A conversation with LeBlanc

Vladimir and Emilia LeBlanc have a talk about the Vaynes' case.

Chronologically happened after the events of the previous installment. Like its prequel, it was written ages ago. I wasn't really happy (like extra-unhappy) with the final product, but I liked the idea behind this piece.

Featuring my original characters Ellen Paige and Mary (they are not exactly "original". You read the summary, right?)

"It's the Hemomancer," said the Fragment of the World, while playing with her cards "he's coming."

Hextech magician Ellen Paige looked up from her current work station. She brushed her dark hair to one side and asked.

"When?"

"In about two minutes."

Ellen returned to her work – a small silver device pulsing faint electrical pulses. If she could only stabilize the pulses…

"Any guess why Vlad's here? This is not exactly his routine."

"Is than an earnest question?"

The hextech magician sighed

"Whatever you say, Mary."

Mary picked up a card as the door to the archive opened. Vladimir, the Crimson Reaper – as some would call him, strode inside, the smile ever present on his face. He addressed the two occupants of the room.

"Hello, Paige, Mary. How are you?"

"Petals," said Paige "for what deed have you come today?"

"Cut us the codename, Paige. I am here to see the List."

"The List? Why? Found an adversary whom we failed to exterminate?"

"Not quite. I just want to make sure," said Vladimir slowly, retrieving the tome. He occupied a chair on a table far away from the two women and began reading its content.

Ellen shrugged

"I hope you find what you seek." She said, before returning to her techmaturgical device, not paying the Hemomancer any more attention. Mary, however, was heading in his direction, for her eyes were rarely open.

After confirming what he needed, Vladimir sighed quietly. He closed the List and placed it back on the shelf.

He did not misread.

House Vayne of Demacia, reason omitted, exterminated on 14/3/? by Emilia LeBlanc.

The date was not during Evaine's time as a Matron, which explained LeBlanc's homicidal witch conduct back then. LeBlanc did not have a personality; she mimics the personalities of her possessed individual at the time. Whoever it was before LeBlanc must have had anger management issues.

A conduct really unbeneficial to an assassin

"It seems you've found yourself deep into something, Hemomancer."

"I have a name, Mary. You can start using it."

"Hemomancer has no names. Hemomancer is a collection of people acting on the same foundation. Have you yet embraced its existence?"

"The voices in my head are not who I am," or perhaps they were. They were parts of him now, their knowledge and memory. But he was pretty sure he was still the individual named Vladimir "At least I myself decided to come here. Is the Matron currently present?"

"Yes. She's in the office." Ellen replied, not bothering looking up from her machine. She was poking at it with a small screw driver.

"Thank you. I do have some business with her," said Vladimir, heading towards the door leading to the hallway leading to the Matron's office.

"You tread dangerously, Vladimir," Mary warned "is it really worth it, the girl?"

The mage turned around, smiling

"Thanks, but no thanks, Mary."

Then he walked out of the room, his coat floating behind him. Mary returned to her cards.

Ellen sighed

"I will never be able to understand you cryptic freaks."

Viktor was right. Machines are way more trustworthy than humans.

Vladimir knocked on the door two times before pushing it open.

"Oh. I didn't know you have guests," said Vladimir as he saw two people in the room "Good day, Grand General."

"Vladimir," LeBlanc greeted "what a rare occasion. Don't mind the girls, they in particular do not trust our Grand General."

Swain only gave him a questioning look.

The blood mage only shrugged

"If you're busy, I can come at another time."

"Do make yourself comfortable," said Swain, standing up "I've just finished what I needed. As planned, Matron?"

"Of course, Grand General."

"Very well. Beatrice!" he called. The demon bird returned to her owner's perch "Take heed, Vladimir. I'll be going."

Vladimir winced a little.

"It was a pleasure, Grand General."

The door slammed shut behind him. Vladimir turned back to the manifestation called LeBlanc, who was standing at the cupboard, picking a bottle of wine.

"I'm aware you'd prefer wine to tea," said she "do have a seat. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I'd assume you'd figured it out."

