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Kinich only looked around in interest and cautious as he stepped off the boat that traveled between Natlan and Fontaine. Due to the Wayob's granting Ancient Name bearers the chance to leave Natlan after the crisis was averted, he decided to use an invitation Peruere sent him. He looked at the letter she had sent him shortly after she returned to Fontaine.
Dear Kinich,
If the opportunity arises for you to leave Natlan, I would like to invite you to the House of the Hearth. Not as a member unless you desire it, but as a guest. I believe the children would love to hear tales of Natlan, they haven't heard any before and so I believe this would be a good opportunity. However, if you do have the ability and decide to visit, I have a small list of recommendations. If you arrive late, simply go watch a magic show by the performers, Lyney and Lynette before meeting me at the Hotel Debord on the date you provided prior to your visit. I look forward to seeing you.
Signed, Peruere
It was rather late. Due to some commissions, the boat he took was a later trip and so when he finally reached Fontaine, it was close to evening. The sun was still in the sky, but it was becoming more orange and fiery by the minute.
He told Peruere he would be here today, so that means catch the magic show she mentioned before heading to the hotel. He was given a map once he set foot due to his unusual appearance. The melusine who tended to the aquabus leading to the main city was very helpful in finding the venue he was supposed to go to in order to watch the magic performance.
They usually held it in smaller theaters in the main city, only performing certain grand shows in the Opera Epiclese.
All things considered, Kinich felt like he was navigating the new area relatively well. Since he had never left Natlan before, everything around him was foreign. Yet, it wasn’t as difficult to walk around or find his way as he thought it would be.
“Oh? Lyney and Lynette? I think they’re performing near the central fountain on the first level.”
“Thanks.”
Kinich traveled down the various flights of stairs to get from the upper levels of the city to the lower one where the grand fountain with that rotating, golden orb spinning in it’s center. Kinich made his way across the marbled plaza as he saw a small crowd gathered.
“Welcome to Lyney and Lynette’s magic show!”
Kinich found a relatively less crowded corner and saw a young man in a showy get up and a top hat standing in front of the fountain on a makeshift stage of sorts. A young lady with cat like appendages in a similar outfit stood off to the side next to him.
“For our first trick, a simple one.” The man, who Kinich assumed was Lyney, spoke. Taking off his hat, revealing it to be empty, before flipping it back, reaching in, and a dove flies out from inside.
Kinich held his chin, sleight of hand tricks were always useful regardless if they were for entertainment or missions. Maybe he could learn something from here…
The magic show went on for about half an hour or so. The tricks Lyney was performing were intriguing to say the least. Kinich found himself watching the entire thing with full focus. So this is why Peruere told him to attend a show; they didn't have anything like this in Natlan.
“And for our last trick, I need some assistance from the audience.” Lyney said, before his eyes landed on Kinich. “And how about you, young sir? Would you be interested in performing the finale?”
Kinich blinked, Peruere didn't tell him about participation, though, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. He wasn't against trying new things anyway.
Kiniched nodded and walked up to Lyney, he couldn't help but notice all the eyes on him. He guesses he shouldn't be surprised, his outfit obviously tells them he's not from here.
“And what is your name?” Lyney asked with a smile.
“Kinich, it's a pleasure.” Kinich said simply.
“Pleasure is mine,” Lyney smiled, “Now then, for our final trick. It's a classic.”
Lyney pulled out a Rainbow Rose from his sleeve, another sleight of hand trick Kinich has yet to figure out how he managed it.
“What I have here is, is a simple Rainbow Rose, that I will make
vanish.”
Lyney said, he snapped his finger and with a flick of his wrist, the rose vanished from his hand.
Kinich tried to keep his eyes trained on the flower, but he moved it so fast he couldn’t tell where it went. That was until…
“And my dear participant, where do you think the flower went?” Lyney asked.
Kinich immediately moved his hand to under the left side of his hair and pulled out the flower.
“Oh? My my, you are sharp, that’s the fastest anyone has found the flower.” Lyney mused as he gently took the flower from Kinich’s hand. The audience clapped loudly as Lyney took a bow.
Lyney somehow managed to shorten the stem so it would almost vanish under his hair. Kinich was more intrigued by these tricks than he thought he would be. He didn’t even see Lyney move anywhere close to him, so how did he manage to get the flower under his hair?
Somehow, he felt like Lyney was hiding more than he let on, just like the magic tricks he performed…
Kinich spent the rest of the evening to wander the rest of the city, at least near the Hotel Debord until it was time for dinner. There were other shops to visit, but he didn’t want to spend all the mora he had. A few souvenirs for Mualani and Kachina, and there was Elder Leik too. He heard there was a research institute in Fontaine, maybe there was something there he could take note of for Xilonen.
He made his way to the Hotel Debord, his bag slung over his shoulder. He entered the building and blinked his eyes slightly as the bright light of the interior shined in his eyes. The nation of hydro really did enjoy white marble and stone.
“Oh? Hello there, Mister Kinich.”
Kinich blinked and turned, seeing that magician from earlier walk up to him.
“Oh, hello.” Kinich blinked, “What brings you here?”
