"So, we're truly far beyond the reaches of the City?" Binah crossed her arms, one of her eyebrows raising ever so slightly, to the point where anyone directly beside her wouldn't notice the minuscule movement. Binah's asymmetrical jet-black hair fell gracefully, with a streak of golden color at the back. Her Patron Librarian uniform, a modified version of the one she wore as an Arbiter, showcased a black coat with a golden trim and fur on the shoulders. Beneath the coat, a knee-length black dress exuded sophistication, complemented by knee-high boots for a touch of practicality. A black-yellow necktie, adorned with a glossy golden brooch, served as a stylish accessory. Binah's beauty mark beside her left eye added allure, and two rectangular golden earrings framed her face, completing her commanding presence in the Library's domain.
"Indeed." Angela confirmed, pacing gracefully across the balcony, her mechanical fingers gently tapping against her arm in a contemplative rhythm. The night sky above shimmered with uncertainty, mirroring the peculiar circumstances that had brought the Library to this foreign land. "The Library's presence here is a convergence of two distinct forces," Angela began, her eyes focused on the glowing blue crystal in her hand. "When the Head attempted to expel us into the Outskirts, they utilized powerful teleportation technology. Simultaneously, the magic within this crystal, dormant for so many years, responded to the Head's force."
She lifted the crystal, its radiant glow intensifying as if echoing the tale it held within.
"The magic interacted with the teleportation technology in a way unforeseen by the Head. Instead of ejecting us into the Outskirts, the combination of forces resulted in a completely different destination—here." Angela's gaze shifted to Binah, gauging her reactions to the revelation. "It's an unforeseen twist, an unintended consequence of them unexpectedly interacting with a power never before encountered. The Head's attempt to rid themselves of us has, in turn, led to our unexpected arrival in a place far removed from the familiar confines of the City."
"Then the Head has gotten what it wanted by sending my former sister-in-arms and her friendly little associates despite our best efforts in resisting their untimely assault. An altogether not unexpected result considering their successful record of quelling insurgencies, physical or intellectual, although it seems their methods have gotten less graceful over the years I have parted ways with them." The former Arbiter smirked faintly at the veiled self-praise, looking at the golden-eyed short-haired woman before her and occasionally glancing behind her at the balcony, taking in the changed scenery.
"In a sense, yes, but in a way I am sure they are more than displeased by the way the situation unfolded…wherever they might presently be." Angela didn't seem immune to the charms of the new view her Library currently had. Having been accustomed to the City's skyline for years now, it was difficult to get used to anything new, nevermind something so entirely different and striking as their new location.
"Oh? Will our esteemed Head Librarian share more details, then?" The black-haired warrior's eyebrow continued getting raised, her curiosity getting the better of her; it was rare for her to not know much about a particular topic, much less what seemed to be an entire civilization that was either beyond the Outskirts or in a wholly different dimension. Binah knew there had to be something beyond those desolate wastes, but she just didn't know what to expect.
Certainly not this.
"We've gone beyond the sphere of influence of the Head, beyond the seemingly evercompassing nature of the Outskirts even. We have apparently landed within the confines of an area known as Runeterra…or so Powder seems to call it." Angela pointed with a thumb at the youngest of the Patron Librarians, who was still gazing in awe at the new scenery from the balcony, occasionally walking back inside and chatting with one of her fellow Patrons or even the Assistant Librarians, entranced by the fact that this wasn't a dream she had; she really was back home.
"An area? As in a city? A region? Or perhaps an unknown nation?" The black-haired former Arbiter raised a curious eyebrow, taking a step closer towards the golden-eyed woman to hear her better, her black coat swaying lazily in a breeze that came from the balcony and her black eyes focused, something akin to interest swirling within their pupils, earning a firm response from her boss, who pointed towards the new landscape with an open hand.
"As in a continent. We seem to be on an entirely different continent, Binah. Or at the very least, a new part of the continent no one we know has ever explored or even knew existed in the first place. "
"Well, that would definitely match up with the theory that the City was separated from the rest of the world by…whatever made the Outskirts become a thing." Roland pitched in, hands in his pocket while he felt the gazes of the two women suddenly rest on him. Sure, he didn't mind Angela's, but Binah's was definitely a cold one to get used to. "I mean, we all know that before the City was a thing it didn't simply exist in a vacuum by itself. Hard as it may be to believe, I'm pretty sure it actually used to belong to some form of society before it was either massacred or displaced from what's currently the Outskirts." Or so the rumors in the City's Backstreets used to occasionally say, anyway. "Who knows? Maybe those guys are just descendants from past neighbors of the City." Or was the City the one that was once a neighbor to them? Bah, it didn't matter. Roland wasn't really a big fan of all of these philosophical 'what ifs' anyway.
"What's with that look? Is there something about our new situation that even you find disquieting for once?"
"I would not say so; perhaps a more accurate statement would be to proclaim that I am in the midst of making some re-evaluations, if I am to be frank. For my entire life, I was taught that life under the Head was the only way, that its law and order was the only thing that mattered and its power was the one and only absolute existence, and to an extent, I suppose that was true. Now, however, with such a realm entirely out of their reach…It is, dare I say, almost intriguing in that I wish to know what this life resembles."
