Kavetham

Kavetham is the slash ship between Kaveh and Alhaitham from the Genshin Impact fandom.

Canon
"I can't deny that he's very smart. However, it's a shame that a man of such talent only pays attention to the truth itself and not to the people around him. Or perhaps this is due to an extraordinary sense of individualism, which causes a lot of problems. For example, he doesn't seem to respect his seniors... Of course, I'm not referring to myself specifically."

- Kaveh in Alhaitham's Official Introduction

Though Kaveh and Alhaitham are both currently NPCs, they are frequently mentioned throughout character voicelines and Sumeru bulletin boards. Both Kaveh and Alhaitham graduated from Sumeru Akademiya, Kaveh graduating from the Kshahrewar Darshan, while Alhaitham from the Haravatat Darshan. Alhaitham is still a member of this Darshan, and is responsible for documenting their findings and drafting ordinances. Kaveh taught an architectural elective while he was at the Akademiya, but is mostly known for being the architect behind the Palace of Alcazarzaray. After he went bankrupt despite his magnum opus, Alhaitham invited Kaveh to stay over at his home, to which Kaveh accepted. Alhaitham lets Kaveh live in his house rent-free and also handles Kaveh's additional fees, such as alcohol fees.

Alhaitham is only interested in studying whatever interests him, having forgone ownership of a supposed Divine Knowledge Capsule to simply study it. He also operates purely by rationality, which many people tend to find unacceptable, especially Kaveh, who is extremely fed up with him. In contrast, Kaveh operates by what he feels is right. He is a stark defender of the arts and believes that helping others is a natural course of action.

Several playable characters and NPCs mention their arguments, and their intense disagreements are such that they even bleed into messages on bulletin boards across Sumeru City and Port Ormos. Messages between Alhaitham and Kaveh can be read in the Mahamata Bulletin Board, Puspa Café Message Board, and the Port Ormos Bulletin Board.

One of Alhaitham's idles features him pulling out house keys, initially surprised that Kaveh's is accidentally hooked onto his, then smiled when he put it back.

Mentions
Because Kaveh and Alhaitham are NPCs for the time being, they don’t yet have voice lines for each other. However, other characters and NPCs mention interactions they have witnessed.
 * In Collei's line about Kaveh, she mentions how when Cyno invited him for dinner, he ranted about Alhaitham the entire time, and nobody else was able to get a single word in.
 * In Nahida’s line about Kaveh she expresses surprise at the fact that he is living with Alhaitham, and Tighnari says he doesn't know whether it's a blessing or a curse.
 * In Tighnari's line about Alhaitham, he says it is thanks to him that Kaveh "has more pent-up frustration than an angry Anemo Slime."
 * Shevirme, an NPC in the Grand Bazaar, mentions witnessing Alhaitham buying wine for Kaveh as apology.
 * Using Nahida's skill after Act V to read the mind of Panah, an NPC located in the House of Daena, would show his thoughts of how Alhaitham and Kaveh begun arguing again.

Possible Mentions
As compared to other hints in the story mentioned above in the article, the following scenes are more vague and only possibly related to Kaveh and Alhaitham.
 * Lambad, an NPC located in Lambad's Tavern, had his tableware damaged possibly in a fight between Kaveh and Alhaitham, as the new tableware in the tavern is said to be made by craftspeople commissioned by Kshahrewar researchers and patterns designed by Haravatat researchers.
 * In Archon Quest Chapter III: Act II — The Morn a Thousand Roses Brings: The End of Sabzeruz Festival, the Traveler and Paimon discover a letter Dunyarzad left for them on a compilation of folk legends concerning Lesser Lord Kusanali, created from a series of interviews that she conducted in succession and wrote down. One of the stories goes: "There was this one time when I'd had a wee bit too much to drink and couldn't find my way home to save my life. Then, when I turned a corner, I could've sworn I saw Lesser Lord Kusanali. She was very tall and had the most muscular arms, and she caught me when I slipped and fell. The next morning, I found myself sleeping under a tree. I reckon that must've been her looking out for me!" The transcription is possibly from Kaveh, as he is often noted to be an alcoholic and Alhaitham is a notably muscular person.
 * In Faruzan's Character Story 2, a "certain researcher" from Kshahrewar is noted to have bluffed how Faruzan would be the reason Kshahrewar would be the only Darshan that can do research into machines and that the era of interpreting ancient texts is over. This researcher eventually wound up being chastised by an irate Faruzan for as long as it would take to sit through two entire classes; it is said that, the same evening, the researcher would be nursing some alcohol in Lambad's Tavern, consoled the whole night by a friend of his from Haravatat, who had plotted in his heart to "debate this old fogey (in this case, Faruzan) and show her what for." However, given Alhaitham's personality, the researchers in question are unlikely to be Kaveh and Alhaitham.

