Chapter Text
“I guess you could say he's a bit of a wildcard! He sometimes skips out on meetings and patrols to do his own thing, but don't get me wrong! He's super tough and reliable. You'll see!”
Varka’s words were playing back through Illuga’s head as he made his way to the Knights of Favonius base camp. Varka, for some reason, had asked Illuga to deliver a letter for him to someone named “Lohen.” He initially agreed to it because it seemed simple enough, but as he got closer, and the camp was in sight, he began to internally panic.
What am I doing? Why did I agree to this? I don't even know this guy! How am I supposed to find him!? Doesn't he have someone else to send for this…?
He stopped in his tracks just outside the wooden arches of their camp, nervously squeezing his own hand.
“It's fine… just have to deliver this letter, then I can leave…”
He took a deep breath before strolling into the camp, looking around for someone who might be in charge. To his relief, and surprise, most of the knights occupying the camp seemed to be gathered around a bonfire drinking. Well, all the better for Illuga if they were too busy to notice him. His eyes darted around, but nobody caught his eye.
I guess I just have to ask someone…
Illuga sighed, nervously waltzing up to a blond knight sitting near the fire enjoying what looked to be a cup of booze.
“Excuse me…” He waved to the knight, smiling politely when he got his attention. “I'm looking for someone named Lohen. Do you know where I can find him?”
For some reason, Illuga swore that the knight shuddered at the mention of “Lohen.”
“Oh, Vice Captain Lohen? If he's still around, then he'll be at the farthest tent, down over there.” The man points further down the camp.
“Oh, okay. Thank you.” Illuga gives a small bow as a sign of respect.
Mondstadters are big on that, right?
Before he walked away, he couldn't help but let his curiosity get the better of him.
“...By the way, what kind of person is Lohen?” He asked.
The knight looked somewhat uncomfortable, making Illuga feel a bit worried.
“Captain Lohen’s as merciless as a howling blizzard towards his enemies. The way he treats his subordinates on the other hand…”
“...is as warm and gentle as the spring breeze?” Illuga smiles nervously.
“...No, he's still cold as a blizzard. Just recalling it has sobered me right up.” The knight looks away from Illuga, setting his cup down.
“Ah.” Illuga doesn't break his smile, yet his nervousness seems to triple. “W-Well thank you very much, I'll be on my way now…”
He gave the knight a bow before quickly running off in the direction he pointed him to.
Cold as a blizzard!?! What is that supposed to mean? Oh archons, what did Varka send me here for? Couldn't Flins have gone instead? I'm not built for this!
He carried himself quickly down the path, looking around some more, when it hit him that—
He didn't even tell me who to look for!
He groaned quietly, mentally accepting that he was going to have to ask someone for help again. As he sheepishly turned back around, he tried looking for anyone who seemed approachable. After glancing around the bonfire, Illuga walked up to a knight with dark hair who was chatting with another knight, tapping him on the shoulder.
“Excuse me… I’m looking for Captain Lohen. Do you know where he is right now? And also what he looks like?”
“Captain Lohen?” The knight laughed, looking down at Illuga. “Can't believe Grand Master Varka is sending you poor lightkeepers to deal with him now.”
“What is that, um, supposed to mean?” Illuga laughed awkwardly, but he could already feel his anxiety rising higher again.
“Varka’s sending lightkeepers to work with Lohen?” The knight next to him said, joining in on the conversation. “Feels bad, but at least it wasn't us.”
The two laugh, and Illuga suddenly feels like he's asking the wrong people.
“Captain Lohen’s about your height, maybe a little taller.” One of the knights started, “he's got bright blue hair and he wears a deep blue uniform. He's probably… well, he might not even still be at base. But if he is, he’ll be at the last tent.”
“Oh, is he going on a patrol? Maybe I came at a bad time.” Illuga asked.
The other knight chuckled, crossing his arms. “No, nothing like that. Captain Lohen… he's a bit more headstrong, I guess? He's probably leaving to go hunt monsters nearby to test out some new tactics.”
So he's a dedicated strategist, maybe…?
“Nah, he probably just wants to slaughter them to blow off some steam!” The knight next to him added.
Never mind!
“O-Oh! Well, that's.. um… dedication, I guess?” Illuga chuckles as he slowly backs away from them.
“Yeah, dedicated… I'm not sure that's how I'd describe him. He's…”
The two knights looked at each other before looking back at Illuga.
“Well, don't worry about it.”
That just makes me worry even more!
“Right…! Thanks, I'll be going now!” Illuga scurries away, reaching the tent they told him about.
Why did I agree to this again!? Does Varka hate me? Does he want me to be this guy’s next victim or something? This is so weird, none of the Ratnik are like this!
As he reaches the edge of the camp, he stops in front of the last tent.
So, this must be it…
He takes a deep breath.
It’s fine. This’ll be simple, fast, and easy. Just deliver the letter, then get out.
