Chapter 1
Chapter I
Vi's room felt hot.
It's the first thing she notices when she wakes up, her pale eyes trying to focus on a specific point in the middle of the darkness, the room too hot and humid. Suffocating. Completely bathed in sweat, breathing agitated and feeling her heart beating wildly in the center of her chest, Vi heard a distant groan that she vaguely managed to register as her own when she turned her head to the side and everything went out of place. The world, although dark and confusing, seemed to spin at a dizzying speed, as if an unknown force had torn it off its axis, throwing her into an endless void.
Amidst the confusion and bewilderment, a part of Vi knew that the reason her room was unnaturally warm was because the heating had probably broken down once again during the night, despite Ekko’s best effort to repaired it only a week ago. But she didn't have much more chance to ponder that detail as a wave of nausea hit her again.
Breathe
Vi inhaled sharply, trying to calm herself. She clenched her hands at her sides, feeling the sheets wrapped around her and the soft surface of the mattress beneath. But even though she objectively knew she was lying down and somewhat safe, her body was still sending out mixed signals. The once firm and reliable bed was transformed into a treacherous and uncertain area, rocking her back and forth in a senseless whirlwind, as if Vi had suddenly been thrown into turbulent waters in the open ocean.
No, no. Come on, just keep breathing
You are okay
You are fine
Just breathe
With each inhaled breath, she felt the panic subside, but the sensation of movement persisted, enveloping her in a relentless tide. She let out another groan deep in her throat. Her stomach, rebellious, clenching and pressing with nausea as cold sweat beaded on her forehead. A pressure that grew, a thick anguish that rose in her throat demanding to escape.
“Fuck…”
She knew she couldn't stay there; she didn't want to even imagine how much of a hassle it would be to clean everything up if she couldn't hold back her nausea. So, with more effort than was normally required, she rolled onto her back, pushing herself up on her shaking arms to sit up in bed. She blinked again, her eyes darting from one place to another without any clear aim.
Confusing shadows, infinite darkness, flashing lights.
Everything was chaotic and something about it made Vi feel like she had no escape.
She closed her eyes again, clenching her teeth as she fumbled with one hand on the nightstand next to her bed. It seemed like an eternity before she found the button she needed and without waiting much longer she pressed it, perhaps more times than necessary, but at that moment she couldn't afford to be careful.
As much apprehension and annoyance that it caused her to bother others, bother Powder of all people, Vi was honest enough with herself to admit that she needed help quickly right then.
One less problem, but she still felt like she could vomit at any moment.
Cursing once more, she felt around a few inches to her right on the table, making contact with the smooth, cold surface of her cane. Stretching it out to its full length and resting it on the floor, Vi gathered enough momentum to stand up and head for the bathroom. Each step forward was a small victory over the chaos, but the echo of her cane against the walls brought back a blurry, disorienting mental image. The distance seemed to lengthen, as if the bathroom was running away from her.
A cold sweat ran down her spine. She stumbled against a door frame and reached out to steady herself, finding the edge of the sink. Her other hand felt around until it found the toilet, and then she dropped down onto it, releasing the contents of her stomach into the bowl. The relief was momentaneous.
She slid against the opposite wall then, feeling brief respite in the stillness of sitting on a firmer surface, the cool ceramic counteracting the heat of her body.
“Why… of all the fucking days…” she gasped, resting her forehead against the edge of the toilet, as the world continued to spin.
Round and round.
Breathe
Breathe
Breathe
“Vi!?”
Powder's voice broke through the space, cutting through the fog in her mind, clear and full of concern. Vi let out a sigh.
She heard her sister running into the apartment, her steps quick and firm, getting closer. Suddenly her world became clearer, the artificial light illuminating the space and defining the diffuse, dark silhouettes around her a little better. Powder entered without hesitation, crouching down beside her and placing a firm, careful and comforting hand on her shoulder. Vi blinked a few times, trying in vain to focus better, instantly recognizing Powder's vague silhouette bathed in the warm, artificial glow of the bathroom light.
Although the world was still a fragile and unstable place, her sister's presence gave her a fixed point to hold on to.
“Hey sis…” Vi said with difficulty, feeling that even articulating those words required a superhuman effort.
“Janna… you look like a mess,” Powder exclaimed in a joking tone that contrasted greatly with the gentleness with which she brushed Vi’s damp hair away from her face, briefly caressing her forehead while her other hand lightly squeezed her shoulder “So gross”
Vi smiled slightly despite herself.
