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The bustling city of wisdom is illuminated by the hot star shining bright up in the sky, the numerous leaves adorning the meanders of Sumeru City's structured streets act as a screen; screen reflecting various patterns onto the ground and buildings. In the heart of the capital, a peculiar boy walks through the Grand Bazaar, gray hair emerging from his hood which holds resemblance to an animal's head features. His skin is tanned and his piercing eyes are colored with the same hues one would find in the desert's sands before twilight.
It is none other than the General Mahamatra, Cyno.
Everybody he passes by reflexively straightens up, his reputation as a strict enforcer of the law regarding research at the Akademiya to blame for it. Even regular people just living their lives outside of academic research, fear him. They're scared even if they have having nothing to hide, having never done anything reprehensible. The Akasha told them all they needed to know about him and his methods. Surely a way for the leaders of the prosperous city to further tighten their grip on the citizenry.
In this location, Cyno is able to observe the stage onto which he can often see an individual train in her art. An art that doesn't find its place in a city where knowledge and research are primordial. Decried, shamed for it, she nevertheless withstood the waves of critics going her way to pursue the path her heart envisioned. Being a witness of the constant hubris exhibited by these so-called sages and researchers, he knows firsthand how difficult it is to deal with such people under normal circumstances. His position and his personality allows him to pay it no heed, but for regular persons, they have no choice but to surrender to peer pressure for the greater good of the city. Especially since everything is shared through the Akasha, you can't expect people to keep many secrets.
The girl which enters his field of view on many occasions during his time in this place is also there today. She is the main lead of the Zubayr theater, a dancer with no equal who's loved by all who aren't pursuing academics. Every merchant, traveler, and other people from all kinds of backgrounds admire her art, going so far as to recommend it to newcomers despite the critiques of the Akademiya. In return, she also loves every person under her gaze, who has come to appreciate her life's work. She remembers their names, their activity, their habits... and keeps all of their letters of encouragement.
Despite his aloof attitude, which would make one expect Cyno wouldn't care at all about this kind of thing, the General actually knows these facts about Nilou. He's quite intrigued with her vitality and fortitude in the face of adversity. No matter how troubled the state of Sumeru may be, she never wavers, putting her dancing skills to appease the hearts of those who are fortunate enough to set their sights on her. That includes himself.
Yes, even Cyno happens to feel the relief she provides through her performances. Fluttering about like a butterfly on a stage prepped up just for her, it's a scenery he's grown to recognize and value. After a long day of dealing with missions attributed to him, coming back to the Grand Bazaar allows him to regain the stillness his soul yearns for.
Her scarlet hair swirling in the air, the sound of her numerous accessories resonating under her movements, her fair skin lit by the peeking moonlight... no one could oppose the tranquility it instills in them once their eyes were capturing the moment.
'Ah. She is performing today.' Cyno thinks, loosing a bit of the tightness he usually holds his weapon with.
A proof that he's entered a more relaxed state.
Under his cloak, a piece of paper resides, waiting to be delivered to its recipient.
'I should leave this to one of the Zubayr theater members... I don't want to disturb her focus on the task at hand.'
Seeing how she was preparing for her upcoming dance, the enforcer decides that this is the correct choice. It wasn't because he was bashful, embarrassed. Cyno isn't one to feel such things in this kind of situation. He's a person who sees things as matter-of-factly as possible. If he feels some type of way, he would tell it to whoever he got the feeling from, with no further thoughts put behind it.
In the same vein, he will take whatever is thrown his way at face value. The behavior of a young teenager in love, were he to be smitten with someone, wouldn't apply to him. With confidence, he would definitely confess and do his utmost to pursue success in this endeavor. For Nilou, he thinks he knows exactly what he feels when he watches her work her magic.
"Gratitude." He says out loud, in a bit of a daze.
He is thankful for the moments of plenitude she brings to his life, without even meaning to do so specifically. Her mere existence in those instants in which he can forget all about his daily problems and duties, is something he's grateful for. She is like a character taken out of a poem or ballad, ethereal. As if she appeared out of thin air only to disappear once the time of her swift movements reached the end point.
