It had been the prince's absence, rather than the prince himself, that woke Shyvana in the morning. She yawned as she sat up in bed and raised her hands above her head, stretching like a languid cat. Shyvana shivered with the early morning chill as a breeze billowed the sheer curtains of the open window. She drew the blanket closer around her shoulders, her teeth chattering for a few moments. She blinked a few times, trying to clear her blurry eyes. The room felt empty and cavernous without Jarvan's presence. She looked around, taking in the impressive decorations of the room, tapestries hung upon the walls and great paintings filling the space where shelves of books and great windows did not.
She had been called many things in her short time here in Demacia, many none too kind and even more of them were exceedingly passive aggressive. She had the envy of many women and the men she had met who didn't wish to bed her saw her as an outsider who had no place among the elite Royal Guard. Some had voiced their concerns as such at first, but recently there had been a slow swing. She was proving that she would earn her position in the eyes of her detractors, and her recent vigor in training had made the statement that she was more than willing to fight anyone to prove that she was a capable warrior deserving of the position she desired. She yawned again, running her hand along her thigh, a particularly painful bruise on her leg protesting as she slid her legs from under the covers and the silken sheets.
Shyvana drug herself from the bed, slowly making her way to the edge, watching the floor as if it were an enemy ready to strike. She tested the waters with a single toe, hissing against the icy stone under foot. She could easily heat up the floor with her flames, but the thought of having to explain to the stern faced maid, Noel, how the stone flagons, many of them just recently replaced, had gotten charred sent a shiver down her spine. Part of it was fear of the maid and part of it was the fact that Shyvana wished for her stay with the prince to remain hidden for now, but Shyvana had seen Noel's fearsome side when she had dressed down a soldier who had tracked mud through the main hall. It had been a sobering but entertaining moment, watching the soldier quiver as she bombarded him with insults and criticisms, putting the best drill instructors in all of Demacia to shame.
Shyvana grimaced and hissed as she moved swiftly across the floor, hopping on her tip-toes towards Jarvan's closet, dancing into the room and relishing the heavy carpets on the floor. Shyvana looked around, hoping to find something to wear, and saw a heavy fur cloak. She could only imagine how warm it would be against the winter chill. As she was contemplating the thought of wearing fur under armor, she saw what looked like a section of the flame ruined body suit Jarvan had worn in the fight with Kampf. It had been stowed on a high corner shelf in the massive closet. Shyvana's curiosity got the best of her and she tried to pull it down to see what it was, but she yelped with a few pieces of armor came tumbling down after it. Shyvana had clamped her eyes shut and wrapped her arms over her head to protect herself as it came crashing down around her. When noise of the clattering avalanche had finally came to an end, she opened one eye to see what had happened and breathed a heavy sigh of relief to see that it had all come to rest around her, and nothing had hit her, luckily. She worried about the attention the noise could have made and began to clean the armor up, but paused when something odd tumbled out of the remnants of Jarvan's old armor. She palmed the object that had dropped to the ground.
"A dragon's tooth?" Shyvana said aloud, surprised. The tooth was small for a dragon's tooth, probably just the tip of one of Kampf's that had broken off during their battle. How curious...The sound of the door opening in the parlor caught Shyvana by surprise. She quickly stowed the armor away in the corner, just out of sight, and palmed the tooth as she finally grabbed a tunic of Jarvan's and pulled the large garment over her head, quickly picking up the blanket and wrapping it around her shoulders. She tucked the tooth into the pocket of the shirt, unsure of what to do with it for now as she headed back to the bedroom.
She looked around the room, pulling Jarvan's tunic up onto her shoulder as it rode down her arm as she drew the blanket around her shoulders. She stepped from the closet and then danced awkwardly across the room to where the window stood open, landing upon the fur rug that sat before it. Shyvana shivered as the cold air caressed her naked legs, the blanket she dragged around her shoulders billowing around her. She stuck her head out the window to pull the windows closed and paused, the brilliant white blinding her. She felt her jaw drop open and she rubbed her eyes, making sure she wasn't imagining what she was seeing. The entirety of the city of Demacia, with all of her buildings lain out below her like a toys, was covered in pure white snow. It drifted down past her face, tickling her nose and bringing a smile to her face.
"This is so beautiful..." Shyvana murmured, her breath clouding in front of her face.
"Good morning, Mistress Shyvana." A soft spoken voice said from the doorway. Shyvana started and looked over her shoulder, spotting the familiar black and white uniform of a maid. Shyvana quickly recognized the glasses with icy blue eyes glimmering behind them and the sleek black hair that framed the pale face.
Shyvana rapidly gathered the blanket around her shoulders and tried to smile. "I was just visiting this morning and I..." Noel gave the dragoness a tight lipped smile as Shyvana sighed, a defeated look upon her face. "Good morning, Noel." Shyvana said, blushing slightly as she met the piercing blue stare. "Have you seen Jarvan this morning?"
