Author's Note: Hey, everyone! You're probably surprised to see that I have updated his fanfic so soon after the last update came months later. Well, I have gotten a surplus of new energy and inspiration to continue to update his fanfic as fast as I can. I would of posted his chapter last night, if I hadn't fell asleep before I was finished writing. Today's been a bit busy for me, but I was determined to post this chapter. Can you believe I barely watched the episode, 'Queen for a Day,' yesterday! I can't believe what's going on with Varian. I hope Varian is pulled back from the path of evil soon enough, because he's only fourteen and doesn't need to throw away his few friendships before he realized what he's truly giving up. I love Varian like the cute little brother character he is. Back on topic, I would like to thank Introvertingeverywhere for leaving a review. I hope to have more reviews as this fanfic progresses. Thank you all for the support you have given me and this fanfic would not of existed with you all . . . and Varian of course! BTW: I don't own this show, it's characters, or Varian. . . though I would love to own Varian!
Chapter 6
After a quiet dinner, Quirin sent Varian to pack up his stuff for his trip the next morning. While he was doing that, his father decided to take this moment to have a talk with Eugene. Before the younger man could say a word, Quirin handed him a small wooden box.
"Eugene, I wasn't sure if the Princess's idea would work or not," he started, "But after what I've seen tonight, I'm at least sure you'll take good care of my son."
"I was only trying to be a friend to him," Eugene protested modestly.
"Even so, you offered my son much more than just friendship and I thank you for it," Quirin continued, "But, if we want this mentorship to be successful, you will need to firm with him. I hope this will help you as much as it helped me."
He indicated Eugene to open the ornate box and inside lay the same hairbrush that Varian was spanked with today. It's dark ebony wood shined in the light of hearth's flames. The large oval brush looked powerful and menacing as it lay in its velvet lined case. It had already been shown to very effective in chastising wayward boys earlier this evening.
"With all due respect, sir," objected Eugene, "I've already decided to span–punish Varian when needed, but I'm sure all I'll need is my hand."
"I understand how you feel, son," the older man replied, "But, there will come a time where your hand will not be enough."
Eugene's heart swelled and fell in one swoop when Quirin called him 'son', but strictly told himself, 'No, Eugene! It's just a friendly term people use all the time. No need to get too attached now.I'll never be someone's . . . son.'
"Nonetheless," the old blacksmith continued, "I would like you to at least take this with you. Even if it will not get any use, Varian has been known to behave when warned about it. Keep it somewhere public, where anyone might see it, but only you and he will know it's true meaning."
'Not a bad idea. It's not like I'll ever actually need to use it," Eugene thought to himself as held the heavy hairbrush in his hand.
"Alright. It wouldn't be a bad idea to take this along, not that I ever need to use it," the ex-con accepted as he replaced the wooden brush back in it's small holding place.
"Now, let's get find you a place to sleep," Quirin explained as he led Eugene through the house.
While Quirin and Eugene had their small talk, a certain teen was packing his stuff up. Varian worked fast, since time was of essence. Sooner or later, his father's going to come up and 'advise' to go to bed. But, before he can get some sleep, he needs to pack his chemicals up without his father finding out.
He placed most of his potions and mixtures in his small wooden chest. His less important equipment, such as the measuring tools and empty flasks, were hidden under his clothes in one of his saddle bags. Both saddle bags were filled to the brim, so Varian closed them up, placing them near the door along with his chest. He went hunting through his closet, looking for all his work smocks, gloves, and boots.
Finally, Varian carefully took out the four vials of Flynnoelum from his closet. He wrapped each container with some of his clothes before hiding them in some of the pockets in his satchel. He made sure the caps of each one were secure, lest they have a spill on the way to the heart of Corona.
The only item left unpacked was his only pair of goggles that were almost always on his head. Varian still remembers the time when his mother gifted them to him. No matter what anyone else says, Varian's wearing those goggles wherever he goes. It's one of the last things he has left of his mother. Not even a minute after he took them off, his father came in.
"I see you're all packed to go," Quirin commented as Varian changed into a nightshirt, hidden behind his closet's open doors.
"Yup, luckily I found some spare saddle bags in the storage closet," Varian said as he closed his closet.
Quirin sat down on his son's bed and patted the seat next to him. The young boy winced as he sat down on his sore bottom. When his father pulled him into a hug, Varian leaned his head on his father's chest.
"Varian, you do understand I'm not sending you away because of the town, right?" the old man questioned his son.
