3.1
Collei swung her legs, idly thinking of all the things she'll do in the coming days of this loop.
"Left arm." Collei extended her left arm.
Nilou had agreed to learning about forest rangers in exchange for her teaching Collei to dance.
A fair trade between friends, Collei smiled at the thought.
"Hush, Collei. Careful with your movements." Her left arm returned to her side. "Now the right."
This loop would be Nilou's first lesson as an honorary forest ranger, due to the unique circumstance of the loop.
"Turn around."
This loop, time was... weird? Wacky? Something was wrong with it, that's for sure.
In this variant, the timing of a ton of events had been changed.
Rather than the Traveler arriving in Sumeru City a week before the Sabzeruz Festival, they'd shown up a month early. The Loop normally lasted just over 2 weeks, now this loop according to Tighnari's predictions would last for 2 months. What could the Traveler be doing for the loop to last that long?
"Turn back around."
But the change wasn't centred on just the Traveler. According to Nilou, her acquaintanceship with Miss Dunyarzad had a couple years difference here. Not only that, Tighnari said according to Karkata that Mister Abattouy had…
Collei bit her lip, chancing a glance at Tighnari's focused expression.
Mister Abattouy died a year too soon. The effect this had was… bad.
Karkata was being pursued by the Matra now, his escapades brought to the Akademiya's attention. If her Master hadn't ran to Karkata at the start of this loop, well, Collei didn't want to think about what would've happened.
The two had barely evaded the Matra that time.
"Breathing...?" Tighnari leaned in, a tap to her forehead his signal for her to stop her lurking thoughts. "No identifiable lung troubles. Hmm."
Collei sucked in a breath, cheeks puffing up, posture straightening.
"Stop that." Rolling his eyes, Tighnari pinched her cheeks. "You look like a Finch."
"Hey!" Collei pouted, batting away his hands. "I don't, do I..?"
"Don't complain." Moving away from her to jot down his analysis, Tighnari frowned. "Your conditions improved for this loop. I'd estimate it's on the level of... let's say Loop 7."
"That's good." Collei hopped off the table she'd been sitting on. "So, more patrols this loop?"
"That'll depend." Tighnari shrugged, idly tapping his pen. "Last loop wasn't so good for you, but this loop you've already taken on more work than you should."
"I can handle it, Master!"
"That's not the only issue. Look, Collei," Letting out a frustrated sigh, Tighnari turned back to her. "The variations of this loop are something that can cause us some trouble. I'm leaving you in charge for who knows how long. I don't want you taking on any more duties, alongside my own."
"I'll have Nilou with me, she can help!" Faced with Tighnari's deadpan stare, Collei flushed. "I- "
"Collei, it's good that you have faith in our fellow looper, but Nilou is a performer." Dropping his notebook into his sub-space, Tighnari lightly scoffed. "Despite whatever beliefs you may have in her competency, she isn't a forest ranger, she hasn't learnt anything yet, and you'll be dedicating time this loop to teaching her the ropes. Do not rely on her to aid you in any substantial way while you're in charge. You need to rely on your own merit. Which means, no over-exerting yourself."
"He's right, you know."
"Nilou!" Collei jumped, "You're here already."
"Mhm, just arrived." Nilou spun a strand of hair around her finger. "Collei, your Master's right, I know you're full of energy after last loop, but you're taking on a lot of responsibility. Running Gandharva Ville, and training me?" Nilou shook her head. "I don't know what I'm doing here, I don't want to hold you back. Patrol, withering zones… I'm not ready for any of that, and I'm the only other vision user here. I wouldn't be able to bear it if something happens to anyone here, especially you."
"I guess you're right." Wilting, Collei slumped back against the table. "I just don't want to make things worse around here."
"You won't. Once you teach me the beginning steps, I'll help out here too." Nilou clasped her hands. "I can't wait to explore the forest. There's so much to see…."
"I can take you up to the Statue of the Seven!" Collei perked up, "You mentioned you were interested in it, and it's close to where Haypasia does her meditation, so you can ask her any questions you'd like if she's free."
"That would be great, thank you, Collei."
Tighnari smiled as the two conversed. Hopefully, everything would turn out just fine once this loop ended.
"Goodbye, Master!"
