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***
At first glance, the man standing before you would look completely ordinary. A leather jacket over a black shirt. Narrow gray trousers. Grayish black hair slicked back with just a little amount of hair gel. His height too was just about average. Even his body's build was so non-intimidatingly lean that you'd think it would just take one punch in the face to level him.
Yes, at first glance Silco of Zaun looks like your average sumprat, maybe just dressed a little better. But then you finally take a look at his face.
And you realize he is anything but ordinary. That lone red mechanical eye shining in his left socket tells you of all the blood he has on his hands. As it should. When you are the face of crime in the twin cities of Piltover and Zaun, you need to appear both disarming and painted with blood.
In this current moment though he was none of that. Especially not when he carries a neatly packed lunch box in his hands along with a small carton of orange juice. You'd think he looks like any other doting father, waiting for his child to get ready for their school, or maybe college.
And you'd be right, because that's exactly what Silco is doing.
"Jinx! You are running short of time! Come out quickly or I will personally get you ready!"
There was a muffled sound beyond the thick oak door, a rarity in Zaun. Most houses here were not much like houses, instead more resembled lairs, shacks, warehouses, and towering towers of scrap iron. But this is Chembaron Silco's house and it is built to not only be a fortress against his enemies but also to be a home for his family.
"Jinx!"
Silco debated if he should use the copy key to enter the locked door. It's something used only in emergency situations. Surely being late for college doesn't count as an emergency, does it?
In the end, he didn't have to, as moments later the door swung open and a lanky teenager stepped out. The girl spread her arms wide, dressed in a dark purple crop top with bright paints splashed over it. A pair of skinny jeans completed her rebellious look. The only thing that was disciplined on her was her tightly braided long hair. Although, it was dyed blue, so maybe not so much discipline overall.
Silco seemed to think the same, as his mechanical eye twitched at his daughter's utterly disastrous appearance.
"That's me!" The girl loudly proclaimed, and Silco resisted the urge to sigh.
"My dear, I have always supported your different… choices in fashion. But perhaps you could wear the correct uniform for this occasion?"
The girl pouted, brushing the stray blue hair away from her eyes.
"C'mon, dad! You have looked at that uniform! It looks like someone plastered POP on fiber! You expect me to wear that ?"
Silco has to agree, at least inwardly. The uniform consisted of a chalky white jacket with gold rims, along with a similarly colored undershirt and pants. It resembled an 18th-century army uniform and he can understand why his Zaunite daughter doesn't want to wear it.
Guess he'd have to talk about this with the Piltie college's Dean.
"Alright, but at least wear the jacket on top. You don't need to wear the rest."
Jinx looked like she wanted to argue more, but the firmness of her father's face showed that this is the only compromise she'll get. So she dramatically threw up her hands and again went inside her bedroom to retrieve the jacket. Silco noted that the jacket needs ironing, but decided to let it go for today. He'll do the ironing himself when Jinx gets back.
He handed Jinx her lunchbox and orange juice carton, which she eagerly pocketed in her black leather backpack.
"I made spicy mac n cheese for you."
Jinx grinned up at her dad.
"With extra chorizo?"
"Yes, with extra chorizo."
Silco is well aware that his daughter adores spicy food, having cooked for her his whole life. Still, her enthusiasm over his cooking always makes him smile a little. No matter how much his baby daughter has grown, it's these little things that still hold them both together.
Something he is grateful for. Jinx is like a flighty bluebird, and he knows that one day, she has to leave the nest. He only hopes that day is not today.
But in a way, it is.
"Aww, are you getting emotional, old man? Seeing me all big and going to college?"
Jinx's voice was mocking, but he could hear the little nervousness she herself had. Jinx has always been the lone wolf, fighting her own fights, half of which she herself created. And now she has to go to a place where she has to, gasp , socialize. That too with living, breathing humans.
It's one of the many things Silco hopes would change with Jinx going to Piltover's Academy. Of course, that's not what he can tell his prideful daughter.
"Maybe I am just a little fearful at what classroom you are going to blow up there." He remarked, his eyes narrowing at Jinx's sheepish expression.
