cantilevers | Inbox (Etraya)

[ It takes a bit for Sevika to show. After all, she did say she had other errands first. Vander rated at the bottom of what she needed to get to, so he had to wait. It won't take more than a bit over fifty or so minutes, however, to properly bully Silco, grab that dog crate, and move the unexpectedly vicious poro from the stove to a real, actual, safe enclosure... plus another stop right before here, but she left that one off her list.

Once that's all been settled, she arrives, strolling down the walk to the western corner of the grounds. She comes from the direction of the hospital, meandering with no particular hurry to meet up with Vander. Taking her time, smoking a cig as she goes, seeing if she can finish it off before she's within speaking range, but she won't quite make it. She's sure she'll have to discard the last of the cigarette when they. ]

Well?

[ She says that pausing a few paces away, then takes one last drag off the cigarette before flicking it away. ]

[Vander had mostly amused himself with the fact that Sevika had taken Silco's ear piece, as stated. He could imagine the temper tantrum, and it buoyed his mood as he wandered his way to the appointed area where she was coming to put a foot in his ass. He wasn't concerned in the least by the threat; it would provide a momentary distraction to everything else or lack of currently filling up his days and nights. Perhaps punching her out would improve his overall mood.

He arrived early and found a spot in the sun and remained sitting cross-legged and hunched over so that he could read a book. Accelerator had mentioned a library, and it seemed a waste not to find something of interest in that place, so he was reading a book on natural gas extraction. After all, Jayce was probably going to need a forge sooner than later.

He had his head down smoking a cigarette of his own when she arrived, still hunched over his book and turning the page. He slowly lifted his head at her single word of greeting and tapped ash on the grass next to him, a real novelty that. He surveyed her for a long quiet moment and the used his right hand to close his book.

He rose to his feet smoothly then butted out the cigarette on his arm brace.]

Well yourself. How long have you set aside for this particular ass kicking?

About fifteen minutes.

[ Sevika remained right where she was, watching him get to his feet with the same mild annoyance she so often offered nearly everything and everyone for daring to exist. There was a quick flit of her gaze to the book, an idle thought wondering what he was reading, but that wasn't all too important here. ]

Though I'd be surprised if I needed that long to put you in your place, old man.

[ Or not so old anymore. Good chance she's caught up to him in age by this point. ]

Thanks for fitting me into your busy schedule.

[Unlike his encounter with Silco, Vander had no interest in disadvantaging himself. He knew Sevika's skills with hand-to-hand combat and brawling in particular. He tossed the book to the edge of the building to retrieve later and flexed his shoulders and then stretched his arms by crossing them, making it clear that he was taking this apparent ass kicking seriously. They were on a time limit after all, and he wouldn't waste her time.

The corner of his lip curled in a smirk before he purposefully showed a hint of teeth. Aside from the catwalk, when was the last time he had sparred with any kind of seriousness? Even with Vi, he held back given his size and strength, so it had probably been years since he had buried someone.]

Do you want any ground rules, or are we just going to maverick this?

No rules. We aren't doing this for fun.

[ No. This was 100% all about establishing dominance. She won't let Silco be a total shit in her presence, and she can't allow Vander to do it, either. It's still a stupid fucking idea considering her literal handicap here, but what else was she supposed to do? Ignore the challenge? ]

I won't kill you. Not intentionally.

[He didn't care if she would return the same regard to him either. He supposed it would make everything cleaner for them if he was out of the picture again. This was the way of the undercity. Strength ruled.

Vander didn't hesitate as he lifted his fists and moved to close the distance between them. He came on fast and hard, yet he dropped his hands and suddenly turned his body to slam into her to knock her over with brute force if he could land it.]

[ He might be shocked to know the feeling is mutual. No matter how much Silco would love for her to put Vander down for good, it won't be something she'll do intentionally. That said, she's about to play a real dangerous game.

Sevika was expecting Vander to charge. She's ready for him, for when he turns to try and slam into her. She's quick to slip sideways, around to his back, and that's when she reveals the big reason she arrived here directly from the hospital. Strapped to her side under her poncho? A series of syringes. She snatches one out of hiding as she slides past, aiming to slam it into his back and inject.

If she gets him, he won't find himself affected immediately, but it will inevitably turn out to be a sedative. She's had to guess the safe dosage for someone Vander's size. She's pretty sure she's figured it out. After all, she has enough experience handling drugs by now, right? ]

[His momentum prevented him from changing course as she slipped around his back, but he was experienced enough to drop his shoulders and roll them down and to the side as they moved passed each other. He was expected a punch to the back of the head, not a syringe full of drug which scored a hit enough that some of the sedative injected into his muscle. He twisted away from it, muscle tensing enough to snap the metal off.

Yet, he whipped around to try to seize her poncho but with full intent of grabbing the material below that layer as it was likely to be more stable. At the same time, his left hand swung to charley-horse her thigh, using every advantage of having a long reach if he could.

So, she believed she could only win with sedatives, huh? Or she wanted him down to take her time killing him. Or to allow Silco the opportunity.]

Edited 2025-01-12 05:08 (UTC)

[ With the needle snapped, Sevika dropped the syringe immediately and made a move to reach under her poncho again, presumably for another, but the way Vander whipped around to grab it jerked her off-balance and her window to stick him again had passed. She had bigger problems now. ]

Rrgh!

[ One free arm meant only being able to deal with one dilemma here. She would have to leave her leg to that bruising grip to grab for her poncho instead. It got pulled up and over her head, letting it loose and revealing that she did indeed have several more of those syringes taped to her side. It was a dirty way to fight, but Vander had guessed correctly. She knew her chances against him. She needed to even the playing field. ]

[Vander knew that even with drugs in his system, all he had to do was actually catch Sevika. He had the height, weight and strength to be overwhelming, but he was slower on his feet compared to her. The key was catching and he had about ten minutes to get that done before whatever she had pumped into him would probably affect him.

And the fact that she had come prepared with several dosages. Was it enough to kill him if she injected all of them? Perhaps. He'd have a bad day regardless.

He reached to snatch one of the syringes off of her side, expecting they could both play that game if that's how she wanted it to go. If he could get one, he'd be slamming the needle and depressing the plunger into the thigh he had in his other hand.]

[ With her leg caught as it is, there's no avoiding her own scheme being turned against her. She grits her teeth against the sting of the needle stabbing into flesh, but it doesn't stop her from ripping the last one she had on her off her jacket and stabbing the needle into Vander's hand in a bid to free her leg. It's less about injecting any further sedative and simply stabbing him viciously with the needle this time.

Provided he lets go, she'll jump back, a step, two, and prepare for the real part of the fight. Now there really is a time limit, for both of them. ]

[Vander's tolerance for pain had only increased with age, and he was so intent on getting her own drugs into her so they evened that playing field that he only grunted softly when she stabbed him with the needle. He didn't flinch, didn't pull away, just depressed the plunger on the needle. She could stab him multiple times and he remained that immovable object that had yet to meet the unstoppable force.

He released the syringe - leaving it in her leg - so she could back off. He decided to help her along taking a hard swing towards her head, and he picked out the syringe from his hand and tossed it aside without a care in the world about it. He raised his fists, fully intent to pound her into the grass under their feet.]

Clocks ticking.

[ The swing catches her in the head, more due to how she opts to pull the syringe out over ducking. It's a split-second decision, but she can roll with it. She'll go down with that punch, only to roll out of the way of his fists as they come down. He can pound ~~sand~~ dirt, literally. ]

Not just for me.

[ From the ground, she lashes out with a boot, hard. Rolling out of the way had given her easy access to aim at the side of a knee, and that's what she lashes out for. Joints are vulnerable, no matter how big someone is. ]

We'll see.

[With her on the ground, he was shifting his weight to stomp when her boot caught the side of his knee. It connected, and he performed a little hop to the side to avoid crumpling. The struck leg toe-touched the grass for a moment before he was swinging it in to kick her on her body. Even if she rolled away, he was shifting his weight to follow.

The ground was not a great position to be in, but he'd seen her come back from worse. He wasn't willing to not go all in here. If she dropped him and he succumbed to whatever she injected him with, he had no doubt she'd make him regret it.]

[ The kick connects, though it seems to be on purpose. She didn't roll away; she made sure she was in the way, and even as the boot to the gut winds her, she fights through it, teeth gritted against the choking cough of air leaving her lungs and wheezing in a gasp. She twists, using her legs to try and do what her one arm cannot: wrap them around Vander's leg so he can't pull his boot — or leg — back.

If he isn't quick to yank himself free, she'll use her full body to turn the leg and fling him to the ground with her, and, truly? That's a lot of muscle to turn against him in one go. The effort is great, but the outcome would feasibly be worth it. ]

Edited 2025-01-15 03:46 (UTC)

[Well, that was a risky move, but he didn't fault her for it. His leg was caught with her own, and he actually let her do what she thought that she needed to. Her leverage was good, but Vander had height and weight on his advantage. As she twisted bodily, he lifted his leg from the ground with her still attached to it, wobbling a little on his other grounded foot.

Like a rooted tree, he took a swing for whatever part of her that he could for as long as she remained clinging to his leg. Of course, the first fuzziness of his vision became apparent to him, and he mentally and physically fought against the drugs creeping like rust from the injection point on his shoulder across his body.]

[ That ends that gambit swiftly, although she does raise her arm to block the swing he takes down at her. ]

Just fall already.

[ Words growled in frustration. She can't hang on for long, regardless of her strength. The position is too awkward. Swing blocked, she'll release his leg and drop back to the ground. At this point, she's beginning to feel it, too, those sedatives. She isn't as massive as he is, she... she struggles to get to her feet, unsteady on them as she gets up and raises her arm back into a fighting stance. ]

Sorry, done that once, and I don't plan on a second time.

[He withdrew his fist then his foot when she dropped to the ground. He backed off to allow her to her feet, surveying her stance before he stepped back in to test her guard with a quick three-punch combination, one towards each side of her ribs before a sharp jab towards her face.]

[ Her guard is still solid despite her missing arm. First one, she blocks. The second one she dodges. Third one? She stumbles. Yeah, those drugs are kicking in. Fucking damn it, and that's the last thing she thinks for that moment as she catches the jab to the face. She's set reeling back a few steps, nearly toppling over again.

She recovers still, spitting out blood before lurching back into the fray. She attempts to duck past his guard to settle into his jaw with a right hook of her own, followed by a knee towards the gut. ]

[Out of the pit of seeming emptiness and the rising fog, there was a sliver of pleasure at his fist connecting with her face, the blood he spilt, in this teeny tiny revenge for his boys. It would never undo the loss, but there was something about the idea of returning to form after so long being a presence without the need to simply lay someone out.

Vander held his ground as she came on, her fist impacting with his jaw. His head snapped to the side with the force of it, the pain radiating from the blow that would surely bruise. For a little while. He lifted a knee to deflect the blow for his gut. He stepped in to grab her shoulders, attempting to pick her up and throw her bodily into the building wall.

He turned his head and spat blood on the grass from where his teeth had cut into his cheek from her punch. He wavered on his feet, stumbling a little but shaking his head to force focus.]

[ That's the end of it. Sevika took a risk getting in close for her attack, and now she pays the price. Vander grips her shoulders, and she feels her feet leaving the ground. The next thing she knows, she's colliding with the side of the hospital. She can feel something crack, but there's one blessing to the sedative — it doubles as a painkiller if nothing else, but waking up is going to be hell.

From the wall to the ground with a pained grunt, and that's where she'll stay. There's no getting back up from that, not with how dizzy she's left feeling. ]

[He stood watching as she hit the wall and slumped to the ground, and he swayed a little on his feet before he grunted softly as he lifted a hand to wipe his mouth. He stepped forward, nudging her with a foot to see if she was faking unconsciousness. Nope, she was out.

Vander leaned down carefully and grabbed her by her hair, dragging her away from the wall before hauling her around the building to the hospital door. He dropped her there, expecting someone would provide medical care that he wasn't willing to bother with. It was more than he owed her.

After that, he swayed and lumbered his way back to the apartments to pass out on the floor.]

so. how's the divorce going?

[Ha ha, real funny, Jinx. This was not a subject he wanted to discuss but also wouldn't shut it down so completely to start.]

Divorce requires marriage first.

spare me the specifics
so how about just staying together for the kids
can you guys discuss that and get back to me

[He did not roll out of bed thinking this was a conversation he would have. He stares at the message in mild disbelief.]

That's not happening. He murdered Mylo and Claggor and nearly killed Vi. He did kill me. He's lucky to still be breathing.

... vander
it wasn't him.

(that's all she's saying. she can't have vander just throw all that frustration on silco. it's not fair to him, but she can't tell-- she can't tell him either.

at least she's handling these convos from afar.)

You mean the shimmer kid? Who was he acting at the direction of? Who killed Benzo and two enforcers? Who dragged me to the cannery to lure the kids? Was it Silco's body double?

he didn't kill mylo and claggor, vander. i was there. i can tell you it wasn't.

you can hate him. he can hate you.

just hate him for what he did
not what
you think he did.

Fine, if not him or someone on his order, who murdered my kids? Tell me since you were there. We aren't getting back together. Ever

i dont wanna tell you vander
cant you just
believe me on this

please

(which in itself is an answer, isn't it?)

[There was several minutes of silence as he forced himself to calm down. He closed his eyes then punched the floor. Better. Clearer.

He thought back, knowing he never saw Powder there. But the explosion, the dust, two partially buried bodies, the monkey toy head, Vi laying looking dead. Then she was alive and crying, frightened.

The monkey toy head.

Monkey... oh Powder. It cooled what was remaining of his temper instantly.]

Fine. I believe you, Powder. I believe in you too.

Edited 2025-01-11 19:37 (UTC)

it's jinx, vander. remember? powder fell down a well.

(maybe now he can understand it. see that the nickname, although harmful, was not too far from the reality she lives in. everyone around her dies. everything she touches, ruin.

maybe now he gets why this is her new self. it's too hurtful not to embrace it.)

Right. Which well?

the one she died in.

so. please don't be too mad at him. if you want to be mad at anyone, just be mad at me, because i couldn't stop it.

Edited 2025-01-11 19:53 (UTC)

I don't believe she is dead. However, I respect what you wish to be called. I can't do that. I'm sorry, but I will be angry with him as long as I need to after what he has done. I expect the reverse to be true as well. We've been shitty people to each other

i said 'too'. 'too mad'

be mad just
just as much as he deserves
some of it should go to me

... i'm sorry, vander.

I will be as mad as I need to be. What he did to us is

[At the level of what Vander did to him. He needed time. He was still grieving.]

You tried to protect us. Sometimes our attempts don't end up the way we want. I know what that's like. I don't blame you.

[It was just another aspect of that day he had to process.]

im
im just going to go now

Did I upset you?

i
did it vander.
i
did
it
it was ME
I
DID IT
i
did
it

be mad at ME
yell at ME

ill fix it
ill just
ill fix it.
im sorry vander

You did, yes. I am going to assume you didn't mean to kill anyone. If you did, this turns to a different conversation. You can't bring them back, Jinx. But at some point, you either have to learn to put it to rest or you'll drive yourself mad trying to fix everything that comes after. What is it that you will fix?

(it's very hard to talk to her when she's like this, as vander will find eventually. she spent her life with that moment whispering in her ear, their voices taunting, putting ideas in her head, but while it is much quieter now, they still sneak their way back in on occasion.

she just has a little better handle on it.)

whatever i can.

[Text loses a lot of nuance, and he was perceptive enough to know this was not ideal for either of them.

I'm going to call you, okay? It is up to you if you pick up.

[This is stretching his current knowledge of the earpieces, but he does manage to switch from text to making a call.]

Jinx?

(she does pick up, although there's no voice other than breathing on the other end. it'll pass soon, but right now, she's listening rather than speaking.)

[He listened to her breath for a few seconds and issued a low rumbling sound he used when they were very little.]

Hey, are you alright over there? I can come over if you would prefer company.

... No, I-- I'm fine.

(not fine, fine - but she doesn't want vander to see her, doesn't want to see disappointment.

rejection - even if it doesn't come, the fear in itself is petrifying.)

You don't sound fine. You sure you don't want company? We don't have to say anything.

No matter what any of us have done or not done, I'll always be your dad, Jinx.

[He didn't call himself dad a lot, usually going by name.]

...

(he's not wrong - 'he's your dad, too', as vi put it. as jinx herself put it.)

You'll end up hating me, Vander.

This list for me to hate you is remarkably short, I assure you. You can tell me anything you want, and I'll listen.

[He expected he owed her that much, wanting to build trust between them. She'd already shared about Isha, which was knowledge he coveted.]

You think they died, but they haven't. They're whispering in my ear all the time, bossing me around, telling me how to think, how to feel. I guess I deserve it, on the account of the murdering -- but you weren't there, Vander. You didn't get to see Vi squeeze my cheeks and yell at my face, loud and clear - 'I left you home because you're a jinx', and that's the last I heard of her until I was grown. It wasn't Silco, not really, who made Jinx, it was Vi -- and you think she's alive. Powder this, Powder that, everyone just wants damn Powder. For a while there, I thought maybe people from my past could love me like they used to - even if I'm so different. Then you showed up at home, and now things are... Different, again. Like a cycle, it just keeps getting different, everytime I blink - and you love us. Maybe you could-- maybe you would, because you're different there, too. But... You, you? You don't know Jinx. I just told you I caused the explosion, and you're-- you're fine? You don't hate me? You didn't scream at me?

How screwed up is that, Vander? The list to make you hate me is remarkably short? You never left, too. I heard you, all the time, too. You're thinking of Powder, but just like Vi, when you really realize she's gone, you'll leave me.

Don't. Don't leave me.

[He remained quiet on the other end of the earpiece, simply letting her talk and tell him about the voices, her changes. It was... rather a mess. He couldn't understand all of the nuance behind it, but he could understand her pain, her torment, her struggles. It made his heart ache for her, want to wrap her in a hug and hold on tight until she had a moment of peace.]

You know, I don't have to agree with the choices that you make, but I will always love you. You say that Powder fell down a well and died, but I think Powder evolved and you can be whoever you want to call yourself. You aren't one or the other or a mix. You're just you, and that's enough for me.

And I'll tell you one thing that I want you to remember: I will love you even when you won't or can't love yourself. I'm your dad, and my love isn't conditional.

... Yeah. You better make sure it stays that way.

(she doesn't mean to threaten, but she knows how she is, how she can be. it's a fact, rather than a knife pointed to his throat.)

I'm tired, Vander. Just so... Tired.

Oh, threats now, hmm? You did that once when you were little and I thought your tongue was going to choke you right after.

[He said that to prove that she hadn't changed as much as she thought she had. He believed she was just like the rest of them: a person who had been molded by the terrible tragedies of her life.]

Sorry kid, the exhaustion only gets worse once you're forty.

Hmmm. It's not choking me now - I'm serious, Vander.

(confident, even!)

Hah! Like I'm gonna make it till I'm forty.

Edited 2025-01-12 16:32 (UTC)

Are you? Well, consider me thoroughly threatened, Jinx.

[He sounded amused, playful even.]

I thought the same thing when I was... wait, how old are you now? Eighteen?

(take her seriously!!! man!!! ugh, dads.)

Yeah. Well, let's see. Ah, since you're definitely gonna ask me - everyone else is alive, too. I mean, kinda. Probably. Everyone else you cared for, at least. Like Ekko.

Kinda? Probably? You are not filling me with confidence here.

Give me a list.

What kind of list?

Of who you cared for. I'll tell you.

... I'll just tell you everything, now.

(she held back because she didn't want vander to know what she had done. there's no reason not to, anymore. she's deeply saddened, afraid, but she's breathing.)

Jinx that's... that's an impossible list. I cared for everyone in the Lanes. I had work buddies from the mines. I could list their names, but I'm not certain you'd know them all.

[Vander was a social person, he liked having friends or at least acquaintances. The list would be long.]

