#AS A KAVEH SIMP THIS STARTER PUT ME IN DISTRESS

[abyssin]

ㅤㅤthe dreary and dense clouds of his homeland remains the same as ever, barring even the slightest drip of the midday sunshine from showering snowy grounds. if the storm clouds hadn’t dimmed the terrain enough, zapolyarny palace is a foreboding presence to drape even its shadows across the city. 

ㅤㅤto a local like childe, he finds himself breathing in the cool air and smiling at the gloom of the scenery. the bustling life and warmth to liyue were luxuries he enjoyed as a snezhnayan envoy. but liyue is not the prick of ice even with layers of warmth on him, a bite that sparks childe to life. this is home, and the tsarina within still awaits her vision to come to fruition, delivered unto her by her harbingers. him.

ㅤㅤbut, his moment of reverence is cut short with a muffled shout from the distance. with a blink, childe turns to the source of the voice, noting the foreignness of his cadence. an eyebrow quirked up in curiosity as the scholar presents himself, childe’s smile ever amicable. he has little interest to know that this ‘kaveh’ is sumerian, the back of his mind idly recalling dottore and how the doctor may want to evoke his judgment on a sumeru academic. 

ㅤㅤnot that childe would choose to hand kaveh off, no. what would it say about himself as a diplomat, to leave this little stray by his lonesome? the edge of his lips quirk upwards, the smile almost mischievous now. but, before he allows the academic to mull on it any further, he steps forward and grasps his palm into a firm handshake.

ㅤㅤ”well! you’re lucky you’ve stumbled upon me. the other locals aren't as receptive to tourists.” like the flick of a switch, the off-ness to his smile disappears into his usual expressions, the curve of his lips almost the harbinger places a hand on his chest. “kaveh, you say? you can call me childe. welcome to my beloved tsaritsa's palace."

ㅤㅤchilde notices the briefcase in the other's palm, noting the vision first and foremost, and the intricate design to the luggage. "here, would you like help with your things? if you lost your tour group... i can escort you and even give you the grand tour of the palace, if you’d like.”

@abyssin liked for a starter!

Things are not going according to plan.

Then again, Kaveh thinks with a heavy weight of dread, that they never do. His luck always finds a way to curse him - no matter where he goes. Even here, in the far reaches of Snezhnaya.

But a possible sliver of hope appears before him, with ginger hair and a smile so friendly it is a touch unnerving. Still, it’s been longer than Kaveh would like to admit since he’s so much as seen a guard to ask the way. His options are rather limited.

“Hi, sorry!” Kaveh waves a little at the stranger, grin sheepish. “I’m an architect, visiting from the Sumeru Akademiya.” The introduction, he hopes, helps his case. “My name is Kaveh. I’m currently abroad to study international culture and architecture. And, well, the palace of course is a central part of it! But I seem to have gotten caught up in sketching and observation - so much so that I have completely lost track of my tour group.”

Though every word leaving his mouth is the truth, he knows how unbelievable he must sound. It would be unfortunate to be executed by the Tsaritsa because he was too charmed by a railing.

“And, well, I have a feeling I am not meant to be here.” A nervous laugh leaves him as he glances up again to meet the stranger’s eyes. “Could I trouble you for assistance?”