an- Hey bbs, holy hell it's been a long time. This new school semester has been nuts! Anyways I made this chapter long because I felt bad that I left you all hanging. I hope I did good. Let me know what you all think. Thank you all for reading and staying this long with me. I'm very happy that I got this out to you guys. I feel like I am neglecting you all XD.
(The Upper City Snowdown Ball) {Three Days Grace- Human Race}
Her full lips twitch behind the rim of the champagne flute. Her pale legs cross over each other, as she trains a steady emerald gaze toward the representative.
He is emotionless as he keeps his attention on the seventeen year old sitting across from him. "When the sheriff mentioned that a young Noxian soldier was trapped in Piltover, I wasn't expecting the Raven Child."
Illya's smirk is laced with so much danger that it sends a shiver down the representative's spine. "Not many call me that and survive." She winks. "Just call me Illya."
"I will not refer our glorious grand general's daughter as something so informal." He utters smoothly, swirling his crystal glass of Noxian Port. "It is absolutely disrespectful to your's and your father's power." He raises a scarred eyebrow to the teenager, investigating her ballroom attire. "You look impeccable, your grace. Will you be looking for suitors this night, or are you dredging in plans that your father has kept secret from the council?"
Illya snorted and gave a low and dangerous chuckle. " And why does that concern you? Suitors or plans, it's still my business."
"It's not your business when an innocent allied city falls prey for no apparent reason. THAT is the business of everyone. You should remind your father of the breach of alliedship and exporting means of technology he could completely ruin." He responds with a gruff and curt scoff.
"Why do we need another city of technology when we have the Zaunites?" She asks with a small smirk. "They are equally as technological and are constantly on the brink of scientific breakthroughs. Infact the Mechanist is well in depth of a new discovery that will change Noxian tactics completely."
"Preposterous." He squints his eyes in suspicion.
"Come walk with me, Representative. We can discuss this situation without listening ears." Illya recommends, standing to her feet and extending her hand gracefully toward the representative, who takes it gingerly and guides her toward the great halls.
The sounds of laughter and music fades as they stride along the great marble hallways in the back of the venue, showing amazing views with large picture windows placed every few steps or so. The city is alive with numerous snowdown lights hanging from trees and numerous buildings. The night sky is quiet with stars and a full bright moon rising from behind the Ironspike mountains.
"Why are you here, your grace?" He questions. "Is the Grand General really going to attack the city of progress?"
She smiles sweetly to the representative. "Do not concern yourself with the city of progress. There is nothing to worry."
"Do not lie to me, Raven child." He growls as he points to her menacingly.
Illya's face falls into something sinister then. She grabs at his exposed wrist and pulls it down so that he is forced to her height. "You do not call me that." She snarls. "As far as you know, representative, I am Illya Ritcher. An infantry soldier from the Einhundret company, just trying to get home to Noxus without prejudice. You will tell the sheriff that there is no way for me to get back without a death warrant. Ensure that she understands that I am stranded with nowhere to turn. Ensure that she knows the grave consequences of abandoning orders in Noxus." She grabs at his lapels and glares venomous daggers at the middle aged man. "And if you want to live, do not let her know of my identity."
"Are those orders, your grace?" He asks with little emotion.
She raises a perfectly manicured lilac eyebrow and gives a menacing grin.
"Yes."
********************************************************************************************\
(Two days later) {Imogen Heap-Tiny Human}
A slim smile spreads through her lips as the sounds of a raging fire and her partner snoring, enters her ears. Vi is sprawled over a half broken couch, with old oil stains plastered onto the dark green fabric. Her neon pink haired head is hanging off the back of the couch, as drool slides down her open mouth. Her long muscular arms are resting along the top and her dirty boots, gather mud on the old surface of the concrete flooring. Her eyes catch the roaring flames, as they lick out of the hot forge, spilling out into the cold garage air. Like a ghostly silhouette, Dakota stands in front of the forge, stoking the flames, shadows dancing along her features.
Her icy eyes are focused on the flames as they are tended by her steady hands. The jumper she is wearing has the arms wrapped around her waist revealing Dakota in a black sports bra. In the light of the flames, the pale scars across her body are angry reminders of times survived and enemies overcome. Caitlyn finds herself tracing them with her observing eyes. What are the stories? What had happened? What made those ugly lines that engrave her pale skin?
She finds she is stepping closer to her biological daughter, hand extended to reach for a scarred shoulder.
"Dakota?" It's a soft whisper, but the soldier catches it with her keen ears. Her eyes leave the forge and they go over the sheriff, taking in the sight of the woman in a purple blazer and black dress pants. The Soldier frowns and steps to the side to block the view of the open forge.
"What are you doing here?" She asks, brushing her fingers through her bangs. Her body is covered in sweat, oil and dirt. Her long arms cross over her chest and she stands defensively in front of her work.
Caitlyn raises a raven black eyebrow. "What are you hiding, Dakota?"
Dakota's blush is as red as a tomato as she grits her teeth. "Nothing for your eyes to see." The girl mutters.
Caitlyn covers her mouth as a small giggle bubbles from her throat, making a sly grin slip through Dakota's thin lips. "My Snowdown present." She deduces between the chuckles. "Alright I will not peek. However, I'll probably have it figured out by Snowdown eve."
Suddenly arms collapse around the Sheriff's waist, lips brought to her jacketed shoulder. "Yer not supposed ta be here, cupcake." Vi nuzzles groggily.
Caitlyn rolls her eyes as her fingers entwine with Vi's hands at her waist. She freezes then, remembering that Dakota is in the room. Her eyes travel to the teenager, who has her back turned to the two lovers, stoking the roaring flames more. Caitlyn pushes Vi back, giving her a scolding look as Vi replies with puppy dog violet eyes.
"Dakota doesn't mind the smooching , Cait." Vi whines.
"Yes, But I am her commander and I must obtain some kind of image of professionalism, Vi." Caitlyn mentions as she smoothes out her blazer.
The teenager chuckles out as she reaches for a rag, drying her sweaty lithe hands on the oil stained yellow fabric. She hikes the rag over her shoulder and crosses her long pale arms over her chest. "Screw professionalism, Cait. You are one hell of a lot closer to me than most people." She points out striding over toward a basin, swiping at the metal ladle and taking a large drag of water. She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. "What brings you over to customs?" Dakota asks, leaning on the rim of the water basin with a devilish smirk splayed along her mouth. Around her are tools and workbenches that line the walls. At the far end of the garage there are the empty bodies of torn apart hexmobiles abandoned for the day, as the mechanics had left hours ago. A massive mural of flames and the owner's prized copter, is painted along with the large logo of the business.
Piltover Customs served as a safe haven for Vi and her hextech exploits. Caitlyn's mind made a quick mental note to order a card and a gift of thanks for Corki. It was too kind of him to allow Vi and Dakota to spend their sundays enveloped in his shop.
