As soon as we returned to The Drop, I began bending, cutting, and wielding the metals as I saw fit. Ekko and Powder helped with the efforts until the little man had to go help manage the store. Such a burden to manage a business, he really is a little man. The rest of the trouble makers went off to do their usual thing, leaving Powder and me alone to tinker.
"Can I use some scrap for my bombs?" Powder asked as I was in the middle of twisting a screw into the handle of a wicked dagger.
"A bomb? Why would you want to make a bomb of all things?" I asked, genuinely curious.
She shrugged and lowered her head to play with the recently assembled toy monkey. "I just want to make some fireworks."
Not much of a liar. I don't know where she got the idea to make explosives, but she needs guidance, or else she'll kill us all.
"Go ahead, don't hold yourself back." I encouraged.
She squealed in excitement, gave me a quick hug, and then took the workbench next to me. Together, we focused on perfecting our craft. It was a struggle to resist looking over at her work. Every day I made it a ritual to scavenge whatever I could to further occupy my time until midnight. Hopefully, staying here won't interrupt that process.
"Done. Take a look at this." Powder tapped my shoulder.
Restraining myself from lashing out due to being interrupted, I looked over to see two miniature figures holding hands. They were crude replicas of her and me. How she managed to achieve something like this is beyond my understanding. She would have to diligently strip apart thin pieces of metal to achieve such detail. The figure's hands were woven together with such precision, I doubt that I could achieve it.
"Powder..." I held my hands out as she handed the figures to me. They fold neatly into my hands.
"You are such an artist, thank you." I said as my mouth remained agape, turning over the figure to marvel at every detail.
"Really? You really like it?" Powder asked as she stepped close enough that I could feel her body heat.
"It's priceless, I'll cherish it forever." I proclaimed as I held the gift as a prized ordainment.
Powder giggled, then blushed as she looked down at her hands and fidgeted with her nails. Then out of nowhere, she pulled a double combo, landing a kiss on my cheek and securing a hug. I didn't have time to respond before she bolted up the stairs. My face burned with embarrassment. Am I flustered? I don't know how to describe this sensation. I have seen this behavior of affection before, in dark alleys. Most of this closeness was probably things that I shouldn't have been exposed to at an early age, at least that's what people told me. Damn, there are a lot of things that I wasn't supposed to do, see, or say at my age. Kids hardly get to have fun. While thinking of a safe place to store my favorite gift, I plot to tell Powder how I feel. Then I began to plot how quickly this will go to hell when I break the news to her. Powder is my sister, blood or no. I love her as a sister, even though I hardly know her as a person. Still, this gift—what was the purpose of this gift? What does it signify? Looking over it again, I can only grasp that joined hands symbolize our eternal familial unity and friendship. Sighing, I grabbed the newly crafted dagger of my dreams and headed upstairs. The bar was packed with patrons. It was difficult to avoid the drunks and puddles of vomit unscathed. During the deadly dance of avoiding alcohol-induced filth, I caught Vander's eye. He nodded his head towards the door and continued working. I'm guessing he wants me to get closer to his kids, my siblings. To have a childhood, like everyone else. If it was anyone else, no, don't think like that, be grateful. This is your new life, don't waste it.
As I walked into the street, something hit my chest, leaving behind a wet, clear substance. I have been poisoned. Quickly, I unclipped the top half of my jumpsuit and unfolded my wicked dagger. This street was uncommonly deserted. Then the culprit showed herself. Standing a good distance away from me, Powder waved a gun over her head. Where the hell did she get that? Seeing the look on my face, she raised her hand.
"It's just a toy, well, the pellets are." She took out a pellet and ingested it. "Water pellets."
Huh. Maybe I should relax a bit. To believe that Powder would poison me... I have some self-reflecting to do. My chest took another shot.
"Hey, pay attention, that's two for me." Powder announced as she wore a new face, one that provoked a challenge.
"Fine, if that's what you want, here I come." I charged forward, and she easily let off two more shots. For what it's worth, she would have had 4 points. If she ever used real bullets...unpleasant thoughts, please go away. Rolling off the ground, I pushed off like a cat and jumped towards Powder, who was closer than I anticipated. We fell to the ground in a mess of twisted arms and legs.
"Ugh," she groaned in pain. "You play rough, still lost though."
And she is correct, I took a fourth shot that I didn't hear to the stomach.
"I'm guessing you play this game with Ekko too?" I inquired as I stood up and helped Powder to her feet.
"Yep, and I haven't lost yet." She twirled the revolver on her finger with second-nature dexterity. "You want to have a go?"
