The Insanity of Myself

League of Legends: Happy Birthday to Me

I thought everyone had forgotten, but Fiddlesticks remembered.

Happy Birthday to me...

The truth was, with her birthday so close to Snowdown, it wasn't surprising that everyone forgot. She just started treating it like any other day when she was still in her early teens; even when she was young, and she brought treats to her school in Demacia, the children talked about Snowdown.

Snowdown this, Snowdown that...

What's so great about it?

When she first started working at the Institute, her new co-workers were surprised. She didn't celebrate Snowdown - such a rare thing! Only a handful in Valoran didn't celebrate, and a large portion of that number were from the Shadow Isles. But it was Taric, of all people, who saw her in a market street buying something. A small ring on her left middle finger - Not something that seemed out of place.

I save up the entire year to buy myself something - Just something nice.

And when the day finally rolled around, even though it had been on the announcements board for a week, no one said anything to her about her birthday. Not a single well wish, nor about how close to Snowdown it was - it even felt like fewer people acknowledged her.

Then she passed by Fiddlesticks' room.

Despite the League being disbanded, Fiddlesticks was kept in his room, immovable and silent. There was a small letter sitting in front of the open door; her first reflex was, Why is his door open? But then she looked at the envelope. Her name was on it in, in sharp and crude writing. She slowly sat down in front of the gaping hole with its emerald eyes.

"For me?" She asked, and the eyes bobbed once - Yes.

I don't know why I even bother. It's not really important anyway - I can count my years with the passing of the New Year, anyway.

The handwriting was literal chickenscratch - a bunch of sharp lines, tacked together into letters, placed tightly into spaced-out words. A much nicer, flowing cursive one was behind it with a small explanation at the top.

~From: Taric

~To: Summoner Mallia

In case Fiddlesticks's letter is indecipherable, I have included a transcript of the letter in the envelope. However, I ask you read, or attempt to read, his own letter before reading this. You may hurt his feelings otherwise. I likely would not have remembered today without Fiddlesticks's constant prodding.

Happy Birthday.

Two champions were showing more compassion for her than her family or friends or co-workers ever have. One who isn't from her world, and one who isn't human, or beast - just an it.

Even as she read the short letter, she felt tears well up as she read the simple words.

YOU ARE FAVORITE SUMMONER

THANK YOU MUCH

FOR BEING TALENTED SUMMONER

If he didn't murder everyone who walked into his room, she likely would have gotten up, walked into the darkness, and hugged the scarecrow. But there was another whom she could thank, because she had a feeling Fiddlesticks hadn't been writing very long.

Fiddlesticks... Taric...

Thank you for my gifts.

Your well-wishes have been received.