Scraps, Bits and Bobs

Vi sipped her beer while watching Powder tinker with a variety of explosives and biodegradable glitter. The fourth celebration for Ekko's founding of the Firelights was around the corner, and Powder was eager to show her stuff.

"Should you be drinking that?" Powder's head pop over her confetti cannon. The brown dye in her hair was fading and left the top of her head seaweed green. A thick pair of goggles covered her eyes; Vi was mostly sure Powder stole one of Claggor's spares.

She snorted before taking a swig of her cheap beer. "I'm like 20, yeah I can drink."

The temporarily green-haired girl glared at her sister and pointed a wrench at her. "I know you're still doing shimmer."

Vi rubbed the faint blue veins around her eyes. "I'm fine. I can stop at any time." She deflected her sister's attention by tossing a container of glitter at her. "Look at the pretty rainbow."

Powder fiddled with the pin of her grenade as Caitlyn burrowed her face deeper into her shoulder. The sleeping navy hair woman melded into Powder's back, her arms wrapped tight. The dyed brunette tried to slip out of the ex-enforcer's arms, but every attempt made Caitlyn more clingy. Luckily she found the grenade in a bag beside the bed during one of her escape attempts.

She pried a side panel off and pulled out the two glasses full of chem. The green one bubbled slowly, showing it was irritated, while the yellow one was still. Powder placed them in separate drawers and then yanked out the container of glitter. "Hell ya."

Powder tossed the grenade shell away before she flung the glitter across the room. The silvery-blue dust shimmered in the morning light and a faint rainbow formed. Sitting under the rainbow was a cluster of faces, blinking and watching her from the shadows.

She snorted as she turned her attention away from them. Momma told her those couldn't hurt her but keep an eye out for the other scary things that could appear.

"Really?" Caitlyn mumbled, disappointed and trying to blink the sleep out of her eyes.

"Finally!" Powder cheered, raising her arms and spreading residue glitter all over them. "You are lucky I am too weak to kick you away."

Caitlyn snorted. "Sure." She sat up, clutching her head. "Ugh, why does my head hurt?"

Powder slowly slid out of the bed and landed on the floor with a loud thump. She could hear Mylo's vile cackle echo through the room. Oh shove it, you ugly sock puppet. "You slept like a rock. Full horn. Louder than the pipes below."

Caitlyn popped her joints, then shook her head. "I do not snore."

"Uh-huh." Powder rolled her eyes. "You're not as bad a Vi, tho. Mom broke Vi's nose so many times I think it may be mush."

"Yes... May I inquire why your mother... spars with Vi?"

"Doh, she's her kid. Kinda. Vander did sum'n and gave us the last name Lane. I don't know how that matters, but we have full piltie citizenship. Not having a last name makes the system fucky-wucky and Vander cheated it hard by listing Sevika as our mom after he dies. Sevika tried to get rid of it, but she doesn't have a last name, so they... can't? Won't? I don't know how it works, but w'all are her kids, and she is too nice to kill her own kid. So Vi barely flies under Mom's mur-dar." Powder rambled, waving her arms around.

She almost smacked Vi's snarling bestial form. Her bright pink eyes screamed unbridled violence and her jaw snapped at Powder's hand. Powder stared at the beast, then tilted her head. Wait, shouldn't she get Sevika? She's about to have an episode, isn't she?

"So... Mylo didn't lose his rights." Caitlyn said, murmuring under her breath.

Powder's ears twitched, barely picking up the whisper along a sea of voices. "Wait, you met fuck face? Is he still saying, "I traded the chance for momma titties for Brickhead"?" She mocked, deepening her voice.

Powder brushed her bangs out of her face. "Yeah, that's a lie. A big hunk of firelight dung! Vi tripped out bad on shim, and I went to Mom for help. She asked if Mylo or Clag was helping, so I told her the truth. My' made it worst by pinning her, and triggered her again. Sevika swore, and I quote, "if catch sight of his scrawny ass, I'm going to send him to fixer house"."

She noticed Caitlyn's confused expression. "Mental ward. A good trick is a throw someone near one of your police stations all tied up and on a chem. Enforcers don't ask. They just put you in a grey box until you stop trippin'. Just don't have a bounty on you; they'll cash that fucker in."

