A/N: I know what some of you are going to think. Don't fret ;) more to come in CH: 21.

Reviews, they help, a lot, post them, good and critical always helpful~!

(Got caught grinding in ranked, making my writing slow. Yay for Platinum rank. Next stop Diamond.)

Enjoy~!

Chapter 20: Watch Me Fall

Why...Why would you die for me...?

Because...I promised someone in Noxus...that'd I'd be a good Lieutenant...and protect my Commander...

Crimson eyes silently flicked open. The neutral white ceiling and walls still lacked comfort since the first day she began to reside among them. The specters haven't spared her a moment of peace, their voices as chilling as the memories they brought with their company. Riven didn't react to the presence of another living being in her space, a tray of food being placed on the bedside table next to her.

"Riven," Violet's voice was quiet. Her eyes shifted to the untouched plate of food from the night before, "You haven't eaten in days... You're much too strong a person to do this to your body. You're hurting yourself..." The young Piltoveran medical student sighed gently and sat on the foot of the bed, Riven still being unresponsive. Violet pulled a pen from being tucked behind her ear and set the tip down onto the clipboard of paperwork in her lap. She didn't know what to say. For eleven days she's been asking the exile questions, for eleven days she had gotten little results. The Captain being four days behind her scheduled return was not helping her gain any ground with Riven either. Violet's voice was down, "how would you describe your ability to cope with your symptoms?"

Silence.

Violet nodded her head quietly, "Do you think your symptoms are getting better or worse...?"

Riven didn't reply.

The young lady hung her head down and set her pen down onto the board of papers, "I can't do this..."

Riven's attention was caught. The exile tilted her head slightly to see the student at the foot of her bed and moved her head back once she saw Violet run a hand through her own bright purple locks. The student was stressed out. "I am afraid," Riven's voice finally broke the silence. "If I let you all in, you will all try to build me up," the exile sat up in her bed, "and you all need to look into yourselves and ask if you have the hearts to watch me fall."

Violet looked at Riven quietly. The change in the exile's physique from the lack of nutrition was starting to become noticeable. "Please eat... if the Captain comes back to find you in a condition like this it won't be good for any of us..." The young student's eyes were filled with concern for the Champion's health and well-being. "She's coming back today... we got the message just this morning," Violet looked back down at her paper work. "I feel like I failed... the Doctor thought I was capable of handling this after the initial induction...I clearly still have a lot to learn." The sound of shifting sheets caught the young woman's attention and she looked up to find the tray in Riven's lap. Trying not to be bothersome, Violet had a surprised look on her face as the exile started to eat. Interesting... Violet thought as she tried not to be obvious in her observation of Riven's shift in behavior after the mentioning of the Captain's imminent return.

Human beings of all ages are found to be at their happiest and to be able to deploy their talents to best advantage when they are confident that, standing behind them, there are one or more trusted persons who will come to their aid should difficulties arise.

Violet recalled the the medical excerpt and started to scribble notes down upon her note pad. It seems these ten days were not a complete bust after all. Social support attachment? Violet's head perked up from her notes as there was a knock at the door.

"Violet," a deep voice was muffled from behind the door, "A word."

Violet scrambled to her feet, "I'm on my way, Dr. Iro."

Riven quietly watched the young student leave her room, the large dark eyed Doctor's eyes neutrally meeting hers before he turned away and shut the door. Riven narrowed her eyes after the door closed. She had a feeling that the doctor disliked her.

Violet hugged her notes to her chest as she quietly walked next to the tall Ionian man dressed in a white coat.

"The Captain has returned," Iro's voice rumbled in his chest, "what information have you gathered? Or was my judgement of putting the patient in your care misplaced?"

Violet didn't respond right away. "Riven is not in good condition..."

The doctor said nothing as the doors to the front lobby opened.

The young student swallowed hard as Irelia came into view. She could tell that the Captain was tired and stressed out, even if Irelia's perfect presented posture and formal greeting to the Doctor seemed to dissuade that theory.

"I did not get a chance to introduce myself to you the last time you were here, Captain Lito," the doctor stood tall, "I am Dr. Anata Iro, Chief Medical Executive of this clinic."

