#Shoola

[idkwhatimdoingbutslay]

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH !!!!

This is an appreciation post for the Black voice actors (and any Black artists, animators and employees) that worked on Arcane ✊🏾💪🏿

Black characters that are more than their trauma and oppression. More than what our own society says Black people are. Real representation even if it’s in an alternate universe.

Black people have never been as worthless as we’ve been told we were. Seeing Black characters be voiced by incredibly talented Black people in a massive show like Arcane will always make me feel proud 🫶🏾

#happy Black history month #!!!!!!! #I’ve gotta say #being Black is pretty awesome #ALSO REMINDER #BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS NOT THE ONLY MONTH WE SHOW APPRECIATION AND LOVE TO BLACK PEOPLE #arcane #ekko #mel medarda #ambessa medarda #shoola #sevika #sky young #rare non caitvi post #😭😭 #it’s not caitvi’s day today ok

[blerdsunited]

Shoola from Arcane. #BlackHistoryMonth

#blerdsunited #blerds united #anime #blerdcommunity #blerds #black anime characters #blerd community #black anime #blackanimecharacters #anime aesthetics #shoola #arcane #netflix #blackhistorymonth #black history #black history month #black history 365 #blackhistory365

[embershroud108]

I actually really dig the theory that Shoola is Evelynn in disguise.

They have the same voice actress, and Shoola, very prominently, has Evelynn's claws.

#arcane #league of legends #evelynn #shoola #the council #the claws are probably just an easter egg but it's fun to wildly speculate lol

[moonsdancer]

there are 3 kinds of fan predictions for the fate of mel medarda in the s2 premiere...

all credit to the meljay discord

#mel medarda #jayce talis #arcane #lol memes #cassandra kiramman #shoola #hoskel #salo #viktor arcane #bolbok #shitposting

[desmyblank]

Eeeeeeh, another one based on a fic 👉👈 This one is from chapter 1 of the fic Breaths We Dare To Take, by @void-spells

#jayce #jayce arcane #viktor #viktor arcane #shoola #arcane #cw blood #jayvik #it's Viktor what can you expect #he's fiiiiine #desmyblank #this took A LOT and I'm not doing a background

[chatitajens]

i’m just starting arcane i gotta adopt all the black characters you already know this is FAMILY!

#shoola #mel medarda #ekko #arcane

[space-blue]

Do you have any headcanons/thoughts on the Piltover Council that aren't directly part of the story and/or related to the central characters? The wiki has their names but any actual details are scant, to say the least. How do you think the Councilors get their seats? Jayce was voted in by other Council members and Heimerdinger had been there since the founding, but what about everyone else?

I don't have any super solid headcanon... But I remember thinking, while considering Bolbok and his mysterious people, that Heimer probably founded Piltover to be a 'refuge' away from mages, and that Bolbok or one of his people must have been founding members, alongside at least one clan of humans.

Clan Ferros is surely one of them? They're only name dropped by Mel at the start, and the LoL character Camille is part of it. She's speculated to join in season 2. Clan Ferros reminds Mel that it's through 'their innovations' that she's the richest woman in Piltover (yet the poorest Medarda). So either they're on the council, or they're her direct subordinate house.

But it speaks of what's valued in Piltover. At least at the start. And valued by Heimer too : innovation. Science. Discoveries.

So I feel like everyone who took refuse with Heimer (and Bolbok?) had an inclination for science. The original council was smaller, and expended as houses came to wield more influence and power. At some stage, there clearly was a shift towards business and profit. Progress without end.

As a result I think councilors get their seat through convenience. A majority of members want them around, or they've accumulated enough power to be a disturbing force if they're outside the Council... It became quite political, as Jayce's appointment shows. They clearly don't need a politician, or the head of a house. All they need is someone like Mel to spin a good yarn. Most of the Council is appointing Jayce to cover their ass.

I sadly have no opinions or ideas about the humans on that Council. :/ There's simply too little known about them. Heck we know more about the chembarons who have ONE scene.

