Chapter 2 – Change
Ahri's mind was wandering again. The excitement that was pure joy, at the outcomes from nights before, had turned into tension and uneasiness.
"Ahri, are you listening to me?" This inquiry broke the 9-tailed fox's cloud of thought.
She turned her head away from the train window, towards the woman sitting across from her in the passenger cabin. The individual had formal wear on, a suit, tie, heels, her hair was in a bun, and she had reading glasses on. All with a tint of black in them. The suitcase on her lap was open, and papers poured from it around the cabin, taking up most of the space on the seats within. Clutched tightly in the hands of the owner of that suitcase, were the instructions to the representative of the Institute of War.
Julia Muse.
"After you're done sightseeing, we can continue discussing your future." Julia moved to shut her suitcase, but a quickly raised hand held up to her, stopped that motion half-way through.
"No, please, continue! I'll focus now, I promise." Ahri's reassuring statement gave the representative a momentary pause, a raised eyebrow, but that was all. "I'm not being prudent, I'm just concerned is all." With that explanation, the representative raised the lid of her suitcase once more, and continued.
"As you know, I've been sent to negotiate on your behalf, and you are required to attend as well. The statesmen, that we will be greeted by, will ask you questions. You must answer them with utmost sincerity, otherwise" Ahri didn't want think about the consequences, "you may have to go through further screenings, or worse. The deal we are trying to weave could be broken, either momentarily, or eternally. It's of upmost importance you prepare for this negotiation, and that's why you took the train with me." Finishing her instruction, Julia pulled out another sheet of paper from within her suitcase.
"This paper holds some questions he/she may throw at you. These will be good practice, so don't get worried if you can't answer them now." At this, Ahri nodded.
"Go ahead, I'm ready."
"Alright then. I will begin now."
Ahri sat up, staring intently at the representative. She knew she wasn't prepared yet, and she wasn't sure if she was going to be prepared. It was only an overnight ride from the Institute of War, to Piltover City. Not much time for her to get her, non-seducing, social skills ready. The Institute of War may be located in a remote, cut off part of the world, but its mighty forests could be traversed quite quickly, with the power of a steam engine.
She wondered if she could somehow use her seducing powers to convince the statesman to consider the deal in her favor. That thought quickly left her head, because she knew that the statesman in Piltover were much smarter than most people would consider normal politicians capable of. Any hint of them thinking Ahri was sexually appealing, would be met with distrust, and disgust.
"When you stay here, in Piltover City, what do you see yourself doing as a profession, or time consumer?"
Ahri didn't know what to think. She never had a hobby other than fighting, and stealing people's souls. Either would be a damning answer, so she had to think of something, anything that would convince a statesman to let her stay.
"I guess I would try my hand in the creative arts. Something like poetry, or maybe even singing." The representative gave an approving nod.
"Very good, the people of Piltover are, what you could say, over-creative. They're known for their scientific innovation, and are heralded across Valoran for it. The very contraption we ride in, was made by the City of Piltover, all by itself! The League didn't even have a hand in it, and we thought magic was the strongest form of power! Piltover is an example that power can manifest in multitudes of ways. Mentioning a hobby/job that includes such things would gain a positive edge you need with a statesman." This gave Ahri hope. Maybe there was no need to worry, she could convince this statesman easily, no magic needed!
"Tell me about yourself, Ahri." Her hope then diminished. What was she to say? There weren't many positive things about her, and certainly not enough to answer this question correctly in any way.
"What do I say for this? That I'm an ex-murderer looking for companionship of some kind?" Ahri furrowed her brow at the representative.
"Don't worry about it Ahri, you have the rest of this train ride to think of an answer. May I suggest some things? You could try ignoring the question, simply by using a comedic, diffusing statement."
"Alright, I guess I could try that." Ahri said with an unsure tone.
"Let's move on to the next question. What made you choose Piltover City as your choice of immigration?"
"Again, I believe I require your help answering this."
The Representative took off her glasses, and looked the 9-tailed Fox straight in the eyes. "Ahri, why don't you just try using the easiest method? Telling the truth. Expressing yourself to the statesman that we speak with, would find yourself in a favorable position. If you're not there for harm, or malice, then simply state the facts." Ahri had an uncomfortable reaction to this. Expressing her feelings to others wasn't exactly her forte.
