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It was Thursday morning and the chirping of Dusk birds cawing and singing loudly with the other avians of Sumeru, as squirrels began to wake out of their nests and bees flies out to harvest some honey on their nearby flower field amongst some groups of Fungi bouncing and twirling around one another happily is when a certain fox-like Forest Watcher awaken from his slumber
Ears twitching once then twice when chirps of Dusk birds, pitter patter of dogs running back and forth barking happily followed by heavy footsteps of what seems the owner of the hounds running over to give their early morning breakfast
Whilst a jittery but mechanical clank purrs on the side of his bed, still deep in slumber as it won't be awake unless it was ordered to do so or if it's master, or well owner wakes it up by choice
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A groan escaped the lips of the fox, then a long yawn followed after as the bed beneath him creaks ever so slowly when he sat up and took a light stretch, fluttering his eyes open as he wiped them to get a better look beside him
The fox sighs
He must've left early A thought came to mind as a hand placed over the side of the bed, feeling the heat on there, still fresh and warm to the touch as it only cause him to smile a little
"Well I suppose I should start off the day by checking on Collei's condition and see if she'll be viable for the next Withering zones. And if not I'll have to reschedule her if there's any symptoms comes up even while we're patrolling around the forest" The Fox mutters to himself, already up with gears moving in his mind, reminding himself on what he'll do today as if pre-sceduled
The fox hopped off the bed, and stretches once more with a wide yawn and hum
"Hhmm, I should also restock some materials in case I've ran out any ingredients for Collei's medicine as well" he told himself with a nod
And as it was planned The Forest Watcher walks over his desk and reorganised the mess of papers on the table, setting them aside to a corner only for him find a basket full with what seems Nilotpala Lotuses as well a bit of Rukkasva Mushrooms under a couple of them with a couple of herbs on the bottle tied with a messy but cute looking bow on each
"Huh? Where did this came from? I didn't remember restocking on these that early did I?... Unless..."
His eye caught wind a small letter under the basket and picks it up gently from under it
As once it's on his hand, he instantly can sense some electro energy flows around it to which he smiled with a light chuckle, placing a hand over the letter casting some Dendro energy to reveal what's written on set letter he found
No need to restock on Collei's medicine supplies, I've already gathered them before you awake. Hope's this will be enough for a month's worth of it
Sincerely,
Your neighbourhood General of The Matras
Though the writting was a bit of a mess, but it was readable enough for the Forest Watcher to regonise who left it here, then chuckled to himself
"Guess that's one thing off the list, now..." As he trails off, he eyed the sleeping cube beside his bed and smiled at it, before he let out a whistle as it purrs stops before it slowly forms itself out once awoken
"Heh... Morning, Karkata!" Greeted the Forest Watcher, as the robot responded with a happy chirp at it's master telling that it's awake now
"Ready to help me out gather some materials for today's lecture?"
The robot doesn't need to be told twice as the Forest Watcher said that, it instantly leap out of the hut with the Forest Watcher dragged up to it's back instantly causing him to laugh and shakes his hand
"I'll never get used to this" he says to himself before climbing back down to which causes the robot he called "Karkata" to look at him as if what a confused dog would looked like
The Forest Watcher Pat's it's head as he spoke
"Let me check on Collei first before we go, alright?"
"Kuro Kuro!" The robot chirped, and nods as the Forest Watcher smiles and makes his way to check on his younger trainee Forest ranger to see how she's doing today
Once he reaches a smaller hut than his, a young girl with green hair, pink gem like eyes, with leathered skirt on and a feathered hair clip tied at her messy morning hair
"Morning Collei, you're up early today!" Greeted the Forest Watcher, smiling as the younger trainee yawned when her name was called
"Moorrrnnniinggg Master Tighnari..." The girl he called "Collei" greeted back with a small and tired smile
"Are we going on an early patrol today?" She asked, yawning once more as her eyes for second was closed before she groaned when she shakes her head to wake her up even more
The Forest Watcher that she called "Tighnari" sighs with a small smile on his face
"Maybe, but how about we had breakfast first before we go on a patrol, okay?" He said, giving Collei a gentle look, a look that he once give her when they first met even
Collei only nods with a smile before Tighnari lead her back to his hut and starts up some breakfast for the day before a patrol, hoping that Collei's conditions wouldn't acted up like few days ago, as well he hopes she won't push herself too much even today too.
