What, not funny? Tsk, I think it's hysterical

selective indie Cyno RP blog not up-to-date with story, but spoilers allowed

[sumerananubis]

going to revive this blog for selective indie, not up-to-date on story, will slowly trundle through story, anyone still following me from GH feel free to message

[sumerananubis]

Sealiously? || Cyno & Dainsleif

[verkunder]

“Natlan,” He bites out tersely, taking a long sip from the glass of water, “I am not sure where I intend to go from here, but I simply wished to get as far away from there as I was able to as quickly as I could.”

Too much had happened in his relatively short time in the Nation of Pyro for his liking. For the time being, he would rather like to avoid going back unless he absolutely had to.

Dainsleif wonders how much this man knows of the events of five hundred years ago, if he would recognize the star shaped pupils embedded in ocean blue eyes were he to take a closer look. Wonders if he would be able to figure out the truth of his wandering were he to take notice of his eyes.

He never knows where he’s going, because he no longer has a place to return to. He hasn’t for five hundred years. Since the end had come, he’s done nothing but wander the Nations of the Seven as if a vengeful wraith seeking out the Abyss at any cost.

“It is hard to have a destination in mind when you do not have a home to return to,” The once knight sighs, staring down at his weary reflection in the rippling water contained within the glass. He hardly remembers what his and his brother’s home had looked like back in Khaenri’ah. He doesn’t remember being able to return home and greet Ved with a smile instead of wishing to never see his face again. He can barely remember any happy memories of his home, unless he truly strains himself. And that perhaps stings more than never being able to return, “I can only wander aimlessly forever…”

[sumerananubis]

By a choice of mercy from his puns, Cyno sat there and listened to the man as he spoke. Every word was another silencing nail on the joking. He hummed quietly after the other had finished speaking. The General watched him, eyes loosing that teasing sparkle from before.

"I am sorry," he murmured. "The desire to get away... Perhaps Inazuma might be a worth while destination then, quite possibly as far away from Natlan that I can think of. Isolated away from it and the rest of Teyvat as well. If that is not to your taste... the people of Mondstat a freedom lovers... perhaps you might make a new start there."

He tapped a finger against his own glass and then rested his head against his hand. He didn't stare with pity. That would only scald more. No, he kept his expression neutral.

"Forgive me for saying though," he said, voice soft. "You seem haunted by something. You leave Natlan behind, but has that helped you leave the ghosts?"

He suspected the answer was no.

".... that was insensitive. You don't have to answer."

[imaginarynoumenon]

Talk Around The Burning Ear

Non-Commission ┆ Otto Apocalypse & Cyno

[imaginarynoumenon]

The 'General Mahamatra', hm? That appearance does not ring a bell but Otto Apocalypse can place the name with almost a pinpoint accuracy to the information he has heard from his unreliable guides. The fear and nail biting had whispered of this name without much fanfare for the guest they are charting through the sands, but Otto Apocalypse simply listened and didn't dare ask for more information with those skittish enough to sell him out. They are soon enough of no consequence to him besides a stain on his path, and so he's here putting a face to a name because of it.

A set of circumstances he can only continue to smile through, even as he is sure those eyes could stab him with daggers if they could. Either that, or the General was sizing him up for whatever he has connected to him—but alas it is for naught to simply wonder internally about these things. The wind chill simply brushes his hair from his face, ever a small curl of his lip as he tilts his head towards the crooked tree.

"Suspicious I may be but my words ring true nonetheless. A physical good of mine was taken from me and it'll no doubt be found amongst the," he makes a nod toward the jagged stones, "nature filled parts of this valley."

He can see that something unnatural has been a part of this landscape, something not unlike a flare of Honkai that ruins the earth and all it sunders. The jagged surfaces of metallic purple and blues are familiar to him in the forefront of his mind, but the situation does not call for any such measures he would... employ usually, so he simply takes it as a rather unfortunate similarity. For now. Perhaps he'll test them later.

He keeps it going with the General. "You see, General, I'm looking for a type of metallic ore not native to this region and was a part of my luggage before it's untimely theft. It isn't particularly volatile in these circumstances but it's particularly weighty for something not so dense. From what I can tell, a small group of people in green and white robes have gone further down this hill—no doubt testing it against these rather strange protrusions."

His crossed arms don't diminish his mood however. "Do you trust my account of events? Or is this as far as I go?"

