[Title:] Night Reconnaissance ("Slow dancing in a burning room" – John Mayer)
[Pairing:] QuinnxTalon
[Chapters:] Songfic, Oneshoot
[Summary:] They made their choices time ago, and they choose each other. After a few years, their countries are calling them again.
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[A/N: Sorry the long time it took me to update ^^; I've been busy with my professional practice and stuff... The good thing is I'm almost finished with my social duty(?)]
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« ~ »
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Valor came back 5 days later with Lux's message. But when he arrived he could sense an uneasy atmosphere between the scout and the assassin, and even when they really tried to keep everything under control… something was different; but they couldn't guess what.
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We're going down,
And you can see it too.
We're going down, and you know that we're doomed.
My dear, we're slow dancing in a burning room.
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Two weeks later, they were at a small village near the Howling Mash. Both, Assassin and Scout were waiting for the Light Mage.
The man was still reluctant, waiting wasn't his forte "You sure she can come undercover?" Quinn turned her attention to him. Of course, he was doubting of Lux's strength… from time to time, Luxanna looked and acted as a fragile girl but she was very brave and optimistic, with the ability to take down anyone with her magics.
"Remember how she extracted valuable information about the Noxian-Ionian conflict, right?" he grunted his response. Of course he remembered how the blonde infiltrated the High Command's chamber. She was lucky that neither Katarina nor he was there.
Before they could keep this "discussion", the light mage made her appearance. She was using a brown cloak over a pink muffler, she really looked as a normal girl if it wasn't by her belt, the one above her chest with lot of potions and scrolls. She was almost undercover.
When the blonde saw the she couldn't hide her happiness and that made Quinn stifle a laugh.
She really liked Luxanna and Shyvana, they kept her sane when she was living at the Castle and now that she thinks, the seneschal too.
She never showed grateful to them, but they were always there for her. To comfort, to keep her sane, to listen. But thanks to them, she enjoyed her short stay in the capital.
"It's been a while, you two" said Lux as she took seat in front of the couple, trying to look the most relaxed she could be but her excitement of meeting an old friend was betraying her effort to look cool.
Quinn just smiled at her "It has been a while, is true" but with that she just gained a scoff and a pout from the light magician, who was watching her with accusing eyes.
"Just a while? I know you both are trying to stay away from our conflict, but at least you could send Valor to say hello!" the blonde said indignantly, as much for her displeasure, she respected Quinn's decision the most.
For someone who haven't loved that much, for obvious reasons, she really tried to defend other's people principles so when Quinn decided to leave the militia and gave her letter of resignation, she was at her side reminding her what the future would give her and that she deserved to be happy. Lux never asked for explanations, she just wanted to hear the sweet maiden love story… not apologies, after all, Quinn didn't own anything to her or her family.
Lux knew that Quinn owned everything she had because she forged her own destiny.
They keep talking a while about everything and anything at the same time for a couple of minutes until certain man reminded his presence in the table in his characteristic way "So, Magician, why don't you tell us what bring us to this place" said Talon dryly. Both girls look at him emotionless. To be honest, they wanted to keep the pleasant charade for a while, before bringing the bad news.
"Well… I will go straight forward then" She smiled coolly, getting closer to the couple. "The thing is, we are dealing with a new crisis in the capital. There is a group of undercover agents, we still don't know from which faction they are. But we are sure they have been killing, in the last months, enough politicians to force us to give new nobility titles" Both, assassin and scout looked nonchalant about this piece of information.
"I'm aware your sisters already know about this" she said before any questions were asked. Giving information to Talon was risky, but now that he was with Quinn, Lux decided it was a good way to… exchange information with the Du Couteau siblings. As, if there was information they didn't have… She knew Katarina was able to have information from a certain man.
She started to play with her hair "Even now, people is starting to speculate about Prince Jarvan IV succeeding King Jarvan III but that is way beyond the truth". The blonde paused, it was a big burden over her shoulders. His brother was one of the Generals of Demacia, but this operation was hers only and she was hoping Quinn would accept it… but then again, it was unfair to ask her for more help. She was retired from the militia… and living a peaceful life.
