked, sleep-deprived academics stressing over their latest research projects.

"Is that spoken from experience, perhaps?" He turns his pleasant smile upon the scribe, reptilian eyes studying his face, searching for all those little micro-expressions most people are unaware of making. A habit of his - reading people, their body language; discerning their emotions, their motives.

Now that it has been pointed out to him, however, he does feel the lingering effects of sitting in the same position for long periods of time. He ought to stand, stretch his legs, but he's not sure they'd hold him immediately, and he doesn't want to stumble in new, still somewhat strange, company.

So, he settles instead for a light stretching of the spine, a roll of the shoulders. "I assure you, good sir, I am very aware of the dangers of pushing oneself too hard."

"Hm." Upon his shoulder, Changsheng huffs. "He says this, yet still he ignores his own wisdom."

Baizhu utters a soft chuckle, gives a little shake of his head. "Ah, well, it is an established fact that doctors make the worst patients, no?" He is quick to change the subject - there is no need to linger upon the hard truth that he does avoid following the advice he will happily dole out to others. Another habit of his. Do as I say, and not as I do-

"Was there something you needed, Alhaitham?" It occurs to him then that perhaps he is only permitted within this library for a set time - he doubts the library itself ever closes, but he is a stranger here. The rules may be different for him. "I hope I am not outstaying my welcome in these halls."

[immobiliter]

@apocryphis sent a meme: you can’t count on anyone, especially your heroes. (al-haitham to dehya :))

       Dehya hadn't particularly wanted him to find out. Her investigations into Dakan Al-Ahmar had been going on for months, after all, and Al-Haitham would have remained none the wiser to these various goings on in the desert had their own fortuitous meeting at Caravan Ribat not been interrupted by Harun and her other Blazing Beasts mercs with new intel as to the brigade's most recent movements. Given all they'd been through together, it hardly seemed fair to exclude him from the conversation, but there was undeniable ripple of... not fear, exactly, but trepidation settled in the pit of her stomach as she listened to him engage with the problem, ask questions, approach the issue with rigorous curiosity as he presumably would one of his academic texts... and eventually be told by her well-meaning brothers-in-arms that the leader of this troublesome faction of Deshret's Relics was in fact her own father.

       She'd thanked the guys for passing on their intel, and they seemed to get the message at that point to give the pair some space — but, now that they were alone, stood under one of the shaded awnings, shielded from the unforgiving glare of the desert sun, Dehya wasn't entirely sure what to say next.

       Surprisingly, it was Al-Haitham who breached the silence, and the remark finally prompted Dehya to turn her head to meet his gaze. As always with the Akademiya Scribe, it was hard to tell when he was being sincere, but this felt like some genuine attempt at reassurance, albeit a clumsy one.

       “ Yeah. Well, fortunately, my father has never been my hero. ” She hoped she didn't sound too defensive, turning away from him and folding her arms across her chest. What else was there to say? Kusayla had always been a drunk, a lecher, a thug... but now he was a violent murderer too, indiscriminately attacking targets all over the desert. Dehya wasn't surprised at his behaviour, and yet some small part of her foolishly hoped that, ever since the argument that had prompted her to walk out of his life forever, he might have engaged in a little self-reflection and changed his ways. She sighed. “ He's always been like this, but now he's hurting others so brazenly I have no choice but to do something about it. ”

       Trying to shake off her disappointment and bitterness was harder than she expected but, reminding herself that the only way to fix things was to go out there and do something about it, she finally turned back to her companion. It occurred to her that she didn't even know yet why Al-Haitham was here at the Ribat in the first place — whether he had sought her out, or if this had indeed just been a coincidental crossing of paths. “ I'm sorry if you sought me out because Lord Kusanali needs me at the Akademiya or something, but this has to come first, Al-Haitham. If one day the desert is to become a safe place where nobody needs an armed escort in order to cross it, then I have to start by pulling out the roots, one at a time. ”

[immobiliter]

@apocryphis sent a meme: [ aloud ] sender reads aloud to receiver (al-haitham to dehya!)