[sumerananubis]

Something that Cyno most certainly appreciated was the fact that Apocalypse was acknowledging how suspicious he was. It made the General's priorities shift focus to what his suspicious new acquaintance was reporting. This did not let the man off the hook, but it knocked him down the list of problems a few rungs.

"You have my attention," he conceded. "And, for now, my trust and cooperation. I trust you won't make this more difficult on yourself at least."

So. Some scholars had run off with a foreign metallic ore. It had a surprising weight for its low density. The statement that it wasn't volatile in these circumstances was concerning, though. What circumstances would make it volatile? Cyno's eyes narrowed slightly. Something told him to not seek elaboration at this point in time.

"Well then, I suppose we had better go chase the thieves," he decided. "When we find them, and subdue them, I'll bring them back to the Academia, and then the discussion of returning your ore can happen. Is this acceptable to you?"

No way was he letting a suspicious individual simply take his foreign goods and leave.

[sumerananubis]

We Need A Distraction... Okay, Punch Me || Cyno & Kokomi

Matra Training Thread feat two Generals

[generalsangonomiya]

Kokomi returns to her temporary quarters much faster than she'd left, and swiftly stows the stack of documents and exchanges her formal kimono for a sleeveless shirt and a set of loose pants. Comfortable, practical, good for freedom of movement - and, most importantly, light and breathable and far better suited to the Dharma Forest's humid conditions.

She hadn't brought any practice weapons of her own on this trip, just her catalyst, but the training grounds should have some. And, even if they don't, some hand-to-hand sparring will be just as good. Cyno's already there when she arrives, training spear in hand, and she offers him a quick nod before sitting down to wrap her hands and run through a series of careful stretches.

Her body's been cooperative today, the warm climate doing wonders for her usual chronic pain, but it never hurts to make sure. Once she finishes warming up, she tests the balance of several of the practice swords, selecting a single-edged one balanced similarly to the blades she's trained with before.

With her preparations complete, Kokomi returns to the centre of the training ground and bows to her fellow General. "Thank you again, for inviting me. Would you prefer we start with weapons, or hand-to-hand?"

[sumerananubis]

As Kokomi enters the training grounds, Cyno nods in return. He was going through his own stretches now. It would be rather embarrassing if the General Mahamatra got injured in a sparring match. He straightened as he finished though. He considered Kokomi's question and then tapped his training spear against the ground.

"It is my pleasure," he hummed and then smiled as he pointed his spear to the side. "Weapons first I think, then we can do hand-to-hand once we feel like we can't hold our weapons anymore."

He offered a small grin. Obviously they wouldn't go that far. That would be foolish. But perhaps after a few rounds of weapon sparring, some hand-to-hand would offer more flexible stretching of muscles.

[empyrean-reflections]

Is there no shade anywhere?

Cyno and Kaveh

[empyrean-reflections]

Kaveh scoffed. The scholar chose to run into the desert? Not even into the much cooler Liyue? “Must’ve been pretty damn important if she chose to run here. Not exactly an ideal vacation spot.”

Cyno’s words did strike something in Kaveh however. It seemed oddly reminiscent of something Azar had done way back when. He had thought most of that man’s followers long since fled. But maybe not? “Hm. Sounds like something Azar would do.” He noted.

“But yeah, I hope my client pays well. I barely got them to pay for my trip out here. And with all the accommodations they wanted.” Kaveh groaned, he really did not like this commission. But he also really needed the cash lest Alhaitham lecture him on ‘saving money’ and ‘not being a drunk’ or something about ‘how do you think i would feel if you died’. Like grow up. Kaveh was an adult, he can handle himself. 

“Guess we’re both in a struggle today.” Kaveh joked

[sumerananubis]

Cyno closed his eyes and sighed, breathing in and then releasing that breath sharply. Leaning back he looked up at the sky above. No clouds, just blazing sun. What a day to be in the desert.

"Just because Azar was the most noted and most recent doesn't make him the first or last," Cyno sighed. "The man didn't invent academic misconduct, just made the biggest waves with it."

As much as he would have appreciated no one forcing him to chase them down through the desert ever again. Wishful thinking though. Very wishful thinking. Listening to Kaveh though, his friend seemed to be dealing with some wishful thinking of his own. The General hummed. It really did sound like Kaveh was being scammed almost.

"If they don't pay you well, tell me," he offered. "Chasing proper compensation out of someone sounds like a nice break from chasing down scholars in the desert."

Then he offered Kaveh a small grin. It seemed his mood had shifted to something more relaxed finally as the next words out of his mouth were a horrible joke.

