cashewlater | for @suffusion

for @suffusion

[ the forest is quiet.

cyno knows these woods like the back of his hand. he knows all of sumeru, has trekked nearly every inch of it - nearly - for he fears no beast, nor the darkness of the unknown. his work takes him all over the land, through the deserts and forests alike, and though he works for no one, he does not hurt for mora, for cyno is the most gifted hunter and tracker in sumeru. no quarry has ever escaped him, and he has never failed to deliver on any job. this job will be no different.

it isn't an easy hunt. not only is this area of the forest unfamiliar to him, but his prey is sharp and smart, with an incredible sense of hearing. cyno's footsteps are all but silent, but the sensitive ears of the witch can detect him even at his most stealthy. it's fine. he's brought in difficult prey before. if stealth could only get him so far, he has other methods, though he must take care - should the rumors prove true, this witch is powerful, tricky, wise, and cyno could easily find himself on the wrong end of his quarry's wrath. but he was ready for a fight, if it came to it, and it would.

for five days he simply watches. listens. the witch hears him, he knows, but cyno is well hidden, and cannot be found. he scales the trees and watches from the branches, stock still, his clothing camouflaged, his pale white hair tied up and rubbed with charcoal to keep it from standing out. for hours he sits, vigilant, watchful, learning the witch's patterns and strengths, behaviors, taking their measure, and even that is not easy, but cyno learns over time that his adversary favors the bow and dendro magicks, that they know the forest well, and make use of all of its parts. in the end, cyno can only hope to overpower them by force and speed alone, striking fast, getting in close before the bow can be drawn on him. it'll have to be enough, with the element of surprise unavailable to him. but he'll use the tools he has.

his eyesight, for example, sharp in the night. his keen sense of smell. his own good hearing, and his powers of observation. his patience.

cyno strikes in the night, when the witch is far from their hut, gathering samples of bioluminescent moss. he's fast as a bolt of lightning, moving comfortably in darkness, taking them from behind and knocking them to the loamy earth, with his spearhead at their throat. ]

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[ he will, thanks! an elbow props on the table, resting his cheek into the palm of his own hand as cyno takes away the lemon. he watches him closely, raising a brow at the face and chuckles a bit more.

to think such an imposing, intimidating man... dangerous and ruthless, had quite the cute side. the sight of those ears pinning back with a notable flush on cheeks stands out from what he's seen so far today. ]

Better? If that doesn't work, I don't think the "scare" method will work much on you.

[ cyno does not seem the type to scare easily. but also that was a joke anyways. tighnari is more confident in sucking a lemon or even trying something sweet to get rid of them. he reaches for another piece of mushroom to enjoy in the meantime. ]

[ imposing and ruthless as he might seem (and he is), cyno is an odd and multifaceted man that few have chosen to see this side of. collei is, more or less, the only person that knows his soft heart, though it would seem that tighnari too chooses to look past his stony exterior. how peculiar, he thinks. ]

I doubt it.

[ tighnari trying to frighten him would likely end in spectacular failure, but he is certainly welcome to try. cyno tucks back into his meal without further preamble, though he goes more slowly this time, now that he's over his hiccups. once his stew is finished, he picks at the mushroom platter in the center, which is.. all he's seen tighnari eat so far, in fact. ]

I take it you enjoy mushrooms.

..Ahem. Just a simple preference of mine. [ a true favorite, really. ] They are very enjoyable fresh, more to appreciate this way even without any condiments added to it.

[ his tail sways a bit while he moves to busy himself a little to the stew as well. it makes sense to tighnari for the huntsman to have such acute observations, nothing seeming to get past him. even so... it did surprise tighnari there.

fortunately the bowl of stew is quite good as well. his cooking in general isn't at all terrible, though he is simple enough himself to please with mushrooms alone.. he has still learned to make a few recipes to ensure good nourishment. it's only that he hasn't had much experience cooking for anyone else other than himself. after all, having company over like this isn't really the norm for the witch. ]

How was it? If you'd like more I still have plenty leftover, so don't be shy about asking.