"Hey! I am not carrying anything lethal there! I swear!"
Silco kept his narrowed gaze on her.
"Okay, fine! Maybe I am taking my Zapper there?"
Silco's hand immediately came up to massage his aching temple.
"Jinx, we talked about this."
"Yes, yes, I know! If I want to take over you I need to learn more about Piltover, learn its politics, yadda yadda yadda. I don't understand why I need to go to this stupid Academy though."
"It is part of the deal we signed with the Piltovans." He explained, hating to use the term Piltovan instead of Pilties. But if he wants his daughter to behave in Piltover, he needs to do the same.
"We scale back our criminal activities in Piltover. And they in return will open up trade to us. Provided that we also--"
"Send the future Chembaron to Piltover for education." Jinx completed petulantly, and Silco had to feel a tinge of sympathy for his daughter.
After everything Piltover has done to Zaun, to her , he can understand why his daughter especially hates this whole idea. But as a leader, he knows that this is the best deal they can get for Zaun. He is no longer that same man who wanted to drown the topside in shimmer and fire.
Instead, he wanted to build a home for his daughter. A home where Jinx doesn't have to look over her shoulder every second and think everyone is her enemy.
He patted her shoulder, a comforting smile on his aging face.
"It will be alright, child. You'll learn from this, I promise. At the least, you'll finally get to study Hextech right where it was created. Doesn't that excite you?"
At that, Jinx did light up. Beyond everything that troubles his young daughter lies a brilliant Inventor's mind. No matter how much she abhors everything Piltie, she can't hide her admiration for their Hextech. And who wouldn't be in awe of it? You'd think that magic doesn't exist in the modern world, if what you hear from the Demacian Empire is true.
But Piltover proved that wrong when they brought magic and technology together. Just within fifteen years, Piltover is now standing up to the Empires of the likes of Noxus and Demacia.
And it's time Zaun catches up.
"You know what you have to do, don't you Jinx?"
The blue-haired teenager smirked.
"Try not to get kicked out and learn everything about the Pilties and their shiny rocks."
He'd need to really talk about her diplomacy skills soon.
"It won't be easy." Silco reminded her. "I doubt Piltovans will just bend over and let you walk inside the hexcore. But, they'll also not discriminate against you compared to other students. Not with that yordle around. Go with that."
Jinx nodded, but Silco can see that his daughter is also preoccupied with something else. He already has a fair idea of what it is.
"Do you think… I can find out… "
"Jinx."
Silco's voice was no longer as fatherly. Because that's what Jinx needs right now. Not when after all these years, she still believes she is out there.
"She is gone. Dead."
Jinx's shimmery magenta eyes looked down, dejection and resigned acceptance over her face. But it's something necessary.
Silco engulfed his daughter in an embrace, hoping that he too, is right.
***
"So, are you settled in?"
The blonde girl looked up at her phone currently resting on her study table. Her elder brother's awkward expression makes her both want to laugh and exhale in exhaustion.
"Brother, you asked me that last night."
"Well, yes I know, but--"
"And also two days back when I arrived in Piltover."
"Alright, I get your point."
"And also the day before yesterday when I got registered in the dorms--"
"Alright, alright! Your points stands! I am being a worrywart!"
The girl laughed, zipping the dainty but sturdy shoulder backpack in her hands shut. She gets why her elder brother is so worried about her, but he needs to trust her a little more.
"I went to the same military school you did, Garen. I served in the military besides you. There is nothing I can't handle in this city on my own. And you know that."
Her brother looked away at her phone's screen but then turned back to her with an imploring expression.
"I know that, Luxanna. But understand my side as well! You are in a completely different country, with completely new people. Piltovans will definitely not understand our culture, our upbringing. I just don't want you to have a difficult time there."
Luxanna, or Lux, as she prefers to call herself, couldn't help but look down, looking at her pristine white Piltover Academy uniform. It feels a little silly to wear a school-like uniform when you are twenty years old. In return, she is sure the Piltovans would think it is dangero us to make children wear military uniforms.
