As he sat there John felt something hit the top of his head. He tilted his head up and felt another drop hit his eye piece. Rain, not that he minded but might as well head inside for now. Maybe even go see what Irelia is up to again. He pressed his palm on the floor and pushed himself up, starting to now walk back inside. He slid open the door and stepped in, wiping off the droplets on his eye piece. As he walked through the hallways towards her office his mind started to wander. What could be going on that requires her to talk to a general, and why was it so empty outside. Best not to ask though he wasn't really sure if it was even his place to ask such a thing. He then realized his mask was still on a quick flick turned the light off and he unstrapped it and placed it into his pack.
He finally came upon her office and spotted... Is that who he thinks it is? Had to be. Though it raised even more questions. Like what was Shen doing here... He shrugged it off, quietly nodded towards him and placed himself on a wall infront of her door.
Last Edit: Apr 2, 2013 7:34:33 GMT -5 by John Cole
Post by The Will of the Blades on Apr 2, 2013 8:33:09 GMT -5
The rain started to pour down over the Ionian lands as if the skies were crying. The luminosity was gloomy, everything seemed to be slightly darker and Irelia's heart was somehow tightening up underneath her skin. Everything was silent, the court was empty, there were no birds flying up in the skies, and all that could be heard was the rain drops that were timidly knocking on her window.
She could see her past scrolling in her mind again, she could see her father standing on that rooftop under the rain, perfecting the art of Hitten as he avoided every single drop effortlessly. But all that's left is a mere shade of her past... at least, the memories are still there to remind her about how caring he was and how much he taught her and that without him, she wouldn't be standing beside this window at this very moment.
Under the sound of the pouring rain, Irelia heard the door whispering a knock. He was here. She could feel the presence of those blades he held behind his back, and the aura they were releasing was bearing a bad news. The Captain glanced one last time at the necklace she was holding and then placed it gently in the drawer located underneath her desk before turning her attention back at the door.
"Come in Shen."
Her voice was cold, emotionless, as if she was hiding her pain underneath her steel shell. She surely didn't want anyone to see her in this state. She wanted to keep her image as a strong person, she wanted to keep the image of an imposing Captain. She had to brush off the melancholia from her thoughts, she must look onward and hope for a better future, after all, she can't cry over her past when she has a whole city-state to protect.
Post by The Eye of Twilight on Apr 3, 2013 5:28:58 GMT -5
The Ninja sees the door open in front of him. Before him stands the Captain of the guards, Irelia. Through this weather was most unfortunate, the exchange of information will go on and be passed regardless.
Shen takes a step through the wooden door, and follows Irelia to her office post. The grand architecture of the building is revealed before his very eyes, through this is not somewhat unexpected, a mentioning of this will suffice.
Shen follows Irelia, silently treading his steps behind her, until they arrived at The Will of Blade's office post. It is here where they will have their conversation and hopefully the walls don't have eyes.
Shen waits for Irelia to sit, before sitting himself down on the opposite end of the exquisite wooden table. Through this was beauty as displayed through the age of time and not elaborate decorations.
Shen would of calmly waited for Irelia to start her inquiry if not noticing a faster heartbeat, tensed muscle and a somewhat slipped-by indication of sorrow upon her face. Through this is also perhaps not his dormitory to tread, he spoke.
"Your emotion seems somewhat unstable... Something on your mind before I arrived?"
Shen stated his observation. If one is to share and distribute knowledge, then the other end of the spectrum must be prepared and willing. Through Shen doubts that it truly affected her so.
Post by The Will of the Blades on Apr 3, 2013 6:56:18 GMT -5
Irelia folded all of her papers properly together and placed them aside, letting out a long and shallow sigh in the process. Her emerald eyes navigated across her desk until they took a halt over a lonely piece of note she kept over the side. She reached out for it calmly, her expression still dry and cold, and unfolded it. Her eyes shifted across the lines written on it before she placed it back in the empty corner of her desk.
Her eyes met Shen's gaze. Through the cold steel shell lied a pained aura of a young woman who's sorrow and bitter about her past life. Nothing seemed to be able to fill the void in her scarred heart. An icy silence fell down upon both Champions as she continued to stare at him quietly. The sound of the rain could be heard as it kept crashing down on the window located behind the Captain, amplifying the unsettling silence as Irelia got ready to bear the bad news from the ninja.
"I am glad you came Shen, as I stated in my letter, the general told me that there were certain incidents occurring in the North of our homelands. But alas he refused to elaborate, and this is why I've asked you to come and meet up with me."