As the former Arbiter spoke, the weight of the realization settled in. The vastness of Runeterra, a world beyond the stifling and constant influence of the Head, stretched out before them. The known boundaries shattered and the observed customs and rules were no longer binding, giving birth to a disconcerting freedom that Binah, the once unwavering supporter of the Head, found unnerving. It wasn't particularly disdainful, it was simply too…new. Even if she was now actively working against the Head, it was still going to be part of her life. Now, it felt like she was missing an essential part of her being that she'd lived with ever since she was born.
Though it wasn't like the golden-eyed AI was doing much better at absorbing all of the information. Taking her eyes away from the new sights before her, Angela raised her hand with the glowing blue crystal, lifting the orb full of magic directly in her line of sight.
'Actual magic. This is what has become of my life.' The AI mused in her head, rotating the so-called magical item around, taking in its now active state after seven years of being depowered. It really had a proficiency for activating at the most inconvenient of times, huh? Although…perhaps that wasn't really true since she wouldn't have met Powder without it activating on that oh-so-impactful night.
In retrospect, Angela knew that she should have taken greater pains in studying the crystal her ward brought with her when she first entered the Library due to its power. It seemed like a lifetime ago that she met the now-teenager now...Hell, maybe if she had taken more time in undercovering the seemingly harmless item's secrets, maybe recent events would not have needed to happen… For better or for worse, although considering the situation they were in against the Head's raiding party, she had to admit that she wasn't terribly unhappy about its activation.
And yet, so much back then had demanded her immediate attention, especially with the then-crucial circumstances of the Light being depleted to the extent it was, and with the addition to taking care of meeting Powder's various needs - both mundane and special - all thoughts of actually looking into the magic crystal properly were put into the backburner, which was quite slow indeed. After all, with the crystal seemingly being depleted and with any research done on it having a chance to ruin a trinket that was so valuable to Powder, it could've been left alone without being brought up.
Until now.
"Ah, now that's a look I haven't seen in quite a while." Angela turned to see Hokma, ever vigilant and scholarly in presenting himself, adjusting the monocle on his face and brushing some non-existent lint off of his shoulders. He was still wearing his more traditional gray suit, although with its distinct white coat hanging off of his shoulders instead of being worn in a more conventional manner, his brown shoes clicking against the wooden floorboards as he walked up to join her outside on the balcony of the Library, taking in the night sky of their new location, "You look more like him than you'd like to admit now. Well, when he could still bear looking at the sky, that is." He sighed, making eye-contact with the woman he helped create, the memories flowing in both of their minds, both the good,the bad, and the very, very ugly.
Angela clicked her mechanical tongue in response, refusing to give that man such an acknowledgment even after all that she's been through, and instead answered with, "How can I not be so frustrated? I had such a powerful and undiscovered energy source literally right next to me for years and had done nothing with it." She shrugged, ignoring his comment as she eyed him for a small moment, her gaze not warm, but by no means cold, either.
The gray haired man raised a curious eyebrow, the look of a true scientist that never quite died after all of these years, "Truly? Well, no point in crying over spilled milk at this point, especially when we're in uncharted territory."
"Uncharted...well, perhaps for us." Angela clarified, raising a correctional index finger. "Considering Powder is currently losing her mind and the fact the terrain that surrounds us matches with her descriptions, I'd say we have arrived at Piltover and Zaun."
Hokma blinked, taking the information in.
"Zaun? You mean…her home?"
The three on the balcony turned to look on the inside of the Library to see a group of Library Assistants, from the Floor of Psychology, huddled around their Patron Librarian in worry.
It was, of course, one Powder, who was currently curled in a ball, rocking in place.
Well, considering the other things she knew about Powder's past here, this wasn't altogether too surprising, but it didn't exactly paint the most optimistic picture about their debut in Runeterra. So much for Powder's originally optimistic attitude…
WILL RUIN AGAIN
Powder slams her fists against the ground. Too much. There's too much in her head. It's loud. There's Mylo and Claggor and Vander and Vi and–
BETTER OFF DEAD
SHUT UP!" Powder screams and bangs a fist against her head. "Shut up! Shut up shut up shut up!"
The voices remain. She hits herself again and again and again–
A TOTAL JI-
"Powder."
A cold, yet all too familiar and comforting hand laid gently upon her cheek.
"Remember what we practiced when that got too loud? The breathing? The counting?"
"One chapter of a book, two chapters of a book…Three chapters of a book, four chapters of a book..."
Everything became clear again as Powder looked up, to the worried gaze of Angela, "Are you back with us?"
"Y-Yeah." Powder replied hoarsely, "S-Sorry I acted like this. I-I thought I was done with this sort of thing after all this time…" Alas, it seemed that the buried memories were only just starting to awaken with time. Or maybe it was a sudden and brutal awakening that had long been suppressed considering she had been so distant from her old home which had once troubled her? Whatever it was, she definitely didn't want it to boil over like that - not when she had people who relied upon her for…well, for the first time in her life, if she was to be honest.
"There's no shame in taking on personal issues at your own pace." The Library's Director and Head Librarian assured, no judgment of any kind in her tone, "From what I have heard, it does not seem unreasonable that you would be reminded of more…unpleasant times now that we're, supposedly, back in Runeterra." She hesitated for a moment on following up her sentence, pausing before sighing and whispering to her younger confidante. "And for what it's worth, I'm fairly certain that my own…erm, mishaps with sentiments across the Library were definitely a lot less…pleasant than you simply letting out your emotions, Powder." Considering she almost killed Roland four times and five of her ten Patron Librarians once each, she was preeeeeeeetty sure that on an objective scale, that was worse than anything Powder was currently going through. Unless, of course, Powder somehow Distorted all of a sudden, which would've been rather expected given Angela's luck, but so far, the Zaunite seemed to have gathered herself well enough.