"Just try to be prepared for when we arrive, I don't want to take a trip back to the Institute with failure. That would be a long trip home for me." Julia then put down her glasses for good, motioning that her reading, for the time being, was done. "That's all of the questions I believe needs to be asked of you. The rest are simple, and I'm sure you could answer them with ease. Try to focus on those answers tonight Ahri, and get a good night's rest"
The helpful tone of the representative's voice gave Ahri a calm feeling, and eased her nerves.
"Alright, I'll try."
With that last word from Ahri, Julia Muse rested her head back onto her cabin seat, and closed her eyes. It was late in the afternoon, and the sweet embrace of rest was appealing to both parties. However, Ahri just wanted to look out the window.
The rolling grey, jagged mountains details were harder to see now, but Ahri still wanted to look out at them. Their shadows against the sky calming to her. On the other side of those mountains was a faint light, but definitely light. Ahri wondered if the source was Piltover, and if it was, how was it so bright, even from here? She thought that it must truly be filled with a vibrant life, convincing her the picture in the viewing screen, from the Council room, was the real thing.
Thinking about the viewing screen made her ponder on what was said before she left. Back on the night, where she had discovered what she must do.
"I'm going to the negotiations?" Ahri had a look of shock on her face.
"Yes, it was agreed by the Council, from the conditions given by the city of Piltover, that you must come in person. Otherwise, there could be no deal at all." The High Counsellor stated this matter-of-factly.
Ahri didn't know what to say. She wanted to fight the decision, to have a negotiator sent in her place, without her having to take the responsibility. Ahri knew they would ask her questions, questions she might not want to answer. But she saw the firm demeanor of the way he said it. There was no way to fight this battle, but to surrender.
With a sigh, she agreed. "Then I will go to Piltover in person."
The High Counselor gave a smile of approval. "Good, then we can approve a day for you to set off. What day to you wish to leave on your journey?"
The 9-tailed Fox gave this a momentary thought. Now that she could achieve her one and only goal in life, she wanted it as soon as possible.
"Can I leave tomorrow morning?" The High Counselor gave a grin at Ahri's question.
"Tomorrow morning would be very difficult indeed, as we need to prepare our representative of the Institute of War first. Her instructions must be prepared fully by our scribes, and then she must receive them in an orderly fashion. Rushing that could damage the negotiations, and besides, you're limping right now." Meegan waved a hand towards Ahri's legs, and she realized that Jonah, the Steward of the League, was still supporting her with his shoulder. Ahri gave a flustered look at Jonah, and quickly looked down at the ground.
"I recommend taking the train to Piltover City, when you feel ready to stand up by yourself, champion of the League. It's for the best, as you'll need to make the trip up to a statesman's office first, to reach the negotiation itself. The skyscrapers there may have contraptions that can lift any man up hundreds of stories, however, I still believe having your strength would bring the optimal outcome from the negotiations." Ahri felt hot with impatience, but she knew that Meegan Pa'Chua's words rang true. She needed to get her strength back before she made the trip to Piltover City.
"Alright, as soon as I can stand on my own, I will make the trip to Piltover City with the representative of the League. But be warned, I'll be requesting to leave as soon as I'm ready, and it will be as quickly as I can possible make it! Make the representative be prepared immediately." The 9-tailed Fox made the Council know she was serious.
"Good, for now, it's in the Council's interest that you return to bed, and gain some strength back, as long as nothing fatal has occurred to you. We still don't know what happened tonight. Are you in any danger to live Ahri?" The High Counsellor had a look of concern again. Ahri could have been hiding the fact that she could be dying that very moment. Even though the Steward would not tell what happened, her life could still be at risk.
"No, no, I assure the Council that I am fine. I can be taken back to my room by the Steward's assistance." Meegan wasn't completely convinced, but he let go of the subject.
"Then tonight's meeting is adjourned, scribes of the Institute of War, amend the transcriptions of tonight to records immediately." The scribbling of pens on parchment ceased, and the sound of pens being set on tables began. The summoners that were gathered stood up, and single filed, got into a line formation procession. One by one, they all left the room, except for Ahri, the Steward, and the High Counselor.
In front of the open door to the Council chambers, High Counselor Meegan Pa'Chua stopped, and turned towards Ahri.
"Outside of the record, is there anything you would like to tell me, champion of the League?" The High Counselor once more gave the 9-tailed Fox a concerned look.
