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Tighnari knows, from rumors floating around the Akademiya, that Alhaitham is a very logical man. He doesn't allow feelings to dictate his actions or opinions, nor does he bother with traditional types of politeness. To some, this is a boon; to others, an annoyance.
Personally, Tighnari prefers the straightforward approach. After all, it's common for people to stare at his tail, but few have actually commented on it or asked to touch it.
Alhaitham had no such reservations. To the horror of every other Forest Ranger, the Scribe had asked to pet Tighnari's tail only minutes after meeting him. Their aghast looks when Tighnari gave permission were truly uncalled for. After all, he'd say yes if they asked. He's not really sure why they don't.
For all the rumors abounding, Tighnari had been left musing whether the Scribe had any emotions at all. Of course, he didn't truly believe a man could be free of those. Even so, it still came as a mild shock when those emotions showed. There's an undeniable brightness in Alhaitham's eyes as he runs his fingers through the fur of Tighnari's tail, a brightness so visceral Tighnari could almost see sparkles around him.
"Well?" Tighnari asks, lightly flicking his tail.
"It's a soft tail," Alhaitham answers. "There isn't a single tangle or speck of dirt, and it has a faint floral scent. It's clear you take good care of it."
Yes. Yes he does. Tighnari hopes his happiness at the acknowledgement isn't obvious.
They start meeting up more, albeit by chance. If Alhaitham spotted Tighnari alone at the tavern, he would join him. If Tighnari saw Alhaitham reading a book in the outskirts of the city, he would approach.
Turns out, the Scribe is a good resource. While he would refuse to answer confidential questions, he knew almost everything going on in the Akademiya. Naphis had briefly mentioned him in his letters a few times, each time with a tint of respect, but Tighnari was unaware the two were personally acquainted. In hindsight, it makes sense: both are efficient at their jobs, and their positions necessitate working together. That alone would not explain why Alhaitham knew seemingly all of the drama occurring in the Amurta courses, though, especially as most minor incidents don't require records.
They are also both averse to the direction the Grand Sage is taking the Akademiya. Alhaitham himself brazenly keeps banned books in his home, and sometimes on his person, even while on the clock. Cyno had never brought this up before, so either the Sages are willing to turn a blind eye and cover for Alhaitham in order to keep their Scribe, or Cyno was specifically ordered not to act on this particular infraction.
The method doesn't matter. Alhaitham's position is safe.
He'd initially rejected Tighnari's request to borrow banned books, presumably due to his friendship with Cyno. However, it didn't take long at all for him to pinpoint the purpose of Tighnari's question: to diversify Collei's personal library (which, admittedly, is only 4 books at the moment).
Tighnari hadn't mentioned Collei to Alhaitham prior. Perhaps his and Naphis's relationship is closer than he’d originally thought.
"The Akademiya has multiple categories of banned books," Alhaitham explains. "While the Grand Sage is the final judge of what gets banned, it's the Haravatat sage who pitches most of the requests. The first category to be banned was picture books, as the Sages argued these are too distracting for those trying to study."
Alhaitham turns the key to his house, then holds the door open for his guest. The scent of old parchment greets him, somehow stronger than in the House of Daena.
"Of course, anyone whose academic career is derailed by a few picture books is unfit to be a scholar in the first place. It's a useless ban."
There's a large ledge by the east window, presumably crafted so that the occupant could set up a small nest and bask in the morning sun. Alhaitham keeps various trinkets and books there instead, with his divan serving as his nest. It's still within range of some sunlight.
"No blankets by the window?" Tighnari asks. He knows now that the Scribe loves the sunlight, often taking naps in or below trees.
Alhaitham glances over. "It faces the street," he answers simply.
And this is the only path to and from the Akademiya. "You enjoy people watching, though."
"In certain situations, yes. Not from here."
Tighnari hums in acknowledgement, taking off his boots and placing them beside Alhaitham's. He follows Alhaitham, careful not to step on any books left strewn on the floor. The other man doesn't even glance down, as if he knows where every book is by heart.
Aside from the books left seemingly everywhere and the occasional questionable decoration, the house is surprisingly clean. The trash is where it should be, the counters and tables are free of lingering dust, the divan blankets appear to be washed (albeit left unfolded).
