Settling In
The "test" wasn't what she expected it to be. It was a test of the mind, not of the body, the Summoner's called it a "Judgment".
Thankfully Riven passed her "Judgment" and exited the reflection chamber.
She was not about to lose because of the past. Riven knew she couldn't let it control her, no matter how horrible it was. But even so, she still wanted to kill Singed over and over again, which she could accomplish in the League. Adding yet another pro to joining.
'How convenient' Riven smiled to herself.
As she left the reflection chamber she noticed the hall void of any living being, or so she thought. Before Riven could decide if she should start looking around to ask some questions and what course of action she should take- a tall, muscular man dressed as a Shinobi, walked towards her from the opposite end of the room. If he hadn't started moving she would have never known he was there.
She became cautious, feeling threatened.
The man looked at Riven and after a few seconds started speaking-
"Congratulations for passing the judgment-"
"Riven."
"-Riven. You passed quickly, your willpower must be strong."
Riven shifted her feet, embarrassed by the sudden compliment.
"If you were wondering what to do next, my suggestion is to get settled in, though you must have already known that. Since there is a high likely hood that you do not have a home in any of the nearby cities, you will be provided with a room here in the Institute of War. Many champions and Summoners live around here so never be afraid to ask questions. In a few moments someone should be here to welcome you and show you around. Good luck-Riven."
Riven speaks up right as he turns to walk away.
"Aren't you the one welcoming me right now? Why can't you do it?" She asked not wanting to be left alone to be forced to talk to another person again. She hated starting conversations.
"I have not been asked by anyone to do so. Forgive me but I have other matters to take care of." He replied, barely even turning back to face her.
"Well you could at least be polite enough to tell me your name. Did you forget that I have already given you mine?" Riven said slightly annoyed and aggravated. Didn't this guy's mother teach him proper manners?
"Ah yes. Forgive me for forgetting my manners, my name is Shen, Eye of Twilight. Pleasure to meet your acquaintance Riven." He bowed apologetically to her in the traditional Ionian way.
She was slightly embarrassed by this action. She didn't expect such a response and she definitely wasn't used to it. Usually, people would get angry back at her and say things like "What right does a poor, lowly, runaway soldier like you have to talk to me like that?" Which, would end up in a fight she would win.
As Shen got ready to take his leave again a wizened old man with a giant clock on his back walked, or floated, over to them.
"Zilean." Shen greeted, bowing in respect, not fazed in the least by yet another interruption.
"Shen." The old man answered tilting his head back in equal respect.
"This must be the new champion. Have you been polite to her?"
"Yes I have. Do I have a reason not to be?"
Riven just sat by and listened as they talked not wanting to be rude and interrupt. Besides the fact she had no idea what to say.
"Well if you two are getting along so well already, I think it would be a good idea for Shen to give you a tour of the Institute. Ah forgive me-I nearly forgot my manners, may I ask your name, my lady?"
"My name is Riven. I would be ever so grateful if Shen could show me around, seeing I have no idea what to do at the moment." She said trying to compose herself again after being embarrassed multiple times in a row.
Shen showed no sign of getting angry, or being offended in any way.
"Well then, Shen I have a favor to ask you. Show Riven around, to her room, the summoning chamber, the dining room, Library, wherever might interest her."
Riven watched as Shen sat still, thinking about his reply. "Very well. Since it is you asking this of me, I will respect your wish and show her around."
Riven felt relieved. So far everyone had been helpful and polite. But, she reminded herself, that gives her no reason to trust them.
She had learned that the hard way.
"Thank you for agreeing to this Shen I am...grateful." She thanked him, awkwardly crossing her arms.
He nodded in response.
"Her room number is 667. On the first floor. You know where everything else is. Well- see you both at dinner." Zilean shouted cheerfully while leaving the room.
Shen turned to Riven.
"Follow me. I will show you the library first, since it is on the way to your room."
"Thank you. And- well..." She started saying but couldn't finish, she knew that could wait till after he showed her around. She didn't want to waste anymore of his time.
