Blessings And Curses // Part 1

Blessings and Curses // Part 1

Fandom: Genshin Impact Ship: CynoNari

Summary: Tighnari is a rare Valuka Shuna and pursued by royal families to make their bloodline stronger. He secludes himself in a garden of thorns so no one can hurt him. One day, he meets Cyno and befriends him. He doesn’t know that Cyno was assigned to capture him for the Akademiya.

(Part 1) // Part 2 // Part 3

“Hold still, Little One. You’ll only become more ensnared by the vines if you struggle.” The cat hissed at Tighnari when he reached out his hand to it. He didn’t flinch when the cat slashed at him with its claws and blood swelled out of the small scratch. He pushed aside the barbed vines and branches. Then, he slipped his hand under the cat and carefully eased the fragile creature from the wall of tangled thorns.

He cradled it in his arm and stroked his thumb over a patch of dried blood on its white fur. Even after the cat was free from the trap, it struggled against him. Tighnari released dendro energy and healed the shallow cuts caused by the thorns. The uneven and rough skin beneath its fur made Tighnari frown. The scar across the cat’s paw appeared to be old.

“Did someone hurt you? I won’t do that. I only want to treat your wounds.” Tighnari promised. To his relief, the cat slowly relaxed under his careful touch and nestled against his palm. He understood all too well how difficult it was to trust others after being hurt. Since he was a Valuka Shuna, he questioned the intention of anyone who spoke with him. Did they wish to befriend him or take his power?

Five Hundred years ago, the Dendro Archon blessed his ancestors with her protection and turned their fur green. That blessing was passed to each Valuka Shuna child. His broken friendships had taught him that humans only saw him for his magic and blessing. Many approached him with the hope of marriage and strengthening their family. Tighnari refused to be a tool in a loveless marriage and rejected each offer.

Eventually, he decided to create an impossible test to deter suitors and their hollow proposals.

In the center of Tighnari’s garden, a spear was planted into the dirt. He declared that the first person who could retrieve the weapon would win his hand in marriage. Tighnari grew a wall made of rose thorns, vines and tall cactuses. Even if someone managed to find their way through his barrier, they wouldn’t be able to pull the spear from the dirt without Tighnari’s blessing.

Footsteps behind Tighnari caught his attention and the fur of his tail stiffened. The only reason a human visited his garden was for the chance to win his power. He parted the vines and created a small hole for him to hide inside. Tighnari veiled himself with the flowers and watched the road through the petals. A few suitors confronted him in the past and he preferred to not waste his breath again.

A man with silver hair and tan skin slowly came into view. Tighnari had watched many nobles and warriors yet the man caught his curiosity. From his toned body and purposeful gait, he was a trained fighter. He was certainly handsome enough to be from a fairy tale his mother used to read him. However, he didn’t wear armor or bring an entourage of guards with him. He wondered if the man was on a pilgrimage from the desert and came to bring a blessing back to his home.

Tighnari closed his eyes and waited for his footsteps to walk past him. He was confused when the man stopped in front of him. He opened his eyes and found red ones staring back at him. Could the man see him? The intertwined vines and flowers should’ve kept him hidden. He held his breath and watched his movements for any hint of his intention.

The man lifted his hand and cupped a rose in his palm. Thunder clouds and elemental energy gathered above them. Tighnari predicted that the man intended to cut down his wall to reach his garden. He summoned his bow and braced himself for the attack. Rain dropped onto Tighnari’s skin but lightning never followed.

While Tighnari was trying to make sense of his docile spell and what his intention could be, the man plucked a rose. He was left more confused when he simply turned away. Tighnari watched him leave with the rose in his hand.

Tighnari sat on a large tree that overlooked his garden and waited for the silver haired man. Over the past few weeks, the man would pick a rose from his garden and then leave. He would tend to the roses during a few visits. His actions contrasted his past suitors and Tighnari found himself curious. Why did he visit his garden everyday? Did he stumble upon his flowers without knowing about the legend?

