Chapter Text
“May I take your coat sir?” A short, kid-looking girl said, dressed in a servant's attire. Her words were shaky, obviously nervous at the tall mysterious man before her.
“Thank you, darling .”
It wasn’t everyday Jhin had the luxury of going undercover. As a hired gun, he usually found himself hiding behind cracks as he watched his target. Here he would be treated as he should be, as the artist he is. Right now he was in Demacia, a place Jhin found particularly boring. Sure Demacia was littered with sculptures and monuments, but to Jhin it was very one sided; the complete opposite of Noxus.
He was here at an elegant revenue, looking almost castle like. It was a popular building for parties and other events, which Jhin appreciated. On usual days it was used as an art gallery, portraying scenes from battles and heroic figures. The architecture was stunning, pillars and statues carved beautifully from quartz and other stones. As he entered the main room, he could see through tall glass windows was a beautiful garden, with multiple types of flowers. Walking through the wave of people, he found a small table to the side of the room, on the opposite side of the room where the windows layed. As he took his seat, immediately a servant came to his table, offering him a tall glass of champagne, which he gingerly took. He reached to lift up his mask to allow him to take a drink, but then realized he wasn’t wearing it. Public places like these required to show his real face, as a mask would seem quite unordinary. Taking a sip, he leaned back in his seat and observed.
His target here was actually the host of the party. She was said to be tall, thin, with brown hair and glistening blue eyes, a signature trait of wealthy Demacians. She was described as energetic and cunning, always trying to get on people’s good side. Her name was Eevie Essner. The reasons for her assassination was kept secret from Jhin, as his client insisted on this factor. Jhin didn’t care however, as long as he got his reward he was fine with whoever he killed.
He stared among the crowd, gazing at the colorful gowns and tuxedos of the guests. They were either drinking, talking, or dancing, although everyone seemed highly intoxicated. Even his own champagne seemed surprisingly strong. Looking at the guests, his eyes were instantly caught by a women in a green in purple gown. The designs were ones of a peacock, and by her swift actions, Jhin could already tell her personality and what her performance would be like.
“Her story would be power and greed, yet elegance in her motions,” he thought to himself. ”A blow through her chest would do wonders. Her strength lies within her center, where she controls everything. She’d need servants though, to decorate that beautiful figure...”
As soon as his eyes wandered from her, he brought his eyes upon a male servant by the entrance. He had jet black hair, with dark circles under his eyes. He was shaking as he held a tray. He stared nervously out in the crowd, as if he did not want to go out and do his job. He was obviously overworked at no success at his part, and was taken for granted. Jhin saw people bumping into him, not even noticing his existence.
“I know just the thing for him…” he thought maliciously. ”A poor coward hiding in the background, where not a soul knows him as a friend, but as a servant. A blow to the face would be perfect. No one could tell who he was, as no one knows who he is now.” Jhin chuckled to himself as he took another sip, his nose crinkling at the strong alcohol. Oh how he loved planning performances, although he thought it was a shame most of them would go un-produced. “Enough wasting time,” he thought,” I am here on a job.”
“Doesn’t mean I can’t take advantage of my leisurely setting,” he muttered to himself, countering his own conscious.
“I don’t think I’ve met you yet.” Jhin looked up to see a young woman’s face peering down at him. Her skin was slightly tan, and was peppered in freckles, which annoyed Jhin slightly. Other than a few skin defects, her face was well put together, as well as her attire and brown hair. And her eyes. Bright blue. Now knowing who he was talking to, he smiled at her slyly.
“Khada, Khada Jhin,” he said standing up. He realized she was shorter than he imagined, but her shortness made his tall appearance even more powerful and alluring. She took his hand and shook it vigorously.
“I’m Eevie. Eevie Essner,” she mirrored back, smiling widely. He noted the way she mirrored the actions of others. People tended to feel more comfortable when they were mirrored, as she was doing now.”Excuse me for saying, but I don’t remember inviting you here. Not that I’m complaining…” she said playfully. Using two fingers, he grabbed a golden card from his breast pocket, and showed it to her. It was the invitation his client gave him, although he didn’t know where it originally came from. Stuffing it back in his pocket she nodded approvingly.”Well sorry to bother you.”
“No no no,” he said quickly.”It was no bother, not at all.” She looked at him, her head titled slightly to the left as if she was observing him. Eevie smiled weakly at his compliment. The two stood there in silence for a few seconds, and Jhin could tell he was making her bored.”I have not heard of this building or its art. Would you tell me about it?” Her face lit up at that, as if she had been waiting all night for someone to ask the question.
