I've been doing stuff all day so it's only now while I'm writing this that I was able to see how 🐸-anon expanded on my idea of Flins!MC.
So Columbina doesn't HIDE the rings, they just tend to be covered on accident. Sure Columbina is protective over her mama, but she also doesn't see a problem with the rings being out because for all everyone else knew, they were Columbina's rings, not her mama's rings.
But when she joined the Fatui she did make a more conscious effort of knowing if the rings were on her person because she did NOT trust someone to not steal it. The Harbingers know Columbina has some kind of jewelry, they've seen it, they just don't know what it looks like super well. Then she gets closer to Sandrone and the two have tea parties.
One day while having a tea party with Sandrone, Capitano needs to discuss with Sandrone about something (Khaenri'ah and her robots). So enters the area they were having a tea party in and then he sees it, the rings. Columbina was showing them to Sandrone.
Now he can't see them very clearly so he pays no mind to it, walking closer but when he's only a yard or two away, he sees the details of them and freezes. He knew those rings. Those were the same rings he had seen 500 years ago.
The same rings his dear friend had worn, the same ones Flins!MC was given by their fiances.
How did she have those!
Cue him marching right to her, a murderous/threatening aura around him (because at this point in time he doesn't know HOW Columbina got the rings and his mind is going to dark places [like Columbina perhaps desecrating Flins!MC's grave somehow, or the rings being pawned off somewhere]). Columbina and Sandrone turn towards him and he demands how Columbina had those rings.
That leads to Sandrone asking, "And why do you want to know in the first place?!"
Capitano responds with "Because those rings belonged to someone very dear to me and- nevermind, just tell me how you have those rings."
Columbina startles and she asks "You knew my mama?"
That leads to Capitano just kinda freezing but Columbina ignores it and fires off rapid fire questions.
Like "You knew my mama! Can you tell me how mama acted back when Khaenri'ah was alive?"
Or "How do you know my mama? She's never told me about a 'Capitano' so how do YOU know her?"
Columbina wants to know so much, specifically how Capitano knows her mama when Flins!MC had never mentioned a 'Capitano' in the first place. Her mama hadn't really told her many stories of Khaenri'ah but the stories she did paint were AMAZING. But she was weary because what if Capitano was lying.
Capitano meanwhile was just in complete shock because how is Columbina Flins!MC's CHILD!! He was fairly sure Flins!MC wasn't pregnant back then so how?!
But Columbina is firing off so many questions while Sandrone is grinning mischeviously at the scene. Capitano can only stand there and answer as best he could before Columbina fires off another question. Sandrone leaves after a while and Capitano finally says that he went by a different name back then, Thrain.
Columbina finally calms down because her mama HAD told her about Thrain. Capitano/Thrain leaves and gets Pierro, not even explaining anything before he gets the man to come with him. The only reason Pierro does so was because Capitano/Thrain had NEVER done this before, nor look so rattled.
Only when Pierro is in front of Columbina does he understand. Capitano/Thrain shares all he knows about the current situation while Pierro is just contemplating everything.
Had Flins!MC been pregnant back then?
He knows they had been look a little queezy a week or two before the Cataclysm so was it possible?
Columbina takes off her blindfold to look at the two men more clearly because while she can 'see' with the blindfold, she does like seeing things without it.
Her eyes… they remind Pierro of the flames in Flins!MC's lantern, albeit a pink-ish color, and the energy that seemed to surround them when they used their abilities.
Now that he thought about it, Columbina had some of the same ticks as Flins!MC did back then.
(Not Pierro just gaslighting himself into thinking Columbina is Flins!MC's biological kid! LOL)
Capitano/Thrain and Pierro share a look and nod to each other. This was Flins!MC's daughter.
Oh Tsarista, Flins!MC must have been in so much pain while giving birth, and all alone to boot. Did the curse affect them? Or did it not because they technically weren't Khaenrian?
The two mull it over before realizing something. Columbina spoke of Flins!MC in the PRESENT tense. Could it be possible?! Were they still alive?!
Pierro asks, almost frantically, if Flins!MC was still alive. Columbina narrows her eyes and turns her head away, crossing her arms. No, she wouldn't say anything unless they gave her something back. Though she COULD give that one answer because they HAD answer a few of her questions.
So she responded, yes, her mama was still alive.
That causes the two Khaenrians to ask even more questions in a flurry but Columbina doesn't say anything. Eventually the two stop and ask what she wants in return for answering their questions.
The two knew how much Flins!MC loved deals, so Columbina was most likely the same.
