Lux inclined her head gently. “That would be most helpful, thank you. I do understand it’ll be difficult to learn but I would very much like to try.” A frown crossed her features at the talk of the basement, something told her she absolutely would not like it down there at all. Something about the way he spoke about it, she pushed herself gently to her feet when he spoke and motioned her to follow.

“Ah, I don’t think I’m brave enough right now to ask about your deeds dealing with, well, you know. If only because I’m not sure I have the stomach for it right now.” Her smile while genuine was small as she followed after him. “Could you tell me about before? What did the isles look like before they became like this? They were said to be lovely, I’m going to assume that they’ve changed drastically. Despite still being lovely.”

“I’m fine with sitting on the floor by the way. Or making a nest of pillows and blankets on the floor. It doesn’t bother me over much to sit on the floor. Despite how much it scandalizes my mother. I’m not sure why she’s so against the floor, I’ll be honest. That way you don’t have to go terribly out of your way. I don’t want to be an inconvenience or bother.” She said, softly, picking up her pace to stick close to his side as he walked. Not wanting to get lost in his home, for many reasons.

Snipped | @suikazuraa

Chasing monsters, it’s not her typical job, not like this, but it’s what she’s doing. Deep in the forests of Ionia, well off the beaten path, where magic is the only thing that guides her. This is not the typical type of hunting, not tracking of monsters but it is her, and it is how she does it.

Lux is shocked to come across another person, if only because they are so deep into the wilderness she can’t imagine how he got here. He looks alone, and haggard, tired, sad and maybe like he could use more than a little kindness in his life. It pulls her up short as she looks him over, a smile drawing to her features almost instinctually.

Despite where they are, and despite his look his voice is smooth, calm like the wind, and even. His words are kind, if a bit confused. She can’t help but get the feeling that he is alone, more alone than she’s ever been. The urge to kiss his cheek, to place upon him some sort of affection is ridiculous, but she does it anyway.

The kiss to his cheek is gentle, and he smells like the wilderness, a wild musk about him. If he was confused before she can only imagine he must be beside himself now. The look he’s giving her says she’s correct in her thoughts, but his assessment amuses her. Her laughter bounces off the trees, bright and light and she has to stifle it quickly.

“I’m sorry, you just looked, like you could use some affection. There is nothing wrong, I don’t feel, with kissing a man that bathes in rivers. Should there be? Your way of life explains some things though, why you looked so alone for one.” Her tone is soft, sweet, as she leans back to look at him with a warm smile.

“I am, hunting, something.” Lux looks pensive for a moment before she shrugs gently. “I’m chasing a creature, not my typical job but I couldn’t turn away the village that asked. It’s out of my way, but it’s the right thing to do. They need help, and no one else is willing. I’m likely just a weird one, I get that a lot.” She gives a shrug and another smile before glancing around the forest for a moment.

“Kindness is the first thing you should show everyone, especially those that look like they need it. You looked like you needed it. Tis a strange place to meet someone, can I ask your name stranger? And what you are doing here? I’m Lux, by the way. Luxanna Crownguard.” It seems silly to hold out her hand now, but she does anyway. A handshake is a far step down from a cheek kiss but that isn’t what matters.

Lux is startled, more so than her horse which seems soothed by the paw on his nose. Or was it a hand, or was it both? The last thing she had been expecting was a large bi-pedal black jackal to drop from the rocks above her. Yep, that was definitely the last thing she’d been expecting. Possibly, probably, very likely, if she thought about it maybe she could think of something more radically out of the ordinary but then again perhaps not.

It wasn’t that Lux hadn’t heard of the ascended, because she had, to some degree, she’d just never expected to actually meet one. That was what he was right? She was assuming a lot here, but he was kind and she supposed that’s what mattered. He wasn’t trying to eat her, and she could return kindness with such. She was good at that after all, even if she was somewhere between confused and interested.

