A Brooklyn Yankee in the Undercity of Zaun

Abandoned Arcade: Early Evening

Ran moved quickly through the crowd of trenchers who were rubbernecking the old Bilgewater themed funhouse, pushing a few of them to the side if they didn’t let her slip by.  She knew that Vi and her siblings liked to hide out there to make plans or to get away from The Last Drop for a while when things got intense.  It was their small private space that Ran even got to visit a couple of times with Dustin and Aero after the Gremlin had first fixed the Boxing machine with Vi there, of course.  Dustin got knocked out, and Aero had decided that she didn’t need to give it a shot after that.  Ran gave it a go and was able to get her name at the bottom of the board, but it didn’t last long when Claggor took her spot. The big goof even apologized to her for knocking her off. She was finally made way to the front of the crowd, and reality dropped out from under her.

Vi was wearing blue armor and helmet, and had a red, white and blue shield, and her sister the gremlin was lying in a heap among the broken glass and stone, holding her arm. The front of the building that had once been the funhouse was blown out, now a gaping burning hole. Black and green oily smoke billowed out of the ruined building as movement drew her attention. Two skeletal figures walked out of the inferno, and after a few steps collapsed and fell apart smoking. Ran started moving towards Vi and the gremlin and stopped with the back of her shirt being grabbed and was dragged back. She spun around, fist cocked back and ready to deal with whoever was holding her back. Sevika caught the fist and glowered at the teenager who was instantly cowed.

“You sure you want to do that?” dragging her along by the wrist.  There was a collective gasp and a scream as Another explosion behind them prompted Ran to turn her head back towards the scene. 

“What the hell?”  Ran said, shoving the older woman’s hand off her.  She was part of Sevika’s crew, but the older woman didn’t own her. Sevika shook her head.

“That doesn’t concern you.” The older woman said.  “Keep an eye on it, but don’t get involved.”

“I wasn’t going to get…” she started and stopped as the sound of a revolver being fired, making her jump. Sevika glanced towards the gunfire, her eyes narrowing, and her mouth held a look before nodding and motioned for her to follow. The teenager glanced back, no longer able to see anything of what was happening in the chaos and took step beside her. The gunfire was a surprise, most people around the Lanes didn’t have a lot of guns. Maybe an enforcer got involved? Who knew at this point as her boss is dragging her away from the scene?

Doesn’t concern me, she thought as she caught sight of Deckard in the crowd, and locked eyes.  The little rat wasn’t someone she was fond of, less so as he flipped her off and rushed off into the crown with his shadow Sid.  Someday, that will weasel will get what’s coming to him.  She was about to return the gesture, but he was gone.  Probably off to chew a hole in a wall and report to that creep in the cannery.

She joined Sevika and Dustin, who was currently trying to lick something off his nose, his eyes crossed to track whatever it was. He was a year older than her, and they were officially the youngest member of Sevika’s Crew. They’ve been following her around for the last few weeks on the protection and collection jobs that cropped up in the Lanes, and the crew didn’t take jobs in Piltover. ‘Not worth the headache’ Sevika would say, though she had said that they’d done some work around the docks.

Sevika flicks Dustin’s nose, making him flinch as she walked by and motioned for them.  Dustin grinned absently at her as Ran caught up to her boss. 

“What did you see over there, you got a weird look on your…”  Ran started, and was shut down with Sevika turning on her, getting close to her face.  “What did I tell you over there.”

“Let me guess, doesn’t concern me?” The teenager said, rolling her eyes.  Sevika stood up, nodding.  “That will be the answer to every question you have anything that I don’t have you involved with If you want to stay in my crew, got it?”

“Got it.” She said, followed by Dustin glancing up “Me too.”

The crew boss nodded and motioned for them to follow. “You two will be on your own tomorrow, so don’t fuck it up, got it?”

Ran blinked.  “What will you be doing, since we will be on our own.”

“I need to have a word with Vander about the company he’s been keeping...” She said as they moved along Market Street.

The Old Man leaned on his cane, watching the trio of thugs walking away from the now ruined arcade and disappearing into the pedestrian traffic, while several Enforcers moved away as well apparently wanting nothing to do with what had happened.  Or perhaps not wanting to answer questions about why they were here from the Sheriff.  Oh, what was her name he thought as he watched the bartender from the Last Drop carry his daughter, while the younger girl was being led by the white-haired boy and the pawnbroker who was carrying the Shield that was able to deflect magic.

