#arcane shoola

[melmedarda]

⸻ COUNCILOR SHOOLA, Arcane | ep 4

[xetlynn]

an artists muse- a viktor fic.

twelve.

[eleven] [twelve] [the end]

a silent admirer.

“Five weeks until the Thanksgiving art show. Five weeks to get your sculptures done.” Shoola announces with a stack of papers in their arm as they walk toward the back of the class. “Here are fliers for it. It tells you the date, time and what will be given out. We will be holding a contest with prizes. There will be food and drinks.” They dryly inform everyone with a bored expression plastered on their face as they begin handing out the fliers. 

And as the paper smacks down in front of you, you excitedly read it over. November 19th, 2024 Piltover University’s Art Show. It was a little plain but very neat and tidy to get the point across. You were excited but nervous in the same breath. To get to do your first big sculpture in college. Last year you had a fine arts class that focused on painting. 

You were grateful that this year you had a class you preferred. Sculpting was an art you fell in love with as a child. 

The only problem you dealt with was the fleeting motivation as you grew older. You were only 20. 

“You will be given the materials for your sculptures next week and you will also be mandated to come every single day whenever you have a free period. Except for Saturday and Sunday.” They tell everyone, causing a tiny uproar. “Settle down. You signed up for this class. I don’t want to hear it.” They fold their arms, leaning against their desk at the front of the room. “Get to sketching, you only have a week to figure out your project.” 

You and the majority of the class open your sketch books. Most already have their sketches thought out. Adding details and little things they want to their bundle of clay. You sat there with… absolutely nothing. A blank canvas. Scanning your brain for something. What motivates you? What or who is your muse?

Would it be idiotic to put yourself?

Probably. 

And as the clock ticks. As you sit there, zoning out. Nothing comes up in your head. You know if you have nothing by the end of the week you are going to have to lie. Come up with something on the spot. 

The lecture is dismissed, as you pack your things you glance up to see Maddie heading toward you. You don’t even zip up your backpack as you rush out of the room. Averting a conversation with her. Gert and Ekko peering over to one another, confused by your abrupt leave. 

Honestly you needed a place without your friends to focus, attempt to figure out your muse. 

Those dear, familiar bells chime as you open the door. Smelling freshly baked treats along with strong dark roasted coffee. This place never did you dirty. Ole reliable. You quickly place in your coffee order, your second one of the day. On zero food. 

As you sip on the bitter but sweet drink you tap your pencil over the sketch book splayed out in front of you. Your muse… thinking about what your professor said last week on your crowd sketch. They thought you had found it. What were they looking at? You turn over to the page from that day. Observing what you had drawn that could give you some sort of… idea? Make up a lie based off of what could’ve been seen. 

Your pencil resumes tapping on the table. Every noise around distracts you, eyes lifting to see who’s leaving and entering the cafe. The bell chiming each and every time. 

This time around was no different as the door flicks open, you peer upward to see Viktor. You feel your heart palpitate as he enters, going toward the counter. His head moves the tiniest bit and the air in your lungs gets cut short, snapping back down at the sketch pad. 

He caught you looking at him though, you were far from discreet. The corner of his lips tugged upward. He’s missed your bubbly personality… Sure he has Jayce and Vi as substitutes but it’s not the same. You’re different… 

“Sir?” The worker before him speaks up, and he gapes back at her, mentally cursing at himself for spacing out. “Right, uh just the coffee. A-and the cherry danish.” He points over to the treat behind the glass. “Go ahead.” The worker motions to the card reader. Viktor places his phone on it, it chimes and he stuffs the device back in his pocket. 

“Here you are, have a good day.” The worker doesn’t even force a smile as she gives it to him. He only nods his head in response. Taking the small paper bag and coffee in its paper cup. Why’d he get the danish?

He hasn’t spoken to [Name] since last week. After throwing a tantrum about how she perceives him as boring. 

