#predictive commerce

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Surveillance pricing

THIS WEEKEND (June 7–9), I'm in AMHERST, NEW YORK to keynote the 25th Annual Media Ecology Association Convention and accept the Neil Postman Award for Career Achievement in Public Intellectual Activity.

Correction, 7 June 2024: The initial version of this article erroneously described Jeffrey Roper as the founder of ATPCO. He benefited from ATPCO, but did not co-found it. The initial version of this article called ATPCO "an illegal airline price-fixing service"; while ATPCO provides information that the airlines use to set prices, it does not set prices itself, and while the DOJ investigated the company, they did not pursue a judgment declaring the service to be illegal. I regret the error.

Noted anti-capitalist agitator Adam Smith had it right: "People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices."

Despite being a raving commie loon, Smith's observation was so undeniably true that regulators, policymakers, and economists couldn't help but acknowledge that it was true. The trustbusting era was defined by this idea: if we let the number of companies in a sector get too small, or if we let one or a few companies get too big, they'll eventually start to rig prices.

What's more, once an industry contracts corporate gigantism, it will become too big to jail, able to outspend and overpower the regulators charged with reining in its cheating. Anyone who believes Smith's self-evident maxim had to accept its conclusion: that companies had to be kept smaller than the state that regulated them. This wasn't about "punishing bigness" – it was the necessary precondition for a functioning market economy.

We kept companies small for the same reason that we limited the height of skyscrapers: not because we opposed height, or failed to appreciate the value of a really good penthouse view – rather, to keep the building from falling over and wrecking all the adjacent buildings and the lives of the people inside them.

Starting in the neoliberal era – Carter, then Reagan – we changed our tune. We liked big business. A business that got big was doing something right. It was perverse to shut down our best companies. Instead, we'd simply ban big companies from rigging prices. This was called the "consumer welfare" theory of antitrust. It was a total failure.

40 years later, nearly every industry is dominated by a handful of companies, and these companies price-gouge us with abandon. Worse, they use their gigantic ripoff winnings to fill war-chests that fund the corruption of democracy, capturing regulators so that they can rip us off even more, while ignoring labor, privacy and environmental law and ducking taxes.

It turns out that keeping gigantic, opaque, complex corporations honest is really hard. They have so many ways to shuffle money around that it's nearly impossible to figure out what they're doing. Digitalization makes things a million times worse, because computers allow businesses to alter their processes so they operate differently for every customer, and even for every interaction.

This is Dieselgate times a billion: VW rigged its cars to detect when they were undergoing emissions testing and switch to a less polluting, more compliant mode. But when they were on the open road, they spewed lethal quantities of toxic gas, killing people by the thousands. Computers don't make corporate leaders more evil, but they let evil corporate leaders execute far more complex and nefarious plans. Digitalization is a corporate moral hazard, making it just too easy and tempting to rig the game.

That's why Toyota, the largest car-maker in the world, just did Dieselgate again, more than a decade later. Digitalization is a temptation no giant company can resist:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1wwj1p2wdyo

For forty years, pro-monopoly cheerleaders insisted that we could allow companies to grow to unimaginable scale and still prevent cheating. They passed rules banning companies from explicitly forming agreements to rig prices. About ten seconds later, new middlemen popped up offering "information brokerages" that helped companies rig prices without talking to one another.

Take Agri Stats: the country's hyperconcentrated meatpacking industry pays Agri Stats to "consult on prices." They provide Agri Stats with a list of their prices, and then Agri Stats suggests changes based on its analysis. What does that analysis consist of? Comparing the company's prices to its competitors, who are also Agri Stats customers:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/04/dont-let-your-meat-loaf/#meaty-beaty-big-and-bouncy

In other words, Agri Stats finds the highest price for each product in the sector, then "advises" all the companies with lower prices to raise their prices to the "competitive" level, creating a one-way ratchet that sends the price of food higher and higher.

More and more sectors have an Agri Stats, and digitalization has made this price-gouging system faster, more efficient, and accessible to sectors with less concentration. Landlords, for example, have tapped into Realpage, a "data broker" that the same thing to your rent that Agri Stats does to meat prices. Realpage requires the landlords who sign up for its service to accept its "recommendations" on minimum rents, ensuring that prices only go up:

https://popular.info/p/feds-raid-corporate-landlord-escalating

Writing for The American Prospect, Luke Goldstein lays out the many ways in which these digital intermediaries have supercharged the business of price-rigging:

https://prospect.org/economy/2024-06-05-three-algorithms-in-a-room/

Goldstein identifies a kind of patient zero for this ripoff epidemic: Jeffrey Roper, a former Alaska Air exec who benefited from a service that helps airlines set prices. ATPCO was investigated by the DOJ in the 1990s, but the enforcers lost their nerve and settled with the company, which agreed to apply some ornamental fig-leafs to its collusion-machine. Even those cosmetic changes were seemingly a bridge too far Roper, who left the US.

But he came back to serve as Realpage's "principal scientist" – the architect of a nationwide scheme to make rental housing vastly more expensive. For Roper, the barrier to low rents was empathy: landlords felt stirrings of shame when they made shelter unaffordable to working people. Roper called these people "idiots" who sentimentality "costs the whole system."

Sticking a rent-gouging computer between landlords and the people whose lives they ruin is a classic "accountability sink," as described in Dan Davies' new book "The Unaccountability Machine: Why Big Systems Make Terrible Decisions – and How The World Lost its Mind":

https://profilebooks.com/work/the-unaccountability-machine/

It's a form of "empiricism washing": if computers are working in the abstract realm of pure numbers, they're just moving the objective facts of the quantitative realm into the squishy, imperfect qualitative world. Davies' interview on Trashfuture is excellent:

https://trashfuturepodcast.podbean.com/e/fire-sale-at-the-accountability-store-feat-dan-davies/

To rig prices, an industry has to solve three problems: the problem of coming to an agreement to fix prices (economists call this "the collective action problem"); the problem of coming up with a price; and the problem of actually changing prices from moment to moment. This is the ripoff triangle, and like a triangle, it has many stable configurations.

The more concentrated an industry is, the easier it is to decide to rig prices. But if the industry has the benefit of digitalization, it can swap the flexibility and speed of computers for the low collective action costs from concentration. For example, grocers that switch to e-ink shelf tags can make instantaneous price-changes, meaning that every price change is less consequential – if sales fall off after a price-hike, the company can lower them again at the press of a button. That means they can collude less explicitly but still raise prices:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/26/glitchbread/#electronic-shelf-tags

My name for this digital flexibility is "twiddling." Businesses with digital back-ends can alter their "business logic" from second to second, and present different prices, payouts, rankings and other key parts of the deal to every supplier or customer they interact with:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/19/twiddler/

Not only does twiddling make it easier to rip off suppliers, workers and customers, it also makes these crimes harder to detect. Twiddling made Dieselgate possible, and it also underpinned "Greyball," Uber's secret strategy of refusing to send cars to pick up transportation regulators who would then be able to see firsthand how many laws the company was violating:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/03/technology/uber-greyball-program-evade-authorities.html

Twiddling is so easy that it has brought price-fixing to smaller companies and less concentrated sectors, though the biggest companies still commit crimes on a scale that put these bit-players to shame. In The Prospect, David Dayen investigates the "personalized pricing" ripoff that has turned every transaction into a potential crime-scene:

https://prospect.org/economy/2024-06-04-one-person-one-price/

"Personalized pricing" is the idea that everything you buy should be priced based on analysis of commercial surveillance data that predicts the maximum amount you are willing to pay.

Proponents of this idea – like Harvard's Pricing Lab with its "Billion Prices Project" – insist that this isn't a way to rip you off. Instead, it lets companies lower prices for people who have less ability to pay:

https://thebillionpricesproject.com/

This kind of weaponized credulity is totally on-brand for the pro-monopoly revolution. It's the same wishful thinking that led regulators to encourage monopolies while insisting that it would be possible to prevent "bad" monopolies from raising prices. And, as with monopolies, "personalized pricing" leads to an overall increase in prices. In econspeak, it is a "transfer of wealth from consumer to the seller."

"Personalized pricing" is one of those cuddly euphemisms that should make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. A more apt name for this practice is surveillance pricing, because the "personalization" depends on the vast underground empire of nonconsensual data-harvesting, a gnarly hairball of ad-tech companies, data-brokers, and digital devices with built-in surveillance, from smart speakers to cars:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/12/market-failure/#car-wars

Much of this surveillance would be impractical, because no one wants their car, printer, speaker, watch, phone, or insulin-pump to spy on them. The flexibility of digital computers means that users always have the technical ability to change how these gadgets work, so they no longer spy on their users. But an explosion of IP law has made this kind of modification illegal:

https://locusmag.com/2020/09/cory-doctorow-ip/

This is why apps are ground zero for surveillance pricing. The web is an open platform, and web-browsers are legal to modify. The majority of web users have installed ad-blockers that interfere with the surveillance that makes surveillance pricing possible:

https://doc.searls.com/2023/11/11/how-is-the-worlds-biggest-boycott-doing/

But apps are a closed platform, and reverse-engineering and modifying an app is a literal felony – several felonies, in fact. An app is just a web-page skinned with enough IP to make it a felony to modify it to protect your consumer, privacy or labor rights:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/05/07/treacherous-computing/#rewilding-the-internet

(Google is leading a charge to turn the web into the kind of enshittifier's paradise that apps represent, blocking the use of privacy plugins and proposing changes to browser architecture that would allow them to felonize modifying a browser without permission:)

https://pluralistic.net/2023/08/02/self-incrimination/#wei-bai-bai

Apps are a twiddler's playground. Not only can they "customize" every interaction you have with them, but they can block you (or researchers seeking to help you) from recording and analyzing the app's activities. Worse: digital transactions are intimate, contained to the palm of your hand. The grocer whose e-ink shelf-tags flicker and reprice their offerings every few seconds can be collectively observed by people who are in the same place and can start a conversation about, say, whether to come back that night a throw a brick through the store's window to express their displeasure. A digital transaction is a lonely thing, atomized and intrinsically shielded from a public response.

That shielding is hugely important. The public hates surveillance pricing. Time and again, through all of American history, there have been massive and consequential revolts against the idea that every price should be different for every buyer. The Interstate Commerce Commission was founded after Grangers rose up against the rail companies' use of "personalized pricing" to gouge farmers.

Companies know this, which is why surveillance pricing happens in secret. Over and over, every day, you are being gouged through surveillance pricing. The sellers you interact with won't tell you about it, so to root out this practice, we have to look at the B2B sales-pitches from the companies that sell twiddling tools.

One of these companies is Plexure, partly owned by McDonald's, which provides the surveillance-pricing back-ends for McD's, Ikea, 7-Eleven, White Castle and others – basically, any time a company gives you a hard-sell to order via its apps rather than its storefronts or its website, you should assume you're getting twiddled, hard.

These companies use the enshittification playbook to trap you into using their apps. First, they offer discounts to customers who order through their apps – then, once the customers are fully committed to shopping via app, they introduce surveillance pricing and start to jack up the prices.

For example, Plexure boasts that it can predict what day a given customer is getting paid on and use that information to raise prices on all the goods the customer shops for on that day, on the assumption that you're willing to pay more when you've got a healthy bank balance.

The surveillance pricing industry represents another reason for everything you use to spy on you – any data your "smart" TV or Nest thermostat or Ring doorbell can steal from you can be readily monetized – just sell it to a surveillance pricing company, which will use it to figure out how to charge you more for everything you buy, from rent to Happy Meals.

But the vast market for surveillance data is also a potential weakness for the industry. Put frankly: the commercial surveillance industry has a lot of enemies. The only thing it has going for it is that so many of these enemies don't know that what's they're really upset about is surveillance.

Some people are upset because they think Facebook made Grampy into a Qanon. Others, because they think Insta gave their kid anorexia. Some think Tiktok is brainwashing millennials into quoting Osama bin Laden. Some are upset because the cops use Google location data to round up Black Lives Matter protesters, or Jan 6 insurrectionists. Some are angry about deepfake porn. Some are angry because Black people are targeted with ads for overpriced loans or colleges:

https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/04/meta_ad_algorithm_discrimination/

And some people are angry because surveillance feeds surveillance pricing. The thing is, whatever else all these people are angry about, they're all angry about surveillance. Are you angry that ad-tech is stealing a 51% share of news revenue? You're actually angry about surveillance. Are you angry that "AI" is being used to automatically reject resumes on racial, age or gender grounds? You're actually angry about surveillance.

There's a very useful analogy here to the history of the ecology movement. As James Boyle has long said, before the term "ecology" came along, there were people who cared about a lot of issues that seemed unconnected. You care about owls, I care about the ozone layer. What's the connection between charismatic nocturnal avians and the gaseous composition of the upper atmosphere? The term ecology took a thousand issues and welded them together into one movement.

That's what's on the horizon for privacy. The US hasn't had a new federal consumer privacy law since 1988, when Congress acted to ban video-store clerks from telling the newspapers what VHS cassettes you were renting:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_Privacy_Protection_Act

We are desperately overdue for a new consumer privacy law, but every time this comes up, the pro-surveillance coalition defeats the effort. but as people who care about conspiratorialism, kids' mental health, spying by foreign adversaries, phishing and fraud, and surveillance pricing all come together, they will be an unbeatable coalition:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/12/06/privacy-first/#but-not-just-privacy

Meanwhile, the US government is actually starting to take on these ripoff artists. The FTC is working to shut down data-brokers:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/08/16/the-second-best-time-is-now/#the-point-of-a-system-is-what-it-does

The FBI is raiding landlords to build a case against Frontpage and other rent price-fixers:

https://popular.info/p/feds-raid-corporate-landlord-escalating

Agri Stats is facing a DoJ lawsuit:

https://www.nationalhogfarmer.com/market-news/agri-stats-loses-motions-to-transfer-dismiss-in-doj-antitrust-case

Not every federal agency has gotten the message, though. Trump's Fed Chairman, Jerome Powell – whom Biden kept on the job – has been hiking interest rates in a bid to reduce our purchasing power by making millions of Americans poorer and/or unemployed. He's doing this to fight inflation, on the theory that inflation is being cause by us being too well-off, and therefore trying to buy more goods than are for sale.

But of course, interest rates are inflationary: when interest rates go up, it gets more expensive to pay your credit card bills, lease your car, and pay a mortgage. And where we see the price of goods shooting up, there's abundant evidence that this is the result of greedflation – companies jacking up their prices and blaming inflation. Interest rate hawks say that greedflation is impossible: if one company raises its prices, its competitors will swoop in and steal their customers with lower prices.

Maybe they would do that – if they didn't have a toolbox full of algorithmic twiddling options and a deep trove of surveillance data that let them all raise prices together:

https://prospect.org/blogs-and-newsletters/tap/2024-06-05-time-for-fed-to-meet-ftc/

Someone needs to read some Adam Smith to Chairman Powell: "People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices."

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/05/your-price-named/#privacy-first-again

Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

[grey-space-computing]

Boost E-commerce in Saudi Arabia with ML-Powered Apps

In today's digital era, the e-commerce industry in Saudi Arabia is rapidly expanding, fueled by increasing internet penetration and a tech-savvy population. To stay competitive, businesses are turning to advanced technologies, particularly Machine Learning (ML), to enhance user experiences, optimize operations, and drive growth. This article explores how ML is transforming the e-commerce landscape in Saudi Arabia and how businesses can leverage this technology to boost their success.

The Current E-commerce Landscape in Saudi Arabia

The e-commerce market in Saudi Arabia has seen exponential growth over the past few years. With a young population, widespread smartphone usage, and supportive government policies, the Kingdom is poised to become a leading e-commerce hub in the Middle East. Key players like Noon, Souq, and Jarir have set the stage, but the market is ripe for innovation, especially with the integration of Machine Learning.

The Role of Machine Learning in E-commerce

Machine Learning, a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI), involves the use of algorithms to analyze data, learn from it, and make informed decisions. In e-commerce, ML enhances various aspects, from personalization to fraud detection. Machine Learning’s ability to analyze large datasets and identify trends is crucial for businesses aiming to stay ahead in a competitive market.

Personalized Shopping Experiences

Personalization is crucial in today’s e-commerce environment. ML algorithms analyze user data, such as browsing history and purchase behavior, to recommend products that align with individual preferences. This not only elevates the customer experience but also drives higher conversion rates. For example, platforms that leverage ML for personalization have seen significant boosts in sales, as users are more likely to purchase items that resonate with their interests.

Optimizing Inventory Management

Effective inventory management is critical for e-commerce success. ML-driven predictive analytics can forecast demand with high accuracy, helping businesses maintain optimal inventory levels. This minimizes the chances of overstocking or running out of products, ensuring timely availability for customers. E-commerce giants like Amazon have successfully implemented ML to streamline their inventory management processes, setting a benchmark for others to follow.

Dynamic Pricing Strategies

Price is a major factor influencing consumer decisions. Machine Learning enables real-time dynamic pricing by assessing market trends, competitor rates, and customer demand. This allows businesses to adjust their prices to maximize revenue while remaining competitive. Dynamic pricing, powered by ML, has proven effective in attracting price-sensitive customers and increasing overall profitability.

Enhanced Customer Support

Customer support is another area where ML shines. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can handle a large volume of customer inquiries, providing instant responses and resolving issues efficiently. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also reduces the operational costs associated with maintaining a large support team. E-commerce businesses in Saudi Arabia can greatly benefit from incorporating ML into their customer service strategies.

Fraud Detection and Security

With the rise of online transactions, ensuring the security of customer data and payments is paramount. ML algorithms can detect fraudulent activities by analyzing transaction patterns and identifying anomalies. By implementing ML-driven security measures, e-commerce businesses can protect their customers and build trust, which is essential for long-term success.

Improving Marketing Campaigns

Effective marketing is key to driving e-commerce success. ML can analyze customer data to create targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with specific audiences. It enhances the impact of marketing efforts, leading to improved customer engagement and higher conversion rates. Successful e-commerce platforms use ML to fine-tune their marketing strategies, ensuring that their messages reach the right people at the right time.

Case Study: Successful E-commerce Companies in Saudi Arabia Using ML

Several e-commerce companies in Saudi Arabia have already begun leveraging ML to drive growth. For example, Noon uses ML to personalize the shopping experience and optimize its supply chain, leading to increased customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. These companies serve as examples of how ML can be a game-changer in the competitive e-commerce market.

Challenges of Implementing Machine Learning in E-commerce

While the benefits of ML are clear, implementing this technology in e-commerce is not without challenges. Technical hurdles, such as integrating ML with existing systems, can be daunting. Additionally, there are concerns about data privacy, particularly in handling sensitive customer information. Businesses must address these challenges to fully harness the power of ML.

