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EMPYREAN REFLECTION

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EMPYREAN STAIRWAY

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username: paradisaea

"This is Kaveh. I can't answer right now, but please leave a message!"

NAV ALHAITHAM CODE IMAGE

Comments

text; forward dated to like idk 5/12

[deepstar]

Kaveh. My good, good friend.

You have some of the best hair I've ever seen.

[ He... Is up to something. ]

oh my god

[empyrean_mirror]

Thank you, oh my god, it took me forever to make a shampoo that helps with all the salt in the air.

[Pictured: A man who suspects nothing.]

wait for it

[deepstar]

Honestly, you should share your secrets. I'm sure there are plenty of people that would love such sleek, shiny, and lively locks.

I'm in fear

[empyrean_mirror]

Oh, it's not a secret at all, it's just that not many people asked me for the recipe. Do you need it?

cackles

[deepstar]

I absolutely will take that recipe.

Though there's something else that I need since you're filled with such abundant wisdom.

FEAR INCREASING

[empyrean_mirror]

It's mostly coconut oil and flower essences, I'll write it down for you when you come in.

What do you need?

now you can scream - 1/2

[deepstar]

Appreciate that. I'll be in... At some point.

See, right now I kind of need advice.





Dating. Advice.

[deepstar]

After all, you are married so you have to have at least some decent ideas.

I'd ask your husband but he has the emotional range of a cactus.

1/2

[empyrean_mirror]

[ Now, Khalid can't hear this, because Kaveh squealed at a pitch only audible to dogs and some gods, but.

chaotic gay excitement noises.]

[empyrean_mirror]

I think you're being a little harsh on both Haitham and the cactus, somehow.

But I'll help however I can. What do you need to know?

[deepstar]

I don't know. Prickly and able to survive harsh climates. Only nourishing to those that can figure out how to work around the spines.

Or just. Swallow bites spines and all.

Anyway. Mostly it's date ideas. Don't get me wrong, I'm aware of the typical dinner and a nice little stroll kind of date and that's not really what I want to go for.

I have to outdo the first one, you know.

[empyrean_mirror]

If you want to outdo the first one, then you're going to have to tell me how the first one went, Khalid.

[He's electing to ignore the comments about Alhaitham because he's got deets to get.]

[deepstar]

I was afraid you might say that.

[ Kaveh can't see it, but there's a sigh ]

Well I didn't know we were going out on one initially. I just got a message that said to keep my evening free. It's only when they showed up at my temporary doorstep that they told me what was going on.

We went out that evening to a few shops. They bought me some spiced candies and tulips. I had no idea that they actually knew something about flowers and their underlying meanings. Of course I got them some flowers back to convey my own sentiments.

Then they took me back to their place where they had a home cooked meal prepared for an evening/nighttime picnic. For stargazing.

[empyrean_mirror]

...My goodness, your mystery paramour certainly did their homework, didn't they?

[Kaveh is DELIGHTED because he doesn't know it's Leona and thus cannot have complicated feelings about his friends being in a love triangle. You've hecked up, Claude.]

If they've gone this far to tailor a date to your preferences, then the obvious next step is to find enough information about theirs to do the favor. Of course, this is about spending an enjoyable time together, but it is also a little bit about winning for you, isn't it?

[deepstar]

They definitely paid more attention than what I realized. Knowing them though, I really shouldn't have been surprised.

[ Look, he actually had a good time. Khalid isn't sure, himself, quite what he feels regarding Leona at this point... But he genuinely enjoys the company and knows that there is a degree of trust there. But he'll need a little more time. ]

Getting that kind of information is easier said than done. I know I'm not the most open individual, but they aren't either.

Thankfully, I do enjoy being around them but yeah. I also kind of want to win a little.

[empyrean_mirror]

I get it. Nothing wrong with wanting to win, even if the loss is pleasant to swallow.

[There's a competitive streak in Kaveh he can't really indulge with anyone else, after all.]

Let's start with what we do know. It's probably safe to assume they didn't take you anywhere they wouldn't enjoy themselves, so that's a useful starting point. So food, flowers, and beautiful scenery...

[Thinking...] How do you think they'd react to being shown or fed something they've never experienced before?

[deepstar]

I definitely can't cook and this person and I both think that the majority of food around here is a little bland compared to what we're used to.

So my best option, I think, might be showing them something they'd find interesting?

[empyrean_mirror]

You can't cook? Really? Bland we could fix, but--hmm. That makes it much harder.

[WHAT KIND OF GROWN-ASS ADULT CAN'T COOK, KHALID?]

Can't do the stars again, at least not the same way... [A pause.] How does Azita like them?

[deepstar]

Never needed to learn. There were always staff or servants that managed that sort of thing. Not that anyone would trust me anyway.

They like Azita. Probably more than they like me! She also doesn’t mind being around them.

[empyrean_mirror]

Well that's a problem we should probably solve sometime.

Can Azita carry the weight of two people?

[deepstar]

Technically speaking, if this does become a thing between them and myself, would I need to know how?

[ Two types of people ]

Azita can, but she's still in the stage where she doesn't want to leave her eggs for too long.

[empyrean_mirror]

You're the type that always wants to be spoiled instead of doing the spoiling, huh.

[Why are you like this.]

That's no good then. Put a pin in the idea for later, if there are more dates, though. [There's a longer pause while Kaveh thinks.]

Do they enjoy music? Are you musical at all?

[deepstar]

Sure, if that's what you want to think.

[ Kaveh, this man has not been spoiled. Ever. But Khalid isn't going to correct him. Just focus on the here and now. ]

Actually, I can sing.