#IC | Tighnari

[starscrxssed]

Arms were crossed over his desk, with the ranger's head propped against them, fast asleep. Someone was up all night studying and taking notes (again).

[starsrealigned]

Shoves another mushroom into his mouth.

For science.

[starscrxssed]

If he had it his way, Tighnari would have already been back in the sanctuary of his own room, surrounded by his plants and free to continue studying the book he'd picked up the previous night.

However the students around him had other plans, pulling him near this way and that, looking for help with papers or asking him question after question about their assignments.

Yet as frustrating as it was, Tighnari remained until the last question was addressed, and he was finally given time to himself - or so he thought, before dual-toned gaze met with burning reds staring back up at him from behind white locks, seated on the floor in front of his room.

"Waiting for me? Oh, did you need more medicine?"

Tighnari approached without further hesitation, holding his belongings in one arm, while the other extended forward to offer Cyno a hand back to his feet. Attention was temporarily grabbed by the sight of the bag he held onto, but he would save those questions for later, when they were away from prying eyes.

"Sorry if you were waiting for a while, I've been helping a few classmates with their assignments after class. I should have plenty of time now to help you with what you need."

"Scarabs..."

A strange silence fell between them, during which Cyno kept his eyes uncomfortably fixated on the other. His expression was indecipherable. And when he finally moved, it was only certain to cause even more confusion.

"I'll be going." He said shortly. His eyes pointed on the book again, and back at Tighnari. Only a short nod, and a low mutter. "Thanks."

With the same silent and mysterious air that had surrounded him at his arrival in the library, he was gone, without giving Tighnari a chance to even say anything in return.

~~

It would not be long however before they'd meet again.

The couple of days that followed were peaceful and quiet. If Tighnari ever took the time to look around in class, he would not catch a glimpse of the strange desert-dweller. Was he not going to attend any more Amurta courses, after all?

And then, there he was. Out of nowhere, Cyno would be sitting with legs crossed on the floor, camping right in front of Tighnari's dorm room like a guard dog. He earned a few confused looks by occasional passersby, but the boy did not seem to care.

Exhibiting a couple new bruises on his face, he held an old hemp bag in his lap, caging it with his arms like the most precious treasure. His eyes left it to meet Tighnari's only when the boy came into view on the way back to his room, and Cyno greeted him with that same quiet voice he'd left him with the other day.

"... Hi. I was waiting for you."

[starscrxssed]

"Mmm.. No good. If I want to get into a deeper dive on this, I'm going to need more specimens.."

[starsrealigned]

Tighnari has appeared! What to do?

Feed Leave Scare Kneel down

"There are hardly any favorable options here.. Unless of course the person in question providing the food knows my tastes."

[starscrxssed]

"Having animal ears isn't exclusive to one race.. For example, the kitsune from Inazuma are fox youkai, I wouldn't compare one to a Valuka Shuna, just the same as I wouldn't compare to whatever a 'Foxian' is."

                  " Ya' got fox ears, right? "

[alhaithamaskblog]

Given our current debate I feel it’s only appropriate to show a text exchange I had with the General about a week ago

@mahamatra-cyno

[kavehaskblog]

I found more :3

[mahamatra-cyno]

Does Tighnari let you pet his ears?

Yes, fairly often. Sometimes it helps him fall asleep.

They’re very soft.

[forest-watcher-tighnari]

This is so embarrassing.

[chichibleeps]

on thin ice fan art

a scene from their fanfic @jayvolans

finally got my stylus again! check her fic out! on thin ice! i love it so much OBFAUODBABD cant wait for the next chapter hehehehehe

[starscrxssed]

Tighnari says nothing - he doesn't have to, for the roll of his eyes and half-lidded stare should speak in volume.

"I don't know Nari, saying you're a foxy person isn't that much a stretch..."

@starscrxssed

[starscrxssed]

"Mmm.. another day," Tighnari groaned, leaning back in his chair with arms stretching above his head to rest behind his head.

[starsrealigned]

mmriesoftvat

Snickers. "Yes you are."

"Says who? You? Just because you're a figure of authority doesn't mean you can boss me around.." He might be feeling a little intoxicated.

[alhaithamaskblog]

Now, completely hypothetically, do you think Tighnari and Cyno have feelings for each other?

Absolutely.

[starscrxssed]

If the situation wasn't so dire, his heart would have swollen with a sense of pride at just how quickly Collei recognized the seriousness of the situation, and took immediate charge.

Of course Tighnari already knew the proper steps, and this was by no means the first time he'd ever had to deal with baby animals - just not as many all at once. They might have been slightly underprepared for such a sudden rush of orphaned animals, but they would simply have to make due.

"Alright, sounds good to me. I'll send out a couple rangers with your list as soon as it's done, and gather up what materials we have here."

He would allow her to take charge on this without hesitation; it was something he could see she excelled at, something she showed interest and passion in. Although such circumstances weren't exactly ideal, there was still something to be gained from the experience.

"Just tell me what you need first."

"Collei, we have a situation," Tighnari wouldn't need to explain much upon entering the girl's room, as he was carrying one of the little ones surrendered to him with a dark look in his eyes. Who could do such a thing, and to so many innocent creatures?

"I'll push back your next quiz, I don't want this to interfere with your reading homework, but this is important. Take a look outside."

Collei looks up from the light novel she'd just gotten, almost irritated at having been interrupted. Tighnari knows how important this is to her, but--

when she sees the tiny bird he's holding, she tosses the book aside. The book is no longer important, the baby her baba is holding is far more important. Not only is he holding something adorable, but the distressed expression on his face tells her that something else is going on, more than he's willing to explain right away.

Getting up, she moves around him to peek outside, and stares. There are...lots of small baby creatures around. Ignoring the urge to squeal at this, Collei instead turns back toward Tighnari, wearing a similar -distressed- expression.

"Where are the mamas?" She finally asks, reaching a hand toward a rishboland cub. The cub shrinks back, letting out a pitiful sound. There's no time to sit around and discuss, it's time to act.

"Nevermind that," she says. "I need six bottles and blankets. These babies need food right away. We also need a temporary shelter for them. Blankets to keep them warm, and a place for them to sleep. Also, a place to keep them safe until they're grown enough to survive on their own. I'll offer up my place for now and just share your space in the meantime."

It's almost weird, to give orders to Tighnari for a change. But isn't that why he'd come to her? So she could step up and help?

"We're going to need to make food too," she adds. "The other forest rangers can go get supplies from Sumeru City. We'll need a lot of things, I'll write down a list."