VI

The Date That She Expects

6:35 p.m. - Spring: Thursday

Irelia fixed herself in front of the mirror, she was ready to take the event by herself but she invited someone for her company, a sigh escaped from her lips while she stared at her image in the mirror. Every time she made thoughts about her invitation, her chest beats immediately like she doesn't know why, it was like a physical reaction of someone like Syndra whom she have given the letter with.

Still, she wore a yukata; a traditional regalia for Ionians, that gives her a youthful look. She let her hair down with her hairclips that brings out a hidden bun to her hair, for her to feel a need of change in the festival.

Irelia left the house with her blades, went straight to the mountain that was not far from her home, the slope is on the clearing that was surrounded with trees and nature. She climbed the mountain as she watches the city grounds, the whole city was bathed with bright lights and lanterns, it mesmerized her eyes in seconds before she could proceed.

Now, she reached the top, there was a blossom tree standing there like watching the people below, it was also used as a viewing point but it was left behind most of the time. She sat on the ground, tucking in her knees and idled, waiting for that person she have invited.

Behind those trees were two souls, patiently waiting for the right timing, they both peeked and caught the captain, since it was the day of the festival, they wore their yukatas but the thing was Ahri borrowed Syndra's spare because she has no clothing for events like this, regardless on how she lives alone with high interest to humans.

"Now what? Go ahead!" Ahri whispered.

"Do I look good?" Syndra clarified, she stretches her arms to make good view for the fox.

"Do I have to say 'You're pretty.' ? It will be better if you would say that to Irelia." Ahri pushed Syndra towards the destination.

"Don't forget OUR plan!" Syndra whispered back and saw Ahri nodded, with her tails wagging endlessly because of excitement. She now hovered towards the patient captain and coughed, giving Irelia an attention.

Immediately, Irelia jumped up to see Syndra finally came, her chest beats up again that could possibly from the effects of the charm, her green eyes has a slight spark of pink light on the pupils, which it was completely seen whenever it was being stared at.

"She still have the effects of that stupid charm. In order to remove that, I have to.. to.." Syndra thought, her face lighten up as she remembered the plan.

"Good evening.. S-Syndra." Irelia greeted and bowed, she made a warm smile that brought glimmer to the atmosphere.

"Good..Evening. Fool Captain." The mage greeted back, but she heard a hiss on the back of the tree, it was Ahri who glared at her.

"Call her name!" Ahri mouthed and gestured.

"I-Irelia.." Syndra stuttered helplessly since she never had spoken Irelia's name before.

"There's no such thing to be nervous.. Syndra." Irelia smiled. "After all, we are the only ones here. I don't understand why people won't come here."

"I s-see.." Syndra again stuttered. She made a glance to Ahri and made a hand signal which implies 'Paper' showing 'Help' as what they have planned.

"Tell her that her dress looks nice!" Ahri mouthed, she kept herself hidden behind the tree to avoid suspicion.

"You look nice.. with your dress.." Syndra praised, even her words are not that much interesting.

"Thank you." Irelia accepted the praise, her face reddening after that. "You also look.. b-beautiful.. with that dress.."

"She..SHE PRAISED ME IN SUCH WAY THAT HER WORDS ARE MEANINGFUL! " Syndra internally screamed, with the blush that continues to red more.

Then silence came, Syndra again gestured 'Help' to Ahri. The fox just ranted and pointed at the tree which it gave Syndra an idea.

"Well.."

"Here, Syndra.. Have a seat here." Irelia said as she invited the mage to sit with her.

"Look." Irelia pointed at the city as it was glowing with lights, giving Syndra a nice welcome of Ionia; though she gave it a slide of getting exasperated because she was having a 'date' with the captain.

Again with the silence, Syndra glances at Ahri whom she have seen that she was snickering and wagging excitedly, it was likely she sees Syndra's situation lovely for her view. Syndra glared and gestured 'Help' again.

"Fine.." Ahri pouted. "Her likes!" She mouthed, she chuckled that it could bring something which was entertaining.

Syndra coughed after she have gotten the message, she anticipated those words and spoke.

"Hey." She called.

"Hm?" Irelia got the attention, she faces Syndra with an innocence of her face.

"T-Tell me what are your LIKES!" Syndra spats bluntly, closing her eyes as she blushed more.

