DUELIST // DEMACIAN

The tunic was caught with an outstretched arm, and the Demacian cocked his eyebrow at her words. “You weren’t making a scene, Fiora,” he spoke as he slipped the shirt on over his chest. “I granted you permission to enter the room.” Perhaps she was uncomfortable with him being topless. It was something he was accustomed to during his exploits in the military and here… but he had to remind himself that Fiora was not a part of that group. Perhaps she found it unsightly.

“Well, the doctors here have a tendency to treat me like I’m made of glass here,” he lamented with an agitated expression. “With enough persuasion, however, I can leave in a mannerly time.”

His eyes flashed to the sword hilts sticking out of the bag, and then up to her as she lectured him with a devious smirk. This woman certainly knew him well. “A duel here, of all places?” He asked. There was a deep chuckle that resonated from his throat before he shifted to stand up from the bed. “I’d never pass on such an opportunity, Lady Laurent.”

He walked up to the duelist, keeping his eyes on her own while reaching out to retrieve one of the swords. “I can show you that I’m an absolute image of health, rather than attempt to assure you with words.”

“ Why yes, a room that not too long ago I thought only had you in it, especially clothed. ”  she taunted, seemingly not too bothered by any of it.  “ Regardless, I merely hope none of that was twisted in their minds, and even more so that it stays there. ”  the stone-cold duelist frequently visiting the commander in the hospital? She really did not need rumors to start in the province. After all, it’d be preposterous to think anything between them would ever happen... Or so she thought, but the more she did, the less appalling it became.

In any case, she’d look at him while he approached her, exhaling deeply as she raised her chin, eyes staying half-lidded as if she was rather amused by his words “ Well, I’m sure glass wouldn’t be the way to put it, would it? ”  she said in midst a light scoff,  “ Can’t say I’m convinced, however. It was indeed quite the blow you took then. ”  she raised an eyebrow, ever teasing him and his statement; she’d be delighted to see that.

She looked down slightly at the other almost placing her head on her shoulder, merely inches away from her neck. A ghost of a smile appearing on her lips with the comment, not really expecting it from the other, if she was quite honest.

“ Thank you. I can show you the roses we use for the-- ” 

Her sentence was cut short the moment the half-dragon scuttled away, only after a few seconds did she realize it had all been for the same reason as she felt the warm touch on her fingers.

Still, she spoke nothing about it.

“ As I was saying, I can show you the roses we use for the scented oil. ” 

The Demacian had caught the brief moment where Fiora looked as if she was caught off-guard. It was a very subtle difference, but the woman certainly wasn’t expecting him in the current state of affairs that he was in. To be honest, he wasn’t expecting Fiora to be his first visitor of the morning. He was anticipating someone like Jarvan or perhaps Xin Zhao.

Garen cleared his throat once, his eyes bouncing to the doctors before settling on Fiora as she squinted at him. It was a mildly awkward situation, just because of who was standing in front of him. The whole thing was rather… uncouth. Still, he kept his composure.

“That won’t be necessary,” Garen replied. “These men were just leaving. We’ve an important matter to discuss, regardless.” He threw a sharp gaze at one of the doctors, who finally took the silent order to bow out and make their way to other patients. As the door closed, the General let out a sigh of relief.

“I thought they’d never leave,” he lamented quietly. “Thank you for giving me an excuse to dismiss them, Fiora.” A soft smile spread over his lips, seemingly forgetting about the uncomfortable moment from before… including the fact that he was still without a top. “You keep finding ways to make me appreciate you, more.”

She sighed soundlessly as the medics went away, and began pacing around the room as the other spoke.  “ Yes... Yes... Ever the pleasure to come in unannounced and make a scene. ”  she spoke sarcastically, almost mockingly, finding and grabbing the tunic he had put elsewhere for his check-up. It was truly amusing how her mind wondered if she even minded his undressed state, but denial spoke louder, and she promptly threw him the piece of clothing.

She’d cross her arms, looking at him with a subtle smirk,  “ An important matter to discuss, is it? ”  she spoke, humming a chuckle soon after, but would stop as his last words finally reached her mind,  “ Appreciate me? How endearing. But truly, I’m surprised they’re still keeping you here. ”

She wondered if it was as serious as she had imagined before, and the man was just downplaying it. That, or the doctors just found it delightful to have him around...  “ Well, but I did bring you some books in case they postpone your leave. Though... I’m sure you’d much rather have something else that I brought you. ”  she mused aloud, letting the bag with the two training swords come into view.