I see. Well, the forest has plenty to give, at least.

[ personally, cyno thinks plain mushrooms without any spice at all are a little bland, but they're not bad either, and he gets it - hybrids like them are sensitive to flavors thanks to their senses of smell, but cyno enjoys good, strong flavor despite it. still, plain mushrooms just to munch on are just fine.

at the mention of seconds, however: ]

.. all right, if you're sure.

[ he begins gratefully scooping himself another generous helping of stew, quick to dig into it again. cyno isn't normally such a ravenous eater, but he needs the calories to fully recharge; tighnari was no easy mark to hunt, after all. ]

[ that's precisely why tighnari has left a bit of spices and more wedges of lemons aside to spice up the stew if the man feels the need to. not the mushrooms, if he even attempts to spice up a shroom tighnari will squint hard at him. these shrooms are perfect the way they are, thank you very much! otherwise, he encourages him to help himself to more of the stew, taking his own time to eat. ]

The concoction may have helped plenty but you still need to catch up in other means to feel perfectly better, so I'm very sure.

[ hence the need for the man to finally rest. sleep, eat and obviously drink plenty of water. it's a bit of a trek from here to back out the woods again - and the witch would rather he not pass out from lack of food or dehydration.

... ah. right. because something like this won't be permanent. cyno has a life to go back to, jobs to finish, so the sooner he's back on his feet the better for the huntsman. maybe it was the comfort of company that, just for a moment, had tighnari's thoughts thinking something like this was so familiar. a hand raises to gently rub at his own ear, pulling it a little to get his thoughts in order. ]

Take your time, there's still a bit of light before night comes in. [ .. ] I assume you'll want to take your leave today?

[ tighnari isn't wrong. cyno is absolutely in need of a good, long, proper rest after all of this, but that will come in time - the witch's help has already restored him a great deal. once he's home again, he will take the time to rest fully and properly, in order to resume his work. he'll need to find a way to explain himself to his employers, to the townspeople, that this witch is no danger to them, but that's a problem for the future.

which means.. yes, indeed, cyno will need to soon take his leave.

something deep in his bones is quietly saddened to go, something he doesn't entirely understand, as if he is leaving behind a place that feels like home, but of course, he hardly knows tighnari. ]

Yes, once we're finished here. I'll do what I can to assuage the people of your innocence, but..

[ but he's not certain how successful he will be. ]

If there isn't much you can do about it, then that's just how it is. Whatever ends up happening - I'll deal with it.

[ and that's that. while he does appreciate that cyno will go out of his way to attempt to change their minds.. he knows it isn't something so simple. those so motivated by their fears aren't likely to let it go.

tighnari leans a bit back in his seat, watching as the seelie that had been hovering nearby drifts over to gingerly flop atop cyno's head once more between his ears. a curious chirp sounds from it and he chuckles as he drinks some his own glass. ]

When you're ready to leave, the Seelie and I can walk you to the border through the fastest path. I might need to branch off a bit right before to check on a zone, but Seelie will stay with you the rest of the way. Is that fine?

[ tighnari certainly seems confident that he'll manage, but cyno is not so sure, and a part of him is hesitating. of course, it's not as if he can remain here and serve as tighnari's protector, of course - they barely know one another, and cyno has responsibilities outside of this forest that he cannot and will not abandon. still, he mislikes the idea of tighnari remaining here alone, facing hunter after hunter, for cyno is sure that the threats will not stop coming, not unless he can convince them otherwise.. a weighty task, indeed.

ah. the seelie is back. cyno's eyes flit upward, and something like a muted smile lightly quirks one corner of his mouth as it settles itself down between his ears again. as before, cyno is unbothered, the thing is hardly heavy. and it's also, you know. cute. its presence is soothing, and comfortable. ]

That's fine. You really don't need to do even that much, if you've other things to attend to.