I'm especially curious about Shoola, and whether her mechanical collar is a tie to Bolbok's people or not.

#arcane #arcane meta #thanks for the ask! #sadly this is so lore thin #I don't have much to go by #thanks though #arcane council #shoola #mel medarda #heimerdinger #jayce talis #bolbok

[melmedarda]

⸻ COUNCILOR SHOOLA, Arcane | ep 4

#shoola arcane #arcane shoola #more sets of her to come bc i love her design #arcane #arcaneedit #arcane netflix #arcane lol #arcane league of legends #animationedit #netflixedit

[lullabyes22-blog]

Snippet - Forward, but Never Forget/XOXO - Circle of Life

Jinx is a perfect little (gremlin) hostess.

Forward but Never Forget/XOXO

Snippet:

"It's Fissure turmeric," Silco says. "We've a fondness."

"I can see that." Salo snatches up a glass of water. His eyes are streaming. "Most—singular." He blots his forehead with his sleeve. "My, er, compliments." His stare falls on the server behind him. "Where's my wine, boy?!"

"I'll get it!"

Jinx is already rising.  Daddy's little helper—and a thief in plain sight. If Silco isn't careful, she'll abscond with the whole carafe, and leave their party dead-sober.

Nothing bores like a sober Piltie. At least the dead ones don't talk.

Much.

Silco stills Jinx with two fingertips on her wrist.

"Sit," he says. "Finish your soup."

Jinx stops short, and sits demurely. But Silco doesn't miss the quick-draw of her finger across her throat. Not a stay of execution, but a playful shorthand: My good manners are killing me. Silco hides a smile. He’s always enjoyed their private language of give-and-take. Father and daughter, united in a common cause: stirring the pot.

The pot, tonight, is the Councilors' heads.

Sweetly, Jinx says, "How's your pudding, Councilor Salo?"

"Mnf," Salo nods, mouth full. "Delicious. What is the flavor?"

"Blackflower."

"A flower?" He swallows. "What kind?"

"It grows in caves," Jinx chirps. "Blooms every Equinox, with spines that look like teeth." She makes a hypnotic hand gesture, unfurling her tiny fingers in imitation of a spiked maw. "Their sap's lethal. But the cave-wasps use it to feed their larvae. The larvae digest it, then poop out a sweet secretion the color of blood."

"S-Secretion?"

"Yep!" Jinx beams. "It's super versatile. Boil it down and it's a sticky glaze. Ice it and it's sherbet. Add flour and it's cake." She taps her nose with a wink. "Here in Zaun, nothing's a-wasted. We recycle!"

Salo puts down his spoon. "You are joking."

"Nah. There's a whole industry. Blackflower honey. Blackflower liqueur. Blackflower gelato. Although the last bit's more entomophagy than scatology, if you catch my drift?"

"No-o...."

"Larvae, Councilor. Sweet, sweet larvae! We whip 'em into a froth, then drizzle 'em with cave-honey, like so—" She mimics a spiral with her finger, before the gesture morphs into a gun. "—blam!" Salo jerks. "The smoothest scoop of sinfulness in Zaun. Your pudding's made from the same ingredients. So's the stew. Even the vole's stuffed with 'em. That's what we call a circle of life. Am I right?"

"I see," Salo says weakly. "Most, ah, educational." He pushes the dish away. "If you'll excuse me..."

His exodus is swift. A lord ready to pledge allegiance to the porcelain god. The rest of the table marinates in silence.

"Yikes." Jinx pouts her lower-lip and blows a puff of air. Blue strands flutter off her forehead. Her eyes, unveiled, are luminous with mock-contrition. "Guess bugs are a bugbear for this crowd. You were right, Silco. Grilled scorpion would've been a bust for the entrée."

Silco smiles. A smile only Jinx can read. "Some topics, child, are better confined to cookbooks."

"And here I thought I was sharing the knowledge. Whetting the appetite. All that jazz." Her lip protrudes cheerlessly. "Boo."

