''Mmm...so this is where you wanted me to meet you.'' Jhin's eyes scanned me as he spoke. "How...quaint.''

I opened my mouth, suddenly embarrassed by the location; a small bar in Ionia. It being a good ways off from town and surrounded by a relatively thick forest, I'd found it appealing considering who I'd been meeting with. Despite his pull into the League having stopped his performances off rift for good, many still turned away or even became violent at the sight of the virtuoso. My plan had been to avoid the stares and whispers, but the tone in his voice caused a sudden second guess of everything. I said aloud: ''I could- I mean we...could go somewhere else.''

He shakes his head. ''You've already summoned me here. Tell me what this is about.''

I hesitate, annoyed at my lack of composure. This had ideally been a smooth interaction. In my head I'd been confident, him interested. In reality there I sat, nervous as all get out while his attitude bordered on annoyed.

'I didn't think being near him would feel...like this.'

Before my heart could start to pound with nerves, I looked towards a different section of the bar. It was warmly lit and full of summoners and champions alike. The TVs stationed at each table played highlights of the well played executions of the world's best summoners. I took comfort in the faint scent of lemon before the sound of the table shifting refocused me.

''If you aren't going to speak then I'll just-''

''No!'' I said quickly, my heart pounding in both fear of saying what I wanted, and of him leaving before I got the chance to. He paused, staring at me. If I could see his face, I was sure he'd be arching an eyebrow in confusion. ''I mean...I know it's not a comfy place but just sit, alright?''

The virtuoso stared into my eyes as he sat across from me. Though he didn't speak, he hadn't moved to leave either. I took that as a good sign. Either that, or I had the rush of the evening regulars to thank. It was pretty obvious; the stares and scowls we would get leaving while it's so crowded. I once again considered that I should have had him meet me elsewhere. The one good thing about my decision was that we were at least sitting in a nice spot. Our area was that of a booth in a somewhat secluded section of the bar. Though near the bathroom, the one closer to the dance area was more popular. Jhin raised his hand to the TV at our table and turned it as low as possible. I realized once again, I'd stopped talking.

He rests his elbows on the table, locks his fingers, and puts his chin on top of them. I swallow.

"Thank you. Right...well... I've invited you here because of...I need ah...job done.''

He leans forward, curious. "Go on.''

"I've heard you're only allowed to work on the rift now...but...ah... I wondered where your stance is on...'' I lower my voice. "Personal projects.''

"Personal?'' The sound of his voice gave me goosebumps. I couldn't tell what he was thinking. "What are you talking about? Is each piece of art not it's own...'personal' thing?''

"No, no, it is. What I mean is...''

'This is bad...I'm stammering. What if he thinks I'm some under cover agent trying to catch him slipping up? What if-'

"Spit it out.''

Knowing it may have come to this, I stop talking and extend my hand, offering him a piece of paper.

"Read this.''

After unfolding it and commenting on the 'horrid' penmanship; he begins to read. I watch silently, my heart pounding as his eyes scan the page. He gasps quietly at one point, but otherwise says nothing. I sat there quietly, wishing I could tell exactly what he was thinking. The letter entailed a relatively vague request I realize looking back on it. Even still...what I wanted was clear enough. I glance at the bar once more at he reads, my mind swimming with answers to the questions I thought he'd have. I hear shifting as he sets the paper down. He looks at me once finished, his voice holding a hint of amusal.

"A client...AND victim?''

I feel my cheeks heat up, unsure of what to say. He chuckles.

"Interesting.''

I couldn't bring myself to do much but look away. I'd said it. Well...not truly, but I'd gotten my point across. Even through the mask he wore, I could feel his gaze on me. Finally he leaned back. He outstretched his arm across the booth behind him and let it rest there before folding his legs.

"Look at me.''

I barely managed to hold back a squeak of surprise as I turned my head to look at him. He eyed me and clicks his tongue four times as if in thought before lowering his outstretched hand back to the table via a bent elbow. He rests his cheek on his fist, his voice low.

"You realize the type of art I specialize in...yes?''

"Yes.''

"And you wish...for me to turn you into a work of art.''

My face flushes. I can't speak so I nod quietly.

"Mmm...'' He begins to think again. He sits there for a moment just staring into my eyes with his brown ones before leaning forward, one hand resting on my cheek. I tense, holding my breath as his eyes scan my face. The way he looks at me...it almost seems as if he's wondering how my face would look as a mask. The loud clank of our drinks on the table made us both jump, and me suddenly aware of the white noise that was everyone else in the bar. He jerks his hand away at the sound and we turn to the source.

"Here.'' Says the barmaid sharply. She's staring at Jhin. I look at her, my hand on my chest as my heart starts to calm down. I can't bring myself to look across the table. She turns away, muttering as she walks past me. "Goddamn sicko...''

"Excuse me?'' I ask aloud.

She stops, leans down, and whispers. "If I were you...I'd get as far away from that psychopath as possible-''

"Oh barwentch.'' Jhin summons, his voice casual. "Four cubes of sugar... I asked for four.''

She stands upright, her cheeks scarlet with anger. Something about her entire demeanor said she'd had a rough day, and was just waiting for an opportunity to take it out on someone. She bristled. "Why you...''

I stand and hold her back with one palm just long enough to hand her double of what our drinks cost. I definitely should have chosen a different location.

"I'm sorry. We'll go.''

Jhin folds his arms, not impressed with the poor service he was apparently getting. "But I haven't yet gotten what I asked for. Why, I never-''

I clench my hand into a fist. 'I'll regret this...I know I will. But I hate conflict...''

And with that thought, as I walk past a Jhin whose gently complaining, I grab the smallest of his guns straight from it's holster and haul-ass. He makes a sound of surprise, and I scramble towards the door, my heart thudding as I hear the table shifting from him shoving it backwards.

I bump into a dancer and as I yell an apology over my shoulder, I feel a smooth roll under my foot and nearly face-plant into the dirt. There's a scream as the bottle I'd nearly tripped over trips up another who throws up their hands and grabs a tray of drinks for balance. I re-contemplate my decision to take the maids comfort over Jhin's as I make my way outside; shattering glass and shouts filling the air as I run, an angry virtuoso hot on my trail. Gods what have I jusy done?