[ cyno made his way through these woods already once before, and he's more than confident he can return the same way, even easier for tighnari's blessing. ]

It isn't a problem, it's along the way anyway.

[ tighnari's gaze lift back to the seelie, calm and comfortable in turn. it chirps softly with a little wiggle. the witch is aware that the forest won't turn on cyno after how things are now, especially with tighnari and the seelie both at his side. even alone he should be fine but...

his tail sways a little in thought. tighnari then turns away from that muted smile as he pushes back a distant feeling. ]

I'm pretty sure it wants to ensure your safety as well.

[ at last, cyno nods. ]

All right, then.

[ he understands that protective instinct, even if he surely does not deserve it from tighnari, after nearly crushing him beneath his claws. he's certainly glad that he stayed his hand, that he listened to his instincts and didn't do something horrible that he would regret for the rest of his life. following his heart is always the correct course.

and so cyno is back in his meal, polishing off a second bowl of stew without issue, though he does not go for thirds. he needs to replenish his energies, yes, but overeating further could make him more sluggish and lethargic. he'll pop another mushroom into his mouth, though, for good measure. ]

I'll help you clean up, first.

[ tighnari already moves to tidy up leftovers, though his movement starts to slow at the offer. he blinks a bit then looks back down before he gestures to a different door. ]

Alright, if you could just take these empty dishes here to the sink. You'll find it in that room over there. I'll wash it later once I'm back so just leave them there.

[ with that said, he steps over to grab hold of his dark robes from earlier. he brings it up to wrap around himself, securing it by tying and then pulling the hood over his head. there's an added step this time around as he secures a half mask over his mouth as well. after ensuring he has everything he needs, he takes hold of his bow to secure onto his back and looks in cyno's way. ]

Ready?

[ the Seelie has taken its own time to drift over to the door, waiting for them both as it dances up and down. tighnari takes one step before stopping with an, "oh" until he walks back to his desk where he plucks a small bundle. it isn't until Cyno joins him at the door will he hold that bundle out to the huntsman. ]

I'm not sure how long of a trip you'll need to take once you leave the forest so I've packed easy food to snack on if you get hungry. There's also something else in there to help you, just in case you find yourself in trouble.

[ that something else will turn out to be a familiar orb tighnari had tossed earlier while they were both in the cave. it's only one, but tighnari is sure that cyno could make use of the Vijnana Stormheart if it comes down to it. with that said, he'll exit the hut without another word. ]

[ taking the dishes to the sink isn't quite enough, he thinks, but he has a feeling that he won't be able to wheedle more than that from tighnari, so he offers no argument. instead he's gathering up their plates and cups in a neat pile, and carrying them to the sink in the second room, where he sets them carefully down.

by the time he reemerges, tighnari is already getting back into his loose robe and hood, so cyno steps over to the sofa he'd slept on to retrieve his polearm from where it's still leaning against the wall, slinging it over his back with the smooth motion of a practiced movement. that weapon may as well be an extension of his own body. ]

All right, I'm read- [ he starts, then stops when a bag is thrust into his hands. he doesn't answer right away, which is enough time for tighnari to slip out of the hut before cyno can offer an argument, but.. well. all right. he fastens the little bundle to his belt, and steps out after tighnari and the seelie, back into the clearing. ] .. thank you.

[ really, tighnari didn't need to do any of this, but he had. cyno doesn't say it aloud, but.. he will find some way to repay the witch's kindness, if it means he needs to protect him from every threat that makes its way toward him. ]

You're welcome.

