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Chapter 16: Not everyone is happy, work pressure and the value of a good friend.

Viktor thought he had seen it all. After all his augmentations allowed him to look more than many, yet he now found himself observing with big curiosity at this human who was able to seemingly read minds.

Of course, he knew magic could allow for that, but no, whoever this human was, he simply was able to understand their thoughts and make an argument to show them support and so charming them in their presence. Almost like manipulating thought patterns. But no… that was not something one could do with words.

If he had to phrase it in a more human word. It would be empathy.

He hummed at this.

The Glorious Evolution he wished for could use his talents… maybe he could even offer him a new leg. He noticed the way he walked, and it was obvious that prosthetic leg of his wasn't really suited for constant use. He would approach this subject that way.

Now the problem was he would need to look for him. The Monkey King took him away faster than his augmented eyes could see. Alas, no one could stop progress, and he would not be stopped. He needed to learn more of this human and recruit him to pass the Glorious Evolution. For a better world…

Sometimes we wonder how things work the way they do. At times the world simply seems to complicate life without any motive to do it aside of simply seeming to bother us, maybe that's life. A chain of events that happen, small paths that cross between them and results happen for good or bad, but they happen. And in this case, for two people it ended in a tremendous change.

Yasuo was with his head on the ground, thankful for Karma. Karma was trying her best to make Yasuo raise his head, meanwhile Riven simply was observing the exchange.

"Thank you… I can't express how much it means for me to hear it"

"Please! Raise your head, no need to do that"

Riven couldn't avoid curiosity

"Whats the big deal with him bowing"

Karma looked at Riven before pointing at Yasuo.

"In Ionia is a gesture of gratitude only done when one is truly thankful or repents, but in this case, such thing is not necessary"

She placed emphasis on the last words while looking at Yasuo who finally raised his head. Riven asked the question she was wondering.

"So… what happens now then?"

Karma smiled at Riven before answering.

"Now, Yasuo can come back… needless to say Yasuo, some people will not forgive you so easily… but you got my pardon, and that should be enough to be able to be back"

Riven smiled before speaking to him.

"See? Things are going well for you finally… so can I go back to the institute?"

At this question, Karma smile faltered for a second. She seemed a bit dejected at the idea of them leaving.

"Oh… I thought you two would stay for the festival tomorrow"

Yasuo stood again before speaking.

"Sorry Lady Karma, but Taliyah can't be left alone for long, I don't want to impose on the therapist kindness"

Riven spoke after him while thinking.

"I doubt he minds Taliyah, by this point they surely are friends"

Karma still looked at both and this time she was bowing which surprised them.

"Please… stay for the festival, I really need a rest from the people on the council, if you come you would be my guests so I would actually enjoy the festival"

For a moment Yasuo looked conflicted, but before he could answer Riven nodded in approval.

"Well, then we will stay, this festival is only for a day, right?"

At this Karma smiled while nodding.

"Indeed, is quite the festivity but it will only last for a day, so you could rest today, enjoy tomorrow, and after the festival, you can go back to the Institute"

Riven smiled while nodding before speaking to Yasuo.

"Come on, Cid can surely handle Taliyah a couple of days"

Yasuo was in thought but in the end, he relented, surely, he could handle Taliyah.

"Sure, what's a couple of days?"

Karma smiled telling them the details of the festival. What could a couple of days be after all? Surely Cid could handle Taliyah.

In the Institute a smiling Ahri was beaming with happiness at her success in her quest. The beast had been resistant, it fought with all it had, an iron will it possessed indeed. But it wasn't more than her own will, she placed her pride as The Nine-Tailed Fox while fighting the untamable beast, but alas, she won after a long time. And needless to say, she was smiling so much her cheeks hurt a bit.

"Victory! I told you I could do it! Now stop being so silly and open your eyes, you can't miss the ending result!"

Ahri was poking Cid on his cheeks, her friend had taken to close his eyes while speaking with her the whole time she was styling his hair.

"Come on… don't be a sore loser, I told you I could style it"

Cid let out a sigh of defeat, the same a death row inmate gives when he knows his time has come.

"You sound so happy I find myself scared…. But okay, let's see what you…. how?"

Cid was surprised. His wild and long hair that looked more like the nest of a bird seemed to shine in the dark color of his hair. It looked fluffed and styled in soft waves curling at the ends, a hairstyle more fitting of a princess than a therapist.

"How…"

Ahri was smiling while hugging him

"It was fun! Plus, it suits you! It frames your face perfectly, it brings your best side"

Cid was many things. Manly sadly wasn't one of them. And now with his hair styled Jinx, would have all the fun she needed, he actually looked feminine. But a part of him didn't minded because Ahri was so happy.

"… guess it does eh?"

Ahri smiled while hugging him tighter, actually surprising him at her strength

"I knew you would love it!"

While both were chuckling, the door fell after a big hit, it fell off its hinges with the barricade at is side as Wukong entered.

"Yo Ahri! I lost but I was closer this time to win and…. Rival is that you?"

Ahri face turned red in anger at her door once again on the floor, while Cid face was red, it was more due to the embarrassment.

"Hey… yeah, Ahri sort of had fun with my hair"

While Wukong was trying hard to contain himself he made thumbs up at him.

