Something Strange is going on around here!
Piltover: Academy District; Evening
“Have Sheva and Tooms do another canvas to the surrounding streets, see if anyone saw anything out of the ordinary, or anyone that looked out of place.” Sherriff Grayson said, surveying the ruined interior of the penthouse. “Have someone look at the roof, there may be something of note up there.” Enforcer Constable 3rd Class Judd nodded his head and headed off to the stairwell. The forensic team had locked down the elevator until a building inspector could assess if there was more damage to the structure than they realized. An explosion large enough to take down an interior wall and a balcony could have made the residence surrounding it unsafe to return. The apartment’s largest room had been the focus of the explosion, and from the blast pattern appeared to have been in the back near the balcony doorway. Shaking her head, she looked at the information sheets she was given on the apartment. The building itself was owned by the Kiramman trust, and the apartment itself was sponsor distributed to Jayce Talis, of House Talis.
They made hammers, what could they possibly be doing to make a building explode.
A flash drew her attention to the ruined blackboard, where a forensic tech took a picture using the large square camera that the department used for investigations. One of many pictures that they would scour over though out the next few days she was certain. Others were using tweezers to pull out fragments from the walls and ceiling and placing them inside envelopes. Grayson examined the blackboard that had survived, and while the bulk of the information that was there made little or no sense, she saw what looked like alchemical or runic glyphs intermixed in the equations. She had already sent a request to the academy for them to send an expert to the scene and had Marcus waiting downstairs for the consultant as well as the Kirammans.
“Sherriff.” Rickard called, going over some of the rubble near the balcony. “You’ll want to see this.” Grayson stepped carefully across the room to the forensic officer. “What do you have.”
Using a pair of tongs, he picked up a triangle shaped object with a gem holder in the center, which was burnt and melted outwards. Whatever this was, it was no longer of use. “I can’t say until were finished investigating, but I think this was the source of the explosion.” And was about to place the item inside the evidence bag when she stopped him. “I want the academy consultant to look at it before we tag it. I want to see if they can tell what it is.” She wants him to identify all of this if he can. The forensic tech looked at the thing a bit closer. “It doesn’t smell like anything you’d expect an explosive of this magnitude at all, and there are a lot of things in here that the consultant should confirm as contraband from the Undercity Black Markets.”
“Walk the consultant through it, make sure all the information if available to them.”
Rickard nodded and placed it back on top of the desk as another investigator called her to the next room. Grayson turned and walked past EC2 Rollins, telling her to collect her when their guests arrive, but don’t allow the Kirammans into the apartment.
The back room had fared better than the main room, though the explosion had destroyed the wall sections closest to its radius. Shelves were tossed onto the floor along with equipment and tools. Burned paper notes and blueprints were scattered along the walls and floor in ragged pieces. Unlike the explosion out in the main room, all these looked burnt from an open flame. The investigator, named Haym if she remembered correctly, was next to a large blue elaborate chest on the table, and it was open.
“What have you got?” Grayson said, moving next to her and looked inside and did a double take. The inside looked more like an impact case used for noxious chemicals or explosive gels that were too unstable to transport in a basic chem case. There were multiple pronged gem holders mounted inside, and similar dimension to the one on the triangle piece of equipment in the other room. “Was it open when you got in here?”
“Yes, wide open and empty. If there was anything in this, it's gone now.” She said, “What’s weird is a blank piece of parchment we found inside. Once we are back in the labs, we can run some tests on it. It seems out of place inside this case. We will be taking these back to the lab, Sherriff?”
Grayson nodded. “Of course, prepare them for transfer, you let me deal with Lady Kiramman.” And with that, Haym began to close the box up and left the room to get an evidence crate. Rollins stepped in and reported that Lady Kiramman and Mr. Talis had arrived. She straitened her uniform and moved back out to the hallway and into the outside corridor. Cassandra Kiramman stood in the hallway, arms crossed and glaring at the Sherriff as she stepped out the door. She could see the young man with her, probably the resident of the apartment Jayce Talis. She had been a close friend of the Kirammans for a long time, but she needed to keep this professional.
“Councilor Kiramman, thank you for coming on such short notice.” Grayson said, giving a differential nod. “Let's step over here, shall we?” Motioning down the hallway and out of earshot of the residence. Kiramman nodded and moved with the Sherriff. “Of course, Sherriff, do we know what happened as of yet?”