"Yes, Ma'am." Noel said, nodding. "He wished for me to tell you he had had a meeting with his father this morning and would return when he was finished. He conveys his regrets."
"Ah, I see." Shyvana nodded sadly and turned back to the window. She stared out of the window as snow drifted past. Noel stepped up to her side, a rarely seen smile decorating her sharp features.
"Surely this is not the first time you've seen a snowfall this heavy?" Noel said, her gaze jumping back and forth between the dancing white flakes and Shyvana. The dragoness glanced over at her and shook her head after a few moments.
"I've seen lots of snow in the past months." Shyvana said, laughing. "But not like this. I've never seen anything so beautiful as this view. It's..."
"Breathtaking." Noel said, nodding. Shyvana glanced over, a smile upon her face, surprised at getting to see a bit more of Noel than she had before. Jarvan had told tales of horror when he spoke of Noel, a cruel and demanding caretaker, but Shyvana had only seen a quiet and caring maid so far. Noel pulled the window shut. "Would you like some breakfast, ma'am?" Noel asked after a few moments. Shyvana tore her gaze from the window and nodded.
"That sounds good." Shyvana smothered a yawn as Noel led her from the room.
"I'll have something sent up, Mistress." Noel said, bowing.
"Thanks, Noel." Shyvana said with a smile. "And please, it's Shyvana... just Shyvana."
"Yes, Mis-... ah, Shyvana." Noel said, trying the name on for size. She looked uncomfortable at first when she used the name, but Shyvana felt awkward being addressed as 'mistress'.
It makes me feel as if I am some secret lover trapped in an ivory tower. She blushed at the thought, realizing just how true that was, looking at the pale stone of the walls. Noel clicked off, disappearing through the doorway, leaving Shyvana alone in the parlor of Jarvan's suite of room. Shyvana opened her mouth to call after the maid, but the door was shut and the distant clicking had faded away. Shyvana frowned, looking down at herself, shaking her head at the irony of her statement. With her clothes in ribbons, Shyvana would be trapped in the room until either Noel or Jarvan returned. She started to approach the crackling fire when she noticed that a set of clothes had been lain out for her. She blinked a few times surprised by the garments as she stepped up and examined the tunic. She held it up and blanked for a few brief moments. It looks as if it will fit perfectly, tailored just for me.
Shyvana blushed furiously. Someone must have known I would be here!
"Shyvana?"
"Yes?" The dragoness spun, expecting to see the prince standing there in the entrance hallway of the Demacian Palace, waiting for her, but in his stead she saw the blue and blonde locks of Delancey. "Oh. Hi, Del."
"The least you could do is try to not look so depressed." Delancey said, giving the dragoness a sly grin. "Jarvan said you'd be here." Shyvana blushed lightly as she glanced away, shifting from foot to foot nervously. Delancey looked the dragoness up and down and smiled. "Your skin looks so pretty today, so rosy and lustrous." Shyvana looked at her hands as a smile broke out on her face and then blushed even deeper, having realized what Delancey was saying.
"Please don't say anything to anyone." Shyvana said fiercely, glaring at Delancey, her cheeks burning with the memories of the night before.
"My lips are sealed." Delancey piped, grinning mischievously as she made the gesture of zipping her lips, locking it with a key and then tossing it over her shoulder. She set a hand on Shyvana's shoulder and nodded as she chuckled and gestured for Shyvana to walk with her deeper into the palace. "Jarvan sent me to let you know that he is busy in a meeting with the King, Generals Lorcan and Jormander, as well as several other high ranking councilors, and he can't get away as soon as he thought." The sergeant gave Shyvana a regretful glance that spoke of how she hoped that Shyvana wouldn't be angry. "Jarvan wished for me to convey his sincerest apologies, Shyvana." She bowed slightly, creasing her brow slightly in preparation for an explosion, but Shyvana sighed softly and nodded, a glum look upon her face.
"It's okay." Shyvana mumbled, shaking her head as she patted Del on the shoulder. "I feared something like this would happen when Jarvan disappeared this morning." The dragoness shrugged.
"He asked if you would like to join him for dinner at five, though." Delancey said, offering her an encouraging smile. "It's the soonest he can get away."
"Tell him that I'll be waiting for him." Shyvana said, nodding sadly. Del stepped up and hugged the dragoness, taking Shyvana by surprise, but she met the hug with a smile and a gentle return of the embrace. "Thanks, Del."
The sergeant stepped back and saluted proudly before she scampered away, disappearing deeper into the castle. Shyvana sighed. "The morning is lost then. Back to the barracks I suppose." Shyvana mumbled to herself as she started along the hallway. She paused at the doorway to the main courtyard, one gloved hand upon the doorjamb and the other resting upon the heavy timbers of the door. A Demacian Guardsman held the door for her, as she eyed the fluffy white snow with trepidation. This was the first time she had stepped into the courtyard since she had suffered the decisive defeat at the hands of Xin Zhao. She started to take a step out, but she froze, hesitating.