Behind the tree, Ahri chuckled, hiding herself away from being seen, she have never thought that Syndra was so ridiculous at making topics like something personal.

"Like what?" Irelia smiled, the tone of her voice says that she was literally interested to the topic.

"Anything..!"

"Alright." Irelia smiles again, it was so.. bewitching.

Suddenly, Syndra felt her chest beating up, the moment she saw that smile and face of her rival that she have started to gain interest with made her felt lighthearted.

"I like to explore, it makes me travel easier with my blades." Irelia started.

"Explore? Such as?" Syndra asked to lengthen the conversation.

"Like high to reach areas, or areas that are not traveled by on foot. It was called Aviation."

"Interesting, wait.. High to reach areas? Have you reached my fortress before?"

"Once. But after they have caught me going near to your fortress, they forbid me." Irelia said. "Even though I have gained interest on what lies beyond your fortress, my curiosity still piques me."

Syndra nodded as she sees this information interesting, she didn't know this in the first place, and after that, she glanced at Ahri who is smiling like a stalker behind the tree. The fox only gestured the hand signal 'Rock' to say that she approves to Syndra, telling her to go on and continue the conversation.

"More." Syndra pressed.

"Okay.." Irelia smiled again with a small chuckle.

"Come on. Don't.. smile." Syndra murmured with her blush continued reddening her face.

"Hm?" Irelia wondered.

"Nothing! Nothing.."

"You..don't want me to smile at you?" Irelia asked back. This question made the two mages gasp. Ahri was in turmoil that Syndra must say something, it could bring the conversation hanging.

"No! No! I.. I like it. Feel free.. to smile at ME more!" Syndra barked, she swore to herself why she have said that, yet it feels so rewarding. But at the tree not far was a fox who was enjoying her sloppy replies, Syndra glared that calls for killing.

Irelia replied a smile of course, it made Syndra embarrassed as she saw that innocent face of the captain.

"Well.. you want to know more about my likes?" Irelia finally went back on the topic.

"Yes!" Syndra immediately replied, motivated to hear more Irelia's likes.

"Well.. I.." Irelia suddenly pauses, making Syndra pondered why.

"What?"

"Well I.. like.." Irelia bashfully squirmed. "You.." Then that's the time she blushes.

Syndra internally screamed, she panicked on how the charm's effects did something again. She glances at the fox who was completely entertained.

Syndra squirmed, embarrassed and nervous.

"I like.. you." Irelia again repeated, this time, she faces the mage.

"W-What..?" Syndra faced the captain, the blush she have didn't wore off. To be honest, she really likes how Irelia says that to her.

"I..like you.. So..much." This time, Irelia's facial expression was so sincere, she leaned forward towards her.

Syndra was seriously in panic, she glances at the fox. What she saw was the fox gesturing 'Scissors' excitedly, tails wagging like tentacles and annoying.

"Oh..GOD..!" Ahri excitedly murmured.

"Oh god my face!" Syndra mouthed, it was unnoticeable because Syndra was being nervous at this time.

"Syndra." Irelia was still leaning forward. "I like you.."

She blushes more.

"Syndra.." Irelia's tone was on a way of pleading, she didn't let go of that sincere face of hers.

She liked the way Irelia says that, in fact it was not like but she really, really loved it. Of course, this was her first time hearing such words that are impossible for her. She feels that that 'Scissors' thing was the only way to relieve the stupid charm that Ahri planted on Irelia.

Still, Ahri was raging her fingers in a gesture of a scissor, she was anticipating the REAL moment that she has been waiting.

"KISS!!" Ahri screamed instead of whispering it to Syndra.

"WHAT THE FU-!"

And.. It happened, with the charm's effect, Irelia finally touched it, gently and again with her sincerity, Syndra's mind was literally in panic, she felt the lips of the captain touched hers, the blush that she wanted to remove continued to intensified.

"Oh my~!" Ahri squealed. "AMAZING! YES!" She jumped and went towards the two, jumping for joy and excited.

The kiss lasted in just ten seconds, and the pink aura made its way out from Irelia's body, it dissipated into thin air.

Then Irelia opened her eyes, she gasps as she saw her face up close to the mage, her lips was still pressed against to another. Soon as she saw those glowing eyes that were halfway closed, she immediately pulled away.