"Anata? A rather gentle name for a man of your stature," Irelia nodded her head in response to the doctor's introduction.

"Yes, my mother tends to find beautiful things outside of one's exterior," Iro chuckled deeply.

"Indeed, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder," Irelia agreed, "How is Riven?"

Violet flinched slightly.

"The patient certainly does not react well to group therapy," Dr. Iro stated, "she seems to respond better to being alone, but, we cannot force a patient to speak to us and she didn't wish to participate."

The frown on Irelia's face was not one of confusion or sadness, but disappointment.

The young assistant hung her head.

"We are sorry, Captain, but we didn't have the freedom to help," Dr. Iro bowed his head and turned to return to his work. Before shutting the door, he looked back at his silent assistant, "Violet, see to it that Captain Lito is escorted to the patient."

Violet remained quiet hearing the door close.

"I am not disappointed in you, Violet, so please do not find my demeanor directed at you," Irelia gave a soft smile towards Violet.

"Captain...I need to tell you the events that have transcribed in the last week and a half," Violet mumbled.

A worried frown played at Irelia's lips, "did she hurt someone?" Her voice was concerned.

Violet hair swayed as the young woman shook her head. "When Dr. Iro couldn't get Riven to participate in group therapy he tried exposure therapy...which can be brought up through images or recollecting events revolving around the trauma in hopes of numbing the individual to handle their flashbacks and trauma...Riven at first didn't react...but now she hasn't been eating and seems even more distant than before... I've tried everything but she only ever talked this morning when I mentioned your return...maybe you'll be able to help but at this point she has made zero improvement, in fact, I think we made it worse..." Violet hung her head. She lifted her head as fingertips beneath her chin gestured her to do so.

"Violet, if you and the good Doctor tried and did all that you could, no matter the attempted treatment, and Riven chose not to participate than there is nothing you need to hang your head over. Me being late returning also didn't help this situation either. Riven is a human being that has been programmed to run on routines and schedules and when those are changed or disrupted it messes with her so me being four days late didn't help," Irelia pat the young woman's shoulder.

Violet nodded quietly, "well, would you like to come with me to retrieve her?"

"I'll wait here," Irelia's once supportive tone was flat.

"A-Alright," Violet turned to go back and fetch the exile.

Crimson eyes shifted to the door to the room being opened as Violet shuffled into Riven's presence.

"Shes's here," Violet mumbled, frowning when Riven got up and could see the difference in her mass. It wasn't a huge difference, but it was noticeable that the champion had lost weight, body more sinewy than before.

The exile pulled her shirt down over her head and grabbed her jacket from hanging on the bed frame.

The walk to return to Irelia was silent. Violet's eyes shifted to the tall Noxian walking next to her. The neutral look on the exile's expression was concerning, considering Irelia, Violet's theorized source of attachment for the exile, was only a hallway away. The deep breath the exile drew in caught Violet's ears as the doors to the lobby opened and Irelia came into view.

Irelia's arms were crossed tight across her chest as Riven and Violet walked up to her.

Riven remained silent as she stood before the Captain. She could tell right away Irelia was extremely displeased, "I don't know what they told you, but I'm fine."

"Like hell you are," Irelia frowned, "not eating? Not speaking? Riven how can anyone help you if YOU refuse to let them? You are being your worst enemy!"

There was emotion behind those words. Stress? Exhaustion? Maybe a hint of care? Riven looked down at the Ionian warrior standing before her, tall and straight. She could see through the bullshit guise. "Violet," Riven said calmly, "thank you for your company, but you can leave now."

Violet took the hint to be dismissed. She nodded quietly and backed away from the two champions.

"Now, hang on a second, why are you dismissing her so soon?" Irelia was surprised, "Violet, wait, don't let Riven talk to you like that."

Violet paused and turned back to look at them, a questioning look on her face.

"Irelia..."

"No, Riven, no," Irelia grumbled, "Violet, come back."

"Irelia...I would like a moment with you," Riven growled and grabbed the Captain's shoulders tightly.

"Riven, enough, you were being rude! She tried to help you and you just blow her off like that?"

