So yea...Been a wile ya? Heh-heh...sorry? Been busy...and by busy I mean extremely lazy . My bad. Hope this chap makes up for it :D So here's to that random guest that gave me the fabulous Taric idea from last chap~ Gonna get some people riled up. People have been suggesting I make the chapters shorter in order to update quicker...its not so much the length as it is my ocd to complete an idea...and the lack luster update are from writers block...but, I will take all suggestions into consideration. As such, consider this chapter a proto type for new chapters (bar certain plot heavy ones.) Thank you all so much for still caring and I will try my best to be consistent with this story. I want to see it through to the end. Welp, let's get to it~
~All characters unless otherwise mentioned are property of Riot Games(I just mess with 'em o.o)~
Chapter 10: The Warden and The Bird Keeper
As the days waned into the middles of March, the snow that blanketed the ground had fully disappeared. The cafés and stores that surrounded the Institute were once again bustling with customers. Grass was growing once more, topiaries were tended too, and a certain someone's cinnamon tree was sprouting leaves. Life in the League continued as usual with not too much excitement.
"Who's the feathered lad and his scrawny tender boy?" The warden asked Nami as they dined at an outdoor café along with Ahri and Soraka. The duo in question were holding up a line at another outdoor eatery due to the feathered one pecking the cashier.
"Dude, you don't know? That's Quinn and Valor. They joined the League on the first." Said Nami.
"And Quinn is a girl." Ahri added.
"Well one learns something new every day." Thresh commented while sipping his coffee. "And I must commend her tender. Usually female birds are much harder to handle, especially with their zeal for battle. Strong boy."
"Uh Thresh...Quinn is the human." Ahri said with a slight giggle.
"...What?"
~.~
YOUR TEAM HAS DESTROYED AN INHIBITOR
The warden and his team proceeded to fall back from the inhibitor they have just taken and proceeded towards Baron pit.
"Alright guys lets bright down the big guy and win this thing." Wukong said as they cleared the area of wards.
"Yea...I hate 50 minute games. I'm so beat." Quinn said as they started Baron.
"...Says the woman who has the bird do all her work for her." Thresh sneered.
"Excuse me?" Quinn questioned.
"Did I stutter dear lady? I had to carry you, not for the first 15 minutes, but for the first 30! And I know your summoner, they know what they are doing. You just lack the power. Were it not for the fact that Valor has claws, you would have never gotten a kill. Not with that lowly crossbow at least. Look at the enemy team's Vayne. THAT is a weapon. Legends of Demacia, pff. More like a prized eagle and his zookeeper...You make Garen look like a genius." Quinn just stared in aw at Thresh and soon saw red. The rest of their teammates on the other hand just stared in disbelief. Baron was about half was defeated.
"Well let me tell you, CHAIN WARDEN! Unlike you, I have natural talent! I didn't have to die, or train to have these skills!" At the end of her statement, Quinn's summoner moved her towards the back end of Baron pit and had her vault towards the monster. Unfortunately it was at the exact same time that Baron knocked everyone back. This resulted in Quinn being pushed over the back end wall...and into the enemy team. She was quickly obliterated. The enemy Kha-zix jumped over the wall, out smited the Baron, and the rest of the enemy quickly followed their jungler, and proceeded to slaughter Thresh's team. The enemy team left their bodies on the ground and pushed down the mid lane.
"My lady...maybe you should die and acquire some REAL skills..." Thresh said as they heard the announcer solemnly say...
DEFEAT...
~.~
"And that is why I have no care for lady Quinn. Annie my dear, another cinnamon roll please. Many thanks." Said Thresh. It was a fine and mild Friday afternoon, and the warden was at his tree spending his break with the kumiho and the dark child.
"Eh, I don't really dislike her. But I will admit she is kind of awkward. Like she's not too tomboyish or anything. It's just...I think she just tries too hard to fit in with the rest of the girls here." Ahri said while sipping her iced tea.
"She called me princess..."Annie said while making a face. Thresh eyed the young girl oddly and then looked to Ahri who shrugged. "Only my MOMMY AND DADDY CAN CALL ME PRINCESS!" Large flames emerged from Annie's hands, to the surprise of the two adults. After a few second she calmed down and continued eating her sandwich. "But I guess she isn't so bad. Kinda boring though." ...Note: do not call miss Annie 'princess'
"I will give the woman this. She is not as infuriating as Draven. That is for damn sure..."
"I'm gonna go hang with Amumu till break is over. Bye!" Annie said. She gave the warden and kumiho hugs and skipped down the hill.
"...Now that the juvenile is gone, what do you really think of lady Quinn?"
"Nothing too special. Pretty underpowered on the Rift. Not too exciting outside the rift. Can't fucking hold her alcohol on girls night out. She's pretty much just another pawn on the chessboard." Ahri said flatly as she laid against the tree.