[ his bright eyes flicker cyno's way with a little twinkle to them. the smallest of movement seen beneath the heavy hood before the man gestures to follow with quick steps. not exactly hurried or in rush, but certainly not slow as to lose the bit of daylight they have left. the clearing no sooner turns into its previous secluded pathways, tighnari weaving between heavy bushes and various flora with practiced ease as though he's done this again and again.

eventually they make their way onto the main path, peeks of birds and other critters that house themselves in these forests spotted now and then. but always keeping a distance. the accompanying seelie leads them with a light dance ahead, flowing fluidly through the air with a destination already set in mind since they've left the hut. tighnari keeps up easily, but it's clear his attention is around them - alert and at attention, but at ease enough when the only thing to be felt is that curious child-like feeling of being watched.

tighnari does spare a glance to cyno from time to time, mostly when he thinks cyno isn't looking to him, and if their eyes meet he looks forward again with a quicker step. eventually though, his steps do start to slow and he looks towards the left side of the path. ]

I'll branch off from here, but as I mentioned before the Seelie will stay with you at least until the edge.

[ true to his words, the Seele remains just a slight bit ahead, circling in the way cyno is meant to go while it clearly waits for him with a soft chirp. tighnari knows he should hurry himself, that there's no reason to linger and wait a moment longer but. something aches a little. he doesn't quite understand it. ]

.. Take care of yourself, Cyno.

[ they move through the forest together, and the silence between them is not awkward, but comfortable, as if they've done this a hundred times before, the same strange nostalgia that's clung to this entire odd event.

but the time at last comes to part, and together they stop at the fork in the road. something in cyno's heart yearns to stay, to better get to know this strange witch with his captivating eyes, but for all cyno follows his heart in most things, he is not a fool about it. he has a life to return to, and so does tighnari. if they are meant to know one another, surely their paths will cross again, he thinks, just as they crossed now. ]

All right.

[ turning toward tighnari, cyno inclines his head respectfully, his gaze lingering on what he can see of tighnari's face behind the hood and mask. he should start moving, get out of the deepest parts of the forest before nightfall, but.. he's hesitating. only for a moment. soon enough, cyno nods, and turns onto his path. ]

You too, Tighnari.

[ funny, though, how things work out. cyno returns to his life, and for awhile, things are rough. not only did he not complete the job, but he also did his best to counsel the townspeople on tighnari's innocence, something they did not appreciate. well.. some of them understood, were even relieved to hear it, but others simply did not believe him, or thought he had been bespelled by the witch, enthralled to say such words. perhaps he was, for how often his thoughts turn to tighnari, how often cyno remembers his eyes, and the warmth of his touch.

things settle, in time. cyno returns to his work, and the townspeople seem to have a difficult time finding a replacement to send after the witch; most are too afraid to attempt it, others agree that cyno's word is good enough, that they shouldn't pursue the witch any longer. for now, at least, tighnari is safe, though cyno is sure it is only a matter of time.

it's some three months after taking the job that led him to the woods that cyno finds himself returning. where last time he was quiet as a mouse, stalking, hunting, this time he is running hard, spooking everything in the vicinity, for he makes no attempt to disguise himself as he sprints through the trees with a large bundle in his arms. ]

Tighnari! [ he shouts, trying, and failing, to keep the panic from his voice as he stops near where he recalls the clearing was. it's late in the night, the witch may very well be asleep, but that doesn't stop him. ] Tighnari, please -

[ the forest is eerily quiet, akin to someone holding their breath, watching closely... the heavy feeling of being looked upon so closely. however, there is no feeling of malice or hostility, but a distant curiosity... a more somber worry. the woods extremely dark with the night blanketing the forest from above but something does stand out- and it's fast. at first it's a peek here and there, glimpses of bright green and an even softer pink, until a familiar whisp shows itself after a moment and no sooner begins to approach with what could be a concerned chirp.

there's a rustle above from the trees that barricade the clearing, vines slithering off one of the trees to extend out to catch a figure that jumps down. it lowers with the robed person who lands on the ground with a light step as the hand releases its hold on the vine, a familiar gleam of white and green bow in the other hand. but, no sooner is that free hand pulling back that hood to reveal an even more familiar face as he pants a little with breath. ]

Wha - Cyno? What are you doing here?! [ on one hand, it's a bit of a relief that it's just him, after all once he has the feeling that somebody has entered the forest.. it isn't exactly clear on who that just may be. even though there was a distant feeling of worry that caused more alarm in him that he hardly gave himself a moment to breathe until now. already tighnari can see the panicked look on the man's face, and clearly something bundled in his arms. ]

What happened? [ no, that's not right-- ] How can I help?

