Rhythmic patting sounds filled the air as I drummed away on my lap. I awkwardly took in the space around me for what felt like the hundredth time since being told to sit here after I awoke. My eyes trained onto a secluded office in the far corner of the ravaged precinct, passed all the officers currently trying their best to salvage what they could from the wreckage.

Normally it would be secluded, anyway. The tinted windows were kind of… not there anymore.

Inside were the precinct's Head Warden and a handful of deputies reporting to the Sheriff of the entire force. Compared to the soft kindness she showed when she greeted me when I had come to, she wore a deadly serious expression now that she was dealing with the situation. She'd apparently arrived not long after I lost consciousness.

She looked so cool, actually.

As if she felt my staring, she glanced over and our eyes met, to which I stiffened and hurriedly spun back to face the cell I'd been placed in front of. The only surviving cell, the rest having been torn apart, was still only barely usable with it's bars being warped within an inch of their lives.

I flinched when the sound of shifting sheets arose from within and I locked onto the sleeping girl's form, laid across the bed along the back wall. Shuffling awkwardly in my not entirely comfortable seat - seriously, I could really do with a cushion or something - I leaned in slightly to get a better look at her. Having already had a chance to appraise her properly, I was pretty sure she was around my age, and I still found that unsettling. Was it normal in Noxus for kids our age to be soldiers..?

Compared to a couple hours ago, she looked so peaceful. Her song, too. It was a whisper I could barely make out amongst the confused and distressed ones that filled the room otherwise.

Her wound had been treated in the time I'd been out, too. All bandaged up and what-not. I'd been told she'd be fine with proper care and respite. If she complied, anyway…

I was sat here by Sheriff Caitlyn after she had learned that I was the one to put the girl to sleep. In the hopes of me doing it again if she acted up, I guess? Not that I have any idea how I managed to do tha-

I blinked, sensing the quietest of change in tempo, and I observed the girl carefully. She hadn't moved as far as I could tell, but…

Scooting my chair ever so slightly toward to cell, I took a moment to look back to the Head Warden's office and the officers and Sheriff talking within, then leaned forward so that I could speak more hushed.

"…Hi?" I whispered, hushing my voice in the hopes that only she could hear.

The sudden jolt in response to my voice gave her away, followed by a choked groan as one of her hand moved to rest over her abdomen and she appeared to be resisting the urge to double over.

"Um… You're safe..?" I said simply, chastising the complete lack of confidence I must have expressed with my tone. Barely noticeable, her brow twitched and she slowly opened her eyes and looked out of the corner of them toward me, obviously aware that her sleeping rouse was up. Almost instantly her expression grew fierce, the near-glowing amber practically boring a hole through my head so much so I barely resisted the urge to shy away.

"You were here..!" She growled heavily in her native tongue. Her voice was rougher than I had expected; husky for a girl our age. She turned her head toward me, her intense stare not wavering. "You did something to me..!"

Inwardly, I thanked my old man for giving my younger self lessons in Va-Nox like he had repeatedly insisted. Though, being able to understand her didn't make her harsh, accusatory tone any better to hear. This time I did shrink into myself briefly, before flashes of what happened barely a handful of hours ago passed through my mind; what I'd felt from her then. I focused on her, and scolded myself when I sensed the same feelings right now.

As if being even slightly intimidated by her even compared…

I steeled myself and parted my lips, my reply hanging nervously on my tongue. I doubt Dad imagined this being the first time actually going to be useful. "I said you're safe."

Her body stiffened and a wave of alarm reached me. Obviously she hadn't actually expected a reply. "…You speak..?!

"Um… A little…" I floundered on the spot while I tried to recall all I'd been taught in hopes of calming her down. "My Dad. I learned a little. He sells… instruments..?"

My broken explanation seemed to be enough to satisfy her and she visibly settled. Still alert, but certainly less confrontation towards me. With a heavy series of grunts and a lot of strain, she slowly moved herself to sit up, shifting to rest her back against the wall and relax.