The Old Man did feel bad for the child, her arm held close to her body, trying to keep it protected but broken bones can be mended.  The Old Man smiled after them, thinking that they should be considered the royalty in the Undercity, easily the most recognized of the Undercity residents.  The bartender leads the Lanes, dealing with disputes, intervening where he was needed or dispatching people to deal with issues as he couldn’t.  The man who bore a resemblance of Volstaag past his prime was his lieutenant and looks after things that the bartender was busy elsewhere.

He had been surprised when the barman’s youngest child had been the one to win Rune he offered.  She and the pawnbrokers apprentice had bent over backwards to help the poor Old Man, even to the point of stealing the poultice that he ‘desperately needed’ and helping him get to a safe place to rest.  There was kindness there, even here in the dog-eat-dog world of the Undercity of Zaun.  He promised himself he’d keep an eye on them for no other reason that he found them fascinating. 

The Old Man stood on shaky, spindly legs and tottered into the alley, out of sight of the congested streets of Main Street and after ensuring he was alone, let his glamour slip rippling across his body replacing the aged body with a dark-haired man of his early thirties in a green Piltovan suit.  He looked at the cane a moment before it too shifted into a dagger and vanished from view. The man smiled and shimmered out of the Lanes. 

The man shimmered into his office and looked around at his surroundings. Papers were layered in an organized chaos across his desk, as well as a well-used coffee mug which was currently empty and his flask of Asgardian Honey mead which he scooped up and shoved into his breast pocket for later.  He had to thank Master Ryze for the lesson on warping, it saved him ever so much time and it lent itself to his own style of magic.  He looked forward to running across the wandering mage one day.  Loki had enjoyed travelling with him.

His leather satchel lay across the room near his overcoat hanging on the tree and quickly checked the clock, realizing that the dining hall had not closed for the evening.  Hunger overtook him and decided that he could finish going over the practice tests in the morning.  The unfortunate effects of using Runeterran magic was he ended up exceedingly hungry. 

Grabbing his overcoat and draping it across his arm, he picked up his satchel and exited his office. 

“Good evening, Professor Odinson.  Another Late night, I presume.” came an accented voice behind him.  Loki was not caught off guard but preferred to react as he was. 

“Viktor, were you waiting for me to come out, or is this just a happy coincidence.”  He said, locking his office door. “What can I do for you.” turning towards the assistant to the dean. A scientist in his own right, the young Zaunite had a brilliant mind but little opportunity for advancement. Loki had in mind to change that if the opportunity arose.  He had some remarkable concepts for water purification for the Undercity

“I was going to slide this under your door for you tomorrow, but since you are here, I may as well hand it to you. I need a physics consult to confirm my findings” the younger man offered it to him, and Loki took it with a nod. “I’ll look it over after dinner, are you heading to the cafeteria?” he asked as they began walking, allowing Viktor to decide the pace. The Zaunite kept a brisk enough pace, which the Asgardian admired even with his affliction.  Show no weakness he had learned was an unspoken motto of the Undercity.  

“No professor, I am going to my home.” He said, motioning his own satchel.  “I have work of my own to go over.” 

Loki nodded, keeping the pleasantries going.  “Then I’ll stop by your offices in the morning, I should speak to the Dean in any case.” He said, as they reached the branch that led to the cafeteria.  Viktor nodded, accepting the appointment.  They walked down their respective routes as Loki turned, “This has something to do with the explosion the other day, if you don’t mind my asking.”

Viktor regarded him a moment before answering.  “It does.” He said simply and continued towards the Academy entrance.  Loki smiled and continued his own way towards the cafeteria.  He had wondered what had happened at the Kiramman building, and now he may have a chance to find out.  If nothing else, it would be interesting reading.   

He loved Runeterra.  It never ceased to be fascinating.

Bardin Ray Cannery Factory:  The Undercity Docks; Evening

Silco was blissfully alone in the cannery’s observation room, the room which he had chosen as his workspace watching the life outside.  He had cleared the room for some privacy, even the Doctor took some time in his old lab to give him some space.  He allowed Lock to remain as doorkeeper, as the tattooed giant knew what and when to bother him with. 

The fish moved lazily by with windows, both enormous and belittled as off in the distance some tentacle sea creature was making its way across the bottom in the murky poisoned water.   Chemical runoff from the fissure mines, the factories from the industrial district and the spill offs from Piltover made the water a poisonous sludge, but life finds a way.  The crime boss found it inspiring.  Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it, taking a drag and blowing it out his nose after holding it for a moment.

