Elise looked up into the hot sun, her eyes squinting in its glare. "Well, this is where you'll be staying, young lady," Ms. Bottom, an old lady with gray hair and large glasses, said firmly. "This was the only host we could find for you." Elise blinked a few times, and then nodded quietly. "Yes, I understand," she replied. "It must be hard, anyway... I know a lot of people have lost their jobs in the recession..."

"Mmmhmm," Ms. Bottom replied, her lips firm as they walked up to the large and imposing steel gate. Behind the gate was some sort of house combined with a laboratory. The building had a modern look, with a multitude of clear windows that reflected interesting devices on the other side. Elise's new host, or sponsor, seemed to be very rich. The house looked like it was at least three stories tall. She felt her nerves curling up but quelled herself to be calm. Just relax, she told herself. He's the one who picked you, remember?

When Ms. Bottom pressed a button in a touchpad next to the gate, a voice answered. "Yes?"

"Hello, is this Mr. Jayce speaking?"

"... Yes."

"This is Ms. Bottom, your friend from Piltover's Charitable. I am here with Elise, your new hostee for the time being. We're both very, very excited to meet you!" Ms. Bottom's lips curled into a smile, revealing yellow teeth stained from years of coffee binging.

The voice turned instantly friendly. "Great," Jayce replied. "Well, come on up."

The gate buzzed open, and Ms. Bottom exchanged a look with Elise before the two of them walked through the steel gates that now sprang open. Elise wondered why there had to be such large gates here... was it for show, or was it to keep something out? Or maybe to keep something in? It took them a few more minutes to walk up the path that led to a pair of steel double doors. One door was open, and Elise had to admit, the man standing at the door waiting for them was very handsome.

He was tall, and over six feet. His black hair was a little unruly, but it gave him a fond, boyish look... or maybe a mad genius look. Jayce was, after all, dressed in a lab coat type of outfit. He wore gloves and his face was rugged and handsome. He looked like someone who belonged on a magazine cover. She swallowed the lump in her throat and followed Ms. Bottom shyly.

"Hello," the man reached his hand out and shook both of their hands. When he shook Elise's hand, his eyes glinted and she thought she spotted some emotion there. But what emotion, she did not know. "Hello," Elise smiled back shyly. "I'm Elise, it's good to finally meet you..."

His smile was kind, friendly, and warm, like warm tea on a cold rainy morning. "And it's a pleasure to meet you, Elise." She locked eyes with him a moment, and realized how deep his eyes were. This was a man who had many secrets.

"Thank you for being a host!" Ms. Bottom said. At her interruption, Elise quickly looked away and down at the doorsteps, where a trail of spiders trailed around the steps. Interesting, Elise thought, where are all the spiders going? I've never seen them line up that way before. Jayce invited the pair in, and when Elise saw the foyer, she was impressed. The foyer was a high-ceilinged room filled with all sorts of interesting devices and inventions. They were things that she had never seen before, steely instruments that decorated the walls.

"Wow!" Ms. Bottom said gaily, when Jayce invited them to the kitchen, where he fixed them a pot of tea. He reached over and pressed a button, and soon, a small robot rolled out on wheels with a plate of hot pastries. Elise's mouth watered at the smell of warm, melting chocolate. She timidly thanked the robot (even though she wasn't sure if it could even speak or hear her), before taking a pastry. Mmm. It was delicious. Looking around the place, she felt her spirits lift. This was a beautiful home, although a bit disorganized. It was intimidating, with all these strange devices lining the walls and the counters, but still... it could've been worse, right?

Plus, her host seemed to be very trustworthy and kind. He sat down in front of them and began sharing about why he wanted to be a host. "I've always wanted to help others," he said. "It seems like Piltover needs all the help it can get right now." Elise nodded slowly, feeling more and more at ease. Ms. Bottom looked beyond charmed. After thirty minutes had passed, Ms. Bottom stood up and thanked Jayce. She shook hands with Jayce and then Elise, before her beady eyes took one final look at the place.

"Let me walk you out!" Jayce said, getting up from his seat. He pushed his chair in, then his dark eyes looked at Elise. "Would you like to help me show Ms. Bottom out?"

"Yes, please," Elise smiled.

Jayce and Elise walked the old lady back out to the front. "You be good, Elise," Ms. Bottom said. The sun was setting behind her shoulder, and in just a few minutes, it would be nightfall. Elise wondered where she would be sleeping tonight.

"I will," Elise said. "Thank you for your help, Ms. Bottom. I um, appreciate your assistance."

"You're welcome. Do not disappoint me."

With that, the old woman was gone, and the cool steel doors shut behind her. At this, Jayce turned to Elise. He smiled warmly. "Let's take you to your room."

"Yes!" Elise grinned happily.

And with that, the two were off...