She touched her lips, wondering what happened, she blushes as she saw herself leaning to the mage.

"What.." Irelia murmured. She faces at the mage that was dazed at the kiss.

Ahri gasps as she finally saw Irelia recovered, but there is one problem, Syndra was unresponsive.

"Oh my god.." Irelia covered her mouth and faces away.

"Syndra! Wake up!" Ahri nudges the mage, dazed and helpless.

Syndra snapped, she blinked many times and saw no one leaning her instead she saw Irelia's back, facing away from her.

Irelia glanced a little and made eye contact with Syndra, she just only fidgeted and Syndra blushes after seeing that. Both of them looks away to avoid their eyes seeing each other.

"Hm.. what." Ahri wondered.

"IDIOT!"

Ahri was rewarded with hits and slaps from the mage.

"YOU!"

"Ow!"

"DIMWIT!!"

"Syndra!"

To break the silence, Irelia spoke.

"What happened? Why.." She touched her lips and asks again. "Please..tell me.."

The mages stopped from hitting each other. Ahri coughed and sat beside Irelia.

"Irelia. Remember what happened yesterday?"

"Yes.."

"Remember how you told me to practice my magic?"

"Certainly.."

"So. Do you remember what happened after that?"

Irelia briefly paused, thinking on the events yesterday.

"I was about to hand my invitation to Syndra.. But some magic.." Irelia finally realized.

"I am afraid you are affected by my charm's magic." Ahri told the truth. "What happened was SYNDRA interrupted my trance. So, it was discharged; affecting you as well.. Please forgive me."

"SO IT WAS MY FAULT THIS TIME?! HOW DARE YOU!" Syndra screamed.

"It can't be helped. It was an accident. I won't let you wander with my magic."

"I could fall for anyone if ever the magic still resides me?" Irelia asked like she fears on something.

"Yes. That's why I have to take responsibility. I will not let you go outside and fall for SOMEONE you see!"

"Oh no."

So, I told Syndra how to dispel the magic." Ahri explained.

"H-How..? Why her?" Irelia asks again.

"You have fallen for her."

"M-ME?!"

"Since my Charm magic attracts anyone who was afflicted, it can only dispel with attraction as well." Ahri confessed. "So.."

"Don't tell me.."

"That thing you have done to her. It was one way to dispel it because.." Ahri paused. "A kiss.. is full of emotion. It was powerful. It's up to you why."

Irelia panicked. She have done something that could anger the Sovereign, she ask forgiveness and bowed to Syndra as formality.

"Hmph!" Syndra went stubborn, she wanted to see Irelia pleads again. Literally.

"You knew what happened right? It's not me but my own subconscious self as being charmed was the one I put blame on to. If it was against you, please forgive me." Irelia apologized again, formally.

"Tch!" Syndra avoided eye contact. "Apologizing to me like that was not considered in to my own standards."

"What..? It was not enough?" Irelia's tone was hoarse. She has dedicated to have forgiveness from the mage.

"Syndra.." Ahri nudges the Sovereign. "Are you being too brash this time? After all.. You have taken her.."

"Taken her.. WHAT?!" Syndra snarled.

"She took my what?" Irelia cuts in.

Ahri leered at Irelia and leaned towards Syndra, lending her ear for a moment.

"Her first kiss.." Ahri whispered, her voice was sultry that it made Syndra jumped up.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Syndra rubs her ear to ease that itch residue from Ahri's voice. Her face was deeply in red after that.

"Oh well! The festival is lovely today! I must go down and.. eat with Irelie.." Ahri drags Irelia up, shoving her passing away from Syndra.

"W-Wait! I still have to..!" Irelia ranted while she was being dragged. She made a short glance back at the mage, her eyes were soft and distress.

Syndra was left alone, the wind wails as the lights of the festival got brighter, she watched the two running towards the crowd, they were shocked as they saw their captain in a yukata, with the fox that most of them mesmerizes, they took a glimpse on the fluffy tails that flows along Ahri's movements.

How wonder she felt a sting to her chest that she was about to enjoy the night but it was backfired. The moment she saw Ahri holding Irelia's hand made her mad, like she doesn't know why, until she remembered that thing. She touched her lips and wandered her finger on the red skin, as she remembered the kiss, she felt it like the kiss went back to her, she blushed on the thought of something that she had never experienced before.

