Visiting Benzo's
Benzo’s: The Undercity; Early Afternoon.
Grayson walked into Benzo’s Shop, a place she hadn’t been in for a while now. It was the usual meeting place when she had to talk with Vander and Benzo. It was secluded, never particularly busy and because of its nature the shop made sense to have enforcers show up occasionally. Benzo was a mostly honest businessman, buying and selling goods and materials and never asked too many questions. He also heard what was going on in the Lanes and was a good source of information. His hooch was pretty good as well, usually sharing a cup or two during her visits. She looked around as she came in, the usual items lined the walls and shelves. Noxan and Demacian swords, Ionian masks and a knockoff magic hat were the standouts. Some helmets from Freljord were present as well, but she questioned their authenticity and didn’t look to be for sale. He also had ways of authenticating objects regardless of its origin. If anyone had a way to find out more about the canvas, she was carrying it was him.
The large man himself glanced up from a logbook and pulled his reading glasses onto his forehead. He hadn’t changed much, his mutton chops were trimmed, and his hairline had receded a bit more. “Just in time, I was just closing up for lunch.” He said, closing the books and tucking them under the counter. Thena leaned on the counter. “Should I come back then?”
“Nah, I can hold off a bit longer.” He chuckled, and reached under the counter, halting when she cut him off knowing he was bringing up his hooch. It's definitely not what she needed right now. “You look done in, Thena…” noting the dark circles.
“I wouldn’t turn down coffee, if you have any.” She said, “I take it you heard.” Picking up a widget, beetling her brows and put it back down, no idea what it was.
Benzo nodded and went into the back only to return shaking his head. “You wouldn’t want it, trust me.” He picked up his favorite magnifying glass and started looking at a widget on his counter. “Heard what.”
She rolled her eyes; she didn’t want to play games of ‘what are you talking about’ with Benzo today. “The explosion in the Academy District.” She said flatly. Benzo nudged his head towards the door, and Grayson moved over to the entry to the store, flipped the sign to closed and locked it.
“My Apprenta said he saw it when he was making a scrap pick up this morning, said the entire balcony collapsed.” He said, scratching his mutton chop. “What was it, gas leak?”
“The investigation is still ongoing, though I’d don’t think it’s a gas leak.” She said, resting her head on her hand. Benzo nodded, and thinking a moment, thumbed her to follow him. Surprised, she stood up and followed. “Where are we going?”
“The Last Drop keeps coffee on all day, and I want Vander to hear all this.” He said and she stopped, side eyeing the much larger man. “I thought I wasn’t supposed to go to the Bar.” Vander thought it wouldn’t do for the Piltover Sheriff to frequent the bar that doubled as the main meeting area for business. “You’re not in uniform, and you didn’t bring anyone with you to muck it up, so right now, your ol’ Thena, a friend of Vander and myself.” He motioned her out the back door and headed towards the Last Drop.
The streets were still active, but the second shift lunch rush seemed to be over as a lot of the food stands were recovering from the midday rush. As she followed him, she noted the diversity of the people who lived and worked in the undercity, the people it was her job to protect. Vastaya mixed with Human merchants working to keep wares on their tables and stores. Benzo’s Shop was at the start of the Commercial District,
She wasn’t doing a particularly good job at it.
Vander was basically the leader in the undercity, with Benzo being his second in the hierarchy down here. Everything above board went through one of them, and most things below board did as well. The explosion would be something that she’d considered below board, and neither may know anything about it, but maybe they could push her in a direction to someone who could. At least she hoped so.
They entered the Last Drop and was surprised to see the place fairly empty with the exception of some kids eating bowls of food at one of the round tables with Vander taking a pitcher and filling their cups with juice. Grayson knew that he had several adopted children, but had never met, or even seen them. The youngest was a currently hiding the spoon of the thin one with the spikey hair by handing it over to Benzo’s apprentice Ekko, who in turn laid it across the other side of the table. Spikey hair didn’t notice, as he was too busy bragging to the biggest boy. Spikey hair looked for his spoon under the table, in his pockets and looked annoyed when he saw it across the table which followed with Ekko and the young girl exploded into gales of laughter. He then saw Benzo and pointed him out, along with a chorus of greetings.
Vander looked up, expecting to only see Benzo and saw Grayson, his eyes narrowing as he motioned towards the bar. Benzo muttered under his breath “Adult table” and motioned for her to go over as he greeted the kids at their table.
Vander met her at the bar as she sat down on a stool. “You seem very informal today, Grayson.” He said, glancing at her attire. “Don’t think I ever saw you out of uniform.”
“I needed to keep a low profile, and I hear you have a decent cup of coffee around here.” Vander nodded and went over to the cast iron pot on the stove and poured some in a ceramic mug. “Got some milk if you need it.”
“Black is fine.” She said and gratefully took the mug and sipped. It was strong but wasn’t going to turn he stomach into acid. “Are we safe to talk here?”