Nevertheless, he knows she is not fictional, she is not just a dancer. She is a young woman with troubles and anxieties she hides very well. She is as real as anyone in the audience, even if most people often forget about that fact. That's just how entranced one is before her ballets.
Approaching the stage, he goes next to a woman who is doing some arrangements in the background to set visual props behind Nilou.
"Excuse me."
"As you can see I'm very busy at the moment, can't you-"
The woman is irritated to be distracted right now but cuts her sentence short once she sees who is her interlocutor, after quickly facing his way.
"G-G-General Mahamatra...! Please excuse my rudeness...!"
"Do not fret. Here, can you deliver this to her once it's finished?" Calmly states Cyno, not batting an eye.
"Of course, count on me to do just that!" Replies the helper, not relaxed in the slightest
"Thank you."
As he leaves the stage by the stairs on the side, the star of the theater happens to catch his presence by the corner of her eyes.
To Cyno, his existence is quite anecdotal to her. He thinks that someone like him just passing by, watching from afar in a corner of the Bazaar isn't getting any of her attention.
He couldn't be farther from the truth.
Because to Nilou, unbeknown to him, Cyno's presence is her beacon of comfort. She always took confidence in performing whenever she'd see him in his usual spot. It was like a sign post she would steal a glance at to reassure herself when she felt the slightest hinge of doubt. It was irrational, inexplicable. They had never talked, they don't know each other personally other than what both of their activities are. Yet she felt a deep sense of assurance whenever he was in her vicinity... maybe due to the fact that she felt his genuine interest in her work? That he made it a routine to always come watch her from the same spot?
To the ever changing scenery of a place as popular and packed with people as the Grand Bazaar, he brought the concept of a constant reality. And that, to her, was a sign of comfort. A sign that she was indeed mired in life, past, present and future. He would remind her that even if her public changes every time, her previous performances led him back to her today. It would also motivate her to do her best, because she knows in advance that he will be there next time... to that same place. It infused her, to the very core, with the sentiment that she's not just an ephemeral being in the eyes of others.
Of course, Cyno wasn't the only one who came back to her numerous stage plays. But sometimes, some of her returning fans would have something that bars their way on such a day, and they might not come. At other times, they aren't as visible in the crowd because their position changed and they're further out there. Only the General Mahamatra would invariably set himself in a dark corner of the Bazaar, which happens to be flashed with one of the stage's lights at intervals; that's how she found out about him being there in the first place, otherwise she might have never known.
Having finished her mental preparation,that she always does before taking up the stage, she immediately rushes over to her fellow member.
"Hey Najia. Would you mind giving me that letter you received just a moment ago?"
"Ah, Nilou! Of course, of course. Oh man, was I so scared when I saw the General Mahamatra come up to me out of nowhere... I was so busy that I was rude to him and... I almost don't remember what I replied!" Answers the woman in charge of props, still a bit shaken by it.
She gives the envelope to the star dancer of the group, happy that she accomplished the mission given to her by the threatening authority of the Akademiya.
"Thank you! And you can breathe, he is not as scary as people might think." Nilou tries to make her more at ease, as her stiffened shoulders are quite apparent.
"Oh now that I did what he asked me, I will surely get more relaxed in the next few minutes... I wonder why you say that though. Do you know the General personally?"
"No, no, no! Of course not! Hahaha... How could I..." Embarrassed, she shakes her red head furiously while waving her hands in front of her.
"Right... you're always with us practicing after all! Hahaha!"
Najia leaves the premises, done with her own job on stage, which gives ample time and space for Nilou to read the letter. She admits that she'd never have expected him, of all people, to write her some words like other citizen would. She is excitedly opening the envelope, curiosity rearing its head and replacing all of her embarrassment.
'Your dazzling figure illuminates the lives of many people, of the very location you shine in. The audience captures this moment fixed in time, basking in your glow.