"Pff…it…pfff. Suits you!"

While he was laughing Ahri got near him before getting his ear and twisting it, stopping his laughing at the moment.

"Ouch! Hey, I knocked!"

Ahri let out a sigh of frustration.

"I meant knocking the door! As in lightly! Not knock out the door!"

Wukong was in pain, and while Cid thought he deserved it for laughing at him, he wasn't that petty and went to poke Ahri in the shoulder

"Don't be angry at him Ahri, he understands now, so no need for punishment"

Ahri huffed before letting the ear out of her grasp.

"You are lucky Cid appreciates you Kong, or I would make sure to twist your ear…"

Both gulped knowing she meant it. Wukong looked at Cid, without any laughs in his face but rather a happy expression.

"Thanks rival! I knew you had the potential to be a good rival when we met…. If it helps I think the hair actually suits you"

Cid found himself smiling at Wukong.

"Thanks, I feel a bit nervous about it though"

Ahri shrugged while smiling at him.

"Don't worry about it, if anything Sarah would also agree"

Sarah?

"Oh, I should present the two of you one day, you might actually be fast friends"

Cid smiled before nodding.

"Sure, I trust you, though I think is time for me to go back to the office, who knows if someone might look for me"

Ahri and Wukong looked dejected for a moment at the idea of their friend, rival, respectively going away. When Cid noticed their expression, he walked and hugged both.

"Hey, no long faces, you can find me anytime either of you wants to chat"

Ahri and Wukong smiled immediately. Cid thought it was adorable how they were so similar in certain aspects. Both enjoyed company and both loved to share their interest with others, what they lacked was someone willing to listen.

Wukong returned the hug almost crushing both Ahri and Cid.

"That's a deal rival! Hey, need me to drop you at your office?"

Ahri chuckled before looking at Wukong.

"Do you even know where his office is Kong?"

At this, he laughed.

"No! But with the cloud, we can go through all the Institute without worries, now onwards!"

At this, the cloud of Wukong appeared and pushed Cid in it before jumping and rushing out. Ahri surprised for a moment almost forgot to run, she started to rush at the speed of the cloud. She noticed Cid was looking at her and blew a kiss at him.

Cid's face turned red at the gesture and in a rather childish gesture decided to look the other way, making Ahri giggle in the process. She was going to love to tease him.

Cid thought he would fall from the cloud when Wukong stopped in front of his office.

"There we go! You could have told me it had a sign, most door lack signs here"

The cloud dispersed and while Wukong was standing without a problem Cid was about to fall on his butt before someone holds him from behind. He heard the giggles of Ahri as her golden eyes looked at his.

"You are really light, I shall check on you regularly, better be sure the wind doesn't take you away"

While she giggled she couldn't stop from holding him in a tight hug. Cid was a bit embarrassed at the sudden hug, but he still smiled thinking it was good to know she was happy. The hug was broken by Wukong tapping Ahri on the shoulder.

"Race you to the pool?"

Ahri smiled before rushing without a warning.

"Hey! Not cool Ahri!"

The laughs of Ahri could be heard as she rushed fast in the hall.

"I'm already halfway there Kong!"

Wukong summoned his cloud before going fast behind her. Cid laughed at the interaction between them before opening the door of his office and finding Jinx stacking dices. It seemed she had found his stack of dices.

Jinx concentration broke, and the dices fell when she looked at him. She snorted before speaking.

"Didn't know you and Sarah went to the same salon"

As she laughed freely Cid decided to play with her.

"Jealous?"

He said as he flicked the styled hair and Jinx fell on the floor laughing.

"Oh, good one! You know I'm not forgetting this do you?"

Cid chuckled going to his chair in the office while Jinx still was laughing.

"Oh, I know that, but I think it was worth it"

As Jinx stood and sat on the couch of the office she decided to resume stacking the dices from the floor.

"Oh, really? What did you get out of it?"

Cid smiled before writing some notes in an empty book.

"A couple of new friends"

Jinx smiled at him before resuming stacking the dices. She knew she could get them to the roof.

"Good to hear you made new friends"

She was happy. But a small part of her hoped he wouldn't start seeing her because of them…

Cid noticed the small change in the movements of Jinx, a bit lazy… almost like she was in a bad mood. And it clicked for him. Or at least he hoped to be right, or it would be awkward.

"Hey, don't go feeling down, you are my friend too remember?"

Jinx felt surprised for a moment and her small stack of dices fell again.

"Oh come on! I was making a good structure with them. I know we are friends, you don't need to say it out so randomly breaking my concentration… now silence, I need to make this tower"

While Jinx words might sound harsh for someone else, Cid could see there was no bite or anger in them. If anything, she was happy. And Jinx was happy, it felt nice when he said she was her friend. He was a friendship different from others, for starters, he wasn't a champion, nor a summoner. No, he was as crazy as her… why else would he be her friend?

Viktor made his way through the halls looking for the door of the therapist headquarters, he asked a summoner for the information on the therapist and found the general location of it. He was curious about him, how could a human without augmentations have such a domain on the mental fields? Maybe, just maybe. He was like him. Someone dedicated to their field of knowledge.

Had Viktor body not being full of augments he might have laughed in victory. For now, the most expression he could show was the faint smile on his face behind his mask. He walked and found the sign of the office. It was closed, but he could detect two voices. One belonged to the Loose Cannon, the other it was unknown, but he knew it was the therapist.