(oh, yeah. vander was popular as hell. it's no wonder he has a statue and everything.)

Who do I know, from that time? Sevika, Silco, the stupid Chembarons, Ekko, that idiot, good for nothing Marcus, and... Vi, but I told you that last part, and the first two, you can ask yourself.

I expect the Chembarons have changed heads since I was around. [He did pause to think.] Babine, Jericho, Howard, Gert, Huck... [It should be obvious he's ticking people off on his fingers because the list goes on and on and on of business owners, regulars to the bar, street gang kids. If she doesn't interrupt him, he'll be at it for a few minutes straight.]

(she's just listening - does she even know these people? maybe she does, probably so, but not enough to make an impression on her. damn, he was popular. she can say she knows like, 5 people, tops, that she is around.)

Nope, none of those.

As in none of them are alive or you don't know who any of them are?

No idea who these people are, Vander. Or I don't remember, I don't go out a whole lot. Really live to work, you know? Super workaholic, that's me.

Also, get here. I'm tired at not looking at your face. This thing is annoying.

So the list you do know is actually the people you already listed out to me.

[That was... well, he supposed he was going to assume most of them were alive and just miserable or at least living afraid under Silco's rulership.]

Are you asking me to your apartment?

[Please do NOT ask him to figure out video function, Jinx. He managed text to voice, but it's asking a lot for another jump in format.]

... Yeah, pretty much, though Ekko and I are definitely not friends anymore.

(to say the very least.)

Yeah, just come. Ugh, apartment, I hate this place. Miss my place. It was great. Had all my shit in it, was up and high, and now I'm like a jailed bird in this style-less room. I hate it.

What are you and Ekko now then?

[They had always seemed to get along. Ekko fit right in with his little horde of kids anyway.

At the offer, he was doubtful.]

Are you sure that won't cause problems for you if I do?

... Great question.

(now? now, now? she hasn't seen him in a good while, not since he broke the hell out of her nose. he probably hates her even more, considering the explosion attempt.)

Enemies. He hates my guts.

(and he also made her life so damn difficult.)

I'm never in trouble, Vander.

Hmmm, I'm not sure I believe that, but you've seen him more recently than I have.

[He squinted and yeah he might be bringing himself to feet, but that reply was... oh Janna, this was the parenting style was it?]

You know that's problematic, right? You're not expecting 'unexpected' company today?

[He had no idea how often Silco came around to Jinx's place. If he was found there, he knew it would land him in trouble but as long as it was him and not Jinx, well, he'd risk it. He made his way down to her room and knocked on the door.]

Edited 2025-01-12 20:49 (UTC)

(she only gets 'unexpected company' when she's up to some shit, and lately, she hasn't been, so, it's fine, on all sides.

her room has been decorated the only way she knows how, grafitti and several dooddles, the smell of paint and crayon stuck to the walls, and she's doing some more monkeys and names to the wall when she hears the knock.)

Yeah, yeah. Get in.

[Vander slowly opened the door and peered inside. The room looked similar to his own in that it was sparse, but she had clearly started some decorating. He walked in a moment after, promptly shutting the door so that there was limited opportunity for someone to view him entering the place. They both knew who.

He walked further inside, examining all the doodles on the walls. She had a particular art style he noted, different and matured since she had been scribbling in a book at the Drop.]

I hate how white everything is in these places.

Don't like here either. Lacks style, lacks everything. Eery, like they're watching us through the walls. Hope they don't like monkeys.

(but he gets an invitation, a gentle pat to the bed next to her, and a crayon that she picks right after to give him. it's easier to talk if she can focus on something else.)

[In the city of iron and glass, white was not a colour that was easily found. Everything had a film of grime or grit on it. This amount of constant white was an eyesore, and even now, he wasn't used to it despite having lived in the apartments since leaving the Kiramman mansion.

He slowly made his way over to the bed at her offer, awkwardly sitting on the edge of it like it might buckle under his weight. His bed was considerably larger, actually able to accommodate his height and width. That was a rare thing.]

It's hard to tell what they like and don't like. The fact there's not currency, no obvious crime, nothing to do but wait and fill the time... [He trailed off, taking the crayon that she offered and turning it over in his hands. How many time had he lay on the floor with her just scribbling and telling her silly stories with made up voices?] It's uncomfortable.

(it's the tidiness that does it for her. nothing that she was ever around was this clean, this lackluster, missing the brightness of neon blue and pink that decorate all the spaces where she can be found. it's easily irritating, and it pushes her need to fill the space to the point that, very soon, the ceiling might too be drawn on.

once he sits, she can feel the bed sink with his weight - if anything, it's entertaining, and if he breaks her bed, at least she can say it's got some personality to it now.)

... Yeah. And there's a lot of people, and I don't know what to do with that-- and the freaking robots. They're weird, too.

[The robots, yes. Vander had never been exposed to robots. Yes, they had machines, but he couldn't say that any of them were sentient or even able to speak. Speakers were as close as they could come to that, and in such a case, it required a human voice on the other side. He was curious but wary of them, but he was also confident that he could break them if they became aggressive.]

Have you taken one of the robots apart yet?

[He turned his other hand over and scrubbed the tip of the crayon across his nail.]

People I can handle just fine. [People allowed him to throw himself into a sense of normal again, to build connections, alliances, friendships all the while hiding how deeply pained he was with his previous life burning down around him. He needed a sense of normal to hold things together.]

... No, not yet. I don't want MiSs AuRoRa to fail us on our school assignment of saving the damn world. I'm waiting until some idiot doesn't think of that and does it so I can look at what is left behind.

(this might be the thing she has taken the most serious in her entire life, it's this place. it exacerbates her fear of failure, surely, brings out some horrible memories and self-doubt, but she is trying. most of everything.)

Ah, so you're all in on the world-saving aspect of this still. I'm not certain everyone is, but I do want to believe everyone can be brought around. [He continued to scribble on his fingernail, scuffing it up with colour.] I'll so whatever is necessary.

[He gently moved out an elbow, nudging her in the side. Sometimes he thought she spent a bit too much time in her head.]

I'll let you know if I come across a broken down robot, save it for you.

You can say you don't think Silco's gonna do it, like you know everyone else anyway.

(all so stupidly "good" — there is no way golden boy and dictator for the cause would let runeterra crumble, and well. if jinx's on board, the zaunites might be too. she just has to play her cards right.)

Like we got any choice, anyway. If it were a few weeks ago, I'd say let it all burn, bite it off, explode it into a billion tiny minuscule itsy-bitsy pieces of little nothings, but I guess I can't do that anymore.

(not when isha is a part of it. she couldn't not fight for her, it'd be suffocating; yet he is right that she spends too long in her own thoughts, her own paranoia and her own doubts. the nudge snaps her out, a groan only because it's age appropriate when your dad is being nice.)

Just follow a nerd. You met any yet?

I know Silco won't do it.

[There was no thinking about it. He knew. At least at the present time, what he had seen at the big group meeting had shown him that the other man had no intention of playing along with the apparent reason that they had been brought here. After all, Silco had Jinx here and the man was dead, so he had nothing to lose by playing along.

Vander suspected the other man might be forced on board if Jinx demanded it; he'd seen the way that Silco acted towards the bluenette at that meeting.]

No, I suppose you can't. Being responsible for another person means we no longer get to think just for ourselves anymore.

[Usually. Some parents or even friends had that instinct. It was fine. It took all types.]

Jayce is a nerd.

He will, Vander. He wouldn't lie to me again.

(what was the first time? he's not telling him. there's that realization that whatever she gives either will be used against each other, against her, is she thinking this too much? thinking this too little? a growl punctuates the thought, because she doesn't want to voice it. instead, the wall is a much better focus for her brain, and that's where she goes.

it definitely makes it all harder.)

I don't like him. What part of 'give me Jinx's head' did you miss?

Alright. If you can convince him of the value of it.

[There was a story there about the lying, but Vander wisely filed the information away to inquire about at a later date. It seemed to be a sore spot for her, and he could understand that given how close the two had appeared to be with each other during the meeting.

He reached out to stroke a hand over her shoulder meant to be comforting and encouraging.]

That's valid. However, if we can't find a path together despite those kinds of demands, this is never going to work. Besides, do you know how many people have said that to me over the years? [He scratched his beard, appearing sheepish.] Of course, I did punch them or someone they were close to unconscious so... [Or worse. So, so much worse. Death was a final solution.]

[Caitlyn considered approaching Vander via the network, but this feels like a conversation to have in person. She wants to tell him about Vi. Or, more specifically, the way she feels about Vi. It's not a conversation she's ever had before, the few girls she's...

Well, those girls are all in the past now. She's never quite felt about anybody the way she feels about Vi, and Vi's father is here, and it's possible he won't approve, given that he was none too complimentary about enforcers when they first met, and the fact that she's a Kiramman may only complicate things futher, and the family dynamic between Vander, Silco, Vi, and Jinx, which she doesn't entirely understand, already seems terribly complicated, and-- And she needs to stop thinking herself in circles.

Unfortunately, the time it's taking to knock on the wrong doors has only allowed her more time to overthink this. Taking a deep breath, posture so stiff her shoulders are practically at ear-height, she nervously knocks on another door.]

Edited 2025-01-11 19:17 (UTC)

[Vander had taken an apartment that had been offered as soon as his Shimmer high had run its course. He had discovered where Sevika, Silco, and Jinx were staying by virtue that they couldn't help themselves in the usual tells, so he had chosen a place well away and on an upper floor. After all, he could probably survive the fall if it came to the ambush eventually.

He had picked up a work out routine again, both because he had nothing better to do to fill the time and because he saw a lot of fighting in his future. He hadn't exactly let himself go, but he hadn't dedicated the same amount of efforts as when he had been a youth. It was time to change that and return to form now that it seemed that fighting for Runeterra was the goal. That and it cleared his head for planning his next moves.

He paused in his push-ups at a knock on the door. Warily, he rose and walked to the door, grasping the kitchen knife he left there and hid it behind his back as he slowly turned the handle and opened the door wide enough to be able to see who was there.

Caitlyn Kiramann? He blinked and opened the door wider to check if Jayce was with her as well. No, just here. She looked... nervous.

Automatically, he leaned his shoulder on the door and his smile was warm and meant to be contagious.] To what do I owe this pleasure, Caitlyn. Come in. [He opened the door wider by simply leaning back with it, allowing her entrance to his sparse apartment. It wasn't like he owned anything but a single set of clothing.]

It's. Uhm. Yes. Thank you.

[She smiles a tight, awkward smile as she accepts his invitation to step inside.

She'd rehearsed a few potential phrases on her walk over here: how she wants to start off, the best way to tell him, what to say if he gets upset, that sort of thing. But she's finding it difficult to remember any of that now that she's actually faced with saying it aloud. To Vander. Vi's father. Who has had negative experiences with enforcers and Piltovans and-- And is Vi's father.]

It's Vi. I wanted to. She's very dear to me, and I-- [She's the bravest, kindest, most beautiful person I've ever met, she's changed my life in so many ways, and her lips-- No, she doesn't even want to finish that thought in Vander's presence.] We ought to be honest with one another, and so I-- I wanted to talk to you. About my relationship with her.

[He shut the door promptly once she was inside of his chosen apartment, not wishing for anyone from the Zaun side (except Jinx) to know where he was living. He was hoping to keep the place intact for longer than a month and that would never happen if certain people knew about where he was holed up. As he was certain she could imagine.

He expected Caitlyn was here because of how the meeting with everyone from their world had gone. She was someone who came across as having a purpose for everything, so he was a little thrown when she mentioned Vi. Jinx had confirmed his identity on that front, though he had not particularly come out and said it on his own. He suspected that Caitlyn had strong feelings for Vi, of course, as their conversations that easily given that away.

Vander moved to seat himself on the floor, leaving Caitlyn with the couch if she wanted it. As expected with everything in the room, it was made for a man of his size so everything was larger than usual.] This isn't the first time you've said that she's dear to you. You did have her released from prison and decided to follow her into the Lanes.

[He laced his fingers together as he rested his forearms on his upraised knees.] Are you about to inform me that you and Vi are romantically involved?

[She sits, primly, on the edge of the couch, feeling a little awkward about the fact that he's chosen the floor. Should she also sit on the floor? Is it rude to sit on the couch when one's host sits on the floor? Or would it be rude to sit on the floor? Her thumb taps nervously against the palm of her other hand as she folds both hands in her lap.

She's not at all expecting Vander to outright ask her that. Her head shoots up, her eyes wide.]

How did you-- [How did he know? Has she made it that obvious?] We aren't involved, exactly. She's-- My feelings for her are-- [She's never said this to anybody, not even to Vi. Vi knows, though. She must. She knew exactly when Caitlyn had meant when she'd asked 'What about us?' that night in the rain.] I do have romantic feelings for her, yes.

[This was not his first go-around when it came to romance, not that he could admit that. He'd been around the block before, especially when it was a teenager and learning about the world, and he'd also spent a lifetime watching people navigate their own emotions in his bar. People were very expressive when they were a few cups in, and look, Caitlyn was very obvious about her emotions when it came to Vi.]

Your facial expression softens and you get breathy when you talk about her to me. You're rather obvious about it. [He could pick it up anyway, but he had long ago mastered being a wingman for so many single souls in the streets, the brothel (yes, even there), shops, bars, the mines, the docks. Vander had... been around. It was the advantage of being the one of the socialites of his group.]

Alright, you have romantic feelings for Vi. Have you expressed your feelings to her?

[For all that Caitlyn tries not to, she's aware that she wears her heart on her sleeve, her thoughts and feelings clear to anybody who knows her well enough. And even some who don't. How could her face not soften, her heart not quicken, her breath not come a little more shallow when she speaks of Vi? Yet still, it surprises her how well Vander reads her.

Her eyes lower, her face falling, nerves slowly being overtaken by the deep ache she's felt in the pit of her stomach since Vi walked away.]

Not in so many words. But she knows. She... She told me that she isn't interested in anything between us. That we're too different. Oil and water. [It hurts to recall now, as it hurt to hear then. She should have run after Vi, she should have said something, she should have done something--] I can't believe she meant it, though. Not really. If I could only speak to her again...

[Oh she was smitten. Vander was not shocked by it, but he was curious as to the interactions that led to Caitlyn and Vi forming an attachment so quickly. After all, there was very little love found between the undercity and Piltover, and it was likely to be made worse by Caitlyn's high station as well. He didn't know a lot about Piltover families, but he assumed that a trencher would upset some kind of social decorum.

She looked so nervous and lost, and he understood why with Vi's rejection. His little heartbreaker taking after her father, huh? He watched Caitlyn with the patience of a man who had experience listening to the plight of other people.] So, you don't believe she knows what she wants, or you don't want to believe she may not feel the same as you do? [He spoke gently with sympathy and understanding.]

As for speaking with her, I'm afraid I can't help you with that presently. Can I get you something to drink?

Yes, thank you. [Caitlyn's not sure she could manage to drink anything just now, but it would be rude to refuse, wouldn't it? The last thing she wants, during this conversation of all conversations, is to be rude.] Tea? Or water, if you haven't any.

[And then she sighs, short and sharp, immediately back to thinking about Vi and the ways in which things went wrong between them, and how she could right everything the next time they meet.]

We'd just met with the Council to present evidence of Silco's crimes. They opted for a more diplomatic approach than she had hoped for, and she stormed out. She was angry with them. With topside. The way the Council treated her-- [Another sharp little sigh.] She was speaking out of anger. After everything we've been through together, I can't believe she truly wants nothing to do with me. Even if she doesn't return my feelings, there's no reason we can't be in each others' lives.

[Vander rose smoothly from the floor to pad to his kitchen, bemused by the request for tea or water. He put on the kettle and picked through the cupboards which were remarkably stocked full. Everything else might be sparse, but a man knew how to horde the essentials at all times, especially when shipments were known to be late.

He pulled down a mug and set it on the counter before he was opening a tin and adding tea leaves to a steep ball and put it in the waiting mug. From the kitchen area, he was listening to Caitlyn lay out the scene, his mind rolling over the details, and he was fully aware that this was the abridged version. Oh, Vi did not have the temperament to face off against the Council if her temper was anywhere close to the surface as it had been when he had last seen her.

He turned his head a little to regard her, and even though Silco's crimes themselves were not important, he was curious of what they had found.] Their verdict is not a surprise; they prefer diplomatic solutions to the undercity and have for decades. Patience for politics has never been Vi's strong suit. [He wasn't surprised that Vi redirected her frustration; it had been something he had been managing before his untimely demise.]

I expect she needed some time. Vi's needed opportunities to cool her head, but she usually comes around. She's got a good heart.

[The kettle began to scream and he poured boiling liquid into the mug and brought it over to Caitlyn. He didn't know how long she liked her tea steeped so would leave it in her capable hands with a spoon. He returned to sitting on the floor.]

Yes. She does. [Her voice is downright wistful. She'd said those exact words to Vi, once, and the truth of them is why she cares so much for Vi. One of the reasons, anyway.

She accepts the tea with a soft,] Thank you, [and gives it a little stir with the spoon, letting the ball sit a few moments longer.]

I wanted to let you know how I felt. What my relationship with Vi is. I-- [Her hands grip the hot mug awkwardly, the spoon left to sit in there with the ball, her eyes watching as deeper colour seeps out of the leaves into the steaming hot water.] You aren't upset?

Edited 2025-01-12 23:31 (UTC)

[Once he was settled back on the floor, he raised a knee again so he could settle an arm across it. He flexed his wrist in the black brace that covered it, something he had been provided with the rest of his clothing from that egg. There was more comfort with the scar beneath hidden, and he had been thankful it hadn't been obvious when he was high on Shimmer.

He inclined his head slightly to acknowledge the fact that she had come all this way to inform him about how her heart was aflutter for Violet. He raised his eyebrows at the question, momentarily confused.] Should I be upset? You have romantic feelings for my daughter, whom I technically haven't seen for years by the time you meet her.

[Watching the tea can only occupy her for so long. She glances up at Vander as he sits again, noting the way he flexes, the brace on his wrist that wasn't there when they first met – he wasn't wearing much at all when they first met, really – and offering the faintest, and briefest, of smiles in response to his nod.]

I thought-- [She's not sure how to say this diplomatically, so she simply blunders ahead as best she can.] People make assumptions. About my name. And I'm not just a Kiramman, I'm an enforcer as well, and I thought-- I was worried you wouldn't approve.

[Vander was keeping his own cards close to the chest about this situation. He would had preferred to confer with Vi on this topic, trusting her judgment even if he had twinges of reservations. He didn't believe Piltover would appreciate a mutt in their houses after all, and he didn't believe Vi would hold her temper back enough to not punch someone in the face. That was a quick downward spiral.

Unfortunately for him, he didn't know the details of their relationship. The Vi he knew was interested in girls, but she hadn't spent much time exploring that. She was trying to live up to what she thought his expectations were. There was a disconnect between what he knew and what was being presented. Still, Caitlyn was clearly earnest enough about her feelings.]

I couldn't say I care much about your name. I care about the contents of your character, Caitlyn. [He did actually tighten his hand a little at the enforcer bit. Old habits, nothing personal against her.] It's true enforcers are not my favourite people, but...

[If she only knew who his previous long-term relationship was to, she might be the one judging him and not the other way around.]

[A rueful smile steals across her face, just for a moment. If Vander's telling the truth, he may well be the first person she's ever met who doesn't care that she's a Kiramman. From the moment she was old enough to understand what that means, everyone she's spoken to, every person who's ever greeted her at a social function, every schoolmate who's tried to befriend her, every girl who's ever flirted with her, every fellow enforcer who's sneered at her, even her parents, even Jayce, everyone has made assumptions without ever bothering to consider whether those assumptions might be wrong. She's felt like a prized pet bird all her life, trapped in a beautiful, golden cage, the bars forged out of her name.

She can't help but think that Vander's made assumptions too, even if he won't share them.]