So yes, her brother is right . She is going to stick out like a glowstick in Piltover. But she'd rather have that than be just a cog in the war machine that is Demacia.
She again looks up, but this time with a reassuring smile for her worrying brother.
"I'll be fine, Garen. Piltover has been nothing but kind to me. Something that is decidedly not deserved considering what purpose I am here for."
The last part was said softly in a whisper, even though she is sure there is nothing bugged in this room. But with Demacian training rooted so deep inside her, even the greetings would come out in cautious whispers.
Garen frowned at her, both for her open neglect of being careful and her very unpatriotic words.
"You are there to study. That's all, Luxanna. We are doing nothing that violates the Piltovan neutrality."
Lux wonders if covertly studying the Hextech to use it against the Noxus qualifies as respecting neutrality. Although considering the firm look on Garen's face, she rather not ask any more questions.
She knows Garen will defend her against the world. But even she is not sure if he'll do the same when Demacia ultimately comes after her.
And one day, the war machine will hunt her.
Her eyes flickered gold for a moment, and she immediately turned around, hiding away from her brother. The moment she stepped foot on Piltovan soil, it became harder and harder to keep a leash on herself. As if there is magic in the air itself that coaxes it out of her.
If the air itself is magical here, then no wonder they created the Hexgates. And Light knows what.
"Luxanna? Is everything alright?"
Steeling herself with one of her many, many smiles, she turned around and gave her brother a hurried wave.
"Ah, I am getting a bit late, brother. The first class is soon about to start. I think I need to go soon!"
"Wait!" Garen cried out, stopping her from hanging up on the call.
She stilled her hand, to listen to what her brother had to say now.
"Did you talk to our parents?"
Lux frowned, but answered politely. "Yes, the day I arrived here."
Garen looked around nervously, knowing this is a sore topic for his younger sister. "Mother is worried about you. Maybe you should call her again."
Lux bit her lower lip, considering it for a few moments. She adores her parents, really. But there is a big part of her that also hates the cage they constantly try to put on her. The sole reason why she took up this assignment was to get away from Demacia, from them . From everything. If the Piltovan air is magic, then Demacian air is just pure suffocation .
Even if one day she eventually has to return, she would at least return having tasted freedom. There is no Demacian shadow in Piltover. Her light is safe here.
And she wants to keep it that way.
"Are they still insistent on me marrying the Prince?"
Garen looked at her in exasperation, and she knew her answer immediately.
"Luxanna, it surely can't be all that bad. Marrying a Prince will only benefit us Crownguards. We'll no longer just be the noble guardians of the crown. We will become the crown!
"Would you say the same if it was you marrying against your will? For the good of the family as you say?"
Garen looked away, a bit of shame showing on his face.
"I--- You know why I can't do that, Lux." He finally used the affectionate name. But she hated that he used to for the sake of someone else.
"My heart is already someone else's. But yours is not. He-- Prince Jarvan is a good man. You'll have a good life."
Lux could only stare down at her brother. The fact that her brother is hopelessly in love with the enemy gave her a little sympathy for his plight.
"But it's not a happy one, is it?"
Garen could only silently keep looking away. Seeing as this conversation will not go anywhere, she promptly cuts the call.
Of course, her brother will soon enough send her an apology. But that won't make anything better. It would be like saying sorry to a dove trapped in a golden cage.
She thought Piltover was freedom, so why does she feel the Demacian ash resting so thick on her throat?
Swallowing thickly, she wondered what it would take to get out of this cage. What would her key to freedom be?
Would she too have to give her heart to the enemy?
***
Lux is wondering if the Academy is actually bigger than the city.
It has been over thirty minutes now, but she is still not able to find the class for her first lecture. She is pretty sure she is already ten minutes late for it and her attendance will likely get struck, but she still wants to at least make her presence known. The whole of Demacian reputation rides on her in Piltover, and she doesn't want it to be stained by her tardiness.
She looked down at the Academy map in her phone, her eyes glaring at the screen, as if willing it to give her the direction she needed. For all the technological glory Piltover has achieved, can it not invent talking phones!?
