Chapter 11
Riven did not sleep well for the next month. She was bothered by many things: Her conversation with Lee, her romp through her mind-scape, what she had done to Irelia, and the fact that autumn had officially ended and winter weather started to set in. Strangely enough, it was still somewhat warm for winter. Riven was able to fight against the chill with her training and her clothing. The fire crackled in front of her, giving her much needed warmth. She could see the sunlight and flames dance in the reflective stone of her broken sword. She had spent all these weeks thinking, but she wanted more time to think. Riven looked up at the bright morning sky, and decided that she needed to have a bit of tea.
“You are a tremendous idiot,” the cold voice of Morgana bluntly stated. She had a talon wrapped around the handle of a steaming teacup. Riven bowed her head, mumbling incoherently.
Morgana drank the piping hot tea in a single gulp, apparently not aware of temperature, before continuing, “Something’s bothering you and you’re not talking. One hour, sure, but two hours? This is the third pot of tea I’ve made and you’re still nursing that first cup. What’s wrong?”
Riven swirled her teacup a bit. She was acting like a child who was caught with her hand in the cookie jar. A black tendril snaked forward and lifted Riven’s chin, forcing the woman to face the fallen angel, “No matter what, keep your chin up. Never bow your head to anyone, you are not inferior.” The tendril shot behind Riven and tapped her spine, “And keep your posture straight, that’s just common sense.”
Riven murmured in her thoughts. She had gotten used to this, but every time she visited Morgana the angel always made sure her posture and everything was good. Irelia did not seem to care nearly as much. Morgana bluntly spoke, “That is because you’re not being honest with her and your intentions with your life. If she is…” Morgana rolled her eyes, “Your acquaintance, she should understand.”
Riven inwardly groaned. She forgot angels were empaths, able to read the emotions of a person note for note. It did not matter whether the angel was fallen or not. She began uttering a few curses when Morgana spoke up again, pouring a cup of fresh tea for herself, “And stop swearing like that unless you want to insult me. Then bring it, b*tch.” Morgana gave a fanged smirk to Riven. Right, they were also able to read stray thoughts. Riven sipped at her tea, “You would not want that. I would end you before you finished your tea.”
Morgana shook a talon at Riven, gulping her tea down, “There we go. That’s more like it.” Riven settled in her chair once more. Morgana had a very strange sense of humor, she liked insulting and challenging others, pushing their buttons. But for some reason, she did not push the easiest buttons on Riven. She was actually respectful and kept away from the more tender issues. Morgana flicked a little pastry into her mouth, munching on it, “So. Why no talking?”
“I don’t want to talk. Is that so hard to believe?” Riven responded. Morgana let out a groan, “Gods you are a special type of stupid. I don’t want to talk, so I better go out and grab tea and pastries with someone and stare at them. You are aware I already know what’s wrong, sweetie, so go ahead and be silent.” Morgana’s tendrils shot out and grabbed the teapot and the various plates of treats on the table. Riven was left with only her cup and her plate while Morgana got up from her seat, speaking again, “Look, that girl has issues. You’ve really gone and done something dumb. You need to clear the air, you need to actually say your thoughts instead of bottling them up. Where is that Ionian today anyways?”
“Matches. She has several today. She should be busy all day,” Riven sipped at her tea once more. It really was good tea. Morgana glanced at Riven, “That explains why you decided to visit me. That is pure cowardice and you know it.”
Riven nodded her head. Morgana frowned, “I will let it go this time because you’re human and mortal, and not that smart, and still learning and blah blah blah…” Morgana sent a tendril that wrapped around Riven’s neck, “But if you ever come back here with such ****ing stupidity in your brain, I will tear your head off, crack it open, scrub the **** out of it with bleach and glue it back into place. Is that understood?”
Riven blinked at Morgana. She replied, “Crystal.” Morgana smiled her fanged smile, “Good. Have a cookie or two.”
Riven shrugged and drank her cold tea. She set the teacup down and leaned back into her chair. She let out a sigh before dragging the chair back, making Morgana’s pointed ears twitch. Riven nodded to the fallen angel, “Thank you for listening, Morgana. I must be off.”