       There was nothing good or safe to be found in the desert at night. It often took ordinary travellers by surprise: the way that the temperature would plummet the moment the sun dipped below the horizon, the howling winds taking on a distinctive chill, making them even more dangerous than they already were during the day. No-one, merc or desert guide, with any experience worth their salt would dare try to traverse the sands with no natural daylight to guide them, and so the waning light had led Dehya and Al-Haitham to a sheltered alcove to set up their camp for the night.

       Fire was not a problem where the Flame-Mane was concerned, but she still sat beside the flames, monitoring not only the state of the kindling keeping them alive, but also of dinner. When she finally turned to seek out the gaze of her companion, the sight she was greeted with really shouldn't have surprised her. “ Of course you brought a book to read. ” Did Al-Haitham ever go anywhere without one? Dehya was starting to wonder — though at least at this point she knew his tendency to tune himself out of any social situation and lose himself within those pages wasn't anything personal against her.

       Resigned to the fact that this was going to be a very quiet, very dull evening, Dehya turned her attention back to the food sizzling above the fire — up until she noticed movement in her peripheral and was suddenly handed the very same book. She watched Al-Haitham sat down beside her. You read, I'll take over.

       She stared at him a little dumbfounded for a moment, surprised that he would so readily hand his book over and expect her not to use it as kindling for their fire. Running her fingers along its spine, Dehya took in the title ( fiction? surprising ), before opening it and taking in the walls of text on its pages. “ I'm... not much of a reader. ” She snapped the book shut, but soon realised just what she might have implied with her words. “ I can read, Kusayla took the effort to teach me but... reading a book doesn't exactly help me out here in the desert. Usually we would just tell each other stories. See who has the best one. ” Kusayla had taught her enough to pen letters, to read and understand merc contracts, but the thought of sitting there, comprehending page upon page of words in an attempt to put a story together... it would either take her way too long, or she'd reach a stumbling block in the face of too complicated a word and give up.

       Reading had only ever been a tool for her to better understand and manage the world around her. Not a source of pleasure or interest or excitement.

       As Dehya handed the book back to him, she expected some sort of pointed remark in return, but he said nothing. Instead, that familiar silence once again stretched on between them. And then —

       What if I read it to you?

       The question drew her gaze to him again, wondering whether she'd heard him correctly. She hadn't referenced those nights with her brigade, or even with her father and Dakan Al-Ahmar, regaling in storytelling in order to make him feel bad for the comparative silence of their own camp... but then, the Akademiya's Scribe wasn't known for being easily guilted into doing anything he didn't already want to do.

       First he had offered to come with her to track down her father and his group of mercenaries, and now, instead of retreating to a corner to read in silence, he was offering to read to her. Either he valued the story he'd brought with him very highly indeed, or he needed to stop surprising her and go back to acting in the predictable manner that had helped form her first opinion of him.

       She could simply just refuse his offer. Things would no doubt go back to being predictable between them if she did.

       As her blue gaze flickered between his face and the book returned to his custody once more, both illuminated by the firelight, Dehya found that she did not want to say no.

       “ All right. But let's at least eat first. ”

       And so they ate, and a short while later Dehya found herself sat beside him as he made good on his offer. The storytelling might not have been as exuberant or dramatic as those that Kusayla had regaled her with as a girl on a nightly basis, but that didn't matter. This was better than the evening endured in silence she had expected... far better, if she'd taken the time amidst recent turmoil in her life to truly examine what these efforts of his had meant to her as of late.

[immobiliter]

♡ and for dehya and al-haitham >:)

SOFT SHIP MEME / @apocryphis

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙰𝚂𝙺𝙴𝙳 𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙾𝚄𝚃 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃?

by all means correct me if i'm wrong on this ventium, but i just can't see al-haitham doing this lmao so by default i think this will fall to dehya. however i don't think she would ever ask him out in the more traditional "do you want to go out on a date" way. she'll ask to hang out and spend time together ( and tbh on this level i can see haitham maybe doing the same in return? though dehya probably initially starts this trend ) and i think these hangouts will slowly become dates without the two of them truly realising it.

