III
Unfavorable Winds
Yasuo opened one eye. A shuffling, bumping noise drew his attention. He was immediately aware of the light streaming through the window over the couch, which coupled with his headache, let him know he had overslept. At the foot of the couch on which he reclined was a closet, it's door now ajar and a woman crouched inside, rummaging through the interior. Yasuo knew immediately that it wasn't Soraka because of her skin tone. For a moment he was quite confused, as it appeared that she was wearing only underwear. He considered that she hadn't noticed him reclined on the couch, and thought it prudent to call attention to himself.
"Lady, I don't know about you, but it's rude where I come from to walk around strangers in your underwear." The woman stood, turning to face Yasuo and blushing intensely. He recognized Janna from the previous evening. She wore a white, revealing chestpiece and a lingerie bottom that matched.
"Yasuo. It's not underwear, it's my outfit."
Yasuo looked around his sleeping area, settling his hand on his bottle when he found it. He uncorked the jug and took a swig, only replying afterwards.
"Fooled me." Her face clearly showed her outrage, but she maintained a steady response.
"What are you even doing here, Yasuo? Don't you have anyone else to bother?"
"I liked you more when you wanted something from me." He rolled from the couch, stretching his back. The pointer finger on his right hand itched, and it took him a moment to remember earning the scar that now adorned it during his fight with Akali. It wasn't a pleasant memory for him, mostly due to how quickly she won the fight, and how poorly he performed. He decided the best way to deal with the issue was a stiff drink.
As Janna continued searching through the closet, Yasuo replaced his grieves, tightening the straps. by the time Janna finished her search and closed the closet, He had followed suit with his pauldrons, walking into the kitchen area. The room had been radically altered, now devoid of the banner welcoming new champions, the table completely cleaned. Soraka stood by the stove, and she smiled pleasantly when she saw him.
"Good morning, Yasuo. I didn't expect you to stay." He nodded stiffly, as his plan to slip out was Interrupted by Janna's entrance to the kitchen.
"Found it." She said, holding a small white tiara in her hand.
"Oh good," Soraka replied. "I knew it was in there somewhere. Well, have a seat, and I'll fix your hair." Janna stood still, her attention focused on Yasuo. It wasn't a subtle symbol that she didn't want him there for her hair styling. Soraka sensed it as well, and before Yasuo could make a move to exit, she responded.
"Yasuo, could you make us all some breakfast while I get Janna ready? We're in a hurry and it would be a big help." She looked at him with her large, amber eyes. It was the closest a lady with a horn growing from her head could come to puppy eyes. He recognized that Soraka had cleverly done two things. She had offered him breakfast, as well as given him a distraction for Janna's comfort. Though he wasn't eager to stay, Yasuo had learned quite a few things in his life as a wanderer, and one of the most important was never turn down a free meal.
"...Sure." Soraka smiled warmly, returning her attention to Janna.
"Have a seat, dear." Janna's eyes still reflected her hesitance, but she pulled a chair out from the kitchen table, sitting down with a sigh. Soraka began combing her hair. Yasuo glanced around the kitchen for a moment trying to decide what to do about breakfast. Settling on eggs, he began gathering the necessary tools for preparing breakfast, Soraka talked idly.
"Janna's going to a fan meet today. You remember I told you how popular she is with the audience." Yasuo said nothing, cracking an egg into a skillet. He had little experience with cooking, but a simple fried egg was one of the few things he had mastered. Soraka continued, seemingly oblivious to Janna and Yasuo's mutual discomfort.
"Why, just last month, she was at an interview with 'Valoran Today' and one of the fans in the audience asked her hand in marriage. Obviously she turned him down, but it was a sweet offer." Yasuo chuckled to himself as he plated the eggs, deciding Soraka didn't really need any encouragement to continue the conversation on her own.
"Janna certainly does draw a crowd everywhere she goes. She makes quite a pretty penny on her appearances, too." Janna cut in, chastising the healer.
"Soraka, stop." Soraka giggled, teasing her hand through Janna's hair.
"I'm just bragging on my friend. I was going to tell him about your charities."
"I'd rather discuss something else." Janna interrupted. Yasuo finished breakfast, setting out the three plates on the table. He dug into his serving as Soraka continued talking.
"Of course. Have you seen Leona lately? She was here last ni-..." Soraka was cut off by a knock on the door.
"Yasuo, could you get that?" Yasuo hesitated, not at all wanting to 'get that'. He did stand and move to the door however, his reasoning being that he was eating her food, so he owed her at least this much. He walked to the door, opening it without a word. In the hall stood a small, thin man adorned in purple robes. He smiled weakly before speaking.
"Are you Mr. Yasuo? I was told I could find you here."
Yasuo had many reasons he never stayed in the same place for long, and the small, reedy man in the hallway had just illustrated one of them painfully well.
"Told by who?" Yasuo replied, his gaze stern. The man seemed quite nervous interacting with Yasuo, repeatedly wiping the sweat from his hands. He coughed briefly before continuing.
"Uh, well, my superiors, sir. I'm just here to deliver a message."
Yasuo said nothing, waiting in silence. The man at the door hesitated a while longer, expecting a response from Yasuo. When he got none, he continued.
"... The uh, the High Councilor Vessaria Kolminye Sends her regards, and wants to let you know that she missed you at the New Champion Orientation after the party, and um, also at the party. She says to give you this…" The young man sorted through a pack that was slung on his side, pulling out a booklet of wrinkled and stained paper.
"Yeah, sorry, I spilled some coffee on that, uh, please don't tell Vessaria." Yasuo accepted the paper, examining it briefly.
"The League and you: a Guide for New Champions"
The front was adorned by the League of Legends crest, and the insignias of each of the city-states represented. He pushed it into his shawl, finding the pouch previously occupied by a rum bottle. He motioned for the man to continue.
