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The night over the Shurima desert was cold as the moon shined down overhead upon a backdrop of shining stars. The occasional breeze blowing golden sand now black and silver in the dark along the ground like leaves. Large outcroppings of rocks jutted around the landscape sticking out against the sand like obelisks. Even the ruins of the past that lay exposed to the elements shone against the moon, the light laking the stone glow like neo.
To many, the sandy ruin-laden landscape was a hot dry place with no life. But to those who actually went there and knew the truth, it was anything but a hot dry place.
While the sun was out it was hotter than one could ever believe, windy too, though dry was debatable depending on where you were. But once the sun was down all this was flipped on its head like an hourglass. Without the sun to give warmth the night air quickly grew cold as the figged north freezing all exposed forms of water solid in hours. The cold was so piercing that it would freeze you to the bone and make you beg for the heat of the sun if you were not prepared. It even snowed on occasion at night.
The whole land was almost magical with how a meager twelve hours could change the landscape so drastically. But also deadly as many who came here for the first time never leave, or if they did they left as less than themselves.
To one young blond adventurer, he had learned this lesson the hard way more than once. Even nearly paying with his life on as many occasions, only surviving by chance, luck, the help of others, his own quick thinking, or some combination of the above. This night was no exception.
Sitting by a fire in a small cave near old ruins a blanket wrapped around his aching body trying to stave off the cold was Ezreal. His body shook slightly as the cold wind blew around him forcing him to sit as close to the fire as he could without being set ablaze himself.
It had been months since his last visit to shurima and he had almost forgotten how bad the weather could be. While he knew better it still shocked him how cold the weather in the region could be. After all, even to the initiated, it sounded funny packing winter gear for a place that was known for being hotter than a Zaun sweatshop in summer.
Yet here he was sitting quietly as he waited for his pot to warm over the fire. Armed with a winter coat, and a thick woolen blanket waiting for his soup to cook, Or he hoped it would be soup. It was hard to tell his rations apart while he dealt with the pain.
That was another thing that was different, that being his arm being in a sling sticking out from his coat. A falling piece of debris struck his arm as he and his new companion made for the exit of the booby-trapped ruins he now rested near.
That was the other thing that made him uneasy.
That morning he had one companion on his journey, his glove. With a silent hope, two more would join him, his parents.
Yet instead not only did his parents not find him, but the person that took their place in his expedition was also possibly the strongest woman he had ever seen. And given how many times he had been to Zuan that was saying a lot.
Sitting quietly across from him without even so much as a shirt to cover her, blackish-grayish, purple… skin? Suit? He wasn’t sure and wasn’t sure he wanted to know ether. It was so bewildering as it seemed to move or pulse on occasion like it was alive. Either that or his eyes were playing tricks on him and it was just some new super fabric he hadn’t heard of.
Whatever it was she was wearing it was thin leaving little to his imagination, yet she seemed completely unbothered by the cold as though it were a warm spring day.
It was a fact that he almost laughed when he realized he was unconsciously eyeing her but not getting off on it. The closest he could remember seeing someone in a state such as this was one time by accident falling through the roof of a Zuan brothel when he was pushed over a railing. He never got off on that event ether too scared to care.
He was called a shameless flirt, even player by many of his pears statements he wouldn’t completely deny, which made it all the funnier that the two times he saw a girl in such a state he didn’t care or necessarily want to beguile them.
Ezreal was also called a lot of things by many people some he likes, some he did not. He was told he was arrogant, which was probably true. He was told he loved attention too much which he knew was true. He was told he was a jerk, which he really wasn’t sure of honestly. He was told he was delusional for a number of reasons, some of which he actually agreed with. He was called selfish which was partly true, especially depending on the day.
He was even told he cared only about himself even by his own uncle even after he brought back a rare artifact from his notes and even let the guy take credit for his own amusement.
It was the one thing he knew wasn’t true, after all, he wasn’t out here doing all this for himself.
He also knew he was a lot of things some of which he was proud of, some he wasn’t, not that he would ever admit the latter out loud.
He was an adventurer, a scholar in training, an archeologist of sorts, a lover of pretty girls and art, a tinkerer, and a master in the progress of this odd magic gauntlet that he was still learning new tricks about. A gauntlet he never told anyone about in piltover for fear they would take it. A thief, though he only ever stole from the dead that he knew of at least, as with people as old as Heimerdinger it was hard to say some days. But archaeology is basically legalized thievery in his mind so it was fine… right?