Once breakfast was ready and feast upon, Tighnari and his dau-- junior, Collei embarked on a patrol together after a quick breakfast and quick set up with a couple other Forest Rangers as they've had informed Tighnari yesterday that there's still a few Withering zones popping up right at the South East of Pardis Dhyai that needed to be cleared
The Withering zones this time weren't as hard as yesterday's but it was a hassle to deal with when it comes to Rifthounds Alphas & Welps appearing and roaming about certain zones, to which Tighnari & Collei had to deal with those more carefully to avoid getting bitten or battered by the Hounds
Alas once each of them was cleared, the group goes back to the Village and Tighnari meet up with Karkata to get ready for his daily seminar & lectures with his students at Pardis Dhyai
Though today was different, when the group got back and Tighnari was about to tell Collei to have a rest for the day, a certain girl in white and green seems to be standing infron of Tighnari's hut, eyeing the robot crab in awe
As Tighnari blinked and furrowed his brow, confused at the presence that is right in front of his doorsteps
"Collei, mind you double check with Amir if tomorrow we'll need to clear another zone or will it be a break from it tomorrow, if that's okay?" He asked and Collei smiled right back at him and saluted before running off, almost stumbling herself forward but quick enough to catch herself and goes to where Amir would be
Tighnari's ear twitched as he approaches the young girl in white slowly
The girl quickly noticed his presence and send him a bright smile on her face, clapping as she speaks
"Ah, there you are! You must be Tighnari right?" Asked the young girl with a tilt of her head
Tighnari blinked before answering back
"Yes, and you are? I don't think I've seen you here before" he says softly as the little girl only giggled, making the fox a little confused by that
"Well I'm Lesser Lord Kusanali, but you may call me, Nahida!" She said with a cheer on her voice when she introduced herself to him
Tighnari blinked once... Then twice before he opened his mouth to speak
"A-Ah, Lesser Lord Kusanali? What a pleasure to meet you!" He said with his hand over his chest and a bright but nervous smile on his face as he never seen Lesser Lord Kusanali before, though he've heard tales and talks about her but never really met her in person like this before
Today was surely different.
"Mind I ask why you're here on Gandharva Ville, Lesser Lord Kusanali?" He then asks after a brief moment of shock/realisation that The Dendro archon is right at his doorsteps, seemingly looking for him...?
"Why I'm here because I'm curious about you, and about how the General Mahamatra seemed to find talking about a "Certain Forest Watcher" to which I thought it was someone close to him at first which lead me here and to you!" She explains briefly with a clap, a grin and a giggle
A red flush sprung on Tighnari's cheeks at the mention of General Mahamatra as a small smile curve it's way to his lips
"Well... Since you're here, Lesser Lord Kusanali--" "Nahida" "Hhmm?" "Just call me, Nahida. No need to be formal!"
Tighnari smiled even more as Nahida giggled before she was lead to a table beside his hut where there was an outside fireplace with a stove above, unlit but ready to be litted as Tighnari told or well offer Nahida a meal while she's here wanting to get to know him, he mind as well cooked her something while she's here
Maybe a Pita Pockets or two might suffice for a quick snack while chatting or would a plate full of his personal dish would be better?
Tighnari shakes his head at the thought and began cooking some light and easy to chew before bringing it back minutes after to share with the Dendro archon
"Soo you're here because you're curious about me?" Tighnari asked, recapping the explanation she said earlier to him
"Mmhhmm!" She nods with a hum "Although... I'm more curious on the fact that you were let off soo easily when you were once accused of Academic corruption" she said nonchalantly before munching down over the Pita Pockets he cooked for her & him to share with
"Ah that..." Tighnari let out a sigh then a chuckle and a look, that Nahida could interpret as someone finding about a close memory that they cherish the most
"That case... Was surely an interesting one back then..." He said calmly, eyes wandering over to the side, trying to memorised back that old memory of his
"Oh, really? Then if it's okay... Would you mind telling me your perspective of the story? I've only seen files and short reports of it, but I never seemed to get the full picture why you were let off by the General soo easily" she says, giving Tighnari a look full with curiousity and awe, wanting to know the tale from him
As Tighnari chuckled and shakes his head at her, as seeing an Archon being curious of this one thing is quiet funny but interesting at the same time as he even wonders if Cyno were asked to tell his part of the tale as well
"So that's how it works, huh? Wow, Tighnari you're a genius at this!"
"Alman, that's just the basics of how stems in plants work though. Don't tell me you didn't pay attention at Sage Nabis' lectures earlier?"
"Well..."
The young fox with hair longer to his shoulders, ears flopped under to fit his hat with a green badge right next to it sighed and shakes his head over his college right next to him.