Powder continued, ignoring Caitlyn's horrified grimace. "So after that bad trip, Sevika became Vi's dealer. She gives her clean shim and beats the shit out of her. Shim gives a better high and fewer side effects when you're hurt. Sevika already tried cold turkey, rehab, and taking Vi to a hospital, but nothing stuck. So, Mom basically manages Vi and keeps her from getting too bad again."

"So, what's with you, Lofty?" Powder chirped as Caitlyn slid out of the bed and sat next to her. She accidentally crushed a no-name shadow and made the others shrink away. Caitlyn makes them disappear, does she need to get Sevika this time?

Caitlyn gently caressed Powder's cheek, earning a pleased purr. "I hoped you would forget that name."

"Nope~! Distance makes the heart grow fonder, and food makes you a giant. Start yappin' Lofty."

"Well," The navy hair woman paused when Powder's closed her eyes. "I was searching for you. I was horribly worried when you disappeared."

"Mm, I'm pretty sure I paid off my debts so I have no clue why?"

Caitlyn frowned. "Debts? I want to help you, Powder. You seem like a good soul. So does your sister... but I did not have a chance to help her as I do with you." Briefly, her eyes flicked black, like an endless soul-sucking void with white pupils staring into her soul.

The younger woman rolled her eyes and then swatted Caitlyn's hand off her face. "Yeah, right. Tell me what you want." Oh the voices are getting louder. Maybe she should get mama, but Mylo says adults don't run to their moms. Mylo also is a little bitch. Maybe she should get mama. Did she already say that?

"I want you to be better and safe. Someone is after you. Mila was poisoning you to make your capture easier." Powder sat up in alarm, the shadows darkening and whispers growing louder. "I spoke to Ekko, he is fine with you staying with me until they solve the situation."

She growled at Caitlyn. "Violet? What does Vi think?" Vi sat behind the navy hair woman. Vi's hair was matted with blood, and dirt and shimmer spilled from her lips. No, that's not her Vi. Vi hasn't looked like that in years.

Caitlyn opened her mouth, then snapped it shut, remembering how broken Vi looked. The light in the pinkette's eyes faded as her hope died. Caitlyn said, her voice trembling. "She... She didn't get a say. Vi was incapasitated at the time."

"That's a lie!" Powder screamed as she shoved Caitlyn, barely moving the larger woman, but the gesture cut deep.

"Powder... I apologize. However, Ekko agreed to you staying here. Isn't he the Firelight's leader? Your leader?" She asked.

"What?" Powder recoiled. "No! Ugh, he- no. He's their boy savior. Vi would never leave me!" Everyone screamed at once, clawing at her, strangling her thoughts.

Caitlyn saw Powder pause as if she heard something, her attention taken and her head tilted to the side. Tears quickly filled those baby blue eyes, and her voice broke as she asked. "D-did Vi- They traded me?" Caitlyn knew she was not asking her.

Immediately Caitlyn pulled Powder into her arms and hugged her tight. "I'm sorry? What trade?"

A choked sob tore through Powder's throat. "What was better?"

Caitlyn rubbed her arms and held her tight. "Nothing is better than you, Pow. They did not trade you."

"Liar. Liar. Liar." Powder clung to her head. "Vi's screaming at me again. She's screaming Jinx. ." She flinched like she was struck. "Jinx. Why Jinx!?"

"Sh sh, Powder is not a jinx." Caitlyn soothed, rubbing small circles on the pale woman's upper arms. "Powder is present to Sevika. To Violet. To me."

Powder whimpered, yanking a few plugs of her hair out. "Jinx. I'm a Jinx."

Caitlyn hesitated before she kissed the top of Powder's head and murmured. "They love you and will always love you. As Powder or Agente... or Jinx."

"Even Vi?"

"Even Vi."

"Caity?"

"Caity too."

Powder's head shook as if she was physically stuck as she whimpered weakly. Caitlyn rocked her and sang a childhood song her mother would sing to comfort her. The whimpers slowly quelled as Caitlyn placed a few more delicate kisses on Powder's head and shifted her weight. A few more minutes later, Powder released her hair to clutch a handful of Caitlyn's bathrobe.

"You are loved and always have a home. I promise."

"Why did they leave me?" Powder murmured, tears streaming down her face.

Caitlyn pressed a soft kiss on her forehead. "They did not leave you. Especially your sister. Their home, the Firelight's base, has been compromised. Ekko and Vi want you safe first and will join you soon."

"Why you? What do you want?"

