[ At long last, Amber finally experienced the opportunity to visit Sumeru to witness the land that Collei has thrived in over the last several years. She has been long overdue for some time off, anyway - as a workaholic member of the Knights of Favonius, she is very committed to her Outrider post ... to a fault. After receiving an invitation to Sumeru from Collei, she initially intended to decline, unable to justify any time off. But after Kaeya, Lisa and Jean all insisted (practically demanded) that she go on this once-in-a-lifetime trip, Amber eventually relented. And it's a good thing she did - the overworked woman didn't realise how badly she needed some time off until she set foot in the lands herself.
It's everything that she imagined it would be - and more. Just like Collei described in her letters, Sumeru is beautiful. Amber had spent the vast majority of her first week exploring and relaxing, while getting to meet the friends and acquaintances of Collei. It has been a fun, well-needed break, but part of her missed the thrill of adventure.
At a party hosted by Tighnari, Collei's mentor, Amber was introduced to a man who briefly mentioned an excursion to the desert. This immediately piqued her attention - and soon enough, the conversation dissolved into Tighnari and Collei suggesting that Amber should accompany Alhaitham on his next desert quest, with both vouching for her skills. With her learning from him that some puzzles require Pyro abilities and ranged attacks, she couldn't resist the opportunity to be useful and experience a little bit of adventure.
Seamlessly, both Alhaitham and Amber make their way through the puzzles in the desert - complimenting each other in stamina and strength. Amber has never seen anyone fight like him, especially in Mondstadt, and getting to experience something so fun and challenging firsthand has been incredible. He's rather quiet - but she doesn't mind. Her zest, cheer and enthusiasm compliments this. When night falls, it's time to set up camp. She already knew that she would be sharing a tent with him, which seemed like a fine idea as a concept ... but now that she has gotten to fight by his side and witnessed his incredible skills (and body) up close, the Pyro woman can feel herself burning up at the prospect of sleeping by his side, and not because of her element.
Stripped down to just a lacy night shirt and her underwear, Amber shuffles under the blanket while laying on her side in order to gaze at him within the confines of their tent, illuminated by a warm lantern. There's a rosy blush present on her cheeks and she can feel a warm tingly sensation in her lower tummy, but she elects to ignore it ... for now. ]
You fought really well today. [ She remarks, smiling softly at him, her warm golden eyes capturing the flicker of the lantern close by. ]
[ By the time Amber rests on her bed roll, Alhaitham's already settled with a book in hand, eyes running meticulously over each word. His routine doesn't take very long at all-- besides a cursory clean-up to prevent dirt build-up in his tent, Alhaitham had done little more than wipe the stray mess on his own skin with a damp cloth. Though he does afford Amber a glance when she first lies down (and his gaze is sharp as he traces the line of her beneath her blankets, never mind the split-second nature of it all), he's used enough to doing this alone that he doesn't feel any need to do more than what's normal to him.
That said, she does deserve some of his respect, considering how helpful she'd been the past few hours. So while the comment she gives would, under any other circumstance, come across as a waste of his time, Alhaitham decides that it wouldn't hurt to give her some of his attention. Their close quarters only makes it that much more imperative they get along, anyway, lest any hassle arises.
His book doesn't close, but he does afford a low, ] It's only a result of practise.
I can't say I was any more exceptional than I would've been on any other day.
[ Today had been easier rather than harder, after all. In the past solving some of the puzzles and traps left behind by Deshret and his followers would require the use of gadgets or the nearby elemental creatures. That he didn't need to somehow coerce a Pyro fungus into following him down a tomb today is definitely a win. ]
You did improve my efficiency by a significant margin, though. [ Alhaitham lowers the book carefully, his finger between the pages as he sets it face down on his chest.
He exhales, then turns to meet Amber's gaze once more. ] I ought to thank you for that.
[ Without even realising it, Amber's gaze lingers a little while drinking in the sight of how handsome and peaceful he looks while reading. Seeing his muscular physique and intense fighting style as a contrast to his fondness for literature really charms her, somehow. ]
By a "significant margin", huh?
[ Amber glances over at him, wearing a playful grin. ]
Then maybe we ought to do this sort of thing more often! Something more challenging, perhaps ... [ She crosses her arms. ] Today was pretty intense, but I'm really not all that tired. This girl's got stamina!
[ Maybe it's the adrenaline - or something else entirely that's stopping her from wanting to sleep ... ]
[ Amber's energy would be admirable if it weren't so detrimental to his need for quiet at night. Alhaitham hums, low and thoughtful. ] I noticed.
You're the type that needs to be exhausted to sleep, then. [ It's not a question, but Alhaitham doesn't feel the need to ask things to which he already knows the answer.
How troublesome. If they're to make good time by tomorrow, they'll have to be up by sunrise and packed not too long after.