"Hope they didn't chose quicksand to build on~ they might have to liquidate their assets~" Cyno's eyes sparkled with amusement at his own joke. Well, he seemed to be in better spirits now.

[sumerananubis]

We Need A Distraction... Okay, Punch Me || Cyno & Kokomi

Matra Training Thread feat two Generals

[generalsangonomiya]

It's been a long, long day.

The kind Kokomi truly despises, filled with nothing but arguments and paperwork and petty officials picking the stupidest possible hills to die on. Important work, perhaps, but utterly exhausting. They hadn't even been able to get to the real purpose of half the meetings because some stuffy old Herbad who'd never actually seen half the things they claimed to be an expert in kept interrupting. There may be benefits to a government run by scientists, but the endless debates and the condescension are not among them.

So, as soon as the gaggle of bureaucrats nipping at her heels are chased away, the first thing she does is take a deep, relieved breath of blessedly politics-free air before turning to thank her rescuer. "Thank you. Not to speak ill of Sumeru's government, but, those officials were indeed...irritating."

Her fellow General's offer, on the other hand, is most definitely an inviting one. It's rare that anyone looks at her and sees the warrior first, and it's been far too long since she's been able to do anything more than practice kata on her own. Though it's not her primary weapon, she misses the feel of a sword in her hands, misses that sense of absolute focus that comes with training and fighting. "That would be a very welcome distraction, General."

She glances down at the stack of papers in her hands with a sigh, then looks back to him. "Shall we meet in the training grounds in twenty minutes? Formalwear is as stuffy as the politics you've just rescued me from, and I need to put these documents away first,"

[sumerananubis]

The fact that the first sound out of Kokomi's mouth was a sigh of relief told Cyno more about how the others had been acting around her than his fellow General's words. Making him ever more glad that he stepped in when he did. Honestly, bureaucratic nonsense had a time and place, and some should take more notice of when that time had elapsed.

Still, his offer was accepted and appreciated. Cyno smiled slightly. Excellent. He nodded in agreement to Kokomi's request.

"Twenty minutes," he echoed. "I'll go check the training weapons for us. Make sure the recruits haven't been putting back worn out equipment. See you there."

Out of the politeness of it, Cyno offered Kokomi a respectful bow. Then he spun on his heel and walked off. In the direction of the training grounds. Once there he immediately went about inspecting the racks of equipment. Aside from a few weapons, most were in decent condition.

Picking out a simple training spear, Cyno then waited for his fellow General to arrive.

[sumerananubis]

We Need A Distraction... Okay, Punch Me || Cyno & Kokomi

Matra Training Thread feat two Generals

[sumerananubis]

starter for @generalsangonomiya

He was done with his work for the day. All his paperwork, evil though it may be, had been signed stacked and sent off to the correct recipients, and now he was walking through Sumeru. He could go anywhere right now, but for some reason, his desire to spar was itching. There wasn't anyone that he could think of asking right now.

That was. Until a curious voice caught his attention. What's this...? A visitor to Sumeru....? And she seemed to be tired of the talking of the Matra. Well, he wasn't some fancy knight in armour or anything, but he could at least save her from his subordinates. Walking in the direction of the voices, Cyno hummed to see Kokomi.

"Don't you all have tasks you need to be finishing?" he asked as he approached. "Stop bothering General Sangonomiya and get back to work. I'll speak to our guest."

It always brought him a spark of amusement to watch his Matra freeze in place when they hear his voice, then offer apologies or half-hearted excuses before they disappeared. He wasn't that scary was he? Or perhaps it wasn't scary, they just didn't want him to start with his humour. A pity. Still they disappeared with murmured "sorry General" and "yes General" and all other platitudes.

As soon as they were gone though, Cyno turned to Kokomi and bowed slightly.

"Lady General, I am sorry for them," he offered. "They can get overbearing. I wonder... if I might be able to convince you to a distraction from diplomacy and bureaucracy with a spar. General to General?"

He offered her a winning smile.

[sumerananubis]

Sealiously? || Cyno & Dainsleif

[verkunder]

“Dainsleif,” His own name bites off his tongue harsher than he means it to, annoyance and his bad mood seeping into his every action. His name now is devoid of any titles, the Twilight Sword only in memory. He avoids using that title when he can, his honor now nothing but bitter in the face of all that he could not protect.

