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Mel nursed her wine, watching her own reflection ripple in the cup. The Progress Day after-party boasted Piltover’s most powerful families, and representatives from far and wide.
Jayce had presented a scaled down prototype of the Hexgates earlier that day, and the guests were enthralled. A small crowd had formed around him as soon as he entered the ballroom. They’d keep him tied up all night with questions. He held his own admirably though, with Cassandra Kiramman occasionally running interference. Mel was proud of him. But.. She was uninterested in mingling with the guests tonight.
Mel wasn’t sure when it started, but the greed had started to bother her. Jayce and Viktor were creating a miracle. It irked her whenever some pampered noble saw it as some trick that would conjure gold into their pockets. Well, nevermind that she may have thought that way once... But she could see how much higher Viktor and Jayce were aiming now.
Jayce still didn’t recognize the hunger in their eyes. He would, someday. The construction of the Hexgates had already begun, and powerful people in every corner of Runeterra would clamor hungrily for a piece of Jayce and Viktor’s brilliance. She made a silent vow to protect them from the vultures, as much as she could.
Tonight though, she was tired of the squawking. She drifted to the fringes of the gathering, and sipped at her drink. She eyed the room, and found someone else on the margins of the ballroom with her, someone who was a rare sight at these events. She took a sip of wine, put on her best “Councilor” smile, and approached.
“I didn’t take you for a wallflower, Councilor Medarda.”
Viktor was seated on a chaise at the edge of the ballroom, absorbed in his notebook, considering far more important problems than who thought what about the Kiramman’s décor. He spared her a glance, looking up over the rims of his reading glasses.
“I sincerely hope you didn’t make come over to request a dance.” He continued.
His tone was dry but carried an edge of humor. Good, it wasn't a rejection.
“Just looking for some conversation, although I wouldn’t say no, if you happened to be offering?”
“I leave the performances to Jayce.”
She sat on the chaise beside him.
“I’m quite pleased you made it this evening, Viktor.”
“Is that so? All these guild-leaders and highborns surely make more interesting company than myself.”
“You’d be quite mistaken. I shall take ill,” She said, with a little drama, “if I hear another word about the particulars of managing a dunpor ranch, or have to smile through another overlong monologue about this or that inspired choice in one's favorite song of one's favorite opera.”
Viktor cocked an eyebrow at her.
“And so you are dying to hear about the finer points of runic displacement?”
“Try me.”
And so he would, but first, a little level-setting.
“I’m sure you’ve studied the patent documentation for the Hexgates,”
“Of course.” She answered.
“And you are familiar with our publications and design documents.”
“I keep up-to-date, yes.”
“And you’ve read our theories on how the Hexgates will allow long distance travel by enhancing hex crystals with the properties of several runes,”
And she truly had. Mel surprised Viktor. He’d expected her eyes to start glazing over as soon as began to explain how the runes worked. That was usually as far as people got. But she stayed with him, interested and engaged. By the time twenty minutes passed, he was convinced she wasn't faking.
They remained engaged throughout the night. Mel even managed to wave down a glass of wine for him and get Viktor to take a few sips. By the end of the evening, Viktor was practically giving a lecture for Mel, who followed with genuine interest and questions. She was sharp and analytical. Perhaps in another life she would have been a fine academic.
The guests finally began to disperse towards the end of the evening, and Mel spied Elora waiting for her near the doors, brimming with good gossip and intel about tonight’s guests.
“Well, Mister Viktor. It's genuinely been a pleasure. A shame you don't join us more often for these gatherings.”
“The lab is where I feel most comfortable. But this has been… pleasantly refreshing, councilor.” Viktor admitted.
He placed a gloved hand on her leg, with enough certainty to be considered bold, but without placing his hand anywhere that might be considered too scandalous.
It was Mel’s turn to be surprised. The kind word and touch was her play! She had assumed Viktor didn’t care for these little unspoken arts, but he had a talent for wit, and even charm, she was learning. A politician in another life, maybe. He’d despise that, of course, but she couldn’t deny he had a unique charisma. She placed a hand over his own.
“People might speak, you know.” Her tone was cautious, but her smirk was a playful one.
“Let them speak then, about the councilor and her scientists.” He replied, “Your wine may have given me a taste for mischief.”
“Um...”
Jayce approached the pair, increasingly red about the face and neck. His eyes cut between the two, then down to their hands, then between them again.
“Mister Talis!” Mel cried, pretending not to notice his bewilderment, “You held up well tonight. My apologies for leaving you to fend for yourself for so long.”
She and Viktor stood up, secretly relishing in Jayce's flustered glances.
“Your partner here was filling me in on your research." Mel continued, "Your theories are fascinating.”
“Oh! Um.”
“You must bring him to another one of these gatherings.” She implored, without missing a beat.
“I may allow it, councilor,” Viktor offered, “If you’ll grace us with your presence in the lab from time to time.”
She smiled at Jayce and gave Viktor a mischievous look, an unspoken agreement. This might just become a little pastime of theirs. The look on Jayce’s face at that moment was worth more than gold, and Viktor was enjoying the sight as much as she was.
“You have a deal. I must get going, but congratulations again on the successful showcase today, gentlemen. The city will be abuzz for weeks.”
She strolled away.
“Well, Jayce, you must be tired from rubbing elbows all evening. Back to the lab?”
Jayce finally managed to untangle his tongue.
“Uh, right! Let’s go.”