to rebuild—1
y’all want some slow burn sevika and shoola?
summary: now a prominent leader of zaun and a representative for the community, sevika sits at the council, aided by a seasoned member.
chapter 2
heavy steps thudding, sevika makes her way toward the chair designated for her, onlookers’ sights heated at her appearance and inclusion in the rebuilt council. all sights except for one. settling into her seat with a responding piercing stare to the judgement, sevika’s right arm rests on the table, posture leaning slightly forward as she quietly takes in the others.
sevika’s dark gray eyes flit to a more familiar figure and narrow in a mere analytic manner. she had stood beside this individual at the funeral, solemn introductions made after the event had dwindled. the feel of the other’s golden claws are still felt on her palm, their handshake having been firm, a lingering motion made by both parties as a silent understanding spoke through the touch.
facing her new counterparts, shoola returns their pointed looks, a look of distaste blanketing her expression. after all that was done–joint efforts made to bring down the forces that threatened both zaun and piltover–individuals can still find it in themselves to look down on zaunites. if she had the power, she would deny the addition of such people, prompting a seat on the council if a bias is dismissed and a leveled mindset could be put forth.
because that is what is needed. yet here they all sit, ready to continue a vile cycle that has done nothing but further divide a once united society.
amid the first meeting of the renewed council, as expected, sevika’s words are cut into, demands scoffed at while attitude-filled responses are shot back. fist clenched, sevika’s brown skin heats, frustration building as she sees the obvious barricade made for her requests. her jaw clenches, teeth grinding against each other as she prepares to speak again.
“if i may?” comes shoola’s silvery voice, her two-toned eyes looking at sevika.
sevika remains tense, meeting shoola’s gaze, the stare a stark difference from the others of the council. a slight nod of her head is given.
shoola brings her attention to the rest of the councilors sitting at the table, the adornments on her fingers glinting in the soft rays of sun pouring through the windows. “i don’t think willful ignorance is the right path to take following an event birthed from such an aspect.”
undeterred by the collective reactions to the accusation, shoola maintains an even look on her face. her voice raises in volume as she continues, “removing the factories that border the fissures should not be an abstract idea that brings all of you to disrespect a fellow member of the council; you are not here to fight against sevika’s wishes or ignore them, you are here to listen, learn, and aid the individuals, the families, the lives of zaun.”
“councilor shoola, with all due respect, the removal of the factories would pose a massive loss for those who depend on jobs for their families and their lives,” is a response.
shoola is reminded of her own words that reflected the response just given, but ultimately, people cannot be sacrificed to support another–there is a way to support both, there has to be.
“with such an obstacle, being named the “city of progress” should be an embarrassment if we cannot even move forward to ensure our counterparts are safe and healthy,” shoola places her words with a firm force, holding eye contact with each individual sitting at the table. she looks at sevika lastly, face softening as she does. “do you have anything else to bring forward, councilor sevika?”
sevika points her words to shoola only, purposely ignoring the others, “all good for now. how fast can we get the supplies to start repairs?”
“as soon as they are needed,” shoola responds.
examining her fellow councilor for a moment, sevika holds a smidge of approval for the other, yet keeps a controlled expression. she relaxes slightly in her chair, right index finger tapping with an aura of impatience as she has to sit through the rest of the meeting, listening to the topics with half a mind. when there is input from shoola, sevika looks her way, taking in her mannerisms that flow with grace, the sound of her claw adornments tapping the table as she makes a point settling into her mind. when any other councilor speaks, sevika lets out a tired exhale.
a sharp breath is taken as she settles back into reality once realizing ending statements are made and the impending end to the meeting is to come.
sevika is the first to stand, chair legs groaning against the floor as the back of her legs push it away. concern bubbles inside of her thinking about isha and jinx still in recovery even though she is sure vi hasn’t left either of their sides. fuck, she thinks, get me anywhere but here. she can’t stand the demeanor the council holds, can’t fucking stand it. but she would endure worse if it meant aiding zaun and rebuilding it. heels hurriedly click behind her but her mind is focused on the young ones back home.
hints of that familiar amber aroma makes sevika side-eye her right side, a gold claw coming into view.
“have you taken a look at your office?” shoola questions, falling in step with sevika.
fully turning her head, sevika quirks her brow, eyes following the shape of shoola’s face plate before darting to her lips then settling on her gaze. “i haven’t.”
the mechanism of the door lightly chitters as the grand structure begins to open, letting the two individuals pass through. shoola guides the direction to the right, the long corridor holding various rooms in a simple pattern. it is quiet between the two as they walk together, having yet to move past a formidable barrier established simply from places of origin. sevika holds a deep-seated hatred for piltover, their forces onto zaun too embedded in her memory; for shoola, no bold sentiments can be made for the sibling society.
“what sits at the council,” shoola starts, “have only a quarter of the minds of who filled the seats before.”
“must have been small minds,” sevika slyly retorts, casting a glance toward shoola. “that what usually happened if anyone tried to get to zaun? a bunch of irrelevant responses and excuses?”
shoola accepts the shots taken. “usually, yes. and motions could have been fought against harder.” she focuses the guilt on herself.
sevika huffs, shaking her head, movement in her jaw evident. “so what? takes a war to change your mind?”
“not a war–weakened hands and figures. mel would’ve stood along my thoughts. it is the majority that would’ve opposed.” shoola slows, reaching out to halt sevika’s agitation-fueled march, finger jewelry skimming the exposed skin on her bicep. “though i do think actions would’ve served better than to simply accept battered down propositions.” she opens the door to a clearly unused space, a sleight of hand bringing the key from her person to the slot.
her trek slow and cautious into the room, sevika surveys the area. calculated steps lead her to the desk, a chair with a different structure from those in the main council room tucked under it. sevika brushes her fingertips along the desk, the mineral cool under her touch while she studies the shaped stone. shoola stays near the entrance, still clutching the key to the room; she is kept in sevika’s peripheral at all times.
“any supplies that you need, make it known and i’ll put it in place for you–”
“this part of a plan?” sevika’s voice is gruff, coated with suspicion.
shoola’s head tilts as she narrows her eyes. “i’m sorry?”
sevika rounds the table and grips the back of the chair. “get one of the councilors to close in. do a couple of favors. then what?” her lips downturn, watching shoola walk closer, the sound of her heels echoing throughout the room. the darkened gray sights follow the motion of shoola’s hand setting down the key on the table then keeping it under her index and middle fingers as she slides it to the other side of the mineral desk.
“then what?” shoola repeats, voice remaining gentle. “i have no reason to hold contempt for you. i am only your equal, prepared to aid you and zaun. if you want to do this alone, i can step aside; but the road here had enough obstacles, there shouldn’t be anymore.” she lifts her fingers off the key.
sevika looks at the key then back to shoola, ruminating on her words. she’d be lying to herself if she thought she didn’t have to have at least one ally for this line of work–a primary caretaker of zaun. vander had grayson. silco had marcus. though the power scales have altered a bit, it is still a significant factor in the relationship between the societies.
seeing that sevika needs time to think, shoola backs up from the table and starts heading toward the door. her direction changes at the last moment, bringing her to one of the pneumatic tubes, her left index finger tapping the mechanism. “anything you need.”
then sevika is alone in her office.