…Apparently just to stare me down. So intensely that I began to fidget under her gaze.

Do I just say anything here..?

"Seraphine." I said the first thing I thought of, and she seemed to falter. "My name. Or Sera." I clarified, then leaned forwards with what I hoped was a friendly smile. "What's yours?"

"…Rell." She replied after some uncertain hesitation. If anything she seemed a little thrown off.

At least she was cooperating. "That's a nice name!"

"…" She didn't return the pleasantries, instead crossing her arms. "So… 'Sera'." The girl repeated curtly, emphasising my name. "What did you do to me?"

She'd just been waiting for an answer.

Sera you dolt.

"…Uhh…" I couldn't offer an answer. I didn't even know myself.

Again, I tried to think back; to the pain of her unnaturally loud piercing my mind, her complete panic and fear, and me just trying to reach out to her and calm her down.

What did I even do?

"Please believe that I only wanted to help you, but," I rubbed my arm unconfidently and gave an awkward chuckle, "I'm not entirely sure..?"

If she believed me, or not, she didn't show such either way. She was just silently scowling at me, at least until she sighed in what I'm guessing was resignation.

"What about here?"

"Here?"

"Where am I?"

"Oh, You're in Piltover." I answered, maybe a tad too hurriedly.

She looked at my like I was stupid. "No shit. Where?"

I went to answer, but soon paused, then closed my mouth. Do they have wardens in Noxus? Is there a word for that?

"Ah, um… Police…" I mumbled, unsure of the word or even if there was a word for that in Noxian. I rapped my knuckles against my skull trying to recall a suitable word, when a slender hand gently rested atop my shoulder.

"You're with the authorities." Caitlyn answered to Rell on my behalf with as kind a voice as one can muster with the guttural language she was speaking. She looked down to send me a reassuring wink after I craned my neck to look at her, and I felt any tension in my body disappear just as suddenly as she'd appeared. "I noticed the two of you having a nice little chat and thought I'd pop over."

I really hope my face didn't look as hot as it just started to feel.

Within the cell, Rell froze up upon the mention of authorities, something the Sheriff spotted and raised the same hand in a peaceful gesture.

"We mean you no ill will." She promised, then indicated to Rell's bandages. "You may have noticed that we treated that nasty injury of yours - you're a lucky girl, might I add - so, hopefully, that shows some good faith."

One of Rell's hands ghosted over the bullet wound at it's mention.

"Despite you utterly trashing this place." Caitlyn added drily.

At that, Rell- Oh wow, she actually pouted.

"Regarding such," She continued, "while we are quite aware that you can break out of there with ease, I want to make it clear and assure you that we do not intend on locking you away. We just wish to ask you questions as to your rather abrupt appearance while you heal. You'll have access to food and water whenever you wish - within reason. We can discuss what happens afterwards once you have suitably recuperated. Is this amenable?"

There was a silence between the three of us once she had finished offering her terms. For me, I was just in awe of her composure and ability to sound so refined even while speaking in Va-Nox. Rell simply sat unmoving; poker-faced if not for her chewing her lip.

Caitlyn's posture skewed to rest her weight on one of her long legs. "Of course, however, if you are indeed set of breaking free," the hand returned to my shoulder, "be aware this young woman here is capable of stopping just like she did last time."

At that, Rell instantly stifled a scoff and met my eyes with a knowing look. I tensed and felt the blood drain from my face.

Was she actually just going to- "Fine." Oh thank Janna.

Caitlyn straightened her posture and sent Rell a thankful smile, who brazenly shrugged dismissively and looked away.

"As for you, Seraphine Dear." She held out a hand which I took gratefully and stood, taking a moment to rub my slightly numb butt as she walked me towards the entrance to the precinct. On our way, she signalled to a man, beckoning him over. "I feel confident that we can let you on your way now she's agreed to cooperate. I'll arrange an officer to escort you home and explain things to your father."

I should probably thank her for that, but the first thing that came out of my mouth was: "Can I come by and talk to her more?"