And as Viktor contemplates on how he’s going to give you the treat you were already subconsciously drawing something on the paper. Filling in that faceless person that stared back at you. Giving him features. 

The crinkle of the paper bag sounds in front of you, causing you to jump. Your eyes travel to the person now sitting on the other side of the table. “Viktor?” You grabble. “As a thank you for the coffee and coconut puff the other day.” He mutters out and you cock your head to the side. They weren’t supposed to tell him that you were the one-

“And an I’m sorry.” His gaze adverts from your own, now you were incredibly confused. Why’s he apologizing to you?

It was silent between the both of you. You were at a loss for words. 

“Is that me?” Viktor lifts your sketch pad, changing the subject. You furrow your brows. “Is what you?” You snatch the book back and scan over the page. “That.” His finger plaps down on the paper. “Looks too much like me to not be me.” He confidently boasts. You stare down at the figure that used to be faceless. For years this person never had a face. Never had special features. And now you gave him the face of a friend? Of Ma?

Viktor. 

“I guess it is.” You murmur, thoughts swarm in your head. You’ve been trying to disagree with the facts that laid out right before you. That whenever you spoke to Ma or Viktor you got this sudden motivation to draw, paint… sculpt. And when the two of you stopped speaking your art got a lot more depressing, messy even. 

“Who is it?” A younger voice pesters as you let out a loud laugh. “Ma, I don’t know! How many times do I have to tell you!” You choke out, the both of you observing your newest painting. “I don’t understand how you don’t know something you created.” He judges and you pout. 

“It’s just this feeling I have. I think. Just someone staring back at me, a familiar but not figure that I want to know but I can’t.” You explain, both lines are quiet now. “Is it me?” He inquires jokingly and the two of you giggle like little kids. “You wish!” You squeal, causing a squabble to begin between the two of you. 

You purse your lips out at the memory. Viktor lifts up your book once more. “Can I see your work?” He asks and you nod your head silently. You watched him flip through it, not wanting to say anything in worry that you’d ruin the moment. Ruin what’s happening between the both of you. You noticed the little movements in his face through each sketch and drawing he laid his own eyes on. “Lots of crowds.” He whispers. “That was always your specialty.” 

You guys finally meet eyes, an inaudible but knowing feeling between the both of you. It was as if only you two sat in the cafe. The noises from the others dispersed. Another wave of nostalgia hits you like a semi truck. 

“It looks stupid.” You pout your lips dramatically, glaring down at your painting that had taken you three hours at this moment. “Let me see.” Ma hums, you guys have been sitting on the call for said three hours since you had told him that his presence keeps you motivated. He questioned it but at the same time it was an excuse to be on the phone with you. How could he turn it down? 

“Just sent a picture.” You sigh, waiting for him to say something. “Your art needs to be in a museum, [Name].” He exclaims in a serious tone. It was of the moon and it was shining down on flowers. Viktor had told you his deep feelings and admiration for the moon. How beautiful it is beside all the stars in the sky. 

Lighting up the earth so dimly by the help of the sun. The beauty in needing something to shine brightly but also being enough on its own. His love for the moon should be studied. It inspired you, your work. He always told you he felt like the moon. Being so misunderstood and underestimated. And you always listened.

You often felt like the sun and the moon. Switching like night and day… ha. 

Not with Viktor though. As much as he thinks of himself as the moon. He’s a sun. Your sun. And you're his moon. He shines his light on you and you’re able to light paths on other’s darkness. Keep the oceans at peace. 

“Aw, you’re just saying that.” You wave your hand as if he can see it. “I’m serious. I’d pay to see this.” He compliments passionately. “I mean you still can. Give me fifty bucks.” You joke causing him to snort out a laugh. “You’re dumb.” He rolls his eyes and you could hear the smile plastered on his lips even though you know nothing of what he looks like. “You love me.” You shrug your shoulders. 

