#🌿 spiral ascent (events).

[inscryptions]

[DRAGON CHARMS]  good luck and strength — two qualities he'll openly admit alhaitham has never been lacking in. nonetheless it's caught his eye, and so the transaction is swiftly made. kaveh slips the charm into his pocket and hurries off before a certain roommate spots him by the stand.

hours later and kaveh's running late to dinner. though arriving breathless, he offers no explanation and plops himself onto the chair (surely the other is used to it at this point). the night unfolds as it normally does — good food and drinks, analyses of the day's findings, an argument or two peppered in for good measure. and of course, a meal is never complete without having to sit through some sort of insufferable commentary.

( "every single wish, no matter how small, is worth seeing to fruition" are the words spoken at lantern rite. "what are yours for this year?" he wonders, though the question goes unspoken).

alas. as they stand to leave, kaveh slides something across the table. again, no explanation is offered. the architect trusts that his roommate has read up on the customs & beliefs of the celebration — surely he can do his own deducing. archons help them both if alhaitham can't manage even that. "that's for you, by the way." kaveh says as he turns to leave, waving a hand dismissively. "you don't have to open it here. actually, it's better if you don't. now hurry up or else we'll miss the fireworks."

Received: Modified Dragon Charm What was once a traditional charm from Liyue has been carefully hammered into a surprisingly lightweight metal bookmark. Somehow, the original carving remains intact. The piece has been masterfully fitted into a silver frame, topped off with a matching chain and tassel. Though beautifully intricate in its design, every inch remains practical for the user's convenience. On the side of the bookmark, one may find a small lid that flips open to store a thin pen for annotations. Should the reader ever find himself in a pinch, he may press the discreet button fitted at the top to reveal a portable light for emergency late-night reading.

No matter how much he aggravates me sometimes, Kaveh has never failed to impress me with his creativity and ingenuity. In that aspect, I believe, we have always been alike: when we can't find a solution, we make one. Before, it had inspired in me the kind of respect a junior would offer his senior, directing me to choose him as my research partner. It still reminds me every now and then that for all his faults, Kaveh does possess the wisdom that we so value and pursue, for why else would he receive a Dendro Vision?

First the new year, then my birthday, now Lantern Rite. Either he's in a particularly good mood, or he's gotten a very good commission lately, or both, because this is downright spoiling. I'm not usually the object of Kaveh's generosity, haven't been for some time, and it's like looking in a dusty mirror, being showered with sentiment after so long. (He would deny it, no doubt, but with how his personal language towards me has shifted, it can't be interpreted as anything else.) So for lack of anything else to do, I shrug and slip the small parcel inside my pouch. "Suit yourself. If fireworks are more interesting than my reaction, then so be it." Thank the Archons for my earpieces and their noise-cancelling setting, otherwise I'd be in for an evening of auditory pain.

It isn't until I return to my hotel room that I remember the unopened gift, and I sit down on my bed to unwrap the little package. At first glance, it appears to be a bookmark version of the draconic charms purveyed on the harbor streetsーoh. Oh. Is this why he was late to dinner?

It's times like these that I remember just how well we know each other, and that we were best friends, once.

(Were? Are? Do I tolerate him the way someone would a reliable old mirror, do I keep him near because I rely on him to understand and reflect me?)

The bookmark wastes no space nor function: a slender lid reveals a compartment for a thin stylus, and a small button activates a reading light. It is form and function fitted perfectly together like two puzzle pieces, gifted in the spirit of the festival. The engraved visage of the dragon proves a delight to my fingertips, and I trace the design while noting the craftsmanship. This will get tremendous usage, but then, Kaveh has always given me things I will use.

(... He better not have spent his red envelope on this.)

[inscryptions]

🌿 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕝𝕣𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕪𝕖𝕒𝕣 𝕓𝕠𝕣𝕟 𝕒𝕟𝕖𝕨

