Chapter Text
Drip… Drip… Drip…
The sound of dripping water outside of the window made a pair of large fox ears twitch and shudder. The smell of fresh rain, and morning dew, wafted into a man’s pale nose, causing it to scrunch up a bit. Fresh rain meant frogs croaking right in his vicinity, and he was not going to enjoy that first thing in the morning. The fact his ears heard so well was already could get tiring, despite being very helpful for his job. But frogs happened to be far too loud on the best of mornings.
Slipping off of his bed, Tighnari’s ears pinned back as his mouth stretched into a yawn, forcing his arms to stretch above his head. It felt good to stretch first thing in the morning, too, but he was more focused on other things, deep down. His bare feet padded against cold wood, chilled by morning air through the windows. Tighnari walked through the curtain separating his room from the rest of the home, but he didn’t have time to put a kettle on the fire, let alone light the fire. He went right to the small set of stairs up to a small platform, which led to his small office space, while a few more stairs led to another bedroom. This one was considerably smaller than his, but a bit bigger than the room he used as his office.
Tighnari had wanted Collei, his apprentice, to have her own space. Hence why he had decided to upgrade his living situation. It was easier to keep an eye on her in his smaller accommodation, but he found some of their activities in the day clashed poorly with each other. He didn’t hate that, necessarily, but he found that on certain days, he didn’t particularly want her to have to be bored, or listen to him tinker with his work while she was doing her lessons.
There was also the issue of general privacy. Collie was a young lady, Tighnari, quite the opposite of that, wanted her to feel more comfortable in that sense. He had a feeling she would want that hint of privacy from him, despite her being a bit quiet on her wants and needs, or her inability to leave his surroundings for periods of time. Of course, Tighnari knew a growing girl would probably want her own room, he had seen his fair share of plays. And while Collei never acted out like the teenage girls he had met or seen in entertainment, it was a worry in the back of his mind that he was pushing boundaries here and there. Not like she even lived with him all the time, he had to remind himself when making the big decision to move. But his thoughts were pushed out of his mind quickly upon seeing this place. It was still small, but it was just fine!
Knocking softly on the frame of the doorway, Tighnari refrained from pushing the curtains back. He didn’t want to intrude, even though he wasn’t sure if she was awake yet or not.
“Collei..” He spoke out, trying to use a quiet tone as to not startle her if she indeed was still sleeping. “I’ll be out on my patrol in half an hour. I’ll leave the kettle over the fire so you can have some tea once you come down, but if you’re up, I’ll be dressing and making some breakfast.” He smiled, ever so slightly. “If you’d like your food warm, I suggest coming down soon.” He teased, before descending the stairs to the main floor once more.
Grabbing a pan from the counter (he had yet to put his clean dishes away), Tighnari put it on a small metal grid above where a fire should be. He still had yet to start it, so he went off to the porch to find some fresh wood, his tail swishing as a gust of wind blew around his body. It was so peaceful, here first thing in the morning…
C R R R O O O A A A K K K ! ! !
The man’s large, dark ears pinned back against his hair as he cringed, glaring in the direction of a rather loud frog. ”Louzy frogs, ruining such a nice morning once again…” He thought to himself, turning on his heel and stomping back inside.
Just as he passed through the threshold, he was brutally reminded of the firewood, and groaned as he went back to grab a few pieces. Picking up a few, he slid them under his arm, his ear flicking up in a flash as he stopped, hand mid reach. He had heard someone walking, and he stood up when a fellow forest watcher walked into his view. They greeted each other, and the other handed Tighnari an envelope, explaining a letter had been sent for him. “Thank you, I’ll see you shortly.” He said goodbye, and the man left back to headquarters.
Pushing his hair back from his cheek, even if it fell back right after, Tighnari looked down at it. Only his name was etched into the front, and somehow, he already knew, a faint smile curving onto his lips.
He grabbed a few more pieces of wood, and then retreated back inside, throwing them into the fireplace.
Once the fire was lit, the kettle boiling at a slow pace in its kettle, Tighnari sat down at the table, still holding onto that gentle smile. They were a month into the summer season already, he had been expecting this very specific letter. It felt like years before it arrived, and his heart started to quicken its aching beat as he tore the seal.
The parchment paper beneath his fingers, the way the words danced around atop it, Tighnari could sigh in content just looking at them. What helped him even more, was hearing that familiar voice in the back of his head, along with each word, that voice spoke, enough to make the fox swoon.
Tighnari, I hope my letter is presented to you in good condition. You’ve told me previously they happen to be slightly scuffed up when they get to you. That seems to happen often with mail. Though, so I cannot complain. Especially when it is travelling such a long distance, from I to you.
