Chapter Text
A myriad of spices beckoned him inside as soon as he opened the door to Lambad's entrance- Cardamom, cumin, oregano, coriander, paprika-
It was always too much at once yet perfectly familiar. He had a bit of a weakness for the particular warmth of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, truth be told. Tighnari looked around, spotted a few of the older regulars at the bar before his eyes found unkempt pale hair and unamused scarlet eyes scanning the tavern menu at a table for two.
“You forgot to take your coat off again, Doctor.”
“Oh, crap.”
Tighnari paused at the end of the booth he'd intended to slide into, dumping a brown leather backpack and his pristine white lab coat alongside it. Cyno smiled (or did whatever his mouth thought a smile was; a barely perceptible twitch of his lips), “Long day?”
“Don't even get me started.”
“I thought the point of meeting over drinks was to get you started.”
“Don't be daft.”
“I’d rather be draft,” Cyno pointed to the selection of draft beers on the laminated menu.
“There isn't enough alcohol in my blood stream to keep me from strangling you yet, Cyno.”
“That was fantastic. You're just biased.”
“With good reason.”
“I ordered those crispy baked mushrooms with the tahini dip you like. Ten mora says you skipped lunch.”
Tighnari groaned. “I did, but I owe you nothing, seeing as I'm forgoing suing you for the emotional turmoil caused by that last attempt at a joke.”
“Oh come on. The word daft means-"
“Do not explain it,” Tighnari's long ears flattened, pulling back against the dark hair he'd tied up before heading to work this morning. “Please, haven't I suffered enough?”
Cyno pointed at a wine that was new to the tavern's selection. “Split this one? And I have no idea what you've been through. That's quite literally what you're supposed to tell me.”
“Yes, and-"
“Hello there,” a bright voice introduced itself. A waitress was holding a steaming platter of crispy, golden mushroom tops piled high and garnished with a drizzle of haloumi and parsley. “Your appetizer is ready, and I'm happy to get some drinks going for you, if you'd like?”
Tighnari had been coming here since he'd started his residency in Sumeru City four years ago, it was only natural that he'd begun to recognize the staff. There was plenty of turnover, what with the Akademiya's students graduating (or flunking out) at a fairly predictable pace.
Another new one.
“We'll split a bottle of the Ajilenakh riesling.”
“I'll have that right out.”
A set of polite 'thank you's were exchanged; Tighnari wasted no time in reaching for a mushroom only to declare it hot, popping it straight into his mouth regardless.
“Hm.” Cyno cocked his head as the waitress finished collecting their menus and departed.
“Hmm?”
Tighnari’s cheek was rounded by a few more bites. He typically ate a quintessential vegetarian diet, healthy as can be, but these things were massively tempting. He'd run them off in the morning, whatever.
“The new girl. Surprisingly attractive, isn't she?”
Tighnari almost choked. “Since when do you notice the opposite sex? Or any sex?”
“I'm selective, Doctor, I'm not blind. One might say the same of you.”
“I notice things. I just choose to indulge one appetite over the other most of the time.”
“If you say so.”
Tighnari groaned, tail whipping about at his waist. “You know, I came to enjoy a little company from one of the few people I can tolerate in this world, yet you sound exactly like some of the ones I find nearly detestable.”
“More drama?”
A soft crunch resounded between them as the doctor stabbed at another bit of food with a proper utensil. Cyno finally picked one for himself, blowing delicately before dipping it into the ramekin of cool sauce.
“There's a sharitee funrazer fer- sorry,” he swallowed, “-a charity fundraiser for hybrid studies scholarships that I absolutely have to go to.”
“Here we go,” the server returned with a bottle of wine and two glasses, careful to set them where they wouldn't interfere with the food. “Can I get you anything else?”
Tighnari got a better look at her; that eye color was something, a deep gold like raw honey. She was also startlingly blonde, the color pale and warm, not a single dark root to suggest it was anything but natural. He was struck by a softly lingering scent, something sweet; his sensitive nose detected it from her lips. Balm, probably.
Cyno shook his head as she began to uncork the bottle, “All set, thank you. So why exactly do you have to go?”
“Because I'm being recognized for the research I submitted on the disparity in healthcare accessibility and pharmaceutical research for hybrids in particular. Nevermind all the other neglected demographics...”
Light eyes watched as she filled his glass, twisting the bottle expertly to end the pour before moving on to Cyno's.
“Maybe you ought to stop setting the bar so high.”
Tighnari watched the woman bite a smile back, teeth digging into her lower lip as she finished. Cyno looked like his life had just been irrevocably shifted as she left.
“She was going to laugh,” he reflected in that monotonous tone of his.