Violet raised an eye brow as she watched the two argue.

Riven rolled her eyes as Irelia continued to scold her for being rude like usual and grabbed both sides of the Ionian warrior's face firmly.

Irelia, being engrossed in her lecture of Riven respecting people, didn't realize Riven's hands until after she felt her head get forcibly tilted back, "Riv-!?"

Riven pressed a kiss against the lips of her appointed caretaker, successfully silencing the now stiff and aghast Ionian champion. The kiss was short and clearly forced but when Riven pulled back a serious crimson stare met the shocked irises of jade within Irelia's eyes, "has anyone ever told you, that you talk too damn much?" Riven muttered gruffly, still holding Irelia's face close. By the gods she missed her. The comfort that came with her presence. The calm Irelia brought to the dark storm of her mind. Even now, she could feel the negativity of her excising state start to recede. In the time she had left her, the exile realized, just how much she needed Irelia.

Shaking green eyes shifted down stare at the base of the exile's throat, mind still processing what had just happened to her. Riven was standing close enough for Irelia to watch the steady rise and fall of the Noxian defector's chest while her thoughts struggled to find comprehension. One thing was for certain, the exile managed to silence her.

Once Irelia's gaze move from her own, Riven stood back up straight. Realizing they were not alone, Riven turned her head and shot the young student standing the the room a glare.

Violet flinched and jumped slightly when the large Noxian pointed at her, her quirky grin vanishing immediately.

"You saw nothing here," Riven's words were serious.

"Lips are sealed," Violet pulled her fingers across her lips in the motion one would make with a zipper. Violet knew she was dismissed. She quietly giggled under her breath and backed out of the room through the doors.

Once Violet was gone, Riven turned her attention back to a still silent Irelia. The exile took a deep breath and rubbed the back of her head, the reminder of the moment before starting to become a conscious thought. A tint of light pink lingered in the tan cheeks of the Noxian fighter as the atmosphere started to feel awkward. After standing there for awhile, Riven got the hint that Irelia wasn't going to speak, "can we go home now?" Riven mumbled, starting to feel emotionally defeated that maybe forcing a kiss onto the Captain was a mistake.

Irelia stood there a moment longer before quietly turning to leave, not waiting for Riven to decide to follow or not.

The exile could feel her heart sink to the pit of her stomach as Irelia turned to depart. Despite how she felt, Riven wasn't going to apologize for what she did. After being trapped in this medical facility with just her thoughts, she did realize just how much she herself liked being in the presence of the Captain. Sometimes, one only recognizes how much they miss someone when they are gone.

The sky outside reflected how she felt once she realized Irelia had nothing to say to her. It was a glum and grey day in the Placidium as the familiar feeling of just mindlessly following Irelia back to her residence like she had the first night they arrived in Ionia. You've really done it this time... Riven thought to herself as she watched Irelia's back, ignoring the blades that floated between herself and the Captain. Riven didn't even notice their presence anymore. She learned they were as much a part of Irelia as the very hair upon the Captain's head.

Irelia marched silently through the streets back towards home. Her expression was blank, walking along the worn path up to her front door.

The exile silently stepped up into the doorway of the small home and didn't see Irelia anywhere. The boots on her feet made a thump as she kicked them off onto the floor. Riven didn't bother to stop by her room as she continued to walk down the hall way, peering into each room in hopes of finding the Captain. Just talk to her. Explain the action... Riven could feel her nerves make the muscles of her throat constrict as her eyes fell upon the Captain. Irelia's back was to the doorway as Riven stood there, palms sweating, heart beating like the thunderous strikes upon the drums of war. The exile simply stood there and observed the Ionian woman for a short moment. The Captain was on her knees and sitting upon her heels. Riven assumed Irelia's palms were pressed down into her slender thighs just above her knees and her head was tilted down. An observant crimson gaze flicked up to the wall facing Irelia.

