Season 3, before Once a handmaiden

A pearl of blood runs down Varian's arm, coming from the small scratch he just inflicted on himself.

The edges of the amber are by far sharper than he expected and when he brushed it in a careless moment, where he was a bit too eager, to quickly write down his results, he caught that unpleasing wound. Nothing really bad, but he doesn't want to risk ruining his notes by smearing blood on them.

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With a sigh he sits down, dressing made of gauze in his hand. Awkwardly, he tries to wrap it around his scratched arm. Ruddiger jumps to his side, giving his human a concerned look.

"I know Ruddiger, I gotta be more careful."

Varian pays his raccoon friend a sorry smile and while he brings the rolled up dressing under his arm, it slips from his hand and falls to the ground, unrolling itself until it gets stopped by the tip of a brown, heeled boot.

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With her mismatched eyes, Lashanie blinks at Varian. "You alright?"

"Oh, haha... yeah. It's - it's nothing!" He points at the dressing lying to her feet. "Would you mind?"

She leans down and picks it up with a nod. After sitting down on the bed by Varian's side, she takes the poorly wrapped bandage from his arm. "So, what happened?"

"Ah, just a small, a very small incident with project obsidian." His eyes wander to the working space, where amber towers in the room, next to Varian's crazy amount of notes.

"Project obsidian..." the girl mumbles to herself, while dabbing the scratch with a clean handkerchief. She would have to lie, if she wanted to say that she likes the idea of this project. The amber is dangerous and even though they've only grown from all the misery it brought, the memory of it's terrible impacts on their lifes, was still fairly present to her.

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Ruddiger nodges Lashanie with his cold nose, chittering quietly. "You're right Rudy, our alchemist really has to be more careful.", she giggles. Varian rolls his eyes, as he pats Ruddigers head. With a smirk he protests "I am!"

With her thumb, Lashanie softly runs over the scratch. And Varian raises her brows at her. "What are you doing?"

"Let me try something. I think I can heal you."

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For quite a long time, Lashanie hasn't been able to use her healing powers anymore. For many times, they have been talking about it, discussing what might have caused this change. And over and over again, Lashanie refused to accept that this power, she actually never even wanted, was gone all of a sudden. She kept trying to force it to work again and even though Varian was still surprised, she was able to save her sight with it, he also thought, that it was just temporary. After that night in the Demanitus chamber, she wasn't able to use her gift again.

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"Oh Birdy, can't we just-" A burning pain on his arm, makes him interrupt his words. He sharply sucks in a breath. But when he looks at that scratch, it's gone.

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Surprised, he stares at his perfectly intact skin. A bright grin grows on his face, as he looks into Lashanie's face. "You've healed it! Completely!"

That was new. Til now, she could only help wounds to heal faster. Lashanie sweetly smiles back at him. But her head begins to feel heavy, the image of Varian starts to blurr in her eyes and she tries to blink it away.

"This is really fascinating!" The boy eyes his arm, turning it back and forth. "You're super, Birdy!"

She tries to hold up her smile, but that dizziness she feels, only grows bigger. Her nose tickles and she puts her hand under it, to find it started bleeding. With both hands, she supports herself, putting them on Varian's shoulders.

"Birdy?" Varian lowers his face to see her eyes.

"Vary... I don't feel so super..." Her hands slip from his shoulders and she falls into his lap.

"Lashanie!"

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Still feeling a little dizzy, Lashanie opens her eyes. She looks up at the face of Varian, who's stroking her hair.

"Hi there." he smiles at her. His blue eyes seem to sparkle in the midday sun.

"Vary, what...?" Slowly, Lashanie brings herself into a sitting position, while her boyfriend puts a hand on her back to help her up.

"You passed out. But since you were breathing fine, I thought I'd just let you rest."

Carefully, the brunette brushes through her hair with her fingers, to bring it back in position. "Thanks Vary."

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A rattling from the desk, catches their attention. With his head stuck in one of Varian's bags, Ruddiger is knocking the tools off the table.

"Ahh! Ruddiger! I told you to stop that!" Varian jumps up from the bed and under loud chittering the raccoon hastily leaves the room. Mumbling silent curses to himself, Varian starts to pick up his stuff from the ground.

Lashanie walks up to him. "Oh, now I've kept you from your work."

"Eh, it's alright." He shrugs, before adding with a cheeky smirk "I sure had a nice sight."

Under a soft giggle, his girl gives him a light push. "Would you stop that? Rather tell me if I can help you here."

