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“Sorry, this happened again”. Alhaitham states with a deep sigh, as he slides the bag of mora towards Lambad. “But I cannot guarantee you, this won’t happen again”. He slightly smiles as he maneuvers the drunk architect towards him.
Lambad shakes his head, “I don’t know who to pity, it can be Kaveh who drinks away his stress from his failed proposals and customers who cannot make up their minds…or it could be you, who keeps coming here to fetch this man. I mean, I’m not complaining since you are keeping my business alive.” The shop owner chuckles.
“He is clearly knee-deep in debt to you, how is he going to pay you?” Lambad curiously asks.
“As long as he is coming home with me, it’s fine.” He replies, whisking Kaveh away from the table.
There’s something in the words of the Acting Grand Sage that feels odd, but no matter, it’s not his business anyway.
The shop owner shrugs his shoulder.
—
Alhaitham tries as much as possible to drop his roommate on his bed carefully, as the said drunkard almost topples the vase filled with vibrant pink begonias gifted by the Lesser Lord Kusanali to the architect yesterday.
Kaveh continues to mumble jumbled words about not finishing his drink yet, with his face flat in his pillow, his hands pitter-pattering all over the scribe’s body to search for his hands to help him get out of his fussy clothing.
Alhaitham snickers.
Kaveh could barely open his eyes when he rolled over to his back to cup Alhaithams’s face
“My dear junior, you-you’ve always gone along your way to help me.” He squishes the scribe’s cheeks.
“Don’t worry, when I get out of my debts, I can move out so you won’t be bothered like this anymore…okay?” Kaveh declares proudly.
Alhaitham shakes his head, taking the architect’s hand and placing a chaste kiss on it. “You don’t need to get out of here..”
“Since my senior knows how to pay me well.” He teases, his other hand slowly unbuttoning the shirt of the man beneath him, caressing the skin under the pads of his fingers.
Kaveh whimpers. “I m-mean with moras you fool!... B-but, perhaps I can make an exception tonight.” He shyly whispers, eyes averting away from the dark penetrating gaze of the man above him.
“Oh archons, come here,” says Kaveh, throwing the remaining ounce of his dignity, as he wraps his arms and pulls Alhaitham towards him.
They both share laughter, exchanging kisses in their small, comfortable room.
This is the exact place where Alhaitham wants to remain.
—
“Good evening, Lord Sangemah Bay.”
The pink-haired merchant clasps her hands in delight upon seeing the acting grand sage in front of her. “Oh if it isn’t this my favorite Akademiya scribe–or should I say, the current grand sage!”
“Are you here to deposit on Kaveh’s debt?” She adds.
He clears his throat. “Of course, here’s the 10% of it.”
Dori takes the bags of mora with a wicked grin, allowing herself a tantalizing glimpse of the glistening, polished coins inside.
"And?" she demands, her hand resting on her hip.
A knowing smirk tugs at the corner of the scribe's mouth. "You've always seen through me, haven't you?"
“You know me, Alhaitham.”
He drops another bag of moras on the table. “And this for the actors, they were excellent. Utterly convincing, as always.”
A deep laugh comes from Dori, “I think I’m getting you Alhaitham, You certainly know how to navigate this world to your advantage.”
“Perhaps I could offer you new sets of pretend businessmen looking for feeble architects like your roommate, only to become ensnared in a never-ending cycle of revisions and collaterals, all paid in moras.”
“As long as you keep his passion for his craft alive.” The scribe adds, his eyes glinting with a sparkle.
Dori claps her hands together, her laughter taking on an even darker tone. "Excellent! I'll start seeking contacts immediately. Thank you for your patronage, acting grand sage." She bows, her movements exuding a sinister charm.
Alhaitham acknowledges and bids farewell.
As the acting grand sage's retreating figure dwindles in the distance, Dori's gaze remains fixed on him, a hint of wicked anticipation in her eyes.
She whispers under her breath, her smile filled with treacherous intent.
"As long as you keep him yours."