“ That is, if you truly feel well enough. In hindsight I should have let the healers reach that conclusion. ”  she added, a warning tone as her index finger pointed at him, as if half scolding him for his previous careless demeanor about it all.

Even as Garen so obstinately defied the request for intimidate rest, his mind continued to dwell on the conversation they shared earlier that day. There was something… different about it all. He didn’t know what to make of it. Fiora was a proud, sometimes defiant, woman. Her skill was rivaled only by her beauty… it was a deadly combination.

She sure did linger in his thoughts. Maybe her influence even made him retire early for the night…

As morning came, the doctors were keen to being their check-up routines with the high-profile patient. After a moment of arguing that there were others who needed to be attended to first, the Demacian gave in and removed his tunic so his injuries could be fully assessed. There was still some bruising around the ribs. When the knock was heard on the door, Garen called whoever it was in before the doctors could say otherwise. Quite frankly, he’d take anything over their squabbling.

Needless to say, walking into the room was a shock. She had not expected to be met by so many eyes, much less by a barely dressed Garen. As much as she defied such reaction, the duelist could not help but be silent for a few seconds. Getting back to her senses soon after, she’d walk in the room, quickly putting the books down on a nearby table. Unlike moments ago, she seemed unbothered.

“ Good morning, gentlemen. Had I known this would be happening now I’d have come by later, but no matter... I got you some books must this stay take any longer. ”

The way she.... disdainfully looks at you... and smirks... 

While  she  failed  to  see  the  point  as  to  why  she  should  learn  how  to  use  a  rapier  ——  or  at  least,  try  to  learn  ——  Shyvana  huffed  in  a  way  that  caused  smoke  to  come  out  of  her  nostrils  &  then  got  up.  She  walked  over  towards  where  Fiora  had  pointed  to,  standing  rather  awkwardly  in  the  center  of  the  training  area.

Surely  she  did  not  need  to  be  taught  how  to  fight.  Not  when  she  had  already  spent  a  life  learning  how  to  fend  for  herself  &  yes,  how  to  fight.  Surely  she  was  more  than  capable  &  perhaps  this  was  just  an  insult  to  her  skill?  Another  huff  escaped  her  before  she  could  stop  it,  more  smoke  forming  before  her  features.

❛    Surely  my  own  weapons  are  plenty  capable  in  a  fight.    ❜    Shyvana  said,  finally.  Her  reptilian  eyes  remained  focused  on  Fiora  as  she  walked  ——  every  little  movement  was  noticed.  She  glanced  towards  Fiora’s  weapon  then,  once  again  distracted  as  a  ray  of  light  caught  the  broad  side  of  it.

As per usual, Fiora would not be using her rapier then, but yes a training one. While she expected Shyvana to have at least a halfway decent defense mechanism from her scales, the last thing she needed was to hurt her by mistake, even with that in mind.

The duelist would walk over to the weapon rack, picking up one more training rapier and handing it over to Shyvana, hilt facing the half-dragon as she held the bladed side. Which wasn’t sharp at all, really. A cylindrical shape rather than the woman’s sharp sides, not a real danger to anyone, but still she would much rather be proper in her care, even if it would make no technical difference.

A handsome, slightly charming smile spread across Garen’s lips at Fiora’s observation. It was if he was saying ‘I’ve had years of training.’ The Demacian gave her a small, respectful bow as Fiora departed. He remained at the door to his hospital room for a few moments, watching the woman leave, and a small sigh finally broke through his lips. He truly didn’t want her to leave…

As Garen slipped back into his room, he was surprised to see that nothing had been cleaned up or changed. It mattered not, however. Fiora was right to have her hunches… because he was not getting in that bed, at all. Instead, he immediately dropped to the floor, catching himself with his hands before crashing down face first. A few push-ups to help get blood pumping wouldn’t hurt, after all… then perhaps some pull-ups. The bed frame was sturdy enough to work as an anchor… right?

Fiora had tended to her duties for the rest of the day, but she couldn’t help but keep her thoughts on Garen once in a while. It was silly, she felt. He was more than capable of taking care of himself, but part of her also felt he didn’t know when to let others take care of him. But more than that, she didn’t know why she was even bothering with it. It was infuriating. So, she decided to visit him the next morning, just to keep her mind at ease and, hopefully, to put it to a rest. Perhaps it was still the guilt speaking...

The Demcian looked to Fiora and gave her a convincing enough smile. “I suppose you’re right,” he responded to her. If she knew his history with this place, however, she’d understand his plight. It was probably the closest thing Garen had ever been to a Demacian jail cell, but his mind had certainly made it feel like one, at times.