"No Counselor, I'm alright."
The Counselor gave a light smile. "Alright then. Goodnight." And with that, Meegan left the room.
As the High Counselor left the room, the lights began to dim, and only a few stayed on, for they sensed that two individuals still resided there.
Ahri's eyes were casted to the floor, as she was deep in thought.
"Lady Ahri, would you like me to guide you back to your quarters for some rest?" Jonah's voice snapped her back into reality.
"Oh, yes, of course. I should get some rest now." Ahri told the Steward it was time to leave, and they both made the trip back to her room, still with eyes on them the entire way.
Getting into her bed, Jonah's help for the night was finally finished. However, before he left the room, Ahri raised a question. "Steward, why did you try soothing me earlier? You didn't have to."
Jonas turned back towards the 9-tailed Fox, who was under her sheets. He took a moment to think of his answer, but it soon came to him. "It just seemed like the right thing to do. I did what anyone else would have in that situation."
"There are many people in this world, that if they got their way, their hands would latch around my throat until I stopped breathing." Ahri emphasized the word many, and Jonas let go of the door handle for a minute.
"That's because they don't see what I saw."
"What is it they you've seen?"
"I don't see a monster, if that's what you're asking." Ahri beamed with delight at his answer. "Goodnight, fair champion of the League." and with that, Jonas left the room. Shutting the door behind him for the last time that night.
When she was going to sleep nights ago, the 9-tailed Fox had no fear, no guilt, and no worries. Although, she was still a little anxious to go. All she had to do was wait, and be patient. Her fate would allow her to move on soon, and that made her sleep easy.
Ahri thought back on that night fondly, for it was the first time that she had felt loved, even if not by a lover, but a caretaker. The moment was sweet, and the kind words made her shiver in delight, filling up a void that hadn't been filled since her first step on Valoran soil.
Thinking about that night also made her remember how tired she was. Tomorrow could possibly be the biggest day of her life, so she laid down on the cabin car seat, across from the representative, and quietly dozed off. The soft, puffing noises the train made, soothing her.
"Wake up Ahri," a light hand on the 9-tailed Fox's shoulder awoke her from her sleep, "you're going to want to see this."
"What is it, have we arrived in Piltover City?" Ahri began to sit up, rubbing a tired eye with her hand.
"See for yourself." A motion from the representative's hand led Ahri's sight towards the window, and her breath was taken away.
Outside that window, was a miracle of innovation, and the vision of a million inventors! Before Ahri was the great city of Piltover. The only summary that does the city justice, is the word 'passion'. As the canvas is an artist's landscape to change, Piltover City was the scientist's and the visionary. Great airships flew by the train, as it was raised hundreds of feet above the ground, a testament to the strength of the city's architectural might, just as much as the skyscrapers were. On either side of the train were multitudes of these skyscraper structures, like they were there just to fight against gravity! The city was draped in all sorts of colors, with the buildings more conservatively designed, and the airships much more vibrant, as they could stand out amongst the clouds, and be noticed by other ships.
Advertisements were placed in strategic locations all around the train. On railings on either side, on top of large buildings, hanging off their sides, and even floating ones! Ahri noticed a particularly enticing advertisement of perfume.
'L'odeur de Fromage' it read, with a man holding it while the image zoomed towards his face, and showed the perfume model wink at the camera. Ahri chuckled. It was absolutely ridiculous, but it made her want some of whatever it was.
Between skyscrapers, Ahri could look down into expansive streets, bustling with hundreds of automobiles, and thousands of passerby on the sidewalks. She wondered what it would feel like walking among them, as a citizen of Piltover. Sooner than she thought, the 9-tailed Fox would be doing just that.
A loudspeaker cut through the silence of the cabin car, and began issuing a pre-recorded message from the conductor. "All passengers of the Piltover City Express, be prepared to exit through one of the portals on the right side of the platform. The doors you can use will be marked by a green light. If your door does not have a green light lit, then proceed to find a door that does. If you are having trouble exiting the train, or require customer service to exit the train, one of our associates can help you. Just find one at the front of any cabin car. Thank you again for choosing Piltover City Express as your form of transportation into Piltover City. Have a nice visit, and don't forget to rate the service provided to you with your complimentary pamphlets, provided as you leave the train."