The crest of her homeland was mounted proudly upon the wall, but it was not alone. Next to it, the wall yielded another crest, one circular in shape and baring the head of a dragon at the peak and the arms of the creature encircling the rest of the crest. At the center of the circle, between the claws of the dragon, was four blades shaped like an 'X,' and the picture of a lotus flower at the center of them. Regal reds, golds and silvers dominated the color scheme of the crest and Ionian text was laced into the scales of the Dragon.

Riven knew those blades and the formation they were in as depicted in the crest. They were no different than the ones floating between her and the person she wanted to speak with. It must have been a family crest, which was the only conclusion the exile could come to. However, with it being a symbol of the Lito family...just how long had those blades been passed through the bloodline? The exile took a step into the room; heart racing and pounding away the silence in her ears. Riven stopped once the Ionian weapon twitched defensibly so the distance at which she stood was just going to have to do.

"Irelia...I...hum...M-May I...erm..." Riven was struggling. Use your words, god damn it, The exile scolded herself internally. "I-I have something I need to tell you..." Riven almost choked just trying to speak. This was so much easier in her head. She wished she didn't have to use her words, but she wasn't about to wrestle with a bladed shield wall of Ionian steel.

Irelia didn't show any sign of acknowledgement towards the Noxian standing behind her near the doorway.

Well...here goes nothing.

"Irelia...I just wanted to say that I...uhm...I..."

I missed you when you left.

"I..."

I wasn't the same when you were gone.

"I..erm...y-you..."

You make me feel whole. Complete...

You make me feel...

"Human..." Riven slapped her own forehead. How stupid she must have sounded. The exile noticed Irelia's head turn slightly towards her. The movement was subtle, but it was noticeable.

"I what?" Irelia's voice was stern but yielded some sense of curiosity.

Riven took a deep breath, "you make me feel human again. One that can feel something more than just anger and loneliness." Riven stayed silent for a short while. A slight look of hurt shot across her features for a quick moment when Irelia said nothing and her head turned back forward.

"Is that all you needed to say?" Irelia' tone was flat.

Riven didn't know how to feel, so she let the easiest emotion show, "yeah," her voice aggravated, "that's it." The exile turned to walk away. Had she just been silently rejected? There is no way Irelia was that cold of a person...Was she? Maybe Riven's judgement wasn't in the right place. If there was one conclusion she could come to in this moment, was that being in this house was starting to feel heavy and claustrophobic. Riven wanted to get some air.

The air outside was cool and the slight breeze wasn't strong enough to chill a person's skin. The sky was still gray as it had been and it was clear the sun was departing the day behind the overcast shroud. This type of weather really didn't bother Riven as she walked down the streets of the Placidium in silence. Much to her surprise...and falling short of her expectation; Irelia was no where to be seen. The Captain didn't follow her. The sound of her boots and the beating of her heart could not be heard over the noise of her thoughts in her own head. What was it she did when she was upset or angry...Riven felt so conflicted and confused that she herself was forgetting her usual self treatments. So, like a mindless zombie, she continued to shuffle along through the streets of the Ionian city.

Droplets of water started to stain her clothing as rain began to drizzle from the grey sky above. Not wishing to become drenched if the weather turned bad, Riven quietly stepped out of the rain and sat down at a table under a cover, not bothering to pay attention to the building she sat in front of. Withdrawing from her thoughts, she cared not to think of it anymore, Riven silently watched the rain speckle the dry walk way where she once stood. The exile turned slightly as one of the large doors of the building opened. Riven blinked a couple times and leaned over the table she sat at quietly to try and see passed the door. The Noxian jumped slightly as a woman's head poked out from behind the door.

Eyes of gentle brown looked at her and long ebony hair draped down from the woman's head. A single small braid, decorated with beads and green ribbon, hung from the inky soft locks. The friendly smile upon the woman's face was welcoming. She was clearly Ionian.

Riven didn't say anything. The gentle smile upon this woman's face was starting to make her feel uneasy as Riven raised a platinum brow.

Remaining silent, the woman waved her hand at Riven, gesturing her to come inside. Once the exile didn't really move, the woman stepped out from behind the door and walked up the Noxian giving her a questioning look. The woman nodded in approval and offered her hand, still gesturing Riven to, what Riven assumed, to come inside.