Viktor knocked on the door. He knew he had to respect the therapist in his domains, it was the same courtesy he would appreciate with people in his lab. He waited, and before he could knock again he heard the unknown voice again.

"Enter! Is not closed"

As he opened the door Viktor saw the Loose Cannon seemingly drawing as she was seated on a couch, and the therapist. Making use of his memory he was sure his hair wasn't looking the same when the Monkey King took him away.

"Greetings, how can I help you?"

Viktor got out of his thoughts before speaking.

"I would like to request your time for a chat… unless you have a previous appointment"

Cid wasn't sure if Jinx and the man in front of him knew each other, but at his words, Jinx looked at him like asking if she should go out. He nodded. Jinx took some of the dices and the drawing she was making before going out, but not without waving at him smiling.

"See ya soon Cid"

As Jinx left and closed the door many thoughts were on her head. The most important that privacy or not she was going to stay close to the office. She didn't trust Viktor. While not exactly someone evil per say as others who liked to inflict pain and lived for suffering… Viktor could be rather dangerous when his views were attacked.

She decided to stay close. After all the only one who could stop a Champion was another one.

In the office, Cid decided the best he could do was to present himself. After all, he thought the man in front of him came to speak with him for therapy.

"Well, introductions are in order. My name is Cid, no last name, just Cid"

Viktor nodded before speaking his name, and Cid couldn't avoid noticing the machinery around the body of the man in front of him.

"Viktor, The Machine Herald"

Cid couldn't avoid thinking the name did suit him. He was observant of him, the mechanical augmentations were not something new when one saw the information about them. Of course, they were not all that common in Demacia, but they were fairly common in Piltover, but even more known on Zaun.

Judging by the level of augmentations, Cid wasn't sure if the one in front of him was medically speaking a human or if he was more of a machine.

"Well Viktor, to what do I owe the visit?"

Viktor answered without any sort of change in his voice that could betray any emotion.

"I thought I could use your talents in my quest to bring Glorious Evolution to others"

Cid blinked in surprise at the straightforward answer. It was as if Viktor had no inhibitions about speaking his thoughts.

"Well, I must admit I don't know what you mean. Honestly, I never heard of this glorious evolution you speak of"

Viktor nodded.

"I see. Then let me illustrate you on my mission"

Cid nodded while Viktor spoke. And he was surprised at what he was hearing.

Viktor came from Zaun, everyone knows the risk the people in Zaun have with the chemists and those in power in the city. Viktor had an innate talent with machines, he could make them better, he could make them work for the betterment of the people on Zaun. He took notice of how the workplaces of Zaun were dangerous due to the number of fatal accidents. But he saw what no one else saw. The failure was always of the human element.

And this was his calling. To make Zaun better he only needed to make the machines better. He needed to stop the human element from committing mistakes, he could do that with his inventions, automation was the means for the future. Results were shown fast. Zaun quality on the work places got incredibly better and the results of such work reached the ears of the members of Piltover.

They needed to have the genius, they needed this master of machinery.

"That's when I saw it… the human element inefficiency, I saw their flaws… and experience it them"

Viktor had been looking at how Cid wasn't writing anything. But he was listening, and in this Viktor knew he had his attention. Or at least enough attention as to not call him on his lack of notes. His story was a long one. And no detail should be lost to the inefficiency of the human element.

So, he took out a simple artifact out. He often carried it with him. But his augmented memory often avoided him of using it.

"Before I continue, I would like you to have this. I don't wish for any element in this conversation to get lost due to the inefficiency of human memory"

Cid observed the trinket. He had seen it before.

"I know this… is a recording device from Piltover"

Had Viktor been more human, he would have laughed at the premise. But now the most he would let out was a chuckle.

"It would seem like that to the less experienced eye, but no. I made this one myself, so is a recording device far superior, the quality on it is better when hearing recordings. You should use it to record what I'm going to speak about"

Cid nodded, and before he could ask Viktor pointed to a red button on the small rectangular device.

"Green to stop, red to record, blue to erase the recordings, when it can't record anymore the red button will turn yellow"

Cid nodded, and Viktor continued when he pressed the red button.

"As I was saying. In Piltover I saw the failures of the human element more closely when I met Jayce"

It seemed when Jayce and Viktor met, they had obvious differences in their thoughts. While Viktor wanted to work for the betterment of others, Jayce was obnoxious and arrogant. They had their disagreements, sadly, they intellect was big, and the university thought it would be better to have both genius work together.

Needless to say, their disagreements started by then, and would end in great conflict years later according to Viktor. Viktor saw the people on Piltover, and thought their knowledge wasn't being used for the betterment of others, but rather for themselves. The future could only be better if they worked for the betterment of it. Not for themselves. He saw the selfishness and the emotions that made the human element so prone to failure.

"A mechanized heart never misses a beat, and never falters with emotion. So why would anyone trust their life to a fragile muscle of flesh and blood?"

The Academy of Techmaturgy would have been the better option Viktor said in retrospective, it would have what he needed. Knowledge and confirmation of his thoughts. Instead, the promises of the success of Professor Stanwick in Piltover had been the reason he went to Piltover, where things would go badly in the future.

