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Although Alhaitham may claim that he is merely a “feeble scholar,” he is more than capable of protecting himself.
Hence, his annoyance at his current predicament.
What is the Akademiya’s Mighty Scribe’s current predicament, you may ask. Well, after being ambushed by a group of Abyss Mages, Alhaitham wakes up in the middle of Avidya Forest as wounded Floating Dendro Fungus.
A minor inconvenience, really.
Alhaitham’s day had begun like any other day.
He had woken up early, and did his routine workout while reading a book that caught his interest the other day. He took a shower, had a peaceful breakfast before Kaveh disturbed said peace by being his usual, loud and obnoxious-self. Was he complaining about sleeping late, or about another project that needed to be done, Alhaitham can’t bother to remember.
After that, he went to the Akademiya, checked into his office and did some work. Then, he set off to Gandharva Ville to file a report about its current condition as well as checking on the old Sages.
And that was when it happened.
Alhaitham had taken the longer route through Chinvat Ravine. In hindsight, that probably wasn’t the recommended path one should take, but Alhaitham wanted a change in pace and he heard that Nilotpala Lotuses are common there.
He wanted to pluck a few of them to bring back to the city. For what purpose? Well … it may or may not have something to do with a certain blonde traveller who had mentioned those are her favorite of Sumeru’s specialties.
Besides, he’s gone through this long route before, and the most danger he encountered would be sleeping Spinocrocodiles, or some annoyed Fungus.
But suddenly, he encountered a few Abyss Mages. Alhaitham put up a good fight and was close to winning, but then, a fourth Abyss Mage had ambushed him and the next thing he knew, Alhaitham had lost consciousness.
When he woke up, he was in the body of a wounded Dendro Fungi.
Lovely. How wonderful.
Sighing for the umpteenth time, Alhaitham stares at his now very round, and very helpless looking figure on the river’s surface. There was still the pressing issue of his slightly burnt arm (or leg, since well, he’s a fungi at the moment), but Alhaitham was, for the very first time in many years, completely at loss as to what to do.
He had already dipped his burnt body to the river, but the remains of the burn the Abyss Mage inflicted still stung. But how would he even proceed after this?
Wait for a random traveler or Forest Ranger to help him? Go to Gandharva Ville in this Fungi form? Yeah, right. He’ll probably be shoo-ed away at best, or shot down at the spot at worst.
Well, he suppose the best course of action at the moment is to compose himself and hide from any potential threat—
“ Strange … one.”
Nevermind.
Standing (Some floatin too) before him are a few Hydro Fungus and Stretchy Pyro Fungus, looking down on him with their innocently deceiving round eyes. Judging from what one of them said (Alhaitham was a bit impressed at how he is now capable of understanding Fungi speech in this form), they don’t sound very welcoming.
“ Not … One of us.” One of them say.
“ No. He’s … danger. ” Another reply. “ He just like … evil human.”
Well, Alhaitham had eliminated his fair share of Fungus in the past, so they weren’t exactly wrong.
Still, it couldn’t hurt to try to communicate.
“ At ease. ” Alhaitham attempts. “ I am not here for a —”
The Pyro Fungus leaped to the sky and Alhaitham lets out another deep sigh.
Here we go.
Despite his lack of arms (or legs — he doesn’t even know at this point), Alhaitham was able to skillfully dodge the Pyro Fungus’ attack. With minimal experience of this form, he was surprisingly able to nimbly avoid most of their assaults, and was even able to concentrate enough Dendro energy to launch a retaliatory attack.
But alas, those other Fungi had far more experience with their powers and were able to turn the tides of battle to their favor.
Damn. Alhaitham curses. Cornered … ugh, these annoying burns.
Hah, how pathetic is this? Getting cursed by an Abyss Mage, and being beaten up by a group of Fungi as a fungus himself. This is beyond pathetic. This is an absolute joke.
Cornered and pretty much helpless, Alhaitham prepares one last attempt at running away by powering up all his energy for a mad dash away from the scene.