Riven shook her head, "no, really, I'm fine out here." The exile blinked and peeked around the woman before her as a man's voice could be heard, a large head peeking out from behind the door.

"Hey, Lynn, where'd ya run off to?" The man laughed and turned his head catching a glimpse of Riven and the woman the exile now presumed to be Lynn. "Ah ha! What have we here?" The large man stepped out from behind the door. A clean and trimmed black goatee laced with occasional grey strands of hair accented the man's sturdy jawline. He was much older than Riven, from what the exile could tell at least, but his shoulders, arms and chest were still strong. The jet black hair upon his head also showed signs of age and was pulled back into a small ponytail at the base of his thick neck.

That accent... she knew that accent anywhere.

"Hail, Comrade," the man's voice was filled with glee, "come in, come in! You need not catch your death out here in this weather."

The Ionian woman was dwarfed next to the large Noxian man, his forearm resting casually on her shoulders. It was clear to Riven there was more to them than friendship, the way Lynn's side was pressed up against the man's. Her warm chocolate eyes never left from watching Riven, the content little smile still lingering on her lips.

Riven quietly watched the two turn to re-enter the building and quietly got up to follow. The exile stood in the doorway, pausing as her eyes scanned over the details of the building's interior.

It was a bar.

The floor was crafted of planked wood and the scattered dining tables also created from wood. The wooden chairs had carved and chiseled patterns and designs both elegant and fierce and the seat was padded for comfort. The color scheme of the bar revolved around deep reds and blacks with jade green and gentle whites and golds. There were some scattered patrons sitting quietly around the room, idle chatter keeping the silence away. Regardless of the bar being somewhat small, and having influences of both the nations of Ionia and Noxus, Riven felt surprisingly comfortable as she continued to follow the couple she assumed owned the building.

Riven silently raised a curious brow as the Noxian man made some intricate movements with his hands towards Lynn, whom in return motioned hers back and turned to walk away and disappeared through a door behind the bar. The exile sat down quietly and laced her own fingers together, resting her hands upon the bar top. She couldn't remember the last time she had sat down in a bar, likely from back in her days as a young Commanding officer with some of her Company. Riven's eyes shifted to a figure wrapped up in a tattered brown cloak with a hood over their head. She could tell it was a man, judging from the scruff around the only exposed part of his body being his chin and part of his jaw from under the hood. A glass of alcohol sat silently in front of the hooded man for a short while before her took the glass and downed it in one fluid motion. Riven could hear the clink of the empty cup being set down back on the table top and, honestly, she was somewhat impressed with the man's ability to down hard liquor without so much as a twinge of discomfort showing upon his mouth. She turned back forward as a large object filled her peripherals.

"Must be rough, you know, being suspended and all," the Noxian bartender chuckled warmly, no sign of teasing or malice behind his comment.

The exile blinked, "how do you know I'm suspended?"

"I read it in the Journal of Justice. Where else would I find such news regarding the League of Legends?" He commented.

Riven felt the pit of her stomach sink. The Journal of Justice published her suspension? What else was there she didn't know about. "What did the article say?"

"It didn't really give a reason, just simply put you under the suspension roster 'until further notice.' What did you do, Riven?" The man raised a jet black brow.

Riven frowned, "I find it a little unfair you know my name when I don't even know yours."

The large man bellowed out a hearty laugh, his large hands holding his belly, "the price of being a Champion of the Institute!" He slowed his laughter as he leaned back down onto the bar top before the icy haired Noxian exile, "but it surprises me you don't recall the Vice Admiral of the Noxian Navel flag ship that brought you here," he chuckled.

Riven sat there in quiet shock, she hardly recognized the VA of the Destrona. "Vice Admiral Torvan Ramsen?"

"In the flesh!" He laughed, "though I am no longer a VA of the Noxian Navy, but an exile, just like you, Company Commander. Besides, most people know me as Tor now," he gave Riven a toothy grin filled with pride, "it's the goatee, huh? Threw a lot of my friends around here off to!"

