"I'll hack my way back to Bilgewater."~ Gangplank, The Salt Water Scourge
Hey. Been a week. I've been sorting stuff out. Things have been a little tough and hectic right now. And I do not have the time to write as much as I'd like to. But the good news is that I cleared my exams.... that's the silver lining here. Also its not like something serious happened, just overwork and not enough time to chill.
But I'll keep updating.... and if I miss a day... well that's what the chapter stockpile is there for right?
And thanks for the stones even when I didn't upload chapters. I see you guys. (Iron, Yato, Half_Dark and mcbooth) Made me feel bad for not uploading.... so you kinda gaslit me into returning as soon as possible.
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"Sooooo story time?" Jinx asked as she looked at him.
"Later." Gregori refused to explain his origins and his story as of now. "Once the weapon has been located and sealed.... maybe then."
"She said you could have become the king of Demacia...." Caitlin asked in a serious tone, "Why didn't you?"
Gregori sighed, "You get the same answer as Ambessa. I'm content with watching my children grow. That's all that matters to me."
"I want to grow stronger." Daisy said without a problem.
The eyes in the room turned to her.
Vi turned her attention to Gregori, "They aren't the smartest are they?"
"They are...." Gregori carefully chose his words, "Finding themselves. Trying different things."
"That one talks to a doll." Vi pointed to Annie.
Gregori nodded, "It talks back."
Her eyes went wide, "What?"
"The bear." He pointed to it and Annie held it out with both hands, "It talks back."
"Its alive?" Caitlin asked.
"Don't bother Piltie. Haven't seen it talk either." Jinx spoke.
Caitlin frowned at her, "Do not speak to me."
"You have seen a god and THIS is shocking to you?" Sevika grumbled from behind the bar.
"An old spirit." Gregori corrected, "Gods don't exist..... only beings old enough to appear so."
"Janna. From the stories...." Vi whispered. She looked at Gregori with hope, "Can she help us?"
Gregori looked taken aback, "She has been helping you. These battles between Piltover and Zaun? They don't register on her scale of time. What is years for you is like seconds to her. That does not mean she does not care however, just that she cannot help the way you expect her to even after she successfully stops the encroachment of the Void."
"But..." Vi tried.
"She did tell you this." Gregori reminded her.
"Yes-" Vi replied but was cut off.
"Don't try to force the actions of a immortal being Vi. You are lucky Janna is benevolent. Those on Targon would have your head for breathing wrong. And spirits in the Freljord would do anything to kill you simply because they find it fun." Gregori explained.
"Tibbers can talk." Annie diverted the conversation back to the bear. "You believe me right?" She asked Isha.
Isha nodded vigorously.
The door flew open as the rest of the kids arrived.
Daani walked to the barstools and slid himself onto one of them.
"Where did you go today?" Annie asked.
Daisy looked away as if not interested but her attention was on the conversation.
"The docks." Sydell said as she moved to the seat.
"Briar wanted to go on another sea trip." Rell announced.
Gregori smiled as he figured out what Rell was doing, "Really Briar? I can arrange that." He told Briar.
Briar's eyes widened in fear, "No! I didn't say that. No. No more boat or sea trips for me."
"Well I remember it quite clearly." Daani joined in.
"You lie?!" Briar exclaimed in shock at Daani joining in.
And as everyone watched Briar go into a confused state, Annie stepped in and asked, "Did you see anything interesting?"
"Yeah." Daani answered, excitement creeping up, "There was this really beautiful lady swimming at the docks. She even waved for us to join her but Sydell said no."
"She wasn't human." Sydell replied.
"Vastaya are still human." Daani shot back, anger flaring.
Sydell raised his palm to his face, "And I agree. But she wasn't human."
"How do you know?" Daani asked.
"This." Sydell pointed to his pocket.
Daani frowned, "It shows you that?"
"No idiot. I checked underwater with it." Sydell answered.
"Oh."
"It is back?" Sevika asked, joining the conversation.
They all nodded.
She lit her pipe and took a drag, "We have to chase it away then. Goes after children, that one. Doesn't seem to die either. Always comes back regardless of what we do to it."
"Its immortal?" Gregori frowned.
"But it cannot leave water." Sevika answered. "And it does not go after ships. Just those who get close to it of their own volition."
KNOCK
KNOCK
KNOCK
Everyone stared at the door.
"Daddy!" Annie called, "Tibbers!"
"Demon?" Gregori asked.
She nodded.
"Demon?" Caitlin repeated.
Gregori raised a finger to his mouth and gestured for them to go behind him and hide in the rooms. He raised his hand and the sealed spear shot to his hand from the other room.
Jinx stayed back as she watched Annie stand next to her father.
The rest made their way to the room behind them, right behind the bar wall.
Sevika moved a picture frame on the wall and there were tiny peepholes cut into the cupboard where the drinks and glasses were kept, giving vision of the main hall.
Knock
Knock
Knock
"Go Jinx." Gregori said.
"If the little girl stays I stay too." She said.
Gregori shook her head, "She has protection. You do not." He turned to her and she zipped to the room the rest were at.
She stared at them all looking into the peepholes and grumbled, "Humph.... magic...." and then joined Isha in staring out of the peephole.
Still in his position, Gregori willed the door to open.
"I thought you'd never answer." A deep voice spoke in a drawl. It was large in size, barely squeezing through the door. The air in the tavern grew heavy as an immense amount of magic washed through.
"A catfish in a top hat with a suit." Gregori replied, as his hairs started to raise, instinctively sensing the danger.
The demon chuckled, "Well fashion is one of my strengths and the dealer has to be dressed well after all." And Gregori's description was spot on. It was a green catfish, in a suit with a top hat. It's eyes glowed a bright yellow and its gaping maw lined with sharp teeth.
"The attire does scream Bilgewater." Gregori replied, "Far from your domain aren't you?"
"My domain?" The demon replied, "My domain in the water." A large tongue slipped out of its mouth and licked its lips, "All the world's a river and I am its king."
Gluttony.
Tibber's voice echoed through the room.
"And there's the reason I came here." The demon reached for his top hat. "Guilt! Tybaluk! Its been a while. Imagine my surprise when one of the creatures in a deal with me sensed the magic of another demon near some young'uns."
Leave.
"Now that's not nice!" The demon smiled widely, "You got to invite an old friend for food."
You are no friend.
"And I second that." Gregori answered, "You are not welcome here."
"Does your establishment serve water...." The demon stalled, "The least you could do for a..... parched fish."
Leave Kench. You shall find nothing here.
The demon squinted for a second before widening its smile, "The old you would have attacked instantly.... The establishment. You don't want to burn it down. And your current form. The young'un's magic. Interesting."
"Leave before I make you." Gregori replied as he rose to his feet, hand grabbing the end of the wrapping on the spear.
"How about a deal?" The demon spoke, "Anything you want. I can give it to you. For a price. I can feel your hunger. The hunger in your heart. Let me soothe it."
The wrapping fell and Caalyx's eye spun to face it.
"Demon." It spoke aloud.
The demon looked at the weapon and then at Gregori, "I can give you more time."
Gregori stood unfazed, "Leave." He repeated.
"Fine!" The demon raised its hands and waddled out but not before trying one last time, "You want a deal? Come to a river and call for me. I'll cut you a good one."