“I-” You pause yourself, pressing your lips together as you choose your next few words extremely carefully. But as soon as you go to say what you want to. What you wish to. You shake the thought away. Now going to your backpack and taking out the flyer. Shoving it over. “Come.” You spit out bluntly. 

He gently takes the paper from you, reading it over. Before he can even answer though, you take your sketchpad, cherry danish and pencil, throwing the bag over your shoulder and leaving. Leaving him with your empty cup and the flyer. He was stunned, not knowing if he should follow after you or stay put. 

But as your body disappears and he can no longer see you through the windows he thinks best to stay where he is. He’d never catch up to you anyways. 

Since that day, the two of you had made a silent pact to sit with one another again every morning. No words exchanged other than a grumble of a good morning. And every single day without fail you study his face as he pretends to act like he doesn’t feel you doing it. Sipping his roasted liquid and skimming through his own assignments. 

He didn’t mind feeling your eyes on him. Your presence around him. If you were quiet or talking his ear off. What had happened between the both of you surely left a scar. A scar that over time is healing. Finally not a scab that is repetitively picked at. 

soooo.... kinda got writers block but still wanted to get something out, it also wasn't as long as I thought it was going to be, my b. Next chapter is the end of this series. AHHHHHH

taglist:

@policedeer @ang3lz-lov3 @im-just-a-simp-le-whore @confusedgemposts @corpsepies @almostdrowningdown @obittwo @ren-ni @xx-siren-sings-xx @donnie-is-here @urmommt

[mystic-orb88]

ARCANE SEASON 2, ACT 3 SPOILERS:

Stop. Now.

Can I just say Ekko is the most perfect and flawless character ever created and now I wish he and Viktor and Jinx could have all met somehow and done cool science stuff together. But this frame here genuinely makes me so sad. I’m crushed. But also, I like when conflicting circumstances tear characters apart, to me. I like the tragedy. So I’m glad in our Ekko’s universe, they didn’t stay together. It would be so out-of-character for my girl Jinx.

Also I like that it wasn’t just a boring fan-service episode. It proved a point, and we also had Jayce’s fun adventures in Nightmarefuelworld. ANDD THE Z-DRIVE, WOOOOOO!!!!

Jinx was already perfect, but so is Powder.

I’ve always hated romance, whether it was real life, or cinema. But this scene was incredible. I love them so goddamn much. Actually sickens me. They are everything to me.

Him smiling back at her the same way Jinx did after their fight on the Bridge. How dare you, Fortiche??

Jinx’s reflection in place of this world’s Powder’s.

Viktor and Jayce’s fight scene and…. Whatever that ending was, was gayer and more erotic than anything Violyn could fathom. Sorry guys. What the Hell was he doing cupping his face like that, wrapping his legs around him, faces mere centimetres away, all without actually being physically there but also exploding together in the astral plane?? The way he said ‘As partners’?? Likeeee, I ain’t never seen hand-to-hand combat like that. Look at these soulmates. Just as a platonic relationship I love it, and it’s wayyyy gayer than anything else. He chose dying with his space boyfriend over the insanely gorgeous Mel, who also got a fabulous glow up, is undoubtedly the hottest character in the show, ANDDDD has OP Arcane talents. Bravo Jayce, you simultaneously fumbled and won and disintegrated into nothing with your astronomical lab ‘partner’. Singed was right- One does unspeakable acts for love.

We got Viktor in Mel’s eyeshadow before G.T.A.6.. Slay my King. Thank you for your pretty little hallucinations, Jayce.

Alsoo, let us pay respects to this fine Yordle who waited over 100 years for Ekko, sure can sing, and sacrificed himself so that Ekko could get back to his right world.

I’m glad that at least ONE of my favourite characters had a happy ending. Singed wasn’t the most ethical scientist, but he sure is a Hell of a father for doing all that.

