A low, whirring noise sounded from the corner of the room. It was the first time Kaveh had stepped foot in their shared bedroom since hearing of the incident. It remained largely the same, untouched and mostly clean, save for the books piling up on Alhaitham's bedside table.
Mehrak made another sound, clearly displeased at being left alone for so long. Kaveh rushed to the briefcase and picked it up. His smile was apologetic as he turned Mehrak over to look at its pixilated face.
"Hi," he said, remorseful. "Sorry, I know you don't like being alone for long. It's just...something happened toㅡyou know. Him."
Mehrak wiggled itself free from Kaveh's grasp, choosing instead to float near his head. It made a soft, understanding noise that was not unlike a hum. Kaveh ran his fingers along Mehrak's small face like one would their own child.
"Come on. Cyno's assembling a meeting today and I'd hate to be late." With that, Kaveh got to work to make himself presentable. He wore his usual clothes and heavy-set jewelry. He wove his hair into its intricate style and braid, even pinned clips into the back with some help from Mehrak.
Kaveh eyed the teal feather resting on his dresser for a second before tucking it behind his ear. He stood back to admire his work in the mirror posted next to the door.
"How do I look?" Kaveh asked, grinning when Mehrak trilled and did a little spin in the air. It had almost been a week since Alhaitham's sudden disappearance, and the scribe's absence weighed heavily on Kaveh's heart. He looked better than he had in days.
"I suppose we have to go now," Kaveh sighed, weary. He wasn't looking forward to discussing the incident. Didn't even like talking about it with Tighnari, one of his closest friends. The wound was still fresh, still stung whenever Kaveh poked at it.
And now he had to discuss it with an entire group of people.
If it were any other scenario, Kaveh would relish in the attention. He liked having the spotlight on himㅡbasked in it, even. Perhaps that was what made him have such an admiration for the arts and anything romantic.
Though Kaveh was not a particularly vain person, he did rather have an affinity for beautiful things. Clothing, jewelry, pieces of pottery. A certain scribe, no matter how annoying or spiteful he might be.
How could one look at Alhaitham and not see a work of art? Ashen hair that fell over one side of his face like snow dusting a quiet mountain's peak; a pair of turquoise eyes adorned with a single topaz ring holding many secrets whispered during moonlit nights; a delicate, hooked nose the curve of which no accomplished artist could ever hope to replicate; golden brown skin kissed by the sun and all the other stars that smelled faintly of sand and wine.
Alhaitham was a sculpture Kaveh could spend the rest of his years admiring, studying, wanting, and when he finally had his fill, he would still yearn for more. Life after life, age after age, forever.
Kaveh was startled when Mehrak bumped into his shoulder, the sharp, hard edge of one of its corners digging rather painfully into his tender skin. He hadn't realized how long he'd been standing there, lost in his own thoughts.
"Right," Kaveh said, rubbing his now sore shoulder. "The meeting. I guess there's really no use in trying to postpone the inevitable."
Mehrak made a whirring noise that sounded much like it agreed.
Kaveh sighed. "Fine, then. But don't be surprised when I come home in a bad mood."
They went to the Akademiya, Kaveh holding Mehrak by the handle because he didn't trust it not to fly away without him noticing. The last time it had done so, Kaveh had to apologize to the poor lady whose stall Mehrak had tipped over. Alhaitham was less than pleased when he had to pay her compensation.
YOU ARE READING
Wonders of the World
Hayran Kurgu"Cyno," Kaveh said suddenly, and with a bit of sharpness. "What's going on?" "Do you know where Al-Haitham is, right now?" Cyno asked. Kaveh leaned back in his chair, his anger fading some from such a simple question. "Of course I do. He's here work...