"She also told me to give you this." The man handed Yasuo a key, which he accepted, placing it in the same pouch as the paper.
"That's for your new room. I can show you, if you'd like." Yasuo waved him off.
"No, I'm sure I can find it. Are you done?" The young man checked over a list clutched in his palm, muttering to himself nervously.
"I..uh, let's see. Vessaria's regards, missed him at orientation, key, ceremony, ah, ceremony!" He returned his attention to Yasuo.
"Yes, you have to attend your New Champions Announcement, at the steps of the institute, today at noon. Vessaria said to tell you not to skip this one. It's far more important than the party. Uh, please."
Yasuo said nothing. A 'New Champions Announcement' sounded like the worst thing ever to him. For a quiet loner, being announced was never a good thing.
"Anyway I can skip out on the last one?" He asked the messenger. The small man shook his head.
"No sir, she was very clear on this. You must attend." Yauso sighed. Right now, he needed a drink. He turned back to the kitchen, ignoring the man at the door. Soraka and Janna were quietly discussing something, and Yasuo could tell it was upsetting Janna. Behind him, the young man pushed into the kitchen.
"Sir, I need your word that you'll be there! I have strict orders not to return until Vessaria has your promise."
Yasuo found his rum on top of a cabinet, snatching it up and uncorking it.
"Tell Vessaria that I said to shove it up her plump, pretentious-"
"He can come with me." Everyone was startled by Janna's interruption. She had twisted around in her chair to face the messenger , her hair fixed tightly in a bun.
He glanced at her, confusion written on his face.
"I'm sorry, Ms. …?" He asked.
"Janna, the Storm's Fury." She said matter-of-factly.
"I have a fan meet today. He can come with me, and it'll count for his Champion Announcement Ceremony. The League loves its gimmicks, and Having a champion announced at a charity event will only make the League look better." The messenger seemed a bit stunned for a moment, processing her information.
"Ms. Janna, I understand you want to help your friend, and I mean, he obviously doesn't want to go to the Announcement Ceremony, but I can't go back and tell her I okayed this."
Janna stood from her chair. Placing the tiara carefully on her head. She still wore her revealing outfit, and looked a good deal more appealing with her hair done. Her appearance had quite the effect on the messenger, who tried awkwardly not to stare. She walked towards the man, placing a hand on his chest.
"Then don't. Tell her I said it was okay, and ordered you to leave. Which is what's happening, by the way." She smiled, appearing every bit a beauty pageant winner.
He walked towards the door, tripping over himself as he went.
"I um, yeah, I'll tell her, Ms. Janna, and um, if there's anything else I can do for you, I'll, uh, Let me know…" He closed the door behind himself. Yasuo upturned his bottle of rum, emptying it before he spoke.
"We don't have anymore to drink, do we?"
Janna scowled in his direction, which, he admitted to himself was still beautiful.
"You're pathetic." She sat down in her chair with a huff, crossing her arms. Soraka frowned at Yasuo as well.
"She put herself on the line for you there Yasuo, you could at least be thankful."
Yasuo placed the empty rum bottle on the shelf, wiping his mouth. He sighed deeply, frowning.
"You're right. I appreciate that Janna. Thanks." He walked to the door, throwing it open.
"I appreciate all of it. From both of you." He closed the door behind him as walked out, fingering his recorder as he considered where to go next. He thought of Riven, regretting that he never got a description of her. It seemed best to find her, even if he wasn't sure that she was the one he was looking for. It occurred to Yasuo that the Institute might be the best place to look for her, but he had no intention of staying here, having spent too much time in one place already.
His thoughts were interrupted as he was grabbed by the shoulders and spun around, coming face to face with a very angry Soraka.
"Whoa there, pretty girl. Calm down." He flinched when the skin of his forehead contacted her horn. Her face was flushed with anger as she spoke, her words low and measured.
"Yasuo, I can't believe you. Janna took a big risk in their, she used her influence to cover for you, and you literally walked out on her. I won't let you leave. I convinced her to do that, as a favor for you because you clearly didn't want to go the Announcement Ceremony. I will not let your selfish thoughtlessness ruin Janna's good name. By the stars, I'll drag you there in chains if I have to."
Yasuo stood still for a moment, the pressure of Soraka's fingers bruising his shoulders.
He blinked, unsure of how to handle the situation. Usually no one was angry when he moved on.
"Alright. I'll stay, but just for her ...meetup…" Soraka's eyes softened immediately, her grip loosening to a pat on the shoulder.
"I… Thank you Yasuo. I didn't mean to lose my temper. I'm sorry." She hugged him,. He was still unsure of the appropriate reciprocation, so he patted her on the back. Soraka released the the hug, looking into his eyes.
"Could you do me one more favor, please? Could you apologize to Janna for walking out?"
"No."
Janna strolled through the lobby of a hotel, alternatively floating or walking. Yasuo walked behind her, a sour expression on his face. They had arrived the hotel several minutes ago, Janna leading Yasuo through a back entrance. Inside the largely vacant lobby, several tables had been set up, booths and kiosks shooting up everywhere. As they walked the aisles between displays, Yasuo noted the wares being hocked. It was a unique assortment, it appeared to be costumes and merchandise related to the League of Legends. One woman wore a dress much the same as Sona's signature blue piece, with her hair dyed and pulled into pigtails.
Janna reached her target location, a large open area with a cluster of chairs, all oriented towards a stage. She floated down the center of the aisle to the stage calling out,
"Po? Has anyone seen Po?" Scattered around the stage was a series of workers, setting up stage parts, moving chairs and the like. One of them looked up upon seeing her.