He reached into his pocket and looked at the compass again, opening it and examining the device.  It was familiar, but not at the same time.  The cardinal points allowed for some degree of error, but the symbolism isn’t one he is familiar with, nor did the icons for directions.  The azimuths were detailed but considered a much different horizon line.  Wherever it, and this Steve Rogers was from, it wasn’t Runeterra.   That made it interesting. 

The black and white image of the woman in uniform stared back at him.  She was pretty, with wavey hair and considerable intelligence in her eyes.  Peggy would be formidable, he mused as he snapped the lid closed.

“Boss.”  He heard Lock’s voice behind him.   Silco motioned him forward and turned his head slightly.

“Deckard is here, he has a report that he says can’t wait.”  Lock said, the giant stood with his arms cross.  Silco was silent for a moment, already regretting his question.  “So?”

“It can't wait.” He confirmed.

Silco nodded, and within moments Deckard moved to stand near him.  “So, what couldn’t wait till tomorrow.”

“There was an explosion in the Lanes, at the old Arcade, pretty much shredded the entire building.”  He told him, took a breath and continued. “It started off with screams and flashes of light from inside and ended with the sisters blown out of the bay window into the street followed out by skeletons and a mage who was tossing magic around like in the old stories.”

“By the sisters, you mean the ones from the other day.”  Silco turned to face him, keeping his face flaccid though his mind raced. 

“Right, connected to what we talked about.  Powder and Vi.” Deckard nodded, “Vi was wearing some weird shit, like a Blue jacket with red and white stripes, and a shield with the same colors, and the magic bounced off it.”

“Who else saw this.”  Silco asked, taking a drag from his cigarette.

“The lanes.  It was a huge crowd that panicked when the guy was throwing spells at the girls.  He got wasted by an old lady with a revolver when Vander and Benzo showed up.  At that point the crowd hoofed it, along with Savika’s crew who I saw among them.”  Deckard looked wide eyed out the window, watching the enormous fish swim by.  The last time he was here tentacles took the massive fish away.  He wondered if it was going to happen again.

“What happened after that, Deckard.”  Silco spoke, shaking him back to the present. 

“Oh, they headed back to the Last Drop, though Vi was being carried and Powder was being helped.  Looked like she broke her arm the way she was holding it.  The boys got a Sawbones, I think.”

“Was Violet hurt?”  Silco raised his one eyebrow. 

“She got a hit in the head from a magic blast.  bolt… shot.”  Deckard struggled to find the word for what the energy was called, Silco patted him on the shoulder and nodded, stubbing out the cigarette.  “When Violet shows herself again, invite her here, I’d like a word with her.” He said scratching his chin.  “Tell her the person you work for heard of her crew and would like to hire them for a job.”

Deckard brows furrow “And if she doesn’t?” as his eyes widened, blinking as if to clear his vision.   Silco turned towards the observation window to see what he was seeing.  A long sack wrapped in chains fell to the bottom, wriggling as the bag passed by the window and out of sight.   Like lightning the giant fish went after the bag now out of view, its gaping mouth open.  The wall shook slightly from the fish's wake.

“Bring her anyway.”

The Last Drop:  The Undercity, Early morning

There was something about the early morning that Vander found enticing.  It was quiet, and at this point the kids were still asleep and he could get some work done around the bar, or for the Lanes if something was called for.  Today, he was standing on the roof, where Vi likes to come and think and using the time to calm down, to clear his mind of the event of the last evening.  Benzo had just discovered the correct combination of Petricite and light from his mana rocks to view what was on the parchment paper when Ekko burst into the shop, carrying a human head and screaming that Vi and Powder were being attacked by the undead at the Arcade.  Those were words he had never expected to hear come out of the young man’s mouth, well, ever.  The three of them ran up Market to the Arcade which was when they heard the explosion, and their run turned into a sprint.  By the time they got there, Vi and Powder were on the ground, the elder sister just getting hit by a mage blast that looked like it had glanced off the shield and tool some of it in the helmet.  He rushed towards his kids when he heard Thena’s hand canon she called a revolver.  He could never repay the debt he owed her now, she saves his children and saved HIM from tearing the wizard apart.

Claggor and Mylo brought Dwarma back with them, the usual sawbones they used when someone was hurt or sick.  Usually, He could minister aide without a doctor, but this was far more serious.  Ekko, Claggor and Mylo sat with Powder while the doctor went to work on Vi, revealing that she had a bullet wound as well as shrapnel and trauma from a fall on top of a ringed noggin.  Dwarma cut off her boxing wraps and applied fresh wraps to help her ribs, which she decided were bruised rather than broken and wrapped her head.  Vander was grateful that she was unconscious though most of it, and when she was coherent, she toughed it out.  The doctor finished and said she had a mild concussion and moved onto her little sister.

