>> 019 | kaveh is the frank to alhaitham's bill

[philonoist]

[ there exists within a corner of the Ashavan Realm a bland, nondescript building tucked away into the corner of a quiet city that, for the most part, went unnoticed by visitors and natives alike. with nothing to denote the manner of business that was conducted within it was easy to overlook the structure in favor of the more colorful stalls and shops that lined the streets leading away from it, eager merchants looking to turn a quick mora doing their best to lure anyone who might have even a smidge of interest in something adventurous or new.

but, as is the case with most things, there was more to it than meets the eye.

formally, it was known as the Desert Rose and touted as a "pillowhouse" for the prestiged upper class. while the location was certainly nothing remarkable, it was discreet - which was probably more important than aesthetics for potential clients. the sheets were clean, the workers attractive and ready to serve and certainly worth the extravagant amount of mora one paid for their services. it had been in business for several years already and things were well enough that it looked to be in business for several years more - or at least for as long as their clients were entertained.

speaking of clients...

news spread fast in a city as small as this one. the acting grand sage had been something of a rare occurrence, but his visit was always marked with anxieties and anticipation. even though the few courtesans he'd had private appointments with had all claimed how boring he was, the details never went beyond that. gossip about such an important client was not to be tolerated, and with the threat of being let go looming over their heads it was unsurprising that many chose to hold their tongues when it came to matters regarding Alhaitham.

it certainly didn't help that he didn't pick the same courtesan two visits in a row. perhaps he was simply sampling the wares, or maybe he, in turn, had been bored by them - but whatever the reason tonight was Kaveh's turn. the instructions were simple:

await me in your chambers before the clock strikes seven. leave all the candles lit.

and literally nothing else. no requests for a specific outfit, no oils, nothing. on the plus side - he's definitely punctual, since it's scarcely before the bell starts chiming that there's a knock on the door, sharp, crisp and leaving no room for doubt. he's arrived. ]

Comments

[unpaidrent]

[In the nation of wisdom, there's a sort of culturally pervasive lack of appreciation for the arts. An artist has to climb their way through more hurdles than the scientifically brilliant, and Kaveh had found that even after graduation there was less forgiveness for error even in the mathematically inclined field of architecture. Debt just seemed to accumulate.

Despite his current line of work, Kaveh still takes pride in it. Since his days as an artist, he has always worked very hard to ensure the happiness of his client, which is why he absolutely hates the kind of instructions he receives from the Acting Grand Sage: lacking entirely in specifics. With someone as important as Alhaitham, of course he wants to impress him, but with nothing to go off of he is already getting a headache imagining the unpaid hours he'll spend fumbling to please him and correct mistakes.

Where does he begin? The others certainly weren't sharing.

In the end, he chooses all his own personal preferences to prepare. Clean from the bath, he scents his skin in saffron and rose, binds his hair back in a combination of braiding and clips, and dons one of his more comfortable outfits. The white cloth leaves his chest and back open bound together by connection chains at his shoulders and tucked closed by a sash on his slim waist. His trousers, a deep red, are loose and light.

He was still picking his earrings out when the knock comes, and Kaveh turns to look at the clock as he closes the clasp on the back of the earring he was currently fixing on his ear. Seeing that he's out of time, he curses quietly, putting the other earring into his ear as he strides across the room to place a coal into a censer.]

Come in, the door is unlocked.

[To Alhaitham's one specification, Kaveh had followed exactly. Every candle, hanging lantern or set upon shelving, was lit to illuminate the room. The numerous lights cast a warm flicker across the décor, illuminating colorful draping and patterned rugs, and deepening the shadows from the canopy shading the large bed in the back of the room.]

Is it to your liking?

[philonoist]

It's adequate.

[ which is probably not the answer that Kaveh's looking for, but Alhaitham is already making his way inside. perhaps unsurprisingly he hasn't chosen to dress down or up for the occasion; the clothes he wears is far too simple for the Acting Grand Sage, but the way that he carries himself, the confidence in every step that he takes into the brightly-lit room, says all that it needs to.

it's not as if he hasn't come unprepared. slung around his shoulder and bouncing gently against his leg is a satchel, one that seems overly laden and heavy with... something. gifts, perhaps? it's not as if it would be unusual, given the nature of his visit. doubtless there were plenty of affluent patrons who showered their chosen company for the evening with lavish presents of expensive silks and perfumes or an assortment of imported snacks from far-off locales. the sweets from Inazuma were especially popular amongst the women in the Desert Rose.

