[So Kaveh hasn't spilled the beans yet... well, at least he knows where to start. So he takes a breath and begins.]
If you didn't know before, Freminet and I... we were raised in an orphanage together. We actually aren't blood brothers, but that hasn't stopped us from considering each other so. However, we haven't exactly been forthcoming about which orphanage we were raised in.
[He pauses briefly.]
That orphanage... was the House of the Hearth. And... we're both members of it.
[Hoo boy. Lyney nods, grasping at his hands in a nervous fidget.]
It's an orphanage that... also doubles as a branch of the Fatui. It's primarily involved in intelligence gathering... and raising those within to be future agents.
...there have been times we've gone on missions acting as spies, yes. Other times, it's gathering documents, or other incriminating evidence.
[He pauses, before looking up at Dehya.]
I'm sorry we haven't been forthcoming with this information. We know what kind of reputation the Fatui have, and I insisted we keep things quiet for the time being because I didn't want Freminet to suffer any animosity. Especially with how many friends we've met here...
[She's quite a sharp one, that's for sure. Lyney nods, glancing away.]
Yes... our Father, the Knave... she arrived not too long ago. And with her here, we knew it was only a matter of time before our true origins were revealed. So... we had to expedite telling everyone.
[Lyney waves his hands in front of him a little panicked. After a small pause, he lowers his hands and gives Dehya a serious look.]
I promise, there's nothing that Father or any of us want from you all... in fact, all we want is to return home, the same as you. I know it's hard to believe, and all you have is my word to go off of, but please... I'm not lying when I say we don't mean any harm, and just want to live peacefully with everyone here. That includes Father as well.
[Though he's speaking the truth, he knows that the others were more on edge about believing him after he came clean. So with Dehya, he tries another angle as well.]
And besides, even if we did want information on the other nations, The House of the Hearth mostly operates within Fontaine, and we stick to our own dealings. If we really wanted to discuss business... Sumeru isn't really of interest to us.
[Unless, she thinks, their leader tells them to pivot to Sumeru.
...
but it doesn't really matter, does it? Based on what Tifa said, anything they learn here won't be of any use to them back home. The concern is really about what they'll do here, and he's got a point that getting home is probably a much bigger priority.
But the tension in her doesn't ease much.] Your Father is a lady with white hair, right? Is she one of the Harbingers or just named like one?
[So Dehya had met Father? It sounded like it. Lyney nods.]
Yes, that's her. Father's rank is The Knave; Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers. She also goes by the name Arlecchino.
[He knows that confirming that probably won't help the tension, so he continues.]
I know it's frightening to have a Harbinger here, but trust me when I say she has no intentions of disrupting anything here. She's actually very amenable to working with others, and I've told her what you and everyone else has done for Freminet and I. She won't ignore the kindness you've all shown us.
[Lyney can see that bravado, and while he wants to come to his Father's defence, he doesn't think that will help things. But Dehya comes to a fair understanding, and he nods to her.]
Of course, more than fair. As I've said, Father has no intentions of disrupting things while she's here, nor will she make any acts to endanger anyone. Our interests are purely in our own safety and in finding a way back home, just as before.
[He pauses briefly, before lowering his gaze once more.]
...I'm sorry Freminet and I weren't forthcoming with this information. We know the kind of reputation the Fatui have, even if the House of the Hearth does its best to keep out of other Fatui machinations. I understand if this is a blindside of sorts, but please... don't be mad at Freminet. It was my idea to remain silent until we figured out a way to tell everyone. We just... didn't figure out how before Father arrived. So if you have any frustrations, please... direct them at me, not Freminet.
[In truth, it's hard for her to be mad at Freminet either way. He's a kid, old enough to make decisions but young enough that the adults around him can override them.]
Like I said, I'm only concerned if I'm going to have to finish a problem.
[Lyney nods to her, before reaching into his pocket and placing enough coin on the table to cover her drink, as well as extra in case she wants something more. He then stands.]
I should get going, then. Thank you for your understanding, Miss Dehya.
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Uh--maybe just some coffee?
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[After Dehya orders her coffee, and after it arrives, Lyney takes a slow breath before speaking.]
Before I begin… do you speak to Mr. Kaveh rather often?
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Pretty regularly. Something up with him?
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[He wouldn't fault Kaveh for doing so, but it would help him figure out how much he needs to say.]