The grinding of wood caught Riven's and Tor's attention as they turned to see the man from the end of the bar get up. Tor caught the heavy coin that the stranger tossed towards him after the coin bounced off the bar top once. "May the wind guide you to your destination safely, traveler," Tor announced to the departing patron.

The hood figured paused for a short moment before continuing to exit the bar.

"It's an old Ionian belief that the wind spirits will protect travelers from becoming lost, even if they wander without a destination," Tor said as he watched the hooded man depart through the front door.

A delicious aroma floated between the exile and Tor. Riven could feel the saliva building in her mouth as she turned to find Lynn approaching her with hot food. Riven could see the the expelled heat in the form of wisps waving through the cooler air of the room as the plate full of gravy smothered meat and potatoes was set in front of her. This wasn't food from Ionian culture, not in the slightest.

"How long has it been, since you've had a legitimate meal from our Motherland, Exile?" Tor could see that there was surprise but genuine happiness behind the crimson eyes of the ex-Commander sitting at his bar.

Riven didn't hesitate to start eating. Her eyes shifted up to Tor when he chuckled and turned his attention towards Lynn, making more hand movements towards her and she gestured back before returning to the kitchen. Riven quietly watched the woman leave, mouth full of food and chewing quietly.

"She can't hear."

The exile looked back at Tor, still chewing, and Tor not returning the look.

A frown pulled at his lips, "and it's my fault to. High Command put the Navy in charge of controlling the shore lines of the Southern Providences. I still remember the Admiral's orders..."

Clear the way! Clear the way! Clear the way!

"After we did our job and dropped Fury Company and Steelbreaker Company at the drop point, High Command gave the Admirals the order to move the fleet to an uncontested part of the southern isles. These Ionian people didn't even know the war machine was coming. It was a rather isolated part of the isles, but the geographic location and the surrounding waters according to scouting reports made it perfect for the fleet to set up a port."

"Clear the way!" The Admiral of the Noxian flag ship shouted to the crew.

The sounds of cranking metal and the heavy footfalls of rushed boots from the sailor's working the order became lively in the thick misty air. The evening fog was so dense that one could not see from one end of the ship to the other. The obscured orbs of light from the sailor's lanterns were moving through the mist as the Admiral watched his crew carry out his order.

"Sir...don't you find loading the cannons a bit much for this kind of mission?" Vice Admiral Torven responded to the sudden bustling of the ship's crew.

"Now is not the time for morality, sailor, this is a war, and we have orders," the Admiral growled, "and I suggest you don't question the orders of High Command nor me. Do I make myself clear, Vice Admiral?"

"The people in this coastal village are nothing but humble fishermen not warriors...the scouting reports cleared this area of danger... there is no reason for us to raze it, Admiral," Torven dared to argue with his Commanding officer. "We have not only the shroud of dusk but also the fog...we can take the village like ghosts if we pleased."

"Enough, Torven!" The Admiral spat, "I will not tolerate mutiny on my ship! Now, give the order!"

"Yes...sir..." Torven turned from the Admiral and walked down to the heavy gunned firing deck. The Vice Admiral lifted his arm as the shoreline started to manifest as the fleet slipped out of the fog. Stationed sailors waited, watching the VA as he stood there silently, arm still raised.

"Give the order God damn it!" The Admiral shouted the command.

Clear the way...

"Open Fire!" Torven dropped his arm.

"They never saw it coming..."

Riven quietly spun her fork in the gravy upon her plate, "you were just following orders, Tor," Riven mumbled.

"Yeah...orders...because apparently words are worth more than human lives," Tor lowered his eyes. "They were defenseless...they probably didn't realize there was a war being pressed onto the main land the place was so isolated. These people probably just minded their own business and worked the waters to feed their families and we just drove in and pelted them with cannon fire...I mean it wasn't a tiny village but it was certainly not one filled with warriors."

"I know the feeling," Riven responded, "why do you think I'm here and not there?"

"Yeah, I know; we aren't the only one's. There are plenty of Noxians still intermixed with the Ionian people in the Southern Territories even after Ionia won the land back through the Institute of War. It is quite a different culture down there now. Have you ever seen a Noxi-Io before? They are quite beautiful children," Tor laughed.

