(Sett - PoV)
I lounge in my giant bed with tonight's voluptuous lady-friend. Valerie, a woman newly arrived from Noxus. Met her after the Pit fights. She seemed to appreciate it when I put tonight's winner in their place after they got cocky and tried to demand a bigger cut.
My pit, my rules. It's good to be king.
Much as she appreciated my strength, I appreciated her enthusiasm and, uh, personal assets. So, I invited her to the little apartment I keep above the Pit for just such occasions. We finished, ah, enjoying each other's company and are laid out on the silk sheets watching the big announcement by the League. Or by Noxus, really.
Not overly interesting. Some big Demacian switching sides. They will be upset I guess. Valerie says it will probably kick off a war? That could be good, less attention from inspectors to my business. It is technically illegal, though no one cares that much. A pit fight is a pit fight, even if mine don't follow all the laws.
I do pay taxes, and that is what actually matters. Mother panicked when I asked her if it was that big a deal after I started bringing home the big bucks, and sat me down to explain how important it is. She still doesn't know where the money is really coming from, so making sure I was above board on that front was the least I could do.
And honestly, looking into it? It was a good idea. Even kings fuck with the taxman at their peril. Figures that even all these years later Mother still knows whats what.
I lose interest in the show. I mean, Champions are alright I guess, but League matches just aren't the same as a good fight in the pits. And this is a lot more boring than even those.
Instead, I roll over and motorboat the curvy lady next to me causing her to giggle and slaps at me.
I debate bringing her home to meet Mother, but that usually doesn't go so well. She always gets agitated, going on about gold-digging hussies.
So what? It's not like we don't have the money, and I don't care if they hang around long.
No, I figure we will just have fun tonight, and I can go home to Mother in the morning. I found a super nice ruby necklace I think she will love.
Valerie climbs on top and starts riding me while I picture Mother with her new necklace.
Yes, I think she will love it.
(Irelia - PoV)
Sitting in the crowded room, I watch the screen with many other Ionian leaders. The crowd is nothing like it would have been in my childhood scant decades ago.
Instead of wizened figures of peace and wisdom, espousing harmony and balance, most of those with me are like myself. Youths hardened by war and loss, forced to rise to the occasion to save their fellows.
I wonder if they feel as lost as I do, but I can never work up the courage to ask. Not when even they look to me for guidance.
I close my eyes.
Some of the old ways still linger at least. Karma and the monks around her remain, but even she is far from untouched by the events of the invasion. I don't know if I can trust their paths though. None of us do. Not when the monks all but demanded we simply bow our necks so our heads could be cut from our shoulders. That we lay down and join our families in their graves.
No, Karma may have changed, but those around her refuse. We have to make our own way in the world, as times change. And for some reason, people expect me to be one of those to chart a course.
Thus, here we sit. As much as I loathe the nation as a whole, not every Noxian is evil, as I try to teach the others. And some of those friendly voices suggested it would be important to watch today's League announcement.
The knot in my stomach says it will not be good.
The announcement begins, and I order someone to kill the lights.
...
I was wrong.
It is a disaster.
Our greatest ally, one we still rely on heavily for supplies and military aid, will be crippled by inner turmoil. Noxus will gain a not-insignificant amount of military power.
And the world will see them as heroes.
I can read between the lines. They haven't said what truly caused Garen to run into their waiting arms, but it is going to be bad. And once they do announce it? They will milk it for every last drop. Throw the headline on every paper, make sure the entire world hears about nothing else as long as they can.
Force the world to forget about the horrors they inflicted not so long ago. Forget about us.
And they will. Demacia will be focused on their problems, and have no more time for us. Our only relief will be that Noxus seems to be looking elsewhere for the time being, but what about after?
No, it is far too much to hope that they will not turn their attention back to us eventually. We have to try to help, but how? We are already reliant on their aid...What can we offer them?
I will have to speak to Shen, see if he is willing to offer his support to Demacia in the League.
...
Then again...we still don't know what Demacia did to drive Garen into Noxus arms. If we announce our support for them, and then Noxus unveils something truly horrific...it could hurt us.
I would like to say they would never do such a thing, but they are far from saints despite how they present themselves. They are men, with flaws like any other. Despite how grateful I am for their help...
Damn them. Damn Swain. I should have taken his head and not his arm. I glare at the figure on the screen.
We finally have a chance to pay back our friends for their help...and I don't know if we can take it.
Noxus...ever pushing us further into a corner, without even trying.
(Larrik, Noxian Soldier - PoV)
I heard Sivir is signing back up for exclusivity with Noxus, hells yeah!
I am in my room, drinking knockoff Gragas Wine to celebrate. I usually prefer whiskey but this calls for something special.
Garen defecting was the best thing ever. Scary as fuck at the time, but worth it.
I mean, I got to talk to Sivir personally. Me!
Sure it was only like, four words but, fuck! And she replied!
Now she's going to be coming around a lot more again too.
Oh, and that twat Varn got transferred as well.
I knock back a gulp and stare at my posters and figurines.
Yes, things are looking up around here.