Once out of earshot of the door, Kiramman said under her breath. “Thena, what is going on in there.” Grayson closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. This was going to be a difficult conversation. “Something inside exploded with enough force to collapse the walls and balcony of a high-rise penthouse apartment. My forensic technicians have no idea what it was, and they are the sharpest we have in the department, and I won’t mention the contraband we found.” She explained. “My question to you is what were you working on inside that apartment.” Cassandra Kiramman glanced at the tall young man who was standing off to the side. He realized that they were referring to him and moved to join them. “It was a course on independent study, but it was completely safe, I assure you.” Jayce said. “How much damage was there?”
“I’ll allow you to enter the apartment once the Academy rep arrived and its deemed clear.” She said, watching him for a few moments. He was nervous and watching the door very closely. “My question again, what was he working on?”
“An independent power source for small objects that currently run on chem-tech.” Kiramman said, hands on her hips. “He was well on his way to a breakthrough. I will vouch for Mr. Talis as he has been under our patronage for some time, as well as a treasured friend to our family.”
“Small batteries don’t turn buildings into rubble, Councilor.” A heavily accented voice came from behind them. The three turned their attention to the young man standing with a cane behind Jayce. “I was sent by Professor Heimerdinger to assess the situation, Sherriff.” He gave a curt nod before the noble person could ask. “I’m Viktor
“We’ve been expecting you. Councilor, please wait with Mr. Talis out here while I bring Mr. Viktor up to speed.” And motioning for the Academy man to follow, left Kiramman and Jayce alone in the hall. She grabbed his sleeve and dragged him farther down the hall as soon as they were alone in the passageway.
“What is all this, Jayce.!” She said, glaring up at him. “Your research destroyed a building! A BUILDING!” She said, a whispered shout snarling between her lips.
“The research went in a unique direction with the power source, but it never should have exploded, not with the precautions I had in place.” He said, his arms up defensively. “The chest I have in place ensured their unstable nature wasn’t an issue.”
“Unstable Nature?!” She shrieked. “My child came here, to your lab that had multiple items with an unstable nature...” she breathed out, calming herself before she throttled him. “What about the contraband Grayson was talking about.”
“Components for the mechanism, some of which were hard to find in Piltover, so I..” he paused, and took a breath as he saw Cassandra’s face again changing color. “Went to the Undercity’s black market.”
“You never took…” She leaned in, not wanting to know if he took Caitlyn to the lanes.
“NEVER!” Jayce said, moving back. “I’d never take her down there, regardless of how many times she’d ask to go with me.” Cassandra closed her eyes and patted him on the chest. She knew he wouldn’t take her down there, though they may have to have another conversation about showing his and Caitlyn’s conversations, for the good of the family name of course. “What will they find in there?”
Jayce’s lips tightened, thinking a moment before speaking. “They will find some crystals that I have been using for my experiments. I call them Hextech Crystals, but there are other names for them…” and pulled a small wood case out of his satchel. Inside was two small rough blue orbs of crystal nestled within two sections of felt and cotton padding. They had a faint glow about them, which extinguished when Cassandra snapped his case closed. She snatched them out of his hands far more deftly than he would have expected and pushed them into her carry bag. “They won't search me, just in case.” She spoke. “How many more do you have?”
“I have four more inside the apartment.” He said quietly and continued. “I’m close to a breakthrough, Cassandra, I was a few days away from a first real test of the machine. I brought these with me to show you and Tobias what I was working on, but this…” he said, waving his hands around. “This interrupted my planned presentation to you both.” Jayce leaned against the wall; head hung low. “What do you think they will do when they find them.”
“You’ll have a lot to answer for breaking the ethos, but let’s try to keep you out of Stillwater, shall we?” She said, a smile that didn’t reach her eyes adorned her face as the Sherriff and the Academy Consultant stepped out of the apartment. The man with the cane was carrying a bag marked Evidence. Kiramman and Jayce walked over. “Are we allowed in now, Sherriff?” with Jayce keeping an eye on the bag.