Looking up, she looked around, wanting to ask for help. She saw students bustling around in the wide corridor, everyone's heads buried in their books. All of them seemed so concentrated that Lux couldn't find it in herself to approach one of them. It also doesn't help that her Crownguard pride just held her back from asking for help as simple as asking for directions .
She is a soldier, for Light's sake! What good is all her training if she can't figure out something as simple as a map?
"Hey, blondie. Lookin' for something?"
Lux turned in the direction of the voice and found herself staring at something, or rather someone so misplaced in this Academy that she had to do a double-take.
It was a girl with long braided blue hair and eyes like the winter berries of Demacia. She was also several inches shorter than her. Now that's a surprise, as Lux isn't all that tall by Crownguard standards. But that's not what caught Lux's surprised attention. It was how this girl was dressed .
With a thin crop top that was so see-through that she could almost see the straps of the girl's black bra, Lux thought with a blush. The only saving grace was the bright paints splashed on the said crop top. The skinny jeans were normal enough, and they went well with the boots the girl was wearing. All in all, if it wasn't for the Academy jacket wrapped around her waist, Lux would have never known this girl is a student here just like her.
Is this kind of dress even allowed here?
But that's not what she was supposed to say to a person she just met. Unfortunately, this is the first time her brain failed to cooperate with her mouth.
"Are you a student here?"
The question itself was not wrong. It's just that her tone was a tad bit condescending. Lux herself grimaced over it. Lord, she sounds like one of those mean girls back in her Demacian military school.
Thankfully, the girl didn't seem to take much offense. Instead, she just quirked an amused eyebrow, unwrapping the Academy jacket from her waist. She lazily put the jacket on herself, then crossed her arms over her admittedly flat chest.
Back in Demacia, that's not something you see often. Which is why Lux was teased so much for her own assets. Neither was she as tall as the rest of her peers, or as endowed as them.
So to see a girl who is even flatter than her? Lux felt a bit of a triumph, but also a mild concern. She wondered if the girl eats well. She did seem like a short beanpole.
That's a bad thing to think about anyone, Lux!
"Well?" The girl asked, breaking Lux from her shameful thoughts.
"Am I now a student enough for you?"
Now dressed up in the uniform jacket, the girl looked more like a student. By 10%. Lux knows she owes the girl an apology. Even if this girl is unlike anything she has ever seen in Piltover, she sure seemed more approachable than the rest here.
"I apologize for my tone of voice. I was just a little… surprised. You are the first person I have seen dressed in such a… relaxed manner."
The girl waved her hand, accepting the words with a cheerful grin. Lux has never seen someone smile so openly .
"Naah, it's okay, blondie. I don't know where you are from, but I can say you're definitely new here!"
Garen was right, wasn't he? First day and she is already sticking out. Time to correct that a little. Lux cleared her throat, offering her hand in introduction.
"I am Luxanna of House Crownguard. And you are right, I am new here. First day at the Academy!"
The girl looked at her hand strangely, as if no one ever before had given her a handshake. A few minutes passed and Lux was beginning to doubt if the girl would actually shake her hand. Did Lux do anything that was against the Piltovan customs?
But then the girl shook her hand with so much sudden eagerness that Lux couldn't help but laugh a little. It was just so adorable, this tiny girl shaking her hand with such vigor. Back in Demacia handshakes were so solemn. But with this girl, it was like a happy beginning to something new.
At least, that's what Lux hopes. Even with so little interaction, she can't help but find the girl interesting.
She's just like me. Sticking out like a sore thumb.
"I am Jinx! Jinx stands for Jinx!"
Well, that's a peculiar name alright. But that's not what stood out. It's the utter confidence in herself that the Demacian took the most note of. The girl strangely took much pride in a name that heralds ill omens.
Lux smiled at that, although a bit ruefully. It must be nice, to stand up only for yourself and not to carry a thousand-year-old family name.
Coming out of her self-pity thoughts, Lux regarded the girl again. Hmm, she looked on the younger side. Even younger than her, Lux would say. But Lux is twenty years old and most twenty-year-old Piltovans are already a few years ahead in their Academy study.
