A/n: I Sort Of Strayed A Little With This One I Feel Like, But Thank You Sm For The Request, And I Hope

A/n: I sort of strayed a little with this one I feel like, but thank you sm for the request, and I hope you enjoy this!

Contents: Mortefi x GN!Reader, jealous reader, reader is very stubborn I must say, not proof-read. lemme know what you think!

Words: 3059

It’s suffocating. Uncomfortably warm and slimy. This feeling that roils within your chest and throat, you’re sure you’re about to start feeling sick from the thoughts spiraling within your mind. And the lab papers in front of you and the endless sound of the machine’s beeping is not enough to distract you.

Beep-beep-beep.

Have you done something wrong? What could it be? Only minutes prior were you looking at these papers with some sense of pride, imagination running wild with the possible outcomes of this hypothesis, positive ones. Yet, they were so easily shattered when Mortefi breezed by, catching a glimpse of the words printed on top, leaving several comments of where you could improve - how you should improve if you want to go through with this. Had you had a clear mind you would’ve done as he said, taken his words as helpful advice and not as an attack on your work. But his tone remained the same as always, it didn’t soften nor did it grow warm. So it made you wonder what he meant, or rather - what he really felt towards you. The latter was a question that occupied your mind for a long time.

He moved past you to the center of the lab, nearing one of the many lit computers, just where Baizhi stood. From afar you could see them greet one another and begin to talk. And that feeling in your chest only expanded further, pawing at your ribs and making you frown at the helplessness. Mortefi looked interested in whatever their topic of conversation was, and it lasted some odd few minutes. Odd minutes you couldn’t keep your focus until both of them left to their own stations, and far out of your sight. 

A heavy breath fell from you, irritated but also… sad. 

With your mind in a strewn about yarn, threads hanging, you began to think if this work was even worthy for you. God knew you wanted it, you signed up for it, you spent nights studying and working to be better and get better than that but all that effort seemed to fall short and small within Baizhi’s shadow. And you don’t even blame her, she is excellent in her work, you don’t hate her. But you’d give a questionable amount of things to have a fraction of that sweet attention Mortefi was giving her. Perhaps you were being unreasonable, irrational - and you don’t argue with it - you’re seeing green and red everywhere, and with hasty hands you collect your papers after making small adjustments, crossing out lines of text and noting down new words. And moments later you’re off to another part of the Academy, away from Mortefi and Baizhi.

What little glimpse Mortefi caught of you as you left shows disappointment and, and in the way you held yourself he saw traces of turmoil that he didn’t fully understand from that one look. He remained at his station, engrossed in his research and unaware of the burden you carried in your heart. 

It wasn’t until the time for your report came and went. And when your break time came and went. And you were nowhere in sight.

That made an odd feeling settle in his chest, a vibration of an unknown bass playing amidst the bones of his ribcage, waves of it washing up to his neck. Unable to ignore it any longer, he bid farewell to his station for the time being, one hand buried in the pocket of his lab coat, playing with the lighter. Flick..flick..

There was not one spot in this wide and vast Academy that you could hide from him, not when he wasn’t particularly looking for you and even more so when he was specifically looking for you. He could spot you in a crowd by one lone look, to him you stood out like a flower amidst grass, how could he overlook you? Following the path familiar to him, he comes into a lab room smaller in contrast than the others, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the center room and the halls. It is clean, it is comfortable. His eyes land on your back, your nose buried in your papers, your hands hastily fiddling with the apparatus in front of you. You barely acknowledged his presence.

As if to avoid startling you, Mortefi clears his throat, but he fails and watches as you flinch at the sudden disturbance. 

“Mortefi? Uh- What are you doing here? Did you need me?” the questions tumble out from your mouth out of habit rather than genuine curiosity. You turned to face him, brows lightly knit together and eyes regarding him with a mix of feelings and inquiries. 