"It won't bite..." A soft voice urged from behind. Shyvana turned in the doorway, the ease and grace of Catherine Lightshield billowing around her as she seemed to float over the stone flagons that lined the corridors of the Palace.
"Oh, uh... your highness." Shyvana squeaked nervously, her already windswept cheeks burning an even brighter shade of pink. She envied the grace and wisdom of the Queen of Demacia, her soft voice and even demeanor serving to calm Shyvana's nerves with her very presence. Shyvana caught herself and bowed, her eyes upon the floor. "Apologies, I meant no offense."
"Please, please, it's Catherine." The queen said with a smile, her pale eyes glimmering happily. She set a slender, glove-clad hand upon the young dragoness's arm and guided her towards the door. "It is nothing more than water" She took a step out into the pristine white snow, smiling up at Shyvana. The dragoness nodded tentatively, taking a step out into the snow.
"I do not fear the snow, my lady." Shyvana said nervously. "But the memories it already carries." The light, snowy material offered no resistance as she stepped down into it, her foot finding purchase upon the stone slabs that lined the courtyard. Shyvana exhaled, her breath clouding before her. She hadn't realized that she had been holding her breath in anticipation, standing on the precipice of the doorway. She took several more steps into the courtyard before she looked up, the snow drifting down gently around her. The snow was gentle and light as it fell, only adding to the snow that was already on the ground. Shyvana looked out over the courtyard where a depression in the snow marked the center of the courtyard and the battleground that Shyvana had fought upon.
"Does it only carry bad memories, child?" Lady Catherine said softly. "Surely that cannot be the case."
"Well..." Shyvana furrowed her brow as she thought back. "There have been a few good memories." She spoke softly, holding her hands before her. It was snowing when we slew Kampf. And it was snowing the first time we shared each other's company. I suppose there are a few good memories as well. A smile started to spread over her face.
"That is more like it." Lady Catherine said softly, smiling warmly at the dragoness. "You have a beautiful smile, young one. I look forward to seeing you share it with my son and our people for years to come." Shyvana blushed furiously and Lady Catherine chuckled softly, the sound like that of tinkling bone china. "Ah, but where is that bone headed son of mine?" Catherine scowled, a rare frown crossing her normally placid face. "He should be out here sharing this moment with you, not I." Shyvana smiled as she held a gloved hand out to the snowfall. She managed to catch a snowflake, a grin growing across her face. Shyvana turned toward the Queen of Demacia.
"He was supposed to meet me this morning, but I suppose the meeting he had to attend was more important." Shyvana said, trying to hide the sadness in her voice. She tried to look hopeful, but the sadness in her eyes betrayed her feelings to the queen.
"My husband, the king, is busy preparing for many things right now, unfortunately, and Jarvan is probably doing what he can to assist him with that." She sighed, turning towards Shyvana, giving her a toothy smile. "It is unfortunate really, considering that you two finally have some time free and you're being kept apart. I know of the king's promise for when you defeat Xin Zhao, but really, this seems so silly. I shall have a talk with the king as soon as I can."
"That's not necessary." Shyvana said, shaking her head, long red locks of hair that descended down on either side of her face bouncing back and forth across her cheeks. A few flakes of snow descended down as she did, falling from the crown of her head.
"Nonsense." Lady Catherine said, waving a hand dismissively. "If I'm going to have any grandchildren by the time my husband passes the reins on, I can't have you and Jarvan spending so much time apart." Shyvana's face burned a brillant red as she stared at the ground.
"Yes ma'am." Shyvana said, her voice small and squeaky as she struggled to hide how embarrassed she felt. The queen laughed aloud, bringing a smile to Shyvana's face. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course, dear." Catherine said, taking Shyvana's hand in both of hers. She looked at Shyvana with proud, kind eyes, patting her hand. "Please, ask anything you wish."
"I have to wonder, with all that has happened in the past months, I believe I missed much that is the holiday of Snowdown." Shyvana's hand gathered a bunch of her cloak nervously as she glanced from the ground to the queen and back again. "Talk among the other soldiers spoke of the tradition for lov-... couples to exchange gifts." Shyvana said, a frown creasing her brow. She was trying to at least show a mote of dignity in her speech when speaking to the queen of her new country and the mother of her lover. "I did not get anything for Jarvan, and I wish to know what would be appropriate as a gift." Lady Catherine nodded, her long brown hair bobbing as she nodded sagely.
"It is a Valoran tradition to celebrate the Time of Snowdown at the end of every year." Catherine said, nodding. "Decorations, good food, and friends and family are all a part of the worldly traditional celebration. Now a days, parents leave out gifts for their children under the guide of 'Santa', a mythical figure who visits children across the continent; Noxians and Demacians, Piltovians and Zaunites alike partake in their own version of Snowdown. Though this 'Santa' is the spirit of good will and brotherly love embodied into a very capitalistic view." Catherine chuckled softly and shook her head. "The Time of Snowdown has brought together all sort of men throughout the ages. It is unfortunate, however, that because of all of this conflict within the city, it seems as if the holiday spirit has passed the entire palace by."
