outwards:
keep yourself safe, he had said at that time, eyes breaking from the horizon to meet cyno at his left, please withdraw immediately at the first hint of danger. there is a laugh to be had about how things had played out, about tighnari slumped on the cot of shame when he does the most fussing over the rest of them.
“… i was worried that he might have come back for her,” he admits like unearthing a childhood fear, low and uncertain—a demeanor, a glimmer of vulnerability that tighnari does not lightly fashion. “i couldn’t overlook that, no matter how minuscule the possibility. i could barely feel anything else as i ran back, but now… heh, it appears i’m facing the consequences.”
tighnari volleys back the other’s gaze, a smile crinkling his eyes in contrast to cyno’s own solemnness. his is a sobriety stone-cold yet comforting. it is reliably him, and oh, does tighnari know him.
“mm. she insisted on securing my bandages that day,” he gestures at himself with a wriggle of his arm, or some attempt at it. the limb stirs just barely, its clerically white wrappings matching the ones around his chest. the alignment of medical tape is a bit shoddier than to the average liking, which he quickly clarifies, “though this isn’t her work. she’s been busier, so i’ve had to make do with this limited motor movement. it really does look worse than it is, so i’d rather not bother her with trivial things.”
on top of it all, he shakes his head. “nor you, cyno. even if this injury was worth reporting, that false god behind it has already fallen. ah, but if you mean the fatui’s transgression, i’ve already submitted that account to the acting grand sage.” / @cyno-oh, cont.
“None of this is your fault,” he reassures, affirms in the event it is not abundantly clear.
The slow spread of a grin that blooms across Tighnari’s face quells Cyno’s most immediate worries. Incidents of this nature are standard in the General Mahamatra’s line of work, however usually their roles are reversed and he feels no small amount of contrition for the fact he cannot do more for his friend.
“Lesser Lord Kusanali was witness to his departure from Sumeru. I’ve since advised her that the Harbinger be put under strict surveilance should he ever solicit re-entry. Our Archon will know the minute he sets foot in this land and has given her word she will inform me.” Tighnari is essentially a civilian that should never have been in the line of fire. “I hope that will bring you some peace of mind.”
“The symptoms of Eleazor patients in the city have practically vanished overnight. I came to check on her as well. Collei must have questions, but early results, as you know, can be inconclusive. Lesser Lord Kusanali believes it is related to The Withering being purged from Irminsul.”
At last, Cyno relaxes. His posture betrays a measure of weariness and comfort, a deameanor he does not wear around just anyone. These busy days have not passed by without taking their toll on him either. General Mahamtra is not the only one who has stepped up to fill in positions and duties left behind by the Sages who had shown themselves unfit for them. Mornings consist of bickering between Kaveh and Alhaitham, and occasionally even Cyno has been guilty of losing his own patience. It is alone by Lesser Lord Kusanali’s good will and intervention that they’ve accomplished as much as they have.
“They say laughter is the best medicine. Should I tell you a joke?”
