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The Final Night Cemetery stood at the edge of Paha Isle, between the gloomy exterior and forbidding interior, visitors would steer clear from it just by the sightings of the resident ghosts, it was no wonder that Flins didn't get many visitors.
That was why Flins was pleasantly surprised by the two sets of knocks on his door, only an hour apart.
The first visitor turned out to be the Moonchanter of the Frost Moon of Scions. Usually she would be carrying a basket full of food when she visited, always wanting to offer Flins the boons that her tribe had prepared, but this time she had come empty handed.
Flins gestured her in anyways, and only when they were seated at his dining table with a warm fire going did Flins decide to speak.
“Something seems to be troubling you, Ms Lauma. Is it right for me to presume that that is the reason for your visit?”
Under the curious gaze of the lantern fae, Lauma seemed to hesitate. “I know this may be a big ask, but I do need your help regarding a certain matter, and I thought that you were the most suitable person to help me.”
The Moonchanter paused, before a slight flush spread across her face, “It’s about Nefer.”
About an hour after Flins escorted the priestess to the shores of the cemetery, he heard sharp raps against his door once again. Two visitors in a day, now that was odd.
The person behind the door revealed herself to be Lady Nefer, the vicious boss of the Curatorium of Secrets. Before he could utter a word, she was already brushing past him to enter his home.
He found her perched on his couch with a leg crossed over another, looking like she meant business. Occasionally, if Nefer wanted something from him, she would sent Jahoda to carry the message. So Flins did admit that he was at a loss on what she wanted this time.
“I’m here to cash in on the favor you owe me.” Nefer spoke. “Then I shall do my utmost to complete it.” Flins replied easily.
She paused, scanning his eyes for any insincerity and having found none, continued “Tell me everything you know about Lauma.”
“So, you wish to seduce the venomous snake that is called Nefer? I must say, I applaud you for your honesty.” Flins teases with a blank face.
Lauma, whose face now resembled a ripe tomato spluttered at that. “Mr Flins, please do not say it like that, there is more to her that meets the eye.”
“I am aware.” Says Flins, unbothered. “But I ought to think that you shouldn't be bashful, there is nothing wrong with speaking your mind.”
“From where I come from,” Flins continues, ignoring Lauma who now had her head buried in her hands. “Courting is a very common occurrence. Would you like to know some rituals that my people used towards each other?”
“I never thought there would be a day where you would be the one asking me for information, Ms Nefer.” Flins says, swirling the red wine in his glass.
‘Stay focused, Flins. Don’t forgot who got you that precious gem last time.” Nefer snaps impatiently.
“Very well. But first, I need to know the reason behind your question. I thought you two were quite close.”
Nefer bristled at that. “If you are asking me because you want to date her, then it may be more beneficial for you to specify your questions.”
If you
Flins took in the way Nefer’s ears heated up at his last sentence, a wave of satisfaction took hold of him as he realised that he was right on the point.
“If you need any date locations, I heard the scenery at th-”
“Shut up.”
If you asked Flins, this would be the most eventful day in his long lifespan. After sending both of them off, with promises for further updates and progress checks, Flins could finally heave a sigh of relief.
“Quite the pair, those two.” He mused, before turning his mind to more pressing matters, such as fishing for his dinner.
Despite Flins’s endless teasing, Lauma had managed to compose herself enough for her to listen to some of his suggestions. So she decided to drag her new relationship counsellor(?) around to find a suitable present for Nefer in Nasha Town.
Even after surveying curious Liyue gemstones and the various trinkets from Fontaine, Lauma still could not make up her mind. They ended up leaving town with nothing to show for their time spent.
Flins had advised her to not take it too hard, that the right gift would show up once the time was right. Lauma probably should have listened, but she couldn’t help but lie awake at night contemplating the gift that would be perfect for Nefer.
Her troubled thoughts were halted as the woman herself appeared at the Frostmoon Enclave. Nefer was in her usual outfit, donning her confident smile that had first drawn Lauma towards her. In her hands however, was something Lauma did not expect to see. Was she running errands?
