Chapter 2: Tea and Crumpets and Companionable Silence.
The East Garden was less like a garden and more like a huge field of grass with some random apple trees.
Pix fluttered frantically as Lulu gave chase with wild laughter and two low grade Summoners had runes and scrolls thrown haphazardly on the ground near the perimeter wall as they practised flashing over it.
In the edge of your peripheral vision you see the Radiant Dawn, dressed in a white toga, lying spread-eagled on the soft grass with eyes closed, greedily soaking up the sunlight.
Caitlyn slurped at her tea in a decidedly unladylike manner, and you bring your own to your lips as the three of you basked in calming, companionable silence.
You briefly question if you should take the last piece on the little saucer, but Sona beat you to it while you internally debated. She munched on the treat, letting out a pleased '~!' as you trained your gaze on Leona yet again.
'Say, lovely, it is a rather pleasant day, is it not?', Caitlyn spoke up with that accent of hers that made everything sound posh. It was something everyone could admit to have felt; but no one could put a finger on why she had that distinct accent.
'~..', Sona nodded her assent, and you could only agree. You sighed contentedly and scan the corridor outside your little alcove. No one was around, but then again that would only be normal; most Champions lazed around on weekends, and Summoners who could usually ported themselves out of the Institute to one of the big cities for some fun, whatever 'fun' entailed.
As for you, a quiet afternoon with your lovely lady friends over tea and crumpets was all you ever wanted, and the Champions enjoyed your company, so the Saturday afternoon tea party had quick become a regular thing. You liked lacy things. You liked delicate things. And you liked the company of lovely, civilized people. Once in a while, Caitlyn even shared her own cupcakes!
Ever since leaving Ionia at sixteen and joining the Institute, you had found a penchant for playing the 'support' role. Coincidentally, a large percentage of the champions who belonged in the botlane were females just like yourself, and you had found it easy to make friends. Thinking of it made you remember your first champion Sona, and recalling how she said 'Only you can hear me, Summoner' for the first time brought a smile to your lips.
You also briefly remembered that you would need to remind Emi to pay for the last cake she freeloaded off of you; by the heavens, those things were not cheap.
'How has the new season been for you Sona?', the Sheriff spoke again.
'..?', an eyebrow is raised.
'Personally', Cait sighed dejectedly, 'it has been hell. What with Zyra and Karma and Brand coming down bot. I never knew stepping onto a bunch of plants would force me to base at Level One but... ah well...'
'..!', the tea is put down. Her visage is flushed.
'Yes', Cait nodded, but you doubted she was even looking at the Maven of Strings,' and the worst of it? Support Malzahar. That will be the death of me. I have been acquainted with Blitzcrank for years now and never have I witnessed him puff so much steam over getting a voidling hug everytime he tried to hook that darned Prophet.'
'!?', that pink on the cheeks is not embarrassment, but indignation.
'I know. It can even block my Ninety Caliber Net! That's ridiculous, I say. Ridiculous!'
'!!!', she is positively fuming, and Cait does not notice.
You look at Sona. Then back at the Sheriff. Then back at the Maven. Then back to Caitlyn again. You realise there is tension in the air and think quickly on how you can make it dissipate.
You mutter a few words under your breath and a scroll and quill appear, and you hand both to the flushed Sona quickly as Cait continued sipping her tea, non-plussed.
Sona scribbles furiously, then thrusts the scroll at the markswoman. Caitlyn squints.
You see the handwriting is beautiful, cursive. If only a little rushed...and all uppercase.
'NO ONE EVER PICKS ME ANYMORE. I DON'T EVEN GET SUMMONED BECAUSE EVERYONE IS PLAYING SUPPORT MALZ. DO YOU KNOW HOW THAT MAKES ME FEEL???????', Caitlyn read it out in her detective voice. The fact that she actually said all seven question marks aloud made you want to cringe, but you controlled yourself.
Her gaze softens and there is sympathy in the Sheriff's eyes when she places her hand on Sona's. You feel privileged to witness something so beautiful and rare. You also feel like they should get a room for some inexplicable reasons.
'Don't worry, love. I will always choose you as my support, and no one else.'
Sona smiles radiantly.
(break)
Later...
'What AD are you going with?', you ask.
Emi is quiet for a moment, then tells you she wants Cait.
'Want me to go with any specific support?
She shakes her head no. Briefly, you recall your conversation from earlier.
'Does Cait want any particular support then?', you press, hoping for a specific outcome.
Emi is silent as she communicates your message to the Sheriff through the mental link between Summoners and Champions.
'Cait wants support malzahar.'
(break)
Elsewhere in the Institute...
'!!!', she raged.