Procuring a bookmark from the open pack at his side, he slips it between the pages of his book and sets it down by the head of his bedroll. Then he sits up, torso twisted just so to keep his gaze on Amber where she lays all cosy in her place. ]
What's "challenging" to you? [ The term is subjective enough that it feels prudent to ask. ]
[ Oh, he's put his book away? Amber props her head up with one arm as she lays on her side, with the blanket emphasising the deep curve of her waist. It's difficult for her to fight the urge to admire his muscles. Gods - he's breathtaking. ]
Something more strenuous, I suppose ... the kind of mission where I really need to physically exert myself. I spend all my time on my feet while protecting Mondstadt, so I'm very used to being active. I don't think anyone has managed to wear me out before.
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➴ ( @ valivija. )
It's everything that she imagined it would be - and more. Just like Collei described in her letters, Sumeru is beautiful. Amber had spent the vast majority of her first week exploring and relaxing, while getting to meet the friends and acquaintances of Collei. It has been a fun, well-needed break, but part of her missed the thrill of adventure.
At a party hosted by Tighnari, Collei's mentor, Amber was introduced to a man who briefly mentioned an excursion to the desert. This immediately piqued her attention - and soon enough, the conversation dissolved into Tighnari and Collei suggesting that Amber should accompany Alhaitham on his next desert quest, with both vouching for her skills. With her learning from him that some puzzles require Pyro abilities and ranged attacks, she couldn't resist the opportunity to be useful and experience a little bit of adventure.
Seamlessly, both Alhaitham and Amber make their way through the puzzles in the desert - complimenting each other in stamina and strength. Amber has never seen anyone fight like him, especially in Mondstadt, and getting to experience something so fun and challenging firsthand has been incredible. He's rather quiet - but she doesn't mind. Her zest, cheer and enthusiasm compliments this. When night falls, it's time to set up camp. She already knew that she would be sharing a tent with him, which seemed like a fine idea as a concept ... but now that she has gotten to fight by his side and witnessed his incredible skills (and body) up close, the Pyro woman can feel herself burning up at the prospect of sleeping by his side, and not because of her element.
Stripped down to just a lacy night shirt and her underwear, Amber shuffles under the blanket while laying on her side in order to gaze at him within the confines of their tent, illuminated by a warm lantern. There's a rosy blush present on her cheeks and she can feel a warm tingly sensation in her lower tummy, but she elects to ignore it ... for now. ]
You fought really well today. [ She remarks, smiling softly at him, her warm golden eyes capturing the flicker of the lantern close by. ]
no subject
That said, she does deserve some of his respect, considering how helpful she'd been the past few hours. So while the comment she gives would, under any other circumstance, come across as a waste of his time, Alhaitham decides that it wouldn't hurt to give her some of his attention. Their close quarters only makes it that much more imperative they get along, anyway, lest any hassle arises.
His book doesn't close, but he does afford a low, ] It's only a result of practise.
I can't say I was any more exceptional than I would've been on any other day.
[ Today had been easier rather than harder, after all. In the past solving some of the puzzles and traps left behind by Deshret and his followers would require the use of gadgets or the nearby elemental creatures. That he didn't need to somehow coerce a Pyro fungus into following him down a tomb today is definitely a win. ]
You did improve my efficiency by a significant margin, though. [ Alhaitham lowers the book carefully, his finger between the pages as he sets it face down on his chest.
He exhales, then turns to meet Amber's gaze once more. ] I ought to thank you for that.
no subject
By a "significant margin", huh?
[ Amber glances over at him, wearing a playful grin. ]
Then maybe we ought to do this sort of thing more often! Something more challenging, perhaps ... [ She crosses her arms. ] Today was pretty intense, but I'm really not all that tired. This girl's got stamina!
[ Maybe it's the adrenaline - or something else entirely that's stopping her from wanting to sleep ... ]
no subject
You're the type that needs to be exhausted to sleep, then. [ It's not a question, but Alhaitham doesn't feel the need to ask things to which he already knows the answer.
How troublesome. If they're to make good time by tomorrow, they'll have to be up by sunrise and packed not too long after.
Procuring a bookmark from the open pack at his side, he slips it between the pages of his book and sets it down by the head of his bedroll. Then he sits up, torso twisted just so to keep his gaze on Amber where she lays all cosy in her place. ]
What's "challenging" to you? [ The term is subjective enough that it feels prudent to ask. ]
no subject
Yep, guess so!
[ Oh, he's put his book away? Amber props her head up with one arm as she lays on her side, with the blanket emphasising the deep curve of her waist. It's difficult for her to fight the urge to admire his muscles. Gods - he's breathtaking. ]
Something more strenuous, I suppose ... the kind of mission where I really need to physically exert myself. I spend all my time on my feet while protecting Mondstadt, so I'm very used to being active. I don't think anyone has managed to wear me out before.