Nervously, Powder eyes looked around to see all in the room; her fellow Patron Librarians, their assistants and hers, all looking at her not in derision or in any mocking manner, but in true, empathetic support and encouragement for her struggles.
"...Yeah. I'm not, am I?"
Powder took a deep breath, her trembling form gradually steadying. Angela's hand remained on her cheek, a silent reassurance that she was going to be there for her. Hokma stepped forward from behind, his analytical mind contemplating the implications of what beheld them all right and then.
"Zaun and Piltover, you say? Interesting," Hokma mused, stroking his chin and quietly observing the tender sight, although not commenting on it so as to not upset either of the pair in front of him. "Twin cities built on progress and innovation, yet marred by the stark division between its upper and lower reaches. A place that holds the echoes of Powder's past." He repeated the information he'd gathered throughout time he got to know the Patron Librarian of the Floor of Psychology for, hoping he hadn't offended anyone with his remark.
Angela nodded, her gaze shifting to the outside scene, showing the sprawling cities below. The vibrant lights of Piltover contrasted sharply with the dimly lit undercity of Zaun, which almost seemed to writhe beneath its sibling despite the fact that it was, supposedly, thriving in its own way…according to the singular Zaunite Angela ever spoke to, anyway. It was a city of contradictions, much like Powder herself; kind on and end and yet the epitome of chaos on the other.
"F-From the looks of things, we're on the bridge that connects the two together." Powder stated, if shakily, slowly getting up on her two feet and looking back at the sight that made her so happy just a few moments ago, now filling her with such dread for what it now held for her after all of these years.
"So we're in the eye of the storm of this whole thing, eh?" Observing the situation was a man laying on the floor as if he was about to fall asleep anytime soon: none other than Netzach himself. Leaning on a wall as he sat on the ground, his long, green hair seeming messier than it had ever been even with his green bun of hair in place, his white buttoned shirt half-open, yet his gaze was focused, albeit slightly dazed from the effort of the day, scratching his head with a free hand.
"You talk as if that's anything new when it comes to us. I thought you'd be used to this kind of thing after a few thousand years." Tiphereth, Patron Librarian of the Floor of Natural Science, replied as she kneeled over the green haired man before flicking his forehead playfully. Her golden, blonde hair swished while her emerald eyes seemed to glisten, still holding echoes of adrenaline from the fight before the Library was expelled, pocketing her hands in her equally golden coat, trying to calm down a little, shaking her head and letting her bowtie swing a little. "Get it together already, why don't ya?"
Neztach grumbled as he rubbed the assaulted spot, ready to reply until something outside of The Library caught his attention while he glanced out of the balcony by chance. "Looks like the folks of this place have arrived."
"Really? New guests for the Library already?" Angela inquired, putting her hands together as she pondered the possibility, striding towards the balcony with Powder close behind her, looking over her shoulder. She no longer wanted to book guests or harm them in any way, really, but she couldn't turn back guests, either, could she?
"Hey, hey, hey! Who are you se-oh for fuck's sake!" The blue-haired teen hissed like a cat near water the moment she caught the sight of what (or rather who) was below even at her current height, the too familiar crowd of way too familiar uniforms gathering around the base of the Library, "Whether it was seven years ago or now, the sight of those stupid-ass hats makes me want to puke my guts out!"
"Another sight from your past in Zaun?" Angela asked, taking note of the sourness in her expression as she quickly backed away, fearing an attack from the group that currently surrounding the massive wooden structure that they called home. They couldn't really be blamed for how baffled they appeared. "So, Powder, who are these folks?"
"Tea party enthusiasts."
"Really? I guess it is only polite that I go over and offer them some-."
"Wh- No! Nononono, Angela, wait, I was being sarcastic!"
"...So no tea then? Pity, I could use a cup or two after everything we've been through." Binah pouted from her spot in the room, or at least, as close as someone of her caliber was capable of doing, which seemed to translate into a minuscule movement of her lips that might've, with enough mental gymnastics to earn a golden medal and an eye keener than that of a vulture, been interpreted as the beginnings of a pout.
"I don't think that they look like the type to talk things over tea, Binah~." Chesed, of course, was that person, and at such a sight, he couldn't hold back a snort, though he was lucky enough to not earn a reaction from the former Arbiter. His blue hair, much like Netzach, was a complete and utter mess that could hardly be considered hair considering the various substances that were currently in it after the constant battles he endured during the release of the Light, his blue coat and tie swaying gently in the breeze, hanging onto to his ever-iconic coffee mug, the one aspect of his appearance that had been untouched by the chaos the Library endured for the last seven days.
"A shame they cannot all be like me."
"That's a lie and you damn well know it~."
"I might've taken your opinion more seriously, coffee addict, had you not been so passionate about that tasteless bean hot water."
"We all have our preferences in life~." Chesed ignored her scathing remarks for now, preferring to focus on the matter at hand instead of being dragged into another tea VS. coffee war with the Patron Librarian of the Floor of Philosophy, "Onto the more pressing matter at hand: who are we sending out there to properly greet them~?" He took a sip while taking a look at his peer next to him.