Future Trends in Machine Learning and E-commerce

As ML continues to evolve, new trends are emerging that will shape the future of e-commerce. For instance, the integration of ML with augmented reality (AR) offers exciting possibilities, such as virtual try-ons for products. Businesses that stay ahead of these trends will be well-positioned to lead the market in the coming years.

Influence of Machine Learning on Consumer Behavior in Saudi Arabia

ML is already influencing consumer behavior in Saudi Arabia, with personalized experiences leading to increased customer loyalty. As more businesses adopt ML, consumers can expect even more tailored shopping experiences, further enhancing their satisfaction and engagement.

Government Support and Regulations

The Saudi government is proactively encouraging the integration of cutting-edge technologies, including ML, within the e-commerce industry. Through initiatives like Vision 2030, the government aims to transform the Kingdom into a global tech hub. However, businesses must also navigate regulations related to data privacy and AI to ensure compliance.

Conclusion

Machine Learning is revolutionizing e-commerce in Saudi Arabia, offering businesses new ways to enhance user experiences, optimize operations, and drive growth. By embracing ML, e-commerce companies can not only stay competitive but also set new standards in the industry. The future of e-commerce in Saudi Arabia is bright, and Machine Learning will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping its success.

FAQs

How does Machine Learning contribute to the e-commerce sector? Machine Learning enhances e-commerce by improving personalization, optimizing inventory, enabling dynamic pricing, and enhancing security.

How can Machine Learning improve customer experiences in e-commerce? ML analyzes user data to provide personalized recommendations, faster customer support, and tailored marketing campaigns, improving overall satisfaction.

What are the challenges of integrating ML in e-commerce? Challenges include technical integration, data privacy concerns, and the need for skilled professionals to manage ML systems effectively.

Which Saudi e-commerce companies are successfully using ML? Companies like Noon and Souq are leveraging ML for personalized shopping experiences, inventory management, and customer support.

What is the future of e-commerce with ML in Saudi Arabia? The future looks promising with trends like ML-driven AR experiences and more personalized

[champstorymedia]

The Future of Influencer Marketing: Predictions for Brands in the Digital Age

The landscape of influencer marketing is rapidly evolving. As we march further into the digital age, brands are increasingly leveraging the power of social media influencers to connect with their target audiences. This article, "The Future of Influencer Marketing: Predictions for Brands in the Digital Age," explores the trends, strategies, and predictions that will shape this influential…

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The Impact of AI on Digital Marketing and E-commerce

AI is improving digital marketing in many ways.AI automates ad placements by targeting the right audience at the right time. Platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads use AI to optimize ads for better results. Read more

[arihantcourierservices]

International Businesses: Navigate Global Shipping with Arihant's Expertise

The future of courier services is here! Explore key trends like AI-driven logistics, drone delivery, sustainability, and hyper-personalization shaping package delivery in 2025 and beyond. Learn how businesses can adapt and thrive in this tech-driven world.

[productiveandfree]

The Future of Ecommerce: Trends and Predictions for 2025

Many trends await the future of ecommerce. With global retail ecommerce sales expected to reach an estimated $6.9 trillion by 2025, online shopping is becoming the new norm.

New technologies and changing consumer behaviors are reshaping how businesses connect with customers.

To stay ahead of the curve, businesses should watch out for key trends and predictions in ecommerce.

In this article, I’ll talk about the seven major trends that will shape the future of ecommerce by 2025. Understanding these changes can help businesses adapt and thrive in a highly competitive and rapidly changing industry.

The Future of Ecommerce: 7 Trends and Predictions to Watch Out For

Around 2.77 billion people are predicted to shop online by 2025, creating many business growth opportunities in ecommerce.

However, this also means more competition and higher expectations from your customers. If you want to succeed, you must stay updated on the following trends shaping the future of ecommerce in 2025.

1. Growing Focus on Enhanced Ecommerce Security

The ecommerce industry isn't a stranger to security challenges, making security a top priority to ensure success. To protect customers from identity theft and other forms of data breaches, online businesses have been putting more emphasis on security.

According to Keeper Security, 92% of IT leaders believe these attacks are happening more often now than in 2023. Additionally, Check Point Research reported a 30% increase in cyber attacks worldwide.

To address this increase in cyber threats, online businesses have added more robust security measures, such as two-factor authentication, data encryption, AI-based fraud detection, and more. New laws, such as The Digital Services Act, have also been implemented to keep customer data safe.

Moreover, the Global Financial Stability Report also warns that the risk of big losses from cyber incidents is rising.

This risk is something that ecommerce businesses have been working to avoid.

2. Increased Adoption of Headless Ecommerce Solutions

Headless ecommerce has become a game-changer in the future of ecommerce. Unlike traditional ecommerce platforms, headless commerce separates the front end (what customers see) from the back end (how everything works) of your website. This approach gives businesses the flexibility to customize their storefronts without impacting the back end.

According to Attrock, businesses are recognizing the benefits of headless ecommerce. It allows faster site speeds, increased customizations, better user experiences, and easier integrations across multiple devices. It also makes it easier to add new features and updates to your website, helping you keep up with the latest trends.

This is in line with a recent Salesforce report stating that 76% of businesses agree that headless ecommerce provides more flexibility to enhance digital experiences.

Furthermore, businesses using headless architecture are growing into new sales channels faster, with 77% doing so compared to only 54% of companies without it.

The headless commerce market is expected to grow at a rate of 22.1%, reaching $5,528.5 million by 2032, up from $751.6 million in 2022. This shows how increasingly this approach is being adopted by ecommerce businesses to stay competitive and meet evolving customer expectations.

3. A Surge in Social Commerce Integration

Social commerce is already popular, but it's going to get even bigger by 2025. The chance to sell through social media is projected to grow three times faster than traditional ecommerce, reaching around $1.2 trillion by 2025.

By then, 20% of all ecommerce sales will come from social commerce, up from 19% in 2024.

As a result, creating engaging social media content will be essential for grabbing attention and boosting sales. With features like one-click checkout and live shopping events, social commerce will keep growing.

With this trend, ecommerce businesses are provided with new ways to reach customers where they already spend most of their time online. However, to leverage this trend, businesses have to use social media benchmarking to see how they compare to competitors and improve their strategies.

4. Growing Emphasis on Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices

The future of ecommerce is looking green. Businesses will continue to adopt technologies that support environmental sustainability in 2025.

Consumers are driving this change towards sustainability practices, with a 2023 Buying Green survey revealing that 66% of shoppers consider themselves environmentally conscious.

This means that online brands that reduce their carbon footprints, offer eco-friendly shipping, use sustainable packaging, and prioritize ethical sourcing will appeal to this growing segment.

For instance, the ecommerce brand AllBirds uses sustainable products to reduce its carbon footprint. They utilize wool, tree fiber, sugarcane, and Trino®.

If you want to appeal to these environmentally conscious consumers and boost your brand’s reputation, now is the time to go green and become an eco-friendly business.

5. Rise of Mobile Ecommerce and Shopping Apps

Mobile ecommerce and shopping apps are shaping the future of ecommerce. Mobile ecommerce sales have surged from $2.2 trillion in 2023 to an estimated $3 trillion by 2025.

This significant increase shows how crucial mobile shopping has become over the years.

As more people turn to their phones and tablets to shop, businesses have adopted a mobile-first strategy to succeed in ecommerce marketing and stay competitive. Mobile shopping apps and websites offer unmatched convenience, making them the go-to choice for many consumers.

These websites and apps offer fast load times, easy navigation, and secure payment options. Offering a smooth, reliable mobile experience will be a growing trend well into 2025.

6. Expansion of AI-Driven Hyper-Personalization

AI plays an integral role in the future of ecommerce. By 2030, AI-powered ecommerce solutions are projected to be worth $16.8 billion.

The use of AI tools will continue to grow, allowing ecommerce businesses to deliver hyper-personalized shopping experiences by analyzing customer behavior, making recommendations, and optimizing marketing strategies.

Thanks to data availability and smarter algorithms, AI chatbots, which Gartner forecasts will become a major customer service channel within five years, will continue to be utilized to efficiently handle customer queries.

The future of ecommerce will continue to rely on AI to build personalized experiences that boost customer loyalty. For example, Virgin Voyages partnered with Jennifer Lopez to launch Jen A.I., allowing sailors to create custom invites from J.Lo to drive cruise bookings.

7. Increased Use of Augmented Reality (AR) for More Immersive Shopping Experiences

AR will take the future of ecommerce to a new level. By 2025, one-third of American shoppers will have used this technology when shopping online.

AR lets customers try on clothes, see how certain furniture fits in their homes, or test makeup without leaving their houses. It makes consumers feel more confident about their purchases, effectively increasing purchase conversions by 94%.

Major brands like Lowe's already use AR for virtual try-ons and 3D views. For example, Lowe's Holoroom Test Drive lets customers test tools and equipment virtually.

Brands that adopt AR will provide engaging shopping experiences, reducing return rates, and boosting customer satisfaction.

Final Thoughts

The future of ecommerce is bright and full of exciting possibilities. Whether you already have an ecommerce store or planning to have one soon, these trends have a significant impact on how ecommerce businesses operate and how consumers shop.

Remember, the digital world is always evolving, and those who can keep up will reap the rewards. Staying informed and adapting to these changes will be key to success. 

So, get ready for the exciting changes ahead!

Reena Aggarwal

Reena is Director of Operations and Sales at Attrock, a result-driven digital marketing company. With 10+ years of sales and operations experience in the field of e-commerce and digital marketing, she is quite an industry expert. She is a people person and considers the human resources as the most valuable asset of a company. In her free time, you would find her spending quality time with her brilliant, almost teenage daughter and watching her grow in this digital, fast-paced era.

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[kiaktuell]

Ecommerce Expo 2024 stellt KI-Lösungen f��r den Online-Handel vor

Die E-Commerce Expo 2024 findet in diesem Jahr in einer Zeit statt, in der KI-Technologien zunehmend das Gesicht des Online-Handels verändern. Unternehmen und Verbraucher stehen an der Schwelle zu einer neuen Ära des Einkaufens, in der intelligente Systeme die Art und Weise, wie wir kaufen und verkaufen, revolutionieren. Auf der Messe werden führende Anbieter ihre neuesten KI-Lösungen…

[i4technolab]

In today’s fast-paced world of logistics innovation and evolution have become the driving forces behind success. As we step into 2024, the logistics sector will undergo extensive disruptions, fueled by game-changing innovations that promise to revolutionize supply chain management as we know it.

At iFour, we take immense pride in our expertise in the logistics industry, and we are excited to share with you the trends that are currently transforming this dynamic sector in Australia. As a leading custom Logistics software development company, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing businesses in the Australian market.

Here are the key trends that are reshaping the logistics landscape and how our solutions can help your company stay ahead of the curve.

[meteorologistaustenlonek]

"NOAA will issue its outlook for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season during an in-person news conference on Thursday, May 25 at the NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction in College Park, Maryland. Leaders at the Department of Commerce and NOAA will discuss the expected number of storms for the upcoming 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, climate factors that will influence hurricane development and NOAA's readiness with new products and upgrades to enhance forecasting and operations. NOAA and FEMA will also provide advice on how the public can prepare for hurricane season, which officially begins on June 1."

[ghostlyferrettarot]

🛸🖤Midheaven in the signs🖤🛸

❗️All the observations in this post are based on personal experience and research, it's completely fine if it doesn't resonate with everyone❗️

✨️Paid Services ✨️ (Natal charts and tarot readings) Open!

🫧Join my Patreon for exclusive content!🫧

🛸If you like my work you can support me through Ko-fi. Thank you!🛸

🖤Masterlist🖤

🛸Midheaven in Aries: Self-confidence and extroversion are their main tools; self-sufficient, they seek to prove themselves at all levels. Professional careers that involve movement, individual action and proving their leadership abilities are favorable to them.

🛸Midheaven in Taurus: Their perseverance and determination help them achieve their goals. They take into account their gifts, resources and abilities and how to exploit them. Professional careers that allow them to manifest beauty and practicality are favorable to them, such as agriculture, sculpture, architecture, agronomy, painting and finance.

🛸Midheaven in Gemini: Great communication skills. Flexible, analytical, receptive, agile, versatile, adaptable, with great observational capacity, they can carry out several tasks at once without problems. Professional careers linked to the processes of communication and contact with society are favorable to them, such as journalism, commerce, diplomacy and education.

🛸Midheaven in Cancer: Planners and protectors; Individualistic, sensitive, firm and intuitive. Another point to keep in mind is to practice fluidity in your daily life. Professional careers that help channel assistance to others are favorable for you, such as psychology, gynecology, cooking and psychotherapy.

🛸Midheaven in Leo: You pursue success relentlessly, and sometimes you do not allow yourself to enjoy it. You have clear objectives and the perseverance and tenacity necessary to achieve them. Noble, generous, motivating, trustworthy, with leadership skills; you must learn to control arrogance. Professional careers with great autonomy are favorable for you, such as political positions, business management and dramaturgy.

🛸Midheaven in Virgo: You maintain a constant and methodical effort to achieve your objectives; critical, detail-oriented, positive, organized, innovative and with a great willingness to learn. You must avoid neuroses and the accumulation of objects. Professional careers oriented towards collaboration and with an appreciation of details, such as mechanics, languages, nutrition and crafts, are favorable for you.

🛸Midheaven in Libra: They plan and execute their strategy calmly, taking care of the details and feasibility. They are sociable, adaptable and diplomatic, and they like harmony. Professional careers that offer variety and where they can comfortably develop their sense of justice and balance are favorable to them. A classic example is the study of law, diplomacy, public relations and the arts.

🛸Midheaven in Scorpio: They have a tendency to manipulate others to achieve their interests. Ambitious, determined, direct, brave, skillful and capable of facing difficult transformation processes. Professional careers that privilege research and strategy are favorable to them, such as psychoanalyst, psychiatrist, private investigator, chemist and anthropologist.

🛸Midheaven in Sagittarius: They are constantly moving. Intuitive, open, creative, with strong convictions and ideals. They are favourable to professional careers that work directly by appealing to the philosophy of life of individuals, such as religion, philosophy, or spiritual guidance. They also excel in astronomy, ecology and sports.

🛸Midheaven in Capricorn: Ambitious, practical, predictable and modest. Protective, efficient, serious, concentrated, focused, they can fall into nonconformity and obstinacy, in relation to the results they obtain. They are favourable to professional careers that require their knowledge of administration and organization, such as architecture, politics, administration of companies or public institutions, and geology.

🛸Midheaven in Aquarius: They wish to build a better world for everyone, but they feel the need to constantly test the scope of their knowledge. This position indicates a constant search for wisdom. Cooperators, avant-garde, they must cultivate the freedom of spirit to achieve the awakening of consciousness they long for. They are favourable to professional careers that promote the use of technologies and the mass dissemination of ideas, such as journalist, writer, community manager, publicist and others.

🛸Midheaven in Pisces: Patient, sensitive, simple and compassionate, they seek to understand the meaning of life, so they have philosophical and religious concerns, as well as a deep desire to live with simplicity. They must learn that spirituality is not a concept at odds with success. Professional careers related to the management and expression of feelings, such as the arts, psychology, research and public relations, are favorable to them.

[zvaigzdelasas]

"We heard from employees who, because of noncompetes, were stuck in abusive workplaces," she said. "One person noted when an employer merged with an organization whose religious principles conflicted with their own, a noncompete kept the worker locked in place and unable to freely switch to a job that didn't conflict with their religious practices."

These accounts, she said, "pointed to the basic reality of how robbing people of their economic liberty also robs them of all sorts of other freedoms." The FTC estimates about 30 million people, or one in five American workers, from minimum wage earners to CEOs, are bound by noncompetes. It says the policy change could lead to increased wages totaling nearly $300 billion per year by encouraging people to swap jobs freely.

The ban, which will take effect later this year, carves out an exception for existing noncompetes that companies have given their senior executives, on the grounds that these agreements are more likely to have been negotiated. The FTC says employers should not enforce other existing noncompete agreements.

The vote was 3 to 2 along party lines. The dissenting commissioners, Melissa Holyoke and Andrew Ferguson, argued that the FTC was overstepping the boundaries of its power. Holyoke predicted the ban would be challenged in court and eventually struck down.

Shortly after the vote, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said it would sue the FTC to block the rule, calling it unnecessary, unlawful and a blatant power grab.

Huh [23 Apr 24]

[thatdammchickennugget]

A Shop Apart

pairing - theodore nott x fem!reader

summary - of course, neither of you would admit the stolen glances—theo, catching moments of your infectious laughter as you chatted with customers; you, secretly admiring the precision with which he handled his craft. these thoughts remained buried, drowned out by the day-to-day chaos of running rival businesses

warnings - rival shop owners who are not so secretly into each other, teasing, theo is really type a in this, kinda whimsical!reader

wordcount - 2.9k

Diagon Alley was as alive as ever, a magical artery of commerce where enchantments hung in the air as tangibly as the smells of freshly baked pumpkin pasties and brewing potions. The cobblestone streets thrummed underfoot, lined with vibrant shopfronts that called out to the passing crowd. Among the kaleidoscope of stores, two stood shoulder to shoulder, their stark differences impossible to ignore.

To the left stood "Nott’s Enchantments and Potions," a haven of precision and order. The display windows gleamed with carefully curated items: neatly labeled potions, sleek enchanted tools, and a sign in bold, no-nonsense lettering that read: Efficiency Without Extravagance. Behind the counter, Theodore Nott presided like a general overseeing his army, his sharp eyes darting over every detail to ensure perfection. His world was structured, predictable, and above all, logical.

Next door was "Whimsy & Wonder," a riot of imagination come to life. The shop practically glittered with charm, from its ornate, swinging sign to the window displays bursting with enchanted trinkets and shimmering fairy lights. Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with unrestrained energy. Shelves overflowed with colorful potions, dancing figurines, and glittering baubles. You, the shop’s owner, swept through the space like a living embodiment of your brand—a flowing robe adorned with embroidered stars trailing behind you as you greeted customers with a radiant smile.

The contrast couldn’t have been starker. And neither could the tension.

From the moment Theo and you became neighbors, the clash of styles had been inevitable. Your first disagreement—over a garland of enchanted flowers draped across your awning—had been as small as it was explosive. Theo had accused you of obstructing his display. You’d countered with a suggestion to brighten his shop up a bit. That had only been the beginning.

“Your nonsense is distracting my customers,” Theo had declared one busy afternoon, glaring at a flock of animated butterflies that had dared to flutter into his territory.

“And your brooding is dulling the magic out of Diagon Alley,” you had shot back, arms crossed in defiance. “Honestly, it’s a miracle anyone even notices your shop.”

Thus began a rivalry that had become as much a fixture of the alley as the cobblestones. Customers, drawn to both shops for entirely different reasons, found themselves entertained by the ongoing battle of barbs. More than one shopper had walked away with their purchases and a knowing smile, whispering about the unspoken tension beneath the snipes.