"You keep this place clean," Tighnari notes, appreciating the fresh air. He decides not to mention the books.
"It's easier to keep things clean in the long run, and it helps when accidents occur, like spilling a drink."
"Do you often spill drinks?"
"I don't. If I were concerned about that, I wouldn't leave any books on the floor."
Tighnari raises an eyebrow and tilts his head. His ears tilt as well, as if trying to follow Alhaitham's reasoning.
Alhaitham doesn't give them time. "Most of my picture books are in this section. You can browse them and see if any catch your eye." Alhaitham pulls out one such book, squints at it, seemingly hesitates, then gingerly places it aside, away from the section he'd previously indicated.
Tighnari glances over to glimpse the title—something about a princess—before Alhaitham cuts in with, "That one isn't ideal for her."
"You know what books she'd like?" Tighnari doesn't believe for a second that he does. Not even he knows; Collei gets very antsy when people look at her book collection closely, so he tries to give her privacy.
Alhaitham stares at a point on the bookshelf, eyesbrows knitted as he tries to find the right words. It's the first time Tighnari's seen him at a loss. "It's not ideal for anyone," he eventually settles on, "but you can find it in most libraries outside of Sumeru, if you insist."
Spoken with a foreign delicacy, as if worried a few negative words about a book may deter Tighnari from borrowing one. He decides to drop the topic, instead glancing over the hundreds of large books in front of him.
He doesn't get the chance to peruse. Before he can even read the titles of three books, Alhaitham's already pulled out a small pile. "These are good starter books. Each one is in Teyvatian and has a Sumerian translation. They should help her get used to both."
Tighnari accepts the pile, flipping through each one. Some have official translations in print; others have the translations written below, in varying levels of clarity. Tighnari lingers on one page, the translation written in awkward, clunky script.
"I hope you don't mind," Alhaitham says, sounding almost bashful.
"Not at all. She's trying to get used to handwriting, so this is helpful." Though the handwriting is similar to Collei's, likely written by a child.
Alhaitham looks relieved, for some reason. "Let me know which ones she likes. She can keep those ones, and I can suggest more with similar stories."
For all his straightforwardness, Alhaitham has the decency to ask first each time before touching Tighnari's tail. He also rarely seeks Tighnari out on his own, opting instead to let their meetings happen by chance, or by Tighnari's invitation.
So, when Alhaitham not only appears before him without warning one day, but also grabs Tighnari's tail and smashes his face into it, Tighnari understandably jolts.
He makes the active effort not to yank his tail from the other man, who's now hugging it close.
"Is something wrong?" he prods. Alhaitham huffs, as if offended Tighnari would ask.
"Too many meetings," he grumbles, rubbing his face into the soft fur. Thankfully, they're in Tighnari's home and have a modicum of privacy.
Tighnari pats his head and ruffles his hair, as if soothing an angry cat. "I thought you skipped those."
"I can skip small meetings, not important ones. Not that these can truly be called important, no matter what Azar insists."
"Time to consider a new career?" Tighnari muses.
Alhaitham nearly growls at the suggestion. "No. The Sages need to remember what counts as important."
That sounds like a threat. Tighnari absentmindedly threads his fingers through Alhaitham's hair, gently scratching against his scalp.
It takes a minute, but Alhaitham's irritation starts melting away. He takes a deep breath before huffing in satisfaction.
"Bulle fruit?" he murmurs, as if falling asleep.
There's a small tug on his tail. He realizes with a start that it isn't Alhaitham tugging, but rather his tail attempting to swish.
"Some insects are repelled by the scent of citrus," he explains, silently grateful Alhaitham isn't the type to tease unless provoked. "I've been gathering some samples in the wild this week, so it's been especially useful."
Alhaitham doesn't respond. Tighnari tugs at his shirt, but Alhaitham just hugs the tail tighter.
"You won't make it back in time unless you leave soon," he warns.
"It's a six hour trip," Alhaitham argues.
"You're on the clock tomorrow."
"If they want me there, they'll have to drag me back."
This is... unexpected. The whole situation. But, well, he's been curious about Alhaitham's food preferences for a while now, and Collei might benefit from discussing her recent books from someone who's read them. He can make this work.
And, if he's completely honest with himself, the Sages have been annoying to him recently as well. He might get a good kick out of seeing them beg Alhaitham to return.