I know, whatever else may happen—

[And given what Sevika had said at the meeting, and Jinx telling her that she and Vi will part ways again, it does seem like her future will be... tumultuous...

Her hands tighten on the mug, her mind shying away from thinking about any of that just now. She came here to clear the air about her relationship with Vander's daughter, not to dwell on...]

–there are those who would frown on my having a relationship with a Zaunite. I want you to know that I don't care about them, or what they think. I care about Vi. It's true that she and I come from different worlds, and I can't promise those worlds will never clash, but I'm prepared to support her through whatever those clashes might entail. I'm not asking for your permission, but I... I am asking for your acceptance.

[She meets his gaze, serious and earnest and intent. Whatever her relationship with Vi might end up being, and whatever difficulties they may face together or apart, she hopes that Vander will approve. She rather likes Vander, and she doesn't want her feelings to cause strife between father and daughter, even if he has been dead for years.]

And if you have any– If you have questions. About me. Us. About Vi. I'll answer them, of course.

[Vander had been trained and coaxed along thanks to his association with Grayson. When he had been young and brash and hopped up on his own ego, he had definitely hated all enforcers and most of Piltover. He resented them and their pretty perfect lives while he punched and kicked his way to his next meal sometimes. He'd been stopped, frisked and even beaten by enforcers for no other reason than he was big and they could claim he looked to be trouble. Well, there was also Silco, who had a keen ability to instigate fights, especially with enforcers.

However, after much distrust and negotiating, Grayson had taught him some of Piltover, and he had taught her some of Zaun. They had made it work for the sake of the deal, which required them both to leave much of their prejudice at the door. He had kept much of the violence out of the Lanes, including that of enforcers, but that didn't mean he wasn't suspicious of Piltover either. The Council had been a distance uncaring entity for as long as he could recall. That she was the daughter of a Councilwoman did create a ripple of unease in him, but she had extended him a courtesy of safety and privacy when no one else would.]

Usually we don't entirely have a choice who we develop feelings for. Sometimes they bring out the best in us. Sometimes they bring out the worst. Or it's a combination of both.

[Case in point: Silco. Not that he would admit to anyone their former association, not so soon after arriving. He could call it a fall out of a friendship or a brotherhood and nothing more than that. His focus had to be on Vi, on what it was that she possibly wanted or needed. After all, she had lost everything including years, and that was a lot to make up for.]

Vi would face similar scrutiny in the undercity. Dalliances are common but actual relationships are rare given our... ah sordid history with one another. And none of this conversation actually matters because Vi isn't here to verify your story. I'd prefer to see you two together and understand how you two treat each other before I make any acceptances on what you've told me.

[He met her gaze in return, honest and without judgment. Caitlyn was nice enough, if reactive to Zaunites, which he expected he would have to work on her with. Both her and Jayce actually. Though, talking about Vi made his heart ache to see her, to want to make certain she was alright, to apologize that things had gotten so out of hand, for... abandoning her.]

Does... Vi still take no shit from anyone?

[This being the first time she's had this sort of conversation, she doesn't really know what she expected. Or what she ought to have expected. It makes sense that he'd want to talk to Vi about this before leveling any judgment, one way or the other, so perhaps this is the best outcome she could have hoped for.

At least he hasn't chased her out of the flat.]

I— Yes, I understand.

[If only Vi were here.

To his question, she responds,] No, [quite earnestly.] She doesn't. She's quite the forceful personality. I can't imagine her backing down from anything once she's set her mind to it.

[He knew that Vi would complicate things, that adding another to their ranks here was going to increase the chances of conflict between the groups. He was suspecting that Vi was now caught between the two cities as he might just be, no real alliances aside from those cultivated with the people she cared about. No doubt causing trouble just with her very being; the girls had always been able to make waves just being who they were.

Just like their mother.

Vander's expression softened and became incredibly fond as he nodded his head. His lips tugged in a smile, and he felt a relief that Vi still had her fierceness.] That's my girl.

[He was heartened by the earnest nature of Caitlyn's reply.] What was she charged with to be locked in Stillwater?

[Ah. Now that's a more complicated question.]

I don't know. There weren't any records on her incarceration. I don't even know how long she was locked up. Given that the Sheriff was working for Silco, and Vi's... involvement with Silco... I— It's possible that the Sheriff was responsible.

[She can't be entirely certain, of course. Not without more information. But it's a reasonable assumption to make.]

When I met her, she'd been put in solitary confinement for breaking another inmate's jaw. One of Silco's henchmen. [Her voice drops lower. Her hands tighten even further on the mug, as though, if she grips it hard enough, its warmth could somehow be transferred to Vi.] Those cells are so deep, and so cold, and so dark... I shudder to think at how long she was there.

[His fingers twitched as he considered the timing. Vi in prison likely soon after he had died, and based on what Powder had told him, it seemed to him that she had to be placed in Stillwater by an enforcer. It was neat and tidy wasn't it? Why keep her alive unless it was to potentially use against...

Marcus...?

After Grayson's death, there had been an exchange of blood money. A tie to Piltover that was necessary to keep the dealings of the undercity from slipping too far up the chain. Janna, he could see it, and no wonder keeping someone who was also known to shift conflicts just by her stubbornness, her will, the strength of her character and heart. She'd become Marcus' ace in the hole, yet Caitlyn had been the one to free her. Maybe he was far off base, but why else keep Vi alive?

He didn't have enough information to verify it as anything truthful, but he could see the connections. There was so much he didn't know, so much he could never know, and yet... that Vi remained alive and then returned to the Lanes. No crime, just a trencher lost in the system.]

Of course... it was his only option. ["I met an old friend of yours... he sure had some stories."] Heh, she had nothing left to lose... [He'd been in one of those deep, dark, cold cells before after the Day of Ash; it was a taste of what he would live like if he didn't take the deal or at least barter in some manner of good faith.

He turned his head to stare off across the sparse room to the wall.] I've heard stories... the darkest places are where they have their talks. But... you set her free. I'm grateful that you gave her a chance at a life again.

[Caitlyn's grateful, too, to the circumstances that led her to find Vi. Now that she's met her, she can't imagine her life without her.]

She had one thing left to lose, [she says softly.] Her sister. From the moment I freed her, all she cared about was finding and saving Jinx.

[And for Vi's trouble, Jinx had set off more bombs, shot at both Vi and Caitlyn with a minigun, been nothing but violent and aggressive.

But she came here to talk about Vi, not Jinx.]

She still has a good heart.

[Of course. Vi had always been protective of Powder, and with his last words being to take care of her sister, he had no doubt Vi had taken that seriously. The sisters had an inseparable bond even when apart, and he wondered what they were like together now that they were adults. He somehow had his doubts Powder had accepted a Piltie as a pick of the fair for Vi's affections.]

Sounds about right. Vi always had the best management skills when it came to Pow... er, Jinx.

[He corner of his lip twitched in a small smile. He drew in a deep breath and held it, allowing his ruse of 'being just fine' to remain and even solidify.]

Always did. From the moment she was born, I knew she was special. Both of them were.

[For a given value of 'special,' Caitlyn thinks bitterly. Jinx is clever, she'll give the girl that. But she's also...

No, she reminds herself firmly. She didn't come here to talk about Jinx. This is about Vi, and being honest with Vi's father, and assuring him that her feelings for Vi are genuine.

What else to say? She thinks back to the suitors her parents had tried to present to her. The things they'd said about the suitors' families' finances, their families' connections and histories. All the sorts of things a Kiramman should consider when choosing a potential match. Would Vander care about those things? Her family is one of the most wealthy and influential in the city, the Kiramman name carries weight with everyone in Piltover and even beyond. If he does care, he must already know that Vi would want for nothing, were she and Caitlyn to be together.

Of course, she'd feel the same way for Vi regardless of finances. Money isn't even a consideration when it comes to her feelings for Vi. But would it be a consideration for Vander? Is she the suitor in this instance? Should she be making the case for her families' finances and connections?

She can feel the seconds stretching between them, each one more awkward to her than the last, until she interrupts the silence by even more awkwardly blurting out:]

I can provide for her. Financially.

[Caitlyn did not have the best poker face, and it was clear that she had thoughts about both of his daughters for better or for worse. He had been provided a bird's eye view of how Caitlyn and Jinx treated each other, and both of them had not voiced their faint displeasure with one another. Or in Jinx's case, it had been outright disdain for the relationship Vi had developed.

He was more of a wait and see type of person. He was usually not overprotective, but once his protectiveness was prickled, he would do anything for that person. He liked to think Vi was a good judge of character, and he was no slouch at it either.

He might not know everything there was about Piltover, but he did know that Councilors had considerable wealth. The mansion that he had briefly stayed at was certainly indication enough that wealth would never be a problem; would the opposite be true? The richest people in Zaun would hold no candle to the high houses.

He blinked at Caitlyn's sudden outburst. He huffed a sound of amusement and ran his fingers through his hair.]

Oh that much I'm aware of, and it's probably the least important aspect of your relationship with her. To me anyway. Did you... think it was important to me?

I don't— I've never done this before, and I wasn't— [She pauses, tries to gather herself. Is she making a poor impression?] Usually I'm being swarmed by eligible bachelorettes and— Not that—

[That probably isn't coming across the way she means it.]

That is to say, people usually... Since I came of age, my parents... [She doesn't really want to talk about her parents, either, since then she'll have to think about her mother, and then...] They made an effort to impress upon me the importance of making a suitable match. And they've tried themselves. To do so. To find 'appropriate suitors.'

[The quotation marks are audible; those had been her parents' words, not hers. And every suitor had been more unappealing than the last, a parade of heiresses who would never care for Caitlyn more than they cared for the wealth and prestige that Caitlyn's name could bring them.]

I was always told to consider their finances, and with whom their family was connected, as though there were no more important qualities I might look for. I thought, if those were things that might concern you... I... [She finally finishes, rather lamely:] I'm not sure how these things are normally done.

[Vander found himself bemused by her explanation, and it wasn't so difficult to consider. There were those with wealth in the undercity, and they tended to be picky when it came to who they made matches with so that wealth was not particularly disseminated down or squandered. When one had scratched, negotiated, found good luck or simply took what they wanted to cultivate wealth, they were usually hard-pressed to give it up again.

Of course, he'd never taught his kids that lesson; he would prefer that they found connection where they would. They knew their own hearts better than he did, so how could he tell them who to settle down with? Love was often found in the most unexpected places. His job was to have them learn the skills necessary to navigate the pitfalls and complications of that... and well, maybe he was the worst role model for that.

Not that anyone knew. Okay, two people knew, but both of them would probably rather have their tongues removed than admit it.]

I know you're looking for my approval and trying to explain your position to me, but I honestly don't care, Caitlyn. If Vi likes you, then it's her decision. [So many years missed; he couldn't even tease her now about it as she wasn't here.] As long as you treat her as your equal, respect and care for her as I feel she deserves, you two can do whatever you like. You're both adults making adult decisions.

[He huffed a sound of amusement, turning his arm over where it rested on his knee and stared at the brace. He flexed his hand, feeling the tightness.] Well, I don't think there's supposed to be a recipe on how it's done. To each their own, hmm? You two did seem to meet in odd circumstances as it is.

Yes. Of course. [Of course she'll treat Vi as her equal. Respect her, care for her, everything she can to make Vi happy. All she wants is the opportunity to do so, and someone who'll do the same for her.]

I suppose there isn't much more to say, without Vi. Should she make an appearance here, we'll... I'm sure we'll be speaking again on the matter. [She's grateful, at least, that he's open to the idea, that he hasn't dismissed her out of hand or become angry or judged her harshly. She's glad he doesn't care about money or social status. She'd glad Vi has someone, even if long dead, who cares for her well-being and happiness before anything else.] And I'm glad I've had the chance to get to know you. Even if the circumstances are far from ideal.

[She realises she hasn't tried the tea yet, so she fishes out the steep ball and takes a sip.]

She is the master of her own affections and destiny, yes. [He did miss her, more than he could express in words. Since the day Vi had been born, Vander had been attached to her. He had helped raise her from day one, babysat while Felicia and Connol were working the mine shifts.] As long as she's happy wherever she is, that's all that matters to me. She deserves that... life hasn't been easy for her.

[It had obviously been worse in part after he had died. Jail then facing off against the undercity and then whatever other threats had come up. Powder was different, not Jinx, the Lanes was taken over by Chem-barons and Silco. He'd seen what that man had transformed into after all.

He forced the corner of his lip to a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. That's why he closed them as he offered a little shrug.] Well, glad I could help. I expect the road is going to be rather bumpy given who else is here and the complicated agendas. You and Jayce sticking together is the best course for you both in the game of sides.

[There's a weight behind all of this that Caitlyn doesn't entirely understand, restrained as Vi had been in sharing her past. She'd told Caitlyn of Powder, the girl Jinx once had been, and something of their life together, but little enough beyond that. From the way Vander speaks, from the sorrow in that smile to the words he says — life hasn't been easy for her — she knows there's more.

And she doesn't want to pry. Vi will, or won't, tell Caitlyn more when she's ready. But there is one thing that's bothering her, something that her too-inquisitive mind keeps catching on, ever since she realised Vander's identity.]

May I ask... Vi told me her parents were killed by enforcers. Was she talking about you?

[She'd understand if he won't tell her. But she feels the need to ask nonetheless.]

[Vander's expression remained cordial but became overly formal. Yet, he made certain to soften his body language otherwise, as if this topic of the conversation didn't particularly bother him. The truth was complicated and full of old regrets, and if he allowed himself to think on the subject - the memory of them dead on the bridge - he knew he would let something slip. He had once built a peace on the foundation of their corpses along with everyone else who had paid the ultimate price.

He flexed his right hand casually, and he made a point of meeting Caitlyn's gaze. He doubted there was time to delve into the complexity of undercity family dynamics on their little adventures.]

No. I adopted her and Powder after they were killed. Two boys whose parents died that day too.

[Knowing she's asked something personal, and painful, Caitlyn simply watches, listens, meets his eyes while he speaks. Both parents killed, adopted by someone who loved her only for him to die too, and then years spent in prison... Caitlyn feels an almost physical pain in her chest at everything Vi has been through.

A thought of her own mother steals into her head, but she shuts it away, deep in some storage vault in her mind where she won't need to contend with it.]

She's lucky to have had you.

[He had always wondered if the Day of Ash had sent any kind of ripple through Piltover, but he supposed that aside from congratulating their fine officers, burying their dead, it had likely passed without much legendary status as it had in the undercity. He supposed putting down a group of unstart trenchers was common enough in Piltover. He'd pulled some fairly ballsy stunts in Piltover before then, all leading to nothing more than a crack down in the Lanes and beyond.

If Vander hadn't taken them across the bridge that day, if it hadn't gotten out of hand, Vi's parents would still be alive. A lot of people would still be alive. He would never consider himself any kind of hero due to the costs, and it was the least he could do to take in some of his children left orphaned because of some of his own actions.

That was the price of leadership. People died. Good people, bad people, just people.]

Well, I've known her and Powder since they were born. They deserved a family, and I did what I could.

[When she'd first met Vander, he had spoken of his children being killed. Knowing that Vi and Jinx are alive, she assumes he must have been referring to the two boys, unless there were others. Vi's never mentioned adopted brothers killed years ago, and all of this only raises more questions that Caitlyn is burning to know the answers to, but she still won't pry.

Instead of asking anything further, she sets the tea down so that she can move towards Vander, drop to her knees next to him on the floor, and wrap him in a tight, brief hug.]

[The death of his boys was still extremely fresh, but he pushed down the grief until he was alone. That kind of vulnerability was not meant for the public eye, and he did have plenty of time on his hands it seemed. He would eventually fill the time, but for now, it was a welcomed distraction to talk about Violet and the trials and tribulations of a cross-city relationship.

He knew that Caitlyn had questions, and he appreciated that she was restrained enough to not pepper him with particular sore subjects. The Day of Ash remained a point that upended everything.

He watched her set the tea aside and move, expecting that she had completed the reason she was here and would be off. He stilled when she came to the floor next to him, watching her and offering a soft 'oof' at her hug, though there was no way she could wrap even those long arms around his shoulders.]

...thank you? To what do I owe the affection?

[She pulls out of the hug a little awkwardly, her eyes glancing away and then back at him as she tries to think of how to answer that question.]

I...

[She hadn't known what to say, really. I'm sorry your sons were killed and you were also killed seems insufficient, the sort of formula one is meant to follow that lends a veneer of insincerity no matter how sincerely one might mean it.

I'm sorry your family lost so much, and I'm sorry you didn't get to watch your daughter grow up into the brilliant woman she's become, and I'm sorry she's lost so much too seems like too much, or not enough, an over-expression of emotions that still somehow fails to capture how deeply sorrowful Caitlyn is about all of this.

Apparently I've lost a family member too, and if I allow myself to think about it for even a moment, I fear the tenuous grip I have on my emotions may shatter, and I don't know if you feel the same but I can't imagine you feel much differently is too vulnerable, though no less honest.

A hug can say all of those things more easily, and more honestly, and more sincerely, than the words.]

I thought... You might like one. A hug.

[Vander watched, and the substance of her message came through in her body language. Sometimes words cluttered up the space between two people, and he wondered where this empathy had come from in her. They had only just met recently, but it didn't particularly surprise him that Caitlyn would offer a comfort that was considered weakness in the undercity between strangers.

He reached out and set a hand on her shoulder, providing a little squeeze of support. She had gone out of her way to keep him safe when there was no reason for her to until she had realized he was Vi's father.]

Thanks, Caitlyn. I probably needed one.

[His arm slid around her shoulders to pull her back in for another smaller hug.] You're a good person. Got a good heart.

[As soon as he pulls her into another hug, she flings her arms around his neck as though he were her own father. She doesn't hold on for long, but she does hold on tightly.

When she pulls away again, she ducks her head for a split second to make absolutely certain that her expression is under control and there's nothing too vulnerable in her eyes or on her face and that she isn't about to start crying over how terrible so much of this is.]

I should get going. If there's nothing else.

[She picks up the tea and walks towards the kitchen counter to set it down.]

Thank you for the tea.

[Vander found a small smile when Caitlyn's arms locked around his neck, and he held her a little more tightly in response. It didn't last long, and he found it enough to chase away the lingering pain that threatened to be overwhelming until he could be alone again. He could see why Vi would probably like Caitlyn; someday he did hope to see them together and understand their dynamic better.

He nodded to her indications to leave. He hesitated for a moment before plunging back in as she went to the kitchen, waiting for her to emerge again.]

If what they said at the meeting was true about the future, know that I'll do what I can to support you. That kind of lose digs deep, so... if you ever want to talk, you now know where I'm staying.

[She was the only one to know where he was living at present.]

[There's a tremble in her lower lip that she can't quite suppress and a heat in her eyes that threatens to spill over into tears but she can't—

For a long moment, she stares down at the mug. And then she takes a breath, swipes beneath one eye to catch a stray drop of moisture in a gesture she hopes is subtle enough not to notice, and forces her mind back to Vi. This whole meeting was meant to be about Vi, and here she is, thinking about— about things she doesn't want to dwell on. There may be trials in the future she shares with Vi, if Jinx is to be believed, but Vi will live, and whatever trials they have to endure, Caitlyn is confident they'll get through them. She thinks of the glint in Vi's eyes, her crooked smile, the notch in her brow, her strong yet gentle arms, her freckles and her tattoos and the sweep of her hair, and she takes another breath, and turns back to Vander.]

I do.

[She's grateful for the offer, but that sort of talk has never come easily to her.]

And you're welcome in my home, of course. If you want to come by.

[For now, she decides to take her leave.]

[Immediately following on from this.]

Has she told you what she's done?

[She sounds calmer than she came across earlier, but there's a hardness beneath the calm.]

[He sighed heavily.]

What I heard was at our worldly gathering. She and I have spoken briefly.

Has she told you about my mother?

No. I expect you will.

[He meant no disrespect. He could guess what she was going to say.]

[There's a long pause as she composes herself, enough that her voice won't sound too angry, or too devastated.]