"I see..." Shyvana said, reverence in her voice. "That's amazing..."
"It is quite amazing what can happen when men come together to celebrate a mutual holiday." Catherine's head nodded slowly. She chuckled; the sound was like bone china clinking gently together. "During the Last Great War, Snowdown had managed to completely bring a halt to the hostilities. Men from both camps came together in the middle of the battlefield to have a great feast. The Demacian's brought and slaughtered a great steer and the Noxians brought a cask of ale so great it took three teams of horses to pull the wagon from the mud." Shyvana laughed at that and Catherine smiled broadly at her. "It was a grand occasion and they men played a game of Veilball."
"I have never heard that story before." Shyvana said smiling.
"Your father was a historian, a scholar, yes?" Catherine said.
"He loved history and humanity in general." Shyvana said, nodding. "He studied everything he could and he would have loved that story." She looked down at the ground, her voice trailing off. Catherine patted her hand as they continued to stroll through the courtyard.
"No record of the story exists other than word of mouth." Catherine said, a surprisingly devious smile on her face. "Both Commanders, the Demacian Field Marshal and the Noxian General both had a massive court martial of their respective forces. Rumors were eradicated and while the official records were lost, the story is a solemn reminder that even in war, humanity stands true in the hearts of men."
"That's quite the tale." Shyvana said, smiling. "Does Demacia celebrate the Snowdown differently from other nations?" Catherine nodded sagely.
"It does." Catherine said with a soft sigh. "I believe you saw a bit of that when Jarvan took you on your first date within the city, no?" She smiled as Shyvana blushed lightly. "The Time of Snowdown is a time of reverence in Demacia. We celebrate the dead who have passed in the year previous. While we do partake in the traditional celebrations, we Demacians are much more reserved when it comes to our celebrations. We hold great feasts and memorial ceremonies to honor our dead and we also offer up gifts to the graves of the dead for them when they pass over." Shyvana looked down at the ground, her mind wondering to how it could feel if she had to lay a gift upon Jarvan's grave or if he had to do the same for her. Shyvana shivered and sighed softly, trying to banish the thoughts from her mind.
"I'm sorry, dear." Catherine said after a few moments, shaking her head slightly. "I didn't mean to drone on." Her brown bangs that were just beginning to get shot with gray bounced about from side to side, barely held in place by the tiara she wore on her head. Her pale blue cloak was dusted with powdery snow that drifted off of her head and shoulders in wisps as she shook her head. "You had a question before I went off on my little story that I do not think I answered."
"I was just curious about what I should get Jarvan as a gift." Shyvana said, smiling. "I've never celebrated Snowdown before so I have no idea what is appropriate. I know it is long past the Snowdown..." Shyvana's voice trailed off and she blushed as she shrugged.
"I believe we had a conversation about this once before." Lady Catherine said, a smile spreading over her face. "I don't think we actually ended up deciding on anything then, now did we?"
Shyvana shook her head and smiled. "By the time we finished eating and talking, it was so late I could hardly keep my eyes open." Shyvana blushed slightly, though she still wore her smile. "I had been so nervous I hadn't managed to get anywhere near as much sleep as I should have the night before." Lady Catherine laughed aloud.
"I remember that evening well, yes." Lady Catherine laughed, a smile beaming on her face. "Though it is sad." Her smile slid away and she looked to the snowy ground, pain in her eyes. "Nearly two months have passed and yet I know no better answer to your question." Catherine said softly, sadness sweeping through her voice. She sighed heavily, the weariness appearing on her face, wrinkles and lines appearing as she lost a few inches in height, her shoulders slumping. She lost her regal appearance, the royalty that surrounded her fading slowly as she slumped slightly and on a bench. "It was heartbreaking to watch as he suffered back then, and when he disappeared without so much as a goodbye, I didn't know if I was ever going to see him again. It has been so long since I'd had reason to be happy at Snowdown that I completely lost track of things. I only wish things had been more... amicable with our family then. It doesn't seem right to have wasted such a festive season over such bickering between father and son." The queen tried to put on a smile, but Shyvana could see the pain still in her eyes. "What am I saying, though? Things are finally looking up!"
Shyvana knew the feeling all too well that came with the suffering of losing a loved one. "We fought for only the second time a week ago." Shyvana said nervously, looking up at the queen, not sure what to expect from the woman. The queen only nodded slowly. "Is it wrong of me to still feel guilty about some of the things I said?"
"I heard about your argument, yes." Lay Catherine said, shaking her head. "And no, it is only human nature to worry about the ones you love, even if it is after a fight or a disagreement where you may or may not be to blame. My son is not infallible though, I learned that years ago, but an argument like that can only help your love grow. The fact that you remain together, closer than ever despite that means there is something truly beautiful between the two of you. I can see it. I just hope you can as well." Catherine sighed heavily and patted the dragoness's hand. "And you can't imagine how glad I am to see that the two of you managed to work it all out."