"The human element in myself, made me fail at choosing the better option…and then it happened…the chem-spill of Zaun"

Cid had heard of the usual problems of Zaun, and knew that such an accident could be catastrophic to the people on Zaun.

"I went back home to help. And through my work, I ended up creating something different. Nothing like a previous machine I made… It was so different and so unique, I have yet to make it happen again. I created what would be in ways of speaking… life"

He had created Blitzcrank, a golem meant to help with the chem-spill, and it worked. Blitzcrank proved to be an invaluable asset to the recovery and saving of lives. Viktor was surprised at the incredible sentience of Blitzcrank, he was alive. Blitzcrank sentience made him more than just a machine. He was someone. And while Viktor and Blitzcrank had to part ways, Viktor was proud of the result that was Blitzcrank.

"Blitzcrank, is the greatest creation I have done, is sentient… but sadly he has the same errors of the human element due to his sentience…"

At this part of the story of Viktor, Cid took notice how he spoke of Blitzcrank. It was the same way a father spoke of his child. Saddened at him, but proud of him. Viktor seemed to have a soft spot on Blitzcrank.

Silence reigned for a moment before Viktor continued. Cid didn't ask if he needed a moment.

"After my work on home, I saw the future, human and mechanical elements could be fused. And become better"

His experiments Cid noted, while highly unethical to a point of view, were all guided by the zealot of Viktor for the betterment of mankind. Sure, his methods weren't good nor justifiable in the eyes of Cid. But he was seeing something in Viktor few saw.

The man wasn't evil. A crazy scientist guided in the zealot of his mission? Maybe, yes. But there wasn't evil in him. He did it because he truly believed he could better the lives of the people. But there was no real evil in him. Evil would be to mechanize the world, to say he was their leader, and that he would govern with a fist of steel at the top.

But no.

The more he listened to Viktor the more he noticed the man was guided by the fearsome tenacity of his beliefs that he would help. And in a way, it was a shame, for he could actually see the genius of Viktor was no lie nor a self-imposed title. The man had the knowledge.

"Then things went badly in Piltover, and my conflict with Jayce would reach its violent conclusion"

The steal of his investigation by Stanwick, the fact the masters of the university defended Stanwick, and how Jayce refused to speak in how Viktor had made Blitzcrank. Those events would force Viktor to abandon Piltover, and in Cid point of view, would make the Mechanical Herald rise.

Viktor decided the human emotions and limits of flesh were nothing but a wall on his advancement. He did surgery on himself, making himself the fusion of machine and man. The first step of what he came to call the Glorious evolution.

Without fear and pain, the limits were no more. He threw himself in his quest for saving lives on Zaun, to show them his view of the world. He admitted that thrashing Jayce lab time later, was more an act of looking for an energy source rather than an act of revenge.

As he implied, revenge was useless, a needless emotion he didn't need. But Cid noticed it. In the smallest of inflections in his voice when he spoke. He had enjoyed knowing that in a way, he had to return the favor to Jayce for what he did long ago.

And with that, Viktor tale ended. He would later enter the Institute to attain materials, in exchange for the knowledge and materials for his work, Viktor would receive immunity from the officers on Piltover. So long as his experiments were made on the Institute. Anything out of the safety of the walls would be considered to an investigation.

Though Viktor smiled, Cid knew why. Piltover wasn't his home, and it never truly was. He was a man of Zaun, the young man who was barely nineteen back then belonged to Zaun, and as an adult now he would always belong to Zaun.

"That's my story. As you might appreciate, I'm the wronged party in this case"

While Cid couldn't really agree, he had to remember the man had an intense zealotry for his quest, Viktor wasn't the bad one in either case if anything at least to how Cid heard his part of the story, everything was the fault of Stanwick. Viktor views wouldn't have changed so strongly if it wasn't for the betrayal he felt back then. He would need to hear Jayce side of the story later.

And such was the betrayal, that he tossed away human emotions. A polar opposite to Ahri, who loved the human emotions, and while they brought pain to her, she accepted them.

"I guess I do… but I still don't get why you need my help"

Viktor chuckled.

"As you might notice. I'm not exactly well-liked, I need to share the glorious evolution, but I can only bring them change if they accept it. I will not force it"

Ironical because in some of his experiments previously mentioned in his story, he would just experiment with them. But he guessed he could forgive it after all those people were in no capacity of doing anything. But still, he disagreed with him.

"And you want me then to… sponsor it?"

Viktor chuckled. He found the therapist entertaining. It was obvious he had a different sort of intellect. Not the kind he and sadly Jayce possessed. Oh no. He was obviously more on a side of detail on the mind.

"Yes, in a manner of speaking, I want you to share with others the glory that is my goal, they might not hear me, but they might hear you… though not many will like to hear it from you"

At this change on speech Cid got curious.

"What do you mean with many won't like it?"

Viktor analyzed Cid, and took notice he actually didn't know.

"I see… you do not know it. Can't say I blame you, you do not seem the sort to catch on rumors, you are like me. A man of facts and science"

Viktor third hand pointed behind him.

"Some summoners out there don't like you. They think having someone like you in here is rather inappropriate and useless space. Plus, some rumor you might be getting too close to some Champions"

Cid was surprised at that, he hadn't been in the Institute for a week. And rumors were already being spoken about him.