Of course, neither of you would admit the stolen glances—Theo, catching moments of your infectious laughter as you chatted with customers; you, secretly admiring the precision with which he handled his craft. These thoughts remained buried, drowned out by the day-to-day chaos of running rival businesses.

.・。.・゜✭・.

It started with the smell of cinnamon buns.

Theo had barely unlocked the doors of "Nott’s Enchantments and Potions" when the rich, sugary aroma drifted in from next door. He paused, his fingers tightening around the sign he was flipping to Open.

Inside "Whimsy & Wonder," you were cheerfully setting out a tray of enchanted pastries—warm, golden buns that floated gently above their plate. A sign hanging beside them read, Cinnamon Wishes: A Treat to Sweeten Your Day! Customers gathered, drawn by the smell and the soft hum of magic that made the pastries glimmer faintly.

Theo watched from the corner of his eye as a witch with a shopping list as long as her arm stopped mid-stride, sniffed the air, and made a beeline for your shop. He scowled. Another potential customer lured away by glitter and nonsense.

He stormed to his counter, muttering under his breath as he adjusted the neatly stacked jars of ready-to-brew potion kits. By the time the third customer wandered past his door to join the growing crowd in your shop, he couldn’t take it anymore.

He strode out of his shop, his footsteps clipped and precise against the cobblestones. He appeared in your doorway, the bell jingling sharply as he entered.

“Pastries?” Theo said, his tone dry and unimpressed. “Really?”

You looked up from arranging your display of charm bracelets, a bright smile already forming on your lips as you spotted him. “Good morning to you too, Theo.”

“Cinnamon buns, enchanted glitter, butterflies—do you ever stop trying to turn this alley into a carnival?”

“Do you ever stop scowling?” you countered, leaning one hand against the counter. “Besides, I think my customers appreciate a little sweetnes with their morning shopping. You might want to try it sometime. Merlin knows your shop could use some cheering up.”

Theo’s expression darkened, but before he could retort, an elderly wizard wandered in, drawn by the smell of the pastries. He looked between the two of you, his eyes twinkling.

“Ah, young love,” the wizard said, chuckling as he picked up a pastry. “You remind me of my wife and me back in the day. Always bickering.”

Theo stiffened, his face turning an alarming shade of red. “It’s not—she’s not—”

“Oh, don’t mind him,” you said smoothly, your smile widening as you handed the wizard his pastry. “He’s just cranky before he’s had his tea.”

The wizard laughed, shuffling out of the shop as he carefully cradled the sweet treat in his hands. Theo, now thoroughly flustered, muttered something unintelligible under his breath before turning sharply on his heel.

The bell jingled as he left, but not before you caught the tiniest twitch of a smile on his lips.

.・。.・゜✭・.

The next confrontation began when Theo caught sight of your newest addition to the shop—a sign so large and flamboyant it seemed to radiate its own personality. Hung high over your entrance, the sign proclaimed in glittering, color-shifting letters: Whimsy & Wonder: Brighten Your Day, One Charm at a Time!. Each letter sparkled with enchantment, the colors shifting as they caught in sunlight. Worse yet, it played a jaunty jingle whenever someone walked by.

Theo, standing in front of his own impeccably tidy storefront, clenched his jaw as the cheerful tune reached his ears for the fifth time in as many minutes. The noise carried into his shop, muffling the sound of his steady cauldron stirrer, and he could feel his meticulously controlled world unraveling at the edges.

With a sharp inhale, he crossed the cobblestone threshold into your shop once again without hesitation. The bell above the door gave an almost delighted chime as if thrilled by his arrival. He stopped a few steps in, arms crossed tightly, his gaze sharp as a freshly whetted blade.

“What,” he began, his tone low and measured, “is that?”

You glanced up from a table near the center of the shop, where you were adjusting a display of snow globes that occasionally sang lullabies. The twinkle of mischief in your eyes told Theo you already knew exactly what he was talking about.

“Good afternoon,” you said, straightening up and brushing your hands together with a cheerful smile, as if you were greeting your favorite customer. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Theo gestured sharply toward the door. “The sign.”

You tilted your head. “Oh, you mean the fabulous sign? Isn’t it delightful? Took me ages to find just the right jingle charm to go with it.”

“‘Delightful’ isn’t the word I’d use,” Theo said, his voice edging toward exasperation. “Obnoxious, overbearing, and excessive are all closer to the mark.”

You crossed your arms, mirroring his stance but with an air of mockery that made his teeth grit. “Really? I thought it was perfectly eye-catching. Customers seem to love it.” You nodded toward the street, where a young witch was instructing her husband to snap a photograph of her under the sign.

Theo followed your gaze and then pinched the bridge of his nose, his patience wearing thinner by the second. “It’s overhanging my shop,” he said flatly. “And worse, I had three customers ask if they’d walked into the wrong place because of your ridiculous jingle.”

You laughed—a soft, musical sound that only deepened the crease in Theo’s brow. “Well, that just means you’re not doing enough to make your shop memorable. Maybe a little jingle is exactly what you need.”

“Memorable doesn’t mean gaudy,” Theo shot back. “I’ll thank you to remove it—or at the very least, silence the tune.”

“Silence it?” you repeated, pretending to be horrified. “Absolutely not. It’s part of the charm!”

Theo opened his mouth to argue further, but the conversation was interrupted by a cluster of children who scampered into your shop. They were chasing after one of your enchanted stars—a tiny glowing orb with trailing golden sparkles. It zipped through the air, weaving around Theo’s head before landing in your outstretched palm.

“There you go, darlings,” you said, handing it back to one of the children with a warm smile. They all giggled in delight and darted back out into the street.

Theo stood there, momentarily thrown off by the scene. He watched as you returned to the counter, your expression now smug and triumphant. “See? People love it here,” you said, gesturing broadly to your shop. “You might want to loosen up a little. Maybe even—dare I say it—have some fun.”

Theo scowled, but the sharp retort he’d been preparing fizzled away as he caught the way you were looking at him—bright-eyed and unapologetically challenging, like you thrived on provoking him. He tightened his arms across his chest.

“This isn’t over,” he muttered, turning on his heel.

As he strode back to his shop, the cheerful jingle of your sign trailed behind him. By the time he reached his door, it was already stuck in his head.

.・。.・゜✭・.

It started innocently enough—or so Theo would later claim.

Mid-morning sunlight streamed over Diagon Alley, and a steady stream of customers bustled between the shops. Theo had spent the better part of the morning reorganizing his shelves after an unusually busy rush. His meticulous attention to detail meant every label was aligned and every potion bottle gleamed.

But the sound of delighted laughter drifting through the open door of Whimsy & Wonder grated on his nerves. You had enchanted your bell to chime a cheerful little tune whenever a customer entered, and every time it went off, Theo felt his eye twitch. Wasn’t the jingle of your sign already too much?

Enough was enough.

Theo didn’t consider himself a prankster, but he was no stranger to cleverness. He grabbed a jar from his workbench—one of his most efficient creations: Silent Snuff. The enchantment inside was harmless, designed to suppress minor magical disturbances like unruly sparks or fizzling potions.

With a flick of his wand, Theo set the jar hovering discreetly at the edge of your shop’s awning. It pulsed faintly as it activated, the glittering lights and floating charms in the vicinity dimming slightly. To Theo’s satisfaction, the jaunty music from your enchanted sign faltered, the cheerful melody turning sluggish before sputtering out entirely.

He didn’t expect the immediate effect. You appeared in your doorway not five minutes later, your hands on your hips and your eyes blazing.

“Theodore!” you called, your voice carrying over the chatter of the street. Several shoppers turned to watch the unfolding drama, eager for what they likely assumed was another spat between the famously feuding shopkeepers.

Theo stepped out of his shop, the picture of calm indifference. “Yes?” he replied, a hint of smugness lacing his tone.

“What did you do to my sign?” you demanded, gesturing toward the now dim and silent display. “Half the charms on it stopped working, and my butterflies won’t stay afloat!”

Theo shrugged. “No idea what you’re talking about. Maybe your enchantments aren’t as robust as you thought.”

You narrowed your eyes at him, stepping closer until you were nearly toe-to-toe. “You’re awfully smug for someone who ‘has no idea.’”

“I’m always this smug,” he said, his voice cool. “But perhaps this is the universe’s way of telling you to tone it down. Simplicity can be... refreshing.”

“Refreshing?” you repeated, incredulous. “I’ll show you refreshing, Nott.”

Before Theo could react, you flicked your wand. A puff of bright pink smoke erupted from the nearest flowerpot outside his shop, transforming it into an enormous, glitter-covered daisy. It loomed like a whimsical sentinel, completely out of place against the austere backdrop of Nott’s Enchantments and Potions.

Theo stared at the flower, his expression blank. “Very mature,” he said dryly.

“Oh, I’m just getting started,” you replied sweetly, giving him a saccharine smile.

The tension between you was palpable, drawing curious onlookers. Some whispered bets on who would win this particular round, while others simply enjoyed the spectacle. A witch passing by muttered something about how the chemistry was “so obvious, it’s painful.”

Theo caught the comment and felt his cheeks heat, but he refused to look away from your determined gaze. He tipped his head slightly, his tone deceptively casual. “Careful, or I might start to think you actually like me.”

The remark caught you off guard, your expression flickering for just a moment. But you recovered quickly, tossing your hair with a laugh that was just a bit too loud. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied, turning sharply and retreating to his shop.

As he closed the door behind him, he allowed himself the faintest smirk. You, meanwhile, were left staring at the glittering daisy, already plotting your next move.

.・。.・゜✭・.

After Theo’s stunt with your sign and butterflies, you decided it was time to hit back. Subtlety was for amateurs; you wanted something with flair, something that would be impossible for him to ignore.

The plan was simple: an enchanted banner that would unfurl above Theo’s shop with a playful, mocking slogan. Something like “Efficiency: Where Fun Goes to Die.” You spent the better part of the evening crafting the perfect enchantment. The banner would hang just long enough to catch everyone’s attention before vanishing in a harmless puff of glitter.

At dawn, when Diagon Alley was still quiet, you crept outside with your wand in hand. You whispered the incantation, watching as the banner fluttered to life, rising like a mischievous phoenix. But as it reached the apex of its ascent, the enchantment wobbled. A thread of magic sparked and fizzled, and suddenly, the banner wrapped itself around you like a determined snake.

“Really?!” you groaned, struggling against the enchanted fabric. It tightened, pinning your arms and tangling around your legs until you toppled backward into a stack of flowerpots. The clatter echoed down the street, shattering the quiet morning.

From the corner of your eye, you saw the door to Theo’s shop swing open.

“What in Merlin’s name—?” His sharp voice cut through the air as he stepped outside, his eyes landing on your predicament. A slow smirk spread across his face. “Well, well. What have we here?”

You glared up at him, thoroughly ensnared in your own creation. “Don’t just stand there, Nott. Help me.”

He crossed his arms, clearly savoring the moment. “Help you? Oh, I wouldn’t dream of depriving you of this... creative experience. Seems very on-brand for Whimsy & Wonder.”

You wriggled against the banner, which only tightened further. “I swear, if you don’t—”

“Alright, alright,” he said, stepping closer. “Hold still, or this will take even longer.”

Theo knelt beside you, his wand outstretched as he murmured a counter-spell. The banner loosened its grip, but as he worked, his hands brushed against your arm, sending an unexpected shiver down your spine. You caught the faint scent of his cologne—clean, sharp, and surprisingly pleasant.

“Do you always get yourself into these messes?” he asked, his tone teasing but not unkind.

“Do you always enjoy watching people suffer?” you shot back, but the edge in your voice had softened.

He glanced up, and for a moment, your eyes met. The banter dissolved into silence as the proximity between you became impossible to ignore. His face was closer than you’d realized, his expression unreadable but intent.

You both stilled, the world around you fading into nothing but the sound of your breathing. His hand brushed yours as he untangled the last of the banner, and your heart stuttered in your chest.

For a second, it felt inevitable—the pull between you, the way his gaze flicked to your lips and back again. Then—

“Oi! What’s going on here?”

A vendor’s voice rang out, shattering the moment. You jerked back, breaking eye contact as Theo stood abruptly, the banner now limp in his hands.

“Nothing to see here,” he said coolly, tossing the banner onto your stoop.

You scrambled to your feet, brushing dirt off your robes and refusing to look at him. “Thanks,” you muttered, your cheeks burning.

He lingered for a second longer, his expression unreadable, before turning and walking back to his shop without another word.

As you watched him go, you couldn’t decide what burned hotter—the embarrassment of being caught or the way your pulse still raced from how close you’d been.

Masterlist

Requesting Guidelines

[aurifulgore]

Ok, y’all. I just want it to be understood how important the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is.

Tampering with NOAA would have more impacts than just the main one I've heard - privatization of weather tracking. Of course it would be catastrophic. That means their weather forecasts, guidance, and warnings would not be available for free. Weather is going to go subscription based if this happens, I bet. This undoubtedly would cause the most immediate impact on our daily lives.

Before long, however, more will come.

NOAA also administers the Coastal Zone Management Act. Under this act are the National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs), National Coastal Management Program (CZM), and the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP). 

There are 30 reserves established totalling 1.3 million acres. More are on the way.

No, this isn’t just our oceans! This impacts our freshwater coasts of the Great Lakes.

Grants and funding for institutions, including the University of Michigan. They manage the Science Collaborative, which funds research and exchanges to address coastal management needs of all 30 reserves or projects in collaboration with them.

Blending new technologies with indigenous knowledge with regards to management of wetlands and estuaries, strengthen food and economic stability, water quality, coral reefs, and resilience against climate change (ie. Ola i ka Loʻi Wai, Hawai’i) 

Restore ownership of indigenous ancestral lands (ie. Conservation of Cape Foulweather Headland, Oregon)

Identify for underwater archaeological sites for research and surveys, create a draft tribal climate action plan (ie. Penobscot Nation’s involvement in the Northeast Regional Ocean Council, Maine)

Work with each participating state (regarding the CZM, as it’s voluntary to participate) to address challenges along their coastlines. Maybe reach out to your representatives to see why they’re not involved - looking at you, Alaska!

Population enhancement of coral reefs, manage the Coral Reef Information System, minimize negative impacts of fishing on reefs, mitigate impacts of land-based pollution on coral reefs (Coral Reef Conservation Program)

And much, much more.  I’ll note that the aspects of the projects I highlighted above aren’t all they do. These are just a few I want to highlight here. Links can lead you further and I encourage you to take a few minutes to explore.

Another important note: both our oceans and freshwater lakes impact our biggest trade partners!! If dismantled, it would be yet another way that our foolish president will negatively impact our economy and relationships with our most crucial neighbors of Canada and Mexico. NOAA’s efforts also help support one third of the US's commerce. One third. 

Here is a map which breaks down the 1.3 BILLION in awards from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. This includes goals towards economic development, flood, etc…

Oh and they also help with oil spills. No one likes those.

And space weather, geomagnetic storms/solar flares ie. impacts to GPS, power grids.

I really stress people to look at what the agency does overall, as well as what they do in your state. It’s more than just weather. You can find that information here. 

Just please understand what we will lose if NOAA is gutted, or even just incapacitated for a long time. We already have little time to lose to slow the impacts of climate change and these are just some of the ways they're leading the charge with that.

It’s vital for us to understand what we will fundamentally lose, and it doesn't end at weather/hurricane predictions.

On a personal note, my dad has put what I can only estimate as hundreds of hours of work into one that was begun before the pandemic. If you can, I’d appreciate it if you’re in that area that you participate when you can, or if anything, donate to the UW Green Bay’s NERR General Fund. He’s also involved with portions of the Lake Superior NERR, so your time, if possible, or a donation if you can, would mean a lot to us.

[heliosunny]

HEAR ME OUT!!

How about yan! Anaxa with vampire reader?

Well he keep reader to study them? Or will he also go crazy for them like how phainon is?

:))

(if only its alright hehehe)

Yandere!Anaxa x Vampire!Reader

artist: amittoume

The marketplace was alive with the scent of fresh bread, sizzling meats, and the occasional waft of incense from the apothecary stalls. Merchants called out their wares, voices overlapping in a noisy symphony of commerce. But amidst the chaos, Anaxa remained still, his eyes tracking a single anomaly in the crowd.

At first, his curiosity had been passive. The way you moved, just a fraction too fluidly, like a ripple in undisturbed water. The way the sunlight never seemed to touch you quite right, as if avoiding your skin altogether. But he dismissed it. His mind was a well-ordered thing, a place for logic, not superstition.

Still, he watched. Not overtly. He was careful, a strategist before anything else. A passing glance here, a casual lean against a wooden stall there. And always, you remained… different.

Today was no exception.

The old merchant at the fruit stall hummed as he arranged fresh apples in a wooden crate, glancing between the two of you with mild recognition. “Ah, the usual for the both of you?” he asked, already reaching for the familiar selections.

Anaxa offered a lazy nod. “Might as well. It saves time, doesn’t it?” His voice was pleasant. A merchant’s best customer was a predictable one, after all.

You responded with a polite murmur, your fingers brushing against the wooden counter as you retrieved your purchase. For just a moment, your sleeve shifted, and Anaxa caught sight of your wrist- pale, almost unnaturally so.

His eyes lingered. But he said nothing.

The next time he saw you, the stars had replaced the sun, and the marketplace’s noise had faded into the quiet hum of the sleeping city. You weren’t among the stalls now. You were hunting.

Anaxa wasn’t one to follow blindly, but this? This was different. His sharp instincts told him to observe, to study, to understand what made you tick. And so, concealed in the thick underbrush of the forest, he watched.

A lone traveler wandered too close to the treeline, oblivious. The moment their heartbeat stuttered, the moment their scent thickened with something dangerously sweet, you moved.

Anaxa didn’t breathe. He didn’t even flinch.

Because now, he understood.

A vampire

“…How rare.”

The first time Anaxa let himself be seen was deliberate.

He had watched you long enough, learned your patterns, the way you always hunted alone, the precise moment you let your guard down after feeding. It was a delicate dance, and now, he was ready to lead.

He made no effort to hide when he stepped out from behind the tree line that night. The damp earth barely made a sound beneath his boots, but you still noticed.

Your head snapped toward him, eyes gleaming with residual hunger from your recent meal. He could feel the tension in your frame, coiled, wary.

But he only smiled.

“I had my suspicions, but seeing it up close…” His voice trailed off, as if he were merely admiring a rare jewel rather than a predator standing before him.

Your expression hardened. “You’ve been following me.”

There was no accusation in your tone, just fact. Good. That meant you weren’t the type to react emotionally. He could work with that.

“I wouldn’t call it that” Anaxa replied smoothly. “Let’s say… I’ve been studying you.”

Your fingers twitched. He didn’t miss how your posture shifted, weight balanced between retreat and attack.

“And what do you plan to do with what you’ve learned?”

“Now that...” he murmured, stepping closer, “depends entirely on you.”

