[Golden Peacock IC Inbox][un: scribe] (defunct)

[linguaphilia]

This is Alhaitham.
Leave a message. Or don't. I don't really care either way.

Comments

audio (@puqishrine)

[dianxie]

Alhaitham? It's Xie Lian. I have some supplies to do copying with in the library, I was wondering if you were going to be there too. We could meet up for lunch, if you like?

[linguaphilia]

[He ignores the message for... about an hour, actually. Not long enough to miss a potential lunch appointment, but he doesn't really use the messaging function even if he was inclined to check it.

Though, given how antisocial Althaitham often is, Xie Lian might count himself lucky to get a reply at all.]

I haven't been there this morning, but I can meet you for lunch.

[dianxie]

Oh?

[ He thought, after forty-five minutes, he would be eating alone, but now! Enthused by the reply, Xie Lian beams as he responds. ]

That's great! What do you like to eat? Lunch is on me.

[linguaphilia]

I don't overcomplicate the purpose of food. Anything will be fine, as long as it has some nutritional value.

[He's definitely a 'function over form' person when it comes to his meals.]

[dianxie]

Are you sure you don't have a preference of meat over fish, or sweet over savoury? I was going to grab some pastries but I can get you something more substantial, if you like.

[linguaphilia]

No, whatever you want to get should be fine.

[He really isn't fussy about what he eats.]

Where shall I meet you?

[dianxie]

The big table on the left when you enter the library, past a few rows of stacks. I'll be there.

[ Cheekily, he teases, ]

Can I get a kiss 'hello' when you find me?

[linguaphilia]

[Alhaitham does not dignify the teasing with a response, but does show up at the library around fifteen minutes later.

Pointedly, he sits down at the other side of the table without making any kind of physical contact.]

I can at least commend you on making yourself easier to find this time.

[dianxie]

It's not as if I would ever deliberately hide from you.

[ Laughing softly, he slides a Birdbucks packet over containing a raspberry croissant (healthy and a treat!). Xie Lian is creating pencil-drawn guides for various words, the inked versions already dry beside them as a helpful hint for the way the brush ought to move. In theory, this should help Hua Cheng.

He doesn't mention the Missing Kiss(TM) but he does pout a little. ]

You look nice today. Have you got anything planned?

[linguaphilia]

[He utters a quiet thanks as he takes the packet, opening it up to start to eat. Though he does notice that pouting he declines to draw any attention to it.

Then he glances up, one eyebrow briefly lifting as if in question.]

This is how I usually dress.

[Not quite like he does at home but there is a very distinct mix of comfort and functionality in Alhaitham's clothing that is, of course, entirely deliberate.]

I had no plans at all until you invited me here. The majority of the resort continues to be entirely unappealing to my tastes.

[dianxie]

The back-corridors are the worst, I'll ask you not to venture there. They're extremely dangerous.

[ He doesn't want someone good like Alhaitham losing their mind alone, it would be an awful experience. Xie Lian was embarrassed but eventually glad He Xuan was with him. ]

Stick to the gaudy side, it's relatively safer.

[linguaphilia]

I would rather not subject myself to either.

[He already has his favoured places and equally favoured routes to get to them, as well as times when they will be quiet. Alhaitham has yet to set foot in the main casinos despite the dangers that his overt defiance to the will of the house pose.]

I think you are more inclined towards getting into trouble than I am.

[dianxie]

[ Relieved to know Alhaitham won't be actively courting danger, Xie Lian continues with his writing. ]

I wish I wasn't. [ He really means that. ] What have you been up to since we last met?

[linguaphilia]

[Alhaitham's hands pause briefly as he tears off a piece of pastry, then he shakes his head as he puts it into his mouth. He's silent while his mouth is full.]

Nothing of note.

[Nothing he really wants to speak about, that is.]

A little looking around when I have a mind to tolerate the racket.

[dianxie]

It's hard to find anyone who isn't obnoxious.