Ahri was listening intently at the conductor's words, and noticed that the train seemed to be slowing down outside of the window. Turning her head towards the representative, she noticed that Julia had already begun packing up her papers during the message. Julia looked up at the 9-tailed Fox, and gave her a smile.
"It's alright to get up and go right now, I'll be along shortly. Just find a door with a green light." The representative calmly told Ahri, as she continued packing her suitcase.
Ahri stood up, and moved to the door. Opening it, she found no other passengers in her cabin getting up to go as well. She thought that it must be because there weren't many people coming from the Institute of War to Piltover City anyway. Why would there be? Coming here, from the Institute of War, is always about business. Homes were provided by the Institute of War if you worked there. Commuting wasn't something you do when you become a summoner.
At last, the train slowed to an almost crawl, and a platform started sliding by the train, elevated just as high. Moving along the corridor, she positioned herself in front of a door with a green triangle positioned to its side. The brakes could finally be felt stopping the train in its tracks, making it slide backwards a little. Sounds of steam letting off, and the brakes compressing could be heard, making Ahri startled. She thought, "Was that a snake?" For Ahri hadn't ridden a train before.
The 9-tailed Fox didn't have much time to think about it, as the door began to open in front of her. Air poured in from overhead vents as the door did so, matting Ahri's ears against the back of her head, and she began to step outside. Because of the height that the platform was at, leaving it unprotected to the elements would mean people flying off due to high wind speeds. Piltover City couldn't have visitors flying off of their structures, so a fully enclosed glass window system surrounded the platform.
Moving forwards, Ahri had only one path to take, due to the railings blocking her from doing otherwise. Before her were flights of stairs, and a very noisy line of people to her left, all waiting to enter the train. It felt odd, as she was the only one walking out of the train in that moment. That was, until the representative exited behind Ahri, still much further away. Before she reached the end of the railings, a friendly Piltover City Express associate handed her a pamphlet. Ahri took it, but didn't really care for it, and thanked the man.
The 9-tailed Fox looked at her surroundings, studying a very large board mounted on the wall, showing train schedules for anyone planning to board one. Many busy office workers were littered across the platforms, talking into strange boxes, with large antennas popping out of their tops. Ahri thought it must be some kind ritual, since what else would bring so many similarly dressed people into a small area, and doing the same strange thing?
Turning around, Ahri looked for the representative through the crowd she had just walked past. Finding her target with a studied eye, Ahri noticed that Julia had on the same formal wear everyone else around her had on. This made her feel out of place. What she was wearing was her traditional Ionian Kimono. She stood out against the crowd like she was actively trying to.
Sensing her unease as she came nearer, Julia decided to explain before Ahri asked. "This is the Center of Commerce and Trade for the city of Piltover. Everyone you see here is on some official business for their clients, so it's very formal. It's also going to be our meeting spot with the statesmen."
"Is everyone in Piltover like this? I thought it was a place of scientists and artists." Ahri stated the question with a concerned look upon her face. "Those people are talking into some strange boxes, and I don't see any form of creativity in any of their clothes. It's so… bland."
"It's true, the business world here in Piltover is very high class, and most of them wear clothes like I'm wearing. This shows that you're their equal in a cut-throat market. You won't have to deal with them after this deal we're making, as long as you don't decide to go into a business field all of a sudden." Julia's shrugged, and then motioned for Ahri to follow her. The two walking down the stairs, and through double doors, into a large open space. Here, hundreds of employees talked and mingled. "Those 'boxes' you see those workers talking into are called 'cell phones'. A new invention developed by Heimerdinger himself! It converts sound waves into radio waves, transmitting it to your cell phone, and then sending what you say to the person on the other side. A perfect form of communication that utilizes science, not magic, allowing anyone to talk to loved ones across the world, or even a client for your company!" With that, the representative pulled out her own cell phone.
"I have my own, and I use it almost religiously for all of my needs. When you become a citizen of Piltover, you'll be issued your own home phone, and cell. I will hand you a list of phone numbers you can call, including mine, and statesman's lackeys throughout Piltover City. They'll be able to help you with your transition into your new home."
Ahri wrinkled her nose at the representative. "I'm not going to pretend I understood all of that."
Giving a chuckle, Julie placed her phone back in her pocket, and then pointed towards a glass cylinder across from them. "This will be an interesting ride for you, it's called an elevator. It will bring us up to a higher floor for our negotiation."
