Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The Tighnarian race are known historically to prosper within the lands of the great sand. Our ancestors were depicted as the most loyal followers of the Great King Deshret of the Red Sands, jumping through large hoops and outsmarting enemies with their wit. They were the embodiment of a perfected species- human and animal -built to live in the heat and thrive on the attention of the knowledgeable lord. 

My parents use to tell me that our ancestors used to bear light clothes on their skin to match the lighter shades on their fur. Speckles of milk chocolate hair pooling down our backs, where the spine connected with the tail joint. It could be better described as waterfalls of dry blood in the sand pouring down. A perfect replica of the sandy domain itself. Much different from centuries later where we now match the scenery of the forest biome.

In my wonderous eyes, I would always attempt to imagen myself with a different fur color besides green. I never quite got the image right, so I stopped after a long while. At times when I'd stare at myself between the ripples of the pond near my backyard, I would question if I stayed out on the sun long enough I would begin growing a lighter shade of green and build a resistance against the heat. Obviously that never happened but...

"Agh! A mistflower could... really melt in this heat... wouldn't it?" Feet like jelly, it made it difficult to climb over the uneven sand scaling upwards. I could be convinced I was reaching to touch the sun the higher I climbed. It sure felt like it. Maybe I would smell like a boiled asparagus by the end of the day if I kept this up. Momentarily, I stopped to take a breather in hopes I would catch some cool air into my lungs. Alas, I was delusional, instead ending up choking on stray bits of sand that I inhaled too close to the uneven floor. "I mean they wouldn't but... I bet they would if I carried one over. Maybe I should invest in bringing some next time."

"They will melt the second you step foot out of Caravan Ribat--"

"By the Archons!" I tripped- which was less of an actual trip and more of a collapse -onto the floor beneath me and inadvertently breathed in more of that dreadful soil. I was practically one with the desert at this point. One with the forest? No. More like one with the sand. My ancestors-- I could hear them tutting at my misfortune. I bet they would say something along the lines of 'we were followers of the Great King, dedicating our whole lives for our lord, and you cannot handle a meager hill ten klicks away from town? Where has this generation gone wrong?' Yeah well I don't see you giving me any ancestry help staving off the heat with whatever genes helped in the past. You're just as useless as a normal hat would fit in my head. Stupid ghosts.

I finally had enough air within my system to begin clambering out of the pile of sand I dug myself in. Staggering, I turned over to glare at whatever smug bastard was attempting to commit suffocation against me. Low and behold it was the one person no regular scholar would dare want to be in the company with. Yet I wasn't normal because I could not gather the energy to curse up a storm or grovel at the feet of this particular authoritive figure.

The figure in question raised a placid eyebrow. "I was not aware you did not hear me come up from behind." Because of course you catch the newly acquainted General Mahamatra multiple times sneaking up on you, the one time you don't will be the only time he will hang it over your head. Sometimes I wonder if he does in on purpose... surely not.

"Haha. Very funny, General." I rolled my eyes. I adjusted my footing once I began realizing my feet were sinking again. "What do I owe for the great and terrifying General to grace me with his presence? Oh let me guess-" I feigned a thinking face with a hand touching my chin, "-was I reported under suspicion of influencing our students with receiving greater grades? Was it the too-large study groups I would arrange? Is hosting tutoring sessions now deemed illegal?"

Cyno frowned. "You know better than anyone any reports handed over to me are reports I will not take lightly." If I squinted hard enough I could almost imagine he was pouting under that ridiculous black cloak he wore everywhere. And out in this heat? I deeply wonder how his bare feet haven't left any burn marks. Sands are prone to conserve the heat that the sun would give. Didn't they teach you in general courses first year the theory of colors and how it effected the environment around you? Why wasn't he wearing white like the rest of us normies? Would he let me prod at his feet if I asked politely enough? 

"I still find it ridiculous your superiors found it odd that someone with decent manners was helping out his peers in passing a couple of exams."

"Your decent manners is what put you on a watch list. Not very decent if you asked me."

I hummed, proceeding to turn around and analyze the hill of sand standing before me. Still daunting as ever. The sun surprisingly passed over, creating a shadow on the hill indicating it would be late soon. "I'll ask next time then." Then I made the motion that the conversation was over by continuing to scale upwards. The sand continued to work against me, leaving me sweaty and feel like I would eat the soil beneath me for dinner. Cyno, the bastard that he was, had an easier time walking up, keeping pace with my pathetic self. Ancestors, why must have we left our roots in order to thrive in the forest? I would have had a much easier time climbing up this stupid domain. I could've done noteworthy jumps like a fennec fox, the elegance of a ballerina with every step I'd take. But no, I'm here two steps away from dying in this heat. Two seconds away from simply giving up on the notion of my project. I bet Amura was having a much simpler time studying the rust on those busted mechs elsewhere in Sumeru. 

I'm here on the short end of the stick.

"Where are you headed?" Cyno asked.

"Off to the Valley of Dahri down the canyon. My project is in need of samples from there."

Momentarily, I heard him pause behind me. Then he reached for my wrist, catching me off-guard once again and nearly falling backwards. It would be a horrible time to collapse in the sand once more. I was three trips away from leaving myself to die in the desert by my own accordance. 

"Follow me, I'll escort you there myself. I know a much easier route however it'll take us much longer to get there." He insisted, ever so soft and caring. His hand gave away a different kind of warmth from the sun, however I didn't bother to put much thought into why. 

"Then take me," I murmured. Unsure how else to describe it. His hold tightened for a second before dragging me down the sandy hill I made valiant effort in climbing. It felt less damning than before when my pride was on the line and I promised myself to rest after I reached the top. Now, I wasn't so sure where all that pride went. 

One fourth of the night had passed when we finally reached an oasis. 

As predicted when it came to the desert, the sand reflected the temperature of the surface that met the sky. Unbearable heat in the day, unbearably cold within the night. At some point within our walk did Cyno stop to offer me his black cloak. I didn't have it in me to reject the offer, just simply glad for any help that would ensure my survival without the expense of others. I used it to conserve as much warmth as possible while hugging my tail as close to my body as I could. To the heavens and back, the forest was never this cold either. Chilly at best with the humidity that was always trapped within the trees. Never cold enough to faintly see your own breath. 