To those of us laying in the shadow's bosom that your light create, your brightness is a blessing.
But even the brightest light carries weight and danger. Being immersed in that blinding radiance, most would fail to see the flickering soul within, burning with all its might. Melting away.
It may be a very disjointed way of telling you to take care of yourself, to remember to take a rest when you feel like you're breaking apart... but even I wanted to have a go at the thing you cherish, at art.
As arrogant as it may be, I felt that this would be the most appropriate way to convey those feelings of gratitude for everything that you do.'
A single tear rolls down the pearly bump of a cheek. Overwhelmed with emotion, the dancing beauty quickly brought her arms to her face, hiding this state from prying eyes.
No one had ever delivered to her, words of worry. She was very thankful for the encouragement, the praise, the declarations of love even... because it all meant that she conveyed beauty and feelings as she should have. No matter how taxing, how exhausting it was to be able to do so.
But this person... with an unsigned letter too, knew more about her than most of her fervent fans. Unfortunately for him, she knew from earlier that it was Cyno's. In order to answer for his sincere gratitude and worry...
"I'm sorry, director. I really feel under the weather today..."
Visiting Sheikh Zubayr office, Nilou decides to announce her cancellation of today's event.
"It's fine. You're our gifted star, I'll allow you any rest you deem necessary. Don't worry about the audience, I'll make sure they understand... though I'm fairly certain that won't need much persuading. They'll worry more about you than their promised performance." Evokes the playwright, manager and director of the troupe.
"Thank you very much, and sorry, really..." Bowing down, Nilou makes a proper apology for the sudden change in schedule.
"Enough apologies. Off you go, Nilou! Next time I see you here, I want to see nothing but a rested face."
Leaving the location, Nilou takes a path leading to her home, heeding the advice of her not-so anonymous benefactor.
It's deep into the night that Cyno, arriving at his destination to witness Nilou's soul soothing therapy, notices that something is off. The director of the Zubayr theater is taking the girl's place on stage, speaking loudly with ample gestures aimed towards the crowd assembled there. It is soon very obvious that he's explaining to each and all that the planned act has been canceled due to some circumstances surrounding Nilou's well-being.
Cyno raises an eyebrow, finding the situation rather peculiar. She had never canceled before, no matter how tired she was. His trained eye wouldn't let him miss her exhaustion. He had seen her perform plenty of times when she should have, by all means, rested.
'Is it because of my letter?' He inquires to himself, immediately thinking of what he wrote some days ago, before giving it today.
'Not as if she would know it was me. Maybe I should pay her a visit, just in case.'
Concerned, the General of the Akademiya heads towards the upper layers of Sumeru City, leaving the Bazaar behind.
Just as he is greeted by the night's breeze outside, his orange eyes catch a glimpse of a few crimson locks of hair swaying under the influence of said breeze, their owner sitting down on a nearby bench.
'Oh. That's her. Good, she's well enough to be here at least.'
Heading towards her with his usual assurance, Cyno closes the distance between them in a few seconds.
"Would you mind if I were to sit here?" He asks, politely.
"Ueee?!"
Nilou's surprised reaction echoes in the area, her shocked cry startling Cyno as well.
"O-Oh. I didn't mean to scare you."
"I didn't expect to see the General here... how may I be of help?"
"I'm not here for business, don't worry. So? Can I sit?" Repeats the young man, looking straight into her cerulean eyes.
"O-Of course! This is a public bench..."
"Thank you."
A short silence takes place between them. Nilou seems to still be on edge for some reason, reason which escapes his understanding, having said that he wasn't here on duty.
"I've heard some citizen saying that the representation was canceled." He plainly states, hoping to open a conversation about the topic right away.
"Yes... it's my fault, I asked for that." She declares in solemnity.
"I don't think a fault is at hand here. You probably had a good reason." Cyno's cover is partially blown by the statement but he couldn't refrain himself from it.
The fact that she blames herself, even though her health is what should be a priority... he couldn't bear it.