“Then why don't you ask her out?”
“Dunno. I think she'd suit you.”
“Why?”
“Call it a gut feeling.”
“Just because you're a detective doesn't mean you're suited to matchmaking.”
“It's true. I deeply regret dating you for all of a week before realizing that we were soulmates of a different sort. Layla did try to warn me. Something about a planet in retrograde.”
“We worked out perfectly,” Tighnari sipped his drink. “You're the longest standing relationship I have, if you don't count my parents.”
“And what an honor it's been, watching you struggle through perpetual singlehood.”
“Oh, just shut up,” Tighnari snorted. “This wine was a good pick, by the way.”
“I know you like whites better. You drink red to appease me, so I'm willing to suffer a little.”
He didn't dislike reds. They just had a tendency to be a lot headier, and Tighnari had to be in the right mood to drink down their thicker, spicier mouthfeel. The riesling was just the right amount of sweet, crisp and juicy on his tongue as he took another swig.
He took a deep, centering breath and proceeded to tell his dearest friend all about how his coworkers were mildly obsessed with his 'perpetual singlehood' and 'ongoing lack of plus-oneness.’
“It's obnoxious. They've all tried to set me up with people that don't even make sense.”
“Mm. I remember that last one.”
“She tried to pull my tail ten minutes into the date! I'm perfectly happy to have baklava without losing half my fur. Seriously, even other hybrids aren't that reckless. Is it too much to ask to be left to die alone in peace...”
“You can't die before our next card night, though.”
The doctor smiled as Cyno recounted a tale of the case he'd finally managed to close- five months in, all of it because of a rare Genius Invocation TCG card that a criminal had removed from their victim's deck and tucked into his own as a souvenir. He'd managed to narrow it down through various complicated means- purchase records, the decks of various suspects, the serial number on the one missing card. It was the exact reason he was regarded as a bit of a genius in law enforcement.
Tighnari knew better; he was just an intelligent oddball with an obsession.
They finished their bottle and appetizer without fanfare, Tighnari bemoaning his exploited love life all the while. They'd been there for a few hours and the sun had long since been replaced by the moon- waning crescent. He just liked knowing, an odd little habit from a short stint with astronomy books from his childhood.
“I got this one. You get home. Pray to your deck, or whatever it is you do before bed.”
“Well-"
“Mm, nope, I do not actually want to know. Thanks for meeting me, though.”
“Gladly,” Cyno replied genuinely, just as the waitress reappeared with the bill. Scarlet eyes flit between the two of them.
“Karmic,” the detective mumbled oh-so-mysteriously as he made his way out.
The blonde did smile this time, polite enough to hide it beneath her hand as she walked away to tend to another table. Tighnari grabbed the hastily scratched bill- there was neat handwriting at the very bottom:
If you need a date, meet me outside in ten.
His eyes went round before his expression soured. Oh, he'd meet her, but not for the reasons she'd be expecting.
====
The waitress found him sitting against the nearby balcony that overlooked the city- navy and countless stars overhead, the scent of wild roses permeating a balmy night time breeze.
“Hello,” she made her way over; Tighnari noted the tavern uniform had been replaced with plainer clothes, light blue trousers and a black top that revealed a surprisingly... generous... figure on that slight frame. “So, I take it you're considering me as a plus one?”
“While my presence does imply that, given the message you left me, I'm afraid not. I'll say this once for your benefit- I was eating with a member of the matra, and I'm sure you know what the consequences would be if you had attempted to sell services to me or anyone else in his presence.”
“Look,” the woman crossed her arms, “I don't know what it is you think I'm offering, but you sounded like you needed a date to an event, right? If you want someone to impress your company, schmooze so you don't have to, that kind of thing? I'd be happy to come along. It sounds like an opportunity for the both of us. Doesn't include anything below the belt. That's not on the table.”
“Neither is anything else,” his tail wagged angrily. “Now, I think I've warned you sufficiently. It's a better tip than the one I paid you, all things considered.”
“You tipped me well,” she smiled, “thanks for that.”
“You served us well. But please, try to limit that to food.”
“I don't-"
“Goodnight.” He slung the second strap of his backpack over his shoulder, hoping that his commute home to Gandharva Ville would be far less excruciating.
====
“So, Tighnari,” Hayyan mumbled as he observed a specimen beneath a microscope. “Have you invited anyone to the gala?”
Tighnari paused his careful rummaging through their library of spore samples. “How long have you been waiting to ask that?”
“It's just, I know someone I think you'd mesh well with, if you're interested.”
“I'm not, thank you. What interests me is the results of that culture. Increased or decreased efficacy?”
“Working on it. Sorry. Do you want me to tell the others to lay off?”