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝚆𝙴𝙽𝚃 𝙸𝙽 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃 𝙺𝙸𝚂𝚂?

dehya is the obvious one here and i imagine she will go in for the kiss, but i don't think she would necessary do this out of the blue as a surprise or anything along those lines. i think this will happen down the line when these two share a Moment and the attraction and curiosity bubbling away between them can't be denied any longer — where al-haitham might freeze or not know how to react in that sort of moment, dehya will engage with it and lean in instead.

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙶𝙸𝚅𝙴𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁 𝙽𝙸𝙲𝙺𝙽𝙰𝙼𝙴𝚂?

i don't actually know if either of them would be prone to doing this? i think for these two there is a more significant sort of intimacy in calling the other by name, rather than shortening it or using pet names with each other.

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙲𝙾𝙾𝙺𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙼𝙴𝙰𝙻𝚂?

dehya is pretty self-sufficient when it comes to cooking, and i feel like al-haitham is as well, so i think this could well end up being a mix of both? i think there'll be a combination of these two cooking for each other when they are out in the desert on some job or commission, and al-haitham cooking for dehya when she visits him at his home in sumeru city.

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙷𝙰𝚂 𝙱𝙴𝚃𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚃𝙴 𝙸𝙽 𝙼𝚄𝚂𝙸𝙲?

i don't know if music is particularly important to either of these two, but maybe dehya comes out on top simply because of the desert's oral storytelling culture. as well as telling stories, i'm sure kusayla's band of mercs would also sing and dance at night around a campfire. fyi dehya has a surprisingly good singing voice.

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙷𝙾𝙶𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙱𝙴𝙳?

i think they both do lmao. they are both individuals who are not really accustomed to sharing their space with someone else. for dehya, sleeping in a bed isn't something that she always does and is generally reserved for when she is staying at aaru village or is staying in sumeru city with dunyarzard & her family, and so she will spread out and hog the bed as it's a real luxury and privilege. so these two will definitely have to learn how to share a bed together and it takes some getting used to.

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝚆𝙰𝙺𝙴𝚂 𝚄𝙿 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃?

hmmm, al-haitham might have the edge here on dehya possibly, especially as he technically needs to go to the akademiya to do his job on a regular basis lmao but i think these two both tend to be awake relatively early, so i don't think there would be a huge divide between who wakes up first.

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙼𝙰𝙺𝙴𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙲𝙾𝙵𝙵𝙴𝙴?

this is definitely not dehya, i don't think coffee or even tea is really her thing, so that would leave al-haitham to be the potential coffee fiend out of the two of them. i think dehya might try to make him coffee at one point, but i wouldn't drink it al-haitham. don't do it lmao.

𝚆𝙷𝙾'𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙱𝙸𝙶 𝚂𝙿𝙾𝙾𝙽?

can i be daring here and say that, more often than not, this is probably dehya? don't get me wrong, there are probably times when dehya enjoys being held and they switch things up, but i think she would actually really love to be the big spoon and hold al-haitham once they reach this point.

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚈𝚂 𝚄𝙿 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚂𝚃?

i think they are both matched here, but would likely only stay up super late if there is a really good reason for it.

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙲𝙷𝙴𝚂 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝚆𝙷𝙾'𝚂 𝙷𝙰𝙽𝙳?

i think reaching for each other's hand takes these two some time and my gut feeling is that dehya will probably initiate this, but something that i think these two may do first is the whole "reaching for each other's wrist to stop them in a dangerous/high stakes situation." i can absolutely see this happening during their little bonding trip to the desert and this may well end up being the first real physical contact that occurs between the two of them.

