"After yesterday's defeat, LeBlanc requested I tell you; she wishes to speak with you, Katarina." Talon had said, before disappearing as is normality for him.
Katarina Du Coteau was confused more by this than anything despite her recently developing an intimate relationship with Garen of Demacia, which could certainly be the death of her should the Noxian High Command find out, as Cassiopeia had re-iterated all evening. But who were they to judge matters of the heart, when they clearly had none. Then again, it had long been debated she herself had no heart either... Guess they were all wrong. She supposed even Swain would have the ability to love someone if the chance passed by.
Anyhow, why would the leader of the long-forgotten Black Rose mages want to talk with a non-magical assassin such as Kata, when she most certainly had no use for those skills? LeBlanc was quite formidable alone, able to best many in one on one combat with her strong deceiving magicks. Anyone could defeat anyone on the Fields of Justice, but in reality, several Champions were quite superior to their fellows. She shivered at the thought of the Void creatures who were propheted to one day come for Runeterra; horrors like Cho'Gath and Kog'Maw who could endlessly devour all forms of life, or powerful beings like Malzahar himself who could wreak havoc with their abilities and tear apart the very fabrics of the realm.
This League of Legends was by far one of the most formidable collections; half the so-called 'Champions' had such strength that if the Institute of War ever lost control of them Runeterra would have its most cataclysmic and final Rune War in history, with the possibility of destroying beyond the world's boundaries and distorting even the surrounding galaxy. And yet there was nothing any one of them could do about it but hope that their plans saw through to prevent that. Or further push toward it, whatever those Champions have in mind.
Katarina's meeting with LeBlanc was quite informal, and due to circumstances, this was probably the best way to go about it. They merely spoke within the main room of the fine Du Coteau household, alone and with no disruption from the staff nor Katarina's sisters. LeBlanc had made herself comfortable upon a lounge, laying across it delicately and seeming quite at ease with the situation. Kata glared with slight irritation at the indifference of the Deceiver but said nothing of it.
"I will be brief," LeBlanc began. "The reason I am here concerns the disappearance of your father and the current events of the Noxian High Command. Simply put, it is well known that Swain and Darius eliminate all who stand in their way of becoming the top, and your father was quite a threat to that, don't you think? General Du Coteau was indeed a very powerful asset to Noxus, to the point he could have well been a rivalling suitor for High General. Maybe his disappearance could be linked to Swain's rise to power; either your father knew what was coming and fled, or he has already had it come to him."
There was a moment of silence as Kata took in the information she had just been handed. It did seem plausible; even though her father had never had any intention of becoming the sole ruler of Noxus, others may have seen him as able to do so. However she could hardly believe he would have fled without a word to her or at least Talon, who had forever been his most devoted agent. It was unlike him to leave his family blind-eyed to crucial information. Or maybe he believed that it was not important for them to know of his fate?
After some thought, Katarina responded to LeBlanc. "Knowing you, there is a reason behind you telling me this. What is your intention?"
LeBlanc's lips curved into a smile. "But of course, I wish to aid you. The only thing I want in return is for you to be in my debt, should I have need of you I will tell you so. There is one tiny thing I must note though: do not think you will be able to hide that relationship of yours from Swain for long. Come with the Black Rose, we will preserve your ties to Garen; stay with the Noxian High Command, you will likely lose your head."
She knew it. It had been more clear than anything that a dangerous partnership with the Might of Demacia would create conflict for the Du Coteau household, and that LeBlanc would take advantage of this. LeBlanc of course was just as manipulative as Swain, for she had had the time to train in the arts of persuasion for many decades more than said High General and possessed the magic to back her up should things get nasty. "Why would you support a tie to Demacia, of all people." Katarina wondered, but she felt she already had a hunch to the answer.
LeBlanc was only too happy to respond to this. "For the plans of the Black Rose, an alliance; if only temporary or partial; with Demacia, is not unwelcome. This tie could be a step closer to that."