[ Aside from present company, of course. Xie Lian purses his lips, wondering if he should mention something, then deciding he may as well: Alhaitham must find him somewhat attractive to tolerate him, after all. ]

Do you think I'm a lot? Or rather ... do I come off as unappealing for any particular reasons?

[ His issue has nothing to do with the other man, asking him calmly and thoughtfully. This is something Xie Lian has been wondering. ]

[linguaphilia]

[The question is calmly put, but Alhaitham knows very well that people often ask such questions when they aren't prepared to hear an honest answer. Xie Lian would know by now that he should expect an honest answer from Alhaitham, so the scribe can only assume he is being asked for that reason.]

I can only speak for myself.

[And he will only speak for himself. Anything he says in reply would be a matter of opinion.]

But before I answer, I want to know why you're asking.

[dianxie]

[ He taps his lower lip with the pencil, judging his work. The next word he works on is "Precious" and his gaze stays on it as he answers. ]

I asked a man if he would consider me, I told him I thought he was handsome and clever, but he was very reserved. I was polite and took him for tea so we could get to know each other, but ...

I don't know if I was too honest about everything. I'm not very good at acting coy, so I tried to be earnest instead.

[linguaphilia]

[A soft sigh leaves him.]

I see.

[And why is he being asked this..? His first instinct is to shrug it off, not wanting anything to do with Xie Lian's other 'activities', but he supposes on further thought that he might as well give the honest answer that he suspects the other man believes he might get from him.]

If you're not good at playing coy, don't play coy. You'll only make yourself look foolish. ['Earnest' is definitely a word he would have used to describe the man if asked. It suits him better.] People pretending to be something they're not will always get found out eventually.

[He pauses for another bite, then swallows.]

You will never be able to please everyone. Don't try to.

[dianxie]

Mmm, I know. I suppose I wanted to hear someone say that who isn't in love with me.

[ Perspective and all. Alhaitham has that in spades.

He smiles again, looking at him over the desk (pleased to have him present to look at). ]

As long as you're halfway-happy with me, I'll know I'm doing something right.

[linguaphilia]

Were you not so respectful of my boundaries, I can assure you that we would not be spending any significant amount of time together.

[Alhaitham does not claim anyone as a friend but he is far more likely to be willing to spend time with people who do not try to push him into being something that they want him to be, rather than simply what he is. Xie Lian has been accepting of his nature, his boundaries, and his blunt vocabulary. It's all positive points.]

I have limited reserves for social interaction.

[And so he is very picky about who he chooses to spend time with at all.]

[dianxie]

That's how friends work, Alhaitham.

[ He gives him a wry smile for that comment, softening it a moment later as he nods. ]

I know you do. That's why I'm so happy you've chose to spend time with me today.

[linguaphilia]

[The ashen-haired man arches a brow Xie Lian's way, but doesn't argue. He is here after all, he can't deny that much.]

Were you looking for something in particular here? There isn't much I'd call light reading.

[dianxie]

It doesn't have to be light. I used to "save" the old books being thrown out when I was little, I would read them one last time as if I could preserve their knowledge and do them a favour. It didn't matter what they were about.

[ What would he like to read? ]

... I like history. Painting. Dancing. Lots of things.

delivery

[indigently]

[ In the early hours of the 11th, a hotel worker will arrive at Alhaitham's suite with a container of Sabz Meat Stew, a checked-out library book with a post-it note stating the return due date, a single coral-colored rose, and a note. It reads: ]

Happy birthday.
I thought you could use something a little familiar today, so I had a worker help me get what I needed to make your favorite stew. Sorry, I don't quite know how to make the stew the way you prefer it, so you won't be able to eat it while you read... but I hope you enjoy the book when you get to it anyway.
You know where to find me if you need me.

-K

[linguaphilia]

[Something piques in Alhaitham's expression when Xie Lian talks about saving old books. It's something he would have done as a child - and often did, especially when the book would be difficult to find in anything but Akasha format otherwise.]

Ah... a man of culture, I see.

[High praise, coming from someone like Alhaitham.]

I have always preferred physical books myself. Nothing quite compares.