#arcane league of legends #arcane #arcane silco #silco #forward but never forget/xoxo #forward (never forget)/xoxo #arcane jinx #jinx #arcane salo #arcane council #arcane hoskel #arcane shoola #arcane bolbok #arcane mel medarda #arcane jayce talis #mel medarda #jayce talis #snippet

[art-of-arcane]

ARCANE | Councilor Shoola Texturing | Maéna Paillet

#arcane #arcane shoola #arcane show #arcane series #arcane netflix #arcane lol #lol arcane #arcane league of legends #riot games #fortiche productions #character design #character modeling #concept art #arcane concept art #production art #artstation

[ravenkinnie]

who are your fav background arcane characters??

gimp yordle def gimp yordle

#asks #idk the distinction between background and side characters ngl but also shoola is fine as hell

[mollysunder]

Lunari Heritage in Zaun

This is gonna be a reach, but from the little we've seen of Vi and Jinx's mom and younger Silco, I'd guess they were both from the same ethnic group.

In a place like Zaun, where the people are left with scraps, any piece of jewelry sticks out. Vi's mom and Silco are both wearing similar pieces of jewelry. Silco's bracelet could likely be fitted as a necklace since it twice wraps over his wrist. Neither are wearing anything of high quality, but the necklace and bracelet in their respective pictures seem decently maintained if not worn. That's when I thought, these are probably heirlooms.

In fact they looked pretty similar too, but in smaller scale of the princess's own pendants. I wouldn't bring this up if it weren't for the fact that Piltovans prioritize elaborate art-deco aesthetics, the more elaborately geometric the better (Councilor Shoola). So you would assume even the simplest jewelry would be a square pendant or a straight line. But no, big plain circles, and then I remembered we saw that before, on the princess Ambessa killed. Big bronze circles.

And when we look at young Vi , you notice that she's wearing jewelry too. A simple necklace with a green (it looks green) gem. And I realized that the princess's necklace was also adorned green gems.

I'm pulling from scraps, but it's interesting that small things these Zaunites have to adorn themselves (though not for long with the time skips) are similar versions if not simpler version's of the princess's.

At first I thought this meant that many of the cast were actually of Ionian descent. But then in the Princess's scene a thought kept coming back to me, "Why is Mel wearing purple?". Mel, a skilled diplomat from a young age, typically wears the main colors of the nations she hosts and is hosted by. White for Piltover, Black for Noxus (Ambessa), and always with her signature accents of gold. So if Mel followed her mother to Ionia ,where green is a culturally significant color, why purple? It's because Mel and Ambessa weren't in Ionia, they were in Targon fighting the Lunari.

The Lunari are Rakkor tribal people in the Targonian region who worship the moon, and are persecuted for it by the Solari, the religious order that worships the sun. While technically Mt. Targon is influenced by Mt. Olympus and Greek mythology aesthetic, that's more the case for the Solari. Overtime the Lunari aesthetic has been mixed it's originally nomadic culture with East Asian influences. The prominent colors of the Lunari happen to be turquoise, silver, black and purple. It was such a little thing to remember but it made me see connections I hadn't thought about.

Suddenly everything starts to connect. The bronze coins represent the 3 moons that exist in Arcane's Runeterra. How do we know there are 3 moons, because the Valdiani piece Jinx stole was depicting their planet. In the Valdiani there are 3 orbits circling the Earth, meaning 3 moons (or satelites). Now the engraving on the gold of the princess's necklace makes sense, because it's supposed to resemble the gates at the peak of Mt. Targon. The pendant itself is shaped like the mountain with the gates fitted at the top.

Frankly, it works for the Princess to have been Lunari and waves of descendants of the Lunari to arrive in Piltover and end up in Zaun. In Arcane, Piltover was created as a safe haven to escape the Rune Wars 200 years from the start of the show. Even after the Rune Wars ended the shipping port has likely seen waves of migrant labor and refugees from the ongoing crisis that occur in Runeterra (*cough*Noxus*cough*). It's likely that many of the current generation of Zaunites are of mixed heritage of the various fleeing people's.