I shrugged. "Sure."
She handed me the gun by the handle and her bag, which holds enough water pellets for days. I kept my eyes on her as I reloaded. Vi failed to mention how agile Powder is. 9 flawless backflips, then she landed in a predatory stance. Somehow the helmet stayed on her head. Whatever she's been up to on that workbench must have been in the works for weeks.
"Don't blink," she warned as her thin frame began running straight towards me.
Not being an amateur of the revolver, I steadied my aim, using both hands, and pulled the trigger. Powder's helmet obscured her vision as it took the hit. Her momentum slowed and she was taken off course. Another pull at the trigger, hitting her dead on the helmet again. Pushing her helmet up, she locked her eyes on me and began running in zigzags. While it was smart, she fell into a pattern, and I shot her helmet again. I'm getting a sneaky suspicion that they're sizing me up as a group. Assessing my abilities one by one until a decision is made, whether to keep me or not. Admittedly, it's a smart trial of worth, if it were true. Maybe they actually do care for a stranger like me. A stranger that could easily cut their throats in their sleep and take all of their valuables, then vanish. My escape route is easy to plot, and I could sell my loot to quick hands, who never ask questions. She was two steps away. Desperation twisted her face into a snarl. My hands were steady as I bent my knees and emptied my last three shots into her torso. Before I shot her again, she hurled herself at my upper body. Since I ducked, all she could do was tuck and roll. When we both faced each other again, her helmet was drenched, and her shirt had three wet spots.
"You're good. You don't miss." She complimented, but she doesn't seem too happy about it.
Twirling the revolver around, I handed it to Powder by the handle. Her fingers grabbed the handle, then our eyes met. There was something more to this one that has yet to flourish. It seems as if her destiny is vast and ever expanding beyond an endless stream.
"Want to go another round? I got your timing down, you're not going to win again,. she muttered as she pulled the revolver away from me and began to reload. What was that? Most people here have next to zero impact on me, but her? Whatever she's connected to in this existence, it's beyond what I can measure.
"Hey!" a familiar voice cried out. I turned to see Ekko running towards us, nearly tripping over himself in his excitement. "Out here playing without me?"
"All because of your 9 to 5. You're off the clock now?" I asked, keeping half of my attention on Powder, who is taking her sweet time reloading.
"You know it. Benzo wants me out of the store so that I don't take it over," he said with a grin.
"Remind me to ask for a discount around you." I joke, wondering if he understood that concept.
He snorted, "Too late, 50% off for family and friends."
"Such a gentleman." I retorted.
"Good that you two are playing nice." Powder mocked as she handed us our own revolvers. "Now let's shoot each other."
Ekko and I looked at Powder and back at one another. Slowly, I reached out and grabbed the handle. Before I could react, Powder shot me in the chin. Falling back, I aimed at Ekko and shot in his general direction, hitting his leg. Ekko aimed at Powder, hitting her in the shoulder. Well, the shot to the face seems rather personal. I'm guessing that she isn't used to losing at her own game. It's understandable, she wants to be assured that she isn't holding the gang back. However, a lesson needs to be taught. They invited a street rat into their gang, fed him, and called him brother. I'm not going anywhere. Rolling over twice for safety, I let off two shots, hitting Powder in the back. She was dueling with Ekko, who dodged her shot and landed one out of three of his shots, hitting her back as she tried to roll. Zeroing in on Ekko's hair, I aimed and landed three shots. The two rolled and landed on their feet, pointed their revolvers at me, and opened fire. I don't know how I managed, but my mind was overclocked. Using all the strength I have in my core, I kicked my leg in the air and twisted in a maneuver that evaded their shots. When I landed on my foot, facing away from them, I swung my other leg around, bringing my body towards them, timing their attempts to evade, and then landed a shot on their chest. We fell on our butts, exhausted from the mental game of calculating distance and timing each other's behaviors.
Powder threw herself flat on her back and kicked her feet in the air. "That was insane. I've never been pushed like that before."
"I didn't know I could do all of that." Ekko admitted as he gazed ahead in disbelief at the show we put on.
"Glad to have awakened your potential." I jest.
"Yeah, you earned your discount." Ekko bantered.
Upon getting up, I couldn't help but notice a slight grin on Powder's face. I was about to say something stupendous until I saw Vander walking towards us.
"That was a fine show of marksmanship." Vander approached with pride glowing across his face.
"I finally landed a shot!" he proudly proclaimed as he ran up to Vander.
"Whoa, is that right? Has Benzo been training you without me?" Vander is playing into a role.