"Tch.." She grunted as she watched them went to a stall that Ahri was new with.

Suddenly, something rustled on the branch, it made her hostile that her senses reacted. She floated and prepared her magic, what she have witnessed is someone whom she knew was doing something ridiculous.

"What the hell.. WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" Syndra spats, pointing at the shadow on the branch.

"None of your business." Came from a dark, brooding voice that was muffled behind a mask.

"Have YOU seen WHAT HAPPENED HERE?! I AM SO GOING TO KILL YOU IF YOU DID!" She barked.

"I don't care even if you did was to make out with that captain. I only came here after you and your fox assistant fight like morons."

"Then WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE, ZED?!" She pointed at the shadow with red glowing eyes.

"There is someone I have to see. And I have no intentions of telling you so." He said before he placed something in front of his eyes.

"What the hell is that? Is that a technology that those weaklings call?" She asks Zed about that thing he used.

"This? It's called binoculars. I borrowed it." He said while he was focusing on the scope and watch the city below.

"Bi..noculars? What is that? Give me!" Syndra was piqued with interest, she used her magic to snatch the binoculars and held it like she doesn't know what to do next.

"You are interrupting me." Zed barked with annoyance, he glared at the mage before he went down from the branch.

"You put this on your eyes? Hm." Syndra saw the binoculars' vision that was straight on someone's face, she blushed and pulls away. "W-WHAT WAS THAT?! I saw her face up CLOSE!"

"You haven't seen a binoculars before? Pity! Give me that. I have business to make." Zed snatched back the binoculars and used it.

"Oh.. So you can see things up close from far away distances. Interesting." Syndra wondered. "Tell me who is the person you have borrowed with that thing!"

"None of your concern. I AM busy. So leave me." He was still focusing viewing something or probably someone.

"Tch. Now who could this buffoon watching?" She murmurs.

With her glowing eyes, she locates the viewing point where Zed aligned the binoculars, even it was only a naked eye, she squinted to see who it might be. Now she have gotten the point, she snatched back the binoculars and pointed it, what she saw shocks her.

"You. ARE. An interruption!" Zed snarled.

"Oh. God. You are spying at those.." Syndra gasps, what she have witnessed was Zed is viewing up on a woman, in a traditional yukata for the festival, she viewed the face and she made herself familiarized, the woman has a company of two: a man with a mask and a small animal hybrid that was called a yordle.

"You are VIEWING at that woman's.."

"Silence! Give me that! You ARE AN ANNOYANCE! This place was a great spot for viewing, but you are interrupting me!" Zed cried as he took back the binoculars.

"I came HERE first, Fool! So look somewhere!"

"So? Your job is done here and it's my turn to use this location!" Zed fought back.

"Hmph! If only that mutt didn't took the Fool Captain."

"And where are they? They have left so it's done."

"Tch! Suit yourself! Go back spying that woman's size for more!" Syndra hovered and flew off, she went straight to her fortress. This gave Zed an opportunity to do his spying, he smirked behind his mask as a triumph.

"Yes.." Zed whispered. "I can view a lot. But SHEN is blocking the way!"

He laughed sinisterly behind his mask, he kind of, likes what he has been seeing through the binoculars.

"I must thank that captain for lending me this. She has great things to use for..research."

--

The fortress have gone silent for now, only the wailing wind was giving the land a subtle noise that calms Syndra, what she was having right now is an emotion that she have never felt back then, it was something that put her to anger, loss, and jealousy at some point.

"I am NOT jealous. I am NOT!" She screamed as she expresses her feelings.

To unwind her emotions, she sat on the edge of the landmass, watching the city below that was glowing with bright lights, how wonder she wanted to feel the occasion with the captain but the thing was it was always backfired by the fox.

"You invited me, but WHY you let yourself with that treacherous MUTT!?" Syndra cried.

"Foolish.. I am such a fool to begin with, I shouldn't have accepted YOUR invitation."

She kept watching below, she still felt the loss again and it angers her.

"God..damn it." She barked while she covers her face with her palms. "Stupid. Fool Captain."

Then she remembered what happened earlier, the moment that Irelia touched her own lips that even it was an effect of the charm, she slides her finger on her lips and smirked automatically. In fact, she really love it, how wonder she could have another if she was given a chance.