At times it almost seems as if we aren't going to make it. Memories of the fight she had with Jarvan less than a week before flashed through her mind, but the aching muscles in her body banished what few reservations she had left. A week of solid fighting and sparring, and we have only grown closer and closer. Her hand rested on her arm where she had blocked one the prince's thrusts of his lance, and she blushed slightly at the choice of words in her own mind. Shyvana sighed contently in the queen's company. I wonder if this is what it's like to have a mother? Shyvana's smile grew slightly and she blushed, looking to her lap. This feeling... it is so warm and comforting. It made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside, not all too different from when she and Jarvan had managed to share one of their few quiet moments.
"I wanted to thank you." Shyvana said after a few moments of simply watching the snow fall.
"Me?" Catherine looked surprised. "Whatever for?"
"For supporting me." Shyvana said sadly. "With the king and so many others still doubting me... It helps me manage every passing day to know that there are others who approve of Jarvan and I." Shyvana had been surprised when Catherine had immediately accepted and reassured her when so many others had alienated her. Her continued support, even if it were nothing more than the knowledge that it exists, was one of the reasons that Shyvana pushed through everything.
"Let me share something with you I learned long ago." Catherine said, looking up into the slate grey sky. "Love can blossom anywhere, between anyone. You can try and stop it and ruin your relationship with the one you care for, or you can support them and the one they love." Catherine smiled as she met Shyvana's gaze. She patted the dragoness on the hand again. "I have seen how much Jarvan loves you, time and time again, young one, and that is more than enough for me."
"Thank you..." Shyvana said, sniffing once and then brushed a tear from her cheek. "I really mean it."
"And thank you for bringing my son back alive." Catherine said, carefully pulling herself to her feet and extending a hand to the dragoness. "Both physically and mentally. I haven't seen him as happy as he's been in the last week in almost three years." Shyvana nodded, smiling and blushing deeply as she accepted the queen's hand and got to her feet. "Now then." Catherine said, clapping her hands together, a smile blossoming on her cheeks. "Let us see about this gift, it is long past time we got one for the prince. And a dress, you will need a dress as well!"
Shyvana blinked a few times and blushed slightly, surprise clear on her face. "What do I need a dress for?"
"The Royal Ball of course!" Lady Catherine exclaimed happily. "Jarvan asked you to accompany him, did he not?"
"Yes... he did." Shyvana said, dropping her gaze and blushed. "But... I can't wear a dress... I can barely walk in one."
"Nonsense!" Lady Catherine said, smiling happily. "What would a ball be without a gown and dancing?"
"Dancing?" Shyvana's face paled. "But I... I've never danced before!"
"I shall teach you then!" Lady Catherine said, smiling. "Consider it a part of your training. Jarvan is teaching you to fight, yes? So I shall teach you to be a lady of the court." Lady Catherine's smile grew as she beamed, looking down at the dragoness. "I shall make a princess out of you yet!"
"This is our stop, dear." Catherine said as the carriage trundled to a stop. She pulled the curtains back and looked out into the warm glow of the street, a smile upon her gentle face, the weak orange glow of the street reflecting back upon her pale skin.
"I've been here a few times before." Shyvana said softly, looking up the warmly lit street.
"I met you here, yes." Lady Catherine said, nodding her head and smiling. "You can find anything and everything here on Merchant Street. And you shall have the three best guides on this trip, instead of just one!" She patted Shyvana's knee and smiled as she started to disembark, one of her female guards opening the door to the carriage.
A female Demacian Lancer upon her horse clicked up to the carriage, great clouds of steam billowing from her steed in the cold of the gloomy midday snow. Shyvana glanced out of the window. "Halt." She ordered as a small crowd of figures approached the carriage from the street. Though they wore Demacian uniforms, the guards took no pause in approaching, weapons drawn and brought to bear in the direction of the hooded figures. "Identify yourselves."
"Stand down, Captain Ferron." Catherine said from within the carriage. She stepped down with a hand from Shyvana. The lancer circled in place once before she glanced down at the young women who stood wrapped up against the wind on the street. The guard grunted but nodded and backed her horse off, though she was well within striking distance should anything prove threatening to the safety of the queen.
"Yes, ma'am." The captain said, gruffly. "You may approach the carriage." Several young women approached, each bowing to the queen as they stood up. A smile spread on Shyvana's face as she recognized two of the women.
"Del, Alicia!" She blinked a few times, shaking off her disbelief as her smile grew. "What are you doing here?"
"The queen wanted me to show you around again." Alicia said with a grin, her hand resting on her sword as she shrugged.
"And the prince wanted me to make sure you were safe, as always." Del said, shrugging and chuckling softly.
"I thought you were on duty, today..." Shyvana said, shaking her head as she hugged the young woman.
"The sergeant major took over for me." Del responded. "I coulda taken the day off I suppose, but with Forsythe finally working, I didn't have anything to do, and this seemed like more fun."
"I'm glad you're here." Shyvana said, smiling, turning to the last of the three as she pulled her hood back. "And who are you?"
