(Katarina - PoV)
We invited the girl in to, hopefully, actually explain.
...
First off, fuck Leblanc.
Secondly, fuck Leblanc.
Thirdly, -
"Of course I'll play!" Lux assures her.
Thirdly, fuck me.
"Really?" Annie asks...absolutely adorably. That really is not fair at all.
"Yeah! I grew up in Demacia where everyone are assholes, no one ever wanted to play with me either..."
"Oh...were they all mean to you cuz of your magic too? The mean lady didn't like my fire..."
Lux nods.
"Yeah, they literally dragged me out of the house and did...did bad things to me that I don't want to talk about," Lux admits.
Well, that got awkward fast.
"I'm...I'm sorry," Annie says. "The mean lady...she...she tried to break Tibbers...He didn't like that. She's not around anymore."
For fuck's sake.
"I've...I've been all alone since then. But you said you'll play with me?" Annie asks again, with hope in her eyes.
...Too fucking cute for a tiny murder machine. Really, I've seen at least some records of the trail of destruction she has left in the northern parts of the Empire. And now she is in my house. My fire protections are very much not rated for Champions. Destroying my secrets does not erase fault for having spread them in the first place Leblanc!
"I've got you girl!" Lux assures her while offering a fist bump.
Which Annie has no idea how to do, forcing Lux to instruct her.
I look towards Garen.
Aaaand great.
He is in full 'Protect the Little One' mode.
I am the only one that remembers exactly how psychotically dangerous she is.
Combine her with Lux? This is going to end in fire.
Oh gods, it's Annie. It is literally going to end in fire.
(Garen - PoV)
This. Oh by the gods, this is what I wanted when I rescued Lux from the Academy.
Not fighting homicidal mage hating Champions, or playing politics, or learning ancient secrets. Not sexy times, which, as nice as they may be, also concern me, as I always worry how much is Lux and how much is her being damaged. And I still feel rather awkward about potentially revealing to the public, though it would be nice to shame our parents even further.
But no, this right here. Lux playing with her new friend in a park.
The fact I am sitting next to Katarina The Sinister Blade, that the friend is the Champion child Annie, or that Lux is trying to play tag with her wings of angelic light are all rather unexpected, but empyreal.
Leaning back with a smile on my face, I watch them chase each other around the various equipment. The other children are rather hesitant to join in, but that is fine. The hesitation is from awe, not hatred. There is no disgust, or stones thrown. Slowly they are drawn in, asking to play as well.
Annie seems rather reluctant at first, but Lux helps her adjust. Soon, the entire park is alight with laughter. It is...it is wonderful. There is no fear and hatred, the children love playing with Lux's wings, and even Annie is slowly drawn out of her shell.
(Lux - PoV)
Well, this is pretty great. The kids are kinda young for the most part, but seeing them look at magic with awe and respect instead of hate and disgust? Smiles and laughter instead of fear and anger? Yeah. Fuck Demacia. Noxus 4 Life.
I start showing some of the little basic tricks I've learned with Morgana and get quite a crowd, oohing and ahhing. It's cool, and nice for my ego, even if it is just kids.
I notice Annie is sitting to the side, looking a bit neglected.
"Hey, Annie, come here!" I tell her.
"Huh?" she asks but complies.
She comes up and stands next to me in front of the crowd. She clutches her bear tightly with both hands, quite nervous in front of so many people.
Time to get you out of that shell. Come on girl, you're a Champion. Embrace it!
"You're a mage too, right Annie? And a Champion to boot! Come on, you have to have some pretty badass tricks, show off a little!"
Her pretty green eyes widen.
"I...I don't know if that's a good idea..." she says hesitantly, staring at the crowd even more nervously.
"Nonsense. I mean, throwing Champion-level fireblasts around, maybe not, but just start with some small stuff at first yeah? Can you like, make little fireflies maybe?"
...
She continues to stare at me with hesitation, so I just smile at her encouragingly.
Come on girl, embrace it! Don't let whatever mean old bitch hurt you in the past hold you back! This is Noxus! Show them your strength!
She flicks out a hand, releasing a trio of flaming butterflies. Her hand dashes back, returning to clutching at her bear. Green eyes dart around quickly, carefully watching the crowd's reaction.
The butterflies flutter off above the crowd of children, who point and clap with excitement.
She smiles, slowly loosening up.
There we go.
I give her a mischievous smirk, before making an (admittedly rather rough) bird of light, which proceeds to chase down and eat the butterflies, much to the children's horror.
"Bwahaha! I am the Angel of Demacia, come to crush the dreams of all of Noxus and force you to submit to our will! Who dares stand against me!" I declare campily.
...
It...makes me feel sick to my stomach to say that, even playfully joking. Please girl, please pick up the game and play. And fucking appreciate it, damnit. I do not intend to do this again. Ever. Fuck Demacia.
Her eyes widen at the loss of the butterflies, and my declaration, before narrowing again. Fire swirls in her hands, forming into a much larger and maybe kinda sorta almost better bird.
Let's do this!
(Katarina - PoV)
"So, what did we learn today?" I demand of a somewhat contrite looking Lux
"...Annie has a lot more experience at magic than I do," she says dejectedly.
...Not what I was going for at all.
I sigh as I take in the ruined park.
Most of the equipment is either still burning or melted. The grass is a scorched ruin. The sandbox is now glass.
...
The children absolutely loved it.
...
The parents too, once they were certain their children were safe. Noxians respect power.
...
It ended in fire, as I expected. And I... shouldn't be complaining. Sure there was extensive property damage, but almost everyone left happy. Lux is a bit let down that she lost, and I am being kind of bitchy, but everyone else?
Time of their lives. Annie skipped away happier than I have ever seen the girl, chattering with her new friends.
"Let's just go home. I...you did good Lux." I admit.
She brightens up.
Garen picks her up and puts her on his shoulder, causing her to brighten even more.