Thankfully, Caitlyn only raised an amused eyebrow. "I didn't realise that you were getting along so well." She teased.

"N-No! It's just..!" This time I was certain my cheeks grew red, but I ignored that as echoes of the cacophony that was Rell's song yesterday rang in my ears. "…There's just something about her."

"Is this part of this ability of yours?" She quipped, though I could tell she was curious. I shrugged and she pressed. "I don't suppose you'd mind providing any more details regarding that?"

"Honestly, I don't know much about it myself, Sheriff. It's just a thing I can do apparently." I admitted sheepishly, but truthfully, and she accepted my answer gracefully.

"You called, Sheriff?" A rather gravelly voice spoke up. By this point the officer she called over, a heavily tattooed man with ringed spectacles, shorter but broader in stature than the Sheriff, had reached us.

Caitlyn flashed me a reassuring smile then turned to him. "Detective Zayne, if you could escort young Seraphine here home on your way back to headquarters?"

The Detective looked down at me with rather beady eyes and I smiled nervously at the rough looking man, but he returned it with a friendly, skewed grin. "Sure thing. You need food?"

Good job stereotyping, Sera. "Ah, no thanks. My Dad's probably got something fixed up."

"Alright then." He gestured outside. "Ladies first."

Thanking him, I stepped through the doorless entrance but suddenly felt a wave of anxiety that wasn't mine hit me. I took one last look to the only standing cell and the girl within, seeing her watching me leave; frowning, lips pursed. A small smile and a wave goodbye was all I managed before Detective Zayne stepped out behind me, incidentally blocking my view, and began to usher me down the street.

Her unease stayed with me for most of the walk home. She let it slip at the last moment and I was again reminded that she was younger than me. From that alone, my desire to go and see her again only grew.

But it wasn't just that. I'll admit that it wasn't completely selfless.

Something about her was special. I just knew it. Her song was unique and I had to find out why.

I thanked Zayne as he went on his way after we reached my house - having assured him that I'd explain everything to my Dad - and closed the door behind me.

"Is that you, Bubblegum?" A soft-spoken, slightly weathered voice called out from where I knew was the workshop.

Maybe he hadn't made any food…

"Yeah, it's me Dad!" I shouted back as I kicked off my boots haphazardly towards the shoe rack, outwardly cringing at the use of the name he knows I hate but insists on using.

The sound of a chair scraping and subsequent encroaching footsteps echoed through the building. A second later, a man a head taller than me, sporting an unkempt mop of short, pink hair that was greying at the sides and a similarly coloured moustache, rounded the corner. He was dressed in similar overalls to me.

"Wherever did you dart off to? " My Dad asked; more inquisitive than concerned. "I assume you weren't singing in your slacks?"

His comment drew a humoured huff of breath from me just as he opened up his arms and embraced me warmly.

"Definitely not, Dad." I reciprocated, holding him tigh- Ugh… He stank of teak oil. "And it's a long story."

"Well, it so happens I was thinking of taking us for some delicious tacos from that Noxian food vendor in the Entresol whenever you returned." He mused as he released me from the hug, wiggling his brows playfully. "How about you tell me on the way?"

"Sure, Dad. Let me put my boots back on."

He gestured for me to do so, and as he adorned one of his overcoats to begin fishing in the pockets for his keys, something came to my mind.

"Dad?"

"Hmm?" He looked over to me, keychain in hand.

"Do you think we could go over some of my Va-Nox lessons? I think I'm a little rusty."

He wore an inquisitive expression as she stepped outside, turning to lock the door before we set off but nodding nonetheless. "Of course!"

"Thanks."

If I was going to try and be there for Rell, this was as good a first step as any.

"Is this because I brought up Tacos?"

"…No, Dad."

I know I'm supposed to be finishing my main story right now (it's halfway done I swear) but motivation is a mess and this is what I ended up doing (amongst other things that I'm not posting yet).

Hope this was good to read.

Bai