But just as the Pyro Fungus launches itself again, a burst of Dendro pushes it back, along with the other Fungi, to the earth.
“A group of Fungi attacking another Fungus? I thought that was just a thing in the Beast Tamers event.”
“Paimon thought so too!”
Ah, of course. Lovely blonde hair, and that divine white dress. Alhaitham’s savior is none other than the mysterious traveler, Lumine.
The blond crouches down, and Alhaitham attempts to look up and meet her eye. He saw a degree of caution in her expression, but she reached out to gently hold his round body in her hands.
“It’s hurt.” Lumine says, turning to her companion. “Do you think Tighnari would mind if we bring it back to Gandharva Ville?”
“Uhm, Paimon doubts he’ll be super pleased at that, but Paimon thinks its worth the try. I mean, just look at this poor guy! His leg is scorched and he looks like he’s about to cry!”
No, he was not.
“You’re right.” Lumine gets up, still placing a firm grip around his very round and squishy body. “Don’t worry little guy. We’ll get you all patched up.”
The traveler smiles at him and somehow, Alhaitham felt much more reassured.
---
As expected, the Forest Watcher was not pleased when Lumine brought a Fungus to the village.
Still, after observing how calm Fungus-Alhaitham was (not that they knew it was him), Tighnari allowed Lumine to bring him into an empty hut to receive treatment from Collei. He did, however, threaten to shoot him without hesitation if he were to attack anyone in the village.
So that was great.
“This little guy was attacked by other Fungi? Wow … poor guy.” Collei comments as she dabs the ointment on his burns. “That’s really odd though. I don’t think I’ve witnessed anything like that happening before.”
“Yeah, it was really odd!” Paimon adds. “But then again, the Beast Tamer incident and all …”
“That’s a different case. Those Fungi were domesticated and trained to fight one of their own.” Lumine says. “Though I suppose this guy being attacked by other Fungi isn't that odd if we think about it rationally. Humans attack humans and animals attack other animals of their own species. Maybe this guy was just from a different group or the sort.”
Alhaitham supposed that’s one way of viewing it.
“True. Still, this little one is really docile. Hehe, its very cute!” Collei mushes as she finishes applying the ointment. “You should take him as your pet, Lumine!”
“Collei, what have I told you about suggesting people to adopt weird creatures as their pets?”
“Ah, Master!”
The Forest Watcher walks in, an all too unimpressed expression on his face. He shoots a glare at Fungus-Alhaitham, and almost instantly, Lumine brings his round form closer and sets him on her lap.
Ah.
This is rather … awkward.
“Hey! Don’t glare at Leafy like that!” Paimon shouts.
“Leafy? Great, you’re already forming attachments to that Mystical Beast that could very well shoot pure Dendro Energy at anyone’s faces. How wonderful.” Tighnari sighs. “Please don’t forget what exactly that cute, yet potentially dangerous creature is capable of.”
“I won’t, Tighnari. I’ve had my fair share of bad experiences with these tiny, yet destructive creatures, you know.” Lumine replies. Then, she begins petting Fungus Alhaitham’s head (or was it a hat? Alhaitham really doesn’t know). “Still, I can’t help but feel bad for it. It was—”
“Yes, yes, it was cornered. I heard you.” The Forest Watcher sighs once more. “Really, now. Your tales just make me think that the reason why our Scribe, who was supposed to arrive today for the report, hasn’t arrived yet is because he’s been cornered and bested by a hoard of Fungi.”
At the mention of his title, Alhaitham perks ever so slightly. Luckily, none of them seem to notice. Otherwise, they might have taken that as a sign he was about to attack and …
“He still hasn’t arrived yet?” Collei asked. “Strange. Didn’t Mister Kaveh describe the Scribe as ‘annoyingly punctual?’”
“No. And Kaveh also described him as someone who ‘does whatever he pleases whenever he sees fit.’ So, if we’re basing it on that, then I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s just taking his time, not caring about other people’s schedules.” Tighnari answers.
“True …”
Gossiping about him to the Forest Rangers? Wow. Just when he thought Kaveh couldn’t stoop any lower.