Said man was Yesod, who scoffed at the question. His asymmetrical fringe of short, desaturated violet hair covered his right eye with a touch of defiance. He wore a knee-length purple Patron Librarian coat that exuded authority and elegance. Underneath, a crisp white shirt complemented the striking ensemble. A deep violet necktie with a glossy brooch adorned his neck, adding a subtle yet commanding touch. Paired with straight-cut purple pants secured by a white belt, his outfit conveyed a seamless coordination. Black dress shoes rounded off the look, emphasizing a sense of formality and refinement. "Is that a question really worth asking, given we already have a native of these lands with us already?"
"Native of these - OH YOU ARE NOT SENDING ME OUT THERE TO DEAL WITH THESE LITERAL ASSHATS!" Powder screeched at the purple haired scientist.
"And why not?" Hokma asked, eyebrows raised with curiosity, "Given your obvious familiarity with this security detail, it should be clear that you are our best chance of de-escalating the situation at hand."
"These are goddamn Enforcers! All they KNOW is escalation!" Powder argued back, "The minute they realize I am from Zaun, they're going to escalate things! Hell, I can't promise to not do it when it comes to dealing with these asshats! I would rather-OW!"
Her tirade against the Enforcers was interrupted by Gebura dropping her fist on top of the bluenette's head, "Oi! Now's not the time for that screw the rich spiel when we need you to keep your head in the game." The redhead berated before removing said fist from its target. Gebura's cascade of fiery, red locks, immediately dominated the room, as it did with any area she entered. Corralled into a sprawling, unkempt ponytail cascading down to her thighs, with dual fringes framing her determined face along with slight scars crisscrossing her countenance, it was one of her most recognisable physical attributes, even more so than her ad hoc Patron Librarian suit, with its striking red jacket, commanding high collar, and an elegantly fastened tie with a glossy red brooch, adding a touch of refinement. Maroon leggings seamlessly complemented the ensemble, culminating in what appeared to be stylish-though-breaking-the-Librarian-appearance loafer shoes.
Powder, reeling from the unexpected strike to her head, gingerly rubbed the affected area, lamenting the apparent lack of sensitivity in her emotionally tumultuous state and throwing an arm over her forehead while leaning back, adopting the epitome of a 'pity me' pose. "Why do you have to be so violent about it?! This is an emotionally testing time for me and I'm more fragile than usual, you know! Back me up here, Malkuth!"
The Patron Librarian of History gave an apologetic expression, her note-book in hand as she hesitated before giving a reply to her younger colleague. "As hurtful as this might sound, Gebura does have a point...even if she could have expressed it in a less forceful way." Malkuth gave a short, small stink-eye to the redhead in question, the latter rolling her eyes at the brunette in exasperation at how un-seriously everyone seemed to be taking their situation. Perhaps it was due to the stress from the battle with Ensemble and then the Head's agents, really, seeing how nobody had the chance to rest from that.
Indeed, Malkuth's brown,transitioning into a lighter ombre, hair which once flowed luxuriously down to her lower back was now a mess with a few crispy ends after her encounter with the fire-wielding member of the Ensemble, Phillip. Her attire's ochre coat harmonized with the distinctive hue of her floor...when it wasn't covered with various burnt spots and different pieces of viscera that neither she nor Powder wished to know too much about. A crisp white dress shirt provides a pristine backdrop to this not-so-neat appearance, complemented by a bow tie, its glossy brooch adding a touch of sophistication. A black vest added a layer of contrast and also hid the color of most of the liquids that currently dotted her outfit, which helped it continue harmonizing seamlessly with the brown low-rise ankle boots that complete her ensemble. Even her signature red hairband looked a little too red in a way that made it obvious something had splattered over it. Only Malkuth's substantial brown note-book, its pages marked by numerous bookmarks attesting to the countless journeys and stories within its bindings, seemed unaffected by the battle. Of course, the physical marks could easily be healed by the Light, but the mental effects would definitely last a while more…
Just like the mental effect Powder suffered due to Malkuth effectively throwing her under the bus
The look of betrayal on Powder's face was nothing short of priceless.
This response prompted Gebura to crack her knuckles in a teasing threat. "Glad to know my point is getting across. Now, if you insist on being so damn stuck on this, I'll be more than happy to knock some sense into that head of yours as many times as need be; I don't necessarily think too highly of these numbnuts based on how you've described them so far, but we can't keep fighting after what we just went through. As ironic as it is that I'm the one saying this: we need to be diplomatic, understand?"
Squeaking in terror at the mere thought of having to resort to such methods, Powder sought refuge behind the closest body for protection.
Said body belonged to Hod, whose reddish-brown shoulder-length formed some form of protection between her and pressure the older Librarian ladies were putting her under, though it surprised the exhausted Librarian, whose face was framed with a small cowlick, adding a touch of charm...Well, it would've, at least, had Hod not been suffering from the same issue as Malkuth and didn't look like she came out of a bloody brawl, which, technically speaking, was exactly the sort of the thing she went through during the past seven days, so it was only natural to cut some slack for her. A couple of plain white hairpins delicately secured her bangs, lending a subtle yet practical elegance, aided by a brown swing coat mirroring the shade of her hair. Beneath this, a white blouse with puffy sleeves exudes a classic charm, harmonizing effortlessly with a knee-long black skirt. Hod's ensemble is completed with a grey bow, adorned with a glossy orange brooch that resonated with the colors of her floor. Her choice of footwear included flats with ankle straps, offering both comfort and style. The ensemble was further elevated by the addition of knee-high white socks, creating a cohesive and polished appearance…or it would've had it not been currently dismally ruined from the fighting, like every other Librarian on the Floor.
