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“Here. This is for you — to commemorate our meeting today.”
He did it again — Lyney pulled out another trick up his sleeve, surprising you with a rainbow rose while being distracted by his monologue. You couldn’t help but find it amusing every single time.
“I’d say you’re actually the greatest magician, Lyney,” you said as you took the rose from his hand, admiring his skills once more.
He never fails to catch you off guard with the magic tricks he’s been performing, or rather, practicing on you. As someone who has been by his side since you’ve arrived in Fontaine, there was never a dull day Lyney around. Things started going better when you began learning more about the little magician despite the fact that he’s a Fatui.
Sure, things escalated as soon as you met him, but it was the kind of memory that you can laugh it off if brought upon in a conversation. You can see how he changed throughout his travels with you — from being secretive to being the most open about his feelings. Of course, other than the ones he has for you.
“Thanks for playing along. You truly are the best audience I could ask for,” Lyney said as he gave you a wink in return, “As long as you’re beside me, I know even the thorny tricks will go off without a hitch.”
He really has a way with his words — how he’s able to communicate with you without a hint of hesitance has made you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. The feeling of watching his performances with anticipation has also urged him to discover more tricks just to witness your reactions during it. In his years of performing, he truly felt that he couldn’t bear doing his usual stunts without you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the big reveal.
“Uh-oh,” He nervously said, “Would you look at the time! I’d better not keep our man waiting.”
Lyney turned around, glancing back at you again with his signature wink, “See you next time!”
You smiled at the magician in hopes you could see him very soon, “Take care, Lyney!”
As he walked to the institute and out of your vision, he couldn’t help but kneel down next to a wall. The sight of you smiling as you chatted for a while has made him weak in the knees. Having his hat blown away was a blessing in disguise for him. You can even mistake him for a rainbow rose from how flushed his face was. Nonetheless, he had to put his mission first… for now.
He’s so going to tell Lynette after his trip to the institute.
As soon as he finished his business, Lyney rushed to the House of the Hearth to have a “chat” with his beloved twin sister. Waiting for the researcher to dismiss the magician has made him antsy whilst thinking about his interaction with you earlier. He muttered a “thank you, wind” under his breath for that.
“Lynette! Guess what wonderful event that has blessed me today?!” Lyney exclaimed, slamming the door open to see Lynette and Freminet enjoying their afternoon snacks with tea on the nearby fireplace.
The feline merely blows on her tea before drinking, seemingly accustomed to her brother’s behavior, “Did the traveler visit again?”
“She was mesmerizing!” Lyney felt his cheeks getting warmer again, “Her new outfit from Nod Krai fits her perfectly!”
The magician was out of it now. Your new outfit has made him want to worship you in ways a poet would describe their muse. Even Freminet let out a sigh knowing they’re going to hear Lyney’s endless rants about you despite the conversation lasting for a few minutes.
It really has been a while since you went back to Fontaine. In all honesty, Lyney was supposed to be heartbroken as he wasn’t aware of your arrival but quickly washed it away when you approached him near the institute. It’s like your presence was enough to change his foul mood into an energetic little seal who was ready to impress you in any way he can.
The two younger siblings could only listen to their enthusiastic brother in defeat, knowing he won’t be stopping anytime soon.
“Speaking of the traveler,” Lynette spoke up, resulting to Lyney’s ears perking up at the mention of your name, “She came by here a moment ago after you ran into her. She wants you to go to the Palais Mermonia tomorrow morning.”
“For what reason?” Lyney asked.
“She said it’s a private commission from Monsieur Neuvillette. You were busy earlier so she decided to drop by here to give the news,” Lynette stated as she continued drinking her tea.
Lyney could only curl his hand into a fist as he muttered curses to himself, “I should not have gone to the institute.”
With the magician’s impatience, Lyney went to the Palais Mermonia as early as possible the next day. A melusine guided him to the Iudex’s office himself. His eyes immediately landed on your figure discussing some important matters with Neuvillette, wondering how such a serious face can make him admire your features all day long.
You saw the magician on the corner of your eye, turning to greet him with a smile, “Speaking of my said partner…”
Did he hear that correctly? He wasn’t hallucinating, was he?
Lyney quickly turned to Neuvillette for an explanation before he started blowing up then and there. The Iudex simply let out a cough, “Mr. Lyney, I apologize for requiring your assistance so suddenly but we were informed that you got in contact with a certain researcher yesterday.”
Lyney tilted his head in confusion, “The magician from the institute?”
“Yes, it appears we have received a mission to capture the said researcher with minimal effort while obtaining information. However, it seems you were already a step ahead of us,” Neuvillette replied, “We heard from The Knave that you have been invited to their gathering.”
Ah, right. That was the reason for his trip to the institute yesterday. Arlecchino instructed him to gather some information from the researcher who is suspected of dispensing poison into ice, causing the victim to pass away while people thought it was primordial seawater once again. It seems that Arlecchino had the plan of collaborating with the Iudex before she even sent Lyney to his mission.
