"You seem out of it, lad, not that I blame ya, but I kinda need my doc to patch my ribs up," Varin said, laughing, which immediately earned him a sharp slap from Chopper's hooves across his shoulder. The motion jostled his ribs just enough to make him wince, his injured side shifting in a way that sent fresh waves of pain radiating through his torso.
"Stop laughing at your own injuries!" Chopper snapped, his small reindeer form radiating irritation as he moved around the medical room with the focused efficiency of someone who'd already been through an emotionally exhausting few hours. Luffy and Robin were resting in the other room, both of them still unconscious but stable, their bodies slowly warming back to normal as Chopper's expertise brought them back from the edge of hypothermia. Now he was turning his attention to Varin, who was sprawled out on one of the medical beds with his massive frame taking up most of the available space.
The medical room had always been small, especially for Varin, most of the walls lined with shelves containing various medicines and bandages and tools that Chopper had collected over months of travel. The smell of herbs and antiseptic filled the air, and a small lantern provided light in the otherwise dim interior of the ship. Nothing that wasn't normal, but for some reason, it felt smaller than usual.
Chopper's examination was thorough and professionally annoying. his small hooves pressing carefully against Varin's ribs to assess the damage. He was frowning by the time he finished, his expression suggesting he didn't particularly like what he was finding.
"Three ribs are cracked, maybe fractured, definitely not broken clean but they're damaged enough to cause problems if you keep moving around like nothing happened," Chopper said, his voice taking on that clinical tone that made him sound far older than his actual age. "You're lucky. It seems like he was holding back on purpose, based on the makings"
Varin grunted acknowledgment, not bothering to argue because Chopper was right and they both knew. The fight had had purpose beneath the surface violence, and Kuzan had clearly decided at some point that the outcome was satisfactory enough to leave without pushing things further.
Chopper moved around the room gathering supplies, his movements quick and practiced as he prepared bandages and salves that would help with the healing process. He returned to where Varin was lying and began the careful work of wrapping his torso with cloth strips designed to provide support without restricting breathing too much. The work was methodical and precise, each wrap placed with consideration for how it would affect Varin's movement and comfort.
"This should help with the pain and keep them from shifting around too much while they heal," Chopper said as he worked, his hooves surprisingly dexterous despite their structure. "But you need to actually rest. Not just lie around and brood about whatever happened on that beach with that admiral. Real rest, where you're not thinking about anything and you're letting your body actually heal."
"That's not how my body works, lad," Varin replied, his voice quieter than before, acknowledging the truth even as he made the statement. "I think about things. That's the problem."
Chopper finished tying off the final wrap and stepped back to examine his work, apparently satisfied with the result. He looked up at Varin with an expression that was part exasperation and part genuine concern.
"Then think about something that doesn't involve fighting or whatever you were muttering about when you first came in here," Chopper said. "Think about something that doesn't make your heart rate spike or your blood pressure go up. Think about something... peaceful. Or tell me about your culture, I guess."
"That's a rather broad scope, and quite a bit different than peaceful," Varin snorted, which earned him another sharp smack from Chopper's hooves, this one landing squarely on his shoulder.
"Stop complaining and start talking," Chopper said. "You're clearly not going to rest no matter what I say, so at least talk about something that might actually teach me something useful. Your Devil Fruit, then. I mean more than the basics you've told me. How about the exact reason Fenrir is the way he is? I guess I mean the events leading up to him."
Varin was quiet for a moment, his eyes still closed, a small smile on his face as his thoughts raced. Chopper stood next to him, prepping to stab Varin with something medicinal. "I do recall sayin' I would tell you all some more about my culture, or was it Nami?" Varin said, mind wandering for a moment, before he shook his head. "Bah, doesn't matter. I guess the best place to start is with the norns."
"The Norns?"
"The Norns," Varin repeated, his voice taking on a tone that suggested he was settling into a story he'd told before but not recently. "Three beings from my religion. They're weavers of fate, in a manner of speaking. Each one represents a different aspect of time itself."
