With Lux in agreement, we get ready for a long trip. Lux immediately claims the shower, while I use the bedroom to change out of my armor. Partway the thought strikes my mind that this is the last time I will ever wear it. A shame, to leave it behind. It has served so well, for so long, and has become nearly as much a symbol of Demacia as myself. Bright, shining, no subtlety or consideration towards stealth. When the Might of Demacia takes the field, we want the world to know. The intimidation factor among the enemy at having to fight a Champion of the League is not something to be underestimated.
I pause, examining each piece. The armor appears pristine, of course, the armorers would accept nothing less; but if you know where to look, there are still signs here and there, reminders of past battles. The fact that so many of them were from Noxians does little to help my anxiety.
Leaving it behind...it's like abandoning a comrade. It has seen me through more struggle, more highs and lows then anyone else, and now it will sit in an empty house, collecting dust for who knows how long. I should leave my blade as well, but cannot bring myself to do so. My armor may have been my closest friend, but my weapon is a part of myself, a part I will not just leave behind. I carefully wrap it before setting it aside, and picking up my new weapon. A massive hunk of metal, compared to a work of art. It will do the job at least, though I hope it will not be needed.
Lux appears to have finished her shower already, and is exiting the bathroom at the same time as I leave the bedroom, which says rather embarrassing things about exactly how long I spent reminiscing. She freezes when she catches sight of me, openly staring.
I give her a moment before asking, "So, how does it look?" Surely it cant be that bad? It seemed very appropriate for an adventurer or sellsword.
"I...what?" she shakes her head, apparently having been distracted.
"The outfit," I clarify. "My friend picked it out as something I could wear when I didn't want attention as a Champion. Said it looked "dashing" I believe. Think it will hold up to casual scrutiny?" I don't think he would prank me like that.
"I...yes, very. Erm, I mean, you look so different I doubt many people will even suspect it's you." She nods rapidly while speaking, not taking her eyes off of me.
"Good, good. It doesn't have the protection I'm used to, but the increased mobility is nice. I can move fine in my full armor, but wearing something like this really does make a notable difference," I comment, stretching my arms and adjusting the pauldron. Lux seems surprisingly interested in the differences in my range of mobility given her blatant staring., I wonder if I can convince her to wear at least some armor in the future?
Finishing my adjustments, I must admit it is quite comfortable, and should serve its purpose fine, but I can't help but feel its more like something that brat Fiona would wear. I scoff thinking of the insufferable girl. She has constantly pushed for a lager role in the military, but I expect her arrogance will get her killed. Being an excellent duelist and an effective soldier are two completely different things. Still, I suppose she will get her chance now.
"How about the outfit I found for you?" I asked Lux, startling her out of her daze. Gods only know what exactly had her distracted this time. "I, err, know how bad I am at picking things like that out, is it acceptable, at least to get us out of town?"
"I've never worn anything like this before, but I like it, it's different." She smiles as she does a twirl.
I think she makes the hooded adventurer look work well.
"I was surprised you actually had this ready, how did you know my size?"
...Oh...Right...
"I...uhh...didn't, actually," I rub the back of my neck. This is rather embarrassing. "I saw an outfit I thought would be perfect and grabbed it...didn't give it much thought beyond that."
Aaaand there's "the look".
"So, pure luck is the only thing keeping our adventure from disaster before we even leave the house, such a wonderful start." I flinch at her tone.
Lux was quite insistent on checking every detail of my preparations after that, not that I can blame her, but fortunately there were no other oversights. I DO have experience in preparing a long march kit after-all, just not in packing for a teen girl I haven't seen in half a decade.
"Wait," Lux's voice draws my attention back to where she is now inspecting my pack. "Is this Jerri Juice?" She is holding up a large indigo bottle. Because indigo is a color apparently. I had always just assumed it was purple but it turned out to be Lux's favourite color, and she once gave me quite a tongue lashing when I referred to it as purple in front of her.
She tried teaching me the names of many other subtle colors but those particular lessons didn't really stick very well. What the hell is mauve anyway? I think she enjoyed dressing up as a teacher even if I was a terrible student. Indigo is her favorite however, so I'll be damned if I forget it.
"Of course," I reply. "I told you I would bring you some back. Grabbed the largest bottle I could find when we were on our way back to the heartlands." It wasn't quite the size of a bottle of Gragian Wine, but far more then what most people would drink in a single family sitting.
"Also, it's staying in my pack for the trip, so you don't drink yourself sick again." Jerri Juice was by far her favorite drink when we were little. Unfortunately, when she was 5 she drank so much she threw up...onto General Hightower's daughter...at a banquet in front of several important families.
Father immediately banned her from ever drinking Jerri Juice again. Despite that, I made sure to sneak her some when I could, stuff was ridiculously expensive but her reaction when I did so made it absolutely worth it.
Lux slams into me like a missile, bawling her eyes out once more. This...was not the reaction I was speaking of. I don't...I don't understand.
She's babbling something but, I can't understand it between the sobs and with her voice muffled while pressed against me. I can actually feel her shaking and shuddering as she cries. I hug her and rub her back while trying to figure out what to do. I don't even know why she's crying so how am I suppose to fix it?