Cyno, in all of his skin-tight and revealing armored glory, did not seem at all bothered by the temperature change. He made a motion to stop while reaching the oasis. I was grateful for the break, absolutely convinced that my feet were about dislocate from around the ankles. I dropped on my knees right next to a tree, the fruits hanging high above me. I didn't even bother to reach for them. I just needed a drink and an arse-load of rest. 

"Refill your canteen here. We will rest until the three-fourths hour mark on the moon settles in the sky. From there we will continue on our journey up north and we will reach the edges of the canyons before the first half of the morning. We'll manage to climb down to the valley by early evening. Any questions?" Cyno described in full detail. Figures the General Mahamatra would know the sands so deeply that he could estimate a travel distance by foot and hourly time management. I would kill to have the knowledge that he holds. 

"No sir," I replied. 

"Sleep now, I'll keep watch." The conversation ended from his end. I didn't even get to answer back when Cyno abruptly left to assumedly refill his own canteen as well. I rolled my eyes at the sight of his blunt yet inept attempt of a friendly tour guide. With his knowledge he would make good mora out of the business endeavor. 'However, with his lack of social practices...' I could feel laughter attempt to bubble up within my dry throat, but fail to fall out. 'He would lose more costumers just by simply his stare alone.'

I refilled my water supply and ate a half of a sandwich that I saved up. I carefully laid on the bark of the tree and curled myself forward to preserve the rest of the heat within my body and using the cloak as a blanket of sorts. From there I closed my eyes and mourned how I would surely feel the sand somehow find a way to dig itself within my ears a few hours from now.

"--ke up. Tighnari. Wake up."

I blearily opened my eyes to a soft voice nudging me out of my restful state. I haven't dreamt in years but I bet I would be just as mad as back then if I were woken up from a good dream. I always kicked up a fuss as a kit whenever my dreams were interrupted. I could vaguely remember most of them involved dancing in the forest, bare foot, with little aranaras and a little girl my age holding my hand. I wondered when I had exactly stopped dreaming altogether.

"Wha-? What ha... Is it time to keep walking?" I asked, a deep rumble in my voice. I swear I heard a crack. I haven't done that since the start of puberty.

"Not yet."

"Then why was I--" I was interrupted with an oomph. A heavy weight dropped on my stomach and I was left to fumble and stare incuriously at the object laid before me. It squeaked in outrage but the sound muffled by my cloak. It was distinct though and I knew immediately what it was.

"Cyno."

"Yes?"

"Why did you bring a Fennec Fox here? You know they're native to these lands, right?" And Archons so help him if Cyno made a familial-cousin joke about it. He would gladly turn himself in for the murder of the esteemed General Mahamatra and write down in explicit detail about how he single-handedly knocked down the young man of white hair and great strength by simply clawing him to death. He could do it. His family held on to the strongest genes by their large ears to their canine teeth and insatiable hunger for meat. (On that note, could he take a nibble out of the corpse of the dead and digest it similar to any other meat? He was not as human as the relative population that overpowered Tyvat.)

"Of course," the other nodded along factually. "However, this one is injured. I was wondering if your kind held knowledge extended over to animal-care."

...

He could not be serious. 

"Of my kind?"

Cyno frowned. "Yes." 

He was serious. And here I thought better of him. I guess we all have our flaws, don't we?

"Cyno--" I gripped the edges of his cloak, ready to throw it away at a moment's notice should the conversation reach bigotry territory that I had hoped to never reach with the one person I trusted. "--Just because I am a fox and this animal here is a fox does not equate to us being similar in any way. It's not as simple as to identify us as a human fucking an animal and a new hybrid comes into play--"

"No," Cyno hurriedly raised his hands in a placating manner, "I meant of Amurta scholars. To your kind; the scholarly kind. Scholars that study in the field of biology. That kind."

I pinched myself at the bridge of my nose. The anger that flared within a moment's notice would've been quick to overflow had I thought any deeper into it. So I didn't. Instead I wondered how far had this man misspoke to hundreds of other scholars and they assumed the worst. Perhaps too many to count, and I wasn't going to give Cyno the satisfaction in knowing that I was seconds away from chewing his head right off. I rolled my eyes deep and could feel a headache just from the action alone. The animal beneath me squeaked in a struggle to climb out of the cloak I draped over it; unsuccessful. It let out a pitiful whine.

"Think more closely before you speak next time," I muttered, "I thought for a second you were another simpleton believing that's how biology worked."

Cyno had the decency to look abashed and ashamed by his poor choice of words at least. The reflection of the moon behind him cast an overshadow obscuring his features, none of it affecting me since I could see well in the dark. "I apologize. It was not my intention. I am aware you get enough of it back in the akademiya."

"Do I, now?" I humored his response without fail. I shook my head at the ridiculous apprehension I held beforehand at the general before turning my attention over to the fox. I pawed at the lump in my lap before I adjusted myself to sit up right and lift up the cloak. It was better to change the subject before anymore unresolved tension on my end would come out to play and the General paying the price of it. I could deal with the rest of these feelings and quick assumptions on a later date when I wasn't drenched in sandy sweat even in the middle of the night. "What's the status of this fennec?" 

"A ways away from the oasis I left to hunt for scorpions nearby. I noticed them surrounding this fox, and I made the choice to save it. It would do no good to hunt the scorpions for their meat and leaving the fox to die." 

I hummed in response. Already I could see scrapes and swollen areas where the fennec was likely pinched or scratched. I wouldn't know if the creature was at risk of infection, but based on the dirt clinging to the fur and mixing itself with dry specks of blood, I could safely conclude that yes it would. I untied the satchel that hung on my shoulders and opened the contents inside. Unfortunately I didn't bring much of anything-- the space was supposed to be reserved for the samples I would need to carry back --but thankfully I wasn't woefully unprepared for anything to happen in the Land of Sands. I still had a bit of lunch left to carry me for the rest of my journey and a small medical kit. Living in the forest left you to be prepared for any and no dangers you may face, after all.