“Maybe he just forgot?” Lumine voices, a strange sense of hastiness present in her tone. “Alhaitham has been very busy lately as the Acting Grand Sage.”
“That’s possible.” Tighnari shrugs. “Either way, I hope he arrives soon. I don’t appreciate having our schedule changed just to accommodate one person’s tardiness.”
Technically, Alhaitham has already arrived. He’s just in the form of a Fungus, and thus can’t write a report at the moment because he doesn’t have fingers and therefore cannot write a report.
“I’m sure he’ll arrive soon.” Lumine reassures, silently fiddling with her fingers.
Sadly, Alhaitham doesn’t think so.
---
Despite Tighnari’s protests, Lumine does not set Fungus Alhaitham free after getting his wounds treated. Instead, she brings him with her to rest in an empty lodge provided for her to spend the night.
Alhaitham feels grateful for the traveler’s kindness, but at the same time, he wondered if this was truly a productive way to spend his time.
Though given the lack of leads on this particular case, Alhaitham supposed this was the best course of action at the moment.
“Leafy is really calm, isn’t he?”
“Are we seriously calling him Leafy now, Paimon?”
The little pixie grins as she gives a pat to Alhaitham. Fortunately for Paimon, Alhaitham knew that if he were to shoot her down, he would be signing his own death sentence. So, he allows her to pet him like she would to a domesticated cat.
“I don’t think he likes you petting him,” Lumine giggles as she begins taking off her—oh.
“Hm? What’s wrong, Leafy? Oh, could you be feeling shy at Lumine taking off her dress? Haha, who knew a Fungi could be so bashful, huh?”
The audacity of this creature.
“Okay, okay. Let’s not make Leafy angry. Don’t worry, Leafy. I’m still wearing clothes underneath my dress. There’s no need to feel shy.”
If he were a human, Alhaitham would have run his hand through his hair in annoyance. But now, all he could do was muster a what-should-appear as an annoyed expression at the Pixie and at the traveler. It must have failed, judging by how Paimon only mushed about him even further and Lumine letting out a giggle before petting his head once more.
Strangely enough, Alhaitham does not mind when Lumine’s the one doing it.
It feels nice. Reassuring, even.
“... Alhaitham …”
The man blinks, staring at Lumine’s now, cloudy looking expression.
“Lumine … are you possibly feeling worried about Alhaitham?” Paimon asks, concern seeping through her tone.
“A bit.” Lumine answers sheepishly. “I mean, I know he’s capable, but what if Tighnari’s right about him being cornered by a bunch of Fungi and … ah, what am I saying? Alhaitham’s strong. He wouldn’t lose to a bunch of Fungi.”
Unfortunately, that was what exactly happened. Still, Alhaitham couldn’t be bothered about such technicalities. Not when Lumine’s golden eyes are ridden with such sadness as her hand begins to shake.
“I can’t help it, Paimon. I’m worried.” Lumine rests her hands on her lap. “I … I can’t … I don’t want to lose anyone anymore.”
“Lumine.”
It was a stupid attempt at communicating, Alhaitham knew. He was sure his words only came out as incomprehensible and barely audible squeaks.
But the way it managed to gain her attention made Alhaitham think it wasn’t a complete failure after all.
“... Hehe, are you worried about me too, Leafy? Thank you.”
Once more, she brings him close to her heart.
“... Alhaitham” She whispers as she snuggles his fungus form. “… Please be okay.”
Alhaitham hates how her usually steady voice breaks.
---
That night, Alhaitham attempts to calmly reflect on his current predicament.
Now that his burns have been treated and he’s relatively safe from being ambushed by other wild beasts or humans alike, Alhaitham found it easier to come to a few logical deductions.
First, it was most likely that this curse was not permanent.
As the Akademiya’s Scribe, Alhaitham had access to some of the more well hidden research that was safely tucked underneath the restricted archives. He had encountered a few papers recounting the topic of transformation curses, and in most cases, none of them were ever fully permanent.