"Ah, Janna, good to see you! You're late, you know." He was a rotund man, cleancut and wearing a suit. His hair was short and dark, and had an air of authority and excitement around him. Janna smiled,offering her hand as she dropped casually out of the air.
"It's good to see you, Po. I was delayed." He shook her hand, gesturing towards Yasuo.
"Who's your date Janna?" Yasuo cut in before She could reply, offering his hand to the man. "My name is Yasuo."
Janna explained, smiling brightly the whole time.
"He's not my date. He's actually why I was delayed. You see, I pulled some strings at the institute, and they saw it fit to allow us to introduce one of the new champions." Po's face lit up with a broad smile, his joy unmistakable. "Janna, this… this is huge! Thank you!" He grasped Yasuo's hand with a broad smile, vigorously pumping it up and down.
"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Yasuo. This will be big! Why, this hasn't ever been done outside of the institute!"
Janna looked at the floor absent mindedly.
"No." She sounded melancholy. "I don't suppose it has."
Po pulled a notebook from his pocket, flipping it open to take notes.
"Okay, Mr. Yasuo, what city-state do you represent?" Yasuo recalled hearing that one too many times.
"I don't. I move around a lot."
"That's fine, I like that. Adds some mystery. Do you have a gimmick? I see you're carrying." He pointed to Yasuo's sword. "Are you just a swordsman or are you a ninja or what?"
"I'm no ninja. I'm just a swordsman."
"Oooh, he hates ninjas. Good angle, okay. Just a swordsman. A wandering swordsman, with no affiliations. A sort of rebel without a cause, I like it. And why don't you like ninjas?"
"They're hard to hit."
Po's face could only be described as joy while he wrote. Yasuo could not give a wrong answer as the enthusiastic man rattled off questions. Janna quickly grew bored, floating off halfway through the conversation.
As much as Po enjoyed asking the questions, they were having the opposite effect on Yasuo. He was quickly growing tired of the prattle and invasion of his privacy.
"I need a drink." Yasuo cut him off after a particularly invasive question about his childhood.
"Of course, of course. I'll get one of the vendors to mix you up some lemonade. Have a seat, I'll be right back." Po shuffled off, face split wide with a grin the whole way.
Bored and curious, Yasuo began to wander about the small auditorium, watching the workers. Several were hextech experts setting up hexaphones, while others were organizing chairs. He noted with some amusement that another group was repainting a set of massive banners. He continued his amble about the hall until he came to Janna and another young man, talking over a small wooden box set next to the back of the auditorium. He listened to their conversation for a moment.
"We could use glitter for the lettering. It's loud, draws attention." The young man quipped, sizing up the box.
"No. I don't want to seem like a homemade project. It needs to look official."
Janna replied.
"It is a homemade project."
"I know, but still."
Yasuo noted the text on the front of the box, it's label indicating it was for charity donations.
He stood beside them, offering his hand to the young man.
"Yasuo." The young man seemed nervous, but replied in kind, shaking hands with Yasuo.
"I'm Yen. It's good to have you here, Yasuo, I'm hoping your presence really brings the donations up a notch. We've been slacking lately, truth be told."
Janna's face was blank and emotionless her eyes focused on the box. Yasuo nodded before replying.
"What charity do all of these donations go to?"
Yen was eager to answer.
"It's for the Zaunite Liberation Program sir. I know it sounds militaristic, but I fought the name, so what can you do. We hire Piltovian architects to visit Zaun and build safer, sturdier homes. Some people have no homes to begin with, so I guess the homes we build for them aren't safer, just, um, real."
Yasuo nodded, his eyes roving over the box. It was simple job, written on the front in plain letters was "Zaunite Liberation Program: We can Make the Future Safer."
"I like the design you have now." Yasuo continued. "Simple is usually better."
Yen nodded, still excited. "Then we'll leave it simple. You're the man bringing the crowd!"
Yen scurried away, Janna glaring daggers in his direction the whole way. She floated off hastily, leaving Yasuo with the impression that she was quite upset.
Having nothing better to do, Yasuo wandered back to the stage area, offering his hand to help with the set up. Though not gifted in hextech contraptions, Yasuo was at least able to lend a hand with organizing chairs.
As the time for the fan meetup approached, the workers one by one finished their jobs, disappearing outside of the auditorium to deal with the growing lines. Yasuo sat down as the auditorium emptied, pulling his recorder from his shawl and playing. He idly played songs from his childhood, the music filling the room. With less than fifteen minutes until doors open, Janna appeared on the stage. She appeared to have undergone considerable stress, as her eyes were red and slightly puffy.
By now all of the workers had vacated, and the stage was set. The sole remaining occupants of the room were Yasuo and Janna, the latter of whom had now taken a seat in a chair on the stage. Her elbows resting on her knees, and her face downcast. Yasuo sat on the stage with a huff, looking around the room. It wasn't massive by any means, but could easily hold a hundred occupants. He was not looking forward to the following event.
"How long do these usually take?" He asked Janna.
"Fuck you."
"Oh."
They sat in silence for a moment.
"Why?" Yasuo asked.
"I didn't want to bring you here. Soraka convinced me too."
Yasuo said nothing in response to her statement. She continued.
"I'm giving up a lot for you. This is my event. Allowing you to take center stage, not to mention the things I'll be hearing from Vessaria… and you couldn't care less. I did this to make your life easier Yasuo. That League Champion Announcement would have been hell for you. This way, Po tells your story how you want it told." Her voice cracked, as though she was having difficulty maintaining composure. She was silent for a time. Yasuo tried to compose his thoughts.
"I-"
At that moment, Po burst through the doors, carrying a large glass in his hand., smiling far too broadly for Yasuo's mood to allow.