Powder was brave above and beyond when Dwarma reset her arm, luckily it was a clean break Dwarma was pleased to sit.  She squeezed his hand when the Sawbones did the deed, with the slightest whimper and then uttered a “whoa” when Dwarma applied the immobilizers to her arm and wrapped it up in thick cloth and strapping it down with leather bucklers.  His youngest was done once the doctor was finished pulling the glass and splinters out of her arms and cheeks and applied something to clean the wound.  All the while, she regaled us with the adventure she had with Vi. 

Thena Grayson returned to the last drop after several hours at the arcade, after she had Enforcers, SHE trusted come to assist.  She told Vander that they’d taken the body of the mage as well as the bodies of the skeletons back to Piltover since she was certain The Last Drop didn’t have a freezer to hold a body.  She stayed and talked to the girls, commenting that Vi was pretty spicey, and she should talk to his daughter about what really happened to Powder and Ekko.  

He didn’t like the sound of that.

The Grey was rolling in and it was close to 8 bells, so it was time to head back into the bar before the second shift comes out of the woodwork.  He should probably get Claggor to help him earlier than usual, since Vi will be out of commission at least today and the two of them were the best at setup.  Mylo pretended to help but spent a lot of time carrying around the towels or aprons until one of the others calls him out.  Give him a length and he’d take a yard.  Powder’s job was to check the lines and make sure everything was connected and working properly.  Vander knew she never missed anything, wanting to be seen as useful, especially after the talk he had with her the other morning. 

He'd let them sleep; they all have a hard night.  Claggor kept an eye on Powder even after she went to sleep.  She wanted to get into the bunk with Vi, but he told her she needed to take Vi’s upper bunk tonight as their sister needed sleep.  The younger agreed and got up into it with a little help from Claggor, but hung over the side and watched her, just in case something went wrong.  Mylo stayed out of the room entirely and paced the bar and ranted how he wanted to deal with whoever did this, and he would rain fiery vengeance upon whoever had done this.  Vander had just listened, which was what Mylo wanted, swearing him to secrecy.  Eventually he passed out on one of the benches, and Vander covered him up with a blanket and let him sleep.  He was still there, legs and arms dangling off the bench. 

He poked his head into the Rumpus Room, and Claggor was already getting dressed.  He looked up and gave Vander a wave and a shush who nodded in return. 

“Don’t be so damn quiet, I’m awake and it's creeping me out.” Vi’s voice came from under a pillow.  Claggor shrugged and headed towards the door.  “Glad you're feeling better.”  He said as he passed her, and was stopped when she grabbed his hand, and gave it a squeeze.  He smiled at your welcome and passed Vander out of the basement. 

“Pow, I need to have a word with Dad.” She said, and Powder popped her head up.  “How’d you know I was awake.”

“You're breathing.”  She said, and her sister scrambled out of the top bunk, careful of her right arm.  Powder paused as she passed by and leaned in and pressed her forehead to Vi’s “I’m ok.” 

“So am I” Vi said, and Powder followed Claggor, with a quick look at Vander, who smiled at her as she closed the door.  He came down and took a seat on the center table and faced her.  “No bullshit?”

“No Bullshit.”  She said leaning on her elbow.  “That woman last night, Grayson.  She’s an enforcer, isn’t she.”

“Not just and enforcer, She’s the Sheriff.” He said, pulling out his pipe and packing the bowl.  “Thena, Benzo and I go some years back.”

“At the bridge?”  She kept her voice even, but Vander could hear the clip in her voice.  She was about to lose her composure.  The bridge will always be a difficult subject for both of them.  When he saw what his rage brought to the two little girls, he found that day shamed him.  He’d never be able to do enough to make up for his mistake.  Even make deals with the devils that caused the horrors.  He shook his head. 

“Afterwards, when she was appointed Sheriff.” He lit his pipe and took a drag. “She introduced herself to me and Benzo and wanted to make it better between topside and the bottom and avoid another bridge rebellion.  Grayson left the lanes up to us, and she kept the enforcers out of the undercity and for the most part she kept her word as long as we keep out of Piltover’s northside.” He sighed, blowing out the smoke.  “It’s not ideal, but it’s the cost of our relative safety.”  He said, shaking his head. “The alternative was more violence, more bloodshed.”

