demacia's bright spark!

luxanna 'lux' crownguard, the lady of luminosity citizen, housed in epsilon, equipped with a stick

[leuchtender123]

Battle On Asks

1. What fighting style does your character employ?

2. How skilled is your character in their specific combat role?

3. What is one of your character’s strengths in combat?

4. What is one of your character’s weaknesses in combat?

5. Does your character employ strategies that are unusual for their class?

6. What is your character’s primary weapon?

7. Does your character use something that is not a traditional weapon when fighting?

8. How likely is your character to engage in combat on their own?

9. How does your character feel about combat?

10. What is the worst combat injury your character could imagine having?

[leuchtender123]

Lux and Garen. Unless you really want to do Lux and Fiona, for potential humor value.

I’ll do Lux and Fiora because a) yes, it’d probably be pretty funny, but also because b) Lux and Garen are siblings and that’s not really my cup of tea. Sorry!

Send me a ship and I'll tell you who:

cries when someone dies in a movie?Lux does, but she’s very adamant about reminding Fiora that she doesn’t cry after every death.

wears the ugly holiday garb?Lux, again. Fiora isn’t exempt from ugly sweater-wearing, though.

pays for the meals?It’s probably a pretty even split between the two. Fiora does it because she doesn’t want to look bad, and Lux does it because— well, that’s just what she does.

slams the oven door/plays the trombone?Fiora plays the trombone because a) it’d be insulting to let Lux take the lead and b) she, for some reason, knows how to play the trombone. Lux just goes along with it.

brings home stray animals?Lux probably does, but there are very few - if any - strays left on Demacia’s streets. If there are, they probably don’t stay on the streets for long.

leaves the bathroom door open?Fiora.

tells the ‘dad’ jokes?Lux is very guilty of this, but she doesn’t make a habit out of it; Fiora doesn’t understand a lot of them and it’s too hard to explain them to her.

wants kids more?Lux, agaaain. They’re both too busy to be looking after kids, though, so it’s probably a thought best kept ‘til later.

travels more?Lux. Her work in the military demands it.

spends more cash?Fiora. She does it to spite her father.

buys the things in infomercials?Lux. For absolutely no reason at all.

draws in the dust on their car(s)?Lux.

starts the snowball fights?Fiora, actually. Lux doesn’t like it because, ironically enough, she tends not to play fair.

throws away directions to things?Neither of them do. Throwing away maps is Ezreal’s thing.

puts up holiday decor?They both do, but only because Lux makes Fiora do it with her.

more likely to forget to bathe?Believe it or not, it’s probably Lux. Missions tend not to have portable bath tubs.

gets more obsessed about things?It’s a tie. They obsess over different things, but they obsess over them all the same.

sings in the shower more often?Lux gets caught singing in the shower, but Fiora probably sings in secret.

[robottiques]

Hiro liked to think he could spot people like this from a million miles away—those who looked upon automatic doors and lightbulbs in awe. So, he was hardly disappointed when through the door came rocketing the young woman he supposed was the intrigued recipient. Therefore he took now to raise his hand, giving a wave as the other limb clutched close a mug of hot chocolate out of which a white cat seemed intent on drinking.

"Over here!" He indicated, lowering his hand only once he’d been sure the other had seen to instead rest atop the head of the cat prowling the table. And, as soon as she had drawn within earshot did Hiro speak, sliding across the expanse of wood a short menu for her to peruse.

"Pretty much everything’s good here. But hey, nice to meet you." Slightly nervous came the smile with which he greeted the other, for meeting new people was not what one might deign his forte. “I’m Hiro. So that makes you Luxa…Luxanna…?”

[leuchtender123]

Lux was taken aback. She expected someone her age - maybe even someone a little older - but Hiro looked at least five or six years her junior. What did the scientists want with children? The thought left a weird taste in her mouth-- a taste she decided she didn't like. 

She tiptoed her way around cat tails and chairs; eventually, she made her way to her seat opposite his. 

"It's nice to meet you, too!" She offered him a hand and a smile. "If it's easier for you, feel free to call me 'Lux'."