"I really wonder why we're even in the same class sometimes.." muttered the young fox, as the man right beside seemingly younger in a few years than the other, brown dark hair, light brown skin cultivating his body as he seems to be hiding his face, embarrassed at the fact that he might or had probably did not pay attention at lessons in class today before their lunch break
"H-Hey, at least you'll helped me with today's assignment at least right? Not like you'll give me the answers easily but you know... Maybe we can used our Akasha and see if maybe it'll help me a bit if you don't have time to help me with this" The boy explained a bit shyly and shamefully towards the young fox beside him
The fox pinched the bridge of his nose and shakes his head at him
"The more you asked, the more you just sound desperate to even passed this year's exams that is... Still 5 days from now!" The fox reminded his friend, giving them a stern glare as the boy only pouts and nods
"I know, I know. But I promised this the LAST time I'll ask for your assistance. Soo... If you mind and help a friend out? Just this once, I promise"
Another sigh comes out of the fox's mouth only for him to begrudgingly agrees in hopes that Alman would hopefully not needed his help next time at least, here's hoping his own studies won't be bombarded by endless asks of his colleagues for his acedemic help and guidance once or twice.
Though it does annoy him a little that he at times becomes the man most colleagues of his Darshan or even other Darshans came for help or a second opinion on some topics
But they never truly bother him as much, as some would think as to his eyes, helping them despite some are stupid or forgetful enough to even pay attention in class, like Alman. The young fox still willingly help them whenever he can, or whenever he already finished his studies and enjoys a short time of break they were given each lunch time
Though there was also another thing that bothers him, but not as much as him helping out others with their literature or even biology problems.
Each time he was near Pardis Dhyai, or even anywhere near the small cafe at the Akademiya, the young fox could hear something or someone following him as whenever he looks back he was met but nothing
As at one point he thinks maybe his hat was messing with his own hearing capabilities, but no
As days becomes a week passed, The fox's ear twitched to the side while he was chatting idly with a couple of students of his Darshan, talking about the lesson and assignments they were given by the Sage of their Darshan
To once the group finishes setting out a plan on how to finished this assignment, the fox's ear twitched again
Hearing rough but steady movements from behind, as to him or well to his ears their steps was harsh but carefully, steady even as if they weren't wanting to be noticed Soo easily
Once the group left this fox by his own, he takes a deep breath in the out as he open his mouth to speak, arms slowly crossed to his chest
"Your footsteps can't fool my ears, you know that right?"
As if the "mysterious person" was caught, a rustle of a bush can be heard once the fox looks behind him
"If you want to surprise or prank a scare on me, then I think you need to get a better target than trying to fool my capability to hear you coming from miles away..." He says matter-of-factly
"Although... May I know who's the person that's been following me around like a lost cat without it's mother? I can't simply concentrate on my studies if I know you're watching me" he added after with a huff, giving the "person" a sense that he's quiet annoyed on being followed around for no reasons at all!
There was a bit of awkward silence amongst the room they're in, before the young fox stood up his seat and leave, a voice froze him on his tracks
"I suppose you're right, I should perhaps not just idly watch without introducing myself" said the voice as figure walks out of the bushes they were hiding to the young fox's expression changes from annoyed to shocked and a bit in fear of who just step out of the shadows to meet him
"G-G-General Mahamatra?!"
The shock look at the fox's face makes the figure eyed him with his expression seemingly unchanged from before
"Suppose you've already known who I am it seems" says the figure who the young fox regonized as General Mahamatra. The General Mahamatra. The leader or well general of each Matra posted and patrolled around the Akademiya, as rumours told that The General was a person to be feared, and lied to as once you even let out a word, he'll instantly knows who's lying and who's not, who's life needs to be judge and who's life hangs on a balance
For justice serves in many ways than one.
Noticing the air has gone tense once more, and the young fox saying no words than a shocked look on his face
The General only stare at him for a moment before opening his mouth to spoke
"What did the flower study in the Akademiya?"
This only caught the fox off guard, confused at what is the meaning of question the General just asked him, the young fox was about to say something but the General cuts him off
"STEM"
"...What?!"
"Don't you get it?"
"H-Huh?"
The fox only gets even more confused at the answer the General just said as he feels like he's either in a dream or this just an elloborate joke that his friends were pulling on him just to annoy him again
The General sighs as he opened his mouth and began slowly explaining what he meant to say
"Thought an Amurta student like you would find that joke amusing? But... Suppose I can explain what it meant if you are still confused by the look at your face" the General said blankly and right before he even started to explain the joke
The fox then let out a annoyed sigh & groan, as if he know noticed what the joke was, and pinched the bridge of his nose out of frustration.