He was even not a half-bad cook… or at least he had never killed anyone with his cooking… yet…. That he knew of… he hoped.
But there was one thing that Ezreal knew, without doubt, he was not and that was being an ingrate.
He had traveled around the world or at least part of the world gathering all sorts of rare artifacts and things. All of which he brought back to pilt over to be put on display, attending several ceremonies to commemorate his findings. Even earning several awards in that time something most people his age could only dream of.
Though throughout it all he was never an ingrate, despite what his uncle said he paid back his debts in his own way. As in his field, it paid to have friends or at least allies as he didn’t really have friends… not truly.
When his uncle was on hard times not too long ago he dropped what he was doing to find some things to get the guy more revenue to pay him back for teaching him how to be awesome.
When a fisherman, well fished him out of the river pilt after a salvage dive he had been asked to help with went wrong. He had given them man a nice ancient coin or two from his adventure, he had plenty from that hall so what was a few given away in appreciation.
Or this nice girl who he helped get rid of some thugs who tried to destroy her tavern for not sleeping with their boss when she set his arm after an accident on the road… a shame she was already married she had really nice red hair.
He even was setting it up so that he could get a nice home with all the amenities for when his parents finally came back for him so they could be together again. A plan he had been working on since he left on his mission was to become the most famous person in Piltover so they would seek him out. All so he could pay them back for all they did for him. After all, what did he need all that money for?
The fact was he had always paid back his debts whether he liked it or not even if they didn’t benefit him. It paid to have allies you could rely on in his work and he hated feeling indebted to people.
Yet for the life of him as he sat by the fire he couldn’t figure out why.
As he looked across the rising flames to his savior sat looking at the inferno he felt a nagging sensation as he tried to figure out why.
He had been saved on a number of occasions but never so dramatically before. ‘People just don’t go saving like that people for no reason unless there is something to be gained or a debt to be paid. This world doesn’t have storybook heroes in it, if it did my parents would have found me already.’
Yet despite his refusal to believe otherwise, this one girl threw a spanner in the works of his mind.
Not only had a random girl practically fallen in his lap so to speak, but she had literally saved his life, dragged him out of the ruins after he was injured. And as if to add insult to literal injury she even carried him to this cave while he was down, got a fire going, dressed his wounds, and redressed him for the cold. She even helped him get dinner going.
While he was grateful for her saving his life, she did all of this without saying a single word to him since they met. No words, no questions, no gloating or demands for repayment, not even a name.
It shouldn’t have bugged him as much as it did, he knew he should be cool about it, should just ignore her as he had done in the past, but he just couldn’t. There was just something about her that bugged him.
“Well?”
He blinked in surprise, almost jumping at the sound, the voice.
Since he had awoken from his stupor he had not heard anything other than the sound of the fire or wind in his ears, yet now he heard a voice a girl’s voice. briefly, he wondered if his mind was playing tricks on him if he had struck his head in the fight as well. That was until he heard it again.
“I know you’re eyeing me so out with it, I know you want to ask.” the voice said again this time however he saw her lips move saw her throat vibrate with her words. Saw all the signs to know she was speaking.
“Wh-what.” he stammered in a not cool fashion making him internally wince at how he carried himself.
‘Well I sure am not going to impress her at this rate.’ he cringed.
The girl… woman? Again he wasn’t sure as he watched her sigh rolling her eyes looking annoyed.
“You’re eyeing me, eyeing this,” she said motioning her gray, black skin cloths.
“Your thinking that’s weird what is it? Is it alive, is it magic, are you some sort of monster?” she explained before pausing for a moment confusing him.
Almost immediately her annoyed expression turned to one of disgust, “unless you’re wondering if it can come off and you can get lucky tonight because you saved me. Which if that’s the case you may find yourself walking homeless a man then you started.” she threatened dangerously.
His eyes widened at her words cheeks flaring red in embarrassment realizing what she was implying.
Immediately his hand flew up in surrender an action he immediately regretted, He hissed loudly wincing as pain shot up his right arm immediately lowering his broken arm gripping it with his left.
As he tried to block out the pain he saw the woman stand up, rushing to his side with concern on her face. All annoyance or anger left her form as she reached out to him.
He watched in trepidation as she reached a hand out to grip his arm making a fresh wave of pain rocket through his arm. He wanted to pull away but could not as she held him fast keeping his arm still as she did something to it.