So-- to business. "You're really amazing, you know? How'd someone like you manage to reverse engineer the scientists' communication spells?" A beat. "No offence."

[shallowgod-deactivated20150408]

She was glad she hadn’t caused any offence. Luxanna’s query, however, made her pause. “I forgot that not everyone used the same honorific system that we do…” she murmurs to herself.

"I’m sorry for the confusions, its like… Miss, or Mrs. Usually directed to someone older than you or has more experience…. I digress. I will call you just by Luxanna if it bothers you." She bowed her head slightly. 

[leuchtender123]

Lux shook her head. "There's nothing to apologize for!"

"You don't have to worry about being formal with me, either." She waved a hand dismissively. If anything, she was worried that she was the one being a bother. "I'd much rather we were on friendlier terms with each other. Would you be okay with me calling you 'Fujino'?"

[robottiques]

As the days wore on, Hiro came to realize this this city was nothing if not utterly hopeless come a new-arrival’s one month transition into Citizenship. Honestly, the number of texts he’d received addressed to no one in particular beginning with "hwo" and ending with ”???!??” was staggering to behold as he scrolled through his messages, punctuated only now and then by those threads he shared with his friends. So decidedly did he select to put forth a text of his own, thinking that he could stand to prosper from the confusion fair and square (wouldn’t Tadashi be proud).

To: All Contacts From: Hiro H.

[TXT] Hey! So it looks like a lot of people around here have been struggling with/confused by this city's technology. If you're lost: - don't get txtspeak/want a lesson - are still using candles instead of lights - wondering where the people in the glowing box come from - have never taken a selfie - think "wifi" is a snack - can't even figure out how to reply to this  then I'll be at the Myau-Miau cat cafe in Sector oo4 for a couple hours! (Will accept cash/card/or food) Catch ya there!                          -- Hamada Tech

[leuchtender123]

TO: HIRO HAMADA FROM: LUXANNA CROWNGUARD Oh my goodness yes please I'm not sure what kind of communication spell this device uses I can't seem to work it out it's very strange but it's convenient and well-designed I can appreciate that [1/2]

When Lux realized how rude her first message had been, she hurried to send him another.

TO: HIRO HAMADA FROM: LUXANNA CROWNGUARD By the way thank you this is very nice of you [2/2]

She almost bowled the door down on her way into the café. The prospect of learning - albeit about something as trivial as a cellphone - seemed so exciting that she couldn't help herself. 

[shallowgod-deactivated20150408]

"Asagami Fujino. Its nice to meet you, Luxanna-san." She smiled slightly, tilting her head to the side.

"Have you been here long? I’m sorry if I offend you accidentally." A lot of people could take offense easily, and she didn’t want to push the woman in an irritating way. She was simply, mildly curious. And it was better than just sitting here and doing nothing.

[leuchtender123]

"Nice to meet you, too."

Her name sounded vaguely Ionian, Lux thought, but she didn't bother to question it. It'd be rude to assume everyone stuck in the Hive was originally from her own world.

"You haven't offended me, but.." She tucked a few loose strands behind her ear. "'-san'? It's just 'Luxanna'."

[tyrantofnoxus]

A Spark of Hate [Closed @ Lux]

Demacia and Noxus. Two extreme parallels, and two extraordinarily different countries in terms of governance and philosophy. In Demacia there was a place for everyone, and everyone had their place. In Noxus it was a battle of strength and will, for only those who were able to claw their way out of the darkness would be able to survive in their nation. To Runeterra at large Noxus seemed an obvious evil, while Demacia was an obvious good. Of course, this was because they chose to turn a blind eye to the machinations of Demacia, and the very lengths to which they strove to ensure justice was done and all maliciousness was eradicated from the world. Even sending children into battle, all for the “greater good”. At least within Noxus one could take pride in individual accomplishment.

And so it was that within this city, there were still those who wore the Demacian colours, like the girl just up ahead. Blonde of hair and with a familiar bearing… Swain had seen this one on the field of battle before. Next to his hated enemy, Jarvan the Fourth. “So, it seems that the scientists still mean for the feud between our countries to continue in this city, Demacian.”