The third young woman had pale blond hair that fell just below her shoulders, held in place by a blue headband, bouncing as she smiled, cocking her head to the side. A white, blue and golden striped scarf decorated with the Demacian Emblem was wrapped around her neck and her blue eyes sparkled brilliantly even in the dim light. She wore a heavy blue cloak that hid the rest of her body, but from what Shyvana could see she was slight of build, though she did have some curves that were hidden by the billowing cloak. Shyvana saw a flash of silver armor beneath the cloak. That explains the slight build at the curves I suppose. Shyvana smiled and extended her hand as Lady Catherine gestured to the young woman.
"May I present Luxanna Crownguard of the Demacian Security brigade, a personal friend." Catherine said with a regal tone. The young woman bowed and smiled. "She, along with Gunnery Sergeant Juniper and Sergeant Delancey, will help you with whatever you need, so please, don't be afraid to ask anything of them, Shyvana." The dragoness nodded earnestly as she cast a withering look at the young woman from Demsec, but she was put slightly at ease by the level of comfort that Delancey and Alicia showed towards the young woman. Shyvana stepped forwards and shook hands with the young woman. She had a surprisingly firm handshake for a woman of her small stature; she was even smaller than Delancey was, barely coming up to the dragoness's shoulder. As the young woman smiled, Shyvana recognized the name and finally connected the fact that she had seen the woman's eyes before.
Shyvana started to shake her hand, but stopped after a thoughtful frown settled on her face. "You're..."
"Garen's younger sister." The young woman said, nodding her head politely. Shyvana caught the tail end of her rolling her eyes back as she put on a forced smile. Shyvana only recognized it because Vorscham had perfected the gesture when informally addressing officers he had labeled as 'chickenshit', namely Major Seymour. It was perfect for people who thought they were important, but only needed smoke blown up their ass till they went on their merry way. Shyvana nodded politely, already fearing she had tread on a nerve.
"A pleasure to meet you." Shyvana said as politely as she could.
"Luxanna, Vivian, Alicia, please take good care of her for me." Catherine said with the pleasant smile of a mother watching over her young children. "Try not to burn the city down, girls." Her smile glimmered as she looked at Shyvana, the dragoness blushing as she got the joke.
"No promises." Delancey said with a sly grin, turning towards the busy street, looking expectantly towards the many busy shops and the bustling traffic, even in the light snow that drifted down from the sky above.
"I'll keep them in line, ma'am." Alicia said, setting her hands almost menacingly on Shyvana and Delancey's shoulders.
"See that you do." Lady Catherine said with a knowing grin, looking at all of the young women in turn. "I'll tell Jarvan to meet you as soon as he is finished, yes?" Shyvana nodded eagerly. "Have a good afternoon, ladies." Lady Catherine turned and accepted a hand up, back into the carriage.
"Yes ma'am." Shyvana said, bowing stiffly as the coachman shut the door to the carriage and the Lancer Captain waved a hand above her head in a circular motion. The rest of her lancers, nearly twenty in all, retreated to their formation back around the carriage. Luxanna, Alicia and Delancey waved to the Queen as the small convoy disappeared down the street.
"Well then, how was your time with the queen?" Alicia said, grinning. "Have fun talking with her again?"
"She says she's going to make me a princess." Shyvana said, blushing. Delancey chuckled at the dragoness's nerves, and Alicia gave the sergeant a rueful glance. "It was nice talking with her though, I hardly remember anything about my mother."
"Lady Catherine has always been like that." Luxanna said, nodding and grinning slightly. "She always treated Garen and I like we were her own children when we went to play with Jarvan as kids."
"You know Jarvan?" Shyvana said, slightly surprised. Her surprise quickly turned to suspicion and the slightest bit of pained jealousy as if she suspected Lux would steal her prince away. She looked to Delancey and Alicia with surprise, but Delancey only grinned and Alicia was already busy looking down the street, obviously planning out their shopping excursion. Shyvana turned her gaze back to Lux as she smiled and nodded.
"He was like another big brother to me." Luxanna said, smiling. "He was always so protective of me around the other academy students, almost more so than Garen. I always thought he had a crush on me, but I realized he was just being a noble idiot. He was as dumb as my brother and a bit thick in the head…" Delancey snorted and wore a cheeky smile and Lux blushed. "Not like that!" She fumed at the sergeant, turning back to meet Shyvana's exacting glare. "Nothing ever happened between us, I swear!" The dragoness's glare intensified ever so slightly but after a few moments she sighed, letting out a surprisingly thick cloud of steam.
"Whatever you say…" Shyvana said, frowning slightly, but Lux tried to look reassuring.
"I promise you, Shyvana, Jarvan and I are like brother and sister, that's it." She smiled at the dragoness.
Shyvana wore the frown for several more seconds before letting it fade. "I believe you. If you're that close to Jarvan, I'm happy to know you." She stuck out her hand. "Friends?"
Luxanna looked surprised for a few moments, but her smile grew as she excitedly accepted Shyvana's hand. "Gladly!"