"Now, now. No need to resort to violence…again." The Patron Librarian of the Floor of Literature held her hands up in a calming manner to the best of her abilities, wearing an awkward, confused smile; she wasn't quite sure what she dragged into, although her instinctual desire to defuse fights and attempt to help those who seemed to be psychologically tormented seemed to have taken over at this point. "I do think Powder has gotten the message," She turned her head to the not-so-usually-meek Librarian trying to hide behind her. "Didn't you?"
Powder's rapid nodding elicited a rare sight – Gebura lowering her fists after she'd already raised them.
The Library's collective attention shifted from the playful banter to the chaotic blue-haired Patron Librarian who sought refuge behind Hod. A subtle tension lingered in the air as the others exchanged glances, intuitively sensing that there was more to Powder's resistance than met the eye.
"Powder," Angela spoke with a gentle curiosity, attempting to retake the reins of the situation at hand. Gah, this was always so much more complicated when everyone was involved… "You seem quite adamant about not wanting to engage with those Enforcers. Care to share why?"
Realizing the spotlight was on her once again, Powder hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Fine. Fine, okay? Just promise you won't give me any of that 'you should confront your fears' crap, alright?"
A collective nod and affirming murmurs rippled through the room, with Chesed even chiming in, "Cross my heart and hope to spill coffee on my favorite book~."
Feeling a touch more reassured now that she wasn't going to hear the same spiel that every single movie in existence seemed to hammer into her when all she wanted was just an hour or two of fun, Powder bit her lip before confessing, "I... I need to go to Zaun. There, I said it."
Gebura, her expression softening before she crossed her arms and asked with a raised eyebrow. "...And? Why's that so important and so worrying for you? What's there?"
"...Family matters." Powder answered, her voice just above a whisper and her gaze cast downward. "My big sister, Vi. She's in Zaun…I think. I need to find her. I need to know what happened since I was last there. The Enforcers just…they bring up a whole lot of bad memories from the last time I was there." Not to mention the lingering memory in her mind about the day Vander found them, so foggy and hazy yet so confident and clear that the Enforcers were there when her mother died. She couldn't waste her time arguing and fighting with Enforcers when she knew how they acted. She was finally, finally back home after so many years. She couldn't ruin an opportunity as big as this.
Not again.
A thoughtful silence settled over the room as the gravity of Powder's revelation sank in, each of the Patron Librarians taking the information in. Binah, usually silent and indifferent, couldn't help but express what seemed like genuine concern…Or at least, the young Zaunite's mind interpreted it as such. She would have also been just mocking her with a tone of faux-care that she misinterpreted in her over-emotional state. "Child, considering the extent of your reaction just moments ago, do you truly believe that you may be ready for an endeavor on such a large scale?"
Powder nodded, determination replacing the previous anxiety. "I've avoided it for too long. I need to know. No matter what I have to go through."
"...Very well." Angela spoke up at last after a moment of silence, her voice firm and her tone indicating that she was not offering an opinion; she was giving a verdict that she would support her young protégée now. "I can see how important this is to you, Powder, and it only makes sense; you were always from here, after all. It would be a folly to prevent you from realizing your goals now, and I would rather consider myself a sane woman who tries to fight off her follies." She stated, her tone clear and compassionate, allowing Powder's face to suddenly light up as a massive smile overtook her.
"Oh, Angela! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I promise I'll make it up to you, I-"
"But," The older bluenette raised a warning index.
"...Of course." The Zaunite sighed, although she was half-expecting this remark. "I knew there had to be a string attached…" She mumbled half-jokingly, the smile not wiped off of her face quiet yet. "Alright, what is it? Do I have to scrub the floors for five years afterwards? Sacrifice my firstborn? Offer three liters of untainted blood?"
"No, no, and also no. What would I even use untainted blood for?" Angela seemed genuinely confused at that last suggestion, pausing to try and run the calculations for what such an item could be used for before deciding that would be a waste of time and continuing: "You can't go alone, Powder."
"...I can't go alone? Angela, you're not sayin' what I think you're sayin', are you…?" The Patron Librarian of the Floor of Psychology pointed an accusing index of her own as she narrowed her eyes, raising an eyebrow at her caretaker while the latter's expression grew a tad smug.
"I'm simply suggesting that our appearance must've alerted several groups and entities to our presence. It would be in your best interest to have a protector with you."
"But I'm not a little kid-!"
"And I am not risking anything happening to you while you're outside of my vision. I cannot heal you while you're outside the confines of the Library, Powder." Damn it, Angela! You big, metal softball of a softie! This wasn't the moment to bedazzle Powder with caring words and sentiments!
"Tch, really, Angela…" Gebura's voice sounded after a few moments of a rather comfortable silence. "You could just say what you think outright, but hey, what do I know?" Not to mention, Angela knew exactly what words could be used to explicitly convey her sentiments, but Gebura wasn't really looking forward to disrupting the sentiment of action that had the Librarians swept up in. Even the Assistant Librarians (excluding Bob, who probably fell asleep after the Library finished teleporting) seemed willing to act alongside their superiors. "But you're right. We don't know how hostile the area here is, and if it's even a little more unfriendly than Powder described it as, she would need someone to accompany her." She noted, ignoring the flabbergasted stare the Zaunite in question gave to her.