"Well, the fact that I haven't even seen her in a match before today shows she's not even that popular with the summoners. So much for them liking new blood."
"Well if the blood is dirty, even Vlad won't touch it." Ahri replied with a slight giggle.
"But if the blood is dirty, the owner of it must have dark intentions." Thresh countered
"And someone with dark intentions must have a strong will."
"And a strong will is hard to break."
"And once that will is broken, the mind easily succumbs..."
"And once it succumbs, it becomes frail and feeble..."
"And how sweet a feeble mind is~." The two cooed. Once they realized they both spoke at once they turned to one another and started to laugh evilly.
"Hmm, we're more alike than I thought Vixen."
"Right back at you skull face." They continued to talk about daily occurrences within the League, one of which included a lich who seemed to be losing more and more appendages recently. The kumiho soon fell asleep on the warden's lap and the two remained that way until they were summoned once more.
~.~
The warden appeared in the waiting room once more after his final match. He paid his regards to his team as well as his opponents...except for one. He walked forward and tapped the woman on the shoulder. She turned and gave the warden a look that could kill. Her associate however, cawed in joy.
"Admirable effort on the Rift sir Valor. Why the summoners saw it fit for you to be paired with such a..." The warden gave a condescending look at Quinn. "'Challenged' partner, I shall never know. Though I guess your cage needs to be cleaned by someone-"
"The fuck is your deal man?" Quinn finally said, after taking as much as she could. "What did I do to deserve this torment from you! Oh no, we lost one game together. You dead guys of all people should be able to get over it." Valor cocked his head a squawked. "Shut it Valor, you don't even live in a cage."
"So he cleans YOUR cage? Good show Valor." The warden said with an evil smile.
"You know what, I don't even care anymore...It was a dumb idea for me to join the League to start with. I've had enough of all this fucking shit...I know what your gonna say. 'Oh lady Quinn, it was a 3v5 and my team had a Janna jungle. Our carry and top laner never connected. Even I did more damage than you'. Just shove it up your ass and leave me alone." After garnering the attention of the twenty or so champions in the waiting room, Quinn started to make her way towards the dorms. The warden whistles and Valor left Quinn and perched on his shoulder. "Valor...to me." Valor just looked around. "Valor, TO ME." Valor proceeded to ruffle his left wing. "Valor come to fucking me!"
"Lady Quinn, walk with me, talk with me." The warden gestured her to follow him down the glass corridor. She refused at first but soon obliged as the stares from the surrounding populous were gnawing on her. Their walk continued in silence with Thresh petting Valor every so often. Going down the elevator the reached the entrance to the Institute.
"...Ok psycho, if you plan on killing me outside of the League, let me tell you-!" Quinn was hushed by the warden raising his hand.
"Killing you would do nothing for me but leave a mess that I would have to clean. Now come along." Sighing deeply Quinn followed the warden into the busy streets.
Passing through crowds they would be stopped every so often by fans wanting an auto graph or picture of the warden. Quinn herself tried her best to stay silently in the sidelines. Valor took off into the night and would soon return to their quarters once he was done feeding. Quinn was enamored by the bright lights and business of the city at night. Though she was not unfamiliar with the high life, being a high ranking Demacian agent and all, she was not one to partake in 'night-life'. Not because she found it frivolous...she just never had the proper company to enjoy it to the fullest. She began to dwell on this fact which caused her to bump into the warden's back. Thresh turned around noticed her solemn expression.
"Dear lady, we are here." Quinn turned to her right to see a quaint little bistro. She was confused, very confused. The chain warden, the same one who had been berating her every game they had together, had brought her to a bistro. Was this some kind of joke? Was he mocking her?
"What do you mean we're here?"
"I mean exactly as I stated. I shall contact Soraka and have her check your hearing tomorrow." Before Quinn could complain anymore Thresh had opened the door for her. "After you." Quinn looked at the warden, and the the open door, and then the ground.
'He...can't be serious.' "So what's the punchline. You gonna slam the door in my face? Are there ghouls in there that are gonna give me heart attack? Or maybe-"
"*Sigh* Dear lady, you are becoming more insufferable than Draven." Thresh took Quinn's hand gently, to the woman's surprise, and led them both into the bistro. Inside the small eatery was a myriad of warm blues and reds. The blue and white striped walls offsetted the red tables with their black table cloths. As they continued on they were greeted by the hostess.
"Nice to see you again Mr. Thresh and Ms. Ah- Oh, my apologizes." The woman said once she realized the woman at the warden's side was not the kumiho. "Hello miss, I am Hailynn, the head hostess of this establishment. A pleasure to meet you." She reached out and shook Quinn's hand.
"U-uh, nice to meet you too. I'm Quinn."
