#lavv.redlines

“Given Lyney’s personality,” Charlotte said, looking at the clothes sprawled all over the bed. “He might marry you in like a year. We’re simply preparing for when it happens!” 

“As if you have any chance at being the maid of honour, Charlotte.” Navia moved [Y/N]’s body back to continue her work. “You and Clorinde had been disqualified for not being supportive of the relationship initially.” 

“We were simply trying to stay rational.” Clorinde scoffed. “You ought to not get into a relationship at such an emotional period.” 

“Excuses, excuses!” 

“Okay, okay,” [Y/N] interrupted the conversation, rolling her eyes playfully. “I’m happy you’re supportive, but seriously, what if I mess this whole thing? Then there won’t be a relationship to plan a wedding for.” 

“—‘re an idiot,” Lynette said bluntly. “Lyney likes you, for you. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even ask you out on a date.” 

[Y/N] tried to rebuttal, getting shushed by Navia in an instant. “[Y/N] I will tug your hair really hard if you say that we’re just saying because we’re your friends.” 

The girl sighed, biting back her tongue as Navia gave a teasing but pointed look through the mirror. “Alright, alright.” She mumbled, relenting. 

“Good,” Navia said with a satisfied nod, gently patting the hair she’d been working on. “Now, if you start doubting yourself again, just remember this: Lyney’s the one who should be worried about impressing you. Got it?” 

“Exactly!” Charlotte agreed, holding up two outfits in front of her with a contemplative expression. “Let’s talk clothes. Romantic and sweet, or bold and daring?” 

“I think bold,” Clorinde remarked from her corner, her sharp gaze darting between the options. “It will throw him off his theatrical game. Besides, you’re not just any ordinary date.” 

[Y/N] glanced over at the phone as Lynette let out a tiny laugh. “Seeing him not act like a diva might be fun to watch.” She admitted. “But honestly, he’s already a goner for you. Wear something you’re comfortable in— Oh, the pitcher has broken?” 

“A pitcher has broken?” Navia raised her eyebrow at Lynette’s statement. “Isn’t that an odd thing to say?” 

“The gang is over,” Lynette stated. “They’re helping Lyney with his part of getting ready. Since Neuvillette claims he’s not good at those things, he decided to check on the Brita pitcher, that’s all.” 

Charlotte let out a melodramatic gasp, clasping her hands together. “Helping Lyney get ready? What does he even need help with? He’ll probably just throw on a flashy outfit and go out like he owns the world.” 

Clorinde and Navia joined in, snickering. [Y/N] and Lynette, however, kept in silence. They both knew that as much as Lyney was charming and theatrical, there was more than that to his personality. 

“—Oh, alright,” Lynette said, directed at somebody at her house. “I’m going to leave the call, girls. Good luck with your date, [Y/N]!” 

“Thank you, bye-bye!” 

The door to Lyney’s room swung open with a thud. 

“Geez, sis.” The male turned around to look at Lynette entering. “You’re going to break the door off the hinges one day.” 

“Don’t care.” She deadpanned, picking a stool from under his desk. “You’re the one who asked to have me do your braid. Don’t complain.” 

Lyney chuckled nervously, running a hand through his unstyled hair. He was so glad Furina and Wriothesley left his room to get something to drink moments ago, at the very least he wouldn’t have to put on an act. “I wasn’t complaining, just didn’t expect you to storm in like that.” He sat back in his chair, fiddling with the edge of his cuff. “I appreciate the help, though. I want this to be perfect.” 

Lynette rolled her eyes as she placed the stool behind him. “You’re overthinking it,” She said, gathering his hair with practised efficiency. “It’s a date, not a performance. You don’t have a script to follow, you know?” 

“You say that,” Lyney muttered, “I thought I wouldn’t be so nervous and here I am sweating bullets!” He groaned, covering his face with his hands. “My charm won’t get me out of this one!” 

Lynette tugged his braid a little tighter than necessary, earning a yelp. “Stop being dramatic,” She said flatly. “You’re acting as if [Y/N] doesn’t like you back. She agreed to the date, didn’t she?” 

What he didn’t have to know was how she read back all the messages that had accumulated on her group chat with the girls — including the messages where [Y/N] revealed her crush on Lyney. “Besides, even if you mess up, it won’t be the end of the world. She won’t judge you for being a clumsy bitch, like I would.” 

Lyney gasped. “That was uncalled for! I thought sibling code overrides bestie one!” Even though he was dramatic as usual, Lynette’s words brought him much-needed comfort and confidence. 

“Not when it’s my best friend we speak of.” Lynette’s expression got serious. “Don’t do stupid shit, by the way. I’m going to break your hand if you break her heart.” 

Lyney froze, his playful demeanour slipping for a moment as he processed Lynette’s words. Her expression was calm and composed as ever, but the underlying seriousness made him sit up straight. 

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” He said softly, meeting her gaze in the mirror. “I like her. Really like her. That’s why I’m so nervous… I don’t want to mess this up.” 

Lynette’s sharp eyes softened slightly, though her expression remained neutral. She finished tying off his braid with a firm tug, smoothing down some of the pushed-back strands of hair before stepping back. “Good. Keep that in mind, and you’ll do fine.” 

Lyney turned to face her, a small smile playing on his lips. “You know, for someone who pretends to be detached, you are awfully protective.” 

She crossed her arms, tilting her head. “And you’re awfully perceptive for someone who didn’t even get a bouquet for his date.” 

“The flowers are here~” Furina sang as she and Wriothesley entered the room. All this time, instead of getting drinks, they headed for a nearby flowery — picking up a gorgeous arrangement full of rainbow roses. “Look at you Lyney! You need to wear your hair like that more often.” 

“Passion and romantic encounters, huh?” Lyney commented, taking the flowers from Furina’s hands. “I appreciate the help.” 

Furina swayed from side to side, joyful at being useful. “Of course! While there’s no doubt the date will go splendidly, you simply cannot not have flowers on a first date.” 

Wriothesley chuckled, leaning casually against the doorframe. “She’s not wrong. These ones practically scream your relationship’s name.” 

“… And who’s the dramatic one now?” Lyney questioned whisperingly, rolling his eyes. “I owe you one, you two.” 

Furina waved him off, smiling from ear to ear. “You owe me nothing but a juicy recount of the date later. I demand details!” 

“Archons, don’t make the guy even more stressed.” Wriothesley elbowed the dainty girl. “He’s already ready to jump out of his skin.” 

Lynette, who had been quietly observing the exchange, stepped forward and straightened Lyney’s jacket. “You’re good to go,” She said, brushing off an invisible speck of lint. “Now don’t keep [Y/N] waiting. And remember—“ 

“I know, I know.” Lyney sighed, raising his hands in mock surrender. “No stupid mistakes or breaking hearts.” 

“And,” Lynette added, her expression unreadable. “Be yourself.” 

Lyney paused, her words striking a deep chord. He nodded, a genuine smile curving his lips. “Thanks, Lyn. I’ll keep that in mind.” 

Furina clapped her hands together, breaking the moment. “Alright, shoo! You have a date to pick up!” 

With one last glance at the mirror and steadying breath, Lyney turned and left, the bouquet clutched tightly in his hands. 

As the door closed behind him, Furina sighed dramatically. “He’s going to be a nervous wreck the whole time, isn’t he?” 

Lynette sat down in the chair Lyney had vacated. “He’s not the only one. [Y/N] is also worried about the thing. They’re basically mirroring each other.” 

Wriothesley chuckled, shaking his hands as he crossed his arms. “Like all of us are. There’s a reason we’d agreed to spy their date.” 

“Wait, so it wasn’t so that we’d capture their first kiss?” Furina asked, her gaze fixed on the empty doorway. 

In [Y/N]’s and Charlotte’s shared dorm, all that could be heard was the sound of footsteps. [Y/N] was pacing nervously around the entryway, muttering to herself. The agreed time for the date was coming up, and with each passing second, she could just feel her soul partially leaving her body. 

The girls who minutes ago helped her with dressing up simply decided to leave her be, observing from the living room’s couch. They had been made aware of Lyney’s incoming arrival but decided against relaying it to the most interested person in the room.  

[Y/N] fidgeted with the hem of her outfit, her nervous murmurs barely audible. “What if he thinks I overdressed? Or worse, what if I look like I didn’t even try?” 

From the couch, Navia chuckled, leaning back with a relaxed smile. “Sweetheart, if anything, Lyney’s going to think he didn’t try enough. Trust me, he’s probably losing his mind over there.”

Charlotte stifled a laugh as she flipped through social media. “He might even trip over his own feet when he sees you. That would be a sight.” 

Clorinde gave a small, approving nod. “You look perfect. Stop second-guessing yourself.” 

[Y/N] sighed, stopping mid-step to glance at the clock. “What if he—“ 

“Shh!” Navia interrupted, sitting up straight. “Did you hear that? I think your date is here~” 

Charlotte perked up, peeking through the window. Sure enough, a familiar figure was making his way toward their dorm. “Oh, it’s him. And wow, these flowers are stunning.” 

The girl froze in place, her heart thudding wildly. “Archons, what do I do?!”

“Relax,” Clorinde said, getting up to join her in the entryway. “And stop pacing. You’re going to burn a hole in the floor.” 

“Also don’t forget to breathe!” 

Before [Y/N] could reply, there was a soft knock at the door. Her pulse skyrocketed as she heard Clorinde leave her alone to deal with the situation. 

She walked to the door and opened it, revealing Lyney standing there with the bouquet of rainbow roses in his hands. His usual confidence seemed slightly dimmed, replaced by a nervous yet genuine smile.

“Hi,” he greeted, voice softer than usual. He held out the flowers. “These are for you.”

[Y/N] blinked, momentarily stunned by how earnest he looked. She knew Lyney was damn attractive, but him with his hair pushed back? Drop dead gorgeous. She took the bouquet, her fingers brushing against his. “These are beautiful. Thank you so much.” 

“Not as beautiful as you, dare I say~” 

Behind her, she could hear Charlotte whispering something about how they both were already “smitten beyond repair,” followed by Navia shushing her. 

Lyney seemed to also notice the whispers but chose to ignore them, his focus entirely on the girl in front of him “Shall we?” He offered his arm, his confidence starting to return in the warmth of her smile. 

[Y/N] nodded, taking his arm. “Let’s.” 

The two walked down the cobbled street, the atmosphere tinged with a pleasant buzz of anticipation. Lyney, ever the charmer, adjusted his posture slightly as if rehearsing a silent act. Meanwhile, [Y/N] felt her initial nervousness ease with every passing second in his company. She was passing occasional glances, still enthralled by the sheer beauty of her companion. 