“Yeah… well… It’s not my b-best time,” she admitted with a soft whine, nausea assaulting her again.
“Shhh, don’t talk anymore, okay?” Powder took one of her hands, pressing it against her chest. “Come on, breathe with me.”
Vi nodded, looking down at the floor, where the bathroom tile looked like a shapeless jumble of dark colors, and concentrated entirely on imitating the slow, conscious rhythm of Powder's breathing. Vaguely dark lines indicated the joints between the tiles, but now they seemed to move, to twist like snakes. She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping that would ease the feeling of crumbling.
Powder squeezed her hand, humming a song under her breath that Vi instantly recognized, the same one her sister used since they were little, to calm her down. The same one her mother used to sing to them at night and claimed could scare away the worst of nightmares. Vi held on to that memory, inhaling deeply a few times and try to push the anxiety away.
When she opened her eyes again, she found that Powder had moved without her noticing and was kneeling in front of her. Vi could make out her blue hair, a long shadow framing her and contrasting with the lighter, paler tone of her skin. It was as if she were painted with watercolors that slid and blended, unable to stay put.
“Better?” Powder asked, the song stopping, but the calm remained. Vi nodded slightly, frowning as she felt her cane being taken out of her hand and a plastic bottle placed in its place. “It’s water. You know the drill, little sips, okay?”
Vi stopped herself from rolling her eyes because of course, in the midst of this rush, Powder had brought water with her. Her sister always seemed to be two steps ahead of everything, which, while sometimes infuriating, was comforting. The bottle of water felt cold, tangible, real. She took a small sip, grateful for the momentary calm the liquid offered as it went down her throat.
“I’m sorry…” Vi said then, the tiredness evident in her voice “I don’t know what happened, I was asleep and suddenly…”
Powder tapped her forehead with her fingers impatiently, interrupting her.
“Don't be stupid. What did we talk about before? Huh? No apologies” she scolded, though her tone was soft and full of concern. “Come on, move your ass a little.”
Vi looked up once more. Her sister's figure, though distorted, had become a beacon in the midst of her disorientation. The shadows seemed less menacing now, less unstable.
Powder sat down on the floor next to Vi, maneuvering in the cramped, uncomfortable space to pull the pinkette towards her, enveloping her in a strong, warm embrace that Vi immediately found relaxing in.
With that simple gesture, Powder had brought balance to her world again. And Vi, without much strength to argue, simply allowed herself to take refuge completely in Powder's arms, closing her eyes and waiting for time to do its work and the vertigo to subside. Although her sister was physically somewhat shorter and thinner, for Vi being in her arms at that moment took her back in time, where the age between them was more obvious and Vi could take refuge with her older sister bigger and stronger frame after a nightmare.
While the circumstances were not the same, the protection effect remained.
The atmosphere still felt hot. But the feeling of suffocation had disappeared.
“The heater broke down again…” Vi muttered after a few seconds.
Powder let out a snort.
“Yeah…” she replied “I’m going to kick Ekko’s ass for that”
Vi frowned slightly.
“It’s not his fault…” she began to say.
“Shhh no talking”
“But…”
“Shhh!”
There was silence, and then they both laughed quietly, the sound echoing in the bathroom walls. Vi buried her face in her sister's neck, inhaling deeply and feeling suddenly exhausted, as if she had run all the way across Zaun and back many times.
“Can you stay?” she asked in a whisper.
Powder pressed her even closer to her body, her chin resting on the pinkette's head.
"As long as you need"
::::::
Vi loves her sister, she really does. Powder is perhaps the most important person in her life, just as Vi is the most important person in hers. But love wasn't enough to stop the blue-haired girl's overprotective and controlling tendencies from getting on her nerves sometimes.
“I’m sure Sevika won’t mind if you’re gone for a day,” Powder insisted, her voice booming through the small apartment, the sound of her tools against metal the only thing that accompanied her as she tried to fix the heating once more in
Vi rolled her eyes impatiently, moving carefully and precisely around the kitchen, her hand running over the counter with precision, moving between objects she knew as well as if she saw them. The edges of the knife, the handle of the cutting board, the cold surface of the refrigerator: everything was in its place, because both she and Powder had made sure of it. Vi remembered perfectly the precision with which her sister, years ago, had millimetrically mapped out every space in the kitchen, the entire house really, for hours until she was satisfied that Vi was not in danger of harming herself.