"That... That was awful" he muttered to himself, shaking his head with a sigh and give the General Mahamatra a now even more annoyed look on his face
And before the General says a word out, the fox spoke up first to cut him off
Arms crossed, ears flattened with his tail bashing from side to side as he spoke
"Is the General Mahamatra just here to tell jokes or is there anything that you're here for? Surely you're here because I'm in trouble of something, or did some accusations lands toward me that you came and followed me around to investigate me, if I'm correct?" He asked, straight to the point of the matter as he wishes his day wouldn't be bothered today, but seems fate has other plans for him
By the look of the General's eyes that slightly widened, the fox could swear that the General was surprised at his guess. Maybe his guess was what lead the General Mahamatra here? To investigate him? But what's need to be investigate of him for? He hasn't broke any Akademiya rules, has he?
What comes after only further confused and surprised the Amurta student even more
"Whilst your guess is mildly correct. But... I think I had enough to say for certain that investigating you further would only stall the evidence I've gathered"
"Huh? What do you mean by that, if I may ask, General Mahamatra?"
"Cyno"
"Huh?"
"Just call me Cyno"
"Eee... Okay..." The student takes the breath in then sighs as he reiterates his question once more this General Mahamatra Cyno once again
"Soo... Let me get this straight, you... You followed me around for a whole week only to now I asked if you are investigating me and you said you aren't investigating me now?! I.... I don't seemed to follow your logic here" he said with a defeated but still annoyed look on his face
"Yes" was the only thing Cyno says to him, as he once more sighs
"Guess my day just going to be more irritating than before huh? Greattt...." He mumbled to himself, slightly slapping himself with a groan, only for Cyno to speak up after
"Though I've wished we could chat a bit more, Tighnari but seems the day going to pass by. So I shall take my leave"
The General Mahamatra Cyno nods as he turns to leave only for the student calls out to him, even more confused sounding than ever
"Wait how the hell you know my name?! I didn't even tell you my name!"
The General looks back and let out a dry chuckle
"I'll explain the rest to you once we've meet again, Tighnari"
And with that The General Mahamatra, Cyno left this Amurta student, Tighnari at Pardis Dhyai, overly confused by the meeting for set general only for him to feels like he'll needs more than 10 or even a gallon of coffee to reduce the migraine he's going to have over thinking of that meeting he just encounter that day
Tighnari could only imagine his younger self be absolute bewildered by how he is now, and how close the two becomes just right after than encounter or well the second one at least gives young Tighnari some clousure to the questions pilling in his little brain
As now it lead to them meeting once or twice for business or work related needs, to now them having constant dinners whenever Cyno get the chance to visit him and Collei, and chatted things up on what they've missed whilst both were hard at work.
Nahida who was sitting and listening intently to his part of the story could only smile and giggled
"Ah, so that's why the General let you off that easily huh? Now I get it!"
Her answer caused Tighnari to raise a brow at her, slightly confused
And as she saw this she giggled once more as if she can read what's the question he was about to ask next
"I did indeed ask the General Mahamatra Cyno first about this because I was curious! And now hearing your part, it makes a lot of sense now on why he lets you off and see no threat on your case at all!" She explained cheerfully
"Oh.." Tighnari then chuckled as she answered one of his questions that was blarring slightly on his mind earlier when he heard her explaination on why she's here to see him
"Also did the joke really sounds that awful? I think it's at least... A creative one"
Tighnari rolled his eyes with a "Tch" and chuckle as he can't help but smile while shaking his head at her
"Sure it maybe creative, but asking me or even saying it to a student who was... I don't know... Followed around for a whole week only for him to tell such an awful joke, it's just..." "It's just what?" "It's just... I... I don't know... It's just sooo..." "Quiet an Earful?" "Yea--"
Tighnari could feel the veins of his blood vessels boils as he can guessed who's right behind him right now.
Without even looking behind Tighnari crossed his arms as he spoke
"Did you really just come here to barge into our conversation, General Mahamatra? Isn't that just rude to intrude in such conversation without even saying a hello, hhmm~?"
Tighnari could hear a light chuckle behind him as he could feel arms wrapped around him, involving to a hug before a head rest on his shoulders
"Well perhaps it is, perhaps it's not. Is it really that bad to come here and tell you I miss you?"