Jinx seems to notice that too.
"If you are new here, then you must be a first-year student. But you look a bit too old for it, blondie."
As charming as this girl is, she truly doesn't have any filter on her, does she? Lux schooled her face in a pleasant smile.
"Are you implying I am old? I am just twenty years old. It's just that the education system back in Demacia is different. There you have to do two years of compulsory military service before you can pursue any higher studies."
Jinx's pinkish eyes glinted in newfound interest at that. Lux never knew being a Demacian would make her so interesting to someone.
"Oooh, so you're not a Piltie? I thought you were at first glance. But then you started to talk so nicely to me!"
Huh? Do people normally not talk to her nicely? For some reason, that thought angered Lux. Sure, Jinx appears a little different than the sleek-dressed Piltovans, but that's no excuse for looking down on her!
But then she noticed that Jinx used the word Piltie to refer to Piltovans. That has to be a slur. Something an outsider would use, and not a native Piltovan for their own fellow citizens. So maybe, the girl is not from here either. Lux filed the thought away for later analysis.
"Everyone deserves respect." Lux answered firmly, and Jinx gave her a thoughtful expression. Good, she has made a good impression it seems.
But then Jinx snickered, as if she didn't believe her.
"Eh, we'll see how long that lasts, blondie."
Lux opened her mouth to defend herself, but Jinx cut her off with another lilting question.
"Also, didn't your military whatever thingie teach you how to read a map, blondie?"
"W-What?!" Lux sputtered out, a blush climbing up her pale cheeks. "What do you mean by that?!"
Jinx shrugged, pointing down at the phone clutched in Lux's hand.
"I mean, you have the map of this Academy open and you were looking like a deer in headlights when I saw you, blondie. You are clearly lost, aren't you?"
"Stop calling me blondie!"
Jinx raised a blue eyebrow in clear amusement. Someone definitely takes pleasure in Lux's torment.
"Then stop being a blondie!"
"How would you feel if I called you Bluey!?"
Jinx merely twirled a strand of her blue hair in response.
"I do have blue hair, so it makes sense. I won't mind it!"
This girl is incorrigible. All Lux could do was huff, giving up on arguing with the girl and instead turning her eyes down to the map on her phone. The sooner she figures out this maze of a map, the sooner she can get away from this brat.
"You're a first-year, aren't you? So that means you are with me."
Lux looked up, wondering what the other girl is up to now. That smile on her face seemed to convey no good to her. But it also had this mischievous edge that just drew the straightlaced Damacian in.
"I can take you to the first lecture. It's the History of Piltover, right?"
Lux blinked, a little surprised.
"Oh, you have taken the Foundational course as well?"
"Yeah, Foundational course with Hextech and engineering as specialties! How about you?"
"I took Hextech as my specialty as well." For obvious reasons, of course. Jinx seemed to wait for her second specialty. With a bit of hesitation, she opened up. This is Piltovar, so there's no harm, right? It's not like anyone is going to run back to Demacia and yell that one of their Crownguard Scion took the forbidden M - word as a subject.
And Demacia already knows she took magical studies as one of her specialties. For understanding Hextech better, of course. Not that Lux has any personal vested interest. No, no .
"Along with magical studies." Lux finished, and if Jinx noticed the long pause, she didn't comment anything.
"Ooh, so we share almost all our classes! That's neat!"
Considering Lux is completely new here and only really knows Jinx, she supposes it's neat.
Not that she'll ever admit it to this girl. She has a feeling that Jinx has her ego bigger than her head.
So she just sighed dramatically. "If by neat you mean being reduced to my hair color, then yes. Very neat ."
Jinx cackled, and even Lux can't help but smile a little. Take that, Garen! She is doing okay in Piltover! It's just the first day and she made a friend!
This counts as friendship, right?
Now, Lux doesn't have a lot of experience with friendship. Being a Crownguard comes with a nobility baggage, meaning everyone in Demacia either stays away from her or is a sycophant. But this girl, she doesn't care who the fuck Luxanna Crownguard is.
Lux just feels like… Lux.