She's going to kill my mother. Tomorrow, for me. I may go home to Runeterra one day, but I'm never going to see my mother again.

I'm sorry for your loss, be it tomorrow or be it a year from now.

[He thought of leaving it there. What more could he offer? And yet...]

I understand what it is like to lose family.

[She knows. And she feels for him. She's barely managing to wrap her head around even the idea of losing her mother, she can't imagine what it's like to lose children. But...]

Then you understand how I feel about her.

I do. And you're perfectly in your rights to dislike her, and for however long it takes you to grieve. However, that kind of hatred born out of grief is worse for you than it is for her.

Eventually, for your own sake, you should find a way to make peace with it. And if you can't, you might just wake up not liking the person who looks back you from a mirror one day.

[Speaking from experience? You betcha.]

Edited 2025-02-17 14:24 (UTC)

This isn't a matter of disliking her!

[Her ironclad grip over her emotions slips, just for a moment, revealing just how angry she really is, but she clenches her teeth and manages to continue in a more even tone.]

She's murdered easily a dozen of my colleagues, and I'm lucky to have escaped with my life. Ever since I met Vi, Jinx has hounded us, tried repeatedly to kill me for reasons I can't even begin to understand, kidnapped me from my home, and tomorrow she's going to murder my mother and there is nothing I can do to stop it. You have to see how dangerous she is.

Edited 2025-02-18 16:44 (UTC)

I understand.

I've experienced all of what you described personally as well. Except for me, it was Enforcers.

[He wasn't discounting her pain; his tone was calm and sympathetic. He had played the tit-for-tat game before, and it didn't end well for anyone.]

You have a right to your pain, Caitlyn. Awful things have been done to you and yours.

[She pauses for a long moment at the reminder that it was enforcers who hurt him. Who killed Vi's parents.]

I'm less interested in discussing my pain than in ensuring she can't cause more to anyone else. And that includes not sending newcomers directly to her.

If she does based on my recommendation, I'll hold her accountable.

And respectfully, I don't take orders from you or anyone else.

And how will you hold her accountable, exactly? Where's the accountability for her other victims?

Depends on what she does. What are you looking for me to say, Caitlyn?

[She doesn't even really know, that's the most frustrating part. At home, she could arrest Jinx, but here...]

At the very least, don't recommend her services to strangers.

I'm sorry, but until I see signs of what you're saying personally or unless Jinx tells me not to recommend her, I will not be limiting her opportunities.

She poses a risk to everyone in this place. 'Limiting her opportunities' means limiting the chances of more people winding up dead.

I can't control your actions, but I will do whatever I deem necessary to make sure she doesn't hurt anyone else.

[He was silent on the other end of the line. Then he sighed heavily.]

You've been generous and kind to me, so I'll say this once as a courtesy: if you move against Jinx without probable cause, I'll put a stop to it.

We're well beyond probable cause. I've seen precisely what she's capable of with my own eyes.

[And, coldly, but with the wholehearted sincerity of someone who truly means it:] I thought you would understand.

I think I understand more than you give me credit for.

[His tone remained amicable, even reasonable.]

[ On her way from point A to point B (point B being the hospital), Sevika will be doling out a warning to all her fellow Runeterrans: ]

Etraya has been compromised. Do not trust anyone who got pulled in after the train mission. See network for further details.

[ Look, she's busy. She'll chat if she can, but expect it to be brief.

And yeah, she did send Vander a warning. If she ends up needing extra muscle, he is basically going to be it, even if she hates it! ]

Acknowledged.

[Vander isn't going to waste either of their time with pointless questions. He can read the room and he's been following the network post just before her message came in, so he was in the know somewhat.

If he's of use, she'll call. If he's not, she won't.

He'll make it part of his business one way or another.]

What can you tell me about "Shimmer"?

Not much, unless you're looking for a word definition.

Thanks for nothing.

( how useless of him. )

You going to provide me more context about your inquiry, bud?

Not unless you intend to tell me the truth.

And what reason would I have to lie to you?

You tell me, Vander.

I'm not playing this game. You either trust what I have, or you don't. That's on you, and I'm not wasting my time waiting for you to unclutch your pearls.

Someone mentioned you were aware of a chemical substance called Shimmer.

You've already made it clear you have no intention of sharing what you know.

I see no reason to continue this conversation, when you've already lied.

I am aware of it, yeah. I've even been on the journey that is taking it.

Yet you claimed to only know it by definition of the word.

I wrote I didn't know much, not that I didn't know anything.

Can you tell me more about it?

It's purple; it's liquid; it glows, and consuming it is simultaneously the best and worst experience. How did you come to know about it?

I was informed that it may come into play in the future.

How did it impact you?

From who? I grew huge and mean. It technically saved my life. It has exceptional healing qualities, but the side effects from the version I took wasn't worth it.

Do you believe it's worth the risk in having it here?

I'm not of the opinion we have a choice. It will arrive whether we like it or not.

That wasn't what I asked.

I don't know. Apparently the stuff I took was the worst of the worst.

( well. it's more useful than nothing. )

There is a drug I am familiar with back home, called Venom. It, too, causes those who takes it to become large and mean while also enhancing strength, durability, and reflexes. But it is extremely addictive, and causes debilitating withdrawal symptoms when one stops taking it.

Would you consider their descriptions similar?

Similar yes. Is Venom here?

No.
None of us are that stupid.

Good to know. If it comes, it will be promoted as medical treatments or augmentation for combat.

Lovely.

( hopefully, he can read the sarcasm. )

Thank you for your slightly better than useless answer.

That's more gratitude than I expected from you. So long, kiddo.

I didn't think you had it in you too plan around me that artfully. All for the cameras, too.

You must enjoy the attention.

[ because lmao that's what it is ]

[Vander has an inkling what this is about, but he's trying to figure out what Silco's play has been as well.]

Sounds like you underestimating me is your problem, not mine. I never denied enjoying attention. Is there a point to you being here stating the obvious or do you just miss me already?

[ Let's be real: none of them probably know as much as they think they do. ]

Why, that's meant to be a compliment. I should have known you would be ungrateful.

But no, I am not one of the foolish hangers-on you seem to desire so. This is a reminder: don't try that again. I won't be so kind as to simply eliminate your patsy as I leave.

You don't offer compliments, least of all to me. "Foolish hangers-on"? You mean, friends? That must be a foreign concept these days, though I do need to know why you decided to eliminate the gunwoman on your own. I expected you gave up the man-of-action schtick years ago. Isn't that why you have goons?

[He doesn't want to ask if Silco was trying to impress him. He doesn't want to be asked why he did what he did, but this was all rather confounding.]

Hm, I wonder why the idea of having someone I trust implicitly would be something I don't allow for these days?

[ The easy knife. Always the easy knife. ]

I'm afraid that having "goons", as you so eloquently put it isn't in the cards right now.

Lucky for me, I have never been one to let things slide if I must. After all, you clearly wanted to use it to your advantage to look good for the cameras, if you didn't hire her yourself, expecting that you would eventually run into me. You must think I'm a fool.

[ Paranoia certainly makes him one. ]

Are you saying that you don't trust Jinx and Sevika implicitly?

[Well, this kind of banter was very normal. Maybe he was reading into things too much? Probably, he could overthink on some subjects.]

Perhaps you'll be able to wrangle some in when you bring in your drug. I've already had one person ask me about it unprompted. Yeah, right, you do never let anything go. Are you accusing me of bribing someone to shoot at us to raise my rankings? You're the one that could have walked away and chose to draw me out. [Wait a second...] Did you hire that gun? Trying to prove that I still have it in me to be your monster?

Edited 2025-04-06 17:30 (UTC)

They are not friends.

[ Well. True. Kind of. We all know Jinx is the closest thing silco has to a friend but he won't admit it. ]

Hm. Asking about Shimmer, are they? Curious.

[ He won't ask who. he knows he won't share. But it's the most honest and natural Silco has ever sounded around him. AUTOMATIC SCHEMING MODE INITIATED. ]

I did nothing of the sort. My plan was more elaborate than that. Hence why I commended you for planning around me. You should feel pleased, too few people do it these days.

[ IGNORING THAT PART Where he says he didn't do it. ]

No, I suppose they are as close to family as you have.

[He aimed as precisely as he could verbally, expecting to provoke a response. It was less confusing than whatever else was written to him here.]

I assume you're still working on it, otherwise it may be more than just word of mouth. Use caution when you do.

[It was the only warning that he would provide. Vander might not be close with anyone from his own world right now, but they were still from his world and he was obligated to protect those of Zaun.]

Oh was it? What pray tell was the plan, hmm?

[He was confused again. Vander hadn't planned anything; he had been looking for a reprieve from the cameras and audiences in that place. Did he say something? Did he stay quiet? He hated earning respect he didn't actually deserve.]

[ This how he knows it hit: Silco doesn't acknowledge it at all. ]

You have no need to warn me. I know you're just soothing your guilt, if something goes poorly. Don't bother.

[ Sevika has already warned him as well. As if he wouldn't be cautious on his own. ]

I'm not telling you my plan, Vander. I might use it later. Nice try. I can assure you it did not involve a gunman. That's hardly artful.

You're a Zaunite; I would protect any one of you from those not of our city. We stick together, even when we don't want to.

[That had always been his stance, and it remained so. Zaunites stuck together even when they absolutely hated each other, which seemed the truth of the matter between them. It might earn him a stab in the back again, but he wouldn't regret it.]

Oh you're going to recycle the plan? It must have been good if you plan on repurposing to use against me later.

[Okay, he couldn't any longer.]

I didn't hire or have anything to do with that gunwoman. I didn't even know she was there until the bullets started coming at us. I went out in the alley to buy you time to slip away, but that you decided to take her out on your own rather than flee is interesting.

[He meant confusing, but he also wasn't about to admit it. That was handing too much power to Silco in this conversation.]

Edited 2025-04-06 18:06 (UTC)

[ Predictably: ] And with how good you are at that?

[ Silco doesn't believe him, but, well. Silco has good reason for that, doesn't he? ]

And allow you to take the accolades for your clearly pantomimed orchestration? Absolutely not. No, I did that because otherwise you would have gotten the heroic moment you so clearly desire. So I ruined that for you.

[ 😑 ]

Apparently better than you're willing to admit if you're foisting all this credit on me.

[Now his irritation is rising, but what else could either of them expect? They have no reason to believe each other on anything regardless of actual honesty.]

Ohhhhhhhhh, my hero. Thank you for saving my life from a rogue gunwoman. I hope your rankings increased from this daring shuffle of heroics that you performed for the cameras. The Eye of Zaun shows his true qualities to his admirers far and wide.

[ Vander and Silco had always been able to rile each other up best, after all. Even through text, the tone is the same. ]

If I wanted your "thanks", I would have stuck around. I'm quite certain that they would come with violence. After I likely ruined your big moment, and all.

How sad for you.

[ His rankings had only increased slightly. Not enough to account for much. Silco had kept his head down during the majority of it, after all. ]

Ah, you've forgotten that I have no issue spreading the accolades around, have you? Must be how you're getting on with age. The old mind isn't what it used to be, is it? I assume you're here trying for a dust up with an intended purpose.

Yes, I am. To remind you that such games aren't going to work on me. I know you're going to want to play it off, maybe barter good will with Jinx.

Just know: it won't work.

[ ISN't THIS EXHAUSTING, VANDER... ]

They clearly did if you're here shouting over text at me. Speaking of games, did you sell or just donate my body to the doctor? Did he let you watch when you were having a bad day?

From what I've read, that requires all capital letters.

[ See? He's hip with the kids! ]

What are you talking about? When I came back it was gone. Some onlookers likely felt you deserved some sort of sendoff.

[ And then, purposefully, because he knows it will hurt: ]

Once you were dead, what did I care what happened?

You've never needed capitals or punctuation for me to know when you're furious.

[It was good to know two could play this game. Nothing ever changed.]

True. Profits with 'medical' drugs and saving Jinx was all that you ever cared about. Glad he never paraded me out when you were still alive then. After all once you were dead, what would I care what happened?

I always use punctuation. That's hardly different.

[ All he ever ——

Of all the —— ]

Is that what you like to tell yourself, Vander? To justify all of it? That there was nothing I ever truly cared about?

How convenient for you. A tidy little story to justify every little crime you committed. After all, why would it matter if you killed me, it wasn't like there was anything I was working toward. It wasn't as if the sons and daughters of Zaun had someone willing to fight relentlessly for them.

Did it make you feel better, to be the only one mourning in the end? After all, I hardly had the opportunity, did I?

Of course, it's easy when it was clear I was always lying about what happened in the past. It's easy to hear what happened after and think that it was all simply greed. After all, nothing else could have forced our hands. The violence turned on us was nothing compared to what we could do to ourselves, is that it? That making something that can set us free, breathing even a gasp of that fresh air isn't worth it, because clearly the people working tirelessly do not care?

Do you want me to tell you that you're right? That I don't? Not about anything? It took you to teach me that sort of folly, didn't it? I don't, because that's hardly what Zaun needed. What Zaun needed was the sort of hand that could reign her in, and teach her to move forward. To let the past die, and become what she was always meant to be. Zaun didn't need someone to care. They had that already, and "Care" made her suffer. Do you want me to simply admit that all I've done is what is necessary? After all, I don't have the capability anymore, do I? I already know what it will lead to, after all.

That lesson was very thoroughly enshrined. You should be proud of yourself, Vander. You couldn't do it yourself, but you could make the monster necessary, instead.

I did spend a long time justifying my actions back then, saying it was for the greater good, that you deserved what I did, but there was blood on both of our hands. Back then, we lost sight of what we had because we were so focused on what we wanted. You won't believe me, but I regret what I did to you. I still regret what I did to you; more than the scar on your face, I took something from you that you've never been able to have again and that's... unforgivable. You made it clear that your goal was monsters to scare Piltover with. That's what you've wanted for a long time: to make other people afraid. One thing you forget: they were always afraid of us. Our better opportunity was to make them less afraid of us, but that could never be your tactic, so you sacrifice who we were, twisted us up, and yeah made us strong but at what cost? Zaun needed someone to fight, but not someone to rip out her parts at the same time.

You got your monster, Silco. That's the lesson at the cannery you wanted to teach me, and now I see how you pounded that lesson into whatever was left for years to come. Your doctor did exactly what you asked of him. I'm sure you even came up with a little name for me: Wrath of Zaun or something you could lean into your monster wishes. Ask our daughter about how I became everything you ever wanted if you don't know or don't remember. Piltover would have been terrified, just as you dreamed.

It's easy to blame me, isn't it? After all, aren't I that little inconvenient thing that you wanted to pretend was bad enough to be erased from existence? Even I didn't have the audacity to do that.

[ Well, isn't that something — ]

Whatever he did, it wasn't under my orders. I told you before, I didn't know what happened to your body. Your inability to believe me doesn't change the fact.

But go ahead. Spin your little tale. I'm sure it's a comfort to know I was just as terrible as you wanted me to be. It feels deserved then, doesn't it?

That looking glass must be real filthy for you not to see your own reflection in those words, Silco. Can we just admit to each other that we did shit things to one another over the years? And we'll continue to do those shit things because the hurt has gone so deep its festered? Let's do that and call it a day.

[Vander knew Silco actually had little benefit in lying. It made his deep hurt and anger and confusion easier to manage if he had a target for it. However, this would inflict more pain upon him, a fact that Silco would relish with the truth.

So. There was truth in the denial.]

Thanks to your doctor, I outlived you in some capacity. Maybe you'll meet the new me someday with the way this place comprises its missions.

Oh, you want me to admit to my crimes? That I was willing to kill you in the name of our dream when you lost your mettle? Certainly. Here is the difference between me and you. I do not feel "guilt" for what I did. I do not regret it. Why would I, when the truth was all so clear?

[ They would hurt each other. Over, and over again, wouldn't they? That's all that could exist between them, after all, wasn't that right? That twisted, knotted, rotted thing. Silco wanted to keep hurting him. Maybe it's because it feels right, maybe it's because it feels good. It feels good to hurt, maybe it feels good to find at least some way to interact again — but he would never admit it.

So he swipes back, to hurt just as much. ]

Perhaps I will. I wouldn't mind admiring the good doctor's work. It's a shame he kept it from me, but perhaps that is something to discuss with him, if he ever arrives.

After all, if he was going to do something with your remains, I'm sure it was a sight to behold. Was there even anything left of you, I wonder? You were dead, after all. No matter whether he revived you or not.

I wonder if you understood it. What had been done to you. I wonder if you hated being that thing. A monster.

Of course you don't regret it. Any sacrifice is worth the cost of Zaun, isn't it? All the sacrifices except one. It is a comfort to me to know that you hit the same end of the tether as I did back then. Don't regret me. What we have is too broken to be repaired.

[He couldn't see a path that they could walk that would end with either of them finding any point back to even civility. Perhaps they were only capable of hurting each other from now on. In that case, they should stop talking to one another, avoid each other completely.

They wouldn't. Vander wouldn't, and neither would Silco. That was the only truth either of them would probably accept.]

Apparently enough left to build off of at least. To build a monster. And apparently enough to remember some things, if Jinx is apparently hellbent on getting me out of it. Maybe if I become it, you'll know the answer to those ponderings of yours.

Who said anything about regret, Vander? I don't regret a moment of tearing you down.

[ Does he regret before? It's more complicated. He hates it. He needs it as fuel. What else is there, if not his hatred and anger, and his need for revenge? What would he have to motivate him? Zaun? Yes, of course, always that, but he needed the rest of it. Would he burn so hot and so bright if it weren't for that unquenched fire down at the bottom of the ocean, like lava seeping down in the depths?

He couldn't allow it to cool. Wouldn't. Not for anything.

It's why he reached out to fight. He couldn't stand the thought of getting a handle on this place without him to stop him. He'd come for him, eventually, wouldn't he?

He cuts back, though, doesn't he? Silco feels that fury, simmering underneath his skin. Jinx wanting to bring him back, get him out of it? She'd —

No, no. That's a lie. He has to be lying. Jinx looking to replace him, so readily? So easily? No. ]

Nice try. Anything to try and drive that wedge in, hm? I shouldn't be surprised, it must be so insulting to you that we're so close.

Maybe you should try a little harder, or come up with a better story.

No, I doubt that you do. I bet you relive that moment over and over in your head because it's one of the few recent points of joy in our relationship for you.

[He was willing to accept that as truth because of how much bad blood was between them. Or at least partially willing. He had seen and remembered the way that Silco had tried to appeal to their dream, to encourage him to come alongside with the Shimmer. It was only when he refused that it was clear that they had nothing more to say or do to one another but cause pain.

His acceptance was the only reason that he didn't march down to wherever Silco was hiding and punch the other man in the face. In fact, he had been extremely sedated when it came to hurting Silco physically, even if he did use his size and ability to take up space as an intimidation tool. Old habits and all.

Vander does actually laugh as he read the next part. Silco and his staunch stubborn paranoia.]

No, you're dead when she found me like that. She calls me dad and everything. Her and Vi still see me as their father even after what I've been turned into. And no, it's not insulting. I'm content knowing you two are close, that you have each other. I wouldn't want to stand in the way of that. That's what makes me the better man.

It's the only one, watching you die like the dog you are.

[ Pointed. Was there anything else left? Especially after being reminded thanks to Aphaia's little machines, it's all sour. Corrupted.

Rotted.

He's so angry, he can barely see straight. Vander hit him where it hurts, it's obvious. He wants to find a knife and remind him of it again, that one point of joy. Maybe if he killed him, he'd be able to remind Jinx about what kind of man Vander really was.

Were his lessons not enough? Had he not taught her well? Had she not understood? Had he not explained it well enough? What kind of a man he was? What he had done?

No, she understood.

Was it that she didn't care?

No, no. He's trying to do it. Driving that little wedge deeper, trying to do what he thought was right. Because this way he could get what he wanted. Silco sees how he gloats about it, seemingly neutral, a good, proud father.