"Oh, oh no Birdy. I need to focus and for that, I need to work in quiet. Don't get me wrong, you know I-"

Lashanie pats his shoulder and her lips form a kind smile. "Vary, angel, it's alright. I know." She raises her hands. "I guess I better let you get back to work then."

The alchemist nods, before pecking a kiss to his Birdy's cheek. As she walks to the door, he calls for her.

"Lashanie?"

She turns back around "Hmm?"

"Please tell me you won't try to use this powers anymore. Not until we know, why you passed out."

While she folds her hands, Lashanie nods and quietly agrees. "Alright."

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Outside the house

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Leaning against a tree, Lashanie sits in her backyard with Rhonda resting in her lap. She strokes her fur while pouring her heart out to her beloved pet raccoon.

"I know he only worries for me. And maybe he is right. After everything that happened that night... not to mention that we almost fell to our death..."

Slightly, Rhonda lifts her cute face.

"But I have to do something! He keeps working himself up, to make sure Corona will be save. He's never been hesitating to take any risk. I want - I must be useful too!"

With a worried look, Rhonda stands on her paws and nudges Lashanie's cheek.

"I know, I know Rhonda. I have to be extra careful, so I won't pass out again."

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She lifts the raccoon from her lap and gets back on her feet.

"We need to find someone who's injured... someone who could need my help."

Together the girl and her pet start looking around. There must be someone who could help her train her gift... but they're all alone.

Suddenly, Rhonda excitedly starts to jump up and down. She keeps motioning to the tree behind them, where some of it's bark has come off and sap is running down.

"Yeah, that might work. Not a typical injury, but..." Lashanie shrugs her shoulders and grins at Rhonda.

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Taking a deep breath, the girl puts her hand to the object in front of her. She focuses on the world surrounding them, feels the energy flow between her and that tree. Even with her eyes closed, she can sense the spot where the bark is injured. It seems like a cut in the energy flow and now, Lashanie only has to redirect the energy. Erase the cut.

She opens her eyes to check if it works.

"Yes! It works Rhonda, it works!" she happily calls out, before grinnig at the raccoon "Now, back to work."

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Project Obsidian probably could wait just a little while longer. Today, Varian only wants to take a walk with Lashanie, spend some time with her alone.

After she left, he just couldn't kept focused on his work and he exactly knows why. He's been busy with his work all the time lately and Lashanie has patiently accepted it, when she had to stand back for his projects. But today, his time would be all hers. He should do this more often anyway.

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He gives a look from the corner of his eyes to Ruddiger, as they walk upstairs. "Remember bud, you and Rhonda take a stroll and make sure we'll have some time for ourselves."

His animal friend eagerly nods in agreement.

Slowly, Varian walks into the kitchen, where Lashanie's dad is cleaning some vegetables. "Hey, I uh - have you seen..." His words die away as he's staring out the window, squinting his eyes.

Ludwig lets out an annoyed sigh. "Would you mind finishing your sentences?"

"Oh yeah - I mean no! But... what is Lashie doing there?" He motions to the window, which's view leads directly into the backyard. Confused he asks "Is she talking to a tree!?"

"Boy, I don't have time for your mis-" Ludwig is about to lecture him. But when he turns to look for himself, it indeed looks like his daughter is muttering something to the tree she's standing by.

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And while the two keep watching her, wondering what's going on, Lashanie starts to sway dangerously on her feet. She puts her hand to her head and within a few seconds, the slender teen falls to the ground.

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"Lashanie!" the two males shout out loudly.

As Ludwig is about to run to the door, Varian is way ahead of him. The boy pushes the window open and jumps directly into the backyard.

He kneels down by her side and puts his hand to her cheek. "Birdy! Birdy, can you hear me?"

The girl doesn't respond, she's breathing heavily and her lids flutter weakly. With gentle moves, Varian puts one arm around her shoulders and the other under her legs to lift her from the ground. "Don't worry, I got ya." he whispers to her, while he holds her in his arms to carry her back inside.

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Lashanie's and Varian's room

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Her breathing has gone back to normal, her chest lifts and lowers evenly under calm breaths. Varian still keeps sitting by her side, caressing her rosy cheek.

Holding a glas of water, Ludwig walks in. "Is she awake again?"

Varian negates with a shake of his head. "Not yet. But I think she'll be fine." With loving eyes, he smiles at her.

Ludwig pulls a chair to the other side of the bed, sitting down to Varian's opposite. "Boy - Varian, listen."

The sudden change in Ludwig's voice surprises the teen. He looks at him, only raising his eyes.

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"I know I haven't exactly made it easy on you."