“I do not mind the company, but why avoid her? What’s the big deal about telling her your concerns? She has reacted favorably before, what would change now?”
Riven shrugged her shoulders. She didn’t want to say, Morgana already knew. It was nearly impossible to keep a secret hidden from her when in her vicinity. Riven headed towards the door when Morgana’s voice commanded her, “I didn’t say you could go yet.”
Tendrils slithered from Morgana’s body, grabbing several loaf of bread. They started to neatly stack loafs into a single wooden picnic basket of a sort, which the tendrils also held for the fallen angel. Morgana was busy scribbling down on a piece of paper with a quill pen some letters. She held the paper up towards Riven, “Look, you’ve got a couple of hours to kill, right? I think it’s time you met someone.”
Riven raised an eyebrow, “I am not looking for a better half.”
Morgana groaned, “What is it with your mortals and…” Her voice became more harsh, “No you idiot, someone you should meet so you can discuss Noxus and **** like that and political ideas and whatnot.”
Riven looked at the card, it had a room number written on it. She glanced at Morgana, “So a prostitute?”
“What? No! What are you-!” Morgana stopped and burst out laughing, “You’re catching on! Good!” Morgana cricked her talons. She walked out of the bakery and motioned to Riven to follow suit.
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The sound of the bell ringing could be heard as Riven left the shop. She looked behind her and saw the blood red letters that dripped down the window, spelling Sinful Succulence. Apparently the paint was too runny, but she liked the effect it made and kept it. Riven looked up at the cloudy sky, she guessed it was noon already. Morgana had managed to open her bakery in an outdoors section of the Institute. According to the fallen angel, to have outdoor space was an impossible request if it were asked by anyone that was not a League champion without an amazing reason. Also, surprisingly easy to bribe the High Summoner Council with baked goods. The bakery door clicked closed, a black magical lock disappearing over the handle of the door. Morgana started to walk when Riven spoke up, “Where are you going?”
Morgana looked at Riven with a raised eyebrow. She shrugged, her tattered wings following in response, “I need to make a delivery, and I can’t trust my usual boy. I had him skewered for incompetence.” Riven raised her own eyebrow, staring at Morgana. The fallen one let out an exasperated sigh, “Oh relax, I mean I professionally skewered him. He’s not getting another job at another bakery for a very long time, I put word in with every renowned chef and bakery in every city-state.”
Riven rolled her eyes. Angels, fallen or not, could not lie. That does not mean they could cause others to intentionally misconstrue the meaning of their words. Morgana started walking when Riven spoke up, “Do you want company?”
Morgana looked at Riven, bemused, “Why Miss Riven, I do believe I’m flattered. My heart is all a flutter with your kind and generous offer.” Riven scowled back at Morgana who laughed in response, “I wouldn’t if I were you. The customer is a bit beastly.”
Riven shrugged, “I don’t mind. A walk is a walk.” Morgana shrugged back and started walking off in a direction. Riven easily caught up and walked side by side with the fallen angel.
People whispered at the sight of the two exiles walking in tandem. Riven did not care. What would they say? What could they say? Riven and Morgana made it to the gates leading to the Institute’s forests when a familiar, woman’s voice spoke up, “Riven.”
Riven froze. She turned around and saw a very angry, very bloodied Irelia. Riven blinked, “Irelia…aren’t you supposed to be in a League match?”
“Was. Ended quickly,” Blood dripped from Irelia’s blades. She stepped towards Riven, “What I want to know is why you’ve been avoiding me for weeks, and I need to have the Kinkou tell my Summoner in the middle of League match that you’re associating with that creature. And with that kind of response I know you know I was busy today. That is why you are in the Institute at all, right?”
Riven took a quick glance at Morgana who seemed absolutely bored by Irelia’s presence. Riven responded, choosing not to answer her question, “You didn’t have to go looking for me. I am aware that we still have to go with Luxanna for-”
“That was yesterday,” Irelia interrupted. She pointed at herself, “I thought I’d give you your space, but that? That was the final straw. I had to wear frilly dresses to make her stop whining. Frilly. Dresses.”