She opened the silverware drawer and ran her fingers over the spoons until she found the spatula. Everything had an order, and that order was her map. Likewise, when she opened the refrigerator, her hands went straight to the carton of eggs, the packet of butter, and the small container of milk that always sat on the same shelf. The egg in her hand was fresh, its shell rough but uniform. Carefully, she cracked it against the edge of the bowl, trusting more in the sound of the shell cracking and the feeling of the egg falling in than anything else, all the while continuing to listen to Powder rant from inside her room, her eyes involuntarily moving in that direction without ever managing to focus or fully distinguish what she saw.
“…That woman does nothing but exploit everyone,” Powder continued. With a mocking smile, Vi began to beat the eggs, the movement of her wrist was rhythmic, almost musical, and the sound of the liquid hitting the edges of the container told her that it was mixed just right, Powder’s voice fading into the background. “It’s winter! Who in their right mind goes to the gym in the middle of winter?”
“I like to train at this time of year,” Vi replied cheerfully, moving to the stove and carefully lighting the flame. Her ear caught the soft click of the lighter and the low murmur of the burning gas. “It’s nice.”
“That’s stupid,” Powder replied, followed by a metallic screech that made Vi grit her teeth.
“It's relaxing”
“The response of a deranged masochist”
Vi chuckled, pouring in the beaten eggs in measured motions, listening to them spread across the pan with a soft hiss. As she stirred them with her spatula, the warm smell of eggs cooking filled the air, a scent that always brought her peace of mind.
In the toaster, the bread popped out with a soft click, announcing that it was ready, just as she heard Powder mutter something Vi couldn't make out, her footsteps approached the kitchen. Vi turned her head towards her, Powders blurry, blueish figure positioning itself at her side to help her finish preparing breakfast.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
“Meh…. It will break down again soon” although Powder tried to pretend otherwise, Vi could hear the frustration in her voice “I will talk to Ekko to find a replacement next week”
Vi twisted her face into a grimace and sat down at the table, eggs ready and a glass of milk in the table. She ran her fingers around the edges of her plate to make sure everything was in place before picking up her fork and answering.
“Don’t stress yourself. A little cold at night won’t hurt me,” she threw a playful smile into the air. “In any case, I can use your couch until everything is sorted out.”
Powder hummed, sitting in front of her.
“I better hurry up then before your fat ass invades my space,” she exclaimed without any real malice.
Vi snorted.
They both knew that, if necessary, Powder wouldn't think twice about making room in her own bed before allowing Vi to sleep on the old couch that threatened to collapse onto its bases every time someone sat down in front of the television.
Powder cleared her throat after a while, breaking the silence that had settled between them as they enjoyed their meal.
"So…. "
“I won’t miss another day, Pow,” Vi interrupted, sighing. “It has been four times this month, I don’t want to add a fifth.”
Powder grunted.
“I can talk to Sevika,” she insisted, “She owes me a couple of favors from the last time I was fixing the treadmills.”
“Pow…”
“Or maybe we can tell Vander, he can talk to her. We both know Sevika wouldn’t think twice about agreeing to anything he says,” her sister insisted, her voice rising an octave with each word. “If it’s about payment, you know I can always lend a hand to cover your expenses...”
“Pow Pow…”
“Claggor or Mylo could cover for you! My mentioned the other day that he was thinking of looking for another job. Maybe if you take the rest of the week, he could…”
“Powder!”
The harsh, stern tone was enough to abruptly shut the tirade down. Vi felt the weight of Powder's gaze on her, burning with a host of feelings she couldn't quite express and wasn't sure she wanted to acknowledge. The pinkette inhaled deeply, loosening her grip on the fork in her hand and pushing the empty plate aside. She raised her head, frowning slightly and making a determined effort to focus as best she could on her sister and place her face.
“I… I’m fine, okay? I haven’t felt any dizziness since last night. I took my medicine and I have the next dose scheduled on my phone so I don’t forget it,” she said, her leg bobbing up and down under the table anxiously. Whether Powder noticed or not was impossible to tell. “I really can’t miss work one more time, I don’t want to. I know Sevika wouldn’t mind, but I will. It’s… I don’t want to make it a habit to have to miss work every time I have a simple dizzy spell…”
“It’s not just dizziness, Vi” Powder interrupted in frustration.