To her credit, she kept her head.  It may have been the poultice Dwarma had prescribed that kept her even tempered, but she still had the fire in her eyes.  “I still don’t get how you can even work with them in any capacity.” She said, and rolled her eyes, running her fingers through her hair in frustration.  “Ok, maybe I do, but she’s not doing a good job at it since Powder and Ekko almost got put down, and I got shot off a roof by the magic asshole and his enforcer buddies.” She covered her eyes in the crook of her arm.  Vander took that as his cue to leave her alone.  Then came the sound of the heartbreaking sob.

“I’ve never been that scared.” She murmured, her throat clenching as she spoke.  “When I woke up in the trash pile, all I remembered was Powder being in their target.”  Vander sat on the floor next to her bunk, listening.  “So, I just reacted.  I ran as fast as I could, and it hurt.” She breathed out.  “It hurt so bad, but I did it because she needed me.” She breathed out the stress, “Then I saw the magic asshole…”and paused, turned away from him.  “Torturing her.”

“I never really wanted to kill someone before.” She sobbed.  “I hit him with everything I had, and it wasn’t enough. He backhanded me like I was a firebug and throwing magic everywhere blowing up the place we felt safe, that Powder and Ekko built from a wrecked shit house.” She uncovered her eyes, red and puffy and enraged.  “Fucking skeletons ripping through the floorboards...” she shook her head, as if she was pushing something out of her head that she didn’t want anymore.  Vi took another deep breath and held it.  “Who buries bodies where they live, what kind of asshole does that!”  She exploded, gesturing wildly as she replayed the horror in her mind.

“Easy, Kiddo...” Vander said, laying a hand on her arm.

“Then when we were laying there, Pow’s arm broken, me beat to shit and the magic asshole was STILL not dead, I thought we were.  No one was going to help us; they were just there for the show.”  Vi blew out her breath.  “Except the Topsider, the Sheriff your friends with who was an Enforcer.” She said, wiping her face off on her night shirt.  “She saved out asses, and didn’t want anything in return except who shot me, and I actually believe she was here to help.”  She sighed.  “I know I’ll be disappointed, but she’s the first topsider who didn’t just turn her back on us.  It would have been easy for her to do so but she didn’t.” 

Vander nodded.  “Sounds like you’ve been doing a lot of thinking.”

Vi nodded.  “She wants to talk about it topside, can you set it up?”  and added “Before I change my mind?”

“I’ll handle it.” He said, and stood up with a grunt, “Try to get some rest, I’ll let you know what comes up.” He opens the door to the basement and Powder stood there waiting, carrying a canvas shoulder bag and a box under her left arm.  She was smiling up at him and he patted her on the head.  “Keep an eye on her, ey?”  She nodded and they passed each other, and Vander made his way back up the stairs to the bar.

He stepped onto the main floor and heard Claggor talking to someone.  The boy knew not to let anyone in before hours unless he knew them, but who would he know that he’d let in?  It was a man’s voice, and he sounded in serious distress.  Claggor was trying to calm him down, it sounded...

“So, everyone is, ok?  I heard there was an explosion down here, and when I saw the Arcade...”

“Yeah Steve, everyone is ok... relatively.” Vander shook his head, relatively ok isn’t ok...

“Relatively OK isn’t Ok, Claggor.”  The man said.  Vander paused and waited, he wanted to hear how his oldest son dealt with the man named Steve...  He packed a bowl, and lit it and a sudden realization hit it.

Steve...  Ohh... that Steve.

“Mylo and I weren’t at the Arcade at the time, just Powder and Vi, and yes, they were in the explosion… Let me finish…  but they were blown out the window and barely hurt.”

“Barely hurt!  Powder broke her damn arm and Vi got shot and a concussion.”  Mylo’s voice came from the booth.  Damn it Mylo.  Claggor had it covered, just in the most awkward way possible.  The older boy retorted.  “Vi was hurt by the Mage and the Enforcers, not the explosion...”

“What??”  and Vander realized it was time to break this up and picked up a box of bottled liquor and headed out of the back.

“The Girls are on the mend, Powder’s arm was a clean break, and Vi’s patched up.  They are resting downstairs.”  He said, stepping out of the backroom, putting the box on the bar top.  “You must be Steve; the kids have been talking about you.”  He was shorter than him, but not by much and was well muscled.  It looked like he was wearing the bottom half of what ever Vi had been wearing and had an Enforcers pistol tucked in his belt.  The blond man stepped forward and extended his hand, offering a handshake. 

“You must be Vander, A pleasure sir.  Steve Rogers.”  Handshakes usually revolved around a deal of some kind or another, but it was obvious this man wasn’t from the Lanes.  He took his hand and shook it.  “Can I visit them?”

