Stolen Enchantment

A Bottle to Pass Around

The bar appeared to be busy, it would only make sense because there was one in this small village. But even with that point made Kaveh couldn't help but compliment the ceilings, walls, and floors. It was all decorated in hazy warm light, following that with elegant structures and build. He honestly expected something lazier made out of the blue, but he supposed that the best quality makes up for quantity. Kaveh followed behind Alhaitham who was trying to find them a table to sit at excluded from everyone else, he preferred to drink in peace. Being rather honest with himself he despised the loud chatter, it'd make drinking less enjoyable. Kaveh kept getting left behind in one of the halls as he observed the beauty of art.

"Kaveh, if you continue to stop we'll never find a place to sit. Minding that, I highly doubt that any of us will grab a drink."

Alhaitham spoke with annoyance. He turned his head to glare at him. But Kaveh still appeared focused on a brown vase sitting atop a desk. To be fair, in Alhaitham's eyes, all he saw were needless items that held no real significance. He found it exceedingly odd how Kaveh could stare at a wall for hours without becoming bored. Alhaitham finally sighed and turned around, approaching Kaveh who put his hand up to him.

"Just a second."

Kaveh asked politely. About two seconds would pass before Alhaitham took another step toward him, finally, Kaveh dragged himself away from the vase and began to follow Alhaitham who already wanted to leave as soon as possible. Finally, the two met eyes with a booth, a good distance from the crowds of people sitting and standing up. Kaveh turned his head towards the drink menu up above the bar table. But almost immediately would he lose sight of that, beginning to take interest in the carvings of the roof. Alhaitham dragged one hand down his face exhaustedly, he then placed it roughly to his temple wanting to knock himself out from irritation.

"If you don't plan on ordering anything then I will,"

Alhaitham's eyes narrowed frustratedly as he stood up and began to walk away from the booth. Kaveh gestured with his hand wildly back at him,

"Order me a Merlot!"

Alhaitham simply rolled his eyes and approached the bar counter, his arms were kept to his sides before on raised to lift his chin. He examined the menu, surprisingly there wasn't a lot on there. Just alcoholic beverages, but Alhaitham knew that half of it wouldn't be as good. He ordered a whole bottle of Merlot, he had completely forgotten to ask Kaveh for some money as he promised that he would pay. Alhaitham just slapped down the asked mora. Beside him he could hear a voice directed towards himself, Alhaitham subtly turned his head to look and immediately recognized who it was.

"What a surprise to see you here, Cyno. I'm having a drink with Kaveh, come we've got enough for you as well."

Alhaitham invited humbly, Cyno nodded in silence. His expression was the same as always, neutral and rather intimidating to the regular eye. Kaveh's eyes gazed around before they landed on the two. He waved them over, and Alhaitham sat across from Kaveh while Cyno continued to stand at the edge of the table, eyeing them both quietly.

"So, is that it? The two of you decided to stow away in the desert for a week and a half?"

Cyno spoke with slight disappointment, although it was hard to tell due to the lack of body language. Kaveh who had already poured himself a glass of wine, nearly spit it out at hearing those words. Alhaitham stayed perfectly calm, only folding his arms and letting out a long sigh.

"We got sidetracked and fell into a ruined temple a few days ago. I was injured, while Kaveh was comatose. For clearance, he decided it was a great idea to come here and relax, what a waste of time."

Alhaitham wanted to smirk at his own remark, he didn't mind placing most of the blame on Kaveh for this. After all, if he would've stayed behind at the temple, at least one of them would be back in Sumeru by now. Kaveh slapped his hand on the table and glared over at Alhaitham,

"First of all you agreed, don't blame this on me. It's not my fault I wanted to relax after nearly dying in that hell of a temple!"

Kaveh's voice was raised, but he slowly calmed down. His brows tensely furrowed as he angrily took another sip from his wine. Cyno let out a sigh as well,

"Seems I've wasted my time coming out here to find you, Sumeru was worried for both of your sakes. Hurry back as soon as possible."

Cyno's eyes closed for a moment before they opened again. He turned around and began to walk away before Kaveh called out to him. His lip curled into a small friendly smile as he gestured for Cyno to come back.

"Don't go walking away now, don't you want something to drink before you leave?"

Cyno stopped in his tracks and turned his head, he slowly walked back but without a word, he took the whole bottle of wine and disappeared with it into the crowd. He didn't exactly understand the offer of 'a drink' rather than 'the drink.' Kaveh was left in slight shock, some anger as well as his whole bottle of wine just got kidnapped. Alhaitham just watched with a smug look on his face, his shoulders were moving up and down as he silently laughed at Kaveh. He didn't seem to think it was as funny, he sighed and stood up walking over to the bar counter and ordering another full bottle of wine for them both.