“Safe enough. The kids aren’t going to be paying attention to us other than Ekko, and the last day drinkers took off a little while ago.” He leaned on the bar top. “What’s on your mind that wouldn’t wait till I could get to Benzo’s.”
“You heard about the explosion topside, last night?” She asked as Benzo sat on the barstool, two bowls of stew in hand and placed one in front of her. Vander handed both spoons and a tankard of ale.
“Just what the rumor mill was churning. If it was someone in the Lanes, they’re keeping quiet about it.” He said, leaning on the bar. “Ekko was talking about it with the kids, I guess he saw the scene this morning, doesn’t sound like a gas leak from what he described.”
“I don’t think so either, or whoever did it left a calling card.” From her coat pocket pulled a photo from the crime scene. The Black Orchid in the Urn. “What’s this then?” Benzo asked, passing the image to Vander. He took the photograph and raised an eyebrow. “This was after the explosion?”
“That’s our thought, forensics figured they were wearing gloves, as no fingerprints were found.” Grayson said, taking another deep draw of the coffee. It was perking her up. “It was left after the bomb exploded, so we are guessing they had the bombs yield factored in so they were out of range, so they could return to place the flowers.”
“From what Ekko said, the explosion collapsed the balcony.” Benzo said, taking another spoonful of stew. “Needs more salt.” Which Vander pulls the bar salt from under the bar, and refills Grayson’s coffee mug. “From the sounds of it, if it was a bomb and it’s from someone who knows what they’re doing. Do they have enemies that can afford that kind of professional?”
“Too many.” The Sheriff breathed out, pinching between her eyes.
“We’ll keep an ear out, see what we can find.” Vander said, pulling his pipe out packed it. “You have a whole division working on the explosion, so what did you need us for.” As an answer to the question, she pulled out an envelope and some lock tweezers, and pulled out a simple square of canvas, about the size of a tarot card. “This was found in a box at the scene, locked inside. I have a feeling that the box it was in held something, but the owner of the box has declined to say what was in it.” She said, handing it to Vander who took the piece. “I know Benzo has ways of authenticating things mundane and arcane.”
Benzo took the tweezers from Vander, and examined it, wiping his mouth with a cloth. “I may have a few things that might do the trick, no promises though, it might just be canvas.” He said, handing it back. She placed it back into the envelope. “All I ask if you look at it.” Grayson said and picking up the mug and finishing it. She waved off Vanders offer of more coffee.
“Vander, is there any word from Vi?” the girls voice came from behind them, an edge of concern as she said it. “She missed lunch.”
Grayson turned to see the blue hair girl, looking at Vander with big blue eyes. She could tell that the girl was getting worried about who ever Vi was, probably her sister or someone along those lines. She was carrying the stack of bowls from the table, the spoons in her hand. Vander leaned forward on the bar top. “I haven’t heard from her, Kiddo. She said she was looking into some things that she didn’t let me in on. Do you know what that might be?”
The girl shook her head. “She didn’t tell me...” her brows beetled and muttered under her breath “I hate it when she does that.”
“So do I.” Vander admitted. “Well, I'll keep her lunch hot, and if she isn’t back by supper, we can go look for her if you want.” He continued. “I’m sure she’s fine, though.”
The girl nodded. “Yeah, I know, I just worry. I’m going to work at the arcade with Ekko, in case she goes there, ok?”
Vander nodded and took the bowls from his kid, but Benzo shook his head. “I need Ekko this afternoon, he needs to pick up some parts off Delano Lane.” He said, scraping the bottom of the bowl. “they’re expecting him.”
Ekko could be heard “Aw Man.”
“She’ll be there all night, like usual so you can meet up later.” Benzo shouted, “I have a consult, so the shop will be closed anyway.” And added. “If you get back in time you can sit in.”
“Really?!” Ekko took a few steps towards the bar and got confirmation from Benzo. The girl gave him a thumbs up and with that the boy ran out of the Last Drop and sped off towards Benzo’s. The girl watched after the apprentice smiling as Benzo patted her back. “Sorry kiddo, he’ll have more free time tomorrow for your projects.” And motioned towards Grayson. “By the way, this is my friend Thena.”
Grayson smiled at the girl. “Thena, this is Powder, pride of House Vander.” Benzo extended his arm in a wide sweeping motion at Powder, who giggled at the silliness.
Grayson held her hand out. “Nice to meet you, Powder.” The girl looked at the proffered hand for a moment before she took it, her small hand getting lost in the woman’s much larger one. Finally, after several moments of thought smiled at the sheriff. “Nice to meet you too.”
With that, Powder left the Last Drop and sprinted towards the arcade leaving the adults at the bar. Vander watched his youngest leave, nervous that he was leaving her alone when she was so worried about Vi. He could see her rushing out into the undercity to find her sister, the overwhelming desire to find her. He was hoping that Powder didn’t follow in Vi’s footsteps. Always throwing herself at trouble.