"Ah," said LeBlanc as she was filling two glasses with the red liquid "well, shall we not testify that?"

She handed him one of the glasses and took a sip from her own. Vladimir mimicked her action.

"Why did you let the Night Hunter live?"

LeBlanc's smile widened just a little.

"That seems like a testament," Vladimir mused.

"At the time, I was sparing a little girl. That little girl has chosen to rise above with her hatred. I only spared Shauna, the little girl, not Vayne, the Night Hunter."

"But you know she will be looking into you. You let her live because you wanted her to do this."

"It's an observation," said LeBlanc "I'm curious how far humans can go. Shauna Vayne was perfect for testifying their strength."

"Even putting the Vaynes on the List served your purpose?"

"You looked into it?"

"Of course," answered Vladimir "I know it was you. As you're already informed, I have a vague idea how you exist."

"How did you know I knew you knew?"

"Because I know Elise," Vladimir replied simply.

"And so, did you tell the little girl about what had happened? Is she going to come at me any minute now, silver bolt in hand?"

Vladimir stayed silent.

"Why, Vladimir, are you silent? Did you not come to inquire?"

For once, Vladimir had not a trace of a smirk on his face. His white eyes stared into LeBlanc's lilac ones, and the Deceiver thought she might have underestimated the Hemomancer just a little.

"Did you expect me to come across their names, too?" he asked, finally.

"Not particularly you, but anyone. I let pieces of the truth fly about. If she's keen enough, or lucky enough, she will ultimately reach the truth. It seems, she'd not chosen wrongly."

Vladimir took another gulp of the perfectly delicious wine. LeBlanc sure had standards.

"And when such time comes, you will not hesitate to end her life."

"No. I will have to test the result I've been trying to create in years. If not, it'd be a waste."

So it was true.

Everyone around her only served as her pawns.

How ironic.

"Now, Vladimir," her voice turned velvet "did you fancy the girl?"

"I may, or may not have," answered Vladimir neutrally "but say, I'm really curious. How far could the Vaynes have probably gone, so that you yourself must see to it?"

LeBlanc smiled, swirling the red wine in her glass.

"Awfully close. Too much for their comfort. Why are humans so curious?" she exclaimed "they were too brilliant, too brilliant for their own good. They were one of the few who could see past what was laid out to them. Rueful thing was that, they were trying to define those things. They wanted the world to see the truth. And so…"

Pup!

A small magic flame sparked in LeBlanc's hand.

"I've underestimated House Vayne, Vladimir. One of those rare flaws that occur every once in a while. Let them know too much."

"And you've not wiped them all out," said Vladimir "very wise decision making, indeed."

"I do not have to fear Shauna Vayne. I can always do away with her as I like. Now, are you going to assist in her calling?"

"And get her killed? Why should I? I'm not even done with her yet."

"Judging by that determination, you shouldn't be here. So why are you here?"

Vladimir smiled.

"I came to confirm, how truly scary you are. Curiosity, I believe. By the way, have you anything in store to kill me yet?"

The Matron of the Black Rose finished her wine.

"I won't kill you, Vladimir. You are too valuable to pass by. You've assisted me much with Sion, and the Rose always pays its deeds in kind."

"What a relief, Matron," said Vladimir "you are truly terrifying, Emilia LeBlanc."

He set the glass down the table, and with a final bow, left the Matron's office. LeBlanc's eyes followed his footsteps until the door was closed, and smiled to herself.

Life was truly incredible.

END

Bonasu Shiin:

"How did it go?"

"Well, nothing too positive. Should you not be heading back now, Lulu?"

"Nope, I have all the time in the world. Besides, it's not as if I will have anyone to talk to at Bandle."

"Come now, you're one sweet little girl. I'm sure everyone loves you."