When they approached the door, a warm chuckle rumbled in the general’s throat. “I’ll rest as need be, worry not,” Garen spoke in a calm tone while stopping and facing the duelist. “The hospital’s literature is limited, and I’d be remiss to take what little they have when there are others who will be here for much longer than I.”

He leaned down while lifting Fiora’s hand up, and he pressed a soft kiss on the back of her palm. It was a standard departure, but the kiss was more… gentle and kind. His fingers slipped across her own as he straightened himself, smiling down at Fiora. “Thank you for your time, Lady Laurent. I’m honored that you came to visit. May Light guide your path.”

“ Which is why you won’t need to worry about taking it from them. You won’t be here for long, we both know it. And really, I couldn’t think of anything else that could be even remotely interesting to yo-. ”  Her words came into a pause as he kissed her hand, the woman letting a rather audible sigh escape her lips, almost as if baffled. Not at the gesture, no... But yes at his stubbornness.

Even so, a serene smile would form on her features, albeit a bit faint.  “ Your ability to dodge a situation is remarkable, I must say. ”  She mentioned, tone somewhat sarcastic. As her hand was let free, she’d immediately put behind her back, as was her custom.  “ Rest well, Garen. This visit was quite pleasant for me as well. “

“Well, your presence alone seems to help distract me enough,” Garen mused, the smile on his lips finding it quite difficult to leave, now. There was no point in being coy or beating around the bush– having Fiora there was a delight. Easily the best time he’s had while being cooped up in a hospital, for sure.

“However, I’m quite aware that I simply cannot take you away from your responsibilities during my stay here,” He turned a corner to start heading back to the room he was placed in, keeping Fiora by his side as he did so. “I’ll have to find something else to pre-occupy me during the wee hours of the night…”

“ Oh, please. It’s not like you’re in a jail cell. You’ll be fine. “  She said with a half-smirk, truly thinking he was being way too dramatic, but also fully knowing she felt the same way in such instances. Perhaps it was why, after a few seconds of silence, she sigh deeply in somewhat defeat.

That would have to do. She even managed to prod him with another joke about what occurred earlier. With a breathless sigh, the Demacian knight entertained with a half-grin. A part of him hoped it was the last one, however. “You and I both hope that need won’t ever come to fruition, but it eases my heart knowing I can rely on you…”

He chuckled again, giving the woman a playful squeeze of her hand. That wasn’t uncouth, right? “That eager to be rid of me, Fiora?” He asked. “I suppose I should head back. I just cannot stand being in hospitals…”

Part of her wanted him to remember really, but it was in her to make fun of him until the ends of time, and she was sure he knew that. Regardless, for now, there was another priority in her head.  “ Rely on me? How adorable. I shall say yes to ease your mind then. ”  She replied, humming a quiet chuckle.

Though the squeeze on her hand would bring her gaze towards his, and with his question, she’d scoff loudly,  “ Pah! Call it what you will, but I do have a feeling we’ve circled the precinct plenty already; it was about time you went back to rest. And don’t worry, I’m sure you won’t be here any longer than a day or two, surprisingly. ”  It was impressive, honestly.

“And that is exactly why I wish to ensure your safety,” Garen spoke in turn. “There may come a day when our enemies would seek our total destruction, and the time for Demacia’s people, not it’s military, will be called to rise. You will be called to lead… and I know you will flourish and protect.” He was well aware that she was not directly tied to the military, but his patriotism couldn’t be vanquished.

“However, I pray that day never comes. My father always told me to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. I am just seeing that through, I suppose.”  His hand remained settled over hers as they walked, and he studied Fiora’s expression to see if that helped clarify himself.

“ Perhaps so, it is why we train, isn’t it? But I have high trust in Demacia’s military, you lot are very competent. ”  She spoke, gaze still off from him and focused in what was in front of them,  “ That is, before someone decides to put themselves in danger. ”  she added, only then looking at him, a smirk on her face, lips parting into a brief chuckle,  “ I’m kidding. But yes, we are preparing just as much, but I also hope there won’t be a need for such a thing. ”  

Lux’s lips quickly upturned at the other’s words, before pursing for a moment, thoughts of the tasks she was supposed to complete today speeding through her mind before she nodded towards the other. she had time to spare and watch for a little. she’d be lying, after all, if she said she wasn’t curious about fencing. it was a beautiful style of fighting, one she wasn’t all too familiar with. the chance to learn something new was something she never turned down.

“ boorish i can handle.” she chirps back, she’s got tough skin after all - she has to after hearing comments growing up from her parents after all. there was nothing they could throw at her in the way of snide comments that she couldn’t simply brush off. “ plus, it’ll be interesting to see you teach.”