𝚆𝙷𝙾'𝚂 𝙰 𝙵𝙰𝙽 𝙾𝙵 𝙿𝙳𝙰?

dehya is almost certainly the more touchy-feely of the two, but even then i don't think these two would be huge on pda. you may see them both sit together or exchange glances across the room, but i feel like that would be the extent of it while in public or in front of the rest of the sumeru gang. nahida knows though, because of course she does 🤭

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝚂𝙽𝙾𝚁𝙴𝚂?

i don't think either of them do? so don't worry haitham, dehya might be all sprawled limbs while in bed but she's not gonna keep you awake or force you to put on your noise-cancelling headphones lmao.

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙶𝙴𝚃𝚂 𝙰𝙽𝙽𝙾𝚈𝙴𝙳 𝙼𝙾𝚁𝙴 𝙴𝙰𝚂𝙸𝙻𝚈?

i think they both do in the sense that their respective prides can easily wound and be wounded and they might therefore snipe at one another. as the more outwardly passionate of the pair, dehya might be somewhat more prone to this ( as i feel like al-haitham would just disengage and walk away ), but as their relationship progresses i don't see this as something that affects them as much as it does in the beginning.

𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙸𝙽𝙸𝚃𝙸𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚂 𝚂𝙴𝚇?

we're trusting dehya with this one chaps, she's got this 👍 lmao in all seriousness she likely will initiate eventually, but i do feel like this is something neither of them are going to rush towards. if anything it may just end up as a natural progression once they become more and more comfortable with physical touch. dehya will certainly get to the point where she will want to have sex with him, but she will of course want al-haitham to be ready and interested in it too.

𝙼𝚈 𝙼𝚄𝚂𝙴'𝚂 𝙵𝙰𝚅𝙾𝚁𝙸𝚃𝙴 𝙼𝙴𝙼𝙾𝚁𝚈 𝙾𝙵 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁𝚂:

oh man this would probably be an ask of yours that i've yet to even answer LMAO but it's effectively anything that's connected to how much care al-haitham shows towards the kids of aaru village and their learning. helping dehya & co set up the new school, providing her with books for them — i think it's these sorts of moments that really show to her the man underneath the dismissive, uncaring scholar act that he puts up. there will also be various moments during their trip to find kusayla that stick in her mind too.

bonus shout out goes to that time he read to her while they were camping in the desert, but i think he will have to repeat this for her to truly start appreciating those moments, wink wink.

𝙰 𝚁𝙴𝙶𝚁𝙴𝚃 𝙼𝚈 𝙼𝚄𝚂𝙴 𝙷𝙰𝚂 𝚁𝙴𝙶𝙰𝚁𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁𝚂:

i think something dehya initially regretted big time was letting al-haitham in on her mission to find kusayla, that was something that she really wanted to deal with on her own without outside interference or judgement. but i can say with absolute certainty even if we haven't written that far yet that by the end of it, she does not regret al-haitham's involvement whatsoever. he was in fact exactly what she needed: someone who could support her in his own way while also being an unbiased voice of reason when she needed it.

𝙸𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚈 𝙲𝙾𝚄𝙻𝙳 𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙽𝙶𝙴 𝙾𝙽𝙴 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙶:

she still won't come to the akademiya to work with you haitham, i'm sorry lmao. this is a tricky one actually, i don't really think there is anything she would change, even their clashes in the beginning are not something she would take back since it eventually led to them overcoming it and learning to understand each other. so no, i think she's good on this front.

𝚃𝙷𝙴𝙸𝚁 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝙻𝙰𝙽𝙶𝚄𝙰𝙶𝙴𝚂 𝙰𝙲𝙲𝙾𝚁𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚃𝙾 𝙼𝚈 𝙼𝚄𝚂𝙴:

dehya sees acts of service as a huge one between them, i think they really like to show each other how they care through actively doing something and that aligns very much with them both being individuals who refuse to be idle for too long. and i think quality time is one that dehya will want more of going forward, she'll want to spend time with al-haitham to truly get to know him better.