"Ya, I myself, would like ta know that one." Vi interjects, poking Caitlyn's ribs playfully, making the sheriff scowl at the grinning pinkette. The brawler strides over to the water basin and nudges Dakota over with her hip, pushing the girl out of the way and gaining a sour icy scowl from the teenager.
"Well as it so happens, Corporal Flynn was in my office." Caitlyn begins.
Dakota's heart freezes, her eyes widening in shock."Sh-she what?" Dakota stutters.
Beside her, Vi spits out the water she had just gulped, and begins a boisterous laugh. She punches at Dakota's arm in uncontained glee and scoops the girl up in a massive bear hug. Dakota squeaks out in surprise.
"See I told ya didn't I. Just play it cool, kiddo. Didn't I say that. They always come back. I fucking told ya!" Vi drops Dakota and wraps her muscular arms around the girl's swan like neck. Her wide grimy hand cards into Dakota's raven black locks, musing the strands into an array of crazy directions.
"Vi." Dakota complains as she tries to push the brawler away, giving Caitlyn a grumpy look as Vi, hugs her from behind. She huffs out, blowing her bangs out of her face. "What did Taryn want?"
Caitlyn raises an eyebrow and gives a small chuckle as she rummages into her purse, retrieving a small black protective case the size of a book. She extends the small box toward Dakota, who finally fends off Vi, slipping out of the pinkette's embrace. Her hands gather around the box as her icy eyes widen with curiosity and wonder. Her fingers find the safety latch and exposes the sleek black weapon, placed gently in black velvet. "Emma Flynn's pistol." Dakota Gasps, letting her fingers glide over the dark Ionian platinum. Vi peers over Dakota's shoulder giving a chorus of appreciative 'oohs' and 'ahhs'.
"She asked me to give you this." Caitlyn adds, passing over a folded parchment to Dakota's shaking hands. She tenderly places the pistol box onto the wooden surface of a nearby workbench, and opens the parchment, letting her eyes drift through the cursive letters.
Dakota,
Hey. First of all I want to apologize. You were right, I've been acting like a stuck up asshole toward you. It was totally uncalled for and unnecessary. I really hope that I haven't scared you off with my stupidity and that you are willing to give me a second chance.
Second. Yes, that is my sister's prized pistol. No, you can't keep it.
Dakota frowns. "Damn." She mutters before continuing on.
The stupid thing malfunctioned and my sister, being naive and stubborn, decided that she would try and fix it. Anyways, the loading pin snapped due to my sister's fiddling and she has been heartbroken ever since.
See there are literally only two hextecnologists that are capable of fixing it in this city. One has incredible overpriced rates, while the other lives in a shady spot near the lower city docks with a knack of selling his clientele's pieces over to smugglers for handsome gold. If I could be so bold as to ask a favour, would there be a possibility of you fixing this? I would love to get it repaired for Snowdown and I know you love fixing complicated things. I know I can trust you with my sister's "child".
Third. So now that I kind of given your mind a moment to think over that second chance, how about I take you out to lunch as a thank you, for taking on the responsibility of being my sister's saving grace? As you will see inscribed at the bottom of this page is my hexcommunicator number. Let me know if you can fix it and if you can't that's totally fine, I can suck it up and pay the hefty fees for the first guy.
I owe you one,
Taryn
She folds the paper and turns to the workbench quickly setting herself to work. Her fingers gingerly pick up the piece and instantly her hands disassemble the platinum casing, revealing the guts and inner mechanisms of the hextech pistol. She pulls out bent gears and cogs, giving little disappointed noises as her eyes go over the sad bent metal pieces. She turns her frowning face over to Vi. "Her sister is a barbarian." She whines. "No wonder it malfunctioned. It's bent all to fuck!" Dakota's brow furrows in concentration as she works out the split metal loading pin.
"Language." Caitlyn tuts, earning an eye roll from the teenager and a slight guffaw from Vi.
The brawler claps Dakota's shoulder. The soldier grins excitedly to the pinkette. "We'll finish Cait's present then get to work on this. I'm going to have to craft a new pin for this." There's a slight maniacal tone that enters into the excited teenager's voice. "And we'll have to gut it out entirely and replace some of the cogs."
"Wanna go see if we can scope out a new power combination crystal? We can up the power and get this fucking thing blasting heads off like a cheap whore!"
"Vi!" Caitlyn screeches. "A young girl doesn't need to hear your sailor's tongue!"
"Hell yeah!" Dakota jumps, ignoring the fuming sheriff, and high fiving the brawler, who gives a mischievous grin over to Caitlyn, waggling her eyebrows to the smaller woman.
"Not like you to complain about my tongue."
Caitlyn turns beet red and Dakota bursts out into a ruckus of laughter, holding her abdomen as the sound bounces off the concrete walls of the garage.
"I cannot believe you just said that! For the love of the gods, Vi! There are young ears around!" Caitlyn shrieks as she furiously shakes a fist at her partner, who rolls violet eyes.
(3 Days later) {ILLENIUM- Fortress (Ft. Joni Fatora)}
"Stop fidgeting." Abbie snaps.
Her harsh voice takes the teenager out of her dazed state, fingers buttoning and unbuttoning her wool over coat over and over again.
"What if this was a joke?" Her voice cracks with concern. "What if she is pulling something?"
"Dakota." Elric's voice is soft and caring as he approaches his sister, fixing the lapels at her jacket and taking a strand of her bangs and brushing them behind her ear. "Taryn isn't the kind of girl to pull cruel jokes like that." He watches as she gnaws on her lower lip in worry.
"But what if..?"
"Seriously Dakota, use that brain of yours." Abbie interjects, rolling her eyes. "Do you really think Taryn Flynn is capable of doing something like that."
"No, but I-"
"Then stop worrying." Abbie cuts.
"Plus you have the Sampson charm." Elric winks. "Girls can't resist that."
That pulls a small smile on the girl's lips. "By charm, you do mean putting my foot in my mouth? Because I seem to do that a lot."
"You'll be fine. Just be yourself, and if Taryn can't see how awesome of a person you are, then she isn't worth it."
Dakota huffs, small clouds billowing out from her mouth as her breath reacts with the cold winter air. Its then that her eyes catch Taryn, walking toward the cafe. Her stomach clenches with nervous butterflies as her gaze roves over the girl.
"You'll be fine. Just be yourself." Elric claps at her shoulder as he and Abbie turn to enter into the cafe. "We'll be inside if you need us."
Dakota nods. Her attention fixates back to Taryn and she takes a second to calm herself. She takes a deep breath, collecting her thoughts as Taryn takes her final steps to approach the soldier.
"Hey." The brunette greets shyly, hiding her freckled face behind a pale baby blue scarf. "Thanks for allowing me to take you out to lunch."
Dakota nervously chuckles. "The pleasure is mine." She finds it hard to breathe as Taryn's steel gray eyes sparkle with joy. "Shall we go inside?" She gestures to the brick walkway to the entrance of the cafe. She notices the small creeping blush gathering on the brunette's freckled cheeks. A small smirk plays along Dakota's lips as she guides them inside, revelling in the heat of the cafe. They sit at a small table located by a more quieter and private area that provides a window view of founder's park.