“Ah, yes it does seem quite angry right now. A shame considering, I need it to act right for me.” Her smile is gentle, warm as she looks up at him shielding her eyes in the process. “A pleasure to meet you, a divine intervention on your part, I’m Lux, Luxanna Crownguard, and you are?” Lux asks, holding out her hand towards him with a smile still on her face. She doesn’t seem terribly shocked by him, no more than would be normal she supposes. At least she’s trying, and she really is trying. Though a part of her really wants to lean up and pet his ears, she assumes that is considered rude though and thus refrains.

“A guide back to the city and shelter would be a true blessing, thank you very much.”

“I mean you can still show me around if you like? I’ve just been around Piltover quite a few times before. There is a shoe shop that I absolutely adore around here.” Her smile is bright when she glances over at him, but it quickly falters at his assumption. While it’s not a wholly incorrect assumption, she can see how he got it, it’s wildly ludicrous.

She can’t help but laugh at the idea. Ezreal is a good guy, a great guy even, but they are incompatible for many reasons. Least of all is the fact that both have jobs that take them all over the place at all times. It meant they rarely got to see each other as friends, let along anything more than that. But he was, in fact, a very dear friend, and he always would be.

“Well, that’s something I haven’t heard in a long while. My boyfriend? You think I’m dating the one and only Ezreal?” Lux tilts her head gently before looking back at him curiously. “He’s a very dear friend, but I’m afraid I don’t have time for romance, I’m single and it’s with good reason. I’m too busy to dedicate any actual time to a partner, not the sort of time they deserve anyway. Plus, I’m Demacian nobility, so you know how that goes.” She waved her hand dismissively, thankfully she’d managed to wiggle out of most things having to deal with being a Demacian lady thanks to her job. There were times though, where it still followed her around.

“What about you? Lady waiting for you at home?”

“Why do you find it unsatisfactory? Anything I could help better explain? I don’t mind.” She glances up his front at him for a moment before looking back at his pants which are not in fact pants. Lux leans down a bit more, her fingers hovering over his hip area before very lightly brushing along the hard textures. It’s a strange feeling, she’d not expect it to be this firm or rough.

“Like various insect species? Or, a turtle?” Lux sounds amused as she runs her fingers along it, highly interested in this turn of events. “So, you have a hard-outer shell typically? Does it come off at your whimsy? Is that why you’re missing the top part? Or is that half of you always exposed? As an archer it would make sense to some degree I suppose. Still I’d think in battle you’d want something to protect your top half. Perhaps not though, if they don’t get close enough to harm you.”

Lux leans back for a moment, rocking on the balls of her feet as she thinks this new development over. He’s naked, sort of, but more interesting than that is he has something like an exoskeleton. He’s a huminod species with a carapace, which is fascinating.

“Are infants born with one as well? Or do they get theirs over time? Does it grow with you or do you have to shed it?” Lux looks up at him suddenly, her eyes alight with keen interest.

Snipped | @nox-fera

“Oh! Okay, but hurry up!” Lux called her smile brightening even more at the idea of a gift and the strays. Riven had taken well to the strays in the area, and they to her. She always stopped to feed them and had become the cat whisper in no time at all. They really seemed to enjoy her company. It had been surprising at first, that they weren’t scared of her, considering what Riven was.

Lux pulled her head back inside the window and pranced towards her small kitchen. She’d gone ahead and made some little snacks for the two of them. Lux wasn’t the very best cook, but she did try, and she’d picked up on it pretty well. With a lot of help from Janna whom had the patience of a saint when it came to pretty much anything.

She’d taught Lux how to make plenty of neat little snacks, and larger meals. Things that were quick and easy but high in protein and other essentials. That way Lux always had plenty of energy and didn’t have to spend a long time making food. It had become an eternal blessing when Riven had shown up. Even more so when things had gotten a little more serious between the two of them.

Lux squeaked, biting her lower lip as she carried the platters of snacks and bowl of chips into the little living area placing them down on her small coffee table. It was strange to think about, but Lux tried not to worry about it over much. Things would take their course and Lux would do her best to let them.

Though the moment Riven entered the apartment Lux was by her side wrapping her arms around the other woman’s shoulders in a hug. Even if she did have to stand on her tip toes to do so.

“I missed you, what’d you get me?”