Author's Note: Hello guys! It's been quite a while since the last update but eh, I still have a couple of semesters till I finish uni and things have only gotten harder for me to handle. Let e just say that this chapter contains no major action because of me trying to smoothly run everything till we get ti the main plot (which is next chapter!). What it does contain though, is vital information about how Jhin and Arwen will be working throughout the trip as well as some spicy info about Jhin! Hope you enjoy!

Daytime had promptly signaled its arrival through massive beams of sunlight making their way into her room through her half opened window. She rubbed the sleepiness off her eyes and robotically left her bed to start her morning routine. Peering at herself in the mirror she groaned in protest at the distinguishable dark circles that appeared under her eyes which indicated her lack of sleep. But how could she sleep? All she was able to think of the previous night was how voluntarily she had agreed to his proposal without actually giving it a second thought like she always used to do. What was happening to her? Was it safe to assume that she would be the same person at the end of this journey? Heck, she didn't even know if she'd be alive to witness all these. But one thing was for sure; this bizarre journey would be one she'd never forget, just like he said.

Urging those thoughts at the back of her mind, she packed anything essential in her only average suitcase and headed downstairs towards the reception of her gallery. She halted her steps momentarily, thinking about everything he told her the previous night, only to realise that they hadn't agreed to a meeting place. Taking a few deep breaths, she persuaded herself not to panic while she was desperately searching for a solution. Her reason for agonising over the situation was not because of her fear of missing the chance to take this journey. No, what she was more afraid of was him. She had already irked him enough the past day after interrupting him during a performance and despite the fact that he showed no signs of irritation towards her whatsoever, she knew he was more than displeased with her at the moment. After brief thought, she let out a heavy sigh and picked up her suitcase moving towards the door. Exiting the building, she walked towards the forest to the center of the town. She figured she'd have a higher chance of finding him there, just like the day before.

[…]

She was well aware that no Ionian would ever step into this side of the forest, so when she heard footsteps other than hers approaching closer and closer, she couldn't help but quicken her pace towards the city in hopes of losing the stranger inside the forest. Those woods were familiar to her ever since her childhood days, so being able to hide in them was not an issue. But the footsteps hastily caught up to her and she sensed two firm hands grasping each of her sides. She wanted to scream or run, even to call for help in this deserted area but she found herself frozen on the spot, shaking with fear as the stranger forcibly turned her around to face her. Remaining silent, she took in his appearance. A male in his early thirties dressed in an ebony black cloak that covered most of his body and an oversized hood that covered most of his features. She could only make out his raven black bangs that covered his eyes and a rather ugly scar running through his right eye and cheek. She kept on staring at him confused until the male silently exhaled in annoyance and walked past her towards the city.

"The ship will sail in thirty minutes. Hurry."

Still confused by the stranger's words, she followed him into the city, quickening her pace in an effort to catch up to him. When she was close enough, she walked beside him stealing occasional glances at him trying to understand who he was and how could he make her unconditionally follow him. Peering inside the shadow of his hood, she could faintly make out the shape and colour of his eyes, only to realise that they were also hetero-chromatic. His left eye had a deep crimson red colour while his right scarred one was light blue. She soon found herself unwillingly staring at the man, taking in his mysterious appearance as an intriguing work of art. Oddly enough, she took out one of her small paintbrushes and dipped it into her favourite crimson red paint drawing the outline of the man's iris. Too engrossed on her work, she failed to realise that the man beside her had slowed his pace and walked a few steps behind her, choosing to observe her as she created instead. He didn't miss the faint smile on her lips as soon as she was done drawing what seemed like his left eye, as she proudly placed her paintbrush and small palette back to her bag and continued walking.

"I eventually understand why your works are labeled as controversial, miss Arwen. It is not because of what they depict. It is because of the controversy of feelings they are giving out. I wonder, what could be bringing a young lady like yourself in such a confused state?"

She shuddered at the sound of his voice, noticing his line of sight was drawn to the piece of paper placed on her hands. But after actually taking in his words, several shivers run down her spine and she had to stop herself from having a panic attack.

"Jhin! Is that really you?"

The male only kept on walking before turning around and motioning her to follow him. He took a turn on a rather isolated road and slowed down to give her the chance to catch up to him.

"I advise you against using my name so blatantly on a public Ionian street, miss Arwen. It might be proven quite troublesome if I was obliged to perform without a rehearsal."

She nodded her head in understanding as she continued walking by his side in silence. As much as she wished to make a small conversation, her head was occupied with major questions, some of which she wouldn't dare to ask him yet. How did he find her inside the forest that only she was supposed to know? How come he didn't carry any luggage like her? What was the purpose of that oversized cloak? Why wasn't he wearing his mask?