“I grew curious as to where you vanished off to. Has your research been so indulgent that you forgot to eat or report in? It’s been 3 hours and some odd minutes since you began on this project this morning” he began, the nail on his thumb grazing underneath the lid of his lighter within his pocket, keeping still, yet tense in his hand. His sharp gaze moves from your eyes and down to the table you were working at, noting the sharpie marks across your paper and thinner lines from your pen, and giving a small nod at them he said: “You made those adjustments I told you about, I trust”

This pulls your attention from him and at the papers, and taking his words as some sign to move freely you begin to stack pages back on top of another. “Yes. I made the necessary changes to it all. I just need to put it all into practice and, hopefully, get the results I want” you respond, clearing your parched throat. His gaze is intense, you can feel it at the back of your head like two sharp points of a stick. 

“You’ve been pushing yourself today, unnecessarily so. I sense some growing frustration from you” he says, leaving the topic open ended, expecting you to explain yourself, but where do you even begin without looking like a fool? Like a child? 

You sigh, looking around the table yet searching for nothing as you shrug your shoulders. “No, no.. I just haven't been sleeping too well lately, and it seems that all is catching up to me” you offer a empty excuse, before reaching for a blank sheet of paper, a part of you yearning to keep him here, and the other wishing him to leave you with your own emotional burdens. “If a report is what you need, I can only offer what I have from the experiment thus far, but it is not concluded, I apologize”

“Ah, yes.. sleep. One thing that is most underestimated in its importance” he mused out loud, tone flat and ignoring your latter statement for a moment too long. He was pressing deeper into the crux of the matter, not letting you shift the topic too easily. “The report for an unfinished work will not be necessary, it’s much more preferable if you take a bit longer to get end results than to hand over a half-baked product”, he sighed, pushing his golden rimmed glasses further up the bridge of his nose. “Your dedication is admirable, but we can hardly expect progress if you're operating on insufficient rest and mental fatigue”.

You have to stop yourself from either chuckling or spinning around to stare at him as if he was speaking backwards. But no matter what you tried, you couldn’t stop your heart from hammering in your chest.

“Perhaps you should have Baizhi take a look at you. She can prescribe you some soothing medication to help you sleep. But as for work.. You’re done for today” he stated plainly, looking to the side and barely missing your shocked eyes.

“What? Are you dismissing me?” you blurted out, suddenly afraid you have done something wrong or that you offended him in some capacity. He’d never send you home, especially not when you were in the midst of a project. 

“It's not a matter of dismissiveness, but rather a practical decision. If your exhaustion is hindering your ability to perform optimally, what benefit is there in insisting on your presence here?” he replied, his tone cool and detached. You blink at him owlishly, confused and, quite frankly, afraid. Previous anger, sadness and jealousy all melting away from your bones like wax over a flame. The flame being Mortefi himself. An eternal blaze that swallowed everything in its wake. You were wondering how it didn’t engulf you by now.

But in that thought alone you missed the point of it all. His flames didn’t touch you, didn’t scorn you because he willed them that way. The warmth of them kept you warm, kept you alive, kept you in this field and as his coworker, a place most others wouldn’t be able to handle. He would soften it all if he knew how, to show you he cares.

Sensing a shift in your emotions, Mortefi softened his gaze, a subtle nod of understanding replacing the usual aloofness he carried. He saw the confusion and fear in your eyes, and it pained him that he had inadvertently caused it. He knew that his words could often come across as cold and dismissive, but it was never his intention to harm or offend.

“Rest is not a punishment, but a necessary part of the work process. To push oneself to the point of exhaustion is unproductive. It only inhibits progress. Trust me when I tell you this."

Softness is undeniably present in his voice now, and your mind goes blank. Your mind was still stuck on this morning, on your project, but here he was breaking all illusions and thoughts by simply being kind. 

“I can’t say I don’t appreciate your concern, but..” you look up at his eyes only to find a scowl curling the corners of his lips, and you sigh again, looking away in embarrassment. “I can’t argue with you either, can I?”

“No, you cannot. Now, go pack up what you have. I’ll go contact Baizhi and see if she can get a check up on you before you leave”

“No, no, that won’t be necessary..” you wave your hands before you, shaking your head simultaneously to deny the offer with your entire being. “I already have some tea at home that can help me with this, no need for a check up. I insist” you try, but only get a cocked brow from Mortefi, you can already tell what he’s thinking. 