Riven slapped her forehead, followed by Morgana slapping the back of her head, “You forgot? You absolute dit-”
“Do not touch her you evil filth!” Irelia yelled at Morgana. The fallen angel looked at Irelia, chuckling, “Really? Well then.”
Morgana draped herself on Riven’s shoulders, speaking with rhythm, “Touch, touching touch, touching touch, touching touch, touching her~…” Riven was a bit too shocked by Irelia’s demeanor to respond quite yet. Irelia hissed at Morgana, “Get off of her.”
“Why Irelia, I didn’t know you liked to watch!” Morgana laughed, “I-”
“Enough!” Irelia’s blades shot forward, hovering in front of Morgana. The fallen angel grinned, her fangs poking over her lips, “Why the hostility?”
Irelia sneered, “I want to talk to Riven alone, demoness. Leave us alone.” Morgana raised a taloned hand to her head, speaking with a mocking tone, “I do believe I have mesmerized the innocent and youthful gal, oh most valiant knight of the perpendicular table, and you must slay me to gain your princess back.”
“Why?” Riven spoke up. She glared at Irelia, “Why are you calling her such names?”
Irelia gave a short, abrupt laugh, “Are you serious?” Riven glared amber daggers at Irelia. The Ionian cocked an eyebrow, “You are serious.” Irelia pointed at Morgana, “She is a malicious conniving creature! She is a fallen angel, she is the lowest of the low, she is evil incarnate! She thinks of humanity as scum, and you talk to this beast…this, this, this monster? This…”
“Exile.” Riven finished Irelia’s sentence for her. Irelia’s face immediately went ghostly white. Morgana quietly whistled. Riven pressed, “Are you telling me you are that hypocritical?” Riven slammed her fist against her chest, “I am an exile too! I have done horrid, unspeakable things as well!”
“You…” Irelia scratched the back of her head ashamedly, “You’re different. You-”
“{I’m…I’m going to kill you! I swear it!}” Riven repeated young Irelia’s words. Irelia’s emerald eyes widened with surprise. Riven hissed at Irelia, “Why haven’t you tried killing me yet?”
“Is that what this was all about?” Irelia shook her head, “I already told you! You are not the butcher, not any-”
“The Butcher never died, she stepped down,” Riven snorted at Irelia before continuing, “I am still her up to a certain point. She is a part of me. Just like that little girl is still you.”
Irelia clicked her teeth against one another. She was about to speak when Riven challenged her, “Kill me.” Irelia drew back, “Excuse me?”
Riven pressed on, “Kill me. You were so adamant about harming Morgana, go ahead and kill me. If you think of her as a beast, a monster, then I am one too.”
“Stop associating the two of you!” Irelia snapped back, “She fought for Noxus, to try and keep our territory under their control! She wanted to take away my home!”
Morgana spoke up, “Technically, she fought against Ionia as well, and I didn’t, nor do I. I can’t give the slightest **** about Ionia. I was asked to fight by Noxus, I was given a hefty payment and so I fought for them. Business, really.”
Irelia shot the angel a look that could kill, “That is even worse! Acting like a Gods ****ed mercenary! No belief, no-”
“I did it because it fell completely in conjunction with my beliefs. I don’t do anything that I don’t believe in. You fight for Ionia and whatever, I fight for myself. We’re both happy,” Morgana replied. Riven spoke up, “You said it yourself, we have to fight for our beliefs. You cannot blame her for that.”
“Are you taking her side?” Irelia questioned. She stepped towards Riven, “Are you seriously taking the side of evil incarnate? Are you really that stupid?”