"I'm glad you agree, Gebura, as I think you would be a perfect companion to Powder during her trek."
"...Come again? Angela, you're not-"
"Yes, Gebura, I am very clear. I believe it would benefit Powder if she had the watchful gaze of the vaunted Red Mist watching over her." The Library Directory affirmed her decision, watching as the former strongest Color in the City's eyes twitched. "But have no worries, I believe that to reinforce you two, I could send Roland as well to help maintain order and offer an intelligence-gathering role as well. If Piltover and Zaun is as complicated as Powder made it to be, we will need to have as much information as we can get our hands on." She added with a smirk, turning to the Black Silence who, in turn, blinked at her.
"Hey! Come on, Angela! You're really going to send me with these two?!" Powder tried her best impression at puppy eyes, jutting her lower-lip out and opening her eyes wide while putting her hands together. "I mean…I don't hate being around them or anything, but we're decades apart in age! We wouldn't even be able to communicate well…"
"Hmm…That is true…" Angela rubbed her chin, letting Powder hold her breath in hope. Had she done it? Had she convinced Angela of letting her go alone…? "Tiphereth, you are to head with Powder to make sure there are no gaps of communication between her, Gebura and Roland." Nope. Should've seen that one coming a few kilometers away.
"...Seriously?" Tiphereth's emerald eyes made their way between her would-be Zaun companions and Angela, opening and closing her mouth several times to formulate a sentence. "We're just going to go on this journey all of a sudden with Powder taking point into unknown lands, with unknown locals, with unknown dangers and with an undetermined goal?"
"Essentially." Angela nodded, not a hint of derision found in her expression.
"...Seriously, Angela, that's the second adventure in a row that starts like this after we wrapped up the whole story in the City." The blonde groaned into her hands. "Why can't we just explore an elderly care home or something along those lines for once?"
"And die of boredom?" The Red Mist suddenly flicked a wrist, scoffing. "Well, I guess I got that one coming to me for all that trash-talk a little while earlier. Serves me right, I suppose…And we were gonna need to go out one way or another, and if it's either this or staying here and trying to be diplomatic, I'll at least pick the option where fighting in an all-out brawl is a possibility.
"Good to know we are all on the same page on this." The Head Librarian stated, "Powder shall return to Zaun with Roland, Gebura, and Tiphereth in tow."
"Wait, don't I get a say in this?" Roland raised a curious hand, not really objecting, but mostly curious about whether or not he had any autonomy in this decision.
"We both know the answer to that." Well, there goes that. Angela quickly shot down any protest from the Patron of General Works before continuing on, which was only fair, he supposed, seeing how just a few days ago he tried killing her very violently. He had just the tiniest bit of things to make up for. "Now: clean yourselves up, gather whatever tools you deem fit to bring with you, make sure to pick and choose your Pages carefully as you cannot bring them all with you outside of the Library as a precaution to the current state of affairs before heading out. As for the rest of you: stand by for further instructions as we all recover from what we had to endure."
And then with a turn of a heel, Angela looked outside and began making her way toward the balcony area once more.
"Now, I believe it is time that I properly greet our new hosts for the foreseeable future."
In the very center of the bridge connecting Piltover and Zaun, Head Enforcer Marcus stood amidst the chaos, barking orders to organize his Enforcers as he had been doing for the past eight hours and counting.
He'd seen many things during his career. Many good things, many bad things, many horrible and unspeakable things, and many things that were simply bizarre in a world full of bizarre things. He wanted to classify what he was currently seeing in the last category, but it had been too advanced to fit in at that point. He could use every superlative adjective in a dictionary and it would still not be enough to contain and explain the figurative and literal magnitude of the structure that somehow poofed into existence just a little under a day ago.
This sudden appearance of this… tower, if one can call it that, on the bridge had thrown both of the twin-cities into a state of pure panic, from what he could tell. Many citizens fled in fear, rushing through the streets, seeking refuge from the unknown threat that now loomed before them all as they were terrified that it was a sort of uncontrollable technology that ran loose and which would cause unforeseeable horrors. Others, mostly those with less to lose or who with a dysfunctional sense of self-preservation, came to observe the large structure and come to a conclusion with regards to what exactly it was supposed to be.
"Clear the bridge on both ends! Maintain order! I want every Enforcer at their designated posts and absolutely no civilians anywhere near whatever the hell this is supposed to be!" Marcus's voice cut through the clamor, his authoritative tone carrying the weight of years of experience. Evidently, he belonged to the first group, not trusting that tower of…of whatever could've possibly resided there for a second. He just knew that this spelled trouble for Piltover.
The irrational part of him wanted oh-so-desperately to point fingers at Zaun and pin the blame on the undercity for manifesting such an entity, but even he had to admit that it simply wasn't possible, logistically speaking. He doubted there was even enough wood down there to make up half of the structure that stood proudly before him.
His men and women rushed to barricade key intersections, diverting the flow of panicked citizens or simply attempting to keep them where they were.. Marcus surveyed the scene with a stern expression. The bridge, once a symbol of the admittedly not-so-positive connection between Piltover and Zaun, now became a focal point of confusion and uncertainty, with citizens from both sides of the bridge suspiciously eyeing the wooden construct and expecting the inevitable disaster or hidden malice it must've contained. Maybe the whole bridge should've been torn down with this new building? No, that would've harmed both sides more, but with each passing moment, it felt like the tension in the air became more and more palpable, even as the new arrival seemed entirely unmoving…perhaps eerily so. Had it been less silent, maybe it wouldn't have invoked such unease with the surrounding cities….
