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Chapter 35

Invitation

The room is lavish with silk curtains, portraits framed in gold, and ornate pottery on display. A gilded rug paves the room, and marble columns support a painted ceiling; a historic mural depicting the rise of Piltover through technological progress. Every square inch of the space is the image of nobility and influential power.

"Have you any idea why you would be their prime target?" Caitlyn questions the dainty Sophia.

"I am an Arvino. There is hardly a price too hefty for a clan to rid themselves of a competing baron or baroness. It is not a normal day for me if I do not find my life threatened in one form or another."

"I have already taken into account your status in society, but what I am more concerned with is why you are on the top of their list. Your…competition does not show itself on the surface very often," the Sheriff's eyes narrow, familiar with Piltover's Underground.

"Should I come to any conclusion on the matter, however small, I shall be the first to let you know. It is with great appreciation that I thank you all for saving my family's lives, as well as my own."

"Things do keep pointing to a rival clan, the more this goes on. The funding for the brand of technology used tonight was not lacking," Ephrial enters the chambers. "Those clearing the wreckage down below say there were no bodies recovered…just mechanical parts."

"Completely automated pilots? Hm…I suppose that's why they were able to attack in the open. They were certain they would leave no trace of themselves, no matter the result," Caitlyn rests her chin on her fist in thought.

"There you are! I was worried you had departed without saying anything again," Sophia lights up at the mercenary-knight's presence.

"You two know each other?" Vi raises an eyebrow.

"I should hope so! He saved my life, years ago. Apparently, he's returned to do just the same."

"It didn't have enough punching for my taste, but I'll admit, that was one impressive smackdown! Didn't know you had it in ya!" giving him a hard, mechanical fist to the shoulder.

The mercenary-knight finds himself reminded of similarly rough gestures of acknowledgement in his time in the Freljord.

"It could've had a teeny bit more explosions in the mix, buuuut not a bad start, Torchy!" Jinx, still a bit excited from the fiery eruption.

"Who is that again…? She looks familiar…" Sophia notes the pale complexion of the odd character.

"She's…an exchange student," Vi suppresses the Loose Cannon with a giant hand. "Due to various complaints, we decided to take her on our ride along program. You know, scare the delinquency out of her."

"I thought you said you were off duty, and that's why you would rather not be downstairs with the rest of the police?"

"It's an awkward arrangement, to say the least," Ephrial cuts in to bail them out. "What matters right now is that your life is clearly in danger. It would appear the Thatermauges are all but gone."

"The…Thatermauges…?" the baroness, giving a look of disbelief.

"Ephrial stated that he had encountered Slater Thatermauge in a recent event," Piltover's Sheriff adds.

"It can't be…!" placing her hand over her mouth, taking a few uneasy steps backward, as if reliving a past trauma.

"It's alright. He's gone. This time, for good," Ephrial assures her. "As for any others, that remains to be determined."

"…I see."

"My apologies for the stress you must be undergoing right now, but there is still the matter of some unexplained evidence at hand. Do you know of anyone who signed the authorization for this?" Caitlyn holds up the invoice of the work order that commenced their investigation.

"Y-yes…" recomposing herself. "I am the one that signed for it."

The group exchanges glances at the development.

"Can you tell us why?" the officer insists.

"Those areas were in less than adequate condition for the event to come!"

"What event?" the mercenary asks.

"She means the annual Masquerade. Piltover's Ball of Peace through Progress," Caitlyn deduces.

"It has been a long-standing tradition for decades now. While it is mainly an occasion for the important figures of Piltover to gather and celebrate the year's advancements towards the future, it attracts the attention of many nobles from other city-states. That is why I had hoped our fair city would look its best."

"That still doesn't explain why these areas were specifically targeted for attack."

"The only thing I can come up with is that the majority of places on that list fall under districts belonging to other families. They might have taken insult that I had resolved it upon myself to have the areas fixed up. I merely thought of it as an offering to start off the ball with good will. What was intended to be only a gesture of peace appears to have backfired into a declaration of war," a troubled Sophia explains.

"The nature of your business is paved with even more arrogance than I thought," Piltover's top investigator glares, having new insight on the ways of the city's secret family wars.

"I understand your skepticism, officer. While my position limits my words on the subject, all I can do is offer you my assurance that I am trying for a peaceful Piltover, with a prosperous future for all. I have already seen the dark side of progress…and I wish for no more than to see it rid of."

"I'll believe it when I see it."

"Cut her some slack, Cait. Thanks to her, we're not outside right now, being scolded by the commissioner. With any luck, they might not find traces of your bullets in the copters you aced," Vi tries to loosen her up.

"Perhaps it is not under the best of circumstances, though it is the most opportune, I would ask you a favor in turn," Sophia interjects.

"So, it begins," Caitlyn crosses her arms.

"With the Masquerade being so close at hand, and with all the trouble that has unfolded in such a short span, I would feel a lot safer if you were all to attend. Of course, all expenses will be paid in full by House Arvino."

"You want us to go undercover? With all those fancypants, gold-dust eating stiffs? While wearing a pretty princess dress with too many layers? Pfft! Forget it! I ain't getting in one of those things!" Vi protests.