“I am aware of the figure that I strike,” He runs a tired hand through his hair, gazing out at the sands with an odd wistfulness in his eyes. It only makes his heart feel that much heavier, to remember the days of old when he had travelled with her. Now they only met as enemies, swords drawn against each other upon opposite sides of the battlefield, “But I swear to you I mean no harm. I am… simply passing through.”

He’s not sure where he intends to go, but at this moment it feels like he simply needs to get as far from Natlan as he possibly can. And yet still, he remembers his homeland, lingering under the very nation that he passes through now. The homeland that he had dredged up so many old memories of only for them to be used like nothing more than a tool.

The knight sighs, perhaps he does need a moment to rest. And so he sits, carefully and still on edge, nodding to Cyno.

“A glass of water would be appreciated, thank you.”

[sumerananubis]

Hmm Dainsleif then. He clearly needed to get out of the sun. He fully believed that the man didn't mean any harm, he was just being cautious really. Something is on Dainsleif's mind. Or he's just exhausted from travelling the desert in full, BLACK, plate armour. Or both. Could have been both. Possibly both, yes.

Either way, Cyno quietly calls over a villager who very quickly presses a ceramic pitcher of water and two cups. Excellent. He sat opposite of Dainsleif and poured out some water for him and handed it to him. He actually set aside his puns for once for curiosity and getting a conversation out of this man.

"So, passing through the desert?" he hummed. "A few guesses come to mind. Either you've come the long way from Fontaine, or you've come from either the rainforest or Natlan."

Pause. Beat.

"Or you've gotten terribly lost coming from Inazuma."

It wasn't a pun. While he wasn't technically on duty, he couldn't fully set aside his humour.

[empyrean-reflections]

Is there no shade anywhere?

Cyno and Kaveh

[empyrean-reflections]

As much as Kaveh hated admitting he was wrong, Cyno had a point. He didn't have to take the job in the desert. And he almost considered not taking it. But, he needed the money. Archons hope he didn’t get heat stroke in the process…

“It's a long story. A little personal issue took a bit more money than expected.” Said personal issue was Kaveh being forced to actually pay his tab. But, an issue in his eyes nonetheless. It didn’t help that he had plans for that money.

Shaking the thought away, he splashed some water on his face. It wasn’t a big help, but it was better that nothing. Maybe if he pulled the heatstroke card the client would pay more? It had worked before. Maybe. It was an option. But for now he had to refill his water and cool down.

Mid chug of his water, he looked to his friend. “So, what did some dumbass do to make you go all the way to the desert?” He was a curious architect, sue him.

[sumerananubis]

Kaveh being in a position where his funds were lower than expected? Well, that was not, somehow, a surprise to hear for Cyno. Maybe a bit of a surprise to hear it caused him to take on a job in Sumeru's desert. Beyond the lands of Setekh, the words "habitable" didn't really come to mind. Was Kaveh sure he wasn't being scammed?

"Well, for your client's sake, I hope they are compensating you well," Cyno replied. Was that a little too much of his Matra mind, saying something that could come off as a threat if Kaveh was somehow mistreated in this deal of his? Cyno shook his head, trying to chase away the mask of his job and just relax.

A bit difficult when Kaveh asked him about what brought him out here. Cyno still rolled his eyes with irritation as he sat back in the sand.

"A scholar was caught trying to publish academic texts that encouraged and instructed on the use of a long since proven highly dangerous by-products of some chemical experiments." Cyno's voice was frustrated at the need to be dragged out here again. "She was investigated further and discovered to have written several other papers on the topic, disguised neatly into other subjects. Her and her partner ran out here, as most foolish caught scholars attempt."

Which then meant he was called into chase the runaways down.

[imaginarynoumenon]

Talk Around The Burning Ear

Non-Commission ┆ Otto Apocalypse & Cyno

[imaginarynoumenon]

With how the wind picks up from the deep valley that is gauged with vegetation and the spiked landscape, his hair and coat flows in the wind that could rival the currents from ice flows, but he does not get down or back away from the approaching man. Definitely someone of status with how he levels an unimpressed gaze towards him and the tone was no doubt an indicator of a transgression he cannot perceive, but very well guess. Otto Apocalypse has been a very prominent figure in the wild sands while he passes himself off as a wealthy benefactor to the under belly—while he's unsure if the fools are brave enough to report him, he's at least trespassing no doubt about it.

But he's a tad too far to turn back now, especially with the perpetrators so close and his mind already taking inventory of what's been taken from him. Dues are to be paid, and he rather likes the gentleman's disposition already. Quite stern on Otto alone, so he wonders how he'd feel about...