“They’re having some sister time, but they’ll be around later.”   He motioned to the barstools, “Feel free to wait.”

“I can give you a hand if you like, I worked at a bar some years back.” The blond man said. “I’m not great at sitting and waiting.” Vander nodded, and chin pointed towards the rest of the bottles.  “grab those and bring them here, then pour a couple of pints.  I’d like to have a chat, and Mylo, I know your awake give your brother a hand.”

“Aw Man...” Mylo droned as he crawled out of the booth and joined Claggor in the back.  Steve emerged from the back with three of the boxes and placed them near the back bar, and grabbed two metal tankards.  Vander watched him do the pour, leaning on the countertop as he finished the first tankard and poured the second. 

“Tell me about yourself, Steve.”  Vander asked as the blond man passed him the fresher of the tankards.  It was a good pour, he noted as he took a sip off the top.  Not too much head either, it was easy to get to the beer. 

“Well, I was a soldier, and now I’m not.”  Steve said, taking his own sip.  “I ended up here, a bit worse for ware and was found by Powder and Ekko.”  He said, taking a deeper drink.  “I owe those two my life.”  He put the tankard down.

“Where’d you get the revolver.”  The Barman asked, motioning towards the pistol tucked in his belt.  Steve brows furrowed and realized what he was talking about.  He pulled it out and placed it on the counter. 

“From a bunch of enforcers who was trying to kidnap a rich kid.” He said, “and a Wizard, Mage or something like that.” And took another drink and looked at the tankard quizzically.  “This might be the earliest I’ve had a beer in forever.”   

“Hold up, You fought a magic borne in Piltover?”  Vander stood up, “A Mage was responsible for the Arcade.  Who was the rich kid?”

“Caitlyn Kiramman.  Nice kid.” He stated.  “Her folks are well connected, even offered me a job after I got her home.  Councilor Kiramman got a message about the Explosion down here and I excused myself and made my way down here.”   Vander nodded, and rubbed his beard.  “So, the same day that my kids are attacked by a magic borne, the scion of the Kirammans is attacked by a magic borne.”  He said, and shook his head.  He’d bring all this up with Grayson tomorrow morning.  “Anyway, 40 cogs a week and room and board.”

“Excuse me?” Steve raises and eyebrow. 

“Unless you took that job across the river?” Vander asked.  Steve shook his head.  “Good, then your room is up the stairs to the right.  It’s not a lot of space, but I’m sure you can manage.  Your armor and shield are up there already, oh and your pistol is in the safe.”

Steve nodded, “How can I say no.”  He smirked.  “Mind me asking why?  My answers were pretty vague.”

“Claggor trusted you enough to open the door to you.  Powder and Ekko trusted you emphatically, even Vi gave you a nick name.  You made an impression, so good enough for me.” He knocked out his pipe on heel and put it away.  “Plus, you poured a decent pint.  I’ll clue you in what’s required throughout the day, the ebb and flow of patronage.” And folded his arms.  “I need to take the girls to Piltover tomorrow, so it will be on you to keep the Last Drop running, and Claggor and Mylo will help you out.”

“I better learn as much as I can then...” Steve smiled.

Enforcer Station 01:  Piltover, Morning (next day)

 Caitlyn usually enjoyed spending time with the Sheriff and felt completely comfortable within the confines of the Piltover Enforcer Station that Grayson had chosen to keep as her office.  She enjoyed being in the presence of the people she had idolized as protectors, listening in on their stories, their jobs.   As a member of Clan Kiramman and a friend of the Sheriff, she was allowed to be at the station, so long as she wasn’t underfoot so she stayed in the background, watching the protectors of Piltover as she wanted to do something with the law.   

She liked speaking with Sgt. Tavers about how they were working on whatever cases he was on though of course he kept it vague, or Lt. Villis who was likewise leading his small squad of enforcers to keep the streets safe as a patrolman.  Then she learned that there were corrupted enforcers, and couldn’t look at them the same way.  Tavers acted as if he had never spoken to her before and Villis was outright hostile, to the point of being difficult to be around. This was no longer a place she felt welcome.   Now, it felt like the enforcers watched her, either in annoyance or pity as they went about their duties.  The station no longer felt like a safe space.   Maybe she’d never feel safe again.  

Was she ever welcome here?  She laid her head down on the table in the witness room, adjusting to not press on the large purple bruise that she got from the mages assault. The looks hadn’t changed from the enforcers, just her perception of them she was realizing.  They knew she was involved in exposing the crooked Enforcers that attempted to kidnap her, and it seemed they blamed her for shining a light on it.  It seemed they were likewise upset with Sheriff Grayson, especially after the explosive dressing down that she gave the officers that were present when she arrived at the station with her this morning.  The Sheriff sent her to the office when Captain Marcus began challenging her decisions on her ‘choosing’ the undercity over her own officers.  