Caitlyn recoiled from the question, her brows shooting to her hairline. "Um." She chewed her lip and then sighed. "I wanted to help. I have been bedridden for so long. And when I was an active Enforcer, I didn't help anyone. I filed paperwork and guarded the toys of other elites. I- I wanted to help someone who deserves it." She whispered near the end.

Powder sniffed while wiping tears from her eyes. "That's not a fair trade."

"Not everything in life has to be fair, Powder," Caitlyn said softly, brushing her cheek.

"What do you want? I can get it for you." Powder twitched, then glared at the space next to her. "I can!"

"Pow," Caitlyn cupped Powder's face and patiently waited for the brunette to turn her attention back to her. Her heart fluttered from the sheer admiration in her eyes. "It's okay. I am satisfied and will eventually return to being an enforcer. I might have a chance to save more people who need help."

Powder squinted, looking like a disgruntled cat. "Nuh-uh. You are giving me help. I give you something in return." Her eyes flicked to something behind Caitlyn.

"Your friendship and companionship are enough," Caitlyn answered firmly as her thumbs gently caressed Powder's cheeks.

Powder stared at Caitlyn. "Huh?" Her brows frowned in deep concentration. "There has to be something."

Caitlyn softly laughed. "Can you focus on your health? That would be a satisfying trade for me."

"You know," Powder leaned close, her eyes laser-focused on Caitlyn's face. "our old home wasn't too far from a brothel. I already gave you shimmer, and you don't seem like the crafting type. I coul-"

"Heavens, no! Powder, I do not want your body." The half-Ionian squealed, and a deep blush consumed her cheeks.

Powder scoffed. "It's just of layers skin, muscle, and bones... that you seem to like." Her eyes darted side to side, and she leaned back. "Is that why you helped me?" Her head swiveled like she was hearing multiple people overtalk each other.

"What? No! You are my friend. Don't do this, Powder." Caitlyn pleaded, but Powder shrank into herself.

"You let a lot of things slide for a so-called "friend". We shared a bed the night after I robbed you." Powder let out a pained laugh. "I thought maybe we could be real friends."

Caitlyn could not hold back a frustrated groan when she grabbed Powder by the shoulders and gently shook her. "Fine, you want me to be honest?"

Powder dumbly nodded her head.

"I wanted to help you because I know how it feels to lose hope! I was sick. Beyond repair. Beyond hope. When I close my eyes, I felt the weakness growing in my bones and the constant fire. Then you barged into my life and saved me. So I will do the same!" Caitlyn confessed and gently bunted her head against Powder. Their forehead's rested against each other for a moment; Powder's light blue eyes searched Caitlyn's clear navy ones for a sign of deceit.

"And?" Powder murmured, their noses almost touching.

"I... may think you are physically attractive, but I promise that is not my reason to help you." Caitlyn bit her lip. "I- please take care of your health. That would be the greatest reward in the world-"

Powder closed the distance and kissed her. Her chapped scratchy lips against smooth ones. Caitlyn pulled away, a thick blush forming on her cheeks as she touched her lips.

"A fair trade." Powder wiped her lips. "I don't get the whole kissing thing, but it's something you wanted, right?" She asked desperately.

Caitlyn coughed into her fist. "F-fair. Um, let's not do that again." Powder eyes widen in alarm, Caitlyn quickly explained. "I want your friendship and for you to be healthy. B-before anything else."

"Ah." Powder shook her head, trying to focus.

"You should rest while I retrieve Sevika," Caitlyn suggested sweetly before helping the thin woman to bed. Powder settled near the edge and almost instantly fell asleep. A thick fog made her thoughts sluggish, and the cold, hollow feeling in her heart chilled her bones.

"Hey, Caity?" Powder called out, clutching the covers.

"Hm?" Caitlyn hummed while changing into a casual purple dress.

"Thanks."

"Anything for you, Pow."

The navy-haired woman waved at Powder before exiting the room and shutting the door behind her. Caitlyn took five steps from the door before letting out a frustrated groan and knocking her head against the opposite wall.

"Why did I do that?" Her shoulders slumped.

"I'm not sure, but good job." Sevika opened the door next to the wall Caitlyn was bashing her head on.

Caitlyn stammered. "Did you se-"

"Actually," Her mother interrupted as she stepped out of the same room with her father close by. "We heard everything."

She was mortified.