Hallo,
Starting off with bad news, I will unfortunately need to take a hiatus on this story. I have some events coming up that will consume most of my time. I hope to be back by May and finish this story out.
Please let me know what you think. I am trying to work on writing better. I think I'm a bit stiff and I struggle a bit with plot progression. Any advice or criticism is appreciated.
Thank you!
-Stormy
Yasuo shook the box curiously. It rattled reassuringly of the sound of wood rocking against wood. He was seldom in the practice of receiving gifts. Generosity was not a trait that he encountered often, both in Ionia and at the Institute. It came as a surprise to him when, on one of the infrequent occasions when he was in Sona's company, Summoner Eiko appeared by his elbow.
"This is for you, my boy," the elderly summoner declared by way of greeting. The usually relaxed summoner seemed preoccupied, and shortly after thrusting the box to Yasuo's startled hands, he departed with hasty farewells.
Yasuo looked over to Sona, the petite woman was seated before the stone table in the outdoors courtyard between the Ionian and Demacian wings of the Institute. He could usually find her there when the weather was nice. She witnessed the exchange with a bemused expression, her fingers resting on her instrument, idly playing a soft tune.
"I'm not sure what that was about," Yasuo admitted, sliding to a seat across from Sona.
What is it? Sona conveyed her thoughts without interrupting her music.
"I don't know. Summoner Eiko just told me it's for me," Yasuo replied, setting the box in front of him and gingerly opened the lid. He stared at the wooden pieces of assorted sizes and designs briefly before he let out a single laugh. He was not sure what to expect, but a challenge from former allies was not out of the question.
What is it? Sona asked again, trailing her fingers across the strings to end her tune.
"It's a chess set," Yasuo grinned, a surprising look on his usually somber features. "Do you play?" He asked eagerly, pulling the pieces out and sorting them by lights and darks.
Some, Sona smiled, unfolding the chess board and setting it between them.
His brother taught him how to play. It was frustrating, at first, when he lost every game. Later on, when he was the star pupil at the school, it was the only way for the brothers to really duel it out on even footing. No matter how tough the training got, or how much they were at odds with each other, later on, a game of chess settled them both. It was the insight into the others' mind that cemented the brothers' bond. Yasuo had only the fondest of memories of times playing with Yone, when they were both much happier.
Yasuo swiftly set up the board and offered Sona the light pieces, allowing her to move first. Yone had done that for him, giving him the first move for the advantage. She made her first move.
"Ah, the Lady's Reveal start," Yasuo stated somberly before he moved a piece forward in response.
There is no such thing, Sona responded with a smile, strumming her strings lightly as Yasuo laughed.
"You weren't supposed to know that." Yasuo replied, "Your move."
Sona smiled and moved again, and her yet unformed plans for the day were starting to transform to continue the chess game. It was not often she played, but it was a game she learned while she was young, as it did not require talking, only thinking.
Other Champions and Summoners caught sight of their bowed heads and looks of deep concentration. Sona normally played music while she "conversed" with others, but the conversations soon fell to silence as both minds worked to outmaneuver the other. Some Champions paid little mind to the intense battle raging with wooden pieces, but others frowned at the sight.
Yasuo won the first game. Sona won the next two. It was late afternoon when Yasuo finally discovered a flaw in Sona's game - it would be twelve moves away, but he could see a gap in her defenses. As he watched Sona make her next move (the fatal flaw was now eleven moves away), an envelope flickered and appeared before her. Summons. She was being summoned to a match.
Don't cheat, Sona cautioned, I know every piece on this board. We'll finish this when I get back. She smiled at him as she began to gather her belongings and make her way to the summoning chambers.
"Hello Sona, nice match." Lee Sin commented kindly, adjusting his blindfold as Sona's tell-tale notes preceded her. They had just completed a match and were deposited in the summoning chamber from the battle arena.
The music shifted in response to the greeting.
"May we have a word with you?" Master Yi asked politely, stepping forward with Lee Sin as the other champions scattered to gather their belongings.
Sona smiled at the bladesman and the monk, parting her lips slightly before ruefully shaking her head. No, still no words, she teased with dexterous fingers.
"I see your point," Lee Sin replied with a straight face.
Master Yi laughed, a low chuckle. "I suppose I could have phrased that better," the Ionian bladesman admitted.
To what do I owe the pleasure? Sona asked.
"Perhaps we could escort you to some place less public, where we won't embarrass ourselves dancing when we inevitably anger you?" Lee Sin asked, with a quick "look", check, around the still mostly full chamber.
Ah, so this is the bi-annual 'All your life-choices are wrong, and we know better' discussion. Sona replied through her instrument.
"Not all of them," Master Yi assured, "just some of them. But this time it's about your association with a certain individual."
