“What brings you here?”

“I wanted to come back, I dunno-- why are you here?” 

“Yeah I guess so. Not much really changes in Noxus. It’s all horrible here, "he laughed and patted her head, "anyways- wha’re ya hungry for?”

She couldn’t help but laugh at that. There was truth in it, though-- everything was pretty much always horrible in Noxus. 

“Whatever you wanna make,” she giggled. “I’m not super picky.”

✧☾ ❀;♞ ☽✧ 

    『They’re incredibly mean! 』He replied angrily, fists clenched.『Are you telling me you’ve never seen one? Oh, what a blessed life you must live. Where’re you from that you get such a privilege?  』

     Genji had traveled a bit far from home it seems. His coworkers did love to send him on wild goose chases. This was probably another one of those. He frowned.

“No I don’t think I’ve ever seen one-- but I’ve seen stuff like a raccoon! Probably. I think.” she grinned. “I was born in the Voodoo Lands, there isn’t a whole lot of anything out there, really. I’ve traveled around Runeterra a lot since then, though-- still haven’t seen what you’re talking about.”

“I guess so- I mean Swain is starting up a new top secret thing, but I doubt he’ll let us in on it,” Kat shrugged.

“Swain? I’d rather not be a part of whatever the hell he’s trying to do. But if that’s the only new thing that’s been going on I guess I really haven’t missed all that much around here, huh?”

@frostflameannie

“The Dark Child returns.”

“I’m not a child anymore!” Annie grumbled, though her annoyance didn’t last for very long. 

“But.. yeah, I’m back.” 

“Oh the usual,” he could sense the hesitation in her voice to tell him, but he didn’t press the matter any further.

“Assassinations, thievery, personal business… the usual.”

“Nothing’s changed?” Annie asked, frowning. Well, not that she expected everything to be insanely different, but it was strange to think that nothing had changed at all since she’d left.

“Well... I guess that’s sorta good, huh? Everything just being the same.” 

“Whatcha thinking about?” Kat tried to smile to the younger girl, attempting to make conversation while she stayed at the manor. He was sure Talon was looming in the shadows somewhere as well.

Annie shrugged. “Stuff.” She’d rather not talk about all the memories crowding her mind. Not right now, anyways.

“So.. uh, what’ve you been up to?” 

“Yeah you mastered fire but what about the other elements? Master ice next, it’s very important. Helpful when making ice packs.”

“Oh, I’m sorry-- is fire not enough?” She muttered. “I know the basics of other magics, fire is just.. my main thing, I guess. Also what the hell was that about ice packs? Is that really the most useful thing you can think of when it comes to ice magic?”

Kha’Zix did not bother with a response, approach the smaller being with but a pair of steps to bring his chitinous brow against he shoulder, antennae flicking and twitching furiously in and and every direction they could, not trusting the sensory deception that could arise over distance. His spike racks hovered dangerously close to the fire mage’s face as he investigated her, the tip only barely missing the end of her nose, easily capable of hewing the delicate flesh open.

A scythe raised, moving with utmost precision to maneuver the coarse, downright uncomfortable fur that dotted his body into position against Annie’s own body, probing for telling aspects that only a hyper aware super-predator–or perhaps a particularly perceptive lover–would ever have taken note of. The faintest ideas of scars the young woman accrued through her decidedly dangerous interactions with the world, be they lumbering, primordial dragonic forces that had been stumbled upon by accident or simple kitchen accidents.

Had even one been out of place, had the reek of her human magic not been so identical to what the extraplanar hunter remembered with nigh-on perfect clarity, had her response not been so entirely expected in its surprise and discomfort, she would be reduced to a deluge of gore for the imposter that she was.

Yet here she stand, in the flesh. The Reaver drew back when his investigations finally completed, and his brow adopted an uncomfortable, unnatural and uncanny crook.

“You are so unintelligent, Mah’Augi,” he said, his tone a butchered mockery of the one she had used to reprimand a similar disappearance of his own so long ago, though the words used were callous by comparison, clearly demonstrating that his linguistic aptitude had not changed since their last meeting.

“Kha, I-- “ Whatever she might have said was cut off as he stepped closer to her, then started... well, doing his thing. She knew he was different. Processing information in a way she couldn’t really understand, but didn’t question. Even when he came dangerously close to slicing her nose open or rubbed up against her with the worlds most uncomfortable feeling fur. 

She winced, but didn’t complain. Then he finally stopped and backed away, but before she could speak up he cut her off with his own words. She stared at him blankly, barely registering them. She’d meant what she’d said to him all that time ago, about him being completely stupid for running off like that without warning.

Then she’d gone and done the exact same thing, and she knew he was right. Even if it was merely meant as an imitation, it was right. something inside her stirred, a feeling of loss and desperation that had driven her to leave in the first place. A feeling of deep sadness. 

She forced herself to smile, even though tears were welling up in her eyes. 

“Yeah, I really am, aren’t I?” she said, voice wavering. Silence fell between the two for a few moments afterwards. 

“I’m sorry.” 

✧☾ ❀;♞ ☽✧

     『Oh. Right. They’re pretty much fluffy-tailed overgrown rats with sharp claws. They’re also pretty much not afraid of anything. Did i mention that I hate them, because I hate them.』

Annie went silent for a few moments, trying to picture what he’d described. All she could think of was Twitch with that kind of description, but she had a feeling that that wasn’t too far off from what he was talking about. 

“I.. think I know what you’re talking about.” she said slowly, looking thoughtful. “I can see why you wouldn’t like them-- are they mean or something too? Or are they just.. trash eating fuzzballs?”

Kat watched her walk ahead of him, passing under one more large gate before a butler answered the door, bowing politely to them both, Kat simply waving and walking inside, “come on- whatcha waiting for?”

Annie had hesitated at the door, wondering for a moment how she could have forgotten all of this. She’d only been gone a couple years! Shaking her head to clear it she turned and followed Kat inside. 

“Sorry-- I was just.. thinking.”

“Then why don’t you travel and find new spells? Become a master of fire? Harder then it sounds but it gives you a reason to get out of bed.”

“Waaaay ahead of you buddy, I mastered fire when I was six years old.” Annie said smugly, lighting a small flame in her palm. “What else you got?”

“You are still young.” He commented on her age. “Then why don’t you pick up a profession? What about being a baker? You can make cakes and such.”

“A baker?” she rolled her eyes. “Sorry, but I sorta have a tendency to burn anything I try and cook.” she shrugged. “The only thing I’m sorta good at cooking-wise is grilling.”

She paused for a few moments. “Besides, I’m a mage.”

“You might not remember where it is, but maybe you’ll remember the layout alittle,” he smiled as the gate opened for the pair, heading up the long walkway.

“Easy for you to say-- I think I might’ve forgotten almost everything about this place.” Still, as they moved closer to the mansion Annie pulled ahead a little, as if starting to recognize more of the surrounding area.

// working on a redesign for anni e

at least clothing wise

“I’m Luke. I work for Noxus, I travel a lot. Not exactly dubbed as a local because of my travels. I’m sorry kid, I just not friend material. Perhaps a school would be better for you? Find kids your age and talk about…… Kid stuff.” He sounded nervous, he was bad with children. 

“Kid stuff?” she repeated, scowling. “I’m not a kid!” She was 18 years old, thank you very much! 

“I’m just trying to be friendly,” she muttered. “Since, y’know, we were talking and stuff. Besides I don’t go to school.”