Ahri looked at the cylinder. "How is that supposed to bring us anywhere? Are we supposed to climb up the wires inside?"
The representative laughed. "Watch, I'll show you." Julia came up to the cylinder, and pressed a button on the side. The button lit up, and Julia stepped back. Ahri waited for something to happen, and eventually, it did. A glass elevator pulled up slowly from below, where the two couldn't see, and the doors to the cylinder holding it, opened. "After you." The representative motioned towards the elevator.
Ahri was hesitant, and backed away a step. "Are these safe? They don't look very stable."
"They're perfectly fine, just step in, and it'll bring us up a few floors."
With Julia's words, Ahri looked up, and her knees nearly buckled. Up above her were maybe hundreds of stories, and a wooziness started to wash over Ahri. "I don't think I want to use the elevator, is there a set of stairs nearby I can use?"
Julia shook her head. "If you're going to stay here in Piltover City, you're going to need to get used to using the elevator to get around. Otherwise, you'll be climbing for ages. Come on, they're fun!" The representative held out her hand to Ahri.
Ahri still wasn't completely convinced, holding her hand out, but retracting it at the same time. Finally she took Julia's grip in her own, and Julia turned towards the elevator again, walking inside it with Ahri behind her. The 9-tailed Fox looked around nervously. Were those thin wires supposed to hold their collected weight? They could fall to their deaths, and Ahri's journey would end here!
Julia pressed a button, out of over a hundred options, to go to the 55th floor. With a quick jerk of motion, the elevator had begun its smooth ascent towards its destination. Ahri had begun a panic attack, lowering herself to a kneeling stance. The train had been different, as they were held up by steel beams, but this was being propelled with wires! Heights are not usual for a fox, so her most animalistic sides were starting to take hold of her, and she felt fear.
"Calm down Ahri," Julia quickly placed a soothing hand upon Ahri's shoulder, "We'll be arriving to our destination soon. We'll need to exit quickly, you must right yourself!"
Ahri then shakily, and slowly, began to raise from her kneeling position. Julia steadied her the whole way, but then the 9-tailed Fox looked down, outside of the elevator. Below her was the clearing with hundreds of people she had just been in, but now it was almost 20 stories below her! She began feeling a sense of vertigo.
"I just can't do it, we're going too high! Please, I just want to get off of this thing!" Ahri was now back on the ground, holding her head in her hands, and rocking it back and forth in a cradle like fashion.
"It's only a few more stories up, try to think of calming thoughts Ahri!" Julia Muse was very concerned, and not just a little scared, for Ahri was beginning to shake her. She didn't want to be anywhere near an ex-murderer when she was having a breakdown. Especially the magical kind, inside of an elevator quite a few stories up. "Please hold on, we're almost there!"
The representative's eyes went between Ahri, and the number of the floors they were at periodically, shouting words of encouragement every now and then. Finally, the elevator slowed to a halt, and the doors began to slide open. Julia took Ahri's shoulder, and positioned herself to help her stand up.
"Come on, we're here." Ahri looked up at Julia, and decided she should stand up. The faster she got off the elevator, the better she would feel, and so it was that they reached the 55th floor of the Trading and Commerce building. Ahri shakily got up, Julia's hand steadying her, once again, and the two slowly moved off the elevator. Walking into the entrance corridor, there was a sign telling them where they were. It read, "Center for Immigration and Work Visas."
They had reached their appropriated meeting spot.
"Please tell me there are stairs to go down! There has to be!" Ahri declared with a frightened edge behind her tone of voice.
"Yes, there are for every building in Piltover City, for emergency purposes mostly, but there are. Don't worry, we'll go down those when we leave. Now follow me, the meeting room is this way." Reassuring the 9-tailed Fox, Julia let go of her shoulder, and Ahri began to follow her down the hallway.
Eventually, the couple came upon a doorway marked, "Immigration Settlements." Here, they entered. The room was a bland color, and it smelled stale, like the mingling of so many visitors had soured it. Inside were a multitude of people waiting in chairs. None of them notable, besides the fact they weren't wearing suits, and all of them turned their heads toward Ahri. The 9-tailed Fox was, for the first time in her life, legitimately self-conscious. It was alright when she noticed she stood out on the train platform, but now people were actually paying attention to her like they usually did.