"I got your drink, buddy, and man! We got quite a crowd out there. It'll be standing room only, no doubt! So here's the plan, Janna, you'll introduce Our ne fr-"
"Leave." Po stopped in his tracks, several feet from a seated Yasuo who glared at him angrily.
"I'm sorry, friend, if I offended you, I promise I didn't…" Po's eyes panned up, seeing for the first time a red-eyed Janna on the stage. "... mean to." Yasuo stood, drawing his sword.
"I was talking to my friend before you interrupted. Now leave." Po stammered as he started backing up.
"Mr. Yasuo, we've got two hundred and fifty people out there expecting to meet the new champion in fif-..." He checked his watch. "Ten minutes. I can't-" Yasuo shook his head in anger.
"Anyone who comes through those doors before I say will have to deal with me. Go. Now."
"Okay, I understand, protecting your girlfriend in her time of need, I love it, I can work with that." Po turned to leave, but Yasuo called out one more time.
"Leave the drink." Po set the drink on a chair as he scurried out. After the large man's hasty exit Yasuo retrieved the drink, sitting on the stage in front of Janna. She laughed as her friend scurried out.
"He means well." She said.
"You say that far too often." Yasuo sipped his lemonade, and to his delight it was hard lemonade. Perhaps he had misjudged Po.
"Well this time I mean it." Janna continued. "He runs all of the charity events that are legitimately affiliated with the League. Sure, he makes a salary, but his work has done so much good…"
"His and yours, I assume." Yasuo stood, climbing on to the stage and taking a seat next to Janna.
"I do what I can. Every cent I make from these appearances goes towards others. But sometimes I just feel like I'm not even making a difference. This appearance was one of the smaller ones. Until you showed up…"
"I was wrong. You're a good woman, you're trying to do me a favor. I'm sorry I was thoughtless." He offered her the lemonade.
"No, thanks Yasuo, I'm not thirsty." He smiled.
"I think you are. Trust me." She took the drink, sipping once before taking a much healthier gulp. She smiled at him.
"You're right. I was thirsty." She wiped her eyes, and Yasuo noticed for the first time that she had indeed begun crying. He continued speaking.
"I don't believe for an instant that you're selfish enough to be mad at me for stealing the spotlight." She studied the floor a moment longer before replying.
"It's not y-"
She hiccuped
"Damn it. It's not your fault, Yas-"
She hiccuped again.
"Give me a minute." She breathed in out and out a couple of times, then took a swig of lemonade.
"It's not your fault, Yasuo." She finished the sentence, and then waited for a moment.
"All better?" Yasuo asked.
"Much, thank you." Janna took a breath before continuing.
"I've been frustrated for a while now, and I think I… I think I was giving up hope. Like I said, this has been the smallest fan meetup in quite a while, and I just didn't know if it was worth doing anymore. I used to bring in crowds of thousands. One hundred people just doesn't make the same money as I used to. I'm not able to help nearly as many people as I could in the old days. Days when I was more popular. And then you show up and double the number without even wanting to…"
"It's only because they don't know me. If I did this for a few months, I couldn't draw a crowd of a hundred with free beer."
She smiled.
"Of course not. You smell. When's the last time you showered?"
Yasuo nodded with finality. smirking at the jibe.
"That's better." Janna smiled at him, looking down at the stage beneath her bare feet.
He continued, "You're very kind for telling me." Janna giggled, turning to hug Yasuo. He replied with a pat on the back. It had worked so far. They sat for a moment longer before Janna continued.
"Have I lost my touch? Why have the numbers gone down so much?" By now she was staring off into the distance, her eyes distressed.
Yasuo considered her question for the time it took to drink another mouthful of lemonade.
"It's not you. How many times can you ask the same person the same question before you get tired of hearing the same answer?" They both sat in silence for a while after that. Several minutes passed before Janna stood, gesturing towards the door.
"I suppose we ought to go tell them they can come in now." Yasuo indicated that she should sit down.
"Give'em another minute. I'm still not looking forward to this. How does this work, anyway?"
Janna sat down, reclining in her chair.
"The guests come in and ask us questions, usually. They'll ask personal questions, questions about specific matches, maybe even ask you if you have any cool tricks." Yasuo nodded, and the two sat for a moment longer.
"I think I can handle cool ticks."
Time passed. Outside, the crowd became louder, chanting for entrance.
Yasuo felt he had put it off long enough.
"I'll go let'em in, I guess." Said Yasuo.
Janna nodded.
"I'll wait for the storm. Good luck." Yasuo stood, descended from the stage, and walked down the middle aisle of empty seats. He reached the double doors at the end, pulling one of them open and slipping out.
It was pure chaos. A small band of valiant workers were attempting to hold back a writhing, chanting mass of humanity. Their number holding the crowd were few, but the workers had linked arms in front of the doors and held valiantly. Yasuo was impressed by the display, and at the value given to his word to let no one through. Po appeared by his side immediately, shouting over the din.
"Please tell me you're ready. I can't stop'em much longer, and I can't stand to see blood if you go cutting people up." Yasuo nodded.
"Let'em in." Po gave the signal, and immediately the workers moved inside, making a beeline for the stage. Their job as security had not yet ended. The rush of humanity pushed past Yasuo, and he fought to stay standing.
As one particularly large, sweaty man brushed against him with extreme proximity, it occurred to Yasuo: they didn't know what he looked like. He smirked, whispering aloud to himself.
"No cure for fools."
(Intermission)
Inner Demons
By all men's standards, she was desirable. Her slender frame, innocent face and prefect eyes, though beautiful, were not the primary fuel of the desire for her. For reasons unknown to them, she was simply magnetic. Married men, devout to their wives for decades would fall to her, pursuing her with tenacity and lust. Even the most devout of Ionia's celibate monks would look twice as she walked by, their minds captured, if only for a moment, by carnal emotions. It was due to this animal attraction that the man selling replica League of Legends Paraphernalia on the street found himself following her, his mind clouded with desire.