“Tea alone cannot be sufficient in treating issues related to poor sleep. Besides, it goes without saying Baizhi is well versed in medicine, and her prior check-ups of your health have been of great help to you, have they not? If tea was that simple of medicine, why have you not seen improvement?” he shot back sharply and you grew quiet, not wishing to prolong this argument further, but staying silent wouldn’t be the way to go either.

“I don’t want to see Baizhi right now” you said plainly, tone low and softened involuntarily. Your reply was met with a skeptical look, Mortefi’s head tilted in question. “And why not? Do I need to pull you to her office myself? You’re not a child, (Y/n)” he countered, not low on his arsenal of words and snappy remarks. He approached you closer, closing the distance between the two of you until he could peer into your avoidant eyes, making your heart skip a beat.

“I just.. Mortefi, I don’t know. I don’t want to see Baizhi and that’s final. Don’t make me go see her. I’ve seen enough of you two this morning” It slipped from your mouth sooner than you could pull it back, and immediately you regretted your choice of words, cursing the ability to speak. “Uh-”

Mortefi froze in his tracks, his sharp eyes widening subtly in surprise. The mention of Baizhi and himself seemed to strike a chord in him, and his stoic façade cracked just enough to betray a hint of confusion. “Hm? Have we done something to offend you to this degree of avoidance? I wasn’t aware of any discomfort inflicted upon you” he knitted his brows, looking at you for answers, his turn to feel on edge now. Were you implying he was acting out of line with Baizhi? He knew of how he behaved around others and he saw no flaws in his dealings with other colleagues, so it all left him in a more twisted maze. 

You swallowed the lump in your throat, lips pressing into a thin line. “Mortefi- no. You haven’t done anything to offend me, I am not offended. I just.. uh.. No, it’s all too silly. I just meant that you two just seem to be too busy with your shared workload, and I just got tired of seeing it all” It’s a badly written lie, and the truth is bleeding through the cracks in neon colors. You’re cringing at yourself, really.. The lies you were uttering, however poorly woven, were evident in the way your face creased. He could almost hear your thoughts, almost see the jealousy and insecurity that plagued you through the lies you were trying to hide behind.

He paused for a moment, considering the situation carefully, before responding. "Is it really about our workloads, or is there something else that you're not telling me?" He asked calmly, his voice low and measured.

A pregnant pause befell your ears, only being interrupted by a distant hum of a machine outside of the room, and the footsteps of other workers in the halls. He does not push you to answer swiftly, instead he waits, patient as ever with you.

“I suppose…”

“You suppose..?”

It’d be a lie to say he wasn’t taut as a bowstring, ready to hear you out, anticipating your reply. His heart was squeezing painfully in his chest.

“Ugh..I just.. Promise me you will not be angry at me, and that you will not think ill of me after I tell you?” 

“Well, this must be big if you’re asking that of me” he breathed out. Your hesitation was palpable, and the silence between them dragged on, only adding to the palpable tension. Finally, the words came, and he felt a strange mixture of anticipation and trepidation.

“I'll promise no such thing will come from me. Your words cannot change the way I feel about you” he replied, his voice tinged with a touch of irritation.

With a heavy breath you closed in on yourself, arms folded over your chest. “I was just.. watching how close you and Baizhi are this morning and for a long time now. You always spend so much time together, and despite you and I being direct coworkers and more than that outside of this Academy, I feel.. left behind”

“You are jealous?”

“If you wish to put it that bluntly - then yes. I am”

Mortefi’s coldness and stiffness seemed to melt, the answer finally clearing up the brain fog that had started to develop in his head. Things were looking clearer at long last, and with that he also felt as if he failed you. He has failed to make you feel appreciated as you deserved, and that makes his gut twist in on itself.

“I fail to see why you’d be jealous of Baizhi, even with the time we spent together. Baizhi and I are strictly work colleagues and nothing more. You are the one that gets to be in my presence, sharing stories and desserts after work hours..” Mortefi says out loud, moreso speaking to himself than you, as if trying to figure out your point of view. He wasn’t dismissing your emotions, but he failed to grasp them within his own two hands. He had been so preoccupied with his own work and responsibilities that he had failed to notice the toll it was taking on his relationship with you. His focus had been so singularly on his research, on his partnership with Baizhi, that he had unintentionally neglected the depth of the connection he had with you.