They are met by a smiling waitress who takes their orders and dissipates within the small busy lunch rush of the cafe.
Dakota removes her jacket, placing the wool material over the back of her chair. She brushes her fingers through her hair, taking a deep breath to calm herself of the crazed butterflies flipping in her stomach. She looks up from her eyelashes, a trick she learned from Elric, and gave a wide charming smile toward the girl sitting across from her.
"How are things?" She asks, letting the nerves slide off her body as she watches Taryn unwrap her scarf and throw her light brown hair over her shoulder, cupping a strand behind the shape of an ear.
"Very good actually." She mentions, smiling over to the waitress who places mugs in front of them. She picks up the white cup with both of her hands, bringing up to her face letting the heat seep off and warm her freezing digits. She takes a small sip of her coffee and hums in content. "Our unit is getting honoured again. Emma has lead us well."
"Congratulations. Your unit has always been one of the strongest. I'm glad you are getting some kind of recognition." Dakota takes a spoon, twirling it in the light green colour of her Ionian mint tea.
"How about you? I heard you and Vi have been in the works over at Piltover Customs?" Taryn asks placing her chin on top of a fist, watching Dakota's wrist rotate with each spoon twirl.
"Yeah, I've been lucky enough to be under Vi's tutelage. Actually we had just finished making snowdown presents. We even got to work on Emma's pistol." Dakota sighs then. "The next time if it malfunctions, that's a big if after I made some changes it shouldn't malfunction again." Dakota begins.
"That's awfully cocky of you to say." Taryn giggles.
Dakota chuckles. "As I was saying, IF it malfunctions, bring it to me as soon as possible, rather than have your sister destroy the poor thing. No point in mutualizing it." Dakota frowns behind her mug. "Vi and I had to re fashion the entire loading system. I don't understand why the crafter made a loading pin out of soft metal." Dakota scoffs.
"Money?" Taryn adds.
"Maybe, probably trying to make more cash out of your sister. I'm just surprised that it lasted that long."
"She only brings it out like two to three times a year over at the shooting range. She never uses it any other time. It really surprised us that she even bought the damned thing." Taryn grumbles.
Dakota quirks out a small smirk. "Whoever said diamonds are a girl's best friend, obviously didn't meet your sister."
Taryn rolls her eyes. "Totally. She is infatuated with guns. She literally told me last night that she wanted a gun blade. A gunblade! She's going to get herself killed touching those things. Ugh it makes me worry so much."
"Elric gets the same way with shields. Last year I made him a custom one. Completely made out of blood, sweat and curses. What does he do two months later after receiving it? He starts ogling at some Demacian relic shield in a shop window." Dakota leans back in the chair shaking her head. "The gall."
The two girls both break out into a round of giggles.
Taryn looks at Dakota with appreciative steel eyes. "I missed this. I miss talking to you."
Dakota gives a small side small and leans onto the table top. She lifts her mug, holding it in the air between them. "To a new start?"
Taryn blushes and bites at her lower lip. She raises her mug and clinks the edge against Dakota's mug. "To a new start."
*************************************************************************************#%^**
(That afternoon) {MaLuca- Holding On To Everything}
Her head fell back as she looked up at the inner working of the clock tower. When Dakota had suggested going out into the cold winter air to do some exploration of their birth city, Taryn had jumped at the chance. When she was a young girl, her life had been filled with exploration and the positive interests of histories of city states like Piltover, Zaun and Bandle City. Her dreams were filled with unexplored ruins, drying and faded maps, tomb raiders and a particular blonde smiling young man presenting her with an award of exploration excellence.
It made her giddy that Dakota remembered this side of her. Especially after the two of them reminisced of times spent on top of Demacian rooftops and reading books, while the market streets busied underneath them. The stories they would tell each other of new inventions and ruins discovered in precariously dangerous locations. Dakota would stand then, swearing she would fight by her side so that they could find the treasures inside. The two girls would then break out in giggling fits, holding their abdomens, trying not to fall off the clay shingles and on to the streets below.
"You coming?"
Taryn's head snapped to Dakota's voice seeing the girl beaming as she was crouched on top of an old wooden rafter.
"How in the void did you get up there?" She asked incredulously. She roved her eyes around the small open ceiling room.
Dakota chuckled. She stood from her perch and casually strode over to a near wall. "There is a small ledge that you can lift yourself on over here. Hope you have the upper body strength you used to have."
"When you carry shields the size of your body, you obviously have upper body strength." Taryn scoffed. She hopped a bit catching the edge of her digits into the wooden ledge. She gave a small grunt as she hoisted herself up. She wobbly stood up, extending her arms from her body to give her a little bit of balance. She took her eyes off her feet, after she ensured she wasn't going to slip off. She then came face to face with Dakota's grinning face.
"Try to keep up, Flynn." Dakota stuck her tongue out and took off up the rafters, crawling up beams and wall ledges to get to the top.
Taryn took a second to admire the way she moved. It was like watching art being created in front of her. Dakota moved fluidly from rafter to rafter, never slowing down or speeding up. She had enough time to think through her travel path, but had the speed to go through it all quickly.
Taryn rolled her eyes and followed suit, taking a bit more time than Dakota. She finally hauls herself up to Dakota, who extends a hand to help the brunette up. Gratefully, she takes it and is hoisted up easily by the stunning girl. Dakota places a hand on her waist to help her balance on the beam, getting her center of gravity focused to keep her from falling over.
Taryn watches the concentration in Dakota's face and she finds herself blushing as she realises the other girls proximity to her. She lavished in the way that Dakota's hands were placed firmly to ensure her safety. It's then that she notices, her beautiful icy eyes, boring into her steel gray hues. The touch of a small smirk teased at the corner of her lips, as Dakota regarded the brunette's blushing face.
"Just like old times." Dakota murmurs.
"Yeah." Taryn confirms with a small whisper. She notices that Dakota has her other hand entwined with hers, their fingers laced together. The girl turns away as she rubs a thumb on the back of her hand.
"I come here to think sometimes." Dakota mentions as she gently tugs at Taryn's hand to follow her.
Taryn understands why she does. The massive moving cogs and ticking gears represent the primary inner workings of every piece of hextech equipment. The goliaths turn to create a chain reaction to move the hands on the clock face.
It is movement.
It is the inner mechanisms she works tirelessly on.
It is Dakota.
Taryn is being lead by Dakota toward a workman's catwalk that labyrinths among the massive metal pieces. They take metal steps to a final ledge where a massive door sits precariously in the dust motes.
"Alright, this is the best part." Dakota turns herself to Taryn. "Close your eyes."
Taryn squints at her. "Why?"
"Just trust me, okay?"
Taryn rolls her eyes, but does as she is told.
She hears the sound of Dakota grunt and the screech as the metal door is open. A small gust of cold winter air makes her shiver. She feels the warmth of Dakota's hand clasping hers as she is lead out of the warmth of the clock tower.
