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Aside from his parents (who were dead), Tighnari never had any parental figures to look up to. The closest was with Collei, but she's more like the sister type. The children who encountered her call her 'big sister Collei' all the time, and even the rangers and watchers consider her as their little, responsible sister.
It was strange, because they didn't share her blood. He didn't share her blood as well, and she was relatively young and small, but there was always this welcoming aura around her that lets everyone know she's always available to ask for assistance. At the same time, when she gets into combat, she doesn't hold back despite having a condition that affects her physically.
She was the perfect sister, so it was a surprise when he found out she was an only child when she decided to take him to her parents' house.
"What made you think that?" Collei asked as she was packing an emergency bag in the case of a disaster. First aid kits, extra bottles of their medicines, medicinal herbs, water, various ingredients sealed in a clear smaller bag, and other things.
According to her, it wasn't her choice to be this cautious. The rangers made her carry one everywhere she went when she first joined, paranoid about her condition worsening. And they still do to this day.
"You're a natural when it comes to taking care of kids." Speaking was a privilege he had to abandon until last year. Tighnari was grateful for that medicine made for him, the aftertaste wasn't appreciated though. But hearing everything at a more normal rate was worth it. "So I assumed you had a younger sibling to take care of back home."
"That's a misconception many make about me." Collei chuckled. "All I do is make dolls for them and play with them until their parents come or I find a home for them. Honestly, I don't know how to take care of kids. They're a handful."
"They are." Tighnari avoids kids at all costs. They were loud, and somehow even louder when crying or misbehaving. "But they all flock to you when they see you."
"I guess they do."
It's been two years since he's officially welcomed into the Forest Rangers, and he's heard a lot about them already. His hearing does have some benefits, despite the downsides making his life astronomically difficult to get through.
Collei usually goes to their house every other week depending on how busy she is, but sometimes they show up at Gandharva Ville for a surprise visit. And every time that happens she shuts herself in her hut for hours on end even after they left.
Everyone but her finds that amusing.
"I love my parents, I do, but I wish they can be a little less protective and overbearing." Collei said, guiding him through the thicket of vines and trees in the rainforest. They didn't live too deep, but they definitely hidden their home well in these conditions.
"I heard they brought two sets of Tahchin to the village when they visited one time, and they stayed there to cook even more, but are they really that bothersome?" Tighnari asked. As soon as he was able to tolerate louder speaking, the rangers immediately shared this story the moment he could. Collei didn't appreciate it, and got so mad and red in the face that she buried herself in her books until the next day.
"Those are exaggerations, but they kind of are, in a way." Collei sighed. "I know they mean well but they also... embarrass me. I'm sure they never do it on purpose but...I don't know."
Tighnari didn't fully understood what she said. Growing up in a household where everyone did their damned best to stop their ears from going into overload everyday had that effect on him. They rarely had any guests enter their house, so hearing about this was surprising.
"Consider yourself lucky." Tighnari said. "At least you still have them in your life. And I heard they're very supportive of you and your achievements. They must be proud."
Collei's face flushed with color. "Don't get me wrong. I'm happy to have them as my parents. Though dad often jokes about my illness, I know he just wants me to feel better. Mom doesn't like them, and she fusses over me a lot as a child." She looked up, and he followed her gaze to find a secluded, sturdy looking house in the distance. "Oh, there it is."
They soon crossed the distance between them and the house, nothing appeared to be out of place. No moss or fungi or vines were covering the house.
Collei walked up to the door, raising a hand and knocking twice on it. "Mom, dad, I'm here!"
A few voices were heard on the inside, and soon enough, the door swung open, revealing a man with green hair and eyes that look like they inherited the color of crystal, and a woman with lovely blonde hair and the eyes of a Sumeru Rose.
"Collei!" The woman immediately enveloped her in a hug, looking like she could squeeze the life out of her. " My baby girl!"
"Dear, let go before she implodes!" The man laughed heartily, and the woman obliges and releases her hold. The girl panted slightly from almost getting crushed, but still kept a smile.
Tighnari buried the feeling of jealousy and pain to the back of his mind.
"Hey mom. Hey dad." Collei said, looking to where Tighnari was standing and gesturing towards him. "I brought a friend along today."
"Is this the student you were talking about?" Her mother stepped out of the house and examined him with a glint in her eyes. Except, this glint wasn't one of interest. Rather, it was more out of love than anything. There was no immediate move to rub his ears or pet his tail, just looking at him with love.
Tighnari could manage nothing more than a wave. "It's nice to meet you Mrs..."
"You can call me Melicia, dear. Or Mel if it's too long for you."
"And I'm Blake. Come on in and make yourself at home."
The four of them entered the house, and the interior was just as clean and nice as the outside. The wooden walls were painted in a lovely dark brown, complementing well with the cream floor. Furniture was placed around, and framed pictures were on all the walls.
"It's just like last time." Collei's smile grew wider when she looked around.