“I do have to apologize” he cuts you off before you can speak. “This.. area is not within my expertise, per se. If I had neglected you, I would’ve liked if you openly communicated this with myself” he offered, and the lighter in his hand feels like it will break apart under pressure.  “And while I can’t limit my time with Baizhi, as it is all just work, I can accommodate you as well by spending more time with or around you, if that will help you feel more.. at ease” 

There is clarity ringing its bell over your head as he speaks, already offering solutions to this problem you made out of irrational thought. Bless his heart, for all he is cold and aloof he is ten times more kind. Snappy as he is, he means well.

“Mortefi... Mortefi, I am sorry too. I did want to keep this with myself, it shouldn’t have come to this point where you try to resolve my issues by yourself”

At that he scoffed, almost chuckling but no laughter came from him. One hand perches itself on his hip and he looks at you with a look that screams of his desire to see this through. 

“Oh, but how can I ignore it now that it is in front of me? No, that will not do. Especially since it is you who we’re talking about. You go ahead now, I’ll think of something until the end of my shift. I’ll give you a call later this evening”

Afterwards your company would leave his presence and the lab, having left with more reason than conflict, and with a mind full anticipation of his words.

And just like clockwork, by the end of his shift he’d give you a call, telling you to come meet him at your favorite dessert place. 

Mortefi is special in his way of showing affection..

He is yet to learn his way with words when it comes to sweet nothings, but until then he can take care of you and help you out with work. Whatever helps you see that you, indeed, do matter much to him. 

Ⓒ n0tamused. Do not repost, translate, edit, and/or copy any of my works. Likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated.

Tags: @pinksaiyans

Wuthering Waves

❣ - fluff ★ - smut ✿ - angst

Jiyan

Will you stay? ❣

Father - Mother ❣

Promise ✿

Injured ✿

Gone ✿

Anxious s/o hcs

Here for you✿❣

Their favorite kisses ❣

Period hcs ❣

I can't do this without you ✿ ❣

Westeros AU ✿ ❣

Dragon Jiyan ❣

Sick Jiyan ❣

Wuthering Waves characters as dragons

Blind s/o hcs ❣

After the war ✿

S/o like Mortefi hcs

Mortefi

Jealousy

Pining - hcs ❣

Relationship hcs❣

Anxious s/o hcs

Period hcs ❣

Wuthering Waves characters as dragons

Xiangli Yao

Steel hearts ❣

Days off❣

Aalto

Relationship hcs ❣

Here for you ✿❣

Their favorite kisses ❣

Unhinged s/o hcs

Blind s/o hcs❣

Wuwa characters as dragons pt2

Calcharo

Anxious s/o hcs

Their favorites kisses ❣

Dog people❣

Blind s/o hcs ❣

Wuwa characters as dragons pt2

Jinhsi

Night and day❣

Wuthering Waves characters as dragons

Scar

Unhinged s/o hcs

Blind s/o hcs ❣

Wuwa characters as dragons pt2

Geshu Lin

General headcanons

Wuthering Waves characters as dragons

Encore:

Wuwa characters as dragons pt2

˚ˑ༄ؘThe dragon awaits the arrival of new letters...

Pairing: Dr. Ratio x Jien YueXia

Summary: Dr. Ratio was sent to assist a team of Armed Archeologists but the meeting with the team's supervisor went unexpectedly.. good?

Words: 3767

Sharp ridges slanted from the sandy dunes towards the sky, a long stretch of rock and bronzy metals  that hid people within. Houses those were, and entries to tunnels underneath. The people of this world had gotten accustomed to the scorching sun and dry winds, they sought reprieve and solace under the blankets of heavy earth for colder winds. During the day there was scarcely anyone to be seen, but when the sun would begin to tip towards the horizon and open the way for the moon, the planet was as lively as any other. Markets sprouted from the sands and campsites and festivals here and there. What little flora there looked dead and dry in the sun, long leaves and branches swaying limply. Puffs of grass spawned in the lower grounds, near the houses and they grew more abundant near the oasis. It wasn’t quite so dead if one only looked closer. The world slept during the day, and woke during the night. 