[immobiliter]

@apocryphis sent: Is your muse comfortable with, or proud of their body? Are they insecure? Is your muse attracted to any features in particular? (for dehya!) ᐅ vanilla sunday meme

this first question is sooo interesting when it comes to dehya because, even in universe, her beauty is remarked upon in her character stories and she is renowned in the desert for both her physical attractiveness ( as are beautiful women in the desert as symbols of vitality ) and her combat prowess. given that dehya is not only beautiful, but takes great care to maintain her appearance and is a capable fighter who takes care of her body to ensure that she remains fit and able to fight, you end up with a woman who is extremely comfortable in her own skin. but i say comfortable instead of proud because, while she is proud of her fighting and survival skills, i don't think at any point her comfort in her physicality and appearance veers into pride or vanity. she wears makeup and exercises hygiene even with the challenges of her wandering lifestyle because she chooses to in order to feel good. it's never done in order to impress others or accentuate her own attractiveness because she doesn't need that external validation — especially so because her beauty does make her almost fetishised in a sense within desert society and i'm sure this does draw unwanted attention now and again.

as for the sorts of features that dehya is attracted to, i think physical appearance is honestly not her priority at all. sure, she can appreciate someone who is conventionally attractive, and she likes a sharp pair of eyes and a strong pair of arms that she can spar in a fight with but, for her, attraction is all about character and conviction. she likes people who are strong minded and know what they believe ( even if their belief system differs to her own ), stick to their principles and refuse to compromise in the face of external pressure. life in the desert is all about the act of doing, of surviving and persisting in a tough environment that is doing everything in its power to destroy you, so it will always be the actions of others that appeal to dehya over more surface level attributes.

[twilightichor]

✧ @apocryphis asked: the campfire crackles quietly in the desert night, the only sound permeating the immeasurable silence of the vast red sands. not even a breeze to shift the sands of the dunes, not even the crawling and creeping of scorpions or nocturnal desert foxes. draped in a wide cloak, its hood half covering his face, al-haitham gazes at the chisel mirror conjured up just above the palm of his hand; lost in the subtle reflections of the fire against the pale, green shimmer of dendro. it is a quiet night in the desert -- but al-haitham knows all too well how quickly the sands can turn in those parts. he remains alert, focused; and his free hand deftly moves to the sword next to him upon hearing the subtle sound of footsteps approaching, piercing gaze darting into the night.

only for eyes to widen in surprise as a familiar silhouette finally comes into view under the flickering light of the fire.

"dainsleif?" he calls out, incredulous. he has no seen the man since their very first adventure into the rainforest, amidst dreams and memories. truth be told, he had not expected to see him again. realising the surprise that must be painted all over his face, the scribe forces composure to return to stoic features; shoulders relaxing, but hand barely just straying away from his sword (the slightest movement in the desert might very well draw unwanted company, whether dainsleif had intended it or not - best remain careful). "fancy seeing you here." he comments, dryly, which, in al-haitham's world, equates to as much cordiality as he can muster. consider his curiosity piqued (in al-haitham's world: the highest form of compliment). "i would say it's a small world, but that would not be true in the red sands. question is, were you looking for me, or for the ancient ruins that just so happen to be another three hours away from here...?"

The harshness of the desert forgives none, just as equitable as its counterpart the rains of Fontaine that sheds its justice over everyone equally, no matter if gods or humans, poor or rich. Its golden sands a stark contrast from the emerald foliage from the rainforests and what little area had survived surrounding the remnants of the former Hydro Archon and a creature formed from the might of three goddesses for one same purpose. Its dryness and merciless fauna a reminder of bygone times when all the verdure that existed in this location turned to dust in mere nights, when the wave of the Abyss hit everything on its way at its hardest and precipitated everything to death. Even the true sovereign that once ruled these lands had to shed her rich, jade skin and coat herself with the amber dust of the sands in the name of adaptation and even less kinder and romantic yet— survival.

