Chapter Text
Flins thought it was best to visit Lauma with his current troubles.
That's why he even started this taxing journey.
He felt unusually exhausted. He'd walked the entire way from The Final Night Cemetery to Hiisi Island, which of course, wasn't normally a problem, but right now, he had to take short breaks to catch his breath every once in a while.
Now, why might he be doing this, you ask?
Well...
Flins shone his light towards the wild hunt, as he'd always done. The lantern glimmered, and he fought with his spear against the beasts, until one by one, they were eradicated. He seemed satisfied. another job done. He thought.
He turned around. "I should return home, It's quite late out." He spoke to himself. He took a few steps, barely, before his head began to spin a little.
He leaned on his spear, and stumbled his way to a cliff base, leaning his hand. what is this? He thought. I've never felt something so... unpleasant before.
his body felt heavy, and his throat began to burn. He stabilised his breathing. steady now...
His eyelids kept trying to close, but he shook his head. Something rose in his throat, and he covered his mouth. this must be what they call nausea.
How... truly repulsive.
He was lucky no one was around. He began to gag, and swiftly, he emptied out his entire stomach. He shook for a few moments to the unfamiliar, disgusting feeling. His breaths were heavy.
what is going on...?
He knew if Varka were there he'd beg him to see a doctor, but he knew it wasn't the best course of action. Seeing a doctor meant explaining his identity as a Fae. And if the wrong person were to overhear, word could spread quickly.
It was best to see someone who already knew.
Besides, Varka was back in Mondstadt. He didn't have to listen. Well, atleast not until he came back to visit, as his letters indicated...
He stepped onto the cool-coloured grass, once again, out of breath. He looked around curiously, and found a conveniently close rock, making his way to sit down for a quick rest. He ran a hand through his hair. "So this is what humanity calls illness... how they are able to handle it as a common occurrence is... extraordinary."
"Mraaaw"
"Hm?"
He looked around. There was a cat making it's way towards him. He tilted his head. "Well, colour me surprised..."
It braced itself, and jumped up on the rock, right beside him. He lifted his hand up, amused. "You know, little one, most creatures would run at the mere sight of me." He told it. It didn't care, raising it's head up to stare at him.
He lowered his hand a little, and the cat leaned forward slightly, until it headbutted it. He chuckled, and hesitantly, began to stroke it. "You are the first animal I've ever met who isn't afraid of me." He told it. "Mra." It replied.
The cat stood up again, and rubbed against him as it walked onto his lap. It tilted it's head, it's tail swaying. It sniffed at him, it only reaching his waist, before rubbing it's head against his abdomen. He kept petting it, as it purred.
How unusually friendly.
He looked around. It wasn't just the cat. There were birds watching his tired form curiously, a weasel tilted it's head, before burrowing into the ground, seemingly to run off. All animals that never dared to approach suddenly seemed much calmer, more curious than afraid.
in fact... they didn't seem to be afraid at all.
He carefully stood up. "Now, now... I have to leave to see a friend of mine." He said as he began to walk again. The birds took off, and the cat wandered away.
Lauma looked up as a bird approached her. "Oh, hello there little one." She greeted. "Chirp!" The bird began. She looked a little surprised. "Flins is coming here?" She said.
"Cheep!" It continued. She tilted her head. "To see me?" She asked. "Chrp!"
She blinked. "He looked tired, you say...?"
"Mraw!" The cat perked up as it approached. She looked down. "You approached him? And you said you aren't afraid of him anymore..."
"...how come?"
"Mra!"
Her eyes went wide.
"He's- He's what-!?"
She thought back. Flins... he'd gotten close with Grand Master Varka. But she never thought that...
She quickly began to leave her spot. "I should go to him... he's come far enough."
Flins spotted a certain someone in the distance. He smiled. "Ah, Miss Lauma. A pleasure to see you again, you were just the person I was looking for." He greeted.
Lauma put a hand to her chest. "The animals told me you were coming, so I thought it was best if I came to you. Please, come with me, I'll get you a seat."
They returned to the enclave. Lauma took a seat, as did Flins. "You came here to see me?" She asked. He nodded. "Indeed. I heard you're well versed in the healing of the frostmoon scions, and I thought it would be best to go to you, rather than a... regular doctor."
She nodded. "I understand... please, tell me what the issue is."
He sat with his hands in his lap, in a polite manner. "Recently, I've been feeling rather... ill, and fatigued. It might not sound like much, but illness is an occurrence that is far more unlikely for... someone like me, if you understand what I'm saying."
Lauma hesitated to speak, and looked quite tense. "...I do." She simply replied.
He looked curious, his eyes scanning her face. "Miss Lauma... you look rather uneasy. Is something the matter?"
She shook her head. "Not at all. Please, tell me, is there anything else that's wrong?"
He took a moment. "...as a matter of fact, there is. I'm aware you know the animals are afraid of me, but today... it seemed like quite the opposite. They didn't run, in fact, they seemed to stay close by, and watch me. A cat even approached me today. I'm... not sure if this is relevant information, though."
Her mouth tensed. "...thank you for telling me anyway."
He became sceptical. He sat a little straighter. "Miss Lauma? Are you perhaps hiding something from me?" He asked. "You seem to know something I am not yet aware of. Please, I'd rather you tell me now than later."
Lauma took a moment. "...to tell the truth, i already knew what was going on, before i even came to see you. The animals... told me everything."
Flins looked curious.
She continued. "They knew once they saw how tired you were, and the cat who came to see you could... sense it. Cat's can sense imbalances in humans, like illness or... pregnancy."
He caught on in a mere fraction of a second. "...so you mean to tell me..."
She nodded. "Flins, you... you are carrying a child. And if i had to guess, they would be half-human."
He took in that information, and opened his mouth to speak, but no words left. Finally, he said something. "...a half-human, half Fae child. That's... unheard of."
Lauma's expression softened. "...that is why I came to see you first. I guessed you came all the way from the Final Night Cemetery... and I was worried by how long the journey was, considering how tired they said you looked."
Flins's eyes travelled down to his lap. He raised his hand off his lap, and rested it over his stomach. A half-human child...
He already knew it's other half.
"I believe... I know who it's other parent may be."