She hears Piltovian doves cooing at her and the sound of flags whipping in the wind. Below there is the constant drone of hexmobiles and electro carriages driving by and the sound of civilians milling amongst each other leaving for work.
"Ok." Dakota's voice is right at her ears and she jumps a little. She feels Dakota's hands go to her hips as she is maneuvered to face into a direction. Suddenly Dakota's presence leaves, her warm hands are gone from her waist.
"Open your eyes."
And when she does, she gasps loudly at the beauty. The setting sun washes the Piltovian city skyline in beautiful hazes of oranges and pinks. Gulch bay sparkles with winter sea waves and schooners docking in for the night. The city's skyscrapers reflect off the light with their pristine glass panes.
"Oh gods." Taryn whispers as her eyes take in everything. "I have never seen anything so beautiful in my entire life."
"I have." Dakota is at her side, her hands dug deep into her over coat pockets. Her face is nuzzled into the neck of the wool material. Her raven black locks whip out behind her from the winter breeze.
"Oh really?" Taryn turns to her, raising a light brown eyebrow.
"Yeah, you."
Taryn is taken a back. "That was good."
Dakota chuckles. "I know right. Sampson charm, or so my brother calls it."
Taryn regards her blushing face with a smile. "That was really good." She then takes the risk. She wraps an arm around Dakota's neck, watching as her icy eyes widen, and places a hand along her jawline. She tips the girl's chin and tilts her head, looking at Dakota with half lidded steel pools. "Really, really good." She whispers against Dakota's thin lips.
Suddenly, the chime of a hextech communicator rings in the air and Taryn places her forehead against Dakota's shoulder. "I'm sorry, I have to take this."
Dakota smirks. "Go ahead."
Taryn breaks apart from Dakota and stomps away.
"Emma, you better have a bloody good reason to be bothering me right now?" Taryn hisses.
"Easy there. I don't need you at my throat either." Emma grumbles in the receiver.
"Who else is at your throat?" Taryn asks, turning back to Dakota who leans on the ledge overlooking the city with observative eyes. She bites at her lower lip as she thinks how close she got to finally pressing her lips to Dakota's.
"Our commanders, we are to have an inspection in thirty minutes and your ass isn't here." Emma growls.
"Oh no." Taryn closes her eyes and sighs. "Alright, I'll be there in a bit."
"If you aren't here Taryn, I will kick your ass back a century. Also do you know where my pistol went? I got a hextechnologist to come take a look at it, but I couldn't find it."
Taryn frowns as she feigns worry. "Couldn't tell you. Did you check your bunk?"
"Of course I did."
"Alright, alright calm down. I'll help you look for it after inspection. See you in a bit." Quickly she hangs up and strides over to Dakota.
"Sadly I have been called back to HQ. We have an unscheduled inspection in thirty you for today. I haven't had this much fun in a long time." Taryn looks at her feet. "If you would like, I would love to do this again."
"Yeah, I would love to." Dakota mentions, smiling at the brunette. "I also had fun today. It felt like we were kids again."
Taryn chuckles. "I believe I left something unfinished."
"Oh?" Dakota gives out a cheeky grin as Tarryn wraps her arms around her neck once more. Dakota places her hands at her waist and she meets Taryn's forehead with her own. She closes her eyes as she brushes their noses together. Dakota presses her lips against Taryn's, starting out soft and controlled, being gentle enough to get Taryn to crave more.
It's then that it turns heated as Taryn's fingers curl into the strands of her raven black locks, pulling the girl closer to her body. A small groan rolls out of Dakota's throat as Taryn's fingers slide from her hair to her jaw, caressing the her jawline with her thumbs. Her nails drag against the skin as one of her hands travel down her neck and groups at the lapels of her over coat. The kiss feels like a smoldering fire as they fight for breath in between their kissing.
The sound of a hexcommunicator rings out and with an angry noise, Taryn reaches into her pocket and throws it behind her hopefully falling to the streets below as she hungrily kisses the girl infront of her. Dakota breaks the kiss as she laughs. Taryn presses their foreheads together, grinning as her chest heaves for air.
"You better get going, I don't want your sister getting mad at you." Dakota mentions. She gently places a small kiss on her cheek. "How about we meet up again at the cafe next weekend?"
"I would like that very much." Taryn smiles. She pulls away and she feels warmth disappear from her body. She frowns slightly and takes small steps back. "Until then. I'll see you later Dakota Sampson."
Taryn heaves the heavy metal door open and leaves Dakota alone on the rooftop of the clock tower.
Dakota looks up into the sky with the largest smile valoran had ever seen. She laughs out loud in glorious victory, throwing her long arms up.
"SAMPSON FUCKING CHARM!" She laughs out into the Piltovian air.
(Minutes Before) {Placebo-Running Up That Hill}
Shadows envelop her as if she was birthed in them. She is perched like a bird of prey.
Her emerald eyes watch patiently from the adjacent rooftop, as she huddles into cotton and leather as the winter wind claws itself into her body.
Curse this damned city. Just when she started liking it, she began to despise the cold weather. Her eyes then catch the flash of metal as a door is opened wide.
"Finally." She mutters.
It had been twenty minutes when they first entered into the clock tower. She had followed the two girls easily on the street and knowing Dakota, she knew they would have went upward. So she patiently waited, and waited and waited.
She watches as Dakota takes the other girl and maneuvers her to see the sunset.
"Ugh,Dakota, you are so original." She rolls her eyes sarcastically as she places her chin on top of her fist."Seriously, sunset watching. I bet she's going to say something like 'oh you think this is beautiful, I've seen prettier, like you'. Ugh. So corny and predictable."
Her eyebrows shoot up as she watches the lesser soldier wrapping an arm around Dakota's neck. She watches as the distance between them closes, their faces millimeters apart. Her finger glides over the combat knife at her ankle, as a small tinge of jealousy curls in her chest.
The brunette was drop dead gorgeous.
But Dakota deserved better.
Dakota deserved an Empress.
Or so she'd make her think that.
Suddenly they pull away and the brunette goes to answer her hexcommunicator. Dakota scratches the back of her neck and leans forward, placing her lithe hands on the edge of the building's rooftop. Her eyes rove the rooftops, looking for something, as if her instincts are telling her she is being watched.
Illya smirks. "No way she'll find me." She mutters to herself.
It's as if Dakota heard her as her icy eyes swivel to Illya's location and smirks at the Noxian. She rises from her leaning form, standing tall keeping eye contact with Illya, who stays frozen in place. Dakota crosses her arms over her chest with a raised eyebrow, as if to say I see you, no need to continue hiding.
"Stupid sniper eyes." She curses quietly.
She watches as Dakota turns back to the brunette, who looks apologetic.
"Probably has to leave." Illya snorts. "Yeah, good ridd-" She is cut short as she watches the distance close between them again and their lips meld. "Damn. You had to make things fucking difficult didn't you." She growls.