I used my canteen to bathe the poor creature before shuffling both the fennec and the cloak towards the edge of the water. They eagerly shimmied over to lap up anything it could. From where my hands held firmly onto the smaller body, I could imagine it was of young age. Skinny through the bones, but not quite glaring visible. 'Perhaps they're the runt of their family. It's a miracle I wouldn't feel their lungs through their ribs just yet. Poor thing left to die at the hands of those scorpions.' Careful not to aggravate the wounds, I looked over my supplies and used a small amount of oil on any swollen or pink areas. A couple of cuts littered as well, but none severe enough to warrant bandages. I used a different salve to gently run it over the injuries. The fennec began fussing at the notion, biting my finger as if I was made of fragile flesh. 

"Come now," I murmured under my breath, "you wouldn't like the results of an early demise, now would you? Sit still." Relentless, it tried to crawl away with one of their injured paws. It did not even manage to escape my grasp before collapsing onto the floor. I could empathize with the act of digging its snout onto the sandy floor and struggling to shake away the soil from its nose. I picked it up anyway and dropped them on my lap, uncaring of the outraged whine it let out. If it was one sure thing I knew about kits it was that they were extremely vocal and fussy. From their ears alone I could tell they were simply impatient being held by my hand. Well so-rry for attempting to keep you alive per request of the General Mahamatra himself. 

I could feel Cyno's intense gaze over my shoulder. I would not be able to gouge any emotion coming from him easily, but under abnormal circumstances, I thought I could faintly smell worry from him right now. It did me no good if I could be distracted by his scent. The pungent smell of the sands clung to his form under the few months that we got to know each other better. Sometimes it changed or it would shift to another smell, telling a story of his whereabouts without myself needing to ask. Sometimes I could smell spices or dust, but those were surface-level scents that would be washed away with time. However most of the time the scent stayed the same. He was just everywhere and anywhere all at once. 

"Why don't you try your hand in holding the fennec?" I offered, carefully picking up the cloak and leaving the fox to be carried within the center of the article. It did them no well trying to dig towards the middle as if they could rip the cloak open with their claws alone. Amusedly, I kept the cloak up in the air just to watch them struggle. Such a stubborn thing indeed. I peered over at the other. "I'm sure you'll have a better shot settling it down since it allowed you to carry it all the way here."

Cyno seemed a tad hesitant to try. 

I narrowed my eyes. "It's your responsibility after all. You're the one who had a bleeding heart for this poor thing."

Certainly placated, he carefully traced his hands over the cloak and carefully carried it over his chest. "She. The fox is a she."

"Sure thing," I nodded along. It was actually a male, but I wasn't about to reveal to the General Mahamatra that he missed the smaller 'tail' tucked under the larger one. I stood up from my spot and stretched my body out as much as I could, letting a tiresome yawn escape my lips while letting my back pop satisfyingly. I shook away any remains of sand off my fur and face before bending over to pick up my supplies. 

A cough garnered from behind me and I looked over to ensure Cyno was alright. He was busy staring down at the fennec that had settled comfortably in his broad chest, rubbing their snout animatedly all over Cyno. Cheeky thing. 

"That should be rest of it. The salve will need to be washed off by the end of the day and apply a new fresher batch once more. By tomorrow most cuts and bruises should heal well enough that they can stand on their own once again," I instructed. The older figure nodded along while keeping their gaze trained on the resident mammal. They were so focused on the fennec I was partially charmed to see metaphorical stars gleam under his red eyes. On that particular note, the shade of red reminded me much of the Mourning Flowers. 

"I'll carry them for the rest of our journey," Cyno vowed, closing his eyes in a moment of prayer between himself and the fox. The moon lightened his features much more brighter, his white hair matching that of the moon if I stared at the similarities long enough. It sounded much less dramatic in my head, but the other man was anything but that. 

"You will?" I asked, enamored by his display of dedication. Or perhaps it was humor.

He shrugged, turning away to face the trail I dreaded to continue traveling for the next couple of hours. "It's my responsibility."

We reached the edge of the canyons by mid morning just as Cyno predicted. Peering down at the alley, I could see the great distance of height between where I stood and where I would fall should I take a wrong step against the uncertain terrains of sand. The breeze was gentle and the sun hadn't set forth to blaze the world with its heated rays just yet. Blessedly, it was an overall peaceful trip even if we momentarily stopped to accommodate for the needs of a runt kit. 

We slowly descended at a tactical pace, Cyno commenting offhandedly how many newcomers to the Land of Sands would believe that rolling down the steep hills would be faster than running downwards. "Many of them," he would pet the large ears of our runt napping away on his chest, "are the people I tend to track down. You have no idea how many of them would run in circles after reaching down the hill. They would think they have the time to get rid of any dizzy spells before we reached them." While true, I barked out a laugh at the ridiculous idea anyway. It was easy to lay down and roll over any small hill, but large steep hills? There were many factors you'd want to be aware of before attempting to even think about beforehand. It's easy to lose your momentum and once you start rolling down you won't be able to stop. There's the land terrain to think about; would you happen to inhale too much sand in the midst of your roll? Would you happen to roll off-course? Would you hit on a stone on the way down? Simply put, I would rather lose any rights to my identity than to be chased down a hill and think up the greatest escape scheme is to curl up in a ball and roll down. My fur would not forgive me for that.

The heat slowly creeped up but the shadows of the canyons helped fight off any view of the sun. I took my time to survey the empty lands surrounding me, taking note of the lack of... well, anyone, hanging around these parts. No howls or gurgling roars to echo off the crumbling walls. Not a caw or an odd 'eep' from the two-legged mushrooms that tended to wander anywhere within the lands of Sumeru. Unconsciously, my ear twitched in search of any living noise. Not that I would find any, but the animalistic instinct persisted throughout my walk.