“Yes, it should be fine now. Fire marshal informed us that the building is sound. We got lucky this time.” Grayson said, stepping to the side to clear the doorway. “We will be taking your research with us for safety review, though it appears most of what you had present was theoretical at best. The battery you were creating on the small tabletop base was an after effect of the explosion, not the cause. It had exploded on its own, from what I see from the blast pattern it would have destroyed your desk, not the balcony.” He said, rubbing his chin. “I must commend you on your impact case, quite stylish. If you are allowed to continue your independent study, your batteries will be most secure in there.”
“Where are you taking the research?” Jayce asked, trying to keep his anxiety to a minimum.
“I will be taking it to Professor Heimerdinger for review. He will decide if you are allowed to continue pursuing it, probably after a review process with you. On his word you will be able to retrieve it, otherwise it will be disposed properly.” Viktor nodded at Cassandra. “There was very little left of discernable research to sift through, though several bits of questionable components will probably result in a fine to you as his patron.” He opened a folio case and handed a sheet of paper to Jayce. “A receipt for what we will be taking to the academy.”
“So, his research didn’t cause the explosion?” Kiramman asked, a meticulous eyebrow raised.
“According to the fire marshal, the blast started in the area near the work bench but was from a yet undisclosed source. Whatever it had been was strong enough to do the damage we are seeing now. The only thing that survived un scorched were some orchids in a pot along the far wall.” Viktor gave them a nod. “Now if you will excuse me, I must return to the Academy.” and with that turned and walked towards the elevators, his cane tapping as he went.
Jayce turned to Cassandra and the Sherriff “I didn’t have any flowers in the lab, and I’m positive that Cait didn’t bring them.” He crossed his arms, shaking his head. He knows that he didn’t have any flowers. “Is it ok if I go inside now?”
Grayson nodded. “Go ahead, but don’t touch anything.” Jayce nodded and headed into his apartment leaving the two alone. Grayson turned to Cassandra and realized that the Councilor looked paler than she normally did. “Cassie, what is it?” Her voice carrying her concern. Kirammans mind was spinning, trying to remember something from her childhood. Something that terrified her. Something that she had pushed deep under duty, commitment and family.
Something in the Kiramman Family Journals...
“I...” Kiramman started, then halted as if a thought broke through her concentration. “I’m not sure, to be honest, Thena.” She said and straightened. “Are you planning to arrest Mr. Talis?” She asked.
“Not at this time, but we want him available for questioning.” The Sherriff said, crossing her arms. Cassandra nodded. “He will be at his family residence, no doubt. If not, he shall be at the Manor.” Grayson nodded, the news about the flowers had thrown her off her usual cool demeanor. The question was why.
Bardin Ray Cannery Factory: The Undercity Docks; Evening
Deckard and Sid followed the giant tattooed man through the main floor of the cannery, past the stations of vats, boilers and conveyor belts all connected by a snarl of pipes and conduits. If Deckard remembered about this place, it had been owned by a Pilty who died a while back and didn’t have anyone to pass it on to, so it laid abandoned for some time. There were rumors that the Grunwald Street gang would bring their “problems” here to make them go away. He wished he had those kinds of balls, he thought as they passed by another workstation. He was still a kid, he decided and once he was a street king, then maybe some potted meat product would have a little Vi in it.
“Shit, this place gives me the creeps, Deck...” Sid said, glancing around as if he expected something to pop out of a vat and kill them. It probably wouldn’t, but he could understand Sid’s anxiety. It was also the first time Sid was going to meet Mr. Silco, so that was going to be a treat. He liked watching other dangle in front of the sharks when it wasn’t him. “Shut up, just keep walking.” Deckard snarled. “If you fuck up, you’ll end up in some of these cans.” he said, savoring the way it sounded. Sid piped down, but Deckard could tell he was glaring at him. Sid had information, which was the only reason he was here, so he could relate what he saw.
Lock, the big man in front of them, looked over his shoulder. “Both of you shut it.”
The trio descended into the lower level, which instantly dropped temperature by degrees. After a short walk through the corridor adorned with printed posters for the various canned meats Bardin Ray use to distribute, they entered a much larger chamber. The facing wall all the way at the other end of the room was an underwater observation window. Sid started to turn around until Deckard grabbed his arm, and pulled him next to him with a jerk. Sid fell into line as Lock stopped and motioned them towards the man standing at the observation window, looking out into the ocean. Deckard looked around as the approached Silco to the small balding man that was working on some chemical substance that he didn’t care two shits about unless it exploded or got him high. The balding man regarded them for a moment before he went back to his notes.