The entire time she shushed him, her eyes growing kind as she spoke words of encouragement trying to get him to calm down, to relax.
He didn’t know why she did this when she was angry with him accusing him of lusting after her seconds ago. But she was, despite her angry she was caring for him. And as strange as it was, it felt nice.
As the pain in his arm began to subside he felt himself relaxing into her touch. Felt himself going along with her kind prodigy, calming down his breathing letting go of his arm letting her tend to it. Let himself go in her oddly warm hands despite her lack of clothing. He simply let himself be as she card for him making sure he was alright.
By the end of it, she had returned to her seat across from him concluding he simply bumped his broken arm and would not require resetting.
The ordeal left Ezreal with a sense of melancholy when they parted, longing even. At first, he wasn’t sure why but quickly realized it was because it reminded him of his mother when he was young. When his parents would still visit and didn’t fore him to go out of his way to get their attention.
“Thank you,” he said sullenly his sorrowed emotions bleeding into his voice.
Ordinarily, he would have tried to brush her off saying he was fine, or even talk about some random adventure he would oversell to make the wound sound like nothing. But now he could do that his mind to ah flow with memories of his mother and father. In a rare moment of weakness wishing beyond wish, they were there to embrace him.
“Your welcome?” she answered raising an eyebrow at his words clearly struck by his manner of speaking.
Her expression did not stay this way for long as her serious mood from before returned with a vengeance. “You still haven’t asked, and don’t bother lying. I’ve had to deal with people lying to me or attacking me enough to learn to read people,” she explained seriously.
“A hot-tempered boy like yourself could hardly find a lie I would believe.” she accused with a smirk.
Despite the insult he found himself chuckling at the accusation, “I won’t deny that.” he said honestly knowing she wasn’t entirely wrong. “But you should hear some of my stories before you judge, some of them are so crazy even I couldn’t make them up.” he countered jokingly.
This brought an odd smile to the mystery girl’s face alight chortal passing closed lips. “Fair enough, fair adventurer, I suppose you have had just grand adventures that you plan to use to swoon me off my feet so that you might romance me with your culinary skill while plotting to bring me back to your home to wed.” he joked back her tone over the top and mocking.
“Touche.” he laughed.
At this, it was like a dam had broken as the silence was soon followed by laughing. The once gloomy cave that bore the brunt of his uncertainty and her accusations now was filled with mirth as they laughed at each hiss expense. Something that for once he was ok with enjoying the casual way she spared him.
In a way it was refreshing to be shot down the way he was, to not sit upon his airship above showing off for the world to see. While he loved the attention, loved bragging, showing off, it was also exhausting.
Yet at the same time, he also thought he heard a sense of he would dare say envy in her words.
‘Maybe she had a nasty breakup recently and just wants some attention from the most handsome man in piltover.’ he thought trying to reignite his bruised ego.
Yet despite this something told himself that wasn’t it, and despite his best efforts he just could bring himself to get his attitude going again. There was just something about this girl that bothered him. Something sad, something lonely, something familiar. He just couldn’t figure out what it was, a fact that vexed him greatly.
Eventually, though the laughter ended leaving behind in its wake a more friendly atmosphere. Both parties smiled lightly as they came down from their high of humor.
“I wasn’t by the way.” he blurted without thinking drawing the girl’s attention much to his embarrassment.
This peeked the girl’s eyes causing her to gaze upon him with interest. “Wasn’t what?” she asked
It was here that Ezreal felt like slapping himself realizing he had focused her attention upon himself without recomposing first. Leaving himself open for her to see all of his mistakes with no time to regain his natural charm.
“I wasn’t thinking about… whatever that is,” he said pointing to the thing that covered her skin.
She looked annoyed at his choice of words, though whether it be because she haded what he said or because of what the substance meant or was to her he wasn’t sure. But she didn’t silence him so he felt comfortable continuing.
“I was just wondering who my savior was?” he said tried to hide the awkwardness he felt as he tried to put some semblance of his usual self out.
The woman blinked in surprise as though she wasn’t expecting his question. It did not last as a light smile soon returned to her before speaking “you’re an odd one.” she remarked staring at him with a look of contemplation.
For a moment after she said nothing, making him wonder if she was going to answer him. While it didn’t bother him that someone might not want to tell him their name, after all, if someone wasn’t likely dead and had an artifact a thousand years old or more or how to find them he usually wasn’t interested. But he made an exception here as she did save his life, the least he could do was remember his saver’s name
“Kai'sa.” she said curtly
“What?” he asked having been too distracted, lost in thought to catch what he said.