“I’m here to meet with someone, I take you are as well?” Lyney asked.
“Mhm, an old friend told me to meet her here.” Kinich said.
“I see, if you don’t mind me asking, you’re not from here, right?” Lyney asked, “Your clothing isn’t like anything I’ve seen before, my best guess would be Sumeru, but I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it before.”
“You’re sharp, I’m not from Sumeru.” Kinich said, “I’m from Natlan, it’s been only recently that those from Natlan can leave it’s lands. So this is my first time in Fontaine.”
“Oho? That’s why you look so different.” Lyney mused, “I never met anyone from Natlan before, though I suppose that isn’t a surprise to you.”
“It’s not, but where I’m from doesn’t really matter.” Kinich said, “I will say, I’m impressed by the tricks you performed earlier.”
“I should be giving my compliments to you, you’re one of the very few to find the flower I hid on you. In fact, you’re the fastest one to find it.” Lyney said, “You are very perceptive.”
“Oh? Made a new friend, Lyney?”
Lyney straightened up and Kinich blinked as Arlecchino walked over to them.
“Ah, there you are, I'm glad you're here, Kinich.” Arlecchino said.
“Oh, hello, Peruere…” Kinich said.
Lyney looked between them, surprised. “Eh? You know Father?”
“I see you both already met, that makes things easier.” Arlecchino mused, “Come, I got us a table.”
Kinich and Lyney looked at each other before following Arlecchino to a table set up in a relatively secluded corner on the second floor.
“To keep introductions brief.” Arlecchino said as they sat down, “Lyney, this is Kinich, he’s the child I met in Natlan shortly after I became the Knave. Kinich, this Lyney, one of my top students at the House of the Hearth.”
“You… told them about me?” Kinich asked.
“Nothing major, just that you were a child who I spent some time with in Natlan.” Arlecchino said.
“Father told me, that you were surviving on your own in the wilds of Natlan since you were small.” Lyney said, “She taught you some things while she was there, but you had already learned a lot of the essentials.”
“I have, she saved me from a mutated saurian attack back then as well.” Kinich said, “That’s how we met.”
“Kinich will be staying with us for the duration of his stay in Fontaine,” Arlecchino said, “I think the children would love to hear some of his stories, both the grand and the grim.”
“I could have invited Mualani if you wanted a lot of storytelling, admittedly I’m not the best at telling them.” Kinich said.
“You needn’t worry about the specificities, the children would love to hear them regardless.” Arlecchino said, “Now then, did you enjoy Lyney’s performance?”
“I did, the tricks he performed were quite unique. I wasn’t able to pick up on how he did any of them.” Kinich said.
Arlecchino chuckled, “You see, Lyney? You’ve gotten a lot better, you haven’t lost your edge at all.”
“O-Oh, I see, that makes me glad.” Lyney said, seeming more nervous than when Kinich first saw him. “I assume your skills are why you managed to find the rose so quickly.”
“Perhaps, but I didn’t feel anything until you actually placed the flower under my hair. I didn’t even see you move. Mastering that level of speed is impressive.” Kinich said.
“Oh, well, thank you.” Lyney said with a small smile. “So you are well acquainted with Father?”
“In a way,” Kinich said as he looked at Arlecchino, “Though I call her Peruere, that was the name she gave me when we first met.”
“I only saw Kinich for the first time in several years a few months ago when I visited Natlan.” Arlecchino said, “I think my involvement isn’t the most interesting as of now though, why don’t you two tell each other about yourselves?”
The way Arlecchino spoke sounded like she was introducing two kids to each other…
Kinich shook his head for a moment, “I'll go first, I suppose. I work as a saurian hunter in Natlan, when there isn't anything in that line of work, I take on other jobs like those in the adventurers guild.”
“A saurian hunter? Aren't saurians considered family and companions among the Natlanese?” Lyney asked.
“They are, but there are instances where they get mutated by the Abyss or heavily harm others.” Kinich said, “That's where I come in. When there is no peaceful way to resolve a situation like that, someone has to get their hands dirty to end the conflict. That's my line of work.”
“Kinich's specialty is weighing the ‘price’ of any given object or situation.” Arlecchino said, “As is the meaning of your Ancient Name.”
“Mhm, and there are instances where morals are more valuable than mora. Thankfully my demeanor has led me to many saurian poachers to approach me due to my line of work. So I hardly have to look into such shady practices to put a stop to them.” Kinich said, “I think that's enough about me for now. What about you, Lyney? I know you do your magic shows, but I could tell you do other things too.”
“Well uh… Father?” Lyney turned to Arlecchino for a moment.
“I already told Kinich about the House of the Hearth. So you needn't keep many secrets.” Arlecchino said, “The Fatui ended up helping Natlan during the crisis, even though the Captain had a rocky start to say the least upon entering it. But relations have smoothed over. So you can tell him what you'd like to tell.”
“Oh… in that case, beyond just performing magic shows around Fontaine, I specialize in intelligence gathering.” Lyney said, “I can’t go into that many details, but the House of the Hearth specialize in gathering information. Lynette and myself are some of the best at it, partly because of our shows, they act as good cover. Not to mention some of the magic tricks I use are also good at gathering evidence of all sorts.”