"Take care, Tighnari."
Tighnari waved back at the two before dipping out of sight, letting out a short whistle as Karkata appeared by his side.
"Well now, my highly illegal assistant," Tighnari pulled out a specialised mechanical invention from his bag. "Let's have some fun today, shall we?"
Karkata whirred, moving every now and then as Tighnari adjusted some of his mechanisms, and the two set off for the contaminated region.
Truth be told, Tighnari had gotten just a bit attached to Karkata. But could anyone blame him?
Well, they could. Cyno would at least give him a judgemental stare.
He'd lucked out that Cyno had never been the Matra to discover Karkata in the baseline loop, but rather an old acquaintance of Tighnaris'. Such a shame Tighnari never got the chance to find out who ratted him out to them in the first place.
"Kuli." Karkata scampered off, shortly returning with some Lunar Lotuses. "Kulilu?"
"Oh," Tighnari chuckled, "Were you listening in earlier, Karkata?" He teased, taking the lotuses, and with a quick application of some dendro, packed them away. "I'm sure Collei will appreciate them."
While Collei didn't need to take her more potent medication often, she'd likely need some by the time they return.
Honestly, that girl. Sometimes, her hard-working nature could be so troublesome. Hopefully Nilou would be able to reign in some of her more spontaneous bursts of energy.
"Do I have to learn how to use the bow?" Nilou awkwardly held a bow in hand, uncertain. "I know you and Tighnari use one, but..."
"How to explain this." Collei tapped her chin, thinking. "All forest rangers and watchers use whatever weapon they find best suits their needs, dependant on their role in the Ville. But almost everyone is must at least learn the basics of the bow. I'm pretty sure Master's the one that made that a rule."
"Any exemptions?" Nilou's arms shook as she attempted to aim. "This is very-"
"Not the bird!"
Alhaitham strolled along the outskirts of the contaminated region, eyes roving over the area
It looked like the region had expanded. Again.
He briefly took a step closer, hand moving to cover the pouch that contained the Divine knowledge capsule. From his vantage point on a nearby hill, it seemed as though the wildlife in the area had scattered long ago.
Honestly, was anyone ever going to investigate this? Were the Sages preventing researchers from going in?
He couldn't exactly think of a more plausible reason the Amurta researchers hadn't swooped in to claim dominion over the phenomenon.
"Karkata! Wait up!"
Eyes snapping downwards, Alhaitham's lips twitched into an amused smile as he watched the forest watcher run into the contaminated region like a researcher encountering actual danger for the first time.
Well, that was a bit offensive given forest watcher Tighnari's various achievements. However, it was an apt description, considering he'd never seen the forest watcher look so scatter-brained.
But to be going into the contaminated region so suddenly, when Alhaitham knows the forest watcher has been warning the locals and any travellers against going anywhere near the region...
Leaping down from the hill, Alhaitham waked towards the route he saw Tighnari take into the region.
Admittedly, he had no business going in there, other than his own interest in the developing situation.
Who exactly was Karkata too? The name sounded odd to him, he doubted any parent would be so cruel as to name their child a crab, and for the child to never change their name...
Karkata... Karkata... It sounded like the name you'd give an-
A sharp whistle from above broke him from his thoughts.
Glancing upwards, Alhaitham took a smooth step back as Tighnari leapt from the foliage above and landed before Alhaitham, hands on his hips.
"Scribe," Tighnari nodded at him, expression closed. "Alhaitham..."
Alhaitham's lips twitched. Oh, he was rather displeased. "Forest watcher... Tighnari."
Tighnari frowned as Alhaithams' tone echoed his own. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, I just happened to be passing by when I saw you running into quite the dangerous area. I have to wonder, what are you doing here?"
"Thank you for your concern." Tighnari's tail swished lightly in the grass, painfully reminding him he'd forgotten to apply the necessary coating once again. "But it's not necessary. I'm here to handle the contaminated region."
"Is that so?" Raising a brow, Alhaitham crossed his arms. "Well then, since I'm so far into the region, I'll help out."
Tighnari looked behind Alhaitham. "The exit is right there."
"Much too far." Alhaitham hadn't even bothered turning. "I'm already here, is there an issue you have with taking an offer of help from someone that can actually help you?"