Oh, but Silco sees it. He is not the fool. He knows better. ]

How kind of you, and yet you still try to gloat about such things.

Do you think me a fool? I see what you're doing. It won't work. No matter how much you try.

Besides, are you really the better man, when I've done nothing to intervene between you two? I've barely said a word to her about you two. Perhaps you should consider the fact that I've been practically magnanimous.

Isn't it telling, that you're trying to do this to me, specifically? Instead of towards her.

Try manipulating information to the one who isn't able to put the picture together, next time. You might have better luck. A little free lesson, just for you. Perhaps it will help.

Edited 2025-04-14 01:40 (UTC)

Yeah, watching you nearly piss your pants when I was on shimmer was a the only real joy of that moment for me too. When I close my eyes at night, I still smile about it.

[Now he knew his temper was rising, and he knew he was letting Silco provoke him. He knew that he should stop this and walk away, but there was something at the way that the other man battered at him in text that made him wonder something.

Why? Why now? Silco had free-access to this inbox and had only just now come. Was it the Kirk thing? Was it something else? Silco always had a reason for lashing out, and the other man knew exactly how to push many of his buttons.

And yeah, he was lashing out too. He was battering right back because he was hurt and angry and frightened about that monster, of seeing that he was going to exist in this experimented state that could tear people apart. It was like being back on the bridge in his fury and grief and wishing to die there with Felicia and... Silco. To just die full of bullets after inflicting pain on their oppressors one last time.

As the beast, he couldn't die. The damage inflicted by Vi hadn't even slowed him for long. Seconds. What if after that memory he killed them? Jinx had seemed so confident he could be saved. Even in death, he couldn't stay that way.]

It won't work, will it? It sounds like it's working if you're still storming over there. You've done nothing, hmm? Yeah, I've seen how much nothing you're willing to do. Remember how she said we couldn't stab each other? Yeah, me too, so we applied our cigarettes to each other instead. Rule of the letter, isn't it? You go to the line but not over, not with her. You can't risk losing her. She's your most important person, your world. I see the way you look at her, Silco. I see that you have nothing but Jinx in this place, so no, I will never stand in the way of you and her. I think that's a bridge you'll burn all on your own. And that's when I'll intervene.

[Try to talk Jinx back around went unspoken. He didn't want their relationship to fall apart. Silco, in all his paranoia, would probably read the last comment as a threat to steal Jinx. He wouldn't dissuade the man of the notion.]

[ There it is.

The truth. He wants Silco paranoid, winding in his mind around and around with these little phrases and promises. That Jinx was trying to save him, that he was still around, while Silco rotted in what he assumed was the Pilt. That he was going to be saved, because of Jinx. Because Jinx cared enough about him to save him, while in the end...

In the end...

There's something called despondency.

That little black hole inside of him, that he fight so hard to stay out of. It's why he's so angry, it's why he returns to the river, over and over again. There is no river here. There's nothing to bring out that anger. It's sitting to the side, always there, and if he just turns his head, he'll see it for what it is. That maw, ready to suck all of it in. Just like before, before he'd found purpose and drive. It doesn't hurt in the same way, this time around. Before, he'd almost been mad with pain and fear and so much anger that he'd kept it at bay until he'd found Singed, and a solution and promise all in one, all in shimmer. He'd so desperately fought for that, clawed for it. It gave him purpose, and he didn't have to look that thing in the eye, that well that wanted to suck him in and leave him ground into dust from the pain of it all. The loss. The grief. Of being alone.

Sevika is gone. Jinx is — he knows something is up. She'd moved too quickly in the diner. Zaun is a world away, continuing without him. Finding itself right back into the clutches of Piltover. Supposedly a seat at the table, but he knows how they think. It will be nothing in the end. Everything he'd done. Every sacrifice, every cut to him, to Zaun, every dead body in the ditch from overdose, and every person who gave their savings and satisfied their high instead of food on the table... It had meant Nothing.

It had always been a lonely existence at the top. He understood that. Accepted it.

Had it needed to be like this? He couldn't trust anyone. How could he? Vander had been right. He'd taken something away from Silco that he could never get back, there was no hope for that. It would never be that. He was broken, and the pieces had never quite been put back together right. Like a jagged little pot with sharp edges facing to cut anyone who tried to get close. He and Jinx had always been that, knowing exactly how to settle next to one another, cutting, but they had cut just right, and accepted it. He'd picked her up, and help put her back together. Just like him.

They were the same, weren't they? But were they? He can see it, the shape of her. There's less of the mania, less of the wild madness. She wasn't losing herself to it. Was she better?

An insidious part of himself knows the answer. That paranoid little part that whispers in his ear, Vander's words are fuel for it. That he's right. That she's outgrown him. That she has a chance to have her real father back. The second one he'd taken away from her. She's his daughter; as much as she is Silco's.

He can't accept that. How could he? She's his everything, his world. Vander's right about that. He would do anything for her, burn a world down if it came to it, give up Zaun so readily. He was willing to. If he couldn't find away, he would have sent her away before he allowed harm to come to her. Made her leave, even if that little part of him, that wide maw he can't look at, can't acknowledge aches to think about it.

If he acknowledges it, if he even looks at it, he doesn't think he can escape it.

No, he knows he won't.

He has to stay angry, to force it behind him, but it's always there, creeping up around the edges, threatening to make itself manifest, threatening to swallow him whole, if he just relaxes for one single moment.

He has to stay angry.

It's the only thing he has. He knows Vander's preying on that. He knows his weakness now. He can't allow him to see any others. He doesn't dare. ]

Of course you will. Ever the affable, ever the one there to offer a little drink and a hug, and tell them everything will be alright. It makes you feel good, doesn't it? To be the one everyone looks for, when things get hard.

I'm sure you will, if the opportunity comes.

And when the time comes, and you break her too. Because that's what you do, to the inconveniences, isn't it, Vander? Jinx and I, we are the same. That's something you can't take from us, no matter what you try. I know you want to. It must incense you to see that.

I know you won't intend to, you'll think you're in the right, when you do it. That it will be precisely what needs to be done. Jinx needs something you can't give her. She's not who you expect. She's perfect, and it's only a shame nobody was willing to see that, until it was too late.

So go ahead. Capitalize on whatever imaginary bridge-burning you think will happen. I am sure you will try. At least you haven't forgotten what it is to be a Zaunite, to seize an opportunity when it comes.

But know this: it won't last. I don't think I have to explain to you what will happen. [ If you take her away from me ]

[Vander stared at the screen and waited, knowing that there about to be a wall of furious words thrown his way. With the way that they were accosting each other verbally, it made for this whole sitting in his apartment alone worthwhile. The couch was fine, but there was a nearly oppressive silence that marked his isolation here.

And he waited.

And waited.

He shifted on the couch and for a moment, he wondered if Silco had let him half the last word for once. No, no that would never happen. In all of their arguments, differences of opinion or even all the stupid shit they managed to get up to, it had always been him who had to either relent or he had to shut Silco up in a different way and even then, sometimes the other man would still argue and bitch and moan.

Suddenly the text came through his earpiece, and he closed his eyes as an odd sense of relief slid through him. He read the contents once then a second time, picking out the paranoia in those words. Despite assurances that he had no interest in breaking Silco and Jinx up, he would never be believed because why would he? What a maddening little man, made worse by years of abuse, oppression and then... that betrayal.

He'd never forgiven himself. It wasn't about him, was it? That's how he justified it in his head. He'd apologized, but even then he justified it. Blood on both of their hands. He'd deserved it. They'd let her down...

Vander stared at the words again, but in his mind's eye he could only see those seconds where it all fell apart on the bridge. His gauntlets strapped on, Silco slipping in behind his bulk as they pushed forward at the explosions and gunfire escalated. A bullet passed so close, but he wasn't looking back, didn't know it struck Connoll through the left eye and killed him. Not until Felicia screamed out her husband's name. That's when he turned, when Silco also turned like they were one person and in that moment, the next bullet pass through the space where his bulk had just been moments before. The bullet meant for him struck her in the chest, and she went down with nothing more than a gasp. He stared then Silco shoved him, forcing him into motion, leaving the shock and welling grief for another time...

He'd never asked Silco to forgive him. It's been about his grief, his feelings, his actions. They had always brought out the best and the worst in each other.]

I tried to make things alright for them, so they had one less thing to worry about. I tried not to turn away from them because I was the reason they didn't have their parents anymore. If I hadn't turned. If I hadn't looked back, sometimes I imagine it would be different.

[He didn't say her name. They didn't talk about her anymore. It was too painful. He thought Silco would know.]

I'm sorry. I've never ever actually asked for your forgiveness for that day, for losing control. I know you never will, but for what it's worth, I'm sorry. I never wanted you to be alone, but I know what I did put you in that position and even now, you're still alone even when surrounding yourself with people. You've always been like that, but... it wasn't like that when we had each other's back. I expect that's how you are with Jinx. It doesn't feel alone when you're with her, does it? I promise you that I won't take that from you. I have no intention of taking her from you, but I will have a relationship with her. We both can have that with her in our own ways. I suppose I'm happy you have that person who can pull you out of your own head sometimes. And if you are lonely and she's out doing... whatever it is she does, send me a location address and I'll let you show me how badly you still punch, Slugger.

[ He'd never give it, it's true. Why should he? He'd thought he could get over it, but then he'd done the unthinkable. He'd started cavorting with them, and no matter how much he excuses it as the children, as giving them a safe place, Silco knew that would be as fleeting as anything. The enforcers had come for Violet. He'd already lost that point, even if he'd intended to take her place. He knew what they were there for. He knew who'd done it.

Because those two were Zaunites, through and through.

But none of them would be worth fighting for. Only for protecting. No causes. Only shielding.

None of it had been worth standing for. It nauseated him even now, left him feeling empty and broken, and trying to hold it up, but nothing else had worked. Nothing else. They'd tried the peaceful way. They'd tried to convince them. Hell, even Vander's way was a way — ineffective by nature according to Silco — and none of it worked. None of it. It was never going to work. They'd never let them go.

He knew that now. In the end, they would never get to see it. He wouldn't. Vander wouldn't. Not even Jinx, or Sevika. They would always be intertwined. They would always be at the mercy of Piltover. How long, until someone did something? How long until the council seat was revoked because of another outlandish Zaunite. How long until another riot happened, hidden industry, or more people died in another fissure, and the kettle boiled over? Would they be back to the beginning? How long until the little progress they had inched toward was over with?

It was gone. And Vander was still trying to do this Thing he did. Was it his own guilt he was trying to alleviate? Trying to apologize, seek forgiveness? For something Silco couldn't accept? What he'd done to him, it changed him. He was a different man now. He always would be. It was fine. He lived with the consequences, and became the man Zaun needed him to be.

He still fell short.

He understood that, now. He should have never allowed that child to lunge at him in the rain. He couldn't forgive himself for falling short. For Zaun.

He could never admit it. Not out loud, not to himself, but he hated it. He hated the fact that it had fallen apart for him too. Every single one of them. There would be no nation of Zaun. No dream realized. No nothing. Just topside, yet again.

And it made him angry, and sick, and furious, and he almost does lash out at him again.

But he doesn't. He won't give him the satisfaction of that. He won't let him know how much he hates it. All of it. He wants to writhe and fight and put an end to it all, if just because it would never be right. It would never happen. Just trying to fight the tide, and like all things.

They were just swept away.

So he doesn't respond to most of this. It isn't worth responding. He has no way to respond. ]

I don't really care what you'll promise. And I'm not giving you any indication of where to go. I know you fight plenty dirty, and I'm not keen on experiencing that again.

Go find someone else to punch, if you're having trouble burning off the excess of steam. I'd have thought you had plenty of opportunity by now, but what do I know?

[ In case you think silence means he didn't see shit, don't worry. He did. ]

[Vander wasn't at all surprised that Silco acknowledged nothing of what he had typed out. He knew it would be read and mulled over, and perhaps that was enough at this point. The olive branch was pointless when it came to Silco as the man was so hellbent on never forgiving any and every slight against him that it was basically part of the other man's identity.

However, he did suspect that underneath all the cutting bluster that Silco still harboured parts that Vander had grown up with, developed and honed as they grew and became adults. That whole 'becoming what they fear' schtick was a front, but it was a good one he would admit. He could admire the tenacity, even if it continually aggravated him.

This conversation was just them railing at each other. It was trying to unearth the pressure points so that they could apply hurt to one another. Another day, another unhealthy lashing between them. He wondered if they would ever grow tired of it.

Probably not.

So here they were.]

Life in Zaun is about fighting dirty. You fight just the same, so it isn't a surprise about my own style. And no problem them. I won't make any promises to you any longer; I wouldn't care to waste my finger mobility typing it out. I've got a bag in my room which I work over daily. Energy isn't my issue. [It's time.] Oh yeah, meeting lots of people, chatting them up, enjoying their company. I could introduce you to some of them if you're feeling social.

I know what your promises are worth. You should hardly bother with such worthless things.

[ Good, let's get away from that and back to what's important: verbally sparring and fighting because that's how you ignore the emotions, baby! ]

Oh, you would let me meet all your new friends? I wonder how that would go, hm? What an introduction you could provide, too!

Don't bother.

I won't with you. I've made promises to others that I intend to keep. This place may have other ideas with the way the missions are set up, and if I fail, well at least you'll have good company, won't you?

[He allowed the distraction from the point. He had said what he wanted to say already, and he knew that Silco would think about it later. The man was a ponderer, always had been. And he had already convinced himself that Silco didn't care, so his efforts were wasted after a few olive branch attempts.]

Sure, why not. I assume not well given your acerbic and insulting mannerisms. You tend to be a hard rock to swallow on first meetings, and I can see that hasn't improved with age. Yeah, can't burn a bridge if you don't build on in the first place. Good plan.

Edited 2025-04-17 12:48 (UTC)

[ Yeah!! He doesn't care!! He doesn't care so much he keeps belaboring the point bc he doesn't care!! ]

I will, perhaps if enough people finally understand your failings, I'll have someone to finally understand that you were always the type to promise more than you're willing to follow through with. At least if I promise something, I will not give up on it.

[ He's Never Ever Ever Ever giving up on this shit!! Ever!! ]

Oh, didn't you know? It's so much easier to never have had the bridge at all. Why would I bother?

[ He'd always been a loner, after all, except for the few people he kept close. At least when they were young. Now... Well. Can't get hurt by having friends if you don't make them to begin with /taps forehead ]

You couldn't sound any more like a spiteful bitter ex than you do right now.

[Vander knew that's exactly what they were too each other, and what had been a solid brotherhood was irrevocably broken. His actions then Silco's actions and now this constant fighting with each other. The wounds were too deep, and they just couldn't let it go.

And yet, he was reminded in that moment of staring at the text that he had saved Silco. Without thinking, without caring for the consequences to himself, he had used his body to shield Silco and take them out of danger. Then he had rushed back in. He didn't know why. ~~He did.~~]

Didn't you give up on the promise of Zaun to save Jinx? And there was that time in our twenties when you promised me a good time and we ended up getting shit-kicked by not only Chem-Baron thugs but then enforcers right after. Never did have that good time.

[Yeah, yeah, he was just trying to push Silco's buttons. He honestly should just stop texting, but if it was between bickering with the other man and being alone, he'd take bickering.]

That's the actual saddest thing I have read in a long time. You're actually here spazzing at me because you don't have anyone else, do you?

I don't really care what I sound like to you.

[ bitter ex???? Bitter Ex??????????? ]

Of course I didn't. I turned away from one path, not shut the door entirely.

Besides, didn't you knock the teeth out of no more than three thugs and four enforcers. What about that wasn't a good time?

[ no wait. DON'T pull him into this!! ]

I'm not doing anything like that. You're inventing things to fit your narrative.

[ pot, kettle ]

I think you do.

[He shouldn't be smiling, but he was. From aggravating to amusing in just a few short replies. He should just leave this well enough alone.]

Wow, that sounds like what I did. Imagine that. We are still similar in so many ways. They broke my nose, and I got blood on my new shirt. Besides, I might have knocked out a full pair of teeth from the lot of them, but you stabbed two thugs and two enforcers. Didn't we sleep in the alley that night?

[Yeah sorry, they were doing this.]

No? So you're just here for the last word then? Because I can go.

No, it's nothing like what you did. You were content to accept what they offered. One door being closed is not the end. If you think I would have backed off from my plans, you're sadly mistaken.

Oh, but I know it must sting to understand that I'm not like you. I would have made Piltover pay for what they did to us. Well, I suppose in the end, they did, didn't they?

[ He doesn't WANT to remnisc. ]

The thugs and the enforcers deserved it. Besides, it wasn't like that hole we usually slept in was much better.

[ GRINDING HIS TEETH. ]

Never mind. I see what you're trying to do. It won't work, or distract me.

Unless talking about old times is to disarm me for the next time you try to trick me.

[ Silco has never given up anything in his life. ]

Of course you're not like me. We're almost completely opposite on how we act, plan and maneuver ourselves. You have also been on the warpath of making Piltover pay since you learned of the disparity between the two cities. Don't mistake my protection of the Lanes as misunderstanding that I still would want Piltover to pay. I just know that the cost of blood of our people that it would take would make any victory sour. We'd sew as much misery as we tried to right the wrong of.

[Of course. Back then, who didn't deserve it? They'd be so young, cocky and certain of themselves.]

At least there was a mattress in that hole we slept in. Did I ever thank you for resetting my nose again back then? I'm still upset about that shirt. Never did learn to not wear white. And if it bothers you so much, why are you engaging? [Oh Silco, Vander actually groaned as he read that last line.] Trick you, how so? You think I'm capable of disarming you verbally these days? Come on, I know you're a paranoid realist.

And do they not deserve it? Who else is going ot make them pay? Who else is going to put an end to their control over us but us? That is the thing that you have forgotten. That the only way to do so is to fight for it. They will not hand it over, not with their profits and wealth on the line. Not with their own stability and peace.

[ Silco is always at his best when he's talking about this. Even now, even like this, he can't stop. He wants to keep going. It's comfortable. He'd always hoped...he could have swayed Vander. Reminded him of the fight, and the beast. If he could have had him turn his back on them. The enforcers. Topside. He does not trust him, but a small part of him even now wants to. ]

Can you really tell me that they were better? That the sons and daughters of Zaun weren't still trying to run jobs and eke out a meager existence? That they were not still forced to try and make do with what little they had, and that they wanted more? Have you even seen how the council lives? Not since Hextech, I imagine. They push their mines and their workers even harder, to keep up with instantaneous demand. Do you think you could have pushed back then? No matter how much we push back, they always ask for more.

For once, shouldn't someone have asked for more from them? Pushed back? It has a cost, yes. I've never denied that. We'll lose the lives either way. To the gray, to overwork, disease. I would rather die fighting than I would want to quiet and comfortable.

[ Not that he'd had a choice, but he had gone out fighting. For Jinx, in the end. The most important person. Zaun and everything that made it up crystalized into one person. She's... changed though. Without him. He can feel it. It nags at the back of his mind like thorns and burrs. ]

Don't twist it up. I said try. You already tried your little ploy for points, remember?

[ It's so much easier to believe that than...something else. ]

[Vander had heard this pitch before, and it made him sigh and pinch the bridge of his nose. Years ago he would have been enflamed with it, righteous fury and convincing charms to bring people around to be with them, to live this dream together. They could make them pay.

Then he'd experienced the cost full on. Still, he never denied that Silco was excellent at speeches, stirring up the emotions, convincing even. For a few moments anyway.]