"I want to feel it again, it feels..unsettling yet.." She whispered, after that she tucked her knees in front of her, continued watching the city below.

However, her moment of watching the city was mixed with some sort of energy from her back, she knew this energy and it made her deduce who could that be.

"Here. Present for you." Irelia said as she placed a box beside Syndra.

"What the hell are you doing here? Go back TO THAT MUTT! I don't care about YOU!" She drives the captain away; though she pretends of doing so.

"I let her enjoy the festival with the humans she eager to know." Irelia replied.

"So what?! I shouldn't have done coming for YOU!"

"That's why I am here."

"What is YOUR purpose here?"

"I want to enjoy the festival here with you." Irelia emphasized 'here' as a point of knowing.

"W-What?"

Irelia sat beside Syndra, she pointed the box that has a traditional design.

"What?"

"Open it, it's for you."

Syndra hesitates to open, but what could be inside? She opened it and a savory smell invited her nose. It was a box filled with Ionian delicacies containing riceballs, sushi, fried shrimp, dumplings, and a rice dessert called mochi.

"The time would be.. 7:15 in the evening. It's perfect for dinner." Irelia said with a smile.

"Tch. Don't tell ME you bought this. I am not interested.." Syndra denied the offer, she shoved the box to the captain.

"Syndra, please don't be stubborn this time. I have allotted my time for you."

"You.. You have alloted your time with someone like ME?!"

"It's the time of the festival. It's always a top priority because of the tradition of our ancestors."

"So what."

"Please?" Irelia begged. "Here. This one is filled with salmon flakes. It's delicious." Irelia tried to feed Syndra with a riceball, this action really made Syndra FLUSTERED.

"Tch! Get that thing away from ME!" Syndra shoved the food away, the riceball fell until it was vanished behind the clouds.

"Hmph."

"So no one likes my cooking? That's new." Irelia got saddened, she stood up and took the box.

"Wait.. She.. SHE COOKED THAT?!" Syndra gasps.

"I am sorry, I have to go now." Irelia prepares her blades for departure.

"Did I gave you a permission to leave?" Syndra spats, she stood up and halted the captain.

"Apparently, no." Irelia's tone was cold, her stare was piercing that it penetrates Syndra's soul. "I am just wasting time, please let me go."

"How about no. This is my territory so I have the right whether I want you here or NOT."

"Really. So you don't want me to leave, is that what are you implying?"

"Well."

Irelia just stared at the mage, wondering what could Syndra be thinking.

"You know WHAT?" Syndra tried to snatch the box away from Irelia. "GIVE me that!"

"Huh? But you said you don't want to. Why would I?" Irelia tightened her gripped to the box.

"You said it's for me! So give it!"

"But you don't want it."

"I want to EAT."

"What..? You want to eat what?"

"I want to eat your.."

Syndra paused. It feels..wrong to put it that way, this made her blush instantly.

"Y-Your.."

Irelia blushed and and shoved the box towards her, preventing Syndra to take it.

"My.. what?"

"OH JUST SHUT UP! YOU ARE MAKING IT TOO OBVIOUS!"

"It is because you are not on the point! Just say it already!" Irelia immediately retorted with embarrassment.

"Fine! I want to eat your food! HAPPY!?"

Irelia pouted, she hesitated to give the box to Syndra but in the end, she gave it with sincerity. The mage sat on the edge again and opened the box, making decisions on what food she has to eat.

Irelia sat beside the mage and watches her, a smile crept to her lips as she find Syndra's actions worth on watching.

"You.. How did you made this within past few minutes?" Syndra asked.

"I made that before I dressed up earlier."

"I see."

Before she could pick a food, Irelia took chopsticks that was placed on the side of the box, she took a sushi and shoved it in front of Syndra.

"What?"

"Say Ah."

"Wait! WHAT?!"

"I am doing this because I have to apologize.."

Syndra got the idea, but before she could eat the food, something made her through to her mind. She coughed and avoided eye contact.

"Syndra?"

"I am going to forgive you, if you will do that thing earlier." Immediately, she blushes, struck by the adrenaline of that word that was nearly questionable.

"Thing?" Irelia presses.

"Yes. That. While you are being charmed by that MUTT."