"Well, I was watching Owen first, he can shoot like Powder," he claimed. In my opinion, I am the superior shooter.
Vander looked over to me, it was difficult meeting his eyes. If I am being tested, no, he wouldn't do that.
"Haven't seen the others by any chance?" He asked as he took Powder's helmet, cleaned the water off, and ruffled her hair.
"They left to have fun without us. Kids these days. Do you need us to check on them?" I asked.
"Ah," he thought for a moment. "Well, if you do run into them, stick with them for a while. Maybe tell them all about your sharp shooting?"
What is he getting at? Why would he want to interrupt me from playing with Ekko and Powder? Looking into his eyes, he's worried for the others. He hid it well, that face is a perfect mask of calm confidence.
"Sure, why not?" I gave in.
"I can come too!" Powder snapped out of her contemplation and back to her usual bright-eyed self.
"Me too!" Ekko offered.
"Actually, I need you two to help me with something." Vander informed.
"Really!?" the dangerous duo exclaimed.
"Really. Wait at the bar for me, and I'll get you two to work." Vander insisted.
Ekko and Powder scampered off. Vander turned to me with his serious face, oh boy.
"They're at it again." He shook his head and rested his fists on his hips.
"Whatever they're up to, I'm guessing you don't approve." I assumed.
"No. I'd be a hypocrite to want them to stop proving themselves." He looked at me again. "They aren't in any danger from anyone big, no one would cross me."
"So what kind of trouble are they in?" I asked with worry building within me.
"I don't know, that's the problem. Knowing makes planning simple, but they went off-grid." Vander divulges.
I nodded. "Say no more, I'll find them."
At top speed, I bolted off to the first building that I could climb. Soon, I found myself jumping from building to claustrophobic building, scanning every alleyway, peering within every structure, and freezing still to hear a noise that sounded familiar. Nothing clicked. Frustrated, I slid down pipes and ladders until I landed on my feet. The air is as polluted as I remembered. Strange, I bet by now I could start smoking and wouldn't feel the difference. When I started walking, memories began flooding my mind. Faces I barely remembered became crystal clear.
"I wonder if they're still kicking." I muttered under my breath as I passed the homeless vagrants littering the streets. They mostly wore rags, or, once, like me, only trousers. As expected, none looked familiar. A shame too, most weren't half bad people. They were just unfortunate. Too many broken dreams and cheated souls. Life doesn't pick who eats or who breathes. In Zaun, life has as much authority as a pawn. A loud bang brought me out of my mental musings. A kid's body rolled out of the alley and into the street. Upon reaching the kid, I checked for a pulse. It was weak but steady. Pulling the boy up against the wall, I dove into the alley. The scene made me fly into action. My family was in danger of getting beaten to death. Mylo, Vi, and Claggor were surrounded by roughed-up kids. Grabbing a brick, I broke it against the back of a kid's head. When he fell down, I was taken to the floor by two other kids. My vision was flooded with limbs and dirt. One boy was pulled off of me. Claggor threw him against the wall and kneed him in the nose. The other boy was still on top of me. Turns out, she pulled me to my feet and was rewarded with a kick to the gut. Upon falling down, I fell on her and forced my hands against her throat. While her eyes widened and her dull nails grazed against my forearm, I looked around to see that my siblings weren't in as much trouble as I thought. Although Vi was being pressured, she was handling her opponent well, never missing a single strike. Claggor threw two boys against the wall, breaking their will to stand. Mylo and his opponent rolled around on the ground. It wasn't a graceful approach to brutality, but miraculously, Mylo pulled out on top. Looking back at the girl in my hands. Tears fell from her eyes, her teeth ground together, saliva foamed from her mouth, and her brittle nails broke against my skin. It won't take long now. I've never derived any satisfaction from this, however, letting them go has always invited more trouble. A shame, I've never killed a girl before.
Vi put her body weight behind a punch that put the lights out in his eyes. "No!"
She ran over to me and tried to push me off, but my grip is ironclad.
"Please, please let her go." Vi begged. She did it again, she begged. She begged in front of the enemy. There haven't been many people that I've admired. Very few people held both strength and compassion in equal measure. Of all the gang members and leaders I've met, no, they were dogs, all of them. I don't regret putting them down the way I did. Just as I won't regret putting this piece of trash in the dirt. Hmm, maybe I could throw them in the water, the fish have to eat too.
"Bro..." I looked over and saw Mylo's face struck with petrifying fear. "You have to let her go."
That hurt. Seeing fear like that on his face weakens my grip, causing the girl to take in a sharp gulp of breath and start coughing. I stood up, not taking my eyes off her.