"Come on, I bought some new equipment for you to try." Blake took his daughter's hand in his, and the both of them went up the stairs to the second floor.
"I'll go and prepare the food. Feel free to explore the house, dear." Mel walked to the kitchen, leaving Tighnari on his own.
He looked around the house, finding a comfortable looking sofa with plenty of pillows on it. He wasn't sure why there were so many pillows on the couch, but he wasn't complaining.
Climbing onto the sofa, he lied down and grabbed one of the pillows and placed it under his head, providing much needed rest. He faced the coffee table where two other couches were placed, and something on the surface.
There was a framed photo of the family of three on the living room coffee table. Collei was in the Akademiya uniform, her hat was thrown into the air and making a blurred movement in the picture, but neither her, Mel or Blake look bothered by it. They were all smiling happily without a care in the world, without anything to bother them.
Tighnari didn't know why, or how, but for a fleeting moment, he saw himself and his parents in the photo.
Then soon, he felt the urge to cry, but he pushed it back. However, he couldn't fight against the thoughts that started to plague his mind now.
He didn't realize it before it was too late, but he found himself getting up and going over to the kitchen, hearing the sound of chopping and knife meeting wood from the room. He was just outside the kitchen when he heard a soft voice.
"Oh?" Mel paused in the chopping, looking at him with an inquisitive look. "Is something wrong, dear?"
"Nothing." Tighnari shook his head, feeling his ears lower. "I just wanted to...see what you were making." This was a special occasion for the family. He wasn't going to ruin it because he was reminiscing about a past that ultimately ended with a bang.
"Dear, I can see you look sad." Mel placed the knife and fish down on the cutting board and walked over to him. "You don't have to tell me what's wrong. I'm just a little worried."
"It's stupid."
"I'm sure whatever it is, it's not stupid. Collei said you went through a lot, though she never gave any specific details. It's okay to ask for help or comfort."
"I...I saw Collei's graduation photo and was reminded of my own parents." Tighnari admitted, trying to cover his eyes with the hood of his cloak. "They... died trying to save me."
"Oh." Mel's eyes softened. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. At least I knew what happened to them, so I wouldn't have to roam around trying to find them like an undead corpse."
"But that doesn't change how you feel, does it?"
"...no."
"Well, I think they're proud of their son for being capable of building a life from the ashes of the past." Mel placed her hands on his shoulders. The touch was gentle. "I bet they loved you to the moon and back, and they would want you to move on. And if things get hard for you, you have many people to confide in."
"Thank you, Mrs. Mel."
"Like I said, you can just call me Mel."
"Now, to take your mind off of things, do you want to help me in the kitchen? I can guide you through the steps if you're unsure."
"I would like that."
"Count me in." Blake walked over to them with a goofy grin. "It's been a while since I got to cook with you, Mel."
"How long have you've been standing there?" Mel asked.
"I just came back down here."
Mel taught him how to cook the whole way, and pointed out his mistakes and taught him how to correct them with nothing but warmth and gentleness. Blake made sure he didn't accidentally burn himself
He rarely got the chance to cook with his mother, the clanging of cooking equipment got too much for his sensitive ears most of the time. And when she did allow him, it would usually end in disaster and he had to be sent back to his room.
Here, there was no paranoia about knocking something over. It was just a simple cooking session.
-
The food was finally prepared and set on the dining table. A single chandelier was above them, illuminating the room.
"Thank you for the help, dear." Mel smiled as she placed the finished Tahchin in the middle of the table. "Your culinary skills can rival that of Collei's."
"That's because I got them from her." Tighnari said, managing a smile of his own as he looked at all of the dishes they made. Their aroma made it tempting to eat them. "I don't cook for others often either."
"Well I think you did an excellent job this time around." Mel started to head out of the dining room. "Let's go call Collei. Or you can stay here if you want."
-
Dinner went by smoothly for the most part. Other than Collei's dad making extremely bad jokes (almost as bad as Cyno's) throughout the ordeal, things were great.
("Do you know why Dendro slimes hate Pyro? They don't want to be mistaken for a burnt radish.")
("Dad, stop.")
Nighttime ended up coming faster than anyone expected. Mel and Blake allowed them both to stay for the night because of it.
Collei had changed into pyjamas that had been bought to fit her size. They had been the ones she wore as a child, and she had to admit, she was happy she was able to wear them again.
She was about to make her way to her childhood room when she was stopped by her parents in the hallway.
"Collei, we're proud of you. Take care of your brother, would you?"
"Brother?" Collei titled her head. "I don't recall..." The pieces clicked together in her head. "Mom, dad, please don't-"
"He's old enough to be on his own. But we consider him apart of our family anyway." Blake chuckled. "Besides, you treat him like a little brother, don't you?"
"Maybe." Collei muttered. "But he's still my student. I'm just mentoring him. It's not like I'm doing a good job."
"And you're doing a good job."
"I'm-"
"We're not having it. You're not going to bed until you know you're an amazing person and big sister."
Collei sighed. This was going to take a while.