Condensation droplets trickled down the cool window, hot steam could be seen intertwining and dancing in the low, evening light. The tiled walls of the bathroom echoed the sound of water running into a bathtub. At first the sound was shallow, but as the flow filled up the tub, it became deeper, more calming. A new sound filled the room, the door opened and closed again, light steps heard on the still cold floor. It was Saphera. She took a long, deep breath of the humid air to clear her lungs before she let the silk robe covering her nude body drop to the floor. Letting down her long auburn hair, she ran a comb through it to take out any knots, before wrapping it tightly into a bun on the crown of her head. Saphera lent forward and tested the temperature of the water with her hand. Too hot. She changed the tap to run cold, and hung up her robe on a hook placed on the back of the door. Once again she lent forward and tested the water. Tolerable.
The summoner sunk stepped in, letting her body into the water, the cold flow cooingl her before she finally turned off the tap. At rest, she allowed her body to float slightly in the water. Just as the heat was making her sweat, Saph began to clean her body. Water swirled around her in miniature vortexes as she moved around to clean every inch of her body. Finishing off by splashing her face. From just outside the bathroom, these sounds could be heard, and caught the attention of someone within earshot.

"Saphera? Is that you in there?" A feminine voice called out in curiosity. Saphera could just about hear the voice, and light steps towards the door as the owner of the voice stepped towards the bathroom.
"Yeah! Only me. Just washing myself off, everything alright?" Saph called back through the door, wiping water droplets away from her eyes and nose, trying to listen out for a reply.
"Ah good, worried one of the other members snuck into my bathroom again."
"Well it is lovely, so I'm not surprised. Sorry if I worried you." She called out once again, climbing out of the tub and rubbing down her body with a towel. Starting at her shoulders, breasts, stomach, working her way town to her feet. She heard a small chuckle before the voice spoke through the door again.
"It's quite alright, summoner, it's just the male members always seem to leave a funny smell..." The door opened suddenly, Saphera had wrapped her robe around her body and slung the damp towel over her shoulder. The person on the other side seemed a little shocked, a gust of hot air escaping the room made their hair shift slightly in it's wake. The redhead turned and pulled the plug on the bath, running the tap and splashing out the edges in a makeshift rinse.
"I know right!" Saphera laughed lightly, before turning back and facing the woman who was behind the door. "Sorry our first meeting turned out like this-" Saphera held out her hand and looked into the deep green eyes of the woman before her. "-I'm Saphera, and thank you for letting me stay here tonight. Shen sorta ordered me too…"
"Yes, he can be like that, he is the stern figure for all of us. Like his father...I'm assuming you know I'm Akali." She replied, shaking Saphera's hand with a firm grip. Nodding and stepping to the side slightly to let her pass afterwards.. "Do you know where your room is?" Akali added. Saphera nodded, a gentle smile on her lips.
"Yes, thank you. Let me dress back up and I'll meet you back out here shortly." Saphera walked not 5 foot into a small box room, fit with a single bed, no window and a small dressing table. She closed the door behind her and finished drying off. She lost the robe for a final time, picked up a white bra and hooked it together pulling the straps over her shoulders and adjusting her breasts in the cups. Saph then pulled on underwear, she picked up a silky Kimono dress. It was a stunning light blue, with handstitched floral embroidery around the bottom and the chest, the dress was short sleeved - finishing at the elbow. Saphera pulled the dress over her head, the silk feeling like heaven on her soft skin.
"I'm sorry that you had to travel such a long way to get here. I don't think you expected to travel to the monastery, Tevasa village is so far from here." Akali spoke out through the door, trying to break the silence whilst Saphera got dressed.
"Well, It wasn't that bad, coming through Zhyun was the worst. After reading the book Shen wrote, I can't help but feel there is a bad omen over that city." The summoner replied, then opened the door and looked nervously over to the kinkou ninja. "..Is...this okay?" She asked hesitantly, looking down at herself in the dress and attempting to tie the bow behind her with a thick strand of silk that came with the dress.
"You look fit for a king, summoner." Akali softly smiled, giving her a small bow. "But you need to tie that at the side...unless you're married?" The ninja laughed.
"Oh! I didn't know." Saphera brought the silk around and tied a perfect bow on her right hip." I thought something wasn't right." She blushed from embarrassment.
"Now that you're ready, I'm sure Shen must be waiting for us, let's go up to the dining hall."