“I know. But still, there’s no need to miss it. I’ll be fine.” Vi bit her lip, carefully considering her next words. “Look, I’ll be careful, okay? I promise I’ll take it easy; I won’t do any exercises today if you want. And in case of anything, I can call” she said.
Vi tapped around the table lightly until she found the glass of milk in front of her, rushing to drink and have an excuse to look away, focusing on a blurry, shiny silver shadow hanging on the wall, one of Powder's most recent works that she hadn't yet taken the time to fully examinate. Her sister's gaze was still fixed on her, analyzing her carefully, but Vi had already said what she had to say and now there was nothing left to do but await Powder’s verdict.
Deep inside, Vi had every intention of going to work regardless of what her sister might think, but Powder's approval would lift a weight of guilt off her shoulders that she didn't want to carry with her for the rest of the day.
After what seemed like an eternity, Powder let out a sigh.
“Fine”
Vi immediately relaxed.
“Thank you, Pow-Pow”
Powder hummed.
“Mhmmm, no exercise for today or the rest of the week,” Powder instructed, to which Vi nodded somewhat reluctantly. “You have to call me in case you feel sick, got it? It doesn’t matter if it’s just a minor headache. If I don’t answer, call Ekko.”
“Alright”
“Anything, Vi, I mean it”
“I’ll call you as many times as I needed to go to the bathroom to take shit,” Vi smiled as she heard Powder’s chuckle and just like that, the tense atmosphere dissipated.
Small victories.
“Finish your breakfast, smart ass.” said Powder.
The next hour passed in the blink of an eye. Powder sent Vi off to get ready while she cleaned up the kitchen and returned to her apartment to get ready for her own work. As she searched for her jacket in the closet, Vi's hand brushed the neck of her guitar, stored deep in the closet. Frowning, she pulled out the instrument, expertly fingering the strings to check if they were properly tuned.
They weren't in the ideal tune, but for the amount of time it had been sitting unused it could have been worse and it was nothing Vi couldn't fix quickly.
“Vi! Are you ready?” Powder called from the apartment door. “Come on, I’ll take you to work.”
“One minute!”
Vi considered her options, the familiar feeling of anxiety tightening her chest for a brief moment before deciding to take the guitar with her. Not wanting to give herself the chance to rethink her decision, she took a few extra seconds to find the old case she always used when she took her guitar out of the house. With her cane in hand and guitar hanging securely on her back Vi made her way to the door, immediately perceiving Powder's gaze on her.
Vi cleared her throat, her shoulder rolling in a familiar tic that betrayed her nervousness.
“Are you going to start feeding ballads to gym rats now or what?” Powder asked.
Vi smiled, albeit a little insecure.
“It’s Wednesday,” she began, and Powder clicked her tongue, encouraging her to continue. “I was thinking that maybe I could use it tonight to… you know,” she murmured, her ears picking up on Powder taking a sudden breath, her figure moving sideways slightly, as if shifting her weight on her feet in pent-up excitement.
Powder hesitated a bit before asking. It was rare for her sister to hesitate like that.
“So, you finally want to perform?” she asked, her voice unsure but with a hint of hope and excitement that encouraged Vi even more, making her feel like she had made the right decision.
Squeezing the strap of her guitar and unable to find the right words, Vi just nodded, smiling slightly.
“Well…I mean,” she stood up straighter, trying to show more confidence than she felt, “I can try.”
Her sister took her by surprise when she put an arm around her neck and pulled her towards Powder in a rough hug, ruffling her hair enthusiastically, the same hair that she had worked so hard to arrange to look more or less presentable minutes before.
“Powder!”
She only received a laugh in reply.
::::
As much as Powder had assured her that everything would be fine, Vi couldn't help the anxiety that settled in the pit of her stomach by the end of the afternoon, when her shift was almost over. Her fingers drummed incessantly on the surface of the counter, trying to keep up with the tempo of the music playing from the speakers in the gym's lobby. She tilted her head to the side, her eyes fixed straight ahead on the blurry silhouette of a poster hanging on the back wall that she'd never known what it said while her ears picked up the voices around her, the incessant sound of the machines being used and the various footsteps in the surroundings of the entire establishment. Always on the lookout for any problems or incidents that required her attention.