“You know,” Lyney began, glancing at her with a soft smile. “When I asked you out, I half expected you to say no. But, well, with how you’re looking, I can tell I was gravely mistaken.” 

The girl felt her cheeks heat up, a bashful smile tugging at her lips. “You give yourself too little credit, Lyney. I’d have to be crazy to say no to someone like you…” 

He chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. “Well, with how you’ve made me the luckiest man in all of Teyvat tonight, I might as well asked you out months ago.” 

[Y/N] raised her eyebrow, but was unable to hide the flutter of her heart. “Whatever you mean, Lyney.” She hid her everlasting smile with her unclaimed hand. 

As they strolled, the glow of the city lights reflected in the cobblestone streets, the air filled with the lively hum of Fontaine’s nightlife. Lyney, ever the attentive companion, subtly guided her away from any puddles and bustling crowds. 

He finally led her to a quaint little café by the water, its atmosphere warm and inviting. Twinkling lights adorned the patio, and the gentle murmur of conversation and the tinkling of piano music filled the air. 

“Lyney,” [Y/N] said, looking around in awe. “This place is gorgeous.” 

“Only the best for my favourite girl,” He replied, pulling out a chair for her.

[Y/N] hesitated, sitting down slowly as her heart threatened to leap out of her chest. “Favourite, huh? I guess, I could get used to this title.” 

The evening passed in a blur of laughter and easy conversation, their initial nerves melting away. To any onlookers, they might’ve looked as if they were celebrating their anniversary, rather than having their first date.

“You know, darling, ” Lyney started suddenly, his head tilted as he took a good look at [Y/N]. “You kinda suck at hiding your feelings.” 

[Y/N] froze mid-laugh, her cheeks flushing a vivid red. “W-What do you mean by that?” She stammered, trying to keep her composure as she took a sip of her drink to hide her embarrassment.

Lyney’s lips curved into a mischievous grin, his purple eyes sparkling with that trademark charm. “Oh, nothing too scandalous.” He said, leaning forward just enough to whisper right into her ears. “Just the way your eyes light up every time you laugh, or how you keep glancing at me like I’ve hung the moon. And, well, how you’ve been doing it for months now.” 

The girl nearly choked on her drink, setting it down quickly. “I… That’s not— I wasn’t—“ She mumbled, her mind racing for a witty comeback. 

“Relax, [Y/N],” Lyney teased, leaning back to rest his chin on his hand. “If you tell me how long you’ve been crushing on me, I’ll answer the same.” 

[Y/N] blinked a few times, trying to gauge if this was simply a prank on his part. Of how she would make a joke out of herself for him to laugh at. Lyney sensed her sudden discomfort. 

“Hmm, what if I go first instead?” His eyes wandered around the room before finally settling on his. “But you have to promise to not laugh at me, alright?” 

She gave him a sceptical but curious look. She put her pinky up. “Promise.”

Lyney linked his finger with his, eyes softening at the simple gesture. 

“I think it was soon after the conflict you had with Charlotte and Clorinde, although Furina and Wriothesley are convinced it was way back when we had that picnic at Mary-Ann’s.” He began recounting the memories of how his body urged him to do anything in his power to make her feel better.

Once he was finished with his story, he took a second to look at [Y/N]. She had been silent for the entirety of his monologue. What he noticed was how she was trying to hide her warm cheeks behind her hands. 

“Y-you know…” She stuttered, taking his story in. “That conflict…” She looked away, shyly. “Was because of my crush on you.” 

Lyney’s eyes widened, his smile growing even wider as he processed [Y/N]’s words. The realisation hit him like a wave, and for a brief moment, all he could was stare at her, his purple eyes shining with shock and pure love. 

“You mean to tell me,” He began, his voice almost teasing, “That I was the last one to figure out that you liked me?” From his side of the story, he didn’t notice her glances until his own crush was pointed out to him…

“I— Maybe?” [Y/N] leaned down, hiding the entirety of her face in her hands. She could barely breathe from how fast her heart was racing. What she didn’t expect to learn, was the possibility of Lyney’s crush being as long as a few months long. Much longer than her own. From a person, she didn’t even think would entertain her feelings in general.

A silence fell between the two of them — both trying to process what just happened. Even their hidden audience waited on bated breath on what would transpire next. 

What broke the silence, was the scratched of a chair being pushed away. Lyney, almost working on autopilot came up to [Y/N]’s side of the table, crouching slightly to be level with her position. He gently grabbed onto her hands, revealing her beautiful face. He kept them in the grasp of his hand, for safekeeping. 

Before the girl could respond, Lyney’s free hand cupped her cheek gently, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw. His face was inched from her now, and [Y/N] could feel the erratic rhythm of his heartbeat. Her heart began racing in response, her breath shallow, almost as if she was holding it in anticipation. 

Then, without any more teasing, Lyney leaned in and closed the space between them. His lips brushed against hers softly at first, tentative and gentle, like the first raindrops on a spring day. But when [Y/N] leaned into the kiss, responding with a quiet sigh, he deepened it. Their lips moved in a slow, tender rhythm as if savouring the moment they had both been waiting for without realising it.

The world around them seemed to disappear — the soft hum of the café, the glow of the thinking lights, and the distant sound of cheers from their friends, all faded into nothingness. All that mattered was the warmth of Lyney’s lips against hers, the soft pressure of his hands holding her close, and the overwhelming feeling of connection that blossomed between them. 

When they finally pulled away, their breaths were mingled, lips still lingering close. Lyney’s eyes shone with a mixture of wonder and affection, his hand still resting against [Y/N]’s cheek. He whispered, his voice low and sincere, “I think this is just the beginning, [Y/N].” 

“Did you record all that?” Furina whispered to Charlotte, looking at the scene that unfolded in front of them.

“Sure did, queen.” The pink-haired girl ended the recording, looking at the rest of the party with an accomplished look. “We make sure to show it during their wedding.” 

“But of course.” Wriothesley grinned. “I can’t wait for Lyney to pass out when he sees this back.” 

𝑇𝐴𝐺𝐿𝐼𝑆𝑇 — CLOSED

@state-of-grac3 @santaluna @meigalaxy @romyoia

@meurtreofcrows @charles-braindump @floweringanna @moonjellyfishie @vavrin @lovelypadisarah @dearanemo

@dearanemo @ladylee

Tabletop Troupe’s clubroom felt surprisingly cramped despite its generous size. Clutter dominated every corner, with shelves and small coffee tables crammed full of items loosely connected to their club activities — walls full of imaginary maps, astrology and herbalism posters. It was an organised chaos, brimming with the girls’ personalities and charms.

At the centre of the room stood a grand table, completely covered by an elaborate diorama of a fantastical world — one they would experience in a second. Tiny buildings, dense forests, and intricate landscaping were crafted with immaculate precision, each detail a testament to the maker’s skill. 

“Wow,” Wriothesley said, leaning closer to inspect the miniatures. “These look amazing. Whoever made them did an incredible job.” 

“You can thank Clorinde for that!” Charlotte called out from the tiny kitchenette tucked into the corner. She and Lynette were busy preparing drinks for the group, the clinking of the mugs and the faint hum of the kettle accompanying her cheerful voices. “She always makes our map models!” 

Seated at the Game Master’s spot, Clorinde sighed and rolled her eyes. “Charlotte, that’s not necessary,” She muttered, a faint hint of embarrassment creeping into her tone. 

Navia grinned as she slid into a chair beside Clorinde, crossing one leg over the other. “Oh, don’t be modest, Clo. We all know you’re a perfectionist with this stuff.” She poked her cheek gently to lift the mood. 

The woman huffed, leaning over to grab her notes from a bag beside her chair. “It’s simply a part of being a good Master. Immersion is key, and thus the map is important.” 

“If you decide against working in law enforcement,” Furina chimed in, her gaze still fixed on the diorama. “You could probably make a bank selling pieces like these. There must be bank made from these~” 

“I doubt there would be much joy to be found in the business of such calibre,” Neuvillette commented, his gaze fixed on Clorinde. He spoke just as she was about to, his hand reaching out to tug his friend away from staring the miniatures down. “Apologises for her, Miss Clorinde.” 

“It’s alright. Thank you, Neuvillette.” 

By now, Lynette had quietly begun placing drinks on the table, with the help of [Y/N] and Lyney who joined her soon after entering the room last. A mix of teas, coffees, a few colourful sodas in glasses and mugs of various sizes. “Everything’s ready,” She said softly, stepping back with her composure. She looks around the table before realising she has forgotten something. “Oh, the sugar.” 

“Got it here, queen!” Charlotte was right behind her, sugar bowl in hand. The girl handed it to Furina, the most well-known sugar tea drinker at this party. 

“Oh thank you, Charlotte—“ Lynette looked away from the girl, noticing an anomaly. Her preferred seat, the one right next to [Y/N]’s was already taken. “You’re in my seat.” 

“Am I?” Lyney asked, raising an eyebrow. “Don’t see your name anywhere here, sis.” 

Lynette’s ears twitched ever so slightly, a sign of her quiet irritation. Lyney might've been related to her, but that wouldn't stop her from taking what’s rightfully hers. Especially since that rascal just swooped in and stole her friend out of nowhere. The girl crossed her arms, fixing her brother with an unimpressed stare. “It doesn’t need my name. It’s always my seat.” 

Lyney grinned, leaning back with a dramatic air of innocence. “Ah, but aren’t I a guest? Besides, I think it would be most beneficial to sit next to someone already acquainted with the premise of the game.” 

“There’s three more people here who have played the game. You’ll do fine.” 

The short male gasped dramatically, clutching his chest as though Lynette’s words had physically wounded him. “Oh, the cold dismissal from my own dear sister! Surely Father taught you better than to treat guests like that? Truly, I’m appalled.” 

“Less appalled and more stubborn,” Lynette deadpanned, standing behind his chair as she leaned forward. “Move, or else I’ll make you move.” 

“Sorry, Lyney…” [Y/N] chimed in, scratching her cheek with her nail. “If it was my seat, we could’ve simply just switched.” 

“Alas,” He stood up, letting his sister have her seat finally. “My dear companion yanked out of my existence, truly painful. You’re quite lucky, I’m feeling extraordinarily generous today, dearest sister.” 

“Well, at least you have the roleplaying aspect down,” Navia chuckled, finding amusement in the sibling’s bickering. It was lovely to have them able to do that once again. 

Lynette slid into her seat without another word, her expression blank but triumphant. “Oh thank you,” She said simply, her tone carrying just the slightest edge of sarcasm and satisfaction.