Her face remained cold and emotionless. Irelia completely ignored the question he has asked her. Her voice echoed with seriousness and firmness as her eyes held their gaze with the man's eyes. Shoulders perfectly straight, an imposing look sweeping across her expression, the Captain looked impeccable.
"As you would imagine, I'd like to receive from you all the possible information of what's been happening recently. The security of Ionia and our future depend on it, and I'm willing to offer all sorts of assistance you require."
John yawned and glanced at his wristpad. Have to be a way to pass the time. An idea hit him, he raised his wristpad and pushed the transmit button on the side. "Psst, bring the chessboard to the hallway outside Ire's office, but be silent. Meeting going on inside." He gave her some quick directions and now had to play.. The waiting game. A sigh and he pulled out one of his smoke bombs, idly tossing it into the air. It was then that Erica walked up to him, holding a pack and tapping him on the shoulder. He grinned widely at her and said quietly. "Right now set it up, you'll be white I'll be black."
She immediately set to work, pulling the board out and setting it down on the floor and putting the pieces into place. The game then begins, John knew full well he could easily win, so why not make it a believable loss. He glanced over at Erica, her face contorted, completely in thought. Yeah he really couldn't let that lose. A smirk as the game continued for however long the meeting lasts.
Last Edit: Apr 3, 2013 12:21:16 GMT -5 by John Cole
Post by The Eye of Twilight on Apr 4, 2013 5:33:51 GMT -5
Those cold firm eyes, as cold as the day he remembered when he first met her on official Kinkou business still had gaps that remains unfilled and wounds that remains unhealed. Through that does not detract from the actual purpose of this meeting, for it was but a simple distraction of the actual exchange of mutual information. Shen lays out in front of him a scroll that he had carried with him through his perilous journey, water proof to an extent, but the tip of the thinly woven leather still drips. Shen cleanses it and lay it out in front of Irelia.
Shen flattens it out on the wooden table and begins to share with Irelia what he knew. He pointed at the Hadoi village and spoke. "Aggression in the local area of the old Kinkou temple, now besieged and claimed by the order of Shadow is high. The village of Hadoi had assaulted the old Kinkou Temple and have caused high casualties among both themselves and among Zed's ninja. We were only successful in retracting the villagers that were left inside the village during such an assault. It is also clear that Zed have came into contact with Noxus forces. If my information is correct, it is very possible that you will see the whole entire event on digital screen in a matter of few days done by the Valoran News Network."
"I wonder what is your thought on this issue?"
Shen inquired Irelia's opinion. His eye staring straight into those green emerald eyes in search of an answer. He was not only here to deliver a message, but also a warning. The State of Ionia were not unfamiliar in dealing with Noxian occupation and invasion, but was it familiar with a threat that imposes itself upon Ionia beneath their very eyes? According to all the information that Shen was capable of gathering, such occurrences have yet to be detailed at large.
"I have came seeking collaboration between the Kinkou and the Ionian government in correcting the errors that we have made and also to prevent this nation from falling into the hands of the destabilized, through I doubt such offer sounds genuine as a result of what little we did in the past."
Post by The Will of the Blades on Apr 4, 2013 8:31:35 GMT -5
Irelia's eyes widen up as she listened carefully to Shen's report. Fear and anger were mixed up in her eyes as they reflected the image of the hatred that was burning in her heart. The pain that once veiled the captain's eyes was chased away by the anger that was consuming her pupils bit by bit, drying her eyes slowly. The silence fell upon them once more as her look shifted from the scroll back at the ninja's gaze. The storm gained strength. The rain drops shelled the window's glass as the sound resonated in the office, followed by the loud roar of the thunder. The silence was heavy, stressful and unsettling.
The captain let out a huff. The sound of irritation rang out of her vocal chords as she finally lifted up the silence and spoke.
"Noxus... So Swain is using the Order of Shadows to gain indirect control over our lands... Filthy Noxian scum!!"
She slammed the table violently with her fist. She still remembered the day when she attended the meeting. She remembered all those dark flowers that were spilling out of Swain's mouth. He made a fool out of all the authorities that were present that day, but not her, she wasn't convinced at all by his sharp lies. The bitter taste she had felt that day regained her once again. She knew that Swain wasn't a person to be trusted and she knew that behind the white color of the peace treaty, lied the dark vile poison that the Master Tactician was spreading out on the Ionians.