Peering over at the Ruin Guard ominously hanging down, the feeling persisted in my chest that I was being watched. Insisting to drop everything and run. But the logical, incredulous, side asked where the heck would I even run off to. The 'eye' located at the center has been documented by many scholars before my time that it was broken and well off dead. Tied up by the largest roots growing out the sands and stuck between the canyons, no greater weight would let it collapse fully. Suspended by both air and the fabrication of time. By all means it would never turn back on again. And besides, I would attempt to convince myself, no one is stupid enough to try and revive this old thing anyway.

So I stuck to myself staring up at the dead mech before moving closer to the arm perched close to a pile of rocks. Large and difficult to place my footing on, but not entirely impossible for a mediocre climber to accomplish. From there I made the wise deduction that yes I can indeed climb this thing, and scaled upwards until hand met metal rust. Ungracefully, but it got the job done. I wasn't here to impress anyone. 

"Where exactly does your project involve a giant mech, Tighnari?" Cyno, far from below, called out impassively. Probing in a matter that I wouldn't have picked up right away from anyone else if they didn't work closely with the Mahamatra. But of course, Cyno had a way of being blaringly obvious without much effort. I commend him for not caring to be subtle in the slightest. 

I responded in kind, keeping my focus on the dents where the mech's arm left on the soil by my feet. "Just here in the desert! A joint project focusing on the corrasion between the mechs involving different environments. It's confirmed throughout many other fields of research that different environments can carry weight to preservation of a certain being, but I'm more focused in the idea whether how an invasive item can impact the environment as a whole. Case and point; the mechs laying around Sumeru. What sort of impact do they leave, and how can it benefit from its environment?" Because Archons forbid someone came up with the idea to critically destroy these giant artifacts of destruction or move them out. They've laid inactive for centuries, anyone with a sensible brain would agree that it would do worse for the environment as a whole to forcibly remove them after many years of adaption towards their standstill presence. 

Frowning, I carefully peered up at the 'eye' again. To think that these giants were a regular presence centuries behind the Archon War and many more centuries before that. It astounded me to ponder just how normal these machines were viewed in the past compared to the future. When the mech of the present are now deemed a mindless threat and a danger to populated areas. 

Shaking my head, I forced myself to focus on my research and gather samples easy enough to carry in a bag. Anything else could be sketched out and copied later into a larger parchment of paper. Any and all burning thoughts of a historical past could be studied later under the House of Daena, where facts could be differentiated from opinion.

"Are you sure you wouldn't want to keep them? For someone small their size, even with a healed scrape, they wouldn't make it far off the desert. They'll inevitably die without a parent to look after them; they're still too young to wonder off on their own." Looking over at the starving kit salivating all over the General Mahamatra's fingers, leaving behind no traces of beef jerky that were previously held in those same hands, it left me with a sense of pity and unknown thrill running through my lungs. I noted the feeling had something to do with a sense of adoration for any animal receiving the care needed to survive. And probably because the kit was in the hands of Cyno himself, though I couldn't pinpoint as to why just yet.

"My work strictly leaves me no time to look after her. I'm bound to let her go when the time arrives." Cyno responded, more or less avoiding from meeting my eye.

I scoffed, "That still doesn't mean you should drop them off here. Why not look into animal shelters or places that fennec foxes are more prone to staying outside of theses sands? I'm sure there are far nicer places that are accepting of wild animals without disturbing their natural instincts."

Our trudge back towards civilization was as unremarkable as watching paint dry. The heat unbearable as any other day, but nonetheless easy to ignore after a drink of cold water. It was amazing to notice how much easier it was to bear the sun on the way back home than it was when I first started my journey here. To end the evening on a good note, I hadn't even faced much trouble with the expert of the dunes, Cyno. With the dry wind tickling my ears, it took me a moment of delay to realize that the man in question froze behind me. I stumbled in my effort to turn around and face him.

"Are you alright, General?"

"Yes." The answer sounded forced out. "Do you know of any locals willing to look after her while I'm gone? I won't be able to visit often, but I'm willing to check in on her progress as she continues to grow."

A momentary pause in stride, I pondered over the question. Surfing through any knowledge of the neighborhoods friendly towards foxes, I could only circle back to one answer. "My folks would be more than agreeable to take care of the kit if I asked. Would you be open to that?" 

Something in the way that the General gazed at me left me to almost question if I said something wrong, but it wasn't long before he covered up that strange expression with something in resemblance of a tiny smile. "I would be very accepting of it."

The journey continued onwards and I was more than satisfied with how the day passed by. Heatstroke or not.

Standing in the front steps of my shared residence with my parents, I leaned on the porch in a disheveled state. The kit in my arms refused to be cooperative, but the scent of Cyno lingering in the cloak left them placated enough to not jump out of my arms. My shoulders ached from the materials hanging inside my bag and my feet sorely burnt from the amount of sand somehow making its way home between my socks and toes. The kit perked up from underneath the rough material and eyed the carved door standing between us and the cool air indoors. I could pick up the humming of my sweet grandmother mixing dishes on the stove, more than likely making a feast for my awaiting return. All else was empty in the cramped home carved from wood and stone slabbed together between vines and root. 

I carefully carded my fingers between the kit's large ears, earning a pleased coo from him before he reluctantly settled between the folds of the cloak once more.

"How in the Archon's name do I explain this to my parents?" 

Chapter Text

The sun shined down on the peasants roaming in the lands of Tyvat and the clouds flew strongly west where the sun typically settled to rest. The temperature was arguably moderate for anyone who liked to spend a generous amount of their time indoors. The wind blessed by the Archon of Freedom kissed the faces of everyone in this particular day in Sumeru, a gentle dance that left everyone a momentary pause in their day to enjoy simply being outdoors. Sweat hardly came by when the heat could easily be fought back with a cold drink that refused to melt over. Coming to terms that I was becoming one of those people that would spend their days in the sun, I laid my worn out notebook to rest on my lap for a greedy moment. Grooming the fur down from the joints of my ears in idle thought.

The silence surrounding the forest was never typically present for someone of my biology, as much as my colleagues insisted that it existed. Not that the thought brought me comfort to begin with. If the forest ever struck silent then it could only mean trouble was ready to pounce on unsuspecting fools wondering around outside of the designated trails. My response to that always left them in amused silence. 

