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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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. ]

[ cyno settles in comfortably, his tired eyes fixed on collei's sleeping face, watching her peaceful expression for as long as he can before his eyelids become far too heavy and he can no longer keep them up.

despite the fact that he's on the hard floor, cyno sleeps comfortably, the same way he had here once before - as if nothing can harm them here, a strange, unusual feeling of complete safety enveloping him like the blanket tighnari drapes around his body. cyno sleeps quietly, unmoving, his body slumped against the sofa, his ears full of the soft sounds of collei's even breathing.

he wakes when she does. late into the morning collei stirs, her violet eyes bleary as she blinks, confused, not recognizing the space around her. cyno awakens with a start, rubbing the heel of his hand into his eyes before he's sitting up further. his back and neck ache from the awkward angle he slept in, but he's more concerned with collei. ]

Hey, sweet pea. It's okay. I've brought you to a.. friend. Someone who can help you.

[ collei's brow furrows, and she blinks slowly, still heavy and tired, but feeling.. better, somehow. her gaze drifts down to the seelie. what's that? ]

[ when morning does come, tighnari quietly makes it to another room to prepare some food for when the two eventually wake. when he last looked it seem to possibly be a while more. which was fine, more time for him to work with. he's returning to the table at the end of the main room while he quietly sets the dishes down. he leaves some pita pockets of his own making covered to preserve, setting down some cups with a jar of water set aside. though there's an additional smaller jar filled with a bright color as the juice is left there as well.

his tail sways with thought, debating on preparing something else - tea, perhaps? or even coffee. something to keep himself going. however, his ears no sooner twitch at the sounds behind him from the couch, turning and seeing them both stir. and yet his own movements hesitate at the mention of 'friend.' but, with how disorientated the young girl must be, he loses that surprise.

the seelie wiggles a little, tilting as if to peer up at her until it perks and dances away to offer some space. though, it draws near in tighnari's direction who raises a hand to gingerly pet it. ]

A Seelie, they're gentle wandering spirits. [ with a soft chirp it hovers on back to cyno and collei first before gingerly resting atop cyno's head in between his ears once more. as if it's done it a million times before. it leaves it close enough to inspect collei with a feeling of curiosity. ]

I'm Tighnari, it's nice to meet you. [ the fox takes the opportunity to come closer, crouching a little to be more on her level. he passes a quick glance to cyno, the intention clear that he would like to examine her closely but with both their permission. for now, he looks back to her with the same kind of gentleness. despite her grogginess, she looks to have more energy to her.. which is good, it means the concoction worked well. ] How do you feel?

[ cyno's gaze flicks to tighnari as he sets the food down, wondering at whether or not the witch managed to get any rest at all, but that's a question for later. tighnari supplies a helpful answer, and collei blinks thoughtfully, though she seems to recognize the name. yes. her father had told her about the witch in the woods, about his comfortable hut and spirit friends, and collei had found it all very interesting and very magical, and right now, even through her illness she still can't help but be intrigued.

though she's still a little bit shy, and when tighnari draws nearer she looks away, glancing up toward cyno, but he only offers her a nod, just as the seelie nests itself between his ears again. ]

Collei.. do you think you can sit up a little, and let Tighnari have a look at you?

[ the girl seems hesitant, but after a moment, tighnari's gentleness wears through, and she nods her head, sitting herself upward. she doesn't like to be touched by people she doesn't trust, but she's also quite used to being examined by doctors, so it's nothing entirely new to her, either.

okay, she says, her large eyes lifting toward tighnari, a little wary, but growing more comfortable. ]

Thank you, Collei. I promise it won't take too long. [ tighnari gives her a soft smile, his movements are careful and slow enough so he doesn't alarm her. first, he brings a gentle touch to her forehead with the back of his hand, humming thoughtfully. ]

Her temperature seems to be normal, definitely better than last night. [ he shifts a little, guiding that hand to the upper half of her back. he nods a little as he does. ] Take a deep breath in and out. By the time you're done, I'll be done.