(3 days later) {POD-Youth Of The Nation}
The knock is firm despite the shivering. It taps along the heavy oak door that had been expertly carved with the Deramore insignia.
Dakota stands at the back of the group, with Alex at her side and Matais, Abbie and Elric at the front.
The butler opens the door inspecting the five soldiers dressed to perfection in their uniforms, with the white brimmed caps, placed on top of their heads.
"Ah, the fifty first. I have been quite intrigued as to when you would arrive." The butler speaks tilting his nose up at the soldiers.
"I was told that we were to arrive at five." Abbie asks suspiciously.
"Yes," The butler responds coldly.
"Then what is the issue?" She asks, letting a bit of her temper sneak into her voice.
"I didn't expect dirty orphans to be so timely is all. You obviously exceeded my expectations." He quips, putting Abbie in a flaming stew. Elric twined his fingers with her, gently rubbing his thumb over her index finger in soothing circles. He was about to take control of the situation until a familiar high Piltovian accent cut behind the butler.
"Thomas, if you address my soldiers like that again, I will have you fired on the spot." Caitlyn seethes, glaring icy daggers at the butler who rolls his tired dark eyes.
"Of course. Apologies, Sheriff. I stepped out of line." He bows his head and departs the entrance giving Caitlyn the freedom to invite the cold soldiers in.
"I am gravely sorry for that." Caitlyn begins as she moves out of the way. "Come in, before you all get frostbite." Her brows furrow as she inspects them, ensuring appendages didn't fall off. Her eyes soften as she regards Dakota, who looks very crisp in her formal uniform. The Dark grey uniform jacket was tailored to fit her form perfectly. A white belt was wrapped around her waist with a golden buckle. Four shining metals were adorned on the left side of her chest, just below the small square of her last name. She removed the dark grey cap from her head, showing her raven hair tied into a tight bun. A strand of her bangs fell out of place and with squinted eyes, Dakota cupped the stray strand behind her ear. "You are all looking quite sharp." Caitlyn says as she turns away from Dakota and picks at a loose thread on Elric's shoulder.
He beams at her. "Thanks Cait." He murmurs quietly.
"Where is Vi?" Dakota asks. "I have something for her."
"She is in the parlour entertaining guests, we will be starting the feast soon." Caitlyn answers. "Let me take you five over. Do not be afraid to mingle. Our guests are mostly old men from the council." Caitlyn mentions as she leads them down a hall and toward a massive mahogany door. She opens it to reveal a room with a dark green carpet and pine siding along the wall. Book shelves lined some of the walls and a few taxidermied animals were mounted along the wall. Dakota looked in awe at what she would call the hunting room. Historical pieces of old rifles and weapons were placed on display for visitors. She spotted Vi by an old Ionian spear laughing with a group of old men with scruffy white beards.
"The fifty first, welcome." Catherine Deramore greeted. The twenty or so guests all turned their heads toward the new arrivals.
Elric stepped forward, shaking the Doctor's hand. "We would like to thank you for having us here and inviting us for the meal." He bowed his head gratefully and kissed the top of the Doctor's hand. He gave a charming smile and stood tall with his shoulders back.
"A charmer just like your father was." Catherine chuckles.
Abbie smirks and gingerly takes the doctor's hand in her, offering her thanks. She goes around the rest of the group. Matais bowed his head, staying true to his Ionian roots. Alex shifted his eyes to Abbie then to the woman standing before him. He gently took her hand in his and for the first time in a long time he stayed quiet, clearly uncomfortable with the setting of powerful people around him. Catherine then came to Dakota. The Doctor wrapped an arm around the girl pulling her into a small embrace. Dakota stood stock frozen, looking to Elric and Abbie for help.
"Mother." Caitlyn's voice caught her mother off guard as she pulled away from the soldier. Caitlyn gave a smile. "Embry is here, he was wondering where he could place the scotch he received from Demacia."
"Oh, Embry, tell him I will be right there." Catherine placed a hand onto Dakota's shoulder. "Since you are here, darling, I'll have to show you the invention room later. Would you be interested?"
"Of course." Dakota answered with a wide smile.
Catherine beamed, and like a wisp she dispersed to go welcome the new guest.
Caitlyn gave Dakota an apologetic look. The teenager chuckled waving it off. Caitlyn rolled her eyes playfully, placing a lithe hand on the shoulder that Catherine had just touched.
"Hey kiddo," Vi called out. "C'mere you gotta meet my man, Gentry." Vi drapes her arm around a beaming man who waves toward the sheriff and the soldier.
Dakota grins at Caitlyn.
"Go on then." Caitlyn encourages.
Dakota nods and pushes through the guests to arrive at Vi's side. Caitlyn watched as Vi wrapped her arm around the girl's shoulders and introduced her to Gentry.
"Your mother has gotten attached to the girl." Peter's gruff voice made Caitlyn jump. She looked to her father with side eyes as he presented a crystal glass of Bilgewater Port toward his daughter. She raises an eyebrow at him as she accepts it. He clinks his glass against hers. They both take a small sip, swirling their wrists to get more of the flavour out.
"Why, is that an issue?" She asks crossing her arm around her midsection and resting her elbow on her arm. She brings the glass to her lips, concealing the slight challenging smirk.
He keeps tight lipped as he watches the guests mingle with the others. He watches Elric as he is in deep discussion with one of his trusted statesman.
"That boy would have made a great politician. He could probably charm death when it comes for him." Peter adds, his words slightly slurred. He tips the rest of the contents in his glass back, taking the fiery liquid in one gulp.
"Don't avoid the question." Caitlyn quipps, keeping her eyes on Dakota and Vi as the two of them dramatically recount their tale of blowing up Jayce's lab.
"She isn't one of us, Caitlyn." He sighs, turning to his drink table and pouring more into his glass. "Yet, the two of you adore her. Even Vi has taken a liking to the child that ruined your life."
Caitlyn's face falls. "She never ruined my life. Infact, since her arrival back to Piltover, I have never been happier. My life partner enjoys her company and begs me to spend more time with her." Peter winces at the word life partner, making Caitlyn angrier. "It's like Vi was meant to be her parent, father. So get over it. If she chooses to be close to us, that is up to her and I am more then willing to have a relationship with my daughter." She whispers angrily.
Her father shakes his head. "You are making a huge mistake letting her in. What if she discovers who you actually are to her? Hmm?" His voice began to rise then, gathering a bit of attention.
Catherine swooped in, placing herself beside her husband, going under his arm and placing her palm on his chest. "Peter, you need to calm down, this instant." She hissed through a smile. Peter dropped his head and frowned deeply, ashamed at raising his voice. The guests returned to their conversations.
"Whatever tiff the two of you are having, knock it off." Catherine warns glaring ice toward her husband and daughter. "This is Snowdown, not battle arena twelve." She scolds.
Caitlyn sighs. "Fine, we'll discuss this later, father." She cuts her eyes at her father as she struts past him, placing her glass firmly on the mahogany drink table. She goes over to Vi and Dakota, who begin their next tale on some adventure she was unknown to.
