"No,"
"No what?"
"No,"
Katarina sighed as she walked over to the door, but stopped right in front of it without touching the handle. She turned her body to face her ever so protective assassin Talon, the man stood without his hood covering every detail of his face and he revealed his rather unkept hair. His eyes though, bore into that of Katarina's own emerald eyes. Another sigh escaped her lips, but this time she simply placed both hands on her hips.
"Talon, you honestly need to be more trust- actually no never mind. You need to trust me with my own safety," Katarina explained to Talon, Cass busied herself with her own thoughts as she sat on her couch. Her amused expression quietly indicating that she was deeply interested in their conversation.
"Because one scar isn't enough? That Crownguard does not deserve my trust nor my respect, I am going with you Katarina." Talon said fatly before turning around, ending the discussion.
Katarina silently fumed but opted not to fight him again, she had not met any harder headed men since well, since ever. She was sure Malphite would be envious of Talon's rock hard head. She shrugged and stalked out of the door and off to know Talon where's. Upon moments of silence Katarina stormed back into the room, as if a thought suddenly came across her mind.
Cass on the other hand gave Talon a bemused expression as Talon gave a curious glance towards Cass, which she simply raised both her hands. Talon turned back towards Katarina and raised his eyebrows and gestured for her to speak her mind.
"What became of the Exile? I heard from a little birdy that some interesting interactions happened today," Katarina asked.
Talon gave Cass a sideways glance, "More like a little snaky," Talon muttered, Cass forced down a chuckle, she couldn't force down the chuckle. "Singed, Warwrick, and Sion had made it upon themselves to become Noxus welcoming committee. Riven handled them handily and that was that," Talon said, quietly placing on his hood once more.
Katarina gave him a look of disbelief if not annoyance, "And you had no hand of how Riven handled them handily?" Katarina asked. Cass made a small quip about "hands" under her breath, her forked tongue sticking out between giggles.
Talon remained calm, thankful he placed his hood back on, masking most of his emotions except those revealed in his voice. "I, perhaps, encouraged the three to back off," Talon responded.
Katarina crossed her arms over her chest and gave a huff, "You should have let her get bullied by Swain's cronies. She'll dislike Swain even more," Katarina said.
"She would most likely sway to our side since I demonstrated help," Talon added.
"Pah-lease, anyways if we are to make it to our meeting with the Crownguards and Prince Jarven V we best leave in five minutes, I'll meet you outside at the plaza." With that Katarina left without further word.
It was hardly big news that Katarina was of no support of General Swain, but she respected strength wherever it lies and with who. But she was still looking for her missing father and somehow Katarina mused that General Swain knew more about the corruption of Noxus High Command than he was letting on. Upon further inquiries of the Lady Deceiver LaBlanc the entire De Couteau household became curious of this LaBlanc. Hush voices of an organization called "The Black Rose" made it to the ears of Katarina and there were certain aspects of Noxus diplomacy that could not be settled with strength alone. Knives were needed.
"I think you should bring white roses next time," Cass suggested as she slithered off of her coach and approached Talon slowly. Talon in return simply gave her a look of disbelief and sighed. "What? She'll not accept and I'll keep them, a win-win situation for me," Cass added, her smile growing ever so.
"And she'll castrate me. Now please Cass, I'm going to the plaza, since I doubt I'll be able to bring my favorite blade I got nothing else to prepare for this meeting," Talon said as he walked towards the door.
"You have a favorite blade?" Cass asked, she never thought that Talon was a possessive person and felt no attachment to his blades, mostly.
"The blade that slits the throat of Garen Crownguard," Talon said dryly as he continued walking outside of the room. As the door closed Cass shook her disapprovingly and slithered back to her coach.
Katarina impatiently tapped her foot as she waited for Talon to reach the plaza. Around her stood a few other Champions, some barely worth for her take notice of, a man hovering simply floated in silent meditation as Katarina shot glares at his direction. She detested that man, he neither represents Noxus or any other enemy Nation but the fact he was her counter in her lane frustrated her to no end. All thanks to the Void, such a nuisance the Void Katarina thought bitterly, her glares were cut short as a purple cloaked figure stood between her and the floating man.
"Finally Talon, now please behave yourself as we proceed with our meeting," Katarina ordered and to which Talon scoffed indicating he needed not to be told to behave, "Oh and both Crownguards will be attending along with the Prince," Katarina added as she walked along side Talon.
Talon gave a visible shudder, the sheer peppiness and cheerfulness of Lux Crownguard would drive Talon nearly mad. He shrugged as he continued walking forward, barely taking much care of his surroundings. The first few weeks gave him enough insurance that no Champion under the care of the League will perish in here, hurt yes, but no death. Very few Champions, outside of Noxus, wish for blood outside of the battle fields. In all reality, Noxus has the deadliest fighters, warriors, soldiers and casters of all League. Perhaps a tad arrogant for such claim but not farfetched. Demacians restrict themselves far too much with their code of honor and righteousness, others have their sense of morals and laws that forbids any action of murder. Noxus on the other hand simply strive for strength and the ability to crush one enemy.
The meeting room was inside one of the more grand houses provided by the Institution, and with a hefty sum from Prince Jarven V did help, to which Katarina simply raised her eyebrow by the sheer size of the place. Talon simply rolled his eyes, the gardens around the home was simply grass and the windows were all covered by curtains. The house itself seemed to be much like a castle, if not half the size of what one would expect a normal size castle should be. Possibly even less.
