Work Text:
As the General Watchleader of the Forest Rangers, it is only natural for Tighnari to stay in the rainforest for long periods of time. Aside from his duties such as assigning patrol schedules for the rangers and showing the ups and downs of the forest to rookies, it is also expected of him to deal with Withering Zones before they worsen, to aid adventures should they fall ill upon consuming particular mushrooms, and to look into the budding problem the forest is ailing as of late. Sometimes, the days come and go without anything out of the ordinary happening, but when a ranger gets into an accident or when they stumble across an unusually strong ruin drake, the watchleader could only exhale in resignation before quickling handling the situation. After all, if the rainforest was a safe and peaceful place, then the Forest Rangers wouldn't have existed in the first place now, would they?
There are some exceptions that require him to leave, however.
One is when he is needed at Pardis Dhyai, where he conducts his research at most of the time since he cannot possibly bring all of his equipment with him to Gandharva Ville. After all, his main priority during his time there is to look out for the forest, and besides, he is less likely to be distracted at the Amurta research site.
Another reason for him to leave the forest is when he is in dire need of materials that he can only obtain from the city. Though he avoids the place as it may be too much for his poor ears, there are times when a certain pink haired, mora hungry merchant is the only person he knows who could possibly have what he needs, which is why he reluctantly goes out of his way to seek her and buy whatever that is from her.
This time was neither of the aforementioned exceptions.
"Tighnari, I am so sorry."
"Oh shush, Haypasia. How many times must I tell you, that's not what I want to hear from you?"
The fox's ears twitch in irritation upon hearing the hundredth apology coming from his good friend. While it is true that she has a major contribution as to why he is away from the forest (for a good reason), he knows he cannot abandon her when she has, and he quotes, 'gone insane'.
It isn't uncommon for such to happen to scholars―what with the Akademiya's exceedingly high expectations for them to contribute to the existing knowledge in this world, students from every Darshan do their best and more, to the point where they pay little to no heed to their own physical and mental wellbeings. In Haypasia's case, aside from what Tighnari had observed from her, he also has received word from the esteemed traveler about how the girl had successfully connected to the Irminsul and saw visions of this... new god.
Sumeru with a new god... Why would anyone think of such when they already have one qualified for the position? Not that he's a diehard believer or anything, but why is it that people seek something more than what is in front of them?
Then again, that's the whole purpose of the Akademiya, and even wisdom as a whole. To keep searching and searching for the truth of this world and above that, to stop at nothing until one has seen it all.
Though still unclear, Tighnari tells the traveler not to worry about Haypasia and to leave her under his care. Uncertain as he may be about leaving the forest at a time like this, he knows she needs his help, and he vowed he wouldn't abandon her like that.
Which leads him to the present. As he continues examining her for any other signs of fatigue or dizziness, he hears footsteps heading towards the greenhouse, and when he looks up, he sees his former professor and another man he isn't familiar with, but he knows is a part of the faculty.
"Tighnari, is that you? How rare a sight this is!"
The watchleader places his brush down to greet them. "It's good to see you too, master. How have you been?"
"Oh, I'm fine. Are you busy? Do you happen to have the time?"
Tighnari gives him a curt smile and turns back to his companion. "Haypasia, do you mind giving us a minute?"
After the scholar excuses herself to walk around the area, the air around them shifts, and Tighnari could already sense what they wanted to talk about from a mile away.
"Good day, Tighnari. I've heard so much about you from your mentor here," says his master's companion, "Is your schedule at the forest not that hectic? I've heard about how busy you've been nowadays as the leader of the Forest Watchers..."
Tighnari opts to let him finish his little speech, as this gives him time to fill in the blanks of what had transpired after you visited him not so long ago. What you had told them before is still correct; clearly the Akademiya is blind if they keep seeking him out when they already have a very capable person on their faculty. Why must they continue pestering him when someone as hardworking and determined as you is already with them? It's like picking Harra Fruits from the same bush.
But wait, it kind of makes sense. Especially after he's talked with the traveler―who, at the time, was actually the dendro archon herself―he now understands why the Akademiya is hell bent on recruiting him instead of you.
Prior to graduating, Tighnari admits that his goal for after was rather vague (or would unspoken of be the right term?). It wasn't until after he left the Akademiya did he find his true calling, and had he stayed longer, he might have changed his mind and accepted their invitation.
You, on the other hand, were already dead set on researching various plants to procure medicine out of―is what the Akademiya thinks, but he knows better. You are most especially focused on outdoing him, on proving how you deserve your position more than he ever will; and it would be foolish to otherwise convince your one track mind to have you associate with anything other than those two things.