Lyney, now sitting next to Furina, leaned towards her, sulk painted on his face. “You see what I have to deal with? Ruthless woman, that Lynette is, I say.”

Furina laughed softly, stirring sugar in her tea while patting his platinum locks. “Yes, yes,” She offered her best confronting tone. “What a ruthless lady your sister is…” 

The group’s laughter rippled through the room, dispelling the last remnants of tension from the siblings’ playful squabble. Furina’s indulgent tone as she teased Lyney only added fuel to the lighthearted atmosphere. 

Clorinde glanced up from her notes, her calm demeanour contrasting the room’s buzzing energy. “Alright,” she called, her authoritative voice cutting through the chatter. “Is everyone ready to start?” She gestured toward the sprawling diorama at the centre of the table. 

“We sure are, Clo~” Navia replied, taking her character notes as well as the newest set of dice. Beautiful purple hues marbled with gold veins. “At the very least these puppies are!” 

Clorinde gave a curt nod, her eyes scanning the group for one final time as everyone settled in their seats awaiting any initial questions. Seeing as there was no confusion at that time, she grunted one last time to warm up her voice. 

She leaned forward, flipping to the first page of her meticulously detailed campaign notes. 

‘Today’s journey begins in the quiet village, nestled at the edge of the Whispering Woods. Rumours of strange occurrences have spread like wildfire — missing livestock, eerie noises, and sightings of shadowy figures. You’ve all been summoned here by the town’s elder, a frail yet spirited man, who now stands in the middle of a humble tavern. His slivered beard trembles as he speaks: ‘Thank the heavens you’ve arrived! The surrounding lands have been plagued by something… of illusory means. Please, brave adventurers, the village needs your help.’

“My player straightens her posture, her voice taking on a commanding tone,” Navia says, looking at Clorinde, who allows her to continue. “‘Fear not, Elder. We shall uncover the truth and protect these lands. First, please tell us everything you know about these occurrences.’” 

Charlotte smirked, taking on a haughty voice — playing up her character of noble descent. ‘While my noble companion handles the talking, I’d like to take a look around. Are there any tracks or signs of a struggle nearby?’ 

“Perception check,” Clorinde announced, pointing to her friend to roll the dice. All eyes have turned to the pink-haired girl, but one. 

“Clorinde?” Furina’s hushed voice asked, looking at the older girl a bit nervously. 

“Is everything alright?” 

“Uh…” Furina gulped a little, deciding if she wanted to make a fool of herself to ask her question. “What does perception mean?” 

The room fell into a brief silence before Lynette took her spot to explain. “It’s one of the skills your character has.” Her eyes started directly into her brother’s guiding him to point the character’s skills. “It’s basically your ability to notice things in the environment — spotting hidden clues, hearing distant noises, or picking up on subtle details in your surroundings.”

Furina tilted her head thoughtfully, her nervousness melting. “Oh! So like being observant?” 

“That’s it!” Navia affirmed. “Your perception is determined by your wisdom statistic, and rolling the dice determines how successful you are in noticing things in a given situation.” 

Clorinde leaned over the table, noting Charlotte’s roll. “There is no need to be reluctant in asking questions, Furina. Tabletop Troupe might be overwhelming at first, but I, as the Game Master, as well as the group will assist you every point of the way.” 

“Besides,” [Y/N] chimed in quietly, “You will be rolling for your performance scores for the songs you play as the bard of the team. All in due time, girl.” 

Furina nodded, her confidence returning as she glanced at her character sheet. “Alright. Thank you for explaining.” 

Charlotte, during these talks, finished her roll — her die landing on an honourable 15. Clorinde’s expression didn’t give anything away as she described the result. ‘You scan the area around the tavern, eyes sweeping over the dirt paths and grassy edges. You notice something resembling hoof prints leading toward the woods. They are larger than those of typical livestock and strangely uneven.’

Charlotte hummed slightly, taking notes on a notepad next to her character sheet. Her character’s voice slipped into a posh drawl. ‘How curious. It seems our shadowy friend prefers the forest. I suggest we follow these tracks hastily’.  

Navia grinned, fully immersed in her character. “‘Indeed! But we better gather more information before charging blindly into danger like a pack of fools’”. 

Clorinde glanced at Furina, offering her a slight nudge. “Perhaps you’d like to contribute? A song to rally the group to disregard Navia’s opinion or something to charm the elder for more information?” 

Furina’s eyes lit up, excitement replacing her earlier apprehension. “Yes, yes! I strum my lute and sing a gentle ballad, designed to ease the elder’s fears and coax more details from him.” 

“Roll for performance, please,” Clorinde instructed, leaning forward slightly.

Furina picks up her die, shaking it around in her palms before rolling. After bumping into the walls of the box, the die landed on an 18 — the table erupting into cheers for their companion. 

“Your melody washes over the elder, calming his trembling hands. His voice steadies as he reveals more: ‘The figures always vanish toward the woods after nightfall, near the old watchtower. Beware, for the whispers grow stronger the closer you get.’” 

“See?” Lyney gave Furina a playful nudge. “You’re already a natural.” 

The girl beamed, clearly proud of herself. “Alright, team. Let’s get to that watchtower and solve this mystery!” 

Neuvillette chimes in before Clorinde can change the scene and move the character pieces. “‘Dear elder, could we be able to enter the tavern before leaving for the expedition? I’m still quite parched from our journey here’”.

“The elder clears his voice, nervous to answer. ‘I’m afraid the tavern is unable to provide any drinks at the moment. The regulars are simply complaining at the bitterness of the drinks, and that is no way to treat esteemed guests.’”

“‘A glass of water is all I require.’” 

Clorinde eyes Neuvillette down, clearly ready to entertain his action wishes, but not without a small twist. “‘The water sources all seem to be contaminated, I’m afraid.” 

The group turns into silence, awaiting the decision of the water enthusiast. 

“I drink the water regardless.” 

Clorinde sighs, passing the die towards Neuvillette. “You’re going to roll for constitution. Go ahead.” 

The group’s collective gasp filled the room as Neuvillette boldly declared his action. Charlotte leaned forward, both intrigued and horrified. “Are you serious? That has to require like a 19 to pass!” 

The male offered a calm, unbothered smile as he took the die. “Water, even in its less-than-pristine forms, is still water. A simple contamination will just change its flavour profile. My character would not waste the opportunity to assess its condition firsthand.” 

Wriothesley bursts into laughter, slapping the table. “You never change, do you. Even in games, you have an obsession with water.” 

Clorinde, unamused but clearly resigned to this turn of events, folded her arms and gestured for him to roll. “Very well. Let’s see how your character’s iron stomach fares.” 

The die clattered across the table, all eyes glued to it as it spun to a stop. A collective pause followed. 

“Natural 20!” Navia hollered, nearly toppling out of her chair as she leaned forward. The group erupted into cheers. 

Clorinde pinched the bridge of her nose but couldn’t hide the faintest hint of amusement. “Alright, critical success. ‘Against all odds, the water has no discernible negative effects on your character. In fact—‘“ She glanced at her notes, improvising on the spot. “The water seems to reinvigorate you. You feel sharper and more aware. Add another point to your dexterity statistic, please.” 

Neuvillette tilted his head in modest satisfaction. “‘How fortuitous. It seems the water was not as unclean as the villagers presumed. Perhaps the contamination lies elsewhere.’” 

The campaign which initially was thought to be a short one, to not overwhelm the first-timers, turned out to last multiple hours… and still not be done. The party seemed to be getting tired minute by minute, eyes barely holding on, their legs sore from sitting in the same spot. 

As wishful as getting a break to stretch the bones out was, thanks to the decisions and rolls done by the group, they had finally stumbled upon one of the main enemies. Unfortunately for them, most of the party is far too injured to take on the opposing foe. Lyney, in particular, is in quite the conundrum — the evil sorcerer is dashing straight to his harmed character, and he won’t be able to take another move before Clorinde takes action. 

The woman turned to [Y/N], the last person with enough health to try and turn it around. 

“Pass me the dice.” She looked at Clorinde, double-checking with her character abilities. She pondered for a minute, trying to gauge how well she must roll to have any chance of saving Lyney. 

Clorinde handed the dice over, her expression neutral yet expectant. “Your decision, [Y/N]. Think carefully. What do you wish to do?” 

The group fell silent, the atmosphere tense. Lyney leaned forward, clutching the edge of the table as though his real-life depended on her action.

“I’m going to use Shadow Strike,” [Y/N] declared, her eyes flicking to the miniatures on the table, assessing the positions. “My character will conjure shadows to harm the sorcerer. That is— uh, five d6 dice.” 

Navia’s jaw dropped. “You know you need to roll really high for that? Even with your modifiers you basically need to hit a crit success.” 

Clorinde gave a curt not, passing the dice. “Shadow Strike allows you to attack the foe with a sneak attack. Given your current level, you gain an additional four to your roll thanks to proficiency.” 

Charlotte clutched her notes. “If she fails, Lyney’s character is toast. No pressure, though, girl.” 

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” [Y/N] quipped with a small grin. She picked up the dice, the weight of the moment settling on her shoulders. Her heart thudded as she shook the dice, the room holding its collective breath. 

A six. 

A three. It’s nine in total. 

A six. Fifteen. 

A six. Twenty-one. 

The room watches the last dice with the utmost attention. All [Y/N] needs is three or above to pass the check. 

“A six. It’s thirty-two total.” [Y/N] looks up at Clorinde, a smirk on her face. “Don’t even need the proficiency boost, baby.” 

Cheers erupted around the table, and even Clorinde’s normally stoic expression turned into one of amusement. Getting an almost perfect roll was quite uncommon, given statistics and that. “Your attack connects. Roll for damage.” She passes five d8 dice. 

“Oh, we’re just getting started.” The girl declared with a determined grin. She scooped the damage dice, channelling every ounce of willpower into her throw. The octahedra-shaped dice rolled again, spinning to a halt.

They added up to thirty-six. 

Navia shot up from her chair, her arms raised triumphantly. “Let’s go! That’s enough to obliterate that guy!” 

Clorinde can’t help but chuckle, recording the roll. “Your Shadow Strike slices through the sorcerer’s defences with uncanny precision. The force of the attack sends him staggering, his staff clattering to the ground. With a final, desperate scream, he collapses.” 

The table erupted into applause and laughter, with Lyney leaning over the table to gather [Y/N]’s hands into his. “My saviour!” He exclaimed, shooting the girl a dazzling grin. “I, quite literally owe you my life.” 

“We are truly the side characters in the coming of [Y/N]’s and Lyney’s love story,” Wriothesley chuckled. “Even randomness says so.” 