In reality, her job at the gym’s reception was anything but glamorous or exciting. Most of the time Vi had little to do to kill boredom besides making small talk with the gym users as they came in or out, playing around with the music stereo, or meticulously keeping track of clients and money coming in during the day, something that really didn't take more than a few minutes, leaving her with too much free time on her hands. If it were her choice, Vi would have preferred to be able to work in something perhaps a little more exciting, but her condition didn't give her too many job opportunities in Zaun and her lack of education limited her options in the neighboring city, Piltover.
Of course, it's not like the pretentious city was remotely her first choice. But if Vi was honest enough with herself, she had to admit that she wouldn't mind trying something better.
But the reality is that no one is willing to hire someone who is legally blind. Where her family and friends saw opportunity and resilience, the rest of the world saw only a hindrance or someone to support. Vi had spent most of her teenage years fighting prejudice and demonstrating her abilities, but sometimes she felt that her attempts were in vain. So, her job at the gym was, all things considered, her best option and opportunity to stand on her own two feet within her limitations. Sevika, though stern, was fair and a good boss, treating her not like a baby but as an equal and allowing her to use the facilities for free when she was not on duty.
So no, her job wasn't remotely glamorous or exciting, but it was hers and Vi did her best to prove that her position there, however small, was worth something.
The sound of bells caught her attention, signaling someone's entrance through the front door. New arrivals always laughed and made disparaging comments when they noticed the small bell, but Vi didn't care. If necessary, she put them in their place. It was the best way she had to know when someone came or if she was distracted.
She took a moment to focus on the huge, burly figure of a man approaching the counter, his heavy, rhythmic steps giving away his identity before he uttered a word. Vi smiled in his direction.
“Loris, you're early.”
“Hey Vi, everything okay here?” the man asked, walking behind the counter to deposit his bag in the employee locker.
“Yeah, not many people today, it’s been quiet,” Vi admitted, Powder’s voice in her head reminding her of her comment from the morning, “Looks like the cold scared them away.”
Loris let out a snort and Vi heard him sit down heavily next to her.
“It’s freezing out there,” he admitted. “It looks like it’s going to be a tough winter this season.”
“Oh well… More training space for us” Vi joked.
“Sure kid, gotta make a fighter out of you soon with all the free time. Do you have time today?”
Loris had been working at the gym for a little longer than Vi, but he shared his shift time between the reception desk and personally training those who paid extra money for the service. Both he and Sevika, when the woman was available, personally took care of Vi's training, leaving her alone when necessary or if Vi requested it, but always supervising her progress. Both, in their own way, were the closest people to Vi outside of her family circle. Which was nice and sad at the same time.
Vi hesitated a little before answering.
“Not today, I’ll take a break this week,” she said, not wanting to add any further details.
"Alright"
Loris never questioned her or asked more than she was willing to share, he respected her space and it was something Vi greatly appreciated.
The alarm on her phone rang, the specific ringing signaling that her shift was over. Anxiety washed over her again.
She had just over an hour to head to The Last Drop and prepare, but the extra time only created doubts and made her reconsider her decision.
The Last Drop had taken a different direction a little over a year ago, moving away from its reputation as an open bar and gaming center to take a more modern angle and openness to a different type of audience outside of Zaun. Although Vander had been reluctant at first, Claggor and Powder had been convincing enough to push him to give the business a new face. By adding a more varied menu, remodeling the tables and walls, and doing the proper advertising, Vander's bar had begun to flourish again.
And what was most appealing were the special Wednesday shows. Powder's initial idea that had been a resounding success in establishing The Last Drop's reputation as a place for amateur bands and indie singers to perform and become known to more people. The Wednesday shows were, in particular, a thorn in Vi's side in the last few months.
“I’ll be leaving now. Tell the boss that I left the money from the new people in the office,” Vi said as she took her cane and tapped the ground with her feet to locate the guitar she had hidden behind the counter so she could pick it up.
“Sure kid, be careful out there” called Loris.
Vi shivered slightly when she felt the chilly breeze as she left the building. Adjusting her jacket and gripping her cane firmly, she began to make her way through the busy, bustling streets of Zaun toward The Last Drop. She prided herself on knowing every crack, stone, and flaw in most of Zaun, relying more on her other senses than her limited vision to avoid pedestrians who didn't pay enough attention to her cane to let her through in time, or those who simply didn't care. It had taken her years, more than a few stumbles, frustrations and blood, but nowadays Vi felt strong enough to face the world alone most of the time.