Sure the girl is infuriating, and half of her still wants to get away from her. The half that is so honor-bound and a stickler for rules. But the other half? The half that she seldom lets out and just wants to have some fun?
That half already likes this complete stranger.
Suddenly, Lux found herself grabbed by the wrist, and found herself being tugged by the still cackling bluenette.
"C'mon, blondie! Let's get you to that class!"
For some reason, Lux has a feeling Jinx is very much not taking her to the History of Piltover lecture. That wild smile just gives it away! The opposite direction gives away the rest.
"W-Wait! That's not the right way, is it?!"
Does Lux really want to let this stranger take her to nowhere?
Again both the halves inside Lux fought with each other. But Lux could only focus on how calloused Jinx's hand is around her wrist. Lux herself has firm hands, with all the military training she has received and her experience in the field. But Jinx's hand feels like a minefield of scars and bumps.
Just...what is this girl?
And can she get to know it?
In the end, Lux let herself be dragged to whatever ends of Runeterra Jinx is taking her to.
***
Lux's very blonde eyebrow ticked in annoyance.
This isn't the ends of Runeterra, but it's not any better! Lux is sure she is breaking like twenty academy rules at this very moment!
"Jinx, this isn't the classroom where the history of Piltover lecture takes place."
The said girl nodded merrily, and dragged her words with an audible pop.
"Yepp, that's right!"
Lux could feel a vein popping in her temple. The fact that she is out in the sun doesn't help, her eyes flickering gold for a flash second in response to her heightened emotions. Leashing the urge to strangle this grinning beanpole of a brat, she spread her arms wide, gesturing to the surroundings around them.
Or rather, the lack of it.
"Why are we on the rooftop of Piltover Academy?!"
In the background, a Piltovan crow flew over them, crowing at the two girls standing on the small rooftop alcove of the Academy. Just like all the roofs of Piltover, the Academy rooftop was laid with intricate and beautiful tiling. To make the job of cleaning and repairing them easier, every building also had an easily accessible alcove through which they can access the roof.
Just like the one Jinx and Lux are currently standing on. This one at least has a shade area with benches for resting. Not that Lux cared about that. Jinx does though, as she promptly made herself comfortable on the marble benches.
"This just needs some cushions and it will be perfect. We can make this our hideout place, blondie. Bring some snacks next time and make a whole party here!"
Another crow flew over them, and this time Jinx looked at it with an annoyed face. And then what happened was nothing Lux could ever imagine.
Jinx pulled out a glowing handgun with the thickest rounded barrel from her jacket.
How the hell did she hide that thing?!
But this was no time for asking such questions, as Lux rushed forward to pull down the arm that Jinx was aiming at that poor crow flying over them.
"Jinx!? What are you doing?!"
The girl looked at her with a puzzled expression, as if Lux is the crazy one.
"That crow is disturbing our time together, blondie. Its crow-crow is annoying the hell out of me!"
Lux's mouth dropped open in shock. Oh Light, is she trapped here in this tiny space with a crow-killing homicidal maniac?!
"That's not an excuse to kill it! Put that gun away right this instant, Jinx! Or else I will jump down this rooftop, I swear to Demacia!"
Okay, maybe that last threat was over the top, but it did get the bluenette to finally pull that scary-looking gun away. Jinx pouted at her, giving Lux the most affronted look.
"You're no fun."
"We can have fun without murdering flying crows, Jinx."
Jinx lightened up at that. "Really? Gimme your ideas then!"
Lux sighed, plopping down on the bench beside the bench. Any other normal human would be running for the hills right now after that homicidal display from Jinx. But here she is sitting with her and suggesting fun activities to a potential bird killer.
Lux wonders if that makes her a bit crazy too.
"How about we first attend the lecture, Jinx? It's our first day, and we are already skipping classes!"
Jinx grinned at that, as if breaking rules is something to take pride in.
"Ooh, classes you say? So you'll skip more classes with me?"
Leave it to Jinx to take away only that part of what she said. It's just been a day but Lux is already picking up on this girl's very annoying patterns. One of them is to turn everything she says against her.