The two gangers moved forward and waited for him to address them. A giant fish swam lazily by the window and nearly made it out the view before a tentacle grabbed it up and it disappeared the way it came with a violent yank. Sid’s eyes were now huge after seeing that, and Deckard wondered if his subordinate had imagined himself as the fish. The thought brought up a smile.
“Survival of the fittest.” Silco said, nodding as he turned slowly. “This window is a mirror to our lives here in Zaun, wouldn’t you say?” and smirked as the new boy blanched at his appearance. It didn’t bother him that the young ganger was taken aback, in fact he would have expected nothing less. His scar had that effect on people. He walked between the two, and put his hand on Sid’s shoulder, and said at him. “Always a bigger fish to devour you if you don’t pay attention.”
Sid nodded.
“What do you have for me?” Silco said, and leaning on the balding man’s table. The scientist looked up at the interruption, and the cat that had chosen the cannery as its home jumped up on the desk and rubbed Silco’s supporting arm. Deckard reached into his shirt, and produced a leather satchel. “From our area.” And handed it to the crime boss. Silco took the bag and nodded his approval, laying it on the desk. “I accept your tribute, Deckard.” And crossed his arms. “Anything else? I assume so since you asked for a meet.” Deckard could have just given the bag to Lock or Aero, but he said he had information that he’d find interesting.
“Some Enforcers chased a couple of little kids into an alleyway, one of the dead ends that people who don’t live in our area don’t know nothing about.” He said, and Silco closed his eyes, expecting the next words to be Sumphunt, a little diversion that Enforcers had begun doing when someone annoyed them in some way, hunt them and kill them. For the fun of it, of course. “So, the two kids rush out helping some dude” and motioned to Sid to step forward. “Sid saw it and told me.”
Silco had not expected that, and was now leaning forward. “Sid, was it?” he looked at the boy with the close-cut hair and thin face. The Kid was nervous, he was certain and should try to keep him focused. “Yesser” trying not to stare at the crime boss’s disfigured face, so he chose to look at the buttons on Silcos shirt.
“You have the floor.” He swept his had wide across, showing his stage.
Sid nodded after a second or so, and continued the story. “He was a big guy, kinda bulky and wearing a helmet like you’d see in Demacia or Noxus, and a jacket that was red, white and blue... mostly blue.” He said, his eyes rolled up in his head, thinking on what he was forgetting. “Oh, and they were carrying a shield, round one that was red, white and blue too...” and added “one of the kids was carrying some big piece of broken tech, don’t know what it was. Just before they ran out, my teeth started itching, like crazy.” Sid considered a moment. “Now, I was high at the moment, but I wasn’t stupid high.”
“I won’t judge you.” Silco smirked. “You’re certain you weren’t hallucinating?”
“Oh, absolutely, I can handle my smoke!” the boy said proudly. Silco accepted that. Deckard nudged him, and gave him a motion with his head.
“Oh, right. The two kids, I know who the two kids were.” He said, pleased with himself. Silco gave him a hand motion to that said to continue.
“One of them was Vander’s kid.” he said “The little one with blue hair, I don’t remember her name. The other was Little Man.” Sid continued “I followed them for a bit, just to see where they were heading and, you know, maybe wet my beak a little with whatever they were into?” he added a wink for good measure. “Then the big dude in the blue suit just destroyed a couple Vastaya muggers, even in his fucked-up condition.” Silco nodded. Little Man was the Nic name of Benzo’s little helper.
“Thank you, Sid, you were very helpful.” Silco said and motioned for Lock. The giant man approached, rubbing his knuckled into the palm of his hand. “Get them both something to eat, and some smoke. Deckard and I need to have a word” and waved them away. Sid and Lock walked away from them, out of the chamber as Silco’s attention was now on Deckard. “Can he be trusted?”
“He has a tough time tying his boots after a bender, but he’s crisp even when he’s grayed out.” Deckard said. “If he said he saw it, he saw it.”