[ a warmth surges from his hand when she inhales, tighnari concentrating closely but as he promises he's pulling his hand back once that breath is exhaled. there's a bit of relief on his face as he looks her over until he glances to cyno. ] She's improved a lot since last night. Her energies seem to have risen as well. For now, I think it's best we focus on getting you both something to eat. You and I can talk a bit more afterward, Cyno.

[ tighnari straightens, a bit refreshed with this good news. he was hopeful to begin with but it's better to see for himself. and it's good news for them both at that. the pita pockets he's prepared are plentiful in amount, and easy to eat. though tighnari did prepare both a veggie set and one with meat. so they'll be able to enjoy and eat however much they want. exhaustion is tugging at his own body a bit more obviously than before but he pushes past it to focus on ensuring they have breakfast. ]

[ cyno watches closely, trying not to hover too much, but more or less failing. he can't help it, he's always so concerned about her, and last night had been far too close of a call for him to be comfortable with. despite the fact that he had resigned himself to losing her someday, it was.. still too soon, he isn't ready to let go, not yet, not now, not when more could help her. perhaps he would never truly be ready.

but tighnari speaks of talking, and cyno feels that hope flare in his breast again, though he's careful not to allow it to show on his face. collei is a sensitive young girl, and he doesn't want her picking up on it, not when it could be too good to be true. ]

Good idea.

[ cyno rises to his feet with a groan, joints cracking as he unfolds himself, and collei soon follows. she's still a bit of a mess, her hair wild and mussed, still wearing her rumpled bedclothes, but that can all be sorted soon enough. she's here, alive, and doing well, that's all he needs to know to move forward. together they sit at the table and begin to eat. collei's appetite is minimal at first, but once she takes a few bites it kicks in, and she eats well, though she's clearly very, very curious about everything - this place, the seelie, and tighnari especially, whom she keeps sneaking furtive glances toward. he seems every bit as mysterious and magical as cyno had described, perhaps even moreso.

nevertheless, they work their way through the meal, with collei taking to the vegetable pitas, and cyno favoring the meat stuffed ones, but they both enjoyed their share of both. by the time they're finished, collei is feeling much chattier, looking around the hut, her eyes on everything, clearly holding back a thousand questions. cyno chuckles and musses her hair. ]

Go on and wash up a bit. [ he says, glancing toward tighnari because he sure has no idea where the washroom is. ]

[ tighnari helps himself to a few veggie pitas himself, but for the most part seems content enough to allow them to enjoy their fill. it isn't long when they start digging in that the seelie drifts away to join tighnari, hovering above his shoulder with a curious series of chirps. it has the fox tilting his head a little, ear flickering before he nods and lightly nudges the seelie who twirls off to float around with no real direction.

his gaze settles on the other two, curious and a bit amused when collei looks around with that childish wonder. were it a social visit, he might have encouraged her to ask whatever she has on her mind but he will save that for another time. his eyes soften at sight of cyno, affectionate and endearing towards her. when those scarlet red meet his gaze does he blink back before nodding, turning to gesture to the door on the right towards the back of the room. ]

Through the bedroom there, you'll find a washroom by the far door.

[ tighnari waits patiently for collei to make her way, the seelie not even hesitating to join her with soft enlightened chirping. that way she has some company nearby while she roams through the hut. it isn't until it's just the two of them that tighnari emits a quiet sigh, a wave of exhaustion showing as he touches his forehead briefly. it can wait until later though, turning towards cyno again with a more serious air. ]

..Have you given it some thought? I know it's a lot to ask of you, but the forest.. it does want to help if you're willing to listen.

[ collei seems almost more intrigued by the seelie than by tighnari, having never seen such a thing before. she's heard stories of the forest spirits, but cyno had never allowed her to delve deeply enough into the woods that she would stumble across one herself. he gives her what freedoms he can, but she is young, and ill, and he is perhaps.. overprotective in some ways. not so overprotective, at least, that he feels the need to follow her to the washroom, thankfully.

once they're alone again, cyno sits back in his chair, meeting tighnari's gaze again, his brow set, and furrowed. ]

Honestly, I don't think there's anything to think about. If you can help her.. I'll do anything. Go anywhere.