Columbina said she wanted ALL the stories about Flins!MC and in return, she would answer their questions if she could. (Flins!MC taught her well. Don't give anything without getting something back)
The two debate before Capitano/Thrain speaks up, asking if Flins!MC was ok. Columbina nods and says that her mama was ok, but oh so very tired. (Columbina knows it's because of the Wild Hunt, the Frostmoon Scions pestering her mama, and the fact that Flins!MC also had to deal with the souls of the dead. But she wouldn't tell them that unless they asked WHY her mama was tired)
The two somehow come to the conclusion after a few more questions that Flins!MC WAS cursed, just like they were except the curse affects them differently. So while they have rot, Flins!MC is always tired, weakened, etc. etc.
The three talk for hours and then the two men ask WHY Columbina wasn't back at Nod Krai. Columbina hums in thought before responding that she wants to find a SAFE place, a HOME, a FAMILY, for her mama and her. The two ask why she wants to do that and she reveals that the Frostmoon Scions of Nod Krai had used and hurt them both, her for being Kuutar, her mama for being, well, her mama (and for being so strong and talking with the souls of the dead but the Khaenrians in front of her didn't need to know that).
That then leads to the two men realizing/discovering that Columbina was a MOON GODDESS. The two eventually leave and talk. They talk about going to Nod Krai, of getting Flins!MC back, of making sure Dottore stays away from Columbina, of everything really. They agree on two goals.
1. Getting Flins!MC BACK and SAFE and with them.
They missed their beloved friend and they had been alone with no one but their daughter for 500 years. Flins!MC game birth alone and must've been in so much pain but then the Frostmoon Scions had hurt Flins!MC and Columbina, taking advantage of them. Flins!MC deserved NONE of the pain and hearing how TIRED they were… it made the two regret so deeply. They regretted so much but now, their biggest regrets were not protecting Flins!MC and Columbina, of not finding them and taking them to the Tsarista, of not being able to stop the Frostmoon Scions away from the two.
They would never let Flins!MC be alone or in pain EVER again. They would get them back, one way or another, and keep them safe, here, where no danger could hurt Flins!MC and Columbina.
2. Keeping Dottore away from Columbina.
The two despised the fact they couldn't get their beloved friend's daughter out of the Fatui, but she was a HArbinger and as such, was there to stay. So they would do their best to protect the girl there but of course there would be a few… obstacles.
Dottore was sick and twisted and had a known obsessionwith the gods and the moon(s). So with Columbina being Kuutar, a MOON GODDESS… well it would be best to keep him away from her.
Besides, Columbina was Flins!MC's child', so they couldn't bear it if any harm came to the girl.
Meanwhile in Nod Krai Flins!MC was dealing with some annoying people. The Frostmoon Scions to be specific. The stupid elders/leaders (at this point Lauma is still a child) had seen the statues of them, had seen Flins!MC and had come to the conclusion that Flins!MC was Kuutar's mother reborn. They had somehow come to the conclusion that Flins!MC had died in a battle against the Wild Hunt, sealing it away enough so instead of it raveging the entire island everyday all day for the rest of eternity, it only appeared every once in a while.
Flins!MC didn't know how they came to this conclusion and nor did they care. They just wanted these idiots to take a hint and LEAVE.
The Ratniks agreed, vehemently. More than once they had to throw the Frostmoon Scions out of their territory/lighthouses/homes.
The Ratniks LOVED Flins!MC and they all knew they were a Fae but they could care less. Flins!Mc was the one who MADE the Ratniks, who trained them, who made their rules, who protected them. Flins!MC could be the leader but they always refused the rule, stating they would rather be out and protecting everyone rather than being stuck behind a desk. The Ratniks understood this and felt awe.
Despite them having a leader, they still all turned to Flins!MC for rules/instructions and missions.
A few years later and Lauma was the moon chanter. She was the only one of the Frostmoon Scions that the Ratniks would tolerate. Even ILLUGA barely tolerated her. Lauma understood this of course and didn't mind. Though she was surprised when Flins!MC approached her and the two chatted over tea, she didn't mind and she didn't tell the Frostmoon Scions anything about that encounter or any future ones.
Time skip to a few years later and Columbina was back. Flins!MC immediately embrace their daughter who revealed all the talks/hang outs with Pierro and Capitano/Thrain. That made the Fae blink. Oh, they forgot about that particular detail. Also sue them, they've lived for more than 15,000 years already so of course they were going to forget things!
Pierro and Capitano/Thrain are PANICKING because their friend's daughter was GONE, Columbina was GONE. They hadn't been able to go to Nod Krai AT ALL because of other things happening much to their annoyance and now with Columbina gone they had even less of a chance of finally finding some time off to visit FlinsMC and get them away from 'danger' (AKA Nod Krai) and to 'safety'.