Sure there were strange restrictions on how to break the curse, hence why this topic of research is restricted and deemed forbidden, but Alhaitham was 95.5% sure that this curse could be undone. The question is how.
The second logical deduction that he made was that it would be easier for him to stick with Lumine instead of straying off on his own.
As much as Alhaitham hates to admit it, but this situation is completely out of his depth.
Sure, he may have read about this type of curse, but never once in his life did Alhaitham thought he would be transformed into a Dendro Fungus. There was also the matter of protecting himself in the wild. And while he’s familiar with harnessing the power of Dendro with his Vision, this was a completely different thing.
Don’t get him started with the lack of limbs. Sure, it's a minor inconvenience but it's an inconvenience either way.
So, Alhaitham decides that it would be best to remain by her side.
“… Brother … Don’t … go …”
Prying his eyes from the sight of the full moon from the lodge’s window, Alhaitham turns to check on Lumine’s sleeping figure.
She was still comfortably tucked in her blankets, eyes closed as slow and steady breaths escaped her lips. Sleep talking? Or perhaps, a nightmare?
Alhaitham floats his small, and seemingly weightless body and hovers by her bedside.
After some deliberation, he lands on the empty spot beside her pillow.
It wasn’t much, but Alhaitham hoped his presence could help soothe her troubled heart.
Even if just a little.
---
A day passes, and then another, and another.
Alhaitham is still stuck in his Fungus form with little to no leads on how to break this Abyssal curse, the Akademiya’s Scribe has yet to arrive in Gandharva Ville, and it was becoming painfully obvious that Lumine was anxious.
The past few days, Lumine had been keeping herself busy with helping out the Forest Rangers. Her tasks ranged from helping the other Rangers sort out documents, to surveying the forest for any disturbances.
During those times, Alhaitham would either hover around her or go on his own independent investigation in the forest for any leads and return back to her side at the end of the day.
Thus, he came to be known in Gandharva Ville as “Leafy,” Lumine’s pet Fungus.
To celebrate his ‘inauguration’ as her ‘pet’, Lumine, as per Collei’s suggestion, had even wrapped a small ribbon on his hat to distinguish him from other wild Fungi.
And honestly, Alhaitham can’t even bring himself to care. Both because there are far more important things in his mind (transforming back to his human form), and because he just didn’t care enough.
Not when Lumine is very obviously worried about him.
A week passes, and Lumine can no longer sit still.
So that morning, she had packed all her belongings, said goodbye to Collei and Tighnari and departed for Sumeru city.
“I think I’m overthinking. Am I overthinking? Paimon, I’m overthinking, right?”
“Calm down, Lumine!”
The blonde traveler messes with her hair, and lets out an exasperated sigh. If Alhaitham were in his human form, then he was sure he would have reached out to hold her hand and get her to look at him.
Alas, the most he could do in this form is to just let out incomprehensible squeaks as he floats in front of her in an attempt to get her attention.
“ Lumine.” He tries. “ Calm down. Breathe. Its alright.”
“... Oh, Leafy. I’m sorry. You’re worried about me too, huh?” Lumine smiles wryly, as she reaches out to hold him and pull him close to her heart. “I’m sorry. I’m such a mess … Oh, Paimon, why am I such a mess?”
“Paimon thinks you’re just really worried about Alhaitham.” The pixie replies, giving the blonde a few firm pats on the back. “Its okay, Paimon’s sure Alhaitham’s okay! We’ll walk into the Akademiya and probably find him just sitting in the House of Daena with a book in his hand!”
“But …”
“ Lumine.”
“Ah, Leafy. Sorry. You must feel uncomfortable with me hugging you so often these days.”
Alhaitham confesses, it was a bit … awkward for him to be snuggled so close to her chest. But truthfully, it was not the most uncomfortable thing in the world. Darehesay, it was the opposite.
Ah. Alhaitham had the sudden urge to massage his nonexistent temple.
Just what was he thinking?