"Yeah, dad. I know," replied Varian even as he thought, 'Yeah, because you're sending me away because you don't want me, let alone the town of Old Corona.'
"Good, because I will miss you while you're gone. We'll arrange for you to visit after you get settled in, okay."
Varian was too tired to say another word, so he simply nodded his head in response. Quirin chuckled as he held his sleepy-eyed little boy.
"Let's get you to bed, son."
As before the boy was fully tucked into bed, he was already asleep, on his stomach of course. The day's events had finally caught up to him. His father sadly gazed at his slumbering son, wondering if things would have been different if his wife was here to raise Varian as well.
The next morning came too soon for comfort. Varian was planning on sleeping in as long as his father would allow. That plan went out the window as soon as he turned over in his sleep. The fire in his bottom relit the blaze, causing Varian to wake up with a yelp. He groaned once he realized he had to sit on a saddle for the long ride to the Capital. He quickly got out bed, deciding that it was no use trying to sleep any longer.
He washed up before wearing his new green shirt and brown britches. He forgo wearing his gloves and apron, since the day was going to be hot. After getting dressed, he went downstairs to eat breakfast.
He was surprised to see both his father and his new mentor working together in the kitchen. He awkwardly stood in the living room, wondering what can he do to help when Eugene called out to him.
"Morning, Varian! Hey, can you set the table while your father and I finish up making breakfast?" he asked cheerfully.
Varian nodded his head, smiling as he gathered up the dishes to set on the small table. Soon, all three were eating a warm breakfast of eggs, bacon, and buttered rolls. After they finished cleaning up, Eugene and Varian collected their things.
"Don't worry about getting your horse, Eugene. I informed the stable boy to bring early today while we were still in town yesterday," Quirin told Eugene as he came out the small downstairs guest room, with his small knapsack.
Both men went outside when they heard someone calling Quirin. The stable boy looked like he been ran over in a stamped. His hair looked like a bird's nest and his face was barely recognizable under all the dirt. Next him stood Maximus, who looked like he came from a top of the line spa, with his shiny white coat and flowing blonde mane, with a suspicious smirk.
"Boy, what happened to you?" Quirin questioned as the stable boy was catching his breath.
The young man dropped to his knees and started pleading, "Please, , sir! Please take him before he causes any more trouble!"
Quirin looked up in surprise as the stable boy continued with his begging, all while Maximus calmed stood next to Eugene. The young man grinned before he started to casually converse with the fair horse.
"Let me guess, you wouldn't stop fussing until you were thoroughly rubbed and combed down. Then you stole a few apples, which caused the other horses to agitated until they receive some as well, which might have caused an apple shortage. And then you left a horse rebellion in the making. Am I right?" he asked with a smug look.
Maximus neighed and stomped his feet a few times. Whatever message he was trying send was not understood by Quirin and the stableboy, although Eugene clearly understood since he was barely holding back his laughter. The old man sighed before sending the stable boy away. He went back inside to help Varian with his bags.
Varian was making sure he had everything he needed before he left. He had picked up his satchel and his small wooden chest when his father came in. Quirin silently picked up his son's remaining bags before the two went downstairs.
Outside, Eugene has fastened his light saddle bag to Max when the father-son duo came outside. After securing all the luggage, Eugene walked Max over by the path they would be taking to allow Quirin and Varian to talk for a moment.
Quirin looked at his son before saying their goodbyes.
"Varian, I know I'm not the best father at times, but I still want you to know I will always love you no matter what you do," the older man told his only son.
'I want to believe dad so much, but I just can't. Who would want to love someone like me?" he reflected inwardly.
On the outside, he smiled and hugged his father. Despite doing so, he couldn't accept that his father still loves him after he put him through so much stress. All the same, he does love his father even if he might lie to him about doing the same.
"I love you as well, dad," the adolescent whispered back before the two broke their embrace.
They both approached Eugene and Maximus. Quirin insisted that Varian will sit in front of Eugene for his own safely. Embarrassed, Varian tried arguing about he was old enough to make his own choices, but stopped his tirade when he noticed his father starting to get a certain look on his face, the one where he ends up with a sore butt. He decided he'd rather not get another spanking before they left.
After saying their final goodbyes, the two set off on their journey. Quirin watched the duo leave until all he could see were two little specks on the
horizon. Quirin had a feeling that this the beginning of a new journey for both Eugene and Varian. And he had high hopes that Eugene can help Varian.
Now, all he needed to do was mend his own affairs while Varian's gone. 'I only hope that Varian and I can get our own issues in control before we next
meet," Quirin hoped to himself.