Thunder clouds formed above him and Tighnari knew that the mysterious man would soon follow the rain. He stepped off the branch and landed gracefully on the ground. He only observed him in the past to learn more about him but it would be better to speak with him directly. A part of Tighnari was nervous to hear the man’s reasoning and then learning that he only visited for his blessing.

He flattened his ears and pulled his hood over his head. Valuka Shuna were well known for their distinct ears and tail. Tighnari knew that he couldn’t hide his blessing forever but he wanted one conversation where the person would see him as an ordinary man. He took a deep breath and pulled his jacket tighter around him before he approached the man.

He peered around the corner of the wall and saw him walking alongside the flowers. The rain and soft grass should’ve muffled Tighnari’s footsteps yet the man immediately turned towards him. He summoned a spear and his stance shifted. While he didn’t rush forward to attack him, Tighnari could sense that he was merely watching him.

“Pardon me, I am a gardener for the Valuka Shuna’s abode. You don’t have to be so wary of me.” Tighnari couldn’t judge the man for being suspicious of him since he had the same apprehension of most visitors. He slowly crossed the small distance to him. “My name is Tighnari. I’ve seen you visit many times. Most who wish to marry the Valuka Shuna quit after a few attempts. Your resolve is admirable so I can take you through the garden wall. What’s your name?”

“My name is Cyno.” He told him. Tighnari nodded and he started to create a door in the wall for them to enter. Cyno’s next words took him by surprise and made him pause. “I have no wish to marry the Valuka Shuna. The reason I’m here… Hopefully, the Valuka Shuna doesn’t mind that I took a few flowers. My daughter is studying to become a doctor.”

“You’re only here for the flowers?” Tighnari’s eyes widened. The surprise in his expression softened into a small smile and he stepped backwards into the wall of thorns. The flowers parted and Tighnari gestured for him to follow. “I grow medicinal herbs that’s more fitting for your daughter’s research than that flower. You can bring a few back with you. Nilotpala lotuses can be used as an ingredient in sacred drinks like soma. It’s best to pick them at night when they’re in full bloom.”

He listed more facts about the flower and the excitement in his voice was reflected in his bright eyes. Cyno wondered how often Tighnari was able to express his interest in plants for their small conversation to make him so happy. His genuine passion contrasted the stern way he spoke with him earlier. He was likely protective of the Valuka Shuna’s garden as its caretaker.

Cyno decided to trust Tighnari and he stepped through the entrance. The view on the other side could’ve convinced Cyno that he stepped into a haven. His breath was taken away. The garden was overflowing with lush flowers and vibrant colours. The spear in the center drew his attention. Roses and sharp tendril entwined around the spear and Cyno knew that merely gripping the hilt would be painful. Nevertheless, the verdant weapon and flowers were entrancing.

Tighnari knelt at the edge of a pond and scooped a lotus into his hands. He looked back to Cyno over his shoulder and found him standing at the entrance of the garden. He stared back at him without a word and Tighnari couldn’t read his expression. Flustered and nervous, he asked: “So, what do you think of my garden?”

“It’s beautiful.” The short compliment made warmth and pride swell in Tighnari. He initially created the test to ward away suitors but it became so much more for him. He could cultivate plants and research ways that they could help people. Cyno’s gaze shifted from the garden to the sky. “I’m certain that it’ll be more stunning without this rain. I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“I was given a blessing. In times like this, it feels more like a curse. I don’t want to sound ungrateful.” A conflicted smile twisted Cyno’s face. Tighnari understood the feelings behind that expression all too well. He stepped out of the pond and walked in front of Cyno. He brushed his fingers over his bangs and gently flicked the raindrops from them. His hair was softer than the lotuses in his hand.

“The gods are powerful but they’re not infallible. They make mistakes with the best of intentions. You can talk to me about your cursed gift without judgement from me. If the gods overhear us, what’s the worst that they can do? Take away your blessing?” His small joke made Cyno chuckle. He wondered if Tighnari was truly a gardener for him to dismiss a god’s gift so easily.

