Did someone say THE FLAGSHIP?

(Immediately, with his fist slamming on the bar's countertop, its vibrations spooking Demyan and the other patrons.)

Smash! Is that even a question?!

Hahaha! The Flagship might, ya know, 'hypothetically' have a room open tonight...

Hey, that's a classic, y'know! Are you telling me you 𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘯'𝘵 heard of it until recently?

...

Why are you bringing this up again, anyway?

Slams the shotglass down onto the bar.

"Hah! That burn... really hits the spot errytime, huh, Flins?"

He's... definitely feeling it now. It took nearly a dozen shots, but he's not entirely immune to Fire Water's effects!

(His eyes narrow.)

Heheh... it makes me a happy man to hear you say that.

You talk down on yourself when complimented, for one.

Flins... you're incredible. You should believe me when I say that, because I'm not running around giving this praise to just anybody.

Never mind how his eyes seem to emit some ghostly light from within. His complexion was spotless... not a blemish in sight. His long, luscious hair drew curtains around his cheeks, framing his face to perfection.

Man.)

Heh... Who knew the 'winds of freedom' would ever lead me to such good company?

Flins covered himself head to toe in an elevated version of the usual Ratnik's uniform. This was the kind of dark gothic elegance that was straight out of some fantasy novel - yet, it was also the real deal, sitting right in front of him.

But, what was the most alluring was Flins' face.

+

(He couldn't help but ask - before taking a swig of his cider. Ahhh, the good stuff, straight from Dawn Winery and not disgustingly watered down! Demyan was the best of the best.)

'Cause I like what *I* see. You're easy on the eyes, Flins.

(It was now his turn for his eyes to travel.

+

(Flins' eyes were wandering.

Varka watched on as they roamed, imagining all of what this mysterious Lightkeeper beside him might be taking in with those lidded, pale-golden moons. Scars, muscles...

Varka's confident smirk eased into something more calm and contented.)

Like what you see?

+

// where are they rn btw this is important

All of a sudden, a brand new idea comes to mind. Varka looks between the bottle and Flins, back and forth, seemingly contemplating something...

Ah, whatever. His drink can wait a bit longer, right?)

Say, Flins. Are you up for a race?

It's really for me, huh?

(Varka happily reaches over to take the bottle into his hands.)

Always looking out for me... you really are my best drinking buddy.

(Noticeably, he's dropped the 'in Nod-Krai' part this time. Barbatos, if you're listening, please forgive him. His savior has arrived.

+

// if you consider fae a catch all term for supernatural creatures in teyvat and snowland fae is snezhnaya specific......... i might agree.......

the truth, anyway. Sign him up for the church, hahaha - oh, but don't tell Barbatos.)

Ah, that's—

(Varka points at the bottle, mouth agape.)

Flins, you sly dog! How long have you been carrying that with you?

(A benevolent deity Varka will gladly fall on his hands and knees before if it means he can wash away this disgusting taste in his mouth!

With how the Lightkeepers seem to worship that legendary blue flame without knowing it watched over them in the flesh - Nikita aside - it's not so far from

+

Hey, if you could drown my taste buds in something like that juice from Inazuma, I'd appreciate it...

(How is it possible for an imaginary aftertaste to haunt him like this days later... is this an eternal punishment he now has to serve for his crimes? He's sorry! He'll repent, okay???)

(He visibly shudders.)

If that wretched taste was the work of my 'personal charm'... No thanks! I'm getting sick just thinking about it!

I'll have you know that this recipe was originally handcrafted by one of the finest mixologists in Mondstadt!

(Ignoring the fact that a blessing from the spring fairy was a requirement he'd skipped over in his attempts at making it.)

Y'know, in retrospect, why did I ever think a wine with pigeon feathers would taste good?

ルカキリ🥪 #varflins

Yeah? Well, I think you don't give yourself *enough* credit.

Fate, the four winds, luck, or pure chance... Hahaha, who knows! Maybe all of those things are synonymous in the end. Doesn't really matter what ya call it - point is, we're here together.

(And when Flins is ready to open up to him, he'll listen with his full attention.)

Right back at you, Flins. We are only who we are today because of our experiences in the past... whether or not we feel we made the right decisions, it's what happened, and it shaped us.

I'm not gonna pretend like it was all sunshine and rainbows, but... everything in your life led you to me.

Heh. It makes me really glad to hear that. More than you realize, probably.

// varflins are so gay that's crazy

(Quickly understanding the memo.)

Ahaha! Right, right! Then, a toast, to the sun!

Huh? The sun? Is that something you lot do here? But I thought -

// my portrayal is no longer spoiler free btw I love varka genshin impact