Sevika in the Council. She finally beat Silco’s corrupt underground empire and overcame the oppression Vander faced. She finally understood how he felt when she betrayed him, after the Zaunites wouldn’t listen to her, and now she can do something about it. So happy for her. She deserves it. The true leader of Zaun, everyone.

Alsoo, I’m a strong believer in the ‘Jinx is alive theory.

More critically however, I think there were too many needle drops (however good they were), the pacing was pretty rushed compared to Season One which was pure perfection, and I wish we got something more similar to League Viktor, because now Only-Arcane fans will not understand the true meaning of Glorious Evolution. I think Viktor’s character arc was over-simplified and I just feel empty about it. Kinda disappointed. He means so much to me. But damnnnn Jayce got validated as HELLLL. No complaints there. I hate him in League but always liked him in Arcane up till episode 6. Bro was just an idealist. Also their ending was ambiguous did they die together or just remain in the astral plane, forever integrated within the arcane. If Singed could save Orianna, can’t he find their corpses somewhere and save them?? I need cyborg Viktor. I wish we had the adventures of Blitzcrank and his cyborg father. I’m also bothered by that continuity error about Vander’s betrayal and when exactly it takes place. Also don’t like what they did with Silco’s character, in Ekko’s alternate world AND in the original world, because how could he just forgive Vander like that after all the hate he was always full of?? I’m sure there’s an explanation, but they didn’t have enough time to go into it.

This is the actual best show I have ever seen personally. Thanks for the stunning writing, flawless art-style, loveable characters and impeccable queer/disabled/POC representation. No other show has ever moved me so much. I hope Fortiche continues to make more series like this in the future. I love Runeterra and its Lore so much.

[mars-rnr]

Thinking about Shoola and Sevika, enemies-to-begrudging allies-realizing they’re the only councilors to give a shit-to maybe something more??

[ambafaerie]

Sevika and Shoola were the only real councilors besides Mel and Jayce that did their job protecting Piltover/ Zaun and their people while the rest of the new Piltoveran councilors turned their back out of self preservation but had the audacity to shoot dirty looks at Sevika for taking a seat at the table, fortunately she has Shoola as her ally. This is a duo I wish we could see more of.

[arcanegifs]

ARCANE LEAGUE OF LEGENDS: 2x01 - “Heavy is the Crown” ↳ "I know you doubt your merit of your birthright, Caitlyn. There's wisdom in that. But remember: You're a Kiramman."

[hxsqk]

Arcane season 2 female characters ♡

[oceanbeetle]

I will not be deterred from the councilor wives agenda (Better quality on twitter: Isthisthine)

[hylianane]

Thinking about how Sevika’s closest ally in the the council is most definitely counselor Shoola. In very few lines and appearances in Season 1, she’s expressed the most sympathy for Zaun (“these are still our people” / being the first to vote for Zaunite independence), and she and Sevika worked together for the funeral service after the war.

And in the scene where Sevika takes her seat at the table, and other counselors try to glare her down, the animators made sure to then place Shoola and Sevika in the following shot together, as oposition. Not just that, but to further indicate this idea the two snob counselors are dressed in the same black, red and white color scheme, while Sevika and Shoola are wearing the exact same gold and purple. It serves to both soothe my nerves about Sevika being alone in Caitlyn’s seat, but it also makes me mourn Sevika’s cut screentime, because I would love to see these two actually interacting directly.

[generisydtoo]

They def had something going on, your honor.

[blackfemmecharacterdependency]

All the Black Femmes || Arcane

Mel Medarda: Toks Olagundoye, Imogen Faires

Ambessa Medarda: Ellen Thomas

Sevika, Apothecary: Amirah Vann

Shoola, Jules: Mara Junot

Sky Young, (Additional Voices): Kimberly Brooks

Other Additional Voices: Debra Wilson, Kimberly Bailey, Shondalia White

[bwat5-blog]

Caitlyn Kiramman: The Perfect Scapegoat

*Spoilers For Arcane*

Good morning all! So continuing my slow descent into insanity let us discuss Arcane once more. Last night trying to fall asleep I was scrolling Archive and came across another of what I think I have seen being called "aftermath" works, just meaning it is the particular author's spin on Cait and Vi's life fairly immediately following the end of season two.