"And you shoulda seen the look on that guy's face, when she back flips off the table. I'm pretty sure his pants turned a different shade of brown. And that folks is how we got thirty gold richer!" The small crowd around them give out a ruckus of laughter. Vi pats Dakota's back and nudges her with her shoulder, grinning like an idiot. Grinning that grin that she fell in love with the day the two of them met. Caitlyn smirks as she wraps an arm around her enforcer's waist. Vi's arm drapes around Caitlyn's shoulders, and she places a sloppy kiss on Caitlyn's cheek.
"Hey," Vi welcomes, as love and commitment fills her beautiful violet eyes. "Anyways, boys. This kid here is a bloody genius. You should see these axes she made. By the gods, best handcrafted weapons I have ever seen. Blows Jayce's stuff right out of the water."
"I'm not that great." Dakota murmurs.
"Hey don't be modest. You have talent." Vi pushes with a smirk. "She's so good I'd have her work on my gauntlets any day."
The sound of appreciative noises comes from the crowd.
A grandfather clock chimes out the hour and the crowd turns their attention to Catherine as she stands in front of another set of heavy doors.
"Hello everyone. I would like to thank you all for coming and spending your Snowdown eve with us. We would like to now invite you all to our dinning hall, so that we may begin." Catherine turns to the door, pushing the massive wooden door open revealing a massive high ceilinged room. Three chandeliers hung from the white ceiling, lined with golden trim. The massive table that took at the center of the room had a total of thirty-five chairs. A red tablecloth adorned the wooden surface and the feast's spoils were placed in the middle of the table. Each place setting contained a plate a set of cutlery and champagne in flutes.
"Illya does not know what she is missing. Sucks to be her" Alex mentioned as he ogled at the food. The Noxian had refused saying, she'd like to be alone. It must have been hard being away from your friends and family on a day that celebrates togetherness. "Oh gods, look at all of the cooked fowl. I will die happy after eating something this big."
"Don't over due it, Alex." Abbie warned. "And be polite. There are some very classy people here who demand respect and you will show through eating like an adult."
"Yeah yeah, I'll be fine mom." Alex rolled his eyes, strutting confidently toward a setting and beckoning for his company to join them.
"You're sure he's eighteen, right?" Dakota asked.
"That's enough out of you." Elric scolded. "Don't get him riled up, the last thing we need if for you guys to start a fist fight in the middle of the dining hall."
Dakota rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say, El."
"The two of them are going to give you guys strokes, if you keep worrying about them." Matais added. "Just relax, and trust that they'll be ok. They're mature teens." He brushed by them taking a spot next to Alex.
Elric sighed. "I'll start praying now, and hopefully it'll go well."
Abbie smirks at Elric as the two of them take their respective seat across from Alex and Dakota and Matais. "We should have started praying yesterday." She jokes.
"Mmm, you're absolutely right, our odds would have been much better."
Catherine and Peter, take their seats at the head of the table. Caitlyn sits at her mother's right hand, with Vi at Caitlyn's side. At Vi's right, Dakota sits patiently, letting her eyes trace the intricate gold pattern on the wall. They smile at the soldiers, who beam happily toward their commander.
Catherine stands as she raises her champagne flute. "To a safe and happy snowdown, may the gods shine upon us with wealth of family and happiness. Praise be to this feast."
The guests around the table reiterate the mantra. "Praise be to this feast." While clinking glasses and taking sips of the expensive liquid.
"Let us eat." And with that Catherine Deramore sits and the feast begins. The guests chatter among themselves discussing politics and familial means.
"So, Ms. Sampson." Peter begins as he swallows a piece of goose. He takes a light sip of his champagne and stares his lake like pools at Dakota. "I see you have the Honour Cross. Did you know that only seven people have received that award? All of them Demacian?" He smirks as he sets his fork down, gaining the attention of the guests. "Mind telling us as to how, a Piltovian teenager, wears it on her chest?" Catherine and Caitlyn both glare at him as he stares at the girl with pure hate.
She stares directly to Peter, giving an icy glare that would freeze the winter winds outside. "I mean no disrespect toward you Statesman Deramore, but it is Master Corporal Sampson. Just like you have toiled for this title." She says evenly.
Peter chuckles, taking another long swig of his Bilgewater Port. "Apologies." He grins sadistically to Dakota. "Master Corporal Sampson." He hisses. "Do you mind telling us how a teenage girl, unfit for battle, had gotten a prestigious award given only to Demacian soldiers?"
"Father?!" Caitlyn questions loudly.
The company rises from their seats. "Guys, easy." Dakota murmurs, earning confused looks from her comrades. "He does not know the things we have all went through. Just relax."
"Well, he doesn't need to be disrespectful about it." Abbie scoffs taking her seat.
"Yeah, no need to be an asshat, buddy." Alex warns following his sister's lead. Matais and Elric both share looks, before they return to their seats. Elric takes a large breath, giving his sister a worried look.
"Alex, there is no need of that." Dakota mentions. She returns her gaze toward the Statesman. "My mother has taught me few things in life, sir." She murmurs, taking a small sip from the champagne flute. "But one lesson that sticks with me even now is that dinner conversation should not include war, religion or grudges. Thus, I deem the topic something unmentionable at a dinner party that is meant to celebrate peace and family bonds. Especially during Snowdown, sir."
Catherine looks to Dakota with a proud smile. "Of course, darling. War is such a terrible matter to discuss at a time like th-"
"Catherine." Peter says sternly as he raises a hand to the woman's face, silencing the woman who glares at him angrily. "I'm sure the gentlemen in the room are just as curious as I am. Do tell us how you 'earned' that medal." He jeers.
Dakota turns her attention to Catherine. "I must apologize in advance, Doctor, for obliging to your husband's request. It is very rude of me to depict something so explicit at a table. But he wants to know, so I will sate his curiosity. Please accept my apologies ma'am."
Catherine sighs. "If only my husband could act as mature as you, darling. If you must, go ahead. My husband will be persistent if he doesn't get what he pleases."
Dakota nods as she looks to her plate. "I was twelve." She begins. "The Noxians had been pushing the Demacian front, ravaging farm towns and burning crops. They killed hundreds of innocents. The food shortage in the capitol instantly hit, causing most of the residing civilians to forge and scrape for food. To detain order they asked us not to feed any of the beggars, to just turn a blind eye to them." Subconsciously Dakota rubs at her right shoulder, remembering the hissing pain of the reed on her skin after giving her rations to a mother with three children. "Anyways, times were getting tough for the Demacians. Every time they encountered Noxians their ranks would be decimated. The nation was short on soldiers, food and morale."
The guests around the table leaned closer to the girl as she recounted her past. Vi reached for Caitlyn's hand underneath the table as her violet eyes stayed glued to Dakota. The soldier looked directly to her brother, giving him a sad side smile.