Chopper moved closer, his small hooves making soft sounds against the wooden floor of the medical room. "Three beings," he said, his mind clearly already working through the implications. "Like gods?"
"Something like that," Varin said. "Though calling them gods feels like it misses the point somehow. They're more fundamental than that. Urd represents the past, everything that's already happened and can't be changed. Verdandi is the present, the moment that's actually occurring right now. And Skuld is the future, everything that hasn't happened yet but will, or might, or could depending on how you look at it."
"So they control fate," Chopper said.
"They weave it," Varin corrected. "There's a difference. Controlling something means you're making it do what you want. Weaving is more like... they're creating the pattern as it goes along. The Norns don't decide what happens, exactly. They observe what's happening and they record it, they acknowledge it, they make it part of the greater tapestry of existence."
Chopper was quiet for a moment, clearly turning the concept over in his head. "That sounds almost philosophical," he said. "Is that what your culture teaches? About fate and destiny and all that?"
"It's more complicated than philosophy," Varin said. "In the old days, in the settlements where my bloodline comes from, the Norns were treated with respect but not fear. Because understanding that the Norns were weaving the pattern meant understanding that your actions mattered. You weren't just passive, waiting to see what fate had in store. You were actively creating the pattern they were weaving. Your choices, your struggles, your victories and defeats, all of that became part of the tapestry." He opened his eyes and looked at Chopper directly. "So when I got exiled, that wasn't the Norns punishing me. That was just part of the pattern. And when Luffy found me, when I joined this crew, that was also part of the pattern. The Norns were still weaving."
"That's..." Chopper paused, searching for the right word. "That's actually kind of comforting. In a strange way."
"Aye, it is," Varin agreed. "Because it means nothing is truly random. Everything has a place in the larger pattern, even the bad things. Even the suffering has a purpose, even if we don't understand what that purpose is in the moment. But it all started when the Norns Wove the events of Ragnarock."
"That's like the end of the world, right?" Chopper asked, his hooves moving carefully as he gathered fresh bandages.
"Aye," Varin confirmed. "Though the story of how Odin learned about it is older than that. See, the Norns had their sight, could see all three threads of time at once. But Odin wanted that knowledge for himself, wanted to understand the future the way they did. So he went to Mimir's Well, found it beneath the roots of Yggdrasil."
Chopper positioned himself beside the medical bed, his small form allowing him to work at angles that would've been difficult for a larger person. He began applying salve to Varin's ribs, his movements practiced and sure despite the size difference.
"Mimir was this ancient being, keeper of the well's waters," Varin continued, his voice steady despite the discomfort of Chopper's work. "Those waters held knowledge, pure liquid knowledge. Odin asked for a drink, but Mimir said it would cost him something. Asked for an eye as payment."
Chopper's hooves paused briefly. "An eye," he repeated. "Just like that?"
"Aye, just like that. Odin plucked out his own eye and dropped it into the well, then drank his fill. The knowledge he gained from that water showed him the runes, showed him the structure of the cosmos itself. But it also showed him the future, and what he saw terrified him." The medical room fell quiet except for the sound of Chopper working. From outside, Varin could hear the faint creak of floorboards, could sense movement near the door. His crew was listening. Of course they were. Nosiest people alive. "After he gained that knowledge from Mimir's Well," Varin continued, not really bothered. "Odin decided he needed even more. He went to Yggdrasil itself, and he hung himself from its branches using his own spear, Gungnir. He pierced himself with the spear, and he forbade any of the other gods to grant him aid, not even water, and he hung there for nine days and nine nights, staring down into the darkness below."
Chopper had moved on to wrapping the bandages around Varin's torso now, his movements careful to avoid putting too much pressure on the damaged ribs. "What was he looking for?" the doctor asked.