I am not going to name the work or the author because fan-fiction is literally creative art for the author to do with as they please, and I certainly don't have to read anything I don't want to, so I have no desire to call this person out. But I have seen this sort of thing a lot and wanted to discuss it.

"Caitlyn has to face the consequences for her crimes"

Now I have read some truly abhorrent concepts of "justice" people have put Caitlyn through for her actions, and won't be going there. Some are downright inhuman and others just display a hilarious lack of understanding. But the reason this one stuck with me and really had me thinking is that even though it was not the author's intent based on their notes, I actually think they actually did a fantastic job sharing another side of how Caitlyn was utterly failed by almost everyone around her.

In this particular work, the surviving councilors and the prominent people of Piltover have Caitlyn arrested and conduct a tribunal. Including Mel and Shoola. She is called to answer for a host of charges such as allying with a foreign power against her own people, wrongful imprisonment and so on. You get the idea.

So why does this particular idea stick out to me? Because the audacity of the same people who practically fed Caitlyn to Ambessa, as well as surrendered Piltover while pounding their chests and cheering blaming Caitlyn is so nauseatingly realistic it hurts.

QUICK THING ON MEL:

Now let me clear. Mel would never. And had she been there she would have put a stop to that shit or at the very least nodded along while her mother called Caitlyn up then went to Caitlyn afterward in private and started fixing things. But, it is worth noting that Mel knew full and completely what her mother was planning in terms of starting a war to weaponize hex-tech. And as far as we are aware (I think we can assume she told Alora but we don't know for sure) didn't tell anyone. She was trying to stop her behind the scenes through her shadow games. And there are reasons and justifications for that certainly. In fact I think it's safe to assume Mel may have been afraid her mother would just outright attack if Mel was too aggressive in opposing her. Mel was a politician only at this time, and solved problems through more cerebral methods. Even when her magic manifests it is one primarily of protection and deflection, not head on aggression. Not to mention Mel's unavoidable conflicting emotions opposing her at all. But we will never how things could have been different if the rest of the council were aware of Ambessa's plan to begin with.

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED:

This is primarily about her actual time as commander but I wanted to touch on the task force. I recently was discussing the task force/use of The Grey with another user and they stated Caitlyn staged a coup to lead the task force. This of course is in no way true, but as my wife put it:

"She didn't stage a coup but not a single one of those spineless adults thought to look at the emotionally sandblasted college kid and say -No. You haven't even taken a beat since you were abducted and terrorized by your mother's killer and you have just survived another fight. We will figure this out but you don't need this right now. Go hug your incredibly hot girlfriend and take like a fifteen hour nap- instead they let themselves take the easy way out and pinned it all on Caitlyn."

The Commander:

I am not gonna do a whole recap or a break-down of how Ambessa plays these people like a fiddle again. If you are interested I'd love to hear your thoughts on the documents where I have covered those topics!

In Summary: Caitlyn has returned from her mission with the strike team ending in heartbreak and failure in terms of Jinx at least. Totally isolated and alone, not having healed from any of the trauma she has suffered since the beginning of S1 A2, she stands with the other Enforcers while Ambessa expertly manipulates the prominent families of Piltover, the two surviving councilors, and a large amount of Enforcers you would have to assume included leadership (given their presence here and that there clearly many more than this total) into not only agreeing to Martial Law, but to Caitlyn as their commander.