❝ We're here, finally. Neighbor to Sumeru Liyue may be, it doesn't change the fact that the trip to the capital is long and arduous no matter the method used, be it by land or sea (though I'd be curious to see if Fontainian aircraft could make the trip, faster than the other routes too). Travel in and of itself typically takes a toll on oneself; when one is stuck with an incorrigible companion the entire time? It's downright exhausting. Lucky for me, I wear my earpieces everywhere, but there are only so many places on a ship where I can stay out of the crew's way and read and avoid my roommate. Not exactly a terrific start to this research trip (my words, despite the fact that this will inevitably not be strictly research-oriented due to my traveling partner and his whims)... but the sight of Liyue Harbor when we arrive alleviates some of the stress. It's enlightening, in more ways than one, the gentle glow of the lanterns a pleasing and soothing view. I can already imagine the hustle and bustle that will greet us once we dock; then again, this country boasts wonderful wilds, to which I might just escape every so often for my fill of solitude. I'm more likely to meet a member of the adepti that way as well, the bigger half of my reason for coming here. My companion will no doubt also be intrigued and entranced by their arts, but I intend to get the most interaction out of them before he comes barreling in blazing with questions. And... I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea to check out the festival itself. Lantern Rite comes only once a year, and we might as well take advantage of the time we have here to participate. This is going to be very interesting. ❞

alhaitham has arrived in liyue in time to attend lantern rite! although he is familiar with liyue and its customs, he has not yet had the pleasure of experiencing the liyuen new year or been to the harbor itself. since he is ostensibly on a research trip, he will likely need some gentle tugging to get into the more festive side of things if that's what your genshin wants. he is open to joining the celebrations, however! ... within reason.

🌿 prompts requested

alhaitham has the lantern rite list reblogged and is open for any of those asks! here are the ones he's most interested in as well as some adjacent ones within the same theme that he wants to pursue. threads will ideally be kept to about 250 words per post on my end in the interest of letting things move swiftly and smoothly. if you send me an ask and want to turn it into a thread, or vice versa, let's communicate! feel free to dm me on discord or message me on tumblr to hash out the details!

tea tasting - as much a connoisseur for tea as he is for fine wine, alhaitham would very much like to try the new flavors that chihu rock has to offer. perhaps your muse would be interested in joining him?

mahjong - alhaitham is never one to back down from a good strategy game, especially one that adds a challenge. but while it might be possible for him to play against himself, is it not more fun and worthwhile to play with an opponent?

dress up - liyue has such wonderful fashion, and alhaitham adores the feel of silk against his skin (not to mention silk garments can be surprisingly practical). why not get him some lovely new clothes to wear?

lantern making - a vaunted mainstay of the festival and one aspect he believes is mandatory for having a full and authentic lantern rite experience. though alhaitham does not necessarily consider himself artistic, he does want his xiao lantern to at least look presentable. the actual logistics of making the lantern fly, on the other hand, have him super intrigued...

💡 alhaitham is canonically a bit of an engineering genius. he made his music player and most likely his headphones, and a big part of why he's come to liyue is to learn more about the adepti and their devices. he's intrigued by the adeptal engineering arts and wants to try incorporating them into his gadgets. an adeptus muse would likely be best for showing him the ins and outs of their technology, but if your muse isn't an adeptus and wants to help him look for one, that works just as well!

🍃 some of this lantern rite for alhaitham is going to be spent away from the crowds and busy festivities. no doubt he'll be looking for quiet places to read in his nonsocial time, meaning sooner or later he'll end up at wangshu inn. maybe your muse would like to go fishing with him at the marshlands or get a bite to eat from smiley yanxiao?

🏔 rather than visiting a shrine to one, alhaitham intends to seek out and meet an adeptus (or two or more—results must be replicable in order to be valid, after all) to exchange knowledge and ideas regarding technology and writing. he is fascinated by the adeptal arts and will not leave until he has achieved his objective. perhaps your muse is able and willing to lead him to jueyun karst? or maybe your muse personally knows (or is) an adeptus and would like to sate his curiosity?

🌿 peace talismans: 5/5

(1: furina) (2: itto) (3: navia) (4: kaveh) (5: zhongli)

[inscryptions]

On the desk in Alhaitham’s office laid a book wrapped in a turquoise silk ribbon. The bow that tied it held something long and slender. Beside them, there was a plain white envelope with a leaf tucked partially into it.

Hello, dear Alhaitham! I must say getting chosen to find a gift for the Acting-Grand-Sage-re-turned-Scribe is truly an honor – you must be someone reliable and respected indeed. Still, it did leave me in quite a pickle: whatever could I give you that you don’t already have? I’m not well-versed in the world of scientific literature, as I much prefer to engage in artistic styles. I have, however, found this old book written in long-obsolete Mondstadtian. As a Haravatat graduate, I’m sure you have no problems with its modern version – here’s to me hoping this will prove to be more of a challenge to decipher. The contents also seem to be focused on the topic of linguistics of that time… so, about a millennium and a half ago? Maybe closer to two? Perhaps this book should actually be put in a museum at this point. In any case, I’m sure that with you it’ll be in good hands. I imagine such an intellectual as yourself must have penned a few papers on his own account. Ah, but if writing doesn’t strike your fancy, I suppose you could also use it as a… sophisticated bookmark. This quill is that of a gorgeous, however quite rare, bird I have encountered on one of my recent travels. It was actually rather hard to convince her to give it to me, haha! I hope it serves you well. May the wind guide you, Venti