Riven’s eyes went wide. Irelia had just insulted her. Morgana, sure, she understood. But Irelia? How dare she? “If she is evil, am I evil too? Her sins and mine really aren’t that different! I’ve killed my own people too, back when I was training to be a soldier! If we go with Ionian beliefs then every single Ionian I killed was a kinsman! I killed without discrimination, and I’m better than Morgana because I don’t have fangs or tattered wings or whatever? My hands are as stained as hers! Things are not that simple!” Riven was clearly angry now, her fists clenched at her sides, “She fought for her people!”
“She keeps beating her head into the same wall over and over again! She does not realize the stupidity of her fight! She has no remorse, Riven! Will you look at her? She is the physical manifestation of hate, anger and evil!” Irelia fired back, “You need balance! She chooses to portray herself like that, she chooses to show off her malicious side, you don’t! You are seeking balance, she is an extreme! You need to balance your stupid self or else you become that monster!”
Riven cocked her head at Irelia, “No remorse…? Have you ever spoken to Morgana?”
“All she does is insult, belittle and harm others!” Irelia spat back, “I would prefer rubbing my genitals on a cheese grater!” Morgana raised a claw, “So because someone is hard to speak to, you would mutilate yourself? That seems rather stupid.”
Irelia blankly stared at Morgana, “…That’s not the...You missed the point.” She yelled at her, “You are so-!”
“Late, Fallen One.” A familiar growl spoke up. Udyr stomped past the fallen angel and Riven, stopping in front of Irelia. He looked at Irelia with a scowl that could split the earth, “You are supposed to be in a match. Why are you here?”
“I slaughtered the entire enemy team and we won the battle handily. I came here after Shen told my Summoner…why am I explaining myself?” Irelia shook her head, “Udyr, what do you want?”
The beastman pointed at Morgana, “Do you hate her?” Irelia looked at Morgana, than at Udyr, “She fought against-”
“Do. You. Hate. Her?” Udyr narrowed his brow. Irelia backed down from Udyr, looking like a child who was being chastised. “I dislike her actions.”
Udyr nodded, “Fine.” He pointed at Riven, “Do you hate her?”
Irelia looked at Riven, her emerald eyes shimmering. She shook her head, “I…No.”
“Why not?” Udyr pressed on. Riven stepped forward, tapping his arm, “Udyr, stop th-”
Udyr’s glare froze Riven in place. He regarded Irelia once more, “Tell her what you told Karma, or we swear by all the Heavens we will break one of your bones every minute. Tell her why you do not hate her.” Irelia was clearly not comfortable with speaking about this. Udyr pressed harder, “Is it so hard for you to admit weakness? Tell her the truth.”
Riven looked at Irelia, thinking, So there is a reason. Irelia tried speaking, “I do not think-”
“Now or never,” Udyr stated. He pointed at Riven, “Or we could tell her. Your choice.”
Riven grabbed Udyr’s arm and spun him around, “That is enough! Stand down!”
“Or else what?” Udyr shrugged his shoulders, “What will you d-”
Riven punched Udyr’s jaw so hard his feet lifted off the floor. Morgana nodded in approval as the beast man toppled to the ground like a crashing oak tree. Riven reached down and grabbed Udyr’s gi, jerking him upwards to force him to look at her. Her voice a lot more authoritative now, “She will speak when she wants to speak. You will not push this subject any further or I swear by all the Heavens I will break each and every one of your bones right now. Understood?”
Udyr grinned at Riven, spitting a lob of blood onto the floor. Riven pressed, “Yes or no.” Udyr responded, his voice almost sounded delighted by the situation, “Yes.”
Riven glared at Irelia, “And you.” She pointed at Morgana, “I consider her a comrade. You will cease calling her such atrocious titles and names or I will lose all respect for you. Do not make the mistake you overlooked all those years ago.”
Irelia slowly responded, “All those years…you mean…?” Riven nodded, “I went through my memories. I remember now, I spared you, than I was showed that you spared me. You’ve known all this time who I am. I want to know why you did what you did. Why you went through all of that trouble when you could have had what you wanted.” Riven’s eyes narrowed, “And if you dare insult my intelligence and say it is because you wanted a friend or because I am no longer the Butcher, we will stop talking. There’s something more, something I’m missing, but I’m not sure what it is. All I know is that there is a reason you did all of this, and the paranoia was not completely wrong. There is something for you to gain. You will tell me when you are ready, as I will tell you my reasons of evading you when I am ready.”