“Well. If they don't and I have to tell them, I don't think it'll be quite so kind. Up to you if you'd like to spare their feelings. On the other hand, maybe if I stick some post it notes on everyone's reports with a reminder, it might get the point across. Or better yet, their foreheads. What do you think?”
“Um. I-"
“Just finish up. And no more good intentions, please.” He added hastily, “Also, if you must know, I already have a date.”
He had time to make the lie a reality, right? How hard could it be to get someone to humor him for a few hours?
====
Despite his better judgment Tighnari had grit his teeth and sacrificed one of his precious Saturdays to give a talk at the Akademiya; he could only hope that most of its attendees were fueled with minimal curiosity, at least. He hated talking at students, wanted the information he shared to be taken seriously. What wasn't interesting about his specialty, really?
So he greeted a rich sunrise with a groan, rubbed at his eyes, scrubbed his fangs and ran fingers into his hair before wrangling it into a low ponytail. It wasn't quite long enough to tie up high without the undercut being exposed, but he didn't like the idea of trimming it shorter, either.
He'd do a quick lap around the village and then head to the bazaar in the heart of the city- it'd be quiet at this time, vendors setting up for the day with sleepy smiles. He could grab some fresh Harra fruit, then a turmeric latté from Puspa; Enteka would no doubt be happy to share a tale or two about Gata's latest misadventures with customers while he waited for his drink.
And so it went- a perfectly early morning in Sumeru city, his ears twitching as everyone began to stir, filling the stone streets and shuffling towards jobs, classes, and untold responsibility. Memories of his own school days seemed blurry at times, like a dream he'd woken up from to embrace the reality he'd worked quite hard to achieve.
Tighnari came into a blessedly empty lecture hall; it still smelled pristine, of citrus scented cleaning supplies and old books. The last sip of his drink was especially fragrant as he finished; the empty paper cup rattled the plastic bag that lined the closest trash can as it went. He noticed a crumpled piece of paper nearby, likely someone's poor attempt to toss it in from far away, and bent down to pick it up and discard it.
His ears picked up the sound of impending footsteps, swift, late for something perhaps? But they were heading in his direction far more quickly than he anticipated. Who the hell was-?
He yelped as he righted himself; the moron had trampled right over his tail as they crossed the threshold into the hall.
“Ohmygod, I'm sorry!” The perpetrator's voice was aghast as they loomed above him.
That. Had. Hurt.
He was certain it was an accident, and he didn't intend to start the morning by making someone cry-
But the flexible little bones they'd so unceremoniously trampled fucking ached.
“It's alright,” his tail curled around his waist protectively as he rose, “but I do hope you'll refrain from running that way in the future. This is a prestigious institution, not the jung-"
Their expressions mirrored each other instantly. If he had been a witness to the moment, Tighnari might have laughed.
“D-Doctor Tighnari? Are you...? Is this the lecture on...?”
“Genetic diversification of plants across Teyvat. Yes.”
There she was- Lambad's newest waitress, dressed in the fresh green uniform of the akademiya. Her hat was tucked neatly against a floral hairpin, the signature yellow hourglass-and-horse of the Vahumana darshan pinned against its golden rim.
“Class will begin in a few minutes, if you want to take a seat,” Tighnari managed to communicate without wheezing.
“Y-yeah, of course. Um, I'm sorry about your-"
“No harm, no foul.”
This had to be a cruel joke, the god of wisdom herself pulling strings of fate. Was it to make him pay for being disagreeable? It wasn't like the people who enticed his bouts of passion didn't deserve them, really-
Had a student really tried to... offer herself to him? Was she in that much need of money? The akademiya was notoriously difficult to get into, that much was certain, but it fully funded the education of those it accepted. She had a job, and Tighnari had become decently acquainted with the tavern owner; Lambad himself was a man who took delight in his work and paid very fair wages.
He decided against indulging his curiosity. Whatever her reasons, this woman- student - could make her own decisions. And if she did mean to supplement her own income with her body, there were safer ways to go about it. No one would bat an eye if she decided to seek further employment at a red light district. Sumeru City took all manner of work into consideration, after all; even sex workers had access to free healthcare.
He said a silent prayer to the dendro deity of legend as other students began filling the hall. And when the lecture finally commenced, he did his utmost not to meet that (admittedly pretty) gaze of hers. At one point Tighnari thought the Spantamad student he kept locking eyes with was going to pass out; he felt bad for making the guy a visual scapegoat. Cyno was going to choke on his drink the next time they met to play cards.
He answered as many questions as possible, denied requests for pictures (a habit he hoped would die out someday; bestial appendages were not an excuse to treat hybrid humanoids like an art exhibit!) and left promptly.