"Caitlyn could have said no"- This is certainly true. I don't think anyone is arguing that myself included. Bu it is extraordinarily important to factor in Caitlyn's mental state at this point which includes a completely mind-boggling amount of trauma. As well as the fact that her people are angry and afraid, and as a Kiramman even at her young age she is someone they look to. Now sprinkle in a healthy amount of mob mentality and manipulation by Ambessa, as she is standing in a crowd of people thumping their chests while the only speaking member of her team stands by her side smiling and encouraging her to go up and accept. And then just to seal the deal Ambessa promises what Caitlyn wants most "your mother will have justice". She absolutely had the choice to say no. I am not negating that. But I do think unless you are intentionally disregarding all of the other factors involved in order to demonize her it is quite clear that things were not so simple. She ultimately made the choice, but ignoring the context doesn't make you righteous. Only ignorant, unfeeling, or both.

And for all those who love rolling out the old "Caitlyn jumped at the first chance to take power and punish all of Zaun just because her mom died" speech, lets take a look at how Caitlyn is actually feeling:

I can only speak for me, but let me tell you what I see playing out in these images point by point:

Shock

Fear

Conflict

Reassurance

Nervousness

Stoic sadness

Acceptance of responsibility

A FUCKING FIFTY SOMETHING YEAR OLD CONQUERING WAR-MONGER SEEING HER DREAM COME TRUE

But! Stepping away from Caitlyn for a moment back to more of my original point. Caitlyn and Ambessa were not alone during this moment. Ambessa had instructed Salo to summon all people of prominence and power or something to that effect. Basically the people who had a say in how things go. These are the people she puppets into agreeing to Martial Law and Caitlyn as their commander. Let's take a look at these heroes:

*Salo was there but I couldn't get a great still of him and I will give him a pass at least in the moment because Rictus was threatening him*

There were more people than this but these were the ones that I could grab in decent quality. And these were the people to make the decision. Otherwise Ambessa would not have needed them all there and gone through her whole song and dance. And I understand the argument that some of them were probably afraid due to the Noxian's doing their stomp dance, but guess what? If the adult politicians and people in power get that grace so does the college kid who recently got emotionally and mentally nuked back to the stone age.

Every single one of them let this happen. They could have stepped during it, they could have taken action after. Salo and Shoola were on the council with Cassandra. They both watch her daughter get served up on a plate to Ambessa so everyone can go about their lives feeling safer and pretending its all handled. There were enforcers there more than twice Caitlyn's age. Someone there was a position of leadership at some level. Not a single damn one made a move? Questioned? An assembly of probably between 30-50 people made up of Piltover's elite all bury their heads in the sand and let the grieving, inexperienced, young, recently returned from violent conflict college kid take the heat so they can go back to easy street and blame someone else if things go wrong.

AWARD FOR SPECTACULAR FAILURE:

We of course cannot touch on the prominent people of Piltover who might as well have spartan kicked Caitlyn into Ambessa's open maw without talking about Tobias. Listen, Anyone who has been following me for any length of time has seen my relentless attempts to get people to recognize the importance of understanding how grief and loss hits people. This man lost his wife. His entire world got turned upside down. And I don't deny that at a point even if he had stepped in Caitlyn may have shut him down as she became the leader of house Kiramman anyway. But he does.... nothing... Part of this probably just comes down to the decision by the writers for him to kind of vanish but we see him defending her efforts to help early on and then when she has so clearly lost her way we get nothing from him.

Martial Law:

So as I said, I have been through all of this in detail. Not doing it again. But since we are talking about it what did Caitlyn actually do?

Establish Checkpoints and take martial control of Zaun.

Arrest people who violated the law.

.............

Piltover elite willingly agree to Martial Law

Piltover elite agree to Caitlyn being made leader

Zaun falls under Piltover jurisdiction regardless of Martial Law or not

Somewhere in Zaun is a dangerous terrorist guilty of multiple political assassinations, the deaths of several enforcers, tremendous destruction of property, multiple attempts to murder Caitlyn herself, and violent abduction of Caitlyn who at the time was a councilor's daughter from her own home.

Zaunite fighters conduct devastating attack on memorial service in what is supposed to be a secure location. Jinx would almost certainly be suspected of involvement but even if not once again the threat comes from Zaun.