"Just what in the heavens is this…?" Marcus muttered to himself at last as the civilian flow seemed to have been stemmed thanks to the Enforcers' efforts, his eyes narrowing as he observed the mysterious building. Its towering structure defied the architectural norms of both Piltover and Zaun, seeming entirely foreign to either of them, but it couldn't have simply popped out of thin-air. There had to be some scientific experiment gone wrong, or some magical artifact that was inappropriately activated, or…or anything to suddenly bring over such a massive entity with no prior warning.
The question was what could've done so.
Marcus wasn't exactly the brightest bulb in the box. He didn't claim to know everything about Piltover, and he couldn't claim to know much about Zaun, either. He couldn't claim to be the most knowledgeable guy in the Enforcers corps, either, but somehow, as if by instinct, he knew that neither Zaun nor Piltover had the ability to construct or control such a towering building. The juxtaposition of magic and technology to such a degree bewildered him, and its presence sent shivers down his spine. It felt far beyond anything Pitlover could think of producing, and the thought of this tree-like building being entirely independent and acting of its own accord wasn't the most comforting thought in existence.
As he organized his forces, Marcus couldn't help but ponder the unnatural nature of the structure. It was a stark contrast to the industrial landscapes of Piltover and the sprawling, chaotic streets of Zaun. This enigma stood as an alien entity, disrupting the very fabric of their known world. What purpose did it even have? Was it dangerous? Was anyone living within its confines…?
"Somebody's going to need to get the Council informed immediately about whatever's going on here…" Marcus mused out loud, his mind racing with the implications of this unprecedented event. The building's appearance had triggered a city-wide state of alarm, and Marcus knew he had to act swiftly to contain the panic before it devolved to total anarchy. So far, the people simply waited to see whether or not they had any reason to panic, and the head-Enforcer hoped they'd remain this way for a while longer until the nature of the alien tower could be discerned.
Enforcers were currently securing the perimeter, creating a buffer zone around the strange tower. Marcus paced along the barricades, his eyes never leaving the new arrival while he communicated with his subordinates via the various Hextech devices, coordinating efforts to maintain order and ensure the safety of the citizens.
Speaking of whom, as he observed the reactions from behind the barricade placed on both ends of the bridge, Marcus couldn't ignore the deep-seated unease that permeated the air. The tower's otherworldly aura unsettled even the most resilient of Zaunites and Piltoverians. The normal hustle and bustle of both cities had been replaced by a tense silence, broken only by sporadic bursts of panic from not-so-resilient citizens. Part of him wanted to dismiss these bouts as utterly ridiculous, but considering the unease he felt, he couldn't blame the poor sods too much.
"I think I've come to a conclusion on whatever this thing is," Marcus muttered to his second-in-command, Marlon, the latter turning to the sheriff and waiting to hear whatever he had to say. "This thing is beyond our understanding. I don't know whether or not it's dangerous, but it's probably not smart to let anyone get close when it could prove to be dangerous." It was a basic, uninspired response, but it was better than throwing caution to the wind when nobody was aware of what they were about to deal with.
Hextech lanterns illuminated the area, casting an eerie glow on the wood-like structure of the tower.
As the emergency response unfolded, Marcus couldn't shake the feeling that this event would have repercussions far beyond their current understanding. The tower seemed to exist beyond the rules of the known world, an anomaly that challenged the very essence of Runeterra, which…didn't really make a whole lot of sense seeing how there was nothing beyond Runeterra. What, was he supposed to believe the sands of the border desert could've built this by accidentally falling atop one another? It simply didn't make any sense, but it didn't seem to fit with anything he saw from Runeterra, either…
But then, what was it supposed to be…?
"Bring over scholars from the academy," Marcus finally concluded, continuing his thoughts out loud as he nodded to himself, his gaze fixed on the tower. "We need them to decipher what in the world we're dealing with here or at least tell us if it's dangerous to some extent."
As the Enforcers worked tirelessly to restore order, Marcus continued to watch over the mysterious tower. Its enigmatic presence stood as a testament to the unpredictable nature of Runeterra, a world where magic and technology collided in ways that even the most seasoned enforcer couldn't fathom- Or that's what he would've said had he not been doubting that it even belonged to the same world. It was highly plausible that he was thinking nonsense; what did he know about science or magic in the first place? It was just a nagging sensation at the back of his mind...Or at least, he hoped it was.
As Marcus was overseeing the emergency response, the unmistakable sound of small footsteps approached from behind. Before he could turn around, a small but distinguished figure emerged from the chaos – Heimerdinger, the esteemed head of the Piltover council. He could recognise that voice even without turning around.
"Enforcer Marcus, what in the name of Janna is happening here?!" Heimerdinger's bushy eyebrows furrowed in concern, his eyes squinting as he surveyed the scene, his tone demanding, although it didn't seem as panicked as the rest of the city's denizens seemed to be. Perhaps living as long as the council member did removed much of his fear of the unknown.
"Head Councilor Heimerdinger, you shouldn't be here!" Marcus exclaimed, turning to face the yordle. "It's not safe here. We're dealing with an unprecedented situation; we don't even know what we're dealing with. Please, for your own safety, you must-."