"Lost? No, good sir, I am where I'm supposed to be, always and assuredly. This desert holds a great many persons, materials, and opportunities for someone like myself to learn from, an outsider I may be." His tone is far more comfortable than it should be and his pacifying smile is passed along to the other man. "I'm here to get some stolen goods of mine back from some overeager gentleman in green robes. You could say I had bought some goods from a local out here, and when the shipment was bound to arrive... nothing."

He practically goads him with that little information to justify himself. He does not mention the material by name and he does not disagree with the other's assessment he might be a participant in unsavory behaviors as it was the easiest way to get information—and he's no stranger to those deals anyhow. But that is besides his point here.

"I was hoping you were sent to investigate something, but it couldn't be myself, surely." His tone is saccharine and overly prepared. "To whom do I owe the honor of speaking with? You can designate me, Apocalypse."

[sumerananubis]

Assessing the authenticity of the words spoken to him was generally something that Cyno was good at. But he did have to admit fault when he was slightly frustrated. He'd not wanted to come out here this late, but alas. Thus, his questions would need to poke a closer inquiry to not make any mistake. This wasn't a case of chasing scholars across the desert where the crime had already been committed.

He needed to assess if there was a crime happening at the moment. The man before him claimed to not be lost and instead where he was supposed to be. A double-ended answer if Cyno had ever heard one. Though he certainly admitted to being an outsider. This was suspicious to Cyno... because what outsider had business in the middle of the desert except for something shady?

Someone looking for someone who had committed a crime against them.

Certainly, Cyno could believe that to an extent. This did not forgive the suspicion on this man though, but the General allowed himself to relax a little. He was silent for a while before he spoke.

"I am General Mahamatra Cyno," he hummed. "I came out here looking for a suspicious person hanging around. I certainly think you fit that description."

Then he took a deep breath through his nose.

"However, your claim that you are here to retrieve something stolen from you is certainly something that must be investigated, thus I am willing to set this matter of suspicious persons aside."

Even if it meant being in the cold desert longer.

[muscle-blues]

all in the heart of the cards.

cyno and yelan play genius invokation tcg

[sumerananubis]

The bread and circus of it all, Cyno didn't really come here for. What he did come to these competitions for, though, was good opponents. That he'd gotten through to the final duel was but another string of matches won. It was his opponent he was most interested in. Yelan was all the way in Sumeru, then? He'd watched her against her opponents whenever he'd had the chance.

But here he was now, she had done well to get here.

With the decks shuffled, hands chosen and first active cards chosen, Yelan invited him to go first. Cyno hummed as he inspected what he had been given. With one hand he held his dice before rolling them. Ouch, no electro at all. Pyro and Anemo die weren't too useful to him, and he had five of those, so he rerolled and .... got two electro and one hydro, amongst other elements.

"Well, perhaps the dice might be in your favour this round," he commented. "I'll play my Thunder Summoner's Crown and equip it to my own card. Your turn."

His fingers brushed over one of his cards in his hand. As much as he wanted to play it, he couldn't this round, he also didn't want to discard anything yet. Start simple, Cyno, he told himself. The duel wasn't over until it was over.

[muscle-blues]

Yelan nodded as she watched Cyno begin his setup. She smirked at the simplicity of it all; it was definitely an opener, and it was a solid choice too- setting up rather than launching out on the offensive. Maybe that was thanks to an inability to do so, maybe it was in order to psych Yelan out. Genius Invokation was as much of a game of the mind, as it was one of strategy.

“Let’s hope that they are,” Yelan teased in response. She cast her dice, and sucked her teeth in response. Three Cryo, and one each of Pyro, Hydro, Dendro, Geo and Anemo. Not ideal. She chose to keep the three Cryo and single Hydro at hand, but opted to reroll the remaining four individual elements. Let’s try again. 

Another cast of the dice; Omni, Pyro, Hydro and Electro. Beautiful. She gazed at her deck, then back to her Character Cards. A whistle escaped her lips as she began her setup. “Okay, first I’ll play my Golden House at no cost-” Yelan placed the card on her end of the field, as careful consideration paints her expression, “then I’ll play my Gilded Dreams at a reduced cost, and equip it to my own Character Card.”  Announcing her play, Yelan let out a sigh. Genius Invokation was also a game of patience. She needed to set up her plan of attack, and that was something that would take time prior to execution. 