It creates a whole new dynamic of the ways in which Piltover's laws, their Ethos, strips the people of Zaun from their identity and reducing them to tools for the mines. Magic is inherently a part of religious ceremonies and religion in general in Runeterra, especially for the Lunari. How do you practice your religion in a place that has banned the means by which it's conducted? There must have been more people like the Lunari who didn't have a problem with their magic, their problem was that they were being persecuted.

The remnants of family keepsakes brought over as communities fled were clung to as best as possible especially as they had to let go of part their spiritual identity. But even that doesn't seem to have lasted either. Vi doesn't keep her necklace, her mother is dead, so lost is her necklace, and we never see Silco wear his bracelet. They could have been stolen, or at best, hidden for safe keeping, maybe Enforcers get suspicious at the hint of mysticism and suddenly they want to talk.

Finally, maybe a little less related, it is interesting how prominent Piltovans and Zaunites take on day and night aspects. The sun shines over Piltover at their best, begins to set at times of uncertainty. While in the cover of night with moon above, the strongest Zaunites strike hardest. One more thing, it is interesting how Arcane's Jinx has taken on darker tones of purple rather than stick with neon pink. I always have to go back and look at a reference to remember that her pants are purple-er than I recall.

Update: I wanted to include that the large doodle Jinx made on her cup actually looks similar to the Lunari's sigil. And the sigil remains on the cup into the timeskip, also the center moon is made smaller within the crescent like in the necklace. I also noticed Jinx's cup later has more violent bomb imagery around it.

#arcane #lunari #zaun #silco #vi arcane #jinx arcane #mel medarda #there's a lot to think about #for everyone including mel #piltover #arcane theory #arcane meta #arcane speculation

[astroesque]

The 27 Yogas: Influence on the Natives

1. Vishkumbha Yoga- these natives are usually very good looking, wins over their enemies, are wealthy, and have support from their family.

2. Preeti Yoga- these natives are popular/well liked, fond of beauty and attracted to beautiful people/things, and enjoys their life with contentment.

3. Ayushman Yoga- these natives live a long and healthy life, have an energetic personality, and are physically strong.

4. Saubhagya Yoga- these natives live an enjoyable and comfortable happy life, are blessed with a great fortune, and are highly attracted to the opposite sex/find beautiful people irresistible.

5. Shobana Yoga- these natives are sensual, have a beautiful body, are more sexual, but are troubled by grief despite having a pure heart.

6. Atiganda Yoga- these natives will live a troubled and difficult life, face various obstacles and accidents, might have a difficult temperament, are truthful, and prone to excessive lust.

7. Sukarman Yoga- these natives will be wealthy, perform great deeds, are compassionate, and charitable.

8. Dhriti Yoga- these natives are wealthy, tends to blame others, interested in other partners, but are patient, healthy, and don’t get worked up easily.

9. Shoola Yoga- these natives are truthful, will experience sharp pains in the body, are religious and interested in religious things, and can be quarrelsome/have an angry disposition.

10. Ganda Yoga- these natives will be very talkative, truthful, may face health problems, may have flawed morals, and physically strong.

11. Vriddhi Yoga- these natives will be very intelligent, heroic, truthful, pure, and their life will get better as they age.

12. Dhruva Yoga- these natives will be persistent and concentrated in their efforts, has a steady and calm nature, are wealthy, but may indulge in sinful deeds.

13. Vyaghata Yoga- these natives will be thievish, unclean in their body, cruel and proud, many enemies, able to multitask, and very talented and skilled in their endeavors.

14. Harshana Yoga- these natives are humorous, intelligent, untruthful, and scholarly.

15. Vajra Yoga- these natives are not charitable, extremely physically strong and wield a lot of physical power, unpredictable, and forceful.