“I’d love to,” she smiled, taking his arm in hers. She led him over to a crowd of people who were standing by a massive painting, of which Jhin recognized. It was a painting of Garen, a Demacian hero who many adored. Breaking from his arm, she walked up in front of the painting and faced the crowd.
“This is a beautiful oil painting of one of Demacia’s greatest hero, Garen Crownguard.” The audience clapped at the introduction, although Jhin didn’t see a reason why. When Eevie smiled at him though, he clapped lightly. She went on to explain to backstory, the painter, and other inspirations of the painting. It took a full thirty minutes for her to explain everything, and Jhin was getting severely bored. It was only worthwhile when she would glance at Jhin, who tried his best to look interested. Finally when she finished, everyone clapped again and she rejoined Jhin.
“Would you like to see another one?” She asked him.
“No thank you darling. I think I’ve had enough information for one night.”
“Alright then, I’ll leave you to it,” Eevie smiled, looking over to see some people beckoning to her.
“Before you go,” he said, seeing the people beckoning her.”I would like to repay the favor. Would you care to dance?” He held out his long, slender hand to her, and she stared at it gingerly. The sly smile he bared must have not been as flirtatious as he thought, because she took a firm step back.
“Thank you, er-”
“Jhin,” He told her, and she nodded her head. He didn’t even bother using his first name.
“Thank you, Jhin, but I really must attend to other things.” She kept glancing to the side, as if trying to avoid eye contact. She went from trying to be friendly, to trying to escape the intimidating man in front of her .
“What? You must attend to your highly intoxicated friends over there, so you can try and get information about their secrets while they dance away like it was the first time they’ve ever been drunk?” She stared at him, than suddenly laughed, a real laugh.
“Oh that is brilliant,” she said, wiping a tear from her eye. He looked slightly shocked, but realized quickly that she enjoyed a good sarcastic joke.”I guess I could spare a dance.” He smiled again, this time softer, and lead her over the dance floor.
They swayed together to the music, each complimenting each other's movements. Eevie started to lean in very close to Jhin, much closer than a stranger normally would.
“I enjoy you Jhin,” she smiled. The way she said his name made his heart beat slightly faster than he would have liked.”I’m surprised that I don’t remember you. I thought I surely would’ve, with such a demanding stature as yourself.”
“I enjoy you as well,” he said, twirling her in his arms.”You have amazing coordination.” She laughed again, her grip in his hands tightening.
“Where did you say you were from?” Eevie said, looking him up and down again.
“Same place your dressmaker lived.” She hesitated for a moment, skipping a step in the routine. Quickly rejoining it, she smiled.
“How would you ever know a thing like that?”
“Your dress is obviously of Demacian design, although the stitchings are in the classic pattern of Ionian clothes.” Her smiled grew even bigger at his observation.
“Very keen of you,” she said.”But what would a man from Ionia be doing here, so far away from home?” Before he could answer, the music stopped, and the two broke from each other. They stared at each other, and Jhin found himself being lost in her blue eyes.
“I want to stab those eyes out,” he thought to himself. The eyes were always a thing of
beauty to Jhin, as they held so many emotions in a such a small capsule. He cleared his mind quickly and lead her over to his table.
The two drank and talked with each other, and a few other guests until very late into the evening. Eevie’s movements became more sluggish and clumsy then her usual quick and efficient ones. She laughed and giggled more at almost everything Jhin said, and she found herself clinging to Jhin’s arm more often. Finally Jhin looked down at his watch and realized that he should get on with his performance. He looked across the room at the windows, seeing the beautiful garden. The perfect place to perform.
“Excuse me darling,” he said, staring down at her.”I think I’d like to take this to the garden out there.” He pointed to the grandly lit garden.
“I’d love to,” she said, her eyes getting low with a bit of eagerness. Right then and there, Jhin knew he had her right where he wanted. He took her hand and led her outside, where the garden was. The hanging lights on the orchids illuminated the two in the dark, as they sat on a stone bench together. They were surrounded by rose bushes and a fountain was just behind them, spewing a light blue liquid. Eevie looked deep in Jhin’s eyes as they stared at each other.
“What’s your favorite?” Eevie suddenly said, breaking the silence between the two.
“Pardon me?” Jhin said, confused by her question. She gave an exasperated sigh.
“Which flower is you favorite? I put every kind in this garden! ” She stood up and beckoned to the flowers around her.