"Ma'am, I don't mean to be rude, but I've never seen anyone as beautiful as you. Please, I just want to talk for a moment. Don't be hasty, sweet thing."
Ahri cursed herself. She had made eye contact with the man without the proper mental barriers in place. It was a brief mistake, but when she wasn't careful, even the shortest of her glances would mesmerize. He had called to her, hawking his goods in a loud voice and her curiosity had been aroused by offers of "One of a kind Ahri figurines". The following brief contact was enough to thoroughly entrance the man. Her head was bowed as she pushed through the crowd, attempting to ignore him.
"Listen, you don't have to go on a date with me. You're just so pretty, I just need to…" The man was at a loss for words, and Ahri seized the opportunity to duck through a gap in the crowd. For a moment, she thought she was free of him, but rough hands on her shoulders told her otherwise. The man twisted her about violently, staring at her with wide, glassy eyes.
"...I just need to look at you…"
He was so close, so deliciously, delightfully, easy… she could take him right there.
"... please… I just need to… be with you." It wouldn't be wrong. The man clearly wanted her to take him. So what if there were people around? They both wanted it, it was obvious.
She placed her hand on his chest and the vendor sighed, wrapping his fingers around hers.
"I… I think I love you." He was practically forcing himself on her, she had no choice but to accept. Slowly but eagerly, as if it was her first time, she tugged tentatively at the strings that bound his soul to his flesh. It was smooth, perhaps the easiest and most willing one yet. The energy came from him in bulk, his eagerness made it easy, like a great zeppelin bound only by a kite string. His essence loosed rapidly from his body, and he became aware of what was happening. A terrifying, soundless screech contorted his face, the pain overwhelming him. Ahri caught herself.
No. No. NO!
She reacted sharply, pushing his essence back with her mind, tethering his soul once again to his mortal body. The vendor fell to his knees, clutching his chest. Tears fell down his cheeks, his frame shook.
"Guard yourself." Ahri whispered.
She vanished into the crowd.
The steps before her led to a moderate house in one of the wealthiest districts of the town, a small two floor building with a sparse garden in the front. Ahri checked the note she carried to confirm her address, then pushed past the garden gate to knock on the door. The residence before her belonged to Ogilvy Valsar, a high ranking summoner within the League of Legends and a close personal friend of Ahri's. She reflected on their meeting, her invitation had been delivered by hand from an initiate, a student of the summoning master. Ogilvy had told her it was of the utmost importance.
Presently, he opened the door, wearing a casual shirt and slacks, his, long grey hair restrained in a ponytail.
"Ahri, my apprentice. Please, come in." She entered, and he showed her to a small sitting room, offering her tea. She politely rejected the offer and took a seat on the couch. The room small and cozy, devoid of decoration. Ahri mused that an old bachelor was unlikely to spend much time decorating. Ogilvy sat opposite her, a cup of tea clenched in his bony, aged hands. He smiled at her as he sipped.
"It's good to see you, Ogilvy." She began. "What's so important that it couldn't wait?"
He sat forward in his chair placing his cup on a low table between them.
"Ahri, I have been training students in the art of self-discipline since before the League was founded. You'll have to exercise patience for a moment and allow an old man his nostalgia." On the table rested a small bound tome. Ogilvy picked it up and began leafing through it, showing the occasional page to Ahri.
"This is a log of all my students in the art, Ahri. Among which you were a star student, I might add." Each of the pages contained the name and birthdate of Ogilvy's students, a short record of their trials and successes, as well as a final note of where they were today. Many notable names were among them.
"Vessaria Kolimnye. One of my first students. I'm certain you've heard of her." Ahri nodded.
"High councilor of the League of Legends. You have an impressive repertoire, Ogilvy."
"Yes, she had a bit of a drinking problem in her youth, but now I'm showing my age." He smiled as he leafed through the pages.
"Lee Sin. What a terrible disappointment. I ejected him from apprenticeship. The boy lacked discipline entirely." Ahri merely nodded in agreement, saying nothing as her friend reminisced. After a short time, he brought his musing to a point.
"Ahri, I have made my ancestors proud. The Ionian art of total and perfect self discipline had set many on the right path, many important powerful people. It has changed Runeterra for the good."
"You've done a good thing, Ogilvy, though I still don't see why you had to call me here to discuss it."
Ogilvy sat back in his chair, feeling around in his shirt pocket until he brought out a pipe. He spoke as he tamped and lit the tobacco.
"I just returned from a yearly physical. Ahri, I'm dying. I have some sort of aggressive cancer, the Mejais can't pin it down." Ahri was silent for a moment.
"I… I'm so sorry, Challenger Valsar." She whispered the words, using the man's formal title. He smiled at her, puffing happily on his pipe.
"It's just Ogilvy now. I've tendered my resignation. I'm certain the Master class Summoners will be eager to vy for my position." Ahri leaned forward, concern showing in her eyes.
"Is there anything I can do, Ogilvy? Let me help you."
Ogilvy met her eyes, the gleam of a once great man, now beaten and worn meeting her gaze.
"I'm tired, Ahri. I am not upset about my death. I think it's simply my time." Ahri nodded, saying nothing.
"There is, however, one way you can help me. I'm the best in the world at self discipline, I was taught by monks, I have taught monks, rulers, champions. But I'm through Ahri, I'm done fighting. All my life I have never been with a woman once." He leaned forward in his chair, resting his hand on hers.
She retracted her hands immediately. "I don't believe where you're going." Ahri said, her voice a whisper.
"I am, and this is being modest, one of the most powerful wizards in the world. You can feel my font, can't you, Ahri? My power is… seductive to you, isn't it?" Ahri flinched visibly, pressing herself into the couch. He smiled.