16. Siddhi Yoga- these natives are skillful and accomplished in many areas, are beautiful, may have health problems, are compassionate, and protects and supports others.

17. Vyatapata Yoga- these natives are prone to sudden mishaps, unreliable, anxious, may have a problematic childhood/upbringing but becomes a more fulfilled person later in life.

18. Variyan Yoga- these natives are fond of music and other art forms, can be lazy, may be boastful, and enjoys luxury and an easy life.

19. Parigha Yoga- these natives will be intelligent in many subjects, soft spoken, fickle, irritable, and honorable.

20. Shiva Yoga- these natives will be of chastity, are selfless and charitable, full of wisdom and a pure heart, rise above materialism, are intelligent, and honored by people around them.

21. Siddha Yoga- these natives will be skilllful, have an accommodating and pleasant personality, interested in rituals and spirituality, and will be blessed with a great spouse.

22. Sadhya Yoga- these natives are well behaved, patient, determined, liberal minded, and intelligent.

23. Shubha Yoga- these natives will be extremely fortunate, truthful, have a beautiful body, irritable, may have health issues, and wealthy.

24. Shukla Yoga- these natives are fickle, attractive, truthful, intelligent, have an unsteady and irritable personality, courageous, and impulsive.

25. Brahma Yoga- these natives will be very pure and commendable, trustworthy, ambitious, and have devotion.

26. Indra Yoga- these natives may not live a long life, will be successful, intelligent, wealthy, and will be righteous.

27. Vaidhruti Yoga- these natives will be miserly, fickle, may not get the due credit for their efforts, powerful and overwhelming, have cheerful and a positive personality, and helpful.

DISCLAIMER: These are general predictions so don’t take them too seriously.

#vedic astrology #sidereal astrology #hindu panchang #hindu vedic

[moonsdancer]

mel medarda x jayce talis, (i'm) yours 💝

...and i wasn't trying to melt this heart of iron but the way you hold me makes the old me pass away...

twitter

#meljay #mel medarda #jayce talis #my vid edit #arcane #otp: nothing feels impossible when i'm with you #arcanedaily #honestly i just kind of wanted some fluff #also ppl need to appreciate just how effectively this man melted her heart lmao #with all his oft-goofy good-hearted idealism and kindness #(the lovely muscles and prettier face also helped) #mel GET UP! #so much fic about pple like harold and ofc elora and shoola watching these two being down BAD for each other #and constantly shaking their heads #bc ffs #get yourselves together! #was also playing around with dumb stickers #i'm a sucker for dumb emoji stickers

[thedustybunny]

Chamomile kisses - Chapter 10

Viktor (Arcane) x Fem!Reader

As days passed, (Y/n) delved deeper into her research on the peculiar yellow flower from the Zaun forest. The potential of this discovery was exhilarating, and her mind buzzed with the myriad of possibilities. She tirelessly analyzed the properties of the pollen, noting its vasodilative effects on the human body. This was groundbreaking, not just for herbal medicine but for modern medicine as well. The medicinal applications seemed endless, ranging from treating high blood pressure to addressing heart failure, and who knew what other conditions could benefit from this newfound knowledge.

Yet, amidst this scientific excitement, (Y/n) couldn't help but wonder about Viktor's absence. Had he been avoiding her? Or was he preoccupied with his own work? The uncertainty nagged at her, but she knew her research was crucial, so she pressed on.

As her findings continued to flourish, (Y/n) took a significant step by scheduling a meeting with the council. She hoped to persuade them to allocate resources for a greenhouse at the academy, a space where she could further develop her discoveries and adapt them for various medical applications. It was a bold move, but she believed in the potential of her work to transform the world of medicine.

The day of the meeting had arrived, and (Y/n) stood resolutely before the council members. The faces of Bolbok, Kiramman, Hoskel, Medarda, Salo, Shoola, and Heimerdinger stared back at her, a mix of anticipation and curiosity in their expressions. (Y/n) had garnered considerable support from them in the past, but today she was requesting a substantial increase in funding, a decision that would carry a significant cost.