In other words, the Akademiya wanted compliant little lambs whom they could easily bend at their own will.
Neither you nor Tighnari fit the part, though for the latter, he had kept it rather subtle during his student days. But not anymore. No, he would rather melt into a puddle in the desert than have those uptight sages command his every single move.
The young researcher patiently listens to his mentor's colleague drone on and on about how the offer is miraculously still on the table, and though you had relayed several reasons as to why Tighnari wouldn't accept, the faculty seems to not have taken the hint.
That isn't the only reason why his patience is wearing thin.
"Seriously, they could be so stubborn at times!" The faculty member (Tighnari doesn't bother remembering his name) rubs his temples. "For someone who claims they are of the same wavelength as you, how could they be this daft? If only they had been smart in persuading you with the right words, maybe you could have given this another thought."
Tighnari's ears twitch in warning at the condescending words he used to describe you. What do they know about you, anyway? Are they really not willing to see just how much potential you possess? Why do they constantly bring you down?
To be fair, he did play a part in the misery you have gone through, and you made that clear during your last visit. But surely you don't see yourself inferior to him, right? You, his old rival who never gives up even though he seems to keep winning this game without him trying (your words, not his). You, his dear friend who he knows cares for him even though you would never admit it. You, his long time object of affection whom he has fallen for ever since he found you sleeping in the library one day after classes, surrounded by thick textbooks and heavily detailed notes.
If only the Akademiya sees you the way he does, then they wouldn't have to keep searching for other flowers when they already have a worthy one within their grasp.
"I apologize for being so stubborn, but my priorities now lie within the forest, and I wouldn't dare abandon it when it needs me the most." He presses, half apologetically. "I believe my so called rival is the best option you have currently."
The herbad visibly clenches his jaw and averted his gaze, and that's when the forest watcher knew something is not right. Speaking of...
"Which reminds me, it's rare of you to visit without them, master." Tighnari looks around to make sure you weren't in the area. "Usually they'd be tailing after you like a baby shroomboar, but for some reason you came without them. Have they been busy writing their new article?"
"Actually, they've gone to the desert some time ago."
Tighnari heard it crystal clear, yet for some reason he still blinks at them like he hadn't. "Excuse me?"
"Ah yes," the very annoying colleague interrupts once again, "they suddenly wanted to go to the desert, as they were so intent on conducting research about the flora there." He shrugs as if he were simply talking about the weather. "And since we encourage our scholars to quench their unsatiable thirst for knowledge, we let them go."
This is certainly a surprise. Of all the years he's known you, you don't seem the type to walk into unknown territory for the sole purpose of researching the plant life there, especially in the desert where plants are already scarce as they are. What pushed you to do this? Is it because of him? Did your coworkers compare you to him again, and did you take that in a negative light to the point where you had to prove yourself by going to the desert?
Try as he might, but he cannot determine the logic behind your very abrupt decision. Because really, you? You who can't even navigate the rainforest without getting chased by leopards or tripping on huge tree roots, out there on a whim? Sure, you had your cryo vision to aid you, but it would probably take you weeks to plan for the trip before heading out! There is absolutely no way you would traverse through the Great Red Sand without mapping out an itinerary of sorts.
"I see," is his reply as he nods absentmindedly. "Do you know when they'll be back?"
"That's the thing. See, they've been away for a long time now that we've gotten quite worried. We haven't heard from their dusk bird or from anyone for that matter, and as they are unaccustomed to the frequent sandstorms and earthquakes in the desert, we're not even sure if they're..."
Tighnari's stomach turns upside down as he imagines the absolute worst: you running out of food and water which results to hunger and dehydration, getting swept away by a strong sandstorm, being preyed on by Red Vultures... the list goes on.
But there are a few things he finds weird. First of all, while he knows you as one to meticulously prepare for every trip you go on to, there is always the option to rely on the Akasha Terminal should you ever get lost. Unless, by some unlikely reason, you happened to take it off prior to your departure, but why would you do that in the first place?
Second, his mentor had been awfully quiet the whole time his coworker was running his mouth. He's known you since you were a student, shouldn't he be the slightest bit concerned about your rash decision? Why did he let you go, just like that?
The third and possibly most vexing thing is how his gut keeps telling him that this whole thing was planned; that you were somehow coerced into venturing the desert because the Akademiya wants to keep you away from their schemes―which is the real reason they keep coming back to recruit him. And now that they know how you won't comply to their orders, they decide to dispose of you in the guise of 'conducting research'. And here he thinks the Akademiya could not get any lower than that.