The real trap wasn’t sprung with chains or cages. That wasn’t how Anaxa worked.

No, the first snare was temptation.

He offered blood.

Not just any blood- better blood.

You resisted at first. He expected that. You weren’t a fool, and you had likely learned to distrust easy gifts. But Anaxa was patient. He dangled it just close enough to keep you intrigued.

“Freshly sourced” he murmured, swirling the deep red liquid in a delicate glass. “No impurities, no decay. It’s leagues above whatever you scavenge from hapless travelers.”

Your throat bobbed, your fingers twitching minutely. He knew you were weighing your pride against your hunger.

You lost. The first sip unraveled you.

It was like tasting something forbidden, so impossibly rich that you felt your body react before your mind could even process it. A slow shudder ran through you, your grip on the glass tightening.

Anaxa’s gaze never wavered.

“Good, isn’t it?” he murmured, his tone almost gentle. “I can provide more. A steady supply. You won’t have to hunt anymore.”

You inhaled sharply, already realizing the offer wasn’t without a price. “What do you want in return?”

His lips curved.

“Your cooperation” he said simply. “Your… compliance.”

It didn’t happen all at once. That would be too obvious.

After your initial agreement, blood in exchange for cooperation—Anaxa treated you with an almost unnerving level of respect.

He never pushed too hard. Never forced anything. The experiments, at first, were nothing invasive. He asked questions about your abilities, your hunting patterns, your physical limitations. His hands, when they did touch you, were always careful, always controlled.

It was easy to forget the danger.

And then, one day, he led you outside.

You expected him to keep you hidden. Vampires were rare, after all-feared, whispered about in myths. But instead, he walked you through the city streets as if you were nothing more than an ordinary assistant.

People stared. You didn’t blame them. Even under the layers of clothing Anaxa insisted you wear gloves to cover your cold hands, a high collar to conceal your lack of a pulse, you were still different.

A man- older, his apron stained with ink and parchment, raised a curious brow. “Anaxa, who’s this?”

Anaxa barely slowed his stride. “A new subordinate” he answered smoothly. “They have potential, so I’m showing them the ropes.”

You blinked. That was… not what you expected.

But what surprised you even more was that people believed him. No suspicion. No unease. They accepted his words without question.

As you walked, you realized just how much influence he had here. His work extended beyond research, he had people’s trust. Merchants greeted him with familiarity. Guards didn’t stop him. Even those who worked in the deeper levels of the city’s archives let him pass without hesitation.

It was the first time you truly understood.

Anaxa wasn’t just intelligent. He was powerful.

The place where he worked, his private laboratory, was unlike anything you’d ever seen. It wasn’t cold and sterile like you’d expected. There was warmth here, books stacked in careful disorder, notes pinned to the walls with precise, elegant handwriting. There were vials of liquid too thick to be water, half-finished formulas scribbled in the margins of old tomes.

It was chaos, but it was controlled chaos.

“You’ve… changed a lot of things here” you murmured, glancing at the reinforced structures, the specialized equipment.

Anaxa hummed, satisfied by your observation. “Yes. I make improvements where necessary.”

There was pride in his voice. A quiet sort of satisfaction.

You didn’t know why, but that made you trust him just a little more.

When night fell, he didn’t let you leave.

“Stay” he said, as if it were a simple request. “I have further plans for you.”

Something about the way he phrased it sent a flicker of unease down your spine. But you stayed.

After all… you had no reason not to trust him.

Right?

The next experiments were… different. More intense. Gone were the idle conversations, the harmless observations. Now, Anaxa was testing you.

“How much blood can you go without before your body starts to break down?”

“How long can you suppress your instincts before they override your will?”

He never asked with cruelty. His voice remained calm, almost gentle. He explained each process before beginning, gave you just enough reassurance that you never felt outright trapped.

But the sessions lasted longer. And each time, he gave you a little less blood than before.

You didn’t notice it at first, but you began needing the next feeding sooner than expected. Your body started reacting before your mind could, reaching for the vial before he even placed it in your hands.

And Anaxa watched.

You weren’t an idiot.

The moment you realized what Anaxa was doing, calculating every drop of blood he gave you, ensuring your body craved more each time—you knew you had to leave.

You had observed him just as much as he had observed you. Anaxa was not a man of brute force, he was a man of strategy. He didn’t need shackles or locked doors to keep you here. He had something far stronger.

You weren’t sure when it had happened, but at some point, he had begun scheduling your feedings. Just long enough between them to weaken you. Just enough blood to keep you functional, but not strong. By the time you pieced everything together, your instincts were already betraying you.

The hunger was creeping in.

Your throat burned.

You waited until the latest round of experiments was over. Until Anaxa, satisfied with today’s results, left you alone to “rest.”

He assumed you would. You didn’t.

Instead, you forced yourself to move. Your body protested every step, but you shoved past the hunger. The door was unlocked, of course it was. He didn’t need locks, not when you were already trapped in a different way.

You slipped through the empty hallway, down the corridor, through the entrance, into the cold night air. You were outside.

At first, nothing happened.

No alarms. No sounds of pursuit. You pushed forward, sprinting through the winding alleyways, slipping past the few late-night stragglers on the streets.

The hunger clawed at your stomach, but you didn’t stop. You needed to make it to the forest. Once you were there, you could hunt, regain your strength- disappear.

The city gates came into view.

Your heart lurched with something dangerously close to hope.

And then, a voice spoke behind you.

“You’re struggling, aren’t you?”

He was already here.

You whirled around—nothing.

The street was empty. But you knew better. He was close.

A chill crept down your spine as his voice came again, this time from your left.

“I suppose I should be flattered,” Anaxa murmured. “You actually thought you could get away.”

You turned, scanning—where was he?

Your eyes darted to the city gates.

“Running won’t help you.”

The voice was directly behind you.

You spun just as something looped around your wrist. A thin, near-invisible wire. Your eyes widened. You hadn’t even seen him move.

Anaxa tilted his head. “You don’t think I let you walk around the city without precautions, did you?”

The wire tightened.

Your breath left you in a sharp exhale.

“That’s…” You swallowed. Your throat was so dry. “That’s dirty.”

“It’s necessary.”

You yanked, hard—but the moment you did, a second wire wrapped around your other wrist.

Your entire body jerked backward.

He stepped closer, slow and measured. “You’re hungry, aren’t you?”

His gloved fingers reached into his coat—a vial of blood. He let it catch the moonlight, let the rich crimson gleam just enough to make your senses burn.

“I can feel you shaking” he murmured. “Your body is on the verge of collapse.”

The hunger raged.

“You can barely stand.”

He took one step closer. Then another. The wires tightened, but his touch was gentle when he cupped your face.

“Would you like me to help you?”

Your fangs ached. Your lips parted, perhaps to curse him, perhaps to demand answers—but he pressed the vial to your mouth before you could.

“Drink” he said softly.

And despite everything-

You did.

You meant to resist, but the moment the vial of blood brushed your lips, something inside you snapped.

No.

Not that.

Not the artificial substitute he was rationing out like you were some starved pet.

You wanted something real.

Something fresh.

Something pounding with life.

Your body moved on instinct. Before Anaxa could react, you jerked forward, twisting against the wire restraints—and sank your fangs into his neck.

His breath hitched.

A sharp intake of air, but not a sound of protest.

It was nothing like the controlled doses he’d given you before. This was unfiltered. The raw burn of his lifeblood hitting your starving veins like fire, like something addictive, something forbidden, something you should have never tasted but now-

You couldn’t stop.

His pulse pounded against your lips. The scent of his blood flooded your senses, drowning everything else.

A shudder ran through him.

“…Interesting.”

His voice low, breathless, but not angry.

Your grip on him tightened. The heat of his body pressed against yours, the steady rhythm of his pulse hammering against your tongue—

Something in him changed.

You felt it.

His hands, which had been loose at his sides, lifted—gripping you. One hand fisting into your hair, the other pressing against the small of your back, keeping you close.

Holding you there.

Like he was enjoying it.

You ripped away, blood dripping from your lips. Your chest heaved, your mind fogged, but your body felt stronger than ever.

The hunger was gone.

Anaxa swayed slightly, an odd flush dusting his cheeks. His pink-green eyes, normally so unreadable, held something dark.

“…That” he murmured, almost thoughtful, “was new.”

Your heart pounded. You didn’t wait for him to recover. You ran.

For the second time that night, you made it past the gates.

This time, you were faster, stronger, your vision was sharper, your body buzzing from the rush of real, living blood surging through you. You could make it. You could finally—

Your body collided with something, no, someone.

A blur of dark uniforms. The sound of metal clinking.

Anaxa’s men.

Strong hands clamped down on you before you could twist away. The energy you had stolen from Anaxa was already fading.

You thrashed, baring your fangs, trying to summon the last remnants of your strength. But it was too late. They were prepared for this.

A sharp prick at your neck—

The world blurred.

“Restrain them. Bring them back.”

His voice.

Steady. Cold. Commanding.

You woke up back where you started.

The sterile scent of Anaxa’s lab filled your senses. The cool press of steel against your wrists and ankles. The soft glow of dim lighting overhead.

And in front of you was Anaxa.

You tried to move but the restraints held you back.

“…Awake already?”

Your eyes followed.

The bandages. Wrapped around his neck. Covering the very spot where your fangs had pierced him.

He should still be healing.

Except... He looked perfectly fine.

“…You heal fast” you rasped.

Anaxa’s fingers tapped lightly against the armrest of his chair. His gaze remained fixed on you, contemplative.

Then, he leaned forward.

“Your bite,” he murmured, “was… curious.”

You stiffened. His voice was light, but you caught it—the interest. The same quiet intrigue he had when he first realized you were something rare.

“…What did you do to me?” you demanded.

His smile widened, not an answer. But the look in his eyes? It told you everything.

He had discovered something.

Something about you.

Something he wasn’t going to share.

But you wouldn’t let him hold the silence over you.

You inhaled, voice steadier than you felt. “You know something.”

Then, as if humoring a child, he leaned back.

“I had my suspicions” he admitted.

His voice was light, casual, but you didn’t miss the way his grip on the chair subtly tightened.

“You felt it too, didn’t you?” he mused. “That rush? The way my blood settled inside you—how it burned, but not in rejection. How it… changed you.”

Your heart pounded. That was his angle. Whatever happened when you bit him, he wanted it to happen again.

He wanted more.

Your mouth felt dry. “It was just blood.”

Anaxa tilted his head. “Then why do you look shaken?”

You clenched your jaw.

His pink-green gaze glimmered, as if enjoying your reaction.

“Vampires are rare” he continued, “but not unheard of. I’ve studied them before.”

“But you?” His voice dipped into something softer, something darker. “You’re something else entirely.”

Anaxa leaned forward, elbows on his knees.

“Most humans wouldn’t have survived that bite” he said, voice almost amused. “They’d be drained. Feverish. Weak.”

You knew that. You’d done it before. Drained prey too fast, left them hollowed-out corpses with bodies too frail to fight back. Anaxa should have been the same.

But he wasn’t, he had endured.

No—more than that.

He had recovered instantly.

Like something in your blood had...

“Fascinating, isn’t it?” he murmured. “You feed off me, but instead of leaving me weak...” He gestured vaguely at himself. “I adapt.”

You gritted your teeth.

He was lying. Or at least, not telling the full truth.

He knew something more.

Most humans would have flinched under your glare. Most would have backed away at the sight of your fangs still stained with their blood.

Anaxa?

He was studying you.

Like he had already decided

He owned you now.

Your fingers curled into fists. “So what?” you spat. “You’re going to keep me locked up? Use me like some kind of—”

“Oh, no.” Anaxa chuckled.

That was the laugh of a man who had already planned everything.

“You misunderstand” he said. “I don’t need to keep you in a cage.”

He stood, slow and deliberate, pacing toward you.

The restraints held you down. The steel burned just slightly against your skin—silver-laced.

He knew your weaknesses.

Anaxa crouched in front of you. His eyes softened, not with kindness, but something far more dangerous.

“I already know how to keep you” he murmured.

His fingers lifted, grazed your jaw.

You flinched. He smiled.

Then, his other hand lifted a small vial. Deep red liquid sloshed inside.

Blood.

Not just any blood.

Yours.

Anaxa turned the vial in his hand, watching the light refract through it. “I ran a few tests while you were unconscious.”

Of course he did.

“It’s… different from what I expected.” He tapped the glass. “You’re stronger than a normal vampire. And yet—”

His gaze flickered to you.

“You need me.”

You froze.

“…What?”

Anaxa smiled like he had won.

“Oh, you haven’t noticed?” His voice dipped into something taunting. “You took my blood, and it filled you. Made you stronger. But now?”

His fingers ghosted over your wrist, where your veins ached.

“Now, you’re fading again.”

As soon as he said it, you felt it. The dull, creeping exhaustion sinking into your bones. The same hunger from before, clawing back like an old habit.

“You can feed on others, of course” he said. “Drink until they collapse. But it won’t be the same, will it?”

“No one else’s blood will do.”

That couldn’t be true.

He was just saying that to mess with you. Just trying to break you.

Anaxa leaned in, voice barely a whisper.

“You belong to me now.”

The words slithered into your mind, poisonous and inescapable.

Your body was already giving in.

No.

You refused.

He lifted the vial to your lips.

And in that moment, you realized the true trap.

This hunger.

This craving that only he could satisfy.

The first sip of his blood had already sealed your fate.

His free hand caressed your cheek.

“Drink” he murmured.

“And I’ll take care of you.”

You stared at him, at the man who had orchestrated this entire game, the man who had been testing you from the very beginning, the man who had won.

Your lips parted.

And the vial tilted.

[celestemona]

DEEP WATERS

pairing: alhaitham x mermaid! reader

in the stillness of tides, alhaitham unearths a mystery long believed to be legend—a mermaid ensnared, with eyes as deep as the ocean and secrets buried in every wave. drawn by fate and enchanted by her silent song, he finds himself caught between myth and reality. in his quest to understand her world, he risks losing his own heart to the uncharted depths.

cw: part i of ii. fem reader, pronouns s/her are mentioned tho it was written in 2nd person. fluff, fluff. female body specifications; long hair! reader, nudity, slight language barrier’ struggles, characters may seem ooc. shoutout to alhaitham for name you. 15.5k words sue me. not proof-read.

reblogs and comments are appreciated ♡

Alhaitham’s day began like any other, filled with the structured predictability he deemed essential.

As Akademiya’s scribe, he was used to working methodically on his tasks, knowing exactly what was needed and never exceeding those limits. Efficiency was a virtue he held in high regard, after all.

But today, at the request of Lesser Lord Kusanali herself, he was dispatched to Port Ormos to investigate some potential concerns involving certain texts arriving from the neighboring nation. A diplomatic matter with Chenyu Vale, she had suggested, that required someone well-versed in logic and languages—a task he could accomplish quickly and with minimal interruption to his personal duties.

Now, as he stood on the outskirts of Port Ormos with his task nearly complete, Alhaitham surveyed the bustling dock.

While Port Ormos often seemed chaotic to him, he couldn’t deny the appeal of watching the ebb and flow of commerce, of lives interwoven in casual exchanges and swift negotiations. But just as he prepared to leave, his attention was drawn to a quieter stretch of the coast, an isolated, rarely visited area far from the main docks. This was usually his kind of place: quiet and solitary.

However, today, the silence was broken by something… peculiar. It wasn’t the rhythmic murmur of the waves or the occasional seagulls that caught his attention, but an odd, strained sound. It was faint but persistent—a low occasional growl mixed with something he couldn’t immediately identify.

Curiosity piqued, Alhaitham allowed his gaze to scan the sandy stretch. There was no one else in sight; no sailors, no matras. This area seemed entirely deserted, only adding to the mystery. 

He approached cautiously, his trained eyes alert with every movement. Then, amidst the scattered shells and seaweed, he saw it: a glimpse of something familiar yet entirely strange.

A tail. Long, dark, and unmistakably fish-like, though far more mesmerizing in its iridescent palette and certainly larger than any common marine animal. Its dark blue with a touch of gray caught the light and shimmered with shifting hues as the waves lapped gently over it.

Alhaitham’s breath hitched as his gaze traveled from the fish tail to its source, finally landing on the figure trapped in a tangled mess of fishing net.

This was no ordinary sea creature. No. It was a mermaid.

For a man who prided himself on his calm and logical demeanor, Alhaitham felt an undeniable wave of disbelief and fascination wash over him.

Mermaids were, at best, myths—Fontaine tales told in taverns and old children’s books. In his days as a student, he had skimmed the sparse historical mentions of mermaids, intrigued by their academic mystery, though ultimately dismissing them as baseless stories. Historians had little to offer about them—no language to decipher, no artifacts to study. It was all speculative, fantasy stories wrapped in the very mystique of the sea. And now, here you were, a very real mermaid right before him.

Your form was incredibly otherworldly, almost surreal in its beauty. Long hair clung to your shoulders and breasts, darkened by the water and tangled with delicate, glistening pearls, while the scales on your arms and ribs caught the faint light. But it was your face, contorted with a mixture of fear and frustration, that held him in place. Your sharp eyes, almost snake-like, blinked warily as you noticed his approach, and a low growl escaped your throat, an instinctive warning.

Alhaitham took a deep breath, grounding himself in reality. This creature—no, this mermaid—wasn’t just a legend he could dismiss. You were tangible, vulnerable, and caught in a trap you clearly couldn’t escape from.

Kneeling out of your reach, he chose his movements with calculated care. “Easy there,” he murmured, his tone neutral yet soft, more for his own benefit than yours. He doubted you’d understand, but it was instinctive to try and soothe you. He slowly extended a hand, palm open, hoping you could see he meant no harm.

Your sharp gaze tracked his every movement, a soft, cautious hiss slipping from your lips. You moved your tail against the net, trying once again to free yourself, but the more you struggled, the tighter the net seemed to trap you. Alhaitham’s gaze dropped to your bare torso, noticing the faint shimmer of scales marred by bruises, likely from your attempts to break free.

He looked back at you, meeting your wary, defiant gaze. Your intelligence was unmistakable—in your eyes, he could see a spark of recognition and caution. You knew he was a threat, but also, perhaps, your only chance.

“Alright,” he said, as if reasoning with a wild creature, and began to move carefully toward the edge of the net. You tensed, the sharp gleam of your canines visible as you bared your teeth in warning. Alhaitham paused, feeling a mix of danger and a strange empathy.

“Relax,” he said softly, ensuring his gestures were as non-threatening as possible. You continued to watch him, your expression still wary but curious. Up close, he could see your long, sharp nails, the delicate, translucent membranes between your fingers and the subtle rise and fall of your gills as you breathed shallowly and anxiously. Your beauty was undeniable but in a way that felt unreal, beyond anything he had ever encountered.

Alhaitham slowly reached for the knife at his belt, the blade glinting in the faint light. Your eyes narrowed, a low, almost inaudible growl escaping as you observed him. “I’m here to help,” he assured, keeping his tone calm, as if you could understand his intent through his voice alone.

