veardant | (no subject)

(no subject)

[ gods, tighnari hates the desert..

or, to be fair, he hates the heat. there are many things about the desert itself that he does appreciate. it's beautiful, its endless gold and scarlet sands rippling like water, the sky above stretching wide and bright blue, and there's a surprising amount of life to study. the plant life certainly isn't as lush as in the avidya forest, but it still exists. it's scrubby and hard, and is no less valuable than its rainforest cousins. the oases in particular are lovely.

but they've found no oasis this day.

tighnari is quite grouchy. he's stripped down to his sirwal and clingy undershirt, and all but drained his waterskin. despite the sun protection he'd slathered on his fair skin, he's sure he's burned nonetheless - the desert sun had been relentless, beating down hard. by the time night falls and the air begins to cool, tighnari's mood is at its absolute lowest. they pitch their tent in a hollow of stone, and tighnari sits down hard, rubbing at his sore ankles with a scowl. he's plenty used to spending long days running and hiking, but moving across the steep sands is a whole new level of difficulty.

why in the hells did cyno bring him out here, anyway? tighnari absolutely adores him, there's nothing he would not do for cyno, but this certainly tests his limits. later, he'll be ashamed of his behavior, perhaps once the chill of the night has finally set in, and he no longer feels as if his brain is bubbling in his skull. ]

How is it still so hot?

[ .. because the sun has barely gone down. ]

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Why?

[ Cyno says and there's no need for Tighnari to go on longer stints in the desert. ]

I ought to be able to come here without entirely falling apart. There's plenty I would like to see, and study.

[ that doesn't sound ridiculous, to him. ]

[ Cyno lets out a little huff. There's no arguing with that kind of point and all but still. ]

This venture is pushing it faster than you need to.

[ tighnari lowers his gaze, his ears drooping. ]

Yes. I perhaps pushed myself a little too hard.

I'm just concerned about you.

[ Cyno says gently, knowing he's being harsh but the desert can be dangerous. ]

I know.

[ and tighnari would be the same, were cyno putting himself in harm's way. ]

I'll bring more supplies, next time.

[ Cyno makes a quiet sound of acknowledgment and his concern is still obvious as he frequently checks Tighnari over as they move. He would move quicker normally but he's worried about Tighnari's energy and the need he has for water and to cool off. Even with the sun setting the temperatures are still high for a while longer. ]

There.

[ Cyno indicates the oasis they're now coming up on. At least knowing where it was made getting Tighnari there quicker. ]

[ the sight of the oasis is a godssend, and tighnari exhales hard in relief. he's flagging hard, nearly stumbling in the sands by now as the sun beats down on his ears and back and tail, relentless and burning. ]

Oh, good..

[ he's parched, struggling, but.. they're nearly there. ]

It's everything that Cyno can do to keep from just reaching to pick Tighnari up and carrying him the rest of the way. He knows that Tighnari would pitch a fit if he tried...

He frowns and reaches to take his hand as he pulls him along the final stretch and straight to a small patch of shade by the water. And at least it'll be cooler soon too.

He doesn't have the energy to pitch a fit, but he wouldn't love it, that's for sure. Taking Cyno's hand, however, is fine. Soon enough they're beneath shade, and Tighnari is exhaling hard, closing his eyes for a moment, before he's beginning to tug off his boots.

Cyno makes sure that Tighnari is alright, a light touch to the top of his head before he moves to get more water for the other to drink. He returns soon after and sits down, offering the water to Tighnari.

By the time Cyno returns, Tighnari has stripped down to his underclothes, hanging his clothing in the shade of a broad palm. "Oh - thank you," he says, taking a generous drink, with a soft sigh, before he begins to wade into the water. "I appreciate it, Cyno."

Cyno doesn't think twice about seeing Tighnari in the state of undress. He stays sitting and his eyes linger on Tighnari's back, smiling to himself.

"Do you still want to continue or should we return?"

The smile in Cyno's voice soothes him a little, almost as much as the cool water around his ankles. Tighnari sits immediately, submerging himself to the neck beneath the shade of a broad palm, and he sighs in obvious relief.

"No, I.. don't see any reason for me to keep on like this. It would be foolish and stubborn."

Cyno eventually glances away as not to just stare at Tighnari even if that's always a tempting thing.

"We can start planning a new venture... or I could bring you some samples..."

"Offering to bring me samples is very kind, but it would still be best if I could study species in their natural habitat as well. We'll try again in a little while." Another soft sigh, and Tighnari is settling back against the cool stone. "Why don't you join me?"

Cyno knows that Tighnari has a point. He takes a sip of water before the other asks him to join him. He nods and glances around with a watchful eye before he sheds most of his clothes and stays in his underclothes as he moves to slip into the water.

"You could also rest here and I could get supplies to continue if we just extend a day or two."

Tighnari feels a little better, once Cyno joins him. He might be far better at tolerating the heat than Tighnari is, but he knows it still affects him - Cyno isn't immune, he's just strong, and disciplined. He shakes his head.

"No.. I don't want to keep you from your work any longer. We'll come back another time, and try again."

Cyno relaxes into the cool water, though he does stay on alert out of habit, even though with Tighnari's hearing he probably could afford to let his guard down a little. However, Tighnari is tired and he's been pushed to his limits so he can't quite relax completely.

"You know I can always take time for you, Tighnari."

"I know. You spoil me."

Especially considering how much Cyno has on his plate on a regular basis. He's a busy man, with a busy schedule, he doesn't need to be taking so much time away from his work, just to escort Tighnari on these silly excursions. It is good to see him relax a little bit, however, and enjoy the cool water.

"But really, it's all right. I've gotten a few samples, that's good enough for now."

"It's not spoiling," Cyno dismisses. After all, he loves spending time with Tighnari whenever he can and so making time for him isn't a burden. He knows how to balance his work and how to delegate as he wants or needs. There is always things to be done in the desert for him too. All in all, he's never not keeping an eye out for things that are under his purview.

"As long as you're satisfied."

It's absolutely spoiling, but Tighnari won't argue it further. He just smiles.

"I'm satisfied. Don't worry. We'll get some good rest in Aaru Village, soon."

And then he'll come back another time, more prepared, more able to properly do this, and face the desert with less fear. Gently, he touches his foot to Cyno's beneath the water. "I'm sorry that I've been cranky. You don't deserve it."

"Mm," Cyno acknowledges it. He raises a brow and tries to suppress a smile at the other's apology.

"You're cute when you're cranky."

"Please. I'm not cute at all. I'm a brat, and I know it."

Tighnari chuckles, resting his head back, his smile tired, but easy. the cool water has soothed his mood.

"Maybe I think brats are cute," Cyno retorts and it's true.

He sighs as he starts to let himself relax more. He's more tired than he's let on.