Worried as he is, he unfortunately cannot spare some time to try and find you as he is smack in the middle of his duties and responsibilities. He can only pray to the archons that you are safe wherever you are.
"I'm terribly sorry, but I must get back to my research." Tighnari says, returning to his seat. "Once again, I'm grateful for the generous offer, but I'm afraid I'll have to once again decline."
The faculty member purses his lips before wordlessly walking out of the greenhouse, and his master gives him a small nod before leaving the fox alone to his thoughts.
When he hears their footsteps finally fade away, he lets out a huge sigh as he sits down, cradling his head in his hand. Why do such problems keep sprouting up like weeds? Most importantly, why do they all stem from the same root?
His gaze lands to a nearby Padisarah bathing in the afternoon sun's rays. Maybe he should write to his trusted friend, the highest ranking matra. If there's one place to find him, he's certain it has to be at the desert.
~~~
You are very much alive.
This trip had costed you a whole three days of sleepless nights planning your schedule and saving up enough light food to bring. You've also chosen routes with caves to provide shelter in, so you're pretty much ready to fend yourself against sandstorms and wild animals. Thankfully, you have yet to encounter a strong earthquake, though several days ago you felt the ground shake for a good few seconds.
You kind of lost track of time, however. You roughly estimate to have been at the desert for a couple of months now, researching the Redcrest flowers you come across. Well, you would look into the other plants here, had there been any.
You tap on your Akasha Terminal to see if you've finally gained enough signal to pull up a bigger map of your accurate location, but the screen remained loading. You wonder what could possibly be wrong with the gadget, as it had been working perfectly fine prior to stepping foot in the desert. Maybe it only works in the greener parts of Sumeru? But that would be a nuisance for the people living in the desert, so why would the Akademiya design it that way?
After hours of walking, you finally see some houses and people which you recognized are from Aaru Village, as this had been the first place you went to. You had to keep yourself from running over and instead opted to save what's left of your energy, internally thanking the dendro archon for responding to your prayers.
You were a few meters away from the chief's quarters when the door to the building suddenly swings open, and you see a bunch of people step out. The first one is a white clad person with golden blonde hair followed by a floating child, then a woman in red who was talking to Candace. Next came the... wait, isn't that one of the scribes from the Akademiya? And... isn't that the General Mahamatra?!
While they were talking about who knows what, you decide it a great time to turn around to find a different way through Aaru Village. You haven't even taken a couple of steps when you feel a piercing gaze on your back, and that's when you know you're screwed.
"You, in the robes," the Mahamatra's voice calls out to you, "Why are you here?"
You're not sure if it was your vision, but you suddenly feel a shiver run down your spine. Immediately, you face them with an innocent smile as you greet, "Good day to you, general! And... company."
Left with no choice, you hastily walk over to the group, waving awkwardly to ease the tension (it didn't). "I was unaware you have been sent to the desert as well. Here I thought you took a small vacation or something from the Akademiya." You laugh, recalling all the rumors that had been circulating throughout the faculty rooms about the general.
Cyno is not the tiniest bit impressed, as he still has his arms crossed while he eyes you wordlessly. Whatever did you deserve to cross paths with him? "Is something the matter?"
"No, I'm just trying to remember where I saw you from," he replies, his forehead scrunched.
The floating child pops up from his side. "Do you know them, Cyno? A friend, maybe?"
The white haired matra remains silent, until he once again meets your eyes. "Tighnari."
"P-Pardon?"
It's unknown to the rest of you, but Cyno feels some sort of relief at finally meeting his friend's beloved rival. "I've heard of you from Tighnari. He says you're the object of his―"
"Ridicule?" You cut him off. "Please general, spare me the praise."
This is just great. Not only is Tighnari acquainted with someone of great importance, but he's also spoken of your shortcomings with other people. You shudder at all the possible things he's said behind your back.
"That aside," the scribe, Alhaitham, speaks from behind the group. "What are you doing in the desert? Did the Akademiya send you here?"
And so you tell them how your colleagues forced― err, persuaded you to visit the sandy parts of the nation, with them instructing you to come back with a full, detailed report about the flora you come across. You haven't made much progress, but to be fair, you were unable to get past the invisible barriers you had encountered, which prompted your return.
You don't miss the way Alhaitham and Cyno share a glance during your recounting. Whatever could that mean?
After you've acquainted yourself with the rest of the group, Cyno pulls you to the side to privately talk to you.