"Ah, you're the new champion. Well isn't this nice. Mr. Thresh, the same booth as always?" The warden looked down at Quinn.
"...What? Is there something on my face?"
"No dear Hailynn, a terrace seat today." The hostess nodded and led the two to the roof. She showed them their table under a blue cloth umbrella with cushioned seats. Thresh pulled out Quinn's chair for her then took his own. The hostess took their orders and left them to a rather awkward silence. The warden left himself to gaze at the so called 'Wings of Demacia'. Quinn fidgeted in her seat and her eyes rested anywhere but the warden.
"...So what's this all about?"
"I wanted to show you about the town, and so I did. And it is only right for a gentleman to treat his guest to a meal." Thresh took a sip of his wine.
"Hmph...Gentleman huh? It's pretty stupid to think that you can win me over with some food."
"Oh really. Am I the stupid one for doing it, or are you the stupid one for believing AND going along with such an idea." Quin shot out of her seat and pointed her finger towards the warden as if to retort. But no words came. She slowly sunk back into her seat and remained silent. "As I thought. Now lady Quinn, I do not 'win' people over. They either come to me willingly, or in the shambles of the person they once were." Quinn lost the color in her face. "Obviously you are still of one mind, body, and soul. So you should know which criteria you fall under."
"So...you just wanted to eat with me...No ulterior motives at all?"
"Oh I have ulterior motives." The warden said finishing his wine. "But they will have no harm come to you. I can give you my word on that." Quinn furrowed her eyebrows and nearly snarled at the warden. "Oh come now. Do you really think I, and undead madman, would take the likes of you out without it having anything work for me in the process? My dear you are really disappointing me."
"Well it's not like-wait...Did you just call me...your 'dear'?" The warden nonchalantly nodded as their food arrived. "But you only call Ahri and Nami and the rest of your little crew that. Don't you hate me?"
"I hate only three people in this world. Those idiots are Elise, Evelyn, and Draven...Did you hear your name on that list?" Quinn slowly shook her head. "Ah so your hearing is in good condition, excellent. Now, I call all women whom I find of good taste 'dear'. Yes, I find you of good taste." A small smile appeared on Quinn's face. He returned it with a darker one. "You had the gall to respond to my insults with your own. Since I can't take your soul...Might as well take the next best thing."
"Which is?" Quinn said with her mouth full of spaghetti.
"Your trust." Quin choked slightly. "Small bites, my dear. Small bites."
"Whose to say I trust you?"
"Let me count the ways~ You agreed to follow me into the night away from the safety of the Institute. You agreed to follow me into a building you have never been to before. And last but not least, you are eating food that to all your knowledge, may be poisend." Quinn fell silent and stared at her clean plate. "I can officially say I have earned your trust." The warden chuckled and finished his salmon.
"...I hear people usually talk to you at the tree on top of the hill in the Institute gardens. Why didn't you take me there?"
"My little hide away has become a breeding ground for people with problems. And apparently I'm the only one who won't claw their own eyes out listening to them. Though it is because I have no eyes... But I brought you here because I have reserved that place for those I at least know somewhat about. As for you, besides your lack of power, you are still an enigma. Enlighten me, won't you?"
"Oh um well...I had a twin brother growing up-"
"Not your lore, my dear."
"...I have trouble with people. I always have since my brother died. Besides Valor, I could never really fit I with anyone. And..." Tears began to well up in the woman's eyes. "You were right...Valor is the only reason...I can do what I do. I would never have been accepted as a high ranking officer without him. I've tried my best but...It doesn't matter if its on missions or just being with people...I can't do anything by myself. I'm nothing but an eagle's keeper..." She couldn't hold her tears back any longer. "I'm just a fucking failure...I can't-" Quinn felt a hand on her head. She looked up and found the warden gazing down at her.
"I've heard enough my dear. I did not bring you here to listen to you berate yourself." He helped her out of her seat and the walked towards the entrance. "That's my job." He smiled wide at her as they left the bistro. They walked the streets once more and after a few minutes of back and forth banter Quinn was in high spirits. They obtain some ice-cream from a nearby stall and continued on their way.
"So getting drunk off my ass doesn't help?"
"No it doesn't my dear. One does not need to try so hard to impress the women of the League. Trust me. They all are very welcoming...if not a bit naïve. Except for maybe lady Poppy." The reached the Institute at last and proceed up the elevator. The warden walked Quinn to the glass corridor. "Well my dear, this is where we part. Twas nice meeting you personally. Though I do hope to see Valor more than you on the Rift in the future." He chuckled as Quinn shoved him on the shoulder.
"Yea yea whatever. Thanks for today...I...I really needed it." As she turned around she felt a tap on her shoulder. "Yes?" The warden reached for her headgear, removing it, and flatting out her shoulder length hair. "Why did you-!"