[ the seelie comes closer, wiggling worriedly in the air until it presses closer to cyno, lowering at the level of the bundle in his arms. ]

[ it's the flash of the seelie's light that first alerts him to tighnari's presence, and cyno feels the tension and fear in his chest relax all at once; he's here, thank the gods, he's here. ]

Tighnari - [ he starts, breathless with panic and exertion both, and he hefts the bundle higher into his arms. it's good to see him again, but he's not here for a social visit. quickly, cyno shakes his head and cradles the bundle in his arms, the wrapped blanket falling away a little to reveal that the bundle is not in fact a bundle, but a small girl.

she's young, no more than ten years old, perhaps, with pale green hair and soft serval's ears that are pinned back against her head. her breathing is labored, and she is barely conscious. creeping up her neck is the telltale grey scarring of eleazar. ]

My daughter -

[ he says, his voice schooled into something more calm and composed, but it still trembles with his obvious anxiety. ]

Can you help her? Please, you must know something..

Breathe, Cyno.

[ it's not ever something he'd expect to see from the man, so shaken like this.. he doesn't know him remotely well enough, but from their first meeting - it's a strong contrast. the seelie lowers itself gingerly to slot itself like a featherlight blanket onto parts of the bundled girl and huntsman both. that warmth seeps through fabric, allowing a moment of respite. it won't be permanent though, not until tighnari does something.

his gaze drifts towards the revealed bundle, taking in sight of the girl and the markings that spell something dark. but rather than turn away or react strongly, he steps closer with one hand carefully touching parts of the blanket to get a closer look. eleazar... it's something he knows well. after all, that very same manifestation... a quiet sigh leaves him, understanding the situation more than cyno likely knows. it's no wonder that, in the back of his mind, he can feel that distant tugging from the forest itself. ]

..I believe I do. First, we need to quell the symptoms before they get any worse. [ to plague someone so young... he feels a heavy weight on his chest. finally, he raises his head, gaze bright and reassuring. ] Nilotpala Lotus, I have some back in my hut, I can make a remedy that should be enough to at the very least stabilize her. We need to move quickly though.

[ there's no moment to spare, he turns and makes a direct line in the direction of his home. his steps are swift, barely taking a moment to linger, parts of the nature easing to make the way easier than it normally is as if to aid them on their way. he will pipe up as they hurry over, glancing back briefly. ]

How long has she been sick? Has it only gotten worse today - or has she been in this state longer than that?

[ cyno's gaze is relentless, boring into tighnari as the witch looks collei over, though the presence of the seelie nestling up against them both certainly helps to calm his raging pulse. even collei stirs a little, warmed by the seelie's light and touch, some of the tension easing from her sweat-dewy brow. surely, tighnari must know something! cyno knows full well that there is no known cure, but if anyone knows anything about how to stave it off longer, how to better treat it, it must be him.

right..?

i believe i do, tighnari says, and cyno releases a breath he hardly realized he had been holding, some of the steely hardness in his shoulders relaxing. nilotpala lotus. cyno knows knows of the flower, but had no idea of its medicinal properties, they aren't noted in any of the medical texts he's read, nor have any of collei's doctors ever mentioned its use. he knew he was right to come to tighnari, knew the moment she took a turn for the worst that he needed to find him, that tighnari could help, that he was the only one who could. ]

She was born with it.