Katarina walked, Talon following closely acting as her shadow practically. No servants, no butlers, simply an empty room with a table and several chairs around it. It seems the Crownguards did not want their Noxus company to roam their home. Lux Crownguard was the first to stand up and greet them both, she gave a pretty smile and shook Katarina's hand and while Talon refused to outstretch his hand but Lux still gave a smile simply accepted Talon's nod. She gave him a wink before sitting down and wondered if that was a tad bit flirtatious. Prince Jarvan himself stood up before sitting back down, bowing his head towards Katarina and simply nodded towards Talon's direction.
"Garen Crownguard has left for Demacia for some urgent business," Jarvan began, he turned his attention to Katarina, ", so what is it you wished to talk to us about?"
"Much of Noxus High Command has been cut down to size, an exact size that I believe General Swain chose. Not surprising to say the least, but that is not the point of this meeting, as you know Noxus has been low key ever since the last war and I would be much happy if Demacia would not interfere with Noxus politics," Katarina explained.
Jarvan gave her a questioningly look, unsure of to respond, "Ah, yes. I'm sure you won't have any issue with our interference, but if you require assistance please do not come to us. I do believe Noxus could become something better, but I know you Katarina and from what I have seen I am not sure if you are the right person to lead Noxus," Jarvan responded, his voice stern and eyes firm.
Katarina offered a smirk before quietly standing up, "Well Prince, I pray you have a long reign. It seems we will take our leave. Talon," Katarina said before turning and Talon following close like her shadow.
Talon offered a nod before turning back his head, possibly a wrong move to acknowledge such a bubbly person as Luxanna Crownguard but no matter now. The duel of assassins moved swiftly out and into the streets. With other champions in sight Katarina turned her head towards Talon, her emerald eyes shining in the sunlight.
"We need information on this, Black Rose, Talon. Luxanna Crownguard was the one that gathered all the intel for Demacia military, so I need you to infiltrate and gather whatever information you can get from her." Katarina said, rather ordered.
Moments passed as both continued walking, Talon dipped his head downward and muttered darkly, "Of course."
A sigh escaped her lips, Riven clenched her eyes closed and dipped her head into the small pool. Her legs lying next to her as she laid on her side near the small pool. Her head resting on her arm as it laid limp over the pool. Her hair still in a bun but her bangs covered most of her vision. She blew air from her mouth to remove the pesky hair and sighed again when it was all in vain.
Her sword was stuck in the ground right behind the woman, The broken sword still remained a sense of awe, that the sword's hilt was so large that one simply wondered how the sword originally looked and how a woman of stature such as Riven could possibly wield such a weapon. Riven slowly stood up, her hand cradling her head. A small smile escaped her lips as she moved her fingers through her hair, it was truly a blissful feeling. Even though the movement was caused by her own hand it still delivered a sense of security. Fond memories filled her distraught mind, memories of her broth-
"Hi!" A loud voice broke through Riven's trance like state.
Riven snapped her head towards the source of the voice and her eyebrows raised to see a head with a bundle of shinning blonde hair. The woman, rather girl really, looked no more than the ripe age of twenty. Even younger, in Riven's mind. Riven stood up, not really ecstatic to meet another champion. But unlike Riven, the blonde girl was rather the exact opposite, bubbly and wearing a large smile that met her eyes. To say the least it was far better than the leers and looks that others have given her this past week.
"Hello," Riven responded back, her voice low but polite enough. Riven's fingers gently brushed the tip of her sword's hilt. Any indication that the blonde girl noticed Riven's fingers was not evident on her face, she still wore her large smile as if sincerely happy to see Riven.
"Hey! Name's Luxanna Crownguard, but you can just call me Lux," Lux said, her face positively glowing with each word escaping her lips.
Riven was slightly taken aback of who came to greet her, a Crownguard, possibly the last person she would had expected to express any certain emotion, besides that of hate, towards her. "My name is simply Riven," Riven responded.
"Alright, Simply Riven," Lux teased as she moved closer to her, as if Lux could not glow any brighter her laughter brought another shine to her face. Riven was impressed and a small smiled formed at the end of her mouth. This small light did not go unnoticed by Lux and she smiled even more. "You are one of the newly initiated champ? I have yet seen you fight in a League match, but don't worry it is just a phase. The darkchild had a similar issue, none took her serious enough due to being so tiny and cute," Lux said, rambling on.
Riven gave her her best intrigued look, certainly it was helpful to know more about others here but it was not something Riven wished to discuss and pass the rest of her evening on. "Ah yes, I'm not worries simply anxious a tad of when I receive my chance and not simply the chance to fight itself," Riven explained softly, her voice never reaching higher than that of a loud whisper.
Lux nodded and gestured for Riven to hold her hand, "Come on! Since you don't have a match and neither do I it seems we are due for some fun for today," Lux said, this time forcing her hand to grab Riven and she began to pull
Riven was first surprised by her urge to be with 'The Exile" and next Lux's strength. Certainly she was no Pantheon or Alistar but Lux deserved some credit for her own strength.
"Ahhh," Riven started, as she was pulled by Lux. Not sure how, but Lux took her response as an agreement for the plan for the reminder of Riven's even. Riven barely had enough to take hold on her hilt and the sword was yanked free by another pull from Lux. This was certainly going to be a strange day for Riven, rather really strange.