But Irelia wasn't unprepared. She knew all too well that something was going to happen sooner or later and she have already taken the necessary measures in order to prevent any major crisis. She wasn't naive like the rest of the Ionian representatives such as Karma who sought peace with their sworn enemies. Although, something pressured her heart. Even though the incident happened way up in the north, Irelia was deeply concerned about the security of Ionia and the south. There lied a peaceful and isolated village where she spent most of her childhood at. This is where she was taught everything. Balance, Strength, Love and Loyalty. It was the core of her life and her spirit. Yo-ru-toh was its name. Irelia had promised the villagers and her friends that the war they have faced and the pain they went through will be the last of its kind. And she just hoped that she was right.
The captain regained herself after a brief quiet moment, gazing back at the ninja with her emerald eyes.
"We must act quickly in order to defend the rest of the surrounding villages. I have prepared military support ever since I left my last grand meeting with Swain and the other city-states. I will declare you responsible of these troops and you'll be the only one, beside me, who'll have control over them and that's because I trust you Shen. Everything political will be taken care of by me."
Her gaze remained locked over his as her speech took a halt before she carried on. Her tone was deep and firm, emphasizing the situation.
"We need each other Shen. The Kinkou Order and the government must work together in these difficult times. If we fail to unite and work accordingly together. Ionia will fall. We are on the brink of a breakdown."
Post by The Eye of Twilight on Apr 6, 2013 6:54:14 GMT -5
The angry expression of Irelia left an image in Shen's head. Regardless, the azure ninja had watched as the Captain of the Guards before him go from being unsettled, to quietly and quickly regaining her composure. The words she had spoken after however, was somewhat not anticipated.
Irelia have suggested for fast and efficent action, that he agrees with, through she appears to not have fully rationalised herself, her current state will do. Shen began to spoke.
"Though it may not be an exaggeration that Ionia as a state is facing a crisis is not untrue. The way we appraoch such an situation must be with care and caution."
Shen paused for a second before continuing with his previous sentence, Swain is playing his hand well.
"Even though such alliance may be planned with the goal of taking over this city-state, Swain would be able to verbalise himself out of a situation by suggesting his hospitality to the Order of Shadows as a result of aggression and violence of the local villagers. Their order has lost men and Swain will be their protector. At least that's how the image is presented."
Althrough Shen was not presented in the assault of the former Kinkou temple. It was safe to say that Noxus is involved in this matter, a conspiracy to say the least. Even though right now, their window are right open and people can peer straight inside, but no one is capable of doing anything about it.
"Regardless, the situation we face is something we need to face not indvidually, but as a group." Shen would stand himself from his chair and take a little bow out of cuortesy to the Will of the Blades, agreeing and acknowledging to her ideals of keeping Ionia how it was, even if her methods was somewhat extreme in the eyes of the diplomats of this city-state, she is a firm ally no doubt.
"You have a proposed course of action no doubt?" Shen inquired and waited for an answer. Not to say Shen didn't have his own input, but looking at different perspectives is essential.
Post by The Will of the Blades on Apr 7, 2013 10:11:09 GMT -5
The violent torrents of rain softened as the growls of the raging wind turned into whispers. The never-ending thunderous storm shifted away in the skies that remained gray as the clouds hung up there. Irelia listened to Shen's input, and as much as she wished that it was false, she had to agree with his words. It was indeed a well thought plan on behalf of the Master Tactician, a devilish plan that's running under the noses of the Ionian authorities. The Order of Shadows is doing a good job at playing the role of the victim in this deceiving conspiracy.
Alas, nothing much could be done for now, but Irelia's mind offered her a couple of plans for later on in time. The Captain reached out for the lonely note that was sitting in the corner of her desk and handed it to the ninja.
"This is the list of the ten men I'm handing to you. Every details you need is written down and if you have any questions, I'm ready to answer."
Her emerald eyes reflected the image of Irelia's mind. Shen would notice that she was about to take a course of actions on her own in this situation, and there were a couple of risks behind them. Infiltrating the Noxian's units that are present on the Ionian lands; this was Irelia's plan for now as she needed to gather as much information as possible to wither down Swain's venom before it spread out within the Ionian's hearts.
Was she crazy? No. Irelia didn't fear the outcome of such plan, especially when Ionia's future depended on it. Perhaps it was the burning anger and hatred that consumed her soul that melted down her mind and her thoughts, letting emotions take over. She was fed up with these Noxian scums and she would absolutely do anything and whatever is necessary to boot them out of her home lands. But one thing must remain safe... Her life, because she feared that without it, Ionia will break.
Irelia stood up. Her body regained its imposing posture as she gave back Shen a nod of courtesy. Her face was cold, her eyes were piercing darts. The rain outside in the open was intimidated by the Captain as it slowly crawled away with the clouds, letting the sun shine out once more with its burning and irritating light. She spoke out her final words. Her tone tainted by the marks of her determination that filled her voice and invaded her green crystal eyes.