"If it gives any sort of…. Relief. Other summoners agree that your presence is necessary and appreciate your work, they mention the Exile change on her anger"

Cid felt confused at first at the choice of words of Viktor. But he guessed it was hard to speak of emotions when was so advanced on augmentations. He spoke again interrupting his thoughts.

"Envy, a useless human emotion that brings conflicts, and I know well of it. They envy your freedom. You are no summoner, had no training, and yet you are standing in their field. I know how it feels…"

Cid noticed in the inflection of his voice, that Viktor was speaking of how he felt in Piltover. A young man of Zaun had gone to Piltover with the hopes of sharing his capacity. But he was disappointed in the envy and looks of others. And he had to admit, it did offer a bit of relief that Viktor spoke about it to him.

"Thanks… it actually helps to hear that"

Viktor nodded.

"You are welcome… also, I have a proposition for you… I notice your limp on the left side. That prosthetic leg of yours is highly inefficient, would you not like a new one?"

Cid eyes opened behind his glasses. He didn't think it was so noticeable, but he also guessed it was hard for Viktor to not notice something as inefficient. The man had proved to be methodical, logical, and all his work was of precision.

"I don't mind getting a new prosthetic. This one was the cheapest thing I could get"

Viktor chuckled.

"The cheapest and most inefficient is a surprise it has not broken yet"

Cid had to agree, after all, a couple of silver bolts had been thrown at it before.

"Well, I don't mind this model, but as you say, it might break one day soon"

Viktor was in thought. He needed measurements.

"Might removing the leg?"

Cid felt a bit embarrassed, to remove the leg he would need to take away his pants.

"Mind… watching the other side? I don't like to undress in public"

Viktor chuckled before obeying.

"Human embarrassment, such a useless emotion to have"

After a few moments, Cid had his pants back in place and Viktor looked at the prosthetic leg.

"Ah, such inefficient model. Not fit for constant use and looking at the obvious signs of use I can say you had this for a long time, sadly not even I can tell how much years this been in use. But I can tell this model is not one they keep using. You have been needing an upgrade for a long time"

Cid nodded. He knew that he needed a new one. But getting a prosthetic in Demacia was hard. Especially for him and his status.

"Worry not though, I will make you a new leg… though if you do wish for a more permanent solution, I could just build a whole new leg, we could fuse it without any problem. While we are at it we could even change some organs on your body. Your body looks frail, and I think steel would solve the problem of your flesh"

Viktor actually seemed… excited at the prospect of mechanizing him. Cid felt a shiver on his spine.

"No thanks, for now, the prosthetic will be enough, I just need something that I can use constantly. I love to move, and sometimes I end up running"

Viktor nodded at him before stretching his hand.

"I see, well then, thanks for your time, and please do consider my offer. I would appreciate all the help in sharing the world of the glorious evolution"

Cid shook his hand. Viktor had an iron grip, literally. After a shake, Viktor took the leg and opened the door. Cid was surprised at the fact he took his leg away.

"I shall have your leg ready tomorrow. For now, though I will take this offending piece away"

Viktor looked at Cid once again.

"I must ask, mainly for curiosity, have… fashion changed? I never saw a man with your hairstyle before"

At this Cid got embarrassed before Viktor nodded.

"Ah. Lost a bet… such a bad habit on humans, you should avoid gambling therapist, do consider joining my glorious evolution, we could get rid of those bad habits and useless emotions in a second"

Cid nodded and preferred Viktor left with that idea and not tell him he had let Ahri do it.

When Viktor opened the door Jinx was standing on the side.

He made a small sound as if to confirm her presence and she did the same.

Once he left Jinx came back inside the office and sat on the couch as if nothing happened.

"Did he say anything about your hair? I would be surprised if tin man didn't say anything"

Cid chuckled at Jinx question before pointing her to take out a game from behind him.

"Feel like playing a game I got from Piltover?"

Jinx smiled as she nodded.

"I always accept an invitation to beat you"

Cid laughed as she took the game out of the box. It promised to be an entertaining game.

While Karma was in the company of Irelia, she was smiling, while the later was with a frown on her face.

"Why did you forgive him? His mistake cost the life of an elder"

Karma sighed before answering her question for the third time since she left Riven and Yasuo.

"He repents, and Riven story confirms his… she is not lying either, I doubt she can even lie"

At this Irelia looked at Karma with rage.

"that's the other problem, why did you think to have her in the festival, as your guest would be wise… she is a Noxian Karma"

Karma would have smiled at hearing her name being called without the title of Lady. But she couldn't, seeing how Irelia was acting. She sighed before speaking to her friend.

"She is an exile, she imposed exile on herself, Riven is not a Noxian, she is not our enemy. And Yasuo has lived enough in the outside, he deserved pardon. We now know what happened on that day. And sure, the life of the elder will not come back Irelia, but a life can still be saved"

Irelia sighed. Her temper going down as she understood Karma words. If Yasuo kept being the Unforgiven, he wouldn't ever see his home. Ionia was his home… but she couldn't understand why she allowed Riven to be at the festival.

"I don't understand… how can you trust Riven?"

At this Karma was in thought before answering with both simplicity and sincerity in her voice.