“Then, I’ll use my Lingering Lifeline to deal three points of damage against your Active Card, also applying the Hydro effect on you. Then, I'll draw an additional card thanks to my Gilded Dreams, and end my turn.” She smirked. She set a pace for the match with her opener. Hopefully this was a sign for how the match would soon go, but anything could happen at any point.

Nothing was set in stone, as she wished it to be. “I leave it off to you, then.” 

[sumerananubis]

His dice rolls last turn had hindered him allowing Yelan to get the upper hand. Cyno hummed quietly. His heart was in the cards, but was it in the dice. As his opponent ended her turn, he nodded, and then inspected the cards in his hand again. With the dice he had left and what he had there was nothing much he could do. Hopefully next round would go better.

Well. He would have to do something with this roll and his hand for now. Since he couldn't play the card he wanted to, he would have to change strategy. (By that he meant try to do what he could to buff his field before declaring the end of his round. Which: spoiler alert, wasn't much at all.) Pressing his lips together he hummed again.

Best withdraw his own card for now since he couldn't buff it further and hope that something would go his way. He reached out to touch his active card and drew it back, pushing forward Xingqiu. Unfortunate fodder for now

"I swap my character cards by paying my hydro dice," Cyno said, he scowled lightly at the foul eight sided die. Then nodded at Yelan as he set his cards down. "I fear I must declare round end. Do you have anything else you can do this round?"

What damage would he have to mitigate with his next dice rolls?

[empyrean-reflections]

Is there no shade anywhere?

Cyno and Kaveh

[empyrean-reflections]

Kaveh awkwardly chuckled and pulled his hair up with an azure ribbon. Cyno seemed off, vague even. He chose not to push. It's not his business.

He also didn't exactly care for Matra stuff, but whatever.

Sometime during his thoughts, he found himself rapidly scooping water into his mouth via his hand before Cyno's question registered. Too hot and dehydrated to wipe the dribbles of water from his face, he looked up from his crouched position.

"Eh? Oh, why I'm here? Just a client. You could not pay me enough to make this trip worth it. It's hot, I've ate probably a pound of sand, and I have to come out again in a month with revisions." Kaveh sighed in defeat. He loved his job, truly. But there weree many many times he considered quitting to become a professor for the Akedemiya.

But he recalled how chaotic of a student he was during his time. Hard pass.

"Just consider yourself lucky the heat doesn't affect you."

[sumerananubis]

As Kaveh spoke, the Matra demeanour started to fade a little. He could relax around his friend. He didn't need to be so stiff. Cyno hated being stiff. Though he wasn't quite to the point of being able to start tormenting Kaveh with puns. Kusanali had granted mercy to the architect for a while then. Cyno splashes water on his face as he listens.

Just a client...? And Kaveh didn't think this was worth it? Cyno raised a slightly curious eyebrow as he looked at Kaveh properly. This pale skinned man truly wasn't suited to the desert at all... the General sighed.

"If it isn't worth it, why did you take the job?" Cyno asked. "Surely there's still work you could take in the forest. Or you could hire someone to send out here in your place."

Unlike Kaveh, he liked coming out to the desert. It was comforting to him. Though he did understand why others wouldn't like it. The reasons he liked it could be reasons why others disliked it. Though forcing one's self to come out here when they couldn't see the worth of it...?

[sumerananubis]

Sealiously? || Cyno & Dainsleif

[verkunder]

The desert sun scorches down from above, sand stomped down pat underneath his boots. His heart feels heavier after recent events, his mind violated. He had slain that excuse of a man a thousand times over, and he still did not feel any better. To have his memories just… used in such a way. He had been able to take down an entire army of the Abyss Order, but his old teacher, a teacher who did not even remember him or how he had wronged him anymore, had lied to him and brought all that pain and recollection back to the surface just to use it as part of the scheme that was the very thing Dainsleif was trying to stop.

Suffice to say, he is not exactly in the mood to be joked around with. Let alone with bad puns at that.

He cannot help the scowl that crosses his face as pure blue eyes, darkened stars devoid of life, stare icily down at Cyno, the elder man biting his tongue so he does not say something that he will regret centuries down the line.

“I am fine,” He bites out coldly, “Though I should warn you, I am not in the best of moods. You would do well to watch yourself.”

[sumerananubis]

Oh dear, did the knight in scorching armour not like his joke~♡ Oh dear, oh dear~♡ Whatever would he do? Well, he couldn't very well keep taunting him, could he? Then again, the knight did offer some interesting disgruntled words. A small smirk formed on Cyno's face.