The parcel on my desk piques my interest; not many would go out of their way to give me anything other than applications and forms thanks to the nature of my job. Then again, it's the winter holiday season, and as gifts are part of the traditions inherent in this time of year, I suppose it's not so farfetched for someone to offer me such a thing. The question, however, remains: who could have delivered this to me? I raise an eyebrow as I study the package before slipping the envelope open and reading the letter.

... Whoever this "Venti" is is very well-informed and well-traveled, given by the nature of his letter and the foreign leaf that lays on my desk. Well-connected, too, to have acquired an original copy of a treatise on the ancient Mond language, or a Mondstadter (more likely, what with the familiarity used in conjunction with the Anemo nation). Undoing the ribbon and setting the quill aside for the moment, I pick up the book and open it, paging through it with a delicate touch. All things considered, it's in lovely condition, so likely a part of a personal collection, perhaps Venti's own. The thought and care made with this selection makes me smile a little, and this is only half the gift. I force myself to skim through the book, as much as I itch to dive right into translating it and then digging into its content, and find myself satisfied with the challenge it presents. If I didn't know any better, I'd say this Venti knows me very well even though I've never met such a person. Intriguing...

Eventually, I set the book down and pick up the quill. The colors go perfectly with my attire, clearly denoting it my possession; the feather outright gleams in the lamplight. AndーI examine the gears, brushing against them with my finger and widening my eyes when they turn. Bookmark nothing, this is going to get mileage what with all the meetings I attend. It's certainly a better method of keeping my fingers occupied when I have nothing to write, in any case. I test the quill out with the ink at my desk, jotting down my signature and reveling in how smooth the nib is against the parchment. High quality indeed, my benefactor certainly has a keen eye for presents.

Actually, that inspires an idea for the perfect first work for this quill...

(Logic dictates, of course, that the appropriate response to highly appreciated gifts is to thank the sender.)

[inscryptions]

[DRESS UP] - "How about this one?"

She presents the stranger with her selection, a hanger laden with ebony silk. Golden embroidery peaks out along hems, depicting a pattern of falling leaves that flows along the fabric as though upon water. Navia smiles.

Of course, the man had not asked for her help, but she knew an undecided mind when she saw one. ( Not that it was particularly hard to tell, he had been pondering the stall's racks for quite some time now. )

"Go on, then. Give it a try!" She offers the garment forward, eyes glittering and smile wide. It'll flatter him phenomenally-- of that she is already certain-- but this is a matter of proving herself right. Not that she's ever wrong on these types of things. "I insist."

In those rare instances where I have the pleasure of encountering Liyuen silk, I have always appreciated the softness and breathability of the cloth, a practical material I could see myself wearing daily. I've entertained the idea of owning a silk garment or two before, which is why I'm currently perusing the selection of a clothes stall in the harbor. Their inventory is... quite large and varied, and I debate whether it would be more practical to buy just one piece or several, as well as how often I would wear them. Though I'm not exactly a vain man and typically prefer comfort over style, it would be nice if they looked flattering on me at the very least.

But... which one do I choose?

A high, melodious voice with a Fontainian accent interrupts my thoughts, and I turn to find a woman with flowing golden hair and tasteful dress holding a hanger out towards me. The proffered garment, a sleek black robe highlighted with gleaming embroidered leaves, arrests my attention. It's nice, reminiscent of my usual outfit while incorporating Dendro patterns, and it appears to be my size. Why didn't I include such a fitting piece among my options? It must've been buried quite deep, otherwise I would've found it. The lady's forwardness aside, I appreciate the offer of assistance. "You must have a keen eye for fashion," I reply, taking the robe from her hands and examining it. Yes, I can see myself wearing this frequently, though perhaps it's a little too nice for forays into the desert. "Thank you for the suggestion, I'll try it on. Wait right here."

I duck inside the empty changing booth and make short work of switching my upper garments for the robe, and oh, it feels heavenly against my skin. It fits perfectly too, the reflection in the mirror revealing that it compliments my figure well. With a small smile, I exit the booth and return to the blonde's side. "Well? Does it pass muster?"

[inscryptions]

🌿 i'm alhaitham,

the akademiya's scribe.

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