Akasha Pulses, the Kalpa Flame Rises
Kaveh is first indirectly mentioned in the Archon Quest when Alhaitham stated that his place was finally in peace now that he temporarily had it to himself. When Dehya questioned him on what he was speaking of, Alhaitham replied with "Oh, huh, nothing."

Their first on-screen interaction is in Act V, where they argue as Kaveh doesn't believe Alhaitham is sincere about the possibility of Kaveh becoming a sage, as Alhaitham almost was. Alhaitham retorts that if Kaveh can't stand his personality, he is welcome to move out of his house, which Kaveh considered a threat. Alhaitham asks what Kaveh was doing while away from Sumeru, irritated that he was not there in its time of need. Kaveh is confused as to what happened while he was gone, and decides to ask around to figure out what Alhaitham is referring to as he claims he's done speaking to him.

After talking to Alhaitham, Paimon, who witnessed their previous conversation along with the Traveler, asks Alhaitham if Kaveh is his friend. Alhaitham retorted that they did not look like friends and that Kaveh is his roommate, and the reason the latter seems to have so many problems is that he never listens to Alhaitham. Interacting with Alhaitham again triggers a voiceline in which he stated how he originally planned to stay in the House of Daena longer, but later decided to go somewhere else due to how Kaveh might show up again, which is a "nuisance." However, Alhaitham stayed nonetheless.

Later, in the House of Daena, the player has the option to witness another conversation between Kaveh and Alhaitham. Kaveh tells Alhaitham that the people want him to replace Azar as the Grand Sage, and Alhaitham says that has nothing to do with him. Kaveh says it's likely people without any real information were spreading rumors, and Alhaitham taunts him for not having learnt a single crucial bit of information the whole time he was out there. Alhaitham tells him all the sages have been exposed and removed as Azar's accomplices, and Kaveh wonders if that was why they sent him out on a project.

Alhaitham later finds out he brought both house keys with him when he left, but shrugged off the thought.

Quotes
"Alhaitham: Don't sound too surprised now. You're the renowned Kaveh, light of the Kshahrewar. Besides, as a master builder and craftsman, chances are you'll be appointed as a sage, too. Kaveh: ...Hmph. Why do I feel like you don't really mean it? Alhaitham: Hmph, what makes you say that? Why would you question my heartfelt sincerity? Kaveh: Maybe it's because you've never said anything good about me before. Alhaitham: Yeah, well, I share a similar sentiment. And anyone who knows you as well as I do would surely do the same. Kaveh: Ugh, you...!"

- Alhaitham to Kaveh, Act V

"Alhaitham: I'm not even interested in being one of the Six Great Sages. Like I said before, I don't like being a leader. Paimon: Oh, all right. So are you busy these days trying to find others to take the job? Alhaitham: That's not my job, either. I'm only responsible for handling important affairs within the Akademiya before the new sages take office. Traveler: So you're still a leader now, even if it's just temporary. Alhaitham: Hah, and the first thing I'll do is reject Kshahrewar's application for funding."

- Act V

"Message: The stories Mr. Maddah tell may be old-fashioned, but he's quite skilled when it comes to controlling their pace. Message: But everyone's used to getting their information from Akasha now, so they unconsciously overlook such sophistication of technique and artistic maturity. Alhaitham: You need to be more realistic. No art form is eternal. The day when all of its value has been exploited is the day it loses its reason for existence. Alhaitham: Like how overripe fruits fall to the earth and provide nourishment for new plants. Kaveh: And that is exactly why I've always despised materialists like you. Art is a precious fruit of leisure. You can't compare it to production and exploitation for commercial purposes! Alhaitham: Leisurely people are like people walking on a spherical ground — they don't exist. Why don't you use your brain and think for a moment? Can the production of anything exist without commercial exchange? Acting Manager's Reply: What a sharp clash of theories... Anyways, it's time for Mr. Kaveh to settle his bill for the month. Should it be put on your tab as usual, Mr. Alhaitham? Alhaitham: No. That spoiled guy needs to experience the brutality of the business world."