The leader they chose, who is the leader because of the martial law they agreed to, places Zaun under occupation until this clear and unquestionable threat to public safety is located. She challenges unlawful arrests, unnecessary violence, bans the use of the worst cells in Stillwater she found Vi in, and has no part in Ambessa's secret experiments and brutality in the bowels of the prison.

None of this is to say that Caitlyn did not make mistakes, did not lose herself to her rage and hate, or does not share in the blame to a degree for the suffering Ambessa caused. I think it is fair to say that Caitlyn, much like those who failed her so spectacularly, looked away from the truth because it was easier to do so at first. And that is not even factoring the massive manipulation of Ambessa upon Caitlyn during this time to keep the occupation going while she continues to try and crack hex-tech, and attempting to control Caitlyn and bend her to her will.

But the idea of the people who all turned away while Caitlyn was made Ambessa's scapegoat so they could sleep peacefully at night condemning her from on high is both disgusting, and sadly all too believable. They have already proved their cowardice and stupidity. And it would be the final betrayal of someone who wanted above all else to protect her people to subject her to some sort of tribunal/punishment in the wake of surviving her cities complete abandonment of her. Especially considering her massive life-changing injuries sustained in the defense of humanity itself while setting things right.

Regarding Zaun:

The people of Zaun are for obvious reasons another matter. There is the larger picture ongoing oppression of Zaun by Piltover to consider, and even considering all the above factors the people of Zaun:

A- Would not have any way to know how much of part Ambessa played behind the scenes until someone made it all public

B- Were the ones who actually suffered during the occupation that Caitlyn did authorize regardless of reasoning.

And just like above, I am not saying Caitlyn does not share in the blame for what occurred. While everything she did was within her scope of authority, an authority lawfully granted to her, and in response to a very legitimate threat to Piltover's safety, it does not change the fact that people imprisoned during the occupation were potentially subjected to Ambessa's brutality. Never mind the day-to-day brutality enacted by Rictus and his men.

But again there are other factors that need to be considered before constructing the gallows:

Piltover's oppression of Zaun is unquestionable. But neither is Piltover's current legal jurisdiction over Zaun. Every action Caitlyn took and was knowledgeable of was completely legal, no matter how wrong you find the law.

The Grey- I am absolutely not doing my whole breakdown again. But through the use of the grey they helped take down Shimmer and the Chem-Barons, which were both enormous threats to the under city. And while it uncomfortable and clearly dangerous when exposed over long periods of time, there is absolutely no evidence of it being dangerous from short term exposure how Caitlyn used it.

And of course, the biggest factor: JINX.

I'll make all of you a deal. Caitlyn gets a noose if Jinx hops up next to her. I love Jinx but it serves no purpose to pretend she's an angel. Jinx is the one who kicks all of this off to begin with. It is because of her that Piltover retaliation is guaranteed, because of her Caitlyn's entire life so violently and radically changes course. And let's be clear here, before you start with all that Jinx was striking out against the oppressors who had ruined her peoples lives in the name of justice and blah blah blah. Nope. Know how I know that? She hid during the entire occupation until Isha got taken. She wasn't speaking truth to power in the name of her people. She was a mentally ill child lashing out at a symbol of her rage in a moment of extraordinary grief and pain. And regarding her hiding by the way, I applauded her for it. Getting away from all of that shit is how she started to get better. As far as I'm concerned I would have cheered to see she and Isha leave that temple fight, board an airship, and head off for adventures far away from Piltover and Zaun forever (Same for Caitlyn and Vi but that's a different document).

So all that said, while Caitlyn certainly has a debt to the people of Zaun, we need to take care not to wrap that up with the debt Piltover owes to Zaun.