[ if it meant curing her eleazar, cyno would lay down his own life, so spending some time here in this forest hardly seems a steep price to pay for her well-being. even a chance at ridding her of the disease is something he would fight for, tooth and nail. but.. tighnari. how much will this ask of him? there may be a strange, unknowable connection between the two of them, and an easy (if strange) bond, but that didn't mean that tighnari needed to offer up his services. ]

Anything you need.. you'll have it. Work. Mora. There's no question. [ though he frowns, loosely crossing his arms. ] Did you sleep?

That's just it Cyno, it isn't really anything about where you need to go and do. [ tighnari meets his gaze, unmoving and straight forward. it does involve cyno in the way that this is his daughter they're talking about. if anything, it relies more on what he's willing to give up for her, regarding the decisions that will need to be made. but over all... tighnari thinks it's something that can be manageable. something that can be done. even though it may ask more from the forest and... consequently tighnari.

he blinks when the question comes to him, glancing briefly off to the side before shaking his head. though he isn't nearly as rested as he should be, his resources have been used up quite a bit last night and this morning. his posture straightens, recomposing himself to lessen any worries or concerns on him. ]

I slept enough. Don't worry, it won't be an issue. [ won't cause any trouble for what he's about to share. his gaze flickers out the window, looking at the woods outdoors until back to cyno. ] If you want Collei to receive treatment, you'll need to leave her here. I'm not sure how long it'll take, as I mentioned last night it could be anything from a couple of months to even a few years... but here is the best place for her to be.

[ while that sits, he steps up to move over to his desk, pushing some papers aside until he grabs hold of a journal and returns to the table. carefully, he opens it and sets it down to show the page to the huntsman. there's a sketched-out part of the woods, a large tree design with a circular orb-like cocoon settled at the center of it. ] The forest here has many properties to it that aren't really easy to explain, but I can promise that being here will have a good effect on her. The nature here is effective at mitigating the effects of Eleazar as long as she stays here.

[ after all, the forest takes away any sickness, anything negative, and turns it into something. but that isn't something cyno needs to worry about. his arms cross, because that topic doesn't really need to be elaborated on. it's something tighnari will take on himself so he continues on. ] To not overwhelm the nature here, the goal is to handle treatments little by little. Which is precisely why I mentioned it doesn't have a precise timeline on how long it can take to heal her completely. It won't cause any harm to Collei, it'll probably have the opposite effect really. And of course I'll be there every step of the way.

[ there's a pause, meeting his gaze with a frown lingering on his lips. ] I know I'm asking a lot from you, to entrust your daughter to stay here with me. But it's the only method I can really offer.

[ .. it is a lot to ask. it's quite a lot to ask. cyno is silent.

for all he tries to keep his expression neutral, it's quite clear that the very idea of leaving collei here makes his heart ache terribly. she's his entire world, she has been since the moment she was born, since her tiny fingers wrapped around his own, and he's done everything in his power to be strong for her, to care for her as best as he could. asking him to surrender her now to someone else..

cyno's chest constricts, and he looks away, his posture tightening, tensing, arms crossed over his abdomen. of course he would do anything to save her, to give her a chance at life, the chance to grow up and blossom into the person he always hoped for her to be, but the selfish parts of his heart do not want to let her go. tighnari, after all, did not invite him to stay as well, and besides, if he did stay.. what on earth would he do with himself? giving up his work for collei - he'd be more than happy to, but he hardly wants to disrupt tighnari's life any more than he already has. torn and uncertain, cyno drops his gaze, a shadow flitting behind his eyes.

papa.. you're leaving me here..?

collei's voice calls out quietly from the doorway, her eyes wide, ears folded back, her banded tail curling between her knees. cyno's stony silence breaks in an instant, and he's on his feet, moving toward her, dropping to kneel with his hands warm on her shoulders. ]

Collei.. you know I don't want that. I'd never leave you anywhere you didn't want to stay. But you.. Tighnari can help you, here. He can treat you, and maybe even help you with your abilities.