“Kai'sa.” she repeated this time with his undivided attention, “it’s my name. Or it is now at least,” she answered calmly.
Though if he listened carefully he could have sworn she seemed almost bitter about it though he could not say why. Though he knew better than to ask why having learned the hard way more than once.
regardless of her reasoning, he wore a charming smile the kind that make his fans cry, “Cute name.” he remarked with a bit more of his usual charm.
In truth, he had no idea if it was a cute name or not being well versed in modern shuriman naming culture to say for certain. But he knew girls liked being complimented as much as everyone else.
‘Everyone loves feeling validated just say what someone wants to hear and you will sway them with your charm…’ or so his father told him.
A light blush soon found its way to her cheeks, something that shocked him as it wasn’t even a good flirt by his low standards. This blush was not the kind he was used to. It wasn’t the rabid fangirl blush he often got in Piltover, nor was it one of embarrassment. Rather it seemed to be one of appreciation, making him wonder how much praise she got in her life.
“Your flattery will get you nowhere with me.” she counters sternly but without the fire of before.
“Heh. was worth a shot can’t blame a guy for trying his luck with a cute girl,” he remarked with a wink
“Don’t make me regret saving you,” she warned playfully a smile on her lips.
He held his good hand up in surrender this time without hurting himself. “Alright, alright I give,” he said yielding a cheeky smile upon his lips.
Kai’sa simply shook her head rolling her eyes at his response, a knowing look but said nothing. If anything she seemed to be enjoying his company something few people did. It only further illustrated how lonely she was to him to enjoy his company of all things.
The silence did not last however as a thought came to his mind, exiting his mouth before he could stop himself. “For the record though.” he began regaining her attention “I’ve never actually gone out with anyone,” he explained
This caused a Cheshire smile to form on the woman’s lips a playful glint in her eyes. “Oh?” she began her voice dripping with dry sarcasm. “I would have thought someone with your taste in charm would have little girls crawling all over you,” she remarked.
‘Alright I had that one coming.’ he remarked silently realizing he had been had.
“Ha, ha.” he laughed humorlessly with a roll of his eyes. As a matter of fact, I don’t have girls crawling all over me. Closest I ever got with a girl was falling into a lady’s bath at a brothel in Zuan.” he explained.
Almost immediately he wanted to slap himself for when he realized what he had said aloud he cheeks went red as a tomato. At the same time, a look of disgust crossed Kai'sa’s face as she looked away as though she wanted to be anywhere but with him. clearly unimpressed by his statement no doubt losing any respect he might have gained.
“Oh, that must have been exciting.” she remarked coldly, “I am sure she appreciated that.”
Recovering quickly he shrugged nonchalantly “Ehhh I wouldn’t say that considering I brought half the ceiling down with me after I went through the roof. She was even less appreciative when her client screamed bloody murder and left without paying her, and more so when I was chased out by the bouncer.” he explained in a matter of fact way
Her brow raised at this her mouth opening a question clear on her lips but no words left her lips.
“told you I had some crazy stories,” he remarked, smirking.
“Clearly,” she returned breaking from her stupor a moment later sounding very confused.
“I suppose I miss judged you a bit.” she confessed, “I suppose it’s true you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover… or in this case, the story till you hear it.”
Ezreal laughed at this raining his good arm to rub the back of his head. “Ya that wasn’t one of my proudest moments,” he confessed and in truth, it wasn’t. How was he supposed to know that his gauntlet would teleport by itself when the crystal was struck with a runic rifle blast.
“Though you would have to hear the while thig first though to make sure you’re not judging it unfairly.”
Kai'sa shrugged at this “I suppose so.” she remarked before looking out at the night, “it’s not like either of us are in any condition to do anything right now anyway. I used up way too much stamina in the battle.” she complained before looking back at him with lackadaisical expression.
“I suppose listening to the pointless stories of an over eccentric teenager playing adventurer. Will help me pass the time,” she added broadly.
Ezreal couldn’t help but smile ear to ear at this finally having an audience after weeks alone in the desert to regale with his stories. It had felt like a lifetime since he talked to anyone about anything fun. And as much as he enjoyed exploring to get his name out there so his parents would come to find him adventuring was really lonely work.