Clorinde raised a hand, bringing the group back to order. “Well done, team. With the sorcerer defeated, you’ve cleared one of the major obstacles in this campaign. Let’s pause here for now, I’m sure your legs must be killing you.” 

With a short break in session, [Y/N] decided to have a breath of fresh air on the rooftop nearby. She was dubbed the hero of the campaign, and yet her mind could only think about Wriothesley’s comment accompanying Lyney’s grasp on her hands. 

Ever since coming to terms with her crush, she had done her best to keep her feelings in check. There had been situations where she simply needed to push the feverish feelings in her chest aside for the sake of the group. 

The cool evening breeze was a welcome reprieve from the energetic atmosphere of the clubroom. [Y/N] leaned against the railing, looking at the setting sun. She sighed, letting the air calm her racing thoughts. It’s just a game, she told herself. We are close friends, that’s all. Don’t overthink it. But Wriothesley’s comment had planted a seed that was difficult to ignore. 

“Figured I’d find you here,” A familiar voice called out. [Y/N] turned to see Lyney stepping onto the rooftop, his charming smirk softening into something more genuine. “Needed to calm your mind after pulling that action back there?” 

She laughed, brushing her hair away from her face. “Let’s say that’s it.” 

He walked over, leaning on the railing beside her. “That really was an incredible play you did there. Honestly, I thought I was done for.” 

“I just got lucky with rolls, that’s all.” She said, trying to downplay her achievement. 

Lyney shook his head, a playful glint in his eyes. “Sure, luck might’ve been part of it, but you’ve got great instincts. You saved me back there, as you have the tendency to do so even outside games. For that, I’m grateful.” 

His sincerity caught her off guard. She glanced at him, and for a moment, they held each other’s gaze. The oranges and reds of the setting sun seemed to highlight every detail of his features — the curve of his lips, the sparkle in his violet eyes. 

“Oh please,” She started, breaking the tension. “Says the guy who saved me from an actual kidnapper.” 

“And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” He replied, his voice quieter now. He looked at her with an expression she couldn’t quite read. It was hanging on a thread between simple gratitude and something deeper. 

[Y/N] felt her heart skip a beat. She turned her gaze back to the sky, trying to compose the heat she felt rising to her cheeks. “Should I hold you to it?” 

Lyney laughed softly. “Of course. I’m a man of my word, [Y/N].” He placed his hand on his chest, leaving his sincerity for all to witness. 

The two stood in comfortable silence for a while, the sounds of night’s arrival filling the air. 

“You know,” He said after a moment, his tone thoughtful. “That comment Wriothesley made back there — you know about what — what do you think about that?” 

Her breath caught in her throat. She turned to him unsure of how to respond. “I think he was just teasing, considering everything we went through,” She said carefully. “But, well, you know him better than me.” 

Lyney nodded, his smirk returning. “That guy loves to tease. Especially me. But…” He leaned slightly closer, voice dropping to a soft murmur. “If it were true, would that be so bad?” 

[Y/N] felt her cheeks heat up, her heart pounding in her chest. She opened her mouth to reply, but no reply came out. She was just left there frozen, staring at him agape trying to process his words. The implication hung in the air between them, a delicate thread stretched taut by the weight of unsaid feelings. Lyney’s gaze stayed fixed on her, a mixture of hope and vulnerability flickering in his eyes. 

He gave a soft chuckle, a sound that carried so much anxiety. “I didn’t mean to put you on the spot,” He said, stepping back slightly. “I just… well, fuck, I have never asked anyone out on a date, sorry.” 

[Y/N] finally found her voice, though it was barely above a whisper. “Sorry, I just— I… That was unexpected to hear.” She turned to face him, meeting his gaze head-on. “A date, huh?” 

Lyney tilted his head, looking at the girl with confusion and nervousness in his eyes. “Yeah— Only if you want to, I mean!” 

“I…” She began, her voice trembling slightly. “I think I’d like that.” 

𝑇𝐴𝐺𝐿𝐼𝑆𝑇 — CLOSED

@state-of-grac3 @santaluna @meigalaxy @romyoia

@meurtreofcrows @charles-braindump @floweringanna @moonjellyfishie @vavrin @lovelypadisarah @dearanemo

@dearanemo @ladylee

𝑇𝐴𝐺𝐿𝐼𝑆𝑇 — CLOSED

@state-of-grac3 @santaluna @meigalaxy @romyoia

@meurtreofcrows @charles-braindump @floweringanna @moonjellyfishie @vavrin @lovelypadisarah @dearanemo

@dearanemo @ladylee

The day of the grand rescue mission had finally arrived, marking the climax of their investigation saga. The anticipation of reuniting with their friend—and freeing the other victims—was the perfect reward for their relentless efforts. 

“Is everyone here?” One of the police officers asked, scanning the group for confirmation before they could proceed. The tension was palpable. Though entering the house without proper documentation felt like skating on the edge of the law, the group and the authorities knew this was likely their only opportunity to save the captives. 

“Yes,” Wriothesley replied, his gaze sweeping over the group as he mentally checked their numbers. Furina and Charlotte stood sluggishly, struggling to shake off the effects of an early wake-up call they weren’t accustomed to. Meanwhile, Navia and Clorinde were notably absent, sticking to their agreement to track the kidnapper and report any sudden shifts in Marcel’s routine. 

Neuvillette took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. “Miss Navia and Miss Clorinde will alert us if there is any change in the transgressor’s behaviour. Until then, we must believe in their efforts and focus on the task ahead.” 

The officer gave a curt nod and asked the group to proceed. They approached the house cautiously, their steps weighted by apprehension. The sleek, modern structure stood in stark contrast to the grim purpose of their mission, its clean lines and polished exterior hiding the darkness within. In the misty morning light, its shadow seemed to stretch endlessly, a silent warning of the unknown dangers ahead. 

“It’s against protocol to allow civilians into a potential crime scene,” another muttered, clearly uneasy. “It’s a disgrace that it’s come to this — relying on college students in an operation like this.”

The sharp glances of the group silenced him, but the tension remained palpable. 

“Anything specific we should watch for?” [Y/N] asked, her tone measured but betraying a hint of nervous energy. “Maybe we should split up to cover more ground, but stay in pairs for safety.”

Wriothesley considered the suggestion, his gaze flicking to the rest of the group. “It’s a reasonable plan,” he said after a moment. “We’ll be thorough, but no one is to wander alone. Stay alert and keep your phones on at all times.” 

The group murmured their agreement, gathering into pairs. The officers hesitated for a moment, sighing a little. “Just don’t touch anything unless absolutely necessary — and for Archon’s sake, be careful.” 

With the plan settled, they stepped up to the house’s partially open back door. Probably the same way the abductor got in months ago to kidnap Lynette. The air grew colder, the oppressive silence inside practically seeping through the walls. [Y/N] reached for the frame, her hand steady despite the growing weight of responsibility. 

“Let’s go,” She said, her voice calm and resolute, before sliding the door open.  

The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a dimly lit living room. The once-pristine space was now eerily quiet, the faint scent of rain on a warm summer’s day lingering in the air — not the overpowering scent of chemicals or metal they were expecting. Shadows stretched across the floor, cast by the thin slivers of morning light seeping through the drawn blinds. They just entered the living room. 

“It smells off…” Furina murmurs, clinging tightly to Neuvillette’s arm, her earlier grogginess replaced by a trembling unease. 

“If your mention of this house being built close to the former research institute is correct, it’s absolutely normal.” The police officer replies, his sharp gaze scanning every corner of the lounge for signs of movement. 

Furina’s grip tightened as her eyes darted nervously around the room. “Normal or not, it feels wrong,” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. 

“Let’s proceed carefully,” Somebody mentioned. “This smell might mask something more important.”

The officer nodded in agreement and gestured for the group to spread out slightly. “Watch your footing,” he warned. “Any disturbance will stand out. It could help us piece together what’s going on here — or alert us to a trap.” 

The group split off into pairs as planned, each moving deeper into the house. [Y/N] and Lyney, their flashlights cutting through the dimness. Wriothesley and Charlotte headed upstairs, the wooden stairs creaking faintly under their weight. Neuvillette and Furina remained on the ground floor with the officers, scanning the main living areas for any overlooked clues.

In the left wing, [Y/N] and Lyney found themselves in what seemed to be an exact replica of the picture sent to the girl weeks ago. 

The room was hauntingly familiar, every detail aligning with the image that had been burned into their minds weeks prior. The head-to-ceiling window framed the overcast sky outside, while the same blanket laid crumpled on the floor in the exact spot they had seen before. But the crucial piece — the person who had made the scene so chilling — was conspicuously absent. Lynette was nowhere to be found. 

[Y/N] and Lyney stood frozen for a moment, their hands clasped tightly. The tension in the air grew heavier as the realisation settled over them. The only thing moving was the seemingly shaking hand of Lyney’s, his nerves overtaking his entire body. 

“C-Can we leave?” He asked, his voice shaky. “I don’t think I can stand to be looking at this any longer.” Sweat pools at his forehead and palms, tugging [Y/N] to just go somewhere else.

[Y/N] gently squeezed Lyney’s hand, grounding him in reality as best as she could. Her own heart was racing, but she pushed the fear aside, forcing herself to focus and take charge in this situation. “Give me a minute.” She said softly, but firmly. “If Lynette was here, there might be something that can give us more information.” 

He hesitated, his breath uneven as his gaze darted around the room. The overwhelming familiarity of the scene made his stomach churn. “What if this is all for nothing?” He whispered, voice laced with despair. “We  might be too late.” 

Lyney’s body began moving on its own, dragging the girl with him against her protests. “Everything’s wrong. My mind wouldn’t lie, for fucks sake!” He shouted, having the concept of ‘twin telepathy’ in mind while saying that.

As soon as they left the area, Lyney’s nerves began to calm down. He was still breathing heavily as he dragged [Y/N] to a different room. “I’m begging you, let’s go somewhere else. I need to breathe.” 

As he pleaded, the girl took control once more, deciding to abide by his wishes. She headed down the corridor, looking for any enclosed space to let him settle down. In all honesty, she opened the first door she saw. 

The door creaked open, inching ever so slightly only to reveal a room shrouded completely in darkness. [Y/N]’s hand is still linked closely with Lyney’s, leading him gently as she blindly searches for a light switch.

The fluorescent light buzzed faintly, illuminating the room’s grim and obsessive contents. Lyney and [Y/N], their hands still clasped tightly as their eyes darted around, taking in the disturbing shrine they had stumbled across.