As of now, the noise of the forest was a pleasant welcome like any other. The trickle of the waterfall and the whistle of birds singing their mates a joyful tune grew into background noise. I inhaled the moment for the time being, knowing that my break was well earned compared to the rest of the forest rangers crawling through the forest. Not to say that my colleagues didn't work just as hard. They just... lacked the experience to work unsupervised. Always needing someone to guide them to the right traveling paths once more, always needing someone to redirect them to any books they might have forgotten to study over or forgotten was essential to their survival within the forest, or just always always ALWAYS needing medical attention because they mistook the pattern of the mushrooms that grow native to these archon forsaken lands. You know the works. At the moment I should have been fine hiding out within the tall branches that blocked sunlight from trickling down to the floor of Sumeru, a distance walk away from Pardis Dhyai.

But...

"Tighnari!"

"Tighnarriii"

"Forest Watcher Tighnari! You're tasked to report to Pardis Dhyai immediately!"

"Don't say that, you're making it sound worse than it is! You know how he gets when we make a big deal out of nothing!"

"Well do you think he'll show up if we asked him where Forest Ranger Gui left the preserves crates before leaving for the city?"

"Wait- Gui was in charge of the crates? I thought that was Kamran."

"Oh you're hopeless. TIGHNARI!!"

...my current problem was a lot bigger than just simply avoiding my coworkers. You see, not only is Pardis Dhyai a home for the studious Amurta scholars of Sumeru, but it is also a generous host for the deeply sick and a research center for those that longed to learn anything falling under the umbrella of science. They hold vital cures that Sumeru City can't easily stock up and a stable environment that wouldn't corrupt under pressure from mass pollution. With the site being further away from Sumeru City, it offered a great variety of opportunities for scholars to learn with enough space to go around for a quiet study outdoors as well without disturbance. It continued to hold a steady amount of scholars interested in the Amurta darshan throughout the centuries- not ever favorably picked amongst our peers but also never in danger of fluctuating into low numbers of students. Growing up in the walls of Sumeru City it was always a treat whenever my parents offered me a trip to see what laid in the great beyond, most notably the research sites located all across Sumeru. The first time I ever graced the glassy indoors of Pardis Dhyai I knew it would be an excruciating battle to change my mind on picking a different darshan. My interest for the sick and herbology behind any cure increased my ambition to help those in need. Straight after graduation I threw myself into self-proclaimed exile and began to work with the rangers outside of the city. With my credentials I immediately grew a reputation as one of the few people who could easily be seen as an esteemed medic without the title of importance present. It was an honor and responsibility of mine that I took very serious. It was just a shame that I seemed to be one of the few people that everyone drove to for any problem outside of a medical emergency. 

I didn't move a muscle beside the twitch of my ears, flickering gently to follow the horrendous noises that both forest rangers were leaving behind in their wake. I wouldn't be surprised if a Rishboland Tiger would be able to hear them from miles away. Honestly, it was like asking to be an easy meal. Nonetheless, I held firm in my seat and eyed the direction that they came from. If it was of greater importance they would've blown an encrypted whistle to catch my attention. But since no whistle equated to no summon from me, I got comfortable again in my little hiding spot and dragged my attention over to my journal. My grip unconsciously tightening over the pages that I have lovingly began to jot down. I was in desperate need of a break from needy people at the moment. Yet I briefly debated whether my break was worth whatever assistance was needed from the rangers no matter how small. 

A whistle blew off in the distance, an encrypted message disguised as a bird call. After a year and a half of solitude within the village, I quickly picked up the meaning behind it. I groaned in resignation, gently letting my head rest on the large rock I was seated in front of. Closing my journal, I began to stand up from my cozy spot and pick away at any stray dirt that might've stuck to my person. 

Looks like in the end I didn't get to decide anyway. What a shame. 

Ignoring the continuous shouting slowly traveling further away from where they came from, I dropped fifteen feet down from my spot and made the long journey back to Pardis Dhyai. The yelling coming from behind me hinted that the rangers searching for me haven't even heard me land behind them. Hm. Perhaps that should be a much more pressing matter to take up to the Chief Officer of the Forest Rangers. It wouldn't do us any good if a couple of forest rangers weaned off from their specialized skills that kept them alive in the wild to begin with. But that conversation could be brought up after I strangle whatever idiot got themselves hurt in the middle of my break. It's the least I could be compensated with.

I heard more than saw the research site come to life. The stray bark of a dog without an owner playfully chasing squirrels up the trees. The murmurs of other medics inside stoned huts talking to gravely ill patients. The occasional cough of a patient, the sigh of a tired scholar, the scuffle between the feet of an adventurer, the soft laughter of other forest rangers making their rounds across the paths of the forest. The additional grumble coming from the Corps of Thirty shuffling around crates, the whispers of schedules being exchanged and the spice in the air being an indicator that food stands were being served nearby. The curious bird or two interacting with a familiar face residing within the open laboratory nearby. For such a small and tight community, it was like a second home of many. 

Eventually I managed to climb up the decorated stoned floor and reach the center of the grandiose. Walking by the opportunistic businessmen inside the food stands happily throwing meat into half a dozen of boiling stews, I briefly heard an enthusiastic chatter passing their lips. Another stray dog toddled past me towards the source of food with their tongue sticking out and leaving behind a pool of drool in their wake. Ignoring the abrupt yelps of surprise coming from behind me, I picked up the pace with a suppressed smile. Reaching the stairs a familiar large-eared furred face greeted me with a squeal. Just behind the little foxy figure stood the Chief Officer in all of her glory, fussing over a flat clipboard in her gloved hands and barking around at all other rangers in the vicinity. Many of them who were scrambling to their feet carrying around decorative props and live specimens around the Pardis. Scholars who were not at all a part of the volunteering set up made it a point to avoid the Chief. Not for the first time did I admire the insane kind of fear she brought on those around her in the same halve of respect and annoyance. It wouldn't be my ideal way of approaching leadership, but if it worked for Chief Officer Umm then who was I to judge?