"I think you should accompany me back to Gandharva Ville."
Wait, where the heck did that come from? "Why? I've just gone there like a few months ago. I don't really have a reason to visit again."
"Then I'm giving you one. There is something I need to discuss with both you and Tighnari."
What?! Now why and how is that annoying, sassy fox hybrid involved in whatever this is? "Can't you have that discussion without me?"
"Are you not a part of the faculty?" He counters in all seriousness. "It makes sense for you to be there when we discuss about the events at the Akademiya."
You laugh awkwardly, pulling on your collar as you look away. "Yeah, about that..."
"Is it because of Tighnari? Do you not want to see him?"
Your eyes widen at that, momentarily forgetting the matter at hand. Now it's not like the both of you parted ways in a bad light, it's just that...
"We've given you a simple task: all you had to do was convince your former classmate to rethink his decision, yet you fail to do so? And not only that, you bring a plethora of excuses to the table!"
"Can you blame them? Tighnari is not the type to―"
"You stay out of this! Don't think that just because they're your former student, they can't be replaced. We have hundreds of other scholars more suitable for their position!
"If you don't step up your game, I'm afraid all you'll ever be is one step behind Tighnari. Remember, just because the Akademiya has accepted you into our faculty, doesn't automatically make you worthy to be here."
Your seniors' words still haunt you, and while you'd like to believe otherwise, you fear they might be right.
On the other hand, Cyno recognizes the faraway look in your eyes, as he's seen such an expression one too many times. It's a look of one's insecurities relentlessly eating them up from the inside; the feeling of being inadequate despite everything that has been done and achieved. It's the grating voice of hesitation inside one's mind, pressing that they will never be good enough no matter how hard they try. And most importantly, it's the look of simply accepting one's fate to be such.
Huh. So Tighnari had been right when he mentioned about your withering self esteem with your position. A common sight in the Akademiya, yet you seem to successfully mask yours under the notion of wanting to beat him for the sake of it.
Cyno's eyes fall on the vision on your hip, and an idea pops in his head.
"Have you heard about the pyro slime hitting an ice flower?"
The question was so random that confusion visibly washes over your features. "I'm sorry?"
When he repeats it, you mistake it as an actual, serious inquiry, so you answer with all honesty: "No, I haven't."
"Is that so," he huffs. "No matter. It mist, anyway."
The more words come out of the general's mouth, the more lost you become. Especially when he scans your face for something you're not sure what. "Uh huh..."
"Did you get it?" You almost want to doubt your ears, because you pick up a small hint of excitement in his tone despite his stoic expression. "When an ice flower is met with pyro, it turns into a mist flower. And mist sounds very similar to missed―as in m-i-s-s-e-d―so the joke is that the pyro slime attempted to hit the ice flower but was unable to, therefore I am telling you it wasn't a big deal because it missed."
Hold on a second. Did you just witness Cyno, the General Mahamatra, crack a joke? Archons, is the world about to end soon?
But wait, thinking about it, the play on words is quite clever, and after the joke sinks in, you find yourself genuinely laughing. Why is it kind of lame but hilarious at the same time? "I get it now! That's a good one!"
It was Cyno's turn to be surprised. "You do? It is?"
"Yeah! It's like a double meaning thing, right? Because it could mean that, but it could also simply mean the flower became a mist corolla, so it mist." You chuckle while shaking your head. "That's funny!"
A glint of pride fills him as you wipe a tear from laughing. "I can see you have good taste. I've told that joke to people but they were unimpressed."
"That's because the joke itself wasn't that funny, general," you smile teasingly at him. "It was your delivery that sold it."
"Even so, you're the first one who's ever reacted accordingly."
"Wow. Not even Tighnari?"
He shakes his head grimly. "I've yet to elicit a laugh out of him."
"Sheesh. Tough crowd, huh."
A comfortable silence befalls you as you study him once more. Contrary to your earlier impression, he's not actually that scary like everyone says he is. Well, that may be because you know you haven't done anything to earn his wrath, but you wonder why and how people have yet to discover this humorous side of him. And not only that...
"I really do appreciate the icebreaker," you say after a few seconds of silence, your voice soft and a bit solemn. "Thank you for that."
Cyno doesn't show any signs of surprise when you voice out his true motives. You really are perceptive like Tighnari says you are―well, all except for his friend's feelings for you, that is. "Think nothing of it." He starts to turn around. "If you really are against accompanying me to the rainforest, I won't press any further. However, I must require you to stay here in Aaru Village for a while until I return."