[ considering that she, too, is able to wield the dendro element. ]

[ it's what he had expected.

the silence fills, heavy and tense, but he was prepared for it. from the moment cyno had arrived, tighnari could tell how much collei means to him. his literal world in the shape of such a young bright girl. but he wouldn't have offered it if he didn't think it would be good for her. good for them both. the forest's nature, gentle and soothing in the back of his mind when those vines held onto his hand last night... she has a strong will to live. she has fought her whole life against such a strong devastating illness.

but he cannot ask for them both to suddenly leave their lives behind to change everything. he cannot ask cyno to leave behind his work and everything else he has just to come here. which is precisely why he does not ask. however, he isn't forbidding him entirely from these woods, the forest has grown familiar to his presence- the one that dances with another spirit deep in his soul. however, tighnari knows it's better this way. so cyno can still provide for her once she's better, once she's finally able to go back.

his gaze watches the man as he comforts his daughter, staying where he is as the seelie hovers only for a moment before fluttering over to tighnari's side with a light gentle bump. ]

I won't force you to stay here if you don't want to, Collei. It's ultimately your decision as well. [ tighnari knows it's a lot to ask from a girl so young, but he cannot help her if she does not wish to be helped. he isn't the kind of person to do that, to try and enforce aid to someone unwilling. and he knows very well that the forest will not impose itself upon someone unwilling as well. ]

You can take some time to talk and think it over together, you don't need to give an answer right away. [ though he doesn't say it, but the sooner the better goes without saying. a hand eventually settles on his own chest as he feels a distant pain. however, he keeps himself composed, steady. ] But I would like for the chance to be able to help you.

[ cyno would never have thought it would come to this, that he would have to face the possibility of giving her up, and for so long, perhaps years. coming home to her after particularly difficult jobs had been what kept him going, what made it easier for him to get through tough days. to think he was facing the possibility of coming home to a quiet, empty house, without her bright smile to greet him..

but it was in her best interests. if it meant saving her life, there is nothing cyno would not sacrifice, including his own happiness. collei's eyes fill with tears, though it's clear she's trying to remain strong, and cyno gathers her small, frail body up into his arms, hugging her close. ]

We'll give you an answer soon.

[ though cyno already knows full well how he feels, what his own answer will be. he won't force collei either, but she's a strong, smart young girl, and they've been searching for so long for a way to cure her eleazar.. surely neither of them would pass up this opportunity. pulling back, cyno smooths the hair from collei's eyes. ]

Why don't you spend a little time with Tighnari? See what it's like here, all the things he can teach you. I'll be with you, too.

[ tighnari's tail hangs low, twitching at the ends, but the only person that could really reach out to her is her own father. even if there's a part of him that feels like he could do more. say more. for now, he tidies up the table a little, gathering his journal to return it with the rest of his things.

though, he pauses at that suggestion, his ears perk and he looks over with some surprise. after all, no one has really look to tighnari with the thoughts of learning from him... no, that's a lie. it happened once before but that had been... he grows quiet, gathering some things to set aside into his satchel. it's different this time around. and he isn't against teaching collei, while she's here she would have more than the opportunity to learn from him. the fox is more than willing to offer to be a mentor of sorts. he doesn't want this to feel like a prison of sorts to her. ]

If she's feeling up to it, we can take a trip around the woods. We'll stay close by so we can come back to the hut if need be.

[ and more gently, turning his gaze onto cyno. ] And Cyno, you know you're free to visit these woods when the opportunity comes. Neither I nor the forest here want to take that from you.

[ to help ease his worries and concerns, to also soothe any of collei's fears as well. the seelie chirps as if in agreement, floating up and down in with more energy. ]

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