Chapter Text
Favonius Librarian – The Path of Least Resistance
“And where, pray tell, are you going at this hour, hm?”
Alhaitham stops in his tracks and turns at the sound of Kaeya’s voice.
“Out,” he says simply.
“Alhaitham . . . you know as well as I do what Jean’s orders in regard to Stormterror are.”
“I do.”
“And yet, here you are, sneaking out in the middle of the night on an assassination mission. Hardly behavior befitting of a librarian . . .” Kaeya steps closer to him, an angry expression on his usually amiable face. This close, however, Alhaitham can see the star in his visible eye.
He knows exactly what star-shaped pupils like that mean. Even so, he’s done his utmost never to treat Kaeya any differently because of it. Alhaitham is well aware that prejudices and stereotypes are a trap often fallen into by those who don’t care to reason things out for themselves. Even if generalizations were true, every individual has the potential to break away from them and chart their own course. Still, Alhaitham would think that as a descendant of that ruined nation, Kaeya would be more wary of creatures carrying this particular brand of corruption.
“I’m hardly sneaking,” Alhaitham says mildly, rather than bringing any of that up. “I just strode right out the Ordo’s front door.”
“On your way to meet your compatriots – even though it’s past their bedtime.”
“I haven’t recruited anyone who isn’t of an age where they can make informed decisions.”
“So you say,” Kaeya says, “yet we both know full well that at least two of those you roped into this are far too young and impressionable for you to be manipulating like this.”
Alhaitham snorts. “I really don’t want to hear that from you.”
“I know where to draw the line,” Kaeya tells him curtly. “Whereas you . . . you roped in a bookworm whose delusions you’ve helped feed and a boy who is so starved for a kind word or companionship that there is literally nothing he won’t help someone with if they just ask him. That’s low. There’s no two ways about it.”
“Those kids from the Adventurer’s Guild know what they signed on for. I was very clear with them what we’re up against. Besides, Fischl already knows that better than anyone and she watches out for Bennett. She’s more than capable of deciding for herself what the best course of action for her and her friend is.”
“Who’s your fourth?” Kaeya asks, crossing his arms across over his chest. “I presume you have one, and that they’re just far more subtle than Fischl and Bennett. Perhaps I should commend you for managing to keep them under wraps, but –”
“It’s me,” says a new voice – the fourth member of Alhaitham’s party, who has just melted out of the darkness from behind Kaeya. “I’m the fourth member of his team.”
Kaeya spins around to face him, but not before Alhaitham gets a glimpse of the naked shock and betrayal on his face. “You? Albedo . . . Why?”
“Because Stormterror must be stopped. He’s already escalating, each passing week. His storms are growing in strength as well. It’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or even killed.”
“But you know who he really is!”
“And you know what I really am,” Albedo returns.
“That doesn’t – you’re not – this isn’t even remotely the same thing!”
“No, it’s not,” Alhaitham agrees. “Albedo is fully in control of his own actions and is showing no signs of that ancient taint. Meanwhile, Dvalin is running rampant and is clearly infected by Durin’s curse. We need to stop him, and soon. He’s not going to become another Ursa Drake, haunting Mondstadt until the Fatui send someone to put him down. Not while I’m around, at least.”
Perhaps that’s a bit below the belt. Most people have forgotten who Kaeya once called father. Alhaitham wasn’t around in those days, but it’s not like it was particularly hard to dig up. Either way, Kaeya flinches. Then his gaze turns steely.
“You are aware, are you not, that you very well might not be around for much longer if you go through with this? Even if you make it back alive. Jean gave us a direct order. You, as the ringleader, will likely be fired. So, you can kiss your comfy job as the Ordo’s librarian goodbye.”
“I know,” Alhaitham says, “and yet . . . I don’t see you actually stopping me. If you really wanted to, you wouldn’t be here alone.”
Kaeya glowers.
It’s strange how often Alhaitham and Kaeya seem to find themselves at odds – especially considering how alike they are. Both highly intelligent and strategic minded. Both extremely manipulative. Both willing to use underhanded tactics – usually for the good of Mondstadt, though Kaeya is known to do so for his own amusement as well, and Alhaitham just to make his own life easier, from time to time. They even work well together when the situation calls for it, despite their elements not reacting with one another. They’ve familiarized themselves with the other’s style and take it in turns for which of them is using elemental attacks and which one relies on physical sword strikes, and know exactly when it’s time to switch without having to use verbal cues as they battle. Yet, much to everyone’s surprise, they just don’t get along.
Alhaitham guesses he’s just not very good at being a friend.
“I’m sorry, Kaeya,” Albedo speaks up, “but this is what has to be done.”
“No. This is what he thinks has to be done. We could find another way.”
“Well, you’ve got sitting around waiting for a miracle covered,” Alhaitham says, and starts walking forward. He steps just far enough to the side as he passes to avoid shoulder checking his colleague. Kaeya could easily move as well, to block him, but he doesn’t.
No more needs to be said.
It’s a shame, Alhaitham thinks, as he and Albedo head toward the city gate to meet up with Bennett and Fischl. He enjoys living here . . . working here . . . His job as a librarian suits him far better than anything except perhaps being the Akademiya’s Scribe would have. Of course that position was snatched up by the prodigy Lisa Minci, forcing Alhaitham to search abroad for a job of the sort he wanted. He’ll be sad to lose it . . . but this must be done. Alhaitham loves having easy days, but he’s also rather fond of being able to sleep at night. He won’t be able to if they let this dragon run amok and hurt someone. Not when he knows full well that he could stop it.
So, he’ll do what he must, and deal with the consequences. There are other jobs out there he could be happy doing too.
My Alhaitham writing spree continues! ^^ I'm getting some practice in with these shorter pieces as I plan a much longer, more complex (and extremely painful) project starring our beloved Feeble Scholar.
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