You raise a brow at that. Why does it feel like he doesn't want you to return to the city? Could something be going on? Is that why he's out here with the others? And with the traveler, too...
"I'll come with you." Although you really don't want to, you have a feeling something serious is happening if it involves a bunch of strong fighters. "Let's leave at dawn, general."
"Please, Cyno is fine."
"Okay, I'll take that as a Cyno-f our newfound acquaintanceship then!"
You burst out chuckling while he simply laughs through his nose.
Mission accomplished, it seems.
~~~
"Collei, what have you been doing? You look like you've wrestled a Spinokrok!"
Tighnari's concerned yet mildly irritated voice echoes throughout his room as he attempts to flatten the stray hairs on the young watcher's head. He had been looking for her all day, and he was this close to turning the whole forest upside down when she finally shows up after what she claims was a patrol. "Cyno will be arriving soon, and I'd rather he not lecture me on failing to teach you how to look presentable."
The green haired girl slightly smiles as her mentor brushes the dirt off her shawl. "Isn't lecturing your job, master?"
Tighnari merely gives her the stink eye, when he hears footsteps a few distance away from Gandharva Ville. Since he is a frequent visitor, Tighnari already knows they belonged to Cyno, but he notices there to be another pair walking towards them, and they seem to belong to... you?
He all but runs to the village entrance to make sure his ears weren't deceiving him, and from a distance, he sees you alive and kicking. Oh thank Celestia, you're fine, you're safe! And you were with Cyno, so that relieves the heavy feeling in his chest, with any and all concerns and negative thoughts finally leaving him.
He decides to wait there to welcome you both, and as you get closer, he sees from where he stands how the pair of you were laughing (actually, it was you doing the laughing, but Cyno did have a slight smile on his face). Nevertheless, you seem to be in a pleasant conversation with him, and clearly you've managed to get on the no-nonsense general's good side if he's cracking smiles like that. Whatever could you be talking about―wait.
"...I told those specific jokes one time during dinner, but it wasn't well received like I thought it would be. Can you believe that?"
"No way! But those were hilarious! I especially loved the second one..."
Oh no. Oh dear Lesser Lord Kusanali, this cannot be happening. This time, he wishes that just for once, he has heard the conversation wrong and you were actually talking about... anything but that!
Why on this green, green land, do you share the same humor with the least humorous person in Teyvat?
"There he is." Tighnari pushes the trivial thought aside when he hears Cyno address him. "Nari, we've arrived."
The smile on his face turns sour upon hearing Cyno call him by his nickname in front of you. It especially worsens when he sees you trying to hold back your laughter, eyes dancing with mirth.
"Hold on, you call him Nari?" You chortle. "Stop, that's so cute!"
"It is, isn't it?" Cyno beams proudly, walking over to the fuming watchleader's side to rest a hand on his shoulder. "Nari, your old rival thinks your nickname is adorable."
"I heard," Tighnari emphasizes through gritted teeth. "I'm literally right here."
"Oh lighten up, Nari," you say, elbowing his other side. "It's not like I'll casually bring it up in front of master or anything."
"It would do you good if you don't."
"Come on Nari, don't be such a killjo―OW!"
Tighnari doesn't bat an eye as he flicks you hard on the forehead, and he smirks as he recalls the last time he did that to you. "I believe I haven't given you permission to call me that."
"That was unnecessary though!"
While you rub your forehead, Cyno fights back a laugh as he feels his friend's tail swish rapidly from behind them. Something tells him you wouldn't need permission to call him that.
The watchleader ushers the pair of you to his room, with him updating Cyno regarding Collei's condition and Cyno casually talking about his recent whereabouts. The moment you enter his room, you don't hesitate to take a seat on one of the chairs and heave out a heavy sigh. The matra remains standing, checking the other parts of the room to see if anything has changed.
Tighnari pours some water into a glass and hands it to you. "Drink up. I'll refill your waterskins after we finish dinner."
You hastily mumble out a thank you before chugging the whole thing down. As you drink, some water drips down your chin, and Tighnari shakes his head as he grabs a clean cloth to wipe it with. Seriously, you should exert even a tiny bit of effort in protecting your scholar image, lest the Akademiya thinks you're not taking your position seriously.
Of course, Cyno doesn't waste a second in poking fun at his bold action. "What does a fool in love and cream in a dish both have in common?"
You don't even pay your rival's longing look any heed as your eyes light up upon recognizing the incoming joke. "Oh, I know this one. They're both whipped."