"Well, it's certainly better, but… I can only talk to Gnar, he's a nice fellow. But he lives in the woods, finding him is such a pain. The squirrels never look familiar…"

"Lulu…"

"Trist is nice, but then she's always busy. So is Teemo. Rumble isn't exactly the most conversational. There's Veigar, but he's… somewhere. Oh! There's Tahm! But he eats too much for my pleasantry. And I don't trust him. Pix says he lies, a lot! And I don't like lying people."

"Wow, seems like a party in here," said a third voice. Vladimir sighed.

"Afternoon, duCouteau."

Lulu only smiled affirmatively.

"Well, well, if you're not one ballsy little yordle," Katarina duCouteau commented with a smirk.

"Mr. Vlad, what's ballsy?" asked Lulu "round?"

This produced a heartfelt laughter from the red haired assassin.

"What are you doing here, duCouteau?" asked Vladimir.

"Oh, I came across you two and decided to stop by. You two seem the perfect couple. I'm surprised this is your type."

"Yeah, I'm used to it," said Vladimir with a lopsided grin "send my regards to your little brother. He did pick a lock, but that's amendable, I guess. You really should follow his example."

"Talon is not my bro… it's just a window, Vlad! Stop being salty about it!"

"Special Bilgewater seaglass, damn it! Do you know how hard it was to find? And you didn't even pay!"

"Then for Kraken's sake just don't use the seaglass to make a window! You live in Noxus, darling, it comes with certain risks."

"Did you think I have a choice in the matter? And if you all can conduct business in a civilized, professional manner, it will be most helpful."

"Hmm, where's the fun in that?" asked Katarina.

Lulu burst out giggling uncontrollably.

"Oh dear! You two are so funny!" said the yordle "that was gold! Gold, I say!"

"Yeah… so, seems like you're very healthy, Lulu. I'll leave you in Vlad's care. Take heed, Vlad."

"Whatever, duCouteau. Just make sure to send Talon at me when you want something. His damage is much more containable."

Katarina took off into the shadows.

"You have a lot of friends too, don't you?"

"Sadly, no. The duCouteaus are not my friend. There's always Elise, and you too. But other than that, meh."

"But you were very casual with other people."

"I do have to talk to people at times."

"Hmm, maybe I should try that too! I mean, Tahm always likes to talk, but Pix says he only wants to bring me to a different land and then eat me after giving me everything I wish for. That's horrible!"

"So it is," said Vladimir "you should not hang out with him. But the other yordles are fine. I've met most of them before, and they are much more respectable."

"That's true! Tahm is a liar. A good liar, so it's bad! It's good, but it's bad! Aha!"

"But really, Lulu," said Vladimir, beginning to walk his way back home "that's about all of Noxus," except for the more disturbing parts "if you're no longer interested, just let me know."

"Hmm… can I go there?" asked Lulu, pointing at the Rose's (secret) entrance.

Vladimir raised an eyebrow.

"I'm really sorry, Lulu, but I'm afraid not."

"Why? It seems fun! Can't I come in?"

"I don't think that'd be advisable, Lulu. And it's not so much of a fun place."

"So you're not allowed to let me in."

"Well, no."

"That's not fair! I know about the Rose! Why should I not go there?"

Vladimir smiled

"You'd think of something. But not today, I'm afraid. There's been enough mind games for me today. Shall we not head back home? I can't wait to try out Morgana's tuiles."

Original character bio

Ellen Paige: Black Rose's only techmaturgical mage, who can synthesize her mana with her technological devices. Ellen was born in Zaun and studied hextech at Piltover. Intrigued by the Noxian society and its magic culture she left her studies in Piltover and joined the Rose under LeBlanc's invitation. She became the Black Rose's hextech advisor and befriended the mysterious Mary. Her techmaturgical devices are capable of conducting mana, thus greatly amplifying her spells and adding different designed effects.

Mary: a fragment of Valoran broken from the land since ancient times. She has the ability of a Celestial but lacks the sense of purpose usually seen in one (like Bard or Soraka). Why she decided to be a part of the Rose remains mysterious. Mary is capable of seeing through the whole world and touching any mind within.

Actually I've also made abilities concept for both of them, but I'm bad at League, and it's got nothing to do with the story.