These days, there are two kinds of people who dare to tread the expanse of these sands: those who have been shunned from their original homes and now need to do something— anything to bury lost riches to make a living out of their price and those knowledgeable enough to be aware of what they're doing and where they're heading, even under the immensity of night's veil and obscurity, with only the frigid light of the moon above serving as a fragile guide to wander these parts.

For someone of the likes of Dáinsleif, it makes little difference if he treads perilous places under the broad daylight or the more subtle moonlight. So when he spots amidst nowhere a small bonfire in his way to the place of choice, of course it would pique his own curiosity to get closer and inspect for any signs of assistance or just come in passing and leave just as he first came. What he wouldn't imagine is that it's the descendant of the skeptic scholars, al-Háitham the one he would find here.

◜Fancy meeting you here, too.◞ There is no falsehood in his voice nor anything to denote otherwise in what he says. The man himself was a pleasant discovery in the rainforests, back when the necessity to help reached his senses in invisible pulses that those who are well-versed in the profundity of foliage's importance would feel. In his case, he cannot claim to have any deep relationship with it weren't for deep-rooted bonds with Irminsul. Dáinsleif nods his head as a salute before he joins the scribe by the bonfire, sitting down at a prudent distance from him and facing the opposite way his gaze does in order to guard any possible threats that may come their way. Albescent lashes flutter close for a fraction as he exhales a silent chuckle at the question posed to him, so like an ever curious mind like his.

◜You give me too much credit.◞ At least in this case, where his is none and far less impressive than he would expect, perhaps as a result of their co-joined feats in the land of dreams and adventure with the Aranara. Sapphire irises open thereafter, boring into the other's emerald ones. ◜Perhaps this might make your bubble burst, but the reality is that none of the options you've stated are what led me here. As a matter of fact, I was just passing by.◞ That is the truth, no more and no less than that. Sometimes there needn't be a deep reason to appear somewhere at an unexpectedly right time to meet an old soul.

But perhaps, there is something that can feed his curious soul and which he can satisfy for allowing him to stay without inviting the wrath of the sword he keeps close.

Thus he looks towards the far north from where he came from after helping out the kind of an old companion of his, back when he emerged from the vowels of Teyvat to roam these lands as the only alternative left, granted that he had no desire to linger anymore where the presence of what ruined his homeland is at its highest— a solemn look in starry gaze. ◜Have you ever heard about the tales of war in which people from two different nations united their strength to fight for a common goal, al-Háitham?◞

[lunaetis]

small habits / tidbits / skills / traits eden developed through various interactions ( part 1/? ) :

- learns to speed-read / skimming over long text due to al-haitham's ( @apocryphis ) influence. he reads so fast that eden took a few tips from him on how to do that and over time, she acquired the skill to speed-read things and to pick out important bits of a long text by skimming quickly. she even surprised the astral express crew with it. of course, she's nowhere near his level but she is getting better.

- learns to make quick lunch. nothing fancy. mostly something easy to make like wraps or sandwiches because the doctor ( @unboundtravels ) cannot cook for the life of him. later on, she learned how to make mini muffins just bc she likes to have something sweet to snack on and asking to stop by a cafe during an important mission would earn her a look.

- becomes better at stealth because of how often she's trying to sneak into meropide and the duke's ( @avaere ) office without being captured. she had learned to be swift in her approach, makes less noises when moving about and having lighter footsteps. despite the fact that she had gotten better at it, to this day she still couldn't escape his sharp senses and he'd catch her every single time.

- has a habit of muttering something in foreign language ( gallifreyan ) when she's deep in thoughts. this is done unconsciously most of the time as the tenth doctor ( @tempestforged ) taught her a few things. it's also a proof of their resonance after she received his regeneration energy so it echoes in her mind and she does it without knowing. she sometimes hums a foreign song she isn't aware she knows of.