The walls were a macabre collage, plastered with photographs of Furina — candid shots, promotional posters from her theatrical performances, and even close-ups that must have been taken without her knowledge. Each image was meticulously placed, with lines of text scrawled beneath some of them — notes on her expressions, her costumes, and even detailed commentary on her roles.

The mannequins loomed like silent sentinels, dressed in replicas of her outfits, their lifeless gazes turned toward the centre of the room. 

Lyney’s grip on [Y/N]’s hand tightened as his breath quickened again, his eyes wide with alarm. “What the hell is this?” He whispered, voice trembling slightly. “I knew he used to stalk her but— That is sick.” 

The girl swallowed hard, her own pulse quickening as she took a cautious step forward. Her flashlight beam traced the wall, landing on a faded newspaper clipping that stood out among the rest. The headline read: “Rising Star Furina Shares Her Career Future — Fontaine University.” 

The notes beneath it were written in jagged handwriting, barely legible in their frenzy. “Perfect. Absolutely perfect. Must have her. She belongs to the stage, and to me.” 

“That’s why he targeted her back then,” [Y/N] murmured, her voice low but steady. “He fixates on his victims.” She took out her phone, doing her best to get pictures of the room as soon as possible. “Lynette and the others most likely weren’t chosen on accident either.” 

Lyney clenched his fists, his expression darkening with anger. “So he picks them, stalks them, and when the opportunity arises…” His voice trailed off, his lips pressing into a thin line at the sheer thought of both his sister and best friend. The air in the room felt suffocating, heavy with the weight of what they’d uncovered. 

“We need to get Furina out of here as soon as possible.” [Y/N] said, urgency creeping into her tone. “If this guy comes back.” 

A pair of sounds echoed inside the room — a faint ping coming from both their phones. Either they found the victims or… 

… or something has gone wrong. 

The faint buzz of their phones died away, leaving an even heavier silence in the room. [Y/N] could feel her pulse pounding in her ears, drowning out every other sound. Her fingers trembled as she checked the message. 

She turned her phone toward Lyney, who stared at the messages with wide, panicked eyes. His breathing quickened, and she could feel the tension radiating from him. Without a word, they both knew there was no time to lose. 

“Time to run,” he whispered urgently. “We need to warm the others.” 

They bolted out of the room, running as fast as they could to join the others. Their steps were making so much noise that it basically echoed through the entire building, alerting anyone nearby. 

“What’s going on?” Charlotte asked frantically, running down the staircase. “Did you find them?” 

“No,” [Y/N] cut in breathlessly, her voice urgent and laced with panic. “We found something else, probably at the same level of insanity. Marcel is on his way back. We need to move and find the victims. Now.” 

Lyney nodded. “There’s a… shrine. He’s fucking insane about Furina. If he sees us here, this won’t be just a rescue mission anymore.” 

The group froze for a moment, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Wriothesley, descending the stairs two steps at a time, cursed under his breath. “What do you mean, ‘a shrine’?”

“No time for details,” [Y/N] said, grabbing Charlotte by the arm. “We need to get everyone out before it’s too late. Where’s Neuvillette?” 

“Still downstairs with Furina and the officers,” Wriothesley replied, his voice steady despite the chaos brewing around them. “I’ll grab them. The rest of you, head to the vehicles and be ready to leave.” 

“Are you out of your mind?” Lyney interjected, giving him the nastiest look possible. “I’m not leaving without Lynette. I’d rather fucking die than have that fucker take her again.” 

“Lyney, listen—“ Wriothesley began, but [Y/N] cut him off. 

“He’s right.” She said firmly, “If we run now, he’ll just vanish, and this time, we’ll have no trail. We need to at least try and free the captives before Marcel gets here.” 

Charlotte nodded, her fear momentarily overridden by determination. “I’ll get the medical crew to join you. Wriothesley, get Neuvillette and Furina out safely. Lyney, [Y/N] — find anything we can use to figure out where they are.” 

“Sure. But be safe everyone.” Wriothesley noted. “And if anyone hears anything, call.” 

The group scattered, each moving with purpose but an ever-present sense of urgency. The time was ticking. 

Downstairs, Neuvillette and Furina were combing through a study with the officers when Wriothesley burst in. “We’ve got a situation,” he said curtly. “Marcel’s on his way back.” 

Furina paled, clutching Neuvillette’s arm. “He can’t come back. What if he finds us?” 

“Which is why we’re leaving,” Wriothesley said, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the door. “Neuvillette, this is not up to any debate.” 

The police officer straightened, his icy composure masking the storm brewing beneath. “What about the others?” 

“They’ll be right behind us,” Wriothesley assured him. “The longer we stay here, it’s more likely we jeopardise the entire mission. We need to move. Now.” 

[Y/N] and Lyney sprinted through the labyrinthine hallways, hearts pounding as they searched for any signs of the captives. The medical staff, thanks to Charlotte’s swift action, had managed to catch up with them and were helping in the search. Finally, they came across a locked door near the end of the corridor. 

“This has to be it,” [Y/N] whispered, gathering the attention of her companions. 

The atmosphere thickened as the group huddled around the door. It was an imposing, solid structure, its surface cold and unyielding to the touch. A faint, muffled sound from behind it made everyone pause, their breaths catching in unison. There was no denying it now — someone was inside. 

“Do you think…” Lyney started, his voice breaking slightly as he pressed his ear to the door. The faint sound of a shaky, ragged breath made him recoiled. “It’s them,” he confirmed, his tone steeled with determination. “Lynette’s in there. I can feel it.” 

One of the medical crew members stepped forward, holding a compact set of tools. “This lock doesn’t look complex. Regardless, please keep an eye out and let me know if anyone’s coming.” 

“Will do,” [Y/N] replied, her gaze darting nervously down the corridor. She handed her flashlight to Lyney, who clutched it like a lifeline while his hands trembled ever so slightly. 

The minutes felt like hours as the medical worker tinkered with the lock. The sound of faint clicks was interrupted by every distant creek or gust of wind, sending jolts of paranoia through the group. [Y/N] stood vigil, their eyes fixed on every shadow that graced the walls. 

“Almost there…” The worker murmured, beads of sweat forming on their brow. Just as the lock gave a satisfying click, a distant sound made everyone freeze. A hiss of tyres. Echoing in the entire vicinity. 

“He’s here,” Lyney hissed, his voice barely above a whisper. 

The group exchanged panic glances. There wasn’t enough time to flee with the captives, especially if Marcel was already closing in. 

[Y/N] took her phone out, informing the group they had managed to locate the victims. She pleaded for them to buy as much time as possible. She was breathing heavily despite being guaranteed by the other group they would do everything possible. 

The group pushed the door open just enough to reveal a dimly lit room. Lynette and three other girls were huddled on thin mattresses, their limbs bound and their faces hollow with exhaustion. 

“Lynette!” Lyney burst forward, his voice creaking as he reached for his beloved sister. Her head lifted slowly, her expression wavering between disbelief and relief as her eyes focused on him. 

“Lyney…?” Her voice was barely audible, a whisper of hope breaking through her fatigue. Tears streamed down his face as he knelt in front of her, his hands working furiously to untie her restraints. 

Some medical staff joined him to do the same with the other three university students. 

Lyney’s hand shook as he fumbled with the ropes binding his sister. His mind was still reeling from the recent discoveries, the shrine, and the impending arrival of the kidnapper. But at this moment, all that mattered was Lynette — his sister, the one he sought to protect no matter what.

Lynette’s purple eyes were focused on him as if to make sure he was real. If she could, she would’ve probably touched his face all over — just to make sure. 

“I’m here, Lynette. We’re getting you out. Just hold on, okay? Please hold on,” He whispered, his voice breaking as he finally freed her hands. 

The other medical staff worked quickly around them, cutting the ropes off the other captives. Despite the urgency, there was an overwhelming sense of relief — they had found them, they were alive, they were going to be free. 

But the tension was far from over. [Y/N] stood by the door, her pulse still racing as she kept a watchful eye on the hallway. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Marcel was right on their toes, his presence an inevitable storm that they were not yet ready to face. 

“We need to get out as soon as possible,” she urged, stepping into the room to calm her spirits a little. Lynette looked frail, but the girl still managed to recognise her, relief washing over her body even more. The other captives were in varying states of shock and gratitude, whispering small thanks to the medical staff. 

Navia and Clorinde were closing in, parking their car in such a way that, unless driving into the river, Marcel had no routes of escaping. Navia’s blue eyes were trained on the young man, looking somewhat confused at the amount of police vehicles parked outside his residence. 

What they didn’t predict was the sudden knock on the back door of the car, almost pleading with urgency to be let in. Their heads snapped toward the sound, a rush of adrenaline fuelling their next moves. Without hesitation, Navia unlatched the door, glancing out of the window. Standing there, panting and clearly on edge, was Furina — breathing heavily, eyes wide with panic. 

“I’ve seen him,” She gasped, her voice trembling as she climbed into the car. “Wrio and Neuvi made me sneak off to you just in case of something bad coming to fruition. Have you heard anything from the others?” Furina asked words slurring together from the exhaustion. 

“They located and freed the girls,” Navia replied, passing her phone to prove her statement with the messages shared by [Y/N]. “Are Wriothesley and Neuvillette still near the house?” 

Furina nodded, mentioning how they instructed her to leave for their car only to stay in case a confrontation was needed. 

“I’m glad you made it safe and sound to us.” The blonde shifted in her seat, turning around to cup Furina’s hands. “I’m so, so proud of you for your bravery today.” 

Although the weight of their success began to sink in, the tension didn’t completely dissolve. Furina, still trembling with the residual fear of being face-to-face with her past stalker, looked out of the window, her eyes scanning the sunny outside with a mix of wariness and relief. 

“Do you think they’ll take him to jail?” She asked, voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might alert the dangerous presence lurking just outside. 

Clorinde leaned back in her seat, letting out a deep breath. “It would be incompetent of the officers not to. With Marcel showing up, as well as the documentation [Y/N], Lyney and Wriothesley gathered they have him served on a platter.” 

“Mhm, that’s right!” Navia nodded. “If you don’t want to see the final showdown, I think it’s your best bet to take a nap, Love.” At the notice of Marcel confronting the police officers quickly sent a message to the group, informing them the time to leave was now. 

“That’s all four.” One of the medics counted, gesturing for others to help them with helping the girls up. With how light their bodies felt, their best bet would be to carry them out. “Are we good to go, Miss [Y/N]?” 

[Y/N] nodded quickly, her expression firm despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. “I think so. According to the information I’ve gotten, the kidnapper is currently speaking with the police.” Despite the reassurance, she still glanced towards the door. Just in case something went wrong.

