Chapter Text
Varka was preparing himself mentally for this. He had a few lies ready, as well as many truths and, hopefully, that would be enough to convince Lohen that was all there was to it. The young knight was terrifyingly sharp. Those piercing red eyes felt like they could read into the depths of your soul, as if they could rip the truth out of your heart with a single glance. And, from how he came to conclusions so correctly, it certainly seemed like that was the case. But now, if he was to know the one main reason why he was "chosen" for this, he would definitely straight up kill Varka.
It was obvious for everyone around him that Lohen was struggling to adapt to life in Mondstadt. To be fair, even before the expedition he didn't seem to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Therefore, it was only expected that, after experiencing the life of war he naturally thrived at, he would terribly miss the battlefield. So unlike all his other knights that were relieved to be back home... To be with their families...
But that was the thing. The main reason Varka wanted to send him back. The person that most mattered to him was gone. His actual family, well, he never really got along well with them. They were too protective, too crowding. They didn't accept the person he was, only the image of the person they wanted him to be. Varka wouldn't be surprised if he said they didn't feel like family to him at all. And he understood. Sometimes, family isn't really the bonds of blood, but the bonds FORGED by blood.
He knew Lohen cared about his knights, even though he'd never say it out loud. But he also knew he was suffering staying in Mondstadt. Everything around him would constantly bring back the fact Adorno was gone. His home was a constant reminder. The kids that kept looking for the Benevolent Knight, but now had none to look for, were a reminder. The lack of captaincy on the 5th Company was a reminder.
And, despite how much Lohen fought to hide it, Varka could see it. He blamed himself for Adorno's death.
Mondstadt was no longer a home for him. It was a prison. His parents wanted to keep him home under the crushing weight of their expectations and suffocating protectiveness. His neighborhood would constantly bring back the ugly feelings of guilt and grief. There weren't strong enough enemies that would push Lohen to the limits of his strength and strategy, bringing his goal of getting stronger to a state of stagnancy.
Varka didn't enjoy watching his knights go. But, more than anything, he hated to watch them wither away.
So, he took it upon himself to find a solution. He decided to exchange letters with his old friend Flins to seek some different perspectives, maybe ask for his input. Varka thought sending Lohen to NodKrai again could bring him a much needed change of pace. But then again, that would also make things even harder for the young knight when he got back to Mondstadt once again. Luckily for him, his friend was more than happy to exchange ideas.
After a few months, they had finally settled on something. Flins had brought up his own worries about a fellow ratnik. The captain of the Nightmare Orioles, Illuga, apparently was drowning in paperwork, and refused to share this burden with anyone else. If he was to be assigned to welcome and help the adaptation of a new comrade, that was sure to force him to share the load of his work and leave his home. Specially with how Lohen loved to be on the battlefield, somewhere Illuga would never allow someone to go to alone.
And on Lohen's side, that would make it so he could finally be back on the frontlines. According to Flins, Illuga was such a bright light that no one could possibly hate him, and he was also great at feelings. Considering Varka's own experiences with the young man, he had to agree. This would be perfect! Making friends with someone like that was bound to help Lohen, who tried to bottle his emotions until they drowned him. Well, IF he was able to make friends. Which was a challenge in on itself, but to be fair, it's not like Varka could be in control of everything. He'd have to leave this one to fate.
Once they agreed on this plan, Varka started sending letters to Nefer. Being the woman she was, she immediately noticed there was more to this than "wanting to strengthen their bond by bringing a representative of the knights to the League". Eh, he should've expected that. He sheepishly told her about his exchanges with Flins, but made sure to reinforce that he also cared about maintaining a strong relationship with NodKrai. He then beg- ahem, asked very knightly that she accepted the proposal. Since the members of the Northern Intelligence Network, herself included, held Lohen to such high regards, he agreed to it, saying she'd appreciate having him of all knights nearby. "He could prove to be very useful is other... Non-knightly duties as well".
For any normal person, that would sound concerning. But, knowing Lohen, he knew he would be fine.
With everything settled, it was time to bring the news to Lohen, offer him the job, and pray to Barbatos he was able to get away with it without the young knight seeing what he was omitting. Which was easier said than done.
"Hey. Wanted to see me?", Lohen asked, walking in with a bored expression and closing the door behind him.
"Hey! There you are!", Varka beamed.