"I must look as good to you as you do to me. I want to make a trade. Your use of my soul, my immense energy… in return for my use of your body." She could see it now, as if it were physical. his power was immense, she could gorge herself for days on his essence. She could become more beautiful, more powerful than she had ever been. His sagging, ancient physical body looked like nothing, a shadow in comparison to the energy he was displaying in his attempt to seduce her lust for power.
"I know self discipline better than anyone, Ahri. You have to want to be disciplined. I can see it in your eyes, you want me. and for the first time in your life, you have a victim who is not just willing, but understands what is being offered. You have no moral reason to reject me, Ahri." She stood hastily, knocking the coffee table sideways and spilling Valsar's tea. He moved to grip her arm, his eyes eagerly roving over her body. She slapped his hand free of it's hold and turned. Ahri said nothing, passing out the door and into the street. Once outside, a crisp breeze ruffled her hair, tugging at her clothes. she could feel the flush in her face, the accelerated beat in her heart. She had very nearly fallen to him. He stood at the door, leering up and down her body.
"Come now, Ahri. Don't you trust me?" She felt many things; chief among them was an urge to accept his offer. But rising above that was a disgust and anger she struggled to find words for.
"You pathetic, sorry, perverted old man!" She yelled at him, tears flowing from her eyes.
"I trusted you! why would you try to use me like this? You were my friend, Ogilvy! My only frie-" Her voice caught, and she broke into tears. Ogilvy watched for a moment, his eyes softening as she cried.
"I… Ahri, I… didn't think-" He was interrupted by a knife erupting from his chest, an unseen attacker plunging the blade into his back. He fell forwards down the steps, and Ahri reacted instinctively, launching herself forward with a magical burst to catch him before he landed, setting him gently on the step. Her second jumped pushed her to the top of the stairs with effortless magical ability. The knife's formal owner was already fleeing through the main hallway of the house, a portal opening before him. She lashed out with her magic, orbs of fiery light catching the mysterious black figure, rending his flesh and bringing him down before he could escape. She watched as the man fell to the ground and the portal closed without him. Ahri returned to the old man and knelt, cradling his head. He wasn't able to breath, coughs continually racking his body.
"Ogilvy. I'm going to go get help, ok? Try to breath!" The old man shook his head, smiling.
"This will kill me, Ahri. Just listen. I'm… I'm sorry. I didn't even think about you. I made up my mind to give up my life's dedication, I didn't even think about why I had disciplined myself in the first place." Ahri smiled sadly.
"I forgive you, old friend." He smiled back at her.
"I'm so proud of you, Ahri. You're strong, so much stronger than I ever was. My best student. My best friend…" His smile faded as tears filled his eyes. "My love." His breathing stopped, and he died in Ahri's arms.
III Cont.
He pushed through the crowd to the middle aisle, just in time to hear Janna explaining Yasuo's absence through a hexaphone.
"If everyone could please calm down. Please. He just went to the bathroom. He didn't think the room would fill this quickly. Please calm down. Please remain calm. Please-" Yasuo waved to her, catching her eye. His intent was for her assure the crowd that he was present. She shook her head, gesturing for him to come up to the stage.
Around him, the room was chaos. The small auditorium easily exceeded its safe capacity, and Yasuo thought it doubtful that this was a mere two hundred fifty people. He lowered his head, putting his right shoulder forward and leaning into the crowd. He pushed through the crowd of noisy, sweaty humanity, loathing every second his decision to attend the event. With great force of will, he made it to the front of the crowd, several feet from the stage. Once there, he forced his way through the crowd, tripping into one of the security surrounding the the stage The woman caught him. She pulled Yasuo to his feet, chastising him.
"The stage is off limits, sir, you'll have a chance to meet Janna at the signing table afterwar-..."
She stopped speaking when she recognized him. He spoke before she could apologize.
"I'm with the program. Can I get through?"
She stepped aside, motioning him towards the stage. He nodded, brushing past her as he stepped up onto the the raised platform. The corners of the stage were dark, a large spotlight cast solely on the middle where Janna sat. He made his way across, already searching for the lemonade. He located it on the edge of the stage, and moved to pick it up before sitting. He walked into the spotlight across the stage, stopping to pick up his drink when he reached it. As he took a drink, Janna introduced him.
"Everyone, it's my honor to introduce the newest addition to the League of Legends, Yasuo, the Unforgiven!"
He stopped, lowering the glass. He had been totally unprepared for his introduction. He looked out over the crowd as the room erupted, a cheer so loud the floor shook. Janna leaned over the front of the table, Yelling at Yasuo so he could hear.
"Now is a good time to do a trick, if you have any."
He had one.
Yasuo pulled his sword from its sheath, simultaneously throwing the glass of lemonade into the air. He caught the drink on the tip of his sword, balancing it delicately while spilling only the slightest amount. He moved the drink to and fro for a moment before tossing it in the air with his blade. He caught the drink, simultaneously sheathing his sword. He sat the drink on Janna's table, walking around to join her as the crowd redoubled its cheering. For a moment, Janna tried to speak to Yasuo, but quickly realised her efforts were wasted, unable to be heard amongst the cheers. After almost a full ten seconds of cheering, Janna stood and waved her arms, trying to silence the crowd. Though at first intent on continuing the onslaught of volume, they did eventually simmer down enough to allow an event worker with a hexaphone to begin explaining the way the meet would function.
Yasuo sat, reaching for the lemonade. Janna laughed, covering her hexaphone as she spoke to Yasuo.
"You may not like it, but you have a flare for this. People are going to think that was staged."
