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"I've been trying to find Cyno and I'm all out of ideas." Aether says with a serious look.
Alhaitham sets his coffee down and stares at the man. "Is this why you interrupted my peaceful lunch?"
After his resignation as the Acting Grand Sage was finally approved, he had returned to his peaceful routine.
Today, he was enjoying his day off with some lunch at Puspa Café, or rather that was until a certain Traveler plopped down across from him.
Aether ignores him, choosing to sigh dramatically. "I really didn't want to do this, but do you have any ideas on what to do to get Cyno's attention?"
Alhaitham decides it's better to give an answer, they would leave him alone sooner.
"Have you considered committing a crime?"
Aether looks shocked at his words, staring blankly at him before he grins a near maniacal way.
It's very disconcerting.
"You're brilliant!" Aether declares as he jumps to his feet and grabs Alhaitham's hand.
Amidst the rambling praise, Alhaitham merely stares down at the hand, wondering how rude it would be to shake off his grip.
"So you'll help right?"
"... What?"
Truthfully he's not sure if he should have agreed to this.
Aether had offered to let him peruse his book collection, as well as share the various notes he's collected throughout his journey, if he agreed to help.
Alhaitham had figured there must be something that would pique his interest in those bottomless pockets, and had agreed.
But in retrospect, it was unlikely any of the material would pertain to his interests.
Still, he couldn't exactly back out of the deal now. Especially since...
He looks away from his book, seeing the sights of Sumeru City below him.
He places his hand on the ropes binding him to the spire of the Akademiya and sighs.
What was Aether's reasoning for this again? Something about needing to send a signal? Or that there would be a better reception if Alhaitham was strapped to the tallest point in Sumeru City?
The man had stifled a chuckle while explaining his reasoning, so maybe it was some elaborate joke that Alhaitham wasn't aware of.
Well, he's sure someone has noticed him by now.
He looks down at the book in his hands, grateful that he managed to convince Aether to free his hands so he could read while he was *ahem* held hostage.
That's right, he was supposed to be held hostage right now.
Because apparently that was the crime those two had managed to come up with as the most deserving of Cyno's immediate attention.
Apparently disturbing the peace was not acceptable, but kidnapping and holding someone hostage was perfectly fine.
And they called him the weirdo.
Granted, they weren't actually holding him hostage. They had bribed him with books and knowledge, so it was a perfectly fair trade.
If charged, there would be no crime, and they would, at worst, receive a lecture from the Matra for doing such a foolish thing.
Though he supposed most people wouldn't agree to climbing atop the Akademiya, much less agree to be strapped to a pole to play hostage in an elaborate ruse to get the General Mahamatra's attention.
... Hm.
How was he going to explain this to Cyno?
A flutter of yellow and white draws his attention, Aether and Paimon are being led away by a group of guards and Matra.
Unfortunately there is no Cyno in sight.
He watches as the group moves further and further away, and notes there is no one looking up at him or gesturing to his current predicament.
.... They weren't planning on leaving him here, were they?
He places his hand against the bindings, finding them just a bit too tight to slip his fingers through.
Attempting to pull on the ropes only serves to tighten the binding further.
We gotta make sure you don't fall off! He recalls Aether declaring as the man tied him up.
He had neglected to bring his blade with him today as well, so he couldn't cut through the bindings either.
He also didn't want to risk dropping his book in an attempt to rip through the bindings either.
.... He was stuck wasn't he?
He sighs, lifting up his book to continue reading.
If he was lucky, perhaps someone would come collect him before nightfall.
If not... he might end up as a permanent fixture of the Akademiya.
"Really, I can't believe you agreed to such a thing." Cyno reprimands him once they get back on solid ground.
He shakes his head and loops the rope around his arm. "What would you have done if no one noticed you?"
Alhaitham does a few quick stretches once he's free, feeling the stiffness in his muscles from being bound for several hours.
"I didn't realize I would be stuck there for so long." He turns to Cyno and gestures at his bag, "Water?"
Cyno's hand slips into his bag and hands him a waterskin, continuing to lecture Alhaitham as he drinks.
"You're lucky today is quite cloudy, otherwise you might have overheated." He sighs, "A few more hours and even that wouldn't have saved you from dehydration."
"So you knew I was up there." Alhaitham deduces, "Why didn't you do something sooner?"
Cyno bites his lip, "You should bear the consequences of your actions once in a while."
"Hm."
Cyno crosses his arms and glares at him, "And, I don't reward bad behavior. I wasn't going to save you just because you deliberately put yourself in such a dangerous situation to incite me."
Alhaitham decides it's best not to bring up the fact that Cyno did, just moments ago, save him.
"So you would have coming running if I was actually in danger?"
Cyno averts his gaze, mumbling under his breath. "Of course."
"I'm very lucky to have such a protective boyfriend."
A deep flush spreads across Cyno's face before he turns away.
"Shut up." Cyno mumbles as he quickly strides away, "Get some rest. You better be at work tomorrow because this stunt is not an adequate excuse."
As much as he'd like to follow, it's probably best to let Cyno cool down a bit and apologize the next morning.
He looks up at the sky, noticing the sun dipping down towards the horizon.
He might have had to suffer for a few hours, but it wasn't all bad. Cyno did come to rescue him in the end, and he didn't seem that angry at his actions either.
He chuckles quietly to himself as he makes his way back home.
It was nice to know that Cyno cared so much as to keep an eye on him the entire time.