As he brought the blade closer to the tangled net, your body went rigid, muscles tensing as if ready to spring—or strike. Your gaze locked onto his, every line of your body taut, your breathing shallow and rapid. For a brief moment, he paused, meeting your gaze with a nod of understanding, as if to say: Trust me, just for now.

With practiced ease, he cut a few threads, loosening the net just enough to give you some room. You flinched, your tail contracting involuntarily, but you didn’t pull away, allowing him to continue his work. He cut it carefully, each movement deliberate, keeping his own breathing steady as he watched your response.

He couldn’t help but wonder at the absurdity of it all. Here he was, the notorious and logical Scribe of the Akademiya, performing a rescue for something—or someone—he once dismissed as pure fantasy. The tales he had brushed aside as stories seemed to dissolve before this living being. Yet his mind continued to spin with questions he couldn’t suppress: How did you end up here, trapped in this net? And what would become of you now?

As he cut the last thread, he noticed your injured tail more clearly, a long red line seeping through the translucent scales. A frown crossed his face as he sheathed the knife, feeling the faintest pang of concern.

“You’re hurt,” he said quietly, not knowing if you would understand him. You shifted slightly, flexing your tail as if testing your freedom, your expression cautious but no longer as frantic. Your eyes met his again, and for a moment, something like gratitude flashed in your gaze—fleeting, almost imperceptible, but there.

He couldn’t help but smile slightly, feeling a pull of fascination, his mind instinctively cataloging every feature, every movement. 

Yet Alhaitham’s thoughts clicked into the details of the situation with calculated precision.

He observed the desolate stretch of beach where he found you, far removed from the main port and any regular fishing route. This area was more of a neglected backwater than a place frequented by locals, let alone fishermen. He was certain you hadn’t been captured here intentionally; instead, you must have ventured here alone, in danger or by mistake, only to be caught by the tangled mess of nets, possibly abandoned by a passing fishing boat.

He looked back at you, his analytical gaze softening slightly. Faced with this new reality, you bore little resemblance to the wild, monstrous figures folklore sometimes suggested. You were undeniably alive, aware, and your beauty, strange and striking, had an almost hypnotic quality.

But despite his attempts at rational analysis, concern rooted itself as he examined your injuries.

The wound on your tail continued bleeding slowly, deep crimson droplets blending into the sea water. He didn’t know how long you had been trapped, but the blood loss, however gradual, could spell trouble if left untreated. There was also the issue of eremites and mercenaries who roamed the outskirts of Port Ormos, not to mention treasure hunters and opportunists. You’d be a prize beyond imagination for many of them if they found you in this weakened state…

The weight of your expectant gaze held him in the moment, your snake-like eyes gleaming with suspicion and interest. You watched him closely, trying to understand him as he studied you. He could see in the slight press of your lips, as if bracing to hiss or growl, ready to flee if needed. But he also noticed that, even in your obvious wariness, there was a glimmer of something more—a reluctant trust, perhaps, that he wasn’t here to harm you.

He took a careful step forward, his voice calm. “Can you understand me?” he asked, each word slow and deliberate. 

Silence, save for the rhythmic lap of waves against the shore.

Opting to approach you through another means, Alhaitham raised a hand to his chest, fingertips gently pressing over his heart. He met your eyes, holding your gaze firmly, and said, “Alhaitham,” keeping his voice low, repeating the name once more, “Al-Haitham,” drawing each syllable with deliberate clarity.

You head tilted cutely, eyes blinking expressively. You watched his gesture, your gaze lingering on the hand over his heart, as if trying to decipher the meaning in his movements and tone. He could see your intrigue, the silent intelligence behind your eyes suggesting that, though there was no response, his words had not entirely gone unnoticed.

Satisfied to have given you something to hold onto, Alhaitham took a deep breath to calm himself.

Internally, the scribe wrestled with a series of difficult choices. Returning you to the sea seemed the most logical path, but there was no certainty that you’d survive the injuries. And considering the bystanders lingering in the area, leaving you there could be even more risky. On the other hand, bringing you to his own home was… complicated. The logistics alone were challenging. He lived a fair distance from Port Ormos—nearly half an hour by walking—and carrying you the entire way risked exposure for both you and himself.

As he turned these options over in his mind, you shifted slightly, a barely audible groan revealing you discomfort. The sight stirred an unexpected protectiveness within him. Practicality aside, leaving you in that state wasn’t an option he could consider.

He crouched beside you once again, his expression softening when he met your gaze. “It seems you’ve left me with little choice,” he murmured, half to himself. “I’ll have to find a way to take you with me.”

You blinked, your gaze never leaving him.

When he extended his hand toward you, you immediately stiffened and hissed aggressively, your body tensing as if bracing for what might come next. Alhaitham kept his movements slow and deliberate, waiting until the tension in your shoulders eased enough. When he placed a careful hand beneath you, your damp skin was smooth, cool to the touch, and your scales gleamed slightly even in the last traces of sunlight. Your breathing steadied, though he could still feel your persistent nerves.

He thought for a moment, gauging your weight, and realized it’d be challenging to carry you all the way to his home without attracting attention. He glanced back at the main harbor, then at you, pondering an alternative solution.

Then his eyes landed on an old wooden cart leaning against the weathered side of a nearby storage shed. The cart was small, probably used to transport boxes of fish or bags of supplies from the coast, with thick wheels designed to handle rough paths. Judging by the nets and equipment scattered around it, it likely belonged to a fisherman or trader who had left it unattended for the day.

With a hint of reluctance, Alhaitham assessed the cart and the possible risks of borrowing it. But practicality won out; the cart was discreet and functional, a solution he couldn’t ignore.

Carefully, he carried you toward the cart, moving at a steady, unhurried pace to keep your calm. You were clearly frightened, your body tensing slightly as he approached the cart, but your eyes remained focused on him, not on the unfamiliar contraption.

“It’s the best I can do for now,” he murmured, his tone gentler, as he placed a soft cloth he had found along the cart’s surface, creating a makeshift cushion over the rough wood.

Slowly, he guided you to sit, your injured tail carefully positioned on the padding. Your eyes darted between him and the cart, a flicker of nervousness visible in the way your fingers clenched and relaxed, but you stayed still, watching him intently as he adjusted the cloth around you.

Once he was certain you were settled, he grasped the iron handle of the cart and began to pull, setting a careful yet steady rhythm. The journey ahead was longer than he had anticipated, and he kept his attention on the road, his mind flooded with questions he couldn’t yet answer.

As you both traced the more secluded paths back to his home, Alhaitham found himself glancing over his shoulder at you, curiosity mingling with a cautious sense of awe. The sound of the cart’s wheels rolling over the uneven path filled the silence between you two, a strangely rhythmic backdrop for his swirling thoughts.

This encounter was unlike anything he had ever experienced. He had encountered beings as mythical as they were magical during his studies, but mermaids—real mermaids—had always been a subject wrapped in mystery and skepticism. And now here he was, with a living, breathing mystery being carried by him in an old, borrowed cart, with questions he could hardly begin to ask.

As he neared home, Alhaitham’s thoughts began to drift toward Kaveh, his housemate. The scribe knew he had the right to bring anyone he wanted into his own home, yet he couldn’t entirely ignore the small tug of doubt about what the architect might think of this stranger among them—especially given the undeniable peculiarity of the situation.

When they finally arrived, Alhaitham noticed an unusual stillness in the cart.

Looking back, he was startled to find you breathing heavily, your chest rising and falling with visible effort. Your eyelids fluttered, your gaze unfocused and barely registering your surroundings. He had assumed you were silent due to simple exhaustion, but now he could see your strength waning; the wound on your tail was no longer bleeding heavily, but your skin had lost its previous luster, becoming dull and slightly pale.

He realized, with a start, that you had likely been out of the water for too long, your injuries worsening your condition. Without a second thought, he lifted you into his arms, your weight shifting in his hold as he carefully cradled you against his chest. Your skin was colder than he had expected, and you barely reacted, your head drooping slightly to one side as he carried you through the entrance.

The house was quiet, he noticed. Kaveh was probably finishing a project or relaxing at the local tavern. In a way, it was a relief; Alhaitham didn’t want to face questions yet, not when every minute counted. Quickly, he headed to his suite, knowing the bathroom there would be the best place to stabilize you.

Reaching the bathroom, the scribe laid you on the floor, leaning you against the wall while he turned on the bathtub’s faucet. The water splashed and rose in the tub, filling the room with a soft, familiar sound, and he carefully tested the temperature, ensuring it was comfortable for you.

Once the tub was full, he returned to your side, sliding his arms around you to lift you again, and gently submerged you in the water.

The effect was almost immediate. The tension in your shoulders began to ease, your body relaxing as you adjusted to the gentle embrace of the water. Your tail submerged partially, the scales faintly shimmering as your breathing began to steady. You blinked slowly, your eyes finally regaining some clarity, and your gaze turned to him once more.

Alhaitham found himself watching you, captivated. The way you moved in the water was like observing a creature in its natural element; you were graceful, serene, each of your movements fluid and instinctive, even in such a small space. For a moment, you seemed almost at peace, adjusting to your new environment with a slight sense of wonder.

After a while, Alhaitham sat on a stool nearby, examining the wound on your tail with a more clinical gaze. The cut looked deeper up close, irregular and red along the edges, likely worsened by your struggle against the net.

Carefully, he extended his hand toward it, intending to assess the damage — but at the first touch, you recoiled, a soft yet distinct growl rumbling in your throat. Your eyes locked onto his hand, narrowing in a sharp warning.

“Easy,” he said softly, his voice measured and calm. “I just want to help.”

You held his gaze, still defensive, your eyes distrustful and unyielding.

Alhaitham considered his options, realizing he needed to show you his intentions. Slowly, he rolled up his sleeve, exposing a small area of his forearm. Using a small, sterilized knife from the medical kit he kept nearby, he made a small cut. Without breaking eye contact, he took a roll of bandages and tended to the wound, pressing a small cloth to it to stop the bleeding, then securing it with careful precision.

You watched intently, your sharp eyes following every movement as he applied the bandage and finished his demonstration. He extended his hand, showing you the process was harmless, then gestured toward your injured tail with a look of gentle insistence.

Your gaze shifted from the bandaged arm to his face, and then, slowly, you relented, your tail moving toward him in a tentative gesture of trust.

Alhaitham excused and his fingers moved over the surface of your tail, the scales cool and smooth under his touch, a strange blend of softness and strength. He found himself fascinated by the texture, each scale catching faint glimmers of color as he carefully cleaned the wound and applied a thin layer of antiseptic balm.

Your reaction was hesitant, but you didn’t resist, your gaze fixed on him with a mix of attentiveness and intrigue. Alhaitham was silent, focusing on his task, though he couldn’t shake the strange sensation of examining something so mythical, so utterly otherworldly.

When he finished, he moved back a bit, giving you space to adjust and settle into the bathtub.

For a moment, the room fell silent, and Alhaitham realized you were likely hungry. Recalling his pantry, he remembered there were some canned fish—a simple, if humble, option. He rose, nodding apologetically before heading to the kitchen.

There, he grabbed the can and opened it, the salty, familiar scent wafting into the air. When he returned, you watched him with expectant eyes, your curiosity rekindled. He sat beside the tub again and offered the food, waiting to see how you would react. At first, you wrinkled your nose, suspicion shining in your gaze, but after a moment, you carefully took a piece, chewing it timidly.

It was as if a switch had been flipped. You devoured the rest with surprising intensity, your hunger evident as you finished the fish with quick, eager bites. When you looked back at him, pupils dilated and gleaming, your expression softened into something almost sweet. The unguarded look, the silent request in your face, caught him off guard—you wanted more.

A slight smile played on his lips, amused by your sudden change. Without saying a word, he grabbed another can, opened it, and offered it to you. You accepted it with the same voracious energy, and he found himself even more captivated, watching you eat with a fascination that was part analytical, part genuine curiosity, a faint hint of acceptance surfacing.

“So that’s all it takes to earn your trust, huh? Just a bit of food,” he remarked, his voice carrying a tone of entertainment as he straightened on the stool, arms crossed. His eyes gleamed with rare humor, the softened edge that few had ever seen. When he chuckled, you looked up, momentarily intrigued by the sound.

But that lightness faded as his mind returned to the current situation, his brow furrowing in quiet thought.

Alhaitham couldn’t help but feel unsettled by the scene of this creature from myth, an enigma he could barely believe was real, now looking at him from his bathtub. And he, a man usually content with the solitude of his own space, was now bound to share it with you, a mystery he found himself inevitably drawn to.

He took a deep breath and leaned toward you, his fingers interlacing.

“Where did you come from, huh?” he asked, his voice softer this time, as if coaxing an answer. “How did you end up here in Sumeru of all places?”

Each question felt like a whisper, a thread he was following in search of answers he wasn’t sure you even had.

His gaze lingered on your face, his eyes softened as he searched for some hint of recognition, something that would give him insight into the untold story you carried. But you only tilted your head, watching him with those beautiful, sharp, and intrigued eyes, and he sighed, recognizing that these questions might not yield anything for now.

With a contemplative look, he continued, more to himself now, “I don’t know how long you’ll be staying here, but…” His gaze drifted to the edge of the tub. “We’ll need to get past this language barrier,” he said, watching you carefully, noticing how you seemed to respond, if not to his words, then at least to his tone. You might not have spoken yet, but he had a strong suspicion you understood more than he initially thought.

He straightened up again, arms crossed over his chest, already planning his next steps. “Teaching you some basics should be manageable,” he mused. “You seem smart. I’ll start with simple words. Maybe that’ll give us some common ground.”

His thoughts briefly wandered to the Akademiya’s library. The House of Daena held numerous books and journals, fragments of knowledge, notes from scholars who had studied all sorts of myths. Perhaps there was something in those pages that could hold the answers he needed. He’d make a point to return there tomorrow.

Lost in thought, he murmured, “I can’t keep you in the tub forever, either. We’ll have to address that eventually.” His voice trailed off as he considered the situation more practically. For now, the tub would suffice, but it was far from a long-term solution.

You followed his every movement, though it was clear your interest was more in your surroundings than in him.

Occasionally, your gaze would drift from the dim candlelight to the strange objects decorating the bathroom, absorbing each detail of this world that was foreign to you. Alhaitham found himself staring at you, surprised at how naturally you seemed to fit into the space—a strange contrast considering you were a creature of the water, yet here you were, curious and present in the heart of his world.

Moments passed in silence, both lost in separate thoughts—Alhaitham weighing his options.

Some time later, he noticed the way your eyes began to close, your body finally giving in to the day’s exhaustion. You leaned against the edge of the tub, breathing softly, eyelids heavy. A faint, almost affectionate smile crossed his lips as he murmured, “A long day, no doubt.”

With a low chuckle, he straightened, adjusting the dim lighting to give you peace. “Goodnight,” he said softly, letting the silence of the bathroom settle over you as he returned to his suite.

Once in his room, he shed the day’s fatigue along with his usual attire, slipping into more comfortable clothing. Yet even as he tried to shift his focus, his thoughts returned to you. The mystery of who you were, what you were, haunted him in the most unexpected ways. Every answer led to another question, but that wasn’t the unsettling part. No—it was the quiet fascination you stirred within him, a desire to unravel that he never had felt before.

Heading to the kitchen, he prepared a quick meal for himself. He served a simple broth, letting it simmer as he went over the potential tasks for tomorrow.

Pay a visit to the Akademiya’ library was a must, he concluded. Perhaps he could find some records that might offer insights into mermaid lore.

But there was more to consider—how would he navigate the practicalities of living alongside you? How’d Kaveh react to your existence? The solution to the language barrier seemed a smart move, but could you communicate in the same way humans did? The thoughts accumulated, persisting as he carried his food back to his chair.

Settling in with a book about the different cultures of the desert tribes, Alhaitham tried to immerse himself in its pages, though his eyes drifted now and then toward his suite door. There was a strange sense of responsibility he couldn’t ignore.

When he had read as much as his mind would allow for the night, he got up, walking quietly to the bathroom to check on you one last time.

You were there. You were real.

The faintest trace of a smile crossed his face as he saw you sleeping, your body half-submerged in the water, your tail draped over the side of the tub. The room fell into a gentle silence, the soft rhythm of your breathing the only sound.

He lingered there for a moment longer than necessary, his mind reluctantly calming as he absorbed the peace of the moment. Finally, he closed the door and turned, heading back to his room.

After finishing his nightly routines somewhere else, Alhaitham lay in bed, his thoughts wavering between the strange events of the day and the mysteries tomorrow would bring. But tonight, he allowed himself a rare luxury: to set aside the unknown, choosing instead to let the calm of the moment settle over him.

With one last lingering thought of you, he let sleep claim him, already aware that his life had changed, subtly but irrevocably, the moment he found you.

When the first rays of dawn slipped into the room, Alhaitham woke, his mind returning to the surreal events of the previous day. 

For a brief moment, he wondered if it had all been a trick of his tired mind, but the memory of your cautious yet inquisitive gaze quickly dismissed the notion. Getting up, he adjusted his clothes and headed to the bathroom, his mind already reflecting on the day’s responsibilities—and the unique situation of having a mermaid as an unexpected guest.

Opening the bathroom door, he was greeted by the sight of you already awake, fingers trailing through the water with a kind of childlike curiosity. As soon as you sensed his presence, you lifted your head, and he was met with what could only be described as a warm, welcoming look. Your sharp, reflective eyes held a glimmer of trust, hesitant but undeniably there, as if his arrival was something to be anticipated rather than feared. 

Alhaitham felt a small smile tug at his lips as he observed your response, taking it as a sign that you were becoming accustomed to him.

“Good morning,” he greeted, his voice softened by the quietness of the early hour.

The words seemed to capture your attention even more closely, though he knew the meaning might be lost on you. Still, he kept his tone gentle, observing the way you seemed to listen, almost as if searching for something familiar in his voice. “I see you’re feeling at home,” there was a hint of amusement in his tone, his eyes flicking to the water you were swirling with your fingers.

Turning to the sink, he splashed water on his face and grabbed his toothbrush, methodically following the movements of his morning routine. He was aware of your gaze, fixed on each motion, following the toothbrush in his hand as he brought it to his mouth. Pausing, he looked at you, the faintest smile curving his lips as he leaned back against the sink.

“Curious now, aren’t we? It’s a toothbrush. We use it to… well, keep our teeth clean,” he explained, though he had no real expectation that you’d understand. Nevertheless, there was something strangely satisfying about sharing these little details with you, as if guiding you through the peculiarities of human life.

You watched him closely, your eyes darting between the toothbrush, the sink, and the running water. The slight confusion on your face was so genuine, so openly curious, that he found himself chuckling quietly. “I suppose none of this makes sense to you. But we humans have our habits.”