"As if that'd be an issue." Bristling at the implication, Tighnari smiled. "And you're so right, how could I possibly deny the great Scribe of the Akademiya. How foolish of me."
Alhaitham chuckled as Tighnari continued. Honestly, if there was one thing about Tighnari he'd never want him to change, this would be it.
"I just never though this type of research would interest you. Wouldn't want to bore you, now would I?"
Alhaitham hummed, settling back to a small smile. "Believe me, I've got a vested interest in this all."
The two silently stared at one another.
Alhaitham didn't care all that much about this, he had much more pressing matters to attend to. The incident with the eremites in Port Ormos having confirmed some suspicions he had on the Sages; it'd be best if he vanished from their sight sooner rather than later.
Yet even so
"Fine, though if you encounter anything, you can fend for yourself, right, Scribe?" Tighnari shot a glance upwards as he turned, drumming his fingers along his vision. "Go ahead, expert."
Alhaitham took the lead, a small smirk gracing his features.
Yet even with all the potential trouble this delay will cause, it'll be worth it, later on.
Tighnari, a friend of the General Mahamatra.
Alhaitham took a glance upwards, a small glint catching his eye from the direction Tighnari had looked.
Karkata, it sounded like the sort of name you'd give an object. More likely, a mechanical object, just like a crab.
"I have a bad track record with mushrooms." Nilou admitted with a sigh. "Specifically, the poisonous ones."
"No." Collei leaned in. "Don't tell me, have you actually-"
"I can't tell them apart; I swear it makes no sense!" Nilou threw her hands up. "They can be bright or dull, but so can regular mushrooms, I just don't understand. How can you all tell..."
"It's alright, I'm sure you've tried your best to understand and learn, even though you rarely left the city before. That's great dedication!" Collei light pat Nilu on the back before retracting her hand, a light shudder going through her frame. "Maybe, uh, don't mention that to Master Tighnari though? You don't want to sit through a lecture on the properties, trust me.
"So many mechanical creatures here." Alhaitham looked down from the edge of their camp at the many that were wandering around. |Any thoughts on this topic, Tighnari?"
"Nope, nothing for that topic." Tighnari's gaze hardly shifted from his notetaking. "Do be careful in the morning, you've ingested some mild toxins."
Alhaitham glanced at the remnants of his meal, which had been an assortment of fruits from the area. "Didn't feel like warning me?"
"You're the great scribe." Tighnari deadpanned. "Surely you can differentiate the differences between all the plants in your surroundings, can't you? After all, to insist on coming along, surely, you must have an intimate knowledge of the situation here..." Tighnari trailed off with a snort, his notetaking pausing for a brief moment.
"I don't get your hostility." Alhaitham moved to sit by the fire, a playful glint in his eyes as Tighnari's tail shifted to block his view of his notes. "I'd like to think we've gotten along in the past."
"We have?" Tighnari looked at him, bewildered. "Did those toxins intoxiacte you?"
"Would you like it if I said yes here?" Alhaitham raised a brow. "You've been in a couple of my language classes."
"We never talked." Tighnari's tone was dry, expression vaguely amused. "Didn't we sit on opposite sides of the room?"
"Unnecessary details." Alhaitham waved a hand in the air, Tighnari's eyes following his movements. "The fact that you can recall this, provides merit to the idea were actually acquaintances on good terms."
"...No." Tighnari drew out the word, hoping it'd knock some sense into the baffling scribe.
"Well, that's disappointing."
"Not at all."
"You know, we haven't only shared languages classes." Alhaitham lowered his voice, as though he were telling a secret. "I recall a most interesting elective course, one at the Spantamad."
Tighnari silently cursed Alhaithams existance.
Cyno was right, not that he'd tell him.
Damn them both.
"Have you ever... watched my performances before? I know you've seen," Nilou grimaced, "The Dance of Sabzeruz, and I can't place my finger on it, but you've always seemed familiar to me."
"Oh, yeah, I actually have, but I'm not surprised it's hard for you to tell." Collei smiled brightly, and. "I've been to maybe three or four of your performances, but I've only ever been into Sumeru City for brief trips with other forest rangers, so I've never actually seen any of those performances the whole way through."