Heimerdinger crossed his tiny arms, a stern expression on his furry face as he interrupted the taller man. "Evacuate? My dear Marcus, you underestimate my longevity. I've weathered more storms and witnessed more cataclysms than you can imagine. I cannot, in good conscience, retreat to safety when something of this magnitude breathes down the necks of the people of Piltover without knowing if it has the intention or power of erasing our existence from the fabric of this reality."
Marcus was taken aback by Heimerdinger's resolve. "Sir, you don't understand. This... structure is unlike anything we've ever encountered. It's not just a storm or a cataclysm. We need the scholars and researchers to decipher its nature before we can determine the appropriate course of action, and we need them to remain safe for them to be able to do so. Head Councilor, with all due respect, your safety is of utmost importance. We can't afford to lose you, especially with this unknown entity in our midst."
The yordle inventor raised an eyebrow, seeming entirely unfazed by the speech the head Enforcer offered him. "Lose me? Marcus, my boy, I assure you, I've faced greater dangers than this inanimate tower of wood. Besides, someone needs to oversee the situation and coordinate efforts with the council and the other scholars of Piltover. Now, tell me, what do we know so far about this... structure, hm?"
Marcus hesitated, then began to explain the mysterious appearance of the tower, the panic among the citizens, and the ongoing efforts to maintain order.
Heimerdinger listened intently, stroking his furry chin. "Fascinating. I may not fully grasp the nature of this anomaly, but I won't shy away from the challenge it presents. We must mobilize the resources of Piltover to understand and, if necessary, neutralize this threat."
Marcus raised an eyebrow, surprised by Heimerdinger's resilience. "You're not alarmed by the unnatural aura it emits? It's like nothing we've seen in Piltover or even anywhere in Runeterra!"
Heimerdinger chuckled, a twinkle in his eyes. "My dear Marcus, life in Piltover has always been about pushing the boundaries of what's possible. If we cower at every unknown, we'd never have made the advancements that define our great city. Now, let's work together to unravel the mysteries of this place and protect the people of both cities."
"Yes, I understand your point, but-" Marcus resisted against a huff, trying once again to convince the elderly yordle to stand back before he suddenly noticed something walking out onto one of the large tower's balconies, the one closest to the ground. Contrary to what they would've expected from the uneasy air it exuded, the figure in question seemed to be…a woman of sorts? It was difficult to discern anything when it came to her appearance due to how far away she was, but she seemed to have blue hair of sorts and was accompanied by a blue-haired man. Was this tower filled with blue-haired people or what? Marcus grit his teeth. Nothing against bluenettes or anything of the sort, they simply brought back….interesting memories…
"...Who is that supposed to be? The owner of this thing?" Marcus leaned onto another Enforcer, who in turn shrugged slowly, shaking his head without removing their eyes from the golden-eyed figure. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try and communicate…" His mumbling caught the attention of Heimerdinger, although not a particularly positive one.
"Communicate? Enforcer Marcus, what are you attempting to-?!"
"HALT! PILTOVER LAWS NECESSITATE YOU STATE YOUR NAME, OCCUPATION AND INTENTION! PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR AND EXPLAIN YOUR INTENTIONS AND MOTIVATIONS!"
Ah, there it was. The not-so-bright bulb that was Marcus demonstrating his title was well-earned. A terrified and tense silence reigned for a moment, as everyone awaited for the consequences of Marcus' actions, only to be met with…
…
…Nothing?
"Fascinating. Usually at this point a diplomatic crisis of unreasonable proportions would've been created thanks to such treatment." The shortest Council Member suddenly cleared his throat, the thinly-veiled criticism flying past Marcus' head while the latter awaited a reply that he didn't get.
Then again…how far was this woman supposed to be? The distance between the bridge and the balcony was so long. Did she even hear them?
"Well, we tried. Men, draw your weapons!" Now, of course, one could say that pointing your weapons at a being of unknown power was not the smartest move in the arsenal. And it was not; it was a move that the mustached Enforcer was simply used to doing, and one that had worked for him thus far. Despite every single rationale stating that at this point Marcus should've been dead or severely injured for his deeds, the world does not, in fact, run based on rationality, instead, a plethora of other elements, including extreme luck in the Enforcer's case, ruled the world, and it would appear that Marcus lifetime supply of luck was currently being drained faster than a kitchen sink with no bottom, considering that his order also elicited nothing other than a calm, measured response from the being who currently had hundreds of weapons pointed at her:
"Greetings, dear hosts!" Was the blue-haired woman's firstwords, using a hand to hold onto the wooden rail while raising her other one in the air for theatrical effect. "I welcome you all to the Library. I am Angela, director and librarian of my role's namesake. Would it be possible for us to discuss a few topics? I happen to be a newcomer around these parts."
AND CHAPTER IS DONE!
Funny thing, this chapter is out on the same day as the second Arcane Season 2 teaser is out. This is really starting to get weird…
This chapter was an introduction to the Library's reception in Runeterra. Future chapters probably won't have as much exposition, as the exposition here was mostly for the non-LoR fan side of things. From here on out, we will assume that most readers have good enough knowledge about Arcane in general, although we do want your thoughts on what should and shouldn't get exposition. Thank you in advance.
Anyways, the Library crew is gonna now meet the residents of their new "home". To make this efficient, we chose to split the group so half go into Zaun while the rest deal with Piltover. And ideas on how that'll go down? How will the characters deal with this version of Powder and the people surrounding her? Do tell!