"Noxi-Io?" Riven raised a brow.

"Yes, the child of an Ionian and a Noxian. Qualities of both people but more importantly a symbol of nationalities coming together. Sometimes I wonder if the Ionian war in the long run will do the unity Valoran more good than harm. Lynn and I have tried before but we keep losing the child...She blames me sometimes you know," Tor sighed, "I mean, I know she doesn't mean it. She's just upset, angry and confused. Lynn wants to keep trying but I don't want to put her through it a fourth time."

Riven swallowed the bite of food she had taken while Tor was talking. "Have you two considered adoption?"

"I suggested it but she's stubborn. Often times I wonder if she's really just a Noxian woman in an Ionian body with her bullheadedness," Tor laughed, "but she already told me she'd feel bad if there wasn't some representation of my nation in the family to. I frankly could care less I just want her to be happy," he gave the exile a shrug.

Riven didn't have much to contribute to this kind of conversation, considering her interests were far from domestication at this time, let alone the thought of reproduction. The exile shuddered. The clink of a glass caught her attention as crimson eyes shifted to the short cylinder shaped glass set before her. She watched the clear liquid settle from the act of being moved before turning her attention up to Tor who was also holding a glass.

"Now that my military days are over I live simply and like to brew," Tor smiled, "you'd be surprised the punch some Ionian drinks can pack though!"

Riven looked back down at the drink. There was no doubt in her mind that it was alcohol, but, just how "hard" was this drink?

"Ever heard of Ionian Fire Water?" Tor asked.

"Can't say I have...I didn't exactly sit in bars after I rebuked my military status, Tor," Riven sighed.

Torven released a hearty laugh. "Then take a drink! It is quite strange."

Riven took the glass, "I haven't had a drink in years... I've been avoiding it for...reasons." Riven looked away from the glass.

"Bah, this ones on me, Commander, you're will a friend here, come on now," Tor raised her glass.

"Aren't you working?" Riven blinked.

"Owner's risk," he winked.

Riven shook her head and almost smiled. A surprised look flashed across the exile's face. For something called Fire Water she was taken a bit off guard when the glass where the liquid rested felt like ice against the warm flesh of her fingers. Riven rotated her wrist quietly, watching the liquid swirl in the glass. The exiled looked up to Tor holding her glass up to her.

"To Valoran, our true home, where she accepts all nations and peoples alike," Tor smiled and downed his drink.

Riven didn't say anything in reply. The drink was smooth and cold as she downed the glass and set it down. It felt like drinking ice water and Riven set her glass down. It wasn't until moments after she started to feel it. When had she become such a light weight? Or was this drink much stronger than she anticipated it to be. A light warm flush painted its way across her cheeks and she could feel heat building along the path of her innards the liquid took. A warm fuzzy feeling tickled at her stomach and her thoughts began to feel lighter as her head started to feel the swimming that came with drinking. Now she remembered why she stayed away from the glass. How easy it would be to drown out the ghosts...and the past...the rejection... Riven slid the glass towards Torven.

"That's the spirit!" Torven bellowed out a laugh of excitement, "this stuff will kick both our asses but damn it's good!"

Giggling like a babe being entertained by peek-a-boo just how many had she downed since Tor offered the first drink? Swaying slightly in her chair, face flushed and eyes half lidded through a drunken haze, Riven sat there.

"Yah...hic...know...losh of people look up to you," Tor's words were slurred, he now on his knees behind the bar top and elbows on the table, proping his head up.

"Yeh...?" The exile giggled.

"Yeh, likes...all of ush up 'ere are likes..." Tor stood up, struggling to stay up as he pointed out into the now empty bar room, "dats gonna be the one...hic... that leads ush home!" Tor burped and felt his knees buckled as he fell over, causing Riven to laugh like an idiot.

Lynn stepped out from the kitchen door to find her husband drunk behind the bar and Riven sitting there almost barely awake. She sighed and tried to straighten out Tor's hair when he sat up.

"Bagh, I'm fine woooman leave me be!" Tor complained like a child.

Lynn rolled her eyes and grabbed the empty glasses from the table.

