[ Despite himself, he laughsβ genuine and warm, without for a few moments the dull, haunted look on his face. One elbow bends, a gentle nudge at Sylvain's side, and he looksβ playfullyβ like he's been grievously offended. ]
Of course I'm not a terrible cook! I wouldn't have offered, otherwise.
[ The look fades into a soft, gentle smile. ]
Sumeru is the region of Teyvat I'm from. We're known for all sorts of interesting things. I'd be more than happy to introduce you to it. [ A pause, and a sheepish smile. ] I hope you like spice. A lot of our foods are quite... strong.
[ He's actually heard of Sumeru before, and surprise lights on his face for a moment. ]
Wait, Sumeru? Did you know Tighnari? Wasn't he from there, too? [ He'd been one of the first people Sylvain had met in this place, and they'd talked quite a bit about the other man's home. It had sounded very much of what Sylvain had read about Brigid.
It's also not the first time he'd heard of Teyvat. He's met several people from there now. Then again, there had been several people from Fodlan here as well, now. He wondered if most people had big shared worlds like this? Or why, those from there, so often seemed to know one another, even if from far away. That seemed like a strange coincidence... ]
I don't mind a bit of spice. I prefer it, actually, even if I've not had the chance to try so many of them. My country does not have a lot of spices, unfortunately, but the territories neighboring it is fond of them, and I've always been fond of trying new dishes, especially ones with bold flavors.
[ Kaveh's face, perhaps, doesn't do quite what Sylvain expects it to do, when he mentions Sumeru and Tighnari. He's had his suspicions for a while that his best friend has gone the same way as Alhaitham, but he hasn't dared to check, afraid of what it might do to his heart. But the way Sylvain speaks...
He files it to the side for a moment, forcing himself to focus on the rest of what the other man says. He can answer, talk about foods and spices, and then go back to Nari...
A hard swallow. ]
Then it's settled. I'll cook for you sometime. I admit I'm not the biggest fan of hot spices myself, but I've been told before that my definition of "hot" is different to someone who isn't accustomed to it. So I suppose that's something to keep in mind.
[ There's only so long, though, before he has to come back to the first thing Sylvain said. ]
Tighnari is my best friend. I... I messaged him, when Alhaitham disappeared, and I never heard back. [ His eyes drop. ] I've been too afraid to look into why, but based on what you said... He's gone too, isn't he.
[ Silently cursing himself for sticking his foot in it again, Sylvain hesitates a moment, but that expression on Kavehβs face has him moving. Shifting to angle himself towards the blond a little more, he wraps his arms around him and draws him in against his chest. ]
I donβt know. [ Itβs an honest answer, even if itβs not the one he wants to give. ] I havenβt seen or heard from him in a while, though. He might be. I can look into it for you?
[ But as often as heβd seen Tighnari in those first few weeks, followed abruptly byβ¦ nothing. Heβs pretty sure they both know the answer to that already. As much as he wishes he could give Kaveh a better one. ]
[ His smile is sad, and it falters even as he shakes his head, reaching to lay a hand across Sylvain's forearm. ]
No... no, you. You don't need to. He's not the sort to have stopped reaching out to me for any other reason, so...
[ A close of Kaveh's eyes as he swallows again, trying to process the news. He hates thisβ ]
I need to focus on the people who are here, don't I. If I keep thinking about the people who're gone, I'm gonna find myself in trouble. With my suit mark, or the statues, or something...
[ He keeps wrapped closely around the other man, pressing a kiss to the top of his head before resting his chin there, keeping Kaveh tucked warmly against his chest. His hand slides slowly up and down the manβs spine. ]
I know how hard that can be. But youβre not here alone. Just keep reminding yourself of that, okay? You might not have known us before you came here, but you do have people here who care about you. People you can reach out to, whenever you need us.
[ He reaches down, sliding a finger under Kavehβs chin and tipping his head up to meet his gaze, his own quietly earnest. ] Tell me youβll remember that?
[ Kaveh takes a breath, his expression soft as Sylvain first presses a kiss to his head, and then tucks his chin up to force the other to look at him. The earnestness in the redhead's gaze takes him aback a little, and for a moment he can only look at him before he, slowly, nods. ]
Y-yeah. I. I'll do my best to remember it. [ His smile is a little shaky. ] Historically, I'm not the greatest at reaching out to others when I need help. But... I really will try. I'll do my best. Is... that okay?
[ The sincerity in the other man's face makes him want to cry, but he holds himself together for now. ]
[ He gives him a warm smile as he tucks him close once more, seeing the waver in that smile, the way he struggles with his emotions. Sylvain can't do anything about the cause of that, but at least he can offer Kaveh a place to hide away for a bit - and to not feel alone for it. ]
I'll just have to make sure I'm pestering you with annoying frequency in the meantime, hmm? [ It's said with light teasing as he tugs on a wayward lock of blond hair.
Glancing around them, then down at the sampler before them, he thinks of something else. Or perhaps a way for this to be a little more comfortable for the other man. ] Why don't we take the tea back to one of our rooms? We can relax there for a while and visit, if you like? It might be a little more comfortable than here.