Nilou isn't surprised that the General Mahamatra just said that. After all, she learned more about him than ever before through these penned words. She nonetheless averts his gaze, so he wouldn't notice her expression.
"Perhaps... I'm glad you're believing in my good faith." The woman says, still turned away from him.
"I trust someone, who is often the talk of the street and praised as much as you are, to be an upstanding person. Take the opportunity to rest, it seems that this doesn't occur regularly."
"I will. I have to. I don't want to disappoint... them. The people who will watch me. And someone who I am deeply thankful for."
"Mmmh. This is good."
Nilou's cheeks burn bright red, but under the shadows of the night, it goes mostly unnoticed to the eye.
"Do you... No, never mind..." She interrupts herself.
"Mh?"
"It's nothing. I was wondering if you also needed rest lately..."
She didn't want to ask that, initially, but she is still curious about that.
"What I do is not as taxing as you might think. I feel good enough to operate at full capacity."
"Is it really...? I couldn't see myself fulfill your duty, General..."
"Likewise. I may be able to endure the physical exertion, but I have by no means the grace, the beauty and the charisma you exhibit in your dances." He responds, in a flash.
His eyes grow a tad wider after he realizes what he just said, and what it implied.
"You've watched me dance...?" Nilou grabs this chance to ask about it, as it is generously offered by her neighbor.
Cyno clears his throat, trying to regain composure, and marking a pause in the discussion so he could think of something proper to say this time.
"Yes. Sorry if it sounded like I was hiding it, it wasn't my intention. There's nothing to be ashamed of, after all. Overseeing one of the city's public events is part of the job."
Slightly puffing her cheeks, the artist's feelings are a little hurt by how hard he is trying to deny his personal interest, and showing dishonesty in that sense.
"Eeeh... I see... So it's like that."
Cyno sends a look her way, perplexed.
"Mh?"
Nilou grows tired of playing cat and mouse, even if she is a shy person, her impatience trumps her bashful nature. She decides to move to the next step.
"At present, I'm no dazzling light. The shadow we both currently bask in is due to the moonlight behind us... so... I'd like it if you were more inclined to engage in a more honest exchange with me..."
"Wha-"
Flabbergasted, the Akademiya's watchful eye is left with his mouth half opened, as the recipient of his letter just outright used his own words, right back at him.
"For being such a strict figure of authority... you have a way with words, you know...? You can be more confident in yourself when it comes to that, at least." She continues, finally looking at him with a bewitching smile and tears threatening to fall at any second.
"I- uh... I'm sorry?" is all Cyno can say when put on the spot like that.
He has no idea how she learned that he was the author.
"Can I take your letter as what you really feel, then?" She inquires, a hopeful tone imbued in her words.
"Of course, I would never deliver lies to someone. Those are what I wanted to convey, with utmost sincerity."
There was no meaning in trying to evade the subject, with how convinced she sounds that it came from him.
"Then I will address you with your first name, if that doesn't offend you... speaking heart to heart with someone requires less formality, isn't it?"
"I do not mind. In fact, I prefer it that way. I respect my position and do my duty, but people being overly scared of me just because of it is troublesome. Just Cyno is fine."
"Cyno." She whispers, his heart beating marginally faster as his ears pick it up.
"It's a beautiful name." Nilou mentions with a grin, filling the boy's heart with the warmth of the sun.
"Thank you, I suppose."
"Thank you as well, for thinking of me. No one has ever paid this much attention to me and my health. It really was a delight to read and feel how much care was put into these words. I'm sure you wonder how I could know it was from you since you didn't sign it, but I happened to see you give the letter to Najia." She explains with a soft tone, holding both of her hands close to her chest.
"That explains it." He simply adds.
"Mh-mh. And it made me even happier because you're always there, watching me. Reminding me that everything I do is meaningful... for others but a selfish part of myself as well. 'I was here in their minds yesterday, I am also here today, in front of them. There are people being the living proof of that.' That's what I tell myself. And it reassures me that I can come some other day and expect you to be there, at your favorite spot, to watch me dance."