Or tried to. He had one foot out the door when a clear voice asked, “Can we maybe talk?”
“If it relates to the lesson,” he grit.
“It doesn't. I'll be on shift later. My break is around seven, if you can stop by the tavern then?”
“Look, I think I made my stance on the subject clear enough,” he spoke quietly, biting back a growl, “but I'm not interested.”
“But I am,” the blonde began, “just, well, not like that! This is a misunderstanding, I swear. Let me treat you to a drink and explain? If you think it's a bad idea, I won't bother you again, I promise. Also,” she made the face of someone who'd bitten straight into a lemon before furiously whispering, “I'mnotofferingsex.”
“Will you please just stop talking,” Tighnari hissed. “I'll see you at seven, and then hopefully never again, understood?”
“Oh, absolutely!”
She was smiling as if he'd just approved her research paper topic; it was unexpectedly disarming.
Tighnari inhaled sharply as he left.
Ah. Cherry flavored balm today.
====
He wasn't sure why, but his usual off-the-clock attire seemed about as appropriate as wearing pajamas to work. He didn't want to suggest anything to that woman, opting for long sleeves and a fully buttoned collar. He even made sure the shirt was as unflattering as humanly possible: heather gray cotton, boring.
He felt like he was a criminal in one of Cyno’s work stories, like he was about to orchestrate some nefarious plan and be caught red-handed by the terrifyingly persistent detective.
Lambad's was arguably more full than usual- the weekend rush he preferred to avoid. He spotted the student at the bar, her dark shirt knotted at the base of her back and still two sizes too large. She was preparing a mixed drink, if the metal shaker was anything to go by, pouring a glass cup of bright blue liquid as if it were a newly brewed potion and garnishing it with a sprig of mint.
“There you go,” he heard her smile.
“A student of the akademiya and a hell of a bartender. You sure you're not free after your shift?” The man asking was nothing to scoff at; bearded, muscular, dark hair pulled into a singular braid that ended at mid-back. Tighnari briefly wondered if that might be her type; who was he to judge if she preferred to be bench pressed?
“I've told you before, Farhad. I'm not free until after I graduate. Ask me again in a year, if you want. In the meantime, I prefer you only ask me for your usual.” She winked, and it was playful, charming.
“Fair enough,” the man chuckled, not at all displeased with her answer or his drink.
Mindful of this morning's incident, Tighnari tucked his tail close to his legs as he made his way towards the bar with a sigh.
“Oh! You're five minutes early,” she remarked as he took up a stool as far away from clamoring groups of people as he could.
“I prefer earliness to tardiness,” he shrugged.
“That... makes sense. Well, let me get you something and then I'll go on break. Sound good?”
“Sure.” The quicker they got this over with, the better.
She presented him with a glass of wine, pieces of fruit floating against the ice in the drink. “It's a sangria recipe from Natlan. Not on the menu, I made a batch for you.”
Tighnari said nothing; he pulled an inconspicuous strip of paper from his pocket and dipped it into the glass, then waited.
“What is that?” The blonde asked as she left the bar in her coworker's capable hands to come sit beside him.
“A personal project a friend of mine is pursuing. Detects the more common types of drugs that can find their way into drinks, and changes color if they're present.”
“That's amazing,” she cocked her head to look at the slip of paper as if it were a piece of King Deshret’s treasure from childhood fairy tales. “But I wouldn't know where to get drugs. And if I were inclined to have them, I wouldn't waste them on you. No offense.”
“None taken.” Oh. The sangria was nice, a blend of harra and redcrest and zaytun peaches. Sweet and just a touch tart. He wondered if he could weasel a second glass out of her.
“Is your tail alright? I'm still sorry about that.”
“Sore, but nothing a hot compress can't remedy.”
“I was so surprised. You're kind of legendary, even among the other five darshan. You're research on mycology, and your outreach in other disciplines... sorry. You already know this, I'm not trying to kiss your ass or anything. Um, Doctor... Sir? Professor?”
“Tighnari is fine. It is my name, after all. And yours?”
“Lumine. I'm in Vahumana, but that was obvious too, wasn’t it.”
“That is what the adornments on the hats are for.”
“Um... so I promise, I didn't know who you were. I just casually overheard about the function and the no date situation. I offered to go, strictly as a date, for the networking opportunity. Not to get Mora from you in exchange for... y'know.”
The way her cheeks pinkened surprised him. Though he knew nothing about her, Lumine seemed confident in the manner of someone who simply knew how to exist and excelled at it. Her name sounded familiar, though, but how would he have...?