I’m sure by now you’ve realised the season has changed, and even if we saw each other a mere month ago, it feels much longer. You’ve been on my mind quite some on my visit to Mondstadt, I’ll look at things and my mind will wander straight back.
I’m sure you’re in good health, with your knowledge of medicinal herbs. How is Collei? I hope her lessons are coming along well, and that she’s doing well in her training alongside you. You’re an excellent teacher for her to have.
Now that it’s the summertime, I’ll return home. I’m sure by the time this letter reaches you, I’ll already be halfway there. The journey is long, no matter if you’re coming to or from. I’m missing home more and more every day, but don’t tell that to anybody.
I’ll be very glad to see you upon my arrival, with stories for Collei of Mondstadt. I’m sure she’ll enjoy them. I’ve also picked up a few new jokes you will both thoroughly enjoy.
Yours truly, Cyno
Tighnari didn’t even realise how fast his tail was swishing, side to side, in a happy rhythm. Not until his ears picked up on Collei’s light footsteps down the stairs. He looked up, gazing at her with his lingering smile. “Ah, good morning. Cyno sent a letter, he’ll be back soon. He’s got some stories for you, he says.” He then chewed on his bottom lip, chuckling. “And new jokes.”
An uncomfortable smile stretched onto Collei’s face, and Tighnari laughed. “It’s ok, you can tell him no if you don’t like them.”
“N-no. He takes the time to try, at least.” The young lady responded, fiddling with her fingers. Tighnari nodded, and stood up, letting out a quiet sigh and patting down the fur on his tail, eyes contently closed. Collei, not wanting to stare, and having been told by Tighnari more than once to always speak her thoughts, cleared her throat. “Master Tighnari, are you alright? You seem to be in a very calm mood, I don’t ever see you in such a way.”
Teal eyes opening, Tighnari shrugged, chuckling quietly under his breath. “I’m not sure.. Something in the air just seems so..” He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Well, let’s go ahead and cook some breakfast, I need to leave soon.” Collie nodded firmly and walked further into the room to help out with the cooking duties, still not able to shake a feeling that there was an unfamiliar aura to her master. Something very soft.
Their breakfast was small, simple, but it was what they had time for, and what Collei could handle first thing in the morning. Some eggs, bread, and a little meat, the perfect combination and just the right amount to get them started on their days.
Once he had finished his breakfast, Tighnari went to get dressed, throwing his clothing on, still a bit tired, but in a sort of haze of his own. Collei was right, he felt so calm right now. Was it some sort of bliss knowing Cyno would return soon? Or maybe just the fresh breeze flowing through his hair? Who knew, certainly not him, but it felt nice. Not often did Tighnari wake and feel so downright blissful right off the bat. From his judgement from the letter, Tighnari assumed Cyno had reached Liyue Harbour, where he was able to rest and write to them. That meant it would only be a few days more before his arrival, and Tighnari thought long and hard about what welcome home foods he should make. He needed to impress the great General Mahamatra, after all.
“Yours truly..” Tighnai repeated to himself, placing a fist over his heart with a little laugh. “I would agree.. You’ve fascinated me quite so, Cyno…”
Shoes pressing indents into the grass under them, Tighnari started his daily patrol. It was him on the schedule for this round, and he should be able to get home at a reasonable time to help Collei with dinner. It floated around in his head, what they could possibly make that would be satisfying, for the both of them that is. Sometimes, he and Collei had quite the conflicting tastes, and he found it hard to cook something they would both be left satisfied with. Of course, she never said it out loud, Tighnari could read it in her face and eyes.
The surprising thing was that Collei never had such a look when Cyno cooked. Maybe out of intimidation? Or perhaps she really did just like his cooking better. Tighnari would admit, he wasn’t the best cook, but he knew the best ingredients to use here in the forest. Getting fancy spices or vegetables was something they didn’t do often, unless someone grew it in their garden, or had some extra to offer. Cyno always brought some nice varieties back with him.
It also made Tighnari wonder when he would make his next trip to Sumeru City for more detailed supplies. He also wanted to try and find some sort of activity for Collei to keep occupied with that also served as a good way to use her hands. There were just so many options to choose from, and he wanted something easy, time consuming, and not too costly to keep her busy with.
Gingerly stepping on a rock at the back of a river, Tighnari looked out into the forest. Morning light was spilling through the leaves above him, casting beautiful patterns on the grassy path ahead. He saw and heard birds singing their songs, diving through the branches to find food. He could hear squirrels chattering, the bubbling, slow moving river just beneath his feet. Mornings like these always felt so peaceful, being able to weave around the trunks of grand trees, young trees. He never once regretted becoming a forest watcher, it was much better than living some sort of stuffy life.