This time, it didn't feel like when she was normally in public. The last time she was outside of the Institute of War, Ahri was seducing, and killing men across Valoran. Now she wasn't trying to use her sex appeal to attract anyone, so she took an awkward stance that made her stand out as different even more. Ahri had felt every bit of her old, confident ways leave her. This was no way for the 9-tailed Fox to act! She has killed any man that had tried to get in her way, and she has killed many more than just they! But she felt all of that being pointless now. She felt ashamed of the slutty way she used to act, like it was a bad part of her she just wanted gone. This was her, caring, how other, normal, people thought about her.
The representative and Ahri walked across the room, past the chairs of gawking individuals, and stopped at a customer service desk. Behind that desk sat a secretary.
"Hello, welcome to Immigration Settlements, I can see you're Ms. Ahri from the Institute of War, accompanied by Julia Muse herself!" The customer service secretary extended a hand through the small slot under the glass window, which Julia took it in her grasp, and they both shook tenderly. "You must have come a long way, so I'll show you to your appointed meeting room immediately, just let me open the door to your right real quick." The secretary then stood up, and walked out of view for a moment. Ahri and Julia walked over to the door, and in a few seconds, it opened for them.
"Come this way, it's just a few doors down." The secretary turned, and made her way down the hallways, waving them to follow her. On the way there, they passed many offices and other meeting rooms, all marked with their own names, or room numbers.
"Alright, here we are!" The secretary stated with delight, as she opened the door to room D19. "Just make yourself comfortable in one of these chairs here, the statesman and her lawyer will be in here shortly to speak with you."
"Thank you for your help." Julia smiled at the secretary, and she, with Ahri, entered the room alone. The secretary closed the door, and they took their seats, alone once more.
Looking out the window, at the end of the meeting room, Ahri could see the side of another skyscraper. A floating sign went by, advertising a new flavor of ice kream. 'Try our zesty new flavor, Quadruple fudge extravaganza! Only at Peach Farm's Dairy!'
"Have you thought of what you were going to say?" Julia broke the silence.
"Oh, to what?" Ahri looked at the representative with a confused expression.
"To the questions from last night of course! Please tell me you thought them over." Julia looked worried.
Ahri felt ashamed. Last night, she had just daydreamed, and then she went to sleep. Thinking of the answers had completely slipped her mind. "I guess I haven't." Ahri shrugged with an apologetic face.
Julia placed a palm on her face, and sighed in frustration. "It's alright, we can work with what we have, just remember to use the advice I gave you from last night." Ahri nodded at this, and went back to having drifting thoughts.
She realized something was odd. "How did that secretary know your name, and why did she seem so excited to see you?" Julia raised an eyebrow at this, and turned to face the 9-tailed Fox.
"Well, you see, I wasn't always the head representative of the Institute of War. I was the-." Julia didn't get to finish her sentence, as the door to room D19 opened, and whom stepped in was none other, than stateswoman Helena Jakorsky.
Helena Jakorsky was famed to be the first woman statesman to be elected, and was known for her outgoing policies on wildlife preservation. Helena was going on 67 years of age now, and has been re-elected since she was 24. The stateswoman wore a button up shirt, with a classy sweater vest, and a belt buckled pair of slacks. Behind her was a middle-aged man, with slicked back hair, and a formal suit. In his hand was a suitcase of his own.
"Hello Ahri, how are you? I'm Helena Jakorsky, the stateswoman elected for environment protection, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Helena walked directly up to Ahri, as she was the closest to the door, and outstretched her hand for Ahri to shake. The 9-tailed Fox stood up, and too her hand. The two met eye to eye, and then they let go.
"It's nice to meet you too Helena." Ahri replied in earnest, and then sat back down.
Helena then turned her attention to Julia. "Oh, I see that the representative of the Institute of War, Julia Muse, is here as well! How are you Julia?" The stateswoman rose the question towards Julia, as she made her way to shake her hand as well.
"Business is going good, let's see if this does too." Julia's reply made Helena giggle.
"Still the same professionalism, mind on business first. That makes you so efficient Julia. It's hard for me to focus like that, but you, you have that spark that makes it easy." Helena snapped her fingers when she said 'spark'.
Julia retorted with a practiced ease. "You know how it goes. I intend to stay on the top of my game at all times." Julia straightened her glasses, sat back down, and opened her suitcase on the office table. "Shall we begin?"