Vander whistled and waved to Claggor who was heading downstairs with Mylo. The oldest boy came over and took a seat at the bar. “I’m got some business at Benzo’s, and I might be there for a while so keep an eye on the bar.” Claggor nodded, “Sure thing, you’ll be back before the evening rush though, right?”
“I’ll do my best and tell Vi she’s on the clock too when she gets back. The two of you got this.” he said, tossing the apron in the back.
“I'll pour the ale though, Vi always gets too much head on it.” He says, putting on an apron.
Abandoned Arcade: Undercity; Mid Afternoon
Urnst examined the arcade, having used the back door to enter and was walking around the empty space, looking at the various attractions. The pugilist machine in the corner was impressive, as was the shooting gallery and the painted figures that were targets. The stained-glass window allowed in the midafternoon light, bathing everything a greenish light which matched the undercities miasma. The magicborne walked past the clockwork games and the Pneumatic consoles, and he ran his fingers across the dusty surfaces. This place needed the cleansing fire, just as the nosey trencher did. He closed his eyes, and brought his power forward, and concentrated on what he hoped was true from the stories he’s heard. Muttering under his breath, he opened his eyes and saw eight spots on the floor where the person who owned the Arcade before the sump rats had buried his secrets.
Secrets he wanted to share with the little gutter snipe.
Pulling mana, he fisted his hands, his pointed fingernails biting deep into his palms and drew blood. Urnst then took the blood over to each spot and drew a glyph with his pinky. Once done, he pushed some power into his spell, and the blood runes seeped through the wood slats and under into its target. Now all he had to do was wait for it to finish baking.
He wanted to seclude himself, wait for his perfect moment to strike, to elicit the terror that he craved. It was his art, bringing fear to his victims as tonight this girl was his canvas. Urnst would get the information he wanted, and the energy the child absorbed. He may even let her live if she was entertaining enough.
As if on cue, he heard the door the snipes had been using to enter and exit this place open, and the light footfalls of a small person moving in the back of the funhouse, the jangling of tools along with it. Urnst tapped into the mana of the area and used his knowledge of the shadow to render himself invisible and stood in the dark corner near the farthest wall away from the stained glass window. He watched the girl enter the Arcade and went about her business of dismantling one of the console games, humming happily. He watched her as she worked, a thrill in his chest as he knew that if he chose, he could snuff this little life out like a flame.
Urnst was unlike others of the Black Orchid mages, as he had an affinity for Blood magic, making him able to use the darker arts with less of a toll on his person. The scars that traced across him were a testament to his devotion to his craft, and while other tattooed their various glyphs or runes onto their skins, he carved them into his. He kept his nails long and sharp to ensure he could draw blood if he needed a boost of power, or pain as a clarity for his occasionally muddled mind. He was currently keeping himself in check, watching as the little trencher tot gutted the clockwork machine, merrily ripping its innards out and making notes on how it went together. Pity she won’t get a chance to finish her little project. It wasn’t time yet, he had to wait he thought to himself. He had to just watch until the spell he cast took effect, until it was finished cooking...
Benzo’s Shop: Undercity; Mid Afternoon
Benzo disappeared into the back of his shop, leaving them out front. Vander stepped behind the counter and poured three glasses of Hooch and placed them on the table as Grayson put up the sign ‘Closed for Consultation’ on the doorway. She came back over to the countertop and took a sip of the hooch. The right eye squint messaged volumes “Janna save us.” It was a cross between whisky and liniment alcohol.
“Not one of his better hooch.” Vander said, putting the tumbler down, “Unless this is for wounds, then It’s not bad.” He picked up the matches under the counter and lit the skull candles, bathing the room in a warmer tone.
“It’ll do the trick.” Benzo said gruffly, returning from the back with a couple of boxes of artifacts and a small jug. “Pour some of that in it, makes it go down easier.” He plopped the boxes on the table behind the counter and poured a measure into each tumbler. “That’ll help. So, where’s that piece then.” As he left the jug sit, he started pulling out a number of magnifiers of varying sizes, clear lenses and polished stones and placed them on the counter.
She pulled out the envelope again and picked the canvas out with the lock tweezers and handed it to Benzo. Taking the canvas, he first grabbed the blue polished stone, and held it close to the cloth. Instantly the piece glowed blue, and the large man nodded. “This has definitely been hexed. Don’t know if it’s the cloth of the ink.” he said, holding up the blue stone. “Brackern Crystal shards fused into this sapphire stone tells you if something is hexed.” He put it down and picked up one of the magnifying glasses. “Now this one should let us take a look the at ink, if there is any.” He set up an adjustable mirror and moved it where it reflected the candlelight where he needed it. He picked up a white stone sitting in the box as well, placing it within grabbing range. “Petricite, dispels magic.” and looked back into the magnifying glass. “Just in case I trip something I shouldn’t...”
Grayson and Vander glance at each other and take a step back.