Nefer seemed to brighten up as Lauma approached, her smile so perfect that Lauma would have collapsed from jelly legs if she were more weak-willed.
“Hello Nefer. What brings you to Hiisi Island?” Lauma greeted with her usual composure.
“I just need to borrow the Moonchanter for a few hours.”
Nefer was already regretting her life choices. Why did she actually listen to Flins and decided that bringing a literal goddess into a forest was a good idea?
The basket in her hands felt heavier than lead, and she could feel Lauma’s gaze on the back of her head. A few feet more, she told herself, or she could just find a cliff to jump off of.
“Is something wrong Nefer?” Lauma was suddenly right by her side, her hands clasping Nefer’s own balled up ones.
The feeling of Lauma's fingers rubbing on her knuckles gave her a pause, without even meaning to, she laced their fingers together.
“Nefer, what-” her sentence was cut off as her eyes took in the scene before her.
Nefer made a mental note to thank Flins later, because despite his suggestions of bars and creepy cemeteries as date spots, he had actually chosen a wonderful location, and set the mood for it too.
The tiny flames flickered beside them as the veil of darkness was cast over the sky. All around them, the world had gone silent, save for the playful chirp of crickets.
Lauma admired the way the moonlight clung to Nefer's skin, illuminating her in a way that rivalled the moon.
Her now completed gift lay beside her, waiting to be placed atop the other's head. It wasn't something classy or flashy, and it was certainly not something that matched Nefer's style.
Lauma slid the hand-woven flower crown onto Nefer's head before she could react, and she delighted in the way that Nefer turned red at the action.
“You're so beautiful, almost as pretty as the moon goddess herself.” Lauma’s eyes landed in her face. “Or even more.”
Nefer seemed at a loss for words at the compliment, her mouth hung open in surprise as she tried to will the three words sitting at the tip of her tongue to come out.
“Lauma, I-”
“I love you.”
“I couldn't say it, I was so close.” Nefer lamented as she recounted the previous night.
“Do not fret, Ms Nefer. You have plenty of chances to confess, but if you really need a little boost in the right direction. I think it is time for drastic measures.” Flins soothed gently.
Nefer gulped, the flicker of the flame she caught in Flins's eye did not spell a good time.
“A contract can symbolise devotion between partners, a promise of loyalty. Perhaps that is what you need to do, to push you over the edge and confess to your infatuation.” Flins tells Lauma back when they are inside the warmth of his abode.
“I’m not sure that's quite how it works. For instance, how do I get Nefer, the shrewd business woman that she is, to enter a binding contract to be in a relationship with me?” Lauma asks, the dark shadows under her eyes betraying how affected she was.
“Of course, a contract doesn't necessarily refer to a physical one. In fact, I was thinking more metaphorically.” Flins paused in front of a shelf, one that houses many of his little curiosities.
He picks up one of his trinkets, appreciating the way the light bounces off of its surface.
“What do you think?” Flins smiles, as he hears Lauma gasp.
“A ring? You cannot be serious.” Nefer says with a hand pressed heavily against her forehead.
“Why not, isn't this what people do to confess?” Flins asks, face so genuinely confused that it made Nefer pause.
“For marriage!” Nefer sounded incredulous even to herself.
Nefer groaned as she saw Flins’s slow head tilt, knowing that she would end up agreeing to another of his outrageous ideas.
“And get this, Boss Nef even gave me a day off! I wonder what put her in such a good mood.” Jahoda exclaims to Flins, eyes practically shining.
“Oh, and when Lauma showed up, I could see the hearts in the boss’s eyes. Do you think she might have a crush on the Moonchanter?”
Flins greeted her sentence with an amused smile. “It sounds like the proposal was a success then. Good for them.”
“Yeah, they looked so happy together. Wait what?!” Jahoda pivoted in her chair, jaw hung open as she stared at Flins.
Who now thought Aino’s seminar was more interesting than explaining what he had just said.
“Flins! You didn't tell me they were getting married. Wait, how do you even know?”
Flins couldn't help but smile at that, looks like his matchmaking was a success.