Lohen's eyes immediately narrowed. The Grandmaster gulped mentally.
"What are you planning?"
"W-What do you mean?"
"You just stuttered."
"I didn't."
"Varka.", his tone was warning.
"Come on, don't be like that! It's actually good news! Well, at least, I think you'd call that good news."
Lohen crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. He looked at Varka up and down, not even bothering to hide his suspicion. Somehow, this tiny young man could sometimes make him more scared than Capitano ever could. When the knight sighed, annoyed, Varka had to hold back a relieved sigh.
"Fine. Shoot it."
"Before we all came back from NodKrai, they formed a League that united all the factions back there to work together for a better future. Naturally, the knights were offered a position there, but everyone wanted to go home, so we never chose a representative. Well, it's been a few months already and Nefer asked me if we were planning to send someone. She had her eyes on you for a while, since all the Northern Intelligence Network speaks highly of you, so she told me they'd be more than happy to welcome you to the position if you wanted to take it."
Varka watched Lohen, trying not to fidget nervously. The younger knight was throwing a knife up in the air and picking it back up by the blade. That would concern almost anyone, but Varka knew his gloves would protect his hand from getting cut, specially with the position in which he held onto the blade.
"Hm... You know, when people lie, they add a lot of details to their story. It's a natural instinct, to try and make it more believable. And you, Grandmaster, added quite a bit of redundant information there. I know about the League. I know what the Northern Intelligence Network thinks of me. I know she's part of that too. But then again, I can't possibly imagine why you'd lie about a job like this. Keeping strong bonds with NodKrai is important for Mondstadt, so it's in everyone's best interest that you take this seriously, so lying about that makes no sense. Which means...", Lohen stopped playing with the knife to smirk at him. "What you're lying about, is the REAL reason why YOU want to send ME to NodKrai."
Varka had prepared a... Half truth for that. Although, to be fair, he was hoping Lohen wouldn't catch up to it so quickly. It was concerning, but hopefully this would convince him.
"I'm not gonna lie, you weren't the first person in my mind for this position. I mean, we want to make a good impression, not have a rascal causing trouble.", he ignored Lohen's chuckle. "But... I can tell you're struggling to adapt. The slow life never really fit you, did it? Don't get me wrong, it's true that Nefer has an eye on you. But it's not like I couldn't say no, y'know. I could've offered the position to someone else. It might've been disappointing for her, but she would understand. That's not the problem though. The problem is that you're here, missing fighting the Wild Hunt for some ungodly reason and not adapting to Mondstadt's life. Even before being to NodKrai you hated this stillness. I guess experiencing a life full of fighting just... Made it worse."
Lohen hummed, deep in thought. Varka didn't miss the way his eyes analyzed his every move while he was speaking. He was probably trying to decide if he believed him or not.
"You repeated a lot of information there. That's kinda weird. But it doesn't seem like you're LYING. A half truth, perhaps. Eh, anyway, you're not really wrong. Sitting around is killing me. Whether the reason you want to send me there is to help me or because people don't trust me anymore, you're right that I do miss fighting the Wild Hunt."
Varka frowned. Right. Of course that stubborn man still thought people didn't trust him anymore. That they wanted him to go. Ugh, he should've prepared for this scenario! Come on, think of something!
"That's not true and you know it.", Varka said, determined. "Your knights may be scared of you like they always were because you're a pest, but they trust you with their lives. Everyone knows the missions led by you are the ones with the least casualties. We all know where your loyalties lie and that you care, even if it's in your weird ways. I don't want to send you away because of what happened with Ursa. This is not exile. I'm genuinely concerned for you."
Lohen's eyes widened and his mouth hang open for a few seconds. He looked away, trying to process his words and the feelings that came along with it. Varka waited, patiently, knowing this kind of thing was difficult for him.
"Heh. Finally being honest.", Lohen sat up straight. "Fine. I'll take the job."
Varka wanted so badly to let out a relieved sigh, but not now. He just smiled and nodded.
"Great! I'll settle the paperwork related to it. Don't worry, your position as Vice Captain of the 5th Company won't be taken. Any major decision regarding them will be sent to you and, if they need you back for any mission, I'll be sure to inform you."
"Varka eager to handle paperwork? Hah. You really aren't discreet. But I took the bait already, so whatever. When am I leaving?"