Viktor, positioned among the onlookers, watched with a cold and unyielding gaze.

Undeterred, (Y/n) began her presentation, outlining the importance and potential impact of her research. She passionately described the vasodilative properties of the Zaun forest flower and how it could revolutionize both herbal and modern medicine. The council listened intently, and as the room gradually settled, Heimerdinger, the most senior council member, voiced his support for (Y/n)'s project.

"I don't see why not to grant this," Heimerdinger said, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Unless anyone has any objections, we will provide the necessary funding."

A spark of joy lit up (Y/n)'s face upon hearing these words. She was so close to achieving her dream, but that dream was suddenly cast into doubt by Viktor's sharp voice. He stood up, taking the opportunity to voice his numerous objections.

Viktor vehemently argued against (Y/n)'s herbal remedies, denouncing them as pseudoscience that had no place within the academy. He claimed that such funding could be better utilized in more worthwhile areas of research, dismissing her work as a stain on true scientific progress.

The atmosphere in the council chamber became tense as Viktor launched into his objections, his words a sharp contrast to Heimerdinger's earlier support.

"You can't seriously be considering funding this nonsense!" Viktor exclaimed, his voice dripping with disdain as he pointed at (Y/n) and her presentation. "Herbal remedies have no place in our pursuit of true scientific advancement. We should be allocating our resources to projects that actually matter."

(Y/n) bristled at Viktor's words, her frustration evident. "Viktor, I've presented evidence of the potential benefits of this research. It could save lives, revolutionize our approach to medicine—"

Viktor interrupted, his tone cutting. "What you're proposing is a waste of valuable resources. We need to focus on technological advancements, not rely on outdated practices."

Council members exchanged glances, some appearing torn by the debate unfolding before them. Hoskel, known for his pragmatism, spoke up, addressing Viktor. "While we appreciate your perspective, Viktor, we should consider all avenues of research. If (Y/n) believes this could yield promising results, it's worth exploring."

Viktor scowled but didn't back down. "You're all blinded by sentimentality. This is about science, not feelings."

(Y/n) shot back, her voice determined. "And science is about progress, innovation, and the pursuit of knowledge. Closing off potential avenues of research is a disservice to our commitment to advancement."

The debate continued, the room filled with passionate arguments from both sides. It was clear that this decision would have a lasting impact on the academy's direction and (Y/n)'s future.

The room seemed to hang on a precipice as (Y/n) and Viktor locked eyes, their argument escalating. Heimerdinger's voice, when it came, was a bellow that echoed through the chamber. "Enough!"

The council members fell into immediate silence, their attention drawn to the diminutive yordle at the center of the room. He gave Viktor a brief, sympathetic glance, knowing the inner turmoil his protege must be experiencing. "Viktor, my dear boy," Heimerdinger began in a voice that was both gentle and firm, "we value your concerns. Science, after all, thrives on skepticism and debate. However, we must also consider the potential benefits to the academy. The revenue generated from (Y/n)'s research could fund countless projects for generations to come."

Heimerdinger turned his gaze towards (Y/n), a twinkle of approval in his eyes. "And that's why, (Y/n)," he addressed her, "you will be granted the permission and funding to continue your work."

Viktor tried to interject, his frustration palpable, but Heimerdinger cut him off with a raised hand. "Enough," he reiterated, his voice commanding. "This session is over."

With those words, the council members began to disperse, leaving behind a defeated Viktor and a triumphant (Y/n). It was a moment of victory for her, yet the growing divide between her and Viktor couldn't be ignored, casting a shadow over her elation.

As the council meeting concluded, (Y/n) couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. Triumph coursed through her veins, the sweet taste of victory lingering on her lips. She had won this battle for now, securing the funding and permission to further her research. It was a significant step forward in her quest to revolutionize medicine.

