Chapter Text
The man had been unceremonious as he hauled Lynette out of his carriage. He locked just about seven locks on the front door, throwing her to the floor of his common room. She hissed in pain as she hit the ground, wiggling as he freed her limbs of being tied.
“I’ll have my fun with you later, little kitty. Why don’t you make me a sandwich while I take a nap? If it’s good, I may even be gentle.”
The man chuckled, as if it was funny. Lynette wasn’t even close to amused.
She laid on the floor for a great bit, ears picking up on the creaking of the floors and his heavy breathing as he laid in an armchair. Eventually, it evened out, and she stumbled to her feet.
After checking with own two eyes that he was, in fact, asleep, she tiptoed to what she assumed to be the kitchen.
She looked at everything as she went, observing the ins and outs of every crevice. She compartmentalized it, mentally setting herself into ‘survival mode’. She remembered every detail.
As she made it to the kitchen, she looked through the cabinets and icebox. The whole house seemed to be rotting, as if it was disgusted to be owned by who took her here. She didn’t blame it.
After a great deal of wandering, she found the furthest, darkest corner of the kitchen. She curled up into a ball, ears pressing against her head as she cried into her knees. Only one thought could run through her mind as she wept, her tail wrapping around her legs.
I just want somebody to come and save me.
After a while of silent crying, her face now red and puffy, she looks up and around from where she sat. The knife block seemed to glitter in the light as she hesitated. Carefully, as not to fall, she stood, wobbling over to the knives. She was only just tall enough to grab the biggest one.
She leaned over to look into the common room. The man was still sleeping.
Not making a sound, she walked over to the man, skipping the floorboards which had creaked when she first walked in this direction. She eventually stood above him, quiet as a mouse, knife in her hands.
If nobody will save her, she’ll save herself.
After a few more moments of hesitation, she plunged it into his chest.
He awoke immediately, and she stumbled back, covering her ears in an attempt to deafen his screams. He started thrashing, and her eyes darted around as he attempted to get to his feet for revenge. She had to act quick.
She grabbed the knife once more, pulling it out then plunging it into his chest a couple of more times. She only stopped once he stilled and fell to the ground.
Only then did she realize that she was covered in blood.
She stood there, petrified, for a while. Time blurred together as she watched his corpse, as if expecting him to spring back to life.
She only snapped out of it when she heard a window break.
Her head snapped around as she saw Lyney climbing through, not at all careful of the broken glass cutting his arms and legs.
Her brother froze in his tracks for half a second when he saw Lynette covered in blood and holding a knife.
Only half a second, of course- quickly, he ran over to her, patting her down for injuries.
“Are you alright? Did he hurt you? Where’s that blood from—”
He was cut off by a trembling whisper of a response.
“It’s not mine, Lyney.”
He bristled, looking around frantically for the source. Only then did he realize Lynette was looking down.
The man who had taken her lay dead on the ground.
Lyney made the connection in his mind between the dead man with stab wounds, and the bloody knife in his sister’s hands.
He swallowed and turned away.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Lynette tugged at his sleeve, shaking her head ‘no’.
“There are… probably other girls. We should save them.”
Lyney nodded, this made sense. He and his sister walked somberly through the house, eventually finding a stairwell down to the man’s cellar.
Lynette walked on emotionlessly, still in her self determined survival mode. There would be time to cry later, after she was out of this wretched house. Lyney followed closely behind, though not nearly as apathetic as her.
The twins made it down, finding bundles of terrified, traumatized girls. Lynette silently cut them free of the ropes restricting them, pointing the girls to the door. Each one ran like their life depended on it, not questioning the blood staining Lynette nor the knife.
Once every girl had exited, the twins made their way back up the stairs. Lynette holds Lyney’s hand; a silent message.
I’m okay. We’re together now.
They made their way back out of the window, Lynette being much more careful not to cut herself on the glass than Lyney was. They stood in the grass, embracing each other with an unspoken question.
Where do we go now?
It had taken the pair a while to realize there was a glowing teal gem in Lynette’s dress pocket, bursting with anemo energy.
Neuvillette was not one for wandering around at night, especially not when he was quite ready to retire to his bed. But when a melusine tugs on his sleeve, urging him to come quick and see what she'd found, he had no choice but to comply.
She had given him directions to which alleyway it had been - in between the shops, perpetually moist and uncomfortable. His eyes softened when he saw what she had wanted to bring to his attention.
Twin siblings, a girl with cat appendages and a boy with a tattered hat. The girl was covered in blood, and the boy’s arms and legs were adorned with small cuts. The subtle glint of pieces of glass shone off a few of the cuts. They were huddled together, but when they spotted him watching, the girl hid behind the boy, her tail puffing up as the boy glared at him.
“What do you want?” The boy was defensive, guarding his sister from the judge. His heart only softened further, and it took everything within him not to let himself sadden. It wouldn’t do any good for it to rain now.
“A melusine informed me you two seemed in need. Is there anything I can do for you?” He was careful to be gentle, not too forward. He wanted nothing more than to bring them somewhere safe and warm, but judging by the look on the boy’s face, that was wishful thinking.