"For now, do what you must to do to contain the situation. I have certain plans to put in order. If you ever get any crucial information, please forward them to me."
"Checkmate~." The sound of John's defeat rang in his ears. "Alright you won this won this round." He chuckled and leaned over ruffling Erica's hair and stood up, stretching his limbs out. "I'm going to see what's up, wait out here alright?" Erica nodded and started to put the board and pieces away. "Okaay."
He walked over to the door, hesitant. Whatever was going was going on in there has to be important. He had heard that Noxians were in the territory from some of his own sources. But that was about all he knew. Were they back for more? He had only heard stories of what happened so long ago. He knocked on the door and slowly slid it open, stepping inside casually. He gave a nod to both Shen and Irelia as he walked and stood to the side of The Eye of Twilight. Part of him wanted to say something but, his instincts said to just remain silent and wait for the Captain to speak first. Right? That's how this whole rank thing worked? ...He hoped so anyway.
He did wonder though, if anything happened he'd be fighting grunts and who knows what else. On the plus side he was working with people who knew the land so, what could go wrong? But he knew he couldn't fall. No way in hell was he leaving her alone in the world. There was a hint of nervousness in his eyes but at the same time, he seemed calm, ready. His eyes fell upon Irelia and he immediately bit his lip. He could feel it from here. This was definitely something that had to do with Noxus. What other reason would she look like she could tear up a city in seconds? That was the thing though, she always looked intimidating. Even though he knew she wasn't going to kill him, he still felt a slight shiver run down his spine.
John continued to stand though, waiting for what was to come.
Post by The Eye of Twilight on Apr 9, 2013 2:00:50 GMT -5
While in thought, the wooden door behind him squealed, Shen tensed for a second, he gave a nod to the rogue beside him before reaching for that list in Irelia's hand, moving it away for her finger tip. He carefully examined the list, and placed it down.
Experienced and useful individuals no doubt, through such a stretch of hospitality would normally be rejected by the elders of their past in pursue of neutral and to not involve them self in city state matters, such a luxury is not his, for this order of his is under the danger of such city states.
Balance is a delicate and fragile thing, one single move can tip it and another can break it. It has been their duty to preserve such a spectrum and they have followed such a practice, through as apparent as it is made by the death of their Grand Master and the betrayal of a former disciple, such is a concept that not all abides willingly and follows.
It would be unwise to suggest that he has not reflected on the issue that had risen from darkness, though he had little answers and options to give and take, for it was something that he can no longer feel, the desire for power and the ambition that drives Zed as an individual is something that flew from Shen's grasp eons ago.
Thoughts traveled and left from Shen's head as he recollected himself to focus on the matter at hand, perhaps, he is not the only one planning a future.
It was made apparent that he is not the only to have set a plan in motion, it is clear that the Will of the Blades have something in mind, that flickered by emotion in her eye speaks of danger, of risks and a desperate need for an outcome. Such path is hers to tread alone, little is he capable of other to watch and observe.
However, that is not to suggest that words do not hold value in such cases and he would reply to Irelia's still echoing voice.
"We will do what we must. May your actions be well thought out and planned for the risk is high and the abyss lurks beneath should you fall, but I believe such a concern is not required, for you know the importance of your duty."
Shen would take this chance to depart from the office, giving a slight bow before his exit. The wheel of fate is beginning to turn...
Post by The Will of the Blades on Apr 9, 2013 14:09:44 GMT -5
The sound of the wood cracked underneath Shen's weight as he left the office, leaving behind him a cold silenced room. The Captain got up from her chair quietly. Her legs carried her body towards the window, where she stood there, staring mindlessly at the rooftops again; her face was as shallow as an empty shell that lost its owner it used to keep company. So many things navigated in Irelia's spirit, and they were all as sinister as the darkness... going from the bitterness and sadness that came from her past, to the burning fury and anger she has felt when she learned about Swain's plans.
The Captain observed the guards that were regaining the training court, each one of them hanging a smile over his lips. It seemed like the soaked floor dried quickly after such torrential storm, and they were all happy to be able to get back to their beloved activities. One would notice that her lips curved upward as her innocent jaded eyes carefully followed one of the guards that was heading to the court. It seemed like he brought some light to her mind and thoughts, vanishing briefly the despair that was devouring her.
"John, may I ask you who this little girl is?"