Silco nodded. “So, Vander’s youngest and Benzo’s Apprenta carrying a Large man in armor out of an alleyway. What happened to the Enforcers?”
“After he told me about it, I went and looked around with some of the others, and the Pilty’s were already gone, but it was weird. There was a bunch of melting ice all over the place too.” He shrugged. “That’s about it for that. Do you want me to keep on it?”
“I would.” Silco nodded. “keep me informed” and waved him off. Deckard turned to leave and snapped his fingers. “Shit, I almost forgot. I did find something else.” He said, rifling through his pockets, and apparently found it as his face lit up. He pulled out the object and handed it to Silco. “I think it’s a compass of some kind, but not one I’ve seen before.”
Silco regarded it as he caressed the hard surface. It was remarkably smooth and oddly light for being metal. “You’ll excuse me for not relying on your vast knowledge on the subject.” The dark green coloring was worn, and chipped in a couple places, it was well used. There was a name etched into the side of the compass, and had to squint to read it.
Steve Rogers
“This was in the Alley?” The crime boss asked, unhooking the clasp and lifting the lid. Inside was an intricate compass, heavy glass enclosing the mechanism, and on the inside lid a photo of a lovely woman. Deckard nodded as Silco grabbed a pair of tweezers off the doctors table, earning him a look from the scientist and picked out the picture and looking at the back. “This person’s name is Peggy.” He nodded, a slight quirk to his scared mouth; this could be useful. This object was a precious keepsake Silco thought, as he offered it to the cat to sniff, which of course it did. He carefully put the picture back into the compass, and closed it.
“Well done, Deckard.” He waved him closer. “You ended up not wasting my time.” The crime boss, standing up, still looking at the compass said. “I want you to keep a close eye on this Steve Rogers, if he appears anywhere in the Lanes I want to know.” Especially if he was connected to Vander.
Deckard nodded. “If he’s connected to Vi’s little sister, then that’s where I’ll start.” He nodded, trying to sound confident in front of his boss. “I’d love to beat some respect into that pink haired bitch.”
“Pink hair?” Silco raised his good eyebrow. “Whom are you talking about?”
“Vanders oldest kid, Vi. She’s about my age, heads a crew of small-time robbers out of the Last Drop. Once and a while she hangs with one of Savika’s crew” he shakes a finger to trigger his memory then snaps his fingers. “Ran, that’s her name, they chat in the bar.” Silco nodded, and pulled a cigar out of his pocket. “Keep an eye on them, but don’t engage them unless I tell you?” he waves him away. “Expect to hear from me soon.” Deckard nods, and head out the direction Lock and Sid had gone earlier leaving Silco and the Doctor alone.
“Do you believe him?” the Doctor asked, looking up from his work. Silco rubbed his chin with his finger, considering his answer. “I believe he saw something, but I don’t know if he knows what he saw.” He took out a cigar from his pocket and lit it, pulling in a drag.
“The boy said his teeth itched.” The scientist steepled his fingers. “A common effect of drug use…” Silco nodded, and exhaled. That would make sense. He didn’t feel the boy was lying, but that he was hallucinating was probably more accurate. “It has also been reported that such an effect comes from use of the Arcane sciences.” He took a vial and shook it at eye level.
Silco brows furrowed, “Magic?”
Piltover: Kiramman Estate; Early Morning.
Dr. Tobias Kiramman was glad to finally be home. It had been an exhaustive, but productive day after several hospital board meetings and several hours in the operating room and rounds with his patients. The emergency operation had kept him heads down for the entire evening and hadn’t heard of the explosion in the penthouse until he had made it back to his office. He knew that no one was hurt, that was his first question of course, and that Thena Grayson was investigating it herself. He was certain that Cassandra would appreciate her friend’s involvement.
He was met at the door by Carson, who gave him a thin smile, accentuated by his white bushy mustache as he took Tobias’s hat and coat. “Good morning, sir.” The tall, older man acknowledged him draping the coat over his arm. Tobias smiled and gave him a nod in greeting, “The Councilor is in her office, and Miss Caitlyn is in her room,” The Butler said as Tobias smiled. “Thank you, Carson, and thank you for waiting up.”