(Also Capitano/Thrain didn't/doesn't die in Natlan, he wanted to see his friend again so he was NOT sacrificing himself. Though a deal with Ronova had been struck so things went as Canon and no one DIED!)
A few more years go by, Flins!MC spending all day with Columbina, and spending all night doing their other duties.
Eventually they've collected LOTS of the bright pink and red crystal shards. A few of them even formed into two anatomically correct hearts.
Odd… but also… familiar?
Oh… oh no.
They had heard whispers of two Phantoms controlling the Wild Hunt, had even fought against the two many times (although never quite getting a good look at them, and the phantoms seemed particularly more visous than in Canon [Rerir and Tholindis think that Flins!MC is not THEIR Flins!MC and is just mocking them/they heavenly principles are mocking them]). And apparently they had gone down the Canon Flins route of collecting the crystals that would form the phantom(s)'s heart(s).
Curse their Fae instincts of collecting all the pretty and shiny things!
When they had disvoered what exactly the crystals were they had cursed up a storm, much more worse than a sailors and it made the nearby Ratniks (there had been a giant outbreaking of Wild Hunt entities so a few had been put in a group to go deal with it) look at Flins!MC in SHOCK.
They never cursed!
What was wrong!
They never did get answers for that.
A few more years go by and eventually the Traveler has arrived at Nod Krai. Things go according to Canon but then the phantoms get their bodies back and Flins!MC is SHOCKED.
They… they thought the phantoms were just two random Khanreians who had taking up the mantle of sinners, replacing Rerir. They thought this because they had changed Canon so much that something was bound to change. They just didn't realize that the change was Tholindis also becoming a sinner.
Also Columbina knows who Flins!MC's fiances are/were, and who the phantoms were. She didn't expect either to be the same people. But then Flins!MC stumbled into Columbina's hidden area and everything comes out in a rush. At first Columbina is ecstatic, she'll get to see her mama's fiances (who will hopefully become her other parents)! But then she feels anger and dread, those two have hurt Flins!MC! Have tried to KILL her mama!
That was UNACCEPTABLE.
Flins!MC is kinda still and not responding to anything to Columbina takes her mother's hand, leading her to the moon statue thing, and the two sit down, leaning against it. Columbina grins a feral grin, her smile too wide and showing far too many teeth. She tells her mama that if the phantoms try and approach Flins!MC again, try to HURT them again, well then she would excersise her powers and soon they wouldn't have hands to touch her mama with.
Columbina loves her mama so anyone hurting them… well that simply wouldn't do. The only reason the Scions hadn't been dealt with was because Lauma was dear to her mama and Columbina and Lauma still loves her people. Then there's the fact that her mama didn't like needless death so Columbina relented, tucking away her knife made of Kuuhvaki.
Then the memories are seen and Flins!MC reveals that yes, that was her (she's currently in her female form) in those memories. She reveals that yes, she was their fiance, yes she did have a fake lantern that was destroyed back then, that yes, they didn't know it was her that they were trying to kill.
The Traveler and Paimon hug her tightly, and the others look at her with sadness. They understand why she didn't tell them, understood that the first time she realized the truth about the phantoms (them being her fiances) was the time they had gained their bodies.
(Also the two ARE very strong, just as strong if not stronger than Canon Rerir when alone, and when put together, aka the two are together/fighting together, well it gets messy)
Eventually Columbina and Flins!MC are talking with Dainsleif who just arrived, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of Flins!MC ALIVE and BREATHING. Capitano and Pierro had somehow found him and explained everything (Dainsleif also thinks that Columbina is Flins!MC's biological kid and that Flins!MC is also cursed with immortality except it rots her soul instead of body)
(Not all the Khaenrians just gaslighting themselves lol)
The two don't bother to tell the truth, that Flins!MC was a Fae, and that Columbina was just adopted by Flins!MC.
Then the plan to send Rerir and Tholindis through the Moon Gate starts to come together. Rerir and Tholindis have both tried to kill Columbina (because she'sthe moon goddess) and Flins!MC (because he [they're in their male form now] looks like their 'missing'/'dead' lover)
One night Flins!MC is sitting on the edge of a cliff, singing softly,Columbina leaning against him and listening quietly. Rerir and Tholindis are in the shadows, getting ready to finally kill the two when they just sorta freeze. Because they KNOW that song (Flins!MC always sung it for them) and they KNOW those rings on the 'imposter's' finger (the same rings they painstakingly made and checked with each other to know it was perfect).
Could it be… could it truly be?!