Jien watched this world come to light since dawn broke the skies, sitting in some shade of the many slanted houses and languidly waving her hand to cool herself. The clawed rooftops reached up to the open azure skies, and with not a cloud in sight it proved to be a mesmerizing view. Jien had watched the unchanging view for a very long time, her gaze only occasionally flickering to the book in her hand or around at the sands before going up again in thought. Lukewarm air breathed across the ground, stirring grains of flickering dust, ash and sand, spraying it across the feathers of her limp tail that sat on the ground. It should be near 10 o’clock now, she thinks, they should be here soon. 

She had traveled ahead of her squad long prior on private business, and it just so happened their next venture was marked here. However much her team had grown on her, in whatever capacity that was possible, she misliked to travel with much company, if any for that matter. It made her uncomfortable, and alone she only had to think of her actions and words, and not of anyone else. Such a thing could mean friend or foe in foreign worlds, and it was better to not risk it, or risk growing exhausted by someone ineptitude or slowness. 

Her heavy lidded eyes closed for a brief moment, exhaustion plaguing her mind. A quick flick of her tail got rid of the sand that gathered on top of it, and she soon got up to stretch her long legs. And as if on cue, a large blitz of light in the sky caught her eye. A pebble of silver appeared within view, seemingly unmoving across the sea of the sky, but it grew bigger and approached faster. And before long, the long legs protruding from its pale silver belly emerged for landing, sinking into the sand upon contact. Even from afar, the sand kicked up as the spaceship stirred the air. The whirring from the engine slowly became a low groan that faded into nothingness, replaced by the mechanic sliding of the doors and the sliding of the catwalk.

Leaving her cool shade Jien took several steps forward to stand in view and to greet her team. Young Lan was first to emerge from the belly of the ship, and was the first to spot her, lifting a long arm up and waving her way. She returned the wave with a brief one of her own, holding her leatherbound book close to her chest with her other arm, a silent solace. Her second-in-command came out next, and he was followed by a short trail of the remaining of her team, along with one unfamiliar head of hair she could only guess was the doctor that would be joining them. He stood out like a sore thumb among them, wearing colors much more vibrant in comparison to the duller colored attire her team wore. Blue and white and gold; she worried he’d find the trip uncomfortable if that was his only style to wear here. Her team blended in, while he stood out among them.

Swallowing her thoughts down she moved once more towards them, meeting them halfway and greeting them with a soft “Good morning” and a few shakes of hands. 

“I hope the trip wasn’t too exhausting for you all, you look in good spirits” she noted, looking at the faces of her team as they gathered up. Kaiya, the second-in-command, broke through the people and came to stand before her, giving a cordial nod in greeting “Besides a few hours of restless sleep, the journey has been quick and fair. I do apologize for the lack of communication, we have lost signal for a while” spoke Kaiya, adjusting the gloves on his hand, to which Jien simply shook his head and dismissed the apology. 

“It’s no worry. You’re on time for the schedule we set..” her eyes turn to the sharp gaze of the stranger, “And you must be ..Dr. Ratio. It is good to meet you in person now” she turned to him, having felt his heavy eyes on her from the moment he approached. “I’m Jien YueXia, the team supervisor. I wish you a warm welcome, and I hope you find what you’re looking for in this place” Jien had only texted with Dr.Ratio briefly prior to this mission, simply exchanging some basic courtesies and some intel on the expedition, but besides that it was all devoid of anything much concrete. 

Dr. Ratio regarded her with an odd look for a moment, seemingly sizing her up, evaluating her on this first, real, impression. “Hm. Pleasure to make your acquaintance at long last, miss YueXia, you’re quite the difficult person to get a hold of” He didn’t mince his words and neither did he soften his tone, but Jien had predicted as such. Just from the rumors that she heard of his character she could surmise he may be a bit…difficult - stubborn perhaps would be a kinder and a better word for now until she converses with him more. 

“Yes. But I don’t doubt many would say the same for you, doctor, which is why I value your presence here all the more. My schedule lately has been too busy to indulge in any chit-chat. I do hope Kaiya has filled you in on the rest of the details while you were traveling?” She could glimpse a few uneasy looks and stiff shoulders from her peripheral, an uneasy indicator to the Doctor’s presence. It would be no lie to say her team knew way more about this Doctor than she did, but she found it puzzling that they seemed to be afraid. It set her to be quite more defensive and wary than she already was. Her team was closer to her than he was, and she felt a responsibility to protect them, even if it meant putting herself on the possible chopping block.