When he finished, Alhaitham straightened, casting one last look in your direction before heading to the door. “I’ll bring you some breakfast,” he said, as much out of habit as anything else, already noting the slight inquisitive tilt of your head. He lingered a moment longer than necessary, almost reluctant to leave the room, before finally heading to the kitchen to prepare for the day.

Entering the kitchen, he found Kaveh already there, hunched over a cup of coffee with a look that bordered on pure misery. The dark circles under his eyes and his slow, almost agonizing sips of coffee told Alhaitham everything he needed to know.

“Rough night?” Alhaitham’s tone was clearly teasing, though he made little effort to hide his mild disapproval. Kaveh didn’t even bother looking up, merely muttering something unintelligible as he stared at his mug.

“Don’t start,” the other man grumbled, his voice thick with exhaustion. “It’s too early for your lectures.”

Alhaitham’s lips twitched in mockery, barely hiding an ironic smile. “Lectures? Hardly. Just an observation. Maybe a bit of moderation would do you good.”

Kaveh scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. “Moderation isn’t exactly your strong suit either, judging by the amount of research papers scattered around.” He drained his coffee, muttering something about Alhaitham’s inability to keep the house organized and stumbled toward his room, the door closing with a weary thud behind him.

Shaking his head, Alhaitham turned his attention to the fridge, rummaging through its contents with a quiet purpose. He picked a selection of food he hoped might appeal to you—some leftover shrimp, dried fish, and a few other options he thought might please a creature of the sea.

Returning to you, he noticed how your gaze instantly brightened at the sight of the food he held. A barely concealed smile crossed his face as he watched your eager expression, the way you leaned forward slightly, anticipation evident in your wide eyes.

“I see I’ve already discovered the key to earning your trust,” he commented with a soft chuckle, placing the food beside the tub. “A little food, and suddenly I’m not so intimidating.”

Sitting on the stool near the tub, he watched you as you picked up the shrimp, a glimmer of wonder followed by the same fervor with which you had devoured last night’s meal. The moment you tasted it, your expression shifted to one of contentment, and he couldn’t help but be amused by how expressive you were.

“Listen,” he began in a conversational tone, though he knew the full implications were likely lost on you, “I’ll need to be away for a while,” he paused, as if weighing his words. “However, in the meantime, I’ll also check if there’s anything that might be useful for understanding your situation.”

You looked up briefly, eyes attentive, and Alhaitham felt a spark of satisfaction at your apparent focus. It was as if, despite the language barrier, some part of you had grasped the importance of his words.

He continued, a thoughtful tone in his voice, “Besides, I can’t leave you in the bathtub indefinitely, so I’ll work on a more appropriate solution. I’d like to have it back, after all,” he paused, almost speaking to himself, “Then, there’s Kaveh too who I should approach the current subject but I can deal with him later. The most important now is figure out how we’re gonna work on building your vocabulary. Just enough so we can understand each other.”

The statement lingered in the air, half a plan and half a promise.

Alhaitham realized he was already thinking about putting his plans in action, wondering if he might start teaching you simple words and phrases as soon as possible. His fingers tapped absently on his knee as he considered the logistics, the potential challenges—and rewards—of bridging that language gap.

From time to time, your gaze fell on him, as if assessing his intentions, though it didn’t take long before your focus shifted again, captivated by something else now that sunlight bright your surroundings. He marveled at your ability to find fascination in the simplest things, and for a brief moment, he felt a strange pang of something he couldn’t quite identify—a bubbling discomfort in his stomach, almost unsettling.

The silence became comfortable, broken only by the occasional soft sound of the water and  you eating.

Alhaitham’s gaze drifted to the soft morning light stretching across the bathroom floor, and he suddenly realized he’d lost track of time.

A sigh escaped him as he finally rose from his seat. “Looks like that’s my cue.”

Your gaze followed him, an imperceptible questioning look in your eyes that made him chuckle softly. “What?” he said, his voice gentler. “I may not understand where you came from, but I’ll make sure you’re comfortable here.”

With one last look, he left the room to gather his things and prepare for work.

As he adjusted his attire, his thoughts returned to the moments you’d spent observing him—a feeling that lingered, even as he headed to the kitchen for a quick cup of coffee.

Before leaving, he returned to check on you one last time and considered whether or not to lock the bedroom door. He doubted you’d drag yourself around the house and was sure Kaveh wouldn’t intrude on his privacy. So, he only closed the door and make his way to the exit.

He cast one last look behind him before leaving his home and heading toward the Akademiya.

At his work, Alhaitham went through the day with practiced ease. 

The tasks before him were routine; his hands swiftly leafed through documents, marking necessary corrections and assessing reports without losing pace. Occasionally, a colleague would pass by with a nod or a brief greeting, which he returned in his usual, calm manner, though his thoughts kept drifting back to you. He found himself wondering how you were doing, alone and adjusting to the strange, new world of his home.

During lunch, he took a detour to the House of Daena.

The familiar shelves surrounded him, but he was focused, his eyes scanning the spines of books and journals, all marked with references to the ancient legends and myths of Teyvat. Thanks to his access to restricted areas, he pored over some of the oldest and rarest manuscripts, hoping to glean at least a trace of knowledge about mermaids.

Most entries were vague at best—poetic reflections, scattered notes from long-dead historians, and tales from Fontaine that seemed like fables. However, he gathered hints that mermaids, if they existed, were mysterious beings known for their enchantments and charm over men, with powers beyond human understanding. Intriguing, though frustratingly incomplete.

As the sun began to set, Alhaitham finally left the office. 

On his way home, he stopped by a nearby fishmonger’s stall. Fresh seafood was piled high—crabs, shrimp, mussels. Selecting a variety, he figured you would enjoy the options. Just as he was reaching for his mora pouch, he spotted Kaveh rushing toward him from across the plaza, his usually composed friend looking distinctly out of sorts.

“Alhaitham!” Kaveh’s voice was breathless, incredulous, as he skidded to a halt beside him. “You—you need to go home. Right now!”

The scribe raised an eyebrow. “Good to see you too. But if you notice, I’m a bit busy at the moment.”

“No, no, you don’t understand,” Kaveh said, nervously running a hand through his hair. “There’s—there’s a naked woman in our kitchen!”

Both Alhaitham and the vendor froze, the scribe’s mind, thouggh, racing a mile a minute. Kaveh looked genuinely shaken, his cheeks flushed, eyes wide with a mix of panic and disbelief.

“A woman…?” Alhaitham repeated, the words slipping out as he tried to process what his friend had said.

“Yes! A very naked woman! In our kitchen!” Kaveh’s voice dropped to a hiss. “She’s just—she’s in there, rummaging through the food like she owns the place!”

The realization hit Alhaitham like a shock, his pulse quickening. He barely acknowledged the merchant’s chocked stare as he turned, leaving his purchases behind as he quickly made his way home. Kaveh struggled to keep up, throwing his hands in the air.

“Alhaitham, what’s going on? Do you know something? I should’ve known I wasn’t imagining things when I heard voices coming from your room this morning. Since when do you bring women home without even giving me a heads-up? And—she’s stunning! But who—what—?”

Alhaitham didn’t respond. His mind was a whirlwind of questions, scenarios, and a strange, unexpected excitement tinged with worry. He’d hoped you’d stay in the bathtub—not creating legs and wandering around defenseless.

Kaveh was still talking, ranting in exasperation, but Alhaitham only caught fragments.

“Just… be quiet for a moment,” he muttered, eyes fixed on the path as his pace quickened.

Upon arriving home, he opened the door cautiously, Kaveh practically breathing down his neck. Heading toward the kitchen, he felt a palpable tension. And then he saw you.

You were in the center of it, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun streaming through the windows. Your human form was… breathtaking. The long, now-dry locks of your hair cascaded over your shoulders, reaching your waist, framing your face with an ethereal quality that somehow amplified your beauty tenfold. Your features—sharp yet soft, and your eyes, still carrying that same hint of mystery and allure—caught the light, leaving him speechless.

Your skin seemed to glow, luminous in a way that appeared almost otherworldly. And you were indeed very, very naked.

His gaze remained, caught between awe and sheer disbelief. You were in his kitchen, the same creature he had found tangled in the fishing net, and yet, looking at you now, he couldn’t help but feel utterly captivated.

Kaveh stammered beside him, his face bright red as he averted his gaze. “Alhaitham, seriously! Are you going to explain this or just keep staring?”

Snapping out of his trance, Alhaitham cleared his throat, masking his surprise with a carefully neutral expression. He stepped forward, catching your attention. “You… You’re human now,” he murmured, almost to himself, the amazement still lingering in his voice.

You looked up, meeting his gaze with a glint of recognition and curiosity. In that moment, Alhaitham felt a faint trace of familiarity in your eyes, a silent acknowledgment of the bond that had formed between you.

Then, to his surprise, you opened your mouth, and a single soft word escaped.

“‘Haitham.”

Alhaitham’s eyes widened. His name—or a version of it—spoken in your voice for the first time.

A strange warmth spread through him as he heard it, his own name seeming to carry an unexpected weight, as if imbued with the raw honesty of a first word. He barely had time to process it before you stepped closer and gently pulled his face toward yours, brushing the tip of your nose against his.

Kaveh let out an audible gasp beside him, his face flooding with color as he stumbled back, practically tripping over his own feet. “Archons above! What is happening to the world?” His voice was nearly a squeak as he pressed himself against the far wall, looking like he might faint from the shock.

Alhaitham, though not someone easily perturbed, found himself momentarily frozen, his pulse quickening as he processed your action. He had read about mermaid customs, albeit only briefly in fragmented records, but it occurred to him that this gesture might mean something— perhaps a greeting, a way of recognizing trust and acceptance.

With that realization, his surprise softened into something closer to warmth. The gesture felt innocent, sincere. Alhaitham’s lips curved upward, and his eyes softened as he met yours. “So, that’s how you say ‘hello,’” he murmured, his voice low, as if not wanting to break the moment.

You tilted your head, amusement gleaming in your gaze for the first time, as if you could somehow sense his thoughts. Meanwhile, Kaveh, still pressed against the wall, looked on with equal parts horror and disbelief.

“Oh, I’m going to lose my mind,” he muttered, covering his eyes as if to give the two of you some privacy. “Alhaitham, please tell me you have some kind of explanation for this—this whole situation.”

Ignoring the other man’s confused state, Alhaitham took a step back. “You surprised me,” he said, his voice softened, warmth in his tone. “I wasn’t expecting this. I wasn’t even sure if you could take on a human form, let alone speak so quickly.” He managed a small smile, the corners of his lips curling as he realized he had far more to learn about you than he initially thought.

Kaveh, still covering his eyes with one hand, muttered, “Unbelievable! You're still talking? Only you'd find yourself in this situation and still stay calm.”

Alhaitham shot him a brief look, though he couldn’t entirely blame him. Turning to you, he gently gestured for you to follow. “Come. Let’s find something for you to wear.”

As you followed him, Alhaitham tried to ignore Kaveh’s incredulous expression. He knew he’d be bombarded with questions later, but for now, all that mattered was getting you settled, dressed, and perhaps—if possible—beginning to understand the mystery you had brought into his life.

Alhaitham’s clothes hung loosely on you, but he found a way to tie them securely, adjusting the sleeves and waistband as comfortably as possible. 

While he dressed you, his eyes always averting when they fell on your exposed intimates, you looked down at yourself, wide-eyed and fascinated, tilting your head as if entranced by the strange, soft fabric now covering your skin. He noticed how you examined each new sensation—the way the sleeves brushed against your arms, how the fabric rested on your shoulders, and the feeling of something covering your legs. A small smile tugged at his lips as he watched you try to make sense of it all.

Once he ensured you were clothed, your wound tended, and provided with food that seemed to delight you, Alhaitham guided you back to the main room, where Kaveh awaited.

The architect’s mouth fell open as he observed your every movement, absorbing how you moved with a blend of grace and wonder, entirely captivated by each new detail around you. Blissfully unaware of their gazes, you seemed utterly fascinated by how your own feet flexed and moved, watching them with open curiosity as if they were little, curious creatures.

Kaveh broke the silence, his eyes still wide with disbelief. “Alright… start explaining, or I might think I’m hallucinating. Or still drunk.”

Ever practical, Alhaitham recounted the events precisely, detailing how he found you entangled in fishing nets, the injury you’d suffered, and his decision to bring you home to heal.

“I didn’t know if she would survive in the wild with her injuries,” he added, his tone practical, though he couldn’t help glancing at you to make sure you were still comfortable. “It seemed the most reasonable option.”

Kaveh nodded slowly, his expression blank as he pieced together the story. “So, you’re saying she’s not just some random woman, but actually a mermaid—a living legend—and you decided to bring her here.” He ran a hand through his hair, letting out a low whistle. “I can’t say I blame you. But… what do you plan to do next?”

Alhaitham crossed his arms, his gaze steady. “She’s free to leave whenever she wants. But with her injury”—he gestured subtly to your bandaged leg—“I doubt she’ll go far. Until she heals, she’ll stay here, and I’ll try to learn as much as I can. We still know so little about her species.”

Kaveh raised an eyebrow. “You realize what you’re saying, right? We’re talking about a mermaid, not just some stray animal you can study. People would pay a fortune just to catch a glimpse of her. She could be in real danger if someone else, or even the Akademiya, finds out.”

Alhaitham didn’t waver. “I’m well aware. That’s why, for now, she stays here. I’ll be careful.”

Kaveh, even relunctantly, nodded, his concern gradually shifting to fascination as he watched you stretch your legs, then flex your feet experimentally, giggling with delight.

“Does she understand us? I mean, can she speak our language since she had said your name a while ago?”

A faint smile played at the corner of Alhaitham’s lips. “She’s getting the hang of it.”

Kaveh brightened, leaning forward with a smile. “Ah, well, in that case…” He pointed to himself, speaking slowly and clearly, “Kaveh!”

Your gaze quickly lifted from your feet to study Kaveh, and you seemed to pay considerable attention to his name. With your brows slightly furrowed, you tilted your head, then murmured softly, “Haitham.”

Kaveh’s smile faltered, his face contorting in confusion as he shot Alhaitham an incredulous look, who was suppressing an amused look.

Determined, Kaveh repeated his name, louder this time. “Kaveh,” he insisted, as if pure repetition would yield better results.

You watched him with a mixture of curiosity and slight confusion, though a barely perceptible glimmer of pure mischief crossed your eyes. Confident, you repeated again: “Haitham.”

Alhaitham couldn’t hold back. A low chuckle escaped him, and he shook his head, watching Kaveh’s patience fray as he let out a dramatic sigh.

“Oh, I get it,” Kaveh muttered, crossing his arms and pouting. “I’m just the ‘other guy,’ huh?”

“She’s learning,” Alhaitham reassured, a faint but warm smile touching his lips. “It’ll take time, and she seems to have chosen a starting point.” He looked at you, his gaze softened. This didn’t escape the architect’s sharp eyes, who raised an eyebrow subtly.

In the end, Kaveh rolled his eyes but couldn’t fully hide a smile. “Well, I suppose I’m honored to be in her presence anyway,” his gaze lingered on you, his voice softening with a kind of reverence. “It’s still hard to believe. This—this is actually real.”

Alhaitham’s gaze shifted from Kaveh back to you, his eyes calm but observant. “Yes,” he murmured, more to himself than anyone else, “it is.” The smile in his eyes remained, becoming a bit more serious. “And I think our lives just got a lot more interesting.”

The conversation continued, flowing naturally between Alhaitham and Kaveh, though their attention rarely drifted from you.

Kaveh’s eyes shone with unmistakable fascination every time he looked in your direction, still grappling with the fact that he was in the presence of a mermaid. Alhaitham, meanwhile, was studying you with a different intent, as if weighing the potential for you not only adapt further, or learn and communicate, but perhaps even bridge the gap between your worlds entirely.

And yet, both men couldn’t ignore your beauty—a graceful, ethereal presence that captivated them even in this simple, domestic setting.

After a lull in the conversation, Kaveh cleared his throat, shifting his gaze between Alhaitham and you. “You know, I was thinking… does she have a name?” He looked at Alhaitham expectantly, as if the answer was obvious.

Alhaitham blinked, his expression unreadable for a moment. He hadn’t even considered it until now; you’d only just learned to say his name, so the thought of you having one of your own hadn’t crossed his mind.

Seeing his hesitation, Kaveh continued, “We can’t just keep calling her ‘she,’ ‘mermaid’, ‘woman’ or something vague all the time. She deserves a name.”

Alhaitham nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right. She should have a name… something that suits her.” He looked at you, his gaze contemplative, as if searching for some hidden part of your essence to capture in a single word.

Kaveh, always the creative, leaned forward eagerly. “Alright, how about… ‘Sapphire’? She has that ethereal, oceanic vibe, right?”

Alhaitham frowned slightly. “Too obvious.”

Undeterred, Kaveh tried again. “Alright, then… ‘Pearl’? She has this… luminous quality.”

Alhaitham tilted his head. “A bit too delicate. It doesn’t match her strength.”

Kaveh leaned back on the sofa, rolling his eyes in annoyance. “Alright, Mr. Critic. What do you suggest?”

A faint spark of memory lit up Alhaitham’s eyes, and he looked at you, seemingly lost in thought.

“There was an ancient text I read some time ago about the mythology of a lost kingdom. In it, there was a name that stood out to me… (Y/N).” The name slipped from his lips with a gentle reverence, as if resurrected from some ancient memory.

You looked up, tilting your head at the sound. Something about the name resonated, as if it called to a part of you that you hadn’t realized was waiting for it. A faint glimmer of recognition seemed to flicker in your gaze, and the smallest, almost imperceptible smile curved your lips. Alhaitham noticed, his eyes widening as he observed your reaction.

Kaveh, noticing your response as well, let out a low whistle. “Well, that settles it. (Y/N). It has a mystique aura, something that feels… timeless.”

Alhaitham nodded, his gaze locked on yours with a hint of satisfaction. “(Y/N),” he repeated softly, as if affirming the choice. You responded by smiling at him, your expression open and serene, as if accepting the name as your own.

In that moment, Alhaitham felt a quiet sense of accomplishment, as if he had bridged another small yet meaningful gap between you and the human world. Kaveh, adjusting himself with a smile, looked at you both in reverence. “Well, it seems we’ve officially welcomed (Y/N) into our lives.”

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝

The days passed quickly, and Alhaitham found himself studying you almost as closely as you seemed to study the world around you. 

Teaching you turned out to be a surprisingly smooth process—‘hello’, ‘yes’ and ‘no’ being the words you’ve learned easily and used the most along with his name. You absorbed new words with a quiet curiosity, and even when your attention drifted to things like sunlight gleaming on a glass or the smell of incense from somewhere nearby, you still seemed to remember his words as if you’d stored them in a special place in your mind.