“Well in that case it all started when I was looking for a relic that was stolen from my uncle, that supposedly was in this old shop in piltover-”
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Kai'sa felt like her skin would split from pain as she laughed at the story. “He really said that?” she asked between labored breaths.
“Yupe he said that.” he returned trying to get his own laughing under control, that was before he tried taking a swing at me.” he further explained between laughed.
“How was I supposed to know the whole time his relic was a fake the whole time. At least I told the police that the thief switched it for a fake so he could save face, the guy should be thanking me. And instead, he thinks I stole it for myself.”
“That wasn’t very nice of him, especially after you went through all that trouble,” she remarked doing her best to stifle her laughter.
“I know right.” he agreed happily. “I go all over two city’s for that thing over the course of three days, ruined another jack and a pair of boots. Nearly gett attacked by some bounce, two gangs. And all for a relic that was fake.”
When I explained it to the sheriff lady minus the fake part she thought I was making it up and almost arrested me for lying to an officer…. Or she would have till I proved my story was true. Oh boy, the look on her face, when she realized my whole story was true, was priceless.” he explained chuckling at his own story humored by the whole thing.
She to felt herself chuckle at his statement holding a hand up to her lips to stifle a laugh unable to believe how the night had gone.
when she had first met the boy she had saved him partly so she could kill the void he attracted. When he rescued him from the ruins a second time it was because he came back for her instead of abandoning her to her fate, as well as it was just the right thing to do In both cases she did not expect the follow-up.
She never expected him to return to fight by her side as he did. And when she carried him to safety after he got hurt she wasn’t expecting to have a social with him.
Yet as the boy Ezreal continued his wild story which by his own words “was so crazy you couldn’t make it up, she was left wondering when the last time she actually sat down and talked to someone was. Someone who wasn’t trying to kill her.
“Honestly, he reminds me of that girl, fearless, a bit reckless, curious of new things or things she doesn’t understand.’
‘It’s been so long since I talked to someone who didn’t run away from me in terror. In fact, I think this is the longest conversation I’ve had with someone since my village was destroyed. Most people are too scared of me to talk or just want me dead. This boy is different than most.
‘he’s either fearless or just doesn’t have enough common sense to stay away.’
Despite the words being insulting in context, she did not mean them so. In truth she was grateful. It had been so long since she talked to anyone remotely close to her age that wasn’t trying to kill her or run away from her. It was something that despite her mission she was going to enjoy for as long as she could, for there was no telling when the next opportunity to commune with someone who treated her like a person would come. If it ever did.
‘He may be arrogant, reckless, and a bit self-important, but he’s an honest soul. I can respect that.
“You listening?”
Immediately she was snapped from her thoughts by the sudden statement. Before her Ezreal stood with a bowl outstretched around the fire. A worried look crossed his normally Cheshire face catching her off guard seeing his bravado lowered as it was.
“Sorry I wasn’t thinking, just thinking about checking the ruins for any stragglers,” she asked maintaining even tones not betraying the surprise she felt
Ezreal blinked in his worry fading somewhat, but still retained a spark of concern. “I was just asking if you wear hungry,” he said again.
“You practically had to carry me out of those ruins after finishing off those things, that couldn’t have been easy so I thought id be nice and share it’s the least I can do after all.”
Kai’sa looked down at the bowl in shock It had been years since she had been shown such levels of kindness. To be offered such a boon, along with such a company that did not run or curse her name was… different. She was not sure how to explain it other than different as few gave her this chance.
So with a grateful smile, she nodded accepting the bowl with a mixture of gladness and trepidation muttering a thank you as she did so.
Once he accepted her thanks he sat down and began to eat his own food with gusto, or as much gusto as he cradled a bow in his lap while using his left hand to eat with. A task that seemed difficult for him as a few minor spills seemed to show.
She watched him eat for a few minutes with a scrutinizing gaze. While he had shown no hostility before it wasn’t the first time someone had tried to poison her.
Looking at it she cringed at the black-colored solution, whether it be from the light or because of poor cooking she couldn’t say. Stirring her bowl did not reveal much aside from a floating mess of different shaped cut lumps of things in various colors, though it was hard to say exactly what in the light.
Bringing the bowl to her face feeling the heat on her skin she smelled it several times, almost immediately regretting the action. While it didn’t smell bad per se it did not smell good, it smelled heavily of things like salt, cured meats, preserved fruits or vegetables, and a host of other things. It also smelled heavily of things like pepper or other spices she couldn’t name. Likely in an effort to make up for poor quality ingredients or taste.