"Hey- behave, Shayla. You wouldn't want to be kicked out just for causing a disturbance now would you?" Tutting at my reluctant furred companion, I shifted over to gaze at my boss in question. Shayla- a questionable name for a male fennec fox that I have been requested in healing three years prior -nipped at my feet in sheer kit sass. They have surpassed the kit age within their lifespan for sure and yet it always felt like Shayla never outgrew out of it. I knew newborn sumpter beasts that held more maturity than this spoiled fox. I could only blame one person for enforcing this kind of behavior and it definitely wasn't me. In return of the nip, I gently nudged Shayla out of my bubble with the tip of my foot. It did no damage and yet I could absolutely hear him yelp in offense. "Any new assignments given to me, Chief Umm? I was for sure ready to extend my break until sundown with the lack of work on my plate at the moment."

"Hah! Very hilarious, Forest Watcher Tighnari. Are you sure you were never interested in partaking comedy? We could use for more entertainment around these parks." The woman in brown responded, carelessly throwing her clipboard behind her back on an unexpected rookie who fumbled to catch it before it could hit her face. She wore a muddy brown attire that separated her from her workers formal dress code, sleeves rolled up with a brighter green shawl wrapped around her brown shirt and leather strap carrying up the minimal of her belongings. A survival's tool kit. Skin a sunburnt red yet completely unaffected by the weather change, Chief Officer Umm was reaching her seventies and yet she continued to hold up muscle for a senior of her stature. Her hair already a mop full of grey tied back into a tight braid, crows feet on the edge of her eyes and lines to her face; she was the embodiment of old yet not out of the game. She had the fiercest personality I was sure more seniors envied from her than they could hold on their own. 

I rolled my eyes on her remark, eying the rookie for a second before shrugging off her baffled reaction. It seemed like the moment Umm had set her sights on me all other rangers took the chance to hurry out of the vicinity. One managed to trip over air while shuffling away a crate twice their size. Pretending that everyone wasn't afraid of Chief Umm whenever she got into one of her demanding moods- especially this current week and the meaning it entailed -was getting harder to ignore by the day although no one was ever ready to throw in the towel just yet. I suspected that the Chief scared them enough to deny the possibility to turn in a resignation notice. Perhaps she did it on purpose at this point. "Don't we have enough entertainment with those adventurers losing themselves in these forests? I'd actually appreciate a day where nobody gets sent to the medical tent." Closing the distance between Chief Umm and I could faintly smell dirt and human sweat rolling off her person. Restlessness barely visible within the clenching of her gloved fingers and tension on her shoulders. 

Chief Umm proceeded to card away stray strands away from her face, proving fruitless with how greasy and matted the hair became. "Wouldn't that be a dream?" Curtly nodding with a small grin. It quickly grew into a frown, "but that's not what you're here for. The festival isn't open officially for another two days and I've just now been flagged for an emergency back in Gandharva Ville. Frankly I don't trust these Rangers to get the job done without someone holding their hand and you're one of the most reliable men taking part of the venue. I'm putting you charge of any other preparation that hasn't been completed while I'm gone. Keep everyone alive until I return." And then she strode off without waiting for any of my input on the matter. The rookie, still holding onto the clipboard out of bewilderment, chased after her after an awkward nod on my direction. Under closer inspection I could almost imagine a sense of fondness creeping into the girl's gaze whenever she followed Chief Umm. I furrowed my brow in thought. Is this technically a promotion?

I turned around and found myself to not be completely surprised that all rangers in the vicinity were actually hiding behind crates or avoiding my gaze. One particular ranger even stood back straight as if the sergeant herself had called for attention. Well just like Umm said, the chores won't get themselves done. Much less if half the volunteers here are afraid of me. I clapped my hand to call for attention, ignoring the flinch coming from the volunteers that also stood aside to watch. "Alright Forest Rangers, the Sabzeruz Festival won't fix itself here. We've got a list of things to do and we're losing enough precious daylight. Unless we want to continue doing this all night, I'd like to see if we can get as much done before the dinner hour..."

The glassed bottles clinked and tin tops dropped to the floor. Candies were thrown in the air and children hollered in cheer. Adults popped confetti paper to the wind and laughter surrounded the venue. Two days have passed and most of the locals that have seen the advertised fliers hanging around the lower roads surrounding Sumeru City. Many with children of their own joined the festival and those who considered themselves followers of Lesser Lord Kusanali have easily taken up the opportunity to host the festivities that involved with Sabzeruz. My Forest Rangers took a back seat and simply watched from a distance, occasionally switching hourly shifts to either take a break or enjoy the festival themselves. 

It was a joyous day for sure, I wouldn't lie. Even with the noise drumming into my ears painfully or catching the occasional sneeze from the immense amount of spice in the air, I could find myself enjoying the occasion as well. It brought a smile to my face whenever I caught eye on a kid running around the designated zone allowed to start up sparklers. Many of them easily amazed by the colorful and friendly fire sparkling out in the matches in their hands. One of the many grandpas made abundance of wealth decades ago selling homemade sparklers, easily used for children and disposable for adults. A poor small business man from Liyue married a widowed mother of three small children and together they pulled their strength together to create a successful business out of the poverty they endured. Now the grandpa roamed freely donating his homemade goods as an offering for an archon that barely acknowledged her nation yet her people still loved her all the same. Much of the populace still forever mourning for the death and greatness of Greater Lord Rukkhadevada, sharing her stories to future generations where there was none to share about the present lord. Tighnari briefly wondered if the Lesser Lord even knew she had a solid amount of followers in Sumeru celebrating her birth and ascension to archonhood without much being known about her. Was it deserving for an archon who has never once stepped foot outside of her crib to greet her people face to face? Many more questions forever running in circles and never once answered, not that Tighnari ever bothered to get too philosophical about it. The present lord was the lord meant to run the nation, and if she let things run the way they do then he would have good faith in her reasons why.

He waved off his colleague who offered a candied nut and opted to stand further away from the rousing crowd if not to just simply ease the mild headache growing within him. His exasperated acquaintance- recently promoted Forest Watcher Amir and not-so infamous volunteer outside of assisting Port Ormos occasionally -huffed before shoving a cup of fruit juice in my hand. He had his other hand full with a drink of his own similarly to the one he handed me. "Ever heard of a break? I think it's a popular topic of discussion amongst the youth these days." He took a generous sip of his cup before proposing a grin. It was full of tease and masked any worry he would carry for anyone that he dared to look at.