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[So Kaveh hasn't spilled the beans yet... well, at least he knows where to start. So he takes a breath and begins.]
If you didn't know before, Freminet and I... we were raised in an orphanage together. We actually aren't blood brothers, but that hasn't stopped us from considering each other so. However, we haven't exactly been forthcoming about which orphanage we were raised in.
[He pauses briefly.]
That orphanage... was the House of the Hearth. And... we're both members of it.
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Think I'm gonna need a little more context. What's the House of the Hearth?
[She's a mercenary in Sumeru, she doesn't know the ins and outs of the Fatui.]
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It's an orphanage that... also doubles as a branch of the Fatui. It's primarily involved in intelligence gathering... and raising those within to be future agents.
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[There it is. Lyney sighs and glances away.]
...there have been times we've gone on missions acting as spies, yes. Other times, it's gathering documents, or other incriminating evidence.
[He pauses, before looking up at Dehya.]
I'm sorry we haven't been forthcoming with this information. We know what kind of reputation the Fatui have, and I insisted we keep things quiet for the time being because I didn't want Freminet to suffer any animosity. Especially with how many friends we've met here...
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But you're coming clean now. [Dehya crosses her arms.] Because something changed, right?
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Yes... our Father, the Knave... she arrived not too long ago. And with her here, we knew it was only a matter of time before our true origins were revealed. So... we had to expedite telling everyone.
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[Lyney waves his hands in front of him a little panicked. After a small pause, he lowers his hands and gives Dehya a serious look.]
I promise, there's nothing that Father or any of us want from you all... in fact, all we want is to return home, the same as you. I know it's hard to believe, and all you have is my word to go off of, but please... I'm not lying when I say we don't mean any harm, and just want to live peacefully with everyone here. That includes Father as well.
[Though he's speaking the truth, he knows that the others were more on edge about believing him after he came clean. So with Dehya, he tries another angle as well.]
And besides, even if we did want information on the other nations, The House of the Hearth mostly operates within Fontaine, and we stick to our own dealings. If we really wanted to discuss business... Sumeru isn't really of interest to us.
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...
but it doesn't really matter, does it? Based on what Tifa said, anything they learn here won't be of any use to them back home. The concern is really about what they'll do here, and he's got a point that getting home is probably a much bigger priority.
But the tension in her doesn't ease much.] Your Father is a lady with white hair, right? Is she one of the Harbingers or just named like one?
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Yes, that's her. Father's rank is The Knave; Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers. She also goes by the name Arlecchino.
[He knows that confirming that probably won't help the tension, so he continues.]
I know it's frightening to have a Harbinger here, but trust me when I say she has no intentions of disrupting anything here. She's actually very amenable to working with others, and I've told her what you and everyone else has done for Freminet and I. She won't ignore the kindness you've all shown us.
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[It's bravado, perhaps, but also--Dehya would absolutely try if she had to, fourth Harbinger or not.]
I'm not promising anything about working together, but as long as nobody starts a problem I won't have to finish it. That fair enough?
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Of course, more than fair. As I've said, Father has no intentions of disrupting things while she's here, nor will she make any acts to endanger anyone. Our interests are purely in our own safety and in finding a way back home, just as before.
[He pauses briefly, before lowering his gaze once more.]
...I'm sorry Freminet and I weren't forthcoming with this information. We know the kind of reputation the Fatui have, even if the House of the Hearth does its best to keep out of other Fatui machinations. I understand if this is a blindside of sorts, but please... don't be mad at Freminet. It was my idea to remain silent until we figured out a way to tell everyone. We just... didn't figure out how before Father arrived. So if you have any frustrations, please... direct them at me, not Freminet.
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Like I said, I'm only concerned if I'm going to have to finish a problem.
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[All things considered, this was going... fairly well? Lyney lets out a breath and visibly seems to relax before Dehya.]
Thank you for taking the time to hear me out, Miss Dehya. Truly... even just hearing our side of the story is more than generous of you.
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[Lyney pauses, rubbing the back of his neck.]
...almost. There's still Heizou I need to tell, but...
[He fidgets in his seat. Clearly, he's most nervous to tell Heizou than anyone else.]
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Wrap?
[Lyney nods to her, before reaching into his pocket and placing enough coin on the table to cover her drink, as well as extra in case she wants something more. He then stands.]
I should get going, then. Thank you for your understanding, Miss Dehya.