"Wait.. Y-You mean.." Irelia blushed. "T-THAT?!"

Instead of giving that word an appearance, it was only said by a single word to hide its meaning, Irelia never knew such thing again was elaborated by a mage who sought power, she didn't knew that a simple kiss moved her caustic, self-righteous pride attitude.

"Just.. that? Isn't it?" Irelia clarified.

"Hmph.." The mage grunted.

Suddenly, Syndra felt a force coming to her left, she didn't quite expected that Irelia planted a kiss to her cheek, softly and gentle it could be, how wonder why the captain was living dangerously with orders like this.

"Does.. that count?" Irelia said after breaking off the kiss.

"Y-You REALLY..FOLLOWED ME?!" Syndra got flustered.

"I am just doing it for the apology.."

"No! It's not enough. I WANT the same way as earlier."

"What!? ..Well."

Irelia was now being hesitant, it was likely she was not ready to do such thing that could bring her to embarrassment, what she have wondered is that the mage was acting weird in a way of having an experience that she never attained before.

"Did you like what happened lately? Is that why are you putting me in such compensation like this?" Irelia asked based on the point.

"I.. I feel like it." Syndra bashfully said, she still avoids eye contact.

Unfortunately, she felt a nudge from Irelia, glancing on what was she ranting about until she found Irelia closes her eyes in front of Syndra, blushing on how the captain was giving her the moment that she wanted.

"I can't. So, you have to do it for yourself." Irelia instructed while her eyes was closed.

"So I have to do it this time?!" Syndra gasps, completely distraught with emotions that are new to her.

"I have done it, so it's your turn."

"You've got to be-..!"

"Go ahead."

Irelia nudges Syndra again as a sign that she has to hurry up, her face was deeply in crimson red while she was about to give her lips for the mage.

"Kiss me." Irelia said bluntly. Her face suddenly softened and welcoming with a huge blush to her face.

Syndra can't think straight, that word hit her really, really hard, how she have likened that face of the captain while giving her that moment she wanted.

"Such..brave girl she was. I can't believe she said that in front to my face." Syndra thought, she started to grasp the cheeks of the captain for her to proceed. "I want to hear that Dimwit's cries of defeat if ever I told her about this."

Slowly, Syndra leaned forward to reach out those waiting lips of the captain, she was anticipating because of how flustered she is, but as soon she closes her eyes, she just don't care to her surroundings, and then she slightly felt the lips of the captain touched hers. However, Irelia pushed herself forward to reach out Syndra's lips because it was not enough for it to touch one another.

And then, the touch that Syndra desired for was coming to an end, she pulls out and stared at the sparkling, green eyes of the captain, she still grasps her cheeks after the session.

"Fine. I accept your apology."

"Really? I am glad.. I am not going to put a problem for now."

"What..?"

Irelia was the one who stood up first, she prepared her blades as if she was about to leave the land.

"We finally made a truce here. I have given you my apology compensation."

"Yes. That was enough.."

"I never knew a Sovereign like you has a thought on things like that." Irelia made a slight giggle as she stated that. However, that activity made her embarrassed, in fact, she wanted to leave as in NOW. She can't even recollect on what happened in spite of the events that happened too fast.

Her blades reacted and made a platform, she jumped on to the base and balanced herself. The blade hovered, leaving the land's dry ground.

"Give me a call if ever you need anything, okay? I am willing to help you out." Irelia made final smile before she will leave the land. "Also, eat up before it gets cold."

Syndra was left alone again, she still has the box that Irelia had gave her, she was bewildered on what happened.

"She.. She thought it was just a compensation? She feels nothing about it." She murmured.

"I am serious. I want to feel it again, but that..kiss, it was not like before." Saddened, she kept thinking about that, what she wonders is that Irelia feels nothing. Still, deducing what facts just happened, she took a piece of riceball, took a bite and gasps on the taste. It really was delicious.

"Guess that I have to eat this up before it gets cold."

NOTE:I really loved how they interact on the Fortress scene, I made it filled with fluffs! Also, Irelia's kindness reached in nearly 100%.

Honestly, I feel that this chapter needs something in addition, but for me, the story flowed normally as it progress. I made sure that the fluff and humor balancing the way how the story goes on.

Anyways, next chapter will bring fluffs again. Stay tuned!