It didn't take long for Vi to visualize the faint but familiar silhouette of The Last Drop, the newly installed neon lights drawing the attention of everyone who passed by. The open and warm atmosphere of the place welcomed her as soon as she entered, giving her a refuge from the cold weather on the streets. The mix of smells and sounds was familiar and comforting; in the background, Vi could hear soft jazz music playing. She quickly approached the back, where she could see Vander waiting for her, his giant and broad-shouldered figure rising from behind the bar as if he were the guardian of an enclosure.
Considering The Last Drop had been her home for most of her life, Vi didn't find that description entirely outlandish.
“Vi! What a nice surprise,” Vander’s voice greeted her with joy, the smile evident in his voice and his giant hand resting briefly on her head in a fatherly gesture that put Vi at ease. “I thought you had forgotten about your old man.”
Vi felt the tips of her ears burn with embarrassment. She had to admit it was unfair to Vander that she had cut back considerably on her visits of late. She added a mental note to correct that.
“Hey dad.” Vi easily found the seat she always took in front of the bar, placing her guitar beside her and collapsing the cane in her hands with ease. “Sorry for not coming sooner. I… I’ve been a little busy.”
Vander moved behind the bar, his silhouette blurring into the background as he waved what Vi thought was his hand.
“Don’t worry about it, I know better than anyone what the exciting life of youth is like. There’s not much time for old people.” Vi snorted with amusement, listening as the man poured something into a glass cup and then placed it in front of her in silence. The young woman sniffed it as she took it in her hand, identifying the non-alcoholic beer that Vander always served her. “How are you? Have you been feeling well lately?”
Vi shrugged, taking a sip. Vander's tone told her the man already knew the answer to the question, but Vi didn't feel like pursuing it further.
“Good, I guess… I mean, nothing new to report,” she said.
Vander drummed his fingers on the counter. One, two, three taps before answering.
“Your sister has been worried,” he said finally. “Says you haven’t been sleeping well lately.”
Vi groaned, resting her arms on the bar with a downcast expression. She should have known that Powder would keep Vander updated on everything.
“I’m fine,” she exclaimed for what felt like the thousandth time that day. She sensed Vander’s gaze on her, judging her in that fatherly, know-it-all way that Vi knew all too well, so she quickly added. “I’ve had a couple of bad days,” she admitted, “but who doesn’t? It’s normal. Nothing to worry about.”
Vander hummed in that familiar manner that indicated to Vi that he didn't quite believe her. It was the same way Powder did when she was musing about something related to Vi in front of her and that she had probably copied from their adoptive father.
“Alright. I trust your judgment,” Vander said, ending the conversation to attend to a customer Vi heard approaching the bar.
The young woman took a moment to gather her thoughts as she finished her drink, allowing herself to relax for the first time in hours. She checked her phone as she waited, an earpiece placed firmly in her ear as the device played the messages she had received on her way there, her gaze fixed on the silhouettes of the bottles that reflected the dim light of the bar in a multitude of colors.
Vander returned to her after a few minutes.
“Any particular reason you brought the guitar?” he asked in a curious voice. “Do you need help changing any strings?”
Vi frowned slightly, not understanding.
“Powder hasn’t told you anything?”
“Powder?” Vander sounded surprised. “Nothing that I can recall right now”
The pink-haired girl grimaced, running a hand over her face in frustration. From the way Powder had been insistently asking her to perform over the past few months, Vi had the impression that it was an idea she shared with Vander, or at least had been brought up to speed with him. In a way, having to explain herself to her father made Vi feel a little self-conscious, but she decided that there was no other way but to face the situation.
“Powder’s been nagging me, begging, to come to one of the Wednesday shows.” Vi gestured vaguely in the direction of where she knew the small stage at the back of the bar was. “You know… get back into music. I’ve never really given it up, but, well… she says it might be a good idea to present one of my own songs.”
“Oh…” Vander sounded perplexed and Vi, not for the first time in her life, wished she could see better to know what expression he was wearing at that moment.
“Maybe I could leave it for next week?” she asked doubtfully. “We can organize it better… I’m not in a hurry…”
Vander waved his hands in a gesture that Vi understood as a denial, cutting her off. It was something her family used to do when they talked to her, to better emphasize their communication, knowing that she often couldn't read body language very well.