"I don't know. I simply do, she doesn't seem like the same Riven we have faced many times before in the Fields of Justice. She looks… happier, the eternal scowl on her face isn't there Irelia. For the first time, I think Riven feels… happy"

At this Irelia felt confused. She expected something else. Something tangible, not an analysis by her friend.

"I don't trust her Karma… but if you trust her I will check she doesn't do anything bad at the festival"

Karma sighed. She knew that was the most she would get of Irelia.

"Just let her enjoy the festival. I do not wish to be the reason she goes back to her old angry self… you should have seen her when she spoke. You would understand what I'm telling you"

Irelia hadn't been with Karma, but she had been the one to get Riven and Yasuo to meet judgment by the council. And she did admit she noticed the lack of aggression on Riven. She was simply there, taking the words and insults of the council until Karma silenced them.

She didn't understand. She was even eager for Riven to speak out of place, to do something. To give her an excuse to bring her pain, the same pain Noxus brought to Ionia. But she didn't. She was silent, and if anything she was supporting Yasuo it seemed by telling him things would end well.

She was surprised at the smallest of nods from Yasuo. He believed the words of Riven. And that was the worst part of her.

Was she the only one who thought Riven was a threat? The only that saw her for what she truly was? A Noxian in Ionian territory? Institute immunity didn't apply on the Ionian soil, she could have attacked Riven. But nothing.

Now Yasuo was forgiven, and Riven was Karma guest for the festival.

"I will try… but I will keep an eye close to her"

Irelia sighed in defeat. And Karma smiled. They kept walking on the Placidium in silence. Irelia with a frown and Karma smiling. Two different points of view. But the same thought in their minds.

The festival promised to be good.

Back in the institute, the night had made its way over signaling the end of the day. Jinx had enjoyed the game with Cid. A simple chess with exploding pieces when one landed in a spot with a mine. She had won all the games they played. Lux came by later and marveled at the result of Cid hair and demanded he kept it that way. Taliyah had been with her and laughed so much she fell on the floor holding her sides.

A part of her thought it was a shame she wasn't there to see it happen, but she thought he had deserved something embarrassing to happen to him. They chatted for a bit before agreeing to have breakfast together.

While Lux and Jinx went out of the office. Taliyah stayed while Cid had undone the styling to his hair. It looked simply long and clean, but the styling Ahri had done in it was no more.

"Is a shame though, it suited you"

Cid hummed in acknowledgment of her words as he was ordering his desk. He couldn't really move away from his chair. It was hard to move around jumping on one leg for him. Moving to his bed would surely be hard tonight.

"Thanks, but I prefer the simplicity of not doing anything with my hair"

She chuckled a bit before pointing at his leg.

"So… how does it feel?"

Cid raised an eyebrow not sure at what she meant.

"You mean my leg?"

Taliyah nodded a bit nervous.

"Yeah, I mean I have met plenty of others with mechanical prosthetics… but you just go around without wearing one full time, you take it away to sleep right?"

He nodded before answering the unasked question.

"It would be awkward to sleep with the prosthetic on. Plus I don't need two legs to sleep"

At this, she let out a nervous chuckle.

"Sorry… I just got curious, I mean, you always look happy… and I wonder how you did that"

At this Cid let out his papers on the desk and looked at Taliyah.

"Mind closing the door?"

She nodded and close it before sitting on the couch.

"What is worrying you Taliyah? You seem to be in heavy thoughts tonight"

Taliyah seemed nervous before letting herself fall on the couch before speaking.

"Ever… ever wonder what you are going to do in the future? Like, do you feel you are on the right path?"

Cid nodded at her. But the answer she got wasn't what she expected.

"I'm always wondering if I'm doing a good job. I often have doubts if I have truly done all that is available for me to do. Is not easy going ahead sometimes, but I can't go back even if I wanted too, so all that I can do is keep forward Taliyah. Even if I have doubts, I got nothing behind me to fall back in"

She was surprised at the blunt honesty.

"I… I worry, what if the Institute goes away one day? What if we lose the Champion status and are just thrown out into Runaterra again? I mean, Yasuo has Ionia, Lux is from a family on Demacia… but I don't feel like I have such a place I can go to if this place closes"

Cid nodded at her words and decided to be blunt about it.

"Then make your own place. You don't need the world to give you a place. Make a place you can call your own, a place you can say is home. You can find that place, and I know you will find it one day. Until then keep moving without worrying so much"

Taliyah was surprised at his words. But what surprised her, was the fact those words actually sounded with a weight on them… as if.

"You are still looking for that place, right?"

He was silent for a moment, and she was nervous she might have struck a nerve before he spoke again.

"Yeah… I'm still looking for that place… but I must say I think I seem to be on the right path"

Taliyah smiled at him.

"Oh and what place would that be?"

He closed his eyes before answering, thinking of the people he had met.

"So far, that place seems to be near my friends"

Taliyah smiled before pointing to his room.

"Need a hand getting in your room, I can only imagine it must be hard reaching your bed with one leg"

Cid chuckled at her. He decided he could tease the girl a bit.

"Oh my, I didn't know you had such intentions with me, abusing my weakness to walk away"

At this Taliyah got embarrassed before trying to form words.

"What?! No! I didn't even…. Oh I see"

The girl caught on fast that he was teasing.

