@apricyties asked: Warmth and content spreads throughout his chest at the view afore him: the darkening night sky and the clouds slowly making way for the stars to shine high up, and if he didn’t know it any better, he’d claim that the stars are twinkling and smiling upon them, as if to celebrate the day together. How fitting it is, he thinks, to have someone he trusts as a friend join him up here: undisturbed and away from prying eyes and a place of fond memories for him throughout the decades.
“I hope you do not mind the place for our conversation. I do not believe the two of us would have gotten any chance to speak if we had stayed as the centre of attention.” The news that the new leader of the Temple of Silence and the Akademiya’s new partners had arrived in the city had spread like thunder and naturally, the General Mahamatra was the first to hear of it.
Here they are now: away from the celebration and high up at Cyno’s secret spot; one he had recently visited with the traveller and Tighnari. It is a place offering the best view of Sumeru city if anyone cared to ask him. Crimson gaze falls onto the snacks between them, thoughtfully chosen by his closest friend, and the drinks he had the foresight to bring along. In light of their new relationship, the Akademiya spared no little effort in welcoming their guests.
“There are things I wished to speak to you about, as I remember very little of my childhood and thus, don’t know anything about the life we had in the temple when we were young.” Perhaps the both of them had been too young to remember anything at all, but if the general knows anything, then it is to not underestimate anyone.
Ever since the truth that day, he had been curious about the other man: had the two of them been friends before? Were they on good terms, perhaps? The two of them had the same fate after all, at the very least until his guardian decided to leave the place and raise Cyno in the city. “Would you mind sharing the details of your life with me? Of course, only as much as you are willing to, I would not want to force you in any way.”
A familiar sound echoes as wings take flight. A heartbeat is all Cyno needs as his gaze trail after it. “The two of us are like nocturnal birds … Do you know what to call two nocturnal birds that are comrades?” There’s a calculated pause as he side-eyes Sethos, just in case he already guesses the answer. “Night ‘owls’ of a feather flock together.”
❛ Mind? I think I should thank you. Who'd have thought a spot as serene as this existed in the heart of Sumeru City. I've always imagined the city to be more... bustling, and loud everywhere. Kind of how it was when we first stepped foot into it earlier today, or when I visited it all those years ago. ❜ Vivid greens turn their attention onto their surroundings at that, and the vastness of the forest stretching out all the way to the horizon, leaving only the faintest of familiar structures in his sight, causes a soft sigh to escape Sethos' lungs; yet it is borne of relaxation and relief, rather than despondency. ❛ It's nice, though. The scenery from up here is quite a sight to behold. Much more... alive than anything you could set your eyes on in the desert. No wonder you like it so much. ❜ There's some sort of freedom attached to this scenery too, now that he thinks about it. How this is no longer something to imagine, but something to take in firsthand. How there is no longer a rigid barrier enforced between the desert and the rainforest, nor much left to stand between his people and the Akademiya's. The only thing he can think of to make this better would be showing it to... no, never mind. It's good enough that Bamoun died aware of what the outcome of his decisions would be. No point in getting distracted by the what ifs that will never come true.
Although Sethos' gaze remains set on the beauty of nature, he listens attentively to his friend's request, the only indication of an untimely response being the brief ache in his heart at one of his more unfortunate guesses accurately hitting its target. It's not always a good thing to be right, and he finds that he has to learn this lesson now. He continues to wait patiently though, for Cyno to either go on talking or offer him the space to reply, but perhaps the ambiance is far too stiff for the mahamatra's liking, for any hint of solemnity is washed down the drain at the impromptu joke, and Sethos can't help but turn to face his friend in disbelieving silence. A second passes, then another, and a third, before he can finally find it within himself to react in any way at all. Truly... what can he even say to that? Wow, maybe. Whether for the better or the worse. ❛ ...Ooh, so THAT'S one of the infamous jokes grandfather used to warn me about! Looks like Cyrus really did go and pass everything down to you, huh...? I have to say, if my grandfather's recollections are to go off of, you're already better than Cyrus at delivering them. You've got a pretty good poker face there, you know. I didn't see that joke coming. ❜
In poor taste as it might have been, the pun succeeds in easing the tension he hadn't been aware of holding in his shoulders, and Sethos offers the other a transient smile in return; somewhat glad to know such whimsy can appear even in the midst of grave topics such as the one they are about to breach. Is it really alright to ruin this beautiful moment with recollections of their shared past, however, when such memories, at least as far as the ones his friend wishes to know about extend, hold little beyond suffering? Askance, he supposes that's for Cyno to decide, not for himself. ❛ But... I see, so you don't remember much. I figured you didn't, since you didn't recognize me. I don't blame you. I wouldn't say it's necessarily a bad thing either, so I feel like I should ask, just in case... are you sure you want to know? These aren't exactly cheerful memories we're talking about here. I'm sure that must've been part of the reason why you forgot them in the first place. The brain has many ways of protecting itself against that which induces suffering in it, and post-traumatic amnesia is one of them. ❜ He would know, as certain memories of those times are hazy even to him; though to a much lesser degree than they appear to be for Cyno.
The archer allows for a moment of silence to reign in their voices' stead while he himself tests the waters and ponders on his next course of action, before at last deciding to steer the conversation as to offer the general a variety of clearer options to choose from, instead of uttering the same ol' banal question of what would you like to know. Surely, if Cyno knew what story Sethos should begin with, he would have made as much obvious from the start. ❛ You've already heard why the project was set in place and how the both of us ended up partaking in it, but I could go more in-depth about it if you wanted; although I can't promise there'll be anything pleasant to discuss in regards to the experiments. I could also share how my life went after Cyrus took you away, if you'd rather learn that part of the story. And, of course, if you've got any specific questions, you can shoot 'em my way anytime. ❜