While you two share a chuckle, Tighnari is a hundred, no, a thousand percent sure Cyno's joke was directed at him because he doesn't miss the not so subtle flick of his gaze. Archons, has he been staring at you for too long? He really needs to get himself together.
"So," The fox hybrid clears his throat before Cyno could start explaining his poor excuse of a joke, "care telling me how you ended up at the desert?"
"Oh, um," you look down at your hands, nervously tracing the scars on your palms from during your last visit. "I... I suddenly had the urge to look into the flowers at the desert. You know, the plants in the city are very limited, so I thought, why not expand my research a bit? It's high time I do so, anyway."
The watchleader and general each raise an eyebrow at that, with one thing on both of their minds: you were lying. But why?
"Right. And how did you encounter Cyno here?"
"I―"
"I saw them wandering around during my patrol." Gone was the humor in the white haired man's voice, and is instead laced with a tone that screams business. He throws you a look that made you immediately clamp your mouth shut. "I figured they were lost, so I suggested they come back with me so you could check on them. Apparently, they've ran out of rations a few days ago and have been surviving on water alone."
Tighnari is still unconvinced, especially now that his friend has started spewing out lies, but if Cyno is saying all these to make you save face, then there must be a good reason behind it. And based on the way his visible eye flits from you to the ranger, it looks like he wants to talk about it.
"Alright." He calls your name. "Do you know Collei?" He asks, grabbing a quill and a piece of paper to quickly scribble something down. "Go find her and freshen up. Also, tell her to hand this message to Umm. I'll have dinner prepared soon."
"Wait, where should I find her?" You take the folded paper and stand up to head to the exit.
"She should be in the other hut. Go straight ahead, you won't miss it."
Tighnari makes sure your footsteps are far enough before he faces Cyno, who was silently staring at something on his desk. Seeing what it was, the fox snatches it away, a bit shy at the smirk he was giving him.
The general doesn't comment on his behavior, but opens up the topic all the same. "So you still keep that picture, yet you can't muster the courage to admit your feelings to them? What are you, a teenager?"
"You berate me like it's that easy," Tighnari quips, inserting the picture of you and him during your graduation into one of his books. "For all we know, this could only bring more harm to them than good, and besides, they don't even like me like that."
Oh, if only he knows, Cyno amusedly thinks. The truth is, during the whole journey on the way here, the watchleader was all you could ever talk about. Sure, the things you've said about him weren't all positive, but you must feel a tiny bit of something if Tighnari is taking up so much space in your thoughts.
"You're lucky, you know. They have an excellent sense of humor."
"I won't really feel lucky if I'd get to hear two sets of irritating jokes during dinner."
"Oh, so you're already thinking that far ahead, huh?"
"Cyno..."
"I jest, I jest," The white haired man's teasing tone slowly dies out as he gets to the original topic. "Have you figured out the real reason why they have been sent to the desert?"
"I have, but I want to hear your side as well."
And so they share their respective sides of the story: Cyno recounts everything he and his little group found out at the desert, and Tighnari reveals what he knows about the dendro archon and the new god Haypasia is crazy about. Clearly, you being sent out to to the other side of the wall isn't some coincidence―the Akademiya really must want you out if they timed all of this with their grand plan.
"They can't go back to the city," Tighnari states. "If the sages see them still in one piece, they'll take matters into their own hands and..."
They'll end you right then and there. And you might not get out lucky this time
It truly is a lose-lose situation for you.
Cyno purses his lips. Although he's only known you for a short time (and from Tighnari's stories of you), he doesn't think you deserve such an unfair judgment. You're one of the uncorrupt scholars in the Akademiya, and if those power hungry savages manage to get their hands on you, they would lose yet another innocent soul. He genuinely doesn't want that to happen to you.
The forest watcher massages his temple at the complexity of the situation. "I have a solution for that, however I'm not sure if they would be willing to comply. I will try to talk to them, though. I'll let them know what awaits them should they wish to go back."
"That would be the best course of action," Cyno comments, firmly patting his shoulder. "Then, shall I call for them, or do you need more time?"
Time, huh... With how fast everything is happening in this nation, Tighnari feels like there isn't―nor will there be―enough time to devise an intricate plan. If what Lesser Lord Kusanali (or Nahida, as the traveler called her) had predicted is correct, then it won't be long before the new 'god' will take her throne, and who knows how that will affect Sumeru...
Tighnari gives him a look of affirmation. "I'd like to clear things up as soon as possible."
Cyno doesn't say another word, and leaves the room to call on you.