"No!" Lux firmly exclaimed, finally putting her foot down with the girl. "We have already halfway missed the first class, but we are going to attend the next lecture together. And that's final!"
Alright, that's a surprise. There is absolutely no need to drag this girl to the next lecture with her. And yet Lux just now loudly said she would drag this absolutely infuriating girl with her to a class that Jinx will likely hate.
Jinx wrinkled her nose at her. "Blondie, the next class is Culture and language of Piltover. I have no bloody interest in what Pilties teach me in that!"
Lux winced. Yeah, with how Jinx refers to the local citizens, she figured that. The blonde bit her lower lip, thinking about how she could convince the other girl to come with her.
But why is it so important for her to go along with you anyway, Lux?
Lux exhaled, deciding that maybe honesty is the best policy with this girl. Jinx has shown herself to be wanting her company till now. She did drag Lux all the way here to the rooftop. So Jinx must want her around, right? And Jinx is also so honest about it. It's not something Lux is used to, with all the constant political intrigue she had to live with in Demacia.
When people want Lux, it's usually for the Crownguard name. Not to have outdoor parties on rooftops.
But somehow, this girl with a dangerous-looking gun makes her feel safer to be a tad bit honest.
"I… would like you there with me. I don't want to be completely alone in my first class, Jinx. And I… well I find you likable."
Jinx's wild-looking eyes faltered in their gaze, her mouth slacking a fraction for good three seconds. But then she grinned that feral smile again, but there was something softer about it. Lux didn't know if she should be scared of it.
"Heh, you find me likable? You're hiding some crazy inside you, Princess!"
Lux ignored the crazy part. "Princess?! What's with you and horrid names!?"
Jinx cocked her head in confusion. "I mean, you look like one, blondie. You have that whole blue eyes and sleek hair going for you. I'd kill to make my hair that silky ya know? Although your fashion sense is horrible, princess. What's up with wearing that skirt and thigh-high socks? You look like those high school girls in TV shows."
Lux flushed in embarrassment. Light, she knows this uniform is horrible! She dearly misses her slacks. The air flowing all around just makes it so much worse!
"W-What am I supposed to do?! This is the prescribed uniform!"
Jinx gestured to herself. Oh, how Lux envies those skinny jeans. They look so much more comfortable to walk in.
"You can wear pants, ya know. Sure, they are that awful chalk color with frilly gold lining. But it's better than a skirt with socks at least."
Lux blinked. "I can wear pants?"
Jinx blinked right back. "Uh, yeah? It is written in the Academy rules?"
Lux couldn't be any more surprised. "You read the rules?"
"Yeah! How else would I know which rules I should break?"
Lux finally broke out in a full laugh. Oh, this girl is absolutely hilarious! When was the last time she had a full belly laugh where she had to close her eyes because it was too much? But Lux didn't mind this too much. It's like a strong knot in her stomach has unfurled, with her head feeling light with every peal of laughter she lets out.
"I thought Princesses were supposed to laugh with their mouths covered."
Lux came down from her laughing fit, wiping a stray tear away from her eye as she regarded the amused-looking bluenette.
"Maybe that's because I am not a Princess. Crownguard means the ones who guard the crown of Demacia."
"Oh, so you're like a soldier?"
Lux's eyes dimmed, her mouth tightening.
"Every Demacian is a soldier."
Jinx looked at her a little carefully, and Lux got worried. Will she treat Lux any differently now? But it's not like she revealed anything that wasn't already known. Demacia is infamous for its military state rule. Every child who can walk is handed a gun and told to shoot the Noxus.
It's all Lux has ever known. Hell, she has known worse . Here she was getting angry at Jinx for killing crows, when she had shot down actual human beings.
But Jinx didn't seem to mind all that, as the bluenette ultimately gave her a carefree wide grin.
"Eh, blondie. You need to show me your aim next time then. The one who loses has to buy lunch!"
Lux laughed again. She has a feeling she'd be doing that a lot around this girl.
"Alright, but we'll not use crows for target practice!"
"Aww, you're really no fun!"
***