"Forest rangers..." Nilou thought hard on the occasions she'd seen groups of forest rangers make trips to the Grand Bazaar, typically to purchase hard to get herbs. "Wait, you're the one that told me not to get lost!"
Collei gaped. "You remember that?!"
"Yes, it was so bizarre! What makes you think I'll get lost." Nilou scolded lightly, swatting at the air near Collei with a pout. "It's not like I've gotten lost before."
"Well..."
When the sky darkened, and all that could be seen was the blinking lights of the various automatons roaming the area, Tighnari let out a breath of air and relaxed, shooting a smile at the only creature that could see him.
Karkata's quite whirls near impossible to differentiate from the sounds of the other mechanicals, Tighnari was somewhat assured Alhaitham would not be emerging from their makeshift tent until his turn for lookout.
Making a hand gesture, Tighnari turned back to his notes as Karkata's whirls lessened and he hunkered down in his current position for the time being.
Thank the Archons, he'd had the foresight to attempt to improve Karkata's systems this loop. He'd only done the one elective course, as Alhaitham had so lovingly pointed out to him, but it was enough for now.
He'd need to get a work around for that, he couldn't rely on his admittedly lacklustre knowledge forever. Especially not when Karkatas life would be the consequences of his actions.
Unfortunatly, he couldn't exactly wander into the Akademiya asking for more lessons, not with the current situation in the city.
He could ask Nahida, or he could just steal the books he'd need from the House of Daena. Yes, the room did have a matra just standing around doing nothing, but they couldn't really stop him, could they?
He doubted the Sages had cracked dimensional travel just yet.
Adding a note on the thought, Tighnari sighed.
At least so far, Karkata was doing well. The minor improvements to his systems, such as his speed and awareness, were better than before.
Huh, he supposed so long as nothing ever goes wrong, the best research could be field research. It certainly helped him track the progress they were making considering the uncertainty over each change made.
Sending another gesture Karkata's way, Tighnari eyed the tent, tapping his notebook.
Alhaitham. Theoretically speaking, the Akademiya should trust him. They should trust Cyno, too. So why didn't they?
The dream harvest, something was wrong. There's something else going on in the background, his Master wouldn't have invited him to join if Nahida's reasoning was correct.
Something else... something even their archon was unable to discover.
Groaning, Tighnari rested his head on his knees, a muffled laugh escaping him as he heard Karkatas concerned noises.
Ears perked and carefully listening, focused on the distinct noise he'd been hearing since Alhaitham had joined him, Tighnari added one final note, one that he wouldn't share with anyone else.
'Knowledge Capsule.'
"Would you like to go back to Mondstadt one day?"
"I'm not sure." Collei hummed, "It's been so long since I've been there, everything will be different. Or, well, not everything, just... me."
"I wouldn't worry about that too much; change can be good." Shutting her book, NIlou traced the cover. "Think of it like, you're a traveller. You've been away for a long time, but when you return, you'll regale them with your tales, and re-join your good friends. Almost like our dear Traveler. They'll leave Sumeru one day, travel to other nations. The next time we see them, their sibling could be standing beside them, and the two will be inseparable."
"I think I'm just nervous, a bit scared, maybe."
"Well, I've never been outside of Sumeru City, aside from maybe once..." Nilou sighed, a small smile on her face. "I was terrified coming to Gandharva Ville to find you two, but... I wasn't alone doing that."
Collei thought back on her trip to Sumeru, with Cyno. "I get that."
"Sooo, I have a proposal for you, Collei." Nilou clapped her hands, looking almost giddy. "Have you heard of the Wein... Weinlesefest? It's a festival happening in Mondstadt, maybe a month or two away."
"I remember," Collei balled her hands into fists, eyes shining as she smiled brightly. "Amber sent me a letter about it once, she's taught me about all the Mondstadt festivals she adores! That one's a favourite of Eulas."
"Of course, you'd be knowledgeable about it, more than I am." Nilou smiled sweetly, a gust of wind passing by. "Collei, this loop has shown us that time can be changed, so, if it is to ever work in our favour, and we see the future past the Sabzeruz festival, would you like to go to Mondstadt with me? We can both overcome our fears and enjoy a festival without hardship."