Finally getting his fill of this scene, Tighnari hopped from rock to rock across the river, humming once his feet were planted back on solid ground. A fall in the water, despite it not being fast running currently, still wouldn’t have been ideal. That said, Tighnari knew this forest like the back of his hand, he would never fall victim to the slippery river rocks. He had bound across them so many times, after all.
Trotting down the path, Tighnari kept his eyes and ears open to the things around him. It felt so peaceful, for some reason. Just as Collei had said, he felt some strange euphoria. Especially being out in his element now, Tighnari couldn’t wipe a smile off his face, and his tail from wagging. What was this feeling..?
┈ ┈ ┈ ⋞ 〈 ⏣ 〉 ⋟ ┈ ┈ ┈
Making his way back through the forest on his way home, Tighnari’s ears were slanted back, a subtle nod that his good mood had faded into something else. He was just ready to get home, a headache had been bothering him for an hour or two now, and he knew a good remedy. He couldn’t end his shift over something so small, so he had been pushing through it, despite it becoming more and more of a violent migraine the longer he ignored it.
Collei was waiting on the porch for him when he finally arrived, and could immediately tell something was wrong, just by the way his brows were knitted, and his ears pinned back.
“Master Tighnari, what’s the matter? You look a bit pale.” She asked, standing and jogging over to Tighnari, putting a hand on his arm as they went inside.
“It’s just a migraine. Collei, I’ll be fine..” Tighnari assured her, though a moment later his hand travelled up to his mouth. “Although I think I might puke..” He announced, digging around to find a bowl in the cupboards. Just in the nick of time, as well, Collei quickly turned away and squeezed her eyes shut when she heard him cough, fading into a gag. She nervously turned back around when she heard him sigh, and him stand up. “I’m sorry, Collei, let me go wash this outside..” He mumbled slipping past her out the door.
Pouring the bowl over the railing of the porch, onto the bushes below, Tighnari sighed, running his hand through the side of his hair. He cringed a bit when he touched a strand and felt it slightly wet, knowing he had accidentally thrown up a bit on his own hair. He would clean it after he took something for his headache and ate.
Back inside, Tighnari went to his shelf to find the herbs he needed to help with his pounding head, squinting to even see the labels at points, where his eyes got a little blurry. His hands were trembling a bit as he bit his lip and tried to hold back more nausea while he mixed everything together, while trying to direct Collei on dinner plans. It was as if he had eaten something he shouldn’t have on his patrol, but he hadn’t. It was peaceful up until the headache started, leading to the nausea.
A damp, warm rag over his eyes, Collei set a plate in front of him. She had done her best, and Tighnari appreciated it, he hoped eating would help ease his queasiness, too. He hadn’t eaten much since breakfast, he assumed that was why he felt so sick.
Removing the rag from over his eyes, Tighnari gave Collei a tired smile and thanked her, picking up his fork to eat. She still looked a bit nervous, so the man reached over and gave her forearm a pat.
“I’m alright, Collei. Sometimes those things just happen. I’m sure I’ll be feeling much better after eating what you’ve made for me. It looks wonderful.” That simple smile seemed to make her feel slightly better, and she nodded, starting to eat her own dinner as well. Whatever Tighnari could do to make her feel a bit better in this situation, he would attempt. The throbbing in his head had dissipated slightly as well, too.
But, as eating progressed, the nausea seemed to be staying in full swing. Tighnari would have to take prolonged breaks in-between bites, assuring Collei all the while it was nothing to be concerned about. “I must have come down with something.” He kept gently telling her, but she still looked worried. Collei waited, well after she finished eating, for Tighnari to do the same so she could go and wash their plates for him. “You don’t have to do that, you made dinner, dear.” But she insisted she would be doing it so that Tighnari could rest.
It didn’t stop him from keeping a close eye on her, making sure she didn’t drop any dishes. He felt exhausted now, and his stomach muscles hurt from the first time he threw up, added with his body trying to reject dinner more than once. He still held it down, as best he could, for Collei’s sake and pride of making something for dinner by herself.
“Would you like me to help you to bed, Master Tighnari?” Collei asked, walking up to him. Tighnari shook his head, biting his lip as he stood up. “Ok.. Well, I’ll be upstairs, I need to write my response letter to Amber. Good night.” Tighnari nodded and responded similarly before retreating to his own room as well.