“We’re quite fine, thank you. ” The boy seemed even more defensive at the offer, the girl cowering further behind him. Neuvillette had to think. What would they accept?
“Are you hungry? I can get you some food.” The boy kept glaring, but didn’t say anything. It seemed food was a good start.
The judge walked away, finding a street vendor that was still open at this hour. He bought two simple, yet filling meals for the twins. He also found a clothing shop to buy a replacement dress for the girl (he eyeballed the size), and bought a first aid kit from a nearby clinic for the boy to treat his wounds.
Neuvillette returned quickly, setting the items before the twins. The boy stared at the food suspiciously, but took the kit and handed the dress to his sister. Ah. He must be suspicious that it may be unsafe. The judge’s heart softened further at this, and took a small bite from each dish to prove its safety.
After a long moment, the boy took the food, handing one plate to his sister.
Neuvillette knew better than to offer to take them in, after having to prove the safety of food to the boy. Instead, he vowed to himself that he would return to the two the next day to build their trust over time. That is, assuming they stay in this spot.
Despite his best efforts, it had rained in Fontaine that night.
The twins had scarfed down the food the minute the man had left, savoring the good food. They hadn’t been on the streets again for long, but the warm meals were exactly what they needed after their… eventful day.
Lyney had guarded the entrance to the alley as Lynette changed her dress, and Lynette had tended to his wounds, tenderly picking pieces of glass out from the cuts.
Lyney still did not trust that man. He seemed… noble. And enough nobles had wronged him for him to know full well it was in their best interest to never trust a noble again.
Lynette had curled up at his side after finishing dressing his wounds, taking a well needed rest. Lyney needed to rest too, but it could wait. No way in hell was he ever going to leave Lynette defenseless again.
The man had returned the next day, offering them food once more. Lyney narrowed his eyes at him in return, only conceding once he took a bite from each meal. He would never let his sister get poisoned.
The man returned again, and again, and again… it seemed he was visiting them thrice a day. Each time, Lyney refused to accept his food until he took a bite, only then allowing himself and Lynette to eat. At one point, the man had arrived with both food and a bag of mora.
“I’ll be busy all day tomorrow, so I may not have time to get food for you. This should cover you, I think.” Lyney cocked his head to the side, a silent question. How much mora is it?
The man chuckled, for some reason. “It’s about ten thousand mora. I wasn’t sure how much you’d need.”
Lyney’s eyes widened to saucers upon hearing the amount. He’s never had that much mora casually in his possession—ever. The man chuckled again.
“Is it really that much? Well, you can treat yourself, then. Maybe get yourself a new hat?” Lyney didn’t say or do anything in response, so the man took it as an end to the conversation and walked away.
When Neuvillette returned the day after next, he found that the boy had not, in fact, bought a new hat. Instead, he found the girl curled up against the alley wall with a book. Only now did he realize that the small girl was already an allogene. His heart somehow ached even more for the twins at this revelation, if that was even possible.
The boy was staring at him with malice. Neuvillette quickly learned his lesson about looking at the girl for too long and conceded to talk to the boy about his visit that day.
“Ahem… I have a free day today. I was wondering if you two would like to visit a cafe with me?” The boy stared at him. Unfortunately, he could not communicate entirely nonverbally, so the boy spoke for the first time since their initial meeting.
“We’re dirty. Anywhere you’d take us would be far too… fancy to bring dirty children to.” Neuvillette mulled over this for a second.
“You can bathe at my residence.” The boy’s eyes seemed to get even more sharp at this.
“And leave you alone with Lynette? No way.” Ah, so that was the girl’s name. Neuvillette paused for a moment.
“You can watch me the whole time. I’ll get a melusine to tend to her.”
The boy paused.
“And while I’m bathing?”
“I’ll sit in the room with you and talk so you can be sure I’m there. You can draw the curtain on the bath. Besides, she’s an allogene, she could probably hold her own.”
The boy stared at him for a good, long second before agreeing. Neuvillette smiled at his progress with the boy.
“Ah.. excuse me,” the judge starts, “Would you be willing to inform me of your name?” He offers his hand to help the small boy stand up, but he rejects it. The boy helps Lynette stand up and informs her of the plan quietly, before finally turning to Neuvillette and answering.
“...Lyney.”
Lynette sighs contentedly as she washes the grime and dried blood off of her skin at last, encapsulated in a warm bubble bath. She hears the melusine who ran her bath enter and place clean clothes on the counter, her unseen tail flicking with curiosity.
“Ah–Mr. Neuvillette had me run down to the shops and buy you a change of clothes! I also brought a warm towel… oh, and a bow! I was thinking you could clip your vision to it…” Lynette nods, before realizing that the melusine couldn’t see her through the curtain.
“Thank you.” She can practically hear the melusine grin in response.
“Of course!”
After a few more minutes of simmering, Lynette slips out of the bath, indeed finding an outfit and towel. She shakes herself vigorously to rid herself of water, before realizing that was likely what the towel was for…oops.
Quickly, she gets dressed, exiting the bathroom with the towel tucked over her arm. She watches as Lyney scans her over, satisfied at not finding…whatever he was checking for.