Nilou's words overflow with earnestness and gratitude, her heartfelt confession melting away Cyno's cold attitude. The part about her having noticed him, despite doing his best to stay removed from the conspicuous spaces, is enough for this uplifting mood to soar to even greater heights.
"So... please, continue to watch me. I will make sure that I will never overdo it from now on, I will ask for proper days off. I will never break and betray everyone's expectations. I will smile from the bottom of my heart, with my everything, and channel all of the beauty I am capable of delivering... as the director would say. I don't want anyone to worry about me, adding to their own issues. Nilou will be as graceful as a butterfly but with the fortitude of the Divine Tree holding our city. Being ephemeral is the last thing I want! I want to live in people's hearts everyday! Not as a memory, but as an ever evolving person!"
Cyno listens patiently to her fervent, passionate claim, eyes riveted to her. He nods from time to time, showing her that she has his full attention.
"I can only hope to live up to this devotion, but if there's one thing that I am certain of, it's that I will never give up on this." She concludes, with a firm inflection,embodying her determination.
"I'm pleased to hear you say that. Even more so if my words were the catalyst for your newfound conviction. Bringing so much to people as to forget about yourself... is a painful thing to witness. You needed to learn to cherish yourself as well. Not just what you represent for others, Nilou."
It was the first time he pronounced her name. Her ears took a carmine hue, as she hanged her head down to hide her face.
"I know. Thanks to you, Cyno."
Like a bird which won't fly or a fish which won't swim, Cyno thinks that a sun which cannot shine without exploding has no worth. He would rather not see the grace of her footsteps ever again than watching her march to her decline. Her demise. People dying from overwork, or becoming totally insane. It's a sight he's grown accustomed to, against his wishes. All the researchers of the Akademiya too engrossed in their quest for knowledge led them to this precipice. And he didn't want Nilou to take that path, in pursuing art.
Of all things, art, which is deemed useless by the higher-ups of the country... it couldn't become the reason of another life meaninglessly ruined. Not when it inspires the heart of so many people. Not when somebody like Nilou embodies the concept so beautifully.
He wouldn't let it happen. He had to act.
And he did. It all led to this moment between the two of them.
"I promise." He blurts out, after a few seconds, earning a look from her.
"What?" Curious as to what he's about to say, the red haired girl tilts her head as she observes his facial expression.
"I promise I will always come to watch you. So promise me you will always show up on stage in top shape. Even if you have to reduce the amount of representations you star in."
"I will. Knowing this... I definitely will, Cyno!"
"Very well. I'm... happy you took my words to heart." He pats her lightly on the head, spontaneously.
"I'm not a little girl..." She says, after his gesture, with a pouting face
"Uh? That wasn't my intention I was just..."
"If you're happy with me then... I want to... eat something with you someday... if you're free, I'd love it if Cyno invited me..."
The more deeply you fall in love with someone, the more your heart yearns after them. Of this fact alone, Nilou is being painfully aware of, for the past ten minutes.
Never in her life had she ever been this assertive in regards to a social relationship. She knew instantly that it had to be because of the feeling they call love.
"Mmh. I'll think about it?"
"WHA-?! I can't believe you!" Retorts the performer, outraged.
"That was a joke... they never seem to work as intended..."
Depressed by her reaction, Cyno's shoulders drop, as does his head, now facing the ground.
"What a terrible joke... now you absolutely have to apologize to me with an invitation!" Replies Nilou, with a grin on her gorgeous visage.
"I never declined your proposition..." He sighs, before resuming.
"I'll send a word your way, I promise, Nilou."
"Yay! I'll hold you to it, Cyno! I can't wait..."
Smiling from ear to ear, the boy cannot repress his own need to do so as well, albeit in a more discrete fashion.
Just like the lotus flowers blooming on the water's surface, a nascent, budding emotion is emerging from their respective hearts.
Only time will tell where that emotion will take them.
The beginning of a story that belongs only to the both of them.