The Meeting (Canon)

It doesn't take long for Alexis, Howard, and their father, Chris to arrive at the restaurant in the inner circle of Noxus. Outside of his usual manner, their father smiles up at them, and holds out his arms to swing them gently down from the carriage. His expression seems kind, but anyone who knew him well could see the apparent irritation in his eyes as he passes two Marks to the driver.

Alexis is dressed neatly, in a close-fitting pink dress which flared out at the sleeves, lending her thin limbs a doll-like appearance; a notepad is tucked uncomfortably into the right sleeve, its spiral bindings stabbing her with every movement. Howard wears a threadbare suit, which had belonged to his father- it's very badly tailored, and bunches up around his knobby joints. He has a myriad of scrapes and bruises on his hands from all the times he's stepped in to protect his sister when their father sent them out to do the shopping. Because Alexis is such a sweet-looking child, there are many in Noxus who might want to steal her away- and her silence only reinforces their desires. Were someone to take her, they would never hear her scream.

The heels on Alexis' shoes clack loudly against the stones, reminding her of the situation's gravity. Her brother's hand in hers keeps the rhythm steady on the path as they approached. Their grandparents await them inside. Alexis' silvery eyes meet her brothers' as they walk slowly to the door, their father constantly attempting to hurry them with pats on the shoulder. Despite her outward calmness, Alexis' stare reveals her fears. Are they going to take us from our father? Howard reassures her with a quick squeeze of her hand- he doesn't say anything, but, with his gesture, she's calmed.

When they enter, their father gruffly gives his name to the maître d'.

"Ah, Lindser? Right this way, please." They're led up two twisting spiral staircases, and, despite her previous trepidation, Alexis finds some glee in running up them, ahead of her father and her brother both, her bony hands running along the banister. When she arrives at the double doors at the top of the stairs, she halts in her tracks- they're carved from massive slabs of mahogany, and painted with green and gold.

Wow... this is true Noxian workmanship. A broad smile crosses her pink lips, and that thin chest swells with pride as she waits for the other three to arrive. The maitre'd chuckles, and pats Alexis on the head before tugging the doors open- there are only five tables within the enormous room, and only two are occupied. One of them seats two women, who whisper together over their shared creme brulee- and the other seats their grandparents.

The children approach the table with great decorum for ones so young, their hands clasped together and their faces calm. Howard is the first to speak, while Alexis pulls out her notepad- a sigh of relief marks its removal, though no-one can hear it. "Hello, Grandpa George; Grandma Olive," he greets them politely, and bows neatly. Alexis smiles and curtsies, though she says nothing, yet.

"Good morning, you two~ come here," says Grandma Olive, opening her arms. She's a woman who fits her name, notes Alexis with a child's grin; her skin is smooth and dark, and her face is a lovely oval shape. When she folds her grandchildren into her arms, they can feel her body's warmth. Their grandfather smiles as he overlooks the scene, and the view that Howard sees over his grandmother's shoulder is of a kind smile on an extraordinarily pale man, with white hair and shocking red eyes. His jaw is square and broad, and he wouldn't look out-of-place with a pipe between his lips. Both of them wear what look to be expensive silk, in stark contrast with the suits that Alexis' brother and father wear.

((Unfinished, shall be writing/posting more later~ any critiques absolutely welcome. ^^))