“Wait. Did you write a research paper concerning the self-preserving properties of the Inteyvat as a potential way to extend the shelf-life of food?”
“And the suspension of cells as a means of preventing their division to slow the progression of diseases. Yes! I collaborated with a few Amurta students, at one point I thought we were all going to collapse from the stress.”
“It was well done. The testing could have been conducted more effectively; it lacked a few controlled variables, but it was a fascinating proposal.”
“Really? Thank you! I mean, I'm not looking for validation, but coming from you-"
“Don't think flattery is going to get you anywhere.”
“I don't think that! I'm the one that's flattered, anyway. Oh, do you like the drink? Think it's worth suggesting to Lambad for the menu?”
“I do like it. The people of Sumeru are partial to fruit anyway, the worst he can do is say no.”
“Noted. So, the reason I volunteered as a sacrifice for your event was because it sounded like there would be a lot of big names there. People who might be willing to sponsor research on an uncommon, somewhat difficult to import flower, perhaps.”
“Like the one in your hair?”
“They petrify when removed from the soil they're grown in, which you no doubt also know. I thought it'd make a nice souvenir. Remind me of all the hours I spent passing out over books and tea.”
“I see.”
“So... if you still don't have a date, I could be your plus one. I scratch your back, you scratch mine?”
“You have a year to graduate, yes? How old are you?”
“How do you know that?”
“The ears aren't just for show; I heard your admirer asking about the likelihood of usurping some of your free time.”
“Wow. Your hearing is that good, even with this noise?”
“Sometimes I wish it wasn't,” Tighnari sighed.
“I'm twenty four. You don't look much older, are you?”
“Twenty eight. I graduated early, so others in my field are often a bit older.”
“Not a big difference at all. Unless you were specifically looking to bring someone older. I respect your preferences.”
“I don't choose my dates based on any particular age bracket, besides the ones that should be obviously avoided.”
“Oh? Not into corrupting starry-eyed transfers? Don't give me that look. I can list a handful of personnel that have, professors included.”
“And you know this from experience?”
“Archons, no, but I've heard enough from people with first hand experience. I guess I understand the appeal in theory. Anyway, this is wildly off-topic.”
“Oh no, please, this is definitely the way to convince me to allow you to accompany me to a prestigious event.”
She pursed her lips. “Are you always this, I dunno, difficult?”
“They say the best things in life are.”
“Wow. I heard doctors have egos, guess it isn't just a stereotype.”
He smiled. “Take it with a grain of salt. There's nothing wrong with valuing yourself, as long as your view doesn't come at the expense of others.”
“That's a very eloquent way of saying 'I'm hot shit', prof. Sorry. Tighnari.” Lumine pursed her lips, swiveling around in her chair and propping herself against the bar on crossed arms. It tugged her shirt tightly against her, outlining the chest she appeared not to have when standing upright. What a fascinating optical illusion, that.
“I suppose looks don't really matter to either one of us, if we're just borrowing one another for a few hours,” he thought aloud as he reached the bottom of the glass.
Lumine pushed herself up on her palms, eyes bright with disbelief. “Is that a yes?”
“I have conditions. It's black tie formal, do you have appropriate attire?”
“Appropriate as in fancy?”
“As in nothing made of nylon, polyester, or any other plastics that will undoubtedly destroy the environment when discarded.”
“Wear something fancy. Environmentally conscious. Tasteful skin only. Got it.”
“You can't just waltz in and pander to people you think have an abundance of mora, either. Sourcing funds is a skill that needs to be developed, but I won't be embarrassed just so you can accumulate experience doing so.”
“I understand what's on the line. You stand to have your reputation tarnished by a nobody, I stand to fund a bit of an undertaking. But no risk, no reward, right?”
“Please don't tell me you gamble.”
“Only on important life choices, as you can see. So...?”
“Don’t make me regret this.” His ears drooped.
“Oh, absolutely not. I'm pretty dazzling even when I'm not slinging drinks around, have a little faith.”
“And you think my ego is big?”
Lumine laughed. “Yeah, I do. Mine is healthy, yours is-" she spread her hands out to encompass the air around her, “cannot be contained. Asphyxiating, even.”
He barked a laugh of his own, couldn't help it. The little opportunist was ridiculous. Undeniably easy to warm up to, though, and he could certainly use a little social lubricant.
“Crap. I gotta get back to work. Do you want to meet before then, suss any details out? Give me intel on the people attending?”
She sounded like Cyno, as if she were going undercover to expose the seedy secrets of the wealthy rather than to obtain a share of their assets for her own purposes. Funny, really.
“That's not altogether a bad idea.”
“Do you like Port Ormos? I do.”
He rolled his eyes. “When. Where."