Caitlyn is not to blame for the entire history of the two cities. She only played a part in this series of events. And it would be dishonest not to admit that it was a Zaunite that started in the first place, the same Zaunite who changed Caitlyn's life forever through her violence and terrorism. And that the same woman who manipulated Zaunite warriors into attacking Piltover to help kick the war off manipulated Caitlyn herself.

If Silco's mad daughter can become their symbol of hope, and his most trusted lieutenant can become their first councilor, perhaps the people of Zaun can find mercy in their heart for a young woman who recently almost gave her life to make things right. Not to mention her families seat on the council.

Anyway. You have all heard most of this from me before in some form or fashion. So I apologize for that. And again I really am not coming for fan-fiction. I would be the ULTIMATE hypocrite given my recent small efforts. The particular story that got my attention just made me think about it, and then realize it would be sickeningly true to form for the Piltover elite to try and turn on Caitlyn when it was all said and done when they abandoned her the first time. And spawned into this. Thank you for reading.

Have a great day!

[mercutio-the-velaryon]

The intrinsic insidious ableism in Piltover that Salo acknowledges in his scene with Lest, talking about Pilties averting their eyes at the sight of him and such makes me inclined to believe that the reason Shoola had that gold piece covering her scarred/damaged eye is to not only hide her imperfection/flaw/disabiltiy(?) but to cover it with a symbol of her wealth and station.

(Also I'm choosing to actively believe that her eyes been impaired in some capacity because thats interesting and it suits my agenda)

[purpleshimmer]

wait I was just rewatching s2e1 and at the part where shoola, salo, and mel are like "how could they have gotten into the memorial service; there must have been someone from the inside helping them" the camera pans to ambessa.

[ambafaerie]

Appreciation Post for Shoola

I want to start this post by gushing about Shoola’s a design, a Black woman adorned in gold and red, from her clothes to her accessories, to show off she is the that she is one of the richest and most powerful in Piltover, a city already teeming with rich aristocrats and politicians. Speaking of accessories, Shoola’s mechanical neck ruffle is absolutely brilliant a great symbol of Piltover’s status as a steampunk state with her golden eye mask in S2 a cool addition that I must admit I much prefer over the ruffles. Oh, and her finger rings are absolutely gorgeous I love the sound they make when she taps her fingers on the table.

Now on to her character. Shoola is a politician and a member of the ruling Piltover council so her hands aren’t exactly clean, in fact she is one of the people Jayce is shaking hands in the montage of him embracing the political game. But Shoola is one of the more moral council members and the one who advocates for diplomacy and peace with Mel.

She voiced concern for the potential loss of income people would face from the shutdown of the shipping lanes, initially protested Heimerdinger’s forced retirement, and pointed out to the rest of the council they have lost touch forgetting that while the people of the Undercity were not their preferred constituents they were still their people.

The last line hits hard because it contrast the other councilors like Bolbok suggesting a hex weapon to use against them or Cassandra stating the Undercity is impossible to control, all of which is within earshot of Viktor, a man who came from the Undercity.

Shoola advocates for the capture of Jinx after she bombed the council but that’s it. She and Mel opposes the plan to fully invade Zaun in retaliation for the mural attack. Shoola was the only Piltovan who listened to Jayce’s speech and choose to stay and work with Mel to protect Piltover from Ambessa and Viktor.

Finally, there is the implication Shoola is the only one who has Sevika’s back in the new ruling council. She and Sevika lit together the funeral papers and Shoola was the only one who didn’t give Sevika a dirty look when she took her seat and turned her eyes instead at the new councilors who did. Shoola’s personality and previous actions lend weight to her implied relationship or solidarity with Sevika.

In conclusion, Shoola might be a supporting character but she is underrated in the fandom. She is empathetic and gorgeous character and is one of the only few characters from Piltover who never wavered from their principles.

[arcanegifs]

ARCANE LEAGUE OF LEGENDS: 1x02 - "Some Mysteries Are Better Left Unsolved" ↳ "Do whatever it takes. Turn the undercity upside down if you have to. Just find them!"