for @citer

[cashewlater]

Comments

[citer]

[ chest-to-chest, back-to-back, hip-to-hip, it's impossible to ignore the way tighnari's full-body shiver. his ears fight against the pins holding them back. he grimaces. ]

Rude. [ and for that, cyno gets a flick of tighnari's tail from under his skirt, a thump of a motion against his leg.

hanan, bemused, begins lilting to the side. is that the order to go left? ]

[cashewlater]

Careful.

[ cyno's hands are up again, over tighnari's, using the reins to gently tug the horse forward again. ]

Hanan, taqadam lilamam. [ a light chuckle, at tighnari's jaw, and hanan settles back onto the path. ] I told you, she's very sensitive.

[citer]

[ tighnari looks up. ]

Ah, she speaks Aaru, and so do you.

[ in hindsight, of course cyno would. he is, after all, from the desert. ]

[cashewlater]

It's my mother tongue. I couldn't speak anything but, when the scholars found me - I had to learn.

[ but he was young, his fresh mind a sponge, and learning had not been difficult. ]

[citer]

Which Darshan were you?

[cashewlater]

Spantamad. I imagine you studied with Amurta.

[citer]

I spent most of my time stalking Amurta herbads, yes. They seemed to study things that fit my interest. In the beginning, I hadn't known the divisions between Darshans - I only wanted to know more about the world.

I heard Haravatat graduates must learn twenty languages before graduation. How many for Spantamad?

[cashewlater]

Not just Haravatat. Twenty languages must be mastered to graduate from any Darshan; Haravatat students often learn more than twenty.

[ the road meanders, as they chat, and in the distance, cyno can spy the divine tree rising high against the sky. ]

Do you have an interest?

[citer]

[ tighnari tilts his head up. the sky seems narrow like this, beyond the canopy of trees. but when vissudha field opens up, it will seem wider. it's all a matter of perspective, he knows. ]

I do. There were quite a few books on medicinal herbs, but written in Liyuen. And I would imagine it would be easier to get a handle on fire as a means of healing forest development if I knew Natlan.

[cashewlater]

Mm. Well, we'll put it on the list, then. I'll bring you some books, and worksheets.

[citer]

Will you tutor me yourself as well?

[cashewlater]

If you'd like. I don't mind.

[citer]

I'd like that. But I'm also aware that you have a day job. Perhaps let me get started on my studies; you can be witness to my progress. It will be grand to have someone to practice with.

[cashewlater]

As you wish. We'll drop into the House of Daena.

[citer]

... you spoil me. It makes me wonder when you will say 'no'.

[cashewlater]

I have no reason to say no. You're deserving, and you never ask too much. Would that I could give you more.

[citer]

The only thing I want more right now is for you to rest. Four days was a long time away from your home.

[cashewlater]

Mm.. well, you have me for two entire days. Though I still plan to work on those reports.

[citer]

As long as you are well-rested while doing so. I've no complaints.

[ his attention turns to the road. to the right, the great valley parts, and the rush of the vissudha careens past great canyons of rock. ]

Hm. The river's lively today; there must've been more rainfall than anticipated in the north. Have there been reports of shroomkin bothering the villages there?

[cashewlater]

[ tighnari's sharpness never ceases to amaze him. ]

If there have been, I wouldn't know. I've been deep in Avidya Forest for four days. I can check, once we're in the city; I need to stop into headquarters to gather some paperwork, anyway.

[citer]

I'll come with you. I've never seen your headquarters. I would ask if your subordinates are there, but as the General Mahamatra, are all matra not your subordinates?

[cashewlater]

It's hardly interesting, but if you'd like to see it, I won't deny you - and yes, they are. It still feels a little strange.

[citer]

How so?

[cashewlater]

Well, they were my equals, once. Not so long ago. Some of them don't approve of my appointment.

[citer]

Have they shown their displeasure?