"Ay, perhaps," he replied. "Though it is somewhat suspicious to see a knight in full armour in the desert, and this is my domain~"

A little bit of Matra Cyno slipped out, tone changing slightly. A small warning that that last sentence of his companion's was perhaps a step too far. He allowed that to float between them for a moment before he leaned back. Gesturing, Cyno directed attention to some chairs in the shade. A quiet offer.

"I am General Mahamatra Cyno," he introduced. "Mayhap you might be interested in an ice drink~"

Okay, he couldn't quiet help the pun that time. But perhaps it could slip finely by as a slightly different sentence. After all, it was still a valid question.

[muscle-blues]

all in the heart of the cards.

cyno and yelan play genius invokation tcg

[muscle-blues]

“ Ladies and Gentlemen! We hope you’ve enjoyed this month’s Sumeran Duelist’s League! It’s been an exciting tournament so far, watching a new kid on the block slowly rise up the ranks! ”

  A crowd began to cheer, surrounding two contestants that sat face to face with one another in quiet contemplation.

The announcer’s voice roared once more. “ But now! For the final bout of this Local, we have our new rising star against an all time champion! On the left, a woman hailing all the way from Liyue! A newbie to our league, but with unfathomable skill in Genius Invokation TCG, Yelan! The tall and beautiful lady with a distinctly mysterious aura! ”

  The crowd began to cheer, with several people encouraging Yelan on, excited for this ‘new kid’ as the announcer so aptly put it. Yelan gave a casual wave as she leaned back in her chair, rather nonchalant all things considered. She smirked at her opponent as the announcer spoke once more.

“ And, on the right, a well known face to this Local, a legend in his own right for MANY reasons! The greatest Genius Invokation TCG player in Sumeru City and beyond. Welcome our General Mahamatra, Cyno! ” 

  The crowd roared even louder still, excited to witness such a local legend in the midst. They began to murmur, wondering how Cyno had become as skilled as he had been, wondering if his work as the General Mahamatra would get in the way. Their voices were soon drowned out by the announcer’s pleas for silence.

“ Now! I need not remind these two powerful players of the rules of Genius Invokation TCG, nor do I need to say that you need to express proper sportsmanship – you both have done this in spades! Just remember, have fun! And that there is a 10,000 Mora prize on the line for this (thank you to the Akademiya for sponsoring this month’s Duelist League). Without much more fanfare, have fun, enjoy yourself…

  And let’s let our contestants duel! First up is Cyno! ” 

Yelan gave a sigh, as she sat up to face Cyno, her fingers interlocking with one another as her deck lay bare before her. “ Make your first move, General. I await to see this skill I hear so much about. ” 

@sumerananubis

[sumerananubis]

The bread and circus of it all, Cyno didn't really come here for. What he did come to these competitions for, though, was good opponents. That he'd gotten through to the final duel was but another string of matches won. It was his opponent he was most interested in. Yelan was all the way in Sumeru, then? He'd watched her against her opponents whenever he'd had the chance.

But here he was now, she had done well to get here.

With the decks shuffled, hands chosen and first active cards chosen, Yelan invited him to go first. Cyno hummed as he inspected what he had been given. With one hand he held his dice before rolling them. Ouch, no electro at all. Pyro and Anemo die weren't too useful to him, and he had five of those, so he rerolled and .... got two electro and one hydro, amongst other elements.

"Well, perhaps the dice might be in your favour this round," he commented. "I'll play my Thunder Summoner's Crown and equip it to my own card. Your turn."

His fingers brushed over one of his cards in his hand. As much as he wanted to play it, he couldn't this round, he also didn't want to discard anything yet. Start simple, Cyno, he told himself. The duel wasn't over until it was over.

[imaginarynoumenon]

Talk Around The Burning Ear

Non-Commission ┆ Otto Apocalypse & Cyno

[imaginarynoumenon]

Back then, that morning a full day ago. Otto Apocalypse looks to his side with an apathetic swing of his long hair to trail as he spies the little traitor amongst the sand, the man who had been knocked out from heat exposure more than once was now sleeping soundly upon the sand from more than simple exposure. While he had nothing to share with the man, a civilization in the sands was still a danger in and of itself without a guide and oh how he had been quite the guide until the blonde's questions had been too eye turning, too specific perhaps not to raise eyebrows.