“No need to thank me, Sir. Lady Kiramman has been in her study looking over the family journals since she returned home from the penthouse. I have been taking her copious amounts of tea.” He said, taking the outerwear to the coat room. Tobias knew the night was about to get longer, as he was now about to convince his wife to get some rest. He made his way up the stairs, and after a quick check in on Caitlyn and dropping his briefcase into their own room, went back downstairs to Cassandra’s office. A quick knock and acknowledgement to enter Tobias walked in “Good Morning my Love.”
Cassandra was surrounded by several stacks of leather-bound journals, each with the Kiramman family crest emblazoned on each. She looked up, and smiled at her husband and returned to whatever she was reading. Tobias took a seat in one of the chairs facing her desk, and leaned forward. “You realized its 2am, yes?” he said, looking at what she was reading. One of the journals from her mother’s time as head of the House Kiramman. “Is that Annabelle’s Journal?” He asked, which got the same reaction as when he told her what time it was. Crossing his legs, he leaned back in the chair and thinking of what to say next. “Caitlyn was doing target practice in the study; I think she hit shot great grandfather Edios’s bust.”
“I see.” She said, distracted.
“It was a really good shot. His ghost was none too pleased of course. Haunting us forever now.”
“Unfortunate… what?” Cassandra looked up, the puzzled look on her face
He rubbed his fingers through his beard, considering. “So, mentions of ghosts will bring you back from submergence into research. Interesting.” He said, smiling.
Cassandra glanced around, as if realizing it there was a world around her, and finally focused back on Tobias. “Oh pish.” She pursed her lips, and closed the journal. “You heard about the explosion.”
“I did, no one was hurt, thank goodness.” He said, leaning back forward as she scanned another stack and plucked a leather-bound tome from the middle. “The building is still sound?” to which she nodded. She was about to go back into the journal she just grabbed, to with Tobias wasn’t about to watch her submerge herself in the books, not without knowing what was wrong. She would become obsessed with topics from time to time, which he was certain Caitlyn had gotten her obsessive streak from, but it was never without good reason.
“Cassie, what’s wrong.”
Cassandra exhaled, as if she had been holding her breath all night, and looked up at him. She had dark circles under her eyes, which was a telltale sign from her that she needed rest. She leaned back in her plush chair, and pinched the bridge of her nose, formulating how to respond.
“Something came up at the apartment, that I can’t explain, nor could Thena or Jayce.” Her face getting a sudden flash of anger. “We’ll get to Jayce later.” She said with some venom, which raised an eyebrow on Tobias. “The main room was devastated, everything just burned to a crisp or singed to ruin.” She said, and before Tobias could say anything, she continued. “With the exception of a vase with a flower, a Black Orchid which was untouched by the fire or the explosion.”
“A black orchid?” Tobias said, somewhat surprised. “Not the hardiest of flowers.”
“Jayce didn’t have any flowers in the apartment, and I asked Caitlyn if she had brought it in. She hadn’t.” Cassandra sighed, and pushed her fingers through her hair. “I now have concerns.”
“And it revolves around this flower?” Tobias asked.
“I remembered something when I was a child, about my uncle having a violent falling out with my parents.” She said, gripping the armrests on the chair, her knuckles going white. Tobias started to stand but she motioned him to stay, she didn’t want to be touched right now.
“That must have been difficult, I’m sorry my love.”
“Uncle Jarred was an ass, and he hurt my father terribly during the fist fight.” She spoke. “My mother threw her brother out and told him never to return. I never saw him again.” Cassandra crossed her arms, as if protecting herself. “Or so I thought. Today, I recalled something about those Black Orchids that Uncle Jarred came back to mind. I’d not even a thought on him in twenty years.”
Tobias nodded, “Perhaps I can help look.”
“I don’t even know what I’m looking for.” She exclaimed, propping her head in her hand. Tobias stood up and came around behind her, and began massaging her shoulders. She let him now. “I bet this will be easier to digest in the morning.”
“It is morning.” She said, relaxing under his careful hands, closing her eyes.
“Later in the morning.” He laughed, finding the knot in the shoulder. “Is the council in session this morning?”