“...Yeah, easy.” He mumbles, nodding to himself.
After one more deep breath, he takes a step forward, then another, and another.
“Excuse me, I-I’m coming in!” He calls out past the tent’s cover, before walking inside.
Sitting inside at a small make-shift table was, presumably, Lohen. He couldn't be too sure, but it did match the description: a man around Illuga’s height with blue hair and a blue uniform.
“Oh?” The man smiled, looking up from the desk. “And who might you be?”
Illuga straightened his posture, giving him a bow. “My name is Illuga sir, I’m a Lightkeeper here to deliver a letter on Varka’s behalf.”
“Varka, huh? Heh, figures he’d make some poor bastard run his errands for him.” He chuckles, standing up from the desk to extend a hand. “I’m Vice Captain Lohen, fifth company of the Knights of Favonius.”
Illuga shook his hand, attempting to keep his face as serious as possible. “It's a pleasure to meet you, sir.”
“Please, just Lohen is fine.” Lohen chuckles.
“I couldn't possibly, sir. Varka has spoken very highly of you. It's an honour to meet you in person.”
Well, he was sort of lying through his teeth, but he wasn't too comfortable treating this man with that much of a friendly-buddy type attitude. Especially not when he had just heard this guy kills monsters for fun…
“Ah, right.” Illuga changes the subject before Lohen can insist again, handing him a letter. “Here you are, sir Lohen.”
Lohen sighs, yet his smile still lingers on his lips as he takes the letter from his hands. Illuga nervously watches as he takes the letter out from the envelope, unfolding it and watching his eyes dart back and forth.
His eyes are so unique…
Illuga looks away sheepishly as he catches himself thinking that.
“Hm,” Lohen nods, putting the letter down and looking back to Illuga. “I see, thank you very much for delivering this message. Did Varka tell you about what the contents were?”
“Oh, no he didn't. I wouldn't dare intrude on the Knight’s personal information.”
“I see.” Lohen smirks, getting a bit closer to Illuga, which causes the other boy to step back— a slight blush creeping into his face.
He isn't too sure of what to say in a situation like this, nor how to excuse himself, but when he looks at Lohen to try and finds the words, all he can think is that—
Oh wow, Illuga tried to maintain his composure, despite the fact that he could physically feel butterflies in his stomach just looking at this guy. He’s really pretty… wait, what am I saying? I sound like some sort of creep! It's just in a normal way, just an observation! Yeah, that's it, just an observation. He's just genuinely really--
“You're really pretty.”
“H-Huh?” Illuga blinked, slapping his hand over his own mouth.
Wait, did I accidentally say part of that out loud? Oh no, did I--
“Sorry, was that inappropriate?" Lohen chuckles, stepping even closer to Illuga. “I just find you very beautiful. Your eyes are quite stunning…”
“Oh, uh… thank you, sir Lohen…” He mumbled out a response, with his face getting redder every second Lohen looked at him.
“I hope you don't mind me saying this, Illuga, but… you are genuinely stunning. Truly akin to a gem…”
Another step closer.
What is he doing?
Illuga laughs nervously, trying to back up more but seeing they had reached the end of the tent. If he stepped back anymore than this, he would lose his balance.
“Uh, sir Lohen--”
“Lohen. Just Lohen.” Lohen interrupted Illuga, yet his voice was more serious this time-- his playful tone no longer present.
Illuga reluctantly accepted the request, seeing as he was clearly in no position to oppose.
“...L-Lohen, uh… what are you doing?”
“You’re such a cute little birdy, and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but…” Lohen turns the letter around, showing it to Illuga to read for himself.
Illuga has to force his gaze away from Lohen to read it, barely even processing his words with him so close. As he looks down at the paper, the words on the paper stand out to him:
Lohen! Hope you’re not getting too carried away since getting here or planning to do anything too crazy. Just kidding. I’m sure you’re itching to fight and going to get carried away with an unknown enemy, so I’m sending someone your way who understands them better, a Ratnik named Illuga. The Ratnik are responsible for destroying the Wild Hunt, and bringing light to the darkness in Nod Krai. He’s a strong young man like yourself, dependable and trustworthy, I’m sure you guys will get along well together, in and outside of battle! Plus, he’ll be there to keep you in check. As always, if you need me, you know where to look! Don’t cause too much trouble for the guy.
-Varka
Dumbstruck wasn’t enough to describe the look on Illuga’s face when his brain processed the words. Lohen couldn’t contain his own laughter, his expression was something between pure and abject horror and shock.
“HE--” Illuga's voice left his mouth outside of his own free will, the usually polite and understanding boy’s voice yelling out so loudly that someone else might have heard, if not for Lohen clasping his hand over his mouth.
“It’s your lucky day, birdy. Looks like you’re my new partner.” He giggles, whispering so close to his face Illuga genuinely might have exploded-- out of embarrassment or anger was totally lost on him.
What the hell did I just get dragged into!?!