The corners of his lips twitched ever so slightly before he gave a curt nod, taking a quick look at Kaiya and then back at her. “Yes, he seemed quite eager to help me in that regard as well. Although those details were rather vague, and left much more to be desired. I have done my own work and research on this environment, so to say I am not informed would be a fallacy”. At that Jien showed the curl of her lips, a faint smile that was more of a mix of necessity and slight courtesies than actual joy.

“Why, that is a relief. But if a question does happen to spring forth from this realm of the impossible, you can ask me about it. For now, let’s retreat to some shade before we burn up” With that she ended their chatter and led them to entry to what anyone else would assume was just a giant mountain of sand, but inside there were more people, and there was life. Green plants decorated the corners and they bloomed with the faint sweetness of flowers. Jien walked up to the desk set up in the room, and after a short chat it became evident this would be their residence. A hotel perhaps, or an inn - both words could be used, depending on whether you saw this place as fancy or not. 

For all it lacked on the outside, the mountain of the hotel made up for it on the inside. It was evident the planet had much to offer, and their technology was on par with that of their HQ, which was quite a praise considering the planet has only been in contract with the IPC for only a handful of years. Prior to that, when Jien was not yet a  member of the Intelligentsia Guild, expeditions to this place were quite the risk. The people here were unfamiliar with these “extraterrestrial strangers”, and while they were not hostile, they weren’t friendly either. The lack of shade was enough for missions to end sooner than they began, and the endless rocky slopes didn’t reveal their secrets easily, nor did the wild monsters that lurked just underneath the earth’s blanket. Jien was here before, and she knew enough of their language to go about on her own without issue, and that was evident in her records as well with how many times and how much time she spent here in the last two months alone.

With their luggage in hand, they all found their designated rooms, leaving spare items there before meeting up again at the dinner after they got some rest. It was just about lunch time when everyone had come down and took their seats at different tables. Some members were chatting amidst themselves about mundane, everyday things, and in passing Jien had caught word of some wedding in one of their lives, and another spoke of getting some new digging equipment. She passed by them and had come up to the mostly vacant table where Dr. Ratio sat, his eyes puzzled at the menu and its foreign tongue. 

“Dr. Ratio, may I join you? Or do you wish to have some more time for yourself?” Her question did pull his nose from the menu and up at her where she stood behind a chair, with one hand on the wood carved backrest. “Or have you scared everyone away from you?” She posed an additional question, although with the flatness of her voice it proved difficult to see whether she was serious or jesting. Nonetheless, Dr. Ratio motioned with his hand, inviting her to sit with him, a small scoff flying out from him at her wording. 

“Please do. You may be the only one to approach without any.. hesitation. They do say ignorance is bliss, and these poor sods would much rather remain ignorant than enlightened” Just as the words tumbled from his lips he could see the light grimace on Jien’s face that did nothing to hide her displeasure at the way he spoke of her team. With a huff from her nose she was quick to set the record straight, in the gentlest way she could - she still hoped to have an amicable relationship with him if they are going to work side by side. “From what I know, your way of dealing with people and speaking to them, as well as your reputation precedes you by a long mile. And just because you have not spent enough time around them does not qualify them as ‘sods’, doctor. I’d appreciate it if you spoke more kindly about them, even if you yourself may not like them”. She had seated herself not opposite of him but on the next turn of the table, her back against the chair as they chatted, although Jien hoped to get to the menu soon. This would be her breakfast, technically, and she felt starved. 