"I believe we shall." The stateswoman turned her head towards Ahri. "You're very lucky Ahri, you have the old Emissary for Piltover running your case!"
Ahri perked up her ears, and turned towards Julia. "You were the Emissary of the League here?"
"That's right, I served here for nearly 15 years before I became the head representative at the Institute of Battle."
"Which will make this that much easier, Julia is very experienced." Helena piped in towards Ahri. "Alright George, open her up!"
The man that had walked in with the suitcase nodded, and proceeded to plop his suitcase on the table as well.
Negotiations had commenced, and Ahri's fate would be decided there, for her to be a full citizen of Piltover City, or her immigration would be denied. What happened during the meeting was a back and forth battle of Piltover's demands. The first issue was finding Ahri a suitable home. If she lived in Piltover City, they required her to have the funds to pay for her own accommodations, but she hadn't a job, nor income. This was left up to the League, so Julia had agreed that they would pay for any, and all, living expenses necessary for Ahri.
The second issue was that Ahri required a time consumer if she were to be allowed to stay. Something to preoccupy her time, like a hobby, or a job. It had to be a solid one, and Ahri would have within a month to find one, or the deal would be considered at fault, and the 9-tailed Fox would be expunged from Piltover City. After some fierce debate, Julia had gotten Helena to agree that Piltover would pay for any expenses that the hobby or job would cause. It was something required by them, but not necessary for her to live there, so it should be under their own payments, not Ahri's. The reason for this condition was never brought up, but Ahri knew why. They didn't want her to become unstable, so having her focus on something else besides her instincts would make her less susceptible to breaking Piltover's laws.
The third, and last issue discussed there, brought all of those avoided discussions to bare. Ahri would be made known that she is not above Piltover City's laws. That if she would be found breaking them, that she would be prosecuted to their full extent. Breaking this agreement would spell disaster for her, and it was mandatory that she agree, on paper, that she understood what it meant. The reason for this one was so obvious, Ahri felt hurt by it, because it reminded her of past deeds she no longer wished to visualize. It was because she's an ex-murderer. Of course it was, why else would they be forcing her to understand that she can't break their laws? Anyone in Piltover would know of her past, it was common knowledge to anyone who paid attention to the League in Valoran!
After negotiating for hours, price points, and filling out forms of legal documents that she had to sign, Ahri felt exhausted. "Alright, that's the last one that we needed to go over, let's move on to something more personal, shall we?" Ahri looked at Helena, the source of the voice. "Now I'm just going to ask you a few questions Ahri, just so that I can get to know you more personally. Is that alright with you? You don't have to answer any if you don't want to."
Ahri knew she shouldn't refuse, the door was just left open for her to run, but it was a trap. She needed to say yes, otherwise, she wouldn't be getting in. It was a political ploy. "Go ahead, I'm ready." The 9-tailed Fox nodding while she said this, showing the stateswoman she could begin.
"Eager are we? I'm just going to ask you three simple questions. Here's the first." Ahri got ready. "What do you think you'll be doing once you set yourself up here in Piltover City?"
Ahri already knew the answer to that one. "I thought I'd try my hand at something creative, like poetry, or maybe music. I just feel like expressing myself artistically."
Helena smiled at this, and continued on. "Would you care to tell me about yourself?"
"Of course! I'm a champion of the League of Legends as you know, but not many people know where I came from. I was transformed magically by a dying mage's last spell, from a fox, into a woman. I still go back, time to time, to visit mother and father fox of course. How could I not see family once in a while?"
Ahri's jester was met with a successful outburst of laughter from Helena, and a coy chuckle from Julia. The lawyer remained expressionless, probably because he was soulless. "I see you're not open to that question so much, but I can understand that. You are a champion of the League after all, and besides, I like your sense of humor a lot." Helena chimed with praise. "Last question Ahri, and it's the most important one. Why do you wish to immigrate here? What brings you to Piltover City?"
Ahri thought for a moment. The answer should be simple, something the stateswoman would like you to say. The 9-tailed Fox started thinking more frantically when her inner thoughts could not solve the answer right away. What if she can't come up with anything? What if this made her turn her away? She had to think of something right this second! And then it came to her. It was so easy. All she had to do, was take the advice from Julia, the one she received the other night.
"I came here because, this is a place of change, and I believe I've changed."
End Chapter 2