Varian chuckles nervously. "Eh hehe, yeah."

With an unimpressed face, Ludwig continues "Lashanie is my only daughter. She's the best thing, that life has given me." Carefully, he takes her hand and caresses the back of it with his thumb.

"I've made some mistakes..." the quiet way Ludwig says this, makes it sounds as if he's talking to himself. And as if he had forgotten about Varian's presence for a moment, he coughs when he looks at the boy's face. "I've always been afraid, that something could take her away from me. If anything would happen to her, what would I do then?" He whispers "What would become of me?" The man shakes is head abruptly. "This world isn't always nice, but I wanted for her to always walk on the sunny side, I wanted to make sure she'll have a good life."

Varian bites his lip. He has to stop himself from interrupting Ludwig, from telling him that he would do everything to give her the best life possible. Because if he did, that man would probably never be this open with him again.

"I always knew that someday, someone would come and win her heart. I just never thought that day would come so soon." And for what feels like the first time ever, Ludwig smiles at Varian. "But now, I'm glad it's you Varian."

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Left in surprise, the boy just blinks at him, while Ludwig pushes himself up from the chair. "I - uhm, I'll go check the fields now."

And for a while, even after Ludwig has left, Varian's eyes stick to the door. His lips form a happy smile as he whispers to himself "He's glad it's me."

"I am too."

Varian startles, but just for a second, before he takes Lashanie's face into his hands. "Thank goodness you're awake."

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Later in Varian's laboratory

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With Lashanie being tied to the bed for the rest of the day, Varian cancelled his plans to take her for a walk. As soon as Ludwig came to check on her again, Varian went back to his work. When she woke up, he was far too relieved to realize it, but there was a tense building up in him and now that he's alone with his thoughts, he figured out where this tense is coming from... he's angry. Angry that Lashanie put herself into this situation.

He asked her to let her powers rest - after she passed out because she used them and she agreed, just to break her word short time later. What was she thinking? What made her think this was a risk worth taking?

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And on top of that, the anger he feels stops him from making any real progress. Varian can't focus with his mind constantly spinning over Lashanie. As he just keeps messing up, he roughly swipes with his arm across the table and throws his notes to the ground.

"Stuck on a toughie?"

He turns around in an instant and finds his Birdy standing in the doorframe. Still having a bed head.

She can't be serious!

"Lashanie, you should be in bed!" Varian knits his brows.

"I know, but I couldn't stay there, I had to get up..." she fiddles with her fingers as she walks up to him.

There's an intense beating inside Varian's head, that's getting louder with his increasing heartbeat. "Lashanie-"

But she doesn't listen to him. "Also, I thought I could maybe help you with your work here. I know, you said you don't want help, but it would only be fair, if I would try to make myself useful here, after taking you precious time earlier."

"No, Lashanie-"

"I'd also be as quiet as possible, so you could-"

Varian shoots up from his chair, causing it to loudly hit the ground. "Would you listen to me!?"

She flinches, startled by the anger flowing in his voice.

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"Lashanie, you just passed out twice today. First, you put your health at risk, for no reason at all and now, instead of at least getting some rest, you run through the house like nothing happened!" Varian gestures wildly with his hands.

"Varian, I only want to be a help for Corona, just like you!"

The anger leaves Varian's face, getting replaced by honest concern. "What kind of help could you be, if something were to happen to you, just because you were to stubborn to simply let your gift rest?"

"I know what I'm doing! I've been training this all my life!" Lashanie crosses her arms.

His respond is a sceptical chuckle. "Love, you definitely don't." Varian sighs loudly. "That - that day in the Demanitus chamber and - and later on the tower... I was so scared to lose you."

Taking small steps, Lashanie brings herself in front of Varian and takes his hands. "I know, I was scared too... but you won't lose me. And - and while you're doing everything to make sure Corona will be save for everyone, for me, don't you think I'd do the same for you?"

With an annoyed snort, the boy pulls away his hands. He shakes his head and whispers "You really don't get it." He raises his voice again "If something would happen to you, it all would have been for nothing and I can't have that."

At the end of his sentence, there's a tiny crack in his voice, he looks terribly sad and Lashanie only wants to comfort him. She puts her hand to his cheek, but he flinches and turns away.

"Forget it! You should... go get some rest now."

Again, Lashanie tries to give him comfort. She puts her hand on his shoulder. "Vary, please...", but he moves away, ignoring her.

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Upstairs, Quirin is sitting at the dining table, having a cup of tea. He could hear his son argue in the basement and just a moment ago, Lashie ran past him. When he asked her what happened, she just shook her head and squeaked "I'm sorry."