Tighnari took Cyno’s hand and placed the lotus in his palm. The flower was surprisingly warm and he wondered if it was from Tighnari’s body heat. He dropped his hands and the loss of his warmth was emphasized by the cold rain. Cyno looked down at the golden lotus and twilled it between his fingertips. He rarely spoke about him but, in the private garden with only two of them, he took a deep breath.

“I was born in the desert and raised by the Temple of Silence. After Rukkhadevata sacrificed their power to help our King, a few priests travelled to the rainforest to give their gratitude to her. That was when we encountered Egeria. She was moved by our story and gave us a blessing.” Cyno watched the rain cause ripples in the pond and let out a heavy sigh. “It is difficult to survive in a dry environment like the desert. So, she gifted the youngest among the Temple of Silence with rain.”

“A never ending rain.” Tighnari echoed and Cyno nodded.

“I was only a baby at the time. I don’t remember what the sun looks like.” Cyno noticed how silent Tighnari became and worried that he made him uncomfortable. He quickly thought of a joke to ease the tension. “Which flower is the most clumsy? A whoopsi-daisy.”

“I’m a botanist and gardener but I’ve never heard that before.” Tighnari tilted his head in confusion. His tone was so dry that he didn’t know whether it was meant to be a joke. “Whenever you visited, it rained. I never made the connection. I thought it was good fortune that I didn’t need to water such a large garden. Let me repay you for your help, even if your blessing is something you can’t control.”

Tighnari stepped into the pond and the water pooled around his waist as he stepped deeper into the center. The water rippled with his movement yet it didn’t push outwards. Instead, the waves carried the nilotpala lotuses towards him. The flowers formed a ring around him and Tighnari picked a large lotus. He straightened his tall ears so the hood would fall from his head.

Behind him, Cyno took a sharp breath. Valuka Shuna were well known for their fox ears and he would’ve immediately realized who he truly was once he saw them. He didn’t need to turn to know his reaction. He stared at Cyno’s reflection distorted by the rain and ripples. Tighnari placed the flower in his hair and turned to face Cyno. They stared at each other, waiting for one to speak first.

“Nilotpala lotuses appear blue during the day. However, in the moonlight, the flower will open and you can see the gilded petals inside. They look like the sun once they fully bloom.” Tighnari tapped his finger against a closed bud and it reacted to his touch. “The only time they will bloom during the day is while it’s raining. They only need help from a Valuka Shuna. My family has been blessed with the ability to adapt to their environment and have plants do the same.”

Tighnari turned in a small circle and brushed his hand over the nilotpala lotuses. The flowers opened and released a warm glow. Gold glitter and silver stardust rose into the air and created the illusion of Tighnari dancing in the Milky Way. The water reflected the glow of the flowers and further bathed him in an ethereal light. “The Valuka Shuna’s blessing has brought me trouble. At least, I can use it to show you the sun today.”

Cyno had never seen the sun before but he was certain that it couldn’t compare to the sight of Tighnari dancing in a ring of nilotpala lotuses.

“You’re back, Cyno!” Collei called to him when he returned to the Akademiya. A few scholars stared at them but he had learned to ignore their judgement years ago. He focused on his daughter and held out his arms to hug her. The journey from the Akademiya to Avidya Forest took two days and he missed her during the trip. He patted her head before he stepped back to show her a bag of nilotpala lotuses.

“I bought back more flowers for your studies. They can be used to make medicine.” Cyno told her. He repeated the facts that Tighnari taught him about the flowers. Her eyes shimmered and it reminded him of Tighnari’s excitement of plants. He imagined how Tighnari and Collei would discuss ecology and medicine if they ever met.

“Thank you, Cy—”

“I hope you have more to report to the Akademiya than plants.” Grand Sage Azar spoke over Collei and interrupted their conversation. He barely gave her a glance as he stopped behind them. “The Akademiya sent you to that forest to find a way to capture the Valuka Shuna and its blessing.”

“I have not forgotten my mission.”

Blessings And Curses // Part 1

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