"Then, if you can, try to lead him outside onto the courtyard, that way either me or Zed will be able to capture him. He'll be cornered that way." said shen, watching Saphera as she applied her make-up with various brushes. It was a very natural look, drawing attention to her gray eyes with a blushed smoky glow. Rosey cheekes, nude pink lips, simple hair; flowing over her shoulders, and a lotus pin holding back her fringe. Shen found himself titing his head to the side ever so slightly as he took in all of her features. The unique markings under her eyes only added to her beauty, but to Shen they were not so enchanting, he'd seen them before. On a man he onced called his brother. Deep in his stomach he felt this brewing anger, tonight Saphera would be not be hiding her features behind a mask. Maybe the consequences for that would soon show.
"Uhm….Shen?" A voice called him back out of his deep thought, he was met by Saphera's eyes as she stared into him with a confused expression. "Is everything okay? You were...staring…" Shen softly smiled under his own mask and nodded, a lie fluidly slipped of his tongue.
"Yes, watching a woman place makeup onto her skin is an art no man can truly master. It's an interesting watch."
"Hrmph." Akali huffed under her breath, taking a sip of the chai tea in her hand. The twilight eye whipped around and glared at Akali for such an impolite response. She rolled her eyes and continued to sip away at her tea.
"I'm guessing most of the woman here don't wear it. Neither do I really...but I've never been to a ball…" Saphera nervously replied, looking between Shen and Akali. "I'm worried, what if Jihn isn't even there? What if that murder Zed saw was just a copycat?" Saph placed down her brushes, checking in the mirror if her artwork was perfect.
Shen gave a small chuckle. "Now that would be the best outcome, besides, you get free entry into the ball with me, what would go wrong?"
-

With her right arm wrapped around Shen's left, the two walked arm in arm into the grand ballroom. Saphera's eyes light up as she looked around at the elegant decor, white marble pillars that stood tall supporting the ceiling were laced with red and gold bows at the base. Large, bright crystal chandeliers hung low, small candles assisting them in lighting the room. There was little to no electricity in Ionia, most of the lighting in the ballroom was gas fueled lanterns; they were lit fully and created multiple shadows across the entire hall, adding a low, romantic effect. There was a main stage, where a classical orchestra was playing music. Down one side of the hall there was a long table, with many assortments of food. Saphera was too far away to see what food was there, though it seemed to be mostly meats. The rest of the floor was open, masses of people already seemed to be slowly dancing to the music. She saw Zyra, wearing a dress made of black roses, dancing with a summoner. She recognized his face, someone of her past maybe. She quickly looked back over to shen, worried. Shen towered over Saphera in height, the summoner only reaching to his chest. She needed to look up in order to speak to him, which was embarrassing.
"It's beautiful here, but there is a pit in my stomach…" Saphera bit her lip as she explained her feelings to Shen. Her insides were tying themselves into knots twice over. Something did not feel right, but maybe she was just nervous. This was her first ball afterall.
"Be calm." Shen replied, tilting his head to the side so Saphera could comprehend his words, he spoke in a low tone. "Enjoy the night." He continued, his eyes keeping fixed forward, scanning the crowds of people, champions, summoners, to see if there was any sign of the enemy. Saphera took a deep breath, looking down at the marble floor. She could hear the heels of her shoes clipping like a horse's hooves. Her eyes scanned the room again too before she looked back at Shen. His face still covered from the nose down like usual, she made sure to made a mental note of what he was wearing, just in case they lost sight of each other. A deep, navy blue suit with a matching bow-tie and white button down. All these thoughts raced through her mind and they had only taken two steps in the door. Where a waiter was waiting to greet them.
"My lady-" he gave Saphera a low bow, also bowing his head. Smiling softly to the redhead.
"Curtsy." Shen lowly muttered to Saph quietly. Saphera too smiled back at him and with her free hand held out her dress, giving the waiter a small curtsy.
"-and master Shen." He just nodded his head in bow at Shen.
As the two walked forward into the ballroom, Saphera the pit in her stomach grow deeper. Something was not right, Shen guided them towards the main area of the ballroom, the classical music was just picking up and many couples more were getting up to dance. The summoner looked over her shoulder, her eyes meeting with the waiter's. He was staring at her; like a predator in the bushes. A still, painting worthy poker face. With a blink his expression switched to a smile, and he turned to greet the next couple walking inside. Saphera's spine froze, cold sparks flickering in her body. that certainly wasn't Jihn. But something was off about him.
"Stop worrying summoner. Please. Let's dance." Shen once again snapped her attention back to the ninja.
"Let's." The grey eyed redhead smiled, placing her right hand onto Shen's shoulder and turning to face him. She joined her left hand to his right, and Shen placed his free hand onto her hip. They stepped closer to each other, before beginning a waltz just as the music started.

I do apologize for this chapter being short, even though it's kind of detailed. I'm starting university and lots of personal shit going on right now!
Much love, Saphera 3