You were an intern at the Akademiya, something like a prodigy from Zaun. Viktor had seen potential in you while scouring the Undercity for materials for his next project and when he stumbled upon you at a mechanical shop speaking about gadgets and gizmos like you were born a robot, he didn't hesitate to grab a scholarship for you from the Akademiya.

The first time Mel saw you, you were busy scribbling on the blackboard in Viktor's lab– whether it was a scientific figure or an equation, she didn't know (or care, for that matter).

Mel was the one to approach you first, having commented about how smart you seemed to be. She came off as a little arrogant and cocky to you at first, especially when she kept asking you what materials you'd need for your project for Viktor, wanting to 'sponsor your geniusness' as she put it, and not wanting to piss of a Councilor, you just accepted it, basically.

At first it was just a few pieces of high quality materials that she'd send to Viktor's lab, then it gradually turned into huge boxed packages delivered from overseas that kept knocking on your door almost weekly.

You were definitely impressed, not gonna lie, but you thought it was a little overboard for someone sponsoring a tiny project that had crossed the back of your mind one time, so you decided to confront her about it.

But, before you could even speak, Mel had spoke up first, "I would like you to accompany me to one of my galas." She said, which you were reluctant to agree on, honestly, but Mel has a way of words and she persuaded you with the promise of sponsorship and a whole lot of exposure, so, you went with her and it slowly became a reoccurring, with you being her plus one to every single Piltovan event.

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Having lived in Piltover in riches, Mel was no stranger to grand events and luxurious parties, especially given that she was the Councilor Medarda, in fact, she was quite the regular face to be seen at every gala to be attended by the elite— which were quite a lot during the holiday season.

Mel's schedule was packed to the brim.

Charity cases, Christmas galas, donation drives filled her week and she had to deliver her presence, a speech and a smile every single time she went and, yet, she found the time to backtrack and decorate her own home right before Christmas.

Especially now that you were around.

Mel had a feeling that you weren't one to celebrate occasions, having observed your reactions to the galas and events she'd taken you to (you always looked like a kid in a candy store and it made her just want to squish you and take you everywhere you wanted to go), so she's made it her mission to make sure that you were able to celebrate every single occasion there could possibly be and, in this case, Christmas.

About a week before Christmas, Mel had (demanded) Elora to clear her schedule, wanting to be the one to personally shop for the Christmas decorations this year to impress you (since you always doubted her ability to do anything due to having a lot of maids and assistants like Elora).

Elora had helped her pick out the decorations, wanting the Christmas theme to be based on your favorite color and follow it to the T, so in that seven days, Mel and Elora searched far and wide just to make sure they had everything prepared– which they do now.

Mel stood by the grand entrance of her mansion, looking smug and proud at how she decorated her whole house (of course, still with the help of her maids, but she did hang up some stockings by the fireplace and ornaments on the Christmas tree), awaiting your arrival with bated breath.

Then, her ears twitched when the doorknob to the front entrance rattled.