"The runes," Varin said. "At the end of the ninth night, he perceived shapes in the depths below him, and the runes rose up to meet him. They accepted his sacrifice and revealed themselves to him, showing him not only their forms but also the secrets that lay within them. Through nine days of suffering, suspended between life and death, Odin claimed the knowledge of the runes, the symbols of power and magic that the Norns themselves had carved into Yggdrasil." Outside the door, Varin heard someone shift their weight. Probably Nami or Usopp. Sanji would be cooking, likely one of the only ones, if not the only one, not listening in. Luffy was Quiet for once, a sure sign he was listening. "But here's where it gets dark," Varin said, raising his voice and taking on a different quality. "All that knowledge Odin gained, he learned about his own fate. He learned that Ragnarok was coming, that the end of all things was inevitable. And he learned that three beings, all children of Loki, would play the central role in bringing that end about."
Chopper's hooves stilled. "Fenrir," he said softly. "Your fruit."
"Aye, my fruit," Varin confirmed. "When Odin learned what was coming, when he saw in the threads of the future that these three would bring ruin to the gods, he decided to act. The gods threw Jormungandr into the ocean, where he encircled Midgard, the world of humankind. They relegated Hel to the underworld to rule over the dead. But Fenrir, he was different. Fenrir inspired too much fear in them for them to let him out from under their watchful eyes, so they reared the pup themselves in their stronghold, Asgard. Amd the wolf grew," Varin continued. "Grew faster than any natural creature should. The gods watched in horror as he grew massive, his strength beyond measure. They created three types of fetters and bindings before they succeeded in confining him. The first was called Leyding, but one sharp kick from Fenrir snapped the chain apart. The second was called Dromi, twice as strong as Leyding, and though it took Fenrir longer to break it, it met the same fate."
Chopper began applying bandages to Varin's arm with the same care he'd shown the ribs. "If two chains failed," Chopper said carefully, "how did they eventually bind him?"
"They didn't do it through strength," Varin said. "They did it through trickery. Odin sent for the dwarves of Svartalfheim, and the craftsmen created something that shouldn't have been possible. A magical ribbon called Gleipnir, which could not be broken. Then Odin challenged Fenrir to test his strength with the ribbon. Sensing a trap, Fenrir agreed but only if one of them put their hand in his mouth as insurance. A god named Tyr agreed to it, the god of justice. And the closest thing to a friend Fenrir had." There was a sound from outside like someone had gasped, then been shushed. "Tyr placed his hand in Fenrir's mouth," Varin continued, "and when the wolf couldn't escape the ribbon, when he realized he'd been deceived, he bit down. Tyr's hand was severed, the price of binding the wolf who was destined to end the world."
Chopper had finished with the bandages and was now examining Varin's face, checking his eyes and the areas around them where the admiral's strikes might have caused internal damage. "So Fenrir's been trapped all this time," Chopper said. "Waiting for Ragnarok."
"Trapped on an island called Lyngvi, bound by a ribbon that can't be broken, until the day when the stars fall from the sky and the earth rises from the sea. Until the day when the chains break, and he breaks free to swallow Odin whole." Varin sighed, leaning backagaisnt the bed
Varin sighed, leaning back against the bed, his massive frame settling into the limited space available. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the
"That fills in some of the gaps. What about those things you say?" Chopper said, puffing out his chest a little. He did his best to imitate Varin's deep voice, making it sound ridiculous. By Odin's beard, by Thor's hammer. You know those. Isn't that... rude, I guess, to the gods?"
"Rude," Varin snorted, then winced as it jarred his ribs. "Nay, it's just somethin' people say. Like when you lot say 'oh my god' or 'god damn it.' Nobody actually means anything by it, it's just words that come out when you're frustrated or making a point."
Chopper's ears drooped slightly. "So it doesn't mean anything?"
"Didn't say that," Varin replied, his tone more matter-of-fact now. "It means something in the sense that it's how my people talk. Been saying it long enough that it's just part of how I speak now. But, I'm not literally swearing by Odin's actual beard every time I open my mouth. It's just habit."