With a sharp and observant gaze he analyzed her features and the way she positioned herself and the tone of her voice and the way she moved. Although at first glance she appeared mild-mannered and quiet there was a hint of something else underneath all of it. Perhaps he really did hit a nerve with his remark. Perhaps he didn’t like someone challenging his words so bluntly.  “Fine. I have no problem with them on a personal level in the end, but I have no interest in coddling them or treating them with excessive kindness. With that being said, I will attempt to speak more.. kindly, as you put it, if nothing else but for your sake, Miss YueXia” His fingers picked up the menu once again, his gaze finally leaving her face, and for a moment Jien felt a bit of reprieve. She had no doubt he shared the opinion that it would be better to be softer than to provoke unnecessary conflicts or unease in the team they were supposed to be working together with. And most importantly, this wasn’t his territory, he truly was just a stranger here. He knew.

Jien nodded her head in silent gratitude for his compliance. “That is much appreciated, Dr. Ratio. Now, unless my eyes deceived me, you looked to be a bit confused by the menu here. Can I help you?” she asked, crossing one leg over the other as she got more comfortable in her seat. He let out a throaty hum, rubbing his chin before sighing. “I’m simply a bit confused by the names of these dishes, they are quite.. odd. That is odd. You’ve been here before, what would you recommend?” he switched topics swiftly, stubbornly avoiding any questions directed solely at him now.

“Hmmm… Well, it depends on your taste preference. This place is quite known for more exotic delicacies which are plant based, but they don’t lack in meaty dishes either” Jien spoke, leaning forward slightly as she eyed the menu in his hands, which he promptly turned for her viewing. After pointing out a few options and selecting the one to his liking, Jien was a bit quiet as she scanned the menu for her own choice. The waiter was walking around in the meantime, taking orders and ringing them back to the kitchen, and by the time the young waiter arrived at their table they were set to order. Dr. Ratio went first, and Jien soon after.

While they waited, they were served freshly cut fruit and water. There was a light tone of music coming from the front of the restaurant. The sound bounced off of the cold stone walls, but it was not disruptive or too loud - it was quite relaxing. The occasional yell of the chefs was the only noise that was somewhat odd amidst the chatter and song. 

“Do tell me, you’re a Vidyadhara, correct?” 

The question came out of the blue, even if Jien had expected it as she chewed on her round red fig. Up until then, Dr. Ratio had spoken briefly on how he had prepared for this expedition and what he expected, but Jien had remained mostly quiet as there wasn’t much to add. It was bordering on awkward in certain moments.

“I am not” Jien replied curtly as her tail curled closer to the legs of her chair, feathers rustling softly together. While she chewed on her fruit she could practically hear his thoughts as his eyes flickered from between her horns and her eyes, and the thought of her tail… 

“Really? That’s quite hard to believe, given your resemblance to their kin.” There was a breath of sarcasm in his words which was absent up to that point in their conversation. “Well then, perhaps you could indulge my curiosity. What are you, if not a Vidyadhara?” 

“Human, just like you” she responded with little thought behind it. “I hate to disappoint you but that is the truth. I am not anything special, and if it would be easier to understand, these horns and tail are all decorations of sorts..” It would be difficult to explain how they look so real and organic without them being machinery, and she hoped he wouldn’t probe.. “I have spent quite a significant amount time with the Vidaydhara however, so I suppose I picked up quite a lot from them”

Now that response seemed to take the doctor off guard, his eyes widening for only the briefest of glimpses before his sturdy composure was back on like daylight. If only for a moment, he genuinely looked perplexed. 

She was hoping to assume it would be fine to be truthful with him, he was quite the intellectual and has prided himself for all he knew about a variety of subjects. But even in the official register of the Intelligentsia Guild they have noted her down as a Vidyadhara, as she truly didn’t have any other explanation for her looks, and she often did simply roll with it to avoid any confusion and over complicated attempts to explain that she was able to make this from mere pages of her book. Dr. Ratio leaned in, elbow resting on the tabletop as his eyes now openly swallowed every detail of her appearance. “Mere decoration you say? They certainly look as real as you” he commented as Jien instinctively leaned back, her eyes following the way his own flickered across her features. A moment of thought made her feel as if she was under the limelight and she wanted to shrink underneath it. 

Dr. Ratio could not deny the possibility of this being true, he has seen everything and this was nowhere near the most absurd things he has seen, nor the most fascinating. Yet it piqued his interest nonetheless. He does wear a plaster head, and she wears her horns, perhaps the two were somewhat alike, but that could have been only Veritas’ mind trying to reason with this answer.  He remained silent for a time as he watched her shrink under his gaze. Not out of malice, but merely from a strange fascination of sorts that perhaps even he didn’t understand to its fullest extent. He was no stranger to the unexpected; from his research alone he had delved into areas that even he wasn’t entirely sure how to process and accept in certain moments. Though, he didn’t  hate the unexpected.