[ it's why they are alone, why her mother abandoned them the moment collei was born, and she saw that cursed mark on her skin, and blamed cyno for bringing it upon them with his fell powers. but cyno had never thought collei lesser for her illness, he had loved her from the very moment he set eyes on her, and he would stop at nothing to give her as long a life as possible.

quickly, he follows tighnari as the branches and reeds bend from their path, and they hurry back to the little hut that cyno so fondly remembers. once they're in the door, he's quick to lay her down on the sofa he had slept on months ago, one hand smoothing over her brow, pushing the damp hair from her bleary eyes. ]

[ once they've made it inside, tighnari is already moving towards his desk to pull a mortar out. he begins with the smaller ingredients, crushing them down until he adds them into a small pot. then he moves towards the window close by to it, bracing the window open just as a vine creeps on in through a crack. it curls close to tighnari, holding something at the ends of it that is bright yellow and blooming beautiful under the moonlight. the fox offers a quiet murmur before he takes the nilotpala lotus, holding it in the palm of both his hands as a green glow emits from his hands to cover the flower.

he moves quickly after to drop it into the pot, pulling a drawer from his desk after to rummage through his vials. throughout his work he's entirely focused, mumbling now and then with quiet words as if speaking lowly to someone. the vine creeps along the walls, inching towards the desk before it stops. tighnari pauses until he reaches back over his desk at some of the vials on display. he plucks one, a shimmering silver which no sooner gets poured into the pot as well.

an arm raises to wipe at his forehead, that usage of his magicks always drains a little out of him but he hardly complains. it's worth it for something like this. it takes only a moment to finish the concoction while he boils it lightly over a small fire. once it's at a cooler temperature does he pour the contents into a small cup. ]

Cyno. It's ready.

[ finally, he makes his way over to the two of them, taking a glance to the girl but- something like this must be scary for someone so young. she's more likely to trust her father than a stranger so, instead of offering it to her right away, he hands it off to cyno. his voice is quiet, soft, as he adds more to his words. ]

It won't heal her completely, it'll only stave off the worst of it for now. [ tighnari knows the ideal answer would be to give him an immediate cure, a miracle to get rid of something that's been plaguing his daughter's entire life. the seelie lowers to rest near the girl, emitting a soft glow. tighnari takes a breath, glancing briefly toward the door until he looks to cyno. ] However, the forest here... it may have some knowledge on a possible way to treat her illness.

If that's something you're willing to try. [ it's asking of the huntsman to trust him. to trust a witch who has been feared upon, told to cause nothing but harm - he may have trusted his own judgment of tighnari before, but things are different with this. cyno has his daughter to consider. it's why tighnari waits patiently for his answer, whatever his decision may be. the least the fox can do in the end is offer. ]

[ distantly, cyno is aware that tighnari is working hard, that he is mixing ingredients and murmuring softly, working his dendro magicks, asking the forest for its boons, and were the situation not so dire he might have taken the time to enjoy it. to watch him work with silent wonder and curiosity; cyno has studied the art of potion-making quite closely, after all, it's his specialty aside from hunting, so it's certainly of interest to him.

but right now, all he can think about is collei. he can't look away from her, as if she will slip from his grasp should he take his attention away even for a moment. tense and vigilant, he remains by her side, smoothing a rough hand over her damp hair, murmuring soft, gentle words. i'm here. you're going to be all right. when tighnari finally approaches, cyno manages to tear his gaze away from her long enough to look up toward the witch, who holds out a cup for him.

he knows that he's putting a great deal of faith in tighnari right now, a great deal of trust in his ability, because his assumption is right - trusting him to take care of himself was one thing, but entrusting him with his daughter's life.. is quite another. and so he hesitates.

but only briefly. taking the cup from tighnari's hands, cyno nods, and turns back to collei, using his free hand to carefully lift her head. ]

Collei, dearheart, I need you to wake up a little. Here.