"At leasht she cares," Riven chuckled. "The pershon I like just like...like sits there and ish like, I don't know...hic...goesh all quiet and shit...like, like, like I'm not worth their time!" Riven almost fell out of her chair when she leaned back with her arms thrown out to the side.

"Whaaaaaaat?" Torven's voice was super high pitched. "What's not to likes about chu?"

"Right!? I mean looks at me," Riven gestured her hands at herself, "it's likes...do ya knows who I am...hic...?"

"Yeah!" Tor shouted, still probably unaware of what was going on around him, "you tell em!"

Riven could feel the room spinning slightly, "ah Gods..."

Thud!

"What am I doing with my life...?" Riven whimpered hopelessly, not feeling the potential bruising of her forhead smacking down onto the table just seconds ago.

Tor's eyes rolled up to the front door as it slammed open, two figures standing in the door way. "Well...I'll be damned..."

Riven half drug her face across the bar top to turn and see who was there.

The look upon Irelia's face was stiff and angry, her arm holding the door open, clothing and hair soaked from head to toe and her cream skin upon her nose and cheeks red from the cold. Water dripped quietly from the tips of the blades behind her back.

Yu, the guardsman Riven had met the first night, stood quietly behind his Captain. Unlike Irelia, Yu was dressed in clothing fit for the weather.

The thundering downpour of the rain outside was not loud enough to be heard over the sound of her heart as Riven realized Irelia was the one that nearly broke the door down.

"Gods be damned...that's a good ookin' woman when she's angry," Tor chuckled, still drunk as all hell.

"Yeah," Riven swooned, almost falling out of her chair again as Irelia started to approach the two Noxians.

Irelia set her hands on her hips as she stood next to Riven, who found herself not looking at the Captain's face, but elsewhere, and frowned at Tor, "Torven, yet again you break the rules of being an owner and drink with your patrons."

Riven flinched as Irelia's cold, wet, fingers gripped firmly around the base of her jawline and lifted her head up. Though the haze in her eyes was alcohol induced, she simply dreamily looked at the Captain. The exile felt herself subconsciously nuzzle her flushed hot skin against the cold touch of the Captain's fingers, enjoying the sensation.

Irelia was not pleased in the slightest, "and over serving. Not only did you put a patron's health at risk, not to mention a Champion of the League's health, you are in serious violations here."

"Hey, don't chu talk to her like she's some kinda weakling," Torven stood up, struggling to hold his weight. "That's a pure hot-blooded Noxian you got in yer fingers, Captain Lito, it'll burn outa her system in a couple hours...hic...and you should be honored to...to..." Torven could feel his strength fading as he started to sway.

"Why don't you sit down, Torven," Irelia's voice was stern.

"Good idea," Torven burped and collapsed back down.

"Disgusting," Yu mumbled.

"Ah shad up, pipsqueak," Tor dismissed Yu with a wave of his hand.

Irelia turned her head as the sound of breaking glass hit the floor near by.

Lynn stood there quietly in shock.

The Captain closed her eyes and sighed deeply, "Torven, rather than being a drunkard and making your wife worry, you should think about how she feels every time I have to show up here because you break the rules. Yu, see to it that Lynn and Torven are taken care of and the bar closed for the night. I'll handle Riven."

"Right away, Captain," Yu nodded and stepped away to help Lynn with the broken glass.

Riven didn't want to stand up as she sat there heavily on the chair. She could tell that the rain outside had stopped for the time being and Irelia would want to go home before it picked up again.

"You can't even stand up...can you?" Irelia still sounded displeased, but more annoyed at this point.

Riven felt hands slide under her armpits as Irelia helped to lift her to her feet. Riven wasn't a light person, but she had to lean on Irelia just so she wouldn't fall over. Stumbling, Riven managed to hold her weight just enough as they got to the door, Irelia not showing any signs of struggling to hold Riven up on her feet.

Torven quietly watched the Captain remove the exiled Noxian champion from his bar through half lidded eyes, quietly listening to Lynn and Yu cleaning up the glass from the floor.

Good luck, Comrade...we are counting on you...to represent all of us displaced Noxian dogs.