[leuchtender123]

She, too, recognized his figure. She was sure to remember his battle-worn face. That man - though less man than monster - was her enemy, Demacia's enemy. That man was Noxian.

Her heart pounded at her chest. Lux had been trained to still its beating, but it was understandably difficult to do so now. The sight of him visibly irked her.

“You're--”

Her words stopped at her throat. Composure, it seemed, was failing her. Something about this man was unsettling her, but she wouldn't allow herself to be intimidated by him.

“Our--.. Our country stands strong through many trials against the threat of chaos and desolation.” She balled her hands at her sides. “We will overcome your people here as we have across Valoran.”

[shallowgod-deactivated20150408]

"Indeed, usually the place is burning." She murmured quietly, tilting her head slightly towards the unfamiliar voice.

"I’ve been to too many of these to truly enjoy it." She noted the tone of voice the other was using, slightly strained and probably accompanied by a fake smile, forced. She knew enough of other’s reactions to emotions.

"Are you alright? Perhaps you need to step out?" She couldn’t figure what the other’s problem was, however. It would be nice to know, so she could help. Perhaps even offer advice. But then again, she wasn’t the best to come to with problems like that, when she barely had emotions herself.   

[leuchtender123]

“Huh? Oh-- of course! I'm fine.”

Lux paused, her lips steady. Maybe she'd been to too many gatherings to enjoy them, too. She used to flourish in the company of others. What changed?

For a brief instance, there was perhaps a flash of something in her face. It was gone as soon as it came, though. Her posture straightened, her chin rose, and she smiled. She smiled genuinely; she smiled truly.

“Never mind that, though! I'm being rude.” She offered her hand. “Luxanna Crownguard. Sorry to bother you.”

[lycaning]

”Looking on the bright side? If that was the case then everyone here should be striving to find a way out of this city, no matter how impossible it may seem. Instead, all I’ve seen here is wanton perversion, people dropping their candies for no reason, kissing galore just and a damned ball. This isn’t looking on the bright side.This is foolishness.”

[leuchtender123]

“Everyone has their own way with dealing with-- well, you know.”

She pursed her lips. Lux still had yet to come to terms with their predicament.

“I'll admit it's not the best solution, but it's better than nothing.”

[shallowgod-deactivated20150408]

leuchtender

[shallowgod-deactivated20150408]

She was standing still near the wall, letting her body recover from the dance she last had. Having been trained in dancing like this, she had been able to let her body ‘feel’ its way around without hurting herself or her partner much. She had stepped on him a few times, though he hadn’t minded. Which was a good thing.

She let her mind wander, not really paying attention to her surroundings anymore.  

[leuchtender123]

“Not enjoying the festivities?”

Lux combed her fingers through the hair in her fringe, exasperated. Though no stranger to social obligations like these, things were different here. Her friends, her family, her colleagues-- they weren't here. It hurt too much to come to terms with that fact.

“It's wonderful out there, you know.” She smiled, but it was obviously forced. “Stuff like this is hard to come by in a place like this.”

[lycaning]

A ball. These people were quite literally prisoners to a group of madmen, and they’re attending a damned ball.

”.. I’ll never understand these idiots.”

[leuchtender123]

“We're making the best of what we have--”

“-- and it never hurts to look on the bright side.” Stop being such a negative nancy, Trafalgar.

[mellifluencex]

"Dark?"

"It’s pretty dark in the depths, hun. And why not? I totally bet you there’s gonna be at least canes there!"

[leuchtender123]

“Canes aren't the same as staves. They don't usually have the same magical properties that staves do.”

“It's still a nice outfit, though.”

[mellifluencex]

“I think I’m just about ready for the ball!”

[X]

[leuchtender123]

“Isn't that a bit-- I dunno.. dark for you?”

“And I don't think people take staves to balls.”