[ his voice is far gentler than tighnari has likely ever heard it, warm and soft and tight with worry as he carefully presses the cup to her lips. collei stirs, groaning softly, blinking bleary eyes, but her lips part long enough for her to get the concoction down. cyno can only pray that it isn't too late. ]

[ tighnari doesn't push any further, even though he eventually receives a nod from the other man when their eyes meet briefly. he keeps quiet, observing them both for a moment before looking away as if intruding on something personal. he does step away to give them some privacy, offer some space while the concoction is taken in. though the seelie remains there to ease and comfort the pair.

the concoction should work fast with the nature's aid. the remedy's purpose is to recover her energy, easing away that pain and pull back that sickness just enough so she isn't being tormented endlessly. it'll be more effective with her here in the depths of this forest. the forest has always offered protection and comfort to those that dwell in it... so it would be no different for the girl as she rests in the witch's home. the effects of the woods will offer an effective means of mitigating it a bit more.

it won't cure her completely, just as tighnari says. but it's enough. it'll help her for now. quietly, he steps over to his desk to take a seat and extend his hand out. those lengthy vines move again, coming to make contact and snake around tighnari's arm before emitting a quiet glow. releasing a breath, he closes his eyes and focuses on the contact. he wouldn't feel right to leave them here to get more answers just yet - so he'll do what he can while he's still here.

any other discussions he needs to make with cyno can wait until his daughter is in the clear. his ears perk straight forward, twitching idly with an occasional swerve to listen in cyno's direction in case something comes up. however, he's confident in his own work, and even more so with the forest lending a helping hand. ...so why does he feel as if he's sitting impossibly close to the edge? like he's faced something like this once before. this is the first he's encountered the eleazar so close at hand, he's sure of it. idly, he rubs at his head with his free hand with a furrow of his brows. ]

[ tighnari doesn't need to give them privacy, this is his home, his work, but he's kindhearted enough to draw away regardless - just one more thing among many to thank him for.

collei has a little trouble getting all of the drink down, weak and trembling as she is, but with cyno's help and gentle coaxing she soon drains the cup, and cyno sets it aside to better tend to her. she's conscious enough to not understand what is going on, or where she is, and so he must soothe her worries gently, murmuring quietly that she's safe, that he's brought her to someone who can help, that all she needs to do right now is rest. being the curious, precocious young girl she is, of course she wants to know more, but she's so tired and cyno is so insistent that it isn't long before she's drifting to sleep again.

and this sleep is far better than the fitful one she'd been experiencing before. after a little while, collei is no longer trembling or sweating, no longer mumbling in her sleep, pain knitting her brow. no, she looks peaceful, breathing deeply and easily as she sinks into restful slumber. with a soft sigh, cyno draws her blankets up higher, making sure she's comfortable and warm before he finally stands again, and glances over his shoulder.

approaching tighnari where he sits, cyno exhales hard, rubbing a hand over his eyes, weariness at last settling in. it's been a long night. ]

I'm sorry. [ he says softly, keeping his voice low. ] I know it's late, I.. I didn't know where else to go. I was sure you could help her.

[ deep in his bones, he knew he had to bring her to tighnari, and no one else. ]

[ the seelie chirps softly when cyno finishes ensuring collei's comfort, drifting to circle briefly until coming to rest beside her sleeping form on the sofa. it may not provide much help with her illness, but it can at least ensure her continued comfort while she slumbers through the night. it seems quite content with staying right there.

long curved ears twitch when steps come his way, tighnari opening his eyes to peer up at cyno once he joins his side. the glowing simmering from the vines slowly dims until it's completely faded, then they begin to slowly track back and away. it's only then that he turns to face cyno more, glancing in the girl's direction before back to him. a frown makes its way onto his lips, and gingerly a hand reaches out to grasp part of cyno's arm- the touch is brief, light, squeezing only a little to offer some reassurance before he drops it. ] Don't apologize.

It was good that you came here. [ his voice is soft in return, reassuring. ] I don't necessarily have all the answers, but the forest here has always been quite knowledgeable across many things. And, fortunate for us, that seems to be the case here.

[ which, on hindsight, is technically good news but. he runs those thoughts in his head, what was shared with him, what was expressed and... he sighs softly and only sparing those earlier vines a quick glance. ]

It isn't something that can be healed overnight. [ that's impossible, especially someone of tighnari's caliber - even with the nature's help. ] ...However, over time, it can be treatable here. It could take a few months, it could even take a year or even more. But with the right treatment, the forest can offer its help to her.