Alhaithem allows the door to shut behind him and turns ... not to look at Kaveh, though there is a brief, cursory glance given over his appearance. there's no reaction to the lengths he'd gone to prepare himself one way or the other, no lingering, lusty gaze before he's turning, peering around the rest of the chambers as though looking for... something.

the answer comes when he begins making his way towards Kaveh's ... desk? and setting the heavy satchel upon it with a thud and a rustle of something inside. the top is flipped open and Alhaithem busies himself with unloading its contents, pulling out not bejewelled glass bottles of perfume or whisper-fine scarves but ... books. and papers. and is that an ink quill?

before there's any objection he's pulling out the chair and seating himself, leaning over only to set the satchel on the floor before he's ... getting to work. and it is work, since the papers all seem to be bearing the official seal of the Grand Sage. ]

[unpaidrent]

[Did he... do something wrong? The Grand Sage barely looked at him, instead seeming more interested in his room and furniture than the person whose time he'd bought. Kaveh stands watching the other man empty paperwork and books on his desk, his hand hovering in the air, unsure if he should offer anything. He's never really had a client like this before.

Maybe he just needs a moment?

Giving Alhaitham some time to get settled, he goes to lie back on his bed, propping himself up to watch the other at the other end of the suite at the desk. He waits. And he waits... He waits. The longer he waits, uncertain of what's going on, the more frustrated he gets. Who does this guy think he is?

After a while of waiting, the blond finally pushes himself up into a sitting position with a huff, his shoulders sagging as he hunches forward. His arms lie loosely in his lap, and his brows knit with irritation.]

Is this some kind of joke? Did you purchase my time just to use my desk?

[He finally gets back up, stepping across the room until he reaches the Acting Grand Sage. He stands behind his back, leaning to look over his shoulder to see what sort of things he was working so intently on.]

[philonoist]

[ the brief glimpse Kaveh gets isn't anything particularly interesting; some budgeting information, a handful of theses from up and coming scholars, proposals in need of approval, etc. all the same, Alhaitham is still quick to shoot him a (subtly) annoyed look, lifting up his arm to obscure the papers in a gesture that's not unlike someone trying to cover up their test answers so their neighbor doesn't cheat. ]

Excuse me.

[ it looked like that would be the case. Alhaitham doesn't offer any explanations, and judging from how he's settled in he'd come here with one purpose in mind. whether or not Kaveh would find this relieving would be up to him, but at least he didn't really have to do anything for the rest of the night, right? ]

These are confidential documents. I believe the Desert Rose advertised discretion. Or was that not included in what I paid?

[unpaidrent]

[The brief glimpse that Kaveh gets of the work that the other man's thrown all over his desk only leaves the blond more confused. The annoyed look is met with his own annoyed and bewildered look back as he struggles to understand what exactly was happening in his room.]

Uhh—? [He sputters a little, just all the more flustered at being talked to like he was the one acting strangely and out of line.] It was!

[He raises a hand, pressing it against his forehead for a moment and lets out a sigh. Calm down and don't be rude to the Acting Grand Sage. Perhaps he's very sheltered. Perhaps he is greatly misunderstanding what sort of business the Desert Rose is...]

Do you know where you are? The discretion that's advertised is about what sort of services you purchase here. You do know what those are, right? Normally people don't just throw down their Akedeymia work.

[philonoist]

[ the look that Alhaitham levels at him is flat, unimpressed (and unamused). it was clear that he knew just exactly what he was doing, and even more clear was the fact that he thought Kaveh's explanation was unnecessary. although he was well within his right to correct him he didn't, and instead turned back to the papers he had laid out upon the desk.

after a long, pregnant pause he sighed. ]

You are paid for your discretion. Were I aware that the Desert Rose had workers that could not understand that simple tenet, I would have vetted my prospects more severely.

[ and he turns, an arm draped over the back of his chair. he fixes his unyielding gaze on Kaveh, looking ... only mildly exasperated, as if he didn't believe he should have to explain something that was so obvious. ]

Do you enjoy spreading your legs that much that you'll harass someone who wants to be left alone? Perhaps I should have gone with my first assessment of you.