Caitlyn had never heard the Sheriff yell before, but she did today...

Last night after Captain Rogers had brought her home a message came through the Pneumatic network from the Sheriff to her Mother while she offered the soldier a job on her security team, which Caitlyn had snuck a read after her mother set it down and spoke with him.  He excused himself and left quickly  

Cassie:

There was an explosion in the undercity, children were hurt, they may have resurfaced.  V and B are keeping an eye out.   Be careful and don’t keep Tobias in the dark.

Thena.

It was a startling note.  Who were they and why did her Mother keep her Father in the dark?  She understood that her family had secrets, all of the noble houses did, but her family didn’t keep secrets from each other, did they?  The other question she had was B and V? There was a familiarity that she wasn’t aware of between the Sheriff and her Mother with a group, and the ‘they’ were probably the mage and the corrupted enforcers.  So many questions.

The door opened, and a blue haired girl started to enter and stopped when she saw Caitlyn, her eyes widening.  Her face was scratched up, and her right arm was in a sling.  She was wearing a white linen shirt with a purple vest with a hood that was a little big on her.  Her hair was cut irregularly and pinned around out of her face by metal clamps and bands with a braid down the back.  Around her neck was a lanyard with the metal V medallion, the sign of a visitor.   Caitlyn sat up, and raised her own medallion, giving her a small smile. 

“They told me to wait in here while Thena talks to my sister.”  She said meekly.  Caitlyn motioned for her to come in, which she did and took a space across the table and decided that she would overlook the familiarity with the Sheriff.  The girl was definitely from the Undercity, and was a visitor rather than a prisoner so she was here answering questions regarding some crime.  She was here with her sister, and maybe someone else.  A parent probably.

“I was here answer questions too, I just haven’t left yet.” She said, and depressed herself where she has no where in particular to go.  “I’m waiting for my father to come collect me.”

The girl giggled at that, and Caitlyn’s brow furrowed.  What had she said that was funny?   The girl seemed to see her confusion and raised her good hand.  “Sorry, you said he was going to collect you...  I imagined that there were a bunch of little you’s that he was picking up and putting on a trophy case.  It made me giggle.”

Ahh, yes, she thought.  A genuine smile crossed her lips.  “Get me...” she said rolling her eyes.   The child wasn’t far off from the truth, really.  Her family would like her to just sit and be a trophy.  Maybe that was what was best for her now.

“No, I like collect, I’m going to start using it!”  The girl grinned wide.  “It will make Ekko laugh.  I’m Powder.” She said, giving her a wave with her left hand

“My name is Caitlyn, it’s nice to meet you.” She smiled, and winced from the bruise.  Powder noticed her discomfort, and leaned forward.  “I hope you don’t mind my asking, but I’m trying to be less nervous around people.” She said, looking at particularly interesting part of her hand on the table.  “Are you here because of the bruise?” Looking up at her with giant blue eyes, motioning at her own face. 

“Yes.”  Caitlyn nodded.  “I was attacked.  I had to give a statement to the Sheriff.” She said, leaning back in her chair

Powder nodded.  “Us too, me and my sister.”  She said, and continued.  “Vander brought us up here to talk to Thena.  I thought she was just a friend of Vander and Benzo.” 

V and B...  the plot thickens... These were the children who were in the explosion in the undercity.  They must be the contacts Sheriff Grayson has in the Undercity.  Caitlyn grinned at the girl’s admission of not knowing the Sheriff as, well, the Sheriff.  Maybe she never went down there in uniform.

“I’ve had the good fortune to shoot against her in rifle competitions.  She is an exceedingly good shot.” Caitlyn said, remembering the last time they had a chance to compete. 

“Yeah, no shit.”  She said, and suddenly “Wait. You like to shoot?”  Powder brightened considerably.  “I do too!  I have the highest score on the Shooting Gallery at the Arcade...” and then deflated “Until it got blown up.  Stupid mage.”

“Wait…” as Caitlyn reached across the table and put her hand on Powders, who withdrew it like it was hit by boiling water.  A horrified look on her face as she shrunk her small body back into the chair.  Caitlyn clasped her hand over her mouth, realizing she may have just ruined the nicest conversation she’d had with a person that wasn’t a direct family member in months. 