"I understand it is a Masquerade, but with all due respect, Vi and I are too high-profile to go unnoticed in a gathering of many we have solved cases for," the Sheriff points out.

"Your concerns are warranted, especially since, as tradition would have it, everyone drops their masks toward the end of the ceremony. However, as equally noticed your presence will be, so would your absence. After all, your family's inventions played a big role in Piltover's history."

"Even so, the attention would not allow me anywhere near out of the line of sight of prying eyes. I know you nobles are especially wary of having all your assets covered in these social gatherings."

"Indeed. That is why I am proposing these honored guests attend," looking at the two swordsmen. "They would be much harder to recognize in a crowd, especially being outsiders to the city. I don't think we could be any safer with four legends of the League watching over us. What do you say, Ephrial?"

"…It sounds like the perfect opportunity to catch our culprit. All of Piltover's most influential figures will be there. If any are not, it should be easy enough to notice. We'll have the advantage of being right where the attack happens, should there be one, or the process of elimination of certain people that make themselves scarce. In all likelihood, it's our best shot for another lead."

Caitlyn sighs. "Very well. We'll play along with this, Vigilante. However, know that we will not have the support of the police. As far as it concerns them, Vi and I are on a leave of absence to wind down after our biggest catch."

Jinx rolls her eyes, and begins tapping her foot in growing impatience.

"We'll be strictly by ourselves on this," the Sheriff adds.

"What do you think, Riven? Care to dance?" cerulean eyes turn to the Exile.

"I-I…I don't—" she stutters, caught off-guard. Turning her head away, looking slightly flustered, "If it will get things back on track, then I will do what I must."

"Fantastic! It's settled, then!" Sophia Arvino lights up. "I'll make arrangements for transportation. There's also the matter of attire, of which, I recommend you visit the tailor, not far from Mercury Labs. Don't worry, I'll be more than glad to cover the charges."

"By the way…just when is this ball?" Ephrial inquires.

"Tomorrow night!"

"That soon, huh?"

"You always did have a thing about timing," a bright smile.

"It seems so…" thinking back to times past.

A private security guard belonging to House Arvino opens the door, taking a step inside. "Pardon me, Baroness. Your presence is required outside."

"It must be time for me to issue a statement to the police. Pray, do not worry. Your names shall be left out of my account. Please excuse me while I take my leave," the noblewoman departs.

"Well, this is certainly a change of events," Vi comments.

"A boring one!" Jinx chimes in.

"Right then. We have just enough time to go over the names and faces of Piltover's most notorious," the city's Sheriff pulls out a heavily set of files.

"Isn't that the same over-filled folder you pulled you when you tried to 'intimidate' me?" She gives an over-exaggerated gasp, "Those aren't my files! Those belong to all the stuck-up fat cats I keep almost blowing up! You knew we were going to be led to Piltover's beloved ball the whole time, didn't you, you clever dog, you!?"

"This isn't my first rodeo."

"If we sneak out now, we can probably leave before the rest of the force shows up to comb the area," Vi tugs Jinx's binds on the way out.

"I'm sure the backway is clear. The nobles are never in short supply of escape routes," Caitlyn picks up her sniper rifle, and follows.

Riven and Ephrial lag behind as they descend the lavish, spiral staircase, assessing the situation between themselves.

"That was the girl you were telling me about at the depot, wasn't she?" she asks.

"Yeah. She's come a long way in a relatively short time. It seems she still has quite a bit to learn."

"You mean her calling for peace with the other aristocratic families?"

"The aim is noble, sure, but her enthusiastic gestures might continue to step on the toes of the other barons. This vying for control and power has gone on since the foundation of Piltover, and the economy practically thrives on it. A change like the one she is aspiring to create would require an extensive level of cooperation among businesses. Needless to say, corporations are born from stepping on those around them, and stay afloat the same way."

"You're saying she's still as naïve as when you first met her," summarizing his premise.

"Perhaps this world needs a bit more of the same brand of naivety."

"Switching your stance, are you?"

"Not at all. While I still view things as how they are, it doesn't blind me from seeing them as how they could be. Change is inspired when thoughts and standards are challenged—ideas that are, at first, considered ignorant, or sometimes dangerous. Things would probably be better with less ambitious, arrogant people, and more of the innocent, naïve type," thinking back to his sister.

"So, you perceive naivety as the opposite of arrogance."

"To a degree."

"Still, the strength of one's self must be as strong as their own ideals."

"That's why it pays not to be alone in them."

"How do you tell when someone is following the person, or just the aspiration?"

"How far they follow."

The two approach the courtyard at the rear of the manor, where the bikes have been hidden away from the investigating law enforcement. Only theirs remains, as the others are seen speeding away in the short, dim tunnel ahead.

Ephrial steps to take hold of the hexcycle's handlebar, getting ready to swing himself over. Riven stops him with a hand to his armor, dropping her keepsake weapon into his hands in an abrupt manner. Puzzled, the mercenary-knight looks at the heavy, sundered weapon, then watches as the Exile hops aboard the vehicle. She revs the engine in a confident fashion, and looks back at him with a slight grin.

"I'll drive."