“What do you plan on doing, Monsieur Neuvillette?” Lyney asked while stealing glances from you.
“Well, I’d like the traveler to accompany you.”
That seemed easy enough.
“…As your lover.”
“Pardon?” Yeah, Lyney is going to explode.
“It seems the researcher offered you a plus one on the invite, correct? It would be best to act as a couple to conceal your true motives as the traveler is well-known in Teyvat,” Neuvillette emphasized.
The magician turned to you, who was seemingly more into the role of being a couple than him. You noticed this as you gave him a motivating smile, “Looking forward to working with you again, Mon Chéri.”
Thank the Archons above for the opportunity you have bestowed upon me, Lyney thought to himself.
“However, if you are settled in executing this mission alone, we can discuss some minor adjustments in-”
“I’ll do it!” Lyney exclaimed, interrupting Neuvillette’s suggestions.
Even you laughed at his quick response which made him clear his throat before speaking again, “The traveler can keep an eye out for the researcher’s bodyguards as we try to corner him in a room alone. I think it’s a win-win situation.”
Neuvillette gave a nod, “Then that settles it.”
That’s how you ended up in a crimson dress, one that completely matches Lyney’s outfit. It’s a formal gathering after all, but the preparation the magician made was incomparable to the effort he made during his performances. He made sure you had a simple yet elegant dress that won’t make you stand out but enough to catch the eyes of those who know you.
Lyney could only stare in awe at your figure, restraining himself from worshipping you then and there but he was definitely screaming inside.
“Shall we, Ma Chérie?” He asked, lending you his hand as he bowed in front of you.
You couldn’t help but laugh as you placed your hand above his, “We shall.”
The magician guided you to the venue as there were almost a hundred people who took part in the event. Lyney unconsciously placed his hand on your waist, already playing the part as your protective lover. You met with the researcher as Lyney introduced you to him whilst already scanning him from head to toe.
“I’d like to have a word with you alone, Mr. Lyney,” The researcher requested, pointing to a room that seemed to be too suspicious in a crowded room.
Bingo.
Lyney turned to you as he leaned in closer to your ear, “I’ll be going now. You know what to do, right?”
“Of course, Mon Amour. Have fun,” you replied with a chuckle as you pressed a small kiss on his cheek.
Lyney gave you a smile with a wink as he went to follow the researcher as you waited outside the room. Playing it cool wasn’t really his thing when you suddenly gave him a kiss just like that. He even considers never washing his face ever again.
“So, the traveler is your plus one, huh?” The researcher sat down as he poured his co-magician a cup of Fonta.
Lyney snapped out of his senses as he sat down in front of him, facing the door.
“Why, of course! Couldn’t ask anyone who isn’t my beloved,” He let out a chuckle as he crossed his legs, “Is there a problem about it?”
“Not at all,” said the man in front of him, “Just surprised you bagged Fontaine’s Executor of Justice.”
Lyney glared at him, his tone immediately dropping, “For the record, the traveler is not a prize for you to describe her like that.”
The researcher felt the atmosphere shifting whilst moving uncomfortably on his seat, “Well, that’s… not what I was pointing out. Here, how about I perform you my close-up magic?” He hastily clapped his hands as ice cubes fell out of his sleeve, demonstrating his accomplished research once again.
It seemed like he planned on using this trick to poison Lyney — to replace the greatest magician in Fontaine himself. It’s kind of entertaining seeing someone trick the trickster while being shockingly unaware of the evidence he left behind.
“However…” The researcher spoke up as he grabbed his cup, “Is it okay leaving her outside just like that? If I were you, I’d worry about some guys approaching her.”
Lyney let out a laugh, wiping his non-existent tears before speaking again, “I doubt it. If that were the case, she wouldn’t have joined me on this mission.”
“Mission…?”
The two faintly heard the chaos that was happening outside of the room, getting suspiciously closer until the door was slammed open revealing you with a sword pointed on the researcher’s neck.
You were taking deep breaths until you saw Lyney in front of him, relaxing with a drink on his hand, “You weren’t drinking that, were you?”
Lyney simply smirked at your words, “Hello to you too, my lady. Might I say you look quite astonishing like this…”
Surprised by his boldness, you laughed as you took the rope from your purse and tied the researcher on the chair, “Seriously, you always have a way with words, don’t you? You better treat me to Hotel Debord after this.”
Lyney stood up from his seat as he walked towards you, extending his arm to your ear before charming you again with a rainbow rose behind it, “Then, may I invite you to a dinner date, Ma Chérie?”
You let out a defeated sigh, smiling after as you took the rose from his hand, “You’re going to fill my pockets with rainbow roses.”
“But sure. I’ll accept your invite, Mon Amor,” you said as you gave him another kiss on his cheek.
The oh-so confident magician melted as he hid his flustered face to you. This was the best mission he could have had yet.
He’s so going to tell Lynette and thank Neuvillette after this.