She sees the aforementioned melusine beckoning her over. “Lynette, can I pretty please do your hair?” The girl hesitates – she does not feel entirely comfortable with someone who isn’t Lyney getting close to touching her ears. But this melusine is so nice… and she asked so politely. Lynette can’t bring herself to say no, sitting on the ground in front of her as the melusine quickly gets to work.
Lynette gives a small wave to Lyney, who is going off to have his own bath. After the door closes and she can hear the faucet turn off, she hears the muffled sounds of the man (presumably named Neuvillette, judging by the melusine’s way of referring to him) recounting a story of a court case.
When Lyney exits his bath and gets dressed, he quickly exits the bathroom to see Lynette. She is sitting on the ground, having just been given a mirror.
“Ta-da!” The melusine says. Lynette now has two braids running across the sides of her head, the rest of her hair staying down. A bow is tied to the back of her head, her vision being clipped to the middle and glowing with elemental energy. Lynette waves at seeing him out of the bath.
“Now that you’re clean, let’s go to that cafe, hm?” Neuvillette speaks, and Lynette is immediately on her feet, tail waving back and forth with anticipation. Lyney can’t suppress his chuckle. Lynette… dessert-motivated as ever.
Needless to say, Lynette had taken zero time before digging into her slice of cake from the quaint (yet most definitely out of their price range) cafe Neuvillette had taken them to. Lyney trusted the food well enough, since he carefully watched the judge through every step of the purchase. He picked a bit at his own slice of cake, more content to watch Lynette eat. She appreciates it more than he could, anyways.
As Lynette’s slice of cake is reduced to but a few crumbs on her plate, Lyney pushes his own towards her and she takes it happily. Neuvillette seemed amused at the rate at which she consumed her own slice, but his content smile had ever so slightly downturned at seeing Lyney give up his own for her.
“You do not need to give her yours if she wants more. I have more than enough mora to buy her another for herself, you know.” Lyney was confused. This must be another ploy to try to gain his trust… nobody is actually this generous, right? Well, no way he’ll let himself get tricked!
Still, when Lynette looked to him for Lyney to ask for another dessert for her, well, how could he deny her? He grumbles a request for another slice of cake on her behalf. The man nods, and he watches him closely as he purchases another.
“I think he’s nice,” Lynette quietly says, now that it’s just her and her brother that can hear. Lyney grumbled in response.
“Well, I don’t trust him. He’s too nice.” Lynette gives him a look.
“I don’t want us to get hurt again.” Lyney responds. Lynette rolls her eyes, mumbling “We’ll probably end up getting hurt on the streets anyways,” under her breath. Lyney ignores her as Neuvillette returns with her slice of cake. She takes it gratefully in silence.
“Is there anything you two like to do? I assume Lynette likes reading, so I was going to offer to take you both to a bookshop… but if there’s anything else you two would like, I’d be happy to provide.” Neuvillette speaks to fill the silence resulting from his return.
There’s an unspoken agreement between the twins not to mention magic tricks. That’s what went wrong with the last noble; their talents.
Still, despite Lyney’s distrust of the man, he knew Lynette was probably excited at the thought of procuring more books. So, with a sigh, he responds.
“A bookshop is fine.” Neuvillette seems taken aback by the lack of hostility from the boy, but recollects himself quickly.
“Alright. We can go once she finishes her cake.” As he looks over at the girl, he sees her with chocolate crumbs around her mouth and an empty plate. He chuckles quietly as Lyney fusses over her, handing her a napkin to wipe her mouth with.
Lynette’s tail waves happily as she curls up in their alleyway with one of her new books. Meanwhile, Lyney walks into the alley after a short excursion, holding a box. His sister looks up from her book, placing a scrap of paper in as a bookmark.
“What’s that?” Lyney angles the box downwards, revealing three kittens. Lynette gasps, standing up and walking over to get a better look.
“Should we keep them?” The anemo allogene nods enthusiastically in response to her brother’s question, taking the box into her own arms.
“Maybe… maybe Neuvillette will buy us some food for them. If we ask,” Lynette considers, but a frown appears on Lyney’s face.
“I still don’t trust him. What is he so nice for?” As if speaking his name brings him to existence, the judge comes up to the alley shortly after Lyney finishes his sentence.
“What do you have there?” Lynette turns, silently angling the box for him to see as her brother did for her.
“Hmm… you should probably get them to the vet when they open tomorrow,” He suggests. “And they’re probably incredibly cold… perhaps I can bring them home to get them warm?”
Lynette shakes her head. She doesn’t want to part with the kittens. Lyney explains this on his quiet sister’s behalf.
Neuvillette is silent for a moment, as if in thought, before speaking again.
“Well, since you don’t wish to part with them, you can stay with me as well?”
Lynette’s tail bristles slightly, but she doesn’t seem entirely opposed. On the other hand, Lyney’s eyes are sharper than ever before. He’s about to bluntly deny the offer, but just as he opens his mouth, Lynette tugs on his sleeve. I think we should.
Lyney doesn’t quite agree, but he’s outnumbered by the wish for the kittens to be safe and wanting to trust Lynette’s judgment.
So, he begrudgingly agrees.