[ The laugh that finds Kaveh's lips comes surprisingly easy. The idea that the redhead might pester him to the point of being annoying is somewhat unbelievable, if only because he doesn't find Sylvain annoying. But it's a nice thought too, that someone might want to reach out to him, to look out for him enough that they would do that. He's even a little bashful as he runs fingers through his hair, smiling.
And to the other's suggestion, he nods. Being out of the public eye sounds nice, especially when it's with someone he knows he can trust. And with both of them having reasonable enough suites, he knows they'll be comfortable. ]
That sounds good, yeah. [ A pause, and then: ] Would it be okay to go to yours? Mine's... a bit of a mess right now.
[ If strewn, half-hidden bottles of wine count as a mess, anyway. ]
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indigently) wrote2024-02-11 08:55 pm
no subject
Of course I'm not a terrible cook! I wouldn't have offered, otherwise.
[ The look fades into a soft, gentle smile. ]
Sumeru is the region of Teyvat I'm from. We're known for all sorts of interesting things. I'd be more than happy to introduce you to it. [ A pause, and a sheepish smile. ] I hope you like spice. A lot of our foods are quite... strong.
no subject
Wait, Sumeru? Did you know Tighnari? Wasn't he from there, too? [ He'd been one of the first people Sylvain had met in this place, and they'd talked quite a bit about the other man's home. It had sounded very much of what Sylvain had read about Brigid.
It's also not the first time he'd heard of Teyvat. He's met several people from there now. Then again, there had been several people from Fodlan here as well, now. He wondered if most people had big shared worlds like this? Or why, those from there, so often seemed to know one another, even if from far away. That seemed like a strange coincidence... ]
I don't mind a bit of spice. I prefer it, actually, even if I've not had the chance to try so many of them. My country does not have a lot of spices, unfortunately, but the territories neighboring it is fond of them, and I've always been fond of trying new dishes, especially ones with bold flavors.
no subject
He files it to the side for a moment, forcing himself to focus on the rest of what the other man says. He can answer, talk about foods and spices, and then go back to Nari...
A hard swallow. ]
Then it's settled. I'll cook for you sometime. I admit I'm not the biggest fan of hot spices myself, but I've been told before that my definition of "hot" is different to someone who isn't accustomed to it. So I suppose that's something to keep in mind.
[ There's only so long, though, before he has to come back to the first thing Sylvain said. ]
Tighnari is my best friend. I... I messaged him, when Alhaitham disappeared, and I never heard back. [ His eyes drop. ] I've been too afraid to look into why, but based on what you said... He's gone too, isn't he.
no subject
I donβt know. [ Itβs an honest answer, even if itβs not the one he wants to give. ] I havenβt seen or heard from him in a while, though. He might be. I can look into it for you?
[ But as often as heβd seen Tighnari in those first few weeks, followed abruptly byβ¦ nothing. Heβs pretty sure they both know the answer to that already. As much as he wishes he could give Kaveh a better one. ]
no subject
No... no, you. You don't need to. He's not the sort to have stopped reaching out to me for any other reason, so...
[ A close of Kaveh's eyes as he swallows again, trying to process the news. He hates thisβ ]
I need to focus on the people who are here, don't I. If I keep thinking about the people who're gone, I'm gonna find myself in trouble. With my suit mark, or the statues, or something...
no subject
I know how hard that can be. But youβre not here alone. Just keep reminding yourself of that, okay? You might not have known us before you came here, but you do have people here who care about you. People you can reach out to, whenever you need us.
[ He reaches down, sliding a finger under Kavehβs chin and tipping his head up to meet his gaze, his own quietly earnest. ] Tell me youβll remember that?
no subject
Y-yeah. I. I'll do my best to remember it. [ His smile is a little shaky. ] Historically, I'm not the greatest at reaching out to others when I need help. But... I really will try. I'll do my best. Is... that okay?
[ The sincerity in the other man's face makes him want to cry, but he holds himself together for now. ]
no subject
[ He gives him a warm smile as he tucks him close once more, seeing the waver in that smile, the way he struggles with his emotions. Sylvain can't do anything about the cause of that, but at least he can offer Kaveh a place to hide away for a bit - and to not feel alone for it. ]
I'll just have to make sure I'm pestering you with annoying frequency in the meantime, hmm? [ It's said with light teasing as he tugs on a wayward lock of blond hair.
Glancing around them, then down at the sampler before them, he thinks of something else. Or perhaps a way for this to be a little more comfortable for the other man. ] Why don't we take the tea back to one of our rooms? We can relax there for a while and visit, if you like? It might be a little more comfortable than here.
no subject
And to the other's suggestion, he nods. Being out of the public eye sounds nice, especially when it's with someone he knows he can trust. And with both of them having reasonable enough suites, he knows they'll be comfortable. ]
That sounds good, yeah. [ A pause, and then: ] Would it be okay to go to yours? Mine's... a bit of a mess right now.
[ If strewn, half-hidden bottles of wine count as a mess, anyway. ]
no subject
But he just offers Kaveh a warm smile as he nods, and pushes out of the booth, offering Kaveh his hand. ]
Yeah, we can go to mine. It's not far. Come on.