“I’m sorry... I’m sorry...” Caitlyn said.  “I shouldn’t have done that...”

Her big blue eyes looked her up and down.  “Don’t do it again, ok?” Powder said, unfolding in the chair.  Caitlyn nodded.  Powder, more reserved now, asked. “Why did you grab at me.”

“You said Mage, and I guess it was a shock.”  She spoke. “A mage did this.” Pointing at her face and continued.  “I reached out for a connection, like a confirmation that it was all real.” She shrugged. “I’ve not felt right since then.”

Powder nodded. “Ok, I believe you.” She let out the slightest grin and relaxed a bit more.  “Was yours a weird pale guy with wild hair and a lot of tattoos?” 

“Dark skin with Dreadlocks, powerfully built.” She added.  “And four Enforcers who were working for him.” 

“Woah.”  Powder said.  “So, there are two mages...”

“Maybe three, there was a young girl with white hair that rescued the mage after Captain Rogers beat them all down.” And added “He is immensely strong...”

Powder bounced in her chair, pointing at her.  “YOU’RE the good Pilty!” She said, barely able to contain herself.  “Steve said you were the only good person he met while he was up here, and he took you home!”  she was grinning ear to ear.  “NOW we have to be friends!  Janna is connecting us!” 

“You and your sister are the young friends he was worried about.” Caitlyn leaned forward, pointing at the table.  “Then our attacks happened around the same time, the same day. You fought yours?”

“Yeah, well...” Powder said, and Caitlyn could see the slightest twitch in her eye.  “I’d rather not talk about it right now, Ok?  I had to talk about it with Sheriff Thena and it was…”

“Say no more.” Caitlyn said, waving her off, worried that she may have crossed a line again with the girl.  Like she said she wouldn’t...  “I ran from my attackers, and I didn’t fare well.” Until I had to be rescued like a scared little princess in a story, sheltered from harm and kept in a glass house.  Like a victim. Powder and her Sister had fought their attackers and won, maybe with some scars, but they proved they were strong, they had had worth.  She had faced a true villain, and came up short!   My parents are right, I’m a delicate little flower that has to be taken care of…

Caitlyn realized that Powder was hugging her, and realized she was crying.  She had no idea how long she had been weeping, but it didn’t matter.  She hugged the younger girl back, more tears flowing from her eyes.  She felt humiliated and elated at the same time.  She had a lot of things bottled up, and they were coming out in a witness lounge to a young girl she maybe met a half hour ago.  Not the most opportune moment, but she’d take it...

Vi left Vander and the Sheriff in her office, wincing as he made her way down the hallway past several Enforcers who looked at her like she was something that crawled in, or thought she had escaped a holding cell.  The glowered at them as she passed, making sure they saw the Visitor badge.  I was invited to be here; Ass Hats so go jump in the Pilt. Off the Sun Gates...  the highest part.  The Sheriff said she sent Powder down to the Witness Lounge, basically a quiet room for people who needed to be kept out of the way and collect their thoughts.  A quiet spot sounds good right about now...

Blondie showed back up yesterday, and she’d be lying if she wasn’t glad to see him, but he wouldn’t stop apologizing for leaving them, and how he wouldn’t have if he’d known, blah blah blah.  She and Powder told him not to sweat it, and that his Shield was magic proof and he inadvertently saved them by leaving his crap with Powder.  She would have mentioned Janna’s Grace, but that was a personal thing she didn’t feel comfortable talking about with Blondie. 

Now he’s working at the Last Drop.  That was good, since she could use him as a Boxing partner since the boxing machine was gone, and she might not have to pour another ale.  She was really bad at it.

Plus, Powder, the boys liked having him around.  So did she.

Turning the corner, she saw the room that the Sheriff had sent her to, and hoped Powder wasn’t too bored.  A bored Powder is a dangerous Powder... 

She opened the door, and Powder was sitting next to a pretty girl with dark blue hair.  The Girl was around her age, and obviously a Pilty, but was chatting with Powder like they’d been friends forever.  Vi shook her head, making sure it wasn’t imagining things because of the concussion, or the poultice.  Maybe brain damage?  They both looked up, and she locked eyes with the girl’s clear blue eyes.  She felt a slight thrill as the girl smiled at her...

What the serious fuck...

“Vi!”  Powder exclaimed, rushing over pulling Vi into the room, and closing the door. “This is Caitlyn, she was attacked by a magic asshole too, and she likes to shoot like I do.  We are going to be pen pals, and she’s the Nice Pilty Steve was talking about.” She said, breathing heavy, obviously excited.  “How are you?”