The medics worked swiftly, carefully lifting the girls. Lynette was scooped into Lyney’s arms, the male refusing for anybody to touch her sister. 

“We’re getting out, okay?” He whispered to the girl, taking gentle steps. He followed the medics, keeping the grip on his sister secure as they navigated the dim hallways. 

[Y/N] led the way, her flashlight flicking across every shadow as they made their way back toward the main entrance. The closer they got, the sounds of an argument were getting louder and louder. The rescue group stopped for a second, trying to gauge if it was safe to proceed. 

“I don’t understand what the deal is, Officer.” Marcel’s voice was laced with anger. “Ever since I’ve moved here, not once there was a location control. And what the deal is with all the police cars and ambulances?”

“I apologise, Mr. Dubois, but those are standard procedures when dealing with terrains surrounding any radioactivity zones. We came prepared fully, just in case there were any people or pets inside..” 

“Why not schedule this as a call? Surely the office cannot be this incompetent, as to not know how to agree on the date and time.” 

“As I’ve stated — this terrain is not suitable for any housing plots. Frankly, I’m shocked at a house being located here.” 

“They made it sound like an environmental check?” [Y/N] murmured to herself, looking back at the group. Despite the conversation being surprisingly short, it felt like hours to those stuck in the house. Entering at the wrong time could render the entire operation useless. 

“It seems to be that,” Lyney answered, switching his position to make Lynette more comfortable. “How long are we going to be stuck here…” His body was getting sore, shifting his balance from one leg to the other.

“Perhaps,” A medic started. “Perhaps we go out the back?” 

After the shared nod between all the members, their slow walk towards the sliding door began. They would go out the same way they got in… 

“You probably didn’t even check your own records before deciding to harass me,” Marcel snapped, growing more heated. “If there’s nothing else, I’d like all of you to leave my property!”

The officer closest to Marcel, maintaining an air of calm professionalism, raised his hands slightly, as if to diffuse the tension. “Mr. Dubois, we understand your frustration, but this is a public safety matter. We need to ensure there’s no immediate risk to you or anyone else in the area.” 

Marcel’s eyes narrowed, suspicion flashing across his face. “Anyone else? I live alone. Who would be at risk.” 

The exchange grew more intense, but inside the house, the group took advantage of Marcel’s distraction. [Y/N] signalled to the medics and Lyney to hurry. Every second counted. 

“Time to move.” [Y/N] whispered urgently, her eyes darting between the group and the faint light coming from the open doorway. The medics adjusted their grips on the weakened captives, including Lynette who leaned heavily against her older brother. 

The group crept toward the exit, their steps as silent as possible. The argument outside grew louder, proving a sliver of hope that Marcel was too distracted to notice their escape. Just as they reached the door, the distinct sound of raised voices caught their attention. 

“What’s in the house, Mr. Dubious?” One officer asked firmly. “Based on your reaction, we have a reason to believe you’ve been engaging in illegal activity.” 

Marcel stiffened, his sharp eyes darting towards the entrance. “How DARE you accuse me of such things without evidence. This is an outrage!” He lunged in the direction of the police officers, hoping to grab one of them by their collars. 

Just then, a gust of wind blew suddenly, causing the back door to slam with a grating screech. Everyone, Marcel included, looked in the direction of the sudden noise… only to find [Y/N] standing there, staring back at them in shock. Was it… over? 

The man broke his arms away from the officers, preparing himself to run at the girl as fast as she could. [Y/N], the only one who he never managed to capture, despite offering herself on a platter. The one who somehow, against his plans figured out his identity. 

A thud could be heard of a body hitting the ground. Marcel was no longer standing… instead, he laid on the floor, knocked out. Wriothesley could be seen where he previously stood, stretching his body after kicking the guy. 

“That…” The police officer looked between the two men. “I’m afraid, this was not included in the plan.” 

“Mmm— whatever,” Wriothesley commented, walking to the rescue group with a grin on his face. He was joined by Neuvillette who joined swiftly, ready to assist the medics with whatever needed. 

“Was that truly necessary?” Neuvillette asked, sparing a glance at the other man. 

“Oh yeah. Absolutely worth it.” He grinned, side-eyeing his friend a tad bit. “Don’t tell me you didn’t think of doing the same.” 

“Unfortunately, I do not have a pressure washer on myself, Wriothesley.” 

“Is everyone ready to go?” A medic asked, double-checking if all the victims had been placed in the ambulance safely. They were preparing to transport the girls to the nearest hospital as soon as possible. 

“I’m going,” Lyney came closer. “That’s my sister. I need to know she’s all good.” 

With a nod, they allowed the short male to join them in the ambulance. He thanked them profusely before turning to all the people who helped with saving his dear sibling. “Thank you,” He mouthed. 

He took his phone out of his pocket, lifting it up — to signalise he would update the group when possible. 

𝑇𝐴𝐺𝐿𝐼𝑆𝑇 — CLOSED

@state-of-grac3 @santaluna @meigalaxy @romyoia

@meurtreofcrows @charles-braindump @floweringanna @moonjellyfishie @vavrin @lovelypadisarah @dearanemo

@dearanemo @ladylee

As the meeting approached, [Y/N]’s nerves became more evident. She was hunched over her laptop, polishing her slides for the presentation on their opponent. This wasn’t just a university project for credit — it’s serious. Her sleepless nights were etched into her appearance, with dark circles under her eyes and a tired, drooping gaze.

If you asked, [Y/N] would insist she’s fine, brushing off any mention of fatigue. In truth, burying herself in this project has been a way to block out her growing feelings for Lyney and keep Clorinde’s judgement at a safe distance from her thoughts. 

Over the past few days, she and Lyney had gathered a significant amount of information. Beyond the startling discovery of Marcel’s connection to the Dean of Arts and Humanities department, they’d uncovered another strange, yet valid for his character: he was an intense fan of Lolita. His Facebook page was littered with quotes from the novel — far too many for comfort, given the circumstances. 

In the end, one question continued to baffle her — figuring out his motive. If their timeline was correct, he had stopped pursuing Furina as soon as she left the theatre troupe, with no suspicious activity on his part until March of this year. 

[Y/N] muttered to herself, trying to make sense of it, her laptop balancing on her knees. The screen showed the slide on Marcel’s background: a graduate of their university who had majored in performance arts but never made it big. By all appearances, it was likely the dean who had handed him the assistant position — a clear case of nepotism, or something close to it. 

“And who do we have here, hmm?” Lyney’s voice came from behind [Y/N], making her jump out of her skin. In her startled attempt to back away, she nearly sent her laptop flying. Luckily, Lyney was quick; with one hand, he steadied her, while his other caught her laptop just in time, saving her and her work from disaster. 

“Y-You—“ [Y/N] stammered, bending forward to catch her breath and regain her composure. Lyney’s hand remained around her waist, even as he leaned down to carefully place the laptop on the coffee table beside her former seat. It took her a while to settle down, her brain not letting go of thinking about his touch. 

Once the laptop was safely down, Lyney straightened up, his gaze teasing but warm. “Didn’t mean to scare you,” he said, though the mischievous glint in his eyes suggested otherwise. 

[Y/N] shot him a look, half-annoyed, half-flustered. “You did that on purpose.” 

“Who knows, maybe I did,” he admitted, a smirk on his lips. “But I couldn’t resist. You’ve been buried in this thing lately—  Was starting to think you’d forgotten all about me~” 

Lyney and his sly words. Her cheeks felt warmer, and she quickly looked away, focusing on the open laptop. “Hardly. I’m preparing… for the meeting, you know.” 

He chuckled softly, clearly enjoying her reaction. “Right, of course, the meeting.” Then, after a pause, his tone softened. “But really, don’t overwork yourself. I can help if you need it.” 

“Absolutely not, Lyney.” [Y/N] pouted, looking at him. “You were the one to collect information, it’s only fair I prepare the presentation, right.” 

Lyney raised an eyebrow, feigning offence. “Are you saying I wouldn’t make an impressive presenter?” 

[Y/N] rolled her eyes, stifling a grin. “I think you’d make too much of a spectacle of it. We’re trying to inform everyone about that dick, not put on a magic show. Besides your father is going to be there…” 

He placed a hand over his heart, pretending to be wounded by her words. “Ouch. But I suppose you’re right — I’d steal the show, no bet.” He gave a small, playful shrug before taking his hand off her waist and meeting her gaze. “Still, I’ll be there by your side. Give me the cue, and I’ll jump to your aid, like a knight on a horse in shining armour.” 

“Thanks, Lyney.” She murmured, her voice quieter than she’d intended. How could she not have fallen for a guy like him? Despite his teasing nature, he was always there to aid her whenever possible. Even when she hadn’t felt like doing anything or crying her eyes out at feeling useless. 

Heavens above, it was high time to regain her focus… the meeting was coming soon. 

“The party has arrived!~” Furina sings, sweeping into the vacation house as Lyney holds the door open for her. Wriothesley and Neuvillette followed close behind, each wearing an expression of subtle relief — it was their first time seeing him since that fateful day. 

“Good to see the squad in one piece.” Lyney greets them with a small smile, though his eyes linger on Wriothesley and Neuvillette, sensing the weight of unspoken words. There is tension in the air, a mix of concern and gratitude, as if just seeing him there, welcoming them with his usual charm, is enough to ease some of their lingering worries. 

Furina, as oblivious as ever to the atmosphere, spins around the room, hands on her hips. “So, where’s your girl? Surely she hasn’t run off to do even more work?” 

Lyney chuckles, mentioning them towards the living room. “Not my girl, first of all— Second, she’s still wondering how to fix the tension between her, Clorinde and Charlotte…” 

“They still haven’t reconciled?” Neuvillette asks surprise in his tone. “From their dynamic, it would seem like they’d let go of their argument quite swiftly if I do say so myself.” 

Wriothesley meanwhile, rolls his eyes at Lyney’s words, though a smirk tugs at the corner of his lips. “Not your girl, ‘Mr. My body is telling me to make her feel better’. He teases. 

“Shut the fuck up, Wrio,” Lyney says as the faintest blush creeps up. He’s leading them to the living room, where everything for their meeting is already prepared — a projector, some snacks and a lot of sitting space. This room was often used as a gathering spot for the children to watch movies, whenever Father permitted them to use the house. 

“Oh, you’re early?” [Y/N]’s voice echoes as she enters the room, empty glasses in hand. “Weren’t we supposed to meet at 5?” She sets the glasses on the coffee table before looking at her phone. It reads as 4:45 pm. 

“Being fifteen minutes early is the standard, darling.” Furina comes up, raising her hands to hug her as a welcome gesture. “Glad to see you’re all right.” 

