The teacup clacked against the saucer. Karma drew in even breaths, today could have gone better. The moon hung in the sky, but it was far past midnight. Her hand reached for the teapot, and unbeknownst to her, her fingers trembled once.
"Duchess Prakash."
Karma did not hear the arrival of the Judicator, if she were any less composed she would have jumped out of her skin. The Duchess started to rise to her feet when a heavy gauntlet pressed against her shoulder and held her in place.
"Sit. Do not get up for me."
Kayle's armor made no sound as she moved, her greaves not touching the ground as she gently floated over to the opposite side of Karma. With a gentle clink, the Judicator touched the tiled floor and looked down at the Duchess, her expressionless helmet barring any hope to read her current state. She held her sword in front of her, as always, to remind any who she spoke to their position in the conversation: She had questions, she was going to ask them and she expected answers. "I have received word that the Arrow of Vengeance opened fire against a village. Is this true?"
"Yes," Karma said, unflinchingly staring back at Kayle. "He did."
"He was targeting the Exiled Noxian?" Kayle asked, her poise as firm as a statue.
"Yes."
"The Unforgiven Swordsman intervened, yes?"
"Yes," Karma assured, reaching down for her tea.
"Did you intervene?"
"I did."
"Were you harmed?"
Karma was about to answer no, but stopped her tongue. The Judicator was a literal entity, but there was more than physical pain.
"Yes," Karma replied, bowing her head and staring at the cup of tea. The water rippled, her fingers shaking ever so slightly. "He broke my trust."
Instead of a diatribe of how one cannot trust those who are corrupted, instead of the long, drawn out explanation of lost causes, Karma heard plates clink and something slide. Kayle's voice penetrated her thoughts, "Do you need company?"
The Duchess looked up and saw the stoic expression of who she thought to be the Judicator. Kayle's face was neutral, her thin lips a tight line, her platinum blonde hair neatly curtained with two bangs on both sides to provide symmetry, was all afflicted by genuine concern in her usually steeled, sapphire eyes.
It was alien, but Karma took it in stride, actually happy to see such an expression, controlled as it was.
"I would appreciate it, Kayle. Thank you."
"Good answer," Kayle replied with a small nod. "I will stay until you decide to retire to your bed."
"Good answer?" Karma could not help but ask. Was this the Judicator's way of being social?
"Yes. Good answer," Kayle affirmed before reaching down for the teapot. She pointed at it and wordlessly asked the Duchess for permission, who gave the Judicator a small nod of confirmation. She grabbed the handle and started to pour its contents onto the palm of her free hand. Rather than spill everywhere, it was collected into a small sphere, the golden-emerald liquid suspended midair. The Judicator placed the teapot back where it was, raised the sphere to her lips and inhaled a shallow breath. A small stream extended from the sphere and flowed past Kayle's lips when she inhaled, and stopped when she paused to swallow the liquid. "Your heart is yearning for company, but you are here, alone, trying to face the pain without any aid. You should not do so."
"Why should I not?" Karma could not help it. She gave Kayle a smile, but it lacked any warmth. "Is that not what you do, Kayle? Is that not what-"
"You went with your heart, you opened it and you were hurt," Kayle interrupted, her cold voice so sharp a blade that it cut through any attempt at defence. "I am not here to lecture you, I am sure the Beast Man had words to say to you already on this matter. I am here because you were hurt by someone you trusted, foolish or not, it matters not. You will learn, you will adapt, and you will grow."
"To be like you?"
"No," Kayle stated before taking a sip from her tea. "To never become me."
Karma broke her composure by blinking, taken back by what Kayle had said. She eventually asked, "You do not want to be alone either, do you?"
"No. I do not," Kayle admitted without hesitation. "If my presence bothers you, then I will leave. But I would like to spend some time here."
Karma was about to titter, to say that Kayle could have just asked but a thought sparked up in her mind. Kayle could have, but did not, why was that? Looking at the Judicator, the Duchess saw the angel actually relax, ever so slightly, her cheeks slackening and allowing her for a brief moment to look vulnerable. Karma said nothing, drank her tea and allowed her actions to speak for her. She raised up the tea pot and poured more into Kayle's tea sphere.
"Thank you."