Collei teared up, imagining Ambers expression, the first steps into the city, meeting Eula, seeing Lisa, the warmth of Ambers hugs...
She really missed Mondstadt, her second home.
"Tighnari, you've had me wondering about a couple things during our time together."
"That so?" Tighnari's ears twitched as he watched Alhaitham slowly approach Abbatouy's body. They hadn't found any of the recordings, Tighnari had made sure Karkata would take them the night before when Alhaitham went on watch. "I don't really see why any musings of yours are relevant, they're pretty disrespectful."
"I think there's much more going on right now. Who knew, the venerable forest watcher" Alhaithams arm lashed out, swiftly locking Abbatouy's arm in a tight grip, a loud mechanical sound echoed in the room. "You almost had me fooled."
"KARKATA!"
Eyes widening, Tighnari rushed forwards, using a blast of dendro to separate the scribe from Abbatouy, Tighnari stood protectively in front of the body, and now, Karkata, who had slammed down near them, and was chittering loudly.
"I'd been wondering about that name. Karkata." Alhaitham flexed his wrist, gazing down at Tighnari, eyes calculating. "You're not the type to be obvious in such a way."
Drawing strength from his vision, Tighnari summoned his bow and aimed at Alhaitham.
"This isn't exactly how Id expected the day to go." Alhaitham dryly commented, raising his hands. "You've got nothing to worry about, Im not here to harm your... him."
"Right, sure." Tighnari lowered his bow, yet kept it summoned, grip tight. "Forgive me for not trusting you, you're not that trustworthy."
"Fair enough." Contemplating their circumstance, Alhaitham glanced at the mechanical crab, Karkata. "How about this, information for information. You tell me about everything going on here, and ill share something myself, ah, but, within reason, of course. You'll have to understand, you're not that trustworthy that I'd be willing to share just anything with you."
"Ha Ha." Tighnari rolled his eyes. "Not too bad of an exchange, I'll admit. Though it depends on if youre willing to tell me about..." He trailed off, thoughts racing. He didn't know what Alhaitham was getting out of this. It was infuriating, his lack of understanding. If he didn't consider it cheating, he'd use these loops to learn every detail of the Scribes life to whipe that smug look off his face. "The knowledge capsule in your possession."
Alhaitham faltered, causing Tighnari to grin. Close enough, maybe he'd settle for a couple pranks across the loops.
"How did you know."
"Not apart of the deal, you in or not?"
Furrowing his brow, Alhaitham slowly reached into his pouch and withdrew the divine knowledge capsule. "I can see your secret, and now you can see mine. We'll both be condemned for this, exiled, perhaps killed."
"Divine Knowledge" Tighnari murmured, dread forming. He'd only seen that sort of capsule once, in the presence of his Master. If Tighnari was found out, he'd be punished, sure, but his Master would likely protect him, make his punishment be joining that blasted project. But Alhaitham...
"This is Karkata." Tighnari dematerialised his bow, shifting to the side for Karkata to be more visible. "He's not... He's not my creation. He's Abbatouy's." Gesturing towards the body, Tighnari rested a hand on Karkata as he released a sad tune. "I discovered them, not that long ago, and I've been making improvements to Karkata, tried to... I've been trying. He shouldn't be dismantled."
"You think he's alive." Alhaitham concluded.
"I know he's alive." Tighnari spoke softly before his eyes hardened. "I'm not sharing any more information until you start talking."
"Afraid I'll go back on my word?" Alhaitham chuckled, raising the divine knowledge capsule further into the light, a thoughtful expression on his face. "The Sages tasked me with collecting this, I'm sure you''d have heard the talk about a missing Divine capsule a while back. Turned up in Port Ormos, quite the set up by the Sages."
"Set up?" Tighnari's dread grew.
"The General Mahamatra has all but vanished, the Sage of my own Darshan is conducting personal visits to Gandharva Ville to invite a certain Amurta Graduate to join a secret project, and the Scribe is sent to collect a capsule that drives the user mad."
The two locked eyes.
"For the Sages to leave the contaminated region untouched for so long, I'd suspected... If you tell me everything about this, I'll share all that I know about the bigger picture. We'll part ways, and one day, we may see which way the desert storms blow."
3.1 Tighnari's beginning to understand Cyno's frustrations.
