Prudent adj. 1: marked by wisdom or judiciousness, 2: shrewd in the management of practical affairs, 3: cautious, discreet, 4: thrifty, frugal

"What's in the bag, Popsy? Dewdrops?"

The massive hallway was empty besides the two of them; with the coming conference in Demacia, anyone associated with any of the parties involved had retired to their respective states.

Some other time, Poppy would have found the lack of hustle and bustle eerie. Now, it just reminded her that she was running late.

Poppy sighed, and dropped her bag. Each time they had this conversation it annoyed her more, but didn't hurt any less.

"I'm going to Bandle City, Lulu. We've been through this."

Lulu's eyes lit up. "I know that place! The tulips are loud there, and the children like to play! Let's go!"

As much as she'd like the company, Lulu couldn't go to Bandle City. She could never go back. It may have been her home once, but after what she had done the last time she was there…

She couldn't go back, but Poppy had to. It was her job after all, her purpose in coming to the League.

"Maybe some other time, all right? I have to work, and I wouldn't want it to be boring for you."

Lulu looked momentarily perturbed, but quickly perked back up. "Can you come to the Glade, then? It's all sparkly and the mushrooms sing with you and Pix has friends there! You'll like it, I promise!"

They'd been through this too. The Glade changed people, and not in a way Poppy wanted to be changed. She wasn't sure she wanted Lulu changed any more by that place, either, even if that wasn't really her choice to make.

"You know I can't do that either. If we lost track of time…"

Lulu's eyes grew distant in a look Poppy had come so acquainted with but that still made her insides twist every time. It was a reminder; while it was easy to think of Lulu as her wise, kind, and occasionally loopy friend, that look and things like it didn't let her forget reality for too long. At some point, Lulu was going to get in some trouble she couldn't get her out of, or wander off where Poppy couldn't find her, or forget who Poppy was entirely.

Poppy smiled at her as best she could. "How about, when you do that, I stay here so you have a reason to come back? And you can stay here now, so I don't lose track of time in Bandle City and leave you all alone."

Lulu beamed. "That's a good plan. You're smart, Popsy!"

Poppy smiled at her for real this time and shouldered her bag.

She took a few steps, before stopping. Something tickled the top of her head. She looked up to find the tip of Lulu's hat.

"Just don't listen to the tulips. They'll try to trick you."

Poppy grinned and headed for the door. "I'll make sure not to. See you soon."