However, she couldn't ignore the heavy atmosphere that had settled in the room, much of it emanating from Viktor. His defeat was palpable, and his resentful glare bore into her back as she made her way out of the council chamber. The divide between them had deepened, a vast chasm of opposing beliefs and priorities.

Outside the meeting room, (Y/n) couldn't help but ponder the cost of her victory. Her once-friendly interactions with Viktor had devolved into bitter arguments and icy silence. The camaraderie they had once shared seemed irreparably shattered.

Jayce, who had been observing the proceedings from the sidelines, approached (Y/n) with a congratulatory smile. "That was quite the battle in there," he remarked, clearly impressed.

(Y/n) returned his smile, though it was tinged with sadness. "Yes, i suppose…" she sighed, casting a glance back at the council chamber where Viktor remained, a solitary figure surrounded by fading echoes of dissent.

With the victory she had long sought now in her grasp, (Y/n) couldn't help but wonder if it was worth the growing chasm between them. The path of progress had a price, and she had just taken a significant step down that road, leaving a deep divide in her wake.

#arcane viktor x reader #viktor arcane x reader #viktor arcane x you #viktor x reader #viktor x you #chamomilekisses #arcane x female reader #arcane x reader #enemies to friends to lovers #arcane x you #I’m not dead don’t worry #lots left to the series #thank you all for being here

[thehistoriangirl]

hi!! i love your fics, they make my day 🩷

may i request a mel x reader where reader is an insecure artist?

thank you!

Hello Anon, thank you so much! I'm sorry this one took so long 😭😭 I struggled a little with how to write it, but I hope you enjoy it 🥺

In Seek of Perfection

Mel x gn!Artist! Reader---1.3K----SFW

The floor was covered in half-finished sketches whose edges peeked shadows of charcoal; a lonely lamp filling the studio with a dimmed golden hue.

One of them caught her attention among the dozen paper balls thrown everywhere.

Still, Mel was careful not to disturb the quiet space with the echo of her heels.

“Not hungry yet?” she said, leaning over your shoulder to see a blank page in front of you, your fingers stained with black juggling with a pencil. The bowl of fruits at the other side of the working table the same since the morning. “Dinner will be ready soon.”

“No, not hung—” Yet your stomach betrayed you, a growling sound interrupting your sentence.

You sighed. “I just… I haven’t done any work today either. And the exhibit is going to be in six months. I need to submit something.”

Mel let go of your shoulders, and you felt how the weight started pressing down on them again. She walked in front of your desk to grab the stool where a wooden box sat atop, filled with unused pastels.

"You know you'd still have my support even if you don't submit anything to this year's Salon," Mel told you, settling the box aside as she took a seat with her hands crossed over her lap. The Medarda ring shone with a reminder. Your duty. Your role.

The artist, and her, the muse.

“Progress’ restless, just like this city,” you muttered. “You know what happens to those who get left behind.”

You’d seen more than your fair share of colleagues erased from the galleries and classrooms when their patrons moved on to the next shiny thing. Once their mastery had slipped just like the rest of their bright ideas.

Sure, the bonds tangled between you two ran deeper than simple portraits of Councilor Medarda she could hang up in the foyer of her house to show her influence and status in this city that had become her home. Just like it was yours, now.

“Art isn’t business. It shouldn’t be rushed.”

You fidgeted with the edge of your blank canvas, taking the newspaper you had hidden once the headline creating a ball of anxiety and envy to get caught in the middle of your throat.

Yazmine LaGarc opened a solo exhibit in one of Councilor Shoola’s galleries, becoming the hottest artist in Piltover, with her ceramics adorning only the wealthiest of houses. The worst part is that she was your classmate, and now, the one who once was at the top of the class has sunk to the bottom.

From your first masterpiece, you fell into a pool of mediocrity and unfinished jobs that ended up recycled or burned in the hearth, thinking that your attempt was just beginner’s luck, and an artist couldn’t be called so if they only created something fantastic by luck.