“Djafar's has that nice outdoor seating. Good limeade too. Say... tomorrow at noon? I need to sleep in at least once this weekend. Priorities.”
He'd planned on devouring a pretty thick textbook for most of the day, but he supposed his social standing merited a little bit of his time.
“I'll see you then. Thank you for the drink.”
Lumine grinned and curtsied poorly, “The pleasure is entirely mine,” before scrambling back to expectant patrons. She leaned over the bar to declare just loudly enough for him to hear, “I like your shirt, by the way! Forgot to mention.”
====
Tighnari had every intention of waking up messily; sun-in-the-sky late, hair on his face, an unsightly line of drool as evidence of a particularly delightful REM cycle. Instead he stirred while the final remnants of night were in the midst of being torn open by a bright, blazing line of orange, faraway birdsong completely audible to his now flickering ears.
He hadn't slept well and hadn't been able to figure out why. Meditation, caffeine-free tea, nothing that usually helped did. Funny how one unexpected change in routine could throw him off so thoroughly. He was meeting Lumine for business, not pleasure.
Why the all the crystalflies in his gut then?
Probably because he was about to become socially fraudulent to avoid the gossipy judgment of his coworkers. He hadn't cared about being date-less, as it were, he just wanted them to shut up about it. He rolled over, forest green sheets covering some limbs and abandoning others, tail fanned out beside him. A queen sized bed hadn't been necessary, took up a good portion of the space in his 'traditionally constructed apartment (codeword for the old, one-room style habitations still scattered around Gandharva Ville), but he had no regrets.
Lumine was interesting, at least. Easy to get along with. Intelligent, though she didn't make it a point to portray herself that way. At least not in the more common, pretentious manner that many students thought they had to adopt in order to fit into the akademiya's image. He thought back to last night, that tee she wore that was just on the verge of crossing the line from oversized to sloppy, yet still made her look endearing. And the way she'd tied it back- her waist cinched in quite a bit more than the breadth of slight shoulders, he could probably grip her perfectly in both hands…
Tighnari groaned. He was not getting a hard-on over his fake date. He wasn't. He-
It had been a while since he had time for anything beyond working late hours and passing out as soon as he got home. He was human...ish... just as predisposed to arousal as anyone else, really. He just exercised a lot more self-control. And napping.
He palmed the bulge in his boxers lazily and groaned. When had he last been touched by another person? A year ago? Two? And by his own hand- a month ago at least.
“Mmh.”
The heat of his palm felt good; he had nowhere to be for several hours... why not. He tucked an arm beneath his head and stretched indulgently, pressing along the shaft with just the right amount of pressure before deciding to strip himself of his boxers entirely. His blanket was also piled against a corner of the bed; the damn thing was beige cashmere and annoying to clean, a gift from a suitor who'd thought a debutante pedigree, sly smiles, and an overabundance of mora would be enough to win his heart.
Enough to get in his pants for a few months, sure, until the nagging and romantic expectations began to impede on his studies. It was the one line no one had been allowed to cross.
He had no inclination as to what Lumine might be like. Would her flirtatiousness translate to anything, or was it all for show? Would she be shy? Assertive? She certainly stood out, with those light eyes and even lighter hair, that sweet mouth-
Her lips looked soft, always coated in a glossy layer that he could smell time and again when she spoke. His hand wrapped around his cock- damn, he hadn't been this hard in ages- and tugged slowly. He wanted to think she'd operate similarly, taking her time, slicking the tip of him with all that balm, reddened tip to pink lips, a pinker tongue.
Maybe she's not into men, his mind supplied. Or you. Or anyone.
“That's why it's called fantasizing,” the doctor hissed at himself as he closed his eyes. Being as rational as he was made disconnecting difficult sometimes. Slender fingers tugged a little faster, a second hand fondling his sack; would she know not to neglect that, he wondered, hips arching off the mattress.
Of course she'd know. She'd giggle and say something inconsequential, maybe even a little sexy, the tail end of useless words smothered by licks and sucks against the head, there -
He'd tell her she was good and she'd love it. Akademiya students were all a little messed up from pushing themselves, studying endlessly just to have some stranger with prestige acknowledge their efforts; praise felt so shamefully fulfilling, left a lingering craving. He wasn't quite immune to it himself.
“You taste so good,” she'd purr in the odd way humans managed to, golden eyes glazing over with tears as she slid his length down her throat.
Tighnari muffled his voice with a hand, stroking languidly now, a little wet from how vivid the imaginary scenario was. He couldn't help it. He was predisposed to bestial vocalizations by nature: little snarls, growls and groans, the occasionally high octave of his whimpers- it was all fair game once he was this far gone.