"Oh," Chopper said, sounding slightly disappointed. "I thought there was more to it."
Varin almost snorted, but managed to catch himself, saving himself from another slap. "Not everything is philosophical or meaningful with me. Trust me, at the end of the day, I'm just a religious nut job to most people."
"You're not a nut job," Chopper said, his voice carrying that particular stubbornness that only came when he'd decided to defend someone.
"Aye, well, most of the world would disagree," Varin replied flatly. "I carry the consciousness of an ancient mythological wolf. I swear by gods most people think are just stories. I follow traditions that died out centuries ago for most folks. That's the definition of a religious nut job."
Chopper was quiet for a moment, clearly processing that assessment. "But you believe in it," he said finally.
"Course I believe in it," Varin said. "Doesn't make me any less mad for it. Belief and madness aren't mutually exclusive, lad. Half the world thinks the other half is insane. The Styrnvalds believe in the old ways, and most everyone else thinks we're backward and superstitious. That's just how it works."
"Does that mean you… want to…go back? To your family if you could," Chopper asked hesitantly.
Varin's expression shifted into something harder, and whether either of them realised it, the temperature in the medical room dropped a few degrees. "No," he said flatly. "I don't want to go back to them." The words came out harder than he clearly meant them to. Chopper flinched visibly at the weight behind them. Varin caught himself immediately, coughing back whatever else had been about to come out of his mouth. He reached out and rested his hand on Chopper's head, his massive palm nearly covering the small reindeer's entire body.
"I'm with my family, lad," he said, his voice rougher now but lacking the sharp edge from a moment before. "I'm fairly sure I've said that before. Just because you lot don't believe in the same bullshit I do, don't mean nothing. You're still my crew. You're still family."
Chopper leaned into the touch slightly, his initial fear fading as he understood what Varin was actually saying underneath the harshness.
"The Styrnvalds threw me away," Varin continued, his hand staying steady on Chopper's head. "But Luffy picked me up off that iceberg anyway. That makes him more family than anyone who shares my blood ever was. And that goes for all of you."
He closed his eyes again. "So nah. I don't miss them. I'm exactly where I want to be." There was a pause, and then Varin's lips curved into something that was almost a smirk. "And that's for all the nosy bastards currently listening in at the door, if ya wanted a story all ya had to do was ask. Not like this is something I don't like to talk about. Besides, I did promise Nami at some point to tell her all this, so she could understand half the shit I say."
From outside the door, there was a sudden scramble of noise. Footsteps moving away quickly, someone hissing at someone else to be quiet, and then the unmistakable sound of Nami's voice cutting through it all. "We weren't listening!" she called out, unconvincingly.
"Aye, you were," Varin replied, his eyes still closed but his tone carrying amusement now. "And that's fine. Better than everyone standing around wondering what's wrong with the mad wolf man and his religious ramblings."
Chopper's small form relaxed under Varin's hand, the tension that had built up dissolving now that it was clear the callout wasn't angry. It was just Varin being Varin, acknowledging reality in his blunt way.
"Come on then," Varin said, his hand still resting on Chopper's head. "If you're gonna listen anyway, might as well come in proper rather than hovering like ghosts in the hallway."
The others piled in quickly, clearly not wanting to get caught lingering outside any longer than they already had been. Nami came first, followed by Sanji still holding plate of what looked like fresh food and some kind of stew, Usopp trailing behind with crumbs visible around his mouth, and Zoro bringing up the rear with his arms crossed.
"We weren't actually listening the whole time," Nami said, her voice carrying that particular tone of someone who'd been caught doing exactly what they'd been accused of doing. "We just happened to be nearby and—"
"You're holding a plate of food," Varin said flatly, his eyes still closed but his tone dripping with amusement. "And Usopp's got crumbs on his face. Don't insult my intelligence by pretending you weren't standing out there eating while eavesdropping."