"It wasn't?" He replied, smirking. Janna rolled her eyes, returning her attention to the event. The event worker finished explaining the rules and handed the hexaphone to a member of the audience. The man was small and frail, naked above the waist. His skin appeared to be dyed purple, and he wore a beard that was clearly fake. To Yasuo, the man's garb was uniquely bizarre, but he thought little of it. Many of the people at the meet wore costumes imitating those of their favorite Champions, and he assumed this man was doing the same. Yasuo hadn't listened at all as the woman explained the rules, so he sat unmoving, waiting for someone else to start the proceedings. The man spoke into the hexaphone.
"Hi, uh, I'm a huge fan of you, Janna, and it's good to meet you here, Mr. Yasumo." Janna laughed, and Yasuo made no move to correct him. The young man continued.
"I was wondering, could you give us some of your background? I'm sure we all wanna know where you come from."
Yasuo looked around for a moment, knowing he couldn't shout a reply to the man. Janna thrust her hexaphone into his hand. For a moment, Yasuo drew a blank. It took him a moment to remember where he was and the question asked of him. He prepared his normal answer to the question.
"I don't want to talk abo-" Janna elbowed him in the ribs, and he glanced at her. She covered the hexaphone and gripped his arm tightly, whispering to him.
"This is your shot, Yasuo. You can tell your story, or the League can tell your story." She relinquished her hold on him and he paused, considering her words. He moved the hexaphone back to his mouth, ready to push on with his least favorite subject.
"I-.."
Janna gripped his arm again and he stopped. A laugh spread across the crowd, Janna's intercessions amusing the audience.
"Try to be kind. The man just said he was happy to meet you." She relinquished her hold on his arm, and he reached for the hexaphone again.
"Like I was saying, It's nice to meet you too, strange painted man." The crowd burst into rolls of laughter, and Yasuo looked at Janna, shrugging. She smiled and shook her head, motioning for him to continue.
"Your question, though, is not a happy memory. I was born in Ionia, the son of a swordsmith and a schoolteacher. When I was growing up, and I don't want to brag, I grew pretty steady with a sword. When Noxus invaded, I joined the fight, thinking I alone could make a difference. My superiors assigned me to guard one of the council elders who resided in a town near the fighting. To me, it was an insult. I thought I was the best, and I was offended when they didn't put me on the front lines. It's my shame that I abandoned my post, going to the front lines. When I arrived the battle was done, so I returned, only to find the man I swore to protect beheaded on the stairs to his own home. I turned myself in, ready to pay the price for my foolishness, my dishonor. But the people of Ionia accused me of the murder. I knew that if I was executed, the true murderer would go unpunished, so I broke free. To this day, I'm looking for the murderer, hunting them to regain my lost honor." The auditorium was silent as Yasuo finished. He went to set the hexaphone down, but stopped, his hand hovering above the table. He brought the hexaphone to his mouth again.
"If anyone knows or has heard of a Noxian with wind elementalism capabilities, one who was involved in the Ionian invasion, I want to hear about it."
For a little while there was silence in the auditorium. Until a man standing near the front left side of the stage called out:
"You mean Riven?"
Chaos erupted. The crowd was shouting at the top of their lungs now, some laughing, some jumping up and down, some trying to converse with their neighbors. Yasuo leaned to Janna, whispering.
"Why do I keep hearing that name?" Janna frowned deeply before replying.
"Not now, Yasuo. Now isn't the time for this."
The crowd raged for a short time before the event workers got them under control. The woman who read the rules before had the hexaphone again.
"We would like to ask that both the fans and the champions avoid questions in the future that reflect negatively on any Champions of the League or the League itself, please. Next guest."
Yasuo leaned down to the hexaphone.
"So I should just not talk at all then?" A chuckle spread through the crowd as the next guest stepped up to the hexaphone. For a time, Yasuo slipped into a routine. Someone would ask him a question, and he would deflect away from his past, giving generic or boring answers. After one particularly interesting question about his choice in hairstyle, Yasuo noticed a woman standing on the back wall of the auditorium. She wore a revealing white costume and tiara, a near perfect match for Janna's outfit. She would have been any other utterly unremarkable overzealous fan had Yasuo not recognized her face. He covered the hexaphone, speaking to Janna in hushed tones.
"Is that Sona? Dressed as you?"
Janna laughed, following his gaze.
"Yes. She always comes to support me, I don't think she's ever missed one. She always dresses up like the crowd to not be recognized. I've never seen her dressed as me, though." Janna stared for a moment before frowning. She leaned back to Yasuo.
"Do you think she wears it better than I do? I've always thought she had a better body." Yasuo shook his head, dodging the question
"You look good. Should we invite her to join us or something?"
Janna shook her head, her face becoming downcast.
"I did that once. She couldn't speak or answer questions, so she just sat in silence the whole time. It was a frustrating experience for her." Yasuo nodded, returning to the next curious audience member. From the back, Sona noticed their attentions. She waved, grinning widely when he nodded back. The audience didn't notice the interaction, so Yasuo returned his attention to the subject at hand. An obese, wheezing Yordle fronted the next question.
"Are you and Janna dating?"
"No."
The Yordle looked crestfallen as he relinquished his spot in line to the next guest. Yasuo sighed deeply as sat back in his chair.
Janna, giggled, leaning over to whisper to him.
"You'd think they'd stop asking after the third time we said no."
Yasuo leaned against the door, silent. He was behind the stage now, waiting next to the hotel's rear exit. Having time to kill, he pulled his recorder from its confines within his shawl. He closed his eyes and began to play. For a time, he was alone again, and that was his favorite place to be.
"Yasuo."
Yasuo looked up, his focus broken by Janna's presence.