Lumine's hands would look so pretty wrapped around him, precise as when she'd poured that wine; teasing, slick, slick, slicking against the head as soon as he got close. His tail was bristling as it brushed along his thigh.
“Fuck.” He groaned around his hand as he came. Quite a bit, too. Archons, his busy hand looked like a glazed pastry. His nose wrinkled at the thought and he scoffed, amused. He'd have to remember not to neglect himself for so long again. But damn, if the afterglow wasn't nice despite the mess.
Tighnari glanced at the clock tacked onto the closest wall. He'd be up and about soon enough. Then he could enjoy an afternoon of not thinking about how he'd come to the thought of a (mostly) stranger.
====
Port Ormos was one hell of a walk away, but blessedly quick by waypoint. The salty tang of ocean air tickled his nose as he made his way to the tavern, inconspicuously dressed in a light, fleecy hoodie, his favorite shade of green. It was warm, Sumeru always was, but this was one of the few locations where the breeze was an excuse to flaunt some light outerwear now and again.
Black ears pulled towards the sound of gulls crying in the distance; he knew from experience how ballsy the birds could be when they were hungry enough.
“Hey, over here!” Lumine was waving at him as he approached at the street closest to the docks. People walking by turned to look, letting their gazes linger: she was wearing a short-sleeved lilac dress, the shoulders draping into a hood that sat tucked against tendrils of blonde. The cotton garment hugged at her waist and the very top of her hips before flaring out into soft pleats. It was incredibly casual, yet the way it... conformed to her figure... wasn't.
Her face and body tell two different stories.
“I beat you this time,” she smiled cheekily. “Didn't want to be tardy by your account.”
Jade eyes rolled without malice. “Shall we?”
“Brunch awaits,” she hummed, rubbing her palms like the world's luckiest villain.
“So I guess I should get to know you a little,” she smiled as she took her seat and read over the menu. “The basics. Your favorite things, no-no topics, all that stuff.”
“No-no topics? I'm banning whatever term that is immediately.”
“I mean the stuff you don't want me to engage with,” she lowered her voice until it sounded gravelly, “ Has Tighnari ever told you about the time he accidentally set the entire lab on fire? Oh my, you'll have to excuse me, I do believe I'm being summoned elsewhere. I hope you enjoy your evening!”
He snorted. “Is that how you think this is going to go?”
“Nope,” her lips popped at the end of the word, “I'm just using my imagination. I'm sure these guests will have way more interesting things to discuss than the folly of your clumsiness.”
“I'm not clumsy, for one. Attention to detail happens to be a trademark of mine.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes. If you want an example, you haven't even noticed the ladybug making its way up one of your drawstrings.”
Warm eyes immediately looked down. “Hello little stowaway. Bring me some luck, won't you?” She pretended to whisper to it before releasing the tiny ruby beetle to the air. “That proves nothing.”
“You're a little bit impressed.”
“Amused, not impressed.”
“Alright, I'll accept a half-truth,” Tighnari shook his head. “I'll tell you what you need to know, you do the same. Sound good?”
“Yes. You know what also sounds good? A fruit platter and toast.”
“No limeade?”
“That too.”
Lumine tucked a long, face-framing strand of hair behind her ear. She was definitely a little impressed then, he thought as he watched her fight back a smile.
Tighnari agreed to split the fruit plate against his better judgment; he could always order more. He hadn't expected them both to attempt to hide their ravenous appetites- a second fruit platter was requested not long after the first.
She liked sunsettias because 'they were the universal fruit of Teyvat', and tasted sweet year round. He'd left the last slice of those on purpose, edged it to her side of the platter wordlessly. Lumine would pause their conversation every so often to point something out- oh, that kid's outfit is adorable. Or hey, look at that lizard, it's going to end up in someone's breakfast. But by the way, have you heard about that study being done on the regenerative properties of salamander tails?
Tighnari found it difficult to be annoyed; she spoke with an earnestness that made him feel like he was partaking of her excitement. It was a little infectious, truth be told. Whether it was intentional on her part or just her nature, it made him open up before he'd realized it.
His favorite colors, green and black. Favorite dish: anything with mushrooms. His biggest pet peeve, undue arrogance. She treated each new fact like a little gift, a voracity for learning that now included him.
“Archons. I'm so full,” she pat her midsection with a happy sigh. “Oh, before we forget. Date, time, where do you want to meet?”
“Next Friday, seven sharp, I'll meet you near the bazaar and we can make our way to The Surasthana.”
“Oh, that's where it's being held? I tried to use the bathroom in there once and you'd have thought a sumpter beast with rabies had gotten into the lobby.”