Every day you woke up without becoming the new sensation in the art world you felt like failing, with the reminder of your parents telling you to reconsider—that you were still welcomed to their merchant enterprise.

What if you were Mel’s protegee? It was a spot so desired that one day you’d be pushed aside. You weren’t worthy enough of being her favorite painter anymore. Perhaps you never were.

"You gave me an opportunity when purchase my painting at the Academic Salon. It was because of you that my name appeared in the side columns of arts during that weekend." You chuckled, such a bitter sound. "And look what I’ve become.”

Mel hummed, the sound redirecting your gaze toward hers.

“By that standard: Would you say that I’m not an artist just because I can’t paint every day that I’m not an artist?”

You blinked, feeling flustered. “No, of course not! But, well, you have a job… and… well, I don’t.”

"You work part-time at your parents' business," Mel called your name, one of her elbows propelled over the table, elegant fingers resting atop her jawline. “I decided to sponsor you because I knew you wouldn’t disappoint me. And you haven’t, but why do I feel like you’ve disappointed yourself?”

Her finger fiddled with the edge of the canvas. “You loved to do this, sitting for hours with that bad posture of yours—what happened, then? Does making not bring you joy anymore?”

Of course, she had noticed about your low productivity for the past weeks, and the lame work you'd produced the months before, results that only started raising questions in sensationalist newspapers about the so-called new art prospect. That your charm had burned out, that for the first time, Mel had committed a mistake by taking you under her patronage.

Day by day, the anger you felt toward the printed words started to drain your creative fuels, the creations bore by spite becoming absent once the disappointment settled in—so deep not even your sadness could evoke inspiration.

“Maybe this was a mistake,” you said, voice trembling. “Maybe my parents were right, and I should’ve taken the reins of the family business.”

Your vision became blurry, hot tears running down your cheeks even as you tried to furiously wipe them away. She didn’t have to see you this way, this small and pathetic.

"Have you ever wanted that?" Mel said, her voice stern. "You can always go back home, and tell them that you've made a mistake. They will take you in, and we both know it. This could end right here, back to all those days you sat on this hard wooden stool trying to create something grandiose. And yet, here you are. You are still trying." She gave you the smallest, most intimate smile. "And that's why you haven't disappointed me, why you shouldn't be disappointed with yourself."

She extended one of her hands, brushing away the tears with her thumbs before offering you one of her handkerchiefs, smelling like orange and lilies and just the faintest essence of the pigments she used to paint with, permeating in the fabric as a ghost.

“Not every painting and drawing you do will sell for millions, nor it will be praised. You can't live constantly gazing upward," Mel said, her eyes dropping to her lap to fidget with the Medarda’s family ring. "Or you'll forget about everything you have now. Everything you can take in to make art as you are right now." She called your name, the name of the self-artist burning the candle every other night to finish assignments, the one who drew and painted until your hands shook with cramps.

"I know I am pushing my hypocrisy here, but you ought to be lenient with yourself, just as you are with everyone else. With me when I must cancel my modeling sessions for my portraits." Slowly, Mel patted your cheek, the tip of your fingers playing with the tip of your ear as she sometimes did when you lay with her on the couch by the fire. “Can you try?”

From your shaking lips unable to pronounce words, you nodded.

She smiled, relieved and proud, as she had always been regarding you. From under her sleeve, Mel took out one of the sketches you discarded earlier, her hands ironing the wrinkles while pressing it atop the blank canvas.

“I like this one,” she said, pointing at a self-portrait reflected on a mirror, showing two images: one the artist, filled with rich details of decorative lines against the simple, weary face of the person reflecting in the mirror. “Art shouldn’t be all about beauty and grandiosity, my dear. Piltover’s too used to perfection, they don’t know what it takes to achieve it. Perhaps you shall show them.”

A small smile tugged the corner of your lips, feeling ashamed Mel had taken the time to observe your discarded ideas.

Mel chuckled, standing up from the seat and offering you a hand. “Well, I’d say dinner must be served already—would you like to accompany me tonight?”

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