“Okay, you’re right Paimon. I’m sure he’s just somewhere in the Akademiya, minding his own business.” Lumine replies, and Alhaitham hates imagining just how disappointed she’ll be when she finds out he isn’t. “Leafy, I hope you don’t mind hiding in a bag as we go into the City. I can’t risk anyone finding you and …”
“ I get it.” Alhaitham replies, already floating towards the white sling bag.
“Wow, Leafy really is intelligent!” Paimon says. “Hehe, we’re so lucky to have such a smart Fungus on our side, huh Lumi?”
Alhaitham rolls his eyes. Lumine only smiles as she pats his head.
He doesn’t like how he’s starting to get used to this feeling now.
---
Hiding in Lumine’s sling bag is not the worst thing Alhaitham had to go through since he woke up in the form of a Fungus. Seeing The General Mahamatra and the annoying Architect standing in front of his office with grim expressions though, was a different story.
“Cyno, Kaveh!” Lumine greets. “Mind if I join you?”
The two men turn to her, and offer a small smile.
“Lumine. Perfect we were just …” Cyno’s eyes trails to contents of her sling bag.
Alhaitham wishes he could just shoot his dumbfounded face with a Dendro attack, but he restrains himself.
“Err, please just ignore this guy.” Lumine quickly diverts. “He’s um …”
“As long as it doesn’t explode in the Akademiya, then I’m willing to pretend I didn’t see it.” Cyno cuts, crossing his arm.
“Thank you, Cyno. Um, so I was wondering, have either of you seen Alhaitham lately? He was supposed to go to Gandharva Ville for a report or the sort, but it seems like he’s forgotten.”
“About that …” Kaveh hesitates. “... We think he might have gone missing.”
Lumine pales almost immediately. “M-Missing?”
“We found his belongings near the Ravine. There’s enough evidence to support that he might have been attacked by Abyss Mages on his way to Gandharva Ville.” Cyno explains. “Unfortunately, we’ve reached a dead end in our investigation.”
“T-That’s …”
“Breathe, Lumine.” Kaveh attempts, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. “Alhaitham’s a piece of work, but he’s nowhere weak. I’m sure he’s alright and is currently just resting somewhere and getting ready to make his comeback.”
“That, or he’s gone rogue.”
“Cyno! Alhaitham would never —”
“I know, Lumine. We’ve worked together to overthrow the Sages, and I am not falsely accusing him of a crime. But as the General Mahamatra, I cannot dismiss the possibility.”
Lumine grows silent, and Alhaitham feels an impending headache ready to throw him off his feet.
So not only do they have no leads, or even find those annoying Abyss Mages that cursed him to this form, the Matra’s are suspecting him of going rogue? This was beyond absurd. He really needed to return to his human form as soon as possible.
“Lumine,” Kaveh’s voice breaks him from his thoughts. “Don’t worry. Knowing that annoying little piece of shit, he’s probably just hiding somewhere with a book, and just minding his own business and — Lumine?!”
Her body is shaking — Ah. She’s crying.
“Lumine.” Cyno’s voice softens.
“ Lumine.” Alhaitham hastily attempts, all the while trying to give her a semblance of comfort by snuggling in her sling bag. “ Lumine, it’s alright. Hey …”
“Ah, sorry … I’m just …” Her voice breaks and Alhaitham swore he felt his own heart shatter. “Just … the Abyss … they’re … ah, sorry. Cyno, please. Alhaitham could never … He’s not …!”
Lumine is crying and its all because of him. Alhaitham hates this.
He should have never taken that route to Gandharva Ville, he shouldn’t have gotten side tracked in searching for those Nilotpala Lotuses. Why had he even wanted to get them? All so he could present them to her and make her smile?
Well now she’s crying. And it’s all his fault.
Alhaitham forces himself to stay calm, to think rationally despite feeling himself grow unbelievably soft at the sight of her tears.
He needed to find a solution to his current predicament. He needed to find answers from those Abyss Mages. He needed someone smart enough, knowledgeable enough to be able to see through his form and —
Of course. Why hadn’t he thought of that before?