Your palette was another revelation for him. While seafood seemed to be a favorite, you showed great interest in trying every dish he introduced to you, from savory curries to exotic native fruits from Sumeru. Alhaitham watched as your eyes widened in surprise at the first taste of a ripe Zaytun Peach, the juice trickling down your chin as you savored each bite. He found himself smiling at how you looked at the fruit as if it were a gift, a piece of magic in the form of sweetness.

One afternoon, Alhaitham arrived home to the sound of aggressive hisses and faint, curious purrs. Concerned, he quickly entered the house to find you pressed against the wall, wide-eyed as a gray tabby cat—likely a neighbor’s runaway—rubbed itself against your legs. At first, you recoiled, showing claws and sharp canines in an instinctive defense. But as soon as the creature began to purr, you softened. Alhaitham watched, amused, as you knelt down, carefully petting the animal with an almost reverent gentleness, murmuring the word “yes” repeatedly as if you were in mutual agreement with the feline’s own rumbling approving.

Then, there was Kaveh. 

The architect’s affection grew towards you—although every time he was determined to make you remember his name, he was met with your unique mischievous smile and the same answer each time: “Haitham.” 

You said it with a bit of cadence, as if relishing how it made him frown in exaggerated frustration. Alhaitham, leaning back in his chair one evening, smirked at the interaction, watching Kaveh’s latest attempt dissolve into another sigh of defeat.

“All right, I see what it’s going on” Kaveh grumbled one day, crossing his arms as you observed him with a playful glint in your eyes. “You’ll acknowledge me properly, eventually.” 

Once, however, you found Kaveh hunched over his workspace, focused on a miniature architectural model. You approached quietly, observing the delicate structures he had assembled with fascination. Noticing your presence, he looked up and saw the appreciative smile on your face, understanding it as a compliment. “At least someone here likes my work,” he murmured with a chuckle. “If only all my clients were this easy to please…” He paused, ironically melancholic, earning an empathetic hum from you.

Both men had fallen into a rhythm around you, somehow more accommodating than they had expected. They adjusted to your needs perfectly, sharing the responsibility of ensuring your comfort, and found themselves both challenged and charmed by your presence.

For you, on the other hand, their world had become a comfortable place, one where you settled into a rhythm of small delights and quiet discoveries.

One day, as Alhaitham prepared tea for the three of you, he found himself reflecting aloud, speaking as if to himself. “I never imagined a mythical creature would be so adaptable,” he glanced at you sitting on the floor of the living room, distractedly munching half an apple and reading the newspaper, marveling at the images and texts with the adorable little sounds of awe you let out. Alhaitham couldn’t hold back the affectionate smile.

Kaveh, sitting cross-legged as he studied his latest designs, looked up and nodded, laughing. “She’s adapted better than I did when I moved here,” he commented. “It’s nice to finally have a roommate who doesn’t critique my design choices every five minutes.”

Alhaitham shot him a look, but he wasn’t offended. “Maybe she knows that beauty is best observed without unnecessary comments,” he replied coolly, his eyes lingering on you as you immersed yourself in your things.

In your own way, you had made your home with them. And, day by day, both Alhaitham and Kaveh were discovering that perhaps they had made their home with you too.

Alhaitham had also been keeping his promise, carefully ensuring your safety and privacy within the walls of his home. 

However, as the days passed, he began to notice that your curiosity was growing restless. Though your injuries were healing well, you seemed all too aware of the world outside, especially whenever you sat by the living room window.

Hours would slip by as you watched the passing crowds, children playing, merchants bartering. He and Kaveh had tried to explain the dangers of going out, cautioning you that it wasn't the best idea until you were fully recovered, but your eagerness to explore was unmistakable.

So, after weighing the pros and cons and discussing the arrangement with Kaveh, Alhaitham made a decision: a small outing, just enough to satisfy your curiosity without risking too much exposure. You needed clothes anyway, something more suitable than his shirts or Kaveh’s oversized tunics. And thus, one sunny afternoon, after a few of your lessons and some necessary safety ensures, Alhaitham guided you through the bustling streets of Sumeru City and towards the Grand Bazaar.

The moment your bare feet touched the warm, sun-dappled street stones, your eyes lit up with childlike wonder. Every detail enchanted you—the intricate architecture, the intoxicating scent of spices in the air, the hum of life around you. Alhaitham noticed the way your gaze darted to every vibrant stall and passing stranger, taking in the chaos with delight.

However, he also noticed something else: the way nearly every man you passed seemed to pause, transfixed, their gazes lingering on you. 

It wasn’t just that they were admiring your beauty—they were captivated, their expressions turning almost dreamlike, as if spellbound. Alhaitham’s brows furrowed as he watched one guy receive a swift smack from his wife when she caught him staring a bit too long. He took a step closer to you, shielding you slightly from the attention, and you, caught up in everything around you, hardly noticed.

You gasped softly as you entered the Grand Bazaar, eyes wide with excitement. The stalls were filled with handmade crafts, woven fabrics, jars of colorful spices, and foods you’d never seen before. Alhaitham, trailing just behind you, couldn't help but feel a flicker of warmth as he watched you light up at each new discovery, as if the world itself had become a treasure chest, and you were here to explore its wonders.

Before long, something shiny caught your attention—a stall laden with intricate jewelry. Without thinking, you wandered away from his side, drawn to the display like a moth to flame. Alhaitham followed, watching as you reached out to touch a delicate hairpin encrusted with tiny, shimmering green stones. 

The vendor, an older woman with a warm smile, caught your fascination and chuckled softly. “A beautiful accessory for a beautiful lady,” she said, her gaze shifting to Alhaitham with a knowing smile.

“Do you like that one?” Alhaitham asked gently. His tone was softened by an affection he didn’t quite manage to conceal.

“Yes,” you replied, your voice almost reverent as you ran your fingers over the hairpin, tracing each glimmering stone as though it held secrets of the ocean within.

He didn’t hesitate, reaching for his pouch and handing the vendor the necessary payment. The woman winked, her smile widening. “Lucky man, I’d say,” she murmured in a voice barely above a whisper, but Alhaitham caught it. He didn’t answer.

With a delighted smile, you thanked the vendor in your own way—a beaming, enchanted expression that lit up the old woman’s face as much as it did Alhaitham’s. You carefully cradled the accessory as if it were the most precious thing you’d ever owned, gazing at it as you walked away. But soon enough, your attention shifted to the scent of roasting fish at a nearby food stall. The vendor there, turning a skewer of freshly spiced fish over an open flame, waved you over with a friendly grin.

As you darted toward the stall, Alhaitham noticed something else in the jewelry display—a pendant with a smooth, iridescent stone that bore a striking resemblance to your tail. Silently, he purchased it, tucking the necklace into his pocket. The vendor gave him a sly look, but he ignored it, focusing instead on you, already entranced by the food stand.

“Oh, to be young again,” the vendor mused as she watched he leaving.

When he caught up with you at the food stall, you were leaning over the counter, staring in awe at the array of delicacies. The stall owner chuckled as you tilted your head curiously, taking in the fish skewers and assorted seafood. “She’s like a little fox in a new den,” he said to Alhaitham, amused by your wide-eyed fascination.

Alhaitham gave a small, knowing smile as he nodded. “You have no idea.”

The scribe exchanged a few coins for one of the skewers, then handed it to you with a small smile. Your fingers barely wrapped around it before you eagerly took a bite—too eager, it turned out, as you winced, the hot fish burning your tongue. Alhaitham sighed softly, his gaze both amused and indulgent.

“Careful,” he murmured, taking the skewer back for a moment and blowing gently on it, cooling it with a practiced patience. Watching him, you imitated his action, blowing on the skewer with the same careful attentiveness, which made his lips tug upward slightly. As he handed it back, you took another bite, this time savoring the flavors more slowly.

As the two of you continued to weave through the market, you marveled at every passing sight—the colors, the sounds of bartering, and the occasional street performer. You paused to watch a dancer swaying gracefully, her movements captivating as her bright clothing fluttered with each spin. Passersby occasionally nodded and greeted Alhaitham, who gave polite nods in return—their eyes going wide open when they saw you standing by his side. His attention, though, often shifted to you, keeping you close as you wandered, enchanted by your enthusiastic wonder.

Eventually, you stopped before a more discreet storefront draped with curtains of deep blue and gold. The sign above bore intricate lettering, and inside, racks and shelves brimmed with garments of all kinds. 

Alhaitham led you in, and you finished the skewer just as he did a quick sweep of the store. Taking the skewer stick, he tossed it into a nearby waste bin and approached the owner, an older gentleman with warm, thoughtful eyes.

The store was a treasure trove of fabrics in every shade, from vibrant hues to rich jewel tones, each piece imbued with a hint of Sumeru’s distinct, earthy style. Alhaitham and the owner spoke in low tones, exchanging opinions on a few pieces he was considering for you. But your eyes soon caught on a different rack—dresses and skirts crafted with delicate fabrics and intricate patterns.

Just then, a younger woman stepped out from behind one of the store’s curtain partitions. She looked you over with a friendly smile, her gaze lingering in admiration. “You have an eye for the finest pieces,” she said, her voice warm. “These are all my father’s designs. Here, let’s find one for you to try.”

She sorted through the rack with a discerning eye before settling on a dress. It was a pearly white, form-fitting but flowing at the hem, with soft layers and gentle ruffles. She led you to the dressing room, helping you into it as you fumbled with the ties and delicate fabric.

When you emerged from behind the dressing room curtain, the woman sighed audibly, her expression caught between pride and awe. Her reaction caught Alhaitham’s attention, and as he turned, his eyes settled on you—and stayed.

The dress fit you in a way that was both modest and striking. The neckline formed a gentle "V" between your collarbones, dipping gracefully but tastefully. The silhouette hugged your curves, enhancing your natural beauty, while the flowing fabric below the waist gave the dress an ethereal elegance, rising just above your heels.

Alhaitham was quiet, his gaze intent, his usual unreadable expression amazed, revealing a glimmer of something deeper—an admiration that ran silently but profoundly through him. He couldn’t look away, as though you’d become the center of his world in that moment.

For a brief moment, you met his eyes, and a silent understanding passed between you. You felt his unspoken thoughts, his breath subtly drawn in awe, and his gaze, filled with softness, lingering as though he was seeing you in a new light.

The shop owner’s voice cut through the moment. “I’d say we’ve found the perfect model for this design,” he said with a chuckle, nodding approvingly at you. “It looks as though it was made for her.”

Alhaitham’s lips curved into a faint smile, and he nodded. “Yeah. Indeed,” he agreed, his tone subdued but genuine. The shop owner offered a discount for future purchases, which Alhaitham accepted gratefully.

After purchasing a few more clothes, Alhaitham approached you and, with a hint of a smile, told you, “You look beautiful.” Though the words were simple, the sincerity in his gaze made them feel more profound. You understood his compliment, your expression softening as you smiled back at him with a shyness that made you glance away, if only for a second.

The shop owner mentioned shoes, but Alhaitham shook his head gently. He knew you’d be more comfortable as you were, free of any restricting footwear.

With your new clothes in hand, you left the place, your eyes still brimming with curiosity. Alhaitham stayed close to you as you continued exploring the bazaar, his mood lightened by the unexpected happiness you seemed to bring him. There was a new excitement in your steps, and he watched with subtle amusement, unable to deny the warmth growing within him as he saw the joy in your expression.

Returning home, you felt content, each step still buzzing with excitement from your discoveries, and the dress Alhaitham bought you flowing like water around you. 

Entering the house, the warm scent of food drifted from the kitchen. Kaveh was already there, busy at the stove, humming softly to himself as he prepared lunch. When he turned around and caught sight of you, his eyes widened, a slow, dazzled-like smile spreading across his face. 

“Well, look at you,” he said warmly, clearly charmed by the sight. “You look wonderful! For the first time, Alhaitham did a good job by buying you this dress,” his tone had a hint of teasing, and you saw Alhaitham’s brow twitch slightly, but he stayed silent, watching the two of you.

Kaveh’s admiration had a certain ease to it, a natural warmth that made you feel instantly welcome. He turned back to the stove, but not without another approving nod at your attire. Alhaitham’s silence prompted him to ask, “So… how was the city?” He threw a teasing glance Alhaitham’s way then at you. “Did our scribe here give you the grand tour all by himself?”

Alhaitham sighed, a hint of a smirk on his lips. “She wasn’t exactly difficult to entertain,” he replied dryly. “Everything was new, so it didn’t take much.”

Kaveh chuckled. 

“Of course it didn’t,” he set the food down, his gaze filled with an amused understanding. Alhaitham merely looked away, feigning indifference, though you sensed a certain pride beneath his casual tone.

During lunch, the two of them recounted little moments from the day—Kaveh enjoying the story of you burning your tongue on the fish skewer, and Alhaitham quietly reliving the way your eyes had sparkled at the Grand Bazaar’s colorful sights. But despite their words, their gazes often turned back to you, captivated by your delight in all the new things you’d encountered.

At one point, Kaveh leaned back, shooting Alhaitham a knowing look.

“So, a personal shopping trip, huh? Just the two of you,” he teased, clearly amused by the idea of Alhaitham guiding someone around. “How sweet.”

Alhaitham narrowed his gaze, giving Kaveh a warning look that said more than words could. But there was a subtle softness in his eyes as they drifted back to you, a sense of quiet caring that you caught, even if he tried to hide it.

After lunch, you noticed Alhaitham start to gathering the dishes, starting to cleaning them as Kaveh made his way to the living room. Walking over him, you lingered, staring at him until Kaveh looked back, caught off guard by your gaze, feeling a bit embarrassed. When you pulled out the hairpin Alhaitham had bought you earlier, he seemed to understand, a faint blush of realization coloring his cheeks.

“Oh, you want me to do your hair?” He chuckled, gesturing for you to sit. “Alright, alright, I’ll help.”

You settled in the chair, feeling his gentle hands working through your hair. He gathered it halfway, securing the rest with the pin and letting loose strands fall around your face. When he was done, he guided you to a mirror, smiling proudly as you took in the sight. The style was simple but lovely, suiting you perfectly.

“Beautiful,” he murmured softly, watching your expression over your shoulders as you took in the effect. For a moment, the two of you were lost in the quietness of that shared moment.

From behind you, a soft sound drew your attention. Alhaitham was standing in the doorway, watching, a fond look on his face. He must have finished cleaning the kitchen but had stayed, observing without saying a word.

You turned back to Kaveh, your gaze warm and filled with gratitude. 

“Kaveh,” you said softly, the name unfamiliar on your tongue but carrying genuine meaning.

His eyes widened, surprise flickering across his face before he grinned, laughing as he leaned back, crossing his arms.

“Finally saying my name, huh?” He teased, though his voice was warm, “I guess even a mermaid knows when to appreciate the finer things.” Despite his playful words, there was an unmistakable happiness in his gaze, as if your small act of gratitude had touched him.

With the meal finished and the midday light softening, the three of you spread out around the house. You curiously inspected the clothes Alhaitham had bought, marveling at the soft fabrics, while the two men chatted in the adjacent room. Kaveh’s voice floated over, calling to his housemate.

“Hey, listen. Cyno passed by earlier inviting us out to the tavern tonight. Tighnari is also coming. I didn’t give him an immediate answer given our… adorable guest,” his gaze flicked meaningfully to you, a question lingering unspoken between the two men.

They both turned, glancing at you thoughtfully. For a moment, you saw them exchange a silent conversation, considering whether the outing might be risky. But then Alhaitham gave a slight nod, resolute.

“We’ll take her with us,” he said confidently. “With the right precautions, it should be fine.” He glanced at you, his eyes filled with the assurance that they’d watch over you. “Besides,” he added with a hint of a smile, “I feel she’d be upset if we don’t take her to explore a little bit more now that she has seen the outside world.”

Kaveh chuckled, nodding. “Then it’s settled. Tonight, we’ll go to the tavern—all three of us.”

As the sky slowly darkened, anticipation hung in the air, the promise of the evening drawing closer. 

The afternoon had drifted by with Alhaitham trying to teach you new words and phrases, but your attention kept slipping back to the new clothes he’d bought. You ran your fingers over the fabrics, turning them this way and that to catch the light, dazzled with the colors and the softness. Alhaitham eventually gave up, sighing in quiet amusement as he noted just how material and delightfully vain you could be—a discovery he should’ve expected.

Later, you wandered into his suite room to bathe, instinctively drawn to the water. The moment you slipped into the warm tub, your legs transformed back into your shimmering tail, scales glinting under the water’s surface. 

It had left Kaveh speechless the first time he’d seen it—his penny dropping at your truly identity. You were truly a mermaid. Nonetheless, he wasn't less captivated by the change and your graceful form. Alhaitham, however, while more composed, could hardly hide his fascination, watching with a quiet intensity every time he witnessed the transition.

After bathing, you found yourself in a familiar routine: sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting as Alhaitham approached with your clothes. This time, though, he brought one of the recent purchase pieces; a beautiful dress in his hand—its fabric being of a rich, jade green; a vibrant hue that reminds of his own eyes-color but that seemed to intensify the shine and warmth of yours only. 

As he helped you ease into it, his fingers lingered as he adjusted the zipper, his gaze studying you, perhaps more than he realized. And though you found yourself shivering at the intensity of his eyes, there you were too—looking up at him, meeting his gaze firmly and sensing an admiration that he only allowed you to see.

“It suits you,” he murmured, his voice low, a hint of awe slipping through his usually neutral tone. In that dress, you seemed otherworldly, like a goddess who had emerged from the depths of the sea, carrying its beauty onto dry land with impossible grace.

He knelt down then to inspect your injury, noting the lingering redness. Alhaitham carefully applied an ointment, his touch gentle but focused, and you watched his expressions shift with a subtle concern. Then, with a slight nod of satisfaction, he helped you to your feet.

After that, you made your way to Kaveh, showing him the hairpin again, calling his name with a soft voice.

His smile grew, a touch of pride in his gaze as he admired the way his name sounded from your lips, and he took great care in doing your hair once more, letting strands fall loose to frame your face as he did before.

Finally ready, you three left for Lambad’s Tavern. 

The streets were alive with the buzz of evening activity, laughter and music drifting through the air as Alhaitham and Kaveh walked beside you. The city was lit by soft lantern light, and you felt a thrill at being part of it all, the world so different from anything you’d known.

At the tavern, the warm atmosphere enveloped you, the scent of spices and roasted meats filling the air.

Alhaitham spotted Cyno and Tighnari across the room almost immediately as the two of them also turned as you approached. Their greeting smiles fainted when their gazes fell on you, a moment of pure awe passing over their faces afterwards. Cyno blinked, visibly stunned, while Tighnari’s foxy-ears twitched, his sharp eyes widening in surprise.

The General Mahamatra, usually so composed, couldn’t seem to look away, his thoughts racing. He was accustomed to beauty in the world around him, yet something about your presence felt almost magical, like an ethereal vision he couldn’t quite understand.