All in all, though she didn’t smell any poison, now did her skill pull in any way that indicated that there might be something harmful. In fact, her skin had been relatively tame since the attack ended.
Looking across from her she could see Ezreal cringing with each bite making it clear that the food was… edible, but not great by any means.
‘I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me, he is an adventurer on a long journey alone. He’s probably more concerned with the shelf life of a product rather than its palatability.
With this in mind, she began to eat wordlessly, not even cringing at the taste the void having taken much of her senes of taste away over the years leaving her unable to enjoy her meal as others would., but she observed before it was warm as well as filling. And right now that was enough.
For a time the pair ate in silence neither one speaking both just enjoying the food. The silence was so comfortable that for a moment Kai’sa forgot that she was a loner due to her condition. In fact, she would argue that she felt oddly normal for once.
While she did have moments where she felt normal even with her condition it was impossible to never feel normal. It was rare for her to feel normal in the company of another, not only had the boy taken no apparent interest in her condition, he talked to her as though she was just another face in the crowd, even offering her some of his own food in thanks for saving him. It just felt nice to not feel
It did not last though, for as soon as Ezreal finished his food he turned his attention to her once again a question on his lips.
“So what do you want?” he asked suddenly catching her off guard.
“I’m sorry?” she remarked
“What do you want?” he repeated as though what he was saying wear obvious. “You know as your reward. I know you want one.”
This statement surprised her, unable to remember requesting a reward. Even taking a moment to think back at her past interactions with him afraid she had given him the impression that she wanted something in return for saving him. But nothing came to mind, the only thing that came to mind was her saving his life or offering to bring him to safety after he broke his arm. But beyond that, she could think of nothing that implied she wanted monetary returns for her effort.
“I don’t,” she responded simply unsure what else to say on the matter.
“Oh come on,” he remarked with a wave of his hand a few drops falling off his spoon. “You just saved a Piltover archeologist, even someone out of the loop could guess I was from Piltover and that I have access to money,” he explained casually with more than a little mirth in his voice.
Ezreal then let out a tired sigh shrugging at his own words his body posture growing ragged as though he suddenly gained ten years, “the price of living in Piltover, everyone thinks you have all the money in the world. Especially with my reputation” he added sounding almost reluctant.
“Heh, heck just last week I was in a village and these two guys physically fought each other to help me hoping for my money.” continued. “It’s why I go by a false name whenever I travel now, just so people can leave me alone.
Her eyes went wide at these statements, till now she had known Ezreal to be largely a respectful person if a bit arrogant and childish. But to hear him break himself down like this was eye-opening.
She had on occasion seen city folk, rich folk, most from afar though some more close up… not that many of them knew it. It was hard not to the way they flaunted their wealth.
But in all the times she had seen them they had almost always been fat from gluttony, or overflowing with jewels, fine clothes, and whatever other embellishment she could think of, as well as a few she couldn’t. This was probably the first time she could honestly say she saw someone who claimed to be of the upper crust of the word act humble.
While Ezreal was by no means humble in any loose stretch of the word being too egotistical for that. This was the first time she saw a semblance of humility from someone like him.
Still, the expectant look on his face told her he was waiting for an answer.
“No. no I don’t want anything,” she answered calmly not wishing to reveal anything she had just thought about. “There is nothing I want from you.”
It was Ezreals turn to look surprised as he processed her answer.
“Nothing?” he asked in disbelief. “Piff, nobody wants nothing. Everyone want’s something that free.” he countered a fact she could exactly argue. So instead she tried a different tact.
“Do you have the means to wipe the void from this realm ever more so that I may end my hunt in peace,” she asked tactfully already knowing the answer. For if such a thing existed it would have already been used or destroyed.
As predicted Ezreal said nothing, instead just looking away seemingly embarrassed.
It made her heart sink to dash his attitude the way she did but she wasn’t going to lie to him or ask for something she didn’t want or need to make him feel better.
She could survive on the void so she did not need food. Her skin was now as steel so she had little need for armor or clothes in general unless she was trying to blend in. No one in Shurima would sell her anything so had little use for money. And she wasn’t going to carry about bobbles or trinkets that had no use on her eternal hunt.
Put simply there was nothing he had she could possibly want. Save for a means to stopping the void once and for all their was nothing else she wanted.