“It is quite a luxurious hotel, not that the fact alone excuses that kind of attitude” he nodded, “but that's why so many events are held there.”
“Well now that I know my audience I can plan a little better... no pressure, right?” Lumine shrugged.
“So tell me, what led to you attending the akademiya?”
“That's a long story,” she sipped her drink.
“I made time. Unless you'd rather not.”
“Oh, I don't mind. I just wasn't expecting you to ask.”
“Color me curious.”
Her voice grew soft as she unraveled a summary of her life: born on the outskirts of Dahri, orphaned at birth, separated from a male twin that she'd never gotten the chance to meet. She'd planned to join the Knights of Favonius- the infamous military of Mondstat- after finishing her final year of secondary education. “I didn't really try in school. No aspirations, really. I always liked sports and figured I'd be better off doing something physical. Oh, don't give me that look. I'm a lot stronger than you'd think.”
A close friend had gotten sick with the incurable disease that only seemed to afflict that area's natives; it was similar to Eleazar, which had been eradicated from Sumeru over a hundred years ago, but arguably worse. Those who contracted the disease degenerated in grotesque ways as the illness seemed to warp their genetic makeup beyond measure. Tighnari knew almost every region had dedicated some amount of resources to researching a cure, but it still had years of trial and error to go.
“Her dream had been to come to the akademiya. Back then I didn't understand what she thought was so great about another stuffy school. She didn't even live long enough to submit her application, you know? She'd told me all about what her research topic was going to be, but got sick before she could even start it. And... I don't know.
I started looking into the wildlife and put something together about how its genetic makeup hadn't changed in over two hundred years despite how the disease continued to affect people. I had to ask for all this extra lab permission and didn’t really know what the heck I was doing,” she laughed lightly, “but apparently someone thought it was a good enough project to admit me. So here we are.”
“I'm sorry for your loss. Really.”
“Oh, thank you. I wasn't trying to dampen the mood, I just wanted to be honest, I guess. Sorry.”
“Don't apologize for that. It's clear they meant a lot to you.”
“I didn't come to Sumeru for her, to be clear. Not that I think paying homage is a bad thing, I just don't want to give the impression that my entire life is based on what someone else wanted. Not so.” She assured him against another sip that was tangy enough to make her grimace.
“I don't really get that impression from you at all.”
“Then what impression do I give?”
Dark ears lowered as he pondered the right words. “You seem like the type of person who does what they want to, as they like to, and can't really be expected to conform in one way or the other. But that isn't hard to glean, given our current situation.” He gestured at their empty dishes. “I don't think you're frivolous, but reckless is probably not an exaggeration.”
“If I told some of my classmates that I was analyzed by you, they'd probably faint.”
“And you aren't as starstruck, for whatever reason?”
“I mean, you're brilliant, but that doesn't eliminate character flaws does it? If success was all I cared about I'd probably be back home, married, baking bread every evening. Or whatever outdated fate wives are expected to submit themselves to, I don't know.”
“Married?”
“I've been asked before,” she shrugged again.
“Archons, how old were you?”
“Eighteen? Nineteen? Very traditional family, not my thing. I'm restless. I want to see a lot more of the world before I even think about cozy domesticity.”
“You should. There's a lot out there. But a proposal so young? They must have been very taken with you.”
“Give me a little credit. I'm an absolute delight,” her straw began making the obnoxious sound that signaled an empty drink, “I'm kidding, of course.”
Tighnari laughed against his better judgment. “Well then. Are we finished devouring this poor tavern's fruit supply?”
“I sure hope so. I do have to get back to finish a paper that's due soon. I'll be on time for Friday though, don't worry.”
He briefly wondered if he should offer to walk her back, or maybe just to the waypoint, if she was headed in that direction. This wasn't a date, he reminded himself, mildly concerned with the whisper of disappointment it caused.
“I have the list of your coworkers and some of the things they might talk about. Things not to bring up with your boss, including but not limited to their dairy allergy... I think I'm good to go. Mind if I leave my half of the bill and tip with you so I can get a head start?”
“By all means.”
“Thanks, Tighnari. This was nice.”
“Oh, I did mean to ask. Did you... need anything as far as your outfit for that night?”
“Need anything? Like... oh, like mora? No, I promise I'm not going to show up in rags, but I don't need you to pay for my clothes. Are you shaming my modest salary, sir?”
“N-no, that isn't what I-"
“Relax. I appreciate the gesture but I invited myself.” Lumine procured a black wallet and placed a small stack of gold coins onto the table. “See you next week!”
He definitely wasn't going to watch her leave…
Except that he did, and the breeze playing around the hem of her skirt gave him all kinds of impertinent ideas.