"Was sent to find you all. Let's go." I ordered, deciding not to divulge too much detail.
Looking down, the girl struggled to breathe with her swollen and sore throat.
"Maybe next time." I stepped over her and returned to the indifferent streets, where our activities turned no heads. Without looking back, I walked to a barren spot that looked misplaced. A taped hand landed on my shoulder and turned me around.
"Is everything—" Vi began to ask, but I cut her off.
My arm moved on its own, grasping Vi's forearm. "I need to speak with you alone." I turned to Mylo and Claggor. "Let Vander know where you've been."
They looked at Vi, who nodded approvingly, then walked past us. Silence fell between us as we stared into each other's eyes. It's funny, I never want her to let me go, I never want to let go of her. Vi is the only reason why I can't leave. I've never lost a fight. Even more to the point, I've never lost to a girl before. Although I have fantasized about the idea of meeting my match, I never would have imagined that it would be her. Every fight I fought either resulted in surviving by the skin of my teeth or by cheating. I owed no one a fair fight, except her.
"I admire you." I admitted. Vi reacted as if she'd been slapped.
Letting go of her forearm, "I heard of Vander and his campaign against Piltover. It's no question what kind of man he is. I can't measure up to that."
Vi slowly lowered her hand from my shoulder to my upper arm.
"When you...beat me, I was enhanced, so it wasn't fair." I confessed, feeling a strange sensation of heated relief washing over me.
"I see where this is going." Vi muttered.
"I hope so. You begged twice." I recalled without blinking. Vi's brows furrowed. "It shouldn't be a big deal, but it bothers me. It's an itch that I can't scratch."
"What are you trying to say?" Vi asked with controlled impatience.
"I need a reason not to leave in the dead of night." I stated.
She let out a sigh. "I don't know much about you. It was a sudden decision, but that's just how I am. You were never given a fair chance to thrive in life. We're giving you that chance."
I let out a halfhearted chuckle, "And I thank you for it, really. I just need to know where that compassion comes from, if it's strong enough to keep you going."
She smirked, "If only I knew, I'd tell you."
"There is a fast way to find out." I offered while I positioned my feet.
"No, we're beyond that point." Vi insisted, placing her hands on my chest.
"Think of it as our bonding ritual, just between us." I enticed as I pushed against her.
"Wait, wait, wait, all because I want you to be a better person?" Vi asked as she tried to dig her feet into the ground.
"The fact that you beg at all sickens me to no end." I clarified.
That's when I grabbed her arms, turned my body away from her, and pulled her over my head, slamming her into the ground. Vi landed on her side and scrambled to clash against me, shoulder to shoulder. I ducked, grabbed her lead leg, and rolled over to secure her leg in a lock. Since she didn't know what I was doing, she panicked by trying to stomp me with her other leg. That gave me the opportunity to kick it away, and I shot up to secure a half guard.
"What is this?" Vi grunted as she tried to punch at my sides. I found a way to sneak my left arm around the left side of her neck and secured it with my right arm. I began to squeeze against her neck. The pressure alone will be enough to get her to submit, probably. To her credit, she fought as if her life depended on it. Without knowledge of how to escape the hold, all Vi could do was thrash like an animal with all her strength. She tried moving her head, for which I didn't leave much room. Flailing her arms was all that she could accomplish, as I isolated one leg, making the other useless. I have to give it to her, she struggled for about 10 full minutes before slowing down to a stop. My hold on her neck couldn't knock her out, however, I managed to completely wear her down. Her labored breaths burned my ears, and her thrashing heart rattled my ribs. Slowly, I released her, instantly, she pushed me to my knees and grabbed a fistful of my jumpsuit.
"Whatever that was, you're going to teach me more of it." Vi demanded with an expression I didn't expect from her: excitement.
"Huh, here I thought you'd be a bit more on the angry side." I admitted.
She snickered. "You don't want to see me angry."
"I believe you." I said.
Vi's smile vanished. "I don't believe you."
Before I knew it, the quick learner swept me off my knees and managed to achieve a full guard.
"You want me to get angry, why?" she questioned.
"I would think that's obvious." I answered before her hand covered my throat.
"I don't believe it. You want me to kick your ass again, huh?" She clenched her hand slightly. Whatever it is I'm chasing, I know it's her. But what is it specifically? Could it be? No, it couldn't. She is...pretty, I suppose, like sunlight breaking through rainy clouds. Not only that, she carries the same eternity in her eyes as Ekko and Powder. Maybe that's it. I bucked her off my waist with my hips, pulled my legs to my chest, and snaked my legs around her arm, securing it in a hold. Rotating my hips, I used my weight to force Vi's face to the ground. Thanks to Vander's unusual recipes, my body grew from a bony creature wearing human flesh to a creature masquerading as a human. A modern-day masterpiece in the works.