“Sorry, I’m okay. I was just — Ah, Leafy! Wait! Where are you going?!”
Alhaitham makes a dash towards the Sanctuary of Surasthana and prays that he won’t be burnt before he can get an audience with the God of Wisdom herself.
---
Unsurprisingly, the God of Wisdom sees right through him.
“You’re the Scribe, aren’t you?” Nahida inquires the moment she makes an unceremonious intrusion into her chambers. “What happened? As far as I recall, transformation curses have been banned for many centuries.”
“ Lesser Lord Kusanali.” Alhaitham greets. “ I beg your pardon for this transgression. I was ambushed by a group of Abyss Mages a week ago and found myself in this predicament.”
“Abyss Mages, huh?”
Nahida opens her palms and gestures to him to come closer. Alhaitham does as he is told, and the Dendro Archon closes her eyes and begins her analysis.
“I have good news and bad news.” Nahida says as she opens her eyes. “The good news is that this is not irreversible, meaning that your true form is not completely lost. But I’m sure you know that, don’t you?”
Alhaitham nods - he isn’t even sure if Fungi could nod.
“The bad news is, I cannot forcibly undo your curse as the risks are far too high.” Nahida’s eyebrows furrow. “Therefore, only you are able to break this curse. I’m sorry.”
“ Don’t apologize. ” Alhaitham quickly says. “ Thank you for your wisdom and insight.”
“Of course,” Nahida smiles softly. “In my knowledge, I believe the conditions and the time length of the curse vary. However, the general trend is that in order to break the curse; the cursed one has to complete a very strong objective they had before they were cursed.”
“ A very strong objective?”
“That, or they wait until the curse undoes itself. The shortest is a day and the longest can be a hundred years.”
That doesn’t sound reassuring at all.
Nahida must have sensed his annoyance (or unease, or even anxiety, Alhaitham honestly doesn’t know at this point), because she instantly reached out to give his head a pat.
“This is a nice ribbon. Who gave it to you?”
Alhaitham hesitates for a second. “ The traveler did.”
The God’s smile turns playful, and Alhaitham was expecting her to say something amongst the lines of how she had expected that. But instead, she chooses to stay silent as she takes him along to exit her sanctuary.
---
When Nahida presents him to Cyno and Kaveh, the two breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Apparently the two of them had managed to persuade Lumine to ‘take it easy’ and rest in Alhaitham’s office as the two of them search for ‘Leafy.’ Although he didn’t particularly like the fact that those two let other people in his private space as they please, Alhaitham supposes he could let this slide for once - Especially since it concerns her.
So, the Dendro Archon brings him to his office and hands him to Lumine.
“Oh, Leafy! You made me worried there.” Lumine sighs, as she pulls him into an embrace. “I’m sorry. Did I scare you away?”
“ Of course not.”
“The Little One was just restless it seems. But I’m glad the two of you are reunited now.” Nahida smiles. “Lumine, you needn’t worry about the Scribe. I’m sure he is alright.”
“Huh? W-Was I really that obvious?” Pink dusts her cheeks. “Sorry, I just … I really can’t help it.”
Nahida shakes her head and offers the two another reassuring smile. Discreetly, she winks at Alhaitham before turning her heel and making her exit.
The door shuts close and now its just the two of them.
Glancing around his office, Alhaitham feels relieved that everything was still intact and the Matras haven't messed with his office just yet. Then, he takes notice of a few of the belongings he must have dropped when he turned into his Fungus form.
There were his house keys (just one this time, he didn’t accidentally take Kaveh’s key that day), a few of his books (slightly tattered and burnt, courtesy of those annoying Abyss Mages), his headpiece (Still in one piece thankfully) and …
The Nilotpala Lotuses he had plucked for her.
“They said Alhaitham went through the Ravine to get these Nilotpala Lotuses.” Lumine murmurs, gingerly touching the blossoms with her fingers. “... Leafy, would I be an idiot if I suspect that he gathered them for me?”
No, not at all. In fact, she was right.