Riven dropped Udyr to the floor, nodding at him. She glanced at Irelia and nodded her head, “You have a match to get to soon, Irelia. Good luck in it, I hope you win. I will find Luxanna later and apologize to her.” Riven looked at Morgana and pointed a finger at her, “And you…”
The fallen angel cocked an incredulous eyebrow, Riven pointedly spoke, “Have a good day.” She walked past the three of them, her sandaled feet slapping on the stone floor with every step. Irelia blinked and rubbed the back of her neck. She eventually attempted to ask, “So…how much of an ass did I-”
“Tremendous,” Morgana stated. Udyr got to his feet, rubbed his chin, and nodded in confirmation, “You could name a constellation after it.”
Irelia sighed and rubbed her forehead, “Udyr, what are you doing here in the first place?”
Udyr reached over and grabbed the picnic basket Morgana was still carrying. He opened it and grabbed a loaf of bread, “Our weekly supply of bread. It is hard to bake in the forest.” He tore into the loaf, happily munching on it. He took a hard swallow before speaking, “Also wished to discuss matters with the Fallen One.”
Irelia looked at Morgana who shrugged, “Pretty much sums that up.”
“Did he not…” Irelia shifted her finger between the two, “Did Udyr not tear out your heart during the rematch and show you it beating? Stating that this is what the weak deserve?”
They spoke in unison, “So?” Udyr shrugged, “You have fought against Karma, sparred against her and harmed her many times. What is a few mortal wounds between peers?” Morgana spoke up, “Besides, next time we met I tore his soul out. He broke my femur, I boiled his skin off, we started talking and hey we end up having tea. He’s one of the few mortals I enjoy talking to. There is a lot more to him than first impressions give.” Morgana bared her fangs with a sweet smile, “Does that sound familiar or do I have to make diagrams for you?”
Irelia groaned and tilted her head back, “I really was an idiot, wasn’t I?”
Once more they spoke in unison, “Yes.” Irelia looked at Udyr, and slowly spoke, “Udyr…I am unsure how much you heard, but I now realize some of the hypocrisy I said. I am s-”
Udyr rolled his eyes, “We have told you that apologies are never needed in life.” He took a bite of the bread, “However, we will accept it on one condition.” He pointed at Morgana, “You spend the rest of the day with her, and talk to her before passing any more frivolous judgment.”
Irelia drew back, “Maybe another day, I have League matches to-”
Udyr walked over and clasped Irelia’s shoulder, “Then you are in luck. We are sure we can persuade the Summoners to summon both her and us. Come, we will bathe in the blood of our enemies today. All three of us.”
Irelia was off her feet and being dragged away by Udyr, with Morgana trailing behind them. The sound of a raven cawing made her turn around for a moment. She frowned and shook her head.
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Riven looked up to the sky and let out a loud yell. She shook her head, that could have gone immensely better. If only she was not a complete idiot or coward and spoke to Irelia. Hell, she could have done it now, but she did not want to speak her thoughts to her. What would Irelia say if she were to tell the Ionian that she wanted to reform Noxus?
A raven settled itself near her while she let her thoughts drown her, cawing at her incessantly. Riven took a quick glance at it before walking away. The raven flew over and rested itself on her shoulder plate. It scratched at her cheek with a talon, drawing a thin line of scarlet. Riven was about to bat the bird away when she saw something shiny on its leg. The raven raised its leg at Riven, motioning to her. Riven reached over and grabbed the silver canister. She opened it and a slip of paper fell out. Riven read the note, “Meet at eighteen hundred hours tomorrow. Noxian Quarters. Meet Beatrice. –Swain”
Riven looked at the bird who blinked back at her, issuing another caw. She reached into her pouch and touched the other note Morgana had given her. She nodded to the bird and replied, “I will see the General tomorrow.”
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