Arcane ~ QUEENDOM (seasons 1 & 2)

X ~ Flames

~ SPOILERS for the 4th episode of Arcane ~

(this is the setting for "The Snake")

The scales each bore a small perforation, which allowed them to remain linked together on a metallic thread. Movement along the string was permitted by miniscule gaps in between the painted ornaments. The peculiar arrangement - that those scales had been savagely ripped off of their past owner for - was a bracelet. None of the scales were much larger than half an inch and they had once all belonged to the same snake. Currently, though, they were dangling from a wrist, occasionally slipping across the beginning of a forearm when their previous master's murderer moved their arm upright. Agile fingers, showcasing long nails that were altered in color, repeatedly tugged at the piece of jewelry. With every release, around six scales clapped nearly inaudibly against the skin of the wrist, above veins that were difficult to discern among a pattern of ink.

That evening, Hiedra wore snakeskin knee-high boots to match her lucky bracelet. It wasn't a real lucky charm, but rather her favorite, most iconic and trademark item to wear, she almost never took it off. It was a reminder of her strength, an ode to her origins. Whenever the prostitute glimpsed at it, she remembered everything she had overcome to obtain it, all she had suffered to get where she was.

The stars twinkled brightly, miniature diamonds sprinkled onto the deep navy canvas of the twilight sky. A few gray clouds hid the moon, lazily flowing, steered by the gentle breeze. As always, the night was beautiful to behold in Piltover.

The young immortal sat on the cement border of a storage building's roof, her pupils gliding over the deceivingly peaceful scenery. Her feet swayed in the emptiness, and she distractedly pulled on her bracelet, waiting for them to show up. The sooner this was over with, the quicker she could get out of the blouse her sisters had insisted that she wore. Dark brown leather pants and an intricate belt kept her outfit true to her personal style, but the long-sleeved light pink shirt had seemed to strangle her even more than a literal choker necklace. It was excruciatingly opaque and stiff, her curves were not highlighted at all. To attempt proving that she was more than a hot elf-like creature, she at least had to look like a desirable sexual being. Therefore, the hooker had rolled up the sleeves and completely undone the row of pearl buttons that once sealed the front of the element of clothing, to expose a black leather brassiere with bronze studs along the bottom.

Scanning her surroundings, the traveller perceived anxiety, hope, annoyance, apprehension... They had seemingly arrived.

The wooden door that led to the inside of the Academy-owned building swung open in her back, its slight creaking followed by a voice:

   "Good, you're here. He's ready to meet you." It belonged to none other than the famous Jayce Talis. Minimally relieved, but his nervousness was palpable.

She twirled around, slithering off the relatively narrow platform.

   "Did you really believe I wouldn't show up?" she taunted.

   "I, uh..." He was hesitating, watching her stride over past him and heading for the doorframe.

The inventor unexpectedly stopped her in her tracks, grabbing her right shoulder before she could enter the storage facility.

   "Don't let me down."

It was not a mere request, but an order. The young man had given her his trust, now, she needed to prove that she was worthy of it by making a most excellent impression on his research partner.

The prostitute whirled around to her left, with her high ponytail grazing her back, and ended up standing less than an inch from him.

   "I would never," Hiedra ironically answered.