"Now people will actually be able to know you are a woman." He returned her headgear to her. "On the rift, put that on. Off however, literally, let your hair down. Goodnight." The warden walked toward the portal area. Quinn made her way towards the dorms as well. She was about to put her headgear on again until she saw her reflection in the glass. '...Wow...I didn't know I was that pretty.' Ruffling her hair a bit she smiled and nearly skipped down the hall with a smile on her face. As she walked through the waiting room, a hooded figure looked up.
"Well that's new." He whispered to himself as she continued to the dorms. He got up from his seat and watched her walk down the hall. "Hmm...someone got a little sexier today."
"Talon, what are you staring at?" Zed asked his ogling friend. "If it's Akali I'm not saving you ass from Shen again...My leg is still sore from last month."
"Come see for yourself man." Zed looked ahead and saw Quinn.
"Ok that's just Quinn. You do know she the one who ousted you some time back right?"
"Yea but there's something different about her."
"...She just has her hair down."
"Exactly...And that ass though-."
"Yea, you're about two hip sways from jerkin' it and I don't feel like seeing that. Later man." Zed left Talon to his own devices, but soon Quinn was out of sight.
"Mmmm, Quinn. Never paid your little ass back for turnin' me in...But now I think I know how."
~.~
The warden entered the portal area and looked around for the kumiho. She wasn't there. Thresh sighed slightly and continued toward the Shadow Isles. Hey then heard the light footsteps of a certain fox behind him. He turned around and Ahri jumped into his arms.
"Rather sprightly tonight, aren't we Vixen?"
"Yea I am. Wanna know why?" Thresh chuckled and nodded. "Well, I saw a certain scarey someone take a certain feathered someone to a certain restaurant where a certain scarey someone takes me a lot."
"Vixen, I was with lady Quinn, not Valor. Though I would not put it past him to be a very entertaining date."
"You know what I mean. So, how did it go. Were there any sparks? Tell me EVERYTHING!" Ahri was near shivering with excitement and all the warden could do was laugh at her expense.
"The only sparks worth noting were the one's coming out of some idiots motorcycle when we were walking back." Ahri looked confused. "Let's just say, never let Ziggs drive you around. I need to be sure to pay my respects to Rumble in the infirmary tomorrow." Ahri giggled.
"Ok then Mr. Man. If nothing happened between you two, why'd you take her out?"
"I like learning about those I ridicule. Now I can safely say that I insult her within reason. Also, I would like to inform you that she will be more enjoyable company from now on."
"Well aren't you a miracle worker." Ahri said while giving the warden a playful punch in the arm.
"Well, the less complaints I have to hear, the easier it is to deal with you mortals."
"Speaking of mortals~" Ahri walked past Thresh and stood in from of the swirling purple portal to the Isles. "I never really seen much of the Shadow Isles beside the Treeline. Not that I've been too curious. But y'know..." Vixen...please... "I wanna see your place. Can I?"
"Vixen...I do not really have a 'place' per se. As you know, I have no need for sleep or food. My quarters on the Isles is not but the ruined castle of an ancient king. The only place in which I keep in good order is the dungeon's torture room. In essence, I use the place for my craft and nothing more."
"A ruined castle? That sounds amazing! Please can I see? Pleeeeeease!?" Ahri leaned her back against the warden's chest and lifter head to look the warden in the eye. She pursed her lips and tried to make her eyes as large as possible. This did not phase the warden, but he couldn't stand knowing that he may upset her. So he caved.
"You may my dear...Anything for you."
"EEEEEEE!" Ahri jumped once more into his arms and kissed his forehead before returning to the ground and jumping for joy. "Oh my god this is gonna be awesome! You are the best friend a girl could ask for."
"Vixen, you know how dangerous the Isles are."
"Yep, but I'll have you there right." Thresh nodded. "And I promise, I won't leave your side this time~ Woo! So is tomorrow good with you?" Thresh nodded once more. "Nice! Ok dude, seeya later." Ahri skipped away leaving a sullen warden to think of what he was going to do for tomorrow.
...There no way to prepare for this...All I can do is protect her. The only problem will be her wanting to see my craft. I know she will ask for it. I must control myself...I have to...I just fear that her soul will not be able to endure...
For great justice it has been too long! I love the feeling of writing~ I can't thank ya'll enough for still reading. I have tried the whole shorter chapter thing and I will say... This chapter would have been three times as long. So...that suggestion was good. I basically took two ideas and broke them up. Now I know exactly what I'm going to write for next time. Now, I will try my hardest to keep this a Friday to Saturday thing. No matter how short, you guys will get something from me every week. You guys are the greatest~ You may have also noticed there were no summoners here, don't mind that, I haven't stopped with the inserts, so keep sending them in. Thank you all so much~ Stay squishy.