Chapter Text
"This is going to be hard..." Nefer muttered to herself. "Jahoda is too naive, Ineffa is a robot and would instantly blow her cover, the Lady Moonchanter already has her own problems, and bothering the Traveler wouldn't be effective enough."
Nefer was trying her hardest to find a suitable substitute to carry out a mission on her behalf. Suddenly, she snapped her fingers. "Jahoda!"
Jahoda ran toward her almost immediately. "Y-yes, Boss?!"
"Find someone suitable for me. Preferably female, with a good body, long hair, and a talented dancer. If you aren't able to do so in three hours...you're fired"
Jahoda started sweating so much she could have flooded the entire Curatorium. This is crazy! she thought frantically.
'Three hours? How am I even going to find someone like that? I’m so cooked...'
Before Nefer could scold her for her loud, panicked thoughts, a knock on the door interrupted them.
"Come in," Nefer called out.
The door opened, and Flins entered the Curatorium with his usual unsettling elegance. "Pardon me, Miss Nefer, I—"
Nefer cut him off before he could even finish his sentence. "Jahoda, I guess you're not fired anymore."
Hearing that, Jahoda looked as if she had regained all the life she’d lost a moment prior. "Really?!"
"Mmhmm."
Jahoda ran to Flins and started thanking him as if her life depended on it. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! Oh, how grateful I am! How can I ever repay you?"
Flins tried to speak, but he was interrupted once more—this time by Nefer dragging him by the arm into a dressing room.
"Stand straight and stay still," Nefer commanded. She began taking his measurements with practiced speed.
Once finished, she rummaged through a closet overflowing with dresses and disguises, eventually pulling out a shimmering blue gown. "This will do!"
Both Jahoda and Flins were confused, but neither dared to question Nefer’s methods. "What are you doing, Jahoda?" Nefer barked. "We don't have all day!"
Nefer and Jahoda worked for a solid two hours. Nefer adjusted Flins' look with swift, professional movements while Jahoda made a mess of the vanity, as usual.
As they began adding the finishing touches to his outfit, Jahoda went to the door to carry out a task for Nefer.
As she opened it, she nearly stumbled into Grandmaster Varka.
"Oh! Uh... are you all right?" Varka asked.
Hearing his voice, Flins tried to peek out from behind the dressing room curtain to greet him, but Nefer quickly pushed him back out of sight. She stepped out to take his place. "What are you doing here, Sir Varka?"
"Ahaha! Miss Nefer! I came here looking for Flins. Someone told me I would find him here."
Nefer stepped out of the dressing room, closing the curtain firmly behind her and signaling for Flins to stay silent. "I'm really sorry, but Sir Flins hasn't even set foot in here today."
She flashed her usual mischievous grin. "Shouldn't you be preparing to head to the flagship?"
"W-well, yes... but—"
"I'm sure you'll have fun. You earned it after your efforts during the battle with Rerir and Dottore."
Varka seemed determined. "Nefer, Flins and the rest of you deserve to celebrate your efforts, too."
"We had our fun last time, Grandmaster. Now go! I have work to do."
She pushed him out the door and closed it with a loud thud. "Finally!"
Nefer turned back to Flins and dragged him to a seat in front of a massive mirror. "Look at this! A bit more makeup and you’re good to go."
Flins studied his reflection. "This is probably not something I would choose to put on myself normally, but I find that I do not mind wearing it. However, Miss Nefer, I still haven't received an explanation as to why I am dressed like this."
"I need you to gather intel for me," Nefer explained, sliding a photo across the table.
"This man infiltrated the Fatui base on Paha Isle to continue secret experiments. It’s certain he isn’t there to play fair."
Flins looked at the photo, then back at his reflection. "So... you want me to seduce this man?"
"Exactly."
She checked the clock on the wall and went back to work, fixing his makeup with a frantic energy. After a flurry of running around and rummaging through countless cosmetic bags, Flins was finally ready.