“Fascinating..” he had muttered, the words slipping from his lips before he realized it. Jien broke into a small grin, flustered or uncomfortable by the overwhelming attention. “Ah, thank you, I suppose..”

His gaze didn’t falter for another few moments, focusing in on every ridge of her horns and down to the base which was obscured by her bangs and rest of her hair. Dr. Ratio could simply not resist asking further about it. “How did you procure such a.. realistic pair, and an even more realistic tail more importantly? They certainly look real.. Though, this is very much a compliment to your craftsmanship in making them, if what you say is true” he inquired, tilting his head very slightly. But finally he leaned back, giving back the air she began to crave more than the food on the table. She plucked a slice of a fruit from the plate to ease herself back into the conversation once more.

“It’s a.. complicated process. I am not sure where to even begin.. but I did start off with simply drawing out many patterns on paper before I settled on one I liked the most, before going further and ..assembling it, giving it shape and structure…” She trailed off, her brows meeting together at the center as she realized the lack of sustenance her answer provided, it was simply too vague and Ratio looked at her as if she answered wrong, even if he himself lacked the correct answer. He wanted more detail, it was evident, but how does she explain to a scientist she simply pulled it out of the paper of her book and that there was no ‘assembling the pieces’ process. Just as she was about to say some more, their plates of food were served in front of them, along with their drinks and utensils. Thanking the waiter they brushed the topic aside for the time being. 

Even so, Dr. Ratio was quite insistent on asking further. Not even drinks could drown his curiosity, nor the food. No matter which way their conversation swayed, she could still feel the question looming over her head.  

“Doctor, I do not wish to lie to you, but it is also not the right time for me to tell you exactly how these were made. I do have hope you’ll figure it out over the next few days however, you are a genius after all and you do not lack in observation skills.." She pierced a piece of meat on her fork and ate it, watching his eyes regard her curiously, but this time it wasn’t something directed at ‘hows’ or ‘whys’, but rather something else she couldn’t quite place her finger on. A faint smile appeared on his lips as he chewed down his bite. Jien had to stop herself from raising a brow at the sudden change in demeanor, but she had an idea what it was now. 

Dr. Ratio left out a huff, not out of annoyance but amusement. There was a peculiar warmth in his chest, despite being called a genius by so many people, even he had begun to forget their faces. As this realization entered his mind his smile fell as fast as it appeared on his lips. “If this is your way of testing my intellect then so be it, I do not look away from a challenge for the mind. I look forward to what you have to show for all these words you served. I truly do hope it is not a set up for nothing” he told her as he reached for his glass and took a sip, glancing at her over the crystalline rim of it. 

Jien let out a chuckle at that and shrugged her shoulders. This Ratio was more amusing than she gave him credit for - stubborn to a fault, but he did not lack in some manners, at least. He wasn’t dull, Jien will give him that for now.  “Well, we’ll only be able to tell when this is all over, right?” Dr. Ratio nodded and as he opened his mouth to talk she could spy from her peripheral vision a few looks casted their way from the rest of the team, but she paid them no mind. 

Ⓒ n0tamused. Do not repost, translate, edit, and/or copy any of my works. Likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated.

Art of Jien is made by me.

Wanted to make a expy(?) of my persona for Wuthering Waves and my god-

She's serving such DIABOLICAL amounts of pure cunt that I am in shock myself, I feel myself itching. I am no better than a man, chat.

My goodness... And it's not even done?? What am I gonna do when I finish this piece? Make edits of her?

Wanted to make a expy(?) of my persona for Wuthering Waves and my god-

She's serving such DIABOLICAL amounts of pure cunt that I am in shock myself, I feel myself itching. I am no better than a man, chat.

My goodness... And it's not even done?? What am I gonna do when I finish this piece? Make edits of her?

Wuthering Waves hate is so forced. Y'all are just in a toxic relationship with Genshin