- collects small plants and keeps them in her room on the astral express ( she has a room i s2g i will die on this hill. ) mostly succulents and plants that aren't too high maintenance bc they remind her of her space tree ( @crimsontroupe ). she's particularly fond of cotyledon tomentosa because they look like little paws. paws + plants are like the combination of the two of them in one. she adores them.

[immobiliter]

 “⭐️” for whoever you want and as many or as few as you want: neuvillette and Furina, neuvillette and navia, Lyney and navia, al-haitham and dehya, kazuha and beidou! (Did I miss anyone -)

for each “⭐️” I get, I’ll write a headcanon about our muses / @apocryphis

ventium ily for naming all of our dynamics, i'm gonna try to give you one for each~

⭐️ i like to think that very early on in furina & neuvillette's working relationship, shortly after he was invited to fontaine, furina took a very keen — not controlling per se but definitely her brand of obnoxious — interest in how he was presented to the people and was responsible for the design and colour scheme of his first set of robes as iudex ( the concept of which she described in painstaking detail to the poor seamstress granted the honour ). it was partly a power play as she had to prove to the hydro sovereign that she was the one in control and pulling the strings, but there were some good intentions behind it as furina saw how much of an outsider he was ( particularly as he brought the melusines with him and we know the initial trouble that caused ) and wanted to help him assimilate into fontainian society as smoothly as possible. she became less overbearing over time but those first months involved a number of these "teaching" moments as she attempted to instruct him in the way fontainians dressed, ate, conducted business, pursued their hobbies etc etc. imagine it's like the princess diaries and furina is julie andrews lmaooo

⭐️being a social butterfly herself, navia does struggle, particularly early on in their partnership post-AQ, with neuvillette's solitary and emotionally distant nature, and i think she quickly deduces that this makes him a rather lonely individual, too. so she will try to counter this by spontaneously turning up at the palais mermonia from time to time ( without an appointment, naturally, and yes she will interrupt whatever business he has at that particular moment ), not on official business but just to bring him the newest batch of macarons that she has baked or to ask him about his day/tell him about hers. the palais feels like such a cold, lonely building so navia will try to fill it with as much warmth as possible whenever she is visiting.

⭐️ i think out of all three house siblings, navia gets on the best with lyney and as they bond post-AQ/during the poisson rebuild, they both instinctively recognise a kinship as being two young people who carry the burdens of their respective institutions and all of the pressure that brings. but navia is also not blind to the house's secrets and is capricious by nature so these two have definitely been awake until late playing cards or other tabletop-esque games trying to wheedle information out of one another. navia never ever succeeds in getting lyney to divulge his secrets, but she puts up an admirable fight.

⭐️ while it is true that dehya will rarely, if ever, compliment alhaitham to his face out of fear of inflating his ego and never ever living it down, if she is ever in a situation ( either with alhaitham present or in the presence of others ) where she feels he is facing unfair criticism, she will always stand up for him or back him up. his direct manner is something she greatly respects, even if it is a little harsh at times, and he has certainly done enough over the course of the AQ to earn her loyalty.

⭐️ beidou will always ensure that the alcor is a home and safe haven for kazuha for as long as he wants it to be, but a part of the kinship these two share is understanding that neither can be tied down permanently to one place. so if kazuha were to ever come to her and say that he wanted to leave and move on, there would be no hard feelings whatsoever and beidou would do whatever she could to make that transition as smooth as possible. her one and only condition for kazuha leaving is that he remains in contact with her by letter to save her worrying over him like a mother hen.