“Likewise,” The girls give each other a warm, but short, hug as [Y/N] greets Wriothesley and Neuvillette, who are standing next to Lyney. “Nice to see you too, guys.” 

“Good afternoon to you too, Ms. [Y/N].” 

“We’re still waiting on the girls… as well as Father,” Lyney says, sharing a gaze with [Y/N]. “Make yourselves at home, sillies. I’ll help [Y/N] with the last things, all right?” 

“Alrighty~” 

A knock on the door brings the chatter between [Y/N] and the Beverage Gang to an abrupt halt. They exchanged glances, knowing exactly who it was. Just moments earlier, as they’d finished setting up the table Lyney had received a message from The Knave. She was informing him she’d be arriving late due to a traffic jam on the highway.

“Guess they finally made it,” Wriothesley mutters, adjusting his jacket, while Neuvillette offers a small nod.

Lyney gives [Y/N] a reassuring look before moving toward the door. “Time to make them feel welcome,” He says, his tone lighthearted, with a flicker of nervousness in his eyes. As much as he plays it off, he knows the meeting can bring a fair share of tension — between the subject of the meeting as well as Clorinde’s presence… with her recent conflict with [Y/N]

With a quick breath, he opens the door, revealing Navia, Clorinde and Charlotte standing just outside. Navia smiles cheerfully, giving Lyney a brief nod as she steps inside, Clorinde follows behind with her usual stoic expression, and Charlotte brings up the rear with a friendly wave. 

“Glad to see everyone’s made it safe and sound!” The blonde announced, beaming as she headed straight for the living room. She greets each person with her characteristic enthusiasm, stopping by [Y/N] to share a warm side hug. “Ah, it’s good to see you, [Y/N].”

The girl returned the hug, a small smile breaking through. “You too, Nav, you too.” 

As Navia settles in beside her, Lyney joins them, casting a glance in Clorinde’s direction. Her expression is unreadable, although, he can notice a glint of sadness in her eyes. He wishes inside that Clorinde and Charlotte are here to make amends with [Y/N]. 

After a moment of quiet, Navia clears her throat, breaking the silence. “Well, are we good to start the meeting now?” She glances around the room, her gaze lingering on each person, a gentle reminder of the unity they need tonight. 

“Lyney,” Furina turns to him. “We’re still waiting for The Knave… right?” 

“Yep, that’s right,” He stands up, moving closer towards where [Y/N]’s laptop is — connected to their projector. “She knows what [Y/N]’s gonna talk about soo… we can start without her.” 

Charlotte nods, leaning back slightly in her seat. “All right then, let’s get started.” 

The group eyes the projector screen with interest as Lyney connects everything, casting [Y/N] an encouraging look. “The floor is yours,” he says, giving her a reassuring smile. He can feel the slight glances of his friends eyeing his every move — trying to find proof of him crushing on [Y/N] and so on. 

“Actually,” Clorinde speaks up, eyes dead straight on [Y/N]. “Could I ask what you’re going to be talking about? As far as I’m aware Wriothesley had conclusions regarding the location.” 

Oh. That’s right. Neither she nor Lyney have ever mentioned they had figured out who the kidnapper is. Well, The Knave had been made aware… but nobody else. 

“What else would there to be talking about?” Clorinde enquires, the sheer coldness in her voice noticeable to everyone present. “We do not know who the kidnapper is.” 

“Who says we don’t?” [Y/N] strikes back, her answer sending the room into silence. 

Clorinde’s eyes narrow, and a flicker of surprise flashes across Wriothesley’s face as he exchanges a glance with Neuvillette. The weight of [Y/N]’s words hangs heavy in the hair, thickening the silence which follows. 

Furina leans forward, eyes wide with intrigue. “Wait… you mean to say—“

“Yes,” [Y/N] interrupts, steady and resolute. “We know who the kidnapper is. And the presentation has all the evidence to support our guess.” 

Lyney steps closer to her, arms crossed but supportive, his gaze shifting to Clorinde. “We’ve been holding back certain information… for mental health reasons.” He knows he’s being passive-aggressive, but there’s something so correct after everything [Y/N] had to go through. 

“Mental health reasons?” Neuvillette questions. “I’m aware this matter is quite crucial for the two of you, but others?” 

“Well,” [Y/N] sighs, turning her eyes back to the projector. “How about you see? And then ask questions.” 

“Without much introduction,” [Y/N] resumed. “Here’s the person behind all the kidnappings.” 

“Furina,” Lyney perks up, getting her attention. “Close your eyes, just in case.”

Furina’s curiosity piques at his suggestion, and her expression shifts between intrigue and unease. She hesitates, not quite ready to see her tormentor of the previous year. She finally closes her eyes, murmuring, “Fine, fine, just tell me when it’s safe.” 

The second slide pops up. With an image of Marcel Dubois right and centre. It’s him — Furina’s stalker. The group’s attention turned black to the screen, where his image — cold, calculated, and all too familiar to those who knew him from university… or from dealing with the theatre troupe’s management. Silence washes over the room as each person processes what this means.

“That fucking guy?” Wriothesley stands up, flabbergasted. “He’s the one who not only kidnapped the girls… but also threatened Furina a fucking year ago?” 

[Y/N] nods, her voice steady as she continues, “He’s a former student, a performance arts major. And well… the manager of the theatre troupe. That’s how he managed to get close to three of his victims… as for Lynette…” 

“She’s the outlier.”

“Precisely.” 

“Is he the… son of the dean?” 

“Yes.” [Y/N] gave everyone a grim nod. “He’s the son of the Dean of Arts and Humanities. His influence and connections within the university must’ve kept Marcel protected. Can’t be caught, if you don’t start an actual investigation, am I right?” 

Lyney clicked to the next slide, which outlined their evidence, including patterns of his movement and his online prescience — posts and quotes from Lolita that had, in retrospect, revealed more than anyone realised. 

“While I can’t still figure out why he had committed those crimes…” [Y/N] continued. “Lynette is most likely a singular ‘deviation’. It could be him using her to not only taunt us but to show he can be unpredictable.” 

“A desire for power is a simple enough explanation, Miss [Y/N].” A deep voice says, getting louder as the person enters from their previous spot, back in the darkness of the unlit room. “I commend you for your findings.” 

“Madame… Knave?” [Y/N] murmurs, eyes widening as the woman steps into the light. Her imposing presence seems to command the room, just as it did back when they had first met. Beside her stands a tall figure, whose sharp gaze and police badge immediately signal their purpose. 

The Knave’s eyes sweep over the room, lingering slightly as they pass her protégé before she gives a polite nod. “Good evening, everyone. I apologise for my late arrival, yet it seems I came just in time.” Her voice is smooth, yet steely, carrying a weight that silences any lingering doubt in the air. 

The officer beside her adjusts his badge. “I have been briefed on the situation,” he says, looking directly and [Y/N] and Lyney. “Thanks to your compiled evidence, and some swift verification, it is enough to warrant immediate investigation. We have gathered court permission to enter his house tomorrow at the earliest.” 

Charlotte lets out a small light, crossing her arms. “It’s actually happening. We’re finally going to rescue the victims.”

Knave meets her gaze with a small nod. “That would be correct, Ms. Charlotte. With your combined efforts, we now have the leverage to proceed cautiously but decisively.” She looks again to [Y/N]. “The presentation was thorough. The shadows you were once treading are no more — this is concrete evidence.” 

[Y/N] feels a surge of relief mixed with apprehension. This was it. After all the sleepless nights, carefully digging and gathering information, they had finally brought Marcel into the light. But as she looked around, she could see similar apprehension in the eyes of her friends.

“So… what happens next?” Furina asks softly, her trembling voice breaking the silence. While she didn’t look at the slides directly, the conversation between her friends told her directly who was behind everything. It’s maddening… how sick in the head Marcel truly is. 

“It all depends on how long it takes to find out the place where the kidnapped women are.” The officer looks at each of them in turn. “But rest assured, his days of preying on anyone are over.” 

“Except,” Wriothesley interrupts. “We are aware of where they are, as well as crucial information about said location.” 

Wriothesley’s presentation is much shorter. Over the past few days, he had managed to pinpoint all points of entry as well as note all camera locations — the latter done before the knowledge of having a court order. Surprisingly, the vacation house near Mary-Ann’s National Park is nowhere near as small as they predicted initially. Not to mention it having been built on top of unsuitable ground after all the chaos that had transpired years before. 

The officer nods, studying the images. “This does shorten our work. With the knowledge of the building, we can orchestrate an operation that avoids detection. We shall be coordinating with local authorities tonight. The plan is to have a surveillance team in place early tomorrow morning, with the tactical team ready to move as soon as we confirm the victim’s presence.” 

“Be sure,” Clorinde perks up. “To have a medical staff available. Heavens know what situation some of the victims are.” 

“But of course.” 

After this confirmation, the Knave and the officer bid the group farewell. It’s a long night ahead for everybody involved, and starting as soon as possible is highly appreciated. 

Furina, still shaken, looks to [Y/N] and Lyney with a spark of courage in her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispers, her voice laced with gratitude. “For piecing this all together. For saving Lynette and everyone else. I… I know I should have said this sooner.” 

[Y/N] gives her a soft smile, squeezing her friend’s hand. “We all worked together. It wouldn’t have been possible without everyone’s support.” 

“[Y/N],” Clorinde says, walking up to the girl with Charlotte by her side. “Would you spare us a minute?” The girl in question is chatting with Navia, both excited to hopefully see Lynette as soon as tomorrow. 

Out of nowhere, the tension, which has felt light ever since the departure of the Knave and accompanying police officer, is heavy once more. This simple interaction brings not only the girls to a stop… but also the Beverage Gang members. 

“Of course.” [Y/N] glances a Navia, who offers a supportive nod, before she turns to face Clorinde and Charlotte. She feels a knot in her stomach, a stark contrast to the relief she had felt moments ago.

Charlotte’s expression is gentle, almost apologetic, while Clorinde maintains her usual composed demeanour, though there’s an unspoken weight in her gaze. “I owe you an apology,” She begins, her voice steady but softer than usual. “For how I treated you… and for not taking your feelings into account.” 

Charlotte steps forward, her face sincere. “Even though your methods have been quite radical… You’ve done so much, for all of us. I’m sorry, for petitioning to exclude you too…” 

[Y/N] stands there, momentarily taken aback, a rush of emotions flashing through her. She takes a breath, feeling the tension finally start to loosen. “Thank you,” she says quietly, her voice warm. “It means a lot, truly.” 

Clorinde nods, a hint of relief crossing her face. “I hope we can move forward, together.” 