Sanji didn't even bother defending himself, just grinned and took another bite of bread. Usopp tried to wipe his face clean but only managed to make it worse, smearing crumbs across his cheeks. Nami sighed, clearly accepting that there was no point trying to maintain the pretense.
"Well," Zoro said, his voice carrying that particular brand of blunt acceptance, "you're the one who brought it up. Can't blame us for wanting to hear the rest."
Varin let out a low chuckle, the sound rough but genuinely amused. "Aye, fair enough. At least you've got the sense to just admit it rather than standing there lying like your lives depend on it."
As the others finished piling in, Varin snatched a plate of sandwiches from Sanji's hand without asking, and stared at the others as he bit off half of one, chewing aggressively. The way he ate suggested someone who'd gone hungry enough times to take food seriously whenever it was available.
"You're looking like you want to eat us instead," Zoro said, his tone carrying that particular brand of casual observation.
"Nah, you'd be too gamey," Varin replied through a mouthful of bread and meat. "Usopp doesn't have enough meat on him to be worth the effort, and Nami might give me a disease."
Nami's expression shifted into something between offended and disgusted. "That's not funny."
"Wasn't trying to be," Varin said, taking another bite of sandwich. "The only edible ones on this crew are Robin, Vivi, Chopper, and Sanji. Everyone else would be more trouble than they're worth."
The casual way he listed out which crew members would theoretically be suitable for consumption hung in the air for a moment. Nobody commented on it directly, though several people exchanged glances that suggested they were all thinking the same thing about the fact that he'd apparently given this some consideration, especially considering what had happened with Enel back in Skypiea.
"Well, that's unsettling," Usopp muttered, deciding to move past that particular topic entirely.
"So what else do you lot want to hear?" Varin said, reaching for another sandwich. "Because if you're already standing here interrupting, might as well make it worth your while."
Vivi stepped forward slightly before settling into a crisscross position, her expression gentle and thoughtful. "If you're comfortable with it," she said carefully, "would you tell us more about the family members we might actually encounter?"
"How about... uh, what was his name... Rolf?" Usopp asked, his voice carrying that particular tone of someone trying to work through a complicated family tree. "The one with the boar Zoan, the demon boar?"
"Aye, that's him," Varin confirmed, reaching for another sandwich from the plate. "Technically he's a cousin, but we call him brother anyway. That's just how the family naming works. Everyone around your age is brother or sister, doesn't matter if there's actual blood relation involved."
Chopper tilted his head slightly. "That seems confusing."
"Only if you're not used to it," Varin said. "The clan's so mixed up with marriages and adoptions over the centuries that nobody really bothers with strict genealogy anymore. We use kinship terms based on age and position. Men older than you are uncles, women are aunts. Anyone your age is siblings. Rolf was withing the same age group, so he was brother growing up."
Sanji lit a fresh cigarette, clearly settling in for a longer conversation. "So what was he like as a kid?"
"Well, he was... nice," Varin said, his voice taking on a different quality, something almost nostalgic. "He was the nice big brother type. I've only ever seen him angry once, and…..He shifted slightly, clearly moving past that memory rather than dwelling on it. "He should be... six? No, seven years older than me. I'm nineteen, so he should be twenty-six now. When we were kids and he wasn't training, he was always playing with us. Most of the older family members were too focused on their own advancement or their own training to bother much with the younger ones, but Rolf was different."
Chopper's ears perked up at that. "So he actually spent time with you?"
"Aye, he did," Varin said, taking another bite of sandwich. "He'd take breaks from his training and teach us things. Not formal lessons, but stuff that would be useful, fishing tips, or hunting tips. He'd play fighting games with the rest of us. He was patient, in his way. Stern, but fair. The kind of older sibling who actually gave a damn whether you lived or died."
Vivi's expression softened slightly at that description. "He sounds like he cared about you."
"He did…." Varin sighed closing his eyes, his tone wistful for a moment before hardening slightly "until he didn't"