“I love roses, although I think the lotus is my personal favorite.” She smiled cheerfully and walked over to a small pond, which had many colorful lotuses floating in it. Koi fish were swimming under, making long graceful swoops with their tails.
“Lotuses are pretty,” she cooed, kneeling down to put her hand in the water.”Just like you!” She said it very enthusiastically, but that was of course from the heavy amounts of alcohol in her.
“Which is your favorite?” he said quickly, not wanting to just keep staring at each other. He honestly had enough at looking at her face. He had already seen her eyes enough, and those freckles still annoyed him.
“Petunias,” she said, leading him over to a bush of bright pink petunias.
“Yes, quite beautiful, just like yourself.” Jhin said, and she blushed at the compliment.
“You know Jhin,” she said, sitting them both down on a bench.”I’m quite fond of you.” The music inside suddenly striked up again, it’s melodies leaking out into the garden. Jhin grabbed her towards her as they started swaying again. That’s all they did really was sway, with Jhin trying his best to support her wobbly legs. She rested her head on his chest, right over his heart.”I know we just met, but-”
“I like you too,” he lied cunningly, spinning her quickly.”Your looks, your personality-” suddenly she grabbed his hand, and led him deeper in the garden, where they could no longer see the party anymore. She got really close to him, almost touching her chin to his chest as she looked up.
“I’m not who you think I am,” she said drunkenly, whispering it in his ear. He knew now she was at the point at saying things she probably shouldn’t. But that made everything more fun for Jhin.
“Oh?” Jhin said in return, in a deep sensual voice, smiling along with her.
“I’m a dealer for magical artifacts,” she said.”I work for the black market.” She said it all as if nothing was wrong with her statement. He smiled still, pretending everything was okay.
“How daring,” he said in return. ”So this is why he wants her dead,” he thought to himself. He took a deep breath, letting it flow right out of him. ”Let the performance begin.”
“Are you alright?” she said, noticing his deep inhale.
“I’m just preparing,” he said nonchalantly, sneaking a hand to his hip, where he kept Whisper concealed.
“Preparing for what?” Eevie asked.
“This.” He leaned down and kissed her, passionately. Her arms wrapped around his neck, deepening the kiss. He then slowly brought Whisper to her chest and-
BAM
Her eyes grew wide in pain, as she fell into Jhin’s arms, squirming and shaking uncontrollably, blood falling from her fatal wound. She tried to scream, but the magic bullet seemed to leave her breathless. Eevie’s eyes looked into his, as to scream why, why would he do this, and all Jhin did was answer with a devious smile. Blood oozed onto his hand as he held her there, watching her slowly die. It felt good to feel the warm blood on his hands, how it gushed and reminded him of her so much. Warm and inviting; smooth as silk. She started gasping now, as he lungs collapsed and the air escaped her, like butterflies on a morning day.
“Darling,” he said.”You look beautiful.” With those last words burned in her mind, she went limp. Now he was to present his masterpiece.
Jhin worked quickly with his actress, making sure everything was perfect for Eevie. He laid her body in a patch of petunias, entangling her dress in them. He reached for her hair, undid it, and arranged the long brown locks around her head. Jhin grabbed some petunias and put them in her wound, so it looked like they were emerging from her. He put her legs together, and tilted her head gently to the left, with her arms above her. In both hands, he placed a lotus, covered in her blood, signifying his work. Stepping back, he looked at her, how she seemed to be one with the flowers. He would’ve liked it even more if he had his equipment or more time. Jhin could really do a masterpiece when he had what he needed, but alas this one would go alright/
“You look wonderful,” he said, this time meaning it with all his heart. She did look beautiful, as she was now in her final form. He internally thanked himself for the show, and how he helped her become truly wonderful. He threw his head up suddenly when he heard the faint noises of the party become slightly different than before. He could hear nervous chatter, but nothing threatening to him .”They must have heard my gunshot…” he thought to himself. Quickly in one of the ponds, he rinsed as much blood as he could from his clothes and hands, making sure any color wasn’t obvious.Taking one last look at his actress, he started walking even farther into the gardens, until he found the back exit. He could see the building over the garden, the bright lights, the music, and the talking going back to what it was. He circled back to the front of the building, where his horse drawn carriage was, with one of his assistants that was provided to him, inside. A boy came out of the carriage, dressed as he should, and opened the door for Jhin.
“Thank you my boy,” Jhin smiled, taking a step forward. Before the boy could reply, he heard a slightly familiar, piercing voice.
“ Jhin? ” Jhin turned to see one fellow champion staring at him in disbelief.
“Hello... Quinn .”