The question seemed sudden and completely random as it rang out through her voice. On the contrary of John's beliefs, Irelia noticed the little girl he was keeping with him all along. Perhaps it was his little sister? Or a person from the family? The young Ionian couldn't answer that question herself, but she expected an answer from the man.
John watched her walk up to the window and decided to follow her, standing to her right. He didn't really realize her office had a view of the training court. Huh... He rested his hands behind him, watching the outside world. That's when he caught something out of the corner of his eye that he hadn't seen before. He smirked and absentmindedly said. "Pretty smile, you should do that more often."
"Erica? She's my adopted kid, found her back when I was nineteen, 'bout three years back. You can blame her for my more warm and friendly attitude." He chuckled and smiled. His mind was suddenly flooded with memories of that incident, he looked down as the images flew past. A burning town, a group of shady men dragging people out into the streets. Something inside him broke that day, at least for a few short bloody minutes, within that time every bandit had been sliced or stabbed through in some way. That's when he came upon a child, hiding in a closet. The only reason he even found her was the crying, almost silent. He remembers opening the closet and her trying to scramble away in fear, probably didn't that he was a bit of a mess, but... He was able to calm her down and now they're almost inseparable.
He blinked and came back to reality, his head turned to Irelia and gave her a quick smile. He scratched his neck and asked calmly. "So what's going on anyway? Something to do with Noxus I'm assuming?"
Post by The Will of the Blades on Apr 11, 2013 7:23:56 GMT -5
Irelia's eyes were traveling across the view that went beyond the window, watching the sun drowning behind the rooftops as it waved goodbye with its very last light. John's words echoed in her ears as they listened to his voice carefully. It hasn't been long since they met but she felt like she had already established a bond of trust with the Piltoverian man, a special bond between a student and his teacher.
The young woman seemed happy for a few moment until John mentioned the filthy Noxians she and Shen were having a discussion about. Suddenly, what was once wide in her emerald eyes shrunk to the size of a dot as she stared at John with a look that would scare off any person who barely knew her. The Captain seemed irritated, disgusted by such news. Bah! It was crawling underneath her skin like a venom that was slowly eating up her reasonable thoughts. She let out a long sigh as her eyes gazed back at the dark night that slowly veiled the blue sky with its dark curtain.
"Yes, the Noxians are in Ionia due to some deal with the Order of Shadows... Unfortunately, we don't know what they are up to..."
A heavy silence crashed down on Irelia as her eyes remained static and her thoughts suddenly caught up to an idea. Perhaps... John would be a good candidate to inspect the surroundings of these noxian camps? She didn't want to risk his life, but this would be the ultimate test to see whether he's worth of her or not.
"But... It seemed like an idea bolted in my mind. I will send you on a mission with two guards and one of my finest officer. Her name is Tilly just so that you won't have to ask her and probably make things awkward. Anyways, you'll be setting a secret camp next to the either the temple or any noxian camp in the surroundings. The officer will decide where depending on the circumstances... Understood?"
That question seemed to spark something inside her. That look he got, while obviously not aimed at him, was enough to make it obvious that yes, the Noxians were indeed the issue. He listened to her words as she explained the situation. It was short but, what else was there to say? He had a feeling what would happen next, of course the question was, would it be solo or with a small group. Part of him liked going solo, but that's because it's what he did back then when tracking down groups of bandits. On his own side though, his face stayed relatively calm as he normally did. He knew he'd be doing something at one point, with how events seemed to be going.
He once again listened closely as she spoke. A smile forming on his face as she finished. This is something he could do and now hopefully she can understand any requests he makes. A few seconds of silence before he responded in a more serious tone than usual. "Understood. I also have a question or two, can I borrow a topographical map of the area we're heading to? And... Is this occurring at night? If I'm allowed to I want to study the map for a few hours, I want to know what to expect and learn possible locations of any camps." He scratches his cheek and continues. "Hopefully Tilly won't mind me going around and marking down camp locations, shouldn't be hard. Unless I have to infiltrate the perimeter. Either way I should be able to with some math get an estimate of numbers if this is done well." He knew full well that what he was asking was a bit more risky, but if he kept to cover and moved slowly. No one would even know. Hell, maybe there was an unoccupied hill he could use to find the camps.
His eyes went back to her as he remembered something. "Oh." He reached into his cloak and pulled out a device. "I want you to have this. Just in-case." He smiled and held it out to her. Upon inspection, it looked just like any other radio, nothing too special about it. Once taken, or if not. His hands would rest at his sides and wait.
Last Edit: Apr 11, 2013 11:01:15 GMT -5 by John Cole
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