“Interesting, are there agents from the House who were part of the Captain’s team in Natlan?” Kinich asked, “Some of the information they managed to gather was quite extensive after all.”
“There are, but very few.” Arlecchino said, “However, that brings us to another interesting factor that is worth discussion. Kinich does courier work alongside his usual commissions. Traversing Natlan’s landscape is a skill that is specialized around his fellow tribesman of the Scions of the Canopy. We haven’t done much in terms of courier type work, but perhaps expanding into it could be another useful way of gathering information.”
“I don’t know if being a courier would do much in terms of information obtainment.” Kinich said, “While I did deliver information, I didn’t come across much outside of the information between the points of leave and arrival.”
“Perhaps, but you might just be focused on your work in that case.” Lyney said, “If information gathering was a given sub-goal, then we’d likely find a way of getting information alongside delivering it.”
“Perhaps…” Kinich started, “But I would keep reservations about how much you might gain doing something like that. If you did want to gather information, commission work seems like a better option. Depending on the line of work, you can find out information on very specific topics. Such as mine, not many people are keen on hiring a Saurian hunter and there are really only two types of people who do. Those who are worried about their fellow tribesman or saurian companions, and poachers. So it’s easy to weigh the cost if they come to you.”
“Then maybe it’s something we can think about. The House of the Hearth usually partake in commission work from time to time, but it’s hardly a key aspect of it.” Arlecchino said, “Aside from all of this, are you enjoying your time in Fontaine?”
“I am, it’s nothing like I’ve seen in Natlan, but it isn’t as confusing as I worried it would be.” Kinich said, “The map the melusines gave me were very easy to read, and finding my way around the city was pretty easy.”
“That’s good, during the rest of your stay, there are many other places I’d like to show you in Fontaine.” Arlecchino said, “Have you found some souvenirs for your friends?”
“I found some, but not everything. I heard there’s a research institute in Fontaine, I think some material from there might be of interest to Elder Leik and Xilonen.” Kinich said.
“Then that’s a plan then,” Lyney mused, “We don’t have many shows coming up so we’re more than happy to give you a tour of places.”
“I would appreciate it, how can I repay you?” Kinich asked.
“Just tell your stories like Father said.” Lyney smiled, “With all you’re telling us right now, I am just as curious about it myself.”
“Then it’s settled,” Arlecchino mused, “Follow us back to the House of the Hearth after we eat. So do enjoy, I got dishes I believe would suit both of your tastes.”
Arlecchino watched in amusement as Kinich quickly got claimed by the young children at the House. Beyond questioning about his odd outfit, his eyes, and appearance, once Kinich started telling his stories, they all paid attention super quickly. It was rather amusing to watch, since she hasn’t seen Kinich around young children before.
“What do you think of him, Lyney?” Arlecchino asked, the magician standing beside her as Kinich tried to tell stories, reciting tales about the Mountain King, about the former bearers of Malipo, tales of Natlan in general, and the grand actions of the Pyro Archon, his experiences as a hunter and as one of the Six Heroes.
“I never would have guessed anything, he doesn’t carry himself in any particular manner and he keeps a lot of himself close to his chest.” Lyney said, “He is a nice person, not to mention very skilled. However, even I can tell he went through a lot back then… and unlike us, he didn’t have anyone to help him. I can see why you wanted him to join the House.”
“Indeed, it was a painful decision in the moment, but I think it was the right one in the long run.” Arlecchino said, “After all, there was no way to remove him from Natlan without further suffering. If I really wanted to take him away, I would have had to consult both the Doctor and Damselette. Which is the very last thing I want to do.”
“What other reason did you want him to come visit the House, Father?” Lyney asked.
“That is a question I actually don’t have a full answer for,” Arlecchino said, “I already told Kinich he’s more than welcome to join the House if he ever decides to, but at the same time, I want others to learn from him. He survives by keeping everyone at a distance with very few exceptions to that rule. I doubt this trip will change his perspective on anything, but it will be an experience for him. I have no intention of swaying his mind, but I think everyone has something to gain from this trip.”
“I see…”
“Hey! Mister Kinich! Since you worked with hunting animals, what kind of natural paralysis agents exist in Natlan?” Heloir asked curiously.
A very familiar look of concern spread over Lyney’s face before he started to move.
“Uh… I’m going to check… on them…” Lyney said as he quickly walked over.
“There’s actually several different types, but the dosage, side effects, and effectiveness all vary depending on which one you use and what you use it on.” Kinich said.
“Can you tell me which ones?” Heloir asked with stars in her eyes.
“Okay! I think that’s enough stories for now! Mister Kinich had a long day and he should get some rest.” Lyney said as he practically dragged Kinich away from the small crowd, the children giving small cries of ‘good night’ and ‘bye bye’.
Arlecchino couldn’t help but smile slightly. Yes, this was something she had hoped for Kinich. That small, empty child she saved all those years ago. Now more vibrant and lively despite the scars that riddle his mind and body.
Arlecchino spoke to herself, “That question is for both of you now, can you tell me what a real ‘home’ is? Have you found it for yourselves? I look forward to hearing your answers.”