In Your Eyes: Empyrean Admonition

You Visit the Shimti Tribe

Aaru Village, Land of Lower Setekh, Great Red Sand, Sumeru

You look at Kaveh and nod before standing up, Alhaitham seems to understand what you plan to do but he keeps his mouth shut and waits for you to speak. His piercing green eyes dart over you then at Kaveh, which makes you feel a sudden chill in your body for some unknown reason.

"The sooner we can go there the better," you murmur. "Will you be available tonight, Alhaitham?"

He sighs and uncrosses his arms, only to pull you in ang hug you. You can feel him look over at someone behind you, probably Kaveh, before he says, "I'll always be available for you, Rabbit."

The sudden hug surprises you, you open your mouth and close it a few times until you just shut up and sigh while smiling. Your hands reach around him, hugging him tight.

"Ehem! I'm here, how can you be so cruel," Kaveh jests.

He lightly pushes Alhaitham away before placing his arms around you, and ends up resting his face on your shoulder. You crane your head slightly to look at him, but his red eyes are looking only at Alhaitham with a knowing smile on his lips. Your eyes widen in surprise, what has gotten into these two?!

"It feels so bad right? Like some invisible force is crushing your heart right now," Kaveh sneers as he snuggles his face even closer, "My junior, this is what jealousy feels like."

"Why would I feel jealous over you? You're delusional," Alhaitham says as he tries to keep his composure in check, but you notice him clench his fist.

Kaveh's lips are soft on your cheeks and your eyes widen even more in surprise, Alhaitham's face contorts in anger but Kaveh immediately lets you go while laughing. Realizing he's been caught by his senior, Alhaitham turns around and takes a step away to regain his composure, but you can see how red his ears are.

"I suggest you become more honest with what you feel," Kaveh says as he walks closer to the Scribe. He leans closer and whispers to Alhaitham's ear. I don't mind if we share...

Blood rushes to your cheeks and you can't think straight as Kaveh and Alhaitham discuss in hushed voices the pros and cons of the architect's proposal. You turn around and quickly leave them, and you find yourself breathless in front of Sawan.

You've never noticed how blue his eyes are, which is a great contrast with his brown skin. Your teammate shyly looks away when he notices you staring, scratching the back of his head while smiling.

"Sawan, you mentioned that your tribe is connected to the Goddess of Flowers," you say while stepping around until you face him again. "I want to ask if we can visit your place tonight?"

"Eh?! Erm... I don't think the Manci will mind since you'll be with Kaveh and Alhaitham," Sawan says while stepping back. "Your group can tag along and I'll see what I can do when we arrive."

You want to reply but your hearing picks up Alhaitham and Kaveh's conversation.

'Look at it this way,' Kaveh murmurs, 'You can have the 1st, 3rd, and 5th days of the week, I get the other ones. And then on the 7th day, Rabbit can have both of us.'

Alhaitham scoffs before replying, 'How can you keep a straight face while saying this grand plan of yours. Did you even ask Rabbit about this?'

Kaveh stops (probably to look at you) before answering, 'Both you and I remember that dream, and Rabbit will not do that if they did not want both of us. Don't you remember? They said they want both of us!'

'Let's talk about this some other time, and probably in front of Rabbit so they don't have to eavesdrop.'

Alhaitham's last words send a shiver down your spine, your ears twitch back to face in front but you know you have been caught. Nothing ever slips from his eyes, Kaveh maybe the more emphatic one but his attention to detail is something else.