[ for a moment, he pauses. letting that information sit between them. he knows it may sound disbelieving, like false hope.. which is why he doesn't want cyno to rush into anything. cyno must have rushed here the second her case worsen, possibly not even a moment to pause- probably too frightened over the thought that a moment to stop could cost her life. that fear, the anxiety of it, the risk... how the man was still standing and awake is surprising. ] I can explain it more in detail in the morning if it's something you want to consider but... right now, I think you should rest. Give it some thought.

[ tighnari is right to assume that it was simple adrenaline and sheer willpower that keeps cyno on his feet right now, and now that he is here, in this comfortable, warm place, it is all beginning to catch up to him, the fatigue setting in. he's been running on fumes to get collei to tighnari's home as quickly as possible.

he has many questions, certainly. curious about what it is that tighnari is doing with the vines, wondering if he interrupted something, but these are things that can wait. when tighnari's hand reaches out, cyno doesn't flinch away as he otherwise might, and his touch.. it's so warm, soothing in the same way that tighnari's presence alone is. it's that same strange nostalgia that he's felt since the moment their eyes met, a connection that seems to run so deep that cyno does not question its authenticity, but marvels at its starkness nonetheless. when tighnari's touch drops away, cyno finds that he misses its comfort immediately. ]

You mean..

[ what is tighnari saying? that he can heal her completely? or, at least, more than others have? every doctor he has spoken with has always told cyno that her illness was chronic, terminal, that there was no cure for eleazar, that, in time, it would claim her life. but what tighnari says - it gives him hope, a warm ball of light flickering to life in his breast, revitalizing. he'd resigned himself to losing her long ago, but if perhaps there is an alternative.. he would give anything to give her a long life, to ensure her continued safety.

it's a lot to think about, even if cyno knows full well that he would stop at nothing to save her. ]

.. all right. I'll get some sleep. Thank you, Tighnari. [ he says, and reaches to brush the hair from the witch's eyes before he can think to do otherwise. it's a little thing, a gesture of affection that feels easy and familiar, but he soon draws away, moving over toward collei again where he sits on the floor, leaning up against the couch, his head resting against the arm of the sofa. he wants to stay near her, to be with her when she wakes, so she is not alone. ]

[ the feeling of a connection is certainly something tighnari is familiar with. such as the forest here, what he feels is reflected in the nature - stretched out in lands, when it's easier for it to breathe and the days when it is not. he can feel that connection as if it fills to his core. but with cyno... that nostalgia, the familiarity of it, it extends as if it's been there since before he was even born. it doesn't quite make sense. a mystery buried so deep he had almost forgotten. but he feels it as his hand drops away, sees it as he peers into those scarlet red, and even hears it while his voice speaks softly to him.

and yet, whatever it was, it wasn't nearly as important as the girl sleeping soundly. it's that thought that disregards everything else. he can't get distracted by it. even as surprise flickers in when his hair is brushed aside and he's filled with a small ache. he stops himself from going after it. ]

Of course... sleep well. You'll both be safe here.

[ to further reassure any other worries. that nothing will come to any harm to them while under his and the forest's watch. for a while he observes, carefully waiting, going over his own thoughts and answers he's been given. because cyno will have many questions, and tighnari believes himself capable of likely answering them all. he just... he needs to be careful.

because in the end, it is asking a lot from the forest. but he wants to help them. he wants to help her. and he can tell that what dwells here feels the same way. eventually, when he's sure cyno is in the cusp of falling completely to sleep does he step carefully through the hut, coming back to them with another blanket in tow to settle comfortably around the huntsman.

it is likely that tighnari himself will end up not gathering any rest himself, but he can hardly complain. he has pulled plenty of late night researches that end up with spilling into the morning light. one more night is no issue. he'll manage, are his thoughts as he settles back at his desk, falling into idle writings to fill the hours. ]

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