Tentatively I took a whiff of my cup before grimacing at the smell. It didn't sit right with me, I didn't feel at all thirsty. "We're not that far off from our early twenties," I muttered, swirling the cup around in disinterest. Amir simply rolled his eyes before tying his bag of candied nuts to his belt loop and finishing his cup in two swoops, imitating the presence of a man who was the pinnacle of relaxed. (Faintly however, I couldn't help but catch him fidget on his feet and occasionally smell expired berries around his person.) "Yes well, I don't see you jumping in there having a grand ol' time."

"Oh really?" I raised an eyebrow, "and what makes you think I'm not having fun standing here away from all this noise? If anything I've been begging my subordinates to switch shifts with me just so I could stand back and watch." I could tell it caught Amir off guard for a moment, frozen in thought before shaking off whatever feeling he had. Doing pretty well to recover before replying, "because then you would take any opportunity to run off like you always do whenever there's a crowd forming. I like to think that I know you, Tighnari."

I let out a small laugh, casually handing my drink back to Amir with a bit of mirth in my tone, "why? Offering me the chance to run?" 

Amir shrugged, taking the cup without a second thought. "No, just wondering what's gotten you invested into the Sabzeruz Festival it's all. You don't normally jump at the chance to volunteer for any public get-together that involved children and rowdy music. I'm quite sure that if my Tyvatnese is right then this is a bit of both." He didn't hesitate to drink from that cup either, being sure to go steady on the load.

Blinking back in mild surprise, I turned to fully face Amir, hoping that in some way my face hadn't turned red at the blatant accusation. Whatever it was I hoped he didn't imply. "Am I not allowed to enjoy a festival nowadays?"

Again, Amir shrugged nonchalantly. "Not when you regularly complain about how loud Sumeru City typically is. You would think the guy who likes his silence would happily stay behind in Gandharva Ville where the silence from the lack of rangers from normal would not disturb him." Dully, I could note large amounts of casual sarcasm flowing out of his mouth. It was easy as to breathing air to him.

I crossed my arms, "I still don't see how this is relevant. Sometimes I can be amendable in enjoying a good festival, you know? It's not all whining and complaining." 

He backed off a bit, hands extended outward in a moment of platitude. "Alright. Whatever you say, Acting Chief Officer Tighnari." 

Gently, I shoved him further away in mild irritation now, giving him a strict look that aught to make anyone flinch. "That's not my title and you know it." 

"Perhaps not, but we both know you'll be promoted soon if what Chief Umm says is true about her upcoming retirement plan." He avoided my gaze, completely ignoring my 'look'. The disrespect in this guy. 

"Please," I rolled my shoulders inwards, forcing a bit of my body to move after standing still for so long, "I'm betting that she'll outlive us both combined. She just seems the type to do so out of spite."

Amir nodded sagely, "you're right. She feeds off our fears, it's what keeps her immortal."

We chuckled in unity, for a moment forgetting the festival itself present in front of us. The moment fleeting, but just like any other moment, it came and went. Eventually Amir managed to shove me out of my duties and I walked around the edges of the festival, occasionally catching a glimpse of other familiar faces in the crowd and waving at any friendly passersby. I took note how there was barely a handful of scholars present, but it was to be expected when it came to the people residing within the nation of wisdom. When you value intelligence above all else, you forget about the importance to simply just live in the moment. There was more that I could discuss, but that was a rabbit-hole I dared not to cross. It wouldn't make a difference in Sumeru to speak out against this singular belief. It was just something that has never been done.

I stepped out of the way from a bright couple of Liyuean tourists crossing my path, a small family of three rowdy kids trampling through the crowds with exasperated parents taking up the rear. I smiled in acknowledgement to their fond gazes before continuing on my way, stopping by to pay for a quick snack before heading out of the festival. I wasn't slacking off on my duties- I just simply needed some fresh air that wasn't stained with spices or sweaty odor. The noise didn't recede in the slightest, but it was better than to hear people shout orders from the stands or others playing music to set an eccentric atmosphere. 

The music could not cover for the sound of padded feet heading my direction, momentarily twitching at the direction of the noise. I scoffed before turning to face a cloaked figure behind me, their jackal headpiece covering their face but nonetheless familiar to the design. "Cyno, what do I owe the pleasure of being stalked in the middle of my duties?"

"You were not on guard duty when you walked down these stairs," Cyno responded. Stoic and overall menacing if I hadn't known him under all that dramatic flare.

I waved my hand vaguely in the air, "yeah but before that as well. You're not getting any better spying on me. Tell me, is there another reason as to why your hair is white?"

Cyno cautiously ran the ends of his hair through his fingers, keeping silent for a minute before raising the headpiece out of his face. Grimacing but not responsive to my quip, he walked closer until we could meet eye to eye, not once looking away from my gaze. It didn't get past me when he kept one of his arms hidden behind the cloak and a lumped figure poking at the material occasionally. I could almost convince myself into thinking it was simply Shayla snuggling up to his favorite owner from under there and that Cyno had picked the spoiled fox up minutes before meeting me if it wasn't for the fact that Shayla himself barked up from behind us both and began to paw at Cyno's feet excitedly. Cyno made an effort to gently kneel on the floor before scratching Shayla from behind the ears just the way that the fennec liked it, turning him into a goopy mess on the floor with a wide smile and all canine teeth. 

My eye twitched at the notion to see Shayla getting spoiled with all the desired attention before I cleared my throat, crossing my arms expectedly at the other who blatantly ignored my presence. "So what's that you're hiding? I'm placing doubt that it's anything illegal." It was a tease but for anyone who didn't know me might as well believe that I was accusing them of the exact opposite.