As for Tighnari, his keen senses took in every detail—the way the green dress brought out the otherworldly depth in your eyes, or the elegance of your form. You were unlike anyone he’d ever encountered, and he was captivated, even if he tried to hide it.

Before any questions could arise, Kaveh, ever the quick-thinker, stepped in with an explanation. “She’s an exchange student. From Fontaine,” he said, shrugging nonchalantly. “She’s staying with us while she studies…uh, the culture of Sumeru.”

Alhaitham sighed at the obviousness of Kaveh’s excuse, but he didn’t counter it. Cyno and Tighnari shared a skeptical glance, clearly doubting the story, yet they chose not to press further. Instead, Alhaitham formally introduced you, mentioning your name, which you responded to with a slight, graceful nod and a cute ‘hello’ following.

But feeling the need to greet them in the way of your kind, you leaned closer, gently rubbing your nose against theirs. 

Kaveh gasped out loud.

Cyno’s eyes widened, a slight flush crept up his cheeks as he froze, uncharacteristically at a loss. Tighnari, caught off guard, felt his ears tensing, the action both charming and bewildering him. Your giggles bubbled up as you noticed their flustered expressions, a soft, musical sound that filled the space between you all.

Kaveh let out a nervous chuckle. “Ah…yeah, that’s—uh, her way of saying hello. Strange, right? These Fontaine’ people…”

Alhaitham, on the other hand, observed it all with a hint of entertainment, his gaze lingering on you fondly. Watching your interactions, he noted how naturally you’d adapted to his world, your curiosity and unique charm drawing everyone in, effortlessly weaving you into their circle. There was warmth in his eyes, a feeling that spoke of his growing fondness, and you caught his gaze, offering him a small, contented smile.

As the group settled in, you sat across from Cyno and Tighnari, studying them both with unabashed curiosity. 

Still recovering from your unexpected greeting, the two men seemed unsure of where to look, awkwardly averting their eyes when you met their gaze. Alhaitham leaned back in his chair, a hint of amusement in his expression as he explained, “She’s not much for words, as you can see. Rather, she’s more the observant type.”

Cyno and Tighnari nodded, seeming to understand, though their curiosity was hardly quelled. 

The tavern around you started to fill with more patrons, the hum of voices rising, mingling with the occasional laugh, the sounds coming from different instruments and the clinking of glasses. It created a cozy warmth in the dimly lit space, and you felt it settle over you as if you were part of something larger, an integral piece in the lively tapestry of Sumeru’s life.

Kaveh wasted no time flagging down the bartender. “Bring your best wine,” he said with a grand, somewhat theatrical gesture, earning a sigh from Alhaitham.

Meanwhile, Tighnari leaned in toward you, his ears twitching with interest as he tried to engage you in conversation.

“So, do you like Sumeru so far?” he asked, a gentle curiosity in his tone.

You nodded with an enthusiastic “Yes”—the single word clear and confident, though it was accompanied by a slight tilt of your head.

Encouraged, he asked, “Do you enjoy learning about plants and animals?” Tighnari’s eyes sparkled, and you could tell he was ready to launch into an explanation if given the chance.

You paused, then shook your head, “No,” you answered, earning a quiet chuckled from Alhaitham.

“Ah, I see,” Tighnari replied, trying to hide his mild disappointment. “What about... Alhaitham and Kaveh?” His eyes glanced toward Alhaitham, who pretend to ignore his friend’s question.

You didn’t thought twice when you answered “Yes” with an affectionate smile, which made Tighnari smirk.

While you answered, you noticed Cyno observing you intently, his gaze unwavering and sharp. It wasn’t suspicious—it was more as if he were studying a puzzle, his curiosity piqued by your every move. His face softened whenever he noticed the subtle gestures that replaced your lack of words, as though trying to understand this new, unfamiliar way of communicating.

When the food and wine finally arrived, you noticed each man taking their mugs and raising them in a silent toast, exchanging knowing glances.

Intrigued, you pointed at Alhaitham’s drink, brows raised with interest. He looked at you hesitantly. “I’m not sure you’ll like it,” he warned, his tone gentle but unsure. Still, he handed you a mug.

The moment you tasted the wine, your expression twisted as the bitter taste hit your tongue. The others burst out laughing as you grimaced, clearly displeased.

Kaveh, grinning widely, leaned over with an exaggerated shrug. “Not everyone appreciates a fine vintage on the first try,” he teased, eyes sparkling with the warmth of the wine already.

But then, determined, you lifted the mug to your lips and downed the rest in a single go. As you set the mug down, you pointed to it, your eyes sparkling with challenge. The table fell silent for a beat, and then Kaveh broke into a delighted laugh. “Oh, now that’s spirit!” he cheered, filling your mug again with exaggerated enthusiasm.

Alhaitham, a touch surprised but clearly amused, leaned closer and murmured, “Take easy, ok?” His tone was warm, carrying that familiar attentiveness, the kind of care he often tried to mask with practicality. You met his gaze and gave a small nod, though your mischievous smile was enough to tell him you weren’t exactly planning on slowing down.

As the evening went on, the wine kept flowing, and so did the laughter. Kaveh quickly grew tipsy, his cheeks flushed as he leaned into his chair with a self-satisfied grin, occasionally throwing his arm around you, Cyno or Tighnari as he launched into some anecdote about his “architectural genius,” much to Alhaitham’s thinly veiled eye-rolls.

“Oh, and then,” Kaveh slurred, nudging Cyno with a huff, “there was that time Alhaitham here tried to negotiate a ‘reasonable’ discount on my work. Can you believe that?” He snorted, casting a playful, slightly glazed look in Alhaitham’s direction. “I swear, he’d argue the wind into changing direction if it suited him.”

Alhaitham only raised a brow, looking at him with an expression that silently asked for patience. “Kaveh, if I hadn’t ‘negotiated,’ you’d still be working to pay off last month’s tab.”

Tighnari chuckled, watching the exchange. “You two really are quite the pair,” he commented, taking a sip of his drink, his gaze shifting between the two of them with an amused glint.

Cyno, turning his attention to you, said, “Do you always put up with them like this?” His tone was deadpan, yet you sensed a glimmer of humor beneath his serious gaze.

Understanding his question, you nodded, a soft laugh escaping you. They all seemed to lighten up, relaxing in the warmth of your quiet amusement.

As the night deepened, Cyno set his drink down with a look of pure focus. “How about a round of TCG?” he suggested, eyes gleaming with anticipation. Tighnari let out a groan, tilting his head back dramatically.

“Oh no, not this again,” he sighed, but even he knew there was no escape.

Kaveh laughed, rolling his eyes in good-natured defeat.

“Fine, fine. But we’re keeping it short, or we’ll never hear the end of it from you,” he reached for his glass and gave you a playful wink. “Prepare yourself for the most intense game you’ve ever seen,” he said, clearly intending to make a spectacle of Cyno’s enthusiasm.

Curious, you leaned closer, watching as Cyno arranged the cards and dice with meticulous precision. His fingers moved quickly, each card laid down like a sacred ritual. Noticing your interest, he paused to offer a brief explanation of the game’s mechanics. 

“It’s all about strategy,” he explained, his tone almost reverent. “You play a character card, use skills, and roll dice to see how much power you have.” His eyes narrowed, smiling as he continued, “And don’t think it’s as simple as it sounds.”

You blinked, absorbing his words, but you barely had time to form a plan before the game was underway. 

Somehow, against all odds, you won the first round. The table fell into a mix of laughter and shock, each of them offering half-joking explanations.

“Beginner’s luck,” Tighnari insisted, though there was a glint of amusement in his eye.

Alhaitham chuckled softly. “Maybe (Y/N) is just a natural.”

But as the rounds continued, it became clear that “luck” wasn’t the only thing helping you.

One match after another, you swept the table, your fingers moving with a natural, effortless grace as you outplayed each of them. Cyno’s brow furrowed in concentration, and you could practically see the gears turning in his mind as he tried, unsuccessfully, to decode your moves.

Finally, with a mixture of disbelief and exasperation, Cyno looked at his cards in silence. “How…?” he muttered, half to himself.

Kaveh snorted, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. “Face it, man, she’s just unbeatable tonight. You, my friend, have been dethroned.”

Tighnari grinned, amused by Cyno’s frustration. “It’s impressive, honestly. Even the Champion of TCG is no match for her.”

You laughed, lifting your glass in a playful toast to your victory, which earned a round of mock cheers from the others. 

Alhaitham’s gaze was soft as he watched you—your enthusiasm, the brightness in your eyes as you revel in the thrill of each win. He’d seen you embracing new experiences and adventures of his ordinary day with open arms.

From the quiet enthusiasm when you learned a new word to the happiness back in the bazaar, and now, this lively night at the tavern—he felt an undeniable warmth, a subtle pull that went beyond simple admiration.

Just as another round was about to start, a group of local men, drunk and brimming with energy, pulled Kaveh from his chair and into a circle. “Come on, architect! Show us your moves!” they cheered, clapping their hands and forming a semi-circle for him to lead. With a laugh, Kaveh obliged, seamlessly joining them in the traditional dabke.

You watched in fascination, your attention captivated by the rhythmic stomping and spirited clapping. 

Kaveh’s movements were fluid, each step and stomp precise yet brimming with exuberance. His grin was infectious, and you found yourself clapping along, enchanted by the lively beat that seemed to pulse through the entire tavern.

Noticing your joy, Kaveh reached out and took your hand, pulling you into the half-circle. “Come on! You’ll love it!” he encouraged, and you laughed, letting yourself be drawn into the dance. 

Standing beside him, you mirrored his movements as best as you could, and although your steps were hesitant at first, his laughter and the others’ encouragement quickly dissolved any nervousness.

You found yourself swept up in the joy of the moment, your laughter ringing out as you stomped and clapped in sync with Kaveh. The tavern patrons cheered, a few even joining in to expand the circle. Each beat of the music seemed to echo in your heart, a vibrant, untamed rhythm that made you feel alive. Your hair swayed with each movement, your dress flowed around you as if it had a life of its own. For a brief moment, you forgot everything else, lost in the pure exhilaration of dance and laughter.

Watching from the sidelines, Alhaitham’s gaze lingered on you. 

He didn’t need to say a word; his expression spoke volumes. In his eyes, you were radiant—a vision of grace, strength, and unrestrained joy. He couldn’t help but marvel at how easily you fit into this place, how naturally you became part of it despite its strangeness. His chest tightened, a burning ache settling there, unfamiliar and yet… welcome. He remembered the first time he’d seen you, not too long ago, feeling vulnerable and cautious. Yet here you were, laughter filling the air, eyes alight with joy.

He hadn’t expected this—a mermaid, of all things, to stir something so profoundly human within him. But watching you, he couldn’t deny the feeling. It wasn’t simply admiration or intrigue anymore. It was something real, deeper, something that made his pulse quicken whenever he locked your gazes whenever you shared a fleeting smile or a touch of silent understanding.

A sudden chuckle from Tighnari pulled him from his thoughts, and he glanced over to see his friend smirking knowingly. “Not joining them?” He teased, his voice pitched just low enough for Alhaitham to hear.

Alhaitham glanced back at you, his lips curving in a slight smile. “I’m enjoying the view.”

Tighnari hummed, raising a brow. “Seems like you’re enjoying more than just the view.”

Ignoring Tighnari’s comment once again, Alhaitham focused his attention on you once more. 

When your eyes met, he felt that sensation again—a quiet acknowledgment of something unspoken but deeply felt. He gave you a subtle nod, his gaze lingering, as if committing this moment to memory.

When the dance ended, you were breathless, your cheeks flushed with happiness as you returned to the table. Kaveh, very tipsy and clearly pleased, clinked his glass against yours. “You were fantastic!” he cheered, his eyes bright with genuine pride.

Laughing, you took a sip of your drink, catching Alhaitham’s eye as you did. 

Ever since you started to live with him, sharing his culture, entering in the lonely empty of his heart and connecting with every detail that made of Alhaitham who he is, his intense gaze was something you couldn’t escape from—although neither did you want it when you were so mesmerized by him as he seemed to be with you. 

But tonight, something was different—something indescribable, unknown but pleasant, sent a soft thrill through you. This was more than a shared moment—it was a promise, a silent connection that seemed to anchor you both, even amidst the noise surrounding you.

The night had fully settled by the time the three of you left the tavern. 

The streets were nearly empty, bathed in the soft silver glow of a full moon overhead. A gentle breeze moved through the quiet city, carrying the faint, earthy scent of Sumeru’s flora. Stars scattered like distant lanterns in the sky, each one casting a pinprick of light over the tranquil world below. You looked up, awestruck by the vastness of the sky here. It was as if the city itself was cradled in the arms of the heavens, each corner brushed with stardust.

Alhaitham glanced at you, noticing the quiet wonder in your eyes as you took in the night’s beauty.

In the soft moonlight, your face was illuminated with an almost ethereal glow, your expression open and unguarded. Something about the way you stood there, gazing upwards as if communing with the stars, pulled invisible strings in his chest. Alhaitham found himself watching you in silence, the affection in his gaze hidden in the shadows, an unspoken tenderness that he wasn’t yet ready to voice.

Beside you, Kaveh swayed unsteadily, mumbling to himself in an incomprehensible mixture of words. You giggled, finding his drunken ramblings endlessly amusing, while Alhaitham sighed, shaking his head in disapproval but unable to suppress a small smile. He’d been prepared to carry Kaveh’s weight on his own, but you easily supported your share, surprising him with your hidden strength as you steadied the unsteady architect. You felt Alhaitham’s curious gaze settle on you, but you kept your eyes on Kaveh, helping guide him as he slurred out half-formed songs and laughter.

When you finally arrived at home, the quiet settled around you like a warm embrace. 

Together, you and Alhaitham gently placed Kaveh onto his bed, his face sinking blissfully into the pillows as he drifted into a heavy, blissful sleep. You both lingered for a moment, watching to make sure he was comfortable, before retreating to the living room, leaving Kaveh to his dreams.

Once there, the two of you stood alone, the silence wrapping around you like silk. The dim lamplight cast soft shadows across the room, pooling in the spaces between you. You faced each other, yet no words came—none were needed. 

Your eyes met his, and in that moment, something unspoken passed between you, a silent understanding woven with the night’s intimacy. It was a conversation of looks alone, a language more ancient than words. Your heart felt full, as if it were holding a secret too precious to release.

Alhaitham’s gaze held yours, steady and unwavering, as he reached into his pocket and drew out the small chain he’d bought back at the bazaar. The gemstone's shiny and iridescent hues caught the light, reflecting shades that soon reminded you of your tail’s colors—a perfect echo of your hidden self. 

He held it out to you, his lips curving into a wise smile that reached his eyes.

Without a word, he gestured for you to turn around. You did so, your heart pounding with anticipation as he draped the chain around your neck, his fingers brushing the nape of your neck as he fastened the clasp. The warmth of his touch lingered even after his hands moved away, and you lifted a hand to the pendant, feeling its weight settle over your heart.

Looking down, you felt a surge of emotions, a mixture of joy and affection as you admired the gift. But it wasn’t just happiness—it was something deeper, something far beyond simple gratitude. 

When you lifted your gaze back to him, your expression was serene, eyes glimmering with unspoken emotions.

Slowly, you reached up, placing a hand on his neck and gently pulling his face closer. Without hesitation, you leaned in, touching your forehead against his—a significant and intimate gesture but full of affection.

“Thank you,” you murmured, the words carrying layers of meaning, a depth that went beyond the simple gesture. It was gratitude for more than just the necklace—it was for his kindness, his patience, his caring, for seeing you in a way no one else could. For being a safe harbor in this unfamiliar world.

He was taken aback for a moment, the soft touch of your skin against his both surprising and disarming him. But then, a quiet smile forming as he held your gaze, his hand coming up to gently cradle your cheek. 

“You’re welcome,” he replied, his voice a gentle murmur, his thumb tracing a light path along your cheekbone.

Your hands lingered on his neck, feeling the softness of its skin and his hair, his own expression melting into something almost vulnerable. 

For a long, endless moment, you stayed there, close enough to feel the warmth of his breath, to catch the quiet tenderness in his jade eyes.

Neither of you spoke, letting the silence stretch, filling the room with the weight of implicity emotions. His gaze held yours, steady, and yet within it was a flicker of that deeper, unguarded feeling—a quiet, burgeoning affection that made your heart race.

Time seemed to stand still as you looked into each other’s eyes, a shared warmth weaving between you, a silent promise that neither of you had the words to speak.

And maybe, you didn’t even need it. 

[continue...]

[dailyadventureprompts]

As much as I'm falling in love with Blades in the Dark, I'm still trying to what makes for an ideal setting for it, as I've had a few false starts bore hitting something that works with my current weird western.

Here's what I've figured out:

1) Systems of power rotten through with corruption and exploitation. The current order is a house of cards held up only by injustice, compromise, and brutality... and it responds with EVEN MORE BRUTALITY when it's threatened. People with power need to be desperate to hold onto it and so are more willing to take risks to hold onto it, which presents opportunities for the players (and other groups) to act when that deathgrip opens cracks in the facade.

2) A particular claustrophobia when it comes to the factions. everyone is in someone's pocket, owes a debt, or knows a guy. Can't swing a dead bluecoat without knocking against three different factions and at least two of them hate you. While this doesn't necessarily mean you need to have everything happening in one city things need to be close enough together that the crew is stepping on someone's toes no matter where they go. This keeps the crew playing the game of politics, trading favours for alliances while constantly risking the wrath of those higher than them.

3) Vice as societal lubricant. Just like the crew needs vice to unwind from their capers, the setting needs flow of vice to keep the wheels of power turning, no matter how greasy they get or who gets crushed underfoot. The masses need distraction, the elites need excess, the industries need fuel, and the strange need power. This gives the crew endless opportunities to find someone who's buying what they're selling, or piss someone off after their antics interrupt the flow of commerce.

4) Enough is NEVER enough. An organizing principle of any world using Blades as a system is that no one ever has enough of what they need, and so is driven to desperate action in order to get it. Even those on top of the pyramid lack the control they desire (see point 1), and everyone they squeeze to get it finds themselves grasping for something else too. NPCs who are rich in any one thing should be hungrily lacking in something else, be it material resources or ephemeral things like recognition or inner peace. When the debt comes due, the crew always owes more than they can pay off, meaning they must take further risks to try and stabilize, forcing them to bite off more then they can chew each time.

5) The Clock is Ticking. Whether or not they know it, every time the crew goes through the setup/mission/downtime cycle they're getting closer and closer to something big happening. One of the city's long standing tensions boils over into outright conflict, someone important dies and leaves a mess for others to clean up, something well and truly weird happens and it throws the system into chaos. Sometimes the party will kickstart this chain of events themselves, but it's always a good idea to have at least one in your back pocket, that way if they play things safe you can spring the unexpected on them and knock them out of their predictable pattern.