[piltoverpowered-blog]

Who needs a map? [[Event 010/Team Allmid]]

ice-born, bladesreflection, leuchtender

Ezreal stumbled a little as the ground suddenly reformed underneath him, but he quickly recovered, glancing around at the unknown area in which he—along with Lux, Riven, and Lissandra, he noted—had been deposited. The three of them looked to be alright, but what were they doing here? And where was here?

Ezreal straightened up, trying to get a good look around. ‘Trying to’ being the key words; it was dark, and the cool, damp air gave Ezreal the feeling that they were underground. How far, he couldn’t tell. There were lights, tiny strings of them embedded into the walls, but they only poked out of the stone on short occasions, providing nowhere near enough light to see properly.

Willing his amulet to glow, he raised his gauntlet above his head, getting a better look of where they were. It was a small room, maybe twenty feet across, with three hallways forming a T going in separate directions. The floor was loose dirt, and there were even some strange-looking mushrooms growing in places where the floor met the walls. The walls themselves were stone, fairly smooth but worn and chipped in places. Age alone wouldn’t do that; there had to be someone—or something—else in this place. As for the ceiling, well, there wasn’t one as far as Ezreal could see, only murky darkness above.

They weren’t in any of the districts; Ezreal crossed that off his list of possibilities right away. This didn’t look like any place he’d seen in the city before, a realization that was both worrying and exciting for the explorer. Sure, strange things going on meant the scientists were up to no good, but here was someplace new, and it looked like it was going to present a real challenge.

Ezreal turned his attention back to the group. Him, Lux, Riven, and Lissandra… Why them? He didn’t mean that in a bad sense, but why had the four of them been dumped in the same area?

"You all alright?"

[glaciaterx]

If there was one thing she’d become familiar with in her stay in this city, it was when their generous hosts were actively changing the environment around them. Though few prizes were offered for such a realisation. She’d touched down on the floor before she’d even had time to hypothesise what might be below.

What a dank place. Lovely. It reminded altogether too much of the ordeal she’d had to go through down in District Alpha, yet this seemed even worse. Less of an industrial sewer, more natural. Why didn’t it surprise her they had something even deeper. The cavern seemed fairly large, and as she adjusted to the temperature, she could make out three different exits.

As well as her companions. The boy wonder, Demacia’s sweetheart and the light of her eyes. Well, almost there. Already it reminded her too much of the Institute.

Ezreal spoke, but before she answered, writing was becoming apparent to her. Ah, they’d even rendered it in a manner she could percieve, how thoughtful.

cout « “experiments:” « “aΓiadne’s thread will lead you from the labyrinth, though not ” « “you alone” « endl;

cout « “experiments: ” « “your lives are “linked”” « endl;

cout « “experiments: ” « “fight your way to the “core” and the answers you seek will be revealed” « endl;

Hm. Not exactly cryptic, though she supposed they wanted a show from at least some of their subjects. Well, a team game then, was it? How lucky for this group in particular.

"I’m quite fine, dear. Though I get the feeling we’d all be aware if one of us was less than perfect.” She glanced around those assembled. “I think we’ve all played one of their games before. Well, almost all of us.” She nodded towards Lux “So I think it’s safe to assume making our way to the core won’t be just a simple matter of walking there. And I have a hunch we all need to make it there, but I don’t quite want to die testing that theory out.

That being said, I think it’s best we disclose exactly what we have gained back from the scientists. Personally I’ve been lucky to receive a fair deal, and only my most taxing or time consuming abilities are unavailable.”

Eurgh, that was entirely too much talking, but best get it out of the way now. She didn’t want to spend a minute longer down here than necessary. After a pause, she placed a hand on Riven’s shoulder as she turned to the exile.

"And are you okay? I was in fact on my way to you as this occurred” 

@bladesreflection

[bladesreflection]

Riven was unfazed. The change in scenery was certainly drastic but it was not the biggest change she had experienced. Though to be surrounded by these people in particular, well, that certainly caused her some worry. It was way too similar to those games she had experienced in the League.

Responding with a nod, she placed her hand over Lissandra’s to reassure. Obviously she wouldn’t be the most popular member of this little group, her affiliation with Noxus made certain of that, but well, at least she was with the woman she fell in love with, that was one thing she had going right for her.