Unfortunately, Piltover's control over us does need to come in part from Piltover itself. We have to negotiate with them, and part of negotiations is potentially not getting everything that we want. I know you were close with the Council, but don't you see? It was Piltover to come to the table and grant you what you wanted, not us throwing everyone on a pile to give them no choice. And to that end, we could have worked harder with Piltover to promote the betterment of our people. Clean air, clean water, better nutrition and support systems for the sons and daughters of Zaun could have been played and proved to increase productivity. We could have been smart instead of continually going for blood, which I will agree has its place when the bolder won't move uphill. But it also doesn't matter anymore, does it? The sun set on both of us, so it's no longer our fight. Independence lays with Sevika, Jinx, Vi, Jayce and everyone else who reside in Piltover and Zaun. We can only hope that our fight and our lessons bolster that push. We need to be mentors, Silco. We have nothing else. I suggest you trial that here.

[He made mental notes of all the subjects that Silco jumped over to nail the older man with later when he was back to feeling like he wanted to be an arse and fight.

Okay no. He still had a little left in the tank.]

Yeah, I bet I scored some points considering you're refusing to talk about it anymore. Getting under your skin, am I?

[ rip silco mentoring era now he's going to resist it on principle. }

Hah. Do you know why they came to the table? Because they didn't like the cost of war. That's all. They were afraid, Vander. Afraid of fighting, afraid of losing. They were afraid of us, because we were a threat.

[ Talis had said they wouldn't have won. Silco knows that they don't know what they had up their sleeves. Talis certainly didn't. They didn't know the weapon was finished. That they had Jinx. It wasn't just shimmer. It was everything else.

Silco, however, doesn't know about Noxus. Or didn't. he only has an inkling of it now. ]

Oh yes, independence lies with Sevika was it? [ Uh oh. Vi he already discounted. She was running around with an Enforcer. The very people who killed her parents. She was a lost cause. Jinx... Jinx was the only fighter left. (。_。) ]

The one who played their little game and ended up working with them, right? The very people that wouldn't give us the time of day? The council wouldn't even hear us, Vander. The only time they did was after we hit them. Repeatedly. Made them fear us.

Without Shimmer, without everything I've done, they would have still been happy to ignore us. Let us rot while they make Hextech and leave us even further behind. You never saw what it did. We were starting to get somewhere, wealth was spreading into the Lanes, people were thriving. Then Hextech came along, and they left us behind again. Pumped more runoff towards us as the price for their wealth.

They were never going to work with us. Ever. You can delude yourself all you want, but I saw what worked.

Yeah, I heard. At least one of them saw first hand what it was like killing children and it turned their stomachs, instead of their usual indirect actions doing the exact same. And you're being blind; they were always afraid of us. That's why they spent so much time "othering" us.

[Vander did know about Noxus because he had been told, and he knew for a fact that Noxus sliding into anyone else's business on the cusp of war was never going to go Piltover or Zaun's way. Neither of them were warring cities, but Noxus? That place made war an art. Of course, for him hindsight was his advantage.

And he had seen what was left of him become. Yeah, Zaun had its monsters, but they were wild and uncontrolled, hurting themselves as much as Piltover. That's the way it had always been. They simultaneously advanced and decayed at the same time.]

Apparently. You mentored her well enough I suppose, though she always had the right disposition but lacked the presence we did. Yeah well, from what I heard, there was a uniting situation that required the both of them. It seemed that working together to defeat a common enemy still had its place. They did what they had to in the end, and neither you nor I nor any that came before us did more than set up to eventual agreements. You saw what you wanted to see. I think the problem is that you never wanted to work with them any more than they wanted to work with us. You wanted to see them hurt, to experience a small fraction of the pain and suffering we endured. You wanted to see the fear in their eyes; do you think it would make you feel good for a few seconds? Or maybe you wanted them as miserable and isolated as you are so all that you endured felt justified. Anyway, we had a small thriving little community once. I doubt there's any more left to say.

Don't you see it? They were never afraid enough? Always just enough to keep us quiet, and meek. Just enough to keep us poor, and struggling. Yes, of course they feared us, but not enough to stay their hands. To keep them from finally giving us the respect we always deserved.

[ A part of him thinks that he should just come around, see it. Maybe it doesn't matter anymore — the thought lights in his mind, before he quickly dashes it, pushes it out. It still matters. He still — He focuses on the response instead. Refuses to think about it. Refuses to let his mind go down that path. ]

Oh, the small thriving community. The Lanes? While everything else rotted around you? Do you think the Lanes were going to be it, for me? You wanted them to be a harmonious little community, but what about the rest of it? The rest of us? It didn't matter to you, did it? Just the community of people who saw things your way.

Zaun was never going to be thriving under your watch, Vander. You were content to continue to live on runoff. Their runoff.

So yes, perhaps I would have liked to see them suffer, recognize how dependent they were on us. On our labor. On everything that we supplied them with to make them wealthy. Perhaps I did want to see them finally understand what it was that they did every day they woke up, and stepped over our backs on their way to yet another party, yet another meal where they threw half away.

The fact that you don't see that, the fac that you don't want that disgusts me.

They should be suffering for what they did. Then again, for someone who worked with them, why am I hardly surprised? You would have thrown away any of us to make sure that you kept the peace.

[ He used this against Caitlyn. He's using it now. ]

Honestly? I'm surprised you didn't let Vi hang for her "crimes". That would have been your usual method, wouldn't it?

[They've had this conversation before. Over and over. The same points, the same words battering him, the same argument. Silco was like a dog with a bone that couldn't quite process or cared to process his logic on how the events after the Day of Ash occurred.

He would have replied back with the usual defenses. Honestly, he was poised to type it back out again, knowing the result with be the same as the last time.]

[But then that one name jumped out at him. Vi.

It hit low. It hit hard. He was more unprepared for it than he expected.]

[He was immediately provoked. His temper flared, coming to life like a snarling growling beast that clawed its way up his throat and narrowed his vision.

Vi. His Vi.

After everything he had sacrificed for her. After spending the last five months missing her deeply, longing to talk to her, to apologize, to tell her he was proud of her....

His lips pulled into a snarl as he bit the inside of his cheek until he tasted blood.]

[He recognized that Silco was trying to provoke him, to rouse his temper, to keep the conversation rolling along. He knew he should walk away, turn off the earpiece, work the bag or do some push-ups until the anger was manageable.

He should.

He should.

He wouldn't.]

[He saw red as he began to type, not even bothering to correct spelling errors. He should hide his temper.

He should.

He wouldn't.

He knew that Silco would know. He knew Silco had already won this day, and it was only a matter of striking back to inflict a similar sized wound.]

Don't you ever talk about Vi like that to me again, you miserable seething little snake. You're only suggesting I'd sacrifice her because youre pissed off she's already so much beter than u could ever be. I'd give everything i am for those girls. Can you claim the same? No, you'r too busy carving out who Powder was to fill it with all your traumas and vitriolic hatred so she can never grow up because you know if she steps out from under you for one bloody second that she'll see how much of an angry sad little man that you are and maybe even pity you. she doesn't need u, silco. she stays with you because you've given her no other options and because she loves you and all u did was stunt her and you sacrifice her for zaun? no, you don't make sacrifices you make deals. people are currency that you play out in your little poker game of dictatorship. even jinx is just a piece in your war, your secret little weapon who you deploy to disrupt everything. u ever told her that you love her? bet not. sacrificing myself so vi could live is the greatest achievement of my life. i'd hang for her - for powder too - any day in any place

[ He's gotten what he wanted, hasn't he? Vander tried to hit him with this already, he already felt it, that near-thing, that dark little pit that wants to swallow him whole. This though, seeing him lose all the pretense, lose the control? He can see it. He can imagine how he feels right now.

It feels betterto cut him deep like that. It lets him ignore the loneliness a little longer. It lets him pretend that he isn't watching everyone move on without him. Oh, he says it, but...

For some reason, Vander's anger feels like a shield as much as a swipe.

He answers in a way he can. Dangling that in front of him. ]

Yet in the end, she went to Stillwater anyway. I wonder if it was for her crimes? You clearly couldn't have protected her, because you weren't willing to do everything possible, could you? You could have spared your kids so easily.

By just saying 'yes', but you didn't. How funny it is, that you didn't have the mettle to do the one thing that would have protected them. We could have fought topside together, and realize that dream. Your children would have been perfectly safe, but no. You couldn't stomach it. So don't give me that load of nonsense that you would hang for her.

You can't even say Jinx's name properly. You still can't. She's told you who she is, and when push comes to shove, you forget. When you lose your temper, you forget.

I already gave my life for Jinx. [ To Jinx. ] Instead you still try to drive that wedge.

And you call me a sad man, hm?

[Vander nearly scoffed behind the screen; they both knew that crime was arbitrary for Piltover at times and especially now that Grayson had been removed. Stillwater was where people went for some time because Piltover took them; otherwise, Zaun and Zaunites had their own versions of a justice system, rudimentary that it was.

And it did occur to him that if he had said yes, his children would still be alive and not in prison. He had played that scenario over and over in his head on the many sleepless nights. If he had just taken the offer Silco had made, things would be better. He knew it wasn't true. This was just a dig, and it increased his anger.]

Oh yes because you would be so benevolent if I agreed and immediately trusted me to fall in line, hmm? No those kids would be your hostages, and you'd keep them miles away from me so I don't step a toe out from where you wanted me. Instead of having my leash tugged by Grayson, it would be a strangulation by your grip instead. You'd send them to the mines, the factories, a brothel or just plain put them somewhere uncomfortable. You'd let me see them just enough to remind everyone you're in control. Spare them? Give me a break. I wouldn't put it passed you to kill them and just tell me they were still alive either. And you can't say Powder's name without disparaging it. She told me who you made her, but Powder is still part of who she is. She can be both; you and I don't get to decide that for her. And I gave my life for Vi. Imagine that: fathers giving their lives to their daughters. Practically twins. Except I came back. You can't say the same.

[ The grinding of his jaw. Would he have done that? Well, he had considered it, had Vander not fallen in line immediately. The children were useful tools, after all. All four of them. Although he suspected that Jinx would not have thrived, and perhaps... perhaps he would have identified her genius even then.

He deludes himself, of course. Of course he does.

He knows no other way. ]

She picked it, you know. Her name. I did not decree it, but she chose it. Which did she tell you was hers, after all? Was it the other? Or was it her name? You can take issue all you wish. With who she is, or how she was raised, but I could care less what you think of her. Perhaps someday she will understand that your opinion was never worth much.

[ She's his, after all. His daughter. Vander keeps trying, but Silco only had her.

And Vander again digs in. About this supposed ressurection.So you want to convince me. Do you remember it? Or is it, for some reason, that you still have not been given a picture of who you were? She mentioned the doctor.

I wonder if there was anything truly left of you? Or if this is just a delusion you cling to, instead of facing the truth: you are still a dead man. Same as me.

The great equalizer. You'll never be back, will you? Or else Sevika would have told me that.

[ No she wouldn't, but she was too calm, too. ]

[It actually did not surprise Vander that Powder picked it. A part of him blamed himself for not telling Mylo to lay off of her more often, but kids pushing each other around verbally and physically was part of growing up in the undercity. It stiffened one's spine, and he considered that Vi had it handled.

He had been wrong apparently. Too much harm, too much weight of that overwhelming situation that left them all irreversibly changed.]

And how much of that name did you push once she chose it? How much of her identity did you build for her while she was traumatized. She told me about the explosion, and we both know how those kinds of actions dig deep in someone.

[Vander had the memory from Jinx to go from. That beast had eventually recognized them both, passive and protective in their presence. However, it had been non-verbal, and then Sevika... she had been so convinced the beast wasn't him. Jinx convinced it was. Vi wanting to believe.]

Enough of me that Jinx and Vi believe there's hope. Even now, Jinx says they intend to get me out, whatever that means. So, if we will never be back, all we have is here.

[ Silco doesn't see it in the same way. He never had. Was it digging in while she was traumatized? What an accusation. They had both been broken. Broken by abandonment, their mistakes, broken by tempers that flared, and while Silco had never needed a new name — his had too much weight, too much link to the past to ever give it up — Jinx's had been a shackle. Holding her back, keeping her from moving on as she needed to.

No, this was not manipulation, like Vander thinks. Of course he would think that. She'd been giving up him, too.

She thinks there's hope for Vander. Silco disagrees. A fancy, a flight. She'd lost one father, so she clings to the hope of another. That must be what it is. Irrational. ]

If the doctor is involved, he is not so lax. He's a very thorough man.

So enjoy this being your last breath, your last chance at life. No wonder you cling to what little you have so tightly.

[ As if he doesn't do the same? No. No. Not that. His is different. ]

[There is was again, like a sore thumb sticking out of the conversation. With Silco, it was often not what tantrum the other man was throwing but the things unsaid that were the real targets. Lesser people would just assume that there was nothing left to say, but Vander had been in the sphere of Silco's influence for decades so each time Silco didn't address an obvious barb from him, it meant that the older man didn't wish to discuss it.

Vander was picking out each and every one of those topics, filing them away to utilize at another time. They knew each other too well, knowing their tells and willing to weaponize them. He knew it was unhealthy, but if there was one person that could stand toe-to-toe with him, it was Silco. It was not an admittance or respect that he gave lightly anymore.

Case in point.]

Well, you know him best, I suppose. From what I observed, thorough is a word to describe him. I'm glad we had this talk and discovered our similarities again. Just two old guys who have outlived their potential and have passed on to the background of the lives of those closest to us.

[And that's it. Vander closed out the conversation. Unlike most people, he saw no point for the last word. He knew Silco wouldn't stand for it, but he had no reason to come back even when Silco inevitably came back.]

Maybe for you. I don't find things to be as hopeless as you do, clearly. Not that I expected anything different. You enjoy being the one who can say they gave up hope, since it absolves you of guilt, don't you?

[ He doesn't voice it much, but he's alive here. That's something. Maybe there's a way back, or maybe he'll have to work from the shadows, but if Vander thinks that Silco will have given up his shot at influence from here, he's wrong.

Then again, when has Silco ever let go of anything?

But there you go Vander, always, he's seeking the last word. :) ]

i promise i deliver. we're employed.

Edited 2025-04-18 22:30 (UTC)

So I saw. Is your friend who also is a boy going to come visit? I'll make him a drink or two.

what friend who is also a boy

The one we're apparently not supposed to talk about. Will I know him if I serve him alcohol?

why do you wanna know about it so bad!!!

Because I care about what is happening in your life and who you like. Maybe it's my way of trying to have new opportunities to get to know you.

i've been making some friends, alright. that's mostly what's happening in my life. i have five friends.

And what sort of trouble do you and your friends get up to? They have common interests with you?

... some of them are nerds, so we do art and science-y things. i got this friend too, this little kid. you need to adopt her.

... you'd do good. did a pretty good job with me.

(The joys of growing and taking care of a child herself, knowing her dads did what they could. Ugh, growth, absurd.)

Finally, some kids to challenge your intellect and creativity. What are you going to be inventing? And you want me to adopt one of your friends? I'm going to need some more information on that one.

[He's not sure how much he is going to be able to get into this particular topic of conversation.]

eh, same old, same old. probably bombs. definitely bombs. i was thinking about giving etraya a make over, so i'm thinking massive paintbombs! pink! blue! teal!

she's a kid, vander, and she didn't really have a normal life. you know, at all. if she tells you she tells you. but you know, you don't have to ADOPT ADOPT her but. tell her your janna stories, make the funny voices you used to. put her own your shoulders, take her to the arcade. little girl dad stuff you used to do with me. she needs it

Painting the town then. It is a bit drab here, I will agree with you there. You know, I haven't seen your bombs in action, just on the trial and error that you used to do in the basement. I'd like a show so I can gloat how brilliant my daughter is. So don't adopt her but do all the fatherly things with her involved in parenting, huh? Do I get a name to go with all of this nudging from you? And fair warning, not sure I have all of that in me currently.

[He did; it was just painful.]

you haven't seen chompers in action? really? okay. we gotta find somewhere tall to throw bombs down below and THEN you'll get how much fun it is how's that sound AND IT HAS TO ECHO for extra KABOOM

laura. her name's laura. i'll go with you too, so think of it as a bonding exercise. i'd do it my damn self but i lack the beard and the size that makes it dad-like

No, last one was Whiskers and it was a smoke bomb I seem to recall. Or was that one filled with nails? Either way. You tell me the time and place and I'll be there.

[He was pointedly not talking about the monkey bomb.]

I think that's the little girl that lives with Accelerator. Likes horses apparently. It is starting to sound like you want the same bonding experience, but are using a child to create the situation where you can. You realize that your other dad is half my size, no beard but still a dad, right?

that's her, yeah.

HAH listen to yourself, vander. you're the one who wants to recreate situations left and right. did we forget the train or how you're here asking me about stuff like i'm 12?

i just want to do something nice for her.

and yes, VANDER. i KNOW. he is my dad, and that was a joke.

Alright, I'll keep an eye out for her. Yeah well, it's been tough and I'm still processing Mylo, Claggor, and everything that happened at the cannery. Seeing you so grown is also something I'm adapting to. Apologies if that blows the hair at the back of your neck up. Just sayin'. Dads come in all shapes and sizes and monologue levels.

just dont treat me like im five. damn, vander, i'm older than vi was.

I'll do my best on that front.

(Here is a map. An incredibly complicated, puzzling map is sent to both Silco and Vander on different days, confusing directions towards the hole under the ground in the station. Enjoy, it makes zero sense, but she has faith in you and your old man spine.)

[Janna's tits, what was he even looking at? Well, time to figure it out and go looking for this hole.]

(She'll be waiting, with metal blasting, and a billion things to show him.

When he arrives, though, she's actually in her little nook, taking a nap. There are several things he will recognize, such as the couch she rests on from their hideout, her toy box, the picture of him and the kids, the gramophone... It's a trip down memory lane.)

[Navigating this map was a journey in and of itself, and he was used to Jinx's old scribblings and drawings from the past. So eventually he did find his way underground to the train centre before he headed into the hole. It was only by virtue that he had forced himself to return to some form that he made it without falling or breaking his ankles.

He wandered carefully around on the turbine blades, and he made note of all the items from the their childhood, most of which had once been in the Last Drop. The couch, the toys, the toy box and so many other little nick-knacks were there, and he felt a pang of sadness to the reminders.

He found her in her nook, scraping his boot heel to make noise so as not to startle her too much. He eased into a crouch and smiled as he watched her nap and maybe even come awake.]

Hey kiddo, nice set-up.

(It used to feel more of a painful, torturing reminder for her, too. Nowadays, there is a little light that brings hope into this place. Her belongings are thrown on Jinx's workshop, little drawings scattered all around the tent, so someone's giving new meaning to all this house of nightmares.

It used to be way, way worse.

With her hand dragging across her face, she awakens, although not ready to throw hands considering she knows who knows. Silco, Peter, Vander. She's safe.)

Too you soooo long. Did you break the stairs?

[He spotted the drawings and knew that they were not from Jinx. They were a different style regardless of the similar types of oil crayons used, and he reached out to tip one of the pictures towards himself to look at it. There was something that softened in him knowing that this was Isha, the little girl that he knew nothing about, who existed well after his time, and yet she seemed to make Jinx happy. That's what mattered.

He hummed softly at her question, shrugging his shoulders and pulling out the map that had been left with him and turned it this way and that, backwards and forwards. Then he aimed it at her.]

You didn't annotate north, so it took me time to learn the orientation. You up for a visit?

I have Bitey. He is being well-cared for.

( and on a completely unrelated note - )

Where is Jinx?

As expected. Must have quite a collection of critters. Not sure at present. She gets around. Why?

( he does, in fact, have quite the collection of critters - and damian doesn't even have all of them here. but. )

I'm looking for her, obviously.

Obviously. You two have a little spat? Or is this a friendly search?

If it was a spat, would I reach out to you for assistance tracking her down?

This is me being friendly.

Probably. She is my daughter and I usually keep track of my kids. You seem like the fast-track type of guy. Limited time wasting.

She is your child. You would do whatever you could to keep her safe and out of harm's reach. If I was having an argument with her, I would not provide warning to anyone who would get between myself and my target.

But you're correct. I dislike wasting my time.

Are you going to?

Tell me what you want from her.