The albino male didn't bother to hide it any longer, immediately standing up after enough stalling and gently released his cloak. The material slipped out of the brooch on his shoulder, pooling on the floor beneath his bare feet. What laid under revealed his under armour and garments equipped to aid handling his line of work. Any other time I would've appreciated the amount of skin present but what caught my eye was more than definitely a bird loafed on his hand. It was around the same length of my arm and yet it managed to curl itself into a tiny little thing, feathers plucked and messy with a dirty shine. The dusk bird- because it was more than definitely a dusk bird despite the darker colors on its beak and muted colors on its feathers -whimpered at the lack of shadow blanketing its body, attempting to turn their neck around in order to find more cover within Cyno. It would've been considered downright adorable if it wasn't for the fact that one of their wings seemed to be positioned wrong. Which meant it wasn't in fact adorable, it was downright heartbreaking.

I fought the urge to touch the dusk bird, instead putting my attention on the act of Cyno comforting the creature. Shayla went ignored even when he continued to paw at either of us for attention. He received a gentle shove from me with my foot, earning another bite to the ankle before he relented quickly and scurried off. I tisked on their behavior, making a mental note to remind Cyno to discipline Shayla some other time. With the way Shayla treated me I would grow concerned how he'd treat strangers and other familiars. Half the mind to believe that Shayla would become a public danger in the future. "Where did you find them?" I murmured, keeping my voice low in order to not scare the bird anymore than they already are. 

"I found them on a more secluded road on the other side of the Dhyai. They were thrown off their nest by a herd of other birds and bullied to the floor. I managed to intervene before this bird could be more gravely injured." He responded, tone just as gentle as mine. He stroked the bird on their unharmed wing, successfully bringing comfort to the poor thing that continued to shiver on the spot with anxiety. 

With a hand over my heart, I could almost hum in sympathy. "Poor thing. Where are you planning to take them?"

I doubted it could've been my imagination, but then again I have been hallucinating a lot of things that people denied were real, but I swore I caught Cyno freeze on his strokes just to stare out into the abyss. Then, very slowly, he turned to gaze at me with a hesitant expression. No.

"You are going to take them somewhere so they could be medically treated, right?" I had to ask even if I had a hunch otherwise.

"..."

"Cyno I am not-"

"Tighnari," his gaze visibly sharped, captivating me into not looking away. I could've continued to stare for an eternity and never bothered to dwell on the why. "I ask for your help to take care of this injured bird. Can you do it for me?" 

Well if that wasn't a demand then I didn't know what it was. Oddly enough I didn't find it within myself offended for his bossy attitude. In fact, I was mostly unimpressed. "What else does the General Mahamatra need from me in order to achieve this 'task'?"

There was a vaguely hurtful look in Cyno's eye before he moved on to carefully place the dusk bird in my awaited hands. "To try. I have faith in your capabilities."

I frowned. "Well alright." I carefully maneuvered the bird to rest against the folds of my bandana, the little thing instantly loafing itself into gathering as much warmth as possible from my body. They notably shivered less but didn't quite stop. "I can't say no to that, now can I?" I thought to myself. I looked up to face Cyno once more only to realize he had walked off a further distance away, seemingly done with the conversation. The heck? 

Bristling at the immediate abandonment, I yelled out. "This will come out of your pocket coin, you hear!"

Cyno momentarily stopped just to turn around and nod at me. Then he continued to walk away, Shayla hopping after him. The nerve of that guy! 

"This should be good enough," I nodded to myself, satisfied with the makeshift sling I made out of twigs and twine for the little guy. The colorless dusk bird chirped at their broken wing, curiously nudging on the sling before turning to face me. They chirped again but more appreciative than before. I simply traced my nail gently over their beak, the soft scratch bringing the little thing into a puffy mess. Besides having too much dirt and blood on their body, I managed to rinse it off with warm water and a dry towel I wouldn't bother to throw away days ago. While I didn't pertain too much knowledge about birds, I did manage to snatch a book from one of the off-duty rangers sticking around Grandharva Ville. You could imagine the look of surprise on Chief Officer Umm's face when I traveled to Grandharva Ville in the early night and had to explain that I was more than definitely tasked by the General Mahamatra to treat an injured bird and that no I am not in fact joking, why would I make such a crude lie. She eventually came around to order me back into my tent before barking at one of the poor rangers to begin collecting textbooks about animal care.

I wouldn't say it to Chief Umm's face but I was more than thankful for their strict persona and leaving me alone to my devices without further punishment for abandoning my post. (Because it wasn't like I was planning to return to the festival with a broken bird in my hands and overwhelm the both of us into that heaping mess of hollering crowds.)

"Don't stress yourself out too much, you understand? I'm under orders to bring you back to health, and you're not allowed to die under my watch." I shifted the towel closer to the oil lamp I had on my desk, letting the bird settle on their makeshift bed. It was a fascinating sight to behold, the shadows cascading on the dusk bird's figure while embracing the rest of my small room in a gentle light. The dusk bird's beak running a greying version of red around the mouth, and their feathers better described as a dull filter had draped over it. No darker shades of blue, green, and yellow. Just straight up sucking the colorful pigmentations off its feathers dull. I would consider the bird to be female if it wasn't for the fact that female dusk birds had more solid coloring than this guy. 

The bird cawed more silently, loafing themselves into a deep sleep. Despite having multiple feathers plucked out and the small loss of blood, they seemed to find comfort in my presence. Which I found it to be better than expected since I didn't have a clue for how long I would be caring for them. Hopefully not for too long, but then again, the treatment the bird received from the flock didn't strike me any confidence that it would manage to survive alone in the jungle once more. I would have to consider a more permanent residence somewhere closer to my tent in case the bird manages to believe that they're allowed to stick around here in the village. You know. Just to ensure their continued survival. 

Putting all those thoughts aside I settled myself on my bed and carefully tugged my tail to cover my lower limbs from the humid chill. The rest of any planning on how to caretake for a bird would have to be left for the morning. For now I simply just deduced the day to end. 

And by the morning I woke up with a yawn and a good stretch on my back, I realized that in front of my tent a small bag full of mora laid innocently on the floor. It didn't take two braincells for me to catch the faint smell of a person who carried many scents along their work in Sumeru for me to understand who the mora belonged to.