"Good to see you two are hitting it off." Delancey said smiling. "But you know, the whole childhood friend thing… like a 'sister'… it makes for compelling stuff." The sergeant mused, grinning when both Shyvana and Lux turned on her and glared angrily. She laughed aloud and the raised her hands defensively. "I only jest! It was a joke." Luxanna rolled her eyes and giggled lightly as Shyvana shook her head.
"Your jokes always suck, Del." Luxanna said, shaking her head. "Always have."
"Don't kid yourself." Delancey said, grinning cheekily. "You love them. Even back at the academy you loved them."
"Yeah, yeah." Luxanna muttered, but she wore a smile.
"If you guys are done chatting, we should get started!" Alicia said, turning back to the group with a demanding smile, as if she expected someone else to lead. There was silence among the group as they all exchanged glances with each other.
"Well, unless anyone has a better idea, I know of a well renowned dress maker that we can visit first." Luxanna said, looking at the other girls and smiling primly."
"Okay..." Shyvana said, falling in besides Lux as Alicia and Delancey brought up the rear. "Luxanna?"
"Please." She said, turning towards the dragoness. "It's just Lux."
"Alright." Shyvana said, an excited smile upon her face. "I know nothing about dresses, so I was hoping…"
"Don't worry, the queen explained to me what we're doing." Lux said, obviously catching Shyvana off guard. "The dress is the easy part, I have a perfect idea that will go with your hair and eyes. I was more curious about the other part of our little trip. I know we're also shopping for the prince, so I'll start off by asking this: any ideas?" Shyvana shook her head.
"What sort of gifts are normal for a woman to give a man?" Shyvana said, frowning slightly. She looked to both Delancey and Alicia but they shrugged, a frown marring Alicia's face as if she were distracted and Delancey was busy gazing off at a store front.
"I can't really say that there are too many traditional gifts that are unique to the Snowdown." Lux murmured thoughtfully as they roved up the street. "Jewelry, candy... it's all your fairly standard romantic fare from what I know." She shrugged. "Nothing really special comes to mind."
"I'd like to get something that means something." Shyvana said frowning slightly. "I want something to give him from the heart, from me."
"You could always polish his lance for him." Delancey said with an elfen grin. Shyvana blushed deeply and Lux and Alicia laughed aloud, the young blonder sorceress having to cover her mouth to stifle the sound. Shyvana stared at the ground, Alicia guiding them around a knot of other shoppers as the white haired gunny snorted and grinned. Shyvana shot her a frown, but the gunny ignored it, Shyvana instead turning her anger towards the playful blue and blonde haired sergeant. She reached out to hit Delancey in mock anger, but the sergeant danced ahead, narrowly missing bumping into someone, only to stick her tongue out and crash into a lamp post.
It was Shyvana's turn to laugh as the ring of Delancey's head colliding with the metal post halted the sergeant's teasing gestures. Shyvana finally shook her head as she returned to fitting the sergeant with a glare. "I've heard that one before." Shyvana said crossly, though she wore an unimpressed smile that betrayed her entertainment at the joke. "You'll have to try harder than that."
"If you want harder, just go spar with Jarvan without any clothes on." Delancey snipped as she rubbed the lump forming on her head. She grinned imperiously as both Lux and Shyvana's faces burned bright red.
"Is this what you normally talk about?" Luxanna said, aghast, looking to Shyvana with horror on her face. Shyvana was to busy swatting at Delancey to notice the ever so light mocking tone in the mage's voice. "And here I was told you were a proper young woman!"
"Wait, Lux, this is just Del being silly..." Shyvana started to say, but the broad smile on Luxanna's face gave away the fact that she was kidding. Shyvana frowned. "Now you're all making fun of me."
"I'm only kidding." Lux said after she had composed herself. "Maybe." She winked. "Is there anything special that you and Jarvan of you share? Like a special occasion that stands out? Or maybe a place?" Lux said, gesturing in the air as if she was trying to paint a wild picture.
"Aside from the prince's bed?" Delancey said, giggling to herself as she continued to rub her head. Shyvana growled this time, sucking in a quick breath and then closing her eyes for a brief moment. Her eyes flared orange for brief moment, serpentine black diamonds glimmering coldly as she opened her mouth and spat a small ring of flame at Delancey. Her eyes quickly returned to their normal magenta color, as the ring of fire danced through the air. The sergeant yelped and leaped backwards, tripping over the curb of the street and ending up sprawled in a snowbank.
"Not cool!" The voice echoed from a Delancey shaped hole in the snowbank. "You scared the hell out of me!"
"Serves you right." Shyvana said, standing over Del. She reached down and poked the sergeant in the shoulder. "Shush, you. I don't need or want attention like that."
"She thinks she's funny." Delancey grumbled as she picked herself up out of the snow, accepting a hand from Lux who was beaming at the entertainment. "I'll show her funny..."
"Says Frosty, the abominable snow-sergeant." Alicia said, rolling her eyes. "We're getting distracted and people are staring."