"So, what are you planning?" asked Talon in a dry way, he was starting to piss off with all the crocodile's tears... he wanted to leave the room in that instant and tell her to fuck off... But he didn't. Oh, but he wanted to do it so badly. It was a shame that Quinn's hand, on his tight, was tightening in a very dangerous way. "What will you do, Luxanna? I heard Count Ludovic is moving his strings, wanting to put on of his best mans on charge of some adjacent land... townsfolk isn't happy with the idea".
Lux wasn't amused. Of course Quinn would know about what townspeople cared... she was one of them. The blonde exhaled, she knew this was the no-return-point and she worried about her friend, the only one who really cared for Demacian's people. Not the ones in the capitol, but the ones who daily suffered from their bad decisions.
"Well, there aren't more noble houses anymore. You know Miss Laurent is trying to regain their nobility and their old status. Shauna Vayne doesn't care anymore, she is so immersed ... hunting for devil's magic. And Miss Buvelle... I know how powerful her ethwal is, but the nobility can't overlook the fact she is not Demacian, her Ionian's blood is showing more and more..." the girl sighed, it was tiring to repeat three... forth... fifth times the same charade.
"What we want to know is what you want from Quinn, after all, you're asking her help as an official request" said the assassin, taking a sip from his beer. Again, Quinn just squeezed his thigh, a sign for him to keep his manners.
"Well" The blonde extended a pamphlet to the couple "I'm pleased to present… The Hunting Festival". Quinn took the paper in her hand, showing its contents to Talon. The said pamphlet had information about a new Demacian's festival in which one of the top prices were three new nobility's tittles. "A festival to grant nobilities tittles? Only skilled and well equipped people will win this contest. Not people who deserve the tittle" said Quinn, feeling dejected about the idea.
"My, My, and you criticize my country for… What was for? Being barbarian? I think I'd participate in this one" mocked the man. Lux snatched the paper from his hands with a frown in her face. "I know it isn't perfect, and for your relief I'm still working in the terms…"
Quinn raised her face, with astonished eyes "Was it you the one who thought in this? Oh, dear god, Lux…" the scout just covered her eyes, more disappointed "What do you want from me then?" The mage of light knew the plan wasn't perfect, yet it was a way to lure the organization to justice. "Then, let me continue, please… after all, there is more information I haven't tell you"
It was Quinn's turn to take a sip of her beer, readjusting in her seat. She didn't remember work meetings were like this. She wanted to be outside, she didn't care about the long-and-old fight of nobility disputes. But if Lux was asking for her help…
"Since last spring" the mage cleared her throat "we received information about some village… how to say it… they have become… unhabituated" Now, with that she called Quinn's attention. "The situation was under control since we send some guardians to survey the valley. After all this people just, disappeared"
Quinn was about to talk when Lux stopped her "But then we received more information about the villagers and when we found them, they said they left Demacia since nobody cared about them… and joined Noxus". THAT was a piece of information. Quinn stared Talon, who stared back and shook his head. "It shocking, of course. But you cannot blame them for feeling abandoned…"
The mage nodded, "You gave us new perspective when you joined the elite. I'm honest… all of us were shaken with the notice and felt angry, but Garen said we must take responsibility of our acts". Lux sighed, drinking some water after revealing all the information. "The thing is… some villagers are requesting 'active' participation, someone who can participate in the Hunting Festival". Talon started to growl lowly, of course they wanted Quinn back and that was beyond any limit. "The answer is no" said the man.
Both girls looked at his direction, both a little surprised. "What?" asked Quinn, she was still processing the idea of people living the borders to join Noxus. Lux, in other hand, knew he would answer that but back in her mind was still hope.
Quinn was a little taken back with… well, all.
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I was the one you always dreamed of,
You were the one I tried to draw.
How dare you say it's nothing to me?
Baby, you're the only light I ever saw.
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They were back in their room.
The conversation didn't end well, of course. Talon was completely against the idea.
He even told her, when they arrived their room, that accepting the mission was like wasting their efforts.
Now that she thinks about it, she had never listened to him talking so much about "us" until that night, but she cannot blame him.
Demacia's council is desperate, searching for any possible way to get their people back and then, other people were threating with leaving if they didn't have active participation. But all of this were about politics, this wasn't her speciality.
And what Lux asked her for… she couldn't stop feeling used. She wasn't a toy anymore.
"Still thinking about the whole thing? Just forget it, they don't want you back because they want to make anything better… they want back their power" said the man as he was changing his clothes.
The scout sighed as she started to do the same. "That' not the problem, you know better" she said with a scowl in her face.