The morning had been watching the man, seeing him do a verbal report to someone far too at home in the heat and face trained upon the tent Apocalypse 'slept' away in, and so forth the man was left unconscious upon his return—never to see the blonde and which direction he went through the sandstorms of early bowls kicked up.

Otto Apocalypse had traveled in deserts before and his Soulium-assumed body has never before taken to heat like a human body might; he does not sweat, he does not become more uncomfortable unless he is injured, and the sand does not burn his orifices like that of his former guide. His trek is steady within the desert until he comes upon a place of great interest, off the mark of what he told the pesky guide, but still something that would lead to knowledge he wished to see.

Outside of a place called Tunigi Hollow, this afternoon this day, he had been found where he shouldn't. He was not above seeing the forest for its trees and when someone is aimed towards you in the sun and sand for so long across the latitudes, they deliberately are looking for you, and so well adorned as well... oh my.

From upon a raised piece of rock within the sea of sand, he turns slightly to the white-haired individual who makes their way to him. His tone would drip ennui if he wasn't looking at more travel, so he sounded bored amongst all else. "I see you in the sands are a natural, do you have business with me, young gentleman? It's getting dark."

He had a inkling the guide survived. The whispering back then in the guide's ear most likely was of interest: of taking Otto to abyssal spots of power, previously powered or currently open, to allow him personal research. Knocking out a guide most likely also contributed, but alas that is a judgement for later.

@sumerananubis

[sumerananubis]

As the General Mahamatra, it was his duty to track down suspicious individuals. Stalking through the desert as a jackal would, in search of his prey. It was with the eyes of a hunter that he found the stranger with blonde. But it was with the eyes of a bored soldier that he approached.

The stranger called out to him first. Cyno's eyes narrowed a bit, but he placed a false smile on his face.

"You seem a little lost, my friend," he said in a slightly less than friendly tone. "If you aren't careful, someone might think you're participating in illicit deals."

The only warning he was feeling nice enough to give. He didn't particularly like being dragged out to find suspicious people at night. The desert could become extremely cold at night. By King Deshret, he didn't want to deal with hypothermic idiots.

[empyrean-reflections]

Is there no shade anywhere?

Cyno and Kaveh

[empyrean-reflections]

Kaveh remembered why he didn't take commissions in the desert anymore. Clients never measured their spaces because 'the sand makes it inaccurate'. Bullshit. On top of that, the heat never relented.

And the enemies were everywhere.

Eremites wanting some pocket change, old desert mechs set to what seemed like 'attack the tired architect' mode, and he kept getting hit by Wenuts.

He just wanted to go home. So damn bad.

Just then he heard what seemed to be splashing water. Diverging his gaze to his right, he saw a small oasis.

"Oh thank the Archons... I probably should have packed more water like he said but-" Kaveh cut off his speech to himself upon seeing who was actually causing the splashing. Running (to the best of his ability), he approached his friend.

"Cyno? What are you doing here? A mission?" He asked before also indulging himself in the oasis' bounty.

[@sumerananubis]

[sumerananubis]

Sometimes Cyno wondered if people forgot that he was born of the desert. He could chase them through it for longer than they could flee. There weren't so many crimes that might send the Matra after after you through the desert, but major academic misconduct was still *major* academic misconduct.

Thankfully, other Matra had been nearby this time. So they had been able to drag the runaway back once he'd caught them. Now, he was continuing his more personal endeavour in the desert. That did not, however, turn his demeanour back to something more personable when someone else approached him at the oasis he was refilling his water supplies at.

Kaveh.

"Something like that," he confirmed vaguely. "Nothing quite so serious, though. I feel like a better question would be what brings you to the desert?"

It was certainly a strange occurrence, to say the least. He used his lance to push himself back to his feet.

[sumerananubis]

Well, I'm Sure This Will Be An Inconvenience To Someone In A Century || Cyno & Nahida

Matra Training Starters [here]

[sumerananubis]

starter for @heartofirminsul

General Mahamatra Cyno was many things. A pragmatic man, a loyal man, even an intelligent man. He was an executor of justice, a defender of Sumeru. He would do everything in his power to protect his Archon. Anything, his life for his country. Justice was eternal.

Despite all of this however, he certainly was not expecting anything like the question that had been asked of him today. He blinked at the short Archon before him. Nahida was also many things. But of all the things he could think to attach to her name...

A martial fighter was not one of them.

"Forgive me, Lord Kusanali, but I think I misheard you," he said. "What did you say you wanted?"