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Big fancy parties had never been Sevika’s thing.
She hated the mingling, and having to get dressed up. It was just never something she particularly enjoyed. It was why she loathed the times Silco forced her to attend those parties the Chembarons held, listening to them talk shit about each other and gossip the entire night.
But alas, here she was, wearing an itchy suit, at a party hosted by the one and only Corina Veraza.
Sevika hadn’t planned on coming. In fact she had thrown the invitation in the trash as soon as she finished reading it, but a voice in the back of her head was screaming at her to just go and see what she wanted, and if she was being honest, she intrigued her.
Why? She didn’t know.
“You enjoying the party?”
She jolted at the sudden voice and whipped her head around to find Corina, standing next to her in the dark corner she had made herself comfortable in in an effort to avoid speaking to the other partygoers.
She grinned and let out a small laugh, “Not enough beer.”
Corina hummed and absentmindedly swirled her glass of champagne, “Y’know my men told me you wouldn’t step foot in a party like this.” Her lips quirked up in a small smile. “Glad they were wrong.”
Sevika wanted to argue that they were right but instead she shrugged and turned her head back towards the lively crowd to continue her spectating.
Corina didn’t say anything else and silence fell between them, the sounds of laughter and music filling their ears.
And finally, after what felt like hours, she spoke again.
“I’m sure you’re wondering why you’re actually here.”
There it is.
“The other Chembarons haven’t had any interest in me since Silco’s death and you barely fucking know me besides what you’ve heard from your goons.” She turned to the shorter woman with a smirk. “I’m sure you didn’t invite me out of the goodness of your heart, Veraza.”
She smiled broadly, “Clever aren’t you?”
Sevika raised an eyebrow, not wanting to engage in small talk, hoping she’d just go ahead and spit out whatever it was she wanted to say.
Corina took a sip of her drink and then let out a sigh, turning to fully look at her.
“I’ve invited you here to make an offer.”
Of course.
“And what would that offer be?”
She went quiet again for a few seconds.
“Well, for a while now, I’ve been thinking of forming an alliance with you.”
Sevika barely held back a loud mocking laugh, opting to nod her head in consideration.
(The answer was already no but she’d hear her out to be respectful or whatever)
“Why?”
“Hm?”
“Why form an alliance with me? What’s your game plan here?”
Corina glared at her and furrowed her eyebrows. She seemed to be thinking.
After Silco died and Sevika was thrusted into the leader role by basically the entire city, she had vowed not to make deals with the Chembarons. She never really liked them or trusted them, matter of fact if she was forced to choose between killing herself or working with one, she’d grab a gun and pull the trigger.
They weren’t too fond of her either apparently, about two weeks ago Ran and Dustin were telling her that they had mocked her. Said something about her not knowing what she was doing.
So why is one of them suggesting a team up out of nowhere?
Corina dragged her off (with surprising strength) to yet another dark corner, even further away from the party, throwing her drink into the nearby trash can, and looked around to make sure no one was watching.
She hadn’t released her grip on her wrist and Sevika tried to ignore how soft and warm her flesh hand was, only taking note of her metal claw implant then.
She also happened to be pushed up against a wall, and their faces were very, very, close.
“Wanna know a little secret?”
Sevika gulped.
“Unlike the other Chembarons? I like you. A lot actually.”
She didn’t have anything to say to that so Corina continued.
“Zaunites respect you, a lot of them fear you, when Silco was shot dead by his own daughter, you’re the one they looked to next. The Chembarons don’t have that and they’re beginning to notice Sevika.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean they’re faltering. They’ve been scrambling for the past few weeks, their most loyal followers have been leaving them in the dust, they’ve had no choice but to start working together. I had my... reservations about Silco, but let’s be honest here, he might’ve been the only one keeping everyone in check. It’s been a mess.”
Sevika was having a hard time understanding. This must’ve been obvious by the frown on her face cause Corina let out a frustrated sigh.
“I’ll tell it to you straight. You and me? I think we could lead the nation of Zaun together.”
Sevika’s eyes widened significantly at this. Then Corina grinned.
It wasn’t just any grin, it was mischievous and slightly feral and oddly sexy.
She liked it.
Then Corina leaned closer, the tips of their noses touching.
“Despite what some think, I believe you’re gonna be an amazing leader, but you need someone by your side. Someone who’s cunning and could help balance the scales. Your fists and my brain would make a wonderful combination don’t you think? We’d win this war and topple the remaining Council and The Chembarons and like a flower, Zaun will bloom. Doesn’t that sound enticing?”
Sevika was truthfully, speechless, cause that was exactly the energy she had been looking for after Silco. A person with ambition and dreams for the future, and she seemed to fit that role like a glove.
What was it that Finn said?
There are bigger fish than Silco.
Maybe he was right. Maybe the bigger fish in question was a criminal mastermind with a love for plants.
She wasn’t gonna say yes now though, she wanted to see if Corina was really serious about this, and if she could actually trust her to not stab her in the back both literally and figuratively. Plus she liked playing hard to get.
“What do you want out of this huh? What do you get?”
“Me?” She chuckled. “I get to become the envy of Piltover’s ruling clans and Zaun’s warring Chembarons. That’s all I could ever ask for.”
Ok that makes sense.
“As fun as that offer sounds gorgeous, i’m gonna have to pass.”
Finally letting go of her and stepping back, she tilted her head, “Why?”
“I’m putting you to the test. I’m not just gonna form an alliance like that on the spot. Prove to me that I can trust you, that you’re willing to go through with this, then get back to me.”
Corina crossed her arms over her chest.
“And how am I supposed to do that?”
Sevika smiled, starting to walk away, “You’ll figure it out.”
As she walked off, heading towards the door to get the hell out of there, she heard her call her name. She stopped but did not look back.
“I wasn’t lying when I said I liked you. I held the utmost respect for you even when you worked for Silco. It would be an honor to work with you and when you’re ready, you’ll know where to find me.”
Yeah she did know. Her greenhouse had become somewhat popular in the undercity.
A few seconds went by before Sevika began walking again, back onto the swarming streets, making her way back to The Last Drop.
She needed to think.
(She also needed some goddamn beer but that’s besides the point)
Corina seemed bold and determined; she’d give her that. She was new to the whole Chembaron thing and it was obvious, but she did hold promise. She was different from the rest, meant to do more, meant to be greater.
Quite the fascinating woman indeed.
Sevika smiled.
Oh she couldn’t wait to see her again.