That line sends Tighnari's face to heatstroke of red, redder than even any peaches he've picked up before and to top it of his tail is wagging happily as well at it
"Cyno..." He muttered quietly but loudly enough for Cyno to hear and noticed the tone of his voice, wanting Cyno to please not embarrass him in public, especially right in front the Dendro archon right now!
Nahida eyed the two men's interaction in awe as her eyes glows slightly as if she was starring into their minds and reads them for herself to get a giggle out of it
"Aawww Soo you both are this close huh?" She said, giggling gleefully
Causing Cyno to blinked and looked over to her while Tighnari is just there suffering (not really) on the grasp of the General Mahamatra and The Dendro archon watching their interaction in full front for the first time
"Guess I shouldn't have doubts on how much anything that'll remind you of Mr. Tighnari, you'll always have this fondness in your tone when mentioning his name, General Cyno!" She said with a clap, happy and content at what she just discovers today, as she hoped to share this tale with certain friend of hers if he allows her to.
As Nahida says that, there was a hint of red and shy smile on Cyno's face, eyes wandering off elsewhere before looking over to Tighnari for help in which Tighnari rolled his eyes and shakes his head before letting his tail be at Cyno's grasp to where Cyno slowly dives his head and hand over his tail, smelling every inch of Tighnari's scent as Tighnari bit his lip as he clears his throat as he spoke
"Well I suppose this general right here wished to let our little secret be known to your eyes to see..." He says with a pouty sigh on his face. Eventhough I thought we promised not to make it public yet... Oh arhcons' of another nation please... Send help...
Nahida watches them even longer with smile before finishing the Pita Pockets she was given and cooked by Tighnari when she noticed a flock of birds passing by them, indicating that the day is slowly making it's ends before welcoming the evening of the moonless night to come
"Well this was wonderful on meeting and getting to know a bit more of you both, and even getting to know the full story of what I was looking for too!" She said joyfully, as Tighnari chuckled with one hand on his hip
"And it was a pleasure as well to finally get to meet and talk to you, Nahida" he says to her before waving goodbye as she left Gandharva Ville and Collei pausing in her tracks when she noticed The Dendro archon has left when she arrives back
To which Tighnari give her a smile and mouthed 'Don't worry, it's nothing bad were spoken, I promise' to which Collei shot him a small smile and nod before idly walking over to her hut and waters the Rose that was infront of her hut
Tighnari then turned back with now both arms on his hips
"Soo... Did you really just have to do that infront of the Dendro archon like that? I thought you told me to keep it a secret, hhmm. Did I not get the memo that now the General Mahamatra wishes for our ongoing relationship between one another to be out to the public? Wouldn't it... Ruin your reputation, hhhmm~?" Tighnari asked boldly, not even hiding the smirk that curved onto his lips as he said that
"Well... I just want her to know how close, and how much trust you with my utmost living being and soul for you, is that so bad soo bad not to show to our Archon~?" Cyno questions back, mirroring his smirk with Tighnari's, who's rolled his eyes with a sigh
"Sometimes I really wonder what makes me wanted to date you again" he muttered to himself before shooting a warm smile right after to Cyno
"Maybe because I was too... A-Lure-ing for you, General WatchLeader "
Tighnari groans at that nickname before setting himself down at Cyno's lap and letting his tail be a cushion between as he lay his head over to Cyno's chest, looking up right at him when Cyno's hands fiddle around with each strand of hair covering such a beautiful sight for him to see
"Call me that one more time, and I swear I'm going to just kiss you soo hard that you'll forgot to say a single joke in the dinner table ever again"
Tighnari when he saw what expression Cyno was giving him, makes him regret to even say that now
"Alright General WatchLeader, I promise I won't call you that ever again" "Cyno... " "What? What's wrong, General WatchLeader? Cat caught your to--" Tighnari didn't let him finished as he pull Cyno down, inveloping his lips with the other, not letting him finished the punchline whatsoever as much he was both embarrassed and annoyed by the act Cyno pulled right in front Nahida earlier
His heart always tells him a different thing, a thing that he loves when Cyno surprises him with his visit just because he misses him, and Tighnari can't deny he does misses Cyno whenever they're far apart
But kudos to his capabilities to hear when Cyno arrives or not, Tighnari's heart could skip a thousand beats only to see Cyno again...
"Heh... Guess this time your ears didn't caught me coming huh?"
"Uh huh, about that... I actually heard you we're coming, Love"
"What? Oh come on, really?"
"He heh, like I've told you a thousand times before Cyno... You can't fool my ears that easily"