“We are recessed for the rest of the week, so no rush.” She said, her head beginning to feel heavy. “Be a dear and open the safe?” Tobias nodded and stepped to the right, and opened the small cabinet next to the bookcase, exposing the office safe. After a moment, the heavy door was open. Cassandra fished out a small case with the House Talis sigil emblazoned on the top and handed it to her husband. Without opening it, he placed the box inside and closed and locked the safe and closing the cabinet door. “I assume that was the subject you wanted to broach later?”
Cassandra yawned “Yes, but not now. Your magic fingers have once again spurred me to restful sleep?” She said, leaning into Tobias and exiting the office, locking the door behind her. Tobias’s face showed mock annoyance. “I don’t know if I should be elated or insulted.”
“Elated, of course. I have a few more kinks that need massaging.” Cassandra said.
The Last Drop: The Undercity, Morning
Powder’s eyes popped open, and looked around the room she shared with her family, all of who were still asleep, at least from the sounds they were making. She could hear Vi lightly snoring in the upper bunk, and could smell Claggor, following the sound which made her giggle. Mylo had fallen asleep on the sofa again, so he’ll be grumpy when he woke up with a crooked neck. It was good she was awake first, as she needed to hide Steve’s stuff before the others went over there. She pulled the thin blanked over her, ditching her long shirt and put her clothes on, picked up her boots and padded up the stairs to the bar. She’d grab something to eat and some juice, and go over to the arcade and get to work.
Entering the bar, Vander was already up behind the bar with his coffee mug in hand, going over some documents and writing notes. He noticed her, giving her a wide smile. “Morning Kiddo, what are you doing up?” as he grabbed her cup from under the counter and poured some juice in it. Powder hopped up on the barstool, a little surprised at his interest. Vander usually doesn’t interact with her as often as he does with the others. She’d figured that she was a girl, he left her to Vi to look after.
“I was going to go over to the arcade, I have a project I want to get started on.” She said, taking the straw and taking a mouthful of juice. Vander moved into the back for a moment, returning with a bowl of porridge. She smiled and took a bite, it was hot and a little sweet. “Is that fellow you hired going to be there?” He asked, leaning on the counter near her. She took another bite, and hit a particularly sweet spot, eliciting a MMmmm.
The girl shook her head, “Nope, Steve was taking off before dawn, so he should be gone.” She shrugged. “He was a nice man, and he was really happy to help for a place to stay.” And remember, shaking her spoon and glopping a bit of porridge on the bar top. “Oh he was going to send Pnumo’s to me and Ekko, do we have a tube?”
“We do.” Vander nodded and wiped the glop up with a bar towel. “He should be able to find the Last Drop without any trouble on the pnumo network.” He asked, “You’re expecting to hear from your new friend again?”
A wide grin crossed her face, and a vigorous nod. “Absolutely, since he asked me to…” and shut up, putting another mouthful in her mouth.
“Powder?” Vander asked, raising his eyebrows.
Dang it.
“I know he’ll be back and keep in touch since he’s leaving his stuff behind.” She took a sip, and seeing that Vander wasn’t looking away, she continued. “Ok, Ill tell you but you CAN’T tell Vi or the boys.”
“Our little secret?” he asked, and spit in his hand offering it to her. She grinned and did likewise, saying in unison “Deals a deal” and with that, she let him in on her plans.
“He had some armor and a shield he asked me to hide for him, and I wasn’t even supposed to tell him.” She said. “and a gun.”
“A gun?” Vander stood up, a little surprised. That was something he hadn’t been prepared to hear this early in the morning. He leaned back on the bar, and listened to her explanation.
“Yeah, its not a hand gun like the enforcers use or anything.” She said. “I’ve never seen its kind, or its mechanism. I was going to take it apart and hide it, but we don’t have parts if we break it.” She took another bite of porridge. “Ekko and I already made blueprints of the pistol, so we know a lot about it but not everything.” Vander nodded, a quirk of a smile on his face.
“How about this, since were still under the handshake, you bring the gun here unloaded and well put it in the office safe.” Vander suggested, still surprised that the man was leaving something behind like a gun. Weapons are all over the Lanes, but those tended to be melee or bladed, very few carried firearms.
“The Shield and his armor you can hide where you were planning, the handgun I have concerns about.” He said, pulling out his pipe and lighting it.
“I get it, sure. Can I use your office to clean it?” which Vander gave his permissions. “Did he tell you where he was from?” he probed.