Then Flins!MC chuckles softly when he finished singing, ruffling Columbina's hair. He said, "Maybe in another life Rerir and Tholindis wouldn't have become corrupted. Maybe in another life you could've known them as your parents and me and them could've gotten married just like they promised all that time ago"
Flins!MC's memory is… spotty at best. He remembers too much, everything really, so sometimes some memories, although perfectly recalled, slip into the background.
But memories he has never forgotten where the memories of the last 500 or so years, with Rerir and Tholindis, with Columbina, with the Ratniks, etc.
Flins!MC's words confirm Rerir and Tholindis' suspicions but before they can snatch Flins!MC away (and question him on what he meant/inferred by Columbina being his parent), Flins!MC starts to stand, pulling up Columbina with him.
Columbina calls him mama, something that shocks the two sinners in the shadows. But then they look closer at Columbina, making connections (some that weren't there and just their mind coming up with things). Oh gosh… was that really…
I mean they all HAD done the deed together about a week before the Cataclysm and Flins!MC HAD been looking queezy that week…
(not them also coming to the same conclusion as the other Khaenrians lol!)
Then the two start to leave and the sinners panic, their phantom/summoned hands striking out. They surge forward and Flins!MC cursed, pushing Columbina away and using his Fae magic to make a barrier around her.
Flins!MC tells her to RUN, to run and not look back. He had died once before, he could die again and he wouldn't care. He's been living for so long after all, his only reason for living being Columbina. Rerir and Tholindis were phantoms, hadn't recognized Flins!MC before so Flins!MC saw no reason that they would recognize him now. Rerir, Tholindis, the Fae, and the other Khaenrians they became friends with had been Flins!MC's reason for living but now… no, stop thinking about that. Flins!MC doesn't want to leave Columbina but if they had to die then let it be to protect her.
So Flins!MC tells her to run and not look back, to get away and escape. Columbina grits her teeth and is ready to fight back, even summoning her Kuuhvaki knife so she could help fight with her mama, but then Flins!MC escapes the hands quickly, gently cupping Columbina's face with both hands, kissing the young goddesses forehead, and whispering "I'm sorry"
And then the world tilted and Columbina was with the Traveler.
NO!! Her mama was going to be killed! NO! Let her go Traveler! She needs to get back to her mama and kill Rerir and Tholindis!!
LET HER GO.
Meanwhile Flins!MC was grabbed by the red-black and pink-black hands again and he narrowed his eyes, but got ready to die.
Then suddenly he was being held gently by the two. Rerir and Tholindis were looking at him gently and with so much elation, but a hint of sorrow (because they had been trying to kill their lover! And their daughter too! They didn't know they had a daughter and Flins!MC must have been in so much pain giving birth alone and the two Khaenrians had missed so many of Columbina's milestones!)
Then Flins!MC finds themself in a cave, the Wild Hunt surrounding said cave, Flins!MC being held by two overprotective (yandere) sinners. The two were much taller and bigger than Flins!MC now and he was twitchy, wondering when the two would kill him.
He still doesn't quiet know if they truly know it's him, want him to lower his guard to kill him, or if they have some other twisted plan. He just hopes Columbina stays safe.
(Ok to elaborate just a bit, Tholindis and Rerir knew Flins!MC wasn't human, but as I stated before in my last thing, they misunderstood the lantern's role. They merely thought it was a CONTAINER, that if Flins!MC was a certain distance from it [and being in a different plane of existance/realm DEFINITLY counts to being far away from it] then the flame would go out. They think that the lantern is like an added armor for Flins!MC.)
(Flins!MC had brought a fake lantern to Khaenri'ah and just kinda forget to switch it out with their real one after a year so the fake lantern was ruined during the cataclysm and the flame, which was a mixture of real fire and Fae magic, was snuffed out. I explain more in the original thing)
(But Pierro, the sinners [minus Tholindis and Rerir], Dainsleif, and Capitano all thought Flins!MC was human, just with the ability/power to turn themselves a different gender, with illusions or something)
(Also did this make sense? I'm really tired so some things are probably iffy. Also my mind is being torn into five directions. This idea, and four others you have yet to know about. I'll send you one of the ideas soon though!)
(Hope you liked this part!!)
- 🦔 Anon
I did like this part! A LOT! 🤩
And also, please take it easy. Don't push yourself too much writing out these ideas. And make sure you get some rest, ok?
But goodness, I love the running gag of ALL the Khaenri'ahns gaslighting themselves that Columbina was Flins!MC actual blood child. And oh no, Flins!MC is stuck between a hard place and two feral Yanderes...
Tagging: @platinumrosetail, @arn9tails, @bloodytea, @uniquecutie-puffs, @lovelyjane-stuff