"Would you like more tea, Hecarim?"

"I must decline. Your mortal drink holds no flavor, Elise."

"That's because you lack taste buds, dear. You're an undead centaur, remember?"

"Hrmm."

The towering, armored specter known as Hecarim grumbled to himself as he put his teacup onto the table. It took all of his effort not to break the fragile porcelain, his massive, armored hand moving much more fluidly once he let go of the cup. Looking down, the tea he had "drunk" dripped down the interior of the armor that made up his body. Not having a throat or insides to keep in the liquid also seemed to be obstacles that prevented the ghostly horseman from participating in tea time. Still, his host graciously did not mind his inability to enjoy her probably well-prepared beverage. He looked across the table at Elise.

"I must ask again. Why did you invite me to this…tea party?"

"I simply desired your company. We used to always enjoy these quiet moments during our more…ordinary days. Do you not remember?"

"…No."

"Hmm, that is a shame."

Elise sipped her tea as her guest remained silent. Behind the cover of her teacup, her lips formed a slight frown. He was always like this when she tried to bring up old memories. Memories from the days when she wasn't—she looked at the spider limbs resting against the back of her chair—what she was now. Still, she couldn't complain. He was here now. Might as well enjoy his companionship however she could. Her frown turned into a small smile as she placed her now empty teacup back onto the table.

"It is regrettable you cannot enjoy the tea, Hecarim. This Ionian blend is rather difficult to obtain. It was fortunate one of my follower's kin sought to send him a box as a present after he declared he was going on his…pilgrimage. Perhaps I shouldn't have fed him to Vilemaw so quickly; I might have been able to procure some more."

"I apologize, Spider Qu—"

"Remember, dear, you may call me Elise. You were doing so well just a minute ago."

"As you wish."

"As you wish, who?"

"As you wish, Elise."

"There we go, my dear Hecarim. And no need to apologize; it is not your fault you are put together the way you are. Well, at least not intentionally."

"My armor grants me the strength to mow down the Isle's enemies. It inspires terror in the wake of my onslaught! It is suited perfectly for me."

"But you cannot drink tea."

"…No, I cannot."

"Then I must question the perfection of its design. Destroying the enemies of the Shadow Isles is all well and good, but one should be able to partake in the quieter, simpler moments of undeath."

"If you say so, Elise. I still feel my physical form is perfect though."

Elise sighed a small sigh as she drummed her red and black fingers on the table. He could be so stubborn at times. She slowed the tempo of her pointed digits as she watched him gingerly pick up the teapot and offer to refill her cup. Her lips slowly formed a gentle smile. Still, he could also be rather sweet. Perhaps some parts of him from his living days had yet to disappear into the madness that was his single-minded lust for war. She giggled quietly as she realized the fact he was here was a testament to that notion.

"Thank you, Hecarim. Even though I should be the one refilling the teacups seeing as how I am your host, I gladly accept your kind offer."

The spectral centaur nodded and proceeded to pour the aromatic drink into her cup. The way his arms were slightly shaking as he did his best to avoid crushing the teapot in his armored grip was both comical and endearing.

"I exist to serve the Shadow Isles. As you are an exalted member of the Isles Spider—"

She narrowed her eyes.

"—er, Elise, it is part of my duty to serve you. Even in this small way."

Hecarim almost sighed a sigh of relief as his host simply nodded and took another sip from her teacup. For all of his might and standing in the armies of the Shadow Isles, the woman before him easily controlled his words and actions. She wasn't even part of the Isles' military force, only a deceiving priestess feeding off the lives of the living. He wasn't sure why she held so much power over him. And yet, the words he just told her were not entirely true. Even if she was but another ghoul or spirit wandering the realm of the living dead, he would do what he could to comply with her desires. He felt…compelled to.

"How are the soldiers? I hear the last Harrowing was rather successful."

He snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her with some surprise. She usually tried to avoid talking about "work matters" during these little visits and often urged him to do the same. The sudden interest disturbed him, but not enough to prevent him from talking. He was not one to hold back when speaking about the glories of war. Especially when he was involved.

