Work Text:
In the courtyard outside the bathhouse, Anaxa sits, drinking tea and writing in a notebook. Phainon sits nearby, chatting with Aglaea and Castorice, Anaxa finishes writing and closes the notebook, setting his tea down and picking up the notebook. Castorice, Aglaea and Phainon spot Trailblazer and Dan Heng (Permansor Terrae) walking towards them, Trailblazer says something and Dan Heng nods. Trailblazer walks away, Phainon waves at Dan Heng and Castorice greets him, Anaxa hasn't noticed yet. When Anaxa gets up and finally sees Dan Heng, he completely freezes, Dan Heng says "Good afternoon, professor." Anaxa just stares at him, looking shocked, surprised and confused, he clears his throat and says "Y-yes, good afternoon." Phainon is trying (and failing) to hold in a giggle, Aglaea is just simply watching, but it's somewhat obvious she's amused. Anaxa stands on his tiptoes to be eye level with Dan Heng, Dan Heng tilts his head, confused. Anaxa mutters "How in hell did you get so tall...?" Dan Heng asks "Professor... Is there something you needed?" Anaxa says "Uh- No. I was just-" Anaxa is currently struggling to stay eye level with Dan Heng, Phainon doubles over, shoulders shaking violently, clamping his hands over his mouth to avoid bursting out laughing, even Castorice giggles, Aglaea just smiles. Anaxa then spots Dan Heng's new horns and tail, his pupils dilate, he thinks "... Dromas?" He stares, Dan Heng shifts uncomfortably, unsure of what's happening, he asks "... Professor Anaxagoras?" Anaxa snaps out of it, he clears his throat awkwardly, his legs finally giving out, he stands at his normal height now, having to crane his neck up a few inches to look at Dan Heng. He asks "Ah, yes, I wish to know... About you horns and tail... Are you related to Dromas in any way?" Dan Heng says "No, they come from my Vidyadhara lineage. Why do you ask?" Anaxa says "It was nothing." Uh-huh, sure, Anaxa, sure. Later Anaxa was found observing the horns and tail... very closely and then was trapped because Dan Heng's tail on instinct curled around him. But Anaxa is fine, he's right where he wants to be.