Now he's waiting for Varian to get up here. He's sure his son will show up any minute and tell him about their argument, to get it off his chest.

And he's right. In no time, Varian walks in with heavy, angry stomps and drops on a chair with crossed arms and a big pout. Quirin observes the face of his son and it seems they had a really bad argument - there are red lines under Varian's eyes.

"Son, what is wrong?" he pushes the jar with rock sugar to him and Varian puts some in his mouth and bites on it, before he just shrugs his shoulders.

After taking a sip from his cup, Quirin sighs. "Love can be difficult, huh?"

Varian looks to the side "Maybe."

"You know, your mom and I, we had some pretty bad arguments too."

"You did?" the boy asks with raised eyebrows.

Laughing lightly, Quirin puts his cup down on the table. "Of course. Every relationship has it ups and downs. But you'll see, the good times will prevail. We all have days when we struggle to be our best..." He stretches to pat Varian's shoulder "But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try, especially for the ones we love."

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Varian's shoulders drop, as he loses some of the weight he's been carrying with him. "I guess you're right... It's just - I just want her to be okay."

"I know you do. And I'm sure she wants the same for you."

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Later the same day

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Lashanie can't sleep, she's sitting on her bed, wide awake. She was waiting for Varian to come, but apparently, he'll be spending the night in his laboratory. Maybe he just got caught up in his work again, but it's more likely, that he's avoiding her right now.

She sighs and looks at her raccoon. "Oh Rhonda. I wish it was as easy with us, as it is with you and Ruddiger - you cuddle and start silly fights over an apple, but in the blink of an eye, you're already cuddling again."

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A sudden knocking on the frame of the open window, startles her.

"What are you doing outside there?" she asks, throwing off the blanket.

"I was taking a walk and I -" Varian's lips form a shy smile "I overheared you need someone to cuddle with, my lady."

The slim girl puts her head in a light tilt, smiling back at him. She leans out the window and teases "I'm sorry, but I have a boyfriend, sir."

His smile grows bigger. "Really? What is he like?"

"He's - he is really cute. He's got humor and he's smart, incredibly smart."

"Is he?" Varian rests his folded arms on the sill, smirking at Lashanie.

She leans down, bringing her face near his. "Oh, he is. And he's also very sorry about the argument we had earlier."

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Rolling his beautiful blue eyes, Varian leans back, still holding on to the sill. "Maybe..." He ruffles the hair on the back of his head and laughs nervously, "Or maybe he wouldn't even call it an argument... Anyway, would you join me on my walk?"

"Ah Vary, it's really late and I just got ready for bed."

But Varian only smiles and grasps her by the waist. He pulls her out the window and catches her in his arms. For a moment, he sways on his feet, but he's lucky enough to hold his balance. As he starts laughing loudly, little crinkles appear around his eyes.

"Whoa, Vary! Alright I'll go with you, but don't wake my parents." Lashanie giggles.

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Even later - sitting by the lake

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Varian sits with outstretched legs and looks up at the starry sky, while Lashanie has wrapped her arms around her legs and rests her head on her knees, her eyes locked at Varian.

The boy exhales loudly. "You were right, I am sorry. I don't wanna fight, not with you." He looks at her. "It's just that, seeing you like this, it made me think you - you could be gone someday and when I think about us never being together again..., I'm afraid."

Lashanie takes his hand and pays him a warm smile. "Vary, I didn't mean to make you feel this way. I promise, I'll be more careful. But I can't just sit around and do nothing"

"I know. All I ask of you, is to keep in mind that you're not indestructible." He entangles his finger with Lashanie's.

The girl humms in affirmation.

Grinning, Varian tilts his head. "Also, what will the other people from the village think, when you start talking to trees?" He lets out a snorty chuckle.

But Lashanie only shrugs her bare shoulders. "Very likely, they would think you finally made it and drove me crazy."

"Ohoho! I think we both know, who's the one to drive others crazy."

With a cheeky smile, Lashanie pecks a kiss to the tip of Varian's nose. "Of course we do... it's you!"

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Playful, Varian pinches her sides and Lashanie lets out a loud squeak. Quickly, she pushes herself up from the ground and starts running from him.

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The teens room

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When Ludwig notices cold air streaming from their room into the corridor, he knocks on the door. But of course he doesn't get any response. Slowly, Lashanie's father enters the room. But he only finds Rhonda and Ruddiger cuddled up on the messy bed.

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Through the open window, he can hear loud laughter in the distance.

-x.ღ.x-