"Better be careful with who you say those words to Cid. Someone might actually get the wrong message"

Cid chuckled before nodding.

"Don't worry, I know how to be careful with the way I speak. Thought you could use the distraction for a while"

She smiled before pointing at the door.

"Well I will be taking my leave, you sure you don't need help?"

Cid nodded before waving for her to go.

"Sure, worst scenario I will simply sleep on the desk, and trust me is more comfortable than you can imagine after a few times of sleeping on it"

Taliyah wasn't sure why, but she believed he had actually slept on the desk more than once. She threw a friendly wave before going.

"Have a good night Cid"

He smiled as she closed the door.

"You too kid, have a good night"

As Taliyah closed the door. Cid reviewed his day and smiled. Ahri, Wukong, Viktor. Three more names of the people he had met at the institute. The first two promised to be fun company, and the third was an enigma in his ways. Viktor could bring mechanical marvels in the future, as long as he didn't go on a bad road.

He took a sketchbook and started to draw. Ahri smiling face, Wukong laughing face, and Viktor imposing visage with his mask. He also made a drawing of Taliyah in thought. He thought of Riven and Yasuo, hoping they were doing well. He also started to draw Morgana. Remembering the fun tea they had and also made one of the enforcer. He was curious about her attitude.

So much had passed in a day.

And he kept drawing, he made a drawing of Zac wearing a cap of the employees who often cleaned the park in Demacia, he also drew one of Nasus. Trying that the sketch would properly represent the imponent visage of the Curator of Sands.

The night was barely starting when Taliyah had left. And making the drawings hadn't taken too much time for him. They weren't masterpieces at all. But he thought it would be nice to make the sketches of those he met at the institute.

He found himself making the last sketch before going to sleep.

A small office. An office simple in design with a couch and a chair behind a desk. Surrounded by books and games, he signed the drawing with a simple word in it.

Home.

In the night many dreamed, other stayed awake in the Institute. One who was awake while working tonight was Viktor. The prosthetic leg was a work of art, a piece of glorious machinery that would not be as inefficient as the other. While heavier, this one would be more natural to walk or run with. The weight difference was not really big, but Viktor thought he could make it better.

His musings of work were interrupted by a soft knocking on his door. Few would ever ask for his presence. He had enemies on the Institute. And his pool of friends was rather limited to nonexistent. So having someone knock in the night was not something he was used to.

He decided he could be civil.

"I will unlock the door"

He turned down a lever with his left hand as his third hand was generating a beam cutting the excess of material from the prosthetic leg. As the door opened itself, a mechanical lady entered the room. Observing the many machines surrounding the man who seemed to require no sleep nor nourishment.

Yet she observed at his right a cup filled with liquid. And she guessed what it was.

"Milk?"

Said the voice of Orianna. The Lady of Clockwork had been looking for the Machine Herald with hopes of finding a positive answer, they had spoken before. Sadly it had always been on negatives.

"I have a weakness for the asinine taste of sweet milk… but you are not here to ask about my tastes… what do you wish Orianna?"

Orianna looked at the leg before speaking.

"You already know that"

And in response, Viktor sighed.

"I already told you, what happened with Blitzcrank is still out of comprehension. I don't know how he got the sentience he has. I can't repeat it… I don't know how it happened the first time. And I don't have an answer for you"

At this Orianna simply observed the machines around him.

"I just want to find someone like me, you are the closest I have to an answer you are like me…"

Viktor removed his mask in order to drink from the mug. He took a big quantity before returning to work in the leg.

"I can't help you at answering your question regarding what you are now"

Orianna seemed dejected. One could even catalog it as sad.

"What are you working on? Seems too delicate for a machine of yours"

At this Viktor hummed in approval.

"This is a peace offering. I'm making a leg for someone who I hope to recruit into my glorious evolution… he chose to have a prosthetic and not the surgery to become one with the machinery. Foolishness, but I know with time he will ask me for the surgery"

Orianna never knew of someone who could tolerate much of Viktor presence. Especially when he started going about the glorious evolution he sought. So she was surprised someone had listened to him so much as to get something out of the Mechanical Herald.

"I see… is that why this leg is looking like that?"

The prosthetic leg looked less bulky than many of Viktor experiments, it looked one could even say, human. As if the idea was the commodity and not combat.

"Yes… thinking about it… no, forget it"

Viktor kept removing material before Orianna spoke.

"What were you going to say? Is unlike you to doubt yourself"

He stopped working before sighing.

"Maybe…you will find your answer…"

While many knew Viktor, no one truly knew what went on his head, the act of him offering support was… weird.

"Thank you, Viktor"

Viktor stopped working again at her words.

"I apologize, I don't understand what I did to deserve your thanks"

He resumed his work without waiting for an answer from Orianna. The mechanical lady left the room. Viktor didn't know it. But he had been empathic with Orianna. He had shared her thoughts and had offered support because he felt her sadness.

And while Orianna had lost the glimmer of being marveled, she found herself surprised. How long had it been since she felt surprised? She was no longer the child who read stories. She was the character of stories now. And yet, she now found herself surprised.

It was not the first time she spoke with Viktor regarding if he could make someone like her. Blitzcrank was the closest, and even then, Blitzcrank had never known what was to be human. But he had a mind and heart.