Of course she was a mere tool for any politician, and this was a good opportunity to have their elite force back in the first line, with Demacia's banner in her own hands. But, she still cannot forget what Lux said about their people request.
"So what's so difficult to put aside?" The man took seat behind her, wrapping her abdomen with his arms as he leaned forward to rest his chin on her shoulder. "Being used is not the same as being useful" his lips ghosted over her skin as he spoke.
"Wouldn't you ever think about it? Even if it is Marcus Du Couteau…" Talon jerked his head from her shoulder abruptly "It's not the same Quinn, Marcus is dead" he said with some distress in his voice. They stared each other for a few seconds, but when she was about to talk again he moved away from the bed "… and even if Katarina was asking me to come back as a High Command to overpower the corruption in Noxus, I would have to say no" said that, the man went to the window, looking at the outside with a scowl in his face. How could she be so unfair with him? She knew Marcus was dead, well, not dead, but missing in action and it was a delicate topic as Caleb's death was for her.
But there was a difference! "The problem is… she had never asked you that" Quinn ran her hand through her hair. The man tried to stay calm as the girl was trying to express her thoughts… "Your point is…"
Quinn looked at him, trying to stay as calm as he did but… she couldn't. "The possibility against the fact is different!" she scoffed as she lied, eyes closed, on the bed… defeated.
She felt how the bed sank with the men weight, but she didn't move or opened her eyes. She knew what face he was making, and she hated it. "Care to explain? I think this is the minute" was the only thing he said, luring her to be harsh, luring her to be mad, luring her to show her true colors and luring her to be honest, once for all.
And she did.
"Are you dumb, man?" she snapped, half sitting under him as he was watching her with that smirk in his face. It has been time since she saw the sarcastic and cruel smirk in his face. Lately he was using that knowing smirk, telling her how ahead he was. But it didn't mean malice, because he was there for her to teach her, to wait for her… until she could finally say what was wrong.
But today it wasn't the same. It has been time, a long time since he has been in this bad mood.
"No, but I try not to go backward, I try to go forward" he said, trying to sound serene as much as he could. He moved and lied at her side, looking at her with impassive eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"I care about the present we have in our hands… I don't care if Katarina come asking for my help in war because it's off-limit… yet, the only one who puts everything over the present, it's you"
Listening to him, she knew he was right. Again, she was being unfair with him. Not putting him above everything else and feel remorse every time Demacia needed her but she didn't aid them. From the bottom of her heart, she was hopping someday she'd be able to say no without feeling guilty.
"You know it's difficult to me…" as she said that, he left the bed and stood in front of her, crossing his arms. "I know, that's why I'm here. To help you to say no… to remind you why you're not in active duty. If it were about you, you'd be helping half Demacia if they asked you. For you, everything is important and urgent. There is no way you can protect everything you love and sometimes you have to choose. So, now it's that time"
She just look at him astonished "I gave up the only dream I had in my while life for you, the only thing I could do to commemorate my brother! I gave up everything and choose you!"
He looked at her a little surprised, that wasn't what he wanted to say but it sounded like he did "But I did the same, so it should compensate…"
The girl just scoffed indignantly "But you can't compare it! They're totally different!"
"Why not!? Give me a reason to not compare…!" it was his time to snap, she was all excuses about telling him the truth. She was not happy? Did she have regrets? She never told him what she truly believed and he didn't know why.
"Because you have somewhere to go back… you still have a family… you can go back to the assassin you were… but I cannot" she finally said, murmuring "I cannot go back anymore"
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A/N: People, I really tried to be as close to the characters as possible, to be balanced about the conflict and don't lose their personalities, and I feel I did it quite well, but if you think the opposite, please tell me where and why so I can improve the next chapter.
I'm really sorry about the long hiatus. Long story short, last year I was having a hard time with my career and decided to start my proffesional practice, thinking I'd have time for everything... aaaaaand, it wasn't like that. Good news, I'm finishing my social service and I'll be free next month.
In the other hand, when I started the story I already knew how it'd end and the past days I've thinking more and more about the finale... Good thing, I have the end. Bad thing, I will split the last chapter in part1 and part2. Just hoping I won't take another 6 months to update the whole fanfic.
c: Bye~ Oh oh! If I have grammar mistakes, just tell me and I will edit them.