I want to get a look at the tech in her gun, especially given the amount of discourse there seems to be over it.

Who is creating discourse over it where you feel to need to take this responsibility on?

That's irrelevant.

Is it Jayce Talis?

Like I said, that's irrelevant.

I have nothing further to say. I will protect my own.

"Vander has gone soft. I wouldn't underestimate him, but he isn't in the business of causing problems anymore. If he targets anyone, it'll only be (Sevika) or Silco."

"Vander will move against (Sevika) and (Silco) no matter what (they) do."

I am aware of where your allegiances lie and know you do not mean to cause harm, even if you are spending much more time with Langstrom than I would recommend. Given my understanding of your disposition and my respect for your missing companion, I will repeat this once more and issue a warning:

I mean Jinx no harm. Yet. And will continue not to, unless she gives me reason to believe she intends to hurt others here. But I am aware that the gemstone in her gun is extremely dangerous, and would like to ensure it is also not in a position to hurt others.

You do not know me well enough to grasp where my allegiances lie or the extent that I will go to protect them. Zaun business stays among those of Zaun. If you come after her or her technology, I'll will let you understand how soft I've become.

I assume as far as I would go for mine.

Your noncompliance is noted.

I wouldn't pretend to know. I don't know you on a personal level. Good. Leave my daughter and her tech alone.

I've already informed you of my intentions.

Those won't change regardless of your threats.

That's fine. I'll protect my own, as I said. Otherwise, we're done here.

Thanks for nothing.

[ Vander will know how many rewrites this went through, because it's short and to the point.

Which means it was a monologue but he's cut it down mostly because he refuses to give anything away: ]

How far are you willing to go to protect Jinx if this moves in a direction you do not want? I assume you're playing peacemaker. We both know far that goes when one thinks they are in the right.

[ He doesn't know Damien, but he does know the kid was going to keep it from Jayce too ]

[Did it surprise him that Silco came knocking? A little. He expected Silco would protect Jinx on his own and pull resources for it, but then again, wasn't he nothing more than a resource too? Okay, so not surprised, but their history had to make this difficult.]

She's all I have left. How far do you think I'm willing to go to protect that?

[He was already moving in a direction he knew he would regret, but the road to hell was paved in good intentions.]

And if you're here to call me soft and weak, just get on with it. I have other priorities on my agenda right now.

[ "she's all I have left" is exactly the response he expected.

Does he want to be here? No, absolutely not. Does he understand that this might be the only option if things go awry? Yes. Silco hates him, of course he does. How could he not? But he's also incredibly practical. ]

I'm only preparing your for the inevitable, old friend.

[ Jesus Silco. Laying that on thick. ]

How far. Are you willing to break that peacemaking if necessary? When they don't listen? Are you willing to let that monster out that we both know you have?

[Vander saw the ploy immediately. It was the same game just a different situation. Except perhaps this time, the whispering stir of a faint craving did provide him pause from telling Silco off. Last time 'old friend' came up, Vi had to fight for her life and his boys died.]

Don't old friend me. We both know you're here for resources and nothing more. Are you offering your drug to me so I become that monster again?

[ old friend (homosexually) ]

I'm here for my daughter. I will tap any resource, do anything necessary to make sure that she is safe. I will put a stop to some over-puffed up vigilante with half a mind to leave her vulnerable and start something when he doesn't get his way.

[ He has no idea that damien is a kid. ]

So yes, if that means I offer the resource that I have, I will. If necessary, would you? It would hardly be the size of your first dose.

He's a kid, Silco. He's half-cocked and and scrappy, and he thinks it's his job to shove his nose where it doesn't belong. Someone of his side could leash him, but I am making plans to stand in the way if that doesn't happen.

[He couldn't and wouldn't yet tell Silco he was going for the second gemstone that Cait had. Everyone but Silco would know he was a Zaunite through and through and he may appear mild0mannered, but he was as much of a criminal as everyone else. He'd steal what he needed to in order to protect Jinx.]

She's my daughter too.

[It's not typed as an after thought. He put it on its own as its own defiance against Silco's possessiveness.]

Always playing your games. [Yes.]

A kid that clearly you consider a threat, if you're trying to play peacemaker about it.

[ He points out. Zaunite kids weren't really kids after a certain point, and he had no doubt that this kid was probably dangerous enough to warrant it. ]

You call it games. I call it planning. You had to know that it was coming, the moment it happened. That's why you jumped, isn't it? On trying to tamp it down, and make them stop him?

[ They knew each other, after all. He knew Vander would try to circumvent him, because it's all the man can do. He doesn't want Silco to succeed after all, does he? ]

If they don't, you know what you will have to do. You know what the answer is, to ensuring she's safe.

I understand that items like hextech needs to stay in Runeterran hands. Jayce provided me with a gauntlet powered by those stones, so I understand the damage it can do. We have kept our affairs to ourselves for six months. That shouldn't change because some kid suddenly become aware of it being dangerous.

[So yeah, Vander was playing peacemaker and his strengths were reaching out and talking people up and down the ladder of aggression. He could fight and he would, but the pre-fight, he always had had a role to play. Now he was exercising it with limited success.]

Yeah. I knew immediately this would escalate out of hand if the kid moved. Sevika may have talked the kid down, but she's gone and Jayce wagged his tongue to the wrong person. Now we're in this mess.

[He disliked that they were in agreement, but he also understood that Silco and his Shimmer might be a valuable resource if he couldn't steal the other gemstone from Cait's gun. He knew people here had fantastical powers neither he nor Silco could survive, yet they were survivors because they used other means.]

And am I your own avenue to keep her safe? What other irons do you have in the fire? I need to know because if this goes the way we both suspect, I'm standing on the front line.

Edited 2025-06-14 20:41 (UTC)

[ Now see. Vander says something interesting here. ]

And those stones are where? There's more than the one Jinx has, then?

[ And he's mad at Talis all over again. He made it out like that was the only one he had. That he needed Jinx's. He hadn't believed it, but the effort was there. It's a good thing this is text, because it gives him the moment to light a cigar, puff on it angrily.

But Vander asks. He has to be careful with his wording. He knows if this is over with, Vander will go back to standing in opposition. ]

I have nothing immediate. [ Technically true. ]

However, if you think that I am not working to manufacture more tools to be used later, you're a fool. The irons are still heating up, as they say.

[ He's plotting something. But then again. When isn't he? ]

Jayce has one. I know where it's currently located. [And Vander takes a deep breath and decides if Silco and him have to work together and he wants honesty, he needs to provide some too. It's a risk. Everything is a risk with Silco.] I'm currently on my way to take control of it from the current location. If I can, we will have the element of surprise in our favour.

[Vander hadn't been angry that Jayce had taken it back for the Solmara mission, and Cait had put it to good use. That was the problem: she put it to good use. He knew it was dangerous, and Vander fought close up. Firearms were always dangerous for him because he had to close distance. If this went south and it became Zaun versus Piltover again after the mess with the vigilantes, he just... couldn't risk his only family.]

How much Shimmer do you have? Sevika talked about different strengths of the stuff. What do you have and how much of a shit kicking will I endure if I take it?

[He knew Silco was always planning. If anything, the man would be more engaged now than ever before.]

I know you have something. I expect honesty from you if we make this work, however brief it is. We're doing this for Jinx.

Interesting. He made it sound as if this was the only one. Yet he's had one this entire time. How typical of him to conceal that to break the truce. He was never going to be a trustworthy negotiating partner.

[ That's pointed. He'd known they wouldn't. The topsiders would always drop them the moment they were inconvenient. They would always do so, because they were disposable. This is an opportunity, as he sees it, of course. Silco's insidious, but he's also right (no) in this. ]

We're nothing but mere inconveniences to them. They dislike that we are Zaunites, they dislike that we have learned to adapt in a way they don't enjoy, isn't that right? They found that they didn't like that Jinx had the gemstone, despite the fact that she hasn't used it against them.

[ Since... well. Blowing up the council. Don't worry about that. They deserved it. He's so proud. ]

I have a vial. Half will be spoken for. It's refined shimmer, hardly the concoction you consumed the first time. A high, but a half dose, while still potent, will not leave you in the state you were before. A full dose will not either.

[ Wow. That's pretty honest?? Where the other half was going... He doesn't say, but he doesn't think he has to say. ]

I have reason to believe it was a fairly recent acquisition. I have a few theories as to why he brought it in, but that's not cause for discussion here. However, he seemed unhappy that Jinx had his technology and refused to return it; I can see why from his point of view.

[Vander wasn't willing to delve too deep into the Zaun versus Piltover argument, even if for the first time, he actually wanted to. He knew better, knew it wouldn't help their situation, but Janna it would feel good just for a few minutes to riff off of Silco like that. Like old times. Which was why he didn't.]

It doesn't matter what they like and dislike about us. We have to defend our own, and keep Runeterran business in Runeterran hands. There are all manner of dangerous people here, so the fact everyone is in a flap over a weapon when one very similar was used in Solmara is massive hypocrisy. We need to determine how to take a stand.

[That was the angle that he was probably going to have to go with. Etraya didn't care when it was Cait, but suddenly had their panties in a knot over Jinx who had not used it? Yeah, he wouldn't stand for that nor his daughter being threatened. If anything, this could push her to use it.]

So I won't grow all big and out of control is what you mean, right? What are the benefits and draw backs then?

[He assumed the other half was for Silco's face.]

Oh, of course you can see it from his point of view. Is it not better to have one on each side? To ensure neither one has greater power than the other? You know what it can do, Vander. It will turn the tide if they control both. They will not have to respect us, and they will not.

Jinx has been nothing but restrained. Respectful. Now they have one. I can assure you that topsiders will think nothing of us if they have them. They will have no reason to bargain with us.

[ And yet. And yet, Silco still tries to do it. He hates Vander. He'll never forgive Vander. There is still a small and old part of him that he pretends doesn't exist, that did want to pull him into that. Would he favor the topsiders? Or did he still truly hold to Zaunites? ]

There are powers like none of us have ever seen. Shimmer cannot even compare.

[ Humbling. ]

Yet they will take issue with that along with everything else. You know they will.

[ Business — ]

You'll likely grow slightly. Stronger, faster. Just like last time. More of a pleasant high, or so I am told. Less retching afterward. Abuse of it of course would end with you looking...quite a bit like you did last time. I doubt you can abuse it on half a vial.

Yet, I doubt you'll deny the the advantage of both of them being on the Zaunite side. There's leverage in that power being in our hands. Yet, let's not forget that Piltover can simply request another from Aurora at any time they like; she granted the request once so who was to say she wouldn't as many times as there is a request? Same with your Shimmer, I expect.

[All of this theatrics over a power source that may or may not be used as a weapon. He knew and had seen what other people could do naturally, yet it was the hexgem that seemed to create a stir? Sounded like normal people being afraid and rather than talking, they were reacting.

Just like home he supposed.]

And just what are we bargaining for here of all places? We have whatever we want as long as we're quiet and playing along.

[And yet, here he was reacting. Here he was on his way to the Kiramman mansion under false pretenses of seeing her post mission for an opportunity to have a single moment with her weapon. He had seen how it worked after all. He should have learned to not go off half-cocked like this, but fear was irrational. If he lost her...]

We're in lock-step on that. We've seen what people are capable of naturally; it's worse than the power of the mages we were taught as kids. Hence why I said he's a kid. He's sticking his nose where it doesn't belong; he needs something to control, I guess.

[Of course. It doesn't sound that bad, and yet he knew it would be. It wasn't the effects that he was worried about; it was the cravings afterwards. He'd watched addicts sell out their friends, their families, ruin their lives for drink or drugs. They systematically destroyed everything good and they couldn't even help it.

And now Silco was offering him that path. First hit was always free.]

Or so you're told. Dealer never tries their product, of course. They know what the poison does long-term after all.

Hence why I didn't bother suggesting you keep it. They wouldn't be able to stand us having more than them.

[ Silco. Being. Silco...

And he doesn't address the shimmer. He's not going to. ]

Apparently we're bargaining for "Runeterra's Survival". According to what Aurora wants us to do.

[ Text doesn't convey tone, but well. Silco clearly hates it and hates that. He has nothing to bargain for other than continued survival, and that seems too easy. ]

Well, this child can control business that isn't ours. I'll ensure they think otherwise next time, if they go through with it.

[ silco......

He doesn't say how, of course. ]

If you control it, there are no such effects. Sevika has been using it for years with her arm. [ He's been using it for longer. ] Do you remember those old miners, the ones that couldn't do the work anymore, and how they were given those old medications. How some of them seemed to be just fine on them, and others took too many, spiraled, and then seemed to fall apart after a few years?

Addiction comes for anyone who is susceptible to it. It's all about control. You know that. Shimmer is novel, but it is not that novel.

I could talk them into it.

[The only reason he didn't still have one in the first place was Jayce prioritized Cait over himself, which was a fact that he accepted without complaint. However, people underestimated that if he put his mind to it, he tended to actually get what he wanted.]

If we go to war with another group, we'll be doing penance for Runeterra's sake for a long time. I know you won't quit if it goes that far, and if Jinx is threatened, I may not either. All this because a kid can't think consequences.

[Vander knew that Silco was on the move, and that was very dangerous. At this point, he didn't have the bandwidth to interrogate the man, and honestly, if this went south, they may need what Silco had. Topside might stand to the sidelines and let them walk their own path after causing the battle in the first place. Typical.]

She mentioned, yeah. You've also been using for years. [It wasn't a question. He knew it. Silco knew it.] I remember them. I remember them in squalor living in the dark eking out an existence for some time before they died alone and forgotten. They medicated their pain to start but soon they medicated to either feel something or feel nothing at all. Control sounds about right. You've always been about control, and this is just another avenue to do that. And I bet like everything else you'll peddle, the sacrifice of a handful is worth the overall goal. The human cost of your mechanizations was just the price of business, a sacrifice to rally others. If I take it, I hope I do become that monster again. I want to see that look of terror on your face. Though maybe me being in control under the influence would be frightening too.

I do not doubt that you could. [ A compliment??????? From SILCO????????????? Look. This time it is warranted. ] Then the moment that they realize we have one, or it becomes inconvenient, they would start yammering for it. Or, alternatively, you would find reason to give it to them.

[ Likely... if Silco was involved. The moment he did something. He is aware. No, it's better to be where he expects. The ones who supposedly want "peace" even when they don't. The'll just start amassing more, otherwise. Keep the amount low, keep it from increasing. Let them have it.

Jinx can do so much more with it than they ever could with scrap and whatever Silco could procure. His brilliant, perfect daughter could do more than they could eve dream of. ]

There is a difference between medicating for pain and what I do. I'm sure you're thinking I can't go without it, but you would be very, very incorrect.

[ Microdoses only. Controlled Application in the most unpleasant way possible. It's the most effective. It does what it needs to do. But Silco could not say he's addicted. ]

You want to frighten me, do you? [ There's... both fear, and a thrill in that. A part of Vander still wants to be that monster, he knows it. The beast coiling and raging against the cage. He could stick his fingers in and find them snapped off. He still could, despite what the man says. How he pretends with everyone else. Silco fears it. He wants to see it. He wants to see Vander become the monster, because it vindicates everything that he knows to be true. It vindicates him. ]

You want me to say that I hope you don't? You won't hear that from me.

[ he wants other people to see it to. To understand.

That monster is in everyone. Even the ones they wish it wasn't in. ]

I'm screen capping this agreement from you. [He would need to read it a few more times to believe that actually happened.] And what about it? Only Cait has skills to be able to take it back, and she has no skill at close range.

[It is unfortunate how much Vander had thought about it on his walk over, the contingency planning that came with being aware that he was potentially starting a fight and knowing how to come out the victor. When it came to a heist, he was better than most would consider him capable. All but probably Silco himself who has been on many heists in the past with him. Combat tactics were also Vander's strength.

And if Janna above, he and Silco worked together? He had no doubt that Piltover wouldn't stand much of a chance. It was probably best for that side that he and Silco had such a rift between them and this was as close to a civil conversation as they had managed to achieve in six months.]

I'm aware. You need it daily to keep what vision you have in that eye going. I saw the effect it had when you went without when we arrived.

[It did not surprise him that turning a drug that provided people the sense of freedom and power sold so well as a recreational use. For a people of downtrodden city, it was exactly the kind of medication that would fuel disputes as much as it would solve them. People could feel powerful, and there was often a lack of that for the little guy. The people Vander had wanted to protect most of all.]

If I have to, I will. Sometimes it's the only way to force you to retreat when you're taking a physical risk. [He knew Silco never would say such a thing, ask him not to. Too much pride, too much history there to warrant any kind of response.

After all, he had no doubt that Silco wanted to see him lose control. Not at him but in general to expose his temper to this place and vindicate the other man's feelings of hurt.]

I actually believe you hope I will. Publicly. Isn't that what our little tiffs are about? You pushing my buttons to see which will finally cause me to snap so you can point and tell the world how brutal and mean and awful I am. A wolf in sheep's clothing. We both know how vicious we can be.

Don't let it go to your head. [ Too late. ]

The enforcer may be the only one with the skills, but don't discount the Wonder Boys, Vander. Talis has a perfectly soft exterior, but he's very much willing to take what he must, and if he gets that hammer of his, or powers it up, you'll see precisely how willing he is. I know you think you can handle it, but it would come at great cost.

[ Reminding him that Silco knows a lot more than he lets on.

Sure, he wasn't the combat expert, but he was able to collect, categorize, and point out the things that Vander didn't. This was the most civil conversation they had, but he knew as well as Vander did that if push came to shove, and it was topside versus the Zaunites... if Vander was on their side, and willing to actually do what was necessary? They were dangerous.

Wasn't that half the reason why Silco needed to be eliminated? Beyond the anger, beyond the strife... if Silco lived, Vander would fight back. ]

Clearly, Jinx needs a reminder of what not to say.

[ Heaven help him, his daughter could not keep her mouth shut. ]

Me? Try to provoke that? Why, Vander, you've got it all wrong. I simply detest you.

[ No, he's 100% right. Which is why he bald-faced lied. ]

Talis has the upper body strength, I agree, but you think his years at a forge match my years of combat even old and burnt low as I am? Tell me about this hammer because if this goes sour, the thing that I can lose will be something I'll give everything for.

[And look at them working and strategizing relatively cooperatively. It annoyed him, but that could also be his current emotional state as he marched to the Kiramman mansion to steal. It could also be that this glimpse of what cooperation looked like was opening a door just a crack of them not continually fighting day after day, week after week, year after year.]

While I expect I should talk to her about that because you can't set a boundary with her to save your own damn life, I actually think she will listen to you over me. Remind her what is at stake.

[He almost threw a sardonic joke that if she did what she was told, Vander would be nice to Silco for 10 minutes a day for a week. He wasn't willing to risk that, and it would blow up this conversation to fighting immediately he knew.]

I can read your sugary sweet fake tone even in this text. You used it on kids all the time, but I see through it. [By Janna's tits Silco, stop lying about what they both knew.] Glad I can continually disappoint you, as usual.

[After this exchange with Damian, Jason sends a message]

The theft's been called off. Can we meet? You decide when and where

By whom? Is there a reason that you want to meet face-to-face?

[Ambush perhaps? He was not an untrusting person, but he had considerable survival instincts where not being jumped was a high priority.]

We got Damian to back off from this. We don't want this any more than you do.

[Though Jason doesn't know yet what exactly happened between Damian and Bruce and it's worrying that Damian quit. But Jason's still in crisis mode and needs to take care of one powder keg at a time first]

Seemed best we talk about this man to man. I don't wanna just hide behind a screen. I'll leave it to you to decide how you wanna do this. Or we can just leave it

[Jason would not blame Vander if he refused. The threat of stealing Jinx's gun got the Zaunites hackles up and then some. It's hard to regain trust after something like that]

It seemed a foolish choice to kick the nest over, but I'm relieved he will not be seeking to steal what is ours.

[He had limited interactions with much of the family, but Damian did seem like a handful. He expected convincing the kid to back off was a full team effort.]