Ezreal however did not say silent long as he raised a hand to his head letting out a loud groan. “Ah man, my mom is going to have my head if she finds out a nice girl saved me and I didn’t repay her somehow.” he bemoaned comically.
This caused Kai’sa to chuckle in amusement the boy being a surprising bright spot in the depressing desert.
“She must be a good woman than to have taught you such morals,” she remarked kindly.
Her words caused the boy to perk up in recognition a bright smile once more on his face. “Ya she is!” he remarked lowering his arm. “She and my father are the reason I am out here.”
This last comment piqued her curiosity as her brow raised once more, “oh?” she vocalized in interest urging him to go on.
“Yup!” he exclaimed cheerfully.
“See they’re always gone on expeditions like this one I am on right now. Going all over the world for historical information or things to bring back to the museum in Piltover. But they don’t come back home too often. So when I was old enough I went after them to see them when they were late back from an expedition. I didn’t find them mind you as they were already gone by the time I arrived. So going back home I decided Instead of searching for them that I would become so famous they would search for me and find me at the home I am planning on getting for the three of us!”
The story seemed to leave him out of breath, but his expression was the happiest he had been all night, showing just how much he cared for the subject along with every detail.
Listening to his tale left her interested, and if she was being honest sympathy. It intrigued her the blond was less self-absorbed than just self-motivated. His whole goal in being in such a dangerous place was to get his parents loving attention, attention they clearly failed to give him growing up.
‘Is Piltover society so disjointed the children are encouraged to impress their parents just to receive something as basic as loving attention.’ wondering in silence the mear notion frightening her.
Thinning better of it she said nothing deciding it best to let the boy think what he wanted for the time being. Lest she risks upsetting to the point of running off wear he could be killed.
“So I really can’t offer you anything?” he asked again curiously a hopeful look on his face, freeing her from her thoughts.
She resisted an annoyed sigh not enjoying repeating herself. But she could not find fault in his actions either. He simply wanted to thank her for saving his life in her own way. The way he looked at her even tempted her to say yes just to make him happy.
But no she would not budge or ask of anything from him, it just wasn’t her way.
“No I will not take anything from you,” she said making his hopefully expression wilt.
“you have provided me with food and welcoming company in this most inhospitable of places, this is more than enough. Besides the journey to the nearest village is long you may yet save my life in the coming days till you are brought to safety,” she said her voice low, calm, trying to get him to understand, adding the bit at the end hoping it would make him feel better.
Unfortunately, it did not seem to work as he frowned at her words, a defeated sigh leaving his lips.
She felt bad she truly did but she did not have time to feel when it came to protecting her home from the void. Much less weight to carry around something for his peace of mind that could become corrupted or destroyed.
Thankful for her own peace of mind he did not stay down for long as a now-familiar lopsided grin found its way to her face.
“Alright, alright if you insist,” Ezreal said finally admitting defeat.
It was then the boy smiled making her begin to worry recognizing the look. It was the kind someone got when they got an idea in their head they knew the other person likely would agree with. Yet she had little time to stop him when he made his thoughts known to her.
“Buuut!” if you ever get tired of all this sand feel free to stop by my place if you are ever in Piltover. My parents are not using it right now and I’m at the museum more than not so feel free to crash there…. Just not literally I saw what you did to that door.” he said playfully.
For a moment she just sat there looking at the boy dumbfounded. Almost wondered if even heard what he was saying, or what she had told him. As the boy was practically asking if she wanted to sleep at his place. Though as she noticed the boy’s expression he likely knew what he was saying, no doubt doing it as a joke for his own amusement for turning him down.
“Your impossible,” she muttered with a shake of her head.
“Eh I know but that’s why the ladies love me.”
“Besides what can I say you saved my life and your offering to guild me to say, I’m just trying to repay my debt to a cute girl since you don’t want anything. Also, I didn’t hear you say no.”
The flirt once more made her cheeks redden slightly. She could not remember the last time someone had called her cute, unsure if even her parents had used the term with her. With most people using less flattering terms like monster or demon she could not hide the redness she felt at someone even someone she had just met using such forms of flattery.
“Ahhh see the girl likes me as I knew she did,” Ezreal remarked arrogantly.
“Oh shut up or I will feed you to the void.” she threatened as her cheeks darkened.
Though they both knew she wouldn’t as despite her words she enjoyed someone finally treating her normally. Even if he was an arrogant little git.