"And what is this called?" Vi asked as she struggled to break herself free.
"This is called, 'Stop being so mean to me, or I'll break your arm.'" I answered as I let her go and sat down. She rose to her knees and shook the dirt out of her hair.
"So sensitive," she snickered. "You could have beaten me the first time."
This is true, I very well could have.
"You also could have handled the bigger kid a lot sooner too." Vi added as she popped her knuckles.
That is also true.
Taking advantage of the silence, she asked. "Do you want to explain yourself? Or should I keep going?"
"The big guy, I didn't catch his name, I wanted to prove a point." I admitted.
"That you can take a beating?" Vi joked, I think.
"To prove that I can take the pain as well as give it, so you're half right." I answered as I straightened my back.
"That wasn't the only time," she assumed correctly.
I leaned back and smiled at the smog that stretched over us.
"Every day, there was something to prove. Unlike you, I didn't collect scars as a reward. I didn't prove it with friends and family by my side. My point was proven through necessity." I explained.
"So, the things you've done, the things you won't talk about..." Vi struggled to approach the subject tactfully. I'll give her credit, she's trying.
"It wasn't fear that made me do those things, it wasn't for survival either. I can say that it was, but it's not the full truth." I inhaled and held the breath. Confessing my true motives was worse than bleeding out that one time. That was one of the worst days of my life. All over a simple disagreement of territory and curfew. "I liked scaring them. When I made a crew of misfits run from me, I felt like a hero."
Vi tensed her arms. "You thought you were doing the right thing?"
"The last thing a crime lord needs to have is an inflated ego." I countered. Vi relaxed because she knows I'm right. Vander and Silco are the big chiefs that hold Zaun together. Although Vander maintains leadership through pure respect, the other guy, Silco, rules by both fear and respect, but mostly fear. While I always picked on the other crime lords, I can't fathom making a move against him. He looks so frail, I bet I could take him out with my bare hands. However, I would definitely be torn apart by his veteran goons first. Then there's that other lady, Sevika, who's playing both sides. I have no idea what she's up to, but I get the feeling that she'll fall under Silco eventually.
"I never knew." Vi admitted, fidgeting with her fingers uncharacteristically. This isn't healthy, I won't allow her to be nervous around me.
"None of you were ever supposed to know. If I scare you, I can only imagine how the others feel." I imagine what the others feel. She didn't answer, the look on her face said it all. I deserve it. I'm not like them. I'm a monster, and I'll never hide it. "I can tell that none of you have ever gone past the point of knocking someone out. Hopefully, you'll never have to. But around me? You might get that chance."
Vi stood up and clapped her hands together, dusting them off. I was about to jump to my feet but paused as her hand reached out to me. Upon taking it, I was pulled into a hug, her hand pressing my head into her chest.
"I don't know what I have to do to get that monster out of you, but I'll find a way," she promised. My eyes widened as I heard the rhythm of her heart, she was honestly naive. Despite everything I've told her, she still believes that I am a good person. I suppose the fact that I haven't screwed them over is a point, and that I genuinely consider them as family, she might be onto something. I would have left days ago if I were the old me. Maybe I can change if I allow them. But if I change, if I lose my instincts that have kept me alive all this time, I won't have the fortitude to protect my family.
"First things first." She let me go and held my dagger in front of me. "Thank you for not using this."
Looking at it, I smiled. "It's for you."
She lowered her hand and tilted her head. "No, it isn't."
"It is now." I claimed, seriously wanting to keep it for myself.
"If you wanted to gift me anything, it would be brass knuckles or something." Vi argued.
"True, but then you might accidentally kill someone with it. And you don't have it in you to do that." I shot back with a raised brow.
Vi snickered and shook her head, knowing I got her. Then she turned me around and pushed me forward.
"Start walking, mister." She was clearly flustered over my superior verbal combat abilities.
"It's okay to admit that I had you beat twice today." I pointed out.
"Now you're asking for a third round." Vi threatened, but I can hear the smile in those words.
"A third loss on your record?" I jabbed.
"Did you forget who's holding the knife?" She growled.
"You know what...I sure did." I acknowledged as I sprinted towards the Last Drop with Vi following closely behind. I wonder if anyone told her that running with sharp objects is dangerous.