“ Good. Then you’ll be fine. ”  She replied soon after, motioning with her head for the other to follow as her hands met behind her back, slightly folded. At the addition to the remark, Fiora would merely tilt her head to the side, intrigued by what she meant.  “ It is quite ordinary, honestly. I am only sharing what I know, while making sure they don’t stay out of line. Some forget how complicated and important this can be, but I suppose it is the fact they are having it handed over to them that makes it so. ”

Fiora had learned fencing mostly by herself, after all. And while her students could be as excited as she was then, unlike them she had to search for the technique in books, or by sneaking into her brothers’ training. She supposed they didn’t have as much interest, just like her brothers then.  

“I’m quite aware; my superiors of past and present tell me that all the time,” Garen replied without a moment’s hesitation, smiling back at her. She certainly knew how to make someone feel at ease with that gaze of hers. Of course, that was only with someone she was friendly with. He had seen how sharp that gaze of hers could be with someone she was not overly fond of. Eyes that pierced like her rapier… what a diverse woman.

He blinked slowly as his attention shifted to her lips. The confident smirk turned softer, almost on the verge of sadness. The Demacian’s eyebrows knitted together for a moment of concern, and he reached over to pat the hand that was on his arm softly.

“I know you value your ability to care for your own well-being, and I respect that. However, with how incredibly insufferable as I am, I choose to continue to care for you. I will do my best to not insult you with it, however.”

“ You’re as stubborn as they get, hm? ”  she said in a muted tone, poking slight fun at his strong will; though, her tone begged to differ — she sounded rather defeated; confused, even.  “ I’m not a knight, Garen. Ensuring my safety wouldn’t do much for Demacia itself, even if my title bears the responsibility of protecting it as well. ”  Perhaps that would open his eyes.

“ I value my autonomy, yes. But you have to take in account that was probably one of the very few instances I’ll ever set foot in a conflict. ”  At least, it all sounded very plausible to her, judging by the reason he gave earlier.  “ If you want to protect the ones capable of helping Demacia, I should not be a priority, is all. “  And with that, her smile grew slightly wider, yet her gaze remained soft. Regardless, she’d reciprocate the pat on the arm with her free hand.

“Would you feel better if I allowed you to push me down?” Garen asked in a teasing manner as his attention was brought back to the huffing and tutting duelist. “Now would be your opportunity to do so.”

He shrugged once after a small shake of his head. “Once again, I’m very well aware that you can handle yourself… I merely have a tendency to be protective over the ones I care about. If it bothers you, I sincerely apologize… I was taught to carry out everything I believe in to the best of my abilities.”

She rolled her eyes with the comment, the woman almost flinching from it. Still, she’d try to suppress a chuckle from his bitter joke,  “ You are... Incredibly insufferable. Did you know that? ”  she replied, the laughter slipping out between her words. Her bright blue gaze shifted towards him once more, an incredulous look to it, yet her lips still sported a faint smirk. It was all very lighthearted.

“Whatever do you mean, Fiora?” Garen asked, managing to smirk back at her. “That beast knocked the wind out of me, and nothing more. “Even if I did– didn’t you just finish calling me headstrong?” He chuckled at his own joke. “No, I am speaking with the utmost lucidity, right now.”

The knight thought for another moment. “I put myself in front of others’ I know will ensure the future of Demacia. I realized a long time ago that I by myself cannot accomplish much… but if I were to ensure ideas and hope into others… then my goals are more likely to come to fruition. It’s much easier to do with people I can trust.”

His eyes seemed to be looking off into the distance, not truly focused on any one object, or even the path he was currently walking. There was a lot of meaning behind what he just said, and it made him reflect on his own future– which he had already risked to forfeit. If his flame, burning so intensely, yet living so succinctly, could stoke the fires of others for a more sustained time… it was no question what he would take that opportunity.

She glared at him once he finished with his remarks, gaze narrowed as she let out a scoff, her lips keeping the smile formed. He could be terribly insufferable at times, but she’d let him explain himself further, her free hand leaving his arm as she reluctantly raised it, palm up as if conceiving her time. The hand soon after getting back to its original resting position.

Though, seeing him suddenly stare off into the distance in midst his small speech, she sighed.  “ Hm, wow. First you say you appreciate my devotion and next you imply you trust me. Way to flatter someone. ”  She said, breaking the small silence. Her tone was rather calm; playfully taunting.  “ Though it does sound incredibly hypocritical of you. Besides, throwing yourself in front of danger to inspire people does sound rather extreme. ”  she commented, returning her focus to the path in front of them.