"The Demacians begged Piltover Company to assist them. Our Demacian commanders had plead our Piltovian commanders to give the go ahead for our troops to march alongside them. They only gave the order for the fifty first. At the time, it was law for anyone under sixteen to be taken out of the participation of any battle. However, the Demacians needed soldiers, so Alex and I were also taken. We were to be the runners, messengers and medics. Alex and I were ordered to drag the dead and the wounded off of the muddy fields, so that they could be inspected by the medical team. The others were placed with generals. Abbie and Matais helped plan out and lead small forces that attacked and controlled the enemy encampments, using guerilla warfare to destroy their resources. My brother was placed on the front lines, joining the Demacian phalanx."
By now the room was completely quiet. It was silent enough that a pin could be heard as it clattered to the carpeted flooring.
"It was on the day of the eighth Noxian charge. We were told by Demacian scouts that this was their final force, their final fighting unit within a three hundred mile radius. We were told that this was to be the last charge."
"I was positioned near front lines, doing as I was ordered, when a Demacian scout captain on his last breath had grabbed me. He wouldn't let me go until he told me that there was another wave of them, that they were coming. It was his dying request that I relay the message to the other leaders. I didn't understand what he meant. He just kept telling me about the second wave and that it was coming. I had thought that he was delusional and didn't hear that they had limited in numbers. It was then that I heard my brother's unit fighting. I could see through the smoke that it was close. I could hear him screaming. I could hear him desperately fighting." Her voice cracked then. She took a pause, to breathe out the hard emotions.
"She came at my attacker like a bat out hell." Elric spoke, his lips turning up slightly in a proud smirk. "Her scream rang through my bones and it even stunned me. She flew right at him, wrapped her skinny arms around him and finished him. Right then and there I realised my sister was stronger than me in spirit. I was so ready to give up, to let him take me, but she didn't let her size deter her."
Dakota's lips quirked up. "It was then that the second charge of Noxians came roaring from the hills. It hit me that the scout was trying to warn me, to tell me that we were wrong. The Demacians were lucky to get into formation quickly to take on the first wave, but they wouldn't last if there was to be another. I told Elric to tell his captain, to get the remaining units off the fields and to the defensive trenches. I remembered there was a trench about a few kilometers away and I took off. I had to let them know that Elric's adopted unit was retreating, that they needed reinforcements and aid as soon as possible. I had never ran so fast in my entire life."
"I got into the trench and had to fend off some Demacian soldiers who thought I was spewing crazy nonsense. I had made enough of a ruckus to get the attention of a commander. He listened to me and trusted that I was not some child throwing out made up orders. I guess he could see it in my eyes. I remember at the end of it, he had approached me. I was sitting against a wall, blood and mud all over me, exhausted. I had taken part in driving back the Noxians, swinging an abandoned sword I had picked up from the trench. Anyways, he told me to rise and I told him to let me rest. He picked me up by my armpits, forcing me to stand and he knelt to me. He told me that I had proven great strength, loyalty and valour. He ripped the medal that he had on his chest plate, and adorned it on me. He told me that I saved many Demacian lives and if I were a Demacian and under his ranks he would have me on the highest pedestal. He told me to never lose my honour and to stay just and strong." Her eyes go to Peter who looks at the girl with skeptical eyes. Beside him Catherine stared at the girl with highest respect. "I don't know why he thought I earned this medal, but I wear it proudly for him, because he believed that I did."
She reaches for her champagne flute downing the contents, and placing the flute carefully on the table.
"Bullshit." Peter spews suddenly, standing from his placement. "We never issued orders to have your unit join the Demacians. We issued nothing of the sort!" He bellows, pointing his finger angrily at the girl.
"Peter that is enough!" Catherine commands.
"No I will not have this runt depicting falsities in front of my trusted men, my wife and my daughter!" Spittle flies from his mouth as he growls at the girl.
Abbie begins to stand, her ears red with fury as she prepares to scream at Peter. "Abbie, don't" Dakota warns.
"Why? He is telling us the scars we got are nothing but lies. He's telling us the tears you shed when your brother would come back, unharmed, were absolutely nothing." She turns her attention to Peter. "You have no idea what we went through!"
"Abbie!" Dakota snaps. "Please, I can handle this." She says calmly. Abbie huffs out angrily as she sits back down glowering at Dakota.
The soldier pats her lips dry with her napkin and stands. "I don't understand what I have done to offend you for you to hate me so much." She says sternly.
"Your existence offends me." He snorts out.
Dakota nods in understanding. "It's sad really." She starts. "That a grown man acts as childish as a toddler." Her eyes travel to Catherine with sincerity. "I would like to apologize for ruining your dinner party, Doctor Deramore. I will take my leave. Thank you for inviting myself and my unit to your home. We are honoured to be your guests."
She pushes her chair in, bows to the speechless hostess and strides out of the room, containing her stewing anger.
All eyes go to the steaming statesman as he slams his hands on to the table.
(3 hours later) {Jacoo-Life Without You}
Vi's thumb does soothing circles on the back of her hand as the brawler keeps her eyes on the road. She isn't going at her usual neck breaking speed to let Caitlyn simmer as she stares out the passenger side window.
"Quite a doozy, eh, cupcake?" Vi asks quietly.
Caitlyn sighs. "My father is an incredible dick."
Vi smirks. "It's not often that I get to hear you swear, but when I do, it's the most beautiful thing I hear."
"Oh shut it, Vi." Caitlyn tuts grumpily, but it doesn't hide the small blush on her face.
"Ahh, don't be like that, Cait." Vi pokes. She gently rolls to a stop at the traffic lights. Not a hexmobile is in sight. She turns her body to Caitlyn taking the sniper's hand into her large calloused hands. "Whatever grudge he holds against Dakota, has nothing to do with you, Caitlyn. He's probably just grouchy that she's more badass than him."
Caitlyn chuckles through the small frown she wears on her face.
"Hey I got an idea." Vi starts. "Why not get the lot of them? Let's take 'em to our place. It'll help with Illya's loneliness and we can make 'em breaky and open gifts and shit. We'll put Abbie and Elric in the guest bedroom and everyone else in the living room."
Caitlyn raises an eyebrow. "Since when have you been so gung ho to share snowdown with other people."
"It's Dakota. That kid probably hasn't had a proper Snowdown in a long time." and she rolls her eyes. "And I admit, I might have something up my sleeve for tomorrow and I'd like for all of them to be there. They're like our family now, we can't just not have 'em, ya know? We'll even order some Pizza for snowdown supper, and watch movies and drink ho-"
"Vi," Caitlyn squeezes her hand, pointing at the green light. "You're rambling, love."
"Well what do ya say, Cupcake? I ain't moving till ya tell me what ya want."
Caitlyn rolls her eyes, but she leans across to her partner and brushes her lips along her tattooed cheek. "I would like that, love."
"Good, cause I wouldn't know how ta persuade ya on that one." Vi chortles out.
(That Night) {Izzard & Blankts- Threads}
She watches Dakota intently the entire evening.