“Did you know? Despite his haughtiness sometimes, Alhaitham is actually a really kind person.” Lumine smiles sadly. “Whenever I asked him to help me with a difficult text I found in the library, he would always be willing to spare a few minutes to explain it to me. And whenever I come by to visit him, just to talk, he would indulge me and even smile at me with such gentleness that I don’t think he even knew he was capable of.”
Alhaitham looks up to her and felt something break at the sight of a lone tear falling from her eye.
“Last week I … I was talking about how I needed more Nilotpala Lotuses for an alchemical project I was working on and now …” Lumine shakes her head, roughly wiping away her tears. “Oh, Lumine. You’re such an idiot. Alhaitham’s missing and all you’re thinking about is this …? You’re so stupid.”
No you’re not. Alhaitham wants to say. It’s not your fault. Don’t cry. Please.
“I’m sorry,” She apologizes. “I’m just … scared. Scared that I’ll lose another person to the Abyss …”
It's ridiculous just how helpless he feels in this situation.
If he were a human, he would have gently cup her face and wiped away her tears with his thumb. If he were human, he would have pulled her into his embrace and allowed her to cry in the safety of his arms. If he were human, he would have been able to tell her the words that he had wanted to say to her.
But he isn’t. Not at the moment, at least.
Glancing at the Nilotpala Lotuses, Alhaitham recalls the Lesser Lord’s words. A strong objective he had before he transformed.
Perhaps …
“... Leafy? What are you …”
Alhaitham nudges a Nilotpala Lotus towards her, saying take this, which would probably sound like incomprehensible squeaks to Lumine’s ears.
“For me? Hehe, I don’t think Alhaitham would appreciate you messing with his stuff but …”
Lumine accepts his offering, and gently places the lotus on her lap. Then, she cups him in her arms and plants a soft kiss on his head.
“Thank you, Leaf—Ah!”
A flash of light, poof of smoke. By the Archons above, Alhaitham did not think that would work.
Gone was his small and round Fungus form, and now stands Alhaitham, the Mighty Scribe of the Akademiya in all his glory. Perhaps he should consider it a blessing that, when he transformed, the curse didn’t take away his clothes. Because that would have definitely made this already strange, awkward and absolutely flustering moment even worse.
Lumine’s eyes was wide open, and Alhaitham had to resist the urge to just pull her into his embrace right then and there.
“H-H-Haitham?!” She stutters. “W-What are you … when did you … W-Where’s Leafy?”
“Leafy is,” He coughs. “Right here.”
Lumine looks even more confused, and for the umpteenth time this week, Alhaitham was truly at loss as to what to do to somehow make this awful situation somehow work in his favor.
So, he pretends that he totally didn’t just transform from a Floating Dendro Fungus back into his human form, and casually offers the blonde the Nilotpala lotuses.
“These are for you. I collected them on my way to Gandharva Ville, but I was ambushed by a group of Abyss Mages. I got careless and one of them cursed me to become a Fungus.” Alhaitham was honestly impressed at how calm he sounded. “Here, I hope you like them.”
The blonde traveler shakes her head as she massages her temple. She looked like she was debating on whether she wanted to scream at him, or cry because of him.
“... You idiot! I was so …!”
“I’m sorry.” He cuts abruptly. “And thank you, Lumine. Truly.”
Alhaitham offers her a rare, sheepish smile, and that was all it needed for Lumine to lose her composure and jump into his arms.
It felt nice to be embraced this way. For him to be able to wrap his arms around her and bask in the familiar warmth of her body and the fresh scent of her hair.
“... I’m sorry I didn’t realize sooner.” She whispers.
Alhaitham runs his fingers through the locks of her hair. “And I’m sorry I made you cry.”
She laughs, and for the first time in this crazy week, Alhaitham truly felt at peace.
“Lumine, we heard shouting, is everything — Alhaitham?! When the hell did you get here?! Where have you been, you dunce?!”
Of course, Kaveh and Cyno just had to walk into his office and ruin the moment.
Alhaitham is getting real fed up with these minor inconveniences.
Ah well.