Shen looked at her waiting for her to finish. When he saw that she wasn't going to proceed, he just turned around and started walking towards the direction of where her room was located.
Most of the walk was silent. They passed what she guessed were a couple novice Summoners. After words they walked by what she figured was a champion. It was a Yordle all dressed up in wizard gear. He had looked at Shen with such an angry gaze, she thought for sure a fight would break out in the middle of the hallway. But instead he just kept walking, cursing to himself the whole way. Shen hadn't even acknowledged his existence.
These people were strange.
"Here is the library. It is full of knowledge, as I'm guessing you already know. I found the most useful books to be the ones about the Fields of Justice. They have maps in the back you can study to get a good idea of where you are and where you will go before your first match. There is also a book about potions that can help you survive on the battlefield. I suggest at least taking a look at them." Shen informed her as she listened carefully. Riven needed to take advantage of every bit of knowledge she could get.
"Thank you for this information. I will take a look when I have the chance." She answered sincerely.
He looked at her blankly, Riven guessed he stopped to process her words, and formulate the best response possible. Then nodded his head and said
"You're welcome." They then headed out again towards her room.
They stopped in front of room number 667.
"This will be your room for however long you stay in the league, or if you ever buy your own house nearby. In the league the rooms are divided up by male and female sections. I guess it could be for privacy and other reasons. I will be kind enough to inform you that my friend and comrade Akali, has her room right across from you in room 666. I'm sure she would be willing to help you if you have any questions later on. And, if you would like to take a quick shower and get comfortable I will be willing to wait by the library until you are finished."
'Gah! How did he know I wanted to take a shower! Can he read minds? Or do I just look that bad?'
This embarrassed her even further. Damn it, was she that open with her thoughts? Had it seriously been that long since her last bath or shower? Whatever. Riven guessed that she should just get used to strange things happening. This was the League after all.
"W-well I guess, if you don't mind." Riven answered as she tried to regain her composure for the 2nd time that day. Riven reminded herself that she was in fact an elite warrior.
"I do not mind. I will wait."
She nodded at him red in the face and walked into her room. The sight that greeted her was amazing, the bed was huge, there was a dresser placed in the corner holding a couple pairs of complimentary clothes inside, and her personal bathroom. The room also possessed a bookcase to of course, store any books she had brought or will buy in the future. Beside that was an armor rack and sword holder. All of it was top quality and extremely expensive. Too bad she had no time to drool over all this now, Shen was nice enough to let her take a quick shower while he waited. All this after he agreed to show her around.
She would have to take a long relaxing one later. After all the water bill wasn't her responsibility any more.
Riven decided to wear a pair of the complimentary clothes they provided until her normal clothes were clean. She started off toward the library to meet up with Shen again.
As she walked down the hall a huge booming voice echoed through the Institute. Shen was engaged in conversation with someone too loud for his own good.
"Shen! I heard you're showing the new champion around. Hope you aren't trying to hit on her already!" The man laughed before continuing.
"I know, that's impossible. Anyway, hurry up we're all about to start eating, I won't be able to wait much longer!"
"Right now I need to show her to the summoning chamber. Then we will stop at the "cafeteria" for something to eat. I will see you when I get there Pantheon." His voice remained monotone.
"Alright. Well, that shouldn't take too long. You better introduce her to us when you get there. Gotta give her the warm welcome we didn't get."
"I agree. Although I don't entirely understand what you mean."
"Don't worry my friend, one day you will." Pantheon finished as he walked away, loudly of course.
Riven listened to the whole conversation feeling guilty she had, eavesdropping was looked down upon in most places.
She was about to walk into the library but Shen got to her first.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Yes. Thank you for your patience." Riven answered.
He looked at her again. Nodded and said "You're welcome."
They started off towards the summoning chamber. She wondered when her first match would be because she was, after all, a warrior at heart and wanted to feel the thrill of battle against skilled enemies, instead of the average soldier or drunken asshole for once.
Besides all that she kept wondering, why did this man's voice sound so familiar?
Probably just thinking too much.