She watches the way that her and Vi interact jovially around each other. She watches the way Elric and Caitlyn both roll their eyes as they watch their idiots partake in silly rituals of secret handshakes and flying high fives. She watches the way how Caitlyn is careful around her, how she is careful to touch her or say something wrong. She watches the small spats between Abbie and Dakota and the silly interjections of Alex. She watches the way that at the end of the night, Elric wraps his arms around his sister, kissing her forehead and wishing her a good night. She watches as Caitlyn whispers small apologies to the girl, who waves them off. She watches how Caitlyn reacts when Dakota puts her arms around her waist and embraces the sheriff tightly.
She watches the way Matais drifts off, his back to them as he enters into the realm of sleep.
She watches as Alex follows suit claiming the entire couch with his long gangly limbs. His eyes shut and his breathing evens out within minutes.
She watches the way Dakota looks at her with questioning eyes.
"What are you staring at?" Illya hisses out.
"Why were you on the roof?" Comes her short reply.
"I-." Illya begins. She sighs, she couldn't say the real reason, she couldn't say that she was observing her, learning how she reacts to things, learning how she ticks. "I want to get to know you better. I miss my comrades and I think that I'm just, I don't know, I think we could be good friends."
Dakota snorts as she pulls the sleeping bag to her shoulders. "You don't want to know me, Illya. I'm all kinds of messed up."
"That's bullshit. I mean you took the chance to let that girl in. What's her name? Taryn? Yeah, that stuck up pile of shit. You know she's using you right?"
Dakota rolls her eyes. "I think you're just jealous."
"I think you're just jealous." She mocks in a higher voice. "Of what? Her ability to charm you with batting her eyelashes and giving you a gun to fix? For free I might add. You watch. I say by the end of next month she'll be fixated on someone else."
"Keep trying to make yourself feel better, Illya." Dakota says with a smirk as she rolls over, having her back face Illya.
"Don't turn your back on me, darling." Illya sneers. "I'm just telling you the cold facts. Plus if I was jealous-." Dakota hears Illya's sleeping bag crinkle with movement as the girl crawls out of the material. She steps over Dakota's form and lays next to her, placing their faces mere inches apart. "I wouldn't try anything this bold, because I would do something in front of Taryn to prove a point." Illya whispers.
Her eyes catch the way Dakota's breath shortens, the way she swallows in nervousness. Illya clasps her hands on her arms, letting her body shiver. "Ugh, open up, I'm cold."
"W-w-what? N-no way." Dakota stammers out.
"Oh don't be such a baby. You're warm, and I'm freezing my Noxian ass out in here."
"Well that's your fault." Dakota argues.
Illya rolls her eyes as she takes the zipper, pulling it down so that she could wiggle in the tiny space. Illya looks at Dakota's wide eyes and chuckles. "Easy soldier." She murmurs, taking Dakota's arm and draping it around her own waist.
The soldier's breathing becomes stilled. Illya can feel Dakota's nervous energy, which makes the Noxian smirk. She brings a hand to Dakota's jaw, letting her fingers trail to a strand of loose hair she places behind the shape of Dakota's ear.
"Don't worry." She whispers as she nuzzles into the crook of the soldier's neck. "I won't try anything. I can tell you aren't as comfortable as I am around you... yet."
"You better not." Dakota mumbles.
Illya chuckles. She looks up to Dakota with half lidded emerald hues. She leans forward placing a chaste kiss on her pale cheek. "Goodnight Dakota. Hope you don't dream about me." She whispers with a cheshire grin.
Dakota sighs. "Why did I even let you in my sleeping bag?" She groans.
"Oh hush, you secretly like it. Now shut up and go to sleep." Illya turns over, putting her back to Dakota.
The soldier watches her intently throughout the night.
She watches the way her body moves as she breathes, the way her shoulders rise and fall. She watches the way her body turns toward her, eyebrows furrowed and full lips turned down in a frown. She watches the way she relaxes when her fingers clasps the front of her shirt.
She watches and she realizes.
She realizes that she also would like to know Illya better.
She realizes that she may be in particular trouble.
She realizes that she never takes her arm off of Illya's waist.
(As Dakota makes Realizations) {My Chemical Romance- Sharpest Lives}
The end of his cane buries itself into the soft sand. The raven perched at his shoulder caws softly as she inspects the foreign soil. He places a reassuring hand by her beak, letting her nuzzle the gnarled bit against his sandpaper like skin.
"Sir," The soldier salutes and stands at attention. "They are waiting for you."
"Good, let them wait." He snarls, pushing his shoulder into the standing soldier. He strides through the gates of the new outpost, letting his eyes travel to the wooden structure. "Captain!" He bellows angrily.
A large man runs up to him as he continues his fast pace toward the outpost center. "These defenses will not due. Either have them reinforced or abandon this useless wooden mess." He orders.
The captain nods. "Of course, Grand General." He leaves his side and begins screeching orders to his men.
He arrives to the outpost centre stewing in an anger that is terrifying and powerful. He slams his cane into the door, bursting the pine material into slithers of destroyed wood. The men at the table in the middle of the room stand instantly. He strides in briskly, his raven cawing aggressively to the men of the outpost council.
"Generals." He sneers evilly as he takes the larger seat at the head of the hops of his shoulder and perches herself on the decorative headpiece of the half throne he sits himself in. "You may sit." He seethes. "Do we have contact with the shadows?" He asks briskly.
One of the generals nods his head quickly. "Yes, grand general." The man beckons to a slim young man, who sits with a strong posture. His eyes are darker than the pits of the void.
"My master sends his deepest apologies." The young man stands and bows his head in regret. "He sent me in his place, while he deals with a matter."
Swain raises a scarred eyebrow at the young man. "Does he understand the offer we are bestowing upon him?" He asks.
"Yes." The young man smiles. "And he graciously accepts. He believes that our people will greatly benefit in your cause, and we hope that we appease you with our services."
Swain rises from his seat. Slowly he begins to pace. "Excellent." He murmurs, taking steps toward the young man. He places his weathered hands onto his strong shoulders. He leans down. "Does your master not understand the power I obtain?"
The young man is taken a back. "Sir?" He asks furrowing his brow.
With a flash of speed, Swain has the boy lifted in the air. "Does he not see me as his superior?" He screams as he slams the boy into the large round table.
"Of course, sir." The boy stammers out, as he watches Swain's eyes glow into a bright red.
"Then why, is he not here?" He bellows, his voice beginning to distort into something low and monstrous.
"I'm sorry, sir." The young man raises his hands to protect himself. With a large snarl, Swain throws the boy through the broken door.
"Tell your master, that I will confirm his allegiance, when he is face to face with me. Not with a useless subordinate as yourself!"
He turns his attention to his generals with fury in his eyes. "Ensure that the Master of Shadows arrives to swear fealty so that I do not waste my time with children." He growls.
They nod their heads in unison. "If this happens again, I will personally execute the lot of you!"
His raven caws loudly adding to the threat and swoops to her master. He turns his back on his generals. "Useless idiots."