"I cut the autograph session short. They were all asking if you would be there. I was wasting my time anyway…" She smiled at him. "It's not your fault. Thanks for waiting." Yasuo said nothing, pulling the exit open and stepping out in the alley. They had entered this way, so he knew the path back to the institute. As they walked down the abandoned alley, Janna continued speaking. "We made a good deal of money for charity today, Yasuo. You really brought in the crowd." Yasuo said nothing as Janna continued on, discussing donations and the future of her fan meetups. She seemed somber and disappointed still, her tone slightly melancholy. A slight wind chilled him, and he pulled his shawl tight around his shoulders. As he continued walking, he squinted against flurries of snow slowly beginning to pour into the alley.
His eyes snapped open, and the wind warned him of an attack. He whipped his sword from it's sheath, steel ringing against steel as he blocked an incoming blow. Akali appeared in front of him, Her eyes piercing.
"How did you know?" She whispered, shrinking back into the shadows. She disappeared from view, and brought his sword up again, ready to block the next attack. Yasuo raised a single eyebrow, contemplating her question.
"You didn't do any research before you tried to kill me? That's so unlike you."
She came in swiftly from his left for another attack, and Yasuo caught her first Kama with his sword. He pushed Janna back, whispering to her.
"Stay back. No matter what."
Remembering Akali's previous high-low attack method, he pushed off her blade backwards, dodging a second, lower strike.
Not this time.
He immediately counter-attacked, swiping his sword in a vertical arc downwards, catching Akali's low hand. Metal struck metal, thrusting the Kama from her hands.
"One." Yasuo's voice was steady.
Akali pivoted forward onto her now empty and hand and swung her legs around, knocking Yasuo's feet out from under him. He hit the ground and rolled, returning to a standing position as Akali retrieved her Kama. Shadows slid into the alleyway, filling the area with darkness. Akali shrunk back, attempting to fade into the darkness. Yasuo knew he would be at a disadvantage if she could disappear again, so he acted, rushing forward toward her. He dove forward, throwing a horizontal haymaker strike at the retreating ninja, catching her shoulder. Blood poured from the wound as Yasuo caught himself and jumped back. For a short time, Akali was visible, a fact that clearly made her uncomfortable. Her eyes met his, grim determination mirrored in her shrouded face. Yasuo simply smiled at her. After his second strike, the blade by his side now emanated wind, a cool breeze pouring from the cold steel and rustling his clothes.
"Two. Nowhere to hide, little ninja." Yasuo flourished his sword, sweeping a blast of wind from the blade.
"Aseryo!"
A torrent of air rushed through the narrow alley, catching Akali and slinging her into the air. She fought to regain control, the wind immobilizing her.
"Sorye ge ton!" He shot forward, catching her in midair with his blade. His sword connected with flesh as he sliced horizontally across her torso. The slash was hasty and deep, splashing blood into the vortex of air around them. Yasuo swept his sword around, pivoting the weapon hilt up, blade down. He brought the sword above his head, aiming the point at her heart.
For the first time in his life, the wind followed someone else's command.
A gale force gust slammed him into the alley wall, knocking his sword free from his hand. Yasuo struggled to regain his bearing, searching hurriedly for his weapon. The gust slowed to a breeze, and across the alley, he heard Janna's screams.
"You lunatic!You were going to kill her!" He sighted Janna several feet away, crouched over the limp form of Akali. Janna was on her knees, her hands pressed into Akali's stomach. Tears flowed freely from Janna's eyes. Yasuo found his sword and stood, sheathing the weapon. Blood pooled around Akali, her eyes skyward. Her cowl had fallen from her face. The ninja's mouth opened and closed repeatedly, as if struggling to find air. Her limbs were completely motionless. It occurred to Yasuo that she was going into shock. The wound on her stomach was deep, perhaps even mortal. Janna was simply panicking. She had torn part of akali's gi loose and was pressing it against the wound in her torso, a jagged, deep cut across the abdomen.. Her arms were red to the elbows, and her face was an unhealthy white.
"Go get Soraka! Hurry!" She was crying, her order coming out as a shrill shriek. Yasuo shook his head.
"She's not going to survive that. Look how much blood she's lost already." Janna's shoulders shook as she struggled to keep pressure on the wound.
"Please… just do… something." She was still crying, tears flowed freely down her face. Yasuo stepped forward, intending to offer his hand to Akali's wound.
"Janna, calm down, it's not going to-..." He was cut short as a noise startled him. With the sound like rushing air, a sphere appeared around Akali, dark purple and shining like a beacon.
Yasuo stretched, popped his neck, and drew his sword.
"Janna, back up." Janna's hands slipped from Akali's wound as she backed away, the bleeding on the ninja's stomach slowing and then altogether stopping. A man appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, his head bowed and finger to his mouth. He was easily six feet tall and wore a dark blue outfit, covering all of his body save his eyes. He stood stock still for a moment, then mechanically began to attend to Akali's wounds.
Yasuo focused on the man intently, refusing to drop his guard the newcomer tended Akali's injury.
"This is Shen." Yasuo explained to a very shaken Janna. "He focused his teleportation ki, blocking the blood flow from Akali when he traveled to her."
"I know." she replied.
"How?"
"I've seen him do it before."
Yasuo was confused for a moment.
"Oh. Is he a champion, too?".
Janna nodded as they both watched Shen work. He carefully cleaned the wound with a vial of water from his belt, following up with a bandage to stem the fresh bleeding. Halfway through his work, he began talking.
"We've got a new priority, Akali. The Unforgiven will have to be taken care of later. One of the Summoners has been assassinated, a high ranking wizard. Ahri was a witness, I'm going now to question her. There was an attempt on another that was foiled. They were both telepaths. Someone's trying to weaken the League's mental defences. The League brings great balance Akali, we must protect the remaining telepaths in the city. A new judgement is passed from the Eye of Twilight - find Sona Buvelle and keep her alive."