~~~
"Hey, Cyno told me you wanted to see me?"
Tighnari shuts the book in his hands too quickly for his liking, and looking up, he sees you have finally gotten the sand off of you and you look less haggard compared to earlier. He stands from the bed and gestures to it. "Ah yes. Before we eat dinner, I have to make sure you haven't acquired any injuries or something of the sort, so please have a seat."
"Oh, of course." Making yourself comfortable, you obey his order and wait for him to examine you.
He takes his gloves off before walking over to sit on the space next to you. As he does, he notices how you were fiddling with your hands, causing him to narrow his eyes. Are you perhaps nervous being alone here with him? It's not as if it's the first time this happened, yet why does it seem like you are tiptoeing around him?
"So," you begin, and he realizes you were trying so hard not to look at him, "you and Cyno, huh? I didn't know you were friends with someone like him."
"Well, now you do. Is it really that surprising?"
"Not really. What's surprising though is how easily he recognized me."
Tighnari gently lifts your chin with two fingers to inspect your face, and sighs in relief when he doesn't find any bruises. "Well, as my longtime rival, it is only natural if I let your name slip out on several occasions. Don't you worry, they were all just in passing, nothing serious or noteworthy to talk about."
You don't reply to that, which fuels his worry. Would this be a great opportunity to bring the topic up?
"Listen, I'm going to be frank with you. You can't go back to the city." He chides, taking a container of salve from one of his shelves to apply on your palms. "You being instructed to do research in the desert was just the Akademiya's dirty way to get rid of you. Now I know that sounds hard to believe, but if―"
"I believe you."
His ears almost flattened when he hears your voice crack. "What?"
You bite your lip, and he could see your eyes turn glossy. "It seems that falling asleep in the library has its pros and cons. One of them is being able to hear what people can't say to your face." You chuckle bitterly. "I wish I could say they were all praises about me, but imagine my surprise when I heard my colleagues discuss about such a detailed plan to get me out of the faculty."
The fox's eyes widen at your implications. Then, does this mean you knew from the very beginning? You knew that they wanted to kick you out, yet you still pretended to be clueless? You still followed their orders even though you knew it was akin to walking into a den of wolves?
"I honestly don't know what I'm doing wrong, Tighnari," you continue, keeping your eyes on his hands which were now holding yours. "Even after everything I've done, I feel like I will never be enough for them. I'm not saying I have you to blame for that, but..." you sniff, "can't they even try to acknowledge me for being me? For trying my best? I know it's not enough, but damn it all I was willing to do everything... just so they can..."
Tighnari's heart breaks at seeing the tears flow down your face, especially when you break into sobs which you still tried hard to suppress. As much as he wants to comfort you, to say that he understands, he can't; because the reality is he will never understand what you are feeling. He will never understand how seemingly tough you built your exterior, he will never understand how you managed to take in everything those stupid higher ups say to you, and he will never understand the feeling of having your achievements belittled. To think he was proud of his last advice for you, hah. Just keep doing what you're doing, nothing else should matter, he had said, but how could you do that when almost everyone you know prefers him over you?
Slowly, he guides your head to rest on his shoulder, his grip on you loose should you wish to push him away. But when you grab the front of his hoodie and cry into it, he doesn't hesitate to wrap his arms around you.
"I'm sorry," he whispers your name, guilt coursing through him. "I'm sorry I can't be of any help to you. I'm sorry this is all I could do. If only..."
If only, what? If only he wasn't in the picture? Would that have really made a difference? There are some things in life one cannot control, some things that only nature can provide, and this is one of them. While he really does feel bad for overshadowing you, he cannot find it in himself to apologize for everything he's achieved, because he knows it isn't his fault people are dumb and stupid to not see how great you are. Truly, if he could use all the wisdom in the world to find a cure for stupidity, he would have gone and given it to your coworkers in the faculty.
"Stop it," he feels you groan into his shoulder, "Stop apologizing, you dumb fox. That's not what I want to hear from you."
He rolls his eyes at that. "Then what do you want me to say?"
"I don't know," You pause in contemplation. "Tell me a joke instead."
"I refuse. Anything else?"
"If you don't I'll start calling you Nari."
His breath hitches and he had to forcefully stop his tail from moving so much. What if you see just how enthusiastic he is for you to call him that? "I don't mind, it's just a nickname."
"Okay, Nari it is."
He beckons his pulse to stay calm, for you are still dangerously close to him and he fears he might expose himself in no time.