And she found herself in thought. What brought the change to Viktor?

Was the leg of the person who changed him? Even if just a bit?

The Institute had become interesting once again.

Had Orianna know that the only reason Viktor changed slightly was the therapist. She might have felt a tad disappointing of finding the therapist drooling on his desk.

Morning came. Some decided it was time to rest after a night of work. And some others simply were taking their time. There would be matches, there would be work for others. The usual routine on the institute. But for a particular therapist morning came in the form of someone knocking his door.

"Enter! Is not closed"

The Mechanical Herald entered carrying the new prosthetic. Gray in colors of metal Cid noticed that it was a work of art in itself. It looked durable, durable enough to hold silver bolts for a while.

"Greetings Cid. As promised, your leg is here"

He placed the leg on his desk. And waited.

"Are you not going to try it?"

Cid coughed in awkwardness.

"Mind?"

Viktor sighed.

"Human embarrassment, can't believe I ever had that emotion"

As Viktor didn't look Cid got the leg in place and noticed how it seemed to be a perfect fit. Before he could ask, Viktor started speaking.

"I managed to make the measurements from memory and comparison about your previous leg, which you might be happy to know I destroyed for you. No need to thank me, but I would appreciate you spoke of the glorious evolution to others"

Cid smiled. It seemed that was the closest he would ever see of Viktor being kind.

"Sounds good to me"

Viktor offered his hand for a shake.

"While I think contracts got more weight, let us close this deal in a handshake"

While they shake hands Cid noticed the grip of Viktor wasn't as strong as yesterday. Maybe he was being careful of his strength? Who knew what went over his mind.

"You will find your new leg more comfortable and more durable. If you wish to do so you can swim with it, though you might feel weird with the weight of the materials"

Cid chuckled before standing walking some steps to test the leg. It worked perfectly.

"Don't worry, I'm not one to go swimming"

Viktor eyes caught the sketch of his mask and took it.

"Mind if I take this?"

Cid looked at the sketch, curious as to why Viktor took it. He shrugged before nodding.

"Sure, you can have it"

Viktor nodded before going out.

"Till next time therapist"

Cid smiled as Viktor closed the door as he left. Some people forgot there were many types of therapy. And for some, therapy was simply the chance of speaking everything they were carrying in their thoughts, let it all out giving them the chance to relax.

Maybe Viktor didn't need any kind of sustain or rest. But he could use the chance to let out his thoughts without being called crazy. And Cid knew that was what had happened yesterday.

As he went to take a bath before heading for breakfast someone else was having thoughts on therapy.

"Are you sure of this?"

Said the voice of an enforcer a bit nervous.

"You need to let it all out, and I would prefer for it to be here and not in the streets of Piltover, there is enough damage to property getting on you. So is either this or is being removed from the force for a while"

"Can we do something else cupcake? I mean I'm not crazy you know?"

At this, her partner sighed.

"I already told you, therapy is nothing bad, stop making such a big deal, is even mandatory to others and that doesn't make them any less"

At this, the enforcer shrugged

"Still, I don't like the idea of someone getting in my head and telling me what I see on a bunch of ink pictures cupcake"

At this, she sighed again.

"I'm honestly surprised at how much you are exaggerating this"

She sighed before simply giving up.

"Okay… let's do this then! I'm ready!"

At her words, she groaned and started to knock on the door. But her mood and her gauntlets were not kind to the door that just fell off its hinges.

Caitlyn looked at Vi with a look that simply showed how much she couldn't believe she had done that. Again.

"Don't give me that look! The door should be harder!"

To their surprise, a figure was coming out of a room with a towel humming until the figure saw them.

"What happened to my door?"

At this, Caitlyn looked embarrassed taking on the frail physique of the lady.

"We are sorry lady, Vi wasn't trying to knock your door off"

At this Cid pointed at his hair.

"Is the hair right? Maybe I should cut it… but mind fixing the door while I go change?"

At this Caitlyn got a bit more embarrassed at the confusion.

Vi in exchange was smiling.

"Hey! That's right you are the therapist of the Institute! We met yesterday… your hair looks.. cleaner though"

Cid chuckled while still holding the towel.

"I guess it is cleaner, though, I would really enjoy both of you getting out while I dress…"

At this, both the enforcer and officer of Piltover tried to fix the door while leaving.

While in the outside Cid had been calm and collected, inside he was screaming so much he would have lost his voice. He never enjoyed people watching him while bathing or anytime he wasn't dressed, so for him, it had been a rather awkward moment. So, it had been a blessing both parties had kept their composure the whole time.

Cid could only think that it seemed he would be late for breakfast. When he finished dressing in his simple pants and a shirt he got ready to open the door.

"Well… they will surely understand is because of work, right?"

Cid knew talking with himself wouldn't help, but he thought that maybe his friends would understand the pressure of work.

Cut! Woot this might be the longest chapter ever! Well I'm really glad how this one turned out! Hope you enjoy it, as always, a big thank you to all of you who read this fanfic and offer your comments and thoughts, I'm really thankful to all of you.

Muchas gracias a todos! Lo aprecio mucho.

Till next time! On chapter 17!

Chapter 17! Arcade games, a fun festival, and playing matchmaker.