Before she can respond, Lyney’s hand settles reassuringly on her shoulder, grounding her. “Well…” His tone is uncertain. “You did put this lovely lady into quite a lot of distress. Not to mention, you tried to exclude me too?” 

Clorinde stiffens slightly, her gaze flicking to Lyney, who's watching her with a raised brow and a smirk that doesn’t hide his protective stance beside [Y/N].

“Yes, Lyney,” she says, a slight sigh escaping her, “We did exclude you both. And yet, perhaps you were right to push ahead without waiting for us. Your determination has shown us what we couldn’t see in our hesitation.” She looks directly at [Y/N]. “While I cannot support your means of gathering evidence, you have been braver than I gave you credit for.” 

Charlotte chimes in, her tone soothing. “Like, I’m not gonna say I’m better than you… But those were some really dangerous methods, you both. Sorry, again.” 

Lyney’s expression softens as he looks at the two, his smirk fading to something more genuine. “Apology accepted,” he says with a nod, squeezing [Y/N]’s shoulder once more and pointing at her with his other hand. “This girl has done so fucking much over the past few weeks, I’d be an idiot not to trust her, you know.” 

In the dimly lit interior of Neuvillette’s car with Wriothesley behind the wheel, Furina reclines in her back seat, arms crossed as she remarks on that scene on their way back. Her teasing smirk is in place as she raises a brow at Wriothesley, who is focused on the road, but sneaks a quick amused glance her way. “He definitely has a crush on her.” 

“Lyney has always been a charmer,” Wriothesley remarks, amusement in his voice. “But I’ll admit, he usually plays it a bit cooler. He’s thrown in his lot with her.” 

Furina taps a finger against her chin thoughtfully. “It’s really sweet, the way he rushed in like that. He’s more protective than I had expected.” 

“Well,” Neuvillette interrupts. “I think it’s quite expected of Lyney.” 

Furina turns her attention to Neuvillette, sitting beside her. “Oh? Do tell, Neuvi. You think Lyney’s… predictable?” 

Neuvillette clears his throat, shaking his head. “Not predictable. Just… earnest. Lyney cares deeply for those he considers important, us included. When he decides someone’s worth his trust, he’ll stand by them without hesitation.” 

Furina leans back, clearly intrigued. “I know, I know, silly~ Our magician is an open book when you think about it long enough.” She chuckles, but her tone is more appreciative than mocking. 

“Then why ask the question?” 

“Ugh… annoying. For the plot, perhaps?” 

Wriothesley chuckles, nodding to the road ahead. “Let’s leave the theatrics to you and Lyney. But I have to say, I’m curious how this ‘plot’ of theirs unfolds.” 

Tomorrow will bring the final act of their hard work — a risky rescue, with everything on the line. But tonight, they can finally take a breath, together.

𝑇𝐴𝐺𝐿𝐼𝑆𝑇 — CLOSED

@state-of-grac3 @santaluna @meigalaxy @romyoia

@meurtreofcrows @charles-braindump @floweringanna @moonjellyfishie @vavrin @lovelypadisarah @dearanemo

@dearanemo @ladylee

𝑇𝐴𝐺𝐿𝐼𝑆𝑇 — CLOSED

@state-of-grac3 @santaluna @meigalaxy @romyoia

@meurtreofcrows @charles-braindump @floweringanna @moonjellyfishie @vavrin @lovelypadisarah @dearanemo

@dearanemo @ladylee

Speaking of Lyney, he had maintained close contact with The Knave, seeking her insight and guidance on the next steps. Following his Father’s advice, he knew it was time to observe the kidnapper’s routine. A clear timeline would be crucial in determining the right moment to strike and rescue the victims… wherever they were being held.

Here they were, sitting in Lyney’s car. The silence between them was thick, almost suffocating, punctuated only by the occasionally buzzing engine. [Y/N] started out of the window, lost in thought, her eyes tracing the buildings they were passing. Lyney passed occasional glances at her, worry etched on his face, but he kept his thoughts to himself. He didn’t know how to break through the wall the girl suddenly built up around herself. 

“— should’ve been me…” The whisper slipped from her lips, barely audible, yet it hung heavily in the small space of the car. [Y/N]’s hand reached into her pocket, retrieving her phone, her gaze fixed downwards as the screen opened to a prepared apology message. Her fingers hovered over the send button, trembling slightly. 

Lyney’s eyes softened as he watched her, the weight of her words settling in his chest. He wanted to say something, anything, to ease whatever feeling she carried — but words just wouldn’t come to him. “What’s up?” He asked, turning into an alleyway to stop the car. 

[Y/N] blinked, the soft glow of her phone reflecting in her tired eyes as she looked up at him as if suddenly realising he was there. As if remembering what they were supposed to be doing. She opened her mouth to respond, but then closed it, hesitating. For a moment, it seemed like she might brush off his question, but something in Lyney’s gentle expression broke through her defences. 

It was simply… he looked like a puppy. His head was tilted slightly, eyes round and full of concern, looking at her with the kind of unwavering attention that made it hard to keep up her guard. It was as though he could see right through her silence, his quiet patience urging her to open up. 

[Y/N] let out a shaky breath, looking down at her phone again, her thumb brushing over the unsent message on the screen. “I don’t know where to start” She whispered, almost to herself. 

Lyney leaned in just a little, his voice soft yet encouraging. “You don’t have to have all the words. Just… tell me what you’re feeling.” He was giving her space to put her thoughts together at her own pace.

After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice a mix of frustration and guilt. “I’ve had an argument with the girls…” She put her hands into her hair, tugging a little, “I’m— I’m just fucking frustrated. I feel like I’m only making things worse.” 

His brows knitted together in understanding, his gaze never leaving her. He wanted to reach out and offer comfort, but he sensed that right now, [Y/N] just needed space to let her emotions breathe and be heard. Still, a flicker of anger burned in his chest. How could her friends argue with her at such a critical time, leaving her feeling so alone? 

“— Sometimes…” She murmured, her voice breaking, “I wish I was the one gone. At the very least, I wouldn’t be causing them so much trouble.” 

Her words hit him like a punch. The situation at hand was dire. On the inside, Lyney knew this argument was not the true reasoning behind her sudden outburst — it was everything she was feeling… boiling and boiling. The conflict was simply when it all boiled over. 

He shushed her and gently took hold of her hands, unravelling them from her hair and wrapping them around his shoulders. He quickly returned her hug, running a soothing hand along her back to try and calm her down. The sobs [Y/N] was letting out were akin to knives, each piercing his heart. “Don’t say that… please.” 

In Lyney’s mind, it all started to make sense — her actions were directed by those thoughts. Those deep, painful blurbs that tell her she’s the one at fault. How, no matter what step she took, it would only come back to bite her. It pained him deeply. The world was truly cruel. How much could it want to hurt the girl with a heart of gold? 

If there was a singular thing correct, it was that Lyney wanted to make her smile again. No matter what odds he was stacked against. “Your mind is playing tricks on you,” He offered words of comfort. “Nobody would want you to be gone, [Y/N], especially not the girls.” 

He was quite sure that, if the girl had said the same to her friends… their reaction wouldn’t deviate from his. No matter how much he wished for Lynette to be here, with them safely… Trading places with anyone was just a cruel thought. 

A plethora of encouraging words and back rubs later, it finally seemed like [Y/N] began to settle down. The tears gracing her cheeks, graciously brushed away by Lyney, were fewer in between. The pain and ache were taken over by the sudden feeling of fatigue. 

“How about…” Lyney started, eyes back on the road, occasionally checking up on the girl, “I get you home. You’ll rest and I’ll finish the observation?”

The girl shifted in her seat, playing with the hem of her shirt. It simply felt unfair to be putting everything onto his shoulders. On the other hand, a nap would be really nice… Nothing like having free reign over wallowing in one’s thoughts. 

A small sigh left her lips as she weighed his offer, her eyes darting between him and the road ahead. Part of her felt the need to power through, to keep going with him. But deep down, she knew her mind and heart were far too heavy right now to be of any real help. The fatigue was settling in, wrapping around her like a thick blanket she couldn’t shake off.

“...Are you sure?” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She hesitated, almost afraid to accept the kindness he was offering.

Lyney gave her a gentle smile, his hand reaching over to lightly squeeze her shoulder. “Absolutely. You’ve already done so much.” And that’s when it was decided — He would drive them both back home, have a small meal break and continue looking on his own. 

That’s how Lyney ended up here, sitting in his car, taking notice of the assistant’s move. A clipboard was placed in the seat next to his, right where [Y/N] was sitting an hour ago. As he sat in the silence of his car, he couldn’t share the disquiet that had settled over him since dropping [Y/N] off. 

Her words echoed in his mind like an unshakeable weight — “I wish I was the one gone.” It just felt… painful to think about that. ‘Causing’ trouble to one’s friends was not something anyone would’ve liked to feel, especially including Lyney’s experience in the said matter, but wishing to be trading places with a kidnapper person? 

He sighed, slouching in his seat. How on earth was he supposed to pay attention to his surroundings, when everything was returning to [Y/N]. If only there was something, anything, he could do to help her out. Or at the very least cheer her up a little. 

In this situation, there was only one person he could turn to for advice. 

Confused. That’s how Lyney feels. He’s unsure about everything that just happened. He soon realises that he didn’t even get an answer to what he asked about. 

“A crush, huh?” He murmurs, almost testing the idea to see if it fits. His mind drifts back to all the little moments they’d shared, the countless glances, and times she’d look at him when she thought he wasn’t watching. He wonders if maybe, somehow, her recent behaviour is tied to something… more personal.

A strange warmth creeps into his chest at the thought. The idea seems so simple, yet so complex, and the more he turns it over in his mind, the more lost he feels. Could it be that he’d missed something obvious ages ago? Or maybe due to the situation, he hadn’t allowed himself to even think in those categories.

It feels surreal… After all, [Y/N] is Lynette’s dearest friend. Pursuing any relationship with her… perhaps it needs a discussion with his sister, whenever it happens. 

𝑇𝐴𝐺𝐿𝐼𝑆𝑇 — CLOSED

@state-of-grac3 @santaluna @meigalaxy @romyoia

@meurtreofcrows @charles-braindump @floweringanna @moonjellyfishie @vavrin @lovelypadisarah @dearanemo

@dearanemo @ladylee

𝑇𝐴𝐺𝐿𝐼𝑆𝑇 — CLOSED

@state-of-grac3 @santaluna @meigalaxy @romyoia

@meurtreofcrows @charles-braindump @floweringanna @moonjellyfishie @vavrin @lovelypadisarah @dearanemo

@dearanemo @ladylee