He looks down at you, and sees your tear stained face still scrunched up, your mind obviously occupied with who knows what kind of thoughts. He thinks back on what you had said. What could you possibly want him to say at a time like this? He doesn't think anything he has to offer will make you feel any better, and really the only thing he could think of is... oh.
Of course. You don't need to hear any of these mindless apologies, nor do you need any more words of fake encouragement. What in Teyvat was he thinking?
"If it's any consolation, which I doubt it is," he starts, "I'm proud of you, you know. I've read everything you've published this far, and your research has been very helpful to me and the forest watchers recently."
"Wait, it has?" It isn't until you whip your head up did he realize how little the distance between the two of you is. He could feel the ends of his hair against your cheek, and he commits every single one of your features in his memory. Is it possible to say you've changed, but still remained the same?
"The salve I used on you just now? I've read your article on Padisarahs and turned it into something you can apply on external wounds." He explains. "Now you can say they work on the inside and outside, and I'd be more than willing to vouch for that."
You lean your head on him with a laugh, a sign that he's on the right track. "Mind telling me which substances you used? Maybe I could include it in my next article. It's not everyday that the Chief of the Forest Rangers gives a positive review on things like these."
"Gladly. As long as it's you."
The pair of you stay like that for the next few minutes, your sobs dying out and turning into little sniffs instead. He can also feel you trace patterns on his sleeve, and there's something about the whole thing that makes his chest constrict. He wishes he could do this and possibly more, he wishes he could provide some sort of support for you while you are at the Akademiya. But it's too late for that now.
He caresses your back as he decides to finally get to his main agenda. "Why don't you join the Forest Rangers?"
You stiffen in his hold. "What?!"
"Think about it," he prods, voice below a whisper, "you can't just walk back to the Akademiya after all that, can you? Those idiots will just find a way to dispose of you, one way or another. If you stay here―" with me, is left dancing on the tip of his tongue, "―not only will I be able to keep an eye on you, but you can still do your research without any difficulties."
"That... is very tempting, I have to admit," you reply, "but then I'll be seeing you most of the time, and that's gonna suck."
Tighnari scoffs. "Isn't that what you wanted before?"
"Well yes, but I think you're forgetting, Nari," you lift your head and reached up to boop his nose. "I'm not one to give up easily."
He blinks at you while you continue. "If I accept your offer and stay hidden here, then that just defeats my purpose to show them what I'm made of, don't you think? I'll make them regret ever seeing me as someone dispensable, and I'll make sure they have a hard damn time getting rid of me. They'll have to die trying before that happens."
Upon hearing the determination in your voice, Tighnari is reminded again of why and how he's come to like you. Of course, you're going to want to strike back at them, but twice as hard. It may not be as painful as getting electrocuted or burnt to a crisp, but people really need to know that ice can not only be beautiful, but dangerous. After all, death to sheer cold sounds like a very chilling experience.
"So what's your plan?"
"I think I'll tag along with Cyno for a while. You know, stay in the desert like they wanted me to do." You say as you pull away from his embrace. "I'll shove that detailed report into all of their faces when I come back. By the way, has Cyno told you about this underground ruin filled with massive amounts of flora? I heard he and his companions found it during their mission..."
Tighnari can't help but feel just as proud of you as you start blabbering about what you had talked about with the general. He initially may have been worried about you and your rightful position in the Akademiya, but seeing just how fast you bounce back, maybe they were all for nothing. He knows you to be a strong person, after all. You'll be fine, you'll be safe, that he is sure of.
You get on your feet, a new wave of confidence surging within you. "Let's go check on dinner! I'm starving after all that crying."
Before you could take another step, he absentmindedly grabs your wrist, stopping you in your tracks. "Hey," he stands to properly look you in the eye. Will he regret his next words? How would you react to them? There's only one way to find out.
"Hm?"
"What do you and a rock under water have in common?"
You were confused at first, but when you realize that Tighnari of all people is actually telling a joke, you draw your full attention to him to think about your answer. You and a rock... could there be some hidden wordplay in it? Or is it the structure of the joke... Wait.
You frown when it dawns on you. "Is it because we're both at the bottom? Very funny, Nari." You turn on your heel and headed for the exit. "I'll go see if dinner's done. Last one out is a giant lummox!"
"Wait, no―! Ugh," Tighnari sighs. He hasn't even had the chance to explain his joke! And, it wasn't really a joke, it was the truth anyway...
"It's because both of you are dense," He murmurs to the comfort of his room. "Painfully so."
Looks like he'd have to tell you another time, then.