“He never said really, just that he wants a fresh start.” She didn’t mention that he was planning a visit to Piltover as well as the Undercity to get that fresh start. Vander nodded, seemingly understanding her friend’s situation. “Pity you didn’t bring him by here, I could have used some help.”
“Really?” Powder said, her face brightening. “When he messages, Ill let him know. I think you’ll like him.” She finished her last bite of porridge. “I like talking to you, Vander.” She grinned, taking the last sip of her juice. “I know you’d rather talk to one of the others, but I’d like to talk more with you.”
“What do you mean?” Vander asked, pouring more juice into her cup.
Powder shrugged, and suddenly felt self-conscious. They were having such a nice time, and she had to ruin it. She laid her head on the bar top, tracing the water droplets with her finger. “I feel kind of like an afterthought sometimes with you.” She said, “If I wasn’t around, you wouldn’t miss me since you have the others.” She said, and glanced up, realizing Vanders face was at her level, squatting on the other side of the bar. “Well, aren’t I the asshole.”
Powder laughed at Vanders admitting he was an ass hole. He continued, brushing her blue hair out of her eyes. “I’m sorry I made you feel that way. You are as valuable and wanted as any of the others, maybe more so. If I made you feel differently than that’s on me, and I’ll change that.” He stood up, still leaning on the bar, a more serious look. “Honestly, I thought you didn’t like me that much, which was why I gave you space since you gravitated to Vi. Apparently, I was wrong.” Vander said, “If you start to feel that way again, then tell me and I’ll straighten up.”
Powder slid off the barstool and came around the other of the bar, wrapping her arms around him. “You let me know too, if I make you feel bad.” She said, and with a last squeeze let him go. “Is it ok if I go over to the arcade?”
“Of course, go make amazing things.” Vander said, and added. “Don’t forget the gun, If you’d rather I can just come over there with you and bring it back.”
“No, I can do it. I’m almost twelve you know.” She said, giving him a face. He reached behind the bar and pulled out a leather shoulder bag. “Put it in this, so you don’t draw attention to yourself. You can keep the bag afterward. Good for tools, yeah?”
She nodded, and slipped the shoulder bag across her body. It was so cool. She adjusted the strap to fit her better, and once satisfied she modeled it, earning her a thumbs up. “Ill tell you all about my project when I get back!” she said excitedly.
“Oh, keep it simple on the tech talk, kiddo. The rest of us aren’t as smart as you are, right?” She chuckled. “I’ll try!” She was thrilled that Vander thought she was smart. This was going to be a great day!
Powder ran out of the Last Drop, and rushed down the road towards their hide out, unable to keep the wide grin off her face.
Urnst watched the little blue haired street rat scurry down the street, her little stick legs carrying her along with the sparce morning crowds of the Lanes. Reprobate’s all of them. All deserving of the fire. A cleansing fire the Black Orchids will bring to them. He ran fingers thought his wild black mane, feeling the hidden sigil that made inconsequential spells far stronger than they normally would be. He traced it with his sharpened fingernail, cutting his skin and bringing just enough blood to activate the spell.
His vision flashed, and he could see the mana of each person on the road, residual or bred. The little street rat had a considerable level of residual energy, enough that she had to have been close proximity to whoever had cast the spell days ago that caught their attention. Close enough for the mana to take root in her useless trencher body permanently. Close enough for her to know who had done it.
Urnst took to his feet and followed the child, fairly simple as she was glowing like the star in the night sky. He would tell the Maestro of Captain Ayres of the Enforcers of course, who was one of their loyal members. Ayres told Urnst of the incident while his enforcers were performing their duty to clean up Piltover by taking two trencher trash from the gene pool. A simple psychometry spell had revealed the mystery to an extent, but enough that he found two of the culprits. One was the boy, who worked with the local pawn broker, who’s exposure was slight but present. The other was the little girl, who must have had a massive dose of mana blasted through her enough that some of the arcane remained and had begun to propagate in her pointless child body.
Magic belonged to the chosen, not some sump snipe that happen to be too close to a careless mage who cast too powerful a spell. She would tell him, this little blue haired child. A child that had power she didn’t deserve.
Well, he would rectify that by absorbing it from her useless body, and adding to his own natural beauty. The Beauty of Magic!