"In a few days. You have time to pack up without much hurry. When you're there, go to Piramida. They assigned a ratnik to welcome the knight we'll be sending. Be nice to the guy, don't cause too much trouble-"
"How rich, coming from you."
"-and try to make friends. He's the representative of the Lightkeepers in the League, so it's in our best interest that you get along well with him."
"Hm... And who is it?"
"...if I tell you, you're going to do some digging, aren't you?"
"And if you don't, I'll do some digging on YOUR stuff and figure out who it is."
Varka sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose. Yeah, that wouldn't do. He couldn't have him accidentally finding the letters he and Flins exchanged.
"Fine. It's Illuga, captain of the Nightmare Orioles."
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"Ah, Young Master. I have been looking for you."
"Sir Flins!", Illuga dropped everything he was doing to greet his friend. "That's so unexpected! You never come to Piramida. Is everything alright?"
Illuga was right. Flins was not very keen on leaving the Final Night Cemetery. Of course, he left for patrols and whatnot, and he would sometimes show up in the Flagship for a drink, although not as much after Varka left NodKrai. But to visit town? That was highly unusual. Flins smiled softly, raising a hand in an attempt to ease his friend's worries.
"Worry not, Young Master. No ill has befallen me. I merely came to exchange a few words with you. I have something of utmost importance I need to bring up."
"Oh? But if it's not anything bad, you could've just sent me a letter."
"Ah, but was it not you who said visiting friends outside of the cemetery could do me some good?"
"Well... It's not like you ever listen to me."
Flins chuckled. He caught him there.
"It's just that... I believe this is no such thing that should be discussed over letters."
Illuga brought Flins inside and tried clearing up a bit of the papers scattered over his table. The fae watched in silence, feeling a small urge to chuckle at how his plan was about to forcefully bring those papers out of his house. But he kept his composure, else Illuga would be able to see he was plotting.
"So. How may I help you?"
"Ah, the aid is not directed towards me. You see, the knights have been invited to take part in the League back then. However, as they were all so homesick, it was decided no representative would stay. But such was months prior and now, in an attempt to strengthen the bonds between Mondstadt and NodKrai, a knight has finally been chosen and is set to arrive in a few days."
"Ah, I see... I should meet him, then."
"Not only that, but it's been brought to my attention by Miss Nefer that he might need assistance settling in, as he has nowhere to stay. Naturally, as a ratnik, I offered my hospitality. Sadly, it seems like the Cemetery is no such place to welcome people in and make a home out of. How offended I was aside, she wondered if the representative of the Lightkeepers in the League would be willing to welcome our new colleague."
Illuga's eyes widened and Flins noticed the moment realization dawned upon him. Now, he knew the other's worry was not related to finding the knight a new home, as Piramida still had empty houses that could easily accommodate him.
"Are you sure I'm the best one for the job? We have to leave a good impression!"
"But who else would be better than yourself, Young Master? Your brightness and kindness could never leave a negative impression. It is my belief that there's not a living soul that couldn't possibly feel safe and welcome around you."
"Ugh. Stop with the flattery.", Illuga laid his head on the table. "I mean, of course I'll do my best. I'm just worried about messing up."
"You could never, Young Master. I have complete faith in you."
Illuga sighed and fixed his posture, sitting back up. Flins could tell he was considering it. Probably already thinking of what he could do to make the knight feel at home around here. It warmed his heart to see the kindness of this human. Of all people, he knew Illuga would be able to help that young knight. And, considering how Varka was so confident the knight would be able to help the young master get out of his house, he had great expectations for this.
"Alright. I'll need to go over this with pops-"
"Oh, there is no need for such. I've already discussed this with the Starshyna."
"...did you not even wait for me to say if I'd accept it or not?!"
"I could not imagine a scenario in which the Young Master would allow for a poor knight to be all alone in a place so far from home."
"Ugh. You're a pest.", Illuga sighed. "But you have a point. I'll tell the others about it so we can prepare a welcome ceremony."
"Splendid. I knew I could count on your kindness, Young Ma-"
"Enough with the flattery, you're helping set things up."
"Aww. But I suppose I deserve it."
"By the way, who's the knight that will be joining us?"
"Ah. It is the Vice Captain of the 5th Company. I believe his name is... Lohen."