"The soldiers are in excellent shape. Their rampage across the Grey Harbor was a perfect execution of the Isle's power. Not a soul remains in that port of Bilgewater to this day.

He took a moment to let out a ghastly yet mirthful laugh.

"I can remember the screams of the cowards as they were trampled underfoot! None could stand against me!"

His laughter eventually died down, leaving nothing but a grim smile on his face.

"Still, I must admit that some of them put up a fight. They were fools to try opposing me, but I can appreciate their show of desperate strength."

"It certainly helps that some of those "fools" are now part of your host."

"Er, yes…the Shadow Isles is always ready to take in the strength of the living and add it to its might."

Elise leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table as she rested her chin on the back of her now folded hands. She stared intently at her guest.

"I'm glad to hear you've been doing well, dear. But…"

"But?"

"One of my children" —she glanced at a spiderling that scurried beneath Hecarim's legs— "tells me you brought Thresh with you that night."

"Yes, I thought he might have been of use to my forces. He had also recently recovered from an encounter with the Purifiers and wanted to torment the souls of the living to, uh, 'make up for lost time' as he put it. So I offered him a chance to fulfill his wish."

"I see."

Hecarim nervously shifted one of his hind legs as Elise held him under her gaze. He knew she wasn't very fond of the Chain Warden, though he didn't exactly know why.

"There…there is no problem in him having gone, right?"

Elise made a mischievous smile which she partially hid as she moved her tented hands in front of her mouth.

"No, not at all. It's just…you invited him to go with you and not me."

"I, uh, thought you were occupied with your followers in Noxus. I did not wish to disturb you."

"How thoughtful. Did you enjoy the warden's company? I know you do not usually spend your work time with those who are not of your spectral host."

Hecarim's uneasiness grew as he felt he needed to answer the Spider Quee—Elise's—question carefully. She never was an open book when it came to moments like these. Actually, she was never an open book in general.

"The Chain Warden had his fill that night…but he may have been overzealous in taking the souls of our foes for himself. A few more warriors might have been added to our ranks if not for his actions."

Elise's smile stretched itself at the horseman's words.

"So you would have preferred my company over his?"

"I…suppose your venom and silk would have led to more efficient slaughter than the warden's scythe. He, uh, takes too much time with each kill."

Elise straightened up in her seat, her smile now visible to her guest. Hecarim shifted in place again.

"I'm pleased to hear that. It's good to know you enjoy my company over that…petty ghost's."

Hecarim paused before speaking up hurriedly.

"I actually would prefer that you not be with me on the battlefield."

Elise's smile completely vanished and her eyes narrowed into a venomous glare.

"Would you care to elaborate on that statement?"

As tall and proud and fearsome Hecarim might be, he could do little but wither under his host's silent fury. He mustered his strength to quickly explain himself.

"I seek the battlefield and the thundering of war as it is my unlife's purpose, but in the end it is my work. My time with you is pleasure, and thus I wish to keep it separate from my duty."

Elise's face remained impassive, but all the tension beneath her silky skin dissipated as the horseman's words diffused her anger. A warmth she very rarely felt filled her being, and she stood up from her chair. She slowly strolled towards Hecarim, and she almost licked her lips as he bowed his head down. She could practically eat the nervous vibes radiating from his being, but after some thought, chose to end her angry charade. She stood still in front of him and put a hand beneath his chin. Her fingers prompted him to look up at her and she presented him with a gentle and almost kind smile. Her hand moved to his face, and she stroked his metal cheek as he stared at her confusedly.

"I'm pleased to hear you say that."

The warhorse's shoulders fell as the ghostly energies beneath his armor relaxed. Knowing he had dodged a bullet, or in this case a face-full of neurotoxin, he chose to change the subject. The spectral wisps that served as his "eyes" looked around. He took note of their peculiar surroundings.

"Not to question your choice in location, Elise, but why are we in the middle of the forest for our…tea party?"

"You don't enjoy the fresh air, Hecarim? Would you prefer to drink your tea in the caverns with Vilemaw as your company?"

"…No."

Elise let out a soft but sinister laugh as she reached for one of the pastries on the table. She brushed away some loose crumbs and offered it to her guest.

"Biscuit?"