[lunaetis]

@apocryphis asked :

vehicled races is not exactly something the scribe is all too familiar with, but there are two things he has already concluded from his observations. firstly, those flying vehicles go dangerously fast. secondly, eden... well. something about the standard equipment of a pilot looks inexplicably, ridiculously good on her. "looking like a professional already." he teases, without making much effort to hide the fact that he cannot quite take his eyes off her as he cradles her face between his hands. "do me a favour, try not to run into a wall. run the others into the walls." and al-haitham to lean and steal one kiss from his racer - for good luck.

unprompted. || always accepting

─「エデン」─  it was new. this feeling, the RUSH of adrenaline when you were behind the controls. eden wondered if this was what the pilots upon xianzhou luofu felt when they were flying the starskiffs across the vast sky. the SPEED these spacecraft could achieve was much more than one could imagine. she didn't know what she was expecting when she signed up. and it didn't take her long to understand the MECHANICS and the system. being upon the astral express and traveling from world to world was entirely different from actually controlling the spacecraft movement with her own fingertips.

                there was a rush, a sense of danger, the risk, and the THRILL as she watched her own craft ripped through the sky, hearing the whipping of the non-existent wind within the SPACE itself. her competitiveness was flaring, too. she wanted to go faster, higher.

                as she geared up in preparation for the NEXT RACE, the familiar figure of someone immediately caught her attention. golden hues instinctively softened at the sight of him, expression mellowed as a smile stretched across her face while her feet closed the distance between them. auric met rustic emerald. something about the way his eyes followed her made her HEART race, as well as a hint of pride to well up deep from within. she couldn't explain it. to know that he was looking at her brought a sense of calmness and delight. a sense of joy bubbling up to the surface.

                " can't be looking less than my best if you're looking my way. " cheeky, but nothing less than the truth. the TRAILBLAZER didn't wear any other outfit than her standard one all that often. it was a nice change of pace. and the fact that her beloved approved of it ? that was a nice little bonus if anything. his advice earned a quiet LAUGH from the trailblazing racer. run the others into the walls, he said.

                " don't let mister welt hear you say that. he'd accuse you of being an enabler for my chaotic ways. " her head tilted slightly as the words left her lips, head craning to accept the soft kiss placed to her lips while her gloved digits curled over his hand that was on her cheek a little tighter. a kiss to seal her victory, she felt. this was all the encouragement she needed. free hand placed over his chest, tugging at his clothes a little to prolong the kiss. could you blame her for not wanting it to end too soon ? if it weren't for the announcement on the sound system for the racers to get into position, she wouldn't have pulled back.

                their lips finally parted, and she finally took a step back. there was a renewed gleam in those AMBER HUES of hers. a sense of determination. eden was never the type who was hungry for recognition, however, she was someone who took pride in being worthy of him.

                " won't you give me another kiss when i win ? " not if. when. she can't lose. she wouldn't. not when he is watching.

                " keep your eyes on me — "

                " — i'll bring you that victory, altair. "

[immobiliter]

@apocryphis sent a meme: ❛ where do you purchase your audacity from? ❜ (from al-haitham to dehya!)

       “ The same place you do, I'm just able to be nicer about it. ” The repartee rolled off of her tongue effortlessly, sparing her tall, learned companion scarcely more than a side-wards glance. Her arms were folded, tapping a booted foot impatiently on the tile floor of the main Akademiya building, knowing full well that she both looked and sounded out of place here in the halls of the educated, the bookish and the ambitious. A visionary or academic she was not, but if things here were to change for the better going forward, then she needed to be a part of it somehow. She owed it not to Alhaitham, who she knew would still prefer her to take up some Mahamata position sat behind a desk, filling out paperwork, nor even to Lesser Lord Kusanali herself, but to her people. She owed it to the children in Aaru Village and other settlements in the wilds of the Sumeru desert with few prospects and no voice.

       Dehya looked back at Alhaitham after a moment, wondering whether his enquiry had been serious, rather than barbed and indifferent. “ Out in the desert, there's no time for doubt or ambiguity. Something either is or it isn't — you either die of thirst or you live long enough to find water. ” No equivocation. No conjecture. It was what made her ill-suited to a life of bureaucracy and politics, she was sure. “ Besides, I'm here with Lesser Lord Kusanali's blessing. I doubt anyone still in their posts would like to risk upsetting her after what happened to those responsible for her imprisonment. ”