Chapter 4: Charming

"I must say, I am a little bit sad", Ahri pouted and took Lux' hand. "How could you not invite me to your contest?"

"How do you know about that?" If Ahri heard about the contest, who else knew about it?, Lux thought worriedly.

"Poppy told me. You really shouldn't have asked her to be one of the judges. She might look small, but she is big in spreading gossip. By the way, who came up with the brilliant idea that Poppy makes a good judge? I don't want to be mean, but she doesn't look like someone who knows much about attractiveness ..."

"You don't say! Seriously, I don't know who asked Poppy. When Braum refused, I asked Rengar." Although still worried about spreading rumours concerning their contest, Lux had to giggle. She hoped that the person who talked Poppy into the jury had a similar taste in men. A picture of Kata, arm in arm with Urgot, came into her mind.

"Lux, you're such a beast!", Ahri exclaimed. "By asking Rengar, you probably destroyed any chances of romance between him and Nida. How could you?" The foxgirl clapped both hands over her mouth.

"I didn't think ..." the blonde mage stuttered.

"Don't worry, she'll find someone else. At least she's wearing her Frenchmaid dress, which may raise her chances to win. Who do you plan to get as your companion?" Curiosity sparkled in Ahri's yellow eyes.

Without answering, Lux looked over to Ezreal who was still talking to Taric.

"Oh, I see. If I were you, I'd hurry up before Mr Gems gets him. That would be ... truly outrageous." Ahri winked at her and rushed away to find Nidalee. Lux was too nice and innocent to be taught a charming lesson, but Nidalee seemed to be a promising student.

"Tibbers, how did you get cake all over your face?" After hugging her now small bear, the Promqueen girl grabbed one of the loose ends of Amumu's bandages and started to clean her bear's fluffy face.

"I'm glad to help", the mummy quietly said, hope in his eyes. "Can I ... give you a hug?"

"Don't make me hurt you!" An evil grin appeared on Annie's face. "There's a reason you are Almost Prom King, Amumu. Now leave. You can't come to Tibber's tea party!"

Amumu was about to burst into tears when a slender hand patted him on the hand.

"Ignore her, she is just a psychic little girl. And you know what they say: Karma always catches up to you." Karma showed a heartwarming smile that made him feel so much better. Maybe there was still a chance he could make some friends.

"Sorry we didn't asked you. But you have to admit, your Charm would've been kinda unfair in this contest."

"I know, I know", Ahri giggled, waving Nidalee's excuse away. "I'm not mad at you, but you have to promise me to win this contest. You are my student now, don't disappoint me."

"But-", Nidalee tried to object. She was not sure if following Ahri's orders was such a good idea.

"Don't you trust me? You have beautiful legs, so show more of them." The foxgirl tugged at Nidalee's dress, ignoring her complaints. "Now stop that pouting and smile. No, not like that! Smile like you knew a secret. Yes, much better. Time to go. Make me proud. Getting this guy will surely give you a difficulty bonus, but you can do it!" Ahri showed an encouraging grin and watched as Nidalee slowly walked away.

"Go win this contest, little cat", she murmured to herself. Suddenly a strong arm was wrapped around her shoulders.

"What contest?", Wukong curiously asked.

"I shouldn't talk about it, but some girls here are competing about who can get the most attractive man as their party company. Weird, isn't it? I don't take part in it; that would be too unfair. At least I already got the best of all Champions."

"You did?" Wukong furrowed his brows, stepping back from her. "Who is he?"

"You of course", she laughed, wrapping her arms tightly around him. Face burrowed against his chest, she couldn't see the blush spreading over his face.