“No, no. Today is more than perfect,” Vander exclaimed, the smile now evident in his voice. “I’m very happy for you, kid. It’s a great opportunity; more people have been coming each week.”
Vi felt relief, a warm feeling expanding in her chest to hear the approval of Vander. She hadn’t realized how much she needed it his father reassurance until now.
“Yeah?”
“Of course! I have no doubt you will do well,” said Vander excitedly. “I must tell Claggor to arrange the lights a bit for you. Do you want a chair? Any specific arrangements?”
Vander seemed to grow more enthusiastic as he continued to speak, his large frame vibrating under the dim lights of the bar as he divided his time between serving customers and talking to Claggor on the phone, urging him to return from whatever task he was doing outside.
It wasn't long before The Last Drop began to fill up with more people, regulars leaving work and always looking for a good drink and a quick meal, or people drawn in by curiosity and novelty. As the establishment filled with voices and the background music changed to something more upbeat, Vi felt her nerves growing. Claggor, had been equally excited at the idea of Vi performing that night, getting down to business as soon as he arrived and making sure the small stage was to Vi's liking.
Vi tried to look irritated that they were both paying so much attention to detail, especially knowing that they didn't do the same for everyone who was coming over to perform. But it was impossible to stay angry when she knew they were doing it with the best of intentions, just like Powder always told her on days when Vi was feeling particularly angry or stressed… which is to say, happened more times than she could count or admit.
Vi wasn't really an easy person to deal with, and both she and everyone around her were aware of that. So, it really was a nice gesture form Claggor, Vander and even Mylo, once he too arrived and stopped to mess with her.
And soon, it was time to face the music.
Powder nudged her gently to draw her attention away from her thoughts. She had arrived a short while ago, sitting beside her as always, her presence full of life and excitement that enveloping Vi in a warm cloak.
“Are you ready, little rockstar?” she inquired.
Vi snorted, her hands gripping the edges of her guitar.
“Hardly a rockstar,” she replied. She cleared her throat a little feeling nervous. “Any chance to regret it now?”
“Nope”
“I thought so”
Powder wrapped a hand around her shoulders in an awkward hug, forcing her to walk towards the stage. Vi felt goosebumps rise on her skin.
“You’ll do fine,” Powder whispered, as they listened to Vander speak from the podium, saying a few words to the public. Vi would have liked to know what he was saying, but she could barely make out a few words over the sound of blood rushing through her ears, so she focused completely on her sister. “Just imagine you’re at home, showing me one of your compositions.”
“It’s not the same,” Vi muttered. “There’s not enough room for so many people in the house.”
Powder snickered.
“Just close your eyes” she said.
Vi paused.
"What?"
“When you’re on stage,” Powder said, “close your eyes. Imagine it’s just you and me. No one else matters”
“I don’t think that’s going to work…”
“Trust me, okay?” Powder insisted, the crowd’s applause echoing through the establishment once Vander finished giving the introductions “Just you and me.”
Vi took a deep breath.
“You and me” she repeated, nodding tentatively.
Powder didn't say anything else, leading her up onto the stage and into the middle of the dais in silence. She gave her a squeeze in the shoulder before stepped down. Vi took a few seconds to focus, her eyes vaguely scanning the scene in front of her, the dark, blurry shadows of the audience forming a large, meaningless swirl, blending into one another in a black, chaotic mass.
She raised a shaking hand to take the microphone, hoping the movement wouldn't be too noticeable.
“H-hey” she began to say “So, I’m not very good with words so how about we get straight to what you came for?” She heard a general murmur from the public which she couldn’t make out much. She thought she heard Ekko’s voice in the crow, screaming something, which make her smile “Right, so… here we go”
A pause.
Her hands positioned themselves naturally on the guitar, her fingers picking at the strings with ease and skill. She blinked a few times, the shadows becoming more and more menacing until she finally closed her eyes, trying to relax.
She inhaled deeply, summoning only Powder's image in the infinite darkness around her. A blue figure, illuminated in the void. Her fingers began to play on their own, picking up an old melody that only she and Powder knew, a melody she had never shared with anyone but her sister until now.
She let her hands guide her to more rhythmic, faster and more accurate chords. It was not until she felt that she had constructed the moment well, the beginning of something magical and that seemed to be born with a unique force, that she allowed herself to open her mouth.
The moment she started to sing, everything seemed to felt into place.