The sergeant glanced around, laughed nervously, and went about brushing snow from herself as the others set off again. "I'll be quiet now."
"Good." Alicia said imperiously, looking back over her shoulder like a disapproving mother. "You were saying Shyvana?"
"Oh right, well..." Shyvana said, her smiled fading as a thoughtful frown just barely creased her brow. Her mind wandered back to the decimated village and the ensuing back to back dragon battles. Jarvan had come close to dying again, and Shyvana hadn't been all that far off either. Isaacs had lost a leg and then his life, and both Forsythe and Quinn had nearly been gutted in the process. She shivered at the memories. Both she and Jarvan still had the scars from the occasions.
"I mean, short of asking your entire personal history with him, does anything jump out at you?" Lux said, frowning. Shyvana grimaced looking down at the ground. "Don't worry, you don't need to say anything if you don't want. Unfortunately, not all memories are good." Lux shrugged. "But anything that serves as a strong connection for the two of you, or something that symbolizes that connection could be a perfect gift. Like... I have a friend who really likes archeology and reading. Well I also really like reading, so I would get him an archeology book." There was a moment of hesitation in her voice that spoke as if it hadn't worked out nearly as well as she had hoped.
"That's oddly specific." Shyvana said, a grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. Lux blushed and glanced out over the street as if she suddenly didn't want to talk about it.
"Oh! I've got a good one." Delancey interjected, stepping forward with a devious smile, pointing to a distant shop that Shyvana couldn't place amid the busy street. She leaned in towards Shyvana. "How about some kinky lingerie that'll blow the prince's socks off while you blow his-..."
"Del!" Alicia said, taken aback, shaking her head, though a cheeky smile broke over her face. "That is a great idea!"
"What's lingerie?" Shyvana said, glancing back and forth from the two sergeants. They exchanged a glance and then burst into laughter and snorts that degraded into snickering and giggles. Shyvana looked to Lux, surprise and confusion on her face. The young blonde Crownguard blushed slightly but leaned in and quickly gave Shyvana an explanation of what it was.
"I-I-I..." Shyvana stammered as her face turned so red that the distinction between her hair and her face was lost. Steam poured from the top of her head as she ground to a halt as if her brain had completely overheated.
"Don't tell me you don't long for the prince's touch." Delancey said with a mischievous grin. She hooked an arm around Shyvana's neck and pulled her over, bringing Shyvana in close. "If you're to afraid to jump his bones, just put on a little lingerie, look defenseless and tadaa! He'll jump your bones!"
"Del!" Shyvana hissed, her face still beet red. She stammered and then raised an accusing finger, pointing it directly at the sergeant. "I'll get some for Jarvan if you get some for Forsythe!" It was Delancey's turn to have her face turn bright red. Her mischievous prancing ground to a halt as she glanced to the ground.
"So you found out about him and I already did you?" Delancey glanced up at Shyvana. "I thought we were keeping it hidden pretty well."
"Wait... you mean you..." Shyvana stammered, a dumbstruck look on her face as she stared at the sergeant.
"You mean..." Several seconds ticked by till Delancey smacked her self upon the face with an open palm, hissing in anger and frustration. "Gooooodamnit..." She stretched the syllable out nice and long as she sighed. "Me and my big mouth." Del muttered. "Please don't tell Jarvan, okay?" Delancey said, bowing her head and pleading with the dragoness, clapping her hands together in front of her. "I told him I wouldn't rush into anything with Forsythe but it happened so fast that I didn't even know what to do and now..."
"I won't say anything." Shyvana said, shaking her head as her cheeks finally cleared, this time donning the sly grin. "But what about them?" Shyvana turned to look at Alicia and Lux who were watching the sergeant and dragoness with mock interest.
"I'm just going to keep watching and stay out of this." Luxanna muttered quietly as she moved slowly ahead. She paused and looked back over her shoulder. Shyvana and Delancey's glares turned to the gunny.
"Don't look at me." Alicia said, trying to shrug it off as if she hadn't been listening. "I don't want anything to do with this. You lovebirds can do whatever you want." Shyvana and Delancey glanced at each other, as a grin spread over the dragoness's face.
"If were both going to get some, maybe you should too, June." Shyvana said, deviously. "I've seen the frustrated looks you give Lieutenant Vorscham sometimes."
"No..." Delancey said in mockingly loud disbelief, her eyes going wide as a smile blossomed. She looked at Alicia, a wicked smile on her face. "You and the lieutenant? You dog, you!"
"I have done nothing of the sort!" Alicia stammered, her face flushed in embarrassment. "Besides, dating my commanding officer wouldn't be proper." She crossed her arms over her chest as if she intended to simply ignore Shyvana and Delancey until they dropped the subject.
"Would the three of you listen to yourselves?" Lux said, glaring at all three of them. "It's shameless to listen to you all talk about this in public!" Lux said shaking her head, though she blushed slightly and glanced at the ground. "Do you really think lingerie would work that well on a guy?"