"This whole appearance is a disguise that aids me on blending with the crowd." he said nonchalantly answering the questions inside her mind. "You have been staring for quite some time, thus I figured that the oddity of my appearance must be troubling you."

She looked away from him in a rather flustered way, not able to come up with an excuse for her staring and instead chose to apologise through her words.

"I apologise if this bothered you. It was just simple curiosity, no other meaning behind it."

He hummed in response before halting his steps in front of what seemed the entrance of the large town port. Looking around the area, he immediately realised that they wouldn't be able to leave Ionia as effortlessly as he imagined. Wanted posters of him were pinned on every building and alley of the district and large numbers of police officers sent from Piltover were blocking every exit. He shook his head at their absurd efforts of capturing him and casually walked towards a large black and red ship before turning to the woman walking next to him.

"For this particular trip, you will refer to me as Lord Caspian Forbes of Demacia. A noble of the middle strings who doesn't acquire much influence in his home nation and visits Noxus to seek for further alliances and possible investors for his business. Is my backstory clear, miss Arwen?"

She looked at him curiously before hesitantly nodding her head.

"What about me? Can I go with my true identity?"

He half smiled at her question and shook his head negatively.

"I'm afraid not, miss Arwen. You will go by the name Lady Genevieve De Leon, an aristocrat of the lower strings who co-owns a diamond mining business along with her fiance, Lord Caspian Forbes and her reason of traveling is to accompany her betrothed on this long journey. Any other questions, Lady De Leon?"

She smiled at the elegance of her new fake ID and answered him with courtesy and a smile.

"Everything is crystal clear, Lord Caspian."

[…]

The only thing separating the two from starting their journey was the dense wall of police officers in front of the entrance of the ship. Grasping her wrist rather tightly, he led her through the crowds and towards the ship where they were stopped by the authorities.

"State your names and reason of traveling please." one of the officers demanded and Jhin nodded taking out two pieces of paper handing them to the man wordlessly. Eyeing them, the police officer immediately bowed and stepped aside.

"Pardon me for the delay Lord Forbes and Lady De Leon. The first class floor is accessible by the stairs on the right. Have a safe trip!"

Jhin only gave a nod in response dragging the woman behind him before she broke free from his grasp and walked beside him with a small smile playing on her lips.

"Not that I am complaining about your choices, but why first class? Isn't it a little too expensive for minor people like us?"

He huffed, turning back to look at her from the corner of his crimson red eye before answering.

"It is indeed expensive for people like you and me. But it is not as big of a deal for my latest masterpieces, Lord Caspian Forbes and Lady Genevieve De Leon. Their fortune combined is enough to let us enjoy our trip the way it'd fit for a famous gifted artist. Don't bother with such information miss Arwen. Let me do the talking and everything will be alright, I can assure you about this."

She didn't hear much of what he had said as she stood frozen in the hallway processing his words. Her name and story, such as his, were not made up. Those two used to be real people with the exact same background before being turned into rose petals and golden ashes by the man in front of her. What was she doing here? Why did she seem like she was enjoying this in the beginning?

Jhin halted his steps sensing her inner conflict and grabbed her wrist making her look at him. She reluctantly looked up and saw his hetero-chromatic eyes staring deeply into hers, blank from any emotion.

"Are you afraid of me?"

She didn't know how to answer his question. Should she tell him the truth or should she brush it off? There was no saying of what the man could do to her if he didn't appreciate the answer she gave him but decided to take the risk nonetheless.

"Yes, I am."

He half smiled looking away from her eyes towards the ball room of the ship.

"I figured this was the case. Seeing how you work on your paintings, I understood that there is a part of you who appreciates me as an artist and another one who is still viewing me as the insane cold-blooded murderer that the rest of these people claim me to be. Hence the controversy of your works. This is one of the reasons why I chose to take this journey with you, Arwen. Such contradictions and controversies are what help an artist like yourself fall apart. And falling apart like this is an ugly way to die. If anything, I'd rather avoid losing my audience in such a way. Because by the end of this trip, we are going to be the most beautiful pieces of art Valoran has ever witnessed. This is a promise from me to you."

She nodded in response choosing to remain silent as they made their way towards the ball room. Jhin suddenly halted in front of the large elegant doors and turned to face the woman behind him.

"Lady De Leon, are you aware of the term 'etiquette'?"

Author's Note (2): Some of you might call Arwen a bipolar person, and you'll probably be right, since I feel like I am completely failing to portray her inner conflict about what do the words "art" and "artist" really mean. I hope you understand what I am trying to do with her character and how I plan to develop it further in the story. If there are any more questions about anything on the story, please feel free to PM me anytime!