- Pupsa Café Message Board message, titled "Kaveh and Alhaitham"

"Message: This is embarrassing to say. We were workers that maintain merchant ships here, living off the maintenance skills passed down from generation to generation. Message: But some time ago, new technologies have been added to the Akasha, and our years of experience have become worthless. Young people can still learn through the Akasha, but old stuff like us have no choice but to change jobs. Message: The Scribe said we can go to sea and try our luck, but we have no money for something like that right now. If you have any gigs, please come to us. Kaveh: Don't listen to the Scribe. I happen to know a big client who needs craftsmen. I'll introduce you to her. Take the money too. Forget about going to sea. Alhaitham: I wish you could do less meaningless things. Some people will succeed and some will fall, that's how the world works. Why interfere with it just to act like a goody-two-shoes? Kaveh: Here the Scribe goes again with the mysticism. Why did I do this, you say? Because it makes me happy! Kaveh: And don't you forget that mutual assistance, fairness, and righteous anger are also what drive the world, not nonsense like 'the fittest survives'! Alhaitham: Make no mistake. I have never denied what you meant, but you don't understand what I am saying to you at all. End of conversation. Alhaitham: It's a headache to argue with the impulsive. Anyway, where's your own budget? Don't tell me you're spending all your Akademiya subsidies on such nonsense. Kaveh: 'The poor suffer from the rich's wealth. Thus the rich should give away their wealth for a good purpose.' says the sage Zolfikar. Alhaitham: He never said that. Kaveh: He did. Alhaitham: No, he never said that. And you'll pay for your drinks this month. Kaveh: I won't argue with you about this. But give me a month. I'll prove that he said it."

- Port Ormos Bulletin Board message, titled "An Argument"

"My food is reasonably priced. A popular choice for student meals, welcome parties, and team-building alike! And I even got the Mahamata among my clients, too! One bought a whole case of wine! [...] Haha, I actually have no idea what he does, but folks say he's a Mahamata. He was tall and looked like a guy who could hold his drink. But I couldn't tell if he bought the wine for himself or for someone else... I remember him murmuring something like "one case should be enough for an apology" as he carried the wine... Say, maybe he wanted to get someone drunk so that they'll forget his mistakes?"

- Shevirme, an NPC in the Grand Bazaar

"Alhaitham: Have the ten crates of wine that I ordered arrived? I came yesterday only to find out they didn't arrive. Reply: That's impossible! A blond person came in here earlier claiming to be your roommate and took it all. I even remember both of you coming in together the other day. You must have made a mistake. Alhaitham: ...Alright. I get it."

- Mahamata Bulletin Board message, titled "Lambad's Tavern Notice"

Fanon
Ever since information about Kaveh’s personality and the fact that he and Alhaitham are roomates was revealed, people started shipping the pair. Fans initially speculated that Kaveh might bear a resemblance to Kevin Kaslana from Honkai Impact, since they have similar sounding names and Alhaitham has a similar appearance to Su, who Kevin is close with. Many fans enjoy seeing the discussions between the two, and like the contrast of their personalities. Fans enjoy how they are prone to bickering, but much more like an old married couple than anything truly antagonistic.

People also like to speculate about their university days and what their relationship was like then, if they had a competitive relationship or were more friendly with each other. Many people make comics of them interacting in their younger years, some coming up with potential reasons as to why Alhaitham let Kaveh live with him, as if he actually disliked him he probably would not have. It is not uncommon to see them drawn along with Cyno and/or Tighnari, as they also attended the Sumeru Akademiya.

Currently, the pair has roughly over 1,000+ works on Ao3, and is growing fast in popularity as Kaveh has finally been released in the game itself. It’s rivaled by Cytham, though some people like to pair the three of them together. Given that Kaveh was only just recently released, there are currently no rival ships on his end.

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Trivia

 * Both Kaveh and Alhaitham have Dendro visions.
 * They also have matching Serenitea furniture carpets — Glorious Emerald Tapestry and The Green Grove.
 * Alhaitham’s English voice actor ships Kavetham, and made a joke about it on his Twitter.