Somehow out of spite for the hate being sent towards the archon quest, Tighnari x Nilou headcanons popped up to me while not sleeping last night so I wanted to share: (because I'm sad too that they didn't interact)
Contains spoilers for 3.2 archon quest
- When Cyno, Collei, and Tighnari had their own feast, Tighnari would ask how the celebration went which prompts Cyno to talk about Nilou. This, in turn, has Collei rambling because she saw Nilou's performances before.
- Tighnari, however, would scold Cyno (and Alhaitham by extension since he made the plan) for endangering an innocent dancer by haphazardly getting her involved in the plan.
- Collei, on the other hand, is a bit sad that she didn't get to see Nilou's performance during the feast. Cyno took note of this and conveyed a message next time he saw Nilou.
- Cyno informs Nilou of a certain fan from the forest, as well as talking about Tighnari who fought with them for the rebellion but was too injured and busy to join them back in the feast.
- Having heard that, Nilou thought of making an impromptu show just like she did back in Jnagarbha Day as thank you for the work of the forest rangers, something to make them happy what with all the troubles they have now. Cyno agrees.
- Nilou brought over a huge plate of Tahchin from the Bazaar as a peace offering and Cyno asked permission from Tighnari about the performance when the rangers have free time. Tighnari agreed for Collei and only asked for the music to not be loud.
- Everyone enjoyed the performance and impromptu feast (it was harvest day), especially the theatre fans that never get enough free time to visit the Bazaar. Even the sages who are there for punishment were lenient.
- Tighnari thanked Nilou for boosting morale and for her contributions to Sumeru, urging her to follow the path of her dreams no matter the standpoint of the Akademiya, just like he does. Nilou thanks him for taking care of the forest, to take care of himself, and that she's willing to assist them anyway she can.
- Since then, they have been frequently crossing paths, usually through simple greetings and waves whenever Tighnari visits Sumeru City.
- One time, he heard from Cyno, the Bazaar or Nilou herself that she frequently goes to the desert to practice. Tighnari scolds her for the recklessness of it, saying that the desert is still too dangerous, especially at night!
- "But the oasis is the perfect place for me to practice my dances." "There are far better and safer places in the forest that would suit you, surrounded with beautiful flora. Come, let me show you." Impromptu forest tour!
- Tighnari is so meticulous of the ponds, lakes, and rivers that Nilou could practice in instead. Like how this place isn't infested by dangerous mobs, or this one has a great view of the night sky, oh oh this one is surrounded with flowers and plants like a stage.
- Nilou may not exactly understand some of the jargons he used when he becomes passionate in teaching, but the places are really pretty! Tighnari even made a map and was about to give it to her, but then pulled back,
"If you're going to practice in the forest, make sure to inform me of your whereabouts first. Preferably in advanced, but if I'm not at Ghandarva Ville, make sure to at least alert one of the rangers. Everyone in the forest is our responsibility."
"I'll be sure to alert you ahead of time, Master Tighnari!"
"You - I - you are not my student, Miss Nilou. You can call me by name."
"Then if that's the case, I would appreciate it if you simply call me Nilou, we're friends now!"
- No but after hearing how scared she was of mushrooms after she ate one when she was a child, Tighnari did end up taking her as a mushroom student so she knows better. He even made a whole ass booklet of every possible mushroom found for her to carry with her.
- Somehow she ends up finding new ones.
- Nilou only eats mushroom meals that Tighnari cooks because she's the only one he trusts enough to not kill her with them. They do taste bland sometimes but hey, she can repair it for herself, at least.
- Tighnari also started developing a sweet tooth after Nilou kept bringing sweets to Ghandarva for Collei, especially her Padisarah Pudding. Speaking of, whenever he's on patrol, he makes sure to pick some padisarahs for Nilou as either a simple gift or for cooking.
- Nilou also was granted access to Pardis Dhyai as another dancing spot due to Tighnari's influence. He doesn't know why exactly, but he felt that she fits into the place perfectly.
- It's not rare for Nilou to visit Ghandarva Ville carrying a huge crate filled with freebies from the Bazaar. Although it did scare Tighnari to see the dancer carry such a huge and heavy item while maneuvering through vines, moss and slopes.
- Thankfully her sense of balance and strength kept her safe, but Tighnari is still baffled that she carried all of that from Sumeru City. Cloth, food and ingredients, toys, extra items she thinks would benefit the forest rangers.
- While Tighnari lectures/gushes about plants when Nilou has the focus for it, Nilou in turn helps Tighnari with his stress and emotions, through her body movement therapy she created as well as encouraging words. While the problem is still there, he would at least smile back as she suggested.
- Both of them are curious about each other's horns and ears, Tighnari on the story and structure of the horn, would look baffled when Nilou pretty much just popped off the headdress for him to look at it closely. He wants to wear it - but there's a lot of bits here and there that might hurt or get caught by his ears.
- Nilou always gets distracted by his ears and tails, more obvious than everyone he had met (Collei wasn't kidding when she said the dancer was a bit absent-minded) and he can't help but tease her every time he catches her.
- Unlike the others tho, she would blush, become shy but always, always be honest about her feelings. He likes that in response to the other ones who says sorry and run away, or tries to hide instead of confront him.
- But my goodness when he let her touch his ears, it was so heavenly he had to stop himself from purring. "Have you met Gata from the cafe? You both have such soft ears!" And then he realized his doom, he just handed himself so carelessly to the expert.
- Lastly, when he finds out that Nilou is practicing in the forest, he'll seek out the place once he's free and tap the forest ranger that was her guide for the day, switching places so that he can be the one to watch the exclusive show after a long day.
The moment I saw her voiceline about mushrooms, even before she got released, I already knew I'm down bad for this rare pair, i love my wives, my babygirls