Agreed then. I'm trusting you on this. Meet me in an hour at Rocky's barcade. I expect you need a stiff drink or two.

[The drink offer surprises Jason but he'll accept that for now. He would like to think he and Vander had started building some kind of rapport before this escalation had happened. He'd rather not lose it already]

Thanks. See you then

[It was close and personal, but the bar was a place where he had the advantage since he served the drinks. People usually didn't mess with the bartender or they would face unfortunate repercussions for their actions, and it was the place where Vander was most comfortable.

Of course, he wasn't working today, so he had taken up residence at one of the tables where his back was to the wall and he had a full view of the room. It was strategic to allow him to see who was coming and going from the establishment. He also was at the table furthest away from windows; he knew his business well when it came to buying time in cases of ambush.

He waited and watched, nursing a finger of whiskey as he had arrived purposefully early to claim his spot.]

[Jason arrives on time as promised. He's pointedly coming in unarmed and just dressed in a t-shirt, jeans, and combat boots. The outfit isn't too baggy so it would be easier to tell that he doesn't have anything hidden on him. Nothing holstered at his hips either.

He sees where Vander is sitting and knows exactly why the older man positioned himself like that. Jason has used that exact tactic before for other meetings.

He sits across from Vander. Jason knows he has the disadvantage by having his back to the main egress. Someone could ambush him. But he's choosing to rely on his instincts and senses to get away if it comes to that.

He hopes it doesn't come to that though. By sitting where he is, he also wants to show he wants to keep trusting Vander too]

Thanks for meeting me.

[He thought that it was a good judge of Jason's intentions that the younger man didn't balk at all at the scene that he set. In fact, Jason arrived and crossed the distance to where he was sitting and settled across from him, and he inclined his head in greeting as he lifted his tumbler to his lips for a sip.

His eyes flicked around to check for if perhaps some of the family might be around.]

What's your poison for drinking? I have the impression that you've been put through the ringer.

[Jason snorts. He had barely slept since the drama started]

That obvious, huh? Just give me a nice stiff whiskey.

[For a moment, Jason thinks about if Vander could spike his drink with a drug to incapacitate him. But again, he wants to keep establishing trust. So he leaves it to Vander to take care of his drink order]

[Vander had also been at an increased vigilance since Damian had originally contacted him. However, his 'normal' was not sleeping all that much since arriving here, and all this did was change where he was awake rather than for how long. He expected he looked sleep deprived but then again, he had always been good at hiding such in public appearances.]

Coming right up.

[He rose from their table and crossed to the bar, leaning over it to talk to the bartender and ordering a double for Jason. He made a point of telegraphing all of his movements so it was hopefully clear that he wasn't hatching some plan to knock Jason out cold with drugs.

He returned with a tumbler and slid it across the table.] Best stuff they have. It's on the house. [Dad joke because he both worked here and everything was free anyway.]

So, who talked the kid off the cliff?

[Jason's body language seems casual but his eyes follow Vander as he walks over and orders his whiskey. Jason wants this to be a peaceful conversation but he's still suspicious enough to be on guard and consider the possibility of a sneak attack.

When Vander returns, Jason takes his tumbler]

A couple of emergency family meetings. It took a bit.

[He holds up his glass in an almost sarcastic toast]

Cheers to hopefully dodging metaphorical and literal bullets.

[He settled into his seat again and pulled his own tumbler closer to himself again, turning it with his fingers as he inclined his head in understanding. There had been quite the flurry of conversation and action on his side of the lane, though his side was ramping up rather than de-escalating.]

Group intervention work in your family, or is it just a flurry of one-on-ones trying to manage a situation?

[He lifted his own glass and tapped it lightly against Jason's in return.]

I don't always dodge. It depends who I am standing in front of to protect.

The latter.

[He drinks]

I get it. Sometimes you just gotta take the hit. Other times, it’s better to outright avoid the whole thing.

[And in the BatFamily’s case and until there’s a new development, they’d rather do the latter]

Especially when it’s not just for your own sake.

He's a kid, I understand that. But sometimes you punch the wrong guy and the community pulls together. Hopefully he learned a valuable lesson about jumping the gun.

[The corner of his mouth twitched upwards. Jason was half his age but understood the principles; that was the value of a life on the street. Lessons came hard and fast, and they both knew making the wrong play could cost.]

Well, there was a hit I didn't take, and it cost me dearly. Now I'm less inclined to move than ever.

[He brought his tumbler to his lips.]

Your family going to pull together, I expect? The way you spoke of them before was they fight a lot but come together when it matters. I assume that will hold true in this case?

It always holds.

[The answer comes out easy but internally, Jason's concerned about what happened between Damian and the younger Bruce. With how often the youngest Wayne likes to talk about being the "superior Robin" and trying to demonstrate it, Damian quitting as Robin is almost unimaginable. The fight had to be serious.

Memories of when Jason fought Bruce and then getting benched as Robin briefly rise up.

Jason pushes those memories down and sips from his tumbler]

Things might be a little awkward for a bit but we always find a way to patch things up.

[Maybe they all just need some more time to cool off]

Edited 2025-06-19 01:08 (UTC)

Good.

[Even when family was fighting, even when they disagreed or agreed, even when they parted ways for a time, it was important if the circumstances allowed for family to stick together. There were some where that didn't hold true, but Vander had been mostly fortunate with his own experiences. He hoped that Jason's could find their way.

However, even he understood that all families were different. Adoption was an added layer that few estimated correctly.

He shrugged his shoulders as he considered, watching Jason carefully.]

Maybe some time apart to let the emotion die down. Not too long otherwise there could be estrangement. How do you think your family will be treating those of my world going forward after all this?

Respectfully I hope.

[The BatFamily has a bad habit of attracting or generating drama somehow. Sometimes it was amongst themselves. Other times though, outsiders somehow and unfortunately get pulled in. Not helping matters now is the intel Oracle had dug up about the Zaunites.

Jason's aware that Vander's trying to read him and if his intentions were real. He seems unbothered though]

Bare minimum, respectfully keeping distance. Like I said, we don't want a fight.

We weren't looking for a fight either, yet here we are on the other side of that unfortunate theatrics. Respect just might be the most either side can hope for.

[Vander couldn't speak for the other Zaunites, but he knew that Silco was on the move. Jinx was a wildcard who seemed to be lost in her own interactions but also wasn't someone to mess around with. He could hope both settled, yet only one of those he thought had actual potential.

As for Piltover, they seemed aware that stirring up the sister city folk was a terrible idea and stood awkwardly behind them. Jayce had made quite the mess of things by talking, but then again, the man had a horrible foot-into-mouth disease.]

Are you setting yourself to be spokesperson for your family then?

[As far as Jason's aware of, he and Damian were the two in their family who have interacted with Zaunites. The others haven't and at this point, maybe it was for the best to keep distance. Covers still needed to be maintained and tensions were going to be high for a while.

Damian burned whatever bridges he had built with any Zaunites and Jayce, which left Jason...]

Yeah.

[Jason's expression, tone, and body language remain a mix of neutral and casual. But internally, he's been stressed and angry about the whole situation. It didn't need to happen and yet, here they were.

Dick was always the best diplomat in the family. He's the one who knows to how efficiently ease tension. Usually with a smile at some point too. There's a reason why he's the Titans' leader and why he's usually the one who can round up most of the BatFamily.

Meanwhile, Jason's well-aware of his preference for blunt approaches. Fists, threats, and violence were what helped him navigate through much of his life.

But Dick isn't in Etraya anymore and Jason had the foundations of a rapport with one Zaunite.

Jason hates that this the hand he's been dealt but but what other choice was there? Let the powder keg explode and have the whole family get dragged into a fight that shouldn't have been started in the first place?]

How about you? Spokesperson for the Zaunites?

[Well, joke was on Jason because Vander fully intended to put himself out there to meet more of this family and understand their dynamic better with each other. They seemed like a wild lot, and the threat would always be present because Damian didn't seem like the 'give up' type of teen.

He nodded his head at the confirmation, accepting it easily. While he would pass on the information, it was useless if no one cared about it. Still, an effort would be made.

Yet, he snorted at the absurdity of the question returned to him. He expected it, and maybe half a year ago he would have confidently said that he was but these days? He was just a guy lost in the shuffle and doing what he could to protect those he cared about. Whether they needed it or not was on them.

He lifted his tumbler to his lips and took a long sip from it.]

No. I'm not particularly a spokesman for anyone, but I know them well enough to run interference to focus their attention on me to distract from a more perilous situation. And I'll defend them. Zaunites stick together; it's been us against everyone else a long time. When you have nothing, you covet that which you do. [It was the rule of the streets, engrained and basically in their DNA these days.] I assume you know about that.

[Jason nods]

That’s Surviving Crime Alley 101. Always watch your back. Trust is hard earned. Nothing comes for free.

[All were hard lessons he learned early on as a kid. While his life is much more stable now, he still relies on those approaches. They’re how he survives as a vigilante]

Of course you’d be all pissed about this.

[He takes another sip]

And you watch the back of those who you have connection with.

[He appreciated the candor. He knew Jason understood the struggles better than most, which might have been one of the big reasons that he was here having a drink with the man rather than insisting this be done over text.

It wasn't this guy's fault his family member wanted to go rogue. Much like Zaunites, he was certain they were painted with a similar brush as this family.]

The logic made no sense to me. I've played soccer with kids that could kill with a literal look or some guy in a moody castle could blow up the city if he wasn't so morose or a near indestructible man flies around. No one yells about them, but a girl with a gun? It's unfortunate choices were made that she was the biggest problem around these parts.

[He finished the last of his finger of whiskey and set his tumbler aside.]

So, where do we go from here? We stand in our separate corners and handle our own people?

[Even with Oracle's intel, Jason knows there must be more to to Jinx's story and about what Vander's family is like. Rarely are things so black and white and even less so in places like Crime Alley or Zaun. The hextech weapon is still a concern but Jason's not interested in acting on it until there's further information and much more ideally, if they could collaborate with the Zaunites instead]

I guess so. It doesn't seem like we're in any good shape to have pints with each other for now.

[He highly doubts most of the BatFamily will be interested]

How are you holding up?

[There were plenty of details that both of them were missing about each other and their associated people. He had no doubt that the dynamics were messier than what appeared on the surface. Things were best kept behind closed doors, and he supposed that Etraya helped obscure the messier details from being discovered.]

Not yet. Perhaps in future when things settle out again, assuming that they do.

[He leaned back in his chair and shrugged his big shoulders nonchalantly.]

Not sure, honestly. It's been a busy few days, and I expect the ripples of this aren't yet fully felt by everyone. You?

[Jason drains his tumbler before replying]

Honestly, the same as you. It's gonna be a while before the smoke from the aftermath gets cleared up.

[He shakes his head]

I love them but this is a mess none of us needed.

Agreed on both fronts. As if missions and the fate of our worlds isn't enough pressure, we now have to wrangle those close to us.

[He wasn't certain who had the harder job in that right now. Perhaps Jason has more people to keep an eye on, or maybe it was simply Damian acting out.]

Want another drink?

If you don't mind, sure.

[Jason runs a hand through his white-streaked hair. He's definitely seen better days]

Robin doesn't speak for us about this matter.

[Maybe it was obvious now but it didn't hurt to reiterate the point]

[He pushed himself to stand, gathering both of their tumblers in one hand and looked down at Jason. He did wonder about the streak; it reminded him a little of Silco though the one Jason had was far more dramatic.]

I know. He's a kid doing something stupid because he thinks it's right, or he's angry about something, or he's bored, or because he wants attention of someone. Teens aren't reasonable and thinking about consequences isn't their strong suit.

[He was reminded of Vi who took his kids on a job topside, blew up a building and led to the crack down across the Lanes. He doubted she had thought much of the consequences, but they had come knocking, and that was a decision that she would live with the rest of her life.

He walked away to fill their glasses, this time with more than before. He again telegraphed his movements so Jason could see he added nothing to their drinks before returning again to his seat. He set the one tumbler in front of Jason.]

But I do know this problem isn't over.

[Again, Jason carefully watches Vander’s movements as their glasses get refilled. He appreciates that civility is still being maintained.

He graciously takes his glass once it’s been refilled]

How so?

[Jason can hazard some guesses by what Vander means but he wants to hear it straight from him first]

[He took a cursory sip of his to assure Jason that it was safe. Well safe enough anyway.

He regarded the younger man for a long quiet moment to debate if his timing was worthwhile. He decided that he had enough respect for Jason to want to give the other man a heads up.]

Silco is on the move. His playbook is probably what we discussed before. That Pandora's Box is now open for real and no closing it.

[Oh... This is going to get worse before it gets better then. Jason's expression darkens]

You're certain? Any mentions of a Dr. Jonathan Crane?

[Vander huffed a noise of amusement, swirling his drink in its glass. He appreciated that Jason took the news seriously.]

He wouldn't be so obvious as to day outright. However, he dropped enough vague comments that I am certain they have made contact. Silco doesn't cook; he distributes and networks.

[Jason is absolutely taking it seriously. The timing of this the last thing any of them need]

Crane would cook. More than happy to and it wouldn't surprise me if he was already working on something before he and Silco called. Crane's also known as the Scarecrow so you might wanna keep your ears open to anything like that too.

So it is likely safe to assume that they have some sort of venture planned. What they would concoct I don't know, but I assume it would not make Etraya better in the long term.

[This was all something they should have hoped to avoid, but whatever Silco was working on, he intended to keep tabs on it. He had already made mistakes while emotional not that long ago.]

[Jason nods]

It’s always bad news when Crane’s involved. Do we have a rough idea of what the timeline is?

No details. It wasn't my primary concern at the time we were speaking.

[That had been in the thick of things with expecting Damian to make a move against Jinx. He had been considering his options on that more than anything else.]

Maybe look into your Crane guy and see what he is up to.

We will. We don't trust him to leave him alone. He's the type who doesn't like to gets his hands dirty unless he's sure the fight's already in his favor.

[Jason sips from his tumbler]

Shimmer and fear toxin sound like a hell of a combo.

Neither does Silco. He prefers to operate in the shadows, but I expect he is looking to create disruptions.

[Maybe if there were a few groups on the look out, they could limit the amount of damage the two could create. It wasn't as if Silco or Jinx would listen to him. Well maybe Jinx.]

Overpowered fast healing people infected by fear? With the power some people have here; it would be a rough ride.

I know why Crane would want to do this but what does Silco have to gain from it? It’s not like we got a real economy here.

That's why. There is not disparity or crime, so he'll create some.

[It was about control too.]

[Jason scoffs. Right. Some crime lords do what they do out of greed. Some believe they have a higher message to prove. Others are just sadists]

Figures. They really would be a match made in hell.

[He shrugged his shoulders as if this was not the most bothersome news.]

Perhaps. Time will tell, but we should have contingencies just in case.

Agreed. Given what kind of work this’ll be, presumably, this is going to be underground and not easy to reach.

Hmm, potentially. Shimmer was manufactured underground, but you'd know more about the other toxin. There are plenty of labs around these parts that they could operate from.

[Would it be secretive or would they simply find a way to manufacture quickly and then protect their assets?]

The tricky thing about fear toxin is that he can make it out of a wide range of ingredients.

[How fast Crane can whip it up is a question Jason doesn't really have an answer to]

If Crane already knows vigilantes from his world are also here, he'd want to take the most secretively lab to avoid detection.

So you know the recipe for it then? Can we cut off sources of specific ingredients?

[However, that didn't change the fact that Aurora could willingly bring items in on request. They may only delay the inevitable.]

He knows. People like that cover their basis before they make a move.

Not unless we somehow convince Aurora not to do any of his requests.

[Jason's index finger traces the rim of his tumbler]

Might wanna consider rebreathers or gas masks soon.

Has that been done before?

[He wasn't certain that even he had the skills to convince her not to trust someone to act in their own interests when this entire world was built to test how they would try (and maybe fail) to save their worlds. This could just be part of the plan on some level.

Yet, at the suggestion, he simply smiled secretively.]

I breathe trench air from the worst parts of the undercity. We should keep this quiet until we have solid evidence.

[Jason has little doubt on whether Vander is tough. One has to be when living in places like Zaun or Crime Alley. But whatever this trench air is, it's nothing compared to getting a dose of fear toxin]

My side will be monitoring. We've been monitoring since we realized he showed up. Is anyone else on your side aware of this?

Edited 2025-06-23 02:51 (UTC)

[He did take the advice seriously, but he also expected that there were perhaps other modes of introduction of the toxin into the system. Perhaps that's where the pair would switch things up. Who knew. He would prepare accordingly.]

How many are on your side?

[He considered the question seriously, mulling it over. He sipped his whiskey.]

Potentially one other. Even if they aren't aware, I don't expect them to condone it anyway.

Enough of us.

[Jason's aware of how unhelpful the answer is but he still needs to play some things close to the chest]

Depending on how this goes, you'll probably find out soon enough. We're all gonna need to cooperate.

Trust only goes so far. I understand.

[There was the need to protect their own, and yet, he expected there was more than that involved here. He watched Jason carefully to try to understand the other man a little more.]

It doesn't matter to me; I make my stand the same way regardless of anyone else from my world. If you all want to take lead, do so.

It's nothing personal. A healthy sense of paranoia comes with the job.

[Jason sips his whiskey]

I'd rather this be a cooperation than one leading the other. We each have about half the intel to to this next disaster.

I'm aware. I did run part of city for some years and there were plenty that would want to see me or mine dead.

[He knew the necessity of caution, but on the heels of what his side had just gone through being rallied as they had, it didn't chase the paranoia in him. It was good he has a stone for now.]

Do we? I expect your intel will be deeper than mine. I have tread carefully.

You still know certain things better than us. Crane's one of our rogues but other than that, we're the outsiders to you guys.

[After just barely averting one disaster, Jason's trying to make it clear he's much more interested in teamwork for the next incoming crisis]

Don't give me so much credit. By the time Shimmer hits the streets in my city, I'm not around anymore.

[He raised his glass slightly as if toasting himself and his demise.]

We're outsiders to each other. It's going to take time and effort to build trust after what happened, so I suggest we make time for that if we are looking for cooperation. Just know though: if one of yours tries a hit on any Zaunite regardless of what they have done, it's over. We defend our own.

[He was left momentarily wondering if his loyalty on that front would be reciprocated. He decided that was one of those thoughts that was best left to two in the morning when he was closing the bar.]

[Jason is quiet as he considers Vander’s words. It’s a reiterated warning. While Jason doesn’t entirely agree with it, he understands where Vander is coming from. Jason can’t say if the rest of his family will have the same level of nuanced understanding as he does]

And how about when Silco and Scarecrow make their move?

Silco is my responsibility. If you want Crane to also be my responsibility, that's fine too, but I expect your people would the respect to wrangle one of their world.

[He supposed that Silco had been his responsibility for a long time, and he expected he would be as successful now as he had been then. They didn't have the benefit of mutual respect these days. And Runeterra was in the balance.

He downed his whiskey in a single gulp as he thought of the difficulties that were on the horizon.]

Yeah, Scarecrow’s ours to take down. Can we cooperate then? This can’t be a solo job.

[Jason doesn’t like that Crane might be up to his old tricks again but the possibility is looking more likely. He just hopes there aren’t more obstacles along the way, like infighting]

We can cooperate yeah. I do want to ask: why is he called Scarecrow?

[It sounded like a nickname similar to his being called Hound of the Underground.]

[Jason replies with an almost casual tone. When Jason was Robin, Bruce made it a point that he memorized files of Gotham's most infamous rogues]

Apparently it started as something from his childhood. He's tall and lanky like a scarecrow. When he decided to be a freak who likes to terrorize people, he embraced the name. Obviously he prefers to scare more than just crows.

Inbox (Etraya)

action; west corner of the hospital grounds, post-poro network post

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action; cw uh surprise drugs???

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cw hallucinations & mental illness

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cw .... i guess talking like dying like its nothing....

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