"Yes," Lee Sin added, "and by my calendar, we have a few more months before we're due for that talk. Don't worry, I have it timed."
Sona smiled in spite of herself, giving Lee Sin a light shove to vent her exasperation. So this is the expanded edition? All your life choices are wrong, including your choice of friends and companions.
Master Yi adjusted the lenses of his goggles, not committing to answer her question. "We'll wait for you. I'm sure you'll want to change."
Thank You, Sona conveyed. She was still wearing the ridiculous costume from the match - costume as it was less armor and more distraction. Like much of what she was requested to wear in matches, it didn't hide her body so much as reveal it.
Yi had yet to meet anyone who didn't admit that she was especially striking in the Institute mandated costumes.
Although it did not take long for her to change from the skimpy dress to something more modest, Master Yi and Lee Sin took even less time to ready themselves. They were lounging by the door when she re-emerged, talking quietly with each other.
"More comfortable?" Lee Sin asked when he sensed her presence.
Yes, thank you. Sona drew a smiling face into Lee Sin's palm.
Master Yi held the door open for her as Lee Sin escorted her from the summoning chamber. Falling in step with the musician and monk, Yi traced his steps towards one of the seldom used corridors that led to the solarium.
What did you need? Sona asked after they had departed the chambers and entered the quiet hall. I was in the middle of something when I was summoned, and I would not like to delay too long.
Master Yi stopped and looked at Lee Sin. "Well, Sona," he began, "please don't take this the wrong way. But what is your relationship with Yasuo?"
Sona tossed her hair over her shoulder as she traced her gaze from Master Yi to Lee Sin. Both looked ernest and concerned for her. Why does this concern you?
"You've been sighted with him several times." Yi replied. At Sona's expression of outrage - that she was truly having this conversation for being in his company - Yi hastened to add, "… And he's very dangerous, and I would hate for a nice girl like you to get tangled in that."
Sona's expression remained stormy as she glared at Yi. In what? Sona questioned.
"That's the point," Lee Sin cut in, feeling the tension radiating the petite woman. "You don't know, and you should."
He hasn't been all that threatening or dangerous to me, Sona conveyed tartly, In fact, he's been very kind and appreciative that not everyone here is out to get him. So tell me, why are you so concerned about him?
"He's a murderer," Master Yi stated simply.
Sona frowned at him. In an Institute of warriors and assassins, it was easy to be jaded. Who here isn't? Sona asked bluntly.
"Sona," Lee Sin began gently, "he murdered an elder. The elder he was assigned to protect. How do we know he hasn't turned to become an agent of Noxus? And you, you represent both Demaca and Ionia… How do we know that either isn't a target for him?"
Did you ask him? Sona asked, mulling over the new pieces of information.
"How could we?" Yi asked heatedly, exasperated. This was not how he thought the conversation would go with Sona. " 'Excuse me, you murdered the Ionian elder you were sworn to protect. What are your plans for aiding Noxus?' He'll just deny it."
"We just want you to be aware, that's all." Lee Sin cut in, shooting Master Yi a look. "And if you need help, we are here for you."
Sona breathed deeply and sighed, drawing another smiling face onto Lee Sin's palm. I appreciate your concern, she played for both Ionians. And I need to leave. But what makes you think that he murdered the elder when he has no reason to? It seems very Noxian to spread dissension in just this way… Sona paused before trilling out once more, Farewell.
Master Yi watched her swift departure and shook his head. "Did that go about as well as you expected?" he questioned Lee Sin.
"Even better, actually. She didn't crescendo us." Lee Sin replied with a smile. "And at least she's aware …"
Yasuo was still lounging around the courtyard when Sona returned. He spent the past hour studying the chess board and reflecting on his life at the Institute. While the initial months were rougher, he was starting to find a routine. The overly formal stature of the other Champions had faded to a degree, although the staunch Ionian Champions maintained the stiff, formal demeanor.
"How did your match go?" Yasuo asked as Sona resumed her seat.
Sona shrugged, We won… She paused as she held the string of her instrument for a breath longer. Thinking better of it, she relinquished the note to study the board.
"Its your move, " Yasuo stated helpfully, studying the way her shoulder was higher, her gaze seemed clouded and she was positively strumming tension.
She nodded absently, her fingers drawing possession of a wooden piece.
"Are you troubled?" He asked hesitantly in Ionian. He didn't know if he was being too forward. Her demeanor was clear to him that she was troubled by something, but it could not have been the match if her team won.
Sona snapped her gaze up to him and drew her instrument before her. Well….
Hallo,
Please let me know what you think of this chapter. I am trying to work on writing better. Any advice or criticism is appreciated.
Thank you!
-Stormy