"I’m all right." Entwining their fingers as she let their arms drop to her side, Riven finally turned her attention to Ezreal. "And I hardly think it would hurt to let you know."

"I’ve received my sword back from them, but other than that I suppose they’ve let me regain a fraction of my former abilities." Quite a roundabout way of saying they’re allowing her to hop around for a bit. About thrice daily. Not that she’d share such a weakness with them.

Still, what worried Riven was their final member. The Lady of Luminosity, or so she was called, looked hardly as bright in this darkened cave. Yet, if Lux looked worried at all, she certainly did not let it show on her face. An admirable feat which Riven would have felt proud of, if she didn’t feel so sorry for her.

"And you, Miss Crownguard, how are you faring?"

leuchtender

[leuchtender123]

“I'm-- yeah, I'm okay.”

For the most part. While no stranger to trouble, Lux was the only of the four who had yet to accustom herself to the scientists and the way they employed their control over the city. It left an awful taste in her mouth.

“I've only got this.” She grimaced and held out her stick, her shame. “They've taken my wand and my magic, and I don't think they're planning on giving either back to me anytime soon.”

“The most I can do is-- well, I'd probably be better off showing you all.”

Finally, something she had a little more confidence in. When she talked about magic, her voice regained its usual lilt and enthusiasm. Perhaps it served as a distraction from her troubles.

With a flick of her wrist, she stole from the dim corridors what little light it had to give. She gathered it in her palm to form a ball and, after a moment, let it go. It ebbed a soft glow around them.

“I'm sure you've seen my Lucent Singularity before, but.. this is different. It's a lot weaker than it should be and it probably doesn't do much beyond maybe lighting the way for us. I'm sorry, but I'm--” Her eyes fell. I'm useless, she realized. She almost wanted to cry. I'm useless and me being here only serves as a liability.

piltoverpowered

[bladesreflection]

"You’re being kind of dark right now."

"Besides, like anything else in this place, you simply have to work hard to get it back." Finally, something she could speak about from experience. Her sword was brandished without a second thought as she placed the blade before her.

"See?"

[leuchtender123]

“I still don't understand.”

Lux pinched the edge of Riven's blade and lowered it.

“It doesn't seem right to make someone work for it like this. They stole our weapons and our strength. I would've thought that they'd be the ones indebted to us-- not the other way around.”

[swordofdemacia-blog]

"My men wouldn’t dare question your Brother’s… ahem… ‘coolness’. What’s so ‘uncool’ about embracing my sister? Hmph. I must be old fashioned then…"

Garen blinked. So did the Institute tell her to aid him in his mission then? Did she even know why he was here? 

"As in… Were you abducted? Or did you come of your own will or upon Orders, as I have…?" 

[leuchtender123]

“You were ordered to come here?”

Lux only stared, bewildered. Why was he ordered to participate in the scientists' experiment? What did the higher-ups need from a city like this?

“I was told this was an experiment. The man - er, I think his name was Rima - said I was selected to take part, but I never volunteered..” Her gaze fell. “.. so I suppose I was taken.”

[isuzuruhacentollusia-blog]

   Features once twisted into frustration now melted away, like the ice in her ashen ponytail. In it’s place, a deep flush. Was it really necessary for her to laugh like that—? It almost felt like she was being mocked. Isuzu huffed quietly, waiting impatiently for the blonde’s explosive laughter to die down.

When she extended her hand, Isuzu was hesitant to take it. Honey eyes lingered over the offered hand and back to the girl’s effeminate face, as if she was thinking it over. After a moment, she finally sighed in weary tones, “Alright,” and replied with one firm handshake.

   ”In that case, I’m craving something sweet.”

[leuchtender123]

Lux's smile only grew. She enjoyed Isuzu's reactions - her blush was so endearing! - but she meant no ill-will. Never would she be one to mock another. 

“Hmm.. 'something sweet'?”

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I don't really have anything on me at the moment.” No food, no money, no apartment-- just the clothes on her back and the stick she was given upon arrival. “I'll take a rain check, though. Maybe we can go another time!”