Morning arrived.
The MK room was bustling with activity as it stirred Shiva awake from her peaceful slumber. How long had she been asleep for? There was a heavy lack of natural light within the room, only synthetic or magic induced light would illuminate their cheerful room. None of the discussions interested her, leaving her to wander out of the room unnoticed.
Many a times had she strolled down these sometimes chaotic halls, it was never a dull moment. Summoners conversing with their favorite Champions, Summoners providing helpful advice to one another, all sorts of healthy activities. What was -she- doing? Spectating. In the Summoning Chambers she often resided, spectating fellow Summoners for entertainment. The possibilities within the Institute were numbered; it was the Institute of War, not the Institute of Fun. In truth, she never really bonded with any Champion in particular nor Summoners alike, but she tried. The Institute itself housed various types of races from further realms than the Void, but were under oath and tied to the Institute in case of a rebellion. So far, neither of these new inhabitants deemed to be a threat, but were merely curious of this world's mechanics; including herself.
Correct. Shiva was not of this realm, and knew nothing aside what information the Institute provided them with. Its all they needed, even if some of the information may have been tempered with. Learning about this realm may have been her primary objective, but after her encounter with the Noxian assassin, her objective had turned for the worst. She wanted to settle down peacefully. With the assassin? Perhaps, but she knew it was impossible, for he simply used her as he pleased without considering her feelings. Another Summoner? She hadn't spent enough time with a particular one to establish any form of relationship. A Champion? Highly doubtful, it was forbidden within these walls. A Summoner would be required to relieve him/herself from their position to pursue a civilian lifestyle. Not to mention a Champion had to...
By the time she escaped her trance, the Summoning Chambers were bustling with activity as many Summoners gathered to spectate one of the elders against another elder. Though, without realizing it, Garen had been watching the pondering Shiva the moment she strolled passed him without noticing him. His eyes were fixed on her as her head sprung up from her folded arms to suddenly notice the packed Chamber. Perhaps now it would be an appropriate moment to introduce himself. The moment he stepped towards her, her head turned to face him, least it appeared so. He froze. Yet, just as he parted his lips to introduce himself, she'd pass right by him without noticing him. His head turned sharply to witness her exit the Chamber and followed right behind her. His hand extended to touch her shoulder, but once again she'd dodge him with a sharp turn towards the Summoner's dorms. He huffed. How was this woman so oblivious to the clear sound of heavy footsteps and clanking armor right behind her? Why was he following her? He had stopped to ponder his actions, which allowed a gap to widen between them. He'd have none of that. The persistent brute followed the silver haired female until he turned a corner and witnessed a door being shut. It must've been her room.
Clearing his throat, his hand curled into a fist to knock on the door, but the sound of her voice caused him to freeze once more.
"Good evening, mother. I've arrived on time for lunch!" he'd hear through the door.
"Today was a good day, everyone in the MK is quite friendly and well-" there was no way he could interrupt Shiva's lunch with her mother, not to introduce himself.
His lids closed with a smirk as he paced off, leaving her to her business.
Garen wouldn't see her for the next couple of days, for she did not attend the MK room until one gloomy morning. Summoners and Champions were bonding today, but the spirit of the room had been dampened when one Summoner confessed her feelings to another Summoner and had been rejected. This happened often, but it never settled well with anyone. It always left an uneasy aura in the room, and this drove some of the regulars away. Tension had formed between the female who confessed and the male who declined her cry of love towards him, as they shared the same friends within the room. Garen just so happened to get caught in the male's side, discussing what they wished to achieve in life. Garen proudly declared his devotion to Demacia and the dauntless Vanguard, and it earned him a chuckle amongst the group. Others had similar goals, striving to serve their life within the Institute and for what it stands for. They earned nods of acknowledgment from one another.
Shiva entered the room. The obvious separation of the room perked her curiosity, more so when the female automatically pulled her to their side. It was the female who sat on her several days ago, Emily. Their group had their own discussion; Why did they enroll into the Institute? Some of the Summoners wished to lend their magical gifts and knowledge to the Institute, for the cause of peace in Runeterra. Another sought out to hone their skills as mages and achieve the title of and elder. All valid reasons. There was no wrong answer. Least until Shiva spoke.
"I wish to settle down for once. Too long I've traveled and have grown tired of such a lifestyle. I figured residing within the Institute would be a much calmer scenario for myself, perhaps have children in the near future" the others remained quiet.
Garen was intrigued by this, subtly resting his cheek on his open palm to lean in an inch or two in their general direction. His gaze never left his group as he contributed to their own conversation.
"If that's what you wish, why don't you resign from the Institute and seek it elsewhere? I don't think that's the correct mentality to have here" said one of the Summoners.
"Many Summoners here have endured hardships just to remain within these walls" said another.
Realizing where this was heading, Shiva stood up from her spot and excused herself politely, a valid excuse being provided before leaving the room in a hurry. The group stared at the silver haired female, talking amongst each other for a moment as they skipped to another discussion.
Tearing over the situation, she darted straight for her room, where she locked herself in for several more days.
Those Summoners were right, how dare she have the mentality to 'settle down' when other Summoners, even Champions share higher reasons than 'settling down' within the Institute. How embarrassing.
Following those forsaken days at the MK room, she'd spend most of her time honing her skills in the Fields of Justice. Garen was there to spectate a few times, always noticing the lack of consistent partners. Often she ate alone in the Cafeteria, the moments he'd pass by to stare at her poking at the taste-less food they provided. Several opportunities presented themselves to introduce himself, but the timing was always terrible. He scoffed.
No more excuses, he was to march straight to her room and introduce himself to the solitary female. Standing proudly in front of her door, his curled fist came to knock until he heard sniffling on the other side of the door. Sharp inhales and low groans to indicate she was crying. His hand lowered, tempted to open the door until he heard her speak.
"Mother...why can't I just seek out a normal life without any complications..." she sobbed to her mother, whom he'd never seen in person. "So many attempts and each time I fail...I cannot stay with anyone longer than a few months before they leave...".
Unsure if he should stay to hear such personal cries, his frame fought against his curiosity.
"I just want...a normal life...least whatever fits the normal..." she sighed, her sobbing becoming less apparent. "...I should sleep, I have matters to attend to in the morning. Sleep well, mother...".
Rubbing the back of his neck out of sheer embarrassment for allowing himself to her such confessions, he'd let out a small sigh as he was defeated by horrible timing once again. Lowering his head, he'd kick dirt from the ground if there were any, but it irked him that several months would pass this time before he'd see the silver haired female once again.
