Dendro Spikes

Kaveh's Cold Crisis

Alhaithiam had to go to Mondstadt to manage spice and wine trade concerns with the Acting Grand Master.

"Jean, I think her name is." He told Kaveh.

"Is she pretty?" Kaveh asked, his red eyes sparkling.

"Are you speaking conventionally, or my personal opinion?"

Kaveh shrugged. "You have no taste, so I'll take a look myself."

Alhaitham rolled his eyes. "It's not like I have a picture of her on me at this moment."

Kaveh nodded. "Good, that would be a whole different level of creepy, even for you."

"What led you to think I had that intent? I'm pretty sure she's happily in a relationship."

Kaveh rolled his red eyes. "Sure she is. You just don't want to admit you can't flirt with anyone."

"I didn't- you are insufferable. I don't even like her."

The blonde snorted. "Fine then, I'll come with you to Mondstadt! I've heard they have good liquor, anyways."

Alhaitham shook his head. "Always with you and the liquor. I'm leaving tomorrow, so pack your bags if you want to come." Early the next morning, the two set off to Port Ormos.

Their ship set off for Dorman Port.

"Ugh, you could've told me we were going by boat."

Alhaitham sighed. "Why? So you could beg me to take another method of transportation, to no avail? If you're seasick, request to go above deck."

Kaveh sighed, and clumsily made his way up to the ship purser. Once they arrived, Kaveh had to sit down for a bit. "J-Just gimme a sec."

Alhaitham scoffed. "Are you seriously that tired."

"Well if you hadn't made me take a boat, I wouldn't be!"

When Kaveh felt well enough to stand, they headed off to the main city of Mondstadt.

"How beautiful! The architecture here is nothing short of divine! The brick placement compared with the rustic housing look, the subtle untamed vines mixed with the faint smell of berries and alcohol, and how could I forget the beauty of the natural landscaping, the hills and the wonderful oak trees.

The climate here is chilly, not quite cold like Snezhnaya, but still much cooler than Sumeru, sure the technology here is slightly less advanced, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything, to be honest I'm quite sick of my darshan undermining architecture for the sake of mechanical engineering, but that is a possibility of why Sumerian architecture is more dependent on pyramids and convoluted domes other than boxes and bricks, but that is still less than Fontaine's architecture, possibly the only city managing to combine Sumerian tech with Mondstadtian architecture.

It's quite beautiful, honestly. I should've came here sooner, this will make such large improvements in any original designs I have, maybe I'll be able to take on more commissions as a result-

"Kaveh."

"What?"

"Your loud rambling will attract attention. We're at the city now, and I would prefer you to stop talking so loudly."

As far as noise went, though, Alhaitham actually preferred listening to Kaveh talk.

The man had a rich voice, higher than his but still quite deep.

Compared to his own matter of fact, almost robotic voice, Kaveh's was full of emotion, very dramatized and loud, but sometimes flipped to be quite soft and tender.